Full text of "Michigan historical collections"

See other formats

HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

COLLECTIONS AND KESEARCHES

MADE BY THE

Michigan Pioneer and Historical

. XXII

LANSING:
ROBERT SMITH & CO., STATE PRINTERS AND BINDERS

1894

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1894, by the

MICHIGAN PIONEER AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

PREFACE.

The committee of historians take pleasure in presenting to the public
this, the twenty-second volume of Pioneer and Historical Collections,
feeling confident that it will be found equal to any which have
preceded it in the value and interest of the historical matter here
gathered.

Let it be borne in mind that these volumes are not designed as
complete histories of the whole or scarcely - any one portion of the
State. They are simply intended to serve as storehouses of history
from which future historians can select appropriate materials for the
construction of such finished historic edifices as may hereafter be
required.

Our aim then is to "gather up the fragments that nothing be lost,'7
and preserve them in our published Collections; and by disseminating
them, to place them in the reach of all.

It is not always easy to foresee precisely what character of facts
will hereafter be most wanted and consequently most sought for in our
volumes. Probably all classes of information relating to our State will
have their interest and value and to a far greater extent than we are
apt to imagine. Therefore it is that our present volume will be found
to contain quite a variety of subjects.

This volume contains the proceedings of the Annual Meeting of
1893 and the papers read at that meeting, together with other histor-
ical papers.

A valuable contribution to the history of Detroit will be found ini

iv PREFACE.

the article upon By-Gones of Detroit showing the changes there
during the past fifty years.

The committee tender the thanks of the Society to all who have so
generously assisted in preserving and presenting the valuable papers

published in this volume.

MICHAEL SHOEMAKER,

HENRY H. HOLT,
L. D. WATKINS,
J. WILKIE MOORE,
GERRIT J. DIEKEMA,

Committee of Historians.
JENNIE B. GREENE,

Secretary of the Committee.

CONTENTS.

Page

Preface iii

Contents _ v

List of officers elected Jane 7, 1893 vii

Errata - 720

Minntes of Annaal Meeting, 1893 1

Report of Recording Secretary 19

Report of Corresponding Secretary 22

Report of Treasurer 24

Report of the Committee of Historians 25

Report of the Memorial Committee:

Allegan county— Don C. Henderson _ 36

Barry county— Daniel Striker 89

Bay county— Wm. McCormick 42

Branch county— Harvey Haynes 43

Calhoun county — John F. Hinman 45

Cass county— George T. Shaffer : 65

Clinton county— Ralph Watson 71

Eaton county— W. B. Williams 77

Genesee county— Josiah W. Begole . 79

Hillsdale county— Wm. Drake 89

Ingham county— C. B. Stebbins 92

Ionia county — Albert F. Morehouse 97

Jackson county— Josiah B. Frost 102

Kalamazoo county— Henry Bishop 118

Kent county— Wm. N. Cook 120

Lenawee county— S. C. Stacy 129

Monroe county 1 . _ 138

Muekegon county— Henry H. Holt 138

Oceana county— E. T. Mugford 143

Ottawa county— A. S. Kedzie 143

Saginaw county— C. W. Grant 146

Shiawassee county— Alonzo H. Owens 162

St. Clair county— Mrs. Helen W. Farrand 166

St. Joseph county — Hiram Draper... 175

Tuscola county— Wm. A. Heartt 186

Wayne county— J. Wilkie Moore 187

President's Address— Alpheus Felch 198

Memoir of Dr. T. C. Abbot— O. Clute 206

Memoir of Francis R. Stebbins— Mormon Geddes 214

Memoirof Anson DePeuy Van Buren— Stephen D. Bingham 217

Memoir of Charles M. Croswell-Judj/e T. M. Cooley... 222

vi CONTENTS.

Page

Memoirs of distinguished members of the Bay county Bar— Judge A. C. Maxwell _ 226

James Birney - — 227

Theophilus C. Grier.. 230

Hon. Sidney T. Holmes 232

fieminiscenses of Oceana county— Hon. Enoch T. Mugford 23&

Keminiscenses of Oceana county -Mrs. Nancy B. White 240

Early French Missions on the Saginaw— .FVed Carlisle 244

Sketch of John Tanner, known as the "White Indian "—Judge Joseph H. Steere . 246

Poem-When I was a Boy with a Head like Tow-E7. B. Webster 255

Settlement and Natural History of Manchester and Vicinity— L. D. Watkins 262,

Fifty-two years of itinerant life in the Michigan Conference of the M. E. Church— Rev. R. C.

Crawford _ - 266

Progress in Transportation and Mails in the last fifty Years— C. T. Mitchell 281

Comparative Sketches of E. B. Ward, James F. Joy, Lewis Cass and Wm. Woodbridge— Fred

Carlisle - - 283

Railroad History of Michigan— James F.Joy - 292

Bygones of Detroit— Hon. Geo. C. Bates - 305

Settlement of Oakland county— John M. Norton 404

History of Oakland county— Hon. Thomas J. Drake 408

Biographical Sketch of John Roberts— Levi Bishop — 427

Some of the Benefits that accrued to Detroit from the devastating Fire of 1805— C. M. Burton 431

Battle and Massacre at Frenchtown, Mich., January, 1818— Rev. Thomas P. Dudley 436

Early Saginaw Con stables- Jud»e Albert Miller 44*

Pioneer Beminiscenses— Mrs. Azuhah L. Jewett _ 447

A Pioneer's Reminiscenses— Contributed by Judge Albert Miller _ 450

The Pioneer Schools of the State— Judge A Ibert Miller 454

Sixty-two Years Ago— An old map of the late Captain Marsac unearthed— Contributed by Judge

Albert Miller 457

Recollections of a Pioneer of Early Michigan— Judge Albert Miller 461

Response to Dr. Wight's Anniversary Sermon— Judge Albert Miller. 464

Laying of the Corner Stone of the New First Presbyterian Church, Bay City— Contributed by Judge

Albert Miller 466

The Medical Profession in Michigan— Dr. O. C. Comstock 471

Fifty Years of Growth in Michigan— Hon. Byron M. Cutcheon.... 479

Pioneer History of the Settlement of Eaton county— By early Settlers 502

Personal Reminiscenses— Rev. W. B. Williams — 526

Early History of the Township of Davison— Goodenough Townsend 542

Some Lenawee county History— Judge Norman Gfeddes -- 556

Some Lenawee county History— A. L. Millard 560

History of the Hastings M. E. Church— Hon. Daniel Striker 565

Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Congregational Church, Portland, Mich _ 624

Sketch of Barnch G. Cooley— A. F. Morehouse 625

Historical Sermon— Rev. L. P. Spelman 62£

A Biographical Sketch of Levi Hamilton Goodrich— Enos Goodrich 651

Story of the drowning of Dr. Douglass Honghton and sketch of Peter McFarland, the last survivor

of the expedition , 662:

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE MICHIGAN

PIONEER AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY,

ELECTED JUNE 8, 1893.

PRESIDENT.

Ex-Gov. Alpheus Felch _ Ann Arbor

RECORDING AND CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

George H. Greene Lansing

TREASURER.

Merritt L, Coleman Lansing

VICE PRESIDENTS.

Allegan Don C. Henderson _ Allegan

Barry Daniel Striker _ Hastings

Bay _ Andrew C. Maxwell -Bay City

Berrien Thomas Mars Berrien Centre

Branch Harvey Haynes ___ Coldwater

Calhoun John P. Hinman _ __ Battle Creek

Cass George T. Shaffer _ Redfield

Clare Henry Woodruff _ Parwell

Clinton Ralph Watson South Riley

Crawford Dr. Oscar Palmer... Grayling

Eaton. __W. B. Williams _ Charlotte

Emmet.. Isaac D. Toll... _ .Petoskey

Genesee Josiah W. Begole. _ Flint

Grand Traverse Reuben Goodrich __ Traverse City

Gratiot Wm. S. Turck ; Alma

Hillsdale Wm. Drake. _ Amboy

Houghton ...Thomas B. Dunstan _ ..Hancock

Ingham C. B. Stebbins _ Lansing

Ionia. A. F. Morehouse... __ Portland

losco __.H. C. King ..Oscoda

Jackson Josiah B. Frost _ Jackson

Kalamazoo Henry Bishop Kalamazoo

Kent.. Wm. N. Cook Grand Rapids

viii OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.

Lapeer.._ ..John Wright ..Lapeer

Lenawee S. C. Stacy _ — __Tecumseh

Livingston Albert Tooley.. Howell

Macomb __ Chauncey G. Cady__ Mt. Clemens

Manistee T. J. Ramsdell Manistee

Marquette- ._ _ __Peter White Marquette

Menominee __James A. Crozier.__ Menominee

Monroe Gouveneur Morris Monroe

Montcalm J. P. Shoemaker _ _ __Amsden

Muekegon Henry H. Holt._ _ _ ___Muskegon

Oakland Mark Walters.. _____ ^__Pontiac

Oceana E. T. Mugford Hart

Otsego ___ ..Charles F. Davis _ ___ _.Elmira

Ottawa John V. B. Goodrich Grand Haven

Saginaw Chas W. Grant ____. Saginaw, E. S.

Shiawassee Alonzo H. Owens Venice

St. Clair _ Mrs. Helen W. Farrand Port Huron

St. Joseph Hiram Draper Findley

Tuscola Wm. A. Heartt __ _ _Caro

Van Buren Kirk W. Noyes Paw Paw

Washtenaw Wm. H. Lay : Ypsilanti

Wayne J. Wilkie Moore Detroit

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Judge Albert Miller _ __.Bay City

Hon. O. M. Barnes __ __ , _ ..Lansing

Daniel Striker _ ___ Hastings

COMMITTEE OP HISTORIANS.

Col. M. Shoemaker Jackson

Hon. John H. Forster __ _ ___Williamston

Ex-Lt. Gov. H. H. Holt __ _ ..Muskegon

L. D. Watkins _ _ ..Manchester

J. Wilkie Moore ..Detroit

PIONEER AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETINGS, JUNE 7 AND 8, 1893.

The nineteenth annual meeting of the Michigan Pioneer and
Historical Society, convened in the senate chamber of the capitol at
Lansing, on Wednesday, June 7, at 2 o'clock, p. m.

The president, ex-Governor Alpheus Felch, called the meeting to
order and the session was opened with prayer by Rev. Wm. H. Haze
and singing of America by the audience.

The following officers were present:

President — ex-Governor Alpheus Felch, of Ann Arbor.

Recording and Corresponding Secretary — Geo. H. Greene, of Lansing.

Treasurer — Merritt L. Coleman, of Lansing.

Executive Committee — Judge Albert Miller, Bay City, and Rev. R.
C. Crawford, Grand Rapids.

Committee of Historians — Col. M. Shoemaker, Jackson, Hon. Henry
H. Holt, Muskegon, and Fred Carlisle, Detroit.

Vice Presidents — Hon. Daniel Striker, Barry; Ralph Watson, Clinton;
Rev. Wolcott B. Williams, Eaton; C. B. Stebbins, Ingham; Albert F.
Morehouse, Ionia; Hon. Henry H. Holt, Muskegou; Hon. Enoch T.
Mugford, Oceana; Alonzo H. Owens, Shiawassee; and J. Wilkie Moore,
Wayne.

There were also delegates from county societies as follows:

Allecjan, Dr. Osman E. Goodrich; Kent, Thomas D. Gilbert and

2 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

Noys L. A very; Lenawee, Alfred L. Millard and Norman Geddes,
Wayne, Francis I. Clark, J. Wilkie Moore, David Parsons, Stephen B.
McCracken and Fred Carlisle.

The reading of the minutes of the annual meeting of 1892 was, ,pn
motion of Col. M. Shoemaker, dispensed with.

The reports of the recording secretary, the treasurer and the corres-
ponding secretary were then read and on motion each was accepted
and adopted.

A quartette, "While the Years are Boiling On," was then sung by
the Plymouth church quartet.

Col. Michael Shoemaker, chairman of the committee of historians,
submitted his report for the committee, which was also accepted and
adopted.

Geo. H. Greene, chairman of the memorial committee, called the roll
of counties for a memorial report when the following counties responded
through their vice presidents either in person or by letter, viz.:
Allegan, by Don C. Henderson; Barry, Daniel Striker; Branch, Harvey
Haynes; Calhoun, John F. Hinman; Cass, Geo. T. Shaffer; Clinton,
Ralph Watson; Eaton, Rev. Wolcott B. Williams; Genesee, Josiah W.
Begole; Hillsdale, William Drake; Ingham, C. B. Stebbins; Ionia,
Albert F. Morehouse; Jackson, Josiah B. Frost; Kalamazoo, Henry
Bishop; Kent, William N. Cook; Lenawee, S. C. Stacy; Livingston,
Albert Tooley; Muskegon, Henry H. Holt; Oceana, Enoch T. Mugford;
Ottawa, Rev. A. S. Kedzie; Saginaw, Chas. W. Grant; Shiawassee,
Alonzo H. Owens; St. Clair, Mrs. Helen W. Farrand; St. Joseph,
Hiram Draper; Wayne, J. Wilkie Moore.

C. T. Mitchell of Hillsdale read a paper on " The Progress in
Transportation and Mails in the last Fifty Years."

A solo, "The Last Rose of Summer," was then sung by Miss
Osborne.

President O. Clute, of the Agricultural College, then read a well
prepared memoir of President Theophilus C. Abbott.

A paper entitled, "A Picture of Memory — Settlement of Oakland
County," was then read by John M. Norton of Rochester, after which
the chair appointed a committee of three, consisting of Col. M. Shoe-
maker, M. D. Osband, and Albert F. Morehouse to nominate officers
for 1893-4.

Five minute speeches were then called for and responded to as
follows:

Stephen D. Bingham, Lansing — I want to say a few words in regard
to the best man the society ever had, A. D. P. Yan Buren. I can say in

MINUTES. 3

behalf of all the old members of this society, that they never had a man
who has done more for the Pioneer Society than Mr. Van Buren. His
intense interest in this society, and the place he filled, could be filled
by no other man who ever belonged to us. I trust that there is some
member of this society who will write a sketch of this man, who has
placed on record the sketches of so many men of the original pioneers
of Michigan. I can say, as we can say of many others, that his place
in the society can never again be filled.

Judge Albert Miller, Bay City — I got married in Detroit the 6th of
February, 1838, and the verse which I quote serves to give a description
of the railroads at that time.

"The rails were of wood, but the coaches were fine,
For there were two seats in each on which to recline.
The horses then hied us with speed and much strength
Over that railroad which was twelve miles in length.
At the end of the railroad then we there found
A stage coach in waiting for Pontiac bound.
But I must confess that at that early day,
A stage coach was nothing but an open sleigh.
But in a day's journey we succeeded so well,
That before night-fall we reached Judge Bagley's hotel."

Judge Andrew Howell, of Detroit, was then called for and responded
as follows: I came here to listen and not to make any remarks in
regard to pioneer matters. I can say only a few words in regard to
Lenawee county where my life has been spent. There in those early
days our people settled in a thickly wooded country and heavy forests.
They came there young men and young women from New York and
New England, and filled up the county of Lenawee. They were young
people, not rich, or not the poorest, but in those days when it took
three weeks to journey from central New York to Monroe, and three
or four days from Monroe back into the wooded portions of Lenawee
county, it took a pretty sturdy set of young men and young women to
do it. They were all alike, there were no idlers among them; when
they got there together they were a moral, industrious set of young
men and women. Their children grew up like them, and they were as
good a population of people as ever existed in this country or ever will
exist. They were all alike then. They were all good and industrious,
and so it has been with a large portion of Michigan, but especially
with the southern part.

L. D. Watkins, Manchester — I recollect when the circuit court was
organized there was a judge from the eastern part of the State sent

4 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

out to organize the court in the county where .1 then lived. I
happened to be on the grand jury, and he gave us a very voluminous-
charge on various matters that would need our attention, and among
the rest, gambling, which was very common in our new counties. One
evening I went into the office of a friend of mine and found the judge
and half a dozen lawyers, that had congregated from the adjoining
counties, and two or three citizens seated around the table playing
poker, [and my friend dragged me into the game. I did not know
anything about it, and he told me to put up a little something, and
we played until there was about five dollars in the pool; and the
judge took all the good money I had in the world. I think if I would
not have implicated myself I should have taught that judge a lesson ..
Two choruses, one entitled " Fancies " and the other " Sleep, Baby,
Sleep," were sung by the pupils from the central school, and the meet-
ing adjourned until 7 o'clock in the evening.

WEDNESDAY EVENING.

The society met pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by
the president. Prayer was offered by Rev. C. H. Beale.

A solo " I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" was sung by L. A. Baker.

The president delivered his annual address for which a vote of thanks
was tendered him on motion of S. B. McCracken, followed by music
" Softly now the Shadows Fall " sung by the high school ladies trio.

A memoir of Francis E. Stebbins, by Hon. Norman Geddes of Adrian,,
was then read by him.

The high school male quartet sang " The Owl and the Pussy Cat"
and responded to an encore with " Tinker's Song " from Kobin Hood.

A paper entitled " Eeminiscences of Oceana County" was then read
by Hon. Enoch T. Mugford of Hart.

Five minute speeches were then called for and responded to a&
follows :

The secretary announced that he had just received a letter from Hon.
S. W. Fowler of Manistee, which he would read as a five minute
speech from him, as follows:

Manistee, Mich., June 5, 1893.
Geo. H. Greene, Esq., Secretary of Michigan Pioneer and Historical

Society, Lansing:

DEAR SIR— Allow me to thank you for your kind invitation to attend
the coming annual meeting of your society. I hoped to have been

MINUTES. 5

present but unforseen events may prevent. I am interested in the
early history of the state of my adoption. I first landed in Michigan
at Detroit fifty-two years since, a boy twelve years old without an
acquaintance in the State. Detroit was a small French settlement with-
out a paved street or a sidewalk that I saw. The mud up Jefferson
avenue was something fearful and if there were any carriages I failed
to find them. The aristocracy of the place made their evening calls,
went to mill and to market in small French carts that, to me, looked
funny as they went bobbing up and down the streets. The Michigan
Central R. E. was being built west. I first arrived at Lansing in 1848
in a stage coach from Jackson, and stopped at the Lansing House,
then a wooden building located nearly opposite where the Hotel
Downey is now located.

The constitutional convention was then in session, and there were
few if any buildings between the capitol and upper and lower Lansing.
The trees had just been cut down and a wilderness of stumps met the
gaze in every direction.

The Battle Creek road had just been cut out but the logs prevented
travel and there was not a house within ten miles in that direction and
no possible way to go through except on foot, and as I was bound for
Albion College I took to the woods afoot and alone, and after two
days of the hardest and worst travel I ever had, I succeeded in reach-
ing Albion. There was no house within ten miles of Albion in that
•direction, and the musquitoes were thicker, larger and) hungrier than
the celebrated Jersey musquitoes, and I was evidently the first morsel
they had had in a long time, they improved their opportunities; while
I, half crazed with pain, became lost and wandered miles out of my
way.

I afterwards took my revenge, in part, by introducing a bill in the
senate which became a law, improving the road from Lansing to Char-
lotte, making it at the time one of the best roads in the State. When
I located in Charlotte in 1853 and commenced practicing law, the fourth
Michigan Report had just been published, now there are about ninety-
four volumes. Detroit has become one of the. finest cities in the
northwest, the • wilderness around Lansing has been made to blossom
like the rose, and Michigan has over 2,000,000 educated and thriving
people. The pioneers of the State may well be proud of the progress
made, and of the part they took in this advancement.

I would like to send greeting to the members, and hope this will be
a very pleasant and profitable meeting.

Yours sincerely,

S. W. FOWLER.

6 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Hon. Enoch T. Mugford, Hart— When I settled in the place where*
I now live, it was a wilderness from the city of Grand Bapids to that
place. I came there as a poor man. Cut my way through the woods
and got my little family there, and we have lived there ever since.
And today I feel proud of meeting you here as old settlers of this
State. And feel proud of the county which I represent, Oceana county.

Albert F. Morehou.se, Portland — Reference has been made to the
sickness which was prevalent in Oceana county. I well recollect how
it was in Clinton and Ionia counties, near that portion of Ionia county
where I reside. It was a common opinion that when a patient was
pretty well run down he must not have anything to drink but hot
drinks. That was the professional cure, and when the fever went off
the patients usually went with it. There was a man there by the
name of Jesse Monroe, who had a different view of the case. There
was an Irish family, which I well knew, lived about three miles from
Mr. Monroe, and the father of the family was addicted to drink, and
word came that he was very sick. The doctor was treating him.
Finally he was so near dying that he couldn't possibly live twenty-four
hours, and the neighbors were worn out with watching, and Jesse
Monroe thought he would try a new course of treatment, and volun-
teered to sit up with the old gentleman. Taking with him a half pint
flask of whisky, he told the family, who were pretty well exhausted,
that they might retire to rest and when there came a change, as they
all anticipated, he would call the family up. After they had gone he
took a teaspoon and filled it with whisky and gave it to the old
gentleman. He could hardly see it disappear between his lips, and in
a minute or two he gave him another one, and then he saw some
action. He tried the remedy again and again, when he began to
revive and apparently dropped off to sleep. Finally Mr. Monroe heard
a rustling in the bed, and he went to him and the old man said, "I
want something to eat." He gave him another dose of whisky. The
man got well, but it was chargeable to the whisky and not to the
medicine.

Stephen D. Bingham, Lansing — I want to say a word about this
picture of Lafayette. This portrait represents him at full length at his-
own height, six feet and seven inches. The ordinary idea of the
French is that they are a diminutive race. This portrait was painted
by Horace Vernet. His father was a celebrated painter. Horace
Vernet was born in 1789, and died in 1863.

There has been many things said about this portrait, but I got my
information from Hon. Townsend E. Gidley, who was senator and

MINUTES. 7

representative here, perhaps oftener than any other man has been.
Mr. Gidley commenced his mercantile business in Ponghkeepsie, N. Y.,
at the age of seventeen. At the age of nineteen he was captain of the
military company at Ponghkeepsie. At the age of twenty-three Mr.
Gidley finding his health failing came out and settled in Jackson, and
the first year put in three hundred acres of wheat. He gave me the
history of this portrait. He was personally introduced to Lafayette.
He says this portrait was painted by Vernet at the request of Judge
Lyon, who attempted to get him to paint this portrait for himself, but
on his promise to give it to Michigan he painted it at the cost of $700.
This picture is the most valuable perhaps of anything that the State
of Michigan has today, and without doubt would bring twenty-five or
thirty, and perhaps fifty thousand dollars.

Hon. Alpheus Felch, Ann Arbor — I take it that there is a written
history of this painting somewhere in the proceedings of the legislature.
I do not know whether it is so or not, but there must of necessity be
some acknowledgment. The legislature could not receive as a gift one so
valuable as this and make no acknowledgment to the giver. You all
know that in the house of representatives there is a likeness of Stevens
T. Mason. I had occasion to see how that came there, and I found
that it was painted at the request and at the expense of some gentle-
man in Detroit. It was presented to the legislature and the legislature
accepted it and ordered it to be hung up in the house of representatives.
In looking over the records I was astonished to find that I was myself
on the committee which received it, and made a report upon it. I
mention this as showing that it is hardly possible that the legislature
should have received a painting of that description without making
some acknowledgment of the record. It would be worth while for
some of us to look at the records to see what history could be found.

A duet, "Greeting," was sung by Misses Maud La Rose and Grace
Lemon, and they responded to an encore.

The meeting then adjourned until Thursday morning at 9 o'clock.

THURSDAY MORNING.

The meeting was called to order by the president.
Prayer by Rev. Louis Grosenbaugh.

A solo entitled "Turn Backward, O Time, in your Flight," was sung
by Miss Neenah Jones.

8 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

The committee on nominations made the following report, which
was adopted:

The committee appointed to recommend names for officers of the
society for the ensuing year, would respectfully report the following:

President. — Hon. Alpheus Felch, Ann Arbor.

Recording and Correspondiny Secretary. — Geo. H. Greene, Lansing.

Treasurer. — Merritt L. Coleman, Lansing.

Executive Committee. — Albert Miller, chairman, Bay City; Orlando
M. Barnes, Lansing; Daniel Striker, Hastings.

Committee of Historians. — Michael Shoemaker, chairman, Jackson;
John H. Forster, Williamston; Henry H. Holt, Muskegon; L. D.
Watkins, Manchester; J. Wilkie Moore, Detroit.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

Lansing, Mich., June 8, 1893.

M. SHOEMAKEE,

M. D. OSBAND,

ALBEET F. MOEEHOUSE.

The secretary then called the roll of counties and Vice Presidents
were chosen as follows:

Allegan — Don. C. Henderson, Allegan.

Barry — Daniel Striker, Hastings.

Bay — Andrew C. Maxwell, Bay City.

Berrien — Thomas Mars, Berrien Center.

Branch — Harvey Haynes, Coldwater.

Calhoun— John F. Hinman, Battle Creek.

Cass-Geo. T. Shaffer, Eedfield.

Clare- Henry Woodruff, Farwell.

Clinton— Ealph Watson, South Eiley.

Crawford — Dr. Oscar Palmer, Grayling.

Eaton— Eev. Wolcott B. Williams, Charlotte.

Emmet— Isaac D. Toll, Petoskey.

Genesee — Josiah W. Begole, Flint.

Grand Traverse— Reuben Goodrich, Traverse City.

Gratiot—Wm. S. Turck, Alma.

Hillsdale— William [Drake, Amboy.

Houghton — Thomas B. Dunstan, Hancock.

Ingham— Cortland B. Stebbins, Lansing.

Ionia — Albert F. Morehouse, Portland.

losco— H. C. King, Oscoda.

MINUTES. 9

Jackson — Josiah B. Frost, Jackson.

Kalamazoo — Henry Bishop, Kalamazoo.

Kent — William N. Cook, Grand Rapids.

Lapeer — John Wright, Lapeer.

Lenawee — S. C. Stacy, Tecumseh.

Livingston — Albert Tooley, Howell.

Macomb — Chauncey G. Cady, Mt. Clemens.

Manistee — T. J. Ramsdell, Manistee.

Marquette — Peter White, Marquette.

Menominee — James A. Crozier, Menominee.

Monroe — Gouveneur Morris, Monroe.

Montcalm — Joseph P. Shoemaker, Amsden.

Muskegon — Henry H. Holt, Muskegon.

Oakland — Mark Walters, Pontiac.

Oceana — Enoch T. Mugford, Hart.

Otsego — Charles F. Davis, Elmira.

Ottawa — John V. B. Goodrich, Grand Haven. »

Saginaio — Chas. W. Grant, Saginaw, E. S.

Shiawassee — Alonzo H. Owens, Venice.

St. Ciair—~M.Ts. Helen W. Farrand, Port Huron.

St. Joseph — Hiram Draper, Findley.

Tuscola — William A. Heartt, Caro.

Van Buren — Kirk W. Noyes, Paw Paw.

Washienaw — William H. Lay, Ypsilanti.

'Wayne— J. Wilkie Moore, Detroit.

Judge Albert Miller offered the following resolution, which was
adopted :

Resolved, That Col. Michael Shoemaker, Hon. Henry H. Holt, and
Geo. H. Greene, Esq., be, and they are hereby appointed, delegates to
represent the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, in the depart-
ment of literature at the* World's Congress Auxiliary, to be held at the
World's Columbian Exhibition of 1893, in Chicago, the week commenc-
ing July 10, and report the result of their observations at the annual
meeting of the society in 1894.

David Parsons, of Detroit, offered the following resolution for S. B.
McCracken, which after some discussion was lost:

Resolved, That a committee of three persons, members of the society,
the chairman of which shall be an attorney at law, be appointed by
the chair, to whom shall be referred any and all matters relating to
the legal status of the society, with power to take such steps as may
be requisite to cure any imperfections, should such be found to exist.
2

10 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

A solo entitled " Lovely Spring," was then sung by Mrs. J. D.
Vivian.

Rev. E. C. Crawford, of Grand Eapids, read a very able paper on
his " Fifty- two Years in the Itinerancy of the Michigan Conference of
the M. E. Church," in which he related many interesting reminiscences.

L. D. Watkins, of Manchester, read a paper entitled " Settlement
and Natural History of Manchester and Vicinity," showing considerable
observation and research.

A very interesting article entitled " Sketch of John Tanner, known as
the White Indian," by Judge Joseph H. Steere, of Sault Ste. Marie, was
then read by'S. B. McCracken. After the reading of this paper the
Hon. Thomas D. Gilbert, of Grand Rapids, made the following remarks:

A daughter of the Rev. Bingham, who was a missionary in the
vicinity of Fort Monroe from 1828 to 1855, told me yesterday, knowing
that this paper was to be read, some incidents in connection with what
was known at Fort Monroe as the Tanner year in 1846. Tanner and
the fear of him dominated that town during that year until he
disappeared. All the traits of character spoken of in that paper this
lady confirmed. Speaking of his peculiarities she said he was for
many years the interpreter at her father's mission, interpreting his
sermons to the Indians, and the reason of his antipathy to some of the
citizens there was this: He abused this white wife of his so terribly
that she was forced to leave him, and a number of the citizens there,
among them the Schoolcrafts, and the Rev. Bingham, and some
others, contributed the necessary money to enable her to slip away and
leave him. He swore vengence against everyone who aided her or
sought to relieve her from his oppression. Henry R. Schoolcraft was
the one whom he meant to kill, but for some reason he could not get
a chance at him, and he supposed that he took his next kin, James
Schoolcraft, against whom he had the same antipathy. It was well
understood after this murder of James Schqplcraft that there were
those who would be served in the same way, and the officer's post
there kept a guard around the mission house, where the Rev. Bingham
lived, for two months, thinking that he might return and finish his
deadly work, but he never was seen afterward, as was clearly shown in
that paper.

A solo was then sung by Arthur Carmer entitled, "Then You'll
Remember Me," and the meeting adjourned until 2 o'clock p. m.

MINUTES. 11

THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

The society met pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by
the president.

Prayer, by Rev. W. F. Dickerman.

Music — A solo, by Mr. John Daniels.

Fred Carlisle, of Detroit, read a paper entitled " Comparative
Sketches of E. B. Ward, James F. Joy, Lewis Cass, and C. C.
Trowbridge."

A violin solp entitled, " Airs from Orpheus," was then rendered by
Mrs. Ella W. Shank.

A very interesting paper on "Railroad History," by James F. Joy,
was then read by Geo. H. Greene.

The high school chorus of Lansing then sang a piece entitled,
" Softly the Shadows Flitting O'er Us."

Five minute speeches were then called for and responded to as
follows :

Hon. Henry H. Holt — Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: I wish
to say a word further in regard to this picture. We are here as
historians as well as pioneers. It is a part of our duty to preserve the
history of Michigan as well as the records of the pioneer settlers, and
in this connection I wish to say something further in regard to this
picture of Lafayette.

The time is past when we can do anything in a pecuniary manner,
to recompense the officers and soldiers of the revolution, for the many
hardships they endured in their struggle for independence.

This is particularly true as regards those of foreign countries who
assisted us, of whom Lafayette is an especial example.

In fact, people generally do not fully realize the great obligations we
are under to him for his services in the revolution. There are many,
indeed, who are scarcely aware what he did for us, and how important
his efforts became. We do not remember that at one time the troops
were in such a condition, that, in order to keep them from perishing
from lack of food and clothing it became necessary for Lafayette to
borrpw money from his own resources, to furnish these necessaries.

Historians frequently say, that had it not been for these efforts of
Lafayette, it would have been doubtful if Washington could have suc-
ceeded in the revolution.

As representatives of this society, it seems to be our duty to keep
these matters of history before the people and do all we can to pre-
serve their recollection.

12 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

A few years since, while making a tour of Paris, I determined to
visit the grave of Lafayette. After inquiring some time about its
location, I started one morning to find it, and occupied nearly the
whole day before I succeeded. When I did so, it was overrun with
weeds and bushes and with nothing to mark it but a small tombstone.
The grave of a private citizen in Paris would receive more attention
than that of Gen. Lafayette.

I need not say that I was mortified to learn that Americans, visiting
Paris, know so little regarding one who rendered us such valuable
service.

I have been pleased to learn within the last few days that a number
of our citizens in Paris, procured some flowers and placed them on his
.grave on Decoration day. I hope that this will be the custom hereafter.

Americans should do something more. A suitable monument ' ought
to be erected at his grave, even if it is in an out of the way place, in
Paris.

We have heard what Mr. Bingham says in regard to this picture of
Lafayette, and I have no doubt it is true, and more than that, I am
.glad to be able to say so. It is only lately that people began to learn
that we have such a picture, in fact, the best picture of Lafayette in
the United States.

Although we have this, to show how little it is appreciated, I will
say that I have several times inquired of different senators as to what
picture it is — pretending not to know — I have usually found but few
who knew whose picture it is. I was in the legislature for the first
time in 1867 when the picture was in the library in the old capitol in
•a terrible condition, without any frame, covered with dust, and thrown
upon the top of book shelves.

I was also here in 1869, '71, '73 and '75, when it was in the same
place, and few knew there was such a picture in the library. It was
taken out, on the building of the new capitol, framed and repaired and
placed in its present position in the senate chamber, where I next saw
it at the session of 1879.

We are unable to say who brought it from Paris, but Mr. Bingham
told us yesterday that Mr. Gidley told him that it was procured by
Lucius Lyon and brought to this country, we do not know how or
•exactly when, but think it was put in the library but never hung until
this building was erected.

We certainly are under obligations to take care of it, and let people
know that we have it. It might as well be hung in a cupboard if
people do not know where it is and what it is.

MINUTES. 13*

It certainly should be understood and appreciated. The guards
should call attention to it so that those visiting the capitol can see it
if they wish.

We should be proud of it, and I hope you will go home remember-
ing that the people of Michigan are the owners of this treasure, as in
doing this we are showing respect to the memory of one to whom we
are so much indebted.

Hon. Norman Geddes — Mr. Chairman, I wish to make a motion that
this whole matter of investigation of the history of this picture, its
origin, and how the State came into possession of it, be referred to a
committee of which ex-Governor Holt be the chairman, with the
request that he prepare a paper to be read before this society next
year.

The above resolution was adopted, and ex-Governor Holt, Stephen D.
Bingham, and Fred Carlisle were appointed as members of such
committee.

Francis I. Clark, Flat Bock — I am greatly pleased to hear these
gentlemen speak on this subject and of this individual. The portrait
I have nothing to say about, but it is the man. It is not altogether
what Lafayette did in this country for America, but you must be
aware that he married a lovely woman for his wife in France, and he
sacrificed her affections, and her love for the time being; and not only
that, he left France against the orders of his king, and went to a
seaport and boarded a vessel where he thought there would be no-
chance of being pursued and brought back. This was certainly a great
undertaking to forsake a lovely wife and disobey the orders of his-
king, and come to America to lay down his life for a nation that he
knew nothing about any more than that we were struggling for liberty.
In the first instance of his landing — he landed I think in South Caro-
lina— he hastened to the army where General Washington lay below
Philadelphia. And there was the British army drawn up on the
Brandywine for a great battle, and General Washington brought all of
his forces and did the best that he could to keep the British army from,
taking possession of Philadelphia. And there they fought a great
battle, and this young hero was wounded. General Washington, you
know, received him as a son, and he always paid the greatest attention
to him, and gave him high command, and he fought nobly and
faithfully for a country he had no other interests in than out of a
patriotic motive to help America gain her independence and become a
free nation. I wish I had the. power of a Daniel Webster, I would
like to portray to you the grand sentiment of such a ,young hero.

14 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Mr. C. B. Stebbins, Lansing — There was once a revolution in France.
The king was deposed by the general voice of the people. The
provincial government was partially established, and the call was
"What shall we do?" Some were for proclaiming a republic. Others
said, "No." And they agreed among themselves that it should be
Louis Philippe. The next question was will the people sanction this
election? And while that state of things existed, and they were
debating that question in regard to the will of the people, Lafayette
came out where they were congregated and advised them to go in for
Louis Philippe, and I think that we may largely say that Lafayette
elected Louis Philippe king of France. Well, what about this picture?
I have known of that picture ever since 1857. I knew of its being in
the library laid away as the Governor has told us. Louis Philippe
naturally would be a friend of Lafayette's, and I have heard it said a
great many times, by those who got their information from somebody
else, that it was presented to this State by Louis Philippe.

Hon. Alpheus Felch — I was so much interested in the article which
has been read here, that I can hardly refrain from saying some word
about the railroad system of Michigan. Most of us remember that it
is almost half a century since we first embarked upon the railroad
system, and we all know ifchat nothing very great, nothing that we have
ever attempted to do has done more to promote the interest of the
State of Michigan than the railroad system, and yet I can remember
very well when there was some portion of it that was subject to great
censure. We loaned $5,000,000, and it was a great loan. It was a
poor State, and it was thought an extravagant idea that we should
loan that amount of money. As I happened to be in the first legisla-
ture which adopted that system, my recollection of it is clear. 1
remember very well of hearing the first whistle of the locomotive that
ever was heard in Michigan; it was at the depot in Detroit, the place
where the city hall now stands. The machinery had come on from
New York and arrived there one day, and by the next day the
engineers were at work getting it into position and running order. We
had one or two cars also. About three or four o'clock in the afternoon
I remember of hearing the sound of that whistle. It was not the
sound we get from the locomotive of the present time; it was about
half way between a grunt and a groan. Whatever it was it made a
great impression upon the people who heard it. I took a walk that
evening and passed a good many people, and among them a good many
boys, and every boy had that upon his lips, and he made exactly the
same sound that -that locomotive made. Let me say a word about the

MINUTES. 15

passage of this bill as connected with the system itself. We got three
railroads. Some of us thought that as much as we had loaned a large
sum of money, we were too poor to make three roads. So while the
committee on railroads reported one single road from Detroit through
to St. Joseph, we, who were members from the south and north, thought
that if we undertook to pay $5,000,000, we at the north and south
ought to have some interest in this railroad business. The consequence
was that when they were about to pass the bill I sent up an amend-
ment which provided for three railroads across the isthmus instead of
one. It gave them great alarm. The chairman of the committee at
once thought, and so did the Detroit people, that we of the north and
south had combined to defeat the railroad which was to lead to Detroit.
Well, Judge Ely was so much alarmed about it that he immediately
moved for an adjournment. We explained to him why we had proposed
to have three roads. He thought we wanted to defeat the thing, but
we did not. It was for the purpose of saving the road and not to
defeat it that we sent up the amendment, and the consequence was
that we ail joined and voted for the three roads and the $5,000,000
loan, and it turned out very well. We got the road completed to
Ypsilanti, and the Ypsilanti folks invited us to come there and
celebrate the day of the arrival of the first cars, and we had a very
good time on the way and very good entertainment when we got there,
and we came back in very good spirits. But when we got around in
the neighborhood of Dearborn our locomotive seemed to become very
weak, and by and by we couldn't go at all, and the consequence was
that the locomotive gave out entirely and we were left to take care of
ourselves. We walked about ten miles and got into Detroit about four
o'clock in the morning.

I had some further connection with these railroads. I have always
thought that a man's memory, recollection of things that are past, were
the best gems he ever had when he got to be an old man, and I think
so now. In 1846 when the sale of the railroads took place, it was my
duty (I was then in the executive office) to make some recommendation
upon public affairs. I took the liberty of recommending to the legis-
lature the sale of the railroads. We finally perfected the sale of the
roads. The capitalists from New York and from Boston were there,
and several things were presented by people who were opposed to it.
I think you will find it in looking back to the journal. Somebody
proposed that the railroad should never run a car on Sunday. Some
one proposed that the railroad company should never be guilty of any
breach of the ten commandments, and some one proposed that all the

]6 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

railroad folks should go to church twice a day on every Sunday. Those
things all went through, and we all cast our vote for them, but of
course they all failed in the end. It became my duty to deliver over
the railroad to the new company organized. We signed the deed in
Detroit and then went over the road to deliver it to them. As we
went along, I must confess, I was never more frightened in my life. I
asked the engineer why in the world he went so rapidly. He said, " I
am employed by the State, and tomorrow the State wont own the road,
and I want to show the new capitalists how well I can run the cars."
Railroads were made entirely within the ^ lives of some of us here.
When I came to this country the longest railroad I had ever seen was
the one from Albany to Schnectady and I think that was the nearest
road to Michigan at that time. Now all over the world, wherever there
is any civilization, railroads have become the great power which moves
civilization forward, and builds up the communities, nations and states,
and interests of all kinds are built up by railroads.

Mr. Stephen Bingham — I have written a few words in regard to the
life of Mr. Van Buren, which I would like to present to the society.

A. D. P. Van Buren, for many years a member of the historical
committee of the State Pioneer Society, entered the other world June
27, 1892, at Galesburgh, Michigan. Born at Kinderhook, N. Y., April
21, 1822, and of Dutch descent. He came to Battle Creek at the age
of fourteen in 1836, and 'has been a resident of Michigan since that
time, except for a year or two as a young man, when he was a teacher
in Mississippi. As a member of the State Pioneer Society his work has
been invaluable, and such as no other man could have done. His
biographical sketches, his papers upon the " Campaign of 1840," and
the " Old Log Schoolhouse," and many others, all instructive and
entertaining. The State Pioneer Society desires to place on record its
high estimation of his valuable services as a member and especially
able contributor to its public records. As a gentleman and scholar he
won the esteem of all with whom he was connected, and has done
very much to perpetuate the memory of the early Michigan pioneers.
His place can never be filled.

The above contribution by Mr. Bingham was accepted by the society.

Dr. W. H. Haze — It is a little interesting to me, perhaps it would
be to you, how I got my shirt dried years ago in 1838. I left the
county of Oakland down here where my father lived, came out through
this country, crossed the Grand river down here five or six miles, and
took off into Eaton county. That day and night were the first I ever
spent in Eaton county, and it did make an impression upon my mind.

MINUTES. 17

It rained fearfully. I was alone. I had on my back a little knapsack
that was made by my mother out of an old bag that the rats had eaten
pretty thoroughly up. In it I had a few little things, and I traveled
through that rain following marked trees all day long. Just as the
sun was setting and the night was coming on I came' to a house. It
didn't rain, nor pour; the hoops seemed to have bursted off of the
tank and the bottom had fallen out, and I was wet through and through.
I had a wallet and in it I had seven dollars in small bills, and when
I came to get out my wallet at night the bank notes were thoroughly
cemented together. There were two women in the house which I came
to, and they gave me something to eat and helped me to pick my bills
apart, and said " If you can climb up the loft you will find a bed, and
if you will do that and hand your clothes down to us we will dry
them." And I handed them down and they dried them for me all up
nice and then passed them up to me, and that is the way I got my
shirt dried.

L. D. Watkiiis I think there is a lady here who from her looks,
knows all about the spinning wheel.

Mrs. Marion Turner — My father came to Michigan in 1836. I was
quite a young girl then. When we moved into west Michigan we
forded every river and stream, and several times in our lumber wagon
we would just be afloat. And so 1 know a little of the early days in
Michigan. My mother brought her large spinning wheel and small
wheel with her. She knew how to spin both with a small and large
wheel. There were five daughters and one son, and we moved into
Clinton county in the fall of 1886. My father was ninety-three when
he died, he was Jesse Monroe. I could relate a great many incidents
but I prefer to hear from others.

The pupils from the Larch street school then sang a piece entitled
" The Happy Spider " and the meeting adjourned until 7 o'clock in the
evening.

THURSDAY EVENING.

The meeting was called to order by the president pursuant to adjourn-
ment and prayer was offered by Rev. R. C. Crawford.

A solo " The Sword of Bunker Hill " was sung by Ernest Sellers.

A poem, entitled " When I was a Boy with a Head Like Tow " by U.
B. Webster of Benton Harbor, was then read by Dennis E. Alward.
3

18 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

A solo, entitled " Scotch Songs," was sung by Miss Irma Haight.

A paper on the " Early Missions on the Saginaw " by Fred Carlisle
of Detroit, was then read by Geo. H. Greene.

A solo, entitled " Loves Old Sweet Song," was then sung by Mr. L,
A. Baker.

Five minute speeches were then called for and responded to as follows:

Francis I. Clark, Flat Kock — Mr. President: I presume that Wayne
county affords as many instances of history as any other county in the
State. Wayne county has had a great many battles fought on her soil.
You all well remember that after the battle on the plains of Abraham,
fought by Generals Wolf and Montcalm, and the armies were about
equal, that Montcalm did not want to fight the battle with the English
but General Wolf brought his army up on the plains of Abraham, and
in the morning Montcalm saw the British army in front of him, and
there was no other way but for him to march out his forces and fight
it out. All this territory went into the hands of the British and they
came to Detroit and took command. Every Frenchman who inhabited
the region of St. Clair down the Detroit Eiver and around Lake Erie
never was known to be molested or troubled by an Indian. They all
seemed to work together, and to have one interest, and the French
people were always spared to go out and till the soil.

Ralph Watson of South Biley — I remember that when General Cass
was in Detroit that he and several others made a bargain with a young
.man by the name of Fox that they would give him a suit of clothes, a
good Indian pony and twenty-five dollars if he would carry the mail
through from Detroit to Grand Kapids, and return again to Detroit in
nine days. Fox was a young man, quite an able fellow, and he under-
took the job. He related the circumstances to me. He said that when
he got to where Lansing is, of course it was all wilderness, he got onto
those hills in the vicinity of the Grand river somewhere, and looked
over the trees to the west as the sun was setting, and it looked wild
in the extreme. He followed the Indian trail. When he got about
half way between Lansing and Delta he heard a pack of wolves coming
and he thought perhaps they might eat his pony up. So he took his
mail bag and got up into a tree, and by that time the wolves had got
even with him, and he found that they were on the other side of the
river. After many difficulties he finally reached Grand Rapids, left the
mail there and started back, and when he got to Detroit at twelve
o'clock at night Cass told him he had done so well he would give him
ten dollars. That is what Mr. Fox received for carrying the mail
through to Grand Kapids.

REPORT OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY. 19

Auld Lang Syne was then sung by the audience, after which Rev.
Wm. H. Haze pronounced the benediction and the meeting adjourned
sine die.

REPORT OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY.

Lansing, June 7, 1893.

To the Officers and Members of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical
Society:

Your recording secretary begs leave to submit the following report:

The eighteenth annual meeting of this society was held in the senate

chamber of the capitol June 1 and 2, 1892, at which time some of the

most valuable historical papers ever read before the society were read.

MEMBERSHIP.

The total number of names now enrolled on our membership book
is eight hundred and seven. Of this number two hundred and seventy-
eight have been reported as deceased, leaving a membership of five
hundred and twenty-nine.

Since our last report there have been forty-one names added to the
list, viz., John B. Clement, Blissfield; J. C. Blanchard, Ionia; Chas.
W. Barber, Howell; D. L. Burgess, Portland; Edwin B. Winans,
Hamburgh; Ralph Watson, Riley; Bethuel C. Farrand, Port Huron;
Myron Abbott, White Oak; Frederick G. Bailey, Vernon; Charles W.
Church and Sarah M. Church, Lansing; Fred Carlisle, Detroit; M. H.
Bailey, Dimondale; Gertrude E. Morehouse, Portland; John M. Cald-
well and Helen N. Caldwell, Battle Creek; John R. Price, Lansing;
Melville McGee, Jackson; Geo. H. Hazelton, Elwood, N. J.; Gabriel
Bissonette, Monroe; Charles A. Bissonette, Grand Rapids; William W.
Peck, Frederick W. Willcox, J. Davidson Burns, Albert A. Holcomb,
Richard A. Sykes, N. Chase, Edwin J. Phelps, Edward Woodbury,
Wm. H. Buell, Romine H. Buckhout, A. J. Shakespeare, Dallas
Boudeman, S. H. Wattles, J. B. Allen, and James Monroe, all of
Kalamazoo (the result of the efforts of our vice president for that

20 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

county, Henry Bishop); Geo. E. Steele, Grand Traverse; Wm. P. Ains-
ley, Williamston; Frank Hodgeman, Climax; Charles 8. Williams,
Owosso; Charles V. DeLand, Jackson.

DONATIONS.

The following list of donations have been made within the past year:

AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS:

Fifth annual report of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station for 1892.

Bulletin No. 25 of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station for December, 1892.
JUDGE CHARLES C. BALDWIN, Cleveland, O.:

Bethlehem and Ohio History, leaflet.
E. W. BLATCHFOBD, Chicago, 111.:

Proceedings of the Trustees of the Newberry Library for the year ending January 5, 1892.

The Newberry Library, Chicago- Certificate of Incorporation and Incorporation Act.
WM. H. BBEABLEY, Detroit:

Genealogical Chart of the Brearley Family.
BUFFALO HISTOBICAL SOCIETY, Buffalo, N. Y.:

Annual report of the Board of Managers January 10, 1893, and the Society Proceedings.
CONNECTICUT HISTOBIOAL SOCIETY, Hartford, Ct.:

Putnam's General Orders, 1777.

Invitation from the Wadsworth Atheneum to the opening of the new Libraries and Art Galleries.
MRS. JACOB S. FABBAND, Detroit:

Tributes of the public prints setting forth the life and good works of Jacob S. Farrand.
CHAS. W. GBANT, Saginaw, E. S.:

A lot of old newspapers, pamphlets, etc.
GEO. H. GREENE, Lansing:

State Republican Novembers, 1892, containing sketches and portraits of republican candidates for

county offices, Ingham county.
KANSAS HISTOBICAL SOCIETY, Topeka, Kansas:

The Topeka Daily Capital of August 21, 1892, containing an address by Judge F, G. Adams.
WALTER S. LOGAN, New York City:

The Siege of Cuautla, the Bunker Hill of Mexico, by Walter 8. Logan.
MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, St. Paul, Minn.:

Seventh biennial report of the society to the legislature of 1893.
J. WILKIE MOORE, Detroit:

Detroit Free Press November 2, 1892, containing an account of his fifty-nine years residence in
Detroit.

An old bayonet and cannon ball from Fort Lernoult, afterward Fort Shelby, corner of Fort and

Shelby Streets, Detroit, taken from eleven feet under ground.
NEBRASKA HISTOBIOAL SOCIETY:

Transactions and Reports of the Society, Vol. IV.
NKW ENGLAND HISTOBIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, Boston, Mass.:

New England Historical and Genealogical Register for July and October, 1892, and January and
April, 1893.

Proceedings of the society at the annual meeting, January 4, 1898.

List of members of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, January, 1893.
NEW YORK HISTOBIOAL SOCIETY;

Volumes 1 and 2, Collections, Deane Papers.

The Fishery Question, by Charles Isham.
OLD COLONY CLUB, Boston, Mass.:

Fisheries Within the Territorial Limits of the States are not Subject to Congressional Control-
by Hon. Charles E. Littlefield.
Axos PEBBY, Providence, R. I.:

An Official Tour Along the Eastern Coast of the Regency of Tunis, by Amos Perry, LL. D.
Carthage and Tunis, by Amos Perry: LL. D.

REPORT OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY. 21

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE, Washington, D. C.

Two copies of the " Museums of the Future," by G, Brown Goode.
ROBEBT T. SWAN, Commissioner, Boston, Mass.:

Fourth and Fifth annual reports on the custody and condition of the Public Records.
MRS. ELLEN HABDIN WALWOBTH, Editor:

Two copies of the American Monthly Magazine for December, 1892.
MBS BETSEY WKBBEB, Lansing:

Original tax rolls for the town of Water town, Clinton county, for the years 1888, 1839, 1840, 1841

and 1842.
WESTEBN RESEBVE HISTOBIOAL SOCIETY, Cleveland, O.:

Tracts 73-84, Vol. III.
WYOMING HISTOBICAL AND GEOLOGICAL, SOCIETY, Wilkes Barre, Pa.:

Wyoming Memorial Medal in commemoration of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming July 3, 1778.
MISCELLANEOUS: *

Five copies of Gov. John J. Bagley's Thanksgiving Proclamation for 1875, and one for 1878.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

The executive committee and committee of historians have held two
meetings in joint session since the last annual meeting, as follows:

One on April 25, 1893, just after the appropriation of 1893 had been
granted, to decide on plans for future work and the judicious expendi-
ture of this appropriation.

It was decided to proceed at once with the publication of Volume
XXI, Pioneer and Historical Collections, to contain the proceedings of
the annual meeting of 1892, together with such historical papers as
had been collected up to that date.

The secretary was directed to have printed 1,500 copies of the
constitution and by-laws in accordance with a resolution adopted at
the last annual meeting.

A committee consisting of Fred . Carlisle was appointed to draft a
circular for distribution, relative to the duties of vice presidents, and
the necessity of county and other societies becoming auxiliary to this
society.

The secretary was instructed to make the usual necessary prepara-
tions for the annual meeting on the 7th and 8th of June, such as
providing for a place of meeting, securing a stenographer, music, etc.

The second meeting of the committees was held on June 5 and 7,
1893, for the purpose of completing the arrangements for the annual
meeting of June 7 and 8. The program as arranged by 'the secretary
was submitted, approved, and ordered printed.

Jennie B. Greene was appointed secretary of the committee of
historians to continue until further action of the committees.

Mrs. Mary C. Spencer, State Librarian, made a proposition to the
committees to set apart space in the State Library for the books,
papers, etc., belonging to the society, classify the same, arid publish

22 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

them in an appendix to her catalogue, which was accepted and a
resolution of thanks for her generous offer was adopted.

The bills allowed and ordered paid will be found in the report of

the treasurer and the balance of the work accomplished during the

year will be found in the minutes of the annual meeting and the

annual reports of the other officers of the society submitted at this date.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

GEO. H. GEEENE,

Recording Secretary.

EEPOKT OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

Lansing, June 7, 1893.
To the Officers and Members of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical

Society :

I herewith beg leave to submit my fourteenth annual report of the
correspondence of the society together with the file of letters and com-
munications received within the past year. These letters are all filed
for easy reference and all requiring an answer have been promptly
replied to, and all donations entrusted to my address have been duly
acknowledged.

Notices of this meeting have been mailed to every member of the
society together with a copy of the constitution, by-laws and list of
members which has been recently printed in accordance with a resolu-
tion adopted at our last annual meeting, also a circular issued by the
committee of historians with a view of securing a greater cooperation
with county and other local 'societies, with this society and thereby
preserve many of the historical papers read before these societies which
might otherwise fall into careless hands and be lost. This notice and
circular were also mailed to all the leading newspapers of the state,
many of which have given notice of this meeting in a prominent place
in their columns.

At the close of our last annual meeting, I sent a notice to each of
the vice presidents informing them of their election and duties, and

REPORT OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

another about a month since requesting them to make a memorial
report at this meeting, of worthy pioneers of their counties who have
died within the year.

The death roll of members of the society for the past year, so far as
1 have been able to ascertain, is as follows:

No.

Name.

Residence.

Born.

Died.

Age.

Came
to
Mich.

Ebenezer S. Eggleston

Grand Rapids

May 12, 1825 ....

Aug. 8, 1892

1837

Betsey Fisk.

Allegau

Sept. 22, 1810

July 7, 1892..

1834

137

James I. David

Ecorse

Aug. 2, 1814. ..

Oct. 13, 1892. ..

1842

171

Jonathan Parsons

Kalamazoo

Oct. 7, 1820

Aug. 17, 1892

1885

?11

Hiram Arnold.

Kalamazoo

July 14, 1808

July 28, 1892

1836

?JK?,

Dr. Henry L. Joy

Marshall

Jan. 25, 1822

June 21, 1892 ..

1850

309

John Rutherford

Centreville

June 26, 1814

Mar. 16, 1893 ..

1835

811

Benj. F. Partridge

Bay City

April 19, 1822....

Oct. 19, 1892

1822

415

Francis R. Stebbins

Adrian

Oct. 26, 1818....

Sept. 29, 1892....

1883

458

Alftx^ndftr flhupnt.nn

Detroit

Feb. 3, 1818

May 2, 1898

1818

54?,

A. D. P. Van Buren

Galesbargh

April 21, 1822..

June 27, 1892.

1836

610

Theophilus C. Abbot.

Tensing

April 29, 1826..

Nov. 7, 1892

1855

618

J. Huff Jones

Detroit

5 declined to >

Dec. 16, 1892....

1881

647

Geo. A. Smith

Somerset

( give this date $
March 8, 1825

Jan. 29, 1898

1889

668

Stephen F. Brown

Grand Rapids

Dec. 81, 1819

June 2, 1898.

1830

683

Charles Shepard

Grand Rapids

July 18, 1812

Mar. 8, 1893

1835

78?,

John M . Cald well

Battle Creek

Sept. 18, 1829 .

Mar. 8, 1893. ..

1886

Also the following whose deaths have not heretofore been reported:

No.

Name.

Residence.

Born.

Died.

Age.

Came
to
Mich.

Orson H. Look

Lowell

April 12 1830

1881

1834

194

Celestia E. May

Nov. 20, 1800

Dec. 2, 1889

1834

512

Henry B. Lathrop. . .

Jackson ..

July 6, 1808..

Aug. 20, 1890 ...

1834

All of which is respectfully submitted.

GEORGE H. GREENE,

Corresponding Secretary.

24 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER.

Lansing, June 7, 1893.
To the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society:

I herewith submit my annual report as follows: Merritt L. Coleman
treasurer, in account with the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society,
from June 1, 1892 to June 7, 1893.

RECEIPTS.

To balance in my hands, June 1, 1892 — '$222 82

" amount received on account of membership fees _ . 47 00

" " " " " " sale of Vols. 1 and 2 225

Total . — — -— $272~07

DISBURSEMENTS.

For binding... - 48 00

Balance on hand June 7, 1893 . $224 07

APPEOPBIATION OF 1891.

Amount on hand June 1, 1892 of the appropriation made by Act 33
of 1891, was as follows:

General fund... $1,00000

Publishing fund 3,70000

Total... $4,70000

DISBURSEMENTS.

From the general fund:

Postage, express and stationery $41 83

Expenses of committee of historians 85 60

" " executive committee _ 3145

" annual meeting, 1892 , 57 59

Copying records at Ottawa, Canada 168 86

Engraving maps and portraits _ 94 50

Preparing printers' copy, reading proof and making indexes.... 516 67

* J QQQ QJJ

From the publishing fund:

Printing and binding Vol. 17 $1,042 87

14 18 _ 1,01861

VolB. 19 and 20.. . 1,638 52

3,700 00

Total $4,700 00

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF HISTORIANS. 25

APPROPRIATION OF 1893.

The appropriation made by Act 60 of 1893 can be drawn from the
state treasury only on a warrant from the auditor general and a voucher
approved by the president and secretary of the society, and is as follows :

Amount appropriated for 1898 •.. $2,500 00

44 1894 _ -. -. 2,500 00

Total — .... :- $5,00000

DISBURSEMENTS.

Copying records at Ottawa, Canada — . $152 04

Preparing copy for printers, reading proof, making indexes, etc 100 00

Total .- 252 04

Balance available in state treasury .. $4,747 96

All of which is respectfully submitted.

MERRITT L. COtEMAN,

Treasurer.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF HISTORIANS.

Lansing, Mich., June 7, 1893.
To the Pioneer and Historical Society of the State of Michigan:

The committee of historians would respectfully report that in the
past year it has been quite successful in acquiring historical material
relative to the settlement of counties in the northern part of the
Lower Peninsula of Michigan, and of those of the Upper Peninsula, with
many items of interest relative to the industrial pursuits of the
pioneers in the different sections of the State, particularly those
relating to agriculture, mining, the fisheries, and the lumber interests.

The committee has also continued its investigations in the dominion
archives at Ottawa, Canada, and has had copied twelve maps and
4,605 folios of matter found there in official papers relative to the
history of Michigan during the Indian, French, and British occupation
of the territory west of the great lakes.

The historical value of the papers which the committee has caused
to be copied at Ottawa, Canada, through the courtesy of the dominion
government and the active kindness of Douglas Brymner, Esq., Cana-
4

26 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

dian Archivist, cannot be placed too highly, since they constitute an
official authority, made by reports of officers in the different depart-
ments to the French and British governments, on many points
connected with the history of Michigan while under the government of
France or Great Britain, and daring the revolutionary war and the
war of 1812, with the negotiations with Great Britain relative to the
surrender of territory withheld after the treaties of peace which
belonged to the United States. This valuable information could not
be obtained from any other source.

The committee has also procured the publication of two volumes
(19 and 20) of the Historical "Collections" of the society, which are
now ready for delivery. Volume 21 is also in the process of publica-
tion, but will not be finished until after the close of the present
meeting.

VOLUME NINETEEN.

Volume 19 is a book of 700 pages and is composed of copies of
papers relating to Michigan from those on file in the archives of the
Dominion of Canada at Ottawa, among which may be found:

Reports on American colonies from 1721 to 1762.

A copy of an Indian deed to the Island of Mackinac, dated May
12, 1781.

Military dispatches from 1758 to 1762.

The Bouquet papers (270 pages) being reports running from 1759
to 1765, made by and to Col. Henry Bouquet, at that time command-
ing British forces in Canada and the Northwest.

The Haldimand papers (400 pages), being official reports of every
name and nature, including military, civil, and Indian affairs relating
to Michigan and the Northwest, from 1773 to 178 L, made by and to
the British officials connected with the Canadian government.

The committee would call attention to the following as of particular
interest and value:

"Copy of a Representation of the Lords' Commissioners for Trade
and Plantations to the King, upon the State of His Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations on the Continent of North America. Dated September
8, 1721."— Page 1.

This report covers 13 pages and is very comprehensive, relating as
it does to the entire country east of the Mississippi; and treating of
the intercourse and relations of the French and English with each
other, with the Indians, and with the colonies.

REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE OF HISTORIANS. 27

The letter of "Thomas Gage, on the French in Lower Canada,
dated March 20, 1762," will be found to be of interest.— Page 14. As
also the

"List and account of the posts where trade with the Savages was
carried on in the Upper Country. March 20, 1762."

These posts were situated on both the north and south shores of
Lake Superior, at Sault Ste. Marie, on Lake Huron, Lake Michigan,
on the St. Joseph, Wabash, and Miamis rivers, and at Mackinaw and
Detroit.

BOUQUET PAPERS.

On page 29 of this volume, in the Bouquet papers, is a copy of a
letter from Pierre Francois Vaudreuil, announcing the surrender of
Montreal by the French to Gen. Amherst on the 8th of February, 1760.

On pages 212 to 219 inclusive is the copy of a letter from James
MacDonald to Col. Henry Bouquet, dated Detroit, July 12. 1763, giving
a detailed account of Pondiac's attack on Detroit and its defense by
Major Gladwin.

Ensign John Cristie to Col. Henry Bouquet, l()th July, 1763. Attack
upon and capture of Presque Isle by the Indians. — Pages 209-10.

Col. Henry Bouquet to Gen. Jeffrey Amherst, 5th August, 1763, and
also 6th August. Battle at Edge Hill and Bushy Run, twenty-six
miles from Fort Pitt; sixty killed or wounded. — Pages 219-23.

Gen. Thomas Gage succeeds Sir Jeffrey Amherst in command of
British forces, 18th November, 1763.— Pages 243-4.

Distances from Fort Pitt to Wakatamicke and lower Shawanese
towns, and names of fourteen Delaware and Shawanese towns. — Page 260.

Col. Henry Bouquet to Gen. Thomas Gage. Camp at the forks of
the Muskingham, 15th Nov., 1764; Fort Pitt, Nov. 30, 1764. Relative
to treaties with the Delawares, Shawanese, Mingoes, Mohikons,
Wyandots, and Twighwees.— Pages 279-95.

HALDIMAND PAPERS.

In the Haldimand papers, 'pages 296 to 299, is a letter from Major
Henry Basset to Gen. Frederick Haldimand, dated Detroit, 29th April,
1773, giving a description of the station; also 21st May and 4th June,
1773, to Gen. Thos. Gage. Relative to murders by Indians at Saginagh
and St. Joseph. — Pages 300-1.

Capt. John Vattas to Gen. Haldimand, Michilimacinac, June 16,
1773. Indian trade with the Spaniards on the Mississippi. — Page 302.

28 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

Speech in Indian council at Detroit, 18th August, 1773; Miamis
and Hurons.— Pages 308-10.

Trade in the Lake Superior country in 1778.— Pages 337 to 340.

Transportation of goods to the Upper Country\in 1778. Muster roll of
officers, carpenters, blacksmiths, employed in ship yard, Detroit, 1777-8.

Page" 344.

St. Joseph's, 15th Sept., 1778. Louis Chevallier to Major Depeyster,
commandant at Michillimackinac. Relative to Kikapous, Sakis, and
other Indian Tribes.— Page 352.

Observations necessary for Capt. Brehm to make on his route
between Lachine and Detroit. The instructions for observations
number forty-nine. — Page 389.

Gen. Haldimand's speech to the Indians resorting to Michillimakinac
and its vicinity, 2d July, 1779.— Pages 444-46.

Petition of 36 merchants of Detroit to Gen. Haldimand, 5th January,
1780.— Pages 492-3.

Charles Grant to Gen. Haldimand, 24th April, 1780, " Concerning
the Trade carried on between the Merchantile people of this Province
and the savages of the Upper Countries. — Pages 508-12.

Attack and capture of Fort Liberty and three other forts by the
British and Indians, June 24, 1780. Eeport of Capt. Henry Bird^
from Ohio, opposite Licking Creek, July 1st, 1780. — Pages 538-9 and
541-3.

Major Arent S. De Peyster to Col. Mason Bolton, Detroit, Aug. 4,
1780.

Arrival of Capt. Bird with about 150 prisoners (Germans who speak
English) of 350 taken in the forts near the Ohio yi June. — Page 553.

"Memorial of John Macomb, late of Hosack, in the County of
Albany, province of New York, sheweth, that your memorialist in
conjunction with his son-in-law, Lieut. Francis Pfister, deceased,
engaged for His Majesty's Service upwards of five hundred effective
men, that three hundred and eighteen did actually join General Bur-
goyne's Army, at the head of which on the fatal 16th day of August,
1777, at Bennington, Mr. Pfister was killed," etc., etc.— Page 582.

Capture of St. Joseph's (on the river of that name) in December,
1780.— Page 591.

Indian speeches, Piankishaws, Ouiatanons, Miamis.— Pages 593-7.

Indian deed for the Island of Mackinac, by Ritchie Negon or Grand
Sable, Pouanas, Koupe, and Magousseihigan, in behalf of ourselves
and all others of our Nation the Chippewas, * * * do surrender
and yield up into the hands of Lieut. Governor Sinclair for the Behalf

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OP HISTORIANS. 29

and use of His Majesty, George the Third, of Great Britain * * *
forever the Island of Michilimackinac, or as it is called by the
Canadians La Grosse Isle (situate in that Strait which joins Lakes
Huron and Michigan), etc., etc. — Pages 633-4.

VOLUME TWENTY.

The 20th volume contains 700 pages, of which 800 are copies of the
Haldimand papers from 1782 to 1789, and there are 400 pages relating
to Indian affairs in Michigan and the Northwest, from 1761 to 1800.

In it will be found the following maps which are of interest a&
showing the state of the country at that early day, with the r6ute of
the march of the army of Gen. Anthony Wayne from Fort Washing-
ton on the Ohio river, by the way Fort Hamilton, Fort St. ClairT
Fort Jefferson and Fort Recovery, to the foot of the rapids on the
Miami (Maumee) river, where the battle of August 20, 1794, was
fought.

Map of the Miamis of the Lake (Maumee River). — Page 368.

Map of the Miamis Country, showing the line of Forts along Gen.
Wayne's march. — Page 369.

Map of the Battle Field of August- 20, 1794.— Page 370.

Map of Entrance to Detroit river, showing Fort Maiden at
Amherstburg, 1796.- Page 513.

HALDIMAND PAPERS.

The Haldimand papers in volume 20 have on pages 18 to 24, "Return
of Prisoners of War sent from Detroit May 16, 1782," all taken by
Indians, with other information, pages 25 to 35, of a somewhat
indefinite account of the massacre of- the forces under Col. Crawford
in June 1782, by the Indians, with the death by torture of Col.
Crawford and two captains who had been taken prisoners.

Maj. Arent S. De Peyster to Alexander McKee, Detroit, August
6, 1782:

"That the Shawanese and Delawares push their relation to great
lengths by putting all their Prisoners to Death, whereby if they are
not prevented they will throw an odium upon their Friends the
English as well as prevent their Father from receiving the necessary
Intelligence of the Enemy's motions so essential to carry on the service
for their mutual Interest." Pages 37-8.

On pages 49, 50, 51, is a letter from Capt. Alexander McKee to
Major Arent S. DePeyster, from Shawanese Country, August 28thy

30 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

1782, giving an account of the battle of Blue Licks, Kentucky, in
which he states, " On the 20th reached the Blue Licks, where we
encamped, * * * expecting the Enemy would pursue, determined
here to wait for 'em, keeping spies at the Lick, who on the morning
of the 21st discovered them, and at half past seven o'clock we engaged
them, and totally defeated them in a short time. We were not much
superior to them in numbers, they being about 200 picked men from
the Settlement of Kentucky, commanded by Colonels Todd, Trigg,
Boone, and Todd, with the Majors Harlin and McGeary, most of
whom fell in the action. From the best inquiry I could make on the
spot there were upwards of 140 killed or taken, with near 100 rifles.
* * * We had ten Indians killed with Mr. La Bute, of the Indian
Department, who by sparing the life of one of the Enemy and endeavor-
ing to take him Prisoner lost his own." * * *

On pages 117 to 121 will be found a very interesting letter from
Gen. Allan Maclean, stating that the Indians were very indignant at
what they understand to be the terms of the treaty of peace between
Englan4 and the states. *' The Indians from the surmises they have
heard of the Boundaries, look upon our conduct to them as treacher-
ous and cruel; they told me they never could believe that our King
could pretend to cede to America what was not his own to give, or
that the Americans would accept from him what he had no right to
grant. * * * That the Indians were a free People subject to no
power upon earth. That they were the faithful Allies of the King of
England, but not his subjects. That he had no right whatever to grant
away to the states of America their rights or properties, * * * and
they would not submit to it. * ' * * That if the English had
basely betrayed them by pretending to give up their Country to the
Americans without their consent, or consulting them, it was an act
of cruelty and injustice that Christians only were capable of doing,
that the Indians were incapable of acting so; to friends or Allies, but
that they did not believe we had sold and betrayed them." * * *

" Mr. Ball * * is a poor old Moravian, * * * that his son and
daughter had been put to death in the massacre of the Moravian
Indians at Fort Pitt by Col. Davidson, and that all those left alive, of
these very unfortunate People, are now settled about twenty miles
beyond Detroit, and their clergymen have joined them, and that he,
old Ball, and his companion also a moravian, wish to go and remain
in peace with their Friends and Brethren. * * * Col. Butler
assures me, about 200 of the Indians and Moravians deserted from

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF HISTORIANS. 31

about Bethlem after the massacre «at Fort Pitt, and are settled at about
20 or 30 miles beyond Detroit." * * * —Page 127.

"Inventory of Indian Councils held at Detroit. Camp at Wyattate-
nong; St Dusky; Fort Pitt; Chicagou; Shawanese Village; Upper
Shawanese; St Joseph's, from June 14, 1778 to July 1783."— Thirty
Councils in number, with an interesting "Purport of Proceedings,"
the same being a brief of the action of each Council. Pages 133-5.

"Minutes of Transaction with Indians at Sandusky; from August
26th to Sept 8, 1783" relative to the terms and conditions of the
Treaty of Peace between Great Britian and the States in its bearing
upon the various tribes of Indians and the Indian country.

" At a Council held at Lower Sandusky the 6th September 1783.
* * * Present Alex. McKee Esq. Depy. Agent; Capt. Chesne,
Ottawa & Chippewa Intr; Capt. M. Elliot; Lieut. W. Johnson; Simon
Girty, Interpreter; Capt. Joseph Brant with a Deputation from the Six
Nations; T'Sindatton with a Deputation of the Lake Indians from
Detroit."— Pages 174-83.

" Memorial of Geo McDougall relative to Hog Island " to be
restored to the Heirs of the former proprietor. — Page 189.

"Indian Deed to Jacob Schieffelin" "of seven miles in front and
seven miles in Depth * * * on the south side of Detroit, and
directly opposite the Island commonly called Isle au Bois Blanc" &c
&c.— Pages 193-5.

"List of Officers in the Indian Department at Detroit." — Page 213.

On pages 219 to 222 is a very interesting letter dated 19th April
1784 relative to the "Ambiguous Sence of the late Treaty of Peace;
respecting the Line of Boundary between this Province and the
United States, from Lake Superior to the Westward; * * * there
is no such Thing as a Long Lake, as expressed in the Treaty, the
only communication from Lake Superior is by * * * the Grand
Portage, which leads to a very small Eiver on the West side that
derives its source from an adjacent Lake, and from thence to the
extent of Lake La pluie about one Hundred Leagues * * *

If ever this country see the fatal moment of giving up the Upper
Posts, * * permit me to give you my opinion, which may be of

some use, until a survey is made. * * * That is to have a Post so
as to command the entrance into Lake Superior, either below the Falls
of St Mary's or above them, with regard to the former I cannot point
out any particular spot suitable for the purpose, but with respect to
the latter I can speak with some certainty — I mean the place called
Point Aux Pins where Mr Baxter who was sent out from England

32 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

some years ago in search for Copper Mines fixed his residence. It is
situated on the East side about two Leagues above the Falls on a
narrow channel that commands in the most effectual manner the
entrance into Lake Superior, it has the advantage of a fine Bason
formed by the Point where Vessels lay in deep water within a few
yards of the shore equally secure in Winter as in Summer."

On May 6, 1784, Gen. Haldimand writes to Capt. Eobertson relative
to the selection of sites for Post on the Canadian side of the line,
from which the following is an extract:

"There is no situation where one will be more necessary than at the
Entrance of Lake Superior I wish to have early Information and to
take measures for that purpose so as to have a small Garrison and
Settlement established there on the shortest notice. Point aux Pinsr
about two leagues above the Falls of St. Mary's, appears by the map,
and from Information I have received to be the fittest place, to sit
down upon, it was formerly occupied by a Mr. Baxter, a Partner and
Agent of a Company engaged in the Copper Mines. * * * I wish to
have your opinion of any other that may strike you as more favorable
for the intended purpose. I am just informed * * * that a place
called La Traverse, about fifteen leagues from Michilimackinac is a
very proper situation for the post I wish to take." * — Pages

226-7.

Gen. Haldimand's policy of delay in retaining possession of the
Upper Posts, Nov 14, 1784.— Page 269.

List of Upper Posts prior to the war of the Revolution, page 272.

Names of Traders to the Upper Country, pages 279-80.

At the close of the Haldimand papers on pages 296-9 is a sketch of
the life of Col. Arent Scuyler De Peyster, with a copy of verses by
Robert Burns — "On the occasion of Col. De Peyster's sending to make
some kind inquiries about his health, Burns replied in rhyme."

" He died as full of honors as of years, having held the king's
commission upward of 77 years, and being probably at the time the
oldest officer in the service."

He was born in New York 27th June 1786, and died at Dumfries,
Scotland, in Nov., 1832.

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

Of the papers relating to "Indian Affairs," while all are worthy of
recording we would call attention to the following:

List, Location and Number of Indians; with the part of the North
West in which Each Nation is located. 1789— Pages 305-7.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OP HISTORIANS. 33

The Tete de Boule Indians of Gens de Terre — about 600 men.

Lake Nipisiii Indians.

Fond du Lac Huron Indians are the Missisageys; Chipways and
Matchidash — about 500 men.

Detroit Indians— Hurons, 150; Ottawas, 100; Poudew, 150.

Miamis River Indians of the Twightwee Nation, 200; Onyaghtannas
100; St. Vincent, 50.

The Big Island Indians, the Chippway Nation, about 150; Ottawa
Nation, about 300; Poudowadamy Nation, about 300; Sacks and Renards,
about 200; Oyaway, about 400; Chippay, Sault St Marie, about 130;
Chippway, Lake Superior, South side, about 150, Shagwamigon, about
500; West End Lake Superior Indians, Chippway, about 50, a parcel
of Robbers; Caministicouya Indians in the Was£ Nation, a sort of
Chippway p, about 150; Lake Nipicon Indians, Was6 Nation, about 300;
Mishipicoton Indians, North Side Lake Superior, Maskas, about 500;
Lake La Plui Indians, Christino Nation, 80 leagues from Lake
Superior, about 300.

Col. Alexander McKee's speech to the following Nations of Indians
at the foot of the Miamis Rapids, 1st July 1791: Mohawks, Hurons,
Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawatamies, Miamis, Shawanese, Munseys, Min-
goes, Connoys, Moheekins, Nantikokes, Moravians. —Pages 310-11.

Indians to Gen. Washington. — Pages 314-15.

Information Relative to the Army of Gen. Wayne. Point Aux
Chene, Miamis River 26th Nov. 1793.— Pages 323-4.

Col. Alex. McKee to Joseph Chew. Same subject 1st Feby 1794—
Pages 325-6.

Indian Speeches at Miamis Rapids May 7, 1794, at a Council, to
the Wyandots, Ottawas, Mingoes & Munseys. — Pages 347-50.

Indian Speech, relative to the advance of Gen. Wayne's Army. At
the foot of the Rapids of the Miamis. 25th May 1794, to the Wyan-
dots, Ottawas, Chippewas, and Poutawatamies. — Pages 354-5.

Col. Alexander McKee to Joseph Chew 30 May 1794. Same subject.
—Pages 355-6.

Col. McKee, 2d June 1794. Relative to the force of Gen. Wayne's
Army. Indians collecting in force — Pages 356-7. '

Battle near Fort Recovery 30 June 1794.— Pages 364-8.

uThe Indians by attempting the Fort after Defeating Capt. Gibson's
party met with a Repulse and some loss."

Gen. Anthony Wayne's defeat of the Indians, on the Miamis River
on the 20th of August, 1794.

34 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

" Major John H. Buell congratulates the Federal Army upon their
Brilliant success in the action of the 20th Inst. against the whole
combined force of the hostile Savages, aided by the British Post
and Garrison close in their rear, beyond which the fugitives
fled, with disorder, precipitation, and dismay, leaving their packs,
provisions and plunder in their encampment in the rear of that post.

* * * their Villages and Cornfields being consumed in every direction,
even under the influence of the guns of Fort Miamis, facts, which
must produce a conviction in the minds of the Savages that the
British have neither the power or Inclination to afford them that
protection which they had been taught to expect," <fec &c. * * *

- Pages 369-70.

Capt. Alexander McKee to Joseph Chew. Camp Near Fort Miamis
27th Augt. 1794. Account of Battle of Indians with Army of Gen.
Wayne August 20th, 1794, at the foot of the Miamis Rapids. — Pages
370-1.

Joseph Chew to Thomas Aston Coffin. 5 Jan'y 1795. Relative to
purchase of lands by Indians. Sir •William Johnson's methods. — PagevS
387-8.

"Articles of Peace between Gen. Anthony Wayne, and the Indians"
Shawanoes, Delawares and Miamis. — Pages 393-4.

" A Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the
Tribe of Indians called the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawoerioes, Ottawas,
Chippewas, Putawatames, Miamis, Eel River, Weeas and Kickapoos."
Signed by Gen. Anthony Wayne, and seventy Chiefs of the Tribes
named. — Pages 410-19.

" Substance of a talk held at Amherstburg this day, June 30. 1797,
between The Black Beard, Capt. Johnny, The Borrer, and the Buffaloe,
four principal Chiefs and Warriors' of the Shawonoes, on the part of
their Nation, and Captain William Mayne, Commandant at Amherst-
burg."—Pages 519-21.

Island of St. Joseph, 19th October, 1797. "At a Council held with
the Chiefs and Young Men of both Villages, of Arbre Croche Captain
Drummond speaks to them — Ottawas Tribes. The Chiefs answer by
Nibinassay." — Page 560.

Return of Indian settlers at the Chenail Ecarte and Harsen's Island
—48 men, 61 women and 58 children— 167 persons— Oct. 26, 1797.—
Page 564.

Report of a Board of Survey, at the Island of St. Joseph, of sundry
stores, 1st June, 1798. Pages 604-6.

REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE OF HISTORIANS. 35

Number of Ottawa and Chippewa settlers at Chenail Ecarte, July,
1798.— Pages 617 and 641-2.

"Information given by a Western Indian who returned from Detroit
30th January, 1799, where he had, been sent for the purpose of getting
intelligence of what the Indians to the Westward were doing." — Pages
627-8.

Duke of Portland to Lieut. Gen. Hunter, Whitehall, 4th October,
1799. Extract: " Whatever credit is to be given Brandt for his loyalty
and attachment to this country (upon which I am not inclined to
place any great reliance) it is unquestionably evident that he omits no
opportunity of consolidating the Indian Interest with a view to form an
Indian Confederacy, and to place himself at the head of it — than which
nothing can be more directly contrary to our interests, and to the
Line of conduct which his Majesty's Governors in Canada have been
directed to pursue in keeping those Interests and concerns as separate
and disunited as possible." * * * —Pages 663-7.

The committee give these extracts to show the importance of the
work of the society in a historical point of view of having, as is given
in the "Collections," the official reports of the English officers and
Indian agents, for comparison with the statements, official and other-
wise, upon which the current history is founded, of that struggle for
supremacy in the then Indian country west of the Alleghanies and the
Great Lakes.

The committee have yet unpublished a large quantity of manuscript,
obtained from the same source, which it hopes to be able to print in
the " Collections " in the near future and which is of like historical
value.

None of the matter copied at Ottawa for this society, and published
in its " Collections," has ever been copied from the original manuscripts
and published by any other society.

The legislature of this State at its present session has made the
usual appropriation for 1893 and 1894, to enable this society to
continue its work, and the committee hope to be able to publish at
least two volumes of the "Collections" (volumes 21 and 22), before
the next annual meeting of this society.

The committee would again urge upon all its members, and upon
the officers and members of all county and local societies, the contri-
bution to this society of the pioneer history of individuals, of town-
ships, and of the counties of this State.

36 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

All such material for history will be preserved by the society and
published in its "Collections."

MICHAEL SHOEMAKER, Chairman, Jackson,
JOHN H. FOR^TER, Williamston ,
HENRY H. HOLT, Muskegon,
FREDERICK CARLISLE, Detroit.

REPORT OF THE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE.

ALLEGAN COUNTY.
BY DON C. HENDERSON.

JOEL BATCHELOR. — Joel Batchelor died in Gun Plain, July 18, 1892,
He was born in Orange, Mass., April 28, 1804, and came to Michigan
in 1837, settling in Gun Plain and engaging in mercantile business
until about 1848, when he married Miss Alzina L. Crittenden, Feb-
ruary 14 of that year, who survives him. He then turned his attention
to farming for a few years. About this period he was elected justice
of the peace, and in 1845 or 1846, he had the first contract for
carrying the mail from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids, and carried the
first mail through on horseback. In 1849 he went into the cabinet-
making business in Otsego for a short time, but finally went back to
Gun Plain in 1853 and again settled on a farm, where he remained
until his death. Mr. Batchelor had four children — Irving J., now
living near Lowell, Mich.; Alia L., deceased; Frank M., now living in
Portland, Oregon; and Edward C., now living on the old homestead.
Mr. Batchelor had a kindly disposition and courteous manner. He
was honored and respected by all who knew him. His age was 88
years, 2 months, and 20 days.

MBS. BETSEY FISK. — Mrs Betsey Fisk died at Allegan, July 7, 1892.
Betsey Davis was born at Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y.. September
22, 1810. The family moved to \Villiamson, Wayne Co., N. Y., when she
was a girl, where she married Joseph Fisk, January 12, 1832. They cam&

MEMORIAL REPORT— ALLEGAN COUNTY. 37

to Michigan in 1834, stopping first at Marengo, Calhoun Co., coming
to Allegan in March, 1835. She was the mother of the first white
child born in Allegan (William Allegan Fisk), in October, 1835, but
who died in infancy. She taught school several terms in New York,
previous to her marriage. Allegan was always her home, and she
resided here from the time of its first settlement, except nine years, from
about 1853 to 1862. when the family lived in Chicago. They lived
happily together over 52 years. She was an exemplary member of the
Baptist church over 60 years. Aunt Betsey, as she was called by all
the old settlers, won and retained the affection and esteem of all with
whom she came in contact. She was aunt to everyone and was really
the kind friend to everyone whom she met. Her kindly hospitality
seemed to know no bounds, and she would not willingly listen to
disparaging remarks about anyone, covering the faults of all with the
broad mantle of Christian charity. Not only her children, but all who
knew her, "rise up and call her blessed." Her age was 81 years, 9
months, and 15 days.

ALBY BOSSMAN. — Our community was greatly shocked on May 6,
1893, to learn of the death of our highly respected citizen, Alby
Bossman, who departed this life at his residence in Allegan. In
business he was a man of the strictest integrity; in politics a stalwart
and uncompromising democrat of the school of Cass and Douglas, and
in religion, a liberalist. Aurelius, Cayuga county, N. Y., was the place
of his birth, June 14, 1812. George Bossman, father of the deceased,
was a native of the state of New York, and his wife, Mary Wood
Bossman, was of Connecticut origin. Mr. Bossman's father was a
soldier of the revolution and by profession both a farmer and mechanic,
removing to Ohio where his wife died in Madison county. His father
returned to New York state and died at Morris, Otsego county. His
son, Alby Bossman, the subject of this sketch, was but eight years old
when he made his home with a sister at Springville, N. Y., where he
remained but one year. After this he went to Auburn, N. Y., and was
there apprenticed to a mechanic's trade where he showed much
ingenuity, and worked in a furnace and machine shop for three years.
He continued his trade as a journeyman until 1836, when he proceeded
to Marshall, Mich., where he remained for about six months, during
which time he ran* a foundry and cast the first plow made in Michigan.
Mr. Bossman in the same year (1836), came to Allegan where he
started the first furnace ever erected here and made the first sled in
our county. Later Mr. Bossman added a machine shop to his works

38 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

and for nearly thirty years successfully operated and carried on these
iron works, accumulating a handsome property, giving employment in
these years to a large number of first class mechanics. He built in
1838 the boiler and engine for the first steamer built in Allegan and
the first that ever run on the Kalamazoo river. This steamer was
named after C. C. Trowbridge, of Detroit, who was a large stockholder
in the Boston company that founded Allegan village. When he first
came to Allegan lumbering was the principal occupation followed here
and Mr. Kossman's business prospered with the village's growth. For
many years Mr. Rossman's foundry was the only one in our county.
In those early days Mr. Rossman was associated with the late Hyman
Hoxie who subsequently went to Chicago and died there. Mr. Rossman
retired from active business some years ago but continued to improve
his property in our village and vicinity, erecting an elegant residence
for himself and several stores. He was one of the company who built
the beautiful Chaff ee block, one of the finest structures in this or any
other village of our State. In 1869 he was burned out and suffered a
severe loss of property. In the same year he removed to his farm
which he had laid out into village lots, known as " Rossman's
addition." Mr. Rossman filled with honor several responsible township
and village offices such as justice of the peace, village trustee, marshal,
and superintendent of the village water works. Mr. Rossman was first
married in 1832 to Miss Angeline Dickinson, who died in 1848 leaving
two children, William George Rossman, who was married to Miss
Elizabeth Newcomb, of Ganges, and died January, 1889, leaving one
daughter, JCate E., who has resided with her grandparents ever since
her father's death. Miss Mary A. Rossman, the other child of the-
deceased, was married to Capt. Frederick Hart, with whom she resided
in Adrian till 1877, when he died. Mrs. Hart has lived at her^father's-
mansion ever since. The deceased, Alby Rossman, had a second wife,
Mrs. Electa Dickinson, who has one child (now Mrs. Henry C. Smith).
Mrs. Rossman has three grandchildren. Dr. Charles H. Smith, of
Chattanooga, Tenn., Mrs. G. H. Buchanan, of this village, and
Glenn D. Smith, of Springfield, Ohio.

We have thus given a somewhat extended notice of a man who was-
a walking landmark of our county's history and progress, a pillar of
integrity and probity in all the walks of life, one who had contributed
liberally for many years past toward churches, school houses, and all
other good purposes. This patriarch will be greatly missed by hia
numerous friends and neighbors to whom he was always ready to

MEMORIAL REPORT- BARRY COUNTY. 39

extend a kindly greeting and cheering word. Mr. Rossman was in
failing health for five or six months and seldom appeared in public.
But his neighbors frequently called upon him and cheered him up.
He sat in a chair on the porch of his residence and walked out in
his yard two or three times on the day of his death.

MRS. ELIZA WILCOX. — Mrs. Eliza Wilcox died in Trowbridge, June
5. 1892. Miss Eliza McMahon was born in Ireland, May 11, 1826,
and came to America with her parents when quite young, settling in
Livingston Co., N. Y., where she grew to womanhood. She married a
Mr. Reynolds and moved to Ganges in 1855, where he died. Some-
time in the 60's she married G. B. Wilcox in Monterey, and they
finally settled on the farm in Trowbridge where she died. She was a
kind and sympathetic friend and neighbor and her life was above
reproach. Her age was 66 years and 24 days.

BARRY COUNTY.
BY DANIEL STRIKER.

MRS. JOHN TINKLER. — Martha Tinkler, wife of John Tinkler, died at
Hastings, June 4, 1892, aged 53 years. Reside at of Hastings in Barry
Co. for 40 years.

MRS. JAMES SWIN. — Mrs. Olive Swin, widow of James Swin, died at
Hastings, June 17, 1892, aged 82 years. Resided in Barry county 45
years, and came from Ohio to Johnstown in 1847.

MRS. IRA PENNOCK. — Esther Pennock, widow of Ira Pennock, died at
the town of Barry in Barry county, June 19, 1892, aged 62 years.
Had resided in Barry county for 56 years.

DAVID M. LAKE. — David M. Lake, died at Hastings July 17, 1892r
aged 89 years. Former residence Ohio, resided here 30 years.

MRS. THOMAS HENRY. — Bridget Henry, wife of Thomas Henry, died
at Rutland. Barry county, August 8, 1892, a native of Ireland, aged
68 years. Resided in Barry county 38 years.

JAMES N. HAWTHORNE. — James N. Hawthorne died in Orangeville,

40 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Barry county, August 28, 1892, aged 76 years. Resided in Barry
county 46 years; a native of the state of Maine.

SEBASTIAN KAISER. — Sebastian Kaiser died in Baltimore, this county,
August 31, 1892, aged 72 years. Resided in this county 40 years. A
German.

MRS. MALVINA P. MCLELLAN.— Malvina P. McLellan, widow, died
at Allegan, September 8, 1892 (while visiting her daughter), a resident
of Hastings, aged 67 years. One of the earliest pioneers; married here
in 1844; resided here 52 years. Her maiden name was Alden.

RICHARD JONES. — Richard Jones, one of the early pioneers of Assyria,
died at Battle Creek, where he had resided a short time, September,
1892, aged 87 years. Resident since 1848; was a member of the legis-
lature in 1867, — an able farmer. His remains were buried at Assyria.

HENRY I. BARNUM. — Henry I. Barnum died at Nashville (being
injured while attempting to board the train), October, 1892, aged 67
years. Resident of this county for the past 47 years; from New York.

FRANCES PECK. — Frances Peck died at Carlton, October 13, 1892.
Resident of Barry county for 46 years, and of the State 55 years;
aged 84 years.

MRS. DAVID L. HOES. — Mrs. Miranda Hoes, wife of David L., died
at Rutland, November 6, 1892. Resident 45 years.

MRS. ALLEN JONES. — Hannah M. Jones, wife of Allen Jones, died at
Hastings, November 10, 1892. Native of Tiffin, Ohio; aged 56 years;
resident here 46 years.

MRS. CHARLOTTE GRAW. — Mrs. Charlotte Graw, died at the home of
her daughter, Mrs. Richard Murray, at Baltimore, December 1, 1892,
aged 92 years; a native of New York. Had resided in Kent and Barry
counties for the past 56 years.

MRS. CAROLINE WARNER.— Mrs. Caroline Warner, widow, died January
3, 1893, aged 64 years. A resident of this State 56 years.

MARY J. WILLIAMS. — Mary J. Williams, formerly Sidmore, died Jan-
uary 10, 1893, aged 67 years. Resident of this State and county 41 years.

JOSEPH SHORES. — Joseph Shores (known as uncle), died at Wood-
land, January 20, 1893, aged 94 years. Been married 62 years; one
of the oldest residents and early marriages.

MEMORIAL REPORT— BARRY COUNTY. 41

IRA VIRGIL. — Ira Virgil, died at Hastings, January 28, 1893, aged 88
years. Resident of the county for 40 years.

CHARLES BUHLER. — Charles Buhler, whose residence was at Irving
in this county, died at Woodland (while on a visit at his daughter's),
July 18, 1893, aged 81 years. Resident 40 years.

MARY E. BABCOCK. — Mary E. Babcock, died at Baltimore, July 22,
1893, aged 79 years. Resident 41 years.

IRA STOWELL.— Ira Stowell, died at Woodland, February 26, 1893,
aged 73 years. Resident 38 years.

MRS. J. M. RUSSELL. — Mrs. J. M. Russell, widow of Dr. Russell,
died at Hastings, March 10, 1893, aged 79 years. Resident 38 years.

MRS. WM. EATON. — Hannah Eaton, widow of William Eaton, died
at Baltimore, March 11, 1893, aged 92 years. Resident 40 years.

DANIEL FIFIELD. — Daniel Fifield, died at Hastings, March 21, 1893,
aged 92 years. Resident 49 years.

MRS. I. N. KEELER.— Mrs. I. N. Keeler, of Middleville, died March
26, 1893, aged 61 years. Resident 43 years.

JAMES MCK.ELVEY. — James McKelvey, of Nashville, died April 12,
1893, aged 84 years. Resident 38 years.

MRS. OWEN HUGHES. — Mrs. Owen Hughes, of Prairieville, died April
5, 1893, aged 63 years. Resident 42 years.

DAVID L. HOES.— David L. Hoes, of Rutland, died April 14, 1893,
aged 73 years. Resident 45 years.

WM. WILLISON.— William Willison, of Barry, died April 28, 1893r
aged 74 years. Resident 56 years.

MRS. FLAVIA VAN DEWALKER.— Mrs. Flavia Van Dewalker, died April
15, 1893, aged 69 years. Resident 57 years. . Adopted daughter of
"Yankee Lewis."

A. J. PALMERTON. — A. J. Palmerton, of Woodland, died suddenly
May 7, 1893, aged 66 years. Resident 45 years.

ARNOLD SISSON. — Arnold Sisson, of Hastings, died May 12, 1893,
aged 69 years. Resident 39 years.
6

42 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

EGBERT CABLTON. — Kobert Carlton, of Hastings, died May 12, 1893,
aged 74 years. Resident 50 years.

MRS. CAROLINE NAGLER.— Mrs. Caroline Nagler, of Irving, died May
17, 1893, aged 67 years. Resident 34 years.

Between 60 and 70 years of age, 11.

Between 70 and 80 years of age, 9.

Between 80 and 90 years of age, 6.

Above 90 years of age, 5; the oldest was 94 — 4 being 92.

The longest residence in county, 57 years.

BAY COUNTY.
BY WM. MC COBMICK.

Mrs. Orrin Bump died May 8, 1893, in Bay City.

GEORGE LORD. — George Lord, the pioneer resident of Bay Cityr
died April 30, 1893, at his home, 922 Harrison street. He had been
ill for a long time and the end was hastened by his extreme age.

George Lord was born in Madison county, New York, March 17,
1815. He came to Bay City in 1854 and engaged in the lumbering
business. A short time afterward, in company with J. P. Whittemore,
he built the Keystone mill in what is now known as the first ward of
West Bay City. After operating it for five years he sold it and
entered the drug business at the corner of Center avenue and Water
street. He continued there until the fire in 1865, when he was burned
out. He immediately opened up another store, but sold out in a few
days and entered the insurance business. He was also ticket agent of
the Michigan Central, but most of his time from then on was devoted
to his insurance affairs. Politically he was a democrat, and served the
people in many different positions during his residence here. He was
mayor of the city for one term and comptroller for five terms. He
.was also supervisor, justice of the peace and alderman at different
times, and owes many friends to the honest and straightforward course
always pursued by him, both in business and politics.

In 1840, Mr. Lord married Miss C. D. Fay in Hamilton. Three

MEMORIAL REPORT— BRANCH COUNTY. 43

children were the result of the union, which proved to be a very
happy one. They are Mrs. H. W. Jennison and Wm. H. Lord, of Bay
City, and Fred H. Lord, of Chicago.

BRANCH COUNTY.
BY HARVEY HAYNES.

WILLIAM ALGER. — William "Alger died at his home in Mattison on
March 20, 1893, of heart failure, at the age of 76 years. Mr. Alger
was born in James, Seneca county, New York, July 4, 1816. He came
to Branch county in 1836 and settled in Quincy. He was married to
Miss Orpha Darwin in December, 1838, and moved into Butler,
subsequently removing to Mattison which has since been his home.
He was one of the hard working pioneers, carrying out the command
of God to "subdue the earth and have dominion over it." Perhaps
no one man has done more to clear up Branch county than the
deceased. He leaves a wife and nine living children (his oldest son
having died in the Union army) to mourn the loss of a kind husband
and father.

Mr. Alger was the eighth in descent from Thomas Alger, who settled
in Mass., in 1638.

EPHRAIM A. KNOWLTON.— Ephraim A. Knowlton died at his home
in Coldwater, March 14, 1893. at the age of 80. Mr. Knowlton was
born in Cape Ann, Mass., December 25, 1813. While an infant his
parents removed to Vermont and here it was that he was reared
to manhood. In June, 1834, he was married to Miss Jane Alvord and
together they immigrated to the west, first settling in Ohio in 1844.
Ohio was a new country then and the vast territory west was then
unexplored, but nothing daunted, Mr. Knowlton and family moved farther
west and settled in our then insignificant little burg in 1856. He was
a cabinetmaker by trade and established and successfully conducted
what was a pioneer institution in the west — the planing mill, sash and
blind factory on west Chicago street, Coldwater, now owned by Ball
Bros. In 1862 his first wife died. Four children were born to them
of whom only one, Mrs. F. D. Marsh of Coldwater, is a survivor.

In 1864 he retired from the manufacturing business and purchased

44 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

a farm on Marshall street where he resided until 1884 when he removed
to his present suburban home of sixty acres on east Chicago street. In
1865 he was again married, Mahala Halstead Fisk being chosen as his
second bride and she survives him.

Coldwater was a small, unpretentious place when Mr. Knowlton first
came there and he was identified with most of its early strug-
gles for existence and growth. He has been an active and energetic
worker, and it is only within the past two or three years that he has
been obliged to give up the harder duties. The remains of this
staunch Christian man were interred in Oak Grove cemetery where so
many of our early pioneers now lie and yet are not forgotten.

LORENZO A. ROSE.— Lorenzo A. Rose died at his home in the village
of Bronson, March 13, 1893, the immediate cause being a fall on the
ice a few weeks before, though his health had not been robust for some
time. Born October 25, 1822, in Cambria, Niagara county, N. Y., he
came with his parents to Bronson in 1835, where he has since resided,
identifying himself closely with the interests of Branch county, and
especially with those of Bronson. While Mr. Rose was not an
educated man so far as books were concerned, yet he was possessed of
a great fund of general information, always observant and fond of
reading, he combined the essential qualities that go to make up a good
citizen to an unusual degree. He was a railroad contractor, helping
to construct several important lines, among them a section of the
Grand Rapids & Indiana from Walton to Traverse City; built a part
of the M. C. & L. M. from Monteith to Gull Corners; built a line
from Petoskey to Long and Crooked Lakes, and also a line from
Petoskey to Mackiuac. Previous to this, in 1849, he entered the
employ of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad, ballasting
nearly all of the road between Bronson and Sturgis. In 1853 he
contracted with the government to deliver quite a number of head of
cattle purchased in Bronson to the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians at
Little Traverse. This was quite a hazardous undertaking at that time,
as the journey had to be made on foot, much of the way through pine
forests and in a sparsely settled country, with many streams to ford,
but it was safely accomplished in about six weeks. This was only one
of the many instances in his pioneer life where he had undertaken and
successfully accomplished hazardous and difficult undertakings. He
was three times postmaster of Bronson, the first time under Van
Buren, the second under Buchanan, and the third under Cleveland.

His first wife was Miss Amanda Weatherby, of Jackson, who died

MEMORIAL, REPORT— CALHOUN COUNTY.

in Bronson in 1860, and who bore him two children, one still living
and a resident of Petoskey, the other dying when quite' young. His
second wife was Miss Mattie Dovendorf, who survives him, together
with four children, Lorenzo E. of Petoskey, Mrs. Byron Rich of Ovid,
Grace and Eddy. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, and always
occupied an enviable position as an upright, honorable man.

A. S. ROWELL.— A. S. Rowell died at his home in Coldwater May 9,
1893, at the advanced age of 81. In his death Coldwater loses a
faithful citizen and an honest man.

A. S. Rowell was born in Penfield, N. Y., September 25, 1812, and
came west when a young man. Previous to residing in Coldwater he
made his home in Hillsdale, where he was at one time sheriff. He
afterward moved to White Pigeon and resided there a few years, after
which he made Coldwater his home and has since resided there.

He came to Coldwater forty years ago, and in 1847 was married to
Miss Eleanor Pratt, who died in January, 1892. To them were born
four children, only two of whom, Frank Rowell, of Buffalo, N. Y., and
Mrs. Stuart, of Coldwater, survive.

CALHOUN COUNTY.

BY JOHN F. HINMAN.

Name.

Residence.

Date of death.

Age.

James M Abell

Battle Creek

June 7, 1892

Penn field

Mrs Thomas Reardon

Battle Creek

Mrs. Maria Clute

Fredonia

28 1

John Welch

Albion

Mrs C P White

Pennfield

July 10

Isaac C. Mott

Battle Creek

John N. Farmer -

Hubert Sears *"

it it

27 ..I

Daniel Berger

it tt

Mrs. Henrietta Drier

Homer

Mrs. Cordelia Curtis...

Battle Creek...

August 3...

ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

Name.

Residence.

Date of death.

Age,

Bedford

August 10

A J Noyes

Battle Creek

Pearl Codling

j4 „

Michael Taffee

Homer

Sept. 20

Le Roy

£9

Battle Creek

19...

John Pratt

Tekonsha

16...

Mrs Sophy Almon

Rice Creek

27...

JHeiiry Andrus ....

Battle Creek

.Henry Pierson -

Emmet

Smith Woolsey

Albion

E N Edmunds

Marshall .

October 4

Margaret Kedmond

Fredonia.

6...

James Ferguson

Battle Creek

Mrs. Louisa Goodwin

Marshall.....'

Mary J. Pringle

Mrs Clarissa Roberts

Le Roy

James Toole

Pennfield .

30...

Mrs. Clarissa Roberts

Battle Creek

24..

Horatio Perry

Clarendon

November 15

6->

John Howlett

Battle Creek

Mrs Henry Toss

Pennfield

25. ..

Alonzo Taylor

LeRoy

Cornelius Bogardns

Lee

Mrs. Nancy Nichols

Battle Creek

Miss Elizabeth Finlay

January6, 1893....

Mrs. John Potter

n ««

9....

Mrs. Barbery Erhman

Bedford

7....

Mrs- Susan Robinson

Battle Creek

22....

Wm. Laker, Sr.

Homer

19....

Manlius Mann

Marshall . . .

22....

8;i

David E. Fero

February 2

Mrs. Caroline Conkey

Tekonsha

Mrs. R. Sanley

Battle Creek

George Smith

Eckford

IraT. Butler

Battle Creek

19..

Mrs. Lorenzo R. Peebles

Nathan Rockwell

Athens

Mrs. Philanda Tenuey

Battle Creek . .

Nathan Rogers

Pine Creek

MEMORIAL REPORT— CALHOUN COUNTY.

Name.

Residence.

Date of death.

Age.

Mrs Rhoda Beardsley

Homer

March 1

Mrs. Joseph Cook

Battle Creek

Mrs Geo W Adams

Verona

Trnman W. Williams

Battle Creek

Marshall

Le Boy

John Beers

Albion

Miss Sarah W. Wheelock . .

Battle Creek

Mrs Ann J Kellogg

Andrew Her rick

Homer

April 1

Wm Watsoa

Tekonsha

Benjamin H. Crandall

Battle Creek

5 ..

Mrs. Margaret Sly

Mrs Elvira A Pike

Albion

John Spanlding

Homer

Rd<wn Hammond

Convis .__

Marvin Eggleston .. _

Battle Creek

Mrs John Spooner, Sr.

Newton

Dorastns Green, Jr.

Albion

Mrs. Esther Van Winkle .

Battle Creek

Wm. H. Green

t> it

Mrs. Ann L Lapham

4* 41

Mrs. Dr. A, 8. Johnson

ti „

Mrs. Sarah L. Sackett

it U

Mrs. Helen Perry

Albion

Mrs. Susan A. Reynolds

Battle Creek

May 4

Mrs. Mary L. Fnller

Mrs. Mary I. Hinchman

H 4t

Mrs Mary C Thomason

Albion

James Hameston

Homer

Mrs. G. W. Dryer f

Marengo .

Mrs. Daniel Crawford ....

Albion

Philemon Austin

Marengo

Jacob Mahien

LeRoy

Joseph Mercer

Bedford

Charles Scoon ...

Mary Swart

Le Roy

Mrs. Inman

Battle Creek

June 5

WILLIAM D. ADAMS.— William D. Adams died Friday, March 31,
1893, at Marshall, Mich., aged 53 years.

William DeForest Adams was born in Burlington, Calhoun county,

48 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Michigan, June 5, 1839. His parents, William and Mehetabel Adams,
were among the first pioneers of Calhoun county, coming from the
state of New York to the territory of Michigan in 1834. His father,
who was a man of intelligence and large influence, located the land
and platted the village of Burlington, where William D. spent his
childhood and performed the sturdy duties of a farmer's son in pioneer
life, attending the district school and experiencing the privations and
hardships of those primitive times in Michigan. He was a student of
Coldwater high school and at Albion college and acquired a good
education but did not complete a full collegiate course of study. He
followed the calling of teacher for a time. He was married to Sarah
M. Setford, of Albion, Mich., January 18, 1862, who now survives him.
He leaves two children, Miss Lena, of Marshall, and Frank D., a
classical student at Michigan University, one daughter having died in
infancy.

Mr. Adams possessed a good mechanical talent and had a taste for
machinery, but his love of study and intellectual pursuits led him to
choose the law as the field for his life work. He commenced the
study of his chosen profession in 1863, with Sidney Thomas, of
Marshall, and completed his law reading as a student with Hughes
and Wooley and was admitted to the bar on the 28th of November,
1864. He immediately commenced his career as a lawyer in Marshall,
where he continued in active practice until his death.

Mr. Adams held the office of deputy commissioner of internal
revenue and of United States commissioner under the federal govern-
ment. He was four years justice* of the peace and two years city
attorney of the city of Marshall and was also circuit court commis-
sioner of Calhoun county for six years. In these official positions he
discharged the duties with great fidelity and marked ability, thereby
reflecting honor upon himself and giving universal satisfaction to the
public whose interests he so carefully served. His professional
associates, who are the most competent judges, speak very highly of
his judicial* opinions and decisions, and credit him with judicial
qualities of a high order.

As an attorney and solicitor, Mr. Adams has been connected with
numerous important cases in the State and federal courts, and has
filled responsible positions in the trials and determinations of these
causes. Among the number we recall the Perrin- Kellogg cases, the
numerous cases growing out of the Perrin and Sibley estates and the
Wait-Kellogg cases, which attracted much attention at the time and
were contested to the end by the leading lawyers of the State. He

MEMORIAL REPORT— CALHOUN COUNTY. 49

had among his clients many prominent business men and concerns,
which attest his standing and ability as a lawyer.

Mr. Adams was endowed by nature with a fine physique and a
vigorous mind. He was self-reliant in forming his opinions, and
independent in drawing conclusions. In short, he thought and acted
for himself, and was not accustomed to allow others to think for him.
He was studious in his habits and had a taste for intellectual research.
In politics he was a republican but not a blind partisan. Though
retiring in disposition and having no taste for formal society, he was
genial and warm hearted to his friends and was esteemed most by
those who knew him best. He was sincere and honest as a man and
as a citizen and will be greatly missed in Marshall.

MRS. MARIA DYGERT ARNOLD. — Mrs. Maria Dygert Arnold, the
subject of this sketch, died at her home in Battle Creek, August 9,
1892. She was born in Verona, Oneida county, N. Y., in the year
1837, where she resided during her girlhood and until her marriage to
Mr. A. 0. Arnold, January 1, 1856. In the year 1857 Mrs. Arnold
came with her husband to Battle Creek, Mich., and has lived in this
city 35 years. The deceased was well known and very highly esteemed
in this community. She was a woman of excellent judgment and good
sense and in no way calculated to stimulate anything like malice in
the breast of anyone with whom she came in contact. On the contrary
she was constituted to win respect and gratitude from all who knew
her. She had "malice toward none but charity toward all." She will
be especially remembered as the friend of the poor and unfortunate
whose interests were very near to her heart, and whose cause she
unselfishly espoused. Her bounty quietly and unostentatiously dis-
pensed, often cheered the heart that was ready to faint. Surely,
considering her surroundings, her record should stand as a beacon light
for others to follow.

NATHANIEL A. BARNEY. — Nathaniel A. Barney, landlord of the
Occidental Hotel, Muskegon, died October 31, 1892, of stomach
troubles, aged 68 years. He was born at Silver Creek, N. Y., and with
his parents moved in 1833 to Battle Creek. He came to Muskegon in
1868 and went into the hotel business, which he has followed ever
since. In his service of nearly a quarter of a century he has seen
Muskegon grow from a hamlet to one- of the principal cities of the
State, and step by step his business has grown with it. Last spring
he commenced the erection of a four story stone structure, which is
7

50 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

nearly completed, and makes the hotel the largest and finest on the
shore. Mr. Barney was most favorably known by the traveling public
which he had served so long.

Mr. Barney's family was among the earliest settlers in Battle Creek.
The old Barney hotel, two miles west of the city, is still standing, and
goes by that name. The deceased will be remembered by all the older
citizens.

MRS. LOUISA H. BEVIER. — Another of the early settlers of Le Roy,
Calhoun county, Mich., has passed from earth to heaven.

Mrs. Louisa H. Bevier died of old age, at the home of her nephew,
Elon D. Bushnell, October 18, 1892. Twenty- three years ago the 15th
of October, her husband, Win. Bevier, entered into rest. Her marriage
dates back to 1846. She was a New Englander by birth and a native
of Connecticut, where she was born on June 11, 1804, and where she
lived about 36 years. Her family were of French Huguenot origin, and
her early ancestors came from England to America more than 250
years ago, being among the first settlers of Guilford and Saybrook,
Conn. She was the daughter of Christian and Prudence Bushnell, and
the last of several sons and daughters to depart this life. The family
name included at least six ministers, of whom the late Dr. Horace
Bushnell, of Hartford, Conn., was one. Her brothers, Eev. Asa W.
and Deacon John H. Bushnell, and her sister, Mrs. Dudley N.
Bushnell, have long been known to and familiar with the early settlers
of Le Eoy and adjacent towns. Dudley N. and wife came in the
autumn of 1837 and were followed by John H. arid wife the following
autumn. Then in 1840 the remainder of the family came. Her brother
Eev. Asa W. becoming the first regular pastor of the church then
known as the first Presbyterian church of Le Eoy, but since 1846 has
been the first Congregational church of Le Eoy.

For more than half a century therefore she has been identified with
this church and with the community. Her life has been that of a
quiet, consistent Christian, a devoted daughter, sister, and wife, a true,
trusty and much loved friend and neighbor.

Her money has been given with a liberal hand for the support of
the church she loved so much for the various benevolent causes and to
bless her friends and neighbors.

Since the death of her sister, Mrs. Dudley N. Bushnell, four years
ago, she has made her home where she died, making frequent visits to
her own house near by, where her things remained in position

MEMORIAL REPORT— CALHOUN COUNTY. 51

just as she used them, so many years. At the ripe age of 88, blind
and helpless, she quietly and peacefully "fell asleep in Jesus."

MBS. ANN THOMPSON BURLAND.— Mrs. Ann Thompson Burland, one
of the oldest pioneers, died at the home of her son, William, in
Eckford, February 7, 1893.

Deceased was born in Rickle, Yorkshire, England, November 28,
1808. She sailed from England June, 1830, with her husband and
three little girls. Eliza, now Mrs. Henry Williams, of Whitewater,
Wis.; Betsey (deceased), wife of Jas. Watrous, of Marshall; Ann, wife
of Augustus Turner, of Stanberry, Mo.

After a long and tedious journey they reached Detroit, remaining
there about a year, during which time a little son was born to them
who died at that place. From Detroit they moved to the farm known
as the Geo. Bentley farm in Marshall township, where their son,
William, was born. They next came to Fredonia. where Mr. Burland
located a large tract of land, he being the first man to break a furrow
in that township. Here were born Alice (deceased), wife of Wm.
McCue, of Plain view, Minn.; Merenda, wife of John Brown, of St.
Louis, Mo.

They endured the hardships incident to early pioneer life remaining
at this home until the death of Mr. Burland.

Mrs. Burland was baptized in the Episcopal church of England and
was at the time of her death a member of Trinity church, Marshall.

J. MARTIN CALDWELL. — J. Martin Caldwell died in Florida, where
he had gone for his health, March 8, 1893, aged 63 years.

Deceased was born in Pennsylvania, September 18, 1829. He
removed to Michigan with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Caldwell,
in 1834, and located in Verona, which was then a rival of Battle
Creek. Afterwards the family removed to Battle Creek.

When about nineteen years of age, Mr. Caldwell commenced his
business career as a clerk in the drug store of A. T. Havens, where
the store of E. R. Smith is now located. Mr. Havens came from
Palmyra, N. Y., and had bought out the drug stock of Beach & Taylor.
In 1843 Mr. Havens started another drug store across the street in
what was known as the old checkered building, where Preston's shoe
store is now located. Ttye store was run in the name of Mr. Havens'
brother-in-law, Franklin Smith, but Mr. Caldwell had charge of the
business. When Mr. Caldwell left the store of Mr. Havens to take
charge of the new place of business, Mr. Wm. Andrus- took his old
position and commenced his career as a drug clerk.

52 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

After running this business for several years Mr. Havens discon-
tinued the new store.

In 1851, when the gold fever had seized upon the people of the
country and all the young men were going to the new Eldorado, Mr.
Caldwell made the trip by water. He remained in the golden state
several years, engaged in mining, and then returned to Battle Creek.
Upon his return to Battle Creek he was married to Mrs. Helen Parker,
daughter of the late John Nichols.

He entered into the boot and shoe business in a building on the
site of the store now occupied by James Geddes. The firm was
Caldwell & Galloway. Charles Peters afterwards bought the interest
of Mr. Galloway, and the firm became Caldwell & Peters. Subse-
quently Peters sold out to Mr. Caldwell.

When the old Battle Creek House was destroyed by fire the
buildings on the opposite corner, one of which was occupied by
Caldwell, were also burned. He lost his entire stock. He then moved
into the store in the Andrus block now occupied by Jacobs.

In April, 1876, he moved into the store now occupied by Harbeck
& Livingston and continued in business until May, 1891, when he sold
out to the above firm and retired from business on account of his
health.

From the above it will be seen that the deceased was not only an
old pioneer but a prominent business man. He leaves a wife and one
son, Ned Caldwell, two brothers, James T. and Josiah, of Battle Creek,
and two sisters, Mrs. Al. Tichenor, of Battle Creek, and Mrs. W. B.
Buck, of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Deceased was a member of the Athelstan Club and the American
Legion of Honor.

MRS. BETSEY CROSSETT. — Mrs. Betsey Crossett died February 10,
1893, at the residence of her son, C. D. Crossett, Battle Creek, in the
100th year of her age. Mrs. Crossett was born in Washington county,
N. Y., on July 9, 1793, and had she have lived until July this year
she would have been 100 years old. It is very seldom that such age
is attained by people whose faculties are unimpaired and who
apparently enjoy their life in the last stages as did Mrs. Crossett.
While young she married Daniel Crossett, and together they lived a
pleasant and devoted life. For over fifty years Mrs. Crossett has been
a widow. She was the mother of four children, and at the time of
her death was a member of her oldest son's family. Her other children
are Mrs. Betsey Ann Lynn, of Fredonia, N. Y., Mrs. D. L. Green, of

MEMORIAL REPORT— CALHOUN COUNTY. 53

Chicago, and Benjamin Crossett, of Janesville, Wis. Deceased has been
a resident of Battle Creek for over thirty years, and a member of the
Baptist church for over eighty-three years. She was a great singer,
and the old time hymns were on her lips most of the time while she
was busying herself about her self imposed household duties. Her
love of music was extraordinarily good, and her last years were passed
in song. She had a remarkable voice for one of her age. In the
summer, when the weather has been agreeable, she took her daily
walk, and appeared to be greatly pleased and interested in all the
improvements that came under her observation. She had a horror of
war, having lived through the struggles of 1812 and 1861. Her declin-
ing years were truly a second childhood, and she looked forward to the
future with all the pleasant anticipation that characterizes youth. She
was kind, affectionate, and hopeful, and all who had the pleasure of
her acquaintance will reverence her memory with love and respect.

HARVEY J. DUBOIS. — In the death of Harvey J. Dubois, which
occurred April 25, 1893, South Battle Creek loses its last old pioneer.

He was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., on the 5th of January,
1825. His parents, Peter and Sallie Dubois, together with their three
children, Harvey J., James G., and Esther M., moved to Michigan in
]836, and located on a farm in South Battle Creek, where five years
later a second daughter, Anthenette, was born to them. Harvey was
eleven years of age when he came to this place, and he has continued
to reside here up to the time of his death. Fifty-seven years of life,
full of lively interest known only to early days in Michigan, coming
here among the first, he has noted the rapid development and its
present high position among its sister states. All this goes to make
up such a life.

At the age of twenty-eight he was married to Cynthia J. Stickney,
of his native state. The 7th of April was their 40th marriage
anniversary.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dubois were born three children, Charlotte E., L.
Louette, and Cayton H.

Mr. Dubois was a successful farmer, careful and judicious in his
calculations, keeping well the fertility of his farm, giving to his
beautiful home a fruitful and prosperous appearance.

In politics he was not partisan. He might be said to be inde-
pendent; governed always by what he thought was right. All his
transactions in life were honorable and upright, even in temper, not

54 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

passionate or unkind, with none to point at a single instance where he
did them an injustice.

He was interested in the welfare of his brother farmer, and was
zealous in bettering his condition as a class. He joined the Grange
organization at the first, and continued an active member up to the
last few years, retaining unabating interest, but unable to attend on
account of his blindness.

Of his family, his wife and daughter, Mrs. L. Louette Woods, her
husband and four little grandchildren are all that remain. Of his
father's family, James G. Dubois, of Battle Creek, and Mrs. Anthenette
McCollum, who resides at Lawrence, are all that survive.

MRS. WILLIAM Goss. — Chloe A. Norton was born in Connecticut,
September 27, 1819, soon afterward removing to New York state. In
1836 she came with her parents to Marshall, Mich., and on February
5, 1837, was married to Wm. Goss. The same year they located on a
farm two miles north and east of Bellevue, and in 1839 purchased a
large farm in Convis, where they have since resided. A large family
of children came to bless their home, only one of whom, Mrs. I. D.
Brackett, is now living. Mrs. Goss died February 15, 1893, aged 73
years, 4 months, and 18 days, having lived with Mr. Goss 56 years and
10 days.

JAMES W. HATCH. — James W. Hatch, a Calhoun county pioneer of
of 1836 type, died at his home in Fredonia, August 16, 1892, aged 63
years. Mr. Hatch was pretty generally known, having resided in the
county ever since he first arrived, with the exception of three years
which he spent in California during the gold fever. He was a veteran
of the war, enlisting in the 9th Michigan infantry and was afterward
transferred to the 18th Michigan. He was a prosperous farmer and a
good man. His aged wife, nee Julia Austin of Clarendon, survives
him, besides three sons, Jesse M. of Marshall, Geo. W. of Chadron,
Neb., and Ernest of Fredonia; two daughters, Mrs. Z. Enos and Mrs.
Stephen Smith, both of Fredonia, and two sisters, Mrs. E. Marble of
Marshall and Mrs. Robert Starks of Fredonia. Another daughter, Mrs.
Cobb, died in Dakota about a year ago. Mr. Hatch was a devoted
member of the G. A. R.

SAMUEL J. HENDERSON.— Samuel J. Henderson died at his residence
in Albion on Feb. 21, 1893, aged 74 years. This death, so sudden, so
unexpected to nearly all our citizens, brought a shock to the community,
and a feeling of deep sadness everywhere. No more familiar figure
walked the streets of our city than Mr. Henderson. Bright, genial,

MEMORIAL REPORT— CALHOUN COUNTY. 55

companionable, to meet him was always a pleasant incident of a walk
down the street.

He was born at Royalton, N. Y., Aug. 25, 1819. At the age of twelve
he followed the tide of emigration from the Empire state to the
wilds of Michigan, and located at Jackson. At the age of twenty-five,
a carpenter by trade, he came to Albion, and resided here continuously
from that time until his death.

Always a man who participated in public affairs, he has steadily
held some office or other during his entire residence in this city. For
more than thirty years he was either sheriff, under sheriff or deputy
sheriff. He was elected to the office of sheriff in the fall of 1880, and
served one term. He was elected supervisor of the township of
Sheridan several times before Albion became a city, and after that was
continuously supervisor of the second ward. An old resident says that
Mr. Henderson was a member of the Calhoun county board of super-
visors, with scarcely a skip, for twenty years.

Mr. Henderson was married Nov. 30, 1850, to Miss Julia E.,
daughter of Dr. Packard. From this union three children were born.
Two of them, Seward and Ellsworth, died at the ages of two and four
respectively. The daughter, Dora, is the wife of J. Kussell Sackett,~of
Saginaw. Mrs Henderson died June 30, 1874. May 25, 1883, he
married Miss Anna Whapples who, with her little daughter Ethel,
survives him. He also leaves a brother and sister in Oakland, Cal.,
and a sister in Jackson.

MRS. ELIAS HEWITT. — The death of Mrs. Elias Hewitt, which
occurred at her home in Marshall on Monday, March 6, 1893, removes
a citizen who has been closely identified with Marshall since an early
day.

Mrs. Hewitt was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., April 24, 1819,
and was married June 10, 1841, at Berger, Genesee county, N. Y.
Together with her husband she removed to Michigan in 1844, and
settled in Leonidas, St. Joseph county. In November, 1846, she
settled in Marshall and lived there up to the time of her death.

She was strictly domestic in her tastes and habits and deeply
attached to family and home. She enjoyed the love of all who knew
her and will not soon be forgotten. Her whole life was of a Christian
character and she tried to do good to all around her and especially to
her family. She leaves to mourn her death, her husband, Elias
Hewitt, Esquire, a daughter, Mrs. M. A. Blue, and a son, Chas. E.
Hewitt, of Detroit.

56 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

RUSSELL M. HOWARD. — Russell Marshall Howard, one of the early
settlers of East Eckford, and a highly esteemed citizen of that locality
up 'to a few years ago, when he removed to Redfield, S. Dakota, died
February 18, 1893, of diabetes. The Redfield Journal-Observer says:

"An old and respected citizen, a kind and loving father has gone 1o
his rest. Russell M. Howard was born in Schoharie county, N. Y.,
February 10, 1813, and was just 80 years and 8 days old at the time
of his death. His boyhood days were spent in New York state and he
removed with fhis parents to Oneida county, the same state, and lived
there for a number, of years. In 1849 he decided to start out into the
world for himself and came west, locating in Michigan. He finally
settled down in Calhoun county, that state. In 1850 he was married
to -Emeline Morse, who died here in October, 1889. He came to
Dakota in January, 1883, and located in Redfield. Shortly afterward
he took up a homestead in Faulk county, which he finally transferred
to his only surviving daughter, Mrs. W. H. Smith, of Faulk county.

"Mr. Howard always took a great deal of interest in the political
affairs of the nation. He was one of the original old line whigs,
having been one of the first in the organization of the republican
party in Michigan.

" He had been in failing health ever since the death of .his faithful
companion of many years, whose loss he keenly felt because of physi-
cal infirmities.

"As the junior member of Hatch & Howard, he has been in
business here for some years, though not actively engaged about the
store,

" He leaves a daughter and son to mourn his loss, the former, Mrs.
W. H. Smith, of Faulk county, and Chas. T. Howard our honored
townsman."

MRS. JANE I. HUBBARD. — Jane Ives Hubbard, wife of Deacon C. B.
Hubbard, died at her home in Battle Creek, May 2, 1893. Deceased
was born January 16, 1812, and was in the eighty-second year of her
age. She has been a resident of this community since 1842. She
leaves four children: H. H. Hubbard and Mrs. Mary Sherman, of
Battle Creek; Dan. J. Hubbard and Mrs. T. B. Simons, of Chicago.

DAVID JEFFERY. — David Jeffery died at his home in Marengo, Mich.,
September 15, 1892, aged 67 years, 10 months, and 22 days. He was
born in Warwickshire, Eng., October 22, 1824, came to New York in
1844 and to Marengo in 1845, where he has since resided. Mr. Jeffery
was a man of sterling worth, honest purpose, and strong will, possess-

MEMORIAL REPORT— CALHOUN COUNTY. 57

ing all the essentials of a good citizen, neighbor and friend, and as
such will be greatly missed. He leaves a wife, one son, Allen D., and
two daughters, Misses Ada and Silian G., to mourn their loss.

DK. HENRY L. JOY. — Dr. Henry L. Joy died very suddenly at his
home in Marshall, June 21, 1892.

Dr. Joy was born amid the beautiful Swiss scenery of western New
York at Ludlowville, on the shores of Cayuga lake, January 25, 1822.
He came of sturdy New England stock, his remote ancestor, Thomas
Joy, emigrating from Hingham, Norfolk Co., England, with Winthrop
in 1630.

His father, Arad Joy, was a leading citizen of western New York, a
man of very marked traits of character, who gave to all his children
the highest educational advantages to be obtained in this country and
at foreign universities.

Dr. Henry L. Joy was educated at the Ovid academy and at the
celebrated school at Lenox, Mass., and took a four years literary
course at Union college, receiving his decree of B. A. from that greatest
of college presidents, Dr. Eliphalet Nott, in 1844. While at Union
college he not only held a good rank in his studies but he was a prime
social favorite, being elected to the highest office in the society of
which he was a member. After the completion of his literary course
he commenced the study of medicine at Bellevue Medical college, New
York City, from which institution he went to the Jefferson Medical
college of Philadelphia, at that time with a reputation by far the
highest and a faculty the ablest in this country, where he took his
degree of M. D., March 28, 1849. After practicing for a short time in
what is now upper New York City, he came to Marshall in the fall of
1849, where, with the exception of six months in the winter of 1859
spent in study in the hospitals of New York City, he has continued
since to practice with eminent success his profession.

On April 16, 1851. at St. John's church, Buffalo, N. Y., by Rev. M.
Schuyler, he was married to Caroline Schuyler, youngest daughter of
Anthony Day Schuyler.

Though unambitious for official place and of a most retiring disposi-
tion, Dr. Joy always took an active interest in public affairs, being
elected to the office of alderman and mayor of Marshall and was for
many terms and at the time of his death, health officer of the city.

He was also at different times president of the United States pension
examining board, president of the Calhoun county Medical society and
member of the State Medical society of Michigan, and the National

58 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

Academy of Medicine. Though not a communicant, he was during all
his life in Marshall an active supporter of Trinity church and for some
years a vestryman.

Dr. Joy was by nature gifted with a clear strong mind, and was
always a great reader, student and thinker, not only in his own
profession, but in all the fields of thought. He was broad, generous
and ever charitable in his judgments of his fellow men, viewing with
pain their weaknesses and loving to dwell upon the bright and good
side of every man's nature.

Dr. Joy had five sons, of which Dr. Douglas A. Joy died in his
bright promising young manhood five years ago. He leaves his wife
and four sons, Clarence, Louis, Charles, and Philip, all of whom are
living at the old home.

GEOKGE E. LAWTON. — Died at his residence in the town of Pennfield,
October 11, 1892, George E. Lawton, of general debility. Deceased
was born in the town of Ledyard, Cayuga county, N. Y., October 19,
1814, where he lived until the fall of 1836, when he came to Ann
Arbor, this State; was soon after married to Miss Sally Benhani and
settled on a farm near Ann Arbor; removed from there to Battle
Creek in 1865. Soon after he purchased a farm in the town of
Pennfield, where he resided until his removal by death to join the
great majority.

JOSIAH LEPPEE. — In the death of Josiah Lepper, which occurred at
his home on September 10, 1892, Marshall loses one of the men that
has been identified with its history since the early days of 1832. In
that year Mr. Lepper arrived here and a year or so later settled on
the land which is now the fine farm of J. E. Bentley, just north of
the city. In 1835 he went east and married Miss Charlotte Haskin, of
New York state, and in 1836 returned here with his wife. In com-
pany with Lansing Kingsbury Mr. Lepper bought of Sidney Ketchum
a portion of the Rice Creek water power, including a half acre of land,
between the present malt house site and the creek, for $750, and there
they built the first furnace the county ever had, making a specialty of
manufacturing castings for " breaking-up" plows. They hauled their
coal all the way from Detroit. Mr. Lepper was in business in 1855 a
few months with the late Geo. B. Murray and in 1858 with S. V. E.
Lepper he engaged in the dry goods business, which was continued up
to the time the firm sold out to H. M. & P. Hempsted some fifteen
years ago. From an early day up to the fifties Mr. Lepper continuously

MEMORIAL REPORT-CALHOUN COUNTY. 59

operated a brick yard, and was the first man to engage in that line in
the county. The brick for the Baptist church, the Marshall House and
other pioneer structures came from his yard. He was a whig up to
the organization of the republican party, of which he became a
member, and it was a matter of considerable pride to him that he
never missed voting at a general . election of any kind. Mr. Lepper
was 83 years old.

MRS. EPHRAIM MARBLE. — Mrs. Ephraim Marble died February 9,
1893, at her home in Marshall.

Mrs. Marble was a daughter of Y. M. Hatch, a native of Con-
necticut. Her grandfather, Timothy Hatch, was also a native of that
New England state and was a soldier of the Revolution. He removed
from Connecticut to Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he was a farmer until
his demise.

Y. M. Hatch carried on farming in New York until 1837, when he
brought his family to Michigan and bought land in Clarence township,
this county, thus becoming one of its earliest settlers. He built in the
woods and clearing the land around him, improved a choice farm and
became one of the most successful farmers of his community. His
wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Swift, was a very energetic
woman and had much to do with his success.

Mrs. Marble was the eldest of five children and was born in the
township of Wolcott, Cayuga county, N. Y., Dec. 2, 1825. She was
twelve years old when the family came to Michigan and has been a
witness of most of the growth of Calhoun county. She was given
superior educational advantages, pursuing a good course of study in a
select school at Marshall and later at Olivet institute. She was but
sixteen years old when she began teaching and followed that profes-
sion some eight years. December 6, 1849, she was united in marriage
with Ephraim Marble who one year before had returned from serving
his country in the Mexican war. Five children were born to them all
of whom have grown to manhood and womanhood.

Possessing true culture and refinement she understood the art of
making her home beautiful and attractive. While her husband was
fighting his country's battles during the late civil war, she was left
alone with the care of four small children. In that trying situation
she showed no small business ability in looking after the farm and
financial interests, and bravely endured the constant anxiety for her
husband. Her character and training united with a loving disposition

60 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

made her a devoted wife, an affectionate mother, and a kind and
sympathizing friend and neighbor.

SAMUEL W. McCREA. — Samuel W. McCrea died at his home in
Battle Creek, March 14, 1893. Mr. McCrea was born April 18, 1819,
at Ballston Springs, Saratoga county, N. Y. When 12 years old his
father, who was a Presbyterian minister, moved with his family to
Dover, Ohio, and afterward to Westfield, Medina county, Ohio, where his
mother died. While the family were living in Ohio, Mr. McCrea was
sent to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he received his schooling.
. August 7, 1846, he was married to Miss Frances M. Porter, at Mt.
Jackson, Pa. In April, 1847, he removed to Battle Creek and engaged
in the manufacture of hats with a Mr. Winters. The next spring he
bought out a stock of groceries of Charles Lyon and embarked in that
business. Subsequently he bought out Wm. H. Coleman's interest in
the dry goods firm of Coleman & Brinkerhoff, and conducted the dry
goods in connection with the grocery business.

In company with George Morton, Mr. McCrea built a block in
Decatur, Illinois, and started a grocery store, putting it in charge of
Fred Parker. Subsequently Mr. McCrea went to Decatur, when his
building and stock were destroyed by fire.

Mr. McCrea was for a time in St. Paul, Minn., and in Leavenworth,
Kan. In 1859 he returned permanently to Battle Creek and bought
Wm. Kaymond's interest in ,the grocery store of Eaymond & Sweet,
located in a building on the site of L. Strauss' store. Subsequently
he bought the interest of Lucius Sweet, and conducted the business
alone. When the old Battle Creek House was burned the flames swept
across the street and destroyed the building and stock of Mr. McCrea.
After the fire he moved into the old Angell building where Trump is
now located. From there he moved to South Jefferson street in the
store adjacent to Caldwell & Baker's; thence into the store now
occupied by Preston; thence into the store now occupied by Reynolds
& Ashley. He continued in the grocery business for seventeen years
in the last store.

On May 16, 1891, he retired from business permanently selling his
grocery to two of his clerks, Reynolds & Ashley.

Deceased took interest in the welfare and prosperity of our city and
in 1878-9 was alderman from the fourth ward, and during his term of
office served the city well and faithfully.

He was a man of good business ability, sterling integrity and
honesty, a worthy citizen and a kind and affectionate husband and
father.

MEMORIAL REPORT-CALHOUN COUNTY. 61

He leaves a wife and three children, John W. and Miss Ida McCrea,
of Battle Creek, and Harry McCrea, of Denver, Col.

H. G. MONROE. — H. G. Monroe died April 8, 1893, at the home of
his son in LeRoy, aged 83 years.

Mr. Monroe came from New York to Detroit 56 years before; from
Detroit he went to Prairieville on horseback, and settled at South
Haven, being the first white settler at that place.

MRS. ORLIN PUTNAM.— Mrs. Orlin Putnam died at her home in
Eckford, March — , 1893, aged 78 years.

She was born in Rome, Oneida county, N. Y., June 6, 1815, her
maiden name being Brown. In 1837 she came with her parents to
Michigan, locating in Clarendon, and in the year following was united
in marriage to Mr. Putnam.

Mr. and Mrs. Putnam resided in Clarendon until 1856, when they
removed to the farm in Eckford where she lived to the time of her
death.

She was the^ mother of nine children, six sons and three daughters,
all of whom, with her husband, survive her. The children are Charles,
Frank, George, Henry, John, Edwin, Louana, now Mrs. Griggs, Fanny,
now Mrs. Van Buren, Eliza, now Mrs. Pandy.

MRS. FIDELIA REED. — Mrs. Fidelia Reed, widow of the late Asa W.
Reed, died at her home in Albion, on February 15, 1893, in her
sixty-fifth year. Mrs. Reed came to reside in the township of Sheridan
as early as 1836. She was married to Asa W. Reed nearly fifty years
ago. They lived together in Sheridan until last August, when he died.
She then moved into Albion. She leaves a sister, two brothers, seven
sons and two daughters. One of the sons, Prof. M. O. Reed, is
teaching at Deer Lodge, Mont.

WM. T. SHAFER. — Wm. T. Shafer, one of the pioneers of Battle
Creek, died at his home, March 9, 1893, of heart trouble. He had
been sick only three weeks and his death was entirely unexpected by
his friends. He was born in the state of New York, September 19,
1822, consequently was in the seventy-first year of his age. He worked
for Nichols & Shepard when that firm was located in Marshall and
removed with them to Battle Creek in 1848, and has since been a
resident of that city. He assisted in the building of the Nichols &
Shepard shops on West Canal street now occupied by V. C. Wattles
and worked for that firm for many years. For a number of years past
he has been engaged in doing city teaming. He leaves a wife, one

62 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

daughter, Mrs. Ida A. Damoth, and one son, W. R. Shafer, both of
Battle Creek.

JULIUS A. SQUIEB. — Julius A. Squier died at his home in Battle
Creek, June 2, 1893.

He was born in New York state and was 65 years of age.

He was a private in Co. I, eleventh Michigan Infantry and was an
active member of Farragut Post No. 32, G. A. R.

For many years he was engaged in the ice business in Battle Creek,
and was well known and highly esteemed. He leaves a wife and one
son, Arthur.

WALLACE W. STILLSON. — Wallace W. Stillson died at his home in
Battle Creek, March 6, 1893, aged 52 years.

Deceased was born in Keating, Pa., April 28, 1841, and moved with
his parents at an early age to Michigan. February 18, 1862, he was
married to Miss Amelia Nichols, and soon afterward enlisted in Co. C,
21st Michigan Infantry, and served three years honorably and merito-
riously. He was in the employ of Nichols & Shepard £fo. for twenty-
five years, twenty years of which time he was foreman of the engine
paint shop. He served in the old volunteer fire department of Battle
Creek, being a member of Union hose company No. 1, and a member
of the running team. He was a member of Farragut Post No. 32, G.
A. R., Security Lodge No. 44, A. O. U. W., Battle Creek Lodge,
Modern Woodmen of America, and the Vibrator Workingmen's Society.

Deceased leaves a wife and three children, Fred C., Helen, and
Wallie W.

MRS. HENRIETTA C. THOMPSON. — Mrs. Henrietta C. Thompson was
born in Lyons county, N. Y., April 29, 1817 and entered into rest at
the home of her daughter, Mrs. Odekirk, Homer, Sunday evening,
January 22, 1893.

Her maiden name was Thorp. In 1837 she was united in marriage
to James Thompson and removed with him to Port Gibson, New York.
Six children blessed their union, three of whom survive. In 1866 they
came to Homer where she has since resided. She was converted in
1836 and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she
continued a true and faithful member until transferred to the church
triumphant. Fifty-seven years a Christian, her faith grew stronger and
brighter through all life's added years.

Her life work is done, but her influence still lives and the memory

MEMORIAL REPORT-CALHOUN COUNTY. 63

of her consecrated life is embalmed in the hearts of her loved ones
and friends.

KEV. IRA K. A. WIGHTMAN. — Eev. Ira A. Wightman, for the past
six years presiding elder of the Albion district of the Michigan
Conference, died at his home in Albion, December 10, 1892. The
immediate cause of his death was heart failure.

Ira E. A. Wightman was born at Trenton, N. J., March 30, 1836.
He was a well educated and self-made man, as shown by the fact that
his school life was limited \o six terms. He was converted and joined
the M. E. church at Frankfort, N. Y., in September, 1854. He came
to Michigan in April, 1855, and was licensed as an exhortor the next
year. He obtained a license as a local preacher at Holly, June 15,
1856, and was ordained a deacon at Battle Creek by Bishop E. R.
Ames October 6, 1861. He was ordained an elder at Hillsdale,
September 9, 1863, by Bishop M. Simpson. He was married to
Harriet A. Barnard, November 30, 1862. Three sons and one daughter
resulted from this marriage, all of whom, with the mother, survive
him. The deceased had made Albion his home for the past six years,
coming from Niles, where he held a three years' appointment.

EDWIN WILLIAMS. — Edwin Williams, an old resident of Homer, died
December 29, 1892, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Albert Laker.

Mr. Williams was born at Great Barrington, Mass., November 25,
1814. When seven years of age he came with his parents to New
York state, where he lived until he came to Michigan 43 years ago.

Two sons and a daughter survive him, Erastus, who resides at
Allegan; Willard, whose home is in Butler, and Mrs. Albert Laker, of
Homer.

A. J. VAN DUSEN. — A. J. Van Dusen, a son of Jacob Van Dusen,
was born at Canajoharie, Montgomery county, N. Y., July 12, 1813.
Death came February 25, 1893, at the age of 79 years, 7 months and
13 days.

In the spring when but 19 years old, Mr. Van Dusen came to
Michigan, settling then at Augusta, Kalamazoo county, where he
remained until he moved to Marshall 55 years ago. When but twenty
years old he was married to Miss Hannah Austin, of Galesburgh, Mich.
To this union was born their only son, Jerry Van Dusen, whose death
less than a year ago was a great shock to his father. The death of
his first wife occurred thirteen years ago.

He has owned, bought, and sold twenty-seven houses in the city of

64 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

Marshall. He was united in marriage to his second wife, Miss Cicely
C. Perkins, of Beloit, Wis., September 17, 1882, who now is the
widow; also of those to mourn, there are three grandsons, with their
mother, the widow of the late Jerry Van Dusen. Two brothers of the
deceased are yet living, residing, so far as is known, in New York
state. Joseph Van Dusen is in the old home in Charleston, N. Y.,
where his father resided until death.

JOHN P. VANHORN. — John P. VanHorn, engineer on the Michigan
Central railroad, who died at his home in Marshall August 16, 1892,
was born in Marshall, Calhoun county, Mich., August 18, 1842, and
was the son of John A. and Mary Ann (Clemments) VanHorn; father
a native of Germany and a pioneer of Calhoun county; mother a
native of Vermont. Mr. VanHorn was raised on a farm, working
summers and attending school winters. When 17 years of age he went
to Niles where he worked driving dray, and in 1863 commenced on
railroad as fireman; in 1867 was promoted to engineer, which position
he filled up to the time of his death. Since he took charge of an
engine he never injured a passenger or pinched a brakeman's fingers.
He married Miss Sarah Davis, daughter of William Davis, of Niles,
Mich. There were two children, Charles, born November 21, 1868, and
John R., born July 19, 1872. Mrs. VanHorn's parents were also early
settlers of Michigan. Mr. VanHorn was a member of Jackson lodge
No. 17.

MRS. CATHARINE W. VANTUYLE. — The subject of this article, Mrs. C.
W. VanTuyle, finished her earthly career at her late home near
Crowville, La., September 27, 1892, in her forty-eighth year. She was
born December 18, 1844, in Scipio, Hillsdale county, Mich., and at
seven years of age came with her father's (Wm. Minor) family to
Battle Creek township, in the neighborhood now known as " North
Le Hoy," where she remained a citizen over forty years until in
November, 1890, when they went south. Twenty-nine years ago she
was married to James W. VanTuyle, who with four sons and two
daughters remain to realize their loss. Her sons, James C., George C.
and Wayne D., are in Battle Creek township and city. Mrs. Ruby
Cole, Willie, and Irene VanTuyle are still in Louisiana. Her brother,
E. H. Minor, of North Le Roy, now owns the old homestead where
her childhood and school days were passed, and from which she went
a bride, into a new home across the way. Her oldest child, Freddie,
while in infancy, preceded her to the heavenly home. In early life

MEMORIAL REPORT— CASS COUNTY. 65

she embraced Christianity, and was ever active in every good work.
She was the founder of the North Le Roy Missionary society and a
prominent member of the Farmers' Alliance and of the Methodist
church.

CASS COUNTY.

BY GEORGE T. SHAFFER.

DR. LEVI ALDRICH. — Dr. Levi Aldrich died at Edwardsburgh,
December 16, 1892, aged 73 years. He several times represented Cass
county in the State legislature and was a member of the constitutional
convention of 1867.

MRS. RACHEL BYRON. — Mrs. Rachel Byron died in Detroit March 16,
1893, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Julia Gates, in the 86th year
of her age.

Mrs. Byron was the mother of our friend and townsman, John
Tietsort (of whom a sketch is also found in this report).

She was first married to Abram Tietsort, Jr., in 1826. By this
marriage she had six children, five of whom are now living, viz., John,
Julia, Perry, Ira, and Wesley; and, so far as is known, Julia was the
second white female child born in Cass county.

Mrs. Byron's second marriage, to the Rev. Joseph Byron, of the M.
E. church, occurred in 1841. The offspring of this marriage was four
children, viz., Melissa, Linnie, Elizabeth, and Joseph Edgar.

Few, if any of the pioneers of this county now living, can recount
so many stirring events in the history of southwestern Michigan as
could Mrs. Byron in her life time.

In 1831 she settled with her then husband, Abram Tietsort, Jr., on
the east bank of Stone lake, but a few rods north of where the bowl
factory now stands. Then the country was in possession of wild beasts
and savages, who roamed at will through its forests, and over its
plains, lakes, and rivers, claiming title direct from the Great Spirit.
Then dense forests nearly surrounded Cassopolis and covered the site
of this capitol of Cass county. Then the howl of the wolf, and the
barking of the fox furnished music to the early settlers, as each day's
9

66 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

sun went down; and the fleet, timid movements of herds of deer as
they came to view the settlers' cabins, were suggestive of juicy venison
steak to eat with hominy, when the hard day's work was done. Too
much cannot be said in behalf of those sturdy pioneers, men and
women, who first settled in southwestern Michigan.

"Their rough log cabins! in fancy I see them still;
And old memories rush up to tell me, I always will.
Many privations; trials, harrassing doubts and fears
Came o'er them: tried their metal almost to tears;
Who then believed this nursery of stalwart men;
Would soon develop into a State so grand? No one, then."

As one of this class, Mrs. Byron performed her duties well and
faithfully in those early days. Whether as wife, mother, or friend,
she stood high in the esteem of all who became acquainted with her,
or shared with her the hardships incident to pioneer life. All loved
her for those high social qualities which go far to lighten the burdens
of human existence; and now that she has gone from among us, we
can do no less than reverently invoke God's blessings upon her, and
those of her offspring she left behind.

MRS. MINERVA B. DUNNING. — Minerva Reynolds was born November
13, 1803, in the township of Lansing, Tompkins county, N. Y.
January 12, 1824, she was united in marriage with Allen Dunning, in
the township of Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y., who was the first white
child born in that township. Immediately after their marriage they
settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Dunning had
previously located land and erected a log house for the reception of
his bride. There they passed the first twelve years of their married
life, when attracted by the opportunities of the then far west they
removed to Michigan, arriving at Edwardsburgh in July, 1836. This
country was then enjoying what would now be called a " boom," and
they paid $7 an acre to John Hudson for his location on section 11,
which he had located and bought from the government in 1830. This
is the same farm where her husband died on the 10th of December,
1869, and where she lived until her death. She was the mother of
twelve^ children, five daughters and seven sons, four daughters and five
sons survive her, all of whom were present at the funeral except one
daughter, who is in ill health. The deceased in her early years was a
member of the Christian church, but her husband being a firm
believer in the final restitution of all souls, she joined with him in

MEMORIAL REPORT— CASS COUNTY. 67

opening their doors to that blessed doctrine. She died on the morning
of the 3 1st of March, 1893, aged 89 years, 4 months, and 17 days.

The home was one of unbounded hospitality, and in an early day
was known far and wide as a place from which none were ever
suffered to go away hungry, disconsolate or uncomforted. It was
especially known as an asylum and recruiting station for traveling
Universalist preachers, and many of the most eminent divines of that
church have found hearty welcome beneath its roof, where they
frequently held services, proclaiming the everlasting and universal
redemption of all mankind, to those who were tired of the narrow
dogmas of partial salvation of the other churches. In a history of
Cass county, published in 1882, the author speaks of the deceased and
their large family, as follows:

"Mrs. Dunning laughingly recalls the time when numerous heads
appeared at every available opening in the house to view the passing
stranger; but on the same principle that many hands make light work,
many happy hearts make a happy home, and this certainly was one;
as much so in those early days, when deprived of the many now
considered indispensable adjuncts of the house, as when in later years
they became possessed of them. All who met Mrs. Dunning were
charmed with her kindly manner and pleasantly beaming countenance,
and it is no subject of wonder that their house was seldom without
visitors, either friends or strangers."

MRS. JULIA ANN HALL. — Julia Ann Carr was born at Albion, N.
Y., June 28, 1818. In 1835 she was married to Orville B. Glover,
and with him came to Michigan and settled in Edwardsburgh in 1840,
where she and her husband united with the Presbyterian church
while the late Rev. Alfred Bryant was its pastor. She was the mother
of five children, Harrison, who died about seventeen years ago, Lowell
H., Jay, Tamerson, the wife of Geo. W. Merrill, and William. Her
husband died in 1852, leaving her with these children, the oldest being
but fifteen; but she cared for them and kept them together until they
were old enough to care for themselves. In 1856 she was married to
John Earle, who after two years left her again a widow. In the early
part of 1861 she was married to Henry J. Hall, and went with him to
his home in Buchanan, where she resided until her departure May 6,
1893. Mr. Hall died in 1885, and since that time she had lived with
her daughter. She leaves two sisters, Mrs. Jane Jerome of Laporte,
and Mrs. Nancy B. Noyes of Edwardsburgh, and one brother, John P.
Carr, of South Bend, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

68 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

She was a plain woman and very domestic, caring more for home and
family than all else. If she could make her children happy, her own
happiness was complete. The children for whom she toiled during
their infancy, having laid her to rest, unite in saying that her memory
shall remain with them and that her precepts shall guide them.

CHARLES H. KINGSBUEY. — Charles H. Kingsbury died at his home in
Cassopolis, April 25, 1893.

The deceased was born in Massachusetts and was the oldest child of
the well known pioneer, Asa Kingsbury, deceased. He was cashier
of the first National bank from the time of its organization until a
year ago, and had a large personal acquaintance. He was about 63
years of age. He leaves a wife and five daughters, one daughter
having preceded him to the spirit land, and a number of brothers and
sisters.

JAMES KIRKWOOD. — James Kirkwood was born at Beith, Ayrshire,
Scotland, April 12, 1811. He received a common school education and
at the age of 17 started in life for himself as a common farm hand. On
attaining his majority he left the land of his nativity and came to the
United States. He lived in the town of Galway, Saratoga county, N.
Y., two years and from there went to Summit county, Ohio, where he
remained until his removal to Cass county, Michigan, in February,
1836, when he purchased the farm in Wayne township on which he
lived until the death of his wife eight years ago, since then he has
resided with his daughter in the same township. He was married in
1840 to Isabel Brown, also a native of Ayrshire. They reared seven
children, only two of whom are now living, Hon. John Kirkwood, now
a member of the legislature, and Mrs. Elmer Hall. He was reared a
Presbyterian, and though his views were somewhat, broader, clung to
that faith through life. He was ready to go when the Master called,
and his last words were, "It is all right, the sooner the better." He
was an uncompromising, faithful democrat and had been a subscriber
to the National Democrat of Cassopolis since the day of its first issue.
He was one of the best type of the sturdy, honest pioneers whose
courage and industry have made Cass county what it now is. He died
at the residence of his daughter, April 20, 1893, in the 82d year of
his age.

JOHN KIRKWOOD. — John Kirkwood, who died at his residence in
Wayne ' township, May 14, 1893, was born and reared on the farm
where he died. He was a bachelor and in the fifty-second year of his

MEMORIAL REPORT— CASS COUNTY. 69

age. In this same report will be found a sketch of his father, an
honored pioneer of the county.

John Kirkwood was a modest, unassuming man, well known in his
immediate vicinity, and of late years his acquaintance had been
somewhat extended on account of having been several times elected
supervisor of his township, and last fall being the successful candidate
on the democratic and people's tickets for representative in the State
legislature. He was a man of good judgment, sincere in his attach-
ments, and of unswerving honesty.

A committee of six of his fellow members in the legislature acted as
pall bearers. On the day of his funeral his chair and desk in
representative hall, at Lansing, was appropriately draped, and a page
from the Legislative Journal of April 19, showing that on that day he
was granted an indefinite leave of absence on account of his own poor
health and to attend the bedside of his dying father, was surrounded
with black crape and flowers and placed on his desk. The House also
took a recess from noon until 7 o'clock p. m., covering the hours of
the funeral, as a mark of respect.

MRS. GEORGE NEWTON. — Mrs. George Newton died at her home
April 21, 1893. Esther Green was born March 25, 1819, and was
married to Hon. George Newton December 14, 1837.

MRS. DAVID G. BENCH. — Mary E. Tharp was born in Jefferson
township, Cass county, Mich., October 14, 1843. She was married to
David G. Rench, December 1, 1866, and died at her home in Cassopo-
lis April 10, 1893, aged 45 years, 4 months, and 13 days. She was the
mother of five children, three sons and two daughters. She was
converted in 1889, and united with the Methodist church of Cassopolis
and has been a faithful and devoted Christian.

JACOB W. RUMSEY. — Jacob W. Rumsey was born in Monroe county,
N. Y., on the 1st day of May, 1826, and came to Michigan when but
a boy, settling in St. Joseph county when it was but a wilderness.
He afterward moved to Newberg, Cass county, where he resided until
his death, May 10, 1893, aged 67 years, 1 month, and 10 days. He
leaves an aged widow, who is an invalid, and three daughters to mourn
his loss. He was a kind and loving husband and father, an honest
and upright citizen, generous to all, and quick to respond to the wants
of the many. No one asked him for assistance but was willingly
accommodated if within his power. His loss will be felt by the whole
community.

70 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

MBS. EUSEBIA SMITH. — Eusebia S. Earl was born in Jefferson
county, state of New York, in the year 1846, and moved with her
parents to Michigan in 1852. They settled in Bangor, Van Buren
county, where they remained until 1867, when they removed to
Cassopolis. She was married to Thomas J. Smith in October, 1869,
who died several years since. She died at her home April 7, 1893.
She was a Christian lady of much influence, being at her death
president of the church Ladies' Aid society.

JOHN TIETSORT. — John Tietsort died at his home in Cassopolis April
29, 1893. He was born in Miltonville, Butler county, Ohio, November
22, 1826, and was the oldest son of Abram Tietsort. His father moved
to Niles, Mich., in April, 1828, and from there to the location where
Cassopolis now stands, in the spring of 1830, being the first settler on
the site of this village, where John was raised and where he resided
until his death, with the exception of two years spent in California, he
being one of the forty-niners carried away by the excitement of the
gold discoveries of that period. At the end of two years he returned,
not having accumulated any fabulous fortune, but still somewhat better
in purse than when he left.

He was at the time of his death the veritable "oldest inhabitant,"
having lived in the first house that was erected here, and for a longer
time than any other living person. From the time of his return from
California until 1873 he was actively engaged in mercantile business,
most of the time in partnership with Charles G. Banks, the firm name
of Banks & Tietsort being a familiar one in this locality for many
years. The brick store now occupied by Read & Yost was built by
them, and at the time of Mr. Tietsort's death was still owned by them.

Mr. Tietsort had been married three times. His first wife, with
whom he was joined November 25, 1852, was Ellen Silver Sherman,
daughter of Elias B. Sherman. She died August 26, 1862. He was
married to Eleanor Robinson January 26, 1864. Her death occurred
October 27, 1869, and upon July 17, 1871, Mr. Tietsort married Addie
Silver Robinson. He had three daughters by his first wife, Blanche
Goucher, now a resident of Clay Center, Kansas; Ellen Graham, now
a resident of Chicago; and Miss Florence, who resided with her father,
and one son, Ralph, by his second wife, now a resident of Grand
Rapids. All of whom, with his wife, survive him.

John Tietsort was a public spirited, generous man, an excellent
neighbor, careful and exact in his business, with a reputation without
reproach. He was an ardent lover of music and to the promotion of

MEMORIAL REPORT— CLINTON COUNTY.

musical culture and study in the community, especially in church
music, he devoted a large amount of time, not professionally or for
reward. He said during his last sickness that he had sung at over
300 funerals. There was no singing at his funeral, all of the singers
in the vicinity who are usually called upon on such occasion declaring
themselves unequal to the task.

CLINTON COUNTY.

BY RALPH WATSON.

Date of
death.

Name.

•

Age.

Date of
death.

Name.

Age.

1892.
Jan. 7

Martin Maier

1892.
Feb. 10

John Bradner

George Carl ton .

Silas Aldrich

Simeon Ten Eyke...

Lucy Hitchcock

Wm. Wakoff

Mary Ann Kelley

Thomas Hugit

Lavina Keller

Isaac Holton

Bridget Porter

Agnes Slater

Maggie Simpson

William Bancroft

Olaf Ash

David Cutler i

Mar. 11

Moses Tabor

Sarah Norris

Mrs Hathaway

Mabala Powers. ..

John Patterson

Thomas Healey

Geo. Stouser

Wm. Albertson

Arabella Huston

Huelson Compton

April 1

Samuel Manning

Lather Cleveland

William Gardner

John Smith .. __

William Houch

Robert Pincomb

Sarah Swagart

Feb. 2

Edward Enest

Matilda Seymour

John Harrington. ..

May 2

James Allen

Wm. Davis

John Thomas

JnliaA. Enest

O. F. Williams

Ann M. McCatcheon...

Henrietta Demoss

Richard Gay

June 1

Selah Van Sickle

Horace Phelps..

July 1

Thompson Stearns

ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Date of
death.

Name.

Age.

Date of
death.

Name.

Age.

1892.
July 17

Elizabeth Wymer

1892.
Dec. 1

Ellen Newsome

Mrs. Mary Way

John Bottom

Charles Lyou

Mahalah Norris

101

Iji/j/.ie Tjandenbarger

Catherine Bray

Aug. 2

Sarah Emmons . ...

Margaret J. Tripp

Ann Amelia Perdew

1893.
Jan. 1

Janette Bentley

Porter Welter

Daniel Hawkins

Sept. 17

Win. Marshall

Mrs. Lester Teachout

Lucy Wilcox

Mrs. Rachael Hand

Michael Miller

E. Shoemaker

Oct. 7

Riley Rhines

O. P. Gilson

JaneA. Rail

Frank Faxon.

Caroline Fish

Mar. 8t

Mrs. Savinna Ingraham

Nov. 12

Catherine Helms

April 19

Wm. Downham

Hugh Boyd

May 2

William Sntton

Fannie Johnson

*
Mary E. Sraft

MRS. ADELIA BARTOW. — Mrs. Adelia Bartow, widow of the late Hon.
Moses Bartow, died in Portland, January 18, 1893, in the 72d year of
her age. She was a pioneer in this county, having come here with
her husband about 1846 and settled upon a farm in Westphalia
township, where they resided until thirteen years ago. They then
moved to Pewamo, residing there about a year and from thence went
to Portland. Mr. Bartow died eight years ago. Mrs. Bartow was the
mother of three children, only one of whom, Mrs. C. H. Triphagen, of
Portland, survives her.

QUARTUS E. BRIDGEMAN. — Quartus E. Bridgeman died at his home
in St. Johns, February 8, 1893.

Mr. Bridgeman was born at Belfast, Allegany county, N. Y., January
20, 1822. He came to St. Johns in 1863, and had resided here
continuously since that time. For many years he conducted a gun-
smith shop, and was an adept at that trade. Some twelve years ago
he was compelled to give up his business on account of rheumatic
troubles, and for the past ten years had been confined to his invalid
chair. He had been married forty-six 'years, and his wife, who had
faithfully cared for him during the entire period of his suffering, and
he was an intense sufferer, is the sole relative surviving.

MEMORIAL REPORT— CLINTON COUNTY. 73

MRS. LUCY FERDON. — Mrs. Lucy Ferdon died in St. Johns, January
16, 1893, aged 58 years. Her husband, the late Lorenzo Ferdon, died
in Greenbush about five years ago, after which event Mrs. Ferdon
made her home in St. Johns with her only child, W. C. Ferdon. She
was a pioneer in Clinton county, coming into the wilderness with her
father, J. D. Bradner, when 15 years of age. Deceased leaves three
sisters, Mrs. Belle Tinkham of Elwell, Mich., Mrs. Francis Wykoff of
Bingham, and Mrs. Caroline Chapman of DuPlain, also one brother,
J. W. Bradner of St. Johns.

GRANDMA HAUSE.— Grandma Hause, who has been a resident of St.
Johns for many years, died at the home of her daughter, Mary Barnes,
of Olive, March 13, 1893, aged 94 years.

NATHANIEL HUNTOON. — Nathaniel Huntoon died at his residence in
Olive, April 24, 1893. The deceased was an old pioneer 85 years old,
coming from the state of New York to this State some thirty-nine
years ago and settled on a farm near this village. He was born in
Lemington, Vermont, July 11, 1810, and was married to Phebe
Lusk, in Clarendon, New York, December 19, 1835. His wife and five
children survive him, four sons and one daughter, Mrs. M. D. Brown,
of St. Johns; Thurman and Alvin H. Huntoon, of Eagle; Alanson, of
Lansing; the youngest son remaining on the farm with his father.

ALEXANDER B. KITTLE. — Alexander B. Kittle, one of the oldest
residents of Watertown township, this county, died at the home of his
son, George E. Kittle, near Delta, May 13, 1893, after an illness of
but one week, aged 81 years. He leaves a wife, two sons, and four
daughters.

DAVIES PARKS. — Davies Parks died March 28, 1893, aged 103 years,
5 months, and 12 days. He was born October 16, 1789, in Columbia
county, N. Y., during the first year of the administration of George
Washington, the first president of the United States.

New York state was also the native place of his parents. His father
lived to the age of 110 years and his mother to the age of 106 years,
while his grandmother reached the age of 114 years.

Davies Parks was the eighth child in a family of five sons and four
daughters, and as his parents were farmers during his early life, he
formed habits of industry and laid the foundation of a strong and
vigorous constitution.

His advantages to obtain an education were very limited, but possess-
10

74 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

ing a remarkable memory and being of a studious nature he acquired
a good education. By occupation he was a farmer, yet he practiced
law as he advanced in years.

When nineteen years of age he was married in Albany county, N. Y.,
to Catherine Coon.

He belonged to a company of militia in New York state, and in
1814 was called into the service in the war, where he remained until
the close of the war, being a drum-major. He remembered well the
battle of Sackett's Harbor in which he took an active part.

In 1833 he moved to Sandusky county, O., where he remained about
two years, when he moved to the territory of Michigan and settled in
the township of Novi, Oakland county. In 1853 he moved to Dallas
township, Clinton county, Mich., where three years later his wife died
leaving him with eleven children.

In 1858 he was married to Mrs. Dennis Holmes, who survives him
at the age of 87 years.

Mr. and Mrs Davies Parks moved west, living in Iowa and Nebraska,
but in 1873 they returned to Dallas township, Clinton county, since
which time he has resided in the village of Fowler.

Mr. Parks was the father of twelve children, ten of whom are living;
forty-two grandchildren, of whom thirty-seven are living, one hundred
and one great-grandchildren, of that number eighteen are living; and
twenty-two great, great-grandchildren, of whom nineteen are living.

Davies Parks was always very liberal both in his religious and in
his general views. His mental faculties were almost unimpaired; his
bodily health showed the effects of his age, yet in mild weather he
was on the streets in his extreme age; he enjoyed the fruits of his
honest and faithful toil.

Intelligent, cheerful, and contented; only waiting till the angels open
wide the mystic gate there to enjoy the fruits of an honest and faith-
ful life.

Davies Parks and Peter T. Jolly were very intimate friends, and
during a conversation between each other there was an agreement
decided upon to this effect that, if Peter Jolly died first then Mr.
Parks was to preach the funeral sermon, and if Mr. Parks died first
then Mr. Jolly was to preach the sermon. It is sufficient to say
that Mr. Jolly officiated at the funeral of his esteemed friend Davies
Parks.

MBS, ELIZA PATTERSON. — Mrs. Eliza Patterson, of Bengal township,
died at her home April 21, 1893, aged 80 years. Mrs. Patterson was

MEMORIAL REPORT— CLINTON COUNTY. 75

born in 1813, in Ireland, of English parents, and came to this country
in 1841, settling in Rochester, N. Y., residing there fifteen years, and
then came to this county and took up her residence in Bengal town-
ship, where she has since resided. She had fourteen brothers and
sisters, all of whom lived to maturity, and of them four brothers and
two sisters still survive her, the oldest being 83. Her father and
mother both lived to a good old age. She was the mother of seven
children, four boys and three girls, all of whom save two boys, the
oldest and youngest, are alive. Mrs. Patterson was a lady highly
esteemed and had been a member of the Methodist church fifty years.

MRS. SEAEL. — Mrs. Searl, who was formerly known as Mrs. J. R.
Tremblee, died at Bath, March 6, 1893, aged 82 years. She was born
in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1829, came to Michigan in 1838, and
settled in Bath, near Pine Lake, on what is known as the Wesnar
farm in 1846. Mr. Tremblee died in 1861, and she remarried in 1877.
Her last husband survives her. She has made her home with her
daughter, Mrs. Sage, for some time. She was a firm believer in health
reform and in religion was an Advent.

MBS. NANCY A. SIMMONS. — Mrs. Nancy A. Simmons died at the
residence of Thomas Krass, in North Lansing, March 14, 1893, aged
67 years. She was mother of Dr. R. Simmons, of DeWitt. The
subject of our sketch was born in Clarkston township, Monroe county,
N. Y., in 1826. She came to Salem, Michigan, and at the age of
nineteen was married to John Simmons, March 18, 1845. In 1851
they came ta Olive and purchased fifty acres now owned by E. H.
Bedell. In 1854 they moved to Branch county, Michigan. In 1865
moved to Salem again, and in 1878 they came to Olive, purchased
seventy acres of land, erected a comfortable home on the same and
thought to settle down and spend their remaining days there in peace.
But owing to the failing health of Mr. Simmons they moved to
Colorado, where only temporary relief being secured they returned and
in 1882 bought and settled in DeWitt. She was the mother of three
children, only one of whom survives.

MRS. PETER ULRICH. — Mrs. Peter Ulrich died at her home in Dallas
township, January 29, 1893.

The deceased was born in Germany and came to this country with
her parents when she was about ten years old. She was next to the
youngest of six children, four girls and two boys, and had she lived
until August would have arrived at the age of 58. She was married

76 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

in Westphalia township, when at the age of twenty, to her present
greatly bereaved husband, Peter Ulrich, to whom thirteen children
have been born, seven girls ,and six boys, eleven of whom survive their
mother, the other two having died in infancy. Nine of the children
reside in Dallas township; one daughter in Scranton, Pa., and one son
in Baltimore, Md.

The deceased was an earnest and consistent Christian, honored, loved
and respected by all who knew her.

ROBERT YOUNG. — Robert Young died at his home in DuPlain
township, February 1, 1893, aged 55 years.

Mr. Young came from Indiana to this county before the late civil
war, and just as he was entering his manhood career.

Entering the union army in Company I, of the 27th Michigan
Infantry in December, 1863, he went to the front, and at the memora-
ble battle of the wilderness, in May, 1864, earned an empty sleeve.

On being discharged in October, 1864, he returned to the farm, and
was known as the young man who could chop as much wood and do
as much work with one arm as the ordinary man could do with two.

Twenty years ago, after having served the citizens of Olive township
as supervisor one or more terms, he was elected register of deeds of
this county, and at the expiration of his term of office he originated
and managed a bank at Mt. Pleasant, this State, from which the First
National bank of that place has since been organized.

Returning to St. Johns he was engaged with J. S. Osgood in the
produce business, and with the firm of Osgood & Young, opened the
era of conscientious prices for grain, which has resulted greatly to the
advantage of our village and the surrounding country.

Retiring from this firm, he has given the last years of his life to
the construction of buildings and farming.

In addition to several residences and other building, in company
with Mr. Edward Brown, he erected three stores upon Clinton avenue,
and has been greatly interested in farming, and was, at the time of
his decease, carrying on about two hundred acres of land.

He has held the positions of superintendent of the county poor,
commissioner of the soldiers' relief fund, president and treasurer of
the Farmers' Mutual Insurance company of Clinton and Gratiot
counties, and other offices of trust.

He did not ally himself with the membership of any society, but he
was eminently a citizen possessing broad and equitable views, and
embraced in his great heart every enterprise that looked to the
improvement of his fellow men.

MEMORIAL REPORT— EATON COUNTY. 77

EATON COUNTY.

BY W. B. WILLIAMS. •
[Furnished by Esek Pray, supplemented by W. B. Williams.!

DANIEL B. BOWEN.— Daniel B. Bowen, of the township of Kalamo,
died July 2, 1892, aged 81 years. He claimed to have been the first
settler in the township; settled on the farm where he died in the year
1836.

MRS. PHEBE CLARK. — Mrs. Phebe Clark, widow of John E. Clark,
settled on their farm in Eaton Rapids township in the year 1837, and
died July 10, 1892, aged 80 years.

JOHN S. MONTGOMERY. — Captain John Scoot Montgomery, of Hamlin,
died July 27, 1892,, aged 55 years — born in the township; son of 'the
pioneer, Captain John Montgomery.

MRS. CHAUNCEY FREEMAN. — Mrs. Chauncey Freeman, whose maiden
name was Ruth Ann Babcock, was born in Royal ton, Niagara Co., N.
Y., April 27, 1818. She was united in marriage to Chauncey Freeman,
Sept. 17, 1839, and died September 17, 1892, on their 53d anniversary.
Settled on their farm in Eaton township in 1842.

MRS. SALLY DE GRAFF. — Mrs. Sally De Graff, of the city of Charlotte,
was born March 3, 1806, in Ira, Cayuga county, N. Y. December 16,
1832, she married Emanuel De Graff, and in 1842 moved to Calhoun
and a few years later to Eaton county. She died October 25, 1892,
aged 86 years, mourned by a large number of relatives and prominent
citizens of the county.

MRS. SAMANTHA BAKER. — Mrs. Samantha Baker, of Charlotte, died
October 19, 1892, aged 91 years. She was born .in Herkimer county,
N. Y., and was an early pioneer of the county.

DAVID KIMBALL. — David Kimball of Sunfield, died November 26,
1892, aged 88 years; a pioneer of 1853.

JOSIAH BoYER.--Josiah Boyer, of Roxand, died December 19, 1892,
a resident of the township for 53 years.

JOHN A. RICH. — John A. Rich, of Chester, died at the old home
December 25, 1892, aged nearly 93 years. He settled in Chester in
1838.

78 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

LORENZO FOSTER. — Lorenzo Foster, of Carmel, died January 8, 1898,
aged 71 years; a resident of the township for fifty years.

JAMES M. PETERS. — James M. Peters, of Brookfield, a prominent
pioneer, died January 9, 1893, aged 62 years.

MRS. LEANDER KENT. — Mrs. Leander Kent, of Kalamo, died January
20, 1893, aged 72 years. Mr. and Mrs. Kent were prominent pioneers
of the township fifty years ago.

DAVID SCOTT.— David Scott, of Vermontville, died March 6, 1893,
aged 85 years. Deceased was born November 9, 1807, at Alburgh, Vt.,
and moved his family to Eaton county in 1850.

PETER WILLIAMS. — Peter Williams of Brookfield died April 24, 1893,
aged 79 years; an early pioneer of the township.

EGBERT NIXON. — Robert Nixon, of Oneida, died April 26, 1893,
aged 76 years. A pioneer of 1836, and always has been a prominent
citizen of the county. He was born in Otsego county, N. ¥., May 25,
1817.

MRS. MARTIN BEEKMAN. — Mrs. Mary V. Beekman, of Chester, died
April 29, 1893, aged 89 years Mrs. Beekman was born in New Jersey,
May 2, 1804; married to Mr. Martin Beekman in the spring of 1840,
and came to their home where she has since resided.

DR. JAMES HYDE. — Dr. James Hyde, of the city of Eaton Rapids,
died January 26, 1893, aged 60 years. He came to Eaton Rapids with
his parents when nine years old, and was born in Willsonburg, N. H.,
April 8, 1833.

MRS. HOMER G. BARBER. — Lucy Dwight Barber, wife of Homer G.
Barber, of Vermontville, died May 1, 1893. A resident of the county
since her youth.

MRS. JANE LAMB.— Jane Ball, born August 4, 1808, in Ovid, N. Y. In
1825 married Charles Johnson, who died a few years later, leaving a
son who grew to manhood and died of consumption December 15, 1833.
She married Richard Lamb, in Clyde, N. Y. They moved to Michigan
in 1835 and settled in Linden, Genesee county, where he built the first
log house in the village. By him she had one son and five daughters.
On December 15, 1870, they moved to Charlotte, where her husband
died April 29, 1886. She died in Charlotte May 25, 1893, leaving three

MEMORIAL REPORT— GENESEE COUNTY. 79

daughters, Mrs. Stone, of Fen ton, Mrs. Klock, of Charlotte, and Mrs.
Arthur, of Dowagiac.

STEPHEN DAVIS. — Stephen Davis was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer
county, N. Y., April 3, 1799. When 15 years of age he moved to
Pompey, Onondaga county, N. Y., June 4, 1823, he was married at Delphi
in the same county to Maria Andrews. In 1836 they moved to Goguac
Prairie, in Calhoun county, Mich., and in March, 1838, to Charlotte;
later he bought some wild land in Benton and cleared up a farm
there. Mrs. Davis died February 28, 1857, and for the last 28 years
he has made his home with his son-in-law, Nathan Johnson, in
Charlotte, where he died May 30, 1893, aged 94 years.

STEPHEN TUTTLE. — Stephen Tuttle was born near Dundas in Canada,
November 26, 1807; he was left an orphan at five years of age; lived
with a Mr. Fromon until 21 years of age; a year later he married
Clarinda Parker, of Batavia, N. Y., where he soon removed; while
there five daughters and four sons were born. In the fall of 1851
they removed to Eaton county, Mich., and settled on a farm two miles
northeast of Charlotte. Mrs. Tuttle died in 1868; his second wife was
Mrs. Conkrite, of Danby, who lived only two years. He then married
Mrs. Eliza Eay, who still survives him. He was a member of the M.
E. church until 1845, when he left them and joined the First Day
Advent church. There being no church of that order in Charlotte,
he again united with the M. E. church, of which he was a member at
the time of his death, June 3, 1893. Eight of his children are still
living: Wm. M. Tuttle, Batavia, N. Y.; Mrs. John Pixley, of Grand
Rapids; John W., of Battle Creek; A. Clark Z., of Dimondale; Mrs.
Philo Collins, of Grand Rapids; Mrs. Julia Daniels, of California; and
Roby Strong, of Kalamazoo; Stephen N. Tuttle. All the above but
Julia Daniels and Wm. M. were present at the funeral.

GENESEE COUNTY.
BY JOSIAH W. BEGOLE.

MBS. HARBISON G. CONGER.— Deniza, wife of Harrison G. Conger,
died May 23, 1893, at her home on section 2 in Burton, of heart
disease, after an illness of a year and a half's duration. Deceased,
who was widely known and highly respected, was born in Kentucky

80 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

seventy-five years ago and was a daughter of Stephen J. and Betsey
Seeley. She came to this county with her parents at the age of
sixteen years, and fifty-three years ago was united in marriage to Mr.
Conger. They took up their residence on a new farm in Davison and
lived thereon for some years. Forty- three years ago they removed to
Burton. Deceased was one of the pioneers of the county and was for
many years a member of the M. E. church. Besides her husband she
leaves three children and three brothers. The children are Mark D.,
of Burton; Mrs. L. G. Herrington, of Otisville; and Mrs/ Holden
Phillips, of Kichfield. The brothers are M. D. Seeley, of Ludington ;
Judson, of Burton; and Norris, of Otisville. About three years ago
Mr. and Mrs. Conger celebrated their golden wedding.

JOHN DARLING. — John Darling died at his home in Gaines, March 3,
1893, aged 89 years.

He was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., and came to Michigan
forty years ago, removing later on to Gaines. He leaves five children.

MR. EGGLESTON. — Mr. Eggleston died at his home in July, 1892.

Mr. Eggleston was born September 14, 1810, in Champlain county,
N. Y. His boyhood days were spent in labor on the farm, and
he had the educational advantages of the common schools of that
time. January 10, 1836, he married, in Orleans county, Malinda
Beecher, who survives him. In 1837, they settled in the woods
near the Half-way House in Flint, remaining there two years. He
then bought a farm on section seventeen, not far from the farm
on which he died. He and his family had to be ferried across the
river by the Indians to go to the new home. When they located
in their little cabin their nearest neighbors were in what is now
Flint city, one or two families at Flushing, and one or two at
Swartz Creek. There were literally no roads, but he had to go to
mill at Birmingham in Oakland county — a journey that required as
much time as it would now to go to St. Paul and back. He and his
faithful wife wrought out their destiny in the wilderness, and did their
full share of pioneer work, and bore their full share of the hardships
and privations of the time. They cleared up the forest, reared their
children, gave them an education, instructed them in the principles of
integrity and duty, so that when the sons grew up they became good
citizens and the daughters good housekeepers. In time they changed
the wilderness into a farm of broad acres, with a large and elegant house,
ample barns, good orchards, and surrounded themselves with the
comforts of life. When Mr. Eggleston died he had done his part of

MEMORIAL REPORT— GENESEE COUNTY. 81

the world's work and was gathered to his fathers like well ripened
fruit. Mr. Eggleston had no church affiliations, but was a liberal
supporter of religious institutions, and his example and voice were on
the side of justice and morality.

Besides his wife the following children survive him: Lyman, Chaun-
cey J., and Jasper; Mrs. J. H. Carey and Mrs. Robert Noble of Flint
township, Mrs. Robert Knight of Maple Grove, Mrs. Wm. Goods of
Flint, and Mrs. Charles Packard of Saginaw. The latter spent thirteen
weeks in caring for her father, showing a filial devotion rarely excelled.
Mr. Eggleston was buried in the Cronk cemetery beside his parents
and two children who died in infancy. A good man has passed away
but the memory of an upright and useful life survives him.

DR. ISAAC N. ELDRIDGE.— Dr. Isaac N. Eldridge died at his home
in Flint, January 18, 1893, of heart failure.

At the time of his death, Dr. Eldridge was the pioneer physician of
Flint. He was born at Bergen, N. Y., August 5, 1818. When quite a
young man he came to Michigan and settled at Ann Arbor, from which
place he came to Flint about forty years ago and has since been a
successful practicing physician here. Dr. Eldridge was a man of
eminence in his profession. His success and skill as a practitioner
won for him a wide reputation. To his efforts, probably more than
any other one influence, was due the establishment of the School of
Homeopathy as a branch of the Michigan State University, and for
years he was connected with the school as a member of the board of
examiners or in some other capacity. He was a man of character and
education. He was a close student and although an old man, with a
large practice to look after, kept thoroughly abreast of the times in all
advancement made in his profession up to the present day. He was a
manly man who had the courage of his convictions. It was his nature
to be frank and honest, and in conversation he often expressed himself
so frankly that it sometimes gave him the appearance of being incon-
siderate of others' feelings; but such was never the case; few people
possess a more sympathetic or sensative nature 'or delicacy of feeling
than Dr. Eldridge did, and no man was ever more unwavering in his
loyalty to a friend or a principle he believed in than was he.

He never sought office, but has at different times been called to
positions of public trust, and always filled the place with credit to
himself and satisfaction to the public.

He enjoyed the respect of the community, and the faith reposed in
11

82 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

him by most of his patients was something remarkable. He was a
member of the Court street Methodist church since 1851.

Besides a widow he leaves four sons and two daughters, viz.: Dr. C.
S. Eldridge of Chicago, John H., Monty, Fred A., and Mrs. F. H.
Humphery of Flint, and Mrs. Woodbury of Detroit.

The physicians of Flint held a meeting and passed resolutions of an
appropriate character.

DANIEL FROST. — Daniel Frost of Flint township died February 13, 1893>
of heart failure. He was about seventy years old, and was an old
settler in this county. For a great many years he owned and lived
upon a farm now owned by George Caldwell, on the Flushing road.
From there he came to the city to live, but later bought and moved
onto the "Wood" farm in Flint township where he died. He was a
straightforward, upright man, who enjoyed the confidence and respect
of all who knew him. He leaves a widow and five children, viz.; A. C.
Frost of Flint, Arthur and Burt Frost of Flint township, Mrs. Eeed
Howland of Mundy, and a daughter who lives at home.

MRS. GEO. J. W. HILL. — Mrs. Geo. J. W. Hill died at her home in
the town of Flint May 28, 1893, of heart failure, aged sixty-five years.
The deceased was born at Bath, New York, but had lived in Genesee
county for nearly fifty years. She was well known and highly esteemed
and respected in this community, where she and her husband resided
eo long. She was a lady of literary taste and culture, and was one of
the charter members of the late Ladies' Library Association of Flint,
and its last treasurer. The children who survive her are Frank B. of
Denver, Arthur G. of Escanaba, Flora of Ann Arbor, and Harry, Sarah,
Helen and Alice who are at home. The present address of Fred, who

is in the west, is not known.

ADAM C. KLINE. — Adam C. Kline died in Grand Blanc September
18, 1892, after a long illness.

Deceased was born May 31, 1812, in the Mohawk Valley, town of
Amsterdam, Montgomery county, N. Y. He came to Flint, Michigan,
late in 1835, engaged in blacksmithing in 1836 in company with the
late Daniel S. Freeman. For many years he engaged in farming in
Grand Blanc. Besides a widow he leaves seven sons and two daughters,
Samuel and Mrs. Darwin Forsyth of Flint, Daniel F,, Kichard, John,
Levi, and Miss Carrie, of Grand Blanc; Charles of Shiawassee county;
and Andrew of Nebraska. Also three brothers and one sister, Mrs.

MEMORIAL REPORT— GENESEE COUNTY. 83

Bradley, of Eldorado, Kansas; James, of Kingston, Minnesota; Joseph
and George, of Flint.

JOSEPH KLINE. — Joseph Kline, a brother of Adam C. Kline, died at
his home in Flint, on November 10, 1892, quite unexpectedly, having
been upon the street only a few hours before dissolution took place.
The deceased was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., August 20, 1823. He
came to Michigan in 1836, and located at Grand Blanc, but soon
afterwards came to Flint and settled. He had resided where he died
for thirty-seven years. He was a man of quiet, unassuming character,
and took little active part in public affairs, but was highly esteemed by
all who knew him. He was an honorable, upright, Christian man. He
joined the Court street M. E. church in 1847, and was a charter
member of the Garland street M. E. church.

His family consists of a wife, one son, Louis T., of Alpena, and one
daughter, Mrs. D. M. Eddy, of Flint, all of whom survive him.

JUDGE WARNER LAKE. — Judge Warner Lake died at his home in
Flint, June 13, 1892, aged 82 years.

Judge Lake was born at Mt. Morris, N. Y., October 4, 1809. April
4, 1833, he married Elizabeth Butler, at Mt. Morris, by whom he had
three children, Martin and Mrs. Chauncey Wisner, of Saginaw, born in
Mt. Morris, and Charles, now of Coldwater, born in Genesee, north of
Flint, on the farm now owned by O. D. Wager. The family came to
Michigan in 1837. He settled in the village of Flint and built the
Exchange hotel opposite the present court house, the second hotel in
Flint. A number of years he carried on this hotel and ran a line of
.•stages to Pontiac. Later, for a short time, he lived on a farm north of
the city above named. In 1842 he removed to Hartland, Livingston
county, and engaged in farming, returning to Flint in 1850. In 1852
he was elected judge of probate, which office he held eight years. In
1859 he was appointed trustee of the Kalamazoo asylum.

Soon after the war broke out he was made provost marshal of this
•congressional district with headquarters here. Soon after the close of
the war he was appointed deputy assessor of internal revenue, which
office he held for a number of years. Since retiring from that office
he has been prominent in the insurance business, being a member of
the local board of underwriters.

His wife died June 17, 1882. She was a woman of strong religious
•convictions, a member of the Baptist church, and a vigorous temper-
ance worker.

Judge Lake was a man of warm heart and generous impulses, a

84 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

good citizen, loyal to the core, and in his prime was a man of much
influence in the community. His death even at this advanced age will
be sincerely mourned by scores of men who have known the genial
kindness of his heart.

Besides the three children named, he leaves one brother in Mt.
Morris, N. Y., also several grandchildren.

Judge Lake was not a member of any church, but was treasurer of
the Baptist church in Flint many years, and he illustrated in his
daily life the precepts of a correct Christian morality.

MRS. HANNAH M. HOPKINS. — Mrs. Hannah Miles Hopkins who was
prostrated by a stroke of apoplexy Monday morning, passed peacefully
away Saturday afternoon, June 18, 1892, at the residence of Frank E.
Willett, where she had been making her home much of the time
during the past few years. The deceased, whose maiden name was
Miles, was born in Homer, Cortland county, N. Y., May 20, 1821. In
June, 1839, she came to Flint, and on January 14, 1847, she was
united in marriage to Henry Hopkins, who died in September, 1853.
On April 18, 1864, she was married to Geo. S. Hopkins, and four
years later she was again left a widow. Since that time she had.
occupied positions of trust in different households, and in an humble
way she showed herself to be a true Christian and by example taught
many lessons of patience and self-denial. She was greatly esteemed
by all who knew her and her death has caused sincere regret among a
large circle of friends and acquaintances who had learned to respect
and admire her for. her many sterling qualities of character. She
leaves to mourn her loss one son, Nelson, of Flint, and one grand-
daughter, Alice L. Hopkins, who is a member of the family of Wm,
A. Miller.

IRETUS PERRY.— Iretus Perry died February 3, 1893, at his residence
in Flint. Deceased was born in Grand Blanc in 1837, and was a son
of the late George Perry. He was raised on a farm and on reaching
manhood's estate was united in marriage to Miss Emma Adams, who
with one child, Mrs. Elmer Halsey, survives him. After his marriage
the deceased moved to Fenton and later to Byron, where he was
engaged in the drug business for some time. He then moved back to
Fenton and later to Flint township, subsequently removing to Union
City and engaging in the hardware business. Six years ago he took
up his residence in Flint.

Mr. Perry was highly respected by all who knew him, and besides-
his wife and child he leaves several brothers and sisters, among them

MEMORIAL REPORT— GENESEE COUNTY. 85

Kay of Grand Blanc, Robert and Oliver of Fenton. One of the sisters,
Mrs. Frary, lives in Fenton, and the other two in California.

SEYMOUR PERRY. — Seymour Perry died February 6, 1893, of heart

failure.

Deceased was born in Monroe county, N. Y., March 13, 1818. In

1820 he came to Michigan and settled with his parents in Grand
Blanc township where he has lived continuously for 67 years. He
leaves a wife and six children: Lee, Joshua K., Mrs. Henry Mason,
Mrs. Geo. R. Mason, Ella, and Mrs. Frank Swift. Mr. Perry was one
of the prominent farmers of his township and an ardent, life long
republican. His work has been well done and his name, honored and
revered, will live long in the memory of his fellows.

E. W. RISING. — E. W. Rising, founder of the village of Davison,
died April 30, 1893, at his residence in that village from the effects of
a stroke of paralysis received two weeks ago. His death has caused a
gloom in Davison, in the upbuilding of which village he had been so
greatly interested, and his death is a severe blow to the promising little
town. Mr. Rising during his lifetime did more than any other person
toward the upbuilding of Davison, erecting the Davison hotel, a brick
block with four stores, Rising's hall and the New Era roller mills. At
the time of his death he was engaged in the erection of two brick
stores, the material for which was on hand, and the foundation had
been completed for two other brick stores.

E. W. Rising was born in Franklin county, N. Y., on October 8,
1822, and was a son of Sylvester and Sally Rising. At the age of
nine years he removed with the family to Niagara county in the same
state, where he grew to manhood, and was united in marriage to Mary
Ann Drake. In 1848 he came to Richfield, this county, with his wife
and settled on a farm of 80 acres, which he added to and brought to
such a state of perfection that for some years he was awarded the
premium offered by the State agricultural society for the best farm in
Michigan. He always took a great interest in the society and all
things connected with agriculture, and was for -many years a member
of the executive board of the State agricultural society and was chair-
man of the Agricultural College board at the time the buildings were
erected. Mr. Rising was also president of the Genesee county agri-
cultural society for some years, and a short time before his death
received an appointment as delegate to the agricultural congress at the
World's Fair at Chicago the following October. He also served as
postmaster at Davison under President Cleveland.

86 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

In 1872 he sold his farm in Eichfield and moved to the present site
of Davison and purchased a farm of 240 acres. With McQuigg &
Hyatt he platted the village of Davison and a few years later
purchased their interest. All his endeavors were concentrated toward
the welfare and upbuilding of the village, which will prove an
enduring monument to his industry and perseverance. The sites of
the M. E. and Baptist churches at Davison were given by Mr. Rising
to these church societies. He was a man highly respected by all who
knew him, and his death is sincerely regretted.

Besides his wife he is survived by his father, who is now in his
ninety-third year, his brother Henry C.% of Davison, and three sisters
all of Richfield. They are Mrs. Oscar Clemens, Mrs. John Moore,
and Mrs. James Root. Mr. Rising was a member of Davison Lodge,
236, F. & A. M., and the interment was made with Masonic ceremonies.

DANIEL H. SEELEY. — Daniel H. Seeley, perhaps the oldest living
pioneer of Genesee county, died at his home in Genesee township,
June 28, 1892, at the age of 87 years. He was born in Bridgeport,
Conn., April 13, 1805, and came to Flint in 1836 when there were only
ten families and seven buildings here. Indians, however, were plenti-
ful, and it was no unusual sight to see as many as four hundred
braves with their families pass the home of this old settler. He was
married in Brockport, N. Y., September 2, 1827, to Miss Julia A. Taylor.
As above stated he came to Flint, bringing his young wife with him in
the spring of 1836, building the eighth house erected in the city. He
also built a tailor shop and store, the latter being the second business
place erected in the city. The first court here was held in his shop and
the first meeting of the board of supervisors took place in the same place.
In 1843 Mr. Seeley moved on his farm in Genesee township where he
has since lived. He was obliged to cut a road to the log shanty he
found on the place before lumber could be hauled to it. Constant
protection was required against the inroads of wild animals, of which
there were plenty.

In more respects than one the late Daniel H. Seeley of Genesee,
was a remarkable man. One of his chief characteristics was the love
he bore his children and grandchildren. Although himself deprived
of that advantage, he gave his children a college education, and has
educated or was educating at the time of his death, each and every
one of his grandchildren. Mr. Seeley possessed in a remarkable
degree that virtue esteemed the greatest by the Great Teacher of
Judea, and possessed in its true sense by so few — the virtue of

MEMORIAL, REPORT— GENESEE COUNTY. 87

charity. No man was ever heard to utter one word of reproach
against this honest old pioneer, and more remarkable still, no man ever
heard him utter aught but good of his fellows. In his death the
county has lost one of its most valued citizens, and his children one
who was more to them than father.

Mr. Seeley was a prominent member of the Congregational church,
and was a man of excellent character and much influence in the
community. He was a successful farmer and stockbreeder. His farm
was a model of good cultivation, neatness, and good order, and his
home was elegant and even luxurious. He illustrated in his deport-
ment and way of living how entirely possible it is for a farmer to be
a gentleman, if it is in him to be a gentleman. He was courteous
and polite in his manners, correct in his speech, affable but dignified
in his intercourse with men, neat in his dress and personal appear-
ance— a thing which is not necessarily beyond the attainment of any
reasonably prosperous farmer. His aged wife survives him. Three
sons and one daughter are also living. They are Hon. Marvia L.
Seeley, who resides on the home farm, Dr. Frank T. Seeley of Iowa,
and Theron V. Seeley of Mt. Morris village. The daughter is Mrs.
F. A. Burroughs also of Mt. Morris. Another daughter was Mrs. A.
R. Bray, now deceased, mother of Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Everett L. Bray.

MR. ABEL SEELYE. — Mr. Abel Seelye, of Davison, died at his home
in that township on Nov. 7, 1892, aged 74 years. The deceased was
one of the fast disappearing pioneers of the county and was among the
first settlers of Davison township. He enjoyed the esteem and good
will of a very large circle of acquaintances, and with his, ends a busy
and useful life.

DR. A. A. THOMPSON. — Dr. A. A. Thompson, one of Flint's most
respected citizens and foremost physicians died at his home August 23,
1892. Dr. Thompson was born at Richmond, Vermont, sixty-three
years ago. He was a graduate of Oberlin college and of the Michigan
State University. He was a successful physician and business man,
and was prominent in social circles as well. He was surgeon of the
Twelfth Michigan Infantry during the war. He was professor of anat-
omy in Olivet College, and represented the United States as her consul
at Goderich, Canada, for some time, besides filling other places of
public trust; he was a man of brains and high intellect. His manner
was mild and pleasing; he was the soul of honor and was always an
ideal gentleman under any circumstances. He stood high in his

88 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

profession, and the news of his death was met everywhere with
expression of sincere regret.

GEORGE S. WOODHULL. — George S. Woodhull, a wealthy pioneer of
Fenton township residing near Long Lake and the owner of Wood-
hull's landing at that place, died June 7, 1891, after a brief illness.
Deceased was about 70 years of age and located in Fenton in 1843.
He held various town offices in Fenton and for a number of years was
president of the Genesee Union Pioneer Society. Deceased leaves
four children, one son and three daughters, and ten grandchildren.

IRA D. WRIGHT. — Ira D. Wright died at his home on the Miller
road, just outside the western city limits of Flint, May 7, 1893. He
was one of the oldest pioneers of Genesee county and one of the
founders of the city. The death of Mr. Wright marks the close of a
long and eventful life. He was born in Washington township, Cheshire
county, N. H., August 3, 1808. In 1814 he removed with his parents
to Bethany, Genesee county, N. Y., where he was reared to manhood.
In 1834 the subject of this sketch, together with Eobert. F. Stage and
A. C. Stevens, came to Flint, then a small village, and purchased in
Genesee county some three thousand acres of land, including a tract of
two hundred acres which embraced what is now a portion of the city
of Flint lying between Court street and the river, and east of Saginaw
street. This land was then in a wild state. They at once set a force
of men clearing this land and returned to New York. The next spring
they returned and much of this land was then planted.

In October, 1835, they opened the first general store in the county
at Grand Blanc. The goods were moved to Flint, where a suitable
building had been erected, in June, 1836. In the second story of this
building the pioneers, without regard to sect or creed met for worship.
The deceased in company with Mr. Stage, also had the honor of
erecting the first building for school purposes in this city. This was
a board shanty twelve by sixteen feet, erected in 1836 on the east side
of Saginaw street. Miss Philanda Overton was employed as teacher,
and education was furnished free to the hardy children of the pioneers
of Flint. The deceased and his partner, Mr. Stage, also built the first
dam and first saw mill in the city. After running this mill for seven
years, Mr. Wright engaged in the business of landlooking. He held
the office of deputy United States timber agent for three years and
during that time entered 50,000 acres of pine lands for one firm.

Mr. Wright settled on the farm where he has since lived and where
he died, on section 9, Smith's reservation, Flint township, 1853. March

MEMORIAL REPORT— HILLSDALE COUNTY. 89

22, 1842, he was married to Miss Marietta Ingersoll, daughter of one
of the pioneers of Oakland county, who died October 27, 1891. Mr.
Wright at the time of her death told his children he would not long
survive her. He leaves two children, Etta and Melvin W.

As highway commissioner Mr. Wright laid out the first road in Flint
township and Genesee county. He has also held the office of deputy
United States Marshal. In politics Mr. Wright was a democrat and
cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. There were only four families
-of white people in this city when he came. He was a member of the
State pioneer association. Mr. Wright has always been a generous
contributor to churches, benevolences and educational institutions. His
hospitality was proverbial.

Detroit, May 9, 1893.

FRIEND RANKIN — A letter from a Flint friend today, advises me of the death
of another old citizen — a veritable pioneer — Mr. Ira D. Wright.

One of the first men pointed out to me after my arrival in Flint thirty-five
years ago, was "Ira Wright;" and the name was not unfamiliar to me. I had
heard of Ira Wright long before I saw him, or had heard of such a place as
Flint.

Like myself, but more than twenty years before me, he had come to Mich-
igan from the same village in western New York; and it was from his former
companion, Mr. John H. Stanley, in whose store I was for a time a youthful clerk,
that I heard of the genial, fun-loving young fellow, who had determined to seek
his fortune in the wilds of Michigan. This' early friend of Mr. Wright had
many amusing tales to tell of youthful escapades, wherein the jolly Ira was
foremost and funny, amongst the young bucks of the village.

Mr. Wright enjoyed often to stop on the street, and ask concerning the men
whom he left behind as young fellows, a half century before.

The familiar figure of this amiable old gentleman will be missed on the streets
he had trodden so long; while words of kindness and respectful regard will
always accompany a mention of the name of Ira D. Wright.

M. S. ELMORE.

HILLSDALE COUNTY. -
BY WM. DRAKE.

ARTHUR H. CRANE. — Hon. Arthur H. Crane died June 4, 1892, of
paralysis, aged 78 years. He was well known as a representative farmer
in both Hillsdale and Lenawee, having served on the boards of super-
visors of both counties. He was a member of the legislature from '69
12

90 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

to '72, and was esteemed as a gentleman of sterling character and
strong intellect. He was married three times, a wife and children
surviving him.

ISAAC ORCUTT. — Died in Warren, Idaho county, Idaho, Saturday,
February 4, 1893, Isaac Orcutt, a native of New York, aged 68 years.
Mr. Orcutt was one of the pioneers of Florence and Warren basins,
and a better man never trod the footstool. Until within the last eighteen
months he was possessed of extraordinary strength and physical endur-
ance, but he finally was prostrated with dyspepsia and the end was
expected for some time. The entire population turned out next day to
pay the last sad rites over the remains of one who was the embodi-
ment of all the virtues which belong to the fast departing race of
pioneer heroes. 'No death has occurred in Warren within our
recollection which excited such feelings of genuine grief. — Idaho Free

Press.

•

We are indebted to N. W. Thompson of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, for
the following interesting history in connection with the life of the
deceased :

" Isaac Orcutt was a pioneer to Hillsdale county. His father, Amba
Orcutt, moved into Florida (now Jefferson) in September, 1836, and
his daughter (now Mrs. Phebe Jones, residing at 5221 South Halsted
street, Chicago), was born in October, 1836, being the first white child
born in the town of Florida, which at that time comprised the present
townships of Jefferson, Ransom and east one-half of Amboy. Ike was
the oldest of nine children, the youngest born in 1850. One child
died in infancy in 1848. Since that time there have been no deaths
of the children until Ike's death broke the circle.

" Ike went to California in 1852, in company with four of his uncles,
Fred, George, Henry and Cornelius Duryee. He went to British
Columbia in 1861, then to Florence, Idaho, in 1862 or '63, and since
then has resided in the Salmon Kiver mountains. He told me in 1888
that he had not seen a railroad train in 22 years, and had not lived
in that time where you could get to him with a wagon only by mount-
ain trails."

GEORGE ANSON SMITH.— Hon. Geo. A. Smith, of Somerset, died at
his home in that village January 29, 1893.

He was born in Danbury, Conn., March 8, 1825, and was nearly 68
years of age.

Deceased was an honored citizen of Somerset and Hillsdale county,
where he resided from the age of 14 years, leaving an honorable record

MEMORIAL REPORT— HILLSDALE COUNTY. 91

and respected family. Mr. Smith has long occupied a prominent place
in public matters in the county and state. He was elected to the lower
house of the legislature in 1863, and served two terms afterward as
senator from the district composed of Hillsdale and Branch counties.
He was also president of the county agricultural society, and served
twenty years as postmaster in his own place. Public spirited and
progressive, combining the qualities of the successful farmer and busi-
ness man, he will be missed in his own home .and in public life.

Mr. Smith leaves a wife, five sons, and three daughters: Fred S.,
farmer and stock dealer, farm adjoining homestead; Azariel, miller and
banker, Addison, Mich.; Rev. Geo. Le Grande, Chicago; Stewart K.,
civil engineer, Seattle, Wash.; Frank R., at home in charge of home-
stead; Mrs. A. T. Daniels, Topeka, Kan.; Mary A., and Catherine B.,
at home.

HORACE TURNEE. — Horace Turner died on September 6, 1892. He
had lived in South Adams 43 years. Mr. Turner was born at Otisca,
Madison county, New York, July 5, 1807; was married in 1829 to
Deborah Terril, and moved to Michigan, living at Palmyra for a time.
In 1849 he moved upon the farm four miles east of Hillsdale, then an
almost unbroken wilderness. Here they endured all the hardships of a
pioneer life. Six children were given them, four of whom are living,
three daughters and one son, who with the aged companion, now 87
years old, are left to mourn. For 63 years they walked the rugged
path of life side by side, rejoicing in the sunshine and sorrowing in
the shade. He was a faithful, consistent, hard working, untiring
Christian and an honest man. His family, neighbors, and all who
knew him best will unite in saying he has not knowingly taken one
penny that belonged to others. In politics he was a staunch republican.
Strictly a temperance man, he believed in the equality of man and
that religious duties consisted in doing justice, toving mercy, and
endeavoring to make his fellow beings happy.

HON. ROBERT WOKDEN. — The remains of Robert Worden were
brought to Hudson and buried in the Goodrich cemetery, in Pittsford
township, where he first settled fifty-nine years ago, and where he
resided until a few years ago. He died at the home of his daughter,
Mrs. Post, in Owosso, May 2, 1893. Mr. Worden was elected treasurer
of Hillsdale county in 1843, which office he held two terms. In 1852
he was elected to the legislature from the first representative district
of this county.

The following is from the Hudson Post of May 6, 1893:

92 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Mr. Worden was one of the pioneers of this vicinity, and but few of
his comrades of early days remain on earth. He came to Michigan in
1834 and purchased a tract of government land, the old farm which he
sold to Dr. Billings a few years ago, and which is located one mile
north and one mile west of Hudson.

Robert Worden was honored in years gone by, having been elected
to the legislature, and also to the office of county treasurer, and other
positions of trust. In politics a radical democrat, he was always ready
to advocate his belief, and in times of eampaign was counted on as an
active and effective political worker.

Mr. Wordon was very widely known and had many friends who
remembered him as he was in days gone by. He was a true friend
and bitter enemy. His memory will be kindly treasured, for he was
one of the rugged pioneers whose life work was the clearing away of
the forests and making productive a country which is the pride of the
present generation.

INGHAM COUNTY.

BY C. B. STEBBINS.

1892.

June 15. — In Lansing, Henry S. Sleeper, aged 51 years. He was
county clerk in Kalamazoo seven years, and deputy commissioner of
the State land office twelve years.

June 17. — In Williamston, George Burchard, Sr.,'aged 70 years.

July 5. — In Lansing, A. M. Cheney, aged 55 years. He came to
Michigan 38 years ago.

July 16. — Mrs. Kate E. Burr, one of the early settlers of Lansing,
Aged 73 years.

July 28. — In Lansing, Mrs. Mary A. Nash, aged 75 years. She had
resided in Lansing 38 years.

July 28. — In Lansing, Francis E. West, aged 76 years. He helped
survey the town of Lansing. In the latter part of his life he was
totally blind.

August 10.— In Meridian, Charles W. Smith, aged 62 years. He had
resided in Michigan 45 years and in Meridian 39 years.

MEMORIAL, REPORT— INGHAM COUNTY.

August 19. — Russell Blair, 33 years a resident of Lansing, died at
Hastings, aged 87 years. He was buried at Lansing.

September 10. — Mrs. Thomas Shipp, a resident of Lansing since 1856,
aged 64 years.

September 15. — Nathan Welden, aged 72 years. He was a resident
of Lansing from its organization.

September 18. — In Lansing, George W. Bliss, aged 54 years. He
was born in Washtenaw county and came to Lansing in 1874.

October 9. — Mrs. A. Houghton, of Lansing, aged 87 years.

October 10. — Thomas Meagber died while sitting at the breakfast
table, aged 62 years. He was a Canadian by birth and had resided in
Lansing 27 years.

October 29. — Fred Bauerly, aged 59 years. He was of German birth,
and had resided in Lansing 35 years.

October 31. — L. A. Torrance, aged 72 years. He had lived many
years on his farm just outside of the city of Lansing.

November 7.— Dr. Theophilus C. Abbot, LL. D., twenty-three years
president of the Agricultural College, aged 76 years. His biography
will appear at large on another page.

November 14. — Mrs. Sally A. Williams, aged 68 years. She resided
in Lansing since 1844.

November 15.— Charles Westcott, aged 72 years. He came to Lan-
sing in 1848, coming from Warren, Ohio.

November 20. — Mrs. Mary Loftus, aged 61 years. She was born in
Ireland and had lived in Lansing 27 years.

November 20. — James Ennis, aged 80 years. He was born in New
York, and settled in Eaton Rapids in 1868, coming to Lansing in 1886.

1893.

January 18. — Mrs. M. R. Scammon, aged 81 years. She was a
resident of Lansing since 1855.

January 27. — Daniel Searles, an early pioneer of Mason, aged 80
years. He resided fifty years on one farm.

February 13. — Miss Nancy S. Fuller, of Vevay, .aged 52 years. She
came to Michigan in 1856, and spent a large part of her life in
teaching.

February 20. — Uncle Harry Grovenburg, aged about 83 years. He
was one of the first settlers of Delhi, where he resided 49 years. He
was buried on the sixty-first anniversary of his marriage.

March 9.— Hiram Johnson, aged 88 years. He had resided near
Okemos many years.

94 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

March 19. — Luke Hazen, of Lansing, aged 80 years. He came to
Michigan in 1835, was representative from Hillsdale county in 1848,
supervisor in the town of Allen three terms, town clerk of Litchfield
three terms, treasurer eleven years, and county clerk four years.

March 20. — Mrs. Emily F. McKibbin, aged 75 years. She came to
Vevay from Vermont in 1836 and had resided in or near Lansing since
1838.

March 24. — John A. Clippenger, aged -- years; one of the pioneer
residents of Lansing.

March 27. — Mrs. Maria B. Pinckney, aged 65 years. She came to
Lansing with her husband, Wm. H. Pinckney in 1850,

March 31. — Thomas E. McCurdy, aged 68 years. He had resided in
the vicinity of Okemos over 30 years.

March 31. — Mrs. Mary P. Strong, aged 77 years. She came to
Lansing in 1856 with her husband who was for many years foreman
of the State Kepublican bindery.

May 2. — Bernard C. Kelly, a resident of Lansing for over 30 years,
aged 56 years.

May 4. — Mrs. Rhoda Barnes, aged 56 years. She came to Lansing
in 1848, was married to Mr. Barnes in 1855, and for 35 years had
resided in Delhi.

May 11. — Mrs. S. M. Barrett, aged 83 years. She came from New
York to Lansing in 1853, where she had since resided.

May 17. — Charles Foster, of Okemos, aged 68 years. He had resided
in Lansing and vicinity 43 years.

May 21. — Jason D. Patridge, aged 86 years and seven months. He
was born in Vermont and was an old resident in the vicinity of
Lansing.

May 23. — Mrs. Sarah A. Bidelman, aged 60 years. She had lived
in or near Lansing many years.

EDWIN BEEVES OSBAND. — Edwin Beeves Osband was born in Nankin,
Wayne county, Mich., on Sunday, March 20, 1836, and died at Lansing,
Mich., December 8, 1892, aged 56 years, 8 months and 18 days. He
was the youngest of six sons born to William and Martha (Beeves)
Osband. His parents were natives of New York state and settled in
Nankin in 1825.

Edwin was reared upon his father's farm and educated in the district
schools except a few months attendance at the then existing college at
Leoni, and also at the opening of the Michigan Agricultural College

MEMORIAL REPORT-INGHAM COUNTY. 95

in 1857, he entered it with the design of completing the course, but
after a few months ill health compelled him to leave.

He learned the carpenter and joiner's trade and worked at it till the
summer of 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, 1st Michigan
Engineers and Mechanics, and in the autumn went with his regiment
to the front. He accompanied the advance of the army that steamed
into Nashville in 1862 after the confederates evacuated it. Almost
immediately after this he was taken sick and sent to the hospital at
St. Louis, Mo. His sickness proving serious and protracted, he was
permitted to return home to secure better care and medical aid. After
a few months he again reported at Detroit for service. Here he was
offered and accepted a detail, and served as hospital steward at Detroit
till early in 1864, when he returned to his regiment in Tennessee. He
was mustered out in front of Atlanta in the fall of 1864, just before
Gen. Sherman started on his famous march to the sea.

On February 3, 1864, before he rejoined his regiment he was married
to Miss Louise F., daughter of Daniel and Marcia (Ferris) Straight,
of Nankin. After leaving the army he acquired a half interest in the
farm formerly owned by Rev. Marcus Swift, of Nankin, and in
connection with farming he ran a country store in his residence a few
months. In 1866 he removed to Lansing, bought a lot and built a
residence on block 63, at the corner of Lapeer and Seymour streets,
where he resided till 1881. He then removed to a farm he had bought
one mile west of the city on Saginaw street, where he resided till the
time of his death. In 1886 he accepted the management of the
cooperative (Grangers') store at North Lansing, which position he held
three years, during which time his son, D. Gregory Osband, cared for
the farm.

As a business man Mr. Osband was successful and left his family in
comfortable circumstances. He was industrious, economical, intelligent,
strictly temperate, and a man of integrity. He was honored and
highly respected by his neighbors, among whom he had many friends.
He was an official member of the Congregational church, with which
he had been identified many years.

His last sickness was painful but brief. He had been ailing several
weeks, but kept about his business till the night of Tuesday, December
6, when he became violently ill. The next day his physician
pronounced his disease peritonitis of an aggravated form and advised
liim that if he had any business to do he had but little time to do it
in. He had kept his business in such form that it was soon arranged.

96 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

The end came the next (Thursday) afternoon. He left a wife, a sonr
and two daughters to mourn his loss.

HELEN M. OSBAND.— Helen M., wife of M. D. Osband, died at her
home in the city of Lansing, Mich., after a protracted and painful
illness of twenty-one months' duration, on Wednesday, August 3, 1892,
aged 56 years and 16 days.

Mrs. Osband was the daughter of Dr. Thomas and Lucretia B.
Hoskins, and was born at Lima, Washtenaw county, July 18, 1836. In
the autumn of that year her parents removed to Marion, Livingston
county. From thence in the summer of 1838 they returned to Wash-
tenaw and settled at Scio, where she was reared and received her
education in the common schools of that locality, except a term of six
months in a school of higher grade in 1852, at Leoni, Jackson county.

While in her teens she commenced teaching in the schools of the
rural districts around her home. As a teacher she was eminently
successful. She subsequently served a year as assistant in the House
of Correction, as the Industrial School at Lansing was then called.

On November 15, 1859, she was married to M. D. Osband, of
Lansing, and thenceforward Lansing became her home till her death,
except a few years' residence in Frederic, Crawford county, in 1882-8.

In early youth she united with the M. E. church in Dexter, an
adjacent village. Her religious nature was warm, broad and deep, and
unfolded in all her subsequent years into a symmetrical Christian
character. In Lansing she identified herself with Sunday school,
missionary, and temperance work, and with the interests of general
society, in all of which she became prominent and maintained her
positions while her health permitted. Life with her was barren unless
she could administer to the happiness of others. Her success in her
schools and her Sunday school work was secured by her habit of
making thorough preparation for her work before appearing before her
classes. Sh.e also loved her classes and each member thereof. This
gave her great influence over them. She was eminently social and
always welcome in the social circle. She was gifted in speech, warm
in heart, and bright in intellect, and was widely known and highly
respected. As a wife and mother she was faithful, loving, and
watchful. During her last illness her struggle for life was character-
ized by patience, cheerfulness, and fortitude. When at the last she
was told that her sufferings were nearly over she composedly remarked
"It is all right." She left a husband, a mother, a son, and daughter
to mourn her departure. She has gone to her reward and the world
is better for her having lived in it.

MEMORIAL REPORT— IONIA COUNTY. 97

ION CA COUNTY.
BY ALBERT F. MOREHOUSE.

PETER H. ADAMY. — Peter H. Adamy, who died July 7, 1892, was
supposed to be the oldest person living in Sebewa. He was born in
Minham township, Montgomery county, N. Y., May 16, 1805, of German
parentage, and his grandfather was conspicuous in the revolutionary
war. In 1810 he moved with his parents to Niagara county and spent
fifteen years in clearing up and cultivating the heavy timbered land of
that country. In 1827 he enlisted in the regular army for five years
and saw service in the Black Hawk war under General Brooks, who
had his headquarters at Green Bay. During a part of this time Mr.
Adamy was assigned to a post at Chicago, which was then composed
of a few Indian huts. Here he spent some time carrying the United
States mail from Chicago to Niles, Michigan. The route was simply
an Indian trail on which creeks had to be waded and rivers swum.
Along this route he had many encounters with the redskins.

In 1833 he left the army and went back to Niagara county and
spent some time in keeping store in Buffalo. In 1835 he moved to
Cleveland, Ohio, and on the 2d of September of the same year was
married to Sophia Van Duzen, and lived in Cleveland until 1853,
when he moved with his family to Monroe county, Michigan, where he
lived two years, and then moved with his family to Allegan county,
where he lived until 1862. In that year he moved to Ionia county,
stopping in the township of Orleans for one summer, and then settling
in the township of Sebewa, which was his home thereafter. In 1843
he was converted to the christain faith under the preaching of the
Rev. Sutton Hayden and became a member of the Church of Christ,
and remained a devoted Christian the remainder of his life. He was a
good soldier, a merchant, a farmer, and a devoted Christian, and one
who contributed two sons to the federal army during the late unpleas-
antness with the south. He leaves a wife, two daughters and four sons.

FELLOW GATES. — Fellow Gates died at his home in Orange, January
15, 1893.

The deceased was born in Vermont in 1802 and was married to Mary
Williams in 1827. After his marriage he moved to New York, near
Niagara Falls, and from there went to Buffalo, and thence to Camden,
Ontario. In the year 1855, he moved and settled in the township of
Orange, Ionia county, where he and his sons erected a log cabin.
13

98 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gates eight children were born, four sons, Elias,
Nathan, Freeman, and George, and four daughters, Each el, Sarah,
Elizabeth, and Caroline.

Mrs. Gates died April 11, 1881.

Mr. Gates was 91 years of age, and leaves four sons and three
daughters, thirty-five grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren,
three great-great-grandchildren, besides a large number of friends to
mourn his loss. He was a kind father and an affectionate husband,
a true and good neighbor.

ANNA M. HEYDLAUFF. — Anna M. Heydlauff died at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. S. Danner, in Ronald, Michigan, January 23, 1893, aged
83 years.

Her maiden name was Anna M. Wagnor. She was born at Haslech,
Kingdom of Wurtenburg, Germany, January 12, 1811. She was married
to C. F. Heydlauff September 13, 1831, and in 1837 removed to
America. Leaving her fatherland and all that was dear to her, crossed
the ocean, landed at New York, remained there a few days, and
continued their journey from there to Detroit, Michigan. From thence
they went to the town of Freedom, Washtenaw county, and settled
there, then an unbroken wilderness. Here they resided for 12 years, toil
and privation being their lot. In March, 1846, they removed to Ronald,
Michigan, where she resided the remainder of her life. Ronald can
truly say that she was a pioneer. She was the mother of nine children,
five of whom survive her, as follows: John Heydlauff of Day county,
South Dakota; Win. F. and L. H. Heydlauff of Ronald, Michigan;
Mrs. R. Miller of Sheridan, Michigan; and Mrs. S. Danner of Ronald,
Michigan. She was a good and devoted wife and a loving mother.
She led a quiet life always looking to the welfare of others. Mother
Heydlauff was a faithful Christian to the last. Her life was so true, so
pure, so unselfish, so full of love toward God and man. She had the
rare Christ-like attributes of love for the sinner.

REV. SMITH P. GAMAGE. — Rev. Smith P. Gamage was born at
Crosgrove, Northampton county, England, December 28,, 1810. He was
converted in early, life and united with the Congregational church and
became a preacher at the age of 19 years. The principal points of his
first sermon were in writing and were present at his funeral. He
came to America in 1830 and soon afterward was ordained on Long
Island, near Brooklyn, and was married to Miss Lydia E. King the
same year. On the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted as

MEMORIAL REPORT— IONIA COUNTY. 99

chaplain in the 75th Regiment, colored infantry, New York volunteers,
&nd while in the service contracted diseases which terminated only
with death. In 1877 he with his family came from Isabella county to
Portland, where he continued to reside until his death. His health
had prevented any settled pastorate though he occasionally preached in
Sebewa and other places. He was fond of writing and had contem-
plated publishing one or more volumes on theological subjects, the
material for which he had on hand. For several years he was the
chaplain to the local post of the G. A. R. and was always present on
Decoration days, though for the last two years of his life he was
confined to his house nearly all the time. He was buried as he
desired by the attendance of the post at his funeral. He was of a
very amiable disposition and was much liked by all who knew him.

MRS. A. L. KELSEY. — Mrs. A. L. Kelsey died at her home October
2, 1892, aged 86 years.

The subject of this sketch was the daughter of Ebenezer and
Rebecca Pinckney Hoyt and was born in July, 1806, in Montgomery
county, N. Y., and with her parents she removed to Rush, Monroe
oounty, N. Y., where in 1825 she married the late Hon. Levi Kelsey,
so well and favorably known to the older residents of Ionia county,
and who died in 1867.

Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey were the parents of seven children, all of
whom became residents of Ionia county, only three of whom are now
living, A. F. Kelsey, E. P. Kelsey, and Hannah, wife of Wm. B.
Taylor.

Mrs. Kelsey came to Ionia township with her husband and family
in 1857, where she continuously resided until her death, October 2, 1891.

Although she had been quite infirm for many years, her robust
constitution gradually yielding to repeated attacks of acute diseases
and to more than four score years of labor, anxiety, and sorrow, yet
her last sickness was of but few days' duration, and her passing away
was peaceful and quiet, like the sleep which the Father gives his
beloved. She was a member of the M. E. church for 60 years.

She was one of those, the tidings of whose death brings memories of
many words of cheer and acts of kindness, and with such memories
come sorrow and regret that not oftener were spoken words of
appreciation and of gratitude.

STEPHEN J. LINDLEY. — Stephen J. Lindley died at his home in
Danby, December 5, 1892, aged 79 years. He had resided in Michigan
since 1853.

100 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

MKS. HENRIETTA PILKINTON. — Mrs. Henrietta Pilkinton was born at
West Bloomfield, New York, in 1820, and was the daughter of Mr.
Harry Bradley, who with his family came to Northville, Wayne county,
Michigan, in 1829. Here she made a profession of religion and united
with the Congregational church. She was married to Stephen Pilkin-
ton in 1838, and with their little family moved to Sebewa, Ionia
county, in 1840. When the Congregational church of Portland was
organized, February 4, 1843, she with her husband were constituent
members, though living in a dense wilderness and at so great a
distance as to prevent attendance at public services of the church, and
so keenly was this privation felt that they removed to Portland in
184-, where they continued to reside until Mrs. Pilkinton's death,
December 17, 1892. The severe toil in clearing new land, and
privations incident to an unsettled county, laid the foundation for
disease, undermining the otherwise strong constitution and culminating
in death at the age of 72 years. Mrs. Pilkinton was highly esteemed
as a neighbor and Christian in the community where she was known.

EDWARD EABY.— Edward Eaby died at Ionia • November 30, 1892,
aged 75 years. He was a member of Company K, 14th Michigan
Infantry, and an old resident in this locality, having worked with the
first gangs in the construction of the Detroit and Milwaukee railroad.

ALMON EOSECRANS. — Almon Eosecrans died at his home in Ionia
November 10, 1892. Mr. Eosecrans was born near Lockport, Niagara
county, N. Y., May 3, 1817, making his age 75 years, 6 months, 1
week. He was one of a family of seven children, six of whom were
left without parents while very young, consequently were, of necessity,
separated and cared for in different homes.

The subject of our sketch was taken when eight or nine years oldr
to live with a Mr. Holmes, who soon after moved to Wayne county,
Mich. Mr. Eosecrans remained with them until he arrived at maturity.

Having a persevering nature and undaunted courage, supported by
a "never say fail" will, he pushed his way into Ionia county, then a
wilderness. In the year 1839 he purchased the farm he owned at the
time of his death, and in the year 1840 was married to Caroline
Brown, of Oakland county. Soon after their marriage they settled
upon their land, with the determination to convert it into a home.
With the genuine pluck which characterized many of the early
pioneers and with the assistance of a devoted and prudent wife (we
have often heard him say, " If ever a man had a helpmate, 1 had
one"), he cleared and improved his farm, reared and educated his

MEMORIAL REPORT— IONIA COUNTY. 101

family, five sous and two daughters, who were with him as much as
possible during his last illness, to care for him and comfort the
surviving widow, who is past 70 years of age and keenly feels her
loss, but mourns not as one without the hope of a happy reunion
on the peaceful shores of heaven.

Mr. Eosecrans was an honest hearted Christian and a strong defender
of the United Brethren faith, to which church and cause he
contributed liberally.

The most sterling integrity and scrupulous honesty characterized his
life, both in dealings and conversation. His manner of expression was
plain and candid, and his character and the principles of his life were
worthy to be impressed upon the mind of the rising generation.

The minister very fittingly said at the obsequies: "As the aged and
respected pioneers pass away, it behooves us to recognize the traits
which made their lives successful." The last year of his life was
especially happy, socially and spiritually. He has always been a
republican in politics until two years ago when he voted the
prohibition ticket.

JAMES BRONSON SANFORD. — The life which has so recently gone out
from among us deserves more than a passing notice, which has, for
nearly 50 years, mingled in the business of Ionia and been a familiar
figure on the streets. James Bronson Sanford was born in Ellisburgh,
Jefferson county, N. Y., August 8, 1822. When three years old his
parents removed to Camden, Oneida county. He came to Ionia with
his sister, Mrs. Emily Warner, in 1839, and was engaged in L. S.
Warner's store for a number of years. As the Indians were daily
customers he learned some parts of their language so as to trade with
them. He went to Chicago in 1844 and during the following years
was connected with some of the old wholesale and retail firms of Magie
& Co., Clark & Haines, then went into business for himself at 396
Lake street. He was married to Maria Yeomans, daughter of Erastus
Yeomans, September 8, 1846, raised six sons and three daughters.
The eldest son died three years since, the other children all survive
him and were all present at the funeral. He returned to Ionia in
1855 and took up farming. While in Chicago he united with St.
James Episcopal church and was one of three male members, in the
early history of the church here. His mother's family was identified
with the early settlement of central New York, his mother being the
second white child born at Fort Stanwix, near Rome in Oneida county.
He died September 13, 1892, aged 70 years, one month and five days.

102

ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

JACKSON COUNTY.

BY JOSIAH B. FROST.

Name.

Date of death.

Residence.

Birthplace.

Remarks.

Samael Adams

Oct 31 1892

Grass Lake

Canada

Asil D Avery

Sept 24 1892

Jackson

New York

PClisha S Balcom

Oct. 27 1892

Jackson .

Rhode Island

Nov 22 1892

Jackson

Ohio

Mary Ann Beckwith

July 12, 1892

Blackman

New York ...

Oct 11 1892

Sandstone

Maryland

Helen Beyhan

Feb. 8, 1898...
Aug. 1, 1892

Leoni
Jackson .

New York

Resident of county 30 yrs.

Sylvester Buck

Oct. 8, 1892

Jackson .

New York

Bishop Barns

Dec. 2. 1892

Springport..

New York....

Susan Cady

Nov. 24, 1892

Jackson

New Hamp...

69*

July 26, 1892

Jackson

Ireland

6?,

Joseph Christopher

July 24, 1892

Jackson

New York

6ft

Margaret Cline

Dec. 31, 1892

Waterloo

Germany.

Eliphaz Dagget

Nov. 4, 1892

Henrietta.

New York

Calvin Edwards

Aug. 2 1892

Columbia

Vermont

86-

Mrs Charlotte Ellis

Jan 16 1893

Jackson

Resident 30 years

Wm. Erwin

Nov. 12 1892

Parma

New York

Chas. Evans

Aug. 24, 1892

Rives

New York

84-

Eliza Finch

Oct. 6, 1892

Liberty

Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Francisco

Aug. 28, 1892

Norvell.

Vermont . .

Shubal Fuller

July 21 1892

Columbia

New York

Mrs. Sarah Jane Garfield

Feb. 15, 1893

Rives

Resident of county 55 yrs.

Sarah Geiger

Nov. 19, 1892

Parma

Germany

David Green

Dec. 26, 1892

Norvell

New York

9ft

Perry D Hawley

Sept 10 1892

Resident 40 years.

John F. Hoover

Dec. 11 1892

Jackson

New York

George Hnntington

Oct. 16, 1892

Concord.

Vermont

83-

Joseph Irwin

Aug. 8, 1892

Jackson

Illinois

Wm. B Joslin

Oct 7 1892

7R-

Noah Keeler

July 10 1892

Liberty

New York

Willard C. Lewis

Oct. 10, 1892

Jackson

Vermont

Ira Lowell

Feb. 15, 1893

Spring Arbor

Old resident .—

Ann M. T>nr»as

Aug 27 1892

India

Bernard Markey

Oct. 21, 1892..

Jackson

Resident for 40 years

Ira McGonegal

Dec 13 1892

Scotland

MEMORIAL REPORT-JACKSON COUNTY.

103

Name. ,

Date of death.

Residence.

Birthplace.

Remarks.

lyTinirida MoKflfl

July 29, 1892 .

Jackson .

New York....

8?,

Elizabeth McQuillen

Sept. 9, 1892

Jackson

Ireland

8fl

Mary W. Merrimaii

June 10, 1892

Jackson

New York . .

Patton Morrison

Aug. 31, 1892

Ja<*kson

New York

Mary J. Moshier

Nov. 21, 1892

Sandstone

Old resident

Wm. C. Nicholas

Sept. 18, 1892

Jackson

New York

8?,

Wm Northrup

Oct. 8, 1892

Rives

New York

Eliza M. Olds

June 21, 1892

Jackson

Maryland

Lorinda Pease

Sept. 10, 1892

Grass Lake

New York

Lncinda Pickett . .

July 27, 1892

Jackson

New York

8?,

Wm. Raven

Sept. 16, 1892

Summit

England

Mark L. Ray

Oct. 8, 1892

Concord

Vermont

Hosea Reeve

Aug. 18, 1892

Rives

New York

Harriet E. Robison

Aug. 3, 1892

Jackson

-8?,

Mrs. Anna Rogers

June 26, 1892

Leoni

Resident since 1858.

Catherine Scott

Oct. 15, 1892..

Jackson

New York....

8?,

Philip B. Shaw

July 16, 1892

Sandstone

Ireland

Dorcas Sprague .. .

Oct. 7, 1892

Jackson

Maine

Burton Spencer

Dec. 12, 1892 .

Jackson ...

New York .

Gillet Stephens

July 19, 1892..

Hanov«r .

New York....

Zenas Stilson

Dec. 1, 1892

Henrietta

New York

Wallace W. Sutton . .

Feb. 17, 1893

Leoni .

Old resident

Ebenezer Taylor

July 5, 1892

Grass Lake .

New York

Martin Tripp

Dec. 11, 1892

Horton

New York

Charles C. Turner

Aug. 8, 1892

Jackson

New York

Resident 55 years

Abraham Van Gordon

Dec. 10, 1892

Springport

Mrs. Susan F. Wallace

Feb. 8, 1893...

Spring Arbor

Rath Wallack

Oct. 24, 1892

Pulaski

New York

Perry Weatherby

July 30, 1892

Liberty

Old resident

Thomas Wheaton . .

Aug. 18, 1892 .

Grass Lake .

New York

Clarissa White

Nov. 2, 1892...

Jackson

Canada

Martha White

Aug. 31, 1892

Jackson

New York

Reuben White .

Dec. 15, 1892

Jackson

New York

Rosina Wickwire.

Dec. 4, 1892...

Black man

Thomas Woodliff

Oct. 21, 1892

Hanover

England

Caroline Woods

Aug. 9, 1892...

Jackson

New York....

Sarah Young

Nov. 9, 1892...

Jackson.'

New Jersey

Resident 40 years

JOSEPH F. BAILEY. — Joseph F, Bailey died at the family residence,

533 North Blackstone street, Jackson, November 4, 1892, aged 61 years.

Deceased was born in Fairfield, Vt., in 1831, and came to Jackson

104 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

forty years ago. He had been a member of the First M. E. church
thirty-nine years, and there are but three members living who united
with the church so far back.

He leaves a wife and three children, one son and two daughters.

JAMES W. BENNETT. — James W. Bennett died at Batavia, N. Y.,
November 10, 1892. Mr. Bennett was a native of New York, and for
a time had a place in the custom house in New York city. He was a
lawyer by profession and came to Jackson in 1854, where he has since
resided. During his residence here he was quite interested in politics,
being an ardent democrat. He was elected circuit commissioner, and
was also elected justice of the peace in Jackson. At one time he held
the place of city attorney. Squire Bennett had been in poor health
for some time. He was well known in Jackson and his familiar figure
will be missed.

CHAUNCEY K. BRONSON. — Chauncey K. Bronson died at his home in
Minneapolis, Minn., February 10, 1893, aged 71 years.

Mr. Bronson came to Jackson with his parents in the days when
Michigan was a territory. He was born in Detroit and came from
that city to Jackson when but a boy, and for over fifty years resided
in this city continuously. All of those years Mr. Bronson was in the
dry goods trade, and had a personal acquaintance with nearly every
farmer in the county, as well as residents of the city. He was a man
noted for his generosity, and recipients of his aid and fatherly advice
will ever hold him in grateful remembrance. Some eleven years since
he removed to Minneapolis, but after taking up his abode in that city
frequently visited Jackson.

The news of his death will be received with sorrow by his numerous
friends in this city and county.

Deceased leaves a widow and three children, a daughter at Glendive,
Montana; a son at Whatcom, Washington; a son, Frank, manager of
the Fidelity National bank, at Chicago; and a brother, George, at
Tacoma, Washington.

OLIVEB E. COLE. — Oliver K. Cole died at his home, corner of Black-
stone and Franklin streets, Jackson, August 26, 1892.

Mr. Cole was 79 years of age and had been an invalid for the last
15 years of his life, with bronchial consumption.

Rome, Oneida county, N. Y., was the birthplace of the deceased. In
1837 he left the state of New York for Michigan, being one month on

MEMORIAL REPORT— JACKSON COUNTY. 105

the road. The journey was made on foot to Camden, Hillsdale county,
where Mr. Cole settled. His nearest neighbors were one and a half
miles distant from his cabin and the nearest market was Jonesville,
twenty miles away. At that time Reading and Camden constituted
one township, and there were but thirty-one voters in this entire
township. Mr. Cole moved to Jackson a few years later, and for
twenty-one years be was employed in the prison. For five years he
was stationed at the outside gate, and for sixteen years he was
shopkeeper.

Mr. Cole leaves a widow, Mrs. Sarah P. Cole, and a brother, Clark
Cole, whose home is on Ingham street, Jackson.

PETER E. DEMILL. — Peter E. DeMill, of Detroit, formerly a resident
of Jackson, and one of the first county officers of Jackson county, also
a member of Jackson lodge No. 4, I. O. O. F. ever since it was
instituted, being initiated in the lodge on the first night of its
existence, August 17, 1844, and a continuous member ever since, died
at his residence in Detroit October 31, 1892, aged 85 years.

He represented Jackson lodge No. 4 in the grand lodge of Michigan
in 1850, and was elected grand warden in 1852, being a member of the
order forty-eight years.

Past Grand Masters F. M. Foster and C. H. Haskins went to
Detroit to represent Jackson lodge No. 4, of Jackson, at the funeral.

PHILO M. EVERETT. — The Marquette Mining Journal has the follow-
ing obituary notice of Philo M. Everett, who will be well remembered
by the older residents of the Central City:

The oldest resident of Marquette, the pioneer of Marquette county
and of the Lake Superior iron country, the man to whom the Indians
showed the great " iron mountain " which became the Jackson mine,
oldest of all the mines of the Lake Superior country, breathed his last
on September 28, 1892, at the residence of his son-in-law, Hon. D. H.
Ball.

Philo Marshall Everett was born at Winchester, Conn., October 21,
1807. While a young man he settled in New 'York state, where he
was married to Miss Mehitable E. Johnson, of Utica, in 1833. In
1840 he moved to Jackson and engaged in mercantile business, together
with the forwarding and commission business.

Mr. Everett first came to Lake Superior in June, 1845, in charge of
an exploring party sent out by a little body of men there organized
14

106 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

into the Jackson Mining company, afterwards the Jackson Iron
company. With this party he discovered and located the famous
Jackson mine, and after the summer here he returned home. In 1857
he brought up for the Elys the first locomotive ever seen on the shore
of Lake Superior. Afterward he engaged in the mercantile business
here, and later in banking and insurance, accumulating considerable
property, which was swept away in the terrible depression throughout
this region following the panic of 1871.

Mr. Everett took great interest in politics, having been an ardent
republican from the first formation of the party "under the oaks."

In the fall of 1883, shortly after the celebration of their golden wed-
ding, Mrs. Everett died, and since then, .in feeble health, with sight
and hearing greatly impaired, he has made his home with his daughter,
Mrs. D. H. Ball. His other children are Mrs. B. P. Robins and C.
M. Everett, of Jackson, Edward P. Everett, of Grand Rapids, and
Catherine E. Everett, now living in Chicago.

JAMES GILDART. — James Gildart, an old pioneer of Waterloo town-
ship, died March 8, 1893, in Brooks, Kan., aged 79 years. He came
to Michigan in 1841 from Staffordshire, Eng., and is well remembered
by many old residents of Waterloo. He was the father of Win. B.
Gildart, the editor and founder of the Stockbridge Sun.

MRS. WILLIAM GUNN. — Mrs. William Gunn died April 16, 1893, at
her home in Blackman, aged 67 years.

Mrs. Gunn had resided in Michigan for forty-nine years, and for
forty-six years had resided in Sandstone and Blackman townships.
Mrs. Gunn was well known in this county and was warmly regarded
for her many excellent qualities as a friend, wife, mother, and
neighbor. Her death will be learned with sorrow by her many friends,

JOHN HACKETT. — John Hackett died October 13, 1892, at the
residence of his daughter, Mrs. Bracey, on East Main street, Jackson.

Mr. flackett had resided in Jackson county for many years, having
lived on his farm in Leoni for 25 years. He was born in Ireland and
came to Jackson at an early day, and continued to reside here up to
the time of going on the farm. His age was 70 years.

NATHANIEL B. HALL.— Nathaniel B. Hall died June 7, 1892.
Mr. Hail was born at Bennington, Vt, September 2, 1826, and was
consequently nearly 66 years of age. He grew up in the Green

MEMORIAL REPORT-JACKSON COUNTY. 107

Mountain state and engaged in business there. At the breaking out of
the war he gave up his private business and for two years gave his
entire time to the work of organizing military companies and sending
them to the front. In 1864 he enlisted as major of the 14th Vermont
volunteers, and did valiant duty at the front until the close of the war,
participating in the battle of Gettysburg and other noted engagements.

In 1870 he came to Jackson and engaged in the insurance business
with the late James Gould and N. C. Lowe. He was a lawyer by
profession and was a member of the Jackson county bar, but seldom
practiced in court. He was not a politician in any sense of the word,
and although often urged to accept nominations to office persistently
declined. He was, however, prevailed upon to accept an appointment
at one time as a member of the board of public works, a position
which he filled with honor and integrity. A year ago he was appointed
a member of the board of police commissioners, but tendered his
resignation several weeks ago, which, however, was not accepted until
last Monday night. Mr. Hall was a member of Jackson Chapter E.
A. M. He leaves a wife and three children, Mrs. Harriet Kennedy,
Harry K. Hall, and Mrs. Dolly Blanchard.

Mr. Hall was a gentleman of high attainments and of the greatest
integrity. His sense of honor was always of the most pronounced type
and he was among Jackson's most progressive business men. His
estimable qualities made for him hosts of friends who will sincerely
mourn his loss.

ELIAL W. HEATON. — Elial W. Heaton died at his home on Green-
wood avenue, Jackson, October 18, 1892, aged 76 years.

Mr. Heaton was born in Clinton county, N. Y., July 10, 1816.
Before reaching his majority he learned the trade of shoemaker, which
he followed several years after he came to this city in 1847. In 1851
he embarked in the meat market business and followed that calling
until 1862. During that time he supplied the State prison for eight
years with meat. During the fifties he was a very active, energetic
business man and contributed largely of his time and money to advance
the interests of the city. In politics Mr. Heaton was always a
democrat but never held but one office, that of councilman of the
village. He leaves a wife and five children: Frank S., W. P., Ed. K.,
Fred W., and Mrs. Fred Slayton.

NOAH KEELER. — Noah Keeler, one of the oldest pioneers of Jackson
county, died at his residence in the township of Liberty, July 10,

108 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

1892, in his 81st year. Born in Avoca, Steuben county, N. Y., he
worked on his father's farm in the Cohocton valley, until he was 22
or 23 years old, when he came to this county and settled on the farm
on which he died. At the time he came west, Michigan was a frontier
territory and Jackson county very thinly settled. There were at that
time less than a dozen residents in the township and the country
presented the appearance of an almost unbroken wilderness. Then no
railroad had been thought of, and only a few short stage routes were
in operation. No grist mill was located nearer than Ann Arbor, forty
miles distant. The first grain he had ground he carried on his
shoulders to and from Ann Arbor. He persevered, however, until he
won an elegant home, wealth, and an honorable position in society.

He was honest and upright in every act of his long life. To the
deserving poor he was warm hearted, generous, and kind, and " Uncle
Noah," as he was familiarly called, will long be remembered for his
honesty, generosity, and many kindly deeds; and he will be missed by
every one who knew him. A brusque, and sometimes rough manner,
covered a strong and noble heart.

In politics he was an uncompromising Jeffersonian democrat, and
had been a subscriber to the Jackson Patriot from its beginning. He
was always strong in his convictions of right and maintained them in
a vigorous manner.

"Uncle Noah" leaves a widow and two children, Ransom Keeler and
Mrs. Joseph Hawkins, to mourn the loss of the husband and father.

NELSON KELLEY. — Nelson Kelley died at his home in Columbia
township, September 11, 1892, aged 69 years.

His death, though expected is a severe affliction to his family, and a
great loss to the community where he had lived more than half 'a
century. Mr. Kelley was a pioneer of Jackson county and ever one of
its best citizens. Born in Middletown, N. Y., in 1823, he came with
his parents to Michigan in 1839, settled on a crude farm in the present
township of Columbia, and at once began the hard life of a pioneer
farmer. In 1844 he married Miss Margaret Brooks and purchased a
farm near Kelley's corners where he continued to reside until his death.
By toil, industry, and good management he accumulated a large farm
estate, numbering upwards of 400 acres, together with much other
property. Nelson Kelley was a man of broad and liberal views, upright
and honorable in all the affairs of life, a man whose friends were as
numerous as his acquaintances and who never had an enemy. His
aged wife survives him together with two children, Merchant Kelley, a

MEMORIAL REPORT— JACKSON COUNTY. 109

prominent farmer of Columbia, and Mrs. John S. Flint, wife of
Supervisor Flint of that townsMp.

MRS. SARAH NIXON. — Mrs. Sarah Nixon, of South Jackson, widow of
the late William Nixon, departed this life September 9, 1892, aged 78
years.

Mrs. Nixon was born in the town of Washington, Dutchess county,
N. Y., April 17, 1814, removing to Sharon, Washtenaw county in 1835,
and was married to William Nixon in 1887. They resided in Sharon
until 1873, when they came to South Jackson, where the remainder of
their days were passed. Seven children were born to them five of
whom are now living. They are Mrs. Martin Rowe, Norman and
Eugene Nixon, of South Jackson; Mrs. Arthur Root, of Liberty, and
Mrs. Darius Manchester of Jackson. Mrs. Nixon was a woman of
strong character, always standing for the right. It is but a few
months since that her companion of fifty-five years left for the other
shore.

MARTIN OLDS. — Martin Olds died at his home in Jackson October 1,
1892.

In the removal of Mr. Olds by death, another of those hardy pioneers
who assisted in transforming this region from an absolute wilderness
into a place of beauty is taken away.

Mr. Olds was born in England seventy-six years since. When a
young man he came to America and settled in Oakland county. He
came to Jackson county about 40 years since and located a farm in
Spring Arbor, where he continued to reside up to twelve years ago,
when he retired and removed to Jackson, in order to be near his only
child, Mrs Charles W. Fowler, who died about one year ago. Since
coming to Jackson Mr. Olds has resided at his late residence on
Greenwood avenue.

Mr. Old's life has been an exemplary one. When a young man he
united with the Freewill Baptist church in his native land, and has
been a consistent member of that denomination for a period of more
than fifty years. Deceased was ever generous, possessing a great heart,
and his voice was always on the side of the weak and oppressed. His
many acts of kindness to neighbors and friends will never be forgotten
while life lasts.

Deceased leaves a widow and son-in-law, Mr. Fowler.

CHAS. W. PENNY. — Chas. W. Penny died at his home in Ann Arbor
December 6, 1892.

110 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Mr. Penny was one of the first settlers in Jackson, and for a number
of years was in the dry goods business, being associated with S. S.
Vaughn and later with Charles King. Mr. Penny removed to Ann
Arbor several years ago.

He leaves a wife, Mrs. Henrietta C. Penny, and two daughters, Mrs.
A. F. Lange, of Berkley, California, and Miss Jessica Y. Penny, a
teacher in the Ishpeming schools.

DANIEL D. PETKIE. — Daniel D. Petrie died at his home in Jackson
October 11, 1892.

Mr. Petrie was born April 13, 1830, at Little Falls, Herkimer
county, N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1838, with his parents and
settled in Concord township, where he resided for many years. Mr.
Petrie spent a portion of his time after reaching manhood in teaching
and acted as an attorney in the justice courts. He served one term as
justice in Concord township, after which he moved to Parma, where
he opened a furniture and undertaking establishment. While living
at Parma he served four terms as justice or sixteen years in all. Nine
years ago he removed to Jackson, where he has since resided. Mr.
Petrie was married May 27, 1855, to Miss Charlotte Walker, who,
with three daughters and two sons survive him.

Mr. Petrie was a member of the Baptist church at Parma, and was
an earnest worker in church and Sunday school.

CHAS. H. PLUMMER. — Chas. H. Plummer died at his home in Saginaw
November 2, 1892.

Mr. Piummer was a native of Maine and was born in Kennebec
county, July 10, 1840. His father was of English descent, while in
his mother's veins coursed the true Scotch blood; and he was proud
of her who molded his early ideas and energy.

Mr. Plummer was born upon a farm, but he never took kindly to
tilling the soil, and at an early age he longed to cut loose and make
his way in the world, and was not content until he had entered the
saw mills and forests of Maine, where he found congenial occupation,
and there he remained - until 1861, when the civil war broke out.
Fired with patriotism he walked twelve miles to a recruiting station
and enlisted, though the commanding officer hesitated to accept him
on account of his youth. He refused a commission and served in the
ranks.

It was his seeming desire through life to be classed among the
people, and while he was ambitious, it was not of that character so

MEMORIAL REPORT— JACKSON COUNTY. Ill

often witnessed among men, to domineer or dictate At the expiration
of two years he again enlisted for the war, and was among the first
to enter Richmond in 1865.

At the close of the war he returned to the lumber business, but he
was not content with the narrow fields of Maine and embarked alone
and unaided for Minnesota, when, after five years' experience, he
removed to Michigan, and in 1869 began operations with Daniel
Hardin and W. S. Green & Son at Saginaw. Later the firm of
Sturtevant, Green & Plummer was organized at Saginaw, with Mr.
Plummer as manager. He also became a member and was made
manager of the Plummer Logging Company, and with various other
extensive lumber institutions, all of which proved successful. Still
later he opened a flouring mill in Saginaw City and became president
of the Plummer Lumber Company of Sandusky, O. In 1884 he
opened a lumber yard and planing mill in Jackson which proved a
well paying investment. '

When it is considered that Mr. Plummer never had the advantage
of superior schools, but was self educated and equipped by his own
experience his achievements border on the marvelous.

Mr. Plummer had large property interests in Jackson, the same
being estimated at the value of $60,000. He was prominently identified
with the business interests of Jackson and was largely instrumental in
its growth and prosperity. He had recently built nineteen houses on
lots owned by him there. His generosity was great, but unostentatious.
Many a poor family of Jackson will attest the truth of this.

As is well known, he met with financial reverses during the past
year, but his indomitable will and energy would have overcome all
obstacles had he lived a short time longer.

Personally, Mr. Plummer was the most affable of men, and he
counted his friends by the thousand.

MR. AND MRS. PHILANDEB REMINGTON. — Philander Remington died at
his home in Grand Rapids January 14, 1892, aged 90 years.

Mr. Remington lived in Jackson for many years until his removal to
Grand Rapids eighteen or twenty years ago. He was a member of
Jackson lodge No. 4, I. O. O. F., and Grand Master Haskin went to
Grand Rapids to attend the funeral. He was an ardent democrat,
having voted for Andrew Jackson and for every democratic candidate
for the presidency since that time.

Mrs. Remington died January 13, 1892, aged 84 years, and the aged

112 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

couple were buried in one grave, after having lived together happily
and harmoniously for about sixty-five years. They were both members
of the Congregational church.

MRS. HIRAM H. SMITH. — Mrs. Hiram H. Smith died March 11, 1893,
at the family residence, 1601 East Main street, Jackson.

Mrs. Smith was a daughter of Philo Bates and was born in Genesee
county, N» Y., October 16, 1819.

As a member of her father's family she moved to Ionia county,
Michigan in 1885. From about 1843 she was a frequent visitor with
her relatives in Jackson, and in 1849 she became the wife of Dr. Geo.
W. Gorham of that city. Dr. Gorham died in 1860, and in 1865 she
became the wife of Hiram H Smith, her death now terminating a happy
union of twenty-eight years.

Her two children, Seymour B. Gorham of Ionia, Michigan, and
Samuel Denton Gorham of Jackson, Tennessee, survive her, and she
has also a mother's place in the hearts of her stepchildren, Henry H.
Smith, Dwight 8. Smith, and Mrs. E. M. Newman, all of Jackson.
The deceased was a sister of Mrs. C. R. Knickerbocker of Jackson,
and of Philo T. Bates and William Bates, both still living in Ionia.
The place filled by Mrs. Smith was in the hearts of the many rather
than the few. She was loved by everybody she knew, and she was equally
at home among all classes. Her decease leaves a void in the hearts of
very many people. Her genial manner and kind impulses will cause
her to be long remembered. The loss, irreparable to him who has
been her home companion during so many years, is one in which he
has "the sympathy of their long list of friends and acquaintances.

Mrs. Smith was a member of the Episcopal church of Jackson for
more than forty years preceding the time of her death.

SIDNEY S. SMITH. — Sidney S. Smith died at his home in Eives
October 21, 1892, aged 75 years. Mr. Smith was one of Jackson
county's oldest residents, having lived in this county some forty years,
coming here from Vermont. Mr. Smith was a life long democrat and
a great admirer of Grover Cleveland.

Deceased celebrated his golden wedding in January. He is survived
by his aged wife and all of his children, viz., Mrs. Haight, St. Louis;
Mrs. Bugby and Mrs. Frank Northrup, Chicago; Edgar Smith, Eives;
and Mrs. S. B. Mettler, of Jackson.

MEMORIAL REPORT— JACKSON COUNTY. 113

MBS. SARAH E. STONE. — Mrs. Sarah E. Stone died at the home of
her son in Horton, August 9, 1892, aged 84 years, 8 months.

The deceased was a daughter of Jonathan and Ruth Brown, and was
born in the state of New Jersey, town of Railway, November 20, 1807.
She came to Michigan with her parents in 1834. Subsequently she
made the acquaintance of her future husband, Chas. S. Stone. It is
believed they were the first to be united in marriage in Hanover
township, they settled on a tract of land and endured all the
hardships and toils of a pioneer life.

They became the parents of eight children, six of whom are still
living, four being residents of Hanover township: Julia M., wife of
Maynard Sharpe; Mary H., wife of Harry D. Griswold; Hattie,
deceased wife of B. C. Hatch; Myra J., wife of C. E. P. Hatch; Albert
N. Stone, Orlando C. Stone, and Delia S., wife of Teeter Blair.

The deceased at the time of her death was the mother of six living
children, grandmother of sixteen, and great-grandmother of thirteen,
making a total of thirty-five living descendents.

JOHN H. TELFORD. — John H. Telford, one of Jackson's best known
citizens and a man held in high esteem, died at his home, 111 First
street, August 9, 1892. Mr. Telford was a successful business man,
who had a very large circle of friends. He was born in Ulster
county, Ireland, October 1, 1833. He was brought up there, coming to
this country in 1857. Settling in Troy, N. Y., Mr. Telford engaged in
the flour milling business. He remained in this line until tne close of
the war, when he removed to Jackson.

Mr. Telford carried on a grain business here for a number of years,
embarking in the coal and wood business in 1878. At the time of his
death and for the past nine years he was senior member of the firm
of John H. Telford & Son, the junior partner being John H. Telford,
Jr. The deceased leaves this son and two daughters. His wife died
thirteen years ago. He was a member of St. Paul's church.

MRS. FREDERIC WARREN. — Mrs. Frederic Warren died at Spring
Arbor February 4, 1$93, aged 70 years.

Deceased was born in Steuben county, N. Y., in 1823, and has lived
in Michigan most of the time since an early day. She was a member
of the Wesleyan Methodist church, a devoted Christian and a kind
friend and neighbor, who will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
She leaves a husband and four daughters, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Baldwin,
Mrs. Ira Cole, and Mrs. Charles Shaw, all of Jackson.
15

114 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

JOHN WEBB.— John Webb, for nearly 50 years a resident of Jackson,
died suddenly at his home February 19, 1893.

He was born in the borough of Down ton, in Wiltshire, England, May
27, 1821, and there acquired a common school education; being reared
to habits of industry and the principles which make of men good
citizens and reliable members of society. Orphaned at an early age he
was thrown upon his own resources and went to work in a bakery in
Bradford, where he learned the trade and continued until the spring
of 1844. Then he came into the states, following his trade in different
cities and finally located in Detroit.

In 1846 he came to this county. He still followed his trade and at
the expiration of two and one-half years associated himself in partner-
ship with Joseph Butler, a partnership which existed harmoniously for
sixteen years. Mr. Webb then purchased the entire business which he
conducted successfully, while Mr. Butler retired to the farm which
they owned jointly. Mr. Webb removed his business to the Empire
block, which likewise was owned by himself and partner, but of which
he was at the time of his death sole proprietor. He carried on the
bakery and confectionery business there until 1872, then selling out
and renting his building, withdrew from the active cares of life.

In April, 1843, almost fifty years ago, he was married to Miss Jane
McLeod, a native of Cork, Ireland, a daughter of an Irish gentleman
who married an English lady. She has been a helpmeet to Mr. Webb
always and the source of much happiness; she survives him. But one
child was born to them, Emily, now the wife of E. P. Burrell of
Albion.

MRS. JULIA WHITE.— Mrs. Julia White, mother of Mrs. Spencer
Moulton, died June 12, 1892, at the home of her daughter on Mechanic
street, Jackson, aged 68 years.

MRS. White came to Michigan with her father, the late George
Stranaham of Columbia, fifty-five years ago, since which time she has
always resided in Jackson county. Her husband, Tenny White died
twelve years ago.

MRS. ELLEN WILMORE.— Mrs. Ellen Wilmore, wife of Thomas Wil-
more, died August 17, 1892, at her residence, 312 West Mason street,
Jackson, aged 69 years. Mrs. Wilmore was born in Philadelphia and
came to this State in 1848, when it was a mere wilderness, settling in
Jackson county, where she had resided ever since. All who knew her

MEMORIAL REPORT-JACKSON COUNTY. 115

•esteemed her for her amiable disposition and many kindly deeds. She
, leaves a husband and six children.

MICHAEL WUNDERLICH.— Michael Wunderlich, who died August 15,
1893, was one of the oldest German residents of Jackson. He was 67
years of age and came to Jackson forty years ago, and for the past
thirty-one years has been in the employ of the Michigan Central rail-
road. He was a member of the German Workingmen's society No. 1;
Court Jackson lodge No. 43, I. O. (X F.; Jackson lodge No. 4, I. O.
O. F. ; Wildey encampment No. 5, and Jackson lodge No. 17, F. and
A. M. His wife died last February. He leaves three children, Lewis
Wunderlich,* Mrs. F. W. Hahn, and Miss Anna, Wunderlich.

TUNIS VROOMA.N.— Tunis Vrooman died February 25, 1893, at his
residence in Summit, of old age. He was born in Middleburg, Scho-
harie county, N. Y., and would have been 91 years of age the 29th of
next April. Mr. Vrooman came to Michigan in the fall of 1835 and
located at Jacksonburgh, near Summit on section 19. He was four
times married; in 1823 to Hannah Knieskern of Carlisle, N. Y., who
died six years after of consumption. Two years later he married Eliza
€raig of Shelby, Orleans county. She died in 1853 and two years
thereafter, her sister Mary became his wife. The latter died in 1868,
and January 26. 1871, he married his fourth and present wife, Mrs.
Eliza Huggins Freeman of Jackson. The deceased leaves six children:
Mrs. Hannah Walworth, Moscow, Hillsdale county; Mrs. Olive Brickley,
David Vrooman, and Mrs. Cornelia Goldsmith of Isabella county; Mrs.
Melinda Creech, Gratiot county; and Tunis Vrooman, Jr., of Summit.
Mr. Vrooman's farm consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of land
in flourishing condition. He was a member of the Christian church,
as is also his wife. The deceased was a democrat, and he was a man
highly respected in the com*munity.

116

ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

KALAMAZOO COUNTY.

BY HENEY BISHOP.

Date of
death.

Name.

Age.

Date of
death.

Name.

Age.

1892.
June 19

Mrs. Jerusha Cook

1892.
Dec. 12

Mrs. Jerome T. Cobb

Francis L. C. Denison.

Garrett Stuart

*A. D. P. Van Buren. . .

John Maloy

July 7

John Phillips

1893.

Worlender Fellows

Jan. 9

I. M. White

Mrs. Seneca Smith

Mrs. D wight May

Anson L. Ranney.

Russell Mason

7»

Freeman Chandler..

Thomas Rix

Martha A. Hawes.

Mrs. Albert B. Judson

Hiram D. Loveland. . _.

Feb. 2

George Hoyt.

* Hiram Arnold

William M. Beeman

Aug. 11

Edmund 8. Weeks

James Wrieht

John Potter

Henry Vandelere..

Catherine E. Lovill

Dr. John Briggs

Loretta Shaf ter Ransom

March 20

Alpheus Rood .

Justin Cooper

Fitch Drake

Sept. 19

Parmelia Ashley .

George Nesbitt

John Stiver ... '.

Bridget Nolan

Oct. 6

Maria Abraham

April 7

George Judge . -

Julia E. Stuart _

Samuel D. Walbridge

Frederick Woodhams

Flaria Vandewalker

Stephen Smith

Mrs. E. A. Bradley

John Glynn _ .

Albert Plough

Mrs. Freegift Kolston

May 11

Sarah Bush

Mrs. Sarah M.Burdick

Almira J, Hogeboom..

Julia K. Krum.

John Wilson

Nov. 18

Susan Gould. .

Mrs. E. P. Oatman

Mrs. Joseph Beckley.. . .

William Worthington

Mrs. William De Visser....

Dinnis Coogan .

Dec. 5

William Parker

Mrs. Hiram Moon

George Van De Walker

June 2

*Stephen F. Brown

7-t

Joseph Beckley

* State pioneer.

MEMORIAL REPORT— KALAMAZOO COUNTY. 117

JONATHAN PARSONS.— Jonathan Parsons died at Saratoga, N. Y.,
whither he had gone for treatment, on August 17, 1892, aged 72 years,
and was brought to his home at Kalamazoo for interment. He was
born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, October 7, 1820, and lived
there during his boyhood. When a young man he removed to
Marshall. Michigan, and stayed there a short time, going from there
to Bellevue, where he was a clerk in the employ of the late J. P.
Woodbury. In the early forties he went to Kalamazoo, and engaged
in the dry goods business with the late William A. Wood, continuing
in the same a few years. He afterwards engaged with the late Hon.
Allen Potter and Mr. Henry Gale in the hardware business. March 1,
1860, a partnership was formed by him in the hardware business with
the late Mr. Henry Wood, which continued until March 1, 1888, since
which time he has not been actively engaged in business pursuits.

Mr. Parsons was a staunch republican and had seen the party pass
through many changes. He was three times elected to the State
legislature, and served several times as a member of the village board
of trustees. He had been a member of the First Presbyterian church
for about a half century, and was a member of the session for many
years. He was also an elder and was clerk of the board of elders at
the time of his lamented death. Mr. Parsons was at one time a trustee
of Michigan Female seminary of Kalamazoo.

His business interests were large and varied. He was a director of
the Michigan National Bank, a heavy stockholder in the Kalamazoo
Paper Mill, and also had an interest in the Parsons Paper Company
of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Mr. Parsons owned the old homestead at
West Springfield, Massachusetts, which has been in the family about two
hundred years. Among his interests was a large mint farm at
Decatur.

As a member of the legislature Mr Parsons served his constituency
well, voting on all questions as he thought would best serve his State.
As a trustee of Michigan Female Seminary he had the best interests
of that institution at heart. As an active member and supporter of
the church' he will also be missed, and as a business man his word
was all that was necessary to obtain and hold the confidence of the
people. Mr. Jonathan Parsons was a thoroughly good man and his
life may be well considered an example in the community where he
had lived so many years.

He leaves a wife and three sons and three daughters: Mrs. C. M.
Phelps of Holyoke, Mass.; Miss Adella of Kalamazoo; Mrs. Edward P.
Bagg of Holyoke, Mass.; and Mr. E. C. Parsons of Kalamazoo, Mr.

118 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

George S. Parsons of Holyoke, Mass., and Mr. Allen Parsons of
Denver.

GEORGE NESBITT. — George Nesbitt, whose death occurred March 25,
1893, at the ripe age of 87 years, was one of the very few who settled in
Kalamazoo county as early as 1830. Mr. Nesbitt settled on as beautiful
a piece of government land as could be found in the State, which he
cultivated and on which he erected all the buildings necessary for a
comfortable home' for himself and family, and all necessary buildings
for farming purposes. This was his Prairie Ronde home where he
resided till the day of his death. He was of a very quiet, domestic
nature; one that required no laws to keep him from transgressing on
the rights of others, but on the other hand set such an example to
others as helped to make the neighborhood a more desirable place to
live and to enjoy all that makes man's own broad acres a home so
independent over the city or the village.

Mr. Nesbitt's education was sufficient to enable him to fill any office
in the gift of the citizens of his township, and while he never sought
office he held the office of supervisor for a number of years, and 'the
office of justice of the peace for some forty years, but only used it to
legalize documents to go on record, always preferring that his neigh-
bors should be at peace with each other without his assistance
officially.

Those first settlers had a hard struggle to obtain the bare necessities
of life; and clothed themselves in a cheap, home made material, and
they became so enured to that mode and manner of living that when
more prosperous times came to them they did not feel like entering
into the more modern extravagant way of living, or to run any risk of
losing the home they had struggled hard to obtain.

STEPHEN F. BROWN. — Hon. Stephen F. Brown was born in London
county, Virginia, December 31, 1819, and came with his father to
Michigan when a boy at the age of 11 years, and settled on a farm in
the township of Schoolcraft, December, 1830. His only^ chance to
procure an education was at a district school, then kept three months
in the winter, the other nine months he was employed on his father's
farm, but he was very ambitious to fit himself to take an active part
in politics; first began to speak at school lyceums, then on the stump
in the interest of the whig party, and after the organization of the
republican party he became a Jealous member and represented his
county as its representative two terms in the State legislature, in 1856
and 1858; in 1860, 1864, and 1884 as senator, which offices he filled

MEMORIAL REPORT— KALAMAZOO COUNTY. 119

honestly and so ably as to render himself very popular with, his
constituents and was ever after, as long as he lived, looked upon as one
who had served them honestly and faithfully. He was a great admirer
of Henry Clay from whose life and speeches he first entered the field
of politics, and he became a very convincing public speaker.

He was the first master of the State Grange of Michigan and served
as its treasurer ten years, filling both offices in a very acceptable
manner. He has also filled the office of president of the Kalamazoo
county pioneer society. He purchased a farm near the old homestead
where he resided until he died, June 2, 1893, highly respected by all
who knew him. He did more than his full share in saving the
country during the late war by furnishing two sons in the cavalry, all
he had old enough to serve their country. His family consisted of
these two sons, one daughter, and one other son, then an infant. Mrs.
Brown, then speaking of her family, said she had two sons in the
cavalry and one in the infantry. The men of Stephen F. Brown's
stamp are fast passing away. What his farm produced by good
management and hard labor he used prudently to support himself and
family. He commenced life at a time when the latch string always
hung out and when, if he had money, he had no fear of being robbed.
His home farm life and domestic habits, and surrounded by neighbors
of like character, enabled him to live more in accord with nature's
simple requirements and away from the strife and turmoil and the
mode and manner of too many now in the villages and cities, who are
living on the fruits of others' labor.

Having been intimately acquainted with Mr. Brown for over fifty
years has induced me to write this imperfect, humble tribute to his
memory.

H. B.

120 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

KENT COUNTY.
BY WILLIAM N. COOK.

JAMES BLAIR. — James Blair died at his residence in Grand Rapids,
vDecember 18, 1892, from heart disease.

Mr. Blair was born at Blair's Landing on Lake George, in New
York state, January 2, 1829. When twelve years of age he removed
with his parents to Jackson, Michigan, and a year or two later located
on a farm near Grand river, about eight miles below Grand Rapids.
Farm life did not suit his active nature, and, when the Mexican war
broke out he desired to enlist, but his parents objected. Seeing a
steamer coming up the river one day, he left his oxen and plow
standing in the field, boarded the boat and went to Grand Rapids,
where he signed enlistment papers, but being too young, his father
took him back to the farm. Soon afterwards he went to Grand Rapids,
and engaged as a clerk in W. D. Robert's and other stores. Later he
was a partner with the late Lewis Porter in the clothing business.
During the war he was with the army of the Potomac as a suttler.
About 1868 he entered the law office of Col. Geo. Gray, then the
leader of the Kent county bar, as chief clerk. Here he acquired a
taste for the commercial branch of law practice and in 1871 opened a
law office for himself. A few months later, when Col. Gray left Grand
Rapids, Mr. Blair formed a partnership with the Hon. L. D. Norris
and purchased the retiring attorney's office and business. The follow-
ing year Willard Kingsley became a partner and, excepting one year,
has been associated with Mr. Blair ever since. Mr. Norris left the
firm and Judge J. W. Stone went in. Upon the election of the latter
to congress, Messrs. Eggleston and Kleinhans took his place, but Mr.
Eggleston soon after withdrew, and the present firm of Blair, Kingsley
& Kleinhans was formed and became the oldest law firm in Grand
Rapids.

OLIVER BLEAK.— Oliver Bleak, who has been in the grocery business
at the corner of Lagrave and Fulton streets, Grand Rapids, for so
many years, died at his residence over his store, June 6, 1893, aged 78
years.

Oliver Bleak was born in Holland, December 14, 1824. He served
in the Holland army as a lad, then in the dykes department, where
by his special ability before he was twenty-four years old, he secured
a position worth some $5,000 a year. His mother had come to the

MEMORIAL REPORT— KENT COUNTY. 121

United States previously, was settled near Buffalo, and so he and his
wife, at her urgent request, followed her, coming in 1848. He settled
on a dairy farm near his mother, and that was his home until 1855,
when he came to Grand Rapids to live and bought the corner lot,
where he died, for $900. That year he built the brick store where he,
has lived and done business ever since, and which has never been
changed in rooms since. He lived for a little time in the small house
at the rear of the lot. Mr. Bleak was a very quiet, retiring man. an
honest citizen, a good neighbor, a reliable friend. He had the respect
and esteem of all who knew him. His wife preceded him some three
years ago. He leaves two sons, Harry and Oliver, and two daughters,
Mrs. A. M. Maris and Miss Cornelia; the last has always lived at
home. He leaves a sister, Mrs. Yander Meulen of Buffalo; a half
brother, Mr. C. De Vlieger, and a half sister, Mrs. L. Fisher of Sand
Lake.

JOHN CORDES. — John Cordes died of pneumonia May 16, 1893, at his
home in the city of Grand Rapids, aged 71 years. Mr. Cordes was
among the pioneers of the Germans; was born at Westphalia, Germany.
Came to this country with his parents in 1836, then 14 years of age;
settled in Clinton county, Mich.; in 1843 he came to Grand Rapids
and secured work in the plaster quarries. In May, 1850, he joined the
company of Bostwick & Smith ;< id went to California. Returning in
1857 with $2,000* in gold he imTi diately invested it in groceries and
opened a store on Canal street, v here he had been continuously in
business ever since.

Mr. Cordes married Mrs. Anne Thome, who with three stalwart sons
survive him, and are his successors in business.

HON. E. S. EGGLESTON. — Hon. E. S. Eggleston, for many years a
prominent lawyer of Grand Rapids, died suddenly, August 8, 1892, at
the home of his brother, J. L. Eggleston, in Parma, Mich., where he
was visiting.

Ebenezer S. Eggleston was born in Batavia, N. Y., May 12, 1825.
He came west in 1837 and took up his residence in Litchfield, Hills-
dale county, where he received his education in the public schools.
He afterwards studied law, and in 1851 he came to Grand Rapids and
was admitted to the bar in 1852. He soon became recognized as one
of the leading lawyers in western Michigan and soon won distinction.
He was elected prosecuting attorney for Kent county in 1856 and
conducted the affairs of that office with credit to himself and to his
16

122 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

constituency. In 1861 he was appointed consul to Cadiz, Spain, by
President Lincoln, and held the office four years, discharging the
duties with marked efficiency. Eeturning to Michigan he was elected
a representative to the State legislature of 1873-4 from the first
district of Grand Bapids: During his term in this capacity he served
as an active member of the judiciary committee and chairman of the
committee on private corporations.

Mr. Eggleston during his residence in Grand Eapids formed several
law partnerships. His first was with Solomon L. Withey, under the
firm name of Withey & Eggleston. Colonel George Gray was after-
wards a member of the firm. Mr. Eggleston withdrew from the
partnership at the time of his appointment as minister to Cadiz. On
his return he entered into partnership with United States District
Attorney A. D. Griswold, and wag himself made assistant United
States district attorney, and conducted most of the prosecutions for the
government. His next partner was Jacob Kleinhans, with whom he
remained for several years. The firm afterward became Blair, Eggles-
ton, Kingsley & Kleinhans. Mr. Eggleston withdrew from the firm
and remained alone for a number of years. He then formed a
partnership with James E. McBribe, with whom he was associated for
several years, and during the past three years he has been alone, his
advanced age and failing health being a great drawback to his active
practice. Among the celebrated cases in which he \^as engaged were
the Clay- Con verse* law case; the Phillips murder case, in which he was
leading counsel; the Bronson murder case, the Yanderpool murder case,
tried in Hastings, in which he was retained by the county of Manistee,
and the Christ murder case, tried in Grand Eapids. In all of these
cases Mr. Eggleston greatly distinguished himself.

October 9, 1877, Mr. Eggleston met with a crushing blow which
saddened his later years, and from which he never recovered. His son,
Herbert W. Eggleston, a bright young man of great promise, was
accidentally killed while out hunting near Traverse City. The news
of the accident was a terrible shock to the father and it is said by
those who knew him well, that he was scarcely himself after that time.
Another great shock was the death of his wife, about five years ago.
The only surviving member of his immediate family is the married
daughter in Boston, Mass. In a few days after, this daughter, Bertha
Eggleston Ely, the last of his family, died at Boston.

ISRAEL VICTOR HARRIS.— Israel Victor Harris died at The Clarendon
in the city of Grand Eapids on Sunday, October 17, 1886.

MEMORIAL REPORT— KENT COUNTY. 123

Captain Harris was born at Pine Plains, Dutchess county, N. Y.y
April 2, 1815, received an academic education and until his removal to
Michigan in 1836 was engaged in farming, was commissioned a captain
of the N. Y. state militia by Governor Marcy. He arrived at Detroit
in December, 1836, and in the following spring made his way on foot to
Grand Rapids, where he was soon joined by his youngest brother Silas G.
with whom he formed a co-partnership with James M. Smith, with the
firm name of Smith, Harris & Co., keeping a general store, groceries,
dry goods and lumbermen's supplies. The partnership was dissolved in
1844. His brother Silas was elected to the state legislature at 25 years
of age and served as speaker of the house with much credit. He was
of delicate health and died early. Myron Harris, another brother, came
to Grand Rapids a year or two later, with whom he located eight or
ten miles west on Sand Creek, now in Talmage township, Ottawa
county, and engaged in lumbering and real estate business.

Captain Harris was supervisor of Talmage for six successive years,
and in 1852 was elected to the state senate running against Thomas W.
Ferry, for the district which then embraced Ottawa county and all of
those north to Mackinac; was a candidate for re-election but was
defeated by Mr. Ferry; he then retired from official life but remained
prominent in the counsels of the democratic party. In later years his
residence had been at Grand Haven where he was cordially and uni-
versally respected. He was always public spirited and influential in
promoting enterprises for the welfare and development of his town and
of the Grand River valley.

JUDGE ISAAC H. PARBISH. — Isaac H. Parrish died of apoplexy in
the city of Chicago, September 10, 1892, and was brought to Grand
Rapids for burial. Judge Parrish was born in Ontario county, N. Y.,
April 2, 1826 and came to Oakland county, Mich., in 1834. His youth
was spent on a farm, the family living in a log house in the woods,
and his early education was obtained in a log school house in Farm-
ington, Michigan. After he was 20 years of age he read law and was
admitted to the bar in 1848, then for twelve years he practiced suc-
cessively at Pontiac, in Wisconsin and at Chicago. He came to Grand
Rapids in 1861, in 1865 he was appointed clerk of the United States
court here and held that position ten years, after which he returned to
law practice. In 1881 he was elected judge of the superior court of
the city of Grand Rapids and ably filled the position during the term
of six years.

Judge Parrish from time to .time during his residence in Grand

124 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Rapids was a contributor to the local papers furnishing interesting his-
torical sketches of persons and events.

He leaves a widow, four daughters and a son.

REV. JAMES W. REID. — Rev. James W. Reid, pastor of the Second
street M. E. church of Grand Rapids, died at his home January 21,
1893. He was born in Machias, Maine, April 7, 1837. His father's
family moved to Michigan in 1859, and settled near St. Joseph. He
early took to teaching in Michigan and Wisconsin, and in 1861 studied
law, and was admitted to the bar under Judge B. F. Graves. In the
early 60's he practiced law in this village, being a member of the law
firm of Wilkinson, Reid & Cahill. It was while practicing his profes-
sion here that he was converted, and immediately joined the Methodist
Episcopal church and entered the ministry in the year 1868. His
appointments in the order named have been as follows: Traverse City,
Tekonsha, Homer, Grand Haven, Portland, Greenville, Girard, Union
City, St. Joseph, Charlotte, Three Rivers, Grand Rapids.

Mr. Reid originated the present system of conference finance, now
endorsed by the general conference, and was for many years treasurer
of the Michigan conference. He was also the author of what is known
as " The long roll call," of which Chaplain McCabe says, " He could
not have done the church as great service if he had given $100,000 to
the cause." Of late years the Rev. Mr. Reid has been actively inter-
ested in developing a system to better provide for the necessities of
worn out preachers, and has seen his own conference improve from an
offering of $1,500 to an annual fund of $10,000.

He has always been an active friend of camp meeting, an aggressive
evangelist worker, and was one of the projectors of the Eaton Rapids
camp meeting and the originator of the Michigan State Revival Band
and its first president, and was one of the chief workers for the
Hackley Park camp meeting. A firm believer in the principles of the
Prohibition party he resigned his charge two years ago to accept the
chairmanship of that party's state central committee, and for weeks
and months he devoted his time, money, and energy to the work.
The campaign over, he was again received by the district conference
and assigned to a church in Ravenna. So loud were the remonstrances
of his old parishioners in Grand Rapids, however, that Bishop New-
man was prevailed upon to restore him to his old charge, which he
had held ever since.

MR. and MRS. PHILANDER REMINGTON. — Philander Remington died
at his home in Grand Rapids, January 14, 1892. Mrs. Remington
died January 13, 1892. For sketches see page 111.

MEMORIAL REPORT— KENT COUNTY. 125

CHAS. A, EOBINSON.— Chas. A. Kobinson died January 11, 1893, aged
about 70 years.

Mr. Robinson came to Plymouth, Wayne county, from the state of
New York in an early day. Removed to Grand Rapids in 1855,
opening a livery business with John Coldron. He was a leader in the
Knights of Labor when they were first organized; was also prominent
in G. A. R. circles, being a member of the 10th Michigan Cavalry.

Deceased leaves a wife and Tson, Wm. A., also a daughter, Mrs. Mary
L. Turner. He was a member of the Old Residents' Association of
the Grand River valley.

JAS. D. ROBINSON.— Captain Jas. D. Robinson died September 18r
1892, aged 70 years.

Capt. Robinson was born in Belfast, Ireland, April 17, 1822. Came
to Grand Rapids in 1843 and worked at his trade (mason) for a
number of years; built a home in 1848, at the corner of 2d and
Scribner streets, it being the first brick house erected on the west side
of the river in Grand Rapids. He went to California in 1850, over-
land; on account of an injury received in the mines he returned by the
Isthmus or Panama route. In 1861 he enlisted in the 1st Regiment
Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, and was made captain of
Company C of that regiment.

Captain Robinson married Almeria Church, of Marshall, in 1853; his
widow and three daughters survive him.

He had acquired considerable property and was the president of
the Fifth National bank, also of the Grand Rapids Savings bank.

DR. CHARLES SHEPARD. — One by one the pioneers who saw Grand
Rapids expand from a hamlet in the wilderness into a city of 100,000
souls, are passing away. On March 8, 1893, Dr. Charles Shepard, the
pioneer physician, whose name is a household word not only in Grand
Rapids but throughout the State, peacefully passed to the other life
through the portals of sleep.

Charles Shepard was born July 18, 1812, in Herkimer, Herkimer
county, N. Y. He was the son of Silas Shepard, his mother's maiden
name being Anna White. The doctor spent his early youth at school
and with his father in the carpenter shop. At 18 he began to read
for his profession in the office of Dr. Harvey W. Doolittle, of
Herkimer, and graduated in March, 1835, from the college of physi-
cians and surgeons of the western district of New York, situated at
Fairfield. He practiced a few months in Jefferson county, N. Y., and
then came to Grand Rapids, arriving here October 20, 1835, and gave

126 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

out that he had come to stay and grow up with the promising village.
He was the third regular physician to establish in the village, but the
other two have long since passed away, and Dr. Shepard for many
years has enjoyed the reputation of being the oldest practitioner in the
city. His first call was to Ada, where he vaccinated 150 Indians on a
contract. The work of a physician in those early days was extremely
arduous. There were no roads about the country and he rode on
horseback, frequently going fifty miles through the wilderness to see
one patient. On one occasion he rode to Muskegon to perform
operations on several sailors injured by shipwreck. At that time the
city was made up of a sawmill and boarding house. The young
physician was guided by one undeviating principle in those early days;
if called, he went; no question of compensation was allowed to be a
factor in the case. The demand meant necessity; nobody had time to
nurse fanciful disorders. When done with a case he went home to
sleep, no matter what the hour, and it came to be understood that
absence from home invariably meant professional business.

Dr. Shepard was brought into prominent notice in 1837 by some
notable surgical operations performed upon the badly frozen crew of a
vessel which was wrecked near the mouth of the Muskegon river.
During 1813, 1860, and 1872, he spent much time in visiting the
medical and surgical institutions of New York City, and lost no
opportunity to keep at the very front of his profession. He was
particularly noted as a surgeon. In treating the diseases of women his
practice was simply unlimited, and he was conceded by his fellows to
be without a peer in that line in the State. He was a member of the
State medical association and was president of the Grand Rapids
medical society. In politics he was a republican, having been
converted from democracy in 1848. He served as alderman for several
years, and was mayor during 1855. In 1876 he represented Michigan
in the international medical congress at Philadelphia. He was a
Mason for twenty years.

The older residents will associate Dr. Shepard's memory with the
old fashioned stone residence and office on the hill where now the
Shepard building stands, the hill and house having both disappeared
some years ago. This was where his daily life was spent for forty
years, and it contained the medical library, which was one of the finest
in the State and in which he spent his time almost constantly when
not otherwise engaged. He was also greatly interested in microscopical
research and owned the finest outfit of that kind in the city. In 1887

MEMORIAL REPORT— KENT CO UNIT. 127

he purchased the property at Jefferson avenue and Oakes street from
L. H. Randall, and removed from the old homestead on the hill.

In religious belief Dr. Shepard was in early youth an evangelical
believer, but in later years he embraced the doctrines of Emanuel
Swedenborg. Dr. Shepard's leading characteristic, however, was his
practical charity, especially in his connection with the U. B. A. Home.
He was president of its board of managers and also chief of the
medical staff. Through the courtesy of fellow practitioners he was also
given an honorary position on the staff of St. Mark's hospital. He
was always in favor of allowing physicians of all schools to practice in
the U. B. A. Home and finally gained his point, which resulted in
allowing all physicians to practice there.

He was married in 1836 to Lucinda A. Putnam, who died in April,

1873. Their two daughters and a son by this marriage are all dead.

He was married the second time to Dora Sage, at Portland, Conn.

* They have had two sons, Charles and Silas E. Shepard, both of whom

are living and are aged 15 and 11 years respectively.

BILIUS STOCKING. — Ripe with age, Bilius Stocking peacefully passed
away May 28, 1893, at the residence he has occupied for more than
half a century on Seventh street, Grand Rapids, at the head of the
street which he marked out and which was named in his honor. Since
the earliest day he has lived here, and until the infirmities of age
overcame him, he was a vital part of the city's life, and was esteemed
by all who knew him for his sterling qualities as a man and citizen.

Mr. Stocking was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., on June 12,
1808, and in the fall of 1833, with his brother Daniel C., he came
west and spent the winter in St. Joseph, Michigan. »In May following,
fifty-nine years ago this month, they came to Grand Rapids, then a
little hamlet in the woods. They made the trip on foot, following an
Indian trail and two nights slept in the woods and one at Gull Prairie.
They remained here two weeks, meantime visiting Grand Haven,
thence returned as they came to St. Joseph, and thence by steamer to
Chicago, and from there to Ottawa, 111., near which place Daniel
Stocking purchased 160 acres of land. The brothers returned to the
East, the trip occupying four weeks, and in the fall of 1836 Mr.
Stocking again started for Grand Rapids, coming by water to Fairport,
Ohio, and the rest of the way on foot, arriving there in the fall. That
winter he chopped wood and split rails and the following spring settled
upon the place where he died, which he purchased of the gov-
ernment as soon as the land was opened for sale, at three dollars an

128 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

acre. He took a quarter section, and with his own hand he cleared
away the forest, and under his direction the farm became one of the
best in the county. As the city grew his neighbors became more
numerous, and the city's boundaries were extended, and the farm of
early days is now a part of the city, and many of the acres have been
cut up into building lots and are occupied by cozy homes. The old
homestead, with the wide lawn in front, and the meadow patch at the
side, and the apple and pear trees still standing, is the same as it has
been for many years and is one of the landmarks in that part of the
city. In the early days, while all was still in the forest state, without
compass or guide, Mr. Stocking marked out a road southeasterly from
his own front door to Bridge street, and this is now Stocking street
and is lined with houses. The street was named in his honor and
his name will always be connected with it.

Mr. Stocking was treasurer of Walker township from 1843 to 1846
inclusive, represented the township on the board of supervisors, served
as justice of the peace, was under sheriff one term, and held various
other minor offices and was always identified with the city's best inter-
ests and prosperity. He was charitable and benevolent, and yet he
gave so quietly that it was rarely known. He was formerly a repub-
lican, but of late years affiliated with the prohibitionists. In religion
he was a believer in the Swedenborgian doctrines and was a life long
member of the New Church.

In his family life Mr. Stocking was peculiarly happy. He married
in 1838, Miss Mary H. Hunt, and his marriage by the Rev. James Ballard,
was one of the earliest in the city. For more than half a century
they traveled hand in hand, sharing the joys of life, dividing the
sorrows and growing old together. She survives her companion of a
lifetime and in her bereavement has the sympathy of a wide circle of
friends. Five children were born to them and two daughters survive,
Mrs. John Widdicomb and Miss Alida C. Stocking.

ARTHUR WOOD. — Arthur Wood died April 24, 1893, at his residence
in Grand Rapids, aged 61 years, 11 months.

Mr. Arthur Wood was born in Bristol, Eng., May 22, 1832. His
parents came to this country when he was four years old and settled
near Worcester, Mass. In 1856 he came to Grand Rapids, working at
the carpenter trade, but later as bookkeeper for R. E. Butterworth.
In 1857 and 1858 he was employed on the Democrat, by Jacob Barns,
then editor of the paper. In the summer of 1862 he raised a company
for the .4th Michigan Cavalry, but after six months service he was

MEMORIAL REPORT— LENAWEE COUNTY. 129

obliged to resign on account of deafness and returned home. In 1863
he accepted a position on the Detroit Free Press under Mr. Barns,
where he remained nearly five years.

In 1867 he returned to Grand Rapids and embarked in the carriage
business with Luther Colby and H. P. Colby, under the name of
Colby, Son & Co., but later bought out his partners and gradually
built up an important business.

In 1860 he was married to Sarah F. Colby, daughter of Luther
Colby, who is still living. There were five sons born to them, four of
whom are living, all having an interest in their father's business, being
stockholders. One brother, C. W. Wood, of Battle Creek, still survives
him.

Mr. Wood was a Mason, being a member of Valley City Lodge No.
34, and in politics a democrat.

LENAWEE COUNTY.
BY S. C. STACY.

MRS. ISAAC ADAMS. — Mrs. Isaac Adams is dead. The journey was
finished at Omaha, Nebraska, January 20, 1893. It was a long one,
spanning this entire century, save the opening and the remainder of
the present decade. The heart that has just ceased its beatings began
to pulsate when this republic was an experiment and this continent,
beyond the seaboard states, an unknown wilderness. It was before the
second war with England, during the first administration of President
Madison. There then lived in the village of Charlemont, amid the
Berkshire hills of Massachusetts, a plain young couple of Puritan
descent, John and Elizabeth Fisher. In 1811 their first child was
born and christened Mary. As years passed brothers and sisters
entered the household until the family circle numbered twelve sons
and daughters. In addition to the village schools the children from
time to time were given the advantages afforded by academies in
neighboring towns. An epoch in the life of Mary was the winter of
'29, when she attended a select school for girls by Mary Lyon, founder
of the Mt. Holyoke seminary. Finally the time came when the anxious
parents decided that the future of their flock demanded a wider field
for operations than their snug New England home. In 1836 the great
17

130 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

migration was undertaken. The rocky seventy acre homestead, and the
father's cabinet shop were converted into money; the stage coach
winding along the valley of the Deerfield, over Hoosac Mountain to
Troy, was chartered; fond farewells were chokingly uttered; eyes
blinded in tears looked for the last time upon the dear scenes of
childhood, and the long journey westward was begun. At Troy there
was the transfer to the Erie canal, and at Buffalo the canal boat was
exchanged for the lake steamer. At Monroe, Michigan, family and
household goods were transferred to wagons, and hauled by ox teams
to their new home in the forest, three and one-half miles north of
Tecumseh, now the farm of the youngest son, John Fisher. During
the succeeding thirteen years Mary Fisher, as eldest daughter, contin-
ued to share with her mother the responsibilities of pioneer life. In 1839
she was one of fifteen who organized the Baptist church of Tecumseh.
Of this little band of fifteen she was the last survivor.

In 1849 she became the wife of Isaac Adams. Their companionship
lasted thirty years, terminating with the death of Deacon Adams in
1879. For the past ten years Mrs. Adams has resided with her only
son, Isaac, at Omaha, excepting one year spent at Lincoln, Nebraska,
with her daughter, Francina, now Mrs. J. J. Wilson. In early life
Mrs. Adams was not robust, but care and prudence brought into
healty action her vigorous" constitution so that for the last forty years
of her life she scarcely experienced any sickness. In August last,
paralysis rendered her helpless. Realizing that there was no relief,
she longed to be free from the bonds which time had forged. With
the opening of the year the disease assumed a new phase, but to her
its progress was not unwelcome. She predicted that ere the 23d of
January, the fourteenth anniversary of the departure of him whose
memory she cherished so tenderly, she would have joined him. As
the month grew apace she numbered the days as one waiting a long
and anticipated meeting. Thus was "the passing of this life, long and
ripe. The milestones along its way can be pointed out, but who can
conceive the scope of its century of influence! She inherited many of
those traits that have enabled the sons and daughters of New England,
though comparatively few in numbers, to stamp their character upon
all genuine American institutions. To her, Christianity and the highest
Christian morality was not a faith and practice necessary to be accepted
and cultivated, but it was ingrained and instructive. Anything else
was simply unnatural and abhorent. Her influence was confined to the
family circle. There, though silent, it was as vital and all-pervading
as the atmosphere. Prior to the attack of paralysis her faculties, both

MEMORIAL REPORT— LENA WEE COUNTY. 131

physical and mental, never waned. She never grew old. She enjoyed
the life of a growing city. Her surroundings and new associations
were always agreeable. The past had no more grasp upon her than
upon one who knows of it from hearsay only. She was abreast of the
times, in full sympathy with the busy and progressive. She made
herself companionable. She leaves to her children and relatives the
best of legacies, an inestimable fund of precious memories.

EDMUND W. BORDEN. — Edmund Woodmansee Borden, the second son
of Tyler and Hannah Borden, was born in Monmouth county, New
Jersey, March 30, 1822.

Orphaned by his mother's death when he was but eleven years old,
by which event the family was broken up, he was almost immedi-
ately thrown upon his own resources. Being drawn by the teachings
of his pious mother, he soon left the farm where he had been engaged
for a term of years, and buying up his unexpired time, he went to
New York city to prepare himself for preaching the gospel. This he
did by learning the tailor's trade, studying as he worked, and attend-
ing night school. He thus supported himself and obtained a substantial
basis for a thorough education, which he afterward acquired by private
tutors, by a course of study at the University of Michigan, and by a
remarkably patient, persevering, and thorough reading of the masters
of learning in its various branches. His logical and close reasoning
powers were always based upon verified truth.

When twenty years old he married Miss Margaret Hopper of New
York city and with her removed to Michigan in 1843, a land then in
primeval forest and far away from the city of New !York, while as yet
railroads were but just beginning to be. Taking up pioneer life at
Battle Creek as a circuit rider of the M. E. church, he was instant in
season and out of season to carry the gospel message to all within his
circuit.

After laboring in that church from his seventeenth year, when, he
was licensed as an exhorter, his ordination taking place when he was
twenty-one years of age, till 1858, a period of nearly twenty years, his
theological views undergoing some change, he united with the Congre-
gational denomination. In this body he continued his ministry about
fifteen years. In 1873 he transferred his standing to the Presbyterian
church, finding in its polity and system of doctrine a congenial resting
place for his inquiring and independent mind. He gave up settled
pastoral charge in 1888 but continued to preach until last summer,
his last discourse being a funeral sermon on the 27th day of August,

132 A*NNUAL MEETING, 1893.

1892. His family consisted of eight children, five of whom, two sons
and three daughters are still living.

The last year showed rapid decline in his health, but he was still
happy and fairly well at the anniversary of his golden wedding, October
6, 1892. He died on February 27, 1893, at his home. So ended a
career of triumph and an active ministry of fifty-three years in the
gospel.

Mr. Borden never lost a month of service nor was ever absent from
his pulpit through sickness. He never took any vacations and as a
public servant of Christ was faithful in all his charge.

WM. BRESIK— The death of William Bresie, April 23, 1893, at the
ripe age of 76 years, removes from the social and business circles
of Tecumseh, one of our foremost citizens. But few men typified
better than he the restless energy and activity of the western pioneer,
and his life was a long and eventful one. He was born in Tioga
county, New York., April 25, 1817, and when six years of age his
father's family moved to Conesus, Livingston county, New York, where
the subject of this sketch lived for ten years, obtaining such a meagre
education as the schools of those days afforded. At the age of seven-
teen he caught the prevailing western fever, and started for Buffalo
afoot and alone. Upon arriving there he took a boat to Detroit, and
thence walked to Michigan City, Indiana. Here he pbtained work at
driving stage and for about two years subsequently, he made his head-
quarters in Chicago. In the spring of 1839 he returned east, and upon
the 20th of March in that year he married Mary A. Johnson of Grove-
land, Livingston county, with whom he lived a most happy domestic
life for over half a century. Soon after his marriage he moved to
Conesus, where he kept the village hotel for about six years. He then
lived on a farm in Groveland for a time, and from there moved to
Dansville, Livingston county, where he kept the Western hotel for
several years. In 1850 he moved to Hornellsville, Steuben county,
New York, and began work on the Buffalo & New York City railroad,
now the N. Y., L. E., & W. Ry. He was employed first as baggage
master and then as passenger conductor for a period of seven years on
a run between Buffalo and Hornellsville. He then resigned to take a
position with Mr. Geo. B. Gates, who was proprietor of the first
sleeping car line — the first sleeping car having been put in use about
1858 — and he served in this capacity for Mr. Gates during a period of
ten years running on the New York Central, the Buffalo & Erie and
the Cleveland and Ashtabula railroads, the two latter now forming a

MEMORIAL REPORT— LENAWEE COUNTY. 133

part of the Lake Shore system. Mr. Bresie enjoyed the distinction of
being the first regularly appointed sleeping car conductor. He was in
several wrecks but always escaped unhurt.

At the expiration of his ten years' service here, he took charge of a
sleeping car line between that city and Chicago. He then moved to
Glenville, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, where he dealt largely in real
estate. While a resident of Glenville he became a pioneer in the
operation of street railways. He obtained the right of way and the
original charter of the St. Clajr St. K. E. Co., a street car line run-
ning from the heart of Cleveland to Glenville. To encourage the
enterprise the owners and citizens along the route donated the use of
the line without rent, and he managed it very successfully for ten
years. His property' in Glenville increased very much in value and
gave him a handsome competency.

In 1874 he moved his family to Tecumseh and took up his abode on
forty acres of land just north of the village which has made a model
home for him during his declining years. His house was an historical
landmark, being in an early day the homestead of Gen. J. W. Brown, one
of the founders of Tecumseh. Within its hospitable walls he celebrated
his golden wedding on the 20th of March, 1880, and' here he passed
the remainder of his earthly pilgrimage. 'For nearly twenty years he
was a resident of this village. He served as township supervisor, as
village councilman, and as janitor of the cemetery, in all of which
positions he displayed the same business tact and ability which made
his early life such a marked success.

Four children blessed his married life: Wm. R. Bresie, of Decatur,
Illinois; Mrs. Elizabeth Crowell, of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Betts,
of Edmore; and Amanda, who died at the age of three years.

MRS. SAMUEL HOLDEN. — Mrs. Samuel Holden, who departed this life
on the 9th day of January, 1893, was one of our oldest residents. Had
she lived until May 23 next, she would have been 84 years of age.
She was born in Groton, N. Y., in 1809, and was there united in
marriage to Mr. Harlo C. Smith in October, 1832. In the spring of
1834 they drifted westward into the territory of Michigan, and settled
on a farm in the township of Cambridge, which was then almost an
unbroken wilderness. Here they carved out for themselves a substan-
tial home and here were born to them five sons, to make that home
happy. In February, 1858, they moved upon a farm in Raisin where
they lived until 1869, when they purchased the old Jas. C. Eddy place
just west of Tectmseh. Mr. Smith died in October, 1875. In May

134 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

1877, she was married to Mr. Samuel Holden, who now survives her;
also two sons by her first husband, Albert E. Smith of Onsted, and
Sylvester H. Smith of Adrian. The deceased was a woman of modest
manners who loved her home and kindred, and fulfilled all the duties
of wife and mother in the humble station to which God had assigned
her. She was for many years a member of the Tecumseh M. E.
church and died in the hope of a blessed immortality.

JOHN RICHARD.— Another of Lenawee county's sturdy pioneers and
most worthy citizens died at his home June 12, 1892.

John Richard filled a large niche in the local history of Lenawee
county for more than half a century. He was descended from sturdy
Irish ancestry, having been born in County Antrim, Ireland, in
November, 1806. His father, Archibald Richard, was an Irish farmer,
and the father of eleven children, John being the second child. He
passed his boyhood beneath the parental roof, gathering such rudiment&
of an education as the Irish schools of those days afforded. At the
age of eighteen years he bade adieu to the old home and set sail for
the new world, landing in Baltimore about the first of June. 1825.
Here he worked for a few months at the brick and stone mason's
trade and then went to New -Jersey, where he engaged in work in the
iron furnaces until the fall of 1827, when he returned to his native
land. In the spring of 1828 his father emigrated with his family to
America, John having persuaded him to try his fortunes in the western
world. They landed in New York in June, 1828, and proceeded to
Geneseo, Livingston county, N. Y., where they purchased a farm and
resided until 1833. In September of that year they came to Michigan
and settled in the woods on section fourteen in Raisin. In 1831 the
subject of this sketch again returned to Ireland. In January, 1882, he
was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sherrard, of Antrim county,
with whom he returned to America, and the next year, 1833, he came
to Michigan with his father's family and located a farm on section
twenty-three in Raisin, where he began the work of carving a home out
of the wilderness. At his death he owned one hundred acres of land,
with fine buildings and improvements, which is considered one of the
best homes in this section. He began life in Raisin in a log cabin, twelve
feet square, without a chimney, and in the midst of an unbroken
forest. During the next forty years he endured the privations and
performed the toil incident to pioneer life in the Wolverine State,
during which time he made the forest to bloom like a garden and
transformed the wild woods into a beautiful home. He had but one

MEMORIAL REPORT— LENAWEE COUNTY. 135

child, Alexander, who now resides on the old Archibald Richard farm
in Raisin.

The deceased was possessed of good physical health and a rugged
'constitution, and took a deep interest in all matters of local concern.
He was a great reader and kept himself en rapport with the times in
current history and politics. Although unobtrusive and far removed
from intolerance and mere partisanship, he entertained positive convic-
tions upon religious and political subjects and could always give a
reason for the faith that was in him. In politics he was an old line
democrat. In religion he* was an ardent Presbyterian. He was an
active member of ancf regular attendant upon the Raisin Presbyterian
church, and gave a liberal donation to erect the fine .church edifice
which stands on his farm. He also contributed liberally towards the
building of the two Presbyterian churches in Tecumseh. He was
frequently honored with the suffrages of his fellow citizens for offices
of trust, having been twice chosen to the office of township treasurer
and twice elected supervisor.

"Uncle John Richards," as he was familiarly known by all, was a
prominent character in this vicinity for nearly sixty years. As a
husband and father he met his obligations and duties with religious
fidelity ; as a citizen . and neighbor he -was honored and trusted ; as a
pioneer he stood in the van of that valiant army of faithful workers
who have made our commonwealth what it is today. He has fought
the good fight, he has kept the faith, he has finished his course, he
has entered into his eternal inheritance on high.

JOHN SAGE. — Another of the pioneers of Lenawee county has passed
away. Mr. John Sage, of Macon, died August 26, 1892, on the same
farm upon which he had resided since 1831, in the 88th year of his age.

Mr. Sage came to Michigan from Livingston county, N. Y., in
the spring of 1831. He took up land on section nine in Macon,
Lenawee county, where he soon after erected a log house. October 24,
1833, he was married to Miss Hannah Marshall, of New York state,
and brought her to his new home in Michigan. .He was then 28 years
old. Together they commenced the battle of life in a new country,
sharing the hardships that are consequent in a new country. Their
nearest neighbor was Dr. Howell, the father of Dr. George Howell of
Tecumseh, and Edwin Howell of Macon, who now resides at his
father's early home.

Mr. Sage was compelled to cut his way from Mr. Pennington's
through to his land, in order to get a team and wagon on his new

136 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

farm, all being a dense forest. By true courage, a strong will, and a
healthy and robust frame and constitution, he felled the primeval
forest, broke the land and made for himself and family a beautiful
home. Upon this farm he lived until his death. His wife was called
away thirteen years previous and since that time to the hour of his
death he was constantly attended by his youngest daughter, Mary E.
Sage. Her true devotion to her father, her untiring care, her sleepless
vigilance, her strong love for him during all those years merits and
receives from all deep and abiding friendship and esteem.

Mr. Sage was the father of seven children, four of whom survive
him. Two sons died in defending their country during the war of the
rebellion, one after four years of service on the battlefield in the 3d
Michigan Cavalry, and the other in the llth Michigan Infantry. Two
sons and two daughters survive him and were present with him to
comfort his last years on earth and mourn his departure.

Mr. Sage was a true patriot, a true man. Honesty, integrity and
truth marked all his acts and he died at a good old age, honored and
beloved by all, amid peace and prosperity, surrounded ,by children and
many friends.

REV. PETEK SHARP. — Rev. Peter Sharp died in San Jose, California,
September 13, 1892. Peter Sharp was born May 14, 1810, at Wills-
burg, Essex county, New Jersey. He was the fourth son of Cornelius
Sharp, who had eight sons and daughters, and moved with his family
to Ohio, when his older children were quite small.

Peter was converted at the age of eighteen and giving up the study
of law, began at once to prepare himself for the ministry which he
entered four years later. He continued in active service as an itinerant
in the M. E. church until 1853 when the failing health of his wife
made it necessary to locate. While the Ohio conference still included
southern Michigan, he was stationed at Ann Arbor, and was married
at that place to Miss Eunice M. Doty, March 19, 1837, in the presence
of the Sabbath morning congregation of the quarterly conference and
by the presiding elder, Rev. Henry Colclayer.

His next station was Tecumseh, then a four weeks circuit, including
Clinton, Franklin, Macon, and Eidgeway.

From there he returned to Ohio and filled various appointments
until 1849, when he was transferred to Michigan conference and
stationed at Coldwater, at Constantine, at Ridgeway, and at Dundee,
which was his last regular appointment.

December 24, 1853, he began business in general merchandise at

MEMORIAL REPORT— LENAWEE COUNTY. 137

Ridgeway, Michigan. He received the appointment of postmaster soon
after and continued to hold the office for nearly thirty-five years.

He was a member of the Michigan legislature 1859-1860, and
continued to preach the gospel as a local elder in the M. E. church.
March -14, 1888, his beloved wife was called home after years of inval-
idism and six months' helplessness. His untiring patience in caring
for her, but proved his devotion. A few months after he yielded to
the necessity and closed out his business at Ridgeway and moved to
Tecumseh to live with his daughter. August, 1889, he went to Cali-
fornia, where his oldest son lived on a mountain ranch. Here he
found work for his Master in conducting a Sunday school at the
nearest school house. In the spring of 1891 he moved with his son's
family to San Jose. It was his intention to return to Michigan in the
spring of 1892, but the Lord ordered otherwise.

Peter Sharp was a man of true nobility, held in esteem and venera-
tion by all who had the capacity to appreciate the excellence of his
character and his ability as a theologian.

Truly beloved by his family and intimate friends; devoted and
untiring in the discharge of religious duty, seeming always to possess
his soul in peace.

ELLERY SISSON. — Ellery Sisson died January 7, 1893, in his 80th
yea|^ at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Geo. Shuart, in Jackson. Mr.
Sisson resided in Tecumseh and Raisin for more than 70 years, until
a few weeks before when he went to live with his daughter in
Jackson .

Mr. Sisson was one of the earliest settlers of this township. His
father located the old Aaron Comfort farm, across the road from N. M.
Sutton's, the present home of A. J. Van Winkle and of Dr. C. A.
Waldron. He had voted in Tecumseh at every presidential election
since attaining his majority, and was a staunch democrat.

Miss FANNY STOCKING. — Miss Fanny Stocking died at Tecumseh,
Michigan, on April 28, 1893, aged 59 years.

Miss Stocking was the. daughter of Amos and Theodosia Stocking,
who were among the earliest and most respected settlers of the town
of Tecumseh. The house in which she was born, being the first one
north of Theodore Crane's, was one of the first frame houses built in
the place. Miss Stocking was born in November, 1833. Her life has
been one of the most quiet and yet one of the most useful of lives,
having been spent, nearly all of it, in or near her native place, and in
18

138 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

occupations which are more honorable and self-denying than conspicu-
ous or remunerative. She early developed a taste for books and was
a pupil of the Tecumseh school, of that of Prof. Estabrook and of the
State Normal. She began teaching in Franklin at the early age of
sixteen. She taught many years in Clinton also, where she is lovingly
remembered for her labors. But it is in this her native town that she
was best known and most widely and fully appreciated. Here she
united at an early age with the Presbyterian church, to which she was
warmly attached, and of which she was a consistent, and, until the loss
of her health, an active and useful member, being for a long term of
years the teacher of a large class in the Sabbath school. Here in
Tecumseh also she conducted a private school, of whose advantages
many parents were glad to avail themselves. Here for some years she
discharged with loving faithfulness the duty of caring for her invalid
father. All the work she undertook was performed in such a quiet,
cheerful way as to convey the impression that it was easily done.

MONROE COUNTY.
v

MRS. ESTHER WAKEFIELD. — Mrs. Esther Wakefield, wife of Stephen
B. Wakefield, died at her home at Shawnee Springs in Monroetown,
May 17, 1893, from creeping paralysis. The deceased was born in
New York state November 20, 1823. At the age of ten years she came
to Monroe with her parents, arriving here in June, 1833. She was
one of the oldest residents of Monroetown and was well known. She
leaves a husband, three sons and two grandsons.

MUSKEGON COUNTY.
BY HENRY H. HOLT.

Miss LIZZIE BULLOCK. — Miss Lizzie Bullock, the eldest child of Mr.
and Mrs. A. A. Bullock, died April 9, 1893, at the home of her sister,
Mrs. R. T. Stanton, in Chicago, where she went on a visit early in
March.

Miss Bullock was born in August, 1851, at Wells River, Vermont,
and in 1857 came to Muskegon with her parents. All who knew her
in private life loved her; her services to the public are best summed

MEMORIAL REPORT— MUSKEGON COUNTY. 139

up in the following tribute paid by F. A. Nims, for so long a member
of the board of education:

"Miss Bullock received her school training in the public schools of
this city. She commenced her work as teacher in 1869, in the old
'ward school No. 1,' on Newaygo Hill. She was soon assigned to one
of the schools in the old 'central,' where she taught until the spring
of 1890, when failing health compelled her to suspend her school work.
A protracted residence in Colorado seemed to restore her to vigorous
health, and she never appeared better than since her return. She was
eager to enter again upon her chosen vocation, and was an applicant
for her old place for the coming school year.

" She was regarded by the members of the board, as well as by the
various superintendents under whom she served, as the best 'first
primary' teacher we ever had; and her work as such was well known
and appreciated by school workers throughout the State.

" With her, as with all truly successful teachers, the elements of
success were in her character, which for purity, modesty, gentleness,
patience, and devotion was unexcelled. She was both womanly and
motherly. Little children gave her their confidence without hesitation.
Although a close student of educational theories and methods, her
intuition was her best guide. She entered with her whole heart into
the training and development of each child-nature that came into her
charge; and with infinite patience and inimitable tact, brought out the
best results."

ISAAC CROSSETTE. — Isaac Crossette, a pioneer of this State and of
St. Joseph county, died at Three Rivers, May 19, 1893, of pneumonia.
For a short period he has made Muskegon a temporary home, where
the wholesale lumber business has been carried on successfully for
several years by himself and his son, Heed, in the firm name of
Crossette & Son.

He had been seriously ill during the past winter at Muskegon, but
having materially improved in health and strength he, together with
his wife, went back to the old home, Three Rivers, now occupied by
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Keyport, his son-fn-law and daughter. With a
prospect of better health for years to come Mr. Crossette had planned
to build a new dwelling on the old home plat for himself, wife, and
unmarried daughter.

Isaac Crossette was born at Fort Ann, N. Y., August 14, 1824;
removed with his father, mother, and the other children to Michigan
in 1831. His boyhood days were spent in St. Joseph county.

140 . ANNUAL MEETING, 1893,

, By his own efforts he obtained a good common school education
which he first made useful as a teacher in Three Rivers and other
places in the vicinity.

Isaac Crossette and Clara A. Reed were married in 1848 and went
to Three Rivers in 1849. At Centreviile Mr. Crossette learned the
blacksmith trade, but teaching was more agreeable to his taste.
During the year 1849 he commenced the mercantile business at Three
Rivers, which was pursued for about twenty years, during which time
he was postmaster eight years, superintendent of the county poor for
several terms and he also filled many other positions of responsibility,
and to the general satisfaction of the people.

Mr. Crossette and Captain Spencer together built the first brick
block in Three Rivers, now occupied by Hummel and Klocke.

As a business man Mr. Crossette was enterprising and gave the best
years of his life to the growth and prosperity of this beautiful town.

As a citizen Mr. Crossette ranked among the best. He was energetic
in the temperance cause on all occasions, and his influence contributed
to the moral growth of this community.

Mr. Crossette is survived by his wife, one son and three daughters,
Mrs. W. L. Antes of Baltimore, Maryland; I. R. Crossette of Muske-
gon; Mrs. J. L. Keyport of Three Rivers, and Alie L. Crossette of
Muskegon.

GEORGE F. OuTHWAiTE.— George F. Outhwaite died "February 3, 1893,
at Muskegon. For sketch see Vol. 21, page 208.

MRS. MARIA S. PIPER.— Mrs. Maria S. Piper, who died on the 7th
day of March, 1893, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. D. C.
Tillotson, on Lake street, was born in Mooers, Clinton county, N. Y.,
April 26, 1824. She was of a family of thirteen children, only one of
whom, a brother, survives her.

On the 27th of February, 1845, she was married to Benjamin S.
Piper, of Irving, Massachusetts, who died in Muskegon in 1871. After
marriage she made her home for a time in Northfield, Mass., then for
some eight years in her old home in Mooers, N. Y. She then came
west with her husband and family to Grand ^ Rapids, Mich., there to
reside two years. Removing from there, they resided in Lament,
Ottawa county, until June, 1862, when they came to Muskegon to
make of this city a permanent home.

Mrs. Piper at once actively identified herself on her arrival in
Muskegon with church work. At that time there were but thirteen
members in the Central Methodist church, instead of in the neighbor-

MEMORIAL REPORT— MUSKEGON COUNTY. 141

hood of nine hundred as at present. She committed herself fully to
the work in hand, and the prosperity of the church since that time
has been due in no small measure to her fidelity.

She was actively interested and identified with nearly every depart-
ment of benevolent as well as church work.

She was one of the original cemetery association organized in 1870
by a few ladies, which did so much in the way of beautifying
Evergreen cemetery, supplying it with a fountain and other attractive
features. In every kind of social and other needed reforms she was
interested and cheerfully active. Her entire life in point of purity was
well symbolized by the whiteness of the lilies that lay upon her coffin
and in point of completeness of maturity by the ripened heads of
golden grain that lay beside them.

FERDINAND WELLETR. — Ferdinand Weller died at Muskegon on the
9th day of April, 1893. He was one of the most widely known of
Muskegon's citizens and has seen it grow from almost a hamlet to its
present proportions. He was born in Asch, Austria, December 24, 1838,
and spent the earlier years of his life in acquiring a good German
education. When he was 18 years old he came to this country on a
sailing vessel to attempt his fortunes among a strange people of whose
tongue he was entirely ignorant. He made his way directly to Michi-
gan and secured a place for a while on a farm near Detroit, where in
the intervals of his chore duties he managed to acquire a smattering
of English. He made up his mind that he wanted to be a printer
and ultimately engage in the newspaper business, and with this definite
purpose in mind went to Howell, this State, where he obtained a
position in a printing office. Here he remained a short time when he
went to Grand Rapids where he remained two years, working at his
trade, and then came to Muskegon, arriving here in -the spring of 1865.
He acquired and consolidated two papers, issuing them as the News
and Eeporter. His press was of the original hand form, and putting
the paper through the press in those days was not a joke. Gradually
he built up one of the largest and best newspaper properties in
western Michigan, which he disposed of in 1869. That year he married
Miss Anna. Ellis of Earlville, Iowa, and the following year he made a
trip to his birthplace and brought back his aged mother to this city,
where she made he£ home for fourteen years.

In 1870 he entered the newspaper business again, issuing his paper
under the old name of News and Eeporter and in 1872 he came out as
a Greeley democrat. Ten years later he began the publication of the

142 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

News as a daily. In 1889 he disposed of his entire newspaper property
to Wanty & Manning, the present owners, and gave his attention to
his other interests, real estate and lumber.

His first wife died in November, 1884, and on April 12, 1887, he
married, at the home of her parents in Charles City, Iowa, -the wife
who survives him. She formerly taught the high school in Holland,
Mich., and met Mr. Weller while in Chicago.

In the death of Ferdinand Weller, the local press of this city and
county has lost a pioneer well known to a great mass of the people,
and so thoroughly has he been connected with its history that it is
impossible to give a sketch of his life without saying more or less of
the history of our press.

The first newspaper of Muskegon which became permanent was the
Muskegon Reporter, the first number of which was issued in April,
1859, by Fred B. Lee & Co. This was continued until October, 1864,
when Fred B. Lee, who was the editor, having enlisted in the army,
the paper was discontinued, although the type and furniture remained
intact in the office.

John Bole started a republican paper known as the Muskegon News
on the 20th of August, 1864. Mr. Bole published this paper for a few
months, when he sold it to Wm. K. Gardner, who continued it to
March, 1865, when he sold his interest to Ferdinand Weller. The
latter soon after bought the press and type of the Reporter, continuing
the publication of the two papers for a short time when they were
united as a republican paper known as the News and Reporter.
This was continued by Mr. Weller until December, 1869, when he sold
the paper to Geo. C. Rice, who continued the publication, changing
the name to the Muskegon Chronicle.

In August, 1870, Mr. Weller revived the News and Reporter as a
democratic newspaper, and which he continued until his sale to Messrs.
Wanty & Manning. He started The News in 1882. Mr. Weller was
always known as a good citizen, thoroughly alive to the best interests
of the city.

MEMORIAL, REPORT— OTTAWA COUNTY.

143

OCEANA COUNTY.

BY E. T. MUGFORD.

Name.

Residence.

Date of death.

Age.

Ira Mattison

Shelby

Oct. 26, 1892

Wm. ffl. Payne

Shelby

Jan. 11, 1893

Ethan Hulbert

Shelby

Feb. 10, 1893

Daniel H. Rankin

Shelby

Mar. 8 1893

Wm. Erdley

Hart

" 8, 1893

Loretta H. Randall

Shelby

11 12, 1893

Oliver Bray .

Benona

" 15, 1898

Asa Bray

Benona

" 24, 1893

Wm. Satterlee

Shelby

April 8,1893

Warren Coolidge

Hart

May 28, 1893..

Pinny P. Roberta....

Hart...

June 5, 1893...

OTTAWA COUNTY.

BY A. S. KEDZIE.

BERNARDUS GROOTENHUIS. — Bernardus Grootenhuis died unexpectedly
March 3, 1893, at the age of 79 years. He was one of the earliest
pioneers in this Dutch colony and closely connected with its history.
He was born at Ommen, province of Overisel, Netherlands, September
12, 1814, and twenty-seven years later he married Johanna Hoogewind.
In 1846 they accompanied Rev. Yan Raalte to America, arriving here
in the spring of 1847. Mr. Grootenhuis mastered the study of survey-
ing and his help was of great assistance to the settlers in laying out
their domains. His real occupation, however, was that of painter and
after remaining here five years they left for Detroit, staying there
three years when they returned to Holland for one year. His profi-
ciency in the art of painting attracted considerable attention and he
went to Grand Rapids where he formed a partnership with L. Dooge.
After spending several years there, either in company or alone in his
business, Mr. Grootenhuis and his wife returned here in 1872. While
in Grand Rapids he took a leading part in the formation of the First
English congregation there and of which he was elder. In Holland
he was also one of the leaders in organizing the Hope church congre-
gation of which he was also elder for several years. From 1867 to

144 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

1879 he was supervisor of the township. Two sons, James and John,
entered the union army, the former being killed in the battle of the
wilderness. He leaves an aged widow and three married children,
John, one of our leading painters, Mrs. J. Kerkhof, and Mrs. Janna
Ter Beek.

PIETER FREDERICK PFANSTIEHL. — Pieter F. Pfanstiehl was born June
12, 1806, in the city of Breda, Netherlands. He received a more than
ordinary education, and spent a part of his youth and early manhood
in other countries of the continent. June 5, 1833, he was married to
Helena Meulenbroek, with whom he lived 52 years, having celebrated
his golden wedding two years before the latter's death. Of seventeen
children born to them five survive, two sons, Peter, of Holland, and
Rev. Albert A., of Denver, Col.; and three daughters, Mrs. H. Boone
and Mrs. Dr. F. J. Schouten, of Holland, and Frederika, who is being
cared for in the Michigan asylum at Kalamazoo. Three days before
his death Mr. Pfanstiehl was still considered to be in his usual health*
The immediate cause of his death was congestion of the lungs. He
entered into his final rest on Friday evening, July 8, 1892, at the ripe
old age of 86 years.

With the death of Pieter F. Pfanstiehl, Holland loses another of the
few remaining links that connects its past with the present.

The deceased was a well-to-do shoemaker, in the city of Arnhem,
Netherlands, at the time when the first murmurings of dissatisfaction
were heard on the part of his countrymen with reference to their
material condition, actual and prospective. His sympathies were with
them. In all the movements and deliberations leading up to the
"emigration of 1847," he was an active coworker among those that
had that exodus in charge. As such we have a right to especially
designate him a connecting link between the present and the past.

With his family he left the fatherland for the New World in the
summer of 1847; arrived "in New York and remained there about eight
months following his trade. While there he made the acquaintance of
the late Dr. B. Ledeboer, an incident which also in later years led to the
doctor's removal to Holland. In the spring of 1848 he left for the
west, and was joined at Buffalo by Mr. I. Cappon, then a young man
anxious to join the " Zeelanders."

Mr. Pfanstiehl's .objective point was the colony of Dr. Van Raalte,.
in Michigan, with whom he had held intimate relations in the old
country. Upon reaching Milwaukee he left his family there for a few
weeks, and came on to Holland. Here he again started at his trade,.

MEMORIAL REPORT— OTTAWA COUNTY, 145

at which he was an expert, having followed it in such cities as Brussels
and Paris. It did not take him long, however, to realize that his new
environments called for a different kind of foot wear than had been
his wont to make, and he conceived the idea of starting a tannery.
The material of some of the buildings in the " Indian Village," was
utilized in constructing a tannery on the shore of Black Lake. The
sills can still be traced at a point a little east of where Cappon &
Bertsch in 1859 built their first tannery. Here also is where Mr. I.
Cappon was initiated into the tanner's trade. Want of sufficient exper-
ience soon caused this enterprise to be abandoned. Some leather had
been made and was sold in Kalamazoo, where it fell into the hands of
the late Simon Schmid. Mr. Pfanstiehl soon thereafter, in 1851,
removed to Kalamazoo, remained there a year or so, when he again
returned to "the colony," embarking in general merchandise, in which
line he was more successful.

It is not for us to follow his subsequent career in detail. Suffice it
to state that for a while he also operated the stage line between Kal-
amazoo, Allegan, Holland, and Grand Haven; was a dealer in staves,
bark, etc., became a vessel owner, and manufacturer of cut staves and
heading.

Having briefly stated his connection with the early settlement of
Holland, as the pioneer tanner, there is one other incident in his
career as a business man which is desirable to bring out, it being espec-
ially worthy of remembrance. It was during the period known as the
panic of 1857, which financial distress was very severe upon the then
weak and struggling colony. The leading business man of that day and
the commercial stay of the settlement, Mr. A. Plugger, was heavily
involved, and at the complete mercy of his creditors. The times were
exceedingly hard and trying. Just then also, as a matter of absolute
self-preservation, the colonists had undertaken to construct their own
harbor. Through the self-denying efforts of the late Mr. John Roost,
they had obtained from the State a grant of swamp lands, lying princi-
pally in the township of Olive. Not as a matter of investment, for
those lands at that period had little or no value, but with a view of
furthering the development of the harbor, Mr. Pfanstiehl at this critical
period volunteered to take a certain amount of those lands, to enable the
harbor board to secure sufficient dredging in what is at present the main
channel of the harbor, but which was then only a recently cut out channel.
(It should be remembered that this was in the days when government
appropriations for the improvement of harbors were still held as
19

146 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

" unconstitutional"). The relief obtained through this public spirited
act of Mr. Pfanstiehl was timely and duly appreciated, for the panic
had affected the market for all kinds of forest products to such an
extent, that it left not enough margin for their shipment by means of
scows to vessels lying outside the harbor.

The deceased as a citizen never sought, but rather evaded promi-
nence and leadership. The only position he ever held was that of
member of the harbor board, of which body he was for years the
efficient secretary.

In common with many others he was a heavy loser by the great fire
of 1871. He managed, however, to gather up sufficient fragments to
secure him an ample competency during his remaining years.

SAGINAW COUNTY.
BY C. W. GRANT.

JOHN BARB. — John Barr of Tittabawassee, so well known in Saginaw
and in every part of the county for the last 30 years, died March 17,
1893, aged 73 years.

Mr. Barr was born in Scotland, June 1, 1819, and came to this
country 'in 1842. He located in Canada where he assisted in the
construction of the first iron -boat ever built in that country. From
Canada he traveled over different parts of New York state, and in
Buffalo, New York, assisted in building the first looms to knit or
weave a shirt, it formerly having been done by hand. He located for
eight years at Waterford, Saratoga county, New York, where he
constructed fire engines. In 1865 he first came to Saginaw, where he
has since lived. Although a skilled mechanic, of late years he had
been engaged in the manufacture of brick and had turned out from
twelve to fourteen hundred thousand annually. Mr. Barr was married
October 12, 1846, to Agnes Brice. One child was given them, Agnes,
who was born in 1847 and died in 1849. Mrs. Barr died July 23,
1848, and in 1864 Mr. Barr married Mary Haslip, who survives him.

Mr. Barr first became interested in Saginaw in 1848, when he
furnished some money to William King of Bridgeport to buy land on
the Tittabawassee. Subsequently the gentlemen divided their interests

MEMORIAL REPORT-SAGINAW COUNTY. 147

and Mr. King sold his part to a Mr. Albright, who soon after sold it
to Solomon Malt.

Mr. Barr was the owner of the farm, where he died, since 1848.

Mr. Barr was noted as an upright, honorable man. No good cause
appealed to him in vain. He always had a pleasant word ' for his
friends, and he generally made friends of those with whom he was
brought in contact. Aside from the farm where he lived Mr. Barr
owned considerable city property. His home was one of the best in
the neighborhood, and for years he has lived surrounded by the
comforts to which frugality and industry are entitled.

MRS. ELIZA D. BELL. — Mrs. Eliza D. Bell died at the residence of
her son Lewis, 705 Chestnut street, Saginaw, March 13, 1893, aged 69
years. She was born at Amsterdam, Montgomery county, New York,
in 1824, and came to Michigan in 1836, settling at Oxford, where she
married Oliver H. Bell, now deceased. She came to Saginaw in 1857,
and since resided here except a short residence at Freeland.

She leaves two children, Delia A. and Lewis H.

She had been a member of the Michigan avenue Baptist church for
the past twenty years, and had the love and respect of a large circle
of friends among whom she had lived for so many years.

ROBERT L. BENJAMIN. — Robert L. Benjamin died at the Good
Samaritan hospital July 20, 1892. Mr. Benjamin was born in Madalin,
N. Y.; Jane 14, 1808, and was therefore a little more than 84 years of
age. He had been a resident of Michigan upwards of 45 years, and
came to Saginaw 35 years ago from Clarkson, Oakland county, where
he had lived about 10 years. In December, 1862, he enlisted in
Company H of the 27th Michigan Infantry volunteers and served
during the war. The hardships of the camp impaired his health
somewhat, yet after the war he pursued the avocation of farming for
many years, living in the township of Saginaw. The past three years
he has lived in the city of Saginaw.

In 1835 Mr. Benjamin married Belinda Wilcox, who survives him.
They had three children, who grew to manhood and womanhood. They
were the late Henry Benjamin, who died 32 years ago, Delos Benjamin,
who died in 1873, and Mrs. Henry A. Newton, who died in 1872. He
was a brother of the late D. E. Benjamin. A brother, Sidney Benja-
min, who is in the upper peninsula, a sister, Mrs. Thurston of
Clarkson, two grandchildren, Miss Stella Newton and Ralph Newton,
of Saginaw, and a granddaughter who lives in Marshall, survive him.

148 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Miss SUE BENJAMIN. — Miss Sue Benjamin died at the home of Mr.
Thomas Merrill, Saginaw, May 14, 1893.

Miss Benjamin was born in Newport, Me., April 19, 1845. She was
the daughter of the late Jatnes and Euth Benjamin. Her mother, who
makes her home with her son, John H. Benjamin, two sisters, Mrs.
Gurney of Lewiston, Me., and Mrs. Marsh of Portland, Ore., and
three brothers, Frank W. Benjamin of Dausen, North Dakota, and
John H. and Fred G. Benjamin of Saginaw, are left to mourn the
loss of one who in the relations of daughter and sister was all that a
true Christian woman could be.

JOSEPH BESCH. — Joseph Besch died February 9, 1893, aged 73 years.
A resident of Saginaw nearly 40 years.

CAPTAIN ALONZO L. BINGHAM. — Captain Alonzo L. Bingham died
January 25, 1893, at his home in Saginaw, aged 76 years.

Deceased was born in Perry, Genesee county, N. Y., in 1816. When
about twenty-three years old he removed to Buffalo, where he taught
eleven years and then came to Michigan, locating at Mt. Clemens, where
he was engaged in teaching until his removal to Saginaw in 1854. The
following year he was chosen principal of the union school on the east side,
filling that position until late in 1859. In October, 1862, he was commis-
sioned captain of Company H, 27th Michigan Infantry, which company
he was instrumental in raising, and served faithfully and gallantly
three years, being mustered out July 26, 1865. He was wounded four
times in action, at Jackson, Miss., July 11, 1863; in the Wilderness,
May 6, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; and at Petersburg, Va.,
June 28, 1864.

He was elected register of deeds of Saginaw county in 1867 and
served two terms.

He was principal of the Freeland union school in 1889-90.

He was married June 29, 1845, at Buffalo, to Louisa M. Folsom,
who with two children, Mrs. Laura C. Healey of Lansing, and W. H.
Bingham of St. Cloud, Minn., survive him.

Captain Bingham was an honored member of Gordon Granger Post,
G. A. E.

MKS. IS. BOND BLISS. — Frances E., relect of the late S. Bond Bliss
died at her home in Saginaw, July 27, 1892.

The deceased had been a resident of Saginaw since 1856, coming
here from Elyria, Ohio, with her husband, and for years took a
prominent part in the social life of the city. Mr. Bliss died in 1884

MEMORIAL REPORT— SAGINAW COUNTY. 149

and an only daughter who was universally beloved died some years
ago. Walter B. Bliss is the sole surviving child.

CASPEK BRADEN. — Casper Braden, for forty years a resident of
Saginaw, died February 24, 1893, aged 78 years. Mr. Braden was well
known among the older portion of the community and was held in
high esteem by all. For 16 years he was employed in the F. & P. M.
car shops. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Engelbert
Fischer, of Bay City, and a son, Lieutenant Charles Braden, of West
Point, N. Y.-

MICHAE"L BBENNAN. — Michael Brennan, aged 84 years, died April 8,
1893, at his residence in Saginaw. Mr. Brennan had resided in
Saginaw for the last 30 years and was well known and much respected.
He leaves five children, James Brennan of Kansas; Thomas Brennan
of Chicago; Michael Brennan of Saginaw; Mrs. Joseph Martin of
Detroit; and Mrs. Michael McHugh of Saginaw.

RUDOLPH BEUSKE. — Rudolph Bruske died April 26, 1893, at his home
in Saginaw. Mr. Bruske was born in the province of Schlesia, Prussia,
in 1851, and came to America when but three years old with his
parents, who located in Saginaw. He was reared and educated here,
and in 1865 began clerking in different stores; in 1868 entered the
drug business with L. Simoneau, and was with him seven years, after
which he took a four months' tour to Europe. He returned to Saginaw,
opened business for himself, and has been successfully engaged in it
for the past twenty years. He was thorough and energetic in his methods,
and by this means had built up a .fine business.

Mr. Bruske leaves to mourn his untimely death a wife and two
children, three brothers and five sisters, O. E. Bruske of Saginaw; F.
O. Bruske and E. H. Bruske of Chicago; Mrs. Richard Murphy of
Chicago; Mrs. Cora Berger, Mrs. Jacob Cross, Mrs. Bertha Riegge,
and Mrs. Henry Endert of Saginaw.

MARGUERITE COMPTON. — Marguerite Compton -died March 27, 1893,
at the home of her daughter, Rachel Compton, 1103 North Granger
street, aged 83 years. The deceased was born in Albany, N. Y., and
at the age of sixteen was married to James Compton, now deceased. Three
years afterward she moved to Ohio and in 1871 came to Saginaw.
She leaves three sons, George and James, of Kingsville, O., and
Samuel C. Compton of San Bernardino, Cal., and five daughters, Mrs.
J. Brown, of Meredith, Mrs. A. Morse of Alexander, Minn., Mrs. D.

150 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

W. Swart of Sheldon, N. Y., Mrs. J. W. Isaac, of Kingsville, O., and
Mrs. Rachel Compton, of Saginaw.

MBS. PRUDENCE COOK. — Prudence, widow of the late L. Cook, died
July 29, 1892, at the residence of Eobert -Latterman, at Cass Bridge,
of old age. Her husband who was widely known, died three years
ago. Mrs. Cook was a pioneer of the county. She was 83 years old
and had passed fifty-three years of her life in the neighborhood where her
death occurred. She leaves four children.

GEORGE F. CKOSS. — George F. Cross died March 19, 1893, in New
York city.

George F. Cross was born in New Hampshire in May. 1832, and
was therefore nearly 61 years old. In early life he removed to Minne-
apolis where he engaged in business. In 1862 he came to Saginaw
and engaged in the lumber business, purchasing a tract of timber in
Ogemaw county. A mill was built at Standish, the firm being styled
Cross, Wright & Walker. Subsequently Mr. Wright retired and the
firm became Cross & Walker, and still later Mr. Walker retired and
A. Dyer of Boston became interested in the concern. In January,
1889, the entire interest of the firm in Ogemaw county, including saw
and planing mill, timber lands and a large stock farm, was sold to C.
L. Judd of Saginaw. Mr. Cross then organized what is known as the
Asher lumber company, purchasing a saw mill and 300,000,000 feet of
timber in Kentucky, the mill plant being located at Ford in that
state. Another saw mill and a large planing mill was built, Mr.
Cross being president of the company. Mr. Cross was the principal
stockholder and president of the George F. Cross lumber company,
operating a planing mill in Saginaw. He was also a large stockholder
and president of the Allington-Curtis manufacturing company of Sagi-
naw, a large and profitable concern engaged in the manufacture of
dust separators for planing mill plants. He also owned a half interest
in 200,000,000 feet of redwood timber in California. It is understood
that he also carried a life insurance of $60,000.

A little over a year ago Mr. Cross rented his residence on Genesee
avenue and removed to Ford, Kentucky, to take the active management
of his business there.

Mr. Cross lost a daughter and first wife by death nearly fifteen years
ago. Several years ago he married Elizabeth M., daughter of Mr.
George Weaver of Albany, N. Y., who, with one child, survives him.

CHARLES S. DRAPER.— Charles Stuart Draper died August 5, 1892,

MEMORIAL REPORT— SAGINAW COUNTY. 151

on board the steamship Columbia as he was returning home from
Carlsbad, where he had been in search of health.

Mr. Draper was a native of Michigan, having been born in Oakland
county August 27, 1841, and was therefore almost x 51 years of age.
Gifted by nature and possessing faculties of intellect seldom found in
young men of his age and day, Mr. Draper employed the years in
constant study and in sitting at the fount of knowledge, so that his
majority attained, he was widely known as a scholar and student of
high attainments.

On the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Third Michigan
Infantry, and October 28, 1861 he was commissioned second lieutenant
in that regiment. He was detached April 1, 1862 as aid on the staff
of General Richardson, was promoted to the rank of captain and
assistant aid-de-camp, served on the staff of General Phil Kearney,
and was with that chivalric and brilliant officer when he was killed at
Chantilly. Captain Draper was wounded at the battle of Antietam,
September 17, 1862, and resigned March 19, 1863, honorably retiring
from the service.

Returning to Pontiac he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah
Thurber, daughter of the late Horace Thurber, who survives him and
who has been his devoted companion through the illness which ended
with his death. They have no children.

Mr. Draper came to Sagina^v in 1870, and engaged in the practice
of law with H. H. Hoyt. Two years later he formed a partnership
with O. F. Wisner, the firm of Wisner & Draper since becoming one
of the most prominent in legal circles of the city and State. As
attorney, counselor, citizen, and public spirited gentleman there is no
need of endorsement in the record of Stuart Draper. His name and
deeds will long remain as a monument to his sterling worth.

Although many times sought after, Mr. Draper declined public life,
not because of fear of its responsibilities, but from a sense of innate
modesty. He was a staunch republican and served the party as
controller of the city of East Saginaw from 1871 to 1873, and at a
subsequent period filled the office of city attorney one term. He was
elected one of the regents of the University of Michigan April .1, 1885,
and was re-elected in 1889. His term would have expired December
31, 1897. Mr. Draper was an honofed member of the Saginaw county
bar and a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church.

MRS. MARY J. DRAPER. — Mrs. Mary J. Draper, wife of Calvin D.
Draper, died at the residence of her son-in-law, James P. Walsh, 1110

152 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Genesee avenue, Saginaw, June 19, 1892, aged 69 years. Deceased
was born in New York, and had resided in this city thirty-five years.
Besides her husband she leaves four sons, Eugene, Alexander, Jesse, and
W. A. Draper, all of Saginaw, and one daughter, Mrs. Loma Greenleaf,
residing in Tuscola county.

MRS. CATHERINE DEINDORFER. — Catherine, the widow of John George
Deindorf er, died August 22, ] 892, at the homestead, two miles north
of Court street, on Hermansau street, Saginaw, at the age of 64 years.
Mrs. Deindorfer came to Saginaw in 1852, when it was only a small
village. She leaves a daughter, Mrs. J. M. Helmreich, of Bay City,
and two sons, Richard J. and John G., both of Saginaw.

MRS. ANTHONY DOERR. SR. — Julia, the wife of Anthony Doerr, Sr.,
died at their residence in Jamestown on August 23, 1892, aged 73
years. Mrs. Doerr came to Saginaw in 1850 and the following year
was united in marriage to Mr. Doerr, who survives her. She had
spent all of her married life upon the farm in Jamestown, where she
died, and where she had gathered about her many friends. She leaves
besides her husband, two sons, George and Anthony, both of James-
town, and a daughter, Mrs. Clemens, of Meinburg.

REV. CHRISTOPHER L. EBERHARDT. — Rev. Christopher Ludwig Eber-
hardt, pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical i Lutheran church and president
of the Evangelical Lutheran seminary, died at his home April 27, 1893.

He was born January 3, 1831, at Lauffen, Wurtemburg, on the
Neckar, a branch of the Rhine. His father, who bore the same name,
gave to his son first a common education and afterwards a four years'
course in the industrial school. He then worked at home until he was
of age and entered the Mission seminary, at Basel, Switzerland,
graduating therefrom in June, 1860, being ordained August 5, of the
same year by Decan Hamm in company with Stephen Klingmann,
who was the late pastor of a leading church near Ann Arbor.

He came to Michigan in 1860, when the conference consisted of only
six members who, together with Mr. Eberhardt and Mr. Klingmann,
organized the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Michigan at Detroit,
December 9 and 10, 1860, and of that number the deceased was the
last to pass away. *

The mission work of the deceased commenced at Hopkins, Allegan
county, and he organized churches at sixteen places throughout Michi-
gan, embracing points covering 360 miles of territory in circumference
and preached at each place once in three weeks, traveling mostly on

MEMORIAL REPORT— SAGINAW COUNTY. 153

foot. In June, 1861, he visited the Lake Superior regions and caused
a missionary to be sent there. He was soon after called to the
pastorate at Saginaw which had been in existence about ten years but
had a membership of only about thirty. He entered upon his new
duties with a vigor and enthusiasm that instilled life into the people
and made the church enter upon a period of growth and prosperity.
He had a fair knowledge of music and at once organized a male choir
of which he acted as instructor, training them to a true appreciation
of the worship of God in melody. He organized a little school of
eleven pupils and taught it for over fourteen years, until it had grown
to such proportions as to require at one time three instructors and it
now has an attendance of nearly two hundred.

A review of Kev. Mr. Eberhart's pastoral work includes much history
closely interwoven with the interests of Saginaw and Michigan. The
church he has left without a head now has nearly one thousand com-
municants and he has for the past few years been the spiritual guide of
over two hundred families. Several branch churches have now become
strong and independent, such as Matthew's church at Tittabawassee, the
St. Peter's at Carrollton, and the St. John's in Saginaw.

Outside responsibilities have weighed heavily upon the deceased,
who was always an untiring and enthusiastic worker. For nearly ten
years he was the presiding officer of the synod of Michigan. At an
early date he realized the needs of the church for a numerous and
able ministry, and it was through his efforts that the now prosperous
theological seminary on Court street was established in 1887. He was
made president of the same, and it has constantly grown and flourished
under his supervision. He continued to fill, until his death, the chair
of theology and ethics, beside devoting much time and thought to the
general conduct of the institution. He was a great success as an
instructor, and was a great student of Bible history in the original
Greek and Hebrew, and such profound theologians as Luther were his
daily companions.

Not only the church but the State of Michigan owe much to Mr.
Eberhardt in the establishment of the noble institution of learning on
Court street which is proving so beneficent in its results.

In the pulpit and upon the rostrum pastor Eberhardt was a forcible,
pleasant and interesting speaker. His sermons were always well prepared
and showed a depth of thought and independent research. His people
were deeply attached to him and no man commanded their love and
esteem in so high a degree as he. His greatest monument will be the
20

154 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

loving remembrance of thousands who have known him and have been
benefited by his guidance.

He was married April 16, 1863, to Mary Eemiold of Lodi, Washte-
naw county, who departed this life but a few brief days before her
life long companion went to join her in that great beyond where it is
hoped their souls may repose in peace, the result of lives well spent in
the service of the Master.

MRS. JOHN FOSTER. — Mrs. Sarah Foster, wife of John Foster, died
April 9, 1893, aged 86 years.

Mrs. Foster was born in 1807, and had been a resident for many
years. Her husband, to whom she was married over 65 years before,
and five children survive her. The children are Mrs. Louisa Mearns,
M»s. Jeannette Steele and Mrs. Lizzie Home, of Saginaw; Mrs. M. E.
Cranston of Boston, and John A. Foster of Oakland, California.

MARTIN HEUBISCH. — Martin Heubisch died March 26, 1893, at his
residence, 227 South Third street, Saginaw. The deceased, who was
61 years of age, had been a resident of the county for the past thirty-
six years. He held the offices of deputy sheriff and supervisor for a
number of years and was well known throughout the county. He
leaves a wife, and a father who is ninety years of age.

KOBERT C. HOWELL. — Robert C. Howell of Thomastown, died at his
home March 20, 1893. He was 75 years of age and had resided in
Thomastown for thirty years. He leaves a wife.

MRS. FREDERICK HUBERT. — Mrs. Frederick Hubert died at her home
in Saginaw, March 6, 1893. Deceased was born 59 years ago in the
province of Quebec, and came to Saginaw from Port Huron with her
husband in 1862, engaging in the cattle and meat business for many
years, which attained success largely through the business knowledge
and untiring efforts of Mrs. Hubert. Her husband died about five
years ago. Only one son and a daughter, Mrs. Julia Button, survive.
Mrs. Hubert was a woman of much force of character, an efficient wife
and mother and a good neighbor.

GOTTLEIB LA'NGE. — Gottleib Lange died July 16, 1892, at his residence,
1508 Germania avenue, Saginaw, at the age of 81 years. Mr. Lange
was one of the pioneer residents of the city and for forty years had
made Saginaw his home. He was for a time proprietor of the Forest
City house on Water street and later of the National house on Jeffer-
son avenue. He leaves four children, Mrs. John Reib of Detroit,

MEMORIAL REPORT— SAGINAW COUNTY.

Theodore Lange of Chicago, Rudolph Lange of San Francisco, and
Albert Lange of Saginaw.

MBS. CAROLINE C. MASON.- — Caroline Clark Mason, widow of the late
Dr. Orville L. Mason, died August 13, 1892. The deceased was born
April 1, 1804, in Chester, Mass., and was a direct descendent in the
fifth generation of Lieutenant William Clark of colonial fame, and a
graduate of the Westfield academy, Mass. Dr. and Mrs. Mason moved
to Saginaw in 1863. The last few years Mrs. Mason has made her
home wiij^ her son, Lucius P. Mason. She also leaves a daughter,
Mrs. Charles W. Mowry; Mrs. S. Bond Bliss, the other daughter,
having died less than two weeks before,- a sketch of whom is found in
this report.

PETER McGREGOR.— Peter McGregor, a pioneer of Saginaw county,
died at his home in Tittabawassee township, September 13, 1892, at
the advanced age of 83 years. Mr. McGregor was born in Scotland.
He came to the county in 1843 and settled on the farm he has since
occupied. He was a highly respected citizen and had filled various
county offices, including justice of the peace and county treasurer. His
wife died twenty-two years ago.

MRS. KESYIAH OLIVER— Mrs. Kesyiah Oliver died March 11, 1893, aged
83 years. Deceased came to Saginaw in 1849 with her husband. Soon
after they arranged with C. W. Grant, then of the firm of Hoyt &
Grant, to take charge of the lumber shanty and cook for the men at
work erecting what for years was known as "the blue mill," at the foot
of German street. The cooking shanty was located on the present site
of the Buena Vista block, corner of Tilden street and Genesee avenue,
and here Mrs. George Oliver cooked the first meal for a white man in
what was afterwards known as Hoyt's plat to East Saginaw.

CHARLES H. PLUMMER. — Charles H. Plummer died at his home in
Saginaw, November 2, 1892. For sketch see page 110, Jackson county.

MRS. ELIZA M. PALMER. — Mrs. Eliza M. Palmer, relict of the late
John W. Palmer, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. St. John>
919 Court street, October 19, 1892, of heart trouble.

Mrs. Palmer was a daughter of the late Judge Perry Gardner. She
was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, September 6, 1817, and was
therefore 75 years of age last September. She passed her last birth-
day at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Smith of Saginaw
town. In 1824 Judge Gardner removed with his family from

156 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893

Ashtabula county to York, N. Y. Here Mrs. Palmer passed her girl-
hood and attended the Canandaigua seminary, where subsequently two
of her daughters attended 'school. Judge Gardner came to Saginaw in
1832 and settled on what is now known as the D. E. Benjamin farm.
Mrs. Palmer did not come till 1836. On May 22, 1839, she was
married to the late John W. Palmer, who died March 24, 1884. Soon
after their marriage they went to New York state, where they lived
until 1843, when they returned to Saginaw and lived at the homestead,
Judge Gardner having died during their residence in New York. In
1846 Mr. and Mrs. Palmer removed to Flint, then a smafl hamlet,
where they lived until 1875, since which time Mrs. Palmer's home has
been in Saginaw. For the last eight years she had lived with her
daughter, Mrs. E. St. John. She was the last of Judge Gardner's five
children, and in her death one more of the pioneer families of
Saginaw is gone, and the circle of those who have known Saginaw for
a half century is one smaller. Mrs. Palmer's real worth was known
only to those who touched her home circle, for it was within this
circle that she lived. She was naturally of a retiring disposition, and
for the past twenty-five years feeble health had prevented her from
widening the circle of her active influence. Yet who shall say that the
pure, noble life that she lived, and her devotion to home and family has
not been far-reaching in its influence for good.

Mrs. Palmer was the mother of eleven children, six of whom survive
her. A daughter, Miss Alice Palmer, died in Saginaw March 18, 1886,
and four died in Flint. Those who survive are Mrs. William Smith,
Mrs. E. St. John, Mrs. James H. Wellington, and Walter F. Palmer, of
Saginaw, and Miss S. C. Palmer and Mrs. H. L. Ketcham, of Chicago.

MBS. HARRIET PASSAGE. — Mrs. Harriet Passage, widow of the late A.
B. Passage, died December 19, 1892, at the family residence, 938 South
Washington avenue. The deceased, who was 66 years of age, for the
past 26 years had been a resident of Saginaw and was much esteemed
by a large circle of friends. Three children mourn her loss, Mrs.
Allen McLean, Mrs. William Lewis, and Miss Hattie Passage.

DANIEL D. EICHARDSON. — Another of Saginaw's old residents, Daniel
D. Eichardson, heeded the final summons to the great beyond
February 6, 1893, at the residence of his son, John W. Eichardson,
924 North Porter street. The deceased was born near Napanee, Ont.,
September 13, 1823, was married at the age of 22 to Miss Elmira
Costlow, who died about eleven years ago. He came to Michigan in
1859 and had lived in Saginaw for the past thirty years. Mr. Richardson

MEMORIAL REPORT— SAGINAW COUNTY. 157

served nearly three years during the war of the rebellion as a private
in Co. G, first regiment of the Michigan volunteer engineers and
mechanics. He leaves three daughters, Mrs. D. A. King of Saginaw,
Mrs. Hester Ann Benner of Spokane Falls, Wash., and Mrs. Philinda
Meyers of St. Paul, Minn.; and three sons, John, Charles, and Amos,
all of Saginaw.

MRS. WILLIAM KOESER, SB. — Mrs. William Koeser, Sr., died at her
home March 18, 1893. Mrs. Roeser, whose maiden name was Therese
Von Yasold, was born near Rudolphsbath, Germany, July 16, 1829.
In 1850 she came with her parents to this county and settled in
Tittabawassee township.

For years Mr. and Mrs. Koeser made their home in Tittabawassee,
and subsequently came to Saginaw. Of their home and its influence,
of Mrs. Eoeser as a friend and neighbor, hundreds of friends today
speak with the sad thought that relations so well filled on her part
are ended.

Mrs. Koeser leaves a husband and eight children to mourn the irre-
parable loss of a wife and mother, who in these relations was what
only a noble-minded, large-hearted, unselfish woman can be. The
children are: Oscar, Franz and Albert Koeser, of Grand Island, Neb.;
Herman, Charles L., and Fred Roeser, Mrs. Enoch Solms, and William
Roeser, Jr., of Saginaw.

' AMASA RUST. — Amasa Rust, prominent in business affairs in the
Saginaw valley and of a family conspicuous in the lumbering interests
of the northwest, died at his residence 207 Harrison street, Saginaw,
January 26, 1893.

Amasa Rust was born in Wells, Rutland county, Vt., May 27,. 1823,
and was of a family of eight, of whom John F. Rust of Cleveland,
Ezra Rust of Saginaw, and Mrs. T. G. Butlin of Chicago, are now
living. The father of Amasa Rust was a farmer in moderate circum-
stances and gave his family the educational advantages that the common
schools of that date afforded.. In 1837 he removed with his family to
Newport (now Marine City), where the subject of this sketch began
the battle for life in 1841 in shipbuilding and sailing on the lakes
until 1850, when he turned his attention to lumbering, which he
followed until his death. He came to Saginaw in 1855, and at first
was associated with his brothers under the firm name of D. W. Rust
& Co., and subsequently he became a member of the lumber firm of
Rust Brothers & Co., Butman & Rust, Burrows & Rust, and Rust,
Eaton & Co.. operating large saw mills and salt works on the Saginaw

158 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

river, and owning extensive tracts of pine timber. At the time of his
death he was a director in the Commercial and First National banks
of Saginaw. and the Saginaw county Savings bank.

The hospitable and rugged personality of Amasa Rust were distinguish-
ing traits in his character, and socially he was a most warm hearted
and companionable gentleman. Through his untiring industry, business
sagacity and energy he amassed a large fortune, which was used with
lavish generosity to help those less fortunate in the struggle of human
existence. He was also a public spirited man, had an abiding faith in
Saginaw, and contributed liberally to every project calculated to benefit
and build up the city. He was a true friend and good neighbor, and
few citizens of Saginaw leave a larger circle of enduring friends, among
them many who personally realize and appreciate the value of his
worth and friendship.

For many years Mr. Rust was a member of the vestry of St. John's
church and one of the chief supporters of the church for the erection
of which he was one of the most generous subscribers. He also gave
liberally toward the erection of the guild house and rectory of St.
John's parish, and in fact nis hand was ever in his pocket to respond
to the appeal of any worthy charitable or religious project.

In August, 1849, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Marietta A.
Grout, who survives him. The fruits of this union were five children,
of whom Charles A. and Ezra G. Rust of Saginaw and Mrs. Ida G.
Macpherson of Duluth are living. He was also uncle of Hon. W. A.
Rust of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, one of the prominent lumbermen of
that state.

RUDOLPH SCHACKER. — Rudolph Schacker, one of the pioneers of Sag-
inaw, died November 28, 1892, at his residence, 223 Park street north,
from the effects of a paralytic stroke, aged 78 years and 8 months.
Deceased had lived in Saginaw since 1847, and is said to have been
the first cabinet maker to make Saginaw his home. He was well known
and esteemed and will be greatly missed by the friends among whom
he had resided for so many years. His family consists of his wife, to
whom he had been married for fifty-two years, three married daughters
who live in Toledo, one son in California and another, son whose where-
abouts are unknown.

PAUL SCHMIDT. — Paul Schmidt, one of Saginaw's best known German
citizens, died December 15, 1892.

Mi*. Schmidt was 73 years of age, and was born in Vienna, Austria,
where he learned the apothecary's trade. For about thirty years Saginaw

MEMORIAL REPORT— SAGINAW COUNTY. 159

has been his home, the greater part of which he has been in business
at the corner of Germania and Genesee avenues. Upon first coming to
the city he was for a few years in the employ of Henry Melchers as
prescription clerk. His friends were many, for though somewhat
eccentric, his kindly disposition and upright character gained for him
the esteem of all with whom he was brought in contact.

MRS. FRANCES STAFFORD. — Mrs. Frances Stafford, wife of Philo Staf-
ford, foreman of the Bust, Eaton & Co.'s saw mill for twenty-six years
past, died February 20, 1893, at her home in Zilwaukee. Deceased was
54 years old and had resided in Zilwaukee twenty-six years. She was
prominently connected with the Woman's Equal Suffrage association of
the State, and in all the walks of life she was an exemplary wife and
mother and a most useful and highly esteemed member of the social
sphere in which she moved. She leaves one daughter, Mrs. E. Clark of
Cleveland, and four sons.

MRS. AUGUST STRASBURG. — Mrs. August Strasburg died at her home
in Saginaw September 24, 1892, aged nearly 56 years.

Mrs. Strasburg was born in Buffalo, N. Y., and her maiden name
was Elizabeth Bangester. She married August Strasburg in Detroit in
1853. They had resided in Saginaw since 1861. Mrs. Strasburg leaves
a husband and four children, three sons and one daughter, the latter
Mrs. George W. Hill. The sons are August, a resident of Saginaw;
Herman, at Fort Sherman, I. T., and Edward, a resident of Los
Angeles, Cal. Mrs. Strasburg was a good woman, an affectionate
wife and mother, and a kind neighbor with a large circle of friends.

WM. THAYER. — Wm. Thayer, one of Chesaning's old residents, died
at his home February 7, 1893.

ENOS THROOP. — linos Throop died at his home in Saginaw February
20, 1893, aged 64 years.

Mr. Throop was born in Bennington, Wyoming county, N. Y., August
12, 1828, and removed with his parents when fourteen years old, to Kich-
field, Genesee county, Mich., where he was twice married. He had resided
in Saginaw for nearly thirty years, and was well known arid highly
respected. He was the father of eleven children, four of whom are
living, Mrs. Lillie Desaw of Standish; Maud Throop of Adrian, and
William and Ira Throop, of Saginaw.

CHARLES TOWNSEND. — Charles Townsend died March 8, 1893, aged
78 years.

160 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

He had been a resident of Saginaw for the past thirty years, and
leaves five sons, William of Saginaw, Charles of Kansas City, Mo.,
Alonzo of Topeka, Kas., M. W. of Denver, and John A. of Saginaw;
and three daughters, Mrs. Kanson Curtis of Waterford, Ont., Mrs. O.
P. Barber and Mrs. E. D. Peck, of Saginaw.

EGBERT TURNER.— Eobert Turner died May 20, 1893, the aged victim
of the terrible conflagration.

Mr. Turner was a native of Glostenbury, Conn., where he was born
in 1804. For a long period he was an extensive woolen manufacturer in
New York, but settled in Michigan some thirty-five years ago and
engaged in the same business. Seven years ago he came to Saginaw
and made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Luther Holland. Mrs.
Turner, who survives him, is 85 years of age, it being sixty-five years
since their wedding day. He leaves four children, Mrs. W. W. Whedon
and Mrs. E. A. Spence, of Ann Arbor, Mrs. Luther Holland of Saginaw,
and Henry E. Turner of Lowville, N. Y.

ADAM WEGST. — Adam Wegst, one of Saginaw's best * known citizens,
died at his home on Germania avenue, October 3, 1892. He was a
man held in universal esteem, enjoying the friendship and respect of
all who knew him. In his demise Saginaw loses one who was in
every sense of the term, a true citizen.

Mr. Wegst was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 2, 1833.
His father, who was in government employ, died when he was in his
third year. He remained at home attending school until nearly four-
teen, after which he learned the cooper's trade, serving a three years'
apprenticeship, and at the age of seventeen came to America, in 1851.
The sailing vessel in which he came was wrecked on Coney Island and
all his baggage was lost. He came west as far as Cleveland and after
six months went to Painesville, where he spent two years in a furnace,
and then returned to Cleveland where he took up the business of a
cooper, working for one employer eight years, and for one winter
during the cholera scourge was at Washington Harbor, Wis. In April,
1861, Mr. Wegst came to Saginaw, where he became partner with Fred
Eump in the cooperage business, and then became foreman for Ten
Eyck & Co. in that branch of their business. Afterwards he occupied
the same position in the Orange county works at Carrollton until 1866,
when he became a partner in the firm of Wegst & Mark, continuing
this until 1873, when he bought out his partner and carried on a large
trade. In 1886 Mr. Wegst formed a partnership with his son-in-law,

MEMORIAL REPORT— SAGINAW COUNTY. 161

J. P. Beck, and engaged in the manufacture of carriages, etc., the
partnership existing at the time of his death.

Mr. Wegst was married at Cleveland. March 23, 1856, to Jacobina
Celler, who also was a native of Wurtemberg. She died February 16,
1891, leaving one adopted son, John, and two daughters, Mrs. J. P.
Beck and Miss Minnie Wegst. For some years the adopted son has
resided in the west.

In his church connection Mr. Wegst was associated with the
Lutheran church. He took an active interest in the social as well as
the business interests of the city that so long was his home, and was
among the original members of both the Germania and Arbeiter
societies and also a member of the pioneer society of the county. For
eight years he served the city in the capacity of alderman and was a
capable and valued member of the city's legislative body; for six years
he was on the board of supervisors, for one year a member of the
board of education and at the time of his death was on the board of
review of the city.

JOHN C. ZIEGLER.-^- John C. Ziegler, a resident of Saginaw since
1859, died at his home, corner of Monroe and Bond streets, March 30,
1893.

Mr. Zeigler was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 15, 1880.
At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a jeweler, and followed that
trade in Germany until 1852, when he came to America and located at
Detroit. In 1859 he came to Saginaw and entered the employ of
Thomas Doughty, where he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in
Company H, Second Michigan Infantry. He served during the war and
then returned to Saginaw and established in the jewelry business on the
west side, where he was for years the leading jeweler. Some ten years
ago he met with business reverses, and poor health compelled him
soon after to seek a -more healthful business, and though he has done
something at his trade most of the time since then, he has been quite
extensively engaged in growing grapes, which he made into wine. He
was an honored member of J. M. Penoyer post No. 90, G. A. R., and
of the Teutonia society. He has always been' esteemed as a good
citizen and upright man. In 1861 he married Christina Hink. They
have seven children, three sons, Louis Ziegler of Chicago, Charles and
Albert, of Saginaw; and four daughters, Mrs. Emma Roth of Blum-
field, and the Misses Augusta, Clara, and Helen, of Saginaw.
2L

162 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY.

BY ALONZO H. OWENS.

JAMES CUMMIN. — James Cummin died at his home in the village of
Morrice, December 15, 1892, aged 77 years.

The death of Mr. Cummin removes from our midst one of the most
prominent and best known pioneers of Shiawassee county. Mr. Cummin
was of Scotch ancestry, tracing his lineage to the Cummin clan who
fought with the renowned Sir William Wallace. His father, Alexander
Cummin, was born in County Down, Ireland, and died at Corunna
at the age of 82 years. In religion the Cummin clan were strict
Presbyterians.

Mr. James Cummin, the subject of this sketch was born in County
Down, Ireland, and came to this country a young man, and worked at
the carpenter's trade in Detroit for a time in the 30's, and acquired
some property which he sold and then moved to Shiawassee county,
and was one of the first pioneers of the township of Perry. He
followed farming and real estate business, and at one time was the
owner of over 3,000 acres of land which he accumulated by hard labor
and careful management. Being a liberal and public spirited man, he
invested nearly $10,000 in the bonds of the Detroit & Milwaukee and
Chicago & Northwestern railroads, the most of which was a free gift
to aid in their construction. At Corunna, when the Corunna car
company was organized for the purpose of manufacturing freight cars,
he gave a portion of the necessary land for its location, and indorsed
notes to aid it to the amount of several thousand dollars, and lost the
whole amount. He also advanced the money to build the Presbyterian
church at Corunna, which was returned to him after several years' use.
Mr. Cummin became interested with Lansing parties in the State
Insurance Company and invested $5,000 which he lost. He was also a
large stockholder in the First National bank at Corunna for several
years and was one of the principal founders of the first bank of this
county, known as the Exchange Bank of J. B. Wheeler & Co. He
was also very active in securing the location of the county seat at
Corunna.

In politics Mr. Cummin was a sturdy democrat, and during the dark
days of the Rebellion, at the solicitation of committees from various
towns of the county, he held war meetings to secure recruits and free
the towns from the draft, in which he was very successful always
freely contributing his services.

MEMORIAL REPORT— SHI A WASSEE COUNTY. 163

Mr. Cummin served the county as county treasurer for fourteen or
.sixteen years, being elected to that office on the democratic ticket in
1864, when the republicans had about one thousand five hundred
majority in the county, the only democrat elected on the county ticket.

Mr. Cummin, while living in Detroit was married to Miss Julia A.
Beale, who was born in Kochester, New York. She died at Corunna
in 1880. Ten children were born to them, four of whom died when
small and one in later years, Captain William E. Cummin, now resid-
ing in Corunna, being the eldest surviving child. The other children
are George E. and James F. Cummin, now successfully engaged in
business at Cheney, Washington, and Mrs. Lizzie Cummin Phelps and
Miss Julia Cummin of San Jose. California. These absent ones were
unable to be present at the funeral of their father. Beside these
children Mr. Cummin leaves a widow, to whom he was married several
years ago.

DR. W. B. Fox.— Dr. Wells B. Fox, late surgeon of the Eighth Mich-
igan Infantry and surgeon-in-chief of the field hospital of the first
division, ninth army corps, died of apoplexy May 30, 1893, at Bancroft
after an illness of but a few days. He was to have delivered the
memorial address, it having been customary for him to take part in the
exercises for a number of years. He was a very eloquent speaker.

Wells B. Fox was born in Buffalo, N. Y., September 1, 1823. When
a child of eight years he was injured, and was placed for surgical
treatment in the care of one of the most eminent surgeons of the
Empire state. The old doctor had no children and finally adopted
young Fox. He early imbibed the idea of studying medicine and,
from the time he was fourteen years old, compounded all the doctor's
medicine and traveled with him all over that part of the country. Fox
studied medicine in Buffalo, and graduated at the Union college at
Schenectady, N. Y. For two years he was medical attendant of the
county hospital of Erie county.

In 1849 he came to Michigan and located in Livingston county,
beginning a general practice. He continued there until 1862 when he
entered the army as surgeon. He was appointed assistant surgeon of
the Twenty-second Michigan Infantry by Governor Wisner. In this
capacity he served until June, 1863, when he was made surgeon of the
Eighth Michigan Infantry until the close of the war. While in the
Twenty-second regiment, after Morgan's raid in Kentucky, he organized
the hospitals at Lexington, Ky. In September, 1864, he was made sur-
geon-in-chief of the field in front of Petersburg, and continued in that
position until he was discharged July 20, 1865.

164 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

He was at Appomattox with his hospital corps, and was by invita-
tion of Gen. Sheridan, a witness of the making of the terms of peace
between Grant and Lee. It is said that during the war he amputated
9,000 limbs, and conducted 14,000 other operations. At the close of
the civil war he returned to Michigan. In 1877 he came to- Bancroft
and took an interest in its improvement, erecting a number of buildings
of great benefit to the village.

The marriage of Dr. Fox and Miss Triphena Skinner took place
January 8, 1853. She died August, 1888. By this marriage the doctor
had two daughters who survive him. Both are married and reside at
Bancroft. He was a prominent Odd Fellow and belonged to the Byron
encampment. He stood high not only in the councils of the G. A. R.
but also in his profession, and his reputation as a surgeon was national
in its character.

ISAAC GALE. — Isaac Gale was born at Bern, Albany county, N. Y., on
the 4th day of December, 1808. His parents were of German extract-
ion; the Sherburn family, to which his mother belonged, emigrated
from Germany to England in the sixteenth century, and from England
to America in the seventeenth century. Isaac, like the majority of
farmer's boys of that day, remained at home working on his father's
farm until he was twenty-one years old. This early discipline of busi-
ness and economy laid the foundation of his future success. His school
privileges were confined to the district schools of his neighborhood, but
with an active and logical intellect, with an ambition to acquire knowl-
edge, he made life a long term of school, and accumulated a fund of
practical information that is seldom covered with a college diploma.

He wisely concluded to attempt success in the calling to which he
was born and reared. He came to the territory of Michigan in the
spring of 1830 and located one hundred and sixty acres of timbered
land in Washtenaw county. About this time he was married to Miss
M. A. Wilbur of Duchess county, N. Y., who still survives him.

In 1840 he exchanged his farm in Washtenaw county for a tract of
unimproved land in the township of Bennington, Shiawassee county;
this farm he improved and enlarged until it embraced three hundred
and eighty acres— one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. Gale's
maxim was to live within your income, and he • demonstrated that suc-
cess was sure along that line. Daring his long and active life he
accumulated a fortune of over one hundred thousand dollars. His
judicial mind and his extensive reading made him a leader among the
pioneers of Shiawassee. He was supervisor of his township for fifteen.

MEMORIAL REPORT— SHIAWASSEE COUNTY. 165

years. He was justice of the peace for thirty-six years, and served*
four years as record judge of the county court before the present cir-
cuit court system was adopted.

In his official capacity he labored to keep his township out of debt
and to have the county governed in a conservative and economical
manner.

Later in life he was interested in banking and in the construction
of a portion of the Chicago and Grand Trunk railway. He was social in
his nature and was never too busy to talk with a neighbor or friend.
In politics he was a democrat and was strong in the belief that the
" rascals should be turned out " of office. About five years before his
death he moved to the village of Morrice where he died July 2, 1892.
Among the many men of ability who became identified with the early
history of Shiawassee county, probably none contributed more to its
material and social prosperity than Isaac Gale.

MRS. DANIEL JEFFEES. — Mrs. Daniel Jeffers died at her home in
Burton June 2, 1893, aged 84 years and 10 months. Her aged
husband and five children survive her. The names of the surviving
children are Mrs. Mary Phipps of Stanton, Mich.; Aaron Jeffers of
Groomsville, Ind.; George Jeffers of Flushing; Mrs. Jennie Packer of
Caro, Tuscola county; and Mrs. Louisa Adams of Burton.

The deceased was born in England and came to Michigan in 1833.
At the time of her death she had resided in Burton fifty-four years.
The deceased was a woman of exemplary life and enjoyed the friendship
of a large circle of friends. Her children sincerely mourn the loss of
one of the best of mothers.

SAFFORD PITTS. — Safford Pitts died at twelve o'clock, December 31,
1892, or at the ushering in of the new year of 1893. He was born in
Richmond, Ghittenden county, Vermont, in 1825. He came to Mich-
igan in 1830 with his parents, Moses and Sally Pitts, first settling in
Bloomfield, Oakland county. In 1836 his father took one hundred and
twenty acres of land from government in Bennington, Shiawassee
county, Michigan, and in 1838 moved his family, thereon, with a place
cleared only large enough to set a house. All commenced life in earnest.
In 1850 the father died leaving a family of eight children of whom
Safford was the eldest. With the persistent push and energy which
characterized the people in those days, all moved on, Safford teaching
school winters and working on the farm summers, and in time he owned
one hundred and sixty acres of land on the Grand River road where it
is intersected by the Owosso & Perry road, one mile from the old

166 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

homestead farm. He was married in 1858 to Miss Cornelia Grenell of
Rose, Oakland county, Michigan, and this farm became his permanent
home. Buildings were erected on it, a nice school house built on one
of the opposite corners, and a church a little east of another corner
which was dedicated a Baptist church. Other buildings arose, some for
business and some for dwellings, until they had quite a settlement and
they called it Pittsburgh, and a postoffice was established, Mr. Pitts
appointed postmaster, which office he held until 1885. This was also
called Pittsburgh postoffice. Mi*. Pitts was converted in early life, and
united with the Baptist church and lived and died a Christian, and
was also a thorough temperance worker.

The deceased leaves a widow and three children, A. G. Pitts, a
lawyer in Detroit, Mrs. W. O. Carrier, wife of a Presbyterian clergy-
man in Wausau, Wisconsin, and Miss Allie Pitts.

ST. GLAIR COUNTY.
BY MRS. HELEN W. FARRAND.

MRS. ELIZABETH ASHTON. — Mrs. Elizabeth Ashton died at her
residence in Port Huron, July 31, 1892. She had nearly reached the
age of 64 years. ' She was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to
this country at the age of thirty years. Here she married and moved
to St. Clair a number of years since. For the last seven years of her
life she had been afflicted with total blindness. Two children, a
daughter, resident in Detroit, and Robert Ashton of Port Huron, are
left to mourn her.

MRS. ANDREW BLACKIE. — Mrs. Andrew Blackie, aged 88 years, living
in China township, died July 15, 1892. The deceased was an old
resident and was respected by all who knew her.

WM. BURNS. — Wm. Burns, ex-county treasurer, died at his home,
1534 Poplar street, Port Huron, May 3, 1893, aged 55 years. Mr.
Burns was born in Chapel township, County Wexford, Ireland, and
came to America with his brother Moses forty years ago. He located
in Fremont, Sanilac county, on land purchased from the government.
Three years later he moved to Worth, in the same county, and shortly
afterwards to Jeddo, in Grant township, where he settled on a farm..

MEMORIAL REPORT— ST. CLAIR COUNTY. 167

His first wife was Mary Ann Carroll, daughter of a Grant farmer.
She died twenty years ago, leaving two sons and two daughters, Wm.
and John, now of Chicago, Mrs. John Dawson of Dakota, and Miss
Katie Burns of Port Huron. Mr. Burns was married the second time
to Mrs. Thome of Port Huron seventeen years ago, and from this
marriage had one son, John, aged 16 years. He had two sisters resid-
ing in Chicago, and a brother, Moses, in Sanilac county. In 1886 Mr.
Burns was elected county treasurer on the democratic ticket and came
to Port Huron to reside. He was [elected a second time. For two
years he was under sheriff. As an officer he was a courteous and
obliging gentleman and made many friends. He was an enthusiastic
member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a member of the Knights
of Labor and of Huron tent, K. O. T. M. In the death of Mr. Burns
Port Huron has lost a good citizen.

JAMES W. CAMPBELL. — James W. Campbell died at his farm on
Lapeer avenue, Port Huron, August 9, 1892, aged 74 years. He had
resided on the same farm for forty-four years. He leaves a wife, five
sons, and one daughter.

THOMAS CURRIE. — Thos. Currie, an old resident of Algonac, and
father of Capt. Thomas Currie of Port Huron, died at the home of
his daughter, Mrs. Frank Hart, of Marine City, on Sunday, February
5, 1893, aged 79 years. Mr. Currie was born in Belfast, Ireland, in
1818, and moved to Nova Scotia when seven years of age. In 1839 he
moved to Algonac and has since resided there. Five sons and three
daughters survive him.

MRS. JOSEPH EBERT. — Mrs. Joseph Ebert died February 8, 1893.
She was born in Bavaria, Germany, 1832, and came to this country at
an early age. She was married in 1852, at St. Clair, which place has
always been her home since her arrival in this country. Five children
survive her, three of whom are married. Two, Mrs. M. Gearing and
Edw. Cashine reside in Detroit, and Mrs. G. S. Anderson in Allegheny,
Pa. The other two have always lived here at her sister's home, the
St. Clair House. She also leaves two sisters and one brother to mourn
her loss.

ANDREW FOSTER. — Andrew Foster died suddenly of heart disease
October 7, 1892. Andrew Foster was born in Ireland on February 2,
1828. He came to Canada with his parents when 18 years of age. He
grew to manhood in Canada and was at one time engaged in the boot
and shoe business in Guelph. At the breaking out of the war he

168 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

moved to Detroit and in 1862 came to Port Huron and entered the
employ of H. J. Bockius. Two years later he engaged in the boot and
shoe business on his own account and has since continued in it, and ,
at the time of his death was the oldest boot and shoe dealer in this
section of the county. Two sons and two daughters survive him, Fred
Foster, Wm. Foster, Mrs. Fred Wright, and Miss Edith Foster, all of
Port Huron.

JOHN H. HOYT. — John H. Hoyt died at his home in Port Huron
June 3, 1892, aged 56 years.

Mr. Hoyt came to Port Huron over thirty years ago. At one time he
was engaged in the drug business, was for years a member of the
customs force, and was connected with Howard's lumber office for
some time. A wife, 'one son, and one daughter survive him.

MRS. FRANKLIN W. HUNTINGTON. — Mrs. S. M. Huntington, nee Kings-
bury, died October 20, 1892. She was born in Ogsdensburg, N. Y., in
1820. Her father subsequently established the family home in Canton,
N. Y., at which place the marriage of his daughter, Susan M., to
Franklin W. Huntington was solemnized. Mr. and Mrs. Huntington
moved to Kentucky where they both engaged in teaching. A few years
after they were again at the old home in Canton, from which place
they came to Port Huron in 1850. Eight children were born to them,
four of them still living, viz., Mrs. Geo. W. Jones, Mrs. E. O. Avery,
of Alpena; Mrs. Fred A. Fish of Port Huron, and Geo. P. Hunting-
ton of Detroit. Mrs. Huntington's character was moulded in child-
hood through the religious influences of a pious mother, which, early
in life, led her to seek connection with the Presbyterian church in
Canton. During the whole period of her residence in Port Huron she
was a consistent member of the Congregational church of that city.
Five members only are living of older membership than herself. Her
literary taste made her a very desirable co-worker in the Ladies'
Library Association, of which she was a charter member, and for which
she had rilled the offices of librarian, recording secretary, correspond-
ing secretary, etc., with ability and care. On the occasion of a visit
from the L. L. A., of Flint, Mrs. Huntington's poem to mark, the
occasion elicited much applause, and in this connection we will say
that her talent for composing in " measure " — a poetic faculty — was
often exercised, and, on fitting occasions, a poem from her facile pen
was frequently solicited. . Her tenacious memory was a marvel to her
friends until advancing years weakened its power. A quiet dignity

MEMORIAL REPORT— ST. GLAIR COUNT!'. 169

seemed her personal accompaniment, and her friends will recall its
gentle power on many occasions in the past.

GAGE INSLEE. — Gage Inslee died at his home in Port Huron, Janu-
ary 27, 1893. Mr. Inslee was born in New York state August 8, 1818.
He came west with his parents in 1835. In 1856 he engaged in the
milling business in Port Huron. In 1860 he was appointed deputy
United States marshal and also served as provost marshal. In 1862 he
was appointed to a position on the customs force and held the place
until 1885. He was an uncompromising republican. In 1841 Mr. Inslee
married Miss Elsie Ann Montague of Orange county, N. Y. She died
about five years ago. The deceased leaves one son, Chas. Inslee, of
Grand Rapids, and one daughter, Mrs. A. B. McCollom.

MRS. M. McELROY. — Mrs. M. McElroy, whose death occurred July 21,
1892, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., 56 years ago.

In 1854 she was married to Jacob McElroy, a brother of Hon. C.
McElroy of St. Glair, and soon after moved to the state of Alabama
where they lived until her health failed, when she with her husband
and five children came north again, settling at New Baltimore. In the
year 1871 they moved to Marine City where in March, 1879 they cele-
brated their silver wedding. Mr. McElroy died soon after. In August
of the same year the widow moved to St. Glair where she had resided
ever since. Frail in body yet of a persevering and energetic nature
her life was prolonged much beyond the expectations of her friends.

During her residence in St. Glair, until the past year and a half, she
successfully carried on the furniture and undertaking business. During
these years of business she served with delicacy and appropriateness at
a large number of funerals. Her manner was of that quiet and retir-
ing kind that wins friends at every point. She was a member of the
Congregational church.

The example of perseverence and industry as illustrated in the life
and character of Mrs. McElroy is one which could be followed by all
with profit.

MRS. EGBERT MILLS. — Phoebe Gumpton Mills, wife of Robert Mills,
was born near Wardsville, Canada, fifty-nine years ago and died at her
home in Port Huron, June 4, 1892. For many years she lived at
Belle River, in what is known as the Hart settlement, She became a
member of the Methodist church when quite young and always lived
an upright, Christian life.
22

170 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

OSCAR F. MORSE. — Oscar F. Morse was born in New Hampshire,
February 13, 1842. He came to St. Clair with his parents in 1846. At
the age of 20 years he joined the 8th Michigan Cavalry and entered
the service in defense of his country. In the fall of 1863 he was
taken prisoner near Athens, Tennessee, and for the next fourteen
months languished, starved, and suffered in five different southern
prisons, among the number being Libby, Richmond, and Andersonville
prisons. At the end of this time he was exchanged and came home
badly broken down in health and the sufferings thus endured made
him more or less an invalid for the balance of his life. After the
close of the war he served in various public positions, among them as
clerk of the house of representatives for one year, and engrossing clerk
of the senate for two years. The duties of these offices he performed
very acceptably.

In the year 1869 he was married to Miss Sarah Saph, who died May
23, 1892. Five children were born to them, four of whom are left to
mourn his death.

Three years ago Mr. and Mrs. Morse joined the Congregational
church of St. Clair, and at the time of his death, which occurred July
23, 1892, Mr. Morse was a trustee of the society and clerk of the
church.

The deceased directed the building of the hotel at Grande Pointe
and was manager of the same for some time. Later on he occupied
positions of steward and manager of the Oakland .and Somerville
Springs hotels respectively and made many friends by his attentions
to the welfare and comfort of thousands of guests.

He was a member of Miles post G. A. E. and of Palmer lodge No.
20, Knights of Pythias, of St. Clair, and was buried by the latter
organization. A detachment from Sanborn post G. A. R, of Port
Huron, accompanied by a portion of Miles post, of St. Clair, attended
the funeral services.

CALIXTE PAILLE.— Calixte Paille, an old resident of Port Huron, died
at his home, 409 Ontario street, August 14, 1892. Heart difficulty
was the cause of his death. The deceased was formerly a well known
boot and shoe dealer but of late has lived a retired life. He had
resided in Port Huron fifty years and had resided in the same house
for thirty-nine years. He leaves a wife and one daughter, Mrs. Geo.
Tebo of Chicago.

MRS. MALINDA PARIS.— Mrs. Malinda Paris died in St. Clair, October
22, 1892, aged 68 years. She was born at Paris, Ky., December 24,

MEMORIAL, REPORT— ST. CLAIR COUNTY. 171

1824. Her maiden name was Robinson. Her father was a slave, but
her mother was born free. From this marriage there were nine
children, of whom Malinda was the sixth.

On account of the father being a slave a very determined effort was
made to enslave the children. This the mother steadfastly resisted
through the courts for fourteen years, when they were finally declared
free. Malinda, the subject of this sketch, distinctly remembered the
time, she being then five years of age. The mother then tried to buy
the freedom of her husband, but the sum asked ($15,000) being beyond
her power to secure, he urged her to take the children and go north^
choosing to die there alone in slavery rather than run the risk of
having them stolen from her. She finally did so, taking her departure
in the night, her husband, unknown to his master, accompanying them
nine miles of the way. They then knelt together and prayed and
sang a parting hymn, and the slave father turned back alone to end
his life a slave, while the faithful mother hurriedly bore her children
onward to a place of safety.

They never met again on earth. She found a home for herself at
Terre Haute, Ind., where they earned their living, the mother at her
trade as a tailoress, and the children working out. There Malinda
became acquainted with William Paris, whom she married at the age of
eighteen. He was born free, but had been kidnapped at three different
times and taken into slavery. Twice he was held thus for six months
at a time before he found opportunity to escape, and the last time he
was held a year. This was before their marriage.

After their marriage they went to Vincennes, Ind., where they found
employment in a hotel as cooks. But they had not been long there
when his would-be master found him out, and came with his blood-
hounds to force him back into slavery; but by means of the
"underground railroad" a safe landing on Canadian soil was secured
to him. He went to Chatham, where he was soon joined by his wife,
Malinda, and there their first child, Jane, was born. He enlisted as a
soldier, but in a short time the regiment was disbanded. After this
they went to Detroit, and meeting there with Gen. S. B. Brown they
were hired by him to come to St. Glair and cook in his hotel, and
here they spent the remainder of their lives, she being left a widow in
the year 1860.

There were seven children born, to them, three of whom are still
living. Her oldest son, Henry, enlisted in the war of the rebellion,
where he ^remained until its close, a period of over three years and
three months. He contracted disease in the army, consumption, and

172 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

after a lingering illness, died in his mother's home. She finally applied
for and received a pension on his account, but only lived to enjoy it
for about three years. She was always a very hard worker, and for the
last few years of her life she suffered a good deal from difficulty of
breathing. Fourteen months ago she had a very sudden and serious
attack of sickness which the physicians pronounced heart trouble.
From this she never recovered. During the most of this period her
sufferings were intense. She knew, that her life hung upon a very slender
thread, but her trust in God was unfaltering to the end. Her desire
for continued life was only for the sake of others, that she might still
help to bear their burdens. The. immense concourse of people present
on the occasion was sufficient testimony that " Aunt Malinda " will
long be held in loving remembrance by the people of St. Clair.

KEV. A. HASTINGS Boss. — Rev. A. Hastings Boss died at his home
in Port Huron, May 13, 1893. He was a native of Worcester county,
Massachusetts, and was born in the town of Winchendon on April 28,
1831. His early life was spent on a farm. He attended the common
school there and entered the academy. He afterwards went to Oberlin,
Ohio, where he entered Oberlin college, and graduated in 1857, After
graduating he entered the theological seminary at Andover, Massachu-
setts, where he pursued his theological studies for three years. His
first pastorate was at Boylston, Mass., where he remained five years.
He then accepted a call and was pastor of the Congregational church
of Springfield, Ohio, for seven years, and was afterwards pastor of a
church in Columbus, Ohio, for two years. He then accepted a call
from the first Congregational church in Port Huron, and came here
on June 1, 1876. During his lifetime Mr. Ross was a lecturer on
church polity in the Oberlin Theological Seminary, and was elected
"Southworth lecturer on Congregationalism" at Andover Theological
Seminary. During his seventeen years residence in Port Huron he
built up a large congregation, with several branch chapels. He was
one of the founders of the Hospital and Home and was its president
at the time of his death. He will be missed in this institution. Mr.
Ross was also prominently identified with other charitable institutions
of the city. He was respected by all classes in all churches, and was
acknowledged a man of much ability.

Mr. Ross was united in marriage October 15, 1861, to Miss Mary M.
Oilman, of Churchville, New York, who survives him. He leaves no
children.

. •

DEWITT C. SMITH.— Dewitt Clinton Smith, of Brockway, died Novem-

MEMORIAL REPORT— ST. GLAIR COUNTY. 173

her 10, 1892, in Port Huron, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George
Plaisted, aged 65 years. Mr. Smith was born in Amherst, Mass., Sep-
tember 3, 1827, was one of the earliest settlers of the county, coming
to St. Clair with his father in 1836. He was a member of the Presby-
terian church in which for many years he has been an earnest and
faithful worker.

MRS. C. M. STOCKWELL. — Mrs. C. M. Stockwell died at her home in
Port Huron, August 22, 1892. She had resided in Port Huron with her
husband for forty-one years and her many friends will be pained to
learn of her death. A husband, two sons and two daughters survive
her, Dr. G. A. Stockwel] of Detroit; Dr. C. B. Stockwell of Port
Huron; Mrs. Walter McMillan of Detroit, and Mrs. Harry Hyde of
Buffalo.

MR. JOSIAH WEST. — Mr. Josiah West, one of St. Glair's oldest citi-
zens, died at the residence of his son, Mr. Fred West, in St. Clair
township, July 30, 1892. Born in Middlesex,* Vermont, December 15,
1804, he had nearly rounded out eighty-eight years of life. As a boy
of ten he accompanied his parents, in 1814, to Broome county, N. Y.
From there he moved to St. Clair in 1855. His residence has since
been in this vicinity. For a number of years disease attendant upon
old age had kept him confined to his room.

Over fifty years ago he became a member of the Baptist church.

He was three times married, and the father of fourteen children, but
four of whom are now living.

At one time during the late war he had four sons in the army cf
the Union forces.

MRS. CHARLES H. WATERLOO. — Mrs. Charles H. Waterloo died at her
home in Port Huron, July 27, 18.92.

Shie who was Mary Jane Beebe was born in Genesee county, New
York, June 21, 1818. Both her father and mother came from old New
England stock. Her ancestors were of those who sought, found, and
helped maintain a home for the oppressed. W^h her brothers and
sisters, of whom there was a goodly lot in that sturdy family, she was
educated in an humble way in the public schools of Genesee and
Cataraugus counties. In 1836, when this portion of Michigan was prac-
tically a wilderness, the family came to this State, the journey occupy-
ing several weeks, and located at what is now Richmond, in Macomb
county. The settlement there established was long known as, and is
still occasionally called, " Beebe's Corners " — a mark of distinction in a

174 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

way for the dominating family among Macomb's pioneers. They were
not rich, these people who came here in the early days, but they were
progressive. The men felled the forest, and with the first logs, after
homes had been built, school houses were erected. In one of these
homely places of learning Mary Beebe taught boys and girls who have
since carried on the task inaugurated by the pioneers. The school
house stood on the river bank near the site of Marysville. Ked men in
canoes filled the great water path in front that is now traversed by the
craft of a mighty commerce,

In November, 1844, the young school teacher was married at Richmond
to Charles H. Waterloo, who, with his parents, brothers, and sisters, had
left England some • seventeen years before. The Waterloos had first
established themselves on a farm near Detroit, but were now in
Columbus township, St. Clair county. Here Charles and his wife began
a married life that lasted nearly half a century. Their first home, like
those all about them, was of logs, for they were in the heart of the
woods. Turkeys so wild that they were not afraid of man, camte to
the very doorway to be shot. Deer and other game offered themselves
as easy sacrifices to the growing family. In time the log house and
barns gave place to prouder structures of frame. The children and the
grainfields demanded it. Mr. Waterloo had been a successful farmer
in a small way and had become well known in the community. In
1862 he was elected register of deeds of St. Clair county, and shortly
thereafter abandoned farm life for a home in Port Huron. Here the
homestead has remained. The house in which Mrs. Waterloo died, she
had lived in and loved for twenty-eight years. Her children attended,
and some of them taught in, the public schools of the county. Ten
•children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Waterloo. Two of them died more
than two score years ago. Indeed the Almighty, in whom she had an
abiding faith, had dealt kindly with her, in that she had seen a large
family of children reach full maturity. These children are Stanley,
Althea (Mrs. Jerome Campbell), Belle (Mrs. Frank Flower), Hattie,
Charlie, Minnie (Mrs. Ed. Conway), Lucy, and Burke. All were with
their mother at the time of her death with the exception of Stanley,
and he arrived in time to attend the funeral. The pall bearers were
the dead woman's own sons and Mr. Campbell, her son-in-law.

Mrs. Waterloo was a member of the Congregational church and had
been for nearly thirty years. During long months of sickness and
suffering she bore up bravely, and to the very last she taught to those
around her a lesson of unselfishness, humanity, and immortality. The
world is better because of such women as she.

MEMORIAL REPORT— ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 175

MRS. CATHERINE YOUNG. — Mrs. Catherine Young, widow of the late
James Young died at her home in Port Huron, April 29, 1893. She
was born in Aberfeldy, Scotland, December 13, 1817, and was 76 years
and 4 months old at the time of her death. She came to this
country with her sister and settled in Detroit in 1830 and was married
to James Young in 1832. They moved to Port Huron in 1837, being
among the first settlers here. Mrs. Young watched Port Huron grow
from a small settlement to a thriving city. Naturally of a retiring
disposition and thoroughly devoted to her home and family, she was
but little known except by the older settlers. By her death her children
lose a loving mother, and they sincerely mourn their loss. Four
daughters and two sons survive her, viz.: Mrs. Ann Greenfield of
Detroit; Mrs. Jacob P. Haynes, Mrs. W. V. Elliott, Mrs. M. N. Petit,
John M. and Wm. M. Young, of Port Huron.

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
BY HIRAM DRAPER.

MRS. WATSON PERKINS. — Mrs. Martha Perkins, relict of Watson Per-
kins, died at the home of her adopted daughter, Mrs. Anna Sturgis in
township of Sturgis, May 28, 1892, aged 83 years. She was buried at
White Pigeon.

MRS. ABRAHAM BUYS. — Mrs. Elizabeth Buys, relict of Abraham Buys,
died June 9, 1892, in the 100th year of her age. She was an, early
settler in Colon township in 1834 or '35.

MRS. MARY SKIRVIN. — Mrs. Mary Skirvin died in Sturgis, May 20,
1892.

MRS. ELIZABETH EAMES. — Mrs. Elizabeth Eames died at the home of
her daughter, Mrs. Frank Koys of Florence, May 27, 1892, aged 77
years.

MRS. WILLIAM DICKINSON. — Mrs. Ann Dickinson, relict of the late
William Dickinson of Florence, died at her home in Florence, June 4,
1892, aged 81 years. Was one of the early settlers of, the township.

LYMAN RHOADES. — Lyman Ehoades died at his home in White
Pigeon, June 1, 1892. Was born in Monroe, then called Frenchtown,

176 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

in 1809, and of his more than eighty-three years residence in Michigan,
about sixty years have been in the township of White Pigeon.

MRS. POLLY A. EEED. — Mrs. Polly A. Reed, for forty years a resi-
dent of Three Rivers, died in that place May 27, 1892, aged 77 years,
10 months, 21 days.

MRS. C. W. COND.— Mrs. C. W. Cond died June 6, 1892. She was
born in Branch county in 1836; married to Mr. C. W. Cond May 24,
1865, and had been a resident of Constantine nearly fifty-six years.
She was an educated, amiable lady, a good neighbor and friend, a
faithful wife who has well borne her part in life.

DR. ALVA M. BUTLER. — Dr. Alva M. Butler, a former resident of
Constantine, died May 31, 1892, at Dowagiac, aged 66 years. He was
Born in Rome, N. Y., May 25, 1826; was married at Watertown, N. Y.,
in 1861, and came to Constantine where he remained until 1891. His
wife and two sons survive him.

JOSIAH SIMMIS. — Josiah Simmis died June 7, 1892, at White Pigeon,
aged 68 years.

MRS. MARY HACHENBERG. — Mrs. Mary Hachenberg, widow of the late
I. P. Hachenberg, died June 14, 1892, at the residence of her son H.
H. Hachenberg, aged 92 years.

MRS. HIRAM WELLS. — Mrs. Hannah Gilbert Wells, wife of Hiram
Wells, died at her home in Mottville, June 12, 1892, aged 65 years.

MRS. M. V. RORK. — Mrs. M. V. Rork, formerly Miss Anna West,
died at Salem, Oregon, June 11, 1892, in the 57th year of her age.
Was for seven years preceptress of the White Pigeon school. Her
honorable and womanly life was an incentive to many who now look
back to her teaching with gratitude.

MRS. HENRY P. GILLETTE. — Mrs. Henry P. Gillette was born at
Harpersfield, Ohio, October 7, 1848. She died at her late home,
Auburn Park, Chicago, June 22, 1892. During a union of over twenty-
five years four sons were born to them, all of whom are living and
mourn her loss, together with a large number of friends and neighbors
who knew her so well.

JOHN H. McOkiiRE. — John H. McGuire, who was some years ago a
well known man and active merchant tailor in Constantine, died at
Toledo, Ohio, June 8, 1892, aged nearly 73 years.

MEMORIAL REPORT— ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 177

JABEZ WHITMOEE. — Jabez Whitmore died in Colon, July 3, 1892,
aged 78 years. He had resided in Colon and vicinity thirty-seven
years.

WM. W. BATES.— Wm. W. Bates died in Burr Oak, July 2, 1892, at
the home of his son, E. P. Bates, publisher of the Acorn, aged 55
years.

MRS. ELIZABETH EVEKMAN EGBERTS. — Mrs. Elizabeth Everman
Roberts died July 8, 1892, at Constantine, Mich., aged nearly 72 years.
She was born near Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, October 4, 1819. At
the age of fourteen years she came with her father to Fort Wayne,
Indiana. She was married to Absalom Roberts, September, 1836. In
1860, with her husband, she removed to Constantine and settled near
the village. She was the mother of nine children, six of whom survive
her.

ANDREW MC!JELAND. — Andrew McLeland, a resident of St. Joseph
county since 1837, died in Mendon, July 13, 1892, nearly 76 years old.

FRANK FRENCH.— Frank French, of the firm of French Bros., Van-
derbilt, Mich., and brother of C. D. French, of Constantine, was killed
July 14, 1892, by being struck by a board violently thrown back from
a saw in the firm's mill. He was born in Constantine fifty-two years
ago. Served three years in the union army and leaves a wife and
four children. /•

MRS. EVELINE EMERY. — Mrs. Eveline Emery died in Centreville,
August 9, 1892, aged 58 years. She had resided in Centreville for
fifty years.

MRS. ELIZA B. HAGADORN. — Mrs. Eliza B. Hagadorn died in Burr
Oak, August 3, 1892, aged 74 years, 3 months.

MR. AARON HAGENBUCK. — Mr. Aaron Hagenbuck died at his home
in Constantine, August 21, 1892. He was born in Berks county, Pa.,
April 8, 1810, and was married to Rachel Hill at Berwick, Columbia
county, Pa., January 26, 1835. Three years later they came to
Constantine where they resided together until the death of Mrs.
Hagenbuck April 19, 1889, a period of fifty-four years.

Since the death of his wife the infirmities of advanced years have
shown a marked hold upon him and to them he has at last succumbed.
He leaves a family of three sons and two daughters, all arrived at
23

178 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

mature years and for all of whom he made ample provision. He came
here early when the country was new, and has been a witness and
participator in the growth and improvement of the country for over
fifty-seven years. He was a man who gave blunt expression to decided
opinions. Helpful and considerate to those he liked; those whom he
did not like did not require the services of a secret detective to find
it out.

A. W. HUFF. — A. W. Huff, an old resident, died at his home six
miles southeast of White Pigeon, Thursday, August 25, 1892, aged 76
years, 6 months and 1 day. He formerly resided on the prairie in
the township of Mottville, on the farm where Mrs. Jas. G. Shurtz
resides. He came from New York state to St., Joseph county in 1836.

MRS. WILLIAM DAVEY. — Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Lowry Davey died at her
home in Constantine, August 25, 1892. She was born at Truro, in
Cornwall, England, September 7, 1831, and was married May 4,
1852, to William Davey. In 1856 they went to Wellington, Ohio,
and in 1858 they removed to Constantine, Mich., where they continued
to reside until her death. A husband, four sons, and four daughters
survive her.

MRS. E. E. HILL.— Mrs. E. K. Hill died in Colon, August 26, 1892.
She had been a resident of Colon nearly fifty years.

ERNEST C. KLOSSERT. — Ernest C. Klossert, who settled on a timbered
tract in the township of Sherman in 1861, died at the residence of
his son C. F. Klossert in Burr Oak township, September 2, 1892, aged
83 years.

SAMUEL TEESDALE. — Samuel Teesdale died at his home in Constan-
tine, September 24, 1892. He was born near the city of Boston,
Lincolnshire, England, March 9, 1855 and had reached the ripe age of
77 years, 6 months and 15 days. From the year 1835 to the year
1892, a period of fifty-seven years, he was a business man in the
village of Constantine. He was an exemplar in conduct and conversa-
tion of an earnest and consistent Christian. He was a good citizen in
all regards and will be remembered by all who knew him as one whose
influence was always on the right side.

JAMES JONES. — James Jones died in Burr Oak, September 2, 1892,
aged 70 years.

MR. LEWIS CROSS. — Mr. Lewis Cross died October 4, 1892, at the

MEMORIAL REPORT— ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 179

home of his adopted daughter, Mrs. Moses Avery, in Constantine.
He was a stone mason by trade, industrious, honest, a kindly, helpful
neighbor and good citizen. He was about 74 years old and was quite
actively employed until a few days preceding his death.

MRS. MARY JANE SIDLER.— Mrs. Mary Jane Sidler died in Parkville,
September 25, 1892, aged 69 years.

MRS. ELIZA ANN TRACY. — Mrs. Eliza Ann Tracy died in Constantine,
October 8, 1892, aged 85 years. Mrs. Tracy came from New York to
Michigan in 1832, and had lived since that time on the land in this
township that was procured from the government when they came to
Michigan.

WM. BETTS. — Wm. Betts, who built the first store in Burr Oak
(Locke's Station), died in Chicago, September 29, 1892, aged 68 years.
He was a brother of Hon. Charles Betts of Burr Oak.

JOSEPH SHACKMAN. — Joseph Shackman died at Elkhart, Indiana,
October 27, 1892, aged 63 years. He carried on the clothing business
in this village some twenty years ago.

MRS. LEMUEL O. HAMMOND. — Mrs. Lydia Hammond died in Constan-
tine, October 30, 1892, in the 82d year of her age. Lydia Kichmond
was born in Batavia, Genesee county, New York, March 3, 1811; was
married to Lemuel O. Hammond, May 2, 1830; moved to Florence in
the spring of 1844, and in 1856 came to Constantine. Mr. Hammond
died in 1875.

MRS. ELEANOR EDGARTON. — Mrs. Eleanor Edgarton died near Three
Rivers, November 1 , 1892, aged 76 years. She was a native of Monroe
county, Penn., and came to Michigan in 1864.

MRS. LAURA PARSONS. — Mrs. Laura. Parsons died in Three Rivers,
November 10, 1892, aged 85 years.

HENRY BEEM.— Henry Beem died in Three Rivers, November 9, 1892,
aged 56 years, 5 months.

HARRY ROBERTS. — Mr. Harry Roberts, for thirty-one years a resident
of Constantine, died November 22, 1892, at his home, aged 62 years.

MRS. JOSIAH WOLF.— Mrs. Josiah Wolf, a resident of St. Joseph
county since early youth, died at her home in Florence, November 16,
1892, aged 72 years.

180 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

MRS. HELEN SEEKEL. — Mrs. Helen Seekel died at the home of her
son in Three Rivers, November 29, 1892. She was formerly a well
known and highly respected resident of White Pigeon.

EGBERT P. CLARK. — Robert P. Clark died in White Pigeon, Novem-
ber 27, 1892, aged 87 years. He had resided in Lima, Indiana, for
forty years previous to his removal to White Pigeon.

ARNOLD W. PHILLIPS.— Arnold W. Phillips died November 20, 1892,.
in Sturgis, where he had resided since 1860, aged 76 years, 8 months.

CHARLES COOPER. — Charles Cooper died at his home in White Pigeon,
December 3, 1892. He was bom in Waterloo, N. Y., June 19, 1825;
came to Michigan in 1840, and in 1847 was married to Mary Ann
Heitzman, who died April 3, 1892. He leaves two daughters, Mrs. W.
B. Howard of Kalamazoo, and Mrs. John Fagarty of White Pigeon.

MRS. CHARLES SIMMONS. — Mrs. Charles Simmons died in Constantine,.
December 6, 1892, aged 83 years.-

DAVID HOFFMAN.— David Hoffman died at his home on the Dr. Rob-
inson farm, a mile and a half southwest of Constantine, on December
10, 1892, aged 60 years.

JACOB K. BERGER. — Jacob K. Berger died at his home in Constantine.
December 8, 1892, after an illness of three days, aged 72 years, 3 months
and 16 days. Was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, August 22,.
1820, and came to Constantine sixteen years ago.

MRS. JOHN HARRISON. — Mrs. Ellen Burnham Harrison, wife of John
Harrison, died at the family residence in Florence, November 29, 1892.
Robert Burnham, her father, was the second person buried in the
White Pigeon cemetery. He died sixty-one years ago and within three
weeks after his arrival in this country from England. The number of
persons buried between the time of the two interments is probably
greater than the number of persons now living in the vicinity.

DAVID FRENCH. — David French died in Sturgis, December 27, 1892,.
aged 71 years. He had lived in Sturgis nearly all his life.

WARREN D. PETTIT.— Warren D. Pettit died at his home in Lock-
port township, near Three Rivers, December 23, 1892, aged 80 years,
He came to Three Rivers in 1842 and started a wagon factory, the
first in the village, which business he continued until 1859 when he>
retired to the farm where he died.

MEMORIAL REPORT-ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 181

EMANUEL KEAM. — Emanuel Ream died in Parkville, January 4, 1893,

MRS. CILINDA COOK. — Mrs. Cilinda Cook died in Park township, Feb-
ruary 1, 1893, aged 77 years.

MRS. MARY MATHERS. — Mrs. Mary Mathers died in Sherman, January
23, 1893, aged 83 years.

MRS. JERRY STAGE. — The wife of Jerry Stage died at her home on
the Wheeler farm in Flowerfield, January 5, 1893, aged 53 years. Mrs.
Mina Stage was the daughter of the late David Hassinger,

A. M. TOWNSEND. — A. M. Xownsend, of Mendon, died January 1,
1893. He had been a Mendon business man for twenty-five years.

MRS. MARY F. FERRY. — Mrs. Mary F. Ferry died in Lockport town-
ship, January 10, 1893, aged 77 years.

GEORGE HAMILTON.— George Hamilton, an old and respected citizen
of Florence, was instantly killed by the cars in Constantine, January
14, 1893. Deceased was about 60 years old and unmarried. Resided
with a brother and sister some five and a half miles east of Constan-
tine on the Centreville road.

Miss SARAH ANN WADDINGTON. — Miss Sarah Ann Waddington died
at her home on the William Dickinson farm, northeast of White Pigeon
village, in Florence township, February 11, 1893. She was born August
12, 1835. Had always been a resident in the vicinity and was one of
the oldest persons born in this part of the State. Her mother, the late
Mrs. William Dickinson, died June 4, 1892, since which time Miss
Waddington's health had gradually failed until her death. She had
long been a consistent member of the Methodist church.

JACOB DUNHAM.— Jacob Dunham died of lung disease in Three
Rivers, February 10, 1893. He was a brother of the late sheriff John
Dunham, a well known and highly respected business man.

MRS. CLINTON DOOLITTLE. — Mrs. Sarah H. Doolittle died at her
home in Constantine, February 12, 1893, aged 72 years. She was the
widow of the late Clinton Doolittle and had been a resident of the
village more than fifty years.

JAMES BERGER. — James Berger died at Irs home on the Millington
farm, one and one-half miles north of Constantine, February 15, 1893,
aged 68 years, 5 months and 10 days. Deceased was born in Berks

182 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

county, Pa., September 25, 1824. Came to Michigan in December,-
1870.

MRS. F. J. HOUGH. — Mrs. F. J. Hough died in Adrian, February
13, 1893. Deceased will be remembered as a resident of Constantine
for many years as Mrs. C. P. Hubbard.

Miss KATE HAMILTON. — Miss Kate Hamilton died in Colon, February
11, 1893, aged 78 years.

NORMAN HENRY HARVEY. — Norman Henry Harvey, a native of Con-
stantine and all his life a resident of the township, died at his home
February 17, 1893, aged 55 years.

THOMAS SILLIMAN. — Thomas Silliman died at Three Kivers, February
21, 1893, aged 69 years.

MYRON B. HOCK. — Myron B. Hock died at Three Rivers, February
26, 1893.

MRS. EUGENE GODFROY. — Mrs. Eugene Godfroy died at Sturgis,,
February 21, 1893.

WM. SHARER. — Wm. Sharer died in Colon, February 18, 1893, aged
81 years.

JOHN HENDERSHOTT.— John Hendershott died at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Jesse Murich, in Florence, March 1, 1893, aged 90-
years, 11 months, 14 days.

JOHN STEPHENSON. — John Stephenson, a well known resident in the
vicinity of Constantine, died at Inland, Nebraska, March 2, 1893, aged
75 years. He was born in England in 1818, coming to Michigan in-
1851, remaining until 1886, when he removed to Nebraska.

WATSON GRAY.— Watson Gray died at Three Rivers, March 5, 1893,,
aged 62 years.

JOHN RUTHERFORD. — John Rutherford died in Nottawa township,
March 16, 1893, aged 78 years, 8 months. He had lived in St. Joseph
county for fifty-seven years.

MRS. PRISCILLA R. BARKER. — Mrs. Priscilla R. Barker died at White
Pigeon, March 22, 1893, aged 54 years.

MRS. ELIZABETH BOUGHTON. — Mrs. Elizabeth Bough ton died at
Quincy, April 2, 1893, aged 89 years. She was in Constantine Thanks-

MEMORIAL, REPORT— ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 183

giving day visiting her granddaughter, Mrs. W. H. Parsons, where
representatives of four generations sat at the supper table.

MR. BENJAMIN MERRILL. — Mr. Benjamin Merrill died at his home in
Chicago, No. 479 Fullerton avenue, April 12, 1893, aged about 82 years.
Was formerly for many years a resident of Constantine. "Went to
Chicago over thirty-five years ago, became very wealthy, and until his
last few hours sickness was engaged in active business.

WM. BOYEB. — Wm. Boyer, for twenty-five years a resident of White
Pigeon, died at his home April 13, 1893, aged 51 years.

MRS. HENRIETTA FONDA. — Mrs. Henrietta Fonda died in Nottawa,
April 9, 1893, aged 73 years.

MRS. EODNEY ANDRESS. — Mrs. Kodney Andress died in Flowerfield,
%April 5, 1893, aged 62 years.

THOMAS WELBOKN. — Thomas Welborn died at his home in Constan-
tine, April 11, 1893, in his 83d year. He was ]porn in Yorkshire, Eng-
land, October 18, 1810, and came to Michigan in 1834, two years before
his father and brothers came, and settled on White Pigeon prairie.
For many years he owned a farm on the western edge of the prairie
in this township. After selling which he removed to the village of
Constantine. For more than forty years we have known him as a
most exemplary citizen; a kind hearted Christian gentleman, thoughtful
of the poor and kind to all in misfortune; as squarely and thoroughly
honest a man as ever lived. He was twice married, to Sarah May in
1843, who died in 1868, and to Mary George in 1869, who survives
him.

JOSEPH EDWARDS.— Joseph Edwards died at his home in Three
Rivers, April 18, 1893, aged about 62 years. He was a brother of
James Edwards, of Constantine, and for many years a resident of that
village.

DWIGHT STEBBINS. — Dwight Stebbins died in Lockport township,
April 17, 1893, aged 78 years.

MRS. GEORGE W. LEE. — Mrs. Lorinda S. Lee, wife of George W. Lee,
died in Burr Oak, April 14, 1893, aged 71 years.

HARVEY MUNSELL. — Harvey Munsell died in Burr Oak, April 18,
1893, aged 74 years, 7 months.

184 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893,

DB. ION VERNON.— Dr. Ion Yernon died in Three Rivers, April 18,
1893, aged 65 years, 8 months, 25 days.

MRS. PAUL JAMES EATON. — Mrs. Abigail 8. Eaton, wife of Paul
James Eaton, died in Oentreville, April 17, 1893, aged 57 years.

JAMES FONDA.— James Fonda died in Nottawa, April 7, 1893, aged
76 years.

MRS. ZERN BENJAMIN. — Mrs. Asenath Benjamin, widow of the late
Zern Benjamin, died at the home of her son, W. W. Benjamin, of the
town of Florence, April 24, 1893, aged 90 years.

MRS. WALTER BRADSHAW. — Mrs. Harriet L. Bradshaw, widow of the
late Walter Bradshaw, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. David
E. Wilson, in Constantine, April 29, 1893, aged 81 years, 8 months, 13
days. She was born in Gleuville, Schenectady county, N. Y., August,
16, 1811; married to Walter Bradshaw, March 9, 1832.

MRS. WILLIAM MELVJN. — Elizabeth Crouch Melvin died in Constan-
tine, May 1, 1893, aged 83 years. She was born in Maryland, January
1, 1810, and moved to Constantine in 1836, was married to William
Melvin, June 1, 1829. William Melvin died in 1849. The fifty-seven
years of her residence here have witnessed all the changes and improve-
ments which make this an old country.

MRS. PERRIN M. SMITH. — Mrs. Harriet T. Smith, widow of the late
Perrin M. Smith, of Centreville, died in the Kalamazoo Asylum for the
Insane, April 30, 1893, of pneumonia, aged 72 years. She had been an
inmate of the institution thirteen years.

CLINTON H. FELT. — Clinton H. Felt died at Meridian, Texas, April
26, 1893. He was a business man of Constantine until about two years
ago, when he went to Texas for his health.

L. K. EVANS. — L. K. Evans, for nearly twelve years past the editor
of the Three Rivers Tribune, died at his home in that village, May 11,
1893. He was 61 years old the 21st of October, 1892. He was a
soldier in the union army during the war. He was an industrious
editor, an able and conscientious writer, who earnestly sought to do
good for the sake of the good.

MRS. FREDRICA J. IRA. — Mrs. Fredrica J. Ira died in Sturgis, May
10, 1893, aged 65 years.

MEMORIAL REPORT— ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 185 ,

MRS. L. W. EARL.— Adeline Frances Earl, wife of Kev. L. W. Earl,
died in Burr Oak, May 4, 1893, aged 54 years, 10 months.

JACOB RUMSEY. — Jacob Rumsey died in Newberg, Cass county, May,
1893, aged 67 years, 1 month, 10 days. He was the last member of
the original family of Rumseys who were among the early settlers of
this section.

MRS. HENRY E. PURDY. — Mrs. Henry E. Purdy, a former resident of
Constantine, died at Michigan City, May 10, 1893, in the 67th year of
her age.

MRS. LAURA A. GLEASON. — Mrs. Laura A. Gleason died in Lockport
township. May 12, 1893, aged 75 years, 10 months and 20 days.

NATHAN SNYDER. — Nathan Snyder died at Three Rivers, May 13,
1893, aged 84 years.

STEPHEN W. CADE.— Stephen W. Cade died at Sturgis, May 22, 1893,
aged 67 years. In the death of Mr. Cade the community suffers an
irreparable loss, as he was a representative man in his neighborhood,
having held many offices of trust and honor, all of which he filled
with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Mr.
Cade was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1826. When but four years
old his father, the late Thomas Cade, removed to America and settled
on Sturgis prairie. Stephen succeeded to the old homestead, where he
had since lived for over sixty years. He was a noble, generous hearted
man, his ear ever open to the wants of the poor and needy. The
worthy were never turned away empty handed as many of the early
settlers can testify. At the time of his death Mr. Cade was president
of the St. Joseph county pioneer society.

JOHN WALTER. — John Walter died in Colon, July 19, 1892. He was
born in Northampton county, Pa., May 9, 1835. He removed to
Michigan, April 14, 1871, and settled in St. Joseph county.

MRS. B. COOLEY.— Mrs. B. Cooley died in Sturgis, May 20, 1893,
aged 67 years and 9 months.

DR. S. P. CHOATE.— Dr. S. P. Choate died in Three Rivers, May 20,
]893, aged 86 years and 9 months. A resident of Three Rivers for
fifty-four years.

MRS. ALVAH GLEASON. — Mrs. Alvah Gleason died in Fabias, May 22,
1893, aged 79 -years, 1 month, 21 days.
24

186 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

MRS. DWIGHT STEBBINS. — Mrs. Elizabeth A. Stebbins, widow of the
late Dwight Stebbins, died in Lockport near Centreville, May 23, 1892,
aged 72 years. She had been a resident of St. Joseph county sixty-two

vears.

TUSCOLA COUNTY.
BY WILLIAM A. HEAETT.

MBS. ANNA DENNIS. — Mrs. Anna Dennis, mother of Mrs. Nathaniel
Dann, died at Caro, July 20, 1892, aged 85 years.

MRS. JAMES I. CALKINS. — Mary L., wife of James I. Calkins, died at
Caro, March 16, 1893, aged 72 years. She was born at Woodstock,
Conn., May 6, 1820, and had resided in Michigan since 1836.

MR. AND MRS. LEWIS ELDRIDGE. — Mrs. Lewis Eldridge died at her
home in the town of Indian Fields, January 5, 1893. Also on February
7, 1893, Lewis Eldridge, her husband, died, aged 69 years. They had
been residents thereof or sixteen years, removing thither from the
southwestern part of Michigan.

THEO. L. EVANS. — Theo. L. Evans died at Vassar, December 5, 1892,
aged 66 years. He was born in Boston, Mass., 1827.

ANTOINE DUPAUL. — Antoine Dupaul died in the town of Aimer,
November 6, 1892, aged 72 years. A resident since 1865.

MARK JOSHUA. — Mark Joshua died at Indian Fields, November 29,
1892. Probably he was the oldest Indian in Michigan at the time of
his death. He was a chief of the tribe of Chippewas in the Cass
River section, and was about 100 years of age.

MATTHEW D. NORTH.— Matthew D. North died at Vassar, August 7,
1892, of heart^failure. He was born in Ulster county, N. Y., in March,
1826. He had been a resident of Vassar since 1853, and was a brother
of the late Townseud North.

THOMAS MCPHERSON.— Thomas McPherson died at Arbela, August 7,

1892, aged 50 years. He had been a resident of the county for thirty-
five years.

MEMORIAL REPORT— WAYNE COUNTY. 187

WM. SLAFTER.— Wm. Slafter died at Tuscola, August 8, 1892, aged
85 years. He had been a resident of Tuscola township since 1849.

SYLVESTER SMITH. — Sylvester Smith died at Tuscola, December 5,
1892, aged 85 years. He was an old resident of the county.

JOHN STROHAWER. — John Strohawer died at his home in Aimer
township, March 1, 1893. He was born at Darnstadt, Germany, April
15, 1837, and had been a resident of the county since 1852. He
enlisted in Company C, Eighth Michigan Infantry, August, 1862.

WAYNE COUNTY.
J. WILKIE MOORE.

FELLOW PIONEERS — Another year has passed and we, through a kind
providence, are spared to once again present the record of those of our
fellow pioneers who have gone to that " undiscovered country from
whose bourne no traveler returns," and many of whom were with us
at out last meeting.

The following deaths have occurred during the year ending May 24r
1893, of those recognized as members of this society, either actively or
by affiliation, viz.:

HON. EDWARD V. CICOTTE.— Hon. Edward V. Cicotte was born in
1810, died May 31, 1892. Mr. Cicotte was a native of Wayne county
as were also his father and grandfather. He held many positions of
public trust and honor.

MRS. CHARLOTTE BIEBER.— Mrs. Charlotte Bieber, formerly Mrs.
John McGuire, died June 1, 1892. She was the mother of Mrs. Andrew
Cullen, Mrs. Wm. Woodbridge, Mrs. McCabe, Mrs. Phil Chapoton and
Miss Annie McGuire.

MRS. MANASSEH HICKEY. — Mrs. Sarah Ann Hickey, wife of Eev.
Manasseh Hickey, died after a long illness at Mt. Clemens, June 7,
1892.

WALTER NEWCOMB.— Walter Newcomb died at Ecorse, June 15, 1892,
aged 84 years.

. HENDERSON. — Wm. Henderson died June 2, 1892, aged 81 years.

188 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

DAVID EASTMAN. — David Eastman died June 21, 1892, aged 81 years.

CHARLES LABADIE. — Charles Labadie died June 22, 1892, aged 71
years.

W. K. MUIR.— W. K. Muir died June 23, 1892. Mr. Muir was born
at Kilmarnock, March 20, 1829. In 1852 was superintendent of the
Great Western railway, then in the course of construction, subsequently
he became superintendent of the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee
R. It., assistant general superintendent of the Michigan Central. In
1867, general manager of the Great Western R. R., afterwards super-
intendent of the Canada Southern R. R., on his voluntary retirement
from the latter road, he became president of the Eureka Iron and
Rolling Mills, also of the Star Line of steamers.

Mr. Muir served the city of Detroit for a number of years as presi-
dent of the board of poor commissioners, and was actively engaged in
various public and private enterprises and benevolent institutions. He
was a man j loved and respected by all who knew him.

JOSHUA W. WATERMAN. — Joshua W. Waterman died June 24, 1892,
aged 68 years.

For many years Mr. Waterman was engaged in the practice of law in
the city of Detroit. He was somewhat of a retiring disposition and
mingled but little in general society, but was a liberal giver to all
enterprises of a moral and benevolent character, and for these generous

acts will be long remembered.

MRS. G. MOTT WILLIAMS. — Mrs. Emily Strong Williams died July
19, 1892, aged 72 years. She was the widow of the late G. Mott
Williams.

TIMOTHY MAHONEY.— Timothy Mahoney died July 12, 1892, aged 69
years. He was the husband of Mary Mahoney and the father of Mrs.
J. J. Kearney and Mrs. P. J. Kearney.

WM. LYNDON. — Wm. Lyndon died July 12, 1892, aged 70 years.

PATRICK Hennessey. — Patrick Hennessey died July 12, 1892, aged
79 years.

AMELIA ABRAHAM. — Amelia Abraham died July 14, 1892, aged 71
years.

MRS. MARY PULCHER. — Mrs. Mary Pulcher died July 14, 1892, aged
86 years.

MEMORIAL REPORT— WAYNE COUNTY. 189

HENRY GLOVER. — Henry Glover died July 7, 1892, aged 80 years.
Mr. Glover was one of Detroit's oldest citizens. Born in Madison
county, N. Y., and came to Detroit in 1836.

MRS. BEEVES. — Mrs. Reeves died at Flat Bock, Wayne county, July
1, 1892, aged 96 years.

MRS. JAMES STIRLING. — Mrs. Mary Stirling died July 21, 1892, aged
70 years. She was the widow of the late James Stirling.

JOSEPH MILLER. — Joseph Miller died July 20, 1892, aged 73 years.

EARLSEY FERGUSON. — Earlsey Ferguson died July 28, 1892, aged 74
years. Mr. Ferguson was born in Bedfield, Oneida county, N. Y., and
came with his parents to Michigan in 1826, and after spending- a year
at Monroe, came to Detroit where he lived until his decease. In 1844
Mr. Ferguson entered the employ of the Michigan Central railroad,
reaching the position of station agent and train dispatcher, resigning
the position in 1875, when he devoted his attention to the truck business.
Mr. Ferguson was commissioned first lieutenant in the Michigan
militia by Governor Mason, and was in active service with his com-
pany during the winter and spring of 1837, guarding the Canadian
frontier.

Louis HOCHSTADT. — Louis Hochstadt died August 30, 1892, aged 82
years.

JAMES GARRIGY. — James Garrigy died September 1, 1892, aged 85
years.

MRS. H. B. JOHNSON. — Mrs. Priscilla Johnson died August 15, 1892.
Mrs. Johnson, formerly Mrs. French, was the wife of H. B. Johnson
and the mother of Mrs. G. B. Holloway.

JOSEPH COTTIN. — Joseph Cottin died August 15, 1892, aged 91 years.

MRS. PROCTOR WEAVER. — Mrs. Proctor Weaver died August 15, 1892,
aged 79 years.

Louis LA FONTAINE. — Louis La Fontaine died August 26, 1892, aged
77 years. His name is familiar in the history of Canada and Michigan
since the year 1701. His ancestors being among the first settlers on
this continent.

JOHN MASON. — John Mason died August 1, 1892, aged 77 years.

190 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

MRS. WM. B. BEOK.— Mrs. Mary N. Beck died August 1, 1892, aged
75 years. She was the wife of the late Wm. B. Beck and mother of
Mrs. Hugh McDonald.

MBS. CLOTHILDE ROBINSON. — Mrs. Clothilde Eobinson, the oldest
woman in Detroit, died August 9, 1892, aged 106 years. She was born
in southern Ohio of Quaker ancestry and came to Detroit at the age
of seventy. Mrs. Earsley Ferguson was her warm friend and long
contributed to her necessities. She was also often befriended by the
late Judge Moran.

HENRI HOUK.— Henry Houk died at Northville, in this county,
August 29, 1892, at the age of 95 years. Mr. Houk was a native of
Steuben county, N. YM and came to Michigan in 1833. He cast his
first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson. He lived and died a
devoted Christian.

JAMES STEWART. — James Stewart died September 7, 1892, aged 80
years. His death occurred at the residence of his son-in-law, Thomas
Brown, Savannah, Ohio. He was formerly a prominent vessel owner
of Detroit.

COLONEL JAMES I. DAVID. — Colonel James I. David died at his
residence on Gross Isle, October 13, 1892. Col. David went out with
the 7th Michigan Cavalry and served during the recent civil war. He
was subsequently, in 1873, State senator. As a public and private
citizen he obtained the respect of all who made his acquaintance. He
was born in 1811 in the state of New York.

MRS. EDWARD L. PORTER. — Mrs. Mary O. Porter died at the residence
of Mrs. John H. Hover, September 13, 1892, aged 84 years. Mrs.
Porter was the wife of the late Edward L. Porter.

CONSTANTINE MINK. — Constantine Mink died September 1, 1892, aged
71 years, 4 months.

MRS. CATHERINE SCHWARZ. — Mrs. Catherine Schwarz died SeptembeT
1, 1892, aged 70 years.

CASPAR KREUGEL. — Caspar Kreugel died October 29, 1892, aged 81
years.

WM. M. CHAPIN. — Wm. M. Chapin died at Eomulus, in this county,
September 4, 1892, aged 74 years. He was the father of W. W.
Chapin of Detroit.

MEMORIAL REPORT-WAYNE COUNTY. 191

GEORGE WATSON. — George Watson died September 29, 1892, aged 75
years.

MBS. MAGDALENE C. LAWSON. — Mrs. Magdalene C. Lawson died
September 24, 1892, aged 74 years.

ME. LUTHER BEECHER. — Mr. Luther Beecher died September 16,
1892, aged 77 years and 7 months. Mr. Beecher was widely known
both in this and other states as a man of great business energy, and
although somewhat eccentric in his methods, was recognized as a man
of superior business sagacity combined with an unostentatious benevo-
lence of character, which those who knew him best fully appreciated.
He was a man in advance of the age in the conception of great
enterprises.

CHARLES COLLINS. — Charles Collins died October 13, 1892, at the age
of 74 years, 7 months. He leaves a widow, Mrs. Charlotte Collins, and
one brother to mourn his loss, besides many old citizens who will not
forget his genial courtesy and kind manner.

MRS. MARY ANN EICHARDS. — Mrs. Mary Ann Richards departed this
life at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Virginia Defere, October
13, 1892, aged 84 years.

MRS. MARY HOMIE. — Mrs. Mary Homie departed October 15, 1892,
at the age of 83 years.

EDGAR HOWARD. — Edgar Howard, who for sixty years was a resident
of Dearborn, went to his long home October 30, 1892, at the age of
70 years.

WILLIAM WALKER. — William Walker, who for many years walked
the streets of Detroit an upright, honest man, and whose acquaintance
extended over the entire State, passed over the dark river October 24,
1892, aged 80 years.

MRS. JENNISON GLAZIER. — Mrs. Electa Glazier, widow of the late
Jennison Glazier and mother of Mrs. John Lindley and Alice M.
Glazier, died October 1, 1892, aged 84 years.

MRS. MARY SMITH.— Mrs. Mary Smith died October 10, 1892, at the
age of 102 years. She was the mother of Mrs. John Pollard and Mr.
Phillip Smith.

MRS. JOHN EADEMACHER.— Theresa Rademacher died October 10, 1892,
aged 72 years. She was the widow of the late John Rudemaclier.

192 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

JOHN F. GUINA. — John F. Guina, son of Mr. and Mrs. John F.
Guina of Detroit, died in the city of New York. His remains were
buried from St. Vincent's church, October 17, 1892.

MRS. CATHERINE McSouLEY. — Mrs. Catherine McSouley, mother of
John and Patrick McSouley, died December 10, 1892, aged 86 years.

JOSEPH CONN. — Joseph Conn died December 30, 1892, at the age of
86 years.

J. HUFF JONES. — J. Huff Jones, a well known capitalist and genial
man of business, died at the Eussell House, December 16, 1892, at the
age of 72 years. He had occupied the room in which he died for over
twenty years.

MRS. ELIZABETH BRODEL. — Mrs Elizabeth Brodel died December 23,
1892, at the age of 83 years.

MRS. MARY WRIGHT.— Mrs. Mary Wright, late of New Haven, Mich.,
departed this life at 1000 Trumbull avenue, Detroit, December 14, 1892,

aged 84 years.

EX-GOVERNOR HENRY P. BALDWIN. — Ex-Governor Henry P. Baldwin
passed to his rest December 31, 1892, in the 79th year of his age.

Henry P. Baldwin needs no lengthy eulogy. His life was devoted to
the interests of the public, and the numerous evidences of his handi-
work as a Christian, as a philanthropist, and a promoter of all that
makes men better fitted for this, as well as that future life, are all
about us, and are engraven in the hearts, as well as recorded in the
books of the State and city of his adoption.

MRS. JANE WALLACE. — Mrs. Jane Wallace, mother of Mrs. Eichard
K. Turn bull, went to her rest December 9, 1892, aged 89 years.

MRS. NICHOLAS WAGNER.— Mrs. Annie Wagner, wife of Nicholas, and
mother of John Nicholas, Jr. and Michael Wagner, died December 28,
at the age of 89 years and 9 months.

W. H. KNOWLES.— W. H. Knowles, formerly of Detroit, died at
Eoyal Oak, Mich., December 28, 1892, aged 86 years.

DAVID M. FREEMAN.— David M. Freeman died December 4, 1892, in
the 78th year of his life.

DARIUS COLE. — Darius Cole, who for nearly half a century has been
a navigator of our great lakes, passed over the dark river of death

MEMORIAL REPORT— WAYNE COUNTY. 193

January 10, L893. Captain Cole was born in Wales, Erie county, N. Y.,
in 1818 and was left an orphan at the age of six years. When sixteen
years of age he came to Michigan, and for a time worked on the farm of
Judge Wm. A. Burt in Macomb county. In 1839 he settled at Lexing-
ton and in 1850 engaged in the vessel business with James Walcot at
Bay City, and from there came to Detroit.

MKS. EUGENE WATSON. — Mrs. Matilda St. Aubin Watson, relict of
Captain Eugene Watson, departed this life January 6, 1893, at the age
of 74 year.s. Mrs. Watson was descended from one of the oldest French
families in the state, after whom was named St. Aubin avenue.

JAMES HARRINGTON.— James Harrington died at his residence, Janu-
ary 30, 1893, aged 96 years.

MRS. JOHN MILES. — Mrs. Alice Miles, wife of the late John Miles,
died January 5, 1893, at the age of 87 years.

LEWIS M. KIVARD. — Lewis M. Rivard died at Grosse Point, January
7, 1893, aged 84 years. He was a worthy representative of the original
French settlers of Detroit, retaining in a marked degree many of their
courteous and genial characteristics.

JAMES LAIRD. — James Laird died January 10, 1893, aged 90 years.

FRANCIS CRAWFORD. — Francis Crawford, one of the oldest dealers in
real estate, died at the residence of his son, Samuel, in Springwells,
January 20, 1893, at the age of 85 years.

WILLIAM GALLOWAY. — William Galloway, of Taylor, died January 30,
1893, aged 88 years.

JAMES WARRINGTON GRAHAM. — James Warrington Graham departed
this life January 28, 1893, aged 94 years.

MRS. MARGARET COOPER VERNON. — Mrs. Margaret Cooper Vernon
passed from earth January 31, 1893, from the residence of her nephew,
Wm. T. De Graff, in the 87th year of her age.

PETER HILL. — Peter Hill, aged 78 years, passed away January 17,
1893.

MARTHA HOUGHTON. — Martha Houghton died February 16, 1893,
aged 82 years.

ELISHA CROSS. — Elisha Cross died February 20, 1893, in his 91st
25

194 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

year. All who traveled the Grand River road in early days will recol-
lect Cross' Tavern and its genial host. As age began to tell upon his
physical frame Mr. Cross removed to Detroit, preserving his mental
powers till the end came for his removal to his final home.

MRS. JOHN WALSH. — Eliza Walsh, relict of the late John Walsh,
died February 7, 1893, aged 82 years.

CARL HEISE. — Carl Heise died February 17, 1893, aged 84 years.

MBS. JOSIAH J. NORRIS. — Mary Norris, wife of the late Josiah* J.
Norris, formerly of Detroit, departed February 11, 1893, at the age
of 89 years.

JOHN LEDBETER. — John Ledbeter died January 11, 1893, in the 84th
year of his age. He was a well known paving contractor for many
years and did much to improve the "ways" of Detroit.

ALANSON SHELEY. — Alanson Sheley went to his long home, November
7, 1892. He was born in Albany, N. Y., August 14, 1809, and came
to Detroit in 1831. t On arrival he first engaged as contractor of
building. In 1832 he. superintended the construction of the old light
house on Thunder bay; afterwards he went into lumbering on Black
river; and, lastly, formed a partnership with the late Jacob S. Farrand
in the wholesale drug trade. In all his undertakings he was successful.
He was always foremost in church matters, and gave much time,
money and thought in promoting all- moral reform enterprises.

He served the public well and faithfully as State senator and in
other responsible official positions which he held during the half
century of his life in Detroit. His integrity and great sagacity made
his advice sought after by all classes of society who now feel his loss.

MRS. JOHN BURT. — Julia A. Calkins Burt, widow of the late John
Burt and mother of Mrs. Eobert Leete, Mr. H. A. Burt of Marquette,
and A. C. Burt of Detroit, departed this life November 7,- 1892, aged
78 years.

MRS. HARRIET A. ANDREWS. — Mrs. Harriet A. Andrews died Novem-
ber 7, 1892, aged 71 years. Mrs. Andrews was a sister of M. S. Smith,
Frank G. Smith and T. A. Smith, and mother of Mrs. Wm. V. Moon.

JEREMIAH HANNIFAN. — Jeremiah Hannifan died November 29, 1892,
aged 65 years. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, where he
received a severe wound which made him a pensioner of the
government.

MEMORIAL REPORT— WAYNE COUNTY. 195

JOHN TROESTER, SR. — John Troester, Sr., died at his residence,
October 30, 1892.

JOHN BARRETT MULLIKEN. — John Barrett Mulliken died November
23, 1892, aged 61 years.

E. PETER DEMILL. — E. Peter DeMill died at the residence of his
son-in-law, George Wm. Moon, October 31, 1892.

Mr. DeMill came to Detroit at a very early day and at once took a
prominent position in the churches and schools of the city as well as
in business circles. For a long time he was the secretary and manager
of the Detroit Gas Light company, and since his retirement from it
had been identified with several other manufacturing enterprises.

HORACE HALLOCK. — Horace Hallock, who died November 12, 1892, in
his 86th year, was for many years engaged in the clothing trade, in
which he continued almost up to the time of his decease. Mr. Hallock
was identified with the churches and Sabbath schools of the city for
over fifty years and in all his business and religious life furnished the
evidence of a pure and conscientious Christian man and upright
citizen.

MRS. JOHN M. PALMER. — Mrs. Jane M. Palmer died March 18, 1893,
at the age of 93 years. She was the widow of the late John Mt
Palmer, who came to Detroit fifty years ago.

MICHAEL DUNN.— Michael Dunn, who died March 10, 1893, was th e
father of Mrs. M. Lally. He had reached the age of 85 years.

J. PETER DEVROE. — J. Peter Devroe died March 10, 1893, aged 93
years. He was an old and well known citizen.

DAVID PRINDLE. — David Prindle died at the residence of his daugh-
ter, Mrs. De La Fontaine, March 20, 1893, aged 86 years and 3 months.

FREDERICK L. SEITZ.— Frederick L. Seitz, who died March 29, 1893^
aged 58 years, grew up in Detroit; was for many years engaged in
banking; latterly he was secretary of the Mutual Gas Light company ^
He was always recognized as an energetic, generous man and a
worthy citizen.

GEORGE ZITTEL. — George Zittel was the beloved husband of Margaret
Zittel and the father of Geo. Zittel, Jr., Henry D. Zittel, Mrs. Annie
Pinet, Mrs. Edward C. Curtis, and Wadsworth J. Zittel of Buffalo,

196 ANNUAL MEETING, 18y3.

N. Y. He went to rest, leaving them all to mourn, March 29, 1893,
aged 77 years.

MRS. SOLOMON DAVIS. — Mrs. Solomon Davis died at San Diego, Cal.,
March 4, 1893. One year ago we chronicled the decease of her
husband, Solomon Davis.

JOHN TROWBRIDGE. — John Trowbridge died April 8, 1893, aged 88
years.

MRS. PATRICK BARRY. — Margaret Barry went to her last home from
her daughter's house, April 8, 1893. She was the relict of the late
Patrick Barry and the mother of Mrs. Jeremiah Calnon, and had
reached the age of 84 years.

JOHN NAUMANN. — John Naumann had lived one hundred and three
years when in April, 1893, he was called to a higher life. He was the
father of nineteen children, among them Mrs. Jacob Barnowisky, at
whose house he died.

DR. J. N. HOLLYWOOD.— Dr. J. N. Hollywood died April 9, 1893,
aged 79 years. He was regarded as a skillful physician.

MRS. PHILO PARSONS. — Mrs. Ann Eliza Parsons, wife of the Hon.
Philo Parsons, died April 5, 1893, aged 72 years. She was an
estimable woman, a true Christian, and beloved by all who had the
pleasure of her acquaintance.

HENRY C. KIBBEE. — Henry C. Kibbee, who that knew him can
forget him? He died April 6, 1893, at the age of 79 years.

JOHN NORMAN. — John Norman had lived on this earth over one
hundred and three years when God called him away, April 6, 1893.

JOHN MOLDENHAUSE.— John Moldenhause died May 4, 1893, aged 80
years.

MRS. JOHN LADUE. — Mary Angel Ladue died at her residence on
Lafayette avenue, May 5, 1893, aged 83 years. She was the widow of
the late John Ladue and the mother of Geo. N., Austin G. and Charlotte
M. Ladue.

LADINA ARNOLD.— Ladina Arnold died May 2, 1893, aged 80 years.

ALEXANDER CHAPOTON, SR.— Alexander Chapoton, Sr., was called to
take up his abode in that eternal city whose foundation stones will
never crumble, May 2, 1893.

MEMORIAL REPORT— WAYNE COUNTY. 197

Alexander Chapoton was born in Detroit on February 2, 1818, and
was therefore 75 years and 3 months old when he died. He was a
descendant of an old French family of Duges, Languedoc, in the south
of France, a member of which, Dr. Chapoton, was the first surgeon of
Fort Pontchartrain, at the occupation of Detroit by Cadillac in 1701.
The Chapotons had been builders for generations back and the
deceased learned the trade of stone and brick mason from his father,
Eustache Chapoton. He started in business for himself long before he
was of age, and acquired a fortune which is estimated at $250,000.
He always voted the republican ticket since the Grant campaign of
1868. In 1863 he served a term in the State legislature, and during
Governor Baldwin's administration he was chosen one of the three
building commissioners to supervise the erection of the State capitol
at Lansing, completing it at less cost than the appropriation fund, an
achievement scarcely equaled in the history of American public build-
ing. In 1881 he was a member of the commission that selected the
site for and constructed the Northern Asylum for the Insane at
Traverse City. For nine years he discharged faithfully the duties of a
member of the board of public works.

Mr. Chapoton was a citizen of public spirit and integrity, and he
shared a large portion of his wealth with the deserving poor. School
inspector Lingemann, who was for years Mr. Chapoton's clerk in the
board of public works, said:

"Very few people knew Mr. Chapoton's goodness of heart. Every
Christmas he used to give me a number of envelopes, which contained
five, ten, and twenty dollar bills, to deliver to poor people whom he
designated. But not alone at that season of the year was he charitable.
Every now and then he gave me money envelopes to give to some
poor people."

Mr. Chapoton was father of ten children, six of whom grew up and
four of whom are still living. They are Alexander Chapoton, president
of the Peninsular Savings bank, who is fifty-three years of age; Mrs.
Emily S. Brush, Mrs. K. A. Baby and Dr. E. A. Chapoton. His
daughter Elizabeth, wife of A. E. Viger, died -about eight years ago,
and another daughter, Miss Felice, died last year. There are twenty
grandchildren.

STEPHEN W. LEGGETT. — Stephen W. Leggett died May 9, 1893, aged

85 years.

PAPERS READ AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF 1893,
AND OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

Members of the Pioneer and Historical Society:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN — The periodical meetings of our association
are occasions of mingled joy and sorrow — joy at the greeting of long
known and well tried friends, sorrow that so many of our companions
have passed to the spirit land and can be with us here no more. They
who were the earliest pioneers of our republic, who subdued the forest
and laid the foundation stones of its noble institutions and of the
prosperity of its free people, now no longer with us, have built for
themselves a monument which can never crumble to dust. Generation
after generation shall walk in their footsteps enjoying the blessings
which their labor and their foresight have secured and never ceasing
in grateful encomiums of their fathers.

Our association deals with the historical. As a single state forms
but a small portion of the great globe, so its history constitutes only
a brief chapter in the history of nations; yet that brief chapter is a
part of the great whole and the entire record must be read as one.

The migrations of a people in bodies large or small, the settlement
of new countries and the establishment of new nationalities are not a
thing of modern times alone. Despotism has always been restless and
uneasy and has never ceased to thrust itself upon its neighbors' terri-
tory. It came to conquer and not to bless or to aid. It led its
phalanx of warriors and sought no place for the agriculturist, the

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 199

mechanic, or the civilian. Its victory brought to the conquered only
the sad boon of death or slavery, or utter degradation. The past is
full of such aggressions upon the territory and the rights of others.
How often has the conqueror passed over the wide expanse of Asia!
Mede and Persian, Greek and Roman. Mongol and Mohammedan,
have in succession planted their foot in this fertile land, but always
in hostile array, carrying destruction and terror and leaving no monu-
ments of a higher civilization. Eome, the mistress of the world,
extended her power over almost all of Europe, and France and Spain
and Germany long submitted to her authority. For almost five centu-
ries England was dominated by her power, and her legions enforced
her mandates. But in all these we seek in vain for any evidence of
the good fruit which all immigration should bear — the building up of
communities with rights better secured, freedom of thought and action
more safely guaranteed and the field for the higher faculties and
aspirations of man enlarged.

But it is not migrations such as these that this association would
commemorate. The true pioneer is the bearer of the banner of civiliza-
tion in the highest sense of that noble word. He comes n6t as a soldier
but as a man and a citizen. He bears no scepter as an emblem of
his power to command, for in the company of pioneers all are equal.
He is followed by no military retinue, for his mission is peace and he
has no enemy to fight. He seeks a permanent location for himself,
and the generations which shall succeed him, where prosperity and
happiness shall have their home. Whatever of knowledge, whatever of
science, whatever of learning, whatever of economic habits and enter-
prise, whatever of moral and religious principles, were his in the old
homes, these are the treasures which he carries with him to the new.

But the life of the pioneer is not one of liesurely ease or voluptuous
enjoyment. Here as everywhere success is the outgrowth of thought-
fulness, of judicious action and of toil. Without these success will
not come. This necessity, however, he counts not so much an evil as
an incentive to press him on in the noble work dearest to his heart,
and his bosom throbs with joy as he overcomes obstruction after
obstruction.

Civilization in its highest state of perfection with any people, is the
growth of centuries. It is a fact not a little surprising that no con-
siderable division of the habitable earth rests in solitude and without
inhabitants. Within a little more than four centuries past, the area of
the inhabitable world has been wonderfully enlarged by discovery.
The great American continent, Australia, Australasia, the West India

200 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

islands and the islands of the Pacific, comprising a very considerable
portion of the habitable globe, have been discovered within that time.
No continent or island was found to be uninhabited, but always by a
people sunk in degradation and in the lowest stages of ignorance and
savagery. Can these people, unaided by their more enlightened fellow-
men, work out for themselves the great problem of civilization? Can
they, by their own efforts ever attain the dignity and elevation of
character which properly belong to man? Will the uncivilized negro
of Africa ever place himself beside the cultivated and christianized
fellow man of England, or France, or Germany? If no European had
ever placed his foot within our own national limits, would the forest
have given place to cultivated fields, the institutions of humanity and
of learning, and the innumerable evidences of a highly cultivated pop-
ulation which now surround us? We do not know what Providence
may have in store for them in the illimitable future, but we do know
that changes from savage life to the refinements, the comforts and the
rational enjoyments of civilization are necessarily slow and seldom
complete. Indeed modern history gives us no instance of a savage and
uncivilized people becoming one of refined civilization by their own
efforts and without intercourse with others more advanced and the aid
which such intercourse brings with it.

Civilization is itself progressive. Growth within itself and expansion
without mark its progress. It is the work of the pioneers of civiliza-
tion to revolutionize the world. They are not merely the promoters
of their own individual interests, but it is upon them that the improve-
ment of the world largely depends. They are the builders of nations.
The history of all civilized and highly cultured and prosperous people
traces their rise from small beginnings and does not fail to bestow due
praise upon the pioneers who have led them on to greatness. It is
for this reason and in recognition of the noble work they have
performed, that the pioneers of civilized society have come to stand
out as a prominent class in public esteem and to be held worthy of
honorable regard by future generations.

The history of the world presents no such noble example of the
progress of civilization, the building up of a new nationality in a
wilderness country and beautifying it with cultivated fields and popu-
lous cities and all that can make it delightful as the home of millions
of prosperous citizens, as our own republic.

We look for the pioneers of this American territory to the early
colonists of Virginia in 1607 and the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth
in 1620. Struggling as colonists they stretched their sparse settlements

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 201

along a narrow strip of land on the Atlantic shore, and in 1783 they
burst the bonds that bound them and became a free though a feeble
nation. Yet here was the nucleus of the present great American
nation. Here were the pioneers who stand at the fountain head of its
greatness. But we can but admit that " They builded better than they
knew." In their wildest dreams they never could have fancied that
the time would ever come when the little strip of land which they
occupied and the great unexplored and unknown wilderness which
stretched away to the west, and the south, and the north of them
would ever form the great nation which it has now become. Would
they could now be with us to know and to realize how great is the
result from so small a beginning, in which they bore so prominent a
part.

They would find a nation foremost among the nations of the earth,
with a population greater than that of any nation in Europe, and an
extent of territory exceeded by that of Russia alone. They would find
a nation which excels all others in the world in its agricultural
productions, in its manufactures, in its mining operations and mineral
product. They would find a nation which produces one-half of the
gold and one- third of the silver used in the world, a nation with fewer
paupers than any nation in Europe except Switzerland, a nation where
ninety millions of dollars are paid annually for books and newspapers,
and where the proportion of illiterate persons who can neither read
nor write is smaller than in any other country in the world. They
would find the most wealthy nation on the globe, with more miles of
railroad than all Europe, and with the exception of England more
ocean navigation. They would find the land which above all others is
adorned with churches and institutions of learning and asylums for the
relief of all the ills to which humanity is subject.

More than two hundred years have elapsed since these early pioneers,
the founders of the nation, finished their labors and passed to their
rest, but the legacy which they left to the world and to humanity will
be imperishable.

No true American fails to look upon England as the home of his
forefathers. The English speaking people have encompassed the earth,
and in their course have established the language and many of the
institutions of their island home. Mr. Dilke, in the interesting narra-
tive of his travels through English speaking countries around the
globe, gives his book the appropriate title of " Greater Britain."
Britain is no longer confined to the little island washed by the waves
26

202 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

of the eastern Atlantic. It has outgrown its ancient limits. The city
without the walls has become greater than that within. Somehow the
English people seem peculiarly fitted for planting the blessings of
civilization in foreign lands. Their peculiar fitness for this work is
strikingly illustrated in our own history.

As early as 1562 the Spaniards took possession of the southern portion
of our national domain and built St. Augustine, the oldest city in the
United States. For more than two hundred years they held possession
of the region, but their struggle for permanent occupancy and
dominion came to naught. France planted her colonies on the St.
Lawrence before the English settled at Plymouth, or in Virginia, and
burning with ambition to build up a nation such as the world had
never seen, she spread out her scattered settlements and claimed
exclusive dominion over the vast valleys of the St. Lawrence, the
great lakes, the Ohio and the Mississippi, but her high ambition was
destined to be disappointed and the rich prize fell into other hands.
The Swedes, under the sanction of the great Gustavus Adolphus,
established a colony in New Jersey and Delaware, but its growth was
slow and its continuance brief. The Dutch colonized Manhattan Island
and the beautiful region bordering on the Hudson river as early as
1614, and soon extended their occupancy into New Jersey and Dela-
ware. By Mr. Bancroft, the historian, Holland is declared to be "the
mother of four of our states," and her industrious, enterprising and
prosperous' colonists might reasonably have anticipated a growth which
would give them, at no very distant day, a national organization and
place them at the very front among the powers of the New World.
But all of these efforts proved unavailing, and Spain, and France, and
Sweden, and Holland, all in turn withdrew from the scene, and
England with her thirteen colonies held full and exclusive sway over
the land.

We look back to these English colonies as the beginning of our
nation, and to the colonists as the pioneers of American civilization,
growth and prosperity. But if we stop at this point we leave half the
tale untold.

In 1783 the colonies became an independent nation and the nation
in its turn became the father of pioneers and the builder of new states.
The enlargement of territorial limits by accession has been marvelous.
I well recollect reading many years ago an extract from a French
writer in which said that the English language would never attain its
highest state of perfection, nor English institutions their most perfect
condition until the colonists had carried them across the continent and

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 203

established them on the shores of the Pacific. When this was written
no proposition could have been announced more improbable than that
the feeble little colony on the Atlantic would expand until it reached
the Pacific and peopled the broad expanse of the continent. Yet all
this has happened. From the day when the colonies assumed the
dignity of nationality, the star of empire has been steadily on its western
course, and thirty-one new states have been added to the Union. Each
of these states has had its pioneers who entered its borders while it
was yet a wilderness and have adorned it with the evidences of their
toil, their intelligence and their patriotism.

And what are these new states? With the exception of the slight
restriction contained in the national constitution which connects them
with the Union and secures to them blessings beyond all estimation,
they are independent nations. They make their own laws. They elect
their own rulers. They vote the taxes which they are themselves to
pay. Every man is free to enjoy his own opinion, to worship where
he pleases and read the books and papers which he chooses. The
English language is theirs and they delight in the history and glory
of old England — still the American state is not England. All of good
that the venerable customs of the mother country can give, all that the
common law of the realm in its growth of ages has secured, all the
wisdom that her judges and her statesmen have uttered are ours; but
many things in our system of government, our laws and our condition,
are purely American. We have no recognized distinction of classes, no
primogeniture, no entailment of estates, no privileges of rank, no title
of nobility. Our written constitution was intended to lay a broader
foundation for a popular government than could elsewhere be found,
to give to the people more freedom of action, to secure the enjoyment of
greater privileges and multiply the inducements to all to press on to a
higher type of manhood and civilization. It is the charter of the
masses and not of a favored few. It is a guaranty of rights to the
democracy and not a grant of license to an aristocracy. It seeks to
lighten the burden of taxation and to enforce economy in the admin-
istration of the government. While Great Britain pays her Queen
$3,100,000 and the Prince of Wales and other members of the royal
family $1,200,000 annually, this nation pays its president only $50,000,
and has no list of idle supernumeraries to support. It was of this
constitution that Mr. Gladstone said: "As far as I can see the
American constitution is the most wonderful work ever struck off at
one time by the brain and purpose of man." It established a new
and untried form of government and the praise which it has received

204 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

from hundreds of the most thoughtful men of other countries attest its
merits and superiority as compared with others. It is an instrument
of few words, but in those few words is treasured the germ of the
freest of governments and the most prosperous of nations.

" Through America England is speaking to the world." These are
the words of one who is both 'a true Briton and an admirer of the
American Union, and they are true words. Yet the voice of America
is not the mere parrot-like repetition of the words of England. She
has added largely to the message of the mother country. All that is
peculiar in her institutions and her form of government, all that her
history tells of the blessings enjoyed by a self-governing people, she
proclaims in language not to be misunderstood, and her message meets
with the hearty response of all liberty-loving people. The colonies of
England are scattered far and wide over the globe and the time is
sure to come when they will become independent nations. When this
time comes who can doubt that each in turn will yield to the voice
and follow the example of our country and become a republic like the
American Union rather than a monarchy like England?

It is the pride of Michigan that she is one of the states that sprung
from the "old thirteen" on the Atlantic. There are those living who
well remember the venerable men who were the first of our lineage to
enter its borders and whose death occurred before the present State
organization. Peace be to their ashes and honor ever to their memory!

I see before me some of the pioneers who have witnessed the growth
of our State from its beginning and whose energy, judgment and
untiring toil have largely contributed to make it what it is. If you,
my friends, could recall and record your hopes and your fears, your
discouragements and your joys, your aspirations and the many brilliant
fancies of the future which you indulged during the period of its
growth, it would be the most interesting history of the childhood and
advancement of the republic which could be written.

But certain it is that the most enthusiastic of the band of early
pioneers could never have dreamed of a success which should make
the Peninsular State what it has already become. The richness of its
soil, the beauty of its scenery, the charm of its many rivers, the
grandeur of the ocean-like lakes that encompass it, were enough to
attract the beholder and mark it for his future home. But nature did
not then reveal even to his searching scrutiny half its treasures. He
did not know that in ages long past old ocean had here deposited,
now far beneath the earth's surface, its treasures of salt and fountains

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 205

of brine which were awaiting the discovery of man and since have
proved a mine of wealth. He did not then know that there was hid
in the far away forest that store of pine timber which has since
yielded millions of wealth to the laborer and the enterprising operator.
He did not know of those vast deposits of iron ore, the working of
which has since given employment to thousands of workmen and
furnished capital for the building of towns and cities and maintaining
fleets of carrying vessels on the lakes. I have not at hand the means
of ascertaining the aggregate sum of the product from this source
since the opening of the mines forty years ago, but a single furnace
which closed down only a few days ago is reported to have turned out
pig iron to the amount of thirty millions of dollars, and official
documents show that Michigan produces more iron than any other
state in the Union, and nearly half of the entire quantity furnished
by all.

The copper mines, now so famous, were for all practical purposes
unknown until their discovery by Dr. Hough ton, the geologist of the
State in 1840. In the abundance of the yield and the richness of the
ore these mines have no equal in the world. For more than forty
years they have given to the market a product almost beyond estimate
in value. A single mine, the Calumet and Hecla, is said to have paid
its owners in dividends for two years the princely sum of four millions
of dollars and to have yielded forty millions of dollars worth of copper
since the organization of the company in 1867.

But it is not merely secrets such as these that nature has revealed
in modern times to aid in human progress. Science has disclosed
many a fact in the natural world of great practical value. Steam,
which no man can see, is so applied as to do work beyond all human
power. It labors at the mine, it works at the mill, it operates the
machinery of the manufacturer, it gives continuous motion to the press
of the printer and folds the printed sheets, it warms our houses, it
propels the steamers of the world and draws the cars upon the world's
three hundred thousand miles of railroad. Electricity, that mystery of
mysteries, has just put itself at the service of man for practical use.
It propels the car and lights our streets and dwellings. It carries
written messages around the world; and if we would hear the voice of
a distant friend we have but to turn our ear to the telephone and we
listen to his words.

All these are but instruments in promoting the .welfare of man, and
they aid in pressing him forward to the highest stage of civilization,
intelligence and happiness which man can attain on earth.

206 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

In all these blessings Michigan has had her full share. In all the
labors necessary for true progress Michigan has borne her full part,
and we may well congratulate ourselves on the result.

MEMOIR OF DR. T. C. ABBOT.

BY PEESIDENT O. CLUTE.

A pure, strong, brave spirit has gone from among us. These halls,
where for so many years his work was done, will know him no more.
Not again will he pass under these beautiful oaks; his daily tasks will
lead him not again over these green lawns. This great school which
he did so much to establish, will remain arid grow, but for it his
personal work has ceased. In the lives of the many students whom he
quickened and strengthened, his influence will grow from year to year,
but his voice will no more be heard to counsel and to inspire. I
would recall some of the events of a life so strong and so reverent,
some of the qualities that gave him influence so deep and lasting,
some of the deep gratitude that today lives in the hearts of men,
scattered in many lands, who have been helped by that influence.

From the eastern and the middle states has come the great stream
of manhood that has brought strength, industry, education, religion,
the institutions of law and liberty throughout the mighty west. In
the most eastern of the Eastern states, Theophilus Capen Abbot was
born, the home of his infancy being in Vassalboro, Maine. While he
was yet an infant his father removed to Augusta, Maine, where in the
public schools he received his early training, and from whence, at the
early age of fifteen he entered the classical course in Colby University
at Waterville, then known as Waterville College. He graduated in
1845, a leader among the thoughtful men of his class. He taught for
a short time in an academy, then for several years in a seminary in

MEMOIR OF DR. T. C. ABBOT. 207

northern Maine, spending his vacations usually at Waterville in grad-
uate study.

His temperament led him to reflect on the great questions of religion
and to think of entering the ministry. He took a course in theology
at the Bangor Theological Seminary in preparation for this work, on
completing which he again took up teaching, this time entering the
faculty of his college as teacher of Greek, where he continued for a
year and a half.

He had now been for many years closely engaged in school work,
either as student or teacher, and desired rest and change. He desired
to see somewhat of our "old home" across the sea, and to go among
the scenes endeared to all, where have been enacted some of the great
deeds in the progress of human liberty, where have lived some of the
greatest poets and historians and orators of the world. He went to
England • and Scotland and remained about a year, studying their
history, their literature, their people on the spots made famous by
some of the greatest men of all time. Soon after his return from
abroad he came to Michigan, in 1856. He taught for a few months
in Berrien Springs, Berrien county, then accepted the principalship of
the high school in the city of Ann Arbor, then one of the important
educational positions in Michigan. Here he first met the lady who
afterwards became his wife, Miss Sarah Merrylees, she being then
preceptress in the Ann Arbor high school. During his first year at
Ann Arbor he was chosen to the chair of English Literature at the
Agricultural College, but his engagement there prevented his coming
here until the year following. In 1858 he entered upon his duties
here where the remainder of his great work, extending through nearly
thirty years, was to be done. His thorough knowledge of the subject
he taught, his clearness as a teacher, his constant courtesy and kind-
ness made him from the first successful. He won friends at once
among students, faculty, and board of control.

In 1860 he was married to Miss Merrylees in Ann Arbor. The
coming of a bride to the college was in those days an unusual and
important event. Under the efficient leadership of Dr. George Thurber,
then professor of botany, the faculty and students decorated the house
(now Dr. Beal's), in which the newly wedded couple were to live, with
branches of evergreens, with great ferns from the woods, with the few
flowers that in those early days were to be found on the campus. As
the carriage containing the couple drove to the door it was greeted by
the whole college population, cheerful lights gleamed from the windows
of the flower-decked rooms, and a great balloon, made for the occasion

208 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

under the Doctor's direction, sailed into the skies to proclaim the
welcome. His home at once became the chief social center of the
college, and so continued during the many years that he and Mrs.
Abbot lived on the campus.

It was in the summer of 1858 that he entered upon his work here
as professor of English, in which work he continued until 1866, when
he was transferred to the chair of logic and mental philosophy, which
he held until his death. From 1858 to 1861 he was treasurer of the
college. From 1861 to 1863 he was the secretary of the board of
control. In 1863 he was chosen unanimously to the presidency of the
college, which place had been left vacant by the resignation of the
first president, Joseph R. Williams, in 1859. For more than twenty-
five years, through the days when the college was poor, small,
struggling, unknown; through the days when it began to have wealth
and influence and success; until after many years it had fame and
friends in many states and in foreign lands, he controlled its policy
and guided its fortunes.

His work at the college was always confining and severe. There
was little rest from year's end to year's end. Sometimes his
support, from those of whom support was most to be expected, was
not hearty. As years went by the strain told on his health and spirits.
In 1874 he took his family to Europe for a year's rest for his wife
and himself, and to give his daughter and son the benefit of schools
in Paris. But on returning the old steady grind settled down upon
him. He worked under a pressure too severe, he carried a burden too
heavy for any man to bear. Several times he sought release from the
duties of the presidency, but each time it seemed impossible for his
request to be granted, and so the weary work went on. At length, in
1885, it became evident that he must stop. The board of agriculture
acceded to his request and relieved him from the office of president,
continuing his duty as professor of logic and mental philosophy. His
family and friends hoped much from the change. For a short time
his health and strength seemed improved. He taught with something
of his old clearness and force; he went among his books with some-
thing of the old interest. But the change had come too late. The
brain, once so clear and alert, was too deeply affected. It a few
months it began to be whispered that he would not be better so long
as the diseased body should be the prison of the spirit. The predic-
tion was only too true. Quietly, gently, without suffering the dissolution
went on. Month by month, year by year, the body became more
feeble, the brain became less able for its work. For six years his wife

MEMOIR OF DR. T. C. ABBOT. 209

and daughter cared for him with all gentleness. Every want was
attended to, every comfort was supplied. At length in the morning of
Monday, November 7, 1892, his day of freedom came,

Shrill November gave gloomy skies and bitter winds for the day of
burial. Old friends and students assembled at the home in Lansing.
Prayer was offered by Rev. C. H. Beale, of the Congregational church,
then the body was borne to the church for a funeral service. Plants
and flowers from the college greenhouses decked the pulpit and the
coffin. Friends came from far and near. The faculty of the college
had been so changed since his retirement from active work, that many
of them had never met him, yet they gathered in sorrow at the grave
of one who had done so much for the college which they served.
Scarcely one of the present students had ever seen him, but they
knew of the loyal devotion of those former generations of students,
who were indebted to him so deeply, and they came to look upon the
coffined body whence had fled the spirit that wrought so well for the
development of the school that now trains them for life's work. Rev.
C. H. Beale read from the Bible and led the hearts of all in prayer.
The 'choir gave such music as lifts the thoughts to God. President O.
Clute, a graduate of the college in the class of '62, spoke, alas, how
inadequately, of the manly -qualities and the noble character of him
whose happy release had come. Then the body was borne to the
cemetery at Mount Hope. Ashes were returned to ashee, dust to dust.
The spirit so true to all goodness, so faithful to all noblo work, so able
in knowledge, in training, in grasp of thought, freed ]<ow from the
feeble body and the clouded brain, had come to the day of its
ascension.

Agricultural College, May 16, 1893.

The discourse given by Pres. Clute at the funeral service is printed
below.

"Ye shall know them by their fruits." Matt, v.i, 16.

We have been drawn together today by a common appreciation of
the noble friend whose emaciated body is in the casket before us, by
a common sorrow for his loss. For years that loss has been slowly
coming. The overworked brain gradually lost its powers; the clear
thought faded, the bright eye dimmed, the friendly grasp relaxed. The
dissolution, so long in progress, was completed two days ago. To him,
whose once strong mind had been so long hampered by the imperfec-
tions of the bodily machinery, the dissolution surely came as a happy
release. Freed from the trammels of the flesh, he is now once more
27

210 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

himself. Again he will rejoice in keen thought, in high purpose, in
noble activity. Again will he take his place as the companion of great
gouls in the divine works of God's many mansions. Those of us who
knew him and loved him, when in strength he worked among us and
for us, now bid him God speed in his onward journey, glad that from
eclipse he has entered into that realm of being where his noble
spiritual powers are freed from the bondage of the body, and may go
forward into those paths of study, and thought, and work that gave
him his chiefest pleasure here.

We judge men by the difficulties which they surmount, by the work
which they accomplish, by the friends whom they bind to their hearts
with, hooks of steel, by the character, the inner life, which they attain.
Dr. Abbot's busy life shows us the organizer, the teacher, the man.
Let us consider him. for a few minutes in these three aspects.

To organize a great enterprise requires the clear vision to see the
completed work before that work has existence. The great organ-
izer has a great imagination. We often wrongly think that it is only
the poet, the artist, the orator who has this creative vision; but they
share it with all great organizers, with all leaders of business and of men.
The poet expresses this vision in rhythmic sweeps of song, the business
man expresses it in his warehouses, the railroad manager in his mighty
roads, the educator in his great school. Dr. Abbot saw the school he
would create, while as yet the elements of that school were in chaos.
He studied the methods by which that school could be created; he in
great measure trained the men who were to aid him; and he educated
the State which was to give him money to accomplish his work. The
successful general knows clearly the forces which he must conquer.
So Dr. Abbot knew well the difficulties which were in his way. When
he came to the presidency of the Agricultural College the students
were few, the faculty was small in numbers and entirely lacking in
experience in such a school as was to be founded, the friends of the
school had vague ideas of what they wanted and of the methods to be
pursued; often these friends were divided in opinion and most impa-
tient for speedy results. The whole income of the college depended
upon legislative appropriations which were easily cut down by watchful
opponents. The ready gibe was often hurled in the press or in public
address against the "hayseed college." With few students, untrained
faculty, small and uncertain income, impatient and divided friends,
numerous and bitter enemies, he entered upon the work. To do so
required the courage of a warrior. To win victory against such odds
required a generalship not less able than that which conducts a great

MEMOIR OP DR. T. C. ABBOT. 211

campaign. His invincible courage and his masterly generalship enabled
him to hold his ground, and year by year to win points of vantage.
His genial temper and honorable methods won the friendship of good
men of all parties. Slowly the college buildings increased, the equip-
ment improved, the faculty became permeated with a common idea and
gave to that idea loyal devotion. Foes, convinced of his clearness of
head and honesty of heart, became fast friends of his ideas and of
himself. Before his failing health compelled him, in 1885, to resign
the presidency, he saw the college established on sure foundations,
with a large body of united and influential friends, with an increasing
number of alumni and of those students who had not remained to
graduate, and with an endowment from the national grant yielding a
generous income. Surely the results of his many years of faithful
service proved the clearness of his insight, the wisdom of his plans,
the courage of his purposes, the force of his work.

The teacher, like the poet, is born, not made. Perhaps the first
requisite of the good teacher is keenness to see quickly. He must be
alive to his subject, to his class, to his time. He must have, moreover,
a perfectly clear understanding of what he teaches. He must have
studied it from every aspect, so that it is to him as open as the sun.
He must so have absorbed it that it is a part of himself. He must
then insist on keenness, clearness, thoroughness from his pupils,
having at the same time sympathy for the student's ignorance, and
dullness, and difficulties, so that he may meet them and conquer them
by rousing enthusiasm and attention. All these qualities Dr. Abbot
possessed in an unusual degree. His manner in the class room was
quiet. Not a shadow of fuss or bluster, never the slightest attempt at
joke, or sarcasm, or brow-beating. But from the first hour the student
felt that his professor was in earnest, that he understood the subject
he was teaching, and that he expected earnestness and understanding
from every student. As the weeks, and the months, and the years
went by, the greater part of students found themselves in intellectual
affiliation with their professor. They, too, became keen, clear,
enthusiastic, faithful, thorough.

Some of the " old boys " are now old in fact as well as in the
familiar college speech, for they are grandfathers. They are scattered
far and wide in. Michigan and in other states and in lands beyond the
sea. Wherever you meet them they refer in terms of affectionate
appreciation to the service rendered them by President Abbot in
their student days. Successful and honorable men in nearly all walks
of life they trace their success to their college training, and especially

212 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

to the formative influence of President Abbot. Himself a teacher,
many of his students have become teachers. Since his active work at
the college ended, his influence planted in college work and spirit has
gone on, and not a few of our recent students carry out thoughts and
methods, which were his thoughts and methods, into professional work
in other states and in distant lands. All are permeated by the spirit
and strengthened by the training which he helped so much to incorpo-
rate in our study and our work, all are carrying this thought and
influence and character around the world. From mind to mind, from
heart to heart, his power as & teacher and inspirer will be felt to far
away ages.

The idealist is never able to realize fully his ideal. The great
business man does not get his business into such perfect shape as he
dreams. The poet is never able to put into words the pulsing thought
and music which his own ear catches. The orator's speech cannot
fully glow with the fire that burns within. That is, the man is always
more than appears in his works. Dr. Abbot's works were good; his
ideal was nobler than his works; his life was noblest of all. Pure,
simple, faithful, strong. He lived in the light. His reverent soul
rejoiced in all truth and good. His faithful heart served loyally his
God and his fellow man.

His strong character is felt today in his work and in the men he
trained. Yet all do but dimly show the force, the strength, the honor,
the thought that everywhere gleamed through the gentleness which
clothed him as a garment.

Scarcely less noticeable than his gentleness was his unassuming
estimate of himself. Some men pose constantly, anxious for admira-
tion; or they go around with a nauseating strut, anxious to show their
accomplishments, however small. Dr. Abbot lived in forgetfulness of
himself. He thought not of winning applause, but of doing work that
would count. He did not display himself; he displayed his college.
He showed not his own attainments but the course of instruction
which was gradually evolved under his guidance, the valuable equip-
ment of the college collected in all departments, the spacious lawns,
the beautiful groves, the wide fields, the noble buildings that grew
under his thoughtful care; especially did he delight in the men whose
training of brain and hand attained under his leadership made them
powers for good wherever they found work to do.

He lived in a time when burning questions were agitating the whole
world; questions of human rights, politics, reform, literature, science,
religion. For all these great themes he had warm sympathy. They

. MEMOIR OP DR. T. C. ABBOT. 213

touched in him responsive chords. They were founded in truth and
goodness, and hence in time he knew they would prevail. But he had
set himself to do a certain work, and to that work he gave his thought,
his strength, his life. However important and interesting were these
other themes, he could give to them only sympathy and good wishes.
His theme was the college which he led. His work lay in advancing
human happiness by creating a noble school. In the words of the
great apostle he said, " this one thing I do."

In him the old and the new mingled in harmony. He read with
appreciation the great poetry of the ancients. Job and Homer, Virgil
and Horace, came to him with revelations of love and beauty, of
heroism and religion. When, in early manhood, he visited Europe, he
was especially attracted by the scenes made famous in the works of
Shakespeare, by the haunts of Burns, the home of Scott, the lake
district where Wordsworth dreamed and sang. And the poets of today
found him equally responsive to their songs, which deal with the new
questions of the new time. In the old and in the new he felt the
human struggle and aspiration. In the new as well as in the old he
was thrilled with the presence and the struggles of the human spirit
as moved by the Divine. Indeed, to his clear vision, there wag no old
and no new, there was only the one humanity, then and now, groping
upward to the light, in response to the same divine leading.

He desired greater opportunity, better education, better wages, more
of true liberty, greater measure of justice, a truer obedience to duty
for every human being. As one of the most efficient means of securing
these he looked to education, the rational training of all 'human powers
and faculties. The new education had in him a faithful worker. By
the new education he understood the training of men and women by
the -best methods, in the most important knowledge, which" experience
has discovered. In his mind the new education implied no severing of
the present from the past, but a gradual growth from the past to the
present, and from the present to the future, and an appropriation by
the present of all the good the past has brought us. He believed that
the new education would develop men rather than machines; that it
would make not dreamers only, but workers; that it would so
strengthen every faculty as to enable men to learn daily more and
more of the secrets that are writ in the constitution of nature, and to
become more able to use the powers of nature for the service of man.
He made no public displays of enthusiasm for the new education, he
had nothing of the eagerness of the young convert to magnify his new
thought. But in careful ways he incorporated the new thought, the

214 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

new methods, the new results into the courses at the Agricultural
College. His successors have followed in the line he marked out. As
a result there is, perhaps, no school where the course of instruction in
all departments is based more fully on v modern knowledge and the
modern spirit.

Among the fruits of his life we find a home united and affectionate;
friends made from youth to age among the pure and strong; a great
school founded in the methods of the new education whose broad and
constructive spirit is but just coming to be understood; students from
that school planting its influence and that of its organizer and of its
faculty in all the varied departments of human activity; a character in
himself that was nobler than any work he did, more helpful than any
organization that sprung from his clear and reverent mind. By these
fruits we know him as one of the helpers of men, one of the servants
of God.

MEMOIE OF FEANCIS E. STEBBINS.

BY HON. NORMAN GEDDES.

Francis E. Stebbins was born at Williamstown, Vermont, on the '26th
of October, 1818. His father, Captain Bliss Stebbins, was born in
Wilbraham, Massachusetts, December 12, 1777, and in 1805 settled in
Williamstown, Vermont, where he resided until his death, March 10,
1826. His ancestors were English.

November 17, 1802, he married Miss Betsey Euth Cossitt, of Clare-
mont, New Hampshire, by whom he had five children, Francis E.
being the youngest.

Mrs. Betsey Euth Stebbins was born in Claremont, N. H., April 21r
1783, and died in Adrian, Mich., February 21, 1870. She was of
French descent. Francis E. took his name from an uncle (Frangois
Een6 Cossitt). At the age of sixteen years he commenced to learn
the cabinet makers trade, with his brother-in-law, Lyman Briggs, at
Montpelier, Vermont, earning money enough to pay for several terms

MEMOIR OF FRANCIS R. STEBBINS. 215

tuition at the Academy in Montpelier. In 1837, he came to Michigan,
and joined his brother, C. B. Stebbins, who was carrying on the
cabinet business at Palmyra, in Lenawee county (Palmyra then aspiring
to become the future metropolis of the county). Here he remained
for about two years, and then went to Buffalo, N. Y., in the employ
of Cooley & Gralligan, cabinet makers.

While at Palmyra he wrote articles for the Michigan Whig, little
thinking that at some day he would be its editor. He also contributed
to the Michigan Observer of Detroit, and to the emancipator of New
York. While in Buffalo he wrote for the Buffalonian, the Commercial
Advertiser, the Republican, and several other papers, and was finally
given charge of the editorial work of the Morning Tattler, a society paper,
with the understanding, however, that it should not interfere with his
work as a cabinet maker. Alternating between Vermont, Buffalo and
Palmyra, for a few years, he finally came to Adrian in the fall of 1841,
and from that time until his death, which occurred on the 29th day of
September, 1892, resided in that city. With the exception of a few
months spent in the study of law, in the office of Baker, Harris &
Millard, Mr. Stebbins, during the entire period of his residence in
Adrian (comprising more than half a century of time), was continu-
ously engaged in the business of which he had made himself master
in his youth. Commencing in a small way, working at the bench
himself, and always doing what he did in the best possible manner,
he gradually built up one of the largest, best, and most successful
factories and furniture stores in southern Michigan,

A part of the time he was in partnership with his brother, C. B.
Stebbins; a part of the time the two brothers carried on the same
business, separately, side by side, and always in perfect harmony.

In 1853 the brothers, in connection with S. P. and T. D. &ermain,
built a four story brick block on east Maumee street in the city of
Adrian — then the only four story building in Lenawee county — and in
that portion of the block erected upon his land he continued in business
until the day of his death.

While Mr. Stebbins was thoroughly master of- his trade, and always
prided himself in making and keeping for sale furniture made upon
honor, and of the very best quality, and in so managing his shop and
store as to keep them well in hand and completely under his control;
yet his strong literary bias and the urgent solicitations of the propri-
etors, induced him to assume the editorship of the weekly and tri-weekly
Expositor, of Adrian, which position he held from 1850 to 1860; and
so long as he lived he continued to write for the press. Few men

216 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

have made more of their opportunities than did he. For nearly thirty
years prior to his decease, he spent a portion of each year in travel,
and while on these excursions wrote many interesting and instructive
letters of travel, covering the country from Lake Superior, and the
river and gulf of St. Lawrence to the gulf of Mexico.

He was fond of what is termed "outing" — had a cottage at Grand
Lake, Presque Isle county, Michigan, and one at Sand Lake, Lenawee
county, and as long as he lived spent a part of each summer at one
or the other of these cottages; and, during the latter part of his life,
a part of each winter in Florida, where he made very thorough
explorations of Indian River.

He was a lover of nature, and with a few congenial friends, derived
the greatest possible pleasure from these annual excursions.

Mr. Stebbins was a public spirited man and identified with the
growth and prosperity of the city of Adrian and of the State of Mich-
igan for more than half a century. He was a zealous and active
member of the pioneer society of the county of Lenawee, and also of
the State pioneer society, contributing during his membership interesting
and valuable articles to each society. He served as alderman of his
ward in the common council of the city of Adrian, also as a member of
the public school board, where either as president or chairman of the
building committee, he had the leading charge of the erection of the
present central school building, the main features of the plan of
which were furnished by him and adopted by the board. He served
as a member of the old volunteer fire department of the city and had
much to do with the erection of its buildings; was a member of the
committee having charge of the erection of the soldiers' monument,
furnishing the design which was adopted for the base; and, in short,
has been directly or indirectly identified with almost every movement
that has been made calculated to advance the best interests of the
city, during his long residence therein.

In politics Mr. Stebbins was a whig and cast his first vote in Buffalo
for William Henry Harrison for president, and subsequently became
identified with the republican party and did yoeman service therein so
long as he lived. He was an active politician but never sought for
any public office. He was a religious man in the best and broadest
sense of the word, was liberal and catholic in his views, and a member
of the Presbyterian church. It can be truly said of him, that he was
an honest, conscientious, and good man. When it became apparent to
him, as it did some little time before his death, that he had but a
short time to live, he had no fear. For him death had no terrors.

MEMOIR OF ANSON DE PEUY VAN BUREN. 217

He had so lived that when his summons came he could "Wrap the
drapery of his couch about him and lie down to pleasant dreams."

Mr. Stebbins was twice married; his first wife being Miss Mary E.
Meyer of Buffalo, N. Y., to whom he was married on the 3d of
August, 1841, and by whom he had three- children, Francis G. Stebbins
and Mary L. Colvin, who survive him, and Ellen C., who died in
childhood. Mrs. Mary E. Stebbins was born in Coxsakie, N. Y., June
15, 1820, and died in Adrian, April 16, 1852. He was again married
October 24, 1853, to Migs Sarah Louise Briggs, of Claremont, New
Hampshire, by whom he had three children, Lilla Louise, Fred B. and
Edwin J. Mrs. Sarah Louise Stebbins was born at Charlestown, New
Hampshire, February 25, 1833. She and her two sons, above named,
survive her husband, and reside in the city of Adrian. Lilla Louise,
the daughter, married Mr. Edwin J. Pierce and died in Hingham,
Massachusetts, on the 27th day of September, 1890.

The three eons, Francis G., Fred B. and Edwin J., who had long
been in the employ of their father, continue the business, which he
had spent over half a century in establishing on a firm basis. Mr.
Stebbins will be greatly missed in the city, in the county and State,
and in this Society.

We can only add: "The end of a well spent life."

MEMOIE OF ANSON DE PEUY VAN BUEEN.

BY STEPHEN D. BINGHAM.

No Michigan man has done more to preserve the records of leading
pioneers, especially those of southwestern Michigan, than Anson De
Peuy Van Buren. Of Dutch descent he was "the son of Ephriam and
Olive (Jay) Van Buren, and was born April 22, 1822, at Kinderhook,
Columbia county, N. Y. He was the youngest of nine children. The
family, in 1826, removed to New York Mills, Oneida county, N. Y.,
28

218 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893,

where Anson received such an education as the village schools of that
day gave a boy of his years. And here, in his later boyhood, he had
the rare opportunity of listening to the preaching, lectures, and public
discussions of the foremost preachers, oratory, and reformers of that
day. Here he heard the eloquent McDowell, of New York, on moral
reform; Theodore Weld, on temperance; President Besiah Green, the
powerful abolition advocate; Grerritt Smith, the anti-slavery reformer;
Charles G. Finney, the revivalist; and that brilliant orator, the James
Otis of his day, Alvan Stewart, on temperance and reform. And it
was here, being thus early taught by such great masters, that the
subject of this sketch imbibed those views of religion, temperance, and
reform that governed his after life." The above are his own words,
found on page 287, Vol. 14, Pioneer Collections.

With his father's family he removed to Michigan, October 1, 1836.
The trip was by canal to Buffalo, taking some weeks, thence by the
steamer United States to Detroit. The son, then at the age of thirteen,
retained vivid recollections of the long journey, and has recalled them
in his "Pioneer Annals," Vol. 5, Pioneer Collections. From Detroit
the family journeyed in a wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen to Battle
Creek, and found a log cabin built on the claim, by older brothers.
The son helped his father cut the first trees on the farm and was kept
busy with the other boys at hard labor. The family had brought five
hundred pounds of dried codfish from their old home, which was
exchanged for pork with neighbors, then called "paying with dicker."

The fact is placed on record that in the spring of 1837 "wheat was
two dollars a bushel, corn and oats very high, when they could be
bought at all, potatoes were ten shillings per bushel, and it was
necessary to go to Prairie Bonde, a round trip of some sixty miles, to
get them at that price. We gave thirteen dollars for a shoat of the
wind-splitter breed, weighing probably sixty pounds dressed. It was so
lean it would not fry itself. We had to boil it in half a dozen waters
and then it would not pass as * legal tender' with anyone who knew
what pork was." The cattle were kept through with a scarce supply
of marsh grass and the buds and tender twigs of tree tops cut down
for that purpose. He records as a tender remembrance of those days
that after a year had gone by and they had not seen a person or thing
they had known in New York, his mother found a house fly that had
been caught and preserved between the leaves of a book and exclaimed:
"Here is a fly from New York state! Now, children, don't touch it,
let it remain in this book, just as it is, for it is a fly that once lived
in our old home."

MEMOIR OF ANSON DE PEUY VAN BUREN. 219

Thus commenced his Michigan life. For the first few years he had
no school advantages, but made the chimney corner his school room,
and the elementary spelling book, the old English reader, Olney's
geography, Daboll's arithmetic, and Kirkham's grammar his teachers.
It was an evening school, kept mostly in the winter season, and all
the light he had was that which came from the hickory bark thrown
on the fire. There he studied, made himself master of the books
named, and in the winter of 1838, at the age of sixteen, he received a
certificate to teach the Goguac Prairie school. He continued to teach
winters in Battle Creek until the spring of 1843, when he entered the
branch of the Michigan University at Kalamazoo, remaining there
three years. He entered the University at Ann Arbor in the summer
of 1847, leaving in the fall to teach at Athens, Calhoun county. He
taught in various places until the fall of 1857, when, with failing health,
he went to Mississippi. There he soon took charge of an academy
near Yazoo City, returning to Michigan after the lapse of a year,
opening a select school at Battle Creek, and finally closed his long and
successful career as teacher in the Climax high school.

In the fall of 1859 he published his book entitled, "Jottings of a
Year's Sojourn in the South," which was favorably received both north
and south. This work is a volume of 320 pages and is a racy record
of southern life in those days, and worthy of a choice place in every
Michigan library. Among the reminiscences are graphic sketches of
George M. Poindexter, Henry S. Foote, General Quitman, Joseph Holt,
George D. Prentice, S. S. Prentiss, Colonel McClung, Jefferson Davis,
and others. Never have we seen elsewhere so vivid and lifelike a
sketch as that of the eloquent S. S. Prentiss given by him. He brings
the matchless orator before you so that you see the man and almost
hear the words that came from his lips and swayed the people like
the touch of magic.

In 1864 Mr. Van Buren engaged in life insurance, which became his
occupation for the rest of his life. He married Miss Mary L. Gibson,
November 14, 1866, and resided in Galesburgh, where he held various
town offices. He died June 27, 1892, highly - esteemed by every one
who ever knew him. His widow is still living in Galesburgh.

Henry Bishop of Kalamazoo says of him: "He was a terse and
vigorous writer on subjects congenial to him. No man furnished more
interesting historical sketches of old pioneers for the different volumes,
of the State pioneer history than Mr. Van Buren. He was an honest
temperance worker, an earnest Bible student, a great aid to Sabbath
schools, and a member of the Congregational church. The greater part

220 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

of his life was spent in the school room, where he endeavored to teach
true manhood by example as well as by precept."

The counties of Calhoun and Kalamazoq are fortunate that he was a
resident, first at Battle Creek, later at Galesburgh. As a writer of
biography he has never been excelled by any resident of Michigan,
and from his pen preserved in the Pioneer Collections, the names of
many leading pioneers have been rescued from oblivion. With a
thorough command of language, a remarkable memory, a humor that
never exhausted itself, he gives in inimitable style the anecdotes of
those hardy pioneers. These alone would form a volume of genuine
humor, and this characteristic of the man ,was fresh and genial as ever
up to the last hours of his life. While he did not become a member
of the State Pioneer Society until 1883, many of his papers of previous
years, written for the county pioneer societies of Calhoun and Kalama-
zoo, have been preserved in the Pioneer Collections. Some years of
his life must have been spent in writing these papers, and all are
graphic and enjoyable in the highest degree. Neither time nor space
would suffice to give even the titles of all his papers. Among the
leading papers of the humorous character are "The Political Campaign
of 1840," with incidents, anecdotes, and recollections of its distinguished
editors and orators, north and south, in Volume 10, Pioneer Collections;
and "That Glorious 5th, How it was Celebrated in 1845 at Kalamazoo,"
would shake the ribs of a misanthrope. Other valuable papers are
"Temperance in Pioneer Days," "History. of the Old Branches of the
Michigan University," and of " The Branch University at Kalamazoo,"
"Michigan in Pioneer and National Politics, and in the Campaign of
1856," and a complete history of "The Temperance Conflict."

But in " The Log School House Era," a paper of 120 pages, Volume
14, Pioneer Collections, we get the key of his life and character. As
a pioneer school master he devoted twenty-one years of his life to
teaching, mostly country schools, for it was all country then, and gives
his full experience as a teacher from the age of sixteen to thirty-six,
commencing in 1838 and closing in 1859. He was the best type of the
western pioneer schoolmaster. He had started with the determination
to be a teacher, and after a first trial attended higher schools in
summer to make up for defects he found. With the smallest of wages
he persevered, and finally gained name and fame as a teacher. What
his wages were the first school in 1838 is not recorded, but in 1842,
we find him contracting to teach for eight dollars a month and
"board around." In 1847 he had reached the figure of $14 a month,
and later $18 per month; finally, in a higher grade of school, $75 per

MEMOIR OF ANSON DE PEUY VAN BUREN. 221

month. He knew only one common school teacher who was a college
graduate, and he was not among the best teachers.

Then "the school officers were the 'board of regents' and the school
master played the part of president and professor in that rude seat
of learning, the pioneer schoolhouse. His advanced students drove
him beyond the 'three r's' into natural philosophy, algebra, and
perhaps into botany and astronomy." The college bred student was
"not so competent to teach a district school as the teacher who had
been trained in the curriculum of that school." " When the school
master of the old days stepped upon the floor of the log school house
his foot was on his native heath, and he was at home amid his
surroundings."

He vividly describes his first school house: "It was built of oak
logs with 'cobbed up' corners. The roof was composed of shakes that
were held in their places by long poles laid lengthwise over the lap
of each course, and pinned down at each end. The floor was of
puncheon. A fireplace with broad jams was surmounted with a stick
chimney, which ran up on the outside and east end of the building.
There was but one door and but one window, close beside it, on the
south side. The door swung on oaken hinges, and was fastened by
and answered to a wooden latch that was raised by the accustomed
leather latch string. The logs were 'chinked and mudded up' and the
building was considered fit for winter use. There was not a nail or a
particle of iron about the house. The glass was secured in the sashes
by little wooden pegs, and the cross-piece over the fire place was a wooden
support. Our school room furniture, like the building, was of the
most primitive kind. Holes were bored into the logs some three feet
from the floor, on the sides and west end of the room, into which
long pegs were driven; boards were secured on these pegs slanting
inward for desks. Rough boards on wooden legs ran parallel to the
desks for seats. Slabs with shorter legs constituted the seats for the
smaller children. The schoolmaster's table was also of pioneer make."
The teacher was without blackboard or bell, and called his school to
order by rapping on the sash of the lone window with a book. His
equipment was a cherry ruler, whip and penknife. Daily the pens were
made for each scholar far enough advanced to write, but he seems to
have used the whip but little, in spite of that remark of the many
wived Solomon, "Spare the rod, spoil the child," which has cost the
descendents of the Pilgrims so many million "lickings."

With such a commencement Mr. Yan Buren perfected himself as a
teacher, followed it many years at the lowest of wages, because he

222 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

loved the profession on which he conferred signal honor. His vivid
and thorough record of his long services as a teacher is of itself a
monument of which any man might well feel proud. Teacher of the
pioneers, thyself a pioneer, we salute thee in death!

In person Mr. Yan Buren was tall and graceful, with a head and
face that were a model for the sculptor. As a member of the State
Pioneer Society from 1883 until his death, he stood very high in the
estimation of his fellow members. Except for deafness he would have
filled the position of president long before his death. For many years
he was a member of the historical committee and his services were of
great value in that capacity. His place no one else can fill. He has
written much of value for the later writers of history and biography,
and for himself has won fame that will inure with the name and fame
of the State he loved and served so well.

MEMOIR OF EX-GOVERNOR CHARLES M. CROSWELL.
REMARKS AT THE FUNERAL, DECEMBER 16, 1886.

BY JUDGE THOMAS M. COOLEY.

When one who for more than the average lifetime of man has
filled a large space in the public eye, holding important positions,
executing high trusts and wielding a commanding influence among his
fellows, drops suddenly out of sight, almost without warning, the shock
of the general loss is likely at first to be felt by us more than that
which is personal, and we stand in the awful presence of death appalled
chiefly by the great vacancy in the social and civil state which the
blow has made. But ere long the tender chord of memory, responsive
to recollections of early friendships, common enjoyments, common
trials and common aspirations, make us sensible of the pain of
sundered ties, and the sense of general loss gives place to the more
exquisite sorrow of personal bereavement.

MEMOIR OP EX-GOVERNOR CHARLES M. CROSWELL. 223

Charles M. Croswell affords us one of those striking illustrations, of
which the history of America is full, of boys without the help of
fortune, or education, or influential friends, by the force of native
energy and perseverance, raising themselves to positions of eminence
and usefulness, and filling them with distinguished honor. He was an
orphan at seven years of age, with the prospect before him of a
laborious and inconspicuous life, with no adventitious circumstances
whatever upon which he could rely for exceptional success. At the
age of eighteen, when I first saw him, he was learning the trade of a
carpenter. He had the industry and the energy which were the sure
auguries of success, and had he continued in that occupation it is not
to be doubted that he would in time have become a man of note in
the community, if not a man of wealth. He had Franklin's love of
books, and it was certain from the first that as he grew in years he
would find a congenial sphere of action in which his self -acquired
learning would be of special value, and would enable him to compete
with others, more fortunate in their early advantages, for important
stations.

It is difficult to speak of him fittingly without speaking also of
myself, for .before he attained his majority we were thrown much
together, and with his gifted cousin, George W. Hicks, constituted a
trio of youth, all equally without the favors of fortune, equally
dependent on individual exertions for all that should be attained or
possessed, but with similar tastes, w,hich could only be gratified by
hard labor and the strictest economy, and in the gratification of which
we might be of mutual assistance. The untimely death of young Hicks
had the effect to draw the survivors more closely together, and the
intimacy grew and was unbroken until the time came when public
affairs almost monopolized attention.

I have spoken of him as having been without the advantages of
education. His indebtedness to schools was but small and his upward
path was made more difficult in consequence. But the consciousness of
the disadvantage only operated as a spur to effort, and he came in
time to be a well read man, with a large fund of useful knowledge
which by diligence he had made the books impart to him. He was
especially attracted by historical works; and few men so much absorbed
by business and public avocations as he shortly became, were more
familiar with the general facts of ancient and modern history, and
especially with the history of his own country and of its leading
public characters. He was fond of lighter literature also, and he
studied rhetoric as art to the full extent that his circumstances enabled

224 ANNUAL MEETING 1893.

him to do. As a result his mind was not only well stored with useful
information, bat what he knew he was prepared effectively to use; and
though he was never a ready he was always a favorite speaker, since
what he had to say was carefully studied and was delivered with grace
and in accurate diction.

When Mr. Croswell decided to study law he entered my office for
the purpose, and when admitted to the bar he became my partner.
But he had no fondness for the law and was preeminently a man of
business. He filled with credit many local and county offices which I
will not delay to enumerate, and in 1866 was chosen to the State
senate. In that body, although it contained several older and more
experienced lawyers, he was made chairman of the judiciary committee,
a high compliment from the late governor, which was fully justified by
the able and painstaking manner in which the duties were performed.
The senate paid him a still higher compliment when by common
consent it elected him president pro tempore, an office commonly
conferred only on a member of considerable experience. But probably
not one of his associates was so admirably fitted for the post as was
he, for from the time of his election he had given special and careful
attention to parliamentary law, and can be truthfully said to have made
himself master of its peculiar and to some extent arbitrary rules. He
held a seat in the senate for three successive terms, and long before
he left it he was the acknowledged and trusted leader of his party in
both houses. In 1867 he was chosen to a seat in the convention for
revising the constitution of the State, a body to which the people had
sent many of their ablest men and best trained intellects. And there
again his thorough familiarity with parliamentary rules as well as his
fairness was recognized, as they had been in the senate, by his being
called to preside, and he did so to the entire satisfaction of all parties.
Five years later he was a member of the popular house of the
legislature and was made its speaker. In these several public positions
as well as in those he held afterwards, his official papers and addresses
were conspicuous for terseness and lucidity, and gave cogent' evidence
that his self -training had been as accurate as it was laborious.

In 1876 Mr. Crosswell was nominated by acclamation in the conven-
tion of the dominant party in the State to the office of governor and
was of course elected. In that high office he brought undoubted
integrity, careful preparation, correct business habits and great industry.
The State has never had a more painstaking executive, never a cleaner
administration, never a firmer head to its affairs. He had not the
faculty, if he had the taste, of impressing the general public by

MEMOIR OP EX-GOVERNOR CHARLES M. CROSWELL. 225

pageant and demonstration; but in his quiet, patient, indiistrious, and
persistent way, be gave to the State a faithful and strong administra-
tion, which was alike an honor to him and an honor to the common-
wealth which he loved and was proud to preside over. Many a state,
which has suffered in various ways from the want of careful business
qualities in more brilliant, demonstrative and pretentious executives,
might well have envied Michigan its careful, thoughtful, and untiring
governor. And though without full knowledge upon that subject I
speak with great confidence when I say that he left this high office
with means diminished by his having held it.

On retiring from the office of governor, he took up cheerfully the
duties of a private citizen, and these were faithfully and diligently
performed until the fatal illness overtook him. Public life with him
had not as with so many others, destroyed his regular business habits,
and he "had no wasteful or vicious tastes to sap his fortune or consti-
tution, or to lead others to ruin. But it is as needless for me to enter
upon his every day life as it would be to give in detail the list of his
public employments. It is quite enough to say in this presence where
he was so well known, that with him public office was always a sacred
public trust and that he recognized in his capacity of private citizen,
duties as imperative as any that could be conferred by the choice of his
fellows. As we face any public building in the city, we are reminded
of some important service performed or some worthy address delivered
in it; as we enter any principal street we are met by recollection of
something notable with which in the nearly fifty years of his residence
among us he was prominently concerned. A great place was indeed
left vacant when he passed away.

Six days ago, on learning of his illness, I came to stand by his bed-
side, and to say, if I might, a word of cheer. I knew that so well
had his intellectual powers been preserved that he was still, as to them,
in the prime of life and I hoped that the. physical disease was not
serious. But I saw at once that death had marked him for its prey,
and that the end was nigh. But his mind was not upon the brief tenure
of existence; if he had any dread of what was immediately before him
he did not express it. On the contrary he directed attention at once
to his public life and the wish uppermost in his thoughts was, that
when he had passed away it should be said of him in respect to his
discharge of duties in his highest office,

"He was faithful."

Into the sanctities of private life we should in the presence of death
29

226 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

be awed from intrusion; but I may be permitted to say how well I
knew how the members of his family were held by that great heart of
his in anxious but close and loving embrace. The curtain falls now
between us and him; but just as the record of his public service will
be imperishable, so also to us will be the remembrance of his private
virtues.

" Death cannot claim the immortal mind;
Let earth close o'er its sacred trust,
But goodness dies not in the dust."

Hon. Charles M. Croswell was born October 31, 1825, at Newburgh,
Orange county, N. Y., and was son of John and Lottie (Hicks)
Croswell. His father was of Scotch-Irish extraction, was a paper
maker, and carried on business in New York city. When the son was
seven years of age his mother, a woman of superior ability and worth,
and his only sister died, and but three months after the death of his
mother his father was accidentally drowned in the Hudson river at New-
burgh, leaving him the last of the family, without means of support.
He found a friend in an uncle, James Berry, a house-builder and
contractor, with whom he came to Adrian in 1837, where he resided
until his death, which occurred suddenly there December 13, 1886.

MEMOIRS OF DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE BAY

COUNTY BAR.

BY A. C. MAXWELL.

Iii undertaking to write an account of those men who have hereto-
fore been members of the Bay county bar I have found myself so
embarrassed by any attempt at discussion of the character of those
members still living that I shallonly give some account of those who
are dead.

I settled in lower Saginaw (now Bay City) in March, 1857. When

MEMOIRS OF DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF BAY CO. BAR. 227

I arrived there I found that Messrs. C. H. Freeman, W. L. Sherman,
and James Birney had preceded me, and they were all then actively
engaged in the practice of the law.

JAMES BIRNEY.

Hon. James Birney was born at Danville, Kentucky, in 1817. His
father, James G. Birney, candidate for the liberty party for president
in 1840 and 1844, resided in Lower Saginaw from 1840 until 1850.
He was trustee of the old Saginaw Bay company, which owned the
section of land on which the original plat of Lower Saginaw was first
laid out, and no doubt the interests that he left in Bay City was the
cause of the settlement of his son at that place.

James Birney was educated at Center College, Ky., and at Miami
University, Ohio, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1836.
For the two years succeeding his graduation he occupied the position
of professor of the Greek and * Latin languages at that institution.
He afterward studied law at New Haven, Conn., and subsequently
entered upon the practice of that profession at Cincinnati, Ohio. While
at New Haven he married Miss Moulton, cousin of Commodore Isaac
Hull who captured the Guerriere on the 19th day of August, 1812. In
1856 Mr. Birney removed with his family to Lower Saginaw (now Bay
City) and at once interested himself in the development of the place.
From that time until his death Bay City was his home.

Mr. Birney was a prominent republican in politics and in 1858 was
elected to the State senate, and in this office he displayed both great
capacity and great independence. In the year 1859 most of that great
grant of swamp land which the general government had made to the
State for the purpose of drainage and reclamation was appropriated by
the State for the building of State roads and to the construction of
drains and ditches. And here Mr. Birney rendered services to northern
Michigan, for which its people for all time to come should be forever
grateful. There was a strong body of men in the legislature that year,
who were determined to ignore and neglect the conditions of the trust,
and to sell the swamp lands and apply the proceeds of the sale to the
school fund, thus leaving the northern portions of the State with its
swamps and morasses to take care of themselves. And as the phrase
went, let them get out of the woods as best they can. Mr. Birney
overcame this faction and secured the legislation which has opened up
northern Michigan through every portion of it with the State roads.

So well did he perform his duty as senator as to attract general
attention, and in 1860 he was elected lieutenant governor of the State.

228 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

He was exceptionally well qualified for the office of president of the
senate. He was careful, studious, and absolutely impartial and inde-
pendent, and managed to perform his duties with a constant suavity
and grace that caused the members of that body to be very proud of
him, and justly too, for of all the men who have succeeded him in
that office, none has reached that high standard attained by Judge
Birney as a presiding officer.

In the senate that year (1861) were Henry P. Baldwin, afterwards
governor and senator, Byron G. Stout, afterwards a candidate of his
party for governor and since a member of congress, and Solomon L.
Withey, afterwards judge of the federal courts at Grand Rapids, and
many other distinguished sons of Michigan. And it is safe to say
that Judge Birney was the full equal of all these distinguished men.
He had a natural aptness in the transaction * of public business. He
frequently debated questions on the floor of the senate; always with
sincerity and ability, and always with firmness and kindness. While
he was ambitious he was totally above all the low schemes and prac-
tices of modern politicians.

In the spring of 1861 Governor Birney was appointed circuit judge
of the eighteenth judicial circuit, then composed of the counties of Bay,
losco, Alcona, and Alpena. He presided four years on the bench of
that circuit. He was a dignified, prudent, and careful judge. His
administration of justice was satisfactory. He was modest, kind,
accommodating, fair and impartial, and generally right, but like all
judges he made some mistakes. I remember once he intimated a
decision against me. I mentioned to him that the supreme court had
decided otherwise, and showed him the decision of Tannahill vs. Tuttle.
He refused to modify his ruling and simply remarked " So much the
worse for the supreme court." I cheerfully add that he was right, as
Tannahill vs. Tuttle was afterwards overruled. He was not well
adapted to a judicial position. While his mind was active and clear,
he could not comprehend and would not follow many of the rules of
law which to the general student appear unreasonable.

After leaving the bench he resumed his practice of law in Bay City.
In 1867 he was elected a member of the constitutional convention and
actively participated in the proceedings of that body. He was very
conservative, perhaps too much so, as the work of the convention was
rejected by the people.

In 1870 Mr. Birney established the Bay City Chronicle, a weekly
newspaper, and in 1873 it was issued daily. It was published until
after Mr. Birney's departure for the Hague, when it was merged into

MEMOIRS OF DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF BAY CO. BAR. 229

the Tribune. In 1872 he was appointed centennial commissioner for
Michigan and as such was of considerable service to the State. He
was noted as such for his affability and kindness.

In 1872 he was appointed minister to the Netherlands. This was a
position to which he was exceptionally wel] adapted. He held this
office until 1882, when he returned to Bay City. His father was a
graduate of Princeton, a man of fine taste and elegant accomplishments.
He was simple and free in his manner, liberal in his views in every-
thing except upon the subject of slavery, perfectly honest, and no
doubt from him Judge Birney acquired those elegant manners for
which he was noted.

At the court of Holland, as a representative of the United States, he
was highly distinguished, and it is probable that of all the representa-
tives of the nations at that court he was the most respected and
admired as a man. It is true the embassadors from Germany, France,
and Russia with millions of armed men near at hand, and England
with her tremendous navy, each able to crush Holland in a month,
must be shown great consideration; but this was due to force and to
the position of affairs, not to the representative or to the man who
might happen to represent the nation. Judge Birney maintained a
high position there, and did much to elevate the embassy and in the
building up of friendly feelings towards the people of the United
States. He died in May, 1888.

Mr. Birney was a man of great public spirit and filled the many
public offices, to which he was either elected or appointed, with ability
and fidelity. He was devoted to the interests of Bay City and Bay
county, and took an active part in promoting their growth and
development.

At the time of his death he was president of the board of education
of Bay City, and in this office, as in all other positions of public trust
occupied by him, he made his duty to the people of paramount
importance. He was a man of sensative and refined feelings, firm in
his convictions, of fine appearance, and eminently qualified by educa-
tion and manners to shine in the higher • walks of public life.
Politicians accused him of being an aristocrat, but he was a true,
loyal, tender hearted gentleman who could not play the demagogue.

ANECDOTE.

Although Judge Birney was self-possessed and circumspect in his
conduct generally, one morning in the spring of 1859 he said to me,

230 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

"I feel most devilishly ugly this morning." The next morning Z
learned the occasion of his wrath. At this time there was not a rod of
made road in Bay county. There was but one span of horses in town.
People's cattle, cows, pigs and geese run everywhere at large on the
property of every land owner with impunity. Judge Birney had
cleared some blocks between Ninth and Tenth streets in Bay City, and
had made some clearing where the family homestead now stands. He
had cleared his lands, fenced it, and planted it. It so happened that
this enclosure embraced a sand ridge over which the settlers' cows had
passed out to the woods to graze. On each side of the judge's fences
were swamps, so that when the cattle got beyond his enclosure they
could not find their way home, and every night the settlers would pull
down his fences and let the cattle through to their homes. Finally he
laid in wait for them and one evening caught two old German settlers
named Mikler and Steinbauer letting down his fences. It was past
one o'clock in the morning. He at once woke up Squire Chilson, had
both trespassers arrested, tried them before two o'clock in the morning
and had them in jail punctually at three.

THEOPHILUS C. GRIER.

Among the members of the bar who gained a special notoriety at an1
early age of his life was Theophilus C. Grier. His reputation was
known all over the State as one of the rising lawyers of our country.

Judge Grier was born at Ravenna, in the state of Ohio, on the 2d
day of January, 1834, and was a descendent, on his mother's side, of
Rev. John Cotton, of Pilgrim fame. His parents died while Mr. Grier
was yet a mere lad, and he was taken and cared for during a short
time by an uncle whose name was Carlton, and who was a minister of
the Universalist denomination of more than ordinary reputation. At
the age of fifteen young Grier became apprenticed as a printer to one
Joel D. Brattels, who was' then editor of the Trumbull County
Democrat. This training was subsequently of immense value to him as
a writer. The young man's health became very delicate, and he was
necessarily compelled to quit the printing business and cultivate his
physical strength. After a short time he became strong enough to
attend school and entered an educational institution at Marietta, Ohio.
Subsequently he made up his mind to enter the legal profession, and
to this end he became a student in the law office of Riddle & Hatha-
way, of Chardon, Ohio. His circumstances were such that it was
necessary for him to teach school during the winter season of the year

MEMOIRS OF DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF BAY CO. BAR. 231

and pursue his law studies during the summer, spending what he
earned during the winter to enable him to prosecute his studies during
the summer. While thus engaged and while yet a youth he became
acquainted with Jennie Miller, whom he married in July, 1857. Three
children were the fruits of this marriage, the oldest being Carlton
Grier, who is now a resident of Spokane, Washington, the second, a
daughter, who died in Bay City some years ago, and the third, Rev.
A. Grier, who is now one of the most scholarly and eloquent ministers
of the gospel of the state of Towa.

Shortly after the marriage of Judge Grier, he was admitted to the
bar in the state of Ohio, and moved with his wife to Pine Run,
Michigan, where he commenced the practice of his profession. This
practice for the first few years was confined chiefly to the justices'
courts, as is the case with most of the lawyers of his training and
advantages. In this field, however, Mr. Grier showed indications of
his future merits and abilities. He soon sought a more extended
opportunity in which to grow, however, and during the year 1859 he
took up his residence in Bay City. Here he found remunerative calls
for his services from the beginning. His great ability as a rising
lawyer was at once recognized, and in the year 1860 he was elected
prosecuting attorney and circuit court commissioner of Bay county.
As a public prosecutor he was the dread and fear of criminals and at
once came to the front as a trial lawyer. During the month of Sep-
tember, 1861, he associated with him A. McDonell, now of Bay City,,
and this firm, under the name of Grier & McDonell, controlled a very
extensive and lucrative practice until Judge Grier was elected to the
bench. They were engaged in the trial of as many as one hundred
and ten issues of fact during one term of the Bay county 'circuit court.
In 1865, Mr. Grier was appointed city attorney of Bay City. In 1867
he was elected a member of the State legislature. In this body he
commanded the respect of his colleagues, and the attention of the
State, by his power as a ready debater, his eloquence, and his acute
and discriminating mind, as well as his sharp and incisive logic. Few
men of the day were equal to him in debate on the floor of the
legislative hall. His industry as a committee man was also noticeable.
He was called by the press of the State the " Ajax of the House. "
Few men possessed the power of Mr. Grier before a miscellaneous
audience. As a political speaker on the stump his influence was almost
matchless, and during our political campaigns his services were in
constant demand all over his State. In 1871 the territory of the tenth
judicial circuit of Michigan was changed and the eighteenth circuit

232 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

was organized, composed of Bay, losco, Alcona, and Alpena counties.
Mr. Grier was elected judge of the new circuit as the unanimous choice
of both political parties, he being a democrat. This position on the
bench he held until his death, which occurred on the 5th day of June,
1872. The decease of Judge Grier at this early day of his life, was
sorrowfully and keenly felt by his many friends of the Saginaw Valley.
It occurred at a period, as will be seen, when he was on the threshold
of a brilliant and useful life. He was strictly a self made man, having
no advantages except those given him by nature herself. The com-
munity in which he lived during the last ten years of his life looked
upon him as one of the most brilliant men of his age; his judgment
on law questions was considered eminently accurate and sound; he
seldom erred in matters of opinion, and his power as a public speaker
and especially as a jury lawyer was almost dangerous, because under
the excitement of his addresses he ignored everything but the success
of his client.

HON. SIDNEY T. HOLMES.

The late Judge Sidney T. Holmes was born at Skaneateles, N. Y.,
in August, 1815. His father, Judge Epenetus Holmes, was a promi-
nent attorney at that place, but he removed to Morrisville, a thriving
village and county seat of Madison county, N. Y., when the subject of
our sketch was but four years old. Here the child attended the village
school and graduated from the village academy, afterwards completing
his education at the Waterville seminary. He then engaged in teach-
ing and in the study of the law and civil engineering. He was
appointed chief engineer of the Chenango and Black River canal, and
afterwards was engaged on the New York and Erie railroad. In 1888
he married and settled in Morrisville in the practice of the law, a pro-
fession to which he became greatly attached and in time acquired a great
and well earned reputation. In 1851 he was elected county judge,
filling that position for twelve years, and in 1864 he was elected to
congress from the twenty-second congressional district of New York,
receiving the largest majority ever, given to any candidate up to that
time. He served his term of two years in congress to the entire
satisfaction of his constituents, but declined a renomination, preferring
his profession to that of congressional life at Washington. Soon after
his return home he became associated at Utica in the practice of the
law with Hon. Boscoe Conklin, remaining in the firm three years, but
their large practice devolving mostly upon the Judge, his health
became impaired and he came to Bay City to recuperate his failing

MEMOIRS OF DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF BAY CO. BAR. 283

health, and to visit friends and relatives, and was so favorably
impressed with the push and prospects of the place that he deter-
mined to locate in Bay City. He returned to Utica and as soon as
possible with so large a practice, dissolved his connection with the firm
and removed with his family to Bay City, opened an office in the
Watson block, with Mr. Haynes and J. L. Stoddard, a young attorney
who had come with him from Utica. Mr. Haynes removing to the west
the firm afterwards became Holmes, Collins & Stoddard. But for
some years before his death the firm was Holmes & Collins. Judge
Holmes' death occurred January 16, 1889. None stood higher in his
profession or was better known throughout central New York than
Judge S. T. Holmes. He was republican in politics and liberal in his
religious belief. Honor and the strictest integrity gave him influence
not only at the bar but among the citizens who knew him best.

Judge Holmes was a great lawyer. This was true of him not only
as counsel with parties about their business transactions, but also in
the preparation and trial of causes. He was an all around lawyer. He
had been an engineer in early life. Prior to his coming to Bay City,
he had made political speeches from his early manhood all over the
country. He was for twelve years surrogate judge of Madison county,
New York. He acquired an intimate knowledge of the business affairs
and details of the business life of the community in which he lived.
He had a great knowledge of human nature. His knowledge of the
law was profound. He studied hard, earnestly and deeply. His knowl-
edge of New York case law and of the cases governing the general
principles of the law was very great. He kept a large library well
stocked with text books; kept up his reports and digests and kept
abreast of the law as the decision came out. All of this combined,
made him an able and wise counselor. When it came to advising
about matters of law, particularly in connection- with business transac-
tions, his advice and judgment were able and shrewd. Before litigation
commenced he was in favor of exhausting all reasonable means to
effect a settlement which would avoid litigation, but after litigation
was commenced his watchword then was ''fight," and from the
beginning to the end of litigation he was a zealous, earnest, and able
combatant and advocate.

His preparation of causes for trial was thorough and exhaustive. On
trial of causes he was alert, vigilant and active. In the examina-
tion and cross-examination of witnesses he was very able, and where
there were any questions of fraud involved or any question where the
30

234 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

motives of parties were in issue, his cross-examination was wonderfully
ingenious and shrewd as well as combative and gome of the events in
this class of cases are long to be remembered by those who witnessed
them.

His presentation of a case to the court was most able, and he
analyzed and presented case law with great effect. In arguing cases to
the jury he analyzed testimony closely. He argued strongly and made
powerful and logical arguments, arguments that were homely and
strong. And at the same time from his wide range of reading and
study he had many apt illustrations and anecdotes at his command
which he used with great effect to enforce his points. His antagonists
and the witnesses whom he cross-examined very often thought he was
entirely too severe and combative, but his own clients seldom have
entertained that opinion. His repartee and hits on opposing counsel
were sometimes quite caustic and in the heat of argument he was
sometimes severe on opposing parties and witness and counsel; but
he could take as well as give, and when the contest was over he
carried no spite or ill feeling.

In a trial of a cause he contested every inch of the ground and
never willingly gave up the contest that was against him until the last
decision of the highest court had settled the question beyond recall.

To sum up in a few words, he was wise and able as a counselor in
his office, as a trial lawyer he was shrewd, aggressive and strong
before court or jury.

And whether in his office or in litigation, he was both honest and
honorable and had the strength that a reputation for honor and
honesty gives.

While Judge Holmes was a very great lawyer, careful, studious, and
able, he was hampered by natural deficiencies of a very serious
character. He was totally deficient of imagination. His speeches to
court and jury were strong, direct, and logical, but he had not a trace
of fancy. His earnestness lent some interest to his speeches, but he
was not an orator, or even a good debater. While he showed greater
familiarity with the New York reports than any man I ever saw, being
able to turn to the book and page where almost any case was reported
in an instant, he was totally unable to extract from the authorities the
philosophical reasons on which they were founded. The case was
presented by him to the court stripped of all interest, except the bare
point of the decision. Here was a decision in his favor, and that was
all there was of it. The reason or the rule laid down in the case
seemed of no consequence to him. The .decisions and the facts on

REMINISCENCES OF OCEANA COUNTY. 235

which they were founded were put fairly and fully before the court,
and such reasoning as followed was from the decision as a point
established and not to sustain the reason and principle of the case.

These difficulties were apparent to those with whom he practiced
law. He was conscious of them himself, but he overcame every
obstacle by work. He supplied the place of qualities he lacked by
work, work, work, till he became the great and learned lawyer that he
was. Judge Holmes, outside of the contentions of the bar, was an
amiable and sociable man, and the extent of his information about the
public men of the country was astonishing.

One fall I went hunting with him for about a week. In the evenings
he used to tell anecdotes about nearly all of the public men of the
country. Of Lincoln, Seward, Marsey, and about Kent, Walworth, and
the other judges of the state of New York. Also about Seymour,
Conklin, Tilden, and Charles O'Connor, and he had a marvelous
amount of knowledge about them. His fund of anecdotes seemed1
inexhaustable. Besides this he had a great fund of knowledge of the
inside or secret history of decisions of the courts and in regard to
public measures. His mind was stored with this unwritten history
more fully than any other man I ever met with the one exception of
General Cass.

To the young man aspiring to eminence at the bar no better example
could be set before him than the achievements of Judge Holmes which
show that careful and continued study will make the good lawyer and
overcome all obstacles and personal deficiencies.

In his manner, when out of the court room and out of his office, he
was simple as a child. He was a man of simple truth. He had no
vein for romance or exaggeration. His conversation was modest, chaste
and delicate, yet highly interesting from the fullness of his store of
information.

REMINISCENCES OF OCEANA COUNTY.

BY HON. ENOCH T. MUGFORD.

Although still in the infancy of its development, Oceana county
possesses many advantages and attractions not enjoyed by other

236 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

counties in this great and growing State. It has passed from the
critical lumber stage of its existence, and is now fairly entered upon a
period of unsurpassed agricultural and horticultural prosperity. Washed
by the waters of Lake Michigan, the heat of summer and the rigors of
winter are modified, while the invigorating breezes from this great
body of water, fan the villages and country, sweeping away the germs
of malaria, making a climate delightful and healthy.

The surface is high and rolling. The soil sand and heavy clay loam
and light sand. The county is divided by a range of hills running
from the southwest to the northeast, making two water basins. From
the southeast the White river, fed by small -streams, takes its way to
White lake, while the two branches of the Pentwater river flow through
the northern and central portions of the county and empty into Pent-
water lake. These streams have been used in the past for transporting
millions of feet of logs from Oceana's grand forests to its great mills.
These streams flowing into the main river find their source in springs
which furnish waters favorable for the propagation of trout and other
fish. The grayling, next to the trout, is the most highly prized, and is
native to these waters. In 1878 some enterprising sportsman planted
in several of these streams 2,000 brook trout. In 1880, 9,000 more,
and in 1881, 75,000. The result of this has been astonishing. At the
present time the streams of Oceana county furnish the most delightful
fishing waters for sportsmen. Trout weighing from two to four and
one-half pounds have been caught; and as many as fifty in a day by
one person. The time is not far distant when these streams will have
a national reputation for their fish.

For agricultural purposes this county is adapted to the successful
cultivation of hay. Corn, oats, wheat, rye, barley, and peas are as
successfully raised as in many of the southern counties of the State.
Potatoes and all kinds of vegetables are grown in perfection.

It is perhaps the adaptability of soil and climate for fruit raising
that has given this section its greatest reputation. The Michigan
fruit belt, as it is called, is a strip of territory extending along the
eastern shore of Lake Michigan from Benzie county on the north to
Berrien county on the south, and being from ten to twenty miles in
width. By an examination of the map of Michigan, it will be seen
that Oceana county lies about midway between the northern and
southern extremes, and it has the greatest projection into Lake Michi-
gan of any portion of the State.

The population of the county is 20,000. Its assessed valuation is
about $4,000,000. It has eighty-six school districts employing teachers

REMINISCENCES OP OOEANA COUNTY. 237

and four union schools. The school buildings as a general thing are
new, commodious and furnished with modern appliances. There are
twenty organizations having church edifices. There is invested in
manufacturing enterprises over $1,000,000 capital. There are four banks,
five flouring mills and five newspapers. The Chicago and West Michigan
railway traverses the county from its southern boundary to Pentwater,
its northern terminus. It has one lake harbor located at Pentwater,
repaired and maintained by government appropriation. The United
States also has a life saving station and lighthouse established at this
point, and a lighthouse at Petite Pt. Au Sable.

It has a fine large court house building located at Hart, the county
seat, and a poor farm in the same township, well improved, under a
good state of cultivation and with good commodious buildings. Stand-
ing upon the threshold of a new era in its development, it presents
three prominent characteristics that have attracted general attention
and which will have great influence upon its future growth and
prosperity. We here refer to its fish, fruit, and health. It has been
known in the past principally for its lumber productions, but from
this time it will be known as the center of Michigan's fruit belt, the
healthiest location in the state and a favorite resort for sportsmen.

In February. 1855, an act to provide for the organization of Oceana,
Mason, and Manistee counties was passed by the legislature and the
first election of county officers was held at Stony Creek (now Benona)
on the first Monday of April following, and consisted of the following
named persons: John Barr, sheriff; Amos R. Wheeler, treasurer;
Harvey Tower, clerk and register of deeds.

The act provided that when by a certain day named, the clerk
and register and treasurer elect should file their oaths of office with
each other, the official machinery of the county should begin to move,
having a legal existence.

On the last day of the time allowed for filing their oaths, the officers
elect with other prominent citizens met to consider the question
whether, after all, it was not better to remain attached to Ottawa for
judicial purposes, as the taxes then were light, than to incur the much
greater expense of supporting a separate county organization. But as
the people had expressed a desire to organize by electing county officers,
it was deemed best to perfect the organization.

How the oath was to be administered was a question that seemed
greatly to trouble some of the knowing ones. Anxious to avoid any
error that would vitiate the proceedings, they insisted that the officers
must be sworn in on the Bible; but to those upon whom devolved the

238 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

duty of qualifying that day there was a matter of greater concern than
the matter of administering the oath. The nearest officer qualified to
do that resided at White River, fifteen miles distant, the only road
being the sandy beach of Lake Michigan. Before a conclusion was
reached the clock numbered 2 p. m., and it took another hour at least
to obtain horses for the journey. About three o'clock Tower led oft*
mounted on his elegant " Brutus," Wheeler closely following on his less
showy, but more plucky, " Old Bob." Arriving at White River, after
some delay, Justice J. D. Stebbins was found, who going immediately
to his office administered the oath with great dignity. Meantime the
horses had rested and the officers, full fledged, save filing their oaths
of office, mounted their steeds for home, which they reached about ten
minutes before the time expired.

To say that the rain fell in torrents would give but a faint idea of
that storm encountered on the home stretch. I doubt if it ever rained
harder since the time of Noah. The clothing of the riders was wet
through and the water ran down filling their boots and running over
in streams. Arriving at Stony Creek we found the fire fair, blazing,
and the vestment warm, and the new treasurer, after his first official
act of filing the clerk's oath, came from an adjoining room with glass
and decanter in hand, remarking as he appeared: "Tower, I don't
believe a little good Bourbon would hurt either of us." What could
poor Tower do but take a little? Ye teetotalers, say — say, ye severest,
what would ye have done?

The first board of supervisors was composed of the following persons
named: A. S. Anderson, of Claybanks, and Warren Wilder, of Stony
Creek, with Harvey Tower county clerk. There were raised for county
purposes three hundred dollars, and by a resolution established the
county seat at Whisky Creek and adjourned.

Claybanks was the first township organized by authority of an act of
the legislature of February 13, 1855. The first election took place the
2d day of April, 1855, supervisor, A. S. Anderson; clerk, Timothy
Brigham, Stony Creek (now Benona). The first township meeting
was held at the house of Amos R. Wheeler, April, 1855, with Harvey
Tower chairman. Warren Wilder was elected supervisor, and Malcom
Campbell clerk. Pentwater 'held its first town meeting at the house of
Edwin R. Cobb, April 7, 1856; E. R. Cobb was elected supervisor, and
James Dexter clerk. In 1858 Greenwood held its first town meeting at
the house of Wm. R. Wilson and elected Oliver Swain supervisor, and
Cyrus W. Bullen clerk. 1858 Eldridge (now Hart) held their first

REMINISCENCES OF OCEANA COUNTY. 239

town meeting at the house of S. G. Rollins and elected S. G. Rollins
supervisor and H. H. Fuller clerk.

ANECDOTE.

During the month of November, 1866, the Hon. A. B. Turner, then
as now, editor and proprietor of the Grand Rapids Eagle, having a
curiosity to learn something concerning the new territory north, made
a trip through Oceana county in the United States mail stage. Being
a gentleman of intelligent appearance, well dressed, and accompanying
the mail, and making frequent inquiries of the settlers, he was taken
to be a government officer and as such looked upon as an important
personage. Writing of this trip he says: "We drew up at a postoffice.
Here we are glad to get off and warm while the mail is changing.
The contents of a large bag are emptied on the floor and the postmas-
ter and his wife are down in the necessary posture assorting the
packages. We are in Oceana county, from which we have not heard
the result of the election, and we open a conversation thus:

"'Are you the postmaster here?'

" Receiving an affirmative reply we ask :

" ' How are political matters with you ?'

" Evidently understanding the question as referring only to himself
and family, promptly answers:

"'We are republicans, sir.'

"'Don't you support President Johnson?'

"'No, sir' (very curtly).

"Assuming an air of as much solemnity as possible we remarked that
'the president has a right to the support of the office-holders of the
country and that support is expected.' The postmaster here raises
himself to an erect position, full six feet high, and giving us a wither-
ing look square in the face, emphatically says:

" ' Sir, we don't keep principles for sale here, but you can have the
office if you like.'

" The wife keeps her recumbency but pauses in her work long enough
to give us a searching look over her spectacles and ejaculates:

" ' Guess you'll have hard work to find a Johnson man on this road
to make a postmaster of.'

" Our solemnity here gives out, but before an explanation can be
made to satisfy our friends that we are not an agent of the president
on a ' bread and butter ' mission we resume our seat in the stage and
proceed northward."

240 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

And no\s, brothers and sisters, fearing I have trespassed too long
upon your time and patience, I will listen to the experience of others.

REMINISCENCES OF MRS. NANCY B. WHITE, AS WRITTEN BY HERSELF.

Mr. President, Brother and Sister Pioneers:

I am of the opinion that as time passes we are inclined to dwell too
much upon the past. But today we are expected to recall some of
our pioneer experience, and I will try to do my part as best I can.

We started the first of May, 1857, from Erie county, N. Y., for
western Michigan. We were the first to start from the home nest, and
our parents thought we could hardly have made a poorer selection; we
would have fever and ague and mosquitoes to contend with, besides
other hardships too numerous to mention. This was the encouragement
we had to commence with.

However we (husband, myself, and two little boys, the oldest not
quite four and baby sixteen months old) started Monday morning, after
bidding parents, brothers, sisters, and friends a sad good by. By boat on
lakes and rivers; by rail, stage, and private conveyance, we arrived
at Nelson Green's, in Claybanks, the eleventh day from the time we
left home, a distance we can now pass over in twenty-four hours.

To me that journey was the most trying of my pioneer experience.
Most of the petty trials I could laugh at, but not that. The hardest
was by stage from St. Johns, the terminus by rail, to Lyons, eighteen
miles, where we took a flat boat on Grand river.

The stage was two lumber wagons; the women and children rode in
one, the men and baggage in the other; so I had to carry the heavy
baby alone. Mr. White had to walk a good part of the way and help
to lift the wagons out of the mud. We were the best part of two
days going that eighteen miles. But I will not go over that journey
farther.

The third day after our arrival at Mr. Green's we took up our abode
on the plains, where we stayed until the fifth day of July. There
were seven miles of road to cut through an unbroken wilderness before
we could reach our land. I have heard Mr. White say that was
"quite a chore." He had no help to commence with but millions of
mosquitoes. But Providence favored us, I think. About the third
week after he commenced work, Mr. J. M. Wilson came from Lenawee
county with his wife and three children. He had taken land just
north of us and would help to cut the road. This was company we
appreciated.

Our living while there was very plain. We had started some

REMINISCENCES OF OCEANA COUNTY. 241

provisions around the lakes but they did not reach Grand Haven until
late in June, owing to ice in the straits; then it took some time to get
them hauled.

I distinctly remember one incident that occurred while we were on
the plains. It became necessary for us to have supplies from Mr.
Green's so we wives prevailed upon our husbands to let us go for them
while they took care of the babies. They said something about our
not knowing enough to find our way there. I had been over the trail
or wagon road twice, but it was covered with leaves. So we kissed the
babies and started very early. Thought to be back by noon. We had
a few rods to go before reaching the road, then we started in ,the
opposite direction. This seems strange to me now, but I suppose we
were so elated over the idea of seeing some neighbors, and perhaps
hearing some news from outside, that we did not even look up. Well,
we walked and walked until the thought occurred to us that we were
lost. That we knew by the sun. But we were so turned we did not
know the direction. Finally we retraced our steps for a time, but
failed to find the path where we entered the road. So we turned again
and kept straight ahead, and finally came out at Carl ton's mill. We
got something to eat, had a good laugh over our shortsightedness, and
started back, found the path that led to our shanty, stuck up a stick
to mark the place if it was dark when we returned, and went on to
Mr. Green's, got our provisions and started back in a hurry. We got
home about dark, feeling less confidence than we started out with.
We had walked about twenty miles, the men judged. We were very
foot- sore for a number of days, but thankful we did not have to stay
out over night.

To go back, the third day of July the men said: " We will start a
load of lumber for the woods tomorrow." "Could I go on the load?"
I said, " Yes, it will save three dollars in gold*" So in the morning
we started for our future home. It took some time to go over that
seven miles. Mr. White was already there clearing off a place for our
shanty. He had stayed the night before under some boughs. We were
very hungry by the time we got there. We could not cook for the
emergency as we now do, but I had some bread baked and we had
some potatoes, for which we paid two dollars per bushel, some pork at
fifty dollars per barrel, and we never knew, when we went to the barrel,
what part of the hog we should find. Flour was twelve dollars per
barrel, spring wheat, and poor quality at that. Those were the prices
and kind of provisions furnished us in those days. This was under
'61

242 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Buchanan's administration, with no protection. Well, they set the stove
up on its legs, built a fire, and I proceeded to get some dinner. After
it was nearly ready we happened to think we had nothing with
which to eat our potatoe and gravy. Abel, our little boy, said, "I can
whittle a paddle." And paddles it was. We did not eat many meals
in this primitive way for we had some of the necessaries when our
goods came.

We soon had a roof over our heads; it did not shed rain, but it was
tolerably comfortable. I wanted a door, but the lumber did not hold
out so we substituted a blanket. There was no animal found its way
in, but one night we were awakened by a hoarse grunt at the blanket.
Mr. White got up and found an Indian. He said he wanted some
water. We gatfe him a kettle full and he laid outside until the next
day, when he was able to walk away. He came from the trading post.
I do not think he was a prohibitionist. This made me a little timid
for a time, but we never had another visit of that sort. I did not
state we left Mrs. Wilson sick on the plains. In about two weeks she
was brought up on a bed and for a long time we did not expect her
to get well. The first of August Mr. White started in pursuit of a
cow. He was gone just a week and drove home a cow and calf from
Ionia, for which he paid forty dollars. As we remember, that was a
long week.

The llth day of August our house was raised; thirty-six years ago
this coming August. There was not a man to help but came seven
miles. The house still stands, a shelter for farming tools, and the roof
still tight. Here we spent many happy days; yes, blissful days, with
no serious interruptions as far as our own family was concerned.

After we were fairly located we had a good many chances to enter-
tain land-lookers. The first, I believe, was Mr. Lake, of Crystal Lake,
and his father, then an old man, and I believe he has but recently
passed away at a very advanced age. Such visits were always a treat
as they helped to break the monotony of our shut-in life. They
generally came hungry, but we always had enough to place before
them, however frugal.

One Monday night I recall, five men came in as we were about
ready for bed. They came from the lake shore, where they had landed
from a sail boat, and said they were almost starved. We soon had a
fire and some potatoes and meat cooking. But I was without bread,
having eaten the last for supper. The quickest way to supply the
place was, I thought, to fry pancakes, so I stirred up a pan of batter
and seating them at the table commenced to fry. I soon emptied the

REMINISCENCES OP OCEAN A COUNTY. 243

pan, and finally a second pan before their appetites were appeased.
They had considerable fun over it, but I believe that was about where
the fun carne in. However, I think most of them, if not all, located
land near us.

In 1863 was held our first school in Mr. Wilson's house, taught by
Christie McArthur, a sister of Mrs. McNabb, for three dollars per
week, with seven children. Our rate bill was thirteen dollars and a
fraction for two scholars. About this time Elder Darling came with
his young wife and baby girl. This was a joyful event. I recall with
what pleasure we prepared our whole family for meeting. He worked
hard and earnestly for our good, with but a small pittance with which
to supply his temporal wants. I wish to speak of a contagious fever
that broke out in the families of Messrs. Eagle, Hill and Wheeler, six
miles east of us.

This was a gloomy time; in the year 1865, I think. It raged all summer
and until snow came in early winter. There were not enough well
ones to take comfortable care of the sick. Mrs. Carpenter and myself
walked that road over a good many times to help care for them as best
we could. Doctors Jenks and Powers doctored them and preached
their funeral sermons, for in that time seven were buried from our
sight, three mothers, one father, and three children. Many more were
sick, but they wore the disease out. I remember one morning Mr.
Wilson came in very early, he said: " Well, White, can you find
boards for another coffin." I listened with fear and trembling.
"Mrs. Wheeler died last night," was what he said. Yes, they made
the coffin in our shop, stained it with camwood, found something
white to line it with, and it was a fit receptacle for Mrs. Wheeler. In
August my dear friend, Mrs. Wilson, was taken from us, but she had
set her house in order and was prepared. She was a good woman,
beloved by all who knew her, especially the children. They loved her
next to their own mothers. She never had -a morsel she would not
divide with them. I believe she went to her reward. Mr. White went
to White Hall and stayed for a coffin to be made for her. Mr. Pratt
preached a good funeral sermon.

We lived in the old log house until we outgrew it. The trundlebed
still stands in the chamber, and the children cherish what was once
their trundlebed. In the fall of 1873 we moved " out of the old house
into the new." The children were much elated and their father
thought I was unnecessarily long in making ready to move, but I fain
would linger upon the threshold. Here our three little girls were born,
and our three boys had grown almost to manhood. But I will not stop

244 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

to moralize, but will say that, unlike our former move, we had prepared
a good supper, and an extension table in the house around which our
own family, eight in number, 'clustered for the first time with plenty
of elbow room.

EARLY FRENCH MISSIONS ON THE SAGINAW

BY FRED CARLISLE.

Some time since, at the suggestion of Judge Miller, of Bay City,
" That it was his belief missions had been planted by the French and
that they nourished at a very early day on the banks of Saginaw river
and its tributaries," the writer took occasion to investigate as to facts
in history leading to a confirmation of his opinion.

He finds that as early as 1540 Jacques Cartier, or Quartier, knew
about the lower peninsular as the Sagihnaw region. Subsequently that
Champlain in 1611 had described the safe harbor afforded by the
Saginaw river from the stormy waters of a bay, which formed a part
of a great inland body of water, connecting two larger bodies of fresh
water which he denominated as " seas," and in his rough map, from
which copies have been made and which is now in the office of the
French Marine, he has delineated the mouth of that river as correctly
as the maps of the present day. These facts would seem to warrant a
full knowledge on the part of the French of that stream at a very
early period.

Faillon (French) in his history of Canada refers to the Sagihnaw
country and to the salt springs at the junction of two large rivers,
which were the resorts of the Indian tribes of all the region between
Lakes Michigan and Huron.

He farther says: "That in 1684 a large body of farmers and
artisans came from France, that a portion were sent to the Sagihnaw
country, that with them were five Jesuit fathers, who were instructed
to found missions in all that country between St. Ignace and Lake
Erie." From these statements we must infer that the region of the

EARLY FRENCH MISSIONS ON THE SAGINAW. 245

Saginaw valley would be an important point at which to establish a
mission. In addition we know that in 1686 the Jesuits Engelrau and
M. Perrott were exceedingly active in establishing missions and
depots in all the country between the missions at Cheboygan and St.
Ignace and the islands of Lake Erie, now known as "Put-in-Bay." and
the query is, would they pass the valley which was resorted to by the
Chippewas, Pottawatamies, Hurons, Ottawas, the Sacs of the upper
peninsula, the Fox and Illinois Indian tribes, for the salt which that
region was known to produce?

But coming down to a later period, we find that when in 1819
General Cass called the Chippewas and Pottawatamies together at
Saginaw certain reservations were made, as follows:

Treaty with the Chippewas at Saginaw, September 24, 1819.

RESERVATIONS.

For use of John Riley, the son of Me-naw-cum-e-goqua, a Chippewa woman, 640
acres of land, beginning at the head of the first marsh above the mouth of the
Saginaw river on the east side thereof.

For the use of Peter Riley, the son of Me-naw-cum-e-goqua, a Chippewa woman,
640 acres of land, beginning above and adjoining the apple trees on the west side
of the Saginaw river, and running up the same for the quantity.

For the use of James Riley, son of the sacne Chippewa woman, 640 acres begin-
ning on the east side of the Saginaw River, nearly opposite to Campau's trading
house, and running up the river for quantity.

For the use of Kaw-kaw-is-kon, or the Crow, 640 acres on the east side of Sag-
igaw river at a place called Me-ni-te-gow and to include in said 640 acres the
island opposite.

Fort St. Joseph, at the head of St. Clair river, was built by Da Luth under the
direction of Denouville in 1686. Two years prior there had arrived at Quebec a
large number of immigrants who were farmers and artisans and a number of priests
of the Jesuit order, and the Jesuit Engelrau was instructed to establish missions
throughout the Saginaw region, which he did. — Rev. Faillon's History of Canada
and Prominent men.

Iii the memoirs of Captain Whitmore Kaaggs, he states in respect
to the reservations made to the Riley family: "That John was a man
sixty years of age. Peter was at least fifty-eight. Both told him that
the ' apple trees,' which formed a point in the boundaries of the lands
which were reserved for them, bore apples when they were boys. That
Kaw-kaw-is-kou, their chief, said they were grown or brought there by
4 men who wore long black robes coming below the knees, white men,
whom they knew as Onetia.' "

Assuming that all tlie statements, in reference to those made by the

246 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

biographer of "Quartier," "of Champlain," "of Engelrau," "Perrott,"and
the history of Faillon to be well based, taken in connection with the
physical facts, that the pear and " apple trees " found at the forks of
the Tittabawassee, Flint, Shiawassee, and Saginaw by General Cass
and Whitmore Knaggs, as early as 1819, must have been over sixty
years of age, and the further fact that the existence of saline springs
at these points was well known to the early white explorers and
missionaries and was traditional with the Indians of- Illinois, and all
the northwestern tribes, that for a long period prior to Du Luth's
construction of Fort St. Joseph at the outlet of Lake Huron in 1786r
the Chippewas had their permanent villages on the banks of these
streams, we must reach the conclusion that the Jesuit missionaries and
the Recollet fathers would utilize this locality and make it important
as a permanent stopping place between the upper and lower peninsulas.

SKETCH OF JOHN TANNEB, KNOWN AS THE "WHITE

INDLAN."

BY JUDGE JOSEPH H. STEERE.

The legislature of this commonwealth did some strange things in the
days long since gone by; in fact, even now we find those who, actuated,
perhaps, by partisan prejudice, are ready to insinuate that wisdom has
not altogether died with the legislatures of these latter .days.

On July 30, A. D. 1880, the legislative council of the territory of
Michigan, after mature deliberation and discussion, passed a law
entitled, "An act authorizing the sheriff of Chippewa county to per-
form certain duties therein mentioned."

The constitutional lawyers throughout the State who are not criticis-
ing, with technical zeal, the enactments of the legislature which
recently adjourned, would no doubt take delight in urging that the
object of the law was not clearly expressed in its title. This would

SKETCH OP JOHN TANNER. 247

seem to be true even to the casual reader; but the modest obscurity of
the title is compensated by the specific provisions of the act itself.

The law authorized the sheriff of Chippewa county to remove Martha
Tanner, daughter of John Tanner, of Sault Ste. Marie, to some mis-
sionary establishment, or such other place of safety as he may deem
expedient, provided said Martha should consent; and in the second
paragraph of the act, the said John Tanner was honored by what is
probably the only law ever passed in America attaching criminal con-
sequences to injuries to a single private person in the following
language:

" Sec. 2. That any threats of the said John Tanner to injure the
said Martha Tanner, or any person or persons with whom she may be
placed * * shall be deemed a misdemeanor, punishable by fine and
imprisonment, at the discretion of the court."

And so it came to pass, pursuant to the provisions of the statute in
such case made and provided and in spite of any constitutional objec-
tions which John may have argued, that Martha was taken by the
sheriff to a certain missionary establishment, where she was cared for and
educated. A half breed herself, she became a teacher in the Indian
schpols of northern Michigan, lived a long and useful life, dying but a
few years ago on Mackinaw Island, honored and respected; but, as Bud-
yard Kipling delights to interject, that is another story.

I propose to tell you a little of John Tanner, her father, and but a
little of that which might be told.

His story, more than once written, is fraught with all the fascinating
details of captivity among the Indians, of savage warfare, of hunting
and trapping, of long and adventurous journeys into the then far and
unknown wilderness. You will find it in many books and parts of
books, closely identified with the early history of Michigan, now mostly
old, out of print and seldom read.

Men, then of national reputation, who yet live in history, interested
themselves in the strange career of this strange man.

In this locality where he long lived and from which he mysteriously
disappeared, many traditions of him yet linger with the older inhabitants.

Let me give you the first and last chapters in his life, as they come
to us through written history or from the lips of aged men who yet
delight to dwell upon the exciting incidents of his story as known to
them.

It was shortly after the birth of this nation, over one hundred years
ago, at a settlers' clearing on the then frontier in Kentucky, near the
mouth of the Big Miami on the Ohio river, that a little boy, left at the

248 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

irksome task of tending the baby, stole away from his parents' cabin to
gather walnuts under a tree which stood in the edge of the woods at
the side of the field.

Indians were troublesome to the settlers in those times and some
had been seen lurking around the clearings. The child had been
instructed not to leave the house, but the sun was bright outside, the
day warm and pleasant, the baby was cross, he wanted the walnuts and
did not know that the Indians wanted him. He had partly filled his
straw hat with the nuts he was gathering, when he was suddenly seized
from behind by strong, savage hands, terrified into silence, and swiftly
borne away into the thicket. His captors made rapid marches to the
north and safely eluding pursuit, returned with the child to their own
country. His absence was soon discovered, the little pile of nuts which
fell from his hat under the tree were found, with moccasin tracks near
by; it was readily understood that he was kidnapped by the Indians.
The alarm was given, frontiersmen gathered, and the abductors were
followed through the forest for several days, but all in vain. The
parents of the boy never saw or heard of him again. The woods had
swallowed him up and there the matter ended. Their distress was said
to have been great. They long mourned him as one dead, and died
sorrowing over the uncertainty of his taking off.

The child was John Tanner, the subject of this sketch, son of the
Rev. John Tanner, a clergyman from Virginia, who, under the impulse
of western emigration, which followed the close of the revolutionary
war, had crossed the mountains and settled in the fertile valley of the
Ohio.

Over half a century later, on the 5th of July, 1846, the quiet little
outpost of Sault Ste. Marie, situated at the outlet of Lake Superior, at
the beautiful falls of the St. Mary's river, was thrown into a state of
unusual excitement by the cold blooded murder of one of its leading
citizens, named James Schoolcraft, a brother of the well known author,
Henry R. Schoolcraft.

He was walking from his residence down a path towards a field he
had been clearing near by. Bushes fringed the way and the assassin
fired from an ambush at close range, inflicting upon his victim a
mortal wound in the side, close below the shoulder. An ounce ball
and three buckshot passed nearly through his body. Schoolcraft was a
strong, athletic man in the prime of life. He made one great leap
forward and fell dead on his face. So violent was his last dying spring,
made on receiving the unexpected shot, that a pair of light slippers
which he wore were cleared from his feet and left sitting side by side

SKETCH OF JOHN TANNER. 249

where he stood when the shot was fired. No one witnessed the deed,
but the gun had been heard and the body was shortly after discovered.

Among others who gathered on the spot was Omer D. Conger, late
senator from Michigan, then a young man connected with a surveying
party on the lakes. He exercised his engineering skill by making a
diagram of the scene of the murder.

It was known that a bitter enmity existed between Schoolcraft and a
Lieutenant Tilden, then serving at Fort Brady. They had been
involved in jealousies over some woman. The buck and ball cartridge
was then used in the army and it appeared that the killing was done
by a government cartridge fired from an army musket. At first in the
minds of some a slight suspicion • rested on the officer.

But it was also known that a former government interpreter, named
John Tanner, called the " White Indian," bore some grudge against the
Schoolcraft family. Suspicion was easily diverted to him.

He was a strange, mysterious, unsocial character, who had lived in arid
around the place for many years. Though a white man he shunned
the whites. His habits and characteristics were those of an Indian.
He spoke their tongue fluently, possessed all the arts of hunting, fish-
ing, camping, and general woodcraft belonging to the most skillful
savage and excelled them in their own pursuits. Zet he despised
Indians and would not associate with them. He then had no family
and lived alone in a small house below the town, near the little rapids.
An investigation disclosed that his house had been burned the day
before and he could not be found. This was taken as conclusive proof
'.that he had committed the murder. A vigorous search was at once
instituted for him. Everyone armed and went out; the country was
scoured in search of him; the soldiers from Fort Brady were turned out
under Lieutenant Tilden, who enthusiastically led in the hunt. Some
western Indians returning to their own country from Georgian Bay,
where they had been visiting, were then passing. They were known
as skillful hunters and great warriors; their services were enlisted in
the pursuit. The search carried on by skillful hunters both white and
red, is said to have been far reaching and long, continued, but in vain.
From that day to .this no man ever saw John Tanner. Where he went,
or where, or when, or how he died, or his final resting place no man
knows of a certainty.

His last disappearance was, to those who knew him here, as profound
a mystery as was his first to his sorrowing parents, when as a child he
left them in their cabin home in Kentucky.
32 •

250 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893,

It is true that many rumors were in the air of his having been seen
and heard. .

A squaw gathering moss in the thicket near the town a few days
after the murder came home in terror and reported seeing him skulk-
ing away with dead grass and bushes tied around him, in a manner he
often practiced when hunting, so that he was scarcely to be discerned
from the surrounding vegetation.

Some belated Indians coming along the shore from Lake Superior in
their canoes after night, reported seeing his camp fire shine through
the trees and hearing him singing Indian songs. Rumors came that
he had made his way back to the northwest and been seen among
the Indians in the Hudson Bay territory; but all attempts to follow
up and verify those clews resulted in nothing.

Many years later a Frenchman named Gurnoe. while searching in
the woods above the town for a lost pony, found a skeleton with two
gun barrels, some coins, a flint and steel, and other trinkets near it.
Fire had long ago passed over the spot, destroying the gun stocks and
other articles which would burn.

Some parties claimed to identify the effects found as those of Tanner.
Others maintain to the contrary and the mystery yet remains without
definite solution.

Strangest of all, Lieutenant Tilden, shortly after ordered to the
southwest to join in the Mexican war, confessed upon his death-bed
that it was he who assassinated Schoolcraft.

Such are the first and last chapters in the career of one of the most
peculiar characters ever identified with the history of Michigan.

The Indians who stole Tanner were Michigan Chippewas, from the
Saginaw river. The leader of the party desired to secure a white child
for his wife, to take the place of a son who had recently died. They
fled with him back to Michigan and he was adopted by the woman,
who seemed delighted to receive a boy so near the same age as the
one she had lost. She endeavored to treat him kindly, but he wa&
starved, beaten, overworked, and otherwise cruelly treated by the male
members of the family. At one time the man, who had stolen him, cut
him down with his tomahawk in a fit of anger and left him for dead.
To the treatment he received while with those Indians has been
ascribed the suspicious, sullen and morose temperament which he at
times manifested.

With those people he wandered up and down through Michigan for
several years, learning their language and mode of life. He was finally
purchased from them by a prominent Ottawa woman, who lived near

SKETCH OP JOHN TANNER. 251

where Petoskey now stands. She paid for him a ten gallon keg of
rum and some other small articles of barter. She treated him kindly
and he remained with her as long as she lived. With her and some
of her peoplj of the Traverse region, he emigrated to the Red River
country. He married an Indian girl and had several children, one of
whom was the Martha already mentioned. He had at least two sons;1
one became a missionary among the Red River Indians, and one,
also named John Tanner, enlisted at Sault Ste. Marie during the late
rebellion and was killed in the second battle of Bull Run.

One of the Indians he met and with whom he hunted in the North-
west was a chief named Pe-shaw-ba, from Traverse Bay. His name
yet lives in that region.

In 1816 he rendered valuable services to Lord Selkirk in guiding
reinforcements through the wilderness to the Red River settlements
and in recapturing Fort Douglass, then held by the Northwestern Fur
company, with which Selkirk was at war. Selkirk became interested
in him and obtained sufficient data from which to institute a search
for Tanner's people.

Selkirk visited Kentucky, published a circular in western papers, dis-
covered the living members of the family and sent Tanner to them.
He was then so thorough an Indian and ..so _ enured to savage life that
he was not long content to stay with his people. He soon returned to
the Indian country in the wild regions of northern Michigan.

General Cass and other prominent men, became interested in him.
He was at different times in the service of the government as an inter-
preter, and also acted in that capacity for various missionaries. He was
at times employed by the fur companies and Indian traders. He made
his home at Sault Ste. Marie and while there married a white wife,
with whom he lived but a short time.

Much interest was taken in his story and he became a fruitful topic
for the paragraphers of the day.

In 1830 Dr. Edward James, post surgeon at Fort Mackinac, pub-
lished a " Narrative of the captivity and adventures of John Tanner,"
as related to him by Tanner. The work contains Tanner's portrait,
and the incidents of his life, together with lengthy disquisitions upon
the history, habits, traditions, languages, political organizations, etc., of
the various Indian tribes.

In 1883, this work was re-written by Dr. James McCauley, modern-
ized and popularized, into a genuine Indian story of the day for boys.
It was put forth in a flaming binding of green and gold, under the taking
title of, "Grey Hawk; Life and Adventures among the Red Indians.'*

252 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

It is a source of congratulation that the author kindly informs the
reader what color the Indians were. It was evidently his design to
work as much crimson into the book as possible.

Among those who met and wrote of Tanner, a great diversity of
opinion prevails as to his character. Some regarded him as a treacherous,
dishonest, dangerous savage of the basest sort; others ascribe to him
every noble and generous quality.

The first writer who seems to have noticed and mentioned him was
Daniel W. Harmon, a fur trader, who lived many years in the North-
west, and made many extensive journeys to distant tribes, in pursuit of
his calling. His journal was published in 1820. He met Tanner on
the upper Assiniboine river in 1801, and recorded in his diary as
follows :

" This day, there came here an American, that, when a small child,
was taken from his parents, who then resided in the Illinois country.
He was kidnapped by the Santeaux with whom he has resided ever
since, he speaks no other language except theirs. He is now about
twenty years of age, and is regarded as chief among the tribe. He
dislikes to hear people speak to him respecting his white relations, and
in every respect but color he resembles the savages with whom he
resides. He is said to be an excellent hunter. He remains with an
old woman, who, soon after he was taken from his relations adopted
him into her family; and they appear to be mutually as fond of each
other, as if they were actually mother and son."

In 1824 Professor Keating published a narrative of the second
expedition of Major Long (made the year previous by order of John
C. Calhoun, secretary of war), to the source of the St. Peters river,
Lake Winnepeek, Lake of the Woods, etc.

The party met Tanner at Rainy Lake, where he was recovering from
a gun shot wound, inflicted in his arm by an Indian, said to have been
instigated by Tanner's wife. The author devotes considerable space to
a sketch of his life. He says: ** At Rainy Lake we met wi.h a man
whose interesting adventures deserve to be made known to the public.
We had heard at various places of a citizen of the United States who
had been at an early age taken prisoner by a party of Indians, and
who, having been educated among them, had acquired their language,
habits and manners to the exclusion of those of his own country."

Professor Keating seems to have formed a high opinion of his
character, he says:

" He never had been seen to taste of ardent spirits, or to smoke a
pipe. Instead of purchasing trifles and gewgaws as is customary with

SKETCH OF JOHN TANNER. 253

Indians, he devoted the products of his hunts, which were always
successful, to the acquisition of articles of clothing useful to himself,
to his adopted mother and to his relations. In his intercourse with
traders he appears to have been honorable, and this reflects more credit
upon him as it was at a time when an active competition between rival
traders frequently induced them to stimulate the Indians to frauds
which affected their opponents. Of his attachment to his children he
gave strong proof. There is a feature in his character which we have
not alluded to, and as it is honorable to him we should be loath to
omit it. We allude to his warm gratitude for all those who have
at various times manifested kindness to him. His affection for his
Indian mother and for her family was great. Of Lord Selkirk he
always spoke with much feeling. To Dr. McLaughlin he appeared
sincerely attached."

And so that author goes on, ascribing to him all the cardinal virtues.
Dr. James and other authors have written of him in the same vein.

But it so happens that the opinions of the critics waver somewhat
upon that point, and plenty of authority can be found to the contrary.

Henry R. Schoolcraft, the Indian historian, died in the belief that
Tanner killed his brother. He naturally entertained great bitterness
towards him, and in his book of personal memoirs, entitled "Thirty
Years With the Indian Tribes," he thus takes the romance out of
Tanner's history: "He is now a grey-headed, hard featured, old man,
whose fWlings are at war with everyone on earth, white or red. Every
attempt to meliorate his manners and Indian notions has failed. He
has invariably misapprehended them, and is more suspicious, revengeful
and bad tempered than any Indian I ever knew. Dr. James, who
made, by the way, a mere pack horse of Indian opinions of him, did
not suspect his fidelity, and put many things in his narrative which
made the whites about St. Mary's call him an old liar. This enraged
him against the doctor, whom he threatened to kill. He had served
me awhile as an interpreter, and while thus employed he went to
Detroit, and was pleased with a country girl, who was a chamber ,maid
at old Ben. Woodworth's hotel. He married her, but after having one
child, and living with him a year she was glad to escape with life, and
under plea of a visit, made some arrangement with the ladies of Fort
Brady to slip off on board of a vessel and so eluded him. The legis-
lature afterwards granted her a divorce. He blamed me for the escape
though I was entirely ignorant of its execution. Eight years afterwards,
in July, 1816, this lawless vagabond waylaid and shot my brother
James, having concealed himself in a cedar thicket."

254 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

This view of the case seems to be presented with a tincture of
acrimony, but if it was not true, Tanner certainly had an invincible
case of libel for heavy damages, for defamation of character, against
the renowned author.

The weight of oral tradition in this locality seems, though not
unanimous, to rather sustain Schoolcraft's theory. It may perhaps be
illustrated, if not summed up, in the answer, more pointed than polite,
given me by a back-woods philosopher, who knew Tanner personally.
"Tanner," he said, after some reflection, "was a regular Injun; more of
an Injun than any of the Injuns, and a d d mean Injun too."

This same philosopher, I regret to state, did not take an optimistic
view of the Indian question. He concluded his reminiscences of Tan-
ner with a generality, worthy of the consideration of those who have
to do with the Indian problem, and which, shorn of certain improper
adjectives, was to the effect, that it is a very easy, short job to make
an Indian of a white man; but when you try to make a white man of
an Indian that is a different thing.

The many interesting details and incidents of adventure in Tanner's
story, are beyond the scope of this article. Those curious enough to
inquire further, will find them in abundance in the works already
referred to, in "Neil's History of Minnesota," "Campbell's Political
History of Michigan," "The History of the Upper Peninsula of Mich-
igan," Yols. 2 and 4 of the "Michigan Pioneer Collections," Dr. Bryce's
"Sketch of Tanner," Lanman's "In the Wilderness," "Life on the
Lakes" by the author of "Legends of a Log Cabin," and in the secular
press of July, 1846.

As the stories run, I take it, Tanner's last days were his worst days.
He viewed the issues of life from the Indian standpoint. A veritable
savage in all his thoughts and habits, association with the border whites,
after he had grown to manhood, worked in him those results we so
often see in like cases. He lost many of the virtues of the race with
which he was reared and, unfortunately, acquired only the vices of the
whites. Measured by the standard of the savage he excelled in the
qualities they admired. To civilized and refined sensibilities there was
little of the noble or heroic in him.

To the curious, seeking but entertainment in the marvelous, the
striking and unusual incidents of his life are well fitted to "adorn a
tale;" to the thoughtful and studious they "point a moral'' in many
ways.

WHEN I WAS A BOY WITH A HEAD LIKE TOW. 255

WHEN I WAS A BOY WITH A HEAD LIKE TOW.

BY U. B. WEBSTER.

[Poem written for the Farmers' Institute at Berrien Springs, February 9-11, 1893.]

Things are not now as they used to be
For progress is making us wise, you see,
For a day of progress is over the land
And we see its results on every hand.

Yes, the things of our youth have passed away,
For "Every dog must have his day."
So the tallow dip has yielded to gas,
And that old fire-place has gone, alas!

The "old oaken bucket" and well sweep, too,
At the old red farmhouse no more we view,
That threshing machine that piled the chaff
Today would make all the people laugh,

For a traction engine has come this way
That knocks out two thousand bushels a day.
And a sulky plow on which to ride,
On all modern farms is the farmer's pride.

And a hot weather stove that runs by gas,
A mighty fine thing for the cooking class.
The old stage coach with its horses four,
That rattled along in the days of yore,
The linchpin wagon of days gone by .
On the farms of progress no more we spy,

For we speed along without "if" or "but,"
And all of us try to get out of the "rut,"
To find by progression a better way,
And that's what brings us all here today.

256 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

But in days gone by we never had need

Of a "farmers' institute,"— indeed,

They never considered a change of thought,

And such a convention they could not have brought.

For men couldn't think as men do now,

And the women, to stay at home, knew how.

To speak in meeting, they mustn't, oh my!
The girls were too modest, the matrons too shy;
In the doctrines of Paul they firmly believed,
"Be silent," "heads covered," let none be aggrieved.

So the women kept still in that primitive day
And the men in their meetings had little to say,
For their means of progression were simple and few,
They found out by the hardest what little they knew.

No railroads, no telegraph lightning dispatch,
No news from a distance which quickly we catch,
No traveling by steamers, no sailing away
To visit far countries, as we do today,
No longing desire to journey or roam,
But all were contented to labor at home;
From sun in the morning till darkness at eve,
The chopping or plowing they never would leave.

But when the day had waned apace,

They gathered around the fireplace,

With its cheerful blaze so cozy and warm

And the family all, a household swarm,

Not one or two as they now think best,

But girls and boys " till you couldn't rest."

For this scripture then they bore in mind,

"Replenish the earth with your own mankind."

And one of our number read aloud

From a book or paper, to all that crowd;

For times weren't then as they are today,

When a dozen papers find their way

To the farmers' homes in all this land,

And there's one for each of the household band.

WHEN I WAS A BOY WITH A HEAD LIKE TOW. 257

Of a book or paper we all were proud,

So a sweet voiced sister read aloud

And the rest all listened with eager ear

For that much prized story they wanted to hear,

While dear old grandmother knitted away

Through the long winter evening 'that closed the day.

And when it was time for all to retire

The last thing to do was to cover the fire,

For matches were dear then, not plenty and cheap,

So we covered the fire that through night it would keep

And I well remember how neighbors would come

To borrow some fire, when they had none at home,

And that was the way things used to go

When I was a boy with a head like tow.

And I went off to school in that old log house,
All day I was silent, as still as a mouse,
For the master was cruel, a grim old c — s,
And I didn't dare make a bit of a fuss,
As I sat on a bench that was made of a slab
And never from me came a word of gab.
So I sat in silence as still as a rat,
Not even daring my eyes to bat,
And my roost on that perch I dare not leave
From nine o'clock till four at eve,
But twice each day he said to me,
'* Come here, sir," and stand beside my knee.
Now watch while I point to these letters here,
And speak out their names, now, loud and clear.
I trembled in fear while standing there,
As afraid of him as I was of a bear,
And I said as he pointed, a, b, c,
And clear down the line to x, y, z.
And it took a whole year to firmly fix
In my little noddle those twenty- six.
Then the big boys read of that boy in the tree,
And " Old Tray " that got caught in bad company.
And we all remember that blue beech gad
That he plied on our backs, if the least bit bad,
33

258 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

And we held out our hands for that hickory rule
Or sat in disgrace on the dunce's stool.
And that was the way things used to go
When I was a boy with a head like tow.

And that team of oxen, old "Buck and Bright,"

And that old ox cart, a novel sight,

With its big linchpin and butterflies

For a load of hay of monstrous size,

So one yoke of oxen was chained behind

To hold back down hill, which was rather unkind.

Then we sowed our wheat from a homespun bag

And harrowed it in with an old crotch drag,

And we cut our grain with a " turkey wing,"

For a reaper, then, was an unknown thing,

And we threshed it out in that tedious way

With the swinging flail in that bygone day.

Then the/mowers kept stroke with the swinging blade,

And we ate our lunch in the generous shade.

There was no such thing as a horse rake then

So the hay was all raked by sturdy men,

And I raked after the loading cart

To gather up locks that fell apart.

And I rode a horse to plow the corn

Till I wished in my heart I never was born,

From morn till night, day after day,

Till in certain parts I was worn away.

And that was the way things used to go

When I was a boy with a head of tow.

And^we sheared the sheep and carded the wool,

And the field of flax we had to pull,

And break it, and hatchel, and comb, and spin,

And weave into cloth that was kind o' thin,

Of a brownish gray, but 'twas good and stout

And it took a long time to wear it out,

And when it was worn at the knees or seat,

Why, mother would patch it so nice and neat,

That what Bobby Burns said, really was true,

That " Auld clothes were e'en-a'-most good as the new.

WHEN I WAS A BOY WITH A HEAD LIKE TOW. 259

And this kind of clothing the men and boys wore
Through the summer months, as I said before,
Both pants and shirts, and the women, too,
Wore this for garments hid from view.
In winter 'twas linsy the women all wore
And they never once thought of goods from the store,
And the men wore "jeans," half cotton and half wool,
For store cloths cost, and the purse wasn't full.
Then sweet honey we had from industrious bees
And our sugar was made from the sap giving trees,
But all were contented and happy and strong
And each helped the other on life's way along.
And that was the way things used to go
When I was a boy with a head of tow.

Then we went to church in that good old way,

And heard two sermons every day.

The minister stood in a pulpit high,

And the singers all sat in the gallery,

And he always talked of the wrath of God,

And his face was as long as a mortar hod.

He said we must flee from the wrath of sin

Or the old Satan would surely gather us in.

He said we would burn in a liquid fire

Where the flames forever rose higher and higher,

That the Devil stood on the caldron's edge

A constant war with his victims to wage,

And when they would swim to either side,

Old nick would fork them back into the tide;

But never a lisp of that sweet word love,

But wrath, all was wrath from the Father above,

And that was the way things used to go

When I was a boy with a head like tow.

But the work of Christ is a work of love

And that long faced preacher has gone up above,

So today the minister shakes our hand,

And his sermon cheers, and his smile is bland,

And he preaches to us some common sense

For the love of God he is called to dispense.

260 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Love lies at the bottom of all God's ways,
And preachers have learned that it always pays
To preach of God's love, and not of his hate,
For love is the greatest of the great,
And earth might be like that world above
If all mankind was taught to love.

In the rushing path of progress we go

And the world is improving as all well know,

For the primitive things of days gone by

We never should grieve, we never should sigh,

But keep in the drift, keep up with the times

In methods of labor or methods of rhymes.

To the singing school we used to go
Over the glistening track of snow,
All loaded into the big farm sleigh
With jingling bells we sped away.
And a merry song we sung, for we
Were happy as girls and boys could be.
And the teacher came with his tuning fork
And he walked around like a crane or stork,
He would sing awhile and then he would talkr
Or write on the board with a lump of chalk.

So we sang for an hour, and at recess,
They gave to their sweet one a sly caress,
And then for an hour we sang away
And all went home in that good old sleigh.
Oh, the singing school, thy joys serene
Will ever remain in our memory green,
And memory now those joys will bring
As we think of the songs we used to sing.
And that was the way things used to go
When I was a boy with a head like tow.

And paring bees then were a common thing,
When all would pare, or core, or string,
Core to core, and back to back,
Was the way we fixed them upon the rack,

WHEN I WAS A BOY WITH A HEAD LIKE TOW. 261

And when we had emptied the basket's store,

We swept up the litter and cleared the floor

And joined our hands to form a ring,

And merrily, then, began to sing, "Sailing on the wave."

And that was the way things used to go

When I was a boy with a head like tow.

And those husking bees, in the autumn days,
To k' shuck " out the golden ears of maize,
And the lucky one, who a red ear found,
Had a right to kiss the girls all round;
So the way we managed was very queer
To find, as by chance, that bright red ear.
And that was the way things used to go
When I was a boy with a head like tow.

And the chopping bees, and the logging bees,

And the raising of barns and things like these,

Where the men and the boys and everyone went

To handle a pike and lift on a bent,

When the carpenter stood a short way out

And sang to the men in a lusty shout,

" Now set her right up, my boys, just so

When I give you the word, ' He O,' ' He O,'

'He, O heave,' 'He, O heave,' 'He, O heave," He O,'

Set her up, my boys, now steady and slow,"

And everyone lifted till he saw stars

To get up those monstrous beams and bars,

But the will was good and the muscles stout,

And w%e lifted in time with the boss's shout,

And when it was up, a feast was spread

Of pumpkin pies and gingerbread,

Friedcakes and cookies, and farmer's cheese,

And we ate with a relish of things like these.

And that was the way things used to -go

When I was a boy with a head like tow.

But the age of progress is with us, I wean,
And the things of yore no more are seen;
That cheerful fire of beechen logs
That was built on those iron fire dogs,

262 . ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

The swinging crane and the pot hook too,
The skillet and lid no more we view,
And the tallow dip that we used to snuff,
With that little tow wheel and all such stuff,
The linsy dress and the shirt of tow,
Those rolls of wool that we used to know,
And the a, b, c, for the little kid,
By "Webb's Word Method " now are hid.
Now we never hear tell of a lump of chalk,
For the crayon today does blackboard talk.
The master, too, that we used to fear,
With that goose quill pen behind his ear,
And that old slab seat has gone at last
On which we sat till we grew a' most fast,
The old grain cradle and big ox cart,
That "old oaken bucket," so dear to the heart,
The pulpit high and the sermon of wrath,
Have all stepped aside from progress' path,
And things don't run as they used to go
When, I was a boy with a head like tow.

SETTLEMENT AND NATUKAL HISTOKY OF MANCHESTER

AND VICINITY.

BY L. D. WATKINS.

Pioneers of Michigan, I come before you with feelings of profound
respect, to recall again the old, old story and the incidents familiar
now to but few of the millions of people of our great country.

You have seen this fair land before, the hand of man had destroyed
nature's perfect harmony. Your eyes have seen what no other eyes
can see again; the transformation from a wilderness to a country

HISTORY OF MANCHESTER AND VICINITY. 268

covered with farms, dotted with cities and villages, ribboned with roads,
and girdled by railroads, telegraph and telephone lines.

Never again will the vast succession of coming people know how
beautiful this land was in nature. No pen picture can describe the
park-like plains and rolling openings or the solemn grandeur of the
timber lands. No ear will again hear the howl of the wolf or the
scream of the panther. Lost to all coming people is the spring-time
bell-toned note of the prairie hen and the chant of tfye sandhill crane
and wild turkey. No more forever will the rush of millions of migra-
tory birds darken the sun in their nights to and from their northern
nesting places.

How beautiful and dear to our memories are those days of our own
migration.

My father, mother, brother and three sisters left Keene, New Hamp-
shire (I being the youngest of the family) for Michigan on the 9th of
April, 1834. My father had purchased ten lots of land in Jackson
county (T. 4 S., B. 2 E. on Sees. 13 and 24) the year previous. Hired
teams conveyed us to Albany, New York, where we embarked on the
Erie canal for Buffalo, thence by steamboat to Detroit where two days
were spent in procuring our outfit and supplies, a " breaking-up " team
of four yoke of oxen, "breaking-up plow," and two wagons, on which
were loaded our belongings. Two yokes of oxen were hitched to each
wagon and with these, together with a horse and light wagon brought
from New Hampshire, we started for our unknown home in the wilder-
ness. We were six days on the road from Detroit to what is now
Fairview Farm, a distance of 59 miles. Now from Watkins' Station, on
the farm, we go to Detroit in ninety minutes. Our arrival was on the
10th of May, 1834, just one month from the day of our departure from
New Hampshire.

Our nearest neighbors were on the west, seven miles; north, four
miles; east, four miles; and south, six miles. Thus we were nearly in
the center of a wilderness about ten miles in diameter, on which no
white man had ever made a mark since the government survey. This
tract of land was exactly on the center of the divide between the great
coal and salt basins of Michigan on the north, and the coal, oil and
gas deposits of Ohio and Indiana, on the south. This divide, run-
ning west by south, is remarkable for its varied surface and soil
formations. The surface is a constant succession of plain, undu-
lating and hilly lands with marshes and small areas of heavy timbered
land. The soil is quite as varied; tenacious clay, sand, gravel and
marsh can be found on a single farm.

264 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

The most remarkable feature of this part of the State (a tract 12
by 34 miles) is the great number of its deep, pure water lakes. To
illustrate: Within five miles of my home are thirty-seven lakes, some
of them quite large. All discharge water freely, forming the sources
of five of the largest rivers in southern Michigan. In two hours I
can drive you across the Raisin, Huron, Grand, Kalamazoo and St.
Joseph rivers.

To summarize; This divide was a constant succession of plains, oak
openings, marshes, lakes and rivers. The upland was covered with
luxuriant grass and was the natural home of the deer, bear, wolf,
panther, lynx and wildcat. The deer and wolves were in great num-
bers. The rich pastures of the openings, with convenient lakes in
which to escape when pursued by wolves, made this section a paradise
for deer. Beaver dams in earlier times had caused the overflow of
fully one-third of the country. These dams were the origin of our
marshes. These marshes at the time of pioneer settlement were the
only source of winter feed for stock. The heavy growth sedge and coarse
grass (marsh hay) made a good substitute for better hay before grass
could be cultivated.

The flora and silva of this section is as varied as the soil and
surface. Trees and flowers not common to this latitude were found in
great numbers. On the openings, the principal timber trees were
white, red, yellow pine, and burr oak, hickory and a few scrub oaks
on the sand hills. On the border of streams, on the bluffs, and on
the north side of lakes we found a great many trees that in the
regular order of distribution would be far to the north or south of us.
These strangers form, with our indigenous forests, a regular conglom-
erate of the forests of three sections each with its peculiar forest
grove. From the southward we have the Buckeye, White Wood,
Honey Locust, Kentucky Coffee-tree, Mulberry, Black Haw and many
others. From the north came Hemlock, Pine and Spruce. The same
is true of the admixture of trees and plants, local on the east and
west borders of the State. These strangers are not of common distribu-
tion, but are generally found in small isolated groups. I believe that
the only hemlocks in southern Michigan were on the east shore of
Wampler's lake (T. 4 S., E 2 E.), and they were cut down for fence
posts by vandals who supposed • them to be cedars. One great sur-
prise to all observers of the silva of this region, is the total absence
of many kinds of trees for which the soil and climate are perfectly
suited, as is proved by planting in after years. Such as beech, maple,
bass wood, elm, tulip-tree and others, which are common along streams

HISTORY OF MANCHESTER AND VICINITY. 265

and in groups all through this section, but are not generally distributed
among other trees in the upland timber. Perhaps the great annual
fires that swept this opening and plain land, destroyed all trees which
had thin, tender bark or that did not reproduce themselves by sprouts
from about the stump when the top was killed by fire.

The pioneer found that kind nature had anticipated his wants in an
abundant supply of wild fruits and nuts. In succession came the
delicious wild strawberry, blackberry, huckleberry, red and black rasp-
berry, blue berry, grapes, plums and cranberries. Nuts were abundant;
hickory, black walnut, butternut and hazelnut were abundant and were
gathered and stored away for the evening gatherings of young and old
around the broad fireplace and stick chimney on the long winter
evenings. Of snakes there were an abundance, but only one was really
dangerous, the massasaugas, and they were mostly confined to the swamps
and marshes. The blow snake was still more feared (they are now
extinct); their habit of inhaling air until greatly extended, and then
exhaling a sickening breath caused all to fear them, but they were
comparatively harmless, as were also the great blue racer, our most
beautiful snake, and the black and spotted water snakes. Our lakes
were well stocked with excellent fish; bass, pike, pickerel, perch, sun-
fish and bluegills were the most common and were easily taken, as
were also the deer and wild fowl. Thus did nature furnish the
pioneer with fish, flesh, fowl, and fruit in the greatest abundance.

There is to the pioneer no more pleasant recollections of these early
days than that of the wild flowers. First to greet the homesick
stranger was hepatica, she seemed to open her sunny fragrant bloom
on purpose to give cheer and comfort. But hepatica was only the
herald of coming beauties. One wave of her blue bonnet as she left
us, and there commenced a succession of flowers seldom found in any
other country. Maples, birches and alders spring into life. The little
kittens of the willow begin to show their furry coats. A bloom seems
to be gathering along the tree tops of the water courses; our two elms
and the red elm file into line flanked by the red maple; cowslips and
skunk cabbage meet you on the wet, springy borders of marshes and
springs; the buds of oak, hickory and sassafras are striving to out-
grow each other; trilliums, violets in all kinds of soils, except the
birdfoot violet, which is found on light sands only. Now comes the
June berry (three kinds) with its cloud of white in perfect contrast
with the surroundings of green and brown. April, says Dr. Beal,
should give us fifty plants and trees in bloom and in May more than
34

266 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

one hundred. In June our woods and plains were covered with
flowers, some of which are now nearly extinct. Painted cup, lady
slippers, phlox, mandrakes, rosin weed, lillies, roses, closed gentians and
golden rods. Finally, when the frosts and north winds come, we have
only the fringed gentian in its robe of blue and purple, and the witch
hazel with petals of gold, to close the gateway of summer.

" These beautiful children of glen and dell,
The dingle deep, the woodland stretching wide,

and of the mossy fountain side.
Ye on my heart have thrown a lovesome spell,
And though the worldlings' scorning may deride,

I love ye all."

FIFTY-TWO YEARS OF ITINERANT LIFE IN THE MICHI-
GAN CONFERENCE OF THE M. E. CHURCH.

BY BEV. R. C. CBAWFORD.

In the month of May, 1841, I was licensed to preach, and by the
same body that gave me my license, I was recommended to the Michi-
gan annual conference as a suitable person for admission on trial in
said conference. The body which gave me my license and this recom-
mendation was the quarterly conference, of Pontiac circuit, with Rev.
George Smith as presiding elder, and Revs. James Shaw and Francis
B. Bangs, as circuit preachers. The balance of the conference consisted
of solid laymen from different parts of the circuit, such as Birmingham,
Royal Oak, Bloomfield Centre, Donation Chapel, and Auburn; at all of
which places I had been and held services, as an exhorter, several
times during the preceding year, and the people had come to know me
pretty well, or they thought they did. The quarterly conference was
held in the court house, as were all of the services. All of the men com-
posing that quarterly conference, except myself and the Rev. James
Shaw, are on the other side of the boundary line. He is a superannuate

ITINERANT LIFE IN THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE. 267

of the Kansas conference, in his 86th year and lives at Atchison with
his oldest daughter, Lucy, widow of the Rev. L. D. Price, once a
member of Michigan conference; and he says in a letter he sent me,
"I am trying to keep sweet in my old age."

On Sabbath afternoon of our quarterly meeting I preached my first
sermon, or took a text and exhorted in a school house at Bloomfield
Centre, five miles southeast from Pontiac, where I had been holding
services during the spring. The house was crowded with my friends,
who were bent on hearing my first sermon; and we had, what we used
to call "The shout of the King in the camp;" but my father used to
call it a "Methodist pow ivow" Father was brought up an Episcopa-
lian and did not take any stock in a noisy kind of religion; but let him
go to a barn raising, a logging bee or a general training and no man
in Oakland county could beat him on making a noise. Dear old man,
I believe he is in heaven now, where I hope to meet him when I cross
the line.

Well, the Michigan conference held its session at White Pigeon, in
September of that year, Bishop Roberts presiding; I was admitted on
trial, and appointed as junior preacher on Palmer circuit, with Lovell
F. Harris, as preacher in charge. My father gave me a splendid saddle
horse, my uncle loaned me a saddle and bridle, and Dr. Ezra S. Parke
gave me a pair of portmanteaus large enough to hold all of my worldly
goods, and thus equipped I pulled out for my first circuit, which
embraced all of the country bordering on St. Clair river and twenty-five
miles on the shore of Lake Huron and reaching inland from five to fifteen
miles. We had eighteen preaching places, some of them we visited on
the work days of the week. At Port Huron, St. Clair, Newport, now
Marine City, and Algonac, we preached on Sabbath mornings and
visited some country school house in the afternoon and evening same
day. The discipline of our church fixed my salary at $100 beside travel-
ing and table expenses, but the stewards made no estimate of my table
expenses, but said I must do as the country school master did, board
around; and you may rest assured I did as they suggested, and by this
means I secured the full amount of my table, expenses if I did fall
short $40 on my salary. In my boarding around I found some very
good boarding places. One of which I wish to make special mention.
The head of the family was a widow and she had three sons, Tif,
George and David. Tif was about my age, George was next, and then
came David. They all thought a great deal of my Billy horse, and
David would always insist on bringing him out fully equipped for my
service, when it came time for me to leave for my ride of fifteen mile&

268 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

down Bell river to Newport, my next place for stopping, and when
that same David was our governor, he used to refer me to the time
when he was my hostler, and used to lead my Billy out of the little
log stable, all saddled and bridled ready for me to mount. The home
of this Jerome family was at that time about three miles east of the
Gratiot turnpike where it crosses Bell river. I don't think David, at
that time, had any aspirations for the office he has since held; and I
don't think George had any thought of becoming the attorney of the
Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee railroad. But such is life, and
that grand old mother of theirs little thought what those boys were
destined to become and do after she should depart and join their
father on the other shore.

At that time Capt. Ward had his home at Newport and was known
through the state as Uncle Sam, the steamboat king. Captain Eber,
his nephew, was at that time captain of one of his boats, the Sam
Ward, making daily trips between Detroit and Port Huron. Captain
Eber died in* Detroit a few years ago, reputed to be worth in the neighbor-
hood of $5,000,000. I think the last steamboat Uncle Sam built was the
Atlantic, which ran from Detroit to Buffalo, with the Mayflower, in
connection with the Michigan Central railroad, carrying its passengers
between the two cities just named. Her last trip came to a sudden
ending on her way from Detroit to Buffalo. When but a short distance
from Long Point she collided with one of the propellers of the Northern
Transportation Go's line and went to the bottom of Lake Erie, the passengers
all being saved. She was a magnificent steamboat and one of the fastest
sailers at that time on the Jakes. But I am spending too much time
on my first years' itinerancy, and while there are many others of whom
I would like to make mention, but I dare not for fear of prolixity, I
will therefore merely mention the names of Judge Bunce, the two San-
borns, -Ralph Wadams, Esq. Smith, Senator Conger, Judge Mitchell,
John Beard, and Esq. Ira Porter, all of whom afforded me excellent
boarding places as I went around; but my chief or head quarters for
good living was with Tucker and Daniels at Algonac. In the month
of June I took to myself a wife, in accord with a previous engagement,
but did not consider it good economy to ask her to go boarding around
with me during the balance of that conference year, so she remained
at her father's until I entered upon my second year in the conference,
when we commenced boarding ourselves.

My second circuit was Richmond, embracing a small portion of St.
Clair county and two townships in Macomb county in the northeast
corner of said county. I had full swing here, being the only preacher

ITINERANT LIFE IN THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE, 269

on the circuit, and I made the round once in two weeks, preaching three
times each Sabbath, at six different places, and riding each Sabbath
about twelve miles. Oar churches were all district school houses and not
very large at that, but I doubt if Talmadge's tabernacle is more densely
packed from Sabbath to Sabbath than were these tabernacles, which I
occupied during that year. Being now a married man, I was entitled
according to discipline to $200 beside my traveling and table expenses, all
of which I received except regular salary, on which I fell short $50.
The winter of that year was called our hard winter and we had good
sleighing from November 25 until after town meeting in April.

My third and fourth years were upon Shiawassee circuit, as preacher
in charge, with W. F. Cowles for my colleague the first year, and F.

A. Blades for colleague the second year. We made the round of this
circuit once in four weeks, and had eighteen regular preaching places,
Owosso. Corunna, Shiawasseetown and Byron were included, being the
only cities of importance then existing in Shiawaseee county. Here
I first became acquainted with our pioneer friend, of precious memory,

B. O. Williams, and his brother Alfred. The house we lived in at
Shiawasseetown was built for a hotel of vast proportions, and with the
expectation of a large city in the near future, provisions were made
for the accommodation of a great number of guests. But for some
reason the big city did not get there, and the multitude of guests did
not come, and the big hotel, only finished in part, was converted into
residences for poor families, like us methodist preachers, who were not
able to pay extravagant rents. We occupied the large ball room, which
was lathed but not plastered. With boards unplaned we made a parti-
tion across the hall, so as to give us two rooms; one for a guest cham-
ber and pastor's study, and the other and larger one served for kitchen,
dining room, sitting room and parlor with our family bed in the
northeast corner of the big room. My colleague, Bro. Blades, had his
home with us, he being a single man and was obliged to board around.
Our receipts upon this charge compared favorably with previous ones.

Our next circuit was Livingston, with David A. Curtis as my
colleague. The circuit embraced the most of Livingston county, and
we made the round once in four weeks. Howell, Milan and Pinckney
were the only cities of importance, and the rest of our preaching
places were in country school houses. At Howell the Congregationalists
had a small chapel, which we occupied once in two weeks; and a Con-
gregational minister by the name of Root occupied it each alternate
Sabbath, which gave them preaching every Sabbath; the congregation
being composed of Methodists, Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Bap-

270 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

tists, Episcopalians, and a large proportion of persons not members
of any church. Sectarianism did not exhibit its hydra head to annoy
us in a single instance. At Milan the Presbyterians had a comfortable
brick church, which they kindly opened for our use each alternate
Sabbath; and our congregation was much like the one at Howell. At
Pinckney we had no church building and all worshiped together in a
school house, the same harmony prevailing as at the two places
previously mentioned. On this circuit I made the acquaintance of
Hon. Charles P. Bush, one of Michigan's brightest citizens, and one of
the shrewdest politicians the democratic party has ever placed in office
in this State. He and his family became my fast friends and remained
so, notwithstanding our difference in politics. He died comparatively
a young man and his death was a great loss to Michigan, and still
greater to the democratic party, of which he was a leader in the fullest
sense. At that time he carried on farming, his large and splendid
farm being located about three miles southeast from Howell, on the
Detroit and Grand Kiver turnpike. I suppose the farm lies there still,
but Charles P. Bush does not own it now and will not come to
cultivate its fertile soil any more. He was a member of the legislature
that located the capitol where we are now gathered, and afterward
became a resident of Lansing, where he was living when death summoned
him away. I am not certain but I think some of his family are living
here at this time. Peace to his ashes. I love to think of him as I
used to see his manly form in my congregation with his keen eyes
fixed upon me as I tried, to the best of my ability, to send the truth
into his heart. There were other men in that section. I love to remem-
ber, such as Ely and Pardon Barnard, Elias Steadmau, Judge
Stansbury, Deacon Noble and Deacon Gay, Lawyer Whipple, Frank
Bush (brother of Charles P.), George Lee and his brother Fred, E. F.
Burt, the McPherson family, N. G. Isbell, and some others, I'll not
stop to name; while nearly every one named have gone to join the
great majority over on the other shore, I hope to meet them when I
cross the river, in whose waters my feet have been resting much of
the time during the past two years and some of the time it has seemed
I should never return, but I am here.

Our next" charge was Almont, embracing the village of Almont, in
Lapeer county, and three appointments in the surrounding country. At
Almont we had a chapel of our own and, as I only preached once in
two weeks, our Congregational friends occupied the chapel each alter-
nate Sabbath, and thus services were held every Sabbath; and we
worshiped as one family and had no family brawls while I was there.

ITINERANT LIFE IN THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE. 271

This charge had no aspirants for national honors, but a host of solid
men for all work but whose names have not been very extensively cir-
culated, and probably you would not remember having heard of them if I
should repeat them, and as nothing of importance occurred out of the
ordinary course of events, I will ask you to take a trip with me to
Port Huron, where my next appointment occurred, and here you will
discover quite a change since my first appointment to Palmer circuit
in 1841. We had a comfortable house of worship on the south side of
Black river and this was well filled every Sabbath, as I and my
colleague occupied the pulpit each alternate Sabbath. The circuit was
changed only in name and the transfer of all territory north of Port
Huron to Lexington circuit, so that we preached at St. Glair, Newport
{now Marine City), and Algonac once each Sabbath, same as when I
first traveled the circuit. The two years term was spent pleasantly
and I received my full salary of two hundred dollars per year and
table expenses without being compelled to board around, as I did
•during my first year's experience. Some new comers had appeared
while some of the first residents had disappeared. One of the new
comers was William L. Bancroft, quite a politician of the democratic
school, and was at the time publishing a newspaper, himself proprietor
and editor. He became my warm friend, notwithstanding our differ-
ence of opinion on political issues, and our friendship remained
unbroken while our acquaintance continued. It is a long time since
we have met and I presume he looks more like an old man than he
did in 1847 and '48. At that time L. M. Mason, Esq., was practicing
law in Port Huron, and during the trial of an important suit, in which
Major Thorn, a man of large physical proportions, was an interested
party, Mason, being counsel for the other side, was making his plea,
Major Thorn sitting quite near him, and as he was laying down the
points of law some remark dropped on the major's ear that did not
please the old man and he belched forth the sentence, " You are a liar,"
and in a second the old man was stretched on the floor, the blood
flowing freely from his mouth and nose. Mason apologized to the court
saying he had no idea his arm was so long or he would have been
more careful how he swung it when making • his gestures. I don't
think the major ever accused him of lying after that wonderful
gesture was made.

I had a colleague upon this charge and he was of small proportions,
always fearful I would be more popular with the people than himself
unless he could in some safe way make the impression that I was not
as pious as they took me to be. I was the owner of a very fine brown

272 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

mare, and she was fat as a seal, and everyone was speaking of her
beauty and fine qualities. My colleague brought with him to the
charge, a young mare of good proportions, but, as he was not much of
a horseman, he got nervous in handling her, and an old jockey took
advantage of his weakness and traded him an old mare, that in the
matter of flesh resembled one of Pharaoh's cows, and she was afflicted
with poor teeth so it was impossible to get any flesh on her skeleton.
On one occasion, where were present several of our leading members,
some one made some remark expressive of his admiration of my mare.
The remark hurt the little fellow so much that he had to make a
thrust at me and he said " I am afraid Bro. Crawford's mare gets into
the pulpit with him." My Irish wit came quick for once and I replied
" Not a bit of it, sir; but if I could count her ribs as far as I could
see her carcass, she would be on my back every time I tried to preach."
I heard no more of it. Well, we next turn up at Lapeer county seat,
where I formed the acquaintance of Hon. A. N. Hart, of precious
memory, three brothers by the name of White, two brothers by the
name of Terrell, and several other 'solid men, whose friendship I have
always prized, and with satisfaction cherish their memory now that
t4iey are all on the other side of the river which forms the boundary
line between our world and the great future. Father Clark, the old
English pioneer, was on his farm five miles southeast of the village.
The old man's welcome to me, as his pastor, was on this wise. At my
first appointment in his neighborhood, after I had preached, I held
class meeting and calling on Father Clark for his testimony, he pro-
ceeded " Well Crawford, I am glad you've coomed, I axed Shaw for
you." Shaw was our presiding elder. That same fall t}ie old man
took a pair of beautiful male calves to the State fair in Detroit, and on
his return had to tell me of his trials on his way to Detroit. He said
" ivery body I met axed me about my calves and I got oot of all man-
ner of patience, and I wouldn't talk wi' 'em at all. But jist before I
got to Pontiac a fine looking gentleman drove by me and he was in a
fine carriage and had a fine team, and he looked as though he might know
some'ut. He axed me how old my calves were? and I towld him one of
them was six months and the other was six months and two weeks.
And he axed me if they were twins, and I laughed him in his face."
Father Clark was a man of wonderful natural endowments with no
education in the schools, but he was regarded as one of the shrewdest
business men of Lapeer county. He had such eccentricities as afforded
me, at times, an occasion for a right hearty laugh at his expense. I
will mention one instance which must suffice. His wife's brother in

ITINERANT LIFE IN THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE. 273

England, having died, left about $2,000 to be divided among his sister's
children, and they all thinking it would be so long coming, they had bet-
ter sell out to their father, providing he would buy; and the old man
jumped at the chance, as they offered to sell at fifty cents on the dol-
lar, he being sharp enough to know it would not take many months to
bring the money from England. He placed it in the hands of C. C.
Trowbridge, of Detroit, and during my pastorate, he came up to the
village one day, and found a letter in the postofiice from Mr. Trow-
bridge, and hastened to the parsonage for me to read it for him, as he
could not read his correspondence. The letter informed him his money
was ready for him. The old man looked at me, and smiling, said, "Now
Crawford, let me say, first of all, glory to God, its coomed; now I'm
rich, Lord keep me rich."

We will now come to our next circuit, which was Utica, in Macomb
county, embracing the towns of Washington and Macomb as well as
Shelby, in which the village of Utica was located. My wife's parents
resided within the bounds of this charge, and insisted on our making
our home with them while on this charge, which we gladly did, and
spent the time very pleasantly. On this circuit I found the Davises,
the Chapels (Charles and Frank), the Leaches, the Somers, and many
other solid men, all of whom became my fast friends. One incident
occurred, while I was on this circuit, that afforded some amusement,
and even to this date causes me to smile when I think how the young
men looked as they came marching into the church just before I
commenced the service. Some of the prominent women of Utica had
adopted the bloomer costume and were quite conspicuous on the streets
with their short dresses and pantalets. Four of the young men of the
village, all very respectable, came to me and expressed a desire to
attend service on the Sabbath dressed in uniform, calculated to strike
a death blow to the bloomer craze among the women. I cheerfully
consented, and after the congregation was mostly in their seats, in came
the young dudes in their newly made costumes, and took their seats in
the amen corner of the church, looking as dignified and behaving
themselves as becomingly as any Presbyterian deacons ever did. They
wore white cambric pantaloons, made very large" from the waistbands to
the ankles and drawn tight around the ankles by means of cord. The
rest of their apparel corresponded with their pants; when, at the close
of service, they marched deliberately out and went quietly home, and
thus ended the bloomer craze in Utica.

My next charge was Birmingham, where my cousin, Poppleton, lived
35

274 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

and was running a general store. Many of my old friends and several
of my kindred, such as uncles, aunts, and cousins, were members of
my congregation, and all seemed very much pleased with the appoint-
ment, and did not seem to tire of my preaching, even though I was
a prophet in my own country and among my own kindred. The farm
upon which I was raised lay within three miles of the village, and the
entire circuit covered territory with which I had been familiar since I
was eight years of age, and I had known many of my parishioners during
all of those intervening years. We had no very great men on this charge,
nor men who aspired to become great. We were so near Detroit on
the one side, and Pontiac on the other, that our great men, as well as
the ambitious ones, gave us the go by and settled in one of those
thriving cities. My next charge was Detroit city mission and my
appointments were all suburban, and in making my rounds I encircled
the city, which at that time was a trifle smaller than it is today. City
missionary as I was, I had the pleasure of forming an acquaintance
with such men as J. C. Holmes, C. I. Walker, Philo Parsons, John
Owen, Judge Koss Wilkins, Bela Hubbard, Thomas W. Palmer, and
Dr. Duffield, who for a number of years was the successful pastor of
the First Presbyterian church in that city, and who finally received a
sudden call from pulpit to the church of the first born, which is with-
out spot or wrinkle, before the throne of God. He was a grand man,
and lives in my memory as he does in the memory of many others,
who knew him but to love him, in the days of his prosperity as a
faithful minister of the gospel of Christ.

My next move was to Battle Creek, where I spent two of the
pleasantest years of my itinerant life. Here I made the acquaintance
of Erastus Hussey, Victor P. Collier, John and Benjamin F. Hinman,
and E. C. Manchester. I also made the acquaintance of Dr. O. C.
Comstock and A. O. Hyde, of Marshall. Battle Creek has always been
a very dear spot to me, since the fall of 1855, when I left there and took
my next appointment to Jackson, where I served as pastor of the church
one year and was then appointed by the board of prison inspectors as
chaplain at the prison, where I remained for three years and preached
to the men in stripes. Kinsley S. Bingham was our governor, and
William Hammond was agent of the prison, now called " warden." At
Jackson I made the acquaintance of Hon. Austin Blair, Judge Gridley,
Judge David Johnson, Col. Michael Shoemaker and his brother Joseph,
Peter B. Loomis, Fidus Livermore, and many other solid men includ-
ing lawyers, doctors, merchants, and ministers of the several denomina-
tions of Christians, including Mr. Grinnel of the Episcopal church, and

ITINERANT LIFE IN THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE. 275

Dr. Asa Mahan of the Congregational church; both grand men, and I
shall never forget their kindness to me and the help they gave me in
my work at the prison. Gov. Bingham was a man with a large heart,
and he was full of sympathy for the friends of convicts, who were
constantly pleading for pardon for their friends. But he had good
judgment and exercised his pardoning power with extreme caution, with
one single exception, and that was a peculiar case and I did not
censure him for doing as he did in that peculiar case, but I did have
some sport with him, which he enjoyed as well as myself and others.
An old lady came all the way from the state of New York to plead for
her only boy who had been sentenced for five years for larceny. She
went to see the governor several times at his home in Kensington, and
he invariably promised her he would pardon her boy if she would
bring a recommend for his pardon from the warden and chaplain.
But this she failed to get every time. After letting matters rest for a
few weeks she put out for another interview with the governor. Going
to Ann Arbor on the afternoon train, she footed it from Ann Arbor to
Kensington, reaching the governor's home about eleven o'clock. She
rang the bell and the governor responded with a light in his hand, and
he at once recognized the familiar face of Mother McAllister, and the
poor, tired old woman, after a walk of seventeen miles, burst into
tears and said: "Governor, I've come after my boy, can I have him?"
" Well," said he, " you go to bed and rest you the balance of the night
and we'll see about it in the morning," and in the morning after
breakfast he made out the papers and mailed them to the Secretary of
State at Lansing, and sent her away happy in the prospect that, as
soon as the papers could get around to Jackson, she would take her
darling and hie away with him back to her home in the state of New
York. The day after she returned from Kensington, she took her way-
ward son and departed, and that was the last we knew of them. A
few days after her departure, the Governor came to visit us, and he was
sitting in the agent's office talking with Mr. Hammond as I entered
the office on my return from dinner. He looked at me as much as to
say, I wonder what he has in store for me? He met me with a hearty
hand shake, as he always did, and after the usual salutation, I said to
him, "Well, Governor, you have given me an insight into one passage
of scripture that I never fully comprehended until now. 'Lest by her
continued coming she weary me, I'll revenge her of her adversary.' '
His reply was, " Well, chaplain, I guess if she had called you up at
eleven o'clock at night after a walk of seventeen miles in the dark, and
your wife had joined in her plea, as mine did, you would have yielded,"

276 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

and I said, "Amen, God bless you, Governor," and the agent responded,
"Amen."

At the close of three years, I retired from the chaplaincy of the
prison and was stationed at Niles, where I stayed but one year, for
reasons I will not stop to explain, except to say, , that the people of
Ionia asked the bishop for my appointment to their charge, and he
said he would grant their request if I would consent to the change, and
I did so, greatly to the annoyance and grievance of the most of my
congregation at Niles; and while I had a warm reception and a pleas-
ant pastorate of two years at Ionia, I have always regretted that I
consented to the change. We had one of the most gracious revivals in
Niles of any one year of my ministry, and the converts were all well
cared for by my successor, Rev. Hiram Law. While at Niles, I made
the acquaintance of Hon. Schuyler Colfax, of South Bend, Indiana, a
village about ten miles south of Niles. Our acquaintance soon ripened
into a friendship as lasting as life, and no one, outside of his own
immediate kindred, could have felt his sudden death, while in his vigor-
ous manhood, more deeply than I did. At Ionia I formed the acquaint-
ance of Hons. Hampton Rich, Sandford Yeomans, George and Jack
Webber, Hon. Albert Williams, John C. Blanchard, Esq., and W. W.
Mitchell, Esq.; John 0. and I could agree in our religious views but in
politics we had several tilts. It was during my first year's pastorate at
Ionia that the rebellion was inaugurated, and when the news reached us
of the attack upon Sumpter, John C. came to me, with blood in his eye,
and charged me with having a hand in dividing the Union, as I had
been somewhat outspoken against the abominable system of slavery.
But I told him the Union was not divided and would not be, but that
slavery was now doomed to die, and the slaveholders had themselves
inaugurated the measures that were destined to do the work of its
destruction, and I hoped he and I might live to see the work com-
pleted, and we did. Was I a true prophet? John C. was an official
member of my church and gave me his hearty support, and before the
year was ended was making war speeches, and aiding to raise volunteers,
and finally went himself as a sutler in one of the regiments, and on
his first visit home, declared if he had the matter in hand he would
raise an army of 3,000,000 and drive the whole southern confederacy
into the Gulf of Mexico. But after the war closed he sort of cooled
off, and since then it is hard telling what his politics have been. My
next appointment was Kalamazoo, where I first met Judge Hezekiah
G. Wells, of precious memory; also Hon. Charles E. Stewart, General
Dwight May, Lieut. Gov. Charles May, Dr. Jas. A. B. Stone, William

ITINERANT LIFE IN THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE. 277

A. Wood, N. A. Balch, Thos. C. Brownell, and Henry Gilbert. My
next appointment was Albion, the home for many years of Rev. W. H.
Brockway, who had his last meeting with us two years ago this month
and was obliged to leave before our final adjournment. Perhaps some
of you remember how gracefully he took his leave as he retired never
to meet with us again. We miss him as we do some others who were
with us at that reunion, for instance, Dr. Shepard, Hon. O. Poppleton,
and A. D. P. Van Buren. At the end of one year I was appointed
presiding elder of Cold water district and moved to Coldwater, where I
had a pleasant home for four years. The district extended from White
Pigeon on the west to the meridian line of the State on the east, the
eastern boundary of our conference, and embraced the counties of
Hillsdale, Branch, and the largest part of St. Joseph; and took in
White Pigeon, Mottville, Centreville, Constantine, Sturgis, Burr Oak,
Bronson, Coldwater, Girard, Quincy, Allen, Jonesville, Hillsdale, Osseo,
North Adams and Pittsford, Beading and Cambria; so you see my
chances for extending my acquaintance were greatly enlarged, and well
improved. I will mention but few of the many I met for the first time as
I took the rounds of my district. Hon. Charles Upson, Hon. Caleb D.
Randall, Harvey Haynes, Ex-Gov. Cyrus G. Luce, S. C. Coffinberry, Esq.,
Henry H. Riley, Esq., Witter J. Baxter, E. O. Grosvenor, Judge East-
man Johnson, Harvey Warner, Esq., Jonn Wolf, Wm. Allman, and
Comfort Tyler. At the end of my four years term as presiding elder,
I was appointed pastor at Centreville, where I had already become
acquainted with nearly everybody residing within the bounds of this
charge, and where resided some whose names I have already mentioned,
therefore I will only ask you to remain here one year, and then
take you, with me, back to Jackson prison, where I was appointed chap-
lain by the board of inspectors, and here I spend another three years,
under the administration of Gov. Baldwin, with Henry E. Bingham as
a^ent, he having acted as clerk of the prison during the time of my
former chaplaincy; and I think if Latimer had been an inmate at that
time he would not have succeeded in getting that clerk to bring him
prussic acid, not knowing whether it was poison or something good,
with which to flavor his lemonade and render it' more palatable, as was
the case with clerk Tabor, recently. We had prison discipline when he
was clerk, and prison discipline when he was agent. He resigned while
I was serving as chaplain, and John Morris of Charlotte was appointed
to succeed him, who still held the office when I resigned. During this
term, clerk Hulin, a man in whom we all placed confidence, was
detected in th'e embezzlement of a large amount of the money belonging

278 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

to the State, and, after trial and conviction, was sentenced for five
years penal servitude. I had known him since my first pastorate in
the church in Jackson. His wife was an honored member of my church,
and he was a regular attendant on the services and contributed as
largely toward my support as any member of the church, being at the
time a hardware merchant and having a good trade. He afterwards
failed in business, then was elected justice of the peace, and when Mr.
Bingham was made agent of the prison he recommended him to the
board of inspectors for the clerkship of the prison, and he was appointed,
and still held the office under Mr. Morris at the time of his detection.
A careful examination of the books revealed the fact that he commenced
his embezzlement soon after entering the office, and had carried it on
successfully and without suspicion from the first, until some transaction
caused Mr. Morris to suspect him, and his foot was soon in the trap
adroitly set for his capture. I don't think there was an officer of the
prison who did not weep like a child when we saw him come through
the gate under the guidance of the sheriff of Jackson county. He
served his term and was discharged with a broken spirit, and only
lived a few months after his liberation.

On my retirement from the chaplaincy of the prison in the fall of
1872, I recommended the appointment of Rev. George Hickock, a
Baptist minister, as my successor and that you may see whether I made
a mistake in my judgment of his fitness for the position, I am proud
to say, that he has given such general satisfaction that he still holds
the office, and probably will until he resigns from choice, unless death
shall call for him before he tenders his resignation. If I had the time,
I would like to give you some of my experience in dealing with con-
victs, but this I cannot do as I must hasten around. My next
appointment was at St. Joseph, where I spent two years very pleas-
antly, and formed the acquaintance of Hon. A. H. Morrison, whose
name appears among the deceased members of this Society, having
joined it in 1877. He was at that time general manager of the
Chicago and West Michigan railroad. During the first year I was
there, I was on board a train returning from Grand Eapids, having but
one passenger coach and a baggage car, and while rounding a curve the
forward trucks of our coach left the track, and the coupling between
it and the baggage car gave way and our car rolled down an embankment,
making one revolution, and I turned a sort of somersault and fell upon
the floor face downward, with the stove, well loaded with fire, across my
back, spilling some of the coals on the left side of my neck and face,
causing my whiskers to appear very much demoralized. I was laid up

ITINERANT LIFE IN THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE. 279

for about four weeks, and after I was fully restored, Mr. Morrison
called me into his office, and after introducing me to the attorney of
the road, Mr. Nims, he asked me what damages I intended to demand.
I replied, "not any." "Why," said he, "you are entitled to damages
according to law." " Yes," said I, "I suppose I am, but my half fare pass
has certain conditions printed on the back, which I accepted when I
received the pass." " Yes," said he, " but that don't amount to anything
according to law." "I am well aware of that," said I, "but if I should
demand damages you would refer me to those conditions, and say,
* what about the moral question involved in your demand, ' wouldn't
you?" "Perhaps I should," said he, "but I intend to give you some-
thing." "Very well," said I, "give me what you please and I'll not refuse
your donation." " Well," said he, "I propose to give you $50 and a pass
for yourself and family while you remain on the line of our road, will
that be satisfactory?" "Anything that will satisfy you, will satisfy me,"
was my reply. He then turned to his clerk and told him to order a
car load of four foot wood delivered at the M. E. parsonage, and
another carload next year, if Mr. Crawford remained in it, and I did,
and the wood came, and of good quality. Our next move was to
Allegan, where we spent two very pleasant years, forming many
acquaintances and securing new friends. Among these were Judge
Stone, Judge Littlejohn, Judge Williams, Judge Arnold, Dr. H. F,
Thomas, Don C. Henderson, Esq., Duncan McMartin and Joseph Fisk.
The most of these are gone to swell the majority on the other side,
while Stone, Thomas, Williams and Henderson, are still here in active
service, and are held in high esteem by men of all political parties
and religious creeds. Our next move was to Cedar Springs, a little
village on the Grand Rapids and Indiana railroad, twenty-two miles
north from Grand Eapids. Here we spent a pleasant year, and was
then appointed presiding elder of Ionia district, and returned to renew
old acquaintances, and form a great many new ones, at Greenville,
Stanton, Portland, Hubbardston, Carson City, Lyons, Pewamo, Muir,
Woodland, Bowne Center, Saranac, and Lowell; among whom was
Hon. Jas. W. Belknap, Westbrook Divine, Col. Ellsworth, John Lewis,
Esq., and many others whose friendship I highly prize. After spend-
ing four very pleasant years at Ionia in district work, I was returned to
the pastorate, and appointed at my own request to East Street, Grand
Kapids. Here I succeeded, after much effort, in building a new church,
to take the place of the little chapel, where we worshiped for two
years. Our new church cost us when completed, including furnishing,
$5,000 and I had the pleasure of occupying its pulpit all of my third

280 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

year, and at the close of my term, had the entire indebtedness pro-
vided for, and only three hundred dollars remaining unpaid, which was
soon wiped out by my successor, Rev. Mr. Carlisle. We left many
warm friends at East street, when we were appointed to Ames church,
another charge in another part of the same city, and where we spent
three very pleasant years. While serving these two charges I made
the acquaintance of Dr. Charles Shepard, Henry Fralick, T. D. Gil-
bert, Judge Champlin, Harvey J. Hollister, J. C. Fitzgerald, Allen
Durfee, Henry Spring, and Major Watson, and a host of others I
cannot take time to name. At the close of this pastorate, and at the
completion of forty-six years continued service, I took a superannuated
relation for the purpose of taking a trip to Oregon and Washington,
to spend a few months with our friends on the Pacific coast. We left
home the last of October and returned the first of August following,
having had a most delightful visit with our friends, and a view of
much grand scenery, going via Union Pacific railroad, and returning via
Northern Pacific, from Seattle to St. Paul, and from thence to Chicago,
via Wisconsin Central, and from Chicago to Grand Kapids, via Chicago
and West Michigan. We made the entire trip without accident or delay
on either route, except one-half hour in Bear River valley, on Union
Pacific, from a heated journal, which was easily made up in the next
run, so that we were at all stations on schedule time. At the next
session of our conference, I was returned to the effective list and
appointed to Holland City, twenty-five miles southwest from Grand
Rapids. At the close of one year, having received a meagre support,
and finding myself advancing in years, I thought best to retire from
effective work and took a superannuated relation, designed to be perma-
nent, and returned to Grand Rapids for our permanent home, where a
generous friend, Mrs. Jas. Dolbee, built a good commodious house
known as "The Cottage in the Orchard," and presented us with a life
lease of the same; and we find ourselves nicely settled for the balance
of our lives, among our East street friends and our East street church,
our place of worship. Soon after our return to Grand Rapids, I was
invited by General Pierce to act as chaplain at the Soldier's Home,
where my duties were to consist of. one sermon on the Sabbath and
attend all funerals of soldiers dying at the home. I took this work
in hand on the 6th of April, and continued the work until the 25th of
October, the second year, when I resigned, as I had supplied the work
by proxy since the 28th of June, at which time I held my last service
with the veterans, being prostrated with malarial fever, from the effect
of which I could not rally, and resigned, feeling that I must be

PROGRESS IN TRANSPORTATION AND MAIL SERVICE. 281

relieved of the responsibility of looking after the work of supplies for
funerals and sabbath services. Meantime, I had done some successful
canvassing for some valuable books, but now laid upon the shelf by
sickness, my little salary at the Soldier's Home cut off, and being
unable to do any canvassing for the sale of books, things from my
human standpoint looked a little dubious, but thus far God has been
better to us than our fears; and our friends have shown themselves
friendly in many substantial ways. At the celebration of our golden
wedding one year ago, many of our friends outside of Grand Rapids
sent their congratulations in substantial form, which, added to those of
our city friends, netted over three hundred dollars, which made us feel
almost as rich as did Father Clark, when his little dowry came from
England, but we did not pray, "Lord keep us rich," but we did pray,
" Lord make us worthy of such friendships." At the time of our last
pioneer meeting in June, one year ago, I was unable to attend, and
thought it quite probable that I should never look into your faces
again, until I should greet you on the other shore. But I am here, in
much better health than I enjoyed two months ago, and from present
indications I am encouraged to hope, that by the time of our next
annual reunion, " Bichard will be himself again." But what the future
has in store for me, no finite mind can tell, but I'll try and keep on in
the service of my Master, who has borne with my weaknesses for these
fifty-two years; and I am sure I shall find mercy at his hands, when
he comes to sign my release, whether this year or the next, or many
years thereafter; and in the sweet bye and bye I shall hope for a reunion
with all of my pioneer friends who have gone before, or may go before,
and all who may come after my transfer to the church triumphant,
which is without spot before the throne of God.

PEOGRESS IN TRANSPORTATION AND MAILS IN THE
LAST FIFTY YEAES.

BY C. T. MITCHELL.

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen — I have a short paper to read
on the cost of transportation back in the forties and at the present
time, showing the great progress that has been made in cheapening
transportation in the last fifty years.
36

282 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

I went to Hillsdale to live in the spring of 1843, first of May. The
Michigan Southern railroad was completed there in October of that
year by the State of Michigan, at a cost of about $1,400,000, with
wooden superstructure and flat rails. The superstructure consisted of,
first, a mud sill six by ten inches, on that cross ties about three by
six inches, in which a groove was cut, and a wooden rail five by seven
inches placed with the inner edge champered off, and to which was
spiked down a flat iron bar three-quarters of an inch in thickness and
two inches wide.

The State simply transported the produce and merchandise but did
not handle it. The State charged for hauling wheat to Monroe, sixty-
seven miles, twelve cents per bushel.

I owned and operated a large warehouse and there were five others
in town. The warehouseman got three cents for storing and shipping,
one cent for buying, which, added to the twelve cents freight, made
sixteen cents, and three cents for storage at Monroe made nineteen
cents, the cost to the farmer to take his wheat from the team at
Hillsdale and place it on board of a vessel at Monroe, sixty-seven
miles. A load for a freight car was one hundred bushels and that
in bags.

Now, what have the great railroads, or as they say, the great
monopolies, done for the farmers? They take, today, his wheat from
Chicago to New York all the way by rail, and deliver it in Liverpool
for less than it cost to transport it from a team in Hillsdale and place
it on board of a vessel at Monroe forty-five years ago, and yet they
think, or seem to think, these great railroads their enemies, and are
ready to make war on them in every possible way. The railroads
barely get justice from a jury of farmers.

Now another item of progress is shown more completely in trans-
porting the mails. At the time I speak of, the Great Western mail
from New York and New England came up by stage, along the south
shore of Lake Erie in winter, by boat in summer; to Hillsdale by rail
from Monroe, and was transported to Chicago on the boot of a stage
for six years. Now there passes every evening a fast mail train of
eight cars with twenty or thirty postal clerks, and another on the Air
Line, besides all the mail carried over the Michigan Central.

These two items in our commercial history show the progress this
State has made more perfectly than any other I know of. Here was a
railroad built by the people themselves, the State of Michigan, and
charging the farmer more for transporting and handling his wheat
sixty-seven miles, than it now, this seventh day of June, 1893, costs to

COMPARATIVE SKETCHES. 283

transport it one thousand miles by rail, and three thousand miles by
steamer to Liverpool or London, and yet the farmer appears to think
these great corporations their worst enemies, are ready to fight them
on all occasions.

I suppose it to be true that the two great railroads of this State,
the Michigan Central and the Michigan Southern, are managed by as
hightoned, honorable business men, as any other great business
interests in the country; that any party having a just claim is sure to
get a prompt and honorable settlement. It only discloses an unhealthy
public sentiment, that has taken hold of the public mind, which has
largely been built up by the unthinking public press and ought to be
corrected.

The Michigan Southern was sold to a company in the winter of 1846
and 1847 for $500,000, having cost the State $1,400,000. The company
had ten years to pay it in, ten per cent down and ten per cent per
year payable in the State indebtedness, which was then worth but
forty-two cents on the dollar. The late Henry Waldron, John P. Cook,
C. W. Ferris and myself took $10,000 each of the stock. At that time
we could not have raised $10,000 all together but we still thought it a
good business venture. My first $1,000 that 1 was to pay down cost me
$420. The next year the road earned enough to pay the ten per cent,
the third year we had to pay eight of the ten and then the road was
sold, or rather a majority of the stock, to a new company. Soon after
arrangements were made for its extension, supposing we would be
called upon to pay the full amount of our stock we sold out, but made
handsomely on our investment.

At the time I speak of, the south part of the county was a substan-
tial wilderness. Land three miles from town sold for three dollars to
five dollars per acre.

COMPARATIVE SKETCHES OF E. B. WARD, JAMES F. JOY,
LEWIS CASS, AND WM. WOODBRIDGE.

BY FRED CARLISLE.

In undertaking a comparison of men with each other for the pur-
pose of determining what benefit the world, or their fellow men, have
derived by reason of their having lived, demands an analysis as to the

284 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

prominent characteristics manifested to produce the results achieved.
Bonaparte declared that " circumstances make men," and the question
is often mooted whether character be the creation of circumstances or
circumstances the creation of character. If we assume that circumstances
create character we eliminate from it that vital causative energy which
is its essential characteristic, or to assert that circumstances are the
creation of character is to endow character with power not only to
create but to furnish the material for creation. The results of both
these processes, it seems to us, would not be character but caricature.
We, therefore, must admit that circumstances furnish the nutriment for
character, or the food which converts it into blood which is the pro-
cess of assimilation and supplies individual power to act upon circum-
stances. In all the departments of life success depends upon a knowl-
edge preceding all assimilating of the circumstances connected with
each department.

Man standing for the thing, mastered or utilized, all its forces are
in himself as a personal power and a personal intelligence. Character
being the embodiment of things in persons, it is obviously limited in
its sphere to facts and laws it has made its own, out of that sphere it
is comparatively feeble.

Many able lawyers, merchants and generals have been blunderers as
statesmen, thus injustice is often done to the real merits of eminent
men who have been enticed out of their strongholds of character to
venture into unaccustomed fields of exertion where their incapacity is
soon detected. But confine a characteristic man to the matters he has
really mastered and there is in him no blundering, no indecision, no
uncertainty, but a straight decisive activity. " Sure as insight and
rapid as instinct," which is not to be imposed upon by nonsense of any
kind, however prettily you may bedizen it in inapplicable eloquence.
The perfection of character depends on the man's embodying the facts
.and laws of his profession or avocation or object to such a degree of
intensity that power and intelligence are combined.

For knowledge unassimilated does not form part of the mind but is
only attached to it and often blunders as badly as ignorance itself.
While character, in its intrinsic nature is the embodiment of things in
persons; the quality which most distinguishes men of character from
men of passions and opinions, is persistency and the power to continue
in its exercise until the end sought is accomplished. If we scrutinize
the lives of persons who have become eminent in any department of
action, we find it is not so much their brilliancy or fertility as their
constancy of effort that makes them great. The heads of such men are

COMPARATIVE SKETCHES.-CAVELTER DE LA SALLE. 285

not merely filled with ideas, purposes and plans, but the primary
characteristics of their natures and secret of their success is that labor
cannot weary nor obstacles discourage them.

The distinction between the strong and the weak is that one persists,
the other hesitates, falters, trifles and at last collapses. We have thus
attempted to define the combination of the elements of human nature,
and to indicate the great vital fact in human affairs that all influential
powers in all departments of practical, intellectual, and moral energy,
is that expression of character by forcible persisting and calculable
persons, who have grown up into statures more or less colossal through
an assimilation of material or spiritual realities.

This fact makes production the test and measure of power; it also
imprints on production the mental and moral imperfections of that
power and with a kind of sullen sublimity declares, " That as a man is
so shall his work be." The possession of these elements and the results
reached by their exhibition is demonstrated and exemplified in the
lives and acts of those men to whom Michigan is especially indebted
for its present prosperous condition.

Among those names first associated with. the discovery and first set-
tlement of Michigan are those of Sieur de la Salle and de la Motte
Cadillac.

The former was born at Rouen, France, in 1643, of an honorable
family, and named Robert Cavelier. He was educated among the
Jesuits, but being dissatisfied with theology he chose that of science,
the pursuit of which led him at the age of twenty-three to sail for
Canada, or New France, where he first met Frontenac, then governor,
between whom a strong friendship was formed which continued until
the latter's recall to France. Parkman says, he was a man full of
schemes of ambition and gain. Other of his biographers insist that
the love of money was foreign to his nature, but was secondary to his
desire to discover a passage to China across the continent, and in the
event of failure to anticipate the Spaniards and English and colonize
the great west with Frenchmen, to develop its resources, make friends
with the Indian tribes, to obtain control of the mouth of the Missis-
sippi, and thus secure an outlet for a vast trade which should redound
to the benefit of his native country. The last would seem to be, in the
main, the ruling object of his life, for, while he did not find a direct
route to China, he explored the whole southwest to the mouth of the
Mississippi and established posts in Michigan and at numerous inter-
vening points between it and the mouth of the Mississippi and took
possession of all the vast territory watered by the latter stream in the

286 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893,

name of the king of France. Unfortunately he was not permitted to
enjoy the fruits planted through toil, personal pecuniary loss, and the
jealousies and persecutions of enemies in the old and new world, for
on returning from France, through a mistake of his navigator, the
mouth of the Mississippi was passed and he landed at Matagorda Bay,
Texas, where, after building a fort, which he named St. Louis, he
remained three years exploring the country, and while on one of these
expeditions was murdered by one of his own men, March 20, 1687.

Antoine de la Motte Cadillac, born at Toulouse, France, in 1661, was
educated for the army and came to Quebec in 1682, was appointed to
the command of Michilimackinac in 1694. In 1699 he visited France
and laid before the king his plans for the establishment of a permanent
settlement at Detroit. His plans meeting the approval of the king, he
returned and July 24, 1701, founded the first settlement of a civil and
permanent character in Michigan.

It is needless to enter into details of the events that transpired
during the nine years he was commandant at Detroit.

It is sufficient that, against the wishes of the Canadian company and
in opposition to the intrigues of designing men, he succeeded in
founding a town composed of civilians, who made substantial improve-
ments for those times, that he succeeded in inducing many of the
Indians to adopt the customs of the whites, that he established schools
where the children of both the whites and the Indians received
instruction, that he encouraged the clearing and cultivation of the
lands, erected mills, that from time to time he sent out men to explore
and establish posts elsewhere throughout the territory.

In short he did more to civilize the surrounding Indian tribes and to
excite in them a disposition to emulate the customs and habits of their
French neighbors, than did all his successors the fifty-one years during
which Michigan was under French or English rule. Both La Salle
and Cadillac were alike courageous and determined men and exercised
great influence over the Indian tribes, but each manifested it differently.
The former maintained his authority over the Indians through their
fear; the latter held them through their love. Both had incurred the
animosity of the colonial government and were forced to appeal to the
king. Neither profitted pecuniarily through the labor, privations, and
dangers they encountered. The former had spent over twenty years in
pursuit of his grand scheme to make for himself fame as a discoverer
and, doubtless, looked for the time when both wealth and power should
be his reward. His heart, however, was in the work of discovery and
in this field there are no brighter names in American history. Cadillac

COMPARATIVE SKETCHES.— LEWIS CASS. 287

had given the best years of his life in his endeavor to promote civili-
zation by means which should preserve its barbarous inhabitants, and
the measure of success he achieved in this direction is strong evidence
against the heartless theories which have led to their destruction, His
name should always hold a prominent place in Michigan's history.

As but little notable progress was made in the way of civilized
improvements in Michigan after the removal of Cadillac, we pass from
that period through French and English rule to 1813-14, at which time
Lewis Cass and William Woodbridge became prominently connected
with the affairs of the territory.

LEWIS CASS.

Lewis Cass was born at Exeter, New Hampshire, October 9, 1783.
Was appointed military governor of the territory of Michigan, October
14, 1815, and the following year made permanent governor, with
William Woodbridge as secretary. The war of 1812-15 had but closed,
the population had been scattered and was still exposed to the ravages
of the hostile Indians. A brave, sagacious and firm hand was therefore
needed to restore order and confidence, as well as to rebuke outrages
perpetrated by the English authorities in Canada under the plea that
they had a right to invade the territory in search of and arrest
deserters from their army.

General Cass acted in these emergencies with energy and promptness.
What the territory now needed was more people and he immediately
took the necessary steps to induce them to come and assuming that
the survey of lands, which had been directed, would soon be completed,
he began to lay out that portion of the territory, where the Indian
iitle had been extinguished, into Wayne county with its seat of justice
at Detroit, and to divide the whole territory into road districts.
Monroe county was established in 1817, just after Indiana had been
admitted as a state. Illinois was admitted in 1818, thus leaving Michi-
gan territory to embrace all north of those states. In all the measures
in bringing about these results, the interests of Michigan proper were
carefully guarded by Governor Cass so that by the year 1818 the terri-
tory began to grow in population and in substantial improvements.

In 1819 its population had reached the number authorized under the
ordinance of 1787 to form a representative government, and this gave
occasion for General Cass 10 show himself in advance of any statesman
of his time in his ideas of popular interference in the selection of
public officers, adhering as he did with great tenacity to the doctrine
that the people should have a direct voice in appointments generally.

288 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

He continued to hold the position of governor until 1831. During
his term of seventeen years, he secured the respect of the men of all
parties, which he retained during his life, notwithstanding party spirit
at times ran high and apparently disregarded personal considerations or
relations in the desire for party success; all, however, recognized his
devotedness to Michigan, for, whether as secretary of war, secretary of
State, or as minister to France, or as United States senator, he ever
manifested for Michigan and all that concerned it, that it was ever first
and uppermost in his thoughts. His last public demonstration evinced
for and loyalty to it and the ' constitution. He died at Detroit June
17, 1866.

WILLIAM 'WOODBRIDGE.

Governor William Woodbridge, a native of Connecticut, was born
August 20, 1780, and in 1791 removed with his father to Ohio, then a
territory.

He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1806. In 1807 he
was a member of the Ohio assembly and state senator from 1809 to
1814, when President Madison appointed him secretary of the territory
of Michigan.

He also acted as governor and superintendent of Indian agencies in
the absence of the governor and was collector of customs. In 1819 he
was the choice of all parties for delegate to congress, inasmuch as the
right of the territory to be represented in congress was obtained
.through his efforts. As a delegate he secured an appropriation to con-
struct roads from Detroit to Fort Gratiot, Chicago, and through the
black swamp to the Miami river in Ohio. He also secured the settle-
ment of the old French claims and was instrumental in securing aid
for General Cass' expedition to Lake Superior and the upper Miss-
issippi. Refusing a second -election as delegate to congress, he acted
as secretary until 1824, when he was appointed one of the commission-
ers to adjust private land claims. In 1828 President Adams appointed
him judge of the supreme court. He was a member of the constitu-
tional convention in 1835, and state senator in 18H8-9, and was elected
governor and served as such until 1841, when he was chosen United
States senator, both Whigs and Democrats uniting in his election.
After serving his term as senator he retired to private life. He died
October 20, 1861.

Gov. Woodbridge was a man of decided opinion and firm in his con-
victions of right and fearless in expressing them. While occupying
the numerous public positions of honor and trust he was distinguished

COMPARATIVE SKETCHES.— CAPTAIN EBER B. WARD. 289

for the impartial and just manner in which he administered and
executed the requirements they imposed.

Although General Cass and Governor Woodbridge differed on politi-
cal questions, neither suffered them to interfere in the discharge of
their respective duties and obligation to public interests and the good
of Michigan. Each enjoyed the confidence and respect of all classes of
the people. Both came to Michigan when its affairs were in a chaotic
.state, and were instrumental in bringing them to that condition of
order, which resulted in paving the way to its present proud position
among its sister states. Neither of them became personally interested,
pecuniarily, in large enterprises, yet so far as encouragement and weight
of influence could promote, it was exercised in the interests of all that
tended to advance the material growth of the State and the develop-
ment of its resources.

CAPTAIN EBEE B. WARD.

While his parents were on their way from Vermont to the west,
through Canada, they were compelled to delay at New Hamborough,
Upper Canada, where Captain Eber Brock Ward was born December
25, 1811. His parents brought him to Michigan and with them he
bore the privations, trials and hardships incident to pioneer life.

At twenty-two years of age we find him at work on the farm of his
uncle Samuel Ward, of St. Clair county. In the winter of 1835-6 he
assisted his uncle in getting out ship timber, and in the spring of
1836 purchased of his uncle a quarter interest in a small schooner.
Thus commenced a partnership which continued during the life of his
uncle. In 1840 the firm built its first steamer, and in 1845 it owned
and controlled a feet of twenty steamers and sail vessels. In the latter
year he ran two steamers on Lakes Michigan and Erie in connection
with the Michigan Central railroad. This service he continued until
that road had reached Chicago and the Great Western road was com-
pleted and connected with it at Detroit. The Ward vessels afterward
did a large general transportation business on Lakes Erie, Huron,
Michigan, and Superior. During a portion of this period Capt. Ward
became interested in the mines of Lake Superior, and also in the pine
lands lying along the shores of Lakes Michigan and Huron, and soon
afterward projected and saw completed the Flint and Pere Marquette
railroad across the northern portion of the State. In 1864 he reduced
his vessel interests somewhat, devoting his means to mining and manu-
facturing and in the course of a few years had rolling mills at
37

290 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

Wyandotte, Chicago, and Milwaukee, and had established large manu-
facturing industries at Ludington, Toledo, Saginaw, and Flint.

Among the most remarkable characteristics of Capt. Ward was his
wonderful business ability and his capacity for organizing industrial
enterprises. Perhaps no single individual in the United States did so
much to disseminate information on the subject of promoting home
industries as Captain Ward.

As he has often repeated to the writer, he believed that the best
philanthropy of the age was that which afforded the greatest amount
of remunerative labor to the working men of the country. His heart
was large, his charity abundant, his forethought and foresight wonderful,
his will power indomitable, and his physical and moral courage
dauntless.

JAMES F. JOY.

About the time when Capt. Ward had successfully established his
lines of steamers upon the lakes (1846), James F. Joy and his associ-
ates had negotiated with the State for the purchase of the Michigan
Central railroad, then constructed to Kalamazoo. In consequence of
financial embarrassment, the credit of the State was so impaired as to
be totally unable to meet its obligations or to provide the means for
completing its public works which had been projected and commenced
under the legislative acts of 1836-7. The Michigan Central railroad
was among them.

It was then, when the State was on the eve of bankruptcy, that
Mr. Joy and his associates came to its rescue and purchased this road
and extended it to Chicago. At this time it was the first great line
of railroad to enter that city with a population of between 8,000 and
10,000.

Having reached this point, Mr. Joy saw that the Michigan Central
must have connections west, and starting from Chicago with his
engineers, he projected the present Chicago, Burlington and Quincy
railroad across the Mississippi at Quincy and the Missouri at Kansas
City; made its connections with the Hannibal and St. Joseph; thence
extending a branch to Fort Kearney, Nebraska, and Fort Scott, Indian
territory, established a continuous line from these points to Detroit.
In the extension of the Hannibal, and St. Joseph road to Kansas City
he spanned the river with the first iron bridge across the Missouri,
and constructed the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf railroad to the
Indian territory and Kansas City; the St. Joseph and Council Bluffs
road from Kansas City to Council Bluffs. When returning to Michigan

COMPARATIVE SKETCHES.— JAMES F. JOY. 291

he, between the years 1861 and 1870 projected and completed the
Detroit, Lansing and Northern; Detroit and Bay City; Air Line, from
Jackson to Niles; Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw; Chicago and West
Michigan; Kalamazoo and South Haven, and the Wabash from Detroit
to Chicago.

He is at present the president of the Detroit union depot and its
railway connections, and planned the present union depot buildings in
Detroit, which are pronounced to be the most complete of any west of
New York.

From 1846 to the present, Mr. Joy has been the chief factor in the
construction of over two thousand three hundred miles of railroads in
Michigan, and the promoter of over six thousand miles of the railroads
and their connection entering the city of Detroit.

Mr. Joy was born at Durham, New Hampshire, Dec. 2, 1810. A
kind providence has permitted him to live and retain his mental and
physical powers in vigor as full as that of his early manhood, and to
contemplate the changes which have taken place through his instru-
mentality, to view the forests disappear and to be replaced by prosper-
ous cities and towns, and the great highways constructed which con-
nects and promotes their growth, to witness the progress of art and
the advance of learning and the increase of an intelligent population.

It cannot be regarded as fulsomeness when we say that both the
present and future generations of Michigan should recognize Mr. Joy
as one of the prominent factors in promoting many of the changes
which have occurred within fifty years in Michigan, as well as in the
states. west, directly through his agency.

The characteristics manifested by both Captain Ward and Mr. Joy
-are similar in respect to their great undertaking, for what seemed to
others boldness in conception, were to them the product of careful
thoughts and well matured plans, while neither permitted ordinary
obstacles to interfere with their consummation, at the same time both
recognized that personal interests should be subordinate to public good,
•while doubtless personal gain entered into their calculations, still the
ruling motive with them was to meet the demands of general business
necessities.

Both found in Michigan and its surroundings a field for the exercise
of their power to conserve, perfect and complete large enterprises,
where millions of money was required but where millions of men and
women would be correspondingly benefited.

While Captain Ward was covering the waters of the great lakes with
liis fleet vessels, Mr. Joy was reducing distances with the iron rail,

292 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

thus cooperating, they afforded the workingman compensating employ-
ment; the farmer and manufacturer ready sale for their products^ and
commenced the facilities for transportation and paved the way for the
development of all the natural resources of this great State.

Thus, while we have referred to these few names of Michigan's pio-
neers as demonstrating and exemplifying, in their lives and acts, the
possession and assimilation of those elements which form what we have
sought in our introduction to define as constituting character, there
are hundreds of the pioneers of Michigan whose names and lives
remind us as having manifested the possession of these attributes, to
whom Michigan is greatly indebted for its development of material
wealth as well as in literature, and an educated and refined population.

Gladly would we refer to them and detail the evidences of their
influence in bringing our State to its present condition, but time and
space will not permit it.

EAILEOAD HTSTOEY OF MICHIGAN.

BY JAMES F. JOY.

The territorial legislature of Michigan, as early as 1833, passed an
act to incorporate the Detroit and St. Joseph railroad company. The-
object of the company was to build a railroad from Detroit to St.
Joseph, on Lake Michigan. This was the first mention in the legisla-
tion of the State of any railroad to Detroit. There was, at that time,
but little railroad constructed in the whole country. The Boston and
Lowell, and the Boston and Worcester were all in New England.
Albany to Schenectady and a commencement of the road from Schenec-
tady west only, were about all the railroads in the United States north
of Mason aud Dixon's line. What a difference between now and then!

The Detroit and St. Joseph railroad company was commenced and
under great difficuties was in progress and some work done between
Detroit and Ypsilanti, in 1836, when the State determined to undertake
to build that road through to St. Joseph, to be called the Central

RAILROAD HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 293

road, and also one from Monroe, and one from the foot of Lake Huron,
also, to Lake Michigan. The terminus of the Central road was fixed
on the Campus Martius, where the city hall now stands. It came into
the city along Michigan avenue, then called the Chicago road. At one
time it extended from the Campus Martius along down through Wood-
ward avenue to the border of the Detroit river, and that part of it was
constructed by Thomas Palmer (father of the Hon. Thomas W. Palmer)
under a contract with the railroad commissioners representing the
State. It was a singular movement and illustrates how little the
business to come was understood. To build a railroad through the
middle of the street and on to the river at the foot of a hill, with no
station or station grounds upon which to do business, and with no plan
to acquire any, and with no possibility of doing so for such an
approach, would hardly commend itself to the judgment of a railway
man of the present day. It is needless to say that that part of the
road was never used for any purpose and was soon taken up.

In March, 1837, the legislature passed an act, under which it under-
took the construction of the three railroads above mentioned across
the State, and authorized a State loan on the bonds of the State for
$5,000,000 to enable it to build them.

Both the amount of money which was thought adequate for the
construction of about six hundred miles of railroad, and the history of
the negotiation of the bonds, proves how little the cost of railroads
was then understood, and how unfit the then authorities were to
manage such negotiations. The parties with whom the business was
transacted failed, and as the sale was on the credit of the State, it
never received but a portion of the money, and was involved in many
difficulties, both embarrassing its own work, detrimental to its credit,
and causing it to be treated as a repudiating State, because it refused
to pay bonds upon which it had never received the money agreed to
be paid for them.

The State, however, had undertaken the work of internal improve-
ment. But it soon became bankrupt. It did not build a mile of the
northern road. It built but a few miles of the Michigan Southern
from Monroe (now Lake Shore and Michigan Southern). In the course
of about eight years it did build the Central to Kalamazoo. It was
built with strap rail, so called, about half an inch thick, laid upon
wood stringers, which in turn were laid on cross beams or ties sunk
or buried in the ground. To accomplish even this the whole means
and credit of the State were exhausted. It used its credit abroad
where it had any. It then resorted to forced loans in the form of

294 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

bills or notes of the State, similar to bank notes, in which it paid for
materials and labor till even they could not be used. In 1846 it had
become so utterly without credit that it was compelled to negotiate the
sale of all its public works, and among them the Central road from
Detroit to Kalamazoo. What a difference again between the condition
of affairs then, and the credit and ability of the very prosperous and'
great State of Michigan of the present day!

The Michigan Central charter, proposing a sale to a corporation, to-
be formed to take and complete the road as provided and agreed in
the charter, was passed in 1846. The company was to finish it through
to the lake at New Buffalo, instead of St. Joseph, within three years;;
to relay the already built road as well as the new with sixty pound-
iron rail; to change its eastern terminus from the Campus Martius and
the entrance by the Chicago road (as it was then called), over a new
line to the river, where it should acquire adequate yards for its
business.

The company which took the road was a strong one. It complied
with its charter, and within the three years the road was built to New
Buffalo and a harbor constructed there, and the through business by
water and rail between Chicago and New York and New England
commenced over the road. It was the first considerable road built in
the west. The business then begun has been every year increasing in
magnitude, though there are five or more roads from Chicago east, all
competing for the through business. In three years more it was
extended to Chicago, and the first great railroad from the east entered
that city, then containing from 8,000 to 10,000 inhabitants, hardly as
large as Detroit at the same time.

The sale of the Central road to the corporation and the resulting
construction of the road, gave great impulse to the progress of both the
city and State. The Southern was sold and also constructed through
to Chicago.

The Detroit and Pontiac railroad was chartered in 1834 to build a
road between Detroit and Pontiac. It was undertaken with inadequate
means, and it was many years, even, before it reached Pontiac. It
originally came into the city on the north side of the Campus Martius,
where the Detroit opera house now stands. In 1850 it was authorized
to extend to the river, and also to extend through Pontiac and
connect with the Oakland and Ottawa road, which, when built, was to
extend to Lake Michigan. This plan was carried through, and the two
roads consolidated constitute the present Detroit, Grand Haven and
Milwaukee railroad.

RAILROAD HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 295

A charter had been passed by the legislature for the construction of
a railroad from Detroit to Toledo at the session of 1846, to be called
the Detroit and Monroe railroad, and some efforts were made to build it,
but all failed, and the charter by its limitations expired. In 1855 the
first general railroad law was enacted, and under it the Detroit, Monroe
and Toledo Railroad Company was organized in the same year, and the
road constructed by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern stockholders
in the interest of that company, which now is in control of the Lake
Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad Company.

It is a valuable piece of the property of that prosperous company.
Now came on a panic and but little was done in the way of building
railroads for several years.

In 1871 the Detroit and Lansing railroad was organized under the
general law and was built through to Lansing. It was afterwards, in
1876, consolidated with the Ionia and Lansing, and now constitutes the
Detroit, Lansing and Northern railroad. It is an important and valuable
road to both city and county.

In 1871 the Detroit and Bay City was organized, and quickly built
through to both Saginaw and Bay City, and now constitutes a portion
of the line from Detroit to Mackinac. These two roads were built
largely by those interested in the Michigan Central Company.

About the time of the construction of these two roads, or perhaps
earlier, the Canada Southern, and Chicago and Canada Southern had
been undertaken by capitalists living in New York, with the purpose
of erecting a shorter line between Chicago and Buffalo, as well as one
of the easiest grades to cross the Detroit river at Grosse Isle. The
enterprise proved a failure and the company became bankrupt.

The whole plan fell through. The Chicago and Canada Southern
being partly built from Trenton west, was extended from Trenton to
Detroit, and subsequently from Trenton to Toledo, and became the
property of the Michigan Central Company.

The Canada Southern, also in Canada, having been insolvent for
some years, was acquired by the Michigan Central and extended from
Essex Center, in Canada, to Detroit, and now constitutes a part of the
through line of the Michigan Central from Chicago to Buffalo, all the
business crossing the river at Detroit.

Next to the Michigan Central the most important road for Detroit for
many years was the Great Western of Canada, extending from Windsor,
opposite Detroit, to Niagara Falls.

The Michigan Central had been completed to Chicago, and had been

296 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

in operation several years before the Great Western was undertaken.
There was no road through Canada.

The travel and business was across Lake Erie on magnificent steam-
ers, constituting the Michigan Central line between Detroit and
Buffalo. A splendid line of boats, and constituting a most pleasant as
well as magnificent mode and route for both pleasure and business.

The Great Western Railroad Company owed its origin to the Michi-
gan Central Company. The men at the head of the latter company
were its promoters. They enlisted with them the New York Central
Company, and started into life the interest of Canada all along the line
of the proposed road, and at Detroit. By the united strength of all, the
required life was given to the enterprise, and the road was built, though
with immense difficulty and effort. It was the first road built in
Canada. It was injured by the alliance of the Michigan Central with
the Canada Southern, and finally fell into the control of the Grand
Trunk, of which system it is now a part, and is known only as Grand
Trunk.

The Detroit and Port Huron branch of the Grand Trunk road was
built entirely by this company in about 1855, and was for many years
its main line for all through business connecting with the Michigan
Central Road at West Detroit, and for many years all the large busi-
ness of the Grand Trunk to and from the west was done by that road.
It is now reduced to a mere local road by the extension of the Grand
Trunk connections to Chicago.

The Detroit, Butler and St. Louis Railroad, extending from Detroit
to Butler in Indiana, was undertaken in 1880 by public spirited citizens
of Detroit to connect the Wabash Railroad with the city of Detroit.

It was undertaken after all means had failed to bring that great sys-
tem to Detroit. Negotiations had been had to use one of the lines
between Detroit and Toledo, and obtain the connection that way, but
it was found impossible to accomplish it, and no other way remained
but to build a new road. As above stated, it was undertaken by citi-
zens of Detroit, and finally the road was completed in 1881. At Butler
it connected with the Wabash, making a very straight line by that
road to St. Louis, and opened the southwest, Indiana, Illinois and
Missouri to the business of Detroit, and brings largely the productions
of those fertile states to and through Detroit.

The last of the railroads connecting with Detroit has been the
Canadian Pacific. It is another road from Detroit to all the eastern
centers of the Dominion of Canada, and all the eastern states of the
United States. It is destined to become one of the great through

RAILROAD HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 297

routes of the country, connecting as it does at Detroit with both Chi-
cago and St. Louis railroads, and by them reaching the whole west and
northwest of this country.

The condition of several of the roads connecting with Detroit has
made necessary many depots and stations for their accommodation. To
accomplish their establishment and construction, several of the citizens
of Detroit have united together and established at first the Detroit
Union Railroad Depot and Station Company, and constructed it with a
connecting railroad through the western section of the city to the
Wabash and other railroads there, and have also brought about the
establishment of the Fort Street Union Depot Company, principally as
a passenger station. This brings the roads nearer to the center of
the city and furnishes as convenient a passenger station as is perhaps
possible. These depot and station establishments are as important,
perhaps, to promote the convenience of the public, as any public
improvement which has been undertaken at Detroit, save the sale of
the Central railroad to the company now owning it.

In looking back over the progress of many years of the State and
city in prosperity, the transfer of the Central road to the present com-
pany must be considered the most effective in its influence upon the
prosperity of the whole State as well as of the city. It was a strong
company. The influence of the company upon property was immediate
and has been constant. Its strength has been felt in the construction
of many other railroads, lateral and otherwise, extending largely over
the State, and always tending to bring the benefit of all its connections
to the city. While contributing greatly and immensly to the interests
of the whole State, it has equally been the largest factor in the prog-
ress and prosperity of the city of Detroit. Each new enterprise has
done much, and all of them in the aggregate have contributed to carry
forward the State from its bankrupt condition to its present state
of prosperity and wealth, and build up the present large and prosper-
ous Detroit. While, therefore, all have been valuable, the Michigan
Central has been always easily the most important factor in the State's
prosperity.

JAMES F. JOY TELLS HOW HE WENT INTO THE RAILROAD BUSINESS.
[Published in the Detroit Free Press, May 1, 1892.]

Discoursing with Mr. James F. Joy on early railroading in the west,
apropos of the recent publication in the Free Press of the experience
of Mr. A. B. Priest as a locomotive engineer for forty-six years and of
38

298 ANNUAL, MEETING, 1893.

Mr. Samuel Skelding as a conductor for a somewhat longer period, Mr.
Joy was requested to relate how he came to engage in railroad work.

" In the summer of 1845," said Mr. Joy, " Mr. John W. Brooks paid
a visit to Detroit, bringing letters to me from friends in New England.
He came to the office of Joy & Porter, and after several conversations
upon the subject of the Michigan Central railroad, I unfortunately took
the step which led me away from the practice of the noble profession
of law to become a railroad man."

Mr. Joy's eyes twinkled as he made this remark, and he laughed
quietly as his interlocutor looked at him in some surprise. " Without
judging from your standpoint about that, Mr. Joy, I should say that it
was a fortunate thing for Detroit and Michigan — for the rest of us —
that you took that step."

<llt was that circumstance of meeting with Mr. Brooks," continued
Mr. Joy, " which engaged me in railroad work and took me into such
enterprises deeper and deeper until they engrossed my whole time.
Perhaps if we look further back it may have been some articles which
I published in the Detroit papers quite a while before this, advocating
the selling of the railroads then owned and operated by the State. If
you will look into the old files you will find several letters on this
subject written by me, a long time before the visit of Mr. Brooks to
the office of Joy & Porter in 1845, and without any thought of
having personally any part in the matter except as a citizen favoring
a sound and proper policy for the State government.

" You must understand that at this time the State of Michigan was
in extreme financial difficulties. It was overburdened with liabilities
and there was no money in the treasury. It could not meet the interest
on the public debt and there was serious action taken looking to the
repudiation of the State's bonded indebtedness. In fact in financial
circles we were looked upon as dishonest, and Michigan was charged
with being a State repudiating its debts. A kind of state treasury
note known as ' scrip ' circulated hazardously at a woeful discount.
That was all the money within the State's resources. The railroads
owned by the State were terribly dilapidated affairs. The rails were of
flat bars, worn and broken into short lengths of a few feet or yards,
and everything was getting worse and no prospects for improvement.

" I will tell you how the State became involved. I knew of it from
the beginning. It started in 1834-35. I was in Augustus Porter's law
office. The men who were influential in public affairs were in the
habit of coming to the office to talk upon subjects relating to the
welfare of the infant State. I heard their discussions and knew of

RAILROAD HISTORY OP MICHIGAN. 299

their projects. Stevens T. Mason was Governor — young, impulsive,
gallant and progressive — and public improvements were concluded to be
a most necessary thing. A proposition was brought before the Legis-
lature to borrow $5,000,000 for this purpose. It was earnestly dis-
cussed. The Legislature held its meetings in the old capitol, in the
building now somewhat transformed and used by the Detroit high
school. I remember in particular the earnestness of Representative
Elisha Ely of Allegan, a member in 1835, '36, and '37, quite an old
man then, with a young wife, whose vigorous speech favoring internal
improvements brought down the House.

" The loan carried and Gov. Mason and Theodore Romeyn were
appointed a committee to negotiate it. They went to New York and
saw the officers of the United States bank. That institution was then
experiencing the stress of adverse weather. It was toward the close of
Gen. Jackson's administration and it was his policy to abolish the
bank. The officers of the bank therefore told the Michigan envoys
that they could not take the loan, but they would recommend them to
the Morris Canal and Banking Company.

" The Morris Canal and Banking Company was a New Jersey insti-
tution, and an arrangement was soon made with them to loan the
money to the State of Michigan. The terms were not at all favorable,
but they were the best that could be had at the time. Mason was
not a good business man, but he was honest. He turned over to the
New Jersey company bonds to the amount of $5,000,000 and received
as cash in hand between $400,000 and $500,000. I do not now remem-
ber the exact sum, but this amount was given in new bills issued by
the Morris Canal and Banking Company. As I said, Mason handed
over all the bonds; Romeyn should have known better. In exchange
they received a trunk full of the new bills, amounting to $500,000, or
near that sum, and came on to Detroit with the money. It was the
first installment on the loan, and the rest was to be forthcoming later.

" The New Jersey men had placed a private mark on each bank note.
Their object was to see how long the bills would remain in circulation
in the western country, then considered to be so remote, before they
would come back to the bank for redemption! Mr. Romeyn did not
know of the private mark on the bills.

" The trunk and its contents were taken to the Michigan State Bank
of which Mr. Norton was then the cashier. The money was recounted
and, to the consternation of everybody, found to be $5,000 short. A
singular thing was that the missing $5,000 was not taken in complete
packages, but bills were extracted here and there from the different

300 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

packages of the trunk. Probably this careful selection was done with
the idea of avoiding the risk of tracing bank notes consecutively num-
bered. At any rate, bills were missing from the several packages, and
the amount was $5,000.

" There was a great ado over this discovery. Gov. Mason was greatly
distressed about it. He finally concluded not to pay out any of the
money. The trunk full of new bills continued to remain sealed and
undisturbed in the custody of the Michigan State Bank. It was said
that the Governor met Mr. Komeyn on the street and pointedly
remarked to him: 'Bomeyn, they say either you or I stole that $5,000.
I will take my oath that I did not steal it.' One day, quite a while
later, the missing money was returned through the mail, the package
bearing the stamp of the postoffice at Cleveland, O. The deficiency
being thus made good, the State was ready to make a beginning on its
work of internal improvements, and had a little money to start on.

" Before all the five millions were paid over — I think, in fact, before
as much as two millions were paid over — the United States Bank had
failed, the Morris Canal and Banking Company had failed, and over
$5,000,000 of bonds had been sent to Europe to satisfy creditors of
those institutions over there. Michigan was called upon to pay inter-
est and principal on five millions of dollars, and had realized much
less than half that amount from the loan. The State had been cheated,
and this fact, of course, gave rise to the indignation and complaint of
citizens, the danger of repudiation, and troubles legislative, political
and financial, which made us very unhappy for a long time. The end
of it was, after years of disagreement, a compromise; the State
redeeming principal and interest at the rate of $483.89 for each $1,000
bond that it recognized as valid, which goes to show that it had not
realized much more than forty per cent of the whole loan.

"This loan, this $5,000,000, which amounted as a definite sum, paid into
the State, to probably not more than $2,000,000, was to be used to con-
struct three railroads across this peninsula and one canal. One rail-
road was to start from Monroe— the southern road; one was to start
from Detroit — the central road; and one was to start from Port Huron
—the northern road. The canal was to begin at Mt. Clemens, and by
utilizing the Clinton river and lakes and streams which might serve as
feeders, connect with the Grand river, and reach a water outlet at Lake
Michigan. Some money — a good deal of money for those days — was
expended on all of these projects. The Central railroad was by far the
most advanced in construction of them all, the day John W. Brooks
came into Joy & Porter's office. It was the chief trunk line of the

RAILROAD HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 301

State. It extended to Marshall. The Southern road was finished after
a fashion as far as Hillsdale.

"John W. Brooks was then about 27 years old, a man of great
energy and ability, of ideas and industry, educated as a civil engineer
and at this time was the superintendent of the Syracuse and Rochester
railroad. This road, now known as the 'old road' of the New York
Central, ran from Syracuse via Auburn and Canandaigua to Rochester.
Previous to this, at the age of 25, Brooks had worked on the con-
struction of the Boston and Maine railroad as assistant chief engineer.
When that railroad was completed and no other work of that kind
offered, he went to the lumber woods of Maine and was energetically
applying himself there when he was called to take charge of the road
in New York. As the superintendent of this line, he soon came to have
a knowledge of the growing west and the sources of traffic for his rail-
road. Besides, he wanted to engage in some great enterprise. My
letters to the newspapers satisfied him that the State would never
complete the Central railroad to a port on Lake Michigan, and being
ambitious to do this work he came to Detroit to look over the ground
and confer with me. I consented to act with him, drew a charter for
the railroad company and was to endeavor to get the legislature to
authorize the sale of the road. Brooks, already having some conditional
or partial assurances of backing from capitalists at Boston, was to pro-
ceed to organize a company to purchase the road, complete it and
operate it.

" The legislature met in December. The strongest opposition imagin-
able was aroused against the bill to sell the Central railroad to a
chartered company. The opposition was incited by the jealousies of
Monroe and the counties on the route of the Southern road and by
Port Huron and the friends of the Northern railroad, and it was urged
that if the State abandoned the Central to a private company, the
other roads would be crippled, neglected and destroyed. It took until
about the last day of the session to pass the bill. When it had
passed the Monroe people hastened to have a similar measure adopted
for the Southern road. Elisha C. Litchfield, of Detroit, supported by
John Stryker, a capitalist of Rome, N. Y.', undertook to form a
company for the Southern road and succeeded after much difficulty
and delay.

"The charter of the Michigan Central provided that the company
should pay the State $2,000,000 for the road; $500,000 within six
months, and $1,500,000 in twelve months after that, with interest at 6
per cent. A new trouble arose among the capitalists. Many of those

302 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

who had provisionally decided to go into the company, refused when
it came to the pinch, but offered their good will. The terms of our
charter were not enticing, and it was only by great effort and at the
last moment that the company was solidly organized and the money
paid in.

"John M. Forbes was the first president, continuing as such for
many years. He was a tea merchant who had amassed a fortune in
Hong Kong and had invested much of it as a partner in Russell &
Co., bankers and brokers of Boston. John E. Thayer, one of the lead-
ing bankers of Boston, came in; John C. Green, a China merchant;
George Griswold; also, Erastus Corning, a great iron merchant of
Albany, and D. A. Neal. This was in 1846. William Sturges, whose
great wealth had been acquired in the fur trade, and Alexander
Duncan, a New York banker, backed out.

"We went to work, Mr. Brooks as general superintendent, and in
two years had the road completed to New Buffalo. A slip, something
like our ferry landings at Detroit, was constructed in the harbor there,
and small steamers ran across the lake to Chicago in connection with
the railroad. Capt. E. B. Ward, some years before the time I speak
of, had solicited my assistance in forming a company to build a small
steamer for the St. Clair river trade. As I knew nothing of the
steamboat business I did not engage with Capt. Ward. He went on
and built his boat at a cost of $11,000, monopolized the trade between
Detroit and Port Huron, and soon made enough to build the Champion,
one of the boats that afterward connected our line with Chicago. Capt.
Ward also provided two steamers for the Lake Erie connection and
the company provided one, the Mayflower. Mr. Brooks found a field
large enough to take up his best energies, and was happy.

"As we were getting along toward the Lake Michigan terminus, it
came upon us by degrees that the water route was only an expedient
and that it would be necessary in the end to lay our rails into Chicago.
The Southern company was languishing at this time and we might
have bought them out for a small sum. Mr. Brooks and I went to
New York to secure the approval of the company. They refused to
accept the proposition," said Mr. Joy, with a manifestation of his
surprise, which, no doubt, the course of events since that proposal was
made has amply justified.

" The Michigan Southern could get no suitable port on Lake Mich-
igan unless it was St. Joseph, and this was not satisfactory to them.
Their charter required them to go through Niles. For our part we
wished to go through Indiana, but could obtain no charter in that

RAILROAD HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 303

state. A railroad had been chartered by the Indiana legislature to run
across the northern counties of the state — taking in Laporte, South
Bend, etc., and it was known as the Northern Indiana. Nothing had
been done on this road arid in the year 1848 I negotiated with the
Northern Indiana company for the purchase of its charter for $50,000.

" I was well satisfied with this purchase and so was Mr. Brooks. He
wrote me a letter commending it, using all the obvious arguments for
an all-rail route to Chicago, and closed with a prediction that in
twenty years Chicago would have a population of 200,000 people. I
hastened to New York and saw President Forbes and the directors.
The matter apparently received favorable consideration until that
portion of Brooks' letter was reached prophesying 200,000 people for
Chicago in 1868 and the prospects of traffic with such a city. That
unfortunate prediction spoiled the bargain. I remember distinctly the
incredulous attitude of the directors. They were undoubtedly the
foremost business men of their day — the men engaged in the largest
enterprises, and they scoffed at this prediction. They looked upon the
man who made it as visionary, so lacking in judgment that they would
not pin their faith upon him. Therefore they rejected the proposition
to acquire the Northern Indiana for $50,000, and we continued to make
connections with Chicago by boat across the lake. .

"The Michigan Southern people stepped in, and when it was offered
them bought the charter of the Northern Indiana, and commenced to
lay rails through that state from White Pigeon to Elkhart through for
Chicago. To retrieve the Michigan Central, I went to Indianapolis
and labored with the Indiana legislature for a charter to cross the
state. The Michigan Southern people fought me. I retaliated in the
Michigan legislature against them for their failure to run to Niles, as
provided in their charter. Stopping at White Pigeon was a long way
short of Niles. They called upon the Northern Indiana towns — Elkhart,
Laporte, South Bend, Goshen — for reinforcements. Schuyler Colfax,
afterwards vice president of the United States, joined with them. I
could not get my charter through. At last we agreed, both sides, to
leave Indianapolis and stop the fight.

" The Indiana legislature had chartered a road called the New Albany
and Salem to build a north and south line. The road had a few miles
constructed on its southern end. Before I left Indianapolis these
people came to me and suggested that I could use their charter. I
examined it and found that by inserting certain amendments, author-
izing the company to extend its line to a point or points off from the
main line, to locate any section of its road that it might find expedient,

304 ANNUAL MEETING, 1893.

and to build first any section that it might choose — in short a roving
charter — that then the Michigan Central conld avail itself of it.

"I left Indianapolis, the other side did the same. The New Albany
and Salem charter amendments passed without objection. That company
laid out a section of their line from Michigan City, on the Michigan
border, to the Illinois line. The Michigan Central Company effected a
perpetual lease of this charter for the sum of $500,000, and other
engagements in the nature of a mortgage. It was a large price, but
there was no help for it.

"I went east the second time within a year with this patched up
charter to get across the State of Indiana. President Forbes did not
think it was sufficient, and I could not convince him that it was. He
sent for Judge Benj. K. Curtis, of Massachusetts, a great lawyer,
afterwards of the United States supreme court — the one who wrote
the famous opinion of the minority of that court in the Dred Scott
case — he sent for Judge Curtis and asked his counsel, Judge Curtis
unhesitatingly agreed with me. Mr. Forbes and the directors at once
accepted the charter and ratified the bargain at $500,000.

"Being now free to build our line across Indiana, I said to Presi-
dent Forbes that $500,000 was a high rate of interest to pay for
$50,000.

"He said that it undoubtedly was but that he could now easier pay
$500,000 than he could have paid the $50,000 when that proposal
came up.

"Our next trouble was to get across the state of Illinois. I spent
time at Springfield, trying for a charter that would give us this
privilege. Although I was ably assisted by Abraham Lincoln, I did
not succeed in my efforts. The assistance of the future President
Lincoln availed not as much for our interests in Illinois as the opposi-
tion of the future Vice President Colfax availed against them in
Indiana.

"The difficulty was met by diverting the route of the Illinois
Central, a duly chartered north and south line, by allowing it to come
over to the Indiana border, and thence into Chicago. This was
effected by an amendment to the charter. An agreement was made by
the Michigan Central for the use of its right of way, and the joint
purchase and occupancy of depot grounds in Chicago. That is how it
comes about that these two roads have joined together in all their
improvements at Chicago, and that is briefly the story of a long and
bitterly contested struggle to get the Michigan Central into Chicago.'*

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 305

BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

BY HON. GEO. C. BATES.
[Published in the Detroit Free Press in 1877-8.]

No. I.
BACK THROUGH THE MISTS OF FORTY YEARS.

" Old times have gone; old manners changed." — Scott.

Having been for many years a cosmopolitan and a " coast" man, as all
inhabitants of that region lying west of the Missouri river style them-
selves, on the hypothesis that " The Pacific Coast " reaches clear over
to the big muddy.

I long since learned that two meals each day are much more health-
ful and better, and that neither man nor beast can work well on a full
stomach; so I put away as far as possible all dinners at midday, and
taking a light lunch, dine only when the day's work is over. When-
ever the merchants, bankers, business men and professionals adopt this
rule, and work by it, they will find they can do much more labor from
10 a. m., to 4 p. m., than by a break of two hours in midday, and
that the thousands of people who come in on the morning trains to
business and return in the evening will be much better accommodated
than by their present mode of business. Courts especially that sit
from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m., with a ten minute's recess at 1 o'clock can
dispatch more business in one day than in three with a recess of two
hours.

Looking for a light lunch at 1 p. m. yesterday, I saw at the corner
or angle of Griswold and Fort streets the word •" Restaurant " in large
letters, and in I rushed for a cup of caf£ au lait and a sandwich; and as
I sat there and looked through the rain over that splendid city hall;
that exquisite monument to the bravery and blood of Michigan's sons
who died on the land and sea during the war; around over the
Russell House, with its staring array cf windows and blinds and
listened to the clattering of the street cars and merry tinkling of their
39

306 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

bells; and saw all around in every direction the great magazines, ware-
houses and shops of commerce of 125,000 people, memory, bright as
the morning's sunlight, carried me back to the by-gones of

THIS VEEY SPOT FORTY YEARS AGO.

Sipping my coffee, the scene changed, and I saw in my mind's eye
on this identical location including that occupied by the city hall, the
old Baptist church and all of this high ground or knoll, a herd of
wearied cows, muddy and worn out by long travel, stretched here and
there, just brought from Ohio by Mr. Wight for his milk ranch below
town, he then being a hale, hearty, middle aged man, engaged in the
milk business, while today he is a retired man of wealth, slowly pass-
ing away, and shut out from all the glories and beauties of this great
handiwork of God. Between that herd of cattle and the old capitol,
now that beautiful union school house, not one single building was
erected, either on Griswold street or Michigan avenue; but a long nar-
row plank walk over the green sward (for it was May, 1833), to the
capitol, where the "Supreme Court of the Territory of Michigan" was
then in session, was the sole isthmus that connected Detroit with that
beautiful suburb.

At the same time (1833) on the west side of Woodward avenue, just
below Woodbridge street, stood a low, two story, old-fashioned, wooden
building, probably over fifty years old, standing perhaps ten feet back
from the avenue, with a steep roof, dormer windows, and a huge brass
knocker on the door, on w.hich was cut in deep letters "James Abbott."
" The latch string of the old door was always on the outside," for there
lived for many a long year one of Detroit's most active and successful
old-fashioned merchants, a man of figures and of wealth, a sturdy
descendent of an English family, born in Montreal about the year 1791,
who, in the "fur trade," in commission business and supplying the
military posts of Michigan and the Northwest, had accumulated a very
large estate, for he owned nearly half of that whole block, and who
always maintained to his death the character of the fine old English
gentleman, "all of ye olden time," and who amidst a long life of
business entertained with true baronial hospitality all who made his
acquaintance and sought society under his roof.

In those days the merchant princes of Detroit, and Mr. Abbott
especially, lived in small, snug, cosy houses, richly furnished with real
mahogany table spread with solid silver and the finest linen; cellars
full of pure old brandy, Jamaica rum, London port, luscious Maderia,
and sherries that would make the blood dance in one's veins; and the

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 307

richer they grew the more hospitable they became, the more they
entertained with elegant dinners. After business was over splendid
suppers and dancing parties were the order almost every evening, after
navigation was closed until the next summer came.

No better representative home of Detroit, fifty years ago, could be
found than that of James Abbott, on Woodward avenue, and he
himself, his genial, jolly wife, his beautiful daughter Sarah, too soon
to die, A ant Cad Whistler, an antique sister of Mr. Abbott, the most
graceful dancer and waltzer then in Detroit, his then two roystering
wild sons, Madison and Bill Abbott, who sometimes in grand frolic
rode their horses up into the old Mansion House and drank julep and
toddy with Jack Smith from the counter there. All these grouped
in a photographic gallery would tell the story of " By-gones of
Detroit."

But commerce had increased. The old steamers Niagara, Clay,
Sheldon Thompson, had given way to the New York, the Michigan,
and such floating palaces. The docks were crowded in summer with
vessels and Judge Abbott found that he must move away from the
busy, crowded port of Detroit to a quiet retreat in the country remote
from all business, and so he built the then elegant home in which I was
now sitting taking my lunch. At that time, except the homes of John
Palmer and James Williams, directly opposite and where the Moffat
block now stands, and a small, old, wooden building at the rear of
what was the Baptist church, then occupied by Mason Palmer and
Mechanics' Hall, then a small, rickety old shanty, there were no build-
ings in the neighborhood, and when his new home was completed Judge
Abbott flattered himself that he was forever outside of and beyond the
reach of business wants, or business property; that in future years
there he and his children and his children's children could have a
quiet country home, where in peace and quiet they could live and die.
Of the house itself, it may be said that, when finished, it was one of
the most substantial, costly and elegant buildings in Detroit.

"Now stands it there; and none so poor, so low as do it reverence."

But the house was finished, the grass plat prepared, and the rose
bush transplanted from the old home, and with true old-fashioned
hospitality there must be a "house warming," and so invitations,
written in Mr. Abbott's round English hand, bespeaking order, firmness,
health, and true nobility, were sent to all the elite of Detroit to come
and help dedicate that home to comfort, enjoyment, pleasure, and
hospitality. And they came. As I looked into my coffee cup, nearly

308 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

drained, and closed my eyes to the present, memory and fancy, blessed
gifts to man, gave me back that brilliant scene and replaced it in those
then large parlors, dining rooms, chambers, and ante-rooms, long since
gone, never, never to return.

There stood Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, two sturdy specimens of the old
English and French Canadian stock, most richly and elegantly dressed;
not in the Parisian styles, but in the true English mode; poor Sarah
Abbott, such a beauty! Miss Whistler as an aid-de-camp, waiting to
receive their guests, who came to exclaim from their very heart of
hearts, " Peace be upon this house and all beneath it," and who were
welcomed without ostentation or ceremony, but with true old-fashioned
western hospitality. There was Gen. Hugh Brady, one of the noblest,
bravest, truest soldiers that ever trod with undaunted .step the field of
battle, in full uniform, with his staff; Gen. Frank Larned, with hi&
suave and elegant address; Capt. Backus, the son-in-law of Gen. Brady;
ex-Gov. Thompson Mason, Gov. Woodbridge, B. F. H. Witherell,
Augustus S. Porter, Judge Goodwin and a large number of the old
lawyers of Detroit, always ready for a big fee, a frolic, a flirtation.

Major Bob Forsyth, a superb, elegant paymaster, United States army,
Pierre Desnoyers, Chas. Moran, Chancellor Farnsworth, Edmund Brush,
all in complete uniform; Charles C. Trowbridge, John A. Wells, aye,
all the men and women of that day, full of life, hope, joyous, generous,
fraternal, hospitable, were gathered there and then; and the feast of
viands, of music, and of joy, and of wine went merrily on. Such a
supper of elk steaks, roast venison, prairie chicken, buffalo tongues and
beavers' tails, was never excelled in Detroit; and the claret, and sherry,
and Madeira flowed like water, while Jamaica toddies, apple toddies,
egg nogg, Canadian shrub, and hot Scotch and Monongahela whisky
punches came and went, until the long and joyous feast was over; and
even now, here, as memory brings back the aroma of that old Jamaica
toddy and Monongahela whisky, my red ribbon trembles with the
pleasant memory of long time ago.

. But the lights are gone, the music has passed away and nearly all
that gay and happy crowd sleep the last sleep in Elmwood, and here
I sit alone a stranger, with not one single familiar face today to beckon
me beside it, not one friendly hand to bid me to that table where so
long ago I was a welcome guest. Such is life. Thompson Mason,
Gov. Woodbridge, Gens. Brady and Larned, and Forsyth and Kercheval,
and Moran and Witherell, and Farnsworth and Berrien, and Brush,
where are they ? And of all this crowd around ' these tables in this
restaurant, what one single person either knows or cares that they,

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 309

these gentlemen and ladies of "by-gone times" were ever here. Pink-
ney, the very greatest and most eloquent lawyer of the Union, said
that " Time, which changes all things, changes man more than all
other things," and it is true.

And here in the Detroit of today, with its broad streets, beautiful
river, magnificent railways, immense and growing commerce, we find
that all is changed, and that, though wealth has increased by millions,
business of all kinds outgrown the hopes of the most sanguine, that,
while there are more churches, more schools, more banks, more business
places, yet that in elegant hospitalities, true fraternity, kindness of
heart, and the practice of Christ's most beautiful command, "Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," the by-gones were the truest and
the best. My coffee was ended, my sandwich disposed of, and as I
turned from the doors of the restaurant I felt as the dove did when
first coming from the ark, it found no resting place for its foot, but I
offered up a heartfelt prayer for the spirits of our departed friends,
and for all who joined in that house warming long, long time ago of
the Detroit restaurant.

No. II.

THE FIRST STATE ELECTION.
"Memory is the purveyor of reason." — Johnson.

"Why seeks he, with unwearied toil,
Through death's dim walks to urge his way,

Redeem his long asserted spoil,

And lead oblivion into day?"— Old Mortality.

Forty years ago, just about these days, as the almanacs say, or used
to say, the old democratic and whig parties of Michigan had sounded
their respective bugle calls to action, and our people, then a State not
yet admitted into the Union, were summoned for the first time to elect
their State and county officers in the November election of 1837. That
was the beginning of the political existence of this "Amcenam Penin-
sulani" now one of the finest, richest, purest, noblest and best states
of our grand old Union; and I was there at its birth, God bless it!
Today it counts a million and a half of inhabitants, then it had in the
entire peninsula not more than sixty thousand people. Today its
wealth may be counted by hundreds of millions, then like a new born

310 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

child it had nothing to cover its nakedness. Today its commerce-
sweeps over the great lakes, whizzes over a thousand railways, and
whitens all seas, then a few old steamboats, a dozen sail vessels and
scows, and flats transported all its products.

Now its golden harvests will yield nearly twenty millions, then we-
brought from Ohio and New York the bread we ate. Today our cattle-
and flocks roam over ten thousand miles, then Ruckminster Wight and
a few pioneers furnished us with herds of cattle brought from Ohio,,
and droves of sheep from Ontario and Genesee in New York. Then I
could count the humble school houses of Michigan on my fingers*
twice told, today they, rise in architectural beauty in almost every
square mile of the State. Then here and there plain and unadorned
houses dedicated to God told of our religious culture, today temples-
gorgeous and beautiful in architecture, grand and sublime in style and
ornamentation, costing millions of money, point their gothic spires
from every city, town, village and hamlet upwards toward God's throne
and thus proclaim to the world, that moral and Christian education
go hand in hand with commerce, science and art; while a university r
outnumbering in its pupils those of Cambridge and Oxford and
Gottingen, where every branch of learning, of science, and of art, is-
thoroughly taught by professors, savants, and scientists, the peers of
the wisest and best, gives evidence that all the sons and daughters of
the State, now in its youth and beauty, are bountifully supplied with
the means requisite to make them all educated gentlemen and ladies.

But of all this, "More anon, sir."

Now we have to stop a moment to look on a picture, crude but
truthful, not ideal but realistic, of the first State election ever held in
Detroit or the State. The harvest then, as now, was just over, the
month of August nearly gone.

When the gallant whigs were invited to meet in State convention
at Ann Arbor, there to nominate candidates for governor and State
officers, to be voted for on the first Tuesday of the coming November,
the democrats, in response to a call of their central committee, David
C. McKinstry, John Norvell, Lucius Lyon, Marshall I. Bacon and
Henry Newberry had taken time by the forelock, and determined to
carry the State at all hazzards; had already nominated Stevens T.
Mason for governor and Edward Mundy for lieutenant governor, and
with that most popular ticket had thrown down their gauntlet of defi-
ance, and under such a splendid leader as young Mason bade their
enemies to combat. I need not say to the old citizens of Detroit that
young Mason, just now twenty-one years of age, was the beauideal of

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 311

the democratic party, the cynosure of all eyes, for he was as fine a
specimen of a young Kentucky blood as ever stood on earth. Hand-
some almost as that father whom the Swedish authoress on her visit
here pronounced " the most elegant American gentleman she had ever
met;" his manners were courtly and lordly, his hospitality boundless;
with talents polished, but not of the first rank in oratory; graceful,
captivating, and majestic; a voice uncommonly sonorous, sweet and
musical; a face as handsome, but more robust than Edwin Booth;
manner free and easy, hail fellow well met with all men. Tom Mason
was the very impersonation of the young democracy of Jackson's time.
And there was something in the warm grip of his hand and the jolly
"How are you?" that was worth a thousand votes in every precinct
where the ballot box was open.

Bear in mind that in the fall before (1836), Van Buren had been
elected General Jackson's successor, and that really "Old Hickory's" will
and power and influence still ruled and governed with an iron hand,
while the grand old whig party had for its chieftains brave Harry of
the west, that splendid, gallant, eloquent, and fiery son of Kentucky;
Daniel Webster, the very greatest and ablest of all American states-
men; Willie P. Mangum, of North Carolina; John N. Berrien, of
Georgia; Nat Talmadge and Wm. H. Seward, of New York; Freling-
huysen, of New Jersey, et id omne genus. Party spirit on both sides
was at a perfect white heat, where no quarter on either side was asked
or given, and we cannot appreciate the importance of the first great
canvass in the new State of Michigan.

Well, we met in the old court house in Ann Arbor, just now about to
give way to a more imposing structure, and two days were occupied in
making the journey via Plymouth Corners, where we passed our first
night, and were there joined by Ebenezer Penniman and others, for
Plymouth was the only whig town in Wayne county, and on the next
day, after patriotic resolutions, earnest and eloquent speeches by Jacob
M. Howard, Hezekiah G. Wells, James Wright Gordon, and others, the
convention nominated unanimously Charles C. Trowbridge, of Wayne,
for governor, and Nathaniel I. Bacon, of Monroe, as lieutenant gov-
ernor, two of the oldest citizens of Michigan, two men who had done
as much and contributed as much to the rise, progress and growth of
the territory as any two men ever living within its boundary. Of all
those nominees at that election Charles C. Trowbridge alone survives,
and his life and labors are so interwoven with the conception, birth,
infancy, youth, manhood, wealth, and greatness of our State that they
deserve a special mention in some future sketch. It is enough now to

312 BY GONES OF DETROIT.

say that as cashier and president of the old Bank of Michigan, as
secretary to Governor Cass, so early as 1820-22, as one of the vestry-
men and founders of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Detroit, as
manager of the Detroit and Milwaukee railway company, as an accom-
plished gentleman and an old-fashioned, hospitable citizen, he has been
well known all over the lake country for over half a century. On that
August day forty years ago, in that old court house at Ann Arbor, the
writer hereof made his debut as a popular speaker in his maiden effort
in behalf of Trowbridge and Bacon, and his maiden vote was cast at
the election in Detroit, in November of that year, for that ticket ; and
now, after "life's fitful fever is almost over," after battling the match
with the democrats in 1840, 1844, 1848, 1852, and so on down to this
very day, he has never felt any regret for that vote and speech.

And here, in " Abbott's restaurant," where these memories come
with blinding tears as he recalls the fact that almost all that grand'
army of democrats and whigs are sleeping in beautiful Elmwood, he
drinks in silence and alone, in clear, cold water, to " Trowbridge and
Bacon," to Clay and Webster, to Mason and Mundy, to Cass and
Norvell.

But the first election day of Michigan, ]837, has come at last; the
leaves have fallen but we have an old-fashioned Michigan Indian
summer. Those, too, are now gone forever.

Sunday it rained all day, but we worked hard and fast on Monday,
when the sun came out with now and then a shower.

And the streets around the then new city hall, now swept away,
were deep with mud, for the clay streets of Detroit were unpaved and
locomotion was carried on in the common carts of the day, and
pedestrians were always, clad with high top-boots, the pantaloon
strapped under the feet and inside the boot legs. And so the first
Tuesday after the first Monday of November came; and this was the
"day big with the fate of CaB3ar and of Borne," the day that should
determine the political name and character of Michigan, just now born
into the family of states; the rains had ceased but the clouds hung
low, and at early morning the hosts of democrats and whigs were
moving; and the "shrill fife and rattling drum" all over Detroit called
the voters to their respective quarters. But one voting or polling
place then existed for all the voters of this city, and that one was the
city hall, standing half way between the Russell House and the
opposite corner, a very useful but not stylish or tasteful public build-
ing, in which the butchers cut up and sold meats in the market room
on the first floor, while on the upper floor were the courts where the

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 313

lawyers cut up their clients during the term, and in off days it was
used sometimes as a lecture room, always council chamber for aldermen,
a then political club room, and, if I am not mistaken, sometimes on the
sly for masked balls, fancy balls and dances, and such gay amusements,
which even then wer^e rife in the City of the Straits.

It may be that many of the old citizens of Detroit have seen a .long
time ago a picture not altogether like one of Michael Angelo's, but
realistic, truthful and speaking, the outlines of which were taken on
the ground on the election day by young Burnham, of Boston, which
now hangs in the parlor of Mrs. Gen. Williams, formerly Mrs. James
W. Tilman, on Woodward avenue, whose first husband was an earnest
whig, and so long as he lived, treasured the picture of "The By-gones
of Detroit," with care and affection; a picture which ought finally to
pass into the care and custody of the Historical Society of the city,
for it tells a story as truthful and honest of that election as a photo-
graph could do, if such a thing had been.

Let us quietly enter that parlor and see that memorial of the past
election of Michigan. One of the most prominent figures on the right,
in rather heavy coloring, just in front of the city hall, is Col. David
C. McKinstry, then chairman of the democratic central committee, a
giant in size, holding in his right hand a heavy cane, while a broad
brimmed slouch hat drops over his right eye, the deep gray eyes
almost covered and concealed with heavy eye-brows. He was in full
command of the democratic forces, which were brought early on the
ground and gathered around the ballot box and inspectors of election,
who, with the talesmen and challengers of both parties, are grouped in
.the vestibule or deep recess existing in front of the market, but inside
the door. It must be borne in mind that at the time none of us wore
red ribbons and McKinstry, the Tallerand of democracy, who was
always in close communion with his democratic friends, while not a
drunken man by any means, was a free and easy drinker, could carry
on election day even his full quota of inspiration. His right hand is
raised as he gives his orders to Major Stillson, who is mounted on a
splendid charger covered and caparisoned like the circus horse with
which the clown makes his grand entree, while he himself in the
undress uniform of a brigadier general of militia, sits as Jackson did
in quiet command at New Orleans. Stillson was an auctioneer, a
fellow of soldierly bearing, stentorian voice, unblushing effrontery, and
was the very best drill sergeant the democrats ever had in Michigan.
In his hand he carried that glorious banner which caused a thrill then
40

314 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

in every democratic heart. "Stevens T. Mason, for governor; Edward
Mundy, for lieutenant governor." And some hundred or more figures
in double file crowd the picture, representing true as life the bone and
sinew of the party, the rank and file of the democracy of Detroit.

Major Stillson, while listening to the orders of McKinstry, has turned
partly aside to look with pride on his young chief, Stevens T. Mason,
who (this was late in the day), with a hat once shiny and elegant, has
manifestly been in a heavy wet, whose high top-boots covered with
mud, and full dress coat, buttoned at the top with the wrong button,
give him very much the appearance of Mr. Pickwick after the celebrated
dining party with his club. Mr. Norvell, neat as if in the dress of the
senate of the United States, always self-poised and self-possessed,
stands clear down in the corner with self-satisfaction at the democratic
crowd as it rolls on and on, and counting too truly that victory which
was to make Mason governor, himself senator, and send Trowbridge
and his troops back to private life, while Kingsbury, from Maine,
shrieks out: "Three cheers! Three cheers for democracy and Mason!"
In the left hand of the picture the poor whigs, doomed to defeat, are
admirably portrayed; and now, after forty years, as I study that picture
those "by-gones" all return.

Frank Sawyer, a scholar and a good fellow, but a sort of a whig
giraffe, ordinarily very staid and sober, is manifestly now full of
" Trowbridge and reform," and he is shouting loud and long to his
whig comrades to "Hurry up! Come on, fellows, and give your votes,
the day is almost won;" while still further in the background stands
honest Jack Howard, with Webster ian brow but soiled garments and
very dirty boots, as if in a gale at sea, looking his utter contempt at
Stillson, McKinstry and Mason, as if he would and could exterminate
them all, and you can hear him, if you put your ear close to the
picture, as he hisses out these words: "Vagabonds! Hinds! Throw up
your greasy caps, but we will beat you at last." But we did not.

In the very front of the picture, clear outside the crowd, stands the
ship " Constitution." A splendid boat, in full ship's rig, named the
"Constitution," with Captain Bob Wagstaff in the chains, heaving the
lead, and Eugene Watson in the shrouds, like Commodore Farragut
with his speaking trumpet, bawling out: "Whigs, ahoy there! Give
way! Give way, lads, for the Constitution, Trowbridge and Bacon."
In the dim distance Alanson Sheley, John -Owen, and a little further a
crew of sailors are seen in the grand mel6e, which ended the day,
when the democrats rushed on to the polls and were strewn like
autumn leaves, all around by the heavy blows of Bob Wagstaff, Sheley

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 315

and Bill Caverly, the mate of the Michigan, just before the polls were
closed; while the writer hereof in a seedy hat, torn pantaloons and
wearied actions may be seen as a sort of skirmisher, evidently safe
himself, driving up the democrats to the front to be knocked down
by the whigs, who stood backed up against the city hall, and from
whom the war cry came often, from Sheley and Owen especially:
" Give it to them, boys.'"

But the picture fades, the figures have nearly all sunk away into the
grave. "They heed not, they have fought their last battle." Mason
was elected triumphantly. The democrats carried everything, and thus
they held all the offices of the government, and Charles C. Trowbridge
retired from political life.

The curtain rings slowly down and the picture fades gently awayr
while in the dim distance we can read on the headstones of the graves
the names of Mason and Norvell, McKinstry and Howard, Sawyer and
Kingsbury, Wagstaff and Bacon, and nearly all the rest, gone.

No. III.

/
GEN. HUGH BRADY.

No. Ill of " By-gones" is published in Volume 2, page 573, Pioneer
Collections, and consists of a sketch of General Hugh Brady and his
military exploits in the "Toledo and Patriot wars.

No. IV.
THE BRADY GUARDS.

The memories that cluster around Gen. Hugh Brady, naturally
suggest the life and times of the Brady Guards whom the old hero
used to salute as Emperor William does his troops as " my children,"
and no body of men who ever lived in Detroit in those by-gones
deserve a better place in history than does that gallant corps.

The original organization of the Brady Guards grew out of an old

316 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

company called " The Detroit City Guards," which existed so early as
1834 — was commanded by Capt. Charles L. Bull; and was drilled at
times out on the commons, where now stands the city hall, by Col.
Edward Brooks, who had been a gallant soldier under Gen. Jackson, a
Captain of Infantry for many years, and who was a true soldier, a
thorough drill-master, and one of the most humorous and witty
auctioneers that ever knocked down his hammer.

In Judge Campbell's sketches of early days in Michigan, he has told
in his own luminous and classic language the outlines of the history of
the controversy between Ohio and Michigan, touching the southern
boundary of the State, and briefly hinted at that farcial military
uprising called " The Toledo War."

Gov. Mason, who was the hero of that grand epoch in Michigan's
history, was not only a whole-hearted, generous, roystering Virginian,
but under the discipline and influence of John Norvell, afterwards
United States senator, he became a careful, shrewd diplomat; a sort of
sagacious, far-seeing young Richelieu; and when he made up his mind
to resist by force the aggressions of Ohio, backed up by the general
government, it was all-important to enlist under his banner all the
whig element in Michigan; because even then party spirit ran very
high and personal encounters between ardent whigs and zealous dem-
ocrats were becoming very frequent. Well, the leading members of
the bar, the merchants, ship owners, sailors, fur traders, and most of
the business men of Michigan were ardent whigs, and while they
admired Mason and Norvell, they were yet very hostile to the demo-
cratic party and its policy. Thus, while Charles M. Bull was a sturdy
democrat, James A. Armstrong, Jacob M. Howard, Frank Sawyer,
John Talbott, the writer hereof, and nearly all the rank and file of
the "City Guard" were very earnest whigs, and our old drill sergeant,
Edward Brooks, was a very host of whigs in himself.

The time had finally arrived when Governor Mason had determined
to call out the militia of the territory, and with an armed force to
resist the attempt of Ohio to steal away our twelve-mile strip of land
on the south, and it was all important that every Michigan heart
should be fired with zeal to protect the territory, that no division of
party should exist among its sons and that every able bodied man should
come cheerfully to the front. Accordingly, one afternoon in early
September, 1835, the City Guards were called out by executive order
to drill, and at the personal solicitation of Col. Brooks, the whig young
men, Howard, Sawyer, Talbott, and that set went to the commons to
exercise and perfect themselves in the company evolutions. Once there,

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 317

Col. Brooks put us through the school of the soldier — the manual — the
school of the company — the school of the battalion, and after marching
and counter-marching, we were quietly taken to the third story of Capt.
Bull's store, on Jefferson avenue, next adjoining the old Farmers' and
Mechanics' Bank, and then, sentinels being placed at the doors, to
prevent egress or ingress, an executive order was read commanding us
to move on the following morning, with arms and equipments, to Monroe,
and there await orders from Gen. Joseph Brown, who was organizing
troops from Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw and other counties, to take
military possession of the disputed strip of land and hold it by armed
force. Thus the City Guards became a body of forced volunteers, who
went bravely forth to crusade for Michigan in Michigan's Holy Land.

Well, they went, and of "their moving incidents by field and flood"
we shall learn more hereafter, when we come to photograph that Toledo
war, but now we have in hand the old Brady s, that afterwards, in 1839,
completed that organization as an independent military company of
Detroit, with Isaac Kowland as Captain; Edmund Kearsley, First Lieu-
tenant; James A. Armstrong, Second Lieutenant; - Ashley, Third
Lieutenant; John Chester, Orderly Sergeant, and with John Winder,
George E. Hand, Rev. John S. Atterbury, Henry Doty, George Doty,
Peter E. DeMill, Christian H. Buhl, Marshal J. Bacon, and over one
hundred more of such then young gentlemen, as rank and file.

Taking the name of Hugh Brady, and with a superb full-length
portrait of that old hero on their flag, no sooner was it unfurled than
their ranks were filled up with all the spirited young gentlemen of
Detroit, and their reputation and name soon became the theme of
admiration all over the Northwest. With a neat but striking uniform
of cadet grey, trimmed with black and gold, each member soon became
resolved to excel every other member in the style and brilliancy of
his equipments, and with the old-fashioned flint lock muskets and
burnished barrels the strife was constant to excel, and in many
instances from $30 to $50 was expended on these weapons for mahogany
stocks, extra burnishing and scouring, and as the company rapidly grew
in numbers it increased in efficiency, became better and better drilled,
and was an effective command. Capt. Isaac Rowland had been at West
Point .for several years and was a most thorough and efficient officer,
while Edmund Kearsley was a native born soldier, and Gen. Alpheus
S. Williams, a soldier by nature, has since proven on a hundred battle-
fields what a capital soldier he was, even then, by nature; and no
better drill officer, no more painstaking man ever buckled on sword
than James A. Armstrong, while young Ashley, whom we soon buried,

318 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

was an active, zealous, and good officer. His place was filled by John
Chester, one of the most accurate, industrious, and thorough orderly
sergeants, and who combined in himself the attributes of a brave soldier,
a perfect gentleman and a true Christian. Scarcely had the old Bradys
learned the manual of the soldier, the evolutions of the squad, the
section, the company, when real work called them to sturdier duties
under the eyes of Gens. Scott and Brady, by Gens. Worth and Wool
and Col. M. M. Payne, three of the most thorough martinets that ever
drilled troops in any army, and there is not an old Brady today in
Detroit, who, if he heard the command, "Attention! Fall in, company!
Eyes right and dress!" would not instantly take the position of a
soldier, complete his alignment, dress by the right, and obey all the
words of command promptly and soldierly. The military existence of
the Bradys had been short when the incursions of the patriots arrested
the attention of the General, and he, having no regular force at his
command, made a requisition on this corps for services as United
States troops.

The question was taken up, and by the unanimous voice of officers
and men they were mustered into the service of the United States as
United States troops for three months in the fall or early winter of
1836 or 1837, and for three successive years thereafter. By a resolution
of the company it was determined to pool the pay of the men and
officers, and to expend the money in camp equipage, military excursions
and drills; and so they were soon supplied with the very finest camp
equipage in the United States. On the Fourth of July, 1837, they
visited Niagara Falls, encamped with a regiment of infantry called
Williams Light Infantry, from Rochester, on Goat Island, and were
afterward entertained by the city of Buffalo — Captain Taylor being
then mayor — in magnificent style and at a very large expense.

Nor were the citizen soldiers permitted by any means to be carpet
knights or holiday troops or household guards. Just at the close of
navigation in 1836 General Brady was advised that the Patriots were
about to cross from Canada at Port Huron and take possession of the
military stores, arms, cannon, ammunition and munitions of war at Fort
Gratiot. There was not one solitary soldier stationed there, so he made
•a requisition on Captain Rowland, of the Bradys, for a sergeant and five
men to go up to Fort Gratiot, take all the material there and transport
it to Detroit for safety. In response to that order Captain Rowland
detailed Colonel Andrew T. McReynolds, then a sergeant of the Brady
Ouards, with privates Alpheus S. Williams, Charles M. Bull, George
C. Bates, Benjamin B. Moore, and one other, who were dispatched at

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 319

once on board the old steamer Macomb for Port Huron, where they
arrived in safety, after having been frozen in on the flats of St. Glair
for one or more nights. Pursuant to orders they took possession of
Fort Gratiot and commenced loading up cannon, arms, equipments,
small arms and a large quantity of powder in kegs, when the people
of Port Huron rose up as one man and by hundreds insisted " that
they would resist by force the removing of these stores, as they needed
them there for protection against the Patriots themselves." Here was
a situation for our old friend Colonel McReynolds, who afterward won
glory and fame at the gates of Mexico; but having been born an
Irishman and kissed the blarney stone of Ireland, he negotiated and
treated, and parleyed, until they yielded to the five old Bradys, and
they brought away all the arms and public property, reembarked for
Detroit, were frozen in on Lake St. Glair, went ashore on the ice, and
finally brought overland to Detroit all that material of war and mili-
tary supplies, for which we were highly complimented in general orders
from Generals Brady and Scott, and for which we subsequently received
—each of us — 160 acres of land as a military bounty.

During these three years of United States military service, the
Bradys were the pets and students of Major M. M. Payne, United
States Artillery, who afterwards was wounded in battle in Mexico and
died in charge of the Military Hospital at Washington, an old bachelor,
a Virginian, a martinet and as thorough a soldier as ever trod the
field of battle. It was his pleasure to turn out his command, some
hundreds of United States recruits, and the Bradys, form them into a
battalion and drill them, and occasionally to catch them by an order
of "By right of companies rear into column, march!"— *by the most
minute inspection of muskets, sabres, side-arms, cartridge boxes, etc.,
for which, if he discovered any defect, he would send a Brady to the
rear, expose him, mortify him, then, after duty was over, call him up
to his quarters, give him a real Virginia toddy, and then warn him
" to 'look out in future."

During that same year and the succeeding one the Bradys were
divided into detachments, one stationed all winter at the Dearborn
arsenal to guard the public buildings there — military stores of large
quantities and value — while another detachment here in Detroit did
night guard duty at the magazine on the Riopelle farm, away in the
northeastern part of the city, where afterwards barracks were erected,
and where the headquarters of the Second and Fourth United States
Artillery and the Fourth and Fifth Infantry were for many years
stationed. In fact, until regiments of the regular army could be sent

320 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

here the Brady s and recruits constituted the sole military force by
which Generals Brady and Scott preserved the peace on the frontier.

When Brady died they went with him to his grave, and then
disbanded forever. At his funeral every living member in Detroit
turned out, in full black dress, white gloves, white belts and side-arms,
and constituted the mourning escort; and there, around his grave, after
the firing escort had discharged their guns, some one hundred and
sixty of the old Brady s circled around the grave and the writer hereof
having made their valedictory to their old chief, they were forever
disbanded.

Detroit has today 125,000 people within her boundaries, enterprising,
energetic, honest people, but out of them all there are none more
worthy of memory, none more deserving, none more respected than the
old "Brady Guards."

No. V.
TERRITORIAL SUPREME COURT.

"As a judge he should be profoundly learned in all the learning of the law. He is to
know not merely the law which you make and the legislature makes, but that
other, ampler, that boundless jurisprudence, the common law which the successive
generations of the State have silently built up. In the next place, he must be
a man not merely upright — not merely honest and well-intentioned — this of course
— but a man who will not respect persons in judgment. He shall know nothing
about parties — everything about the law. He shall do everything for justice —
nothing for himself; nothing for his friend; nothing for his patron; nothing for
his sovereign." — Choate.

What a scene for a historic painting was that which took place last
week away up in the British Dominions, near the Red river of- the
north, when a commission of military and civil officers of the very
highest rank accredited by our government, the strongest on earth,
sought to treat with Sitting Bull for his return to the United States,
and to make with him, there in Canada, a treaty of peace between
some few thousand half clad warriors of the Sioux and this mighty
people of forty-two millions! Oh would some "gift to gie us" to
spread upon the canvas where the whole world could see it, in such
col6rs as would truthfully represent, not merely the silent, stoical
Indian chief, surrounded by his half dozen comrades and braves,

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 321

crossing backwards and forwards over the medicine woman; swaying
here and there, now and then, with his blanket drooping from his left
arm, his eagle plume, sole ornament and token of his power and rank,
shaking and trembling with the wild passions that convulsed that brave
and honest old warrior, as he listened to the propositions which fell
from the lips of the plumed warrior Terry and his confreres, but also
with such shading and tinting of the canvas as should illustrate to
the world the truths sent home by that honest Indian in reply to the
assurances given that "if he would come home once more, smoke the
calumet of peace, surrender his arms, his ponies, his warriors and
women and children to the tender mercies of Indian traders — Indian
thieves! Indian agents! Indian Christians! that hereafter he would be
happy and his people contented, cared for, watched over and guarded
by the Great Father!" Oh, what a picture was that, when, with the
eloquence of truth, the sublimity of untutored oratory, with the logic
of facts, he turned upon General Terry, and like Logan of old, bade
them go; "that they spoke with forked tongues; that their promises
were written in sand; that their offered protection was such as vultures
give to lambs, such as hyenas give to the dead; such protection as
plundered their homes, cut in twain their blankets, then stole one-half
and borrowed the other; took flour furnished by the Indian department
nominally to Sitting Bull and his people, but really sold it for the
account of agents at Denver City, Cheyenne and Salt Lake; exchanged
for buffalo robes by the bale at a glass of whisky each, furnished
contrary to the laws of the United States, which year in and year out
gave the old chief over to the tender mercies of the public thieves and
robbers sent out to the Indian country clad in the garb of religion,
who no sooner reached their missions at the Spotted Tail, Shoshone,
Cheyenne and Arrapahoe agencies than they sang psalms and said
prayers in the morning and devoted the afternoon to drinking hot
Scotch Newmans, visiting the young squaws in their lodges and
counting their gains made during the previous week by plundering
and robbing their wards — their children intrusted to their care by the
Great Father."

Let politicians, let partisans, let public thieves say what they may,
Sitting Bull told General Terry the truth as it is, and as it is known
to all familiar with our mountain mouse and our poor Indians, who
are first driven to war and then denounced because they go to war.

If there be a heaven above us, and a God of justice who sits upon
his throne there, and "that there is all nature cries aloud," then in
41

322 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

that heaven, before that God, this picture of Sitting Bull's triumph
and truthfulness is suspended; and angels and archangels of justice will
applaud the dignity, the sublimity and the grandeur of that warrior
Sioux as rising in the majesty of truth and clad in the habiliments of
justice, he turned his back on the American commissioners and fiercely
said: " Away with ye! I know ye! Away with you! I am safe here
under the protecting segis of England's honored queen. I do defy,
deny and spurn back upon ye. Your great father may be good and
mean well. You, his envoys, may mean well, but your public men are
public thieves. They are our Indian agents, less honest and true than
the highwaymen of our Black Hills, who rob you of the money which
you have just now stolen from our gold mines lying within the very
boundaries of our reservation, guaranteed to us by the sign manual of
your great father, U. S. Grant, the chief who saved your Union, then
sacrificed us."

But it is not of this theme that I would speak today, only the event
has suggested with great force a " by-gone " of Detroit of forty-four
years ago, when a cause was pending in the territorial supreme court
of Michigan, wherein Michael Dousman, a pioneer of Mackinaw, was
plaintiff, and Duncan Stewart, an elegant Virginia gentleman, then
paymaster of the United States army, was defendant. The cause of
controversy was a contract made by the plaintiff with the defendant as
agent of Lord Selkirk to supply his settlement on the Red river of
the north with cattle, almost the very locality of Sitting Bull. That
cause was on trial and the scenes connected with Pembina were vividly
brought 4o my memory as I followed Terry and his commission to the
place of meeting last week.

It was a warm, clear, beautiful morning in May, 1833, when with a
kinsman and friend I entered the senate chamber in the old capitol,
now the Detroit high school building, and there stood face to face with
the old territorial supreme court, consisting of Solomon Sibley,
George Morell, and Ross Wilkins, the former of whom, having been
appointed by John Quincy Adams, had occupied the seat for many
years, and the two latter of whom in the political revolution of Andrew
Jackson had secured their commissions in the year 1832, or perhaps
t earlier. Those who consult Judge Campbell's history will find that he
marks particularly the period of Jackson's accession to the White House
as that which first introduced into the territory of Michigan the
doctrine of rotation in office, for up to that period under Madison,
Monroe and Adams, few or no changes were made in the territorial
federal offices. Hence General Cass held the office of governor of

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 323

Michigan through their several administrations with great satisfaction
to the people, with the highest credit and renown to himself and
honor to the government appointing him.

On entering the court room the first thing which struck the eye of a
stranger was the judgment seat, which, when the territorial council was
in session in that chamber, was occupied by the "president of the
council," an office similar to that of lieutenant governor of a state. It
was hung with a rather stunning drapery of blue and gold, was sur-
mounted by a gilded bird — which might answer to the American eagle,
the dove that came out of the ark, or the owl that opens its big eyes
by night and closes them by day, as the fancy of the beholder might
choose — and which in times of high political excitement was apostro-
phized as the American eagle by Senators Drake, Kingsley, of Ann
Arbor, and such eloquent speakers, while Norman McLeod, the member
from Mackinaw, denounced it in one of his classic and beautiful

phillipics and denunciations as that d d old buzzard " over your

honor's head, Mr. President."

The crier of the court, old Dey, was a most dignified and stately
specimen of those officers in by-gone times, whose memory is embalmed
in a witty jeu d'esprit; the joint work of Charles Clelland, Frank
Sawyer and John L. Talbott in poetry, which not long since was
published in a city paper by the " Histriographer " of Detroit, the
president of the pioneers and the accomplished author of that beautiful
poem, Teuchsa Grondie. The officers of the court were the Hon.
Daniel Goodwin, United States district attorney, Conrad Ten Eyck,
United States marshal, Hon. Benjamin F. Withereli, prosecuting attor-
ney, and Daniel H. Thompson, sheriff of Wayne county, all true blue
Jackson men, except Judge Withereli, and he was a whig, with a reef
in his topsail, always.

Of the then supreme court bench perhaps three men more unique in
their personal, mental and moral organization, more utterly dissimilar
in their tastes, habits, education and idiosyncrasies, were never
congregated on one seat of judgment; and while as a unit, and in
detail, they were all eminently " honest and capable," yet they furnished
a photograph of a judicial body composed of men, each born in a
different state, each trained in a school different from the other, and,
wedded to the practice and rules of the locality where he was born
and educated, Sibley of Massachusetts, Morell of New York, and
Wilkins of Pennsylvania, were all good lawyers; men as hones;t and
pure as any who ever sat on the bench; were anxious to lay deep and
broad the foundation of justice in Michigan, and to erect thereon a

324 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

temple that should in all time, like St. Paul's in London, challenge
the attention of the world, and be an everlasting monument to its
architect. But each had been trained in the modes, forms and pecu-
liarities of the law of his birthplace. Each regarded his own state as
the best school of practice, where the most eminent members of the
bar had been graduated, and each regarded the law reports of his
birthplace as entitled to absolute authority with him on the bench.
Hence, while a cause was easily settled at nisi prius, yet, when the
court sat in banco regis as on this day, it required a thorough discus-
sion and an examination of all the authorities of Massachusetts, New
York, Pennsylvania and England, to satisfy this trinity and so make
them a unity. Not more unlike in their mental, moral and intellectual
structures were they than in their physique, and temperaments. Judge
Sibley was quite short, very stout, very deaf, a most venerable,
excellent, plodding, slow and careful judge, listening very patiently,,
studying very carefully and deciding after the most mature deliberation.
His long, gray hair, large, projecting eyebrows and heavy set jaws
gave him very much the air of Chief Justice Shaw, of Massachusetts,
of whom Choate compared to the native's view of their Indian Godr
"He feels that he is ugly, but he knows that he is great," while in
his manner, gait, dress and address there was a quiet dignity, a calm,
deliberate action, which bespoke the judge always and everywhere. No
man would have slapped him on the shoulder any more than he would
Washington, and while he was not exacting or arbitrary, any. lawyer
who had to address him would involuntarily take his feet from the
table, his hand from his pocket, eject his quid of tobacco, and address
him as "Your Honor."

Born in Sutton, Massachusetts, October 7, 1769, he studied law,
removed to Ohio in 1795, and to Detroit in 1797, just eighty years ago,
and having been elected to the first territorial legislature of the North-
western territory in 1799 and to Congress in 1820, was in 1824 appointed
judge by John Quincy Adams, which office he held until 1836, when
he resigned it, and died here in 1846, universally respected for his
manifold virtues and talents, and a long life in the service of his country,
without spot or blemish thereon. Had he lived till this day he would
have been 108 years old; and perhaps no man ever passed his life in
Michigan who went to his grave with a clearer record or his case more
perfectly prepared than Solomon Sibley, chief justice of the supreme
court of the territory of Michigan, forty-four years ago; and the
present chief justice, whose upward march on the judicial ladder has
been so steady, so brilliant, so wonderful; whose untiring industry,.

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 325

intense application and persistent study have made him already in early
life the Storey of the west, and has placed in his hands for revision
and republication the works of Joseph Storey himself, may well follow
through all his future career the good example and sterling virtues of
Chief Justice Sibley.

Of George Morell, associate justice and right supporter on that bench,
it may be said that he was a giant in size, being over six feet in
height, of massive frame, a Websterian brow, large features, whose step
and bearing always reminded one of the magnificent, dignified, old-
fashioned gentlemen of by -gone times. Such men are now extinct on
the bench, in the senate, everywhere. Turn to the United States senate
of forty- five years ago. Contrast those men with the senators of today
—Hyperion to a Satyr, Benton, Clay, Wright, Berrien, Mangum, Phelps,
Webster, giants in frame and muscle as well as mind and learning.
Where do we find their peers now? On the bench, too, there were men
large in stature, large in mind, great in learning, big of heart, as
Marshall, McLean, Thompson, Tansy, Baldwin and Catton.

So it was with Judge Morell, from the State of New York. Of New
England parentage, he was bred to the bar, and settled at a very early
day at Cooperstown. There, his geniality, his judicial mind and thorough
legal training commended him to the executive of New York, who at an
early day appointed him a judge of the court of common pleas, a
tribunal which in that time had enlarged jurisdiction and a mass of
civil business, and sitting at times on an oyer and terminer court, it dis-
posed of the highest criminal cases. For many years George Morell
held a most distinguished position among 'the bench and bar of the
Empire State. With a heart as big as the body that enveloped it, a
sturdy common sense that always told him what the law ought to be,
with a sense of justice and right so acute that he could always decide
what the law was; trained in all the tactics of practice as laid down by
Archold and Tidd in England and Graham, of New York, his rulings and
decisions were given almost by intuition, and were scarcely ever revised.
Fond of society and amusement, off the bench, he was hail-fellow-well-
met with all people everywhere, but on the bench, he was every inch a
judge, and as I saw him on that morning, May 13, 1833, with blue dress
coat, top boots and tassels, a buff vest with gold buttons, high shirt
collar, completely and neatly shaven, with his gray hair swept clean
back from his lofty brow, large gray eye, and on his very large nose
the golden spectacles, while he took notes of the pleadings in this
interesting case of Dousman vs. Stewart, it seemed to me then, and so

326 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

it seems now after nearly half a century has gone, that George Morell
was a natural-born judge and a good man.

In Elmwood there sleeps no more honest man, no purer judge than
he was; and his decisions today may be found in the first volume of
the Michigan Reports, for on the admission of our State into the Union,
in 1837, he with Wm. A. Fletcher and Epaphroditus Ransom, were
elected judges of the supreme court, and he continued on the bench
as chief justice down to the January term, 1844

On the left of Chief Justice Sibley sat Ross Wilkins, then about
thirty-eight years of age, in the very strength and beauty of manhood,
whose whole physical, mental, moral and intellectual organization was so
striking and unique as to attract attention instantly as a most remark-
able man. Born in western Pennsylvania, Butler county, I think,
about the year 1797, of the bluest and best blood in that region, sired
by a father who took an active part in the Revolution, nephew to
William Wilkins, for many years an eminent United States senator,,
from the Keystone state, brother to a distinguished officer of the
United States army, his surroundings were well calculated to assure
his ambition and give him a good start in life. Educated, and thoroughly
educated for the bar, he very early acquired local distinction and fame,,
by his earnest eloquence, his magnetic oratory, and in criminal cases,
especially, he soon took a front rank among the eminent gentlemen
which at that early day composed the bar of Pittsburg and its sur-
roundings— the Biddies, the McCandlasses, the Rosses, the Forwards,
and all those then well-known counselors-at-law.

In his person, manners, address and action, at that early day, Judge
Wilkins was a most striking man. About five feet ten inches high, he
was full and round, well knit, lithe and graceful, and clad as he was
on the bench in a velveteen suit, close fitting, tightly buttoned, he
might have elsewhere been taken for a well-to-do farmer or a dashing
Kentucky hunter. With very handsome features, large and melt-
ing eyes, hair long and curling gracefully, like Charles Sumner's in his
handsome day, with a mouth full of pure white teeth, his necktie a
mere black wisp or rope and a large flowing Byronic collar; he looked
the man he was — genial, gentle, generous, impulsive and good. Many
years since in his old home at Tecumseh, hung a fine oil portrait of
the judge, taken in his youth, and those who ever studied its outlines
and features will remember its resemblance to those of the English
bard, only it was more manly, more robust; indeed, in his early man-
hood Ross Wilkins' features, face and tout ensemble would remind one
of the combined peculiarities of the pictures of Poe and Byron. Like

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 327

all such men, he was quick in his perceptions, instant in his judgment,
clear and lucid in his reasoning, concise and precise in the statement
of facts, and whether right or wrong in his conclusions he swept away
business, as a chieftain does an opposing army. What especially fastened
my attention was that while reading the papers and evidence in the
case at bar, he moved constantly and restlessly in his chair, seemed to
take the whole matter by intuition, and finally getting up and going
back of the court he lighted an immense long pipe of tobacco, and
circling round and round he smoked away, very much as Sitting Bull
did when listening to the platitudes of Gen. Terry. But the moment
the final reading was over, and the argument of counsel began, taking
his seat and fixing his eye on the speaker, he never moved; indeed,
seemed lost to everything but the cause. But no sooner was the argu-
ment ended than the pipe was relighted and the smoking resumed until
the final business was disposed of.

While in all essentials, Boss Wilkins was a most punctilious judge,
yet in non-essentials and when not actually engaged in judicial busi-
ness on the bench, he exhibited an utter disregard for all the forms,
shows, and modes of judicial dignity, and as a boon companion, a wit
and " a fellow of infinite jest of most excellent fancy." And of
course everybody loved and respected Judge Wilkins. As he advanced
in life he became more calm, and less nervous and excitable; and for
over a quarter of a century as district judge of the United States for
the district of Michigan, he administered the law with eminent success
and honor. In admiralty cases he entered upon them with zest and
zeal, having a sort of passion for sailors and all the excitements
appertaining to their wild and reckless life; but it was in great crim-
inal cases that he was most at home. With the grand inquest of the
State before him; drawn from every county of the peninsula, and a
foreman selected by himself — generally some old crony from Lenawee
like Stillman Blanchard, Sheriff Packard, or Henry Hewitt — Judge
Wilkins would take up the whole scope and drift of the criminal law, and
with such force of language, and such earnest appeals, would he give
to them the law in charge, that no mail robber, timber thief, embezzler
of postoffices, or government defaulters, could hope to escape indictment,
trial, and certain conviction. Yet no judge ever sat upon the bench
who was more careful and cautious in giving the prisoner at the bar
every possible protection and insuring him a fair and just trial. -New-
berry's, McLean's, and Bissel's United States circuit court reports are
full of his most important decisions, and bear testimony to the industry
and patience which he put into a case of much consequence. Some of

328 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

his published charges to grand and petit juries will compare favorably
with those given by the more eminent judges of our own and the
English bench. Indeed, Judge Wilkins had a passion for the study
and practice of the criminal law, and to him in such cases the bench
was like "All the world's a stage, where men and women are but
players. They have their exits and their entrances, and each man in
his time plays many parts."

But he is gone, after an earnest and hard working life in the public
service —

"After life's fitful fever he sleeps well."

Such is a brief photograph of the territorial supreme court of 1833
and the first cause I ever heard argued there. Of the counsel in that
great cause, Wm. Woodbridge and Alexander D. Fraser for plaintiff,
and Harry S. Cole and Gen. Charles Larned for defendant, all that can
be said here is that if they could burst the cerements of the tomb,
take their green bags in hand and enter the supreme court at Lansing,
they would be the peers of any and all there, as lawyers, advocates,
jurists, and logicians; while as thorough scholars, courtly, hospitable,
genial and true gentlemen, they could give us lessons in good breeding,
and teach that fraternity and esprii de corps which then characterized
all the brethren of our bar, lessons which seem now to have gone with
all the other by-gones of Detroit. But all that court, those judges and
the counsel and officers, save Col. Goodwin, all are gone.

"They sleep their last sleep,
They have fought their last battle.
No sound can awake them to glory again."

Pardon one word more. There is one more, Col. John Winder, the
clerk of that court, whom Providence seemed to have created in
Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and sent, so far back as 1824, to keep the
records of the supreme court of the territory and those of the circuit
court of the United States for the State of Michigan. Wielding a
facile pen, he was the most accurate, careful, and industrious of officers
that acted as clerk in the west, and so posted did he become in all
matters of practice, that when lawyers were befogged and the court
puzzled, Judge Wilkins would turn to Col. Winder, and in an instant
the point of practice was settled. But he was wise, and over thirty
years since he bought for $1,200 some ten acres then way out of town
in the mud, built him a cozy home, then in the suburbs. Detroit
woke up, started after Winder's ten acres, covered it all over with

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 329

costly palaces, made the old clerk rich, and there today, a retired
gentleman, John Winder, with his records complete, without blot or
erasure thereon, awaits the summons to come at last before that other
tribunal above, " Where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary
are at rest."

No. VI.

JOSEPH CAMPAU AND THE EARLY FRENCH.

"And when the stream

Which overflowed the soul, had passed away
A consciousness remained that it had left,
Deposited on the silent shore
Of memory, images and precious thoughts
That shall not die and cannot be destroyed."

— Wordsworth.

"Bon jour! Bon jour, Monsieur Bates. Comment se va, inon ami.
II fait beau temps, monsieur."

"Ah, good morning, Monsieur Campau, oui, oui. II fait tres beau
temps, mon ami."

Such was the salutation given and returned about the 5th of Janu-
ary, 1842, on Jefferson avenue at the corner of Griswold street, where
the First National Bank now stands, then the United States court
house, as Mr. Joseph Campau met and saluted the writer in his warm
and courtly style. The old gentleman, as was his wont, was clad in a
black full dress suit, white cravat, rolling shirt collar, clean and white
as snow, and moving along with his long white hair, large gray eyes
and steady, sturdy step, he was a man to arrest the attention and
arouse the curiosity of all travelers on the streets of Detroit. The
conversation continued as follows:

" Ah, Monsieur George, mon ami, de damn fool he come again, heh."

Not comprehending the object of the remark, or its purpose, the old
gentleman raised his left thumb and over his shoulder directed my
attention to the then old capitol, now the high school building, where
the flag was floating over the senate and house of representatives, then
just in the first days of its annual session of 1843, and as I caught
the idea he repeated with humorous emphasis, as if talking to himself.
42

330 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

"Oui, oui, mon ami, de damn fool lie come again; lie make de law
de tax. Sacre, mon dieu."

Which led to a long discussion, pure French on his part and con-
glomerate French and English on the other side, touching the constant
increase of taxation, the enormous burden which our new State
government had engendered, the actual poverty of men rich in real
estate, in which the old gentleman in pure and perfect French
lamented that law makers and legislatures, with emphasis on the
ultimate, "seemed only to exist to make de tax, and on everything
worn by man from the swaddling clothes that enwrap the new born
child, to the coffin and the shroud of mature old age, were burdened
and enhanced in cost by every kind of state, city, county, school and
union taxation;" and the old man eloquent waxed warm, and hia
French grew more and more beautiful as he called my attention to the
fact that, while in England only about seventeen articles of luxury,
such as wines, tobacco, spirits, silks, jewelry, carriages, paid all their
taxes, here in Michigan the bread we ate, the water we drank, the gas
we used, the clothes we wore, the houses we live in, the very graves
when we died, all, everything, were loaded down by legislative taxes,
and what was more, said old Jose Campau, with the energy of truth,
"At least one-third of all these taxes are stolen by public officers ere
they reach the exchequer of the State," and had he lived until now he
would have added: " Oui, oui, mon ami. As it was then, so it is now
only more so."

Time that changes all things and man more than all other things
has left us the taxes and tax gathering, and like the frogs and lice of
Egypt, they can be found at all times, and all places everywhere,
always at our births and at our funerals, with extended hands asking
and exacting the tax, and it is possible that Monsieur Campau, who was
then seventy-four years old, and who lived until he was ninety-four,
would have survived even to this day if he had not been chased
through the world and into the grave by the tax gatherer.

So long ago as 1833 Mr. Campau owned some nineteen large farms
in Wayne county, and you could not turn to the right or the left in
the city of Detroit, without running over Campau lots, seeing Campau
houses, encountering Campau tenants, and if you entered the tax office
to look at the assessment roll, you would find the name of Joseph
Campau on every alternate line, while at all hours of the day one
might meet the old gentleman all over the city, — always walking,
though rich as Croesus — in his same old style of dress; always courtly
and chivalric in his address as if he were in la belle France; always

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 331

plodding and studying and not unfrequently talking to himself, as if
still discoursing on the tax.

Joseph Campau was a marvelous French gentleman "all of the olden
time," and with such friends as Monsieur Pierre Desnoyer, Major
Antoine Dequindre, John Baptiste Beaubien, Capt. Frank Cicott,
Charles Moran and the Bartletts, and the old French people of Detroit
forty years ago, constituted a society of true, accomplished, real gentle-
men and ladies, from whom in manners, conversation, sociality, true
politeness in business affairs, the newcomers of Detroit may well take
lessons today. In those days no man would think of lighting his pipe
or cigar in the presence of ladies, or in a neighbor's house, any more
than he would of taking off his shoes and stockings there; no man
would pass a lady or a friend on the street without lifting his hat and
giving the cordial, joyous salutation: "Bon jour, mon ami, bon jour,'*
and no matter how hurried in business these Frenchmen, whenever
they met on the street would inquire for the family and children of
each other, and in those days to be seen riding or walking with a
lady and smoking a cigar at the same time, would have sent the
offender to the calaboose.

In true hospitality, genuine fraternity, they were a model people,,
fond of all social amusements, the latch string of every house in
Detroit was always on the outside, and in their little unpretending
dancing parties, old and young, grandfather and grandmother, joined
with children and grandchildren made one grand round of mirth and
jollity; while at the regular suppers and stately evening parties no
persons on earth ever entertained more heartily, with more true chiv-
alry and gallantry. To see Joseph Campau, "Papa" Desnoyer, Major
Dequindre, majestic Barney Campau, waltzing and frolicing with such
beautiful girls as Josephine Desnoyer, Anna Dequindre, Mary Williams,
and all that set, was enough to make a young man's head swim, for it
told of innocent mirth, refined and genteel social amusements among a
whole people where the aged never forget the joys and pleasures of
youth, and where youth always respected, revered and loved old age.
Alas, that those days and those people are "byrgones!"

In -that day no public meeting was ever called, no public measure
ever debated, no political movement ever undertaken, without the aid
and support of the French people of Detroit, and at the head of every
party ticket or on it for State, county and municipal offices, you would
read the names of some Campau, Beaubicm, Cicott, Moran, or Bartlett.

Joseph Campau was born in Detroit on the 20th of February, 1769,
lived there until 1863, when he died at the age of ninety -four years.

332 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

During the last sixty-three years of that long and interesting life he
resided in the old house on Jefferson avenue between Griswold and
Shelby streets, which is as notorious today as the falls of Niagara,
and which all the young and bustling, driving business men of Detroit
might visit with pleasure and profit. There they may learn prudence
and care by examining an umbrella manufactured in Philadelphia in
1802; an anvil hammered on in his blacksmith shop in 1805; furniture
manufactured in his own cabinet shop in 1797; unpaid accounts beau-
tifully prepared and endorsed against men who died in the last century,
every paper and record filed in the neatest possible manner and briefed
by Capt. McKniff, his old clerk, who, upwards of half a century
faithfully did work as clerk; an old working desk deeply scalloped out
by Campau's left knee, which year in and year out rubbed against it,
a large curvature in the windowsill produced by the same attrition,
photographs taken years since of his children — everything there just
as he placed it long ere nine-tenths of the people of Detroit of today
were born.

And that quiet, quaint old yellow house — half trading store, half
dwelling house — standing on the very spot occupied nearly two hundred
years ago by Cadillac, filled with documents, writings and mementoes
of seasons and circumstances and times, existing when no single being
now in Detroit was living, a house where the very ghosts and shades
and spirits of " by-gones " now meet and gossip by moonlight of an
October eve.

There in peace as in war, in the beautiful bright days of an early
spring, in the lazy sultry weather of summer, in our gorgeous, golden
old-fashioned autumn, in the short, dry, crisp cold of those winters,
did Joseph Campau watch the rise, growth and progress of Detroit,
and from his dormer windows he saw the old Walk-in-the- water of 1819
supersede the Indian canoe, the pirogue, the scow, the coasting schooner,
and then again the Henry Clay, the Niagara, the Sheldon Thompson,
the New York, and finally the Illinois, the Empire, the Mayflower,
and all those floating palaces of hundreds of tons burthen and speed
like the wind, take the place of the old steamers. There in that old
house he watched Jefferson avenue advancing upwards until it reached
Hamtramck, downward along the river until it ended at Fort Wayne, and
there he saw the old Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and Methodist churches
on the corner of Woodward avenue and Larned street, take up their
line of march and reappear in St. Paul's, Christ Church, Dr. Duffield's
on State street, that magnificent temple of Dr. Pierson on Fort street,
and the Jefferson avenue Presbyterian edifice; Woodward avenue,

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 333

shaking the dust out of its eyes and off its feet, and through the
heaviest clay and mud running miles away from the river — a splendid
boulevard, a street which in architectural beauty, in lawns, shrubbery,
flowers, cottages, palaces, and temples, contrasts favorably with the
Broadway of New York, Beacon street of Boston, or Chestnut of
Philadelphia, and where more capital, more people and more trade
exist in a single business hour now than was in all the northwestern
states in his early youth, the City of the Straits, beautiful Detroit,
whose river, like the turquoise necklace of a splendid woman, intensifies
the beauty of that neck that it entwines and that bosom on which it
heaves.

When Campau first saw Detroit it was a mere military and Indian
trading post. When he died it was the center of a grand civilization,
where learning, art, science, wealth, culture, refinement, taste, and
religion dwelt and 100,000 strangers surrounded him. Where God had
his shrines, learning her palaces, art her schools, charity her asylums,
and wealth its treasure houses and lordly mansions.

As a business man in early life Mr. Campau was enterprising, buying
and selling real estate on a large scale, importing and improving stock,
founding machine shops, cabinet shops, distilleries, and carrying on,
on a very large scale, the fur trade with the Indians; and as a member
of the board of British trade in 1798, and of the American fur
company with John Jacob Astor in 1812, and as a public officer,
trustee of Detroit, major of the militia, and a good citizen, he always
was a leading man for nearly a century here. He was one of the
founders of the ancient city Conditor Latium, and in all the parts he
played upon the stage for almost one hundred years he lived in, for,
and with Detroit; and an Indian trader, manufacturer, neighbor, citizen,
merchant and millionaire he lived and died an honest man. Requiescat
in pace!

Three or four or even more of his old confreres, his countrymen, his
" con citoyens des etats unis" spring from the cabinet of memory and
materialize themselves before our audience. Monsieur Pierre Desnoyers,
that fine-looking, smiling, sweet voiced old gentleman, whose "bon jour!
bon jour!" would arrest you as the voice of a lute, whose rosy cheeks, fine
mouth, pure teeth and large blue eye, with that drooping lid, present the
portrait of a fine old Frenchman, was born in Paris in the days of the
revolution, about 1783, and educated as a silversmith. He left there
when the cry of "a la lanterne," was heard in the streets, came to this
country and settled first in Ohio, ere Cincinnati was born, then followed
the army to Detroit, and here for a long period worked for Joseph

334 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

Campau. in the manufacture of silver goods for the Indian trade. He
lived to be a very old man, accumulated a large fortune for those days,
and finally left a family large and respected to mourn his departure.
He was a genial, elegant, delightful old gentleman, and his sons and
daughters and grandsons and grandaughters are among the very "creme
de la creme" of the old French people of Detroit, Pierre Desnoyers, the
late Mrs. Harry Cole and family, Mrs. Jas. A. Van Dyke, Mrs. Henry
Barnard, Mrs. Anna Dequindre Lansing, and a multitude of grand-
children and kinsmen some in the church, some at the bar, some in
banks, in manufactories, in mercantile houses, all bear in their veins-
the blood and refinement, the courtesy and grace of the Desnoyers.

It was amusing, almost half a century since, to meet the old gentle-
man on the street, to salute him in return for his pleasant "good morn-
ing" and slyly to ask him "why he left Paris?" when, in perfect good
faith, he would cock up his blue eye and laughingly say:

"Because, monsieur, I did not wish to ornament the lanterne."

Then, too, there was Col. Antoine Dequindre, whose sister married
Joseph Campau. He was a Frenchman of the Napoleonic order, tall,
straight, with the step of a drill sergeant and the outward and visible
sign of a military man. Even in his old age he was perfectly upright,
very square to the front, shoulders well thrown back, chest well drawn
in and like an old French guardsman, he moved and walked like a man
born for the camp. Having distinguished himself in the battle of Mon-
guagon in 1812, before Hull's surrender, he all his life commanded the
special admiration of his fellow Frenchmen as a brave old fellow.

For many a long year he was a merchant on Jefferson avenue,
owned half a block just west of Woodward avenue, where the Hon.
George E. Hand now has and has had his office for years and was a
man of considerable wealth; but in the uncertainties and an unsafe
partner in 1831 he met with disaster, and as early as 1841 he had lost
nearly all he had, but died as he had always lived respected and
revered by all.

But time and space fail us, and the Cicotts, Beaubiens, Bartletts,
Gen. Williams and all those courtly old French gentlemen must await
the future publication, by the Western Biographical Publishing
Oompany, where they will appear.

But not only were they social and polite, good citizens, honest men,
hospitable, genial and gentlemanly, but they were all Catholics, and
lived all their lives and died in the beautiful faith of that holy church.
No matter how gay, how joyful, how social, they never forgot "the
awful circle of their holy church," and surrounded themselves with her

BY-GONES OP DETROIT. 335

power and strong arm, they obeyed her mandates and sought her pro-
tection in life and in death. Of course all candid and intelligent men
will bear in mind that during the last forty years in our country, as
in all the rest of the civilized world, the developments and discoveries
of science, the explorations of the interior of the earth, the teaching
of Tyndall and Spencer, and Mill and Darwin have weakened if not
sapped the foundations of all sects and denominations, and that to
those who demand evidence and proof to convince the mind and to
satisfy the judgment, in religious, as in all other matters, it is idle to
say "ita lex scripta estf that the teachings and preachings of men
who can give no reason, furnish no evidence for the faith that is in
them, have lost their power; that the dogma "the church suggests or
commands it" has with intelligent men or women no more force or
weight than a linnet singing; and so it is that while all the Protestant
churches of the world have waged a bitter warfare against what they
denounce as the Scarlet Woman of Rome, they themselves have from
this fire in the rear from savants and scientists weakened and have
lost much of the vigor of their attack, and are compelled to turn their
weapon from the supposed enemy in front, to their real powerful foes
in the rear.

Yet, whatever may be the general weakening of the churches of the
world from this great onslaught, the Catholic church today, as then,
maintains its power, extends its forces, conquers new fields, subdues
new forces, and now Pope Pius IX counts on his muster roll as many
nations, people and tongues as ever, Nor is it strange for a church
which teaches by object lessons, as she does, the suffering and agony of
Christ's crucifixion, that holds up to the heathen Chinese and Japanese,
to the North and South American Indian, the beautiful symbols and
pictures of Christ's birth in the manger, his holy life and agonizing
death, carries therein a power to enlighten the minds and awaken the
sympathies of the untutored and unlearned, which no other church
does possess.

Call it ignorance, call it fanaticism, call it folly as you may, the
Catholics are and always have been the only successful missionaries to
the poor Indian, the benighted South . Sea Islander, or the untutored
savages of the world.

So it was in the "by-gones" of Detroit. The old Catholics were
devoted to their church, could always be found in sunshine and in
storm, in heat and in cold, constantly attentive to the forms, cere-
monies and teachings of their bishops, priests and deacons; and no
matter how gay and careless at other times, when holy mother church

336 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

called, instantly they responded, "I am here, Lord." So when in
August, 1834, the cholera burst upon Detroit with a ferocity and
slaughter that it had never exhibited elsewhere, when in sixty days it
swept away ten per cent of our people — instead of seven as Judge
Campbell puts it; when it crept up and down the river, along our
docks, cutting down all ages, sexes and conditions; when it mounted
the decks and shrouds of our vessels and men fell as if struck by
lightning; when at early dawn the old French carts could be seen in
line, like the commissariat of the Grand Army, marshaled by Sexton
Noble, stretching away to the old cemetery, a fearful line of festering
corpses, when all men, no matter how brave, seemed appalled; when we
had no hospitals, no asylums, no place of refuge or safety for the sick
and the dying, Father Kundig, God bless him, improvised a hospital on
Michigan Grand avenue and summoned to his aid the fair daughters, sweet
young girls, of the Desnoyers, the Dequindres, the Campaus, the
Morans and Beaubiens, and organized them into a splendid corps of
Sisters of Mercy, angels he might well have called them, and there
by night and day, amidst death, disease, filth, and misery in its most
frightful form, that true, Christian priest and his fair daughters fought
death and drove him back, and to Protestants and Catholics administered
all specifics and antidotes while life lasted, and when death came they
gave to the poor, the hungry soul, the last beautiful rites of their
church. Then and there alone, among those Catholic French, in all
Detroit, was found an asylum for the sick and decent care and atten-
tion to the dying and the dead, and when the final record shall be
made up in heaven of old times and " by-gones " of Detroit, high upon
that scroll will be inscribed by God himself, in letters of living light,
the names of Kundig and his brave and beautiful army of Catholic
girls of our city, daughters of the Bed Cross, " For verily they did
unto others as they would have others do unto them." They loved
their neighbors even as themselves; "They visited the sick, clothed the
naked, gave drink to the thirsty, and food to the hungry." God , bless
them all, they shall have their reward.

No. VII.
MY FIRST DAY AMONG THE DOCKS OF DETROIT.

That was May 14, 1833, when the steamer New York on her very
first voyage from Buffalo to Detroit after a three days' trip from

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 337

Cleveland, had just turned the bend of the river at Fort Wayne, as
Capt. Sheldon Thompson, of Buffalo, rapped loudly at the door of my
stateroom, and squirting the tobacco juice all over his fine linen bosom,
exclaimed: "Turn out, turn out, young gentleman; we are just now at
Detroit, the place you have been so impatient to see these last three
days. Turn up, sir, turn up."

No sooner said than done. When bouncing on to the upper deck of
that once famous steamer from my stateroom I looked over into Sand-
wich, then across the beautiful strait, and following the bend of the
river, where it broadened, on the Cass front, like the Tappan Zee, on
the Hudson, I first saw my future home.

The sun had risen in all the gorgeous beauty of a May morning, and
glinted and gilded the river, the shore, the old French farm houses on
both sides. The soft, south wind permeated everything on the land
and the water; the peach and pear trees, some then one hundred and
fifty years old, were covered with blossoms and the air was laden with
a rich perfume, for May then meant real spring.

As that scene of quiet beauty; the old wind-mills fluttering in the
wind, the French carts along the shore, the old La Fontaine and other
log houses, all newly whitewashed, neat, tidy, and surrounded by cackling
geese, chattering ducks, squealing pigs and lowing cattle, all of which
could be heard on our deck, presented a scene of exquisite beauty, and
a land so quaint, so unique, so beautiful, that at once I was in love,
with it all, and oh, how glad was I to leave that splendid new steamer
New York, and her warm-hearted, enterprising and funny owner, Sheldon
Thompson, -even then a very wealthy man of Buffalo, who came as
supercargo to direct her on her trial trip. One word of her ere we
land at Dorr & Jones' dock, at the foot of Shelby street. The changes in
the forms, models and propelling powers of the various craft on these
great lakes mark step by step the rise, progress and growth of its
commerce, and the models of the various vessels from 1820 down to the
present time are each pages in a great history of the Northwest. Our
steamer New York was the very first on these lake? to lay aside the spars
and rigging of steam brigs or vessels — as the old steamers Clay, Niagara,
Pennsylvania and Sheldon Thompson were called — and to place an
upper cabin, which had hitherto been consider ed unsafe, and, to give her
great speed, she was cut up sharp as a razor at her bow and stern, so
sharp that she would roll like a man half seas over; and below her
main deck were two engines, fore and aft, with high pressure at that;
with two sets of boilers, pointing toward bow and stern, which made
43

838 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

her like the fiery furnace wherein Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego
were tried. The Hebrews called such steamers Gehenna; the Greeks,
Hades, but in pure anglo-saxon one would denominate it a floating hell,
where you would roll and pitch in a seaway, and swelter and sweat like
the miners in the lower level of the Comstock Bonanza.

As she had been three long days on the voyage from Cleveland to
Detroit, of course we were all glad to get ashore. About half -past
seven of that heavenly morning she swung alongside the dock, and
amidst the rattling of chains, the hoarse bawling of seamen and mates,
she finally swung against the dock, and her first voyage of life was
ended.

Jumping on to the land, ours was just begun. Instantly, even at
that early hour, a sturdy, quick moving, earnest and robust gentleman
stepped alongside, and, with old-fashioned cordiality, greeted Captain
Thompson as a friend. As they stood there they were a pair to attract
attention.

The new comer was De Garmo Jones, a man about five feet ten
inches, very quick in his movements, very stout, weighing perhaps over
two hundred pounds; very muscular, with a large, round head; very
quiet in manner; of few words, but evidently a man born' to command,
to succeed, to accomplish, and although in early life deprived of much
education, he had worked his way, even then, at about forty-seven, up
from a drummer boy of 1812, to become a man of extended business,
large wealth, great power and influence, and who, after being mayor of
Detroit, senator from Wayne county, alderman, etc., died prematurely
in early middle life, leaving a vast estate, very large business affairs,
and the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Sudden and quick
in quarrel, with a temper always requiring a curb bit, Mr. Jones was
a sort of western Vanderbilt, with a great big head, enlarged views,
untiring industry, who saw far ahead into the future, and had he lived
longer, would have cut deeper and deeper into the tablet of time his
career, for he was a most public spirited, enterprising, go ahead man.
Born at Erie, Pennsylvania, or coming there young, a mere boy, he
was trained by old Mr. Reed, the father of the late Hon. Charles M.
Reed, and what teaching he had came from him, who died years ago,
a millionaire, a great ship builder, ship owner, and commission
merchant of western Pennsylvania. Coming to Detroit so early as 1819,
and bringing with him as his wife one of the most dignified, beautiful,
stately and lady-like women of the olden time, he bought a farm
just below the Cass farm, and there in an old French log cabin,
beautifully modernized and most richly furnished, they always enter-

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 389

tained in a style of true western hospitality; and under those low
ceilings and burnished beams, just above one's head, on the richest
carpets, surrounded by fine paintings and engravings on real old
fashioned solid mahogany, from pure silver goblets and trays, they
dispensed viands and liquids that would have graced the homes of the
magnates of our land.

In those "by-gones" it was the fashion for all the rich of Detroit,
and even the poor, to hospitably entertain their neighbors, and to
make all strangers at home here — a fashion that seems to have gone
with many other of the good things of those days. Such was De
Garmo Jones, as he met and saluted his confrere, friend and kinsman,
a man very like him, Sheldon Thompson, who, at Black Eock, so early
as 1826, built the Clay, the Niagara, and afterwards the Sheldon
Thompson, and after a long and successful life there as commission
merchant, ship owner, mayor, I think, died at an advanced age, leaving
a very large estate, a most respected and beloved family, and whose
name today in Buffalo is respected and revered.

The two partners of Mr. Jones at that day were Josiah E. Dorr and
Benj. L. Webb, both young men from Vermont, who came here, and
under the patronage and by the aid of their strong-shouldered friend,
accumulated very early in life handsome estates, but which in the great
financial whirlwind of 1841-5 were swept away, and they both died a
long time ago, childless and penniless, substantially.

But at last Uncle Benjamin's, the dear old Steamboat Hotel, at the
corner of Woodbridge and Eandolph streets, furnishes a nice breakfast,
of which more anon; and at once the work of doing Detroit along the
docks begins under the chape ronage of a friend who had lived here
since 1821, and so we countermarch and go at once to the most
southerly warehouse and ship yard of Oliver Newberry, where we
found the steamer Michigan on the stocks in the yard, where hundreds
of calkers and shipwrights are hammering at her sides, while Capt.
Chesley Blake is going here and there, a giant in size, a hero in
battle, with a voice like the speaking trumpet of old Boreas himself,
guiding and directing the work.

Here we met that most extraordinary of all Detroit's early business
men, Oliver Newberry, looking on; now listening to this crew, now
that; now pulling that long hair over that strange brow, deep creased
in thought; anon taking off his hat, full of papers, accounts, drafts,
money and everything else, then replacing it, and taking all Capt.
Blake's suggestions and directions as if he were the owner and builder,
and Newberry, the subaltern. New then to life and the world, no such

340 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

duet of men had ever yet been met; and now after an experience of
almost half a century in all the parts and places, the mountains and
valleys of our great west, time and again, and all along its grand lines
of transit by sea and land, no two such men are remembered. Siamese
twin giants, Arcades Ambo, nautical Damon and Pythias have ever
been seen. Old Blake was almost six feet three inches in height — a
very giant in all his being, hands like Old Bluebeard, arms like a
gorilla, jaws like a boa constrictor, chest like a volcano just about to
beave, and such a voice! Why, in the midst of a storm on the lakes
when his vessel was heaving and surging, he would give his commands
with such power, accompanied by such oaths and expletives, that the
very shrouds and rigging would tremble, that the lightning would
cease and the thunders would only mutter and murmur; and in a life
of forty years on the lakes he never scratched the paint from his
ship or touched bottom or shore.

Born in Maine, he was in boyhood a sailor before the mast. When
the war of 1812 broke out he entered a Maine regular regiment, the
bloody Ninth, so called, was made sergeant and, at the fearful battle of
Lundy's Lane, in 1813, where Scott charged up the hill time and
again, and then retreated down before the British fire, and where,
finally placing himself at the head of that Maine regiment and mount-
ing his white horse with a long white plume, he said: "Boys, follow
me. I have faith that this bloody Ninth will carry and hold those
heights. Wherever you see this white horse and this long white
plume, you will know where I am."

And they did follow him until they saw white horse and plume and
Scott all tumbled to the earth; whence he was carried off with Worth,
and Wool and Brady. But on kept the bloody Ninth and old Blake,
one of its ordinary sized men, until the heights were taken and held,
and until that regiment, going into battle nearly 500 strong, had a
mere handful left and were marched off the field by Blake as their
sergeant, all its commissioned officers having been killed or wounded,
and for which Chesley Blake was made then and there first lieutenant
for gallantry on the field.

No sooner had that war ended than Blake came to the lakes, entered
the service of Oliver Newberry, and, as master of the schooner
Jackson in 1816, and so on down to the steamer Michigan of 1833, the
Nile of 1841, the Illinois of 1845-9, always with Newberry, always
swearing to leave, yet always standing by his ship, and Uncle Oliver.
He finally died of fear. Blake could face all the storms and tempests
that ever swept the sea; he could rush in blood knee deep unto the

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 341

cannon's mouth, as at Niagara; he could wade in blood before a British,
regiment; but when he encountered the cholera he quailed — he caved —
and finally fleeing to Lake Superior he spent a month or more in the
very bowels of the earth there, then ventured back to Milwaukee, where
he took the cholera, convalesced and seemed about to recover. But
that night his old ship, the Nile, went ashore. News was carried to
his bedside, he arose, and with a Blake adjective, said " he would go
to her rescue," put on his pants, drew one of his cyclopian boots half
on, and with uplifted foot he died. His last words were: " Save my
ship." Thus demonstrating in his case the truth of Eugene Sue's
horrid picture of cholera before Paris, when this fearful fiend laughed
and screeched out: " I kill only one-third, and fear ends the remain-
ing two-thirds of all its victims."

But to return to Oliver New berry. Born in Connecticut about the
last decade of the last century, he migrated early to Buffalo — say about
1809-10 — kept a small grocery there, dealing largely in salt and fish.
But the moment war came, like a true patriot as he was, he shut up
shop,, and in some capacity joined the army of the Union. After the
burning of Buffalo, and peace, he came on foot to Cleveland, and finally
worked his passage to Detroit, where, some time in 1816, he com-
menced business here on the docks, dealing largely in salt brought
from Syracuse, trading in apples and fruit, which, so early as that day,
were grown here in great perfection. Having little or no education,
but a huge brain, wonderful foresight, sagacity and wisdom, and being
always the very soul of honor and honesty, he thrived and grew,
and soon among lake men, from Buffalo to Green Bay, was known
by the sobriquet of "Admiral of the lakes." Having begun his
business with the old schooner Jackson he soon became a contractor to
carry supplies to Fort Brady at the Sault, to Mackinaw, Fort Dearborn
at Chicago. Fort Howard, Green Bay, Fort Gratiot, Port Huron; and
then commenced his extraordinary career as a ship builder, and being
a sort of Napoleon himself in his ideas, he formed a wonderful attach-
ment to the grand emperor himself and proved it by naming his vessels
the Napoleon, the Marshal Ney, the Marshal Sbult, the Austerlitz, the
Marengo, the Jena, the Nile, and so on; and each one of these ships
brought him fortune, business and fame, and his business prospered
and grew, and he commanded the entire confidence and good will of
all the old officers of our army on the lakes, and year in and out sup-
plied all the military posts of the Northwest. He was a strange looking
old bachelor. His face was wrinkled like an orang-outang, his brain
very large, projecting forehead, deep sunk eyes, and his long hair was

342 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

always straggling over his face like a Piute chief, and when in study
of mind he had the trait of pulling and twisting his forelocks; when
he sat in a chair it was thrown clear back against the wall, and his
feet dangled in the, air like Quilp in his hammock. He was a man of
few words, but how they did tell!

Like Napoleon, he was a fatalist and traded on his "luck," and his
vessels, bearing the charmed names of Napoleon's early career, were
always in luck. In early December, 1835, news came " that the Post of
Mackinaw was out of supplies, and that the Indian agency and troops
there would starve ere spring came unless some vessel could reach them."
Old Oliver at once ordered the Austerlitz, which had then been laid
up, to be put in commission, put a double set of officers, Capt. Augustus
McKinstry and Bob Wagstaff aboard of her, with John Stuart and
another first mates, and a double crew, loaded her to the gunwales, with
all kinds of supplies, ordered her to proceed to Mackinaw, relieve the
people there and return that fall, a voyage then deemed madness at
that late season, but the old gentleman went to work making bets — he
was a grand sportsman — and actually he did bet several thousands of
dollars "that she would return by Christmas," and sure enough, down
the Detroit river, on Christmas, 1835, she came with every rag of
canvas spread, and rounded to at her dock; making by the trip a very
large sum of money.

Betting on his luck, he went on x building the steamer Michigan, then
the Nile, then the Illinois, then the Michigan again, and finally the
most beautiful brig that had ever been launched and he grew richer
and richer, and all was gold that came to the old warehouse of O.
Newberry.

But the brig went to Buffalo full laden, and after departure a consignor
came to get insurance on his part of the cargo, when Newberry, having
faith in his own luck, took a verbal policy on her freight. The brig
stranded, lost her cargo, and the very moment the news came he settled
and paid up the verbal policy for thousands. There were no Pembrokes
in the insurance business in those days, and with that loss his luck
seemed to turn, and from that time until his death he struggled with
fortune and fate, and instead of leaving millions to his nephews and
nieces, like his brother Walter, he left a small estate, part of which,.
Oliver Newberry like, he gave with Nancy Martin to the Detroit
Hospital. His brother Walter by the bounty of Oliver died worth four
millions, tied it up like a miser — and just now a court has cut up the
will and given the property half to the Public Library of Chicago, and
the other half to the large number of heirs of his brother's. But while

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 343

the name of the one will live so long as the water of Erie, St. Glair,
Huron and Michigan shall wave, as an enterprising, benevolent, active
Western merchant, that of the other will be lisped gratefully by those
who regard wealth as the grand aim and object in life. Oliver New-
berry from 1836 down to about 1849 was deemed worth millions, but
he died comparatively poor.

In his early business career his accounts were kept in a salt barrel,
his correspondence was scattered through the warehouse like the sybiline
leaves, and disorder reigned seemingly all through his business, It was
his wont to carry money and papers in his old straw hat, and in a trip
around the lakes in 1836, in that splendid old steamer Michigan, when
playing brag, as he did high and deep, he would take the old straw
hat off and bring forth hundreds and bet it as indifferently as most men
would dimes. But in 1832 there came to him from the Hudson, James
A. Armstrong, one of the most correct, thorough, skillful and industrious
clerks that ever opened a ledger. Like the brothers Cheeryble, he was
always at his post, always at his work, always doing good to all around
him, while the entries in his daybook, journals, ledger and letter books,
as if engraved in copper, are today marvels of exactness, correctness,
and without blot, erasure or interlineation.

From 1832 for many years he was to Oliver Newberry his official
right hand, his phonographer, letter- writer, his man of all work, and
the two seemed to be needful each to the other. After many years
Mr. Armstrong entered the arena of business for himself, and as com-
mission merchant, cashier of banks, secretary of insurance companies,
had the varied successes and losses of commercial life in Detroit
during those disastrous times from 1839 down to about 1862, but in
commercial success and disaster, in sunshine and storm, he always
pursued "the noiseless tenor of his way," always bore himself with
kindness toward all, and malice toward none, and with a conscience as
clear and life unspotted as his ledger, he went to sleep in 1874, and,
"leaving on earth no blot on his name," rests now with his old com-
mander, Oliver Newberry in yon beautiful Elmwood. There let them lie.
Other men have died richer — other men have gone to the grave with the
full tide of fortune sweeping on; but none ever slept more respected by
those who knew them best and loved them most. But we must hurry
along the docks up the river, as our long weary day of 1833 is nearly
ended.

There are the Messrs. Gilletts, Keynolds and Shadrach in the old
red warehouse devoted to business, honest, hospitable, successful, there
also Jim and Madison Abbott, in the warehouse of James Abbott, and

344 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

at the dock lies the steamer Uncle Sam, commanded by Capt. James
McKinstry, of the United States navy, but on leave and doing civil
duty, and old horseshoer Robinson as mate, with his long hair and
squeaking voice, who used to order the wheelsman to "port there —
port a leetle, I say." A sort of Yankee fresh water sailor.

Passing on at the foot of Bates street, I saw standing in the full
flush of youth, and hope beside, Elliott Gray, and as his then young
partner, Samuel Lewis, now a silver gray, straight, active, polite, a true
gentleman of the old school, who is rich, but not spoiled nor penurious,
who enjoys the goods that God provides him, but never forgets his old
friends, and whose then young brother Alex., a mere boy about the
docks, has nearly ended his most brilliant and successful administration
of Mayor of this dear old city.

Such was my first day along the docks of Detroit and such the style
of commission men who then managed the lake commerce of a city
•containing about 8,000 inhabitants — now the commercial metropolis of
Michigan, the abode of 125,000 people, and the spot where millions
upon millions of the products of this - beautiful peninsula are
exchanged.

No. VIII. v
THE BEGINNING OF THE MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.

A year has rolled away since our visit along the docks of Detroit,
and now this morning is May 12, 1834. Still, bright, beautiful and
soft; for in those times after a brief, dry, crisp winter of about sixty
days, the ice would go out of Detroit river about March 20; gardens
were made early in April, and lettuce and radishes shipped hence to
Buffalo six weeks before gardening began there. Those were* good old
times when the Indian summer lasted clear up to Christmas, and as in
1838, plows were going in our prairies and oak lands all winter long,
and steamboats came and went every month in the year save February.

It is now nine o'clock in the morning, and directly in front of the
old Mansion House, then kept by Mr. Boyer, a handsome barouche is
standing, somewhat overladen with Indian blankets, lunch baskets,
champagne baskets, trunks and other travelers' baggage, to which

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 345

carriage are harnessed two fine horses, while two extra ones are fastened
in the rear; and the driver a regular Kentucky darkey, acting as
purveyor and postilion both, gets ready for the long, long journey to
Chicago. As an assistant to the driver an Indian boy about twenty
years old, named Tomma, makes himself busy while the two young
gentlemen about to depart go into the Mansion House to take a fare-
well drink and shake hands with all their friends ere they commence
the perilous journey of six long days across the "Amoenam Peninsulam"
of Michigan. The one of these two travelers was a very stout, robust, red-
faced, blue-eyed man, then just twenty-seven, built like a bull buffalo;
strong, thick-necked, alert, quick as lightning in all his movements,
dressed in complete semi-Indian traveling costume, as Gen. Schwartz
called it, with moccasins on his feet, the old Canadian capote on his
arm, all marking clearly the Indian trader of that day; while his com.
panion was a pale, slender curly haired young man, just of age, not weigh-
ing over one hundred and twenty pounds, neatly, rather fashionably clad
for those days, who, just admitted to the bar in Michigan after a six-hour
examination in Gen. WitherelFs office on Jefferson avenue, by Judge
Goodwin, Alexander D. Fraser and Judge Witherell, was now going to
Chicago to settle and commence the practice of law there. The elder
one of the two was Major Robert A. Kinzie, who died about three
years since as paymaster in the United States army; who in 1836 was
worth millions by his entry on the north side of the Chicago river, of
the " North fractional section 10, town 4 north, of 3 west," a property
today worth fifteen millions of dollars, while Major Bob, his brother,
Major John A. Kinzie, and the entire family, all died poor, save
Mrs. David Hunter, now living in wealth and ease in Washington;
and not one foot of the Kinzie addition of 110 acres now remains to
the family, save an insignificant lot or two to Gen. Hunter. The
younger gentleman, whose curly auburn hair, light build and flashy
manner betokened youth and hope, and whose dress and address told
of one green in the ways of the west, may now be frequently seen,
with hair white as snow, robust body, weighing one hundred and
seventy, driving up and down the Union Pacific railway, making him-
self at home at Grand Jsland, Cheyenne, Laramie, Evanston, in all the
saloons, visiting all the printing offices, and writing articles for the
*' mountain press," traveling by stage to the Black Hills, and giving back
to the road agents fees taken from them in Utah, waiting on the
courts of Zion for the trial of the great case of Bafes vs. the Church
of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, or attending the funeral of
44

346 BY-GOMES OF DETROIT.

Brigham Young, and soothing the sorrows of the seventeen widows all
in deep mourning; or you may find him like Old Mortality, in beautiful
Elmwood, at mornlight, studying the names and bending over the
graves of the Bradys, the Larneds, the Coles, the Forsyths, the Kerch-
evals, of these long gone days, thus finding enjoyment in his memory
of " by-gones " and companionship with the dead who lie in this
beautiful abode; and whatever fortune or misfortune may have overtaken
him he still pushes on full of health, strength, happiness and hope,
and with energies unflagged and eyes undimmed still sees in the near
future, now as then, wealth lying in his pathway, and plenty of hard
work — man's greatest blessing — until he shall fall asleep with his old
comrades, and find his resting place among the mountains of Wyoming,
or Colorado, or, perchance, alongside James Duane Doty, in the cemetery
of Camp Douglass, at Salt Lake, the most beautiful spot on earth.

The two travelers enter the carriage, the colored driver and Indian
Tomma mount the box; and around the departing stylish coach are
grouped Lieuts. Heintzleman, Center and Berrien in the beautiful
undress of the United States infantry, Lieuts. Poole, Brush and Sibley
in that of the* artillery, while Maj. Bob Forsyth of the staff, and Mr.
Kercheval, all bade us adieu. On the balcony stands Judge Morell,
large as Washington, Eoss Wilkins, Thomas Sheldon, John Norvell,
John A. Wells, George B. Martin, John Chester and a great crowd of
Detroiters to say farewell, and as we start to the west, away from
Newberry's dock swings the steamer Michigan with her splendid cabin,
two beam engines — low pressure — Old Blake, like Neptune on the
pilot house, and on she plunges like a fiery horse to the eastward.
We go for Chicago via Ypsilanti, over the old territorial road. "Night
had long closed in, had let her curtain down and pinned it with a
star," planets were shining over the deep woods that lay along our
road for the first thirty miles, when with a broken tongue, a twisted
axle tree, we reached Ypsilanti. Kinzie and his companion on the
extrax horses, and the negro and Indian Tomma dragging in what
remained of Dr. Abbott's $600 barouche. The next day with great
industry and labor, carried us to Knickerbocker's, where Jones-
ville now is. The next to Marsh, an old Indian trapper's about where
Coldwater now thrives. The next at White Pigeon where there was
quite a settlement; the next at Egbert's, near Door Prairie. The last
night to a log tavern on the lake shore, where some forty of us slept
in one room, near where Michigan City now stands, and where, looking
through the crevices between the logs, we saw a magnificent thunder
storm, with vivid lightning, on the lake. And finally, on Saturday,

BY-GONES OP DETROIT. 347

our sixth day, about 11 a. m., we arrived at Chicago, and on the roll-
ing ground near Twenty-second street we were met with Indian whoop
and loud huzzas in Indian-French, by Mark Beaubien, Medor Beaubien,
Bill Forsyth and other Indian traders, and welcomed to Chicago, then
having a population of about 600 white people and 6,000 Indians. Our
ride was delightful, for the woods were all alive with the encampments
of the Pottowattomies of the lakes and the prairies, and as Kinzie, the
adopted son of old Billy Cauldwell, their chief, could speak Indian as
correctly and fluently as English, as we met the beautiful Indian
maidens, decorated with wild flowers and draped in their most bewitching
costumes, who with true pioneer hospitality invited ,us to visit their
encampment, we had one continuous round of feasting and merriment,
and a new page in the book of life was then opened by the simplicity,
the generous hospitality and the cordial entertainment by these
beautiful daughters of the prairies. Last Friday the younger of these
travelers being called on business to visit the great metropolis of today,
Chicago, went on board a palace car of the Michigan Central, took his
seat in a great arm chair, upholstered richly enough for the Queen of
England — surrounded there by many young fashionable lady travelers,
dressed in modern style, hair frizzed and frowsy over the eyes, like a
skye-terrier, train long like the ladies of Queen Anne's bed chamber,
eyelids dyed deep like the femmes of the can-can in Paris, gloves
buttoned up to the very elbow joints and a dress fitted tight to the
form like a straight- jacket — very becoming in a voluptuous, large, round
and elegantly moulded woman, but death and destruction to a meagre,
thin, spare, skeleton like girl — with new books every few minutes,
newspapers and periodicals from all parts of the country, pears from
California, figs from Florida, oranges from Louisiana, grapes from
everywhere, in a coach as beautiful as any room in Buckminster Palace,
servants, conductors, porters, etc., in handsome livery, everything in
royal splendor, he whirled on to Chicago in nine hours, went to bed
in the Palmer Hotel, a palace equal in size, splendor, equipments and
furniture to the Palais Eoyal of France, Balmoral Castle in Scotland,
or Osborne House on the Isle of Wight; and there, surrounded by
marble pillars, gilded capitals, frescoes as beautiful as in the Vatican,
he went to sleep in a city of half a million of people; but all his old
comrades and companions were gone. The contrast between those two
trips to Chicago in 1834 and 1877 suggest to our memories the begin-
ning, the growth and the present condition of the Michigan Central
railway, one of the grandest, most perfect and best managed routes of
travel between the Atlantic and the tranquil sea, one bright link in

348 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

the brilliant chain which binds New York to San Francisco, which
ensures us forever "one country, one constitution, one destiny."

Everybody, old and young, who has ever studied the topography of
Michigan, knows that for forty miles in every direction around Detroit
lies one heavy timbered, level, muddy plain, where the soil is alluvial
on the surface and a cold, squeasy, heavy clay beneath, through and
over which, even now, transit is almost impossible. But no one save
the early pioneers of this region can tell the horrors of travel over the
same region forty years ago. Through a forest where elm, beech,
walnut, maple, fir, and basswood sprang to the very skies, shutting out
the rays of a midday sun, a black, sticky road was cut, and when the
rush of emigration commenced in 1830, all those highways were cut up
with slough holes, dug- ways and morasses, through which it seemed
impossible to drag a stage coach or a heavy laden wagon. Yet all the
roads leading from Detroit were crowded with them, and it was no
unusual sight in those days to see in early morning half a dozen
superb covered coaches starting away, while a whole long day would be
used up in making Mount Clemens, Pontiac, Monroe, or Ypsilanti, and
members of the bar, elegantly mounted in going the circuit, would
spend twelve hours on horseback in reaching the Huron bridge at
Ypsilanti. Except the road through the Black swamp, from Toledo to
Lower Sandusky, there were no more fearful and horrid roads to be
found than all those leading out from Detroit in 1833 to 1837. Not
unfrequently emigrants were three days reaching Ypsilanti, and a
loaded team from Ann Arbor to Detroit via Plymouth Four Corners
and return would occupy nearly a week. Hence, so early as 1830, a
railroad became the subject of public attention, and in 1832, January
29, the legislative council passed an " Act to incorporate the Detroit
and St. Joseph Kailroad Company," and authorized John Biddle, John
R. Williams, Charles Lamed, E. P. Hastings, De Garmo Jones, James
Abbott, of Detroit, and sixteen others in the interior, to open books,
get subscriptions to its capital stock (one and a half millions), and
build a road from Detroit to St. Joseph, Berrien county, at the mouth
of the St. Jo river; and now in reading over all that list of twenty-one
corporators we find that only two are living today, viz.: Hon. Cyrus
Lovell of Ionia, and Talman Wheeler now of Chicago. "Dead, your
majesties; dead, my lords and gentlemen; dead, right reverends and
wrong reverends of every order; dead, oh, men and women born with
heavenly compassion in your hearts, and dying thus around us every
day " — twenty out of twenty-two. Nothing, however, was done under
the charter, and in 1835, by an act of the legislature, the time was

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 349

extended two years to open the books and organize under the charter,
and in July, 1836, in the office of Bates & Talbott, under the old
Bank of Michigan, three doors east of King's corner, the books were
opened by a committee composed of Major John Biddle, General John
R. Williams, Eurotas P. Hastings, De Garmo Jones, Jame.s Abbott
and Oliver Newberry (General Larned had died of cholera in August,
1834), and Geo. C. Bates was made secretary pro tern., and John L.
Talbott treasurer, and the first four subscribers for the stock of that
road were:

Lewis Cass, by E. A. Brush $25,000

John Biddle 25,000

Robert Smart '. 25,000

Dr.* Brown.. 25,000

Total $100,000

The last two being Siamese Detroit old bachelors, living side by side,
and so united in heart and soul that whenever one took a drink of
Scotch whisky the other smacked his lips and took one also, and when
Brown snuffed, as he did frequently (they were both Scotchmen), old
Robert Smart always sneezed, and in every business matter when you
secured the aid of one you had both; indeed, they were a beautiful
duet in unity, and lived and died almost simultaneously, both glorious,
penurious, jolly old Scotchmen "all of the olden time," and if you pass
near their resting place in Elmwood of these beautiful autumn even-
ings, and stop and listen you can hear their old spirits laughing and
chatting over the wonderful progress of that great railway begun by
them, and realize on the night air the odors of that glorious old
Usquebaugh which mellowed their hearts and made them love each
other as"natwa" other old crusty bachelors ever did. Well, the stock
of the Detroit & St. Joseph railroad was taken after much delay, great
and earnest solicitation by some men who subscribed nothing, and
liberal subscriptions of Trowbridge, Newberry, Jones, Conant, Major
Whiting, and that class. Major John Biddle was made president,
Charles C. Trowbridge, Oliver Newberry, E. A. Brush, Shubael Conant,
Henry Whiting, J. Burdick, Mark Norris, and C. N. Ormsby, directors;
John M. Berrien, chief engineer; Alex. I. Center, assistant engineer;
and Alex. H. Adams, secretary and treasurer, out of which list there
are just three survivors: Charles C. Trowbridge, Alex. I. Center, of
New York, and A. H. Adams, the highly respected cashier of the old
Detroit Savings Bank. Under the auspices of the Detroit & St. Joseph
railroad company patches of grading and tieing were made between

350 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

Detroit and Dearborn in the summer of 1837, and a large body of
Irish democrats were employed, whom Jerry Moore, James F. Joy and
Geo. C. Bates undertook to persuade to vote the whig ticket for
Trowbridge, Bacon, and reform, but who utterly failed, although large
meetings were held at Wayne, and Joy and Bates spoke eloquently for
the ticket, and the two former spent Saturday night and all day Sun-
day in their railroad camp, parting with them Monday night before
the election in the full confidence that at least three hundred good and
true Irish whig votes would be given in the township of Nankin,
Wayne county, a confidence that was entirely lost, with the votes, in
the mud of that beautiful township.

The entire expenditures of this company were, in round numbers,
$140,000, but no part of the road was finished.

In 1837 the State of Michigan organized a board of internal improve-
ment commissioners, and David C. McKinstry, Justin Burdick, Shubael
Conant and two others — three democrats and two whigs— were appointed,
bought out the road and all its franchises, and finished it to Dearborn
in February, 1837, to Ypsilanti in 1838, to Ann Arbor in 1839, to
Jackson in 1842, and to Kalamazoo in 1843. Of course the construc-
tion was in the cheapest, easiest style. Wooden road bed surmounted
by flat, thin rails, which not unfrequently rolled over the wheels,
rushed in the form of " snakes heads " through the cars, and as in one
case witnessed by the writer, impaled a woman to the top of the car,
as boys do flies with a pin. But the State became embarrassed, as it
always will in the management of private enterprises, party feeling
controlled the commissioners, and everything went to the bad, with the
internal improvement schemes and plans of Michigan. But there was
here in Detroit at that time, a far-seeing, big headed, sagacious lawyer,
a man of untiring labor, plucky as a Nemean lion, whose New England
education and constant daily toil had already placed him in the very
front rank of his profession, who looking clear away to the great west
through the shadows of half a century, saw that that rickety, ill
managed railroad would become the thoroughfare of a million and a
half of Wolverines, and a burnished link in a steel chain from the
Atlantic to the Golden Gate of California, and filled with spirit and
energy and zeal he enthused Boston and New England with his own
horoscopic views of " the star of empire taking its western way," and
they being captivated with his thoughts bought out from the State of
Michigan "the Michigan Central railway, paid $2,000,000 and sent
John W. Brooks as president, and James F. Joy as solicitor, counselor,
aid-de-camp, to push on the column, build the road, not to St. Joseph,

BY-GONES OP DETROIT. 351

but to Chicago; and to construct it in the most perfect, substantial
manner, to equip it with engines that should outstrip the winds, and like
the discovery of Archimedes, having a " place whereon to stand, should
move the world;" to place on its road bed rails, to give it the most
airy, comfortable and splendid cars; to furnish weary travelers with
night palaces as gorgeous and comfortable as the bridal rooms of
Monte Christo, to put its servants in a superb livery and to make
them attentive, respectful and kind to all passengers, and behold! you
newcomers to Michigan, you have them all in absolute perfection.
" Si quceris monumenium ingenii" circumspice " the Michigan Central
Railway," and " render unto its master builders the things that are
theirs." But not only did this young Yankee lawyer press on with fiery
energy the Michigan Central railway to its natural terminus, Chicago;
but being there he looked away across the Mississippi, saw the plains of
Illinois burdened with corn at five cents per bushel. Saw as in a vision
the beautiful valley of the Platte, 800 miles of garden; and soon he
organized, equipped, and continued the Michigan Central by and through
the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Roads to Burlington in Iowa and
Quincy, in Illinois; paused to take breath, crossed these rivers with
two beautiful iron bridges, linked up the Hannibal and St. Joseph Eoad,
and finally brought up at Baxter Springs, in the Indian country, on the
one hand; then ferried over the Missouri at Plattsmouth, and ended
substantially "the Michigan Central Railroad" at Fort Kearney, in
Nebraska, a distance of seven hundred miles west of Chicago.

The last day of October it chanced that the train crossed the splen-
did iron bridge from Burlington coming east just at sunrise, and
breakfast was served in the hotel car. Jo. Miller, the son of old Morris
Miller the colored gentleman who for years served in the "By-Gones of
Detroit" as caterer and cook, was head waiter, and his assistants all
colored boys of Detroit; and there as the sun shot up and down the
Father of Waters; and a breakfast was served on that beautiful iron
bridge, whose tracery like a spider's web swung high above the waters,
giving to all the viands and fruits and coffees and teas of all climes,
in a breakfast room as ornate and beautiful as those of the caf6s of
Paris, my memory went back to the by-gones in the beginning of that
railroad in the office of Bates & Talbott in 1836; and my heart swelled
with gratitude to the head that had conceived, the energy and ability,
the untiring pluck, which has eventuated in that superb Michigan
-Central Railroad from Detroit to Baxter Springs on the one hand, and
Fort Kearney, in Nebraska, on the other.

These same Boston Yankees, inspired and goaded on by that driving

352 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

Detroit lawyer — now a grey-haired but energetic man — have brought
here and spent over $100,000,000 in the west since his connection with
this road, and a population of half a million of hard-handed, brave-
hearted, industrious laboring men — engineers, firemen, stokers, track-
layers, etc. — now live along this mighty line, in neat, cosy houses built
with the money expended through that one instrumentality; and their
wives and families are fed and clad and educated with the streams of
money that have flowed through that one single channel from 1846
down to the completion of this grand work in 1876.

True it is that we have had short crops; true a great financial panic
has swept over the land; true, that these roads like all others, New York
and Erie, New York Central and Pennsylvania Central, have not made
dividends these last three years; true, they were compelled to cut down
wages to their employes, and curtail expenses, as all other persons do,
but what of that? Fifteen millions of people are worth more than they
would have been without them. Fifteen millions of people ride over
them; market on them; live on them and through them, and even now
the increased traffic is filling their treasuries, and increased wages and
work are making the grand army of employe's happy.

Your Railroad Commissioner reports that in 1876 the Michigan Cen-
tral Eailroad (old line) had expended $35,000,000; that its cash receipts
last year was $5,500,000, and its expenses were $3,500,000, of which the
taxes paid to Michigan were, in round numbers, $176,000; and the
muster roll of workmen, independent of the palace car servants, must
amount to 15,000 people; while in 1846 the gross earnings were only
$209,300, and total expenses $86,167. "Look on this picture, then on
that," and see if the mind of man can measure the blessings to the
Northwest of the Michigan Central Railroad, and the debt of gratitude
due to its herculean architect, builder and founder.

But one thing in connection with this great railroad is so novel, so
extraordinary, so unprecedented as to challenge astonishment to this
whole nation. Until within the last decade the aphorism has been
undoubted that in our boasted land of liberty the "sons of rich and lead-
ing men were rarely worth the powder required to kill them," and facts
justify the conclusion. In all this land, save in the Adams and Everett
and Winthrop and Astor families, few are the rich, educated and exalted
fathers that have ever left sons to succeed them, and the Clays,
Websters, the Curtis', the Berriens, the Wrights, the Douglass' have, with
their own lives ended their family pride and history, and fame forever.

Even among the uby-gones" of Detroit we find scant records of the
sons of our richest, best educated and most aristocratic friends who

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 353

have ever succeeded to the stations occupied by their fathers. All our
institutions seem to lead our young gentlemen, sons of rich and exalted
parents, right straight down to the gutter and the grave. The moment
a young man realizes here that his father is rich, he too often makes
up his mind that he is to live a life of pleasure, ease and idleness.
So he learns to dress well, part his hair in the middle, as donkeys
always do, to play billiards, ten-pins, keno, cribbage, and to chatter like
a monkey to silly girls, who, after finishing their education, cannot
tell the location of a planet in the Heavens or even the latitude and
longitude of their homes. He drives fast horses, he makes the trip to
Europe, sees the can-can, drinks Hockheimer and Eudesheimer — returns
and can tell you nothing of art, science, learning, history or business;
and then he becomes an offensive sot, or falls into the toils of some
extravagant woman, whose expenditures outgo her husband's income,
and he supplies the place of the one and pays the bills of the other.
Such is an ordinary, rich young gentleman. But thanks be to Heaven!
the Michigan Central Railway has developed an exception so notable
that it must not be overlooked. We must secure and pin this one
specimen lest we never find another.

Nearly thirty -five years ago the late charge to France — an elegant and
accomplished gentlemen — " with a wife lovely beyond her sex and
graced with every charm," returned to Detroit, bringing as infants a
twin brother and sister — the former of whom was so fragile, that nothing
but Dr. Pitchers heroic treatment ever saved him. He was the grand-
son of Michigan's most wealthy and exalted statesman — the pet of all
the family. He grew up, was thoroughly educated, traveled and came
to manhood, marrying in Cincinnati the daughter of a railway magnate.
But he had sense, he had brains, and today, instead of seeing him
flaunting along the highway smoking cigars in the presence of ladies,
driving fast horses, you will, if you go to the Michigan Central Rail-
way depot find him at work like a giant as its general manager, fixing
rates of wages for thousands of men, dispatching trains here, there and
everywhere, now dictating to a phonographer, anon consulting with the
solicitor, up early, going home at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning, at
Chicago today, tomorrow in New York, always at work, plainly clad,
polite to everybody, but in his whole life and conduct and business
furnishing the model of a true American gentleman, an educated
American business man, a man born to wealth and station, who is worth
preserving, and whose statue ought to be erected of Scotch granite on
the Central depot, cyclbpeari size, in order that all the young men who
45

354 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

pass through it should see what a man the grandson of Lewis Cass has
made himself.

No. IX.
EARLY HOTELS OP DETROIT.

Time hath moved its finger along the dial-plate, and now, today, it is
midsummer of 1835, and the streets of Detroit are all alive with covered
wagons by the hundred, laden with women and children, articles of
household furniture packed all around; cows and sheep following and
led in the rear, and away to the interior they make a long line to
Oakland, Washtenaw, St. Clair and Monroe, while each morning the
stage coaches are packed full below, and piled high with passengers
removing into the Territory. Each day a new steamer arrives, sunk
clear to its gunwales with freight, its decks literally black with human
beings — men, women and children — between decks, on decks, on the
wheel-houses, all over them and every article of furniture that human
ingenuity can contrive, or human want demand, may be seen all around
them. The new counties, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Ionia, Kalamazoo and
Berrien are filling up day by day with new log houses, saw-mills, grist-
mills, stores, shops and machine shops. And Michigan is now the
grand objective point; the " Ultima Thule" of all New England, New
York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and from the docks of Detroit clear over
to Lake Michigan, crowds of people, transported in every possible form,
"move on."

But today is a gala day in Detroit, and we shall soon learn why the
old adage, "Tell me where you live and I will 'tell you who you are'"
—"a man is known by the company he keeps," has, with a slight change,
a direct application to cities "as well as men," and paraphrased thus:
"Show me your hotels and I will tell you what your city is," is
philosophically true. Casting your eye then to the photograpic view of
the Hotel Woodworth, then kept by Uncle Ben Woodworth, the brother

of him who wrote:—

" The old oaken bucket,
The iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket,
That hangs in the well."

We shall see a specimen of the hotels, the inns, the taverns of Detroit,
at this early day, where hundreds of new comers, strange faces, were

BV-GONES OP DETROIT. 355

seen every night, disappearing in the morning, and succeeded by new
arrivals during the coming day and night; one living tide, swaying and
rising higher and higher with each successive day, month and year.

On the northwest corner of Woodbridge and Randolph streets, just
below and on the other side from where the old American, now the
Biddle House, stands, was its site; and there we stand today to recall
that dear old Stranger's home; and all the hallowed and sacred memories
that still linger and play around it, and that rise up like ghosts at the
photographic view, which goes away back to half a century ago.

When and how early that old mansion was erected there is no record
of; but that it was the home of comfort and hospitalities, the head-
quarters of the early pioneers, so far back as 1821, when all the young
gentlemen who were even at that early day "going West," we do know.

Built in patches it had grown in size until its veranda facing the
east was over 100 feet long, and the main building and its additions
reached clear back on Woodbridge street, nearly twice that depth, and
.every part and parcel was not only utilized but always full. Dashing
up Randolph street you will observe a new Concord coach and four
beautiful grays just now starting for Ypsilanti, loaded up as an over-
loaded ship, below decks, on decks, on the boot, on the driver's seat,
with passengers, young, bright, fresh looking men. While just swinging
around into Randolph from Woodbridge street is another bright red
coach with superb bay horses, equally laden, on the doors of which you
read •' Woodworth & Co.," bound for Pontiac, each of which will have
a hard pull to make their journey, even now in this beautiful weather
of July, 1835.

Come a little closer to the front and there you see that same old
omnibus, having on its white panels and over its door in great gilt
letters, "Woodworth's Steamboat Hotel," and standing, aiding passen-
gers to alight, is a stout, red-haired, blue-eyed, very polite young man,
about twenty- eight years of age, whose green frock coat is buttoned
very tightly around his person, his dazzling striped pantaloons fitting
very closely, while a black string and broad rolling shirt-collar gave
the Byronic appearance to Sam Woodworth, the san of its proprietor — the
major dorno, the man of all work, who accompanied the omnibus to all
the steamers, whose politeness, affability and knowledge of all men and
things, made him a very different hotel clerk from the diamond-studded,
impudent upstarts so common of modern days. Every one, man or
woman, who ever entered "Uncle Ben's," as the Woodworth House was
called for short, will remember Sam's suavity of manner, his graceful,
smiling politeness, smacking a little of Sam Weller's, but still a kind-

356 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

hearted, truly polite and quite well-educated son of a brave old father,
who, after serving in the capacity of general manager of Woodworth's
Hotel for years, became possessed of the vaulting ambition to step up
the ladder and become the master of a steamboat, to stand like old
Commodore Blake on the pilot-house, pull this bell, then that, and
shout in loud tones, "Avast there!" "Port, sir!" "Port, sir!" and who
having purchased a very small steamer, called the Spy, or some such
non-nautical name, commenced his regular trips to Truax's and New-
port, down the river and back, all in a single day, touching at Windsor,
Sandwich, Springwells, Ecorse and all the intermediate points, " wind
and weather permitting," until one day when lying at the Windsor
dock, the tea-kettle engine of poor Sam exploded, and the last ever
seen of him was when he was observed with outstretched arms and
wide-spread limbs going up higher than a kite, where many of the old
sailors on the steamers of those days followed him.

The steamer was split up into matches and what was left of poor
Sam was followed to the old cemetery — Sexton Noble and his pipe
managing the hearse — by all the old habitues of that inn, and no man
ever deserved more justly the tears that were shed over his remains
than he did.

But come, let us enter this hospitable old home and first pay our
respects to Uncle Ben, a broad shouldered, gray-eyed man, then nearly
sixty years of age, with very firm lips, mild in his outward seemings,
but when enraged a perfect old volcano, whose increasing pallor and
deepening of the wrinkles on his face told of the higher barometer of
passion within; a great handed, strong, old-fashioned Yankee, whose
heart was open as the day, and whose industry and cordiality made his
home the headquarters of all the steamboat men; the pioneers of the
Straits, and who may be still living today, a fading, weakening old
by-gone. Having shaken hands with Uncle Ben we pass into the
barber shop, and behold, here is Wm. Clay, the learned tonsorial artist;
the cultivated, educated barber from England, a man sui generis, who
would cut your hair in the very latest fashion, and chop logic with you
ad interim; who would give you a superb shave, and simultaneously
discourse on the Greek roots; who would furnish an elegant "shampoo,"
and all the while interest you by quotations , from Socrates, Longinus,
Thomas Aquinas; who would give you the catalogue of his private
library — where the very finest edition of the Greek, Latin and English
classics could be found; a man who would make you a wig, and at the
same time weave you a web of philosophy, of metaphysics and religion,
that you would carry to your grave; a learned, scholarly, thoroughly

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 357

educated barber, who only went to rest these last few months, and who
was indeed a marvel of the by-gones of Detroit.

"When shall we look upon his like again" — a scholarly barber; a
logical wig-maker; a classical hair-dresser; a most learned sharnpooer,
a tonsorial artist, and an expounder of Greek philosophy, all combined;
a marvelous conjunction of the vulgar art of living, with the aesthetics
of the academy, the homely drudgery of every day life, united with the
beautiful teachings of Plato, Socrates arid Cicero, on the banks of the
Ilyssus.

But let us look the Woodworth Hotel over, it will take but a moment.
'Observe that it is only two stories over the basement; it is plain in its
construction and model. On entering from the street you find the stage
office, the bar — where in those days one could get a glass of pure Monon-
gahela whisky, old Jamaica rum, brandy imported from Quebec, that
had no adulteration in it — by-gones — now giving place only to liquid
hell fire, adulterated stuff composed of vitriol, red pepper, fusil oil and
corn whisky, fit only to make murderers, suicides and maniacs. Then
came a large sitting-room, accidentally inscribed as setting-room; then a
large dining-room, all neatly, simply furnished, but all most comfort-
able; where in the next flight of stairs was the ladies' parlor, a very
large room which we used to occupy for whig meetings, several large
double rooms, where you would find not infrequently at least eight
members of the legislative council, all living and sleeping there.

The carpets were not velvet nor Royal Wilton, but three ply, softened
by heavy linings of hay which gave rather frowsy odors to the room.
The furniture was very substantial, not mahogany; the forks were of
steel, not silver, and the knives had bone instead of ivory handles; but
every room and bed in that hotel was year in and year out full.

In February of each year, after the session of the supreme court
of the territory, around that table were wont to congregate the members
of the bar; and the annual bar dinner was given when Judge
Woodbridge, that witty old gentleman, at the head of the table, was
flanked by Chief Justice Sibley and Justice Morell, and at the foot sat
Harry 8. Cole, with Boss Wilkins on his right, and midway between
the two was Gen. Charles Lamed, one of the most elegant, dashing and
princely of all that bar, having on either hand George McDougall, the
father of the bar, and Charles Cleland, its poet, editor, toastmaster,
while on the other side sat Augustus S. Porter, pulling his nose in
nervous enjoyment of the wine and wit, when every member was con-
demned to give a toast, tell a story, make a speech, sing a song or drink
a glass of salt and water, and when Cleland's last toast was always to

358 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

old McDougall, a legal Jack Falstaff, redivivus, the quandam father of
the bar, then light-house keeper at Fort Gratiot, and which was always
drunk standing, somewhat in these words:

BRETHEBN OP THE BAR— "We drink now to the Nestor of our Bar, George McDou-
gall, who in early life shed the light and brilliancy of his genius over our profession
in beautiful Michigan, but who now in his old age illuminates the dark waters of
Lake Huron with his magic lantern, and so guides the tempest tossed mariners
safely through storms and dangers of the lake down to the silvery streams of St.
Glair."

At which three cheers and a tiger were given, heel taps all around,
and then after a valedictory from Judge Hand, the bar went back into
chancery.

But let us hurry on to the new Grand Hotel, the then Palmer
House of Detroit, the old Mansion House, where all the elite of
Detroit, the military, naval and civil officers of our government did
then most congregate. In these "by-gones" the Detroit river in turning
around so as to swing Sandwich Point, made a huge detour just at the
foot of Cass street, and sweeping away inland made a second Tappan
Zee. Its banks at that curve were the Cass farm, the Jones, Wood-
bridge, Baker and Thompson farms, very high and bold, and Gen.
Cass' orchard came almost to the edge of the bluff. High up on the
bank just below Cass street stood this dashing old home, the Mansion
House, built many years before our visit of today, July, 1885. It wa&
made of stone some three stories high, with a veranda along its entire
front and huge pillars reaching clear away to the roof, and then
extended back some two hundred feet deep. From that veranda you
could look right down over old Uncle Oliver Newberry's warehouse,,
across the Detroit iron works, and have an exquisite view of the river,
the dwellings and gardens at Windsor and Sandwich, down around the
point, Springwells, and the smoke of the coming up steamer could
always be seen far away round Sandwich Point. That old porch wa&
very cool and delightful; and there today you see grouped on the ver-
anda, young Gov. Tom Mason, so handsome and genial, prim John
Norvell, Lieutenants Alex. Centre, John M. Berrien, Heintselman, all
drawn up with rheumatism, Lieut. Poole, Capt. Russell, Major Forsyth,
of the army, Judge Morell, Judge Wilkins, Thomas Sheldon, Justin
Burdick and numerous other long-time habitues of this old inn, for
today was a gala day in Detroit.

They all adjourn to the bar to drink a mint julep. This is hot
weather, and we enter and look through the office into the high and
spacious parlor and the dining room, and where all looks lofty com-

BY-GONES OP DETROIT. 359

pared with the Woodworth Hotel, which we have just left. Mr. Boyer,
the proprietor, whose wife died here of cholera last summer — 1834 — is
a heavy, ponderous, sluggy Pennsylvanian, brought here by Gov. Geo.
B. Porter, who also died of cholera last summer, and the house feels
sensibly the loss of Mrs. Boyer, the landlady, who was the more active,
energetic and useful one of the proprietors, while Churchill, then its
clerk, bar-keeper and>man of all work combined, had none of poor Sam
Woodworth's cheeriness or courtliness. The records of that old Mansion
House, if they could be exhumed and read now, would furnish a sketch
of Detroit, its old citizens and guests that would astonish, interest and
amuse. Perhaps old mortality will still grub them up, chip away the
moss and clear off the dust that time has scattered over them.

On that veranda at midnight, after the wedding of G. Mott Williams
and the beautiful Miss Mary Strong, stood all our crowd, and saw with
amazement and fear the first meteoric shower ever witnessed, which old
George McDougall, Charley Cleland and Eb Canning all declared was
the feu de joie from Heaven, at the wedding of Detroit's most beautiful
belle. Poor Mott — a good fellow, an honest man, long since gone upward
where the heavenly shower originated; and his widow still remains, beauti-
ful in her white hair — a cheery, genial "by-gone" lady, a mother, grand-
mother and noble woman. On that veranda in 1837 Daniel Webster
was welcomed to Detroit, and in Gen. Cass' orchard — afterwards
graded down by Abraham Smolk, dumped into the river, making some
seventeen acres of new river front — made one of those godlike speeches
which no other man ever had, ever can or ever will make.

In the kitchen, directly under the long dining-room in those " by-
gones," dancing or waltzing parties were sometimes improvised, as
after the meteoric shower in which the blue pants and white stripes of
the United States infantry, the scarlet and gold of the artillery, the
learned lawyers and dashing M. D's. might all be seen mingled in the
giddy mazes of the waltz with the German and French girls, who at
other times waited on the tables, performed the duties of femme de
chambre; and where, at rare times, even judges of the supreme court,
attorney general and United States court officers were very joyous
when the partners of the rosy cheeked, blue eyed and beautiful Ger-
man waltzer of the kitchen department.

At that dining table during a whole season sat Silas Wright, New
York's greatest Senator, vis a vis to Judge Morell, wife and daughter;
Capt. J. B. F. Russell, of the United States artillery, with his gorge-
ous wife, a blue blooded Peyton, of Virginia; a splendid beauty — they,
too, are " by-gones " — who had in her train always, everywhere, repre-

360 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

sentatives of all classes of gay Lotharios; who turned the head even of
poor old George McDougall, and afterwards George Smith, the Scotch
banker of Chicago, and who today frightens all her old admirers by
demanding widow's dower of their homesteads of Chicago. At that
same table Stephen A. Douglas was not an infrequent guest, then in
the very beginning of that career not less brilliant than the meteoric
showers; and there have I seen in brilliant army ct>stume, side by side,
Gens. Scott, Worth, Wool, McComb, Whiting, Larned, and an army of
subalterns. And now and then when' Jack Smith and Bill Abbott had
taken too many juleps would they ride their Canadian ponies up the
steps, directly into the bar room, and then "en cheval," drink yet another
mint julep, made of fresh mint and pure Monongahela whisky, just
touched on its brim with peach brandy and honey . But now " here
today the glory of this dear old Mansion House departeth,

"Oh now, forever, farewell;
Farewell the tranquil mind — farewell content."

Now the Michigan Exchange is opened and all the crowd are now
about to go there and aid in its christening. So, in fall all the gentry,
and in double files, led by Gov. Stevens T. Mason and John Norvell
we march to the corner of Shelby street and Jefferson avenue, where,
at the door, the entire party are welcomed by Shubael Conant, the
owner and builder of that then magnificent palace, and by Austin Wales
and his brother, E. B. Wales, then its proud and youthful landlords.
Prodigious indeed, is this new grand hotel, one hundred feet front on
the avenue, the same in depth on Shelby street, four stories in height,
of pressed brick front with stone trimmings. It begins a new era in
Detroit. Old times are passing away, and commerce and fashion are
westward bound today.

Of the building itself I need not speak. Like the monument of
Bunker Hill " there it stands, and the first rays of the morning sun
greet it, and the last hours of the expiring day linger and play around
its base."

The dining room in that day was up stairs over the corner store, at
the conjunction of Shelby street and Jefferson avenue, where Webb,
Douglass & Company, of Albany, the junior partner of whom was John
Chester, for many a long year had the first wholesale and retail crock-
ery establishment. Directly from the street you entered the office, and
on the right was a large, well lighted, airy, elegant bar, with a mahog-
any rail, rested on plated silver arms or braces in front, and where on
this opening day, everybody, young and old, grand and humble, drank

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 361

pure liquors to their heart's content, for then we had no Red Rib-
bons, " 'tis true, 'tis pity, and pity 'tis 'tis true."

Everybody shakes hands with Shubael Conant, then a teetotaler of the
strictest kind, like old Solomon, who 'had found "wine and strong drink
to be a mocker." Everybody congratulated Wales & Co., and everybody
drank with everybody, and "all went merrie as a marriage bell."

Late dinner was served, arBd around that first table were gathered
John A. "Wells, Geo. B. Martin, Walter Newberry, Rufus Brown, John
Chester, George E. Hand, Col. Daniel Goodwin, Ambrose Townsend,
John L. Talbott, Bill Alvord, Morgan L. Martin, while at its head sat
Judge Conant, a Vermont giant — who occupied that same seat until he
was upwards of eighty years of age — and a great number of invited
guests, including all who came over from the Mansion House.

The register of that first day of the Michigan Exchange, as Irish
John used to shriek it out, will furnish over one hundred and fifty
names of the Detroit guests, and out of all that number not a dozen
remain to this day to read these "By-Gones," or to recall the pleasures
of youth and hope there gathered round the first table ever spread in
that now universally known hostelry. Underneath that old roof lived
Fletcher Webster, the favorite son of Daniel Webster, and wife,
Anthony Ten Eyck and lady, Marshal 'I. Bacon and wife,- John A.
Welles and wife, Robert McClelland and wife and nearly all the quan-
dam guests of the Mansion House, while Judge Conant, Uncle Gurdon
Williams, Salt William, Stammering Alph, Young Gurdon, Poor Bill
Alvord, John L. Talbott, and multitudes of others, either actually lived
in the house or left it only to die somewhere else.

Forty-two years have come and gone since that opening day of the
Michigan Exchange — an epoch in Detroit, July, 1835, and of the
multitudes then in our streets only here and there can you see a gray
haired man, plodding wearily on, waiting for the carriage that will be
be his escort to Elmwood — but even to this day with its old-fashioned
front, its simplicity and plainness of outward seeming, whosoever shall
enter there will find every comfort and care that heart can desire or
money command. Like the old homes of Detroit its latch string is
always on the outside, and the weary and dust stained traveler will
ever find a cordial and hearty welcome.
46

362 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

No. X.
THE DETROIT BOAT CLUB AND THE REGATTA.

"Not faster yonder rowers' might

Flings round their oars the^spray;
Not faster — yonder rippling bright
That tracks the shallop's course in light

Melts in the straits away,
Than men from memory erase
The benefits of former days;
Then strangers — go — good speed the while,
Nor think again of the lonely isle."

— "Lady of the Lake"

Time with his old scythe cutting a wide swathe — like poor Joe of
"Tom-all Alone's" — "moves on" and now it is February 18, 1839, and
Detroit has put on since our last many city airs; is becoming every
day more and more a mart of commerce, of trade, of manufactures, and
business. The National hotel has been built by Chase & Ballard, and
outshines in its lofty front, pretentious style and dazzling new paint
the Michigan Exchange, and opened under the auspices of Harring of
New York, is quite the swell house of the city; and it has continued
to grow and improve, until today it has become the fashionable
Eussell House, with its multitudinous windows and their variegated
shades and lofty outlook on the corner of Woodward avenue and
Michigan Grand Biver avenue. The old Governor Hull house, owned
by that very prince of gentlemen, John Biddle, has been opened as the
American hotel by old Mr. Griswold and sons, one of whom, George
B. Griswold, was a leading democrat, who afterward became a purser in
the navy, where he died; and after that house had been twice burned,
it finally arose Phoenix-like, in the present Biddle House, which, under
the caprices and whims of its lessee, is shut and closed, a great injury
to business in that quarter, and a strange freak it would seem of a
long headed business man.

And with all these rapid changes in business in commerce along the
wharf, in that little strip of railroad finished to Ypsilanti, whose
terminus here was just opposite the National, where Lafayette avenue
joins and terminates in Michigan avenue, on the site of the north
wing of your noble city hall — came the fancies, the whims and amuse-
ments of a metropolitan western town, and so this day, February 19,
1839, the Detroit river looking more blue and beautiful than ever in

BY-GONES OP DETROIT. 363

contrast with the white SDOW upon its banks, suggests to the young
men of the city a boat club; and E. A. Brush, James A. Armstrong,
John Chester, J. H. Farnsworth, Andrew T. McReynolds, Alfred Brush,
Alpheus S. Williams and Alex. H. Sibley meet and organize the
Detroit Boat Club, and of course E. A. Brush was elected president
(he always was on such occasions), and James A. Armstrong was made
secretary, and this added to his other duties as secretary of the old
Brady Guards, secretary of the Detroit Dramatic Club — of which more
anon — secretary of the Detroit Young Men's Society, gave him employ-
ment in all his leisure time, and all his books and records were kept
as if engraved on copper plate — and there a formal carefully prepared
constitution was adopted, and the members then present signed the
same; but of those first ten subscribers five are gone on their last long
voyage, while the remaining five as they move on, remind one of the
old men-of-war's men, in Trinity Hospital or in the dock yards of
London, who are anxious to put on all the airs and assume the vigor
and outward and visible signs of Teal young Jack tars.

But at the next meeting of the boat club, a new and even more
dashing element appeared in the signatures of John Winder, Isaac 8.
Rowland, Anthony Ten Eyck, Asher S. Kellogg, Rufus Brown, Wesley
Truesdail, J. Nicholson Elbert, Alexander Jauden, Col. Deacon, Samuel
Lewis, D. C. Holbrook, Geo. C. Bates, and Capt. Wm. T. Pease, whose
character and position at that time gave new features to this young
bantling. Col. Isaac S. Rowland was soon to be the brother-in-law of
Governor Thompson Mason, and was now a man of grand station as
Captain of the Brady Guards. Anthony Ten Eyck was a distinguished
democrat and lawyer, and was made United States Commissioner and
counsel at the Sandwich Islands by President Polk. Poor Saxe Kellogg,
with his hollow cough, his long hair and long, lanky limbs, was the
partner in the great commission house of Mead, Kellogg & Co. Dr.
Rufus Brown was a large, cultivated and successful merchant. Wesley
Truesdail, in the full flush galore and high tide of success as cashier
of the bank of St. Clair with its business office here, while Elbert and
Jaudon, brother of the cashier of the United States bank of Philadelphia,
and Deacon, son of old Commodore Deacon, of the United States navy,
were young blue bloods, fancy business men from Philadelphia, who had
just founded a city on the sands ten miles south of Grand Haven, Port
Sheldon, built an enormous long wharf and hotel there, consumed
$200,000 and champagne enough to make deep water over the bar of the
Grand river, bought a superb brig and imported from Philadelphia an
elegant sail- boat and eight-oared row-boat, for pleasure; but the winds

364 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

came and beat upon the sands, and the waters of Lake Michigan and
the wild waves of speculation washed away their city, and these young
gentlemen came to Detroit, where Elbert, a most estimable gentleman,
died. Years after Jaudon lived on his brother's reputation and his
own wits and keenness, while Col. Deacon, after a visit to .Paris,
became a pseudo count, married in Boston the wealthiest belle of the
" Hub," Miss Parker, traveled in Europe, and finally died instantly by
bursting a blood-vessel, and Capt. Wm. T. Pease, the handsomest,
jolliest and the most elegant of all the captains on the lakes, trod in
nautical pride and glory for many a long year the quarter decks of the
steamers Michigan, Illinois and Niagara; and when the railways finally
drove them from the lakes, for many a long season on propellers of
vast size and capacity from Chicago to Buffalo, until about seven years
since, he went into dry dock in the custom house at Buffalo, where
sickening and pining on the land for the lakes, he died three years
since. God bless him. No more genial, courtly and elegant sailor
ever trimmed a yard, squared a sail or tripped an anchor than Capt.
Bill Pease; and no matter whether plunging in Cimmerian darkness into
a nor'easter with the old Michigan, plowing the waves of Lake Mich-
igan in November gales on the propeller Fulton, or presiding at her
cabin table with hundreds of guests, or acting as coxswain of the
Detroit Boat Club, he was always everywhere, and at all times a
superb careful sailor, and a true American tar and gentleman combined.
Such were the men who thirty-eight years ago united as the Detroit
Boat Club, and bought in New York for $225 an eight oared barge, 38
feet long, which was originally intended to go to England as an American
race boat, and which today, after her long maritime service, swings at her
davits in the splendid club house at the foot of Joseph Campau avenue.
But, of course, the first thing to give eclat and dash to this new sport-
ing club, was a striking, stunning, sailor-like uniform, and on April 10,
1839, the following was adopted: A chip sailor hat covered with white
linen and broad black band, sailor pantaloons of white duck, with black
belts around the waist, shoes with low, sewed heels, white socks, black
silk neck handkerchief knot, shirts, a blue ground with white figure
and broad square collar, coat of Kentucky jean; and if these new young
aquatics could have seen in this natty and sailor like uniform, these
by-gone boatmen Armstrong, Chester, Jaudon, Elbert, Count Deacon,
with Capt. Pease as coxswain, E. A. Brush and Eufus Brown as bow
oarsmen; and that heavy boat shooting up the Detroit river filled with
beautiful lady guests on a moonlight night at the rate of ten miles
per hour and observed the uniformity, steadiness and length of their

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 365

stroke, they would have realized that in these latter day contests the
old "Detroit Boat Club" may well repose upon it honors and laurels
now in the long gone by-gones ere the new young oarsman of today
were born.

" Tall trees from little acorns grow,
Large streams from little fountains flow."

And no better illustration of this or the rising grandeur and glory of
Detroit can be found than is furnished by this brief record of the
beginning of the Detroit Boat Club, a generation ago.

In May, 1843, Wesley Truesdail bought from Alexander Jaudon the
club boat, so called, of the Port Sheldon Company. And this was the
last and only of the assets of that grand western speculation that had
spent $200,000, and exhausted 500 baskets of champagne in the vain
effort to rear and build a city where a few Dutchmen have come long
since, founded Holland and made a grand success. This new boat
carried six oars and was a model of beauty and speed for those days.
A perfect water nymph — a sylph. And she, too, now after an existence
of thirty-seven years, swings at her moorings in the club house, super-
seded by the lighter, gayer, and more fashionable shallops and shells
of modern clays, just as our beautiful belles of that period have given
away to these dashy, smart, and fresh young girls, and have become
mothers and grandmothers.

In the by-gones on Hog Island — now known by the more elegant
and euphonious name of Belle Isle, in honor of the then Miss Isabella
Cass, now the Baroness Yon Limburg, of Holland, for whom one hundred
and twenty mail contractors at Baltimore in 1843 swore by the Eternal
" they would vote for as President of the United States" — the club univer-
sally passed its Fourth of July, and then on the 3d a detachment was sent
to clear away grounds, pitch marquees and tents borrowed from the army
and there they entertained among their guests Misses Isabella Cass,
Emma Schwartz, the Misses Griswold, sisters of Purser Geo. R. Griswold
of the navy, and all the elite of Detroit society; and there Maj. Eobert A.
Forsyth and Henry S. Ledyard were always assigned to the duty of
brewing a big bowl of sailor punch, half-and-half, a duty that was per-
formed to the satisfaction of everybody; and toasts were drunk to the
memory of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and so
.on down to Gen. Harrison, in successive goblets, filled to the very
brim, and just tipped and touched on the edge with pineapple, rum
and arrack.

There, on July 4, 1841, the guests of the day were Gen. George M.
Brooke and his handsome adjutant, George Deas, who married Miss

366 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

Garland; subsequently went with his brother-in-law, Gen. Longstreet,
into the Confederate army, and, after the rebellion, broke down and
died of a broken heart. Gen. Brooke, Colonel of the Fourth Infantry,
was that gallant old Virginian hero who, in 1813, at the sortie of Fort
Erie, opposite Buffalo, when the American batteries were shooting wild
because they could not find the locality of the British troops, volun-
teered and took a large glass lantern lighted under his military cloak,
crept on his belly inside the British lines, quietly clambered up a beech
tree, tied the lantern to a limb and instantly dropped to the ground
and ran, while a hundred cannon blazed away at him ineffectually, and
he came safe back to camp. He was brave as Ney, gallant as Murat,
and a most elegant old Virginia gentlemen. Today Belle Isle is the
abode where in summer the young men of society congregate, where
good dinner, music and dancing, flirting, picnicking and sporting and all
the refinements of society, all the elegancies of fashion, all the enjoy-
ments of cultured life may be found; but of these club men only here
and there remains an antiquated specimen. Its president and elegant
secretary, the coxswain and bow oarsman and all the Philadelphia
attaches have long since mingled with their mother earth — "Dust to
dust, ashes to ashes." But let us see now what has come from this
small beginning and few grains of seed sown on the Detroit river in
the by-gones of 1839.

A LAPSE OF THIRTY FIVE YEARS.

In early summer it happened that chance medley brought here one
of the original members of that old club; and falling into the hospita-
ble hands of one of its present members, a son of Virginia, born akin
to the great Hunter stock of the mother of presidents, an invitation
was hospitably given and cordially accepted to go to the new quarters,
at the foot of Joseph Campau avenue, and had he found there the
palace of Aladdin and the genii that inhabited it his surprise could not
have been greater. A beautiful house in the Italian cottage style, is
built clear in and over the waters of the Strait; and as the river mur-
murs and gurgles and ripples along its base, one would imagine himself
on the Grand Canal in Venice, and there in the basement sheltered
from storms and winds, hung the two old boats, and some half dozen
new ones of all sizes, models, shapes and names; while in the inner
dock swung at anchor a beautiful yacht, reposing on the river like a
swan, a perfect nautical water witch, whose tapering masts, sharp bow,
rounded stern and huge canvas, reminded one of the pirates of the
West Indies, and whose furniture and entire rig bespoke nautical skill,

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 367

aquatic taste and wealth to maintain it. Ascending to the reception
rooms on the second floor a scene was presented that again carried one
to Venice or the Golden Gate, for looking in every direction save one,
you saw the deep, deep blue of the Straits, whose surface was dotted
all over with shallops, shells, barges, tugs, sloops, brigs, propellers,
wherries, ferries, and old-fashioned steamers, and on going still higher,
away across was Sandwich, and running your eye up and down the
Straits, you saw that Detroit since 1839, the birthday of this club, had
spread like a matron growing old and broad, until from Hamtramck
clear down to Fort Wayne, more than five miles, was one continuous
dock where propellers, steamers and vessels of all descriptions lay along-
side them discharging -and receiving their cargo and in this amateur
sailor's home were carpets, elegant furniture, engravings, pictures, prizes,
models, fancy oars, and a superbly furnished ladies reception room,
where fairy fingers had draped and arranged the flags and curtains and
signals of all the boat clubs of the land, and where doubtless many a
brave, young sailor boy has told his love, sailor like, to every successive
pretty girl whom he met there, for land sailors are like water sailors
who fiud a new sweetheart in every port or place they go to.

Since the organization of that first club its muster roll has grown
by hundreds, embracing many business men and men of wealth, and
its property has increased by many thousands of dollars. While
inspired by its example and stimulated by its success, no less than
ten different boat clubs are in the directory of Detroit today. And all
over Michigan other young men have followed their example and have
organized clubs of their own, until a small navy could be improvised
in a week on these lakes, of brave, dashing, gallant young sailor boys.
Nor is this all, on the 5th of August last, Detroit was the scene of
the grandest regatta, the largest congregation of boat clubs ever seen
on this continent. Young athletes, splendid fellows in their stylish
club costumes, with shells and barges, gathered here from every part
of our country — from the Saskatchewan in Pembina, the Big Muddy,
the lakes of Minnesota, the rivers of Kansas, the Atlantic cities; from
Cleveland, Toledo, Erie, from Saginaw Bay, from La Pleasance Bay at
Monroe, from the Hudson, the Susquehanna, the Delaware, the Kenne-
bec, the Penobscot and the Connecticut, from Baltimore and Norfolk,
all in one grand struggle for the splendid prizes of Detroit manufacture.
The skies were dark, the clouds hung, heavy nearly all the regatta
week. Kain fell daily, but what cared they, young bloods, full of life,
strength, pluck, vigor and hope, for rain? Sailor boys expect it— live
on the water — struggle on the water — battle on the water — as brave

368 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

soldiers do on the land — and win or lose those beautiful classic prizes by
the water. So day by day when the call sounded, rain or shine, these
young naval heroes bared their bodies to the fight, and as in the
Olympian and Isthmian games, where Alexander told his father he too
" Would contend if kings were to be his competitors," they pulled and
rowed, they struggled and strove, in the presence of thousands of
witnesses as if their lives, their country, their liberties, their honors,
were at stake, and the conquerors received the cheers, the plaudits and
the huzzas of myriads of men, and the smiles, and braves and bouquets
from a grand amphitheatre of beautiful young women, that would have
rewarded Napoleon at Austerlitz, Grant at Richmond, Sheridan at
Shenandoah, Sherman at Chattanooga, Hooker at Lookout Mountain,
and would, with their witcheries and beauty, their youth and
sweetness, have stayed and tamed even Sitting Bull and his Sioux
warriors in their terrific strife on the Tongue river with the heroic
Ouster and his gallant " six hundred."

This pencil, which brings back the "by-gones of Detroit" forty
years ago, remembers no such scene- in the past, and it trembles even
now with the wild excitement of that spirited struggle — and those
shouts and cheers, that joyous, heaven- ringing applause. How the
Detroit river, as blue as the straits at the Golden Horn; as gorgeous
and beautiful as the Golden Gate in the tranquil sea — did respond and
laugh in hearty conjunction with those bright, beaming, rosy-cheeked
girls; and how these old gray hairs did curl and tremble, with the futile
wish that they were young again, now, as in the by-gones — and the vain
thought that our antiquated Detroit Boat Club might once more pull
an oar before such a congregation, and win a prize; to be petted and
rewarded by the cheers and smiles, the plaudits and praises of such a
vast crowd of brave men and sweet women.

The only reward that these young conquerors obtained was a prize
to be kept as the crown of olive was after the Olympian games, and
the return home of those aquatic heroes was like unto that of the
Boys in Blue on their return from the battle fields of the Republic,
and in painting, in poetry, in The Daily Free Press, of Detroit, and
the press of our nation, their deeds and conquests, their achievements
'and victories are embalmed in the hearts and memories of our whole
people. "True it is, and pity 'tis 'tis true," that our old Detroit Boat
Club carried off no prize in that grand regatta, received no cheers and
won no crown of olive; had no smiles from youth and beauty, but like
a dear venerable mother and grandmother of the "by-gones," it was
proud to remember that but for its early efforts no club would have

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 369

been organized, no regatta have come off; no prizes have been won; no
applause hate been heard, and that it now pledges with renewed zeal,
new coaching and training to beat the whole sporting world at the
next grand regatta in Detroit.

No. XI of the "By-Gones" will embrace life photographs of the
by-gone merchants of Detroit and their young successors, men of 1832
to 1836.

No. XI.

THE BY-GONE MERCHANTS.
SOME FORTY YEARS AGO.

Old time moves its hand backward on the dial plate to 1833; the
morning of the 14th of May, when youth sat at the helm, hope spread
her sails and passion steered the way of the young adventurer to the
then "Far West" — from Canandaigua, "Old Ontario," to Michigan;
and up and down the broad avenues Jefferson and Woodward and
along Larned, Woodbridge, Congress and Griswold streets, the young
emigrant with eager eye, studies the shops, the stores, the trading
houses, the saloons, the eating houses, the market places and the
markets of Detroit, and peers in here and stops there to study the
faces and manners, the stocks in trade, the articles of barter and
exchange which the merchant princes of that day — the old traders and
manufacturers — offered in the market.

And memory, today, will renew and restore some of these most
interesting and intelligent merchant princes, who before this May,
1833, have by daily toil, by strict honesty, and the utmost economy,
accumulated what, even in these fast days, would be considered large
fortunes, and which, seeking investment in the. old French farms of
Detroit, left such large estates as the Campaus, Morans, Desnoyers,
Beaubiens, Williamses, Conants, Coopers, Cooks, Jones, and all that
set.

THE LONG, LONG WEARY WAY.

Bear in mind, please, you young merchants, that in those "by-gones"
a trip to Montreal or New York, to purchase a stock of goods, con-
47

370 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

sumed, from the hour of setting out to the arrival of the stores, from
three to six months; that the purchaser must leave here ill February,
cross Canada in the old French "carryall," and after some two or three
weeks reach the marts of commerce, either in Montreal or New York,
whence all the supplies came; that then in- the spring, after the ice had
gone from the Hudson river, these goods must travel on the Erie
canal (after 1826) and reach Black Rock some time in June, when
they would be shipped on the old steamers like the Ontario, the Clay,
Sheldon, Niagara, Thompson, and Pioneer, and would not, even with
their speed, reach Detroit before midsummer; while anterior to 1826,
when the Erie canal was first opened, they were wagoned from Albany
to Buffalo by ten or twelve horse teams attached to huge covered
wagons with tires as broad as the brim of a Quaker hat, traveling in
grand caravans of a hundred in line, and which consumed from one
month to six weeks in their transit to Buffalo. Of course stocks of
goods in those early days were laid in for a whole year, and were
bought so late as in 1836 from Pearl street merchants, at three, six,
nine, twelve, eighteen and twenty-four months' credit, which was very
rarely even abused or betrayed by these old merchants, whose shades
are here gathered around this pencil, chatting, smiling, and laughing over
a memory that mirrors them, all their persons, characters, habits,
dress, and address — as if today were that same bright, beautiful May
day forty-four years ago.

In those by-gones respect to age and veneration thereof, was taught
to all the young and it was beautiful to see youth and beauty cluster-
ing around the grandfathers and grandmothers of those old Detroiters,
and joining in all the hilarity, the frolics and the dances, where beaux
of eighty and ninety years danced the minuets and contra-dances and
Virginia reel with blooming, beautiful young girls of sixteen to eighteen.
So we begin with our visit today, as in duty bound, in the order of
age, and pay our respects as we pass along, not in order of success
and wealth, but in that of time, who furnished us his calendar. On
the corner of Bates street and Jefferson avenue we call and find

PETER DESNOYERS,

the same of whom we have hitherto spoken, with cheeks like the
moss rose of summer, eyes sea blue, and that genial, sunny smile, and
here he is. Coming in you can find all kinds of French and Indian
goods, Mackinaw blankets in grand perfection, rifles, guns and pistols of
all sorts; calicoes, beautiful, dashing, but all decidedly Frenchy; beads
of all kinds for young girls, matrons, grandmothers, and Indians;

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 371

rosaries of every kind, price and shade; moccasins beautifully orna-
mented, boots, shoes, sugar from Mackinaw; hardware of every shape,
and a general stock, such as in those " by-gone " days were always
here. But "Grandpapa" Desnoyers is now very gray, stoops a little
and laughs a great deal, is rich, and so this shop demands little of his
time, and was soon swept away by the grand rush of young business
men from the east to the west.

Crossing the avenue to where now stands the Williams block we find

BARNEY CAMPAU A CO.,

the partner being Gen. John R. Williams, both straight as arrows,
both very tall, and very talkative; both perfect gentlemen of the
olden time, who always saluted their friends with an earnest, bon jour,
bon jour, mon ami, all ladies by lifting the hat from the head, and
paying the same honors to the bishop, priests, judges, and officers of
the army; both capital business men, who for half a century bought
their business supplies from Montreal and Quebec, and sold them here
to les habitans, the bons ciioyens of France, and the pioneers from the
States. Barney Campau was a hard working old Frenchman, while,

GEN. JOHN R. WILLIAMS,

was a most precise, dashing, elegant old gentleman, who, in perfect
dress, an elegant gold headed cane or in the full dress of a brigadier
general of the militia, attracted the attention of all the boys and the
raptures of all the young ladies fifty years ago. That he was held in
high esteem by all the citizens is evidenced by the fact that he was six
times elected mayor of Detroit. He also commanded the contingent of
troops from eastern Michigan in the Black Hawk War. They both
worked very hard, lived very well and hospitably to a period of life past
eighty and then died, leaving unto their families rich legacies, and
their undivided estates today would compare well with the young
millionaires of 1832-36, of whom by and by.
But here comes along the street

SHUBAEL CONANT,

of the firm of Mack & Conant, a Vermonter, now well on to forty-
eight, fully six feet high, a massive, well-built old gentleman. His
hair is very white, his cheeks, too, very red.

His large, gray eye tells of energy and courage, while his mouth, full
of superb teeth, expresses firmness, persistence and success. His arms

372 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

are long, hands very large. His feet are large, and whenever he puts
down his foot there it stays. A long time ago he came from Windsor,
Vermont, and backed up by Thomas Emerson, a veritable curiosity, a
banker, a fur dealer, merchant and everything else.

Conant & Mack have dealt largely and successfully in furs, have made
money, and Mack has gone to Pontiao, Oakland county, while Conant
is nursing his vast real estate, preparing to build the Michigan
Exchange; going out to the ten thousand acre tract to shoot deer and
wild turkeys; attending all the prayer meetings in Parson Well's old
Presbyterian Church, for like Solomon of old, he has, after a long life
full of the good things of life, now found in old age, that all is "vanity
and vexation of spirit." Conant sat at the head of the table of the
Michigan Exchange until he was nearly ninety years of age, and not
unfrequently, at eighty years of age, striding his old gray mare, rifle
in hand, and, on very cold winter days, beating up the whole ten thousand
acre tract for deer and wild turkey. But finally the trumpet sounded
and dividing his large estate among the children of his brother, for
he was a sturdy old bachelor, and left no children, he answered roll
call, and leaving on earth no blot on his name, he went to join his old
Detroit comrades in their happy hunting ground, where all is peace
and rest.

Some years before him, his old patron,

THOMAS EMERSON,

the unique, of Windsor, Vermont, preceded him. His personal
appearance and address was the duplicate of old Mr. Pickwick, blue coat,
brass buttons and gold headed cane, while he himself, was the most
testy, phthisicky, nervous, excitable old gentleman,' that ever lived, and
when his "red ribbon" was off, as was very often the case, the wealthy
old banker would dance and rave like a madman at any losses or
delays in business. He had a customer here,

THOMAS PALMER,

of the firm of J. & T. Palmer, the exact opposite, " Uncle Tom," as
everybody called Mr. Palmer, was a huge Vermonter quite six feet
in height, weighing over two hundred pounds, with a very red face, watery
eye, over which hung a pair of steel mounted spectacles, through which
he scarcely ever looked. His movements were slow and sluggish; his
conversation was pleasant, but very quiet, and he took everything very
easy and quiet; especially business, trade and payment of debts. He

BY-GONES OP DETROIT. 373

was a most honest and upright man, dealing in everything but money,
which he seemed really to contemn. Furs, rat skins, coon skins, skunk
skins, beaver, otter, fox and wolf skins, shingles, lumber lands, lots and
mortgages; whitefish, salt, apples, and peaches, everything that walks
on the earth or swims in the lakes, "Uncle Tom" Palmer would buy
or sell, provided the boot, as he called it, was paid in dicker, and he
waxed and grew fat and old, and when he died, left a large estate to
his heirs. But while the inventory of his estate showed property of
all and every kind, there was but a small amount of cash. He
dickered on to the very last, and, if he left a last will and testament,
he disposed of everything which man can use, save only money.

" UNCLE TOM'S BOND."

Well, among the estates of Thomas Emerson, banker, etc., in Wind-
sor, Vermont, in 1834, which was dated way back to the oldest
by-gones, on which there were many indorsements of payments made
as below:

Eeceived on this bond January, 1820, in coon skins $100 00

Received on this bond January, 1821, in shingles 50 00

Eeceived of Thomas Palmer May, 1831, in fish 100 00

Eeceived of Thomas Palmer May, 1832, in lath and boards 75 00
And so on, but the last two years there were no payments.

Now in July, 1834, there swept over Vermont, Windsor especially, a
wave of religion, and Thomas Emerson was one of the "brands snatched
from the burning." Immediately he became one of the most earnest
of all in that town, and turning his back on the gold and the silver of
his bank, he prayed earnestly, most zealously and most sincerely.

It will be remembered that, that same year cholera broke out with
absolute malignity here, cut up our people root and branch, and thirty
days decimated the population. On the 16th of August, 1834, thirty-
seven persons died from this dreaded disease and everybody was horror
struck. That evening it happened that Harry Cole and another by-gone
met in Dr. Rice's office just in the rear of" the now First National
Bank, to inquire what the news was; when Dr. Rice very emphatically
responded that everybody was dying and would die, that in 1832 he
had bled all his patients and cured them all "but this year" said he,
" every patient I have bled has died, and all my patients are dead."
Everything was very blue and silence prevailed until Cole drew from
his pocket the following extraordinary letter addressed to him by the
now pious and good Thomas Emerson:

374 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

WINDSOR, VERMONT, August 12, 1834.
Henry E. Cole, Esq., Attorney at Law.

MY DEAR HAL — I am rejoiced to say to you, that the Lord hath been among
us here in Windsor; that a day of Pentecost is here, and that there has been
an outpouring of the Holy Ghost, and that I have been snatched as a brand
from the burning. " I am now laying up all my treasures in Heaven where neither
moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal."
Oh, Hal! how I wish you and our old friend, Tom Palmer, might see the
error of your ways. By the by, Mr. Palmer has not paid his interest on that bond
for nearly two years; now I learn that " the pestilence is stalking at noon-day "
among you, and we know not how soon you may go. Mr. Palmer ought to set-
tle that bond. You, and he too, ought to prepare for death, and he ought
certainly to settle that bond at once. Oh, Hal, if God would open your eyes;
and Mr. Palmer, surely he will pay the interest on that bond now. I pray
nightly and daily for you and Mr. Palmer; and trust he will pay the interest
on this bond.

That the Lord will guard and keep you, dear Hal, and my friend Palmer, is
our constant prayer; but do make him pay the interest on the bond. I will
take furs, shingles, lumber, apples, fish, or anything he has. God bless and pre-
serve you both, but please do not let Mr. Palmer forget to pay the interest on
the bond.

Your devoted friend,

THOMAS EMERSON.

With twenty-five cents postage prepaid, this unique missive camer
after a week's voyage to Detroit. Harry Cole and Thomas Palmer both
survived the cholera, and Emerson's bond was all paid and canceled
long before Mr. Palmer took his ticket of leave.

But we are still on Jefferson avenue and at the corner of Griswold
street, where Ives' bank now stands, Dean & Hurlbut, Jerry Dean and

CHAUNCEY HURLBUT,

are in the saddle and harness business, the latter of whom, a sturdy,
strong old by-gone, who, having become rich and a director in the
Second National Bank with all its young and wealthy managers, tramps
on as forty-five years since, with a steady, quiet, old-fashioned pace,
with a kind word, a cordial shake of the hand and a warm greeting to
all his friends.

Although one of Detroit's oldest merchants, he is the youngest
Eoman of them all and is even now the active man as president
of the Water Commissioners, in completing Detroit's last and
greatest works. Chauncey was once a great fireman, wielded the
trumpet and manned the brake with vigor; but the new machines have
ended that long ago; and now a man of reputation, of wealth, of clean
hands and pure heart, he bides his time and works while he waits for

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 375

the wagon. His partner Jerry Dean, slipped his cable long ago, and
is now floating o'er unknown seas and fathomless oceans.
On the avenue, diagonally opposite that corner, is

DAVID COOPER,

that nice, precious old gentleman, whom accident brought across the
writer's path in April, 1876, about two months before his death. Those
same spectacles, which were there in 1833, were there on his nose, that
same wiry form; neat, prim, precise; dress, always black, always very neat;
the same earnest manner, the same quiet dignity, the same strong
Puritanic religionism marked him in that last day as forty-three years
before. He had grown very rich and accumulated bonds and riches up
to the millions; still that same plain old brick house on Michigan
Grand avenue was still his home, as it had been for half a century ; its
modest furniture, orderly arrangement, and perfect neatness telling the
peculiarities of its master. The quiet lady-like wife; the only son a
clergyman, well educated, studious, hard working, close, and economical,
like his father; the other brother, George Cooper, gone by an accident,
just after he came to manhood; all was like a change of scene at a
theater, as David Cooper stood in front of the beautiful monument to
the valor and blood of our boys in blue, directly opposite that splendid
city hall, and discoursed on Detroit as it was that spring morning 1838.

He was ripe and ready, for during all his life, while he was close,
careful, economical — some would call him penurious — justice and truth
were his handmaidens, integrity and honesty were his jewels, For seventy
years David Cooper was a Detroit merchant, yet he never failed in
business, oppressed a debtor, or defrauded a mortal of one single penny.
A devoted religionist, he shaped his whole life in accordance with his
views and teachings, and exacted of others, so far as he could a con-
formity therewith. While he was not a gentle, yet he was a truly good
man, and if there is a heaven above us "and that there is all nature
cries aloud," then David Cooper is registered there in mercantile prac-
tice as " A No. 1."

But we cross Jefferson avenue again and here we salute and shake
hands with

TUNIS S. WENDELL,

an old Knickerbocker from Albany, very pale of face, looking
always wearied and sickly, a most careful, correct business man; but
timid, always scolding at fate, always afraid of banks, yet always specu-
lating in their assets and bills, a man of weak constitution, very

376 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

devoted to his business, but somehow, like " poor Joe " he could not
move on, and so, although a man of means, owning his own brick
house opposite the Exchange, and occupying, as his store, a brick build-
ing where the First National Bank now stands, he died after loosing
almost everything he had in the crash of the " Wildcat banks" of 1841,
and 1842, and of 1848. One of his sons went away from here and has
been lost sight of for many years; the other Capt. Charles E. Wendell,
one of Michigan's bravest sons, died gallantly on the field of battle
" Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"

But we have swung around the circle and are now at

j. L. KING'S

clothing store, corner of Woodward and Jefferson avenues, where on the
first day of life in our new home, in the basement, we took nice
coffee and pickled sheep's tongues with Capt. Charles M. Bull and
Frank Desnoyers; and today, in looking up a business man, we saw
apparently the same wild turkeys, quails, partridges, and saddles of
venison which hung there forty-three years ago. But Mr. King, after
having clothed all the sailors, white and black, on the docks, all the
French from Ecorse, River Rouge, Sandwich Point and Monguagon,
all the frogsters of Hamtramck and Springwells; after having encoun-
tered all the financial panics and bank failures from 1837 to 1877,
changed his place of business some time since, and still lives on earth
to sell clothing as of yore.

Half a block up the avenue was

FREDERICK H. STEVENS,

then a successful hardware merchant, then president of the Michigan
State Bank, who built the first very elegant brick dwelling on Jefferson
avenue, where Mrs. James A. Van Dye now lives, furnished it with
princely splendor, gave a grand house-warming in 1837; but afterwards
was swept away by the financial flood of 1844-5, and died in compara-
tively straitened circumstances. Next to him in the same block was

DARIUS LAMSON,

a strong, square, very hard-working, prudent, and very economical dry
goods merchant, who beginning there in 1818, kept on in the "noiseless
tenor of his way," always hard at work all the week, always in the
Presbyterian church on Sunday; whose unpretending home on the avenue
was always the seat of real hospitality without any of the flame and flash

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 377

of modern entertainment, but that hospitality that always had a plate
for a friend, an honest shake of the hand for a neighbor, and a
cordial "God bless you" for those who met under his roof. He, too,
left a handsome estate for his heirs, some of whom with their children
make up a number of the families of Detroit today.

LEVI COOK.

One more call and our day's visits are over. In a small wooden,
one story building, where Masonic hall now stands on Jefferson avenue,
between Griswold and Shelby streets, was the store of Levi Cook, a
perfect, childless old giant, some six feet three inches high, with a
bald head and with a wig always awry. He was three times mayor of
Detroit; the Grand Master of the Masonic lodge; the Grand High Priest
of the chapter, a man who believed and practiced Masonry as it then
was, as a bond of fraternity, unity, and brotherhood of man; a roaring
whig, a good story teller, a very careful, prudent trader, who made money,
kept his money and his lots, and left a handsome estate to nephews,
nieces, cousins and kin, and then went to the Masonic heaven, " That
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

And just at this moment plods slowly along, with trembling steps,
sunken eyes and shriveled face,

JOHN ROBERTS,

long before 1833, engaged in hard work in Detroit, in the soap and
candle business. The sun shines bright this morning, and he looks
around dazed and amazed like old Rip Van Winkle, after his return
from the mountains, at the large banking houses, this new city hall,
and he seems lost in all this bustle and noise of today. He coughs
heavily, his eyes weep, and his voice trembles as he says: " I am now
eighty years old, 1 am almost the sole survivor of those old, old mer-
chants who were here long before your time. The others are all gone
and I must soon follow." A true Christian and an honest man, he is
ready and willing. " Let the drum beat, his knapsack is swung."

We must pause here and reserve the generation of 1832-6, the
McGraws, Buhls, Baldwins, Batons, Sheleys, Farrands, Carpenters, a ad
all the other youngsters for our next, when like Othello, we " shall
speak of them as they are and nothing extenuate or* set down aught
in malice."

But in taking leave of our old by-gone friends, let us not forget to
48

378 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

remark that not one of these men ever made a fraudulent failure, or
ever went into bankruptcy. They were humble men; but, thanks to-
God, they were all gentlemen.

No. XII.
BY-GONE MERCHANTS.

Once more time advances, and this is now May, 1836, and since our
last three of the most important and interesting years in the history
of Detroit and Michigan have intervened; and both have advanced
nearly a century in that seemingly short space of time. First and
foremost, the convention of 1835, to form a constitution for the State,
has sat and the constitution been adopted. The election of State
officers, members of the legislature, and county officers, under the new
State government, has been accomplished, and the entire machinery of
the State has been put in motion, although not yet admitted into the
Union, and all these newly elected officers are only waiting for the
event to become possessed of all the honors and emoluments of their
varied positions, while Senators Norvell and Lucius Lyon, and Bepre-
sentative Isaac E. Crary are dancing attendance on congress, asking
in vain that Michigan shall be permitted to take her seat as the
youngest, fairest and brightest of all the daughters of the Union.

Another important event is just now being felt all over the great
west, and in Detroit especially, for the removal of the deposits from
the United States Bank in 1833, and their division and distribution
among the state banks by the order of President Andrew Jackson,
and according to the creed and views of the great whig party, contrary
to the constitution and' laws of the United States, but Gen. Jackson ,
"by the Eternal!" has resolved to do it, and as he was the soul and
heart and head of the democratic party, they, to a man, not only
defended and justified it, but rejoiced over it.

The vast accumulation of deposits hitherto in one conservative
national bank, was distributed by Eoger B. Taney, then secretary of
the treasury, among the pet state banks, all of which were owned and
managed by democratic bankers, and they were encouraged and advised
to furnish facilities to their customers and clients; and the result was
that paper money became almost as cheap as wild flowers on the

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 379

prairies, and speculation of all kinds grew rife, especially in lands,
city lots, town plats, as since then in 1870-73, and prices of all kinds
advanced, even in wild lands, until prices that spring were as high in
Detroit as they are today, and property on Jefferson avenue and the
Cass farm was bought and sold by the foot front as high as now.
The property opposite the Michigan Exchange was built by Messrs.
Trowbridge, Farnsworth and Col. Whiting, and rents there and under
the Michigan Exchange itself, were much higher than on this very
day. Myriads of capitalists rushed from the East, bringing money
which they put into wild lands all over the State, in fabulous sums,
and Horace H. Comstock, Justin Burdick, and even Arthur Bronson,
the closest, most penurious rich man in New York, bought lands by
the thousands of acres; and even in old-fashioned, quiet Detroit, all the
light headed and enthusiastic young men became crazed by the fortunes
made by the purchase and sale of unimproved real estate here in one
twenty-four hours. The walls of the Michigan Exchange, the National
hotel, the American hotel, Uncle Ben's, and all the other hotels of
Detroit, were papered over with plats, maps and diagrams of new
cities, from Lewis Goddard's city of Brest, clear over to Port Sheldon
on the shores of Lake Michigan; and Col. Edward Brooks as auctioneer,
and Major Stillson his great rival, sold each day towns, cities and lands
in which, like the "eye- water" of Col. Sellers, there were "millions
in it." And Stillson himself laid out a town on Lake Huron, called
White Bock, mapped it beautifully, and sold at auction a whole
village where a seventy-four gun ship could ride at anchor over the
chimneys of the hypothetical houses.

Men bought real estate and did go it blind as the sporting men
play poker. This real estate mania is exhibited in this most extraordinary
statement of the value of land sold at the land offices in Detroit alone:
In 1833, $214,389.77; amount sold in 1836, $1,845,207.16; making only
in three years this difference, $1,630,817.39. While the other land
offices at Monroe and Kalamazoo were equal in their increase, and
Thomas C. Sheldon, receiver of public lands at the latter place, and
Dan Waters at Monroe, used to bring their money to Detroit to
deposit in the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Michigan in great
bags, as they do wool now, sometimes counting up to nearly half a
million of dollars. Everything seemingly was on the mountain wave
of success, as in 1870-3, and one had only to obtain the refusal of a
piece of land on Jefferson avenue and tu find a purchaser, who was
always at hand, to become rich in a single summer.

So wild and wayward did these purchasers become that between May,

380 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

1834 and May, 1836, even the writer, a young, curly haired enthusiast,
had made and had in the bank $17,000 on the purchase and sale of
lots in Detroit, when in no single case had the deeds been made to
him. But he had secured the refusal at a certain price, then sold it
at an advance and pocketed the difference. Of course all silly fellows'
heads were turned and the old "by-gone" felt that he was a second
Nicholas Biddle, and that in a short time his estates in Detroit would
equal the Astors of New York. So he used to fancy that he would
build and endow a university, found a hospital, or perform some other
equally benevolent feat.

Nearly everybody became wild and extravagant on the strength of
fancied wealth; at the hotels champagne took the place of water, and
bottles popped and cracked like pistols in California. Horace H.
Comstock and other real estate millionaires drove $10,000 spans of
horses, and small brick buildings on Fort street were sold at higher
prices than the same property would bring today. While the sale by
Gen. Cass in July of this year, 1836, of his farm lots on ten years'
credit, brought prices as high as they would have done on the last fourth
of July. As an evidence of the prevailing madness, let it be stated
that in July, 1836, a company composed .of Walter L. Newberry,
Morgan L. Martin, George B. Martin, John A. Wells, Wm. H.
Townsend and George 0. Bates, was formed to buy the Beeder farm
at Springwells, for $150,000, to lay out a city there, as a rival of Detroit,
make a grand shipyard there, and to make fortunes for all these young
nobs, but that same old Eeeder title, still in the courts, prevented a
consummation of that grand financial scheme.

But while the streets were full, and the hotels full, and the land
offices were full of such financial sellers, the young merchants of
Detroit of that day, with here and there an exception, were level-headed
and being possessed of sterling principles, sound judgments, discrimi-
nating minds, they foresaw the future bankruptcy and explosion, of all
this speculative folly, and so they avoided it, as a tidy man would pitch
his tent and quietly settle down to their legitimate business; working
hard, living economically, eschewing all extravagance and prodigality,
turning neither to the right or the left, always paying as they moved
on, until Detroit today presents to the world a band of successful mer-
chants and wealthy business men which has no equal either in Buffalo,
Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago, Milwaukee or any other city in the United
States. Is this exaggeration or is it reality? Is it fancy or is it fact?
Mark you now we confine ourselves to the young business men of 1832-6,
now gray haired, staid old millionaires of sixty-two to seventy years,

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 381

men who have, one and all achieved success, not merely in the acqui-
sition of wealth, but also in everything else that they have ever under-
taken to accomplish. We need not stop, today, to demonstrate the
practical philosophy of the remark that " nothing succeeds so well as
success," and that in this boasted land of liberty, where all are on a foot,
of equality in the beginning, while estates are not entailed and cannot be
tied up beyond three lives, "the only standard of man's capacity is what
he finally accomplishes here during his life." We all stand equal in
the race, and none but the wisest, the most industrious, the most hon-
est and temperate win in the end. In casting your eyes today over the
wealthy, successful and really great men of this nation, you will find
ninety-nine out of every hundred of them " self made men " like your
Detroit merchants, while here and there the son of some wealthy or
exalted family, like the Adams, the Winthrops, the Cushings of New
England, the Astors and Vanderbilts of New York, may take up the
lines and business of their fathers and carry them on successfully.

Emerging now from the basement of the old Bank of Michigan, four
doors east of King's corner, where the office of Cole & Porter was, and
had been for years, and turning toward the Michigan Exchange, the
first mercantile house of importance in 1834 was that of

Z. CHANDLER.

Mr. Chandler was then just of age, was very tall, as now, and had come
from New Hampshire to begin the journey of life. Of course he
brought with him energy, life, industry, and a thorough training in
the New England school of business and morals, and also a small pat-
rimony, which was subsequently increased by the death of his brother,
who died young of consumption. No man ever devoted himself to the
duties of his business, and all the stern demands of youth, in a new
country, more zealously than he did. Sleeping in his store he was up
early always, worked late, was economical, prudent and energetic during
the week days, was always in his seat at the Presbyterian church on
Sunday; was an active and zealous worker in the Young Men's Soci-
ety and all literary and moral enterprises; made a large business
acquaintance all over the territory; was never a moment away from the
counter during business hours; sold rapidly; selected his goods with
skill and taste and of course grew, day by day, in the confidence and
credit of business men, and in the good will of his neighbors and
friends. So he continued, year by year, to expand and enlarge his
business. And foreseeing the growth of Detroit and Michigan so early
as 1837, he began to invest his surplus accumulations in real estate all

382 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

around the four corners at King's, buying out the Brewsters, Brooks
and Halschoin and all the other neighbors, who, becoming embarrassed
by their speculations, were daily caving in; so in the progress of a few
years he owned some dozen or more business houses, all around the four
corners, which cost him a mere bagatelle, and which he retains even
today as a part of his accumulated wealth. All his habits of life were
those of a thoroughbred New England youth. He was strictly temper-
ate and no man did more to help build up his church, establish its
Sunday schools, its hospitals, and to expand its benevolent institutions
than he did. He was then no politician, but an earnest whig, and all
the energies and zeal of his life were directed to one grand object,
success in business; and that* he soon attained, and as he grew older,
and the State - of Michigan advanced, his business steadily increased
until its area embraced the entire peninsula, and his sales increased by
hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In the midst of the wild speculations of all the world around him,
like the pilot at the wheel, he kept his eye always on the compass,
never bought nor gold anything on speculation, touched no real estate
except that which was improved, and which he always bought at bed-
rock prices for cash in hand. Of course such a business, like jealousy,
grew and made the very food it fed on; and so Chandler's wealth
enlarged its area every year until he entered the political arena in
1856, when the management and mantle of all his business affairs fell
upon the shoulders of Allen Shelden, a boyish, smooth-faced, clever gen-
tleman, whose activity, zeal and business skill more than equaled that of
his teacher, and who, during the war, as the sole managing man of Z.
Chandler & Co., more than tripled the old business and its profits, and
who, today, is one of the most respected, esteemed, successful merchants
of all the younger class of Detroit. Indeed no man in business today
among the merchants of Detroit, ranks higher in every respect than
Mr. Shelden.

Crossing Woodward avenue in the old Dequindre block we at once
encounter the sign and place of business of A. C. McGraw, a practical
shoemaker and shoe dealer, who was born and bred in Orange county,
New York, and, having a good common school education, had looked
away through the future and saw in Detroit the place where fortune
awaited him; and so he landed in Detroit in 1830 and at once went to
work at his business to accumulate capital by industry and economy.
But he builded better than he knew, and in the three years that
preceded 1833, when this old pencil first made its stake in Detroit, he
had gained the entire confidence of the community, a credit equal to

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 383

that of any man, and had accumulated quite a snug sum, all of which
went into his business, and which of course grew day by day as
Detroit and Michigan advanced in commerce and manufacture. In
that same store, on the ground near where Horace Hallock & Co., now
have their clothing store, for many a long year, A. C. McGraw traveled
steadily on, bending all his energy and devoting all his time and talent
to the pursuit of his business, watching the markets and studying the
growth and outcrop of his new home.

He was not only an excellent business man, industrious as the sun,
prudent and economical, but he was then and has continued to be
through a long and most successful business career, a consistent,
devoted Christian, always temperate to the last degree, never in his
life for a moment indulging in dissipation of mind or body, but devot-
ing all his time not actually occupied in his business to the reading
and study of the best books, to the most regular and earnest devotion
to the Presbyterian church, its schools and all its benefactions. And
while an earnest whig and thoroughly acquainted with the politics and
politicians of the land, yet never soiling his hands in the dirty pool of
partisan schemes, never seeking or accepting office of any kind. Each
succeeding year McGraw became better known, his credit and business
more enlarged and his income multiplied, and without one dollar of
patrimony or one penny of aid from any hunfan being he has grown
and enlarged his old business until today the house of McGraw & Co.
manufactures and sells boots and shoes all over the northwest to the
extent of three-fourths of a million of dollars, and employs labor by
the hundreds. Not only this, but as his advance in life and wealth
came to him, he built and occupied a quiet, elegant American home.
He educated all his children with the utmost care in this country, then
spent with his family a long period in Europe, in Berlin, where he
was the guest and friend of the American minister, and with his
family he has traveled all over the civilized parts of Europe and
Africa, and recrossed this continent at least twice, so that he knows
today all that is interesting of his own country, and is familiar with
all the institutions and objects of interest in Europe. A large family
has sprung unto him, and they have all had the benefit of good
domestic training at home, access to the very best schools here and all
the benefits of visits and life in Europe, and today there is no black
sheep in all that flock. One son on the shores of the Pacific faithfully
performed the duties of United States District Attorney for Oregon,
another has now become eminent in Detroit as a surgeon, while two
more at the right and left hand of their gray haired father, belong to

384 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

the firm of A. C. McGraw & Co. If success in the acquisition of
wealth, the attainment of an unsullied character, a credit untarnished
by a single act of dishonesty, a reputation as unspotted as the blade
of Damascus, hands unsoiled by one spot of political dishonesty, a
mind thoroughly stored with all the books and information appertaining
to his pathway in life, be evidence of wisdom, then A. C. McGraw may
go to sleep in Elmwood and have this inscription on his tombstone
"Sacred to the memory of a man who achieved success in everything
he undertook." Wealth has not spoiled or changed him; he is neither
a miser nor a tyrant, but now, as forty-five years ago, a plain, staid,
industrious, hard-working, honest, temperate American citizen, whom
any minister of ours in all Europe might be glad to present to the
crowned heads of the world, as one of the very best specimens of a
true American merchant, manufacturer and mechanic. But we pass on
to Jefferson avenue, just below. the store of A. C. McGraw & Co., and
here we stop and peer in through the window, and there hard at work,
busy as bees, are two young men, only a year or two since from
Pennsylvania, who are destined to write their names all along the
future of Detroit in splendid huge warehouses, great mercantile
establishments on Woodward avenue or Jefferson avenue, sturdy and
massive banking houses and insurance offices all along Griswold street,
and they are the brothers

FREDERICK BUHL AND CHRISTIAN BUHL.

They are, "hat and cap manufacturers" and subsequently, like old
John Jacob Astor, they became successful fur dealers.

Down in the old Kercheval house on Woodbridge street, below and
back of the Michigan Exchange, they have their great manufacturing
hat shop, and if you pass there on a dark night, at any hour earlier
than 12 o'clock you will see a huge fire, a furnace and all the material
and machinery of hat dyeing and manufacturing, and Chris. Buhl with
his strong arms trimming and scraping furs, and going through the
entire process of hat manufacturing, while Frederick Buhl is always in
the shop on the avenue, from early morn to late at night, supplying
customers with hats, and all the materials and trimmings appertaining
to the business. Frederick Buhl is a spare, quiet, cool man, perfectly
absorbed in his business, while the younger one, Chris., is a strong,
active, go ahead, outdoor fellow, and conjointly they make a perfect
duet in business, the one managing, superintending and in person
manufacturing all kinds of goods belonging to their business, and the
other making sales in Detroit and visiting New York, in the purchase

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 385

of new supplies. Both of them are very active, thoroughbred and
devoted business men. And so they prospered and grew, and never
amidst all the changes and chances of a deranged currency did they
touch bottom, or suspend their straightforward business. Nor were
they ever seduced to turn to the right or the left from their legitimate
business. No speculations, no ^ promised profits, in real estate, or in
furs, or in anything else, could bend them a hair's breadth from their
daily, hourly and yearly track. So they both stepped up the ladder as
firmly as the hodman does and each year their old business extended
its area until they became the leading Detroit house in all that branch
of business. Then C. H. Buhl, anxious to out-strip his old partner,
went into the iron business, having bought out with poor Charles
Ducharme the old stand of A. H. Newbould & Co.; and then and dur-
ing the war have his gains accumulated until he is now a millionaire,
and one of the very largest and most successful merchants in Detroit;
and today he may be found, as in 1834, at early morning and long
evening at work in the counting room or in his splendid buildings all
over Detroit.

Years ago they both bought real estate — only with their surplus
gains — improved that property, with their accumulated earnings, and
today every foot of it is worth many times its cost. All their business
transactions have turned to gold, and there has been no break in their
chain of success. Why ? Simply because they have always, everywhere
attended personally to their business, and never trusted to another what
they could do themselves. Clerks, accountants, apprentices and all
employes always work with, not under them.

And so all moves on like a patent lever watch. Close, economical,
prudent to the last degree, no man ever saw them in a drinking house,
riding after fast horses, or building or occupying extravagant and
foolish places. They have always, too, maintained and preserved their
mercantile and business credit and integrity as pure and unsullied as
the chastity of Caesar's wife. And in all their history while money
getting, they have always kept their hands clean and their characters
"sans peur, sans reproche." Kich, very rich, they have become. They
are careful and economical to the last degree, but no man ever ques-
tioned their justice, their integrity and their honor. But these by-gones
grow and we must pause.
' 49

386 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

No. XIII.
BY -GONE MERCHANTS.

June, 1836. It is still the year of jubilee to Detroit and Michigan.
Every steamer that lands at our docks is over-burdened with its freight
of living, moving, human beings, and they arrive some two or three each
day. The roads from Detroit in every direction are whitened all along
with covered wagons, crammed with women, children and furniture,
while cows, and sheep and horses follow on. The hotels are thronged
with an eager, excited crowd of strangers, all rushing about as if afraid
Michigan would be bought out ere they had a chance to buy an acre;
and old Major Kearsley, receiver of public lands, at Detroit, is hustled
and jostled about on his wooden leg by one mad, crazy crowd of land
buyers, so that he goes back to his more substantial support — the
crutches. New brick stores spring up all along Jefferson avenue, and
a vast cutting down and filling in of the Cass front has begun, which will
end in giving 1,500 feet of new water front to Detroit, and adding
fourteen acres to the Cass farm. Stage coaches, in the morning, by
the dozen, crowd around the Michigan Exchange, Uncle Ben's, and all the
other hotels, producing a revenue of $92,000 in six months; and land
speculators swarm like bees all over the streets of Detroit. All goes
" merrie as a marriage bell," and we will now watch these new young
merchants who have just coine to make new homes, or who, beginning
in 1830, have just started in the grand race for fortune and fame, with
high hopes and earnest efforts to achieve success. And now, rushing
down the avenue at railroad speed for the St. Clair boat, we meet a
tall, strong built, very active young man,

ALANSON SHELBY,

who, very stout and active, goes ahead as if he meant to win the race,
and he has done it. A large head, covered with black, stiff hair, an
.aquiline nose, large blue eyes, very strong arms and limbs, a deep
guttural voice, outline this young lumberman, who has just come from
northern New York to take charge of " The Black Eiver Steam Mill
Company," a company created by and working in, the pine forests of
St. Clair, on the capital of Capt. Thomas Perkins, a Boston millionaire;
which company had erected extensive saw mills at Black Eiver, pur-
chased pine lands by the thousands of acres, and is already placing on
the market immense quantities of lumber at prices so small that they

BY-GONES OP DETROIT. 387

soon prove a burden to the eastern capitalists, who have sent these
large sums so far away from Boston. But Yankees though they are,
they look clear ahead, and see, stimulated by cheap money the
immense rush to the west, the wonderful growth of Detroit, Pontiac,
Port Huron, Ann Arbor and such cities. This company adds to its
invested capital each year in dams, mills, machinery, boats, etc., many
thousands of dollars. And so Alanson Sheley, a sturdy, careful, earn-
est, go-ahead young man, with an uprightness and honesty that nothing
could sway or bend, with pluck and vim, courage and backbone, that
never bowed nor bent to any one but God himself; with "an eye that
never winked and a wing that never tired" when duty called to action
or labor, with a religious character as fixed, and puritanical principles
as unyielding and exacting as Cromwell himself, Sheley was put at the
head of the great enterprise and vested with absolute power by its
eastern owners, to manage and work in the very best manner for the
interest of his employers, and he did just what he was employed to do.
Up and down the Detroit river, day after day, on the old steamer Gen.
Brady and the Macomb, he vibrated between the lumber mills at Black
River and the lumber yard at Detroit, rushed up his supplies, brought
down his logs and lumber, and keeping his eye steadily on all his work,
he speculated in nothing but how best to promote the welfare and to
make money for the stockholders of the Black River Steam , Mill
Company all his week days, while each Sunday, in the Presbyterian
church, early and late, he was always on hand, singing and praising
God with the same force, zeal and energy as on the week days he
rolled logs to the mill or made the dust fly from the buzz saws and
uprights in the mills. But the flush times of 1836 soon ended, and
lumber, like everything else, ceased to pay, and Captain Tom Perkins,
too, weared of paying taxes, making advances and spreading out capital
.so far from Boston, so they offered to sell out to Sheley and another,
at $100,000, which offer was accepted, notes were given for the
property, all of which were met promptly at the day of maturity, arid
the purchasers are supposed to have realized as much more by that
one operation. The lumber business, however, dragged for a long time,
so Sheley for a time retired, but afterwards, in 1859, went into the
drug and oil business as one of the firm of Farrand & Sheley, now
Farrand, Williams & Co., always, however, keeping his eyes wide open
for an investment — not to speculate. And so, in 1852 just a quarter of a
•century since he bought, away out of town, on Woodward avenue, five
acres of land at $5,500 cash, which has grown up today to a value of
twenty times its cost, and on which he has erected a neat, elegant,

388 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

American gentleman's house, where every comfort and elegance is
found, and where, with his robust, snow haired wife, he entertains with
all the simplicity of a Yankee Puritan, combined with the hearty, old-
fashioned liberality and hospitality of the pioneers. Always a whig,
his house is ornamented with steel engravings of Clay and Webster
both. Since their death he has been a most decided republican, has
twice been State senator, has served several terms as alderman from
the sixth ward, was for years a member of the sewer commission, was
a member of the board of review, and has been a power in republi-
can politics. He never smoked a cigar, took a chew of tobacco or
tasted, touched or even looked on the cup when the wine is red; but
totally abstinent from all follies and vices, he has grown now into a
sturdy, wealthy, old-fashioned merchant.

The business of his firm is carried on in an immense building
erected by the owners when property was less valuable than at present,
and to which they have attracted a custom from all parts of the State,
and where, by hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth each year, drugs,
oils and paints and all such merchandise is handled. But he has
traveled all over his own country, explored all the west, visited Califor-
nia and the Pacific coast. Spent ten days with his eyes wide open,
his ears, too, in Utah, talked by the hour with old Brigham Young,
made his notes and observations, and today comprehends the situation
there as well as if he had lived there years. He has grown very
stout, is still young and active, hears and sees everything, forgets
nothing. So we shall place him on the right flank as orderly sergeant
of our by-gone merchants, to dress up this splendid company of Silver
Grays of 1832-6.

His partner,

JACOB S. FARBAND,

at that time was a clerk of Edward Bingham, dealer in drugs and
medicines, at 112 Jefferson avenue, where for many a long year Mr.
Bingham, a most excellent, honest man, conducted that business, until
the first of January, 1842, when his store was destroyed by fire and
he thus sustained a loss from which he never rallied, as he never
again went into business.

Mr. Farrand, however, was not with Mr. Bingham at the time of
this disaster, being then deputy collector of the port of Detroit under
Col. Edward Brooks, a position which he held from 1841 to 1845, when,
under his own name, he went into the drug and grocery business on
Woodward avenue, next door to King's corner.

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 389

In 1855 the firm became Farrand & Wheaton, William Wheaton
obtaining an interest which he retained until 1858, when he went out.
In 1859 Mr. Sheley took an interest, and the firm name became
Farrand and Sheley, since which time other partners have been added,
and the name has been changed to Farrand, Williams & Co.

Mr. Farrand is and ever has been a stanch, temperate, industrious
man, ever prominent in all church and charitable work, a member of
the reunion of the old and new Presbyterian churches, and during the
past summer a delegate to the pan-Presbyterian council, which met in
Edinburgh, Scotland, in July, 1877, from whence he, with his family,
has but recently returned. He was a member of the executive
committee of the Young Men's State Temperance Society of which
Marshall J. Bacon was president, John Owen, district treasurer, Rev.
Robert Trumbull, who died last month in Hartford, corresponding
secretary, and Gov. Mason, Judge Hand, John Chester, and Asher S.
Kellogg were the committee. Farrand and Judge Hand are the sole
survivors of the first temperance society ever organized in Michigan.
Of course Farrand is rich, president of the First National Bank, presi-
dent of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, director in the
Wayne County Savings Bank, and in the Detroit Fire and Marine, and
the holder of other positions of honor and trust. He has been alder-
man from the fifth ward and acting mayor of the city, and has always
been a prominent and influential republican. He has a clear head, is
respected and esteemed by everybody, and has raised a family, "fit
body to fit head," in which there is no stain or spot.

But we hurry on, and down on the avenue, and at No. 82, just above
the Michigan Exchange we see, in a large sugar cask, a young man
clad in a smock frock, with an iron shovel, at work emptying that cask
of sugar, as if his life was at stake. We approach him, his eye is
gray, too, his eyebrows shaggy, his voice deep, rather harsh, all his
nerves are like iron, and he digs and digs, as if the treasures of Capt.
Kidd were buried under that sugar. That is

JOHN OWEN,

the working, active, successful partner of Chapin & Owen, among the
very first drug, oil, and grocery merchants of Detroit. At this time
he was alderman of the first ward in Detroit, afterwards its mayor
then State treasurer of Michigan for two or three successive terms,
always doing business for the public as he did for himself — on the
square, using the plumb line of honesty and the compass of truth as
his tools in trade. Dr. Chapin died of cholera in 1834, and John Owen

390 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

continued the business until he had acquired capital, when he became
president of the Michigan Insurance Company, and was engaged also-
in large enterprises in lumber, carried on by Elisha Eldred and Wesley
Truesdail, under his eye and supervision. He, too, like all these
predecessors, save one, never drank, chewed, or wasted one moment of
time during the week, while on the Sabbath, in the Methodist church,
he taught a whole generation of Sunday school scholars as earnestly
and devotedly as if he were their real rather than their spiritual
father.

In the long by-gones, John Owen with Chauncey Hurlbut, organ-
ized, supported and ran the old Detroit fire department, and on the
top of a burning house, with his speaking trumpet as foreman, or on
manning the brakes, John Owen was just as earnest, active, and
persistent as he was on this June day, 1836, in shoveling up that sugar;
and during all his long and useful life he has never slipped or faltered or
stopped, and as you meet him now, with scarcely a gray hair in his
head, walking a quick pace, very earnest, lithe and youthful in his-
gait and action, you could scarcely believe that he was a man nearly
or quite seventy, who had won in all the great struggles of life, and
had achieved, as he deserved, perfect success. Let him step to the
front and align himself in this extraordinary company of by-gone
merchants, and dress himself by Alanson Sheley on the right, acting
orderly, and answer to the roll call when it is made.

Passing on to the corner of Jefferson avenue and Shelby street, we
find the firm of Webb, Chester & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in
crockery, in the corner of the Michigan Exchange, established as a.
branch house of Webb, Douglass & Co., of Albany, in which

JOHN CHESTER

had been reared, and who came to Detroit in 1835 to establish this
branch and carry on the business.

Henry L. Webb, of Albany, and his partner Douglass, had for many
years previous to 1835 built up a large and lucrative business there as
crockery dealers, had accumulated a large fortune, so they educated in
the business John Chester, a cousin of Mr. Webb, and sent him thus
early to Detroit. Mr. Chester was a punctilious and cultivated gentle-
man, a man thoroughly educated in his business, a most perfect and
elegant accountant, a well educated, old-fashioned merchant, not a mere
man of business, but a gentleman, familiar with books and affairs
generally; and he no sooner established himself and his business
here than they became successful and he very popular. As an old

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 391

Brady Guard he was the neatest and "nattiest" of soldiers, was made
orderly sergeant, and always was minute and particular in all its
duties. He was a prominent Odd Fellow, an active and thorough
member of the first temperance society of Michigan, and very zealous
in the Young Men's Society, and indeed in all the institutions and
organizations to improve and to refine our people. For some years
he continued the firm of Webb, Chester & Co., and then sold out and
went on to the dock as one of the firm of Pease, Chester & Co., the
firm being composed of Capt. Wm. T. Pease, John Chester -and
Tarleton Jones of Green Bay, a nephew of De Garmo Jones, which
new firm took the old business of De Garmo Jones & Co. on the
dock, and continued for several years.

In all his habits of life John Chester was correct, pure and strictly
temperate, and was the very soul of honor and chivalry, and although
he died early, in 1852, and left a reputation without one single spot
or blemish. No man ever heard John Chester utter a profane or
impure word; no man ever saw him in the slightest degree affected by
wine or liquor; no man on earth ever heard of any act of meanness or
dishonesty committed by him; but in all respects in business, at home,
in the world, in the sunshine of prosperity, and in the dark days of
disappointment and financial distress, which swept all over the North-
west, John Chester stood erect as a pure, good man.

But here we are again at 110 Jefferson avenue, close to the Buhls,
McGraws and all the hard workers, and here we find

FARNSWOBTH, MATHER & HALL,

in the old stand of Davis, Broadhead & Co., a new firm, B. S. Farns-
worth, a very tall New Hampshire democrat, still living; Alonzo F.
Mather, and Amos T. Hall, the present and past treasurer of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad ever since its organization — a
man whose robust form, pure white hair, very rosy cheeks, and fortune
and character, make him a sort of lighthouse in Chicago, where nearly
all these merchants of his age have "caved.1' .

Farnsworth came from New Hampshire and brought some capital;
Hall was the son of old Dr. Hall, a bright, smart young man, and so
they bought out Phineas Davis & Broadhead, old Boston merchants,
and soon became successful merchants. And now, after these long
forty-four years, they, too, stand firm and erect, as men who always
paid all their debts, had no vices of any kind, were industrious, devoted
to their business, and keeping along the cool, sequestered vale of

392 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

life, they are men respected and ready when called to go, leaving
behind them no enemies, no frauds, no drunkenness, no debaucheries,
no defalcations, no dishonor.

No. XIV.

BY-GONE MERCHANTS.

June, 1836. The times in Detroit are still booming, new steamers
arriving daily, the crowds of immigrants swell like the wave of ocean
under the impetus of a volcano; and as we tramp along Jefferson avenue
the streets are more crowded with men and women and wagons and
carriages than today. So we resume our inspection of the by-gone
merchants and begin with

JOHN & JAMES WATSON,

218 Jefferson avenue, in the block between Bates and Randolph streets
just adjoining the Williams block.

There we find a store full of general merchandise, marked so far as
the dry goods are concerned, by strong shades of red, white and blue,
and all the surroundings and infillings demonstrate the characteristics
of strong French tastes, while the room itself is crowded with purchasers,
nearly all women and children, who speak mostly the French patois of
that day and who come from Canada, the Rouge, Ecorse and Mon-
guagon; while the two young owners and a host of clerks rush here
and there to serve them. Both these Brothers Watson are "native to
the manor born," they being connected on the Scotch side with the
Abbotts and Whistlers and all that set; while by marriage they were
members of the French families of the Godfreys, the Morans, and all the
creme de la ereme of the upper classes of the old French regime.
John Watson, the elder of the two, was then about thirty, and James
say twenty-eight years of age. John was an earnest, active man,
thoroughly educated as a merchant here; was of sanguine, nervous
temperament; most industrious, temperate and careful in all his business;
while James, the younger brother was taller, very much more slow
and sedate; yet he, too, was always at work, always at his business,
and during that and subsequent years the sales by this firm must have
been very large, and as their customers, although slow, were all small

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 393

real estate holders and farmers, they never lost much by bad debts.
During the ups and downs from 1836, clear over the dark days of
1841-45, they continued in business, when James Watson sold out,
went to Bay City, then a wilderness, became engaged in the lumber
trade, where he accumulated a large estate, and today is a retired old
by-gone business man of Detroit, who has a sufficient fortune, a spot-
less reputation, and all that one may win in the pursuits of life begun
at that early day.

John Watson, the elder brother, married as his second wife the
daughter of Peter Godfrey, of the lower part of the city, through whom
he became the owner of a part of that Godfrey farm, on which he
built a handsome residence, and made other real estate improvements,
exhibiting taste and enterprise; but he died many years since lamented
and respected by all. These two young men, like all the other by-gones
on our muster role, were most industrious, attentive to their business,
avoiding speculations in real estate, strictly temperate in all their
habits, economical in their style and mode of living, and so take
their positions in the front rank of business men who achieved success
for themselves. They were devoted Catholics in religion, and like all
that class of people they lived their whole lives in strict conformity
with their creed, and the death of John and the removal of James
left a void in the Catholic church of Detroit. But we hurry on down
Jefferson avenue, and just below old Joseph Campau's old, old home,
at No. 86, we find another example of the native born boys of Detroit,

DANIEL J. CAMPAU,

who, although the son of the richest man in Detroit, broke away from
his father's restrictions, and beginning life for himself and without any
aid or assistance fr<5m the old gentleman, who was very queer and very
careful of his property, young Dan struck out for himself, and then
not more than twenty-five years of age had opened a dry goods store
where he, too, like the Watsons, was doing a large business with the
old French people and the tide of new comers now crowding the streets
of Detroit. Those who see Mr. Campau now, a confirmed victim of
malpractice in the medical profession, a decrepit, prematurely old man,
unable to get out of his carriage, can hardly imagine that he was quite
tall, straight as an arrow, active and thorough in business, with a large
blue eye, and very much of a dressy, fashionable by-gone merchant,
whose blue coat and brass buttons, white vest, black pants and gaiters
on Sundays and holy days, with his mauve colored gloves attracted the
50

394 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

attention of all the young French ladies of the city, and whose pres-
ence and address were striking. His strange old father remonstrated
with him for his venture in commercial life, and never gave him
pecuniary aid or assistance, but Daniel J. Campau was industrious,
temperate, economical, intelligent and in this year, 1836, he ranked as
A No. 1 among his business friends and mercantile brethren. Not
only this, but he was very popular among all the people of Detroit;
was twice or thrice elected as treasurer of Wayne county, was a mili-
tary aid to the commanding general of this division, was elected a
delegate to the national convention that nominated Gen. Pierce, and in
all these positions he discharged all the duties of his office with honor
and fidelity. He never stole any of your public money, he never carried
off your coupons, never soiled his hands with public property, but in
office, as in his mercantile business, he kept his conscience void of
offense, and gave back all the property and money intrusted to him
by his constituents. When a raid was made on his father's estate,
after the old man's death, he rushed to the front and by his energy and
ability saved his brothers and sisters from the nets of the legal fishermen
and the toils of the hunter; and while his body has been left a mere wreck
of misfeasance among the medicos, yet his reputation, his character, and
his conduct, remain pure, clear, untarnished and unsullied, and no man
can join hands with him now without realizing that he was and is one
of the fairest and best specimens of the by-gone French merchants of
forty years ago. Of course Campau, like all these merchants, was always
temperate, attentive to his business, economical in all his habits of
living, and but for the mishap to his health he would today have been
a millionaire alongside of Chris. Buhl and that class of the most
wealthy, enterprising, and go-ahead men of Detroit.

But we cross the street, go down towards the old Mansion House,
and here where business seemed then to be tending we find

A. E. MATHER,

No. 17 Cass street, a large crockery merchant who came here early in
1834 or 1835, and subsequently did business on a large scale on
Woodward avenue. Coming here from Vermont at so early a day, he
soon became successful; purchased real estate in large quantities,
erected many buildings, and seemed on the highway to a large fortune.
He was a very quiet, retired gentleman, a very active and leading man
in the Presbyterian church. Earnest in his support and endeavor in
the Sunday school, and faithful and upright in all his dealings, he
won high standing as a merchant and business man, but in the revul-

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 395

sion of prices in real estate he suffered in common with all who bought
and sold, and so did not achieve great wealth; but he always main-
tained his integrity and his character entirely unsullied; paid all his
debts, avoided all the blandishments of vice, was industrious, careful
and temperate to the very last, and so left a right to stand in line
with the Detroit merchants of 1836, and to a record for strict honesty
and sterling integrity.

But we return to Bates street and Jefferson avenue, and here at
once we see the sign of

HENRY P. BALDWIN

boot and shoe dealer who has just — late this year — opened his business
in Detroit.

Born in Rhode Island about the year 1814, our newcomer was
educated in boyhood for a profession, but ere he had completed it his
father died, and his uncle, being a business man, prepared him for a
business life, and he took quickly and kindly to the change. He had
hardly passed the age of manhood when the rise and growth of Detroit
attracted his attention, and having a most excellent character and
credit, he came here with a large stock of goods, and at once rushed
into a successful business. He was in person a blonde, with light'
hair, light eyes, light complexion, very spare, very nice in dress and
very precise in address. In manners he was bland, gentle, and genial,
" commingling the suaviter in modo with the fortiter in re." In his
heart he was most benevolent, so that his success was assured ere he
began. No sooner was his store opened and business crowding around
him than he rushed up into the Episcopal church, took a class in
Sunday school, constituted himself a missionary all over Detroit, and
next to his business he has for forty-five years been not a mere auxil-
iary, but a mighty power in that conservative sect, and from Detroit
to San Francisco his benefactions are displayed in new churches,
chapels, Sunday schools, and even in Utah, a beautiful and expensive
church owes its success to Governor Baldwin. Not resting upon the
doctrine of Episcopacy that " the laying on of hands will convert sinners
into saints by the mere power of the Holy Ghost," he has always put his
hands in his pocket and has contributed more effectually to the rise and
growth of that church than any other living man in the Northwest. In
Detroit he built, equipped, finished and fitted up one of the handsomest
churches and parsonage in all the west; and if by baptism and confir-
mation alone Episcopalians are assured of Heaven, then Gov. Baldwin
will ascend to its very highest seat.

396 BY-GONES OP DETROIT.

In the winter of 1860-1 Mr. Baldwin served as State senator, and as
chairman of the finance committee, personally made the investigations
and wrote the report which exposed the disorganized condition of the
finances, and he it was who drafted and introduced the necessary bills
to perfect the financial reorganization which then took place. He was
also chairman of the investigating committee which exposed and sent
to the penitentiary, McKinney, the defaulting republican State treasurer
Not only this, but the republican party during the war, needing an
honest man and a thorough business man to take the helm of State,'
selected him as governor. He never sought the office, but the office
sought him. No man ever saw him in saloons or lager beer shops
smoking and drinking to secure votes, nor using his wealth to buy the
assistance of rings or cliques, but he was the honest and best choice
of all that party and they were compelled to ask him to leave his
business and take care of theirs. He did it, and during the four years
of his administration no single man was ever appointed to office unless
''honest and capable," and no republican thief ever stole one dollar
from the treasury. In short he conducted the business of State as
he did his store in Detroit, and left office with clean hands, no single
ring except the people being around him.

At the special session of 1872, six days after he made the recom-
mendation, the legislature passed and he signed the bills appropriating
$1,100,000 to finish the capitol building, which had been commenced
in accordance with the recommendations in his message of 1871, and
which, when finished, will be the most elegant public building — for the
money expended — which exists in this country.

His career has been in everything a triumphant success, and while
he has accumulated a very large fortune on earth, and is now building
a very large and palatial house in Detroit, he has simultaneously laid
up huge treasures in heaven, "where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt nor thieves break through and steal," and his bank account
there is as large as at the Second National Bank of Detroit, while
heavenly mansions are all prepared and angels await to welcome him
there with their benediction: "Well done, thou good and faithful
servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, thou shalt be lord
over many things."

But just at the corners we meet one of the sturdy old by-gones, a
man very quiet but a mighty power in those days among Masons, in
the Mechanics' society, in the common council and elsewhere — Nathan
B. Carpenter, who for a great many years had plodded on, working
and saving money, buying lots here and there, until he had accumu-

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 397

lated quite an estate. On all Masonic occasions he could be seen with
the immense Bible spread out in his brawny arms, the square and
compass lying thereon; and with Levi Cook, Dr. Whiting, Jerry
Moore, John Farrar and all old Masons, he was always a devoted
brother. His son

WM. N. CARPENTER,

just about this time emerged into business, and on Jefferson avenue,
three doors above the old bank of Michigan, opened a large and
elegant stock of dry goods, selected with great taste, for the owner
was and has always been a. gentleman of refined taste, great good
sense, and a most accurate, careful and upright business man, never
soiled by any bad habits or vices, but devoted to business and the
cultivation of his own mind and tastes and the happiness of his
family.

Leaving the dry goods business many years since, he became a manu-
facturer of tobacco on Woodward avenue, and of course like all other
men in that business he accumulated large profits, and soon became a
retired capitalist, but still is engaged in business quietly, and by no
means rusts out or lies on his oars. Mr. Carpenter with Gov. Baldwin,
has always been a devoted churchman, has contributed both by pre-
cept and example and liberal donations to build up the waste places
of Zion, and can stand in the ranks of successful Detroit merchants of
forty years ago, whose lives have been ornaments to this city and
creditable to themselves.

His tobacco business descended many years ago to

JOHN J. BAGLEY,

a huge big man with a big body, head and heart, as Lincoln would
say; a great manufacturer of tobacco, and a great consumer thereof,
too, whose life is almost a romance. Coming to Detroit many years
ago very poor and penniless, with considerable picked up education,
great shrewdness, sleepless energy and pluck, he began life here in the
humblest employments, but he walked on steadily, in summer heat and
winter cold, until he became not merely a rich merchant, but the
successor in the executive chair of Michigan, of Governor Baldwin.
Ever since John Bagley had earned his first dollar, his triumph was
as certain as the rising and going down of the sun. Money rolled in
upon him in rivers, he built a splendid home in Detroit and proved
to be one of the very best governors Michigan ever had. He was not

398 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

merely honest — that of course — but he knew the infirmities of poverty
and the temptations that beset youthful criminals, and so he turned
his great head to the means and appliances of preventing crime and
of ameliorating its punishment in youths, and that most useful institu-
tion at Coldwater is the work of his big hands, and a thousand
amendments to the discipline and management of the penitentiary of
this State are the simple practical workings of Bagley. He has devel-
oped a power of public speaking. His address to the pioneers of
Coldwater is full of pathos, humor and touching allusions, while his
welcome to the national stove manufacturers was a happy hit, worthy
of any speaker. His manners are simple, brusque and plain; but the
grip of his hand and the jolly " How are you?" assure one that he is
a man of real heart, not a cold-blooded, scheming, sneaking politician,
and should the fortunes of political life place him in the senate of the
nation, he would be something besides a partisan and would do some-
thing there beyond the mere dirty work of distributing offices to his
pets and protege's. With unsullied integrity, both in private as well as
in public life, and being comparatively a young by-gone, he bids fair
to live many years more, and to do in the future as he has in the
past — good unto all.

No. XY.

NEW YEAR'S, 1836.

New Year's, 1836! How time, like history, duplicates itself! .That
New Year's forty-two years ago was just like the New Year's of 1878,
only a little more bright, clear, and with the ground just enough
frozen to make walking or riding very pleasant with a light spring
overcoat; and New Years in these long by-gones, was the day above
all others when old Detroiters gave themselves up all day long to
visiting and having a happy, happy New Year.

From early New Year at 12 midnight, until 9 or 10 o'clock in the
morning, in all the streets of the olden times, the boys, armed with
pistols, crackers, guns of every calibre and size, small cannon and
everything else that would hold a cartridge, or would explode, were
summoned into service and one grand French feu de joie was fired all
over town, all along the river; and its reverberations were echoed and

BY-GONES OP DETROIT. 399

reechoed from the shores at Windsor, and away along down to Spring-
wells, to Sandwich opposite, and all along the river banks, so that
sleep was ended the moment New Year's began. The French people
especially on these days entered into the pleasures of New Year's with
a zest that no other people save the Chinese ever equaled; and Detroit
was always in all the early morning of New Year's a blaze of fire from
happy boys, and even exhilarated old Frenchmen. While the "Bon jour,
mon ami," "Bon jour, ma femme" had a softness and power in their
tones that told that the heart of that day always went with the hand,
and that the latchstring of every house and cabin — and not a stupid
basket — hung on the outside. Not only did the guns and drums of
those days usher in the New Year, but all the bells of all the churches
of old Detroit rang out their "merrie" peals, and with the first rays of
light the winter morning was made musical and melodious from every
Catholic and Protestant bell of the then Village of the Straits.

Time, which changes all things has changed Detroit much, and now
New Year's gropes silently and darkly into day; and the old inhabit-
ants, having grown rich and proud, close their doors, shut their hands,
hang out their baskets, and the churches all from their towers, in
solemn silence await the morning call to prayers, and the long and
muddy day drags along heavily, only here and there relieved by the
loud frolics of a dozen or more young gentlemen, who are striving
hard to make it happy, happy New Year. "Old times are gone, old
manners changed" but it is now 9 o'clock, a. m., 1836, and as

THE. DUTIES OF NEW YEAR'S

in Detroit are arduous and exacting, we must begin early, keep on all
day and end late, else some respected official, some old friend, some
young stranger in Detroit, shall be overlooked or forgotten. So,
pursuant to an old custom, the members of the bar in squads meet,
all in full dress coats, neatly gloved, at some one office, and start out
to pay — first, visits of official courtesy, then visits of fraternity, and
finally visits of real old-faehioned friendship, for in those days the
bar and bench of Detroit were a band of gentlemen, brethren, men
who were proud of their profession and full of fraternity, unity, and
esprit du corps; so we meet at Cole & Porter's office under the old
bank of Michigan, midway between King's corner and Bates street,
and here they are — Henry S. Cole, Augustus S. Porter, Jacob M.
Howard, Franklin Sawyer, James A. Van Dyke, Anthony Ten Eyck,
G. Mott Williams, Daniel Fletcher Webster, John L. Talbott, Fisher
Ames Harding, Marshall J. Bacon and George C. Bates, all equipped

400 BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

according to law, and a jolly set, we sally out for the day. And first,
as in duty bound, we repair to the American Hotel, on the present
site of the Biddle House, where in an immense parlor and ante-room,
we make our grand salaam to his Excellency,

STEVENS THOMPSON MASON,

Governor of the State of Michigan — not yet admitted into the Union —
and there the young governor, with his elegant old mother, his sisters,
Emily Mason, Kate Mason, afterwards Mrs. Isaac Rowland, Laura
Mason, afterwards Mrs. Chilton, assisted by Charles L. Whipple,
always in love with all three girls, received us with a hearty, joyous
"Happy New Year," that even now rings in one's ear — while Emily
Mason, now a silver gray maiden of sixty, at the head of a Catholic
literary institution in Paris, with the manners of a queen, the brilliancy
of a diamond and an intellect like a blade of Damascus, welcomed
us all; and with true Kentucky hospitality, we are made welcome
with apple toddy, egg-nogg, Jamaica toddy, old Monongahela, pure and
oily, wines of all kinds, cold ham, cold turkey, tongue, pickles and
oysters, and everything that would tempt one to eat or drink. The
young governor is handsome, elegant and happy; .and his mother and
sisters idolize Tom, and well they might, for today no man in
America has a brighter future before him than this then young
Governor of the youngest and brightest state then soon to be in the
Union. Having thus paid our respects to the commander-in-chief of
the State, we march on up to 308 Jefferson avenue, and there we enter
and are saluted by

GEN. HUGH BRADY,

straight as an arrow, brave as Caesar, pure as Washington, who stands
in full uniform, supported on the right by Capt. Backus, his son-in-law,
of the Fourth Infantry, also in full uniform ; while on his left stand his
daughters, Mrs Backus, Mrs. Capt. Thompson, Cassandra Brady, after-
wards Mrs. Judge Witherell, and Mrs. Samuel Preston Brady. And
on the splendid buffet lies his old sword, which saved his life at
Lundy's Lane, and the splendid one with gold scabbard, presented to
him by his native state, Pennsylvania; while these are again flanked by
pitchers of apple toddy, Jamaica toddy and all the then famed drinks,
which were always found on every gentleman's table in Detroit. No
one could look at Hugh Brady on such an occasion and not recall the
battles in which that old hero had won a fame as lasting as that of
Perry, Harrison, Macomb, Scott, Worth or Wool and not feel proud to

BY-GONES OF DETROIT. 401

grasp his hand and say "Gen. Brady, I wish you a happy New Year;
God bless you;" and so we all feel honored in our call on such a
man. And we pass on across Hastings street, and here at 312
Jefferson avenue we enter a neat, elegant, brick house, now the site of
Solomon Gardner's residence, and here in elegant simplicity and refined
taste we meet

GEN. FRANK LARNED,

paymaster United States Army, and his accomplished and then
beautiful wife, who, although a strict member of the Presbyterian
church, clung to the hearty social manners of the olden times; and so
the Major in uniform, and his wife in elegant and stylish costume,
welcome us all, and while liquors are denied, yet wines the richest and
the most luscious are poured out abundantly in commemoration of this
happy New Year of 1836. Everything is elegant, tasteful, simple and
rich, and the very air you breathe is that of true, refined, old-fashioned
hospitality. But we must countermarch by the right, and in passing
down Jefferson avenue we enter at 292 and find

HON. SOLOMON SIBLEY,

still a territorial judge, surrounded by his entire family — old Mrs.
Sibley, then one of the largest, most joyous, happy old ladies of
Detroit, always glad to see and make happy everybody; and on her
right and left are her daughters, Miss Mary, afterwards Mrs. Charles
A. Adams; Miss Augusta, the first wife of James A. Armstrong; Henry
Sibley, late Governor of Minnesota; Alex. H. Sibley, then teller of the
bank of Michigan, and Fred, a mere boy. Old Judge Sibleyj was just
then going into retirement, after a life of half a century, spent in the
public service, and remained in quiet until death knocked and sum-
moned him away.

Passing on to the Michigan Exchange, now about a year old, we
ascend to the parlors and there are welcomed by the

HON. GEORGE MORELL

his wife and daughter, and find him a territorial judge of the territory
of Michigan, not yet extinct, and simultaneously a justice of the supreme
court of the State of Michigan, not yet admitted into the Union — a con-
junction of apparent antithetical duties, which George Morell performed
gracefully and with the dignity of an expert. But we are not yet done
with our officials, and so we visit next the
5L

40 J BY-GONES OF DETROIT.

HON. JOHN NOBVELL,

senator-elect of the United States, below the Exchange, where Mr.
Norvell, as prim and elegant as Jefferson himself, whom he idolized,
and Mrs. Norvell, then the most beautiful and always one of the most
accomplished women who ever graced society in Detroit, a model wife,
mother and lady, whose hospitality was as boundless as the winds and
as beautiful as home itself; and here again all viands that could tempt
the taste, and all liquors that could stimulate and satisfy the thirst,
are offered in boundless profusion by host and hostess, for each today
is happy in the thought that at last he has won the toga and will soon
occupy the seat of an American senator. But we must move on again,
and so in double files we travel to Springwells then, now about
Fifteenth street, and there we once more pay our respects to the
military, to

MAJOR ROBERT A. FORSYTE,

paymaster United States army, a native to the manor born, a pet of
General Cass, a thorough, perfect gentleman, and one of the very
handsomest men that ever wore a uniform. A man who at fifty years
of age danced as elegantly and was as chivalric in his manners as
Count D'Orsay in London. His gentle, quiet, good Christian wife was
the friend of the poor, who visited the sick, fed the hungry and always
discharged every duty enjoined in the Christian calendar.

Eeturning once more up Jefferson avenue to the corner of Eandolph
street, we call on

MAJOR JONATHAN KEARSLEY,

an old hero on his crutches, minus a limb, the register of public lands,
who holds his .office by the grace of Andrew Jackson, president of the
United States, who knows full well of Kearsley's heroism at Fort Erie,
where he left his leg, and who, now stern and austere as Chancellor
Bismarck, still melted down on New Year's day and gave every Detroiter
a hearty grip and a loud, earnest " Happy New Year," with wines of
all kinds, and salads and meats of all kinds, but no distilled or malt
liquors. A distinction at that time on which the first temperance
society of Detroit was founded, whose president, one of our squad,
died long after, for the want of a red ribbon pledge and shield.

One single more official call awaits us and our formal duty is ended,
and so we hurry back to Fort street, and there near Griswold in the

BY-GONKS OP DETROIT. 403

house since rebuilt, and now occupied by Hon. C. I. Walker, we enter
and wish a very "Happy New Year" to

CHANCELLOR ELON FAKNSWOKTH,

his wife and two daughters. The chancellor is very affable, very
smiling, very cordial; his shirt collar is very high, his neckerchief very
broad, and his manners befit the new chancellor of the new State
not yet in the Union; and as a brother member of the bar promoted
we drink several times to the bench, then the bar, then the chancellor,
and start out now to visit all our old friends; and so we go up Jeffer-
son avenue, and find Charles C. Trowbridge and Major John Biddle,
one of the most elegant, accomplished gentlemen, gallant soldiers and
true patriots that Philadelphia ever produced; a man whose hospitality
was generous and elegant, and who will always be mourned by all
who knew him. And then we go back to Springwells, and there
see B. B. Kercheval, and De Garmo. Jones, and Judge Woodbridge,
and John Mullett; and on returning upwards and remembering our
Lord Mayor, we go and pay our respects to Levi Cook, mayor, and this
done the long day is passed in pleasant calls on Thomas C. Sheldon,
John Palmer and Mason Palmer, and finally on each and every mem-
ber of our bar, and when night comes we all meet at Harry S. Coles,
on Larned street, where we are regaled with an elegant supper, and the
day is finished with pure wines and exquisite music on the violin by
Mr. Cole and the flute of Augustus S. Porter. And so ends New
Year's forty-two years ago.

NOW MARK THE CHANGES.

In those days Detroit numbered not over 4,000 people; today it has
fully 125,000. Then the entire State had about 60,000; today it has
1,500,000. At that time all west of Michigan did not count more than
three millions of people; today it can tell six times that number.
Then the houses were all plain, neat, warmed with old-fashioned fire-
places or square dark stoves; today they are palaces, heated by. subter-
ranean furnaces or magnificent base burners; then our churches were
few, very plain and humble; today God's houses are temples; then our
carriages were carts, and our horses Canadian ponies; today the landau-
lets and coaches are drawn by blooded animals which cost thousands;
then a trip to Chicago required six long days; today you may rest on
the Golden Gate in just that time. Such are some of the changes that
press upon the memory of the few old by-gones now here.

404 SETTLEMENT OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

But there is one other sad, sad thought. Of all our lawyer squad of
that day this one single one remains, and of all those officials, then
full of hope, and pride, and fame, no single one can be found outside
of Elmwood cemetery, while all those then elegant, hospitable homes
and their inmates are scattered, destroyed and gone forever.

Wishing, then, to all of our old set who remain, and to all these
newcomers, a happy New Year, we let the curtain fall for the present
on the by-gones of Detroit, perhaps never to rise again. Vive
Valeque.

A PICTURE OF MEMOEY— SETTLEMENT OF OAKLAND

COUNTY.

BY JOHN M. NOETON.

[Delivered at the supervisors' picnic in Oakland county, August 24, 1892; also at the meeting of the
Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, June 7, 1893. J

Mr. President, citizens of Oakland county — Once more under bright
skies, in health, in prosperity and in peace, we exchange greetings at
our annual county reunion. It is termed the "Supervisors' Picnic,"
but its meaning and its nature are broader than its name. This yearly
assemblage imports something more than a mere summer's day outing
for a set of township and ward officers. It signifies something nobler
than the atmosphere of office, its dignity is higher and deeper.

This annual picnic is the yearly refreshment of a great people's
heart. Its issues are the brightening of thought, the rekindling of
healthful emotion, the rejuvenation of life, Cords of union and
affection which else might ravel and break, are here strengthened and
renewed. For the hour, each individual is transfigured — all utterance
is true, every purpose is unselfish.

Two pictures are hung before the eyes of this multitude today. One
is traced by the pencil of hope, and it hangs against the sunrise of
the future; the other is painted by the brush of memory, and it leans

SETTLEMENT OF OAKLAND COUNTY. 405

against the purpling sunset of the past. Not one of us sees them both.
Upon the former look all the young, as upon an opening vision of
prophecy; upon the latter look all the old, as upon the closing of the
gate called Beautiful. Each picture is circled with a glowing frame-
work—the one new and fair, unscathed by the flame and sword of life's
battle; the other is bruised and scarred, but it is of gold tried in
the fire.

I am one of the old. Providence has bounteously granted me the-
full three score and ten years, with two years grace. Come now, my
companions in the " silver gray," and look with me for a moment upon
our picture — the picture painted by memory, and which leans against
the sunset in the frame of gold. To your eyes and mine the figures
in this picture are clearly drawn, and of life size. The coloring is
faultless and the perspective is so perfect that it seems to speak to us
like a living voice. All this is partly owing to the skill and integrity
of the artist, but chiefly to the fact that the picture was painted from
life.

The background of this painting includes, in a general way, all of
the southeastern portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan north of
Detroit; but all of its special detail and development are confined to
Oakland county, as lines and limits were established by Governor
Lewis Cass, in his executive proclamation of the date of March 28,
1820, and as the same now are. In the misty distance this beautiful
county appears as a land of forest and stream, of hill and vale, fresh
and wild as it came from nature's hand, in the possession of savage
beasts and more savage men. The Jesuit priest and the French
voyager push through the great lakes and up the Clinton river, and
open communication with the imperial Pontiac and the rude nations
subject to his vast survey. One lifts the holy cross and the sound of
the mission bell echoes across the quiet waters of the lakes along
whose borders we encamp today. The other opens his store of trinkets
and traffics with the Indians for his furs and peltry.

But nothing is accomplished towards the settlement and genuine
improvement of the country until the advent of the man who came
with the ax and the plow — the enlightened pioneer who came to sub-
due the forest and to make a home — the man who came to stay.

The first man who built a house within what is now Oakland county,
and cut an opening through which the sun might shine upon it, was
Alexander Graham. That was within what are now the corporate
limits of Rochester, in the township of Avon, and the house he built
stood about twenty rods southeasterly from the present " stone store,"

406 SETTLEMENT OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

and east of the present Main street. He brought with him his son,
and with them came Christopher Hartsough. They all "came to stay."
That was in 1817.

Then in the next year, 1818, came Col. Stephen Mack, Maj. Joseph
Todd, Deacon Orison, Allen and William Lester, settling at and found-
ing the town of Pontiac. The Grahams were also encouraged by the
settling in Avon, in 1818, of Ira Koberts, George Postal, Daniel
Bronson and William Bronson.

In 1819 the Pontiac colony was enlarged by the coming of Calvin
Hotchkiss; and Major Oliver Williams bought and settled upon land
near Silver Lake, Waterford, and built thereon the first barn properly
such, in the county. Avon was also gladdened in 1819 by the immi-
gration of Judge Daniel Leroy, Dr. William Thompson (the widely
famed and eccentric "Dr. Bill"), John Miller, Nathaniel Baldwin,
John Meyers and Amozi C. Trowbridge.

In 1820 and 1821 the tide increased. Such well known settlers as
Judah Church, Abner Davis, Alex. Galloway, Joshua Terry, Judge
Steven Keeves, Capt. Hervey Parke, Enoch Hotchkiss, and Kufus
Clark, came to Pontiac and its vicinity, while Linus Cone, Daniel
Fowler, Cyrus A. Chipman, and Walter Sprague made Avon their
home, and Troy was settled in 1821 by Johnson Niles. 1822 found
Almon Mack, Joseph Morris, Asa Murray, Capt. Joseph Bancroft,
Schuyler Hodges, and .Geo. W. Galloway residents of Pontiac, and
S. *V. B. Trowbridge, Elenozer Belding, Geo. Abbey, Joshua Davis,
P. J. and Jesse Perrin, Aaron Webster, Wm. and A. W. Wellman,
Ira Jennings, and Silas Sprague had followed Joshua Niles to Troy.
Champlin Green, Gad Norton, William Burbank and Smith Weeks
came into Avon, and more than half the townships in the county had
by this time one or more families.

Prom this date population increased rapidly. In 1824 Nathan and
John Power, David Smith, Geo W. Collins and other representatives
"f the denomination of Friends, or "Quakers," most excellent and
highly intelligent people, made important and substantial beginnings in
Farmington.

Your present speaker (John M. Norton) came with his parents to
Avon in the spring of 1824, aged then only four years, and has ever
since resided in the county. My mother died the next year, and my
father in June, 1832, when I was but twelve years old. My own health
and strength were my only resources. These I used as best I could,
and with such degree of success as has enabled me comfortably to
provide for and educate my family, with a sufficiency remaining for

SETTLEMENT OF OAKLAND COUNTY. 407

the declining years of myself and of her who has been through all so
faithful an helpmeet. The latch-string of our home is out today, as it
was in the early days, and we shall always take pleasure, not only in
entertaining those of our friends of both this and the former genera-
tion, but also in showing them the evidence that industry, integrity,
and "pluck" are sufficient for success in this free and fertile country.
As I review the long list of my acquaintance, my observation teaches
me that an inherited fortune is more often a curse than a blessing,
and leads more frequently to ruin than to the substantial success and
happiness — not to mention the usefulness — of its possessor.

More and more rapidly the incoming settlers followed each other
into the country, until, by 1830, Oakland county was practically
redeemed to civilization. Pontiac was by this time a center of trade
for all the region lying north and northwest of it as far as the Sagi-
nuws, and during the close of navigation even to the mouth of the
Saginaw river. Oakland county had 5,000 inhabitants in 1830, and
Pontiac was known commercially throughout the eastern states.

Until about this period the roads between Detroit and Pontiac, and
especially between Detroit and Royal Oak, ("Mother Handsome's")
were indescribably bad, often absolutely impassable for anything except
oxen and ox sleds, mud carts, and similar conveyances. For this rea-
son the settlers of Avon and Troy made their journeys to and from
Detroit quite as often as otherwise via Mt. Clemens, that is, by team
to Mt. Clemens, and thence by boat down Clinton river to Lake St.
Glair, thence through that lake and Detroit river to Detroit.

As an evidence of the growing commercial importance of the cou,nty
and its capital, the Detroit and Pontiac railroad was chartered by the
legislature of 1830, and, although this immediate enterprise failed, it
was followed in 1834 by the incorporation of the company which actu-
ally built and operated the road. As a fun maker the old ^Detroit and
Pontiac Railroad Company probably surpassed any comic minstrels ever
organized. Its directors were inveterate practical jokers and fun lovers,
and if Mark Twain would write the true antics of these INNOCENTS at
home, stating only facts, the work would eclipse all the fiction of his
" Innocents Abroad."

Improvements, in all the meaning of the term, characterized the
county henceforward; splendid farms, fine residences, improved high-
ways, enterprising towns, multiplied upon all hands, untiljt has now
become " Old Oakland " and ranks as one of the finest counties in the
nation.

As we look about us today, where are the men whose names I have

408 HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

mentioned as pioneers of Oakland? Here is their magnificent work,
but where are they? The institutions they founded are the admiration
and pride of their successors, but they themselves are gone.

An association of the pioneers who settled in Oakland county in or
prior to the year 1880 is proposed. Alas, how few would be the names
upon the roll!

Watch the picture again. The forms and faces there, all but a few
are stark and still. They breathe not, speak not, move not. Men call
them dead. They are not dead, they live in all that we behold about
us — their glorious work. They live in the only true life — the only life
that is deathless — and they will live thus until civilization shall cease
from among men. As we read their names upon the tomb, we call
that the shadow in the picture. In the true sense, there is no shadow
there. This living work of theirs that is all about us is their truest
life. It is the true light of the pictures, and no shadow of death is
there. All is light immortal, and its framework is of pure gold, tried
in the fire.

Even so may the other picture become when it shall hang at last in
the sunset!

HISTOKY OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

BY HON. THOMAS J. DKAKE.

[Read at the meeting of the Wayne County Pioneer Society, March 8, 1872.]

There is a pleasure as well as profit in reviewing the incidents of
our early associations and the circumstances which attended the early
settlements of our country.

As yet the history of Oakland lies buried in by-gone years. No
historian has traced out and collated the facts coincident with its
organization, its rise and progress.

Of the ingress of its first settlers, the circumstances which induced

HISTORY OP OAKLAND COUNTY. 409

them there, the privations they suffered, and the eventful life they led
in the first settlement of the county, there is as yet no record.

Over these facts, so full of interest to the statesman, the politician >
and historian, time has heaped the rubbish of accumulating years, and
it will be for some gifted one hereafter to bring them out from the
recesses of olden times and to present them to the public in a more
acceptable manner.

On this occasion I hope and confidently trust that no more will be
expected than pointing out a few of the facts connected with the
early settlement, and a brief sketch of the circumstances which attended
the pioneers of old Oakland.

On the second day of December, 1795, General Anthony Wayne, on
behalf of the United States, formed a treaty with the sachems, warriors,
and chiefs of the Wyandotte, Delaware, Shawriee, Ottawa, Chippewa,
Pottawattamie, Miami, Eel River, Weas, Kickapoo, Piankashaw and
Kaskaskia tribes of Indians. By that treaty, generally known as the
"Treaty of Greenville," the United States had conceded to them the
post at Detroit and a strip of land between the River Rosine (now
known as the Raisin) on the south, and Lake St. Clair on the north,
and a line the general course of which was to be six miles from the
west end of Lake Erie and the Detroit river. On the 17th of Novem-
ber, 1807, General William Hull, then governor of Michigan, on the
part of the United States, held a treaty at Detroit with the sachems,
chiefs and warriors, of the Ottawa, Chippewa, Wyandotte and Potta-
wattamie nations of Indians, at which treaty there was ceded to the
United States all the land included in the following boundaries:
Beginning at the mouth of the Miami river of the lakes (now known
as the Maumee river), thence up the middle thereof to the mouth of
the great Anglaise river, thence due north until it intersects a parallel
of latitude to be drawn from the outlet of Lake Huron which forms
the St. Clair river; thence running northeast; the course that may be
found will lead in a direct line to White Rock in Lake Huron; thence
due east until it intersects the boundary line between the United States
and Upper Canada, thence southerly down the lake and river St. Clair*
through the Lake St. Clair and down the River Detroit, to a point
dne east to the mouth of the aforesaid Miami river, thence west to the
place of beginning. It is presumed that by this treaty the lands
included in the county of Oakland were ceded to the United States.

The first official act relating to' the county of Oakland, of which any
record can be found, is an executive proclamation issued by Governor
Cass, and bears date the 12th day of January, 1819, and reads thus:
52

410 HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

"A PROCLAMATION."

"WHEREAS, A petition has been presented to me, signed by a number of the
citizens of the said territory, requesting that the boundaries of a new county and
the seat of justice may be established by an act of the executive, which shall not
take effect until the arrival of a period when its population requiring such measure;

"Now, therefore, believing that a compliance with the request will have a tendency
to increase the population of such parts of the territory as may be included within
these boundaries and prevent those difficulties which sometimes arise from the
establishment of counties where settlements are formed and where conflicting
opinions and interests are to be reconciled, I do by these presents, and in conformity
with the provisions of the ordinance of congress of July 13th, 1787. lay out that
part of the said territory included within the said boundaries, viz.: Beginning at the
southeast corner of township one north, of range eleven east, north of the base line,
thence north to the southeast corner of township six, thence west to the Indian
boundary line, thence south to the base line, thence east to the beginning into a new
county to be called the county of Oakland. And I hereby appoint John L. Seil, Charles
Larned, Phillip LaCuyer, John Whipple and Thomas Rowland, Esquires, commissioners
for the purpose of examining the said county and of reporting to me the most eligible
site for the seat of justice for said county, to take effect from and after the 31st
day of December, 1822."

On the 5th day of November, 1818, the " Pontiac Company " was
organized for the purpose of purchasing lands upon the Huron river
(then so-called) of St. Clair and laying out a town thereon. The
company consisted of William Woodbridge, Stephen Mark, Solomon
Sibley, John L. Whiting, Austin E. Wing, David C. McKinstry, Ben-
jamin Stead, Henry I. Hunt, Abraham Edwards, Alexander McComb,
Archibald Danaugh, A. G. Whitney, of Detroit, and William Thompson,
Daniel LeRoy, and James Fulton, of Macomb. On the 12th of February
1819, a letter was addressed to the commissioners appointed to examine
the county and report the most eligible site for the seat of justice,
making overtures on the part of the company to give to the county
certain lots of land in the village of Pontiac and some money if the
seat of justice should be established at Pontiac. On the 15th day of
December, 1819, a road was laid out from the city of Detroit to the
village of Pontiac.

On the 28th day of March, 1820, Gov. Cass, by proclamation, limited
and determined the proclamation of the 12th of January, 1819, and
declared the inhabitants of the county of Oakland entitled to all the
privileges to which the inhabitants of other counties were entitled, and
by the same proclamation the seat of justice was established at
Pontiac.

On the 28th of June, 1820, the Governor by proclamation divided

the county into two towns, Oakland and Bloomfield.

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY. 411

On the 17th of July, 1820, a county court assembled at Pontiac.
William Thompson had been appointed chief justice, Daniel Bronson
and Amason Bagley, Esqs., associate justices; William Morris had been
appointed sheriff, and Sidney Dole, clerk of the county.

On that day a grand jury was organized, consisting of Elijah Willett,
Ziba Swan, John Hamilton, Elisha Hunter, William Thurber, Ezra
Baldwin, Asa Castle, Elijah S. Fish, Alpheus Williams, Oliver Williams,
Alexander Galloway, H. O. Bronson, Nathan I. Fowler, Josiah Goddard,
James Graham, Enoch Hotchkiss and Calvin Hotchkiss; Spencer Cole-
man and Daniel LeRoy were admitted to practice as attorneys. Of the
men that participated in the proceedings of that day but few remain.

At an early day commissioners for the county were appointed by
the Governor. Ziba Swan, Enoch Hotchkiss and Jonathan Perrin were
appointed and remained in office until the 31st day of December, 1825,
at which time the term of office of the justices of the county court,
judge of probate, county clerk, county register, treasurer, sheriff,
justices of the peace, and clerk of the supreme court were made to
expire by an act of the legislative council, approved March 30, 1825.

On the 20th day of September, 1822, a proclamation was issued by
the governor altering and defining the boundaries of counties and
establishing new counties. By that proclamation the boundaries of
Oakland were fixed as they now are. The county was reduced to
twenty-five townships, according to the government surveys, cutting
off all west of range seven east.

William Thompson was appointed judge of probate, and the first
probate court in the county of Oakland was held at the house of
David Stanard, in Bloomfield, on the 15th day of June, 1822. Appli-
cation was then made for letters of administration upon the estate of
Eliphalet Harding. During the time we were under a territorial
government the office of judge of probate was successively held by
William Thompson, Nathaniel Millard, Smith Weeks, Gideon O.
Whittemore, William F. Moseley, Ogden Clark and Stephen Reeves.

Sidney Dole was the first county clerk, the first county register and
clerk of the board of county commissioners, and one of the first justices
of the peace.

The first case which was brought before him as a justice of the
peace, and it is presumed to be the first case brought 4 before any
justice of the peace .in the county of Oakland, was that of Thomas
Knapp, a citizen of Detroit, against Ezra Baldwin, a^resident of Oak-
land county. The summons was issued on the 15th day of June, 1820,
and judgment was rendered on the 21st of August. Mr. Dole was a

412 HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

cautious man; he usually carried the papers of each case in his hat
from the commencement to the termination, and after hearing the
evidence seldom rendered judgment until he had consulted the
authorities in Detroit. But few men enjoyed a higher degree of public
favor than Mr. Dole. In connection with William F. Moseley, Esq.,
he represented the county of Oakland in the second legislative council.
He died at his residence in the village of Pontiac on the 20th day of
July, 1828.

In the beginning of our territorial existence as a separate territory
whatever of legislation we had, was by the governor and judges of the-
supreme court of the territory, or by the governor in the form of a
proclamation.

By an act of congress, approved January, 1805, Michigan was estab-
lished as a] separate territory, with a government in all respects like
that provided by the ordinance of congress, passed the 13th of
July, 1787, for the government of the territory northwest of the Ohio
river.

By the ordinance of 1787 the governor and judges, or a majority of
them, were authorized to adopt and publish in the district such laws
of the original states, criminal and civil, as might be necessary and
best suited to the circumstances of the district.

The 'governor and judges were not authorized to originate any law;
they had power only to adopt laws from the original states, and at this
day it is difficult to find any warrant for many things which the
governor and judges of Michigan did in the way of law making; and
the executive proclamation, organizing counties and again altering
their I boundaries and establishing seats of justice, though they tended
to the public good, were wholly without authority.

On the 7th of June, 1824, a legislative council convened at the city
of Detroit, consisting of nine members, two of whom, Col. Stephen
Mack and the Hon. Roger Sprague, were citizens of Oakland. The
act of congress authorized an election to be held in the territory for
members of the council; the people voted for whom they pleased, and
the result at the various polls was certified to by the secretary of the
territory; a board of canvassers, ascertained the number of votes given
for each person, and the names of eighteen persons having the highest
namber of votes were certified to the president of the United States,
and. from that list he selected nine persons and nominated them to the
senate, and after their confirmation they were commissioned members
of the council and held their offices for two years. Before the election
of the second council occurred the law was amended. The number of'

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY. 413

members was increased to thirteen, and the territory was divided into
districts, and from those having the highest number of votes in the
districts the president selected the members apportioned to the district.
In the second council, Oakland had two members. Before the election
of the third council occurred the law was again altered; the people
in the several districts elected the number of members apportioned to
the district, and the result, certified by the board of district canvass-
ers, entitled the member to his seat. At the time the election of
members of the third council occurred Oakland county formed a dis-
trict, and was entitled to two members. At that time no political
parties had been formed in the county, and the number of candidates
was but little less than the number of voters. The candidate most
favored received seventy-five votes. Eoger Sprague and Stephen V. E.
Trowbridge each received forty-four votes, S. Y. E. Trowbridge one
vote, which by the board of canvassers was added to those given for
Stephen V. E. Trowbridge, and he was declared elected.

On the 21st of April, 1825, an act was passed by the legislative
council authorizing the election of county commissioners, county
treasurer, constables and coroner. At the first election under this act
William Thompson was elected treasurer, and Stephen Eeeves, William
Burbank and Arthur Power were elected county commissioners. On
the 30th of March, 1827, an act was passed authorizing the election of
supervisors and other township officers. On the 12th of April, 1827,
an act was passed establishing the towns of Oakland, Troy, Bloomtield,
Farmington and Pontiac.

Pontiac became noted and important from the extent of country
which was attached to it. The north and northwest part of the county
and all the country north to the county of Mackinac and west to the
lake, was attached to the town of Pontiac. On the last day of May,
1827, an election was held in the several towns and town officers
elected. The board of county commissioners was abolished and that of
supervisors established, and the finances of the county came under the
control of officers selected and chosen from the several tow as.

As a means of preserving in our memory the names of some of the
first settlers in the various towns in the county, and of ascertaining
in some degree its growth, let us turn our attention to the time when
the settlements in the various portions now organized into townships
began, and as each township in the county is co-extensive with the
township of land mentioned in the government survey, for convenience
as well as certainty, we will take them as they arise in numerical

414 HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUiNTY.

order, commencing with the lowest number of the range and town
within the limits of the county.

In town 1 north, of range 7 east, called Lyon, Robert Purdy, of
Seneca county, New York, was the first purchaser. On the 6th day of
May, 1830, he entered a part of section thirty-five. On the 6th day of
December, John* B. Thayer purchased. In 1831, Daniel Marlatt,
Michael Marlatt, M. Bentori, Elnathari Ohatfield, and Eli P. Benton
made purchases and became settlers.

In town 2 north, of range 7 east, called Milford, on the 27th day of
August, 1827, L. Pettibone of Genesee county, New York, entered a
part of section ten. On the 29th day of May, 1830, Amos Mead, of
Farmington, entered a part of the same section, and these were the
only entries up to that date.

In town 3 north, of range 7 east, called Highland, the first purchase
was made by Nathan Curtis, of Oakland county. He formerly resided
on the east bank of Silver lake, in Waterford. On the 6th of
September, 1832, he entered a part of section 36; he and his brother,
Jeremiah Curtis, moved on to the land and improved it. They early
became imbued with the spirit of Mormonism, sold out their posses-
sions, and joined the great body of Mormons in the west. In 1832,
James Aldrich, Richard Willett, Samuel Myers, Jr., Rufus Tenny and
Alvah Tenny purchased and became settlers.

In town 4 north, of range 7 east, called Rose, the first entries were
made on the 8th of June, 1835, by J. N. Voorheis -and Daniel
Hammond.

In town 5 north, of range 7 east, called Holly, the first entry was
made by Nathan Herrick. On the 16th of September, 1830, he pur-
chased a part of section 1, being near the old Saginaw trail. In
1831 Isaac Parish and William Gage entered a part of section 6.
Mr. Gage settled on his purchase near where the old Indian trail to
Muck-opine-e-koneag and Shiawassee crossed the Swartz creek. In
1833 Alonzo R. Wood, Vincent Runyan, Edwin Edwards, David Husted
and Terrence Fagan entered lands and became settlers.

In town 1 north, of range 8 east, called Novi, the first entry was
made by William Yerkes. On the 30th of April, 1824, he entered a
part of section 36. In the same year James Gould, Joseph Eddy,
Pitts Taft, Erastus Ingersoll, Benjamin Bently, Joseph Prentis and N.
Prentis purchased and became settlers.

In town 2 north, of range 8 east, called Commerce, the first entry
of land was made by Joseph Yale, of Monroe county, New York. On

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY. 415

the 22d day of June, 1824, he purchased a part of section 34. On the
30th of May, 1825, Abraham Walrad, of Onondaga county, New York
entered a part of section 10. On the first day of August, of the same
year, T. Stocking purchased a part of section 10. These purchases
were watered by the Huron river, and the flourishing village of
Commerce has grown up near by, and there is situated the beautiful
residence of Samuel Leggett.

In town 3 north, of range 8 east, called White Lake, the first entry
was made by Harley Olmstead, of Monroe county, New York. On the
7th of October, 1830, he entered a part of section 36. In 1832 Joseph
Voorheis, Jesse Seeley, Thomas Garner, John Garner, C. C. Wyckoff
and John Rhodes purchased and became settlers. In 1829, while
searching for the head waters of the Shiawassee river, I traveled over
the most of this town, visited the shores of that beautiful sheet of
water from which the town derives its name, and the charming plain
on which stands the village of White Lake, then clothed in the
gorgeous dye of autumnal flowers, presented one of the most magnifi-
cent views of uncultivated landscape.

In town 4 north, of range 8 east, now called Springfield. Daniel
LeRoy made the first entry of land. On the 19th of July, 1830, he
purchased a part of section 19, including the "Little Springs." This
place had a wide renown. It was the resting place of the trader and
trapper — of the red man as well as the white — when on his journey to
and from Saginaw and other places in the northern wilderness.
Immediately after the purchase was occupied and improved by Asahel
Fuller, who was the first settler in that town. In 1833 Giles Bishop,
O. Powell, John M. Calkins and Jonah Gross purchased and became
settlers.

In town 5 north, of range 8 east, called Groveland, William Roberts,
of Oakland county, made the first entry. On the 3d day of September,
1829, he purchased a lot. On the 29th day of May, 1830, John
Underbill, E. W. Fairchild and M. W. Richards purchased. In the
same year Henry W. Horton purchased at a point then known as
Pleasant Valley. In 1831 Franklin Herrick, Alexander Galloway and
Constant Southworth purchased and became settlers. Mr. Southworth
settled on a far-famed spot on the old Saginaw trail, known as the
" Big Spring." All who have taken the trouble to descend from the
roadside to the spring of water will bear testimony to its great beauty.
It was held by the Indians in great veneration, and they seldom passed
it without refreshing themselves. Those who have looked into that
crystal fountain and beheld the sparkling water as it came bubbling

416 HISTORY OP OAKLAND COUNTY.

up from the secret chambers of the earth, will not wonder that the
red man saw in the aqueous mirror the Chemanito, or Great Spirit.

In town 1 north, of range 9 east, called Farmington, Eastman Colby,
of Monroe county, New York, made the first purchase. On the 12th
of October, 1822, he entered a part of section 14. In January, 1823,
Arthur Power purchased. In the same year George W. Collins, Will-
iam B. Cogshall, Peleg S. Utley, Benjamin Wixom, Timothy Allen,
Leland Green and Abraham Aldrich purchased, and these men were
among the first settlers. Arthur Power was an honest and energetic
man, beloved by his neighbors. He was the pioneer of the Society of
Friends in that town, and did much to accelerate and increase its
wealth and population.

In town 2 north, of range 9 east, called West Bloomfield, James
Harrington, of Cayuga county, New York, made the first purchase.
On the 15th of May, 1823, he purchased the entire section 36. The
same year Eufus E. Kobinson, Erastus Durkee, John Huff, Benjamin
Irish, Edward Ellerby, Benjamin Leonard and Will?am Annett pur-
chased. John Huff purchased on the south shore of Pine lake, and
erected on his land the first house in that part of the town. William
Annett purchased a part of section 22: His wife died at an early day.
Mr. Annett improved and occupied his farm until he died. It is now
possessed by his only child, Mrs. Hart well Green.

In town 3 north, of range 9 east, called Waterford, Major Oliver
Williams, early in 1819, settled on the west bank of Silver lake, on
section 13. His brother-in-law, Alpheus Williams, and Capt. Archibald
Phillips, settled early at the crossing on the Clinton river, where the
village of Waterford now stands, and erected there a saw-mill as early
as 1824. These pioneers selected charming places for their residences,
and they' remained on them until they were called to that country
from whose "bourne" no traveler returns. David Mayo purchased in
1821, Chesley Blake, Harvey Durfee and Austin Durfee in 1822.
Harvey Seeley, John S. Porter, Samuel Hungerford, W. M. Tappan,
Taddeus Alvord, Charles Johnson and Joseph Yoorheis purchased in
1823.

Previous to the 15th of December, 1819, there were no roads leading
from Detroit into the interior. The course of travel, which was not
great, was along the river, and such divergence as was made, was up
the streams which emptied their waters into the Detroit river. In the
rear of Detroit there is a strip of land some miles in width, which at
that day was covered with a thrifty growth of timber, and through
which there are no well defined water courses. The natural drains

HISTORY OP OAKLAND COUNTY. 417

were insufficient to carry off the water which naturally fell there.
This belt of land had become soft and marshy, and the whole country
a few miles back from the river was represented as a continuation of
swamps and marshes, and entirely unfit for the purposes of agriculture,
and many of the Americans who had gathered at Detroit after the war
of 1812 for the purpose of settling had become disheartened, and some
had left to seek a home elsewhere. In the early part of the fall of
1818, Major Oliver Williams, Calvin Baker, Jacob Eilett and some
others, among whom, it is believed, was Colonel Beaufait, resolved to
penetrate into the interior and ascertain whether the country was or
was not inhabitable.

At this 'time it was known that the Grahams, Hersey and Hartsough,
had, following up the Clinton river, penetrated the country as far up
as (Rochester) the junction of Paint creek with the river; but of the
country about Pontiac nothing was known. Major Williams and his
associates prepared for the enterprise as well as they could, employed
a. guide and interpreter, mounted their horses and set out. They
followed the road then being built by the United States soldiers,
which is but an extension of Woodward avenue, about four miles from
the river. They were then led by their guide into the Indian trail.
Following this, while buoyant with hopes and expectations, they passed
the most dismal part of the way, and to their great gratification
reached the plains beyond Royal Oak. Keeping the Indian trail they
passed on to the place where Pontiac stands, and thence on as far as
where Waterford stands. We will not undertake to describe the shouts
of joy which again and again burst from their lips as they looked upon
the lovely landscapes which were presented to their view. Their guide
was unwilling to leave the trail. Their divergences were necessarily
limited, for they knew not what dangers surrounded them. After the
surveyors these were the first white men who had visited this part of
the country. They were enraptured with the scenery. The plains and
openings were covered with new and brilliant flowers. After making
as full an investigation as their means would allow, having gathered
as many flowers and shrubs as they could carry, as evidences of the
fertility of the soil, they returned to Detroit after an absence of three
or four days. The report which this party made of the beauty and
fertility of the country they had seen after passing the belt of wet
timbered lands, and the evidences which they adduced, electrified the
hearts of the Americans in Detroit, and utterly astounded the French-
men whose homes were by the river side, and whose aspirations seldom
53

418 HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

extended beyond the possession of a canoe, a spear and a few hooks
for fishing, a rifle and half a dozen dogs.

The exploration made by this party was the theme of conversation,
and it undoubtedly led to the formation of the Pontiac Company. It
is not to be presumed that this party was gotten up without the knowl-
edge of Governor Cass, but it was entirely without his aid or influence,
except to wish the adventurers God speed.

And again in the fall of 1818, before there were any settlers
between Detroit and Pontiac, Major Williams, his wife and sister, Mrs.
Alpheus Williams, Jacob Eilett, and some other gentlemen took the
same trail and passed through to Pontiac and as far north as the Little
Spring, which is in Springfield. Mrs. Oliver Williams was delighted
with the prospect at Silver Lake, and Mrs. Alpheus Williams greatly
admired the prospect at the crossing on the river at Waterford, and
they were instrumental in inducing their husbands to locate where they
did. These enterprising ladies, in going out and returning, crossed the
Clinton river eight times. During the winter of 1819 the weather was
peculiarly bland, and Major Williams spent his time after this second
journey in putting up a house at Silver Lake and in preparing to move
his family there. The first fall of snow that season was about the
first of March, 1819, and on the 13th Major Williams left the city of
Detroit with his family in sleighs, and the first day reached Hubbard's
place and stayed that night with Mr. William Thurber, who had
emigrated to that place. Dr. Ziba Swan and Sidney Dole, with their
wives, had just arrived at Dr. Swan's location, near Birmingham.

Major Williams and his family took dinner on the second day of
their journey with Major Joseph Todd, at Pontiac. Orrison Allen and
William Lester were then at Pontiac with their families, and there
were some workmen in the employ of the company getting out timber
for the mills. At evening the Major and his family reposed at his
home, on the banks of Silver Lake. It is due to history, as well as
to the memory of Major Oliver Williams, to say that he did as much
as any other one to induce settlers into the county, and he was
especially successful in making settlers feel happy and contented after
their arrival. He was a man of large experience and liberal views, a
generous heart and open hand. It was his delight to welcome new
settlers, and his doors were ever open to the pioneer and wayfarer.

In town 4 north, of range 9 east, called Independence, Alpheus
Williams made the first purchase, on the 10th of October, 1823. In
1826 John W. Beardsley purchased on the Chiseban plains, where he
now resides. In 1831 Melvin Dow and Butler Holcomb purchased.

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY. 419

Mr. Holcomb purchased the land where the village of Clarkston stands,
«nd there on the east branch of the Clinton river he erected a saw
mill. Henry- F. Sanderson purchased in 1833.

In town 5 north, of range 9 east, called Brandon, Elijah B. Clarke,
Asa Owen and Jesse Decker made the first purchase. On the 30th of
April, 1831, they purchased a part of section 25, being a part of a
valuable natural meadow. In 1833, John Perry, Alexander G. Huff, and
Mary Quick purchased and became settlers. In 1835, G. M. Giddings,
Henry Forbes and Daniel Hunt purchased. In this town there were
but few inhabitants before 1836.

In town 1 north, of range 10 east, organized as Osseway, but from
the universal expression of dislike by the inhabitants to the Indian
name, it was changed by an act of the legislative council, and is now
-called Southfield. The first purchase of land was made in May, 1821,
by John Wetmore. In the same year Peter Desnoyer and John Mon-
teith purchased. In 1822 Harry Bronson, Samuel Shathuck and Eli
Curtis purchased. These men with Dillucena Stoughton, Elijah Bul-
lock, Edward Cook, Philo Reed, John Davis and William Lee, were
among the first settlers.

In town 2 north, of range 10 east, called Bloomfield, the first entry
of land was made on the 28th of January, 1819, by Benjamin H.
Pierce. March 16, 1819, Peter Desnoyer purchased a lot. On the 3d
of July, 1820, Col. David Stanard purchased a part of section 4. This
was the first entry under what was called the ten shilling act. At the
opening of the land office in Michigan the public lands were offered at
auction. Such as were not bid off were subject to sale thereafter at
two dollars an acre, one-fourth of which was to be paid at the time
of entry, the balance in one, two and three years, with interest. All
the lands which were sold previous to July 3d, 1820, were sold under
that rule. On the 23d of April, 1820, congress passed an act author-
izing the sale of public lands at one dollar and twenty- five cents an
acre, full payment at the purchase, This was a great event in the his-
tory of Michigan, and indeed, of that of the whole eastern country. It
put an end at once to that system of vassalage under which the
purchasers of public lands had labored — the purchaser became at once
the absolute owner of the soil — every art of improvement was made to
benefit him or his children; there was a feeling of security in his
labors and in his possessions more valuable than wealth. If death
overtook the pioneer in his first efforts, the agony of parting from his
wife and children was half removed. When he turned upon them the
last dying gaze, and beheld their little forms gathered around his dying

420 HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

bed, he was consoled with the thought that the land on which he had
toiled was theirs. No exacting landlord could claim it as forfeited for
payments deferred.

From the passing of that act the growth and prosperity of Michigan
became a certainty, and the increase of its population surprising.
Ezra Baldwin, Job Smith, David Johnson, Oliver Toney, Daniel Fergu-
son, Ziba Swan, John Hamilton, Sidney Dole, Amasa Bagley, Elijah
Willett, Joseph Fairbanks, William Morris, Lemuel Castle, Asa Castle
and Joseph Almy were among the first settlers.

In town 3 north, of range 10 east, called Pontiac, the first entry of
lands was made by Col. Stephen Mack for the Pontiac Company, of
which he was president. On the 6th day of November, 1818, he entered
section 29 and the northeast quarter of section 33, and soon after the
north half and the southwest quarter of section 28, and finally the
southeast quarter of section 20. On these lands the Pontiac Company
laid out the village of Pontiac in 1818. On the south side of the river
and on the east side of Saginaw street was the famous camping grounds
of the Indians, where all were accustomed to stop on their way to and
from Detroit. The point was well-known to the Indians and by them
called Lapee. The first settlers in this town were Major Joseph Todd
and his wife, Joseph J. Todd, his son, Orrison Allen and his wife,
Mrs. Allen was a daughter of Major Todd. She had with her two
children, a son and daughter; the daughter was then about seven
months old, and in after years became the wife of Joseph R. Bowman
Esq. She lived in this town until her death, which occurred February
20, 1872.

Major Todd and Mr. Allen migrated from the town of Clarence, in
Genesee county, New York. At Buffalo they shipped aboard of the
Red Jacket, and, after a stormy and perilous passage of - — • days,
they landed in safety at Detroit. In November, 1818, they reached
Mt. Clemens, and on the 16th of January, 1819, they arrived at
Pontiac. Soon after William Lester arrived with his family. In 1819
Calvin Hotchkiss and Jeremiah Allen purchased lands. In 1820 Judah
Church purchased. In 1321 Abner Davis, Eastman Colby, Alexander
Galloway, Rufus Clark, Enoch Hotchkiss and James Harrington pur-
chased. These men, with George W. Butson, John Edson, Joshua S.
Terry, Joseph Harris, Stephen Reeves and Captain Joseph Bancroft,
were among the first settlers.

In town 4 north, of range 10 east, called Orion, Judah Church and
John Wetmore made the first purchase. On the 18th of October, 1819r
they purchased a part of section 19, being the first choice in what wa&

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY. 421

called the "big pinery." ' This purchase was made for the timber, and
not for agricultural purposes. In 1824 Moses Munson, Powell Carpen-
ter, Jesse Decker, Phillip Bigler, Jonathan Pinckney and Simpson
Simmons purchased. These men, with Alexander McVean, David Bagg,
John McElvery and Daniel Me Yean, were among the first settlers.

In town 5 north, of range 10 east, called Oxford, the first purchase
of land was made by Elbridge G. Demming, on the 28th of January,
1823; and he was the first settler. There were but few settlers in this
town before 1833. In that year Joseph Rossman, Fite Rossman. John
Shippey, John Wellman and S. Axford purchased. These men, with
Daniel Applegate, Justin Bixley, Jeremiah Hunt and Mr. Van
Wagoner, were among the early settlers.

The plains in Oxford for many years were passed over by those
looking for farms, and places in the far off forests, less valuable, were
settled, under the impression that the Oxford plains were valueless for
the purposes of agriculture, and thus one of. the best portions of the
•county remained unoccupied until a late period.

In town 1 north, of range 11 east, called Royal Oak, L. Luther and
David C. McKinstry made the first purchase. On the 6th of July,
1820, they purchased a part of section 33. In 1821 Henry Stephens,
Alexander Campbell, Diadate Hubbard, Abraham Noyes, J. Goddard,
Hezekiah Gridley, James Lockwood and David Williams purchased
and these men, with Henry O. Bronson, Daniel Burrows, Mr. Chase,
Mr. Morse, and that eccentric old lady, Mrs. Chappell, well known by
the sobriquet of " Mother Handsome," were among the first settlers.
The origin of the name given to this town may not be known to many,
and it will soon pass beyond recollection. On the 15th of December,
1819, Governor Cass, by proclamation, established a road which had
been previously run out by commissioners which he had appointed for
that purpose, from a point on Woodward avenue in the city of Detroit,
to the end of the road built by the United States troops; thence west-
erly to a large oak tree marked H, near the Indian trail; thence
westerly along a line run by Horatio Ball to the Main street in
Pontiac village; thence along that to the end thereof. This was the
first road leading into the interior. The tree was near the line run by
Ball, and probably was marked H on that occasion. It stood on the
plains, on the north and etest side of the Indian trail which led from
Detroit to Pontiac, by Chase's. The tree was of some magnitude, and,
after the issuing of the proclamation, became an object of observation
and was called, by way of distinction, the " Royal Oak," and soon the

422 HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

name of Koyal Oak was applied to that portion of the country, and
was given to the town at its organization.

In town 2 north, of range 11 east, called Troy, the first purchase of
land was made by Castle Hunter, Hamilton and Fairbanks. On the
12th of February, 1819, they purchased a part of section 19. On the
22d day of October, 1819, Ezra Baldwin purchased part of section 18.
On the 25th of November, 1819, Michael Kemp purchased a part of
section 3. On the 7th of December, 1819, Michael Beach purchased a
part of section 8. In the years 1820, 1821 and 1822 John Prindle,
George Abbey, Joshua Davis, Ebenezer Belding, S. V. E. Trowbridge,.
Jesse Perrin, Luther Fletcher, Aaron Webster, Stillman Bates, William
Wellman, A. W. Wellman, Silas Glazier, Guy Phelps, Johnson Nilesr
John Waldron, Edward Downer, Ira Jennings, Humphrey Adams and
Silas Sprague became purchasers and were among the early settlers.

The second lot which was entered under the ten shilling act, as it
was called, was entered by Joel Wellman. He entered a part of sec-
tion 3 in Troy. The gently sloping surface of the country, the majes-
tic growth of the timber, the dark, rich soil, induced many to
settle in this town, and the whole town was settled with unrivaled
rapidity. And now the nicely painted houses and the well cultivated
farms show how accurately the pioneer judged, and how well the earth
has repaid him for his labor.

In town 3 north, of range 11 east, called Avon, the first land was
entered on the 29th of October, 1817. In 1819 Austin E. Wing, T. C.
Shelden, Solomon Sibley, James Abbott, Daniel LeRoy, Alexander
Graham, William Williams, J. Baldwin, Daniel Bronson, J. Myers, Ira
Koberts, Nathaniel Baldwin, ,George Postal, William Thompson, John
Miller and Isaac Willett entered lands. In 1821 C. A. Chipman and
F. A. Sprague purchased. In 1822 Champlin Green, Gad Norton, Wil-
liam Burbank and Smith Weeks became purchasers.

In this town the seeds of civilization were first sown in the county*
James Graham and his son Alexander Graham, Christopher Hartsough
and John Hersey, with their families, moved into this town on the 17th
day of March, 1817. In early life old Mr. Graham resided near Tioga
Point, in Pennsylvania, on the Chemung branch of the Susquehanna
river. About the year 1800 he moved to Oxford, in Upper Canada.
In 1816 he moved to Mt. Clemens, in Macomb county. On the 17th
of March he reached Oakland county. He located upon a tract of land
upon the north side of the Clinton river, a mile or two west of the
junction of Paint creek with the Clinton river. The lands which Mr.
Graham first occupied were in early days known as the Edwards farm.

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY. 423

and latterly as the Thompson farm. Mr. Benjamin Graham, a younger
son, accompanied his father to Oakland. It is not improbable that he
induced his father to move to Oakland county. In the summer of
1816 Mr. Benjamin Graham was employed as a hand under Col. Wamp-
ler in surveying the Township of Avon, and perhaps in some other
adjoining towns, and must have acquired a good knowledge of that
part of the county. He was one of the first settlers, and the first one
who entered the county of whom we have any record. He was deeply
impressed with the natural advantages of Oakland county, and, without
any desire to leave it, he resided in Avon, near his father's first loca-
tion, until his death.

John Hersey was the first to purchase land in the county. On the
29th of October, 1818, he purchased a part of section 10, in town 3
north, of range 11 east. On the waters of Paint creek he erected a
saw mill, the first in the county, and put in a run of stones manufact-
ured in the county by a man of the name of Wood, and in that mill
he made the first flour ever made in the county. By the exertions of
Mr. Hersey the inconveniences and hardships attending a new settle-
ment were greatly relieved and immigration largely induced. The name
of John Hersey, whose long life was marked by signal industry and
integrity, is deeply engraven on the memory and will be fondly
cherished by the pioneers of Oakland.

In town 4 north, of range 11 east, called Oakland, Benjamin Wood-
worth and William Russell made the first purchase. On the 16th of
March, 1819, they purchased a part of section 33. The history of Father
Russell, as he was familiarly called, is truth itself, candid and unassum-
ing. He was an example of sociality and benevolence, upright and just
in all his ways. Benjamin Woodworth — "Uncle Ben," as he was known
to all who ever stopped at the Steamboat Hotel in Detroit — had a heart
full of kindness and a hand ever ready to help the distressed. He was
the constant friend of Oakland, and he never forgot or forsook her
early inhabitants. In 1824 James Coleman and James Hazzard pur-
chased. In 1825 Benedict Baldwin, Horace Lathrop, James D. Gallo-
way, J. Dewey, Samuel Hilton, Ezra Newman, David Hammond and
Needham Hemmingway purchased, and were among the early settlers.

In town 5 north, of range 11 east, called Addison, Henry Connor
was the first to enter lands. On the 2d day of January, 1826, he pur-
chased a part of section 27. Samuel D. Wells purchased in 1830; in
1831 David Tanner and Aristarchus Wiley. In 1832 Seymour Glass,
James McGregor, Arnold Mack and Francis Hagarman purchased.

424 HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

These men, with John M. Chamberlin and Addison Chamberlin, were
among the first settlers in this town.

It is not easy to ascertain and determine with any degree of accuracy
at this time the population of the county in the first years of its
settlement. For several years after the settlement of the county
commenced there was no enumeration of the inhabitants. By referring
to the number of votes cast at a general election we may in our
estimate approximate toward the number of inhabitants. In 1825 there
was an election for delegate to congress, and also for members of the
legislative council, but no record remains in the county whereby you
can determine the number of votes cast in the county, or any part of
it, on that occasion. At that time it was required to send the ballots
cast at the several polls for delegate to the city of Detroit, where
they were canvassed by a territorial board, constituted of the secretary,
treasurer, and attorney general. In 1827 there was another election for
delegate. At that election there were four hundred and fifty-four votes
cast; and if we allow three persons to one vote, which in that stage of
^society is not unreasonable, the county contained at that time thirteen
hundred and sixty-two inhabitants. In 1854 the county contained a
population of 31,824. During the year 1853 there were 249 marriages.
In 1854 there were 3,070 unmarried females and 3,287 unmarried males.
Of these 4,732 were over forty- five and under seventy-five years. There
were 187 over seventy-five and one over ninety years of age. There
were 10,229 over eighteen years of age and under forty- five. From such
a population a large increase might be expected. In 1825 an assessment
was made by William Morris, sheriff, and S. V. R. Trowbridge, from
which it appears there were at that time 78,900 acres of taxable land
within the jurisdiction of the county. More than 2,580 acres lay
beyond the limits of the county. There were in the county 282 houses,
47 barns, 2,621 acres of improved lands. Major Oliver Williams, Col.
Stephen Mack and John Sheldon each had sixty acres. No other
person exceeded fifty acres. In 1854 the taxable land in the county
amounted to 489,225 acres. There were 213,728 acres of improved land.
There were in the county 8,073 horses, 9,650 head of neat cattle,
besides oxen and cows. There were 5,212 oxen, 11,831 cows, 135,000
sheep, 14,878 swine. In 1853 there were raised in the county 478,698
bushels of corn, 779,000 bushels of wheat, 184,361 bushels of other
grain, making 1,442,059 bushels of grain.

These few facts and figures are referred to to show the rise and
progress of the county in agriculture. The county of Oakland is
peculiarly an agricultural one. It may at no distant day become a

HISTORY OP OAKLAND COUNTY. 425

manufacturing one. The soil is productive and enduring, and the
farmer is well repaid for his labor and attention. The surface is most
agreeably undulating, well supplied with timber, and the distribution
of water throughout the county is a marked feature in its geography.
The River Huron and the Clinton rise in this county, and, after many
windings, one leaves the county on its eastern border and the other on
the west. The Rouge has its highest sources here also, and gathering
from the towns of Avon, Troy, Bloomfield, West Bloomfield, and Farm-
ington, passing through Southfield greatly increased, it leaves the
county on the south. The east branch of fche Shiawassee river has its
source in this county. The Thread river, the Swartz creek, the Kears-
ley and Farmer's creeks, which flow northwardly and empty their
waters into Flint river, have their sources in this county. These, with
many smaller streams meandering through different portions of the
county, fit it in an eminent degree for the purposes of agriculture.
These streams with Paint creek, Stony creek, and others, furnish an
incalculable amount of water power, and it will be marvelous indeed if
it shall remain long unoccupied.

It is a wealth as extensive and far more certain than the gold fields
of California.

Besides these numberless streams there are near four hundred
lakes, beautiful sheets of water of various sizes, distributed throughout
the county, and mostly well stocked with fish. Eapidly is the time
approaching when the culture of fish will become a matter of interest
as well as pleasure. It has been ascertained beyond a doubt that trout
and white fish thrive well in the waters of Oakland county, and soon
these lakes will be sought for with as much eagerness as they were
shunned in early days. Their banks will become adorned by men of
science and wealth, and Oakland county will be renowned for its many
picturesque and lovely landscapes. It may be considered the table-
land of the peninsula south of the Saginaw river, and when all its
natural sources of wealth and beauty are considered, it stands, and
ever will stand, unrivaled by any county in the State. Its geographical
position is such as to give it a political as well as commercial
importance.

Its commercial relations are inseparably connected with the city of
Detroit. Its proximity to the city is not unimportant, and the day is
not far distant when it will be seen and acknowledged to afford more
sources of wealth and pleasure to the citizens of Detroit than any
other county in the State. As soon as this reciprocity of interest is
54

426 HISTORY OP OAKLAND COUNTY.

seen and acted upon it will add to the growth and pleasure of both
city and county.

The early history of the county of Oakland is that of an industrious,
peaceable people, suffering the fatigue and inconveniences which invari-
ably await pioneers. There were no beasts of prey roaming over the
plains to put the people in fear. The Indians were uniformly peace-
able and friendly. There were no engagements with furious beasts —
no hair-breadth and miraculous escapes from the tomahawk and scalp-
ing knife to record. The romance and tragedy which usually heighten
the history of border life were unknown to the pioneers of Oakland.
They were characterized by intelligence, benevolence and industry. To
those who saw the country in its wilderness, how vast the change.
Fifty years have not passed since most of them, in the strength and
vigor of manhood, were striving to overcome the hardships of a life in
the woods — for their bread they were dependent upon the caprice of
the foreign speculator — for their meat they looked to the wild beasts
of the forest and to their skins for clothing, and when they laid down
the ax they took up the rifle; constantly engaged in the improvement
of their farms and the support of their families. Manfully they strug-
gled, and they triumphantly conquered. By their energy and persever-
ing industry the wilderness has been made to bud and blossom; desert
plains have become fruitful fields. How glorious the prospect! How
mighty the achievement! What a stupendous highway to ease and
happiness they have opened up to their successors! What a legacy are
they leaving! not only in gold and silver, but a wilderness reclaimed
— a land flowing with milk and honey. For fifty years they have
borne the heat and burden of the day; their locks are whitened by the
storms of winter; their brows are furrowed, and their bodies inclined
by accumulating years; but their eyes beam brightly and rapturous
emotions fill the heart as they look around upon the past and contem-
plate the rich blessings which are unfolding for the future.

Pioneers of Oakland, old associates in days gone by, companions in
hunger and fatigue, with whom I have journeyed many years, our task
is done.

It only remains for me in paying this last tribute to their memory,
to acknowledge, as I do with gratitude, their numerous acts of kind-
ness, so numerous that time would fail were I to attempt to recount
them. Vale.

SKETCH OF JOHN ROBERTS. 427

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JOHN ROBERTS.

BY LEVI BISHOP.

I Read at the meeting of the Wayne County Pioneer Society, March 8, 1872.]

Mr. Roberts was born in Wales in the year 1798. His father's
name was also John. His mother's name was Mary Jones. He had a
grand-uncle who was for thirty-six years in the British army, and who
was in the army that "swore terribly in Flanders." This uncle was
never sick but six days in his life and he lived to the age of 102
years. When Mr. Roberts was four years old his father emigrated to
Philadelphia, and the next year to Utica, New York, where he died
several years after.

In the year 1820 John came up Lake Erie, bound for Detroit, on
the steamboat Walk-in-the- Water, that being the first steamboat that
ever navigated these waters. Prof. Morse, the subsequent inventor of
the telegraph, was on board the boat with his aged father. The father
was the author of Morse's geography, then a common school book, and
in the course of the voyage Mr. Roberts overheard him make the
remark that he had written a geography about this western country,
and he was now going out to see it. The parties put up at Uncle Ben
Woodworth's hotel. The duel between Fisher and Farley had then
recently taken place at Sandwich, and was the cause of much excite-
ment and the subject of much conversation. Mr. Roberts, at dinner
table, having expressed himself as opposed to dueling upon principle,
Prof. Morse remarked, rather tartly, that he wished in that case to
have no controversy with him (Mr. Roberts).

In 1820 Detroit had about 1,000 inhabitants, most of whom were
French. The remnants of the old pickets which formerly surrounded
the town as its protection were then visible in many places. The old
Fort Shelby, which had been surrendered by Gen. Hull eight years

428 SKETCH OF JOHN ROBERTS.

before, was then standing on the corner of the present Fort and Con-
gress streets. Out beyond it were the barracks, and still beyond was
the parade ground. The ground containing the fort, having about forty
acres, was called the military reservation, and was afterward donated to
the city by act of congress. It was then surrounded by a ditch, moat,
and pickets. The present Fort Wayne was not yet constructed; and
old Fort Nonsense, as it was called, being a circular inclosure of earth
for the accommodation of an out-post or picket guard, was standing
between the present Henry and Sibley streets, a few rods west of
Woodward avenue.

Gen. Macomb, who lived in what was then called the Governor's
house, and which was afterwards Wales' hotel, on the site of the
present Biddle House, was then military commandant of this depart-
ment. Gen. Cass was governor and William Woodbridge was secretary
of the territory. Governor Cass lived in what was afterward known as
the Cass House, near the present corner of Jefferson avenue and
First street. Messrs. Woodward, Griffin, and Witherell were then the
judges of the territory.

Soon after Mr. Koberts arrived in Detroit he engaged in the manu-
facturing business, to which a few years, later he added the mercantile,
and he continued in these occupations till he finally retired from active
business about twenty years ago.

About the year 1820 Mr. Harvey Williams, who is now living in or
near Saginaw county, had a blacksmith shop on the corner where the
Biussell House is now situated. His dwelling house stood on the same
lot, easterly of his shop. Early one morning Mr. Williams heard a
noise out in his pig-pen. He got up and, looking out, saw a full-
grown, wild wolf carrying away one of his pigs. As the pigs were
quite small he concluded that one would not make a sufficient breakfast
for the wolf, and that he would soon be back for another. He accord-
ingly loaded his rifle and " laid in wait " for his return. Sure enough,
his wolfship soon returned for the balance of his breakfast, when
Williams, taking deliberate aim, laid him low in the midst of his
iniquities. A live wolf, alive and free, would be a strange visitor in
that locality at the present day, as to some extent it was then.

An anecdote is related of Gov. Cass and Dr. Chamberlin which
tends to show the high tone of feeling that prevailed here in the
olden times. The doctor had published an article in a newspaper
reflecting on the administration of the Governor, which was quite dis-
pleasing to him, and he undertook to call the doctor to an account for
it. The doctor refused to explain or apologize, and remarked to the

SKETCH OF JOHN ROBERTS. 429

Governor that he seldom expressed an opinion, but when he did
express one there was grandeur in it.

About the time Mr. Roberts came here Messrs. Mack & Conant, of
Detroit, built at Pontiac the first flouring mill that was erected in
Oakland county. When the mill was finished it was deemed appro-
priate that its completion should, as an important event, be commem-
orated by a public celebration. A delegation accordingly went out
from Detroit, among whom were ,Col. Mack, Gen. Cass, Judge O'Keefe,
Dr. Chamberlin and several others. They had eating and drinking
and speaking at the celebration, and what was denominated generally
a gay old time. Judge O'Keefe seeing there was to be a time, under-
took to escape, and went and hid himself in a hay-mow. Search was
at once made for him, and, he being discovered, a committee was
organized to try him for the misdemeanor. Col. Mack, dressed up as
an Indian chief, was made presiding judge. O'Keefe was quite alarmed,
believing in the excitement of the occasion that he was actually to be
tried by a band of Indians. He was tried, found guilty and properly
sentenced in the discretion of the court. Mr. Eoberts either was not
informed or does not remember what the sentence was, but it was, no-
doubt, such as the crime merited, and it was doubtless speedily
executed. Trials now being in order, each man present was put into-
the hopper, as it was called, and run through the mill to see what the
product would be. To the great amusement of the party some came
out as bran, some as shorts, and some as common flour. Gen. Cass
being properly ground out, was declared to be superfine. On the way
home the jollification still continued, and on arriving near Eoyal Oak
the party stopped at the shanty of a Frenchman, who was also pretty
much under the influence of liquor. The party urged him to drink,
and on his refusal they put him on trial, found him guilty and
sentenced him to be hung. They accordingly tied a rope around his
neck, fastened the other end to the shafts of a cart, got on to the
back end and tipped up the cart so that the man was taken off from
his feet and actually left hanging for several minutes. On being let
down he appeared to be dead, to the great alarm "of those who had done
execution on him. Dr. Chamberlin as the attending physician on the
occasion, declared that he was dead, but as the body soon came to
life he claimed that it was through the great professional skill that the
man's life had been saved, and his persecutors relieved from a serious
criminal prosecution. Such were some of the olden times.

Kish-kaw-ko was a celebrated Indian chief of the Saginaw country.
Some one of his band had done some offensive act for which he was

430 SKETCH OF JOHN ROBERTS.

brought up before the chief and a jury somewhere near Saginaw for
trial. The offense was said to be capital and the trial was for life.
Kish-kaw-ko presided at the trial, and the testimony being introduced
in due form, the jury found the prisoner not guilty. The chief
inquired of the foreman of the jury why they had acquitted the
accused. The foreman answered that it was because he was- not guilty
according to their law. The prisoner was then sitting surrounded by
the jury and covered with a blanket* so that he could not see what
was going on. This being the usual mode of proceeding, Kish-kaw-ko
quietly arose, took his tomahawk from under his blanket and drove it
down into the head of the prisoner, killing him instantly, and saying
at the same time with savage energy, the law is changed. This event
took place about the time Mr. Roberts arrived in Detroit. A few
years after this Kish-kaw-ko and a son of his were both tried by an
American court in Detroit for the murder of an another Indian here.
They were both convicted and sentenced to be hung; but they had
agreed between themselves that they would die by means of poison,
and would not be hung. The poison was obtained in the prison and
the old chief kept his word, took the poison and died. The young
man's courage failed him and he did not take the poison. He broke
jail and escaped; soon after which a pardon came from the President,
J. Q. Adams, and thus ended the whole matter.

In the presidential campaign of 1828, when Gen. Jackson was elected
over Mr. Adams, there were only three democrats in Detroit. They
increased, however, very fast when it became known that Jackson was,
or was to be, the president. It was very easy to see how the cat was
jumping. There were then two newspapers published in Detroit, one
the Gazette, published by Sheldon & Reed, and the other the - — ,
published by the late Judge Chipman. These had been both Adams
papers, but it was said that they had run a sharp race to see which
would get over first when it was known that Jackson was elected.
The Gazette succeeded and became a democratic paper, while the other
as a matter of policy, remained an opposition journal.

Mr. Roberts was in Detroit in the time of the cholera, both in 1832
and 1834. On the first occasion he was alderman of the city, at which
time the Hon. A. D. Frazer was city recorder. Mr. Roberts well
remembered the alarm, excitement and deaths which were on every
hand. Mrs. Witherell, wife of the late Judge Witherell, and sister of
Mrs. Oliver M. Hyde, was the first victim of the cholera here. It was
first brought to this city by passengers on board the steamer Henry
Clay. The ravages of that terrible scourge here have been so often

DETROIT FIRE OF 1805. 431

described that they need not here be detailed. The disease was then
new, and remedies were unknown even among the most skillful
physicians. Deaths were fearfully sudden and fearfully numerous.

In the early days of Michigan, when the Indians were in the^
neighborhood and this place was a small frontier town, the military
arm was a subject of no small importance. There was accordingly a
full organization of the militia of the territory, and for several years
Mr. Roberts occupied the position of lieutenant colonel of the first
regiment. He received several military commissions from Governor
Cass, and continued in command until about the time the State was
admitted into the Union.

In 1838 a great fire swept over that part of the city situated between
Woodward avenue, Woodbridge street, Randolph street and the river.
Mr. Roberts had his business establishment in this district, and all his
property, except real estate, was destroyed. His creditors would gladly
have compromised at fifty cents on the dollar, but he only asked for a
reasonable time in which to pay, which was granted, and he paid the
whole with interest. There is a trait of heroism in many characters
which displays itself elsewhere than on fields of battle.

Mr. Roberts has now for many years led a retired life in easy cir-
cumstances. His residence in Detroit covers a period of nearly fifty-
two years. He has seen the town grow up from 1,000 to nearly 100,-
000 inhabitants. He has seen it spread and expand from a few blocks
to many square miles in extent. He has maintained a firmness and
integrity of purpose and character which have always secured for him
and now secure for him, in the evening of his days, the respect and
esteem of all who know him.

SOME OF THE BENEFITS THAT ACCRUED TO DETROIT
FROM THE DEVASTATING FIRE OF 1805.

BY C. M. BURTON.

[Published in the Detroit Journal, February 8, 1890.]

Probably the best posted Detroiter in the matter of land titles is
C. M. Burton, the abstractor, and in his researches he has come upon

432 DETROIT FIRE ^OF 1805.

many things of peculiar historic interest. He recently unearthed the
facts of an exceedingly interesting episode of early times.

Detroit was burned to the ground June 11, 1805. None of the land
titles that had existed before that date had been confirmed by the
general government, and it was considered best to lay out a plan for a
city, and donate to each inhabitant of the old town, a building site in
the new town, parties who claimed lots in the old town, to surrender
their rights and receive new lots in exchange.

THE FIRE WAS A BLESSING.

"One of the most fortunate events that ever happened to Detroit
was that same fire of 1805. Ste. Anne street, which corresponds with
Jefferson avenue of the present time, was not over thirty or forty feet
wide, and no other street exceeded twenty feet in width. The lots
were shallow in proportion, and there was one street parallel to Ste.
Anne street, between it and what is now Woodbridge street, and another
between Ste. Anne street and what is now Larned street. The only
wide portion of a street within the picket line was that in front of the
Eoman Catholic church, then located about where the Ives bank is
now situated, and between that point and what is now the site of the
First National Bank building. This portion of the street was only
about one hundred feet long."

But for that destructive fire occurring just as it did, the streets of
Detroit would have rivaled Constantinople in narrowness and probably
Boston in crookedness. A short time after the fire, plans of the
proposed new city were made and the governor and judges were
authorized to convey lots to the inhabitants, and to others who could
claim their right to lots under the act of congress.

Along the entire river front outside of the city limits, the old French
farms were in occupation of the 'original French inhabitants, or of
their grantees, and these people were calling upon the general govern-
ment to make good their titles by confirming the French and English
military grants.

LAYING OUT THE NEW TOWN.

An act had been passed providing for such confirmation, and the
commissioners required a survey of each farm or tract as a necessary
part of the confirmation.

The surveyor, .termed a deputy of the surveyor general, was one
Abijah Hull, probably a relative though not a brother of Gov. William
Hull. The first commissioners on land claims appointed under the act

DETROIT FIRE OF 1805. 483

of congress were George Hoffman and Frederick Bates, ajid from 1807
the commissioners were Peter Audrain, James Abbott, and Stanley
Griswold. Audrain was the secretary of the commission, and from the
vast number of papers to be found among the early records of the city,
written as well in French as in English, in the peculiar chirography
of Mr. Audrain, one would conclude that he might have been the
official scrivener for the entire population.

Abijah Hull, the surveyor, was called upon to do two classes of
work — the surveying of the farms or private land claims, and the
surveying of city lots for the donees of the governor and judges.
It is probable that the latter class of work was the more profitable,
and was wholly within the city, while the farms were situated any-
where on the river or lakes, sometimes many miles from Detroit.

On August 1, 1807, the commissioners Stanley Griswold, Peter
Audrain, and James Abbott sent a letter to the secretary of the treasury
of the United States complaining that the surveyor (Mr. Hull) had
neglected his duties as surveyor, and that, "altho' they had granted
many certificates, they were sorry to say not a single survey had been
made and that the person appointed for that purpose was too much
occupied in other business to attend to surveying."

The surveyor general informed Mr. Hull of the receipt of a copy of
the letter and its contents.

MR. HULL WAXES HOT.

Mr. Hull called upon the commissioners, November 6, 1807, and
requested of them a copy of the entire letter, and on being told that
they would not furnish him with a copy of the letter he told Stanley
Griswold and James Abbott to their faces that their writing in that
way was a d — d rascally piece of business, and that they were d— d
rascals for doing it, to which he added, that Stanley Griswold was a
liar.

This was before the day of printing in Detroit and the complaint of
Mr. Hull, written in large, plain hand on large-sized letter paper was
posted up in conspicuous places in the city. One of these notices
some curioso has preserved, and it is from this original as well as the
original of the other papers preserved in the same manner, that the
data in connection with the matter has been derived.

On the same day, presumably a little later, a notice signed by James
Abbott, was posted up, reading as follows:
55

434 DETROIT FIRE OF 1805.

"In a scurrilous piece published this day by Abijah Hull relative to Stanley
Griswold, Esq., and myself, I observe several falsehoods, consequently think it
necessary to inform the public that the said Abijah Hull is not only a liar but

a perjured villain, and as such will be treated by

"JAMES ABBOTT."

HULL CHALLENGES GRISWOLD AND ABBOTT.

November 6, 1807, fell on Friday, and probably this notice was
posted late in the day, certainly after Mr. Abbott had seen the notice
of Mr. Hull, posted the same day. Mr. Hull was probably informed
of Mr. Abbott's placard on Saturday, for he mentions it as " your
publication of Saturday," and on the next day he served on Mr. Gris-
wold the following challenge:.

Stanley Griswold, Esq. :

SIR — For reasons which must readily suggest themselves to you, I request that
you will meet me as a gentleman this afternoon, at 4 of the clock, below the wind-
mill at the Petite Cote, on the Canada side.

ABIJAH HULL.

Sunday morning, 11 o'clock.

The request was not complied with, and on the following day Mr.
Hull sent another challenge as follows:

James Abbott, Esq. :

SIR— The language which you used respecting me in your publication of Saturday
last imperiously demands satisfaction. As I conceive that no legal redress can
give adequate compensation to injured character and insulted honor, I shall expect
you to give me the satisfaction due to a gentleman by meeting me at 11 o'clock
tomorrow morning at the windmill on the Petite Cote, on the other side of the

Detroit river.

ABIJAH HULL.
Monday afternoon.

NEXT HULL POSTS THEM AS COWARDS.

The desired result was not attained, as sufficiently appeared from
the following placard which was posted up in the city on Wednesday,
November 11, 1807:

"The attention of the public is desired to the following publication:
" WHEREAS, Stanley Griswold and James Abbott, under the cloak of their official
duty as commissioners, have complained to the honorable the secretary of the treas-
ury of the United States of me in remise ness of duty as surveyor of this district,
previous to my being authorized to proceed on the surveys for the claimants, and
those very honorable commissioners having refused me a copy of the letter, although
repeatedly called on by both myself and friend, and having uttered and published
base, malicious and villainous falsehoods touching my character as a citizen and
a public officer, and having denied me that satisfaction due to one who feels himself

DETROIT FIRE OF 1805. 435

aggrieved— for these reasons the subscriber feels it a duty to brand them as liars,
rascals, scoundrels, and who are all destitute of manly courage, dastardly cowards
beneath the notice of any gentleman, and they will be treated as such by

"ABIJAH HULL."

THE FACTS LAID BEFORE THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

The following letter to the secretary of the treasury immediately
followed:

Detroit, Nov. 12, 1807.

When we had the honor to write to you on the first of August last, we very
iittle expected that our letter would gather a storm over our. heads and put our
lives in jeopardy. It has, however, turned out to be the case.

We have been grossly abused and insulted while sitting in our official capacity
by Abijah Hull, the deputy of the surveyor general. He has put up in the most
conspicuous place in the town placards containing the most indecent and scurrilous
language: written challenges to two of the members of the board, Messrs. Gris-
wold and Abbott. He has been served with a warrant and arrested upon the first
challenge, and to our great surprise the public prosecutor, Elijah Brush, attorney
general of the territory, has come forward as his security in Ube sum of $500.

The ground of his resentment, as we are informed, is, that in our said letter of
the 1st of August, we informed you that on that day no survey had been made,
and that we attributed that delay to his being busy in surveying the town lots
and acting as private secretary to the governor. We aver this to be a fact known
to every individual in Detroit. It is equally known that he lodges and boards
with the governor.

What will be his anger when he hears what we now inform you, that to this day
two surveys only are returned to the register of the land office, towit: No. 1 and
No. 30? The plat of the survey No. 30. on which the final certificate of the register
was issued on Saturday, the sixth of November inst., was found so incorrect that
the deputy surveyor himself, accompanied by Mr. Brush, called on Sunday morn-
ing on the register, amended the plat in the presence of the register- and of Mr.
Brush, and requested, jointly with Mr. Brush, the register to draw another cer-
tificate conformable to the alterations then made, which request was complied with,
and the new certificate was delivered to Mr. Brush.

We understand that another ground of resentment of the deputy surveyor is
that we have refused to give him a copy of our letter to you of the first of August
last. We believe that we are not accountable for our official conduct to any per-
son but you, and we declare that all the clamors, abuses and threats shall never
deter us from doing what we consider to be our duty; that is, to give you any
information we may obtain respecting the land claims. In a short time we will
transmit to you all the vouchers necessary to support our complaints against
the said Abijah Hull.

We have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your very humble and most
obedient servants.

STANLEY GRISWOLD,
PETER AUDRAIN,
JAMES ABBOTT.

436 BATTLE AND MASSACRE AT FRENCHTOWN.

The absence of records to detail the further course of the differences
between the belligerent surveyor and the commissioners leaves the exact
issue of their quarrel in the dark.

BATTLE AND MASSACRE AT FRENCHTOWN, MICHIGAN,

JANUARY, 1813.

BY KEV. THOMAS P. DUDLEY, ONE OF THE SURVIVORS.

[From the Western Reserve Historical Society, Historical and Archaeological Tracts, No. 1.]

The following incidents relating to the march of a detachment of
Kentucky troops under Col. Lewis to Frenchtown, on the River Raisin
Michigan, January, 1813; the battles of the 18th and 22d; the massacre-
of the prisoners and the march to Fort George, on the Niagara riverr
were written by the Rev. Thomas P. Dudley of Lexington, Kentucky,
May 26, 1870, and indorsed as follows:

A. T. GOODMAN, ESQ., Secretary Western Reserve Historical Society:
DEAR SIR — I take pleasure in forwarding to your society an interest-
ing and reliable narrative, by the Rev. Thomas P. Dudley of this city.

Very truly yours,

LESLIE COOMBS.

Lexington, June 1, 1870.

On the seventeenth day of January, 1813, a detachment of five hun-
dred and fifty men, under command of Col. William Lewis, with Col. John
Allen and Majors Ben. Graves and George Madison, from the left wing
of the Northwest army, was ordered to Frenchtown, 011 the River
Raisin, where it was understood a large number of British had collected
and were committing depredations on the inhabitants of that village,
On the 17th at night the detachment encamped at the mouth of Swan
creek, on the Maumee of the lake. On the 18th they took up the line
of march, meeting a number of the inhabitants retreating to the
American camp, opposite to where Fort Meigs was subsequently built

BATTLE AND MASSACRE AT FRENCHTOWN. 437

Our troops inquired whether the British had any artillery, to which
the reply was, " They have two pieces about large enough to kill a
mouse." They reached the River Raisin about three o'clock in the
afternoon, and while crossing the river on the ice the British began
firing their swivels, when the American troops were ordered to drop
their knapsacks on the ice. Reaching the opposite shore, they raised
a yell, some crowing like chicken cocks, some barking like dogs, and
others calling, " Fire away with your mouse cannon again." The
troops were disposed as follows: The right battalion commanded by
Col. Allen, the center by Maj. Madison, the left by Maj. Graves. The
latter battalion was ordered to dislodge the enemy from the position
occupied by them, "being the same occupied by the American troops
in the battle of the twenty-second," during which the right and center
were ordered to remain where they were, in the open field, until Major
Graves' command should force the^ enemy to the woods. While Graves
was driving the enemy, occasional balls from the woods, opposite Col.
Allen's command, wounded some of his men. Hence Col. Allen ordered
-a partial retreat of some forty or fifty yards, so as to place his men
out of reach of the Indian guns. Just as this order was accomplished
we discovered from the firing that Major Graves had driven the enemy
to the woods, when he was ordered to advance the right and
center. Up to thife time the fighting was done by Major Graves'
battalion. So soon as the right and center reached the woods the
fighting became general and most obstinate, the enemy resisting every
inch of ground as they were compelled to fall back. During three
hours the battle raged; the American detachment lost eleven killed and
fifty-four wounded.

About dusk Major Graves was sent by Col. Lewis to stop the pursuit
of the enemy, and direct the officers commanding the right and center,
who had been hotly engaged in the conflict, and had killed many of
the enemy, to return to Frenchtown, bearing the killed for interment
and the wounded for treatment.

Nothing of importance occurred until the morning of the 20th,
when Gen. Winchester, with a command of two hundred men, under
Col. Wells, reached Frenchtown. Wells' command was ordered to
encamp on the right of the detachment, who fought the battle of the
18th, and to fortify. The spies were out continually, and brought word
on the 21st that the enemy were advancing in considerable force to
make battle. On the 21st morning Wells asked leave to return to the
camp, which he had recently left, for his baggage. General Winchester t
-declined giving leave, informing Wells that we would certainly and

438 BATTLE AND MASSACRE AT FRENCHTOWN.

very soon be attacked. In the afternoon Wells again applied for leave
to return for his baggage. Gen. Winchester again replied, "the spies
bring intelligence that the enemy have reached Stony Creek, five miles
from here. If you are disposed to leave your command in the imme-
diate vicinity of the enemy, when a battle is certain, you can go.'r
Wells left and went back.

On the 22d, just as the reveille was arousing the troops (about
day break), the first gun was fired. Major Graves had been up some
hours, and had gone to the several companies of his battalion, and
roused them. Upon the firing of the first gun he immediately left his
quarters and ordered his men to stand to their arms. Yery many
bombs were discharged by the enemy, doing, however, very little
execution, most of them bursting in the air, and the fighting became
general along the line, the artillery of the enemy being directed mainly
to the right of our lines, where Wells' command had no protection but
a common rail fence, four or five raifs high. Several of the Americans
on that part of the line were killed and their fence knocked down by
the cannon balls, when Gen. Winchester ordered the right to fall back
a few steps and re-form on the bank of the river, where they would
have been protected from the enemy's guns. Unfortunately, however,
that part of the line commenced retreating, and reaching Hull's old
trace along the lane, on either side of which the grass was so high as
to conceal the Indians. At this time Cols. Lewis and Allen, with a
view of rallying the retreating party, took one hundred men from the
stockade and endeavored to arrest their flight. Very many were killed
and wounded, and others made prisoners, among the former Col. Allen,
Captains Simpson, Price, Edmondson, Mead, Dr. Irwin, Montgomery,
Davis, Mcllvain and Patrick; and of the latter,, General Winchester,
Colonel Lewis, Major Overton, etc. The firing was still kept up by
the enemy on those within the pickets, and returned with deadly effect.

The Indians, after the retreat of the right wing, got around in the
rear of the picketing, under the bank and on the same side of the
river, where the battle was raging, and killed and wounded several of
our men.

It is believed that the entire number of killed and wounded within
the pickets did not exceed one dozen; and the writer doubts very much
whether, if the reinforcements had not come, those who fought the
first battle, although their number had been depleted by sixty-five,
would not have held their ground, at least until reinforcements could
have come to their relief. Indeed it was very evident the British very
much feared a reinforcement, from their hurry in removing the prisoners

BATTLE AND MASSACRE AT FRENCHTOWN. 439

they had' taken, from the south to the west of the battle ground, and
in the direction of Fort Maiden, from which they sent a flag, accom-
panied by Dr. Overton, aid to Gen. Winchester, demanding the
surrender of the detachment, informing they had Generals Winchester
and Lewis; and in the event of refusal to surrender, would not restrain
their Indians. Major Graves being wounded, Major Madison was now
left in command, who. when the summons to surrender came, repaired
to the room in which Major Graves and several other wounded officers
were, to consult with them as to the propriety of surrendering.

It is proper here to state that our ammunition was nearly exhausted.

It was finally determined to surrender, requiring of the. enemy a
solemn pledge for the security of the wounded. If this was not
unhesitatingly given, determined to fight it out. But, oh the scene
which now took place! The mortification at the thought of surrender-
ing the Spartan band who had fought like heroes, the tears shed, the
wringing of hands, the swelling of hearts — indeed the scene beggars
description! Life seemed valueless. Our Madison replied to the sum-
mons, in substance, " We will not surrender without a guarantee for
the safety of the wounded, and the return of side arms to the officers."
(We did not intend to be dishonored.) The British officer haughtily
responded: "Do you, sir, claim the right to dictate what terms I am
to offer?" Major Madison replied, "No, but I intend to be under-
stood as regards the only terms on which we will agree to surrender."

Captain William Elliott, who had charge of the Indians, it was
agreed should be left with some men, whom it was said would afford
ample protection until carryalls could be brought from Maiden to
transport the prisoners there; but the sequel proved they were a faith-
less, cowardly set. The British were in quite a hurry, as were their
Indian allies, to leave after the surrender. Pretty soon Capt. Elliott
came into the room where Major Graves, Capt. Hickman, Capt. Hart,
and the writer of this (all wounded) were quartered. He recognized
Capt. Hart, with whom he had been a room-mate at Hart's father's in
Lexington, Kentucky. Hart introduced him to the other officers, and
after a short conversation in which he (Elliott) seemed C|uite restless
and a good deal agitated (he, I apprehend, could have readily told
why, as he could not have forgotten the humiliation he had contracted
in deceiving Hart's family, pecuniarily). He proposed borrowing a
horse, saddle, and bridle for the purpose of going immediately to
Maiden and hurrying on sleighs to remove the wounded, thence assur-
ing Capt. Hart especially of the hospitality of his house, and begging
us not to feel uneasy; that we were in no danger; that he would leave

440 BATTLE AND MASSACRE AT FRENCHTOWN.

three interpreters, who would be an ample protection to us. He
obtained Major Graves' horse, saddle and bridle, and left, which was
the last we saw of Capt. Elliott. We shall presently see how Elliott's
pledges were fulfilled.

On the next morning, the morning of the massacre, between day-
break and sunrise, the Indians were seen approaching the houses
sheltering the wounded. The house in which Major Graves, Captains
Hart and Hicknian and the writer were, had been occupied as a tavern.
The Indians went into the cellar and rolled out many barrels, forced
in their heads and began drinking and yelling. Pretty soon they came
crowding into the room where we were, and in which, there was a
bureau, two beds, a chair or two and perhaps a small table. They
forced the drawers of the bureau which were filled with towels, table-
cloths, shirts, pillow slips, etc. About this time Major Graves and
Captain Hart left the room. The Indians took the bed clothing,
ripped open the bed tick, threw out the feathers; and apportioned the
ticks to themselves. They took the overcoat, close bodied coat, hat and
shoes from the writer. When they turned to leave the room, just as
he turned the Indians tomahawked Captain Hickman in less than six
feet from me. I- wen-t out onto a porch, next the street, when I
heard voices in a room at a short distance. Went into the room where
Captain Hart was engaged in conversation with the interpreter. He
asked, " what do the Indians intend to do with us." The reply was,
"they intend to kill you." Hart rejoined, " ask liberty of them for me
to make a speech to them before they kill us." The interpreters
replied, "they can't understand." "But," said Hart, "you can inter-
pret for me." The interpreters replied, " If we undertook to interpret
for you, they will as soon kill us as you." It was said, and I suppose
truly, that Captain Hart subsequently contracted with an Indian war-
rior to take him to Amherstburg, giving him $600. , The brave placed
him on a horse and started. After going a short distance they met
another company of Indians, when the one having charge of Hart
spoke .of his receiving the $600 to take Hart to Maiden. The other
Indians insisted on sharing the money, which was refused, when some
altercation took place, resulting in the shooting of Hart off the horse
by the Indian who received the money. A few minutes after leaving
the room, where I had met Hart and the interpreters, and while
standing in the snow eighteen inches deep, the Indians brought
Captain Hickman out on the porch, stripped of clothing except a
flannel shirt, and tossed him out on the snow within a few feet of
him, after which he breathed once or twice and expired. While still

BATTLE AND MASSACRE AT FRENCHTOWN. 441

standing in the yard, without coat, hat or shoes, Major Graves
approached me in charge of an Indian and asked if I had been taken,
I answered no. He proposed that I should go along with the Indian
who had taken him. I replied " no, if you are safe I am satisfied."
He passed on and I never saw him afterward. While standing in the
snow two or three Indians approached me at different times, and I
made signs that the ball I received was still in my shoulder. They
shook their heads, leaving the impression that they designed a more
horrid death for me. I felt that it would be a mercy to me if they
would shoot me down at once, and put me out of my misery. About
this time I placed my hand under my vest, and over the severe wound
I had received, induced thereto by the cold, which increased my suffer-
ing. Another young warrior passed on and made signs that the ball
had hardly struck and passed on, to which I nodded assent. He imme-
diately took off a blanket capot (having two) and tied the sleeves
around my shoulders and gave me a large red apple. The work of
death on the prisoners being well nigh done and the houses fired, he
started with me toward Detroit. After going a short distance he dis-
covered my feet were suffering, being without shoes, and he having on
two pair of moccasins, palled off the outer pair, and put them on my
feet. Having reached Stony Creek, five miles from the battle ground,
where the British and Indians camped the night before the battle of
the 22d of January, their camp fires were still burning, and many
had stopped with their prisoners to warm. In a short time I dis-
covered some commotion among them. An Indian tomahawked Ebe-
nezer Ely the, of Lexington. Immediately the Indian who had taken me
resumed his march, and soon overtook his father, whom I understood
to be an old chief. They stopped by the roadside and directed me to
a seat on a log and proceeded to paint me. We reached Brownstown
about sundown in the evening, when having a small ear of corn we
placed it in the fire for a short time, and then made our supper on it.
A blanket was spread on bark in front of the fire and I pointed to lie
down. My captor finding my neck and shoulder so stiff that I could
not get my head back, immediately took some of his plunder and
placed under my head and covered me with a blanket. Many Indians,
with several prisoners, came into the council house afterward, and they
employed themselves dressing, in hoops, the scalps of our troops.
There was the severest thunderstorm that night witnessed at that time
of the year. The water ran under the blanket, and the ground being
lower in the center around the fire, I awoke sometime before day and
56

442 BATTLE AND MASSACRE AT FRENCHTOWN.

found myself lying in the water, possibly two inches deep, got up
and dried myself as well as I could. About daybreak they resumed
their march toward Detroit, stopping on the way and painting me
again. We reached Detroit about three o'clock in the afternoon, and
as we passed along the street a number of women approached us and
entreated the Indians not to kill me. Passing on we met two British
officers on horse back, and stopped and chatted with the Indians,
exulting with them in the victory, to whom the women appealed in my
behalf, but they paid no more regard to me than if I had been a dog.
I passed the night with the Indians at the house of a white woman in
the city, who the next morning asked liberty to give me a cup of tea,
with a loaf of bread and butter. In the afternoon the Indians paraded
with their prisoners and the trophies, scalps, and marched to the fort.
After remaining some time in the guard house where all the prisoners
were surrendered but myself, my captors arose to leave with me.
When we reached the door the guard stopped me, which seemed to
excite the Indians considerably. Major Muir, commanding the fort,
was immediately called for, and entered into a treaty for my release.
It was said he gave as a ransom for me an old broken down pack
horse and a keg of whisky. My Indian captor took affectionate leave
of me with a promise to see me again. Let me here say my Indian
captor exhibited more the principle of the man and the soldier than all
the British I had been brought in contact with up to the time I met
Major Muir. The next day the British officers, Hale and Watson,
invited me to mess with them so long as I remained in the fort.
Three or four days afterward, and the day before our officers, Win-
chester, Madison and Lewis were to leave for the Niagara river, one of
these officers accompanied me across the Detroit river to Sandwich.
When passing to the hotel where they were, when I became opposite
the dining room door, I saw Major Madison sitting down to supper.
The temptation was so strong I entered the door, to the astonishment
of the Major and other officers, who supposed I had been murdered
with many other prisoners. I am constrained to acknowledge the great
mercy of God in my preservation thus far. On the following morning,
when arrangements were being made for transportation of officers to
Fort George, but none for me, my heart felt like sinking within me at
the thought of being left to the care of those I had no confidence
whatever in. Providentially a Canadian lieutenant was listening and
so soon as all, both British and American officers left the room, nobly
came to me and said, " I have a good span of horses and a good carry-
all. You are welcome to a seat with me." I joyfully accepted his

EARLY SAGINAW CONSTABLES. 443

offer, and I hereby acknowledge that I met in his person a whole
souled man and a soldier, through whose kindness, mainly, I reached
Niagara river. When I was once more permitted to look on the much
loved flag of my country, and paroled and put across the Niagara river
on American soil, then, with all my suffering I felt that I could once
more breathe freely. I have again to acknowledge the goodness of
God in providing for reaching my home and friends, after traveling
more than one thousand miles badly wounded, a half ounce ball buried
in my shoulder. But I lived to be fully avenged upon the enemies of
my country in the battle of the 8th of January, 1815, below New
Orleans. I have omitted many minor incidents that were in this com-
munication the writing of which has given great pain in my wounded
shoulder.

EAKLY SAGINAW CONSTABLES.

BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER.

[Read at annual meeting, Jane 12, 1888.]

In the new settlements constables had to be selected from aspirants
to political honors, and were not always the best selections that could
have been made. Abram Butts was the first person that held that
responsible position in the Saginaw district, having been appointed
when it was a part of Oakland county. He felt the responsibility of
his position as a conservator of the peace, and although of small
stature and having a weak body, he was always ready to use what
force he had to quell disturbances.

At one time a row commenced in which a man of large size and
great strength named Weston was engaged, and Butts not being obeyed
when he commanded the peace, nothing daunted, having the strength
of the law on his side, if not the physical strength, rushed forward
and seized Weston, who with a fling of his arm sent him spinning
like a top several feet distant. But as soon as the momentum ceased

444 , EARLY SAGINAW CONSTABLES.

Butts was scratching back on his hands and knees and seized Weston
by the legs, when the scene became so ludicrous that it put an end to
the fight.

Butts was not a learned man but he generally did his business
correctly and he retained the office in Saginaw county for many years
after it was organized.

John Hall, a Pennsylvanian was elected a constable in Saginaw at an
early day and was much puffed up with the honor of his office, and
was fond of discussing legal points and of ventilating his knowledge
of the law. A party had wrongfully come into possession of some
property, and Hall had heard Judge Biggs say that it might be recov-
ered by the rightful owner by recaption. He heard another group
discussing the subject and wondering how the matter would be solved.
"Oh, that is easy enough," says Hall, "the property can be taken by
reaction"

He liked to tell of his official doings, and one afternoon he said to
Seth Willey, "I have just leveled on old Brown's oxen." Willey says
to him, " How coulcl you levy on Brown's oxen, you have not been
out of the village today?" "Oh, I did it by virtue of a writ of (a
queer name which I have forgotten) by which I can take property
where it is not just as well as where it is." On making his returns
he would state, "By virtue of the within execution I have leveled on

the property of the defendent," and sign " John Hall, con-sti-

bil." He was sure to dot his i's, so that careless readers would not
mistake the letters and accuse him of misspelling his words.

Butts and Hall have long since been summoned to appear before the
Judge of ail the earth. Peace be to their ashes.

A TRIAL FOE PETIT LARCENY.

William Macdonald, who was trading in the old red store at Saginaw
city about the years 1844 and 1845, was the owner of a finger ring
which he highly prized, for aside from its intrinsic value, which was
considerable, he valued it on account of its having been a present from
Ramsey Crooks, the great American fur trader who was known in com-
mercial circles fifty years ago from the Atlantic to the Pacific. One
morning when there were a number of men in the store, Mr. Macdonald
took off his ring and laid it on the counter while he went into the
back room to wash himself; when he returned the ring was missing.
He kept quiet about his loss thinking that the best course to pursue.
Not long afterwards a girl employed at Jewett's hotel, in talking with
a friend on the subject of rings, told her she expected a present of a

EARLY SAGINAW CONSTABLES. 445

beautiful one from the young man to whom she was engaged to be
married. When the present was made and exhibited it proved to be
Macdonald's ring. The donor was Eob, the youngest son of a family
living in the vicinity. Circumstances were so strong against him that
he was arrested and held to answer to the charge of petit larceny.
Eob's arrest caused quite a commotion in the family circle; and on the
day of trial the whole family, father, mother, and brothers were early
in town to await the result.

There were two practical jokers in town who always calculated to-
extract some fun . from every transaction, no matter how grave the
subject that was in hand. So Seth Willey and Harry Campbell met
the family on their arrival in town and descanted on the importance
of the trial, telling the father and mother of Eob that they would be
called on to testify in the case, and if they were not familiar with the
proceedings in courts of justice they had better go with them to a
private room and have a rehearsal of what .they would be called upon
to testify in court. Harry Campbell claiming to be an expert in all
matters pertaining to a criminal trial.

After calling up Eob's father Harry told him he would be sworn in
court and he must answer the questions he should put to him just a&
he would on oath.

Q. Is your son obedient and respectful to his parents?

A. Yes, always obedient and never gives me a saucy word.

Q. What is his character for honesty?

A. He has always been a good, honest boy; I never knew him to
steal anything before.

Eob. "Hain't stole nothin' now, you - - old fool, you!"

One of Eob's brothers said, " Mr. Willey, Eob never stole that ring
mor'n God made the world!"

The time for the trial came, the court was opened, a jury empan-
neled and the trial proceeded. Witnesses were called to testify as to-
the presence of Eob in the store at the time the ring was missed.
Some swore positively to his presence, describing his dress and the
position in which he stood leaning against the "counter near where the
ring was laid; others equally positive, naming all the others that were
in the store, said that Eob was not present at the time. I sat at the
trial and assisted in examining the witnesses and became satisfied that
witnesses might honestly be mistaken in testifying to what they saw,,
and believed they knew. I was in the store -the morning in question
and very well remembered Eob's presence, but did not recall the pres-
ence of some of the witnesses who testified that they were there. A

446 EARLY SAGINAW CONSTABLES.

part of the scene may be impressed on the memory and not the whole.
In the case referred to there was no motive for anyone to testify to
what he did not believe to be true. The theory of the defense was
that Kob found the ring in a cutter that had been used by different
parties, but the testimony was strongly against it.

The case was given to the jury and after due deliberation they
returned -a verdict of not guilty. The verdict was a surprise to most
of those who heard the testimony; but perhaps the jury had heard of
the good character of Eob given by his father on the mock trial and
the solemn asseveration of his innocence made by • his brother. Kob
was discharged, and if he had a propensity for stealing it was never
manifested afterwards.

COUNTY COURT.

At the time the county court system was in force, there was a judge
on the bench who was troubled with fits of somnolency, and a couple
of lawyers were arguing a point before him in reference to the rules or
practice of the court. One of them said he understood the practice of
this court to be so and so. " No," replied the other, " you are mis-
taken; the practice of this court is to fall asleep at the commencement
of the opening plea, and awaken at its close, and prepare for another
snooze while the answering plea is made."

CIRCUIT COURT MATTERS.

For the first few years after the organization of Saginaw county
there was not sufficient court business to maintain a county bar, and
when Judge Whipple went north to hold court in his district he was
followed from Pontiac and Flint to Saginaw by members of the bar
from Oakland and Genesee counties.

I remember on one occasion they all started from Jewett's hotel for
the old school house to open court. Not long afterwards Judge Whip-
pie returned to the hotel with a frown on his face saying he would
not sit down in a peck of dirt to hold court for anybody. There might
have been reason for a person less fastidious than Judge Whipple to
complain, for there had been two caucuses and one election, all in
muddy weather, held in the school house, and no sweeping had been
done. The court adjourned a day for the house to be cleaned.

On another occasion on the morning of the last day of an unusually
long term of court, Judge Whipple looked around on the members of
the bar while sitting at the hotel and said to them, " Boys, this being
the last day of the term you should brush up a little, some clean

PIONEER REMINISCENCES. 447

linen would improve your appearance." They all knew very well where
the only stock of clean linen belonging to the crowd could be found,
so giving each other the wink, they proceeded to Judge Whipple's
room and opening his satchel, each supplied himself with a clean shirt.
Shortly afterwards when the Judge went to his room to arrange his
toilet, he found plenty of soiled linen lying about the room, but not a
clean shirt in his satchel. He came down stairs with black looks,
complaining to the lawyers of their ungenerous conduct in not leaving
one clean shirt; had they done that he would not have complained.

PIONEEK KEMINISCENCES.

BY MRS. AZUHAH L. JEWETT.

[Read at the annual meeting, Jane 12, 1888.J

I have been solicited by my brother, Judge Albert Miller of Bay
City, to write something of my pioneer life.

Very many things have occurred in the fifty-seven years that I
have been in Saginaw that would be worthy of note, but I hardly feel
competent for the task, suffice it to say that the present inhabitants
would think it quite impossible to endure the privations and sacrifices
that a few of the first have passed through, and in almost every
instance without a word of complaint, each one seemed to realize their
situation and possess fortitude to sustain them, and wait for more
prosperous times.

These I have fully realized and feel that I have been well compen-
sated for all the privations that I have endured, and vicissitudes that
have come under my observation.

My first trouble in Saginaw was fear of the Indians, my husband
being a surveyor and often from home, they would watch their opportu-
nity and come when they knew I was alone,/ and would not be satisfied
with what I had to give them but would invariably rob the garden,
hen roost and corn crib.

448 PIONEER REMINISCENCES.

I came a bride to the Saginaw country in October, 1831, and was
one of the thirty white inhabitants, then residing on the lower penin-
sula of Michigan north of Flint river, my home was on the bank of
the river at Green Point two and a half miles above Saginaw city, my
husband, the late Hon. Eleazer Jewett, kept a ferry and owned the only
boat that could carry a horse across Saginaw river.

My daughter, Mrs. Dr. N. D. Lee of Saginaw city with whom I now
reside, was born at my home at Green Point, February, 1834; except
one born when the United States troops occupied the fort at Sagi-
naw, she was the first white female born in the region above referred
to.

When I contemplate my social privileges in the midst of fifty thou-
sand people 'containing hundreds of friends and acquaintances that I
can visit any day I choose, for when they are too far distant for a
walk, street cars will carry me to their residence, or near them, I
wonder at my contentment then with my nearest neighbor two miles
and a half away and with no means of traveling only the river, either
on the ice or in a canoe, often many weeks would pass without seeing
a female friend. We lived in a log house, and nearly every stranger
that visited Saginaw would come to our cabin for entertainment.

There were very few conveniences for cooking at that time. No cook
stove, coal range or gasoline stove, but an open fire-place, with very
few cooking utensils. Men would come in groups, one or two would
seldom come through the woods from Flint to Saginaw by themselves,
strangers would have a guide. Gentlemen would come to the place
from New York and Ohio to locate land, often when they were least
expected, perhaps late in the evening. They would sit, and watch, and
wait for me to cook their supper by a blazing fire, the kitchen, sitting
and dining room were all in one fourteen foot room. When the
gentlemen would get rested and through supper, they often would
express themselves just as well satisfied as if they were at a hotel. I
would often sit up all night and have breakfast prepared for them
while they were at rest.

Our life began to grow a little weary from entertaining under such
disadvantages and concluding we could as well keep a hotel, in 1837
Mr. Jewett built one sufficiently large to accommodate the traveling
community for a number of years. But when the plank road was
built in 1850, and steamboats came up the river and a bridge was put
across, only a small portion of the traveling community could be
accommodated in the first hotel that was built in Saginaw.

Now when we look at the Saginaw valley with its vast industries

PIONEER REMINISCENCES. 449

and trains of cars loaded with passengers arriving hourly from differ-
ent points of the compass, and the extensive region north of us,
teeming with life and animation, with scores of hotels filled to oveflQw-
ing, it is a wonder to me that I could once have entertained all the
travelers that visited this vast region of country in a little log house,
and provide for their wants by cooking before a blazing fire.

Now when we look at the present facilities for traveling, it is a
wonder that such vicissitudes described below should have occurred
only forty-four years ago.

In looking over some old account books that belonged to my hus-
band when keeping a hotel, I saw the bill for keeping Mr. Hopkins
and his men May 17, 1844; it brought the circumstance of their
arrival vividly to my mind.

Mr. Hopkins had previously been here and selected a location for
lumbering business at Lower Saginaw (now Bay City) and went back
to Ohio to get men to help him carry on his business, he started back
with ten and found conveyance for them until they arrived at Flint
river. There had been heavy rains which had rendered the roads so
bad it was impossible for teams to get through the woods, so they
were compelled to walk. Each man took a lunch in his pocket, had
an early start, and felt that they were all fully competent for the task,
expecting to arrive in Saginaw in due time for supper. But before the
journey was half performed they began to realize that they had under-
taken a hard task. It was dark when they arrived at Cass river and
there was no one to set them across, but they found a canoe that
would carry but two persons at one time, there was one man in the
company that understood navigation and he had the task of taking
them all across separately, found it quite critical as the river was very
high. They had ten miles to walk to get to Saginaw. Mr. Hopkins
said all the encouraging words that he was capable of, and they pro-
ceeded with wearied steps. But when they got within two miles of
the crossing place of Saginaw river one of the men became exhausted
and fell to the ground apparently lifeless. They had no means of
restoring him and all they could do was to carry him in their arms
until they could get him to the river; when they got through the
dense woods and could see an opening to the river they laid him on
the ground. Mr. Hopkins and one man came across the river, then
past midnight. I can well remember the loud call of Mr Hopkins for
Mr. Jewett to arise immediately for he was in trouble. The story was
soon told, blankets and pillows were procured to bring the wearied
57

450 A PIONEER'S REMINISCENSES.

man to the boat, which was speedily dispatched and all were brought
across the riVer in safety. The tired man was laid on a couch already
prepared for him. Most of his comrades pronounced him dead, but
Mr. Hopkins said there was life yet and he must be restored. No
physician was to be obtained, the only one in the place being pros-
trated with sickness. Eestoratives were applied, but with little effect at
first. In the meantime a substantial meal had been provided and all
were ready to partake except one man, he chose to remain with his
brother who was on the couch. Before the meal was finished he dis-
covered signs of life, and at daylight the man had recovered concious-
ness and was able to speak. The two brothers remained two days, the
other men took an open boat the only means of conveyance, and
proceeded to their place of business. In company with the late James
Eraser and William Pomeroy, Mr. Hopkins erected a saw-mill, the
fourth one built on Saginaw river, on the site now occupied by 8. G.
M. Gates' mill in Bay City.

I am in the eighty-third year of my age, and since the death of my
husband which occurred in February, 1876, I have been the longest
resident between Flint river and the Straits of Mackinaw.

I have a pleasant home with my daughter and am surrounded by a
large circle of friends who are anxious to contribute to my happiness.

My bodily health is good and unless this article indicates the contrary
my mental faculties are unimpaired, and I enjoy life at present as
much as at any period of my existence.

A PIONEEK'S KEMINISCENCES.

CONTRIBUTED BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER.

Charles W. Grant, secretary of the board of trade, also one of the
vice presidents of the Michigan State Pioneer Society, recently received
from the secretary of that organization a circular requesting informa-
tion concerning the earlier history of Saginaw county. Much of this

A PIONEER'S REMINISCENCES. 451

Mr. Grant is familiar with; in fact no man resident of the com-
mercial metropolis of Northern Michigan has a wider or more extensive
knowledge of affairs hereabouts in days gone by; but wishing to refresh
his memory and substantiate facts of which he was possessed, he wrote
to his life long friend, Judge Albert Miller, of Bay City, regarding
the matter. In reply the following, which the Courier- Herald of
January 18, 1890, is permitted to publish, was received:

I removed to Saginaw in January, 1833, but had visited the place
before and knew many of the residents after the fall of 1830. In
April, 1831, at the first election after the town was organized, includ-
ing what was then Saginaw county, which contained a part of the
"territory now in Genesee, Midland, and Bay counties, there were
thirteen votes cast for. supervisor, of which Gardner D. Williams
received seven and David Stanard six. So far as I can recollect the
names of those voters were Gardner D. Williams, David Stanard,
Eleazer Jewett, Ephraim S. Williams, Jacob Graverat, Louis Major,
Abram Whitney, Grovener Vinton, John Brown, Duncan McLellan,
old Mr. McCarty and two other men, Williams' Indian traders, whose
names are forgotten.

Eleazer Jewett came to Saginaw to reside permanently in 1826. I
think Asa Whitney was there before him; at any rate Jewett and
Whitney wintered together in Whitney's house, on the Whitney farm,
on the Tittabawassee river, during the winter of 1826-7, and in April,
1827, while Jewett was at Detroit purchasing supplies, Whitney was
accidentally drowned in the river near his house. When Jewett went
to Saginaw, the trading post of the American Fur Company was occu-
pied by a Frenchman named Eeaum. Gardner D. Williams took his
place. E. S. Williams came afterwards, when the trading firm of
G. D. and E. S. Williams was formed.

Previous to all this is the history of the military post at Saginaw.
The county was organized in February, 1835, after a portion which
was in the township had been set off to form Midland county, leaving
that portion of the organized township in Oakland county. The first
officers of Saginaw county were: John Smyth, sheriff; Albert Miller,
judge of probate; Andrew Ure and Gardner D. Williams, associate
judges; Ephraim S. Williams, register of deeds and county clerk;
Eleazer Jewett, county surveyor. The township board of the township
of Saginaw, consisting of Gardner D. Williams, supervisor, Andrew
Ure, Jeremiah E. Kiggs and Albert Miller, justices of the peace,
and Ephraim S. Williams, township clerk, constituted the board of
"supervisors.

452 A PIONEER'S REMINISCENCES.

In 1832 Job Olmstead, Sr., with twenty^two children, a son-in-law,
daughter-in-law, and a number of grandchildren, settled at Saginaw,.
not one of whom or their descendents are living in the valley at the
present time. Abram Butts and family, Dr. Bunnell and family, Obed
Crane, Benoit Tromble, and Thomas Simpson with their families and
others not remembered, settled there in 1832. During the next season
John Kenyon, Andrew Ure, James Fraser, James Busby, Sr., Hugh
and Thomas McCullogh and families and others settled there. About
that time a man named Beaubien, John B. Trudell, Charles H. Rodd
and James Gruett, Indian traders, came. Nathaniel Foster and family,
Stephen Benson and Sylvester Vibber were residents of Sagiuaw
before 1833. Charles A. Lull, with his father and mother, Mr.
and Mrs. Joab Lull, two sisters, afterwards Mrs. Spaulding and Mrs.
Frank Toby, his brother Augustus, and Phineas Spaulding, came in
May, 1834. They drove through from Flint with an ox cart, which
was the first wheeled vehicle I ever knew of passing over the old
trail. Charles A. Lull and Phineas Spaulding built log houses on their
respective farms, which were the first houses built in Saginaw county
away from the banks of a river. That year the Saginaw turnpike was
surveyed between Flint and Saginaw by Orange Risdon, in the pay of
the United States government. John Brown, Scotch, with his son
Edward, came in the fall of 1833 and built a log house on the Titta-
bawassee, two miles above Green Point, and in July, 1834, while the
balance of the family consisting of the mother, four daughters and three
sons, were journeying from Scotland to reach their new home, the mother
died at Quebec with cholera. Mr. Brown met the balance of the
family at Detroit and* brought them to the new home at Saginaw,
where they were all prostrated with fever and ague. At the election
in April, 1835, candidates for delegates to a convention to form a State
constitution were voted for, and I was appointed to meet the board of
canvassers at Pontiac, to canvass the votes for the county of Oakland..

To the committee of historians of the Pioneer and Historical Society:
After the foregoing letter of mine to C. W. Grant was published in
the Courier he received the following from Mr. Grovener Vinton, an
early settler of Saginaw. Where Mr. Vinton's statement differs from
mine in regard to dates, etc., previous to 1833, I stand corrected, for
Mr. Vinton was on the ground and my information was obtained from
hearsay. Mr. Yinton is now a resident of Mt. Morris in Genesee

A PIONEER'S REMINISCENCES. 453

•county. He has lived in that vicinity a successful farmer and highly

respected citizen since 1834.

ALBERT MILLER.
Bay City, June, 1890.

•

LETTER FROM GROVENER VINTON TO C. W. GRANT.

Asa L. Whitney moired to Saginaw county in the spring of 1826,
and was drowned two years later. His brother Abram Whitney, a
single man, came and attended to his business, harvesting crops, etc.,
and finally became owner of the farm, and died there. Grovener
Vinton and Stephen Benson left Avon, Livingston county, N. Y., Jan.
3, 1830, and after walking most of the way through Canada, arrived at
Detroit, Jan. 11. Spent a few days at Pontiac and then continued
their journey through to Saginaw. At Flint, Capt. Joshua Terry joined
their party. He was collector of taxes for the township of Pontiac
and was going to Saginaw on that business. They were one day in
making the journey from Flint to Pine Run a distance of fourteen
miles, but the following day completed the distance to Saginaw,
twenty-six miles further.

Grovener Vinton selected the land where Ben McClelland now lives
and went to Detroit to enter it. At this time there were no settlers
between Flint and Saginaw. The first summer he worked for Biggs
and Stanard, going onto his own land in the fall, where he continued
to reside until December, 1834. During this time he made two trips to
Pontiac to mill, with an ox team taking nine days for each trip. In
the winter of '31, the territorial legislature organized the township of
Saginaw. At the first town meeting, held the first Monday in April,
there, were fifteen voters, Grovener Vinton being one of the number.
He was married Aug. 25, 1831, to Harriet Whitney, sister to Abram
and Asa L. Whitney. They being the first white couple married in
Saginaw county. Their first child Sarah Vinton, now Mrs. Samuel
Dickinson was born May 9, 1833.

Stephen Benson located his land on the opposite side of the river
from the Bacon farm. At this time Gardner D. and Ephraim S.
Williams were Indian traders at Saginaw city.

Lauren Riggs and John Brown both from Avon, N. Y., lived one
mile above Green Point on the Tittabawassee river, having moved
there in 1829.

John Eiggs, son of Lauren Riggs was born in November, 1829, being
the first white child born in Saginaw county. Lauren Riggs owned

454 THE PIONEER SCHOOLS OF THE STATE.

the first two horse lumber wagon ever brought into Saginaw county.
He also had an Indian trading house on Green Point, attended by
Eleazer Jewett, who moved to the place in 1826.

David Stanard and Charles McClean moved into Saginaw during
the winter of 1828. Charles McClean settled on forty acres of land
joining the old Bacon farm, and was the first man to sow wheat in
Saginaw county,

David Stanard settled on what is now known as the Court farm,
and was the possessor of a run of stone for grinding corn, run by
horse power.

Edward McCartney and his son Thomas came to Saginaw in Aug-
ust, 1830, and settled on the Tittabawassee river.

Artemus Bacon was an Indian farmer, and afterwards bought the

Bacon farm.

GROVENER VINTON.

THE PIONEER SCHOOLS OF THE STATE.

BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER.

[Bay City Daily Tribune, April 26, 1885.]

A sufficient number of the early pioneers of Michigan to give char-
acter to the institutions of the State emigrated from New York and
the New England states, bringing with them the patriotism, love of
liberty, and the desire for an educated community, that characterized
the people of the states they had left.

But up to the time of the formation of our first State constitution in
1835, little had been done by legislation to promote the interests of
education. Some cumbersome laws had been enacted by the legislative
council providing for the division of townships into school districts,
but no provision was made for the support of schools except by rate
bills. Few communities availed themselves of any provisions of law in
establishing schools, but almost every settlement, where ten or more

THE PIONEER SCHOOLS OP THE STATE. 455

scholars could be gathered in one place, associated themselves together
as a school district, built a school house by voluntary contributions,
and maintained a school three or six months in the year by rate bills.

Such was the demand for qualified teachers that associations were
formed in the eastern states to supply teachers for the west.
Ex-Governor Slade, of Vermont, was at the head of such an institu-
tion, and another was presided over by a Miss Tuttle, of Boston. The
last named supplied some teachers for the Saginaw. valley. Miss
Spaulding taught a class of young ladies at Saginaw at an early day,
and for her gentle ways, valuable instructions and Christian example, is
held in grateful remembrance by gray haired ladies of the present day.
Miss Barry, an amicable Christian lady, came to Lower Saginaw and
taught the children of the late James G. Birney and Mr. Rogers. The
wife of Prof. F. W. Lankenaw and her brothers and sisters were under
her tuition.

A lady from Ohio came to teach in the family of Mr. Pomeroy,
father of C. H. Pomeroy of Bay City. She afterwards married Leon
Tromble. She was an amiable Christian woman, and the sad fate of
Mr. and Mrs. Tromble is deplored by all who. knew them. They
removed to the north shore of Lake Michigan, where they accumulated
some money, and for the purpose of plunder were attacked by a fiend
in the shape of a young man to whom they had given a home, and
Mrs. Tromble was killed outright and Mr. Tromble so injured that he
has ever since been insane.

The foregoing will show the difficulties which parents who desired
to give their children an education labored under, compared with the
present time.

Of the early pioneers of Michigan there were many warm friends of
education who were anxious that the foundations for a liberal school
system should be firmly laid, upon which might be built a structure
that would lead to the education and refinement of coming generations,
and redound to the glory of the State. Among others there were the
late General Isaac E. Crary and Rev. John D. Pierce, both of Calhoun
county, who spent much time in consulting together about what, pro-
vision should be made in the new constitution that was about to be
formed for the promotion of the interests of education. Their conclu-
sions were that it should be specially recognized as a department of
the State government.

General Crary was elected to the convention to form a State consti-
tution and by that body was made chairman of the committee on
education. In his report to the convention, which was accepted,

456 THE PIONEER SCHOOLS OP THE STATE.

provision was made for the appointment of a superintendent of public
instruction who was to be nominated by the governor and elected by
the two houses of the State legislature.

At that time no state in the Union had provided for such an officer.

General Crary was elected our first member of congress, and
although in that body he was ridiculed and annihilated by the wit of
Tom Corwin and referred to afterwards by John Quincy Adams as the
late Mr. Crary,. the people of Michigan have reason to honor his name
for the action he took to promote the interests of education in the
new State.

Previous to this time in admitting new states into the Union, sections
numbered sixteen were donated to the townships in which they were
located, for the benefit of schools, a very unequal distribution when we
consider the difference in the value of sections in different townships;
and the lands were generally so disposed of that they contributed but
little to the cause of education. General Crary had the drawing of
the ordinance for the admission of the State into the Union and so
worded it that sections numbered sixteen were donated to the State in
trust, the proceeds of which should be kept as a perpetual fund the
income of which should be applied to the support of schools, thus
preserving the magnificent gift to be used for the purpose for which
it was donated. General Crary in his many consultations with Eev.
John D. Pierce (who was then engaged as a missionary for the board
of home missions) had ascertained his advanced and liberal views on
the subject of education, and solicited Governor Mason to nominate him
for the office of superintendent of public instruction. He was nomin-
ated and duly elected. After his election Mr. Pierce traveled
extensively, visiting institutions of learning, educational associations,
and consulted with the best educationalists in the United States in
order to obtain information as to the best method of starting our new
State on the right road to honor and success in her educational insti-
tutions. After getting what information he could he drew up his
report to the legislature with the most advanced views that he thought
possible to get adopted by that body, though the provision for free
schools even for three months in the year could not be obtained then.
But his object was to have all schools eventually absolutely free from
rate bills, which has long since been attained; and the blessings now
enjoyed in consequence of the foresight are apparent to all.

I have given this brief sketch of the history of the foundation of
our school system; which perhaps is known to all, but it cannot be too
often repeated, for every teacher and scholar in our public schools

SIXTY-TWO YEARS AGO. 457

should know and honor the names of Isaac E. Crary and John D. Pierce.
Mr. Crary died in 1854, but Mr. Pierce lived till April, 1882. He was a
grand old gentleman. I was associated with him during one session of
the State legislature and knew him well for many years. In his old age
he was justly proud of the world-wide fame of the educational institu-
tions of Michigan, which had been built on the foundation which he was
instrumental in laying. After legislation had been had and the system
of education projected by Mr. Pierce had become the law of the land,
he closed a communication to the legislature expressing his confidence
in the success of the system in these almost prophetic words: " What
remains is to carry it into successful operation, making from time to
time such modifications as experience shall determine to be necessary
and desirable. Most certainly have we laid the foundations for raising
a fabric of gigantic proportions and great magnificence. Our whole
super-structure, when duly perfected by the wisdom and councils of
experience, cannot fail of being the ornament and glory of Michigan
in all coming time, and as useful in all its departments, as grand and
beautiful in its design. Hence, if we fail, as remarked by a distin-
guished gentleman at the late session of the college of professional
teachers, it will be a magnificent failure, and draw after it consequences
of direful import. But we trust, through the providence of the All-
wise, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, who has thus far so
benignly and prosperously guided the councils and affairs of our State,
that the system will flourish and bear fruit, even long after those who
were instrumental in its production shall have returned to the dust of
the valley and gone to their final rest."

SIXTY-TWO YEARS AGO.
AN OLD MAP OF THE LATE CAPTAIN MARSAC UNEARTHED.

CONTRIBUTED BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER.

[Published in the Bay City Times, March 5, 1893.]

Among the effects of the late Captain Joseph F. Marsac, was a map
and guide to Michigan which is indeed a relic at this time worthy of
owning. For several years after the captain's death, the map was lost

458 SIXTY-TWO YEARS AGO.

or mislaid, but within the past week it was restored to Recorder
Marsac, son of the old captain, and it is now highly prized by him.
The little book into which the map can be folded is entitled " The
Emigrant's Guide or Pocket Gazetteer of the surveyed part of Michi-
gan." It was printed by B. D. Packard & Co., at Albany, N. Y., in
1831.

TO THE PUBLIC.

On the back of the fly leaf, John Farmer addresses the public as
follows :

The author of the following pages has resided a number of years at
Detroit, and employed much of his time surveying and in preparing
maps of the territory, not only for publication, but frequently for the
use of the legislative council, His occupation has naturally led him to
become generally acquainted with the territory. He has -been
frequently called upon by the emigrant for such information respect-
ing it, as at first sight would appear to be notorious; but of which,
for the want of a gazetteer many are ignorant. He therefore came at
once to the conclusion that a concise description like the following,
embracing such facts only as would naturally be sought for by the
emigrant, would be serviceable, especially as it can be done up with the
map in portable shape. With these views the following brief but
nevertheless correct sketch was hastily thrown together.

JOHN FARMER.
Albany, March, 1830.

P. S. — Last season there were about 15,000 emigrants to the terri-
tory, and double that number is confidently expected the present
season. Twelve counties were formed in the fall of .1829 and twelve
more this spring. Such has been the growth of improvement since the
following pages were written that a new edition is required, and
although the accompanying map is brought up to the present and
exhibits all the late surveys, new counties, etc., yet still the demand is
such that for the want of time to extend my observations I am com-
pelled to let the Gazetteer go to press without additions.

J. F.
Albany, May 10, 1831.

MICHIGAN AS SHE WAS.

The Gazetteer says:

Michigan territory is bounded east and north by the national
boundary line, which separates it from Canada, west by the Mississippi
river, and south by Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. It is governed by a

SIXTY-TWO YEARS AGO. 459

governor and legislative council, composed of 13 members; the former
is appointed by the president of the United States with the advice and
consent of the senate, and holds his office during their pleasure; but the
latter are elected every two years by the people; compose one house only,
and are allowed to hold two sessions a year, not exceeding 30 days
each. The territory is represented in congress by a delegate, chosen
once in two years, who is entitled to the same pay as a member of the
house of representatives but is not allowed a vote in that body. The
expenses of the government of the territory are paid by the United
States, but the town and county charges are defrayed by a direct tax.

POPULATION.

It is estimated by the most competent judges to contain, at present,
about 35,000 inhabitants. Its rapid and increasing tide of emigration
is such as to induce the belief that she is shortly destined to be
admitted to equal rank among the political stars which adorn the
American constellation. Her present growth and increasing importance
may be measurably attributed to the enterprising, active and ener-
getic talents of her present chief magistrate, Lewis Cass, whose
personal exertions and enlightened policy have not only facilitated its
settlement, but tended in a great measure to develop its various
resources.

Following this introduction is a description of the State. The plains
are said to be frequently covered with such a regular, beautiful and
thrifty growth of timber, so free from underbrush as to wear the
aspect of a cultivated forest.

The emigrants to the territory are spoken of as being enterprising
and industrious farmers, who promise well to become wealthy citizens.
The uniform price of unsold wild land is $1.25 an acre and the terms
ready money, with the title indisputable as it comes direct from the
United States.

Each of the counties is described briefly. Saginaw county is referred
to as follows:

Saginaw county is not yet organized. It is watered by the Shia-
wassee, Flint, Cass, Tittabawassee and Hare rivers. The most of these
streams are navigable for boats; their junction forms the Saginaw river
which is navigable for sloops twenty miles to the village which bears
its name and which is to be the seat of justice for said county. The
United States have established a cantonment here, and laid out a
road from this place to Detroit, which is not yet finished. When this

460 SIXTY-TWO YEARS AGO.

is completed, it is more than probable that it will settle as speedily as
•any county in the territory, as the soil is very favorable to agriculture.

There is no such reference to Bay county for the simple reason
there was no such county. Saginaw county extended from Shiawassee
county on the south directly north to Saginaw bay, alongside of Sani-
lac county. Sanilac comprised all the territory in the " thumb."
Midland county reached from Saginaw bay to its present line on
Isabella county. North of Midland were Gladwin and Arenac
counties. Bay was formed by taking a part of Midland, Saginaw, and
Arenac, the latter being dropped out of existence altogether until about
ten years ago, when the northern part of Bay was made into a county
called Arenac.

The entire northern part of Michigan from Arenac north is called
Indian country and was inhabited by the Ottawas and Miamies. The
country was called township of Michillimackinac. The straits also
bear the name Michillimackinac.

Saginaw bay is very incorrectly drawn. Two islands appear located
in the center, one being called Shawangunk island.

Chipp Vill is located at the mouth of the Au Sable river.

Thunder Bay river empties into Thunder bay which is a part of
-Saginaw bay.

There is no sign of a settlement north of Saginaw.

Lake Michigan is shaped like a pickle and hangs stiff, at a slant to
the west.

Michillimackinac county reaches from the Mississippi to the straits.
-Chippewa county lies just north and extends from St. Mary's river to
the Mississippi.

Toledo is in Monroe county.

Kalamazoo river is spelled Kekalamazoo.

Chicago is on the map in type no larger than Chipp Vill.

Wisconsin is spelled Ouisconsin.

The map was engraved in 1829 by Kawdon Clark & Co., of Albany.

It is stated that Michigan territory extends west to the Mississippi,
but it is expected a new territory will shortly be set off by the name
•of Ouisconsin.

RECOLLECTIONS OF A PIONEER OF EARLY MICHIGAN. 461

RECOLLECTIONS OF A PIONEEK OF EARLY MICHIGAN.

BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER.

Editor Sunday Times :

Your article " Sixty-two Years Ago," published in the Sunday Times
on March 5, 1893, brings to my mind so vividly some of the scenes
and events of that early date in the history of Michigan, that I am
inclined to jot down a few items which you can publish if you think
they will be of any interest to your readers. One of the items
in the article referred to, signed by John Farmer, was dated on
the twenty-first anniversary of my birthday (May 10, 1831.) I had
then been eight months a resident of that portion of the territory of
Michigan that is now Genesee county. The old map you refer to wa&
quite familiar to me in those early days. The surveyed portion of
northern Michigan included the mouth of the Saginaw river and the
forks of the Tittabawassee. I think you will find on that map a tract
of country about Port Huron marked Desmond. I believe the terri-
tory referred to had been set off into a township by that name. Mr.
Farmer gives the boundaries of the territory of Michigan as it existed
in 1831, but it was greatly enlarged in 1834 by the addition of all the
territory belonging to the United States lying north of the state of
Missouri and west of the Mississippi river. By an act of the legisla-
tive council of the territory of Michigan, dated Sept. 6, 1834, that
territory was set off into two counties — Dubuque county comprising all
the territory north of a line drawn west from the south end of Rock
Island; and DesMoine county, the portion lying south of said line to
the northern line of the state of Missouri.

The population of the territory of Michigan as constituted in 1830
(the census being taken after I became a resident of the territory)
numbered 31,000 and some hundreds. Detroit then contained '2,222.
The territory that is now Genesee county, where I then resided, con-
tained seventy whites, and between the Flint river and the Straits of
Mackinaw there were twenty-eight.

I was well acquainted with John Farmer, the author of the map

462 RECOLLECTIONS OF A PIONEER OF EARLY MICHIGAN.

referred to. In 1837, when I was a managing director of the Ports-
mouth company, we employed him to survey the ground and make
what is known as " Farmer's plat of Portsmouth." At the time of the
publication of the map referred to in your article the story was that
Mr. Farmer was employed by Orange Risdon, a United States deputy
surveyor residing in Washtenaw county, to copy the minutes of his
surveys and prepare the matter for a map which he (Risdon) intended
to publish; that while Farmer worked for Risdon during the day, he
made a copy of his work at night and forestalled Risdon in the pub-
lication of a map. Risdon afterwards published a map but it had but
a limited sale and Farmer had a monopoly of publishing maps of Mich-
igan and Wisconsin for many years. I knew Mr. Risdon very well;
he surveyed the United States military road between Flint and Sag-
inaw. I met him at the laying of the corner stone of the State capitol;
he was then the oldest Free Mason in the State.

During the winter of 1831-2 I taught a school in Grand Blanc,
which was the second term of school in the lower peninsula of Michi-
gan north of Oakland county, and during the winter of 1834-5 I
taught a school at Saginaw, which was the first school taught between
Flint river and Mackinaw. In November, 1832, I assisted Judge
Jewett in navigating a raft of sawed lumber, which was manufactured
at the Thread river and hauled across to the Flint and run down that
river to the drift wood, and during the winter of 1832-3 was hauled on
sleighs to a point opposite Green Point. That was the first raft of
sawed lumber that ever floated on any of the tributaries of the Sagi-
naw river. In the summer of 1833 I erected a frame dwelling with a
portion of said lumber, which was the first of the kind outside of
Saginaw city that was ever erected between Flint river and the Straits
of Mackinaw. In the summer of 1834 I assisted Charles A. Lull, late
of Bridgeport, to cut boards by hand to lay floors in the log house he
then erected near where South Saginaw now is, when there was not a
saw- mill within forty miles of the Saginaw river.

In February, 1833, I removed from Grand Blanc to Green Point. I
had never lived within twenty miles of a voting place after becoming
of age and had never voted. I did not attend the spring election at
Saginaw, but was elected to an office that constituted me a member
of the board of inspectors of elections and held that position for
fifteen years in succession — during the first five years of which time I
handled all the votes that were cast on the lower peninsula between
Flint river and the Straits of Mackinaw.

Saginaw county was laid off by proclamation of Gov. Cass in 1822,

RECOLLECTIONS OF A PIONEER OP EARLY MICHIGAN. 468

including four townships now in Midland county. In the winter of
1830-31 Saginaw township was organized embracing the territory of
Saginaw county as it then was. Previous to that the whole of
northern Michigan to Mackinaw was in Oakland county and under the
township jurisdiction of Pontiac. In March, 1831, after the organiza-
tion of Saginaw township, the four townships referred to were set off
into Midland county. In February, 1835, Saginaw county was orga-
nized with the boundaries as they then extended. Upon the organization
of the county I was appointed to the office of judge of probate, the
first to hold the office on the lower peninsula north of Oakland county,
and I think my commission bears the earliest date of any person now
living in Michigan that has held that office. Hon. Oka Ton en, of
Allegan, who is living still, was commissioned to that office a few
months later. One of the first estates I undertook to settle was of a
person who died in my own town of Saginaw, but in the territory that
liad been set off to Midland county. It was soon discovered that the
estate although in the township of Saginaw was in Oakland county
and it was afterwards settled in that county.

In July, 1836, I projected and laid out the town of Portsmouth
which was the first move towards building a town at this end of the
river, and erected on said plat a saw-mill, which was the second put
in operation in the Saginaw valley. In February, 1837, I was
appointed postmaster of Portsmouth, the first appointment of the
kind in the lower peninsula north of Saginaw.

In February, 1839, I united with the First Presbyterian church of
Saginaw, it being the first and then the only religious organization in
the valley. In 1850, with my business partners, I erected at Ports-
mouth a small edifice to be used for religious purposes, which was the
'second in the valley that was ever dedicated to the worship of God,
the first being the Indian mission church at Kawkawlin. I was a
director in the company that procured the building of the first railroad
to Bay City and procured the organization of the second company that
manufactured salt in the valley, and I caused to be thrown up the first
embankment with a view of reclaiming the marsh lands from the over-
flow of the waters of the Saginaw river.

I was president of the first Pioneer society organized in the Saginaw
valley and the first president of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical
Society. This is not what I intended to write when I commenced, but
I mention these facts to show that I am entitled to the appellation of

Pioneer which I have assumed.

PIONEER.
Bay City, March 10, 1893.

464 RESPONSE TO DR. WIGHT'S ANNIVERSARY SERMON.

A RESPONSE TO DR. WIGHT'S ANNIVERSARY SERMON.

BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER.

[Published in the Bay City Tribune, June 16, 1885.]

The parish meeting of the First Presbyterian church was held on
the, evening of June 15, at which the annual pew renting took place.
There was a large number present. During the evening there was a
discussion regarding the proposed new church, in which several took
part and advanced their views.

A very pleasant par,t of the meeting was the response of Judge
Albert Miller, on behalf of the congregation, to Rev. Dr. Wight's
anniversary sermon, delivered on the preceding Sunday. Following
were Judge Miller's remarks:

OUR DEAR PASTOR — I have been deputed to address you in behalf
of the church and congregation and your friends present; but before
commencing, I wish to say a few words outside of and preliminary to
the subject in hand. During your long acquaintance with these people
you have probably observed a propensity they have, especially the
ladies, for scattering flowers along the pathway of life. They omit no
opportunity of performing some benevolent act that will conduce to
the happiness of those with whom they are associated. For instance,
their efforts in preparing for the anniversaries and gatherings of the
church and congregation for social enjoyment, and not long since their
benevolence prompted them to give a pleasant surprise to a member of
the church by extending to him pleasant greetings and congratulations
on the anniversary of his seventy-fifth birthday, and they succeeded
so admirably in their undertaking and made such a green spot in the
declining years of that individual, that they have determined to extend
their greetings to one far more worthy of their attention. So we now
greet and congratulate you on the twentieth anniversary of your pas-
torate, which has been a pleasant, peaceful, and highly successful one.
Twenty years is a long time, and in these days of unrest and change
but few pastors and people in all our broad land have maintained

RESPONSE TO DR. WIGHT'S ANNIVERSARY SERMON. 465

that pleasant relation for so long a period, and among them all I
doubt whether there has been one where it has been so pleasant, so
peaceful, with so little thought or desire for a change on the part of
either party. You were with us in our poverty and weakness, and to
some of the older members of us who had been accustomed to hear
complaints from the pulpit on account of an inadequate pecuniary
support, it is a wonder how you trusted us so fully in the beginning,
but in all these years we have never heard one complaint from that
source, and to those who have had a different experience that has been
a source of pleasure. You have rejoiced with us in our prosperity
and sympathized with us in our sorrows and afflictions, and you have
been unwearied in your efforts to mitigate the sorrows and promote
the happiness of your people, and we wish you to feel that you have
done your whole duty. We are satisfied, aye, more than satisfied, for
your instructions from the pulpit have been such as few congregations,
be they where they may, are permitted to receive. Your discourses
are gems of thought that attract the attention by their brilliancy and
retain a hold on the mind^ by their practical common sense. We are
not only greatly interested in the course of their delivery, but they
furnish us food for thought during the week. Under such preaching
we must grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
and if we do not grow in grace it is not your fault. Your pastorate
has been a successful one, for aside from the good it has accomplished,'
which will take an eternity to reveal, your long continuance with us
has redounded to the honor and material prosperity of the church.
Your wise counsels in presbytery and synod have added to the efficiency
of those bodies with which you are connected and have conduced
toward extending the gospel to points north, east, and west of us,
which were waste places in the wilderness when you commenced your
pastorate. Your residence among us arid your efforts for her spiritual,
moral, and material improvement have redounded to the honor of our
new and thriving city. Your genial, pleasant, and instructive writings
serve to adorn American literature. But these, pleasant associations
cannot always remain, like time, with us all. They must sooner or
later have an end, and that thought would produce an unmitigated
sorrow were it not for the bright hope that brings a full assurance
that they will be renewed under far more glorious circumstances, for
it is one of the brightest anticipated joys of heaven that we shall
meet, know, and be associated in eternity with those who are near and
dear to us in time. Now when the summons shall come that calls
59

466 THE NEW FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BAY CITY.

you to the Master's presence, we feel that but few of all his servants
will be so worthy to receive the welcome plaudit, " Well done, good
and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will
make thee ruler over many; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

At the conclusion of the response, Dr. Wight arose and acknowl-
edged his thanks for the very kind words uttered.

THE LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF THE NEW
FIEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BAY CITY.*

CONTRIBUTED BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER.

The Presbyterian society on June 25, 1891, celebrated one of the
most important events in its history — that of laying the corner stone
of the handsome new church in course of erection on the northeast
corner of Center avenue and Jackson street. The event has long been
looked forward to with a great deal of interest by the members of the
congregation, as it would mark an important epoch in the affairs of the
church, besides providing a handsome and commodious house of wor-
ship. The ceremonies were set for five o'clock, and as that hour
approached, large crowds began assembling in front of the building.
Chairs had been provided and nearly every person was given a
comfortable seat.

At a quarter past five o'clock Rev. W. H. Clark, D. D., pastor of
the church mounted the platform just inside the front entrance and
addresssd the large audience. He spoke of the important work to be
accomplished on this occasion and briefly reviewed the progress made
by the society since its organization.

This was followed by the singing of the Doxology, and an invoca-
tion by Rev. W. P. Miller, of the Westminster Presbyterian church of
West Bay City. The choir then sang the hymn, " The Church's One
Foundation." Rev. Mr. Miller then read the psalter, the responses
being given by the audience.

*For Twenty-fifth Anniversary Celebration, see Pioneer and Historical Collections, Vol. 4, page 177.

THE NEW FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BAY CITY. 467

Eev. W. W. Lyle, of the First Congregational church, read the
scripture lesson from Peter 11:1-9, following it with prayer.

The following interesting paper, " Eeminiscences of Early Days,"
prepared by Judge Albert Miller, was then read by Hon. N. B.
Bradley:

This beautiful region of northern Michigan, between the northern
limits of Oakland county and the Straits of Mackinaw, now teeming
witn life and industry, with great religious privileges and educational
facilities, was known to the writer when it was a howling wilderness,
inhabited only by Indians and wild beasts of the forest, -except a
settlement of white people in what is now Genesee county, containing
about seventy souls, and twenty-eight whites at Saginaw. The writer
settled in the region above referred to in the year 1830, and in 1831
heard the first gospel sermon, which was delivered at Grand Blanc by
the Rev. Mr. Gilruth, the presiding elder of the northern district of the
Ohio Methodist Episcopal conference, which then included the terri-
tory of Michigan. A few days ago the writer had a personal interview
with the Eev. Win. H. Brockway, now a trustee of Albion college,
whom he knew fifty-six years ago. He was then the first stated
preacher ever located in the Saginaw valley. There was then no
religious organization in it, and but few persons who acknowledged
their Saviour's claim to their service. Now there are hundreds of
church spires in the region mentioned pointing heavenward, inviting
the people to enter the edifices below them and there receive the
instruction that will turn their thoughts in the same direction.

In the winter of 1831-2 the writer taught the second term of
school, and the first that was ever taught by a man in the region
referred to — and in the winter of 1834-5 taught the first term that was
taught north of Flint river. Now that same region is noted for
its educational facilities. Millions of dollars are expended in it, in
erecting temples of science and instructing children from the rudi-
ments, to the higher branches of an education.

In 1839 the writer with his wife united with .the first Presbyterian
church of Saginaw, which was the first religious organization in the
Saginaw valley. The first church edifice dedicated to the worship of
God in the Saginaw valley was the one at the Methodist Episcopal
mission of the Indians on the Kawkawlin river. In 1850 a building
twenty by thirty feet on the ground, was erected at Portsmouth and
dedicated to the worship of God.

In the spring of 1856 the Eev. Lucius I. Eoot was invited to look
-over the ground at Lower Saginaw and vicinity, with a view to locating

468 THE NEW FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BAY CITY.

there to preach the gospel and to organize a Presbyterian church
when the proper time should arrive. The sum of $300 had been
subscribed by the people for the part payment of a Presbyterian
minister's salary for one year, the balance to be contributed by the
board of home missions.

After looking over the ground carefully and considering the matter,
Mr. Hoot concluded to accept the invitation to preach for the people
there for one year and on the first Sabbath of May, 1856, commenced
his ministerial labors. Mr. Boot was a graduate of Princeton college.
He was a pious, learned man, devoted to his work of the ministry,,
and soon gained the love and esteem of all who knew him.

In September, 1856,. the first Presbyterian church of Lower Saginaw
(now Bay City) was organized with eight members. Their names were
Jesse Calkins, Albert Miller and his wife, Mary Ann Miller, Mrs.
Angeline Miller, Mrs. Nancy M. Hart, Mrs. Abigail Smith, Mrs. Mary
Tromble, and Mrs. Francis I. Boot. The church had no consecrated
home where its members could gather for worship, but occupied such
halls as could be rented for that purpose. There were additions to
the church membership at every communion season. The writer
remembers the remark of Mr. Hoot at the second one that was -held
by the church, that there was a coincidence with the one where the
ordinance was instituted. It was in an upper room and there were
twelve disciples to partake. Although the number of church members-
continued to increase, there was no special interest or revival until the
winter of 1857-8. As the fruits of that revival the church, at its com-
munion season in March, 1858, received eighteen new members.

In March, 1858, Scott W. Sayles and Albert Miller were elected
elders, the first the church had. Mr. Sayles died three or four years-
afterwards. Albert Miller has continued to be a member of the board
of elders since the time of his first election. Mr. Boot was installed
pastor of the church in November, 1857. The church has had a flour-
ishing Sunday school since its first organization. The late Dr. George
E. Smith was one of its first superintendents.

The church continued to prosper under Mr. Boot's pastorate until
March, 1859, when he resigned his charge. The relation was dissolved
by presbytery, and the church became vacant on the first day of May
following. The church had no stated supply from that time till I860'
when the Bev. E. I. Stewart was called to occupy the position.

Mr. Stewart was an active, energetic man, had the interests of the
church at heart and rendered much good service for it. But he was-
not a highly educated man and in preaching had not the faculty

THE NEW FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BAY CITY. 469

of holding the attention and interest of his congregation. Under
Mr. Stewart's administration two church edifices were erected. The
first was a small edifice thirty feet by fifty. After the church had
been fully completed and while the first communion in it was being
partaken of, it took fire from a defective flue and was wholly con-
sumed. There was no insurance on the building, and its loss was
considered by the people as a great calamity. It was with a great
effort that they succeeded in erecting and paying for the building.
But their loss interested some persons outside of the church and con-
gregation and aroused to action those immediately interested who
resolved to commence at once the building of a larger and better
church edifice than the one that had just been destroyed. Mr. Stewart
was sent east to solicit aid from rich churches in that region. He
obtained six or seven hundred dollars with which and a loan from the
church erection board, the people were enabled to erect the main body
of the church now occupied, and dedicated it without debt except the
loan from the church erection board, on the 25th day of December,
1864. Mr. Stewart dissolved his connection with the church soon
afterwards and it had no stated supply until March, 1865, when God,
in his gracious purpose to continue the prosperity of the church, put
it into the hearts of the people to call Kev. J. Ambrose Wight to be
their pastor.

Dr. Wight commenced his ministerial labors with the people on the
first Sabbath of May, 1865, and was installed pastor of the church in
the November following. An eternity is not too long to show all the
good that God hath wrought through his instrumentality for this
church and people.

From the first Dr. Wight was a leading spirit in the presbytery and,
synod, and there exerted a beneficial influence. It may be said that
he was the founder of Alma college. His earnest advocacy in the
synod for its establishment, prevailed, and some of the contributors to
the endowment fund were his warmest personal friends. Dr. Wight
resigned his pastorate on the first of May, 1888, but was continued as
pastor emeritus until his spirit passed from earth to heaven, in Novem-
ber 1889.' Three years before Dr. Wight resigned his pastorate, the
Rev. James Reed, a recent graduate was called by the people to be
Dr. Wight's assistant. He discharged his duties with satisfaction to
the pastor and people for one year, when he resigned. Afterward the
Rev. Burt Estes Howard, of Cleveland, a young man of superior talents
and ability, was called to the position, which he held at the time Dr.
Wight resigned his pastorate, when he was called to be the pastor of

470 THE NEW FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BAY CITY.

the church. He was installed pastor and filled the position acceptably
till the first of October, 1890, when he resigned to take a position ir>
a church at his former home in Cleveland.

After that the church had no stated supply, but the pulpit was
occupied every Sabbath till March, 1891, when God in his infinite-
wisdom, and to carry out His gracious purpose of continuing the pros-
perity of this church and people, sent the Eev. Wm. H. Clark, D. D.,
to be pastor of this church. Dr. Clark commenced the work of the
ministry in the church on the first Sabbath of May, 1891, and on the
third day of June following, was installed its pastor, to the delight and
satisfaction of all concerned. On the following Sabbath when a com-
munion season was observed, twenty-seven new members were added
to the church. God has cared for the seed that was planted herey
in faith, in 1856, in the little church of eight members. He has
increased its numbers till its membership is now 360, and enabled
them to undertake the erection of a beautiful temple for His worship.
That He may continue to bless and prosper this church and people,
and enrich their hearts with His grace while there remains one stone
of this edifice in its place, is the earnest prayer of Albert Miller.

After an address by Kev. Thomas W. McLean, Dr. Clark approached
the corner stone and striking it three times with a mallet declared it
laid according to the customs of the Presbyterian church. He then
placed in the center of the block of granite a leaden box, containing
the following articles:

First manual of the church, 1860; manual of the church, 1884;
manual of the church, 1890; list of members June 25, 1891; sermons
by the former pastor Kev. J. Ambrose Wight, D. D., "Ten Years of
Quiet," " History of the Presbytery of Saginaw," " Semi-centennial of
the Synod of Michigan;" memorial of the Eev. Mark Hopkins, D. D.
LL. D.; account of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the church and
Sabbath school May 1 and 2, 1881; reminiscences of early days by
Judge Albert Miller; program of the order of services at the laying of
the corner stone; copies of the following newspapers and periodicals:
The Bay City Tribune, the Bay City Times-Press, Detroit Tribune,
Detroit Free Press, with supplement, New York Evangelist, New York
Observer, The Interior, The Independent, The Church at Home and
Abroad.

The singing of the hymn, " O Lord of Hosts," was followed by
prayer. The doxology was then sung by the congregation. Eev.
Thomas W. McLean pronounced the benediction and the large
audience dispersed.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN MICHIGAN. 471

THE MEDICAL PEOFESSION IN MICHIGAN.

BY DE. O. C. COM8TOCK.

[Read at. annual meeting, June 12, 1888.]

March 12, 1827, an act of the territorial legislature of Michigan was
approved, which did much to save suffering pioneers from the horde
of ignorant quacks found in every settlement and doing their deadly
work without restraint. The preamble is in the following words, to
wit:

"WHEREAS, Well regulated medical societies have been found to
contribute to the advancement and diffusion of true science, and par-
ticularly the healing art," etc.

SECTION 1. The Medical Society of the territory of Michigan, as
already incorporated by that name, shall continue to be a body politic
and corporate.

SEC. 2. County societies to be formed of persons in regular standing
in the Territorial Society and commissioned by said society for that
purpose.

SEC. 3. Doctors exempted from militia duty, serving on juries.

SEC. 4. Proceedings of its annual and other meetings to be filed in
the office of the county clerk.

SEC.' 5. Society, after an approved examination may grant diplomas.

SEC. 6. Restrictions in reference to the examination of students.

SEC. 7. Appointment and duty of censors.

SEC. 8. No person shall commence the practice of physic or surgery
within any of the counties of this territory until he shall have passed
examination and received a diploma from one of the medical societies
established or to be established as aforesaid; and if any person shall
commence the practice, without having obtained a diploma for that
purpose, he shall forever thereafter be disqualified from collecting any
debt or debts incurred by such practice in any court in this territory.

SEC. 9. That if any person, except those who were residents in,
and have continued to reside and practice within the territory since

472 THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN MICHIGAN.

1819, shall practice physic and surgery without being regularly licensed,
such persons shall forfeit and pay twenty-five dollars for each and
every offense of which he may be duly convicted, 'to be recovered, with
costs of suit, before any justice of ,the peace of the county where such
penalty shall be incurred, by any person who will prosecute the same,
excepting army surgeons.

SEC. 11. No person shall be admitted to an examination as a can-
didate for the practice of physic and surgery in this territory unless
he shall have previously studied medical science four years after the
age of sixteen, with a regular physician and surgeon — but any portion
of time of the study, not exceeding one year, during which the candi-
date, after the age of sixteen, shall have pursued classical studies, shall
be accepted in lieu of an equal portion of time of the study of medical
science, and if he shall have attended one or more complete courses
of medical lectures, on all the branches of medical science, in any
medical college or institution, the same shall be accepted in lieu of
one year spent in the study of medical science as aforesaid, the com-
mencement of his studies to be certified to, — not to be licensed under
twenty-one years of age.

SEC. 12. Physicians and surgeons who may have received diplomas
in other states cannot practice in this territory until they have satisfied
the censors of the territorial or county society that their medical educa-
tion has been full and complete, as is here required.

SEC. 13. Persons practicing without reporting to, or connecting
themselves with some society, shall incur the penalty named in section
nine of this act.

SEC. 16. That upon complaint in writing, filed with any county
medical society charging any practitioner of physic or surgery within
such county, with having been guilty of infamous crime, habitual
drunkenness, or with gross ignorance and incompetency, every such
medical society, at a regular meeting thereof, may proceed to investi-
gate such charge or charges, and if upon such investigation and due
proof of the facts so charged, the person complained of shall be found
guilty by a vote of two-thirds of all the members present, then such
medical society is hereby authorized and empowered to suspend such
person from the practice of physic and surgery and the person so sus-
pended shall if he continue to practice physic and surgery within this
territory during the time of his suspension, be subject to the penalties
of section nine of this act. The person so suspended shall have three
months' notice of the filing of charges and have a copy thereof. The
testimony in the case shall be in writing and filed with the records of

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN MICHIGAN. 473

the medical society. The suspended practitioner may appeal to the
Territorial Medical Society.

SEC. 18. Witnesses to be subpoenaed. If refusing to appear and
testify, liable to a fine of twenty- five dollars. Swearing falsely, perjury,
and liable to its pains and penalties.

SEC. 26. Copy of diplomas and licenses to be deposited with county
clerks. Charges made before that is done not collectible at law.

This act of twenty-nine sections, passed in the infancy of the
territory, is remarkable in many particulars, both as regards doctor,
quacks, and their clients. It was the stitch in time.

The first superintendent of public instruction, Rev. John D. Pierce,
in 1827, advocated the establishment of three departments in our
University, to wit, one of .literature, science, and the arts; one of med-
icine, and one of law. In 1850 the medical department opened its
doors for the admission of its ninety students — a large class under the
circumstances, but the smallest it has ever had.

In 1869 the legislature were asked to provide for homoeopathic teach-
ing in the medical department. It was not granted at that time and
in the shape presented; but in 1873 a charter for a homoeopathic college
was granted. It soon went into active operation and meets the wants
and expectations of that branch of medical science and art.

In 1875 a dental college was chartered, and a school of pharmacy in
1876.

About this time the eclectics, so-called, advocated their claims for
recognition and patronage, but were unsuccessful.

The asylum for the insane was established at Kalamazoo in 1859,
with an ample corps of medical gentlemen and accommodations for
one hundred unfortunates although there were six hundred insane
persons in the State at that time. This institution has been very
much enlarged and its treatment of the insane is abreast with the
improved and more successful treatment of insanity developed by time
and experience in kindred institutions in this country and in the old
world. I have not at hand the means of giving the number cured and
greatly benefited as per the annual reports of the institution. I
know, however, that it is large and highly creditable to the faculty in
charge. Asylums for the insane have been established at Pontiac and
Traverse City and all the wards are full, I understand, and yet there
are many insane persons in the State, in county jails or poorhouses,
or what is possibly worse, running at large without restraint and with-
out protection. An asylum for insane criminals was established at
60

474 THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN MICHIGAN.

Ionia in 1883, which has accommodation for one hundred persons. The
medical superintendents and their assistants stand deservedly high in
their profession, and as experts in cases involving the sanity of persona
before the courts of law — indeed the testimony which they give in such
cases is the very essence of law.

One of the most deserving institutions of the State, now under the
supervision of Dr. Baker, is the State Board of Health, located at
Lansing, but the head, de facto, of the boards of health in every
township of the State, and from which reports are so frequently made
as is necessary for a perfect understanding of the general health and
for the guidance of the doctors who are the conservators thereof. The
law requires of the authorities of each town the employment of a "well
educated physician " to look after the sanitary condition of the town,
and report as often as may be necessary to the secretary of the State
board at Lansing. The language of section two of the act is as follows:
" The State board of health shall have the general supervision of the
interests of the health and life of the citizens of this State. They
shall study the vital statistics of this State and endeavor to make
intelligent and profitable use of the collected records of death and of
sickness among the people. They shall make sanitary investigations and
enquire respecting the causes of diseases, and especially of epidemics,
the causes of mortality and the effects of location, employments, con-
ditions, ingesta, habits and circumstances on the health of the people.
They shall, when required, or when they deem it best, advise officers
of the government or other State boards, in regard to the location,
drainage, water supply, disposal of excreta, heating and ventilation of
any public building or institution. They shall from time to time, recom-
mend standard works on the subject of hygiene for the use of schools."
Practicing physicians are required to notify the State board of health
of the existence of infectious diseases in their town or ward. Neglect
in this case is punishable by fine, and this holds good also in the case
of the omission of the head of the family to make known the existence
of diseases as before named.

The laws hold the doctors to a strict account as conservators of the
public health. Should not their education, therefore, be amply and
willingly provided for?

As part of the medical history of the times, and intimately connected
with our own medical history, allow me to make a passing allusion to
a college outside of our own State, but from which many of us were
sent out as M. D's. The history of the college of physicians and sur-
geons of the city of New York, the first in that great state, and the

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN MICHIGAN. 475

mother in fact of the great number now in existence, dates from 1806r
and was the outcome of the felt want of the profession for the protection
of themselves and the public also, from the ignorant quacks who were
carrying on their devilish and deadly work without let or hindrance. In
their application to the legislature for a college charter they affirm that
the only object of the movement is the cultivation and improvement of
medical science and art. In 1807 a college charter was granted with the
power of conferring degrees of doctor of medicine. From that time to
the present it has been in successful operation, and its graduates are in
every land bestowing upon the suffering the benefits of the instruction
imparted in this classic and early school of medicine.

Allow me to digress a moment that I may give utterance to the very
great pleasure I feel in saying that the recent gift of one-half million
of dollars by Wm. H. Vanderbilt for a building fund for this college
was as opportune as it was princely. The money for that purpose has
been judiciously expended, and the new college of physicians and
surgeons was formally opened with the enthusiastic rejoicing of men
from all parts of the country, eminent in the world of letters. This
great gift of the great financier confers immortality upon the giver.

The college clinic was established in 1841, prior to which time
surgical operations and the methods of diagnosis and treatment were
only witnessed and learned at hospitals and dispensaries. In that year
Prof. Parker transferred to the college and brought before the class in
surgery such patients as could safely be thus removed. This was the
origin of college clinics, now so universally adopted and deemed so
indispensable in a thorough medical education.

Medical colleges have vastly multiplied, would that I could say
developing more thorough and scientific practice and instruction. But
the systems taught antagonize one another and often common sense
as well, and dying and suffering victims are laid low. The materia
medica of these schools of medicine differ widely. Some have searched
the world over to find an antidote or specific remedy for a disease that
is cured after the mind cure plan in a giffy. If the faith of the
doctor or his patient lets go, then the magnetizer steps in, lays upon
his hands, looks wonderous wise and devout, it may be, and pains and
aches are sent to Jericho and do not stand upon the order of their
going. Some are accused of giving too liberal doses of drastic drugs,
unpleasant to take, and are said to have an exhausting effect upon the
constitution, and sugar-coated pills and pellets covering an infinitesimal
quantity of Latin are substituted therefor, and soon all is lovely. Here's
a man who inveighs against the use of all minerals except the brass of

476 THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN MICHIGAN.

which he is made. Another is so sure that our beneficent Creator has
.caused the very vegetable to grow and abound in the region where he
permits the disease to prevail which will be successfully treated by
its use, that it is wicked to use a vegetable grown in a foreign land.
This wise vegetarian takes a deep and religious view of the vegetable
kingdom. To him, ignorance is bliss. At the first blush it seems past
all belief that intelligent people could be deceived and led away by the
ignorant and worthless charlatans whose chief stock in trade is auda-
cious lying. That it is so is known of all men, and I would relegate
the quack to the obscurity from which it is most unfortunate he ever
emerged, and the large class of his dupes to the sober, second thought
that might have saved them from an infinite amount of suffering and
derision. At an early day human frailty evoked human sympathy. A
desire to afford relief to the suffering, and frequent success in that
direction led to a closer observation and ultimately to a collection of
facts in the administration of remedies which in time constituted the
basis of a sound and intelligent practice. Religious teachers added
this practice to the dissemination of gospel truths. Thus, like their
great Master and Redeemer, " they went about doing good and healing
all manner of diseases." We are ready to admit that what seemed
admissible and necessary at that period, would scarcely be tolerated at
the present time. The times were then chaotic and formative. The
necessities of man's condition inspired persistence and careful observa-
tion which gradually brought medicine as a science and art out of the
dark night of ignorance which then enveloped the world. It is an
ever increasing and beneficent light, and not until every ill that flesh
is heir to has been conquered will its mission of curing the sick be
fully accomplished.

From the University calendar of 1882, under the head of requirements
for admission to the department of medicine and surgery is the announce-
ment that more time for study and more rigid examinations of the student
is hereafter the rule and from which there will be no deviation, to wit:
The applicant must be eighteen years of age and must present to 'the
faculty satisfactory evidence of good moral character. No previous
study of medicine is required for admission. Candidates must be
examined as to their elementary education and their fitness to pursue
properly and profitably the technical study of medicine. The candidate
will be asked to give an account of his previous educational advan-
tages and to answer such questions in arithmetic, geography and history
and on forms of government and current events, as shall show his
general intelligence, and particularly will be required to correct

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN MICHIGAN. 477

imperfect English and to show his ability to express ideas correctly in
writing. The aim will be to ascertain the results of the candidate's
previous training and his present practical capacity and ability to
appreciate the technical study of medicine. Such an examination ie
believed to be quite as effectual in guarding the profession from the
introduction of illiterate and unworthy members as the requirements of
a limited, specified amount of school book knowledge to be studied up
for the occasion. The faculty express the hope that ere long a still
higher order of requirements will be demanded — in this I most
heartily concur.

Women are subjected to like scrutiny with the men, and are entitled
to all the honors of graduation. The high standard of the medical
department of the University, among medical men everywhere, is seen in
the call of her alumni to important and responsible positions in the
colleges of our country. There was but one person graduated in 1845.
The largest number in any one year since was one hundred and
seventeen in 1883, sixteen of this number from the college of homoe-
opathy. Fifteen ladies have received the degree of doctor of medicine
up to 1880, chiefly at the hands of the college of homoeopathy. In 1870
women were admitted into all the departments of the University. This
action was in harmony with the public opinion in the State rather
than in the University. But experience has demonstrated the wisdom
of it, that both officers and students in the University are now grateful
that it was taken. Most of the able professors of Detroit Medical
College are University graduates where they are building up a school
of eminent usefulness and character. Professor Kedzie of the Agri-
cultural College, the unsurpassed chemist of the State is a University
graduate. Professors Andrews and Taylor of Chicago Medical College
were graduated in 1852. Prof. Eoberts of the Iowa University gradu-
ated in 1853. In the class of 1855 occurs the names of Professors
Green of Bowdoin College, McCurdy of the Iowa University and
Woods of Cleveland Medical College. In the class of 1860 were Prof.
Lord of the Homoeopathic College of Chicago, Prof. Lester of the
Detroit Medical College and Prof. Plant of . Syracuse University,
Prof. Rose of the School of Pharmacy was in the graduating class of
1862. Dr. Ranney of Lansing, long the secretary of the State medical
society was in the class of 1863. Professors Frothingham and Prescott
graduated in 1864. Prof. Deane of St. Louis and Dr. Palmer of the
Asylum for the Insane at Kalamazoo, were in the class of 1865.
Late Prof. Cheever of the University, Dr. Hurd of the Asylum for the
Insane at Pontiac, Prof. Pilcher of Long Island College, of the class

478 THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN MICHIGAN.

of 1867. In the class of 1868 were graduated Dr. Burrell of the
Asylum for the Insane at Canandaigua, N. Y., Prof. Lyon of Detroit
Medical College, Prof. Wilder of Chicago University, Dr. Vrooman,
medical missionary of the Presbyterian Board, Prof. Test of Earlham
College, Dr. E. S. Dewey whose medical and patriotic services in this
country and Europe and who is now the superintendent of the Asylum
for the Insane at Kankakee, Illinois, Dr. Boughton, superintendent of
the Asylum for the Insane in the state of Wisconsin and Dr. Taylor
missionary in Japan were graduated in 1870. Prof. Wyman of the
Detroit Medical College and Sarah Elizabeth Brown of the Female
Medical College of San Francisco, graduated in 1874. Prof. Bodeman
of Burlington, Iowa, and who has held responsible and important
positions in the Servian army, Prof. Senier teacher and demonstrator
of chemistry in the laboratory of the British Pharmaceutical Society
at London, and Prof. Stevens, graduated in 1874. Prof. Cotton of
Nebraska, Prof. Harvey of the Agricultural College, Eliza Mariah
Mosher physician at the Massachusetts Keformatory for Women, and
Eliza Ann Shaw, president of McLane Medical College and missionary
among the Indians graduated in 1875. Prof. Clark of Michigan Medi-
cal College graduated in 1877. Among the graduates of the medical
department of the University are several ladies and gentlemen from
Europe and Asia. Many of them are professors in the medical colleges
of those countries, superintendents in asylums for the insane, deaf and
dumb and the weak-minded, and are medical missionaries, and where-
•ever they are and whatever their employment, reflect upon themselves
and their alma mater great honor. The surgeons in our army, especi-
ally among the troops sent from the west, at the time of the civil war,
were medical graduates from the University and the Detroit Medical
College. They were found everywhere, ministering to the sick and
wounded with great skill and kindness, and were often charged by the
dying soldiers with tender messages to the loved ones they would never
see again. In many cases they became the channel through which the
small sums of money they had were sent home. This sad duty was
always performed with great fidelity. The roll of honor could be
indefinitely extended, and it would be a labor of love to do so, but it
would be unnecessary. I trust the Detroit Medical College will excuse
and pardon me for a seeming neglect in passing it by with so few
words of praise and recognition. I know and most cheerfully acknowl-
edge its worth and great promise, but I have not been able to lay my
hand upon such an amount of data as would warrant me in speaking
of it more in detail. Her gallant faculty are bringing the Detroit

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 479

Medical College rapidly into the fore front. The eclectic faculty of
medicine in this State is not large, nor very promising. I had the
promise of one of the most popular and best educated doctors of that
school for a paper to be incorporated in this article, explanatory of
their system and giving the number of persons practicing the same in
this State but I did not receive it.

Medicine is a progressive science, and the field of suffering and
death though still appalling is being curtailed year by year, and the
difference between the past and the present is so great that sanguine
hopes are entertained that cancer and consumption may in course of
time be no longer the unconquered foe of human life and the reproach
of medical science. Generous appropriations are made by our legisla-
ture when the University calls for help. Let them realize that ail this
outlay is of infinite promise, and must be continued to an indefinite
period in the future. As an humble member of the profession, and
proud of my citizenship in this glorious State, I thank them for their
munificence in the past and point them with great pride to the amaz-
ing and gratifying results thereof, to wit: Fame and the prevention
and cure of almost every malady to which humanity is subject.

And to the profession I would say in the words of a German
scholar:

"Look not mournfully into the past it comes not back again, wisely
improve the present it is thine — go forth to meet the shadowy future,
without fear and with a manly heart."

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

BY HON. BYRON M. CUTCHEON.

I An address delivered before the Michigan State Congregational Association, at its annual meeting held

in Jackson, May 19, 1892.]

There is a certain correlation between the material development and
intellectual and moral advancement of a people.

The thing of real power in a state is man. In vain is natural wealth

480 FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

of land or lake, of forest or soil, of mine or waterfall, unless there be
man to develop and employ them.

But there is a natural action and reaction between material wealth
and civilization.

The genius of man invents the engine, the railroad, the telegraph,
the steamboat; and then these, his slaves, win for him wealth and
comfort.

Wealth builds the railroad, the steamboat, the telegraph, and creates
the varied appliances of civilization; it makes possible schools, colleges,
galleries of art, libraries, works of architecture, and provides the means
of carrying forward mental and moral progress. This mutual play
between material and intellectual forces constitutes civilization. It is
suitable, therefore, that we should take into account the material
development of our State during the last fifty years.

There is no spectacle so intensely interesting and instructive as the
growth of a man, except the building of a state, which is an aggrega-
tion of men.

The characteristics of a man are comparatively simple and easy to
observe and understand; the characteristics of a state are manifold,
like the composite photograph, which is the blending of many — per-
haps hundreds— of individual photographs, in which there is something
of each and something of all.

As the man is largely the product and resultant of his environments,
so the state is the resultant of the many forces and influences which
enter into its life. As " the boy is father to the man," so the character
of the commonwealth is determined in large measure by the circum-
stances and mental and moral traits of its pioneers, who lay the
foundation of its social, intellectual and moral development.

Gail Hamilton once said, "to reform a man reform his grandmother."
Why she did not include his grandfather I do not know, unless,
because, as we all recogize the fact, that the maternal side has much
more to do with character building.

Therefore to adequately study the growth of the commonwealth of
Michigan from 1842 to 1892, we must go bacli to ascertain what were
the forces at work when the half century was ushered in.

Hardly any part of our country has undergone such vicissitudes of
government and population as Michigan. I scarcely need to rehearse
the story of the earliest settlement of the territory which now con-
stitutes our State.

Two hundred and twenty years have passed since Father Marquette
gathered about him at Michilimackinac (now St. Ignace) his Huron

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 481

Indians and effected the first settlement. But it was not a ''settlement"
in any modern meaning of the word. It was a missionary station and,
to some extent, a trading post. . At about the same time a like mission
station was established at Sault cle Ste. Marie, but it gained no abid-
ing population for many years afterward. In 1679 La Salle built a
fort at the mouth of the St. Joseph, on Lake Michigan, but it was
of no permanent significance and no actual settlers gathered about it.

In 1701 De La Motte Cadillac, the real founder of the first perma-
nent settlement in Michigan, established a post at Detroit for the
purpose of insuring French control of the upper lakes.

At this time Quebec and Montreal were the seats of French power
in America; and Detroit was then all there was of Michigan, except
the Indian population.

Sept. 13, 1759, on the heights of A.braham, the fate of French power
on this continent was adversely decided, and on November 29, 1760,
the French commandant surrendered Detroit and Michigan to Major
Rogers, the representative of British government, and from that time
until the peace of 1783 Michigan remained a part of British America.
As a matter of fact, though not of right, Detroit, and as appurtenant,
Michigan, remained under the British flag until July 11, 1796, when,
in accordance with Jay's treaty, the British garrison was withdrawn,
and for the first time the American flag was raised upon Michigan,
soil.

•Until 1760 such white population as there was in Michigan was
wholly French, and consisted of Jesuit missionaries, fur traders, the
hunters, or couriers des bois, and a few soldiers.

Between 1760 and 1796 this population was only slightly modified.

The French soldiers gave place to English, and the traders became
largely Scotch and to some extent Irish; and a rural population began
to gather about Detroit and extend along the river f$ont from Lake
Erie to Lake St. Clair. When the British retired from Detroit the
region now known as Michigan was, and since 1787 had been, a part
of the Northwest Territory, embracing all that great domain west of
Pennsylvania, north of the Ohio river and east of the Mississippi.

In 1800 Ohio was set off, and Michigan became a part of the
territory of Indiana, under the governorship of William Henry
Harrison; and it so remained until June 30, 1805, when the territory
of Michigan was set off by that name.

Michigan then consisted of all the territory west of Lake Huron and
the Detroit river, and embraced between lines drawn due east from
61

482 FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN,

the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, and from the
same point through the center of Lake Michigan to its northern
extremity, and thence due north to the national boundary.

The total white population of this entire territory at that time
probably did not exceed 4,000 souls.

It was in this year, 1805, that Governor Wm. Hull, together with
the judges, organized the first legislative body in Michigan.

The picture drawn by historians of the condition of the people at
this epoch is not a promising one for the future of the infant
commonwealth.

The dominant elements of the population were the thriftless, untaught
Indian, with his ever-present thirst for fire-water; the roving, unsettled,
uneducated wood-ranger, fur hunter or "voyageur" leading a careless
and dissipated life; the traders, whose only thought was to make as
much money as possible from the Indian and woodsman, ministering
to the lowest appetites of both, and the sprinkling of military with
little or no interest in the improvement or education of those around
them. The religion of this people, whatever they had of it, was almost
entirely Roman Catholic — the legacy of the Jesuit missionaries.

Into this motley community came, about the beginning of this century,
the first strong and positive influence for morality and reform in the
person of Father Gabriel Eichard, a devoted Christian of the Catholic
faith.

For more than thirty years he remained one of the chief forces
making for a better future of the growing State, and finally fell a
victim to the cholera in 1832.

From the organization of the territory in 1805 to the war of 1812-15,
little progress was made, materially or morally. The settled portion
of the State continued to be a narrow strip along the Detroit river.

The war of 1812 brought an epoch in the history of the community.
In the first place it brought the presence of a large military force
from Ohio and Kentucky, mostly of American birth and traditions,
many of whom remained in the country permanently, and all of whom
left an impress upon it.

It opened up a path through the heretofore trackless wilderness
stretching southward to the Ohio, and, more than all, it brought, Oct.
13, 1813, as governor of the territory, an educated and ambitious young
statesman, reared among the influences of a patriotic and refined New
Hampshire home; the son of an officer of the revolution, and an
adherent of the Protestant faith — Lewis Cass. He brought with him
the desire and the purpose to civilize and Americanize his new prov-

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 483

ince. For more than fifty years he remained one of the greatest
factors in the development and progress of the territory and State.
From his coming began the actual rise of Michigan as an American
•commonwealth .

By 1818 some public lands had been brought into market, and
emigration began, so that the census • of 1820 showed 8,591 white
inhabitants in the territory.

Now progress became more apparent. The American influence
became more and more dominant, and the old French strain compara-
tively less and less. In 1820 Detroit had a population of 1,415. In
1823 a new departure in government was made. The legislative power
was confided to a council of nine, which in 1825 was increased to
thirteen, appointed by the president.

In 1827 the choice of the legislative council was entrusted to the
people, and Michigan for the first time became a self-ruling
community.

In 1817 the newspaper had come to stay, in th'e Detroit Gazette.
By 1829 there were three newspapers in the territory. Eoads began
to be opened, counties to be organized, and townships to be laid off.

The completion of the .Erie canal in 1825, and the advent of the
steamboat upon the lakes at about the same time, was pouring the
lifeblood of New England and New York into "the beautiful peninsula."
The census of 1830 showed a population of 31,639, and the stream of
immigration was setting more strongly than ever to the rising State.

At the beginning of the present century only one county had been
•established in the territory, and that was Wayne, which was established
by proclamation of Gen. Anthony Wayne, in 1796, and at that time
embraced the entire State and portions of Ohio and Indiana. It was
re-established by Gov. St. Glair in 1813, and finally organized in
November of that year by order of Gov. Cass. Monroe county came
next, in 1817, also by order of Gov. Cass, followed in 1818 by Mack-
inac and Macomb, by the same authority; by Oakland in 1819, by St.
Olair in 1820; and in 1822 by Lenawee (from Monroe), Saginaw, San-
ilac and Shiawassee (from Oakland), and Washtenaw, from Wayne.

In 1829 came the whole brood of counties named for Andrew
Jackson and his cabinet, namely: Jackson, Van Buren, Berrien, Branch,
Cass, Eaton, and Ingham, with Calhoun for the vice president, to
which must be added the same year, Barry, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, and
St. Joseph.

From this time forward immigration continued rapid and constantly

484 FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

increasing. From 1830 to 1836 the maturing State advanced with
strong and vigorous growth.

The character of the people changed. The new-comers were home
seekers, mostly from the east, who brought with them the enterprise,
the thrift, the pluck, and also the moral and religious ideas under the
influence of which they had been reared, and by the same token, they
brought with them also the New England home, school, and the
church.

In studying this period it is of great interest to note the changes in
the map of Michigan.

Referring to Farmer's " Map of Michigan and Ouisconsin," printed
in 1830, we find that the county of Michilimackinac extends from St.
Mary's river westward to the Mississippi north of St. Paul, while
Chippewa county includes all remaining between Michilimackinac and
Lake Superior, and westward to the Mississippi.

The county of Shiawassee extends northwest to Lake Michigan, at a
point north of the mouth of the Manistee river, while the township of
Michilimackinac embraces all from the north line of Saginaw county to
the Straits of Mackinac. On the west side of the State all the region
north of Barry county is designated as "Indian Country." It is also
interesting to note the names on these old maps. Manistee river is set
down as Manistic, the Muskegon as Maskegon, the Kalamazoo as Ke
Kalamazoo. On Young's map, of 1835, Grand Rapids is put down as
McCoy's Mission.

To resume the thread of our history: In 1831 Gen. Cass ceased to
be governor to become secretary of war in President Jackson's cabinet,
and for many years thereafter his personal influence was wanting to
the community.

As early as 1832 the question of admission as a State into the Union
began to be discussed.

Under the ordinance of 1787 the territory was entitled to admission
when it should have sixty thousand free inhabitants. This agitation
culminated in the calling and election of a constitutional convention in
1835, which, in May of that year, met and proceeded to frame a consti-
tution, which being approved by the people in October of the same
year, State officers were elected thereunder, who proceeded to organize
the State government without waiting for the admission of the State
into the Union.

At this date the population probably approximated 100,000 within
the boundaries of the future State, as it had been ascertained to be
87,273 in the previous year. It is no part of my purpose to dwell at

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 485

all upon the events which fill the years from 1830 to 1840. In many
respects they are the most interesting years in the history of the
State.

Here belong the administration of the "Boy Governor," Stevens T.
Mason, who was acting governor at nineteen; the rapid rush of immi-
gration and the settlement of the interior across the southern portion
of the State; the boundary war with the neighboring State of Ohio;
the addition of the Upper Peninsula to the domain of the State; the
founding of our educational system, including the University of Mich-
igan; the great land speculative excitement, when paper towns were
platted upon every stream and by every waterfall; and the banking
craze — a special development of the cheap money insanity, which has
passed into history as the "wild cat" epoch.

During this decade also arose the schemes to gridiron the State
with railroads and canals, which fostered every form of speculation,
and ultimately plunged the State into disastrous debt and brought it
to the brink of repudiation.

During this decade, too, the following new counties had been
established :

In 1831, Allegan, Bay, Clinton, Gladwin, Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella,
Kent, Midland, Montcalm, Oceana and Ottawa.

In 1833, Livingston was set off from Washtenaw, and in 1835,
Genesee from Oakland.

Many of these counties, though laid off, were still attached to other
counties for judicial and taxation purposes, and were not duly organ-
ized with county government until long after.

Thus, with rapid glance at the origin and rise of the infant State,
we arrive at the census epoch of 1840, where we can secure a reliable
starting point for our fifty years' view.

But first it should be said that through much tribulation, arising
out of the boundary dispute and the unjust action of congress to shape
her boundary anew, the State had been formally admitted into the
Union January 26, 1837, and had assumed all the dignities and
responsibilities of statehood.

We will now take a view of the development of Michigan in 1840.

SUBDIVISIONS AND POPULATION.

In the census of 1840 returns are made from thirty-one counties,
organized into three hundred and thirty-six townships and towns. Of
these counties four, namely, Chippewa, Ottawa, Saginaw and Mackinac,
had less than a thousand population each. Ottawa then, including

486

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

everything north on the shore of Lake Michigan to Manistee, had a
total of 704. Saginaw, which included several other counties, had an
aggregate of 892. The population of the State was 210,032.

As far north as the tier of counties through which passes the
Detroit and Milwaukee railway, the counties were divided and organ-
ized substantially the same as now; but north of that the names are
nearly all strangers to the census of 1840. Muskegon, Newaygo,
Montcalm, Gratiot, Bay, Midland, Tuscola, and Huron nowhere appear.
That country is all "attached" to the older counties on the south, or
is a part of the county of Michilimackinac.

Chippewa and Mackinac were the only organized counties in the
upper peninsula, with 534 and 923 population respectively.

More than half of the entire population of the State was embraced
in six counties, thus,. Wayne, 24,173; Oakland, 23,646; Washtenaw,
23,571; Lenawee, 17,889; Jackson, 13,130; and Calhoun, 10,599. These
were the only counties having upwards of 10,000 people.

The only towns and cities having a population in excess of 2,000
were as follows:

Place. Population.

Detroit 9,102

Jackson 2,773

Adrian _._ ___ 2,496

Plymouth _ 2,163

Other well known towns had the following numbers:

Place. Population.

Ann Arbor 3,600

Tecumseh 2,503

Ypsilanti ___

Place. Population.

Port Huron _ _ 1,184

Kalamazoo 1,290

Battle Creek 993

Flint 984

Saginaw ___ 837

Place. Population.

Pontiac 1,904

Marshall.. _._ 1,763

Monroe __ 1,703

Grand Rapids __ _. 1,510

Niles ._ 1,420

Coldwater _ 1,123

Among the cities now well known, the following had no name or
existence in 1840:

Place. Pop. in 1890.

Bay City . 27,839

West Bay City __ 12,981

Muskegon __ 22,702

Manistee 12,812

Alpena __ 11,283

Menominee _ 10,093

Lansing 13,102

In 1840 the total population of Ingham county was 2,498. The
largest town in the county was Stockbridge, with 285, Leslie had 281.

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 487

Lansing first appears in 1845 with 88. In 1840 there were two cities
in the State, Detroit and Monroe. This must suffice for organization
and population.

ROADS AND MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.

One of the first and most keenly felt wants of the people of Michi-
gan in the early days was adequate means of travel and communication.
Until after 1820 there was very little settlement away from the larger
rivers and navigable waters.

Between 1820 and 1830 a few of the most ambitious and determined
pioneers began to push inland and settle on the Kaisin, the Huron,
the Kouge, and the Clinton.

But the roads were of the most primitive and elementary character,
scarcely more than a trail blazed through the woods. A journey from
Detroit to Dexter with an ox team, hauling family and household
goods occupied nearly a week. Such a thing as a turnpike road was
well nigh, if not quite, unknown.

But this state of things could not continue. As before stated, the
Erie canal had been opened in 1825, and by 1826 not less than six
steamboats were plying between its terminus at Buffalo and the
Detroit river, bringing thousands of emigrants, attracted to the new
state by free lands and fertile soil.

It was in the latter named year (1826) that congress undertook the
construction of several territorial roads, and, as the country filled up,
the settlers gradually opened roads for themselves from settlement to
settlement, and from town to town.

The railroad had not yet come. It was in 1830 that the first rail-
road was chartered. It was the Pontiac & Detroit Railway Co. It
never progressed further than the charter, and the project died in
infancy.

In 1832 the Detroit & St. Joseph Railroad was chartered. This
long after became a reality in the Michigan Central. Plank roads and
turnpikes were chartered in many directions.

When the constitution of 1835 was framed, one of its provisions
recognized the universal feeling of need of better communications. It
declared that " Internal improvements shall be encouraged by the
government of this State, and it shall be the duty of the legislature as
soon as may be to make provision by law for ascertaining the proper
objects of improvement in relation to roads, canals and navigable
waters.

In pursuance of this policy, the State, in 1837, provided for the con-

488 FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

struction of three lines of railroad across the State — one from Monroe
to New Buffalo, on Lake Michigan; one from Detroit to the mouth of
the St. Joseph, and one from Port Huron to the mouth of the Grand
river. These were the three roads which twenty years later became
the Michigan Southern, the Michigan Central and the Detroit and
Milwaukee.

Many canals were projected, but none were completed and put in
use, though I remember having driven along the unfinished canal-bed
through a portion of Macomb county.

In 1840 the railroad system of Michigan consisted of three short
lines as follows:

1st. The Erie and KalamazQo, completed Oct., 1836, from Toledo to
Adrian, 33 miles. The motive power consisted of two small locomo-
tives, and the cost of operating from Oct., 1836 to Dec. 31, 1837, was
$14,181.52.

The cars were small and rude, and the whole outfit scarcely superior
to a first-class stage line.

2d. The Detroit and Pontiac, chartered in 1834, and operated as
far as Koyal Oak, twelve miles, by horse power until 1838, when one
very small locomotive was put on. This road made the round trip each
day. It ultimately became a part of the Detroit and Milwaukee
Railway.

3d. The Detroit and St. Joseph, from Detroit to Ypsilanti, twenty-
nine miles. This road was opened for traffic in 1838. Its rolling
stock consisted of four small locomotives, five passenger cars and ten
small freight cars.

Besides these railroads there had been constructed several so-called
" territorial roads." The chief of these were the Detroit and Perrys-
burg, connecting Perrysburg, near Toledo, with Detroit; and the Chi-
cago territorial and state road, extending from Detroit via Ypsilanti,
Saline and Clinton to Jonesvilie, and so on westward to Niles, leaving
the State at Bertrand, on the Indiana line.

These roads greatly aided in the settlement and subsequent develop-
ment of the State.

Burr's map of Michigan, published July, 1839, shows as the only
completed railroad, the line from Toledo to Adrian. This map also
shows the different mail routes in the State. One four-horse mail route
extended from Detroit via Dearborn, Plymouth, Ann Arbor (spelled
Annarbour), Dexter and Jacksonopolis (Jackson) to Marshall, thence
as a two-horse route via Kalamazoo to St. Joseph.

There was also a four-horse mail route from Detroit along the terri-

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 489

torial road, via Ypsilanti, Saline, Clinton, Jonesville and Coldwater to
Niles, thence as a two-horse mail route to Terre-Coupe", on Lake
Michigan.

On this map Grand Rapids is put down as Kent, and Lansing does
not appear at all.

I find from Blois, Michigan, published in 1838, that there were then
sixty-eight mail routes in the State. One, " No. 10," extended from
Clinton, Lenawee county, via Napoleon, Jacksonopolis and Eaton C.
H. (now Charlotte), to Kent (now Grand Rapids), over which route
there was a weekly mail.

Some statistics given by Blois will assist us in realizing the Michigan
of half a century ago.

AGRICULTURE.

In* 1837 a State census was made, with the following result as to the
agricultural products:

Wheat.. ........ . ________________ ........... ________ ...... 1,114,896

Rye___.._ ................. ________________ ....... -- ______ 21,944

Oats.... ................. __________ .......... ______ ...... - 1,116,910

Corn ______ ....... . ....... .... ________ ........ ______ _______ 791,427

Buckwheat.... ......... ______ ..... . ...... _______ ......... 64,022

STOCK.

Head.
Neat stock.. ..... _________ ............ ________________ ..... . 89,610

Horses ......... . ...... _____ ........... _____ ........... ______ 14,059

Sheep .. ......... ___________ ......... _____ ....... ____ .. ..... 22,684

Hogs ___________________ ........ . .. ............ ____ ........ 109,096

MANUFACTURES.

Under the head of manufactures, Blois says: "Manufactures in Mich-
igan, as well as in all new states, are in an incipient condition, and
carried on no further than the immediate "wants of the settlers
absolutely require.

"Several saline springs known to be of value, exist within the State,
but the manufacture of salt has been but little attended to until very
recently.

" The cultivation of the mulberry and manufacture of silk, which is
undoubtedly destined to be a lucrative business, are beginning to
attract public attention.
62

490 FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

"Public attention has been likewise turned to the growing of the
sugar beet, and the manufacture of sugar from its root. The State has
offered a bounty of two cents for every pound of beet sugar
manufactured within the State.

From this we may see that McKinley was not the original inventor
of the sugar bounty.

Blois gives the following as the total of manufacturing establish-
ments in the State in 1887: Grist mills, 114; saw mills, 433; carding
machines, 23; cloth dressing shops, 12; glass factory, 1; distilleries, 16.

It is hardly needful to say that these so-called manufactures were
wholly for local supply, and that commerce, in the proper sense of the
word, did not exist.

But the State was developing rapidly, and it is gratifying to find
from the census of 1840, that in three years agriculture had made
great advance, as shown by the following returns: ,

CENSUS 1840.

Bushels.

Wheat . 2,157,108

Oats 2,114,051

Corn. _ __ 2,277,039

Barley 127,802

Buckwheat _ ___ 113,592

Rye..._ .__ _ __ 34,236

Potatoes __ 2,109,205

Wool, pounds 153,375

LIVE STOCK.

Horses and mules __ _ 30,144

Neat cattle _ _._ _ 185,190

Sheep _ 99,618

MANUFACTURES, 1840.

The following from the same census exhausts the return of manu-
factures in 1840, and nothing can more impressively exhibit the growth
of the last fifty years:

Total capital invested $3,112,240

Sugar made (domestic) pounds 1,329,784

Domestic goods made 113,955

Tobacco (value) 5,000

Persons employed 12

Capital invested.. 1,750

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 491

I do not pause to draw contrasts, each person will draw them in his
own mind.

Tanneries .__ — : 38

Capital invested - - - $70,240

Distilleries __ 31

Gallons distilled 337,761

Breweries ._ __ _ — _ , - -- 10

Gallons brewed - 308,696

Men employed _ _ 116

Sugar refineries - none

Musical instrument factories _ _ none

Flouring mills _ 93

Barrels flour made — 202,000

Grist mills 97

Saw mills.... _ 491

Men employed in mills __ - 1,144

From the fact that these 681 mills employed only 1,144 men their
capacity and output can be judged.

Woolen manufacturers — - 4

Men employed _ _ _ 59

Capital employed.. _ $34,120

Carriages and wagons (value) -- $20,075

Men employed. __ 59

Furniture manufactured (value) $22,494

Men employed _. _ 65

Capital employed... $28,050

No words could possibly be more eloquent of the growth of the
manufactures of the State than these simple figures.

But the greatest contrast presented between the present and fifty
years ago is in the development of the mineral resources of the State.

The great deposits of iron and copper had not then been touched,
as no means had as yet been provided for connecting the waters of
Lake Superior with the lower lakes.

In the census of 1840 there is no return of mining of any kind in
the State. There appear to have been engaged in the production of
iron (presumably from imported ores) 99 men, "who during the census
year produced 601 tons, with a capital of $60,800.

The salt industry had as yet no existence. There is no record of the
manufacture of the article in commercial quantities prior to 1850.

Of lumber yards (probably retail) there were returned 15, said to
employ 312 men all told, and to represent a capital of $45,600. So it
will be seen that the three great leading industries of mining, lumber-
ing and salt production had not yet come into existence, while agri-
culture, manufactures and transportation scarcely supplied the limited

492 FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

wants of the actual inhabitants, leaving little or nothing to find a
market outside the State.

How difficult it must have been fifty years ago to foresee the vast
commerce of our State in these recent years; the millions of tons of
iron and copper ore; the thousands of millions of feet of lumber; the
millions of barrels of salt annually to be poured from her exhaustless
stores into the wealth of the world.

How little they dreamed of the vast copper mines of Keweenaw
Point; the iron deposits of the Marquette district; the great salt blocks
of Saginaw and Manistee, cities which as yet had no name; the great
furniture factories of Grand Rapids, or the immense car shops, stove
works and tobacco factories of Detroit.

Land was, of course, abundant and cheap. The clearing of the
forest and the cultivation of the soil were almost the only pursuits.

The towns, as already seen, were not large nor many in number. It
was equally difficult to bring in heavy merchandise or ship out the
products of the State.

The great majority of the settlers were engaged in a struggle to live;
few had a competence, fewer still had wealth.

Judge Cooley, in his history, thus describes the condition of the
settlers :

" It was a hard life which the pioneer farmers of Michigan had
come to lead. A rude log cabin for a home and the bare necessaries

of life for their families contented them while clearing their lands.

* * *

"But in coming to Michigan they had calculated not so much upon
their own immediate advantage as upon giving their children a chance
to grow up with the country. * * * Even now, though they could
not supply all their wants from their farms, they contracted few debts,
but postponed purchases when they had nothing to barter for the
articles they desired."

In the villages life was almost equally simple. There were no large
factories or mills, with hundreds of operatives doing just one thing
over and over, day after day, and month after month.

As a rule every man was his own master. There were no great
corporations with thousands of employe's; there were no strikes, no
boycotts, no lock-outs, and no labor organizations. . Each man made
his contract and expected to live up to it. Education was mostly
confined to the district schools, though some academies had been
established. Colleges and universities existed in plan and possibility
only.

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN. MICHIGAN. 493

Such was the Michigan of fifty years ago.

It would not be possible within the limits of this paper to trace the
growth of the State from decade to decade. We must pass over the
intervening period with only the briefest possible notice.

Nothing indicates material development better than increase of
population.

Wealth and business maintain an almost unvarying relation to peo-
ple— gradually increasing from decade to decade, wiiji the growing
accumulations of the past.

The present ratio of wealth to population is about $1,000 per capita.

Growth has been constant, rapid and steady. The following eloquent
figures tell the story:

Year. Population.

1840 _._ 212,267

1850 _ _ 397,654

1860 »_ _ _ 749,113

1870 _ .__. 1,184,282

1880 _ _ -. 1,636,937

1890.. _. 2,093,889

It will be noticed that the increase alone between 1880 and 1890
was more than twice the entire population in 1840, and 60,000 greater
than the whole number in 1850.

INCREASE OF WEALTH.

The valuation of real and personal property of the State, as equal-
ized by the State board of equalization, from 1853 to 1891, has been
as follows:

Year. Valuation.

1853. _ —_ $120,362,474 35

1861 __ 172,055,808 89

1871 _ 630,000,000 00

1881 810,000,000 00

1891 1,130,000,000 00

LANDS ASSESSED.

The number of acres of land assessed for different decades has been
as follows:

Year. Acres.

1854 12,167,812.84

1860 15,162,710.40'

1866 _• 17,111,710.91

1870 _ _ __ 20,515,398.03

1876 __ 27,605,262.96

1881 _ _ 29,306,820.20

1891.. . 32,171,787.00

494 FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

SUBDIVISIONS.

In 1840 Michigan had one representative in congress; today she has
eleven, and after the next fourth of March she will have twelve.

The State is now divided into 84 counties, five of which contained
in 1890, upward of 557,000 inhabitants, and at this date doubtless have
more than 600,000. *

The city of Detroit alone now has a greater population, and far more
wealth than the entire State had in 1840.

Thirty-nine cities in the State, in 1890, contained upward of 4,000
each; fifteen cities each had upward of 10,000, and six cities upward
of 20,000 each.

EAILROAD PROGRESS.

The status of a people is determined, in the great social and indus-
trial scale, by their power of production and consumption; and this is»
measured, in large degree, by the means they have provided for
transportation.

I have already spoken of the progress in railroad building in 1840.
The State continued the construction of the Central and Southern
railroads until, in 1846, the former was completed to Kalamazoo, and
the latter to Hillsdale.

In that year the Central was sold to a syndicate of capitalists for
$2,000,000 and the Michigan Central Kailroad Company was chartered
to complete and operate it. The Michigan Southern was sold by the
State for $500,000, and passed into the hands of the Michigan South-
ern Eailroad Company.

This was the last of railroad building by the State. In 1849 the
Central reached Lake Michigan at New Buffalo, and in May, 1852,
both roads entered Chicago.

The Detroit and Pontiac, reorganized as the Detroit and Milwaukee,
now pushed forward, and in 1858 also reached Lake Michigan at Grand
Haven; and thus the State was spanned by the three lines of railroad,
as originally contemplated in 1837.

I shall not attempt to trace step by step the further growth of the
railroad system of Michigan as it has developed, year by year, until it
has reached its present vast proportions.

Those of us who have lived in Michigan for the last thirty-five years,
may say that it has grown up under our eyes.

Among the earlier were the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw, the Flint
and Pere Marquette, and the Grand Eapids and Indiana, all penetrating
the northern part of the State; while in more recent years the Detroit,

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 495

Lansing and Northern, the Chicago and West Michigan, the Toledo.
Ann Arbor and Northern, the Grand Trunk, and scores of others,
interlace the State with a network of iron. "Figuratively" speaking,
the following statistics tell the story of magnificent growth:

RAILROAD MILEAGE BY DECADES.
Year. • Miles.

1838 63

1848... ~-- 326

1858 - 703

1868 _— -- 1,120

1878 ._ _._ -- 3,564

1888 ._ _ _ 6,411

1890 6,957

STATISTICS OF PRESENT OPERATIONS.

Number of roads operated in the State - 78

Cost of railroad properties operated in Michigan $699,401,821 78

Receipts for 1890 _._ _ 93,430,433 00

Operating expenses _ 63.920,091 54

Miles run by trains 71,578,208

Number of passengers carried ._ 33,503,059

Tons of freight transported from Michigan stations 26,185,257

Tons of freight transported one mile 8,997,937,524

In round numbers 9,000,000,000

Employes of railroads doing business in Michigan in 1890. _. 65,257

ROLLING STOCK.
Kind. Number.

Locomotives __ 3,131

Passenger cars _ _ 1,530

Baggage, mail and express.. _ _ 663

Box freight cars ___ 56,190

Stock cars.... _ _ 6,600

Platform cars.. 24,257

Ore cars _ 14,674

Other cars 4,176

Total. 111,222

LAKE TRANSPORTATION.

But transportation is not wholly by railroad or by lard. Concur-
rently with this immense development of the railroad system, a vast
carrying trade has grown up upon the lakes and waterways which
border the State, hardly second in importance to the railroad commerce.

The floating equipment of the lakes, as given in the census of 1890,
is not arranged by states, but by lakes and ports. It is not possible,

496 FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

therefore, to give accurately the water commerce of Michigan, but
some items may be given:

MICHIGAN TONNAGE ON THE LAKES, 1890.

Number
Ports. of vessels. Tonnage.

Detroit. __ - 275 129,768

Port Huron __•_ 293 61,482

Grand Haven.... _ 225 20,425

Marquette _ Ill 20,759

Bay City 56 31,176

Muskegon _ 17 3,088

This represents only a portion of the carrying of Michigan commerce
by water, for a large portion of the vessels engaged in it are registered
in other states.

The first propeller was built on the lakes in 1842, just fifty years
ago. Until 1855 the increase was slow. From 1856 onward the growth
was rapid, owing to the construction of the St. Clair flats canal and
the opening of the St. Mary's ship canal. Not only the number but
the size also has steadily increased.

Beginning with vessels of four hundred tons and under, as harbors
and waterways have been deepened, the tonnage has increased until
propellers of from twelve hundred to three thousand tons are common,
and this evolution is still going on.

MINING AND LUMBERING.

This vast amount of transportation is chiefly employed in shipping
the enormous mineral and forest products of the State, for no state of
the Union, and perhaps no equal population in the world, has more
varied wealth and more diversified industries than Michigan.

Chief of the mineral resources of the State is iron. Michigan pro-
duced in 1890, 7,185,175 tons of iron ore, worth at the mines at least
$26,000,000, being about seven-seventeenths of the iron ore mined in
the United States, and that, too, of the best grades of ore. Nearly half
of this product was of the grade of Bessemer ore.

Shipments of iron ore from Michigan mines have increased as
follows:

Year. Tons.

1855__ _ ____ _ 1,449

1860 _ __ 114,410

1870 i 859,507

1880 _ 1,948,334

1885 ___ 2,205,190

1890... 7,185,139

Total to date _ 50,766,109

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 497

COPPER.

Until the year 1890 Michigan was the greatest copper producing
State in the Union, and in 1889 produced more than any other country
in the world. In 1890 Montana took the lead.

In that year Michigan produced 100,607,151 pounds, worth 15| cents
per pound, making a total output of $15,845,427.28.

The total copper production of the United States was, for 1890,
273,547,151 pounds, so that Michigan produced considerably more than
one-third of the whole.

The total of her product, including 1890, has been 663,899 tons.

SALT.

Next in importance of her mineral resources is salt.

In 1890 there were in operation in the State ninety-seven salt works
with a producing capacity of about 6,000,000 barrels.

The actual production for that year was 3,838,637 barrels. Until
about 1860 the manufacture of salt in commercial quantities was prac-
tically unknown in Michigan. How it has grown is shown by the
following figures:

Year. Barrels.

I860.. 4,000

1870 621,352

1875 _ _ 1,081,856

1880 _. __ 2,676,588

1885. 3,297,403

1890 ._ __ 3,838,937

Total to date _ 52,874,937

We have it on the highest authority that salt is good. And we
may say that Michigan is the salt of the earth in more senses than
one.

GYPSUM.

Our gypsum mines have been of large commercial importance.

In the year 1890 we produced 29,500 tons . in the form of land
plaster and 238,700 barrels in the form of stucco.

The total to date has been 920,436 tons of plaster and 2,498,383
barrels of stucco.

Michigan also has gold. In 1890 the Eopes mine at Ishpeming
produced of gold $65,240.

Though we do not count this as one of our sources of wealth, yet it
exceeds the aggregate- of all our mining industries in 1840.
63

498 FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

COAL.

Coal is produced to some extent. The amount mined in 1890 was
71,991 tons, and although new discoveries in the Huron peninsula
seem to promise largely, it is not probable that Michigan will ever be
reckoned as an important coal producing State.

LUMBER.

I shall not weary you with the progressive statistics of lumber, but
only say that for many years Michigan has been the foremost producer
of lumber in the Union, and that means in the world. In 1880 the
number of lumber manufacturing establishments in Michigan was
1,649.

Capital invested in manufacturing lumber.. $39,260,428

Persons employed _._ _ _ 24,235

Wages paid during year.. _ _ $6,967,905

Value of logs and mill supplies $32,251,372

Total value of lumber $52,449,928

Amount of lumber products, in feet (about) 5,500,000,000

I have not the actual figures at hand, but I believe that the value
of forest products taken from this State and shipped out of it has
exceeded a thousand million dollars.

The statistics of our lumber products for 1890 are not yet published,
but the official estimate of our forest and saw-mill products for that
year aggregate upward of $55,000,000.

OTHER MANUFACTURES.

The statistics of the manufactures for 1890 are being issued by
industries, and only a few have yet been completed.

Summaries of a few which have been issued are here given:

PIG IRON.

Number of furnaces 26

Tons produced, 1889 _ 224,908

Steel works _ 2

Tons of steel produced 5,600

WOOL MANUFACTURES, 1889,

Establishments __ 52

Capital invested . $1,899,460

Number of hands employed __ 1,428

Wages paid, 1889 _. _ $390,147

Value of product... $1,689,970

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 499

I have sought in vain at the United States census office, both in
person and by letter, for the statistics which would measure the growth
of other manufacturing industries, but they are not yet sufficiently
advanced to make it possible to obtain even the aggregates. But there
is one industry which I cannot forbear to mention, because it is the
leading industry of a city which scarcely had a local habitation or a
name in 1840 — it is furniture.

The single city of Grand Rapids has forty-six furniture factories,
employing a capital of $6,160,300, doing a business of $10,000,000
annually, and giving employment to more than 6,600 men and boys.

The total number of manufacturing establishments in that city (not
local) is 498. Capital employed, $18,228,000; business transacted,
$33,555,000; number of employe's, 15,000.

With this statement I think I may close this exhibit of material
growth of fifty years. I ought to say here, in justification of these
lengthy and, I fear, dry details of material development, that when I
received the invitation of your present moderator to prepare this
address, the subject assigned me was " Fifty Years of Material
Growth;" and sticking close to my text I had completed this address
before becoming aware of the change of the topic to the broader and
more inspiring form in which it now appears upon the program,
" Fifty Years of Michigan." I had supposed that others would treat
distinctively of the educational, social and political history of our State.
But this view would be too incomplete were I not to add a few words
upon these most important features of growth.

Prior to the admission of the State into the Union there could hardly
be said to be a school system in Michigan.

The present school system owes its origin to a Congregational home
missionary, Rev. John D. Pierce, the first Superintendent of Public
Instruction under the constitution.

I remember " Father Pierce " very well in the days when I was
preparing for college at Ypsilanti, and during my course at Ann Arbor.
No commencement of Normal school or University was complete with-
out him, and he took a just pride in his share in shaping the
educational system of Michigan.

Another man to whom great credit is due is Stevens T. Mason, the
first Governor of the State. It was by him that " Father Pierce," as
he was afterwards known, was appointed, and together they worked
out the plan — from district school to University.

It was through these two men that the land grant made to the State
on its admission was not frittered away, as it was in so many states.

500 FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

A monument to these two men is yet to be erected, and an appropriate
spot would be on the University grounds at Ann Arbor.

It is hardly needful to say that in 1840 there were no graded schools,
no high schools, no normal school, no agricultural college, and no
university.

In 1841 the first student entered the University. There were three
teachers, including the acting president. That student still lives, in
the city of Grand Rapids — not an old man either — while the University
registers 2,700 students, taught by more than eighty professors and
instructors, and last year conferred 623 degrees upon examination.

From 1845 to 1850 the evolution of the graded school commenced,,
and has gone forward until in 1890 we had 513 graded schools, 194
high schools and 6,655 ungraded schools. The total number of districts
in the State is 7,168.

The total school census of 1890 showed 654,502 children of school
age and a total enrollment of 427,032. At the same time there were
attending private schools 33,975.

These children were taught by 15,990 teachers, who received in
wages $3,326,287.

Our Normal School, Agricultural College and Mining School are^
among the very best in the land. Besides all these institutions we
have flourishing denominational colleges at Albion, Adrian, Alma, Bat-
tle Creek, Detroit, Hillsdale, Holland, Kalamazoo, Olivet, and the
Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake, besides several ladies'
seminaries well entitled to rank as colleges. Surely every citizen of
Michigan may review with pride and wonder the growth of her educa-
tional system during these fifty years.

SOCIAL CONDITIONS.

This almost measureless growth of wealth, contemporaneous with the
increase of educational facilities, has wrought great social changes.

We . have drifted and are drifting — perhaps inevitably — farther and
farther away from the simple social conditions of fifty years ago. The
palatial residence has replaced the log cabin; the great factory has
taken the place of the humble shop; luxury in furnishings, in art and
in equipage has taken the place of scant surroundings and simple-
living.

A tendency grows ever stronger to divide the people on lines of
social conditions, and with this tendency comes a greater need for the
leveling and humanizing influence of the Gospel of Christ.

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWTH IN MICHIGAN. 501

We need more and more to remember that we are but trustees for
God and humanity of all this wealth and of all these privileges.

MICHIGAN AND THE NATION.

The people of Michigan have ever been loyal and liberty loving.

Their free frontier life, somewhat isolated by their geographical
position, made them independent in spirit and hostile to the aggressive
demands of slavery.

Michigan answered the Fugitive Slave Law with her "Personal
Liberty Act."

When slavery declared war on the nation, Michigan stood loyally by
her faith and her allegiance.

She offered her manhood in no stinted measure and poured out her
best blood, a free libation, upon the altar of liberty and union.

At the call of Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States, she
put into the field more than 90,000 men, organized into thirty regiments
of infantry, eleven regiments of cavalry, fourteen batteries of artillery,
one regiment of engineers, one regiment of sharp-shooters, one regiment
of colored troops and many independent organizations.

There was scarcely a battlefield of the great war where Michigan
men did not take a conspicuous and honorable part.

Of these troops 358 officers and 14,497 enlisted men were killed in
action, or died of wounds and disease during the war.

What a story of valor, of struggle, of achievement and suffering and
death is summed up in those figures!

More precious than the piled up millions, dearer than riches of mine,
•or forest or factory, to Michigan, now and evermore, is her wealth in
manhood and womanhood, the priceless heritage of her sons and
daughters.

The future of our beloved State we can only dream. But the past
is secure. The future will depend much upon this generation and the
ideals upon which we build.

Truly the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places. However
appropriate the inscription on the great seal of the State may have
been when it was adopted, fifty-seven years ago, it is more appropriate
now. "Si quceris Peninsulam Amcenam Circumspice" — " If you seek a
beautiful peninsula, look around you!" It is indeed beautiful, and it
is also great, and flourishing and rich.

Laved on the east, north and west by the great " unsalted seas,"
bearing a commerce unequaled in ancient or modern times; treasuring
in her bosom inexhaustible mineral wealth; clad with a native forest

502 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

growth that has been and is a source of vast wealth in itself, and
bespeaks the richness of the soil from which it springs; with luxuriant
fields of grain unsurpassed in richness; with flocks and herds counted
by millions; with manufactures of almost endless variety and extent*
with an educational system the equal of any in the world; and a
university abreast with any in excellence and the foremost on the
continent in numbers; with State institutions for the defective and the
unfortunate that are models of their kind, Michigan enters upon the
second half-century of her statehood, proud of her past, confident of
her future, and thankful to God for all that He hath wrought in her
behalf.

It is for us, citizens of the State to remember that opportunity
brings responsibility, and that of those to whom much has been given
will much be required.

PTONEEK HISTORY OF THE SETTLEMENT OF EATON

COUNTY.

WKITTEN BY EARLY SETTLEES.

[Taken from the Saturday Journal, Eaton Rapids, Mich. Frank C. Culley, Editor. ]
JESSE HART.

I was born in the township of Springfield, Portage county (now
Summit), State of Ohio, April 27, 1814, and lived there with my
parents until I was twenty-three years old. I then married Miss
Rachel Richards, July 16, 1837; and about the 10th day of the next
October, we started for Michigan with two light yoke of oxen and one
wagon. We got along well until we came to what was called " black
swamp;" then of all the roads I ever saw or traveled over that
road through that swamp was the worst. Suffice it to say that I
worked hard for eight days to get thirty-two miles.

We arrived at Joseph Bosworth's, on the 6th day of November fol-
lowing. He lived then in what is now the township of Walton, Eaton

SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY. 503

county, Mich. He had moved there two or three weeks before, and had
built him a shanty in the woods. My land was four miles from there,
in a northeast direction, right through the woods, it being the north
one hundred acres of the northwest one-quarter of section seven, in
town one north, of range four west, now the township of Brookfield,
and a part of the farm I now own. As Mr. Bos worth was the nearest
one to my land I made arrangements to stay with him until I could
build a shanty, and cut a road to it; and I got him to help me. We
got the body of the shanty up, about three-fourths of the roof on, and
the door cut out; but no door nor floor in the shanty. Then we moved
in. It was here, in this partly built shanty, on the 12th day of
November, 1837, that my wife and I first commenced keeping house.
It was four miles to the nearest neighbor, with no road, only a crooked
track I had cut through the forest, and the whole county almost an
unbroken wilderness. The screech of the owl, and the howl of the
wolf, was our music by night, and the Indians our callers by day.
The first night we made our bed on some split pieces of basswood in
one corner of the shanty, built a fire in another, hung up a blanket
for a door, and some on the wall around the bed; and it seemed quite
like home, and we had a good night's rest. I soon made a pole bed-
stead, hewed out and put down a puncheon floor, built a stone back
and stick chimney in one corner, made a clay hearth and the shanty
was finished without a nail, with the exception of what was in the
door. We lived in that shanty nearly two years. Oh yes, happy two
years! The happiest two years of my life were spent in that shanty.
There was something grand and romantic about it I very much
enjoyed.

The grand old forest yielded up enough almost for our support, of
its wild fruits, its honey and venison. It was in this shanty that our
first child was born, March 20, 1839, cradled and rocked in a sap
trough, and is now the wife of Dr. Derby of Eaton Kapids. It was in
the fall of 1839 that our shanty was swapped for a new log house,
which we built about fifty rods east of the shanty. My hogs slept
west of the shanty, next to the woods. The second night after we
had moved into our new house, about twelve o'clock at night my wife
woke me and said she heard a hog squeal. I got up, took my gun
and ran over to where the hogs were, and found a bear had caught the
old sow and was about killing her. When I came near enough so
I thought I could hit him I fired. He let go of the hog and ran into
the woods. It being quite dark I could not tell whether I had hit

504 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

him or not; but I went out the next morning and found the bear dead
and the hog alive, but very badly hurt.

One more bear story: This was in the fall of 1841. I had built a
log hog-pen about eight rods from the house, and a lane west from
the hog-pen to the woods about fifty rods. My cattle were kept in
the lane near the hog-pen. It was not far from the middle of night
when I heard a hog give a short squeal, and then the cow bells com-
menced to rattle. I got up and stepped to the door. I then heard
something running in the lane toward the woods, and it was not more
than a minute before I heard a hog squeal on the edge of the woods
at the end of the lane. (It seems the bear had caught the hog near the
hog-pen, and the cattle had driven him off; then he had chased the pig
into the lane west to the woods before he caught him again. ) My rifle
being loaded I caught it up and ran, just as I had got out of bed, to save
my hog. When I got to the end of the lane I saw that he had caught
the hog under some tops of trees that had been felled when I cleared.
I got into the topmost one and started out on it to see if I could not
shoot him in that way; but as I started my dog ran under and went
to barking at him; then the bear took the hog and started into the
woods with him. I called back the dog, who took his place behind
me, and then I started after him. I ran as fast as I could in the
brush and dark, and went some twenty or twenty-five rods before I got
near enough so I thought I could hit him. When I was within ten
or twelve feet of him I shot at the black spot, for that was all I could
see. As the gun went off he dropped the hog and ran off three or
four rods and all was still. I loaded my rifle and could hear nothing
of the bear. I was so near him I knew if he stirred I could hear
him, there being dry leaves on the ground. I made up my mind that
I had hit him, and that he was sitting and looking at me, or else
I had killed him; so, to find out, I told the dog to "take him."
The dog went to where he was, off aways, and went to growling and
snuffing around, but I could hear nothing of the bear, so I concluded
he was dead. I went to where the dog was and there lay a monstrous
black bear, stretched out dead enough. His fore paw when pressed
down would cover a common breakfast plate. When I went back I
met my wife in the lane coming with an ax. She said she was afraid
I had got into trouble.

In the spring of 1842 I built a frame barn, 80x40 feet. It was the
first frame building built in Brookfield. And in .1851 I swapped the
old log house for a new frame one, out on the road; for there were
roads laid out then. In the spring of 1863 I rented my farm and

SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY. 505

moved to Charlotte, where I have lived ever since. We have had ten
children, five of them having been laid away in the silent grave, the
youngest lives at home, three near by in Charlotte, and one at Eaton
Kapids.

FRED SPICER.

FRIEND CULLEY — Learning that you desired the old settlers of Eaton
county to give a brief history of early days and the settlement of our
county, I will' attempt to pen what I know in the matter in my
humble way. I came to Eaton county with my father (Amos Spicer),
mother, and two sisters, Mrs. Benjamin Knight and husband, Eunice
J. Spicer, now wife of J. L. Holmes, of Jackson, my uncle, P. E.
Spicer, and cousin, Daniel Bateman, all from Middlebury, Portage
county, Ohio (except Benjamin Knight and wife, who were from
Kyshockton, Muskingum county, Ohio), on the 3d day of June, 1836,
landed at Spicerville about 8 o'clock p. m., and found a double log
house, which my father and uncle, P. E. Spicer, Daniel Bateman, Ben-
jamin Knight, Charles Hanchett and son, and others, had built without
a door or a window, with puncheons for a floor below, and boxwood bark
for the upper floor, which material they procured from the forest
without the help of a saw-mill, for there was no mill of any descrip-
tion nearer than Clinton, about fifty miles from us, nor even a neighbor
nearer than twelve miles, save the red man's wigwam.

Michigan was then a territory, and without a road, except the old
Clinton road, which my uncle, Sam. Hamlin, and C. C. Darling had
cut through from Clinton to the Thornapple river, in the northwest
part of our county, the fall before for the government, which had just
been completed and accepted when Father, P. E. Spicer and Daniel
Bateman arrived at Jackson, in the the fall of 1835.

Father told my uncle he had come out to look out a home, and
would like to find a good water power, as he proposed to build a saw
and grist-mill if he could find a desirable spot. Uncle Sam and Mr.
Darling told him that Grand river and Spring' brook were both good
powers. So as soon as Aunt Liddia Holmes could bake some pork and
beans for the journey, each took his grub and knapsack and started
for the north woods, without any guide save the blazes the surveyor
had made when the country was cut up into counties and towns. The
party consisted of Amos Spicer, P. E. Spicer, Samuel Hamlin,
and C. C. Darling, now of Lansing, and Daniel Bateman, who lives at
Spicerville on the land he located about forty years ago.
64

506 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

They spent over a week wandering over the country, and located
over a thousand acres of land, making many pleasant farms around
Eaton Eapids, together with about four hundred acres where Eaton
Rapids now stands. Father being a little more fortunate than the rest
of the party, being a master millwright, had earned quite a little lump
of money at his trade, so you will find that where Eaton Rapids now
stands, and that considerable of the lands they selected were located
by him, as the records will show. While wandering here in the wilds
with no knowledge of the country, only as they found it out by trac-
ing the surveyor's trail, when their grub was about all gone, they were
wandering on the lands now the farm of James I. Rogers, near the
close of the day when C. C. Darling, seeing a white ash tree that had
fallen by the winds and splintering up some inviting them to stop and
camp. They did so, and while they were fixing the fire and tent
Father said he would take the rifle and go over the hill and kill a
turkey for supper, and as good luck favored him, in a very short time
they heard the crack of the rifle, and soon he returned with a nice
wild turkey. In the meantime the rest of the party were gathering
wood from the top of the tree, and found the tree in falling had
broken off just above a nice swarm of bees, and that the honey lay
inviting them to help themselves. Uncle Sam, being a good cook,,
served up the turkey in good style, roasting it by the fire and swab-
bing it with salt and water until it was seasoned and looked nicely.
Thus you see, when their provisions were nearly all gone, and on the
last night of their soldiering, God in His goodness, gave them a
sumptuous supper. And they began to think that this was the land
where milk and honey flowed so freely.

On the following morning the party started for Jackson, and late
at night they reached Wm. Lyons, about two miles this side of Tomp-
kins Center. P. E. Spicer got foot sore and brought up the rear about
10 o'clock at night, and after taking some pork and beans for supperr
they retired for the night. One more hard day's march brought them
to Jackson, and the next day Father and Mr. Bateman started for
Kalamazoo, to locate the lands they had selected before some speculator
would get ahead of them and jump their claims, which in those days
was often done by a set of hawk-eyed fellows who hung around the
land office. But I believe they secured all the land they selected, and
got back to Jackson the next day, which was then about the first of
December, 1835. The next day Father, P. E. Spicer and D. Bateman,
started for home in Ohio. On arriving home, Father secured thirteen
pounds of pork to take to Michigan in the spring, for he found it

SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY. 507

quite a scarce article, and worth $25 per hundred in the hog. He
ordered a large, strong wagon for the trip, bought four yoke of oxen
to draw it to Michigan and employed Daniel Bateman and Chas.
Hanchett to drive the team through with a load of household goods
such as he thought would be needed in a new country. About the
10th of May, 1836, he started the ox teams with P. E. Spicer and old
Gray with the one-horse wagon, two cows and a calf for the escort.
They reached Jackson about the 25th of May. Father and the family,
and Benjamin Knight and family started about two weeks after the ox
team, by canal boat to Cleveland, steamboat to Detroit, and lumber
wagon from Detroit to Jackson. Following the old territorial road to
Jackson, making the trip from Detroit to Jackson in three days, and
arriving at Jackson the next day after the ox teams. We found Uncle
Bateman and Mr. Hanchett all in good spirits with many interesting
accounts of their journey, having to milk the cows and drink the milk
for food. Some days the teams and cows fed on the road side.

The next day they started for the woods to build the old cabin in
Spicerville, which (I have heretofore mentioned) we reached on the 3d
day of June, A. D. 1836, and as soon as possible Father commenced to
build a saw-mill on the same site where my saw-mill now stands; it
being the third frame the old site had worn out in thirty-nine years.

Our family consisted then of father, mother, Benjamin Knight and
wife, one child, Amos Knight, E. J. Spicer and myself, with P. E.
Spicer, Daniel Bateman, C. C. Darling, Charles Hanchett and George
Allyn, and about fourteen now hired men. So you see my dear old
mother and sisters did not have much time to play in those days
between meal time. And above all this, we kept from two to four
land lookers every night, for they had nowhere else to stay. With
this small party of men and women, Father commenced the building of
a saw-mill with none of the improvements of today to help them; with
only the material which nature's God had placed here in its own
native wildness. With broad ax, plumb and square, he commenced the
task, having to hew every plank and timber from the water wheel to
the rafters, and after a long summer's work, fighting mosquitoes by
night and working bard by day, in October the mill began to roll its
water wheel around and you could hear the saw go crash, crash, by
night and by day. P. E. Spicer and Benjamin Knight were boss
sawyers. They found ready sale for all the lumber they could spare at
ten dollars per thousand, but used a great share of it in preparing for
the building of the grist-mill that now stands in the lower part of
Eaton Rapids, and the house opposite David Stirling's springs, the

508 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

grocery store of Mrs. N. C. Merritt, near Morgan Vatighan's bank, and
one other building, a tavern, that stood on the grounds where the
Mitchell house now stands. Those three houses were framed in
Spicerville of plank, and drawn down and raised in the village, being
the first rude cottages that ever broke the monotony of nature's wilds,
and told people there was a village sprouting in Eaton county. The
town was laid out early in the spring of 1836, and well do I remember
the first time I saw the ground Eaton Eapids now stands on. It was
in January, 1836, Charles Hanchett, Daniel Bateman, Father and some
others besides myself, with two ox sleds and four yoke of oxen drew
the two-run of mill stones that have ground flour for the bread for most
forty years. We left them on some poles about where David Stirling's
house now stands, and they remained there till September, and long
before Father had got the grist-mill ready to bolt flour we got out of
flour and there was no mill nearer than Clinton, so we lived on johnny
cake until we got tired of it. One day my mother told me to go down
to the mill and have Father grind some wheat as he did corn (graham
we would call it now) and she would make some biscuit of it; and I
never shall forget how good they tasted, to me at least.

When we raised the mill, people came twenty miles to help. Daniel
Bateman -and Benjamin Knight spent over two days inviting men to
the raising. They came the day before, helped raise the next day, had
a dance that night, and went home the next day.

It might be interesting to some to know how we found we had
neighbors. The first we knew we had neighbors on Montgomery's
plains, one of our cows strayed away, and Daniel Bateman, while look-
ing after it, came to the river and hearing some cow bells on the east
side, pulled off his boots and pants and crossed over, and followed on
until he found the cattle, and hearing some one pounding a little
farther on went on to where he found John Montgomery splitting
poles on the farm where the stone house now stands, and we often
would meet a stranger in the woods while out hunting and after ask-
ing a few questions and answering a few, would find we were neigh-
bors, getting at facts by learning the section, number of section and
range of the lots they lived on, and from that brief acquaintance they
became neighbors, brothers and sisters, tried and true, who felt for
•each other's interests and comforts next to their own homes and fami-
lies; helping each other in divers ways, by making logging bees for
those who had nothing, and thus aiding to hew out happy homes in
the wilderness, all of which had a tendency to bind them together as
one family. But I am sorry to say it is fast fading out in these days.

SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY. 509

And when I look over this country and the many now who people the
lands, I see but very few of those old veterans' land marks, in fathers
and mothers left. My dear old mother left us one year ago last Octo-
ber, at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years, and has gone home to
reap her happy reward in heaven. And I trust there are many of the
yet surviving pioneers who have often eaten at her table and shared
her hospitality in divers ways, who will ever cherish her memory for
those early days of our country's history. And we, their sons antl
daughters, when we look arouijd over the happy homes we enjoy, don't
let us forget what it cost our dear parents in the hardships and priva-
tions they endured to make our homes as pleasant, with fine orchards
and wide fields, all of which took patience and great toil to procure
for our benefit and enjoyment. No, let us cherish their memories and
tell them to our children, so that their noble traits of character, their
benevolent and virtuous brotherly love may live in the hearts of our
children to pattern from long after we are gone to that better land to-
which we are all fast passing away.

JAMES GALLERY.

FRIEND CULLEY — As you wish to know something of my early his-
tory, and experiences in Eaton county, I would say that I was born in
Caledonia, Livingston county, N. Y., on the first day of June, 1817.
My father and mother had a family of seven children, five sons and
two daughters, of which I was the oldest. Father was considered skilled
in two trades — one as a weaver, and the other a miller; and by indus-
triously working at those trades he managed to support, and rear hi&
family, until the fall of 1836, when he anticipated the advice of
Horace Greeley, and " moved west."

We first landed at Detroit, but not admiring the surroundings there,
we went back to Toledo; from there to Adrian, and finally about the
first of November secured winter quarters near Clinton in Lenawee
county. After getting the family properly settled, Father and I started
out to look for government land, that we might secure a permanent
home, and thereby reap the full benefit of our change of country. We
were advised and directed to what was then known as the Grand river
country, and on arriving near Jacksonburg (as it was then called), we
met one A. F. Fitch, afterwards notorious as a railroad conspirator
who then made a business of selecting and locating lands. With him
we made an arrangement leaving the money to buy one-quarter section,
which it was agreed should be good timbered land; which promise as-
far as the timber was concerned was well fulfilled, as I had reason

510 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

to think many a day while swinging the ax. Having made this
arrangement, we returned home, and my brother John and I hired out
to shovel and drive team on the mill dam and race, which was then
being constructed for the Globe Mills at Tecumseh; and my brother
William obtained employment at a clothing mill near the same place.
This was our first winter in Michigan, and was a long, cold, and dreary
one, waiting anxiously to hear where our land would be found, while
Mving in a shanty with about twenty other coarse laborers and coarser
fare. Finally late in the spring we received a duplicate for one-quarter
section of Uncle Sam's domain, and which read the " southeast quarter
of section twenty-nine, in town 2 north, of range 3 west," and
was said to be about two miles from a place called Spicer's Mill. So,
as soon as we could get the conditions all right Father and I started
out again, and arrived at this place, now called Eaton Kapids, on the
17th day of August, 1837. The first blow had been struck here that
summer, by the firm of Spicer, Harnlin & Darling, who had the year
before built the saw-mill at what is now called Spicerville.

There were then three dwelling houses in the place — the dam across
Spring brook was built but the water had not been raised. The grist-
mill frame was up (a part of the present one) and partly inclosed.
There was not a bridge across any stream here; no farms or cultivated
ground, or hardly anything except the four little buildings to tell that
civilization was trying to gain a foothold, and drive the poor Indians,
who were continually paddling their canoes up and down the river,
into the darker forests.

The families living here at that time I think were those of Amos
Spicer, Benjamin Knight, and C. C. Darling, Samuel Hamlin then
living at Spicerville. We met with a cordial welcome, and a hospitality
which is common to new places, and all were ready to show us our
land, which we found about one and one-half miles northwest of here,
and after following the lines around it as well as we could, and
being fully satisfied with it we returned home.

About the first of November we started with our household goods and
a part of the family with one team. The family, consisting of Father,
Patrick Gallery, John, the one next in age to me, and my sisters,
Mary (now Mrs. D. B. Hamlin), and Jane who died in 1859, coming
here, and my mother. The two youngest boys, George and Edward,
returned to the state of New York, where they remained one year.
My brother William remained at Tecumseh until about the middle of
January, 1838, when he came here also. We arrived here in due time,
and went into the house with Lawrence Howard and family, about a

SETTLEMENT OP EATON COUNTY. 511

mile west of this place on the town line. We remained there about a
week while we cut logs and rolled up a shanty twelve by twenty-four
feet and drew some white wood boards from Spicerville for roof and
floor. I remember building the door. With me then the sash and
door business was in its infancy. Then I also built a chimney of stones,
sticks, and clay; and although the workmanship would not be consid-
ered very ornamental now, I think we took as much comfort in that
shanty as the average man enjoys anywhere.

At this time, November, 1837, I found here Amos Hamlin and
family, who had erected a slab blacksmith shop, and was building a
plank house as all the dwelling houses were then built. There may
have been some other family in the village but I do not remember.
My impression now is that there is but one man now living in the
Tillage that lived here then, being William Winn, and of women Mrs.
Waldron, Mrs. Hamlin, and possibly Mrs. P. Conley. There are quite
a number of the farmers around us now that were here then, but fear-
ing that I would not enumerate them correctly I will not attempt to
name them, and they will probably tell their own story. I will say,
however, that John Montgomery had raised one crop of wheat, and of
him we purchased twenty-five bushels, thinking it prudent to
secure it when it could be found, and we had the money to buy. For
this we paid one and one-quarter dollars per bushel. There were no
grist-mills nearer than Jackson; but about the first of January, 1838,
our mill was started, my father assisting. There was but one run of
stone, commonly called rock; and they now lie between the mill and
the river as relics of the past. That fall and winter I took my first
lessons in felling the tall forest, and toward spring found the supplies
getting low, and started south to look for work, which I found in
drawing mudsills on the Palmyra and Jacksonburg railroad. The month
of February of that year seemed to me the coldest I ever knew; but
March warmed up beautifully, and on the last day of that month I
planted potatoes at Tecumseh. About the middle of April I returned
home and found our folks winding up on sugar making. They had
about a half -barrel of syrup which they said would not grain; but I
thought I could conquer it, and the result was " burnt," and only fit for
vinegar. April and May were cold, rainy, and backward months, and it
was tedious business to burn and clear off a patch for corn, potatoes,
and all the other trash that was considered necessary to supply the
wants of a family. But patience and perseverance are always rewarded,
and our efforts were crowned with very satisfactory results. And now
as the crops were coming up with astonishing rapidity, my brother John

512 SETTLEMENT OP EATON COUNTY.

and I started out to work in haying and harvest and were gone thir-
teen weeks. We received good wages, clothed ourselves well, and
brought home a cow and some of the "wild cat" of the times, which
had been considered as good as greenbacks now are; but were then
getting shakey and we suffered some losses by it that year, and I
think the year after.

During the summer the first store was built by Benjamin Knight,
on the corner where the Anderson House now stands, and though
small at first it was afterwards enlarged and an independent warehouse
built and became a business house of large capital and business influ-
ence, always sound and healthy while under his control. In the winter
of 1838-9 I ran the grist-mill in this place, boarding in the family of
Benjamin Knight. This was my first residence in the village, and
although our numbers were few, we felt the dignity and put on the
airs of much larger places, as we had a name and a postoffice, and I
think had been at this time set off in single townships. At first the
county was divided into four townships, our quarter being called the
town of Eaton. As harvest time approached my brother and I again
went out where they had more money, again devoting about three
months to harvesting and railroading; again clothing ourselves and
bringing back some of the needful to pay taxes and such other pur-
poses as only money would satisfy. From this time until August,
1840, I chopped, logged, split rails, and all kinds of general labor.
During the latter part of 1840 the saw-mill race was dug and the
saw-mill built; and about this time the first house was built north
of Spring brook by William Frink, near where Mr. Jopp's house now
stands.

About this time I came to the conclusion that clearing land was not
the vocation that agreed with my tastes and inclination, although it
did agree with my health much better than milling, at which I was
considered a fair workman. So I concluded that I would start out to
seek my fortune and make milling the business of my life, and not
stop until I found a place that suited me with a prospect of a perma-
nent place where I might build up a character as a first-class miller
and qualify myself as a business man.

I left here on the last day of August, 1840, with five dollars in my
pocket, not knowing where I would stop nor how far that would carry
me. However, I brought up at Clinton, where there was a new flour-
ing mill, one of the finest in the State. I crowded myself in (although
they did not want help) on trial without any agreement about wages,
and there I labored eight years and made it pay well.

SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY. 513

I might here note a few of the events which transpired during the
time I was absent, coming home once or twice each year. On the
17th of September, 1842, my mother died of asthmatic consumption.
Her funeral was held on Monday, the 19th, at the school house in this
village. At the same time and place, the funeral of John Bentley
(whose history you gave some months ago), who died about the same
time and of the same disease, and also the funeral of the child of a
blacksmith, whose name I did not know. This was a very unusual
circumstance, three funerals and three families of mourners under one
sermon. The sermon was preached by the Rev. W. W. Crane, the
pioneer clergyman of this section, a very excellent man, whose ear was
always open to the call of the distressed, and his words of wisdom and
kindness comforting to the mourning soul. He was a man of education
and a great historian. He delivered a course of six lectures here
about ten years since, at the close of which the citizens, through the
Eev. J. R. Stevenson, furnished him with a check for one hundred
dollars. The people always heard him gladly. He has gone to his
reward, and the call found him with the harness on, although very
aged and infirm. •

In the summer of 1843 our village took its first important stride to
greatness. During this year the dam was built across Grand river and
the race dug connecting and consolidating the river and Spring brook
into one power, and an addition built on the north side of the grist-
mill. I think there were added also two runs of Burr stones and a set
of merchant bolts.

The two churches, Methodist and Congregational, were erected,
although not finished inside until 1855. This year also I think Ham-
lin's hotel, now called the Mitchell house, was enlarged to its present
proportions, on Main street. The north addition to the village was
laid out, and I think that year the cabinet shop was erected at the
head of the saw-mill race by Alanson Osborn, who carried on a very
important business there while he lived, and it continued to be of
great benefit to the place until it burned down in 1868. During these
years we had two or three asheries which did a large business in black
salts, pot and pearl ashes, and sometimes in saleratus. This was a
very important interest to the farmers at that time, as almost everyone
had ashes to sell after burning off a fallow; and although they would
not often bring money they would always exchange for groceries and
other necessaries.

In 1844 the carding shop was erected by the mill company and fully
65

514 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

equipped with all the necessary machinery for wool carding and cloth
dressing. In the spring of 1845 my brother William rented it for one
year, and in the spring of 1846 he and brother John purchased it,
paying two thousand dollars for it. In the summer of 1846 the
foundery was started by George W. Spencer and Benjamin O. Davis,
using power from the carding shop to drive it for about two years.

In the spring of 1847, finding my health failing rapidly and know-
ing that the flouring business did not agree with me, I began to study
the question of health in occupation and came to the conclusion that
there was none better suited to my constitution than a foundery and I
immediately bought out G. W. Spencer. I, however, could not easily
get released from my position in the mill until one year later and
rented nay share of the shop to B. O. Davis for one year, during
which time we put up a second building and put in a water wheel.

Those three shops were the first and only ones of the kind in the
county for several years, and were of great importance in giving char-
acter and business to the place. But now how changed ! Any
manufacturing interest of less than one hundred thousand dollars
capital and a dozen traveling canvassers is not worthy of notice.

The fall of 1847 was a season of peculiar and fatal sickness in our
place; the disease was generally called brain fever. It carried off some
six or seven of our most robust and substantial citizens, among whom
were brother John and Alanson Osborn. I have always felt that our
physicians did not understand the disease; however, that had great
influence in giving us the character of a sickly place.

The first of June, 1848, I returned and took charge of the foundery
without any experience in the business, since which time, however, I
have learned considerable.

In November, 1848, I married Eliza M. Hamilton, of Salem, Wash-
tenaw county, who was born in Madison county, N. Y., in March,
1830. We commenced housekeeping in the house now occupied by
James Herrick, where we lived three years, and during that time our
two eldest children, Alice M. and James H., were born. By this time
I had erected the house where we now live, and since that time our
family circle has been enlarged by the addition of three, Ida L., Kate
E. and Arthur D., and by the mercies of a kind providence they are
all spared to us, and we hope to be permitted to lean upon them in
our declining years.

In the winter or spring of 1849 the Jackson and Lansing Plank
Koad company was chartered, and we as a community commenced our
first struggle for a thoroughfare of a public character that would put

SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY. 515

us in communication with the "rest of mankind." The first question
was whether it should go through Mason or Eaton Rapids, or whether
it would be better to take an air line and pass three or four miles
east of here. This class of questions are always engineered in a way
to get the most money out of the locality where they wish it to run.
So in this case. Seven of our citizens gave a bond conditioned that
in addition to taking a large amount of stock, if the road would pass
through our village, we would donate the right-of-way for seven miles
south of Eaton Rapids and grub and grade five miles of the road bed.
This proposition was accepted and the pledge fulfilled, and in the fol-
lowing manner: The business men of our place to the number of
seventeen, organized themselves into an association, agreeing to pay all
assessments made upon them, necessary to complete the work, the
assessment to be a uniform and equal percentage upon each man's
valuation on the township assessment roll, and I being supervisor of
the town of Eaton Rapids was made secretary, etc., of the associa-
tion. And I find by referring to the record (which has escaped fire
and flood and is still in my possession) that it cost us in addition to
all donations by parties outside and along the line twelve hundred and
thirty dollars, being seven and three-tenths per cent on our valuation.
Of that association there are now living six, N. J. Seeley, B. F. Bailey,
H. A. Shaw, Alanson Harwood, D. Stirling and James Gallery. In
addition to this we took stock in the road, some large amounts, and all
sufficient to feel.it a burden; and it turned out to be utterly worthless
as an investment. And what was still worse, it seemed a positive
injury to the growth and business of our town. This seemed to be so
from the fact that it was a good road for the farmer who could put
fifty bushels 6f wheat on his wagon and take it to Jackson; and of
course where he sold his wheat he would buy his goods, and return
the same day. This seeming injury, however, I think was like casting
bread upon the waters to return in after years; for unless the farmer
flourished and grows in wealth and wants, and in ability and disposi-
tion to pay his debts, we have no use for a village here. And unless
the agriculturalist, the tradesman and mechanic feel that they are
necessary to and dependent on each other, there is no rational appre-
ciation of the benefits of a division of labor, and of the social relation.
The only apparent benefit to the village, was a daily mail on four-
horse coaches, with frequently twelve passengers inside, and ten on the
roof. This condition of our advantages was then very satisfactory,
because we were recognized as being on one of the main lines of

516 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

travel in the State, and we did not dream of ever enjoying the
advantages of railroads here.

In the fall of the year 1852 I was elected to the office of county
treasurer, and on the first of January, 1853, moved to Charlotte, and
gave my personal attention to the duties of that office for two years*
when I found that the honors of office, and a salary of five hundred
dollars a year, without any opportunity to steal, did not compensate
me for neglecting my business and carrying such political dead beats
as chose to hitch themselves to my fortunes. But I may say here
even at the risk of being charged with egotism that I am the only
Democrat that the people of this county have ever entrusted with their
funds. Now whether this was wise in the people I have grave doubt;
but will leave them to decide that for themselves.

About 1854, there was another addition and expensive repairs made
to the grist-mill by Mclntosh & Garton. The east addition was pur-
chased and laid out. Also, Mclntosh & Frost's addition, and
considerable general progress made in improvements.

In the year 1856 congress granted lands to aid in the construction of
a railroad from Amboy on the south line of this State, by Lansing to
Traverse bay, and it was made the duty of the State legislature to
assign the rights and benefits to a proper and responsible company to
carry out the conditions imposed. We immediately united with Albion,
Homer, Litchfield, and Jonesville, in the organization of a company.
Mason, Jackson, and others organized another company. Both com-
panies presented their claims to the legislature, and after a long and
bitter fight, our company came out victorious. Some of us took more
stock in this company than we were worth in dollars; but it looked as
well on the stock books as any other stock, and after "getting every-
thing safe we assigned to other parties such surplus as we thought we
were unable to carry, and the work commenced, under what seemed
reckless and extravagant management. It was decided to commence at
Owosso and build to Lansing, which they finally succeeded in complet-
ing. The villages south of Lansing having no faith in the manage-
ment would not allow their means to be expended, out of their own
township except so far as they had given their notes and could not
help themselves; and thus about forty thousand dollars was expended
about and south of this place when the company failed. The war
broke out, and here again we were slaughtered. However, there was
enough confidence in the final success of the enterprise to organize a
new company under the name of the Northern Central Michigan, take
an assignment of the franchises south of Lansing, and have their acts.

SETTLEMENT OP EATON COUNTY. . 517

ratified and confirmed by the legislature, in which condition it
remained eight or ten years, the directors paying their own expenses
and hiring money on their own note to keep up the organization,
although it was generally supposed to be dead. About the year 1865,
the Grand River Valley road, which had been chartered in 1846, I
think, was found to have life in it, and we were called upon to take
stock in that, and responded to the amount of about eight thousand
dollars only, and the town afterwards voted ten .thousand more, and the
road was completed to this place July 4, 1867, which was a great day
and long to be remembered by our people. I presume most of our
citizens thought that one railroad would do very well for this place.
Others appreciating the advantages of competition watched and waited,
and labored until 1871, when Hon. W. H. Brockway of Albion, to whom
the management had been committed by the board of directors, made a
conditional arrangement with the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern
company, by which the old Ramshorn railroad, as it was called, could
be completed.

And now we were called upon to make the grand and final effort.
The conditions were a free gift of a large amount of money, the only
return being the advantages of sharp competition in freights, and con-
sequently a market surpassed by no place equidistant from tide water.
And now for the second time many of us put in a large amount of
money to secure the advantages that would accrue from this enterprise,
and our people almost universally responded to the best of their
ability — some even to serious embarrassment. But there were some, as
I suppose there are in every community, who can never see any
advantage in anything that does not give them a per cent as they go
along and who never take stock in anything except their own supreme
wisdom and selfishness. We raised in subscription notes about twenty-
three thousand dollars, which was delivered to Mr. Brockway, who
stepped into the breach and agreed to fulfill the conditions that we
had assumed. And he informs me that he never realized more than
three-fourths of that amount, which statement I have no doubt is true.
To his persevering energy and determination we must award the credit
of the final construction of the road.

Now with my experience on these subjects, I have come to the con-
clusion that well directed efforts and expenditures, to secure real bene-
fits, either pecuniary or social, or moral, are never lost. If we had not
sunk money in the old Ramshorn we would never have had a
division of the Lake Shore road running through Eaton Rapids.

518 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

JOHNSON MONTGOMERY.

My first visit into the territory of Michigan was in the fall of 1826.
I was then twenty years old. My brother John was with me. We
came up the lake as far as Upper Sandusky; then we came the rest
of the way by land, through the state of Ohio. The county was very
new; many miles between houses. The roads were almost impass-
able for teams, but we being on foot would dodge into the woods and
get along very well. While coming through the state of Ohio, near
the Black swamp, we came to a very pretty chestnut tree (as we
supposed) and under it we found some of the largest chestnuts we had
ever seen. We did not stop to taste until we had filled our pockets;
but when we did taste them we found they were not the kind we had
been in the habit of eating; so we threw them away, reserving a few
that we might learn what they were. So at the next place where we
stopped we asked the man of the house what they were. He told us
they were " horse chestnuts," or " buck-eyes." Since that time I have
known him as "Old Buck-eye."

We came on to Toledo, where at that time were only a few
buildings on either side of the river. We crossed the river in a small
row boat kept for that purpose, and came on to Detroit. The country
was very new and the roads very bad. No regular roads but they
seemed to be made where they could get along the best. Where there
were inhabitants they were mostly French. The most of them could
speak English. I think we were a little over a day and a half going
from Toledo to Detroit. The majority of the inhabitants in Detroit
were French at that time. The place was not so large as Eaton Kap-
ids is now. Tried to get work but could not. After looking around
awhile we went back to Bennington, Genesee county, N. Y.

My next trip into the territory was in the fall of 1835. After look-
ing around awhile, I bought two lots of land in Jackson county and
left money with brother John to purchase two more lots wherever he
might choose. He was then living in Washtenaw county, near Dexter.
It so happened that he sold out that fall and in making a purchase on
the plains he also purchased three lots for me.

In the fall of 1836 I started again for Michigan with my family,
which consisted of my wife and three children. In the fall of 1836
we resolved to sunder all the ties and associations, to us so pleasant,
in and about Ithaca, and hazzard the many privations and difficulties
attending the pioneer life, "far west" in the State of Michigan. We
started with two yoke of oxen, bringing the family and all our house-

SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY, 519

hold goods in one wagon. At Buffalo we went on board a steamer.
Nothing occurred of particular importance during our voyage to
Detroit; but after leaving that place it was almost impossible for us
to proceed, the roads were so badly cut up, so great was the tide of
immigration to the west. In about five days we arrived at Dexter,
having surmounted many difficulties. Here we were joined by brother
Eobert. After we left Dexter we found it. very difficult to proceed,
fording streams and wading mire-holes. While fording Portage river the
wagon became fastened in the mire. Brother Robert went two miles
to get a team to help draw the wagon out, and while he was gone I
waded to my waist in mud and water and carried my wife and children
and some of the goods to dry land. The water was so high that it
ran into the wagon box and wet some of the goods. After brother
Robert arrived with the team we fastened one end .of a long pole to
the. wagon tongue and the other end to the teams on dry land and
hauled it out of the mire.

As we proceeded westward we - found it still more difficult, and as
the country was very thinly settled, or rather was not settled at all, it
became evident we would be obliged to camp out one night before reach-
ing our place of destination. We accordingly procured a sufficient
amount of provisions for such an event, and on the first night after we
were mired darkness came upon us and we camped out. We were obliged
to make ourselves as comfortable as we could with naught but the vast
canopy of heaven for our shelter, exposed to the mercy of whatever wild
beasts might be in the habit of frequenting those regions. But, thanks
to kind providence, nothing was fitted to annoy us. We were obliged
to turn the cattle loose at night to feed, and great was our disappoint-
ment in the morning to find they were missing and nowhere to be found
about there; but by examining their tracks it was evident they had
gone back. I immediately started to go in search of them, and after
traveling as fast as possible fourteen miles, overtook them. The sun was
not two hours high when I returned with them to the wagon. Brother
John had heard we were on the way, and not far distant, and during
my search for the cattle, had been to the camping ground and had
very kindly taken my family and a portion of the goods and carried
them to his house. This so lightened my load that I was able to
proceed more rapidly and I arrived there at about eleven o'clock that
night.

The next day I moved my family into a shanty about 10x14 feet,
just vacated by Mr. Tolls. He had just moved out and gone down to
assist Mr. Fifield and Mr. Turney in building a saw-mill, at the mouth

520 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

of Big Meadow brook. They got the saw-mill running along in the
winter, so that I got lumber to help me about building my house in
the spring, and also to build a door to the shanty, for we were obliged
to hang up blankets in the place of a door, and to use greased paper in
the place of window glass to let in a little light. This was the latter
part of October. Although we felt this to be quite a severe introduc-
tion to pioneer life, still we were not disheartened, but looked hope-
fully forward for the days of better things. As soon as we were moved
into the shanty I was obliged to go back through the mud and mire
with the team to Dexter, to purchase provisions which were very scarce
and difficult to obtain at any price. It is hardly necessary to go through
a long detail of events connected with the hardships and discourage-
ments of settling a new country. But briefly to say, it is hard
enough, cutting roads, bridging mire- holes, prying cattle out of the
mire, going sixty miles to mill, paying very high prices for provisions,
sometimes going several miles to help a neighbor raise a building, and
help in cleaning out our mill-pond, which we did with a very good
will, expecting to reap the benefit of it at some future time, and which
I did. For I got my wheat floured and took it to Troy, N. Y., several
years where I received a reasonable price; for here we could get only
forty-four cents per bushel, and not cash at that. Corn was about
fifteen cents, buckwheat twelve and one-half cents, and pork two cents
per pound. This was mostly in consequence of the falling off of
immigration. The people had made improvements, and were raising a
surplus and no home market. It is well known that in plowing up a
new country the decaying of vegetable substances produce sickness,
and but very few were fortunate enough to escape the fever and ague.
We could generally tell how long a man had been in the State. The
second year he was obliged to wear his best coat every day; and the
third }7ear he had to cut off his coat tail to mend the sleeves. It is
often said with truth, that the first settlers wear themselves out to pre-
.pare the way for corporate bodies, speculators and loungers; and I
begin to think it is true.

At this time we found ourselves in a new country without any
school district or school house. So a few of us joined and built a
small shanty and supported a school without any public aid.
It was four or five years before we had a district organized and a
school house built. Our school then was mostly supported by rate bill,
with the aid of a very little public money, and having a large family
it cost considerable. My children all received a good common school
education. After a while we got a plank road. I took some stock

SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY. 521

in that, thinking it would help Eaton Rapids, but we found it would
not help us much. In a few years there came up an excitement about
the Ramshorn road. That went just far enough to benefit a few and
then died away. Two or three efforts were made to revive it again,
and once it went so far that a considerable amount was subscribed. I
was among those who subscribed. It gave employment to a few who
liked good pay and easy work, and finally " flashed in the pan." After
a while we got the Grand River Valley road. Being badly in debt at
that time I did not take any stock in that. But that did not save me.
A vote was taken to tax the people a large amount to help build the
road. So I suppose I shall have to pay my part with the rest. Soon
after 'this Mr. Frost discovered the artesian water. And that did not
prove a saving element as was anticipated, for it was soon ascertained
that a more commodious hotel was necessary for the entertainment of
strangers. They got up a stock company calling the capital stock
$25,000, and after the $25,000 was subscribed they raised the stock to
$100,000, thereby destroying the value of the shares, so I with others
lost the greater part of the stock we took.

I have had the pleasure and misfortune of living in Eaton Rapids
the last thirty-nine years. I was the first man who commenced a
dwelling house in town 2 north, of range 3 west. John E. Clarke
commenced a house soon after and he got into his house a little first,
I think in the winter; and in the spring I left the shanty and moved
into my house on my place. That same spring the Spicers, Darling,
and Hamlin commenced building, in what is now Eaton Rapids village.
The towns of Hamlin and Eaton Rapids were then one town. In the
spring of 1837 there was a town meeting held at Spicerville. There
we organized a town and set the wheel of this great Republic in
motion. We elected Win. W. Craine for supervisor, and W. McQuean
for town clerk, and Johnson Montgomery for justice of the peace.

When we first came into the State there were very few who had
horse teams for several seasons. In breaking up, logging, and clearing
a new farm, ox teams were better than horse teams. Another reason
was there were but few who were able to keep horses, and the roads
were so bad that it was unsafe to drive horse teams; they would mire
down more than oxen. It was several years before we got the bad
places safe for horses.

The first settlers in Michigan were mostly young people, just start-
ing in life, and the most of them were poor, so they had almost a
lifetime of trial before them before they could have the comforts of
life.

522 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

About the time we came into the State there was a great deal said
upon the subject of slavery, so of course the anti-slavery people
had to have mass meetings and conventions, and the counties of Eaton
and Ingham sent one representative to the State legislature. It made
my house the most convenient place to hold conventions, it being near
the line between the two counties, and there were quite a sprinkling
of anti-slavery men in that vicinity. On such occasions we would
always get up a free dinner, and have speakers from abroad and have
a good time generally. Tables spread eight or ten rods long, and
eight or ten roast pigs, some of them so large that they had to be
quartered before baking. The anti-slavery folks would bring in, so
that we would have as good a meal as can be got up now. Some
of those who were not abolitionists, would help sometimes. If Jeff
Davis, Yancey, and Breckenridge, and half a dozen others of the lead-
ing rebels of the south had been there to have faced those grinning
pigs, it might have prevented the rebellion. But they did not come
round.

For a few of the first years there were plenty of sand hill cranes.
They were very tall, their heads would reach up to a man's shoulder.
They were harmless and shy. I have not seen any in several years.
As soon as the people began to have saloons and liquor shops, they
left. They could not stand such civilization. In and through the
providence of God I have been permitted to live to see sixty-nine
years, thirty-nine of which have been spent in Michigan. I have lived
to see Eaton Rapids a nice, flourishing town, made so by the laboring
class of the community and the rich country surrounding it. It is
improvement that makes a place, and not the change of property. My
parents were of Scotch-Irish descent, from the northern part of Ireland.
They emigrated to America in the year 1805. At that time they had
one child, between one and two years old, John Montgomery. Their
first place of residence was in Johnstown, Montgomery county, New
York, the place of my birth, the first day of the year 1806. My wife,
Elvira Dudley, was born in the town of Peru, Bennington county,
Vermont, July 18, 1807. We were married November 9, 1830.

Johnson Montgomery, in summing up his recollections of the early
days in Eaton county, gives the following political morsel:

This history seems to call for something in my political life. I have
always been a very strong, anti-slavery man. Was one of the first in
this country. Voted the first anti-slavery ticket that was cast in the
county, and the only one that fall that I knew of. That ticket was cast
for Roxwell B. Rexford, of Napoleon, for representative to congress,

SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY. 523

in the year 1840. At that time there was no regular organized politi-
cal anti-slavery party in the county. By the next election we had a
well organized political party. You may ask how it happened that I
voted an anti-slavery ticket before there was a party organized? The
way it happened is this: We met in convention at Jackson as a
society. We had been many years laboring as a society, but we accom-
plished but very little. In that convention we discussed the propriety
of taking it into politics. But a vote of that convention showed a
large majority to be opposed to making it a political question; but
advised anti-slavery men to stand still, and not vote with any party.
We found that the most of the abolitionist votes had a choice
between the whig and democrat * parties. As far as abolition was
concerned the parties were equal, and there were other national meas-
ures with them important. At the convention before mentioned, we
appointed a state committee.

They took the liberty to get up a ticket at a late hour; so in some
places they were partially organized. The committee were not
instructed to do anything of the kind. But I partially followed the
instruction of the committee. I was nominated by the abolition party
twice for representative to the State legislature; but with no expecta-
tion of being elected. We had to keep up an organization, so we stood
up like " chickens at the dough," from year to year, and voted against
the great sin of oppression. At first we had five or six votes in this
town. We kept increasing in numbers from year to year until we got
up as high as twelve or fifteen. We kept up our courage, and in a
few years had the balance of power. Then the parties began to know
us. " O, yes," say they, " We always knew that slavery was wrong."
" We are opposed to its extension in the territories." That was said
by the democratic party in the several northern states by instructing
their representatives in congress to go against the further extension of
slavery in the territories. The whig party claimed to be in favor of
the non-extension of slavery in the territories, and the most of them
were. But when we organized the republican party many of the "Old
Hunker Gray whigs " went over to the democrats, for by that time
the democratic party had turned a somersault, and come down flat on
popular sovereignty. The union of the whig and anti-slavery parties,
in convention, adopted the anti-slavery principles.

I have lived to see all those measures carried out, for which the
party was organized. I voted the union ticket in the time of the war
believing that it was no time to keep up a strict party organization. I
voted for Lincoln both times, and for Grant the first time, and for

524 SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY.

Grreeley the last time of Grant's election. I voted for Greeley believ-
ing it would better harmonize the north and south, and time has
proved I was right. The democrat and republican boys were enlisted
together, companied together, suffering all the privations of camp life
together, fighting together, and falling together, and many times dying
together. Was not that enough to test their loyalty to the government?
" Save the Union," was the only important measure. I could not give
a loyal democrat boy a cold shoulder at that time. My principles
became known, and unexpectedly to me I was nominated for represen-
tative to the State legislature by the union party; I received a very
large majority in my own town but was defeated in the district by a
very small vote.

A SCRAP OF POLITICAL HISTOEY.

Captain J. W. Hickok, of Charlotte, one of the "old residenters" of
Eaton county, has furnished the Leader with a little incident which
we have heard him relate with no little pride for the prominent part
he took. It was in the early days of the settlement of the county and
he was then, as now, a staunch democrat. In distributing tickets to
the several townships, the captain found it necessary to go on foot, a
decidedly laborious task. At Eaton Eapids he called on Benjamin
Knight, a justice of the peace. He stated his business to Mr. Knight,
at the same time handing him a package of democractic tickets with
a request that he endeavor to have as many voted on the day of
election as possible. Mr. Knight took the tickets and threw them
carelessly upon a shelf saying at the same time that he had a package
of whig tickets that had been left there by other parties, but that he
did not want his politics known and would not peddle tickets for
anybody.

" Very well, sir," said Captain Hickok, " if you do not intend to use
the tickets return them to me, please." The tickets were handed
back and the captain started for Charlotte. After traveling two or
three miles he became aware that he was followed and waited for his
pursuer, who proved to be none other than the justice of the peace, to
catch up, which he soon did. He had changed his mind and wanted
the tickets. But Captain Hickok refused at first to let him have them.
After a long argument, however, he relented and gave Mr. Knight
some of the tickets, but the captain had been offended and was not
easily consoled.

Having determined to get satisfaction for the brusque manner in
which Mr. Knight had received him he acted accordingly. Being on

SETTLEMENT OF EATON COUNTY. 525

intimate terms with Hon. Isaac E. Crary, of Marshall, he soon after
made that gentleman a visit. As a result, when the people of Eaton
Kapids petitioned for the establishment of a postoffice soon after
(which petition had to go through Mr. Crary's hands) their petition
was never again heard from, and thus it was with petition after peti-
tion for two years, when Captain Hickok, in reply to a letter of inquiry
from Mr. Crary, said he was satisfied, and so Eaton Eapids was given
a postoffice, and Captain Hickok went over and related to Mr. Knight
the facts herein set forth, that there should be no misunderstanding as
to the cause of the numerous petitions remaining unnoticed.

THE FIRST COUNTY CONVENTION.

Mr. Eobert M. Wheaton, of Chester, corrects the statement made by
several writers, that the first county convention was held at the house
of Jonathan Searles, in Eaton. Mr. Wheaton says the first convention
was held in Chester, in the log house now standing near his residence
which was occupied at the time by his brother, Levi Wheaton.

The legislative act organizing the county was passed in February,
1838, divided the county into three townships, Bellevue, Eaton Eapids
and Vermontville. It provided that an election of county officers
should be had on the first Monday of April following, the time of
holding town meeting.

Soon after the act had passed a convention was called, and held as
above stated and the following delegates composed the convention:

Bellevue— Dr. Samuel Clark, Charles T. Moffatt, Phineas Spaulding,
Eeuben Fitzgerald, Calvin Phelps.

Eaton Eapids — Amos Spicer, Benjamin Knight, Samuel Hamlin.

Vermontville— S. S. Church, D. S. Dickinson, W. S. Fairfield,
Harvey Williams, Levi Wheaton, E. M. Wheaton.

A few delegates were in favor of holding a democratic convention,
but the majority decided that as . there were so few voters in the
county it would be as well to have but one ticket. The following
nominations were made:

Sheriff, Eobert M. Wheaton.

Clerk, Caleb Woodbury.

Treasurer, Levi Wheaton.

Eegister, John T. Ellis.

Associate Judges, S. S. Church, Amos Spicer.

The vote was required to be canvassed "at the county seat." The
canvassers were Eeuben Fitzgerald, Calvin Phelps, Benjamin Knight,
Christopher Darling, Wait J. Squires, and E. M. Wheaton. They

526 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

knew that the county seat had been located "on the prairie." But
there was no house on the prairie at that time and none of the can-
vassers knew where "the stake" had been driven. So they met under
a burr oak tree near what was afterwards called the " seminary" lot-
that being near the center of the prairie — and there they canvassed the
votes and declared the ticket given above unanimously elected. They
then went to the house of Jonathan Searles and ate dinner, after
spending most of the afternoon in discussing public affairs, the news
respecting new comers, etc., and from thence dispersed to their homes.
The convention held at Mr. Searles' house was to nominate candi-
dates for the election occurring in November. — Charlotte Republican.

PERSONAL EEMINISCENCES.

BY EEV. W. B. WILLIAMS.

[The following exceedingly interesting address by Rev. W. B. Williams at the annual meeting of
the Eaton County Pioneer Society, we reproduce from the columns of the Charlotte Republican,
August, 1885.]

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN — The annual pioneer meeting has for several
years been held at a time when I could not attend, and when I was
recently requested to prepare an address for it I was wholly at a loss
to know what sort of an address would be expected on such an occa-
sion. On making inquiry I was told that personal reminiscences would
be in order. "But," I replied, "such an address would be abominably
egotistical." " Never mind, that is what is wanted." " But I am a
young man, my experience does not go far back." " Well, you are one
of the oldest ministers in the county. You have been here nearly a
third of a century." Well, I never suffered any hardships, I never
had a fight with Indians. The secretary of our society in his circular
tells us that "bear, wolf and snake stories and personal adventures by
the early settlers are always interesting to listen to and instructive."
I must confess I was never treed by a bear or a pack of wolves and
obliged to spend the night sitting on a limb, and as to snake stories,

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 527

you all know I have always been a total abstinence man and have had
no chance to see as many or as large snakes as some of you who have
been less careful of what you drank. Then nothing seems to be a
hardship to a boy so long as he escapes flogging and has enough to
eat, and as for staying in a tree all night with a pack of wolves wait-
ing for him to come down, it would be just fun for a boy. He would
enjoy tantalizing them much as he would breaking the shell of a turtle
or running a pitchfork through a snake to see him squirm. It is a
question, too, how far back to begin these reminiscences, for things
have changed east as well as west since I was a boy, and if I should
dwell more than others have done upon church affairs, it must be
excused upon the score that I am a clergyman.

My earliest recollection of churches runs back to the old Unitarian
church in Brooklyn, Conn. The early New England towns were often
built upon hills, and if the town was not upon a hill, the church was
often set upon one even if it was outside the village. The church of
which I speak stood upon the village green. Its sides were shingled
instead of being covered with clapboards. The whipping post stood
near the church but its only use in my day was as a bulletin board on
which notices were posted. The audience room was nearly square, with
a gallery on three sides. The singers sat in the gallery in front of the
speaker. The pulpit was quite high and completely shut in, having a
door with button on to fasten it.

Overhead was a large canopy or sounding board, thought necessary
to throw the speaker's voice out into the room. Instead of such slips
as we have now, the floor was covered with pews about eight feet
square. The sides were of panel work, about three feet high, sur-
mounted by a balustrade, making the whole four feet high, so that the
appearance was of a multitude of little sheep pens. The floor of the
outside or wall pews was raised a foot higher than the rest of the
floor. The outside pews were reached by an aisle that ran all round
the house next to them. Two other aisles crossed each other at right
angles in the middle of the church. The seats in each pew were on
two sides of it and were hung upon hinges, so that they could be
turned up during prayer time, and the people stood leaning against
the top rail behind them. When the prayer ended you would hear
the seats slamming dow^i with a loud report all over the house.

Until about sixty years ago there was no provision made for warm-
ing churches, but all the women had foot stoves, which were tin boxes
about eight inches square with a door on one side and the top full of
holes. These boxes were put in a wooden frame with slats across the

528 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

top and a bale or handle with which they could be carried. A small
sheet iron cup had ashes put in the bottom with live coals thereon
and thase were also covered with ashes and the cup and contents were
placed in the box. On these footstoves the ladies put their feet and
thus equipped managed to keep them from freezing. The villagers
always expected to have a fine bed of coals Sunday morning with
which to fill the foot stoves. Meetings were always held morning and
afternoon with an intermission of an hour in which the people could
eat the lunch they brought with them and attend the Sabbath school.

There was another household utensil much in use then but out of
date now, called the " warming pan." Bed rooms were always cold in
winter, and so the beds were warmed for guests by means of a warm-
ing pan, which was of brass about the size of a small wash basin. It
had a cover full of holes and a long handle. Live coals were put in
the basin, the cover dropped, and then it was moved briskly back and
forth in the bed until it was thoroughly warmed. I have heard that
on one occasion some roguish maidens had a beau come to visit them,
and as he came from a distance he spent the night. The ladies did
not favor his suit. There were linen sheets on the bed that could be
heated almost red hot and that bed was warmed most thoroughly up
to the last minute. They stepped out the door as he came in. He
undressed quickly and bounced into bed only to hop out again quicker
than he got in, much to the amusement of the girls, who listened out-
side the door.

It is just fifty years ago since my parents caught the western fever.
An uncle at Michigan City wrote glowing accounts of the west and
urged removal, assuring us that if we came, we should soon have more
oxen, sheep, and asses than Job ever dreamed of. Other uncles came
to my father's from Massachusetts and Montreal. Their conferences
lasted until the small hours of the night and it was finally decided to
sell the old homestead that had been in the family for two hundred
years and go west. My father was a farmer and was a judge of good
soil so he was urged to go and select the land. He declined because
he was not accustomed to traveling, and prevailed upon an uncle to
go who was in business in Montreal. My father, after examining the
maps, advised looking for a location near where Milwaukee now stands.
Had that purchase been made my father might have been a millionaire
and I a graceless scamp. But the uncle upon a bright morning in
June found himself in northern Indiana, upon the low wet prairie
through which Hog creek wends its sluggish way. The flowers were
in full bloom, he thought he had never seen anything so beautiful.

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 529

and there he expended his last dollar. The plan was to build a mill.
My father was to buy all farming implements, machinery, tools for
carpenters, blacksmiths and shoemakers in New York city, while all
mechanics and hired girls were to be brought from Montreal where
labor was cheap.

Strange it seemed to my boyish fancy, and as I looked at the state
of Indiana upon the map, I wondered if the sun shone there and the
clouds looked just as they did in New England. It will be fifty years
in May next since our goods were packed, the farewells spoken and
we were all aboard the stage for Norwich, thence we took the steamer
for New York, and another for Albany. We turned aside to visit
friends near Cooperstown, N. Y., and then they brought us in large
wagons to Fort Plain, where we took the canal packet for Buffalo.
These boats made about six miles an hour day and night. This was
the aristocratic mode of traveling in those days. That year there was
an immense emigration westward and the boats were crowded. When
night came the cabin floor was so covered with sleepers that it was
almost impossible to walk across it. The bridges that spanned the
canal were low and as the boat approached one the helmsman would
call out "bridge," and if one did not stoop he would be knocked over.
The saucy street Arabs would sometimes call out, " make your man-
ners," and we had to obey.

At Buffalo we met others of our company and took a steamer for
Detroit, which stopped at Dunkirk, Erie, Cleveland and other ports,
and it was, I think, four days and nights before we landed in Detroit,
which was a town of only about 5,000 inhabitants with few buildings
between Jefferson avenue and the river. Here our party, twenty in
number, hired teams to take us across the country to Michigan City.
The mud in Detroit was so deep that one team mired in the street
and the . ladies had to be carried to the sidewalk. The road from
Detroit was a continuous causeway until you were within three miles
of Ypsilanti; an almost unbroken forest was on each side the road.
Nearly all the houses were of logs, and almost all were taverns. It
took us two or three days to reach Ypsilanti. The first night, two
ladies who had babes, occupied the only bedroom and the rest of, the
party, numbering twenty with stage drivers and teamsters, slept in the
chamber. To the young ladies of our party, fresh from New England,
this seemed a little rough. The next night the landlord where we
stopped told us that he had not room in the house for the whole
party, but if the men would sleep on the hay in the barn he could
make room in the house for the women. We agreed to it. In the

530 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

night, I, a. restless boy, suddenly found myself going somewhere, and
when fairly awake found I had rolled off the hay mow into a horse
rack. At Ypsilanti the heavy rains had carried away the bridge and
we crossed the river in a ferry boat and stayed at the old Hawkins
house, which remained standing until about 1880. I think there were
at that time only about a dozen houses in Ypsilanti.

In all this county of Eaton at that date, I believe there were not
over half a dozen families. From Ypsilanti we went to Clinton, Jones-
ville and Coldwater. This was the first prairie we saw. There were a
half dozen houses there and the prairie was covered with hazel brush.
White Pigeon, the next prairie, was in all its beauty on a June morn-
ing when we reached it, and a fine sample of prairie.

On the 6th of June we reached our destination on Hog Prairie, six-
teen miles south of Michigan City, and about two miles southeast of
Haskell, on the Chicago & Grand Trunk railway. A new barn had
been built for our accommodation. There were no partitions in it and
no fastenings upon the doors. The lumber was unseasoned, the floor
was of two-inch oak plank, the boards on the sides had shrunk so you
could put a finger through every crack, and the roof instead of being
shingled, was made of boards, with the cracks battened with siding.
When the first shower came, we found the only dry spot was along
under the ridge pole. Our first supper was cooked beside a green oak
stump. Dry goods boxes formed our tables and pantries. We fastened
the barn doors at night by bracing them with rails on the outside, and
spreading our beds on the floor, were soothed to sleep by the croaking
of frogs in the distant pond and the howling of wolves. Before
another shower came we had the roof shingled and rough board parti-
tions up, and in this we lived for nearly two years. There were three
families in the barn and as the partitions were not very tight we often
had quite a social time after retiring. In the winter the snow drifted
in during the driving storms and occasionally as we got out -of bed we
stepped into a snow drift an inch or two deep. House cleaning was
easy in those days. Six lights in a window were washed in half the
time it takes to wash twelve. The unplaned woodwork rebelled against
scrubbing, and, if the housekeeper swept across the planks the dirt
disappeared down the cracks as she crossed the room. In this barn
my youngest sister was born. As I, passed the old building some years
since and saw the straw sticking out the windows, I thought I would
joke her about her humble birthplace when the thought flashed over
me as never before, a far greater than she had a humbler birthplace
than that.

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 531

The school house was of logs. The chimney of sticks plastered with
mud filled one side. The floor was of puncheons or thick planks split
out of oak logs and hewed so as to take the twist out of them. The
desks were made by boring into the logs and driving long pine into
them and on these pine boards were nailed after having been smoothed
off as well as green boards could be with a plane. One log was cut
out just above the desks and a row of window panes were put in to
fill the space, thus we had one long window extending the whole
length of the desk. The seats were made of green slabs with legs
driven in that projected a half inch or inch above the upper surface.
On these slabs the pupils hung day after day, for it was only when
sitting upon the edge of the seat that they could touch the floor with
their toes.

Sunday was a strange day. Nowhere could we hear the sound of the
church going bell. My father made rude seats of boards resting on
blocks under the wide spreading branches of an oak and here we
gathered while my father read a sermon and prayers, interspersed with
singing familiar hymns. When the weather was too cold to have
the meetings out of doors we had them in the large kitchen, and
whenever we could capture a minister of any denomination we gladly
set him to preaching. Western sermons and prayers sounded strangely
enough to those familiar only with the staid and proper worship of the
Unitarian churches of New England.

Men would bawl at the top of their voices until they were hoarse,
as if the Lord were deaf or they lived so far away from Him that
they could only with difficulty make Him hear. Preachers would speak
until they frothed at the mouth and were almost exhausted. I remem-
ber one good old man who came to preach in our school house on a
rainy Sunday. There were just two men and two boys of us beside
himself and he gave us a sermon two hours long by the watch. It
was delivered with as much enthusiasm as if he had had an audience
of a thousand people.

Schools were scarce and poor and much of my. time for several years
was spent in work upon the farm, in hunting, fishing and herding
cattle. This outdoor life, much on horseback, while I was growing,
developed a degree of health and strength that has been of the utmost
value to me all through life. The population of Indiana was very
much mixed. A few came from the state of New York and from New
England, but very many were from Virginia, Kentucky, and Carolina,
and their quaint speech and ways amused us greatly. They com-
mended things as being "right smart." "Heap" was a favorite word.

532 PERSONAL, REMINISCENCES.

One of the young men said, " mind I tell you, boys, there is a heap
of water on the prairie." He did not refer to snow either. They
thought it was a great disgrace for a man to "pail the cow." We had
one neighbor who had seven sons but no daughter. All were men
grown. When the mother was sick the cow went without milking until
she got better, then you would see two sons keeping the cow in the
fence corner while the mother milked. This was done in southern
style. The woman with a pint cup and pail would squat beside the
cow and with one hand milk into the cup until it was full and then
pour it into the pail. If a man seated himself on a stool and began
to milk with both hands he soon found out that the cow would not
stand that sort of thing at all.

Several young physicians from Virginia, anxious to remove their
families from the blighting influence of slavery, settled in La Porte.
And this brings to mind the "underground railroad." Kev. John
Cross lectured upon slavery through Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan,
and thus found out who were abolitionists and established a line of
stations about twelve or twenty miles apart, from Missouri to Detroit.
Fugitive slaves were carried from one station to another in the night.
My father's house was one post. Several nights I carried fugitives
eighteen miles .to the next station, passing through the village of
La Porte, where there were many southerners who would gladly have
made us trouble. Owen Lovejoy was about that time imprisoned in
Bureau county, 111., for giving a pair of shoes to a colored woman. I
carried her eighteen miles on her way a few nights after. The next
post to ours was kept by an old Scotch covenanter who used at
family worship to sing the psalms of David just as they are written in
the English Bible. If the verse was not long enough for the tune he
would slur it until it reached the end of the tune, and if the verse
was too long he would chant until he got it all in.

When in '65 I delivered the dedicatory address for the first school
house ever built for colored people in the state of Georgia (the Storrs
school at Atlanta), I could not help thinking how times had changed.
Soon after our underground railroad was in operation the Clay-
Ashburton treaty went into effect. This denied the right to search
vessels and while designed to protect deserting sailors protected also
fugitive slaves, so that when they could get on board a British pro-
peller in Chicago, they were as safe from capture as if already in
Canada. After that the track east of Chicago was abandoned.

At seventeen I was unexpectedly invited to teach school and I soon
found I must have more education to make it a success. At Michigan

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 533

City was a pretty good select school. The principal was a retired
clergyman, who also kept the light house. He was very willing to
board me if I would take care of the light house for him, which
I was quite ready to do. There was no harbor there then and the
vessels would run in and drop anchor a half mile out and stretch a
cable from ship to shore and the vessel was loaded by means of large
scows or lighters. By working day and night we could usually load a
vessel, and thus we boys could earn as dock-wollopers three dollars in
twenty-four hours, which was more spending money than we could earn
in any other way in the same time. About that time I heard of
Oberlin and that poor young men could work their way through there,
and that they could have instruction in vocal music gratuitously.
These things led me to decide to go there for two years of study, for
while my father had hundreds of acres of land, it was unfenced,
untilled and unproductive, save of taxes. It was on the 27th day of
March, 1844, before the days of railroads, that I left my father's house
with twenty-four dollars in my pocket and in my satchel books, cloth-
ing and provisions for the journey of three hundred miles. The first
night I staid with a friend in La Porte, the next with one in Misha-
waka, and after that I was wholly among strangers. I struck the canal
at Fort Wayne intending to ride on the boat at night and take the
tow-path by day, but the water was not yet let into the canal and the
boats were not running, so I took the tow-path. The canal was
straight as a line for miles through an unbroken forest. It was one
of the first pleasant days in spring, the sun came out extremely hot,
and there was scarcely a breath of air stirring. The sticky clay hung
to my feet in large lumps, I was forced to become a holder of real
estate in that vicinity much against my will. In the far distance I
could see the white of houses but I walked on hour after hour
tormented with thirst without apparently getting any nearer the houses.
Now and then I passed a dead hog floating in the sluggish water of
the canal, but my thirst was finally so great I was glad to drink even
the canal water. After I left the canal I always, managed to reach a
hotel after the supper hour and simply get my lodging, for which I
paid a shilling. I ate my own provisions for breakfast and at about
two o'clock would stop at a tavern and call for a " cold cut." Beef,
pork, potatoes, bread and butter, and a piece of pie would be set on
for which I paid a shilling and got the worth of my money every
time. I reached Oberlin Saturday evening, April 6, having traveled
three hundred and six miles and all but forty of them on foot. The
tirst Sabbath was spent at the hotel, but funds were too low to think

534 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

of boarding there. My bedding was to be sent round from Michigan
City to Cleveland by boat. On Monday I got a chance to work for a
few weeks for a widow and in return for three hours' work, daily, she
boarded me. I looked inio her barn and found a fine mow of hay and
at nine o'clock went down to the barn and crept into the hay and
slept all night. She was a brisk, energetic woman and the next day
she inquired into my plans and lent me a straw bed and quilts, my
room* mate had a pair of sheets so with the aid of a college bedstead
we passed the next night very comfortably in our room. I was gone
from home eight months and traveled six hundred miles and all the
money I paid out was twenty-four dollars, of which twelve went for
tuition.

In the winter of 1849 and 1850 I was engaged in a book agency in
this State. In 1849 there was a great rush to California. Nearly every
man had loaned all the money he could spare to a son, brother,
nephew, or cousin to help him to go to California and the whole State
seemed actually drained of money. I made only thirty dollars during
the entire winter and lost a horse that cost me sixty dollars, so that I
was thirty dollars out of pocket on my winter's work. I gained a
great deal of valuable experience that winter, but not much money. It
was in February of 1850 that I passed through Lansing. The forests
were standing within gunshot of the capitol. I counted some two
hundred buildings there and did not notice one beside the capitol that
appeared to be finished. The small-pox broke out in town that winter
and the legislature hastily adjourned and went home. From Lansing
I went to Delta and spent the night and next day came straight south
until I struck the State road that had just been cut out between
Lansing and this place but had not yet been plowed or turnpiked.
For ten miles there was not a house on the road. The snow fell about
six inches deep the night before and during the day slowly melted
so that the road was quite muddy. I reached Charlotte about sundown
and called at the old Eagle hotel, standing where the Phoenix house
now does, to enquire the road to Olivet. I think there could not have
been more than twelve or fifteen houses here at that time and from
the Sherwood house south to' Shepherd's corners it was all open prairie
on the east side of the street. Coming here when I did I thought it
a dirty little place, and had not the slightest thought that it would
ever be my home. I reached Olivet at ten o'clock at night and spent
the Sabbath there. I was just beginning to try my hand at preaching
and spoke in the chapel, since burned, which stood near where Mr.
Ely's house does now. Not one of the present college .buildings was in

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 535

use then. Colonial hall was up but unfinished. This was my first
visit to Eaton county made more than thirty-five years ago and at that
time there was not a single meeting house in the entire county.
Three years later — in August, '53 — as I came off the platform after
delivering my graduating address, at Oberlin, Prof. E. N. Bartlett, of
Olivet, came to me and said, " We have organized a Congregational
church at Charlotte, the county seat of Eaton county. Mr. Hardy of
Vermontville and I have been supplying them the past year and the
church wanted I should try to get them a minister. Will you go up
there? It is quite a small place now but is the county seat and it
will be a large town sometime." I replied at once "I will go." So I
came here and spent two Sabbaths in August and September, '53, and
was invited to become pastor, which invitation I accepted, then went
east, was married and spent several weeks in visiting friends in New
York and New England, returning here in season to preach my first
sermon as a minister in the old court house on New Year's day, 1854,
from the words " So teach us to number our days that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdom."

At that time there was no meeting house of any kind within ten
miles of here and there were only two in the county that were
finished. The M. E. church in Bellevue was dedicated in the spring
before I came here and the house of worship in Olivet was completed.

The Methodist and Congregational churches in Eaton Rapids had
been commenced but were not finished until 1855. There are now in
this county sixty-five meeting houses, of which the M. E. church has
nineteen, the Congregationalists have eleven, the United Brethren
nine, the Presbyterians, Baptists and Second Adventists have four each,
the Protestant Methodists three, the Lutherans and Episcopalians two*
each, there are two Union churches and the Free Will Baptists,
Universalists, Catholics, Dunkards and Free Methodists have one
each. Fifteen denominations in the county have sixty-five houses of
worship. We hope, however, that none of you will suppose that fifteen
denominations is all that we have in the county for when the popula-
tion of this village was only about 1,200 I coul'd count up seventeen
denominations that were represented here.

In 1854 there was not travel enough on Bostwick avenue to break
the turf even. There was not a single brick building on Main street
and there were several vacant lots in what are now our principal busi-
ness blocks. The lot where Barber, Green & Co.'s store stands was
sold to a cabinet maker named Roller for $75. He put up a little
shanty by the front fence of the lot and put in a turning lathe and

536 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

thus began cabinet making. All the southwest part of the city south
of the Lutheran church was Charles Brooks' wheat field.

Our meetings were held in the old court house. We alternated with
the Methodists. We held meetings one Sunday morning and the next
in the evening. I had one out-station at Hyde's mill in Kalamo, one
at Hovey settlement in Benton and, after a time, at Dimondale. Some-
times I borrowed a horse but often went on foot. I remember a
sultry Sabbath in June the roads were muddy and I had no time to
go home for dinner but walked the twelve miles to Dimondale in the
middle of the day without a morsel of anything to eat until I reached
there. My salary that year, all told, was only $333. As my wife was
receiving $400 a year as a teacher in the public schools of Buffalo
before her marriage the prospect must have seemed quite flattering to
her to have a husband *who was receiving the munificent salary of
$333. The first six months we lived in Widow Munson's upper cham-
ber and the next six months in the north wing of Chas. Brooks'
house, since burned. In the autumn we bought the place where we
have lived ever since. The stumps on it were as thick as the trees were
in the original forest. The charred logs in front were so thick a car-
riage could scarcely come within twenty rods of the gate. There was
upon the lot a log stable, log cooper shop and a log house, into which
we moved in midwinter. We had green beech wood for fuel and dug
it out of the snow at that. Since that winter my wife has burned dry
wood Our log cabin had two rooms below, one of which served as
kitchen, the other as bed-room, parlor, dining-room and study.

When we had visitors to dinner we required them to take their seats
upon the lounge and we set the table as close as possible to them
and then spread it in their presence and they retained their seats
until the table was cleared; there was no taking of seats or leaving
them until the table was removed.

During the winter I engaged neighbor Hines to build a frame addi-
tion to our house. He was a hunter and killed forty deer that winter.
Indeed one Sunday afternoon, as we looked out of our door we saw a
couple of deer running along between our house and the village near
where the cars now run. On Monday morning tracks of deer were
seen crossing the public square.

The Congregational church when we came here had sixteen members
scattered over a tract of country ten miles square and it was quite
difficult for all to be at meeting. Sometimes we had a little church
business to attend to and the church would be requested to remain
after the audience was dismissed. As the people went out I used to

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 537

hope no one of them would look back to see how large the Congrega-
tional church was, but now and then one would cast a glance over his
shoulder and would see Deacon Slocum and wife, Mrs. Blinn and
myself. In the latter part of '55 we decided to try to build a house
of worship and circulated a subscription paper for that purpose, and
by hard work secured about $700. We also received $275 from a fund
raised to aid Congregational churches in erecting houses of worship.
The contract for building the church was let to Deacon Slocum and
Samuel Arnold for $1,070, and our lot cost us $275. It taxed us
almost as heavily to build that little church as it has since to build
our thirty thousand dollar church. The old church was subsequently
enlarged by cutting it in two and building in twenty-five feet, and is
now owned by the Lutherans. Some of us were anxious to build on
the lot where Mr. Kilborne's house now stands, but our country mem-
bers out-voted us and put it on the lot it now occupies, urging as a
reason that they wanted room for horse sheds. The lot was large but
we could never coax a man to build a horse shed on it, and we
suffered for years all the evils of a bad location, for all south of it was
a wheat field. It was on one side of the town and there were no side-
walks or street lamps. No one at that time ever thought of its being
desirable that Bostwick avenue should ever be extended further south.
The out-of-the-way location interfered sadly with our evening congre-
gations. I learned a lesson then that has been of great value to me
ever since, namely, that it is of just as much importance that a church
have a good stand for business as it is that a store or a hotel should
have a good stand.

Our morning attendance was usually good, ranging, in fair weather,
from one hundred to one hundred and fifteen, but a year or two later
our Methodist friends built a church in the heart of the town where
people lived, and frequently our evening audience would not number
more than twenty or twenty-five. For several years we had only one
or two male members living within a mile of the church, and our
prayer meetings were very small. On one occasion only Henry Arnold
and myself were present and the thought came over me, if Brother
Arnold gets discouraged and falls off our prayer meeting is gone, for
we must have two at least to have a meeting. As we sat in the dark-
ness I said to him, " This looks discouraging, Brother Arnold, but the
time will come when you will see a large Congregational church here.
I shall of course be elsewhere, but you, a gray haired man, will rise
in the large prayer meeting and tell the people how you and your old
68

538 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

minister used to come and hold prayer meetings in the dark in the
old church." I never expected, however, to be here myself to see that
day.

Some of the time I was not only pastor, but sexton, chorister,
Sabbath school superintendent and teacher and had to collect my own
salary besides and pay for the oil to light the church. The highest
salary I ever received here was eight hundred dollars, and that was
during the high prices of the war. At the end of the year there was
usually a deficiency in the salary of from ten to fifty dollars, and there
was no way in which it could be adjusted so quickly and with so little
hard feeling as by "jumping accounts." I found, however, that the
men who furnished me firewood and groceries were not in the habit of
jumping their accounts, but wanted the last dollar that was due them.

The discouragements to religious work in that day were not a few.
The business men in town were almost wholly indifferent to religious
things. I often thought and said that there was not enough religious
interest among them to embrace spiritualism even. It seemed for
many years as though every Christian that came into the town was a
Methodist or of some other denomination than ours, while every one
who died or moved away was a Congregationalist. Among the early
workers in the Congregational church, removed by death, were William
Wilson, Mrs. Blinn and daughter Nancy, Mrs. Henry Arnold, Dr.
Stowell, and Henry Stebbins, not one of whom could well be spared.

There were times when for a little while almost utter discouragement
would settle down upon me. After going home full of enthusiasm over
my morning audience I would come to the evening service and find
only twenty or twenty-five persons present and it seemed as though all
my friends had deserted me.

More than once after putting out the lights I have walked down the
middle of Bostwick avenue in the darkness, swinging my fists and
saying, I will leave here, I will not stay here any longer, but before I
had passed over the half mile to my home I would cool off and find
myself still swinging my fists and saying with clenched teeth, "I'll
never give up. I'll stay here just as long as I can fling a stone."
Although at noon I went home quite exultant, I usually went to bed
Sunday evening in a very humble frame of mind.

One evening after attending our little prayer meeting and locking
the church I went home by way of the postoffice and Main street and
as I looked in at the brightly lighted windows and saw the merchants
selling goods and chatting with their customers, the question arose in
my mind, are not these the wise men of Charlotte and am not I the

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 539

fool? They are working for something substantial and tangible, and
am not I engaged in the pursuit of that which is wholly visionary?
They were as poor young men when they came here as I was, now
they own these stores and goods. Why could not I make money as
well as they? Why not quit preaching and go to making money as
they have done? Thus I walked on with eyes downcast until I had
nearly reached my gate {how often we get into the dark by looking
down instead of up), when I chanced to look up and saw the full-
orbed moon rolling above me in splendor and beauty and the thought
flashed upon me how she had been for untold ages measuring off the
months and years upon the vast dial plate of the heavens, and I said,
I know that there is a God. I know that when a few more years
have passed my neighbors and I must bid adieu to earth. They will
then leave these farms and stores behind. In that day I shall be as
rich as they. I will still preach the gospel.

Many associations both pleasant and sad cluster around old basswood
meeting house. Some who were present at its dedication will remem-
ber the peculiar tenderness and pathos with which the preacher, Rev.
Edward Taylor, speaking of the brevity of human life, said: "With
some of you the sun has already reached it meridian; with others it is
fast descending in the western sky; with some it is almost sundown,
almost sundown, almost sundown." And within ninety days three
that were in that small audience, in the full tide of health and hope,
were sleeping within the grave, Mrs. Myron H. Crafts, Dr. Stowell
and Henry Stebbins, and but a few months later the beloved wife of
Henry Arnold. You cannot realize the sadness of heart with which
the little church gathered in the sanctuary for these funerals.

But not all the associations are of this kind. Some border on the
ludicrous. On one occasion I had prepared and had given notice of a
sermon to young men. The evening came and there were present
Dea. Slocum, Bro. Blood and about twenty young women; but that
sermon was advertised and was delivered according to notice. A few
months later I gave notice of a special sermon and said very gravely
I hoped I should see all the gray headed men and women present.
As I expected, the young people were out in full force, and I had, as
I thought, such a sermon as they needed to hear.

At another time I gave notice of a temperance sermon on a certain
evening and had a full house. As I began my address I mentioned
the fact that not long before I was in a neighboring town and a lady
said to me, "What sort of a man is Mr. X. of Charlotte?" I did not
wish to say anything against our young men and so evaded her ques-

540 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

tion, when she said very artlessly, " The reason I asked is, he is visit-
ing a young lady here, and the other day when he came to see her
he was taken ill quite suddenly and it was evident he had taken too
much liquor." Whether that young man had laid awake nights in
consequence of that visit I did not know, but I did not like to be
asked such questions about the young men of Charlotte. By this time
the audience were all on the qui vive to know who it was, and I had
the closest attention to the end. I spoke a full hour and was so thor-
oughly roused that I never slept a wink that night. Many efforts were
made to find out who that young man was, but I never heard any one
even so much as surmise the right one. From the number of valentines
I received not long after I concluded that several were hit. Some of the
senders are living in town today, but I can assure them that they
need not have confessed judgment for it was altogether another man.

One dark, sultry evening the audience consisted of fifteen or twenty
young people in the back part of the house while Deacon Slocum sat
in his accustomed seat at the right of the pulpit. The good deacon
was overcome by the heat and dropped asleep. Soon his head fell
back and he began to snore, and the young folks — I think our future
congressman was one of them — began to titter, and I began to preach
with unusual vehemence. It would not do. At every pause I made
the deacon put in the loudest kind of a snore. Matters were getting
desperate and I saw that there would soon be a perfect outburst of
laughter, in which I was in danger of joining myself. So I turned
suddenly to the deacon and said most sternly, " Brother Slocum,
Brother Slocum!" "Ah," said he. "You are disturbing the meeting."
The young folks thought that if I went for a deacon in that way
there would be no mercy for them, and they straightened out their
faces and there was no more snoring or laughing in meeting that
evening.

The old church at that time stood on oak blocks or posts some
eighteen or twenty inches high, and one rainy Sunday in autumn a
young rooster went under the church for shelter and just as I began
my sermon his shrill voice rang out cock-a-doodle-doo, and will you
believe it that rooster kept it up every few minutes all through the
sermon. If he had stayed at home and crowed on his own dung hill
no one would ever have thought of laughing at it, but coming in so
unexpectedly in the midst of the sermon it was superlatively ridiculous.
I never knew what became of him, but he spoiled that sermon and I
am sure if he got his deserts he went to pot before Christmas. Of
course such interruptions were not to be tolerated, so before another

PERSONAL, REMINISCENCES. 541

Sunday we had some heavy planks spiked on to keep all such intruders
out. My sentiment was well expressed by General Grant, " Let us
have peace."

You will scarcely believe it, but in those days swine roamed at their
own sweet will through the streets of Charlotte, and before I knew it
several had formed a partnership and worked one of the planks off and
made a nest of leaves and shavings under the middle of the church.
The first I knew of their presence was after I had begun my sermon
on a bitter cold night in midwinter. There evidently were not bed-
clothes enough for all, and if hogs ever swear those hogs surely did
that night, else I don't understand their language. Such aggravating
snarling, growling, biting and squealing I never heard. But what
could I do about it? I thought of sending a deacon to drive them out
but knew that if I did I should soon hear him under there crying out
" whee, whee." That would be altogether too much for us, and if he
once got them out I must keep him there till meeting was out or they
would be back again. So I abandoned that plan and went through my
sermon as best I could, fully persuaded that when the evil spirits of
olden time entered into the swine they were not all drowned in the
depths of the sea.

But deer and swine no longer roam our streets. Log cabins have
given place to frame dwellings. Pullman cars run where trundled the
lumbering stage coach. The thirty thousand dollar church has sup-
planted the thousand dollar basswood meeting house, and the seven
hundred dollar court house has abdicated in favor of the seventy
thousand dollar temple of justice. Sixty-five churches stand where
thirty-five years ago there was not one. Candles have given way to
gas. Beautiful flag stones furnish safe footing for the pedestrians.
Shoe-blacks give strangers no chance to shake the dust off their feet
against us. Beautiful lawns border the streets so lately usurped by
Mayweed and thistles, and the beardless boys of 1850 are the gray
haired business .men of today.

But I have alreavy detained you too long, and if to any of you this
address seems intolerably egotistical I will say to you as Gould Brown
is reported to have said to the church when they called him to
account for marrying outside the denomination, "I won't do so again."

542 EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON.

EAELY HISTOKY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON.

BY GOODENOUGH TOWNSEND.

The new township of Davison was in the limit of land obtained of
the Indians by the treaty at Detroit in 1807. In the first year of the
war with England in 1812, an act was passed by congress requiring that
two million acres of land in each of the territories of Michigan,
Illinois, and Louisiana — in all six million acres — should be surveyed
and set apart as a military tract, and of which each soldier serving in
the armies of the United States in the war with England, should be
entitled to receive one hundred and sixty acres of land fit for cultiva-
tion. The surveyor general in his report dated November 13, 1815,
gave such discouraging and dismal accounts of the country, that
congress on April 29, 1816, repealed so much of the act of 1812,
authorizing the soldier's land in Michigan, and providing in lieu thereof
a survey and location of land in Missouri.

A few years after a publisher of a geography — I think it was Wood-
bridge — described Michigan on the report of that survey: "That after
you get a few miles back from Detroit the land is low, swampy,
marshy, and wet, with some barren sandy openings; destitute of vege-
tation; and that the country is fit for nothing but savages and wild
beasts."

There is a vast difference between that description and the fine
farms, fruitful fields, beautiful villages and splendid cities now located
on that same territory.

The first land entered in Davision was by James Hosie, from Essex,
N. Y., on Nov. 14, 1835, and consisted of the northeast quarter and
the east half of the northwest quarter of section twenty; also the west
half of the northeast quarter of section twenty-one. In the year 1836
all the land in the township was taken except a few forties and a few
eighties in and around the big swamp. Thomas L. L. Brent, of
Virginia, was the first, and on March 16, 1836, he entered the north-
east quarter of section eighteen.

EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON. 543

Of the one hundred and thirteen different individuals who purchased
land in the township prior to 1837 only fifteen of them became actual
settlers on the land they purchased. Francis G. Macy was the largest
purchaser. He bought the whole of sections nineteen and thirty-two,
and he and John McDonald the whole of section seventeen, and he
also purchased more or less land on eighteen other sections. Amon
W. Langdon and Oliver E. Maltby purchased land on nine different
sections.

The first improvements made in the town was in the fall of 1836, by
Alson and Andrew V. Seelye. They cleared off a small piece on their
purchase on section thirty-three, and sowed it with wheat, and in the
following March they, with their sister Debby, made a permanent
settlement on their land.

In June following Christopher Miller, with his wife and sons Jacob,
John C. and Jeremiah, came from Chautauqua, N. Y., settled on land
they had purchased on sections twenty-six and thirty-five. Aaron B.
Adams settled about the same time on section twenty-six.

In September Abel Seelye, Sr., accompanied by his wife, Abigal,
and children, Abel Jr., Abner, and Aaron L. S., from Charlton,
N. Y., and settled on section thirty- three.

Ira Potter, a native of Vermont, in 1834 came from Rochester, N.
Y., where he had been for some time engaged in mill business, to
Knapp Mills, on Black river, twenty-two miles from Port Huron, and
went into the lumber trade. In 1836 he moved to Flint and soon
after to the Kearsley mill in the township of Genesee, and in August,
1836, purchased of the government the largest part of section one, now
in the township of Davison.

In Sept., 1837, Mr. Potter, with his s6n Ira W., Samuel Johnson,
James Wood and Roswell Pettingill, started from the mill in Genesee
with the purpose of opening a road to, and commencing an improve-
ment on his purchase, ten or twelve miles distant. They were over
three days in accomplishing the journey. Nearly half the way was
through an unbroken wilderness. They arrived on the spot at noon
and before dark had erected the walls of a log house, twelve by four-
teen feet inside; Wood and Pettingill starting on their return home
about 3 p. m. Mr. Potter, with his wife, Clarissa, and children, Robert
E., Ira W., James A., Mary E. and Frances, moved onto the land in
January, 1838, becoming the first settlers in the north half of town
7 north, of range 8 east, now Davison. In the fall of 1839, town 7
north, of range 8 east, the north half attached to Richfield, and the
south half to Atlas, contained the following settlers:

544 EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON.

Ira Potter and family, on section one; Jacob Teachout on five;
Samuel Crandell and Samuel Johnson on eleven; Harrison G. Conger
on fourteen; Goodenough Townsend on twenty-two; Justin Sheldon on
thirty; Abelino Babcock on thirty-one; Abel Seelye and family on
thirty-three; Christopher and John C. Miller and Aaron C. Adams on
twenty-six.

Atlas was organized in 1836, containing town 6 north, of range 8
east, and the south half of town 7 north, of range 8 east. Eichfield
was organized in 1837, containing the north half of town 7 north, of
range 8 east; town 8 north, range 8 east, and town 9 north, range 8
east.

In the fall of 1839 a petition was circulated to have town 7 north r
range 8 east, set off and organized into a separate township by the
name of Middlebury. The petition was sent to James Sanborn, repre-
sentative from Lapeer county. Nothing was heard from Mr. Sanborn
or the petition. The first of March G. Townsend wrote Dr. Dunham,,
representative of Monroe county, with whom he was well acquainted —
having taught school in his neighborhood for several years. Dr. Dun-
ham returned answer, saying that he had seen Mr. Sanborn and that
he had been sick most of the time and not able to attend to business,,
and that if Mr. Sanborn was not able to attend to our petition he
would. Time passed and nothing was heard from our petition. The
Wednesday before town meeting, which was held the 6th of April, the
whigs of Atlas held a caucus and nominated their ticket. A union
caucus was called for Friday, and the voters in the south half of town
7 north, range 8 east, were notified and earnestly requested to attend,,
and several of them were nominated for one or more offices. The next
day, Saturday, Paul G. Davison mounted his horse — such animals were
scarce in this vicinity in those days — and notified every voter in town
7 north, range 8 east, that the act had passed to organize (heir town-
ship. The voters gathered at the place designated on April 6, 1840,,
when the act to organize the town was read, as follows:

"Be it enacted, by the senate and house of representatives of the
State of Michigan, that all that portion of the county of Lapeer desig-
nated by the United States survey as township number seven (7) north
of range number eight (8) east be and is hereby set off and organized
into a separate township by the name of Davison, and the first town-
ship meeting therein shall be held at the house of GoodenougK
Townsend, in said township."

A nomination of candidates for office was made as follows:

For Supervisor — Goodenough Townsend.

EARLY HISTORY OP THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON. 545

For Township Clerk — Jacob Teachout.

Treasurer — Justin Sheldon.

Collector — Abel Seelye, Jr.

Assessors — Jacob Teachout, Kobert E. Potter, Alson Seelye.

School Inspectors— Good enough Townsend, Jacob Teachout, Robert
E. Potter.

Directors of the Poor — Justin Sheldon, Abel Seelye.

Highway Commissioners — Abelino Babcock, Goodenough Townsend,
Harrison G. Conger.

Justices of the Peace — Goodenough Townsend, Jacob Teachout, Abel
Seelye, Justin Sheldon.

Constables — Ira W. Potter, Abel Seelye, Jr.

Pound Master — Samuel Crandell.

Overseers of Highway — Harrison G. Conger, Jacob Teachout, Justin
Sheldon, John C. Miller, Abel Seelye, Jr.

The ticket was elected without a dissenting vote.

The township of Davison, prior to its settlement by the whites, was
an Indian hunting ground traversed by three, and perhaps more, trails.
The main trail from Compenaconaic to Neppessing crossed the Kears-
ley creek below where the Atlas mills now stand.- A short distance
east the trail branched, one going through the north part of Atlas to
an Indian cornfield and burying ground, which was mostly on 'section
one, in Atlas. The trail then took a north northeast course in Davison,
between the swamp and Lake Hasler to Neppessing. The other trail
took a northerly course along the highland, northeast of the Kearsley
creek to some springs on section twenty-two, where the Indians had a
camping ground, which had been used from time immemorial. A little
east of north of the springs was an old burying ground; traces of
graves could be seen at the time of the first settlement; and a little to
the south of west was another burying ground, traces of which can be
seen at the present time.

After the missionaries went among the Indians they would camp by
these springs and hold their evening and morning devotions there,
sending up their songs of praise and prayer to the giver of all bless-
ings. Here the trail forked, one going along the highland, west of
the big swamp and around Potter's lake, probably to Neppessing; the
other took a northerly course to Flint river.

A considerable portion of the north and west part of the township is
level, undulating enough for good drainage. The timber was maple,
beech, some oak with elm, bass and ash, with some small tamarack
69

546 EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON.

swamps. A considerable portion of the south and east rises generally
to nearly or quite to an altitude of one hundred feet and then
descends gradually to the big swamp. The timber was mostly oak and
maple with some hickory, black walnut, butternut, beech, bass, elm,
ash, and ironwood, with small clumps of pine on sections 14, 27 and 34.

A vast tamarack swamp, comprising: parts of sections 1, 12, 13, 14,
23, 24, 25, 26 and 35, extends from the town line south to Potter's lake,
comprises hundreds of acres. On the borders of which are some elm,
soft maple and ash. Potter's lake, on section 1, and Hasler lake, on
section 36, are mostly in this town. The Kearsley and Black creeks
are the main water courses. The Kearsley enters the town near the
southwest corner of section 33, takes a northeasterly course until it
reaches section 34, then north to the quarter post on the west side of
section 22, then northwest and leaves the town on the northwest
quarter of section 7. Black creek takes its rise from Potter's lake, runs
north into Kichfield, forms a half circle and enters Davison on the
northeast quarter of section 2, thence southwest and enters the Kears-
ley on section 7. Along the Kearsley are a number of springs which
are impregnated with iron. On the west half of the northwest quarter
of section 21 was a deer lick, which has been drained and filled up;
the water was and is quite brakish.

There was some dissatisfaction in regard to the name of the town-
ship, but it soon died out. At the State election in the following fall,
held two days according to law, one day at Abel Seelye's and the
other at Harrison G. Conger's, there were but fourteen votes polled.

The township of Davison, as well as the greater portion of the State,
was settled in rather unpropitious times. In 1833 the president of the
United States removed the public deposits from the Bank of the
United States and deposited them in banks of the several states, which
were nicknamed " pet banks," and they were allowed to issue bills
upon the deposits; and in 1836 he issued the specie circular, requiring
that all purchasers of government lands must be paid in specie. The
legislature of Michigan in 1837, passed a general banking law, whereby
ten or more persons could organize themselves into a corporation for
the transaction of banking business.

The following spring and summer a financial crash came and the
banks all over the country suspended specie payment. The crisis led
the governor to convene the legislature in extra session in June.
They remodeled the banking laws so that any number of persons, by
signing an agreement to that effect, might go into a general banking
business, with the privilege of issuing two and one-half times more

EARLY HISTORY OP THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON. 547

bills than- the capital invested, which was thirty per cent in specie,
some of which was only certificates for specie and seventy per cent in
mortgage bond on real estate without any improvement and valued at
ten to twenty times their original cost from the government. The
State was flooded with money; much of it soon became valueless, and
the best of it was so uncertain that a passage could not be procured
down the lake in 1838 or '39 with Michigan money. In 1840 a labor-
ing man could not get but a bushel of wheat a day in haying and a
bushel and a half in harvesting in this vicinity — worth in Pontiac, the
nearest market, thirty or forty or more miles distant, but five shillings
per bushel. Those were hard times, very depressing on farmers and
laborers, and thousands failed and hundreds left the State.

Hard and oppressive as the times were they were not as hard and
ruinous as the present license law is — licensing respectable hotels and
dens of iniquity and gilded saloons that " leads to bewilder and dazzles
to blind," which not only ruins many of the lovers of strong drink
financially but body and soul. It fills our prisons, our houses of cor-
rection, our asylums, our reform schools, our poor houses and our jails;
makes women mourn and children wail; taxes the sober and indus-
trious persons to support the institutions, and allures young men and
boys to ruin and destruction.

The times continued hard. The summer of 1841 the crops were
good. The following winter was mild, with very little snow, and the
spring opened pleasant and warm. Some corn and other crops were
put in during April. May was warm and everything was growing
finely. The first of June there was a heavy rain, the wind shifted into
the north and it grew cold fast, and on the morning of the sixth there
was a heavy frost; in a few days it rained again, and on the morning
of the twelfth there was another hard frost. Plowed ground froze
hard enough each time to bear a person. Spring crops, I think with-
out an exception, were killed, as was also the wheat sowed on new
unplowed ground, and the wheat on plowed ground was badly injured.
Timothy was entirely killed, as were the leaves on trees. Desolation
reigned supreme. The leaves soon started anew, and potatoes were
planted, and some oats and roots were sown, but no one ventured to
plant corn. The balance of summer and fall was tolerably warm and
pleasant until the llth of November, when winter set in in earnest
and very few had fodder to any amount and cutting trees to browse
cattle became the business of the winter. The weather was cold and
snowy until the last of January, when there was a thaw, which settled
the snow in the woods and where the clearings were large enough

548 EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON.

there could be seen some bare spots. In a day or two there fell quite
a quantity of snow, and from that time until the 3d of April it did
not thaw enough to make the eaves run. There was two feet of snow
in the woods the last of March, and the last day of March and the
first day of April there fell fully a foot of snow so that on town
meeting day, the 3d of April, the snow was three feet deep. It began
to thaw that day so that snow balling could be indulged in, and ten
days later the snow all disappeared without any rain, and the streams
were higher than they have ever been since.

The scattered condition of the inhabitants and the length of time it
took to realize anything from the highway tax, they were obliged to
underbrush roads through the woods and around the swamps and cat-
holes to get an outlet to mill and market and to their neighbors —
everybody in town were neighbors in those days. Atlas had laid out a
few roads in the south part of the town. One, known as the Irish
road, from the south town line, half way through the town; another,
known as the Ridge road, making a zigzag course and following very
nearly the Indian trail and reaching the north line of section 22 some-
where between thirty and eighty rods from the northwest corner, very
little of it remaining.

Highways were soon laid out, and as fast as the non-resident high-
way money was received it was expended in chopping out' and build-
ing causeways along the laid out road. More than two hundred rods
were built between the center and where the station now is, and quite
a considerable more on the Irish road, and more or less was built all
over town, and jouncing and jarring and shaking up could be
indulged in.

Deer and wolves were plenty and bear occasionally made their
presence known by stealing a pig. In May, 1841, two Indians brought
to the writer, in birch bark baskets, seven young wolves, on which
there was a bounty of four dollars each. I, according to law, associated
with me H. G. Conger, overseer of highways, and gave them a certifi-
cate amounting to twenty-eight dollars. Between then and the time
the wolves left I gave certificates for nine full grown wolf scalps at
eight dollars each. At this late date I am not sure that any other
person gave a certificate. In February, 1844, the wolves gathered in
council on an underbrushed road running east from Mr. Thurston's,
who lived in a house that stood where Hon. E. W. Eising now resides.
There had been a light snow the day before the gathering, which was
about thirty rods distant from Mr. Thurston's house, and he said that
such barking, yelping, howling and wailing could not be imagined.

EARLY HISTORY OP THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON. 549

Next morning I visited the spot and found the snow covered with
blood and hair for rods quite thickly. During the wolves' pow-wow
Thurston's people blew horns, rang cow bells, slammed planks, and did
everything possible to scare the brutes away, without avail. When
they got through howling, fighting and biting each other they took a
northeast course and there has never been a wolf seen in this section
since. The Indians and deer left about the same time.

It has often been asked how it came about that the west tier of the
townships of Lapeer county was detached from that county and
attached to Genesee county. Two men that had been to Lapeer on
business on their return talked the matter over with regard to the
location and business relation of this tier of townships. They con-
cluded that every settler had come in by the way of Stony Hun, Grand
Blanc, Flint, or Genesee, and in that direction they were opening up
their outlets, and their business and political relations centered in that
direction, and that they of rights ought to belong to Genesee county.
On their return the matter was talked over and it was proposed
to get up a petition to that effect, and men readily volunteered to
circulate it, and every man in the tier of towns signed it save one. It
was given to Daniel B. Wakefield, of Grand Blanc, representative from
Genesee county. A new difficulty then presented itself. These towns
were decidedly whig and Genesee county was democratic. By adding
these towns Genesee would doubtless be whig. Mr. Wakefield called a
meeting of the leading democrats at Flint and they talked the matter
over. Mr. Wakefield argued in favor and said he believed if they were
attached, and he was running for office, he would get a good vote from
those townships. They told him to go ahead. The act to attach them
to Genesee county was passed by the legislature and approved by the
Governor March 9, 1843, to go into effect the 30th day of the same
month. Lapeer was not satisfied.

The next year they got up a petition to have this tier of townships
set back to Lapeer county. A meeting of delegates from each town-
ship was called to meet at Jud Tucker's in Richfield. Each town was
fully represented. Daniel Dayton was chosen chairman and G. Town-
send secretary. Resolutions were passed against being set back to
Lapeer county, and that remonstrances be circulated in each township
against the move, and these remonstrances, with a copy of the last poll
list from each township, be sent to the legislature. That ended the
matter.

The township settled slowly. In 1844 there were but forty-one

550 EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON.

resident tax payers in town, and two or three of them were on land
they did not own. They were as follows:

Ira W. Potter, sections 1-2; John C. Miller, 26; Robert E. Potter, 1;
Jeremiah Miller, 32; Clark Potter, 1; Ira Cobb, 22; Eleazer Thurston,
10; S. M. Fisk, 34; Samuel Crandell, 11; Silas S. Kitchen, 27; Samuel
Johnson, 11; Iddo H. Carley, 26-35; Samuel J. Ashley, 11; Hart W.
Cummings, 36; Harrison G. Conger, 14; Abram Hotchkiss, 15; Daniel
Dayton, 36; Abner Hotchkiss, 15; Abelino Babcock, 31; Abel Seelye,
Sr., 3-15-26; John Casler, 26; Elias Bush, 22; David Casler, 30; G.
Townsend, 22; John Austin, 31-32; T. O. Townsend, 23; Eobert
Knowles, 33; Christopher Miller, 26-35; Justin Sheldon, 30; James A.
Kline, 20; William Thomas, 31; Calvin Cartwright, 20; Thomas Parks,
6; Alson Seelye, 33; Henry Hastings, 6; William Sheldon, 30; Jacob
Teachout, 5; - - Churchill, 5; William Phillips, 5; - - Davis, 5;
Almeron Perry, 20.

Of these six are still living in town and are over seventy-five years
old: Samuel J. Ashley, William Thomas, Eobert Knowles, Elias Bush,
Hart W. Cummings and G. Townsend.

There are two more living, H. G. Conger of Burton, this county,
and Daniel Dayton of Minnesota, who is over ninety years old. The
rest are either dead or gone to parts unknown.

The first person married that had commenced improvements in town
was H. G. Conger to Deniza Seelye, of Genesee, on December 29,
1839. The next was Eobert E. Potter and Abigail Clark, of Eichfield,
January 5, 1840. On the 20th of November, 1840, the following was
published in the Northern Advocate, printed at Flint by W. A.
Marrison:

"Married — In Genesee, on the 18th inst., by the Eev. James
McAllister, G. Townsend, Esq., of Davison, and Miss Mary A., daugh-
ter of Eeuben Fish, Esq., of the former place. The receipt of a
liberal share of wedding cake is gratefully acknowledged and the motto
which it bore ('Old Tip') gives assurance that the ascendency of the
whig party will be perpetuated. Our best wishes for their happiness."

Alson Seelye and Lorenza Wicker, and Seth J. Wicker, of Groveland,
and Debby Seelye were married, I think, in 1842. Ira W. Potter was
married soon after to Abigail Troop, of Genesee.

The first marriage in which both parties resided in .town was Abel
Seelye, Jr., and Eliza Townsend, Daniel Dayton, Esq., officiating, on
August 28, 1845.

The first child born in town was a daughter to S. M. Fisk and wife.
The next was a son to E. E. Potter and wife, born October 12, 1840.

EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OP DAVISON. 551

The next that I have any correct knowledge of was a daughter to Gr.
Townsend and wife, born February 27, 1842.

The first death in town was that of Andrew Jesse Seelye, April 6,
1839.- The tombstone says he died April 6, 1838. He was in his
23d or 24th year.

Ira Potter died September 29, 1839, aged 47 years.

Christopher Miller died February 22, 1858, aged 79 years. His wife
died July 22, 1872, aged 82 years.

Alson Seelye died March 9, 1862, in the 50th year of his age, and
his wife died March 15, 1887, in her 71st year.

Abel Seelye, Sr., died in 1863, aged 81 years. His wife died in
1861, aged 75 years.

Silas S. Kitchen died March 16, 1890, aged 70 years. Mrs. Eliza-
beth Kitchen died April 4, 1875.

Ira T. Potter, the first male child born in town, died April 27, 1886,
aged 42 years, 6 months and 12 days.

Eobert Edson Potter died September 24, 1886, aged 70 years, 1
month and 6 days. His first wife died July 28, 1857.

Ira W. Potter died April 26, 1890, in his 73d year.

Calvin Cartwright died January 15, 1891, aged 71 years.

Thomas O. Townsend died February 16, 1891, aged. 71 years.

Mrs. Debby Harger, she that was Debby Seelye, died April 4, 1891,
in her 83d year.

Mrs. Goodenough Townsend died April 15, 1891, aged 72 years, 1
month and 22 days.

These are all that I have been able to obtain the date of the death
and ages of those that were here prior to 1844.

Jacob Teachout moved to Richfield in 1847 and died a few years
after.

The following is a list of those who came here soon after 1844 and
lived to a good old age:

Matthew Walker died February 16, 1872, aged 103 years, 5 months
and 8 days. He was a remarkable man; firm in convictions of right, a
strong Presbyterian, temperate in his habits,' never drank anything
that would intoxicate nor used tobacco in any form. His knowledge
of scripture was remarkable. He could quote verse after verse and
chapter after chapter. He began to fail physically soon after he was
one hundred years old, but he clung to his Bible and died with it by
his side.

David Hollenbeck died December 6, 1886, aged 89 years and 7
months.

552 EARLY HISTORY OP THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON.

William Hoyle died July 16, 1886, aged 70 years and 6 months.

Matthew McCormack died July 13, 1889, aged 76 years and 27 days.

Henry Long died March 12, 1890, aged 78 years and 1 month. His
wife died May 6, 1887, in her 63d year.

Lorenzo Adams died August 9, 1890, aged 84 years.

Miles Washburn died December 16, 1890, aged 77 years.

William H. Smith died March 1, 1891, aged 52 years.

Henry Wackerly died July 21, 1891, aged 77 years, and his wife,
Christina, died August 15, 1891, aged 59 years.

Nathaniel Cole died August 10, 1891, aged 66 years.

Joseph Fenner died October 15, 1891, aged 84 years.

Charles W. Henderson died September 6, 1891, aged £6 years.

Walter W. Worden died December 8, 1891, in his 87th year.

Iddo H. Carley, Daniel Eastwood, Seth J. Wicker, Stewart McCol-
lum, Nicholas Clapsaddle, and William G. Merrit were early settlers,
but I have no date of their death or ages.

Soon after the republican party organized in this State a whig
caucus was called at the Townsend school house. When it was organ-
ized a motion was made to change it to a republican caucus, and it
was carried, and every whig save three and many democrats joined the
party, and the town has been decidedly republican since. Other ques-
tions besides those brought forward by the republican and democrat
parties are being looked into, such as prohibition, woman suffrage,
trusts, syndicates, foreign emigration, educational qualifications, etc.
The town, according to its population, responded nobly to the call for
troops. The following list of names show those that went from the
town of Davison, from 1861 to 1865, save perhaps one or two:

Ed Carley, Hiram H. Clapsaddle, Robert Knowles, Palmer Hoyle,
Israel Hill, Monroe Wooley, Sylvester Haynes, William Clapsaddle,
Thomas Sidington, Lester S. McAllister, Milton Goodenough, Hamilton
S. Wilder, Nelson N. Welsh, Phineas H. Flint, John Flint, Horatio
Flint, Lyman E. Hill, Charles W. Long, John F. Cartwright, Adoni-
ram S. Conger, Moses Cooledge, William Miller, John Eay, James
Warner, John Warner, William Warner, George Van Volkenburg,
Harris Marsh, Warren Justin, Henry Hackett, Benjamin Badgley,
Judd Hewitt, George Tharrett, Charles Johnson, Merrit Johnson,
Christopher Wagner, William Hurd, John Reigle, Henry Gidley,
Lafayette Hathaway, Nicholas Fenner, Hezekiah Pierce, Cornelius
Fenner, Samuel Watson, Gilbert Hackett, Elias Parkhurst, George
Welch, John Ivery, Sandford McTaggart, Andrew J. Seelye, Eugene
Phelps, Oscar B. Moss, James E. Howe, Calvis Wakefield, May-

EARLY HISTORY OP THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON. 553

hone, Hiram Applebee, Josiah P. Hackett, Alexander Campbell, Allen
Campbell, George Campbell, James Campbell, Jonathan Coomer, James
W. Benjamin, John Rump, Harrison Haynes, Henry Hardee, Thomas
Baxter, Lafayette McCollam, William McCollam, Henry Wight-matt,
Robert Dickenson. Total, seventy-three.

The first legislature after the admission of the State in 1837-8
passed acts to build three railroads — the Central, the Southern and the
Northern.

The Northern was surveyed through town 7 north, of range 8 east,
now Davison, in the fall of 1838, and in the following winter the
timber was felled and nothing further was done. Several years after
the legislature passed an act to convert it into the Northern wagon
road, and an appropriation was granted to clear it out and build
several bridges, etc.

In 1858 or '59 the legislature passed an act to incorporate the Port
Huron and Lake Michigan railroad. It was soon surveyed through
this town, but the capital was not sufficient and improvement was
slow.

On January 18, 1866, a special town meeting was held to tax or
bond the town to aid in the construction of the road. There is no
record of the number of votes polled or the amount voted on.

The conditions were not complied with by the road and the bonus
was not called for. In the latter part of the summer and fall of 1871
hundreds of old pine trees were brought and buried in the swamp at
the head of Potter lake, and late in the fall the first passenger train
ran over the road. The road changed owners and the name was
changed to the Chicago and Port Huron, and another change has
named it the Chicago and Grand Trunk, and it is one of the best
equipped roads in the State.

There was but little business done in town, aside from farming,
until the railroad went through. S. J. Wicker kept a few dry goods
and groceries and opened a tavern. Several tried the business but
soon gave it up. A. J. S. Seelye started an ashery and opened a
store in the south part of town and did quite a business. S. J.
Wicker opened a store at the center and did considerable business
until the station started.

The first postoffice in town was established under Taylor and
Filmore's administration. G. Townsend was the first postmaster. He
was followed by S. J. Wicker, Sr., G. W. Griffin, A. B. Scott and S.
J. Wicker, Jr., who held the office some time after an office was estab-
lished at the station.
70

554 EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF DAVISON.

The east half of the northeast quarter of section nine and the
northwest quarter of section ten was bought by Kising, Hyatt, and
McQuigg, and the village of Davison Station was laid out in 1871.
C. B. Uptegraff had built a house and blacksmith shop before it was
laid out. The first building after it was laid out was the hotel barn;
the next was a store building occupied as a boarding house until the
hotel was completed. The first merchant was Damon Stewart, in the
building now occupied by J. Jacobus. The first physician was Dr.
Hanson. The first drug store was owned by Hanson & Caswell. The
first postmaster was Dr. Hanson. Hyatt and McQuigg took but little
interest in building up the village and left Hon. E. W. Eising, with
no capital, to boom the village; which he has done to the best of his
ability and means. Therefore the settlement and improvement were
slow. In 1880 there were but one hundred and sixty-five inhabitants
in the village, but in 1890 there were five hundred and eighty-two,
which has increased considerable since.

There was last year one shop for wagon and other wood repairing
and three blacksmith shops, doing a business of over $3,000. Mrs.
R. J. Groves, Mrs. J. H. Tyler, and Miss C. T. Treadwell have millin-
ery stores doing a business of $2,400 a year. R. J. Groves' furniture
and undertaking business amounts to $4,400. There are five general
and two hardware stores. A. E. Hurd has been in business the long-
est and combines drugs with general merchandise. J. Jacobus, Haynes
Bros., L. Gifford & Co., Cooperative Association, James H. Baxter,
manager; I. T. Hurd & Co., Wm. H. Foote & Co., hardware dealers;
are doing a business of over $122,000. Thomas Dugan a short time
ago opened a drug store and says he is doing a fair business. Harris
& Co. have opened a dry goods store. Charles L. Worden has recently
opened with boots, shoes, and general groceries. There are two
physicians, L. J. Locy, M. D., and J. F. Rumer, M. D., who look after
the health of the people. There have been two hotels and two saloons
the past year, the Davison House kept by Tho. J. Dumanois, and the
Commercial House by E. A. Quigley. The latter is doing a business
of about $4,000 a year. The business done by the other house I have
been unable to learn. A. B. Cullens & Co shipped from this point
the past year $65,000 worth of live stock and $23,000 worth of wool.
The Wolverine Carriage Factory, incorporated with a paid up capital
of $12,000, is doing a business of $50,000. The Davison Manufactur-
ing Company have done the past year a business of $7,500, and calcu-
late to increase it the coming year. The Uptegraff Bros, have done a
business in brick and tile, of $5,000. The elevator since the first of

EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OP DAVISON. 555

August last, has done a. business of $81,000. Armstrong & Austin
built a fine creamery last spring and from June first to March first
made 113,083 pounds of gilt-edged creamery butter; also bought from
November first to March first 20,191 pounds of poultry; from August
first to March first purchased 18,631 dozen eggs. C. W. Long & Co.
furnished about 30,000 berry plants, which were set out in this
vicinity last spring, and also built an evaporator capable of drying one
hundred and fifty bushels of fruit per day. There is one roller pro-
cess flour mill, the New Era, built and owned by E. W. Rising,
capable of grinding two and one-half barrels per hour besides coarse
grain. There are two saw-mills, one owned by Geo. Hills, the other
by S. & John Gillies. There has been brought here of lumber, or
timber to be sawed or shipped to Port Huron over 1,300,000 feet.
The Davison Banking Co. is doing a business of between $500,000 and
$600,000 a year. The total amount of money received at the Davison
postoffice the past year was $1,117.61. C. W. Long and others have
shipped from here 12,000 bushels of potatoes and 10,000 bushels of
apples. John Alexander has a harness shop and is doing a fair busi-
ness. John U. Smith has a book store and bazaar. A. Seeley keeps
the citizens' hair trimmed and their faces close shaved. J. M. Smyth
and A. W. Hills keep our watches and clocks in good repair. L. G.
Adams and J. D. Light own the meat markets. The Ladies' Library
contains between 500 and 600 volumes of books. The school house is
a two story brick building, containing three rooms— more room is very
much needed. There are three churches — Free Will Baptist, Methodist
Episcopal and Free Methodist, capable of seating over 1,000 persons.
There are several halls where the different societies meet, 'but none
large enough to accommodate a large gathering. The residences, with
exceptions, are good — a few elegant. An abundant supply of flowing
water is obtained of good quality, by boring or drilling to a depth of
from thirty to eighty feet. Last, though not least, we have as good a
home paper as any town of its size in the State. There has been
pressed in this vicinity a large quantity of hay, which has been or is
being brought to this village for shipment.

Since writing the foregoing, E. W. Rising has died. He had begun
the building of two more brick blocks on Main street, which will
probably be finished by next fall. Also the Davison House has been
swept away by fire. I understand Will Howe, the owner intends to
erect a three story brick hotel on the ground. Also that a boot and
shoe store has been started here, the McBartney Brothers proprietors
thereof.

556 SOME LENA WEE COUNTY HISTORY.

SOME LENA WEE COUNTY HISTOKY.

BY JUDGE NORMAN GEDDES.

[Paper read at the County Officers' Reunion at Putman's Grove, Sand Lake, September, 1892.]

MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN — I have been asked to say
something about the early settlement and the early settlers of the
neighborhood in which we are met today and comply the more
willingly because it takes me back to the time when, as a boy, I knew
nearly all the people residing in the neighborhood of the lake.

Coming as I did into this then wilderness, a mere boy, fifty-seven
years ago this very month, and here spending my boyhood and early
manhood, this, to me, is classic ground. This lake, still beautiful, then
'seemed like a gem, encased in a setting of the rarest beauty. Upon
the surrounding lands were large oaks, standing isolated from each
other as in a park, planted by a skilled landscape gardener. The
forest fires which every year swept over the oak openings, burned up
the fallen timber, kept back the growth of. all underbrush and removed
everything that could obstruct the view or passage, leaving the surface
very like a well kept lawn. The wild deer, of which there were great
numbers, could be seen as far as the eye could reach and one could
ride or drive over these lands in almost any direction he chose. In
fact there were no roads of any account with two exceptions. In 1825
the United States government had caused to be surveyed and laid out
a military road from Detroit to Chicago. This road, afterwards called
the Chicago turnpike, runs through the northern part of this county
near the north shore of the lake.

Twelve years later, in 1833, the government caused to be surveyed
and laid out the La Plaisance Bay turnpike, starting at Monroe and
intersecting the Chicago road at what is familiarly known as the
Junction, some five miles west of where we are met today. Both these
roads were constructed before Michigan was admitted into the Union
as a State and it was owing to their being located as they were that

SOME LENAWEE COUNTY HISTORY. 557

the lands through southern Michigan bordering upon, or in proximity
to these great highways, were settled at the time they were.

In 1833 my father (I think within one week after the survey of the
La Plaisance Bay or Monroe turnpike, as it is oftener named)
purchased from the government the farm, a part of which is now
owned by Mr. Edgar Hubbard, a little over one mile south and west
of this lake.

It was upon this farm that I spent my boyhood and upon which my
father, mother and brother lived and died. To me the old farm was
marvelously attractive so long as the log house — built by my father in
1835 and one of the best and most comfortable I have ever seen — was
permitted to remain, but when that was torn down to give place to
the more elegant and commodious farm house which ha3 been erected
in its place, it has never seemed like home and has had very little
attractiveness for me.

But, beautiful as was this lake region at its early settlement, my
recollection of some of its early settlers, the mere mention of whose
names justify, as it seems to me, my claim that this is classic ground,
has a far more roseate hue.

Of those early settlers, who ever deserve to be held in grateful
remembrance, I have only time to name Rev. Henry Tripp, Rev. Wm.
N. Lyster, James King, Benjamin Workman, Deacon Giles Hubbard,
Major Philo Mills, Leander Kimball, N. S. Wheeler, Abram Butter-
field, Isaac Powers, John Brears, William and Joseph Camburn, Isaac
and James Miller, Thomas, John and Samuel Pawson, Andrew and
Benjamin Ayers, Samuel, Paul, James and William Geddes, John
Monaghan and John Stephenson, all of whom, having acted well their
part here, have crossed the dark river.

Among those I have named there were four men, living upon the
southern shore of this lake, for whom I conceived a very great admira-
tion— an admiration that has increased rather than diminished with my
advancing years— and it is more particularly of these men that I shall
speak.

The earliest of these settlers was the Eev. Henry Tripp, an English-
man by birth and a minister of the Baptist church. In early life he
had been a sailor and was for a time in the naval service of the
United States, serving under Commodore Decatur in the war with
Tripoli, and was afterwards a missionary in Jamaica. But in 1831,
when all this part of the county was a wilderness, when the territories
of Michigan and Wisconsin combined contained only 32,000 inhabitants
or a little more than half of what Lenawee county alone now has, he

558 SOME LENA WEE COUNTY HISTORY.

located the land upon which Dr. Lyster's cottage now stands, built
him a log house, and with his estimable wife, one of the most refined
and cultured women I have ever known, lived here for many years. He
raised a large family, of whom his two sons, Doctors Joseph Tripp, of
Adrian, and John Tripp, of Franklin, are honored and well known
citizens of the county. He told me that when he came in sight of
this lake and its surrounding hills he felt that he had found what was
for him the promised land, the most beautiful spot he had ever seen,
and made haste to secure for himself and family a home on its
southern border.

As illustrative of the hardships incident to the settlement of a new
country he told me this story: Needing flour and corn meal, having
neither wheat nor corn, he started from home with a yoke of steers
hitched to a sled, expecting to purchase wheat and corn in Clinton,
but finding none for sale there went to Tecumseh, but was unable to
obtain anything there, and went thence to the valley in Raisin, where
he succeeded in purchasing five bushels of wheat and seven bushels of
corn from Darius Comstock, which he took to what was formerly
called the Red Mill in Adrian. There he found people from Coldwater,
from Jonesville, and other parts of the State waiting to have their
grinding done, each having to take his turn. He waited in this mill
three days and nights, living upon cakes which he himself mixed and
baked upon the stove in the mill, before he could get his grinding
done and start for home, where he arrived after just a week's absence,
his family meanwhile not knowing what had become of him, whether
he had been killed by the Indians or had met with some fatal acci-
dent. Time will not allow me to Say more of this good old man.

The Rev. William N. Lyster, an Irishman by birth and a clergyman
of the Episcopal church, was in personal appearance and in his
general make-up the very opposite of Elder Tripp. Delicately formed,
brought up in luxury and wealth, he was educated for the ministry in
one of the colleges of the old world and was for a time rector of
Christ church in Detroit and of the church at Tecumseh. But, like
Elder Tripp, he became fascinated with the beauty of Sand lake and
its surroundings, purchased and at one time owned nearly all the land
around the lake.

The early settlers will recollect him. His Utopian schemes for
improvement, his log fence to surround his entire land — commenced
but never finished— his rope fence, his French cart without springs,
upon which he jolted about the country, preaching in the log farm and
school houses. With culture, education and ability, fitting him for

SOME LENAWEE COUNTY HISTORY. 559

what is termed the best society in any country, he was in his manner
and in all his life as unpretentious and simple as a child. While he
could have occupied a prominent pulpit and received a large salary in
a city, he preferred the simple, unostentatious life that he led here to
that of any other in the world. His sermons were models of persua-
sive eloquence and his reading of the Episcopal service as impressive
as it was faultless.

James King was an Englishman, a graduate of one of the famous
universities of that country. Becoming fascinated with the lake, he
purchased from the government in 1835 (a part of the farm now
owned by Mr. Jesse Penticost), and built a log house, upon an emi-
nence commanding a magnificent view. He was a man of fine presence,
of culture and learning, and had mingled with the best society in his
native England, and in knowledge of poetry, literature and art, had no
peer in all this region. But in that most useful of all arts and
acquirements, especially for a man, with a wife and children dependent
upon him, the art of making a living on a new farm, in a new country
he was a failure. His accomplished wife, reared as she had been in
luxury and wealth, knew absolutely nothing of domestic life, or of its
requirements, especially as the wife of a farmer. Spending, as she did,
much of her time in her boat upon the lake, sketching its lovely
bank and surroundings, she doubtless drank in lessons which her more
practical sisters would have been incapable of receiving. But, while
feeding her soul with visions of beauty and deriving pleasure from the
study of nature, the children became ragged and Mr. King was finally
compelled to abandon what he had designed to make an ideal home.
I have been informed that he subsequently obtained an appointment
as a professor in a Canadian college and became prosperous under
different circumstances and in a calling for which he was better fitted.

The last of this group of whom I shall speak was Dr. Benjamin
Workman. He, too, was an industrious, a thoroughly educated man,
having had the advantage in early life of the best schools of his own
country and of England. Like Elder Tripp, Rev. Lyster and Mr.
King, he had become infatuated with the beauty of the lake and in
1835 settled upon its shores.

Although a thorough classical and scientific scholar, and blessed with
a magnificent physique, he, too, found himself at fault trying to make
a living in an occupation for which he had never been trained. But
such a man could not well hide himself, even in the then wilds of the
lake region, and it was not long before the proprietors of the Consti-
tutionalist (the first whig paper ever published in this county) sought

560 SOME LENAWEE COUNTY HISTORY.

him out and employed him as editor. I was too young to know about
his success as an editor and cannot state how long he remained in
that position, but from the fact that I have been wholly unable to-
find a single copy of the paper I infer that it was short-lived. He
afterwards taught school in Tecuinseh and at Springville, and among
the most delightful memories I have of school life is that of attending
his school. But like Mr. King he found it difficult to make a living
upon a farm and after a struggle of a few years removed to Canada,,
where he engaged in the drug business and became prosperous, and
was finally appointed medical superintendent of the Asylum for the
Insane, at Toronto. Some eighteen years ago I spent two delightful
days with him at the asylum. He was then a hale old man of eighty,
with a clear and vivid recollection of his life at the lake, and of hi&
old neighbors and friends. He soon after resigned his position in the
asylum and died at Uxbridge, in Canada, at the age of 85, honored
and esteemed by all who knew him. It would be with me a labor of
love to speak of these men and of the early settlement and settlers
here more at length, did time permit. In giving prominence to the
names of these men it has been far from my purpose to ignore or
disparage any of the other early settlers of this county, many of whom
deserve to be held in honorable remembrance so long as courage,,
enterprise, strict integrity and faithful discharge of the duties of citi-
zenship shall be regarded among the virtues. But I have selected from
the names of those early settlers these, first, because it is impracticable
to speak of all, but mainly because I knew these men at a time when
education and culture above and higher than that afforded by our own
common schools was rarely met with in the country. A graduate of a
college was regarded quite differently then and now, and my boyish
imagination invested them with a sort of halo which, as I have already
said, advancing years has tended to increase rather than diminish.

May their names and deeds ever be cherished as having been the
pioneers in discovery of one of the most attractive and beautiful lakes
of this great State of Michigan.

BY A. L. MILLABD, ESQ , OF ADRIAN.

[Paper road at the County Officers' Reunion, September, 1892.]

FELLOW CITIZENS AND FELLOW MEMBERS OF THIS ASSOCIATION OF
COUNTY OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY, PRESENT AND
PAST — I am happy to meet you here on this pleasant reunion occasion,

SOME LENAWEE COUNTY HISTORY. 561

and to address you as "fellow members," for I may be allowed to
boast that at one time I was a county officer of this county. For
several years, and by the favor of two successive governors of the
State, and -by commission from them, I held the high office of
circuit court commissioner. This was many years since under the old
constitution, when these officers were appointed by the governor and
before the office became elective as it is now. I take satisfaction and
pride as any one might, in numbering myself among such a body of
men as the county officers of this county from the organization of the
county to the present time. I have been among you for over fifty
years, coming here as a resident in early manhood, in 1841, and having
been engaged in the practice of my profession here ever since; and
being thereby in constant and intimate relations with the county
officers, I have had good opportunity of knowing them, their character
and habits, and their ability, and I feel no hesitation in saying that
no county can boast a better class of men — more intelligent, upright,
and honorable, and faithful in the discharge of their official duties,
during all this period, than the county of Lenawee. During all this
half century, so far as I can recollect (and I believe my recollection
is not at fault), there has not been a single instance of defalcation or
official misconduct on the part of any one of this long list and numer-
ous body of office holders; at least none where such a charge was
established. I doubt if many counties can make so good a showing as
that, confident that none can make a better, and I cannot recall more
than one instance in which there has been such a charge or suspicion
against any one.

I have been requested to occupy a few moments on this occasion
with historic reminiscences and with pleasure I comply.

The general facts of our history as a county, and of our chief city,
are well known. Its organization as a county in 1826, under an act
of the legislative council of the territory of Michigan — being then
detached from Monroe county, of which it had previously formed a
part. The county seat then being established at Tecumseh, and so
continued until 1838, when after a severe contest between the towns it
was moved to Adrian (then the village of Adrian), which had the
advantage of being near the center of the county, while Tecumseh was
far to the northeast of that center — the location and erection of a
court house and jail soon thereafter on a lot on the east side of Clin-
ton street, the burning of the court house, evidently the work of an
incendiary, and with it the records of the county clerk's office in 1852,
71

562 SOME LENAWEE COUNTY HISTORY.

leaving the county without any court house for many years and until
the erection of the present one in 1884, being thus without a court
house for about thirty years, the courts being held in the meantime in
different halls and temporary places, but being succeeded at last by the
present commodious and goodly edifice, an ornament to the city and a
credit to the county.

Adrian though an inland town in a new region which was in a large
measure surrounded by its primeval forests even at that early day had
its railroad and thereby communication with navigable waters to Lake
Erie and the outside world. The Erie and Kalamazoo railroad running
from Adrian to Toledo (then Port Lawrence), and now being a part
of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad. This was a rare
distinction, as at the time of its construction (under a charter granted
by the legislative council of the territory in 1833), it was the first and
only railroad either in Michigan or Ohio, or any state or territory west
of New York. It was a pioneer road, run by horse power from the
time it commenced running in 1836 until June 1838, after which it
was run by steam. The track ran down through Railroad street, and it&
depot then being near the site of the present court house and continu-
ing there until 1849 when the Michigan Southern railroad company
acquired the same by a perpetual lease and connected it with its own
road. The work on the Erie and Kalamazoo railroad was projected
and carried through by private enterprise without aid from the govern-
ment, by a few enterprising and far-seeing men at Port Lawrence and
Adrian, among the latter being Darius Comstock, Addison J. Comstock^
Geo. Crane (the father of our respected Adrian fellow citizen, Calvin
Crane), Dr. Caleb N. Ormsby, E. C. Winter and Joseph Gibbon and
it proved a success and of great value to the new settlements in the
country.

I will devote the few minutes of my time more particularly to some
personal reminiscences and matters that have fallen under my own
observation during the time I have been here. My associations have
been of course more particularly with the courts and the officers con-
nected with the courts. It will be a pleasant reminiscence for me, and
I trust not without interest to those who hear me to whom many of
the names will be familiar, just to recall the names of those who,
during these fifty years have held and discharged the duties of these
offices.

When I came here in 1841 we had in addition to the circuit court,
a county court. This was subsequently abolished. Alex. E. Tiffany
was the judge of probate at that time and afterwards of the county

SOME LENA WEE COUNTY HISTORY. 563

court, and at one time prosecutor, a worthy man and valuable public
officer. Joseph H. Cleveland was sheriff, Wm. R. Powers county clerk
and Daniel Hicks, Jr., register of deeds. Since 1852 (not to go back
more than forty years) these offices have been filled by the following
named individuals, most of the names being familiar to those of us
who have lived here during that time:

County Clerk — John Miller, William Kingsley, A. L. Bliss, Leander
Kimball, Geo. W. Westerman, Henry C. Conkling, Wm. L. Church,
Thos. M. Hunter, David A. Bixby, Geo. W. Fleming, and Ira
Waterman.

Sheriff — Joseph R. Bennett, Geo. W. Ketcham, Flavins J. Hough,
Sylvester B. Smith, Wm. E. Tayer, John C. Mason, Nathaniel B.
Eldridge, James E. Cairnes, Charles Bidwell, Ancel K. Whitmore, and
Edward C. Baldwin.

Judge of Probate — Consider A. Stacy, F. C. Beaman, E. E. Beecher,
Norman Geddes, and Eichard B. Eobbins.

Register of Deeds — Charles M. Croswell, Charles Chandler, Benjamin
Turner, William A. Whitney, Morton Eddy, Myron E. Knight, Edwin
Hough, Michael P. Long, Avery A. Dolbar, Stillman Bennett, and
Alfred W. Smith.

County Treasurer — James Geddes, John I. Knapp, Win. H. Kimball,
Sylvester B. Smith, George E. Allis, George R. Cochran, Jay Hoag,
Wm. C. Moran, and Wm. H. Wiggins. Another well known and
honored citizen, who is still with* us and with whose name and fame
we are familiar, held this office for three terms in all, as well as other
important offices in the early times of the county, reaching back a
time commencing earlier even than forty years, or fifty years of which
we have spoken; I refer to Daniel D. Sinclair, whose first term as
county treasurer commenced in 1839.

Prosecuting Attorney — Smith S. Wilkinson, E. E. Beecher, A. C.
Mercer, C. E. Weaver, C. E. Miller, Edmund B. Sayer, Seth Bean,
Wm. A. Underwood, Q. A. Watts, L. H. Salsbury, A, Dayton, D. B.
Morgan, and F. B. Wood. A considerable number of these having by
reelection served two terms, in two or three instances three terms
each.

The members of the bar in practice at the time I- came here in
1841, so far as I now recall them were the following:

At Adrian, A. E. Tiffany, M. N. Halsey, Wm. L. Groenly, Lorenzo
Tabor, Josiah Ward, E. B. Fairfield, A. M. Baker, A. C. Harris, and
A. G. Eastman. At Tecumseh, Peter E. Adams and C. A. Stacy. At
Clinton, F. C. Beeman, who afterwards removed to Tecumseh and

564 SOME LENAWEE COUNTY HISTORY.

subsequently to Adrian. Not one of them is now living, all have
passed away.

Not at that time, but a few years later, one who has since risen to
a high degree of eminence in the profession and as a jurist and legal
author, Hon. Thomas M. Cooley, entered the law office of A. C. Harris
at Adrian, as a student, and after the usual career of study was
admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession
there, in which he continued successfully for quite a number of years,
being afterwards from about the year 1858 to 1869 the reporter of the
supreme court, and then elected a judge of that court, in which high
position he remained and by his industry, ability and learning achieved
a high distinction and national and more than national reputation as a
jurist, and as the author of several valuable treatises on the law. He
was also for several years a professor in the law school at the Univer-
sity of Michigan and was highly esteemed and distinguished as such.
After his retirement from the bench of the supreme court, he was
appointed by the president of the United States a member of the
inter-state commerce commission, which position he has recently
resigned, it is understood, on account of ill health. In all these posi-
tions he has been eminently successful and acquired an honorable and
exalted reputation. He was preeminently a self-made man, without
means or influential relations, with only a common school education to
assist him, dependent entirely on his own efforts, and his eminent suc-
cess is due mainly no doubt to his integrity and indomitable industry
in the study of his profession. As an illustration of which I remember
when he was a student at law, of hearing that he was in the habit not
only of studying during the day, but taking his book with him when
he retired at night and studying in bed. We are gratified at the suc-
cess and distinction which he has won, and take pride in pointing to
him as a Lenawee county boy.

Did time permit it would be pleasant to speak of others of our own
number, of the honorable and successful achievement and career of
some of those whose names have been umnentioned, whom we hold in
high esteem, but I must forbear.

HISTORY OP THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 565

HISTOKY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHUKCH.

BY HON. DANIEL STRIKER.

fAn historical address delivored at the semi-centennial celebration of the organization of the First M.
E. Society of Hastings, Mich., Nov. 6, 1891.]

INTRODUCTION.

BRETHREN AND NEIGHBOKS — I come to this task with many misgiv-
ings. When this duty was assigned to me I thought it would not be
a difficult task to crowd the record of fifty years into a paper of sixty
minutes in length. I had not proceeded very far, however, before I
found I had undertaken a pretty large contract, that it was no easier
to crowd fifty years into sixty minutes than to spread sixty minutes
over fifty years, that like many others I failed to comprehend the
length of time of fifty years. I failed to take into my thought that
fifty years meant 18,262 days, and that if only one act for each day
was recorded and that act expressed by a single word and the record
read at the rate of sixty words in a minute that it would require more
than five hours time to deliver it. Fifty years is a lifetime for many
of us.

I am responsible for what the paper may lack in general interest,,
but the length of time attempted to be traversed is my apology for its
seeming unnecessary length. I, therefore, ask your indulgence while I
attempt to present the items as I have gathered them by the way.
You have my sympathy, I cannot ask for yours, but I invoke your
forbearance.

"As antiquity adds interest to things so age adds interest to occa-
sions and times, and in proportion to their age does the interest
increase."

No one until they have tried it can fully appreciate the embarrass-
ment attending the collection and compilation of facts by one who was
not connected with, nor personally cognizant of the events.

In September, 1877, a movement was inaugurated looking towards
the gathering together of the facts and incidents connected with the

566 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

early organization and history of our society, whereupon S. C. Priiidle,
K. J. Grant, and O. D. Spaulding were appointed a committee for
such purpose. Brother Prindle as chairman of such committee, at once
set about the task and by correspondence with Eev. Daniel Bush, who
was the first preacher, sent here as a missionary by the annual confer-
ence, was able to obtain from him quite a complete history of the first
year's work of the regular itinerant in this field. Further than that
but little could be gleaned, as the four or five who immediately
succeeded him were not living. As Brother Prindle soon after removed
from among us but little was done until 1881, when the effort was
renewed, and the labor seemed in a large measure to fall upon others.

Letters were sent to such early occupants of the field as were known
to be living, but with meager results and we were able to obtain but
little information in this manner, as time seemed to have erased the
events from their memory. Besides, at the very outset we were con-
fronted with the loss, by fire, of the record of membership, and all
records, save those of the quarterly conferences prior to 1850, the
class-books of this society being burned with some of R. J. Grant's
private papers, in the fire that occurred in this village November 30,
1867, and the class-book of the Carlton class was also burned, with the
house of the late E. R. Carpenter. Thus we were dependent upon the
memory of the survivors who participated in the organizations of the
several classes, or were cognizant of the facts connected therewith and
much allowance must be made for their forgetfulness of events happen-
ing over forty years since, for at that time (1881) we found but few
who could relate them with any degree of accuracy, among whom were
Lorenzo Mudge and Isaac Messer, since then both have passed away.
To these and the diary left by the late Alonzo Barnum are we
indebted for many of the items relating to the early church services
and work in this vicinity.

Probably no one man did more pioneer religious work in this county
than Bev. William Daubney, a local preacher of the Methodist church,
residing at Gull Prairie, and commonly known as "Father Daubney,"
whose work extended over the counties of Kalamazoo, Allegan and
Barry. John F. Hale, who knew him intimately, said of him, that on
Saturday afternoon he would mount his horse and with Bible and
hymn book in his saddle bags travel from twenty to fifty miles, as the
case might be, between then and time for services the next morning.
Hold services, preaching, class or prayer meeting, or ail, from one to
three times on Sunday, often traveling from six to fifteen miles during
the day to attend them, returning home on Monday, resuming manual

HISTORY OP THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 567

labor on the farm during the week and repeat the itinerant work on
ihe next Saturday and Sunday in some other direction. This work he
'continued until his death, in 1877, but of course much less in later
years, by reason of his age and physical infirmities.

It is claimed that preaching services were held at the tavern of the
late William Lewis, in Yankee Springs, in 1837 and 1838, by different
ministers. Mrs. H. E. Hoyt, his daughter, writes me that she well
remembers the fact of preaching services being held at her father's
house before any preacher was located at Hastings. Rev. Calvin Clark,
of Gull Prairie, a Presbyterian preacher, was there in 1838 or 1839.
Mr. Slater, a Baptist Indian missionary, located on the south line of
this county, also " Father Daubney," a little later, she thinks, and a
Mr. Ballard, who was quite loud and sensational, she remembers well.
All preachers of the gospel were considered by her father as his
guests and by him entertained and always welcomed and if their
coming were known in advance word was sent out through the sparsely
settled country for the neighbors to come in and attend religious
services.

In the fall of 1839 " Father Daubney " held preaching services at
the house of Chas. W. Bassett, who was a Methodist residing in the
northwest corner of the town of Yankee Springs, which service was
probably the first held in that part of the town.

Mrs. Squire M. Nichols, daughter of the late Aaron L. Ellis, writes
that in 1839 or 1840 a Methodist class was formed at North Pine Lake,
in Orangeville, by " Father Daubney," of six members, viz., A. L.
Ellis, Phoebe Ellis, Emily Ellis, Joshua Pease, Julia Pease, and
Martha Patton. A. L. Ellis was appointed leader. He had been a
class leader in the east before settling in Orangeville. Emily Ellis
afterwards became the wife of Kev. A. C. Shaw, the fourth preacher
on this charge, and is now a widow residing at Marinette, Wisconsin.

Keligious services were held in Woodland in 1839 or 1840 at the
house of Alonzo Barnum, on the south town line, where in the pres-
ence of a few of his neighbors, Mr. Barnum conducted the service,
which included a prayer and other brief services. In the winter of
1839 he heard of the presence of a Mrs. Potts, a Methodist, residing
on section four, on the north side of the town. He went over to see
her and found her to be a member of the Methodist church, and held
a prayer meeting at her house, said to be the first in the town, no one
else present save the husband, John A. Potts. Mrs. Potts lived to the
ripe age of 72 years, and at one time resided in this city. She died
at Woodland in 1879.

568 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

The first class in Woodland was organized in 1840, at the house of
Alonzo Barnum by Father Daubney, of five members, names not given.
Alonzo Barnum was a man of religious earnestness and zeal. During
his early residence in Woodland he kept a diary and from it is taken
the following extract:

" Sunday, June 14, 1841, town of Hastings, Barry county, Michigan State. Glory
to God for his goodness and mercy to me and my little family! Though my pen
has long been silent through the multitude of cares and perplexities, yet my Lord
has been with me. In the year 1839, in the month of November, I moved to Mich-
igan, Barry county, township of Hastings (what is now Woodland, Carlton, Castle-
ton, and Hastings was then all Hastings). But few inhabitants, all woods, no society
and no meetings of any kind held in the township of twelve miles square. In
consequence of this I lost much ground. I left the bosom of a good society in
which I lived for ten years. I now felt the loss of brethren. In the summer of
1840 I proposed to my neighbors to come together and I would read a sermon of
Wesley's to them and we would spend an hour in worshipping the Lord who made
us. The people seemed very willing and on the Sabbath we met for the first time.
I praye'd to my heavenly Father that he would open some way that the gospel
might be preached to us likewise. The good Lord heard my prayer and sent
Brother Daubney to preach to us for the first time. He came forty miles. On May
26, Brother Bennett, the missionary from Eaton county, preached to us and we
formed a class of twelve members of which I was chosen leader, and Oh, may the
gracious Lord bless them! I here insert their names: Alonzo Barnum, Jane
Potts, Sophia Barnum, Daniel Hager, Abel Barnum, Emiline Cooper, Anna Barnum,
Reuben Haight, Betsey Barnum, Sally Ann Haight, Esther Durkee. and Charlotte
Haight."

If the above is not an earnest prayer of thankfulness and gratitude
I do not know what would be. It almost equals those of David or
Job. Of the above I know of but two now living, Emiline Cooper, in
the second ward, and Charlotte Haight, who is now the wife of Amos
Wakefield. This class was subsequently divided, forming the Holmes
and Woodland Center classes.

The first sermon in Hastings was at the funeral of a Mr. DeGroat,
one of the first settlers in what is now the town of Rutland. It was
conducted by Eev. Calvin Clark of Gull Prairie. It is said that at the
burial of Mr. Cooley and Mrs. Rush there was no preacher in attend-
ance and prayer was offered by A. C. Parmelee. Aside from the
above funeral service the first preaching service was by "Father Daub-
ney," who came here in the fall of 1839 and held services in the log
house of Mr. Bunker, and continued preaching here during the winter
and spring following, occasionally.

In July, 1840 (Mr. Messer said the twentieth day), he came here
by the way of Bull's Prairie, fording the river there and coming up
on the north side of the river to this place, stopped with Levi Chase,

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 569

held services in the log tavern of Mr. Chase in the forenoon of the
next day, Sunday, and organized a class of seven members at that
time. The members were Lorenzo Mudge and wife, Polly Ingram,
Mrs. Daniel McLellan (Mrs. Hayes' mother), a Mr. Hall, Mr. Hush
and Mr. Ketchum. Brother Mudge was chosen leader. Mr. Hall and
Mr. Rush soon after removing left the membership but five. None of
the above are known to be now living. This was Hastings' first organ-
ized class. In the afternoon he (Father Daubney) went to Carlton,
held services at the house of Isaac Messer and also organized a class
of seven members as follows: E. R. Carpenter and wife, Isaac Messer
and wife, Mrs. John Henyon, Louisa Rogers and George Fowler. Car-
penter was appointed leader and Messer, steward. Alpheus Moore,
Lovica Fuller and Caroline Wickham joined the class soon thereafter.
This class has also maintained its organization ever since. It is now
known as the Carlton Center class. Brother Messer, as steward
circulated a subscription for sustaining preaching there and here and
raised $37. Brother Daubney continued his labors during the fall and
ensuing winter, here and at Carlton every four weeks.

Of this class there are three now living, Louisa Rogers, upon the
same farm now as then, Mrs. E. R. Carpenter, now at Potterville with
her son, and Caroline Wickham (now Mrs. Helms), residing at Roxand,
Eaton county. Mr. H. A. Goodyear relates the following incident in
connection with the early services here in the fall of 1840. He says
he voted at Battle Creek on the first Tuesday of November, came to
Hastings the next day (Wednesday) and on the Sunday following Rev.
William Daubney held preaching services at the log tavern of Levi
Chase. He remembers it distinctly as he went up to the Indian
settlement at Thornapple lake, and on his way he met Melissa Tyler
and Parmelia Alden (afterwards Mrs. Nathan Barlow and Mrs. J. L.
McLellan, respectively) coming on foot to attend the services, they
then residing near where the county farm is now located.

Lorenzo Mudge is authority for the statement that in the autumn
of 1840 or spring of 1841, Rev. John Ercanbrack, the then presiding
elder of the Kalamazoo district, came here with "Father Daubney"
and held quarterly meeting services, preaching from the following text:
" Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy, break up your
fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord till he come and rain
righteousness upon you." — Hosea x:12.

Father Daubney continued to hold services here occasionally until
the arrival of Daniel Bush, the first preacher appointed to the Hastings
72

570 HISTORY OP THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

mission by the annual conference in the fall of 1841. Father Daubney
attended the funeral service of the first Mrs. Dr. Upjohn. The pall
bearers were six young ladies all dressed in white with black gloves
and crape, the names are given me as follows: Mrs. I. Holbrook, the
first Mrs. Nathan Barlow, the first Mrs. H. A. Goodyear, Mrs. Wm.
S. Goodyear, Mrs. J. L. McLellan, and the first Mrs. J. B. Carpenter.
You will pardon this digression; I thought it might be interesting
however.

In view of the above given dates you may be very properly asking
yourselves the question why not take some of these former dates as
the date of the beginning of our organization? We answer, because of
the possibility of mistake and the want of any duly authorized record.
There can be no question as to the date of May 26 or June 14, 1841,
as mentioned by Brother Barnum in his diary, but the Woodland class
did not form a part of Hastings class, but of the circuit afterwards. It
had a distinct and separate organization. Neither have I any doubt of
July 20, 1840, as given by Isaac Messer, being the date of the organ-
ization of a class here and at Carlton, and yet some thought a class
was formed here at an earlier date. Nor in attempting to write the
history of our own society do we wish to trespass on the rights of
others and thus rob them of their part in the good work. Neither
shall we attempt to bring in the work of sister denominations, only as
they may tend to explain some matter in connection with ours, for
they will see to that themselves, but we shall confine our work so far
as possible, to our own society.

We have only mentioned the organization of the above classes
and their leaders because they were incidental to our own organization
as you will soon see. Thus to avoid confusion and any dispute as to
date we take the record left us by our fathers, and in their own
writing as the basis of the organization of our society.

So much for an introduction, and now as we commence upon the
history proper we take as our text the following:

" We live to make our own church a power in the land while we live to love every other church
that exalts our Christ." — Stimpson.

1841— HI8TORY-1891.

November 6, 1841, fifty years ago, there convened in the then little
hamlet of Hastings, six earnest Christian men in the capacity of a
quarterly conference of the Methodist Episcopal church for the Hast-
ings mission, Kalamazoo district and Michigan 'conference. Their
coming together was not" heralded abroad throughout the land by

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 571

trumpet or by loud or long proclamation. But in accordance with the
rules of the Methodist Episcopal church, quietly they met and faith-
fully discharged their duties as officials of the church of their choice,
without asking whether it would be popular or politic, but with
simple trust in God invoking His favor upon their undertaking. We
do not know as their meeting was held in an upper chamber, more
probably in a room in some private house and on the afternoon of a
Saturday, as that was the usual time for such meetings. Nor do we
know where the quarterly meeting services were held on the Sunday
following, but probably in the new school house that had just been
finished. Nor can we give you any information as to the composition
of the choir or of the particular make up of the congregation. In
those days such things did not enter into consideration as now. But
that these men laid the foundation well and upon the "Solid Rock"
is evidenced by our present surroundings. They builded better than
they knew.

The following is the record of their meeting, and in as plain and
distinct writing as if done but yesterday:

Minutes of the first quarterly conference for Hastings mission, held
at Hastings, Nov. 6, 1841. Conference opened with prayer. Members
present: James F. Davidson, presiding elder; Daniel Bush, missionary;
Alonzo Barnum, Lorenzo Mudge, Elisha Carpenter, Aaron Ellis,
leaders.

The record shows that the usual disciplinary questions were asked
and properly answered and the following brethren were appointed
stewards, viz.: Alonzo Barnum, recording steward; Lorenzo Mndge,
Aaron L. Ellis, Eichard Witherell, Joseph Merriman,stewards.

And the next quarterly meeting was appointed to be held at the
school house in the neighborhood of Zebulon Barnum — this is where
the Henry Barnum school house is now located. It may aid you in
comprehending the earnestness of these men to take into your thoughts
the distance each traveled to attend this, as well as subsequent meet-
ings, and also the condition of the roads in those days:

Lorenzo Mudge resided nine miles east of here, Alonzo Barnum
eleven miles northeast, E. E. Carpenter seven miles north, and Aaron
L. Ellis twenty-two miles southwest.

They have all passed over the river, and no doubt are enjoying the
rich fruitage of their early labors. Brother Davidson continued as the
presiding elder of Kalamazoo district for the full term of four years.
It is said of him, by those who knew him personally, that he was a

572 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

good man as well as a good preacher — was very particular about his
personal appearance, both in and out of the pulpit.

In the division of the State into two conferences, in 1856, he fell
within the bounds of the Detroit conference. He continued in the
active work, preaching his semi-centennial sermon before the Detroit
conference August 21, 1881, at Utica. In December, 1884, while on
his charge at Fenton he was stricken with blindness and obliged to
resign his charge after fifty-four years of continuous work in the
itineracy, and December 14, 1885, died, on the morning of his 75th
birthday, at his home in Fenton.

Rev. Daniel Bush labored here during the conference year and was
regarded with much favor by those who knew him. He continued in
the itinerant work for years afterwards and died at a ripe old age at
Grand Rapids, in August, 1881.

Aaron L. Ellis died September 15, 1860, at the home of his daugh-
ter, Mrs. S. M. Nichols, in Orangeville.

Alonzo Barnum died October 17, 1861, at his home in Woodland.

Lorenzo Mudge died August 4, 1872, at his home in Castleton.

E. R. Carpenter died September 16, 1874, at his home in Carlton.

Joseph Merriman, who then resided in the extreme south of the
town of Prairieville, is now living at Galesburgh, over 80 years of age.

Of Richard Witherell, whose residence was either Prairieville or
Orangeville, I am unable to give you any definite information.

I have been more particular as to what may seem to be small, mat-
ters in connection with these brethren than I shall be with the
subsequent officials, as these were the first officials of the society and,
as it were, the corner stones of the foundation.

The second quarterly meeting was held at the Barnum school house,
as appointed, and the quarterly conference held January 15, 1842.
The usual questions were asked and duly answered. The question,
" Have the rules concerning the instruction of children been observed,"
was answered in the affirmative. No Sabbath school report. Lorenzo
Mudge was appointed district steward, and the next quarterly meeting
appointed at Pine Lake school house.

The third quarterly meeting was held at the Pine Lake school house
and the quarterly conference held April 9, 1842.

At this meeting five of the official brethren were present. The name
of Asahel Tillotson first appears here as leader. He then resided near
where Milo station is now located. He died some forty years since.
Aside from the ordinary business the record shows that Brother Alonzo
Barnum tendered his resignation as recording steward and on motion,

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 573

John W. Bradley was appointed steward, and elected as recording
steward, and further, on motion it was

Resolved, " That we join with the Allegan circuit in a camp-meeting,
and at which time we propose to hold our own fourth quarterly meet-
ing, and further, that a committee of three be appointed to associate
with the Allegan committee and select a place to hold the camp-
meeting, and that A. L. Ellis, Asahel Tillotson and Joseph Merriman
be said committee."

The fourth and last quarterly conference for the conference year of
the Hastings mission was held at the house of Brother Nichols, in
Plainfield, Allegan county, near the camp ground, June 20, 1842.
Present: James F. Davidson, presiding elder in the chair; Daniel
Bush, missionary; Aaron L. Ellis, Joseph Merriman, John W. Bradley,
stewards; Elisha R. Carpenter, Asahel Tillotson, leaders.

The record shows that the usual questions were asked and properly
answered, and the following appointed as stewards:

A. L. Ellis, John W. Bradley, Alonzo Barnum, Joseph Merriman,
Jjorenzo Mudge and George Fowler.

The following is the financial statement:

"Hastings Mission, September 1st, 1842.
Paid to James F. Davidson, presiding elder, during the conference year

that is-past __ _ $17 45

Paid to Brother Daniel Bush, missionary the year that is past, including

table expenses for the year___ 133 85"

Forty dollars of the above was missionary money, received during
the year as you will be subsequently advised.

Sister Dunn (formerly Doty), of Johnstown, writes that during the
fall of 1841 Eev. Daniel Bush formed a class in Johnstown of three
members, Orris Barnum and wife and Mrs. Kufus Cowles. Mrs.
Oowles was afterwards Mrs. Bresee. She resided in this city at the
time of her death, which was December 24, 1885.

Mr. Barnum is now living at Battle Creek. Wm. Morford and wife
soon after united with this class and he was appointed leader. During
the fall services were held at the log house of Brother Barnum once
in four weeks, on Thursday evenings, and afterwards at the log school
house in the same neighborhood.

There was also a class organized in Prairieville in 1842, but I cannot
give the names of those composing it.

January 13, 1878, Brother Daniel Bush visited Hastings, and at the
request of Brother Prindle gave us quite a history of his year's work.

574 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

I take the following liberal extract from a long letter written by him

soon after:

"Early in the fall of 1841 I rode into Hastings on horseback and announced
myself as a minister of the gospel, sent by the Methodist conference to labor
among them as a missionary. The people received me as a messenger of God and
with a cordiality and warm heartedness that at once inspired me with confidence
and hope. I never met with a warmer reception than I did at Hastings, although
there was not a professor of religion in the place. There were at this time, if my
memory serves me, some ten or twelve buildings in Hastings, the most of them
built of logs, while the people were all very poor. Forty dollars in missionary
money had been appropriated for the support of my family, but the people were
quite liberal and we passed through the .year quite comfortably. As the people
would not consent to my living outside the village the first thing in order was to
procure a residence for my family. Failing to find a house we were offered a
temporary home in Alexander McArthur's house, where we were given an upper
chamber which was reached by a ladder, and there was established the first
Methodist parsonage in Hastings. A movement headed by A. W. Bailey and
Thomas Bunker, for the erection of more comfortable quarters for my family,
resulted in the completion of a house on the first day of January, 1842. The fire-
wood, needed for the 'household, I obtained by falling trees that grew in profusion
about the house. * * * * I commenced my missionary labors as soon as
I reached Hastings. A new school house had been built the same year I came
and in that house we assembled for worship. From this point I went into all the
settlements of Barry county, the western part of Eaton county and the northern
part of Kalamazoo county, preaching wherever I could assemble a congregation.
Previous to my coming to this work Brother Daubney, a local preacher from Gull
Prairie, had visited Hastings a few times and preached to the people. I heard of
a Methodist man who lived several miles northeast of Hastings by the name of
Alonzo Barnum, I made him a visit and found him chopping down a tree. I
introduced myself and when I told him that a new mission had been formed and
that I was the preacher in charge he raised his hands and eyes to heaven, great
tears rolled down his face and he exclaimed, 'Praise God, my prayers have been
heard at last.' We both knelt at the roots of the tree and held a prayer meeting.
A class was formed there and we made it a regular preaching place.

"I preached in Eaton county in the Hager settlement. I preached in Zebulon
Barnum's school house, northeast of Hastings, and in the Carpenter settlement
north of Hastings. West of Hastings I had an appointment at Mr. Ingram's, and
also at John W. Bradley's. I preached at Mr. Hill's, where the village of Middle-
ville now stands, and farther south, at Judge Barlow's. I had also an appointment
at Yankee Springs, and preached during the year at Yankee Lewis' tavern. I
preached at the Tillotson school house, near Gull Prairie. I preached also during
the year at Pine Lake, where we had a class and there ^ve held a quarterly
meeting. East of Hastings there was a considerable settlement near the county
line, and here I preached to a class at the house of Lorenzo Mudge. During
the summer of 1842 I held, with Rev. Franklin Gage, in charge of Allegan circuit,
a camp-meeting, near Gun Marsh, on a line near our respective charges. This was
the first camp-meeting ever held in this part of the State and it was attended with
gratifying results.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 575

"The free use of intoxicating drinks in Barry 'county suggested work in the
temperance cause. There was a lawyer in Hastings by the name of Marsh Gid-
dings, a very good talker, who was always ready for a temperance speech. John
Van Annan, a lawyer from Battle Creek, who came to Hastings to attend court
assisted us in the good work. We soon organized a temperance society and
nearly all the people took the pledge. At every place where I preached I
delivered temperance discourses and offered the pledge. A great majority of the
people joined the temperance ranks. We had a fourth of July celebration and
passed through the usual formalities of such an occasion. I had the honor of
being the first chaplain in Hastings. Our band consisted of a fife and drum
and did excellently well."

Mr. Bush said he hauled his goods for housekeeping from Grand
Rapids with an ox team.

At the annual conference in 1842> Rev. Henry Worthington was
appointed to the Hastings mission to succeed Brother Bush.

The first quarterly conference was held at Hastings Nov. 19, 1842.
At this meeting A. C. Ketchuni was added to the board of stewards,
and the Rogers school house in Carlton designated as the place for
the next quarterly meeting.

At a stewards' meeting, held at Hastings, January 17, 1843, "it was
unanimously voted that the next quarterly conference for Hastings
mission be held at Pine Lake at the red school house near Geo.
Brown's, Esq., in the township of Spaulding.

"(Signed) JOHN W. BRADLEY,

"Recording Steward."*

At the second quarterly meeting no quarterly conference was held
because so few of the members of the official board were present.

The third quarterly conference was held at John W. Bradley 's at
Middleville July 13, 1843. Says the record, present: James F. David-
son, presiding elder; Henry Worthington, missionary; Aaron L. Ellis,
A. C. Ketchum, Lorenzo Mudge, Jno. W. Bradley, stewards.

At this meeting " it was voted to join with the Allegan circuit in a
camp-meeting to be held at the grounds where the meeting was held
last year, at a time to be designated by the elder, and that the next
quarterly meeting be held at Hastings, July 29."

The following action was also taken:

"Resolved, That we proceed to take measures to build a parsonage
in the village of Hastings for the use of the preacher appointed to
labor on Hastings mission. The house to be 24x20 on the ground,
one and one-half stories high, to be done off in a plain style."

" That a building committee of three be appointed and that Brothers

576 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

A. C. Ketchum, Isaac Messer, and John W. Bradley be said
committee."

Brother Worthingto.n's total receipts for the year were $143.06.
This included $50 missionary money from the conference. He was
unable to give us much information concerning his work here. He
said it had gone from his memory, except the marriage of H. A.
Goodyear and Mary Barlow at the home of Judge Barlow, in Yankee
Springs (now Bowen's Mills), which occurred May 23, 1843. He was
a ready and pleasant talker and averaged up well. He died at Dowa-
giac, July 10, 1881, after living his full measure of years.

Sister Emily Shaw, the widow of the late A. C. Shaw, writes that,
" When Brother Worthington came to this mission he desired to make
Pine Lake his home, but there was no house for him, and my father,
(A. L. Ellis), had a house large enough for the preacher's family and
our own, but it was not finished, so they finished off the best they
could the front room and a bedroom for the pastor. Then pastor,
wife, and baby moved in and lived with us during the conference year.
We thought it next to heaven to have the 'preacher live with us."

At the annual conference in 1843, Eev. Edward L. Kellogg was
appointed to Hastings circuit. The long dresses were taken off the
infant and short clothes put on, and the child commanded not only to
stand alone but to walk, for no more missionary money was received
from the conference, and a mission but two years. The first official
meeting for the year was a stewards' meeting held at the home of
John W. Bradley. The presiding elder, Brother James F. Davidson,
presided at which time the following named brethren were nominated
and approved, as trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church for the
Hastings circuit: Asahel Tillotson, Alonzo Barnum, Lorenzo Mudge,
Isaac Messer, Aaron L. Ellis, John W. Bradley.

The first quarterly conference for the year was held at Pine Lake,
November 26, 1843, in connection with the quarterly meeting. The
presiding elder, preacher in charge, and four of the official brethren
were present. At this meeting the name of Levi Holmes, familiarly
known as " Deacon Holmes," is first mentioned as exhorter, but is
marked as being absent. Aside from the usual routine business,
Isaac Messer was appointed steward in place of A. C. Ketchum,
removed.

The second quarterly meeting and the conference therewith were
held at Hastings, February 3, 1844. At this meeting most of the
members of the official board were present, as follows: James F.
Davidson, presiding elder; Edward L. Kellogg, preacher; Levi Holmes,

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 577

exhorter; Aaron L. Ellis, Alonzo Barnum, Lorenzo Mudge, John W.
Bradley, Isaac Messer, stewards; John Height, Clark H. Palmer,
Asahel Tillotson, leaders. And absent, George Fowler, Joseph Merri-
man, stewards; E. E. Carpenter, leader.

At this meeting the ordinary business was transacted and Lorenzo
Mudge was appointed a member of the building committee, in place
of A. C. Ketchum, removed. The public collection was $1.46.

The third quarterly meeting and quarterly conference were held at
the Tillotson school house in Prairieville township, April 20.

The fourth and last quarterly meeting and the quarterly conference
for the conference year were held at the barn of John W. Bradley,
July 27. At this meeting nine of the official brethren were present
besides the presiding elder and preacher, viz.: Bradley, Ellis, Mudge,
Barnum, Messer, Fowler, Tillotson, Height, and Keuben Farr. This is
the first mention of the name of Keuben Farr as leader. I think he
was from Prairieville.

At this meeting Levi Holmes, Clark H. Palmer, and George Fowler
weie licensed as exhorters.

John W. Bradley was appointed district steward and Samuel Skill-
man was appointed circuit steward.

This is the first mention of Samuel Skillman,

Edward L. Kellogg received during the year, including table
expenses, horse keeping, traveling expenses, etc., etc., $86.

James F. Davidson received $8.39.

February 8, 1844, " The Hastings Village company, by Lansing
Kingsbury, trustee," conveyed by deed, lot No. 804 to the " Trustees
of the First Methodist Episcopal society of Hastings circuit and their
successors in office for the purpose of a parsonage for said society."
This is the west lot of the Dr. Lampman place, and now owned by
Dr. Fuller. The house must have been so far finished as to be occu-
pied early in the spring of 1844, as sister Mudge says she and the
present Mrs. H. A. Goodyear called upon the pastor's wife in the
spring and before either of them were married, and that she and
Brother Mudge were married June 17, 1844. by Brother Kellogg.

The parsonage, as built, consisted of what is now the north wing of
the present pastor's home and, of course, the familiar "summer kitchen"
attachment. It was built but one story, instead of one and a half
stories, as first contemplated. This place for a long time was the
home of the circuit preacher and headquarters for Methodism for the
entire county.
73

578 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

Hereafter we will only give the appointment of members of the
.official board, as elected at the fourth quarterly conferences or the
changes in the same.

At the annual conference, in the fall of 1844, Eev. Edward L. Kel-
logg was returned to the Hastings circuit.

The first quarterly meeting and quarterly conference in connection
therewith was held at the Pine Lake school house, January 11, 1845.

The second at Hastings, April 5, and 6, and the third quarterly
conference at John W. Bradley's, June 7. At this meeting the follow-
ing were chosen as trustees for the Hastings circuit: Aaron L. Ellis,
Isaac Messer, Alonzo Barnum, Lorenzo Mudge, Asahel Tillotson, Levi
Holmes and John W. Bradley.

The fourth and last quarterly meeting for the conference year was
held at Pine Lake* August 30 and 81. At this meeting was the first
report on Sabbath schools as follows:

"One Sabbath school in its infancy, one superintendent and five
teachers of the Methodist church." Official members appointed as
follows, viz.:

John W. Bradley, Aaron L. Ellis, Lorenzo Mudge, Alonzo Barnum,
George W. Fowler, Isaac Messer, Samuel Skillman, stewards; Levi
Holmes, Clark H. Palmer, exhorters; John Height, Reuben Farr,
James Cole, leaders.

Mr. Cole lived on the south town line of Woodland.

I will here give you the financial statement from the steward's book:

"Financial concensus of Hastings circuit, for the year commencing November,
1844:

First quarter received of John W. Bradley's class __ $3 69

" A. L. Ellis' " _ __ 329

" A. Tillotson's " 1 75

" J. Height's " __ 62

" " A. Barnum's " _ 1 10

" Judge Barlow 1 50

public collection _. 3 50

$15 45

Paid James F. Davidson, January 12, 1845, P. E $2 25

" wine for sacrament _ ___ 19

" E. L. Kellogg... _ 13 oi

$15 45
E. L. Kellogg paid out for expenses first quarter.. ... $5 12

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 579

Second quarter received of S. Skillman's class. __ $7 80

" " " Lorenzo Mudge's class.. 421

" Levi Holmes' " 150

" " Reuben Farr's " _ _ _ 40

" " " " Alonzo Barnum's " ._ 90

" " Aaron L. Ellis' " __ 1 55

" " Asahel Tillotson's " 81

" J. W. Bradley's " __ 1 60

• " " public collection _ ___ 2 27

$21 04

Paid P. E., James F. Davidson, April 7, 1845 _ $1 08

" E. L. Kellogg 1996

$21 04

The public collection for the third quarter was. _ $L 84

" " fourth " " _ 2 20

The presiding elder was paid at the third quarter _ 50

" " " " fourth " _ ___ 100

The record says, " Paid E. L. Kellogg $70.41, including all that has
been paid at the previous quarters of this year, including table
expenses, and all other expenses incurred through the conference year."
Pretty large salary that, $70, think of it, to support a family (no mat-
ter how small) for one year; not many luxuries I guess.

You will notice that it speaks of table expenses, etc., etc. I will
quote from the Discipline of 1848 (that is the earliest I have) to show
how close the board of stewards adhered to the laws of the church:

"It shall be the duty of a committee appointed by the quarterly conference, who
shall be a member of our church, to make an estimate of the amount necessary to
furnish fuel and table expenses for the family or families of 'preachers stationed
with them, which estimate shall be subject to the action of the quarterly meet-
ing conference; and the stewards shall provide, by such means as they may devise
to meet such expenses, in money or otherwise; Provided the stewards shall not
appropriate the moneys collected for the regular quarterly allowance of the
preacher's to the payment of family expenses."

It is said of Brother Kellogg, that he was rather small of stature,
quiet, but a good man and preacher and very faithful in his work, not
given to joking or frivolity, at one time, however, the victim of quite a
happy joke. Those who knew Elijah Alden knew him to be a great
joker. During the summer of 1845 Brother Mudge, when coming to
Hastings to attend meeting one Sunday morning, included in his
wagon load Sister Mudge's father, mother, and two or three other
members of the family, whose names were Hyde. The next day, Mr.
Alden meeting Brother Kellogg, with his usual long face and honest

580 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

appearing manner began to retail a long complaint against Brother
Mudge and his conduct as unbecoming a Christian, and that it was his
(Brother Kellogg's) duty to call him to account for it, and when asked
by Brother Kellogg what was the trouble, "Why," says Alden, "he
came to town on Sunday bringing a load of Hydes and he ought to
be churched."

I am not able to give you any information as to Brother Kellogg's
subsequent work, nor the place or time of his death.

At the session of the annual conference in the fall of 1845, Eev.
William Sprague was appointed presiding elder for Kalamazoo district
and Rev. A. C. Shaw, preacher for the Hastings circuit.

The first quarterly conference was held at Hastings, December 20,
'45. At this meeting the name of Brother Winans first appears as
leader. He lived in the Rasey settlement in Castleton.

Also at this meeting the following brethren were appointed as a
committee on missions, viz.: Alonzo Barnum, Lorenzo Mudge, Isaac
Messer, Levi Holmes, A. L. Ellis, Asahel Tillotson, Orris Barnum and
J. W. Bradley. Thus within two years after being the recipient of
missionary help the circuit became a missionary helper.

The second quarterly record is omitted.

The third quarterly conference was held at Carlton, June 6, 1846.
Eev. George King present, in the place of P. E. Sprague. At this
meeting the following report on Sabbath schools appears:

"Hastings Circuit, June 6, 1846.

"We are happy to say that we have succeeded in raising $50 on this charge,
with which we have purchased a circuit Sabbath school library. We have also
organized eleven schools, which we think will effect the desired object.

"A. C. SHAW, preacher in charge."

The fourth and last quarterly meeting for the conference year, as
well as the quarterly conference, was held in the grove near Brother
Tillotson's, in Prairieville, September 12, 1846.

The record says, "see names of official list on file." I do not find
it, however. At this meeting John W. Bradley was appointed district
steward and the license of Levi Holmes, as exhorter, renewed. A full
settlement for the year was had with Brother Shaw, he having received
his full claim of $165, and the presiding elder, Wm. Sprague, received
his full claim of $32, making total received for the year $197.

Personally I cannot say anything about Brother Shaw. I should
think he was a good worker, as his claim was met in full. Sister
Shaw of Marinette, Wis., writes: "The first round we made I sat in

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 581

the cutter and drove over logs and stumps, while my husband kept
hold of one side and Brother Alexander Campbell the other side of
the cutter to keep it from turning over. By the help of the Lord we
got through the woods to the appointments and found the friends in
their little log houses, with just a little clearing, but so glad to see the
preacher. In the evening we all gathered at the log school house to
hear the word of life, and such an attentive congregation. It paid us
good for riding over logs and stumps. This was above Hastings."

At the division of the State into annual conferences Brother Shaw
fell within the territory of the Detroit conference. He died at
Ypsilanti, January 21, 1876.

At the annual conference in the fall of 1846, Rev. T. B. Granger was
appointed to the Hastings circuit.

I do not find that anything save ordinary routine business for the
year was done.

The record for a while is quite incomplete, and therefore can give
but few details. Will speak further of Brother Granger in 1862
and 1863.

At the annual conference of 1847 Rev. George King was appointed
to Hastings circuit.

The first quarterly meeting and quarterly conference were held at
Pine Lake, December 25, 1847. Only routine business was transacted.

The second quarterly conference was held at Irving, March 25, 1848,
at which Brother Wm. Daubney was present, in the place of the pre-
siding elder, and the third quarterly meeting was appointed to be held
at Brother Mudge's.

The third quarterly conference was omitted and the fourth and last
quarterly conference for the conference year was held at Pine Lake on
the last Saturday in August, 1848.

At this meeting Brother King reported having received one hundred
dollars quarterage and Brother Sprague, presiding elder, six dollars.
The license of Brother Levi Holmes, as exhorter was renewed and that
of Brother Beach discontinued. During the pastojate of Brother King,
in 1847, the Irving Methodist class was organized and formed a part
of the Hastings circuit. The members were Peter Cobb (leader),
Hannah Cobb, J. W. Bradley, Sarah Bradley, Polly Bradley, Julia
Ingram, Sylvanus Travis, Eleanor Rich and Rosamond Ingram.
Brother Cobb was leader continuously until his death, which occurred
March 9, 1884, in the 69th year of his age.

The former Mrs. King, now wife of Rev. W. W. Johnson, resides at
East Grand Rapids, and under date of May 27, 1891, writes me: "In

582 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

September, 1847, I with my husband, Eev. George King, moved to the
then Hastings circuit. We lived in the parsonage, a little one story
house, one room, bedroom and pantry, shanty barn and the lot fenced
with rails. Service was held in a little white school house once in two
weeks, morning and evening, out several miles. Can't recall the names
of members, but few. Brother and Sister Messer, there was a Mrs.
Green, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Bidwell, that helped us much. The preacher
was all the leader we had. Brother Bradley was steward, he lived
west of Hastings, preaching at his school house. Prairieville, Brother
Tillotson steward and leader in everything. There were other preach-
ing places during the week, can't remember names. I never went out,
as those were days of horseback and saddle bags. In the month of
June there were twenty-five Indians, men, women and children, called
at the parsonage for dinner. I was alone; the Indian interpreter's
name was Joseph Tonchey. They were on their way to camp-meeting,
I can't now say how far east of Hastings. We 'had plenty of potatoes
and with a pitcher of buttermilk from Mrs. Green's, and the help of
Mary Cook dinner was soon ready. Thanks to the dear Lord, that
was my first real missionary work. I suppose my sisters in Hastings
do it in a little different style now.

" Brother King died while in the work, October 27, 1850. In 1848
Brother S. C. Prindle and wife became residents of Rutland and
united with Hastings class, and in 1849 Finch Mead and wife also."

At the annual conference in 1848 Eev. Milo Corey and V. G. Boyn-
ton were appointed to Hastings circuit.

The first quarterly meeting and quarterly conference were held at
Brother Mudge's December 23, 1848. At this meeting the claims of
the preachers were fixed as follows:

Brother Corey, claim and expenses _ _ $209 00

" Boynton " «' ___ _ 105 00

Presiding elder, claim for the circuit ._ 35 00

Total to be raised. ___ $349 00

During first quarter Brother Corey received _ $24 81

Boynton " 582

Presiding Elder Sprague 7 21

The second quarterly meeting conference was held at Prairieville
March 10, 1849. At this meeting the name of Melvin Nichols appears
as exhorter and that of Isaac Osborne as leader.

For the second quarter Corey received $29.53, and Brother Boynton
$10.98.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 583

And the third quarterly meeting was appointed to be held at Irving.
At this time there were nine classes in the circuit. I do not know
whether Brothers Boynton and Corey received the full amount of their
claim or not. Of them we will speak later.

Rev. Wm. Sprague filled the office of presiding elder upon the
Kalamazoo district the full term of four years. In 1848 he located and
was elected to congress, served one term of two years and then retired
to his farm in Oshtemo, Kalamazoo county, where he resided until his
death.

At the annual conference in 1849 Rev. F. B. Bangs was appointed
presiding elder for Kalamazoo district and Ransom Goodell to Hastings
circuit. The first quarterly meeting and quarterly conference were held
at Hastings, November 24. The claim of the preacher was fixed at
$371 and apportioned among the eleven classes then composing the
circuit as follows:

Hastings' class. __ $85 00 Joseph Merriman's class $35 00

L. Mudge's class _ 3000 Chas. Galloway's " 1500

E. R. Carpenter's class 25 00 Joseph Cupp's " 25 00

Wm. L. Morford's " 2000 Levi Holmes' " 3600

A.L.Ellis' " 3500 Peter Cob b's " _ 3500

Isaac Osborne's " 45 00

He only received $219.92 of it for his first year's work. I cannot
give any personal information of Brother Goodell, save that he was a
good and safe man. His death occurred August 8, 1855, while in the
ministry.

Here follows a record of members as the names appear on the class
books in 1850. I will give the names for this once only:

HASTINGS CLASS.

* Robert J. Grant, L'd'r and St'd, Eve McLelland,

Lucelia A. Grant, Henry Jenkins,

David G. Robinson, Lydia M. Jenkins,

Sarah B. Robinson, Rebecca Packard,

George Hollister, George W. Fowler,

Mary Hollister, Abigail Goodell,

Diar Morley, John T. Barnes. — 14.

* R. J. Grant has been leader, steward and trustee ever since and is now the oldest in continuous
membership of any member of the church.

584 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

IRVING CLASS.

Peter Cobb, leader, Rhoda Prindle,

Hannah Cobb, Sherman Prindle,

John W. Bradley, E. S., Nancy Hogle,

Sarah Bradley, J°hn Norton, on trial,

Julia A. Ingram, Finch Mead,

Rosamond Ingram, David Jordan,

Lydia Ingram, David Jordan, Jr.,

Sylvanus Travis, Zilphia Travis.— 17.
Ebenezer Prindle,

WOODLAND CLASS.

Levi Holmes, L'd'r and Ex., Esther Durkee,

Lois S. Holmes, Betsey Barnum,

Abel Barnum, Elihu Covey, on trial,

Ann Barnum, Elizabeth Young,

Hannah Covey, Euhama Covey. — 10.

WOODLAND CENTER CLASS,

Charles Galloway, leader, Sabra Orr,

Joanna Galloway, Michael Eowlater,

Patty Eogers, Eichard Hyatt,

John Dillenbeck, John Hyte,

Laura Dillenbeck, John Me Arthur .—10.

PINE LAKE CLASS.

Aaron L. Ellis, L'd'r and St'd, Mary New,

Phebe Ellis, Mark Nichols,

Chloa Warner, Luke Nichols,

Thomas Linderman, John Nichols,

Elizabeth Linderman, Charity Nichols,

Margaret Linderman, Lucinda Nichols,

Adaline Linderman, Mary E. Stow,

Isaac Starr, Melvin Nichols, Ex.r

Charlotte New, Lorenzo Nichols,

George New, Olive Nichols,— 20.

PRAIRIEVILLE CLASS.

Isaac Osborn, Sister E. B. Van Vleet,

Milla Osborn, John Freeman, leader,

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 585.

Peter A. Keeler, Lucetta Freeman,

Salina Keeler, Benjamin Farr, on trial,

Sister Cass, Jane N. Lewis, "

Brother Cass, Delia K. Lewis, "

Brother E. B. Van Vleet, Joseph H. Farr, " —14.

SOUTH PRAIRIEVILLE CLASS.

Joseph Merriman, leader, H. B. McBee,

Asahel Tillotson, steward, Caroline McBee,

Sophia Tillotson, Hezekiah Wood,

Seth Demick, Elizabeth Wood,

Baziah Demick, Heman Brownell, on trial,

Silva Brown, Sister Brownell, on trial. — 12..

CARLTON CLASS.

Elisha Carpenter, leader, William Tester.

Eliza Henyan, Deborah Vester,

Wm. A. Moore, Abraham Bush,

Eliza Moore, Brother Beach,

Eliza J. Fuller (now Mrs. Cobb), Sister Beach.— 10.

CASTLETON CLASS.

Lorenzo Mudge, L'd'r and St'd, Roswell Wilcox,

Buth K. Mudge, Naomi Wilcox,

Kenyan Mead, Clark H. Palmer,

Lidia Ann Mead, Prosper Moore,

Elizabeth Hyde, Oliver Martin,

Isaac Hyde, Magdaline Martin. — 12.

EAGER CLASS.

Joseph Cupp, leader, Abigail Cole,

Alonzo Barnum, steward, Emiline Cooper,

Sophia Barnum, Allen Dewey,.

Daniel Hager, Amy Ann Dewey,

James M. Cole, Amanda Wheeler. — 10...

JOHNSTOWN CLASS.

Wm. L. Morford, leader, Lucy Morford,

Olive Morford (now Swin), Mary Ann Morford,

Electa Barnum, Elkanah Morford,
74

586 HISTORY OP THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

Elizabeth Shaft, William Morford,

Daniel Doty, Wm. H. Nichols,
Mary E. Doty (now Mrs. Dunn), Lucius H. Nichols,

James Bresee, Stephen Kingsley,

Lydia Bresee, Augustus Barnum,

Henry Morehouse, Ashley Morford,

Mary Jane Morehouse, Alvira Collum,

Keuben Culver, Louisa Cowles,

Betsey Culver, Reuben Farr.— 24.

Eleven classes with a total membership of 153.

In the following year many members were added, among them Sister
Bailey, Dr. F. C. Cornell and wife, Marble Bates and wife, Eleazer
Brown and others to the Hastings class.

Eli Mallett and wife, L. J. Wheeler, Asa Wheeler, Esther Barnum,
Peter Cramer, B. L. Goss, and many others to . the Woodland class
whose names are familiar. Lovina Eogers, Messer and wife, to Carlton
class, etc., etc.

At the session of the annual conference in 1850 Grand Rapids dis-
trict was organized and Hastings circuit included within its territory.
Rev. David Burns was appointed presiding elder. Thomas Clark and
Milo Corey were appointed as preachers for Hastings circuit.

The first quarterly meeting and quarterly conference were held at
Hastings, November 2. The claims of both preachers were fixed at
$330, and that of the presiding elder fixed at $22 for the circuit.

Nine of the official brethren were present at roll call at the quarterly
conference.

The second quarterly meeting and quarterly conference were held
February 1, 1851, in the Hager neighborhood in Woodland. At this
quarterly conference eight of the official brethren were present.

Brother J. W. Bradley then tendered his resignation as recording
steward and Brother R. J. Grant was elected in his place.

Brother Bradley resided in the northeast corner of the town of
Yankee Springs, was very painstaking in his work. He at one time
was clerk of this county, and he continued to reside en his farm until
1868, when he removed to Horton, Brown county, Kansas, where he
died December H, 1875, in the 69th year of his age. His daughter,
Sister I. L. Diamond, of Rutland, is the only survivor of the family
here.

The third quarterly meeting was held at Johnstown, April 19, 1851.
No business for the quarter was reported.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 587

The fourth and last quarterly meeting, as well as the quarterly con-
ference, was held at Hastings, July 12, 1851. At this meeting there
were present:

David Burns, presiding elder; Thomas Clark and Milo Corey,
preachers; Isaac Messer, A. L. Ellis, Levi Holmes, R. J. Grant,
Alonzo Barnum, Peter Cobb and Joseph Hulce.

I think Hulce was from Hope class, which was organized that year.

The Sabbath school report showed:

Number of schools ; 7

" . " teachers _ 42

" scholars 205

" " volumes in library _ _'__ 355

Brother David G. Robinson was appointed circuit librarian, and a
committee appointed to apportion the preacher's claim for the next
conference year, and to meet at Hastings the third Saturday after the
annual conference.

E. J. Grant was elected district steward and the next quarterly
meeting was appointed at Pine Lake.

The labors here of Brothers Clark and Corey ended with this year.
I am unable to give you any information as to the future work of
Brother Corey. Brother Clark continued in the work and is now a
superannuate and resides at Grand Rapids.

At the annual conference, held in 1851, Revs. Geo. Bignell and A.
R. Bartlett were appointed as preachers for Hastings circuit.

The committee, upon pastors' claims reported thereon, fixing it at
$509, and apportioned the same among twelve classes as follows, viz.:
I give names and amount:

Hastings.. $95 00 Carlton _ _ $35 00

Irving _ _. 4500 Woodland Center. __ _ 2500

Woodland _. 3500 A. Barnum's 4200

Pine Lake 3500 Johnstown _._ _ __ 4000

South Prairieville 3500 Hope _ __ 3000

Prairieville 4100 Castle ton ._. 4200

There is no report as to how much of the above was collected, or
how much the preachers received for the year.

The second quarterly meeting and quarterly conference were held at
Hastings, February 22 and 23.

At this meeting nine of the official members were present. The new
names of A. B. Hart and B. L. Goss appear among the official mem-
bers. A. B. Hart resided in the Smith settlement, in northeast
Oastleton. Goss was from south Woodland.

588 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

The report on Sabbath schools shows six schools, but they had
suspended work during the winter. Action was taken to raise funds to
further the work. It was voted to build an addition to the parsonage,
the cost not to exceed $300. Brother Bignell was appointed to circu-
late a subscription to raise the funds. Brothers Marble, Bates, Rev.
Geo. Bignell and Lorenzo Mudge were appointed as the building
committee, and Brother Grant was also appointed a committee to ascer-
tain the cost of a suitable lot upon which to build a church.

The third quarterly meeting and quarterly conference were held at
Irving, May 15, 1852. At this meeting six of the official members were
present; also at this meeting the death of Sister Burns, wife of the
presiding elder, was announced and appropriate resolutions were
adopted and spread upon the record.

The fourth and last quarterly conference for the conference year was
held at Hastings, August 13, 1852.

The ordinary routine business was transacted. The Sabbath school
report shows one more school, making seven, and that $23.54 had been
raised for Sabbath school library purposes, and that John J. Freeman,
M. B. Nichols, Levi Holmes, Alonzo Barnum and Benjamin L. Goss
were licensed as exhorters.

This year closed the labors of Brother A. E. Bartlett here. He is
still in the active work and now presiding elder of Lake Superior
district of the Detroit conference.

At the annual conference in 1852 the circuit was changed to that of
Hastings and Prairieville circuit, and Eev. George Bignell and T. H.
Bignell were appointed as the preachers. I infer that George Bignell
was the preacher in charge and that T. H. Bignell worked under him
in the southwest part of the county, as I find that at the first quarterly
meeting and quarterly conference, held at Brother Alonzo Barnum's,
on the 27th and 28th of November, 1852, A. L. Ellis, Daniel Doty, J.
Freeman and T. B. Eobinson were appointed stewards for Prairieville
circuit.

I think there is an error in the initials of Brother Eobinson. It
was probably T. V. Eobinson, residing in Hope township, instead of
T. B. Eobinson, a mistake easily made.

The claim of George Bignell was fixed at $342 and apportioned
among eight classes as follows:

Hastings class $120 00 Chas. Galloway's class. _ $25 00

Irving " ___ 4500 Alonzo Barnum's " 4200

Levi Holmes' class _ 2800 Lorenzo Mudge's " 3200

Isaac Messer's " 2500 A. B. Hart's " 2500

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 589

Brother J. G. Freeman was allowed to copy from the records so
much as related to the Prairieville circuit, beginning with this
conference year.

The next quarterly meeting was appointed to be held at Prairieville
February 26 and 27, 1853. Before that time, however, the school
house at Prairieville burned and the quarterly meeting was held at
Hastings.

December 2, 1852, Brothers K. J. Grant, D. G. Kobinson and
Lorenzo Mudge, in behalf of the society, purchased from the village
school district lot No. 589 for $150, with the old school house thereon,
•each paying the sum of $50. Brothers Grant and Kobinson seated and
arranged the inside of the building so it answered the purpose for
"holding religious services for quite a while. The society afterwards
paid back what they advanced for fixing it inside, but the purchase
money was never refunded to any of the three brethren.

For some time prior to this services had been held in the court
house. This lot is located in the rear of the Robertson house (some
liberal men in those days). The receipts for the preacher for the first
quarter were $47.10.

The second quarterly conference was held at Hastings, February 25,
1853. Besides the official brethren from Hastings circuit the following
were present from Prairieville circuit, viz.: T. H. Bignell. preacher, J.
G. Freeman, Daniel Doty and Wm. L. Morford. At this meeting I
first find the name of P. K. Barnum as one of the official members.
He resided on the town line near Coat's Grove. I find as follows: In
consequence of Brother A. Barnum withdrawing from our church
Brother D. G. Eobinson was appointed steward in his place. Brother
Barnum withdrew because of his opposition to secret societies. He
united with the United Brethren church and remained with that church
until his death. No one doubted his sincerity that knew him. It
was:

"Resolved, That we, the members of this quarterly conference, make every possi-
ble effort to raise money to pay for the church in the village of Hastings before
the next annual conference, and that R. J. Grant be appointed to circulate a
subscription for the above object."

Beceipts for the second quarter were $55.42, and the third quarterly
meeting was appointed at Gun Marsh for the 7th and 8th of May next.

The third quarterly conference was held at Brother M. B. Nichols',
May 4, 1853. At this meeting the name of E. B. Van Vleet first
appears as one of the stewards of Prairieville circuit. Prairieville

590 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

reported three Sabbath schools; officers and teachers, eighteen. A
class called Gun Marsh class here appears on Prairieville circuit.

The fourth and last quarterly meeting for the conference year was
held at Hastings, August 13 and 14, 1853, and at the quarterly confer-
ence held in connection therewith, the following stewards were present:
E. J. Grant, Peter Cramer, B. L. Goss, A. B. Hart and S. W. Chase.
The latter was from North Irving.

Brother Grant was called upon to report what he had done towards
raising funds to pay for the church. He was unable to report any
progress, but said he would give the $75 that he had invested in the
house -

The following were licensed as exhorters: Thos. Bignell, B. L. Gossr
Levi Holmes, J. G. Freeman and M. B. Nichols.

The following stewards were appointed: K. J. Grant, D. G. Robin-
son, Peter Cobb, E. K. Carpenter, P. K. Barnum, Lorenzo Mudge,
Isaac Messer, Levi Holmes, A. B. Hart.

I cannot give you any information as to the further work of T. H,
Bignell. I am advised that he now resides at Grand Haven.

The earliest recollection I have of George Bignell is of seeing him
at the Indian camp-meeting at Thornapple lake in the summer of 1852r
a tall and fine looking man, and he impressed me at once as a grand
man. He remained here two years, did a good work and died Decem-
ber 31, 1858, while in the active ministry. The church had a most
sweeping revival during his pastorate here. His widow now resides at
Smyrna, Mich.

In 1852 a class was formed in North Rutland of thirteen members,
and attached to the Irving circuit. The members were Wm. Rorkr
Polly Eork, S. C. Prindle and wife, Loren Rich, Finch Mead and
wife, Daniel Wilcox and wife, George W. Crosby and. wife, C. R.
Crosby and his brother George. Finch Mead was appointed leader.

At the annual conference, in 1853, Rev. W. H. Perrine was
appointed to Hastings circuit— Prairieville was dropped.

At a steward's meeting held at Hastings, Oetober 12th, the claim of
Brother Perrine was fixed at $300, to include all expenses, and
apportioned among nine classes, viz.:

Hastings $105 00 Brother Cole $15 00

Irving .. _ ___ 40 00 A. B. Hart__ _ ___ 25 00

North Irving _ _ 1500 L. Mudge 3000

Carlton_. _. 2000 D. Rook 1500

P. K. Barnum 35 00

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 591

Brother Perrine was not a married man and boarded with Brother
Grant, and I suppose it did not make much difference about the
payment of board bill.

On the 26th day of October, at a board meeting the following were
elected trustees to fill vacancies: Kobert J. Grant, Marble Bates,
Clark H. Palmer and Philander K. Barnum.

Brother Perrine was a man of strong convictions, he accepted of no
compromise with wrong. While here he had a discussion at the court
house with a man by the name of Wilcox, a Universalist from Middle-
ville, which many of you will remember. Also another discussion at
the old school house with George W. Mills, upon the divinity of
Christ. It was my privilege to know him when a young man and
while he was a student at the M. C. college, then located at Spring
Arbor. I well remember his oration at the commencement exercises
in 1850. His subject was, "Passing the Rubicon," and was an
arraignment of Daniel Webster for the sentiments expressed in his 7th
of March speech. He was a strong advocate of the division of the
general conference into two houses.

He died at Albion January 22, 1881, much regretted. This also
closed the four years of Brother David Burns' work as presiding elder
upon the Grand Rapids district. He died July 28, 1877, after serving
a long while in the work of an itinerant:

At the annual conference of 1854, Revs. N. L. Brockway and N. L.
Otis were appointed as the preachers to the Hastings circuit and Rev.
George Bradley was appointed presiding elder of the Grand Rapids
district.

At the first quarterly conference which was held at Hastings,
December 9, the ordinary business was transacted and the following
appointed a committee on missions: C. H. Palmer, Alfred Stearns, G.
G. Inman, David Jordan, P. K. Barnum, S. C. Prindle and B. L.
Goss. Stearns resided in Rutland.

The second quarterly meeting and quarterly conference were held at
the Holmes school house, February 27, 1855. -At this meeting the
license of N. L. Otis was renewed after examination by the elder. I
remember the pastorate of Brothers Brockway and Otis well. I
remember attending their donation at A. W. Bailey's, when he resided
where I. S. Boice does now. Subsequently Brother Otis became tired
of itinerant work and united with the Congregational church, since
then I have not known much of him and do not know his present
whereabouts. His wife is a sister of Mrs. N. T. Parker. Brother
Brockway continued in the work until his health failed, and is now a

592 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

superannuate. His residence is Holland, Michigan. Eev. George
Bradley, the presiding elder, was afterwards appointed Indian agent.
He died suddenly in New York city, April 15, 1871, while there
purchasing supplies for the Indians.

In 1855 and 1856 there was an Indian mission district organized, in
which this county was included. Kev. Wm. H. Brockway, recently
deceased, was the presiding elder in charge. One of the preachers or
missionaries was Eev. David Thomas, who had charge of Ottawa
mission, or colony, which included the Indian work in Barry county.
His family resided here during a part of the time. Brother Thomas
continued in the active work until his death, January 11, 1870.

At the annual conference in 1855, the Hastings circuit was included
in the Marshall district. Rev. Joseph Jennings was appointed pre-
siding elder and Rev. Salmon Steele was appointed to Hastings
circuit.

The first quarterly conference was held at Hastings, Nov. 8, 1855.
The name of A. W. Bailey here appears as secretary of the quarterly
conference.

The claim of the pastor was fixed at $478. Nine classes then com-
posed the circuit and the above apportioned as follows:

Hastings _ $24300 L. Mudge's _ $4500

Messer's .__ _.: 2500 A. B. Hart's. __ 2500

Irving... 4500 Baltimore 1500

P. K. Barnutn's... 40 00 Wm. Coles' 25 00

North Irving 15 00

The second quarterly meeting was held at the white school house in
Irving, July 2 and 3, 1856. The fourth and last quarterly meeting for
the conference year was held July 5 and 6, 1856.

Brother Steele was a good preacher and was a very active, temper-
ance worker, as also was Sister Steele. . They organized the first Good
Templars society or lodge in this county and were very zealous in all
their work.

Brother Steele is living at Northport, Michigan. He is a superannu-
ate, although does considerable active work yet. He preached his
semi-centennial sermon before the annual conference at Greenville, in
1889, and was present at the last conference at Grand Rapids, a smart
old man.

At the annual conference in 1856, Rev. E. H. Day and John Tall-
man were appointed to Hastings circuit. The first quarterly meeting
and quarterly conference were held at the Henry Barnum school house,
November 22.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 593

Here the name of Brother O. D. Spanieling appears in the mission-
ary committee then appointed, viz.: Wm. W. Rork, Ira Pierce, of
Castleton, Jno. Norton, of Irving, O. D. Spaulding, of Hastings, P.
K. Barnum and E. R. Carpenter of Carl ton and Eli Mallett of
Woodland.

The claims of the preachers were fixed as follows, viz.:

P. E. J. Jennings, $45 00 for the circuit.
E. H. Day, 426 00

John Tallman, 200 00

$671 00

And apportioned among twelve classes then -comprising the circuit,
viz.:

Hastings.... $21600 A. B. Hart's $4500

Irving... _ 6000 J. M. Coles' 5000

M. Bates' 5000 Woodland Center.. 3000

Holmes and Barnum's 6000 Baltimore 2500

E. R. Carpenter's 5000 North Irving _. 2000

L. Mudge's... 5500 A. C. Lemm's.. 1000

The public collection was reported at $11.25.

The second quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, February 7,
1857. Enoch Holdstock was present in place of the presiding elder
and the following official brethren, viz.: A. Stearns of Rutland and
Wm. Mullen of Castleton, local preachers.

Lorenzo Mudge, exhorter.

R. J. Grant, O. D. Spaulding and Marble Bates, leaders.

P. K. Barnum and Isaac Messer, stewards.

There was paid on salary for the first year, $112.76.

The public collection was $5.95.

The third quarterly meeting was held at Irving, May 2, 1857.

At this meeting a committee was appointed to take' into consideration
the propriety of again dividing the circuit and also of holding a
camp-meeting.

The receipts for the third quarter were $115.

The public collection was $7.07.

The fourth and last quarterly meeting was held at Hastings July 11
and 12. At the quarterly conference held on the llth the following
appointments for the different classes were made:

John Tallman, Wm. Mullen, C. P. Fifield and A. Stearns, local
preachers.

594 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

Lorenzo Mudge, Levi Holmes, O. D. Spaulding and Horace Bement,
licensed as exhorters.

E. J. Grant, O. D. Spaulding, L. Mudge, A. B. Hart, Eli Mallet,
Levi Holmes, Brother Kenyon, Brother Jordan, A. Senter, S. W.
Chase, Peter Cobb and W. W. Kork, leaders.

R. J. Grant, P. K. Barnum, L. Mudge, Peter Cobb, Levi Holmes,
Isaac Messer, A. B. Hart, Eli Mallet and Marble Bates, stewards.

Lorenzo Mudge was appointed district steward.

The next quarterly meeting was appointed to be held at the Holmes
school house, and a two days' meeting was appointed to be held at
Carlton Center the first Saturday and Sunday of September.

Brother E. H. Day was an efficient worker in all directions. He did
a great work here and you probably remember the good work he did
as superintendent of the poor when pastor at Cadillac. He is still in
the active ministry, smart, his hair as white as snow, his sharp eagle
eye as keen as ever. He delivered an address last August before the
Kalamazoo County Pioneer society, upon the " Early Religious Work
in Southern Michigan." He is now stationed at Lawton.

Brother John Tallman soon after leaving here located. He died at
Cannonsburg in 1877.

August 15, 1856, the school house property was sold to Stebbins &
Russell for $400, and services again held in the court house. Efforts
were made looking towards the building of a house of worship, and
considerable material gotten together at one time within the next year
or so but not enough to warrant the commencement of active building
operations.

At the annual conference in 1857 Rev. J. Odell was appointed to
Hastings circuit.

A new circuit was now formed by taking off from Hastings circuit
all the territory but Irving and Rutland classes, leaving but three
preaching places, Hastings, Irving and Doud school house. The new
circuit was called Woodland circuit and Rev. A. T. Ayers was
appointed as preacher in charge.

The claim of the pastor was fixed at $526; $300 apportioned to
Hastings, $126 to Irving, and $100 to Rutland.

Brother Odell went from there to Battle Creek and soon thereafter
located.

About this time a class was organized at the county farm school
house. Among the members were Brother and Sister Mixer, Sisters
Caswell, Merritt, Hardy, and many others. Brother Crook and others
joined afterward.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 595

At the annual conference in 1858 Eev. Horace Hall was appointed
to Hastings circuit. There was no change in its territory. You
remember him as a good preacher and a grand man. He continued in
ihe active work until his health failed, at one time was presiding elder
of Albion district. He died near Niles, March 14, 1884, beloved by all
who knew him. Rev. Joseph Jennings served his full term of four
years as presiding elder of Marshall district. He died May 23, 1867.

May 24, 1858, an exchange was made with M. S. Stebbins, who then
owned the lot where Dr. Fuller's house now is, and the one where the
church is located. The trustees of the society selling to Mr. Stebbins
lot No. 804, reserving the parsonage thereon and agreeing to move the
same, and taking in exchange lot No. 816, giving Mr. Stebbins the
barn for the difference in the value of the lots, thus making Mr.
Stebbins' place in a square form and the location of the church lot on
the corner.

According to the terms of the sale the parsonage was moved from
lot No. 804, consisting of the north wing of the present parsonage and
the familiar "summer kitchen," to lot 816, and the upright soon after
built thereto, under the direction of Brother James Dickinson, known
as "Uncle Jimmy."

After the upright was added prayer meetings were frequently held
therein, and finally a revival commenced there, but was soon so largely
attended as to compel the holding of the meetings at the court house.

The contract for this exchange of lots pending the execution of the
deeds was drafted by Wm. Burgher, and signed by Wm. Burgher, E'.
J. Grant, A. B. Cook, Wm. Jones, S. C. Prindle, and John W.
Stebbins, as trustees.

At the annual conference in 1859 Eev. Enoch Holdstock was
appointed presiding elder of Marshall district, and Eev. Jermy Boyn-
ton was appointed to Hastings circuit. Soon after his arrival he said,
"We must build a church." Few, if any, had faith that it could be
done, but early in the winter of 1859 steps were taken towards the
building of a church. The movement was headed .by the pastor. The
first thing was a call for volunteers to chop, score and hew, to be led
by the stalwart pastor. During the evening the men were usually seen
and it was ascertained who could go the next day, and on the follow-
ing morning as soon as it was light or even before, with ax on the
shoulder, dinner pail in the hand, with chalk line and charred sticks
for the chalk, the company were marching for the forest to cut logs
and get out timber for the "new church to be built."

At that time we were surrounded with woods and to get rid of sur-

596 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

plus timber was what most owners desired, so it was no trouble to get
donated all the oak timber needed. The question was to get it to the
mill to be sawed and money to pay the saw bill. The timber was
largely donated by Mr. Hubbell, Osborn, Vrooman, Bailey, Cook and
others. Donation of ox team work by Mixer, Cook, Vrooman and
Hose. The volunteer choppers without number, Hewes, Jones, Allen,.
Gurnish, Hewes and others whose names have gone from memory.
Hiram Bronson was the boss and laid out the work, while Tilner,.
Dickinson, Hewes and others aided in the work of framing. The stone
were all donated for the wall and the hauling largely so. Work on
the wall was commenced early in the spring of 1360, and was built by
John A. Fuller and John D. Throop. The painting was largely done
by the pastor and Jno. Michael.

Wednesday, May 30, 1860, at 2 o'clock p. in., the corner stone
of the church building was laid with appropriate ceremonies, in
accordance with the rules of the Methodist Episcopal church r
under the direction of Eev. Enoch Holdstock, the presiding elder,
assisted by Kev. Joseph Jennings of Battle Creek and the pastor,.
Brother Boy n ton. By reason of the incessant rain that afternoon
the ceremonies were brief at the church foundation, and through
the courtesy of the trustees of the Presbyterian society the
addresses of the occasion were delivered in the Presbyterian
church. The ladies of the society had made great preparations for a
dinner for the occasion in the court yard but in consequence of the rain
were obliged to adjourn to the court room, where ample justice was
done to the good things they had so bountifully provided, and for
which they realized the handsome sum of $75, which for those times
was considered very large.

The erection of the building was rapidly pushed forward, so that in
the latter part of July the frame was up, covered and nearly enclosed,
so that a temporary floor was laid and seats made from rough boards
laid on blocks and quarterly meeting services held without either doors
or windows in the building, and with such energy and zeal was the
work pushed that early in September following, the building was ready
for occupancy and was dedicated with appropriate and very impressive
ceremonies, September 23, 1860. Kev. T. H. Sinex, then president of
Albion college, preaching the sermon and in the dedication was
assisted by P. E. Holdstock, and others, who were on their way to
attend the session of the annual conference at Ionia.

Of course, as is usually the case on such occasions, there was some
money to be raised to finish paying for the church, which was all

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 597

pledged on paper. The first man to subscribe was Waterman Parker,
$10. We also find the names of I. A. Holbrook, Gilbert Striker. D. G.
Eobinson, N. Bailey, Joseph Babcock, from Maple Grove, and many
others from out of town, but such a shrinkage in payment of subscrip-
tions I never want again to experience, and not until 1872, when
Brother Buell was pastor was the balance paid.

In the meantime Brother Grant, in the goodness of hie heart, had
given to the society lot No. 817 in the rear of the church and offered
to sell it lot No. 818 '(where G. G. Spaulding resides) for $100, but
the society could not raise the money, at least, so it thought, think-
ing, perhaps he would finally give it that lot also. The society is the
sole owner of the two lots and buildings thereon, without any encum-
brance whatever.

During Brother Boynton's pastorate the church enjoyed a gracious
revival and many accessions. He was a man of good executive ability,
as well as a good preacher. When he extended the index finger of
the right hand you might be sure Jermy Boynton was behind it as
the propelling power. He remained in the active ministry until his
-death, which was very sudden, at Stanton, September, 1883. Sister
Boynton still resides there. Rev. Enoch Holdstock, the presiding
elder, is still in the active ministry, and has been for 53 years con-
tinuously and is now a member of North Indiana conference. He was
a delegate to the last general conference, where we had a pleasant
visit with him. The board of trustees at this time were, R. J. Grant,
O. D. Spaulding, John Goss, A. B. Cook, Porter Burton, Wm. Jones
and S. C. Prindle.

At the annual conference of 1860 Hastings circuit was again trans-
ferred to Grand Rapids district. M. B. Camburn was appointed pre-
siding elder, and Rev. Francis Glass was appointed to Hastings circuit.
The Rutland class was discontinued and merged with Hastings and
Irving classes, some of the members uniting with Irving and the bal-
ance here.

The salary of the pastor was fixed at -. $450 00

The claim of the presiding elder for the circuit.- _ 40 00

$490 00

There was apportioned to Hastings $340 00

There was apportioned to Irving __. 150 00

The first quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, November 3 and 4.
At the quarterly conference O. D. Spaulding was elected recording
steward in place of R. J. Grant.

598 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

The stewards were Grant, Spaulding, Marble Bates, H. W. Hewes,
J. M. Hewes, A. J. Benham, A. B. Cook, Peter Cobb and John Nor-
ton. Miss Fancher was added to the committee on missions.

The second quarterly meeting was held at Irving, February 2 and 3,

1861.

The third quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, May 3 and 4.»

The fourth and last quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, July 13
and 14, and the quarterly conference held on the 13th. At this meet-
ing four Sunday schools were reported, twenty-five officers and teachers,
one hundred and fifty scholars, and one hundred and seventy volumes
in the library, and H. W. Hewes and C. R. Crosby were licensed as
local preachers, and John E. Cooley as exhorter.

M. B. Camburn remained on Grand Rapids district but one year.
He was afterwards presiding elder of Grand Traverse district, and he
continued in the active work until his death, October 17, 1871.

Brother Glass is a native of the "Emerald Isle," with many of the
good qualities of those people. He is a superannuate and resides at
Grand Rapids, enjoying his home with his good wife. He was a good
preacher. You all remember his proposition to "sell the bench." He
had a glorious revival at Irving, at the Cobb school house.

At the annual conference of 1861, Rev. James M. Dayton was
appointed to Hastings circuit, and Rev. Harrison Morgan was
appointed presiding elder of Grand Rapids district.

The first quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, November 2, 1861.

The salary of the pastor was fixed at $400 and the claim of the
presiding elder at $20.

James M. Hewes was elected district steward.

The second quarterly meeting was held at Irving, February 1 and
2, 1862.

The third quarterly meeting was held at Hastings. Rev. Jermy
Boynton was present in the place of the presiding elder.

The last quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, July 5 and 6, 1862.
At the quarterly conference, held the 5th, Brother O. D. Spaulding
was licensed as a local preacher.

J. M. Walker, Martin V. Rork and George Benham were added to
the board of stewards.

Six Sunday schools were reported, viz.: Hastings, Irving, Rutland,
Hope, Baltimore and State Road. Brother Dayton is still in the active
work and stationed at Cannonsburg.

In 1862 was the first birth as well as the first death in the parson-

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 599

age. A daughter born to Brother and Sister Dayton, who lived but a
few months.

At the annual conference held in 1862 Kev. T. B. Granger was
appointed to the Hastings circuit for the second time.

The first quarterly conference was held at Hastings, October 25,

1862. The pastor's salary was fixed at $550. A. J. Benham and Isaac
Hendershott were added to the board of stewards. Brothers Grant
and Prindle and Sisters Striker and Dickinson were appointed a
Sunday school committee.

The second quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, January 24,

1863. The third was held at Irving and the fourth and last for the
conference year was held at Hastings, June 27 and 28, 1863.

At this meeting the name of Peter L. Rork appears as one of the
stewards and Peter Cobb as district steward, and Martin V. Rork was
licensed as exhorter. It was reported that there were thirty copies of
the N. W. C. Advocate taken, three copies of the Ladies' Bepository,
one copy of the Christian Advocate and Journal, fifteen copies of the
Sunday School Advocate and Journal, one copy of the Sunday School
Journal, and fifty copies of the Missionary Advocate.

Under date of September 20, 1863, is a receipt in full from Brother
Granger for salary of $550.

The second death of a member of the pastor's family, while occupy-
ing the parsonage was Frankie Granger, a sweet little boy, in the
winter of 1863.

At the annual conference in 1863 Hastings circuit was transferred to
Albion district. Rev. M. A. Daugherty was appointed presiding elder
and Rev. T. B. Granger was returned as preacher.

The first quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, October 29, 1863.

The salary of the pastor was fixed at $600.

L. Kenyon and Porter Burton were added to the Sunday school
committee and Sisters Dickinson, Hewes and Striker to the missionary
committee for Hastings, and Sisters Hendershott and Cobb for Irving.

The second quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, January 23,

1864. Routine business only was transacted.

The third quarterly meeting was held at Irving, May 7, 1864.

The fourth and last quarterly meeting and quarterly conference for
the year were held at Hastings, July 30, 1864.

Rev. N. L. Brockway was present in the place of the presiding
elder. The report of the Sunday schools showed a good advance:
Number of schools, 5, volumes in the library, 300, scholars, 375, officers
and teachers, 30, total expense for the year, $65. R. J. Grant was

600 HISTORY OP THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

elected district steward. At this meeting the license of Brother S. P.
Hewitt, as local preacher was renewed.

Brother Granger was a good business man and looked after church
interests well. He subsequently located and retired to his farm in
Allegan county. I have not the date of his death, nor of the death of
his excellent wife, who was Mrs. Henderson afterwards.

Brother M. A. Daugherty, some years afterwards transferred to Texas
conference. He is at Waco, agent for our college and work there.

At th.e annual conference in 1864, Hastings circuit was transferred
again to the Kalamazoo district. Kev. Kesin Sapp was presiding elder
and Kev. V. G. Boynton was again appointed to Hastings circuit.

The first quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, Nov. 12.

The salary of the pastor was fixed at $700 and apportioned as follows:
Hastings $500 and Irving $200. At this meeting the name of Julia
Wightman appears as one of the Sunday school committee.

The second quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, February 11,
1865. Here first appears on the record the election of Brother Grant as
Sunday school superintendent, although we know he then had filled the
office for a long time,

The third quarterly meeting was held at Irving April 16, 1865, but
the quarterly conference was held at Hastings. The ordinary business
only was transacted.

The fourth and last quarterly meeting and quarterly conference for
the conference year were held at Hastings, July 8, 1865. Aside from
routine business but little was done. The following brethren were
appointed stewards for the ensuing year: Marble Bates, E. J. Grant,
Wm. Jones, Peter Cobb, Wm. A. Moore, S. C. Prindle, Peter Cramer,
Martin E. Eice, O. D. Spaulding.

At the annual conference in 1865 Hastings circuit was transferred to
Ionia district. Rev. F. B. Bangs was presiding elder and V. G. Boyn-
ton was returned to Hastings circuit as preacher.

The first quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, November 25, 1865.

The pastor's salary was fixed at $700 and the presiding elder's claim
from the circuit at $65.

The second quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, and the third
quarterly meeting was held at Irving.

About this time a class was organized at the center of Eutland and
attached to this circuit. Among its members were I. L. Diamond and
wife and J. L. Nye.

The fourth and last quarterly meeting for the conference year was

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 601

held at Hastings, July 14, 1866. I here give a complete list of the
officials for the circuit as follows:

Preacher in charge — V. G. Boynton.

Trustees — B. J. Grant, O. D. Spaulding, William Jones, Porter
Burton, S. C. Prindle, George W. Williams and S. P. Hewitt,

Stewards— K. J. Grant, O. D. Spaulding, S. C. Prindte, Peter Cobb,
Marble Bates, Wm. Jones, Martin E. Bice, Wm. A. Moore and Peter
Cramer.

Leaders — Peter Cobb and O. D. Spaulding.

Exhorters — Martin V. Kork and John B. Cooley.

Local preachers — O. D. Spaulding, S. P. Hewitt and George W.
Hubbard.

Sunday school superintendent — B. J. Grant.

Aside from the above among the committees appear the new
names of B. L. Boice, Sarah Diamond, I. L. Diamond, J. L. Nye,
Josiah Turner and others.

V. G. Boynton was not as energetic as his brother Jermy but many
thought him the better preacher. He died at Mattawan, October 12,
1883. His widow still resides there.

At the annual conferance in 1866 Bev. A. P. Moors was appointed
to Hastings circuit.

The first quarterly meeting was held at Hastings in November. The
salary of the pastor was fixed at $800.

The claim of the presiding elder apportioned to this circuit was $80.

The second quarterly meeting was held at Hastings, January 25,
1867.

Ordinary business only was transacted.

Received during the quarter for the pastor from Hastings $134 50

" " " Irving 48 99

" " Rutland.. 22 00

For the quarter total $205 49

The third quarterly meeting was held at Irving and the fourth at
Hastings. Ordinary business only was transacted. With this year
ended the Hastings circuit.

At the annual conference of 1867 Bev. A. P. Moors was returned to
us. Irving and Butland had been added to another circuit and Hast-
ings advanced to a station. It will not be necessary hereafter to
mention where the quarterly meetings, quarterly conferences, or any of
the official meetings were held, as, of course, all were held here.
76

602 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

At the first official meeting of the year the salary of the pastor was
fixed at $800. The presiding elder's salary apportioned for Hastings

was

At the second and third quarterly conferences nothing but routine

business was transacted.

The fourth quarterly meeting as well as the last quarterly conference
for the conference year were held August 1, 1868.

Kev. J. M. Fuller, a member of the Genesee conference, represented
the presiding elder. Brother Fuller at that time was temporarily sup-
plying Lowell circuit. He afterwards joined the Detroit conference
and did a good work, filling some of the best appointments in the
conference. He was a strong man and an able preacher and continued
in the work until old age compelled him to retire. He died near
Saranac, April 12, 1891, in the 84th year of his age. Dr. Potts said
of him: "His death ends one more of the honored lives of Methodism
and takes home the oldest member of the Detroit conference."

At this meeting the name of C. S. Whitcomb first appears as one of
the trustees, and the name of Daniel Striker first appears as a steward.
S. C. Prindle was elected recording steward in place of O. D. Spauld-
ing. The name of A. R. Boggs here appears for the first time as a
local preacher. He was recommended for admission to the traveling
connection and O. D. Spaulding for deacons' orders.

Brother Boggs was the principal of our union school at this time,
he joined the Michigan conference and in 1877 became its secretary.
He was afterwards transferred to the Dakota conference, where he still
remains. He is now stationed at Mitchell, S. D.

In 1868 the first marriage of a member of a pastor's family occurred
at the parsonage. Mahala Moors, sister of Brother Moors, and teacher
in the union school, was united in marriage to a Mr. Jones of Green-
ville, where she at once removed as her future home. She is not
living now.

In October, 1868, was the third and last death in the parsonage,
Edith, daughter of Brother and Sister Moors.

At the annual conference in 1868 Brother Moors was returned to us
for the third year.

The first official meeting was held November 27.

The salary of the pastor was fixed at $800. The amount apportioned
to this charge for the presiding elder was $100.

The name of D. L. Hoes here appears as one of the committee on
church extension.

The second quarterly meeting was held July 13, 1869.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 603

Brother Harrison Morgan occupied the pulpit in place of the presid-
ing elder.

The third quarterly conference was held May 8. At this quarterly
conference Brothers Grant and Prindle were appointed a committee on
" Lay Delegation."

The fourth and last quarterly conference for the conference year was
held July 31. At this meeting Martin V. Rork was recommended for
admission to the annual conference and was invited to preach before
our people before leaving. Brother Moors having been here the full
term of three years we had to part with him much to our regret. He
did a splendid work while here, the church prospered under his minis-
try, as he was a splendid pastor and preacher and was beloved by all.
He resides at Miller and is active in all good work — a grand Christian
man.

Brother Bangs was presiding elder of Ionia district the full term of
four years. He continued in the itinerant work until 1889, when he
was obliged to cease on account of old age. He died at Eaton Rapids
May 20, 1891, aged 72 years, having been in the ministry 50 years.
He preached his semi-centennial sermon before the conference in 1890.

At the annual conference in 1869, Hastings station, after having been
tossed about like a foot ball, was again included in Grand Rapids
district, Rev. A. J. Eldred was presiding elder and Rev. J. H. Ross
was appointed to Hastings, as preacher.

The second quarterly meeting and quarterly conference were held
January 15, 1870, and the third March 26. The ordinary routine busi-
ness only was done.

The fourth and last quarterly conference for the conference year wa^s
held August 15, 1870.

At this meeting the name of Traverse Phillips first appears as a
trustee. Chas. Murray was recommended for license to preach. Daniel
Striker was elected district steward.

At the annual conference for 1870 Brother J. H. Ross was returned
to us as pastor.

The first official meeting was held October 29, 1870, and the second
January 14, 1871. Ordinary business only was transacted.

The third quarterly meeting was held April 10. Here the name of
Rev. E. F. Brown first appears.

"The certificate of Rev. E. F. Brown, minister from Canada, was
read and on motion he was received and acknowledged as such and
admitted a member of the quarterly conference."

£04 HISTORY OP THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

The fourth and last quarterly meeting for the .conference year was

held June 17, 1871.

At this meeting the trustees were authorized to paper the church.
It was not done, however. Sisters Striker, Williams and Eeed were
appointed a committee on parsonage furniture, and O. D. Spaulding
and Koxie Butter a committee on music.

The names of James L. Crawley and Edward P. Brown here first
appear as stewards.

Brother Chauncey E. Crosby was licensed as a local preacher.
Brother O. D. Spaulding was again recommended for deacon's orders.
Daniel Striker was elected a delegate to the lay electoral conference,
at St. Joseph, and R. J. Grant was elected alternate. At this time
the first action was taken towards the purchase of a bell. The money
was raised by the efforts of Sisters Eoss and Striker. The bell was
purchased by Brother Prindle.

At the annual conference in 1871 Brother J. H. Eoss was returned
to us for the third year.

The first quarterly meeting was held September 30, and at the first
-quarterly conference the salary of the pastor was advanced to $900, the
donation to apply on the same. Chas. B. Benham was appointed
steward, in the place of Wm. Jones, who had removed his business to
Nashville. The name of Brother L. N. Mixer here appears as an
official member.

The second quarterly meeting was held January 6, 1872, and the
third, March 16. Nothing save routine business was done at either.

The fourth and last quarterly meeting for the conference year was
he^ld August 3, 1872. Here the names of C. B. Benham, Manning,
Doud and David L. Hoes appear among the trustees and stewards.

Brother Eoss served this church the full term of three years. He is
a very level headed man and a fair preacher. While he was here we
were frequently reminded of the man that Paul knew, whether in the
body, etc., etc.

He is still in the active work and a member of the Genesee confer-
ence. His excellent wife is a sister of Senator Dolph of Oregon.

Brother Eldred has continued in the work ever since and is now
chaplain at the State House of Correction at Ionia. He says that it
is the best parish he ever had. He alludes to this charge as the
" sugar plum " and advises every preacher to go to Hastings. He
preached the semi-centennial sermon before the annual conference
in 1888.

At the annual conference in 1872 Eev. Eesin Sapp was appointed

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 605-

presiding elder of Grand Rapids district and Rev. J. I. Buell pastor
at Hastings. Our first official meeting was held in connection with the
quarterly meeting, October 19. The salary of Brother Buell was fixed
at $900, besides moving expenses amounting to $25. Daniel Striker
was elected treasurer. The presiding elder was present at this meeting.
It was the first and only time that he came here as presiding elder,
for he died at Grand Rapids, May 5, 1873. He was a very eccentric
man but a powerful preacher.

The second quarterly meeting was held January 11, 1873, Rev. L.
H. Pearce of Grand Rapids conducting the services.

The third quarterly meeting was held April 5, 1873. Nothing but
ordinary business was transacted at either.

The fourth and last quarterly conference for the conference year was-
held June 30.

At this meeting the names of D. P. Nelson and Emma Hoes appear
on committees, and Brother Chas. Murray was recommended for
deacon's orders. Brother Buell (now Dr. Buell) had a very prosperous
year here. At its close it was the first time since the church was built
that we were entirely out of debt. The pastor was paid *in full and
the society that year raised $1,532 for all purposes, but we enjoyed it,
as all could say, " We are out of debt." We will speak of him
hereafter.

November 18, 1868, the ladies of the church formed an association
called " The Ladies' Missionary association of the M. E. church of
Hastings" and adopted a constitution. The object as set forth was to
look after the poor people during the winter, and such other work as
was incidental thereto. It was officered as follows: Mrs. Daniel
Striker, president; Mrs. A. W. Bailey, vice president; Mrs. T. Phillips,
secretary; Mrs. C. S. Whitcomb, treasurer.

This association continued its organization and did a good work but
was merged in a large measure for awhile in the auxiliary of the W.
F. M. S. in January, 1873.

January 5, 1873, Miss Sally Rulisan was here and organized the
Hastings auxiliary of the W. F. M. S. with the following as its officers:
Mrs. J. I. Buell, president; Mrs. A. W. Bailey, vice president; Miss
Julia Wightman, treasurer; Miss Melinda Mead, assistant treasurer;
Mrs. Daniel Striker, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Traverse Phillips,
recording secretary.

This society has always enjoyed a vigorous growth, has maintained
its organization, having interesting meetings every month and quarterly
tea meetings, and public meetings occasionally with profit. The ladies*

606 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

association continued with the above until March 3, 1886, when the
regular missionary society was organized as an auxiliary to the State
society and took up that part of the work.

At the annual conference in 1873, Kev. D. F. Barnes was appointed
presiding elder of Grand Rapids district, and as Brother Buell was
appointed presiding elder of Ionia district at the same time, Eev. T.
H. Jacokes came to Hastings station as pastor.

At the first quarterly meeting, which was held f October 18, the salary
of the pastor was fixed at $900. The apportionment of the presiding
elder for this charge was $108.

Our second quarterly meeting was held January 3, 1874. At this
meeting first appears the name of M. T. Wheeler as a trustee.

Our third quarterly meeting was held March 21, and was conducted
by Kev. Francis Glass, in the place of the presiding elder, and our
fourth and last quarterly meeting for the conference year was held
June 20.

At this meeting Eichard Freer was elected one of the trustees and
Brother Samuel Dickie was recommended for license to preach. The
pastor was paid in full and all other expenses for the year were fully
met.

Brother Jacokes is still in the active ministry and is stationed at
Middleville. He has been a member of the conference for over forty
years continuously, and is regarded as a good thinker and preacher,
somewhat of a metaphysical turn, and perfectly at home with the
theme of bringing the apparent contention between the " centrifugal
and centripetal " forces in the material world to harmonize with God's
plan for the salvation of mankind. A grand old patriarch he is!

The members of the official board at this time were:

Sunday school superintendent — E. J. Grant.

Trustees— E, J. Grant, O. D. Spaulding, Daniel Striker, Porter
Burton, Peter Cramer, Traverse Phillips, Eichard Freer, Milo T.
Wheeler and S. C. Prindle.

Stewards-E. J. Grant, O. D. Spaulding, Daniel Striker, Marble
Bates, Manning Doud, C. B. Benham, David L. Hoes, Peter Cramer
and S. C. Prindle.

At the annual conference in 1874 Eev. George W. Sherman was
appointed to Hastings as pastor. Our first official meeting was held
September 28. Ordinary business was transacted. The salary the same
as heretofore.

Our second quarterly meeting was held January 2, 1875, the third

HISTORY OP THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 607

March 3, and the fourth and last quarterly meeting for the conference
year was held June 12.

During this year we had a most gracious revival and many acces-
sions to our membership. It became very evident that the church
sittings were inadequate to accommodate the increasing congregations.
Early in the spring of 1875 the necessary measures were taken for the
enlargement of the church building. Plans were procured and a sub-
scription of $2,550 pledged (the best I ever saw, as it shrank only
$17.50 in the collection), when active operations were commenced.

The last public services before commencing work were held June 12
and 13. It was a quarterly meeting occasion under the charge of Kev.
A. P. Moors, who was here on a visit at the time. The transept part
was added to the building and the entire inside was rebuilt, with new
seating, windows and doors. The parsonage was also raised two feet
and an addition added thereto, costing, for the improvements on the.
church, $3,550, and for the parsonage $650; in all, $4,200.

It was all finished and ready for occupancy in December following.
The church was re-opened for public services on the morning of
December 19. Rev. George B. Jocelyn, D. D., then president of
Albion college, preached the sermon. Rev. D. F. Barnes, the presid-
ing elder, had charge of the finances. We had $1,700 to raise, which
was all pledged, and a little more, in forty-five minutes. It was
collected and all the obligations against the society paid within one year.
In the evening the. regular quarterly meeting services were held, con-
ducted by Presiding Elder Barnes, and a collection was taken to pay
him for his valuable services upon the occasion. The sum of $42 was
realized. Ever since 'then we have been able to pay as we go, no debt
harrassing us, nor has one year's expenses been allowed to overlap
upon the next.

Daniel Striker, S. C. Prindle and Traverse Phillips were the
committee upon building and improvements and had charge of the
entire work, together with the pastor.

At the annual conference held in 1875 Brother Sherman was
returned to us.

Our first official meeting was held December 21, the second March
11, 1876, the third June 12, and the fourth and last for the con-
ference year was held September 8, 1876. This was a good year. I
find no change in the records of trustees or stewards. The committee
on music I find to have been James L. Crawley, W. S. Nelson and
Mary B. Dickie. The pastor was paid in full, as they had been for
some time past.

608 HISTORY OP THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

At our quarterly meeting, held August 27, 1876, Eev. James Hulin,
of Middleville, conducted the services, and while preaching he was-
stricken with paralysis and was unable to finish his sermon. It was
some days before he was able to be removed to his home. While he
was better for a short time, yet he never recovered. He lingered until
May 9, 1877, when he died.

At the annual conference in 1876, Brother Sherman was returned to
us for the third year. Our first official meeting was held October
28. The second January 13, 1877. Ordinary business only was
transacted.

The third quarterly conference was held May 1.

The fourth and last official meeting for the conference year was held
June 30, 1877. After organization- it adjourned to September 3.

At the adjourned meeting Brother Ebenezer Pennock was elected
one of the stewards. Brothers M. L. Cook, 0. A. Barnes and Arthur
Freeman are here mentioned as members of committees, and the license
of Brother O. D. Spaulding to preach was again renewed. This closed
the pastorate of Brother Sherman here. He was very much
embarrassed by poor health, and while not so much of a preacher as
some who have preceded or followed him, notwithstanding he did a
grand all round work. His strength was in his quiet but steady atten-
tion to the duties of a faithful pastor, aided by his angelic wife he wa&
a success in winning souls to Christ. He is author of the remark,
" That there is about so much to do before you do anything." He is
still in the active work and is now presiding elder of Grand Traverse
district.

This also closed Brother (now Dr.) Barnes' four years' work on
Grand Rapids district. He is a fine specimen of a thorough genjle-
men, courteous and popular, a splendid administrator, and by nature a
diplomat, and had he made politics a business, he, ere this, would have
been a minister to some foreign court. He is pastor of the first church
at Kalamazoo.

At the annual conference in 1877, Eev. Levi Master was
appointed to Hastings station and Rev. W. J. Aldrich was appointed
presiding elder of Grand Rapids district.

Our first official meeting was held September 29. At this meeting
the first action was taken for the gathering of the items for our early
church history, when Brothers Prindle, Grant and Spaulding were
appointed as the commitee, as before stated. At this time the salary
was adjusted differently. Heretofore it had been $900 and the dona-

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. B. CHURCH. 609

tion to apply. Now it was made $800, besides all donations, use of
parsonage and grounds.

In 1877 the society purchased lot No. 30, subdivision F. in River-
side cemetery, for the use of our pastors and families for burial
purposes, if by them desired. So far it has not been occupied.

At this time Brother Grant, who had been Sunday school superin-
tendent for 23 years continously, felt it to be his duty to retire, which
he did by resignation, much regretted by all.

During this year a readjustment and change in Sunday school and
church socials occurred.

September 26 the members of the Sunday school board as well as
the teachers met at the church, pursuant to the call of the pastor for
the purpose of organizing the school, in conformity with the Discipline,
which was done, and the constitution as laid down in the Discipline
was adopted. This organization has been maintained ever since. The
annual meeting for the election of officers is held on the first
Wednesday in October of each year.

Under the new constitution the first officers elected were as follows:
Chauncey A. Barnes, superintendent; Arthur B. Freeman, assistant
superintendent; Daniel Striker, secretary and treasurer; L. D. Williams,
librarian; P. W. Niskern chorister.

The thanks of the school were unanimously voted Brother Grant for
his long and faithful services as superintendent.

October 26, 1877, at a meeting of the W. F. M. society the matter
of having a district organization to have in charge the church socials
was discussed, and after a full and free exchange of opinions thereon
it was

" Resolved, That we organize a church society, consisting of both ladies and
gentlemen, having for its object the development and cultivation of the social interests
of the members, as well as the raising of funds to defray the various expenses
connected with the church, and to be officered as follows, viz.: President, vice-
president, secretary and treasurer and an executive committee of five members, besides
the president, who shall be ex officio member of said executive committee."

The rirst officers under this organization were: President, E. Joe
Clark; vice president, S. C. Prindle; secretary and treasurer, Daniel
Striker; executive committee, P. W. Niskern, Mary Whitcomb, M. E.
Taylor, A. B. Freeman and Estella Wheeler.

Prior to this time the socials had been directed mainly by the W.
F. M. society or by self constituted committees.

This organization has been well maintained ever since. The election
of officers occurs soon after the annual conference in each year.
77

610 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

The net receipts of this society for the last year were $245.72, the
largest in its history.

The last official meeting for this conference year was held August

26, 1878.

At this meeting the names of Brother Niskern and Sister G. Gr. Spauld-
ing appear as members of committees, and that of Dr. Lampman as
steward.

August 12, 1878, at a regular meeting of the Sunday school board
the Sunday school was organized into a missionary society, as recom-
mended in the Discipline, with Minna E. Taylor as president and
Estella Wheeler as secretary and treasurer.

At the annual conference in 1878 Brother Master was returned to
us. Our first quarterly meeting was held September 30. The salary
for the pastor was the same as the preceeding year. There was appor-
tioned to this charge for the presiding elder $104.

The second quarterly conference was held December 16. At this
meeting S. C. Prindle was elected trustee in place of Brother M. T.
Wheeler, deceased, and Brother Eben Pennock in place of Brother
Crawley, removed from the city.

Appropriate resolutions were adopted and spread on the minutes
regarding Brother Wheeler.

At the annual election of Sunday school officers, October 2, 1878, M.
L. Cook was elected assistant superintendent and S. C. Prindle,
librarian.

March 24, 1879, a change was made in the time of holding Sunday
school sessions and class meetings. Heretofore the Sunday school ses-
sions had been held at nine o'clock in the morning and the class meet-
ings after the morning service. By this change the Sunday school
sessions are held after the morning services and the class meetings after
the evening services, except the first Sunday of each month when the
class meeting is held immediately after the morning service and the
Sunday school following.

April 23 Sister Clement Smith was elected superintendent in place
of Brother Barnes, removed from the city. At this time the school
consisted of eleven classes.

June 3 Lizzie Master was elected organist and Brother Whitcomb
second assistant superintendent.

September 3 was the Sunday school excursion to Jackson, that real-
ized the sum of $150.41 for the library.

The last quarterly conference for the conference year was held Sep-
tember 1, 1879.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 611

At this meeting Jno. F. Hale was elected district steward. Daniel
Striker was elected delegate to the lay electoral conference at Ionia and
Sister Pennock was elected a member of the committee on Sunday
schools. Ed. P. Brown and Estella Wheeler were elected members of
the committee on music. During this year the barn was built on the
church grounds, costing $160, and it was paid for.

At the annual conference in 1879 Brother Master was returned to us
for the third year. The first quarterly conference was held September
29. The salary was the same as heretofore.

The second quarterly meeting was held February 16, 1880. At this
meeting the name of Wm. H. Schantz appears as a steward, and at the
fourth and last quarterly conference, as a member of the committee on
music. This year our missionary collections advanced to $75.

During this year Sister Smith, the superintendent, inaugurated the
birthday offering as the Sunday school missionary fund and the name
of Frankie Master is recorded as making the first offering.

This closed Brother Master's and his good wife's work with us.
There are few better thinkers and pastors than he in Michigan confer-
ence. He grows steadily all the time. He is warm hearted, level headed
and sweet spirited, and with his pleasant, " How do, do " and thoroughly
Christian, gentlemanly manner he soon has a strong hold on your affec-
tions. He is a conscientious and earnest laborer and truly one of
the chief captains of the tribe of " Levi." He is the presiding elder of
Kalamazoo district at present.

At the annual conference in 1880 Kev. A. A. Knappen was appointed
to this station. He and his family did not come among us as strang-
ers. Brother Aldrich was continued as presiding elder of Grand Rap-
ids district.

Our first quarterly meeting was held October 16, and the pastor's
salary was fixed at $800, with donations, use of parsonage and grounds,
moving expenses and as much more as could be raised.

The second quarterly meeting was held January 10, 1881 and the
third, April 4. Ordinary business only was transacted.

Our fourth and last quarterly conference for the year was held July
11 and an adjourned meeting September 5.

It was during this year that the woodhouse and kitchen were added
to the buildings and the church painted. The names of W. P. Sidnam
and A. D. Rork here appear among the official members.

I give below a statement of receipts from all sources during the
conference year:

612 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

Pastor's moving expenses

Pastor's salary --- ---

Public collection, quarterly meeting for presiding elder..

Pastor's cash donations

Benevolent collections.- - - --

Special calls for Salt Lake and metropolitan churches 26 58

Building, painting and repairs 350 00

Socials H063

Sunday collections 13627

Sunday school 150 00

Women's P.M. society 78 00

$2,126 16

At the annual conference in 1881, Brother Knappan was returned
to us and Brother H. M. Joy was appointed presiding elder of Grand
Kapids district in place of Brother W. J. Aldrich, who had served
the full term of four years upon the district.

We did not come to know much of Presiding Elder Aldrich. He
said it was of no use for him to spend his time coming here except
to learn of our wishes, as we were not only able to care for ourselves
but could aid other charges to manage their affairs. But that he
was an excellent administrator his work showed. He died at Muske-
gon, September 23, 1890, after a five years of very successful pastorate,
and while preparing to move to Lansing to assume the duties of
presiding elder of Lansing district.

The first quarterly conference was held October 17. The pastor's
salary was fixed the same as the preceding year.

The second quarterly meeting was held January 21 and the quarterly
conference January 24, 1882. The third was held April 17. The
fourth and last for the conference year September 2.

At this meeting the name of Asbury Black appears as trustee and
D. C. Eycleshymer as steward. Brother Schantz was elected recording
steward.

It was during this year that the pews were supplied with cushions
at a cost of $230, and the seats supplied with hymn books and psalms
at a cost of $97. It was also this year that the diphtheria so severely
interfered with our Sunday school work, as well as our church
attendance.

At the annual conference in 1882, Brother Knappen was again
returned to us as pastor. October 4, 1882, Brother Wm. P. Sidnam
was elected Sunday school superintendent, in place of Sister Smith,
who declined a re-election, and R. K. Grant was elected librarian.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 613

Our first official meeting was held October 16. Ordinary business
only came before the board during the year.

In the latter part of October, 1882, the second and last marriage
of a member of a pastor's family took place at the parsonage, Miss Ida
Knappen to Mark Russell. They now reside at Sioux Falls and are a
happy family. No doubt they are both glad that they waited until
mature age aided their judgment before uniting their fortunes. The
marriages solemnized at the parsonage of those not of the pastors'
families have been legion.

The fourth and last quarterly conference for the conference year was
held July 7, and an adjourned session was held September 5. C. M.
Mack's name here appears as steward and A. H. Bates as trustee.
This year the collection for conference claimants advanced to $100, and
we remember how pleased Brother Knappen was.

This closed Brother Knappen's three years' work with us. Many of
us knew him long before, but we learned to love him better now. He
is a true man, always on time and he faithfully looked after all the
church's interests. He wanted everything done squarely and every
member of the church to be a clean Christian. We used to think he
could make his points about as sharp as possible to be made, and we
really enjoyed his kindly thrusts because they were always applicable
and it did him so much good to make them. When he left us we knew
just where every member was and what he or she could be depended
on to do. They were all regulars and when the bugle sounded all
would fall into line.

He is now located at Albion. And we remember what an efficient
worker Sister Knappen was in the missionary and temperance causes.

It was during his pastorate that Brother Lesher was leader of the
choir and Addie Reed leader of singing in the Sunday school. And
what grand help they both were in their respective stations, and both
were kindly remembered when they left here.

At the annual conference in 1883, Rev. Wesley A. Hunsberger was
appointed to Hastings station.

At the annual election of officers for the Sunday school, October 9,
1883, Brother Schantz was elected superintendent in place of Brother
Sidnam.

The first quarterly .conference was held October 15. At this, as
well as the second and third, ordinary business only was transacted.

At the fourth quarterly conference the name of B. R. Rose first
appears as a steward. This was a very prosperous year for us. A

614 HISTORY OP THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

large number were added to the church, our benevolent collections were
the largest this year of any year in the history of the church, being
$420, as well as the donation, that reached the sum of $174.

During the extra meetings that were held that year Brother Joy and
others rendered very efficient aid.

At the annual conference in 1884, Brother Hunsberger was returned

to us.

At this conference the Hastings circuit was organized and Brother
A. K. Stewart was appointed preacher in charge.

At the annual election of officers for the Sunday school, C. W. Jones
was elected secretary and treasurer, in place of Daniel Striker.

The first official meeting was held October 11, 1884, and the last
September 21, 1885. Nothing but ordinary business was transacted.
Everything went smoothly along. The church aided Albion College to
the amount of $140.

This ended Dr. Joy's four years' work on Grand Eapids district.
He was very popular as a presiding elder, at least he was regarded
with much favor here and held in high esteem. At the annual con-
ference in 1886, he was transferred to northwest Indiana conference.
You probably remember his sad death at Greencastle, Indiana, Sep-
tember 30, 1886. I very well remember our conversation on the train
from Grand Eapids to Kalamazoo, as he was then on his way to his
new field. He said he never had such feelings in all his life. He
thought this matter of transfer but a mere matter of formal change
until the time came for final separation, but when it came home to
him that he was severing ties that had been of 20, 25 and 30 years'
standing and going among strangers it meant an entirely different thing.
It was his constant theme and when I bid him good-bye at Kalamazoo
he could not restrain the tears. It was sad, indeed, and still more so,
when I heard the news of his sudden death.

At the annual conference in 1885, Rev. J. I. Buell was appointed
presiding elder of Grand Kapids district, and Brother W. A. Huns-
berger was returned to us for the third year. At the annual election
of officers for the £>unday school, Sister Frank M. Smith was again
elected superintendent. The first official meeting was held October 19.
Nothing but ordinary business was transacted at this, or at the second
and third.

March 6, 1886, the W. H. M. society, as auxiliary to the State
Home Missionary society, was organized and the following officers
elected: Allie Rock, president; Mary Whitcomb, first vice president; Mrs. J.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 615

A. Fuller, second vice president; Allie Mudge, recording secretary; Etta
Main corresponding secretary; Mrs. Wm. Jones, treasurer.

This society has maintained a healthy and stable organization ever
since, holds its meetings monthly, and has been a great help to many
a preacher's family in the northern part of the State, as well as the
poor of our own city.

At our last quarterly conference for the conference year the name
of Dr. Lowry appears as a steward. This closed Brother Hunsberger's
three year's work among us. You all know Brother Hunsberger as a
pastor, full of energy, lively and enthusiastic. It is claimed for him
by some that his physical organism is very elastic and that he learned
to talk when very young and has improved steadily by constant practice.
He was popular here. He is still in the active work and stationed at
Muskegon, where he is alsf> very popular, a man that draws friends
about him wherever he goes.

At the annual conference in 1886, Rev. George D. Lee was appointed
to Hastings.

The first official meeting was held October 12, the second, January
3, 1887, the third, April 4, and the fourth and last, June 27.

Nothing unusual was before the board at any of its meetings. M.
L. Cook was elected a member of the board of trustees. Daniel
Striker was elected delegate to the lay electoral conference and Brother
Sidnam was elected alternate.

Brother Sidnam was elected superintendent of the Sunday school
for this year, at the Sunday school board meeting, held October 6,
1886.

At the annual conference in 1887, Brother Lee was returned to us,
as pastor for the second year. Our first official meeting was held
October 8. The ordinary business only came before the board. M.
L. Cook was elected treasurer.

October 10, Mrs. B. R. Rose was elected Sunday school superinten-
dent, in place of Brother Sidnam declined. In April, 1888, the church
was papered and a new carpet put down under the direction of Daniel
Striker, Wm. P. Sidnam, Sisters Smith, Schantz and Phillips, as the
committee, at a cost of $518.10, and a new organ was purchased by
the board of trustees, costing $175.

At our fourth and last quarterly conference for the conference year
Brother Charles A. Cutler, after a very thorough examination by Dr.
Buell, the presiding elder, was recommended for license to preach.
He is in the active ministry doing well, and is now stationed at Berlin
and Lament.

616 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

This closed the work of Brother Lee here, a change was thought
advisable by him on account of his health. It is much to be regretted
that his health will not permit of his undertaking steady and continuous
labor. He is a preacher much above the average, even, makes no
failures, very agreeable socially, and a fine specimen of a dignified
Christian gentleman. He is a superannuate and resides at Charlotte.
Brother and Sister Lee were sorely afflicted by the loss of their
youngest son, Fred, about a month since.

At the annual conference in 1888, Kev. Wm. M. Puffer, the present
incumbent was appointed to Hastings. There was no change in any of
the boards for this conference year.

At the annual conference in 1889, Brother Puffer was returned to us
as pastor.

In the composition of the official board tkere was no change nor are
there any items of interest to mention for this year. At the annual
election of Sunday school officers, M. L. Cook was elected superintend-
ent and W. E. Cook was elected secretary and treasurer.

I might here truthfully add that C. S. Whitcomb has been assistant
superintendent for the past ten years and upwards, but has absolutely
declined the position of superintendent.

Ever since Brother Sherman's first year's pastorate here there had
been a young people's Quasi organization in connection with the church
work, which usually held its meetings Friday evenings under leaders
appointed by the pastor, but not of a marked or distinct character
until it became merged with, and known as the Young People's
Alliance, and afterwards at a business meeting, held November 12,

1889, it was again changed, to the Epworth League, and the following
elected as its officers: Miss Hose Bostwick, president; M. L. Cook,
first vice president; Miss Belle Handy, second vice president; Miss Eva
L. Coney, third vice president; Wm. Wright, fourth vice president;
Fannie Mixer, treasurer; W. E. Cook, secretary.

Its charter is No. 2,894 in the national register, and dated May 31,

1890. This league is doing a grand work for the young people and is
one of the most prosperous if not the most vigorous in the conference.
Upon the removal from the city of the president, Miss Bostwick, Miss
Eva. L. Coney was elected in her place and subsequently she was suc-
ceeded by the present very efficient and faithful president, Miss Belle
Handy, and the record shows that Miss Julia Eock has acted as secre-
tary pro tern, at most of the meetings, and she has faithfully kept the
record as such.

Its meetings are now held Tuesday evenings.

DISTORT OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 617

At. the annual conference in 1890 Brother Puffer was returned to us
for the third year. His salary was advanced $50 for this year. No
change in any of the boards until the last quarterly conference for the
year, nor in the officers of the Sunday school.

He was having good success in his revival meetings when he was
taken sick. Notwithstanding his illness the year has been one of
prosperity and every way encouraging and many accessions to the
membership, as well as improvements upon the buildings.

At an adjourned session of the third quarterly conference, held
April 6, 1891, Brother Ealph Wooten was examined and was recom-
mended as a local preacher, and his license as such was issued and
renewed at the fourth quarterly conference, held June 15, 1891. He is
attending school at Albion. At the election held by the members of
this church, October 30, 1890, in accordance with the order of the
general conference of 1888, relative to the admission of women as dele-
gates to the lay electoral and general conferences there were fifty-seven
votes cast, fifty for and seven against.

I will here give a condensed report of moneys raised by this church
during the conference year last past:

Presiding elder's salary $100 00

Pastor's salary 976 00

Janitor __ ._ 85 75

Organist 51 00

Oil.. _ 10 41

Music _ _ 10 60

Wood _ 50 50

Incidentals __ __ 30 34

Painting buildings t_ _ __ _' 240 00

Repairs on parsonage __ 30 50

Making ordinary expenses *. _ _ $1,585 10

ANNUAL BENEVOLENCES.
i

Missions from church $153 00

Church extension :__. 22 00

Tract society __ 5 00

Sunday school union ... 5 00

Freedmen's Aid society _ 18 00

American Bible society __ 9 00

Bishops _ 21 00

Conference claimants 60 00

Education 11 00

304 00

618 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

W. F. Missionary society .._ $85 30

W. H. Missionary society

Local work _ 67 71

Value of goods sent into north part of the State 64 50

$304 62
SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Missions -- — - — *28 00

Education --- 33 °°

Morning collections 99 08

160 08
Mission band 12 00

Total ._ - $2,365 80

And the total amount of money raised by this church for the past
ten years is $20,310.05, an annual average of $2,031.00. Our member-
ship now is 243.

This year closed Brother Buell's labors on Grand Eapids district, of
which he had been presiding elder for the preceding six years. You
know him as a safe and reliable man and not given to hobbies.
He wants everything done in order. The fence would have to be low
and a good path across a field if he did not prefer to go around by the
old way. He works by rule and does good work wherever sent, as
also does his excellent wife.

He is in the active ministry and presiding elder of Ionia district.
As this is the close I will here give you the officers of the different
boards and societies connected with the church:

BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

E. J. Grant, president Daniel Striker, secretary

O. D. Spaulding C. S. Whitcomb

M. L. Cook, treasurer Clement Smith
B. E. Eose

BOARD OF STEWARDS.

Pastor, president, ex officio Daniel Striker, secretary

M. L. Cook, treasurer Traverse Phillips, E. S.

EPWORTH LEAGUE.

Belle Handy, president Effie Simpson, treasurer

W. D. Sterling, first v. pres. Julia Eock, secretary

Addie Jordan, second v. pres. Mary McElwain, chorister

Mrs. Clement Smith, third v. pres. Olive Heath, organist
Mrs. W. E. Cook, fourth v. pres.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 619

SOCIAL SOCIETY.

Mrs. B. R. Rose, vice president and acting president
Mrs. R. K. Grant, treasurer Mrs. O. D. Spaulding, secretary

WOMEN'S FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY.

Mrs. Smith, president Mrs. M. W. Hicks, recording sec'y

Mrs. Mixer, first vice president Mrs. W. H. Schantz, cor. sec'y

Mrs. Puffer, second vice president Mrs. T. S. Brice, treasurer
Mrs. Striker, mite box committee Mrs. Striker and Mrs. Puffer

program committee.

WOMEN'S HOME MISSION SOCIETY.

Mrs. Phillips, president Mrs. R. K. Grant, recording sec'y

Mrs. Warner, first vice president Mrs. Smith, corresponding sec'y

Mrs. Whitcomb, second vice pres. Mrs. M. L. Cook, treasurer
Mrs. Frank Snyder, third vice pres.

MISSION BAND.

Mrs. Dr. Fowler, president Hattie Beadle, recording secretary

Trudie Smith, vice president Glenna Schantz, corresponding sec'y

Rebekah Striker, treasurer

SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Prof. W. D. Sterling, supt., W. R. Cook, secretary and treasurer,

Mrs. B. R. Rose, first asst. supt. Glenna Schantz, organist,
C. S. Whitcomb, second asst. supt. Wm. H. Schantz, chorister,
Traverse Phillips and J. L. Crawley, librarians.

You have probably noticed the omission of the organization of the
Methodist Episcopal societies at Middleville, Assyria and Maple Grove.
They have been omitted for the reason that neither formed a part of
the "Hastings circuit." Although Middleville was an occasional preach-
ing place in the days of "Hastings mission."

It is claimed that in a very early day there was a class formed in
Maple Grove, but I have not been able to trace it to a certainty.
When the society was organized at Middleville it was made a part of
" Caledonia circuit," about 1854. Assyria's society was first organized
in 1848, and is a part of the " Penfield circuit." Maple Grove society
when first organized was attached to Kalamo, but afterwards to Nash-
ville and it is now a part of that circuit. All these places now have

620 HISTORY OP THE HASTINGS M.*E. CHURCH.

flourishing societies and good houses of worship. Middleville being
the head of a circuit.

At the annual conference of 1891, Rev. Wilbur I. Cogshall was
appointed presiding elder of Grand Rapids district and Brother Puffer
was again returned to us as pastor, being his fourth year. Brother
Cogshall is a comparative stranger to most of us but we will take him
in expecting to know more of him before his term as presiding elder
expires.

Our first official meeting was held September 21. The salary of the
pastor was advanced $50, thus bringing this church into the $1,000
class, besides parsonage and moving expenses.

At the annual conference for 1892, Rev. - — , 1892 did I say?

Yes, but of whom shall it be written, and by whom will it be written
are not for us to say. We have no control of future events, not even
of ourselves. Of today, and today only, have we the promise.

That some faithful pastor will be appointed to Hastings by the
Michigan annual conference for 1892 is quite certain, and that the his-
tory of 1892 and future years will some day be written we are equally
confident, but for the present we must leave these questions unanswered.

Brother Puffer we have with us as pastor. We know him well and
love him dearly. If he behaves himself well this year, so we can allow
him to be returned to us again, continue himself under our care, follow
well our instructions, improve his opportunities and hold fast to the
doctrines of the "Fathers" I think we can safely trust him to go out
from us at the end of the fifth year, but not before.

In presenting the foregoing epitome of the history of our church for
the past fifty years, I am as conscious as any one can be of its imper-
fections. That many things are omitted that might have been included
and many things said that better have been omitted, but such as it is,
it is before you for a fraternal criticism and considerate judgment. I
think the lines written by Mrs. Sutfin for an occasion similar to this,
at Liberty, in this State, August 8, 1886, very appropriate here.

OUR HOMES FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Written for the Tribune.
A log cabin in the forest,

Wild ferns around the door,

Our fireplace stone and mortar,

And rude, unpolished floor.

The bare and uncouth rafters,

Were rough and dark o'er head,
But the firelight of an evening

Its beguiling radiance shed.

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH. 621

The ax all day resounded,

For the arm was strong and free,
And none was heard to utter,

" Oh, woodman, spare that tree."

No grand and lofty steeples

Were pointing skyward then;
But plain and simple structures

Where staunch and honest men

Might worship in the forest,

Where simple, loving words
Were uttered on each Sabbath;

And they praised God with the birds.

Oh! for one glorious morning

Of that "fifty years ago!"
Oh! for one blessed vision

Of that forest, all aglow

With flowers of every species,

Of every shade and hue —
Bright pinks and in our parlance

The "Old maids' bonnets blue!"

'Oh! for one childish ramble

O'er slope and tangled glen,
The hills all flowery-mantled

The same as they were then!
»
But where the wild flowers blossomed

The evergreens now grow,
To shade the graves of loved ones,
O, fifty years ago.

Mrs. M. A. Sutfin.
Liberty, Mich., Aug. 8, 1886.

What a change in fifty years! From the ox team and lumber wagon
to the railway train and parlor coach, from the mail on foot or horse-
back, to the telegraph and telephone, from the old stage coach to the
lightning vestibule express. From the log school house, with its hard
benches for seats and tallow dips, to the inviting carpeted church with
its cushioned pews and electric lights. None can fully appreciate this
change save those who have experienced it, and all this, within the
memory of many of us here assembled.

Fifty years — yes, fifty years. Tonight as the clock shall strike the
midnight hour, and the faithful watchman in his nightly round shall
call out, twelve o'clock and all is well, the door will close upon the
first fifty years of our organized church work, and with tomorrow's
dawn we will stand upon the threshold of the open door to the many
years that are to follow, and gaze upon the future with all of its grand

622 HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E. CHURCH.

possibilities. And what an inspiration to contemplate the great future
as it rises before our view. To one standing at the beginning of a
journey of one-half, or even one-fourth of a century, its consummation
seems a long way off, but when the end is reached how short the road,
and the time in making the journey seems but a span. Yet, short as
it may seem, the opportunities for usefulness have been many, and the
question that comes crowding upon the conscience, or should at least,
is, how have they been improved? And tonight, as we stand beside
the fiftieth mile-stone of our journey and look back over the past fifty
years what serious question should we be asking ourselves? Is it not
this? Are we the worthy successors of those brethren who so faithfully
labored to lay the foundation of our church in the then wilderness of
this county, and worked so diligently to keep it constantly in the
advance, under such adverse circumstances? Have we continued the
work as well as they began it?

We must not forget the fact that the entire population of this
county was then but 1,078, men, women and children, about the same
as the fourth ward of our little city, that the voters in the county were
but 233, being less than the number of votes cast in the fourth ward.
And then the population of the four towns of Hastings, Carlton, Cas-
tleton and Woodland was but 269, about two-thirds the seating capacity
of this audience room, and within this territory o£ twelve miles square
there were four regular preaching places — Hastings, Mudge's, Barnum's
and Carlton. Then think of the roads in those days, merely paths, or
trails through the woods and around the hills and swamps, and then
the mode of travel, almost entirely on foot, horseback or with ox team.
No telegraph and not a railroad within 100 miles of us, and yet from
all parts of the county would these faithful Christian people come to
attend the quarterly meetings. Oh! how much we are indebted to
these earnest workers will never be known here, they are entitled to,
and should receive our lasting gratitude. There is another question
that might be very properly asked here: What has Methodism done
for this community? The question could be more easily answered by
asking what has it not done? It has made its influence for good felt
on every hill top, in every valley, in every school house, and, in short,
everywhere, for it is emphatically the church of the common people
(in which we rejoice) and as an evidence of this fact we point you to
the 27 Methodist Episcopal church organizations and of one-third of
the church edifices in this country as belonging to the Methodist Epis-
copal denomination alone.

And this is not all. It is first in all real reform movements and

HISTORY OF THE HASTINGS M. E, CHURCH. 623

charitable work. I ask you to stop and think if this is not so. Look
at the amount raised for benevolent purposes, and the reports of the
Women's Home and Foreign Missionary societies as shown by the
statistics given you for the past year on a preceding page. It is
aggressive in everything for good.

Then we point with pride to the fact that not one of these thirty
different pastors and seventeen presiding elders that have so faithfully
labored here have left this field before the full expiration of their
term, and then in no instance under a cloud, — no suspicion or taint
attaching to any one of them, each and all have a warm place in our
hearts and a strong hold upon our affections — ever welcome to our
homes and the pulpit, with no church wrangles or quarrels to divide
or distract us. Is this not a record of which to be proud? Until
some other denomination can point to one that is better, then and not
till then, will we surrender the claim to be at the head.

The time was when it was an honor to be known as a Roman citizen,
and it is now to be an American. While the greatest distinction that
can be accorded to anyone is to be a true follower of Christ. It is no
reflection upon any other denomination to say that it is no less so, to
be a true Methodist. We have many things of which to be proud. It
is an honor to be numbered as one of this great body of Christian
pioneer workers who helped to make the religious sentiment of this
county what it is. Although not what we might desire it to be, yet
we feel it is better because of our Methodism being planted here,
for it was the first to clear the way and "break up the fallow ground,"
therefore we have reason to be proud of our record. But, my dear
brethren, we cannot live upon the record of the past. It is the present
with which we have to do. We are here for a purpose and there is
something for us to do. We are judged rather by what we do than by
what we say. It is the individual acts of members in the performance
of their obligations to God and humanity, in the discharge of the
duties of everyday life that make up the aggregate of organized church
work.

The most solemn obligations are not usually those made in public
and heralded from street corners and house tops, but those that rest
upon the honor and conscience, and often " unwritten and unsung,"
and are most beautifully exemplified by the faithful discharge of every
known duty, of the trust received and by the principle of truth being
indelibly stamped upon the inner conscience.

It is for us to take up this tvork and with better facilities improve
all opportunities for its advancement.

624 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

The history of the past may be of value to us if we use it as a
iruide to avoid the errors and emulate the virtues of our worthy pre-
decessors. For it is the influence of the good and true that makes us
a happy people.

If, in bringing before you in review the past fifty years of our
church work you shall find anything in it to help you to apprehend
the sublime principles that underlie the great plan of salvation, urge
you to increased activity, incite you to a higher life and grander
accomplishments, and thus enable you to bring into practice the bet-
ter part of your soul's aspirations we shall feel that our coming
together has not been in vain.

1843—1893.

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIKST CONGREGA-
TIONAL CHURCH, PORTLAND, MICHIGAN.

PRELIMINARY NOTE BY REV. C. W. BIRD, THE PRESENT PASTOR.

On Saturday, February 4, 1893, the Portland Congregational church celebrated the
completion of fifty years of her history.

It had been determined weeks before that the day should not pass by without some
notice, and the following is an outline of what finally transpired :

In the morning after the usual devotional exercises under the conduct of the pastor,
prayer being offered by Rev. L. P. Spelman, the congregation listened to a very
interesting sketch of the first deacon of the church, Baruch G. Cooley. This was pre-
pared and delivered by A. F. Morehouse, Esq., a resident of Portland, who was
personally acquainted with the deacon in earlier years.

Letters of congratulation and reminiscence from former pastors still living were
read, including one from Rev. L. M. S. Smith, the organizer and first pastor of the
church; from Rev. David Wirt, Rev. A. Marsh, Rev. J. L. Maile, from the wife of Rev.
R. G. Baird (deceased), and from the daughter of Rev. S. Sessions (deceased.) A letter
from Rev. D. P. Breed was received too late to be read at the meeting.

Rev. Chas. Spooner, a pioneer missionary in this part of the State and first pastor of
the Congregational church at Greenville, also sent a letter which was read with the

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, CHURCH OF PORTLAND. 625

others. Rev. S. G. Anderson, pastor of the Baptist church, Portland, also extended
congratulations and good wishes.

At noon over fifty of the members and guests of the church came together at the
parsonage and partook of a bountiful dinner prepared by the ladies of the industrial
society.

In the afternoon after the hymns, anthem, responsive readings, with prayer by Rev.
D. E. Millard, an esteemed brother residing in the village, came the historical sermon
by Mr. Spelman (who had the longest pastorate the church has enjoyed), which is here
printed in full, together with some statements of facts added subsequent to delivery.

This note would not be complete without mention of the communion service on the
following morning which was a season of precious interest to all who were present.
Rev. Mr. Spelman spoke on that occasion very earnestly and appropriately, and again ,
in the evening, giving a very able and practical sermon. The entire occasion was one
of great interest and profit, encouraging the church to look forward with increased
unity and hopefulness to the work which God has for her to do in the future.

.SKETCH OF BARUCH G. COOLEY.
BY A. F. MOREHOUSE.

The traveler, standing at the headwaters of navigation on the Hud-
son river and going south, naturally looks around him, not only at his
surroundings, but at that part of his journey, which as yet he only •
anticipates. On his left hand is a large and prosperous city with its
130,000 inhabitants. Its water power turning its ponderous wheels and
swiftly flying spindles give employment to thousands of the sons of toil;
its orderly streets fringed with shade trees, its attractive residences, its
schools, its colleges and its numerous churches, while in the background
at a distance of thirty miles are the Green mountains of Vermont, form-
ing a picture of human prosperity and grandeur of creation on which
the memory loves to dwell. On his right hand and slightly behind
him, is the confluence of the Mohawk river with the Hudson. Green
Island with its romantic history, covered to the water's edge with their
massive factories, foundries and machine shops, from the tall chimneys
of which constantly ascends murky clouds of smoke, giving evidence of
the tireless energy and industry of man. As his vision rises above the
horizon he beholds at a distance of forty miles the blue peaks of the
Catskill mountains. As he passes on his journey, the capital city of
the Empire state is at his feet; with its wonderful capitol — 20 years in
building and yet unfinished — with its polished shafts and elaborate
entablatures, yes and its foundations sinking in quicksand give evidences
of rapacity of political speculation or the frailty of human judgment.
With feelings of relief, as he passes towns and cities, the vision is
79

626 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OP PORTLAND.

raised to those mountains now but twelve miles distant, emotions of
pleasure not before experienced. Clouds at times between the base and
the peaks of those mountains, are chased away by the summer sun,
gradually dissolving the snows of winter, sources of hidden springs
which bursting forth from the mountain side, in purling cascades, or
silvery streams refreshing nature and beautifying this portion of God's
footstool. It is nothing to the purpose that it is known that deep
chasms exist in the mountain side, the scared proofs of the ruin
wrought by the elements— that huge bowlders lie scattered here and
there, as if by the hands of Titans, naught is there to mar the dignity
and grandeur of scenery, and ever and anon the traveler turns his eyes
to again behold their beauty, until the view is shut out by the Palis-
ades. No one who has ever beheld them can forget for the vision has
ever existed since the day when God pronounced the work of creation
"good," when the morning stars sang sweetly together and all the sons
of God shouted for joy. So in the journey of life as we survey the
family of man, we see here and there men who from their shoulders
upward are mentally and spiritually higher than their fellows. Men who
by the power of a strong will and clear insight of human nature have
become acknowledged leaders in the military or political world making
their personal impressions on the people within their influence. Men
who by their spiritual attainments, knew themselves, being led by the
Holy Spirit willingly into the inner sanctuary of communion with God,
and becoming endowed with power of faith, standing out before the
world like the mountains in my illustrations, a living epitome of
the grace of God, and impressing the world around them with a sense
of the truth and its value, far outlasting the generation in which they
lived. The city of Newark, N. J., of today, as compared with the neigh-
boring cities of Brooklyn and Jersey City is remarkable for its quiet
Sabbath, showing the unmistakable impress of those Puritan settlers
from Connecticut, who more than two centuries ago, enacted permanent
civil laws and still more lasting impressions. Nor has this community
been without men whose influence will be exercised over this people
long after their personal appearance will be unknown. Such were the
Newmans, father and sons of the Universalist church. Such was Kev.
Larman Chatfield, Aunt Jane Fox of the M. E. church. Such was Dean
M. Tyler, Sr. of the Baptist church and such was Baruch G. Cooley
of this Congregational church. Of the last we would more particularly
speak. Baruch G. Cooley was born April 2, 1801 at Greenville, Mass.
His parents moved to the state of New York in 1803, where his father
died- in 1811, and his mother in 1816. On the 15th day of March, 1821,

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OP PORTLAND. 627

he was married to Cynthia Howe in Oneida Co., N Y., and who died
there on the thirtieth day of March, 1833, leaving two sons and one
daughter, afterwards the wife of Charles Sessions of North Plains, Mich.
On the 10th day of November, 1833, he was married to his second wife
Miss Sarah Pierce in Oneida county, N. Y., but in 1837 removed to
Shiawassee county, Michigan, where however he remained but one winter,
and the following season removed to the farm of the late Henry Bartow in
Lyons township on the town line near the residence of the Hon. William
Toan, subsequently buying the southeast quarter of section twenty-two in
Portland, giving name to what is known as " Cooley brook." Here the
family remained until about 1855. From Portland he removed to Hub-
bardston about fifteen years, thence going to Carson City where he died
November 13, 1874. He was born of Puritan ancestry and at the age of
22 years made a public profession of his faith in Christ and united
with the church of his fathers at Oneida county, New York. As became
his outspoken Christian character, wherever he lived, his profession was
no secret. He took a prominent part in the organization of the Congre-
gational churches at Portland, Maple Corners, Hubbardston and Carson
City, and was a deacon in each one. Personally acquainted, and some-
times associated with him, I had opportunity to know his peculiar
characteristics. T say peculiar, for he was in many ways different
from most others. A prominent point was his unvarying adherence to
principles, and his intolerance of error. There was nothing in his
makeup of that amiability which would lead one knowing him to ques-
tion his position on any question of moral principle. On the slavery
question he was 'an abolitionist; on temperance, a total abstainer; on
amusements he totally ignored and was opposed to all social dancing,
card playing and kindred amusements. I well remember when a
prominent man among us, urged that when the deacon's children were
grown and were without a practical knowledge of dancing, they would
feel humiliated when in young company they heard the figures used
in dancing named, and they ignorant of the meaning. " Yes," said the
deacon to me " he thought my children would feel ashamed not to
know how to cut a pidgeon wing. I had rather that my children
would have common sense and use it, than to know all the pidgeon
wings ever invented," and the deacon gave a chuckle of derision and
intense disgust. He was a man of prayer. Once in the old red
school house, a minister attempted to, preach from the text " And
when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." The
preacher spoke extempore for a few minutes and then broke down, as
he afterward said for the second time when preaching from that text,

628 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

but turning to the subject of this sketch said " Deacon Cooley, would
you not feel it a privilege to lead us in prayer?" The request was
complied with, and indeed there is known no instance of his declining
such a request. Though a man of somewhat rugged countenance, as
well as rugged principles, he was of kindly heart and disposition,
and was a good conversationalist and interesting to talk with. He was
somewhat reticent as to his plans and motives for action. He framed
and raised that portion of this edifice which was built near Grand
river. I was present and assisted at the raising of the lower section
of the steeple. Dr. M. B. Beers, who was one of the trustees, stood
near me on a temporary staging on a level with the plates and I
inquired of him the height of the steeple posts. He gave the
figures and added "the deacon has made a great mistake, they are too
high, entirely too high, I tried to have him cut them down, but the
deacon is willful." The doctor did not then know what to the deacon
was an accomplished fact, that when the main rafters of the edifice
were raised, the altitude of the steeple would not be disproportioned.
During his residence here there were no wealthy men. There were
one or two who it was supposed might be worth $5,000 and even of
that there were some doubts. Deacon Cooley was not rich. He
dressed plainly but neatly though often attending services on the Sab-
bath with moccasins on his feet. He was gifted with the power of
song, and with his intimate friend Deacon Dean M. Tyler of the
Baptist church led the singing in the old red school house fifty years
ago. He was also interested in the Sunday school and I think the
first superintendent. After an illness of about two years, the great
loving Master, looking on his weary, wayworn servant said, "it is
enough, enter into rest." He was in the 74th year of his age. His
memorial would not be full did it fail to speak of his wife. Mrs.
Sarah Cooley who was also a constituent member of this church and
will be remembered by some present, was a faithful wife and mother,
cooperating with her husband in all his exertions in building up the
cause of our common Lord, and especially as a teacher in the Sunday
school. Her memory is much cherished by those of her pupils who
are yet living. As a neighbor she was a patient assistant at the bed-
side of the sick and suffering. Her pilgrimage ended June 9, 1881, in
the 82d year of her age. They were a couple worthy of each other.
In works, in faith and in patience, they bore consistent testimony to
the reality of their profession, and they have entered into rest, a rest
which God has provided for his children, from which they will no
more go out forever.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND. 629

HISTORICAL SERMON.

BY REV. L. P. SPELMAN.
TEXT.—" A Jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you," — Lev. xxv :11.

The passage of scripture from which these words are taken is readily
associated with other passages found in both the Old and the New
Testaments. The more interesting of these associated passages are found
in Isaiah and Luke. The one in Luke is a quotation from the one
in Isaiah and has a rich setting in circumstances, that I can hardly
spare time to exhibit.

Jesus having entered the synagogue of " Nazareth, where he had been
brought up," had handed to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And
he opened the book, and found the place where it was written:

The spirit of the Lord is upon me,

Because he annointed me to preach good tidings to the poor;

He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives,

And recovering of sight to the blind;

To set at liberty them that are bruised,

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

And he closed the book and gave it back to the attendant, and
sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened upon
him.

And he began to* say unto them, To-day hath the scripture been
fulfilled in your ears.

And all bare witness, and wondered at the words of grace which
proceeded out of his mouth.

This proclamation by Jesus of the acceptable year of the Lord has
a more intelligent and personal interest to us than the more sounding
proclamation of the Jewish year of jubilee.

To bring in that fiftieth year the Jews were to send abroad the loud
trumpet throughout all the land and " proclaim liberty throughout all
the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." That year every man was
to return unto his possession and unto his family, so far as these had
been lost. A breaking of bonds was to be executed; the manumission
of servants and the restitution of estates were to take place; and the
sweets of liberty were to be tasted by every person belonging to the
chosen people. It was to be made a most notable year. It was to
become a crowning of sabbatic seasons.

Among this people each seventh day was a Sabbath sacred to God;
each seventh year was a sabbatic year; each seventh of these sabbatic
ypars was to have a more special observance and sacredness, and the

630 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

year following this forty-ninth year was to come in with loud acclaim
'and its passage was meant to be something different and more import-
ant than that of any other year whatever. The ideal of such a
movement by the chosen people, keeping sacred to God their Sabbath
days and sabbatic years in preparation for the year of jubilee, is some-
thing of great interest. Kept aright, as would please God, kept in the
interest of highest character building under the direction of God, each
individual of the nation, and the nation as a whole, would grow and
develop and round out into health and vigor and power of person and
state beyond what has ever been known. But this most admirable
issue never came. The Jews fell far below the ideal held before them
by their leaders, and farther yet from the Christian ideal. It is because
of this shortcoming, perhaps, that we find in scripture history hardly
more than the law or direction for keeping this fiftieth year. It is
feared that the facts about such keeping of the year of jubilee were
hardly worth preserving, and hence no records are left concerning
them. Yet records of beautiful lives are found in that history, and
multiplied things of great service to all after ages are therein found.
There is no history that rewards the student more richly today than
this, and there are millions of persons today giving large attention
to it.

But a more acceptable year of the Lord is proclaimed by Christ.
This is a year of no certain number of days; it is a year that began
with Christ and is still continuing as the Christian era. Its release of
captives, recovering of sight to the blind, and liberty to the broken
hearted, are something of higher import than is signified by the literal
terms used. . Its glad tidings to the poor, of salvation from the guilt
and power pf sin, and development of life and character of the very
highest type. From this in individuals comes manifold blessings to
their friends and neighbors first, then to the communities about them,
and at length to society and state. This is the benign movement and
it comes by necessity of the life within it.

More of this movement was known in the old Jewish dispensation
than is found upon record, undoubtedly; but it seemed coming to an
end under insuperable embarrassments, when Christ Jesus came and
gave it an impetus that it has never lost. We may not trace its
course and enlargement through the Christian centuries; yet it had
increase, irregular but steady increase, until, during the last fifty
years, it has shown a strength and breadth and divine sweep that
has stirred very many hearts to high enthusiasm in Christian life and
labor.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND. 63J

The facts concerning Christian progress are such as to give large
ground for asserting that there are better, stronger, more fruitful
Christians today than the world has ever seen before; and such
Christians are more numerous than ever before known; and the Chris-
tian work being done today is larger, more interesting, and fuller of
promise than that of any former period. It is certain that no one can
keep fully abreast with Christian progress; and this progress is so alive
and world-wide that it compels the attention of all observing minds.
It is making its impression in all quarters; and the encouraging facts
concerning it are such that Christian leaders are finding in them clear
and sure promise of a more speedy consummation of the world's con-
version to God than had been hoped for.

Our lot has fallen upon times most interesting and important. The
fruitage of all the past seems coming in fast. But there is another
side to things and it is very large and very sad.

While we have fresh cheer and substantial encouragement in many
things, there is a tide of wicked life surging everywhere and causing
wholesale desolation. It is not worse than it has been; it is less
serious, we believe, and some important advantages have been gained
against it. Yet it continues a much larger movement than the
Christian one, and so terrible in its ravages. Then, it is still mixed
up so seriously with the Christian movement!

No Christian is perfect and so many are so wickedly imperfect! It
has always been so; and the imperfect ones have increased in numbers
near about as fast, we fear, as the more perfect ones.

The mixture is disheartening at times. It were so good to have
every Christian a perfect person from the first; but this would necessi-
tate their being machines, we fear; and we become satisfied with God's
way of developing Christian life and character. It is the old way and
both Christians and non-Christians are getting used to it. No character
is made in a moment. Every character of any worth comes from con-
stant struggle and effort for something worth while. Men not Christians
have ideals and they put forth effort and use helps in seeking to
realize them.

What more do Christians do? They accept Christian ideals and use
Christian helps in working towards these ideals. This brings them into
the Christian life and along Christian lines of progress. In this move-
ment they are illustrating the superiority of Christianity in life and
character, in society and civilization. In this movement they are
gaining upon themselves and upon the world in an open and world-
wide battle, and their progress is as I have before expressed. It is

632 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

encouraging and will bear examination. It does not come up to the
Christian ideal, some of its chapters have been very discreditable, and
much of it today is hardly worth recording. Still, there is satisfaction
in much of it and we have been looking over the first fifty years of
an average church for something worthy of record.

The first Congregational church of Portland has been in and a part
of the Christian movement I have characterized. It has been one of
many thousand churches in a field of full average importance.

This is not the beginning of its fiftieth year. That year has closed
and we stand at the opening of its fifty-first year. It is a season,
however, eminently suitable for an occasion like this; and I shall be
grateful if I may help make it serviceable to our common cause by
meeting the demand of the hour. What I have said does not suggest
that this church has had an ideal life so far. We are fully conscious
of the other fact. Still, it has had a life greatly worth while, we
believe; and many things in its history are worthy of record and will
be interesting and profitable to recall.

In the brief history I undertake, I desire to be more full and
particular about the early years and more general and less personal
concerning later movements.

The entire history of the church lies in vital connection with the
history of the village and community about it, and also with Christian
movements outside of itself. Hence I must touch upon pioneer move-
ments in both State and church in Michigan.

In 1805, eighty-eight years ago, the territory of Michigan was
constituted and the government of Michigan began, under Gen. Wm.
Hull, as governor, and with the seat of government at Detroit.

Before this much had transpired touching this territory, that has
found permanent record; but we need not go back of this beginning
of territorial government in 1805. At that time the territory was a
densely wooded wilderness, inhabited by Indians and wild animals,
there being hardly more than 4,000 white settlers within its limits.

There was not a hamlet or farm in the territory five miles away
from the boundary, we are told; and no white settlements were out-
side of Detroit and what is now Monroe and the colonies on Detroit
river arid at Mackinaw. The Indians retained the title to all but a
trifling part of the land of the territory; and these Indians were still
receiving annuities from the British government.

In 1816 the first laud surveys were begun, and in 1818 the lands were
brought into market. With this the prosperity of Michigan began;
and thp next year, by act of congress, the territory was authorized to

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND. 633

send a delegate to that body. In 1819, 1821 and 1836 the Indians
made important territorial cessions, and, at this latter date, nearly all
of the lower peninsula and a large portion of the tipper one were freed
from Indian title. By this time more than twenty counties had been
organized, and the population of the territory had increased to 100,000
at least.

A movement for statehood began in January, 1835, which issued in
the admission of Michigan into the Union January 27, 1837, with
Stevens T. Mason as Governor. From this time on, the settlement of
Michigan progressed rapidly, and in 1840 the -population reached over
212,000.

The very early settlers were largely French; but from 1800, and
before that even, the increase was mostly from English speaking
people.

They came from the Atlantic and older states and from Canada,
with a seasoning of late arrivals from the old countries; and the
mixture was a Yankee product well suited to the soil.

Settlements were first made at eligible points along the lake coasts
and the interior rivers; and from these they spread out and occupied
land as fast and as far as need and ability urged them. In this
movement the four lower tiers of counties in southern Michigan
received much the larger number of settlers; and these twenty-eight
counties held for many years, and in several directions still hold, a
precedence over all other parts of the State.

They are older, more densly populated, more thoroughly improved,
and have in them more of the usual fruits of age. They comprise a
district by itself, slower perhaps than districts north of it and not so
surprising in quick developments; and yet holding its own and
drawing enrichment from the regions beyond.

We have said this much in characterizing it, because in this district
Ionia county is embraced in which our special interest is located.
This county was organized in 1837, the same year in which Michigan
became a State, when its inhabitants numbered only 822.

Ionia, Lyons, and Portland were points already made on Grand
river, and settlements were making in every direction from these. Six
years from the time of organization of the county, its population had
increased to about 4,000; and the usual institutions of our Christian
civilization were developing.

This brings us to the year 1843, in which this church was organized;
but 1 must go back a little and give a few facts concerning the settle-
ment of Portland.
80

634 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

The first purchase of land in this town was made by Elisha New-
man in 1833, but the first actual settler was Philo Bogue, who came
hither and bought in the fall of the same year. In this same year
also came, a little later, John Miln, Thos. Shephard, a Mr. Friend, and
Jacob Boyer. So five families settled the first year and three other
men bought and settled later. The next year— 1834— came Ezra Ide
Pen-in, and Chancellor Berringer. In 1835, came William H. Arms,
John Knox, Thomas White, Isaiah Young and George Dutton. To
these were added in 1836, Daniel Brown, John Irish Miller, Lambert
B. Barnum, Asher Kilbura, Willard and Charles Brooks,, the Newman
family, Peter M. Kent, William Densmore, a Mr. Hixson, Wm. Hunt,
Lyman Bennett, Samuel D. Smith, and Abijah F. Schoff.

These twenty-eight families have been called the pioneer families of
Portland in a special sense. They were all actual settlers before the
State of Michigan was admitted to the Union, and before Ionia county
was organized. It is possible that a few other families came in and
settled before these events, as they occurred in January and March of
the next year, 1837. The year after this, in March, 1838, the town-
ship of Portland was organized and all settlers coming before this
event, or during this year, have fair claims to being pioneers. Indeed,
today others still may receive this honor, and we would be glad to
have the name of every settler in this township during the first ten
years of its settlement.

Within these years some sixty families and three hundred persons
must have had citizenship here, and most of them must have made
this village their center. The village • had no organization as yet, still
it was platted, we presume, 'and certainly had a hotel, school house,
and a few dwelling houses on each side of Grand river.

It was a point made by travelers going from the eastern to the
western and northwestern portions of the State; and I have made the
acquaintance of pioneers further north, who have entertained me with
their night in Portland and passage through it in an early day. But
I have no special means for reconstructing the pioneer life of the
place. My residence here, beginning in March, 1867, and continuing
eight years, brought me in contact with a number of pioneers, and I
might have gathered many more facts than I did; but the facts I have
at hand relate more to religious movements and enable me to present
something of a skeleton history of the beginnings of organized
Christianity here, and of the first fifty years of the church with which
we are met.

Among the early settlers were persons of various religious persuasions

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND. 635

and especially were the Universalist, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian,
and Congregational denominations represented. I have not learned
when and where the first religious meetings were held, nor of what
kind they were.

They undoubtedly were held very soon after the settlement began; and
whoever preached the first sermon in the place very likely called
together Christians of all denominations in a union service. Meetings for
preaching and prayer meetings were held more or less frequently the
first five years of the settlement without any religious organization. Then
came, sometime in 1838, the first Methodist Episcopal class. One mem-
ber of this class must have been Mother Perrin, of sainted memory,
who was a Baptist, and entered this organization, provisionally, until
a church of her order could offer her a home.

Such a church was organized two years later, June 6, 1840; but she
found her first home so acceptable and satisfactory that she never had
occasion for a change. These two earliest Christian movements may
have had only occasional preaching services in their earlier years, or
regular appointments weeks apart; and they with Christians of other
names, early secured by rotation preaching services for the place nearly
every Sabbath day.

Ministers of other denominations made early visits to the place,
became acquainted with persons of their own pe-rsuasion, and in time
moved in the organization of churches. This was true of the Univer-
salists. In an early day they were stronger than their organized move-
ments suggest.

Among the very earliest settlers they were stronger than adherents
to any other faith; and they held their strength proportionately for
many years. Still they did not organize a society until June 6, 1852,
and their church organization was not accomplished until some time in
1865. More than ten years before this the Presbyterians and Congre-
gationalists united in a church organization. They were represented in
several of the earliest families of the place, yet their numbers were
few. They had earlier preaching, we presume, than that of Eev. L.
M. S. Smith, who led in their final organization; yet they sustained no
regular meetings of their own before the coming of Mr. Smith, so far
as is known.

At that time Presbyterians and Congregationalists had been moving
together in missionary work for many years, under what was known as
the plan of union. They united in the use of the American home mis-
sionary society as their common agent; and, in accordance with the
plan of union, a minister of either denomination was to do preparatory

636 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OP PORTLAND.

work towards a church organization in any missionary field, with the
distinct understanding that the parties entering into the organization
should, by a majority vote, decide at its organization with which denom-
ination it would unite, which polity it would use in governing its life.

Under this plan, work had been going on in Michigan some ten
years, and probably seventy-five churches had been organized, two-thirds
of which were Presbyterian. Congregationalism, however, had m^de
substantial beginning. Three local associations — Marshall, Jackson and
Eastern — had been formed and the State association was organized at
Jackson, July 6, 1842. At this time there were thirty Congregational
churches organized that still exist, the nearest of which were Grand
Rapids, Grandville, and Verinontville.

Two years earlier than thisr July, 1842, a church of twelve members
was organized a few miles north of Portland, " at the school house on
the south town line of Maple, on Saturday, the eighth day of Febru-
ary. A. D. 1840, and a sermon was preached by Eev. Gershom Mattoon
of Shiawassee." This church named itself the First Congrega-
tional church of Maple," and its records which came into my hands
during my pastorate here, reach to July, 1843. In these records the
names of the twelve original members are found, and of seven addi-
tional members — nineteen in all; also the names of three children bap-
tized the Sabbath following the day of organization; and two resolutions
marking the radical position of the church on slavery and temperance.

The officers of this church were, Baruch G. Cooley and Henry Bar-
tow, deacons; Henry Bartow, clerk. Eev. Mr. Mattoon seems to have
preached to his band of Christians only a few times; "Rev. G. H. Lit-
tlejohn of Whitesboro association, New York," served them from July,
1841 to May, 1842, about ten months; and a later record reads:

"July, 1843, Rev. L. M. S. Smith of Detroit Presbytery, under the
auspices of the American home missionary society, commences his
labors in Ionia county. The church has preaching every alternate
Sabbath."

This work of Rev. Mr. Smith was continued a number of years and
brought forth early fruit. Within three months a church was organ-
ized at Ionia, October 8, 1842, which held the Congregational form
about fourteen years; four months later the church at Portland was
organized; and the next year a Presbyterian church was organized at
Lyons, Sept. 7, 1844, which became extinct some fourteen years later.

In this movement we have traced, originated four churches in Ionia
county, three Congregational and one Presbyterian; and we know of

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND. 637

no earlier work clone in the county by Christians of these denomina-
tions than what has been already indicated.

Mr. Smith began his work at Portland during the spring or summer
of 1842, with his home, I presume, at Ionia. This work issued in the
organization of this church, February 4, 1843, with nine members. The
meeting for this purpose was held in the old log school house on the
west side of Grand river.

The names of these original members were: Mrs. Elizabeth Bates,
Mrs. Henrietta Pilkinton, Mrs. Rebecca Kilbourne, Mrs. Sarah Cooley,
Mr. David S. Soles, Mrs. Nancy Ann Sullivan, Mr. Stephen Pilkinton,
Mr. Baruch G. Cooley, Mrs. Sally Knox.

Before the close of the year the membership increased to thirteen*
by the addition of Mr. Lewis T. Clark, Mrs. Polly Clark, Mrs. Lucina
Brooks, and Mr. Edwin Pendleton. At the organization a vote was
taken with reference to which polity the church would adopt, which
issued in seven votes for the Congregational and two for the
Presbyterian.

No special friction followed this vote, and preferences each way were
held and expressed as occasion came for them in after years without
serious feeling. If in time more positive and urgent preferences were
held and expressed, this was no more than has been done in many
hundred like cases throughout the New England zone.

A careful study of this plan of union movement will show a change
of preference frequently occurring on both sides; and will show a
number of other things, on both sides, that call for charity and the
healing forces of religion more than anything else. From this begin-
ning the church has now completed fifty years of life; and from my
standpoint, the history of these years is naturally broken into three
chapters of uneven length, that may be briefly reviewed and characterized.

1. The first is the pioneer chapter in which the church works
up into self support and completes nearly twenty-four years. The
Rev. Mr. Smith continued his services here five years, but not putting
in bis whole time on this parish. His field continued to be Ionia
county, most likely, and he soon had four churches under his care.

These churches were so located that he might easily preach one
Sabbath at Ionia in the morning and at Lyons, some six miles distant,
in the afternoon or evening, and the next Sabbath at Portland one
part of the day and the other part at Maple in the " Bartow settle-

*Of these thirteen members Mr. Stephen Pilkinton, Mr. David T. Soles, and Mrs. Polly Clark are
etill living and reside in Portland. The first has been a member of the M. E. Church at Portland a
great many years; the other two etill belong to the old church.

638 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

ment," some five miles away. This would give Brother Smith a con-
venient circuit and field for that early day, only when Grand river
overflowed its banks from Lyons to Ionia; and in these seasons he
must have had rare experiences. In something of this way he wrought
on in this field with good results for five years.

Preaching services were continued in the log school house until it
was burned.

They were then held in the mill-building of Abram S. Wadsworth*
on the west side of Grand river, for a brief period; were accommo-
dated something like a year in the home of Lewis T. Clark; and were
removed to the new school house on the east side of the river as soon
as this building could be secured for them.

In carrying on work in this field, Brother Smith must have had some-
thing to do with the old Ionia Presbytery, which seems to have been
organized at Lyons in 1844, and which held meetings with the Congre-
gational church of Grandville in 1845, and with the Presbyterian
church of Otisco in 1846. This last church with its pastor, Kev. Geo.
C. Overhiser, united with the Grand River association the next year,
and farther traces of this Presbytery are lost; but its successor, the
Grand Eapids Presbytery has more than filled its place.

The brother who fed and led this church during the first five years
of its history is still living at Grand Haven, where he has the respect
and confidence of all who know him. He will be eighty-five years old
next Wednesday. His successor was Eev. Hart E. Warring, who was
also a Presbyterian. Of this brother and his pastorate here, I know
hardly more than that he served the church about two years. He
undoubtedly did work at other places during these years and I find
that he had before served the Bridge Street Dutch Eeformed church
of Grand Eapids and the Congregational church of Grandville. He is
still living on a farm near Grand Eapids.

After his pastorate the church was without preaching services for a
year or more, only as they may have had sermons read by a layman
and preaching by visiting ministers. Sometime in 1851 Eev. Henry
Eoot began his pastorate over the church, which continued some six
years. During the first part of his pastorate the church building was
erected. For some reason there was a break in his services continuing
a number of months, which gave room for Eev. Harvey Gratton to

* Mr. Abram Scranton Wadsworth was the father of the first wife of Superintendent Leroy Warren,
who was born at Portland, May 17, 1846, and died at Lansing, November 22, 1885, in her fortieth
year. Soon after her death the churches of our order in the State took up an extra home missionary
offering as a memorial of her life, sacrificed for the Master; and the Fanny Wadsworth Missionary
Society of the Portland church has her maiden name.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND. 639

serve the church for six months, from sometime in October, 1854;
after this Brother Root returned and continued his services until
sometime in 1857.

I find Brother Gratton mentioned as pastor of the Maple or Lyons
Congregational church during the year 1854-5, which was the year of
his services here, and he wrote me in 1869, fourteen years later that
he left this field for Mather ton, between Pewamo and Hubbardston,
where he organized a church which he served a few years, until failing
health required his retirement from ministerial labors. He was then
residing at Delta.

There is special interest connected with Brother Boot's connection
with the church, because of the erection of the church building in
1852-58.

I am not able to give exact dates concerning this movement. Mr.
A. F. Morehouse, who has especial interest in local events, thought
years ago it was built in 1852; while Bev. James Ballard, who figured
most prominently in the pioneer history of Congregationalism in the
Grand Biver valley, says in his sketch of this church organization,
read before the Grand Biver association over twenty-five years ago and
still preserved:

"In 1853, during Brother Boot's ministry, their beautiful house of
worship was built and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God."

I judge there may be truth in each of these testimonies; and, until
instructed differently by exact dates, will adhere to the time already
given, 1852-3, as sufficiently correct. Today this first building would
not be called a "beautiful house," and its location became an embar-
rassment of great weight upon the church as the village grew away
from it. But at that early period it seemed the thing to do, to build
the house on the east side of Grand Biver and up the river on the
right hand side of the first street running parallel with the river at a
point on this street beyond which all was woods unpierced by any
road, save that the important landmark of what was then the residence
of Dr. M. B. Beers, one of the kindliest Christian men this community
has ever known, save that this landmark with it's few acres of clearing
attached, kept off the shade of the forest near at hand.

It was then hoped that this street would be soon extended and become
perhaps the thoroughfare of the village; but the other thing occurred.*

* It seems settled that the church building was erected in 1853. The location of this building was
chosen when it was thought impracticable to get people to climb the hill to attend church. The hill was
then quite high and abrupt and seemed a formidable obstacle in the way of ever having many homes
upon it. The lower plain up the river was the eligible location for the village proper, it was thought.
Time has seen great changes, and the present location of the church building upon the hill could hardly
be improved upon.

640 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

Nearly all enlargement and enrichment went elsewhere. This, for a few
years, largest and finest structure in the village began to seem tucked
away one side; and it grew more so until the change came after many,

many years.

But I must go back to the time of building and recall a few facts.
At this time I find that the church had thirty-one members, its Sab-
bath school contained twenty-five scholars, and its average Sabbath con-
gregation was estimated at seventy-five.

The special occasion for building seems to have been the necessity
of a second place for holding meetings. The village had been filling
for about twenty years; three church organizations had been moving
from ten to fifteen years and a fourth church movement was beginning;
the new school house could accommodate only one congregation at a
time and the enlarging Christian interests of the community called for
another place for holding religious services.

Another thing, undoubtedly, worked with this. The pastor of the
church attended a national gathering of Congregationalists at Albany,
N. Y,, held in October, 1852, at which the denomination received a
grand impulse forward. It was the third of its kind. Such a meeting
had not been held for over two hundred years, so unmindful of itself
had this oldest of American Christian denominations been. The meet-
ing before it, closed its sessions at Cambridge, Mass,, in August, 1848.
Brother Koot was one of four hundred and sixty-three elders and mes-
sengers of the* churches who constituted this Albany convention.
These brethren from the east and the then west and all states between
were eight days in fellowship and discussion of Congregational inter-
ests; and the earliest marked results of their action was the gathering
of $61,891.83, mostly by a simultaneous contribution in all the churche&
of our order throughout the land, on the third Sabbath of Decem-
ber, which for that year was the anniversary of the landing of the
Pilgrims.

' This money was raised for aiding feeble Congregational churches in
building houses of worship. Enthusiasm in this scheme began at Albany;
Brother Boot brought home from it encouragement for the building
enterprise in his own church: and the new building came early there-
after as a matter of course.

I am able to state that the dimensions of this building were 55x35,
its seating capacity three hundred and fifty, and its cost $1,475.00, of
which money $275.00 came from what is known as the Albany fund.*

* It should be put upon record that Rev. H. N. Brinsmade, D. D., then pastor of the Third Presbyterian
church of Newark, N. J., loaned the church $600, towards completing the church edifice and took a mort-
gage upon the church to that amount. Since the union of the two church organizations and the change
of the location of the building, the mortgage has been given up. This money was secured by Rev. Henry
Root, who was introduced to Dr. Brinsmade by some member of the Morehouse family then residing in
Newark.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OP PORTLAND. 641

This was, for three years, the only church edifice in the place, and
its friends enjoyed the advantage as long as it lasted. It remained
upon the spot where it was built just about twenty-five years, and very
many precious seasons were enjoyed in it. Even in its later years of
loneliness many hearts held to it with affection, and some may have
regretted its change of location and enlargement.

Of the Eev. Henry Boot who had so much to do in this first build-
ing enterprise, I have learned some facts of interest. His ancestors
for six generations lived in New England; his father, after practicing
medicine forty-five years in New York state, came to Michigan in 1834,
and settled in Manchester, Washtenaw county, and there died three
years later, in his seventy-fourth year.

Brother Root was born July 11, 1813, at Canaan, N. Y., graduated
at Auburn Theological Seminary in 1834, was ordained by the Presby-
tery of Washtenaw, Michigan, and, after preaching a year to a Presby-
terian church in Ohio, returned to Michigan, and here labored twenty-
five years in the ministry. He was pastor at Grand ville two years
before eoming to Portland and a member of the Grand Eiver association .
While here he preached also to the Maple or Lyons church, and after
this church disbanded and the most of its members united with the
church here, he preached in the southwestern part of Sebewa and
there organized a Congregational church in which were gathered the
Welds and Goddards.

On leaving Portland he was not longer reported among Congrega-
tionalists, and died at Jackson, Michigan, leaving a wife and one
daughter. His successor on this field was Eev. Lewis Mills. His
pastorate of one year began in October, 1857. He served the Ionia
and Easton churches before coming here, was always connected with the
Presbytery, and, the Ionia church becoming Presbyterian about this
time, he no longer served Congregational churches. He was a man of
undoubted Christian worth, was a decided Presbyterian, with a son,
Eev. Henry Mills of Canton, 111., as decided a Congregationalist. He,
perhaps, never resided at Portland, and died at his home in Ionia
April 19, 1872, over twenty years ago, in his sixty-ninth year.

For months after the close of his year the church was without a pastor,
until Eev. Samuel Sessions succeeded him, June 1, 1859. His pastorate
of four years seems to have been uneventful. A revival of some
interest is, however, reported during his first year of labor, and a steady
movement was sustained. Brother Sessions was born at Lunenburg, Vt.,
March 23, 1805; was educated in Vermont and New York, receiving his
theological training, however, in Philadelphia under Dr. Junkins.
81

642 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, CHURCH OP PORTLAND.

His first ministerial labors were in New York, Canada and northern
Ohio, among the Presbyterians.

He came to Michigan in 1845, where he first appears among Congre-
gationalists at a meeting of the general association at Ann Arbor in
1848, but has no record of membership among them until 1855, seven
years later. From this time he continues with them until his death,
and had pastorates at Cannon, Portland, St. Johns and Carson City.
He also preached for short periods in many oth^r places, and for many
years had a home in St. Johns, where he died October 8, 1888, in his
eighty-fourth year.

He was a church member sixty years, an ordained minister fifty-six
years, celebrated his golden wedding in 1883, and, burning his wife,
whose maiden name was Caroline Bird in 1885, he died three years
later, leaving a son and three daughters at the head of families.

Three, months and a half from the close of this pastorate Eev.
David Wirt began his pastorate of something over two years, from
September 15, 1863 to December 1, 1865. This brother is of German
ancestry, was born at Canton, Ohio, October 2, 1821, was brought up
in the German Reformed church, educated at Oberlin, was licensed by
the Columbiana classis and ordained February '25, 1848, by the Maumee
classis of his native church.

He preached three years in this denomination, and was excommuni-
cated "because," he writes me "I would not sign the formula, promis-
ing to preach and defend the Heidleburg catechism as the word of God.
In 1851 my ecclesiastical head was put on my shoulders again without
changing my theology by the Lorain Congregational association."

Coming among us in this way he began his preaching anew at
Hartford, Ohio, and continued it in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, until
he came to Michigan in 1858. He was pastor at Allegan and Lamont
before coming to this place and from Portland he had short pastorates at
New Baltimore and South Haven before leaving the State.

After this he preached for a time near Chicago, was general mission-
ary along the line of the Northern Pacific E. E. in North Dakota for
a season, then did work in Oregon and Washington, and now in his
seventy-second year, he writes me from Los Guilicos, Sonoma county,
California, where he has charge of a small church and preaches twice
a day.

This brother is small of stature but quick and energetic; has been
an enthusiastic worker in his many pastorates. He says, "I have
loved the missionary work; but must soon lay it down." The wife of
his youth still continues with him; and of their three sons and five

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND. 643

daughters still living, the fourth daughter is a missionary in Siam
under the Presbyterian board and their youngest son is Rev. Loyal
Lincoln Wirt, born in Michigan in "troublous times," and is now
superintendent of Sabbath school work in Northern California and
Nevada.

I used to hear something about a revival interest during Brother
Wirt's pastorate here, but have no special items concerning his life and
his work here, save his ownership of the entire square of ground lying
south of the Universalist church property and including the location
of this church and its adjoining parsonage.

This pastorate was followed closely by that of Rev. A. Marsh which
lasted one year from January 12, 1867. This year closes the first
period of the history of this church. This brother came from the
Presbyterian church of Grand Rapids and our acquaintance with him
became very personal during the next period of this history. Just
here I may only say of him that he came of New England ancestry,
had thorough training in college and seminary, and was then as he
continues to be, a man of sterling Christian worth. It seems well to
review briefly the period gone over before going farther.

At the close of the first year the membership of the church was
thirteen, it grew irregularly to thirty-one, when the church building
arose, it continued gaining slowly through the years. until it reached
sixty-two at the beginning of Brother Marsh's pastorate; and the
Sabbath school had increased proportionately.

For most of this period the pastor had wrought at points outside of
the village as well as in it; but, as the church and village grew, inter-
est centered more in the village and the outside points were less
regarded. Maple was at first the important point outside. In a few
years its interest seemed drawn to the village and a second point was
developed in the Goddard neighborhood in Sebewa. This in time
declined in interest and a third point opened in the Halliday
neighborhood, three miles east of the last, in Sebewa. Points in other
directions were also occasionally visited in Eagle and Danby, I think;
but the church had become self-supporting here at last, and possibly
this point had been reached as early as in Brother Session's pastorate.

During this progress it has been noticed that all of the pastors,
except Brothers Gratton and Wirt, were or had been connected with
the Presbyterians; and that neighboring churches had like relations
with Presbyterian parties. The churches all wavered this way and
then that; Otisco was first Presbyterian and then Congregational, and
Ionia moved in the opposite way. •

644 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

This movement was all abroad and among most of the movers in it I
cannot believe it was so sectarian as many have thought. Some ministers,
as they had a right to have, had strong preferences and others had

not.

In Brother Ballard's sketch of these early years at Portland he
seems to see Presbyterianizing movements all along, but there was no
great violence in them, surely, during the period he chronicled. There
were facts and men and movements, all of which had influence; and
these continued working until the result was a division of the church.
Where the fault was, excellent Christians could not agree upon then,
and there is no longer any call for agreement.

The parties involved were none of them perfect and if any of them
behaved all through the movement in a perfectly Christian way they
did better than any of us are doing now. So let us be assured that
the pastors and the members of this church all through these twenty-
four years -were as honest and upright and Christian as we are today.
They did sincere and consciencious work. The gospel was preached
and practiced by them to the conversion of souls and the development
of Christian lives.

2. In the spirit of charity let me speak very briefly about the years
of divided movement. These were years in which both parties worked
along Christian lines with some genuine respect for each other.

The Presbyterian party organized in January, 1867, and entered
upon its serious work, and the other party organized and began anew
at once. I was, through Providence, brought to take hold with
CoDgregationalists the following March, and stayed with them eight
full years. Brother Marsh was a few months longer with his people.
They worshiped in a hall until their chapel over the river was com-
pleted and we spent something in making our house of worship more
comfortable and attractive.

There was friction more or less all through these years, yet there
was visiting back and forth in our homes and churches and we gave
each other Christian fellowship in all usual ways. After entering their
chapel their pastor was installed in a very proper and impressive man-
ner and their life and doctrine, according to the Book, were as-
commendable as ours, no doubt. During this period occurred the two
hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the immortal landing upon
Plymouth Rock, however, and we Congregationalists used the occasion
in emphasizing our lineal relation to the Pilgrim Fathers.

We honored the occasion* by paying all our debts, completing our
horse sheds, freshening our church edifice, reading up our denomina-

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND. 645

tional history from the apostles down through the Scrooby-Leyden-
Plymouth church to our own time and indoctrinating ourselves in
Congregationalism.

This was a satisfaction to ourselves and did not hurt our neighbors.
We held our own quite well through these years, as did our Presby-
terian friends; and very likely they felt as we felt, that our united
increase in numbers and influence was much less than it would have
been could we have gone on as one body.

About the middle of the eighth year the move for reunion began
and it was manifestly favored by Providence. As the move progressed
two councils were held, the first early in December, 1874, and the
other in March, 1875, in which the same four brethren — two Congre-
gationalists and two Presbyterians — met the churches and worked with
them towards reunion.

These councils did not quite reach their aim. Yet there was good
progress made and the formal " result " of the last council gave advice
that was followed until reunion was effected. After the field was
vacated by the removal of both pastors, the churches, while continuing
their organizations united in sustaining a Congregational pastor in the
Congregational pulpit for one year and at the close of this year the
reunion took place.

The four pastors uniting in these councils were the Rev. Job Pearson ,
of the Presbyterian church of Ionia, Bev. George Kansom of the Pres-
byterian church of Muir, Rev. J. V. Hickmott of the Congregational
church of Grand Haven, and Rev. J. L. Patton of the Congregational
church of Greenville.

These brethren were each and all men of sterling character and they
applied the healing forces of our religion with good purpose and effect.
Perhaps I may add a few facts that come in naturally to show still
farther how intimately associated in life and movement Presbyterians
and Congregationalists had been for many years all over the land.

It came out in the progress of these councils that the two Presbyte-
rian members of the councils were still members of the Congregational
churches in the east in which they had been brought up. At least they
had never taken letters from those churches and had never united
with any others. Then, the pastor of the Presbyterian church of this
place was licensed by a Congregational body, though ordained by Pres-
bytery and thereafter holding Presbyterian relations; while I was brought
up in a small Congregational church jn southern Indiana, supposing it
was Presbyterian, and never coming to the light concerning the matter
until, during my student life of nine years in Presbyterian schools,

646 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

where my teachers were mostly graduates of Congregational churches and
seminaries, I at last became acquainted with the facts in the case.

My home church was made up of New Englanders from northern
Ohio, who attempted to form a colony among the Hoosiers in the pocket
of Indiana. There were two small Congregational churches six miles
apart that were almost one. Ours was at the county seat and the other
one at "the- other settlement" as we familiarly called it. The pastor
of the churches was always connected with the Presbytery and the word
Congregational was foreign to us. I never became acquainted with it
in Indiana. I was licensed by the Presbytery of Cincinnati, and after
my graduation at Lane Seminary I visited a Presbyterian church in
central Indiana as a candidate on my way to Sterling, 111., where my
parents and several of their children had settled anew.

Their colony in southern Indiana was a failure and they were not
satisfied with southern society for the children coming on. In their
new homes they found churches of their choice and I was introduced
to the old thing under its appropriate name. I declined the call of the
Presbyterian church in the Hoosier state and for eight months visited
old friends in Illinois and Iowa and worshiped with them in their
Congregational churches, until accepting a call to Michigan. With my
acquaintance with both denominations I am glad to remain in the one
in which I was born. I enjoy her history, sympathize with her princi-
ples, am possessed, I trust, of her spirit, and believe she has a future
that will not shame her past. With these words I must add, that in
the pulpits I have filled since leaving this one I have spoken words
carefully written in commendation of the Presbyterian church, in which
I have confessed that were I to leave my denomination I would assu-
redly seek admission into the Presbyterian body.

3. But I must hasten into and through the last chapter of this history.

The pastor received by the two churches in common was Rev. Robert
G. Baird. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1832, and was brought
to Canada when ten years old and there educated. He graduated from
the Theological Institute at Toronto in 1857; and at once became pastor
of the Congregational church at Sarnia, opposite Port Huron.

I first met him at Port Huron in the spring of 1860 and followed his
course to its close, twenty-five years later.

In 1862 he came to Michigan and was for thirteen years pastor at
Armada. Here he did good work and made himself felt* in all neigh-
boring communities. From this pastorate he came to Portland and
served this people satisfactorily for four months, going from here in

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OP PORTLAND. 647

November, 1875, to fill the secretaryship of the State Board of Agriculture
at the Agricultural College at Lansing.

In the tenth year of his service here he died after a long and painful
illness, August 4, 1885. He was a genial, liberal, hearty Christian man
and he did good work in every sphere he entered. His successor at
Portland was Rev. Adin H. Fletcher, in whose pastorate of two years
the reunion of the churches became a fact and the old church building
was removed from its seclusion to this place, of eminence, and greatly
enlarged.

Brother Fletcher had hoped, after the accomplishment of these objects,
to lead the church through a needed' spiritual revival and see it brought
forward into a greatly enlarged life and f ruitf ulness ; but this was not
permitted him.

At the close of his second year, January 15, 1878, he closed his ser-
vices here, yet remained in the place some time. He began his last
pastorate in Armada, over the church Brother Baird had served so long,
some time in 1879, but the promise of this pastorate was cut short by
his death February 8, 1880, in his sixty-ninth year. This brother was
born in Littleton, Mass., April 9, 1816, and grew up to manhood in
the Old Bay State. He served several years in a Boston store. In his
twentieth year he became a Christian, and soon thereafter a church
member. He early thought of the ministry and went west, hoping for
opportunity to fit himself for this office.

Just at this time Dr. David Nelson, author of the "Cause and Cure
of Infidelity," and of the familiar hymn " My Days are Gliding Swiftly
By," had been driven out of Missouri on account of his anti-slavery
views, and had opened a school near Quincy, 111., for the education of
missionaries.

Young Fletcher entered this school in the fall of 1837, and remained
connected with it eight years. While here he was licensed to preach
by a Congregational body, and was married. He was soon accepted as
a missionary by our American board, was ordained at Roxbury, Mass.,
and soon sailed for India, with his wife. They were some four years
only connected with the Jaffa mission, on account of the failure of his
health. They returned home in 1850, and he began pastoral work in
northern Illinois. From there he came to Michigan. Here he was pas-
tor of four of our churches before coming to Portland, and he had a
pastorate of a few years in his native state.

I became acquainted with him at Pontiac, where he had two pastor-
ates of four years each, and where my wife was a member of his
church.

648 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

He was a man of devoted piety and great usefulness. His compan-
ion soon followed him to the better land, and their living children,
four out of eight, cling closely together in that far western city,
Tacoma, Washington.

This brings our history down to the beginning of 1878. The suc-
cessors of these pastors, about whom I have spoken too freely, I fear,
are men still at work, except young Bothwell, whose untimely death in
a city pastorate we all sincerely mourned, and I may not venture to
give them separate notice.

The first of them were four settled pastors, who in their order were
Kev. J. L. Maile with a pastorate of nearly three years; Rev. G. W.
Bothwell with a pastorate of something over three years; Eev. D. P.
Breed with a pastorate of less than two years; and Rev. R. M. Keyes,
whose pastorate lacked something of three years.

The months almost to a year that intervened between this last pastor-
ate and that of the present were filled with temporary supplies; and
the pulpit uttered no uncertain sound from Rev. D. N. Millard of a
sister denomination, Prof. Joseph Estabrook of Olivet college, and Rev.
Henry Utterwick now in a Connecticut pulpit, who served you during
this interval.

I know something of all these men of whom I have spoken, and I
am assured of their Christian worth. Indeed, I am greatly honored
today in ranking with my predecessors and my successors in the gos-
pel ministry in this church. I am honored again in the privilege
granted me of reviewing, as I have, the first fifty years of the church.

My review has not reached some things of practical interest that I
would liked to have touched upon; and I have ranged abroad
more freely, perhaps, than was needful; still I have opened before my
hearers vital relations between this church and larger movements in
both state and church, that have affected it materially; and I have fol-
lowed a line of life and activity in the church, during these fifty years,
that has something of a record left.

The results of these years cannot be accurately estimated and are not
all that we could wish; still in every pastorate something worth while
has been done, I trust, through the preached word and the lives of
Christians, some souls won to Christ and built up in him.

The procession of members, beginning with the first thirteen, has
kept moving and enlarging all through these years; their Sabbaths in
the sanctuary have been sacred seasons and their meetings at the
Lord's table have been often sweet and solemn with Christian interest;
parents have led their children and won their neighbors to go with them

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, CHURCH OP PORTLAND. 649

to the place of prayer and thither often, very often have circles of
friends gathered about their dead and thought of life and death and
eternity. Something of good is done beyond what we first appreciate
by this steady movement through the years. There is something to
show of results in this enlarged church building so satisfactorily
grounded here; in the comfortable and commodious parsonage adjoin-
ing this, and the horse sheds conveniently near; and in the membership
of seven score of Christians with attachments all through society that
serve the cause. There is something farther to show today in the
interest that reaches us from former pastors and members widely
scattered over the land; and, were we Christainly discreet and persist-
ent in effort, I am sure each one of us might find much in our mem-
ories of incident precious with Christian spirit and force of Christian
life, that belongs to these past years. A testimony meeting of surpass-
ing interest and value might be held on this jubilee occasion, were
all the old living members gathered here, with tongues unloosed to tell
what they have seen and felt of Christian life and work in connection
with this church. These years have seen laid up a fund of prayer; and
work has been done during this period by many hearts and hands, in
words spoken, deeds enacted, lives lived, homes sustained, and Chris-
tian movements carried on, that will tell through this generation upon
the next and all following ones

Looking beneath the skeleton of facts that marks the body of years
in which Brother Marsh and I led the two divisions of this united
church, I recall many things of Christian interest that are too personal
to the living to repeat here.

But among the lives completed during those years, I think I may
speak of two worthy of being recalled. One was a grandfather who
at last dared to seek membership in the church. His wife and chil-
dren were all members and he had always loved the sanctuary. He
was at length encouraged to trust that he was a Christian. His
confession was hardly more than this, as he offered himself for church
membership, " If I am a Christian today, I have always been one from
a little child, for I have never known the time when I did not love my
Saviour." We believed in him. He never made a prayer before others
and his infrequent talks in our prayer meetings were in briefest and
simplest words. " You know I can't talk," he would say, " but I like
to be with you and have all the interest I have had." He was a
member among us less than five years, but he had loved the church
and worked for it full twenty-five years. We buried him in the dead
82

650 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

of winter twenty-one years ago, in his 77th year, and he lives today in
his Christian influence. His name was Lorin Barr.

The other was an older pioneer. She was on the ground eight years
before the church was organized and was one of its original members.
No one was more a part of the church than she. Her grip upon the
church was worth while. Yet she was not sectarian. She was kind
and Christian; a woman of faith and prayer and of works. She was
self-reliant, of steady mind and movement. No one discounted her
religion. She was a tower of strength to us. But she was aged.
She grew feeble. She passed from our sight very quietly. Her
features after death were sweet and they cheered us. She was thirty
years a pillar in the church and of such as she the Saviour confessed,
"I am glorified in them." These words were my text at the funeral
of Mrs. Sally Knox. They seemed to fit her case then, and I have
fed upon them ever since. Other lives of Christian worth were being
lived by the side of these in the years of long ago, and I trust the
old church has never been lacking such lives.

But I must cut short my words. I used to emphasize the need of
healing power in our religion. Christ was a healer, and such lives as
these I have commended have healing virtue in them.

My opening and closing sermons on this field touched upon this
matter and sometimes I spoke of unused resources in our religion. I
tell you, friend, there is sweetness and light and healing force in
Christian lives, and such lives are as easily developed here as anywhere,
for all I know. Such lives make history as much as any, too, and the
history they make is of a piece with themselves. Lives woven together
in succession through fifty years made the history we are looking over
today, and a new chapter in that history we are beginning. This is
the first day in the new period. We are spending the time in unusual
Christian fellowship.

Recounting the past and facing the future, our hearts are one in
desire, that the new period may be an improvement upon the old one.
May the interest and satisfaction and Christian anxieties that stir our
hearts today continue and bear early fruit in better things.

LEVI HAMILTON GOODRICH. 65J

LEVI HAMILTON GOODEICH.

A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

BY ENOS GOODRICH.

Levi Hamilton Goodrich, the patriarch of the Goodrich family,
which settled in Genesee county in May, 1836, was born at Hadley, in
Hampshire county, Massachusetts, on the 24th day of August, 1774.
He was the fifth in lineal descent from William Goodrich, who, with
his brother John, emigrated from a place then called Hegessett, but
more recently Hessett, in Suffolk county, England. These brothers
settled at Weathersfield, in Connecticut, in the year 1648. Efforts
have been made to trace the genealogy of these two brothers back to
the inhabitants and gallant defenders of Goodrich castle whose ruin is
still extant on the banks of the River Wye in the county of Hereford-
shire; but through the obscure labyrinths of English history for the
centuries succeeding the Norman conquest, it has been found
impossible.

Tracing down from William of Withersfield, we find first David,
second Josiah, third Aaron, and fourth Aaron, and fifth Levi Hamilton,
the subject of the present sketch. His father died in April, 1776,
leaving three sons, of which he was the youngest. His widowed
mother feeling inadequate for the management of a farm, with a fam-
ily of helpless children, sold the farm and the boys were separated,
and never again brought together. At the age of four years we find
little Levi in a very respectable family by the name of Bannister, about
thirty miles east from the place of his birth, in the town of Brookfield>
at the foot of " Coy's Hill," it being on the direct road from Boston
to Albany. Here we find him delighted and enamored with the natural
scenery, for less than a hundred rods in front of the Bannister home
lay a beautiful crystal lake or pond three miles long and averaging

652 LEVI HAMILTOX GOODRICH.

half a mile wide, out of which flowed the infant Chicopee river. The
near shore was a pure sand beach, with shallow water stretching far
out into the lake where he was enamored with the sight of the silver
scaled fishes, and vied with long legged blue and white cranes, to see
which could wade in the deepest water. The further banks were bold
and rugged and much of the shore was overhung mith dense green
forest. In such scenes expanded his first boyish intellect. And now
he must be put to school, where the good Mr. Bannister kept him
winter and summer.

It would be of little use, even if we possessed the data, "to trace his
progress through a primitive New England school during those first
years after the colonies had won their independence. President making
was not then reduced to a science, and it was not then incumbent upon
a teacher to tell the boys they were all born to be presidents. Educa-
tion then flowed in less aspiring and more practical channels. But we
have abundant reason to believe the young Levi improved his opportu-
nities from the course of his after life. The most that is known of
him for many years after (aside from tradition), is gathered from a
little book, kept in his early hand writing, wherein the letters are as
correctly formed and as smoothly drawn as if they had been engraved
on copper plate. From this we learn that in May, 1793, when Wash-
ington first entered the presidential chair he commenced his career of
school teaching at Amherst, in Hampshire county, nearly on the very
soil where he was born. A full list of all his scholars' names, and
their days of attendance is given in beautiful text, and letters formed
with mathematical precision. His number of students in this first
school was thirty-five.

New England could not hold him much longer, for in 1799 and 1800
we find him teaching at a place called Elk Creek, now Cherry Valley,
New York, with a school numbering fifty-two.

Onward and westward was his course and we next find him at the
town of Sempronius, county of Cayuga, and state of New York, the
particular locality being called Owasco Flats. Here in a series of
schools in 1801, 1802, and 1803, his scholars (all carefully named) num-
bered one hundred and twenty-nine. But in 1802 he took time to go
to Unadilla, where, February 27, he was married to Eunice Skinner.
Where the contracting parties met, or under what circumstances the
wedding tour was performed, history fails to inform us.

Next in 1805 we find him teaching in the " Dutch Settlement," in
Sempronius with a school of sixty-five scholars.

But somewhere about here, with date and place not named, but

LEVI HAMILTON GOODRICH. 653

scholars all carefully mentioned, we find him teaching a school of forty-
two scholars. And now in January, 1813, we find him teaching at
Owasco Flats with a school of sixty-five scholars. Affluence is spring-
ing up, for he is "in the brick school house."

May 17, 1813, "Resumed school in the brick school house," with a
school of forty-five scholars.

December 13, "Resumed school," at the same stand, with a beauti-
fully registered list of one hundred and four scholars.

This school closed March 5, 1814, and this practically ended his
labors as a teacher, though he did teach a term or two in the wilds of
Clarence, in Erie county, New York, where (as the writer can attest),
the scholars sat on slabs for benches supported on legs made of round
saplings.

How the interstices between school terms were occupied history fails
to inform us. During the few years after their marriage both our
parents were sometimes teaching at the same time, but the records of
our mother's teaching seem to have all been lost. It is understood
that the clearing and cultivation of land occupied some part of the
time while in the county of Cayuga, but how much is not definitely
known. Prominent in church circles, and as an excellent singer and
leader in choirs he was conspicuous during all his residence in Cayuga
county.

But the great battle of his life commenced when, in February, 1815,
he left his former home in Cayuga county and removed to what was
then known as "the Niagara frontier."

Having purchased a settlers " chance " with a few acres chopped in
solid woods, on the "Holland purchase," twelve miles south of the
present site of Lockport and eighteen miles northeast from the smould-
ering ashes of all that had ever been of Buffalo, he had left his family
at Sempronius while he spent several months in preparing the new
home. Here he was surrounded by hostile British and hostile Indians,
and the sound of contending armies and sanguinary battles were
repeatedly and distinctly heard across the Canadian border. Black
Rock and Fort Erie, Chippewa, Queenstown Heights and Lundy's Lane
were all in distinct hearing while he was toiling in the deep woods on
his wilderness home. Many settlers had left their homes at the mercy
of the relentless foe and fled to the older and safer settlements at the
east.

It was a cold prospect when on that bleak February morning the
family (parents and five children) with their earthly possessions were
piled into an old-fashioned, long-jointed sleigh box and headed for the

654 L.EVI HAMILTON GOODRICH.

" Niagara frontier." The air was full of " wars and rumors of wars."
It is true that articles of peace had been signed at Ghent in Decem-
ber, but what could the wolves and wild cats of the Tonawanda woods
know about that? We had no fast mails, no steamboats, no railroads
or ocean cables. New Orleans, the grandest victory of the war, had
been won since peace was concluded. The hostile cannon was still
leveled, bayonets still bristled all along our borders, tomahawks flashed
and war whoops resounded. Sad were the reflections of this family as
they looked forward into the dark recesses of the new and untrodden
land, but "onward, still onward" was the watchword until the herald
of peace reached us on the second day of our journey. With what joy
this intelligence was hailed we leave the reader to imagine. It was
General Cass who declared upon the floor of the United States senate
that " It required more courage to face the hardships of settling a new
country than to face an enemy on the field of battle."

If such be the case in time of peace, how much more so amidst the
hours of war.

Here was a family who at one and the same time had been con-
fronted by both. But now the light of peace gleamed in through the
snow clad forest and with light hearts the pilgrims pressed onward to
their destination. A house of crude and unchinked logs, with its roof
of "shakes," with its huge wing jam fireplace, and but half windowed
and floored, received the family — the writer but eighteen months old
and the maternal parent soon again to become a mother.

And now, ye pioneers, gird on your armor for the conflict; the battle
for life is before you and around you; the very air is full of strife.
Nor yet did these confiding souls know of the destiny that awaited
them. They had read the sacred promise of a " seed time and harvest,"
but nowhere in the sacred volume had they read of the "frosty sea-
sons " of 1815 and 1816, or of " the year without a summer." I was
too young to realize the terrible ordeal through which the pioneers of
the Niagara frontier were passing. A writer in a recent number of the
Albany Telegram, gives a grapic but thrilling account of that memora-
ble period, in which he states: " In the New England states the June
snow fell but five inches deep, and in New York, Pennsylvania and
New Jersey it was nowhere deeper than three inches. In Vermont it
was ten inches on the level. I mean the great snow of June 17. Snow
fell several times during that month, and ice froze every day in the
month. In fact there was snow and ice in every month in 1816. That
snow storm of June 17 was one of the severest ones I ever saw, even
in the depth of winter, in that locality of severe snows."

LEVI HAMILTON GOODRICH. 655

Again, " The wind during June, July and August, 1816 was continu-
ously from the north, and it blew fiercely and cold, Farmers wore
heavy overcoats and mittens while about their work every day, during
these months."

The writer proceeds to tell us that communities were alarmed and
thought the world was coming to an end — one farmer being so dis-
heartened that he killed all his cattle and then killed himself, after
vain attempts to persuade his wife to do the same thing.

Such was " the year without a summer." Nor was it one year alone,
for 1815 and 1817 were but little better than 1816, and were long
remembered as " the frosty seasons." Such was the period when my
father was building a home for his young family in the wilderness of
western New York. Well do I remember the field of six acres near
the log cabin, which my father used to tell me he cultivated to corn,
and carried the entire product half a mile to mill, at once on his
shoulder. But " necessity is the mother of invention." Here, scattered
through the dense forest was a sparse population, in imminent danger of
perishing for want of food. Something must be done, and what should
it be? What could it be? My father's genius was equal to the emergency.
His iron will was never known to falter. Potash then brought a great
price — two hundred dollars a ton, and sometimes more — for science then
had not discovered the various substitutes known to the world at the
present day. He determined to erect an ashery, and compel the forest
to yield up its treasures. But how should a poor man build an ashery?
No kettles to be bought short of Albany. Three kettles would cost
seventy dollars apiece at the foundry, and must then be hauled by
wagon over rough new country roads, three hundred and fifty miles.
This, with other necessary expenses of building, was no trifling under-
taking to a man who had no money. But the ashery must be built.
The whole community was situated like the boy who must kill the
woodchuck, for his folks had no meat.

Well, the kettles were bought and the ashery was built. How it was
all managed I could not tell to save my life; but there are few things
that a pioneer can't do, when stern necessity stares him in the . face.
And now the great problem of existence was solved — for that neighbor-
hood, at least. This calls my memory back to the fountain springs of life.
Away back through the dim mists of seventy-seven years there rises a
vision of the rough log house with its capacious wing jam fireplace
requiring a quarter of a cord of four foot wood to build a Christmas
fire. My father had been gone, whither and for what purpose I knew
not, but I knew that he returned; a neighbor's team brought him, and

656 LEVI HAMILTON GOODRICH.

with him a wagon load of flour, pork and groceries and provisions gen-
erally. Then from all the country around the neighbors came flocking
in, even as "around the carcass the eagles are gathered together," with
bags, with baskets, with milk pans, with pillow cases, they came in to
draw their rations, to which they were entitled, for ashes furnished or
to be furnished, and all went away happy. This leads me to reflect
how little is required to supply the real wants of man, and how much
we enslave ourselves to supply our imaginary wants, and to meet the
so-called "demands of modern society." Such an experience would be
a most excellent school for the votaries of modern " society."

Well, years rolled on, thousands of acres of tall timber went down
before the woodman's ax; the ashery steamed through every crevice of
its " shake roof " and chinkless sides. Day by day, week by week,
month by month and year by year the massive piles of " leached ashes"
grew until they looked like mountains to my young eyes. A pearling
oven was added and tons upon tons of pearl ash were sent out through
the channels' of commerce to elevate the bread of the hungry world, for
such a thing as baking powder had not then been thought of. Thus
was the wolf of starvation driven from the door of the pioneer settlers
of "the Holland purchase." The pioneers of Michigan suffered many
and grievous privations, which few men can better attest than myself,
but the settlement of Michigan was a mere holiday performance com-
pared to the settlement of the Niagara frontier in the "frosty seasons"
which followed the war of 1812.

Perhaps Levi Hamilton Goodrich never aspired to be a great man,
but in those trying times of pioneer life he certainly was a benefactor.
Still it must be admitted that he was a man whom the people around
him (so far as his personal acquaintance extended), delighted to honor.
The circumstance that he held the office of justice of the peace for
twelve consecutive years, and that of supervisor for nearly as
many, in one of the principal towns of Erie county, and the fact that
no man in the realm was oftener called to aid in reconciling local
troubles between man and man, attests the estimation in which he was
held where he was best known. While he was acting justice of the
peace in the town of Clarence, Millard Fillmore, afterwards president
of the United States, on one or more occasions went out. from Buffalo
to plead law before him, and John C. Lord, afterwards Dr. Lord the
celebrated divine (being first lawyer and afterwards clergyman), made
his maiden law speech in my father's court.

Time rolled on, and nearly all his six sons had attained to manhood's
estate. About this time the country began to be agitated with rumors

LEVI HAMILTON GOODRICH. 657

about Michigan, a country lying away beyond where the sun of Erie
county used to set in the waters of lake Erie. The old patrimony of
114 acres of Holland purchase land was found entirely insufficient, and
it became evident that the time was drawing near when " the hive must
swarm." Already had my oldest brother, Moses, began to open a farm
for himself on the border of the " Tonawanda swamp." Late in Octo-
ber (in 1831 or 1832) my father took steamer at Buffalo and came to
what little there was of Detroit. From there he pushed his journey to
the west, through Plymouth and Saline, and explored Washtenaw
county, making the acquaintance of Judge Bisdon, the old government
surveyor and a few others of Washtenaw pioneer settlers. He was
enamored with the country, but it was now November and he could
not stay. In fact, at that early period, the journey from York state to
Michigan was looked upon as " a voyage of awful length." He must
hurry home, and so taking the last boat of the season, without modern
accommodations, on a turbulent lake and through November storms, he
reached his home prostrated with " inflammation of the lungs," as pneu-
monia had not then been invented. Poor man, I thought he would
cough himself to death, and in fact he did come very near it. But
at last his iron constitution triumphed. And then the neighbors
flocked in from far and near to see and talk with the man who had
actually seen the far off Michigan.

And well they might do so, for his communications on all subjects
were always intelligent. So great was the pressure for information
that he was in great danger of talking himself to death, after he had
begun to recover. But his iron bound constitution triumphed; but
from that day the community around him had become inoculated with
the Michigan fever, as was more fully demonstrated a few years later,
when, in 1836 and 1837 our town of Clarence sent out between thirty
and forty families, all of whom took up their abodes in the new town
of Atlas, then in Lapeer, but now in Genesee county, and all sur-
rounding that point where the village of Goodrich now stands. Fore-
most of this colony was the family of Levi H. Goodrich. In Septem-
ber, 1835, my oldest brother, Moses, and myself, were sent out to
represent the family, and hunt out a home for it somewhere in the
great west, for, in the summer of that year, the farm in Erie county
had been sold to a capitalist by the name of Chapin, of Lyons, New
York. It had been our purpose, when we started on our journey of
exploration, not to return until we had visited the country of bound-
less prairies west of Chicago, where the writer had spent the winter
83

658 LEVI HAMILTON GOODRICH.

previous. We had fortified ourselves with a good supply of maps,
which had been carefully studied, and, from geographical conditions we
had decided that Saginaw must ultimately become the second if not the
first city in the future state of Michigan, which was yet only a terri-
tory. With these impressions, when we landed in Detroit one fine
September day of 1835, our first determination was to see what lay in
the direction of Saginaw. Pedestrianism was then the almost univer-
sal method of travel through all this realm, and as we journeyed on
through the long Detroit swamp, to Koyal Oak, to " Piety Hill" and
Pontiac, and still further toward where Flint has since been built we
often met returning emigrants, weary and footsore, many of whom
expressed a determination to get out of Michigan as soon as possible
and never return. But it was not so with all. Some were hopeful
and resolute, and all were willing to set down on a log by the road-
side and talk with the two young pilgrims from the Empire State.
From all these explorers we eagerly gathered all possible informa-
tion. Near Springfield we met a man who gave us an account of a
very new and wild country near " Davison's Mill," which we found to
be located on a stream named for old Major Kearsley, and one of the
main tributaries of Flint river. On the afternoon of the second day of
our tramp we struck the head waters of the "Thread river" among
the hills of Groveland, and following the stream in its marshy winding
course we brought up at the residence of Ezra K. Parshall in what
afterwards became the town of Atlas and our future home. Sharing
Mr. Parshall's pioneer hospitality, and learning that we were within
four miles of Davison's mill, we struck out in the morning, and soon
found a country with which it is not too much to say we were liter-
ally enamored. It was called Neshinguak plains, after a beautiful lake
bearing the same unpronouncable Indian name. Beautifully undulating
between the two streams of Thread and Kearsley, it presented an
enchanting prospect. Hundreds of acres were covered with autumn
flowers still in bloom, upon which the wild bees were reveling, as in
midsummer. Poplar thickets were scattered here and there, skirted
by green slopes fringed with hazel bushes loaded with their ripe fruit,
with an occasional "slash of cane brakes" bordering some luxurious
"blue joint" meadow, while away in the background to the north
and east spread the dark dense forest, which stretched in an unbroken
body to Saginaw bay on the north and St. Clair river on the east.
One laborious but delightful day we spent in exploring this Neshin-
guak plain and its surroundings, and the next day found us wending
our way back to the land office at Detroit. We had abandoned the

LEVI HAMILTON GOODRICH. 659

idea of visiting the great prairies of the west. Weary and footsore,
sunburned and dusty, we entered the straggling "city of the straits,"
and lost no time in hieing our way to the land office, where we pur-
chased a thousand acres of land, which, before leaving the State, we
supplemented by adding several hundred acres more. Keturning to
the Neshinguak plains we resided till late in autumn, the season
being delightful and the wild bees gathered honey on the flowers till
far into November.

Having raised and roofed a house of tamarack logs (in the raising
of which a large portion of our help came from the town of Grand
Blanc, five miles away), and having cleared the bushes from several
acres of ground we set out for our old home in New York, and on
reaching Buffalo, November 20, found the snow a foot deep and winter
fairly set in. In February, following, my brothers Moses and Levi set
out with ox teams and, with intense toil and privation, journeyed
through Canada and at the end of two weeks' time reached the site of
their new home. In May of 1836 the family followed, but my father,
having some timber interests that he could not leave at once, consented
to once more accept the office of supervisor of our old town of Clar-
ence. Thus he was detained east of Lake Erie during the season of
1836, and did not join his family in Michigan until near the close of
that year. Thus it transpired that Moses and Levi, junior, were the only
two members of the Goodrich family that participated in the organiza-
tion of the township of Atlas in April, 1836.

My father was thus in his sixty-third year when he took up his
abode in Michigan. He had grown weary of serving the public in the
state of New York, but was persuaded with much reluctance to accept
the office of justice of the peace, which he held for several years, but
as the pioneers were peaceably inclined and had neither time nor money
to waste in litigation his office was very much of a sinecure, and left
him free to spend his time in the improvement of his new farm.

The events of pioneer life on a new farm have been so often chron-
icled that it will hardly be necessary or interesting to repeat them
here. During the closing years of his life it is proper here to record
that there were two things for which he was justly celebrated, the one
being the wisdom of his counsels when often called upon in a social
and confidential way by the community by which he was surrounded,
the other being that of minding his own business, and it was in the
latter capacity that he realized the most enjoyment. One incident that
is still remembered by the early pioneers is of his carrying provisions

LEVI HAMILTON GOODRICH.

to the Indians who were dying with the small-pox in the woods east
of Davison's mills. The settlers, knowing the deplorable condition of
those Indians, were liberal and generous as pioneers always are in
contributing whatever might help to alleviate their suffering, but no
one was found willing to perform the dangerous office of delivering the
provisions. My father, having passed through the ordeal of this dread
disease in his early life, and being the only one in the neighborhood
who had ever had small-pox, tendered his services to carry the prof-
fered relief and the terrors of starvation were thus averted. Years
rolled on, still witnessing him at his post of duty, serenely yet
assiduously toiling to redeem the wilderness and perfect a home for
the evening of his life. Each succeeding year found the land of his
adopted home more and more perfected, and as the Indian summer of
his life wore away into deepest autumn he looked with calm complac-
ency and unmitigated enjoyment upon Michigan's satisfactory develop-
ment, and upon the prosperity of the rising branches of his numerous
family.

It was not until October, 1851, that he was called upon to follow to
the grave the first of his six sons to depart the scenes of his earthly
labors. John was next to the youngest son and being possessed of an
unconquerable passion for study had read profoundly and become a
lawyer and a judge. Stricken down in manhood's early prime, he died
at the Michigan Exchange in Detroit on the 15th of October, 1851.
The Pontiac railroad company sent out a special train with his remains,
and his funeral was the first meeting ever held in the Goodrich
Methodist church. How many of the pioneers of Atlas has that old
church edifice consigned to their lasting rest during the forty-two years
of its existence, and now, at the age of seventy-seven years, the
bereaved parent was bowed down with a weight of insupportable sor-
row at the loss of his favorite son. Still as the evening of his life
wore away he was a great reader and a profound thinker, watching
with keen observation the passing incidents of his country's history.
These, with his farm and the great world of nature around him, were
his society, his solace and his consolation. He had fulfilled the destiny
of man and was calmly awaiting an honorable discharge.

In religion he had been a lifelong Presbyterian, but the longer he
lived the more liberal he grew, and he had fairly outlived that period
when Presbyterian ism would consign infants to hell.

In politics he was an old- line Whig and was intimately acquainted
with and on terms of confidential friendship with the numerous Fillmore
family, the father of the president having been his neighbor in the

LEVI HAMILTON GOODRICH. 661

county of Cayuga before I was born. Like the Fillmores, and Henry
Clay and Daniel Webster, he was conservative and national in his
politics and could never be induced to join in that sectional tirade
which brought on the civil war and came so near sundering the Union.

Happy was it for him that the veil was drawn between him and the
carnage of our miscalled civil war.

But before that honorable discharge was granted him one more sad
bereavement awaited him. On June 1, 1855, death severed the ties
which had bound him to his faithful and devoted wife for over fifty-
three years. Thus was he left alone in this cold world at the age of
almost 81 years. It was evident that the last tie that bound him to
earth had been broken. The light of this world had gone out forever.
And yet he was permitted, or we should say, rather, forced to linger a
year and a half longer. When friends and kindred gathered around
his dying bed, in manifest agony over his approaching dissolution, he
earnestly exhorted them to restrain their sorrows; assuring them that
he had no fear of death; and that he 'cheerfully hailed its coming. In
almost inaudible words he recited that beautiful hymn, commencing
with these lines:

" I would not live always, I ask not to stay,
Where storm after storm rises dark o'er my way."

On the 12th day of December, 1856, his spirit was released from that
tenement of clay that had been its abiding place for 82 years, 3
months and 18 days. Surrounded by sorrowing kindred, honored and
respected by all who knew him, he passed calmly and peacefully to
his everlasting rest.

And today, this second day of June, 1893, I sit here, in the quiet of
my lonely room, at the age of almost four score, writing this humble
tribute to his memory. I am the oldest of all his living descendants.
Four brothers and two sisters have gone before; all buried close beside
father and mother, in the Goodrich cemetery. There is a forest of
tombstones, marking the resting places of a host of Genesee county's
hardy pioneers. There rests my bosom companion who passed away
three years ago, after having shared my joys and sorrows for fifty-
two years. There reposes her venerable father, Ealph C. Atkins, who
died many years since, carrying in his body to the grave, a musket
ball he received in fighting the battles of his country on the Niagara
frontier, in 1814. Nor can it be long until I shall be with them, and
the place will be vacant, where now is recorded the name of one more
of the members of the society of Michigan pioneers.

662 DR. DOUGLASS HOUGHTON AND PETER MoPARLAND.

STORY OF THE DROWNING OF DR. DOUGLASS HOUGHTON*

AND SKETCH OF PETER McFARLAND, THE LAST

SURVIVOR OF THE EXPEDITION.

[Published in the Sault Ste. Marie News, January 30, 1892.]

A CENOTAPH TABLET AT ANN ARBOR:

To the memory of
DOUGLASS HOUGHTON, M. D., •

Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy anpl Geology in this University, and Geological

Surveyor General in This State.

In Science Learned, in Action Prompt. While Boldly Engaged in Public Duty, by

the Overturning of a Boat ic Lake Superior He Perished, Sinking, Never,

Alas! to be Seen Again Until " The Sea Gives Up the Dead."

October 13, 1845, aged 36.
The trustees of the University of Michigan this stone have taken care to place.

In an uncarpeted, meagrely-furnished, we*ather-beaten little frame
house on Kimball street, near Spruce avenue, in Sault Ste. Marie,
occurred last week the last chapter in a thrilling and tragic tale of
Michigan, in which all who know of the great wealth of the upper
peninsula of this fair State are interested. There died, in poverty that
knew privations; in aggravating decrepitude, heroic Peter McFarland,
the trusted friend, companion and would-be rescuer of Dr. Douglass
Houghton and the last survivor of the fateful expedition that ended in
the death of the man who, of all others, first attracted attention to the
yet untold, but wonderfully developed mineral wealth of northern Mich-
igan. Peter McFarland was born in 1799, where Superior, Wisconsin,
now stands. His father was a Scotchman who occupied a responsible
position in the service of the Hudson Bay Company; his mother was a
Chippewa Indian woman. Peter grew up in the service of the same
company his father served. For years he was a voyageur and made

* For sketch of Dr. Honghton's life by Prof. Bradish of Detroit, see Michigan Pioneer Collections,
volume 4, page 97.

DR. DOUGLASS HOUGHTON AND PETER McFARLAND. 663

many trips to Hudson Bay and back, by way of Michipicoten and
Moose rivers. Afterwards he was a leader of expeditions.

When Dr. Houghton, in whose honor a township, a county, a lake
and a city are named, and for whom was placed the above memorial
tablet in the cenotaph on the campus around which so many hundreds
of Ann Arbor boys have congregated, first came here to enter upon
the plan he originated to make a geological examination of the Lake
Superior country, he engaged Peter McFarland as his chief personal
assistant. McFarland served him well and Dr. Houghton's biographer
refers to him as the doctor's faithful, trusted, heroic companion and
friend.

Dr. Houghton made the mineral discoveries that first attracted
attention to the upper peninsula. The development of this section
was greatly retarded by his being drowned near Eagle river, on the
Keweenaw peninsula, by the capsizing of an open sail boat containing
four of his companions, his faithful black and white spaniel Meemee
and all of his valuable field notes, specimens and instruments. Peter
McFarland and a man named John Baptiste Bodrie saved themselves.
Bodrie died some time ago. McFarland passed away last week and
thus was the curtain rung down upon a drama of more than usual
interest. Following is a verbatim statement of Dr. Houghton's tragic
drowning and the important part played by Peter McFarland:

EAGLE EIVEB, LAKE SUPERIOR, Oct. 14, 1845. — Statements of facts
connected with the drowning of Dr. Douglass Houghtou, geologist of
the State of Michigan, and two of his men, Tousin Piquette and
Oliver Larimer, near Eagle river, on the night of the 13th of October,
A. D. 1845, as related by Peter McFarland and John Baptiste Bodrie,
survivors :

"Dr. Houghton camped out the night of the 12th of October at Eagle
Harbor; on the morning of the 13th he started in his boat with the
undersigned acting as voyageurs, with three barrels of flour, a bag of
peas, some pork, tent and bedding and a traveling portfolio, for Eagle
river, a distance of eight miles, to the westward. On arriving at Eagle
river they there took in some additional clothing for the surveying
party and proceeded five miles still farther west to the storehouse of
Hassey & Avery; they arrived there at noon and immediately commenced
unloading the boat; after waiting some time the miners at work on the
location of Hassey & Avery came in to their dinner and from some of
them Dr. Houghton procured the key of the storehouse and deposited
his provisions. We all took dinner here, after which we started for
Mr. Hill's surveying party, a distance of three miles on the 'shore.

664 DR. DOUGLASS HOUGHTON AND PETER McFARLAND.

Dr. Houghton and Peter McFarland then started into the woods on the
line and not finding Mr. Hill he returned to the boat and found by
the arrival of Tousin Piquette and Oliver Larimer that Mr. Hill and
his men were two miles still further up the lake. Dr. Houghton then
started in his boat in pursuit of Mr. Hill, with McFarland, Bodrie,
Piquette and Larimer; we met Mr. Hill and his party about sundown
and after remaining nearly an hour and transacting some business we
then put back with the same persons for the purpose of reaching Eagle
river that night. We had nothing in the boat but some bedding and
the portfolio; at the time of leaving there was a gentle land breeze and
a heavy sea from the outside. Dr. Houghton took his usual seat in
the stern as steersman, while four of us rowed the boat. On arriving
opposite the Hassey location Peter McFarland asked Dr. Houghton if
he was going to stop. Dr. Houghton replied, 'No, for if I do not get
to Eagle river tonight Oliver Larimer will lose his passage down the
lake.' McFarland them stated to Dr. Houghton that he was afraid it was
going to blow. Dr. Houghton replied: 'No, I guess not; a land breeze
can't hurt us.' By this time we were opposite the storehouse of
Hassey & Avery. McFarland then told Dr. Houghton that he must go
ashore at the warehouse, as Larimer's baggage was at that place. At
this we put into the landing and after getting the baggage we then
started for Eagle river. The wind was about the same as when we
left Mr. Hill except that it commenced snowing a little and to grow
dark; after rowing nearly three miles we found ourselves opposite a
place called the sand beach. At this place the wind changed and
commenced blowing from the northeast and the snow came faster. In
a short time we encountered a heavy sea, caused by a reef projecting
into the lake about a mile and a half. McFarland then asked Dr.
Houghton to go ashore at the sand beach. Dr. Houghton replied : ' We
had better keep on — we are not far from Eagle river, pull away boys,
pull hard.' At this, Bodrie spoke in the French language to McFar-
land. and said, 'We had' better go ashore.' Dr. Houghton immediately
inquired of McFarland, 'What did Bodrie say?' McFarland told him,
when Dr. Houghton replied, 'We had better goto Eagle river tonight,
as we shall there have a new log house to dry us in.' The wind and
snow kept increasing and after rowing some time, Dr. Houghton
remarked, once or twice, ' Pull away, my boys, we shall soon be in, pull
away,' and encouraged us by similar expressions. We commenced ship-
ping water and made but little progress. After knocking and rolling
about among the breakers for over an hour and it storming all the

DR. DOUGLASS HOUGHTON AND PETER McPARLAND. 665

time, McFarland bailed the boat out and advised Dr. Hough ton to put
on his life preserver. The bag containing it was handed to him and
he placed it at his side; instantly a heavy sea struck the boat and filled
it. Dr. Hough ton then proposed going ashore. McFarland told him he
could not land; that the coast opposite there was all rocks. Dr.
Hough ton immediately put the boat about saying, 'We must go ashore;
we can do nothing here.' Within 200 yards of the shore we shipped
another sea, which was followed by a larger billow, and the boat cap-
sized with all hands under her. McFarland was the first person from
beneath, and upon rising to the top of the water, caught hold of the
keel of the boat at the stern. Upon looking around, he saw a man's
arm about half way out of the water. He instantly lowered himself
and caught the man by the coat collar, and upon bringing him up, it
was Dr. Houghton, who recognized him. McFarland told him to take
off his gloves and hold on to the keel of the boat. The advice was
followed; McFarland still preserved his hold. Dr. Houghton then
remarked, ' Peter, never mind me, try to go ashore if you can ; I will go
ashore well enough.' Instantly a heavy sea struck the boat, throwing
it perpendicularly into the air. It fell over backwards, and Dr. Houghton
disappeared forever. McFarland regained the boat and upon getting in,
discovered for the first time one of his companions, Bodrie, in the water
and clinging to the bow. In this position they both remained some
fifteen minutes, but saw nothing more of their companions. The sea
washed them out again. McFarland drifted towards the rocks and got
a loose hold. In a moment he was washed off and was carried to and fro
against the rocks some three times. The fourth wave landed him on the
top of a ledge of rocks, and by clinging to a crack in the rocks, and getting
hold of a small bush, he succeeded in saving himself. After landing
he looked around him and could see nothing but the boat filled with
water and the bedding floating. Soon he heard a voice among the
rocks, asking in French, 'Who is that?' McFarland replied, 'It is me,
Peter.' The man was Bodrie. We commenced looking about in every
direction and hallooed at the top of our voices, but heard no answer.
We continued examining, until we found ourselves growing chilly and
stiff, when Bodrie remarked, 'Well, we have lost our brothers; it may
be that one of us will get to Eagle river to tell their fate.' We started
and on the way down McFarland fell several times from exhaustion
and cold. Bodrie roused his companion up and they finally succeeded
in reaching Eagle river between the hours of 11 and 12 at night.
We told what had happened and within an hour the entire coast was
84

666 DR. DOUGLASS HOUGHTON AND PETER McFARLAND.

lined, in search for the bodies, by miners and others, who were near

at hand."

Signed, PETER MCFARLAND,

BAPTISTE BODRIE.

" We do hereby certify that we were severally present when the above
named Peter McFarland and John Baptiste Bodrie gave in their state-
ments of the melancholy occurrence of the death of Dr. Houghton and
two of his men on the night of Oct. 13, 1845, by drowning and that
the above is a correct statement as given by them."

E. H. THOMPSON, Michigan.

C. H. GRATIOT, Eagle river.

J. HOUGHTON, JR., Detroit.

J. T. WHITING, Eagle river.

JOHN HAWKS, M. D., Kochester, N. Y.

ALGERNON MERRI WEATHER, Michigan.

BELA HUBBARD, Detroit.

In the spring of 1846 the remains of Dr. Houghton were found not
far from the scene of the disaster. They were half covered with sand
and easily identified. They were interred in Elmwood cemetery, Detroit,
where a monument was erected to his memory by Mrs. Houghton.
The night Dr. Houghton was drowned and the day following, the snow
that had commenced at dusk fell to the depth of three feet.

With Dr. Houghton died his undoubted and undisputable discovery
of gold in the upper peninsula. Mrs. James C. Pendill, of Marquette,
a sister of Mrs. M. W. Scran ton, of the Soo, has a pair of gold
spectacle bows made from a nugget found on Lake Superior by Dr.
Houghton and presented by him to Peter B. Barbeau. Mrs. Scranton
has a piece of native silver also found by him. The more recent dis-
coveries of Julius Ropes and others, of Ishpeming, confirm in some
degree what was said of Dr. Houghton's finds. The doctor once remarked
that when he was ready to tell what he knew of precious metals on
Lake Superior, people would go wild. Near the mouth of Chocolate
river, in Marquette county, is one of the supposed locations of the gold
discoveries.

The death of old Peter McFarland vividly recalls these things. In
the belief that they are both interesting and informative the News
presents them to the public. Charlotte, a daughter of the old man,
still lives on Kimball street. Well she remembers Dr. Houghton and
dwells interestingly upon his associations with her father, who was,
she says, up to the time of his death, the oldest settler in the Soo.

GENEEAL INDEX,

GENERAL INDEX.

Abbot, Dr. T. C.:

Memoir of, byO. date

Abbott, James:

Sketch of home of, on Woodward Ave.,

Detroit, 50 years ago

Abraham, Amelia:

Sketch of

Adams, Mrs. Isaac:

Sketch of

Adams, Wm. D.:

Sketch of

Adamy, Peter H.:

Sketch of --

Address:

By Ex-Gov. Alpheas Felch, president

Aldrich, Dr. Levi:

Sketch of

Alger,Wm.:

Sketch of

Allegan county:

Memorial report from

Andress, Mrs. Rodney:

Sketeh of

Andrews, Mrs. Harriet A.:

Sketch of

Anecdote:

A trial for petit larceny

Anniversary:

50th, of First Congregational Church

Portland, Mich

Arnold, Ladina:

Sketch of •

Arnold, Mrs. Maria Dygert:

Sketch of

Ashton, Mrs. Elizabeth:

Sketch of... -

Babcock, Mary E.:

Sketch of..

Bagley, John J. :

Bygone Merchant of Detroit.
Bailey, Joseph F.:

Sketch of...

307

129

197

194

444

624

196

897

103

Baker, Mrs. Samantha:

Sketch of

Baldwin, Henry P.:

Bygone Merchant of Detroit

Sketch of

Barber, Mrs. Homer G.t

Sketch of

Barker, Mrs. Priscilla E.:

Sketch of.

Barnes, Mrs. Rhoda:

Sketch of

Barney, Nathaniel A. :

Sketch of.

Barnnm, Alonzo:

Extract from diary of

Barnum, Henry I.:

Sketch of

Barr, John:

Sketch of

Barrett, Mrs. 8. M.:

Sketch of

Barry county:

Memorial report from

Barry, Mrs. Patrick:

Sketch of

Bartow, Mrs. Adelia:

Sketch of..

Batchelor, Joel:

Sketch of..

Bates, Geo.C.:

Bygones of Detroit

Bates, Wm. W.:

Sketch of

Bauerly, Fred:

Sketch of

Bay City:

Laying of corner stone of First Presby-
terian Church of

Bay County:

Memoirs of distinguished members of,
bar, by A. C. Maxwell

Memorial report from

Beck, Mrs. Wm. B.:

Sketch of

Beecher, Luther:

Sketch of...

.. 895

.. 192

78
.. 182

49
.. 568

... 146
... 94

39
... 196

... 305
177

42
190
191

670

GENERAL INDEX,

Beekman, Mrs. Martin:

Sketch of

Beem, Henry:

Sketch of

Begole, Josiah W.:

Memorial report of Genesee county by.—
BeU, Mrs. Eliza D.:

Sketch of

Benjamin, Robert L.:

Sketch of

Benjamin, Sue:

Sketch of...

Benjamin, Mrs. £ern.:

Sketch of

Bennett, James W. :

Sketch of

Berger, Jacob K.:

Sketch of

Berger, James:

Sketch of -

Besch, Joseph:

Sketch of

Betts, Wm.:

Sketch of

Bevier, Mrs. Louisa H.:

Sketch of

Bidelman, Mrs. Sarah A.:

Sketch of

Bieber, Mrs. Charlotte:

Sketch of

Bingham, Capt. Alonzo L.:

Sketch of

Bingham, Gov.:

Anecdote of

Bingham, Stephen D.:

Memoir of Anson DePeuy VanBnren

Remarks by 2,

Bird, Rev. C. W.:

Preliminary note to 50th anniversary of the
First Congregational church, Portland,

Mich

Birney, James:

Sketch of...

Bishop, Henry:

Memorial Report of Kalamazoo county by
Bishop, Levi:

Biographical sketch of John Roberts

Blackie, Mrs. Andrew:

Sketch of

Blair, James:

Sketch of

Blair, Russell:

Sketch of...

Bleak, Oliver:

Sketch of.. I

Bliss, George W.:

Sketch of

Bliss, Mrs. 8. Bond:

Sketch of

Borden, Edmund W.:

Sketch of...

Bough ton, Mrs. Elizabeth:

Sketch of

Bowen, Daniel B.:
Sketch of...

78
179

79
147
147
148
184
104
180
181
148
179

94
187
148
275

217
6,16

624

227

116

427

166

120

14*

ioyer, Josiah:

Sketch of 77

Boyer, Wm.:

Sketch of 183

Braden, Casper.

Sketch of W9

Bradshaw, Mrs. Walter:

Sketch of 184

Brady Guards:

Sketch of 315

Brady, Gen. Hugh:

New Year's call upon, 1836 400

Reference to sketch of 315

Branch county:

Memorial report from 43

Brennan, Michael:

Sketch of ----- 1*9

Bresie, Wm.:

Sketch of.. 132

Bridgeman, Quartus E.:

Sketch of - - 72

Brodel, Mrs. Elizabeth:

Sketch of 192

Bronson, ChaunceyK.:

Sketch of 104

Brooks, John W.:

Sketch of, Early railroad history of Michi-
gan 301

Brown, Stephen F.:

Sketch of 118

Bruske, Rudolph:

Sketch of 1*9

Buhl, Frederick and Christian:

Bygone merchants of Detroit 884

Bnhler,. Charles:

Sketch of... ,~ 41

Bullock, Lizzie:

Sketch of - 138

Bump, Mrs. Orrin:

Sketch of 42

Bnrchard, Sr., George:

Sketch of 92

Burland, Mrs. Ann Thompson:

Sketch of 51

Burns, Wm.:

Sketch of 166

Burr, Mrs. KateE.:

Sketch of - 92

Bnrt, Mrs. John:

Sketch of... 194

Burton, C. M.:

Some benefits that accrued to Detroit from

the fire of 1805, by... 431

Bush, Daniel:

Extract of letter from 574

Butler, Dr. AlvaM.:

Sketch of 176

Buys, Mrs. Abraham:

Sketch of 175

Bygones of Detroit. By Gao. C. Bates:

Back through the mists of forty years 305

First State election 309

Sketch of picture of 313

Gen. Hugh Brady 315

Brady guards 315

GENERAL INDEX.

671

Bygones of Detroit— Continued:

Territorial Supreme Court 320

Joseph Campau and the early French 829

My first day among the docks of Detroit .. 836
Beginning of the Michigan Central Bail-
road.. 344

Early hotels of Detroit. 854

Detroit boat club and the regatta 862

Bygone merchants 869

Byron, Mrs. Rachel:

Sketch of 65

Cade, Stephen W.:

Sketch of 185

CaMwell, J. Martin:

Sketch of 51

Calhonn county:

Memorial report from 45

Calkins, Mrs. James I.:

Sketch of _ 186

Cam pan & Co., Barney:

Bygone merchants of Detroit 871

Campau, Daniel J.:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 898

Campau, Joseph:

and the early French, Bygones of Detroit. 829
Campbell, James W.:

Sketch-of 167

Carlisle, Fred:

Comparative sketches of E. B. Ward,
James F. Joy, Lewis Case and Wm.
Woodbridge... 288

Early French missions on the Saginaw, by 244
Carlton, Robert:

Sketch of 42

Carpenter, Wm. N.:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 397

Cass county:

Memorial report from 65

Cass, Lewis:

Comparative sketches of E. B. Ward,
James F. Joy, Wm. Woodbridge and, by
Fred Carlisle :._ :.__ 283

Sketch of _ 287

Chandler, Z.:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 381

Chapin, Wm. M.:

Sketch of.... 190

Chapoton, Sr., Alexander:

Sketch of 196

Cheney, A. M.:

Sketch of 92

Chester, John:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 390

Choate, Dr. S. P.:

Sketch of 185

Cicotte, Edward V.:

Sketch of 187

Clark, Francis I:

Remarks by 13, 18

Clark, Mrs. Phebe:

Sketch of '_ 77

Clark, Robert?.:

Sketch of... 180

Clinton county:

Memorial report from 71

Clippinger, John A. :

Sketch of 94

Clute, O.:

Memoir of Dr. T. C. Abbot, by 206

Cole, Darius:

Sketch of 192

Cole, Oliver R.:

Sketch of 104

Coleman, Merritt L.:

Report of , Treasurer .- 24

Collins, Charles:

Sketch of ._ 191

Committee meetings:

Executive and historical 21

Compton, Marguerite:

Sketch of 149

Comstock, Dr. O. C.:

The medical profession in Michigan 471

Conant, Shubael:

Bygone merchant of Detroit _. 871

Cond, Mrs. C. W.:

Sketch of.. 176

Conference of M. E. church:

Fifty-two years of itinerant life in the

Michigan, by Rev. R. C. Crawford 266

Conger, Mrs. Harrison G.:

Sketch of. 79

Conn, Joseph:

Sketch of 192

Cook, Mrs. Cilinda:

Sketch of... 181

Cook, Levi:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 877

Cook, Mrs. Prudence:

Sketch of 150

Cook, Wm. A.:

Memorial report of Kent county, by 120

Cooley, Mrs. B.:

Sketch of 185

Cooley, Baruch G.:

Sketch of, by A. F. Morehouse 625

Cooley, Judge Thomas M.:

Memoir of Ex-Gov. Charles M. CrosweU.. 222
Cooper, Charles:

Sketch of 180

Cooper, David:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 875

Cordes, John:

Sketch of 121

Cottin, Joseph:

Sketch of 189

Crane, Arthur H.:'

Sketch of .. 89

Crawford, Francis:

Sketch of... 193

Crawford, Rev. R. C.:

Fifty-two years of itinerant life in the

Michigan Conference of the M. E. Church 266
Cross, Elisha:

Sketch of J98

Cross, George F.:

Sketch of... 150

672

GENERAL INDEX.

Cross, Lewis:

Sketch of 178

Crossett, Mrs. Betsey:

Sketch of - 52

Crossette, Isaac:

Sketch of — 139

Croswell, Ex-Gov. Charles M.:

Memoir of, by Judge Thomas M. Cooley - 222
Cummin, James:

Sketch of I62

Carrie, Thomas:

Sketch of 167

Cutcheon, Byron M.:

Fifty years of growth in Michigan. _ 479

D.
Darling, John:

Sketch of 80

Davey, Mrs. Wm.:

Sketch of — 178

David, James I.:

Sketch of 190

Davis, Mrs. Solomon:

Sketch of 196

Davis, Stephen:

Sketch of 79

Davison:

Early history of the township of, by Good-

enough Townsend 542

Davison township:

Early birthsin 550

Early deaths in 551

Early marriages in 550

Last showing those in the army, 1861-1865,

from 552

DeGraff, Mrs. Sally:

Sketch of 77

Deindorfer, Mrs. Catherine:

Sketch of _.. 152

Delegates:

Present at State Pioneer meeting from

county Pioneer societies 1

DeMill, Peter E.:

Sketch of 105, 195

Dennis, Mrs. Anna:

Sketch of 186

Desnoyers, Peter:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 370

Detroit:

Benefits to, from devastating fire of 1805.. 431

Boat club and the regatta 862

Bygone merchants 369

Early docks of 336

Early hotels of 354

Laying out the new town after the fire of

1805 432

Devroe, J. Peter:

Sketch of _ 195

Dickinson, Mrs. William:

Sketch of 175

Doerr, 8r, Mrs. Anthony:

Sketch of 152

Donations:

List of 20

Doolittle, Mrs. Clinton:

Sketch of... 181

Drake, Thomas J.:

History of Oakland county '408

Drake, Wm.:

Memorial report of Hillsdale county by.. . 89
Draper, Charles S.:

Sketch of 150

Draper, Hiram:

Memorial report of St. Joseph county by . . 175
Draper, Mrs. Mary J.:

Sketch of _ 151

Dubois, Harvey J.:

Sketch of 53

Dudley, Rev. Thomas P.:

Battle and massacre at Frenchtown,

Mich., January, 1813 _.. 486

Dunn, Michael:

Sketch of. 195

Dunham, Jacob:

Sketch of 181

Dunning, Mrs. Minerva B.:

Sketch of 66

Dupaul, Antoine:

Sketch of 186

Eames, Mrs. Elizabeth:

Sketch of 175

Earl, Mrs. L.W.:

Sketch of 185

Eastman, Davids

Sketch of 188

Eaton county:

A scrap of political history in 524

. First county convention 525

Memorial report 77

Pioneer history of the settlement of, by

early settlers 502

Eaton, Mrs. Paul J.:

Sketch of 184

Eaton, Mrs. Wm.:

Sketch of... 41

Ebert, Mrs. Joseph:

Sketch of 167

Edgartori, Mrs. Eleanor:

Sketch of 179

Edwards, Joseph:

Sketch of 183

Eggleston, E. S.:

Sketch of 121

Eggleston, Mr.:

Sketch of ._ 80

Eldridge, Dr. Isaac N.:

Sketch of 81

Eldrige, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis:

Sketches of 186

Election:

First State, in Michigan 309

Pen picture of first State, in Michigan .... 310
Emerson, Thomas:

Anecdote of _ 873

Bygone merchant of Detroit 372

Emery, Mrs. Eveline:

Sketch of 177

Ennis, James:

Sketch of ... 93

GENERAL INDEX.

673

Evans, L. K.:

Sketch of 184

Evans, Theo. L.:

Sketch of 188

Everett, Philo M.:

Sketch of 105

P.
Farmer, John:

Preface to the Gazetteer of Michigan, 1830,

by 458

Farnsworth, Chancellor Elon:

New Year's call upon, 1886.. 403

Farnsworth, Mather & Hall:

Bygone merchants of Detroit 391

Farrand, Mrs. Helen W.:

Memorial report of St. Clair county by... 166
Farrand, Jacob S.:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 888

Felch, Ex-Gov. Alpheus:

President's address 198

Remarks by 7, 14

Felt, Clinton H,:

Sketch of 184

Ferdon, Mrs. Lucy:

Sketch of 73

Ferguson, Earlsey:

Sketch of 189

Ferry, Mrs. Mary F.:

Sketch of... 181

Fifield, Daniel:

Sketch of 41

Fisk, Mrs. Betsey:

Sketch of 36

Fonda, Mrs. Henrietta:

Sketch of 183

Fonda, James:

Sketch of... 184

Forsyth, Maj. Robert A.:

New Year's call upon, 1886... 402

Foster, Andrew:

Sketch of 157

Foster, Charles:

Sketch of 94

Foster, Mrs. John:

Sketch of _ 154

Foster, Lorenzo:

Sketch of 78

Fowler, 8. W.:

Letter from 4

Fox, Mr.:

Carrying first mail between Detroit and

Grand Rapids 18

Fox, Dr. W. B.:

Sketch of 163

Freeman, Mrs. Channcey:

Sketch of . 77

Freeman, David M.:

Sketch of 192

French, David:

Sketch of 180

French, Frank:

Sketch of 177

Frenchtown:

Battle and massacre at, Michigan, Jan-
uary, 1813 486

Frost, Daniel:

Sketch of 82

Frost, JosiahB.:

Memorial report of Jackson county by 102

Fuller, Nancy S.:

Sketch of 93

G.
Gale, Isaac:

Sketch of 164

Gallery, James:

Pioneer history of settlement of Eaton

county. Sketch by 509

Galloway, Wm.:

Sketch of 193

Gamage, Rev. Smith P.:

Sketch of 98

Garrigy, James:

Sketch of 189

Gates, Fellow:

Sketch of 97

Geddes, Norman:

Memoir of Francis R. Stebbins by 214

Remarksby 13

Some Lenawee county history, by 566

Genesee county:

Memorial report from 79

Gilbert, Thomas D.:

Remarks by 10

Gildart, James:

Sketch of 106

Gillette, Mrs. Henry P.:

Sketch of 176

Glazier, Mrs. Jennison:

Sketch of 191

Gleason, Mrs. Alvah:

Sketch of 185

Gleason, Mrs. Laura A.:

Sketch of 185

Glover, Henry:

Sketch of 189

Godfrey, Mrs. Eugene:

Sketch of 182

Goodrich, Enos:

Biographical sketch of Levi Hamilton

Goodrich 651

Goodrich, Levi Hamilton:

Biographical sketch of, by Enos Goodrich. 651
Goss, Mrs. Wm.:

Sketch of _ 54

Graham, James W.:

Sketch of 193

Grant, C. W.:

Letter from Grovener Vinton to 453

Memorial report of Saginaw county by 146

Graw, Mrs. Charlotte:

Sketch of 40

Gray, Watson:

Sketch of 182

Greene, George H. :

Report of, recording secretary 19

Report of, corresponding secretary 22

Grier, Theophilus C.:

Sketch of 230

Grootenhuis, Bernardus:

Sketch of... 143

674

GENERAL INDEX.

Grovenburg, Harry:
Sketch of

Guina, John F. :
Sketch of

Gunn, Mrs. Wm.:
Sketch of...

H.
Hachenberg, Mrs. Mary:

Sketch of

Hackett, John:

Sketch of

Hagadorn, Mrs. Eliza B.:

Sketch of

Hagenbuck, Aaron:

Sketch of.

Hall, Mrs. Julia Ann:

Sketch of-

Hallock, Horace:

Sketch of -

Hamilton, George:

Sketch of

Hamilton, Kate:

Sketch of

Hammond, Mrs. Lemuel O.:

Sketch of -

Hannifan, Jeremiah:

Sketch of

Harrington, James:

Sketch of

Harris, Israel Victor:

Sketch of.

Harrison, Mrs. John:

Sketch of

Hart, Jesse:

Pioneer history of settlement of Eaton

county. Sketch by _

Harvey, Norman Henry:

Sketch qf

Hastings:

History of the, M. E. Church, by Daniel

Striker —

Hatch, James W.:

Sketch of...

Hause, Grandma:

Sketch of

Hawthorne, James N.:

Sketch of...

Haynes, Harvey:

Memorial report of Branch county, by

Haze, Dr. W. H.:

Remarks by

Hazen, Luke:

Sketch of....

Heartt, Wm.A.:

Memorial report of Tuscola county, by ...
Heaton, Elial W.:

Sketch of

Heise, Carl:

Sketch of

Hendershott, John:

Sketch of

Henderson, Don C. :

Memorial report of Allegan county, by....
Henderson, Samuel J.:
Sketch of....

192

106

176

106

177

195

181

179

194

193

122

180

502

182

565

186

Henderson, William:

Sketch of -- - 187

Hennessey, Patrick:

Sketch of 188

lenry, Mrs. Thomas:

Sketch of.. - 39

Heubisch, Martin:

Sketch of - 154

Hewitt, Mrs. Elias:

Sketch of 55

eydlauff, Anna M.:

Sketch of - 98

Hickey, Mrs. Manasseh:

Sketchof .- 187

Hickok, Capt. J. W.:

A scrap of political history in Eaton

county 524

Hill, Mrs. E. B.:

Sketchof - 178

Hill, Mrs. Geo. J. W.:

Sketchof 82

Hill, Peter:

Sketchof 193

Hillsdale county:

Memorial report from 89

Hinman, John F.:

Memorial report of Calhoun county by 45

History, 1841-1891:

Hastings M. E. Church

Annual benevolences ^ 617

Sunday school -618, 619

Board of trustees 618

Board of stewards 618

Epworth League 618

Social society 619

Women's Foreign Mission society 619

Women's Home Mission society , 619

Mission band... 619

Hochstadt, Louis:

Sketchof... - 189

Hock, Myron B.:

Sketchof - 182

Hoes, David L.:

Sketchof 41

Hoes, Mrs. David L.:

Sketchof - 40

Hoffman, David:

Sketchof -- 180

Holden, Mrs. Samuel:

Sketchof 133

Hollywood, Dr. J. N.:

Sketchof... -. 196

Holmes, Sidney T.:

Sketchof 232

Holt, Henry H. :

Memorial report of Mnskegon county by . . 138

Remarks by — - H

Homie, Mrs. Mary:

Sketchof T 191

Hopkins, Mrs. Hannah M.:

Sketchof 84

Hough, Mrs. F. J.:

Sketchof 182

Houghton, Dr. Douglass:

Story of the drowning of 662

GENERAL INDEX.

675

Honghton, Martha:

Sketch of... 193

Honk, Henry:

Sketch of 190

Hoyt, John H.:

Sketch of 168

Howard, Edgar:

Sketch of 191

Howard, Russell M.:

Sketchof 56

Howell, Judge Andrew:

Remarks by.. 3

Howell, Robert C.:

Sketchof 154

Hubbard, Mrs. Jane I.:

Sketchof 56

Hubert, Mrs. Frederick:

Sketchof 154

Huff, A. W.:

Sketch of 178

Hughes, Mrs. Owen:

Sketchof 41

Hull, Abijah, surveyor: •

Anecdote of 433

Hull, Nathaniel B.:

Sketchof 106

Hnntington, Mrs. Franklin W.:

Sketchof 168

Hnntoon, Nathaniel:

Sketchof 78

Hnrlbut, Channcey:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 374

Hyde, Dr. James:

Sketchof 78

Ingham County:

Memorial report from 92

Inslee, Gage:

Sketchof 169

Ionia County:

Memorial report from 97

Ira, Mrs. Fredrica J.:

Sketchof 184

Jackson County:

Memorial report from 102

Jeffers, Mrs. Daniel:

Sketchof 165

Jeffery, David:

Sketchof 56

Jewett, Mrs. Azuhah L.:

Pioneer reminiscences by 447

Johnson, Hiram:

Sketchof.... 93

Johnson, Mrs. H. H.:

Sketch of 189

Jones, Mrs. Allen:

Sketch of 40

Jones, DeGarmo:

Sketch of 338

Jones, James:

Sketch of 178

Jones, J. Huff:

Sketch of ... 192

Jones, Richard:

Sketchof...

Joshua, Mark:

Sketchof

Joy, Dr. Henry L. :

Sketch of

Joy, James F.:

Comparative sketches of E. B. Ward,
Lewis Cass, Wm. Woodbridge, and, by
Fred Carlisle.

Railroad history of Michigan, by

Sketch of

Tells how he went into the railroad busi-

Kaiser, Sebastian:

Sketch of....

Kalamazoo County:

Memorial report from

Kearsley, Maj. Jonathan:

New Year's call upon, 1836

Keeler, Mrs. I. N.:

Sketchof

Keeler, Noah:

Sketchof

Kedzie, A. 8.:

Memorial report of Ottawa county, by
Kelley, Nelson:

Sketchof

Kelly, Bernard C.:

Sketchof

Kent county:

Memorial report from

Kent, Mrs. Leander:

Sketchof

Kelsey, Mrs. A. L. :

Sketchof

Kibbee, Henry C.:

Sketchof

Kimball, David:

Sketchof

King, J. L.:

Bygone merchant of Detroit

Kingsbury, Charles H.:

Sketchof

Kirkwood, James:

Sketchof..

Kirkwood, John:

Sketchof

Kittle, Alexander B.:

Sketchof

Kline, Adam C.: '

Sketchof

Kline, Joseph:

Sketchof

Klossert, Ernest C.:

Sketch of

Knowles, W. H.:

Sketchof

Knowlton, Ephraim A.:

Sketch of

Krengel, Caspar:

Sketchof....

40
186

292
290

297

40
116
402

41
107
143
108

94
120

99
196

77
376

178
192
43
191

676

GENERAL INDEX.

Labadie, Charles:

Sketch of 188

Ladae, Mrs. John:

Sketch of 196

Lafayette, Gen.:

Remarks upon portrait of, in Senate

chamber 6, 7, 11, 18

La Fontaine, Louis:

Sketch of 189

Laird, James:

Sketch of 193

Lake, David M.:

Sketch of 89

Lake, Judge Warner:

Sketch of 83

Lamb, Mrs. Jane:

Sketch of - 78

Lamson, Darius:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 876

Lange, Gottleib:

Sketch of. 154

Larned, Gen. Frank:

New Year's call upon, 1836 401

Lawson, Mrs. Magdalene C.:

Sketch of 191

Lawton, George E.:

Sketch of 58

Ledbeter, John:

Sketch of 194

Lee, Mrs. George W.:

Sketch of 183

Leggett, Stephen W.:

Sketch of 197

Lenawee county:

Members of the bar in 1841.... 563

Memorial report from 129

Some history of, by Judge Norman Geddes 556

Some history of, by A. L, Millard 560

Lepper, Josiah:

Sketch of 58

Lindley, Stephen J.:

Sketch of 99

Loftus, Mrs. Mary:

Sketch of 93

Lord, George:

Sketch of 42

Lyndon, Wm.:

Sketch of... 188

Mahoney, Timothy:

Sketch of 188

Manchester:

Settlement and natural history of, by L.

D. Watkins 262

Mansion House:

Sketch of, Bygones of Detroit 358

Marble, Mrs. Ephraim:

Sketch of 59

Marsac, Captain:

An old map of the late, unearthed 457

Mason, Mrs. Caroline C.:

Sketch of 155

Mason, John:

Sketch of 189

Mason, Stevens T.:

New Year's call upon, 1836 400

Mather, A. E.:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 394

Mathers, Mrs. Mary:

Sketch of 181

Maxwell, A. C.:

Memoirs of distinguished members of the

Bay county bar, by... 226

McCormick, Wm. :

Memorial report of Bay county by 42

McCrea, Samuel W.:

Sketch of 60

McCurdy, Thomas E.:

Sketch of _ 94

McElroy, Mrs. M.:

Sketch of 169

McFarland, Peter:

Sketch of, the last witness of the drown-
ing of Dr. Douglas Houghton 662

McGraw,A. C.:

Bygone merchant of Detroit ._ 382

McGregor, Peter:

Sketch of 155

McGnire, John H.:

Sketch of 176

McKelvey, James:

Sketch of _ 41

McKibbin, Mrs. Emily F.:

Sketch of 94

McLeland, Andrew:

Sketch of 177

McLellan, Mrs. Malvina P.:

Sketch of 40

McPherson, Thomas:

Sketch of _ 186

McSouley, Mrs. Catherine:

Sketch of 192

Meagher, Thomas:

Sketch of 93

Medical:

Profession in Michigan, by Dr. O. C. Corn-
stock 471

Melvin, Mrs. Wm.:

Sketch of 184

Members deceased, 1892-3 23

Membership 19

Memoir of:

Dr. T. C. Abbot 206

Ex-Gov. Charles M. Croswell 222

Francis R. Stebbins 214

Anson DePeny VanBuren 217

Memoirs:

Of distinguished members of Bay county

bar 226

Memorial report:

Response at roll call by counties 2

Allegan county 86

Barry county 39

Bay county 42

Branch county 48

Calhonn county 45

Cass county 65

GENERAL INDEX.

677

Memorial report.— Continued:

Clinton county 71

Eaton connty 77

Genesee county _ 79

Hillsdale county _ 89

Ingham county . 92

Ionia county _ 97

Jackson connty 102

Kalamazoo connty 116

Kent county... 120

Lenawee county 129

Monroe connty 138

Mnskegon county 138

Oceana county 143

Ottawa county 143

Saginaw county 146

Shiawassee connty 162

St. Clair connty 166

St. Joseph county 175

Tuscola county 186

Wayne connty 187

Merrill, Benjamin:

Sketch of 183

Michigan:

Fifty years of Growth in, by Byron M.

Cutcheon 479

Early newspapers 483

Extent of territory 484

Subdivisions and population 485

Roads and means of communication 487

Agriculture 489

Stock 489

Manufactures 489

Census, 1840.. 490

Manufactures, 1840 490

Increase in wealth, 1853-1891 493

Lands assessed, 1854-1891 _ 493

Subdivisions, 1840-1890 494

Railroad progress 494

Railroad mileage by decades, 1838-1890 .... 495

Statistics of present operations 495

Rolling stock 495

Lake transportation 495

Michigan tonnage on the lakes, 1890 496

Mining and lumbering 496

Copper, salt, gypsum 497

Coal, lumber and other manufactures 498

Pig iron... 498

Wool manufactures, 1889 498

School system 500

Social conditions 500

Michigan and the nation 501

Description of, in Pocket Gazetteer, 1830-1 458

First State election 309

Pen picture of first State election of 310

Medical profession in, by Dr. O. C. Corn-
stock 471

Railroad history of, by James F. Joy 292

Michigan Central Railroad:

Beginning of 294, 344

Michigan Exchange:

Sketch of, Bygones of Detroit 360

Miles, Mrs. John:

Sketch of 193

Millard, A. L.:

Some Lenawee county history 560

Miller, Judge Albert:

An old map of the late Captain Marsac
unearthed, contributed by 457

A pioneer's reminiscences, contributed by 450

Early Saginaw constables, by 443

Laying of corner stone of First Presbyter-
ian church, Bay City, contributed by 466

Letter from, to committee of historians of
Pioneer and Historical society 452

Pioneer schools of Michigan, by... 454

Recollections of a pioneer of early Michi-
gan, by 461

Remarks by _ 3

Resolution to send Delegates to World's
Congress, offered by 9

Response to Dr. White's anniversary ser-
mon, by 464

Miller, Joseph:

Sketch of 189

Mills, Mrs. Robert:

Sketch of 169

Mink, Constantino:

Sketch of..._ 190

Minutes:

Of annual meeting, 1893 1

Missions:

Early French, on the Saginaw, by Fred

Carlisle 244

Mitchell, C.T.:

Progress in transportation and mails in

the last fifty years, by 281

Moldenhause, John:

Sketch of 196

Monroe connty:

Memorial report from 138

Monroe, H. G.:

Sketch of 61

Montgomery, John 8.:

Sketch of 77

Montgomery! Johnson:

Pioneer history of settlement of Eaton

county, Sketchby 518

Moore, J. Wilkie:

Memorial report of Wayne connty, by 187

Morehouse, Albert F.:

Memorial report of Ionia county, by 97

Remarks by 6

Sketch of Barnch G. Cooley, by 625

Morell, Hon, George:

New Year's call upon, 1836 401

Sketch of 325

Morse, Oscar F.:

Sketch of 170

Mugford, E. T.:

Memorial report of Oceana connty by 143

Remarks by 6

Reminiscences of Oceana connty 235

Mnir, W. K.:

Sketch of 188

Mnlliken, JohnB.:

Sketchof 195

Munsell, Harvey:

Sketchof 183

Muskegon county :

Memorial report from 138

678

GENERAL INDEX.

Nagler, Mrs. Caroline:

Sketch of - —

Naeh, Mrs. Mary A.:

Sketch of ----

Nanmann, John:

Sketch of.. -

Nesbitt, George:

Sketch of

Newberry, Oliver:

Sketch of

Newcomb, Walter:

Sketch of

Newton, Mrs. George:

Sketch of

New Year's:

Celebration of , in 1336

Duties of

Nixon, Robert:

Sketch of

Nixon, Mrs. Sarah:

Sketch of

Norman, John:

Sketch of

Norris, Mrs. Josiah J. :

Sketch of _

North, Matthew D.:

Sketch of

Norton, John M.:

Settlement of Oakland county

Norvell, Hon. John:

New Year's call upon, 1886

Oakland county:

History of, by Thomas J. Drake

Proclamation to set off

Settlement of, by John M. Norton

Oceana county:

Memorial report from

Reminiscences of, by Enoch T. Mugford..
Officers:

Present at annual meeting

Olds, Martin:

Sketch of _.

Oliver, Mrs. Kesyiah:

Sketch of

Orcutt, Isaac:

Sketch of _'_

Osband, Edwin R.:

Sketch of

Osband, Mrs. M. D.:

Sketch of.

Ottawa County:

Memorial report from

Onthwaite, Geo. F.:

Sketch of

Owen, John:

Bygone merchant of Detroit

Owens, Alonzo H.:

Memorial report of Shiawassee county by.

42
92
196
118
341
187

Faille, Calixte:

Sketch of

Palmer, Mrs. Eliza M.:
Sketch of....

78
109
196
194
186
404

408
410
404

143
235

155

148

140

389

162

170

155

Palmer, Mrs. John M.:

Sketch of 195

Palmer, Thomas:

Bygone merchant of Detroit.. _ 372

Palmerton, A. J.:

Sketch of. — 41

Paris, Mrs. Malinda:

Sketch of 170

Parks, Davies:

Sketch of 73

Parrish, Isaac H.:

Sketch of 123

Parsons, David;

Resolution offered by 9

Parsons, Jonathan:

Sketch of _ 117

Parsons, Mrs. Laura:

Sketch of 179

Parsons, Mrs. Philo:

Sketch of 196

Passage, Mrs. Harriet:

Sketch of 156

Patridge, Jason D.:

Sketch of 94

Patterson, Mrs. Eliza:

Sketch of 74

Peck, Frances:

Sketch of 40

Pennocke, Mrs. Ira:

Sketch of 39

Penny, Chas. W.:

Sketch of 109

Perkins, Mrs. Watson:

Sketch of . 175

Perry, Iretus:

Sketch of 84

Perry, Seymour:

Sketch of 85

Personal Reminiscences:

By Rev. W. B. Williams 526

Peters, James M.:

Sketch of 78

Petrie, Daniel D.:

Sketch of 110

Pettit, Warren D.:

Sketch of ISO

Pfanstiehl, PieterF.:

Sketch of 144

Phillips, Arnold W.:

Sketch of 180

Picture:

Sketch of " Bygones of Detroit" 313

Pilkinton, Mrs. Henrietta:

Sketch of 100

Pinckney, Mrs. Maria B.:

Sketch of _ 94

Piper, Mrs. Maria S. :

Sketch of.. 140

Pioneer:

History of the settlement of Eaton county 502

Recollections of a, of early Michigan, by
Judge Albert Miller 461

Schools of Michigan, by Judge Albert
Miller ... .... 454

GENERAL INDEX.

679

Pioneer reminiscences:

By Mrs. Aznhah L. Jewett 447

Contributed by Judge Albert Miller 450

Pitts, Safford:

Sketch of 165

Plnmmer, Chas. H.:

Sketch of ...110,155

Poem by U. B. Webster:

When I was a boy with a head like tow. ... 255
Porter, Mrs. Edward L.:

Sketch of 190

Portland, Mich,:

50th anniversary of First Congregational
church of 624

Historical sermon, by Rev. L. P. Spelman 629
Prindle, David:

Sketch of 195

Proclamation:

Setting off Oakland county, 1822 410

Pulcher, Mrs. Mary:

Sketch of 188

Purdy, Mrs. Henry E:

Sketch of 185

Putnam, Mrs. Orlin:

Sketch of 61

. B.

Raby, Edward:

Sketch of 100

Rademacher, Mrs. John:

Sketch of 191

Railroad history of Michigan :

By James F. Joy •_ 292

Reed, Mrs. Fidelia:

Sketch of 81

Reed, Mrs. Polly A.:

Sketch of 176

Reeves, Mrs.:

Sketch of 189

Reid, Rev. James W.:

Sketch of 124

Remarks by:

Stephen D. Bingham ...2, 6, 16

Francis I. Clark 13, 18

Alpheus Felch 7, 14

8. W. Fowler 4

Norman Geddes 13

Thomas D. Gilbert ._ 10

W. H. Haze 16

Henry H. Holt.... 11

Judge Andrew Howell 3

Judge Albert Miller 8

Albert F. Morehonse 6

Enoch T. Mngford 6

C. B. Stebbins 14

• Mrs. Marion Turner 17

L. D. Watkins 8, 17

Ralph Watson.... 18

Remington. Mr. and Mrs. Philander:

Sketchesof Ill

Reminiscences of:

First locomotive whistle in Michigan, by

Alpheus Felch 14

John Tanner, the white Indian 10

Michigan, by 8. W. Fowler „. 5

Mrs. Nancy B. White 240

Oceana county, by Enoch T. Mngford 235

Rench, Mrs. David G.:
Sketch of...

Report of:

Committee of historians

Committee on nominations.

Corresponding secretary

Memorial committee

Recording secretary

Treasurer....

Resolution:

Adopted and committee appointed to pre-
pare history of picture of Gen. Lafayette 13

To send delegates to World's Congress,

Chicago, 1898._ 9

Rhoades, Lyman:

Sketch of 175

Rich, John A.:

Sketch of 77

Richard, John:

Sketch of 134

Richards, Mrs. Mary Ann:

Sketch of 191

Richardson, Daniel D.:

Sketch of _ 158

Rising, E. W.:

Sketch of 85

Rivard, Lewie M.:

Sketch of 193

Roberts, Mrs. Elizabeth E.:

Sketch of _ 177

Roberts, Harry:

Sketch of 179

Roberts, John:

Biographical sketch of, by Levi Bishop... 427

Bygone merchant of Detroit 377

Robinson, Chas. A.:

Sketch of 125

Robinson, Mrs. Clothilde:

Sketch of 190

Robinson, James D.:

Sketch of 125

Roeser, Sr., Mrs. Wm.:

Sketch of 157

Rork, Mrs. M.V.:

Sketch of 176

Rose, Lorenzo A.:

Sketch of 44

Rosecrans, Almon:

Sketch of 100

Ross, Rev. A. Hastings:

Sketch of 172

Rossman, Alby:

Sketch of 87

Rowell, A. S;

Sketch of _ 45

Rnmsey, Jacob W.:

Sketch of 69

Russell, Mrs. J. M.:

Sketch of 41

Rust, Amasa:

Sketch of... 157

Rumsey, Jacob:

Sketch of 185

Rutherford, John:

Sketch of... 182

680

GENERAL INDEX.

Sage, John:

Sketch of. 135

Saginaw:

Circuit court matters 446

County court 446

Early, constables, by Judge Albert Miller. 443

Early French missions on the 244

Treaty with the Chippewas at, Sept. 24,

1819 245

Saginaw county:

Laid off by proclamation of Gov. Cass in
1822 - 462

Memorial report from 146

Organized in February, 1835 451

Sanford, James Bronson:

Sketch of . 101

Scammon, Mrs. M. B.:

Sketch of 93

Schacker, Rudolph:

Sketch of 158

Schmidt, Paul:

Sketch of 158

Schwarz, Mrs. Catherine:

Sketch of 190

Scott, David:

Sketch of 78

Searl, Mrs.:

Sketch of 75

Searles, Daniel:

Sketch of 98

Seekel, Mrs. Helen:

Sketch of 180

Seeley, Daniel H.:

Sketch of 88

Seelye, Abel:

Sketch of 87

Seitz, Frederick L.:

Sketch of. 195

Settlement and natural history of Manchester:

By L. D. Watkins 262

Shackman, Joseph:

Sketch of 179

Shafer, Wm. T.:

Sketch of 61

Shaffer, George T.:

Memorial report of Cass county by 65

Sharer, Wm.:

Sketch of 182

Sharp, Rev. Peter:

Sketch of 136

Sheley, Alanson:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 886

Sketch of 194

Shepard, Dr. Charles:

Sketch of 125

Shiawassee county:

Memorial report from 162

Shipp, Mrs. Thomas:

Sketch of 93

Shores, Joseph:

Sketch of 40

Sibley, Hon. Solomon:

New Year's call upon, 1836... 401

Sketch of 324

Sidler, Mrs. Mary J.:

Sketch of 179

Silliman, Thomas:

Sketch of 182

Simmis, Josiah:

Sketch of 176

Simmons, Mrs. Charles:

Sketch of 180

Simmons, Mrs. Nancy A.:

Sketch of... 75

Sisson, Arnold:

Sketch of... 41

Sisson, Ellery:

Sketch of „ 187

Skirvin, Mrs. Mary:

Sketch of 175

Slafter, Wm.:

Sketch of 187

Sleeper, Henry S.:

Sketch of 92

Smith, Charles W.:

Sketch of.. 92

Smith, DewittC.:

Sketch of 172

Smith, Mrs. Eusebia:

Sketch of * 70

Smith, George Anson:

Sketch of 90

Smith, Mrs. Hiram H.:

Sketch of ._ _ 112

Smith, Mrs. Mary:

Sketch of 191

Smith, Mrs. PerrinM.:

Sketch of 184

Smith, Sidney S.:

Sketch of 112

Smith, Sylvester:

Sketch of 187

Snyder, Nathan:

Sketch of 185

Squier, Julius A.:

Sketch of 62

Spelman, Rev. L. P.:

Historical sermon, 50th anniversary of
First Congregational church of Port-
land, by 629

Spencer, Mrs. Mary C.:

Proposition by, to place books, etc., be-
longing to Society in library 21

Spicer, Fred:

Pioneer history of settlement of Eaton

county, Sketch by 505

Stacy, S.C.:

Memorial report of Lena wee county, by.. . 129
Stage, Mrs. Jerry:

Sketch of 181

St. Clair county:

Memorial report from 166

Stebbins, C. B.:

Memorial report of Ingham county, by 92

Remarks by 14

Stebbins, Dwight:

Sketch of 183

Stebbins, Mrs. Dwight:

Sketch of ... 186

GENERAL, INDEX.

681

Stebbins, Francis R. :

Memoir of, by Norman Geddes 214

Steere, Joseph H.:

Sketch of John Tanner, known as the

white Indian 246

Stephenson, John:

Sketchof 182

Stevens, Frederick H.:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 876

Stewart, James:

Sketch of 190

Stafford, Mrs. Frances:

Sketchof 159

StiUson, Wallace W.:

Sketchof _ 62

Stirling, Mrs. James:

Sketchof 189

St. Joseph county:

Memorial report from 175

Stocking, Bilius:

Sketchof 127

Stocking, Fanny:

Sketchof 187

Stockwell, Mrs. C. M.:

Sketchof ._ 173

Stone, Mrs. Sarah E.:

Sketchof 118

Stowell, Ira:

Sketch of 41

Strasbnrg, Mrs. August:

Sketchof 159

Striker, Daniel:

History of the Hastings M. E. church by.. 565

Memorial report of Barry county by 39

Strohawer, John:

Sketch of 187

Strong, Mrs. Mary P.:

Sketchof 94

Sat fin, Mrs. M. A.:

Poem— Our homes fifty years ago 620

Swin, Mrs. James:

Sketchof 39

T.
Tanner, John:

Reminiscences of, by Thomas D. Gilbert .. 10

Sketch of, known as the white Indian, by

Joseph H. Steere 246

Teesdale, Samuel:

Sketch of 178

Telford, John H.:

Sketchof 113

Territorial Supreme Court :

Sketch of 820

Thayer, Wm.:

Sketch of 159

Thompson, Dr. A. A.:

Sketchof... 87

Thompson, Mrs. Henrietta C.:

Sketch of 62

Throop, Enos:

Sketch of 159

Tietsort, John:

Sketchof 70

Tinkler, Mrs. John:

Sketchof 39

Torrance, L. A.:

Sketch of 93

Townseud, A. M.:

Sketch of 181

Townsend, Charles:

Sketch of 159

Townsend, Goodenough:

Early history of the township of Davison . 542
Tracy, Mrs. Eliza Ann:

Sketch of 179

Transportation and mails:

Progress in, during the last fifty years, by

C. T. Mitchell 281

Treaty:

With the Chippewas at Saginaw, Sept. 24,

1819 245

Troester, Sr., John:

Sketchof _ 195

Trowbridge, John :

Sketch of 196

Turner, Horace:

Sketch of 91

Turner, Mrs. Marion:

Remarks by 17

Turner, Robert:

Sketch of 160

Tuscola county:

Memorial report from 186

Tnttle, Stephen:

Sketchof... 79

Ulrich, Mrs. Peter:
Sketchof...

VanBnren, A. D. P.:

Memoir of, by Stephen D. Bingham 217

Remarks upon life of 2, 16

Van Dewalker, Mrs. Flavia:

Sketchof 41

VanDnsen, A. J.:

Sketchof 63

Van Horn, John P.:

Sketchof 64

Van Tuyle, Mrs. Catherine W.:

Sketchof 64

Vernon, Dr. Ion:

Sketch of 184

Vernon, Mrs, Margaret C. :

Sketchof 193

Virgil, Ira:

Sketchof 41

Vinton, Grovener:

Letter from, to C. W. Grant 453

Vrooman, Tunis:

Sketchof 115

Waddington, Sarah Ann:

Sketchof 181

Wagner, Mrs. Nicholas:

Sketchof 192

Wakefield, Mrs. Esther:

Sketchof... 138

682

GENERAL INDEX.

Walker, Wm.:

Sketch of f

Wallace, Mrs. Jane:

Sketch of

Walsh, Mrs. John:

Sketch of

Walter, John:

Sketch of

Ward. E.B.:

Comparative sketches of James F. Joy,
Lewis Cass and Wm. Woodbridge, by
Fred Carlisle -

Sketches of

Warner, Mrs. Caroline:

Sketch of

Warren, Mrs. Frederic:

Sketch of -

Waterloo, Mrs. Charles H.:

Sketch of

Waterman, Joshua W.:

Sketch of

Watkins, L. D.:

Remarks by

Settlement and natural history of Man-
chester...

Watson, Mrs. Eugene:

Sketch of

Watson, George:

Sketch of

Watson, John and James:

Bygone merchants of Detroit

Watson, Ralph:

Memorial report of Clinton county, by

Remarks by —

Weaver, Mrs. Proctor:

Sketch of

Webb, John:

Sketch of

Webster, U. B,:

Poem— When I was a boy with a head like

tow

Wegst, Adam:

Sketch of

Welborn, Thomas:

Sketch of

Welden, Nathan:

Sketch of

Weller, Ferdinand:

Sketch of

Wells, Mrs. Hiram:

Sketch of I

Wendell, Tunis S.:

Bygone merchant of Detroit

West, Francis R.:

Sketch of

West, Josiah:

Sketch of

Westcott, Charles:

Sketch of

White Indian:

Sketch of John Tanner, known as the, by

Joseph H. Steere

White, Mrs. Julia:

Sketch of

White, Mrs. Nancy B.:

Reminiscences by

191

192
194

185

40
118
178

188
3,17
262
193
191
392

189
114

255
160
183
93
141
176
375
, 92
173

246

114

240

Whitmore, Jabez:

Sketch of - 177

Wilcox, Mrs. Eliza:

Sketch of 39

Wightman, Rev. Ira R. A.:

Sketch of - 63

Wilkins, Judge Ross:

Sketch of - - 326

Williams, Edwin:

Sketch of 63

Williams, Mrs. G. Mott:

Sketch of 188

Williams, Gen. John R.:

Bygone merchant of Detroit 371

Williams, Mary J.:

Sketch of 40

Williams, Peter:

Sketch of 78

Williams, Mrs. Sally A.:

Sketch of 93

Williams, Rev. W. B.:

Memorial report of Eaton county by 77

Personal Reminiscences by 52$

Willison, Wm.:

Sketch of 41

Wilmore, Mrs. Ellen:

Sketch of 114

Winder, Col. John:

Sketch of 328

Wolf, Mrs. Josiah:

Sketch of 179

Wood, Arthur:

Sketch of 128

Woodbridge, Wm.:

Comparative sketches of E. B. Ward,
James F. Joy, Lewis Cass and, by Fred
Carlisle 283

Sketch of 288

Woodhull, GeorgeS.:

Sketch of .— 88

Woodworth, Uncle Ben.:

Sketch of Hotel Woodworth, kept by 354

Worden, Robert:

Sketch of 91

Wright, Ira D.:

Sketch of 88

Wright, Mrs. Mary.

Sketch of 192

Wunderlich, Michael:

Sketch of 115

Wayne County:

Memorial report from 187

Young, Mrs. Catherine:

Sketch of 175

Young, Robert:

Sketch of ... 76

Ziegler, JohnC.:

Sketch of... 161

Zittel, George:

Sketch of __ 19S

INDEX OF NAMES.

Abbey, Geo 406, 422

Abbot, Dr. T. C 93

Abbott, Bill 307, 380

Abbott, James 808, 307, 308, 343, 848,

349, 422, 433, 434, 435

Abbott, Mrs. James 308

Abbott, Madison 307,343

Abbott, Myron 19

Abbott, Sarah 307, 308

Abbott, Theophilus C 2, 23, 206

Abell, James M 45

Abraham, Amelia 188

Abraham, Marie 116

Adams, Aaron B 548

Adams, Aaron C 544

Adams, Alex H 849

Adams, Mrs. Charles A. (Mary Sibley ).......... 401

Adams, Emma 84

Adams, Frank D 48

Adams, Mrs. Geo. W 47

Adams, Humphrey 422

Adams, Isaac _ 130

Adams, Mrs. Isaac... 129

Adams, John 365

Adams, President John Q 288, 822. 324, 430, 456

Adams, Lena.. __ 48

Adams, L. G 555

Adams, Lorenzo 552

Adams, Mrs. Louisa 165

Adams, Mehetabel 48

Adams, Peter R 563

Adams, Samuel 102

Adams, Wm „. 48

Adams, Wm. D 47

Adamy, Peter H 97

Adolphus, Gustavus 202

Ainsley, Wm. P. 20

Albertson, Wm 71

Albright, Mr 147

Alden, Elijah 579,580

Alden, Parmelia 569

Aldrich, Abraham 416

Aldrich, James _. 414

Aldrich, Dr. Levi 65

Aldrich, Silas... 71

Aldrich, Rev. W. J 608, 611, 612

Alexander, John 555

Alger, Thomas 4»

Alger, Wm . 43

Allen, James.. 71

Allen, J. B 19

Allen, Jeremiah 420

Allen, Col. John 486, 487, 438

Allen, Mr... 1 596

Allen, Orrison 418, 420

Allen, Mrs. Orrison 420

Allen, Timothy 416

Allis, George R 568

Allman, Wm 277

Allyn, George 507

Almon, Mrs. Sophy 46

Almy, Joseph 420

Alvord, Bill 861

Alvord, Jane 43

Alvord, Taddeus 416

Alward, Dennis E 17

Ames, Bishop E. R 68

Amherst, Gen. Jeffrey 27

Anderson, A. S 238

Anderson, Mrs. G.8 167

Anderson, Rev. S.G 625

Andress, Mrs. Rodney 188

Andrews, Mrs. Harriet A 194

Andrews, Maria 79

Andrews, Prof - 477

Andrus, Henry 46

Andrns, Wm 51

Annett, Wm. 416-

Antes, Mrs. W..L 140

Applebee, Hiram 553

Applegate, Daniel 421

Arms, Wm. H _ 634

Armstrong & Austin 555

Armstrong, James A 816, 317, 843, 367, 401

Armstrong, Mrs. James A. (Angusta Sibley). .. 401

Arnold, A. C.._ 49'

Arnold, Henry 537

Arnold, Mrs. Henry 538

Arnold, Hiram 23, llt>

Arnold, Judge 27J*

Arnold, Ladina 19&

INDEX OF NAMES.

Arnold, Mrs. Maria Dygert 49

Arnold, Samuel 537

Arthur, Mrs 79

Ash, Olaf 71

Ashley 317

Ashley, Parmelia 116

Ashley, SamuelJ 550

Ashton, Mrs. Elizabeth 166

Ashton, Robert 166

Astor, John Jacob 1-333, 384

Atkins, Ralph C 661

Atterbury, John 8 317

Audrain, Peter 433, 435

Austin, Hannah 63

Austin, John 550

Austin, Philemon 47

Ayers, Andrew 557

Ayers, Rev. A. T .. 594

Ayers, Benjamin 557

Avery, Asil D... ... 102

Avery, Mrs. E. 0 168

Avery, Mrs. Moses 179

Avery, Noys L 2

Axford, 8.... 421

Babcock, Abelino 544, 545, 550

Babcock, Joseph 597

Babcock, M*ary E 41

Baby, Mrs. R. A. 197

Backus, Capt 308, 400

Backus, Mrs 400

Bacon, 350

Bacon, Artemus 454

Bacon, Marshall 1 810, 817, 861

Bacon, Marshall J 389, 399

Bacon, Nathaniel 1 811, 812, 315

Badgley, Benjamin 552

Bagg, David 421

Bagg, Mrs. Edward P 117

Bagley, Amason 411, 420

Bagley, John J '. 897

Bailey, A. W 574, 591, 592

Bailey, Mrs. A. W. 605

Bailey, B. F 515

Bailey, Frederick G 19

Bailey, Joseph F 108

Bailey, Mr 596

Bailey, M. H 19

Bailey, N r 597

Bailey, Sister _ 586

Baird, Rev. R. G 624, 646

Baird, Mrs. R. G 624

Baker, A. M 563

Baker, Calvin 417

Baker, Dr 474

Baker, Harris & Millard 215

Baker, L. A 418

Baker, Mrs. Samantha 77

Balch, N. A 277

Balcom, KlishaS 102

Baldwin, 325

Baldwin, Benedict 423

Baldwin, Charles C 20

Baldwin, Edward C. ... 568

Baldwin, Ezra 411, 420, 422

Baldwin, Gov. Henry P 192, 197, 228, 277, 395, 397

Baldwin, J .„ 422

Baldwin, Mrs. 113

Baldwin, Nathaniel 406, 422

Ball, Mr 30

Ball.D. H 105

Ball, Mrs. D. H 106

Ball, Horatio 421

Ballard, Brother 644

Ballard, Rev. James 128, 639

Ballard, Mr 567

Bancroft, Capt. Joseph 406, 420

Bancroft, Mr _ 202

Bancroft, Wm 71

Bancroft, Wm. L 271

Bangester, Elizabeth 159

Bangs, Rev. Francis B 266, 563, 600, 603

Banks & Tietsort 70

Banks, Charles G. 70

Bannister, Mr 652

Barbeau, Peter B 666

Barber, Chas. W _ 19

Barber, Green & Co 585

Barber, Homer G 78

Barber, Mrs. Homer G 78

Barber, Mrs. O. P. ...^ 160

Barker, Mrs. Priscilla R 182

Barlow, Mrs. Nathan (Melissa Tyler) 569, 570

Barlow, Judge 574, 576, 578

Barlow, Mary 576

Barnard, Ely _ 270

Barnard, Harriet A 63

Barnard, Mrs. Henry 384

Barnard, Pardon 270

Barnes, Chauncey A 608, 609

Barnes, Rev. D. F 606, 607, 610

Barnes, John T 583

Barnes, Mary 73

Barnes, O. M 8

Barnes, Mrs. Rhoda 94

Barnes, Mr 94

Barney, Nathaniel A 49

Barnowisky, Mrs. Jacob 196

Barns, Jacob 128

Barnum, Abel 568, 584

Barnum, Alonzo...566, 567, 568, 571, 572, 573, 574, 576,
577, 578, 579, 580, 585, 587, 588, 589

Barnum, Anna _ 568, 584

Barnum, Augustus _ 586

Barnum, Betsey 568, 584

Barnum, Brother 570

Barnum, Electa 585

Barnum, Esther 586

Barnum, Henry 571, 592

Barnum, Henry 1 40

Barnum, Lambert B 684

Barnum, Orris 573, 580

Barnum, Mrs. Orris 573

Barnnm, P. K 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594

Barnum, Sophia 568,585

Barnnm, Zebulon 571,574

Barr, John 146, 237

Barr, Lorin 650

Barrett, Mrs. 8. M 94

INDEX OP NAMES.

687

Barrington, John 71

Barry, Mies 455

Barry, Patrick 196

Barry, Mrs. Patrick (Margaret) 196

Bartlett, Eev. A. E 587, 588

Bartlett, Prof . E. N 535

Bartow, Mrs. Adelia 72

Bartow, Henry 627, 636

Bartow, Moses - 72

Basset, Major Henry 27

Bassett, Chas. W 567

Batchelor, Alia L 36

Batchelor, Edward C 88

Batchelor, Frank M -. 36

Batchelor, Irving J. 36

Batchelor, Joel 36

Bateinan, Daniel 505, 506, 507, 508

Bates, A. H 613

Bates, Mrs. Elizabeth 637

Bates, Frederick 433

Bates, George C 305, 318, 349, 350, 363, 380, 399

Bates, Marble ..586, 588, 591, 593, 594, 598, 600, 601, 606

Bates, Mrs. Marble •. 586

Bates, Philo 112

Bates, Philo T 112

Bates, Stillman _ 422

Bates & Talbott 849, 351

Bates, Wm 112

Bates, Wm. W 177

Banerly, Fred 93

Banm, Mahlon 0 102

Baxter, Mr 31, 32

Baxter, James H 554

Baxter, Thomas 553

Baxter, Witter J 277

Beach, Brother 581, 585

Beach, Michael 422

Beach, Sister 585

Beach & Taylor 51

Beadle, Hattie 619

Beal, Dr 207, 265

Beale, Bev. C. H 4, 209

Beale, Julia A 168

Beaman, F. C 563

Bean.Seth.. 563

Beard, John. 268

Beardsley, John W 418

Beardsley, Mrs. Ehoda 47

Beanbien, John Baptiste 331

Beanbien, Mark.. 847

Beaubien, Medor 347

Beaubien, Mr 452

Beanfait, Colonel 417

Beck, J. P 161

Beck, Mrs. J. P 161

Beck, Wm. B 190

Beck, Mrs. Wm. B. (Mary N.) __.'. 190

Beckley, Joseph.... 116

Beckley, Mrs. Joseph 116

Beckwith, Mary Ann 102

BedeU, E. H 75

Beecher, Lnther 191

Beecher, Malinda - 80

Beecher, E. E 563

Beekman, Martin 78

Beekman, Mrs. Martin 78

Beem, Henry 179

Beeman, Wm. M 116

Beers, John 47

Beers, Dr. M. B 628, 639

Begole, Josiah W 2, 8, 79

Bell, Delia A 147

Bell, Mrs. Eliza D 147

Bell, Lewis H 147

Bell, Oliver H 147

Belding, Ebenezer .- 422

Belding, Elenozer 406

Belknap, James W 279

Bement, Horace 594

Benham, A. J 598, 599

Benham, Chas. B 604, 606

Benham, George _ 598

Benham, Sally 58

Benjamin, D. E 147, 156

Benjamin, Delos _ 147

Benjamin, Frank W 148

Benjamin, Fred G _ 148

Benjamin, Henry 147

Benjamin, James W 553

Benjamin, John H 148

Benjamin, Mrs. John H. (Euth) 148

Benjamin. Bobert L 147

Benjamin, Sidney 147

Benjamin, Sue 148

Benjamin, W. W 184

Benjamin, Zern 184

Benjamin, Mrs. Zern (Asenath) 184

Benner, Mrs. Hester Ann 157

Bennett, Brother 568

Bennett, James W 104

Bennett, Joseph B 563

Bennett, Lyman .... 634

Bennett, Stillman 563

Benson, Stephen 1 452,453

Bentley, Geo 51

Bentley, Janette 72

Bentley, John 513

Bentley, J. E 58

Bently, Benjamin 414

Benton, — 325

Benton, Eli P 414

Benton, M 414

Berger, Mrs. Cora 149

Berger, Daniel 45

Berger, Jacob K 180

Berger, James 181

Bernard, John 102

Berrien, 325

Berrien, John N 308, 311

Berrien, John M 349, 858

Berrien, Lieut....". 846

Berringer, Chancellor 634

Berry, James 228

Besch, Joseph.. 148

Betts, Charles 179

Betts, Mrs. Sarah 138

Betts, Wm - 179

Bevier, Mrs. Louisa H 50

Bevier, Wm 50

Beyhan, Helen 102

Biddle, John 348, 349, 862, 403

Biddle, Nicholas 380

688

INDEX OF NAMES.

Bidelman, Mrs. Sarah A 94

Bidwell, Charles 568

Bidwell, Mrs 582

Bieber, Mrs. Charlotte 187

Bigler, Phillip 421

Bignell, Rev. Geo 587, 588, 590

Bignell, T. H 588, 589, 590

Bignell, Thos 590

Billings, Dr 92

Bingham, Capt. Alonzo L 148

Bingham, Edward 388

Bingham, Henry H 277

Bingham, Kinsley S 274, 275

Bingham, Rev 10

Bingham, Stephen D 2, 6, 12, 18, 16, 217

Bingham, W. H 148

Bird, Caroline 642

Bird, Rev. C. W 624

Bird, Capt. Henry 28

Birney, Governor 228

Birney, Judge James 227, 228, 229

Birney, James G 227, 455

Bishop, Giles 415

Bishop, Henry 2, 9, 20, 116, 119, 219

Bishop, Levi 427

Bismarck, Chancellor 402

Biesonette, Charles A 19

Bissonette, Gabriel 19

Bixby, David A 568

Bixley, Justin 421

Black, Asbnry 612

Blackie, Mrs, Andrew 166

Blades, F. A 269

Blair, Austin... 274

Blair, Eggleston, Kingsley & Kleinhans 122

Blair, James 120

Blair, Kingsley & Kleinhans 120

Blair, Russell 93

Blair, Teeter 118

Blair, Mrs. Teeter (Delia S. Stone) 118

Blake, Capt. Chesley 389, 840, 416

Blake, Commodore 856

Blanchard, Mrs. Dolly 107

Blanchard, J. C 19, 276

Blanchard, Stillman 327

Blatchford, E. W 20

Bleak, Oliver 120, 121

Bleek, Cornelia 121

Bleek, Harry 121

Blinn, Mrs 537, 538

Blinn, Nancy _ 538

Bliss, A. L '."'""". 563

Bliss, George W 93

Bliss, S. Bond 148

Bliss, Mrs. 8. Bond (Frances E.) 148, 155

Bliss, Walter _ 149

Blood, Brother _. 539

Blue, Mrs. M. A "]] 55

Blythe, Ebenezer 441

Bockins, H. J 168

Bodeman, Prof 478

Bodrie, John Baptiste 668, 664, 665, 666

Bogardus, Cornelius 46

Boggs, A. R 602

Bogue, Philo 634

Boice, B. L 601

Boice, I. S 591

Bole, John 142

Bolton, Col. Mason 28

Boone, Col _ 80

Boone, Mrs. H 144

Booth, Edwin 811

Borden, Edmund W 181

Borden, Tyler _ 131

Borden, Mrs. Tyler (Hannah) 181

Bostwick, Rose 616

Bostwick & Smith 121

Bosworth, Joseph _ 502, 503

Bothwell, Rev. G. W. 648

Bottom, John 72

Bo wen, Daniel B 77

Bowman, Joseph R _ 420

Boudeman, Dallas 19

Boughton, Dr. ._ 478

Bonghton, Mrs. Elizabeth 182

Bouquet, Col. Henry 26, 27

Boyd, Hugh 72

Boyer, Jacob 634

Boyer, Josiah ._ 77

Boyer, M... 344, 859

Boyer, Mrs 359

Boyer, Wm. ._ 183

Boynton, Brother 596

Boynton, Rev. Jermy 595, 597, 598

Boynton, Mrs. Jermy 597

Boynton, Rev. V. G 582, 588, 600, 601

Bracey, Mrs 106

Brackett, Mrs. I. D 54

Braden, Casper 149

Braden, Charles 149

Bradley, Mrs. E. A 116

Bradley, Rev. George 591, 592

Bradley, Harry 100

Bradley, John W 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578,

579, 580, 581, 582, 584, 586

Bradley, Mrs 83

Bradley, N. B 467

Bradley, Polly 581

Bradley, Sarah 581, 584

Bradner, John ._ 71

Bradner, J. D 73

Bradner, J. W 78

Bradshaw, Walter 184

Bradshaw, Mrs. Walter (Harriet L.) 184

Brady, Cassandra 400

Brady, Gen. Hugh .808, 315, 317, 318,

319, 320, 340, 400, 401

Brady, Mrs. Samuel Preston 400

Brant, Capt. Joseph 81, 35

Brattels, Joel D. 230

Bray, Asa 143

Bray, Mrs. A. R. 87

Bray, Catherine 72

Bray, Everett L 87

Bray, Oliver 143

Brearley, Wm. H 20

Brears, John 557

Breckenridge, Mr 522

Breed, Rev. D. P 624, 648

Brehm, Capt 28

Brennan, James 149

Brennan, Michael... 149

INDEX OF NAMES.

689

Brennan, Thomas 149

Brent, Thomas L. L. 542

Bresee, James 586

Breeee, Lydia 586

Breeee, Mrs 573

Bresie, Wm... 132

Bresie, Wm. R. 133

Brice, Agnes 146

Brice, Mrs. T. 8. 619

Brickley, Mrs. Olive 115

Bridgeman, Quartus E. .. 72

Briggs, Dr. John 116

Briggs, Lyman 214

Briggs, Sarah Louise '.. 217

Brigham, Timothy.. 238

Brinsmade, Hev. H. N 640

Brockway, Rev. N. L 591, 592, 599

Brockway, Rev. Wm. H. 277, 467, 517

Brodel, Mrs. Elizabeth 192

Bronson, Arthur . 379

Bronson, Chauncey K 104

Bronson, Daniel 406,411,422

Bronson, Frank 104

Bronson, George _ 104

Bronson, H. 0 411,419,421

Bronson, Hiram 596

Bronson, Wm 406

Brooke, Gen. George M ... 865, 366

Brooks, Charles 536, 684

Brooks, Col. Edward 316, 379, 388

Brooks, Gen 97

Brooks, John W. 298, 300, 801, 802, 308, 850

Brooks, Mrs. Lucina.. 637

Brooks, Margaret 108

Brooks, Willard 634

Brown, Caroline 100

Brown, Daniel 634

Brown, Edward 76,452

Brown, Rev.E. F 603,604.611

Brown, Eleazer 586

Brown, Geo 575

Brown, Isabel.. 68

Brown, John 451, 452, 453

Brown, Mrs. J 149

Brown, Mrs. John 51

Brown, Jonathan 113

Brown, Mrs, Jonathan (Ruth). 118

Brown, Gen. Joseph 817

Brown, Gen. J. W. 133

Brown, Mrs. M. D 73

Brown, Newcomb 102

Brown, Dr. Rnfns 849, 361, 363, 864

Brown, Sarah Elizabeth 478

Brown, Gen. 8. B 171

Brown, Silva _ 585

Brown, Stephen F 23, 116, 118

Brown, Mrs. Stephen F 119

Brown, Thomas _ _ 190

Brownell, Herman .... 585

Brownell, Sister 585

Brownell, Thos. C 277

Brush, Alfred 363

Brush, E. A 849, 363, 36i

Brush, Edmund 308

Brush, Elijah 435

Brush, Mrs. Emily S 197

Brush, Lieut 346

Braske, E. H _ 149

Brnske, F. O 149

Bruske, O. E 149

Bruske, Rudolph 149

Bryant, Rev. Alfred 67

Brymner, Douglas *._ 25

Buchanan, Mrs. G. H 88

Buck, Sylvester ._ 102

Buck, Mrs. W. B 52

Bnckhout, Romine H 19

Buell, Maj. John H 84

Buell, Rev.... 597

Buell, Rev. J. 1 605,606,614,615,618

Buell, Mrs. J. I. 605

Bnell, Wm. H. 19

Bngby, Mrs 112

Buhl, Christian H 817, 384, 385, 894

Buhl, Frederick. 884

Bnhler, Charles 41

Bull, Capt. Charles L 316, SIR

Bull, Charles M 316,376

Bullen, Cyrus W 238

Bullock, A. A. 138

Bullock, Mrs. A. A 138

Bullock, Elijah 419

Bullock, Lizzie 138

Bump, Mrs. Orrin 42

Bunco, Judge 268

Bunker, Mr. 568

Bunker, Thomas 574

Bunnell, Dr. 452

Burbank, Wm 406, 418, 422

Bnrchard, George 92

Bnrdick, Justin 349, 850, 858, 379

Burdick, Mrs. Sarah M 116

Burgess, D. L 19

Burgher, Wm 595

Bnrgoyne, Gen 28

Burland, Mrs. Ann Thompson 51

Bnrland, Wm. 51

Burnham, Robert 180

Burns, Rev. David 586, 587, 591

Burns, Mrs. David 588

Burns, J. Davidson 19

Burns, John 167

Burns, Katie 167

Burns, Moses 167

Burns, Robert 32

Burns, Wm. 166, 167

Burnes, Bishop 102

Burr, Mrs. Kate E 1 92

Bnrrell, Dr 478

Bnrrell, E. P 114

Burrell, Mrs. E. P. (Emily Webb) 114

Burrows, Daniel 421

Burrows & Rust 157

Burroughs, Mrs. F. A... 87

Bnrt, A. C 194

Bnrt, E. F 270

Burt, H. A.... 194

Burt, John 194

Bnrt, Mrs. John (Julia A. Calkins) 194

Bnrt, Wm. A 193

Burton, C. M 431

Burton, Porter 597, 599, 601, 606

690

INDEX OF NAMES.

Busby, Sr., James 452

Bash, Abraham 585

Bush, Charles P 270

Bush. Rev. Daniel 566, 569, 571, 572, 573, 575

Bash, Elias 550

Bnsh, Frank -- 270

Bush, Sarah 116

Bushnell, Rev. Asa W 50

Bushnell, Christian 50

Bashnell, Dudley 50

Bushnell, Mrs. Dudley N 50

Bushnell, Elon D 50

Bushnell, Dr. Horace 50

Bashnell, Deacon John H 50

Bushnell, Prudence 50

Butler, Dr. Alva M 176

Butler, Col 30

Butler, Elizabeth 83

Butler, Ira T 46

Butler, Joseph 114

Bntlin, Mrs. T. G 157

Butman & Rust 157

Butson, George W 420

Butter, Roxie 604

Butterfield, Abram 557

Bntterworth, R. E _ 128

Button, Mrs. Julia 154

Butts, Abram 443, 444, 452

Buys, Abraham 175

Buys, Mrs. Abraham (Elizabeth) 175

Byron, Elizabeth 65

Byron, Rev. Joseph 65

Byron, Joseph Edgar 65

Byron, Linnie 65

Byron, Melissa 65

Byron, Mrs. Rachel 65

Cade, Stephen W 185

Cade, Thomas 185

Cadillac, Antoine de la Motto.. 285, 286, 332, 481

Cady, Chauncey G 9

Cady, Susan 102

Cairnes, James R 568

Caldwell & Baker 60

Caldwell & Galloway 52

Caldwell & Peters 52

Caldwell, George 82

Caldwell, JamesT 52

Caldwell, John 51

Caldwell, Mrs. John 51

CaldweU, J. Martin 51

Caldwell, John M 19,23

Caldwell, Mrs. Helen N 19

CaldweU, Josiah 52

Caldwell, Mr 52

CaldweU, Ned 52

Calhonn, John C 252

Calkins, James 1 186

Calkins, Mrs. James 1. (Mary L.) 186

Calkins, Jesse 468

Calkins, John M 415

Calnon, Mrs. Jeremiah 196

Camburn, Joseph 557

Camburn, M. B 597, 593

Camburn, Wm 557

Campaa & Co., Barney 371

Campau, Barney . 331, 371

Campau, Daniel J 393, 394

Campau, Joseph 329, 330, 331, 334, 393

Campbell, Alexander 421, 553, 581

Campbell, Allen 553

Campbell, George 553

Campbell, Harry. 445

Campbell, James 553

Campbell, James W. *. 167

Campbell, Mrs. Jerome (Althea Waterloo) .... 174

Campbell, Jerome 174

CampbeU, Judge 316, 322, 336

Campbell, Malcom 238

Canning, Eb 359

Cappon & Bertsch 145

Cappon.Hr. 1 144

Carey, John 102

Carey, Mrs. J. H. 81

Carley, Ed 552

Carley, Iddo H.._ _ 550, 552

Carlisle, Fred....... .1, 2, 11, 13, 18, 19, 21, 36, 244, 283

Carlisle, Rev 280

Carlton, George 71

Carlton, Robert 42

Carmer, Arthur 10

Carpenter, Elisha ...571, 573, 585

Carpenter, E. R 566, 569, 571, 572, 577, 583, 590, 593

Carpenter, Mrs. E. R 569

Carpenter, Mrs 243

Carpenter, Mrs. J. B 570

Carpenter, Nathan B 396

Carpenter, Powell 421

! Carpenter, Wm. N 397

Carr, John P 67

Carrier, Mrs. W. 0 166

CarroU, Mary Ann 167

Cartier, Jacques _ _..244, 246

Cartwright, Calvin 550, 551

Cartwright, John F 552

Cashine, Edw _ 167

Casler, John 550

Casler, David 550

Cass, Isabella 365

Cass, Lewis 11

Cass, General Lewis 18, 235, 245, 246, 251, 283, 287,

288, 289, 312, 322, 349, 354, 380, 402, 428, 429, 654

Cass, Gov. Lewis 405, 409, 410, 418, 421,

431, 459, 462, 482, 483, 484

Cass, Mr _.. 585

Cass, Sister 585

Castle, Asa ...411, 420

Castle, Lemuel 420

Caswell, Sister : 594

Catton, 325

Cauldwell, BiUy 347

Caverly, Bill 315

Celler, Jacobina 161

Center, Lieut. Alex 1 346, 349, 358

Chamberlin, Addison 424

Chamberlin, Dr 428, 429

Chamberlin, John M 424

Champlin, 246

Champlain, Judge 280

Chandler & Co., Z 382

Chandler; Charles .. .... 563

INDEX OF NAMES.

691

Chandler, Freeman 116

Chandler, Z 381

Chapel, Charles 278

Chapel, Frank 278

Chapin, Dr 389

Chapin & Owen 389

Chapin. Wm. M 190

Chapin, W. W 190

Chapman, Mrs. Caroline _ 73

Chapoton, Alexander 23, 197

Chapoton, Sr., Alexander 196

Chapoton^ Dr. 197

Chapoton, Dr. E. A 197

Chapoton, Enstache 197

Chapoton, Felice 197

Chapoton, Mrs. Phil 187

Chappell, Mrs. (Mother Handsome) 421

Chase & Ballard 362

Chase, Levi 568, 569

Chase, Mr 421

Chase, N 19

Chase, S. W 590, 594

Chatfield, Elnathan 414

Chatfield, Rev. Larman 626

Cheever, Prof _ 477

Cheney, A. M 92

Chesne, Capt _ 31

Chester, John ..317, 318, 346, 860, 361, 363, 389, 390, 391

Chevallier, Louis 28

Chew, Joseph 33,84

Chipman, Cyrus A 406, 422

Chipman, Judge 430

Chilson, Squire 230

Chilton, Mrs 400

Choate, Dr. 8. P 185

Christopher, Joseph 102

Church, Almeria 125

Church, Charles W ! 19

Church, Jndah 406, 420

Church, S. S 525

Church, Mrs. Sarah M 19

Church, Wm. L 563

Churchill, 359,550

Cicott, Capt. Frank 381

Cicotte, Edward V 187

Clark, Abigail 550

Clark, Rev. Calvin 567, 568

Clark, Mrs.E 159

Clark, E. Joe 609

Clark & Haines 101

Clark, Father 272, 281

Clark, Francis 1 2, 13, 18

Clark, John E 77

Clark, Lewis T ..637,638

Clark, Ogden 411

Clark, Mrs.Phebe 77

Clark, Prof 478

Clark & Co., Rawdon 480

Clark, Robert P -. 180

Clark, Rufus 406, 420

Clark, Dr. Samuel 525

Clark, Thomas ....586, 587

Clark, Wm. _ 155

Clark, Rev. W. H 466, 470

Clarke, Elijah B 419

Clarke, John E 521

Clapsaddle, Hiram H 552

Clapsaddle, Nicholas 552

Clapsaddle, Wm. 552

Clay, Henry 119, 325, 388, 661

Clay, Wm 356

Clelland, Charles 323, 357, 359

Clemens, Mrs 152

Clemens, Mrs. Oscar 86

Clement, John B 19

Cleveland, Grover 112

Cleveland, Joseph H 563

Cleveland, Luther 71

Cleveland, President 85

Cline, Margaret 102

Clippinger, John A. 94

Clute, Mrs. Maria 45

date, O 2, 206, 209

Cobb, Edwin R 238

Cobb, Hannah 581, 584

Cobb, Ira 550

Cobb, Mrs 54, 585

Cobb, Mrs. Jerome T 116

Cobb, Peter . ...581, 583, 584, 587, 590, 59i, 593, 600, 601

Cobb, Sister 599

Cochran, George R 563

Codling, Pearl 46

Coffinberry, S. G 277

Coffin, Thomas Aston '.. 34

Cogshall, Rev. Wilbur I...... 620

CogshaU, Wm. B 416

Colby, Eaatman 416, 420

Colby, H.P 129

Colby, Luther 129

Colby, Sarah F 129

Colby, Son & Co 129

Colclayer, Rev. Henry 136

Coldron, John 125

Cole, Abigail 585

Cole, Clark 105

Cole, Darius 192

Cole, Harry E 873, 374

Cole, Harry S 328, 357, 399, 403

Cole, Mrs. Harry 334

Cole, Mrs. Ira 113

Cole, James 578

Cole, James M 585

Cole, Nathaniel 552

Cole, Oliver R 104

Cole, Mrs. Oliver R. (Sarah P.) 105

Cole & Porter 381, 399

Cole, Mrs. Ruby 64

Coleman & Brinkerhoff 60

Coleman, James 423

Coleman, Merritt L 1, 8, 24, 25

Coleman, Spencer". 411

Coleman, Wm. H 60

Coles, J. M 593

Coles, Wm 592

Colfax, Schuyler 276,303

Collier, Victor P 274

Collins, Charles 191

Collins, Mrs. Charlotte 191

Collins, George W 406, 416

Collins, Philo 79

Collum, Alvira 586

Comfort, Aaron 137

692

INDEX OF NAMES.

Compton, George. _. - I*9

Compton, Hnelson 71

Compton, James - — - 149

Compton, Mrs. Marguerite I*9

Compton, Mrs. Rachel 149, 150

Compton, Samuel C I*9

Comstock, Addison J 562

Comstock, Darius -- 558, 562

Comstock, Horace H 379, 380

Comstock, Dr. O. C -- 274, 471

Conant, Shnbael.... 349, 350, 360, 361, 371

Cond, C. W.— 176

Cond, Mrs. C. W 176

Cone, Linus. *°6

Coney, Eva L -- 616

Conger, Adoniram S 552

Conger, Mrs. Harrison G.— 79, 544, 545, 546, 548, 550

Conger, Harrison G 79

Conger, Mark D 80

Conger, OmerD 249

Conger, Senator 268

Conkey, Mrs. Caroline — 46

Conklin, ftoscoe 282

Conkling, Henry C... 563

Conkrite, Mrs 79

Conley, Mrs. P... 511

Conn, Joseph 192

Connor, Henry.. 423

Conway, Mrs. Ed. (Minnie Waterloo) 174

Coogan, Dinnis 116

Cook, A. B._ ."595, 597, 598

Cook, Mrs. Cilinda 181

Cook, Edward 419

Cook, Mrs. Jerusha 116

Cook, John P 288

Cook, Mrs. Joseph 47

Cook,L 150

Cook, Mrs. L. (Prudence) 150

Cook, Levi 377, 397, 403

Cook, M. L 608, 610, 615, 616, 618

Cook, Mrs. M. L 619

Cook, Mr 596

Cook, Mrs 582

Cook, Wm. A 1 2,9,120

Cook, W. R. ..^ 616,619

Cook, Mrs. W. R 618

Cooledge, Moses 552

Cooley, Barach G 624, 625, 626, 628, 636, 637

Cooley, Mrs. Baruch G. (Cynthia Rowe) 627

Cooley, Mrs. B 185

Cooley, John R 598

Cooley, Judge 492

Cooley, Mr. 568

Cooley, Mrs. Sarah 628,637

Cooley, Thomas M 222,564

Coolidge, Warren 143

Coombs, Leslie 486

Coomer, Jonathan.. 553

Coon, Catherine 74

Cooper, Charles 180

Cooper, David 375

Cooper, Emiline , 568, 585

Cooper, George _ 375

Cooper, Justin 116

Cordes, John 121

Corey, Rev. Milo 582,583,586,587

Cornell, Dr. F. C 586

Cornell, Mrs. F. C - 586

Corning, Erastus 302

Corwin, Tom 456

Cossitt, Betsey Ruth 214

Cossitt, Francois Ren6 214-

Costlow, Elmira 156

Cottin, Joseph _ 189-

Cotton, Rev. John 230

Cotton, Prof 478

Covey, Elihn 584

Covey, Euhama .' 584

Covey, Hannah 584

Cowles, Louisa 586

Cowles, Mrs. Rufus 573

Cowles, W. F 269

Crafts, Mrs. Myron H 539

Craig, Eliza 115

Craig, Mary 115

Craine, Wm. W 521

Cramer, Peter... 586, 590, 600, 601, 606-

Crandall, Benjamin H 47

Crandall, Samuel 544, 545, 550

Crane, Arthur H 89

Crane, Calvin 562

Crane, Geo. 562

Crane, Obed _ 452

Crane, Theodore 137

Crane, Rev. W. W 513

Cranston, Mrs. M. E 154

Crary, Gen. Isaac E. 378, 455, 456, 457, 525

Crawford, Col 29

Crawford, Mrs. Daniel _ 47

Crawford, Francis 193

Crawford, Rev. R. C 1, 10, 17, 266

Crawford, Samuel 198

Crawley, James L _ 604, 607, 610, 619

Creech, Mrs. Melinda 115

Christie, Ensign John 27

Crittenden, Alzina L 36.

Cronk, George 45

Crook, Brother 594

Crooks, Ramsey 444

Crosby, Channcey 604

Crosby, C. R 590,598

Crosby, George 590

Crosby, Geo. W 590

Crosby, Mrs. Geo. W 590

Cross, Elisha.. 193

Cross, Geo. F 150

Cross, Mrs. Jacob 149

Cross, Rev. John 532

Cross, Lewis 178

Cross & Walker. 150

Cross, Wright & Walker 150

Crossett, Benjamin 53

Crossett, Mrs. Betsey .'. 52

Crossett, C. D 52

Crossett, Daniel 52

Crossette, Alie L 140

Crossette, I. R 140

Crossette, Isaac ... 139

Crossette, Reed 139

Crossette & Son. 139

Croswell, Charles M 222, 226, 563

Croswell, John... 226

INDEX OP NAMES.

693

Croswell, Mrs. John (Lottie Hicks) 226

Crozier, James A. 9

Crowell, Mrs. Elizabeth 133

Cullen, Mrs. Andrew _ 187

Gallons & Co., A. B 554

Galley, Frank C 502, 505, 509

Calver, Reaben 586

Calver, Betsey 586

Cammin, Alexander 162

Cammin, George E . 163

Cammin, James 162

Cammin, James F 168

Cammin, Jnlia 163

Cammin, Wm. E. . 163

Cammings, Hart W *550

Cupp, Joseph 583, 585

Carrie, Thomas 167

Cartis, Jadge Benj. R 804

Cartis, Mrs. Cordelia 45

Cartis, David A 269

Cartis, Mrs. Edward C 195

Cnrtis, Eli 419

Cartis, Jeremiah 414

Cartis, Nathan 414

Curtis, Mrs. Ranson 160

Caster, Gen _ 368

Catcheon, Byron M 479

Catler, Charles A 615

Catler, David 71

Dagget, Eliphaz 102

Damoth, Mrs. Ida A 62

Danaagh, Archibald 410

Daniels, Mrs. A. T 91

Daniels, John 11

Daniels, Mrs. Jalia 79

Dann, Mrs. Nathaniel 186

Danner, Mrs. S 98

Darling, C. C 505, 506, 507, 510

Darling, Christopher . 525

Darling, Elder 243

Darling, John 80

Darwin, Orpha 43

Daabney, Rev. Wm. ("Father") 566, 567, 568,

569, 570, 574, 581

Daagherty, Rev. M. A 599, 600

Davey, Wm .' 178

Davey, Mrs. Wm. (Elizabeth A. Lowry) 178

David, James 1 23, 190

Davidson, Col 30

Davis, 550

Davis, Abner 406, 420

Davis, Benjamin O 514

Davis, Broadhead & Co 891

Davis & Broadhead, Phineas 891

Davis, Capt _ 438

Davis, Charles F 9

Davis, Jeff 522

Davis, John 419

Davis, Joshua 406, 422

Davis, Sarah 64

Davis, Solomon 195

Davis, Mrs. Solomon 195

Davis, Stephen 79

Davis, William .. ... 64, 71

Davidson, James F 571, 572, 575, 576, 578, 579

Davison, Paul G 544

Dawson, Mrs. John 167

Day, Rev. E. H... 1 _ 592, 593, 594

Dayton, A 563

Dayton, Daniel ..549, 550

Dayton, Rev. James M. 598, 599

Deacon, Col 363, 364

Dean&Hurlbut — 874

Dean, Jerry 3/4, 375

Deane, Prof 477

Deas, George 865

Decatur, Commodore 557

Decker, Jesse ._ 419, 421

Defere, Mrs. Virginia 191

De Graff, Emanuel 77

De Graff, Mrs. Sally 77

De Graff, Wm. T 193

De Groat, Mr 563

Deindorfer, John G 152

Deindorfer, Mrs. John G. (Catherine) 152

Deindorfer, Richard J 152

De LaFontaine, Mrs. 195

De Land, Charles V 20

Demick, Raziah 585

Demick, Seth 585

De MiU, E. Peter 195

De Mill, Peter E 105,317

Demming, Elbridge G 421

Demoss, Henrietta _ 71

Denison, Francis L. C 116

Dennis, Mrs. Anna 186

Densmore, Wm 634

De Peyster, Major A. S. 28,29,82

Dequindre, Anna 331

Dequindre, Maj. Antoine 331

Dequindre, Col. Antoine 334

Derby, Dr 503

Desaw, Mrs. Lillie 159

Desnoyers, Frank _ 376

Desnoyer, Josephine 331

Desnoyers, Peter _ 370, 371, 419

Desnoyers, Pierre 808, 831, 333, 834

Dewey, Allen..... _ 585

Dewey, Amanda... 585

Dewey, Amy 585

Dewey, J 423

Dewey, Dr. R. S. 478

De Visser, Mrs. Wm. ; 116

De Vlieger, Mr. C 121

Devroe, J. Peter.. 195

Dexter, James -. 238

Diamond, I. L 600,601

Diamond, Mrs. I.-L 586

Diamond, Sarah 601

Dickie, Mary B 607

Dickinson, Angeline _ 38

Dickinson, D. S. 525

Dickinson, Mrs. Electa 38

Dickinson, James 595

Dickinson, Mr 596

Dickinson, Robert 553

Dickinson, Mrs. Samuel 453

Dickinson, Sister 599

Dickinson, Wm 175, 181

Dickinson. Mrs. Wm.(Ann)... ...175, 181

694

INDEX OF NAMES.

Dickerman, Rev. W. F... U

Dilke.Mr 201

Dillenbeck, John 584

DiUenbeck, Laura 584

Divine, Westbrook 279

Doerr, Anthony 152

Doerr, Sr., Anthony 152

Doerr, St., Mrs. Anthony (Julia) 152

Doerr, George 152

Dolbar, Avery A 563

Dolbee, Mrs. James 280

Dole, Sidney 411, 418, 420

Dolph, Senator 604

Dooge, L , 143

Doolittle, Clinton 181

Doolittle, Mrs. Clinton (Sarah H.) 181

Doolittle, Dr. Harvey W 125

Dorr, Josiah R 339

D'Orsay, Count 402

Doty, Daniel — - 556, 588, 589

Doty, Eunice M 136

Doty, George 317

Doty, Henry 317

Doty, James Duane 346

Doty, Mary E. 586

Dond, Manning 604, 606

Doughty, - 161

Douglass, Stephen A 360

Donsman, Michael 322, 325

Dovendorf, Mattie 45

Dow, Melvin 418

Downer, Edward 422

Downham, Wm... . 72

Drake, Fitch... 116

Drake, Mary Ann 85

Drake, Senator 328

Drake, Thomas J 408

Drake, Wm 2, 8, 89

Draper, Alexander 152

Draper, Calvin D 151

Draper, Mrs. Calvin D. (Mary J.) 151

Draper, Charles S 150

Draper, Eugene 152

Draper, Hiram 2,9, 175

Draper, Jesse 152

Draper, Stuart 151

Draper, W.A 152

Drier, Mrs. Henrietta _ 45

Drnmmond, Capt. 34

Dryer, Mrs. G. W 47

Dnbois, Cay ton H 53

Dnbois, Charlotte E 53

Dnbois, Esther M 58

Dnbois, Harvey J. r 53

Dnbois, James G 53, 54

Dnbois, L. Louette 53

Dnbois, Peter 53

Dnbois, Sallie 53

Dncharme, Charles 385

Dudley, Rev. Thomas P 436

Duffield, Dr.. _ 274,332

Dngan, Thomas 554

Duke of Portland 35

Dnmanois, Thos. J 554

Duncan, Alexander 302

Dunham, Jacob... 181

Dunham, John 181

Dunham, Mr 544

Dunn, Michael 195

Dunn, Mrs 586

Dunn, Sister (Doby) 573

Dunning, AUen 68

Dunning, Mrs. Minerva R. 66

Dunstan, Thomas B 8

Dupaul, Antoine 186

Durfee, Allen 280

Durfee, Austin 416

Durfee, Harvey 416

Dnrkee, Erastns 416

Dnrjsee, Esther 568, 584

Dnryee, Cornelius _ 90

Duryee, Fred 90

Dnryee, George '. 90

Duryee, Henry 90

Dntton, George 634

Dyer, A 150

Dykeman, Mrs. Louisa 46

Eagle, Mr 248

Eames, Mrs. Elizabeth 175

Earl, Rev. L. W 185

Earl, Mrs. L. W. (Adaline Frances) 185

Earle, John 67

Eastman, A. G... 563

Eastman, David 188

Eastwood, Daniel 552

Eaton, Paul James _ 184

Eaton, Mrs. Paul J. (Abigail S.) 184

Eaton, Mrs. Wm 41

Eaton, Wm. _ 41

Eberhardt, Rev. Christopher L 152

Ebert, Mrs. Joseph 167

Eddy, Mrs. D. M _ 83

Eddy, James C 133

Eddy, Joseph 414

Eddy, Morton 563

Edgarton, Mrs. Eleanor 179

Edmunds, E. N 46

Edmondson, Capt. 438

Edson, John 420

Edwards, Abraham 410

Edwards, Calvin 102

Edwards, Edwin 414

Edwards, James 183

Edwards, Joseph 183

Eggleston, Chauncey J. 81

Eggleston, Ebenezer S 23, 120. 121

Eggleston, Herbert W 122

Eggleston, Jasper 81

Eggleston-, J. L 121

Eggleston, Lyman.. 81

Eggleston, Marvin _ 47

Eggleston, Mr 80

Eilett, Jacob ._ 417, 418

Elbert, J. Nicholson 363

Eldred, Rev. A. J ..603, 604

Eldred, Elisha ____ 390

Eldridge, Dr. C. S 82

Eldridge, Fred A. 82

Eldridge, Dr. Isaac N 81

Eldridge, John H 82

INDEX OF NAMES.

695

Eldridge, Lewis 186

Eldridge, Mrs. Lewis 186

Eldridge, Monty 82

Eldridge, Nathaniel B 583

Ellerby, Edward 416

Elliott, Capt. M — 31

Elliott, Capt. Wm 439, 440

Elliott, Mrs. W. V. 175

Ellis, Aaron L 567, 571, 572, 573, 575, 576, 577,

578, 579, 580, 583, 584, 587, 588

Ellis, Anna. 141

Ellis, Mrs. Charlotte 102

Ellis, Emily 567

Ellis, John T 525

Ellis, Phoebe.. 567, 584

Ellsworth, Col 279

Elmore, M. 8 89

Ely, Bertha Eggleston 122

Ely, Elisha 299

Ely, Judge 15

Emerson, Thomas 372, 373, 374

Emery, Mrs. Eveline 177

Emmons, Sarah 72

Endert, Mrs. Henry 149

Enest, Edward 71

Enest, Julia A... 71

Engelran, Jesuit .'_ 245, 246

Ennis, James _ 93

Enos, Mrs. Z 54

Ercanbrack, Rev. John 569

Erdley, Wm 143

Erhman, Mrs. Barbery 46

Erwin, Wm 102

Estabrook, Prof.. ...138, 648

Evans, Chas 102

Evans, L. K 184

Evans, Theo. L 186

Everett, Catherine E. 106

Everett, C. M 106

Everett, Edward P 106

Everett, Philo M 105

Everett, Mra. Philo M 106

Fagan, Terrence „. 414

Fagerty, Mrs. John 180

Fairbanks, Joseph 420

Fairbanks, Mr 422

Fairchild, E. W . 415

Fairfield, E. B 563

Fairneld, W.S 525

Falstaff, Jack 858

Fancher.Miss 598

Farley, Mr. ... 427

Farmer, John 458, 461

Farmer, John N 45

Farnsworth, B. S 391

Farneworth, Chancellor 308

Farnsworth, Chancellor Elon 403

Farnsworth, J. H 363

Farnsworth, Mather & Hall 391

Farnsworth, Mr 379

Farr, Benjamin 585

Farr, Joseph H 585

Farr, Reuben 577, 578, 579, 586

Farragut, Commodore.. 314

Farrand, Bethuel C 19

Farrand, Mrs. Helen W 2, 9, 166

Farrand, Jacob S 20, 194, 388

Farrand, Mrs. Jacob S 20

Farrand &Sheley.... 387,389

Farrand & Wheaton 889

Farrand, Williams & Co 387, 389

Farrar, John 397

Faxon, Frank 72

Fay, Miss C. D 42

Felch, ex-Gov. Alpheus ...1, 7, 8, 14

Fellows, Worlender 116

Felt, Clinton H 184

Fenner, Cornelius 552

Fenner, Joseph _ 552

Fenner, Nicholas 552

Ferdon, Lorenzo 73

Ferdon, Mrs. Lucy _ 73

Ferdon, W. C 73

Ferguson, Daniel 420

Ferguson, Earlsey 189

Ferguson, Mrs. Earlsey.- 190

Ferguson, James _ 46

Fero, David E 46

Ferris, C. W 283

Ferry, Mrs. MaryF 181

Ferry, Thomas W 123

Fifield, C. P 593

Fifield/Daniel 41

Fifield, Mr 51»

Finch, Eliza 102

Finlay, Elizabeth 46

Finney, Charles G 218

Fish, Caroline 72

Fish, Elijah 8. 411

Fish, Mrs. Fred A 168

Fish, Reuben. 550

Fischer, Mrs. Engelbert 149

Fisher, Elizabeth 129

Fisher, John 129, 130

Fisher, Mrs. L 121

Fisher, Mary 129, 130

Fisher, Mr 427

Fisk, Mrs. Betsey (Davis) 23, 36

Fisk, Joseph 36, 279

Fisk, Mahala Halstead 44

Fisk, S. M 550

Fisk, Wm. Allegan 37

Fitch, A. F 509

Fitzgerald, J. C 280

Fitzgerald, Reuben 525

Fleming, Geo. W f68

Fletcher, Rev. Adin H 647

Fletcher, Luther.' 422

Fletcher, Wm. A. .... 326

Flint, Horatio 552

Flint, John 552

Flint, Mrs. JohnS 109

Flint, Phineas H 552

Flower, Mrs. Frank (Belle Waterloo) 174

Folsom, Louisa M. 148

Fonda, Atrs. Henrietta 183

Fonda, James 184

Foote, Henry S 219

Foote & Co., Wm. H _ 554

Forbes, Heury 419

696

INDEX OP NAMES.

Forbes, John M - —302, 303, 304

Forster, John H - 8. 36

Forsyth, Maj. Bob 308, 346, 358, 365

Forsyth, Bill... 347

Forsyth, Mrs. Darwin 82

Forsyth, Maj. Robert A - ±02

Foster, Andrew - - 16?

Fost3r, Charles 9*

Foster, Edith 168

Foster, F. M - -- 105

Foster, Fred I68

Foster, John 154

Foster, Mrs. John (Sarah) 154

Foster, John A - 154

Foster, Lorenzo 78

Foster, Nathaniel 452

Foster, Wm 168

Fowler, Charles W 109

Fowler, Mrs. Charles W 109

Fowler, Daniel 408

Fowler, Mrs. Dr 619

Fowler, George 569, 578, 577, 578

Fowler, Geo. W 583

Fowler, Nathan 1 411

Fowler, S. W 4,5

Fox, Aunt Jane 626

Fox, Mr 18

Fox, Dr. W. B 163

Fralick, Henry _'_. 280

Francisco, Benjamin 102

Frary, Mrs 85

Frazer, A. D 430

Frazer, Alexander D 328, 345

Frazer, James 450, 452

Freeman, Arthur B 608, 609

Freeman, C. H 227

Freeman, Channcey 77

Freeman, Mrs. Chauncey 77

Freeman, Daniel 8. 82

Freeman, David M * 192

Freeman, Mrs. Eliza Huggins 115

Freeman, John 584, 588

Freeman, John J 588, 589, 590

Freeman, Lncetta 585

Freer, Richard 606

Frelinghuysen, 311

French, C. D 177

French, David 180

French, Frank 177

French, Mrs 189

Friend, Mr- 634

Frink, Wm 512

Fromon, Mr 79

Frontenac, Gov 285

Frost, A. C 82

Frost, Arthur ._ 82

Frost, Bart 82

Frost, Daniel 82

Frost, Josiah B 2, 9, 102

Frost, Mr 521

Frothingham, Prof 477

Fuller, Asahel 415

Fuller, Dr 577, 595

Fuller, Eliza J 585

Fuller, H. H 239

Fuller, John A. ... 595

Fuller, Mrs. J. A 615

Fuller, Rev. J. M 602

Fuller, Loyica 569

Fuller, Mrs. Mary L.._ 47

Fuller, Nancy S 93

Fuller, Shnbal 102

Fulton, James 410

Gage, Rev. Franklin 574

Gage, Thomas _ 27

Gage, Wm 414

Gale, Henry 117

Gale, Isaac.. 164

Gallery, Alice M 514

Gallery, Arthur D 514

Gallery, Edward 510

Gallery, George 510

Gallery, Kate E 514

Gallery, Ida L _ 514

Gallery, James - 509,515

Gallery, James H... 514

Gallery, Jane 510

Gallery, John 510, 511, 514

Gallery, Patrick _ 510

Gallery, Wm 510, 514

Galloway, Alex 406, 411, 415, 420

Galloway, Chas 583, P84, 588

Galloway, Geo. W 406

Galloway, James D 423

Galloway, Joanna ._ 584

Galloway, Mr 52

Galloway, Wm 193

Gamage, Rev. Smith P 98

Gardner, Judge Perry •. 155, 156

Gardner, Wm 17

Gardner, Wm. K 142

Garfield, Mrs. Sarah J 102

Garland, Miss.. 366

Garner, John 415

Garner, Thomas 415

Garrigy, James — 189

Gates, Caroline 98

Gates, Elias 98

Gates, Elizabeth 98

Gates, FeUow 97, 98

Gates, Mrs. Fellow 98

Gates, Freeman — 93

Gates, George 98

Gates, Geo. B 132

Gates, Nathan 98

Gates, Rachel 98

Gates, Sarah 98

Gates, S. G. M 450

Gates, Mrs. Julia 65

Gay, Deacon 270

Gay, Richard 71

Gearing, Mrs. M 167

Geddes, James 52, 557, 583

Geddes, Norman 2, 4, 13, 214, 556, 563

Geddes, Paul _ 557

Geddes, Samuel ..-. 557

Geddes, Wm 557

Geiger, Sarah 102

George, Mary 183

Germain, 8. P.... 215

INDEX OF NAMES.

697

Germain, T. D 215

Gibbon, Joseph 562

Gibson, Mary L r— . 219

Giddings, G. M 419

Giddings, Marsh 575

Gidley, Henry 552

Gidley, Townsend E 6, 7, 12

Gifford&Co., L 554

Gilbert, Henry 277

Gilbert, Thomas D 1,10,280

Gildart, James 106

Giidart, Wm.B 106

Gillett, Mr. .... - 343

Gillette, Mrs. Henry P 176

Gillies, S. 555

Gillies, John 555

Gilman, Mary M 172

Gilrnth, Rev. Mr 467

Gilson, O.P. 72

Girty, Simon 31

Gladstone, Mr 203

Gladwin, Major 27

Glass, Rev. Francis ..597,598,606

Glass, Seymour 423

Glazier, Alice M. 191

Glazier, Jennison 191

Glazier, Mrs. Jennison (Electa) ... 191

Glazier, Silas 422

Gleason, Mrs. Alvah 185

Gleason, Mrs. Laura A.._ 185

Glover, Harrison 67

Glover, Henry 189

Glover, Jay 67

Glover, Lowell H 67

Glover, Orville B 67

Glover, Wm 67

Glynn, John 116

Goddard, Josiah 411, 421

Goddard Lewis 879

Godfrey, Mrs. Eugene.. 182

Godfrey, Peter 893

Goldsmith, Mrs. Cornelia 115

Goode, G. Brown 21

Goodell, Ransom 583

Goodell, Abigail 583

Goodenongh, Milton 552

Goodman, A. T 436

Goodrich, Enos 651

Goodrich, John _ 651, 660

Goodrich, John V. B 9

Goodrich, Levi 659

Goodrich, Levi Hamilton 651, 856, 657

Goodricb, Mosea 657,659

Goodrich, Reuben 8

Goodrich, Dr. Osman E. 1

Goodrich, Wm 651

Goods, Mrs. Wm 81

Goodyear, H. A 569, 576

Goodyear, Mrs. H. A ... 570,577

Goodyear, Mrs. Wm. S 570

Goodwin, Col. Daniel 323, 328,361

Goodwin, Judge: _ 308,345

Goodwin, Mrs. Louisa 46

Gordon, James Wright 311

Gorham, Dr. Geo. W 112

Gorham, Samuel Denton .. 112

Gorham, Seymour B 112

Goss, Benjamin 588

Goss, B. L 588, 587, 590, 591

Goss, John 597

Goss, Wm 54

Goss, Mrs. Wm 54

Gould, James .107, 414

Gould, Susan lift

Graham, Alexander 405,422

Graham, Benjamin 425

Graham, James 411,422

Graham, James Warrington 198

Granger, Frankie •_ 599

Granger, Rev. T. B 581, 599, 600

Grant, Charles... 28

Grant, Charles W....2, 9, 20, 146, 155, 450, 451, 452, 453

Grant, Lucelia A , 583

Grant, R. J. 566, 583, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591,

593, 594, 595, 597, 598, 599, 600,
601, 603, 604, 606, 608, 609, 618

Grant, R. K 612, 619

Grant, Mrs. R. K 619

Grant, Gen. U. S 164, 322, 368, 523, 541

Gratiot, C. H 666

Gratton, Rev. Harvey 638, 643

Graverat, Jacob. 451

Graves, Maj. Ben 436, 487, 438, 439, 440, 441

Graves, Judge B. F. 124

Graw, Mrs. Charlotte 40

Gray, Elliott 344

Gray, Col. Geo 120, 122

Gray, Watson 182

Greeley, Horace 509, 524

Green, Pres. Besiah.. 218

Green, Champlin 406, 422

Green, David 102

Green, Mrs. D. L 52

Green, Jr., Dorastns 47

Green, Esther 69

Green, Mrs. Hartwell 416

Green, John C 802

Green, Leland 416-

Green, Mrs 582

Green, Nelson 240

Green, Prof 477

Green & Son, W. S Ill

Green, Wm. H 47

Greene, George H 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 18, 20, 22, 23

Greene, Jennie B 21

Greenfield, Mrs. Ann 175

Greenleaf, Mrs. Loma 152

Grenell, Cornelia 166

Gridley, Hezekiah 421

Gridley, Judge 271

Grier, Rev. A... 231

Grier, Carlton 281

Grier & McDonell 281

Grier, Judge Theophilns C 230

Griffin, G. W 553

Griffin, Mr 428

Griggs, Mrs. Louana Putnam 81

Grinnel, Mr 274

Griswold, A. D 122

Griswold, George 802

Griswold, George R 362, 365

Griswold, Harry D.... US

INDEX OF NAMES.

Griewold, Mrs. Harry D. (Mary H. Stone) ....

Griswold, Stanley ................ ------- 433, 434

Greenly, Wm. L ................................

Grootenhnis, Bernardns ........ ---------------

Grootenhuis, James ............................

Grootenhuis, John ............. ------ ...... — -

Grosenbaugh, Rev. Louis .................. ----

Gross, Jonah ....... . .................... - ......

Grosvenor, E. 0 ................................

Grout, Mrs. Marietta A ................... -----

Grovenbnrg, Uncle Harry ................. .....

Groves, B. J ..... ______ ...... - ............. — -

Groves, Mrs. R. J ............... .................

Grnett, James. _. ..................... ..... - --

Guina, John F .............................. —

Gnina, Mrs. John F ...... .....................

Gunn, Mrs. Wm ........................ - .......

Gnrnish, Mr ....................................

Gurnoe, - ..................................

113
435

563

Hackenberg, H. H ..................... . ....... 176

Hackenberg, I. P ............................... 176

Hackenberg, Mre. I. P. (Mary) ................ 176

Hackett, Gilbert ............................... 552

Hackett, Henry ......... _ ...................... 552

Hackett, John ........ . ........................ 106

Hackett, Josiah P .............................. 553

Hagadorn, Mrs. Eliza B ................ . ....... 177

Hagarman, Francis ............................ 423

Hagenbuck, Aaron ........... ................. 177

Hagenbuck, Mrs. Aaron ..... .................... 177

Hager, Daniel... ............................. 568, 585

Hahn, Mrs. F. W .............................. 115

Haight, Charlotte ..... _ ........................ 568

Haight, Irma ............................ . ...... 18

Haight, Mrs ................................... ' 112

Haight, Reuben ................. _ ....... . ...... 568

Haight, Sally Ann .............................. 568

Haldimand, Gen. Frederick ................ 27, 28, 32

Hale, John F ................................ 566,611

Hale, Mr ........ . .............................. 442

Hall, Amos T.._ ............................... 391

Hall, Dr ................................ . ....... 391

Hall, Mrs. Elmer ............................... 68

Hall, Harry R .................................. 107

Hall, Henry J ................................. . 67

Hall, Rev. Horace _______ ....................... 595

Hall, John ........ ............................. 444

Hall, Mrs. Julia Ann (Carr) ................... 67

Hall, Mr.... ......................... ........... 569

Hall, Nathaniel B .............................. 106

Hallock, Horace ............................ ... 195

Hallock & Co., Horace ...................... ... 383

Halsey, Mrs. Elmer ..................... ........ 84

Halsey, M. N .......... _ ........................ 563

Hamilton, Eliza M ............................. 514

Hamilton, Gail ................................. 480

Hamilton, George _____ ................. _ ...... 181

Hamilton, Kate ................................ 182

Hamilton, John ....... . ...................... 411, 420

Hamilton, Mr ............................... ... 422

Hamlin, Amos ................................ 511

Hamlin, Mrs ................................... 511

Hamlin, Sam .......... . .................. 505, 510, 525

Hamm, Decan ____ 152

Hammond, Daniel - 414

Hammond, David 423

Hammond, Edson 47

Hammond, Lemuel O 179

Hammond, Mrs. Lemuel O. (Lydia Richmond) 179

Hammond, Mr 275

Hammond, Wm 274

Hanchett, Charles — 505, 507, 508

Hand, George E 317, 334, 361

Hand, Judge —358, 389

Hand, Mrs. Rachael 72

Handy, Belle.. 616, 618

Hannifan, Jeremiah _ 194

Hanson & Caswell 554

Hanson, Dr 554

Harbeck & Livingston 52

Hardee, Henry 553

Hardin, Daniel.. Ill

Harding, Eliphalet 411

Harding, Fisher Ames 399

Hardy, Mr 535

Hardy, Sister _ 594

Harger, Mrs. Debby 1 551

Harlin, Maj. ..... 30

Harmon. Daniel W... 252

Harrington, James ...193,416,420

Harris, A. C 563

Harris & Co 554

Harris, Israel Victor 122

Harris, Joseph 420

Harris, Lovell F 267

Harris, Myron 123

Harris, Silas G 123

Harrison, Gen ....365, 400

Harrison, John 180

Harrison, Mrs. John (Ellen Bnrnham) 180

Harrison, Wm. Henry ...216, 481

Hart, A. B. 587, 588, 590, 592, 593, 594

Hart, A. N 272

Hart, Capt... ...439, 440

Hart, Mrs. Frank 167

Hart, Capt. Frederick 38

Hart, Mrs. Frederick 38

Hart, Jesse 502

Hart, Mrs. Nancy M 468

Hartsough, Christopher 406, 422

Harvey, Norman Henry _ 182

Harvey, Prof 478

Harwood, Alanson — . 515

Haskin, Charlotte -. 58

Haskins,C. H 105

Haslip, Mary - 146

Hassey & Avery 668, 664

Hassinger, David . 181

Hastings, Eurotas P 348, 349

Hastings, Henry 550

Hatch, B.C. _ 113

Hatch, Mrs. B. C. (Hattie Stone) 113

Hatch, C. E. P 113

Hatch, Mrs. C. E. P. (Myra J. Stone) 113

Hatch, Ernest - 54

Hatch, Geo. W 54

Hatch & Howard - 56

Hatch, James W. 54

Hatch, Mrs. James W. (Julia Austin) 54

Hatch, Jesse M... , 54

INDEX OF NAMES.

699

Hatch, Timothy 59

Hatch, Y. M 59

Hathaway, Lafayette 552

Hathaway, Mrs 71

Hause, Grandma 73

Havens, A. T _ 51

Hawes, Martha A 116

Hawkins, Daniel . 72

Hawkins, Mrs. Joseph 108

Hawks, John 666

Hawley, Perry D 102

Hawthorne, James N 39

Hay den, Rev. Sntton 97

Hayes, Mrs - 569

Haynes Bros. 554

Haynes, Harrison 553

Haynes, Harvey 2, 8, 43, 277

Haynes, Mrs. Jacob P 175

Haynes, Mr 233

Haynes, Sylvester 552

Haze, Rev. Wm. H 1, 16, 19

Hazleton, Geo. H _ 19

Hazen, Luke 94

Hazzard, James 423

Healey, Mrs. Laura C 148

Healey, Thomas .. 71

Heartt, Wm. A, 9,186

Heath, Olive 618

Heaton, Ed. R 107

Heaton, Elial W 107

Heaton, Frank 8 107

Heaton, Fred W 107

Heaton, W. P 107

Height, John 577, 578

Heintzleman, Lieut 346,858

Heise, Carl 194

Heitzman, Mary Ann 180

Helmreich, Mrs. J. M 152

Helms, Catherine 72

Helms, Mrs. (Caroline Wickham) 569

Hemmingway, Needham 423

Hempsted, H. M. & P 58

Hendershott, Isaac 599

Hendershott, John 182

Hendershott, Sister 599

Henderson, Charles W 552

Henderson, Don C 2,8,36,279

Henderson, Mrs 600

Henderson, Samuel J 54

Henderson, Mrs. Samuel J 55

Henderson, Wm 187

Hennessey, Patrick 188

Henry, Thomas 39

Henry, Mrs. Thomas 39

Kenyan, Eliza _ 585

Henyon, Mrs. John 589

Herrick, Andrew 47

Herrick, Franklin 415

Herrick, James 514

Herrick, Nathan 414

Herrington, Mrs. L. G 80

Hersey, John 422, 423

Heubisch, Martin 154

Hewes, H. W 598

Hewes, J. M 598

Hewes, Mr.... 596

Hewes, Sister

Hewitt, Charles E..

Hewitt, Elias

Hewitt, Mrs. Elias.
Hewitt, Henry

599

_ 55

327

Hewitt, Judd 552

Hewitt, 8. P ...600, 601

Heydlauff, Mrs. Anna M ... . 98

Heydlanff, C. F. 98

Heydlanff , John 98

Heydlauff, L. H 98

Heydlanff, Wm. F 98

Hickey, Rev. Manasseh _ 187

Hickey, Mrs. Manasseh (Sarah Ann) 187

Hickman, Capt .......439, 440

Hickmott, Rev. J. V 645

Hickok, Rev. George 278

Hickok, Capt. J. W 524, 525

Hicks, Jr., Daniel 563

Hicks, Geo. W 223

Hicks, Mrs. M. W 619

Hill, Alice 82

HiU, Arthur G. 82

Hill, Mrs. E. R 178

HiU, Flora 82

HiU, Frank B 82

Hill, Mrs. Geo. J. W 82

Hill, Mrs. George W 159

Hill, Harry 82

HiU, Helen 82

Hill, Israel 552

Hill, LymanE 552

Hill, Mr 243, 663, 664

HiU, Peter 193

Hill, Rachel •_ 177

Hill, Sarah ; 82

Hills, A. W 555

Hills, C. T 870

Hills, Geo 555

Hilton, Samuel 423

Hinchman, Mrs. Mary 1 47

Hink, Christina 161

Hinman, Benjamin F, . 274

Hinman, John 274

Hinman, John F 2, 8, 45

Hitchcock, Lucy 71

Hixson, Mr. 634

Hoag, Jay.. 563

Hochstadt, Louis 189

Hock, Myron B 182

Hodgeman, Frank 20

Hodges, Schuyler 406

Hoes, David L.._ 40, 41, 602, 604, 606

Hoes, Mrs, David L 40

Hoes, Emma 605

Hoffman, David 180

Hoffman, George 433

Hogeboom, Almira J. 116

Hogle, Nancy -. 584

Holbrook, D. C 363

Holbrook, I. A 597

Holbrook, Mrs. 1 570

Holcomb, Albert A 19

Holcomb, Butler 418, 419

Holden, Samuel 134

Holden, Mrs. Samuel .. 133

700

INDEX OF NAMES.

Holdstock, Rev. Enoch 563, 595, 596, 597

Holdstock, P. E 596

Holland, Mrs. Luther

Hollenbeck, David 551

Hollister, George - r

Hollister, Harvey J .----

Hollister, Mary 583

Holloway, Mrs. G. B 189

Hollywood, Dr. J. N 196

Holmes & ColliDB 233

Holmes, CoUins & Stoddard 233

Holmes, Mrs. Dennis 74

Holmes, Jndge Epenetus 232

Holmes, J. C -— '- -- 274

Holmes, J. L — 505

Holmes, Mrs. J. L. (Eunice J. Spicer) 505

Holmes, Levi -576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 583,

584, 587, 588, 590, 593, 594

Holmes, Aunt Liddia 505

Holmes, Lois S — - 584

Holmes, Mr 100

Holmes, Jndge Sidney T 232

Holt, Hon. Henry H 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 13, 36, 138

Holt, Jefferson 219

Holton, Isaac 71

Homer, Mrs. Odekirk 62

Homie, Mrs. Mary 191

Hoogewind, Johanna 143

Hooker, Gen 386

Hoover, John F 102

Hopkins, Alice L. 84

Hopkins, Geo. 8 84

Hopkins, Mrs. Hannah M 84

Hopkins, Henry 48

Hopkins, Rev. Mark 470

Hopkins, Mr - 449, 450

Hopkins, Nelson 84

Hopper, Margaret 131

Home, Mrs. Lizzie 154

Horton, Henry W. 415

Hosie, James 542

Hoskins, Dr. Thomas _ 96

Hoskins, Mrs. Lucretia B 96

Hotchkiss, Abner 550

Hotchkiss, Abram 550

Hotchkiss, Calvin 406, 411, 420

Hotchkiss, Enoch..... 406, 411, 420

Houch, Wm 71

Hough, Edwin 563

Hough, Flavins J 563

Hough, Mrs. F. J 182

Houghton, Mrs. A 93

Honghton, Dr. Douglass.... 205, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666

Houghton, Mrs. Douglass 666

Houghton, Jr., J 666

Houghton, Martha 193

Honk, Henry 190

Hover, Mrs, John H 190

Howard, Rev. Bnrt Estes 469

Howard, Chas. T _. 56

Howard, Edgar.. _ 191

Howard, Jacob M 311, 314, 315, 316, 399

Howard, Lawrence 510

Howard, Russell M 56

Howard, Mrs. W. B 180

Howe, James E 552

Howell, Jndge Andrew

Howell, Dr 135

Howell, Edwin.. - 135

Howell, Dr. George - 135

Howell, Robert C 154

Rowland, Mrs. Reed 82

Hewlett, John 4$

Hoxie, Hyman — - 38

Hoyle, Palmer 552

Hoyle, Wm _ 552

Hoyt, Ebenezer 99'

Hoyt, George ., 116

Hoyt& Grant.. — 155

Hoyt, Mrs. H. E _ 567

Hoyt, H. H 151

Hoyt, John H.... 168

Hoyt, Mrs. Rebecca P .- 99

Hubbard, Bela 274, 666

Hubbard, C. B 56

Hnbbard, Mrs. C. P 182

Hubbard, Edgar 557

Hubbard, Dan. J 56

Hubbard, Diadate 421

Hubbard, George W - 601

Hubbard, Giles 557

Hubbard, H. H 56

Hubbard, Mrs. Jane 1 56

Hnbbell, Mr L 596

Hubert, Mrs. Frederick 154

Hudson, John 66

Huff, Alexander G 419>

Huff, A. W 178

Huff, John - 416

Hughes, Mrs. Owen 41

Hugit, Thomas 71

Hulbert, Ethan 143

Hnlce, Joseph 587

Hulin, - 277

Hnlin, Rev. James 608-

Hull, Abijah 432, 433, 434, 435

Hull, Commodore Isaac 227

Hull, Gen. Wm 409, 427, 632

Hull, Gov. Wm ...432, 482

Humeston, James 47

Humphrey, Mrs. F. H 82

Hungerford, Samuel 41&

Hunsberger, Rev. Wesley A 613, 614, 615

Hunt, Daniel _ 419

Hunt, Henry 1 410

Hunt, Jeremiah 421

Hunt, Mary H 128

Hunt, Wm 634

Hunter, Castle 422

Hunter, Mrs. David 345

Hunter, Elisha.. 411

Hunter, Lieut. Gen... 35, 345

Hunter, Thomas M 563

Huntington, Franklin W -- 168

Huntington, Mrs. Franklin W. (Susan M.

Kingsbury) _ 168

Hnntington, George _ 102

Huntington, Geo. P 168

Hnntoon, Alanson 73

Huntoon, Alvin H 73

Hnntoon, Nathaniel — 73

Huntoon, Thnrman... 73

INDEX OF NAMES.

701

Hnrd, A. E 554

Hnrd & Co., I. T 554

Kurd, Dr 477

Hard, Wm.. 552

Hurlbut, Chauncey 374, 390

Hussey, Erastus 274

Husted, David... 414

Huston, Arabella 71

Hyatt, - 554

Hyatt, Richard 584

Hyde, A. O. 274

Hyde, Elizabeth... 585

Hyde, Mrs. Harry 173

Hyde, Isaac - 585

Hyde, Dr. James .-. 78

Hyde, Mrs. Oliver M 430

Hyte, John 584

Ingersoll, Erastns 414

IngersoU, Marietta 89

Ingraham, Mrs. Savinna 72

Ingram, Julia 581

Ingram, Julia A 584

Ingram, Lydia 584

Ingram, Mr 574

Ingram, Polly 569

Ingram, Rosamond 581, 584

Inman,G. G 591

Inman, Mrs... -- *7

Inslee, Chas 169

Inslee, Gage... 169

Ira. Mrs. Fredrica J — 184

Irish, Benjamin 416

Irwin, Dr 438

Irwin, Joseph 102

Isaac, Mrs. J. W. 150

Isbell, N. G. 270

Isham, Charles 20

Ivery, John 552

Jackson, Gen. Andrew 89, 111, 190, 299, 311

816, 822, 378, 402, 430, 488

Jackson, Pros 484

Jacobus, J..._ 554

Jacokes, Rev. T. H. 606

James, Dr. Edward 251, 253

Jauden, Alexander. 363, 364, 365

Jeffery, Ada - 57

Jeffery, Allen D 57

Jeffery, David.. 56

Jeffery, Silian G 57

Jeffers, Aaron 165

Jeffers, Mrs. Daniel.. 165

Jeffers, George 165

Jefferson, Thomas 365

Jenkins, Henry 583

Jenkins, Lydia M 583

Jenks, Dr 243

Jennings, Ira 406, 422

Jennings, Rev. Joseph 592, 593, 594, 596

Jenriison, Mrs. H. W 43

Jerome, David 267, 268

Jerome, George 267, 268

Jerome, Mrs. Jane 67

Jerome, Tif 267

Jewitt, Mrs. Azuhah L 447

Jewitt, Eleazer 448, 449, 451, 454, 462

Jocelyn, Rev. George B 607

Johnson, Mrs. Dr. A. S 47

Johnson, Charles 78, 416, 552

Johnson, David 420

Johnson, Judge David 274

Johnson, Judge Eastman 277

Johnson, Fannie 72

Johnson, Hiram 93

Johnson, H. R 189

Johnson, Mrs. H. R. (Priscilla) 189

Johnson, Lieut. W 81

Johnson, Mary A 132

Johnson, Mehitable 105

Johnson, Merritt 552

Johnson, Nathan 79

Johnson, President 239

Johnson, Samuel 543, 544, 550

Johnson, SirWm 34

Johnson, Rev. W. W 581

Johnson, Mrs. W. W 581

Jolly, PeterT 74

Jones, Allen 40

Jones, Mrs. AUen - 40

Jones & Co., DeGarmo 891

Jones, C. W 614

Jones, DeGarmo 338, 339, 348, 349, 391, 403

Jones, Mrs. Geo. W 168

, James 178

, J. Huff 23, 192

Jones, Mr 596, 602

Jones, Neenah 7

Jones, Mrs. Phebe 90

Jones, Richard 40, 46

Jones, Tarleton 391

Jones, Wm 595, 597,600, 601, 604

Jones, Mrs. Wm 615

Jopp, Mr 512

Jordan, Addie 618

Jordan, David 584,591,594

Jordan, Jr., David 581

Joshua, Mark 186

Joslin, Wm. B 102

Joy, Arad 57

Joy, Charles 58

Joy, Clarence 58

Joy, Dr. Douglas A 58

Joy, Dr. Henry L 23, 57

Joy, Rev. H. M - 612, 614

Joy, James F. 283, 290, 291, 292, 297, 298, 802, 350

Joy, Louis 58

Joy, Philip 58

Joy &Porter ". 298,300

Joy, Thomas 57

Judd, C. L 150

Judd, Joseph 47

Judge, George 115

Judson, Mrs. Albert B.._ 116

Jnnkins, Dr... 641

Justin, Warren 552

Kaiser, Sebastian ..
Kearney, Mrs. J. J.

188

702

INDEX OF NAMES.

Kearney, Mrs. P. J

Kearney, Gen. Phil

Kearsley, Edmund

Keareley, Major

Kearsley, Maj. Jonathan 386

Keating, Professor - --

Kedzie, Prbf

Kedzie, Rev. A.S 2

Keeler, Mrs. I. N.

Keeler, Noah — 1(>2

Keeler, Peter A..

Keeler, Ransom

Keeler, Salina

Keller, Lavina

Kelley, Mary Ann

Kelley, Merchant

Kelley, Nelson -

Kellcher, Bartholomew

Kellogg, Mrs. Ann J

Kellogg, Asher 8 963,

Kellogg, Rev. Edward L 576, 577, 578,

Kellogg, Saxe

Kelsey.A. F

Kelsey, Mrs. A. L

Kelsey, E. P

Kelsey, Levi

Kelly, Bernard --

Kemp, Michael

Kennedy, Mrs. Harriet

Kent, Mr. and Mrs. Leander

Kent, Peter M

Kenyon, Brother

Kenyon, John

Kenyon, L.

Kercheval, B. B

Kercheval, Gen 808,

Kerkhof, Mrs. J.

Ketcham, Geo. W

Ketcham, Mrs. H. L.

Ketchnm, A. C-. 575, 576,

Ketchnm. Mr

Ketcham, Sidney

Keyes, Rev. R. M

Keyport, J. L.

Keyport, Mrs. J. L 139,

Kibbee, Henry C

Kidd, Capt 1

Kilborne, Mr ,

Kilbourne, Mrs, Rebecca

Kilburn, Asher

Kimball, David

KimbaU, Leander... 557,

Kimball, Wm. H

King, Charles

King, Mrs. D. A

King, Rev. Geo „ 580, 581,

King, H. C

King, James 557, 559,

King, J. L

King, Lydia E

King, Wm....

Kingsbury, 314,

Kingsbnry, Asa.

Kingsbury, Charles H

Kingsbury, Lansing

Kingsley, Senator...

188

151

317

658

,402

252

477

,143

,107

585

10S

585

108

,389

,579

363

Kingsley, Stephen 58£

Kingeley, Willard 120

Kingsley, Wm 56$

Kinzie, Maj. Robert A 345-

Kinzie, Maj. John A.._ 845

Kirkwood, James t>8

Kirkwood, John _ 68

Kish-kaw-ko 429, 430

Kitchen, Silas S 550, 551

Kitchen, Mrs. Silas S. (Elizabeth) 551

Kittle, Alexander B 73

Kittle, George E 73

Kleinhans, Jacob 120, 122

Kline, Adam C 82

Kline, Andrew 82

Kline, Carrie 82

Kline, Charles 82, 83

Kline, Daniel F 82

Kline, George 83

Kline, James 83

Kline, James A 550

Kline, John 82

Kline, Joseph 83

Kline, Levi 82

Kline, Louis T 83

Kline, Martin 83

Kline, Richard 82

Klingmann, Stephen 152

Klock, Mrs 79

Klossert, C. F 178

Klossert, Ernest 178

Knaggs, Captain Whitmore 245, 246

Knapp, John I 563

Knapp, Thomas 411

Knappen, Rev. A. A 611, 612, 613

Knappen, Mrs. A. A 613

Knappen, Ida 613

Knickerbocker, Mrs. C. R 112

Knieskern, Hannah 115

Knight, Amos 507

Knight, Benjamin 505, 507, 508, 510, 512, 524, 525

Knight, Mrs. Benjamin 505

Knight, Myron E 563

Knight, Mrs. Robert 81

Knowles, Robert 550, 552

Knowles, W. H 192

Knowlton, Ephraim A 43

Knox, John _.. 634

Knox, Mrs. Sally 637, 650

Krass, Thomas _... 75

Kreugel, Caspar 190

Krum, Julia K _ 116

Kundig, Father 336

Labadie, Charles.. 188

La Bute, Mr 30

LaCuyer, Phillip... 410

Ladue, Austin G 196

Ladue, Charlotte M. 196

Ladue, George N 196

Ladue, John 196

Ladue, Mrs. John (Mary Angel) 198

Lafayette, Gen 6,7,11, 12, 13, 14

La Fontaine, Louis 189

Laird, James... 193

INDEX OF NAMES.

703

Lake, David M

Lake, Mr 242

Lake, Judge Warner

Laker, Mrs. Albert.: 63

Laker, Sr., Wm 46

Lally, Mrs. M 195

Lamb, Richard 78

Lamb, Mrs. Richard (Jane) 78

Lamson, Darius... 376

Lampman, Dr 577, 610

Landenbarger, Lizzie 72

Langdon, Amon W 543

Lange, Albert 155

Lange, Mrs. A. F 110

Lange, Gottleib 154

Lange, Rudolph 155

Lange, Theodore 155

Lankenaw, Prof . F. W 455

Lansing, Mrs. Anna Dequindre 884

Lapham, Mrs. Ann L 47

Larimer, Oliver 668, 664

Lamed, Gen. Charles ..828, 348, 349, 357, 360, 410

Lamed, Gen. Frank 308, 401

La Rose, Maud ... 7

La Salle, Sieur Robert Cavelier de 285, 481

Lathrop, Henry B 23

Lathrop, Horace 423

Latimer, _ 277

Latterman, Robert 150

Law, Rev. Hiram 276

Lawson, Mrs. Magdalene C 191

Lawton, George E 58

Lay, Wm. H.... 9

Ledbeter, John 194

Ledeboer, Dr. B 144

Ledyard, Henry S 865

Lee, Fred 270, 616

Lee, Fred B 142

Lee & Co., Fred B. 142

Lee, Gen. 164

Lee, George 270

Lee, Rev. George D 615, 616

Lee, Mrs. Geo. D 616

Lee. Geo. W 183

Lee, Mrs. Geo. W. (Lorinda S.) 183

Lee, Mrs. Dr. N. D. 448

Lee, Wm..._ 419

Leete, Mre. Robert 194

Leggett, Samuel 415

Leggett, Stephen W 197

Lemm, A. C. 593

Lemon, Grace 7

Lepper, Josiah.. 58

Lepper, S. V. R..__ 58

Leonard, Benjamin 416

LeRoy, Daniel 410,411,415,422

Leroy, Judge Daniel 406

Lesher, Brother 613

Lester, Allen 406

Lester, Prof 477

Lester, Wm.... ..406,418,420

L3wis, Alex. 344

Lewis, Delia K 585

Lewis, Harvey... 46

Lewis, Jane N 585

Lewis, John .. 279

Lewis, Samuel... 344, 863

Lewis, Willard C 102

Lewis, Wm.... 567

Lewis, Mrs. Wm 156

Lewis, Col. Wm _ 486, 438, 439, 442

Light, J. D.... 555

Lincoln, Abraham 122, 304, 501, 523

Linderman, Adaline 584

Linderman, Elizabeth 584

Linderman, Margaret 584

Linderman, Thomas 584

Lindley, Mrs. John , 191

Lindley, Stephen J 99

Lingemann, Mr 197

Littlefield, Charles E 20

Litchfield, Blisha C 301

Littlejohn, Rev. G, H 686

Littlejohn, Judge 279

Livermore, Fidus 274

Lockwood, James 421

Locy, Dr. L.J 554

Loftus, Mrs. Mary 9$

Logan, Walter S 20

Long, Charles W 552

Long & Co., C. W 65&

Long, Henry 552

Long, Major 252

Long, Michael P 568

Longstreet, Gen _ 366

Look, Orson H.... 23

Loomis, Peter B 274

Lord, Fred H 48

Lord, George 42

Lord, Dr. John C. 656

Lord, Prof 477

Lord, Wm. H 43

Lovejoy, Owen 532

Loveland, Hiram D lift

Lovell, Hon. Cyrus 848

Lovill, Catherine 11&

Lowe, N. C 107

Lowell, Ira 102

Lowry, Dr.... 615

Lucas, Ann M 102

Luce, Ex-Gov. Cyrus G 277

LuU, Charles A 452, 462

LnU, Joab 452

Lull, Mrs. Joab 452

Lusk, Phebe ._ 73

Luther, L. 421

Lyle, Rev. W. W 467

Lyndon, Wm. 188

Lynn, Mrs. Betsey Ann 52

Lyon, Charles..... 60, 72

Lyon, Judge Lucius 7, 12, 310, 878

Lyon, Mary 129

Lyon, Prof _ 478

Lyons, Wm... 506

Lyster, Rev. Wm. N 557, 558, 559

MacDonald, James 27

Macdonald, Wm 444

Mack, Almon 406

Mack, Arnold 423

Mack, C. M.... 613

704

INDEX OF NAMES.

Mack, Col - - 429

Mack & Conant 371, 372, 429

Mack, Col. Stephen 406, 412, 420, 424

Maclean, Gen. Allan 30

Macomb, Gen. 428

Macomb, John 28

Macpherson, Mrs. Ida G 158

Macy, Francis G. - 543

Madison, Maj. George ; 436. 437, 439, 442

Madison, Pres 129, 288, 322

Magie&Co — 101

Mahan, Dr. Asa — 275

Mahien, Jacob.. 47

Mahoney, Timothy 188

Maier, Martin --- 71

MaJle,Rev. J. L 624,648

Main, Etta 615

Major, Louis 451

Mallett, Eli 586, 593, 594

Mallett. Mrs. Eli -. 586

Maloy,John 116

Malt, Solomon 147

Maltby, Oliver E 543

Manchester, Mrs. Darius 109

Manchester, E. C 274

Mangum, 325

Mangum, Willie P 311

Mann, Manlius 46

Manning, Samuel 71

Marble, Ephraim 59

Marble, Mrs. Ephraim 54. 59

Marcy, Gov 123

Maris, Mrs. A. M. 121

Mark, Stephen 410

Markey, Bernard 102

Marlatt, Daniel 414

Marlatt, Michael 414

Marqnette, Father 480

Marrison, W. A 550

Mars, Thomas 8

Marsac, Capt. Joseph F 457

Marsac, Recorder 458

Marsh, Rev. A 624,643

Marsh, Brother 644, 649

Marsh, Mrs. F. D 43

Marsh, Harris.. 552

Marsh, Mrs 148

Marshall, 325

Marshall, Hannah 135

Marshall, Wm 72

Martin, George B 346, 361, 380

Martin, Mrs. Joseph.. 149

Martin, Magdaline 585

Martin, Morgan L ..361, 380

Martin, Nancy 312

Martin, Oliver 585

Mason, Emily 400

Mason, Mrs. Geo. R 85

Mason, Mrs. Henry 85

Mason, Kate 400

Mason, John 189

Mason, John C 563

Mason, Laura 400

Mason, L. M 271

Mason, Lucius P. _ 155

Mason, Dr. Orville L. . . . 155

Mason, Mrs. Orville L. (Caroline) 155

Mason, Russell... 116

Mason, Stevens T 7, 189, 299, 800, 308, 310, 312, 314,

315, 316, 358, 360, 363, 389, 400, 456, 485, 499, 633

Master, Frankie 611

Master, Rev. Levi ..608,610,611

Master, Lizzie 610

Mather, A. E.. _ 394

Mather, Alonzo F 391

Mathere, Mrs. Mary... 181

Mattison, Ira... 143

Mattoon, Rev. Gershom 636

Maxwell, Andrew C 8,226

May, Celestia E. 23

May, Lt. Gov. Charles 278

May, Gen. Dwight 276

May, Mrs. Dwight 116

May, Sarah. 183

Mayhone, 552

Mayo, David _.. 416

McAllister, Rev. James 550

McAllister, Lester S. 552

McAllister, Mother 275

McArthur, Alexander 574

McArthur, Christie 243

McArthur, John 584

McBartneyBros.. 555

McBee, Caroline 585

McBee, H. B 585

McBride, James E.._ 122

McCabe, Chaplain _ 124

McCabe, Mrs 187

McCartney, Edward 454

McCarty, Mr.... 451

McCauley, Dr. James 251

McClean, Charles 454

McClelland, Ben 453

McClelland, Robert.. _ 361

McCollam, Lafayette 553

McCollam, Wm _ 553

McCoUam, Mrs. A. B 169

McCollum, Mrs. Anthenette 54

McCollum, Stewart _ 552

McComb, Alexander.. 410

McComb, Gen 360,400

McCormick, Matthew 552

McCormick, Wm 42

McCracken, Stephen B... 2, 4, 9, 10

McCrea, Harry 61

McCrea, Ida 61

McCrea, John W 61

McCrea, Samuel W 60

McCue, Mrs. Wm.___ 51

McCuUogh, Hugh 452

McCullogh, Thomas _ 452

McCurdy, Prof „ 477

McCnrdy, Thomas E 94

McCutcheon, Ann M 71

McDonald, Mrs. Hugh 190

McDonald, John... 543

McDonell, A 231

McDougall, Geo 31,857,358, 359,360

McElroy, Hon. C 169

McElroy, Jacob.... 169

McElroy, Mrs. M , 169

McElvery, John... 421

INDEX OP NAMES.

705

McElwain, Mary 618

McFarland, Charlotte 666

McFarland, Peter 662,663, 664, 665, 666

McGeary, Maj 30

McGee, Melville - 19

McGonegal, Ira. 102

McGraw, A. C 382, 383

McGraw &Co., A. C.— 383,384

McGregor, James 423

McGregor, Peter.. 155

McGuire, Annie.. _ - 187

McGuire, John H. _, 176

McGnire, Mrs. John 187

McHugh, Mrs. Michael 149

Mcllvain, Capt .- 438

Mclntosh & Frost 516

Mclntosh & Garton 518

McKee, Alexander 29, 31, 33, 34

McKee, Lucinda 103

McKelvey, James 41

McKibbin, Mrs. Emily F.._ 94

McKinley, Gov 490

McKinney, Mr 398

McKiustry, Capt. Augustus 342

McKinstry, David C 310,313, 315, 350, 410, 421

McKinstry, Capt. James.. 344

McKniff, Capt, „_ 332

McLaughlin, Dr... 253

McLean, 825

McLean, Mrs. Allen 156

McLean, Rev. Thomas W _ 470

McLeland, Andrew 1. 177

McLellan, Mrs. Daniel 569

McLellan, Duncan 451

McLellan, Mrs. J. L. (Parmelia Alden) 569, 570

McLellan, Mrs. Malvina P 40

McLelland, Eve 583

McLeod, Jane 114

McLeod, Norman 323

McMartin, Duncan 279

McMillan, Mrs. Walter 173

McNabb, Mrs.... 243

McPherson, Thomas 186

McReynolds, Col. Andrew T 318, 319, 363

McQuean, W. 521

McQuigg, 554

McQnigg & Hyatt 86

McQuillen, Elizabeth 103

McSouley, Mrs. Catherine 192

McSonley, John 192

McSonley, Patrick 192

McTaggart, Sanford 552

McVean, Alexander _ 421

McVean, Daniel.. 421

Mead, Amos.. 414

Mead, Capt 438

Mead, Finch 582, 584, 590

Mead, Mrs. Finch 582, 590

Mead, Kellogg & Co 363

Mead, Kenyan 585

Mead, Lidia Ann 585

Mead, Melinda 605

Meagher, Thomas 93

Mearns, Mrs. Louisa 154

Melchers, Henry 159

Melvin, Wm 184

Melvin, Mrs. Wm. (Elizabeth Crouch) ...__,_„ 184

Mercer, A. C 563

Mercer, Joseph 47

Merrill, Benjamin.. 183

Merrill, Geo. W 67

Merrill, Mrs. Geo. W 67

Merrill, Thomas 148

Merriman, Joseph 571, 572, 573, 577, 583, 585

Merriman, Mary W. 103

Merrit, Wm. G 552

Merritt, Mrs. N. C. 508

Merritt, Sister 594

Merrylees; Sarah 207

Merryweather, Algernon 666

Meeser, Isaac 566, 568, 569, 570, 576, 577, 578, 580

582, 586, 587, 588, 590. 593, 594

Messer, Mrs. Isaac 569, 582, 586

Mettler, Mrs. S. B 112

Meulenbroek, Helena 144

Meyer, Mary E 217

Meyers. John 406, 422

Meyers, Mrs. Philinda 157

Michael, John 596

Millard, Alfred L. 2,560

Millard, Rev. D. E. 625

Millard, Rev. D. N 648

Millard, Nathaniel 411

Miller, Judge Albert 1, 3, 8, 9, 24t, 443, 447, 450,

451, 453,454,457, 461,464,
466, 467, 468, 470

Miller, Mrs. Albert 468

Miller, Mrs. Angeline 468

Miller, Christopher 543, 544, 550, 551

Miller, Mrs. Christopher 543

MiJler, C. R 563

Miller, Isaac 557

Miller, Jacob 543

Miller, James 557

Miller, Jennie 231

Miller, Jeremiah... 543,550

Miller, John 406, 422, 563

Miller, John C.. 543, 544, 545, 550

Miller, John Irish 634

Miller, Jo 351

Miller, Joseph 189

Miller, Mary Ann 488

Miller, Michael _ 72

Miller, Morris 351

Miller, Mrs. R 98

Miller, Wm 552

Miller, Wm. A 84

Miller, Rev. W. P.. 466

Miln, John f 634

Miles, John 193

Miles, Mrs. John' (Alice) 193

Mills, George W 591

Mills, Rev. Henry 641

Mills, Rev. Lewis 641

Mills, Philo 557

Mills, Robert 169

Mills, Mrs. Robert (Phoebe Cumpton) 169

Mink, Constantino — 190

Minor, E. H 64

Minor, William 64

Mitchell, C. T 2, 281

Mitchell, Judge 268

706

INDEX OF NAMES.

Mitchell, W.W 276

Mixer, Brother 594

Mixer. Fannie 616

Mixer, L. N 604

Mixer, Mr 596

Mixer, Mrs 619

Mixer, Sister 594

Moffatt, Charles T 525

Moldenhanse, John I96

Monaghan, John - 557

Monroe, Jamee -

Monroe, Mrs. Francis 46

Monroe, H.G 61

Monroe, Pros 322

Montague, Elsie Ann 169

Montcalm,Gen 18

Monteith, John 419

Montgomery, Capt - 488

Montgomery, Johnson 518, 521, 522

Montgomery, Mrs. Johnson (Elvira Dudley). 522

Montgomery, John... 508, 511, 518, 519, 522

Montgomery, Capt. John 77

Montgomery, John S. 77

Montgomery, Robert 519

Moon, Geo. Wm 195

Moon, Mrs. Hiram 116

Moon, Mrs. Wm. V I9*

Moore, Alpheus 569

Moore, Benj. B * 318

Moore, Eliza 585

Moore, Jerry : 350, 397

Moore, J. Wilkie 1, 2, 8, 9, 20, 187

Moore, Mrs. John 88

Moore, Prosper 585

Moore, Wm. A 585, 600, 601

Moors, Rev. A. P 601, 602, 603, 607

Moors, Edith 602

Moors, Mahala 602

Moran, Chas 308,381

Moran, Judge 190

Moran, Wm. C 563

Morehonse, Albert F 1, 2, 6, 8, 97, 624, 625, 639

Morehouse, Gertrude E. 19

Morehouse, Henry 586

Morehouse, Mary Jane 586

Morell, George 322, 823, 325, 326, 400

Morell, Judge 346, 857, 358, 359

Morford, Ashley 586

Morford, Elkanah 585

Morford, Lucy 585

Morford, Mary Ann 585

Morford, Olive 585

Morford, Wm 573, 586

Morford, Mrs. Wm 573

Morford, Wm. L ..585, 589

Morgan, D. B 563

Morgan, Harrison ._ _ 603

Morgan, Rev. Harrison 598

Morley, Diar 588

Morris, Gouveneur 9

Morris, John 277, 278

Morris, Joseph ;_.. 406

Morris, Wm ....411, 420, 424

Morrison, A. H 278, 279

Morrison, Mary J _ 103

Morse, Mrs. A 149

Morse, Emeline - 56'-

Morse, Mr 421

Morse, Oscar F... 170

Morse, Mrs. Oscar F - 170

Morse, Prof 427

Morton, George : 60

Moeeley, Wm.F... 411,412

Mosher, Eliza Mariah.... 478

Moshier, Mary J 103

Moss, Oscar B l._... 552

Mott, Isaac C 45

Monlton, Miss 227

Moulton, Mrs. Spencer 114

Mowry, Mrs. Charles W 155

Mudge, Allie 615

Mndge, Lorenzo 566, 569, 571, 572, 578, 574,

575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 582,
588, 585, 588, 589, 590, 592, 593, 594

Mudge, Mrs. Lorenzo 569, 577, 579, 588

Mudge, RnthK 585

Mugford, Hon. Enoch T 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 143, 235

Muir, Maj 442

Muir, W. K 188

Mullen, Wm 593

Mullet, John 403

Mulliken, John Barrett 195

Mnndy, Edward 310, 312, 314

Mnnroe, Jesse 6, 17

Munsell, Harvey 183

Mnnson, Moses 421

Murich, Mrs. Jesse 182

Murphy, Mrs. Richard 14&

Murray, Asa 406

Murray, Chas 608, 605

Murray, Geo. B 58

Murray, Mrs. Richard 40'

Myers, Jr., Samuel... 414

Nagler, Mrs. Caroline.
Napoleon,

Naeh, Mrs. Mary A

Nanmann, John

Neal, D. A

Nelson, Dr. David

Nelson, D. P

Nelson, W. S

Nesbitt, George „ 116,

New, Charlotte

New, George

New, Mary...

Newberry, Henry

Newberry, Oliver 839, 340, 341, 342, 343, 349,

Newberry, Walter 342,

Newberry, Walter L _

Newbould & Co., A. H

Newcomb, Elizabeth

Newcomb, Walter

Newman, Bishop.

Newman, Elisha

Newman, Ezra

Newman, Mrs. R. M...

Newsome, Ellen..

Newton, George

Newton, Mrs. George

Newton, Mrs. Henry A

196
302
647
605.
607
118
584
584-
584
310
358
361

187
124-
634
423
112
72

147,

INDEX OP NAMES.

707

Newton, Ralph.. 147

Newton, Stella 147

Nichols, Amelia 62

Nichols, Brother _ 573

Nichols, Charity 584

Nichols, John 52, 584

Nichols, Lorenzo 584

Nichols, Lucinda 584

Nichols, Lucius H 586

Nichols, Luke. 584

Nichols, Mark 584

Nichols, M. B 588,589,590

Nichols, Melvin 582, 584

Nichols, Mrs. Nancy 46

Nichols, Olive 584

Nichols AShepard 61

Nichols &ShepardCo 62

Nichols, Mrs. S. M 572

Nichols, Mrs. Squire M 567

Nichols, Wm. H. 586

Nicholas, Wm. C 108

Niles, Johnson 406, 422

Niles, Joshua 406

Nims, F. A 139

Nims, Mr 279

Niskern, P. W 609, 610

Nixon, Eugene 109

Nixon, Norman 109

Nixon, Robert ._ 78

Nixon, Wm.. 109

Nixon, Mrs. Wm. (Sarah) 109

Noble, Deacon 270

Noble, Mrs. Robert 81

Noble, Sexton 336, 356

Nolan, Bridget 116

Norman, John 196

Norris, Josiah J 194

Norris, Mrs. Josiah J. (Mary) 194

Norris, L. D 120

Norris, Mahalah 72

Norris, Mark 349

Norris, Sarah 71

North, Matthew D. 186

North, Townsend 188

Northrnp, Mrs. Frank 112

Northrup, Wm 103

Norton, Chloe A 54

Norton, Gad 406,422

Norton, John 584,593,598

Norton, John M 2,404,406

Norton, Mr 299

Norvell, John ..310, 312, 314, 315, 316, 346, 358, 360, 402

Norvell, Senator 378

Nott, Dr. Eliphalet 57

Noyes. Abraham 421

Noyes, A. J. 46

Noyes, Kirk W 9

Noyes, Mrs. Nancy B. 67

Nye, J. L 600,601

Oatman, Mrs. E. P 116

O'Connor, Charles 235

Odell, Rev. J 594

O'Keefe, Judge 429

Olds, Eliza M. ... 103

Olds, Martin 109

Oliver, Mrs. George (Kesyiah) 155

Olmstead, Harley... 415

Olmstead, Sr., Job l 452

Orcntt, Amba 90

Orcntt, Isaac _ 90

Orison, Deacon 406

Ormsby, C. N. 349

Ormsby, Dr. Caleb N 562

Orr, Sabra 584

Osband, Edwin R .... 94

Osband, D. Gregory 95

Osband, M. D 2,8, 96

Osband, Mrs. M. D. (Helen M.) 96

Osband, Wm 94

Osband, Mrs. Martha (Reeves) 94

Osborn, Alanson 518,514

Osborn, John 514

Osborn, Mr. 596

Osborn, Milla .•— . 584

Osborne, Isaac ...582,583,584

Osborne, Miss 2

Osgood, J. 8 76

Osgood& Young 76

Otis, James... 218

Otis, N. L 591

Outhwaite, George F.._ 140

Overhiser, Kev. Geo. C 638

Overton, Maj 438, 439

Overton, Philanda 88

Owen, Asa 419

Owen, John ...274, 814, 315, 889, 390

Owens, Alonzo H 1, 2, 9, 162

Packard & Co., B. D 458

Packard, Mrs. Charles.... 81

Packard, Dr 55

Packard, Julia E 55

Packard, Rebecca 583

Packard, Sheriff.. 327

Packer, Mrs. Jennie 165

Faille, Calixte 170

Palmer, Alice 156

Palmerton, A. J 41

Palmer, Clark H. 577, 578, 585, 591

Palmer, Dr 477

Palmer, J.... 372

Palmer, John ...307,408

Palmer, John M. 195

Palmer, Mrs. John M. 195

Palmer, John W 155,156

Palmer, Mrs. John W. (Eliza M.) 155

Palmer, Mason ... 307,403

Palmer, Dr. Oscar 8

Palmer, Miss S. C 156

Palmer, Thomas 293, 372, 378, 374

Palmer, Thomas W 274,298

Palmer, Walter F... _ 156

Pandy, Mrs. Eliza Putnam 81

Paris, Henry 171

Paris, Mrs. Malinda (Robinson) 170

Paris, Wm 171

Parish, Isaac... _ 414

Parke, Dr. Ezra S 267

Parke, Capt. Hervey 406

708

INDEX OP NAMES.

Parker, Clarinda '9

Parker, Fred 60

Parker, Mrs. Helen - 52

Parker, Miss m

Parker, Mrs. N. T 591

Parker. Prof 475

Parker, Waterman - 597

Parker, Wm - U6

Parkhnrst, Elias - 552

Parkman, - 285

Parks, Davies 73, 74

Parks, Mrs. Davies 74

Parks, Thomas.. 550

Parmelee, A. C 568

Parrish, Judge Isaac H 123

Parshall, Ezra K 658

Parsons, Adella - 117

Parsons, Allen.. 118

Parsons, David 2,9

Parsons, E. C 117

Parsons, George S. 118

Parsons, Jonathan , 23, 116

Parsons, Mrs. Laura 179

Parsons, Philo 196, 274

Parsons, Mrs. Philo (Ann Eliza) 196

Parsons, Mrs. W. H 183

Partridge, Benj. F 23

Passage, A. B _ 156

3, Mrs. A. B. (Harriet) 156

5, Hattie 156

Patterson, Mrs. Eliza.. 74

Patterson, John 71

Patton, Rev. J. L =... 645

Patton, Martha 567

Patrick, Capt 438

Patridge, Jason D 94

Pawson, John.. .- 557

Pawson, Samuel 557

Pawson, Thomas _ 557

Payne, Col. M. M. 318, 319

Payne, Wm. M _ 143

Pease, Chester & Co _ 391

j, Joshua 567

3, Julia 567

Pease, Lorinda 103

Pease, Capt. Wm. T 363, 364, 391

Pearce, Rev. L. H 605

Pearson, Rev. Job 645

Peck, Mrs. E. D 160

Peck, Frances 40

Peck, Wm. W 19

Peebles, Mrs. Lorenzo R 46

Pendill, Mn». James C 666

Pendleton, Edwin 637

Penniman, Ebenezer 311

Pennock, Ebenezer 608,610

Pennock, Mrs. Ira 39

Pennock, Sister 611

Penny, Chas. W 109

Penny, Mrs. Chas. W. (Henrietta C.).. 110

Penny, Jessica V 110

Penticost, Jesse 559

Perdew, Ann Amelia 72

Perkins, Cicely C.... 64

Perkins, Capt. Thomas 386,387

Perkins, Watson... 175

Perkins, Mrs. Watson (Martha) 175

Perrin, Ezra Ide — 634

Perrin, Jesse 406,422

Perrin, Jonathan 411

Perrin, Mother ..'. 635

Perrin, P. J 406

Perrine, Rev. W. H 590, 591

Perrott, M.... - 245, 246

Perry, Almeron 550

Perry, Amos 20

Perry, Ella 85

Perry, Gen 400

Perry, George 84

Perry, Mrs. Helen 47

Perry, Horatio _ 46

Perry, Iretns _ _ 84

Perry, John _.. 419

Perry, Joshua K 85

Perry, Lee 85

Perry, Oliver 85

Perry, Ray 85

Perry, Robert 85

Perry, Seymour 85

Pe-shaw-ba 251

Peters, Charles 52

Peters, James M 78

Petit, Mrs. M. N 175

Petrie, Daniel D 110

Pettibone, L 414

Pettengill, Roswell.._ 543

Pettit, Warren D 180

Pfanstiehl, Rev. Albert A _ 144

Pfanstiehl, Frederika 144

Pfanstiehl, Peter 144

Pfanstiehl, Pieter Frederick 144

Pfister, Lieut. Francis 28

Phelps, 325

Phelps, Calvin.. 525

Phelps, Mrs. C. M 117

Phelps, Edwin J 19

Phelps, Eugene _ 552

Phelps, Guy.. 422

Phelps, Horace 71

Phelps, Mrs. Lizzie Cummin 163

Phillips, Capt. Archibald _ 416

Phillips, Arnold W 180

Phillips, Mrs.Holden 80

Phillips, John... 116

Phillips, Traverse... 603, 606, 607, 618, 619

Phillips, Mrs. T 605,615,619

Phillips, Wm 550

Phipps, Mrs. Mary... _ 165

Pickett, Lucinda. 103

Pierce, Benjamin _ _ 419

Pierce, Edwin J 217

Pierce, Mrs. Edwin J. (Lilla L. Stebbins) 217

Pierce, General 280, 394

Pierce, Hezekiah 552

Pierce, Ira 593

Pierce, Rev. John D... ...455, 456, 457, 473, 499

Pierce, Sarah 627

Pierson, Dr 332

Pierson, Henry 46

Pike, Mrs. Elvira A.... 47

Pilcher, Prof 477

Pilkinton, Mrs. Henrietta... 100, 637

INDEX OF NAMES.

709

Pilkinton, Stephen 100, 637

Pinckney, Jonathan 421

Pinckney, Mrs. Maria B 94

Pinckney, Wm. H 94

Pincomb, Robert 71

Pinet, Mrs. Annie 195

Piper, Benjamin 8 140

Piper, Mrs. MariaS.. 140

Piqaette, Toasin _ 663, 664

Pitts, Allie 166

Pitts.A. G 166

Pitts, Moses _ 165

Pitts, Mrs. Moses (Sally) 165

Pitts. Safford 165

Pixley, Mrs. John _ 79

PJaisted, Mrs. George 173

Plant, Prof... 477

Plough, Albert 116

Plogger, Mr. A 145

Plummer, Chas. H 110, 155

Plnmmer Logging Company _ Ill

Poindexter, George M 219

Polk, President 363

Pollard, Mrs. John 191

Pomeroy, C. H 455

Pomeroy, Mr 455

Pomeroy, Wm. 450

Poppleton. 0 273, 277

Poole, Lient 846, 858

Porter, Augustus 298

Porter, Augustus S 308, 357, 399, 403

Porter, Bridget 71

Porter, Edward L 190

Porter, Mrs. Edward L. (Mary O.) 190

Porter, Frances M 60

Porter, Gov. George B 359

Porter, Ira 268

Porter, John S 416

Porter, Lewis 120

Postal, George 406, 422

Post, Mrs 91

Potter, Allen 117

Potter, Clark 550

Potter, Frances 543

Potter, Ira 543, 544, 551

Potter, Ira T 551

Potter, Ira W 543, 550, 551

Potter, Mrs. Ira W 543

Potter, James A 548

Potter, John 116

Potter, Mrs. John 46

Potter, Mary E 548

Potter, Robert E 548, 545, 550, 551

Potts, Dr 602

Potts, John A 567

Potts, Mrs. John A ..567, 568

Powell, O.. 415

Power, Arthur ...413, 416

Power, John '... 406

Power, Nathan 406

Powers, Dr 248

Powers, Isaac 557

Powers, Mahala 71

Powers, Wm. R 563

Pratt, Eleanor 45

Pratt, John ... .... 46

Pratt. Mr 243

Pray, Esek 77

Prentis, Joseph 414

Prentis, N 414

Prentiss, S. S 219

Prescott, Prof 477

Prindle, Brother 573

Prindle, Ebenezer 584

Prindle, Rhoda 584

Prindle, S. C. 566, 582, 590, 591, 595, 597, 599,

600, 801, 602, 603, 604, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610

Prindle, Mrs. S. C 590

Prindle. Sherman 584

Price, Capt 438

Price, John R 19

Price, Rev. L. D 267

Price, Mrs. L. D. (Lucy) 267

Priest, A.B... 297

Prince of Wales 203

Prindle, David 195

Prindle, John 422

Pringle, Mary J 46

Puffer, Rev. Wm. M 616, 617, 619

Puffer, Mrs. Wm. M 619

Pulcher, Mrs. Mary 188

Pnrdy, Mrs. Henry E.._ 185

Pnrdy, Robert 414

Putnam, Charles 61

Putnam, Edwin 61

Putnam, Frank _ 61

Putnam, Henry _ 61

Putnam, John 61

Putnam, Lucinda A 127

Putnam, Mrs. Orlin «t

Quick, Mary 419

Qnigley, E. A 554

Qnitman, General 219

Raby, Edward 100

Rademacher, John 191

Rademacher, Mrs. John (Theresa) 191

Rail, Jane A. 72

Ramsdell, T. J 9

Randall, Caleb D 277

Randall, L. H 127

Randall, Loretta H 143-

Rankin, Daniel H 143

Ranney, AnsonL. 116

Ranney, Dr 477

Ransom, Epaphroditns 326

Ransom, Rev. George 645

Ransom, Loretta Shafter.. 116

Raven, Win. 103

Ray, Mrs. Eliza 79

Ray, John 552

Ray, Mark L 103

Raymond & Sweet 60

Raymond, Wm 60

Read & Yost 70

Ream, Emanuel 181

Reardon, Mrs. Thomas 45

Reaum, Mr 451

Redmond, Margaret 46

710

INDEX OP NAMES.

Reed, Addie

Reed, Asa W —

Reed, Charles M ----

Reed, Clara A

Reed, Mrs. Fidelia -

Reed, Rev. James

Reed. Mr -

Reed, Prof. M. O...

Reed, Philo.. -

Reed, Mrs. Polly A --

Reed, Sister...

Reeve, Hosea

Reeves, Mrs. ... -

Reeves, Stephen... 411, 413

Reeves, Judge Steven

Reib, Mrs. John

Reid, Rev. James W -

Reigle, John

Remington, Philander - 111.

Remington, Mrs. Philander Ill

RemioJd, Mary *--

Rench, David G -

Rench, Mrs. David G. (Mary E. Tharp)

Reynolds & Ashley

Reynolds, Mr —39

Reynolds, Mrs. Susan A

Rexford, Roxwell B

Rhoades, Lyman

Rhodes, John - --

Rhines, Riley

Rice, Dr. --

Rice, George C -

Rice, Martin E 600

Rich, Eleanor.. _

Rich, Loren...

Rich. Mrs. Byron

Rich, Hampton _ ...

Rich, John A

Richard, Alexander

Richard, Archibald.

Richard, Father Gabriel

Richard, John

Richards, Mrs. Mary Ann

Richards, M. W

Richards, Rachel

Richardson, Amos

Richardson, Charles

Richardson, Daniel D

Richardson, John •.._

Richardson, John W

Riddle & Hathaway

Riegge, Mrs. Bertha

Riggs, Jeremiah R

Riggs, John

Riggs, Jndge

Riggs, Lauren

Riggs, Mr

Riley, Henry H

Riley, James..

Riley, John

Riley, Peter..

Risdon, Judge

Risdon, Orange _ 452

Rising, E. W. 85, 548, 554

Rising, Henry C

Rising, Sylvester and Sally ...

613
61
338
140
61
469
338
61
419
176
604
103
189
420
406
154
124
552
124
124
154

47
522
175
415

72
373
142
601
581
590

45
276

77
185
134
482
134
191
415
502
157
157
156
157
156
230
149
451
453
444
45-3
453
277
245
245
245
657
,462
, 555

£8

Rivard, Lewis M 193

Rix, Thomas H6

Robbins, Richard B 563

Roberts, Absalom... 177

Roberts, Bishop -

Roberts, Mrs. Clarissa — 46

Roberts, Mrs. Elizabeth Everman 177

Roberts, Harry _ 179

Roberts, Ira - 406, 422

Roberts, John 377, 427, 429, 430, 431

Roberts, Mrs. John (Mary Jones) ._ 427

Roberts, Pinny P. ._ 143

Roberts, Prof . - 477

Roberts, W. D 120

Roberts, Wm _ -- 415

Robertson, Capt 32

Robinson, Addie Silver 70

Robinson, Chas. A — 125

Robinson, Mrs. Clothilde 190

Robinson, David G 583, 587, 589, 590, 597

Robinson, Dr 180

Robinson, Eleanor - 70

Robinson, James D 125

Robinson, Rufus R 416

Robinson, Sarah B 583

Robinson, Mrs. Susan 46

Robinson, T.B 588

Robinson, T. V 588

Robinson, Wm. A 125

Robins, Mrs. B. P... 106

Robison, HarrietE 103

Rock, Allie 614

Rock, Julia 616, 618

Rockwell, Nathan - 46

Rodd, Charles H. 452

Roeser, Albert .-- 157

Roeser, Charles L 157

Roeser, Franz 157

Roeser, Fred 157

Roeser, Herman 157

Roeser, Oscar 157

Roeser, Jr., Wm.. 157

Roeser, Sr., Wm. 157

Roeser, Sr., Mrs. Wm 157

Rogers, Mrs. Anna 103

Rogers, James I. 506

Rogers, Louisa . 569

Rogers, Lovina 586

Rogers, Major 481

Rogers, Mr 455

Rogers, Nathan 46

Rogers, Patty - 584

Rollins, S. G - 239

Holston, Mrs. Freegift 116

Romeyn, Theodore - 299, 300

Ropes, Julius 666

Rood, Alpheus - H6

Rook, D - 590

Roost, John 145

Root, Mrs. Arthur 109

Root, Mrs. Francis I - 468

Root, Rev. Henry 638, 639, 640, 641

Root, Mrs. James &6

Root, Rev. Lucius 1 467,468

Rork, A. D 611

Kork, Martin V. ... 593, 599, 601, 603

INDEX OP NAMES.

711

Rork, Mrs. M. V 176

Rork, Peter L 599

Rork, Polly 590

Rork, Wm 590

Rork, Wm. W- ....593, 594

Rose, B. R ..613, 618

Rose, Mrs. B. R 615, 619

Rose, Eddy 45

Rose, Grace . 45

Rose, Lorenzo A. 44

Rose, Lorenzo E 45

Roee, Mr 596

Rose, Prof. 477

Rosecrans, Almon , 100

Ross, Rev. A. Hastings 172

Ross, Rev. J. H 603, 604

Ross, Sister.. 604

Rossman, Alby 37, 88

Rossman, Fite 421

Rossman, George 37

Rossman, Joseph 421

Rpssman, Mary A .,_. 38

Rossman, Mary Wood 37

Rossman, Wm. George 88

Roth, Mrs. Emma 161

Rowe, Cynthia 627

Rowe, Mrs. Martin • 109

Rowell, A. S 45

Rowell, Frank 45

'Rowland, Capt. Isaac 8 317, 318, 363

Rowland, Mrs. Isaac 400

Rowland, Thomas 410

Rowlater, Michael 584

Roys, Mrs. Frank 175

Rulisan, Sally 605

Rnmer, Dr. J. F 554

Rump, Fred 160

Rump, John 553

Rumsey, Jacob _ 185

Ramsey, Jacob W — 69

Runyan, Vincent , 414

Rush, Mr 569

Rush, Mrs 568

Russell &Co. 302

Russell, Capt _ 358

Russell, Dr 41

Russell, Capt. J. B. F 359

Russell, Mrs. J. M 41

Russell, Mark 613

Russell, Wm 423

Rust, Amasa 157

Rust Brothers & Co. 157

Rust, Charles A 158

Rust&Co., D. W 157

Rust, Eaton & Co 157, 159

Rust, Ezra _ 157

Rust, Ezra G 158

Rust, John F. 157

Rust, W. A 158

Rutherford, John 23, 182

Sackett, J. Russell 55

Sackett, Mrs. Sarah L 47

Sage, Dora 127

3, John... 135

, Mary E 136

Sage, Mrs 75

Salsbury, L. H 563

Sanborn, James.. 544

Sanderson, Henry F 419

Sanford, James Bronson 101

Saph, Sarah 170

Sapp, Rev. Resin 600, 604

Satterlee, Wm.. 143

Sawyer, Frank 814, 315, 316, b23, 399

Sayer, Edmund B. 563

Sayles, Scott W 468

Scammon, Mrs. M. R 93

Schacker, Rudolph 158

Schantz, Glenna 619

Schantz, Wm. H 611, 612, 613, 619

Schantz, Mrs. Wm. H 615, 619

Sehieffelin, Jacob 31

Schmid, Simon 145

Schmidt, Paul _ 158

Schoff, Abijah F 634

Schoolcraft, Henry R 10, 248, 253

Schoolcraft, James _ 10, 243, 249, 250

Schouten, Mrs. Dr. F. J 144

Schuyler, Anthony Day.. 57

Schuyler, Caroline 57

Schuyler, Rev. M.. 57

Schwarz, Mrs. Catherine 190

Schwartz, Emma 865

Schwartz, Gen 845

Scoon, Charles 47

Scott, A. B. 553

Scott, David 78

Scott, Catherine 103

Scott, Gen 818, 819, 320, 860, 400

Scranton, Mrs. M. W 666

Searl, Mrs 75

Searles, Daniel.. 93

Searles, Jonathan 525, 526

Sears, Hubert 45

Seekel, Mrs. Helen 180

Seeley, A 555

Seeley, Mrs. Betsey 80

Seeley, Daniel H 86

Seeley, Dr. Frank T 87

Seeley, Harvey 416

Seeley, Jesse 415

Seeley, Jndson 80

Seeley, Marvin L 87

Seeley, M. D 80

Seeley, N. J 515

Seeley, Norris 80

Seeley, Stephen J 80

Seeley, Theron V.. 87

Seelye, Aaron L. S.... 543

Seelye, Abel 87

Seelye, Jr., Abel 548, 545, 550

Seelye, Sr., Abel 543, 544, 5PO, 551

Seelye, Mrs. Abel (Abigal) 543

Seelye, Abner 543

Seelye, Alson ....548, 545, 550, 551

Seelye, Andrew V 543

Seelye, Andrew Jesse 551,552

Seelye, A. J. S 553

Seelye, Debby 550

Seelye, Deniza 550

712

INDEX OF NAMES.

Sell, John L - 410

Seitz, Frederick L - -

Selkirk, Lord.. 251, 253

Sellers, Col 379

Sellers, Ernest 17

Senier, Prof — 478

Senter, A. 594

Sessions, Charles 627

Sessions, Rev. Samuel 624, 641, 643

Setford, Sarah M 48

Seward, Wm. H. 311

Seymonr, Matilda - 71

Shackman, Joseph 179

Shafer, W. B 62

Shafer, Wm. T.... - 61

Shaffer, Geo. T... - 2, 8, C5

Shaft, Elizabeth 586

Shakespeare, A. J 19

Shank, Mrs. Ella W 11

Sharer, Wm. 182

Sharp, Cornelius 136

Sharp, Rev. Peter 136

Sharpe, Maynard _ 113

Sharpe, Mrs. Maynard (Julia M. Stone) 113

Shathuck, Samuel 419

Shaw, Rev. A. C - 567, 576, 580, 581

Shaw, Mrs. A. C. (Emily) 576

Shaw, Mrs. Charles 113

Shaw, Chief Justice 324

Shaw, Eliza Ann 478

Shaw, H. A 515

Shaw, Rev. James 266

Shaw, Philip B 103

Sheldon, Allen 382

Sheldon, John 424

Sheldon, Justin. 544, 545, 550

Sheldon & Reed 430

Sheldon, Thomas 346, 858

Sheldon, Thomas C 879,403,422

Sheldon, Wm 550

Sheley, Alanson 194, 814, 815, 386, 387, 390

Sheley, Mr. 889

Shepard, Charles 28, 127

Shepard, Dr. Charles 125, 277, 280

Shepard, Silas 125

Shepard, Mrs. Silas (Anna White) 125

Shepard, Silas E 127

Shepard, Thos 684

Sheridan, Gen 164, 868

Sherman, EliasB 70

Sherman, Ellen Silver 70

Sherman, Gen _ 95,368

Sherman, Rev. George W 606, 607, 608, 616

Sherman, Mrs. Mary 56

Sherman, W. L 227

Sherrard, Elizabeth 184

Shipp, Mrs. Thomas 93

Shippey, John 421

Shoemaker, E. 72

Shoemaker, Col. M ..1, 2, 8, 9, 36, 274

Shoemaker, Joseph 274

Shoemaker, Joseph P 9

Shores, Joseph 40

Shuart, Mrs. Geo. 137

Shurtz, Mrs. James G 178

Sibley, Alex. H ... 363, 401

Sibley, Chief Justice 357

Sibley, Fred 401

Sibley, Henry 401

Sibley, Lieut 346

Sibley, Solomon. ...322, 328, 324, 325, 326, 401, 410, 422

Sibley, Mrs. Solomon 401

Sidington, Thomas 552

Sidler, Mrs. Mary Jane 179

Sidnam, W. P 611, 612, 613, 615

Silliman, Thomas 182

Simmis, Josiah 176

Simmons, Mrs. Charles _ 180

Simmons, Mrs. Delia 45

Simmons, John 75

Simmons, Mrs. Nancy A. 75

Simmons, Dr. R ._ 75

Simmons, Simpson . 421

Simoneau, L. 149

Simons, Mrs. T. B 56

Simpson, Bishop M 63

Simpson, Capt 438

Simpson, Effie 618

Simpson, Maggie 71

Simpson, Thomas 452

Sinclair, Daniel D _ 563

Sinclair, Lieut. Gov 28

Sinex, Rev. T. H.. 596

Sisson, Arnold 41

Sisson, Ellery 137

Sitting Bull 321, 327, 368

Skelding, Samuel 298

Skillman, Samuel 577, 578, 579

Skinner, Triphena — . 164

Skirvin, Mrs. Mary 175

Slade, ex-Gov 455

Slafter, Wm 187

Slater, Agnes 71

Slater, Mr 567

Slayton, Mrs. Fred 107

Sleeper, Henry 8 92

Slocum, Deacon 537, 539, 540

Slocum, Mrs.... 537

Sly, Mrs. Margaret 47

Smart, Robert 849

Smith, Mrs. Abigail 468

Smith, Alfred E 184

Smith, Alfred W 563

Smith, Azariel 91

Smith, Catherine B 91

Smith, Dr. Charles H 38

Smith, Charles W 92

Smith, Clement 618

Smith, Mrs. Clement 610, 611, 612, 615, 618, 619

Smith, David 406

Smith, Dewitt Clinton 172

Smith, Dwight 112

Smith, Edgar 112

Smith, E. R. ._ 51

Smith, Esq 268

Smith, Mrs. Ensebia (Earl) _ 70

Smith, Frank G 194

Smith, Frank M _ 614

Smith, Frank R 91

Smith, Franklin 51

Smith, Fred 8 91

Smith, George... ...46, 36&

INDEX OP NAMES.

713

«mith, Rev. George 266

Smith, Dr. Geo. E 488

Smith, Her. Geo. LeGrande 91

Smith, Geo. A 23, 90

Smith, Genitt 218

Smith, Glenn D 38

;Smith, Harlo C 183

Smith, Harris & Co 123

Smith, Henry H 112

Smith, Mrs. Henry C 38

Smith, Hiram H 112

'Smith, Mrs. Hiram H 112

'Smith, Jack..... 307, 360

Smith, James M 123

Smith, John 71

•Smith, John D 555

Smith, Job 420

Smith, Rev. L. M. 8 624, 635, 636, 637, 638

Smith, Mrs. Mary 191

Smith, Mary A 91

Smith, M. 8- 194

Smith, Pen-in M 184

Smith, Mrs. Perrin M. (Harriet T.) 184

Smith, Phillip 191

Smith, Samuel D 684

Smith, Mrs. Seneca 116

Smith, Sidney 8 112

Smith, Stephen 116

Smith, Mrs. Stephen 54

Smith, StewartK 91

Smith, Sylvester .134, 187

Smith, Sylvester B 563

Smith, T. A 194

Smith, Thomas J 70

Smith, Trudie 619

Smith, Wm. H 552

Smith, Mrs. Wm 155, 156

Smith, Mrs. W. H 56

Smolk, Abraham .' 859

Smyth, John 451

Smyth, J. M. 555

Snyder, Mrs. Frank 619

Snyder, Nathan 185

Soles, David S 637

Solms, Mrs. Enoch 157

Southworth, Constant 415

Spaulding, G. G 597

Spaulding, Mrs. G. G 610

Spaulding, John 47

Spaulding, Miss 455

Spanlding, Mrs 452

Spanlding, O. D.,.,566, 593, 594, 597, 598, 600, 601, 602,
604, 606, 608, 609, 618

Spaulding, Mrs.O. D.. 619

Spaulding, Phineas 452, 525

Spelman, Rev. L. P 624, 625, 629

Spence, Mrs. E. A 160

Spencer, Burton 108

Spencer, Capt. 140

Spencer, Geo. W 514

Spencer, Mrs. Mary C _ 21

Spicer, Amos 505, 510, 525

Spicer, E. J 507

Spicer, Fred 505

Spicer, Hamlin & Darling 510

Spicer, P. E. 505, 506, 507

, Spooner, Rev. Chas 621

Spooner, Sr., Mrs. John 47

Sprague, Dorcas 108

Spragne, F. A 422

Sprague, P. E 580

Spragne, Roger 412, 413

Sprague, Silas 406,422

Sprague, Walter 406

Sprague, Rev. Wm 580, 581, 532. 583

Spring, Henry 280

Sqnier, Julius A 62

Squires, Wait J 525

Sraft, Mary E.» 72

Stacy, Consider A 563

Stacy, 8. C 2, 9, 129

Stafford, Philo 159

Stafford, Mrs. Philo (Frances) 156

Stage, Jerry 181

Stage, Mrs. Jerry (Mina) 181

Stage, Robert F 88

Stanard, David 411, 419, 451, 453, 454

Stanley, John H 89

Stansbury, Judge 270

Stanton, Mrs. R. T 138

Starks, Mrs. Robert 54

Starr, Isaac 584

St. Glair, Gov 483

Stead, Benjamin 410

Steadman, Elias 270

Stearns, Alfred 591,593

Stearns, Thompson 71

Stebbins, Capt. Bliss 214

Stebbins, C. B 1, 2, 8, 14, 92, 215

Stebbins, Dwight 183, 188

Stebbins, Mrs. Dwight (Elizabeth A.) 186

Stebbins, Edwin J 217

Stebbins, Ellen C '. 217

Stebbins, Francis G 217

Stebbins, Francis R ....4, 23, 214

Stebbins, Fred B i 217

Stebbins, Henry 538

Stebbins, J. D 238

Stebbins, John W 595

Stebbins, Lilla Louisa 217

Stebbins, Mrs. Mary E 217

Stebbins, Mary L. Colvin 217

Stebbins, M. S 595

Stebbins & Russell 594

Stebbins, Mrs. Sarah Louise 217

Steele, Geo. E 20

Steele, Mrs. Jeannette 154

Steele, Rev. Salmon 592

Steere, Joseph H.. _ 10, 246

Stephens, Gillet.... 103

Stephens, Henry '. _ 421

Stephenson, John 182. 557

Sterling, W.D 618,819

Stevens, A. C 88

Stevens, Frederick H 876

Stevens, Prof 478

Stevenson, Rev. J. R 513

Stewart, Alvan 218

Stewart, A. K 614

Stewart, Charles E 276

Stewart. Duncan 322, 325

Stewart, Rev. E. I.... ... 468, 469

714

INDEX OF NAMES.

Stewart, Daman 554

Stewart, James 190

Stickney, Cynthia J 53

Striker, Hon. Daniel 1, 2, 8, 89, 565, 602, 603, 604,

605, 606, 607, 609, 615; 618

Striker, Mrs. Daniel 599, 604, 605, 619

Striker, Gilbert 597

Striker, Rebekah 619

Stillson, Fred C 62

Stillson, Helen 62

Stillson, Maj 313,314,379

Stillson, Wallace W 62

Stillson, Wallie W i 62

Stilson, Zenas 103

Stirling, David 507,508,515

Stirling, Mrs. James 189

Stiver, John 116

St. John, Mrs. E 155, 156

Stoddard, J. L L 233

Stocking, Alida C 128

Stocking, Amos _ 137

Stocking, Mrs. Amos (Theodosia) 137

Stocking, Bilius 127

Stocking, Daniel C 127

Stocking, Fanny 137

Stocking, T 415

Stockwell, Dr. C. B 173

Stockwell, Mrs. C. M 173

Stockwell, Dr. G. A. ... 173

Stone, Albert N 113

Stone, Cbas. S 113

Stone, Dr. James A. B 276

Stone, Judge 279

Stone, Judge J. W 120

Stone, Mrs 79

Stone, Orlando C 113

Stone, Mrs. Sarah E :_._ 113

Storey, Joseph 325

Stoughton, Dillucena 419

Stouser, George 71

Stout, Byron G 228

Stow, Mary E 584

Stowell, Dr 538

Stowell, Ira 41

Straight, Daniel 95

Straight, Louise F 95

Straight, Mrs. Marcia (Ferris) 95

Stranaham, George 114

Strasburg, August _ _. 159

Strasburg, Mrs. August (Elizabeth Bangester) 159

Strasbnrg, Edward 159

Strasburg, Herman 159

Strauss, L 60

Strohawer, John _ 187

Strong, Mary 359

Strong, Mrs. Mary P 94

Strong, Roby 79

Stryker, John 301

Stuart, Garrett _ 116

Stuart, John 342

Stuart, Julia E 116

Stuart, Mrs 45

Sturgis, Mrs. Anna 175

Sturges, Wm 302

Stnrtevant. Green & Plummer Ill

Sullivan, Mrs. Nancy Ann 637

Sumner, Charles 32ft

Sunley, Mrs. R 46

Sntfin, Mrs. M. A 620, 621

SuttoB, N. M 137

Button, Wallace W 108

Button, Wm 72

Swagart, Sarah 71

Swain, Oliver 238

Swan, Robert T 21

Swan, Ziba 411,418,420

Swart, Mrs. D, W. 150

Swart, Mary 47

Swedenborg, Emanuel 127

Sweet, Lucius 60

Swift, Mrs. Frank 85

Swift, Hannah 59

Swift, Marcus 95

Swin, Mrs. James 39

Sykes, Richard A.._. 19

Tabor,

277

Tabor, Lorenzo 563

Tabor, Moses 71

Taffee, Michael 46

Taft, Pitts 414

Talbott, John 316

Talbott, John L. 323, 349, 861, 899

Tallman, John ..592, 593, 594

Talmadge, Nat 811

Taney, 325

Taney, Roger B 378

Tanner, John 10, 246, 247, 248, 249, 251

Tanner, Martha.... • 247

Tappan, W. M 416

Tayer, Wm.R 563

Taylor, Alonzo._ 46

Taylor, Capt 818

Taylor, Dr 478

Taylor, Ebenezer 103

Taylor, Rev. Edward 589

Taylor, Mrs. Hannah 99

Taylor, Julia A 86

Taylor, Minna E 609, 610

Taylor, Prof 477

Taylor. Wm. B _ 99

Teachout, Jacob 544, 545, 550, 551

Teachout, Mrs. Lester 72"

Tebo, Mrs. George... 170

Teesdale, Samuel 178

Telford, John H.. 113

Telford & Son, John H... 113

TenEyck, Anthony 361, 363, 399

TenEyck, Conrad _ 323

TenEyck & Co 160

TenEyke, Simeon 71

Tenney, Mrs. Philanda 46

Tenny, Alvah 414

Tenny, Rufns 414

TerBeek, Mrs. Jauna 144

Terril, Deborah 91

Terry, Gen 321, 327

Terry, Joshua... 406

Terry, Capt. Joshua 458

Terry, Joshua 8 420

Test, Prof. ... 47&

INDEX OP NAMES.

715

Tharrett, George 552

Thayer, John E __ 302

Thayer, John B 414

Thayer, Wm 159

Thomas, Rev. David.. 592

Thomas, Dr. H. F 279

Thomas, John 71

Thomas, Sidney 48

Thomas, Wm 550

Thomaeon, Mrs. Mary C 47

Thome, Mrs. Anne 121

Thompson, 825

Thompson, Dr. A. A 87

Thompson, Mrs. Capt 400

Thompson, Daniel H 323

Thompson, E. H. 666

Thompson, Mrs. Henrietta C 62

Thompson, James 62

Thompson, N. W 90

Thompson, Capt. Sheldon 337, 388, 839

Thompson, Wm 410, 411, 413, 422

Thompson, Dr. Wm 406

Thorn, Major 271

Thome, Mrs 187

Throop, Enos 159

Throop, Ira 159

Throop, John D 596

Throop, Maud 159

Throop, Wm 159

Thurber, Dr. George 207

Thurber, Horace 151

Thnrber, Sarah 151

Thurber, Wm 1 411, 418

Thnrston, Eleazer 550

Thurston, Mr 548

Thnrston, Mrs 147

Tichenor, Mrs. Al 52

Tietsort, Abram 70

Tietsort, Jr., Abram 65

Tietsort, Ira 65

Tietsort, John 65, 70

Tietsort, Julia 65

Tietsort, Perry 65

Tietsort, Ralph 70

Tietsort, Wesley 65

Tiffany, Alex R 562, 563

Tilden, Lieut 249, 250

Tillotson, Asahel .. 573, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 582, 585

Tiliotson, Mrs. D. C 140

Tillotson, Milo 572

Tillotson, Sophia 585

Tilman, Mrs. James W 313

Tilner, Mr 596

Tinkham, Mrs. Belle 73

Tinkler, Mrs. John 39

Toan, Wm 627

Toby, Mrs. Frank 452

Todd, Col 30

Todd, Maj. Joseph 406, 418, 420

Todd, Mrs. Joseph 420

Todd, Joseph J 420

Toll, Isaac D 8

Tolls, Mr 519

Tomma, Indian .... 845,346

Tonen, Oka 468

Toney, Oliver 420

Toole, James. 48

Tooley. Albert 2, 9

Torrance, L. A 93

Toss, Mrs. Henry 46

Tonchey, Joseph 582

Tower, Harvey 237, 238

Townsend, Alonzo 160

Townsend, Ambrose 361

Townsend, A. M 181

Townsend, Charles 159, 160

Townsend, Eliza 550

Townsend, Goodenough..542, 544, 545, 549, 550, 551, 553
Townsend, Mrs. Goodenough (Mary A. Fish). 550, 551

Townsend, John A 160

Townsend, M. W 160

Townsend, Thomas O 550, 551

Townsend, Wm 160

Townsend, Wm. H 380

Tracy, Mrs. Eliza Ann 179

Travis, Sylvanus 581, 584

Travis, Zilphia 584

Treadwell, Mies C. T 554

Tremblee, J. R. 75

Tremblee, Mrs. J. R 75

Trigg, Col 30

Triphagen, Mrs. C. H 72

Tripp, Elder 558, 559

Tripp, Rev. Henry.. 557

Tripp, John 558

Tripp, Dr. Joseph 558

Tripp, Margaret J 72

Tripp, Martin 103

Troester, Sr., John 195

Tromble, Benoit 452

Tromble, Leon 455

Tromble, Mrs. Leon 455

Tromble, Mrs. Mary 468

Troop, Abigail 550

Trowbridge, Amozi C 406

Trowbridge, C. C 11, 38, 278, 808, 311,

312, 314, 315, 349, 850, 403

Trowbridge, John 198

Trowbridge, Mr 879

Trowbridge, 8. V. R 406, 418, 422, 424

Trudell, John B 452

Truesdail, Wesley 363, 865, 390

Trumbull, Rev. Robert 389

Tucker, Jud 549

Tnrnbull, Mrs. Richard R 192

Turner, A. B 239

Turner, Mrs. Augustus 51

Turner, Benjamin 563

Turner, Charles C 103

Turner, Henry E.'. 160

Turner, Horace 91

Turner, Josiah 601

Turner, Mrs. Marion 17

Turner, Mrs. Mary L 125

Turner, Robert 160

Turner, Mrs. Robert 160

Turck, Wm. S 8

Tnrney, Mr 519

Tuttle, A. Clark Z 79

Tuttle, JohnW 79

Tuttle, Miss 455

Tuttle, Stephen 79

716

INDEX OF NAMES.

Tattle, Stephen N. 79

Tuttle, Wm. M ™

Twain, Mark 407

Tyler, Comfort 277

Tyler, Sr., Dean M 626, 628

Tyler, Mrs. J. H 554

Tyler, Melissa 569

Ulrich, Peter 76

Ulrich, Mrs. Peter 75

Underbill, John 4*5

Underwood, Wm. A 563

Upjohn, Mrs. Dr 570

Upson, Charles 277

Uptegraff, C. B •_ 554

Ure, Andrew 451,452

Utley,Peleg S 416

Utterwick, Rev. Henry 648

Van Arman, John 575

Van Bnren, A. D. P 2, 16, 23, 116, 217, 277

Van Bnren.Ephraim 217

Van Buren, Mrs. Ephriam (Olive Jay) 217

Van Buren, Mrs. Fanny Putman 61

Van Buren, Pres 311

Vandelere, Henry 116

Vanderbilt, Wm. H 475

Vanderwalker, Flavia 116

Van Dewalker, Mrs. Flavia 41

Van DeWalker, George '. 116

Van Dusen, A. J 63

Van Dusen, Jacob 63

Van Dnsen, Jerry 63,64

Van Dusen, Joseph 64

Van Dnzen, Sophia 97

Van Dye, Mrs. James A. 376

Van Dyke, Mrs. James A 334

Van Dyke, James A 399

Van Gordon, Abraham 103

Van Horn, Charles 64

Van Horn, John A . 64

Van Horn, John P 64

Van Horn, John R 64

Van Horn, Mrs. Mary Ann 64

Vander Meulen, Mrs 121

Van Raalte, Rev 143

Van Sickle, Selah T.._-. 71

VanTnyle, Mrs. Catherine W 34

VanTnyle, GeorgeC 64

Van Tuyle, Irene 64

Van Tuyle, James C 64

Van Tuyle, James W 64

Van Tuyle, Wayne D 64

Van Tuyle, Willie 64

Van Vleet, E. B 585, 589

Van Vleet, Mrs. E. B 584

Van Volkenburg, George 552

Van Wagoner, Mr r 421

Van Winkle, A. J 137

Van Winkle, Mrs. Esther 47

Vattae, Capt. John.... 27

Vandreuil, Pierre Francois 27

Vaughn, S.S. 110

Vernet, Horace ... 6, 7

Vernon, Dr. Ion 18£

Vernon, Mrs. Margaret Cooper 193

Vester, Wm 585-

Vester, Deborah 585

Vibber, Sylvester 452

Viger, Mrs. A. E. (Elizabeth Chapoton) 197

Vinton, Grovener 451, 452, 453, 454

Vinton, Sarah 458

Virgil, Ira .. 41

Vivian, Mrs. J. D 10

VonVasold, Therese 157

Voorheis, Joseph 415,416

Voorheis, J. N 414

Vrooman, David _.- 115

Vrooman, Dr 47&

Vrooman, Mr 596

Vrooman, Tunis 115

Vrooman, Tunis, Jr _ 115-

Wackerly, Henry 552

Wackerly, Mrs. Henry (Christina) 55*

Wadams, Ralph 268-

Waddington, Sarah Ann 181

Wadsworth, Abram S 638

Wager.O. D 88

Wagner, Christopher 552

Wagner, Michael 192:,

Wagner, Nicholas 192

Wagner, Mrs. Nicholas (Annie) 192

Wagner, Jr., Nicholas 192"

Wagnor, Anna M 98

Wagstaff, Capt. Bob 314, 315, 342

Wakefield, Amos 568

Wakefield, Mrs. Amos (Charlotte Haight) .... 568

Wakefield, Calvis 552

Wakefield, Daniel B. 549

Wakefield, Stephen B : 138

Wakefield, Mrs. Stephen B. (Esther) 138

Wakoff, Wm. 71

Walbridge, Samuel D 116-

Walcot, James 193

Waldron, Dr. C. A 187

Waldron, Henry 283

Waldron, John 422

Waldron, Mrs 511

Wales, Austin 860

Wales, E. B 860

Wales & Co 361

Walker, Charlotte 110

Walker, C. I „ 274,408

Walker, J. M 598-

Walker, Matthew 551

Walker, Wm 191

Wallace, Mrs. Jane 192-

Wallace, Mrs. Susan F 108"

Wallace, Sir Wm 162;

Wallack, Ruth.. 108.

Walrad, Abraham 415

Walsh, James P 151

Walsh, John '. 194

Walsh, Mrs. John (Eliza) 194

Walter, John - 185

Walters, Mark 9-

Walworth, Mrs. Ellen H 21

Walworth, Mrs. Hannah 115-

INDEX OF NAMES.

717

Wampler, Col 423

Wanty & Manning 142

Ward, E. B 11

Ward, Capt. E. B 283, 289, 290, 291, 302

Ward, Capt. Eber '. 268

Ward, Josiah 568

Ward, Capt. Sam 268, 289

Warner, Mrs. Caroline 40

Warner, Chloa 584

Warner, Mrs. Emily 101

Warner, Harvey 277

Warner, James _ 552

Warner, John . 552

Warner, Mrs 619

Warner, Wm 552

Warren, Mrs. Frederic 118

Warren, Leroy 638

Warring, Rev. Hart E 638

Waehbarn, Miles 552

Washington, Gen 13, 83

Washington, George 78, 865

Waterloo, Bnrke 174

Waterloo, Charlie 174

Waterloo, Chas. H 174

Waterloo, Mrs. Chas. H. (Mary J. Beebe) 178

Waterloo, Hattie 174

Waterloo, Lucy 174

Waterloo, Stanley 174

Waterman, Ira... 568

Waterman, Joshua W 188

Waters, Dan. 379

Watkins, L. D 3, 8, 10, 17, 262

Watrons, Mrs. James 51

Watson, Eugene 193, 314

Watson, Mrs. Eugene (Matilda St. Aubin) .... 193

Watson, George.. 191

Watson, James 892, 393

Watson, John 892, 393

Watson, Major 280

Watson, Mr 442

Watson, Ralph 1, 2, 8, 18, 19, 71

Watson, Samuel _ 552

Watson, Wm 47

Wattles, S. H : 19

Wattles, V. C 61

Watts, Q. A 563

Way, Mrs. Mary 72

Wayne, Gen. Anthony 29, 33, 84, 409, 483

Weatherby, Amanda 44

Weatherby, Perry 103

Weaver, C. E 568

Weaver, Elizabeth M .. 150

Weaver, George '. 150

Weaver, Mrs. Proctor 189

Webb, Benj. L 889

Webb, Chester* Co 390, 891

Webb, Douglass & Co 860,390

Webb, Henry L 390

Webb, John 114

Webber, Mrs. Betsey 21

Webber, George 276

Webber, Jack 276

Webster, Aaron... 406, 422

Webster, Daniel, 13, 311, 312, 325, 359, 361, 388, 591, 661

Webster, Daniel Fletcher 399

Webster, Fletcher 861

Webster, U. B 17, 255.

Weeks, Edmund S 116

Weeks, Smith 406,411,422

Wegst, Adam 160

Wegst, John 161

Wegst & Mark 160

Wegst, Minnie 161

Welborn, Thomas 183

Welch, George 552

Welch, John 45

Weld, Theodore , 218.

Welden, Nathan '. 93

Weller, Ferdinand 141

Wellington, Mrs. James H 156

Wellman, A. W 406, 422r,

Wellman, Joel 422

Wellman, John 421

Wellman, Wm 406,422

Wells, Col 437,488

Wells, Hezekiah G. ....276, 311

Wells, Hiram 178

Wells, Mrs. Hiram (Hannah Gilbert). 176

Wells, John A. 808, 346, 861, 380

Wells, Samuel D 428

Welsh, Nelson N 552

Welter, Porter 72

Wendell, Tunis 8 375

Wendell, Capt. Charles E 876

West, Anna. 176

West, Francis R 92

West, Fred 173

West, Josiah ; 178

Westcott, Charles 93

Westerman, George W 563

Weston,Mr... 443,444

Wetmore, John....- 419, 420

Whapples, Anna 55

Wheaton, Levi 525

Wheaton, Robert M 525

Wheaton, Thomas _ 108

Wheaton, Wm 389

Whedon, Mrs. W. W 160

Wheeler, Amos R 237, 238

Wheeler, Asa _ 586.

Wheeler, Estella 609, 610,611

Wheeler & Co., J. B 162

Wheeler, L. J 586

Wheeler, Milo T 606, 610

Wheeler, Mr 243

Wheeler, Mrs 243,

Wheeler, N. S 557

Wheeler, Talman 848,

Wheelock, Sarah W 47

Whitcomb, C. S 602, 616, 618, 619

Whitcomb, Mrs. C. S 605, 619

Whitcomb, Mary 609, 614

Whitcomb, Mrs 619

White, Mrs. C. P 45

White. Clarissa 108

White, I. M lid-
White, Mn. Julia 114

White, Martha ... 108

White, Mr 240, 241, 242

White, Mrs. Nancy B 240

White, Peter 9

White, Reuben 103

IXDEX OF

Williams, Edwin

Whitin*. John L-
Whiting. J. T.

Williams, John R.

Wimams, Gen. John R.
Williams, Joseph B.

_.406, 411, 416, 417, 418, 424

Williams, Mis. Oarer
Williams, Mrs. SaUr A-

Wilbar, M. A.__

164

Wileox, Mrs. Dsnid

WOeox, Mrs. Eliza (MeMahon)

Wikox, G. B

118

Wilson, Wm.R.

Wileoi, Mr „ 591

Wileox, Kaomi ...

Winter, K.C._

Wilkinson Bautfc &

411. 416
418

.. \&
te.&i

INDEX OF NAMES.

719

Wixom, Benjamin 416

Wolf, Gen 18

Wolf, John 277

Wolf, Mrs. Josiah 179

Wood, Alonzo R. 414

Wood, Arthur 128

Wood, C. W 129

Wood, Elizabeth 585

Wood, F. B 563

Wood, Henry 117

Wood, Hezekiah 585

Wood, James 543

Wood, Wm. A 117, 277

Wool, Gen 318,340,360,400

Wooley, Monroe 552

Wrooleey, Smith 46

Wooten, Ralph 617

Worden, Chas. L 554

Worden, Robert 91

Worden, Walter W 1 552

Workman, Benjamin 557,559

Worth, Gen. 318,340,360,400

Worthington, Rev. Henry 575, 576

Worthington, Wm. 116

Woodbridge, Gov 308

Woodbridge, Judge 857,408

Woodbridge, Wm 283, 287, 288, 289, 828, 410, 428

Woodbridge, Mrs Wm 187

Woodbury, Caleb 525

Woodbnry, Edward. 19

Woodbury. J. P 117

Woodbnry, Mrs 82

Woodhams, Frederick 116

Woodhnll, Geo. S 88

Woodliff, Thomas 108

Woodruff , Henry 8

Woods, Caroline 103

Woods, Mrs. L. Lonette 54

Woods, Prof 477

Woodward, Mr 428

Woodworth, Ben 253,427

Woodworth, Benjamin 428

Woodworth, Uncle Ben 354,356

Woodworth & Co. 855

Woodworth, Sam 355,859

Wright, '. 325

Wright, Etta 89

Wright, Mrs. Fred 168

Wright, Ira D 88

Wright, James 116

Wright, John 9

Wright, Mrs. Mary 192

Wright, MelvinW 89

Wright, Silas 359

Wright, Wm. 616

Wunderlich, Anna 115

Wunderlich, Lewis 115

Wnnderlich, Michael 115

Wyckoff, C. C 415

Wyckoff, Mrs. Francis 73

Wyman, Prof 478

Wymer, Elizabeth 72

Yale, Joseph : 414

Yancey, Mr.. 522

Yeomans, Erastus.. 101

Yeomans, Maria 101

Yeomans, Sanford 276

Yerkes, Wm 414

Young, Brigham 1 346, 888

Young, Mrs. Catherine 175

Young, Elizabeth 584

Young, Isaiah 634

Young, James 175

Young, John M 175

Young, Mrs 118

Young, Robert 76

Young, Sarah 103

Young, Wm. M 175

Ziegler, Albert 161

Zeigler, Augusta 161

Zeigler, Charles 161

Zeigler, Clara 161

Zeigler, Helen 161

Ziegler, John C 161

Ziegler, Louis 161

Zittel, George 195

Zittel, Mrs. George (Margaret) 195

Zittel, Jr., George 195

Zittel, Henry D 195

Zittel, WadeworthJ. .. 195

ERRATA.

Page 6, Jesse Monroe should read Jesse Munro.

222, eighth line from bottom, chord should read chords.

223, last line, the word an should be inserted before art.

224, fifth line from bottom, the word in should read to.

225, in paragraph beginning " Six days ago," strike out that, and insert comma

after knew and after preserved in next line.

Michigan. Historical
561 Commission

M47 Michigan historical

v. 22 collections

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Michigan historical collections"

See other formats