USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 63
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The year succeeding the settlement of Mr. Rich, namely, 1836, was prolific of settlers, and that too of the permanent and substantial sort. We give the names of some of the most prominent. of these pioneers :
Samuel Convis, as before stated, purchased the Rich place this year. Jabez Lamb settled at the forks of Battle creek and Wandago streams, on section 21. Samuel D. Moore put up his habitation, one of the primitive kind, on section 27. Charles McMurray and Isaac Bodine, on John Cooper's place, on section 33. In the northern part of the town, in section 4, John L. Paddock, John Wolf, and one Sanders settled and put up their log houses, one of which stands to-day a venerable landmark. Henry Parsons came in from Massachusetts the same year ; also David Bonton, who settled on section 4. W. K. Adams and his son John S. located on section 8. Barnabas Newton, from the State of New York, settled on his present farm, on section 16; John S. Halladay, on section 21; Stephen M. Aldrich, on section 23; and Samuel P. Wells, on section 25. Asa Weare, J. P. Markham, Anson Sharpsteen, Warren Joy, and Mason Morey came in 1836. The year following John S. Gifford, Eli Morey, and Rufus Wells came in. Eras- tus, William, and Orrin Marshall, Erastus Mason, and Moses Johnson came in in 1838.
Among the old pioneers still remaining are Samuel Convis, Wm. C. Fonda, Barnabas Newton, John L. Paddock, William Hicks, J. P. Markham, George Lowree, Alexander Gordon, John and Wm. Knowles, John Wolf, John S. Gifford, and the Marshalls.
THE FIRST FARM
opened in the township was by Estes Rich, in the spring of 1835. He is also rightfully accredited with having sowed the first wheat in the township, on the same farm, and in the same year. Also with having erected the first log house, . one of those primitive structures which are now giving place to the more preten- tious, if not more comfortable, dwellings.
THE FIRST WEDDING-CEREMONY
performed within the present limits of Pennfield township was at the house of Anson Sharpsteen, on section 36, in the fall of 1837: William G. Wheaton and Amanda Parker, sister of Mrs. Sharpsteen, being the happy couple. In the win- ter of the same year Thomas G. Bird and Betsey Knowles were likewise united. These two events, transpiring as they did within a brief period, having given rise to some dispute as to priority, we have taken extra trouble to ascertain the facts. We believe the above statement to be authentic.
THE FIRST FEMALE BIRTH
was that of Palmyra Wells, in February, 1836, in the old log house erected by her father, Joseph E. Wells, on section 35.
The first male birth was that of Isaac Lamb, who was born on the 22d of December, 1836.
The first death occurring in Pennfield was that of Miss Emeline Weare, the youthful daughter of Asa Weare, who died in her father's house, on section 36, in the fall of 1836.
The first demise of an adult was that of William Knowles, a member of the society of Friends, who died in the spring of 1837, and was interred in the Friends' burying-ground at Battle Creek.
THE FIRST SERMON
preached in the town was by Elder Elijah Crane, at the house of George Lowree, whose dwelling was a regular place for religious worship, in which preaching was had every four weeks, prior to the erection of a school-house. The first resident local preacher was Samuel D. Moore. The township has been supplied with preaching according to the doctrines of the Methodist persuasion, with few lapses, ever since its earliest settlement. In an early day a class was regularly formed, of which Mr. Lowree was chosen leader, which position he has held for nigh unto forty years. There has never been a church edifice erected; the commodious school-houses, being well adapted, are generally utilized for religious services.
Mr. Samuel Convis is accredited with having erected the first frame house in the township. It was a neat structure, thirty-two by twenty-two feet, and was built in the spring of 1838. He also put up the first frame barn in Pennfield. Its dimensions were thirty-two by forty-four feet. He procured his lumber from the saw-mill at Maple Grove.
The first brick house was built by Samuel D. Moore, about the year 1845, and is at present occupied by his son, G. C. Moore.
THE FIRST SCHOOL
in the township was held in a log house, erected by John Wolf as a tenant-house, in the spring of 1838. It was taught by Lucy Y. Hicks, now the wife of Daniel S. Chase. There were seven scholars, namely, George and William Raymond, Charles Paddock, and Ann, Eliza, Sophia, and Hannah M. Wolfe.
THE FIRST POST-OFFICE
established in Pennfield was kept by Lorenzo Holton, in 1852. It was subse- quently kept by John S. Adams until the construction of the Grand River Valley railroad, when it was discontinued.
A stage was run from Battle Creek to Charlotte by one Baughman about the year 1850. He carried the mail.
THE FIRST ROAD.
An examination of the earliest road docket in existence shows that the first road surveyed in the township, after its organization, was laid out July 6, 1838. The road commences 5 chains and 30 links west of the corner of sections 3, 4, 10, and 11, runs west 74 chains and 30 links on the section-line between sections 3 and 4, and ends at the corner of sections 3 and 4, 9 and 10. F. Burgess was the surveyor, Barnabas Newton, Jason Evans, and Rodney McAllister, commis- sioners of highways.
THE FIRST BLACKSMITH'S SHOP
established in the township was by Peter Pierre, a French refugee from Canada, in 1839. He came into the township in a very impecunious condition, and Messrs. R. E. Knight and William Hicks purchased tools and set him up as a blacksmith. He was an industrious man and a good workman, and paid for the tools by work for the gentlemen who assisted him so materially.
THE FIRST GRAVE-YARD
was laid out in 1837, on land donated by Ezra Convis, and by him surveyed. The first interment was that of an elderly gentleman by the name of Stewart, who was buried there in 1837.
CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
In February, 1838, a petition was presented to the legislature praying for a division of the township of Milton, it " being too extensive for election and other purposes," etc. The organization was effected April 2, 1838, and the 'name Pennfield was given the new township, in honor of the great and good William Penn, being a choice of three names suggested,-Pennfield, Springfield, and Plain- field. The first township meeting was held at the school-house in Verona village (a part of which is in Pennfield). We quote from the records of the township :
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Alexander Gordon,
Thebe C. Gordon .
E.A. SUMNER DEUM
RESIDENCE OF A. GORDON, PENNFIELD TP., CALHOUN CO., MICHIGAN.
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Harriet Le Convis
PH
Y CF
RISPE
Samuel lomis
PHOTO BY CRISPEL
Matilda Convio
RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL CONVIS, SEC. 32 PENNFIELD TP., CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
DEL
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
" According to appointment of the house of representatives of the State of Michigan, the electors of the township of Pennfield convened at the school-house in the village of Verona, for the purpose of holding their first town-meeting. On motion, John Wolf was chosen moderator, and Samuel D. Moore secretary pro tem. The chairman and secretary having sworn each other, it was duly proclaimed by the moderator that the polls of this meeting be now opened for the purpose of receiving the votes for township officers and other business of the meeting.
" Voted, to adjourn this meeting till half-past one P.M.
" Met according to adjournment, and the moderator declared the polls again open for votes.
" Then proceeded to the election of overseers of highways in the several road- districts, whereupon the following were chosen overseers for the districts as below named :
"Samuel Convis, No. 1; John L. Paddock, No. 2; William Hicks, No. 3; Rudolphus E. Knight, No. 4; Charles McMurray, No. 5; Samuel D. Moore, No. 6; Warren Joy, No. 7; George Lowree, No. 8; Andrew Vanacker, No. 9; and John Knowles, No. 10.
" It was then voted to raise the sum of forty-nine dollars and ninety cents for the appropriation of roads and bridges in the township.
" Voted, to raise fifty dollars for the relief of the township poor.
" Voted, that Charles Sentell be appointed sealer of weights and measures.
" Voted, that all path-masters shall be fence-viewers in their respective dis- tricts.
" Voted, that four and a half feet be the lawful height for fences; and that rails shall not be laid over four and a half inches apart in any fence under two and a half feet from the ground.
" Voted, that all hogs be lawful commoners.
" About five P.M. the ballot-box was turned, and, the votes being counted, it was found that there was no choice of supervisor, there being a tie between R. E. Knight and Jabez Lamb.
" John S. Gifford was elected town-clerk by a majority of one vote over Samuel D. Moore.
" Eli Morey and Henry Parsons were chosen justices of the peace; David Bouton and Henry Parsons, assessors ; John L. Pollock, Stephen M. Aldrich, and Joseph E. Wells, commissioners of highways; Eli Morey and Asa Weare, over- seers of the poor; George Lowree, collector; Elijah M. Morey and John L. Paddock, constables, Rodney McAllister, John S. Gifford, and R. E. Knight, inspectors of primary schools.
" No other choice of officers was made, and the meeting was dissolved.
S. D. Moore, Clerk pro tem.
" The above officers were all sworn and qualified except John L. Paddock, Stephen M. Aldrich, and Joseph E. Wells, chosen commissioners of highways ; John L. Paddock, elected constable; Rodney McAllister, elected school-inspector ; and Eli Morey, overseer of the poor.
J. S. GIFFORD, Township Clerk."
Owing to several of those elected failing to qualify according to law, and also to a number of tie votes, the township was not properly officered until the 8th of May following, when the complement was filled.
We hereto append a complete list of the supervisors, township clerks, and jus- tices of the peace from 1839 to 1876 inclusive.
Supervisors .- Warren Joy (three years), R. E. Knight (four years), Rodney McAllister, John W. Harris, Charles P. Baldwin (four years), John S. Adams (four years), Orrin Marshall, David Bouton (four years), Joseph P. Beach (seven years), Orlando Brown (two years), Charles C. Gould (two years), Samuel G. Gorsline (three years), present incumbent.
Clerks .- John S. Gifford (two years), R. E. Knight, J. P. Markham (four years), John S. Adams (two years), John B. Palmerston (two years), Samuel Convis, Orrin Marshall (four years), Henry Parsons, David Keeler (three years), David Bouton, George H. Rowell (two years), John W. Arnold, Richard Keeler (four years), John McAllister, Samuel G. Gorsline (three years). G. C. Hicks is the deputy town-clerk.
Justices of the Peace .- Eli Morey (one year), Henry Parsons (fifteen years), Samuel D. Moore (eleven years), William Hicks (four years), Joseph E. Wells, John S. Gifford (fifteen years), William C. Fonda, Oliver Bates, David Young, George Lowree (eight years), Ebenezer S. Jones, John L. Paddock (eight years), Oliver Bates, Calvin P. White, Simon V. Carr, Barnabas Newton, John Farliss, Charles P. Baldwin, Orlando Brown, David Keeler, C. P. White, Moses Rowell, Orrin Marshall, Charles H. Marvin, Benjamin Keeler, Hiram Conover, George H. Williams, Matthew R. Taylor, Asa Hoyt, William M. Lee, Philo Boswick, Robert B. Watts (eight years), Charles H. Marvin, George S. Sterling (eight
years), Edmund Sutton, Solomon S. Hicks, Richard S. Pool, Joseph B. Watts, George C. Hicks, Joseph P. Beach (eight years, and present incumbent, and the two last preceding).
PENNFIELD GRANGE, NO. 85, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
At a meeting of several prominent farmers of Pennfield township, at the Hicks school-house, on the 6th of October, 1873, a farmers' grange, designated "Grange No. 85," was organized, with the following charter members:
G. C. Hicks, Richard Keeler, W. N. Woodworth, Barnabas Newton, E. M. Brown, E. H. Hicks, Caleb Garrett, Carolus H. Burtch, M. F. Johnson, S. E. Woodworth, Andrew Huguesine, Calvin P. White, J. Y. Hicks, R. S. Pool, Marvin Cannon, and their wives, and John W. Adams. The first officers, elected at this meeting, were Master, Silas E. Woodworth; Overseer, Calvin P. White; Lecturer, R. S. Pool; Steward, E. H. Hicks; Assistant Steward, W. N. Wood- worth; Chaplain, M. K. Johnson; Treasurer, John Y. Hicks; Secretary, Richard Keeler; Gate-keeper, E. M. Brown; Ceres, Mrs. E. H. Hicks; Pomona, Mrs. J. Y. Hicks; Flora, Mrs. E. M. Brown; Lady Assistant Steward, Mrs. C. G. Hicks.
The election of officers at the annual meeting, held December 29, 1876, re- sulted as follows:
Master, Richard S. Pool; Overseer, C. P. White; Lecturer, Mrs. Wm. Mor- gan; Steward, E. H. Hicks; Assistant Steward, Alson F. Mead; Chaplain, Wil- liam Morgan; Treasurer, Ransom C. Pool; Secretary, G. C. Hicks; Gate-keeper, Silas E. Woodworth; Ceres, Miss R. C. Pool; Pomona, Miss Ada C. Hicks; Flora, Mrs. Louisa L. Evans; Lady Assistant Steward, Mrs. Margaret Hicks. The grange is in a generally flourishing and prosperous condition, its member- ship having increased in three years from thirty-one to eighty-three, the present enrollment.
MEMORANDA.
Among other similar records we find the subjoined, and, as it is a fair criterion of the general feeling of the voters of the township during the rebellion, it will doubtless be of interest ; at least, it deserves to be handed down in the pages of history as a sample of the lasting patriotism of the people of Pennfield township.
" At a special meeting held at the Joy school-house, August 16, 1864, Charles H. Marvin and Joseph P. Beach having been duly sworn as inspectors of elec- tion, and Richard Keeler as clerk thereof, the polls were declared open; but before any votes were received the following resolution was presented before the meeting, viz. :
" Resolved, That we vote to raise fifteen hundred dollars to pay one hundred dollars to each man who may have been credited, or who may enlist and be ac- cepted, or furnish a substitute to fill the quota for the town of Pennfield, on the last call for volunteers ; and those voting to raise the money will vote for Bounty Fund YES, and those opposed will vote for Bounty Fund NO ; and that the town- ship board be authorized to issue bonds, payable on the 1st day of February, 1866, as provided for in the 'State bounty clause.'"
The whole vote polled was 53, and, to the honor and patriotism of the voters be it said, there was not a dissenting vote.
FIRST IMPROVED MACHINERY.
The first thrasher was brought into Pennfield by William Hicks, in 1850. The first reaper and mower was introduced by Alexander Gordon, on the east side of the creek, and by Samuel Convis on the west side of the creek, in 1861. Several were brought in about the same time, by different persons ; nearly every prominent farmer recognized their utility and purchased one.
STREAMS IN PENNFIELD TOWNSHIP.
The township of Pennfield is watered by Battle creek, which runs through sections 32 and 28, and in section 21 joins the Wanandoger creek, which tra- verses the rest of the township, from section 21 to section 4, northerly. From its juncture with the latter stream Battle creek runs northeasterly through sec- tions 22, 23, 13, and 12, leaving the township on the eastern border of the latter. The north and west parts of the township are watered by Bear lake and St. Mary's lake, while in various other parts of the township are lakes of lesser magnitude.
Among the prominent farmers of Pennfield are Alexander Gordon, Samuel Convis, William C. Fonda, J. B. Holcomb, J. P. Markham, C. P. White, J. Cooper, A. Sharpstein.
We are pleased to acknowledge the receipt of many courtesies and favors in the compilation of the history of Pennfield, from William Hicks, Samuel Convis, Barnabas Newton, Alexander Gordon, and others.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
MATTHEW ATMORE.
PHOTO. BY CRISPELL.
MRS. MATTHEW ATMORE.
MATTHEW ATMORE
was born in the year 1796, in the town of Foulden, county of Norfolk, England. He remained on his father's farm until 1823, when, in August of that year, he married, and started at farming on his own account, which he continued to do for the next twenty years, in his native land. In 1843 he had to succumb to re- peated misfortunes, and became bankrupt. Then, finding all hopes of retrieving his fallen fortunes futile, he emigrated to " the land of the free and the home of the brave," where, by industry and perseverance, he knew he could succeed. Ac- companied by his wife and eleven children, he embarked at London, on the 13th of March, 1843, and landed in New York on the 10th of April following. His wife fell sick on the voyage, so that on landing she had to be conveyed to the hospital, where her husband stayed by her until she recovered. In the mean time the children were sent on with Mr. Henry Holmes, a friend of the family, who settled in Michigan also.
After his wife's convalescence they started for Detroit, where they arrived in due time. There he hired a man and team to bring the baggage to Marshall, himself and the boys coming with it, and his wife and the girls on the cars as far as Jackson, and thence to Marshall by stage. He rented a farm of J. D. Pierce, who resided at Ceresco, but did not succeed as a renter, except in all of the family getting the ague, and expending what little they made for quinine and calomel. He next purchased a farm of eighty acres, being the east half of the north- west quarter of section 34, in the township of Pennfield. He was under obliga- tions to a Quaker brother in England for the money with which to make the purchase.
He moved on to the farm in the spring of 1845, and went earnestly to work to clear up the land. He had nothing but an ox-team, which they found difficult
to manage, not being conversant with a " blue beech" and " haw and gee." He was obliged to go to work on the railroad, placing the mud-sills on the bed of the road, himself and team receiving twelve shillings a day. He paid a dollar and a half a week for board, which consisted principally of johnny-cake, of which he was not passionately fond, so to speak. It was very hard indeed for the first two or three years, but by persevering industry and a firm belief in the trite old say- ing that "good pluck makes good luck," he overcame the difficulties and hard- ships which all beginners in a new country experience, and has gradually but surely succeeded. He has paid his debts, fitted up good buildings, added stock, etc., to the farm, and now lives comfortably.
Early in life Mr. Atmore was an Episcopalian, but at the age of twenty-five he joined the Methodist church, and for twenty years in England was an esteemed local preacher. He has officiated also in that capacity in America at different times. In politics, he is a Republican, although for the first few years after be- coming a citizen of the United States he voted with the Democracy. He saw the error of his ways, and, like a sensible man and a good citizen, turned from them.
In October, 1866, he, in company with Mr. Thomas Knight, of Ceresco, made a trip to England, and, after a sojourn of six months, returned again to the home of their adoption. In 1871 he went to California, and paid a visit to each of his three sons who reside there. In July, 1875, he went, to see two of his daughters who live in Nebraska, and a son who has settled in Missouri.
Mr. Atmore is now eighty-one years of age, and, up to within a few months, has enjoyed excellent health. Having lived a temperate life, and having served his Master faithfully, he enjoys the hope of that blissful life beyond the grave. He has fulfilled the scriptural injunction, " Be fruitful and multiply," for he has now living eleven children, fifty-four grandchildren, and twenty-one great-grand- children, a total of eighty-six souls.
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Josepin. @ Markharn
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Delila
Markham
RESIDENCE OF J. P. MARKHAM, PENNFIELD TP, CALHOUN CO., MICH.
*
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
SAMUEL CONVIS.
Among those intimately identified with the early growth and subsequent develop- ment of Battle Creek and its vicinity, none deserve more honorable mention than does he of whom we write. Indeed, we feel as though no history of Calhoun County would be complete without a somewhat extended notice of the subject of this sketch. Coming here as he did when there were but three or four log cabins on the present site of the city of Battle Creek, and when a hewn log house constituted the grandest architectural monument of the future city, and having lived here and assisted in the growth and progress of the city for many years prior to assuming the ownership and management of an extensive farm, to him certainly is due the honor of being classed among the most prominent pioneers of the county.
Samuel Convis was born in Vermont, December 18, 1808. When quite a child his parents removed to Chautauqua county, New York, and settled on a farm, where he first learned those habits of industry and self-reliance which have been largely instrumental in his subsequent success.
At the age of twenty-one Mr. Convis married Miss Matilda Gage, who was born May 4, 1811, at Winfield, Herkimer county, New York. They had five children born to them, of whom three survive. Charles Bradley was born March 23, 1831; Manley D. was born May 12, 1832, and died October 4, 1838; Caroline M. was born November 19, 1835 ; Sarah L. was born March 7, 1837, died May 30, 1838; Ann A. was born February 15, 1839; Samuel A. was born February 8, 1846. On the 22d of August, 1860, Mr. Convis sustained the loss of his estimable wife, who was in every respect a worthy partner in his early struggles, and a sharer in all his trials and cares. She was a dutiful and loving wife, a fond mother, a firm friend, and a steadfast Christian. Respected by a numerous circle of friends, her death was keenly felt as an irreparable loss alike to her family and relatives, and to the community in which the major portion of her exemplary life had been passed.
On the 14th of February, 1861, Mr. Convis married again, this time choosing Mrs. Harriet L. Bliss, daughter of Mr. John Forshey, a respected resident of Ross township, this county. This union has been blessed with one son,-Carlton Ezra, -who was born August 12, 1874.
Mr. Convis has been honored with several offices of trust, both in the township in which he first settled (the original township of Milton) and that in which he has resided for more than forty years. His trusts have always been honorably fulfilled, for in his public as well as in his private transactions a sense of high honor and unswerving integrity have been among his most prominent character- istics. Beginning life with comparatively nothing, by a strict application to his business, and by a commendable industry and sensible economy, he has accumu- lated a fair competence both for himself and children. He now owns a fine farm and a comfortable residence, and enjoys that which is eminently better than wealth, -the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and the conscious pride that the knowledge of having lived a just and useful life always insures.
J. P. MARKHAM.
This gentleman was born at Enfield, Hartford county, Connecticut, September 29, 1813. His parents were poor, but highly respectable; but respectability, when not accompanied by wealth, does not insure advantages, such as education and intellectual culture, so that the subject of this sketch never received any considerable amount of book-knowledge; but, being a genuine Yankee, he ac- quired a large amount of practical experience, which in the end is a good substi- tute for extensive educational acquirements. When but seven years old his father died, and his mother (who still survives in New York, aged ninety years) being unable to support the family, the boys were bound out to different persons, who gave them homes, and generally agreed to teach them a trade. The selectmen of the town board bound young J. P. out to a man by the name of Caleb Jones, who proved a hard master, and used every kind of severity towards him, until, after enduring his cruelty for seven years, he ran away and worked around in one place and another for about a year, and then went into western New York, locating finally in Genesee county (now Wyoming county). Here he learned the grain-cradle manufacturing trade, at which he worked for a number of years, until he had accumulated two or three hundred dollars. In the fall of 1835 he removed to Michigan, then a territory, and located one hundred and sixty acres of land in town 1, north of range 7 west, and went to farming. On the 10th of May, 1836, he got married, and erected his log house, and then went to work clearing and improving his farm, having moved on to it the day he was twenty- three years old. He worked hard, and broke up the land and fenced his farm. They raised five children, one son and four daughters, and all went happily along
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