USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 57
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213
FENTON TOWNSIIIP.
his policy stamped on the next administration, or I am not Elisha Holmes.'
" And history has recorded the truth of his prophecy. Would that there were more among us who looked to the lessons of the past, and so performed their duties as good citizens to bring about the greatest possible good in the future !
" Another of our early settlers deserves mention here,- Ilon. Jeremiah Riggs, who settled in Michigan when it was a Territory, was a member of the Territorial Council (as was Judge Le Roy), and at the formation of the State government took part as one of the framers of the first and best constitution,-for surely innovations have not in- proved our first constitution. IIe was a man of kind and genial disposition, beloved by all, and for many years after he came to this village might be seen at the Riggs Hotel, his mind treasured with memories of the past and his con- versation instructive and amusing beyond what is often found. He has left behind him sons, some of whom are aulong us, and a memory which will be cherished with respect by all to whom he was known."
Clark Dibble saw service in the war of 1812, and in his after-years was wont to sing numerous patriotie songs, among which one was called " Granny O'Wale," which he sang lustily, displaying his musical powers in a most ener- getic manner, and so loudly that the forest re-echoed his tones far and near, and all knew that one man, at least, was a staunch patriot. Dibble was also noted for being a most excellent rifle-shot, and many a deer fell before his unerr- ing aim.
After Dustin Cheney had arrived and built his log cabin, roofing it with chin-bark, those who followed immediately, viz., Clark Dibble, George Dibble, Lauren P'. Riggs, John Galloway, and Robert Winchell, camped on a flat south of where the mill now stands, and remained there for a month while constructing their log shanties. Those who attended these early raisings were the persons above mentioned, to- gether with Alexander Galloway, William Gage, and Han- nibal Vickery, and their voices were lifted up in the wil- derness as they strove with their might in rolling up the logs of which their shelters were composed, and the sturdy backs of the pioneers bent and their muscles knotted in response to the hearty "yo-heure-oh's" of the " boss." The primitive habitations appeared almost like magie, and the foundations of a prosperous settlement were rapidly laid.
John Galloway, one of the persons who settled at Dib- bleville in April, 1834, was born Sept. 23, 1805. His father was a native of Orange Co., N. Y. In March, 1819, the son left Marion, Wayne Co., N. Y., to which his father had removed, and proceeding to Black Rock, below Buffalo, embarked there, April 4th, on the steamer " Walk-in-the-Water," the first that braved the perils to be met with on Lake Erie, and at the time new, and came to Detroit, where he arrived on the 10th, after a six days' trip. lle was accompanied by his father's family, and at Detroit met Col. Hotchkiss and family. In a short time an open Durham boat was procured, and the two families placed themselves and their baggage on board, rode up the Detroit River, across Lake St. Clair to the month of the Clinton River, and up that to the site of Utica, Macomb Co. Thence,
with two carts drawn by oxen, they proceeded aeross the country, following an Indian trail to the banks of the Clin- ton at another place, camping where now is the village of Auburn, Oakland Co., southeast of Pontiac. The next day they moved on to the land owned by Col. Hotchkiss, near Pontiae, where, with the assistance of a few men fur- nished by the " Pontine Company," they built a log house, covered it with elm-bark, and the two families slept that night beneath its roof. The following day a log hut was built on Alexander Galloway's land, and the Galloway fam- ily at once occupied it. A lake near by is still known as " Galloway's Lake," and its proximity to the farm owned by that gentleman rendered the property of considerable additional value.
After four years John Galloway returned to the State of New York, where he remained until 1834, when he again removed West, and took up his abode with the hardy few at Dibbleville. Mr. Galloway was quite prominent among the carly settlers, and was much respected by them. Ilis de- cease occurred on the 19th of October, 1870, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years. Perhaps the first potatoes planted in the township were those placed in the ground by Mr. Galloway upon his arrival here, in April, 1834.
John Wilber was another veteran of 1812 who settled early in the village, and he is well remembered by many yet living here. Ile was so unfortunate, during the strng- gle in which he served, as to be captured by the British, taken to Montreal, and east into prison, where he was kept for some time on an exceedingly meagre diet, consisting of bread and water. Such a mixture of solid and liquid as this was more than he was used to, and he languished under a troubled spirit and with sharp cravings at the stomach. In time, however, he was exchanged, and the heart of the hero was glad within him.
" Johnny," as he was called, became quite a character in Fenton. He was not possessed of a remarkable education, but withal was a jovial companion and a person noted for his quaintness and honesty. It being too much of a task, possibly, to write his name in full, he always signed it with a cross, and there was no mistaking his mark for that of any one else, for, like all his sayings and doings, it was full of originality.
Politically, during the days of Whig and " Locofoco" parties, he was conservative. On one occasion arrange- ments were made for the celebration of the anniversary of the nation's independence in a manner befitting so impor- tant an event. Dr. John C. Gallup, an earnest Whig, and since a prominent educator in Oncida Co., N. Y., was de- puted to read the Declaration of Independence. The day arrived, the village was filled with those who had come to " the Fourth of July ;" all faces wore looks of' pleasurable anticipation, and they were not disappointed, for the cele- bration passed off perfectly satisfactorily, and everybody was happy. Dr. Gallup read the Declaration in his best style, the assembly cheered, and thoughts of other days undoubtedly filled the minds of those present ; but Johnny, true to his political instinct, emphatically pronounced the whole thing a Whig Tie, to the no small amusement of the listeners.
214
IHISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
When, in October, 1856, the rails were being laid on the extension of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, Johnny watched the operation carnestly. Placing himself in the middle of the track and gazing intently castward, he at length, with earnest tone and sober mien, remarked, " Ilut, tut ! they'll have to steer their wagons pretty straight to run 'em on these !"
At the age of seventy years he became a widower. Ac- cording to the fashion of the day, he placed weeds on his hat, but after forty-eight hours of mourning, he began to pay attention at one and the same time to two widows. Neither suspected that the other was being courted, and the result was that as each had promised to become his bride, elaborate preparations for wedding-dinners were being made in both houses. The day approached (the same day had been set with both widows), and it appeared that Johnny was rapidly being entangled in an inextricable predicament. At length Rumor, with her thousand tongues, secretly whispered to Mrs. N. that Mrs. P. was ber rival in love, and forth with her temper was roused, and she set herself to seek satisfae- tion. Repairing to her neighbor's domicile, her strawberry nose changing to a deeper hue as her anger rose nearer to fever heat, she demanded an explanation and a settlement for damages. Her wrath was finally appeased by the pay- ment of a ten dollar bill by her rival ; the wedding cookery of the latter was transferred to the house of the former, and the wily Johnny and the energetic Mrs. N. were soon made one.
Mr. Wilber lived more than fourseore years, and in April, 1879, was taken home to rest in the bosom of mother earth. Ilis good qualities are kindly remembered ; his de- fects are overlooked ; and his memory is cherished as that of one who braved the perils of the wilderness, and aided, to the extent of his ability, in developing and improving it.
Richard Donaldson was another of the pioneers of Fen- ton. Ile was familiarly known as " Uncle Dick Donald- son," and settled here at some date previous to 1840. Ilis death occurred Feb. 22, 1868, when he had reached the age of seventy-four years.
Silas Bullard, now engaged in business in Fenton, al- though not numbered among the first arrivals in the village, is still a pioneer of the State, having located in 1836 in the township of Commerce, Oakland Co., together with his brother, Benjamin Bullard. Their farm in Commerce was near what are known as Barrett's Corners. The Bullard brothers brought into Commerce the first threshing-machine ever used in that township. Silas Bullard has, during his residence in Michigan, lived in Oakland, Calhoun, Living- ston, and Genesee Counties, and has formed a large ac- quaintance with the southern portion of the State.
Asa Reynolds, Esq., another of Oakland's pioneers, came to that county from the State of New York in October, 1836, and purchased and settled upon land in the township of Rose, where he lived for upwards of thirty years. Ile was chosen to fill numerous offices in the gift of the people of his township, among them serving many successive terms as supervisor. Subsequent to the war of the Rebellion he removed to Fenton, where he yet resides, a respected and honored citizen.
Dustin Cheney, the first settler in the village or town-
ship of Fenton, saw considerable service during the war of 1812, and was in several engagements along the Niagara frontier. In December, 1833, he came to Genesee County from the town of Parma, Monroe Co., N. Y. Ile arrived with his family a few days before Christmas, and located in the township of Grand Blanc, where he remained until his removal to Fenton, in April, 1834. His log shanty-the one he first erected-stood on the lot afterwards owned by Ben Birdsall, and some distance back from what is now Shiawassee Avenue, or nearly on the spot where the present residence of M. T. Gass (estate of Mr. Birdsall) is located. Mr. Cheney's son, Harrison Cheney, now living northwest of the village, was the first white child born in the town- ship, the date of his birth being July 22, 1835. The elder Cheney has long been dead, but his widow is yet living- over eighty-two years of age-with her son, James Cheney. Mrs. Cheney deserves special mention for her noble deeds during the early years of her residence here, for few have passed through the experiences she has and lived to so great an age. For many years she has been totally blind, owing to the fact that she at one time cared for a smallpox patient so faithfully that she caught the terrible disease, and ruined her eyesight in consequence. She was at once a most kind friend, a philanthropic neighbor, and a noble mother, and her care and watchfulness over the sick, and her generosity in affliction, are no mere idle subjects ; all are cognizant of them who knew her in those years, and they render her the honor which is her due.
Robert Le Roy, the partner of William M. Fenton in laying out and building up the village, came with his father, Daniel Le Roy, from Binghamton, Broome Co., N. Y., to Detroit, in 1818. About 1830 he removed to Pontiae and engaged in business, entering partnership, during his resi- dence there, with Mr. Fenton, and coming with the latter to the village now bearing his name, in the winter of 1836 -37.
Messrs. Le Roy and Fenton opened the first mercantile establishment in the village upon their arrival, and its mag- nitude and importance were considered great for the time. Previous to the time these gentlemen started here in busi- ness, the trading-points for the settlers had been Ann Arbor and Pontiac. Those living at Dibbleville went usually to Pontiac, twenty-five miles away.
Mr. Le Roy is now the oldest merchant in the place, not having, however, continued in the same business since his first arrival. He has been for many years in his present location on the west side of Le Roy Street, south of the river, and next door south of the Everett House.
David Baker, familiarly known as " Uncle Dave Baker," died in Fenton, June 7, 1871. Ile was a native of the State of Vermont, and about the year 1840 settled at Pon- tiac, Oakland Co., Mich. He subsequently purchased a farm in IFolly township, in the same county, to which he removed. About 1847 he came to Fenton, and established the first wool-carding-mill in the township.
William Tremper, from Fairport, N. Y., emigrated to Michigan in 1834, and at some date previous to 1850 lo- eated in Fenton village, where his death occurred on the 13th of March, 1875.
Austin Wakeman, long and well known in this place,
215
FENTON TOWNSHIP.
came to this section of the State in 1828. For twenty-five years he was one of the most prominent among the business men of the community. Ile died Dec. 13, 1876, aged seventy-three years.
Hon. Dexter Ilorton, a resident of Fenton since 1859, is a native of Michigan, his father, Henry W. Horton, having settled in Groveland, Oakland Co., in the winter of 1830-31, entering his land in March of the year first named, and settling with his family in the following Feb- ruary. On the farm still belonging to his father, Dexter Horton was born in 1837. After attaining to sufficient age he attended the college a short time at Albion, Calhoun Co., Mich., and afterwards taught school and worked on his father's farm until twenty-one years of age, when he came to Fenton and located. llis entire capital at that time con- sisted of two colts and fifteen bags of corn. Ilis persever- ance and business tact have enabled him to accumulate a competency. He deals extensively in grain and agricultural implements. In 1861, when in his twenty-fourth year, he received the appointment of postmaster at Fenton, but in 1863 resigned the office and accepted a commission in the army as captain and commissary of subsistence. Ile was promoted to the rank of major during his service. Was with the Western army under Sherman. At the close of the war he was reappointed postmaster, but for political reasons was removed by President Johnson. In 1867 he was appointed assistant sergeant-at-arms in the State Senate, and in November, 1869, was elected to represent his district in the lower house of the Legislature. IIe was nominated also in 1871, but was defeated by thirty-one votes. Ile is at present one of the prominent business men and most re- speeted citizens of the village.
IIon. Jeremiah Riggs, an early resident of Fenton, came from Litchfield, Conn. In the employ of the father of the celebrated divine, John Pierpont, he learned the trade of a clothier, or cloth-dresser. In 1828 he removed to Michi- gan, and in Grand Blanc township purchased 400 aeres of land, lying principally on section 15. IIe located upon it in April, 1829. In the winter of 1835 or '36 he removed to Saginaw, having received the appointment of " Indian farmer" for the tribe in this locality. In 1843 he changed his dwelling-place to Fenton, where his son, Ilenry C. Riggs, now a prominent attorney, had previously settled. Another son, J. P. C. Riggs, had also come to Fenton and entered one of the stores as a clerk ; he is now living on a farm near Silver Lake, on the road from Fenton to Linden, while a third son, Frederick F. Riggs, also re- sides in the village.
Mr. Riggs, Sr., upon locating here, became proprietor of the hotel which had been built by Messrs. Le Roy & Fenton, and which was then given the name " Riggs llouse."
Another carly resident of the State is Maxwell Thomp- son, of Fenton village. Ile is from Cayuga Co., N. Y., and first visited Michigan in 1833. In 1836 he returned and purchased large tracts of land in various portions of the State, including considerable in what is now Gaines township, and also in Barry, Calhoun, Livingston, and other counties. Finally, about 1839, having made various improvements in previous years, he settled in the township
of Mundy, although not permanently until IS-II or 1842. Since the spring of 1867 he has resided in Fenton village. He has, since his removal to Michigan, been engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits, although his principal oc- cupation has been speculating in land. That which he purchased from the government in 1836 has long been dis- posed of, and he owns none at this day which he bought then. Upon that trip he stayed in Mundy with Morgan Baldwin, who was keeping public-house on the same place where he yet resides. Mr. Thompson's business operations have been generally successful, and he is not liable to be reduced to want in his age.
South of Shiawassee Avenue, the Indians were accus- tomed to congregate in considerable numbers, camping and hunting and fishing iu the neighborhood. Until they lost control of themselves under the influence of whisky, they were at all times peaceable and quiet, but with the liquor down their throats, their savage nature often showed itself. After Alonzo J. Chapin had moved to the farm now owned by him immediately west of the village, 300 or 400 In- dians on one occasion camped upon it. Peter McCollum kept a tavern in a building now standing in the western part of the village. At that tavern the stages plying over this route changed horses after a trip west from Pontiac or eastward from some point farther west. Mr. Chapin told McCollum that the Indians would want whisky, and warned him not to give it to them lest they make trouble. IIe (McCollum) paid no heed, but went into his tavern, and when liquor was called for dealt it out to them. Several of them soon became intoxicated, and it was evident to McCollum that he had made a mistake, for two of them drew their knives and drove the whole family out of doors. At that crisis Mr. Chapin entered the house and was ac- costed by one of the drunken Indians, who wished him to " treat." This he refused to do, and the Indian threatened to knife him if he persisted. He backed towards the stove, reached around and picked up an iron griddle, and, the Indian becoming altogether too demonstrative, he struck him a terrible blow with it and felled him senseless to the floor. The others crowded around him, shook hands, and called him " brave che-mo-ke-man !" Ilis courage had won for him friends, even though he had nearly killed one of their warriors. It was characteristic of the Indians to think much more of a man who proved himself no coward even if his display of prowess caused subsequent mourning among them.
The first circus which showed in Fenton arrived here about 1850, and pitched its canvas in the rear of the lot now owned by A. J. Chapin. It had no regular tent,- only a canvas cover, and, in comparison with the gorgeous pageants of to-day, was but a small affair. Yet people came from near and from far to see it, and returned home happier for having done so. A circus was an event of as much or more importance then as now, and the country maid and her dusty escort joined with the village people in laughing at the anties of the clown and admiring the four- footed denizens of a far country, which they were privi- leged to gaze upon. And when the " show" had disappeared, it was as great a matter of satisfaction to relate experiences after visiting it as it has ever been since.
216
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
PROMINENT PHYSICIANS.
The first physician who located here-Dr. Samuel W. Pattison-came in 1836, and extracts from an interesting article from his pen are found elsewhere. He is now living at Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., in his eighty-second year.
Dr. Thomas Steere, the second to make the village of Fenton his home, came from Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., about 1838, and during his life here enjoyed an extensive practice. He died Oet. 6, 1860, and his remains lie in the old cemetery. By his own request he was buried just at sunset, and in a black-walnut coffin. Ile was a most worthy citizen and an excellent physician.
Dr. John C. Gallup was here at the same time with Steere, and practiced a few years. The physicians in those days could scarcely collect money enough for their services to pay them or to enable them to live comfortably. Dr. Gallup subsequently removed to Clinton, Oncida Co., N. Y., where he established and became the principal of a well- known seminary for young ladies.
Dr. Isaac Wixom, now of Fenton, has practiced in his profession for half a century in Michigan. Ile was born near Hector, Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1803. He studied for a time in the office of a country physician near his home, and subsequently attended lectures and graduated at Fairfield, Herkimer Co. He was not at that time of age, and in consequence could not be granted a diploma, although his standing entitled him to one. In 1824, when he had attained his majority, he received a diploma from the Med- ical Society of Penn Yan, Yates Co. He immediately began practice in Steuben County, continuing four years. In the spring of 1829 he emigrated to Michigan, whence his father had preceded him, and settled near the latter, in the town- ship of Farmington, Oakland Co. During his stay there he is found engaged in practice and in tavern-keeping. Fifteen years of constant labor in his profession, together with his other duties, wearied him, and in 1844 he removed to the township of Argentine, Genesee Co., where he en- tered the mercantile and milling business, thinking to avoid medical practice for at least a short term of years. He had been too successful and won too great a reputation for such hopes to be realized, and his fame followed him. It became necessary for him to continue in the path he had chosen, and pay attention to both medicine and surgery. The doctor purchased his land in Argentine in 1844, and moved his family the following year. For fifteen years he continued in business at Argentine, building up the greater portion of that village, which for years was a point of greater commercial importance than Fenton. The completion of the railway to the latter place blasted the prospects of Ar- gentine, and scarce a tithe of the business of former days is transacted there at present.
While living at Argentine, Dr. Wixom was frequently called upon to perform difficult surgical operations in re- mote parts of the State, as well as in other States. In 1838 he was elected to the lower house of the Legislature, -then convened at Detroit,-and for two years was a mem- ber of the Honse Committee ou Education. While in that capacity he took an active part in measures relating to the founding of the University of Michigan. In 1841 he was elected to the State Senate. During his term he, in com-
pany with llon. James Kingsley, drew up the first (?) rail- road charter granted in the State. Ile is now the only surviving member of that Senate.
In 1861 the doctor aided in raising " Stockton's Inde- pendent Regiment," afterward known as the 16th Michigan Infantry, and accompanied it to the field as its surgeon. For two years he remained with it, participating in twenty- two engagements. Owing to his failing health he found it necessary to resign, and in 1863 he returned to his home in Argentine. In February, 1869, he located in Fenton, where he has since resided. He contemplates returning to Argentine and giving up his practice to his son, thinking he has devoted as much of his life as is really necessary to the care of the afflicted. IIe has at present a large prac- tiee,-attending principally to the surgical branch, and for thirty years has performed more of the necessary operations than all the other surgeons of the county. Some of his operations have rendered him one of the most distinguished surgeons the country has ever produced. His oldest sou, William W. Wixom, is one of the most accomplished sur- geons on the Pacific coast, and is at this time a resident of California.
Dr. Wixom's first vote was cast for Andrew Jackson. Since he was twenty-one years of age he has been a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and has taken all the degrees which can be conferred in this country. HIas aided in or- ganizing various lodges, and was long a prominent member of Fentonville Lodge, No. 109. Although the doctor has earned enough in his fifty-four years of practice to place him beyond the possibility of want, his circumstances are not such as might be wished for, and it has been said of him that rather than dun a patient he would attend him free of charge.
Fenton has its full complement of physicians at present, all of whom do eredit to their profession and merit the confidence of the people whom they serve. Besides Dr. Wixom there are A. W. Riker, - Sue, and L. E. Knapp.
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