USA > Michigan > Lenawee County > History and biographical record of Lenawee County, Michigan, Volume II > Part 5
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On Sunday, August 9th, the first religious meeting in the township was held at the house of Mr. Lowe. In the month of November, Mr. Lane built a frame house where the Comstock house now stands-the first frame house in the township. During the fall William Frazee and family, Salmon Trask and family, and a Miss Abigail Dickinson, were among the arrivals in the Lanesville settlement.
On the 11th day of November, 1835, the Rev. William Wolcott preached the first sermon in the village of Lanesville, at the house of Mr. Lane; at the same time and place a temperance society was organized.
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ROLLIN.
N historical paper written by Nicholas A. Page, of Rollin : In May, 1833, the township of Rollin was an unbroken wil- derness, inhabited only by the red men and their dusky families. The only roads were the trails made by the Indians in going from lake (5)
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
to lake, and around their borders. These trails in many places were a foot in depth, and not much more than a foot in width. The only houses were their wigwams, built on the banks of the beautiful Jakes in summer, and in the thick wood in winter, where their inmates were protected from the cold. How quiet ! No sound could be heard in the day time but the bark of the Indian dog, or the tinkle of the bells tied to the necks of their ponies, or the occasional scream of the eagle from his distant perch. But at night the howl of the wolf and the scream of the owl were dismal in the extreme.
On the north and east side of Round lake, near where John Landon now lives, Meteau and his tribe built their wigwams, and also on the east side of Posey lake, near where Grant Lester now lives, and up at the head of Devil's lake, near the farm owned by Mr. Gates, north of Round lake, were their council grounds. In the year 1835 a grand council was held there; these were their favorite camping grounds. Here they lived in quiet ; but their quiet was not long to last. The sound of the white man's axe could be heard in the distance. Civili- zation, with its westward move, was on their track. They must yield their beautiful lakes, on the banks of which they had reposed so many summers, or in their bark canoe had paddled over the sparkling waters, or bathed their dusky forms mid fun and frolic.
On visiting their camp a man cannot but think they are happy and contented in their wildwood home. Do we not sometimes sympathize with the poor Indian, though treacherous and cruel as he sometimes is ? Home to him is sweet. Fond remembrances linger in their old homes, and about old camping grounds. The scenes of their child- hood remain fresh in their memories. Their wish to remain here was very strong. At one time an old Indian came where men were hoeing corn; he sat down on the ground, seeming to feel sorrowful and de- jected. He pulled up a handful of wild grass and said: " This is In- dian grass; on this our ponies have fed; this is our country ; we do not wish to leave it." Speaking of the Indians brings to mind seeing Meteau eat his dinner. Several of the young Indians had been fish- ing. Their mode of catching fish was peculiar. They would take off all their clothing, tie a string around their waist to put the fish ou as they caught them, and armed with their bow and arrow, would wade into the water where it was about a foot in depth, proceed carefully until they saw a fish, shoot it, and put it on a string, and in a short time would have a fine mess. One brought the old chief two fine black bass, that would weigh about one pound apiece. One of the squaws brought a large ripe or yellow cucumber, and a quarter of a loaf of wheat bread that was baked in an oblong tin. He put the fish on a bed of coals, then sliced the cucumber with his belt-knife, and ate it, then the bread, and in the meantime would turn the fish on the coals ; by the time the bread was gone the fish were cooked ; he took the fish by the tail-fins, stripped the skin and scales off, then the meat, &c. His mother and wife sat near him ; his mother was asked how old she was and replied, " A hundred snows old."
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OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
A few inhabitants had moved into the township of Adrian previous to the year 1830, but had paid but little attention to the lands west. The first piece of land bought of the government was the west half of northwest one quarter of section 20, by Ira Alma, of Seneca county, N. Y., June 4, 1831. Part of the land is owned by Mr. Perkins, owner of the Quaker Mills property. The next tract, taken by A. J. Comstock, of Lenawee county, Territory of Michigan, on May 10, 1833, on which Rollin village and mills are located.
Early in the spring of '33 this whole country was thoroughly ex- plored. Joseph Beal and William, his son, and others, started from the vicinity of Adrian, by a southwest direction, to the section of the country where Morenci now is located. Following Bean creek up to near where Hudson is built, not knowing where they were, they found a section corner, set their compass, then started for Round lake, came out near where Dr. Town now lives; they were gone from home about a ' week. In their long tramp not a house or a white man was seen. The same spring, Orson Green and Joseph Beal came out to the Bean Creek country to find homes for themselves and friends. The night of the 10th of April, 1833, they slept on the bank of Devil's lake. On the morning of the 11th caught a mess of fish ; had a fine breakfast. Mr. Green thinks that at this time there was not a house between the Chicago turnpike and Fort Wayne. The first day of this month (June) David Stear, of Belmont county, Ohio, took up the first land for farm purposes-the northwest one quarter of section 4. Other parties took lands also in May. In June following the first family set- tled in the township on land located by Stephen Lapham, east one half of the southwest one half of section 4; Levi Thompson and family the first pioneers! The rude log cabin has gone to decay, but memories still linger. There must have been many a sad and lonesome hour passed by this family ; not a house within a dozen miles ; not a man to say " good morning" to-all alone with his wife and three little children. How few there are who are willing to take such a step. But Mr. Lapham was not long to remain alone in the wild woods of Rollin. In August Erastus Aldrich and family settled on section 9. In October Joseph Beal and his son Porter, settled on the southwest one quarter of the west one quarter of section 10. They first put up a little shanty, large enough for the two to live in till they could build a house. This they accomplished without help. They cut logs and hewed them square. In this way they succeeded in building one of the nicest log houses there was in the woods for a long time. Joseph Beal, the only one living in the town of the first settlers, is now ninety- four years of age; his eye-sight is very much impaired ; his step is also feeble, but his memory is bright and active. He was six years of age when Washington was first elected. What changes has he wit- nessed! This great Republic, then in the morning of its existence, now in the brightness of its glory ; then weak and needing help-now the grandest, noblest government on earth, the shadow of its wings ex- tending to the down-trodden, and a refuge to all. Joseph Beal lives
1880
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
with his son, Porter Beal, on the same farm they moved onto when all was a wilderness, forty-three years ago. In peace, his evening sun is setting, amid the joys and comforts of his quiet home.
Early in January, '34, William Beal settled on section 8 (the farm now owned by Charles Murphy), and up to March there were but four settlers in town. But from that time to July the number had largely increased. Among the number that moved into the town in '34 were David Stear, on section 5, John T. Comstock, on section 7, Warner Ayles- worth, section 28, John Upton, on section 28, Matthew Bennett, on sec- tion 24, Salem Vosburg, on section 22 (where he now lives), James Ma- con, on section 27, Roswell Lamb, on section 29, Joseph Allen, on sec- tion 27, John R. Hawkins, on section 20, Levi Jennings, on the section where he now lives; Orson Green where he now lives; Jonathan Ball on the farm now owned by his .son. Nathaniel Ball and Ephraim Sloan moved into the town with William Beal ; James Sloan settled on section 7 (now known as the Patterson Landing). When he raised his house in the early spring of '34 every man in town was pres- ent-nine in number, coming from all directions, with guns in hand, with the firm step of men that felt they had something to do, to com- mence on new land covered with heavy timber ; but they were equal to the great work before them.
In June of this year the first death in town occurred-thie wife . of John Upton. The funeral was held at the house of the deceased, and she was buried on the farm. A solitary tree now marks the grave of this early settler, who was so soon called away from her new home.
The first white child born in town was Mary Vosburg, August 27, 1834, daughter of Salem and Lydia Vosburg, now living where they first settled in May, '34.
The first marriage in town. took place this year at the house of Will- iam Beal-Hiram Aldrich to Eliza Titus. They were married by Job Comstock, Justice of the Peace of the town of Adrian.
As near as can be ascertained there were about twenty-three settlers in town in the year 1834, each one feeling the need of constant effort to make themselves and families comfortable. The ground for their cabins had to be cleared and their cabins built, provisions to be brought from a distance, and a part of the settlers with scanty means. The gun and the fishing-rod were sometimes brought into requisition to sup- ply food for the family. How anxious these pioneer men and women were to get a little piece of ground cleared on which to plant a little corn and a few potatoes. This was a necessity ; food must be raised, for it could not be bought. The axe, the only necessary tool of the pioneer, was in constant use ; its sound could be heard from early dawn till dewy eve; every day the little clearing would be wider, and the early settler would look over the work done through the day with pride. So much work done and not to be done again, was the cheer- ing thought as he went to his cabin at the close of the day.
The winters of 1834-5 were very mild; but little snow, the least snow of any winter since the town was settled, giving a fine opportu-
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OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
nity for the settlers to chop fallow, build fence and make their houses more comfortable. Of this work they took hold with alacrity; the sound of the axe was heard early and late. The spring showed many fine fallows ready for the fire; five, ten and twenty acres had been chopped around the log houses, and many showed comfort and conve- nience.
The first Monday in April, 1835, was a day in which the people felt much interest; the three townships, Adrian, Rome and Rollin, had formerly composed one township, called Logan, but this section had been divided, each township electing its own officers. Whether there was a Whig and Democratic ticket is not known; but one thing is certain, the election was in favor of the Whigs, and the town has been Whig or Republican ever since. The first town meeting was held at the house of Joseph Beal. The first officers chosen were : Matthew Bennett for Supervisor ; William Beal for Town Clerk ; David Stear, James Bacon, Joseph Beal, for Assessors ; Elijah C. Bennett, Collector ; David Stear, John T. Comstock, Directors of the Poor; Warner Aylesworth, Asa R. Bacon, Joseph C. Beal, Commissioners of High- ways; Elijah C. Bennett, Constable ; Joseph Gibbons, Orson Green, Joseph Stear, Commissioners of Common Schools ; Joseph Gibbons, Orson Green, Joseph Stear, Elijah C. Bennett, James Boodery, School Inspectors . Nearly every man in town was an office holder. Query : Would not the people be pleased if it was the same now? The new government added a centralizing and independent interest that had not been felt before its organization. The principles of religion, mor- als and temperance were warmly advocated. It is thought that re ligious meetings were held in the commencement of 1835, at the house of Salem Vosburg, and other places. In April of this year a com- mencement was made on the saw mill at Rollin. . A. J. Comstock gave the management of the building to William Beal, and for this pur- pose he left his farm. About this time he sold the land on section 8, and bought the northeast one quarter of section 20, and the east one half of the southwest one quarter of the same section, and built the first house and moved into it. Mr. Beal employed Ephraim Sloan, Hosmer Clark and others to assist in the work. In June of this year John Foster located and settled on the west one half of the southeast one quarter of section 27. Barnabus Bonney settled on the southeast one quarter of section 13. Samuel Comstock had purchased one half interest in the lands of the Rollin mill property, put up a log house, and moved into it in July. Mr. Haskins and his sons, William and Luther, settled on sections 24 and 26. In May of this year Dr. Hall settled in the township ; also, Daniel Rhoads and his son, William, settled on the west one half of the southwest one quarter of section 21. Dr. Hall, when Daniel Rhoades became settled, made his home with him. The Doctor had many trials to encounter in ministering to the sick and the afflicted , no roads or bridges but those made by the set- tlers for their convenience. The trial was a severe one, but pluck and energy overcame all hindrances. The Doctor soon married and set-
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
tled on the farm now owned by the Cook brothers, moved from the farm to Rollin, where he lived a short time, then to Hudson where lie has remained ever since. He has a fine store there filled with drugs and medicines, of which he has so ably dealt out for the good of the people. Happy and contented with his lot in life, and the part he has filled-a lesson to all what economy, prudence, and energy will ac- complish under difficult and trying circumstances. Poor and penni- Jess when he trailed the wild woods of Rollin in 1835-now sur- rounded by all the needs and conveniences of life.
In the summer of this year Wm. Beal was appointed Postmaster and Porter Beal mail carrier. Previous to the appointment of Wm. Beal as postmaster all the mail was distributed at Adrian. This was very inconvenient for settlers to go a distance of eighteen miles for their letters and papers. This change was received with much pleas- ure. They began to feel that they were not to be deprived of all the advantages they had left in their old homes.
The spring of this year had been quite favorable for the burning of brush and log piles, so that nearly every settler had a little piece of land cleared for corn and potatoes, and a little garden. Provisions had to be brought from a distance-sometimes from Monroe and Toledo,-hence they were high and somewhat scarce. This gave the settlers a strong anxiety to raise all they could. New settlers were coming in, and all that could be raised would be needed. Teams were scarce, hence some did not clear the land from logs, but would simply burn the piles of brush, then plant corn and potatoes among the logs ; in this way fine crops were raised.
In the fall of '35 the saw mill was raised. The raising of this building required considerable help; all within three or four miles were invited, coming from all directions ; sometimes one alone, then two or three would come together. There is an exciting pleasure in the settling of a new country that is not known at any other time. It is often remarked by those that have settled in a new country how well they enjoy this kind of life-to chop the first tree, to build the log cab- in, to move into it, with no one near-all around as the hand of nature left it. How vividly these thoughts call to mind our first settling in this section in '34. As soon as the body of the house was raised we moved into it-no floor, or door, or roof. The wagon box was taken apart and a roof framed out of it, over the bed blankets hung up around the beds.
Forty-two years ago this month we lived in this rude structure about three weeks, or until we had cleared the land and sown about four acres of wheat. There was no repining; 'twas a necessity that we should live in this way 'till we could put in a crop that would secure us food the coming year. It was well it was so; from that little piece of ground we obtained a bountiful yield.
But I have digressed. The thought, of this early commencement sometimes brings a desire to make the same again.
A few days before we moved into the log body of a house the wolves
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OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
held a concert near the grounds-not a Gilmore concert, for their tones were more discordant-but as many different tones as Gilmore could invent. Those that never heard the howl of these wild creatures can- not imagine the variety of sounds two or three together will make.
The saw mill was started in November, giving the settlers the con- venience of obtaining lumber without traveling so great a distance; of this advantage the settlers were highly appreciative- lumber was very much needed to make their cabins comfortable. "Where there's a will, there's a way," is an old saying, and often proves true. Many very good floors had been made by splitting small logs that had been cut the right length, then hewing the split pieces on one side; but this mode of making floor was quite expensive. But two houses were built in the town or village of Rollin in '35 The houses must have been well crowded. Preparations for the building of the grist mill were being made. Only three or four additional settlers moved into the town in the fall of the year. Bishop Vanwert settled on the e. 2, s. e. 4, sec. 27; Jacob Foster on the n. w. } of sec. 22. It was at Mr. Foster's house where the town meetings were so long held. Thomas Kealey settled on the land now owned by Ashman Catlin, in the town of Hudson, but soon sold this piece of land to Batty Talbot, then set- tled in Rollin, and purchased a half interest in the mill property.
In the fall of this year there must have been thirty-five or forty set- tlers scattered over the town. A more determined, active, resolute set of men could scarcely be found ; there were no laggards here; no idlers ; it was no place for such men. The people were not willing they should get a foothold. The first law suit was caused by an effort to sell whisky, by a man by the name of Thomson, who had estab- lished a little trade south of the lake; he was notified to appear at Adrian. This was the last effort to sell whisky for some time. There was sickness this fall-mostly fever and ague-but as a general rule the town was quite healthy.
The winter of '35-'36 was more severe than the winter of '34-'35- more snow and colder -- giving the settlers an opportunity to haul logs of which they made good use. The saw mill was kept very busy. Large choppings were made. John Tingley, then living with his brother north of Adrian, hired forty acres chopped and cleared that season ; in the fall of '36 he made Rollin his home. Wm. Hathaway settled in the town in '35, but had been among the earliest landholders. The axe had been kept very busy. The crash of falling timber was heard early and late A good deal of merriment was produced among the choppers by cutting large trees nearly to falling then leave them 'till early morning. A few blows from the axe would send them crashing to the ground, and the sound could be heard a long distance. It would call out the wildest cheers far and near. Perhaps the next morning it would be repeated by some one else.
'The election this year was held at the house of Jacob Foster, living at the center of the town. The town officers elected were nearly the same as the year before. Justices of the Peace and Constables were
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
for the first time elected. They were Matthew Bennett, Orson Green, Leonard G. Hall and Brayton Brown, Justices of the Peace. Will- iam Hathaway, Ephraim Sloan, Elijah C. Bennett and Joseph Allen for Constables.
Levi Sherman settled on the farm now owned by Merrit Sherman, and Josiah Ball on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 28. Beal Sloan settled on the farm where he now lives.
The spring of '36 gave promise of more than usual interest to the set- tlers of the township. The Erie and Kalamazoo railroad was in course of construction, with the expectation that Rollin village would be one of the points made on its western route. The line for the road Was surveyed, but that was all ; Hudson finally obtained this favored boon. The question has often been asked why the road was not built through the village of Rollin. Perhaps it would not take long to state the reason, as I have understood it. Before the Erie and Kalamazoo company were ready to commence work on the line west of Adrian, the State of Michigan borrowed money to build roads in the State. One of the roads to be constructed was to start from Monroe, thence to Adrian, Coldwater and Lake Michigan. But the state wished to be the owner of the right of way from Adrian west. The Erie and Kal- amazoo company had received their charter, and did not wish to give it up. A consideration of $15,000 was offered for it, but was rejected. Hence the road was given to Hudson.
Preparations for building the grist mill moved forward with activ- ity. A grist mill was one of the greatest needs of the community. There was no mill nearer than Adrian or Tecumseh, and there were but very few horse teams in the country. Ox teams were mostly used, and to go a distance of eighteen or twenty miles with an ox team was in those days quite an undertaking. But they had only to wait a short time for the new mill to start, that would save them so much hard toil and exposure.
The Territory of Michigan was admitted as a State in '36. Pre- paratory to the admission the census was taken. Ephraim Sloan was appointed for the purpose, and he was but one day engaged in the work. What the number of inhabitants was cannot be ascertained.
The first store in the village of Rollin was started by Azel Hooker, and managed by a man by the name of Allen. The building used was the log house built by William Beal. A number of inhabitants settled in the village, but their names are not remembered. William Beal having moved onto his farm, Samuel Comstock was appointed postmaster. This year Ephraim Sloan took the contract for carrying the mail.
In the spring of '36 the first religious organization was established by the Baptists. The meeting was held at the house of Matthew Ben - nett. Deacon Bennett, as he was familiarly called, was born in Orange county, New York, in the year 1778. He moved to the town of Rollin in May, 1834, and located some ten lots of land, sufficient for a farm for each of his sons. Deacon Bennett was peculiarly well
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OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
fitted to settle in a new country. Possessing a strong religious tem- perament and a keen sense of moral right, he used his influence for the best interests of the community in which he lived, never meeting his friends or neighbors without giving the friendly hand-shake and kind, cheering words. Like the good Samaritan, he never passed by the poor and the needy without relieving their distress as far as was within his means. Though some time gone to his final rest (a rest of which he so much delighted to talk), he still holds a warm place in the hearts of those he left behind.
The Methodists held meetings at the house of William Rhoades, and at the house of Dobson Page. The first quarterly meeting was held in his barn. A man by the name of Jackson was the first pio- neer preacher, a man much devoted to his calling. These meetings were generally held week day evenings, and once in two weeks. The first public school was kept by William Rhoades, at his house, in the winter of 1836-37. It is thought a school was kept in the summer of '36, at the house of John T. Comstock, by Lucretia Beal. The first school was built on the corner of the southwest quarter of section 22, on land now owned by Lyman Crout. This house was burned a year or so after.
In the winter of 1836-7 the Rollin grist mill was started. The starting of this mill was a feature of great importance, not only to the town of Rollin, but to the western part of Lenawee and the eastern part of Hillsdale county. For some years this was the only grist mill in this section, and was kept running almost night and day. The amusing scenes, the social intercourse, would afford material for a long sketch of the early settlement of the Bean Creek country.
The spring of '37 gave promise of continued prosperity to the new settlement. This was the fourth year after the first settlement of the town. No serious drawback had been felt; the progress was onward, and if a few years more of comparative prosperity could have been secured, the early settlement of this section would have been more easy than the early settlement of most new countries. But there was a dark cloud hanging over them that was soon to burst. The country had been flooded with paper money, under the wild-cat system of banking. This money had passed current in all exchanges; but in this year it was doomed to smash, and for a few years the greatest in convenience was experienced from this worthless money. To add to the hard times, provisions were very scarce and high in price. Wheat was worth $3 per bushel, corn $2.50 to $3, and other classes of farm produce in proportion, making it very difficult for those that had to buy, and particularly for those that depended on their labor to earn money to support a family. Eastern money was the principal money in use, and the people were very shy in taking even this. I remember my father at one time liad two twenty dollar bills; before he could use them he had to take them to Adrian and have them certified to as genuine. The State issued State scrip, but in a short time it was worth only fifty or sixty cents on the dollar.
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