USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
Mr. Holcomb relates how these pioneers came from their eastern homes, or at least how he and Mr. Ferris came : They left Naples, Ontario county, New York, in the early part of May, 1831, and traveled to Buffalo by stage. Here they intended to take a boat to Detroit, but the ice had not all gone out of the foot of the lake, so that they found it necessary to go to Dunkirk, a distance of thirty miles, in order to embark. This distance they walked, and then took passage on the old " Superior," the second steamboat that ever plowed the waters of Lake Erie, of which Captain Pease was the commander. On arriving at Detroit they each purchased a yoke of oxen, Mr. Holcomb getting the largest animals, for which he paid sixty dollars, and Mr. Ferris for his forty-five dollars. Mr. Holcomb had a wife and two children, and Mr. Ferris a wife and one child. They also purchased a good substantial wagon apiece, and started out of Detroit with buoyant hopes of the future. On the road they passed a place where a man had squatted and had planted about a quarter of an acre of cabbages. At nightfall they were some twenty miles from the place; but, on retiring for the night, the oxen went on a foraging expedition, evidently remembering the cabbage which they had passed some ten hours previously, for they made directly for the patch ; and when the owner arose in the morning, refreshed by the night's slumbers, and perchance the pleasant dreams of the barrels of "sour-krout" he intended to store up for the ensuing winter, lo and behold ! on going to the field not a cabbage remained. He soon found out who had despoiled his garden, and straightway went to the owners of the oxen, and finally compromised the affair for five dollars.
Hiram Doubleday, from Italy, Yates county, New York, was among the early
# Alfred Holcomb died on his original location, Sunday, May 27, 1877, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years.
116
GRAIN & STOCK FARM OF J. C. PAINTER, ATHENS TP, CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
117
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
settlers, coming in about 1833. Peter Beisel arrived about the same time, from Pennsylvania.
A Mr. Stoddard was in the township at an early day, as a land speculator only, and never effected a permanent residence.
Lot Whitcomb came in 1832, from Vermont, and was a rare specimen of a genuine Yankee. He, in company with Peter Beisel, built the
FIRST SAW-MILL,
in 1835. Mr. Beisel subsequently rented his farm to Mrs. Crownover and her sons, and removed to White Pigeon, where he died. His sons, George and Peter, were for many years among the prominent business men of that place. Lot Whitcomb removed from Athens many years ago to Kane county, Illinois, and finally took up his residence in Oregon, where he accumulated a fortune estimated at three millions of dollars. He died there about eight years since.
Asahel Stone, although spending much of his time here after 1831, did not bring his family in until 1835. In the spring of 1837 Francis A. Mann arrived, and these two became the leaders of their respective political parties, and ran things to suit themselves until 1844, when the Whigs bolted them, and elected Captain James Winters supervisor. From this period until the regular organiza- tion of the Republican party Whigs and Democrats were the partisan attributes, but the Republican party now enjoys a good majority in the township. Messrs. Stone and Mann made good, reliable officers, but had strong partisan prejudices. Mr. Stone accumulated a fair competence, and at his death, which occurred De- cember 22, 1852, devised his property very judiciously, dividing it between his wife and three daughters, no son having been borne to them. Ann, the eldest, married Alfred Holcomb, and now resides in the village, an estimable and much respected lady. Sabria, the second, married B. F. Ferris, and, being widowed, resides next door to her sister; and Laura married Norton P. Hobart, and resides in Athens village.
On the return of Mr. Stone, in 1835, Norton P. Hobart and Malin W., his brother, accompanied him, but did not permanently locate until the year follow- ing. At this time Malin W. was only seventeen years of age. Nicholas Van- brunt came in about this time, and with him his wife and a large family of children. He will be remembered by many who knew Athens in its earlier days. Also Andrew Robyler, who kept a sort of tavern in the township, a very primi- tive affair. He was a horse-jockey and farmer combined, but ill adapted to assume the role of "mine host." He opened his hostelry about 1836, being pre- ceded in the business by a man named Farmer, who kept the
FIRST TAVERN
that could be considered as a house of regular entertainment, in the village of Branchville, early in 1836, which village formerly existed about one mile east of Athens.
Salmon Walker came in 1836, and settled on section 14, and Wm. R. Walker, his half-brother, on section 11 the same year. Among the prominent settlers who arrived between 1836 and 1845 were Captain James Winters, who settled on section 5, in 1836 ; Erastus B. Woodworth and Hiram Tuttle, who came in 1838; Deacon S. J. Rundle, on section 5, in 1841 ; Lemuel Davis, on section 8, same year ; S. J. Vickory, on section 7, same year ; Homer C. Hurd, Alfred Weeks, Joel P. Mann, Ashbel Stiles, John B. Drake, Russell Alvord, John B. Rogers, John Moore, and several others within the period designated.
THE FIRST FRAME BUILDINGS
erected were the barns of H. Doubleday, B. F. Ferris, and A. Holcomb, built in 1834. Mr. Doubleday roofed his with black walnut, and it stands, after the lapse of forty years, a venerable landmark of "ye olden time."
THE FIRST WHEAT
was sown during the summer of 1834, by the same persons last mentioned. They got their seed near Centreville, and it turned out wonderfully smutty. They sowed in all about twenty-four acres, about one-third of which turned out a fine quality of-smut.
THE FIRST ORCHARD
was planted by Alfred Holcomb, in the spring of 1835. He purchased his trees at Mishawaka, Indiana. They did not turn out successfully, owing to the depre- dations of a species of large ant that existed here in an early day. The first apples were raised by Asahel Stone, and the first peaches, five in number, by A. Holcomb.
THE FIRST SEED DRILL
was introduced about this time, by Mr. Holcomb. He got it from Brockport, New York, and his wife thought it " a piece of needless extravagance."
THE FIRST ROAD
surveyed was that known as the " David Coddington road," which was surveyed by Michael Keith, assisted by A. Holcomb and Asahel Stone, June 16, 1835. We quote the annexed minutes from the records in the township, on file in the clerk's office :
" 1st course, south 150 chains ; 2d course, south 30°, west 31 chains and 3 links ; south 62°, west 81 chains 4 links; south 30°, west 50 chains and 5 links, south 46°, west 66 links ; south 28 chains 7 links ; south 25°, east 50 chains 3 links ; south 75°, west 115 chains 8 links; west 10 chains 9 links ; south 80°, west 52 chains to the section line of section 27, the whole length being seven miles and eleven chains." Signed by B. F. Ferris, Ansel Adams, O. W. Nichols, Commissioners of Highways.
THE FIRST BRIDGE
across .the Nottawa-seepe, on the road from Athens to Battle Creek, near the present village of Athens, was built by Lemuel Davis, at a cost of six thousand eight hundred dollars, about 1845. It stood for about twenty years, when it was replaced by the present structure.
THE FIRST POST-OFFICE
in the town was kept by Lot Whitcomb, who had formerly been postmaster in Sherwood township, Branch county, and on his removal to Athens in 1836 he took the post-office with him. After keeping the office for a few years, it was discontinued. Postage on letters at that time was twenty-five cents, paid on, or generally speaking before, delivery.
THE PINE CREEK POST-OFFICE
was established January 1, 1851, by the assistance of George S. Wright, Esq., the postmaster at Marshall. The conditions were that no expense should accrue to the government, and that no route would be opened until the office became self-supporting. The letters were at first carried in the vest-pocket, once a week, to Abscota post-office, in Burlington township, a distance of six miles, usually by the postmaster, who, including the franking privilege and the contributions of the citizens, received about three shillings a trip. After one year's trial, a route was established, and the government assumed the expense, Captain James Win- ters being appointed postmaster. But in the fall of 1852 he was elected repre- sentative to the State legislature, and, as he could not hold office under the gen- eral government and a State office of honor or profit, he resigned the post-office in favor of David N. Willard, who held the same until January 18, 1875, when he resigned in favor of Captain Winters, who now retains the office, which has a semi-weekly mail and is doing a respectable business.
CECELIA POST-OFFICE
. was established in 1860, and was first kept by Smoles Wood, at what was long and popularly known as the " Pine Creek House," in section 2. It was after- wards removed to the dwelling of John B. Drake, about one-half of a mile north of its original location, and Mr. Drake was appointed postmaster. Finally, in 1875, it was abandoned, and an office established at East Le Roy, and Dr. James Foster appointed postmaster, at whose residence it is now kept. It enjoys a tri-weekly mail between Athens and Battle Creek, and by rail with all points east and west.
THE FIRST GRIST-MILL.
Mr. Holcomb thus describes the first grist-mill used in the settlement :
" It was made by Isaac Crossett, in the winter of 1831. He took a box-wood tree four feet long and six inches in diameter, which he scooped out, making a concavity, and then took a piece of the same tree and manufactured a cylinder, which he fitted into the cavity. Into the cylinder he inserted a number of pieces of steel made by breaking up an old cross-cut saw. He also made a pestle, into which he stuck some similar pieces of steel to those in the cylinder. These pieces of steel were arranged in auger shape, and the pressure could be regulated by increasing or decreasing the weight on the tenon. To the tenon he mortised two poles, and for motive-power he procured the services of four small boys, one at each end of the poles. To grind one bushel of feed it required one hour ; for household stuff, about double that length of time. This primitive affair was christened the ' coffee-mill,' but the johnny-cakes that were made of its grists tasted as good to the laborious pioneer as though they had been made of meal ground in the improved mills of to-day."
THE FIRST STORE
kept in the township was by a Mr. Underdonk, at the then village of Branchville, as early as 1838. It was a primitive log building, and was maintained principally by the Indian trade in trinkets and other comparatively valueless commodities.
118
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE.
The first couple married in the township were Robert McCamly and Mary Nichols, and the person performing the ceremony was Squire Dwinnel, who was the nearest justice, and he resided near Ceresco. He married them at the house of Ambrose Nichols, which was located in Sherwood township, Branch county. When he got home he found that he had exceeded his jurisdiction, and ought not to have " tied the knot" outside his own county. The happy couple had also discovered the error, and being endowed with conscientious scruples and a sense of moral requirements of the case, became alarmed, and the ceremony was re-performed within the territorial limits assigned by the constitution. Squire Dwinnell did the job over again, the bright canopy of heaven forming the roof, and the green sward the carpet of the place where the contract was again re- newed. This transpired in the winter of 1833.
THE FIRST FEMALE BIRTH
was that of Mary, daughter of Lot Whitcomb, in 1832.
THE FIRST MALE BIRTH
was that of Alfred, son of Ambrose Nichols, who was born in the winter of 1832.
THE FIRST DEATH
was that of Margaret Nichols, one of the cholera victims in the summer of 1832. The other five victims followed within a few days.
THE FIRST BURYING-GROUND
was laid off near the village of Branchville in 1837. It was on a lot donated by Peter Beisel, in section 27. The first interment was that of Jacob Beisel, son of the donor, who died the same year.
THE FIRST SCHOOL
taught in the township was by a Miss Acres, from Penn Yan, New York, in a small log school-house located on section 34, in 1833. Asaph Holcomb, Har- vey Doubleday (of Sherwood), and Harriet Doubleday (now Mrs. D. D. Riley, of Union City), are among the early pupils yet surviving.
THE FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE
proper was erected in 1838, and was a frame building octagonal in shape. It stood near the residence of Asahel Stone, and was known as the "Stone school- house." At the organization of the school districts it was made district No. 2. We quote from the records as follows :
" First meeting of the school inspectors of district No. 2 was held at the house of Alfred Holcomb, December 21, 1837, and the district was organized same day and date.
' " Asahel Stone, moderator; Joseph Holcomb, director; N. P. Hobart, assessor. Asahel Stone donated the building lot.
" Voted, that the house shall be built eight-square, with a portico in front, and to have two fire-places in the middle of said house.
" Voted, the said house be twenty-two feet in diameter, with eight-feet posts, also seven twelve-light windows, eight by twelve glass, and four lights above the door.
" Voted, that the contract for building said school-house be let to the lowest bidder, and that it be finished by the 1st of October next."
The contract was let to Alfred Holcomb, and the amount of the same was three hundred dollars.
THE FIRST PHYSICIAN
who practiced in the township was Ashton Wallace, who commenced practicing as early as 1835. He continued to attend to the wants of his patients for almost twenty years, and died in 1857.
THE FIRST BLACKSMITH
was S. Shaw, who erected a small shop on section 34 in the year 1834.
THE FIRST CARPENTER
was John Wilson, who established himself in the then village of Branchville about the year 1834.
THE FIRST COOPERS
were Charles and Thomas Hubbard, brothers, who settled in the southern part of the township about 1837. One of them removed to Union City, in the adjoin- ing county, where his family still reside.
THE FIRST THRASHING-MACHINE
was brought into the township by Captain James Winters, in 1840. It was an open cylinder, and it was quite a laborious task, as well as a very disagreeable and dangerous one, to work around it.
THE FIRST REAPER
was brought in by Russell Alvord, in 1840, and the first mower by A. C. Waterman, in 1851.
FIRST TOWNSHIP MEETING.
The first township meeting convened at the house of Lot Whitcomb, on the 6th of April, 1835, to which Hiram Doubleday was chosen moderator and Benja- min F. Ferris clerk, and duly qualified according to law.
It was voted by the majority of electors, " that all persons residents of said township be lawful voters."
The first election, held on the date and at the place above designated, resulted as follows :
Henry C. Hurd was elected supervisor, by a majority of five.
Benjamin F. Ferris, township clerk, by a majority of seven.
George Clark, Granville Beardsley, and William Adams, assessors, by a ma- jority of eight.
Franklin C. Watkins, collector, by a majority of three.
Isaac Watkins and Richard Tuck, directors of the poor, by a majority of fourteen.
O. W. Nichols, Benjamin F. Ferris, and Ansel Adams, commissioners of highways, by a majority of one.
Horton Warren and F. C. Watkins, constables, by a majority of four.
Alfred Holcomb and Robert McCamly, fence-viewers, by a majority of six. Isaac Watkins and Joseph Sanders, pound-masters, by a majority of five.
John C. Ferris and David Dexter, overseers of highways; the former in district No. 1, and the latter in district No. 2.
It was then voted " that the legal height of a fence be four feet six inches." Also, "to hold the next annual meeting at the dwelling-house of Elizur Mc- Camly."
The supervisors of the township from 1836 to 1876 inclusive have been-
Homer C. Hurd, Asahel Stone (five years), Ashbel Stiles, Francis A. Mann (two years), Hiram Tuttle, James Winters (three years), Norton P. Hobart, Alfred Weeks, Russell Atwood, Malin W. Hobart, Erastus B. Woodworth, R. P. Libhart (two years), David Kyes, N. F. Randolph (two years), Edward J. Un- derwood, Jehial Wisner, present incumbent, from 1861 to 1877, sixteen consecu- tive years.
The list of township clerks includes the subjoined names :
Otis C. Freeman (1836), Solomon Sayles (two years), Charles W. Pomeroy, Harrison Wallace (two years), Joel P. Mann, Erastus R. Woodworth (five years), Jared T. Walker, Alfred Weeks (two years), George W. Kidder (ten years), Elihu B. Skidmore, H. B. Waterman, Spencer T. Barber, Asa Alford, H. B. Waterman, William Simons, William H. Selkrig (two years), Edgar Doty (five years), Thomas H. Cave, present incumbent (three years).
Those having held and holding the office of justice of the peace in the town- ship are-
H. C. Hurd, O. C. Freeman, Sylvanus Read, Ephraim Turner (1837-45), Asahel Stone, James Esmund, Solomon Sayles, Charles W. Pomeroy, Hiram Tuttle, S. J. Arundel (four years), Erastus B. Woodworth (six years), Francis A. Mann (eight years), John L. Hopkins, Hiram Tuttle (four years), Russell Atwood (fourteen years), James Winters (twelve years), Jonathan Guernsey, Nelson Barber, Ashbel Styles, Cornelius Cuyler (six years), Geo. W. Hampton, Jehial Wisner (1865-77), James F. Putnam (eight years), David Kyes (seven- teen years), Southmayd Rogers (six years), George F. Hart, Harvey M. Graham, R. P. Libhart, Malin H. Hobart, Lyman B. Smith, George Ferris, Alpheus Wiser, Lyman B. Smith, Henry L. Carpenter, Willard L. Fuller, Ira E. Hitch- cock, M. W. Hobart.
THE "NOBLE RED MAN."
Prior to 1840, a large number of Indians lived on a reservation which was located in the central part of Athens township; in that year they were taken, `together with the rest of their race in Michigan, beyond the Mississippi. When the soldiers came to conduct them to their new home they were seized with terror, and many of them eluded the vigilance of their custodians and escaped to Canada. This was a sorrowful episode in the existence of these poor creatures, and they appealed to their white neighbors, with whom they had long lived amicably, for protection. Six families escaped from the troops, on the prairies of Illinois, and came back to their old home, after an absence of six weeks, making many mani- festations of joy at meeting again their white friends. The government owed this band about three thousand dollars, which was secured for them.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN MILLER, ATHENS, CALHOUN CO, MICH.
JOHN B. ROGERS. ATHENS TP.
MRS. JOHN B. ROGERS. ATHENS TP.
WM. HOLMES ATHENS TP.
HON. N . P. HOBART. ATHENS TP.
JEHIEL WISNER. ATHENS TP.
GEO. KELLOGG ATHENS TP.
MRS.D. N. WILLARD. ATHENS TP.
D. N. WILLARD. ATHENS TP.
119
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
In 1844, Morton P. Hobart, Isaac L. Acker, and Benjamin F. Ferris were appointed commissioners to purchase lands and build houses for them, and to otherwise look after their interests. Accordingly, they purchased one hundred and forty acres of land, built them six log houses, a barn, and a school-house, the object being to civilize and Christianize them. After the completion of this ar- rangement the conference of the Methodist church undertook the matter, and Rev. M. Hickey, who is now a presiding elder, came among them as a missionary. His sister also came and taught their school. After this effort a Mr. Wilson, a devoted man, came and lived among them about a year, to instruct them in the art of husbandry. But this wonderful change from the bark wigwam to a com- fortable log house was more than the roving, free and easy nature of the Indians could endure, and in the space of about three years nearly half the number had died with consumption. There are several families remaining, each sharing the annuity from the government. They pay some slight attention to agricultural matters, growing a little corn, and otherwise utilizing their possessions enough to partially sustain them. The men make good hands in the hay- and harvest-fields ; while the women are very skillful at making baskets and articles of virtu, which they dispose of. In the fruit season they pick berries, and carry them to market.
Thus have the days of their glory departed, and the hand of oblivion is stretched forth to close forever the gates that lead to the memory of their existence. Where once stood the council-house, in which the assembled nations and tribes met to send forth the joy of feast, to smoke the pipe of peace, or to sing the song of war, now stands the home of the farmer; and where arose the lofty mound, in which, perchance, reposed the ashes of the great sachem or the savage monarch, are the fertile fields of the white settler. In fact, a new race of beings has suc- ceeded, more enlightened, but perhaps less happy ; the scene has changed; a new state of things has arisen, as if touched with the wand of enchantment. Not many years since the idol of the heathen fell before the sceptre of the white man- since the discordant jargon of the Indian pow-wow and the Indian war-song was succeeded by the dulcet melodies of music and the hum of a busy population. Thus rolls on the tide of revolution ; thus passeth away one race of beings to make room for another.
CASUALTIES.
In the fall of 1865 a man by the name of Nichols was buried in a well, on the premises of the old Pine Creek tavern, and before he could be extricated life was extinct. He was engaged cleaning out the well at the time of the accident.
SUICIDE.
Matthew Cullin hanged himself to the limb of a tree in a piece of woods located on section 17. Mental derangement, accelerated by the excessive use of intoxicating liquors, was the cause assigned for the rash act.
ATHENS VILLAGE.
The present site of the village of Athens is partially included in the original purchase of Isaac Crossett. Its location has extended somewhat since the first plat was made in 1865 ; so that now it contains portions of sections 27 and 28, 33 and 34. The commencement of the village properly dates back to 1854, when
THE FIRST STORE
was erected by William Simons. It was a small frame building, and was stocked with a miscellaneous assortment of goods similar to those usually found in a gen- eral country store. Prior to this, however, L. B. Holcomb had established a trading-place, and opened up a business which was principally confined to the Indians.
The progress of the village from 1854 to 1865-the year the regular survey was made, and the year when the owners of the land, A. Holcomb & Co. and A. C. Waterman, put it in the market-was slow. In 1862 the water-power of the Not- tawa-seepe was first begun to be utilized, and in the fall of this year the first spade of earth was lifted from the present race. The first manufacturing establishment erected was the
SASH-, DOOR-, AND BLIND-FACTORY,
commenced in the spring of 1862, and completed ready for work in 1865, by Steward S. Ware, by whom it has since been operated.
Following this in course of construction, and antedating it in priority of com- mencement of operations a few weeks, was
THE GRIST-MILL,
a goodly-sized frame building erected by Messrs. A. C. Waterman and James F. Halbert, in the summer of 1865. It has two run of stone, and is now owned exclusively by A. C. Waterman, one of the original proprietors. The amount of work done at the mill during the year 1876 was as follows: custom, twenty thousand five hundred bushels; merchant, five hundred barrels.
THE FIRST SAW-MILL
was erected by George Taylor, in 1865. It stood until 1869, when it was de- stroyed by fire. The same year Mr. Taylor, in company with a Mr. McDonnell, erected a second saw-mill, about forty rods southeast of the original site. After several changes in proprietorship, it was burned down in 1873. A third mill, within ten rods of the site of the last-mentioned structure, was built during the latter year by Messrs. Wilson & Simmons, the latter of whom retired during the year, and Mr. Wilson has since continued it alone.
THE FOUNDRY, MACHINE, AND AGRICULTURAL WORKS
were established in 1867, by Messrs. S. S. Ware, E. N. Cooper, and George Chandler. The works changed hands a number of times, and are now operated by S. H. Wood.
THE FIRST DWELLING-HOUSE
after the village was laid out was built by Malin W. Hobart, in 1865. During 1866 seventeen houses were erected, and in 1867 thirty-three more were added.
THE FIRST HOTEL
was erected by Dr. Wm. H. Delop, in 1868, and was first kept by a man named Chapman. Edward Fonda afterwards purchased the property, and conducted the business for about two years. He was succeeded by M. D. Smith, who kept the house five years, and in 1875 it passed into the hands of its present proprietor, Henry Brownell. In 1860
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.