History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 82

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 82

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When Nathan Norton reached this township, he was, in common with nearly all the settlers of that day, in very moderate circumstances, and being somewhat advanced in life, did not accomplish as much in this new country as his son, Pleasant Norton, who came in 1832, and purchased of Government the land on which his father resided, and presented him with forty acres of the same-an act of filial affection which could readily be expected of the donor. The elder Norton died on this place. He was the father of five children, two girls and three boys, viz .: Mahala, Pleasant, Levi, Jane and Richard. The first named became the wife of Moses Reams, now deceased. Jane became the wife of Maxwell Zane, and upon his death married Mr. Lumpkins, who is also dead. Levi died some time since, and Richard is a farmer in Jefferson. Pleasant Norton, now deceased, was, during his life- time, one of the active, energetic men of the town- ship. He was born in Grayson County, Va., in 1806, removed with his parents to Champaign County, Ohio, and subsequently removed to Logan County in the

same State, where he remained until coming to this county, with his wife, Rachel (Fukey) Norton, who is still a resident of the old place, and although in her seventy-third year, is in possession of all her faculties. It is a pleasure to converse with "Aunt Rachel," as she is affectionately termed, regarding early experi- ences. She points with pride to a stately oak, which when eighteen inches in height grew in an onion bed she was weeding out with a table-fork, and which was spared because of its thriftiness. While they were deprived of many of the luxuries, the necessities of life were always within reach, and wild honey could be frequently found upon their table. The township records show the name of Pleasant Norton there in- scribed year after year, he having filled the office of Supervisor for eight years, Township Treasurer for a number of years, besides various other offices in the gift of the township. He was not a stranger to leg- islative halls, having served in the State Legislature two terms. Although a man not physically strong, his mind and body were particularly active, and be- fore his death he had accumulated a handsome compe- teney which he left to his family, he being the father of eight children, as follows: Jane (deceased), Amanda (Mrs. Charles G. Banks), Elizabeth (widow of William Peck ), Hiram and Maxwell (in Cassopolis), James (deceased), Louisa (Mrs. Haywood, in Port- land, Maine), and John (who is a resident of the old homestead).

Having learned of the new El Dorado in Michigan by way of his father-in-law, Nathan Norton, Maxwell Zane left his home in Champaign County, Ohio, in September. 1829, with his family and his household ef- fects, together with farm utensils and stock. They were accompanied by four young men, three of them named John Tracy, David Hildreth and Mr. Jacobs, who came to assist in driving stock and teams. They all returned except Tracy, who remained and became the husband of a Miss Hunter, he residing here until his death. The journey, which occupied eleven days, was accomplished with no particular mishap. Mrs. Zane, nee Jane Norton, riding a pony purchased, ex- pressly for her, carrying in her arms an eighteen- months' child, beside preparing the food for the men each day, which is a feat few could accomplish, when we consider that within six weeks after arrival she became the mother of the first white child born in the township-Nancy, now Mrs. Monroe, who resides on a portion of the old farm. Being of an energetic disposition, he immediately plowed the ground and sowed a crop of wheat, which yielded abundantly the year following, it being one of the first crops sown in the township. This was on section twelve. The land here is what is known as burr-oak openings, there

S. C. THARP.

WILLIAM CONDON.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

being only an occasional tree, all the smaller trees and shrubs being burned each year by fires started by the Indians for this especial purpose ; consequently the labor incident to clearing a heavily timbered country was obviated. But the ground plowed very hard, it being filled with innumerable roots of small trees and bushes, known as grubs, which formed a very considerable obstruction to the plow, and in order to overcome them a team of from four to twelve yoke of oxen were employed, known as " breaking-up teams," and some of the pioneers ran these teams, " breaking-up " land at so much per acre, the usual price being from $3 to $4. The first season after they came here Mrs. Zane grabbed ont the gar- den, which she attended herself.

Having sold the first land he purchased-150 acres in section twelve-Mr. Zane removed to section twenty-one, in which section and Section 28, he purchased 200 acres, his death occurring on this place. The laws at that time were such that the children inherited all the property ; but, nothing daunted, Mrs. Zane set to work and by careful man- agement soon increased the eighty acres of clearing by as many more, erected a barn and purchased eighty acres additional. Being possessed of almost unbounded ambition, she was enabled to accomplish this. She is now a resident of the farm first par- chased by her husband when coming here, the house standing nearly on the same spot where the log cabin was erected, and from the back door of which she had seen wolves coming to eat the crumbs shaken from her table-cloth. Although in her seventy-fourth year, she has within the past twelve months earned $200 by weaving carpets. The Zane family are the lineal descendants of the Zanes who first settled Wheeling, W. Va., and erected a block-house, or fort, from which forays were made against the Indians, and to which the settlers would flee when pursued by the blood-thirsty savages. Pressing westward into Ohio, Zanesville and Zanesfield were named in honor of them, and finally we find them as residents of this county.

Among those who emigrated from Logan County, Ohio-this particular county being the germ from whence sprang so many settlers in this township -was Nathan Tharp, whose wife, Lucinda, was a Zane. He first settled in Calvin, southeast of Dia- mond Lake, where he located eighty acres and re- mained until 1836, when he moved to the farm now owned Joseph Baldwin. S. C. Tharp is infatuated with the life of a hunter and trapper, and has made many trips to Iowa to satisfy his love of exploits and for his health. One journey there was made with an ox team in 1853-54, and seventy-two nights of the

365 were spent in camp. One day, while out hunt- ing, his young brother, aged ten, exclaimed : " Oh, there come some black hogs!" Glancing in that direction, he discovered a bear with two cubs. One bear was killed by a blow on the head, while trying to climb a tree, and the slie bear shot where she was found held at bay by the dogs. When nineteen years of age he killed seven bears in one day, and be- came so noted as a bear hunter that if one was dis- covered he was sure to be called upon to dispatchi him ; one day he was summoned to dispatch four bears that were feasting on acorns on the farm now owned by H. B. Shorter, and they all paid the penalty -death-for their intrusion.

Entries of land were quite numerous at this period, 1830-31, for in addition to those enumerated were Stephen and Peter Marmon, Aaron Brown, David T. Nicholson, Daniel Burnham, F. Smith, Richmond Marmon, John Pettigrew, Samuel Colyar, William Barton, William Mendenhall, Obediah Sawtell, Ezra Beardsley, Isaac Hultz.

Samuel Colyar was raised in North Carolina, from which place he removed to Logan County, Ohio, and from there to Penn, in the spring of 1831, and made a crop on Young's Prairie. In the fall he went after his family, which consisted of his wife and fourteen children, ten of whom came with him, and settled on Section 11. When en route the streams were so swollen that it was necessary to unload the goods and ferry them across and reload them again ; on one oc- casion the wagon-box floated off and was making rapid descent down the river when it was caught by them after a lively pursuit in a pirogue that was near at hand. In November, that year, long before farmers were ready for it, there came an immense fall of snow, burying everything beneath sight, and the cattle, as they wallowed through it, were encased up to their sides ; it was finally dissipated by the sun. Mr. Col- yar helped very considerably in the development of the country, and was always ready to assist in every good cause. As a christian, he was a zealons ad- vocate of christianity, and assisted very materially in establishing and maintaining the Baptist Church, of which he was a member. He was esteemed by all his neighbors for his many good qualities of mind and heart, and passed away deeply lamented. Of his large family of children, but three remain in the county-Phobe, Mrs. R. Reams, in Cassopolis ; Mary, Mrs. Reams, in Jefferson, and Jonathan, also in Jefferson, he being twenty-one years of age when coming into the county.

In 1835, Relief A. Allen emigrated with her father, Reuben Allen, from Rutland County, Vt., and settled in Mason Township, where they purchased the

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

first land sold by Hon. George Redfield, he having purchased quite largely for speculative purposes. At that time, only three families were in the township, but before the close of the year some sixty had taken up their abode there. Those coming from Vermont, were very appropriately termed Yankees by the other settlers, who were chiefly Southerners. Until they could erect a log cabin, they occupied one used as an office by Mr. Pells, of Edwardsburg. The year fol- lowing was what has been termed the sickly year, al- most every one being afflicted with the ague. Mr. Allen would always contend that he enjoyed the felicity of three hundred shakes. Miss Allen became the wife of A. M. Morse, who was born in On- tario County, New York State, came from there in 1837 with his father, and settled near Redfield's saw- mill. About eleven years since, they removed to the farm now occupied by Mrs. Morse, he having died some years since.

Among the early residents can be counted Daniel Vantuyl, who was born in New Jersey, and removed from there to Lake County, and from there here, his method of locomotion being by horse team. Ac- companied by his family of four children, July 26, he arrived in Edwardsburg, and occupied a school- house until he purchased eighty acres of Abner Tharp, in Section 27. He departed this life January 20, 1880, aged eighty-four years. With him, his word was considered as good as his bond. One of his sons, Joseph M., owner of a farm in Section 36, recalls the wonderful changes that have transpired since coming here. Daniel Vantuyl, nephew of Jo- seph M., and for whom he works, is an enterprising young man aged twenty-six.

In these early days it took a young man of con- siderable pluck to leave home and kindred and start without money and friend for the wilds of Michi- gan, there to carve out for himself a home ; but such a person was Harrison Adams, he coming into the county with Robert Crawford and commenced work- ing by the month for a livelihood. He soon purchased eighty acres of land of Hon. George Redfield, and now has a fine farm with the necessary accompani- ment of buildings, and possesses wisdom enough to enjoy the fruits of his labors. He recalls the econo- mies practiced by the people, and instances the fact that men and women would carry their boots and shoes in their hands while on their way to church, in order to save them, and just before entering would, on a friendly. log secreted from observation, encase their extremities and walk into church with as much sang-froid as if they could afford such things. The costumes of the ladies were singularly alike, they consisting of blue calico, with a bonnet made of the

same material. The people were cosmopolitan in the strictest meaning of that word, aristocracy being a thing unknown. Stanbury Smith, father of Mrs. Adams, came from New Jersey in 1831, and settled in Milton Township, where she was born with her twin brother in 1832. They being the first twins born in that township, were naturally quite a curi- osity, the people for miles around calling to see them, while the merchant at Edwardsburg sent out the material for dresses for the diminutive pair. When she attained the age of five years, the whole family were prostrated with the ague, and she carried water for their use in a jug from a neighbor's. On one well-remembered occasion, the jug was by accident broken, and many bitter tears did she shed over what appeared to her infantile mind, a calamity. Mrs. Adams' twin brother now lives near Niles, in this State.

Robert Salisbury was born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., from which place he removed to Huron County, and after a stay there of twenty-one years, in the spring of 1833, removed to Howard Township, Sec- tion 1, where he unloaded his household effects in the midst of the solid woods, and went to a saw-mill on Pokagon Creek and purchased lumber, which was set slanting from the ground to a ridge-pole supported in crotches. This formed their first habitation, which answered this purpose until a more substantial log cabin was erected. Here he endured the trials inci- dent to pioneer life. At his house could frequently be heard the voice of worship, he being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Under his roof many an itinerant minister of the Gospel found food and shelter after his arduous labors. But he has gone to his final reward, and William Salisbury, a repre- sentation of the family, now lives in Jefferson, on a farm purchased some sixteen years since. He recol- lects seeing in his boyhood days many people start for church, gun in hand, with which to dispatch a stray deer or strutting turkey that might cross their path. During service the guns could be seen ranged against the outside of the building, which presented more the appearance of an arsinal, from its external decorations, than a house of worship.

Among the records of township officers frequently appears the name of H. Carmichael. He was an early resident, but getting what is called in native parlance " the Western fever," he removed to Boons- boro, Iowa, and there died. He was from Ohio.

The Quaker element was well represented by Rich- mond Marmon, who came from Logan County, Ohio, in the spring of 1830, and after making a crop went after his family, which consisted at that time of seven, but subsequently of nine children, four of whom are

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

now living, and only one, Mrs. Nancy Stephenson, in this county, and at whose home her father died in November, 1865. Mrs. Stephenson recalls the time when for three weeks they subsisted on a vegetable and meat diet, having no flour whatever, pumpkins. squashes and potatoes, forming a goodly portion of their daily meals. Mr. Marmon was a most Orthodox Quaker, and disliked to have his children attend any but a Quaker meeting, even carrying it so far as to establish a cemetery on his own farm-now owned by J. London-for the interment of his family.

John Stephenson came from Logan County, Ohio, in 1833, and entered land in Section 6, and left his sons, William and Isaac Z., to till the soil (and they put in wheat in Calvin on rented land), while he went after the balance of his family, which consisted of nine children, one of whom, Rebecca, did not come. Their names were William, Rebecca, Isaac Z., Samuel, Seeley, John, Harvey, Ira and Eri. Ira was only nine years old when he came here, consequently does not remember the changes as well as those older. Isaac Z. purchased the old homestead.

Jonathan Samson and his wife, Lois, came from Braintree, Vt., to Painesville, Ohio, when, after a sojourn of sixteen years, they moved to Niles, Berrien County, and one year subsequently, or in 1835, came to Jefferson, where he died, and his widow, aged eighty-two, still resides with her son Lafayette, the youngest of nine children. The old lady informed us that, previous to learning how to cure the ague, she suffered intensely with it. In response to inquiry, she cheerfully gave her prescription, which for brevity can hardly be excelled. It was "tie it up," and she assured us "that it never failed " in the almost numberless in- stances it had been tried. The modus operandi is as follows : The person afflicted must, in great secrecy, and with hands behind containing a string, walk backward to a tree, and, having encircled it with the string and tied the knot, repeat the mystical words, " Here I tie you and here I leave you," and if observed of no one, which would break the charm, a cure would be effected.

Robert Painter, of whom mention has been made in connection with the manufacturing interests, was a very active business man. Ile came here from Holmes County, Ohio, where he had been engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, purchased a farm, and was soon elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held for a long time, and was noted for his good judgment in matters that came before him officially. For a time, he was proprietor of a store in Cassopolis, but ulti- mately drifted into manufacturing enterprises, which proved a sad failure and the ruination of one of his friends, Richmond Marmon, who loaned him money,

mortgaging his farm to obtain it. Not being able to face his old friends under his adversity, he took his departure for Oregon, which is the last that can be learned concerning him.

Horace Hunt started in the woods in Section 25 in 1837, and, before his death, had accom- plished his task -- that of clearing up and making productive the farm of his choice. He was a wagon- maker by trade, and after coming here would wood plows for the settlers. His home was formerly in Champaign County, Ohio.

William Condon, as will be seen elsewhere, came to Cass County in 1838.

In 1834-35, the tide of emigration swept westward, and there could be seen an almost never-breaking line of canvas-covered wagons, containing emigrants, with the usual accompaniments of numerous children, stock and a few rude agricultural implements. Many came, via the lakes, to Detroit, and then, making up their outfits, passed westward to and through Michi- gan Territory, which was one of the channels of emi- gration ; and they would pay extravagant prices for milch cows, $65 to $85 frequently being realized by those on the route who had them for sale.

Taking a leap of sixteen years, we find ourselves in the midst of a people clothed in the habiliments of grief over the death of their children, who died by the scores of the bloody flux, which partook of the nature of an epidemic, and which baffled the skill of the physicians. In one school jurisdiction-the Stephen- son District-fifteen children were sacrificed to this Moloch before its ravages were stayed by the advent of cold weather. In a few instances, it attacked grown persons, and John Pettigrew and wife died from its effects, although but few adult persons were effected.

Up to this place we have mentioned many of those who came into the township and struck the first blows in behalf of civilization. While their possessions were small, their wants were very much circumscribed, and they were as independent of the outside world as any community of men to be found anywhere. From their land they raised enough cereals, fruits and vege- tables, not only to sustain life, but to barter with the Indians for maple sugar and exchange at their trading post for other necessary articles. Flax and wool was raised from which the thrifty housewife and helpmeet manufactured cloth for garments for the entire house- hold, with the exception of an occasional calico dress, which was carefully preserved for important occasions, such as places of social gatherings, church, weddings and funerals. Aristocracy was unknown, the latest Parisian fashions and styles possessed no attractions for them ; each was the peer of the other, and instead

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

of a spirit of rivalry as regards external decorations and equipages was that of truly neighborly kindness and industry. The literal latch-string hung out to all comers, and the best the house afforded was ten- dered the passing guest, who was ever admonished to " call again " should they be in that vicinity again ; there was a heartiness of welcome and genuine hos- pitality exhibited that would be truly refreshing now days, for it has passed away with the log cabin, the loom and the spinning-wheel, together with the white- capped spectacled old lady who graced the puncheon floors of a few decades ago. Occasionally can be found one of these venerable pioneers, and they al- most without exception claim to have enjoyed life and experienced more true happiness when they were pioneering than since fortune has smiled upon them. In order that none be neglected who are entitled to notice, we append a full list of original land entries which, aside from their historic interest, will he val- uable for future reference :

ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES. SECTION 1.

ACRES.

Stephen Marmon, Logan County, Ohio, January 11, 1830, to Iowa and died. 80

Aaron Brown, Logan County, Ohio, Feb. 18, 1830, to lowa and then California. 94

Peter Marmon, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 18, 1830. 143

David T. Nicholson, Indiana, March 13, 1830, went to Mis- souri and died. 80

David T. Nicholson, Cass County, Mich., Aug. 23, 1830, went to Missouri and died. 80

Daniel Burnham, New Hampshire, June 13, 1831. 80 F. Smith, New Hampshire, June 13, 1831. 80

SECTION 2.

Richmon Marmon, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 12, 1831. 80 Richmon Marmon, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 22, 1835. 40

llarmon, Evelina, Amanda, Rebecca and Robert Painter, Holmes County, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1832, went to Colorado ... 80

Robert Painter, Cass County, Mich., March 26, 1833. 62 Elizabeth Holmes, Dec. 24, 1x33 80

Elizabeth Holmes, Feb. 17, 1834. 40 Henry P. Voorhees, Montgomery County, N. Y., June 29, 1835 144

Carlos Baldwin, March 8, 1836. 80

SECTION 3.

David Vanhouter, Cass County, Mich., Nov. 10, 1834-Ohio .. 65 David Vanhouter, Cass County, Mich. June 29, 1835 .. 80 llenry P. Voorhees, Montgomery County, N. Y., Jan. 18, !" 1836 303

f'arlos Baldwin, Kalamazoo County, Mich., March 8, 1836 ... 40 Andrew B. Sears, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 5, 1836. 120

SECTION 4.

Correll Messenger, Cass County, Mich., Oct. 31, 1834. 67 Jacob Silver. Cass County. Mich., July 15, 1835, and Feb. 16, 1836 229

Rivemus Messenger, Marion County, Ohio, Sept. 12 and 19,

1835 200

Lawrence, Imlay & B. 120

SECTION 5.

ACREB.

Abram Loux, Berrien County, Mich., Jan. 10, 1833 71

Abram Loux, Berrien County, Sept. 19, 1835. 80 Abram Loux, Cass County, Mich., Nov. 3, 1835 40

Abram Loux, Jan. 13, 1837 40

HIenry P. Voorhees, June 29, 1835. 310

Harrison C. Long, St. Joseph's County, Ind , Oct. 27, 1836 ... 40 N. B. & P'. A. Lee, Cass County, Mich., Jan. 3, 1846,. 40

SECTION 6.

John Pettigrew, Clark County, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1831 152

John Pettigrew, Jr., Clark County, Ohio, Jan. 24, 1831. 72 James Pettigrew, Jr., Montgomery County, Ohio, Oct. 26, 1833 80

John Stepbenson, Logan County, Ohio, Sept. 27, 1833, Logan County 78

John Stephenson, Logan County, Ohio, April 8, 1835, Cass

County 80

John Pettigrew, Cass County, Mich., Jan. 14, 1836. 79 Abram Loux, Cass County. Mich., Dec. 5, 1836 .. 40

John Hatfield, St. Joseph County, Ind., Feb. 21, 1835 40

SECTION 7.

Ira H. Putnam, Cass County, Mich., May 6, 1834 80

Ira H. Putnam, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 11, 1835 .. 40 Benjamin Cooper, Marion County, Ohio, June 17, 1834. 160 George Clark, Cass County, Mich., Oct. 30, 1834. 40

John Pettigrew, Jr., Cass County, Mich., Nov. 13, 1834. 40

Mason Lee, Ontario County, N. Y., July 11, 1835. 40 Mason Lee, Ontario County, N. Y., July 15, 1836 80

Reuben Haynes, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 5, 1836. 79

SECTION 8.

William H. Filley, Cass County, Mich., Aug 26, 1835 40

Isaac Sears, Erie County, Penn., Sept. 11, 1835. 320

Richard Bosley, Cass County, Mich., Nov. 9, 1835 80

Lawrence, Imlay & B., May 14, 1836. 200

SECTION 9.

Henry P. Voorhees, Montgomery County, N. Y., June 29, 1835. 160

William Salmon, Cass County, Mich., Oct. 31, 1835. 59

Lawrence, Imlay & B., May 14, 1836 ... 160

George Redfield, Cass County, Mich., May 14, 1836 41

William A. Mills, Livingston County, N. Y., Dec. 6, 1836. 59

SECTION 10.

Henry P. Voorhees, Montgomery County, N. Y., June 29, 1835 307

Samuel F. Anderson, Orleans County, N. Y., March 8, 1836 .. 40

Alauson Ward, Genesee County, N. Y., Dec. 6, 1836. 40 William A. Mills, Livingston County, N. Y., Dec. 6, 1836 122

Elias B. Sherman, Cass County, Mich , Dec. 6, 1836 .. 80

SECTION 11.

Samuel Colyar, Cass County, Mich., July 12, 1831 160

Maxwell Zane, Cass County, Mich., Aug, 23, 1831 80

Isaac Zane, Cass County, Mich., Feb. 17, 1834 40 Squire B. Zane, Cass County, Mich., Dec. 21, 1835. 40 David Reams, Cass County, Mich., March 19, 1834 40

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History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 82

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