USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 59
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M. B. Barnhart, 179 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, I cow.
John Worden, 190 acres wild, 2 improved, 3 horses, 1 wagon, 3 cows.
John Moore, 120 acres wild, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 3 cows.
Thomas Olney, 840 acres wild, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 2 cows.
Backus Fox, 80 acres wild, 2 horses, 1 wagon.
B. 11. Randall, SO acres wild land.
Stephen Hickok, 120 acres wild, 2 oxen, 2 cows.
James Pierce, 240 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, I cow.
George Rosecrans, 40 aeres wild, 1 cow.
Aura Smith, store and goods, valued at $880.
Rodney O. Smith, SO acres wild land.
Cornelius Vanaken, 240 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 3 cows.
Andrew Shaver, 200 acres wild, 1 wagoo, 2 oxen, 2 cows.
Joseph C. Corbus, 154 acres wild, 44 improved, 2 horses, 3 cows.
John B. Mason, 100 acres wild, 2 oxen, 1 cow.
Jacob W. Mann, 965 acres wild, 35 improved, 1 wagon, 4 oxen, 3 cows.
Joseph Vanblarcom, 160 acres wild, 2 horses.
Abram Vanhlarcom, 150 acres wild, 10 improved, I cow.
John Vanblarcom, 160 acres wild, 2 horses.
William Vanblarcom, 610 acres wild, 50 improved, 1 horse, 2 wagons, 4 cows.
Levi Kingston, 2 horses, I wagon, 1 cow.
James B. Tompkins, 395 acres wild, 25 improved, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 2 cows.
John Rose, 80 acres wild land.
Robert Gorball, 120 acres wild, 2 oxen.
Lyman Fox, 405 acres wild, 25 improved, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 3 cows.
John Corbus' estate, 115 acres wild, 45 acres improved.
Benjamin P. Wright, 40 acres wild land.
Peter 1. Mann, 160 acres wild land.
Addict Bradley, 200 acres wild, 2 oxen, 1 cow.
Roswell Crippen, 73 acres wild, 1 cow.
Joshua Whitney, 475 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 1 cow.
Abram Tompkins, 240 acres wild, 2 oxen, 2 cows.
Samuel White, SO acres wild, 1 cow.
Moses Johnson, 120 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen.
Archibald Lewis, 80 acres wild, 2 oxen, 1 cow.
Elias Gage, 200 acres wild land.
187.1.
Population
1,313
Number of farms ...
acres in farm lands ...
of wheat growing, June, 1874
3,776
16
harvested, 1873
3,073
corn
1,733
. bushels of wheat "
4 4
corn
16
57,678
=
all other grain,
.
27,712
potatoes,
7,753
tons
hay.
2,074
pounds wool sheared,
pork marketed,
174,852
cheese made,
24,498
butter made, 66
78,590
Number of pounds of fruit dried for market, 1873. 30,273
barrels cider muade .. 677
pounds maple-sugar .. 5,008
Ilorses over one year old, 1874. 708
Mules 8
Work-oxen. 16
Milk cows.
760
Cattle other than cows and oxen 683
Swine over six months old. 1,017
Sheep "
3.863
Sheep sheared, 1873.
3,740
VILLAGES.
The village of Girard occupies a central position in the township. It is built upon the corner of sections 15, 16, 21, and 22, and is on the line of the proposed Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan Railroad, six miles due north from Coldwater. It contains three church edifices (Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, and Free-Will Baptist), three stores of general merchandise, a post-office, which receives a daily mail, a district school-house with two departments, several small mechanic-shops, and about 150 inhabitants. The first settlers on or near its site were Richard Corbus, Edward S. Ilanchett, who erected the first frame barn in the township, on the northwest corner of section 22. John and Joseph C. Corbus, William McCarty, and James B. Tompkins. Aura Smith located on section 16, and sold the first goods in the township, about 1837. Dr. Chauncey, the first physician, came in September 19, 1843. Dr. Clizbe has been a resident physician since 1870. Drs. Arnold, Coleridge, Burnham, Allen, Brewster, and Bassett have also practiced here at different periods.
SCHOOLS.
It is stated by early residents that the first school-house in the township was situated near the northwest corner of the village, and was built abont 1832 or 1833, and that the first teachers were Miss Laura Tibbetts, Miss Ames, and John B. Mason.
The following is the earliest written record we can find concerning schools :
" At a meeting of the inhabitants of school district No. 1, in the town of Girard, called for the purpose of taking action in regard to building a school-house, John Parkin- son was elected moderator, and John B. Mason clerk, whereupon it was voted to build a school-house 20 feet. long and 18 feet wide, said house to be built of logs, and erected on the northwest corner of lands now belonging to John B. Mason. The building is estimated to cost $67. "GIRARD, Nov. 19, 1834."
The following statisties are gathered from the report of the board of school inspectors, made Sept. 1, 1878:
Whole No. of districts and parts of districts ...... 10
Number of whole districts ..
parts of districts.
1
16 school-houses in the township .. 10
stone school-houses. 1
4. brick 16
= framed "
189
Seating eapacity of all the houses
SSS00.00
Value of school property.
Number of children of school age residing in the township ..
411
Number of children attending school during the year
392
Number of graded schools ..
1
year. male teachers employed during the
9
Number of female teachers employed during the year
18
6
277
22,518
41,274
15,250
237
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Aggregate number of months taught by male tenchers ...... 294
Aggregate number of months taught by female teachers .. 601
$1119.75
Amount of salary paid to male teachers salary paid to female teachers. 761.50
Total amount paid to teachers, SISSI.25
Whole number of volumes in township library .... 236
.. added during the year. 98
$18.78
Amount of fines received from county treasurer ... Amount paid for books for township library ........ Total receipts for the year, including cash on hand Sept. 2. 1877, two-mill tax, primary school fund, tuition of non-resident scholars, and direct inxation ...
$33.55
$3266.66
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Girard Grange, No. 136, P'. of 11., was organized by Grand Deputy C. L. King with GO charter members, Nov. 25, 1873, and the following officers were duly chosen by ballot and installed for the year 1873: G. W. Vanakin, Master ; G. A. Russell, Overseer; S. E. Spencer, Lecturer; G. W. JJones, Steward; T. L. White, Asst. Steward ; R. B. Hollinbeck, Chaplain ; Amos Markham, Treas .; A. L. Smith, Sce .; J. M. Baldwin, Gatekeeper; Mrs. G. W. Vanakin, Ceres; Mrs. I. L. Nye, Pomona; Miss Eva Paddock, Flora ; Mrs. J. M. Baldwin, Lady Asst. Steward.
The grange has elected the same Master and Secretary each succeeding year to and including the present one.
The following persons compose the board of officers for the year 1879: G. W. Vanakin, Master; R. F. Parker, Overseer ; G. W. Jones, Steward ; Warren Walker, Asst. Steward; J. M. Walker, Chaplain ; S. E. Spencer, Lectu- rer; Wm. V. Worden, Treas .; A. L. Smith, See. ; M. Dyon, Gatekeeper; Miss Ida Vanblarcom, Ceres; Miss Cynthia Downs, Pomona; Miss Adie Phillips, Flora ; Mrs. J. M. Baldwin, Lady Asst. Steward ; G. L. Palmer, Business Agent ; B. H. Smith, Chorister; G. A. Russell, Asst. Chorister; Miss Eva Paddock, Organist.
Number of present members, 102.
The grange meets in the Girard Union town-hall on Wednesday evenings once in two weeks.
CHURCHIES.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Methodists were the first to hold meetings of a re- ligious character in this township. As early as 1831 and '32, meetings were held at the residence of John Cornish, and in the school-house in later years. At these meetings the pioneers listened to the preachings of' Allen Tibbetts, Rev. Mr. Colelasure, and other circuit preachers, as well as to several of their own local preachers, John B. Mason being among the latter class.
The organization of the church as it exists to-day goes back to about the year 1840. The records kept are in- complete and meagre. From them, however, we learn that the first board of trustees was composed of the following members : Lyman Fox, Mason Chase, Joseph C. Corbus, John Parkinson, Lyman Aldrich, Benjamin II. Smith, John Worden.
The first church edifice was erected in the year 1844, costing not far from $1000. Levi Butler, one of the first members, was the builder, and Rev. Mr. Hudson pastor during the same time.
The circuit in which the Girard charge was situated, thirty-five years ago, embraced the following appointments : East Girard, West Girard, Bronson, Clizbe's ( now Quincy), Brooks School house, York's house, Branch, Day's, and Union.
The first quarterly conference for the Girard circuit was held at the Girard meeting-house, Nov. 28, 1846.
After the usual exercises, on motion, Joseph C. Corbus was appointed secretary. The following brethren, whose names are marked " p," were present : A. M. Fitch, P. E., p .; W. E. Biglow, P. C., p. ; Jacob Hamlin, Ex., p. ; Ma- son Chase, C. L., p .; E. Barker, C. L., p .; S. White, C. L., p. ; John Reynolds, a. ; D. Powers, a .; Abram Smith, p .; Elisha Day, p.
At this conference the following persons were elected stewards of the church : Lyman Fox, Hiram Clizbe, John Parkinson, David Powers, Jesse Brooks, Joseph C. Corbus, and John Bassett.
The following receipts were reported to this conference : East Girard, $8.15 ; West Girard, $14.35; Brooks Class, $1.00; York House, $0.00; Bronson, $0.00; Clizbe, $0.00 ; Publie Collection, $3.36.
The settlement of the board of stewards with the pastor, Rev. W. E. Biglow, at the close of the same year (1846) was as follows: " Quarterage, $216; table expenses, $50; house-rent, $10; moving and fire-wood, $29."
Mr. Biglow has been succeeded by the following-named pastors : Revs. D. C. Jacokes, 1847 ; II. Penfield, 1849; V. G. Boynton (who was promised, in addition to a small salary, " a glorious good donation"), 1851 ; Nathan Mount, 1853; Noah Fassett, 1855; I. I. Buell, 1857 ; 1. N. Thomas, 1858 ; I. Taylor (the Chrysostom of the Michigan Conference), 1859; T. J. Hill, 1860; George Lee, 1861; J. J. Clubine, 1862 ; T. J. Congdon, 1864; Isaac Bennett, 1865 ; I. Taylor, 1867; W. H. Ware (the boy-preacher), 1868 ; A. A. Dunton, 1869 ; F. Gage, 1871 ; E. H. Day (who, because of his genial qualities, remained three years), 1872; W. M. Paddock, 1875; and W. M. Colby, the pres- ent pastor, 1878.
The church edifice was repaired in 1848 at a cost of about $700 ; and again in 1876, making it substantially a new structure, at a cost of $3000. It has sittings for 300 people, which are all taken. The present membership numbers 160. Number of pupils in Sabbath-school, 80. Era Nye, Sunday-school Superintendent. Mr. George W. Stray served as superintendent of Sabbath-schools for a period of twenty years.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first meeting of this society was held at the house of William Vanblareom, in Girard, Wednesday, June 8, 1851. Those present formed themselves into a conference, looking to the formation of an independent church. Rev. Edwin Eaton, of the Coldwater Church, offered prayer, aud delivered a brief discourse as to their duties. The constituent member of this society, thirteen in number, had all been members of the Coldwater and Tekonsha Churches. Their names were as follows : " William Vanblarcom, E. M. Waldo, George B. Johnson, Amasa R. Day, E. T. Todd, Mary Smith, Harriet C. Day, Sarah Burr, Mary
238
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Vanblarcom, Matilda B. Waldo, Alvina Todd, Eunice L. Burr, and Mary Olney.
E. T. Todd was the first deacon elected, and remains as such at the present time. During the first year of its existence, Elder Eaton preached to the society once in four weeks; Rev. John Sage was called in December, 1860 ; Daniel Peace eame 1862; Thomas Robinson, 1863; II. C. Beals, 1868; William H. Prentiss, 1870; A. M. Buek, 1872; William Remington, 1874; J. HI. Crooker, 1875; and E. R. Clark, the present pastor, in April, 1878.
Soon after the formation of the society Mr. William Vanblarcom bought the old district school-house for the sum of $300, and presented it to the church. It was re- paired, reseated, and, until the partial completion of the new church-edifice, was in use as their house of worship.
The lot on which the present church edifice is built was purchased of HI. E. Carle, in October, 1872, at a cost of $200. Nov. 27, 1875, E. T. Todd, Reuben Milligan, and J. J. Hudson were appointed a building committee, " to mature and carry out plans for building a church edifice." The structure was commenced in 1876, and at the present time the exterior and basement story only are completed. It has cost thus far about $2000. Present membership, 40. Number of scholars in Sabbath-school classes, 50. Mr. O. L. Smart, Sunday-school superintendent.
FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
This society was organized May 10, 1849, by Elders Elwood, Whitcomb, and J. J. Wilkins. The original mem- bers were thirteen in number, as follows: L. Y. Limbocker, Diadama Limbocker, John Loring, Mary Loring, N. M. Millard, Cynthia Millard, Charles Lane, Henry Aurend. Matilda Aurend, Alexander Ladow, John Smart, Anna Cutler, and Mary E. Cutler. The present church edifice was ereeted in 1856. It eost, with bell, $1600, and has sittings for 225 persons. The building committee consisted of Elder Elijah Cook, James B. Tompkins, H. Coddington, A. Hoard, and S. Kingston.
Their first pastor was Rev. J. J. Wilkins, who remained four years. He has been followed in subsequent years by Revs. Elijah Cook, L. B. Whiteomb, F. P. Anger, E. G. Chadock, II. E. Whipple, M. R. Kenney, E. J. Reville, and Elder Morey.
The society is small in numbers, and without a pastor at the present writing.
Our acknowledgments are due to Hon. James B. Tomp- kins, Peter I. Mann, Joseph Vanblarcom, Dr. Moses E. Chauncey, Rev. W. M. Colby, A. R. Day, Henry E. Carle, N. M. Millard, James E. Perry, Mrs. B. H. Smith, Mrs. S. A. Smith (of Quincy), the Misses Craig, and many others, to all of whom we desire to return our sineere thanks for the valuable information derived from them.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DR. MOSES E. CHAUNCEY.
Among the prominent physicians for whom Braneh County is noted, none occupy a more enviable position
than Dr. Moses E. Chauncey. A residence of over thirty- six years in Girard, during which time he has been actively engaged in the duties of his profession, has not only fully demonstrated his ability as a physician, but his worth as a citizen.
He was born in Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Nov. 15, IS09. His parents were New England people, and early settlers in Saratoga. Mr. Chauncey lived at home, assisting them on the farm summers, and attending school winters, acquiring a fair education. In the winters of 1842 and 1843 he attended the Albany Medical College, graduating with honor, and afterwards graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic College.
He came to Girard, Mich., Sept. 19, 1843, and com- menced practice immediately. He married Lueinda, daugh- ter of Abraham and Sally (Cook ) Hudson, of Galway, N. Y., who died Nov. S, 1860. He married again in May, 1862.
In politics Dr. Chauncey is a staunch Democrat of the Jacksonian type.
HENRY PIERCE.
Henry Pierce was born among the Green Mountains of Vermont, Dec. 5, 1808, the eldest of ten children. lle accompanied his father, when a lad of eight years, to Orleans Co., N. Y., where they were occupied with farming pursuits. He was married Nov. 9, 1834, to Miss Betsey: daughter of Silas and Lavinia (Clark) Beebe, at Claren- don, Orleans Co., N. Y. Mrs. Pierce was also a Vermont lady, having been born in Clarendon, in that State. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were lured by the charms of the West to emigrate, and in 1839 came to the township of Girard, and purchased forty acres of land on section 7, establishing a home at that point. They have had three children, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. Pierce passed through some interesting experiences during his early pioneer life. The land he purchased eost two hundred and fourteen dollars, and when paid for left him but fourteen dollars, the money being in bills of a broken bank. For months they were reduced to one silver sixpence, which embraced all their cash capital. He cleared twenty acres without a team, and the remainder with a pair of young oxen. Later he disposed of his farm, which contained one hundred and five acres, and moved to Girard Centre, in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Pieree are now in comfortable circumstances, and en- joying in advaneed years the result of their industry and enterprise.
MRS. ELIZA CRAIG.
Among the pioneers of Branch County the name of Mrs. Eliza Craig, of Girard, deserves conspicuous mention. She was the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Downes, and was born May 25, 1795, in the county of Armagh, Ireland. Determining to cmigrate to the new country across the Atlantie, she sailed in April, 1821, and took up her resi- denee in Morristown, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. While there she married Samuel Craig, Dee. 2, 1823. In 1829, having a desire to explore the prairie lands of Michigan, they started for the West, and first located in the township
DR.MOSES E CHAUNCEY.
HENRY PIERCE.
MRS. HENRY PIERCE.
MRS ELIZA CRAIG. ( PHOTOS BY VINDMARE )
239
HISTORY OF BRANCHI COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of Allen, Hillsdale Co., two years later coming to Girard. Mrs. Craig enjoyed the proud distinction of giving birth to the first white male child in Girard, who was born the 4th of September of the same year. We clip the follow- ing from a leading county paper, as giving a fair estimate of the character of Mrs. Craig: " She has always been an upright, conscientious, Christian lady, joining the Presby- terian Church in this city in 1843. She was a kind and considerate mother, an excellent neighbor, and a woman whom all of her acquaintances loved. She was a good specimen of the pioneer mothers of our county, ever ready and willing to extend a helping hand to the poor and needy, and God had spared her life to see the prairie that was her home for so many years become one of the most populous
and fertile parts of our county, dotted with happy homes and surrounded by schools and churches, whose bells rang out sweet music to this aged Christian mother. May her memory remain green in the hearts of all who knew her !"
Mr. and Mrs. Craig had six children, namely. Mary Jane, James, David, Daniel, Samuel, and Eliza. James and Daniel died the 28th of August, 1841, in Girard. Samuel died the 2d of January, 1856, in Eureka, Cal. The three remaining children are residents of Girard, and live on property left them by their parents. Samnel Craig emi- grated from the same locality with his wife some years earlier, and died March 2, 1847. Mrs. Craig at the time of her death had reached the good old age of eighty-three years.
ALGANSEE.
ALGANSEE, designated in the United States survey as township No. 7 south, of range No. 5 west, is situated upon the east border of the county, southeast from Cold- water City. It is bounded on the cast by Hillsdale County, north by Quiney, west by Ovid, and south by California, townships in Branch County.
Its surface is rolling, and well drained by numerous small creeks. Originally it was heavily timbered, except the southwest corner, where were found several hundred acres of burr-oak openings.
The principal streams are known locally as Ilanchett and Bickford Creeks, deriving their names from those of early settlers. The former flows in a northwest course through the centre of the township, and empties its waters into Marble Lake. The latter takes its rise from a small lake, situated upon section 27, and flows thence westerly across the southwest corner.
Bartholomew Lake lies wholly within section 7, while Middle Lake and the southern part of' Marble Lake occupy portions of sections 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Other small lakes are found upon sections 9, 23, and 27. The entire lake surface of the township includes an area of about 700 acres.
The soil consists of a sandy loam, intermixed with a dark vegetable mould. It is of good quality, and in the amount and nature of its products compares favorably with other townships in the county.
FIRST LAND ENTRIES.
The first entries for lands in this township were made by Jedediah Jessup, of Monroe Co., N. Y., Sept. 12, 1835, being the northeast one-fourth of section 30; Charles But- ler, of New York City, bought all of section 1, and the north one-half of section 12, Nov. 9, 1835; Asahel Brown part of sections 31 and 32, Jan. 1, 1836; Nathan Austin,
the same date, 160 aeres of seetion 32; Luther Styles, 160 aeres on section 9, Jan. 6, 1836; and Ludoviens Robbins 720 acres on sections 15 and 22, Mar. 31, 1836.
The following list embraces the names of those who pur- chased of the government subsequently :
Section 1, 1835 .*- Charles Butler.
Section 2, 1835 .- Allen Hubbard, Sumner & Clark, Jason Ransom, George Smith.
Section 3, 1836 .- Moses Ilill, Jesse Hill, Elijah ITill, Nelson N. Sprague, Sumner & Clark.
Section 4, 1836 .- Sumner & Clark, Zenas C. Conley, Ralph Grow, Zina H. Hastings, Mary Ann Wright, Lucas Joseph.
Section 5, 1857 .- Silas Crane.
Section 6, 1836 .- Eli Gray, Roswell J. Hayward, John Easton, Norman Barber, Alexander S. Berry, Isaac Wethey, Charles W. Felt.
Section 7, 1836 .- ITiram Alden, Roswell J. Hayward, A. S. Moss, Sardis Johnson, Eli Culver.
Section 8, 1836 .- William S. Hawkins, Horace New- eomb, Sumner & Clark.
Section 9, 1836 .- Luther Stiles, James II. Hanchett, - Ira S. Mudge.
Section 10, 1836 .- Daniel Williams, Cicero Webster, Peter D. Post, Cornelius Post, Jr., Jacob Nichols, Isaac Ambler.
Section 11, 1836 .- Abraham Phillips, Charles Powell, Sumner & Clark, Almon H. White.
Section 12, 1835 .- Charles Butler, Charles Powell, Samuel HI. Gale, Harvey Carpenter, Thomas B. Palmer.
Section 13, 1836 .- Morris Crater, Lazarus Culver, Henry Phelps, William Johnson, David Johnson.
# The figures denote the year the first purchase was made upon each scetion.
240
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Section 14, 1836 .- Abraham Phillips, Sumner & Clark. Section 15, 1836 .- Ludovicus Robbins, Benjamin Stout, William R. Hawkins, Sumner & Clark.
Section 16, 1849 .- L. B. Robbins.
Section 17, 1836 .- Richard Abbey, Horace Newcomb, William Easton, Nancy Barber, Alpheus Hill.
Section 18, 1836 .- Roswell J. Ilayward, Sumner & Clark, C. B. Jones, John F. Packard, Jonathan Bick- ford, Jasper Underhill, Charles Bickford.
Section 19, 1836 .- Orrin Wyllys, Benjamin Tindall, Azam Purdy, Isaac George, Samuel M. Dennison, Stephen Whitehouse, Oliver Fuller, Reuben J. Champlin.
Section 20, 1836 .- John Ackerson, Philip H. Jewell, Henry Buell, H. D. Mudge, Anson Beardsley, Carlton V. Clark, Aaron Tompkins.
Section 21, 1837 .- William Prentiss, Eleazer Baker, Jonathan Bickford, Iliram Thompson, Lucas Joseph, Aaron Simpkins, Benjamin Craig, Enos G. Berry.
Section 22, 1836 .- Ludovicus Robbins, Allen Hubbard, William R. Hawkins, Josiah Burge.
Section 23, 1836 .- Allen Hubbard, Isaac Bradle, Thomas Dougherty, Silas Crane, William Johnson, Isaac F. Camp.
Section 24, 1836 .- James Patterson, Henry Phelps, Ezekiel Gardner.
Section 25, 1836 .- James Patterson, Orange Dean, Jr., Ansel Nichols, Ezekiel Gardiner, fleury Phelps, David Johnson, Elias Hakes.
Section 26, 1836 .- James Patterson, Jason Cowles, A. Mosely, Avory Farnham, William Lawson Coe, Harry Teal.
Section 27, 1836 .- Joseph R. Williams, Ezekiel Gard- ner, Alvah N. Jones, Isaac Quimby, Samnel Mowry.
Section 28, 1836 .- Joseph R. Williams, Horace Purdy, Joseph Farrar, Silas Crane, Isaac George.
Section 29, 1836 .- William Martin, Horace Purdy, Jesse Craft, Otis Wilter, David Tift, Benjamin F. Rich- mond, James Nichols, Isaac George, Benjamin Craig, Daniel Bickford.
Section 30, 1835 .- Jedediah Jessup, William Martin, Orrin Wyllys.
Section 31, 1836 .- Asahel Brown, Samuel Mulhollen, Joshua Baker, Jasper Underhill.
Section 32, 1836 .- Nathan Austin, Asahel Brown, Thomas Blackwood.
Section 33, 1836 .- Thomas Pratt, Ezra S. E. Brainard, Abigail Shumway, Asahel Brown, Joseph R. Williams.
Section 34, 1836 .- Sumner & Clark, Joseph W. Law- rence, Jr., Joseph W. Lawrence, Ezekiel Gardner, Joseph R. Williams.
Section 35, 1836 .- Sumner & Clark, Ezekiel Gardner, Jesse Doyle, Orsamon Horton, Gideon Draper, Arunah Mosely, Charles Peaslee, Joshua Pridgeon, Carlton V. Clark, John Doyle.
Section 36, 1836 .- Rodolphus E. Knight, William Bar- row, Ezekiel Gardner.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
From the best sources of information now obtainable, it is believed that Luther Stiles and Ludovico or Ludovicus Robbins were the first settlers in the territory now known
as Algansee township. They had visited the locality pre- viously, had purchased their lands of the government, and erected, or cansed to be erected, each a good, substantial log dwelling-house. Stiles' purchase consisted of 240 acres upon section 9, and Robbins' of 560 acres upon sections 15 and 22. Although not traveling together, nor from 'the same locality, nor in any way concerned as partners, by a curious coincidence, both moved their families into the township the same day.
Until after leaving the Chicago road the elder had the lead, but by his team becoming " stalled,"-a very frequent occurrence in those days,-Stiles passed him, and reached his domicile-which had neither floor, doors, or windows -first.
Mr. Robbins came from Erie Co., N. Y., and was aceom- panied by some four or five sons. He was a Presbyterian minister, a tall, muscular man, a devout Christian, and noted among the early settlers for his many eccentricities.
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