USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 56
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Ezra Brackett, in 1838, settled on section 34, and built a log house for his habitation. Upon his land was an Indian burial-place. Graves opened disclosed skeletons placed in sitting posture upon poles covered with wicker-work composed of twigs. The chiefs were buried in a style more formal, a framework being built about them.
William Goss, formerly of New York, was here an early settler. Working for eleven years as a farm hand, he had saved two hundred and fourteen dollars, and, traveling by canal and packet, reached Detroit, whence he came on foot. He examined timber land, which failed to satisfy him, and finally bought his present homestead in the northwest part of the town. He is a present owner of several fine farms in Convis and townships adjoining.
Henry C. Potter and mother left Saratoga county, New York, in 1851. They came through from Detroit with horse and buggy, and on the arrival of their goods moved into a log house. Mr. Potter obtained a yoke of oxen, and began hauling wood into Marshall. For his first load he could find no purchaser, and, hauling it a short distance from the town, he unloaded and returned home. A few days later he tried another load, hoping to sell both, but found to his chagrin that his wayside deposit had been removed. However, the one load was sold and a trade was secured by which several hundred cords were sold. In the fall of 1852 an exhibition was announced at the Cleveland school-house. Mr. Potter was chosen driver by the party attending. A long wagon was procured, to which eight yoke of oxen were attached. The conveyance was occupied by nearly two score of young people, and the drivers were mounted. A pleasant time was enjoyed. Mr. Potter, on September 9, 1858, was married to Carrie L. Lane, daughter of James Lane. His course has been honorable and prosperous. His farm is equal to the best in Convis.
A BARBECUE.
In 1859 politics ran high, and the partisans of Buchanan, presidential candi- date of the democracy, being victors, celebrated the event in Convis by a barbecue, at which an ox was roasted, speeches made, and a general good time enjoyed.
The first death in Convis, so far as known, was that of Mrs. Paul Moss, of con- sumption. The oldest white native of the township is Asahel M. Hawkins, of Eaton county, who was born October 21, 1836. The first female birth was of Annie King, now Mrs. Holcomb, of Belden, Iona county. The initial marriage was on April 7, 1839, between Henry Smith and Lavina Davis. This was fol- lowed, on June 8, by that of Alexander Merritt and Elizabeth Davis.
Improved agricultural machinery found hearty welcome with Convis farmers. A Maury reaper and mower, made in Chicago, was introduced by Joseph Bentley, who also owned the first drill used in the township. It was known as the " Ide's drill," and is still in use. Messrs. Balcom & Wheeler, of Lee, brought the first improved thrasher and separator to town. The act was opportune, and for several seasons a large amount of work was done by the machine.
SCHOOLS.
The citizens of Convis have not neglected the education of their children through the medium of the public schools. In 1838 Sarah Root, later the wife of John Van Buren, taught the first school in Convis, in a small log house which stood on the corner near the dwelling of Asahel Hawkins. She was succeeded by Elizabeth Farrer. William A. Sweet was the first male teacher. There are in Convis six school-houses; two are of brick, the others of wood, and all together are valued at five thousand dollars.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH.
There being several persons adhering to the faith professed by the Seventh- Day Adventists, in Convis township, they organized themselves into a church society, under the title of the "Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Convis," on
the 30th of January, 1861. The original members were-Thomas Lane and wife, William Smith and wife, Abraham Fitzgerald and wife, John Sisley and wife, Solomon Sellers and wife, Charles Brackett and his mother Mrs. Mary Brackett. Mrs. Sarah Lane, Annie Dewitt, Hannah Way, Clara J. Birch, Mary Scott, Polly Birch, and Olive A. Robinson. The first board of trustees consisted of Thomas Lane, William Smith, Solomon Sellers, Albert Brackett, and John Sellers. The present incumbents are Solomon Sellers, Thomas Lane, and Charles Brackett, the two former of whom have held the office continuously since the organization of the church.
The first preachers were Elders Frisbie and Cornell, who have been succeeded by the following : Elders John Loughborough, White, Uriah Smith, John Bying- ton, I. D. Van Horn, John Andrews, E. B. Lane, and A. O. Bursall.
On the 22d of February, 1869, a committee composed of Thomas Lane, Solo- mon Sellers, and Ezra Brackett was appointed to perfect preparations for a church edifice, which was erected in the fall of the same year, and on the 25th day of December following the house was appropriately dedicated to the worship of God. The dedicatory exercises were conducted by Elder John Andrews. The building is of wood, on a stone foundation, and cost about welve hundred dollars. It is located on section 26, on the gravel road, six and one-half miles north of Marshall.
They hold regular prayer-meetings every Sabbath. The present membership is seventeen, and the church is in a generally flourishing and prosperous condition.
PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT.
The presence of timber and water-power, and the demand for lumber, caused the construction of a saw-mill by Anson Ackley in 1848, on an outlet of Ackley lake. It is now owned by D. Hart. A plank-road from Marshall to Ionia was contemplated, and to supply the plank a company, consisting of Charles T. Gorham, Asa B. Cook, A. C. Robinson, Robert Williamson, and Robert Hustin, was formed. This association erected a mill at what is known as " The Junction," on the line of the proposed road. The mill built under supervision of Mr. Hustin was supplied with new machinery, which cost three thousand dollars. The demands of the road gave constant employment to the mill for three years. The planks were of oak, three inches in thickness. The mill is now in operation under the ownership of Mr. Peavey, of Battle Creek, The plank-road, constructed by a joint stock company, was finished in 1853 to Belleview, at which place it was discontinued, although originally designed to reach Ionia. In 1863 the planking was so impaired that it was not deemed advisable to repair or renew it. The old material was taken up from Marshall to the Junction, and the road beyond abandoned.
Gravel took the place of plank, and toll was collected on the turnpike until 1873, when it became a free highway. The road, called " Gravel " to distinguish it from others, was extensively patronized as a plank-road. Large quantities of lime burnt in Belleview were transported on this road to Marshall, and thence shipped elsewhere by rail. Much lumber was conveyed over the road ; but despite this patronage, as an investment, it must, in common with hundreds of others, be deemed a failure. Nevertheless, it was an advance step in improved roadways, and its projectors are deserving of credit for what they accomplished.
A steam saw-mill was erected by Ware Burch on the Haggett farm, section 30. After several years the machinery was sold to Messrs. Carver & Noyes, who built a mill about a mile north of the Junction, ran it a year or more, and then sold to Messrs. Haaley & Green of Eaton county, by whom it was removed to Olivet.
Mills now running in the township do much business, and their product finds ready market in the lower townships of the county. A reminiscence of early times records the labors of William Newman and sons. These parties having dug a pit of sufficient depth to enable a man to stand erect and grasp the lower end of a saw placed vertically and held above by another, sawed in this manner all the material for their house. The old pit is yet to be seen on the farm of D. Scott, six and a half miles from Marshall.
The first land cultivated in Convis was spaded by Mr. Lane, there being no plow in the township. Two acres of land were cultivated which had been pre- pared in this slow but efficient method.
The first framed house in Convis was raised by Hiram Brace in 1842. He also raised the first barn. The year named was notable for the continuance of winter weather. Snow fell on November 18, and there was good sleighing until April 6, 1843.
The first brick house was erected by J. Dougherty, and forms part of the present family dwelling. The second brick structure was the Junction tavern, built by George Loomis in 1853. It has passed through several hands into the present ownership of A. Winans. The first burial-ground was located upon the Callender farm, at a date unknown.
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4
JAMES LANE.
MRS. JAMES LANE.
SEVEN DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH , TOWN OF CONVIS.
155
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
MAIL FACILITIES.
Few residents of Convis but had left behind them kindred and valued friends. A lively interest in the old homes by the settlers, and in their prosperity by those left behind, made the transmittal of intelligence by letter an estimable blessing. Mail was posted and obtained from North Marshall, at an office kept by Jacob King, until the establishment of a home office by Asahel Hawkins. Under the advice of Reuben White, his successor, the route was discontinued. Several years elapsed when Mr. Lawrence, residing in the western part of the town, received an appointment. He was succeeded by R. Vosberg. T. A. Randall followed in 1861, and in 1871 Mrs. Eliza Brooks was appointed, and keeps the office at the toll-gate, south of the Junction.
SOCIALITY.
ยท A desire to improve and to enjoy is natural and laudable. It occasioned the organization of a society entitled "Mutual Improvement Society," which met December 1, 1875, and having enrolled twelve members chose the following officers: E. Wagner, president ; Mary S. Wilbur, secretary; and Maria F. Lane, treasurer. The number of members now enrolled is forty. Walter Scott is president ; Charles Cosey, vice-president; Rosa Merwin, secretary; and Mary Scott, treasurer. A literary and debating society was formed March 5, 1877, with the following officers : H. C. Potter, president; Miss J. O. Gardner, sec- retary; and William Ruddock, treasurer. These movements are creditable, and experience teaches their obvious advantages.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
The first annual town-meeting in Convis was held on April 3, 1837, at the house of James Lane. The number of voters is unknown, but a full ticket was chosen, as follows: Supervisor, Elisha Brace; Town Clerk, Thomas L. Van Geisen ; Assessors, Asahel Hawkins, Daniel Beers, and Ira H. Ellsworth ; High- way Commissioners, Hiram Brace, George W. Bentley, and O. B. Austin ; Justices, Elisha Brace, Daniel Beers, S. D. Bardon, and Asahel Hawkins; Directors of the Poor, Harvey Parkhurst and E. N. Naramore; Collector and Treasurer, Levi Rowley; and Constables, Levi Rowley and Harvey Parkhurst. Among present town officers are-Supervisor, Alvin L. Ford; Town Clerk, Thomas Templeton; Treasurer, Robert E. Cornhurst; Superintendent of Schools, Charles P. Chidster; School Inspector, Ira O. Eaton; and Justices, James Hag- gett, Thomas Moor, B. M. Templeton, and Alvin L. Ford.
Fifty-five votes were cast in 1840. The highest number cast at a town election was two hundred and twenty-one. At the general election of 1876 the vote was two hundred and fifty-five.
The following have held the offices of supervisor and town clerk in Convis :
Supervisors .- 1837-39, Elisha Brace; 1840, Leach T. Loomis; 1841, Leon Cleveland; 1842-43, Leach T. Loomis; 1844, Jasper Haywood; 1845-46, John T. Ellis ; 1847-48, William R. Carpenter ; 1849-50, John T. Ellis; 1851, Joseph Haywood; 1852, Asahel Hawkins; 1853, John T. Ellis; 1854, Robert Hueston ; 1855-56, John T. Ellis; 1857-59, Joseph Bentley; 1860, John T. Ellis; 1861-64, Joseph Bentley ; 1865-77, James Walkinshaw ; 1877, A. L. Ford.
Town Clerks .- 1837, T. L. Van Geisen; 1838, Nathan Chidster ; 1839, Asahel Hawkins ; 1840-42, O. B. Austin; 1843, Reuben B. White; 1843-44, Philo Callender; 1845-46, R. B. White; 1847-48, Asahel Hawkins; 1849, James Lane; 1850-52, Ira Andrus; 1853-56, R. B. White; 1857, L. F. Brown; 1858, Ira M. Lawrence ; 1859-60, R. B. White; 1861, O. B. Austin ; 1862, Asahel Hawkins; 1863, O. B. Austin ; 1864, L. F. Brown ; 1865-68, R. B. White ; 1869, Ira Andrus; 1870, S. A. Randall ; 1871, Ira Andrus ; 1872, A. R. Upright ; 1873-77, Thomas Templeton.
James Walkinshaw was elected in 1876 as representative to the State legisla- ture.
STATISTICS-FROM CENSUS OF 1874.
Population .- Total population, 941 : males, 519; females, 422.
Live-Stock .- Horses, one year and over, 406; mules, 4; work oxen, 29; milch cows, 459 ; neat cattle, one year old and over, other than oxen and cows, 514; swine, over six months, 814 ; sheep, over six months, 4761 ; sheep sheared 1873, 6000.
Wheat in the ground May, 1874, 2708 acres; wheat harvested 1873, 2624 acres; corn harvested 1873, 1208 acres; wheat raised 1873, 33,878 bushels ; corn raised 1873, 75,130 bushels; other grain raised 1873, 21,070 bushels ; potatoes raised 1873, 13,225 bushels ; hay cut 1873, 1581 tons; wool sheared 1873, 27,056 pounds ; pork marketed 1873, 99,143 pounds ; butter made, 43,690 pounds ; fruit dried for market, 6100 pounds; cider made, 453 barrels ; orchards, 408 acres ; apples raised 1873, 15,206 bushels ; peaches 1873, 8 bushels ; pears 1873, 104 bushels ; plums 1873, 29 bushels ; cherries 1873, 232 bushels ; currants and gooseberries 1873, 192 bushels ; melons and garden vegetables 1873, 311 bushels.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES LANE.
In continuing brief sketches of the aged and influential, we notice the life and character of a practical and successful man, whose example, known and followed with assiduity, is a clue to the good fortune, ill-advisedly termed good luck.
Mr. James Lane is an Englishman, born in Great Cumberton, Worcestershire, in the year 1807. His parentage was of that class whose livelihood is won by almost ceaseless and often ill-requited toil, from which children knew no exemption. Into this labor-school Mr. Lane was introduced at the youthful age of twelve years, and was designated a plow-boy by the farmer who hired his time. Three years later he entered the service of Dr. D. Haggitt, a clergyman of some celeb- rity, whose residence was in the town of Persha, in the county above named.
During the last five years of his service with the divine, Mr. Lane was employed to fill the position of butler. The year 1833 was marked in this individual record by the marriage of James Lane to Sarah Finch, of Forrest Row, Sussex county, and by their removal to London, where temporary employment was found in supplying citizens with milk. In poor health, he looked hopefully to its improve- ment by a change of residence from his island home to distant America. Arrived in New York, he found himself among people unlike his conception of American life, whose untiring activity gave a fresh impetus to his ambition. He directed his course westward to the State of Michigan, and reached Marshall on November 5, 1835, his cash capital sixty-two pounds, which were at once put to use in the purchase of land, of which he procured seventy-four and three-quarters acres,
situated on section 27, in what is now the town of Convis. Well versed in the duties of a landlord, he opened and conducted a public house, which for many years became a favorite resort of the traveling public, and conduced to extensive acquaintance with the community at large. Combining agriculture with inn-keeping, the products of the field bountifully supplied good cheer for the table and enhanced popularity, which was manifest in his election to fill many offices of trust in the township. Recently, an attack of paralysis rudely announced the uncertainty of life, and with shattered constitution he awaits the inevitable and unexceptional call to give an account of his stewardship to his Divine Master.
Four sons and a daughter are living. The oldest, Thomas, was born in London, on October 20, 1834; was married on December 27, 1856, to Maria L. Alton, and resides in Convis on the old farm. C. James Lane was born on June 27, 1837; married in June, 1869, Cornelia Cook, of Eaton county, in which county he is a practicing physician. Caroline, the only daughter, was born on August 31, 1840 ; she was married on December 9, 1859, to Henry Potter, a resident of Convis. Edward F. was born November 24, 1842, and is now living in Convis; having, in May, 1871, married Milly Baldwin. And William A., born March 31, 1845, married August 23, 1870, to Jennie Hill, is known as a reputable physician and good citizen.
The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Lane, seen in this work, present the features of those in whom these lines have induced an interest, and to acquaintances recall the original.
156
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
JAMES WALKINSHAW.
As an example of successful thrift, and to show what industry combined with good management and steady perseverance will accomplish, we present to our readers a brief history of the life of James Walkinshaw, one of the foremost farmers of Calhoun County. He was born in the parish of Boithwick, Mid Lothian, Scotland, July 15, 1810, amid the bloom of the heather, and was edu- cated at the common schools of the country. At twelve years of age he was apprenticed to the trade of a bookbinder, at which he wrought four years, and then, in 1826, removed with his parents to Fifeshire, and with them settled in the village of Lochgelly, parish of Auchterdern, where he engaged in the business connected with the coal-works of his father, and remained so engaged until 1842. In 1835 he was united in marriage with Jeannette, daughter of John Henderson, of Fifeshire, where she was born on the sea-coast in the year 1817.
In 1842, Mr. Walkinshaw, with his wife and four children, born to him in Lochgelly, emigrated to America, arriving in Detroit in June of the same year. He removed to Marshall two weeks afterwards, and was employed by the State railroad authorities as warehouseman at that place for five years, and at Kala- mazoo for one year, till the road was sold to the Michigan Central Company, when he went to his farm in Convis, whither he had sent his family on his re- moval to Kalamazoo.
His first purchase was eighty acres, and since then he has added to his original purchase seven hundred and twenty acres, owning at the present time eight hun- dred acres, the greater portion of which is under cultivation, and all of which, with the exception of about fifteen acres, was partially broken up, being wild land. In the midst of this extensive tract of well-tilled and well-kept land stands the commodious and elegant farm-house and capacious barns of the proprietor, a view of which we present on another page. He has raised large flocks of sheep and fine herds of cattle, from which the bulk of his profits has come, and by which he has added his later purchases of farms. He has at the present time over four hundred sheep and a large herd of good cattle. He had little else be- sides his energy and good judgment to begin life with in the west, and has made all of his fine property in the space of thirty-five years by legitimate farming and stock-growing.
Mr. Walkinshaw is a Republican in politics, and has been ever since that party rose, having been a member of the Whig party previously. He has held the office of supervisor of Convis twelve years, besides many of the minor offices of the township. In 1876 he was elected a member of the lower house of the State legislature of Michigan from the first district of Calhoun County, and was prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties to the people. During a session of one hundred and forty days he was absent but one day on leave, and that was asked for and granted on account of sickness. This is a record to which his constituents can and do point with commendable pride, when contrasted with the record of the majority of the legislators of the session of 1877. Mr. Walkinshaw has been a member of nearly all of the State conventions of the Republican party for the past fifteen years, and is regarded as one of the prominent men of that party in the county.
The most remarkable record made by Mr. Walkinshaw, and especially to be re- garded in what some are pleased to call " these degenerate days," is yet to be given. He is the father of fourteen living children, eight sons and six daughters, all well located, and, with one exception, residents of Calhoun County. By his first wife, Jeannette Henderson, he had born to him the following children in Scotland : John, Euphemia, now Mrs. Henry De Mott, James, and Henry. In Calhoun County, David, and Anna, now Mrs. Albert Vary, of Marshall. By his present wife, Jemima Beatson, daughter of David Beatson, and a native of Fife- shire, where she was born in 1827 or 1828, and to whom Mr. Walkinshaw was
married in 1850, there have been born to him the following children in Calhoun County : George, Charles, Betsey, Mary, William, Hannah, A. Lincoln, and Helen, all of whom are now living. A daughter, the youngest of the flock, Jemima, born about 1872-73, died at two years of age, the only death in the family. The sons are all married except the eldest, John, and the youngest, Abraham Lincoln. The daughters of the second marriage are unmarried, and reside under the paternal roof-tree.
Mr. and Mrs. Walkinshaw are members of the Presbyterian church, and Betsey, one of the daughters, is a Baptist.
No better idea can be had of successful farming than can be gained by a drive about Mr. Walkinshaw's broad manor, kept by him and his sturdy sons in the best possible condition. Roomy sheds and out-houses shelter the farming im- plements, which are housed when not in use; and his barns are ample even for the great demand made upon them for shelter for his herds and flocks, and storage for their fodder and the crops of grain he raises each year. His motto is that of "Poor Richard" __
"He who by the plow would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive;"
and upon that principle he has worked, and upon it has founded his prosperity, as well as achieved it, he being his own manager and superintendent.
JAMES MAYO.
" Merrie England" was the land that gave James Mayo birth ; the land of roast beef and plum puddings in their primal condition of excellence; the land upon whose empire the sun never sets, in all the journeyings of the earth about that central orb. Mr. Mayo was born in the town of Fleckwoe, county War- wick, August 19, 1809. His father was a captain in the British service, and lost his life in action, during one of the wars of the first Napoleon. The subject of our sketch, with his mother, emigrated to America in 1826, and settled in Penn- sylvania, where he served an apprenticeship at blacksmithing one year, and then started in the business for himself. In 1838, he was united in marriage to Sarah
A., daughter of Eleazer Price, and removed to Hancock, Delaware county, New York, where he continued to work at his trade six years, and at the close of that period removed to Buckingham, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1849, engaged at his trade and in lumbering. After severe losses by fire and flood he resolved to abandon the situation, and thereupon came to Calhoun County, Michigan, and purchased one hundred and seventy-eight acres of land, on which he still resides.
The fruits of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mayo have been the following chil- dren : Perry and George, born in Hancock, New York ; Addison and Ransome, born in Buckingham, Pennsylvania ; Josephine M., Charlotte A., James, Luther, and Arthur, born in Battle Creek township, all of whom, together with their parents, are now living, except Luther, who was killed by a "runaway" team when eleven years old, and Arthur, who was accidentally shot and killed when nine years old. Perry married Mary Bryant, and resides on a farm three miles south of the old homestead; Addison married Ada Wallace, and resides in Cher- okee county, Kansas; Ransome married Nettie Scranton, and resides eight miles from his father ; Josephine is now Mrs. William Preston, and resides three miles from her parents ; and Charlotte and James are unmarried, and remain under the paternal roof. We show on another page a sketch of Mr. Mayo's elegant home- stead.
JAMES MAYO
MRS. SARAH A. MAYO.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES MAYO, SEC. 19. CONVIS TP, CALHOUN COUNTY, MICH.
+
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP.
THIS township is geographically designated as town 4 south, of range 7 west, and is bounded north by Newton, east by Tekonsha, south by a part of Branch county, and west by Athens. It originally contained all the territory now em- braced within the limits of Newton and Burlington, the division being effected in 1837. Topographically, Burlington is diversified. The southern portion of the township is level, and contains some lovely and fertile plains, watered by small streams, the soil being a sandy loam, in places mixed with clay. The northern part of the township is rolling, in some parts inclined to be hilly, and is of the nature designated " oak openings." Wet prairie, located in the northwest corner, is a fine, level tract of land, under excellent cultivation, and is perhaps the best agricultural portion of the township.
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