USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 53
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
On the 2d day of April, 1829, Mr. Church was united in marriage to Lura Warner, daughter of Wareham Warner, of Monroe county, New York. She was born in Gorham township, Ontario county, New York, in 1807, and at present resides in the village of Albion, to which place she returned from Cali- fornia in 1869, occupying the house built by her father in that village. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Church was blessed with the following children : Wareham Church, who was killed accidentally on the homestead the same fall the family came to Calhoun ; Munson W., who now resides, in California; Lura Ann, now deceased; Mary Elizabeth, now the wife of Bernard C. Whitman, a prominent lawyer of Virginia City, Nevada, and formerly judge of the supreme court of that State; and John Franklin Church, who resides on the old home- stead. A portrait of this old pioneer, with that of his wife, will be seen among the illustrations of Albion township.
RUFUS BURR.
Among the leading men and pioneers of the town of Sheridan is Rufus Burr. His father, Robert Burr, was of English extraction, though a native of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where he followed the trade of a blacksmith, and from whence, when a young man, he removed to the village of Freehold, Greene county, New York, where, shortly afterwards, he married Miss Elizabeth Dodge, and where the subject of our sketch was born on the 13th day of January, 1809. From Greene county the elder Burr removed with his family to Dutchess county, in the same State, where he purchased a farm, but subsequently sold it and re- moved to Watertown, in the same State, where he resumed his occupation as a blacksmith. Here he remained for six years, and then removed to the town of Perrinton, Monroe county, New York, where he again purchased a farm, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in the year 1830. Rufus Burr resided with his father until his majority, assisting on the farm, and obtaining such an education at the common schools of the county as his limited opportuni- ties afforded. On the death of his father he began life for himself in the town of Bloomfield, Ontario county, New York, engaging himself to one Bays Baker, with whom he remained five years in the business of a farmer. Emigration at this period settling heavily into Michigan, Mr. Burr came to Calhoun County, and with his accumulations bought, in the fall of 1835, the west half of northwest
19
146
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
quarter and north half of southwest quarter section 21, in the township of Sheri- dan, on which he now resides, and which is the only location in the township now owned by the original purchaser. After securing his land, Mr. Burr re- turned to Perrinton, and for three years was engaged as foreman on the farm of John Ayrault. On the 15th day of March, 1838, he was married to Miss Jane Tompkins, of Perrinton, who was born in Beekman, Dutchess county, New York, June 21, 1818. She was the fourth child of Gabriel and Phebe Tompkins, who were blessed with twelve children. Mr. Burr with his young wife came to his western home in the month of October following their marriage. On his arrival at Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan, he bought an ox-team and some pro- visions, which, together with their household goods, loading the team heavily, the heroic wife and helpmeet made the entire journey of seventy-five miles on foot.
Mr. and Mrs. Burr have had three children born to them : Mary E., now Mrs. Daniel B. Peck, Emma A., and Charles B., the latter two living with their parents on the old homestead.
Characterized by industry and integrity, Mr. Burr has gained a competency of this world's goods, which he is in his latter days enjoying in the midst of his family, by whom he is surrounded, on a fine tract of land of two hundred acres, having brought nature's original domain to be one of the best cultivated and improved farms in the township,-a view of which, together with portraits of these pioneers, we present on another page. Quiet and unassuming in his man- ners, Mr. Burr has not sought public positions of trust and honor, preferring the path of the private citizen, whose duties he has at all times striven to fulfill, and the high regard and esteem in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen evidence that he has not been unsuccessful in his endeavors to fill his desired place in life.
ROBERT B. SHIPMAN.
MRS.ROBERT B. SHIPMAN
RESIDENCE OF ROBERT B. SHIPMAN, SHERIDAN TP, CALHOUN CO., MICH.
ASAHEL WARNER.
MRS. ASAHEL WARNER.
RESIDENCE OF ASAHEL WARNER, SHERIDAN TP., CALHOUN Ca .; MICH.
La
ICACRE-CO
JOEL DOOLITTLE.
MRS. JOEL DOOLITTLE.
JOEL DOOLITTLE.
The caption of the following brief outline of a life recalls a name long familiar to the settlers of this locality. Joel Doolittle was a native of Cheshire county, Connecticut, where, upon his father's farm, his youthful years were passed.
Having served as an apprentice to the tanner's trade, he began business on his own account in Essex, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and while there united in marriage with Barbara Apker, a lady whose life-time association has been marked by kindness, sympathy, and love.
Subsequent to marriage Mr. Doolittle removed to New York in search of a more remunerative field of labor, but failing in his effort returned to New Jersey, where for about fourteen years he conducted a business as tanner and currier.
Some time in 1835 glowing accounts of opportunities to do well in the west became the theme of all in that region, and Mr. Doolittle resolved upon a personal test of their verity. His preparations were soon made, and he set forth upon his journey, accompanied by his family, his wife, two sons, Isaac and Andrew, and three daughters, Sarah A., Margaret E., and Mary J.
Arrived at his destination, one hundred and forty-six acres of land were entered on section 17, and all this tract, excepting thirty-three acres, is still in possession of his descendants.
As a man, the various duties of life enjoined by the laws of association upon each member of a community were performed by Mr. Doolittle with a full sense
of his responsibility in these essentials and with laudable heartiness. A sincere and earnest Christian, Mr. Doolittle treated the subject of religion with the atten- tion commensurate with its importance, and often officiated in the Universalist pulpit, not only in his own vicinity, but in others more remote.
In the community he was held as a good neighbor and true friend, and won the esteem of many.
At home he was a kind husband and judicious parent. He loved his family and was beloved by them. He was unassuming in manner, quiet and unobtrusive. He took no part in political strife and refused all tenders of public office. A lover of nature and a farmer by choice, he sought by all means to improve and adorn his rural surroundings, and cherished an ambition to excel in agriculture. His farm, cultivated with studious care, was one of the best in the township, and his harvests were commensurate with his intelligent labor.
His wife, that loving and kind friend and mother, passed away from earth in November, 1859; and when, in January of the year following, he laid him down to die, it was in peace and good will to all and with hope for the future.
Husband and wife lie side by side upon the old farm, beneath the shade of an apple-tree which his provident hand had planted upon his arrival in Sheridan. Their life's duties ended, their work well done.
ELIJAH GREEN.
MRS. ELIJAH GREEN.
ELIJAH GREEN.
Elijah Green, the son of Hezekiah and Lucy (Vaugn) Green, was born April 13, 1811, and is a descendant of General Nathaniel Green of Revolutionary fame.
His boyhood being passed upon his father's farm, his elementary education was acquired at the district school. Academic instruction was enjoyed at Bridgewater, Oneida county, New York, and later the trades of carpenter and joiner and mill- wright were learned.
On October 7, 1833, he was united in marriage to Harriet Potter, and in Sep- tember, 1836, migrated to Michigan, and here, having entered land in Eaton county, he returned for his family during the following February. Mrs. Green died in March, and the widower came to Michigan alone, located in Albion, and there followed his trade for several years.
He built the first overshot water-wheel used in the township of Sheridan, and, soon after his arrival here, went in company with Zina Stowell to construct a saw-mill upon the east branch of the Kalamazoo, on section 1. An eighty-acre
lot, located in 1835 by Adonijah Stevens and occupied for several years by W. Fairchild, was bought by Mr. Green in 1838.
On May 1, 1842, Mr. Green was again married. His wife was the widow of L. Shipman, by whom she had two children, Frank and Mary. The fruits of the second marriage have been six children, three of whom died in childhood. The living are Dennis V., Ella J., and Nettie E., born respectively on December 8, 1846, May 7, 1852, and April 5, 1857. After his marriage Mr. Green moved upon his land and assumed the avocation of farmer, in which calling he has been very successful. Regarded as one of the substantial men of the county, his energy and judicious management are known as the means to this end, and, possessing a competence, he can enjoy it as honestly and hardly earned. It is the price of mental and physical labor. Content to pursue the walks of a private citizen, Mr. Green has no aspiration for political preferment, and finds in himself, his family, and his surroundings, the source of happiness and usefulness.
ZONBACRE-CO
LONGACRE-CO
REUBEN ABBOTT.
MRS. REUBEN ABBOTT.
First White Settlers of Sheridan Township.
RESIDENCE OF SYLVESTER ABBOTT, SHERIDAN, CALHOUN CO., MICHIGAN.
.
TEKONSHA TOWNSHIP.
TEKONSHA includes congressional township 4 south, and range 6 west, and was organized in 1836, having previously formed a part of Marshall. It is a beautiful township, taken altogether, and ranks high among the different divisions of Calhoun County. Its surface is composed of plain and timbered land, with a few small marshes, and along the western border a ridge rises perhaps sixty or eighty feet above the general level, lending a pleasing diversity to the landscape. The St. Joseph river enters the township on section 24, and leaves it on section 19, after a course through it of about eight miles, in which distance it receives the waters of a few smaller tributaries. At Tekonsha village its current is breasted by a dam, and its waters made to turn the wheels of a grist-mill and a saw-mill. Numerous lakes abound in the township, among them Nottawa-seepe, on section 3, and Warner's, on section 6. The latter is a very pretty lake, covering about eighty acres. Nottawa-seepe lake extends into Fredonia township, and has an area of about two hundred and fifty acres.
The air-line division of the Michigan Central railway was completed across the township in the fall of 1870, the citizens voting a subscription of fifteen thousand dollars to aid in its construction. The Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan railway crosses the southwest corner, on section 31, and the grade of the proposed Marshall and Coldwater road crosses the township from north to south, nearly in the centre, being an air-line except in the region of Nottawa-seepe lake.
Timber is abundant, and mostly oak, although in the lower lands the black ash and elm are found. An occasional tamarack swamp is also seen.
The inhabitants are principally from the State of New York, with a few from Vermont and other States, and many of them possess fine farms, which are well improved, and reflect credit on their owners.
In the southeast part of the township is located the
VILLAGE OF TEKONSHA,
which is an enterprising and thrifty burg of some seven or eight hundred inhabi- tants, situated on the air-line division of the Michigan Central railway, the St. Joseph river, and the old Jackson and White Pigeon Territorial road. The vil- lage is located on the site of an old Potawattomie town, in the midst of a beau- tiful plain, on the north bank of the St. Joseph river. When the country was first settled by the whites this village contained two or three hundred inhabitants, who dwelt in canvas tents and bark wigwams. They also had on the south side of the river, on the present Phelps farm, a spot containing eight or ten acres, upon which they raised corn. Near the corn-field was their burying-ground, which occupied the site of the cemetery now used by the whites.
The customs of the Indians in regard to burying their dead were strange enough to the settlers. When one of their number died in the winter, while the ground was frozen, they would fell a large tree, hollow out the centre, place their dead in it, and cover the body with a tightly-fitting slab, which was held down by stakes driven firmly into the ground on either side, and crossed over the top. There were a number of graves scattered over the ground where the village now stands, one of them being in the garden of Timothy Kimball, and surrounded by a log fence or pen, which was kept in careful repair by the Indians from year to year. The curiosity of the settlers was greatly excited at seeing this particular grave so well cared for, and they instituted inquiries, and found out that it was the resting-place of a much-loved chief, named Te-kon-qua-sha, who, they said, was a " big Injun."
A party named Roger Sherman, with altogether too great a spirit of inquisitive- ness in his nature, went one night alone to this grave, and, vandal-like, exhumed the body to see, as he afterwards stated, what was buried with it. The grave was on the premises now owned by John Geisel, and nothing was found but a rifle and some valueless and much-decayed trinkets. The conclusion was, from the appearance of things, that he had been buried about ten years. It was exceed- ingly difficult to restrain the Indians from doing violence when they found the matter out, and had they been allowed to exercise their feelings of revenge, it is doubtful if Sherman would ever have cared whether he dug into another Indian grave or not.
From different graves were taken such trophies as guns, bows and arrows, powder-horns, etc., and the customs of the savage race were found to be very
strange and fanciful in a great many particulars. The skull of Te-kon-qua-sha was kept in the possession of parties in the village until within a few years past, and was well developed, and proved that the Indian who possessed it was no ordinary character among them. A well-known lady in the place last had the skull in her possession ; but, because it seemed to be forever showing itself in out- of-the-way places, she finally loaned it to a person who was traveling over the : country lecturing on phrenology, etc.
When the settlers had become of sufficient numbers to think of organizing a separate township, they unanimously decided that the name of the celebrated chief should be given to it, shortened however from Tekonquasha to Tekonsha.
The Indians who inhabited this region have for many years been removed to other localities. The hunting-grounds which gave soft echo to their tread through a long lapse of time know them no more. Their camp-fires no longer light the dark waters of the silvery river, and no more does the war-song or the shout of jubilee float in wild cadence through the tree-tops of the surrounding forest. Hushed is the plaintive wailing over the death of the warrior, and gone are the faces of copper hue which gathered upon the fertile plain they loved so well. The twang of the bow-string and the sharp hiss of the swiftly-flying arrow are silent, and the echoes of the red man's yell long ago died away and became for- ever hushed. On the spot where the dusky throng once gathered now rise the house-tops and spires of a village built by a more peaceful race. The bark wig- wam has given place to the splendid residence of the " pale-face ;" and the con- trast is great between the appearance of the country to-day and that which it bore forty-five years ago, when the first white settler planted his pioneer footsteps in the vicinity. The snows of many winters have come and gone since the red son of the forest listened to the coming march of the white race, and heard
" . . the tread of pioneers, Of nations yet to be, The first low wash of waves, where soon Should roll a human sea."
THE FIRST LOCATION OF LAND
made in Tekonsha township was by Darius Pierce, May 29, 1832. This tract consisted of half of section 27, including the site of the village of Tekonsha. The first actual settler upon it was Timothy Kimball, brother of Deacon Kimball, of Marshall. He purchased the land of Mr. Pierce, and in the spring of 1833 built a log cabin, which stood near the site of the present saw-mill. Mr. Kimball lived but a short time in the place, and afterwards removed to Indiana. He finally came back to the county and stopped at Marshall. Mr. Kimball's cabin was one of four log houses built on the site of the town before a frame house was put up.
In the spring of 1836, Samuel Hemenway came to Tekonsha and located in the village. He purchased the hotel building now known as the " Blake House," which was at that time but partially finished, and known as the "Tekonsha House." Mr. Hemenway had the building finished, and on Christmas night, 1837, it was thrown open and dedicated by a Christmas party. Mr. Hemenway's brother Joseph, who arrived in 1837, kept the house while Samuel owned it. It was originally built, or partially so, by Jonathan S. Barclay (or Smith Barclay, as he was more familiarly known), and was the second hotel in the village, the first one having been opened by Lewis Fuller, in the eastern part of the town, in the winter of 1835-36. This house was built of tamarack logs. Fuller sold his hotel to John J. James, who lived west of town, on the " Windfall," and purchased a share in the " Tekonsha House," with Barclay. Barclay and Fuller sold to Samuel Hemenway, who completed the building. The hotel then, as at present, contained a bar for the sale of liquors, and had considerable custom.
Before Mr. Hemenway purchased the "Tekonsha House" he opened the first store in the village, in a building which stood on the east side of the street, oppo- site the hotel building. This was in 1836. This store was considered one of the best in the county at the time. Mr. Hemenway on one occasion went east to buy goods, and gave the "Tekonsha House" as security for moneys to a man named Forrestall, into whose hands it afterwards fell on account of Mr. Hemenway being unable to meet his payments. Forrestall held the property a number of years, and it finally passed into other hands. It is now owned by John C. Blake. Mr. Hemenway was from Weathersfield, Windsor county, Vermont. He was the
147
148
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
first merchant in Tekonsha, although the same season another store was started by Cornelius Wendell, which was also a first-class establishment. These two stores, the hotel, and other institutions gave Tekonsha a prominent and permanent footing among her sister towns, and the village has grown gradually but surely ever since.
In June, 1836, a saw-mill was built by Harris C. Goodrich and Charles D. Smith, in which Thomas Van Scouter sawed the first lumber. A man named Benjamin Wright, one of the first settlers of Marengo township, was employed to build the mill. The mill-race was begun in the fall of 1835, and finished in the spring of 1836. In its construction, Ranodyne Shedd, Wm. H. Kerr, Lewis Merrifield, and others aided materially. Mr. Merrifield was from near Rochester, New York, and located in Marshall, where he was employed by C. D. Smith. He afterwards became a resident of Tekonsha, as did also his brother Levi. The latter died in Tekonsha. Lewis Merrifield still owns property in the village, but resides in Union City, Branch county.
The original plat of the village of Tekonsha was laid out in May, 1836, by Messrs. Charles D. Smith, Harris C. Goodrich, Cornelius Wendell, Palmer, and Curtis, under the name of Wendell, Palmer, Curtis & Co. The survey was made by C. Hewitt, and included five hundred and twenty-eight lots on the north side of the St. Joseph river, on the southeast quarter of section 27 and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 26. All lots except fractional ones were four by eight rods, and the streets were four and five rods in width.
THE FIRST FRAME HOUSE
in the village was built the same season, of lumber sawed in the new saw-mill. This house is yet standing, as also is the second one erected in the place, which was built soon after Van Scouter's, by John Smith. A third frame house was immediately put up by Harris C. Goodrich, one of the proprietors of the town. Several other frame houses were erected this year, and the proprietors of the saw- mill were furnished plenty of work.
In the fall of 1836, Tekonsha having become an important village, with a con- siderable population, it was deemed necessary to have a post-office, and accordingly steps were taken towards accomplishing that purpose; their efforts were crowned with success, the office being established the same fall, and either Harris C. Good- rich or Dr. Ezekiel Allen installed as first postmaster. At the same time a mail route was opened between Marshall and Tekonsha, and shortly after extended through to Coldwater, Branch county. The carrier transported the mail as it happened to be convenient,-on horseback, in his wagon, or other conveyance. Not much time elapsed before a stage line was established, the stages being drawn by four horses. The mail was then carried by stage, and a new era of prosperity opened up before the thriving village. The roads at that day followed the course which was the dryest, in order to avoid swamps and sloughs. Of course they were tolerably crooked, and a person following one of them for the first time was apt to get the points of the compass in an entirely different shape from what they had ever been known before, and came out at the end of his journey in a state of blissful uncertainty as to where he was. The Coldwater and Marshall road was laid out about 1836 or 1837, and traveled its entire length. The influx of set- tlers was very rapid, and speculation among capitalists was carried on to an exten- sive degree. Every man with a speculative turn of mind and a pocket full of money became anxious to try his hand at making a fortune in the shortest pos- sible time. So eager were the different classes to get comfortably rich without much labor that many of them became blinded by their selfish notions, and could see only the object to be attained, without considering how it was to be done. The consequence was that numbers of men lost all the property they had, and were obliged to settle down to hard work, with a final realizing sense that " all is not gold that glitters." Tekonsha, with other places, felt the crash for a long time ; her growth was stagnated, and her beautiful location and hitherto prosperous set- tlement almost lost sight of in the general falling to pieces of supposed laudable schemes, and the crash which followed the breaking up of many of the heaviest business firms and capitalists.
THE FIRST BLACKSMITH-SHOP
in the village was started by Cornelius Osborn, who now lives in the State of Cal- ifornia. He did the first horse-shoeing in town, having only a nail-hammer to work with.
THE FIRST WAGON
.
manufactured in the township was made by William H. Kerr. He afterwards built a shop on his farm, west of the village, and worked in it till he was married, after which time he opened a shop in the village and worked in it four or five years. Thomas Armitage also started a wagon-shop in the village while Mr. Kerr was working in his shop west of town. Ithamer Granger next worked at the
trade, on his farm in the " Windfall." John Geisel finally came to town and began the business, and is still working at it.
A school-house was built on the northeast part of the town plat in 1837. It was constructed of plank made at the saw-mill, and was clapboarded on the out- side. The first teacher in it was Miss Chloe Ann Mead, who is now the wife of Harvey Kennedy, living in Clarendon township. The present fine two-story brick school-house was erected in 1873, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars.
John B. Vanorman, now residing in the village, is a native of Niagara county, New York. His parents removed from there to Medina county, Ohio, in 1828. His father, Benjamin Vanorman, was also a native of New York. In February, 1850, John B. Vanorman removed to Barry county, Michigan, and in 1863 came to Tekonsha, where he has since resided.
In the winter of 1835-36, a log bridge was built across the St. Joseph river, and stood very nearly where the wooden bridge now is. It was covered with poles, and was finally replaced by a frame structure, covered with plank, which was also taken away. Two have been built on the site since, the one now stand- ing being the fourth at the place. It will probably soon be taken down and an iron bridge constructed instead. A bridge was also built early, south of the town across the St. Joseph, as it became necessary to have one.
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.