USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 83
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A man named Perry, who lived half a mile cast of Mr. Lee's, had four or five pigs in a covered log pen, and they would weigh perhaps 100 pounds cach. One night a couple of wolves came prowling around and frightened the pigs so badly that one finally ran out through a hole in the pen. The wolves seized him and made off towards the woods. The load was pretty heavy for them, however, and Mr. Perry, hearing the squeals of the luckless " shote," and discovering its predicament, seized his gun and fired, wound- ing one of the wolves, upon which they abandoned their burden and were soon lost in the forest. The pig limped back to the pen, sore from its encounter.
A fine two-year-old heifer, belonging to Mr. Walbert, in the same neighborhood, was frightened into the woods by wolves and given up for lost. She returned some time afterward, however, but badly bitten. On numerous oeca- sions dead animals were dragged into the woods, where their carcasses became food for the omnipresent wolf, whose fangs stripped the flesh from them and left their bones to bleach and crumble, while other prey was sought.
George Moyer is yet living on the farm where he settled in 1835, and farther north is John R. Lee, who came the same year. J. B. Hlaviland, now a resident of this town- ship, settled in the county in 1841. John Fulton located
334
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
in 1832 (?), I. M. Palmer in 1837, Perry Ansley in 1836, with his father, who owned the farm where his son now lives, and L. R. Ford in 1836.
Hon. I. D. Beall settled in 1837, on the farm where he at present resides. He has twice represented his district in the Legislature. Upon his arrival in the township the Indians were yet very numerous and generally quiet and peaceful. Onee, however, Mr. Beall refused to give food to an Indian who had lied to him, and subsequent refusals aroused the warrior's enmity to such a degree that he could searee restrain his passion. Not long afterward, Mr. Beal was at work in his field, when the report of a gun was heard in the adjoining forest and a bullet whistled over his head. Thinking it a chance shot, he paid no attention to the matter ; but soon another leaden messenger passed most uncomfortably close to his ear, and he " stood not upon the order of his going," but made the liveliest time eredited to his record, and in a few minutes reached his house. He took down his rifle and loaded it, with the intention of shooting his would-be assassin, when another Indian eame in and begged the privilege of going in his stead. The request was granted ; soon the Indian came back and said, " Bill, no shoot," and Mr. Beall was never afterward mo- lested. With this exception, his dealings with the savages were of the most friendly nature.
One of the Pottawattamies, named Pam-ta-pee, became much attached to the settlers, and when it was arranged to remove the Indians West he felt very badly about it, and used to come to Mr. Lee's and complain about such a pro- eeeding. Mr. Lee, Sr., gave one of Pam-ta-pee's boys a suit of clothes and a name. When Gen. Brady's soldiers were expected to escort the Indians to their Western home Pam-ta-pee fled with his family to a large swamp in Cal- houn County, where they remained concealed until some days after the others had departed. His infant child eried a great deal, and the father, fearful of discovery and conse- quent removal, seized it by the heels and dashed its brains out against a stump. lle and his squaw lived the balance of their days in this neighborhood. One of their sons dis- appeared suddenly, and it was supposed he was eaten by wolves, as his gun and pieces of his clothing were afterward found.
An ugly-tempered Indian, named Muek-a-moot, possessed himself of a rifle with a very long barrel, and said he in- tended to kill Gen. Brady with it when he came to remove them. In order to show what he would do he loaded the gun in the presence of a number of Indians and whites, and aiming at a charred stump about eight rods off, fired. The bullet failed to penetrate the stump, and rolled to the ground, amid the derisive laughter of the spectators. Re- loading with a heavier charge of powder, he fired again, when the bullet barely stuck in the stump. Chagrined and mortified, he gave up, and made no trouble when the troops arrived.
N. Wilcox settled in Sherwood in 1837, where he now lives, on the farm next west of I. D. Beall's. His son, L. P. Wilcox, was at the autumn election in 1878 chosen to fill the office of sheriff for Branch County.
It is related that at Joseph Lane's house-warming plenty of liquor was used, according to the enstom of the time.
The article was very cheap, and of a quality greatly superior to the poison now in use. Sixty pounds of corn would pur- chase twelve quarts, and, as it was not considered a disgrace to indulge, it may be inferred that considerable quantities were poured down the throats of the back woodsmen.
N. A. Billings eame to Michigan in 1837, and settled in 1842 where he now lives. Peter Renew settled in 1840. A. W. Kinyon entered his land in 1835, but did not locate upon it until 1850.
The first road in Sherwood township was what was known as the " Territorial road," running from Union City to Leonidas, and laid out by commissioners appointed by the Territorial government.
Lyman Studley and his brother, IFiram W. Studley, were among the early settlers of this township. They were from a locality six miles north of Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y. Lyman came to Athens, Calhoun Co., Mich., in 1836, and to Sherwood in 1838. His brother probably came to the township the latter year also. Both are now deceased. During the first of the California gold excitement Lyman went to the " New El Dorado," and was followed by his brother in two or three years. The latter died on his way home. His son, Jerome J. Studley, is the present town- ship clerk, having held the position several terms.
Ryan Williams, also from Genesee Co., N. Y., came to Sherwood in 1838, with his wife and six children, and settled on section 28, about a mile from his present resi- dence. In 1848 he returned to New York, where he re- mained until 1858. when he settled permanently in Sher- wood. Upon his arrival in 1838 he could not find men enough to help him raise his log house, and was obliged to accomplish the work with the aid of a yoke of oxen and a cable chain.
The first settler on the south side of the St. Joseph River in Sherwood was John Onderdonk, who came from New York City in 1836. A man named Lowry lived about the same time on the south line of the township, and Ephraim Plank came probably the same year. For about two years after this no others eame, but by 1838 the south- ern portion of town commeneed filling rapidly.
Hiram Doubleday was one of the first settlers, and held the office of supervisor twelve or fifteen years. He was the second to fill that office in the township.
Chauncey Bartlett. now living east of Sherwood village, settled early in Union township, subsequently removing to Sherwood. Jabin Hazen came to the State in 1836, and settled in Calhoun County, between Homer and Marshall. In 1841 he removed with his family to Sherwood, where his son, E. F. Hazen, now resides.
The first frame house in Sherwood township was built by John Onderdonk, who has been mentioned as the first settler south of the river. His house stood on section 28.
The first white child born in the township was a daugh- ter of Robert Waldron, which died in infaney. The first death was that of the father of Joseph D. Lane. He was a veteran of the Revolution, and came on a visit to his son, accompanied by another son, Asher Lane. He was very old and infirm, and used a cane in walking. After staying some weeks he started alone, though nearly blind, through the woods to visit an old friend named Gilbert, living in the
HORACE O. LEE.
The Lee family are descended from good old Revolutionary stock, the maternal grandfather of our subjeet having been a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war, while his paternal grand- father did good service in the expulsion of the British from New London.
Horace O. Lee was born in the town- of Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1823. He was the son of Thomas and Anice (Beaman) Lee, who had a family of twelve children.
The elder Lee was a carpenter and joiner by occupation, and a hard work- ing man of excellent habits. He was born in the town of Lime, Conn., July 18, 1779. In 1836 he emigrated with his family, which consisted of his wife and six children, to Sherwood, and settled upon the farm now owned by his son Horace, where he resided until his death, in 1851, in the seventy- second year of his age.
In 1854 his wife died. She was born June 18, 1786, in Hartford Co., Conn.
HIRAM DOUBLEDAY.
In 1676, Elisha Doubleday came from Yorkshire, England, with his two sons, Elijah and Elisha, and settled in Boston, Mass. Elijah died without children, and Elisha became the progenitor of the Doubleday family in America.
Hiram Doubleday, the subject of this narrative, was born in the town of Westfield, Washington Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1802. He was the son of Elisha, of the fifth generation, and Mercy Bement, who had a family of ten children.
Elisha (the fourth), grandfather of our subject, was a soldier of the Revolution, and was engaged in the defense of New London, Conn., against the burning by Benedict Arnold, in 1781.
In 1804, Elisha, father of Hiram, emigrated from Washing- ton County to Onondaga County, and settled in the town of Fabius, where he was an early settler. Hle was a farmer, and became one of the prominent citizens of that county, and died in Fabius in the sixtieth year of his age. He was a man of unquestioned integrity and of temperate and industrious habits.
As was customary in those days, Hiram acknowledged obliga- tion to his parents in his labor until he attained his majority. When he went to Yates County he had acquired a good common- school education, which he made practically useful to himself and others by teaching.
In 1825 he married Miss Betsey, daughter of Samuel Wallace, of Pnltrey, Steuben Co., N. Y., where she was born in 1802.
After their marriage they purchased a farm in the town of Italy, Yates County, where he remained until March 3, 1832,
PACTO UT W NI
BILAN, UNIONCITY.
HORACE O. LEE.
HIRAM DOUBLEDAY
Horace's early days were spent on his father's farm, sharing the hardships and privations of a pioneer family. Upon his father's decease he purchased the homestead upon which he now resides.
In 1854 he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel Gilbert, Esq., one of the early settlers of Leonidas, St. Joseph County. They have been blessed with three children, one of whom died in infancy.
Mr. Lee has been prominently iden- tified with Sherwood for eight years, having filled acceptably the office of justice, and for four years that of town treasurer.
In his religious and political affili- ations he is a Methodist and a Repub- lican.
He has devoted himself to the cares of the farm and matters of per- sonal concern, and his life has been comparatively uneventful; but in his chosen calling he has attained success, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.
when he started for Michigan with his family, then composed of his wife and three children,-Harvey M., Harriet (now Mrs. D. D. Riley), and Myron.
The entire journey was made with an ox-team. They arrived safely in. the town of Athens, Calhoun County (the fourth family in the town ), in the forepart of the month of April, where Mr. Doubleday purchased eighty acres of land about a mile and a half from the present village of Athens. At the time of Mr. Doubleday's settlement in Athens, Michigan was a semi-wilder- ness, with here and there a few resolute pioneers, who had erected their cabins and made small elearings, but not a tree had been felled where Union City now stands.
In 1836, Mr. Doubleday came to Sherwood and purchased three hundred and twenty aeres of land, one hundred and sixty aeres on section 2, and one hundred and sixty on section 4. From that time until his removal to Union City, in 1872, no man was more prominently identified with the town. He assisted in the present organization of the town, and was elected its first super- visor, which position he filled acceptably two terms in succession, and afterwards satisfactorily served in the capacity for a number of terms. He is a man entirely devoid of ostentation. Possessed of strong, natural common sense, of positive opinions, and publie- spirited, his line of action in all matters is always strongly marked, and followed with tenacity. Mr. Doubleday is one of the prom- inent and successful farmers of the township. In business mat- ters he is methodical, his word is considered as good as his bond, and none stand higher in the esteem of the people than he, and to his family he will leave that priceless jewel, an untarnished name.
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IHISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
335
town of Leonidas, St. Joseph Co. He was missed by the neighbors, who inquired if he was siek and learned where he had gone. To them the action of the son in allowing the father to start alone on such a journey seemed criminal, and much excitement was created. A messenger sent to Gilbert's brought back word that the old man had not been there, and immediately the men in the settlement instituted a search for him, which was long kept up, but without sue- cess . It is stated on some authority that bones and bits of clothing were long afterwards found, which were supposed to be his, while others say that nothing was ever discovered which would lead to an intimation of his fate. The Lanes, finding themselves in mueh disfavor, emigrated westward to the State of Iowa.
Mr. Bowers and David Kilbourn were carly settlers in the township. The latter located in 1836 on a farm one mile northeast of Sherwood village, where he died in 1872. Of his nine children all but one are living, and that one offered his life upon his country's altar during the great civil war, having been killed in battle at Corinth, Miss.
Dr. A. P. Mitchell and G. W. Mitchell came into the county in 1836, and both now reside in Sherwood.
Joseph Failing, who had been given up by the doctors as a certain vietim of consumption, eame early into the township, cleared up the farm where he now lives, and regained his health entirely.
Ephraim Cline and a Mr. Dunks were also early settlers, and both have sinee passed to the shadowy " land of the hereafter."
The first school-house built in the township was erected by Joseph D. Lane, on the southwest corner of section 5. One end stood on land owned by Joseph Russell. The name of the teacher who was employed to instruet the children of the pioneers in this building is not now re- collected.
The early settlers of Sherwood were in general a class of honest, upright, fearless, truthful, kind, and accommodating people, and their faces and deeds are cherished faithfully in the memory of those who knew them, while their children have proved most worthy descendants of the parents who reared them. But few of the original settlers are now living.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION, ELECTIONS, ETC.
When it was definitely settled that a new township should be organized the settlers met at the house of one of their number, and found there were not enough to fill all the offices. For that reason the two townships (now Sherwood and Union) were set off' as one, and it was agreed that an equal number of officers should be chosen for each. Alexander E. Tomlinson was secretary of the first town- meeting. Through some dexterous manœuvring on the part of Robert Waldron it was so managed that the people of the east half of the township voted for one man who was about to move into the west half, thus giving the latter the majority of officers. This was attributed by some to the influence of Mr. Tomlinson, and it is said that he and Waldron finally had a scuffle over it and gave each other bloody noses ! Mr. Waldron is now living somewhere in the West.
As the records of the township previous to the year 1855 have been destroyed it is impossible to give a list of the officers for that period. At the first township-meeting, in 1836. the following were a few of those chosen, viz .: Town- ship Clerk, Phineas P. Lee ; Justices of the Peace, Joseph Russell, William Minor ; Commissioners of Highways, Jos. Russell, Joseph J. Libhart, Nahum Sargent. The name of the first supervisor is not remembered.
Beginning with 1855, the following have been the prin- cipal officers of the township of Sherwood :
SUPERVISOR>.
1855. Lorenzo Little.
1863. Daniel D. Riley.
1856-57. Isaac D. Beall.
1864-65. Isaac D. Beall.
1858. David R. Cooley. 1866-67. Ilenry L. Bisbec.
1859-60. James S. Antisdale.
1868-72. Loring P. Wilcox.
1861. Richard HI. Willard.
1873-71. James Gwin.
1862. John B. Haviland. 1875-77. Charles E. Swain.
TOWN CLERKS.
1855. Alex. E. Tomlinson,
1873. Robert Fraser.
1856-60. E. F. Hazen.
W. C. Stearns (appointed
1861. James S. Antisdale. saine year, but resigned,
1862. Isaac D. Beall.
and Charles E. Swain ap-
1863-66. Loring P. Wilcox.
pointed in his place).
1867-68. E. F. Hazen.
1874. William Lehr.
1869-71. Clark (. Lake.
1875. Jerome J. Studley.
1872. Isaac D. Beall. 1876-77. Ilenry Sayers.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1855. Jared M. Rowell. Warren Ilenry. E. F. Hazen.
1865. Horace O. Lee.
1856. J. Hlaviland. 1866. Isaac D. Beall.
1857. Lebbeus Rowe.
1867. Loring P. Wilcox.
1858. Isaac D. Beall.
1868. Ira Lake.
1859. Burr Osboro. 1869. Henry L. Bisbee.
1860. Henry Duncan.
1870. Isaac D. Beall.
1861. Lebbens Rowe. 1871. James Gwin.
1862. Isaac D. Beall.
1872. Manton E. Sawins.
E. F. Ilazeo.
1873. Horace O. Lee.
1863. Burr Osborn.
Edward K. Wilcox.
Peter P. Gardner.
1875. Iloracc O. Lec.
1864. Ira Luke.
Samuel Kilbourn.
Burr Oshorn.
1876. M. E. Sawins.
1877. Ryan Williams.
TREASURERS.
1855. Franklin ". Watkins.
1865. Ilenry Bullock.
1856-57. Chester C. Doty. 1866-68. Clark C. Lake.
1858-59. Joseph Failing. 1869-71. Horace O. Lec.
IS60. S. W. Blackman. 1872. Franklin H. Fisher.
IS61. E. F. Ilazen.
1873-74. Frank Thoms.
1862. Daniel D. Riley.
1875-77. Marion C. Hazen.
1863-64. Lucien E. Rowe.
COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHWAYS.
1855. Wilson MeSpencer. 1866. Edward Stanton.
1856. P. Clark. 1867. Burr Osborn.
1857. Benjamin F. Ferris.
1868. Jabin Gwin.
1858. James Gwin. 1869. Edward Stanton.
1859. Pelatiah ('lark. 1870. Burr Osborn.
1560. Reuben P. Coddington. 1871. Jabin Gwin.
1861. Benjamin Blossom.
1872. Lucien E. Rowe.
1862. Lyman Studley.
1873. Clark C. Lake.
1863. Morris Zimmerman. 1874. Jesse Gates.
1864. Pelatinh Clark. 1875. Jabin Gwin.
1865. John M. Lacey. 1876. Jesse Gates.
Benjamin Blossom.
1877. Jesse Gates.
1874. II. L. Bisbee.
Robert Barton.
336
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
SCHOOL INSPECTORS.
1855. William Trafton.
1866. Bruce C. Wilcox.
1856. Morris Zimmerman.
1867. Clark C. Lake.
D. D. Riley.
1868. Bruce C. Wilcox.
1857. James S. Antisdale.
1869. Bruce C. Wileox.
Julius S. Dunks.
1858. Morris Zimmerman.
1870. Julius S. Dunks.
1860. Hermon H. Johnson.
1871. Daniel D. Riley.
1861. R. C. Blackman.
1872. Julius S. Dunks.
1862. Seymour S. Gage.
1873. Clark C. Lake.
1863. Clark C. Blackman.
1874. Frank Fisher.
1875. Julins S. Dunks.
1864. William E. Tomlinson. Clark C. Lake.
1876 O. S. Bathrick.
1865. Clark C. Lake.
1877. Harvey B. Smith.
Steven J. Clark.
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
1875. Clark C. Lake, re-elected each year since.
DRAIN COMMISSIONERS.
1873. E. F. Hazen.
1876. George Blackwell.
1874. George Blackwell.
1877. No record.
1875. George Osborn.
The officers chosen for Sherwood township in 1878 were the following, viz. : Supervisor, Charles II. Mann ; Town Clerk, Jerome J. Studley; Treasurer, Horace O. Lee ; Justice of the Peace, Thomas B. Kirby ; Commissioner of Highways, John Stafford ; School Superintendent, Clark C. Lake; School Inspector, Asahel P. Spencer; Drain Com- missioner, Robert Fraser ; Constables, James Draper, Cyrus Pierce, John Studley, Herbert H. Cross.
VILLAGE OF SHERWOOD.
When the Air-Line Railway became a certainty the plan of laying out a village to be called Ilazenville was discussed, and finally E. F. Hazen and Manton E. Sawin platted the vil- lage of Sherwood, on land previously owned by the former. Mixed trains began running over the road in the fall of 1870, and mail trains were put on the following summer.
Before the village was platted the only house on the south side of the railroad was that of E. F. Hazen, and on the north but two were standing,-those of Lyman Studley and St. Clair Leatherberry. Since then the place has grown so rapidly that now it contains a population of about 250. It is located on a picturesque plain, and surrounded by excellent farming country.
In the fall of 1870, Frank M. Warner built the struc- ture now used as a hotel, and in it opened a grocery, the first store of any kind in the place. IIe was bought out in 1871 by Jerome J. Studley. Isaac Maltby purchased the store from Studley, and finally converted it into a hotel. In the fall of 1878 he disposed of it to the present pro- prietor, C. D. Leech.
Jonathan Hare erected the second store in the village,- the building now occupied by the post-office,-and the third one was built by Wm. Palmer. The two stores next north were built,-the one occupied by a drug establishment by Ezra Bostwick, of Union City, and the other by J. W. Spencer, of the same place. These are all frame buildings.
A steam grist- and saw-mill was built for J. W. French & Son, and is now in operation, owned by that firm, as is a planing-mill built and owned by Messrs. Sawin & Stafford.
The first post-office in the township was called Newstead, upon the suggestion of A. E. Tomlinson, after the famous Newstead Abbey, in England. Jared M. Rowell was post-
master for many years. The office at Sherwood village was established in the summer of 1871, and Jerome J. Studley received the appointment of first postmaster. He was suc- ceeded by Isaac Maltby, and he by the present incumbent, Henry Sayers.
It is thought that the first resident physician in the township was Dr. Mason Spencer, who practiced here thirty- two years, and was killed by the cars in the summer of 1878. Drs. R. Fraser, L. R. Daniels, and A. P. Mitchell are at present practicing, the former having located here in 1870.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
A Methodist class was organized here in 1838, consist- ing of six members, viz., Lyman Studley and wife, John Onderdonk and wife, and Ryan Williams and wife. A young missionary by the name of Jones held services at that time. The society increased in members to such an extent that about 1856-58 the present frame church was built. At that time the membership was between 90 and 100, while now it numbers only about 20. The present pastor is Rev. O. S. Paddock, who also has charge of a church in Athens.
CHURCH OF SHERWOOD.
In 1877 a revolution took place in the Methodist Church, and many of its members withdrew and organized themselves into a body with the above name, under the leadership of M. V. Rork, a former Methodist minister, who had conceived ideas so liberal as not to conform to the strict rules of Methodisin,-ideas which in the estimation of himself and many others were the true foundation for human happiness. So popular is Mr. Rork that his fol- lowers here number 130, and a society with the same belief has recently built and dedicated a church in Athens, cost- ing $5000, which is the only one in the United States erected by a society of this denomination. As yet the society at Sherwood has no church, but holds its meetings in Red-Ribbon Hall.
A FREE METHODIST SOCIETY
was organized here about 1867, aud has a limited number of members at present. A small frame church has been erected, and meetings are held once in two weeks. The pastor is Rev. Mr. Tompkins. The church is located on the " corners," south of the railroad.
The growth of the village of Sherwood has been remark- able, and illustrates what " might have been" had the rail- road been constructed through here many years ago, as originally surveyed. As an agricultural township Sher- wood ranks high, and those of her first settlers who are now living can view with pride the home of their adoption, with its broad and fertile fields and excellent improvements.
Alexander E. Tomlinson, the first settler in Sherwood, has kindly furnished us with many facts and incidents which are embodied in the foregoing history, and among others who have lent their aid in this respect are J. S. Rowell, of Union City, whose father, J. M. Rowell, was one of Sherwood's pioneers; Jerome J. Studley, Ryan Williams, Dr. R. Fraser, and others. Numerous items also have been taken from the articles published the past winter in the Coldwater Republican.
1859. James S. Antisdale.
1
RESIDENCE OF JABIN R. GWIN , SHERWOOD, BRANCH CO., MICH
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
337
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
EPHRAIM CLINE.
This gentleman was for many years prominently identi- fied with the towns of Matteson and Sherwood, and was born in Binghamton, N. Y., Nov. 12, 1812. His early life was spent upon his father's farm, receiving only limited advantages for education. At the age of sixteen his father died, and he went to live with an unele, with whom he re- mained fifteen years. In 1831 his unele emigrated to Michigan, and settled in the town of Nottawa, St. Joseph Co. The following spring Ephraim joined his uncle, and shortly after went to work for Judge Connor, of Nottawa, with whom he remained about two years. During this time he made the acquaintance of Miss Mary Sheeks, whom he married in June, 1834. Mrs. Cline was a native of Ohio, where she was born in 1816. After their marriage they rented a farm for a limited time, and by industry and economy saved a sum sufficient to enter eighty aeres of land in the town of Matteson. Upon this farm he resided six years, when he sold and purchased three hundred and twenty acres in the north part of the town, where he re- sided until his death, in 1874. Mr. Cline was a man of indomitable energy and perseverance, of temperate habits, and possessed of a hardy constitution and an abundance of will. He became noted for his industry and ability to performu a vast amount of hard labor. Like most self-made meu, he commeneed life at the bottom round of the ladder,
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