History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 90

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

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Mr. Beardsley left eight children, only three of whom still survive-Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Fulkerson in Indiana, and Daniel, who resides in Section 13, and was but eight years of age when he came to this county with his father. Mr. Beardsley and his wife Caroline (Moe), now have nine children living, two boys and seven girls, and he is the only male repre- sentative of the Beardsley family, who came in and possessed the land at such an early period, they having nearly all listened to their desire for frontier life, and pushed on toward the West.

Among those who settled in 1832 was Levi Grant. He built a frame barn in 1834, and a frame house in 1836, probably the first erected in the township.

In November, 1832, Jacob Ross, his wife Phobe (Curtis) and six children, and Jotham Curtis and his wife Elizabeth (Malison) and three children, all left their home and started for the West, their method of conveyance being four yoke of oxen and two span of horses attached to capacious wagons, in which were stored numerous articles of

household goods. Some of Mr. Curtis' children went to Canada to locate, but soon followed up their parents, who performed the journey, three hundred miles, to Edwardsburg, in one month. They drove through a quantity of cattle and hogs, which found ample pasturage in the woods and on the prairies, in the summer months.

Mr. Ross purchased a village lot in Edwards- burg, for $12, and made that place his home for two years, and in 1835 removed to eighty acres of land entered for him, in Section 11, by his son Richard, and here he remained until his death. His widow now resides with her step-son, Richard Ross, who also entered forty acres of land for himself in Section 14, and on which he now resides, there being but one other person in the township, as far as can be ascer- tained, viz., Henry Arnold, who located 160 acres October 5, 1835, in Section 12, who resides on land taken by them from Government. Richard Ross is a ship carpenter, and went to Detroit, where he worked at his trade for nearly three years, and then labored at carpenter and joiner work in this township until removing on his farm. His wife, Mahetable (Bogart), is a daughter of John Bogart, who removed to Ed- wardsburg, from Ohio, in 1828. They have been blessed with three children-Julia Ann, now Mrs. Ort ; Samantha J., now Mrs. Luse-both in Mason ; and Jasper J., who still resides with his father.

Jotham Curtis, before mentioned, purchased a farm in Section 15, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1848, when in his eighty-ninth year. He was a Revolutionary pensioner, and his pension was received after his demise, by his widow, who was familiarly known as " Granny Curtis " by all the early settlers within a large scope of surround- ing country, for she traveled long distances on horse back, following old Indian trails, to the cabins of squatters, whose inmates were in distress and in need of assistance. She was the mother of ten children, and their numbers had multiplied so that at the time of her death in 1878, when in her ninety-eighth year, her lineal descendants numbered 163. Jotham Curtis, Jr., had the care of his parents until their death, but he only survived his mother one year, and as his wife deceased in 1864, the old farm is now in possession of their daughter, Sophronia, who is the wife of Dr. H. E. Woodbridge, a graduate of Cleveland Medical College, but who is now engaged in farming.

It was but natural that those who sought to better their condition by emigrating to the West, should as- sociate themselves together on their journey, and this was frequently done to their mutual advantage of companionship and assistance, but at the same

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

time, was more frequently practiced by those bound | neighbor's, named Nicholson, not far distant, mounted together by ties of relationship. Stewart C. Gardner on a spirited horse, which possessed the peculiar fac- ulty of learning of the presence of Indians-of whom he stood in deadly fear-through his olfactories. They had not progressed far before he commenced acting in a most unaccountable manner, rearing, snorting and plunging, but refusing to go forward. Soon the objects of his fear, the Indians, came into sight, in single file, when he became utterly unmanageable, and plunged through the woods at a terrible rate of speed, en- dangering the life of his rider every instant, as he almost flew by, around and under the forest trees, not stopping in his mad career until home was reached. The Indians, totally unconscious of the dis- turbance they had created, shortly after arrived at the cabin, and one of them, who was under the in- fluence of liquor, became so insolent that the others took him behind the house and poured whisky down his throat remarking: "Heap bad Indian, make him so cockoosa (drunk), can't stir," which cer- tainly was a very effective method of disposing of the obstreperous savage, and one he would doubtless like frequently repeated, for the Indians were inordinately fond of liquor. and his wife, Betsey (O'Dell), with their six children, in company with Simeon O'Dell, his wife and four children, all left Cuayhoga County, Ohio, October 16, 1833, en route for Illinois. At Cleveland, Ohio, they met a Mr. Stewart, who descanted at great length upon the fertile territory of Michigan, and on reach- ing Baldwin's Prairie, they were constrained to remain, and April 8, 1835, Mr. Gardner purchased of the Government forty acres in Section 13, on which he removed, and the succeeding year made an addition of forty acres to his farm, and commenced the life of a pioneer. Being located on the "old Territorial road," he soon commenced keeping tavern, and many a time was this modest hostelry filled to repletion, and the floor strewn with tired emigrants, who slept as soundly as those favored with most luxurious apartments. for the people who first settled up this country were inured to hardships, and considered themselves fort- unate to be sheltered from the inclemencies of the weather. Of such material were the men and women who boldly pushed on to the frontier and performed the initial labors in the country composed, that they disclaimed luxury, and gloried in their free- dom of action, untrammeled by laws of fashion, each being the peer of the other, true worth and not wealth being the gauge by which all were measured, and if one sought for pure friendship, disinterested acts of kindness and true philanthropy, no more fruitful field could be found than among the men of sterling worth and true manhood who settled up this county. Having performed his allotted portion, Mr. Gardner died in 1872, at the advanced age of seventy-five years, and his wife. Betsey, July 2, 1881. This ven- erable lady had the honor of being present when the late lamented James A. Garfield, President of the United States, was ushered into the world, and of first enrobing him in the clothing of infancy, and her pleasure was great to learn of his succession to the Presidential chair. There is a strange coincidence in the fact that she breathed her last on the same day and hour in which the President received the fatal shot fired by the assassin, C. J. Guiteau.

S. C. Gardner was blessed with six children-Har- riet, deceased ; Alvira (Mrs. Moe), in Nebraska ; Thomas J., in Dowagiac ; while Joseph, Julius M. and H. A. are all residents of Mason, the latter re- siding on the old homestead, but devotes most of his attention to the practice of his profession, that of veterinary surgeon, his practice now extending over a period of twenty-four years. In the early history of the family, there occurred a little incident that might have been fatal in its results. Harriet started for a

In 1835, there was a very large emigration to this township, and nearly all of the land was entered, either by settlers or speculators, during the year. Among others, who came into Mason in 1835, was Lyman Stevens, who came from Oneida County, N. Y., via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence to Detroit by boat. When having procured an ox team, he took his family to his sisters, just west of Ypsilanti, in Washtenaw County, and there left them, while he came and located eighty acres on Section 8, June 23, 1835. During the interim, his son, David R., then a lad thirteen years of age, drove a " breaking-up " team, the compensation being 25 cents per day. Mr. Stevens' log cabin was roofed with bark, pealed from the trees with which it was surrounded, and its other rude appointments were in keeping. His worldly possessions then consisted of a yoke of cattle, a wagon and $12 in cash, but he went bravely to work, and before his death, which occurred in April, 1843, fifty acres were reduced to a tillable shape. The first winter of their residence in their new home, 500 Indians camped near their house, and were great objects of curiosity to the younger members of the household.

David R., before referred to, is the only one of his father's family residing in the county, and he is a successful farmer, made so by his own industry ; his residence is in Section 5; he claims to be the oldest settler who has lived continuously in the township, ex- cept Mrs. B. Miller. He ran a " breaking-up " team

Polemow Sutton

POLEMON SUTTON.

Polemon Sutton was born in Ulster County, N. Y., March 20, 1824, and is a son of Charles Sutton, who was born in Westchester County, N. Y., August 22, 1783, and departed this life January 17, 1870, and Dorcas (Kniffin) Sutton, who was born in the same county as her husband, February 26, 1785, and passed over the mystical river to the other shore August 2, 1864. They had a family of nine chil- dren, viz .: Merritt M., Phebe F., Elizabeth, Abi- gail M., Polnia, Lydia, Edwin, Polemon, Jane A. In 1834. Polemon, the subject of this sketch, accom- panied his parents, who were farmers, to Sandusky County, Ohio, from which place he came to Cass County, in 1844, and on reaching here, his entire worldly wealth consisted of $1. Ile commenced as a farm hand at $10 per month, one-half store pay, but before the season had passed concluded to commence farming on his own account, and having obtained a contract for eighty acres of land, returned to Ohio to work where money was more plenty. Returning, he cominenced in earnest pioneer labor on his farm, and being very active, energetic and industrious, evidences of prosperity could soon be seen on every hand, and before his death, which occurred July 18. 1865, 150 acres of fine farming land had been brought under cultivation, and he considered one of the prominent and progressive farmers of the township. Although his educational advantages were principally confined to the district school, he thoroughly improved them and became so conversant with the common branches

MRS. P. A. SUTTON.

that he became a very successful school teacher- several winter months being devoted to this calling. Whatever he did at all was well done, and therein lay the key to his success. Originally a Democrat, on the formation of the Republican party, he became one of its stanchest members, and during the war assist- ed in filling the quota of soldiers due from his town. Although holding the offices of School Inspector and Town Clerk, he was not a political aspirant, but always took an active part in political affairs in which he evinced the greatest interest, and it is to such men in their private capacity as citizens that a just and equitable government looks for support. Although a firm believer in Christianity, he was not a member of any religious organization. He was married May 13, 1852, to Phebe A. Moody, who was born in Medina County, Ohio, July 12, 1833, and was a daughter of Ethan and Eccellann (Hatch) Moody, who came to Cass County in 1848, and remamed here until their deaths, which occurred October 26, 1881, and De- cember 21, 1865, respectively. Their family consisted of four children-Phebe A., Andrew J., Ethan 1. and Horace B. Mrs. Sutton is a lady of more than ordinary business ability, and now success- fully conducts the farm left by her husband ; and their fine farm buildings, an ornament to the town- ship, were completed under her supervision after the death of her husband. She is the mother of two children-Lola M. and Enna, both of whom reside at home.

HON. EDWIN W. REYNOLDS.

This gentleman, for many years one of the promi- nent citizens of the township of Mason, was born in Shoreham, Vt., in November of 1820. He was left an orphan at the tender age of seven years, and his boyhood days were replete with trials and hardships, which no doubt developed many strong points in his character that otherwise might have remained latent. Naturally observing, and possessing a strong analytical mind, he foresaw, when a mere boy, the advantages arising from education. In various ways he earned money sufficient to prepare himself for college, and in 1846 he graduated with honors from the Western Re- serve College at Hudson, Ohio. Having a decided taste for the profession of law, he entered the office of James S. Carpenter, a prominent attorney of Akron, Ohio. After completing his legal studies, he was ad- mitted to the bar, and shortly after established him- self in the practice of his profession in Medina. Ohio. About this time he met his destiny in the person of Miss Charlotte, daughter of Abel Dickinson, of Wads- worth, Ohio, whom he married in June of 1851. He remained in Medina in the practice of law for about

four years, when failing health admonished him that a change in his business was necessary, and in 1854 he came to Cass County, and located in Mason Town- ship, where he resided until his decease, which occurred October 15, 1863, and was caused by his being thrown from a wagon. The ability of Mr. Reynolds was soon recognized by the people of Mason, and he was called upon to take a prominent part in its affairs. In his political convictions he was originally a Whig, and upon the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks, and although his party in Mason was very largely in the minority, he was elected as Supervisor for many years. In 1860, he received the nomina- tion, and was elected to the representative branch of the Legislature, which position he filled to the satis- faction. of his constituents and with credit to himself. As a citizen, friend and neighbor, Mr. Reynolds was universally esteemed, and in his untimely death Cass County lost one of her most valuable citizens. His widow, now Mrs. D. M. Howell, resides in Penn. Two daughters, Ida and Julia B., live with their mother, while the only son, Kirke W., is a resident of Kansas.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

for many years, and engaged in threshing for twenty- four years, and purchased the first grain separator brought in the township which was constructed in Ontwa by an ingenious mechanic and millwright, named David Thompson, who invented many things connected with the machine, although laboring under very great embarrassments, as all the castings had to be brought from other places. This was in 1847. Mr. Stevens brought the second portable steam engine into the county, Moses H. Lee, of Edwardsburg, purchasing the first. Three children have been the fruits of his union with Ellen E. (Roberts)-Harriet A., now Mrs. Ashley, in Kansas; George L., who is in possession of a portion of the old farm, presented by his father, and John L., who resides at home.

The Miller settlement, which numbered some twenty persons, was the largest in the township, and consisted of F. W. Miller, his wife Belinda (Colby), one child and his mother, Ann Miller ; Samuel S., his wife Nancy (Owen) and two children ; John and his wife Elizabeth (Hanford) ; Abraham and John Miller and two brothers-in-law, viz. : John Worst, his wife Sarah (Miller) and four children ; John Garman and Eupheme (Miller) his wife, all of whom started from Monroe County, N. Y., for the West, having no definite destination, intending to settle where they found a desirable location. They were so numerous that, in order to find accommodations, would separate out, and accordingly a portion stopped at Adamsville and Mr. F. W. Miller pushing forward to Edwards- burg. Those remaining at Adamsville received such favorable information regarding the country that they decided to remain and investigate, and hastened for- ward to inform Mr. Miller, but did not overtake him until he had reached Niles, when he returned, and they all settled in one small log house, with one room, the only shelter obtainable, but Mr. Miller was soon accommodated in the house of Jotham Curtis, and re- mained there until he had purchased his farm in Sec- tion 15, and erected a house on the land where his widow now resides. He was unwilling to use sticks in the erection of the chimney to his house, and could only obtain brick enough to extend it to the floor above, and Mrs. Miller was obliged to prepare the family's meals with a fire kindled beside a log until extreme cold weather, when a chimney was improvised by extending it up through the roof, with boards set on end. The land purchased by Mr. Miller was owned by speculators in Detroit, and he went there by the only public conveyance, the stage coach. The roads were almost in a fluid state; the coach, the horses, the driver and passengers, could testify to this, for they were literally covered with " free soil." The coach frequently became "stuck " in some almost

bottomless mud-holes, and from which it was only extricated by poles and fence-rails in the hands of passengers, who cheerfully lent their assistance, as occasions of this kind required, and even consented to walk through some of the worst places, with a com- placency that would utterly astonish the modern traveler, who cannot conceal his impatience of a few minutes' delay of the steam-drawn car, into which he can recline on finely cushioned seats, utterly regard- less of roads and weather. Mr. F. W. Miller's family consisted of seven children, three of whom, Ann, Albert M. and Charles Z., are deceased, the latter's death occurring at Nicholsville, Ky., while in the United States Army during the rebellion. F. W. is the Postmaster in Elkhart, Ind .; B. Sophia, Mrs. Coe, in Illinois, while Lewis H. and Newell II. reside on the old homestead, their father's death occurring in 1873.

Noah Hatch was one of the early settlers, and re- mained on his farm until 1847, when it passed into the possession of Ephraim C. Moody, who came from Medina County, Ohio. His death occurred October, 1881, and the farm is now in possession of one of his sons, A. J. Moody, whose wife, Marian E., is a daughter of James L. Brady, whose record appears in the history of Ontwa, in which township he settled in an early day, being one of the pioneers of that portion of the county. A daughter of E. C. Moody, now Mrs. P. A. Sutton, resides on the farin purchased by her hus- band, Polemon Sutton, in Section 20-his death oc- curring in July, 1868. He came to Cass County in 1844, and purchased his farm when in a state of nat- ure, and it is now graced with very fine farm build- ings.

When twelve years of age, Hugh C. McNeil came with his father, James, from Cayuga County, N. Y., who settled on 120 acres of land pur- chased from Government in 1835. Not being old enough to perform hard manual labor, Hugh was given free run of the woods, and delighted in killing the game then so abundant. Of this family, which consisted of five boys and one girl, only two remain in the county-Lydia J. (Ruple) in Calvin and Hugh C .. who resides on the ohl homestead on which his parents died.

In 1836, Lyman Graham came from Medina County, Ohio, and located 120 acres in Section 2, which is now owned by his only son, Sidney J., Mr. Graham's death occurring in 1873. As will be seen in the military record, Sidney J. enlisted three times in the army during the rebellion, and received a bul- let wound in the arm at the battle of Buzzard's Ridge, which partially disables him.

Sylvester Bishop and his sons came to Cass County

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

in 1838, and settled in Mason Township ; their record appears elsewhere.

In those early days, economy was a matter of stern necessity, and the ladies were gratified to obtain plain factory cloth for dresses, which was colored with ma- ple or other bark. A black sheep was considered a prize in any household. for by mixing its fleece with white wool, the thrifty housewife would manufacture gray cloth; otherwise, it would all be colored some dismal, unattractive dark shade. A linsey-woolsey bag-shaped garment, gathered at the waist with a belt, was considered plenty good enough for all occasions by the men.

Among the most successful and progressive farmers of Mason is Henry Thompson, who came into the county in 1838, when a young man but twenty years of age, from North Troy, Vt. Before coming, he helped spike down the first rails laid for steam cars be- tween Lowell and Boston. In order to insure perma- nence, the ties were constructed of granite, into which were drilled holes for the spikes, and when inserted were held in place by solder poured in the interstices. This was then thought indispensable to safety. After working for Dr. Treat on Beardsley's Prairie for a short time, he engaged with Moses Sage & Son, at Adams- ville, in the milling business, and remained there for six years, and while so employed purchased thousands of bushels of wheat at prices ranging from 44 to 50 cents per bushel, some of which was brought from Nottoway Sippi Prairie, thirty-six miles distant. He subsequently became interested with George Redfield for several years in the grist and saw mills, known as Redfield's Mills, but moved on his present farm in 1848, since which time he has devoted himself to ag- ricultural pursuits, and his numerous fine buildings and well-kept farm betokens the model farmer. When purchased, the farm was in a state of nature, except a small space cleared by the Indians, and on which they raised corn. Mr. Thompson has been repeatedly fa- vored with offices in the gift of the people of his town- ship. He has been twice married, his present wife being Ellen M. (King), and has six children now liv- ing.

Moses M. Coon came from Sandusky County, Ohio, with his father, John G., in 1841. His father removed to Iowa and ultimately to Missouri, where he died in 1877. Moses M. is now engaged in farming in Section 16.

About 1840, the farmers began to erect finer buildings ; log houses had been gradually supplanted by more pretentious farm buildings, and the face of the country presented a changed appearance ; there was an air of thrift to be seen on every side ; not but what there was still much unimproved land, but the

poverty of the people had become much less observ- able, and many were enabled to purchase many of the comforts and luxuries of life that seemed far from their reach when first commencing in the wilderness. Among those who came in about this period was Harrison Strong and his wife, Fidelia J. (Burns). The land they purchased was unimproved, and the large quantities of maple sugar they manufactured helped along in the household economy amazingly. Their children are named Joseph H. and Minerva.

Among the prosperous farmers of Mason can be mentioned G. A. Meacham, who came from Ohio in 1854. He now resides on Section 18.

In 1845, Charles Smith and his wife, Harriet, moved on the farm purchased by his father-in-law, Zacheus Wooden, the famous trapper, in Section 4. He recalls with marked distinctness the time å she- wolf followed his tracks closely for one-half mile, but did not possess the courage to make an attack, and finally slunk away.

When S. B. Glines, who was born in Brownington, Vt., moved on his present farm from Lake County, Ohio, in 1850, it was far from being in an improved state, but is now a credit to the township. Two chil- dren have blessed his union with Mary C. (Nye)- Mary, now Mrs. Nutting, and George.

On the Chicago road, in Section 14, is the site of Kessington, which was platted by. Moses McKessick, recorded in the Register's office July 22, 1872. It comprises nineteen village lots and was surveyed by Amos Smith. It contains one general store, kept by Mr. MeKessick; one blacksmith shop, one church | (the United Brethren), and a few small private houses, and the schoolhouse of District No. 5. Moses Mc- Kessick, the founder, came from Toledo, Ohio, in 1863 ; and in addition to his mercantile business is engaged in farming.

Warren H. Stevens, whose birthplace was in Jeffer- son County, N. Y., moved from there to Sandusky County, Ohio, and to Mason Township in 1854, where he remained until his death in January, 1876. His widow, Christina, who still resides on their farm in Section 7 with their only son, Warren B. Stevens, is a daughter of John Rinehart, who came into the county in 1828. The family history will be found elsewhere in this work.

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History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 90

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