USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 53
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pron the captain-was drowned, and other escaped but narrowly. This ended the navigation of the upper St. Joseph. Among the stockholder- of the company that built the boat were Darius Buell. Ezra Wilder. Curtis S. Young-, Sylvester Strong, Chester Hammond. and Dr. Theodore C. Hurd.
The Michigan Air-Line Railway wa- finally constructed, and from the time it- route was definitely settled the vil- lage has grown and prospered. Mixed trains were run over the road in the fall of 1570, and the next season it had put on regular trains, and a new era had dawned upon the region it passes through. It's route is -aid to be nearly identical with one surveyed many year- previou- for the Michigan Central Railway, which now owns and control- this road.
INCORPORATION OF VILLAGE. ETC.
In the fall of 1965 the following petition, signed by numerou- citizens of the place, was sent to the Board of Supervisors of Branch County :
"To the Hourrable Board of Supervisar of Branch County. State of Michigan : The undersigned citizen- of I'nion City, and freeholder-, would respectfully petition your honorable body to incorporate I'nion City, a- prescribed by law, taking in all the territory commencing with the quarter line on the east and county line on the north, run- ning south on the quarter line three-fourthe of one mile; thence we-t parallel with the county line three-fourth- of one mile; thence worth parallel with the quarter line to the county line : thenre east to the quarter tine from the place of starting."
The territory included contained a population of 545, and in pursuauce of an act entitled " An Act to provide for the Incorporation of Villages," approved Feb. 17, 1957, the petition was granted by the board and the place incor- porated under the name of " The Village of Union City." The starting-point of the survey of the territory incorporated was at the quarter-post on the north line of section 4, town- ship 5 south, range 7 west. It was ordered by the board that George W. Buell, David R. Cooley, and James T. Leonard be appointed inspectors to hold the first corpo- ration election, at the town-hall in the village. This elec- tion was held Jan. 25, 1866. and choice made of the following officers, viz. : President, Isaac Jones ; Trustees, HI. F. Ewers, J. D. Hlathorn, J. W. Smith, Caleb Lin- colu, Anson Knowles, Richard Avery ; Assessors, E. Bar- ber, Hiram Crissey; Clerk, George W. Buell; Street Commissioners. S. B. Sims, C. E. Ewers, I. Rowell ; Treas- urer, C. A. Seymour.
At the regular election, held March G, 1866, the follow- ing officers were chosen : President, Silas 11. Nye ; Trus- tees, J. C. Leonard, II. F. Ewers. A. P. West, A. B. Aikon, S. Parsons, Charles M. Whiting; Assessors, Ed- ward Barber, Hiram Crissey ; Street Commissioners, Sin- dall Morrell, Asa Hawley. J. M. Rowell ; Treasurer, Jas. T. Leonard ; Clerk, Chauncey W. Saunders ; Fire- Wardens, C. E. Ewers, G. W. Buell, Richard Carpenter ; Pound- master, Sindall Morrell.
1867 .- President, Silas II. Nye; Trustees, A. P. West, II. F. Ewers, Joseph C. Leonard, A. B. Aiken, Charles M. Whiting, Solomon Parsons.
1868 .- President, II. F. Ewers ; Trustees, Silas II Nye, Hiram Crisscy, Edwin Perry. A. B. Aiken, S. S. Wample, George W. Buell.
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1869 .- President, Solomon Parsons ; Trustees, William Kennebrook, David Gifford, Charles Whiting. David Church, Silas Lusk, Lawrence Rheubottom.
The village was granted a new charter by the Legislature, March 23, 1869. The territory incorporated included the west half of section 4 and east half of section 5, town 5 south, range 7 west. At a special election under the new charter, held April 13, 1869, the following officers were chosen, viz .: President, Ezra Bostwick : Trustees (two years), John B. Tucker, Joseph C. Leonard, William Kennebrook (one year), Charles M. Whiting, David Gif- ford, Solomon Parsons. The newly-elected board met April 20, and appointed James T. Leonard, Clerk ; Chaun- cey W. Saunders, Marshal; James Antisdale, Assessor ; Sindall Morrell, Street Commissioner and Poundmaster. The presidents and trustees of the village, since 1869, have been the following, but three trustees being elected each year, and those for the term of two years :
1870 .- President, Ezra Bostwick ; Trustees, David R. Cooley, Silas H. Nye, Edward Barber :
1871 .- President, Henry F. Ewers, M.D .; Trustees. George E. Aiken, Amos P. West, Lawrence Rheubottom. The latter removed from the village in the fall of 1870, and Joseph C. Leonard was appointed in his place.
1872 .- President, M. A. Merrifield ; Trustees (two years), Martin F. Buell, Samuel M. Chase, Morris Zim- merman (one year, to fill vacancy), James T. Leonard.
1873 .- President, Ezra Bostwick ; Trustees, A. P. West, Edwin L. Lee, H. F. Skinner.
1874 .- President, Ezra Bostwick ; Trustees, Morris Zimmerman, M. F. Buell, S. M. Chase.
1875 .- President, Ezra Bostwick ; Trustees, Amos P. West, Henry F. Ewers. Edwin L. Lee.
1876 .- President, Silas H. Nye ; Trustees, Isaac Tower, Martin F. Buell, Silas H. Lynn.
1877 .- President, Silas H. Nye; Trustees, Stephen A. Warren, Joseph Spencer, H. F. Ewers.
1878 .- President, Charles W. Crocker ; Trustees, Frank C. Rheubottom, Hiram H. Chase, Asa Hawley ; Clerk, D. J. Easton ; Treasurer, Henry T. Carpenter ; Attorney, M. A. Merrifield; Marshal, Dwight E. Youngs; Fire-War- dens, Judson W. Buell, Heber S. Crissey.
FIRE COMPANY.
Union City has suffered severely upon several occasions from the ravages of the fire fiend, much valuable property having been destroyed. After considerable preliminary manceuvering, an appropriation of $1500 was voted by the town council on the 28th of May, 1872, for the purpose of procuring a hand fire-engine. In the following month one was purchased of Messrs. Rumsey & Co., of Seneca Falls, N. Y., together with 500 feet of rubber hose, neces- sary hose-couplings, and a hose-cart, the latter costing $150. The engine arrived in July, and was named " The St. Joseph." Several capacious cisterns had previously been constructed for use in cases of emergency. The total cost of the engine and its appurtenances was $1489.
A fire company was organized Feb. 4, 1873, composed of 43 persons. Its officers were M. F. Rowe, Foreman ; George W. Hinkle, Assistant Foreman ; E. B. Wheeler,
Secretary ; F. C. Rheubottom, Treasurer ; Henry Seymour, Pipeman ; R. F. McCoy, Steward. A hose company was also formed, and the two were uniformed in June, 1873. In Sep- tember, 1874, 300 feet of new rubber hose were purchased.
A new fire company, with 33 members, was organized in January, 1875, and called the "St. Joseph Fire Com- pany, of Union City." In 1876, a lot was purchased of Mrs. A. P. West, and an engine-house built thereon at a cost of 82150. A reorganization of the company was effected Feb. 13, 1877, when the list of members was in- creased to 49. The engine-house is located on High Street, east of Broadway, and is a substantial two-story brick building. It is surmounted by a small belfry, in which a triangle has been hung in lieu of a bell. The danger from fire in the business portion of the village has been greatly lessened by the erection of brick buildings.
The newspapers of the village have been the Union City Independent, Union City Register, and Agents' Puss- port (with several other names subsequently). Of these, the only one now in existence is the Union City Register, published by Maj. D. J. Easton, formerly of the Sturgis Journal and Coldwater Republican, which latter he estab- lished in 1866. More particular mention of these papers will be found in a general chapter on the press of this county.
THE UNION CITY CORNET BAND
was organized early in 1878, under the leadership of Wm. H. Barsby, who is still its teacher, and under whom the band is making rapid advancement in the musical arena. It consists of twenty-one pieces, and the members have a very neat and tasty uniform.
The township owns an excellent library, the volumes of which are for free circulation among its residents. It is located at the music-store of Mr. Gulliford, in Union City.
The present iron bridge across the St. Joseph River, on Broadway, was built in the fall of 1878, by the King Iron Bridge Company, of Cleveland, Ohio. The total cost, including mason-work, was about $2000. Its length is one hundred and four feet, width, twenty-one feet ; and it has two sidewalks. Before this bridge was built the one in use was a double-span wooden-truss bridge, which had stood about eight years.
THE UNION CITY NATIONAL BANK
was organized in April, 1871, with a capital of $50,000. Its first officers were David R. Cooley, President ; Wm. P. IInrd, Vice-President (and acting President) ; Ira W. Nash, Cashier. The present officers are William P. Hurd, Presi- dent ; Ezra Bostwick, Vice-President ; Charles T. Allen, Cashier. During the period from 1872 to 1875 this bank put up a surplus of $10,000, aside from paying annual dividends of ten per cent. Its capital is the same as when organized. Interest has always been paid on deposits. The directors are William P. IIurd, Ezra Bostwick, Israel W. Clark, Isaac Tower, Alexander C. McCreary, John B. Ham- mond, and Samuel P. Williams.
THE FARMERS' NATIONAL BANK OF UNION CITY
was organized Oct. 12, 1877, with a capital of $50,000,- the sarue as at present. Its first officers, who still hold the
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
positions were Thomas B. Buell, President ; H. F. Ewers, M.D., Vice-President ; H. T. Carpenter, Cashier. The board of directors consists of Thomas B. Buell, 1I. F. Ewers, H. h. Bisbee, Homer Ramsdell, and D. K. Crawe. Before either of these banks was established a general exchange business was conducted by Messrs. Buell, Bowen & Co.
THE UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
was organized in 1867, consisting of the following ten per- sons as stockholders : Samuel Rowe, Franklin Burnett. Wm. Kennebrook, I. F. & C. E. Ewers (as firm), Amos P. West, Thomas B. Buell, Ezra Bostwick, G. W. Buell, J. J. Freemyre, and A. C. Moseley. Twenty acres of land were purchased of Charles Wilkes, For the sum of $2000, and about the same sum was expended in preparing a racing track, inclosing and fitting the grounds for use. With the single exception of the year 1878, from one to three fairs have been held here annually. For the first five years the fairs were held by the society in the interest of the town- ships of Union and Sherwood, in Branch County, and Burlington and Athens, in Calhoun, and additional terri- tory was subsequently taken in. The society is not at present sustained, and the grounds are owned by Ezra Bostwiek and Thomas B. Buell, who purchased them in 1874, and rent them to parties desiring to hold fairs. Trotting exhibitions have principally been held here, and some of the finest coursers in this region have tested their speed upon the track at Union City.
UNION LODGE, NO. 28, F. AND A. M.,
was organized under dispensation, Sept. 14, 1848. Its officers were: Worshipful Master, Harley P. Wood ; Se- uior Warden, George S. Nichols; Junior Warden, Marlin Burnett ; Sec., H. H. Smith ; Treas., Justin Lawyer. The latter gentleman, now of Coldwater, where he was long en- gaged in the banking business, is the only one of the above five officers now living. A. B. Aiken, a prominent member of the lodge, was elected Master twelve years in succession. He came here in the spring of 1846 with his father, John Aiken, from Vermilion, Erie Co., O. Ilis father and two sons (John and Spencer) were employed at the old furnace owned by the " Union City Iron Company." M. L. Youngs, a member of the old lodge, has been (since about 1858) Grand Lecturer of the State of Wisconsin. Edwin Perry, Esq., came here in 1851, from Concord, Jackson Co., Mich., and through his influence the lodge was placed upon a firm footing and brought to a condition of prosperity. Mr. Perry was seven times elected Master. In 1855 he was chosen Sergeant-at-Arms of the State Legislature, and representative in 1857 and 1859. In 1862 he received the appointment of postmaster at Union City, and held the office about ten years.
The present membership of the lodge is 125, and its officers are: Worshipful Master, C. B. Knight; Senior Warden, J. D. Black ; Junior Warden, George W. Buell ; Sec., Frank Caughey ; Treas., E. Roe.
UNION CITY CHAPTER, NO. 53, I. A. M.,
was organized under dispensation in 1867, with Edwin Perry as High-Priest. In 1868 a charter was received, and Dr. H. F. Ewers chosen High-Priest, which position
he has since continued to hohl. The officers under the dis- pensation were : High-Priest, Edwin Perry ; King, Rodney Simons; Scribe, W. H. Kerr; Captain of Host, Albert Ferris ; P. S., A. B. Aiken ; R. A. C., S. Rogers ; M. 3 V., Ira E. Hitchcock ; M. 2 V., O. A. Cogswell ; M. 1 V., J. D. Spoor. The present membership is 70, and the officers are : H. F. Ewers, High-Priest ; R. Simons, King ; George W. Buell. S .; M. A. Merrifield, C. of H. ; John Black, R. A. C .; John R. Lee, M. 3 V .; R. E. MeDonald, M. 2 V .; David Merrell, M. 1 V .; Elmer Roe, See .; A. P. West, Treas. ; Lewis Merrifield, Sentinel.
UNION CITY COUNCIL, NO. 52,
was organized in 1870. Its membership is something less than that of the chapter, and its principal officers are : Rodney Simons, T. I. G. M .; H. F. Ewers, D. I. G. M .; A. B. Aiken, P. C. W.
UNION CITY LODGE, NO. 41, 1. 0. O. F.,
was organized in the winter of 1848-49. About 1853 the California gold-fever reached its maximum here, and more than half the members of the lodge left to pick up their fortunes in the " diggings." This so crippled it that the charter was surrendered, and it was not until April 21, 1871, that a new charter was received. The present mem- bership of the lodge is abont 30, and its officers are F. C. Rhenbottom, Noble Grand; D. T. Wilson, Vice-Grand ; H. R. Daniels, Permanent See. ; A. E. Ripley, Recording See. ; M. Vosburgh, Treas. and District Deputy.
STAR ENCAMPMENT, NO. 51, I. O. O. F.,
was organized December 21, 1871, and has a present mem- bership of 21. Its first officers were Silas II. Nye. C. P .; W. A. Moseley, H. P .; P. D. Wilbur, S. W .; D. B. Morehead, Scribe ; N. B. Engle, Treas. ; Samuel Gar- man, J. W. The present officers are Silas II. Nye, C. P. ; D. B. Morehead, H. P .; Mortimer Vosburgh, S. W .; F. C. Rhenbottom, Scribe ; Joseph Failing, Treas.
The rooms occupied by the Odd-Fellows are in the fine brick building known as the " Cooley Block," at the south- west corner of Broadway and Ellen Streets. The Masonie HIall is in the brick block on the opposite (east ) side of the street. Both are very neatly fitted up.
Union City contained, in February, 1879, about 25 stores of various descriptions, several saloons, cigar-stores, meat-markets, livery-stables, and the usual complement of mechanie shops. Among her manufactures, aside from those mentioned, are those of lumber, bee-hives, carriages, wagons and sleighs, ete., all of greater or less extent. . 1 large steam grist-mill was built south of the river in 1873. by the " Union City Flour Company," composed of Elmer Roe, C. W. Crocker, and D. A. Huyck, the latter remain- ing in the firm but a short time. The building is a frame structure, containing four runs of' stone. Merchant and custom business are both conducted, and five persons con- stantly employed. The present proprietors are Roe & Crocker.
RIVERSIDE CEMETERY.
During the infancy of the village an aere and a quarter of land was purchased of Messrs. Clark & Diamond, within
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the boundary of the place, and lying on the St. Joseph River, and another acre was purchased from Eliza Wilder, in the adjoining township of Burlington, and the whole surveyed in May, 1845, into 448 lots for burial purposes, by L. S. Hobart. The lots, avenues, and alleys were laid out on the rectangular plan. Long before this survey was made the ground had been used for cemetery purposes, the first burial being that of little Sally Gifford, the three-year old daughter of Isaac and Roxey Gifford, her death occur- ring July 11, 1838. Soloma, daughter of Carpenter Chaf- fee, died Dec. 3, 1838, and her brother William on the 3d of January, 1839.
In 1864 an additional lot of land was purchased by the township from Henry F. Ewers, Joseph C. Leonard, and Col. Thomas Moseley, and a new survey made. In making the new plat, that part of the old cemetery which lay in Burlington was changed materially, having been but little used, while the portion in Union remains the same. The total amount of land now inclosed is about 7 aeres, of which 1 aere is owned by the township of Burlington, Cal- houn Co., that being the amount purchased of Ezra Wilder in 1845 or previous.
When the addition and new survey were made, the name of " Riverside Cemetery" was given as most appropriate. Col. Moseley died in 1865, and lies here, as do many of the pioneers of the town. A more fitting resting-place could not, perhaps, be found than this one in sight of the village they founded and built up, and the carved marble bears full many a name which awakens fond recollections of the past, when Union City was much greater on paper than in reality ; when the forest surrounding it had scarcely echoed the ring of the woodman's axe, and when the wild beasts were so plenty in the vicinity that the occupants of the few pens in the settlement were in constant danger. Peace to the ashes of the brave pioneers! Their memory will long be cherished, for the days of their deeds of valor in subdning the wilderness are but shortly past.
In compiling the foregoing article many of the older residents of the township and village have been consulted, and it is with much confidence in its accuracy that it is now submitted. Among those who have opened the store- houses of their memory and gleaned therefrom facts and incidents here incorporated are Deacon Israel W. Clark and wife, William P. Hurd, M.D., II. S. IJurd, M.D., and wife, of Galesburg, Ill., Mrs. Homer C. Hurd, John D. Zimmerman, H F. Ewers, M.D., Caleb Lincoln, Charles A. Lincoln, Curtis S. Youngs and wife, Edwin Perry, Esq., Joseph C. Leonard, Silas II. Nye, L. R. Judd, the pastors and various members of the churches, proprietors of manu- factories, members of different societies and orders, and many whose names are not recollected. To all are ten- dered sincere thanks.
Aside from personal interviews, the records of the vil- lage, township, county, and State have been examined, and by reference to the "pedigree" of Union City, as here given, it will be seen that the facts derived from the county records are of a somewhat different nature than the general opinion of the origin of the village of "Goodwinsville" and the subsequent stages passed through before Union City blossomed out in all its glory.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
EZRA BOSTWICK
was born in Otisco, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1826. He was the son of Oliver and Hannah Bostwick, who had a family of eight children. The elder Bostwick was a native of New Milford, Conn. But little is known of his early history further than that his parents were poor, and he thrown upon his own resources at an early age. Shortly after he attained his majority he married Miss Hannah Goodwin, emigrated to Onondaga County, and settled in Otisco, where he resided until his death, in 1866. He was possessed of more than ordinary amount of business ability, and was a man of inflexible integrity, and extremely ener- getie and industrious. In 1835 he came to Michigan and purchased two thousand acres of land in the town of Union. Ezra spent the early part of his life upon his father's farm, and, like many of the prominent and sne- cessful business men of to-day, received the rudiments of his education at the district school; and although the edu- cational advantages of those early days were meagre, still he succeeded well, and subsequently entered an academy where he acquired a thorough education that well fitted him for his subsequent successful business career. After completing his education, he worked as a farm hand by the month until 1846, when he was married to Miss Marietta MeFarlin, of his native connty, and came to Union, and settled upon his farm previously purchased. The land was entirely new and heavily timbered, and the construction of a farm and a home was a task of no small magnitude. As showing what can be done by energy and industry, it ean 'be said that he has improved over one thousand acres of new land, most of which is in the town of Union.
Mr. Bostwick has been prominently identified with Union City and township, and has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, the duties of which he has discharged with fidelity, with honor to himself, and to the satisfae- tion of the public. In 1869 he was elected to the repre- sentative branch of the Legislature. Four years he repre- sented Uniou upon the Board of Supervisors, and for the same length of time has officiated as the president of the village.
Mr. Bostwick is possessed of more than an ordinary amount of perseverance, industry, and ambition. Ile has conquered success, and it may be truly said of him that his entire career is one worthy of the emulation of young men. lle has not only witnessed the transition of a thin settle- ment into a busy and populous community, of a semi- wilderness into a fertile and productive region, but in his own person has typified so admirably the agencies which wrought many of these changes, that no history of Union would be complete without some sketch of his life.
II. FRANCIS EWERS, M.D.
Branch County is noted for the proficiency and high standard of its medical men, and none occupy a more de- servedly popular position than Dr. H. F. Ewers, of Union City. A residence of over a quarter of a century there,
DR. H. F. EWERS.
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IHISTORY OF BRANCHI COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
during which time he has been in the active practice of his profession, has fully demonstrated his general worth, and assigned him a conspicuous place in the history of Union City. II. Francis Ewers, son of Henry Ewers, one of the prominent citizens and pioneers of Onondaga Co., N. Y., was born in the town of Manlius, Onondaga Co., Feb. 24, 1830. second in a family of three boys and two girls. He received au academical education, and at the age of seven- teen entered the Sophomore class of Hamilton College. where he graduated with honors in 1850, receiving the degree of M.A. After his graduation he made a choice of his profession-that of a physician-and commenced the study of medicine with the late Dr. A. B Shipman, of Syracuse, one of the most eminent surgeons of New York, with whom he remained four years. He then took a course of lectures at the Albany Medical College, graduating, however, at the Castleton Medical College of Vermont. In 1854 he came to Union City, where he immediately es- tablished himself in the practice of his profession, in which he has been eminently successful. In 1857 he was elected president of the Branch County Medical Society, a member of Southern Michigan Medical Association, and a perma- nent member of the American National Medical Associa- tion. The doctor has been prominently identified with Union City. He was one of the originators and promi- nently connected with the construction of the Air-Line Railroad. He has taken a deep interest in educational matters, and has been a member of the board of education since 1858. In 1855. in company with his brother, C. E. Ewers. he opened the first drug-store in Union City. In his religious and political affiliations he is an Episcopalian and a Democrat. In January, 1858, he married Miss Lotta E. Waggoner, of Syracuse. He has two children,-Lotta E. and Lizzie A. Dr. Ewers is a gentleman well and favor- ably known, and one who is highly respected and esteemed. Hle possesses the necessary qualifications of a physician other than knowledge,-geniality of disposition and firm- ness blended with kindness and compassion. In his do- mestic relations he is kind and affectionate, a good husband, father, and friend, and in every sense a worthy citizen.
THOMAS B. BUELL.
The Buell family are of English extraction. Thomas Buell, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of New Hampshire. He was a farmer and miller by occupation, and had a family of twelve children,-ten boys and two girls. The eldest, Darius, was the father of Thomas B., and was born in New Hampshire in 1784. From New Hamp- shire the elder Buell removed to Lebanon, Madison Co., N. Y. Here Darius married, and shortly after removed to Sherburne, Chenango Co., N. Y., where he resided until his death, in 1866. He was blessed with a family of fifteen
children, three of whom grew to maturity. Thomas B. was the seventh, and was born at Sherburne, Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1815. At the age of ten he went to live with a paternal uncle, a man of remarkable energy and thrift. Thomas carly imbibed much of his zeal and energy, and attributes much of his success to the lessons taught him by his uncle. Like most farmers' boys, he had the advantages
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