USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History and directory of Ionia County, Michigan: containing a history of each township: the name, occupation, location, and post-office address of every man in the county, 1872 > Part 8
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TIMBER.
This township is all what is termed " timbered land," and was covered with beech, maple, oak, basswood, etc.
SCHOOL-HOUSES, ETC.
The Orange school-house stands on section eleven, and was erected in 1855 at a cost of $400. District No. 2 has rather a poor school-house located on section twenty. The Keefer school-house, located on the northeast corner of section number one, was erected in 1867 at a cost of $1,260. It is a fine wooden structure, with bell and belfry. The district is fractional, embracing territory in Orange, Lyons, and Portland. The Levally school-house was built in 1860, is of medium size and in good repair. The Haven school-house stands on section seventeen, and is not very good. District
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF IONIA COUNTY.
No. 7 has a log school-house on section thirty-three. The Coleman school-house is a medium sized building on section twenty-three. The Mathews school-house, located on section thirty-six, is a remarkably fine building. Besides these there are several good school buildings in fractional districts standing in other towns.
There are no church buildings in Orange, but several societies hold services in school- houses in different parts of the town. Rev. Philip Burrett is pastor of the United Brethren Society.
ORGANIZATION.
Orange was formed from the east part of Berlin and the west part of Portland, and organized into a township in 1845. The first township officers were as follows : Super- visor, Alexander K. Hall ; Clerk, John Brown ; Treasurer, Myron J. King; Justices, Adam A. Lewis, Dean M. Tyler, Alexander Dalziel ; Highway Commissioners, Arzah H. King, Benjamin D. Brand, Alexander K. Hall.
The township officers in 1870 are as follows : Paul Steel, Supervisor ; Henry Price, Clerk, and Barney Mathews, Treasurer.
ORLEANS.
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RLEANS is in the northern tier of townships of Ionia County, and is bounded on the north by Fair Plains, in Montcalm County, on the east by Ronald, on the south by Easton, and on the west by Otisco.
It comprises in its limits a great variety of soil and timber. The southern portion has a clay soil, and is timbered with beech, maple, and other hard woods-being in some places low and swampy. The central part is timbered with oak, and is high and rolling, with a gravelly soil. In the northern portion, the timber is pinc, the soil light and sandy, and in many places the surface is low and wet, especially in the vicinity of Long Lake. This lake is the largest body of water in the county, being over a mile and a half in length, by three-quarters of a mile in width. It lies on sec- tions two and three. There is also a small lake of a few acres in extent located on section eighteen.
The only stream of importance in the township is the outlet of Long Lake, some- times called Spencer's Creek, upon which are located the Spencer mills, consisting of a grist, saw, and shingle mill. The first saw-mill on this spot was built by Asa Palmer & Co., in 1852. It was re-built several years since. Jude R. Spencer is the present proprietor of these mills.
The Hall steam saw-mill, Hiram Hall, proprietor, is located on the south bank of Long Lake, and has a capacity of two and a half millions feet of lumber per annum. The Tower steam saw-mill, Osmond Tower, proprietor, is located on the Ionia and Stanton State road, and was built some fifteen years ago.'
The Detroit, Lansing, and Lake Michigan Railroad runs through Orleans from south- east to northwest, striking the township on section thirty-five, and leaving it on section seven. It has three stations in Orleans : Sangster's, on section thirty-five; Palmer's, on section twenty-two; and Chadwick's, on section eight. The Palmer station-house is a fine and commodious framed building, erected in 1871. The store-house has a capacity for the storage of 10,000 bushels of grain. There were about 18,000 bushels of wheat, 1,600 barrels of flour, and 1,500 barrels of apples shipped from this station in 1871.
The Ionia, Stanton, and Northern Railroad, which is being rapidly constructed, strikes Orleans on the line between sections thirty-five and thirty-six, and, after angling to the east for a short distance, runs directly north through the center of the eastern tier of sections.
The only hotel in the township is the American House, at Wood's Corners, on the Tonia and Stanton State road. It is kept by W. T. Potter.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first settlement in Orleans was made by Guy Webster, from Lorain County, Ohio, on section thirty-six, in the southeast corner of the township, in March, 1838. Mr. Webster was accompanied by a young man by the name of Wm. H. H. Sutlief, who settled on the same section shortly afterwards. In May, 1838, Joseph Collins set- tled on section eighteen, near the west line of the township. Erastus Higbee, from
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF IONIA COUNTY.
Broome County, New York, settled on section thirty-five, where his sons, B. F. and John Higbee, now reside, in June, 1838. Asa Palmer and Lorenzo D. Bates settled on section nineteen in December of the same year. Mr. Webster died several years since, Mr. Higbee in 1845 ; the others have removed from the township, with the exception of Mr. Palmer, who has resided on section twenty-one since 1840. He says that he has lived there " ever since Flat River was a small creek."
In the list of settlers of 1839 are Daniel Hoyt, from Alleghany County, New York, on section twenty-one, in August ; Archibald Sangster, on section thirty-five, some time during the same year, and Chester Scofield, on section twenty-five, in the fall. Mr. Hoyt resides where he first settled ; Mr. Sangster and Mr. Scofield have removed from the township.
The first weddings in the township were the marriage of William G. Bradish and Thomas Baxter of Otisco, to Lois and Sally Collins, daughters of Joseph Collins, Thomas Cornell, Esq. of Ionia, officiating. The first death in the township was that of Joseph Collins, Jr., who died in the spring of 1839.
The first land sold in Orleans was to Daniel Hoyt, on section twenty-one, where he now resides, the sale taking place at the time of the general land sale, August, 5, 1839, previous to which the lands had not been in the market.
Jesse Wood, from Washtenaw County, settled on section twenty-four in 1841, and Edmund B. Post and Leander Howe, from Wayne County, on section seventeen, and Angus McPherson, on section twenty-one, are the settlers of 1842. Mr. Post now resides where he then settled. Mr. Howe died some twenty years since, and Mr. McPherson removed from the township a few years afterward.
Jeremiah Eckert, from Washtenaw County, on section eighteen, in March ; Joel C. Green, from Wayne County, on section seventeen ; Richard Hill on section thirty-five ; Isaac Harwood on section eighteen ; Milo R. Cady on section twenty-three; David Courter on section seventeen, and Richard Hale on section nineteen, are mentioned as having settled in 1843. Patrick Kelley and his sons, John and William, settled in Otisco, in 1836, and located land in Orleans at an early day: After making improve- ments on it for several years, they moved on it, and now reside there.
Gilbert H. King, from Calhoun County, on section nineteen; Albert Dorr, from Washtenaw County, on section eight ; Ira Wheeler, from Washtenaw County, on sec- tion fifteen ; Robert W. Kidd, Samuel T. Kidd, and Wm. R. Kidd, from Oakland County, on section twenty-two, are the settlers of 1844. Warren Wheeler, from Wash- tenaw County, on section eight ; Dewitt C. Hurd, on section fifteen ; Thomas Neep, Wm. Bradley, and Samuel Raby, from Washtenaw County,-the two last-named on section three ; the former on section seven,-and Chester Goss on section twenty-seven, those of 1845.
James W. Gould, from Washtenaw County, on section sixteen, in January ; James C. Beach, from Ohio, on section twenty-eight ; Seneca H. King, from Calhoun County, on section twenty, in April ; Lewis J. Holcomb, from Wyoming County, New York, on section nineteen ; Charles Chadwick, from Washtenaw County, on section eight ; Hiram Hall, from Washtenaw County, on section seventeen, and Adam Bussard, from Washtenaw County, on section fifteen, are among the settlers of 1846.
The township was detached from the township of Ionia and independently organized under the name of Orleans in 1846. There were several names proposed by the inhabi- tants, among which were Wheatland and Orleans, that of Wheatland meeting with general favor ; but as there was another town in the State by that name Orleans was adopted. The first township meeting was held at the house of Ira Wheeler on Mon- day, April 6, 1846, Gilbert H. King and Jesse Wood, Justices of the Peace, acting as Inspectors of Election, and the board being filled by appointment of Milo R. Cody,
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF IONIA COUNTY. 67
David Courter and Gerrit Snetiker, Inspectors, and Albert Dorr, Clerk. There were forty-one votes cast, and the following were elected as the
FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Supervisor, Gilbert H. King ; Clerk, Seneca H. King; Treasurer, Ira Wheeler ; Jus- tices of the Peace, Gilbert H. King, Jesse Wood, Guy Webster, Gerrit Snetiker ; School Inspectors, Joel C. Green, Chester Goss ; Highway Commissioners, Chester Goss, Joel C. Green, Jeremiah Eckert ; Constables, Samuel T. Kidd, Isaac Harwood ; Overseers of the Poor, Joel C. Green, Jesse Wood.
OFFICERS IN 1872.
Supervisor, Albert Dorr; Clerk, Franklin W. Smith; Treasurer, Henry G. Piper ; Justices of the Peace, Charles Chadwick, James HI. Morse, Henry G. Piper, Joshua S. Hall.
Among those who were pioneers in various parts of the township, besides those already mentioned, are Edward Howe, Otis, Robert P., and Andrew D. Johnson, Joshua S. Hall, James R. Anderson, Abraham F. Chambers, Samuel Renwick, James Baird, Leander A. Benedict, John Collins, and numerous others, most of whom yet occupy the land on which they first located.
There are many fine farms in Orleans, among the best of which are those of Robert P. Johnson, Seneca II. King, Martin and Edward B. Post, Daniel Hoyt, John and William Kelley, James C. Beach, Warner Wheeler, Samuel Cusser, Abraham Alder- man, Samuel T. Kidd and Ira Wheeler.
Orleans ranks high among the farming townships of the county for the attractiveness of its dwelling-houses, among which are those of Robert P. Johnson, Frederick Pitt, Albert Dorr, Daniel Hoyt. John Collins, Seneca H. King, James C. Beach, John and William Kelley, James O. Blanchard, Fergus Flanegan, Elisha P. Cheney, Asa Palmer, Leander A. Benedict, Samuel T. Kidd, Samuel Cusser, and Ira Wheeler.
POSTOFFICES, SCHOOL-HOUSES, ETC.
The first postoffice in Orleans was established in 1845, on section seven, under the name of Wheatland, Joel C. Green, P. M. It was afterward removed to the central part of the township, and after changing hands several times, and changing the name to Orleans, is now located at Palmer station, on section twenty-two, and kept by John Greenop.
Chadwick postoffice is located on section eight, Charles Chadwick, P. M.
The Wood's Corners postoffice is kept by Joseph Dean.
A general store is kept at Palmer station by John Greenop, one at Chadwick, by Charles Chadwick, and one at Wood's Corners by Joseph Dean.
There is a township cemetery on section fifteen, established in 1846.
The Town Hall is located on section sixteen, and was erected in 1871, at a cost of about $1,000.
The society known as Seventh-Day Adventists have a church on section twenty, near the residence of S. H. King, Esq. It is thirty-one by forty-five feet in size, and was erected in 1862. The Free Methodists have commenced to build a church on sec- tion thirty-two.
There are ten school-houses in the township, mostly small framed -buildings. They are located respectively on sections 31, 8, 21, 33, 35, 36, 18, 4, 23, 2.
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OTISCO.
W AS named from Otisco, Oswego County, New York, and is town 8 N., R. 8 W., being the northwest corner town of Ionia County; bounded on the east by Orleans, south by Keene, west by Grattan, Kent County, and north by Eureka, Montcalm County.
The first settlement was in the early part of 1836. Daniel Horton, Nathaniel Hor- ton, Geo. W. Dickinson, Patrick Kelly, and Munson Seely, all of whom came at about the same time, and were the first five settlers ; but Kelly was the only one who made it a permanent home.
The two Hortons located on section thirty-two, and remained about ten years. They then emigrated to Iowa, where both have since died. They selected some of the most desirable lands in the township ; being those now owned by Myron H. Norton and D. B. Hoppough, and being two of the most valuable farms in the township.
Dickinson settled on section one, where he built a saw-mill on Dickinson Creek, that flows into Flat River near by. This was the first mill in the town, and was a great convenience to the pioneers. Dickinson was assisted in this enterprise by Thos. Cor- nell, of Ionia.
Kelly settled on section twelve, on the river bank, and near to Dickinson, and has resided there until quite recently, when, being left quite alone, he rented his farm, and now lives with his son William, in Orleans.
Munson Scely built his shanty on section twenty-one, where the village of Smyrna now is. He remained in Otisco about ten years, then moved to Muskegon County, where he yet resides.
Dickinson remained in the township several years and removed to the township of Grand Rapids, where he now resides, a prosperous farmer, on section twenty-two of that township.
Later in the same year, Amos Russell, John S. Morse, and Abel Adgate, having heard much of the beauty of the "Otisco Plains," started from Oakland to have a look at them. On arriving at Ionia, they obtained the services of John E. Morrison, then and now, a resident of Ionia, to pilot them through the wilderness to their "Promised Land," paying him fifteen dollars. Considering the value of money at that date, and the distance-as it seems now about fifteen miles-it seems like an exorbitant price for a guide. But numerous swamps and streams intervened in anything like a direct line to Otisco, and their guide took them by an Indian trail down Grand River to the mouth of Flat River ; then up Flat River to the south line of Otisco, from which point our explorers made their way as best they could, as no section lines had then been surveyed, only the township lines having been run.
Russell and Morse made selections of land under the preemption law, and re- turned to Oakland County to arrange for bringing their families. But Adgate, appalled by the prospective hardships of the enterprise, concluded he did not want a "Lodge in such a Vast Wilderness" and made a settlement nearer, in Ionia. In November of 1836, Russell and Morse, accompanied by R. R. Cook, returned to Otisco and com- menced to build shanties for their families. They built one for the joint occupancy of
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF IONIA COUNTY.
Cook and Morse (their wives being sisters), and commenced one for Russell, but after getting up three rounds of logs, or poles rather, in consequence of the indications of inclement weather and the season being somewhat advanced, they left it in that con- dition to return to their families in Oakland County. On leaving, they concluded to find a shorter route to Ionia than the one they had used. Going by the mouth of Flat River to Ionia was a little too roundabout. There was a settlement composed of four or five families in the west part of Easton, called the Welch Settlement, not more than ten miles from their location and about five miles from Ionia, and they concluded to try that route. But they met with an obstacle at the start. They were on the west side of Flat River, and it was high water, and no boats, bridges or rafts by which to cross. On reaching the river, however, they discovered an encampment of Indians on the opposite bank, and by signs made known their wants.
One of the Indians came over with a frail birch-bark canoe, all that they had. Here was a dilemma. The canoe seemed entirely too frail for more than one person ; but Russell, who was most anxious to take this route, got into the canoe, and the Indian started for the opposite bank. But, about half-way across, the canoe sunk, and both Russell and the Indian found themselves in the middle of the stream without a boat. Cook and Moore tried to persuade Russell to return to their side of the river and they would take the route by the way of the mouth of Flat River ; but Russell was bound to find the " Welch Settlement, " and made his way to the opposite bank. This accident detained them some two or three hours in getting the canoe ready for another trip. After repairing damages the Indian crossed, and indicated by signs that Cook must lay down in the bottom of the canoe, fold his arms across his breast, and remain immov- able during the passage. Cook complied, and though the cance was so deeply laden that less than half an inch was above the water, the skillful Indian put Cook across in safety. Morse, being the lightest man of the three, went over without difficulty. The delay in getting over the river made it late in the day for our travelers to find their way through the trackless forest, interspersed with swamps, and night overtook them before they reached any signs of a settlement. They were soon lost in the wilderness ; and, wet, tired and hungry, with no signs of relief, they wandered about, occasionally hallooing in hopes they might attract the attention of some settler, until they were well- nigh ready to despair. Luckily they stumbled upon the settlement they were in search of, and obtaining refreshments and resting a time they pursued their way to Ionia. The following morning was clear and pleasant, a regular Indian summer morning. Our travelers arose refreshed and jubilant again. The waters of Grand River covered the entire prairie at Ionia, and while they were taking a survey of the scene they were electrified by hearing the sweet, clear notes of a bugle coming over the waters of Grand River, and looking out they saw the steamer " Governor Mason"-the first steamer, making her first trip -- with colors flying, making her way into Ionia, passing over the prairie and making a display of beauty and grandeur such as they had never before wit- nessed. The beautiful morning, the magnificent beauty of the river, the splendid appear- ance of the steamer, and the ravishing sounds of the bugle-notes coming over the water, all impressing the senses so soon after enduring the hardships of the previous day, made an impression upon these men that they never have forgotten. Indeed, it seemed to them more like some fairy creation than anything real, and they speak of it now as the most intensely delightful scene they ever witnessed.
In the early part of 1837, Russell, Cook, and Morse, with William Russell, brother of Amos, and Charles H. Morse, brother of John L., moved into the town and became permanent residents, coming down the Looking-Glass River in flat-boats to Portland, thence down Grand River to the mouth of Flat River, where they left their boats and proceeded by the old Indian trail to their place of destination. On arriving at Otisco
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF IONIA COUNTY.
they all occupied for a week one cabin, fourteen feet square, without chimney, floor, window, or door. Thirteen persons constituted the family for that week, and in order to make room for their beds they found it necessary to remove their furniture out of the cabin at night, and then arrange their beds with just space enough between to allow a person to pass through, and tight work at that. At the end of a week's time Cook and Morse went into their own shanty, and the Russells had plenty of room.
The first white child born in the township was Eliza Russell, daughter of Amos Rus- sell, and now the wife of Loren C. Fales. The first white " boy " born in the town was A. Benton Morse, son of John L. Morse, and now a prominent and successful lawyer, and residing at Ionia.
Volney Belding, Robert W. Davis, Ambrose Spencer, Asa Spencer, Charles Broas, Thomas Stocking, Edward Ingalls, Tiberius Belding, Nathaniel Fisk, Joseph Fisk, and Lewis Ellis are among the early settlers in Otisco, arriving between 1837 and 1842. After 1842 emigration was rapid, and the township soon became densely populated. Most of these men are still living in Otisco. Stocking, Broas, Belding, and Amos Russell are dead. Tiberius Belding and Amos Russell have died within two years. Robert W. Davis remained only about one year and returned to Oakland County, where he continued to reside until quite recently he has taken up his abode at Grand Rapids. Volney Belding removed to Iowa several years since, and still lives there. John L. Morse was for many years a resident of the town, and one of the most active and ener- getic of her citizens, frequently honored by being chosen to important official positions ; was chosen a Representative to the lower branch of the State Legislature, and was Probate Judge for Ionia County from January, 1857, to January, 1865, a period of eight years. In 1868 he removed to Iowa, where he yet resides, and seems to have gained the confidence of those amongst whom he has so recently taken up his residence, as we hear of him now as a County Judge.
Rufus R. Cook located on section nine, where he yet residcs, surrounded by all the comforts of life. He has accumulated enough of wealth to enable him to enjoy the remainder of his life, as to him shall seem best. He has always exercised a large influ- ence, not only in the township, but also in the county ; was the first township Clerk, is the present Supervisor, and has, perhaps, as frequently been chosen to fill positions of honor and trust as any person in the county,
Amos Russell was a quiet, industrious man, of excellent moral character, steady habits, and was a good citizen in the best sense of the term. A devoted member of the Methodist Church, his aspirations were to the building up the "Kingdom of Zion" rather than the enjoyment of worldly honors, and he lived consistent with his profes- sion, and died in the full assurance of a glorious immortality.
Amos Russell, Cook, and John L. Morse are regarded emphatically as the pioneers of the town ; men of nerve and muscle, of indomitable will and energy ; men who leave their impress wherever they tread and give tone and character to the community in which they live.
Charles Broas, Ambrose and Asa Spencer, Lewis and Richard Ellis, William Russell, and Tiberius Belding have all had a marked influence in the settlement and growth of the town, and those of them that are yet living are among the leading and respected citizens ; and in no township in the county does the general character and standing of the citizens for intelligence and morality, and in all those qualities that go to make up a desirable class of citizens, stand higher than in Otisco.
The early settlers went on their lands before they were in market, and consequently were squatters. When Cook, Morse, and Russell arrived in the town, the camp-fires of the Government surveyors were yet burning. They entered into an agreement that when the lands were offered for sale, each one should have his own without inter-
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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF IONIA COUNTY.
ference from the others, and if any outsider offered to bid, that is, a person who was a non-resident, he was summarily to be thrown into Grand River,- the sale being at Ionia. They chose Asa Spencer to bid on the respective claims, while the others formed themselves into a committee of the whole to execute justice upon any offender.
Only one person had the temerity to interfere by bidding on their claims, and he was immediately surrounded by the vigilants, and fifteen minutes allowed to put in a dis- appearance or suffer the penalty. He cast one look at the determined men, and saw what his fate would be in the event of his failing to comply, and, in the language of one of the bystanders, he went so quickly that he could not see the dust, for his coat tails.
During the exciting struggle growing out of the agitation of the slavery question, the citizens of Otisco were more nearly unanimous than in any other township in that sec- tion of the State, and out of a poll of about three hundred, the anti-slavery element had over two hundred and fifty votes. On the occurrence of the late "unpleasantness" and during its continuance, the town sent sixty of her sons to the front; thirteen of whom never returned, having either been slain in battle or died of disease, while others bear with them the evidence, either by loss of limb or battle-scars that they have been where battle raged.
VILLAGES.
The village of Smyrna is located near Flat River and Seely Creek, which latter stream affords a water-power sufficient for two runs of stone. There is a good flouring- mill, with three runs of stones, owned and operated by Colonel George C. Spencer, and doing a good business ; a sash, door, and blind factory, and an establishment for the manufacture of agricultural implements and nail machinery, run by steam power, and conducted by Sage & Bignell, a couple of enterprising young men, with fair prospects of a successful result. There are in the village, also, three dry-goods stores, one drug and grocery store, one large hotel, wagon-shop, blacksmith-shop, boot and shoe shops ; a very neat and commodious town-house ; and a very comfortable church, erected by the Baptist Society in 1865.
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