USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 77
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Mr. Burbank and his esteemed wife have had three children, named Alvin, Albert R., and Frank. Alvin died at the age of seven years, and the others are at home with the parents. Mr. Burbank is a man of much con- sideration in his township, and has for many years held various local offices, such as elerk, commissioner, and treas- urer. On another page of this work may be found a view of his residence and farm-home.
RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL M. TREAT, OVID, BRANCH CO., MICH.
OVID.
Tinis township, which lies directly south of Coldwater, is known as township 7 south, range G west, and has been described in a prominent county work as first settled by Parley Stockwell. Desiring to authenticate, if possible, this statement, the historian sought this venerable pioneer and stated the facts to him, but Mr. Stockwell, while claim- ing to have been an carly resident, and done much to advance the interests of Ovid, disclaims the honor of being the first to break soil in the township, and suggests several names that bear date some years prior to his. He might with propriety be termed the first pioneer on section 16, a portion of which land he entered when it was a vast wilder- ness, and where, during the few years of his residence, he witnessed the clearing of the country around him, the erection of comfortable houses, and the rapid march of improvement.
The good residents of Ovid are not as eminent for anti- quarian pursuits as for hospitality and good cheer, therefore while the historian is always sure of a very good dinner and a very cordial welcome, it is by no means certain that he will find an equal store of information awaiting hin. The almost total loss of the township records will also pre- clude the possibility of giving so comprehensive a sketch as is desirable. Ovid was a vast stretch of uncleared timber land in 1834, and, as nearly as can be ascertained, Howard Bradley and Richard and Nelson Salsberry were the first settlers. One of the very earliest pioneers, who came in 1834, states that Mr. Bradley's family, and those of the Salsberry's were the only ones in the township, and that they were living in an exceedingly primitive condition, and subjected to all the discomforts attending the carly settler. Howard Bradley entered the southeast quarter of section 6 and the northeast quarter of section 7. He evidently was not greatly impressed with the charms of pioncer life in Ovid, for very soon after he sold all his interest to Uriah Lockwood. The Salsberry brothers took up lands adjoin- ing. Uriah Lockwood was at the tique a considerable land- owner, having, in addition to the ground purchased from Bradley, entered the northwest quarter of section 7, and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 6, in 1835, controlling in all 560 acres. Mr. Lockwood was accompanied by his son Henry, who still survives, and is not only one of the pioneers, but one of the representative men of Ovid. On the farm purchased of Bradley a log house had been erected, which Mr. Lockwood occupied. There was also a barn built of logs, and a stable for the cattle, which comprised all the improvement that had been made. Part of the timbered land had been cleared, and some traces of improvement were perceptible, but Mr. Henry Lock wood describes their condition as one of ahuost absolute desolation after the departure of the Bradley
family, having been in the midst of a vast wilderness, with no neighbors and hardly a trace of civilization about them.
From the little hamlet of Branch as far south as one cared to travel the territory was one unbroken stretch of wilderness. The Indian trail was the only guide to the traveler, and the bill of fare for the noonday meal was not so elaborate as to require much time in selection, though perhaps the rich saddles of venisou might even tempt the palate of the modern epicure. A dish regarded as very inviting was made of green corn planed up or bruised, and baked into a sort of bread. This was not adopted so much for its attractive qualities as because it was convenient. There were no grist-mills near by, and wheat was not as abundant as at present. At a later date, Mr. Lockwood built a plank house, which superseded the one of logs he had occupied, and which was more commodious and cou- venient.
The following original entries of land embraced in the township of Ovid were made from the government :
William D. Popple, 160 acres, May 4, 1836.
Alanson Sumner and Stephen Clark, 157.12 acres, May 4, 1836.
Ichabod Wheaton, 80 acres, May 25. 1836.
Dana Show, 157.36 acres, Feb. I, 1837.
Alva Ketebnm, 80 acres, April 16, 1851.
Prentice Burlingham, 157.74 acres, May 14, 1836.
Henry Reed, 80 acres, May 25, 1836.
Ilulbert Read, 80 acres, May 25, 1836.
Silas Wilson, 80 acres. Feb. 1, 1837.
Nathan Bates, 40 acres, Feb. 16, 1837. Waynright Babbit, 78.18 acres, Oct. 29, 1850.
Justin Lawyer, 120 acres, Feb. 11, 1854.
W'm. Thomas Green, 80 acres, July 20, 1835.
llenry T. Terry, 157.32 acres, May 16, 1836.
Henry T. Terry, 40 acres, May IG, 1836.
John W. Fox, 79.57 acres, May 18, 1836. John W. l'ex, 40 acres, May 18, 1836.
John W. Fox, 80 acres, May 18, 1836.
Benjamin Huntington, 80 acres, May 18, 1836.
Benjamin Huntington, 80 acres, May 18, 1836. Win. T. Green, 80 acres, July 20, 1835. Heratio J. Olcott, 317.23 neres, July 21, 1835.
Horatio J. Olcott, 160 acres, July 21, 1833.
Horatio J. Olcott, 80 acres, July 21, 1835.
Silas Hutchinson, 40 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. Elisha Spencer, 80 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. Alex. Marshall, 40 acres, Nov. 21, 1835.
Alex Marshall, 80 acres, Nov. 21. 1835.
Chas. M. Marshall, 80.31 acres, Nov. 21, 1835.
C'has. M. Marshall, 79.91 acres, Nov. 21, 1835.
Chas. M. Marshall. 10 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. Stephen Bates, 40 acres, Jan. 29, 1836. Edward Gilbert, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. John Allen, 40 neres, April 30, 1836. L. D. and P. H. Crippen, 40 acres, July 19, 1836.
Howard Bradley, 160 acres, May 24, 1834.
Isane T. Dudley, 40 acres, May 10, 1835.
Isaac T. Dudley, 79.80 acres, May 10, 1535. Oliver Johnson, 80 acres, Sept. IT, 1835.
309
310
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Uriah Lockwood, 86,52 acres, Sept. 19, 1835. Francis Bates, 165.20 acres, Jan. 4, 1836. L. D. and P. II. Crippen, 40 acres, July 19, 1836. Howard Bradley, 160 acres, May 24, 1834. Oliver Johnson, 80 acres, Sept. 17, 1835. Oliver Jobnson, 80 acres, Sept. 17, 1835. Uriah Lockwood, 166.12 acres, Sept. 19, 1835. Wm. T. Perry, 40 acres, Feh. 24, 1836. Wm. Mann, 85.20 acres, April 20, 1836. Danl. T. Scofield, 40 acres, May 18, 1848. Stuart Davis, 160 acres, July 19, 1836. Stuart Davis, 40 acres, July 19, 1836. Jared I). Brooks, 320 acres, July 19, 1836. Jared D. Brooks, 40 acres, July 19, 1836.
Daniel T. Scofield, 40 acres, Aug. 14, 1846. Reuhen Scofield, 40 acres, June 3, 1850. Moses Hawks, 80 acres, July 21, 1835. Charles Fox, 320 acres, July 21, 1835. Charles Fox, 160 acres, July 21, 1835.
Charles Fox, 80 acres, July 21, 1835. Moses llawks, 80 acres, July 21, 1835. William Mann, 160 acres, April 20, 1836. David Herron, 80 acres, April 23, 1836.
Elias B. Wright, 80 acres, April 23, 1836.
James HIall, 160 aeres, July 10, 1836. Lorenzo D. Crippen, 80 acres, July 18, 1836. William Mann, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. Allen Ilibner, 40 acres, May 11, 1836. James Cary, 80 aeres, Nov. 17, 1836. Silas Wilson, 40 acres, Feb. 1, 1837. Edward W. Benson, 40 acres, May 1, 1850.
L. O. Schofield, assignee, 80 acres, Dee. 1, 1848.
Silas Swift, 80 aeres, Dee. 2, 1852.
Charles S. Wright, 40 acres, Nov. 22, 1853.
Justin Lawyer, 80 acres, Feb. 11, 1854. L. B. Woodard, 80 acres, May 3, 1836.
R. J. Ilayward, 80 acres, May 3, 1836. R. J. Ilayward, 80 acres, May 3, 1836. Wm. D. Popple, 160 acres, May 4, 1836.
Horatio D. Wolcott, 160 acres, May 18, 1836.
L. O. Scofield, assignee, 80 acres, Dec. 1, 1848.
L. B. Woodard, 148.75 acres, May 3, 1836.
Alanson Sumner, }
Stephen Clark, - 54.48 acres, May 3, 1836.
Oliver Davenport, 109 acres, Feb. I, 1837.
James L. Maxson, 39.27 acres, Oct. 11, 1852.
5 69.47 acres.
Abraham Mantastock, ¿ 40 acres, Oct. 1, 1853. Levi Wilson, 40 acres, Feb. 1837.
Levi Wilson, 80 acres, Feb. 20, 1837.
Levi D. Smith, 160 acres, March 14, 1837.
Wm. B. Whitehead, 40 acres, June 6, 1837. Benjamin Cory, 127.06 acres, Aug. 8, 1839. De Soles Lake, 40 acres, April 21, 1846. Thomas Burns, 40 aeres, July 9, 1849. Thomas Burns. 40 acres, Feb. 15, 1850. Rachel Rush, 40 aeres, Aug. 26, 1853. Elias B. Wright, 80 aeres, April 23, 1836.
Roswell F. Davis, 80 acres, Nov. 17, 1836. Roswell F. Davis, 40 acres, Nov. 17, 1836. Martin Strait, 80 acres, Feb. 14, 1837. Levi D. Smith, 80 acres, March 14, 1837. Levi D. Smith, 80 acres, March 14, 1837. Freeman Burroughs, 40 acres, June 18, 1846. Edward F. Muir, 160 acres, Jan. 15, 1850. John T. Ilaynes, 40 acres, Jan. 17, 1844. E. Ileishrodt, 40 acres, Nov. 16, 1844. G. W. Stevens, 40 acres, April 21, 1847. E. Kimble, 40 acres, April 22, 1847. S. W. Halsted, 40 aeres, July 21, 1847. Jerome Lake, 40 acres, Aug. 12, 1847. N. Ransford, 40 acres, Oet. 22, 1847. Otho Lake, 46 acres, Oct. 27, 1847. G. W. Stevens, 40 acres, Oet. 30, 1847. D. Seofield, 10 acres, May 17, 1848.
G. W. Stevens, 40 acres, Ang. 15, 1849. J. P. Seofield, 40 acres, Dec. 9, 1851. Samuel Otis, 40 acres, Sept. 8, 1852. A. Scofield, 40 acres, Sept. 28, 1852. F. Ileisrodt, 40 acres, Dec. 10, 1852. H. R. Alden, 40 acres, Dec. 27, 1853. William Mann, 160 aeres, March S, 1836. William Mann, 80 acres, March S. 1836. A. II. White, 79.97 acres, July 19, 1836. James Nichols, 260.84 acres, March 17, 1837. John G. West, 151.16 acres, Feb. 15, 1836. Joshua Bates, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. Jesse Russell, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. William Cord, 80.20 acres, April 20, 1836. Silas Cord, 84.60 acres, April 20, 1836. Nelson Cord, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. Joseph Bryant, 68.58 acres, July 11, 1836. llenry Ilowe, 211.31 aeres, May 19, 1836. Samuel II. Gale, 149.45 acres, May 19, 1836. Joseph W. Alger, 247.17 acres, Nov. 27, 1854. Isaac T. Raymond, 160 aeres, July 12, 1836. Isaac T. Raymond, 160 acres, July 19, 1836. Levi D. Smith, 157.86 aeres, March 14, 1837. Isaac P. Alger, 49.97 acres, Nov. 29, 1854. Joel L. Putnam, 160 acres, Aug. 10, 1835. Reuben Wilson, 160 acres, Nov. 5, 1835.
Reuben Wilson, 80 acres, Nov. 5, 1835.
Samuel M. Dennison, 40 aeres, Feh. 22, 1837.
John O. Potter, 40 acres, Oct. 29, 1844. Freeman Burroughs, 40 acres, June 18, 1846. Clinton B. Fisk, 40 acres, Jan. 23, 1854. Clinton B. Fisk, 40 acres, Jan. 23, 1854. Joel L. Putnam, 80 acres, July 20, 1836. Joel L. Putnam, 80 acres, Dec. 14, 1835. Joel L. Putnam, 40 acres, July 20, 1836.
Iliram Donaldson, 40 acres, March 9, 1837. Francis 1 .. Akin, 80 acres, June 13, 1837. Andrew A. Akin, 80 acres, June 13, 1837. John E. Gates, 80 acres, Dee. 22, 1849. Jobn O. Pelton, 55.06 aeres, Aug. 2, 1853.
William Wolcott, 152.12 acres, April 1, 1837.
John E. Gates, 80 acres, Dec. 22, 1849. Dennis Lancaster, 25 acres, April 20, 1852. Lyman Bills, 53.86 acres, July 10, 1852.
Dennis Lancaster, 65 acres, April 20, 1852. John P. Cook and Ilenry Waldron, 78.40 acres, March 1, 1854. James HIall, 160 acres, July 9, 1836. James HIall, 80 acres, July 9, 1836. Benjamin Tindall, 80 acres, April 11, 1837.
Alfred Bartholomew, 80 acres, June 2, 1846. Maria Hall, 40 acres, April 22, 1848. William Kellison, 157.40 acres, July 8, 1852.
Joseph S. Merrill, 40 acres, Aug. 22, 1853. James Ilall, 240 acres, July 9, 1836. Gideon S. Wells, 80 acres, March 28, 1837.
David Doty, 160 acres, April 1, 1837. Juhn Cummings, 40 acres, Oct. 11, 1849.
John Hinkley, 40 acres, Ang. 20, 1851. Nicholas Stand, 80 aeres, Oct. 21, 1852.
Isaac George, 63.47 acres, March 6, 1837. John Doolin, 107.57 acres, March 8, 1837. Wmn. W. Johnson, 79.25 acres, March 28, 1837. Win. W. Johnson, 75.25 acres, March 28, 1837. Wm. Bockes, 101.62 acres, June 24, 1835. Wm. Bockes, 111.63 acres, June 24, 1835. Wiu. Bockes, 40 acres, June 24, 1835. Oliver Johnson, 126.12 acres, Sept. 17, 1835. John Patterson, 78.80 acres, May 19, 1836. John Wilson, 80 acres, June 24, 1835. John Wilson, 80 acres, June 24, 1835. Reuben Wilson, 40 acres, Nov. 5, 1835. Reuben Wilson, 80 acres, Nov. 5, 1835. Abner Bowe, 40 acres, May 29, 1837. Geo. Il. Iloard, 80 acres, Aug. 10, 1838. E. D. Corwin, 40 acres, June 21, 1847.
( PHOTOS. BY KINDMARK )
S. M. TREAT.
MRS. S.M. TREAT .
SAMUEL M. TREAT.
This gentleman, one of the prominent farmers and pioneers of Ovid, was born in Trenton, Oneida Co., N. Y., March 13, 1816.
His parents, Hosea and Hannah Treat, were Connecticut people and emigrated to Oneida at an early day. They had a family of eight children, Samnel being the eighth child. The elder Treat was a farmer and clothier by occupation; but little is known of his history, as he died when Samuel was but two years of age.
As a boy, Samuel evinced much energy, deter- mination, and enterprise ; and when eighteen years of age he determined to come to Michigan. Arriv- ing in Detroit he had but five dollars, and he walked to Adrian, where for two years he was engaged in clearing land. He saved an amount sufficient to purchase eighty acres in Ovid, which
is a portion of his present farm of five hundred acres. He then returned East, and in the autumn of 1837 returned to Ovid, where he has since resided.
In 1838 he married Miss Fanny Ives, of his native county. She died in 1839, and in 1840 he married Miss Harriet Brooks. She died in 1866, and in 1868 he married Miss Ann I. Wildee, of Lorain Co., Ohio, where she was born Nov. 19, 1840.
Mr. Treat is the architect of his own fortune, having commenced life with only a strong pair of hands and an unlimited amount of energy. He has achieved success in all departments of life, and his career is evidence of the inevitable result of industry and economy, coupled with good judg- ment and executive ability.
311
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Isaac Quinby, 40 neres, Nov. 7, 1853. Clinton B. Fisk, 40 acres, Jan. 16, 1564. Samuel Towsley, 10 neres, June 18, 1853. Jacob Alger, 160 acres, Nov. 21, 1854. Jacob Alger, 40 acres, Nov. 27, 1851. Matthew H. Bingham, 64.24 acres, May 11, 1837. Amasa W. Miller, $2.40 acres, Dec. 7, 1837. Joseph C. Stowell, 10 acres, April 16, 1841. George Featherby, 40 acres, July 14, 1851. Charles Burlison, 10 acres, Sept. 13, 1853. Joshua W. Alger, 217.17 acres, Nov. 27, 1851. Samuel M. Dennison, 80 arres, April 20, 1836. Hiram Baker, 80 acres. April 20, 1836. W'm. 11. Johnson, 81.40 acres, May 11, 1819. It. and M. M. Miller, 40 acres, June 6, 1850. Charles 11. Miller, 160 acres, July 10, 1849. Alexander MeNenl, 80 acres, Dec. 6, 1852. Hiratu R. Allen, 120.44 acres, Dec. 7, 1853. Samuel M. Dennison, 40 acres, April 20, 1836. Iliram Baker, 80 arres, April 20, 1836. George II. Huard, 80 acres, Aug. 10, 1838. Augustus S. Glessner, 40 acres, Fcb. 7, 1848. Iliram Eddy, 80 acres, Aug. 18, 1849. Clinton B. Fisk, 10 acres, Dec. 28, 1853. Amos and Joseph Hough, 80 acres, June 4, 1835. Don Alonzo Dewey, 80 acres, Aug. 7, 1835. W'm. Martin, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. Joel Woodard, 40 acres, May 11, 1836. Joel Woodard, 40 acres, May 11, 1836. Amos Hough, 40 aeres, June 5, 1835. Calvin Griswold, Jr., 80 neres, July 9, 1838. George Il. lloard, $0 acres, Aug. 10, 1838. David Tripp, 80 acres, Nov. 21, 1845. Luther L. Morgan, 40 acres, Oct. 25, 1850. Amos and Joseph Hough, 193.62 arres, June 3, 1835. Joel Woodward, 59.60 acres, May 11, 1836. Richard J. At Lee, 13 acres, Feb. 10, 1837. Isaac George, 104.83 acres, March 6, 1837. Charlotte W. Edwards and Annie M. At Lee, 79.39 acres, Feb. 14, 1837.
Alvin Crowell, 40 acres, Oct. 12, 1849.
In 1836, Samuel Treat, JJared G. Brooks, and Stuart Davis came from Oneida Co., N. Y. Brooks entered the land they settled upon in his own name to prevent the delay consequent upon the large demands for entries at the land-office. He then apportioned it to cach member of the trio, giving deeds of the same. Davis took 160 acres, Treat 80, Henry Treat 40, and he retained 160 himself.
Samuel Treat, who is one of the survivors of these early days, and who still resides on section 8, where the original lands were located, being anxious to establish himself upon his newly-acquired possessions, turned his attention to the erection of a house. Expedition being more essential to him than elegance, hie succeeded in two days in construct- ing a shanty, which he occupied until it was destroyed by fire, when a more substantial one of logs took its place, and which now stands as a monument of pioneer days.
His present spacions residence was built in 1857, the briek with which it was constructed having been burned near Branch, in Coldwater township. Next came Elisha Spencer and one HIntchinson, and located on section 5, where Mat. Fallis now resides. They immediately erected a shanty and proceeded to clear the land they occupied.
After these carly settlers had been here a short time the need of a school was apparent, there being many children in the neighborhood, and a school house was erected on the northwest corner of section 6. The first teacher in the
township was Caroline Green, though Harriet Brooks also taught at an early day.
The first sermon was preached at the house of Elisha Spencer. Rev. Wm. B. Brown was visiting in the neigh- borhood, and an invitation was extended to him to hold service, which he willingly accepted. The clergyman having been a resident of New York State, word was sent to the settlers in the vicinity, who were nearly all from the same State, and the occasion is described by one who was present as a most enjoyable one. The devotional exercises were re- garded as a great privilege, and the reunion of old friends afforded a social cpoch in the early history of the settlers.
The first marriage was that of Miss Electa Salsberry to Mr. Silas Hutchinson. The justice of the peace at this period was J. G. Brooks. In a private journal which he kept with great regularity during his life, and which has been kindly loaned us, we find this entry : " Went to the county clerk's office and qualified as justice of the peace. Performed the marriage ceremony between Silas Hutchin- son and Electa Salsberry in the evening at my house." This bears date April 8, 1837.
An early death in the township was that of Mrs. Kuen, though the first funeral is believed to have been that of Mrs. Marshall, who lived one mile northeast of the present Baptist church.
Among other early settlers were Gardner Scofield, who came during the first settlement of the township and built a saw-mill on section 8; Jeremiah Lockwood located on section 7, but has since moved elsewhere; Alex. Marshall settled on section 5, as did also Stephen Bates and Henry B. George ; Francis Bates cleared a tract on section 6, not far from another tract owned by Joshua Clark.
Among the prominent residents of the township who deserve honorable mention, and whose names are conspicu- ous as having filled offices of trust in the gift of the people, are Daniel and Levi Wilson, the first having located in the southern, and the latter in the eastern portion of the town- ship. The son of the former gentleman, James R. Wilson, also resides near him. Among other settlers on section 5 are Benjamin Ferguson, Joseph Curtis, Stephen Wood, Nathaniel Batchellor, and Charles Brown. Section 4 af- forded homes, among others, to Niles Baldridge, Peter Thornton, Harry Baldridge, and Edward Smith. On the northeast quarter of section 10 settled Benjamin I. Willets, who came to Ovid in 1837, and has removed since to Cold- water. Jacob Gregg and J. W. Zeluff were on section 9. Jesse Russell located on the northwest side, and Alexander, Frederic, and William P. Morey on the eastern side, while Fowler Quinby was near the southeastern boundary, on sec- tion 25. Allen Hibner located a traet on section 11. E. D. Corwin purchased on section 28, and Reuben Wilson and his son on section 21. Zara Warner was one of the earliest to locate on section 25, and Jonas Morterstock and Bascom and Harlow Wright established themselves on sce- tions 10 and 15.
Wild animals were abundant at this early day, and wolves were especially annoying. Deer were also frequently killed, and venison was so plentiful that it ceased to be a luxury, while wild turkey's adorned many a Thanksgiving dinner- table.
312
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
One of the first pioneers was one day plowing with his oxen. The time for the noonday meal having arrived, he removed the harness from the animals and left it lying on the ground. On returning, he found it had been almost entirely demolished by wolves, which had torn it to shreds in their efforts to devour it.
An amusing story is told of two pioneers whose names figure in this brief sketch, but who shall here be nameless. They were hunting game of a less pretentious size, when suddenly their eyes were greeted with a spectacle which was not calculated to inspire their courage. Before them at some little distance were the formidable proportions of an ugly black bear. They were appalled, but after a hasty consultation decided that their only safety was in their trusty muskets. Firing simultaneously, they inflicted a deadly wound upon the animal, when, upon approaching, they found it to be one of the brave Nimrod's black hogs that had been feeding in the wood.
We copy a few of the entries made in the journal of Mr. Brooks, which will enable the reader to form some impres- sion of that period :
" July 2, 1837, to the village on Sunday. Iteard Elder W. B. Brown preach."
"July 31 the engineers passed to the west on the southern route for a railroad. Little did I think when I purchased my land there would ever be a route for a railroad so near me."
" October 25, attended caucus. llenry Lockwood and myself ap- pointed delegates to County Convention."
" November 6, attended election ; thirteen votes-but one of them Whig."
" Feb. 18, 1838, went to meeting. Heard Brother Davis, a circuit preacher."
" June 20, attended association preaching by Elder Hall, of Kala- mazoo ; an Episcopal wedding at the intermission."
" September, had quite a tight pull with the chills and fever."
" Nov. 3, 1840, went south to election ; took thirty-two votes; from six to twenty-two majority on the Democratie ticket in town."
" March 4, 1841, Elder Parkin and Brother Graham here, getting subscriptions for a meeting-house at Branch."
" June 4, 1842, great celebration at Coldwater; six hundred Sab- bath-school scholars sat down to dinner: table set for nine hundred, probably twelve hundred to dinner on the square."
Many of the records in this carefully-kept journal are personal. It is remarkable to observe the frequent chroni- cles of rainy weather, and the prevalence of fever and ague.
Among a file of old papers was discovered the following list of voters in the township for the year 1838, which we aunex :
Ichabod Davis, Reuben Wilson, Orris F. Davis, James Cory, Stewart Davis, Henry Lockwood, Stephen Shaw, Charles B. Wright, Francis Bates, Isaac Marshall, Oren B. Comine, John Waterhouse, J. G. Brooks, Uriah Lock- wood, Silas Hutchinson, Silas Wilson, Elisha Spencer, Alexander Marshall, Roswell F. Davis, John Waterhouse, Jr., John L. Depue, George Minnier, Jacob Minnier, Free- man Waterhouse, Robert J. Hughes, Ira Canwright, Wm. Bockus, S. W. Zcluff, S. S. Sortee, Miron Towsley, G. Baker, George Terry, Charles Congdon, Howard Bradley, Lathrop G. Fish, Hiram Canwright, Joshua Baker, Isaac Ilough, Amos Hough.
Occasionally appears the statement that a neighbor was lost in the woods and found after vigorous searching, and
there is frequent mention of house-raisings and aid given to settlers, who were later arrivals than the writer of the jour- nal.
Land-hunters were abundant at this time, a few of them coming with the intention of settling, but the majority being speculators, who eventually made the settlers their vietims. One early resident carried on a very lucrative business in showing these parties about and locating lands for them, and it is told as a fact that he would always dis- criminate between the speculative individual, and the one who desired to locate, and invariably turn the cold shoulder upon the former.
Snow-squalls were frequent, and often did much damage, cattle becoming bewildered and often lost. Mr. Ilenry Lockwood lost two yoke of oxen, and immediately insti- tnted a diligent search for them. After much labor they were found at Fort Wayne, Ind., a distance of many miles. In his search for them be went as far as Toledo, and one day traveled from morning till night without seeing a living faee or a human habitation.
Indians were numerous and paid the settlers frequent visits, often exchanging game for the more substantial articles of food. They were always decorous and scrupu- Jously honest. It is related of them that in passing through the fields they would invariably take the fences down and leave them in that condition, regarding it as a trespass upon their trail to build fences. A certain degree of shrewdness in their bargains was often apparent. An Indian called upon the wife of an early settler for a loaf of quas-kau or bread, which he desired to exchange for venison. Upon receiving it he squeezed it to a small and shapeless mass, and exclaimed, " Small piece." The same lady prepared a dinner for an Indian who offered game in exchange. Ile went away leaving the meal untasted because she would not accept the half of what he had, and refused to give more.
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