History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 87

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

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the Dowagiac River, and those of the south and southwest are drained by Little Rocky Creek, which flows across the southern portion of the township, in an easterly direction, and, on leaving it, it continues its course to the east side of Flowerfield Township, in St. Joseph County, under the name of Big Stone River, and then it takes a southerly course and emp- ties into the St. Joseph River at Three Rivers. Big Creek, as it is called, is quite a rapid stream, and it and its branches have furnished the power for several" mills which have been built upon its banks at different times-some of them were erected at an early day, and are no longer in operation, while others are of more recent construction and are running at this time. We will speak of these mills more at length further on. As has been intimated above, this township was heavily timbered. Many portions of it were covered with the more valuable kinds of timber, such as the walnut, white wood, large white oak, ash and maple. In the lowlands and marshes black ash and swamp elm and tamarack abounded.

The principal lakes are Saddle Bag and Fish, in the northwest, Hemlock and Pine Lakes in the north, Miller and Cranberry in the southeast, and Goff's and Huyck's in the south west. Pickerel, in the southern portion, must not be omitted from the list. It was so named on account of the abundance of pickerel which inhabited its waters in the early history of the town- ship. These lakes were the frequent resort of the hunter and trapper, including both the Indian and white man, and many a camp-fire was built upon their banks by hunters, who had mother earth for a couch and the blue canopy of heaven for a covering.

The attachments that existed between some of the early settlers and Indians were very strong, and the hardships of the pioneer would, many times, have been much greater had not the Indian shared with him his scanty supply of corn and venison.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The first entries of land were made in Marcellus, October 19, 1835, by Delevan Duncan and Joel Clark, in Sections 11 and 12, but neither of them made a settlement. The following year, entries were made by Joseph Bair, Joel Goff, Josephus Gard, Joseph Haight, John Goff, John Beebe, John Huyck and others, and of these but one made a settlement at this time. According to the record, Joseph Haight entered his land July 13, 1836. He, accompanied by his family, came from Orleans County, N. Y., in the spring of this year, and after spending a short time in look- ing up an available location, made choice of 139 acres on Section 18. During the summer, he chopped off a little spot of ground and built a log cabin. The

H. W. BLY.

MRS. LOUISA BLY.

ROSWELL R. BEEBE.

MRS . MARY BEEBE .

G. W. JONES.

J. C. BRADT.

JOHN SAVAGE.

WARREN O. MATHEWS.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

sound of his ax was the first to resound throughout the dense forest and arouse its denizens in their peace- ful possession. The smoke from this cabin was the first to curl above the tops of the tall trees, the har- binger of civilization. The cabin completed. he, with his family, moved into the midst of the forest in the autumn of 1836, and here, by indefatigable toil he carved out for himself a home. Here he continued to live until his death, and his widow, Ann C. Haight, whose maiden name was Comstock, still lives here with her daughter.

Mother Haight, as she is familiarly known, often recounts the incidents of pioneer life to a circle of young listeners. Her graphic descriptions of the ex_ temporized furniture and fixtures, the cooking utensils, the domestic manufactures, etc., are intensely interest- ing to her young friends, whom she loves to thus entertain. Her mind is clear an active, and her eye kindles with enthusiasm as she, in her memory, lives over the days of her early womanhood, when the little spinning wheel, with its flyers and distaff, furnished the evening music instead of the piano forte ; and the one-posted bedstead, the wooden stool, the sap-trough cradle, and the shallow iron dish with a pitcher nose on one side, filled with wood-chuck's fat, in which was placed a cotton rag for a wick, constituted the lamp. These crude fixtures took the place of the elegant parlor suits of to-day. If it were not, that in the general chapters of this work, log cabins and all that appertains thereto had adready been described so minutely, we would here reiterate many of her ac- counts. Suffice it that we refer the reader to this portion of the work for their full description, and other subjects not here treated of.

The next to join the vanguard of pioneers of Mar- cellus were Fredrick Goff and Joseph Bair, with their families. Mr. Goff came from Cayuga County, N. Y., and settled on land entered by his brother John, on Section 20, in the vicinity of what is now called Goff's Lake. The date of his settlement is 1837. Fredrick. Goff being a carpenter and joiner by trade, and lumber, at this time, being within hauling dis- tance, he built, in the outset, a small frame house, which was the first frame building in the township. In about two years after his settlement he died, and his widow, Malinda Goff, whose maiden name was Curtis, and her two sons, A. and Silas, continued to improve the farm and make for themselves a com- fortable home. Ephraim and Eben, sons of John Goff, came to the county about 1839, and settled in the Goff neighborhood, and John finally came and spent his last years here. The representatives of the Goff family have been very numerous in this township, and her citizens are indebted to them for many of the

early improvements. Nearly all of them are now sleeping in the family burial-ground on the west side of the lake which bears their name.

Joseph Bair, with his wife Elizabeth (Rigley) and one child, Westell, came fromn Crawford County, Ohio, to Michigan in 1828. They came accompanied by a Mr. Clinger and family to White Pigeon, St. Joseph County. Mr. Clinger had, prior to this, visited White Pigeon and taken up a large tract of land, and re- turned to Ohio for his family. In consideration of Mrs. Bair's assisting in the household labors, and Mr. Bair, who was a noted hunter, supplying them with venison while en route, they were given a " free passage" to the " new world." In addition to house- hold effects, Mr. Clinger brought some stock, includ- ing a span of four-year-old colts, and being a good horsewoman, they had not proceeded far on the journey before Mrs. Bair broke one of them to ride, and rode him most of the way.

Joseph Bair lived at White Pigeon and Gourdneck Prairies till coming to Marcellus Township, in 1837. While living on Gourd Neck Prairie Mr. Bair built what Mrs. Bair facetiously called her " elm-log cabin." He chopped shelves in the side of a very large elm log for her dishes. He then drove into the ground two crotched poles and placed in each of the crotches one end of a pole, the other ends resting on the elm log. This constituted the frame work of the cabin which was roofed with shakes. It was inclosed by setting one tier of shakes on end around two sides of it, the front remaining open. No windows or doors were needed, and as for floor it had none. In this rude structure, more like school children's playhouse, than a place to live in, they remained about nine months. By the time winter had set in, he had built another and better cabin. But this "better" cabin was minus a floor. Mrs. Bair was quite proud of her dirt floor, and took great pains in pounding it down solid with a heavy maul Mr. Bair used for splitting wood, and sweeping it with a hickory splint broom manufactured by her husband. While living here they experienced some hard times, once, for a period of six weeks, having no corn or other bread in the house, their only food being vegetables and venison.

She also relates a thrilling adventure with an Indian named Tah- Wah.

One beautiful autumnal day during the Indian sum- mer, and there were Indian summers in those days, Mr. Bair took his rifle and went into the woods in pursuit of game, leaving Mrs. Bair and her children alone. About the middle of the day, while she was preparing dinner, Tah- wah, accompanied by an old squaw, came into the cabin unbidden, in a state of intoxication. She sat down in the door while he sat,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

or rather fell, into a chair, and commenced expectorat- ing on the cleanly kept floor, and making himself very obnoxious. About this time a neighbor called, and as Tah-wah commenced taking undue liberties, he was told several times to "' marchee," but refused to go, and she took hold of him and, pointing to the door, said repeatedly "Tah-wah marchee," which so incensed him that he sprang up, drew his scalping knife from his belt and made a desperate effort to inflict a mortal wound, but was prevented by the timely interference of the neighbor, and they managed together to thrust him outside, and he retired muttering vengeance. After the family had retired that evening, Tah-wah returned, and, pushing one side the blanket which was used as a substitute for a door, called out " Muchway," this being the appellation he had given Mr. Bair. At first, no response was given to his repeated interroga- tories, when Mr. Bair inquired his business. Thus encouraged, he stalked into the room, came close to the bed, and demanded that Mr. Bair should severely punish his wife for the unceremonious manner in which she had treated him during the day, he contending that great indignities had been heaped upon him by the " white squaw," and that if his request was not com- plied with, he would himself whip her within an inch of her life. Mr. Bair paid no attention to his threats, but sternly commanded him to leave the cabin, or he would arise and whip him into subjection. These counterthreats appeared ineffective until he essayed to arise to put them into execution, when Tah-wah slunk away apparently in a great rage.

Not long subsequent to this event, Mr. Bair returned home from work he had been engaged on for several days, to find nothing but some potatoes in the house to eat. Fortunately, they possessed a little money, and Mrs. Bair, in view of his not being well, consented to go to a mill some three miles distant and procure some meal. While on the way, on turning a point in the Indian trail, she beheld in the distance a man ap- proaching, and, as he drew near, she suddenly discov- ered that it was Tah-wah with a gun on his shoulder, a tomahawk in his hand and scalping knife in his belt. She became almost paralyzed with fear, but did not dare run for fear he would shoot her, as they were on the open prairie. There were several trails threading the tall prairie grass, and she essayed to avoid him by taking a side trail. Tah-wah discovered her plans, crossed over the other trails and approached her until they stood face to face, where he stood for a moment as motionless and impenetrable as a monu- ment, carefully scrutinizing the trembling woman, and then extending his hand saying, "bus-you-macon," which means " how do you do my friend." He thought she had been sufficiently punished, and proposed being

friends in the future, and she gladly consented to his proposition.

Mr. Bair sold his betterments on Gourd Neck Prai- rie, and moved to Marcellus in the spring of 1837, having previously entered 80 acres in Section 24, July 21, 1836. He spent much of his time in hunting and trapping, and in this way familiarized himself with every locality, and could point out the bound- aries of every section in the township. He was therefore of very great assistance to those who wished to locate land. He was frequently employed by men living in other sections of the country to select lands and make purchases for them, they never coming to see the land. Although Joseph Bair deceased many years ago, his widow carried on the farm for a long time, and there was no outdoor work she could not do. During the war of the rebellion, her sons hav- ing all left her, except one who was about fourteen years of age, she plowed the ground, fitted it, and sowed eight acres of wheat. Of Joseph Bair's family, there were nine children, all of whom are living at this time. Westell, John. Iantha and Marion are living in the township of Marcellus; Almira is in Wisconsin ; Clinton and William in Newberg Town- ship; Anna and Alfrona are in Van Buren County. Mrs. Bair is making her home with her son Marion, who lives on a part of the old homestead.

John Huyck with his family moved into Marcellus Township in 1837. Their record will be found else- where.

William L. Wolf came to Michigan in 1832 with his parents, who settled in Volinia Township, where he lived until 1845. October 5, 1844, he entered 80 acres of land on Section 30, erected a frame house, and has made other improvements, and still resides on this place. His first wife, Perces (Goff), having de- ceased, he married Martha Goff. Of his children, Mary A. and Franklin J. are in Nebraska ; Edgar W., Florence A., Evine L. and Joseph G. are in Marcel- lus, while Henry J., Martha A. and William are de- ceased.

William P. Bennett, who came into the township in 1852, is now a resident of Cassopolis, and Probate Judge of the county. Among other prominent citi- zens are George Griffin, Reuben Booth, Uri Burnham and Leander Bridge, who are deceased ; II. H. Poor- man, John S. Curtis, A. J. Shannon, Ambrose Wiltsie, B. F. Higgins and others came into the township twenty and thirty years ago, and but a few more years will elapse before they and many others will be accorded the position of pioneers in the town- ship in its then advanced age.

The only male representative of those who moved into Marcellus Township with a family, and that may

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

be included among the first settlers (1838) now living, is G. R. Beebe. Mr. Beebe was born in Penn- sylvania, but his parents moved to Ohio when he was but a boy. He remained in Huron County, Ohio, till he reached manhood's estate, and then came to Kalamazoo County, where he was married to Marga- ret Hanson.

Mrs. Beebe's parents settled on Prairie Ronde when there were but two other families ; and she re- calls the time when her mother divided a peck of eorn into three equal parts, giving two-thirds to two other families. This corn and a scanty supply of po- tatoes were all they had to subsist on, while Mr. Han- son went to Ohio after some wheat. In due time he returned, bringing a quantity of wheat flour, and the family had a feast of white bread, which was a great luxury to them.

Mrs. Beebe, in common with other pioneer women, was in mortal fear of the notorious Indian, Shavehead, and recalls the time when he came to their cabin in Marcellus, sat down on the threshold, and with his hatchet commenced hacking the door step in a most significant manner. He appeared out of humor and complained bitterly of the manner in which he had been treated by the whites. In answer to inquiry, he was told that Mr. Beebe was in the woods chopping, and he listened attentively for a long time, but failed to hear the sound of his ax, and no wonder, for he was many miles away from home. Although in con- stant fear, not knowing what moment he might con- clude to put in execution his oft repeated threat, to capture one more scalp before his death, she coolly pro- ceeded to get the noonday meal, and made preparation as if expecting her husband home, and, although they possessed a limited supply of provisions, she in com- pliance to his demands gave Shavehead nearly all they had, and also several trinkets, including a piece of a broken mirror that was tacked up against the side of the cabin, but still he remained and showed not the slightest disposition to depart, and her alarm increased so that she did not relinquish hold of her two children, but carried them in her arms around the room while getting dinner, of which, when ready, she invited him to partake, and he, Indian fashion, ate to repletion, while she feigned to wait for her husband. He then proceeded to smoke his pipe, and after what scemed an interminable space of time gathered up the articles he had become possessed of, and as his dark form was seen retreating through the forest a great relief was felt by the household he had so bur- dened by his presence. Notwithstanding the frights to which they were subject, on account of the Indians, they always lived at peace with thein, and, although frequently camping in large numbers near their corn-

fields, were never detected in taking an ear of corn without permission.

Of their four children, two are living-David L., in Van Buren County, and Gideon, in St. Joseph County.

In 1842, David Snyder, with his family, and his father and mother, three sisters and a brother-in-law, came from Oswego County, N. Y., via Detroit to Michigan. The journey from Detroit was performed with a team, and they pressed forward" until Marcel- lus was reached, when land was purchased on Section 22, and to which he was obliged to cut roads through the woods, in this township. He states that the greatest obstacle they were obliged to contend with during their first settlement was the ague, with which the whole family at times were prostrated. The very air seemed impregnated with this miasmatic disease, which attacked a favorite horse named " Bill," brought with them from the East. He appeared to have a genuine case of the ague, for he would shake, have a high fever, and then sweat till the water ran in drops from his body. This region was peculiarly adapted to this disease, and the sufferings of the settlers in consequence was intense at times. Mr. Snyder has done his full share of pioneer work, and has made his impress on the township in many ways.

Moses P. Blanchard should be included among the pioneers of Marcellus. He came from Kalamazoo County, and entered two quarter-sections of land, one on Sections 13 and 14. The date of his entries is July 22, 1836. He was an old bachelor, and had no permanent place of abode, but spent much of his time in the township, residing with other settlers, in the meantime making improvements on his lands. After a few years, two of his brothers, Allen and Orvill, moved in from Kalamazoo County, settled on his lands and improved them.

Daniel G. Rouse was an early settler and took an active part in the civil affairs of the township at the time of its organization. Mr. Rouse circulated the petition for the organization of the township, and the first election was held at his house. He was the first Supervisor, and filled this office at various times after- ward. He also assisted in building the first school- house in the township, donating the site for the same.

John Savage and his wife, Hannah (Skinner), were among the early settlers in this township, for they lo- cated here about the year 1842, and of their numer- ous family of fifteen children many of them left their impress on the physical aspect of the township. The progenitor of this family deceased in 1878, at the ad- vaneed age of ninety-one years ; his consort is also deceased. Of their children, Lewis, Laura A., Henry,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Thankful, Benedict, Elizabeth and Mary E. have passed away. Of those living, Harrison is in Kansas, Harvey in Minnesota, Harriet M. and Julia in Ore- gon, Amelia J. in Van Buren County, while George, Francis and Frank reside in this township.

Thomas Burney, who now resides in Marcellus Village, came to Michigan in 1841. His boyhood days were spent upon the banks of the beautiful Sus- quehanna. He emigrated from his native State, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, Medina County, and thence to Newberg Township, Cass County, Mich. The date of his settlement in Newberg is 1841; thence he re- moved to Cassopolis and remained until 1868, when he returned to Marcellus, and located where the village now stands. At that time, there were only two farm houses within the present limits of the village. To him belongs the honor of erecting the first busi- ness building in the village, in 1868, where he and a profitable business for several years. At the time of the construction of the Peninsular Railroad, he sold a great many goods to the laborers on the same, taking orders on the company, which were never paid. He thus suffered a heavy loss, from which he never recovered. He is to-day, financially speaking, poor, but is rich in the kindly regards of his fellow-citizens. Levi C. is still in business in the village of Marcellus, and Myron F. is a farmer in Newberg Township. These two sons and one daughter, Sophronia, are all that are living of the six children. The names of those that are dead are Philena L., Mianda A. and Syrenus E.

Frederick Patrick came from the State of New York, in 1845, purchased a farm on Section 29. He first moved in a cooper shop on Section 28, built by John Savage, where he continued to live until erect- ing a house on his own farm. His first buildings were frame, and Mr. Patrick claims that his were the first large and substantial frame buildings in the township. To Mr. Patrick belongs the honor of being the first merchant of Marcellus Township. He opened up a general store in the upright of the house in which he now lives, and did quite an extensive business for a few years. His brother, a merchant in Saratoga, N. Y., furnished him with very many goods. Mr. Rouse, a few years previous to this, while running an ashery, kept a few groceries, which he exchanged for ashes, and it is claimed by some that he that was the first merchant. The ashery was established about 1846-47, Patrick's store in 1855-60. Frederick Patrick married Nancy Goff, and their issue was seven children-Malinda and Francis, who are de- ceased ; and Lucy, Elvira, Edgar, Frederick and Je- rome, who are living.

LAND ENTRIES.

SECTION 1.

ACRES.

Joseph Bair, Kalamazoo County, July 21 and 26, 1836 ... 339

Timothy Mosier, Kalamazoo County, July 26, 1836 80

Joel Clark, Kalamazoo County, Jan. 9, 1837 142

Robert Morris, St. Joseph, County, Dec. 6, 1837. 40

SECTION 2.

Greer McElvaine, Kalamazoo County, July 26, 1836. 58

Charles Spears, Van Buren County, Jan. 10, 1837. 80

Jay R. Monroe, Van Buren County, Jan. 10, 1837. 80 David. Tomlinson, Schenectady County, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1837 .. 160 Benjamin Bennett, Casa County, Mich., Aug. 23, 1844 40

SECTION 3.

Loree J. Rosecranta, Kalamazoo County, March 11, 1837. 137 Horace H. Adams, Van Buren County, March 25, 1859 .. 36

SECTION 4.

Joel Clark, Kalamazoo County, Jan. 9, 1837 58

his son, Levi, kept a general stock of goods, and did & Aaron Palmer, Kalamazoo County, March 20, 1837 80

Henry Wood, Summit County, Ohio, April 10, 1851 .. 80

Mial O. Fessenden, Cass County, Mich., April 15, 1852. 40

James Sullivan, Casa County, Mich., June 22, 1853. 40

Benjamin Peachey, Caas County, Mich., Oct. 17, 1853 40

Thomas S. Reevea, Casa County, Mich , Oct. 26, 1853. 80

SECTION 5.

Joel G. Goff, Ontario County, N. Y., July 21, 1836. 80

Theodore H. Drake, Ontario County, N. Y., July 21, 1836. 80

Joel Clark, Kalamazoo County, Jan. 9, 1837 .. 278

H. J. H. Edwards, Kalamazoo County, March 31, 1836. 2

Silas C. Briggs, Van Buren County, May 17 and 22, 1852 79

SECTION 6.

Lucien Miner, Charlotteville, Va., Dec. 14, 1836. 58

Joel Knapp, Cass County, Mich., April 1, 1837 40

John Goff, Cayuga County, N. Y., June 8, 1837 140

SECTION 7.

David Sink, Casa County, Mich., Feb. 9, 1837 68

Richard J. Huyok, Cass County, Mich., July 6, 1844 108

Harry George, Caas County, Mich., Oct. 17, 1853. 59

SECTION 8.

Mary E. Northrup, Kalamazoo County, March, 31, 1836. 2 Joel G. Goff, Ontario County, N. Y., July 21, 1836 417

SECTION 9.

Elihu Woodworth, St. Joseph County, July 25, 1839 40

Clinton Arnold, St. Joseph County, May 25, 1844 40

Edward Littell, Casa County, Mich., July 5, 1852. 160

James Sullivan, Caas County, Mich., June 22, 1853. 104

SECTION 10.

Harry Gregory, Kalamazoo County, May 17, 1836. 80

Alfred Payne, Ontario County, N. Y., Nov. 30, 1838 40.

Elihu Woodward, St. Joseph County, July 25, 1839 40

Samuel Bridge, Cass County, Mich., June 7, 1852. 40

SECTION 11.

Delevan Duncan and Joel Clark, Kalamazoo County, Oct. 19,

1835 80

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

ACRES.

Harry Gregory, Kalamazoo County, May 17, 1836 .. 160 Timothy Mosier, Kalamazoo County, July 26, 1836. 1₺0 David Tomlinson, Schenectady County, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1837. 240

SECTION 12.

Delevan Duncan and Joel Clark, Kalamazoo County, Oct. 19, 1835 80

Zenas Griswold, Genesee County, N. Y., July 13, 1836 .. 160 Joseph Bair, Kalamazoo County, July 26, 1836 160 Timothy Mosier, Kalamazoo County, July 26, 1836. 160

Joel Clark, Kalamazoo County, Jan. 9, 1837. 80

SECTION 13.

Moses P. Blanchard, Kalamazoo County, April 22 and 26, 1836 160

William A. Wilson, Saratoga County, N. Y., July 13, 1836. 157

Gurdon R. Beebe, Kalamazoo County, Jan. 9, 1837. 80 Solomon W. Moyer, Kalamazoo County, Jan. 10, 1837. 80 Ira Bidwell, Lenawee County, April 1, 1837. 160

SECTION 14.

Moses P'. Blanchard, Kalamazoo County, April 22, 1836 .. 160 Harry Gregory, Kalamazoo County, May 17, 1836. 160

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History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 87

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