USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 62
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VIEW ON NORTH FARM. DAVID GOULD.
BUILDINGS & VIEW ON EAST FARM OF DAVID GOULD
HOME FARM AND RESIDENCE OF DAVID GOULD, (GENERAL VIEW ), NEWTON TP., CALHOUN CO., MICH.
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CHESTER UNDERWOOD
MRS. S. A. UNDERWOOD.
RESIDENCE OF CHESTER R. UNDERWOOD, NEWTON TP, CALHOUN Co., MICHIGAN.
NEWTON TOWNSHIP.
THIS township is known in the old United States survey as town 3 south, of range 7 west. It did not settle as rapidly as did some of the neighboring town- ships, for the reason that it contained a considerable quantity of thickly-timbered openings. It was quite natural that the early settlers should select land that could be the easiest cultivated for their homes. The township is principally watered by the Nottawa creek, and there is no place within the limits of the town where there is sufficient fall for mills. The stream is noted only for the abundance of fish it contains, and the excellent marsh-hay cut upon its borders.
The first settlers came mostly from western New York, and, with very few ex- ceptions, possessed barely means enough to purchase their land and the necessary farming implements and provisions. They were of an intelligent and hardy class, however, and came generally with a determination to succeed, and they accom- plished the object they had in view admirably.
The first white settler in the township was Granville Beardslee, who came, ac- companied by his wife and two daughters, in the fall of 1834, from Rochester, New York. He settled in the northeast corner of the township, on sections 1 and 12. He purchased three hundred and sixty acres of land at government price (one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre), which he converted into a fine farm. He was a carpenter, having learned the trade in Rochester. He first erected a board shanty. Of Mr. Beardslee's family, his wife died March 20, 1847; his daughter, Harriet, died August 9, 1843; Elizabeth, the oldest daugh- ter, married Mr. John Lowell, and subsequently removed to Denison, Iowa, where she was living when last heard from. Caroline, now the widow of Charles Cam- eron, resides in Marshall. Mr. Beardslee lived on his farm until 1864, when he moved to Battle Creek, where he died in 1867.
Jeremiah and Asa Woodward came in 1835, and settled on section 3. Asa removed to Emmett, and Jerry remained on the old farm.
George Smith located on the north line of the town as early as 1835, and his sons, Stephen, George, and Henry, all located fine farms in the same neighbor- hood. John and George Cameron came from Livingston county, New York, in the fall of this year, and located on section 17.
The year 1836 was extremely prolific of settlers to the township. We here append a list of those coming in this year, as nearly complete as possible to pro- cure, together with the sections on which they located.
Benjamin Chamberlin located on section 15 in July, 1836, and bought the second frame house in the township in 1837. In the spring of the latter year he commenced to improve his farm by clearing and plowing fifteen acres, and sow- ing ten acres of it to wheat. He came from Le Roy, Genesee county, New York, accompanied by his wife and four-months'-old daughter, who is now the wife of William A. Coles, of Marshall. He arrived in Marshall on the 8th of September. He there built a house, in company with Charles Dickey (now Judge Dickey), on the lot now occupied by the residence of the latter gentleman. Here he went into the shoe business,-the mechanical part of the business we believe,-and remained there and on his farm alternately until 1859, when he moved his family on to his place in Newton, where he has since resided. He has always taken a commendable interest in matters pertaining to the development and improvement of the township, and is among its few remaining pioneers. In 1841 he planted a large orchard, and has since been largely engaged in the cultivation of fruit, in which he has been remarkably successful.
Moses S. Gleason came this year from Monroe county, New York, and settled on section 14. He was a man whose name figures conspicuously in the municipal history of the township. He held several important offices, which he filled hon- estly and well. He died several years ago, and his widow lived on the farm until her death, in 1873. The farm is now occupied by their son, E. A. Gleason. Asa E. and Henry Phelps came from Livingston county, New York. The for- mer died in 1840, and the widow remained on the old homestead for many years. .
Stephen Graham came from Orleans county, New York, and located on the ex- treme western border of the township, on section 7. He was a man possessed of an iron constitution, of great energy, and, as a matter of course, he soon made for himself and family a comfortable home. He died on his farm, in the summer of 1868. Many who survive him will remember the generous hospitality which he extended to every one who chanced to come under his roof. John Pearl, his son-in-law, came at or about the same time, and located an adjoining lot. He,
too, was a man of great force and energy. He improved his own farm, and as sisted others in clearing theirs. He sold out in 1848, to David Gould, who now occupies the place. He subsequently settled in Marshall, where he settled the A. T. Varey place, and afterwards to South Battle Creek, and finally to Emmett, where he died, in March, 1868.
J. Wright Esmund settled on section 7; M. Brinninstool, on section 8; R. B. Young, on section 25; James Dowling, on section 31; J. C. Osborn, on section 3; Daniel Merrill, on section 15.
Among the prominent settlers coming into the township in 1837 were Chris- topher Fisher, from Orleans county, New York, who settled on section 6, and still resides there, and Elijah Root, who came from Bedford, Wayne county, Michigan.
In 1838, Lemuel Downs came in and settled on the west half of section 1, now owned by J. H. Allen. In 1839, John Van Vleet, a good practical farmer and citizen, came in and settled on section 29.
In 1840, George R. Merchant settled on section 19.
From 1840 to 1877 immigration has been steady. Changes have been fre- quently made among the living, while death has done its share in depleting the township of old pioneers.
THE FIRST FARM
was opened by Granville Beardslee, in the spring of 1834. He sowed the first wheat, planted the first corn, and set out the first orchard in the township, from which he grew the first apples, peaches, and other fruit.
THE FIRST LOG HOUSE
was erected by Elizur Donnelly, in 1834. It was of hewn logs, and stood for many years. The first frame house was built by Granville Beardslee, in 1835 ; as also was the first frame barn, the year following. He, being a carpenter, did the work himself, with the assistance of his neighbors at the raising of the re- spective buildings.
THE FIRST IMPROVED STOCK
was brought into the township by Harvey Smith, in 1836. He came from Liv- ingston county, New York, and brought with him from that county horses, cattle, and hogs, of improved grades. He was an active, energetic, and enterprising citizen, and died on his farm, on section 17, many years since.
THE FIRST FEMALE BIRTH
in the township was that of Caroline, daughter of Granville Beardslee, who was born May 1, 1835. The first male birth was that of Henry Martin, son of Asa E. Phelps, who was born July 15, 1837, and when about ten years of age removed to Northampton, Massachusetts.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE
was celebrated in the fall of 1839, the parties to this interesting contract being Abijah Mack and Miss Alzinia Oakley. The ceremony was performed by Moses S. Gleason, Esq. They removed to Otrato, Mitchell county, Iowa, in 1854.
The first death was that of Bridge Wakefield, who was accidentally killed by a load of lumber, which he had got from the Mann saw-mill, in Athens, which was then operated by Amos Stone. Not returning to his home in Marshall as soon as expected, his wife sent their son, C. B. Wakefield, and their hired man, with a team, in search of him. He was found four days after the accident, quite dead. The horses were barely alive, having subsisted on the grass and the foliage of the trees within their reach. Jeremiah and Asa Woodward, Hiram Harper, and John Van Mocke assisted in extricating the body from the lumber, and pro- ceeded with the remains and team to Marshall. This event cast a gloom over the little community more lasting than if the " grim monster" had visited them in a natural manner.
THE FIRST GRAVE-YARD.
The first place regularly laid off for a burying-place was on section 16, on school-land purchased of the State, at five dollars an acre, in 1838. The first interment in it was that of Johnny, the two-year-old son of Michael Brinninstool, the same year.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP.
In order to present a sort of chronological arrangement in the preparation of
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
this history of Newton, it is now necessary to consider the circumstances attending its erection. Newton was originally included in Burlington township, which con- tained the whole of the territory now embraced in towns 3 and 4 south, of range 7 west. During the session of the State legislature in 1837-38 several citizens of Burlington petitioned that body for a division of the township, alleging that they found it, as then constituted, inconvenient for election and other purposes. Those signing the petition were Benjamin Chamberlin, Moses S. Gleason, Gran- ville Beardslee, Daniel Merrill, Stephen J. Smith, Elizur Donnelly, and James Dowling. In their petition they sent in three names, one of which they requested might be given to the new township. The names forwarded were Bedford, New- ton, and Greenfield, all places in Massachusetts, from the former of which Mr. Chamberlin came, and with the other two he was quite familiar. The legislature acted on the matter favorably, and selected Newton as the name of the township.
The first township meeting was held at the house of Daniel Merrill, on the first Monday in April, 1838, of which Elizur Donnelly was chosen moderator, and Daniel Merrill clerk. The township officers elected at this meeting were- Stephen Graham, supervisor ; Daniel Merrill, township clerk ; Granville Beards- lee, James Dowling, and John Pearl, assessors; Elizur Donnelly, Stephen Graham, and Myron Reed, commissioners of highways; Elijah Root, Moses S. Gleason, and William Eastman, inspectors of primary schools ; Elijah Root and Asa E. Phelps, overseers of the poor ; Henry W. Donnelly, collector and con- stable ; John Pearl, Isaac C. Osborn, Asa E. Phelps, Ambrose M. Phelps, and James Rowe, overseers of highways and fence-viewers ; Ambrose M. Phelps, jus- tice of the peace for four years, Jonathan F. Noble for three years, Moses S. Gleason for two years, and James Dowling for one year.
" Voted, to raise twenty-five dollars for the support of the poor.
" Voted, to raise twenty-five dollars for the purpose of erecting a bridge near the residence of William Eastman.
" Voted, to adjourn this meeting to the same place on the first Monday in April next.
"DANIEL MERRILL, Clerk."
We annex a list of the supervisors, township clerks, and justices of the peace who have served the township from 1839 to 1877, as follows :
Supervisors .- R. B. Young (two years), Moses S. Gleason, Stephen Graham (two years), John Pearl (three years), John Van Vleet (four years), Chauncey P. Drake, Thomas D. Fletcher (three years), Simeon Baker (three years), Ru- dolphus Sanderson (nine years), Horatio J. Hendryx, Francis Francisco, C. R. Underwood, Daniel E. Dibble (two years), present incumbent.
Township Clerks .- Daniel Merrill (three years), Wright J. Esmond (four years), William Elwood, John Van Vleet, Burr Mitchell (three years), David S. Treadwell (two years), E. P. Drake (two years), Lorenzo Love, Simeon Baker (three years), Reuben White, Alonzo B. Treadwell (two years), William A. Root (four years), Gardner A. Kelley, Henry J. Carnes, William H. Flanders (three years), Silas H. Lynn, Asa E. Gleason (three years), George A. Cameron, Henry S. Pettingill, W. W. Blackett.
Justices of the Peace .- James Dowling (four years), William Eastman (four years), Moses S. Gleason (twelve years), Harvey Smith, John Pearl (eight years), A. N. Crawford, John Van Vleet, Benjamin Chamberlin (twenty-eight years, 1877), William Morton, Harvey Smith, David S. Treadwell, B. S. Knight, Harvey Talmage, Horatio P. Chase, Michael Brinninstool, Aaron G. Hudson, William Elwood, Sardius Blodgett (nine years), Elizur Donnelly, Jonathan M. Weed, Simeon Baker (eight years), Adoniram J. Pettingill (five years), Alonzo B. Tread- well, Ira Banta, David Gould, William A. Root, Ferdinand Treadwell, Andrew H. Phelps, John C. Foster (six years), John M. Weed, H. S. Sanders, James Latta, Jarvis L. Sutherland (eight years), Fulton Hurd, Hugh S. Sutherland, David Gould, Gardner A. Kelley, David Woodward, Charles Hilliker (eight years), 1877, and Clark Lowell.
SCHOOLS.
The early settlers of Newton, like those of other places, evinced a strong interest in the establishment of educational facilities for their children. We have no records at hand to show precisely when the first school was taught or by whom, but the school records of the township show that the township was divided and districted for school purposes in 1838. The officers of the first meeting held in the spring of that year were Elijah Root, Moses S. Gleason, and William East- man. Three districts were organized, and composed of the following sections, viz. :
District No. 1 included sections 4, 5, and 6, with the exception of the east half of the southwest quarter of the latter, also section 7, excepting the northwest quarter of the same; also sections 8, 9, 17, 18, and 19, with the exceptions of the northeast quarter of section 9 and the east half of section 19; also section 20. District No. 2, comprising sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, with the excep-
tions of the north half of sections 11 and 12 and the half of the southeast quarter of section 11.
District No. 3 contained sections 25, 26, 27, 24, 23; also 22, excepting the southeast quarter of the latter ; also sections 13 and 14 and the east half of the southeast half of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 15 ; and the south half of sections 11 and 12, with the exception of the west half of the southwest quarter of section 11.
The school inspectors are M. S. Gleason and Elijah Root. D. Merrill is the clerk. In 1840 the number of scholars attending the schools was as follows : District No. 1, between the ages of five and seventeen, 23 ; under five and over seventeen, 3. District No. 2, between five and seventeen, 10; under five and over seven- teen, 14. Joint district 2 and 3, between five and seventeen, 15; under five and over seventeen, 1. District No. 4 (organized 1839), between five and seven- teen, 6. Total in township, 57.
The first district school-house erected in the township was in district No. 1, built in 1839. It was a frame structure, twenty-two by twenty-six feet, with twelve- feet posts. The old house has been replaced by the present commodious building, which stands on the same lot, on the southwest corner of section 9.
RELIGIOUS.
The early settlers of Newton were very regular attendants of public worship. The Presbyterians predominated, the Methodists next, and there were a few Bap- tists. All met together, and sectarianism was seldom broached in their public or private circles. Prof. Eastman and Deacon Daniel Merrill were very zealous and active in procuring and giving religious instruction. Their Sunday-schools and Bible-classes were well attended. The meetings were usually held in the school- houses, after such existed, and previously in private dwellings.
THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY
was organized in May, 1840, under the pastoral labors of Rev. Joseph Morton.
The first deacons were Daniel Merrill and William Eastman. The original members were Daniel Merrill, Wm. Eastman and wife, Hulda Merrill, Maria Merrill, A. H. Phelps, Asa E. Phelps and wife, Martin Phelps and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Butler, Granville Beardslee and wife, E. Donnelly and wife, Mary A. Don- nelly, John Fredlinburgh, Mrs. David Jagger, and Mrs. Lemuel Downs. The church continued to prosper until now, after having been united with the church at Fredonia. It has a large membership. The accessions under different pas- torates have been,-under Rev. James Verney, 11 ; under Rev. James Campbell, 18; under Rev. Wm. String, the incumbent pastor, 13. Worship is held in the school-house in Newton, in section 13.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
Preaching by the Methodists was had as early as 1840, but no regular organi- zation existed prior to 1869, when a class was formed, of which H. S. Sutherland was the first class-leader. The constituent members of the class were H. G. Suth- erland and wife, Anthony Ten Eyck and wife, Sarah Ten Eyck, Mary J. Carr, Mrs. Emily Sutherland, William Swartwout and wife, W. Schroot, Joseph Still- well, A. Stillwell, Mrs. Cornelia Williams, Augustus Gould and wife, Jeremiah Hardenburgh and wife, Jane Hardenburgh, Parmelie Williams, and Loren A. Blanchard ; in all twenty members.
In 1874 the class was organized into a church society, and a neat frame edifice surmounted with a handsome steeple was erected. Its dimensions are thirty-two by forty-eight feet, and its cost was three thousand dollars ; it will comfortably seat one hundred and sixty. It was dedicated on the 18th of November of the same year. The dedicatory exercises were conducted by Rev. Mr. McCarthy, of Jackson, other clergymen being present. The present membership is thirty-seven. There have been nine members added under the pastorate of the Rev. J. H. Ross, the present incumbent. The Sunday-school connected with the church was or- ganized in April, 1875, and the superintendent is Charles B. Lowell. The num- ber of teachers and scholars is fifty-four. Church society and Sabbath-school are both in a flourishing condition.
THE FIRST ROAD
running through the township was laid out in April, 1837. It was the road running from Marshall to Centreville, St. Joseph county. It traversed Newton from section 13, on the east side of the township, to section 32, in the southern part of the same. It was surveyed by M. C. Keith, assisted by Sylvanus Reed, Benjamin Chamberlin, Myron Reed, and others. The commissioners were Abra- ham Kimble and Elizur Donnelly.
THE FIRST BRIDGE
was built in pursuance of the following vote, passed at the first township meet- ing : " Voted, that twenty-five hundred dollars be raised for the purpose of
HOUSE ERECTED 1837.
RESIDENCE OF BENJAMIN CHAMBERLIN, SEC. 15. NEWTON TP, CALHOUN CO, MICH.
JOHN POTTER, NEWTON TP.
MARTHA E. POTTER. NEWTON TP.
ELIJAH ROOT, NEWTON TP.
HENRY FRANCISCO. NEWTON TP.
EMELINE FRANCISCO. NEWTON TP.
.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
building a bridge across the Nottawa creek, near the residence of William East- man." It was a primitive log structure, built in 1838; but it served the pur- poses of the inhabitants, for there was not very much travel in those days.
THE FIRST POST-OFFICE AND MAIL ROUTE
was established in September, 1839. Moses S. Gleason was appointed the first postmaster. John Hogan, of Centreville, was the first mail-carrier, whose route extended from that place to Marshall. He first used a pair of horses and wagon, and subsequently established a regular stage route, in 1868, with a genuine old- fashioned stage and four. He was of Hibernian extraction, and oftentimes amused the passengers and people with his Irish witticisms. He will be pleasantly remembered by many as a genial, rough-and-ready sort of an individual, a careful driver, and an honest man.
Daniel S. Culver kept the office in 1857 ; and the present postmaster is Richard W. Elwood.
THE TRADES.
There have never been any mills or extensive manufactories in Newton, but the principal trades were represented at an early day. We find that the first set- tler, Granville Beardslee, was also the first carpenter ; that J. Wright Esmond was the first cooper ; and the first blacksmith was Nathaniel Odell. These all worked more or less at their respective trades, and were good artisans generally.
THE FIRST STORE
was started by and kept in the house of Richard W. Elwood, on section 21, at an early day. He brought in a stock of goods, consisting of groceries and notions, and retailed them to the settlers. He had the now familiar placard "Terms Cash" in a conspicuous place over his door, and he generally adhered to that rule.
One of the cherished institutions of Newton is its grange, of which we give a brief history, as follows:
HOME GRANGE, NO. 129,
was organized on the 24th of November, 1873. Its charter members were R. Sanderson, C. B. Knight, D. M. Graham, J. L. Sutherland, A. F. Johnson, W. G. Hyland, C. W. Cary, J. A. Weed, C. Cary, C. Fisher, L. Hurd, W. P. Taming, F. Francisco, William Stomard, A. E. Gleason, C. E. Foster, H. S. Sutherland, George Cameron, O. W. Root, W. A. Root, W. G. Carnes, P. Jen- ney, L. Talmage, and their wives, C. Northrop, and G. Knight. The first officers were: Master, R. Sanderson ; Overseer, J. A. Weed ; Lecturer, C. B. Knight ; Steward, J. L. Sutherland; Assistant Steward, C. H. Northrop; Chaplain, C. Cary (resigned, and H. S. Sutherland appointed); Treasurer, George Cameron; Secre- tary, A. F. Johnson; Gate-keeper, C. M. Cary; Ceres, Mrs. C. B. Knight; Pomona, Mrs. A. F. Johnson ; . Flora, Mrs. R. Sanderson ; Lady Assistant Steward, Mrs. J. A. Weed.
The officers elected at the last annual meeting (1877) were: Master, A. E. Gleason ; Overseer, C. H. Northrop; Lecturer, Mrs. A. P. Talmage ; Steward, A. P. Talmage ; Assistant Steward, A. P. Gleason ; Treasurer, Wm. A. Root ; Secretary, George A. Cameron ; Gate-keeper, O. W. Root; Ceres, Mrs. Mary Root; Pomona, Mrs. A. P. Gleason; Flora, Mrs. G. Knight ; Lady Assistant Steward, Mrs. G. A. Cameron. The grange is well officered, and in a prosperous condition.
NOTE .- We tender acknowledgments to Messrs. Benj. Chamberlin, George Cameron, Mrs. Elizabeth Cameron, of Marshall, and others, for assistance in the compilation of the history of the township.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
BENJAMIN CHAMBERLIN.
This gentleman, now one of the oldest pioneers in Newton township, was born in Bedford, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, June 22, 1806. At the age of thirteen he was apprenticed to the shoemaking trade, and, after attaining his majority, worked as a journeyman in the State until October, 1829, when he removed to Livingston county, New York, and in the following spring to Le Roy, Genesee county, New York, and there commenced the boot and shoe business, and remained in that place until 1836. Three years previous he married Miss Calista B. Brown, of Litchfield, Connecticut, at Le Roy. In the spring of that year he sold out his stock of goods, and made the necessary arrangements to emigrate to Michigan. In July he came and located his farm and other lands at the land- office at Kalamazoo. Before returning for his family he contracted with Joseph Ames and Harman Neale, of Marengo, to meet him at Detroit on the 3d of Sep- tember of the same year, with teams and covered wagons, to remove his family and household goods to Marshall. On the 28th of August he and his family left Le Roy with teams for Buffalo, where they arrived on the second morning after starting. There they embarked on the steamer "Columbus," Captain Walker commanding, and, after a rough passage on the lake, arrived on the third day out at Detroit. There they found Messrs. Ames and Neale, and after weighing their goods they loaded up and started on their journey to Marshall. The weather was fine, and the roads were tolerably good, so that they arrived at their destination on the fourth day. They paid their teamsters four dollars per hundred pounds for bringing in their goods, leather, provisions, etc. At four o'clock P.M. on Sep- tember 8, 1836, they went into the house, on Green street, that Mr. C. had rented of Dr. A. L. Hays on his former visit, paying his rent in advance in order to secure the house, as dwellings were not very plentiful in those days. He occupied a part of this house until October, by which time the new house he had erected, in company with Wm. C. Dickey, now probate judge of this county, was ready for occupancy.
He opened a boot and shoe shop on the corner of Main and Eagle streets, and remained there until March, 1837, when he moved into the building now occu- pied by Andrew Watson. He continued in business there until July 1 of the same year, when he moved on the farm he now occupies in Newton township.
Mr. C. has been elected justice of the peace a number of times, and has held various other township offices, which he has filled honestly and well. He is a good practical farmer, and a man generally well posted. An illustration of his residence and farm can be seen elsewhere in this work.
PENNFIELD TOWNSHIP.
THE first step towards the settlement of this township was taken in 1831, by Albert H. Smith, who, on the 10th of December of that year, entered a tract of land, a portion of which is now occupied by Colonel William C. Fonda, who took up his permanent residence thereon in the year 1836. This constitutes a part of section 29. Mr. Smith never became an actual settler, being an early settler and then a resident of Climax. In 1834, Avery Lamb and Ezra Convis entered land in this township, and the year following the first actual settlement was made by Estes Rich, who was undoubtedly the first white settler in the town- ship. He came in from Massachusetts, and possessed many fine qualities, and was in every respect admirably adapted to become the pioneer of a new settle- ment. He first settled at or near the present city of Marshall in 1831, and in the spring of 1835 he broke the first ground on the farm now, and since 1836, owned and occupied by Samuel Convis. He tilled thirty acres that season, twenty of which he put to wheat. He sold the place, which is a part of section 32, to Mr. Convis in 1836, receiving therefor one thousand dollars. Mr. Rich removed to Barry county, where he resided until his removal to Kansas in 1872, where he is still living.
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