USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73
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Joshua Baker, 88.42 aeres, July 19, 1836. Win. Gardineer, 40 acres, Oct. 20, 1843. Isaac Eslow, 46 acres, Feb. 17, 1847. Charles M. Cooper, 40 acres, July 15, 1835. Charles M. Cooper, 46.42 acres, July 15, 1835. Clark C. Baker, 40 acres, Dec. 22, 1835. L. D. Crippin, 74.42 acres, July 19, 1836. Oliver Burdick, Jr., 42,23 acres, Nov. 1, 1853. Oliver D. Corbin, 57.75 acres, Nov. 1, 1853. Iliram R. Aldeo, 111.46 acres, Dec. 15, 1853. Oliver Burdick, Jr., 29 aeres, Feb. 2.1, 1854. John Waterhouse, 135.58 acres, Aug. 8, 1837. John Waterhouse, 80 acres, Nov. 14, 1845. A. G. Gray, 40 acres, March 6, 1852. Asa Waterhouse, 40 acres, Feb. 14, 1853. Asa Waterhouse, 40 acres, March 14, 1853. A. C. Burdick, 40 acres, June 2, 1853. A. Fliat, 40 acres, Sept. 10, 1853. Win. Low, 40 acres, Nov. 2, 1853. Oliver Burdick, 40 aeres, Nov. 2, 1853. J. R. Graves, 40 acres, Feb. 9, 1851. Oliver Burdick, Jr., 40 acres, March 16, 1854. J. R. Groves, 10 acres, April 15, 1854. Willis M. Bowen, SO aeres, Dec. 22, 1835. Hiram Baker, 80 acres, Dec. 22, 1835. Jacob Peer, 121.22 acres, Dee. 22, 1835. Willis M. Bowen, 46.80 aeres, March 10, 1836. Willis M. Bowen, 42.15 acres, March 10, 1836. Willis M. Bowen, 78.77 acres, May 4, 1836. Wm. Ingalls, 75.13 acres, July 13, 1838. Jesse Smith, 308.54 acres, Feb. 23, 1836. Benj. Tucker, 160 acres, May 26, 1836. Asher Mooo, 51.40 acres, July 19, 1836. Harvey G. Fox, 73.32 acres, Aug. 23, 1844. John De Pue, 79.74 acres, Jau. 23, 1836. Asher Moon, 171.60 aeres, July 19, 1836. Asher Moon, 86.79 acres, July 19, 1836. Dennis De Pue, 85.86 acres, Nov. 3, 1835. Asher Moon, 125.68 acres, July 19, 1836. Asher Moon, 85.90 acres, July 19, 1836. Win. Bancroft, 53.70 acres, Sept. 12, 1835. Dennis De Pue, 99.11 acres, Nov. 3, 1835. 11. D. Mason, 57.20 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. L. D. & P. Il. Crippin, 329.54 acres, July 19, 1836. Joshua Baker, 250.21 acres, July 19, 1836. Ellery Patterson, 90.95 acres, Sept. 16, 1841. Roger W. Holton, 80 acres, Feb. 25, 1836. Joshua Baker, 89,32 acres, July 19, 1836. James O. Masou, 88,01 acres, Nov. 19, 1846. James O. Mason, 40 acres, Feb. 9, 1847. Jobo Walter, 40 acres, June 17, 1853.
It is our purpose to give the record of township officers only since the organization of Kinderhook, though in tracing the first settlement and following the course of emigration it will be necessary to recall an earlier date, when its neighbor, Ovid, claimed the territory it now covers. The oldest living resident of the township is George Tripp, who may be regarded, if not absolutely the first settler, as among the first who came and made a per- manent location here. He left his home in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1835 and located in Branch County, purchasing 190
ENOS MICHAEL.
FARM AND RESIDENCE OF ENOS?
PHOTO BY E.KINDMARK COLOWATEN
MRS. ENOS MICHAEL.
AEL, KINDERHOOK, MICH.
293
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
acres on sections 3 and 4 in the present township, and at that time a part of Coldwater. In 1837, Ovid was set apart from the original township, and later, Kinderhook was de- clared an independent organization. When Mr. Tripp arrived, the country was an unbroken wilderness, vast stretches of timber land greeting the traveler's eye. There were no roads and no suggestions of civilization, and indeed no indication of the presence of a white inhabitant other than that afforded by an occasional log house, so entirely isolated to be practically beyond the reach of any neigh- borly courtesy. Another indication of life was found in the Indian trail followed by the tribes in their westward wanderings, and used for a time as a highway until more improved opportunities of travel were introduced.
Here Mr. Tripp erected a log house, which, rude as it was, afforded shelter for himself' and family, and was to them a home embracing all the comforts absolutely necessary to their primitive life. The wolves at this time could be dis- tinetly heard at night, and deer and wild turkey were so abundant as to have lost all sense of fear, and were fre- quently seen feeding with the cattle. Mr. Tripp was soon followed by his brother David, who, in 1836, located on the north-central portion of section -1, where he died after a useful life, during which time he filled many offices of trust in the township. His son, Lester Tripp, who came with his father in 1836, now resides on the old homestead.
Three families had already located here when Mr. Tripp arrived,-Joshua Baker, Sheldon Williams, and Boaz Larupson ; the latter having located on section 9, and until his death filled many responsible offices in connection with the township. His widow subsequently located on land embraced in section 3, and at present owned by Henry Knauss and Charles D. Brown. In 1836, John Water- house came from Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y., and purchased the land surrounding the present Kinderhook post-office. The presence of Mr. Waterhouse and his family formed the nucleus around which a little settlement grew, and derived additional importance from the fact that a post-office was established, a school-house built, and much business actively introduced into the hamlet. As a matter of deference to its founder, it was by common consent known as Waterhouse Corners. It is now known as
KINDERHOOK POST-OFFICE,
and boasts two churches, a Baptist and Methodist Episco- pal, each of which has a parsonago with the pastor residing in it ; a school-house, with Mr. Langworthy as the teacher in charge of the school ; one physician, Dr. B. D. Jocelyn, who is in active practice, and another, Dr. David Fox, who has given up the busy eases of the profession for a business life ; one store, kept by Osborn & Jones, Mr. Osborn being also the courteous postmaster; one blacksmith-shop, kept by John D. Cornell; one wagonmaker; one shoemaker, David Patterson ; and a machine-shop and cider-mill.
BAPTIST CHURCHL.
The first organization of a Baptist Church in Kinderhook occurred in 1837, and embraced 12 members, with the Rev. Freeman Burroughs acting as pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. E. R. Spear. When the township was divided
the church was transferred to North Ovid, and the town- ship was without a Baptist Church until the present regular Baptist Church of Kinderhook was organized, Oct. 25, 1856. The constituent members were Hiram MeNall, John Stokes, Polly Stokes, Charles R. Levering, and Betsey Levering. The first pastor was Elder George Terry, who ministered to the charge until 1860, when he was followed by Elder Needham, who remained but one year, and was succeeded by Elder H. C. Schofield, who continued as pas- tor until 1862, and his successor, Elder Benjamin McLouth, officiated until 1867. Eller W. N. Welker came after him and continued two years, and was succeeded by Elder II. K. Stimpson in October of that year, who labored in the field until Aug. 19, 1871, when Elder O. D. Taylor was installed as pastor, Jan. 6, 1872, and remained until Jan. 1, 1873. On the 29th of March, 1873, Elder Nathan Wright succeeded, and filled the pulpit for one year, After him came Elder A. Virgil in May of 1875, who resigned Aug. 29, 1876. Rev. J. C. Lemon was called as pastor, Jan. 13, 1878, for one year. The present incumbent is Rev. A. W. Gower, who was settled Feb. 23, 1879. The first meeting for the election of a board of trustees was held Dee. 23, 1867, and the following officers chosen : Daniel Hoyt, Alfred Cheney, Hiram McNall, William Chase, George Tripp, and E. J. Weiker.
METHODIST CHURCH.
We regret to be obliged to omit the history of the Meth- odist Church of Kinderhook other than the few meagre facts at command. An effort was made to obtain a history of the organization from some older church members and from the pastor without success. In the winter of 1836- 37, Israel Millard, an exhorter, connected with what was known as the Coldwater Circuit, formed the first class of the Methodist Church in Kinderhook. Preaching was supplied by the Coldwater Circuit for a period of eight years until Nov. 15, 1845, when the Gilead Circuit was set apart and organized, and the class of Kinderhook in- cluded in this circuit, Rev. George Smith being presiding elder at the time, and Rev. Peter Sabin, circuit preacher. The class has from that time continued to increase in num- hers and influence until a flourishing church organization is the result. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. George.
John Waterhouse died in 1867; but his son, John Waterhouse, Jr., survives, and still resides at what was known as the Corners. Though a gentleman of advanced years, he retains a vivid recollection of pioneer days and his carly experiences. He has been active during his long life in promoting enterprises for the growth of the town- ship, and has occupied many official positions, having been postmaster for nearly thirty years.
The year 1836 is memorable not only for the advent of many families who became permanent settlers, and largely identified with the interests of the township, but for the erection of the first school-house. This building, though erected by publie enterprise, was no departure from the prevailing style of architecture of those primitive times, but was built of logs, and its inmates were subjected to all the discomforts incident to so rude and unfinished a struc- ture. We are, however, informed that the pupils-few in
294
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
number-made rapid progress under the direction of the pioneer pedagogue, one Samuel Arnold, who was the first instructor in the vicinity. This rnde school building, which stood near the place now occupied by the Baptist Church, later gave place to one of more considerable proportions. The first religious meeting was held April 18 of the same year at the house of Joshua Baker, the officiating elergy- man being Israel Willard, a Methodist exhorter. Services at this early period were held at the homes of the settlers, there being no houses of worship at that early day.
The writer has made considerable effort to ascertain the first death in the township, and has received from different sources, faets which conflict. From one source we learn that the death of Miss Ann Loek was the first that oceurred. She was a young lady of seventeen years, and resided with her family on a farm located on section 4. From another source we learn that the first death was that of a child of Lueas Withington ; and one informant brings several circumstances to corroborate the statement, men- tioning among other faets that the family resided in a log house on the farm now occupied by Amos Flint, and that at this funeral were present sixteen ox-teams and one team of horses owned by John Waterhouse, and which were regarded not only as a novelty but a positive luxury in those days. Notwithstanding the detailed statement of our latter informant, we are inclined to the belief that there is an error with regard to time and not to faets, and that the first statement may be regarded as correct.
The first marriage service was performed by George Tripp, Esq., then justice of the peace, in June, 1837. The parties made happy on this occasion were Mr. David Sines and Miss Craft. We are not informed by the justice what fee he received, but it was doubtless in keeping with his pioneer surroundings.
Joseph S. Hawks came from Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1836, and located one mile from the corners, and nearly at the geographical centre of the township. His farw was bor- dered by Silver Lake. Mr. Hawks, after a long and useful life, during which time he filled a considerable position in the township history, died in the fall of 1868. His widow still survives him and resides near the post-office, and her recollections of pioneer life are very interesting. When she arrived in the county, her husband and herself, accompanied by a young lady, rode from Toledo on a wagon laden with goods which were designed as a part of their housekeeping equipment. Their path, if not rough and thorny, proved at least a very muddy one, for during the progress of the journey the wagon tipped over, and this episode has afforded Mrs. Hawks to this day a very lively recollection of the quality of the Michigan soil. At one time the water aeross the road was so deep that Mr. Hawks was obliged to ford the place with Mrs. Hawks under his arm. With the busy cares attending the first settlement these inconveniences were soon forgotten, and are only now recollected as among the novel experiences of pioneer life, and related for the diversion of inquiring friends. Mr. Hawks with his family returned to the East after a four years' residence in Kinder- hook, or Ovid as it was then called, and after remaining ten years moved again to his Western possessions. With all the deprivations incident to their first settlement, the family
were not only again attracted to Michigan, but found the charms of a Western life superior to the comforts they had left behind.
Among the names that figure conspicuously in the town- ship records, the bearers of which may be regarded as among the oldest residents, is that of Silas Eret, who came to the township before it was set apart from Ovid, and located upon seetion 24. He later purchased and now resides on section 14. Mr. Eret, by perseverance and industry, has gained a competence, and has followed farming pursuits during his lifetime, having been actively engaged in thresh- ing in early days. Mr. Eret has vivid recollections of the deprivations endured by the pioneers, and regards the diet of those days as more frugal than luxurious, and sometimes not so abundant as was desirable.
A. W. Case, who died in 1877, came from Livingston Co., N. Y., very early, and located on the northeast portion of section 3, and may be regarded as among the first pio- neers of the township. William Chase came from Genesce Co., N. Y., and located in the north-central portion of the county, on section +. Having been a pioneer in New York State, he was inured to the hardships involved in the first settlement of a new country. He was by trade a carpenter and joiner, and though following agricultural pursuits dur- ing his lifetime, never relinquished his trade. He is the architect of both the Methodist and Baptist churches, and turned his skill to good account in many other instanees. Besides many minor offices in the township, Mr. Chase, in 1860, represented his district in the State Legislature. IIis memory is well stored with interesting facts gathered from an experience of nearly forty years. A life of industry has gained for him an abundance to which he was a stranger in early days.
John V. Chase and family came from Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1848, and they have since that time lived on the farm he at first purchased, where Mr. Chase died in the fall of 1878.
Samuel N. Whiteomb came from Vermont to this State in 1840, but did not at once come to Branch County. He chose the township of Kinderhook as his home, and located on section 5, where he still resides. He cannot be regarded as a pioneer, but is quite familiar with the early history of the locality, and has an extended military experience, having served in the Mexican war and also in the Rebellion, where he passed through some bitter experiences as a pris- oner at Andersonville, but they have not obliterated from his memory still carlier experiences as an early settler in this State.
Another pioneer is Henry Huyek, whose advent in the county occurred in 1844, having been in the State two years before choosing his present home. He remembers distinctly the early struggles of the pioneer and the depriva- tions he endured. Mr. Huyck frequently appears on the records as the incumbent of offices of trust.
Charles D. Brown came to the township when it was still a part of Ovid and the country was one vast wilderness. No roads had been eut, and the Indian trail, consisting of blazed trees, was the only guide that directed the traveler. The land he and his father purchased, it was impossible to reach until they had fought their way through the dense
RESIDENCE OF GEO. TRIPP. ESQ., KINDERHOOK, BRANCH CO , MICH .
-
GEORGE TRIPP.
MRS. GEORGE TRIPP.
GEORGE TRIPP.
Among the honored few who by their energy and industry laid the foundation of the present wealth and enterprise of Branch County, none deserve more prominent mention than George Tripp. He was born in the town of Decatur, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 10, 1809. His father, David Tripp, was among the prominent men for which Otsego is justly noted. He was a member of the representative branch of the Legislature of New York for several terms, and served in many other official capacities with fidelity to the trust reposed in him and with credit to himself. He married Miss Mary Dickin- son, and reared a family of fifteen children, ten girls and five boys. George lived in Otsego County until he attained his majority, when he went to Sara- toga County ; whence, after a stay of five years, he moved to Genesce Co., N. Y. There he stayed until 1835, when he decided to emigrate to Michigan, and came accordingly to Kinderhook, and purchased the farm where he now resides. At that time there were only three permanent settlers in the town, none of whom are now living, thus leaving Mr. Tripp the oldest living resident of the town. Mr. Tripp was at this time unmarried, and at the expiration of two years he paid a visit to the old home in Otsego County, and on his return he married, in Livingston
Co., N. Y., Miss Mary, daughter of William and Lovis (Humphrey) Winans. Returning to his new home with his young wife, they commenced the improvement of the farm. Lite at this early day was beset with many obstacles and replete with privations and hardships, of which they had a full portion.
Mrs. Tripp was born in Rensselaerville, Albany Co., N. Y., Feb. 6, 1812. She is a splendid type of the pioneer woman, and is in fact all that is expressed in the term "amiable and intelligent." This venerable couple have had two sons, Judson and George, both of whom are deceased.
Mr. Tripp has been prominently identified with the development of Kinderhook. He has filled many positions of trust and responsibility to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. He was the first township clerk ; has been justice ; the latter office he filled acceptably many years. Mr. Tripp is emphat- ically a self-made man. Starting in life with only his natural resources for his capital, he has achieved sneress and secured a competence, the result of a long life of strict integrity and honorable dealing. His record is untarnished, and he has earned the position he holds among the pioneers and representative men of Branch County.
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295
IHISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
timber-land with axe in hand. Mr. Brown, however, soon cleared this tract, and ultimately not a vestige of its former wild condition was to be found. He is a skillful hunter, and his stories of deer-stalking in early times would delight the ears of the modern hunter. On one occasion, having, ' as he supposed, killed a deer, he proceeded with his knife to dress him for food, when the buck recovered from the shock the wound had given him and sprang upon him. None but an experienced hunter understands the ferocity of the deer when driven to defense. A fierce conflict was the result, and for a time the chances of life with the cour- ageous marksman were extremely uncertain, when finally a dexterous use of the knife dispatched his opponent ; not, however, until he had inflicted sundry wounds as memen- tos of the struggle. Later, Mr. Brown removed from his original location and purchased his present farm, which is not only large, but well cultivated.
Another old resident is John Boyd, familiarly known as Father Boyd, who is now advaneed in years, and can distinctly recall a life of thirty-five years in Kinderhook, and has during that period resided upon the farm he at present occupies. Calvin Strong is also an early settler, and numbers more years than Mr. Boyd above mentioned. 1Ie had a succession of unfortunate experiences during his early life in Branch County, but has survived them all and reached the good old age of eighty-two years. John Brad- ley may with truth be spoken of as one of the pioneers of Branch County, having come to it in 1834 from Wayne Co., N. Y. Having lived for two years in Ovid, he later came to Kinderhook and located on the farm he still occu- pies He relates some interesting encounters with wild animals during the early settlement of the country, and entertains a lively recollection of an encounter with a bear in which he bore away all the trophies of victory.
Oliver Burdick eame in 1845, purchasing the mills built by John Waterhouse and improving them. He located on seetion 16, one mile south of the post-offiec. A. Mosher came to the State in 1835, and to the township in 1846. With the exception of an interval of a few years, he has resided there since that time. Hiram Canright eame early and located on section 4, and Ira Bonner settled on section .7. He has been dead many years. William Johnson located on section 10, on the farm now occupied by James Richey. Ilis father resided on section 3. Timothy Clark owned a tract of land on section 6, which he improved and lived upon. Calvin Strong came in 1843 and located on what is known as Strong's Island, in the northwest portion of the township. Jacob Mineer established himself on the extreme northwest corner, and William Lewis occupied for years the farm now owned by Martin Manger. He was a prominent official in the township, having for years held the honorable position of justice of the peace. Abram Walter owned a farm in the extreme southeast, and established a reputation as a successful farmer.
Hiram MeNall, who died some years since, came in the fall of 1842, and purchased 40 acres on section 11. By industry and frugality he increased his possessions until his farm numbered 300 aeres.
Another old resident was Oliver D. Colvin, who was a citizen of much prominence.
We have thus given a brief review of many of the older settlers in the township, not attempting by any means to make the list a thorough one, and perhaps omitting some names quite as deserving of mention that have not been suggested to us. Most of these individuals, with their families, have endured privations and want, and by perse- verance and toil succeeded in bringing the township of Kinderhook to the degree of prosperity it now enjoys. Though having the reputation of being the smallest of the townships of Branch County, it is by no means the most inconsiderable in importance or enterprise.
The surface of Kinderhook is rolling, with stretches of level land varied by occasional slopes and interspersed with several small lakes, chief of which are Silver Lake, Crooked Lake, Fish Lake, Sabine Lake, Pleasant Lake, Lake George, and a portion of Coldwater Lake on the northern boundary line. There is considerable marshy land, but the quality of the remainder is excellent. The soil is a sandy, gravelly loam, with very little clay. There is not a superabundance of timbered land, and oak is the prevailing wood, although other varieties are to be found.
Coldwater being within easy reach of the residents of the township, and the roads usually in excellent condition, it absorbs the larger portion of its mercantile patronage. There is no hotel in the township, the wayfarer generally finding a welcome at the inviting home of any or all of the townspeople, where hospitality is regarded as one of the cardinal virtues. The temperance sentiment is strong in Kinderhook, and no trafficker in ardent spirits finds favor in the eyes of its virtuous residents.
The first annual election was held in the township on Monday, the 4th day of April, 1812. Oliver D. Colvin and George Tripp were, in accordance with the statutes, authorized to act as inspectors of election, and John Wa- terhouse, Jr., was elected as a third inspector.
We give the result of this election, together with each succeeding one to the present time : Oliver D. Colvin, Su- pervisor ; George Tripp, Township Clerk ; Almeron W. Case, Treasurer ; William Chase, Ira Bonner, David Tripp, Justices of the Peace ; Ellery Patterson, George Tripp, Inspectors of Schools ; Isaac Eslow, John D. Depue, Arba L. Lambson, Highway Commissioners ; Bentley Reynolds, Lathrop G. Fish, Directors of the Poor; Ira Bonner, Jr., Iliram Canwright, David Tripp, Ira Bonner, Jr., John Waterhouse, Jr., John Bradley, L. G. Fish, O D. Colvin, Overseers of Highways.
1813 .- George Tripp, Supervisor; William Chase, Town- ship Clerk ; Almeron W. Case, Treasurer; Oliver D. Col- vin, David Tripp, Assessors ; Ellery Patterson, Augustus P. Tueker, Inspectors of Schools ; Isaac Eslow, John D. Depue, Hiram Canwright, Commissioners of Highways ; George Tripp, Justice of the Peace; Alba I. Walworth, Lathrop G. Fish, Directors of the Poor ; Alfred Lambson, James Winter, Arba L. Lambson, Constables; David Tripp, Assessor ; Arba L. Lambson, Freeman Waterhouse, Charles Home, John Waterhouse, Augustus P. Tucker, Ellery Patterson, Overseers of Highways; Oliver D. Colvin, Ira Bonner, William Chase, Inspectors of Election.
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