USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 81
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John Grove, before mentioned, married a sister of Wil- liam Rippey. Sidney Matthews, who came also in 1836, settled in the same neighborhood with Grove, Rippey, and Butts. A few located the same year in the western part of town, among them Thomas Shane, now deceased. The latter is thought to have been the first actual settler in the towuship.
The Stewarts located about 1836 in the south part, near the Indiana line, and John Curtis came in 1837. Peter Mallow bought land in 1840 and settled in 1841. Robert Burnside and William II. Weaver (latter from Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co.) were also early arrivals.
S. S. Bushnell located in Noble in 1838. He had pur- chased his land two or three years previously. He died in 1873, at the age of seventy-five years. His son, Ephraim B. Bushnell, is yet a resident of the towuship, and was but a boy when his father came. Mrs. E. B. Bushnell, whose father's name was Bennett, came with him to Adrian, Len- awee Co., in 1836.
Benjamin Depue, who settled in Noble in 1836, died in May, 1852. His son, Henry Depue, is living in the town- ship.
When, in 1841, Peter Mallow built his house, he pur- chased his lumber at the mill of Adams & Kent, in Bron- son township, paying them at the rate of six dollars per thousand feet. Some time in 1844, Mr. Mallow one day saw some kind of an animal wade through the marsh back of his house and plunge into the lake. Seizing a tamarack
326
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
pole which lay near by, Mr. Mallow hurried around to the opposite side of the lake to head it off, and found it to be a bear. The animal turned back on seeing Mallow, and the latter sent his son to Mr. Shane's, requesting him to come over and bring his gun. Shane arrived in due time, to- gether with a number of other men, and Bruin was soon driven into a tree. A shot from the rifle deprived him of life, and he fell into a fork in the branches, necessitating his removal therefrom by main strength. A man climbed the tree and dislodged the carcass, which fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
Mr. Mallow has been prospered to a large degree during his residence of nearly forty years in Noble, and has a fine farm of 860 acres.
Isaac Brooks, whose son, I. 11. Brooks, is still a resi- dent, settled in Noble in 1836, and died in the spring of 1866.
D. Blanchard, who located two and one-half miles west of Bronson village in 1838-39, at present occupies a farm in Noble township.
C. R. Smith, who passed through this part of the county before it was surveyed, settled in town about 1840-42. His father, Joseph Smith, made the first improvements on the farm at Hickory Corners, now owned by Calvin H. Flanders. The latter has lived upon the place sinee March 4, 1857.
The log house now standing at Hickory Corners, on the south side of the road, was built originally by Ambrose Hale, Esq., one of the early settlers of the town, and who has been dead many years. In the political matters of the township he was long prominent.
North of the Corners, and east of the road, is now living Mrs. Mary IJenderson, in the log house which her husband, Thomas Henderson, built many years since. He also took up the land. Mr. Henderson died in 1846. He was from Rochester, N. Y., and settled first at Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., in 1835, removing to Noble in 1836. His widow re- sides with their son, Thomas S. Henderson.
William Robinson, who settled in 1836, lived on au eighty-acre lot on section 2, north of the farm of Mr. Flanders.
Two reasons are given for naming the locality known as " Hickory Corners." Several hickory-trees stood where the two roads cross at the time the first settlers eame, and of these but one is now left. It is also stated that the in- habitants of the vicinity were principally Democrats for many years, and the hickory-tree is the well-known emblem of that party ; from these two circumstances-or either of them-the name probably originated. It is in the midst of some of the best farming country in the township, and occasional clusters of trees lend their beauty to the land- scape.
John H. Lane, from Syracuse, Onondaga Co., N. Y., came to Michigan in 1833, and for several years drove stage over the Chicago turnpike; first between Coldwater and Jonesville, and afterward for three years between Cold- water and Bronson. Ile also drove into Detroit for a short time. The greater portion of the time he spent as a stage- driver was on the line between Bronson and Niles. In March, 18+1, he came to Noble township and bought the
land where he now lives, and built a house upon it im- mediately after, making the first improvements on the place. He had previously (1837) entered land in the town of Ovid, and for two years lived in the southern part of De Kalb Co., Ill., before moving to his present place of residence. His farmu lies in the beautiful oak-opening region east of Flickory Corners, and is among the best in the neighborhood. His son, F. H. Lane, is the clerk of the township.
William Butts, a blacksmith by trade, and one of the ยท first settlers in Noble, met his death in a shocking manner. A boy came into his shop with a rifle, wishing the load taken ont. The breech was unscrewed and the powder poured out, after which the boy took an iron rod, heated it red-hot, and endeavored to melt the bullet. Not suc- ceeding in his efforts, Mr. Butts took the rod, heated it again, and placing it in the barrel, with the outer end against his breast, undertook to push out the ball. It seems that a little powder had been left, for an explosion followed, driving the rod through Mr. Butts' body, killing him on the spot. It is seldom that such an affair happens in any loeality, and the extreme carelessness of such a pro- eeeding is apparent to everybody.
John Croy, the first settler in Gilead township, lived afterward in Noble, but finally went West, moving twice before unloading his goods.
William S. Willer settled in Noble in 1843, and cleared up a farm. He held office to some extent while a resident of the township, being town clerk six years in succession. IIe is now living in Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co.
James Miller settled with his parents in Indiana, about 1830-31, and in 1840 removed to the farm he now occu- pies in the west part of Noble.
David Foster, in the year 1830, camue to White Pigeon, St. Joseph Co., stopping on his way at Lima, Ind., with a man named Fobes, who lived at that place in a log house, which is yet standing. After staying at White Pigeon a month, Mr. Foster endeavored to persuade his brother to go with him to Chicago. In this he failed, and started alone. He stopped for the night at a place sixteen miles east of La l'orte, Ind., and was informed that the future " Garden City" was but an embryo settlement, containing a fort and 13 houses, built principally of logs, and inhab- ited by half-breeds and foreigners. He was dissuaded from journeying farther in that direction and returned to White Pigeon, and thence east through Branch County. Near Hog Creek or Prairie River, he became lost in the forest near Adams' & Pierce's saw-mill. Finding a man chopping he inquired the way out, and was directed to the mill, and from there to Bronson, finally coming out of the woods safely. In the fall of 1835 he located at Bronson village, near the present site of the union school building, and in August, 1837, removed to a location in Noble township, half a mile east of Hickory Corners.
James Anderson, now a prominent marble dealer in Coldwater, settled in Noble in the fall of 1842, in the southeast corner of the township, where is now a small lake bearing his name. Previous to locating here he had been employed as teamster in Noble Co., Ind., and to him is accredited the honor of naming Noble township. Mr.
WALTER W.SMITH.
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RESIDENCE OF WALTER W. SMITH, N
MRS. WALTER W. SMITH.
NIE TP., BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN .
E. T. GARDNER
RESIDENCE OF THE LATE E.T. G
PHOTOS CYNINONARK
MRS. E. T. GARDNER.
4
1
4
A
.T.GARDIR, NOBLE TP., BRANCH CO., MICH.
327
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Anderson is a native of Scotland, and came to the United States in 1833. In his youth he learned the typo's art, and when standing at his case was a very rapid workman. Arriving in New York City, he worked for James Gordon Bennett, Sr., before he established the New York Herald, and surprised his fellow-printers by his dexterity, they having taken him for a person entirely without a knowledge of the business. In 1848 he removed to Coldwater and engaged in business, and has remained there up to the present. Mr. Bennett was himself much surprised when he learned of the young man's worth, and was ever after- ward his staunch friend.
Lewis Burgess settled in Monroe County in 1834, and afterwards removed to Noble, bringing both his parents and grandparents with him. His grandfather died at the ad- vanced age of ninety-five years.
John Curtis, now of Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co., settled in Noble about 1844-45, on the place where his son, Samuel Curtis, now lives.
In the northwest part of the township is what is known as the " Dutch Settlement," from the fact that the first settlers in the neighborhood were families of Dutch descent from the State of Pennsylvania. The first family was that of Daniel Hinebaugh (or Ilimebaugh ), who settled in the fall of 1836. The temporary shanty which he erected was the first building put up between the turnpike and the Pretty Prairie, in Indiana. Ile is still residing on the farm he first entered. The father of Emanuel linebaugh was also an early arrival.
During more recent years a number of German families have settled in the township, east of the old settlement, and their Mennonite society has built a frame church, where their religious meetings are held according to their peculiar customs. The society was organized about 1860-65, and the church built about 1869. Recently-about 1874-a new society was formed with views of a more liberal nature, under the leadership of John Crupp, one of their ministers. The church is located on section 2, and the congregation is quite large.
NOBLE POST-OFFICE
was established about 1854, with William Butts as first post- master. In 1857 the office was kept by Darwin Wilson, on the present George P. Robinson farm. He was succeeded by S. S. Bushnell, and be by E. T. Gardner, following whom came John Lane. His successor, and the present incumbent, is Henry Teller, who keeps the office in his house at Hickory Corners.
The first school in Noble was probably taught in a log school-house which stood a quarter of a mile north of Ilickory Corners. This was while the township was yet a part of Bronson, and the children of the few families then living in the neighborhood attended. The name of the teacher is forgotten. The site of the school-house has been moved to a location a short distance east of the cor- ners, where a neat brick building has been erected. The old log structure long ago became a thing of the past.
School was also taught early in the linebaugh neighbor- hood, and by some it is thought that was the first in the township.
After the first town-meeting, in the spring of 1845, the
board of school inspectors met on the 26th of April at the house of Sidney Marble, and granted a teacher's certificate to Miss Rhoda Wheeler. On the 3d of May following they met to organize the township into school districts, di- viding it into five. Certificates were the same day granted to llannah M. Gaines and Loretta Bullock. The schools of Noble number five at present, and are all in flourishing condition.
CIVIL RECORD.
" At a meeting of the voters of the town of Noble, con- vened at the house of John Grove, on Monday, the 7th day of April, 1845, for the purpose of organizing a town board agreeable to an act of the Legislature of this State,-
" The meeting was called to order by Ambrose Hale nominating E. W. Craig moderator pro tem., who was elected. It was then voted that A. Hale, A. IIale (2d), William Butts, William Rippey, and Sidney Marble consti- tute the town board of election. Voted, that Sidney Mar- ble serve as elerk. The board was then sworn by Ichich Driggs, Esq. The polls were opened at ten o'clock A.M." *
The following were the officers chosen at this meeting, viz. : Supervisor, Thomas Shane ; Township Clerk, William Rippey ; Justices of the Peace, John Grove, Elijah W. Craig, Cyrus Beardsley, Jared Fuller ; Treasurer, Samuel S. Bushnell ; School Inspectors, Sidney Marble, William Shane ; Commissioners of Highways, I. H. Foust, Samuel S. Bushnell, J. H. Smith ; Constables, William Milliman, Sidney S. Matthews, John Curtis, James Anderson ; Over- seers of the Poor, Ambrose Ilale (2d), S. S. Bushnell ; Path- masters, David Foster, Levi M. Curtis, Andrews Watling, Walter W. Smith, Moses Strong, I D. Hart ; Poundmas- ter, William Butts.
Thomas Shane was unwilling to accept the office of supervisor, and therefore neglected to take the required oath. Ambrose Hale was appointed in his place, and Ben- jamin B. Rood received the appointment of overseer in the place of Ambrose Ilale (2d).
The principal officers of the township of Noble from 1846 to 1877, inclusive, were the following, viz. :
SUPERVISORS.
1846-48. Ambrose Hale. 1860. William Rippey.
1849. Samuel S. Bushnell.
1861. Elisba T. Gardner.
1850-52. Darwin Wilson.
1862-64. William Rippey.
1853. S. S. Bushnell. 1865-67. Elisha T. Gardner.
1854. Darwin Wilson.
1868. Sheldon W. Sharp.
1855. Samuel S. Bushnell.
1869-71. Elisha T. Gardner.
1856-57. William Rippey. 1872. No record.
1858. Jeremiah Shane.
1873-74. George P. Robinson.
1859. Levi Calhoun.
1875-77. Horace P. Jeffrey.
TOWNSHIP CLERKS.
1846-47. William Butts. 1858. William S. Willer.
1848. William Rippey.
1859. William Rippey.
1849-50. William Butts. ISGO. Horace P. Jeffrey.
1851. Robert F. Kortright.
1861-66. William &. Willer.
1852. Erastus Crofoot.
1867. John Kisler.
1853. D. S. Crofout. 1565-69. Jobn Snyder.
1854. William Rippey. 1870. Culbert R. Smith.
1855. Jeremiah Smith. 1871. John Snyder.
1856. Marshall Morrill.
1872. No record.
1857. Milton Humphrey.
1873-77. John Swayne.
* Township records.
328
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1846. Melzar Russell.
1847. Cyrus Beardsley.
1863. Darwin Wilson.
Williaor Butts.
Elisha T. Gardner.
1848. Elijah W. Craig.
Sheldon W. Sharp.
1849. William Butts.
1864. Jacob Trayer. Sheldon W. Sharp.
1864. John Snyder. Homer Shane.
1871. Corydon Sharp. Culbert R. Smith.
1865. Lowell C. Ransom. 1872. No record.
1866. E. O. Lemmon. 1873. Culbert R. Smith.
A. L. Stevens.
1874. Byron Calhoun.
1875. John Snyder.
1867. Corydon Sharp. Henry Bogardus. 1876-77. John Snyder.
TOWNSHIP SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
1875-76. William S. Miller. | 1877. William McMillan.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
1846. E. W. Craig. A. Ilale. Thomas Shane.
1847. Marvin Babcock. 1850. Jeremiah Bogardus.
E. W. Craig.
Benjamin B. Rood.
1848. Marvin Babcock.
DRAIN COMMISSIONERS.
1873. Ephraim B. Bushnell.
1876. Ephraim B. Bushnell.
1874. No record. 1877. No record.
1875. Emanuel Ifimehaugh.
TREASURERS.
1846. Samuel S. Bushnell.
1847-49. David Foster.
1850. James Sweeting.
1863-64. Culbert R. Smith.
1851. Sidney S. Matthews.
1865. Andrew Boyier.
1852. Samuel S. Bushoell.
1866-67. John Swain.
1853-55. Levi Calhoun.
1868. David Blanchard.
1856. No record.
1869-71. John Fuller.
1857. Levi Calhoun.
1872. No record.
1858. William Rippey.
1873. Corydon Sharp.
1859. Culbert R. Smith.
1874-77. Thomas J. Link.
COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHWAYS.
1846. William P. Patterson.
William Shane.
John Curtis. 1862. Jobn Lane.
1847. Marvin Babcock.
1863. David Link.
John Grove.
1864. Andrew Boyier.
Elijah W. Craig.
1865. Uriah Ruthroff.
1848. C. Palmiter.
1866. Jacob Trayer.
1849. Joseph Il. Smith.
1850. Egbert Gaines.
John Swain.
1851. Peter Mallow.
1852. Joseph II. Smith. Nathaniel Filkins. 1853. John Fuller.
1869. Edgar A. Ward.
1870. David Blanchard.
1854. Jacob Trayer.
1871. Corydon Sharp.
1872. No record.
1856. Jobn Fuller.
1873. Edward Cummins.
1874. David Link.
1857. Jacob Trayer. Culbert R. Smith.
IS58. Jeremiah Smith.
1859. C. W. Flanders. 1860. David Link.
SPROOL INSPECTORS.
1846. Charles Wheeler.
1847. Walton O. Richards.
1848. William Milliman. Walter W. Smith. Daniel Foust.
1849. James H. Rippey.
1850. David Smith.
1851. James II. Rippey.
1852. William Rippey. Doct. Clark.
1853. William Anderson. O. F. Parker.
1854. James H. Rippey.
1855. Ilorace P. Jaffrey.
1856. Jeremiah Shane.
1857. Henry Bogardus. Ephraim II. Bushnell.
1858. Ephraim Shane. 1859. Henry Bogardus. Horace P. Jeffrey.
1860. Ephraim Shane.
1868. Corydon Sharp. John Fuller.
1861. Horace P. Jeffrey. John Lane. 1869. August Boebmer.
1862. Albert N. Bowdish.
1863. Ilorace P. Jeffrey.
1870. llorace P. Jeffrey. John Kisler.
1850. William Rippey.
1851. Joseph H. Smith.
1865. M. S. Bowdish.
1852. Nathaniel Sanborn.
Horace P. Jeffrey.
1853. William Butts. M. S. Bowdish.
1866. Elisba T. Gardner. A. Boyier.
1854. John Fuller.
1867. Jobn Fuller.
S. S. Matthews.
1868. Jacob Trayer. Edgar Ward.
1855. John MeClung.
1856. William Patten.
1869. M. S. Bowdish.
Jeremiah Smith.
Sheldon W. Sharp.
Milton Ilumphrey.
1870. James J. Walker.
1871. Sheldon W. Sharp.
1872. No record.
1873. Miles Whipple. Jacob Lilly.
1874. H. Bogardus.
Seth Milliman.
J860. Jacob Trayer.
1875. Jacob C. Lilly.
1861. M. S. Bowdish. George Houts.
1876. Jacob Trayer.
1877. Jobo Fuller.
1862. Elisba T. Gardner.
Jacob Trayer. John Keller.
1857. John Fry. N. S. Filkins.
1849. Egbert Gaines.
1858. Elisha T. Gardner.
Walter W. Smith. M. S. Bowdisb.
1859. Jobn McClung.
1860. Chester E. Porter. 1861-62. William Patten.
The following officers were elected in 1878 : Supervisor, Ilorace P. Jeffrey ; Township Clerk, Frank H. Lane; Jus- tiees of the Peace, Edgar A. Ward, William H. Teller ; Treasurer, John Snyder ; Commissioner of Highways, Wil- liam Mallow; Township Superintendent of Schools, Johu T. Stryker; School Inspector, Merritt Calhoun; Drain Commissioner, David Link; Constables, Ira Cleveland, Roman L. Whipple. William Mallow, David Burdett.
Among those in Noble township who have furnished in- formation which is embodied in this article are Walter W. Smith, John Lane and sou, Calvin HI. Flanders, and others. Numerous minutes have been made also from the recent articles in the Coldwater Republican.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GEORGE P. ROBINSON,
the subject of this sketch, was born in Franklin Co., Vt., June 7, 1827. Here, among the Green Mountains, he grew to manhood, following the business of a carpenter and joiner. In 1864 he moved to Noble township and pur- chased the fine farm now owned by him. Mr. Robinson's upright course and business qualities soon won for himu the esteem and respect of his fellow-townsmen, and in 1873 he was elected supervisor of his township, which office he held two terms. In 1874 he was elected by the Republican party (to which he has always belonged) to represent his distriet in the State Legislature, filling the office one term. He then moved to La Grange, Ind., and engaged in banking, he being one of the directors of the First National Bank of that place. Ile also oversees his farm in Noble. On the 9th of June, 1859, he was married to Miss Marietta C. Spaulding, of Lima, Ind.
1855. George C. Worden.
1867. David Blanchard.
1868. John Swain. Jacob Lilly.
Byron Calhoun.
1875. David Link. 1876-77. David Link.
1862. William Patten.
1861. Jacob Trayer. John Lane.
CHRISTINA CHASE.
Among the early settlers in the west part of the town of Noble was Mrs. Christina Chase and her son Chauncey. Mrs. Chase's husband, Ariel Chase, was born in Vermont, Jan. 18, 1789, where he grew to manhood, following the business of a carriage-maker. They were married Jan. 30, 1823. Mrs. Chase was born in Durham, Cumberland Co., Maine. After their marriage they moved to Clarkson, Mon- roc Co., N. Y., where Mr. Chase engaged in business. He died July 12, 1830. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chase two sons, Russell W.,
MRS. CHRISTINA CHASE.
CHAUNCEY CHASE.
agent. This office he filled two years with great credit. He then retired from the road, making his home in Minneapolis, Minn., where he died March 27, 1877. In 1846, Mrs. Chase and her son Chann- cey came to Michigan, and bought the west half of the northeast quarter of section eight in Noble, which was then new and unimproved, without any
June 16, 1826, and Chaun- cey, Sept. 19, 1828. After her husband's death, Mrs. Chase remained in Clark- son two years, and moved to Parma, Monroe County, where she educated her sons. The eklest, Russell W., adopt- ed railroading as a business, holding the positions of mail agent, express agent, and traveling agent of different railroads in Vermont, and fill- ing these places with such marked ability that, upon the completion of the Northern Pacific Railroad, he was asked by its president to accept the position of general freight
RUSSELL W. CHASE.
road to it; but under their good management it was soon cleared, and has ever since been their home. Mrs. Chase earned with her needle a part of the money to improve the farm. She is now seventy-four years of age, is hale and hearty, and is spoken of by her neighbors as a kind neighbor, a true friend, and a lady of marked ability.
PHOTOS BY KINDMARK ARK
NOM
MRS. E. B.BUSHNELL.
E.B. BUSHNELL.
RESIDENCE OF EPHRAIM B. BUSHNELL, NOBLE, BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
329
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
HORACE P. JEFFREY.
Gurdon Jeffrey was born in New London, Conn., where he resided until he was of age. He married for his first wife Miss Esther Butts. This union was blessed with six children, Ilorace P., the subject of this sketch, being the fifth. Mrs. Jeffrey died in 1832. Mr. Jeffrey married for his second wife Miss Happy Smith, to whom there was born one child. Soon after his first marriage he moved to Oswego Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming. From Oswego County he moved to Monroe Co .. N. Y. Horace P. Jeffrey was born in New Lisbon, Oswego Co., N. Y., June 24, 1827. In Lisbon and in Monroe Co., N. Y., he lived till he was twenty-seven years old, working on a farm. His opportunities for acquiring an education were limited mostly to common schools. Still he obtained sufficient to fit him for the active business life he has since followed. On the 27th day of September, 1853, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mariette Clark, who died the next April. After his wife's death Mr. Jeffrey remained single four years, when he was again married, JJan. 27, 1858, his choice being Miss Laura A. Coulter. Miss Coulter was born Dec. 26, 1836, and was the daughter of John and Mi- randa ( Rawson) Coulter. There have been born to them six children, as follows : John M., Nov. 8, 1858; Elda J., Sept. 2, 1861; Sarah E., Dee. 10, 1863; Mary O., Dec. 14, 1865; Sammel G., Nov. 10, 1867 ; and Esther L., Feb. 12, 1869. Mr. Jeffrey got his start in life by work- ing his father's farm. In 1854 he was seized with the Western fever and came to Michigan. Being pleased with the country, he purchased the southeast quarter of section 5, in Noble township. It was then almost entirely new, but is now under good improvement, with handsome build- ings, ete., all the work of Mr. Jeffrey. To this fine farm he has added until he now owns two hundred and thirty acres. Mr. Jeffrey bas always been a member of the Demo- eratie party, and has been several times its standard-bearer in town elections, having held the office of school inspector and for four years that of supervisor, filling the office with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow- townsmen.
WALTER W. SMITHI,
the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Hard- wiek, Caledonia Co., Vt. He is descended, on his mother's side, from an old family in Holland named Webber. An immense fortune was left by a member of this family, which should have been ere this obtained by the American heirs. Edward C. Smith, the father of Walter W., was born in New Hampshire, where he lived till after his marriage to Miss Susannah Webber, Nov. 1, 1800. Ile then moved to Vermont. To them were born thirteen children, the sixth of whom was Walter W. Smith, who resided in Ver- mont till he was twenty-five years of age, when he came West, stopping in New York.
In April, 1837, he was married to Miss Frances Ann Shannon, who died Aug. 20, 1838. On the 3d day of March, 1841, Mr. Smith was again married, taking for his wife Miss Sally Warren, daughter of Ethan and Eunice (Owen) Warren. She was born in Hampton township,
Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 26, 1813. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith five children, as follows : George W., Dec. 2, 1841 ; Edward, Dec. 25, 1843; Emily F., June 24, 1846; Walter S., Sept. 18, 1849, died Nov. 7, 1849 ; and Marshall F., Sept. 26, 1853. In 1836, Mr. Smith came to Michigan, and after tramping over a good deal of the southern portion of the State, looking for land, he finally selected the northwest quarter of section 10 in Noble township, which he bought of the government. For this land he paid two hundred dollars, part of which he bor- rowed. After making his purchase he went to Niles, Mich., where he worked several months, and then returned to Ver- mont, but stayed only till spring, when he again came West, and found employment in Niles and Goshen, Ind. Ilere two years were passed, when he was taken sick and again returned to Vermont, trying hard to sell his land ; but, for- tunately for him, he could not find a purchaser, and in 1842 he moved with his family on to his farm in Noble, where he has since resided. At that time his land was all new, not a stick having been ent ; but his untiring energy soon made the wilderness blossom as a rose, and he has now, in the evening of his life, an improved farm of over two hundred acres, one of the finest in the town, with many commodious buildings, all the work of his own hands. Mr. Smith has always been an ardent Republican since the formation of that party, believing it to be the exponent of good govern- ment and liberal ideas. He is and long has been a member of the Methodist Church.
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