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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.
A Typical Home of the Early Days.
History of Leslie Michigan
Thet Mro. Mina a.
14-1333
11
HISTORY
of the
EARLY LIFE and BUSINESS INTERESTS
Of the VILLAGE and TOWNSHIP of
LESLIE
INGHAM COUNTY MICHIGAN
, -
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PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ELIJAH GROUT CHAPTER; DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1914
F 574 . 4637-S
Copyright, 1914 The Elijah Grout Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution Leslie, Mich.
JUN -3 1914
2.50 OCIA376136
To Horace H. Rackham
Who so generously aided us financially in the publication of this History of the Early Life and Business Interests of Leslie, the Elijah Grout Chapter, Daughters of The American Revolution, is deeply grateful, and hereby expresses its sincere thanks.
H ISTORY of the Early Life and Business Interests of the Village and Township of Leslie, Ingham County, Michigan. Compiled and arranged by Mrs. Mina A. Vliet. Assisted by an Historical Committee, Mrs. Lennie Stitt, Mrs. Lois Du Bois, Mrs. Henriette Taylor and Mrs. Lenora Hutchings.
preface
The Daughters of the American Revolution have endeavored, in this history, to preserve the story of the struggles of the early pioneers of the village and township of Leslie.
A few who remember the early days are yet alive. We feel indebted to the following :
Henriette Taylor, Palmyra Hahn, Leonard Rice, Betsey Shaw, L. A. Royston, Jerome Scovel and A. A. Lumbard, for the material they have furnished and suggestions made. Many others have freely given aid. The committee wishes to express its great appreciation for what they have done. With the new material we have woven in some extracts from the published histories of Ingham county which were written many years ago. An effort has been made to carry the record of each family who came to Leslie before 1850 to the third generation.
The committee begs the indulgence of the reader for any omissions or possible mistakes in this history. All dates and places have been verified so far as possible, from actual participants or family records. To the generations yet unborn this little volume is commended as a sacred roll of honor for those who, by their toil and struggle with a primi- tive wilderness, made possible the beautiful farms of Leslie township and the charming village in which we live.
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Table of Contents
Introduction.
Geography. 13
Aboriginal Inhabitants
13
Early Settlement
15
Early Settlers
19
Early Pioneer Home Life.
65
The First Celebration of the Fourth of July in
Leslie
68
A List of the resident Taxpayers of the Town-
ship of Leslie for 1844 whose Family Records
were not obtained.
69
The Public Schools of Leslie
73
The Churches of Leslie.
Methodist Episcopal 76
First Baptist 78
Free Will Baptist 79
First Congregational
80
Seventh Day Adventist
81
St. Mary's Catholic.
82
Leslie Boys Worthy of Special Mention
85
Early Business Interests of Leslie 93
Village Incorporation.
95
Village Plat and Additions. 96
Business Interests of Leslie. 96
The Builders and Date of Building of the Busi-
ness Part of Leslie. 104
Societies
109
Introduction
In looking back over half a century we find Leslie township just merging into history and taking its name and place among the numerous townships being formed from government land in lower Mich- igan. It lies in the central part of the state and, on the government survey, is Township No. 1 North, Range No. 1 West. The eastern and southern bound- aries were surveyed by Joseph Wampler in 1824, the northern and western boundaries by John Mullett in 1824-25, and the township was subdivided by Her- vey Parke in 1826.
Leslie township was at first a part of the town- ship of Aurelius. It was organized as a separate town- ship on December 30, 1837, and received its name as follows: Dr. J. A. Cornell of Spring Arbor was a member of the legislature at that time. When Ingham county was organized and the townships named, each township was called by description and a name was given by various members of the House. When township No. 1 North, Range No. 1 West was called, Dr. Cornell proposed naming it "Leslie" in honor of a much respected family by that name whom he knew in Eastern New York. The name was accepted and appears in the formal act of organ- ization of this township, which was passed in March, 1838. The first township meeting was held at the home of Henry Fiske, a log dwelling which stood near the present site of the Allen House, on the first Monday in April, 1838. Henry Fiske presided as Moderator and Benjamin Davis was elected Super- visor.
History of Leslie, Michigan
GEOGRAPHY
The township of Leslie lies in the southern tier of Ingham county, Michigan. It is bounded on the north by Vevay, on the east by Bunker Hill, on the south by Rives, and on the west by Onon- daga. It has a level or slightly rolling surface, is well drained by natural watercourses and is suited to general agriculture. Huntoon Creek runs in a general southerly course across the township, hav- ing its sources in Mud Lake on Sec. 3 and 10, and Huntoon Lake on Sec. 13 and 14. The water power on this stream was used in an early day, but later the dams were destroyed and the ponds drained for the promotion of health.
The creek valley serves in part as the right of way for the Michigan Central Railroad and the electric line of the Michigan United Railroad, which give ready access to Jackson, Lansing, and all points north and south.
The village of Leslie is situated in the southern part of the township, and North Leslie is a hamlet lying northwest from the center.
ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS
The early settlers in Leslie found many traces of the long occupation of the county by the various Indian tribes, Pottawattomies and Chippewas, who wandered over the Saginaw and Grand river valleys in pursuit of the game so abundant in their time. Every field, when brought under cultivation, yield-
13
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HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
ed specimens of stone arrow heads, skinning knives, hammers and hatchets. Specimens of copper showed that by trade routes the copper from the upper peninsula had been distributed far from the mines. Bones were frequently plowed up. On Sec. 20, the quantity of bones found near each other suggested either an ancient battle ground, or else a cemetery or burial place.
Indeed, the Indians were yet present in numbers within the memory of some now living. Awed by the strength of the government of the United States as shown by the war of 1812-15, they had by treaty, 1819, surrendered their broad acres to the govern- ment and become its pensioners. This pension or annuity was paid annually at Detroit and thence they wended their way once each year to receive the same and participate in a few days of riotous indul- gence inthat great luxury-fire-water of the white man. The rest of the year was spent in hunting and trap- ping. Always hungry, their general relation to the early settlers was that of beggars of flour, tea and food. The settlement of their hunting grounds by the whites soon drove out the game; the dis- eases-smallpox and measles-so common among the white settlers were invariably fatal to those of the Indians who took the same and thus, as if by magic, they vanished from the land they had so long in- habited. Only one place in Ingham county com- memorates an Indian name and that is Okemos, which is named after the Chippewa chief of that name who died at his wigwam near that village in 1858. However, the old Indian trail from the north to Detroit by way of Jackson ran through the town-
15
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
ship and served in an early day as the road over which all new settlers came into the township.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
Many of the early settlers of Leslie were educated people who came from refined and religious homes in the east. Fortunately, they did not lose their church letters in Lake Erie on their way to a wilder- ness home. They left their impress of Christian lives upon the new community where their devotion to truth and practical godliness was known. They met with many trials and hardships but kept ever before themselves the thought that some glad day the wilderness would yield to them of its fruits, giving them homes with all provisions and comforts. At times severe homesickness swept over them and they felt they had not counted the cost. They were obliged to make their beginning in the most primitive way, living in their covered wagons until the little log home could be built. Cooking was done over a fire on the ground. Bread was baked in an iron skillet over the coals. When the nights were cool, fires were built on each side of the wagon. These also served to keep the howling wolves at a proper distance. Indians were often unwel- come visitors. The primitive sounds, sights and conditions reminded them that they were indeed in a new and strange land. Sometimes a letter came to cheer them, but alas! too often the eastern friend forgot the necessary postage of twenty-five cents. Several days would elapse before the required amount could be secured and the message of the loved one obtained. Nearly all privations incident
16
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
to the settlement of a new country came to these pioneers, but no repining was heard. A daughter of an early settler says: "I remember when we had only salt and potatoes to eat and we thought it more of a picnic than a hardship-at least the chil- dren did."
Early in March, 1836, the first log house in the village of Leslie was built by Elijah Woodworth, on Bellevue Street, near Huntoon Creek. This was followed by a second one near Five Corners, owned by Mr. Loomis; a third near the Methodist Church, by Henry Meeker, and a frame one which is now called the Dowling residence, on Bellevue street by Mr. Elmer. Friends and relatives of the then venturesome pioneers soon followed. Among these were the father and mother of Henry Meeker, two married daughters and another son, Dr. Valorous Meeker, who was the first physician to settle in Ingham county. These families, as was customary in an early day, gave their name to the place where they settled and thus Leslie was christened "Meekerville."
Early Settlers
19
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
EARLY SETTLERS Elijah Woodworth
Elijah Woodworth was born in Mayfield, Mont- gomery Co., N. Y. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He came to Jackson Co., Mich., in 1835, by way of Canada. In March, 1836, he cut a road through the forest to Grand River and crossed on a raft. He then came north to the present site of Leslie and built his log house near Huntoon creek. He was assisted in the building by Amos Wortman. He said: "My nearest neighbors north were at DeWitt, Clinton Co .; south four miles there were settlers in Jackson Co., east and west none but natives that I know of. During the summer, new comers in pursuit of homes found my habitation. Each had his name booked as he came to the door and his turn of choice of land followed his registry. Amos Wortman, Jasper Wolcott, and myself, became their guides in the wilderness. Our land was located at Kalamazoo in the order the applications were made."
Elijah Woodworth had two sons:
(1) Solomon.
(2) Albinus.
To Solomon were born seven children: Loretta, Esther, Sarah, Byron, Hattie, Herman and Burdette. Sarah married A. A. Lumbard. Sarah and Bur- dette live in Leslie.
Josiah Rice
Josiah Rice and family arrived in Meekerville, or Leslie, in 1839. He was a brother of Grandmother Meeker. "Uncle Josiah," as everyone called him, established a pottery near where Mr. Kent's house stands. It was a wonder and delight to all the chil-
20
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
dren. They eagerly watched him take a piece of clay, mould it like bread, throw it upon a revolving table, and gradually with his hands and a piece of wood raise and shape it into a bowl, a pan, a jug, or a vase. In the rooms of the Pioneer Society in Lansing may be found a vase marked, "Made by Josiah Rice at Leslie, Mich., 1849."
Josiah Rice married Laura Stone in Sheldon, Vermont, Feb. 26, 1812. Eleven children were born to them:
(1) Fornia, married Clark Graves. No children.
(2) Palmyra A., married Alba Blake. No children.
(3) Stillman, married Harriet Childs. Their children were Mary, Laura, Emma, Augusta, Hattie and Kittie.
(4) Loretta Sophia, died in infancy.
(5) Edwin Nelson, was a bachelor.
(6) Samuel, died in infancy.
(7) Josiah Wood, was a bachelor.
(8) James Hamden. No record.
(9) Leonard C., married Jane Woodhouse. Their children were Mary, Bert, and Edwin.
(10) Laura Ann, married David Lester. Their children were Forest, Florence, Pet, Laura, Gladys, and Roy.
(11) William Henry, married Helen Armstrong. Their children were Eva, Minnie, Blanche, and Lester.
Jacob Armstrong
Jacob Armstrong came from Charleston, Mont- gomery Co., N. Y., to Michigan in the fall of 1837. Mr. Armstrong has related his experiences as follows : "I hired a man and a team to transport my goods
21
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
and arrived at the Freeman bridge over the Grand River on the 9th of September, 1837. I found the river impassable on account of heavy rains. The causeway some thirty rods long between the bridge and the north bank was afloat. I left my goods on the ground on the south side and my wife and I crossed on the floating logs by jumping from one log to another and came to Leslie that night, five miles, on foot. Next morning I started with an ox-team for my goods. The river was still impassable for a team. By the help of three hired men we loaded into the wagon what we could draw, and drew it across on planks laid on the floating cause- way and by taking two sets of planks, we could shift them every length of the wagon. We worked faithfully all day-a part of the time up to our waists in water-and got them over and arrived at our home in Leslie some time after dark. Usually when it was known that a family was at the river waiting to come over, settlers would go to their assistance. Sometimes whole days would be taken in getting them and their household goods across. After a time rough canoes were hewn out of basswood trees. The use of these lessened the dangers somewhat. During 1836 the river was crossed on a log raft. As soon as there were men enough to warrant the under- taking, a log bridge was built." Jacob Armstrong was one of the first settlers at North Leslie in 1837.
Amos Wortman
Amos Wortman came to Michigan. in 1835 from Genesee county, New York. He remained in Jack- son over winter and on March 11, 1836, filed on Sec- tion 21. He assisted Elijah Woodworth to build
22
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
the first house in Leslie, and boarded with him for two years. On October 28, 1838, he married Miss Charlotte Woodworth and settled upon his farm the following year. He helped cut the first road in the township of Leslie and also helped cut trails or roads through other townships while on hunting trips. These roads were little more than cow-paths. By his first wife he had five children:
(1) Jane, married Leroy Landfair.
(2) Emily, married George Curtis; second hus- band, Dudley Porter.
(3) Milton, married Rose Doyle.
(4) Charlotte, married John Robinson; second husband, George Burt; third husband, Seneca Huntley.
In 1855 Amos Wortman married Mrs. Sybil Barnes. By his second wife he had three children:
(1) Orlando, married Hattie Barnes.
(2) George.
(3) Ella.
Mr. Wortman sold his farm in 1888. He died in Lansing on Sept. 29, 1892, and was buried at Leslie.
Sidney O. Russell
Sidney O. Russell, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., filed on land in Section 20 and 29, Leslie, in May, 1836. The following year he brought his family and settled on his farm. Having made a small clearing, he sowed that fall the first field of wheat in Leslie township. Indians were numerous and made frequent calls at his log house, demanding flour, etc., which were not to be denied. Old Chief Okemos was a common visitor. In 1842 Mr. Russell moved into the village
23
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
of Leslie that he might operate a water-power saw- mill he had bought. To this he added a small store which was the beginning of his mercantile success. Afterwards he erected a steam mill which furnished employment to a large number of men. The last of his building operations were those of his brick business block and his residence on Bellevue street.
Mr. Russell's first wife was Mary Fox, of Seneca Falls, N. Y. To them were born six children of whom three are now living:
(1) Mrs. James Torrey.
(2) Mrs. Mary Baggerly.
(3) Mr. W. S. Russell of Jackson.
To Mrs. James Torrey were born two sons, Lyn- ford and Clayton.
To Mrs. Mary Baggerly, one son, J. Russell.
To W. S. Russell four children were born: Clara, Osmer, Juanita and Leslie.
Mr. Russell's second wife was Rumina Haynes. She survived Mr. Russell who died Nov. 8, 1894.
John J. Tuttle
John J. Tuttle was born in Metz, N. Y., and came to Leslie and settled on Section 7, in 1836. In 1837 he brought his wife, Emma Warren Tuttle, to the log cabin he had erected in the wilderness. She was a granddaughter of General Warren of Revolutionary fame.
His biographer says: "It was five years after taking up his abode in his new home before a team passed his door, or before he was able to see the smoke of any dwelling save his own. His good wife was ever ready to help indoors or out. Often in winter
24
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
she assisted him in clearing land by piling and burn- ing the logs. Lye was obtained from the ashes by leaching in sycamore gums and then boiled down to "black salts" which could be sold for making sal- eratus used in cooking. This and maple sugar were the only products which could be sold for cash in those early days."
Mr. Tuttle was always a good friend to the Indians who frequently encamped on his land. He was a strong-minded man and a delightful story-teller, always trying to make others happy. During his life he served at different times as Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, and Coroner of Ingham county. He had three children :
(1) Sarah Jane.
(2) Ogden V.
(3) Celestia.
Sarah Jane married Daniel Frary. Their chil- dren were Elizabeth, Emma, and Blanche.
Ogden V. married Elizabeth McArthur. Their children were Arthur J. and Grace.
Celestia died in 1863.
Mrs. John J. Tuttle died Sept. 2, 1887. John J. Tuttle died Jan. 20, 1903. Both are buried in Leslie.
Daniel Ackley
Daniel Ackley was born in Batavia, N. Y. In 1829 he married Sarah Wortman. They came to Michigan in 1836 and settled on a farm north of town. Bears were plentiful at that time. One Sunday morning he and his wife were taking a walk when she saw an animal which she mistook for an Indian pony. Mr. Ackley secured his rifle and killed
25
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
the animal which was a bear seven feet two inches in length.
To them two children were born:
(1) Eleanor, born Nov. 14, 1841 ; died April 17, 1848.
(2) Martin, born April 10, 1845; died April 5, 1912. Martin had two children :
Fred, born Dec. 21, 1873; died July 9, 1908.
Sarah E., born June 9, 1876; married Addison Van Alstine and now lives on the old homestead.
Benjamin Davis
Benjamin Davis of Jefferson county, N. Y., re- moved to Michigan in October, 1836. He remained in Wayne county until January 1, 1837, and then removed to Leslie, having filed on land in Section 20 in May, 1836. His children by his first wife were:
(1) Richard H., married Sallie DuBois, daugh- ter of Asa and Arvilla DuBois. Their children were Clarence, Richard, Benjamin, and John.
(2) Clarissa, married David Potter. Their chil- dren were Benjamin, Melissa and David.
The children by his second wife were:
(1) Wilson, married Kate Van Wert. Their children were Stella, Clara and John.
(2) William, had two children, Perry and Delia.
(3) Emily, married Joseph Smith.
(4) Bramwell, had two children, Ivan and Emily.
(5) Dempster, married Mary Haskell. Their children were Willard, Hattie and Stella.
(6) Delia, married W. W. Gates. Their children were Effie, Arthur, William, Olive, Clyde and Olia.
Asa DuBois
Asa DuBois came to Leslie in 1841. He married Orvilla Searls. Their children were:
26
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
(1) Samuel, married Mary Jane Helden. Their children were Pluma, Edith and Holden.
(2) Sallie, married Richard Davis. Their chil- dren were Clarence, Richard, Benjamin and John.
(3) Meramina, married Miles Smith. They had but one child, Claude.
(4) Caroline, married Thomas Wildey. They had one son, Thomas.
James Royston
James Royston was born in Somerset county, N. Y., April 14, 1800. He came to Michigan in June, 1836, and located upon the place where L. A. Royston now resides. The family came by way of Buffalo to Detroit on the lakes and from Detroit to his farm by ox-team. At the time Mr. Royston built his log cabin there was but one other family within the limits of the present township of Leslie. He may, with propriety, be called one of the founders of the township inasmuch as he was elected Justice of the Peace at the first town meeting in 1838. His children were:
(1) Thomas.
(2) Lemuel A.
(3) William.
(4) Mary Ann.
(5) Sarah.
(6) Cornelia.
William died of sunstroke at Resaca de La Palma in the Mexican War. Thomas died in 1846. Lem- uel A. resides on the old homestead. He has six children: Herbert, Phoebe D., Luella, Ellen, Mabel and Vene.
27
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
Elisha Godfrey
Elisha Godfrey came to Leslie in 1836, bringing his family with him. When he reached Grand River he found a bridge made of logs which would sink into the water if stepped upon. The father was unwilling to venture with his family in the wagon over this primitive crossing. His little girl, Betsey, who was a cripple, heroically placed her crutches upon a log, pressed it down until it rested stationary, then swung herself upon the log and tried the next in the same manner until she reached the farther shore. This incident shows the inherent bravery, independence and determination which have made the life of Betsey Godfrey Shaw a success and bless- ing, regardless of environment. Her life history shows the struggles of a child of a pioneer. Her father was not strong and she was thrown upon her own resources early in life. Her school privileges were few. When about fifteen years old she had earned and saved enough money to pay for eight yards of calico at twenty-five cents a yard to make herself a new dress. A little later she added two light calico aprons and a cape to her wardrobe. These capes were made to cross in front and were considered quite dressy, but she had no shoes. For- tunately, an aunt bought herself a new pair and gave the old ones to the girl. These she had nicely mended and though they were two sizes too large she wore them to school all winter and began teach- ing in the spring. From that time on she was self- supporting.
Elisha Godfrey married Polly Barden. To them were born thirteen children .
28
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
(1) Betsey Godfrey Shaw, had two children, Ed- win and Emery.
(2) Charles, the second son of Elisha Godfrey, died in infancy.
(3) Sophia Godfrey Jacox, had two children, Henrietta and James.
(4) Richard, had one child, Matie Drake.
(5) William, had five children: Charles, Ada, Frank, Norton and Albert.
(6) Rosetta, died at 14.
(7) Rosina, died at 18.
(8) Berinthe, died in infancy.
(9) Russell, had one child, Mrs. Grace Reid.
(10) Eldridge, died in the civil war.
(11) Pearletta, had seven children.
(12) Pluma Godfrey Tarbell, had seven children.
(13) Harietta Godfrey Small, had five children: Warner, Herbert, Henry, Homer and Boyd. All ex- cept Warner and Boyd died in infancy.
Clark Graves
Clark Graves came to Leslie about 1836. He mar- ried Fornia Rice, daughter of Josiah Rice. They had no children but adopted a little daughter who is now Mrs. Palmyra Hahn. Mrs. Hahn has one son, Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Graves also raised two boys but they were not adopted.
Mahlon Covert
In 1837 Mahlon Covert settled in Leslie township upon a government claim of two hundred acres. Be- fore leaving New York he married Sallie Chandlers. He began at once to clear the land and build his log
29
HISTORY OF LESLIE, MICHIGAN
cabin. The forests soon gave way to a fine farm and in 1855 the log house was replaced by a mod- ern home.
In his life Mahlon Covert exemplified strong pos- itive characteristics. His home was blessed with four children :
(1) Ansel.
(2) Samantha.
(3) Mary Ann.
(4) Monmouth.
Ansel Covert had six children: Fred, Carrie, Vernie, Gertrude, Grace and Katherine. Fred and Vernie died in childhood. The others are now known as: Mrs. Carrie Pickett of Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Gertrude Graves, Mrs. Katherine Ludwick of Leslie, and Mrs. Grace Stewart of Cleveland.
Monmouth Covert had one son, Vinton.
Samantha settled in the East.
Mary Ann married Isaac Talman and has two children, Samantha and Fred.
Rev. Elijah K. Grout
Rev. Elijah K. Grout of Fairfax, Vermont, set- tled in Leslie in October, 1838. He came in the common conveyance, a covered wagon, bringing his wife and three young children with him. He purchased forty acres inside the present village cor- poration but this he afterwards sold. A new plank house was built on the hill on Bellevue street. This house, without windows or doors except as blankets or pieces of carpets were substituted, was made their happy home in the new land for many years.
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