USA > Michigan > Cass County > History of Cass county, Michigan > Part 78
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The Brandywine River flows through the north- western corner of the township, and was utilized for manufacturing purposes at an early day. Three lakes, although not very large in size, have been dig- nified with names, they being Thompson's, Negro and Goose.
Could those early settlers who pushed on westward, or those who passed away at an early date, again re- visit the places once so familiar, they would witness a wonderful transformation, for where at that period stood the humble log cabin, around which was a small clearing, and which in turn was surrounded with woods, can now be found substantial, if not stately farm houses, capacious barns, productive orchards, and the sentinel like wind-mill, pointing with ever- changing fans to the many broad acres under a fine state of cultivation, and upon which are raised such abundant crops that their possessors can appropriately be termed autocrats of the land.
In 1880, the total number of acres in farms was 12,223, of which 8,644 were improved; the total num- ber of farms being 105, made an average of 116.41 acres in each.
There were 2,585 acres sown to wheat, which pro- duced 48,910 bushels, being an average of 18.92 bushels per acre. On 1,754 planted to corn, 80,400 bushels were harvested; and from 440 acres sown to oats was threshed 11,490 bushels. There was also produced this year 507 bushels of clover seed, 301 bushels of peas, 5,075 bushels of potatoes, and 1,488 tons of hay. The township possesses 399 head of horses, 649 head of cattle, 899 of hogs, and in 1879, 859 head of sheep, that produced 4,002 pounds of wool.
Two hundred and fifty-five acres are planted to orchards, and small fruits are raised in abundance.
This township is, strictly speaking, an agricultural one, it not possessing any village, store, post office, mill or manufactory of any kind, although at an early
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
day William Rosewarne erected a saw-mill on the Brandywine, which long since has passed away.
The close proximity of Niles and Edwardsburg en- ables the people to do their trading and marketing with great ease.
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
Religious affairs received the attention of the early settlers, and as early as 1830-31, Rev. Erastus Fel- ton commenced holding religious meetings, and in 1832, a Methodist Episcopal society was formed by Rev. Gurley. Among the early ministers were Revs. Robe, Cooper, Phelps, Armstrong, Meek, Hargrave, McCool, Boyd, Owen, Wood, Kellogg, Sampson and Vanardor.
The first church, erected in 1838, was called Smith's Chapel, because of the liberality of Cannon Smith, one of its founders ; the cost of the church edifice was $1,200. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. James U. Watson. It was repaired in 1856, and again in 1877 and in 1879, was rebuilt at an ex- pense of $966, and is now a neat and attractive building. The first trustees were Jesse Smith, James Lomery, George Smith, M. C. Beauchamp, George W. Smith, Spencer Williams and Cannon Smith, Sr. The following comprise the present church officers : G. W. Smith, G. W. Williams, David Truitt, Trustees ; J. B. Smith, David Truitt, A. H. Gifford, Stewards ; J. B. Smith and J. M. Griffith, Leaders.
A Protestant Methodist Church was organized and church building erected in Section 10, but finally closed for lack of support, and the building is now used for a town hall.
SCHOOLS.
The first school was taught by Asa M. Smith, in in the double log house of Thomas Sullivan on Sec- tion 19, and the first schoolhouse was erected in Sec- tion 13, in 1831 or 1832. April 23, 1838, school dis- trict No. ti voted to raise $200, by tax, with which to build a schoolhouse, but a protest was entered by a number of persons and at a special meeting they re- scinded their former resolution and voted to raise $25 with which to build a house and purchase a stove, so that in this case questionable economy ruled supreme. There are, however, at this time, six school districts all supplied with substantial school buildings, Dis- tricts No. 1 and 4 having brick houses and the bal- ance frame buildings, valued at $4,200, and having a total seating capacity of 268; the whole number of scholars between the ages of five and twenty years is 175. There was paid, for the fiscal year ending Au- gust 30, 1881, to female teachers, $681.50, and to males, $136.87.
In 1845, $45 was raised by tax with which to pur- chase a township library for adults, and the library now contains thirty volumes.
The following comprise a list of important township officers :
SUPERVISORS.
1838-40, James Aldrich ; 1841, George Smith ; 1842, G. Howland ; 1843, J. O'Dell; 1844, James Taylor ; 1845, Charles P. Drew ; 1846, James Tay- lor ; 1847-49, Henry Aldrich ; 1850, James Taylor ; 1851, Henry Aldrich ; 1852, N. O. Bowman ; 1853- 54, Urial Enos ; 1855, Henry Aldrich; 1856, N. O. Bowman ; 1857, Henry Aldrich ; 1858, R. V. Hicks; 1859, H. Aldrich; 1860, Isaac Babcock ; 1861, Henry Aldrich ; 1862, Urial Enos ; 1865-72, Will- iam R. Olmstead; 1873-78, Richard V. Hicks; 1879-81, William H. Olmstead.
TREASURERS.
1838-39, William Manning; 1840, James Ald- rich ; 1841, Peter Truitt; 1842-44, Thomas Powell ; 1845, George Smith ; 1846, Wesley Smith ; 1847- 48, John Ullery ; 1849-51, James B. Smith ; 1852- 53, John Ullery ; 1854-61, George Smith ; 1862- 64, N. B. Dennis; 1865-67, James B. Smith ; 1868, Asa Jones ; 1869-73, John Barber; 1874-75, Charles F. Rosewarne; 1876-77, William J. Abbott ; 1878, John Merkle ; 1879, George M. Hadden ; 1880-81, John A. Parsons.
CLERKS.
1838-39, H. H. Hulin ; 1840, James Taylor ; 1840-43, Henry Aldrich ; 1844, Job O'Dell ; 1845, Henry Aldrich ; 1846, Job O'Dell ; 1847-48, Asa M. Smith ; 1849, William H. Olmstead ; 1850-56. M. C. Beauchamp; 1857, W. H. Olmstead; 1858- 63, William H. Powell; 1864, W. H. Olmstead ; 1865-66, J. C. Genung; 1867, William H. Powell ; 1868, M. V. B. Dunning; 1873-79, C. M. Den- nis; 1880, Franklin E. Lowry; 1881, James H. Beauchamp.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
PETER TRUITT.
The name of Peter Truitt has been so long asso- ciated with the town of Milton, which he named, that its history would be incomplete without a sketch of his life.
He was born in Slatter Neck, Sussex County, Del., February 7, 1801, and was a son of Lang- ford and Esther A. (Shockley). His father being a farmer, he was reared on a farm, and had little oppor-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tunity for self-culture. February 25, 1819, he was married to Mary Simpler, whose father, Milby, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, also the war of 1812. She died in April, 1828, and some two years later he married Isabell, daughter of James and Mary Mc- Knitt. Learning of them any attractions in the then Territory of Michigan, he moved here in 1831, arriv- ing June 17, the journey, which was by team, occu- pying forty-four days.
Having entered 80 acres of land near the center of the present town of Milton, he erected a double log house on what some three years later proved to be the wrong description of land, and learning that a Mr. O'Dell had started for the land office at White Pigeon to enter it, he started in the night for the land office, and had the satisfaction of outstripping his competitor and securing the coveted prize.
Being located on the "old Detroit & Chicago road," he soon commenced keeping a tavern, which be- came famous for the comforts to be found therein, and thousands of weary emigrants and travelers have re- posed under his roof, their number often being so great that the floor would be strewn with beds to ac- commodate them. It became known as the " White Oak Tavern," because of an immense white oak tree that threw out its grateful branches over the house, as if inviting all to partake of the cheer to be found therein. After a time, a black oak tree was cut off some twenty feet from the ground, on the top of which for over thirty years could have been seen the sign, "Truitt's Tavern," while he continued to keep tavern after the sign was taken down, and no man was ever turned from his door because he was penniless.
He helped lay out the road to Niles and built the first frame house between the prairie and Niles. He was the first and only Postmoster in the township, the. name of the post office being Dover.
In an early day he opened a store at Bertrand and sold goods for a time, and then moved his stock to Milton Township, and continued business for two years longer. This proved a very disastrous enter- prise, for he lost so heavily by the decline of goods and " wild cat " money, then in circulation, that all his property except his land was swept away. This however, did not discourage him, and he bravely set about repairing his fortune, and at his death, which occurred December 29, 1881, he possessed 1,500 acres of rich farming lands, which was divided up among his seven heirs. He was a shrewd business man, and his large accumulation of property was the result of his own industry and keen foresight. As a neighbor, he was kind and charitable, and none in need were turned from his door empty handed ; his generosity was proverbial.
He lived for'half a century on the farm he first se- lected, and not only witnessed, but assisted in trans- forming an almost unbroken wilderness into one of the finest and most beautiful agricultural districts in the West.
Politically he was a Whig, and then a Republican, and held several township offices, including that of Justice of the Peace. He became a convert to the Methodist faith when fourteen years of age, and he and his wife, after coming to this county, united with ' the Methodist Church, when it numbered but ten members. He was a zealous Christian, and before a church building was erected, religious services were frequently held in his house, which was the home of the ministers. When old age and disease had blinded his intellect, so that all things sublunary had faded from his mind, on the subject of religion it was bright and clear as an oasis in a sandy desert, and so remained until his death. He also took an active interest in educational affairs.
By his first wife he had five children-John M., proprietor of the " Truitt House " in Edwardsburg ; Elizabeth C., now Mrs. C. Tittle, in Milton ; Henry P. and David T., prominent and prosperous farmers also in Milton.
By his second wife, who died in 1834 or 1835, he had two children-Mary J, now Mrs. J. Butts, in Mil- ton ; Esther A., now Mrs. J. W. Griffith, in Greenville, Mich. By his third wife, Deborah (McKnitt), sister of Isabell, who departed this life in 1841, he became the father of one child, James M., also a farmer in Milton. His fourth wife, Sarah (McKnitt) Lane, sur- vives her husband, they having no children.
HENRY ALDRICH.
Henry Aldrich, son of James and Hannah (Com- stock) Aldrich, was born in Rhode Island May 5, 1813. When he was very young, the family removed to Monroe County, N. Y., and from thence to Erie County, and, in 1829, they again emigrated to Chau- tauqua County, where they remained five years, at the expiration of which time Henry came to Cass County in company with Nathan Sage; his father came the previous season and purchased a farm. A son-in- law occupied the farm, and with him Henry remained a short time when he went to work at his trade, that of a carpenter and joiner ; he built a school house in New Buffalo. In 1837, he came to Beardsley's Prairie, and for four years engaged in farming. In 1841, he went to Milton Township and settled in Section 1, where he has since resided. Mr. Aldrich has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and in his chosen vocation has been eminently successful ; his first pur- chase was forty acres, and to this little beginning he
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN ..
has added two hundred, and among the progressive and successful farmers of the county, he holds a fore- most position. He was the first Supervisor of the township, and has filled other township offices many times. The elder Aldrich was a native of Rhode Island, where he was born in 1787, and where he was married. In 1837 he bought a farm on Beardsley's Prairie ; in 1841, he moved on to a farm near Niles, and in 1857 he went to Pierce County, Wis., where he died in March of the following year; his wife was born in 1792 in Rhode Island, and is still living at the remarkable age of ninety years. In 1840, Henry was married to Miss Almira Treat, daughter of Timothy and Louisa Treat ; she was born in Erie County, N. Y., in 1821. They have reared a family of five children-Altha (now Mrs. Drew, of California), J. Monroe (who died in the service in 1862), Levi M. (of Elk Grove, Cal.), George B. (deceased), and Joseph K. (on the old farm); see illustration.
MANLOVE (. BEAUCHAMP.
Manlove C. Beauchamp was born in Sussex County, Delaware, January 7, 1811, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Diverty) Beauchamp. This family, as their name would indicate is of French extraction, and are lineal descendants of the Huguenots, who were expelled from France in the sixteenth century, because of their religious belief, and took refuge in. England, and from which country five Beauchamp brothers came to America in an early day. Mr. Beauchamp was reared on a farm and received the education common to farmers' sons of that period. In December, 1832, he was united in marriage to Mary Walton who was also born in Sussex County, Del .. September 2, 1815, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Esther (Fountain) Walton, and is of English-French descent.
In 1836, Mr. Beauchamp came to Michigan with his family, and made the journey, which took one month by team over the almost impassable roads of this early period. They first located in Niles, and he worked at his trade, that of carpenter and joiner, for a time, and then moved to Indiana, where he engaged in farming and laboring at his trade, and, in 1847, moved to Milton and engaged in farming for ten years and then emigrated to the West, but eventually came back and purchased the farm where his son J. H. now resides, and where he died May 2, 1873. He was successful not alone in accumulating a handsome com- petency, but in obtaining the esteem and respect of all for his many estimable qualities and sterling integrity.
He was a zealous and efficient member of the Methodist Church, and was one of the class-leaders for
many years. He was also an active member of the Sunday school of which he was Superintendent for a long time. Such men are an honor to any commu- nity.
Politically, he was identified with the Republican party, and although not an aspirant for office, served as Township Clerk for several years. He commenced life at the bottom round of the ladder of fortune, and was most ably assisted by his amiable wife in climbing the same during their pioneer days, and in placing want far below them. She still survives him, and is living with her daughter in Niles, where her declining years are being passed in peace and quiet. Their children are Esther J. (deceased), Mary S., Margaret S., Rachael A. (deceased), Emily A. (deceased), James H., Emily A., Harriet J. and Menerva C. (deceased).
GEORGE SMITH.
George Smith, son of Cannon and Charlotte (Handy) Smith, was born in Sussex County, Delaware, Sep- tember 22, 1810. When eighteen years of age, the family came to Cass County, and located in Milton, where Cannon and Wesley Smith now reside. Here the family have lived for fifty-four years, and perhaps no family have been more prominently identified with the development of the township, and the name of Smith is stamped on all the initial events in Milton's history. The elder Smith built the first log cabin, and to George and John belong the honor of plow- ing the first furrow in what is. now Milton, and of raising the first crop. Cannon died July 24, 1844, in his sixty-second year, and his wife Charlotte, April 8, 1872, in her eighty-sixth year.
The family of the elder Smith were of course de- nied of educational advantages, but George, by a sys- tematic course of reading, obtained a large fund of knowledge; he was a man of decided opinions, and strong convictions.
He was married in January of 1835 to Miss Eliza, daughter of George W. and Mary (Petit) Smith, who were also among the early settlers of the township. George W. died May 24, 1859, while in his seventy- fourth year, and his aged partner in May, 1874, in her eighty-fifth year. Mrs. Smith was born in 1819, in Sussex County, Delaware, and was a Miss of four- teen years at the time of her family's emigration to Michigan. They reared a family of eight children- Asa, in Pokagon; William H., in Howard; James W., in Milton; Martha J., at home; Washington B., in Berrien County; George E., in Van Buren County ; Charlotte E., at home: Irena M., now Mrs. A Quimby, and two children who died in infancy.
In his political convictions, Mr. Smith was a Repub- lican; he represented Milton for many years on the
GEORGE SMITH.
MRS. GEORGE SMITH.
4
BENJAMIN PARSONS.
MRS. BENJAMIN PARSONS.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Board of Supervisors, where he was recognized as an able and efficient member. He also beld many minor offices, as will be seen by reference to the civil history of the township.
He was a worthy member of the Methodist Church, and his daily life comported with the tenets of his faith ; for many years he was a class leader, and all religious and benevolent enterprises found in him a zealous supporter.
His death occurred January 25, 1880; his widow is still living on the. place which was for so many years his home.
She is the counterpart of her husband in all that pertains to true nobility of character. She was originally a prominient member of the Methodist Church, but severed her connection with that organi- zation and connected herself with the Presbyterian Church of Edwardsburg.
BENJAMIN PARSONS.
The subject of this sketch, Benjamin Parsons, was born in Kent County, Del., March 13, 1820. His father, Benjamin F., was born July 9, 1792. Benja- min was reared on a farm and obtained a com- mon school education. Desiring to improve his financial status he, in 1841, came to Cass County and commenced as a farm hand, and made his first pur. chase of real estate, forty acres, in 1845, he having but $100 at this time. He was an industrious and prudent man, and lived to see his forty acres increase to 444 through his own persistent efforts.
He was a most earnest Christian, and a member of the Methodist Church, to which denomination he gave one-third of his property to assist in erecting the first house of worship in Milton. May 24, 1845, he was married to Mary P., daughter of George and Mary (Jones) Abbott. Mrs. Parsons was born in Kent County, Del., in 1827, and came to Cass County with her parents. Her father's death occurred in April, and her mother's in November of 1877. Mrs. Par- sons, who resides on the old farm, is a most estimable lady, and a most fitting companion for her husband, who has passed to his final reward. She is also a member of the Methodist Church. They became the parents of six children, viz. : John A., William E.,. Sarah E. (Mrs. J. Adams), Laura B. (Mrs. J. Lowry, of Indiana), George O., Cora A. (deceased), and Mary L. (who resides at home).
RICHARD V. HICKS.
Richard V. Hicks, one of the early settlers and prominent farmers of the township of Milton, was born in Cornwall, England, November 17, 1819. The family is one not unknown in English history,
and about one hundred and fifty years ago were prominent in political matters.
John Hicks, father of Richard V., was a successful farmer and a man of ability and integrity ; he married Caroline Perry, a lady of much culture and refine- ment. In 1831, William, John R., Perry and Henry, brothers of Richard V., came to America to investi- gate for themselves the marvelous reports they had heard of the New World. After an extended tour, they decided to locate in the township of Ontwa. They returned to England and in 1835 they returned and purchased a tract of 500 acres on Sections 6 and 7, Ontwa. John R. again returned to the old home, and on his return, the father came back with him, also Richard V. and Edward P., then a boy of eighteen years.
William soon after sought a livelihood on the lakes, and for thirty-five years was master of a vessel. He died in 1872. In 1838, John R. went to Ohio, where he was engaged on a canal, and met his death in the construction of a log house; his wife, Lettie, died about the same time.
Perry died in Howard in March, 1874. Henry lost his life on the Ohio River. The elder Hicks went back to England, where he died about 1865. Richard V. was engaged with his brother, William, for about two years, when he went to Niles, and en- tered the employ of John Dodge & Co., distillers; with this firm he remained a number of years, and for some time had control of their entire business. In 1843, he purchased the farm where he now resides in Milton ; he did not, however, move on it until 1849. Since this time, he has followed farming exclusively. and perhaps no one in the township has been more successful. The farm now consists of 840 acres of land under a high state of cultivation. The reader is referred to an illustration on another page. His home is indicative of thrift and success, and is conclusive evi- dence of enterprise and progression. In May of 1843, Mr. Hicks was married to Miss Catherine, daughter of Jacob Ullery, of Ohio; they have reared family of nine children-John P., Henry B., Richard J., Caroline E., Sarah, William S., Catherine MI., Mary A. and Orin S.
In politics, Mr. Hicks is a Democrat, and his religious ideas are marked by that liberality that characterizes all his opinions and dealings with his fellow-men. Mr. Hicks is now in his sixty-third year, and Time has dealt kindly with him, he is enjoy- ing the full fruition of the toil and perplexities of the pioneer days, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has improved his opportunities, and by his own in. dividual effort won for his family and himself an un- tarnished reputation.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
COOL RUNKLE.
This gentleman, one of the most successful farmers in the county of Cass, is of German extraction, his grandparents having emigrated from Germany at an early day. His father's name was Adam, and at the time of his birth, March 2, 1818, lived in New Jersey. About 1826, the family removed to Cortland County, N. Y., and from there he came to Cass County in October of 1845; two years subsequent, he purchased the farm where he now resides. In 1841, he was married to Miss Samantha Bentley, by whom he had one child, a daughter (Samantha). About a year and a half after their marriage, Mrs. Runkle died, and, in 1848, Mr. Runkle was again married to Mrs. Margaret H. Biddle; she died May 24, 1881. Five children were the result of this union-Margaret H., William A., Henry S., Ida I. (deceased, 1877), and one died in infancy. Mrs. Margaret (Biddle) Runkle was born in Solon, Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1822. Mr. Runkle has devoted his life to agricultural pur- suits, and his success is wholly attributable to his own individual efforts. His chances for an education were limited, but observation and experience have been his teachers, and he has proved an apt pupil. Industry, economy and quick perception are perhaps the most salient points in his character, and his success in the accumulation of property is positive evidence of the the fact that industry, energy and economy are sure of reward.
JAMES H. BEAUCHAMP.
The subject of this sketch, James H. Beauchamp, was born in Milton, April 3, 1847, and is a son of Manlove and Mary (Walton) Beauchamp, elsewhere noticed. Like his father, he was reared on a farm, and aside from a commercial college course, has only received a common school education, but has made ample use of his opportunities, and is accounted among active, energetic and progressive farmers of the township, and is ever ready to assist any enterprise which will accrue to the advantage of the public, either intellectually, morally or financially. He is, at present, filling the office of Township Clerk the second term. He is an active worker in the Repub- lican party, and is a stanch adherent to the principles of the same.
Mr. Beauchamp is in possession of the old home- stead, a fine view of which will be found on another page, also portraits of his father and mother, which filial love prompted him to have here represented. January 6, 1875, he was united in marriage to Eva, daughter of Oscar M. and Martha A. (May) Dunning, who was born on August 4, 1852. Her father settled in Ontwa in 1833, but having lost his wife by death, many years since, March, 1858, Mr. Dunning re-
moved to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Beauchamp have been blessed with three children as follows-Hugh D., Anna C., Leroy M.
JAMES M. TRUITT.
James M. Truitt, son of the prominent pioneer. Peter Truitt, and Deborah (McKnitt), was born in Mil- ton Township April 17, 1837, which township has practically been his home ever since. He received a common school education, and was early taught habits of industry. With the exception of three years spent in Edwardsburg, in the agricultural implement busi- ness, he has devoted his attention to agricultural pur- suits, and having been reared to this avocation, is eminently successful, and is now numbered among the progressive and successful farmers of the township. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, in which he has full faith. April 22, 1860, he was united in marriage to Margaret, daughter of John R. and Lettie Hicks, who was born in Niles, Mich., De- cember 15, 1839. Her father, who came to Cass County in 1835, lost his life while assisting in the erection of a log house in Ohio. Her mother's death occurred soon thereafter.
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