USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
1830 Alsre
CALHOUN COUNTY
MICHIGAN WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
1877
1
1,
1830.
HISTORY OF
CALHOUN COUNTY,
MICHIGAN.
lith Alllustrations
DESCRIPTIVE OF ITS SCENERY,
Palatial Residences,
Public Buildings, Fine Blochs, and Important Manufactories,
FROM ORIGINAL SKETCHES BY ARTISTS OF THE HIGHEST ABILITY.
PHILADELPHIA: L. H. EVERTS & CO., 716 FILBERT STREET.
1877.
PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
...
COURT HOUSE, MARSHALL, CALHOUN CO., MICH.
PREFACE.
To THE citizens of Calhoun County, who have so generously con- tributed, in various ways, and so courteously aided us in our efforts to gather reliable data from which to compile this work, we tender our heartiest acknowledgments. We are under obligations, and hereby acknowledge the same, to Hon. Charles Dickey, judge of probate; Charles McDermid, Esq., county clerk; Earl Smith, Esq., county treas- urer; Stephen F. Snyder, register of deeds; Charles D. Holmes, Esq., late register of deeds ; Rev. John D. Pierce, of Ypsilanti ; Hon. S. S. Lacey, secretary of the Pioneer Society; Hon. Erastus Hussey, Hon. W. H. Brown, Dr. Edward Cox, Rev. W. H. Perrine, D.D., M. A. Lane, Esq., editor of the Index ; Judge T. W. Hall, and many others, for information most cheerfully given, and assistance rendered in the com- pilation of the general history of the county.
Had we the space we would with pleasure make acknowledgment by name to each of the many persons who have rendered us material aid in our historical researches, also to the many published sources of the information compiled and presented to the public in this volume; but it would cover pages and add bulk to an already voluminous work.
We have garnered from every available source (in many cases a mere sentence only), confining ourselves as far as possible to original material, depending largely upon the memories of old settlers, and those whose lives and associations have made them familiar with the subjects por- trayed. We have also, so far as practicable, classified all matter, although the labor of compilation has been materially increased thereby. Yet we feel assured that our work as a book of reference receives an added value that will more than compensate us for the increased labor and expense. We have also endeavored to make the history of each town and village after its organization up to present date complete in
itself, without too much recapitulation ; to avoid this entirely were im- possible, though we trust that it occurs to no considerable extent.
Some incidents and anecdotes have been related more with the design to illustrate the past than to amuse the reader, for we have aimed only to show and trace the method of the change in a concise, unpretentious way : how and by whom the wilderness has been changed to the garden, the log cabin to the brownstone front, the track through the forest and the lone postal rider to the iron rail, fast mail, and electric wire with its lightning messenger,-the lands of the red men to the homes of the white. Honor and credit are certainly due to some. We have named many, but not all,-only a few of the leading spirits, whom to associate with was to be one of. Too much honor cannot be rendered them.
Instructions to our historians were, "Write truthfully and impartially of every one and on every subject." Their instructions have been as faithfully executed as was possible, and while some may have been omitted who should have had a place in these pages, yet especial pains has been taken to make it otherwise.
We expect criticism. All we ask is that it be done in charity, after weighing all contingencies, obstacles, and hindrances that may have been involved ; for if our patrons will take into account all the diffi- culties we have had to overcome,-the impossibility of harmonizing inharmonious memories, of reconciling perverse figures and stubborn facts, of remembering all the fathers and grandfathers where there are so many to remember, and, finally, the uncertainty of all human calcu- lations and the shortcomings of even the most perfect,-we shall be content with their verdict.
PHILADELPHIA, July 1, 1877.
THE PUBLISHERS.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY.
PAGE
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
PAGE
Hyde, Augustus O.
75, 76
Hill, Samuel W.
77
City and Township of Battle Creek
79-104
Albion Township
.105-112
Hall, Judge Tolman W.
81
Lee 46
9
Athens
Homer
121-124
Holmes, Charles D.
110
Marengo
125-133
Holmes, Thomas
110
Sheridan
. 142-146
Hicks, William
Tekonsha
. 147-152
Hamilton, George B.
198
Convis
153-156
Hutchinson, Loomis
Burlington "
157-160
Houston, John
Fredonia
. 161-165
193
Newton
173-175
Pennfield
. 176-180
Emmett
181-185
109
Knickerbocker, Wm. M.
facing
113
Knight, Thomas
185
Kelsey, Silas
171
Lane, James
155
McCamly, Judge Sands
80
CHAPTER VI .- First Land Entries-First Farms- Live Stock-The Hen Fever-Fruit-Improved Farm Machinery - Products of the Present- Manufactures - Pioneer Artisans - Traders - Manufactures of the Present-Banking: State, Wild-Cat, National
15-18
Anderson, Jacob .
109
Abbott, Reuben
144
Atmore, Matthew
178
Aldrich, Russell .
190
Powell, Hon. William
78
Peabody, Tenney
facing
112
Burpee, Samuel J.
76
Pattison, S. G.
130
Barney, Nathaniel
80
Beach, M.D., Asahel
100
Beach, M.D., John
101
Beach, E. Darwin
101
Burr, Rufus
145, 146
Soule, Theron
112
Soule, Milo .
130
Shipman Family, The
144
Spaulding, Nirum L. .
facing
182
Sprague, Rev. Thomas
171
Sackett, Morrison
130
Convis, General Ezra
80
Samson, Galen
130
Convis, Samuel
179
Townsend, Lewis
132
Willard, Hon. Allen
81
Wattles, M.D., Jervis H.
102
Wakefield, Hon. G. N. Wood, Barnett
104
Warner, William A.
111
Crossman, L. G. .
133
Warner, Wareham
111
Chapin, Samuel .
131
Walker, Truman P.
115
Warner, Asahel .
145
Woolsey, Daniel .
69
Dickey, Hon. Charles .
72, 73
Warren, Ira A.
185
Dibble, Charles P. 73
Wagner, Hon. John
. 171, 172
Du Bois, Harvey J. 100
110, 111
Dickey, Marsh 145
Dunakin, Daniel
140
Doolittle, Joel
facing
146
French, Hon. George H.
facing
124
Fenn, Thomas J.
172
Green, Elijah
facing
147
CHAPTER XVI .- Conclusion
48, 49
Gordon, Alexander
179
LION," FROM CALHOUN COUNTY .
. 199-212
CHAPTER III .- Ancient Fortifications - Mysterious People-The Indians of Calhoun ; their Position in the Black Hawk War-A Big Injun-Trails . CHAPTER IV. - Pioneer Settlements - Improvised Shelter for Cooking-Early Journeyings-First Houses-First Marriage-Ague vs. Matrimony- A Justice beyond his Bailiwick - First White Births-First Deaths-A Midnight Burial-The First Cemetery
12-14
Clarence
. 191-193
Bedford
. 194-198
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Angell, Nedebiah
80
Miller, David H.
74
Miner, James A.
75
Mitchell, Hon. Preston
77,78
Newbre, James .
184
Newbre, William
184
Brewer, Chauncey M.
74, 75
Pierce, Nathan
129
Robinson, Solon E.
140, 141
Smith, Earl .
76
Stewart, Joseph W.
103
Billinghurst, Daniel
144
Bevier, John
facing 169
22-25
Barnum, Thomas B.
170
Curtis, Benjamin F.
73
Cook, Asa B.
75
CHAPTER IX .- Educational and Religious : The First School-Statistics of 1876-The First Sermon- First Religious Society-First Church-Pioneer Preachers - Albion College-Seventh-Day Ad- ventist College
25-29 29-32
CHAPTER X .- Professional : The Bar; The Pulpit
Crosby, Charles H.
104
Church, Chandler M.
145
103
Chamberlin, Benjamin Cox, John
175
32-34
Statesman ; Journal; Tribune; Mirror; Re- corder; Index; Advent Review and Publications CHAPTER XII .- Societies: Agricultural, Reforma- tory, Educational, Political, Protective, Secret, Historical, Health Reform . 34-37
Chisholm, Thomas
131, 132
Carrier, Edwin B.
132
CHAPTER XIII. - Topography - Drainage - Soil- Timber - Geology-Area - Geography- Clima- tology-Fauna
37,38
CHAPTER XIV .- Reminiscence - Cholera - Pioneer Visiting-Social Parties-First Ball-Independ- ence Day-A Bear Fight-Bruin and the Lovers -Wolves-Tribulations of Pioneer Courtship . CHAPTER XV .- The Patriotism of Calhoun : First Volunteers of Michigan-Black Hawk War- Toledo War-Militia-Mexican War-The Re- bellion .
Walkinshaw, James
156
White, Henry L.
131
White, William C.
130
CHAPTER II .- Abstract of Title-French, English, Colonial, and Indian Titles to Land in the North- west - First Legal Conveyance in Michigan - Land Surveys and Sales-Military Report on Amount of Good Land
10, 11
11, 12
Hatch, Y. M.
Le Roy 4€
166-172
Hanchett, David
facing
52
Hanchett, Caleb .
132
Hewitt, Isaac
131
Clarendon "
. 186-190
CHAPTER V .- Means of Communication - Roads- Trails-Bridges-Taverns-Mail Routes-Stage- Coaches - Post-Offices - Railroads - Steamboat Navigation on the Kalamazoo 14, 15
Manchester, Elias C. . Mapes, Anson
103
Markham, J. P. .
179
Mayo, James
156
Austin, Hon. Charles .
99
CHAPTER VII .- Civil Organization - County and Township Boundaries-First Official Act-Ear- liest dated Deed - First Village Plats - The Courts : Circuit, County, and Probate- Cele- brated Causes-Board of Supervisors-Assess- ments and Taxes-County Buildings - Court- House, Jail, and . Almshouse-Superintendents of the Poor .
18-22
City and Township of Marshall . 50-78
CHAPTER I .- Civilization-Its Progress-First intro- duction into Michigan-First Permanent Settle- ment-Ordinance of 1787-Organization of Ter- ritory-Counties and Townships-Adoption of Constitution-Development of State .
Hall, Moses
. 113-115
Hussey, Erastus
97-99
Hart, Isaac P.
100
Eckford
134-141
Hadden, Amos
115
. 179, 180
184
165
Johnson, Edwin H.
99, 100
CHAPTER VIII. - Official Roster: First Justices, County Officers, National and State Officials in Calhoun-Politics-Underground Railroad-At- tempted Kidnapping-Presidential Elections- A Curious Ballot-Population .
Clark, A. L.
102
CHAPTER XI .- The Press : Patriot and Expounder;
197
Douglass, Samuel E.
38, 39
39-48
ROSTER OF SOLDIERS IN THE "WAR OF THE REBEL-
facing
.
5
PAGE
80, 81
116-120
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
VIEWS.
Albion College, View of
facing page 27
Advent's Printing-House (Battle Creek)
Atkinson, Henry, residence of (Marshall)
Alexander, Morgan J., " (
)
Adams, John ( ) .
Anderson, Jacob, farm and res. of (Albion) facing pages 108, 109 Abbott, Sylvester, residence of (Sheridan) . facing page 147 Powers, John, residence of (Homer) Adventist Church (Convis) . 155 Pattison, S. G., (Marengo)
Aldrich, George W., residence of (Clarendon) facing page 190 Battle Creek College 28
Brackett, A. E., residence of (Marshall)
Brewer, C. M., (
Beach, E. Darwin,
(Battle Creek)
101 Stewart, Joseph W.,
(Battle Creek) " "
-
85
Hussey, Erastus ( " )
106 Hall, Moses .
112
Hall, T. W.
126
Holmes, Charles D.
110
186 Soule, Milo, (
)
130
Holmes, Thomas .
110
Shipman, J. D.,
(Sheridan) 145 Hadden, Amos (and wife) facing
Shipman, Robert B., (
"
(Emmett),
Holmes, William .
Hewitt, Isaac (and wife)
"
127
Houston, Sr., John (and wife)
161
164
82 Woolsey, Daniel, (
).
69
Central School Building
(
)
.
86
Crawford, R., residence of (
) facing 90
Church, Mrs. Lura,
(Albion) .
Clute, H. A.,
(Lee)
.
125
Chapin, Samuel, residence of (
= )
=
129 Walker, T. P., (Lee) "
113
119
Cook, Hon. William, Cox, John,
(Bedford)
194
Carrier, Edwin B.,
(Marengo) ( )
= 133 Warner, Asahel, (Sheridan)
147 Lane, James (
>
155
Chamberlin, Benjamin,
(Newton) .
= 174 Walkinshaw, James, (Convis)
153 Leonard, D. P. (
)
1
46
75
Warren, Ira A., old homestead, built in 1833
185 Mitchell, Preston
facing
76
Mapes, Anson (and wife)
"
80
Markham, J. P. ( "
"
178
Manchester, E. C.
Newbre, James (and wife)
" 184
PORTRAITS.
Austin, Charles
facing page 98
Anderson, Jacob (and wife)
facing pages 108, 109
Abbott, Reuben (
4
)
. facing page 147
Atmore, Matthew ( 1
107
Granger, S. S.,
(Tekonsha) 66
150
Gould, Fayette, (Le Roy) .
166
Beach, Asahel
98 Rogers, John B. (
)
«
119
Robinson, Solon (
)
=
136
Beach, E. Darwin (and wife)
facing 101
Reasoner, Daniel ( "
)
"
167
Hanchett, David, residence of (Marshall)
52
= 79
97
Hadden, Amos, residence of (Lee)
114
Hewitt, Isaac, ¥ (Marengo) )
66 127
Hanchett, Caleb, (
129
Houston Homestead, The (Fredonia) .
161
Houston, John, residence of ( " )
164
Hicks, William, (Pennfield)
180
Hutchinson, Loomis, residence of (Emmett) double page
facing pages 180, 181
Irwin Hall and Hygienic Institute (Battle Creek) .
facing page 29
Kerr, William H., residence of (Tekonsha) .
Knight, Thomas,
(Emmett)
182
Leonard, D. P.,
(Burlington)
158
Map of Calhoun County .
.
.
=
80
Miller, John,
(Athens)
118
Mayo, James,
(Convis)
156
Markham, Jos. P., "
(Pennfield) .
"
178
Newbre, O. and I., "
(Emmett) .
184 Dean, Nelson ).
"
" 151
Willard, David N. (and wife)
"
"
119
Douglass, Geo. A. (and wife)
)
facing page 123
White, Henry L. .
"
22
Ellis, John. )
149 White, William C. (and wife)
" 131
149 Woolsey, Daniel .
69
Fenn, Thomas (and wife)
172
Wood, Barnett (and wife)
¥
"
94
1
70 Vary, A. T.,
(Marshall) . 60
Houston, John (and wife)
Hiscock, Isaac
170
85 Werstein, L., (Battle Creek) 88
Hicks, William (and wife)
180
Hutchinson, Loomis (and wives) . Hatch, Younglove M. (and wife) .
facing pages 180, 181 page 193
198
Johnson, Edwin H.
facing
22
Warner, Wareham, the late (Albion) 66 111
115
148
Worthington, James, (Homer) .
(Marengo)
131 Knight, Thomas (
1
189
Convis, Samuel,
(Pennfield)
= 177 Wagner, Susan, (Le Roy)
Dibble, C. P.,
(Marshall) = 50 Warren, Ira A.,
Du Bois, Harvey J.,
(Battle Creek) " 92
Dickey, Marsh, res. and farm (Sheridan) double page
· facing pages 142, 143
Dean, Mrs. Nelson, residence of (Tekonsha) facing page 151
Doolittle, Isaac H.,
(Clarendon) 189
Eslow, Thomas E.,
(Homer) . 123
Ellis, John,.
(Tekonsha)
149
French, Hon. G. H.,
(Homer) . 124
Fenn, Thomas, (Le Roy) .
172
Gridley, Abram H., farm and res. of ( Albion)
105
Gale Manufacturing Co.'s Works (Albion) . Gardner, A. P., residence of
( " ) . =
Brackett, Albert E. ( “ )
facing " 56 Pierce, Nathan (
)
16
129
Burpee, Samuel J.
173
Gordon, Alexander, residence of (Pennfield) Health Institute (Battle Creek) .
29 Billinghurst, Daniel
66 143
Root, Elijah .
Samson, Galen (and wife)
159 Sackett, Morrison
130
Shipman, J. D. (and wife) Shipman, Robert B. ( " ) .
facing " "
146
Smith, Earl
Crosby, C. H. (and wife)
"
82
Soule, Theron (and wife)
90 Soule, Milo (
4
130
Clark, A. L.
102 Sprague, Rev. Thomas
170
Church, Chandler M. (and wife) ..
facing = 111
facing pages 182, 183
Chisholm, Thomas (
).
) ..
16 129
Underwood, C. R. (
"
173
Vary, A. T.
(
1.
¥
60
Carrier, E. B. (
)
132 Warren, Ira A.
( ).
"
"
185
Wagner, Hon. John "
( 1.
168
Warner, Asahel (and wife) .
147
Dickey, Hon. Charles .
72
Warner, William A. (and wife)
=
111
Du Bois, Harvey J.
Dunakin, Daniel (and wife) .
Dickey, Marsh ( ).
. facing pages 142, 143
Wakefield, Geo. N.
=
102
Doolittle, Isaac H. ( " ).
facing page 189
Walker, T. P. (and wife)
facing
113
102
Newbre, William, page
( double facing pages 184, 185
"Oak Lawn," res. of L. Silliman (Albion) . facing page 106 "Oak Hill," " C. M. Brewer (Marshall) = 62 Ellis, Heman J. .
Poor-House, The County
22
Francisco, Henry (and wife)
facing page 175
58 Goodrich, Mrs. L. S. .
" 112
29 Powell, William, residence of (Marshall)
54 Pond, J. E., "
(
=
70 Granger, S. S. ( " )
Guyer, Andrew ( " 1
Gould, Fayette ( "
facing 166
176
Godfrey, Oliver W. (and wife)
facing pages 184, 185
facing page 22
Hyde, Augustus O.
188 Hanchett, David . 136 Hanchett, Caleb (and wife)
"
129
56 Reasoner, Daniel, 16 (Le Roy) . 167 Hill, Samuel W. . 76
84
Hart, Isaac P. (and wife)
79
Billinghurst, Dan., (Sheridan) .
Burr, Rufus, present residence ( “ )
Burr, Rufus, residence in 1838 ( )
144
Burnett, Frank, residence of (Burlington) Born, George, " (Clarendon)
Bevier, Mrs. L. H., " (Le Roy)
Calhoun County Court-House (Marshall)
. frontispiece
Calhoun County, Map of
facing page 9
Spaulding, N. L., double page . .
. facing pages 182, 183
Curtis, Benjamin F., residence of (Marshall) Cook, Asa B., (
Crosby, C. H.,
(Battle Creek) ( = )
=
Ward & Son, J. M., warehouses, etc. (Battle Creek)
88
Wood, Barnet, residence of ( Battle Creek) .
94
Hamilton, George B. ( . " ).
Knickerbocker, W. M. (and wife) Kellogg, George .
Kerr, William H. (and wife) Kelsey, Silas ( "
)
170
Mayo, James ( " ) MA
Newbre, William ( “ 1
Peterman, Dr. Hiram A. (and wife) Powell, William .
76
Peabody, Tenney (and wife)
178 Pattison, S. G. (
)
"
128
76 Potter, John (
1
facing
175
Beach, Mrs. Dr. John .
.
101
Burr, Rufus (and wife)
Burnett, Frank (and wife)
Bevier, Mrs. Louisa
Barnum, Thomas B.
.
170
Curtis, Benjamin F.
facing 68
Crawford, R. ( "
Crossman, L. G. (
).
133
Convis, Samuel (and wives)
148
Cox, John (and wife)
" . 194
Du Bois, Peter
facing 92
Warner, Wareham
Walkinshaw, James (and wife) Wattles, J. H. 140 92
«
153
102
Doolittle, Joel ( “ 1.
147 Willard, George
facing pages 184, 185 Wisner, Jehiel
119
Eslow, Thomas E. ( "
.
89
160
66 Painter, J. C., grain and stock farm of (Athens)
116
Gordon, Alex. ( "
122
Pritchard, James, residence and farm of (Clarendon)
Robinson, Solon E., residence of (Eckford)
143 Stewart, James H., -
144 Silliman, L., (Albion) ( )
Soule, Theron,
159 Samson, Galen,
(Marengo)
146 Hobart, Hon. N. P.
119
Calhoun County Poor-House
22
68
Underwood, Chester R., res. of (Newton) . facing page 173
111
66 115 Warner, William A., (Albion)
110
Chisholm, Thomas,
(Marengo)
(Clarendon) 187 Ware, S. S., (Athens) .
121
Crossman, L. G.,
158
168 Miller, David H. ( "
74
(Emmett)
185 Miner, James A. . .
66 156
175
126
Hart, Isaac P., (Battle Creek) Hussey, Erastus, residence and homestead (Battle Creek)
107
Gould, David, farm and res. (Newton)
176
144
169
145
76
112
Spaulding, Nirum L. (and wife) . Stewart, Joseph W. ).
125
facing page 84
Chapin, Samuel (
9
Mapes, Anson, residence of (Battle Creek) .
Peterman, Dr. H. A., res. and office (Marshall) facing page 54 Public School Building (Marshall)
facing " 66 Green, Elijah (and wife)
147
"
66 150
54 Potter House (Battle Creek) .
128 Hall, Tolman W.
22
52
97
98
66
98
114
119
112
132 White, William C.,
"
facing pages 184, 185 . facing page 54
98
112
Clark, Alexander H.,
62
169
.
177
110
INTRODUCTORY.
THE historian, in rescuing from oblivion the life of a nation, should " exten- uate nothing, nor aught set down in malice." Myths, however beautiful, are at their best but fanciful; traditions, however pleasing, are uncertain ; and legends, though the very essence of poesy, are unauthentic. The novelist will take the most fragile thread of a vivid imagination, and from it weave a fabric of surpass- ing beauty. But the historian should place his feet upon the solid basis of FACT, and, turning a deaf ear to the allurements of fancy, sift, with careful and pains- taking scrutiny, the evidence brought before him, and upon which he is to give the record of what has been. Standing, as he does, down the stream of time, far removed from its source, he must retrace, with patience and care, its meanderings, guided by the relics of the past which lie upon its shores, growing fainter and still more faint and uncertain as he nears its fountain, ofttimes concealed in the débris of ages, and in mists and darkness impenetrable. Written records grow less and less explicit, and finally fail altogether, as he approaches the beginning of the community whose life he is seeking to rescue from the gloom of a fast-receding past. Memory, wonderful as are its powers, is yet frequently at fault ; and only by a comparison of its many aggregations can he be satisfied that he is pursuing stable-footed truth in his researches amid the early paths of his subject.
In the republic, founded upon popular sovereignty, the people are supreme. They are the source of power. From them springs the government of the nation in its varied phases-National, State, and Municipal. The several States of the American Union, conceding to the General Government its central power, retain their individual sovereignty, within the limits prescribed by the Federal Constitu- tion, and, in the spirit and significance of the national legend ( E Pluribus Unum), are " many like the billows, and one like the sea." This principle of independent sovereignty runs through the whole system of the government, from the election of the federal executive to that of the most obscure constable or path-master. And it is by reason of this sovereignty that the beginning and progress of a county become no unimportant subjects to trace upon the permanent pages of history.
The ties of " home" have, ere now, thrown around sterile coasts, frozen plains, and mountain cliffs the halo of the love of a patriotic people. Is it surprising, then, that the undulating, flowery prairies and open vistas of park-like lawns, which, for extent and natural beauty, far excel the baronial manors of European aristocracy, and watered with clear running streams and quiet lakes-which beautiful landscape is embraced within the limits of Calhoun County-should charm the eyes of the first settlers as they emerged from the dark, dense forests of New York, Canada, and Ohio, and beget in their hearts a love for the sur- roundings of nature that clings to them in their old age, and falls but little short of reverence when they speak of the old county which witnessed their first strug- gles for life and competency ? These associations have made it a sacred and almost hallowed spot.
These old pioneers are fast sinking to rest after the toils and privations of the border, whither they came, buoyed up with hope and nerved with vigor, to build for themselves and their loved ones homes amid this beautiful scenery, while yet the whoop of the Indian and the howl of the wolf resounded on every side, and war's alarms came not infrequently, with imperious demands for blood and treasure. Here and there a white-haired veteran, bowed with the weight of years and the unremitting toil of pioneer life, remains an interesting relic of fast-fading times. Before all of these old, hardy pioneers, whose impress was the germ of the present, and whose endowment was lofty examples of courage and unabated energy, and who have durably stamped their characteristics upon worthy successors-before these have passed away, we seek to place upon the historic page the record of whom they were, and what they did to make their county the just pride of the great Peninsular State of the American Union. Records will be traced as far as they may yield the information sought; the memories of the pioneers will be laid under tribute ; the manuscripts of the provident will give their contributions, and all sources will be called into requisition to furnish material, reliable and certain, to bring forth a truthful history of this grand county.
Individual success is a proof of triumphant energy, and pledges a like career
to corresponding enterprises; therefore biographies of earnest, successful repre- sentative lives, intimately connected with the development of the county, will illustrate what energy, determination, and indomitable will have hitherto accom- plished, and can yet accomplish.
To foster local ties, to furnish examples of heroism, to exhibit the results of well-applied industry, and to mark the progress of the community, literature, art, and typography (an attractive trio) are freely employed to embellish and render invaluable a practical and interesting work.
Less than fifty years ago the first white settler built his cabin of rough, unhewn logs west of the principal meridian of the United States surveys in the State of Michigan. Until then the solitudes of the whole territory of southwestern Michi- gan, acquired in 1821 by the treaty of Chicago, had been unbroken by any sound of humanity save as that mysterious people, the Mound-Builders (whose monu- ments alone remain to tell us they once lived), had pursued their peaceful avoca- tions within its borders ; or their Indian successors had traversed its forests and plains; or in their light canoes sped over the unruffled bosoms of its lakes in pur- suit of game, or on the more bloody trail of war. Adventurous traders, coureurs des bois, and messengers with dispatches to beleaguered posts beyond the western lakes, had indeed followed the wild tribes, for commercial purposes, or passed across its boundaries, but no mark was left to show that an actual settlement had been made, with any idea of permanency, previous to 1827, in all of its wide extent.
A half-century has wrought a wondrous change. Despite privation, danger, and misfortune, farms multiplied and towns grew ; highways were cut through the forests ; streams were bridged ; morasses drained, and the stage-coach made its weekly trip between the eastern and western lakes. Then came the railways, connecting the populous and wealthy east with the western border, affording easy and rapid transit, and progress sprang forward, equipped for an untiring march. The productions of the soil were, as by magic, exchanged for the commerce of the seas and the manufactures of the seaboard. Education and religion walked hand in hand, and together wrought their beneficent mission, laying broad and deep the foundations of happiness and progress, and doing much also to erect the har- monious and symmetrical edifice thereon, which prosperous trade, busy manufacture, and toilsome agriculture have made a demonstrable certainty.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.