USA > Michigan > Cass County > History of Cass county, Michigan > Part 56
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John R. Keller, Cass County, Mich , Dec. 18, 1848. 40
SECTION 2.
James Martin, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 24, 1836 40 Hankinson Ashby, St. Joseph County, Mich., March 7, 1836, 120
Jeremialı Rudd, Rutland County, Vt., July 13, 1836.
80
Zebedee Mosher, Cass County, Mich., March 1, 1837. 66
Harling Bixby, Cass County, Mich., May 28, 1846. 137
Rhoby Fish, Cass County, Mich., Nov. 3, 1848 30 Hiram Emory, Cass County, Mich., Jan. 5, 1850. 40
SECTION 3.
Marverick Rudd, Cass County, Mich., July 13, 1836. 80 Samuel C. Olmsted, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 15, 1837 75 Sylvester Olmsted, Cass County, Mich , Feb. 15, 1837 80 Nathan Caswell New York City, April 6, 1837. 76 Elias Whitcomb, Cass County, Mich., June 17, 1837. 80 Jason Thursten, St. Joseph County, Mich., Sept. 4, 1837 80
David M. Howell and Joshua Loffand, Cass County, Mich.,
Oct. 2, 1848. 80
SECTION 4.
Amos Northrop, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 12, 1836. 160
Horace Nicholson, Cass County, Mich., March 6, 1837. 40
Oramel Griffin, Allegany County, N. Y., April 3, 1837 430
SECTION 5.
George Redfield, Cass County, Mich., May 28, 1836 316
James Phelps, Calhoun County, Mich., Jan. 28, 1837 160 Horace Nicholson, Cass County, Mich., March 6, 1837 40 Allen Ayrault, Livingston County, N. Y., July 25, 1837. 115
SECTION 6.
David Brooks, Cass County, Mich., June 30, 1831 137 Lawrence, Imlay & Beach, Onondaga County, N. Y., May 30,
1836 453
SECTION 7.
William McCleary, Cass County, Mich., Oct. 14, 1830. 160 Lawrence, Imlay & Beach, May 28, 1836. 297
Isaiah Atkins, Washington County, Vt., July 23, 1836. 80 Walter Clark, Kalamazoo County, Mich., Jan. 30, 1837. 57
SECTION 8.
George Jones, Jr .. Butler County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1829. 80 Ezra Hinchey, Cass County, Mich., July 7, 1830. 160
80
John Townsend, Cass County, Mich., Jan. 9, 1834.
Martha Townsend, Cass County, Mich., March 7, 1836. 40 Epaphro Ransom, Kalamazoo County, Mich., May 28, 1836; 240 James Phelps, Calhoun County, Mich., Jan. 28, 1837. 40
SECTION 9.
Henry Whited, Lenawee County, Mich., July 2, 1829. 160 George Jones, Jr., Butler County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1829. 160 John Townsend, Cass County, Mich., Oct. 4, 1833 80
Thompson Smith, Cass County, Mich., Nov. 11, 1835. 40 Amus Green, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 29, 1835. 40 Tomlinson & Booth, New York City, May 27, 1836. 160
SEOTION 10. ACRES.
Amos Green, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 29, 1835 80 James Price, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 5, 1836 .. 40 Tomlinson & Booth, New York City, May 27, 1836 480 Jeremiah Rudd, Rutland County, Vt., July 13, 1836 40
SECTION 11.
Davil Tomlinson, Schenectady County, N. Y., July 13, 1836. 320 De Forest Manice, New York City, July 13, 1836. 320
SECTION 12.
D. Tomlinson, July 13, 1836, entire ..
......
.... 638
SECTION 13.
Samuel Thompson, Cass County, Mich., Nov. 18, 1835 40
James Martin, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 24, 1836 .. 40
Stephen Rudd, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 24, 1836. 40 Christopher R. Roberts, New York ('ity, July 13, 1836. 240 Christopher R. Roberts, New York City, July 13, 1836. 229 Jacob Keen, Cass County, Mich., May 2, 1853. 36
SECTION 14.
Michael Collins, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 29, 1835. 40
Michael Collins, Cass County, Mich., Jan. 13, 1836 40 De Forest Manice, New York City, July 13, 1836. 560
SECTION 15.
Thomas England, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 5, 1831 80
George Jones, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 12, 1831 80
Charlotte Lamb, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 24, 1836. 40 Boyd & Byron, Highland County, Ohio, April 28, 1836. 120
Tomlinson & Booth, New York City, May 27, 1836. 320
SECTION 16.
School Lands.
SECTION 17.
George Jones, Butler County, Ohio, June 17, 1829, entire ..... 640
SECTION 18.
William McCleary. Tuscarawas County, Ohio, June 17, 1829, 80 George Jones, Butler County, Ohio, June 17, 1829. 139 William Justice, Lenawes County, Mich., July 13, 1829. 160 Tomlinson & Booth, New York City, May 27, 1836. 57 Epaphro. Ransom, Kalamazoo County, Mich., May 28, 1836 .. 160
SECTION 19.
John Nicholson, Wayne County, Ind., June 17, 1829 160
Charles Jones, Preble County, Ohio, June 17, 1829 300
Jacob Miller, Lenawee Couuty, Mich., July 13, 1829 140
SECTION 20.
Charles Jones, Preble County, Ohio, Juns 17, 1829. 80
Charles Jones, Preble County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1829 160
George Jones, Butler County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1829. 80
Martin Shields, Lenawee County, Mich., June 17, 1829. 160 Isaac Commons, Wayne County, Ind., June 17, 1829. 80
John Nicholson, Wayne County, Ind., June 17, 1829, 80
SECTION 21.
John N. Donald, Lenawee County, Mich., June 17, 1829. 160
Thomas England, Warren County, Ohio, June 17, 1829 .. 160
George Jones, Jr., Butler County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1829 80
George Jones, Butler County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1829 240
SECTION 22.
Thomas England, June 17, 1829 80
John N. Donald, Aug. 17, 1829. 80
John Price, Cass County, Mich., Aug. 27, 1880. 80
George Shaffer, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 5, 1834
40
254
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ACRES.
Martin Harless, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 5, 1834. 40 B. A. Pemberton, St. Joseph County, Mich., Nov. 23, 1835. 80 Drury Jones, Cass County, Mich., Jan. 31, 1837 40
George Goodman, Berrien County, Mich., Jan. 31, 1837. 40
Samuel H. Whipple, Washtenaw County, Mich., March 9,
1837 160
SECTION 23.
Thomas Kirk, Cass County, Mich., Aug. 1, 1832. 40
Thomas Kirk, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 5, 1836 40 Martin Harless, Cass County, Mich., Jan. 4, 1833. 40
William Bacon. Ontario County, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1835. 160 .Joseph Pemberton. St. Joseph County, Mich., Nov. 23, 1835, 240 Abram Ashby, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 16, 1835. 40
James Price, Cass County, Mich., March 13, 1837. 40
Timothy Straw, Hopkinton, N. H., May 24, 1837 40
SECTION 24.
Thomas Kirk, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 5, 1836. 80
Hankenson Ashby, St. Joseph County, March 7, 1836. 40 Jason Powell, Calhoun County, Dec. 10. 1836 47 William A. Mills, Livingstone County, N Y., Feb. 1, 1837 113
Benjamin Sherman, St. Joseph County, Feb. 1, 1837. 224
SECTION 25.
Martin Shields, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 6, 1836. 80
Stephen Rudd, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 6, 1×36. 80 Stephen Rudd, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 24, 1836. 40
Ephraim Rogers, Rutland County, N. Y , July 17, 1836 160
Jason Powell, Calhoun County, Dec. 10, 1836. 80
Barker F. Rudd, Cass County. Mich .. Dec. 14, 1836 80
Lorenzo Little, Cayuga County, N. Y., Feb. 1, 1837. 120
SECTION 26.
Thomas E. O'Dell, Cass County, Mich., March 2, 1833 4€
Thomas E. O'Dell, Cass County, Mich., July 10, 1834. 40 Edward Byram, Highland t'ounty, Ohio, Dec. 14, 1833 160
1bram Ashby, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 16 1835. 80 Daniel McIntosh, Cass County, Mich., Feh. 6, 1836 80 Barker F. Rudd, Cass County, Mich., Feh. 8, 1836 80 Barker F. Rudd, t'ass County, Mich .. Feb. 18, 1836. 40
Charles Jones, Cass County, Mich,, Aug. 31, 1835. 80
Timothy Straw, Hopkinton, N. H., May 24, 1837 40
SECTION 27.
John Rinehart, Lenawee County. June 17, 1829, 160
George Jones, Cass County, Mich., Jan. 4, 1830. 160
Benjamin Bogue, Cass County, Mich., Nov. 18, 1830. 80 Lewis Boon, Cass County, Mich., June 7, 1831 80
Jones & Bogue, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 28, 18 :1. 80 Drury Jones, Cass County, Mich., Oct. 9, 1837. 80
SECTION 28.
Joha Rinehart, Lenawee County, June 17, 1829. 160
John N. Donald, Lenawee County, June 17, 1829 80 Samuel Boyles, Wayne ('ounty, Ohio, June 17, 1829 80
Charles Jones, Preble County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1829. 80 George Jones, Butler County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1829 80
Joseph Frakes, C'ass County, Mich., March 1, 1830. 80 William Jones, Cass County, Mich., Sept. 21, 1835. 40 Amos Smith, Cass l'ounty, Mich., May 2, 1858.
SECTION 29.
Daniel Mclotosh, Wayne County, Ohio, June 17, 1829 160 Boyles & McIntosh, Wayne t'ounty, Ohio, June 17, 1829 80 Stephen Bogue, Preble County, Ohio, June 17, 1829, 160 Stephen Bogue, Preble County, Ohio, Sept. 5, 1829. 80 Martin Shields, Viss County, Mich., March 11, 1829 80 Daniel Mcintosh, Jr., Cass County, Mich., May 10, 1830 80
SECTION 30.
ACRES.
Isaac Commons, Wayne County, Ind., June 17, 1829. 160
George Jones, Butler County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1829. 78 Ebenezer S. Sibley, Wayne County, Mich., June 2, 1830 17 Abel I. McCleary, Cass County, Mich., Oct. 14, 1830. 80 Robert Clark, Jr., St. Joseph County, Mich., Jan. 1, 1831 .. 61
H. L. & A. C. Stewart, St. Joseph County, Mich., Jan. 1, 1831 80
Alexander D. Anderson, Monroe County, Mich., Jan. 1, 1831 61
SECTION 31.
Samuel Boyles, Wayne County, Ohio, June 17, 1829 40
Henry H. Fowler, Cass County, Mich, May 10, 1830 91
Levi F. Arnold, St. Joseph t'ounty, Ind., Nov. 10, 1830. 17
Job Wright Cass County, Mich., Island in Diamond Lake, May 15, 1832. 39
SECTION 32.
Boyles & McIntosh, Wayne County, Ohio, June 17, 1829 54
Daniel McIntosh, Jr., Cass County, Mich., May 10, 1830. 46 William McIntosh, Cass County, Mich , June 21, 1831 111 William McIntosh, Cass County, Mich., July 8. 1831. 74
John McDaniel, Cass County, Mich., July 8, 1835 61
SECTION 33.
Jesse Gardner, Cass County, Mich., Nov. 18, 1830. 160
Jonathan Colyar, Cass County, Mich., Jan. 1, 1836. 80
William Mcintosh, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 1, 1836 80
William Hannahs. Otsego County, N. Y., July 25, 1836. 320
SECTION 34.
John Carpenter, Logan County, Ohio, June 17, 1829 80
Thomas E. O'Dell, Cass County, Mich., March 8, 1832. 80 John Kelsey, Cass County, Mich., April 8, 1833. 40 Thomas E. O'Dell, Cass County, Mich., Sept. 25, 1834 40 Sandford L. Collins, Monroe County, Jan, 8, 1836 120
Edward Byram, Highland County, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1836. 40
John W. Odell, Cass County, Mich., March 16, 1836 40
Spencer Nicholson, Rutland County, Vt., July 6, 1836 80 Truman Kilborn, Rutland County, Vt., July 25, 1836. 80
James Mcintosh, Rutland County, Vt., Dec. 14, 1836. 40
SECTION 35.
Jonathan Donnel, Cass County, Mich., May 26. 1830. 80
Andrew Johnson, Cass County, Mich,, April 29, 1835 40
Thomas E. O'Dell, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 17, 1835. 48 James O'Dell, Cass County, Mich., April 28, 1836. 64
Rolla T. Cushing, Washtenaw County, Jan. 28, 1837 118
James O'Dell, Cass County. Mich., Dec. 1, 1836 159
SECTION 36.
Robt. E. Ward, Berrien County, Feb. 23, 1836. 25
Ephraim Rogers, Rutland County, Vt., July 7, 1836. 59
Micajah Grennell, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 14, 1836. 157
Ishmael Lee, Cass County, Mich., Jan. 21, 1837. 71
Rolla T. Cushing, Washtenaw County, Jan. 23, 1837 84
Micajah Grennell, Cass County, June 8, 1837. 45
STOCK MARKS.
Many of the early settlers were possessed of more stock than could find sustenance in their fenced fields, and as they were allowed to run at large, it was necessary to have some marks by which they could be recognized.
The devices for marking stock were many and in- genious, yet the ears of the poor animals were badly
255
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
mutilated, and the " society for the prevention of cruelty to animals " would, in the new settlements, have found an ample field for work. Fortunately, the custom of " cropping," "splitting " and "punching" the ears of sheep, hogs and cattle has nearly gone out of date, and is only known to the pages of the records, where can be found a description of them, it being necessary to record them so that two individuals would not adopt the same device. The following description of some of the marks adopted will be read with interest by future generations :
June 13, 1835. Samuel Coxe's mark-a slit in each ear.
December 21, 1835. Neahmiah Dunn's mark-a crop off the left ear, and slit in each ear.
April 6, 1833. Henry H. Fowler's mark-a hole in the right ear.
March 22, 1834. Amos Green's mark-a crop off the right ear, and slit in left ear.
December 21, 1835. Jacob Hill's mark-square crop off the left ear, and swallow fork in the right ear. January 13, 1836. Martin Harris' mark-two crops, two under-bits in each ear.
October 24, 1853. John Hollister's mark-half circle in the forward part of the right ear.
February 14, 1848. George W. Jones' mark-a round hole in each ear.
August 26, 1847. Joshua Leaches' mark-a square crop off the left ear, swallow fork in right ear, and under-bit in the same.
September 16, 1834. James O'Dell's mark-a swallow fork in right ear.
March 15, 1836. B. A. Pemberton's mark-a half crop out of the under side of the right ear, and upper-bit out of the same.
January 18, 1844. Charles O. Lamb's mark-a crop off and slit and under-bit in right ear.,
VANDALIA.
The present site of the village of Vandalia was owned by Stephen Bogue, and he and C. P. Ball built a grist-mill here in 1848-49, and January 3, 1857, laid out the village.
Abraham Sigerfoos was the first settler and became the village blacksmith. Asa Kingsbury was the first merchant, and T. J. Wilcox the first Postmaster. It is located on the Air Line Division of the Michigan Central Railroad, and is a pleasant little village of 439 inhabitants and has its share of the business of this portion of the county. It now contains two general stores, one drug store, three drug and grocery stores, one dry goods and clothing store, one clothing store, two hardware stores, two millinery establishments, one urniture and one stationery store ; one harness, one
cooper, two blacksmith, one wagon, one shoemaker, and one butcher shop ; one foundry and one grist-mill, two hotels, viz., the Townsend House, kept by C. R. Dodge, and the Vandalia House, kept by R. S. Pem- berton ; one livery, kept by G. R. Anderson; one private banking house, conducted by G. J. Townsend.
The professions are represented by five physicians and one attorney. It contains three churches and one Masonic Lodge hereinafter mentioned. The village was incorporated in 1875, and the following officers first elected : President, George J. Townsend; Trust- ees, J. B. Lutz, George Longsduff, Gideon Osborn, John H. East, Leander Osborn, W. F. Boot; Mar- shal, N. J. Crosby ; Clerk, J. L. Sturr. The presen offi- cers (1882) are : President, George Longsduff; Trust- ees, George J. Townsend, Peter Snyder, O. C. Gren- nell, Leander Osborn, George W. Van Antwerp, Will- iam Mulrim ; Clerk, J. L. Sturr; Marshal, Steven A. Bogue.
June 14, 1881, William A. DeGroot established the Vandalia Journal, a five column quarto, as will appear in the general history.
FRIENDS' MONTHLY MEETING.
Nearly all the members of this meeting were former members of the Monthly Meeting, established on Young's Prairie in 1841, and they retained their membership there until the present edifice was com- pleted ; they, however, held meetings on the grounds · now occupied by the present meeting for three years. In July, 1879, James E. Bonine, Silas H. Thomas, Henry Coat, W. E. Bogue and S. A. Bogue, were ap- pointed a building committee. The meeting house was completed and dedicated December 28, 1879, by Robert W. Douglass, of Wilmington, Ohio, and the building committee appointed trustees. The building is of brick, 34x57, with a twenty feet ceiling, sur- mounted by a belfry, and presents a very fine appear- ance, the cost of construction being $5,250.
Henry Coate, the present minister, has been with the church since its first informal organization. The church officials are-Elders, J. E. Bonine, Sarah A. Bonine, Silas H. Thomas, Elvira B. Thomas. Over- seers-S. A. Bogue, Ira East, Mary Russey, Mabel East. Clerk-W. E. Bogue; Treasurer-Peter Sny- der. The Sunday school contains 100 scholars, taught by eight teachers, and is officered as followed : Superintendent, Henry Coat ; Secretary, S. A. Bogue ; Treasurer, Lot Bonine.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
For about fifteen years members of this religious denomination held religious services, first, in private houses, and later in the schoolhouse, until April 7, 1854,
256
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
when they were regularly organized by Rev. David Miller, with Ephraim Alexander and Julius E. Nich- olson as Elders, John Alexander as Deacon, and that same year built their present church edifice, which from time to time has been improved, until now its value is estimated to be $2,500. The county records show its legal organization to have been perfected March 15, 1855, with Ephraim Alexander, John Hurd, Stephen Jones, John Hollister, Reason S. Pemberton and John Alexander as Trustees. The present officers are, Elders, John Hollister and John Alexan- der ; Deacons, George Green and George Wilson ; Clerk, Mary S. Hollister, and now has a membership of 100, while a flourishing Sunday school of seventy scholars and has, as Superintendent, G. J. Townsend-
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1831, a Methodist minister named Felton erected a house on the ground now occupied for that purpose by John Moon, and commenced preach- ing. Since that time, services have been held at irregular intervals at private and school houses, with no regular place of worship. The schoolhouse at Vandalia long did service in this capacity, for many years the minister in charge at Cassopolis serving them as pastor. In the fall of 1876, the church was re-organized by Rev. J. W. H. Carlyle, the first Trustees elected being John Lutes, A. Bristol, Will- iam F. Bort, Isaac Reiff, L. Osborn. In 1877, the corner-stone to the present building was laid by Rev. Mr. Joy, of Niles, and the edifice completed that year, and the dedicatory sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Eldred, and the congregation rejoiced in the pos- session of a church home. The church now has a membership of about forty.
The present Board of Trustees is composed of A. Bristol, H. H. Phillips, Eli Bump, L. Osborn, and 1. Reiff. Rev. Mr. Robinson was their pastor for 1881. The church was first legally. organized June 17, 1858, with M. P. Grennell, David J. Whit- ney, Harrison Launburgh, Joseph Jones and William Russay as Trustees.
A flourishing Sunday school of sixty members has as Superintendent E. Reed. Through the influence of the Red Ribbon Society, organized some four years since, who have simply enforced the laws, the liquor traffic has been driven from Vandalia. It has a mem- bership of 100, who have selected Dr. L. Osborn as President. They now have no active work to perform, but keep up the organization against a time of need. The society possesses a fine organ.
MASONIC.
Vandalia Masonic Lodge, No. 290, was chartered in 1871, the charter members being Amos Smith,
Peter Snyder, George Longsduff, E. C. Cobb, Leander Osborn, G. S. Osborn, J. B. Lutes, John Lutes, Charles F. Smith, John H. East, R. S. Pemberton, John Klyne, George Green, William H. H. Pember- ton, William Muline. The first officers were: Amos Smith, W. M .; George Longsduff, S. W .; Charles F. Smith, J. W .; G. S. Osborn, Treasurer ; J. B. Lutes, Secretary ; J. H. East, S. D .; R. S. Pemberton, J. D .; William Muline, Tiler. The lodge now numbers forty-eight members, and is in good working order, with the following officers : George Longsduff, W. M .; Leander Osborn, S. W .; George L. Duffy, J. W .; Peter Snyder, Treasurer; H. A. Snyder, Secretary ; J. H. East, S. D .; F. M. Dennison, J. D .; James Salpan, Tiler. The hall is very tastefully furnished with a Masonic emblem carpet and other necessary adjuncts to the fraternity. The present Master has held that ancient and honorable position since the organization of the lodge, except three years, which speaks volumes for his efficiency. The present Treas- urer has held that position, with the exception of one year, since the organization of the lodge, while the Secretary, Mr. Snyder, has for five out of six years recorded the proceedings of the lodge.
GENEVA, THE LOST VILLAGE.
Geneva, the embryo village, now exists only in the imagination of the oldest pioneers of the county. Its ephemeral existence was signalized by the great activ- ity of its inhabitants, who had ambitions great and lofty concerning its future ; all of which were doomed to be blasted, and the traveler, as he wends his way past Diamond Lake, would never imagine that he was passing by land once platted for a city, and what was once the county seat of Cass County.
In 1830, Martin C. Whitman, Hart L. Stewart and Col. Sibley, Commissioners, appointed by Gov. Por- ter, located the county seat at Geneva on the bank of Diamond Lake, which had previously been laid out and platted by Abner Kelsey, Mr. Silsby, Dr. H. H. Fowler, Mr. Hartwell and Alanson Stewart, who sold lots from $10 to $25, and gave away others to actual settlers. A spirit of envy was generated by others, who had land for sale, and, the following year, a new Board of Commissioners were appointed, who by shrewd management were induced to locate the county seat at Cassopolis, where it now is. The first store was opened in 1830, by Mr. Agard, the goods for which were brought by Daniel McIntosh and George Meacham from Detroit to Edwardsburg, and then removed to Geneva. The time occupied in procuring the goods was one month, three yoke of oxen being attached to each wagon, that driven by Mr. McIntosh weighing 66,000 pounds ; coming to a very steep hill, the oxen abso-
GEORGE J. TOWNSEND.
RESIDENCE OF JESSE G. JONES, PENN, MICH.
257
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
lutely refused to ascend it ; a little strategy was resorted to, which accomplished the purpose. A bag of corn was spilled on the ground on top of the hill, and the oxen allowed to eat about one-half, when, on being at- tached to the wagons, they settled into their yokes and drew the loads readily, so anxious were they to finish their repast. The St. Joseph River offered an- other impediment, but by laying logs along the bol- sters and with jack-screws raising the loads upon them they were enabled to ford the river, the cattle swim- ming, without injuring the goods.
*"In the fall of 1830, Nathan Baker opened a blacksmith-shop, and, in 1833 or 1834, commenced the manufacture of cast-plows, which was the first furnace in the county. The iron used in the black- smith-shop and foundry was brought in wagons from Ohio.
"Soon after Mr. Baker, his son-in-law, John White, came, who was a blacksmith, and worked at the busi- ness with his father-in-law. Their business proved a decided success, and its development kept pace with the growth and wants of the country. For nearly twenty years, the 'Baker plow' was the only one in use in the county, excepting the 'Bull plow,' which it superseded. They added, also, in time, the manu- facture of cultivators, shovel-plows, and other agricult- ural implements.
" Upon the decline of Geneva, the shops were moved to Cassopolis, and formed a leading feature of her pros- perity. In 1832, Mr. Agard was succeeded by Ira Nash, who carried on the business for a number of years ; Daniel and Abner Kelsey also sold goods for a time. A tailor, by the name of King, followed his avocation for a time. Nelson Shields worked at cabi- netmaking, and William Williams at carpenter work."
The place never contained a church or schoolhouse, but a school was taught in a private house. The at- tractions of Cassopolis, however, proved disasterous to the future of Geneva, and it commenced to dwindle away until after a time nothing remained to com- memorate its rise and fall. Ira Nash, who was one of its prominent merchants, died in Kalamazoo in 1880. Baker went Westand died. White was kicked in the stomach by a horse and killed at a vendue, held at the Alexander place-now owned by James Dowels; and so all of those who were prominently identified with the lost village have died or moved away.
PENN.
Upon the completion of the Grand Trunk Railroad, Parker James, son of Isaac James, built a store and com- menced the sale of groceries, his father, on whose land the village is located, having laid it out November 12,
1869. This store has changed hands several times, and now is owned by C. M. Osborn, who carries a general stock of goods, and does considerable business. He is also Postmaster of the village, which originally bore the name of Jamestown, in honor of Mr. James, but which has been changed to Penn. The post office since its establishment has been known as Penn. According to the last census, it contained a population of 100, not having gained any for several years, its location preventing its ever being more than a side station. It contains a shoe shop, wagon shop, blacksmith shop and saw-mill. It contains one church edifice-the Friends'. The Friends' meet- ings were first held at the house of George Jones, a Mr. Benjamin Cox, of Indiana, sometimes officiating. At the house of Stephen Bogue could frequently have been seen religious assemblages, and the first business meeting of the Friends, in this township, was held in his house.
The first house of worship was built at Burch Lake, the Friends of Penn attending there until they built one on the prairie, called the Prairie Grove Church, when monthly meetings were held in these two churches alternately.
The Prairie Meeting House has been abandoned for a much more commodious and modern structure, erected in the village of Penn in 1880, at an expense of $1,700. The following gentlemen composed the Building Committee : I. Bonine, J. W. Rinehart, M. J. Wright and Nathan Jones. There is now settled within the church limits a most able and efficient minister, Myron T. Hartley.
It being contrary to the tenets of the Friends' meeting to employ religious instructors, we have no succession of pastors to record. The meeting at Penn now numbers about eighty members, and is in a very flourishing condition. The present officers are : Clerk, Evan J. East; Overseers, Garret- son and Nathan Wright; Trustees, Isaac Bonine, M. J. Wright and Nathan Jones. The county records contain the following record of the first legally organ- ized meeting : "Young's Prairie Monthly Meeting of the religious Society of Anti-slavery Friends, held 10th month, 11th, 1845, unites with and appoints Zachariah Shugart, Aslımael Lee and Samuel Thomas, Trustees for said meeting, who are to receive and hold all deeds or titles to meeting houses and burial grounds, or other estate which may be vested in them and their successors in office, for the use and of the Society at large." [" Extracts from meeting of aforesaid Society." " Subscribing witnesses, Stephen Bogue and Peter Marmon."]
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