USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 110
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The settlers, too, had to contend with many enemies. Wolves, bears, wildcats, hawks, snakes, and mice were some of their foes, and none of them to be ignored or despised. Many losses of stock occurred, especially among sheep, cows, and ealves. On one occasion a large bear entered the clear- ing of Mr. John Crawford, and going to the pig-pen, where were a sow and a litter of young pigs, took the former aud started for the woods. In spite of the struggles of the pig and the fierce and continued attack of two dogs, the bear suceceded in escaping into the forest with his prey. Even down to within a very few years occasionally a wolf' or bear would be seen, but they have not for a number of years been here in sufficient numbers to do any particular damage.
For the space of fifteen years after the first settler entered the town its growth in population was slow, and the only business carried on was farming, except in the winter-time, when the farmers would cut a few logs, a lot of stave-bolts, or a quantity of shingles, and run them into market, gener- ally selling them at Flint, but sometimes at Saginaw. As has been said, a large part of the land, especially that consti- tuting the best pine land, had been taken up by speculators, and yet this was not done to any great extent until about 1845-50, when the trade in Michigan pine lumber began its growth, and persons having capital to invest began to purchase these lands as offering fine chances for money- making. A reference to the list of entries will show who these persons were.
In the spring of 1851, John Hayes, of Cleveland, Ohio, entered 80 acres of land on section 28, which now forms the southeast part of the settled portion of the village of Otis- ville. Ile had selected this land because it adjoined the lakes and furnished an eligible site for a lumber-mill. One James McGinnis was associated with Hayes in the enter- prise, but is not believed to have been pecuniarily interested. They commeneed to build a large saw-mill in June, 1851, and completed it in October. They cut considerable lum- ber that winter and spring. This mill, the first one in the town, stood opposite the present grist-mill, just south of the outlets of the lakes. It was run by steam-power, the engine and machinery being placed in position and put in operation under the supervision of John P. Hamilton, who was em- ployed to come here for that purpose. The capacity of this mill was then about 10,000 feet per day.
431
FOREST TOWNSIIIP.
The following year the mill became the property of Francis W. Otis, of Cleveland, and was operated under the management of Lyman Crowl, and shortly after the capacity of the mill was enlarged to an average of 25,000 feet per day. This mill, then owned by Wm. A. Otis & Bros., was burned about the 1st of July, 1863, was rebuilt by them, and again commeneed operations in the spring of 1864.
The decade suceceding 1860 witnessed the erection of numerous saw-mills in different parts of the town, and at one time, about ten or twelve years ago, nearly or quite a dozen mills were in operation in Forest. We have not the facts at hand for a full, detailed sketch of these mills, but mention some of them in the order of their erection, as nearly as may be.
The Seeley mill was built by Alanson A. Seeley on the Seeley farm, and was operated several years.
The Crawford mill was built on the south shore of Craw- ford Lake, by James and William Crawford, in 1862. Its capacity was about 8000 feet per day, and it also eut some shingles. It was operated by II. Wolf, and afterwards by George Freeman.
In 1864, Ira S. Begel built a saw-mill on the east side of the bridge between the lakes, opposite the present site of the Lake House. It was afterwards sold to Mr. Grif- fith.
Mccrary & Ivory, in 1865, built a mill in the south part of section 28, and operated it about three years. It was a portable mill, having a capacity for cutting 25,000 feet per day.
In the same year David Ilinkle built a mill on section 17, which was subsequently moved to section 9. It was also a portable mill, and had facilities for cutting about 8000 fect per day.
During this same year Mr. Griffith built a frame mill on lands of E. F. Weeks, on section 29. It had a capacity of 15,000 fect per day, and a year after it was built passed into the hands of Mr. Weeks. It was run about four years in all.
In 1866, William and Farwell Wilson erected a mill on section 17, with a capacity for cutting 10,000 feet per day. It was operated about three years.
The same year MeLane Brothers, of Pine Run, built a mill on section 5. Its capacity was about 8000 feet per day. In 1867 it was sold to J. W. Begole, of Flint, was operated by him about two years, and then burned. It was rebuilt and run as a shingle-mill for about one year.
In 1867 a Mr. Hughes, of Mount Morris, put up a mill near the northwest corner of section 24. Its capacity was about 15,000 fect per day. A couple of years later it burned, and was rebuilt and used another season.
Ira S. Begel also built a mill that same season (1867). It stood just on the lake-shore, a little southeast from the Lake House. It was burned two or three years later.
Most of these mills were used for a brief term of years, until the pine timber conveniently near them was used up, and were then dismantled, and the machinery moved farther north into the pincries. There were also several shingle- mills in the town at different times. But the only mill now in operation is the successor of the first one built, now
known as the Hunton mill. In 1866 this mill was owned by Otis & Crocker, to whom it had been transferred by William A. Otis & Bros. Up to that time it had not cut probably to exceed 5,000,000 feet of lumber. It was then sold to Weeks, llunton & Co. (the firm being composed of E. F. Weeks, Wellington Hunton, George E. Hunton, and Albert K. Ilunton). The Otises had purchased altogether about 5000 acres of land in this town, and sold to their successors 4200 aeres on which the pine had not been touched. The new firm operated the mill one season at the old place, and then removed it to Butternut Creek, on section 16, where they built a dam across the creek and made a large pond in which to float their logs to the mill. In February, 1872, the mill was destroyed by fire. It was immediately rebuilt, and its capacity increased by the addi- tion of more machinery, and it began work in May of that ycar. The cost of rebuilding was about $26,000. In May, 1873, Mr. Weeks and Wellington Hunton sold their interests to the other partners, who continued the business under the name of Hunton Bros., until November, 1875, when A. K. Ilunton became sole proprietor, and has since that time so continued. The mill now has a capacity for cutting 70,000 feet of lumber, 50,000 shingles, and 15,000 lath daily. Its annual product will average about 6,000,000 fect of lumber, 4,000,000 shingles, and about 1,500,000 oľ' lath. The machinery used consists of two circular-saws, two shingle-machines, and one lath-mill, and the number of hands employed is 53. The engine is rated at eighty-five horse-power.
The pine timber of this town is now nearly all cut. The Otter Lake Saw-mill Company have cleared about 1000 acres in this town, and have their last lot of logs in the lake now. Mr. Ilunton will next winter finish cutting the pine on the balance of his land, and then the lumbering for Forest will be ended.
The burning of charcoal for market is also one of the branches of business carried on in this town. J. W. Begole and George Cummings have four pits or kilns in operation,- two of them near Otter Lake, and two a mile southwest, be- side the track of the railroad.
Among the earlier births in this town, aside from those already mentioned, were George, son of Henry leister; George, son of Amos Begel; and IIngh, son of Daniel Cummings.
The first death was that of Mrs. Daniel Cummings, which occurred soon after her coming here, probably about Christ- mas of the year 1814. The second death was that of Syl- vester Decker, a young man who died of consumption, in the spring of 1848.
According to the best evidence now to be obtained, the first wedding in Forest was that of Nelson Valentine and Eliza Begel. The second wedding was that of William R. Smith and Miss Sarah Begel, daughter of Stephen Begel. Mr. Smith's wife died while they were living at Royal Oak, and after his return here he had paid his addresses to Miss Begel with matrimonial intent. Upon the occa- sion of their wedding he had made a party at his house and invited all the young folks in the vicinity. About a dozen had assembled, for the population of the town was then very meagre, and were having a merry time, when
432
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
some one proposed to have a marriage ceremony to enliven the occasion. To this all agreed, and Mr. Smith and the blushing Sarah took their places, and Nathaniel Smith, being the oldest man present, performed the ceremony amidst great enthusiasm. The actors in the seene had all been chosen with reference to the event, for Nathaniel was a justice of the peace, and the company were astonished when, after the joke had been fully enjoyed, they were told that they had witnessed a bona fide marriage. It proved a happy one, and both parties lived many years to multiply their mutual pleasures and divide their muntual woes.
The first school-house was built about the year 1845, and stood on the west side of the State road, near the northeast corner of section 33. It was a small frame building, and was known as the Smith school- house. Wil- liam R. Smith was the first teacher. In order to obtain their proportion of the school-money it was necessary to have a school taught for a certain length of time, and Mr. Smith, though not an educated man, was the only one willing to undertake the task. Anna Johnson, of Mount Morris ; Caroline Stanley and Jane Devinney, of Genesee ; Melissa Scott, of Thetford ; and Ruth Bagel and Esther Crowell, of Forest, were among the earliest teachers.
The first frame house in town was erected on his farm by W. R. Smith soon after his second marriage, and is yet stand- ing, though not occupied as a dwelling for some time past.
The first blacksmith shop was the one attached to the saw-mill of John Hays. James McGinnis was the first blacksmith who worked in it while the mill was building, and a man named Stanley also worked there some. After Mr. Crow! was made the agent here, Charles E. Kingsbury occupied the shop, and may be said to be the first resideut blacksmith.
The first wheat sown in Forest was in the fall of 1837, when Henry Hiester, Nathaniel Smith, Stephen Begel, and Amos Begel each sowed a small piece. Fliester's contained about two aeres.
The Flint River Railroad was built in the summer of 1872,-work in this town being commeneed in April,- and the first regular trains began running about the 15th of August. The first agent of the company had charge of all the stations on the line, and used to go with the train, which stopped at each station long enough to enable him to sell tickets, bill freight, and transact the business connected therewith. His name was T. J. Slafter. The agents at Otisville have been T. J. Slafter, W. L. Laing, A. F. Blake, F. E. Palmer, and Gilbert R. Chandler, who has held the position since September, 1874.
The town was erceted in 1843, in accordance with the wishes of its people. In the petition 'no name had been mentioned, and the representative sent to have some name selected. The name of Paris was presented by Nathaniel Smith, was agreed to, and was forwarded to the Legisla- ture ; but, upon examination, it was found that this nawie had already been used ; so a facetious member of the House said, " As it is all woods, and nobody lives there, I think we had better call it Forest," and Forest it was called.
The first town-meeting was held at the house of Stephen Begel, on the first Monday in April, 1843, and it is said there were only 13 voters present. From the fact that the
records of the town previous to 1861 were so carelessly kept that they were, practically, not. kept at all, we are left very much to imagination to supply points in the civil his- tory which recollection leaves unsupplied. So it is that we have no record of this first meeting. So far as can be ascertained, the following officers were chosen, viz. : Super- visor, Nathaniel Smith ; Town Clerk, Chauncey W. Seeley ; Treasurer, Wm. R. Smith ; Justices of the Peace, John Crawford, Nathaniel Smith, William R. Smith, Amos Begel; Commissioners of Highways, John Crawford, Na- thaniel Smith, Amos Begel ; Overseers of the Poor, Amos Begel, Nathaniel Smith.
The following list of officers of the town is necessarily very imperfeet previous to 1861, but is the best we have been able to make from the data at hand :
CIVIL LIST OF FOREST.
SUPERVISORS.
1843-45. Nathaniel Smith.
1864. Salvin F. Kellogg (app'd).
1846. John Crawford. 1865. Garrett S. Swayze.
1847-19. George W. Piper.
1866-68. George Reed.
1850-54. John Crawford.
1869. Abel C. Smith.
1855-56. William II. Dimond.
1870-74. Georgo Reed.
1857-58. Lyman Crowl.
1875-76. Matt. T. MeCormick.
1859. John Crawford.
1877. George Reed.
1860. Jobn P. Ilamilton.
1878. Nathaniel Crawford.
1861. Charles F. Morse.
1879. Abel C. Smith.
1862-64. George Reed.
TOWN CLERKS.
1843. Channecy W. Sceley.
1864. Anthony D. Burnell.
1844. Jobn Taylor.
1865. Robert B. Shaw.
1845-46. William Crawford.
1866-69. William 11. Begel.
1847-48. Stephen J. Seeley.
1870-71. Oscar F. Swift.
1849-54. William Crawford.
1872-74. William 11. Begel.
1855-56. Lyman Crowl.
1875-76. John W. Nicholson.
1857-66, John P. Hamilton.
1877. Ozias C. Swift.
1861. Abel C. Smith.
1878. Jobn S. Elwell.
1862. Philander B. Taylor.
1879. Allison W. Whipple.
1863. E. C. Freeman.
TOWN TREASURERS.
1813-44. William R. Smith. 1860-61. Garrett S. Swayze.
1845-47. Lanson Webster. 1862-64. Ira S. Sanders.
1848. William R. Smith. 1865-66. Anthony D. Burnell.
1849. William Davison. 1867-68. Abel C. Smith.
1850. William R. Smith. 1869-70. Stephen P. Lcc.
1851-54. Chauncey W. Sceley.
1871-74. James W. Averill.
1855. William R. Smith.
1875-76. Asher Look.
1856-57. Lanson Webster.
1877. Abel C. Smith.
1858-59. Norris O. Seeley.
1878-79. Levi Metz.
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS.
1843-11. John Crawford.
1863. John Crawford (f. t.).
Nathaniel Smith.
Lanson Webster (v.).
Amos Begel.
Uriah Beach (npp'd, died).
1850. William Davison. Quartus W. Clapp.
1863-64. William Van Slyek. Salvin F. Kellogg (v.).
1853. Amos Begel. John R. Begel.
1866. Christian E. Osbornc.
1854. David Crawford. 1867. William Van Slyck.
William Van Slyek.
1868. William Crawford.
1869. Thomas Brauch.
1855. Amos Begel. John R. Begel.
1870. William 11. Begel.
1858. Richard A. Gossler. William Crawford.
1872. William Van Slyek.
William Van Slyck.
1873. William H. Begel.
1874. William Crawford.
1875-76. Alfred M. Benediet.
1877. llenry Warren.
1878-79. Willard P. Hanney.
1860. Enoch B. Woodman. Ransom G. Root. John Crawford.
1861. Levi G. Alexander.
1862. Westel Mudge.
1865. David Crawford.
1871. William Crawford.
133
FOREST TOWNSHIP.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1843. Amos Begel (1 year).
Nathaniel Smith (2 years).
W'in. R. Smith (3 years).
John Crawford (4 years).
1844. Amos Begel.
1843. Nathaniel Smith.
1846. Stephen J. Seeley.
1817. Samuel Shufelt.
1848. William Davison.
1849. Amos Begel.
1850. George W. Piper.
1851. Stephen J. Seeley (f. t.). Wmn. 11. Dimond (v.).
1852. Wm. 11. Dimond (f. t.). Wm. Davison (v.).
1853. No record.
1854. Samuel Lapham.
1855. Stephen J. Seeley (f. t.). Amos Begel (3 years). E. B. Woodman (2 years).
1856. Wm. Van Slyck.
1857. Lyman Crowl.
1858-60. No record.
1861. George Reed.
1877. Wmn. E. Harris.
1878. Farmon K. Judson.
IS79. Christian E. Osborne.
SCHOOL INSPECTORS.
1843-60. No record.
1861. Mark D. Seeley (f. t.).
Christian E. Osborne (v.).
1862. Iliram S. Griswold.
1863. Mark D. Seeley.
John lamill (appt'd). N. Crawford (appt'd).
1864. J. W. Lane (f. t.). L. N. Begel (v.).
1865. William II. Bogel .*
1866. Stephen P. Lec. J. W. Lane.t
1875-78. John Gowdy.
1867. William HI. Begel (f. t.).
1879. James B. Jones.
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
1875. John B. Laing. 1877. William II. Begel.
1876. Thomas W. Averill.
1878-79. John B. Laing.
DRAIN COMMISSIONERS.
1871. William 11. Begel.
1876. Alfred M. Benedict.
1872-73. No record. 1877. Andrew Ferris.
1874. William II. Begel. 1878-79. No record.
1875. Christian E. Osborne.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
1843. . Amos Begel. 1843. Nathaniel Smith,
ASSESSORS.
1865. Lanson Webster. 1866. William Van Slyck. William ('rawford. John Hamill.
CONSTABLES .:
Isaiah Kitchen, 1861-62 : Chas. Kingsbury, ISGI ; Horace Il. Ranney, 1861-64; Myron H. Butts, 1861 62: Garrett S. Swayze, 1862; Matthew Davison. Andrew Moore, 1863; William Rawling, 1863- 64; Stephen L. Begel, 1861-68-71; Jefferson Wakefield, 1864; William II. Clark, Joseph Heath, John Branch, 1865; John S. Decker, 1865-72; Frederick Smith, Melvin Beebe, Nathan F.
Olmstead (appt'd), 1866; Alva B. Powelson, 1866-68; William IT. Wilson, 1867; Willard Ranney, 1867-69: Thomas Branch, 1867-70; Theron Woodruff, 1868; Peter MeClue, 1868-69; Osear F. Swift. Charles P. Slack, 1869 ; Samuel Fuller, 1870; Abram D. Van Gordon, 1870-79 ; James Williams, 1870-75 ; Ilenry llurd, 1871; Edward Salisbury, Daniel Stockwell, 1872; Charles Olls, 1872-73; Frank Branch, Noble Ingell, 1873 : John T. Alexander, 1873-76 : Jesse Warren, Charles Amy, 1871; Jeremiah Osborne, 1874-78-79; William Sanford, 1874-76-78; Andrew J. Whaling, 1875; William W. Burnett, 1875-76; Ozias C. Swift, 1876-77; George Webster, Horace Warren, 1877; Robert Beemer, 1877- 78; William J. Gillett, 1878; Edgar B. Olds, George Hiscock, 1879.
In the early years the questions of partisanship did not enter to any great extent into the politics of the town. At the town-meetings, which were usually held at the house of Stephen Begel until the school-house was built, the questions considered were those of the fitness of the can- didates for the different offices, and a union tieket was usually formed, which was elected by a unanimous vote, or at least without serious oppositiou. At the general elections party lines were more strictly drawn. The town was first strongly Democratic, but was afterwards controlled by the Free-Soilers, and lastly by the Republicans, who are still in the ascendant, and have a majority of about 80 votes.
Previous to the active commencement of the lumbering business the town had but few roads. Paths through the woods, following the easiest and most direct route from one settlement to another, were the commonest thoroughfares opened previous to 1855. In that year the State Legisla- ture authorized the laying out of a State road, passing through this town from north to south. The aet was ap- proved Feb. 13, 1855, and the survey was made in that year under the supervision of Enos Goodrich and Town- send North, commissioners appointed by Governor Kings- ley S. Bingham for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the aet. The survey-bill was filed in the town elerk's office, Nov. 20, 1855, and describes the road as running north nearly on the seetion lines, commencing at the south corner between sections 33 and 34, and leaving the town a few rods west of the corner between sections 3 and 4.
Two years later, in 1857, a large number of highways were laid out by the town commissioners, the surveys being made by Julian Bishop, of Grand Blanc.
The first post-office, and the only one ever established in Forest, was brought into existence in the spring or early summer of 1855. The people felt the need of better mail facilities, and had been petitioning for the appointment of different persons, among them Amos Begel, Ira S. Begel, and Lyman Crowl, but for some reason the petitions were ineffective to accomplish the purpose. At last, through the influence of ex-Governor Fenton, E. S. Williams, and Rus- sell Bishop, an office was created with John Crawford as postmaster. This office was then at his residence on section 24, and remained there till 1859, when it was removed to Otisville, and Robert D. Shaw appointed deputy-postmaster to take charge of it. He was afterwards postmaster, and has been succeeded by George Reed, Ellis S. Swayze, Asher Look, and John W. Nicholson, the present incumbent. The office was called " Forest" until about 1861, when the name was changed to Otisville. It was at first on route No.
* Resigned April 3, 1866.
t Appointed, rire Begel, April 9, 1866.
¿ No record previous to 1861.
1861. Salvin F. Kellogg (f. t.). Levi G. Alexander (I. v.). John Crawford (s. v.).
1865. Garrett S. Swayze.
1866. Wm. Van Slyek. 1867. Wm. Davison.
1868. John Crawford (f. t.). Salvin F. Kellogg (v.).
1869. Nathaniel Crawford.
1870. Win. Van Slyck.
1871. Georgo W. Merriam (f. t.). Joseph J. Seymour (v.). 1872. Eleazer S. Swayze.
1873. Fred. G. Shepard (f. t.). Nathaniel Crawford (v.). Samuel Il. Crowl (v.).
1874. Alexander MeClue (f. t.). Eugene Ostrander (v.).
1875. John S. Elwell (f. t.). Nathaniel Crawford (I. v.). Salvin F. Kellogg (s. v.).
1876. Nathaniel Crawford (f. t.). Daniel W. Allen (v.).
1862. Hiram S. Griswold (f. t.). Christian E. Osborne (v.).
1863. Mark D. Seeley.
1867. Leander Oshorne (v.).
1868. George W. Merriam (f. t.). Leander Osborne (v.).
1869. Samuel P. Lee.
1870. William HI. Begel (f. t.).
1870-71. Samuel P. Lee (v., f. t.).
1872. Leander Osborne (f. t.). Samuel Davison (v.).
1873. Thomas W. Averill (f. t.). Leander Osborne (v.).
1874. Samuel II. Crowl.
55
434
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. .
13,074, running from Lapeer to Pine Run, the mail being carried once a week each way by Luther Scott, of Thet- ford. It is now supplied with two mails a day by way of the Flint River division of the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad.
Previous to 1858-59 the medical business of this town was principally done by two non-resident physicians. They were Dr. Congdon, of Marathon, Lapeer Co., and Dr. La- mond, of Flint. Lamond was first in the field, but Congdon, who commenced practicing about 1856, rather took the lead after that time. Among the other physicians were Drs. Drake and Willett, of Flint; Orr and Goodell, of Genesee ; and Lathrop, of Pine Run, who was the leading physician for several years. The first resident physician was Dr. Griswold, who owned a farm about two miles east of Otis- ville, and began practicing medicine here about twenty years ago. Ile lived here a number of years, and then re- moved to Grand Blauc. Next, some four or five years later, Dr. Rich came and stayed a year or two. Then, in 1863, Dr. Luke N. Begel came, and remained for a period of ten years, being very successful, and receiving the confi- dence as well as the custom of his patients. Since 1874 he has been located at Pine Run. After Begel came Drs. Bardwell, Hanson, Henderson, two Rogerses, A. W. Nichol- son, J. B. Laing, and E. D. Lewis, the three last named being still in business at Otisville.
On Tuesday, May 15, 1855, this town was visited by a mighty hurricane, one of those resistless tempests whose power, derived from some-to us-mysterious source, is so painfully manifest. It was late in the afternoon of an almost preternaturally beautiful, clear day that a dark cloud appeared, seeming to form in the clear sky, and the wind blew with an ever-increasing force. Torrents of rain began to fall as the storm gathered strength and fury and began moving eastward at a comparatively slow rate of speed. The diameter of the whirlwind was apparently about 40 rods, but the great force was spent within a space of 20 rods along the line its axis passed over. Its course lay along the north line of sections 28, 27, 26, and 25, and then leaving this town it entered Marathon, and passed nearly half-way across the town before its force was spent. During its duration, which was but a few minutes at any given point, the air was filled with boards, rails, limbs of trees, and all kinds of movable things that were situated in its path. Poultry, especially, suffered greatly from its rude transportation. Within the space of 20 rods of the central part of the tornado the trees were mowed down like grass before the scythe of a strong-armed mower, and piled this way and that in the most inextricable confusion. Out- side of this, for ten rods on either side, the trees less deeply rooted than their companions were overthrown, but the more sturdy ones withstood the tempest, though many limbs were twisted and torn from them. The Crawford school-house, on the northeast corner of section 26, was completely demolished. The roof and some of the top logs of the house of Daniel Cummings was torn off, much to the amazement of Mr. Cummings, who was within the building, but escaped injury. Some of these logs were thrown to a great distance, one of them being found fully 40 rods south of the house. The roof of Mr. John Crawford's barn was
half torn off, and portions of it carried a mile and a half east. When the storm passed over Crawford's Lake the water was caught up by the wind and a waterspout formed by it. From this fact a rumor spread over the surrounding country that the lake had been entirely emptied, and people came the next day from some distance, bringing baskets in which to carry away the fish they expected to find floun- dering in the mud. They were, however, disappointed, for at the time of their arrival the lake had resumed its nor- mal appearance, and presented no trace of its recent violent agitation.
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