History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 100

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 683

USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 100

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

At the meeting in the spring of 1844, Thomas Aplin was elected as the first pound-master, and cattle, sheep, and swine were made free commoners.

In 1850 this town was represented in the October meet- ing of the board of supervisors by Corydon E. Fay, who had been appointed as supervisor pro tem. during the ab- sence of the regular official.

For a number of years after its organization the town was controlled by the Democrats, who had quite a large majority, though occasionally some popular Whig candi-

MI| Did not qualify. 11 Appointed May 8, 1876.

IS55. Delos I. Johnson. Richard Buell.

1867. Henry Schrader. Joseph B. Drudge."

ISG8. Charles M. Bouttell (f. t.). Perry Kroll (v.). Win. 11 Long (appointed). Nathan D. Barlow "

1869. William HI. Long (f. t.). Charles E. Rockwell (v.).

1870. A. S. Musell.

1871. Thomas D. Fletcher.

1872. William E. Price.

1874. Ezra S. Cleveland (f. t.). Perry Kroll (v.).

1875-76. Nahum N. Wilson.

1877. Stephen Griswold.

1878. William II. Underhill.

1863. Reuben Johnson? (f. t.).

1844-15. Quartus W. Clapp. Ezra II. Martin.

1864. William H. Long (f. t.). Augustus Holdden (v.). Harrison Lewis.tt

1865. John Walter.

ISGG. C. Penoyertt (f. t.). Newton A. Lund (v.).

1867. George Aplin. Daniel F. Bennett.22

1868. Christian Rhoades.

1869. Jacob W. White.

1870. William HI. Randall.

1871. James H. Jones.

1872. Harrison Lewis.

1873. James II. Jones.## Henry Lewis.## Charles E. Rockwell.tt Ziba E. Sanborn.tt

1874. Philander B. Taylor (f. t.). 1874-75. Jacob W. White (v. and f. t.). 1875. Daniel T. Bennett.tt

1876. Abram II. Coddington.

1856. William H1. Butler. ]]] Henry Knickerbocker. W. W. Boughton (app'd). IS57. Henry Drudge.fill Arminius Butler. !! Perry Kroll (app'd). C. Y. Capron (app'd).

1858. Moses Hayden.| !! Jonab Johnson. || | D. F. Bennett (app'd). Jacob Shafer (app'd).

1853. Simeon Simmons.

1863. Alonzo Hurd (v.). David Long. || 1861. Uzial Boutwell (f. t.). Sanford Stafford (v.). 1865. Augustus Holden. 1866. William II. Long.

1860. Jacob W. White. 1861. Aaron Pearce.

388

HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

date was elected to office. Upon the organization of the Republican party, in 1854, and the disruption of the Dem- ocrats by the bolting of the Free-Soil faction, the Democ- racy immediately sank into a minority, and the Republi- cans carried the day with scarcely a single exception from 1855 to 1879, when, at the spring election, the National or Greenback ticket was chosen by a small majority. The first record of a general election now found in the clerk's office is that of 1852, when the vote for the office of gov- ernor was divided as follows : Robert McClelland, Regular Democrat, received 40 votes ; Isaac P. Christiancy, Free- Soil Democrat, received 28 votes; Zachariah Chandler, Whig, received 15 votes. On the electoral ticket the vote was : Democratic, 39, Free-Soil, 28, Whig, 19. In the election of 1862 the comparative strength of the parties was : Republican, 96; Democrat, 58.

April 6, 1868, the vote of the town on the several con- stitutional amendments proposed was as follows: for the constitution, 76; against it, 99. For prohibition, 75; against it, 86. For biennial sessions of the Legislature, 143; for anmal sessions, 13. For the proposed loan, 1 ; against it, 171.

The first town meetings and elections were generally held at school-houses in different parts of the town until the hotel was built at the centre, when they were held there. In 1869 it was thought advisable to set about the work of building a town-house, and a resolution was passed at the town-meeting, April 5th, authorizing the purchase of the school-house at the centre and its removal to the site already secured for use as a town-house. For some reason the purchase was not concluded, and the mat- ter rested until April 5, 1875, when a tax of $500 was authorized by a vote of 111 for to 42 against, for the pur- pose of building a suitable house. In 1876 another step was taken by the appointment of Philander B. Taylor, Nahum N. Wilson, Sherman Moulthrop, Daniel F. Bennett, and Ithiel W. Wilbur as a building committee. They were authorized to choose a plan, let the contract, and expend a sum of $800, if necessary, in the erection of a suitable building. It was also ordered that the house be finished in time to be used at the general election of November, 1876. It was completed within the time specified, and at a total cost of $569. It is a neat and convenient building, well calculated for its intended use, and stands a few rods south of the centre of the town.

The first symptoms of village growth in this town made themselves manifest about the time that Corydon E. Fay built his tavern on the Saginaw road. Several other build- ings were creeted there about that time, and quite a settle- ment sprang into being there. In addition to the Fay House, there were three stores kept by George Waist & Bro., Samuel Seamans, and Alanson Dickinson ; a school- house, a blacksmith-shop, a wagon-shop, and about half a dozen dwellings. Its village life was a short one of only four or five years, when it began to decline, and soon ceased to be of any importance. The Fay House was sold to Williamu Green in 1855, and was kept by him until the time of his death, some ten or twelve years ago, when it was discontinued as an inn. It is now occupied as a dwelling by his widow and son.

At Thetford Centre, although no village grew up, a hotel -which did a flourishing business for a number of years while the work of lumbering was being vigorously pursued in this region-was built there by Mrs. Moulthrop and her son Albert about twenty years ago. Albert enlisted in the Union army, and never returned, though his fate has ever remained an uncertainty. The hotel was continued by the mother, and became widely known as " Granny's Tavern," a name which it still retains, though it has not been kept as a tavern for nearly a half-score of years.

While the Buell and Root mills were running, a little settlement grew up in their neighborhood at the four cor- ners of sections 13, 14, 23, and 24. It contained a store kept by Rodney Lyman, who is still in business there, and is the present postmaster. Another store was built by W. W. Allen in 1878. At present the village contains about a dozen dwellings, a shingle-mill, two stores, a school-house, and a blacksmith-shop. The real name of the settlement is East Thetford, which is the name of the post-office, but the name by which it is most commonly and generally known is " Henpeck." It is said to have been given at an early day on account of the scolding propensities of some of the matrons of the homes at that place. It also onee rejoiced in the appellation of " Dog-Town," because of the innumerable throng of canines that infested the region.

Near the centre of section 36 is the village of Whites- burg, the principal settlement of the town. Its existence dates from the building of the Gordon & Cook saw-mill in 1846. At that date the only buildings in that vicinity were the farm-houses of Daniel Morse, Rufus Reik, and William Smith. The mill employed some eight or ten men, and these generally put up rude houses or shanties in which to live. Other buildings were erected from time to time, and a better class of dwellings replaced the first ones, until at present the village contains a grist-mill, blacksmith-shop, wagon-shop, a store, a school-house, and fifteen or twenty dwellings.

The saw-mill and grist-mill have been heretofore de- scribed, and we will briefly mention the other business enterprises entered upon here.

The first blacksmith-shop was built by Daniel Morsc. It was the second one in the town, and in it Mr. Morse worked at his trade for many years, until the time of his death, some five or six years ago.

The first store was built by Abram Cudney in 1858-59, and was kept by him until the draft occurred, four or five years after, when he was lucky enough to be chosen to represent the town in the Union army, but, being reluctant to go there, chose rather to cross the frontier into Canada, where he remained until the Amnesty bill was passed by Congress, when he returned to this county and settled in the town of Flint. Ile was quite a " fiddler," and fitted up a hall over his store where dancing-parties were frequently held. By combining this fascinating pastime with the business of selling groceries and liquors he drove a very prosperous business. The building he erected is still in use lor mercantile purposes.

A village-plat, containing eight or ten acres, was sur- veyed and recorded by Carlos P. Wilson, a few years ago, and was named Whitesburg in honor of Clark White, one

J.G. GEIGER.

MRS.J. G. GEIGER .

RESIDENCE OF J. G. GEIGER , THETFORD, MICHIGAN,

389

THETFORD TOWNSHIP.

of the most prominent men in the settlement. The open- ing of the Flint River Railroad, in 1872, and the establish- ing of a station at Rogersville, tended to check the growth of the village, and transferred considerable of its business to the new one at the station.

The first post-office in Thetford was established at Fay- ville, about the year 1842, with Corydon E. Fay in the role of postmaster. It was called Thetford, and was kept in Fay's log house. At the time the Flint and Pore Mar- quette Railroad was built this office was removed to Mount Morris. The second post-office was established in 1855-56. It was called East Thetford, and was located at the resi- denee of N. N. Wilson, who was the postmaster. This office was ou a route running from Pine Run to Lapeer. About the time the first office was removed to Mount Morris, this office was removed to, and its name changed to, Thetford Centre, and Sherman Moulthrop was com- missioned as postmaster. The mail was then brought from Clio. In 1872 the office was removed to Henpeck, rechrist- ened as East Thetford, and Rodney Lyman made postmaster. In 1861, or about that time, a third post-office was estab- lished, which was located at, and bore the name of, Whites- burg. Alanson Dickinson was appointed as postmaster, and served until, in 1872, the office was removed to Rogers- ville. At present the East Thetford post office, Rodney Lyman, postmaster, is the only one in the town.

The first physician who practiced his profession while residing in this town was Dr. Warren A. Mesick, who es- tablished himself at Whitesburg in 1856-57, purchased forty acres of land, and succeeded in working up quite an exten- sive practice. ITis nearest professional rivals were at l'ine Run and Flint. After two or three years had elapsed he removed to Wisconsin, and, in 1878, once more returned to this State and located at Pine Run, where he is now living. Drs. W. Goodell and Charles Spencer also engaged in the practice of medicine in this town for brief periods of time. At present the only physician in town is Dr. Abram 1I. Coddington, who resides in the west part of the town.

The first school-house in Thetford was the Fay school- house, which was built on the northwest corner of section 3f in 1838. It was a frame building, size 20 by 24 fect, and was built by Isaac and Nelson S. Van Tuyl. At that time there were only two settlements in what are now the towns of Montrose, Vienna, and Thetford, which then was known as the town of Vienna. These were Pine Run and Fayville, and there was considerable strife between them regarding the location of a school-house, of which they began to feel the necessity, and which they thought they would be able to build and to sustain, by reason of the taxes on the land, which was nearly all taken up, but was mostly non-resident. At last it was decided to build two school-houses, and the town was accordingly divided into two districts. The first or northern district consisted of a four-mile strip running across the three townships, and the second or southern district, containing the remaining two-mile strip. In this southern district the Fay school- house was built. The first teacher in Thetford, Miss Calista Hurd, of Pine Run, taught a school in this house during the summer of 1838. From time to time, as the growth of the town made necessary, new districts were

formed. The second was in the Boutwell neighborhood, and the third in the Wilson neighborhood, in the east part of the town. In this last-named district Mark D. Seeley taught the first school, and Mary Hurd and T. T. Slafter were other early teachers there. Mr. Grovener Vinton thinks that the first school taught in the town was kept in a private log house by Josiah W. Begole, but this is not pos- itively known to be the case. At the present time there are ten whole districts and one fractional district in the town. All the school-houses are frame buildings, and ag- gregate a value of $6300. The town paid out for school purposes during the year ending September, 1878, the sum of $2270.49.

The first settlers in the town had a serious task before them in opening up roads through the dense forest, and it was quite a long time after the first one came before there was much more than a bridle-path from one clearing to an- other. The Saginaw road along the west line of the town for a little more than a mile north of the southwest corner was the first road opened, and this was followed at different times by a road running three miles east from the Saginaw road on the south line of the town to Crawford Barkley's, another leading from Pine Run past Boutwell's to the cen- tre, and another leading to the east line of the town in the Wilson neighborhood, where it joined the road through For- est to Otisville. These were all opened previous to 1810.

During the four years following that dark hour in our coun- try's history when the dark cloud of rebellion, which had so long been lowering along the horizon, suddenly swept up the political heavens and darted its fiery forked lightnings at the little band of devoted heroes who in Fort Sumter upheld their country's flag and maintained the national honor, this town never faltered in its earnest, energetic ef- forts to sustain the strength of the government and to stamp out the treason that had reared its hydra-head against it. Though fourteen years have rolled their weary lengths around since the close of that fearful struggle, the memory of those days is yet fresh in all our hearts, and it is not necessary to call special attention to the brave deeds and noble self-sacrifices of the boys in blue, so many of whom shed their life-blood for their country, and laid down to die ou the blood-stained fields of battle, in the white wards of the hospital, under the canvas coverings of the field hospital, in the crowded dungeons of Libby and Belle Isle, or on the burning sands of the horrible prison-pens of Salisbury and Andersonville. These deeds shall live when the generations for whose benefit they were performed shall have gone to their graves, and their very memories have perished from the earth. They are immortal, and, so long as freedom, liberty, justice, and patriotism shall be cherished as principles of government and shall be dear to every lover of truth and the right, so long will they endure,-the brightest star in the firmament of this world's history. Suf- fice it to say that Thetford furnished its full quota of men, and was well represented in the field.

There is but one cemetery in this town, and that is on section 21, about forty rods south from Thetford Centre. In 1850 the town purchased one acre of ground of Joseph S. Bartholomew, to be used for burial purposes, and subse- quently another acre was added thereto. It is owned by

390

HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.

the town, and is cared for by a sexton, who is appointed an- nually for that purpose. It is pleasantly situated on a beau- tiful slope, and is capable of being made a very attractive ground.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

There are three church organizations in this town, the Adventists, Evangelical Association, and Protestant Meth- odist, but only one which has erected a house of worship. The first one formed was

THE CHURCHI OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION IN THETFORD,

which was organized by Rev. C. Deike, of Ohio, in the spring of 1866. There had been a class of this denomina- tion in existence some four or five years later, but this had gone down on account of the removals of many of its mem- bers. During the winter of 1865-66, Rev. Mr. Deike had held a series of meetings at the houses of members of the denomination in this vicinity (the south part of the town), and having met with a considerable degree of success it was thought best to organize a church. For this purpose a meeting was held at the house of' Charles Brady, and the organization was effected.

The first members were George Geiger, Ettie Geiger, Matthew Pflentrer, Katharine Pffentrer, Mrs. Katharine Stengel, Charles A. Fent, Katharine Fent, Charles Brady, and Anna Brady. Matthew Pflentrer was chosen class- leader and steward.

The meetings were held regularly at private houses uutil the church was built. This occurred in the spring of 1872. At that time a site was donated by Matthew Pflentrer, consisting of one half-acre of ground in the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 27, and a building committee was appointed, composed of' Rev. E. Weis, George Geiger, and Charles Brady. Under their supervision the work progressed rapidly, and the edifice was completed by the Ist of June. On the first Sunday of that month it was dedicated by Rev. William Jost, of Cleveland, Ohio, and a remainder of debt amounting to $200 was liquidated by subscriptions. The church is a frame building, 36 by 40 feet in dimensions, capable of seating 200 persons, and cost about $1200.

At about the time of the completion of the building the society became incorporated under the general statutes, by the election of Charles Brady, Matthew Pflentrer, and Charles A. Flint as a board of trustees.

This church is one appointment on the Flint circuit, and the same pastors who have served this church have also served the churches at Flint, Richfield, and Oredon.

The names of these pastors in the regular order of their service are Revs. C. Deike, John W. Fox, E. Weis, C. A. Rachm, - Whitebread, John W. Hang, M. Speck, E. Weis, C. Udc, C. A. Rachm, C. Blumm, F. Lump, and J. K. Portius.

Under the preaching of Mr. Blumm a revival was ex- perienced, but otherwise the history of the church has been uneventful. The membership has fluctuated to some extent, and at present is 17. John G. Miller, class-leader, and John G. Miller, Charles Brady, and Matthew Pflentrer, trustees, are the present officers.

The Sabbath school connected with this church was first organized in 1868, with Mathew Pflentrer as superin- tendent, and a membership of 15 or 20 scholars. Mr. Pflentrer is still the superintendent, and the school now numbers about 30, including its officers and teachers.

THE SEVENTII-DAY ADVENTISTS' CHURCHI OF THETFORD CENTRE.

This society grew out of a series of meetings held at Pine Run, by Elders John Corliss and E. B. Lane, in April, 1875, for the propagation of the doctrines of their peculiar sectarian belief. As a result of these meetings, a sufficient degree of interest was manifested to induce Elder R. J. Lawrence, in the winter of 1875-76, to deliver a course of lectures on the subject of the second coming of our Lord and Saviour, in the school-house at Thetford Centre.

In the following summer he returned and organized a society with about 15 members. The organization was ef- fected at a meeting held at the house of II. C. Sweet, and Ziba Sanborn was chosen elder.

In 1877, C. Rhoades was chosen elder, and Ziba Sanborn clerk. In 1878, Il. C. Sweet was chosen elder.

The pastors of the church have been Revs. - King, E. B. Lane, J. O. Corliss, - Wellman, and D. II. Law- SON.

Meetings have been regularly held at the school-house every Sabbath down to the present time.

The present membership is ten.

In the spring of 1878 a Sabbath-school was started and run through the year, with Ziba Sanborn as superintendent. In the spring of 1879 it was formally organized, with a membership of about 25 scholars, and the following officers: Superintendent, Mrs. Joseph Weatherwax ; Secretary and Librarian, Mrs. Aun E. Moulthrop.

A library, embracing books, pamphlets, tracts, and papers, belongs to the church, and is used for members of church and school.

A METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI

was formed at Thetford Centre about the year 1867, by Rev. Mr. Birdsall, with about 30 members. Henry Baker was the class-leader, and Randolph Willis was the steward. It had but a brief existence of two years, and was then broken up. It belonged to Mount Morris circuit. A Sabbath-school was connected with it throughout its ex- istence. In the spring of 1879 a union Sabbath-school was organized at the centre, with a membership of about 40, of which Ziba Sanborn is the superintendent.

Of the Whitesburg Church we can only say that it is of the Protestant Methodist denomination, repeated inquiries failing to clicit any satisfactory information regarding it.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CRAWFORD BARKLEY.

The oldest pioneer now living in the town of Thetford, and the fifth settler in the township, is Deacon Crawford Barkley. He was born in the town of Montgomery,

RESIDENCE OF CRAWFORD BARKLEY, THETFORD, MICH

391

THETFORD TOWNSHIP.

Orange Co., N. Y., Nov. 17, 1813. Ilis father, Josiah Barkley, owned a farm, which he sold in 1825, and then moved to Oakland Co., Mich , settling near what is now Pontiae, buying from the government six lots of land, part of which he still owns and occupies. Crawford, who was then thirteen years old, came with his father ; and, like all sons of pioneers, was at once set to work helping to clear and improve the land. Arrived at his majority, he started out in life for himself; went in 1834 to Hillsdale County, and helped to build roads in the Bean Creek Valley. Ile assisted in building the first bridge across Bean Creek. With the means thus earned he, in 1836, bought of the gov- ernment the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 21 in Thetford. In the same year he bought of the government the east half of the southwest quarter of section 23 in the same town, and at once commenced to im- prove the same. Mr. Barkley says he shall always remen- ber his first night on his farm. His father and brother had brought him from the old home to the farm, and they had put up a shelter for the night; while cooking their supper the smell of meat attracted the wolves, who made the night hideous with their howling. The next spring he put up a log house, and the following spring brought a wife into the woods to cheer and make pleasant his new home. At that time there were no roads, and the nearest neighbor was a mile and a half away ; yet they were happy, and even now look back to those days as the happiest of their lives. The deer and other game were plenty, often coming within shooting distance of their home. MIr. Barkley joined the church soon after he came to Michigan.

Years have passed, and still Mr. Barkley and his wife, a hale and hearty couple of nearly " threescore-and-ten," live on the old homestead. Beautiful farms are now to be seen where they once saw only the forest ; the howl of the wolf is no more to be heard, but the hum of improved farm- machinery instead, while beautiful homes, schools, and churches are to be seen on every side. And here they in- tend to pass the remainder of their days. They have been members of the Congregational Church nearly a half-cen- tury, and are known as sineere and devout Christians. In politics, Mr. Barkley is an ardent Republican, but has never sought office. IIe was married, May 10, 1837, to Miss Sarah C. Haynes, who was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 1811. She was the daughter of Nathan and Jane Haynes. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barkley five children,-Josiah N., boru Jan. 25, 1839; Charles W., born Nov. 18, 1840; Robert Y., born Nov. 22, 1842; Frances J., born Nov. 1, 1844 ; and Antoinette, born Jan. 25, 1847, died Aug. 10, 1860.

FREDERICK S. TAYLOR

was born in Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Ilis father, David Taylor, married a Miss Jerusha Seckels; both were born in Ashfield, Mass. The death of his parents left him an orphan when he was but seven years old. He and the other heirs were defrauded out of the inheritance left them by their father, and from that time he had to earn his own livelihood. This he did by working for farmers and at the

blacksmith trade with his brother. He went to school win- ters and acquired a good common-school education, suffi- cient to qualify him for any ordinary business. In 1853 he came to Tuscola Co., Mich., and had sixteen dollars only as his cash capital. Ile at once went to work, doing what- ever he could find to do. His motto was to work, and not lie idle, no matter how low the wages. Three years after his arrival he purchased a farm of sixty acres (all new), and paid " cash down" for it. This he improved as he had time, when not working for others. Nov. 2, 18GI, Mr. Taylor enlisted in Company A, 14th Michigan Infantry, as a private, and served three years; he re-enlisted as a veteran in April, 1864, and served nine months longer, being pro- moted to sergeant. Ile took part in the battles of Stone River, siege of Corinth, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Chat- tahoochee River, Atlanta, Bentonville, and the skirmishes and marches of Sherman's campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and from Atlanta to the sea. At the close of the war he took part in the grand review in Washington. Ile was mustered out July 18, 1865. During the war he bought sixty acres of land, making him a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres. Sept. 9, 1866, he married Mrs. Jennette Cook, daughter of Abijah and Minerva (Porter) Lee. After their marriage they went on to their farm, where they lived six years. They then sold, and bought the beautiful farm they now own and occupy in Thetford and Genesee townships. This farm contains ninety-three acres of land well improved, a view of which is given on another page of this history. There has been born to them one child, Leon A., born Jan. 15, 1875.

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History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 100

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott Number of Pages: 683

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 683