USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 1
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HISTORY OF
BRANCH COUNTY,
MICHIGAN,
WITH
AIlustrations and Biographical Shetches
COF2
SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 1896 CITY OF WASHINGTON
PHILADELPHIA: EVERTS & ABBOTT.
-
1879.
PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
. BEAL
CONTENTS.
HISTORICAL.
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY.
PAOK
I .- Introductory
9
11 .- Early French Discoveries
10
JI1 .- The Pottawattamies
12
IV .- The Pottawattamies, continued
16
V .- The Pottawattamies, continued 26
VI .- The Treaty-Making Period
32
VII .- The Situation at Settlement
35
HISTORY OF THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF BRANCHI COUNTY.
Township of Coldwater 163
Quincy .
174
X1 .- First Infantry .
59
I'nion
Bronson .
216
XIII .- Ninth Infantry
63
Girard .
230
XIV .- Eleventh Infantry
66
Algansee
239
XV .- Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Infantry
73
Gilead
249
XVI .- Nineteenth Infantry
73
.. Batavia .
265
XVH .- Twenty-Eighth Infantry and First Sharpshooters
79
Kinderhook
291
XIX .- Eighth. Ninth, and Eleventh Cavalry
82
Butler
309
XXI .- Battery D.
90
. € Matteson
315
XXII .- Battery F.
91
Noble
321
XXJH .- Battery G.
XXIV .- Other Branch County Soldiers .
96
California
.
339
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
State Public School for Dependent Children ( Frontispiece)
facing title-page.
Map of Branch County facing
9
COLDWATER (CITY).
Art Gallery and Residence of Il. C. Lewis facing 113
Fac-simile of the Record of the First Village Elcetion, 1837 115
Portrait of Alonzo Waterman facing 119
St. Mark's Episcopal Church 124
..
129
Residence of 1I. C. Fenu A. C. Fisk (with portrait )
between 150, 151
Portrait of John II. Beech, M.D.
156
W. B. Sprague, M. D.
157
Portraits of L. D. Crippen and Wife .
facing 159
Harvey Haynes and Wife
159
Harvey Warner and Wife
160
Andrew S. Parrish and Wife
facing
.. Asa Parrish and Wife
161
Portrait of James M. Long, M.D.
161
Portrait of Dr. M. E. Channecy facing 23%
Mrs. Eliza Craig .. 938
Portraits of Henry Pierce and Wife ..
23>
ALGANSEE.
Residence of the late Asahel Brown .
facing 240
John Joseph .
212
F. T. Gallup .
..
212
Portraits of David Tift and Wife
E. S. E. Brainerd and Wife William Kraiser and Wife
: 215
A. Shumway and Wife 4.
216
Samuel B. Ilanchett and Wife 246
Andrew Crater and Wife 216
F. D. Ransom and Wife
217
..
Asahel Brown and Wife .
between 250, 25]
Portraits of Samuel Arnold and Wife 250, 25t
Daniel Marsh and Wife .
facing 259
Residence of D. H. Smith ( with portraits)
190
Portrait of Dr. Edson Blackman
19]
Portraits of Joseph S. Swan and Wife
192
Portraits of Joseph Keestar and Wife
261
.
197
UNION.
Portrait of Charles A. Lincoln
facing 200
Residence of Ezra Bostwick (with portraits)
208
Portrait of Dr. Il. F. Ewers
214
Portrait of Thomas B. Buell
215
BRONSON.
Residence of Jonathan Holmes ( with portraits) facing
Portrait of Darius Monroe
226
Wales Adams
999
GIRARD.
Residence of Peter I. Mann
between 232. 233
Portraits of Polly Mann and P. I. Mann and Wife 232, 233
L. D. Halsted
162
Portraits of Luke Il. Whitcomb and Wife
163
Win. S. Gilbert and Wife
164
Portrait of John Allen
164
COLDWATER (TOWNSHIP').
Residence of Win. P. Norton
facing 165
Portrait of James Rt. Wilcox
172
Portraits of John Roberts and Wife .
173
QUINCY.
Residence of Lucas Joseph ( with portraits)
facing
174
.. the late Enos G. Berry (with portraits)
176
.. J. R. Morey (with portraits)
178
.. Horace l'. Jeffrey . 180
.. C. N. Wilcox 182
Donovan and Conly's Block
184
Portraits of Ansel Nichols and Wife Win. P. Arnold "
189
.4
189
.. 2556 Residence of E. C. S. Green Hon. C. G. Luce
7
PAGE
XXV .- Branch County Since the War .
95
XXVL .- The Press of Branch County
99
XXVII .- The State Public School .
102
XXVHI .- County Societies 107
XXIX .- Branch County Civil List
CITY OF COLDWATER .
I13
VIH .- From Settlement to Organization of County IX .- From Organization to 1810
39
48
X .- From 1841 to 1861
57
XII .- Seventh Infantry
61
Bethel
27>
XVIII .- Fourth and Fifth Cavalry
XX .- Battery A, First Light Artillery
85
Ovid
facing 195
B. F. Wheat and Wife
193
4 . Peter M. Newberry and Wife .
195
Portraits of Thos, Daugherty and Wife
144
Portraits of A. Brown and Wife
PAGE
John S. Belote and Wife
200
Sherwood
. 330
CHAPTER
GILEAD.
Residence of the late Samuel Arnold .
245
S
CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
BATAVIA.
PAGE
Residence of honisa S. Deusler (with portraits)
facing
268
Portrait of John D. Imber
272
Portraits of Major Tuttle and Wife
..
277
.. Henry Miller and Wife
..
977
Portrait of Philo Porter .
..
KINDERHOOK.
Residence of Samuel A. Whitcomb ( with portraits) . facing 291
Farmand Residence of Enos Michael ( with portraits) between 292. 293
Residence of Georgo Tripp 294, 295
Walter W. Smith (with portraits)
between 326, 327
Portraits of George Tripp and Wife .
291, 295
Portrait of Hon. Wmn. Chase
facing 296
Portraits of A. W. Ense and Wife
between 298, 299
Joseph Hawks and Wife 298, 299
.. David Tripp and Wife . 299
Residence of Silas Ent
facing 300
Residence of E. F. Hazen . facing 330
Oscar Cline ( with portraits .
between 332, 333
Portrait of Horace A. Lee . facing 334
Iliram Doubleday
234
Residener of Jabin R. Gwin 337
Portraits of Jabin R. Gwin and Wife 337
Newcomb Wilcox and Wife
338
CALIFORNIA.
Portraits of J. H. Lawrence and Wife facing 341
Portraits of S. M. Treat and Wife
.. 311
.. Charles Raymond and Wife
347
BIOGRAPHICAL.
PAGE
Alonzo Waterman
facing 119
Andrew Crater
916
Thomas Daugherty
199
S. B. Ilanehett
lohn Il. Beoch, M.D.
156
Francis D. Ransom
William B. Sprague, M.D.
156
F. T. Gallup
Lorenzo D. Crippen
159
Asahel Brown
248
Iton. Harvey Haynes
159
Samuel Arnold
between 250, 251
Harvey Warner, Esq.
Daniel Marsh
facing
253
James M. Long. M.I.
161
Hlon. Cyrus G. Luce
161
Mrs. Catharine S. Arnoll
Asa Parrish
Joseph Keeslar .
Lorenzo D. Halsto l
E. C. S. Green
Luke H. Whiteumh
John D. huber
William S. Gilbert
163
Henry Miller
John Allen
164
Philo Porter
between 294, 295
James R. Wilen
172
Hon. William Chase
facing 296
John Roberts
173
Enos Michael
998
William P. Norton
174
between 298, 299
llon. William P. Arnokl
189
298, 299
Ansel Nichols
190
Silas Ent
29:
Daniel 11. Smith
190
Samuel A. Whitcomb
299
Joseph S. Swan .
191
306
Chas. N. Wileos .
192
308
B. F. Wheat
193
307
Alvarado Brown .
Samunel M. Treat
facing
311
Lucas Joseph
Dr. Daniel Wilson
312
Peter M. Newberry
Henry Lock wood
314
Dr. Enos G. Berry
Amos Gardner
399
John S. Belote
James O. Johnson
Jesse Meredith .
Charles A. Lincoln
facing 200
Ashley Turner
323
Ezra Bostwick
Christina Chase
facing
32S
Thomas B. Buelt
Horace P. Jeffrey
329
Wales Adams
Walter W. Smith
Jonathan Holmes
Samuel S. and E. B. Bushnell
Peter 1. Mann
between 932. 233
Elisha T. Gardner
330
Dr. Moses E. Chauncey
Horace A. Lee
facing
334
Heury Pierce
Hiram Doubleday
334
Mrs. Eliza Craig
Ephraim Cline .
D. L. Gray
244
Jabin R. Gwin .
245
Newcomb Wilcox
338
William Kraiser .
The Lawrence Family
facing 341
David Tift .
245
Charles Raymond
Alfred Shumway
.
PAGE 312 Portrait of Henry Lockwood .
MATTESON.
facing 317
Residence of Ashley Turner (with portraits) .. Amos Gardner ( )
between 320, 321
James O. Johnson ( with portraits ).
Portraits of Jesse Meredith and Wife 323
NOBLE.
Residence of Hon. G. P' Robinson. facing 324
the late E. T. Gardner ( with portraits) .. 326, 327 Portraits of Christina, Chauncey, and Russell Chase facing 328
Residence of E. B. Bushurl ( with portraits)
..
209
SHERWOOD.
BUTLER.
Residence of D. L. Burbank
facing 500
.. Lucindn R. Linsday ( with portraits)
304
Portraits of Charles E. Bowers and Wife
307
OVID.
Residence of Samuel M. Trent
faring 309
159
Andrew S. Parrish
169
201
163
facing
Abram C. Fisk
172
George Tripp
A. W. Chase
Joseph Hawks
David Tripp
Dr. Edson Blackman .
191
David Linsday
Dwight L. Burbank
Charles E. Bowers
193
194
195
195
John R. Morey
19%
11. Francis Ewers, M.b.
914
George P. Robinson
215
s. E. Brainard
34.
.
19:
214
938
262
162
PAGE
Portraits of Dr. Daniel Wilson and Wife
315
OUTLINE MAP OF
B RANCH
COUNT MICHIGAN
ENGRAVED EXPRESSLY FOR THIS WORK
UNION
CITY
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CITY OF
N
HISTORY
OF
BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
BY CRISFIELD JOHNSON.
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY.
Plan of the Work-A Consecutive History-Supplementary Chapters -City and Township llistories-The Illustrations-Future Value of Local Histories-The Pottawattamie-The Books Consulted- Acknowledgments to Individuals-The Work Submitted.
THE plan of this history of Branch County comprises in the first place a connected, consecutive statement of all the facts of general interest relating to the territory now com- prising that county, from the earliest accounts down to the present time, embracing a short description of its natural characteristics, and a pretty full record of the principal events occurring within its limits, or in which its residents have been aetors. This portion of the work adheres very closely to the chronological order, and includes the history of the Pottawattamie Indians,-the old-time occupants and lords of the Saint Joseph Valley,-an account of the treaties by which that valley was transferred to the whites, an out- line sketch of the first settlement of the county, a record of some of the more prominent features of its development, and the ever interesting story of the achievements of the gallant sons of Branch County in the war for the Union. This consecutive account is supplemented by several chap- ters, the subjects of which cannot well be incorporated in that account; such as sketches of the various county so- cieties, a list of the principal officers, a history of the State school, etc., etc. The whole, thus far, covers near a hun- dred of the first pages of the volume, and constitutes the general history of the county.
The later and larger portion of the work embraces sepa- rate histories of the city of Coldwater, and of each of the sixteen townships of the county, going with considerable detail into the facts of their early settlement, showing the hardships and vicissitudes of pioneer life as narrated by the pioneers themselves, and giving lists of the township officers, together with separate sketches of all the churches, lodges, and other local organizations.
Intermingled with these are to be found numerous por- traits of prominent citizens of the county, accompanied by their biographies, together with occasional views of their residences. Whatever may be said by the critically dis- posed regarding the literary execution of the work, the
writer can confidently recommend the productions of the artists and engravers as being of a decidedly high order of merit. They have reproduced the faces of the past genera- tions, and both the homes and features of to-day, so accurately that even after the lapse of a century there need he no difficulty in knowing precisely what was the condition of Branch County in 1879.
And, although there may be those who are disposed to smile at the idea of a mere county history, in which the features of plain farmers and mechanics appear side by side with some of the most distinguished citizens of the State, yet it is safe to predict that in fifty years few books will be more sought after than these local records of to-day, with their delineations of pioneer life and their thoroughly dem- ocratie illustrations of' all classes of the community. And this simply for the facts depicted by pencil and pen, and despite of any barrenness of style or awkwardness of ar- rangement of which the author may be guilty. Such a record will be scarcely less valuable than would now be a similar account of actual life in the Revolutionary era, with portraits, not merely of a few generals and statesmen, but of the people of that day, who long since went down to their graves unhonored, unrecorded, and unsung.
The early history of this county (that is, its history pre- vious to its settlement) is mostly confined to the story of the Pottawattamies. Three chapters have been prepared on this subject with considerable care, and have been in- serted in the histories of both Branch and Hillsdale Coun- ties, as that tribe was for over a century the masters and occupants of the whole valley of the St. Joseph. Since the settlement by the whites, the story of Branch County runs in an entirely separate channel.
To obtain the information thus embodied in the earlier and some of the later, portions of the work it has been necessary to consult numerous hooks having relation to the subjects under consideration. Among the principal of these we are indebted to Parkman's Couspiracy of Pontiac, Parkman's Discovery of the Great West, Smith's Life and Times of Lewis Cass, Drake's Life of Tecumseh, Drake's Book of the Indians, Schoolcraft's Report on the Indians, Lossiug's Fiekl Book of the War of 1812, Lanman's Red Book of Michigan, the published Indian Treaties of the United States, the Territorial and Session Laws of Michi-
2
9
10
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
gan, the Reports of Adjutant-General Robertson from 1861 to 1866, the Reports of the Superintendent of Public In- struction, and Pierce's History of St. Joseph County, besides several minor works.
The greater part of the pioneer record of the county is embodied in the sketches of Coldwater eity and the various townships, yet in obtaining matter for a general outline of that period we received much assistance from those veteran pioneers, Messrs. Wales Adams, Allen Tibbitts, Ilarvey Warner, and James B. Tompkins. Messrs. E. G. Fuller, Harvey Haynes, and Roland Root supplied us with many faets regarding a somewhat later period ; Mr. Root's infor- mation being especially full in relation to the Indians from 1836 down to the time of their removal.
Our acknowledgments are also due to Adjutant-General Robertson and his efficient elerk Mr. Humphrey for aid af- forded us in obtaining the records of the officers and soldiers of Branch County in the war for the Union, to Mrs. Tenny, the librarian of the State library, for the courtesy with which the ample resources of that institution were placed at our disposal, and to the press of Branch County for access to their files and many other favors.
Some others, who have been consulted on particular points, will be mentioned as those points are discussed. Those who have furnished material to the writers ou the city and town- ships may be numbered by the hundred, and it would be impracticable to inelude them here. Many of them will be mentioned in the city and township histories, and to all we return the thanks of the publishers and writers.
And now we submit our work to the people of Branch County. We trust they will be pleased with it in spite of some imperfections, which keen eyes will doubtless find in its pages, and that not only they but their children and their children's children will occasionally turn thither from more exciting tales and more eloquent periods to learn the humble but honorable story of their home.
CHAPTER II.
EARLY FRENCH DISCOVERIES.
Arrival of the French on the Upper Lakes-Champlain in 1615-The Franciscan Priests-The Jesuits-Hunters and Traders-Raymbault and Jogues in 1641-The Wyandots and Ottawas-Father Mar- quette-The Lake Country formally taken Possession of for the King of France-Marquette Discovers the Mississippi-Discovers and Explores the St. Joseph-La Salle and the " Griffin"-A Fort on the St. Joseph-Loss of the " Griffin"-La Salle's Suhsequent Career and Murder-French Dominion-Influence of Fort St. Joseph- Founding of Detroit-The Pottawattamies.
THOUGH the French were unquestionably the first ex- plorers of the shores of all the great lakes of North America, yet it is somewhat doubtful at what precise time they first reached the peninsula of Michigan. As early as 1615, Samuel de Champlain, then governor of the infant province of Canada, which he had founded, visited the Huron tribes on the shores of Lake Manitouline. Almost or quite as early, priests of the " Recollet" or Franeisean order estab- lished Catholic missious iu the same locality, and it is not
improbable that some of them visited the shores of the great peninsula a little farther westward ; for all, whether friends or foes, admit the extraordinary zeal and unflinching courage of the Catholic missionaries in their efforts to make proselytes among the savages of North America. In 1625, however, there arrived on the banks of the St. Lawrence the vanguard of a black-gowned host, to be sent to America by a still more vigorous, zealous, and highly-disciplined order,-the far-famed Jesuits. These fiery champions of the cross were destined to erowd aside the more peaceful or more inert Franciscans throughout the whole lake region, and substantially appropriate that missionary ground to themselves.
French hunters and fur-traders, too, made their way into the West far in advance of their English rivals, and doubt- less reached the confines of Michigan early in the seven- teenth century. Their course, however, was not along the great watery highway through Lakes Ontario and Erie and the Niagara River, for there dwelt the fierce, untamable Iro- quois, the bravest and most politie of all the Indians of North America, whom Champlain, by an ill-advised attack, had made the deadly enemies of the French. With the Hurons, or Wyandots, who though a branch of the same race were the foes of the Iroquois, the French were fast friends, and had no difficulty in penetrating westward as far as their domain extended. Their seats were on the eastern side of Lake Iluron, while our peninsula was occupied by Ottawas, Ojibwas (or Chippewas), and Pottawattamies, not perhaps as friendly as the Hurons, but standing in fear of the conquering Iroquois, and therefore disposed to be on good terms with the French foes of that confederacy.
The course of the intrepid missionaries and traders was up the Ottawa River from Montreal ; thenee aeross to the western division of Lake Huron, otherwise known as Lake Manitouline, and thence coasting along the northern shore of that body of water to the Saut Sainte Marie and the Straits of Miehillimacinae.
In the year 1641, the Jesuits Raymbault and Jogues reached the former point, preached to a crowd of savages, and raised the flag of France, in token of sovereignty, beside the rushing outlet of Lake Superior. Doubtless other mis- sionaries and numerous voyageurs and fur-traders explored the outskirts of Michigan, and possibly penetrated its in- terior, but there are few records to show their adventurous deeds.
In 1659, the Wyandots, or Hurons, fled from the valley of the St. Lawrence before the attacks of the Iroquois, seeking shelter in the islands of Lake Manitouline. The Ottawawas, since ealled Ottawas, who had previously re- sided there, retired to the northern part of the main penin- sula of Michigan. The Wyandots, or a portion of them, again assailed by the Iroquois, fled to the Straits of Mich- illimacinae, and still again to the shores of Lake Superior. Being again followed by their implacable enemies, however, they were enabled to repulse them, and thenceforward, being to some extent protected by the French, the Wyandots dwelt on the borders of the great lakes which surround the peninsula of Michigan.
In 1668, the celebrated Father Marquette, accompanied by Father Claude Dablon, founded a missiou at Saut Sainte
11
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Marie, at the northern extremity of Michigan; and in 1671 established that of St. Ignace, on the Straits of' Mich- illimacinac (now spelled Mackinaw).
In 1670, a French officer, Daumont de St. Lusson, raised the flag of France at the Saut Sainte Marie with pompous ceremonies, and, so far as words could do so, took possession of the whole region of the great lakes in the name of " the Most High, Mighty, and Redoubtable Monarch, Louis, Fourteenth of that name, Most Christian King of France and of Navarre."
But the French were by no means disposed to rest con- tent with sounding proclamations. Still eager to spread the reign of the cross among the heathen, and doubtless not unwilling to extend the domain of King Louis over new empires, the intrepid Marquette pushed forward into the wilderness, and discovered the mighty stream which has since borne the name of Mississippi. Shortly afterwards, in 1773, while coasting along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, Marquette discovered a stream which he explored for several miles, and to which he gave the name of St. Joseph. This was, so far as known, the first acquaintance of Europeans with the fertile valley, in the castern part of' which lies the county of Branch.
But a still greater explorer than Marquette was about to traverse the lakes and lands of the great West, though, un- like Marquette, he did not subordinate all other objects to the spread of his religion. In the month of August, 1679, the wonder-stricken savages on the shores of Detroit River saw what seemed to them a huge eanoe, with immense wings, stemming the powerful current withont the aid of oars or paddles, and swiftly traversing the placid sheet of water now known as Lake St. Clair. This was the " Griffin," a schooner of sixty tons, built the preceding winter and spring on the shore of the Niagara, just above the great cataract, and which on the 7th of August had set forth ou the first voyage ever made by a sail vessel over the waters of the upper lakes. Its commander was Robert Cavelier de La Salle, the most hardy and adventurous of all the gal- lant Frenchmen who explored the wilds of North America, and the one whose discoveries did the most to extend the dominions of his royal master.
The only portrait which has been preserved of La Salle represents him as a blue-eyed, handsome cavalier with blonde ringlets, apparently better fitted for the salons of Paris than the forests of America ; but a thousand evidences show not only the courage but the extraordinary vigor and hardi- hood of this remarkable man. He was accompanied by Tonti, a gallant Italian exile, who was his second in com- mand, by Father Hennepin, a Franeisean monk, who became the historian of the expedition, and by about thirty sailors, voyageurs, hunters, ete.
-
The "Griffin" passed on over the tempest-tossed waters of Lake Huron, through the Strait of Michillimacinae, out upon the unknown waste of Lake Michigan, and at length came to anchor in Green Bay. Thence she was sent back with a part of her crew and a cargo of furs, while the in- trepid La Salle with a score of men remained to explore the vast unconquered empire which lay spread before him. Hle and his comrades in birch-bark canoes coasted along the western shore of Lake Michigan, reaching its southern
extremity on the eighteenth day of October, 1679. Thence the flotilla proceeded to the mouth of the St. Joseph River .* At its mouth he built a fortified trading-post, to which he gave the name of Fort of the Miamis, and which was in- tended both to facilitate commeree and curb the hostility of the surrounding tribes. Pottawattamies were found at the southern end and on the western shore of Lake Michi- gan.
This trading-post, or fort, was the first built for the pur- pose of controlling the Indians of this part of the Northwest, and its erection, coincident with the appearance of a French vessel on the upper lakes, may be considered as marking the establishment of French authority (though somewhat vague) over the peninsula of Michigan, including the county which is the subject of this history. La Salle and his comrades remained several weary months at the St. Joseph awaiting the return of the " Griffin," but that ill-fated bark was never heard of after leaving the outlet of Green Bay. Whether, as is probable, it went down with all its men before the gales of one of the great inland seas, or was captured at anchor by jealous savages, its erew butchered and the ves- sel itself destroyed, is one of the unsolved problems of American history.
Despairing at length of the "Griffin's" return, La Salle with a portion of his men in December proceeded up the St. Joseph River in canoes to South Bend, in the present State of Indiana, whenee they made their way overland to the head-waters of the Illinois. The future career of this ad- venturous explorer is not especially connected with the history of this region, and must be dismissed in a few words.
After numerous remarkable adventures (being compelled once to return to Canada on foot) La Salle explored the Mississippi to the sea, and took verbal possession of the adjacent country for the benefit of King Louis the Four- teenth, by the name of Louisiana. While attempting, how- ever, to colonize the new domain he met with many mis- fortunes, and was at length assassinated by two of his own men in Texas, in the year 1687.
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