USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 38
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Coming to Michigan as he did in 1836, and a few years later to this city, where he first began actual business, the speculative tendency which has so conspicuously marked the current of events of late years was comparatively unknown, capital was limited, business principles few and simple, and the standard of individual rectitude severer than we find it in our day. Hard and persistent labor, diligence, punctuality in fulfilling engagements, and, to use a trite but expressive phrase, " square dealing," were then the prime-we might almost say the only-factors of success. These Mr. Clark possessed in a remarkable degree. His name, from first to last, continued a synonym of sound judgment and sterling honesty.
On the 6th of March, 1844, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Ra- chel M. Rowley, who was born at Turin, Lewis county, New York, April 14, 1826. Seven children-six sons and one daughter-were born to them, namely, Charles E., born December 8, 1844, died August 24, 1846; Clarence C., born May 4, 1846, died March 28, 1868 ; Mary E., born December 20, 1847, died July 1, 1851 ; Alexander L., born October 29, 1851 ; Chester R., born July 5, 1853; Walter, born February 28, 1855 ; Frederick M., born November 9, 1859.
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103
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ANSON MAPES.
The late Anson Mapes, son of John Mapes, Sr., and Anna, his wife, was born at Hoosick, Rensselaer county, New York, on the 5th of May, 1810. His youth was spent on his father's farm, and when eighteen years old he left the paternal roof and went out in the world to do for himself. He proceeded to Auburn, in his native State, where he employed himself at farming and teaming, and, by eight years of industry and providence, he managed to lay up about six hundred dollars. Hearing of the remarkable success which the immigrants from the east were achieving in the west in all branches of industry, particularly in agriculture, he wended his way thither, and in 1835 we find him in Hillsdale, Michigan. In the fall of the same year he effected a permanent settlement in Battle Creek township, where, in section 30, he 'laid the foundation of what for many years constituted his happy and peaceful home. On the 25th of March, 1847, he mar- ried Mrs. Maria Fulton (formerly Miss Maria Blass, who was born at Sharon, Schoharie county, New York, January 14, 1814), a widow lady, having two chil- dren by her former husband, one of whom survives, and the other is not. This union was a happy one in every respect; and six children were sent to add to its bliss. These are all living, and are useful and honorable members of society in the communities in which they respectively reside.
On the 31st of March, 1875, Mr. Mapes was called hence, having faithfully fulfilled his mission on earth. By his death, his family lost a fond husband and father, and the community an estimable citizen. He was liberal in his support of religious and intellectual enterprises, temperate in his life, and in his business transactions honorable and just. He was eminently a self-made man, having had to rely upon his own resources from boyhood up. By hard work, practical econ- omy, and judicious investments, he had become quite comfortably circumstanced, so that at his demise his widow was left in possession of a fine home, and sur- rounded by the benefits of a moderate competence. She still resides on the old homestead, around which cluster so many pleasurable memories, and on which so many varied emotions have been felt. Here were their children born; and here, too, the cup of sorrow was filled when Death asserted his triumph, and the loved head of the family was taken from among them. (See illustration.)
HON. GEORGE NELSON WAKEFIELD.
George Nelson Wakefield was a son of Simeon Wakefield, one of the early pioneers of northern Vermont. He was born in Williston, Chittenden county, in that State, January 18, 1806. His father being a carpenter by trade, and Nelson the eldest son of a family of six children, it was thought necessary that he should be bred a farmer, although his natural bent of inclination was the study of the law as a profession ; but he carried on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres from his early boyhood, exercising his own judgment, principally with regard to buying and selling stock, from the age of fifteen very successfully, his judgment being considered very mature at that age by those best informed. He remained with his parents on the farm until twenty-one years, and subsequently purchased the farm of his father, and remained on it for about twenty years. When about twenty-two years of age he was induced to learn the blacksmith's business with a gentleman who was doing a good business in Williston, and after mastering the trade entered into copartnership with the same gentleman, and carried on an ex- tensive business in the line of his trade and that of a wheelwright.
On the 6th day of December, 1832, he was united in marriage to Caroline M., daughter of Enoch Noble, of Richmond, Vermont, and sister of Alonzo Noble, of the city of Battle Creek. Jane Maria, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Wake- field, was the first wife of the late lamented Z. T. Slater, M.D., of the same city. But the parental love of this benevolent pair was not all lavished on this much- loved daughter; on the contrary, it went out to four boys, whom they from time to time adopted into their family and gave a father's and mother's love and care. The first one was Norman W. Barnett, who is now a highly-respected citizen of San Francisco, California. The second was Curtis F. Crittenden, who is the pres- ident of the Royal College of Dental Surgery of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, and who was at the bedside of his foster-father during the last illness of the latter. The third one was Willis Lyman, who, at the outbreak of the great rebellion, en- listed as a soldier in the army of the Union, was promoted to a sergeant, and was acting as orderly when he fell, a martyr in the cause of his country, in the last engagement before Richmond. The fourth one was a grandson, Nelson Wakefield Slater, son of their daughter, Mrs. Slater, who, previous to her decease, with the consent of her husband gave her little boy, then two and a half years old, to her father and mother. He was a noble boy, but died at the tender age of scarcely eleven years. Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield had the whole nurture of the boy during the whole of his brief stay among them.
During the residence of Mr. Wakefield in his native county he was honored with various offices of trust, and enjoyed in a marked degree the confidence and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.
He removed to the city of Battle Creek with his family in February, 1857, arriving there on the 5th day of the month, since which time till his death, which occurred March 12, 1877, he was a resident of the city. In 1872, without solici- tation on his part, he was elected to the office of mayor of the city by a large majority, receiving his support from both political parties, the duties of which position he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Ever faithful and true to the interests of the city, with modesty, which was his crowning virtue, and firmness in his convictions of right, he will ever rank with the tried and true friends of the city of his adoption.
During the war Mr. Wakefield was elected chairman of the recruiting com- mittee, and was very active in the Union cause, assisting in raising the quotas of the city, and labored diligently in providing supplies for the sick and wounded soldiers. He, together with his brother-in-law, Alonzo Noble, were among the first to respond to the call of the government of the State for funds with which to prosecute the war.
The confidence reposed in his integrity and sound judgment by his fellow-citi- zens has been evinced by the frequency with which he has been called upon to settle many of the most difficult probated estates in the county, and which, by amicable adjustment and compromise, he has been able to fully settle without expensive and tedious litigation, and bring to a happy issue the most complicated and vexed questions of the law. He was a genial, kind-hearted man, and in all the relations of life discharged his duty with fidelity. But above all, he was a kind husband and father, a true friend and neighbor, and consistent Christian, doing unto others as he would wish them to do by him. He was a member of the Universalist church in Williston, Vermont, and ever practiced the doctrines he professed. Long will he be kindly remembered by those who knew him best.
JOSEPH W. STEWART.
Joseph W., son of John and Mary Stewart, was born in Romulus, Seneca county, New York, January 8, 1809. In 1824 he removed with his parents to Ypsilanti, Michigan, of which place they were among the very earliest settlers. His father removed to Battle Creek township in 1831, and in 1833 he arrived in the same township and settled on the farm he now occupies, on the northwest quarter of section 27. It required considerable hard work and some sacrifice of comfort to develop the land he took up into the fine, well-cultivated, and produc- tive farm as we find it to-day. But the pioneers came in expecting to exercise laborious exertion, and not to repose on beds of roses.
On the 8th of March, 1829, he married Miss Mary Hiscock, by whom he had three children, namely, James H., born December 9, 1829 ; Edwin, born October 16, 1832, died July 16, 1853; Joseph, born July 22, 1837, and died in infancy. His wife died soon after the birth of their last child, and having two young chil- dren who needed a mother's care, he married again, on the 25th of February, 1838, to Jane Templer. The result of this marriage-which was enjoyed only about a year-was one daughter, Eliza J., born December 31, 1838; died May 26, 1853. On the 3d of June, 1839, he sustained the loss of his second wife, and again married, this time to Sophia Smith, on September 9, 1839. She was called hence September 11, 1864, two days after the twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding. This union was blessed with four children, namely, Phebe A., born October 17, 1840; Harriet E., born June 2, 1844, died July 20, 1845; Eugene B., born November 25, 1846, died May 2, 1847 ; and one died in infancy.
June 18, 1865, Mr. Stewart, being a firm believer in the Scriptural precept,- " It is not good for man to live alone," took unto himself a fourth wife, in the person of Lucy Crocker, who is still living, and bids fair to live many years, which her friends trust will be the case. She is a smart, active, and thrifty house- wife, kind and affectionate in her domestic relations, and a lady who is very generally respected for her many good qualities.
Mr. Stewart possesses one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he keeps in excellent cultivation. He has held various public offices, notably that of assessor, which he filled for two years. In politics he is Republican ; in religion he belongs to the denomination called Christians, and is a member of their church at Mar- shall. He is one of the oldest pioneers in the township, having passed forty-four years of his life there. He is a man well and favorably known as a good, practical farmer, and a quiet, unostentatious, and honest citizen. An illustration of his farm and building, and a portrait of himself and wife, can be seen elsewhere in this work.
104
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
BARNETT WOOD.
Barnett, son of Isaiah and Hannah Wood, is of English and Welsh descent, and was born in Otego, Otsego county, New York, May 13, 1812. When but four years old his parents removed to Steuben county, New York, where he at- tended the public schools two or three terms. When in his ninth year he was bound out to a farmer, with the understanding that he was to receive one year's schooling, of which he actually got six months, and that at long intervals. His master was a stern man, of doubtful morality, while his mistress was a kind and motherly person, who endeavored to make him comfortable during his bondage, which extended over a period of twelve years, terminating with his minority. After his release he engaged at rafting, and hired for a trip down the river, and earned thirty-four dollars in one month, the first money he had ever possessed. He worked at the lumber business for the ensuing six years.
On the 9th of November, 1835, he married Miss Fatima Gregory, who was born at Campbelltown, Steuben county, New York, June 20, 1806. They had a family of four children, of whom three survive. The following is the family record:
Francis M., born December 25, 1836; Nancy J., born January 15, 1840, died January 1, 1860; Jemima H., born November 24, 1842; John V. N., born May 13, 1846.
In 1838, Mr. Wood removed to Michigan, and after working about three months for Dorrance Williams, in Battle Creek township, returned to New York State and resumed his former occupation. In 1840 he returned to Michigan with his family. He worked the Williams farm on shares for two years; but not agreeing with his partner he quit, and went to work for Schuyler Goff one season. He then rented land of Stephen Valentine for a term of five years; but having a good deal of sickness in his family about this time, did not save much money. In 1846 he purchased eighty acres of land, and moved on to it in 1847, where he has since remained. By subsequent purchases he has added to his possessions until he now owns two hundred and three acres of land under culti- vation.
In politics Mr. Wood is a Republican, but was always adverse to receiving office. In 1865 he was elected justice of the peace, the only time he ever devi- ated from the paths of private life. In religion he is a Presbyterian, having been a member of that church for half a century. He is a gentleman who enjoys the
esteem and respect of the community in which he resides, on account of many sterling qualities. He is liberal in his support of religious and educational enter- prises, and has always endeavored so to live that those who know him best deem him a worthy citizen and a Christian gentleman.
CHARLES H. CROSBY
was born in Groton, Tompkins county, New York, April 17, 1821. He remained in his native place until he reached the age of twenty-two, and then removed to Monroe county, New York. He stayed in western New York until 1855, when he came to Michigan and settled near Galesburg, and in the fall of 1865 settled on the farm he now occupies. One of the distinguishing traits of his character is his love of neatness. This is fully demonstrated by the complete renovation to which he subjected his farm as soon as he got rightly settled thereon. The buildings at first consisted of a log house and barn, the latter of which he displaced by a good substantial frame structure within two years after taking up his residence on the farm ; and the house he made do until 1871, when he erected the present one, which is among the most commodious and neatest in the township. He also graded the front yard, and converted it into a tasteful garden, which he orna- mented with shrubs and trees and beds of beautiful flowers. On the 18th of December, 1856, he married Avis, daughter of Alonzo Imus, one of the pioneers of Kent county, Michigan. She was born in Bennington county, Vermont, July 28, 1829. She emigrated to Michigan with her parents in 1845; was educated at Albion college, this county, and taught school at different times for a period aggregating ten years.
Their homestead consists of one hundred and sixty acres of well-cultivated and fertile land, an illustration of which, with the buildings, can be seen elsewhere in this work, together with portraits of the owners. . Mr. Crosby is a Republican in politics ; in religion he is liberal, never having joined any secular denomination. As a citizen he holds an exalted position among the intelligent farmers of his township, and he and his amiable wife enjoy the respect of all with whom they have become acquainted.
FARM & RESIDENCE OF ABRAM GRIDLEY, ALBION TR, MICHIGAN.
ALBION TOWNSHIP.
TOWNSHIP 3, range 4 west, was in 1834, by an act of the Territorial legislature, comprised within the township of Homer. The surface of this section is in general undulating. The soil is a rich, black loam, well adapted to the cultivation and production of grain. The Kalamazoo river entering the township from the southwest flows towards the northeast, and uniting at the village of Albion with the north branch, forms a strong hydraulic power. East of the river was once a " burr-oak" plain. To the northwest is good farming land, but in the west and southwest portions there is marshy ground of no great value. Several small lakes are interspersed through the town; of these, the largest is Spectacle lake, which is situated in the northwest part. These lakes, combined with numerous springs; conduce to a moist condition of the soil favorable to agricultural effort.
The site of Albion at once attracted the attention of early explorers, who foresaw in this spot the ultimate establishment of a business centre by enterprising millers and manufacturers. That the valuable water-power has been utilized, and that those explorers were not deceived in judgment, is verified to-day in the existence of a thriving and populous village. A few pioneers came into the township, and when they had announced its capabilities its lands were speedily entered and occupied, and full settlement was an accomplished fact.
FIRST SETTLERS.
Exempt from fears of Indian hostility, and fearing no defects of title such as clogged the opening settlements of western New York and southeastern Ohio, the pioneers of Albion found the system of land entries originating with Phelps and Gorham, at Canandaigua, New York, and adopted by the United States, in full force, and came into possession with confidence of the stability of their deed of purchase. The south half of the northeast quarter of section 2, entered October 16, 1830, by Ephraim Harrison, was the first land transaction in the township of Albion. In 1831, Darius Pierce, of Washtenaw county, Michigan, entered the northwest quarter of the same section-the same being then known as the "Forks of the Kalamazoo," and now occupied by the main part of Albion village. This entry was obviously speculative, as there followed a sale to Tenney Peabody, of New York, for a profit of a hundred dollars. The purchaser afterwards bought out Sidney Ketchum, who had entered a part, if not the whole, of section 35 in Sheridan.
Intending settlement, Peabody, having completed his preparations, set out in December from Kempville, New York, a place situated at the mouth of Eighteen- Mile Creek, and now known as Alcott. He was accompanied by his family, and, conveying his household goods and other movable property in two wagons drawn by three yoke of oxen, traversed Canada, stopping to bivouac wherever night overtook him ; crossed the river at Youngstown, and stopped five miles east of Albion, with a settler named Blackfield. A rest having been taken, Mr. Peabody, accompanied by his nephew, Charles Blanchard, and a young man named Clark Dowling, pushed on and made camp on a spot about ten rods from the present site of the Presbyterian church. They set to work and put up a log shanty with rail rafters. The men arrived on March 4, 1832, and the family followed in the course of a week. Their commencement was auspicious and cheering. The weather was most beautiful, and so continued through the spring. Asahel Finch was the first to follow Peabody, and next came Wareham Warner. In 1833, Peter Holmes, accompanied by his sons Charles D. and Patterson P., entered land on section 14, built a log hut, and were joined by the rest of the family in October of the same year. Later, John Fabrique, Vine Markham, Orson West, and Samuel W. Douglass settled on the same line of travel. Incoming settlers, travelers, and land speculators frequently desiring accommodations of food and lodging, Doug- lass opened a tavern in his house, which stood on the farm now owned by John Benham, and upon the road then known as the " Washtenaw Trail," leading from Jackson to Three Rivers.
Initial settlement in the southwest part of the town was made by Cyrus Rob- ertson, John and James Vanderburg, a Mr. Gridley, and others not recalled. Dr. Henderson came in contemporary with these, and located one mile east of the Wash- tenaw trail. Land was entered in the same neighborhood by James Sheldon, Henry Luce, and the Hewells, Hiram and Ashbell. The pioneers upon the Con- cord road were Marvin Hannahs, James Lake, and Charles Hancock. Those in the western part of the township were Alvin C. Waldo, E. M. Rogers, and
Perry Viets. In 1833 Wareham Warner bought the east part of section 3 and other lands, and associated with Mr. Peabody to erect a saw-mill, which stood northward of the rear of the present National bank structure.
Different States, but on or near the same thermal lines, contributed to the early population of the peninsular State. From Massachusetts came Peter Holmes, who arrived at his destination June 5, 1833. The outline of his route shows him to have come from Poughkeepsie to Albany by sloop, thence to Schenectady by rail upon the pioneer railway, by line-packet to Buffalo, by steamboat to De- troit, and then on foot to place of settlement, which proved to be on the northeast quarter of section 22 and the northeast quarter of northwest quarter of section 23. His first care was the erection of a habitation which, in consonance with custom and necessity, was constructed of logs. He was incommoded by the scarcity of help, but went resolutely to work, and with a yoke of oxen brought his logs to the proposed site. When this was effected one or two men came and assisted in the raising, having a journey of five miles to make before reaching Holmes' clearing. Mr. Holmes was accompanied by two sons, and while the father went to Monroe the day succeeding his arrival to enter his land, and then began his improvements, the sons started for Indiana on foot to buy cattle. The first settlement reached was on Cook's prairie, so named from the settler, Deacon Cook. They passed McCamly's, two miles east of Union City, crossed Nottaway City reservation, then occupied by about five hundred Pottawatomies, and continued on to Logansport, where they purchased five yoke of oxen and three cows. They returned with their stock to Albion in time to plant corn and put in a patch of buckwheat. Inconvenience was experienced in the want of a blacksmith, and plow-points were taken to Marshall to be sharpened. In October of the year the rest of the family came out and began life anew upon the farm. Thomas and Charles Holmes are present residents of the township, of which the latter has been supervisor for an aggregate of fifteen years. Fertile soil speedily produced good crops; but salt and other provisions were at first brought from Detroit, and occupied in their conveyance by ox-teams a period of two weeks. The nearest physician was Dr. Hays, of Marshall. As an instance of progress, it is stated that in 1836, an interval of less than three years from date of arrival, C. Holmes slaughtered one hundred head of cattle. Salt was then sixteen dollars a barrel, and the immense reservoirs of Saginaw brine lay undisturbed, awaiting the demands of the days to come.
THE ALBION COMPANY.
We have noted the enterprise of Mr. Warner in the erection of a saw-mill. Jesse Crowell purchased his interest, and, in company with D. L. Bacon and Issa- char Frost, bought about three hundred acres of land from Peabody, and upon this tract laid out a village plat, whose record bears date of June, 1836. This was the origin of what was known as the Albion company.
Warner laid out lots in section 3 adjoining the village. To these he gave the name " Warner's Addition," which now constitutes the western portion of the vil- lage. A good name was desired for the embryo village, and the proprietors, among others, suggested that of Peabodyville. There was a lack of euphony about this title which caused it to be discarded, and the problem was referred to Mrs. Pea- body, who called it Albion, after the town from which Mr. Crowell had come. Prior to this the locality was known among hunters and trappers, and recognized by others as the " Forks of the Kalamazoo." In 1837 the Albion company erected a grist-mill, whose frame is yet standing and in use by Bennett, Knick- erbocker & Co., the owners. The millwright was Elijah Green. A division of stock was effected by the Albion company. Of the seven shares, one each was taken by J. Crowell, I. Frost, D. L. Bacon, T. Peabody, Charles Rice, and Hon. Charles H. Carroll, of Livingston county, New York. The seventh share was jointly assigned to Professor B. McVicker, of New York College, and Wil- liam T. Carroll, of Washington, District of Columbia. In 1839 the company gave sixty acres of land fronting on Ingham street, and extending out to the line between sections 1 and 2, to the trustees of Wesleyan seminary as building-sites and grounds. Later, blocks 44 and 45, and the half-blocks 55 and 56, north and south of Union square, and lying west of Ingham street, were donated to the same parties, to be used as a campus.
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