USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 55
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Quite a number of settlers came to Tekonsha in 1836 besides those already mentioned. Among them were William Gordon, Jonathan Enos, Linard Born, Elias Olney, Samuel Batt, William B. Burrall, Elder Caleb Mills, and John A. Rice.
Jonathan Enos, one of the settlers of 1836, came from Cayuga county, New York, with his wife and nine children. Two others were born after their settle- ment. One daughter is now the wife of Peter Blue, living in Fredonia township. Mr. Enos died in January, 1848, aged sixty years. His wife is yet alive.
Linard Born settled originally in Clarendon township, in 1833, on Cook's prairie. In 1836 he removed from there to Tekonsha.
Ira Burley settled in Clarendon township in 1836, and in 1840 removed to Tekonsha, where he has kept a public house, on section 24, most of the time since.
John Failing, of German descent, was born in the Mohawk valley, in the State of New York, and afterwards removed to Clarkson, Monroe county. In October, 1833, he came to Calhoun County, Michigan, and located on Cook's prairie, in what is now Clarendon township. In December, 1837, he removed to Tekonsha, and settled on section 23, on the farm now owned by his son, John M. Failing, who was an infant eight months old when his parents came to the county. In February, 1838, Mr. Failing built the log house now standing on the place. When he left New York he was accompanied by two other men with their families,-his brother, Abraham Failing, and Linard Born. Mr. Failing had two other brothers, Benjamin and Henry, who came to the State before he did, and located, one in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw county, and the other in Homer, and afterwards Marshall, Calhoun county. When John Failing first came he stayed on Cook's prairie only the first winter (1833-34), and then went to Marshall and worked at milling for George and Sidney Ketchum. He was one of the first millers in the county, and died in 1843, aged forty-one years. He was the father of five children,-four sons and one daughter,-who are all living. The youngest was born the same day its father died. Horace Failing, one of the sons, is living in Tulare county, California. Another son, J. M. Failing, was in California from 1852 to 1863. He is now living in the village of Tekonsha, and is the present postmaster.
Ithamer Granger came from the town of Sweden, Monroe county, New York, with his wife and seven children, in May, 1841. The family came by boat from Buffalo to Detroit, and with a team the rest of the way. They located a mile west of Tekonsha village, on the farm now owned by S. S. Granger. The original settler of this farm, Oliver Mattison, had cleared a few acres and built a log house upon it, and Mr. Granger and his family moved into this house and lived in it until after his death, which occurred in December, 1849, when he was fifty-two years of age. Mrs. Granger is still living, at the age of seventy-seven, she having been born in 1800. Six of their children are living, all in Calhoun County,- four of them in Tekonsha township, one in Eckford, and one in Clarence. The farms and residences owned by them in Tekonsha are in excellent condition, and testify to the taste of their owners.
John Randall came from Sweden, Monroe county, New York, in September, 1842, with his wife, four sons and one daughter, and settled on section 19, where he purchased eighty acres of land, and became the first actual settler upon it, although it had previously been owned by Ansel Adams. Mr. Randall was deacon of the Baptist church at Burlington at the time of his death, which oc- curred March 19, 1855, when he was nearly sixty-two years of age. Mrs. Ran- dall is yet living, aged eighty-four. The children are all living except the eldest son, John G. Randall, who died about 1842. One son, Harvey Randall, is pro- prietor of a store in Tekonsha village.
Among the old settlers who came in 1836-37 were Deacon Nelson Aldrich, and Heman and John Ellis. The vicinity of Aldrich's settlement is known as Aldrich's Corners. John Stevens, living on section 21, is also one of the first settlers.
Luther Willson, now living on section 19, on a part of the old Randall farm, is one of the old residents of the county, although he has resided in Tekonsha but a few years. He came from St. Lawrence county, New York, in October, 1834, while yet a single man. He located eighty acres on the southwest quarter of section 23, in Burlington township, and in the fall of 1835 built a log house. He was married in April, 1838, to Margaret Warner, who lived in the same township. He lived on the place until April, 1869, when he removed to the farm
on which he now resides in Tekonsha. He has raised a family of four children, -one son and three daughters. The son, John W. Willson, is now living in Iowa; one daughter-Mercy-is dead, and another, Josephine, is the wife of J. C. Blake, of Tekonsha village. Mr. Willson is now in his seventy-third year. When he came west he came as far as Cleveland by boat, and from thence to his new home walked nearly the entire distance. After crossing the line into Michigan he followed an Indian trail. He came through Sandusky and Toledo, Ohio, thence to Adrian, Michigan, and from there via Jonesville to Homer, which was then a village containing two or three houses and just having a saw-mill erected.
Mark Woodruff came from Homer, Cortland county, New York, in 1837, and was accompanied by his family and his wife's sister, who is now the wife of Luther Willson. They drove through Canada with a three-horse team, passed through Detroit, and reached Homer, Michigan, about the 1st of June. They left home on the 3d of May, and arrived at their future abiding-place in Bur- lington township on the 3d of June, having been one month on the road. Mr. Woodruff had five children with him, whose mother-his first wife-was dead. The family located near Turtle lake, two miles southwest of Burlington village. Mr. Woodruff died about 1851 or 1852, and Mrs. W. afterwards married Reuben Reynolds, and lived in Branch county. In 1872 Mr. Reynolds died, and his wife is now living with her brother-in-law, Mr. Willson, in Tekonsha township.
When they came to the county the Indians were quite numerous, and hunted and camped to a considerable extent on the shores of Turtle lake. Mrs. Wood- ruff would occasionally be alone in the house, the children being away at school, and without a word of warning three or four Indians would open the door and walk in, creating a great scare for a minute or two. They never did any harm, however, and never stole anything, but were great beggars. For three or four years after the Woodruffs came they saw no cultivated apples.
A large tree near the house had a huge eagle's nest in the top, and one day one of its feathered inhabitants was seen struggling with something in the water of the marsh, and vainly endeavoring to rise. An old man, named Ingalls, who hunted and trapped around the lake, happened to see the commotion going on, and raising his rifle shot the eagle dead, and secured it, together with its prey, which was found to be a large pickerel, which had proved rather too much for the eagle to carry off. The pickerel had also " been fishing," and had a sunfish, or " pumpkin-seed," about half swallowed. Ingalls took his trophies up to Wood- ruff's house, and its inmates had a solution of the mysterious struggle they had seen.
SCHOOLS.
In the fall of 1836 a log school-house was built on the site of the present frame building in district No. 6. It stood a number of years, and was burned down, and afterwards replaced by a frame building, painted red. The present house is the third one on the spot, and is a neat frame building, painted white. The first teacher in the district we are unable to give, but one of the early ones was a lady named Handy, who taught in 1842.
Schools were started early in other parts of the township as they became neces- sary. There are now eleven districts and fractional districts, and eight school- buildings in the township. In fractional districts 9 and 7 the school-houses are just across the line, one in Fredonia and the other in Burlington.
ELECTIONS.
The first town-meeting was held in the house of Timothy Kimball, which he had vacated and gone to Indiana. " At this election they failed to administer the oath to the members of the board of election before proceeding to business, and consequently the election was illegal. Eli Stone was elected supervisor at this first meeting. In about two weeks, however, another election was held, at which Horace Merriman was elected supervisor; Henry C. Lee, town clerk ; Eli Stone, Ezekiel Allen, and Horace Merriman, justices of the peace." *
THE FIRST RECORDED ELECTION
was held at the house of John J. James, April 13, 1837, and the following town- ship officers elected, viz. :
Supervisor, Ai Stone; Town Clerk, John A. Rice ; Assessors, Jonathan Enos, Cornelius Wendell, Samuel Pratt; Commissioners of Highways, John G. Parker, Parley Dean, Daniel Williams; Overseers of the Poor, Oliver Mattison, Linard Boon; Inspectors of Primary Schools, John A. Rice, Ezekiel Allen, Ranodyne Shedd ; Collector, Elijah J. Stone; Constables, E. J. Stone, Ranodyne Shedd ; Fence-viewers, Samuel Batt, John B. Robbins, John G. Parker, Thomas Van Scouter ; Path-masters, same as fence-viewers, for respective districts 1, 2, 3, and 4; Pound-master, John B. Robbins.
# Old Directory of Calhoun County.
152
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The following is a list of the township supervisors from 1838 to 1876, inclu- sive: 1838, Joseph Hemenway ; 1839, Eli Stone; 1840, Ezekiel Allen; 1841, Nelson Aldrich; 1842-43, Albert L. Proctor; 1844, Joseph Hemenway; 1845, Martin Hadsell; 1846, George K. French ; 1847-48, Martin Hadsell ; 1849-50, W. S. Southworth ; 1851-52, Martin Hadsell; 1853, Tracy H. Southworth ; 1854, Martin Hadsell; 1855, Henry Phelps ; 1856, T. H. Southworth ; 1857, Ranodyne Shedd; 1858, Zachariah Umstead; 1859, Harvey Randall; 1860, T. H. Southworth ; 1861, W. S. Southworth ; 1862-63, Harvey Randall ; 1864, S. S. Granger ; 1865-66, A. O. Cogswell; 1867-68, William M. Dorris; 1869-73, John S. Patchin ; 1874, William M. Dorris ; 1875-76, A. O. Cogswell.
Town Clerks .- 1838, John A. Rice ; 1839, Harris C. Goodrich ; 1840, John Southworth ; 1841, John A. Rice; 1842, Christopher Dickinson ; 1843, Henry Proctor ; 1844, David Watson ; 1845, Ranodyne Shedd; 1846, Solon E. Rob- inson ; 1847, Wellington S. Southworth ; 1848-51, Solon E. Robinson ; 1852, Isaac Soule ; 1853-54, Chauncey E. Goodrich ; 1855, W. S. Southworth ; 1856, Campbell G. Waldo; 1857, C. R. Strong; 1858, L. D. Rogers; 1859-60, Charles R. Strong; 1861-62, Oscar D. Smith ; 1863, W. S. Southworth ; 1864, O. D. Smith ; 1865-66, Charles R. Strong; 1867-68, George Blashfield; 1869, Harlan A. Main ; 1870-72, Orville L. Howard ; 1873, Jesse B. Aldrich ; 1874, John Johnson ; 1875-76, Jesse B. Aldrich.
Justices of the Peace .- 1838, Horace Merriman, Christopher Dickinson ; 1839, Horace Merriman, H. C. Goodrich, Jonathan Howland; 1840, Jonathan How- land ; 1841, Ezekiel Allen ; 1842, H. C. Goodrich ; 1843, B. F. Rood, Jonathan Enos, John Randall ; 1844, John Randall ; 1845, Heman Ellis; 1846, T. H. Southworth, Martin Hadsell, Henry Phelps; 1847, Ezekiel Allen; 1848, Chauncey Trumbull ; 1849, Horace Merriman ; 1850, T. H. Southworth, Harvey Randall ; 1851, Henry Phelps ; 1852, Chauncey Trumbull ; 1853, Harvey Ran- dall ; 1854, T. H. Southworth ; 1855, Erastus Allen ; 1856, Ranodyne Shedd ; 1857, Harvey Randall; 1858, T. H. Southworth ; 1859, Henry Phelps ; 1860, William H. Perrine; 1861, S. S. Granger ; 1862, T. H. Southworth ; 1863, Benjamin F. Weatherbee, Ranodyne Shedd, Charles R. Strong; 1864, W. S. Southworth, C. R. Strong, C. F. Aldrich; 1865, Barzilla Ellis, W. C. Aikin, Robert Stainton ; 1866, C. F. Aldrich ; 1867, George Howard; 1868, S. W. Burley, F. A. Granger ; 1869, Barzilla Ellis, Jr., W. C. Aikin; 1870, M. H. Cogswell ; 1871, T. W. Tucker, Willis French, C. G. Waldo; 1872, Harvey Randall, H. A. Main, A. D. Eldred ; 1873, Barzilla Ellis ; 1874, C. G. Waldo, A. S. Swift; 1875, A. S. Swift, H. P. Aldrich ; 1876, A. H. Randall, J. M. Wheeler.
Constables .- 1838, Ranodyne Shedd, Rutledge H. Enos; 1839, Charles T. Hubbard, Thomas Merrifield, Lewis Warner, Rufus Osborn ; 1840, Cornelius Wendell, E. J. Stone, Heman Ellis (tie vote between Rufus Osborn and Luther
Andrew) ; 1841, Lewis Merrifield, Hanson Worth, A. C. McCreary (tie vote between L. Warner, Nelson Dean, and Ira Mills) ; 1842, Lewis Merrifield, Rufus Osborn, Sylvester S. Granger ; 1843, Lewis Merrifield, Walter Worth, Horace Smith, Alvah Keep; 1844, Timothy Watrous, Wilson Dean, Ebenezer Avery (tie vote between L. Merrifield and R. H. Enos); 1845, William Hughes, S. S. Granger, Harrison Sprague, Lewis Merrifield; 1846, Timothy Watrous, S. S. Granger, C. G. Randall, Alvah Keep ; 1847, C. G. Randall, William Gordon, Lewis Merrifield, Horace Smith ; 1848, David Watson, S. Chase, Horace Smith, David Pixly, Jr .; 1849, George Howard, David Pixly, J. W. Faurot, Eli Stone; 1850, A. C. Lewis, Lewis Merrifield, John H. Allen, David Watson ; 1851, Isaac Rogers, A. C. Lewis, R. N. Fiero, John Engle, Jr .; 1852, Isaac Rogers, George Born, James Gillespie, Asa Perry ; 1853, Charles G. Randall, Ezekiel Allen, Jared P. Wilder, Charles H. Aldrich ; 1854, Ezekiel Allen, Charles Aldrich, O. L. Cowles, Elisha Engle; 1855, Ezekiel ' Allen, Charles Aldrich, A. C. Lewis, William S. June; 1856, C. Aldrich, Daniel Amey, C. G. Randall, Levi Merrifield ; 1857, Henry Phelps, Levi Merrifield, Myron H. Cogswell, C. A. Keyes ; 1858, Levi Merrifield, M. H. Cogswell, Charles Keyes, Watson Faurot; 1859, John Fisher, William S. Batt, Simeon Livingston, Denison S. Chase ; 1860, S. Living- ston, O. F. Acker, Francis Granger, Henry P. Bliss ; 1861, C. R. Strong, G. P. Waldo, W. S. Keyes, James Enos; 1862, G. P. Waldo, J. B. Bliss, W. C. Wat- son, N. P. Gilbert; 1863, John Perrine, Wm. R. Aurand, S. A. Wilder, C. G. Randall ; 1864, Wm. Keyes, James Enos, C. G. Strong, S. Livingston ; 1865, Harlow Holt, J. M. Failing, J. P. Wilder, Wm. Keyes ; 1866, Wm. Keyes, J. M. Failing, H. Holt, J. P. Wilder ; 1867, L. R. Mills, J. C. Failing, J. P. Wil- der, H. Holt ; 1868, O. A. Smith, Morton Rice, H. P. Aldrich, Barzilla Ellis, Jr. ; 1869, S. A. Wilder, Delavan Aurand, C. G. Strong, E. G. Shumway ; 1870, Thaddeus Heath, E. M. Amey, J. M. Failing, S. A. Wilder ; 1871, S. A. Wil- der, George Gribbins, Harlan Davis, Emerson Rice ; 1872, Peter W. Failing, E. A. Thomas, George Mitchell, Denison S. Chase; 1873, John A. Dorris, John C. Failing, Wm. Larzalere, James I. Main ; 1874, H. P. Aldrich, J. M. French, J. H. Proctor, J. C. Failing; 1875, John C. Failing, F. H. Cogswell, Thomas W. Fegles, John B. Bliss; 1876, John C. Failing, Edwin M. Amey, Francis H. Cogswell, Gottlieb Slyly.
During the war of the Rebellion bounties were voted to volunteers in order that a draft might not be enforced in the township, and the citizens came bravely to the front in that time of need. The township has been noted for its patriotism and steadfast position on the side of the right and the Union. She sacrificed many of her sons in the long, dark struggle, but mourns them only as having fallen in a glorious cause. Their forms are gone forever from among the happy groups which once knew them, but their memory shall never die. Peace be to their ashes !
JAMES WALKINSHAW .
MRS. JAMES WALKINSHAW.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES WALKINSHAW, SEC.9. CONVIS TP., CALHOUN CO., MICH.
CONVIS TOWNSHIP.
FROM the establishment of Wayne county, in 1796, to the appearance of the first settler in the township of Convis in 1855-a period of more than half a century-immense changes occurred, and occupation radiating westward from Detroit, along chosen routes, ultimately reached this section and tested its feasibility for human support and remunerative tillage. Incidents of the early day and progress of development unmarked by military events are full of interest to all classes.
Convis is the central township of the northern tier in Calhoun County. The surface is somewhat broken in sections 3, 4, and 5, and the eastern parts of sections 6 and 7 are exceedingly hilly. In the southwest considerable land lies low, and is marshy, while the southern portion is mainly level. The pioneers of settlement found the land heavily timbered, and entered, when possible, what were denominated "oak openings," a characteristic of which was the absence of underbrush, thereby rendering them more easily susceptible to cultivation.
The soil of Convis varies with its surface, and, while adapted to general grain- raising, is especially calculated for the production of wheat and corn.
The town enjoys a reputation for fine fruit. Baldwins, Spitzenbergs, and other varieties of apples attain good size and possess an excellent flavor. A superior quality of pear matures in this locality. Peaches are raised, but the climate is not in their favor, and renders the crop uncertain.
Lake and stream diversify the landscape and irrigate the soil. Battle creek crosses the township at the northwest corner, and a branch of Indian creek traverses the eastern sections. On the northwest lies Mud lake; to the north is Ackley; Kingdom and Garfield are in the northeast, and Lane's and Potter's in the southwest. Well stocked with fish, these bodies of fresh water are a favorite summer resort for those delighting in piscatorial sports. The grazing in the township is notably good, and sheep-raising constitutes one of the main sources of revenue. Farmers, in some instances, have large flocks. James Walkinshaw is a heavy wool-grower; he has a flock of over four hundred sheep, together with a fine lot of cattle. E. H. Brown owns from three to four hundred sheep, and W. Goss has a large flock. It is notable that few farmers in all this region but have flocks of sheep numbering from ten upwards. The sheep are known as the Spanish Merino, a fine-fleeced breed, of hardy constitution. A few fine horses have been raised, while cattle and swine are raised mainly for home use.
THE ERA OF SETTLEMENT.
Fine timber and fertile soil attracted settlement, and families moved in from other parts of the State, while some were emigrants from Europe. A furor of emigration became prevalent, and thousands poured into the State from all quarters. The closing record of many a New Yorker ends with the phrase "went to Michigan," and the majority of those who settled in this locality were from the Empire State.
The pioneer of Convis was Sanford Chaffee, who, with his family, located in the spring of 1835, on section 3. He had previously resided in another part of the State, and, having remained here but few years, moved west, it is supposed to Wisconsin.
James Lane, William Newman, and Paul Moss were the next pioneers. Lane came direct from England. Six weeks were occupied on the passage; a day or two passed in New York, and then the westward journey was begun. He was induced to emigrate by the representations and action of a former neighbor who had come out the previous year, and had sent to England for his family, which accompanied the Lanes west. The emigrants reached Marshall November 5, 1835, and there remained pending land entry and the erection of a log house. His entry was on section 27, and comprised the east half of the northeast quarter. About December 1, the habitation being made ready, the family moved in and took possession.
Paul Moss was engaged to convey Mrs. Lane, her child, and a few household goods and needed provisions. Lane went in advance to kindle a fire, but found the interior of his rude structure filled with snow, which it was his first care to remove. The pioneer home was in size twelve by ten feet. In one corner was the stone fireplace, whence the ascending smoke found exit from a hole in the roof. Two large chests served as a bedstead, and a third for a table. For lack of straw, the " cat-tails" from a marsh near by were used as bedding, and two large
20
umbrellas were spread over the bed to protect its inmates from the leaky roof dur- ing rainy weather. These primitive accommodations served until the completion of a substantial log house. House furniture was in keeping with circumstances. Bedstead and table were made of tamarack poles from the swamp. Chairs, unfinished, were purchased at a cost of six shillings each, from a Mr. Lucas, of Belleview.
The route of emigrants from the east was past his door, and many calling for food, Mrs. Lane derived quite a revenue from the sale of pumpkin pies, at sixpence each. Almost compelled by the necessities of travel to keep a public house, the greatest difficulty was to find provisions sufficient to meet the demand. On the lake, near by, was the dome of a muskrat-house ; this was used to indicate the halfway-house where teamsters stopped to feed their horses.
Indians under the influence of liquor were dangerous. On one occasion, a party on their way to Marshall stopped and sold some maple-sugar ; the proceeds were expended in the purchase of liquor. Returning at evening, they called for more liquor and were refused. They attempted to help themselves from some kegs resting upon a corner shelf, but were restrained and pushed from the room.
While Lane held the door, he directed his wife to seek safety in the loft. A heavy piece of wood, smashing in the window, fell upon the floor; at the same time strong effort was made to reopen the door. Overpowered, Lane retreated to the loft, pulling the ladder up after him. The Indians rushing in, seized a keg of brandy, which was borne off with terrific and exultant whoops. After a time, Lane descended from the loft, and having concealed his wife and child in the woods, went in search of assistance. He called on Moss, his nearest neighbor, a mile distant, and on Sanford Chaffee, five miles away, and his second nearest neighbor. The Indians did not return, and the keg was found some time after, empty.
Lane procured a large dog, which was chained near the door. One day some Indians passing angered the creature, which broke his chain, and bounding upon an Indian dragged him from his horse. From that time annoyance ceased, and those passing made a circuit to the rear of the house. The demands of custom at times exhausted the supply of flour, and, in one instance, compelled a Sunday morning's walk to Marshall to obtain from the miller sufficient to last the family through the day.
After a sixteen years' sojourn in the log house, removal was made to a large frame structure, in which a tavern was kept until 1862.
William Newman came to Convis, from England, some time before his family, which consisted of two sons, men-grown, and one daughter. One of the young men was accidentally killed by the unexpected falling of a tree which had lodged against another and gave way while he was underneath. The family moved from the township in time, and it is supposed went west.
Moss settled on section 26. Of a family of five, but one, George, is now living; he resides in the township.
Daniel Beers settled on section 24 during the spring of 1836, and about the same time Asahel Hawkins moved with his family upon the same section. The latter was from Saratoga county, New York. He formed one of a party destined for Michigan, and save a temporary delay, caused by a break in the Erie canal, made the journey without difficulty. Arrived at Convis, he entered eighty acres, and alternated in clearing a portion of it and in splitting rails for neighboring settlers. In this way a considerable tract was prepared for crop the first year. Mr. Hawkins has been active and influential, and until recently a constant occu- pant of public office. His land has proved productive and has grown valuable. It is his present home, shared by wife and daughter.
Gilbert King, of Marshall, moved into Convis, made a brief stay, and removing into Iona county there died. John King, a brother to Gilbert, moved in 1835 from Tompkins, New York, to Marshall, and there resided until 1848, when he purchased eighty acres in Convis, where he has since resided.
In 1836 Convis received quite an accession to its population. Among the arrivals were Hiram and Elisha Brace, Jesse Smith, George Bentley, T. J. Van Geisen, Jasper Haywood, Philander Brooke, Wessel Smith, and Granville Stowe. During the year following settlement was made by B. Austin, Ira H. Els- worth, William Kinyon, Levi Rowley, Leach S. Loomis, Allen Mattison, Nathan Chidster, and Levi Eaton. Of all these families, but one or two are residents of
153
154
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Convis, and but few of the county. Increased numbers and extended area called for the organization of a new township. The matter was placed in the hands of General Ezra Convis, then a member of the State legislature. Convis died, and the business was presented by another member, who in honor of the general proposed Convis as the township's name, a title by which the civil division has since been known. During the winter of 1836 and 1837, George and Joseph Bentley purchased the land originally entered by Gilbert King-it was a quarter of section 36. On this land they settled, but the former soon removed to Marshall, where he still resides. Well qualified for a business career, his life has been active, and he now fills the honorable position of president of the National City bank of Marshall. Joseph purchased the farm of Hiram Brace, where having resided until 1868, he moved into Marshall township and bought the farm-his present home. While at Convis he was considered a prominent man, and served seven years as supervisor. He has two sons, John, now assistant cashier in the National bank, and Charles, a farmer in Marshall.
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