USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 57
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The first settlement of the township was effected in 1832, by Eleazer McCamly, who emigrated thither with his wife, three sons, and two daughters. Prior to his actual settlement he sent his second son, Milton, and a man named Richard Tuck to enter a tract of land, and they located one-half of section 26. In the summer of 1832, Mr. McCamly left his home in western New York and moved towards his new home in the west. He went first to Buffalo by team, and thence by steamer to Detroit, and from there to the highly eulogized St. Joseph Valley, in which was located his future residence, by ox-team. Immediately on his arrival, he and Mr. Tuck set to work and erected the
FIRST LOG HOUSE,
which stood for several months as the sole habitation in all the township. In the following spring Richard Tuck erected his cabin, and Joseph Sanders his log house the ensuing winter, although he did not formally enter it until February, 1834. Messrs. McCamly and Tuck vied with each other in the hospitality they extended for the next two or three years to the settlers who followed; nor was Mr. Sanders behind them in this respect. For the first few months he was him- self under obligations to Horton Warren for a home until he could get his own ready for occupancy.
As Joseph Sanders is now the only one of the very earliest pioneers remaining, he deserves at our hands more than a passing notice. He was born in Vermont, and when quite young moved to Batavia, Genesee county, New York, from whence he started on the 26th of September, 1833, for his future home in the west. He went from Batavia to Buffalo by team, and there embarked on the " Washington," then the largest and best steamer on Lake Erie. After a voyage of five days he landed in Detroit, and there hired a man and team to bring him- self, wife, and infant child to Jackson. There he inquired for the best farming country, and was directed to that portion of the present township of Burlington, then first known as McCamly's prairie. He induced the teamster to bring him- self and little family on, and on the 8th of October, 1833, he first set foot on his present homestead on section 24.
Horton Warren and wife arrived in the spring of 1833, and "squatted" on section 33, where they built a small shanty, and afterwards became permanent settlers. Justus Goodwin also came the same year, and settled on section 28, on the farm now owned by H. R. Parsons. Elijah Olmstead came in 1833, but left within a year or two.
In 1834 the little settlement received quite an acquisition in the arrival of William and Ansel Adams and their widowed mother. Perhaps no two in- dividuals did more to enhance the growth and prosperity of the settlement than they. They located on sections 33 and 34, on land now included within the corporate limits of the village of Burlington.
In May, 1834, Homer C. Hurd located on the farm now occupied by George Page, where he resided until his death. He was a prominent citizen, having been twice elected to the State legislature. In 1835 numerous accessions were made, among them being David Dexter, H. P. Jones, scientist and scholar, Zachariah Thomas, John, Zelina, and Wooster Sanders, G. P. Olmstead, Luther Wilson (who first settled on section 23, but now resides in Tekonsha). A. I. Withey settled on section 35 the same year; Sylvanus Reed on section 71, where he remained till his death in 1872.
In 1836, Reuben Van Vleet came in and settled on sections 21 and 22; John . L. Meserole, on section 15. In September, 1837, Alonzo Collins came in and settled on parts of sections 27 and 28, and still resides on the old homestead.
In the fall of the year following, Gilbert B. Murray made a settlement on his present farm on section 6, locating a fractional lot containing sixty-four and fifty- six one-hundredths acres.
In 1839, Franklin Burnett arrived and settled on section 34, having settled in Detroit four years previous. He first took up eighty acres, which he has increased by subsequent purchases until he now owns altogether a little more than half a section.
Mr. Burnett was born in New York State in 1809, and arrived in Detroit in 1835, having in his possession about ten shillings, which comprised his cash capital. He left Detroit with a surveying party in 1836, working over a goodly portion of the State, and looking about him in the mean time for a suitable place to locate. He took up eighty acres in Union township, Branch county, in 1837, and for the next two years was occupied in clearing the same of the heavy timber that existed thereon. He afterwards took up the eighty acres where he has since and now resides. He has been an industrious and prudent man all his life, and now enjoys a fair competence and the respect and esteem of the people who know him best.
THE FIRST WHEAT
sowed in the township was by Eleazer McCamly, in the fall of 1833. It turned out an extremely prolific crop, yielding forty-three bushels to the acre, and was remarkably free from smut. For several seasons subsequent, however, the wheat turned out very smutty.
The first corn was also planted by the above-named gentleman in 1833. He put in an acre and a half, and had a fair average yield. He also put in the first potatoes, which turned out well.
The first orchard was planted by Cornelius Kirkendall, in 1836, on section 13, on the farm now occupied by A. Whitmore.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE
in the township was that of Milton McCamly and Lydia Nichols, which was cele- brated in the spring of 1834. All the settlement was present, and a right jolly time was enjoyed. Squire Benjamin T. Dwinell, who resided in the neighborhood of Ceresco, performed the ceremony. The parties to this interesting contract are both dead.
The first male birth was that of William, son of Horton Warren, who was born in May, 1835.
The first female child was Laura, daughter of William Adams, born in the summer of 1835.
The first death was that of Mrs. Zachariah Thomas, who died in 1837, and was interred on her husband's farm. The remains were afterwards transferred to the village burying-ground, where they now repose.
The first frame house was erected by David Dexter, on the present site of the residence of Manassah Edmunds, in 1837.
THE FIRST SAW-MILL
was erected on the St. Joseph river, in the present village of Burlington, by Wil- liam and Ansel Adams, in 1837. It remained in operation until destroyed by fire about 1850. The foundation escaped comparatively uninjured, and the same parties erected the upper portion of the present structure the same year. It passed through several hands until purchased by the present proprietors, Able, Hall & Gath.
THE FIRST GRIST-MILL
was erected by Rufus Osborn, in 1861. It is a frame structure, and has two run of stone. The property was subsequently purchased by Pierce & Hobart, who conducted the business awhile, when the present proprietor, Albert Marble, came into possession of it by purchase, and has since owned and operated it. The amount of grist of all kinds made during the year ending December 31, 1876, was fifteen thousand bushels.
THE FIRST TAVERN
was a plain unpretentious log house, erected and kept by David Dexter, on a lot of land purchased of Joseph Sanders in 1835. It stood near the present site of the Eastern hotel, in the village of Burlington, on section 24.
157
158
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The first road surveyed in Burlington of which any record exists was the " David Coddington road," which was surveyed January 16, 1835. The minutes of the survey are as follows :
" Commencing in town 4 south, of range 7 west, near or on the township line, between sections 5 and 6; thence south one hundred and sixty chains; thence south 30°, west thirty-one chains ; thence south 62º, west eighty-one chains, which takes it out of the township."
THE FIRST BRIDGE
was that over the St. Joseph, at Burlington village, in 1838, by William and Ansel Adams. It was a good, old-fashioned structure, and did duty for thirty years, until superseded by the present bridge, which was built by Luther Pierce in 1868.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school taught in Burlington was in a log school-house erected on the present site of the village, in 1837. It was taught by Miss Mary Buckingham, now the wife of B. F. Root, residing in New York State. Among the first scholars were Luther and John Pierce, Francis and Rodney McCamly, Lina Pierce, Adeline Sanders, Peter Houghtaling, Joseph Sanders, Jr., Richard and Ephraim Thomas, Cornelia Houghtaling, Roland and Charles Tyler. This school answered the requirements of the settlers until the regular organization of the school districts, which was effected on the 9th of April, 1839, as shown in the subjoined extract from the township records :
" At a meeting of the inspectors of primary schools, held April 9, 1838, pre- sent, E. A. Hayden, L. Ercanback, and Josiah Bradish. The board organized by appointing E. A. Hayden chairman for the ensuing year.
" Ordered, that the school districts shall be as follows :
" District No. 1 shall embrace sections 24, 25, 36, 23, 26, and 25; district No. 2 shall embrace sections 22, 27, 34, 21, 28, 20, 29, 32, 19, 30, and 31; district No. 3 shall embrace sections 6, 7, 18, 5, 8, and 17; district No. 4 shall embrace sections 4, 9, 16, 3, 10, and 15; district No. 5 shall embrace sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, and 14.
" All in town 4 south, of range 7 west.
" E. A. HAYDEN,
" JONAH BRADISH,
" LORENZO ERCANBACK,
"Inspectors of Schools."
CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
Burlington was organized in the winter of 1836-37, and the first township meeting for the election of township officers was held at the school-house, " near the residence of William Adams," on the 3d day of April, 1837. We quote from the township records as follows :
" The first township meeting organized by appointing Justus Goodwin, modera- tor, Otis C. Freeman, clerk, and Homer C. Hurd, Abram Kimble, Ansel I. Withey, inspectors of election.
" On motion, it was voted that there be three assessors elected.
" Voted, that the township be divided into four road districts of three miles wide, running east and west; and further, that the south two districts be divided through the centre from north to south.
" Voted, that there be two persons elected constables.
" The following persons were then duly elected to the offices opposite their ňames, viz. :
... " Justus Goodwin, supervisor ; Otis C. Freeman, township clerk ; Justis Good- win, Zelina Sanders, Moses S. Gleason, justices of the peace; William Adams, Chester Caldwell, Asa E. Phelps, assessors; Justus Goodwin, Abram Kimble, and Eleazer Donnelly, commissioners of highways; Levi Houghtaling, collector ; Otis C. Freeman, Abram Kimble, and Moses S. Gleason, school inspectors; Levi Houghtaling and David Dexter, constables ; Ansel I. Withey and Zelina Sanders, overseers of the poor ; William Pierce, Reuben Van Vleet, Sylvanus Reed, G. P. Olmstead, Horton Warren, Moses S. Gleason, were elected to the offices of over- seers of the highways and fence-viewers in their respective districts, which were numbered in the order as their names appear.
" Voted, that the township pay for a certain bridge over the Nottawa, after deducting the road-tax due from persons working on the same, out of the tax now due from non-residents, at five shillings per diem. Said bridge is in section No. 4.
" Voted, that the township raise one hundred dollars for building a bridge over the St. Joseph river, between sections 23 and 24.
" Voted, that a bounty of five dollars be allowed for the scalp of each wolf killed in this township.
" Voted, that the next township meeting be held at the house of G. P. Olmstead. Adjourned."
The supervisors, township clerks, and justices of the peace who have served the township from 1835 to 1877 inclusive, are as follows :
Supervisors .- Justus Goodwin (eight years), Homer C. Hurd (eight years), Alonzo Collins (three years), William Adams, E. A. Hayden (five years), Albert Marble, O. B. Vosburgh, Charles E. Harvey, Martin Hadsell (two years), M. S. Barton (two years), Thomas D. Johnson (four years), William D. Wood.
Clerks .- E. A. Hayden (two years), Josiah Bradish, William Adams (four years), Stephen Ladow (two years), Charles Buckingham, Levi Houghtaling (four years), Purdy P. Wood, C. W. Stanbro, Homer C. Hurd, E. N. Edmunds (five years), Ulysses S. Brewster, J. M. Leonard, Sidney D. Rodgers, Charles A. Hol- den, Solomon Haybarger, Robert L. Watkins, Earl Smith (two years), George H. Green, M.D. (two years), J. D. Spoor (two years), Dallas M. French.
Justices of the Peace .- William Adams, Rufus Cleaveland, Palmer Olmstead, E. A. Hayden (eight years), Purdy P. Wood (eight years), Justus Goodwin (eight years), Thaddeus Underwood, John Leonard, Josiah Wilcox, William Wil- lack, Charles Buckingham (eight years), Gilbert B. Murray, Charles W. Chaffer, Samuel Kinnybrook, L. B. Wells (eight years), Allen Wood, Orville B. Vosburgh (eight years), Robert S. McCoy, John M. Leonard, Stephen A. Ladow (vacancy), John D. Spoor (eight years), G. W. Rice, Benjamin C. Loomis, Alonzo Collins (three years), Jonathan Lantz (two years), Charles G. Randall (three years), Wil- liam Burlingame (two years), William S. Barton, Joseph Eddy (vacancy), J. M. French, Riley Bennett, Edgar Randall, W. S. Barton, L. B. Jenner (eight years), and present incumbent, and also two last preceding.
BURLINGTON VILLAGE.
The site of the present village of Burlington was included in the original pur- chase of William and Ansel Adams, and is located partially on sections 23 and 24, 25 and 26. It was first settled as early as 1833, but was not surveyed and laid out as a village until May, 1842. The first house erected in the village proper was by William and Ansel Adams, the proprietors, in 1838. It was a frame structure, and was used as a dwelling by them jointly.
THE FIRST STORE
was built and occupied by J. B. Tucker, in 1843. It was a small building, and con- ducted on a very limited scale. Prior to this, in 1834, Justus Goodwin had built a twelve by twelve feet shanty, which he stocked with a few remnants of goods, such as calico, ribbons, beads, whisky, etc., which he had at Ann Arbor, and traded with the Indians in this locality for furs. The noble red men used fre- quently to get gloriously drunk on Goodwin's whisky, and the hilarity caused some consternation among the female portion of the settlement. Justus Goodwin was a man of some prominence in this State, and also in Burlington township, having served for several years as agent of the State prison, and was frequently elected to offices of trust in his township. Rush, in his " Historical Directory," describes him as "a keen, shrewd, energetic, unprincipled man, who figured quite largely in public matters until the people lost confidence in him, when he left and went to Texas, where he died."
THE FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE
erected in the village was that belonging to the Baptist society, which was built in 1841.
THE FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE
was that already mentioned as having been erected in 1837, and taught by Miss Mary Buckingham.
THE FIRST BLACKSMITH
was Alexander Brockway, who came in 1842, and opened a shop in the village.
THE POST-OFFICE
at Burlington was first kept by Levi Houghtaling, who has since been succeeded by Stephen Ladow, Mr. Perry, William Niblac, E. N. Edmunds, Robert Watkins, A. L. Fox, M.D., the present incumbent. The amount of business done at the office from April 1, 1876, to April 1, 1877, was as follows : postage stamps of all denominations, $336.25 ; registered letters received, 272; forwarded, 60. It is not a money-order office.
THE FIRST TAVERN
was that kept by David Dexter, near the present site of the Eastern hotel, kept by Mr. Harvey.
INCORPORATION.
The dignity of an incorporated village was conferred upon Burlington in March, 1869, and the first meeting for the election of charter officers was held on the 31st of March of the same year. The officers elected were J. D. Spoor, presi- dent ; Earl Smith, A. H. Grattan, R. F. Watkins, trustees (for one year) ; Wil-
D.P. LEONARD
MRS. D. P. LEONARD.
RESIDENCE OF D. P. LEONARD, BURLINGTON TP, CALHOUN CO., MICH. [ NEAR UNION CITY.)
MRS. L. A. BURNELT.
FRANK BURNETT.
RESIDENCE OF FRANK BURNETT, BURLINGTON TP, CALHOUN CO., MICH,
159
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
liam Elwood, J. M. French, and Henry Smith, trustees (for two years) ; E. Randall, marshal ; J. C. Holmes, clerk (by appointment). The officers elected at the spring election, in March, 1877, were De Witt C. Able, president ; S. A. Henry, Augustus Randall, C. G. Hayden, G. R. Burleigh, Milton Engle, and Seymour N. Hall, trustees; M. H. Edmunds, marshal; George W. Spoor, clerk of the board per appointment; E. N. Edmunds, treasurer ; G. H. Green, assessor.
The village has prospered very materially since its incorporation. It now con- tains four general stores,-one drug-, one hardware-, two boot- and shoe-stores ; one saw- and one grist-mill, one shingle- and planing-factory, one canned-fruit factory, three blacksmith-shops, two carriage- and wagon-shops, an express office and a post-office, one graded school and three churches,-Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, and Seventh-Day Adventist,-two resident physicians, and a population of five hundred. The estimated amount of business transacted during the year 1876 was one hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars. The long anticipated Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan railroad, when completed, will give an impetus to the growth and prosperity of the place which will be most beneficial to its devel- opment. Situated as it is, on both sides of the St. Joseph river, it enjoys rare natural advantages, which can be largely augmented by energetic artificial im- provements. It is surrounded by a good agricultural country, which is certainly not the least of its advantages.
ABSCOTA POST-OFFICE.
The present site of the pleasant hamlet generally known as Wet Prairie, but designated as Abscota Post-office, is located on land first entered by John E. Westlake, May 24, 1834. In a short time, namely, December 1 of the same year, David Coddington purchased the land, and he in turn remained until June 1, 1836, when he sold to Abram Kimball. It was while in possession of the latter, in 1838, that the post-office was first established there, and it was kept by him for several years. It has passed through numerous hands, until at present it is kept by L. B. Wells.
THE FIRST STORE
erected here was by T. D. Johnson, in 1867. He ran the same for two years, when it passed into the possession of the present proprietor, L. B. Wells.
In 1837, immediately after the organization of the township, prior to the estab- lishment of school districts, a log school-house was erected, and designated dis- trict No. 3. It was first taught by Polly Lee, now the wife of Rodney Arnold, residing in the village of Athens.
THE FIRST BLACKSMITH
was Aaron Wells, who erected his shop on the prairie in 1839. He was suc- ceeded by his son, L. B. Wells, who erected his present extensive smithy in 1861.
THE FIRST CHURCH
was erected by the Protestant Methodists, in 1860. It is a frame structure, and is still used for the purposes for which it was built. The following year the Epis- copal Methodists erected a neat brick edifice, which they used until the erection of the Newton house of worship in 1874, when they sold the building to the school district, and it is now used as a school-house.
The present population of the hamlet is estimated at two hundred. It is located in the midst of one of the finest agricultural sections in the county.
RELIGIOUS.
The gospel was preached in the territory now embraced in the limits of the Burlington charge by the Methodist itinerant as early as A.D. 1832, by such holy men as Revs. Elijah Pilcher, E. Crane, Josiah Zimmerman, Joseph Davis, Allen Billings, William Young, John Ercanback, David Thomas, and others, the greater number of whom have gone to their reward. Their circuit included an area of territory extending from Jackson county on the east to nearly the quarter of the circuit of Calhoun County on the north to the State line on the south, including the whole of Branch county, and on the west including about one- quarter of St. Joseph county. Henry Colclaser was the first presiding elder, having been appointed in 1836. The circuit was first known as Coldwater Mis- sion. It was afterwards changed to Burlington circuit, first as a four weeks' and afterwards as a two weeks' charge, and connected with Marshall district, with Rev. Elijah Crane as presiding elder, and was traveled successively by Revs. S. A. Osborn, M. Hickey, I. Bennett, N. Fassett, O. Mason (who died before he came regularly on the charge in 1850), J. C. Abbott, Thomas H. Jacokes, T. S. Root, C. Mosher, and A. A. Dunton, when it was made a two weeks' charge and Rev. W. S. Stonex appointed to it, embracing the following appointments, viz., Burlington, Clarendon, Tekonsha, Lyon Lake, and Eckford. Then Revs. J. E. Smith and L. Lee were appointed to it. In 1857 Rev. G. D. Palmer was sent to the work, but was removed by the presiding elder, and Rev. I. Odell
appointed as his successor. In 1858 Rev. A. I. Ayres shared the fate of Mr. Palmer, and M. I. Smith filled his place. During the latter pastorate good re- vivals were enjoyed at Burlington, Tekonsha, Lyon Lake, and Eckford.
It was then again made a four weeks' circuit, and Rev. A. Billings and N. M. Steele were appointed. It consisted of Burlington, South Newton, Emmett, Tekonsha, West Girard, Clarendon, Lyon Lake, and Eckford. The following year (1860) it was changed back again to a two weeks' charge, and Rev. J. I. Buell appointed.
A large revival was enjoyed at Burlington in 1865. In 1866, Rev. G. W. Tuthill was appointed, and the church at Burlington was repaired. In 1868, Revs. M. I. Smith and J. W. Reid were appointed.
At the commencement of the conference year, September, 1870, by the joint action of the official members of Tekonsha and Emmett circuit, and of the pre- siding elder, Rev. D. D. Gillett, the Burlington class was transferred from Tekon- sha charge to that of Emmett. The name of Emmett circuit was then changed to Burlington, Emmett class having been previously separated from the circuit, and Rev. Thomas Sprague was placed in charge under the presiding elder. This change in the work made Burlington charge to consist of the following classes and appointments : Burlington, Wet Prairie, Sutherlands, Newton, and Caines. In 1874, however, Wet Prairie and Sutherlands were consolidated with Soutlı Le- roy, and made Newton class, and Caines was added to Burlington the same year.
In 1870, W. H. Ware was the pastor ; in 1871, L. M. Bennett; in 1872, A. H. Gillett; in 1873 and 1874, E. Marble; in 1875, the present incumbent, Rev. J. H. Ross.
THE BURLINGTON CHURCH
proper originated in a small class, which was formed in 1835, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Joseph Davis, in the barn of Eleazer McCamly. The first class- leader was Ansel Adams. Among those who constituted this little band were David Dexter and wife, Ansel Adams and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Sanders (the only surviving member, and now belonging to the Free-Will Baptist denomination), Richard Tuck and wife, and Mrs. E. McCamly. The same spring an immersion took place, at which David Dexter and wife and Mrs. Sanders were baptized.
The class continued to prosper, until in 1842 it was enabled to erect the pres- ent church edifice at Burlington village. The church has several times under- gone repairs, notably in 1873, when the renovation was so thorough and com- plete that it might almost be said to have been rebuilt. The charge now has a membership of one hundred and fifty.
The present officers are: Trustees, H. J. Smith, E. N. Edmunds, George Greene, Elisha Engle, and Adam Andre ; Stewards, Elisha Engle, Nelson Strong, Adam Andre, L. Barton, and Charles Miller.
There is a flourishing Sabbath-school connected with the church, which has a membership of one hundred teachers and scholars. Its superintendent is Nelson Strong.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The society of Free-Will Baptists of Burlington was organized at Burlington village in 1840, by Rev. Elder Limbacker. Among the original members were Deacon Lineus Cole and wife, Geo. W. Crandall and wife, John Gifford and wife, Mary Wood, and others.
The first church edifice of the society was erected in 1841, and dedicated the same year. It served the requirements of the congregation until June, 1874, when the present house of worship was erected, and dedicated on the 26th of August following. The Rev. R. Dunn, assisted by Rev. I. P. Bates, the present incumbent, and others, conducted the dedicatory ceremonies. The present pastor is Rev. Lewis Jones. The present officers are Charles Crandall and Jonas Hall, deacons ; Charles Crandall, D. F. Austin, B. F. Sanders, Jonas Hall, Ira Cran- dall, Daniel Sanders, and Joseph Tooley, trustees. The present membership is ninety-six.
There is a flourishing Sunday-school connected with the society. Charles Crandall is the superintendent. It has an enrollment of ten teachers and ninety scholars, and also a select Sunday-school library containing one hundred volumes. The present church edifice cost four thousand five hundred dollars, and it has an organ that cost five hundred dollars.
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