History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 54

Author: Waterman, Watkins & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & co.
Number of Pages: 670

USA > Michigan > Cass County > History of Cass county, Michigan > Part 54

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The subject of our aketch was by birth, by inclination, and by education a Friand. Therafora ha wasan advocate of the abolition of alavary, and a very stanch and consistent one. He lived to witness the final complata triumph of his chariahad and onca unpopular principles, in tha overthrow of " the peculiar institution." Ha was one of the founders of the Frienda' Anti-Slavery Society, and during the existence of that wonderful organization known as "the Undar- ground Railroad," ha aided a very large number of fugitiva alavea in their flight to Canada. In 1847, the zaal of his friendship for the bondaman made him a leading character among those who resisted tha "Kentucky Rald" (of which an account is given in Chapter XVII) when the Kentuckiane brought suit against a number of citizens of Cass County to recover the value of the alaves they had kidnaped and bean prevented from carrying back with them, several of the defendanta compromised tha case, 80 far aa thay were individually concerned, but Mr. Bogna, from principle, resolutely refusad all offers to com- promias, regarding any paymanta that might be made under auch offers 86 "blood money." He would have occupied thia position alona, save for the company of Josiah and Jefferson Osborn. Politically, he affiliated with the Whig, Free-Soil and Republican partiaa. Although from principle opposed to war, he gave the whole weight of his influenco for tha suppression of the Southera rebellion.

A devoted member of the Society of Friends, ha was instrumental in effect- ing tha organization of Birch Lake Monthly Meeting. He was one of its origi- nal members, and the first meeting was held at his house. All church enter- prisea raceivad from him encouragement and support.

In the conduct of his affaire, he was anccessful beyond the common measure, and secured a competency. Ha was a man of much anterpriae. One of hie proj- ects which resulted most favorably was the platting and establishment of the villaga of Vandalia

The subject of our sketch possessed a very happy combination of the good qualitiaa of mind and haart. Ho was very strongly attached to his family and frienda, and a man of graat marked social qualifications, always genial and kindly in intercourse with his fellow-men, whatever might be their condition In life. Ha was judicionsly benevolent and the worthy poor of his neighborhod and township had no better filand.

Morally he was above reproach. ITis sense of justice waa very kean. Faith in his honesty and fair-mindedness was universal, and ho was very frequently called upon to act as arbitrator in aettling business difficulties or as a peace- maker where violent differences ot opinion arose. Ile was an upright, pure, high-minded man. Ilia unswerving integrity, hie devotion to principle, hie singlenoss of purpose and simplicity of character won the reapact of all who knew him. Hie example and counsel wera a constant and an active force for good during his life.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

plowman. Two mounds are still in good preservation, and can be seen in Section 23. Various persons have made excavations in them, and exhumed therefrom human bones. The jaw of a man was found of such capacious size as to fit readily over the largest man's jaw, while some of it still remained intact, thus defying the ravages of time for many centuries, as trees quite large in size derive their sustenance from roots imbedded in these sepulchers of an ancient race.

It is no matter of surprise that this township was so soon occupied by bona fide settlers, for, in addition to numerous other attractions, can be found beautiful crystal lakes and streams, in the waters of which those piscatorially inclined can reap a rich reward, while traversing the ambient fluid which three-quarters of a century since was only pierced by the birch canoe of the dusky savage.

The largest of these lakes, bearing the name of Diamond Lake, which was conferred upon it by Dr. : Henry H. Fowler, in commemoration of one left by him in the far East, lies nearly two-thirds in this town- ship, it nearly occupying the whole of Sections 31 and 32, near the center of which rises a tract of land containing about seventy acres, known as Diamond Lake Island. This island has an interesting history, which will be appropriately recorded.

Donnel's Lake, in Sections 35 and 36, is about one and a quarter miles in length. east and west, and takes its name from an old settler, John Donnel, who, in years long since gone by, was wont to convert into what the Indians called " fire-water " certain products of the husbandman. Bela and Kirk's Lakes, lying nearly wholly in Section 24, were also named in honor of early settlers-Lincoln being the surname of the one from whom the first-mentioned lake derived its name.

In Section 2, is a lake bearing the significant nom- enclature of Fish, which does honor not only to the finny tribes that disport in its limpid waters, but also to a certain widow lady, formerly a resident of the now extinct village of Geneva.

The Christiana Creek, which is formed in Section 22 by the confluence of three streams which find their source in lakes, and flow from nearly opposite directions, flows in a southerly direction through Calvin, Jefferson and Ontwa Townships, emptying into the St. Joseph River near Elkhart, Ind., is a rapid stream, and has been harnessed by man at Van- dalia, Wright's Mills, Redfield's Mills and Adams- ville, in which places it does service in the interest of varions manufacturing enterprises, but principally that of milling. The stream was named by Rev. Isaac McCoy, in honor of his wife.

FIRST SETTLERS.

It is a very difficult matter, to determine, beyond a shadow of doubt, who was the first person that entered this township with the intention of becoming a permanent settler. There is quite a conflict of statements among those best qualified by reason of long residence to decide the question, and the diffi- culty is angmented by the fact that several of those first in the township sold out their claims and moved away, the land not being subject to entry at that early date, 1827.

In 1827 or 1828, David Shaffer wended his way from Butler County, Ohio, with his family, settled on Young's prairie, and erected what some erroneously suppose to be the first house. That fall he went back to Ohio , because his wife could not endure the isola- tion incident to a winter in the new county, and before he returned some one jumped his claim.

John Read came from Clark County, Ohio, in 1827 or 1828, and commenced making some improvement in this township, and when Peter Shaffer came to the county, in 1828, in search of a home, he became charmed with the surroundings and purchased Read's betterments, paying a certain portion down, the balance to be paid when he took possession. Shaffer returned to his home in Ohio and had made all pre- parations to move to this county when his son, George T., accidentally broke his leg, and the journey was tem- porarily abandoned. John Read, in the meantime, | went to Ohio, called on Mr. Shaffer and requested to be released from the bargain, as he had received a much better offer. This proposition met the approval of Mr. Shaffer, who could not well make the journey at this time, and his money was refunded him. It is supposed that Read sowed the first wheat in the town- ship. His possession of the land, however, was of short duration, for in the fall of 1829, he sold out his betterments to Daniel McIntosh, for $210, which sum was to be paid when the land was struck off to him at the land sales. Mr. McIntosh emigrated from Scotland in 1800, and settled in Baltimore, Md., and twenty years later removed to Wayne County, Ohio, where they resided until coming to Michigan in 1829. - There were nine in the family, viz. : James, William, Mary, Daniel, John, Elizabeth, Margaret, Duncan and Jane. John, James and Elizabeth removed to Illinois, and are all dead ; Mary and Jane, to Iowa, the former now deceased ; Margaret also deceased. Dun- can and Daniel now live in Penn, the former on the old homestead, while Daniel resides on land located by him in 1829, on Sections 29 and 32, and he still recalls most vividly the carly scenes and incidents through which they passed, and is possessed of much valuable information of those times, which he cheer-

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

fully imparts. He was married to Amanda Benson, and of their seven children, Mary Jane (Mathews), the only one now living, resides in Missouri. William, who died in May, 1877, entered the land now owned by his son Jacob. William was in the Sauk war four- teen days and drew a pension of $150, for services rendered.

When emigrating to Michigan, Daniel McIntosh, Sr., camped for the night about six miles from Tecum- seh. During the night, five of his six head of horses became so frightened by the howling of the wolves that they broke loose from their fastenings and dashed into the woods. Instructing his son Daniel to pursue their journey, with the family, in an ox wagon, he started under the escort of a man named Dorrel, who was to pilot him through the woods, in search of his property. He was soon deserted by Dorrel, and, los- ing his way, wandered through the woods for five days and nights, subsisting on wild fruits and berries. The weather was extremely cold, it being late in Novem- ber, and his hands and feet became so badly frozen as to be almost useless, and while in this pitiable state, on hands and knees, he crawled to a house, where he remained for fifteen days before he was in condition to be moved home. While fording a stream on his way home with his father, Daniel was obliged to place his back to the dash-board of the old Pennsylvania wagon, which was hollowed out to keep the water from flow- ing in and drowning his father; the weather being very cold, he suffered intensely with his wet clothing before reaching home. Mortification having set in, and no physician being attainable, his son Daniel un- jointed one foot at the instep with a carving knife, the only surgical instrument attainable. One foot and heel were subsequently amputated, in which deplorable condition the remainder of his life was passed, his feet never healing, his death not occurring until July 2, 1851. Physically, he was a powerfully-formed man, and for many years could be seen making his way on his hands and knees, the latter were encased in leather. He could not brook idleness, and would work at wood- chopping, rail-splitting, sawing with a cross-cut saw, in fact, any farm labor his condition would enable him to perform. The horses came in of their own accord, they having been secreted by some evil-disposed per- sons who were vainly waiting for a reward.

Rodney Hinkley was one of the first to locate on Young's Prairie, on the land now owned by James E. Bonine; was obliged to go to Fort Wayne, Ind., eighty miles distant, to mill with an ox team. He sold out his claim for $25 to John Rinehart, who entered it 160 acres, June 27, 1829. Four or five years subse- quently, he sold to a Mr. Collins and removed to Porter Township, when he remained until the time of

his death, 1858. Of the ten children born to them, John W., who married Lydia E. James, alone lives in Penn Township, on Section 16. Joseph Frakes, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, left the Buckeye State in 1827 and came to Cass County, locating in this township. In his autobiography, published in the history of Kalamazoo County, it is stated, "at that time there were no settlers in that section, but Indian's were quite numerous." In 1828, he went to Ohio and returned with his bride, the bridal equipage consisting of a lumber wagon, driven by oxen, the journey here consuming one month. The above would indicate that he was the first settler in the township. He sold his interest in land in Section 28 in 1829, to Charles Jones, who came from Preble County, Ohio, and removed to Schoolcraft, in Kalamazoo County, where he died in 1880, being at that time the possessor of 1,000 acres of land, on Gourdneck Prairie. Charles Jones married Anna Bogue, sister of Stephen, and they were blessed with eight children-William, Mary, Betsey, George, Charles, Anna, now Mrs. J. Trattles, in Iowa. Joseph and Keziah, the latter now Mrs. D. Bordie, with whom her sister Betsey lives. Joseph lives in Iowa, while Mary, George and Charles are deceased. William, the eldest, still lives on the old homestead. When Charles Jones came from Ohio, he brought with him some fruit trees, which were planted on his farm that spring, 1830. Daniel McIntosh and Thomas England also set out some fruit trees that spring, they being the first planted. Job Davis commenced the life of a pioneer in Section 29, in 1827-28, and had only just nicely commenced to make improvements when he disposed of his squatter's right in the land to Stephen Bogue, in 1829, at which time Mr. Bogue entered it, to- gether with enough other lands, so that, with subse- quent purchases, he owned nearly 1,000 acres. Davis removed to what was subsequently Whitmanville, in La Grange Township, and there erected a saw-mill, which was in turn disposed of, he removing to Texas, where he subsequently died.

Having completed his purchases, Mr. Bogue re- turned to Ohio, and not until the fall of 1831 did he remove with his family from Preble County, his home, the journey occupying twenty-one days. Horses, cattle and hogs were brought by him, so that they commenced pioneer life with more than many of their neighbors. A biographical sketch appears elsewhere.

Men of all avocations penetrated the then Western wilds, and among them was Martin Shields, a saddler by trade, who came from Logan County, Ohio, in the fall of 1828, and June 17, 1829, located 160 acres of land in Section 20. The first election was held at his house, and he was the first postmaster in the town-

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ship. Mrs. J. Nixon recalls the time when he' Shields, after attending a series of revival meetings, thought he was called to preach, and, agreeably to notice promulgated by himself, those spiritually in - clined assembled at his house, but he failed to proclaim the Gospel, for, after a long search with the pioneers standing around, he could not find the text that in. spired him. He eventually sold his property, and went West. Duncan McIntosh recalls the time when owing to the land being cultivated before it was sur. veyed, Martin Shields first discovered that his wheat fields encroached on the land they had purchased of J. Reed. It was good-naturedly surrendered, but the fence rails taken in each of several similar cases. The following year, Mr. McIntosh harvested ten bushels of wheat per acre from the land surrendered, enough wheat having dropped from the ripened heads to self- sow the ground. Among the early settlers to leave was Mr. Boyles, who, with McIntosh, purchased eighty acres in Section 29, in 1829.

John and Mary Pollock came from Ireland, and settled in Pokagon Township ; he departed this life in 1864, and she in 1848. John O. Pollock, one of their seven children, now lives on Section 7, and is the father of six children, all at home, the elder boys helping cultivate the farm of 150 acres, which has been converted from a state of wilderness to one of fertility by the industry of Mr. Pollock.

Amos Green was born December 10, 1789, in Sa- vannah, Ga. While young, he removed to North Caro- lina, thence to Preble County, Ohio, where he married Sarah Jones, who came from North Carolina, and they came to Michigan in 1830, settling on Young's Prairie, where he died August 6, 1854, and she De- cember 13, 1863. Their children were Hannah, Lydia, George, Rebecca, Esther, Asenath, Sarah (Mrs. Davis, in California), Amos, Enoch, Kesiah, Elizabeth (now Mrs. I. Bonine), Mary Ann (now Mrs. Stephen Jones, ; of Battle Creek), Solomon and Phœbe (now Mrs. H. Warren). George is in Vandalia, Solomon out west; all the rest being deceased, except Lydia, widow of Stephen Rudd, Stephen being one of four brothers- Marvick, Jeremiah, Barker F. and Stephen-who were born near the Green Mountains, Vermont, Stephen coming here in 1836, his death occurring in 1860. Mrs. Rudd now lives on the farm she lielped make, and distinctly recalls the trying scenes when they first came into the county, a pile of stones doing duty in the house as fire-place. Mr. Rudd entered 120 acres in Section 25, in 1836, but subsequently sold, and purchased in Section 17. He was a carpenter by trade, and built, or assisted in building, all the early buildings in that section. Her four children all live in the township, viz., Olivia, Eveline, Alonzo B. and

Ella. Jeremiah Rudd, one of the above-mentioned brothers, was a good Baptist Deacon, always solicitous for the poor, and died in 1855, nineteen years after coming to the county, and his wife Orphia died in Minnesota. Of their three children, Helen is de- ceased, Orson in Dakota, and Jay, a farmer in Section 9, he being a widower, his wife having died in 1861.

Joseph Pemberton, who was born near Charleston, S. C., removed to St. Joseph County, Ind., and from there to Cass County in January, 1835. He located 240 acres in Section 23, and died in three months after coming here, or March 16, 1836, leaving his wife Elener, who was originally from Hardin County, Ky., in charge of seven children, the oldest being fourteen years of age (some of the older children hav- ing married). Although she was left with some money, being kind and generous, and unaccustomed to conducting business, she soon disposed of the major portion of it, and was obliged to support her chil- dren by running the loom, manufacturing cloth. She would labor until 9 o'clock at night, and 3 o'clock the next morning would find her industriously laboring over the loom, anxiously counting each yard as it grew under her skillful hands, while thinking of the mouths to feed, and the many necessaries she must provide. Such parental love shows the devotion of woman, and no wonder her children revere her mem- ory as they contemplate the numerous hours of weari- some toil and deprivations she endured for them, Mr. Joseph M. Pemberton, who resides on Section 23, be- ing one of the three children. Thomas England was one of those who act as the forerunners of civilization. Coming from Virginia in June, 1829, he located eighty acres of land in Section 22, and, in 1831, eighty more in Section 15, which was disposed of to I. Bonine, he starting for the much-praised territory of Iowa. Con- temporaneous with Mr. England was William Mc- Cleary, who came from Virginia in 1829, and in 1830 sold to John Nixon the 160 acres he had located, and removed to Indiana, in which State he died. Mr. Nixon, who is now enjoying the evening of life, for he was born in Randolph County, N. C., in 1806, and still resides on the first land he purchased for $4 per acre.

Up to this period, 1831, a large number of those who came into the country acted as avant-couriers to the tide of civilization then pouring westward, and having spied out the western paradise turned their faces toward the setting sun for new fields to explore, the restraints of civilization being uncongenial to them. Their stay, however, was so transitory that it was

" Like the snow-fall in the river,

A moment white-then melts forever."

It is extremely difficult to obtain anything authen-

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

tic regarding them. At this period, the people began to turn their attention to township affairs and held the election ordered nearly three years previous, and affairs began to assume a more permanent shape both of individuals and the community ; religious serv- vices were held by itinerant ministers of various denominations in private houses, and Martin Shields had built a frame barn on his farm, the first in the township. The first school was taught by Lousia Gedding, in the log house of Daniel McIntosh. A blacksmith shop had been established by a man named Peck in 1828, near what is now Jamestown, and although he took his departure this year, 1831, he was soon followed by others. That much needed manufactory a grist-mill-the first in the county- had been built in 1828, by David Carpenter, on the Christiana Creek, and, although a most primitive affair, it did duty for the settlers even as far as forty miles distant in some instances. This enterprise is worthy of more than a secluded corner in the history, both on account of the importance it assumed in the community, and the ingenuity displayed in its con- struction by Carpenter, who had almost nothing at hand now considered indispensable in such enter- prises. With all his ingenuity the builder made a serious mistake, for he first located it on Donnel's Lake, and when completed turned the water into the flume, which from the natural construction of the ground was so high that only a few inches of water, not nearly enough for practical purposes, would run into it. It being impossible to correct matters there it was immediately torn down and placed on Christiana Creek. In simplicity it would rank with the mills of the ancient Egyptians, while for effectiveness it far surpassed them, its capacity being forty bushels of corn per day. Not a foot of lumber was used in its construction, excopt for the bolting chest, and it to- gether with the buhrs and irons were brought from Ohio in wagons drawn by oxen.

A hollow sycamore log was inserted in a horizontal position in the dam into which the water flowed and from that into an upright sycamore log, through auger holes, and from thence onto the wheel that in turn, by means of belts, drove the stone which were two feet and seven inches in diameter. This mill, which exists only in history, did efficient service for many years and was run by James O'Dell after 1832.

In 1830 or 1831, John Donnel constructed a distill- ery on Section 35, and sold whisky at 25 cents per gal- lon. In early days, it was not considered disreputable to drink whisky, and no raising, log-rolling, chopping or husking bee was considered complete without this favorite beverage was freely dispensed, and a failure to provide it would be considered not only a breach of

etiquette but an act of penuriousness none could brook; in fact its use was considered appropriate at all times and under all circumstances, hence the distiller was an important factor in the community in which he re- sided and was frequently as strenuous for the mainte- nance of the moral and other laws as the most puritan- ical. Donnel removed to Illinois and from there to Oregon, where he died some ten years since, reputed to be worth $100,000. His successor, T. R. Johnson, was considerable of a sporting character, and his fav- orite race-horse, " Blue Buck," was the recipient of many encomiums from his neighbors, who had a settler's right or interest in him. " Blue Buck " was taken on numerous expeditions outside of the county to exhibit his speed and win dollars for his owner. The story goes that Johnson's son won $10 of some merchants, who were in Chicago purchasing goods, and they re- fused to pay. The old gentleman on being informed counseled his son to keep quiet for he would see that they paid roundly for their duplicity. Accordingly, he had his son attach his horses to their wagons, full of goods just purchased, and as the midnight hour ap- proached started for home with them, traveling by night and hiding in the impenetrable forests by day ; whether this is true or not, certain it is that they brought home a stock of goods, but as to whether he procured them without giving value received is doubt- ful, as Johnson was fond of telling a good story.

About this time, 1833, an affair occurred that caused quite a commotion among the inhabitants, and was the topic of discussion for many years. Martin Hollis and Thomas Kirk were engaged in erecting a saw-mill on the Christiana Creek, in Section 23, when a num- ber of Indians repaired to the house of Mr. Kirk and flourished their weapons in a rather suggestive man- ner, in view of the fact that there was a feud existing between them and Kirk; finally a gun was thrust through the door the barrel to which was caught by Mr. Hollis when it was discharged, the contents entering the person of an Indian named Pokagon, who died in about four weeks. The Indian was ar- rested, but released after an examination, to be tried by the Indians (who did nothing with him), he claim- ing that the discharge was purely accidental, not being aware that the gun was cocked. Those most conversant with the affair incline to the opinion that they went there on a mission of death, which was only prevented from being consummated in the manner intended, by the timely interference of Mr. Hollis.

Being desirous of ridding the country of wolves, which were very numerous and destructive of stock, the records show that a bounty of " $2 per head for large wolves, and $1 for whelps and prairie wolves," was allowed. These pests continued in such large

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History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 54

Author: Waterman, Watkins & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & co. Number of Pages: 670

Author: Waterman, Watkins & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & co.
Number of Pages: 670