USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 68
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Farther south in the township school-houses were not built until later. The families were generally young married people, and as there were few or no children, schools were not necessary for some years. The first school-houses were built of logs, as in other parts of the township.
At present there are ten districts and fractional districts in Clarendon, contain- ing eight school buildings, all comfortable and commodious, and some of them new. The advantages for schooling are equal to those of any township in the county which possesses the same means, and the schools and school properties do credit to the citizens.
CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.
The first religious society in Clarendon was organized by the Presbyterians, in February, 1838, with twenty-one members. They held their first meetings in
school-houses, and finally a log church on the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of section 18, and used for a number of years. The first preacher was Rev. Mr. Smith, who stayed one year, and was followed by Rev. Mr. Mason. The next pastor was Rev. Lewis Mills, who organized a church at Tekonsha during his pastorate, and was the last Presbyterian minister who preached in the Clarendon church. This congregation finally disorganized and joined the one at Tekonsha, which has continued up to the present.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Clarendon was organized about 1840, and meetings were held for several years at the log house of Lewis Benham. He after wards built a frame house, and allowed the congregation the exclusive use of his old log dwelling. The frame church now standing was built some time be- tween 1840 and 1850, by general subscription, in order that all classes might use it to hold funerals and different meetings in, irrespective of belief. This congre- gation has also been transferred to Tekonsha, and the old church building is seldom used.
CEMETERIES.
Clarendon has three fine cemeteries, one on section 1, laid out as early as 1836-37, another east of Clarendon Centre, on section 26, and a third on section 18. These resting-places for the remains of the departed are well kept, and occupy beautiful sites, and contain the mortal remains of many of the early pio- neers, and the best and most influential of the citizens of the township who lived "long ago." Here, in the land of their adoption, beneath the turf which grows luxuriantly over them, while the polished marble tells us to tread lightly and reverently,
"Each in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
The cemetery lot on section 18 was taken from the farm owned by Erastus B. Enos, and laid out in 1845. May 3 of that year the cemetery association was organized, at a meeting held for the purpose at the Presbyterian church. The original lot consisted of one acre, for which Mr. Enos was paid ten dollars and given a lot equal in size to the others, eight by sixteen feet. The three persons who originally had charge of it and laid it out were Loren Keep, William Blash- field, and James Humeston. Of these three Mr. Keep is the only one now living. He has held the office of treasurer of the association since it was formed, and has kept a record of the burials from the first to the present. The first person buried in this cemetery was Miss Adelia Knapp, whose interment took place May 20, 1845. The next was an old lady named Powers, who was interred here March 20, 1846. Soon after this a number of persons who had been temporarily buried on farms in the neighborhood were removed to it, and it gradually filled up until finally it became necessary to enlarge it. Accordingly an additional half-acre was added to it. This ground occupies one of the finest locations for such a purpose in the township.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
RUSSELL ALDRICH.
Among the surviving pioneers of Calhoun County, we take pleasure in men- tioning the name of Russell Aldrich. He was born in the State of New York, in the year 1796. In 1832 he visited the Territory of Michigan, and for a year or two engaged in selecting, locating, buying, and selling wild lands.
He was back and forth from New York two or three times before he made a final settlement. He was an inmate of the family of the Rev. John D. Pierce, who was one of the earliest ministers that preached at Marshall. In the year 1835 he was united in marriage to Miss Agubah A. Townsley, of Oneida county, New York. He, soon after his marriage, settled on a new farm, one mile east of Marshall, where he remained until 1850, when he exchanged his farm for one fifteen miles south of Marshall, in the town of Clarendon, where he has ever since resided. Mrs. Aldrich died in 1872.
His son, George W. Aldrich, his only child, was born in 1837, and was reared a farmer, and at the age of twenty-seven, in 1864, was married to Miss Jennie Perkins, of Tekonsha. The fruits of this marriage are two children, daughters, whose ages are respectively three and six years. The old gentleman and his children and grandchildren all live together in one happy family.
Mr. Aldrich is to-day, at the advanced age of eighty years, in the possession of good health and all his faculties except his hearing. He is a man that all through his long life has earned and retained the respect and esteem of his friends and acquaintances.
In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, having been a member of that church nearly all his life. A fine view of the family home may be seen elsewhere in the pages of this work. . And with this brief notice, as a tribute to the memory of one of the old pioneers of Calhoun County, we bid him farewell.
( A.G.SNELL. DEL .)
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE W. ALDRICH, CLARENDON, CALHOUN CO., MICH.
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DRAWN APRIL 6TH 1877.)
CLARENCE TOWNSHIP.
HISTORY in the main is but a detail of intrigue, war, and cruelty, and nations become prominent as their rapacity finds success. While the powers of Europe are actively engaged in a contest whose limits are undefinable, the United States enjoy profound peace, and whether in Government, State, county, or township, the fullest liberty exists, and each pursues his calling to benefit himself, and thereby add to the sum of general prosperity. The foundations of this happy condition of society were laid in the townships of each county by men intelligent and patriotic. It is of more than local interest to know who these men were and by what means they have achieved success. The plan of detailed and primary record well subserves this important end. The township of Clarence, according to United States survey, was formerly designated as "town 1, south ; range 4, west ;" but in 1834 it was united with what are now known as Sheridan and Lee, and known as the township of Marengo. This organization was consequent to an act of the Territorial legislature.
The name first given to the township was " Pinkney," and under that designa- tion the first town-meeting was called in 1840. It is known that at the first town-meeting, held in 1836, in Sheridan, there were present four votes from this township, and, as they exercised their right of suffrage, this territory must then have formed a part of Sheridan.
A survey of the township results in the discovery of a region well supplied with water, and noted for its lakes, marshes, and healthful living springs. Of the lakes, Duck lake is the largest, and presents the observer with a view at once inviting and picturesque. A basin of water is seen to comprise an area of some seven hundred acres in dimensions, a mile and a half long by three-quarters wide, sur- rounded by high banks overhung with luxuriant foliage. This lake, whose waters are supplied by constant springs, forms the head-waters of Battle creek. This locality was a favorite resort of the Potawattomie tribe of Indians,-a number of whom lingered here for years after the advent of the white settlers.
An Indian village was situated near the southwest margin of the lake, upon land now owned by Jacob Nichols. Here they were encamped in 1845, when Mr. Nichols entered the land, and here they remained till removed by order of the government. The love even of a forest home was cherished by these. disinherited people, and stragglers, eluding the soldiers, returned to their old haunts, and remained in the lake vicinity during life.
These " lone" Indians were ever friendly, and instances of strong attachments formed for those who had befriended them are current history. At one time, two brothers named Nichols engaged in a scuffle at a mill, and, as frequently happens, one seemed to have lost control of his temper. He seized an old scythe-blade, and threatened to use it. An Indian standing near by immediately caught up a hand- spike, and would have used it promptly had not other men seized him from behind. Supposing the parties to be in earnest, he had hastened to defend his favorite,- the man threatened.
At the foot of Duck lake, and on the spot where the blacksmith-shop stands, is one of those mounds so numerous in the valley of the Mississippi, and so undoubt- edly ancient in their origin. The ignorance of the Indians, even traditionally, of their builders, gives proof of an early occupation of this region by an unknown and, to some extent, a civilized people. Elsewhere specimens of their handiwork have been exhumed and plausible theories devised, but in the absence of proof each is left to his own conjecture.
In the mound under consideration a skull was found in a fair state of preserva- tion, having the teeth entire; other bones forming the skeleton were exhumed. The land surrounding Duck lake is unexcelled for farming purposes by any other in the township. The soil is a light loam, mingled in some parts with sand, and in others with clay.
Prairie lake lies in the southwest part of the township. A peninsula of land extends nearly across the southern portion. This land is covered with a grove of fine timber, which, designated as " Pleasant Mound Grove," is used for picnic occasions by the surrounding population. A chain of six lakes lies in the south- east of the township. Clark's lake is the largest. Bell's lake is second in size. The others bear the names White, Wise, and Oakley, and connected by small streams, and fed by fine springs, form the source of the north branch of Rice creek. About twelve hundred acres are submerged by these lakes, which are sur- rounded by marsh-land. A belt of timber extends across the township diagonally,
from the northeast corner past the foot of Duck lake to the northeast corner of section 18.
Early settlers found the land covered with a valuable growth of timber, among the species of which were walnut, cherry, whitewood, bass, and butternut. These have mostly been cut away, and what remains is comprised in oak, hickory, and maple, themselves by no means inferior. A large area of the west portion of the township is marsh-land, and but a small part is available for agriculture. A fine quality of white wheat is raised upon the farms adjacent to Duck lake. Corn and oats return a heavy yield. Clover treated with plaster is profitable. The country is adapted to sheep-husbandry, which obtains marked interest. Fine breeds of sheep are in demand, and wool is likely to become a staple product.
FIRST SETTLERS.
In the spring of 1836, Benjamin P. Gillett settled with his family on sections 23 and 24, in the southeast part of the township. During the same season C. W. Clapp, Andrew Bell, and Archibald Green located in the vicinity of Gillett. Cook Tyler, William B. Noble, John Austin, and the Dyers, Frank and John, settled in the central and eastern portions during the year following ; and in 1838 Y. M. Hatch located on section 30, in the southwest; John B. Snyder, section 15, near the centre; and D. Y. Carrier on section 7, in the northwest. During the same season Samuel Sellers, a blacksmith, moved in, as did also Judge Hamil- ton, Norris Barns, and Abram Hadden. Theron Hamilton is supposed to have settled in 1838. Of the pioneers, the only survivors are Mr. Hatch and Mr. Carrier. In 1845, Jacob Nichols entered three forty-acre lots on section 20, where he still resides. A house built of hewn logs, sealed within with white- wood, is in good state of preservation at present. Mr. Nichols was the first settler at the head of Duck lake, and for a year or two had none other than Indian neighbors along that lake margin ; save being importunate beggars, there was no inconvenience suffered from these few Indians.
The early settlers located as follows : Cook Tyler on section 22, upon land now owned by J. R. Palmer; Wright Clapp on what is known as the Bradner farm ; and T. Hamilton on section 15, on the present farm of J. M. Gifford. Section 14 was entered by Deacon Andrew Bell, who, having a large family, thought to give each child a farm. On July 4, 1839, the citizens of Clarence held a grand picnic and celebration on the grounds at the head of Duck lake. The total assembly numbered fourteen persons. T. Hamilton was orator of the day, and C. W. Clapp read the Declaration of Independence. These men, descendants from Revolutionary sires, had commemorated this anniversary from boyhood, and on this occasion passed the day by the cool lake-side in pleasurable social inter- course. Few in numbers and far from the old homes, they revived in these new lands the customs of their forefathers with undiminished patriotism.
MILLS OF CLARENCE.
Timber-lands in the northern part of the township were, in 1848, purchased by J. Crowell, J. D. Alcott, and L. Munson. A saw-mill was erected at the foot of Duck lake, and the manufacture of lumber commenced. This mill having been destroyed by fire, another was built, by William Leonard, in 1860. A steam saw- mill was built by Mr. Bolls in 1863, on the Wilber farm, located in the northeast of the township. It was burned in 1868, and soon after this event another, now owned and operated by S. Wilber, was set up by a Mr. Dean.
The proprietors of the water saw-mill opened a store in the immediate vicinity, and brought in a miscellaneous stock of goods. The building is still in use as a store, and the merchant, J. Clyer, does a fair amount of business.
SCHOOLS.
No sooner had the early settlers completed their rude log dwellings than atten- tion was given to the education of their children. The pioneer school in Clarence was taught in a log house located on the Bell estate, in the east part of the town. Miss Reliance Dixon, afterwards the wife of Oliver S. Bell, was employed as teacher. A building soon afterwards put up at the centre is still standing, and in a dilapidated condition. In use it has been superseded by a fine new brick struc- ture. There are now eight fine school-houses in the township, corresponding to the number of districts. Three are of brick, the rest are framed. All are supplied
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
with modern conveniences, and are justly regarded with pride. They have been built during the last few years, at a cost of about ten thousand dollars.
Of religious organizations there are none. A Free-Will Baptist society was formed in 1867. Meetings were occasionally held in school-houses, under conduct of John H. Southworth, but have long since been discontinued. Spiritualism has representation, and séances are held at private residences. Those availing them- selves of church privileges attend at Albion. The idea of erecting a church at the centre has been discussed, but finds little encouragement.
TOWN GOVERNMENT.
The first town-meeting in Clarence was held at the house of Norris Barns, during April, 1838. On this occasion the following officers were chosen : Andrew Bell, supervisor ; Cook Tyler, town clerk ; A. M. Green, treasurer ; W. B. Noble, C. W. Clapp, Samuel Sellers, and A. P. Bell, justices of the peace; Norris Barns, A. M. Green, and W. B. Noble, assessors ; A. C. Bell, Y. M. Hatch, and Roswell Barns, highway commissioners ; Messrs. Noble, Clapp, and Barns, school-inspec- tors; Andrew Bell and John Austin, overseers of the poor ; O. S. Bell, collector ; and Messrs. Bell and Bennett, constables. The following named have held the office of supervisor : Andrew Bell, for twelve years; Benjamin Oakley, J. P. Palmer, F. Dyer, Ezra Bradner, Mr. Bemis, Peter Harmon, John B. Snyder, James Conger, J. R. Palmer, J. M. Gifford, C. I. Courtwright, J. N. Lawrence, F. Cole, and Myron Snyder, present incumbent. Politically, the township is democratic.
INITIAL EVENTS IN CLARENCE.
The first of a far-reaching and continuous series is regarded with interest, and consequently the following items are recorded for preservation and information. An improved thrasher and separator was introduced by J. H. Southworth, of Marengo. David Oxhymer owned the first one held in the township. It was manufactured by Aultman & Co., of Ohio. In 1860, B. R. Gillett purchased and operated a mower made by Wood & Co. Adam Herrick introduced the first drill, and Oliver Bell the first improved reaper-the " Cayuga Chief."
Samuel Sellers was the first resident blacksmith, and Dr. Osburn the pioneeer physician, whose advent bears date 1851. The first birth dates July, 1838, and presents the name of William A. Gillett, who died in 1849. The first death was of Cadmus Fish, and in July, 1839, occurred the first marriage, the parties being Allison Bell and Mary Fish.
Hiram Harwood, of Clarence, was the first man drafted from Calhoun County to serve in the late war, and at once furnished a substitute.
The first bridge constructed at the foot of Duck lake was the work of Elijah Green and others. It was of primitive make and material. The pioneer post- master was J. B. Snyder, succeeded in turn by C. I. Courtwright and J. M. Gif- ford. Formerly known as Clarence, the post-office has recently been named Duck
Lake Post-office. The present postmaster, W. A. Hill, is the successor of W. F. Hill.
Ephraim Marble at an early date deeded to the town a half-acre of land, situ- ated on the east side of the Duck lake road, at the town centre. Townsmen purchased a half-acre adjoining, and this spot, consecrated to the sepulture of the departed, was first used in the interment of Cadmus Fish. On the west side of the road, and somewhat to the south, stands the town-house, a small structure modeled on the plan of the antique district school-house. Here town-meetings are held, and here the justice arbitrates controversy and decides abstruse points of law.
A POPULAR AND PLEASANT RESORT.
Parties from the cities, provided with tents and camp-equipage, resort in con- siderable numbers to Duck lake, to pass the summer days in fishing, boating, and other recreations. Indian Spring is the favorite camping-ground. The pool is located in the midst of a fine grove, standing upon the farm of A. J. Zebell. The fish drawn from the lake represent the tribes of bass, pickerel, perch, and others, sizable and abundant. This section abounds in snipe, grouse, and quail. From June till October the recreationist may be found encamped upon this lovely spot, luxuriating in the charms of nature and casting corroding care to the winds. The population of Clarence, scarcely exceeding one thousand, furnished their fair proportion of men to the volunteer army. Considerable attention is manifest in the erection of elegant residences, and a spirit of enterprise truly commendable is apparent. No settler of a date prior to 1840 resides in the township. Some have migrated elsewhere, others have passed away forever, but their names are recorded, to be remembered and honored when all else of handiwork or monument is forgotten.
The following statistics are taken from the census of 1874:
Population of Clarence .- Males, 532 ; females, 500; total, 1032.
Live-Stock .- Horses, one year old and over, 461; work oxen, 30 ; milch cows, 512 ; neat cattle, other than work oxen and cows, 454; swine, over six months old, 569; sheep, over six months old, 1769; sheep sheared in 1873, 1075; mules, 2.
Wheat on the ground, May, 1874, 1933 acres; wheat harvested 1873, 1413 acres ; corn harvested 1873, 1183 acres; wheat raised 1873, 22,960 bushels ; corn raised 1873, 46,235 bushels; other grain raised 1,873, 21,680 bushels; potatoes raised 1873, 5191 bushels ; hay cut 1873, 1935 tons; wool sheared 1873, 94,469 pounds ; pork marketed 1873, 62,145 pounds ; butter made 1873, 46,775 pounds ; fruit dried for market, 5374 pounds ; cider made, 491 barrels ; maple-sugar made 1873, 50 pounds ; acres of orchards, peach, apple, plum, etc., 375 ; apples raised 1873, 9880 bushels ; pears raised 1873, 5 bushels ; plums raised 1873, 2 bushels ; cherries raised 1873, 249 bushels ; currants and goose- berries, 109 bushels; melons and garden vegetables, 46 bushels.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
LONEACRE-CO
YOUNGLOVE MONROE HATCH.
LONCACHE-GO
MRS. YOUNGLOVE MONROE HATCH.
YOUNGLOVE MONROE HATCH
was born February 15, 1803, in the town of Brutus, Cayuga county, New York, and was the seventh in a family of nine children. His father died when the lad was but seven years old, leaving his mother in very straitened circum- stances, and consequently the subject of our sketch was, at a tender age, thrown entirely upon his own resources for his support and education. He resided in Brutus until he was nineteen years of age, when he removed to the town of Wolcott, Wayne county, New York, where he made the acquaintance of Hannah, daughter of Jesse and Anna Swift, to whom he was married the day he attained his majority, February 15, 1824. She was born April 4, 1799, and is a remarkably well-preserved woman both mentally and physically, and is a native of Scipio,
Cayuga county, New York. In 1837, Mr. Hatch and his family removed to Calhoun County, and located on the northeast quarter of section 21, in the town- ship of Clarence, he purchasing the entire quarter-section for seven hundred dol- lars. His family was the second one to settle in the township. The following children are the fruits of this marriage : Lorinda, now Mrs. Ephraim Marble, of Marengo township; Henry, who died in California when thirty years of age ; James W., residing in Fredonia township; Susan M., deceased; and Emerette, now Mrs. Robert J. Stark.
We present to our readers the portraits of these worthy old pioneers in this connection.
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BEDFORD TOWNSHIP.
AN examination of the records at the land-office reveals the fact that the first lot located in Bedford township was by one John Bertram, the patent for which bears date July 9, 1832. Inquiry among the pioneers tends to show that Bertram never effected a permanent settlement on this land, making his headquarters in Marshall township. The honor of priority of residence devolves upon Roswell Crane, who came in and settled on the farm long afterwards known as the Josiah Gilbert place, on section 28, now owned by Chester W. Eldred, in the spring of 1833. John Conway followed soon after, and erected a small saw-mill on a little stream near its estuary, and within a few rods of the Kalamazoo river, on section 34. In 1834, probably in the fall, George Johnson and a man by the name of Tower came in, the latter taking up a temporary residence on section 27; this farm was afterwards occupied by Jacob Stringham. The same year Josiah Gilbert purchased the farm settled by Roswell Crane, upon which he erected a somewhat larger and better log house than the generality of those around him, and opened a house of entertainment, where "man or beast" could partake of his hospitality, at a very trifling cost. In 1835, Eli Douglass came in, and in the summer of the year following, Harvey and A. W. Cooley, brothers, S. H. Carman, George B. and John Hamilton, and Jonas Young, all accompanied by their families except A. W. Cooley, who was unmarried. These settled in the northwestern part of the township. The same year A. L. Clark came in, and located on section 7. This year was prolific in the number of good substantial settlers who came in. Among these were Nathaniel Barney, father of Milton and Oliver Barney, who settled on section 34. Isaac Sutton, accompanied by his wife and eight sons and one daughter, came in this year, and entered and settled upon section 25. He took up the entire section. An anecdote is related of him which is "too good to be lost." After entering his land he had occasion to go to Kalamazoo, and having no convenience he had to go afoot. On his return trip he stopped overnight at a farm-house, and his hostess, being of an inquisitive turn of mind, began to in- terrogate him as to his plans, etc. ; among other things, remarking "that she couldn't understand why so elderly a man (he was verging on fifty) should come out to this wild country. She was still more surprised when he informed her that he had entered a whole section. "I want to know what on airth be you going to do with it ?" "Why," replied he, " I propose to make a good farm of it." She intimated that it would require a good deal of help to cultivate so large a tract of land. "Well, ma'am," he explained, "I am supplied with help. I have eight sons, and they each have a sister." "La' sakes ! sixteen children ?" " No, ma'am, I have but one daughter." The old lady was satisfied.
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