USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 50
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1878 .- Thomas II. Nesbitt, Supervisor; Robert A. Blackinton, Town- ship Clerk ; Andre Torrey, Treasurer; Zorrie House, Super- intendent of Schools; Calvin C. Warner, School Inspector ; Ilugh Nichols, Highway Commissioner ; William A. Colmer, Drain Commissioner ; John II. Carey, Justice of the Peace; Peter Gordon, John Signer, Chas. MeElhany, George Bet:es- worth, Constables.
1879 .- Thomas H. Nesbitt, Supervisor : Robert A. Blackiaton, Town- ship Clerk; Lyman Eggleston, Treasurer; Alfred Torrey, School Inspector ; Zorrie House, Superintendent of Schools ; Hugh Nichols, Ilighway Commissioner; Peter Gordon, Drain Commissioner ; Clark Boomer, Justice of the Peace; Thomas House, George L. U'tley, George Bettesworth, Con- stables.
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18G
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Some difference of opinion exists as to whom should be accorded the honor of first breaking the forests of the township. Elijah Carman it is generally conceded erected the first log house, and the historian has not been able to discover any records or information which materially inter- feres with the claim of Mr. Carman's family to be consid- ered as the earliest settlers. Jesse Torrey was the founder of the Torrey settlement, and came the same year with Mr. Carman, but the latter's advent antedates that of Mr. Torrey.
Elijah Carman removed from Oakland County early in 1835, and located in the township 80 acres, described as " the cast half of the southeast quarter of section 25." He immediately cleared upon this tract a piece of land embracing about three acres and erected a log house, which there is little doubt was the first in the township. In Sep- tember of the same year he was comfortably housed in his new quarters. At the raising of this house were five men and one boy from the village of Flint, which embraced nearly the whole male population of the place. The band was reinforced the following day by two men, who arrived with a view to settling.
Mr. Carman endured many privations, and does not seem to have much enjoyed his pioncer life. He was a skillful hunter, and depended greatly upon his rifle for table sup- plies. The skins of the deer he shot were tanned and converted into trousers and mittens, making durable if not elegant garments. Fodder was so scarce that the cattle were browsed upon the limbs which were cut from the trees and piled for them. A man with an axe upon his shoulder was the inevitable suggestion of dinner to them, and the hungry quadrupeds would follow him for miles.
Mr. Carman's log house was the scene of many religious gatherings in 1836-37, when, on alternate Sabbaths, the neighbors heard the Gospel expounded by Revs. James McAlester and - Blanchard. In the year 1837, Cor- nelius Mars, the father-in-law of Mr. Carman, came and erected a log house on his farm. His residence was brief, death having removed him from the little circle of pioneers two years later. Mr. Carman survived him but a brief period, his death occurring in 1840.
In 1835 arrived an emigrant from Genesee County, N. Y., who proved an important element in the growth of the township, and who has been already alluded to,-Jesse Torrey. With him came his wife, daughter, and four sons,-Alonzo, Asa, Albert, and Alma. He located 400 acres on section 24, which was a fractional section. Alonzo, his son, entered on sections 23 and 25, each 80 acres. Asa entered 80 acres on section 25. These were the first entries made in the locality known as the Torrey Settle- ment, which these gentlemen founded, and among the very first in the township.
There are also the Dye, Utley, Cronk, Bristol, Stanard, and Carter settlements, all originally founded by the gentle- men whose names they bear, who were leading spirits in these particular localities.
Mr. Alonzo Torrey states that his father's land was the first cleared, Mr. Carman's having been previously entered but not improved. Their approach to the new home they were about establishing was made under many difficulties.
After leaving the Thread they were obliged to cut their way, crossing the ereck where it was most easily forded, and choosing the route which it seemed possible to render . most accessible. The country was uninhabited save by wolves and deer, which roamed the forests unmolested.
Rufus Stevens' mill, at the Thread, afforded Jesse Torrey an opportunity to erect for himself and family a comfort- able habitation of logs, cut from the immediate spot, while slabs did duty, in lieu of shingles, for a roof.
The Torreys' advent in the township was made in Octo- ber of 1836, the previous July having afforded father and sons an opportunity of prospecting and locating their lands. Jesse Torrey was the first pioncer who may in any sense be regarded as a moneyed man. He brought with him, after purchasing his land, about $4000 in cash, and devoted it, with exceeding liberality and public spirit, to the improve- ment and advancement of the neighborhood, affording em- ployment to many who were dependent upon their earnings for support, and giving opportunity to others, who desired to establish homes for themselves.
The same year of Alonzo Torrey's arrival he erected a house upon his land, having previously lived with his father. This house was quite pretentious in appearance, having two roofs,-one on either side,-covered with shingles split from white ash. The owner well remembers the circum- stance of their manufacture, from the fact that in making them he cut his foot so severely as to render a crutch neces- sary during the remainder of the time the house was build- ing. On its completion, Mr. Torrey repaired to Orleans Co., N. Y., and took to himself a wife, who is still liv- ing, and recalls with much satisfaction her early days in the wilderness. On their arrival at Detroit from the East they were charged by a teamster $40 for a conveyance to transport themselves and their goods to Flint. Mr. Torrey declined the questionable service for the best of reasons,- it was quite beyond the possibilities of his exchequer. Fortunately, they observed a man near by, making a bar- gain with another teamster to transport him to the Thread mills, which he had engaged to run for Mr. Stevens. They bargained with him at 12 shillings a hundred, and $3 apiece was asked to transport the ladies,-the capacity of the vehicle being limited to 800 pounds.
With them was a portion of their worldly goods,-the limited capacity of the vehicle obliging them to leave the remainder behind, where they remained until the following winter. Two cows were also brought, which proved a sad incumbranee to them on their travels.
The ladies, for whom a comfortable means of transporta- tion had been engaged, found, very soon after starting, that they would not only advance their own comfort by walking, but that the traveling speed of the cattle would be greatly enhanced thereby.
Mr. Torrey discovered that it would be necessary to de- vise some means to balance the load to prevent its tipping ; he therefore fastened a rope at one side, with which he prevented its falling from him, while with a pole he main- tained its equilibrium upon the other side. The Thread River was ultimately reached, where the goods were left until a more convenient opportunity offered for taking them farther. They then proceeded, and had made but little pro-
STEWART H. WEBSTER.
MRS. STEWART WEBSTER.
STEWART H. WEBSTER.
Stewart H. Webster was born in Berkshire Co., Mass. When quite young his father, John Webster, moved with the family to Monroe Co., N. Y., and settled at Rush Village, where he engaged in milling, and in conducting a mercantile business, hotel, post- office, etc. He was the proprietor of the village, and politically was a leading Democrat. His influ- ence was deemed of such importance that Martin Van Buren went to see and consult him. He died in 1850, at an advanced age. He reared a large family of children, six of whom were living at his death.
Stewart H. Webster, the immediate subject of this sketch, was the oldest child of John Webster, above mentioned. When twenty years of age he married Miss Margaretta Amy Wiard, aunt of Norman Wiard, inventor of the celebrated Wiard steel cannon and contractor for building iron-clad vessels during the war.
Mr. Webster lived at Rush some twenty years after he was married ; then, in the spring of 1835, came to Genesee County, and purchased one hundred and
sixty acres of land three miles south of Flint, upon which there was a small improvement. Here he com- menced in earnest to make himself a home; the im- provements went steadily on. About 1844 he built a hotel which became quite famous. The " Webster Tavern" was one of the important stopping-places on the Saginaw road, and its proprietor one of the most hospitable and genial of men; not only the traveler but the pioneer and neighbor felt the warmth of his genial nature and open-handed generosity. He died Oct. 10, 1864, leaving a wife and three daughters ; the former departed this life April 10, 1871. The daughters all reside in the city of Flint. The old- est is the widow of Dr. Drake, who was an early physician of Flint; the second daughter married Abel Donelson in 1855; he was from Coleraine, Franklin Co., Mass., and came with his father to Oakland County in 1827. Mr. Donelson settled on a farm in Flint, where he resided until his health failed, when he retired to the city, where he now resides.
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187
FLINT TOWNSHIP.
gress when the horses were mired, and any further efforts to advance upon wheels seemed useless. With a persever- ing spirit which is inherent in the pioneer, they shouldered what few effects had been placed in the vehicle, and pro- ceeded on foot, the horses finally extricating themselves and returning to Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Torrey finally reached their primitive home and prepared to battle with the privations that awaited them. Together with IIiram Judd, Mr. Torrey entered into a contract to cut the logs on 40 acres of land, and float them down the Flint River. This involved a total change in the domestic arrangements of the family, and in consonance with it a shanty was erected in the woods, and Mrs. Torrey installed as housekeeper. Iler hospitality, though not elegant, was exceedingly grate- ful to the sturdy woodchoppers, who frequently toiled till midnight with their saws and axes. These logs were the first ever floated down the river, and the number cut was 1000, for which a compensation of fifty cents a log was received. Meanwhile, Mrs. Torrey, with a courage that would astonish the modern lady, remained the sole occupant of the shanty in the midst of the dense forest, with no sound save the murmur of the winds or the distant ceho of the chopping, and no near companion but the wolves that prowled about the hovel in search of food. She facetiously remarked to the writer that even this required less courage than to endure the perilous journey to her old home again. After Mrs. Torrey had been two years in the uncleared forests of Michigan nothing seemed more natural than a desire to visit the seenes of her childhood. No events marked this visit other than were exceedingly enjoyable. Her brother, Columbus Le Valley, accompanied her on her return, and purchased later 160 acres on section 27. The journey was made without difficulty until their arrival at the Thread, which occurred as evening approached. They started for home on foot, groping their way through the forest, until night overtook them. Overcome with fatigue and prevented by the darkness from discovering any land- marks by which they could deteet their present position, they both sat down,-Mrs. Torrey to meditate and weep over the strange vicissitudes of a pioneer life, and Mr. Le Valley to wish himself back in the fruitful valleys of New York State, asserting that if he had known the facts "he wouldn't have come for a thousand dollars."
Finally, the lady, with a courage and strength of will that had enabled her before to overcome all obstables, arose and declared that " she would not sleep in the woods when she was so near her Alonzo." Through the darkness her ears detected the ripple of a stream near by, and, groping her way thither, she discovered which way the water flowed, and was thus advised of the points of the compass. Bid- ding her brother follow, she advanced, pursuing her uncer- tain way until the log house of Jesse Torrey was discovered. Then, with the aid of a lantern, their destination was reached. Mr. Torrey was seen through the window, his head buried in his hands, while he repined at the fate which had deprived him of his companion. He was no less delighted than surprised at her coming, and the faith- ful wife declared that from that moment she would never leave him ; which promise she has through all the years kept with fidelity.
Lysander Phillips and family lived with Mr. and Mrs. Torrey, having arrived the same fall in company with them. The following spring they moved into a log house erected upon land they purchased in the vicinity. Iliram Judd came with the Torreys in 1835, and was associated with them in the elearing of the first lands. Ile remained two years, and returned East. After an interval of eight years he returned again to Michigan.
Daniel O'Sullivan, who has already figured couspieu- ously in the city history as one of its foremost pioneers and the first to advance its educational interests, was also a very early settler in the township, having purchased 40 acres not far from the Cronk settlement, where he remained for a period of years, and finally returned again to the city. His venerable form may still be seen daily upon Saginaw Street.
In 1835 came also Andrew Hyslop, a gentleman of Scoteh descent, who located 160 aeres on section 4. After his death his widow removed to the city, where she now resides. Mrs. Hyslop retains vivid memories of the depri- vations she endured on her arrival. The roads from Detroit were almost impassable when they came, and the usual diffi- culties were experienced. From Flint to their own land there was no road, and sufficient brush was cleared to admit of an opening, through which they made slow progress. John Greenfield, their neighbor, had purchased 300 acres on section 5, and begun the erection of a log house. In this uncompleted abode Mr. and Mrs. Ilyslop were content to remain until they were able to build a home of their own.
In the spring of 1836, William N. Stanard, of Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y., entered the south half of section 35, and the northwest quarter of the same seetion. ITis sons, Jeremiah R. and Rosel, had preceded him, the latter having been induced to become a pioneer at the earnest solicitation of Jesse Torrey, who offered to aid him in the purchase of land when he should make a satisfactory location. Mr. Stanard, hearing of a tract now embraced in the city limits, and which had not been entered (a location which subse- quently proved invaluable), mentioned it to Mr. Torrey, who instructed him to complete his arrangements. Ile also unfortunately gave the same information to a friend, and within hearing was the inevitable lounger, who may be found even at this late day sunning himself on the corner, or hanging about the neighboring bar-rooms. This indi- vidual was not slow to avail himself of the facts he had overheard. Ile went directly to James W. Cronk, and re- peated what he had heard. The following day Mr. Stanard and Jesse Torrey repaired to the land-office to make the entry. Mr. Cronk made his exit as they entered, having five minutes before purchased the tract they were about loeating. Mr. Stanard, Sr., however, gave his sons each 80 acres of the land he had purchased. Jeremiah R. sub- sequently removed to Lapeer County, and Rosel, who chopped the first acre of land in the Torrey settlement, still occupies the farm originally given him. George W. Rapp came in 1836, having married a daughter of William N. Stanard, who also received 80 acres of her father's entry.
George Crocker came at nearly the same date and located on section 27, 160 acres which he immediately improved,
188
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and has brought to a high state of cultivation. Ox-teams were in common use at this early period, horses not being easily procured, and being less available in breaking the rough land.
On the bank of Swartz Creek, where the Torrey church now stands, was erected in 1838 the first school-house in the township. It was built of logs and was at a later date burned, the fire being generally regarded as the result of accident.
The teacher who disciplined the youth of this early period was Miss Lonisa Kimball, who afterwards became Mrs. Joseph Freeman, and is now Mrs. Horace Bristol. After Miss Kimball's term expired, the school was placed in charge of Miss Jane Watkins, whose brief career was terminated by the burning of the school-house. Fortu- nately the neighborhood by this calamity was not deprived of instruction, for Mrs. Alonzo Torrey opened her own house, and for three months the scholars were taught by her. During the interval a frame school-building of more extended proportions was being constructed, and on its completion Mrs. Torrey with her little band removed thither, and for four months longer filled the role of teacher. The new building was ereeted on section 24, opposite the old site, which was on the corner of section 23. In this school-house the early religious services were held.
The following were the names of the first scholars : Albert Torrey, Orlando Sanborn, Apha Sanborn, Orminda Sanborn, Mary Jane Sanborn, Sarah Ann Sanborn, Isaac Kelsey, Almira Kelsey, Lorinda Kelsey, Charles Phillips, Emily Phillips, Lydia Colby, Clark Torrey, Levi Torrey, Mary Torrey, John Torrey, Almon Torrey, William Boomer, and Pliny Boomer. Soon after this school- houses were creeted in other portions of the township, and at the present date capacious structures are seen dotting its territory at very short intervals.
The mortuary record of these early years of the town- ship history was a matter of congratulation to the settlers. Good health and cheerful spirits everywhere abounded, and, as a remarkable fact, it may be stated that in the Torrey settlement no death occurred for a period of twelve years, the first remembered being that of a son of Lysander Phil- lips, in 1848. The earliest death in the township, as nearly as can be ascertained after very diligent inquiry, was that of a Mrs. Greenfield, who lived on section 5. Cornelius Mars' death occurred in 1839, and was among the earliest. Miss Sallie, youngest daughter of Capt. Benjamin Boomer, died in 1846, and her death has been stated to the writer as the first, but it is altogether likely that Mrs. Greenfield's occurred prior to either of the others, probably in 1838.
The earliest marriage, as stated by Albert Torrey, was that of Ilorace Boomer to Samantha, daughter of Horace Bristol.
Mrs. Alonzo Torrey having been accustomed to attend divine service, and finding no opportunity to gratify her desire at home, determined to go to Flint. Her first inten- tion was to yoke the oxen, but on further consideration she determined to walk. Rev. James MeAlester, who per- formed the functions of a local preacher and had just moved into the village, saw her pass and determined to pay his respects to the new and church-going family.
Taking his gun one morning, and throwing on a large gray overcoat, he sauntered towards their log house. Arriv- ing at the door the hostess saw the large coat, and suppos- ing it covered a wild Indian exclaimed, " There's an Indian ! don't bid him come in." The visitor, however, proved harmless, and received a hearty welcome. He arranged to hold service at Mr. Torrey's house on successive Sabbaths, and afterwards in the school-house. This occurred in 1836, and may be regarded as the first religious gathering in the township.
Jeremiah Kelsey is another pioneer whose coming dates to early in 1836. He located on section 25, having pur- chased 160 acres, which his industry and perseverance very soon rendered productive.
Dewitt C. Curtis, who now resides on a farm on section 11, arrived with his father, Comfort Curtis, in 1837,- being then fifteen years of age,-and resided with him on a traet described as the east half of the southwest quarter of section 8. His brother David, who is one of the rep- resentative men of the township, came the following spring.
Capt. Benjamin Boomer located about the same time 80 acres on section 25. He followed nautical pursuits and spent little time upon his land, but was highly esteemed as a good citizen and a genial gentleman.
Horace Bristol purchased in March, 1838, of Thomas L. L. Brent, 80 acres on section 26. He resided upon it for many years, but is now living in the city.
James W. Cronk's first purchase in the township bears the date of May 3, 1837. Ile came from New York State, and early settled in Macomb County in this State. While there he heard of the advantageous purchases of land which might be made at the Grand Traverse, and imme- diately wrote his father, Col. James Cronk, who had been prospecting in the northern part of the State, suggesting that they make a joint purchase of 640 acres. The elder Cronk at once responded to his son's request, and came im- mediately to Flint, but on the day of his arrival was taken ill. After lingering three days, he died at John Todd's tavern near the river ; his son, meanwhile, having been en- gaged in preparations to remove his family from Macomb County. It is proper here for the historian to correct a popular error which has obtained credence, that the senior Cronk resided in Flint for some years before his death and participated actively in the building up of the settlement. Such are not the facts. He was a total stranger in the neighborhood, and never entered the county until three days before his death. Hle was buried on the site of the pres- ent Presbyterian church, and some years later his remains were disinterred by Daniel O'Sullivan and reburied in the township, on the farm of his grandson, Walter J. Cronk. James W. Cronk, meanwhile, came on and made the pro- jected purchase of 640 acres, embracing some of the ground now covered by the city. Soon after, through the instigation of some interested parties in the East, a suit was begun, in behalf of the estate of James Cronk, to recover a supposed interest in this tract. James W. Cronk, being alone as contestant in this suit and with every pros- peet of being discomfited in the contest, prevailed upon certain Detroit parties, Messrs. Morrison & Dubois, to pur- chase the land.
159
ANSON GILBERT.
MRS. ANSON GILBERT.
ANSON GILBERT.
Anson Gilbert was born in Galway, Saratoga, N. Y., June 27, 1806. His father was a farmer, but he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1832 he came to Detroit, where he worked at his trade. In 1835 he was married to Miss Judith Ann Garland, formerly of New Hampshire. At this time, 1836, there was a strong tide of emigration to Michigan to secure land for future homes. Having saved a few hundred dollars, he came out to the then remote wilderness of Genesee County, and entered one hundred and sixty aeres of land in the north- westerly portion of Flint, taking his title from the government. Returned to Detroit, and the following winter moved to Saginaw, where he worked at his trade until May, 1838, when he employed six Indians, with three or four canoes, to take his family and household effects up the river to the land he had previously purchased. The trip was wild and ro- mantie, and occupied three or four days. Follow- ing the crooked river through a dense wilderness, occasionally the stream would be obstructed by drift-
wood ; then the canoes were unloaded, taken from the water, and again launched above the obstruction. There were but two or three settlers the whole dis- tanee; they camped out at night. In due time they arrived at the spot which was to be their future home, built a shanty for the first year, and cleared a few acres of land. The next year he built a good frame house, which is now in good order and occupied by the family. Although it was heavily timbered, there are now broad and fertile fields; other lands have been added to the original purchase until a large and valu- able farm has been made, which furnishes all the com- forts of life. He died Sept. 4, 1876, leaving a wife and three children,-two sons and one daughter.
The oldest son lives in the city of Flint; the daughter is married, and lives adjoining the old home; the youngest son lives on the old home, where the mother resides, in her seventy-third year, in good health and spirits, enjoying a well-earned competency, and taking great pleasure in relating incidents of "Auld Lang Syne."
189
FLINT TOWNSHIP.
After this event, James W., desiring to make the county of Genesee his home, entered, in the year 1837, 160 aeres of land in the township of Flint, on sections 7 and 8. With his arrival dates the first clearing of ground in the present Cronk settlement limits. These facts are obtained from his grandson, Walter J. Cronk, who now resides in the city of Flint, and is an extensive land-owner in the township.
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