USA > Michigan > Cass County > History of Cass county, Michigan > Part 92
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
REV. JAMES ASHLEY.
The subject of this memoir was born in Toronto, Canada, November 18, 1815, and was the son of Leonard and Sally (McDougal) Ashley. In 1826, the family removed to Huron County, Ohio, and here, with the advantages and disadvantages of a new coun- ty, the boy became a man. The elder Ashley was a farmer, and unable to give his son any educational advantages. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, which avocation he followed at intervals. At the age of fifteen he was converted, and in 1841 commenced preaching ; his labors were immediately successful ; his earnest manner aroused the careless, while his sympathy, remarkable affability and colloquial gifts attracted all classes. New fields were opened, new churches constituted, and the Seneca Quarterly Meet- ing organized. The Huron Quarterly Meeting, in which he entered the church and the ministry, re-
*Failed to qualify, and J. Il. Graham appointed.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ceived a portion of his labors ; but most of his pas- toral and evangelical work was in connection with the Seneca Quarterly Meeting, where much good was accomplished. In 1855, he removed to Cass County, where he spent the remainder of his useful life, hold- ing the pastoral relation for more than twenty-five years. Like all other Free-Will Baptist ministers forty years ago, he labored virtually as a missionary, receiving an indefinite, irregular and insufficient sup- port, supplying deficiencies by manual labor. After coming to Cass County, he worked at the trade of a carpenter ; in fact he was never idle. He preached twelve years in Sumnerville, he traveling in so doing some eighteen thousand miles, and for some time he held services in a cooper shop, but finally, through his efforts, a church was erected. He organized the society of Berrien Center, and labored there nine years. His whole soul was in his work, and, forget- ting self, he was always ready to make any sacrifices for the advancement of the cause in which he labored. It was through his instrumentality that the church at Adamsville, which was consumed by fire, was erected ; and when the present Free-Will Baptist Church of Mason was erected, he not only gave his labor, but $100, and made no charge for pastoral services. He was held in the highest esteem by the young as well as the old, and his services were especially required by those matrimonially inclined, his last ministerial labor being the marrying of two couples. He was a man of positive character, with decided opinions on all matters, which he expressed on all suitable occa- sions ; his plainness of speech and boldness of posi- tion would perhaps have made opponents and enemies had it not been for his sincerity and unselfishness ; and especially the wonderful degree of good nature and affability he possessed, for whether in the family or pulpit, in the church or Legislature (to which latter place he was elected in 1869), he was very popular ; his good nature and Christian kindness did not fail him, and his friends were numerous. He died March 23, 1882, after an illness of nearly a year. Ilis wife, a most estimable Christian lady, who was his adviser, and who shared his adversities and successes, resides on the homestead. He became the father of a family of twelve children, viz. : William Henry (who died in the army April, 1863), John H., Delora J., Alice A., Fannie E., Robert Mc., Sally M., Lydia A., Mary E., Fred L., Laurie L. (deceased), Ardella R. (deceased).
J. HUBBARD THOMAS.
The early life of Joseph H. Thomas was such as to prepare him for pioneering in the far West, for it was largely occupied in hard labor in the Green Mount- ain State, where his parents were pioneering with a
large family, and they possessed of limited means. For a number of years, Joseph H., assisted by one of his brothers, labored hard to raise the incumbrance on his father's property, which was an act of filial duty one would expect of the man.
He was born in Salisbury, Vt., September 8, 1807, and is of Welsh extraction, as one would judge from his physique, for he is a man of large stature and pos- sessed of more than ordinary strength. While a res- ident of Vermont, he became very expert in the use of the ax, and recounts the feat of cutting 400 cords of three-foot wood in fifty days, and one day of per- forming the almost miraculous feat of cutting eleven cords. His father, Isaac Thomas, was born in Pack- ersfield, New Hampshire, in October, 1775. His mother, Arthusa M. Hubbard, born in Springfield, Vt., in 1784, was the daughter of Col. Joseph Hub- bard, of that place, who was born in Old Hadley, Mass. Mr. Thomas' parents were married in 1806, and settled on a farm in the town of Salisbury, Vt., where they resided until the death of Mr. Thomas, which occurred in 1848, aged sixty-three years. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of eight chil- dren-Horace, born August 1809 ; Eliza, born Sep- tember, 1811; Harry, born October, 1814; Robert B., born September 30, 1816; Thankful, August, 1820; G. Adolphus, January, 1823; Jefferson, Jan- uary, 1825. His ancestors came from Wales during the reign of George I. They were among the early printers of Boston. Isaiah Thomas printed the Bos- ton Spy, and in 1772 it was suppressed by George III for disloyal sentiments. He then removed to Worcester, Mass., where he issued the Worcester Spy, and his printing press was on exhibition in Machin- ery Hall, at the Centennial of 1876, and was the one on which was printed the first copy of the Dec- laration of Independence in this country.
When twenty-eight years of age, J. Hubbard Thomas removed to Licking County, Ohio, where he remained until coming to Cass County, in May, 1839, at which time he purchased 160 acres of wild land in Section 18, at $5 per acre, which has been added to until he now possesses 230. By girdling timber, he raised 500 bushels of wheat the first year on his new farm.
Mr. Thomas has been eminently successful in his chosen avocation. Owing to early experiences, he has always been quite conservative and self-sustained, relying entirely on his own exertions and judgment to further his financial interests, and they have proved more than ordinarily reliable.
Not a member of any Christian denomination, he believes in the brotherhood of all mankind, and in living according to the golden rule.
Ile was married, May 11, 1836, to Eunice, daughter
Hedlund Thomas
Eunice Thomas
dames, Ashley,
JOHN BYRNES.
ELIJAH BISHOP.
DANIEL BISHOP.
Milly Als
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of John Townsend, who was born in Charleston, Mass., October 30, 1767, and Eunice (Howe) Town- send, widow of Joseph Cloyes, who was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., November 15, 1774.
By her first marriage she became the mother of two children - Elijah and D. II. Cloyes. By her second marriage she became the mother of nine children, viz. : Relief, born July 2, 1805, died August 25, 1824; John, born February 20, 1807, now in Vermont; Nancie, born March 23, 1808, now in Vermont ; Joseph C., born August 11, 1809, died January 11, 1810 ; Loraney, born January 5, 1811, now in Wisconsin ; Eunice, born April 24, 1812; Sarah, born January 18, 1814, now in Wisconsin ; Gideon H., born June 8, 1816, now in New York State ; William L., born August 9, 1820, died July 22, 1828. John Townsend died March 21, 1841, and his wife, Eunice, June 6, 1847.
Mrs. Thomas has shared the privations and labor of pioneer life with her husband, and is now with him enjoying the fruits of their industry. She has long been a member of the Baptist Church.
They have been the parents of four children- Helen M., born September 8, 1837, now Mrs. G. A. Meacham, in Mason; Edwin, born May 31, 1841, died May 31, 1864; Arabella M., born July 27, 1846, now a widow lady, Mrs. M. E. Dills, and Ida L., born December 5, 1853, died September 9, 1855.
ELIJAH BISHOP.
The subject of this sketch, Elijah Bishop, was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., in 1811, and is a son of Sylvester and Ruth (Duel) Bishop.
The life of Mr. Bishop has been no holiday affair, for his parents being poor, he was obliged to face the stern realities of life, and assist in obtaining a liveli- hood by performing the laborious work on a farm when so young that he had not strength sufficient to straighten up the plow he was vainly endeavoring to guide. His opportunities for obtaining an education were quite limited, and like many of the solid, sub- stantial and successful men of our country, commenced life with but little book knowledge, but having early acquired habits of industry, was prepared for the hardships of pioneer life he was called upon to en- dure, and success has crowned his labor. When four years of age, he removed to Cayuga County, of his native State, with his parents, and remained there until attaining his majority, when he emigrated to Medina County, Ohio, and made it his home until coming to Cass County, in 1838, at which time he was accompanied by his father.
Mr. Bishop purchased his farm of George Redfield, and can now look back with much complacency to the
hard struggle necessary to pay for it. The first pay- ment of $25 was made by splitting fence-rails, but those succeeding were the most difficult to meet, for wages were but 50 cents per day and store pay legal tender, and for one year's labor one would sometimes procure but $5 in cash. Corn brought but 20 cents per bushel ; wheat from 40 to 50 cents per bushel ; pork, $1.50 per hundred ; and it was so difficult to obtain money, that he had almost decided to surrender his farm, when all but three of the forty acres were cleared when Mr. Redfield extended the time indefi- nitely, and he concluded to resume his labors. It was a joyful time when the last dollar was paid, although it took his work oxen to make up the amount. At this time he discarded his squirrel skin cap and purchased a plush one which was looked upon as the height of extravagance by his neighbors. Mr. Bishop avers that his sugar bill now aggregates more than his entire household expenses at this time.
He now possesses a fine farm, all the results of his own untiring industry, and the highest meed of praise is due for his energy and enterprise, and he is now numbered among the progressive and prominent farmers of Mason Township. In politics, he affiliates with the Democratic party. In 1832, he was mar- ried to Amelia, daughter of Jonathan Stephens, who came to Cass County in 1836, where his death oc- curred at the residence of his daughter, in 1851. Mrs. Bishop has well performed her part in the struggle for a livelihood and ultimate competency. and is the mother of five children, viz. : Jonathan, who resides in Mason; Augusta, now Mrs. J. W. Thomas, in Indiana ; Mary and Hiram, who reside at home, and Eleanna, now Mrs. David Holderman.
DANIEL BISHOP.
Sylvester Bishop, a native of the New England States, moved to Saratoga Springs when a young man and engaged in the tailoring business. From here he moved to Cayuga County, where his son Daniel was born in 119. His family consisted of eight children, the order of their births being as follows : Timothy, Hiram, Eleanna, Permelia, Elijah, Daniel, Mary and Allen. Sylvester, Bishop came to Cass County in 1838 with his son Elijah, who went to New York this same year and returned with his brother Daniel. Daniel worked on the St. Joseph River until $50 was earned to pay for his father's farm. His father and mother, Ruth (Duel), lived with their youngest son, Allen, until their deaths, which occurred in 1859 and 1857 respectively. Allen lost his life by the recoil of a chain attached to a grubbing machine. Mr. Bishop is conversant with the expelients adopted by pioneers when carving
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
out for themselves a home, for this is what he has done, and he is now numbered among the oldest pioneers of Mason Township.
He first purchased forty acres of land at $5 per acre, which was duly improved, and additional land purchased until he now possesses 120 acres, and is now enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life, respected by those with whom he has associated for over forty years. His life, which has been spent in agricultural pursuits, has been quiet and uneventful, which is conducive of the greatest amount of happiness, for the anxieties and perplexities of business life are avoided. A stanch Democrat, he has never taken an active part in poli- tics, preferring to attend strictly to his chosen avoca- tion, in which he has been successful.
He was married May 7, 1848, to Mary Poff, daughter of Michael and Sarah Poff. Mrs. Bishop was born in Virginia in 1827. She came to Michi- gan in 1832 with her parents, who ultimately settled in Indiana, where they resided until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are the parents of five children now living-Levi C. and Abraham, who reside in Mason ; Cynthie E., now Mrs. N. A. Thompson, who resides in Mason ; and Timothy and Martha, who re- side at home.
MILLS OLDS.
Among those who came into Cass County at a somewhat later date than the earliest settlers, and who still performed the labors of a pioneer on his farm, can be mentioned Mills Olds, who was born in Con- necticut, October 14, 1813, and is a son of Samuel, who died March 12, 1868, in his eighty-second year, and Salinda (Remington), who departed this life Feb- ruary 24, 1843, in her seventieth year.
Mr. Olds became early inured to hard labor, his father moving on a new farm when he (Mills) was quite young, and was therefore prepared for the seven years spent in working by the month at hard manual labor. With the proceeds of the labor of his hands, he purchased the farm in Mason Township, to which he removed in 1851, and where he died Nov. 9, 1880. Before coming West, he learned the blacksmith's trade, but only followed the avocation of farming after reaching his new home. Honesty, integrity and in- dustry, and close attention to details were the princi- pal characteristics of Mr. Olds, and it was due to his industry, coupled with good financiering, that he ac- cumulated a competency.
He affiliated with the Democratic party, and was elected by them to fill the office of Justice of the Peace, but aside from the ordinary interest evinced by the bulk of American citizens in governmental affairs, he took no prominent part in politics, he devoting the major portion of his time to business affairs.
He was married December 24, 1845, to Mary B. Arnold, who was born in New York State July 4, 1822, and departed this life January 28, 1859. Mrs. Olds was a member of the Close Communion Baptist Church, and a very estimable lady.
They became the parents of children as follows : Stephen S. and May A., both of whom reside on the parental estate of 300 acres, the former of whom is married to Ann, daughter of Rev. James Ashley ; they they have two children-Glenn H. and Dean S.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
NEWBERG.
John Bair, the First Settler -- The Emigrant's Trials-" Land Sharks"- George Poe-The Rudd Family-Early Settlement-Land Entries -Civil Organization-Newherg-Tax Roll for 1838-Postal Service -Schools-Religious-Civil List-Biographical.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
THE first man to thread his way through the forests and plant the banner of civilization in the township of Newberg was John Bair. The date of his land entry is October 16, 1832. His was the first entry made in the township, and the only one during that year. He was one of the many who had a predilection for timbered land, and an abundance of water, hence his choice on Section 34, on the north bank of what is now known as Bair Lake, the larger part of which is in the township of Porter. At the date of his location, there was a road laid out and partially opened up, running east and west through the southern part of the township of Newberg, and near the northern borders of a beautiful lake. Here, upon the high banks of the lake, and on the north side of the road, the primitive log cabin was erected which for many succeeding years was his home. In course of time the trees were felled, fields were fenced, an orchard put out and the log cabin superseded by a frame build- ing, which continued to be his home until his death. Elizabeth Bair, the wife of Johnson Driskel, in the historian's interview with her, related many interest- ing incidents of their pioneer life. She is the old- est child of John Bair and Ruth (Ridgely), his wife, and was a child when she came with her parents from Ohio to St. Joseph County. She well remembers the time when they came; crossing the streams and marshes as best they could, ferrying over the larger streams and fording the smaller ones. All who crossed the dismal Maumee Swamp in those days well remember it; there were days in succession when they could look back from where they pitched their tents in the evening, to where they broke camp on the morning of the same day. Froin two to four ox
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN
or horse teams were necessary to draw an ordinary load of household goods from two to four miles per day. Many emigrated in what were called " Penn- sylvania Schooners." To attempt a pen picture of this grotesque vehicle would be a hazardous under- taking. It no doubt received the name of " schooner" from its capacious storage room, and the deep pan- eled, odd shaped box which to an imaginative mind inight have resembled in a very slight degree, the body of a schooner before it was rigged with sails. However this may have been, if Capt. Andrew Rob- inson, who built the first vessel bearing this name had lived to see this wagon, he certainly would have pro- nounced it a burlesque upon his graceful craft.
It was the custom in those days, when contemplat- ing a journey of any great distance, to construct a cover for this huge vehicle. A number of bows, made of tough elastic wood, as hickory or ash, were gotten out and shaved thin after the manner of mak- ing hoops. They were long, bent into a semicircle and fastened to the sides of the wagon box by means of cleats. Over the bows heavy canvas was stretched and fastened down at the sides and back end, thus forming a covering which was impervious to the rain and a protection against the burning rays of the sun or the chilly winds of autumn. The scanty supply of household goods were packed in the bottom of the wagon box, the bedding uppermost, upon which the wife and children were snugly ensconced. A neces- sary accompaniment was a brace of hounds and the old flint-lock musket. It was in about this style that Mr. John Bair moved his family and effects to Michi- gan. A little casuality occurred while crossing a stream which we give here in the language of Eliza- beth Driskel. " As we were fording a deep stream, our wagon upset. Mother had my infant sister Mary in her arms, and they would have been drowned if mother's hair had not got tangled in the bows of the wagon cover and held her out of the water until father could get to her. How father saved us all I don't know, but he did."
During the first year of Mr. Bair's residence in Newberg, he alternated farming with hunting, fishing and trapping. In his hunting and trapping excur- sions he was in the habit of stopping where night overtook him, with no companion but his dog and gun. He was familiar with the location and bound- aries of all the lands in this region, and thus was able to render valuable assistance to those who wished to purchase lands or make entries. At one time, when the land office was located at Monroe, some "land sharks" had been in the neighborhood looking up land, and obtained the description of a lot that another party had selected and designed purchasing
for a home. The "land sharks" were on their way to the land office, rejoicing in the thought that the coveted prize would soon be secured. A brief con- sultation was held by the party who wished the land for a home, and Mr. Bair agreed, for a consideration, to outstrip them and enter the land for his friend. He set out at once on foot through the forests, paying no attention to roads which were at this time very indirect. When the "land sharks" reached Mon - roe, they found, to their utmost surprise and chagrin, that they had been outdone, for Mr. Bair was there and most graciously informed them that they were a little too late, he having already secured the land.
Mr. Bair's hospitality was known far and near, and his cabin was a wayside inn to all persons passing through the wilderness in those days, whether they were ministers of the Gospel, land viewers, hunters and trappers, white men or Indians.
The two persons who have resided longest in New- berg are Elizabeth Driskel and Asa Bair, children of John and Ruth Bair. Harriet Ridge, who now lives in the village of Marcellus, another of their children, was the first white child born in Newberg Township. The remaining children are Mary, Nancy, Joseph, Myron, Ruthina and John.
The next person to enter land and make a settle- ment in the township of Newberg was Daniel Driskel, in the fall of 1834. His first entry was dated Octo- ber 17, 1833, on Section 36. Ile, with his family, came from Ohio to St. Joseph County, and thence to Newberg, and settled on Section 35, near where his present residence is situated. Here he continues to live, the only one left of the earliest settlers. Mr. Driskel, by hard work and prudent management, has added to his possessions until he has now a large and well-improved farm, one of the best in this part of the township. He and his wife Rebecca, the daugh- ter of William D. Jones, have borne well their share of the labors and responsibilities of pioneer life, and will be remembered by the good people of Newberg when they recount the lives and deeds of their most valued citizens. Of the three children born to them, but one, Helen, is living.
In 1835, George Poe settled on Section 22. Ile came from Crawford County, Ohio, and made his first entry of land September 16, 1835. He subsequently made other entries, and other members of the Poe family came in and made settlements in the same locality, thus forming the nucleus of a settlement which is to-day known as the Poe neighborhood, and from which Poe's Corner takes its name. This family are descendants of Adam Poe, the noted Indian fighter. During this year, entries were made by A. J. Poe, Marverick Rudd, Thomas Armstrong, Sam-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
uel Hutchings, Felix Girton, John Grinell, William D. Jones and others.
In the year 1836, a number of settlements were made, the priority of which it is difficult to determine, but among them was John Grinell. He was a native of Vermont ; leaving that State when but a small lad, he went to Onondaga County, N. Y., and thence to Penn Township, Cass County, in 1834, where he remained two years, and then he became a resident of New- berg Township, where he resided until his death. The date of his first entry of land is December 23, 1836, and that of his second entry, February 18, 1836, the former entry being on Section 31, and the latter on Section 30. He came with two horse teams, bringing his family, household goods, and provisions enough to last during the journey ; he was also accom- panied by Mr. Barker and Stephen Rudd. He reached Penn Township in the fall of 1834, with but $25 in his pocket, and this he invested in a milch cow, which proved to be a very fortunate purchase, as she was the main support of the family during the winter. Potatoes, salt and milk constituted their frugal fare for many days in succession. The next spring he rented a farm and put out spring crops. The memorable June frost of this year injured the corn, but the oat crop was bountiful and proved to be very remunerative, as they were worth $1.10 per bushel at Kalamazoo.
The following spring, 1836, he moved to his farm in Newberg, on Section 30, where he had built a log cabin the previous winter; here he lived until his death, which occurred in 1838. Of the children of. John Grinell and his wife Lucinda, nee Rudd, the two eldest, Silas and Zelia, are deceased ; M. P., is in North Michigan ; Thomas W., in Wisconsin ; Abbie, in Volinia ; Barrak, in California ; Sally, in Pennsyl- vania; J. R., in Newberg on the old homestead, and Sylvester, in Cassopolis.
Barker F. Rudd, a native of Vermont, came to Cass County in 1834. He and his brother Stephen started from Vermont with teams, and as they passed through the State of New York, stopped at John Grinell's, a brother-in-law, and prevailed on him to accompany them. They all came to Calvin Township, where a sister of the Rudds, Mrs. Jessie Hutchings, resided. Barker and Stephen worked at their trade, that of carpenters and joiners, for some time in the employ of an uncle, Henry Jones, for whom they built a dwelling house. While living on Young's Prairie, Mr. Rudd purchased the first cook stove in the neighborhood, which was looked upon as a very doubtful innovation.
In 1836, Barker erected a frame house on land be- longing to his brother Maverick, on Section 31, and
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