USA > Michigan > Cass County > History of Cass county, Michigan > Part 62
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Although an ardent Republican, Mr. Marsh has not taken an active part in politics, but has held several township offices.
His second wife having died October 1, 1839, he married Sarah S. Lofland May 1, 1845. She was born in Milford, Kent County, Del., February 6, 1812, and departed this life January 6, 1879, leaving one daughter, Althea M., now Mrs. Thomas, a widow lady, who now resides with her father on the old home he purchased so many years ago.
MATTHEW HI. EMERSON.
The pioneers who settled in Cass County were noted for their honesty and integrity, and none more so than Matthew H. Emerson, in whose veins flowed the commingled blood of the honest, high-minded Scotchinen and the sturdy, methodical and progressive Englishmen. He was born in Hopkinton, N. H., December 11, 1808, and was one of a family of six- the children of Joseph and Susanna (Harvey) Emerson.
In 1829, he went to Rensselaer County, N. Y., and
two years later, to Albany County, where for eight years he clerked in a hardware store, and then came to Edwardsburg in 1839, his brother, Jeremiah, hav- ing preceded him. At this time, he possessed but $6.50, and was obliged to rely on his own industry and natural resources to farther his financial interests ; and they brought their sure reward, for, before his de- mise, which occurred March 17, 1877, he had accu- mulated a competency.
In the spring of 1841, he purchased eighty acres of the farm in Ontwa, where his widow now resides, to which forty acres was subsequently added. His whole attention was not given to agricultural pursuits, for five years was spent working in the store for the Sages, who ran a grist-mill at Adamsville.
In politics, Mr. Emerson was a stanch Democrat, and was by this party elevated to various township offices including that of Justice of the Peace, and held this office for twenty-eight consecutive years, which is a most fitting tribute to his ability and integrity, for, in early times, this was a most important office. So great was the confidence reposed in him that he was made the custodian of money belonging to others, for whom he did a large amount of business.
While a resident of New Hampshire, he was a mem- ber of the State Militia and held the offices of Ensign, Lieutenant and Captain, which latter office he resigned when moving to New York. March 25, 1841, he mar- ried Alzina R., daughter of Reuben and Damarias (Cloys) Allen, who was born in Anderson County, Vt., January 29, 1823, and who came to Cass County in 1835, with her parents, who are numbered among the pioneers. Reuben Allen died February 23, 1863, and his widow is still surviving at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The Allens are descendants of the same paternal stock as the historical Ethan Allen.
Mr. and Mrs. Emerson were blessed with two chil- dren-J. Fred, who is married to Delia A. (Thomas), and resides on the old homestead, and is at present holding the office of Justice of the Peace ; and Reuben A., a resident of Buchanan, Mich.
GEORGE T. HOWARD.
George T. Howard was born in Kent County, Md., May 21, 1816, and is a son of Stephen Howard, who was born in Delaware September 12, 1791, and Mar- garet (Lamb) Howard. The Howard family consisted of seven children, who grew to manhood's estate, and his father being in very moderate circumstances, George, as soon as able, was necessitated to labor in behalf of his own support, and at the tender age of seven years was placed out for three years, and when quite a lad worked three years at $9 per annum, his board and his clothing, which it is needless to say were manu-
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CHARLES HANEY.
MRS . CHARLES HANEY.
4
GEORGE T. HOWARD .
MRS. GEORGE T. HOWARD .
RESIDENCE OF THE LATE CHARLES D. HADDEN, ONTWA , MICH.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
factured of the most simple and inexpensive material. The $27 thus earned was passed over to his father to assist in maintaining the younger children, as was all the money he earned, until he attained the age of twenty-one years, which was an act of filial duty all would expect of Mr. Howard. Having been, by the force of circumstances, deprived of the opportunities of obtaining an education, he started out on the uncer- tain voyage of life under adverse circumstances, but being possessed of great bodily vigor and a resolute heart, he commenced life for himself as a farm hand, firmly resolved to succeed, and success has crowned his efforts.
September 5, 1843, he was married to Eliza, daugh- ter of Benjamin Parsons. who was born at Milford Neck, Kent County, Del., February 28, 1827. In the fall of 1845, they started for Cass County, and arrived here in September, and money being very scarce, he received, but 60 cents per day for his labor, and frequently worked for two busbels of corn per day, the corn being worth from 18 to 20 cents per bushel, one-half store pay.
He soon purchased 103 acres of land and com- menced farming for himself, and has succeeded admir- ably, for be now possesses the farms taken up by George and Sylvester Meacham, having in all 310 acres, and great credit is due Mr. Howard for his suc- cess. Mrs. Howard, who departed this life September 9, 1880, after an illness of seventeen years, was a most estimable lady and did her full share in the matri- monial voyage of life.
They became the parents of three children-Mar- garet S., now Mrs. B. F. Thompson, in Ontwa, who was born August 11, 1844; William G., an attorney in Kalamazoo, where he graduated, and former Prose- cuting Attorney of Cass County, who was born May 18, 1846; John A., born December 14, 1848, died June 8, 1874, and who was Treasurer of the town ; and an adopted daughter, Ann May, who was born November 14, 1856. His father Stephen, came to Cass County, and died here December 26, 1863, his mother's death occurring East, April 13, 1845.
CHARLES HANEY.
Among the prominent representatives of the German race in the township of Ontwa can be mentioned Charles Haney, who was born in Baden, Germany, January 29, 1809. Although his youthful days were spent on a farm, he became somewhat conversant with the watchmaker's trade, and after coming to America in 1831 he engaged in peddling and repairing clocks, and while so engaged came to Cass County in 1833.
He here formed the acquaintance of, and March 27, 1834, married Miss Jane, daughter of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Sponsler) Smith, who was born in North Middleton Township, Cumberland Co., Penn., August 24, 1817, and when twelve years of age, accompanied her parents to Cass County, and they settled on the farm now owned by John Adams, having purchased the betterments of two men, one of them named White, where they remained until their deaths.
After marriage, they settled on the farm where they now reside, and here erected one of the first frame barns in the township.
The life of Mr. Haney has been a quiet, uneventful one, unmarked by many of the vicissitudes that over- take those in mercantile or manufacturing enterprises, or who are actively engaged in public life.
By the exercise of those sterling qualities charac- teristic of his race-economy and industry-aided by the efforts of his life's partner, he has amassed a compe- tency, and has won the esteem of those with whom he has associated so long.
The fruits of their marriage have been five chil- dren, of whom Lewis C., the eldest, gave up his life in defense of his country, for he was killed at the battle of Iuka, Miss., September 19, 1862. He was a member of Company A, Forty-eighth Indiana Vol- unteers. Sarah J., now Mrs. George F. Silver ; Lovina, now Mrs. Boyd Thomas; Albert and Vol- entine O., all of Ontwa.
CHARLES D. HADDEN.
Charles D. Hadden was born in Westchester County, N. Y., January 31, 1811, and is a son of Gilbert and Deborah (Barton) Hadden, who were of Scotch descent.
He removed with his mother to Auburn, of that State, his father dying when he was two years of age. He received a common school education, and was early cast upon his own resources for a livelihood, there being a family of eleven children who were left in very moderate circumstances. He commenced life as a farmer boy, working for a relative in Ithaca.
He first purchased a new farm in Savannah Town- ship, Wayne County, and moved on it in the fall of 1835, and some four years later moved to a farm in Butler Township, and some twelve years subsequent on another farm, on which he resided until coming to Cass County in 1867, at which time he purchased 400 acres just west of Edwardsburg, where he resided until his death, January 26, 1878. He erected on this farm fine farm buildings, a view of which will be found on another page. He was a very successful farmer and before his death accumulated a fine com- petency, which was the result of his own unaided efforts.
Politically, he was a Republican, and while a resi-
V
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
dent of New York State was repeatedly elected to the highest township offices ; but he eschewed politics after coming to this county. Mr. Hadden was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a very char- itable man. He was possessed of many estimable qualities and was a man of sterling integrity. He was married, November 11, 1835, to Nancy (Blythe), daughter of Samuel and Margaret Gilmore, who was born October 31, 1809, and she has born well her part in the active scenes of matrimonial life. They were blessed with six children, viz. : Samuel, Mary, George, Alonzo, Elizabeth and James, all of whom reside in this county except Alouzo, who is deceased. Mrs. Hadden resides on the old homestead together with her daughter, Mrs. Mary Harris.
HON. CYRUS BACON.
This gentleman, who for so many years was one of the prominent and esteemed citizens of Cass County, was of English descent. According to family tradi_ tion, the progenitors of the Bacon family in this coun- try were two brothers who came from England at a very early day, and settled in Hebron, Conn. ; from this place the family from which our subject is de- scended removed to Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y., where Cyrus Bacon was born October 26, 1796. He was the son of David and Hannah (Tarbox) Bacon, the former of whom was born in 1766, the latter in 1768. They were farmers, and possessed of those sturdy qualities of mind and heart that characterized the people of those days. The father of Mrs. Bacon (Capt. Tarbox) followed the sea for a livelihood, and it is said that he knew the notorious Capt. Kidd, who at one time attempted the capture of his vessel, but on learning who was in command left him to pursue his course unmolested. Cyrus was reared on the farm, and acquired what was considered in those days a good education ; he studied surveying, and when a young man removed to Chautauqua County, where he purchased a farm, but his services as a surveyor were in such demand that he devoted but little time to agri- cultural operations; he surveyed a large portion of Chautauqua County, and many others in that portion of the State. In 1828, he came to Michigan, and lo- cated a large tract of land near the present site of Adrian, Lenawee Co., and returned to New York. He held a captain's commission in the New York State Militia from 1822-24. There he remained until the death of his father, and, in 1834, he again came west in company with his brother William. It was his intention to settle upon his purchase in Lenawee County, but through the efforts of his brother (the late Judge Bacon, of Niles) who had preceded him, and had located in Berrien, he was in-
duced to change his plans and settle in Ontwa, where he purchased from F. Garver nine hundred and eighty acres of land, where his son, James G. Bacon, now resides. Mr. Bacon immediately entered upon the im- provement of his purchase and the development of the township, with that energy and zeal that characterized his subsequent career ; his farming operations were extensive. The first season he grew a crop of nearly nine thousand bushels of oats, which, owing to the great demand for coarse grain, and the cheap currency of that period, were sold for one dollar per bushel. Al- though deeply engrossed in business, he took a deep interest in political and social matters, and the people, recognizing his ability and integrity, called upon him to represent them in various positions of trust and re- sponsibility ; for many years he represented Ontwa upon the Board of Supervisors, and in 1849 was elected to the representative branch of the State Leg- islature, and his constituency were so well pleased with the able mauner in which he represented their interests, that they placed him at the succeeding elec- tion on the ticket for the State Senate, but, owing to the organization of the Know Nothing party, and the consequent defection from the Democratic ranks, be was defeated by a small majority. The path to public favor was at that time guarded by the broad expres- sion of popular will, and an election could not be secured by mere force of party control as now, and, although defeated, his nomination for that important office was no small compliment to his general char- acter.
For twenty years he was a magistrate, doing a large legal business ; his advice and opinions were marked by sound judgment and erudition. He was an Asso- ciate Judge, and held the office until it was abolished by act of the Legislature. In April of 1882, he was married to Miss Melinda, daughter of James and Sarah (Roe) Guernsey they were also of English descent. Mrs. Bacon was a native of Ballston, Sara- toga Co., N. Y., and was born March 15, 1802. She · is still living (1882), with her son, James G. They reared a family of five children-David, an attorney doing business at Niles ; James G., one of the sub- stantial farmers of Ontwa ; Stephen, an attorney, now living in Wisconsin ; Sarah H. (Mrs. Rev. J. Boon), and Cyrus J., a short sketch of whose life will be found on another page. The elder Bacon died October 4, 1873, and in his decease the people of Cass County met with an irreparable loss. One who knew him intimately in his lifetime says of him : " He was a plain, unostentatious gentleman, who, by a long life of industry, and a conscientious discharge of his duties, bothı public and private, endeared himself to all."
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Politically, he affiliated with the Democratic party. Patriotism was inherent in his nature, and during the war of the rebellion he was an ardent supporter of the Union cause.
Socially, he was genial and pleasant, courteous to all, and in his intercourse with the people impressed every one with the fact that he was far above the average man in intelligence and true nobility of char- acter.
CYRUS BACON, JR., M. D .*
Dr. Bacon was born in Ontwa, in 1837, and studied medicine with Dr. I. G. Bugbee, of Edwards- burg. At the age of twenty-one, he graduated with honors at the Medical College, Washington, D. C. After his graduation, he established himself in the practice of his profession_at Mishawaka, Ind. In 1861, he was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the Seventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and after a few months' service in this regiment he was promoted to the position of Surgeon General in the regular army, which position he held at the time of his death. At the close of the war, he was breveted Major for meritorious services in the field, the highest honor that a soldier could ask. At the time of Lee's sur- render, he was stationed in Texas, where he remained until about 1867, when he was ordered to Baton Rouge, La., where he remained until September, 1868, when he resolved to visit his parents and make an effort to recover his health, which had been failing for some time. Arriving at St. Louis, he was obliged to lie over for a day, but anxious to reach home he again started, but died before reaching his destination. One of the local papers, in speaking of him, says : " He was a young man of brilliant talents, a fine, cultivated mind, excellent social qualities, justly emi- nent for one of his age in his profession, and above all a sincere, devoted Christian, honored and respected by the soldier, loved by all. He was buried in Niles with military honors."
CHAPTER XXIX.
VOLINIA.
Characteristics of Pioneers-Tour of Inspection -- Prophecy of Jona- than Gard Fulfilled-Early Settlement-Narrow Escape of Miss Ann Newton from the Wolves-First Pioneer Picnic-Original Land Entries - Legal Organization - Schools - Early Roads Charleston - Reminiscences- Volinia Farmers' Club -Civil List -Biographical.
H ISTORY knows of no worthier theme than that of those pioneers in a primal forest, by whose toil the wilderness was cleared for cultivation, at whose will the heavy, dark woods gave way to fields of grain,
log cabins and initial industries. Where sixty three years ago no sound was heard but that of nature in her wildest phase, and the council fires of the Pottawatomnies illumed the prairie and forests, can now be found the modern highway, finely cultivated fields, the civilizing schoolhouse, and the happy homes of an industrious and progressive people. The pioneers who made their journey thitherward were men of fearless character, who came to improve their condition and carve out for themselves and families a future home. Their inter- course was unaffected, and they were bound together by ties of interest, like experience, friendship and re- lationship ; and, by their united efforts, not only suc- ceeded in their endeavor, but have impressed their character upon the manners, customs and fashions, not alone upon the succeeding generation, but upon all future generations. From necessity, the earliest pio- neer was a tiller of the soil, and if possessed of a trade pursued it to meet the immediate and pressing neces- sities of themselves and neighbors, and in the interval of labor on the clearing and prairie.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The entire career of an individual, and the fate of communities, and even nations, are ofttimes shaped from the smallest incidents, circumstances or remarks dropped by an uninterested person, and the early set- tlement of this township was, in a measure, no excep- tion. In 1826, Elijah Goble incidentally met George Claypool, who had been to Michigan, and who extolled the new territory in terms of the highest praise. The remarks thus hastily dropped were carefully cher- ished by their recipient, who determined to ex- plore the almost unknown wild for himself, but not until October, 1828, did opportunity present itself. In this month, Elijah Gobel, Jesse and Nathaniel Winchell all started afoot, with knapsacks on their back, from Fort Wayne, Ind., for Pigeon Prairie, eighty miles distant, where they stopped over night in a house for the first time since starting on their journey. Here the Winchells decided to pitch their tent and pursue their searchings no farther, but their companion pushed on to the house of Henry Lybrook, near Niles. Here he met Jonathan Gard, who had left Union County, Ind., to look for a location, and, being inspired by the same desire, they decided to unite in their search and, in company with James Toney, who was also on a tour of inspection, they went to the residence of Squire Thompson on Poka- gon Prairie. Thompson was so elated to see them, they being old acquaintances, that he not only agreed to assist them in all ways possible, but killed a heifer to provide them a feast. After a much needed rest of a few days, during which time one-half bushel of
*Data furnished by James G. Bacon.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
corn was husked, ground by hand, and baked in suit- able sized loaves for their journey, these three, with Squire Thompson as a guide, started for what is now called Volinia, where they ate their first meal with an Indian Chief, named Weesaw, on the present farm of B. G. Buell. Little Prairie Pond presented such an attractive appearance that Elijah Gobel immediately decided to make his claim, the date being October 16, 1828. Mr. J. Gard also selected a farm on this prairie. They camped for the night near the foot of Bunker's Lake, and the next day pursued their way to the spot now known as Gard's Prairie, which was selected by J. Toney. The party thien returned to Squire Thompson's, and from there the explorers wended their way home.
March 3, 1829, Jonathan Gard, Elijah Gobel and Samuel Rich started from Union County, Ind. for their new home. Reaching the residence of Squire Thompson, they remained there for several days because of a severe snow-storm, but on the 30th of this month reached the location selected by J. Toney, which was taken by J. Gard, because Mr. Toney, being unable to dispose of his property. could not come. When they reached a gentle eminence, J. Gard said, pointing with his index finger, " there I will build a two-story sixty- foot barn, and there I will build my house."
When we realize that he was 300 miles from his old home, on a small prairie of one hundred acres, sur- rounded by heavy timber ; that railroads aud swift transportation were unknown, markets far distant, and he a man of limited means even for that early day, we can, in a measure, appreciate the true heroism and brave and hopeful spirit that could thus enable him to forecast the future amid obstacles that would appear almost unsurmountable to the present generation. He seemed almost inspired with a spirit of prophecy, for certain it is that he lived to see his predictions ful- filled to the very letter.
They, in conformity to advice given by Mr. Thomp- son, decided to work together the first season, and ac- cordingly soon erected a log cabin, which they all used in common, and commenced tilling the prairie soil, splitting rails, and performing the first labors so necessary in the development of any new country. Forty acres of land was fenced and fifteen put into corn, potatoes, etc., and a cabin was also erected on the farm selected by J. Gard, which was taken by Mr. Rich. July 6, 1829, they started back to bring their fami- lies and effects, and were only enabled to obtain one- half bushel of musty corn, which was duly ground at a mill near Niles, to sustain life while returning. A chip, clipped from a tree, served as a bake-tin for their corn bread, and as the bread, while baking, necessarily absorbed much of the sap from the chip, its flavor was
by no means desirable, in fact hardly palatable, and the three were overjoyed to again reach their home. The family of Mr. Gard consisted of nine children -Milton J., who resides on the old homestead ; Reu- ben F., a resident of Van Buren County ; Isaac N., Benjamin F., Eliza, now Mrs. Whitam, and Almira, now Mrs. Welcher, all being residents of Volina. Em- ily, now Mrs. J. Huff, resides in California, and Esther, Mrs. Eli Green, resides in Dakota ; Mary is deceased.
At a club meeting held for this especial purpose, by old residents in 1869, it was decided that Samuel Morris, Sr., J. Morelan, H. D. Swift and Dolphin Morris reached Little Prairie Ronde on the evening of March 26, 1829, and Samuel Morris commenced building a log cabin on Section 1, on the farm now owned by Elias Morris, on the morning of the 27th, this being the first building erected in the township. Dolphin Morris located in Van Buren County. So many people entered this township almost simultane- ously, each claiming the precedence of a few days, that it is difficult to decide the point as to priority to the satisfaction of all, but as a preponderance of the evi- dence corroborates the above statements-also Elisha Goble, one of the first settlers and now a resident of Decatur, who has been consulted, confirms it-we incline to the opinion that it is absolutely correct.
Dolphin Morris made his claim in La Grange Township on the farm now owned by J. K. Ritter, and went back to Ohio after his family, where he was detained by sickness, and on his return in the fall of 1828, finding Mr. Ritter had jumped his claim, he went to Van Buren County and located on Section 35, in 1829. His family consisted of his wife, Nancy (Beaver), and three children-Samuel, then five years old ; Amos, who resides at Lawton, and Zerilda, deceased. Dolphin Morris died January 7, 1870, and his wife October 14, 1877. Samuel Morris, Sr., bought considerable stock, which was wintered in Pokagon before moving on his farm in the spring, and as it was an unusually, late season, the snow covering the ground, they were obliged to feed the straw in their bedticks to their stock to keep them alive. In those days, wolves were very thick and, as they were unmolested by the Indians, very bold, and would fre- quently rush from the woods in the daytime, seize a sheep or lamb and make off with it before the settlers who were working, and at the same time keeping watch with their guns, could come to the rescue. At night, it was necessary to secure the stock so the wild animals could not obtain access to them. Samuel Morris, Sr., died in 1848, and his wife Rebecca, in 1849, thus laying aside the armor of life almost simultane- ously.
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