USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 64
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until the 9th of August, 1847, when his wife died. After mourning her loss for nearly two years, on the 30th of June, 1849, he married again, and raised a second family of five children-one daughter and four sons. He continued to farm to the best of his ability, and had a fair average success. In the winter of 1850 he began to deal in patent rights, at which he worked during nearly every succeeding winter, attending to his farming during the summer months. He has been emi- nently successful in his patent-right transactions, always endeavoring to get hold of and to introduce a useful article.
Mr. Markham has held several township offices, all of which he has filled honestly and well. He deservedly enjoys the respect of the community in which he resides, and is generally considered a good neighbor and a reliable business man. (See illustrations.)
ALEXANDER GORDON.
Alexander Gordon, son of Judge Gordon, of Connecticut, and brother of J. Wright Gordon, who served as governor of the State of Michigan in 1841-42, was born in Windham county, Connecticut, in February, 1813. When seventeen years of age he removed with his parents to the State of New York. Soon after removing to New York State, he, having a capital of three hundred and seventy dollars, hired a farm of eight hundred acres, of George Bennett, in Ontario county, for which he paid four hundred dollars per annum. This farm was pleas- antly situated about two and a half miles from Geneva. He remained on the place for two years only, when he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty-four acres, at a cost of twenty-seven dollars per acre, in Seneca county, on the banks of Seneca lake, paying seventeen hundred dollars at purchase, and giving bond and mortgage for the remainder. After adding all needful improvements and placing the farm under good cultivation, which occupied him about six years, he sold for fifty-five dollars an acre. He then moved with his parents to Michigan, and purchased a farm of two hundred acres in Pennfield township. After erecting a frame house for his brother at Marshall, he built a log one for himself and parents. He then commenced breaking up the oak opening on the farm, and got it under cultivation ; and by subsequent purchases has added to his landed possessions until he now owns eighteen hundred acres, located in the townships of Pennfield and Convis, and is the most extensive farmer in those townships, and exceeded by none in the county. His farms are well supplied with stock, and have good, substantial buildings. In 1853 he married Miss Phoebe C. Gifford, of Pennfield, by whom he had six children, four sons and two daughters, five surviving, namely, James, born March 22, 1854, and married Miss Ida De Shon, November 3, 1874 ; Edward G., born January 18, 1857; Katie H., born March 19, 1860; Louise P., born October 27, 1862 ; Maurice S., born April 8, 1869. Mr. Gordon has been a very successful agriculturist. This, perhaps, is owing as much as anything to the fact that he farms his land scientifically. He has the reputation of being one of the best practical farmers in the county. As a business man he has also been quite fortunate, for, while being economical, he always fulfills all engagements honorably. He is generally looked upon as one of the substantial men of his township, and is considered a good citizen generally. (See illustration and portraits.)
WILLIAM HICKS.
Among the many pleasant things of life is the recounting of the scenes of the past, the joys and pleasures of childhood, and the sterner realities of advancing years. It is equally pleasant and instructive to read the early history, trials, and struggles of our ancestors, to see what hardships they were called upon to endure, as early pioneers of the then almost unknown country of the far west.
The following lines recount some of the leading incidents of the long and eventful life of William Hicks and his esteemed wife. He was born in Charles- ton, Saratoga county, New York, April 10, 1792. His parents were natives of the State of New York. His father, William Hicks, was born in Dutchess county, and his mother, Miss Abigail Brown, was born on Long Island. His father was bound out to learn the blacksmith trade when a boy, and when seventeen years of age his master sold the balance of his time to the British as a soldier in the Rev- olution. His mother's folks sympathized with the British, and were banished to Nova Scotia. After the close of the war he located one hundred acres of land on his British land-warrant in Nova Scotia, on the present site of the city of St. Johns. It was here that he became acquainted with and married his wife. But the spirit of freedom once enjoyed always makes any other form of government
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
intolerable, and as soon as expedient they returned to the States, where they settled in Charleston, New York. Here, soon after their return, a son was born to them, whose life we here chronicle. His parents were limited in means, and having a large family to provide for they were only able to give him the rudi- ments of an education. He had four brothers and four sisters, all of whom he survives except one brother.
At the age of twenty-one he enlisted in the State militia, and was attached to the command of General Wade Hampton. His time of service continued only fifty-eight days, which, unfortunately, is two days short of the time to entitle him to a pension as a soldier in the war of 1812.
On the 24th of February, 1816, he married Miss Nabby Younglove, of Edin- burg, New York, and soon removed to Richmond, Ontario county, New York, where he resided about ten years, and then removed to Sheldon, Genesee county, New York, where they also resided about ten years, prior to coming to Michigan in 1836. Mrs. Hicks' family were natives of Connecticut, but early removed to Gilford, Windham county, Vermont, where she was born, on the 10th of July, 1797. Their union was blessed with nine children,-five sons and four daughters, -seven of whom are now living, two of the daughters having passed away after arriving at womanhood. Their children were all born in New York, except the youngest, who was born in Michigan. They have twenty-two grandchildren now living, and three great-grandchildren. Their children have all settled near the old homestead, except one of the daughters, Mrs. Philo Dunsmore, who resides in Ingham county, Michigan, and all have pleasant and happy homes. To move to Michigan when they did seemed almost like going beyond the pale of civilization, and in fact such was nearly literally the case, for there were no civilized communities or society existing here at that time. There was only here and there a sturdy pioneer, who had penetrated the wilderness in advance of them. Neigh- bors often lived several miles apart. Mr. Hicks located eighty acres of land near his present home, and now owned by S. E. Woodworth, where his labors of changing a wild tract of land into a home began on the 18th of September, 1836. But the land where his present farm lies soon came into market, and, being more desirable, he soon effected an exchange, and became the owner of one of the finest farms in the vicinity. But it required many days of toil and arduous labor to change it from a forest into the productive fields we now behold.
Their early pioneer days were not unlike those of all pioneers. Compelled to live almost unprotected from the inclemency of the weather until a home could
be provided, in their case it was six weeks before the necessary materials for a dwelling could be procured; and the old house still stands, a relic of pioneer days. Railroads and modern modes of travel were unknown to them. They can look over the State and see the many improvements that have been made, and turn back to the time when none of them existed. There was no market for grain nearer than Detroit, where they drew their flour, and many times with ox-teams, bringing in merchandise to supply the newly-established stores. The nearest mill of any kind, for a time, was at Marshall. But the country was destined to be brought under the influence of civilization, and soon the " ever-present Yankee," with his thrift and enterprise, was to be found on every hand. Mills and stores were soon built in Battle Creek and Verona, and a home market was established for all that the sturdy pioneer had to sell.
Mr. Hicks became a member of the Masonic fraternity in 1823, at Richmond, Ontario county, New York, and has ever tried to exemplify its precepts in all his dealings with mankind. His faith in the purity and honor of the order was un- shaken by the bitter hatred engendered against it during what is called "Morgan times." He became one of the charter members of Battle Creek lodge, No. 12, F. and A. M., and we believe is the only one of the charter members now living.
Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have been blessed with unusual good health, and notwith- standing the ills of life and some misfortunes which they have endured in the way of bodily injuries, they have lived to more than fourscore years, and carry their years remarkably well. Few men have sustained so many bodily injuries as Mr. Hicks has, and still remain active and able to be about the farm. By the breaking of a scaffold-board, some thirty years ago, he was thrown to the barn-floor and his right hip and right elbow were badly crushed, so as to nearly stiffen his arm and shorten his right limb some three-fourths of an inch. He has also had several minor fractures and injuries, caused by some unaccountable accidents, the worst of which was the loss of an eye, some twenty-five years ago. But, as the close of his long and eventful life draws on, he is permitted to enjoy the fruits of his industry by having a competence of this world's goods to provide for his every want, and can feel that it has all been acquired by fair and honorable means. None can say that any of his property is ill-gotten, or that he ever wronged them of a farthing. His has been a blameless and useful life, and when he shall be called upon to go hence, he will
" Leave behind him
Foot-prints on the sands of time."
PHOTO. BY CRISPELL.
PHOTO. BY CRISPELL
William Flicks
Holy Hicks
A
RESIDENCE & SURROUNDINGS OF WM. HICKS. SEC.16.PENNFIELD TP., CALHOUN CO., MICH.
PHOTO BY CRISPELL.
ELIZABETH HUTCHINSON.
PHOTO. BY CRISPELL.
HARRIET HUTCHINSON.
RESIDENCE OF LOOMIS HUTCHINSON, EM
PHOTO BY CRISPELL .
LOOMIS HUTCHINSON.
ON, EMMETT TP., CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
EMMETT TOWNSHIP.
THIS township belonged to the confederation of townships originally organized under the name of Milton. At the session of the legislature in 1837-38, what now constitutes Emmett was set off and organized into a separate township, and called Cady. The name was suggested by Dr. Asahel Beach, after his son, who was named in honor of General Cholett Cady, father of the doctor's wife. It appears that the name was not generally satisfactory, as we find the subjoined resolution passed at the first township meeting, namely : " Resolved, that the honorable the legislature of this State be, and the same is hereby, requested to change the name of this township from Cady to Andover." . On examination it was found that there was a trio of townships in the State named Andover : so that nothing was done as affecting the change until during the legislative session of 1839-40, when the name of Emmett was given it, in honor of Robert Emmett, the patriot and statesman.
The earliest settlements within the boundaries of the present township were made in 1831, the precise date of the first entry of lands being June 7 of that year. Jeremiah Gardner located on section 14; Estes Rich, on section 12; Henry L. and Benjamin T. Dwinell, on section 23; Daniel Guernsey, on sections 6 and 7; John V. Henry, on section 13; all in 1831. Michael Spencer on section 14. Of the above only two are living, namely, Henry L. Dwinell, now residing in Battle Creek, and the venerable Estes Rich, in Kansas. Mr. Dwinell came from Auburn, New York, from whence he started in April, 1831, taking the Erie canal from Auburn to Buffalo, and from thence to Detroit by lake, and from thence to their destination by teams. The party consisted of Henry L., Benjamin T. (wife and child), John D., and Mary Ann, and their mother. Owing to the fact that they stopped on the road to visit some friends, they did not arrive in Emmett until August.
Mr. Rich moved to Bedford, and from there to Barry county, and finally in 1871 he moved to Kansas, where he is now living, a hale and hearty pioneer.
During the early part of 1831 an Englishman, named John Bertram, came into this section of country, and entered nineteen eighty-acre lots, and began a mammoth experiment on the English mode of farming. He was possessed of ample means but somewhat flighty ideas, and made a grand failure. Mr. Thomas Knight, now a prominent resident of Emmett, but for more than forty years living just over the line in Marshall, remembers Mr. Bertram well. He informs us that Mr. Bertram never made any actual settlement or improvement on any part of his vast possession except in Marshall township, where he erected, in the summer of 1831, the first frame house in the county. He returned to England after exhausting his means, and Mr. Knight, who came over as his hired man, remains the possessor of a portion of his large property, which he has improved and made a fine, well-cultivated farm.
In 1832 a location was made by one John Brown, but he never became a per- manent settler.
In 1833 Asa and Moses Lowell came in and settled permanently in the town- ship. The same year Stephen Warren came in and settled on section 14, entering the southwest quarter of the section, upon a portion of which his son, Ira A., still resides. The deed for this land bears date December 2, 1833, and is signed by Andrew Jackson. Of Mr. Warren's family, his widow, three sons, and a daughter survive. Mrs. Warren resides with her daughter, Mrs. Henry L. Dwinell, in Battle Creek ; B. W. lives at Charlotte, Eaton county, Michigan ; Washington L., near Manistee, Michigan ; Ira A., on the old homestead; and Celista L., now the wife of Henry L. Dwinell, resides at Battle Creek.
Among those prominently identified with the early development of the township, coming into it in the year 1834, were Dr. Asahel Beach, who settled on section 10, and became quite extensively known as the first physician in the township. He practiced his profession for about ten years, when he devoted his attention to farming, and subsequently removed to Battle Creek, where he now resides. Dex- ter Dickinson also came in during this year, and settled on a part of the farm now owned by his son John, on section 15. It was after him that the stream running through his farm was named.
Luther Phelps came in this year. He was accompanied as far as Bellevue by his brother Asa, who came into the township, and settled on section 8, the year following. The latter's son, Silas, now resides on section 22. John Harper came in this year, and settled on the farm now occupied by John Hough. Tolman W.
Hall, Esq.,* settled on section 7, in 1834, and erected the brick house now oc- cupied by Daniel Caine, in 1853. Esquire Hall is the more intimately identified with the history of Battle Creek, as the section on which he settled is a part of the present city, where he is now a respected citizen.
In 1835 quite large accessions were made to the early settlements. Among those coming in this year were Zebediah Stiles, his wife, and three sons, and a daughter, who settled on section 8. Several members of his family are still resi- dents of the township. Seth Byam also located on section 8 this year, and B. Harper on section 12. Jonathan Johnson, brother to Kenyon Johnson, came in during the year, and located on section 22.
In 1836 Jacob Spaulding, wife, three sons, and two - daughters, came in and settled on section 29. His sons subsequently purchased farms themselves, and settled on the same. John A. remained on the homestead, Albert N. settled on the same section, near the homestead, and N. L. on the west line of the same section. All join farms, and are within sight of the spot where they settled more than forty years ago. The daughters are married: Rachel L. to Erastus Smith, and now resides in northern Iowa ; Fannie C. married Francis Newbre, and resides in Emmett, on section 32.
THE FIRST LOG HOUSE
was erected by Estes Rich, in 1831. It is now, after undergoing several addi- tions and renovations, owned and occupied by Mrs. Mary J. Sayres, and is one of the most venerable landmarks now remaining.
The first frame house was built by Roswell Crane, in 1836.
The first farm was opened by Benjamin T. and H. L. Dwinell, in the fall of 1831. He put in ten acres of wheat, which turned out exceedingly smutty.
THE FIRST ORCHARD
was set out by Michael Spencer, in the place now owned by L. J. Willard, on section 14. It is still there, and bears its fruits in season, just as though it had not stood there for nearly half a century.
THE FIRST BRIDGE
was erected across the Kalamazoo, at what is now White's station, by Henry L. and Benjamin T. Dwinell and Robert M. Wheaton, in 1833. It was a primitive affair, and was constructed of poles, at the expense of the above-named persons.
THE FIRST ROAD.
We find the following minutes of the first road in the township of Emmett, in the early records of the township on file in the township clerk's office :
" Beginning at a stake standing in the centre of the road running westerly to the bridge across Battle creek, near its conjunction with the Kalamazoo river, on section 7, in town 2 south, of range 7 west, 2 rods east of the section range line ; thence running south parallel with the said section 7 towards south range 7 west, 2 rods from said line; 50 chains and 50 links to the centre of the Territorial road, running westerly through Goguac prairie.
" EZRA CONVIS, Surveyor. " ASAHEL LOWELL, " ISAAC THOMAS, "Commissioners of Highways.
"JUNE 5, 1834."
THE FIRST MARRIAGE.
The first wedding celebrated in the township was that of Henry L. Dwinell and Celista L. Warren, December 18, 1834. The ceremony was performed by Benjamin F. Dwinell, Esq., brother to the bridegroom.
The first birth was that of Jane, daughter of John V. Henry, who was born in the summer of 1832.
The first adult deaths were those of Emily D. Wheaton, wife of Robert M. Wheaton, who died in the summer of 1834, and Stephen Warren, who died June 11, 1835. An infant son of Mr. Warren's died December 24, 1833.
THE THE FIRST SCHOOL.
Educational matters soon received the attention of the early settlers, for we
# See portrait and biography elsewhere in this work.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
find that in 1833 a log school-house was erected in the Spencer neighborhood, and that year Mrs. Cynthia Maynard, sister of Colonel Maynard, one of the pioneers of Marengo township, taught it during the winter of 1833 and 1834. Among the early scholars were the Gardners, Ira A., B. W., Washington L., and Juliette P. Warren, Julia, Malvina, Emily, Harriet, Michael, Osborn, Gillett, and Joseph V. Spencer, and Julia A. Dwinell. Miss Maynard subsequently married a Mr. Anthony, and moved to Johnstown, this State, where she since died. Miss Janette Byam, now the wife of George W. Angell, of Battle Creek, taught school at an early day, in the old John V. Henry tavern stand. The early records of the district schools were in some manner destroyed or lost, so that we cannot give the facts concerning the organization of the school districts.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
The religious history of Emmett is so intimately identified with that of Battle Creek that it will properly come under the head of religious matters in the his- tory of the city. Religious meetings were held, however, in Emmett, prior to the erection of the churches in the village of Battle Creek, notably by Rev. Mer- rill, as early as 1834. The first meeting was attended by Estes Rich, John V. Henry and wife, Ira A. Warren and wife, Benjamin F. Dwinell and wife, Michael Spencer and wife, and others. No regularly organized church existed within the present limits of the township, all the liberality of her citizens for the support of religious institutions being concentrated in the churches of different denomina- tions in Battle Creek, to which they, many of them, belonged respectively.
THE FIRST GRAVE-YARD
was laid out on land donated by Michael Spencer, on section 14, in the fall of 1835. The first interment was that of Stephen Warren, who died June 11, 1835, and was buried temporarily on his farm ; but his remains were taken up during the year, and re-interred in the newly laid-out burying-ground, where they still repose.
THE FIRST POST-OFFICE
was kept by Jeremiah Gardner, at his dwelling on section 14, in 1831. The mail was first carried by a man named Kennedy, in a knapsack. The name of the first post-office was Andover.
In 1834, a stage route was established, and Milton Barney use to drive the stage between Marshall and Battle Creek. The route extended from Detroit to Chicago.
THE FIRST MILL.
On the 31st of March, 1834, John Harper arrived in Emmett, and settled on the farm now occupied by John Hough, a short distance east of White's Station. The year following he built a log saw-mill, on section 31, on the water-power now used by the " Newbre mill." He continued to operate the same until his death, which occurred May 17, 1847, when it was inherited by his daughter, now Mrs. Sophia Henderson, for whom John Hough ran it until 1851. In August of the latter year William Newbre purchased the old fabric, and after despoiling it of the machinery and anything else of value, he set fire to it, and in its place erected the present structure. A few years since he sold the mill and water-power to his brother, Guy C. Newbre, by whom it is at present owned and operated.
THE FIRST IMPROVED STOCK
was brought into the township by Dr. Asahel Beach, in the summer of 1835. They were the best-bred Devonshires he could purchase in western New York, and also two fillies, one from Ed. Long's celebrated stud, " Eclipse," and raised at Cambridge, Washington county, New York, and one sired by "Old Hickory," whose dam was also full-blooded.
THE FIRST THRASHER
was one built by Squire Humphrey for Dr. Beach, in 1838, and several of the same kind were introduced within a year or two. They were primitive in con- struction, but fully adapted to the requirements of the farmers in their day.
The first reaper and mower was introduced by Charles Holden about 1846. It was of eastern manufacture, and differed materially from the ingenious con- trivances now used.
TOWNSHIP MEETING.
" At the opening of the first annual township meeting of the township of Cady, at the dwelling-house of Jeremiah Gardner, on Monday the 2d day of April, 1838, Michael Spencer was chosen moderator, and Samuel Robinson clerk of said meeting. Present, David H. Daniels, justice. The following resolutions were then adopted :
" Resolved, That fence four and a half feet high, well made, of substantial materials, shall be lawful fence.
" Resolved, That we raise fifty dollars for the relief of the poor.
" Resolved, That we raise in like manner the sum of fifty dollars for the sup- port and repairing of bridges in said township.
" Resolved, That our supervisor be instructed to present to the township of Milton a claim for our reasonable share of all money and property belonging to the original township of Milton.
" Resolved, That the supervisors of Calhoun County be authorized to borrow twenty-eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars to finish the court-house at Marshall.
" Resolved, That the honorable the legislature of the State be and it is hereby requested to change the name of this township from Cady to Andover.
" Resolved, That a copy of the preceding resolution be signed by the presiding
officers of this meeting and transmitted to the legislature aforesaid without delay.
" Resolved, That each and every overseer of highways shall be fence-viewer and pound-master, and his own yard a pound.
" The following persons were then elected overseers of highways in their respective districts :
." Michael Spencer, district No. 1; Asahel Beach, district No. 2; Anson In- man, district No. 3; David N. Salter, district No. 4; Otis Williams, district No. 5; Samuel Robinson, district No. 6; George Bean, district No. 7; Samuel G. Wallace, district No. 8; Augustus R. Mather, district No. 9; Truman Allen, district No. 10; Arly N. Crawford, district No. 11 ; Daniel Wooden, district No. 12; William Newman, district No. 13 ; Alanson Cantine, district No 14.
" On canvassing the ballots, the following persons were found to have been duly elected officers for the township of Cady for the ensuing year, to wit :
"Levi Morton, supervisor; Samuel Robinson, township clerk; Asa Lowell, N. Salter, and Smith Berry, assessors ; Asa Lowell, David W. Howell, and Samuel G. Wallace, justices of the peace; David W. Gibbs, collector; Michael Spencer and Asahel Beach, directors of the poor; Samuel G. Wallace, David Caulkins, and Caleb D. Ferris, commissioners of highways ; David W. Howell, Fordyce S. Rhoades, and Robert Adams, inspectors of schools ; David N. Gibbs, John Lowry, George Morehouse, John De Groat, Kenyon Johnson,; John Rhoades, constables.
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