USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 68
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Bates, Charles MeNiel, Jr., James Vantine, 1843; Charles Me- Niel, Ira Bates, Arial A. Woodworth, 1844; George C. Mitchell, Paul G. Davison, Charles MeNiel, Jr., 1845; William Owen, George C. Mitchell, Charles MeNiel, 1846; Bradley Cartwright, William Owen, Samuel Wilson, 1847; John Vaotine, Bradley Cartwright, William Owen, 1848; Phineas Thompson, 1849; Daniel D. Barney, 1850; Georgo Ilosler, 1851; John Vantine, 1852; Reuben Goodricb, 1853; James Hamilton, 1854; John Vantine, 1855; Barney Ilammell, 1856; Jonathan Frost, 1857 ; Ira B. Gale, 1858; William Owen, 1859; Barney HIammell, 1860 ; Ira B. Gale, IS61 ; Roswell Preston, 1862; William L. Palmer, 1863; Ira B. Gale, 1864; Jacob Bedtelyon, 1865; Roswell Pres- ton. 1866; Jonathan Frost, 1867; Jacob Bedtelyou, 1868; Ilenry C. Sanford, Orrin R. Strong, Roswell Preston, 1869; Philip Mothersill, 1870; Orriu Strong, Elijah A. Roekafellow, 1871; Jeremiah Marvin, 1872; Calvin Hyde, E. A. Rockafellow, 1873- 74; James R. Kipp, 1875; George Campbell, 1876-77; James Maneour, IST8; Robert T. Rockafellow, 1879.
SCHOOL INSPECTORS.
Oliver P. Davison, Levi W. Goodrich, Ezra K. Parshall, 1836: Cyrus Baldwin, Paul G. Davison, John S. Goodrich, 1837 ; Moses Wis- ner, Paul G. Davison, F. R. Tracy, 1838; Paul G. Davison, F. R. Tracy, Samuel C. Baldwin, 1839; Ezra K. Parsball, John S. Goodrich, Paul G. Davison, 1840; Paul G. Davison, Ezra K. Parshall, James Lobban, 1841; Samuel C. Baldwin, Paul G. Davison, Fitch R. Tracy, 1842; Paul G. Davison, Henry C. San- ford, 1843; Albert L. Barnes, 1844; Paul G. Davison, 1845; William J. Lusk, 1846; George Kipp, Paul G. Davison, 1847 ; George Kipp, Paul G. Davison, 1848: Alvah Bentley, 1849; A. L. Darnes, 1850; Jasper Bentley, IS51; A. L. Barnes, Samuel C. Baldwin, 1852; Samuel C. Baldwin, IS53: Albert L. Barnes, James O'Donahue, 1854 ; Samuel II. Morris, 1855 ; Francis King, Win. J. Lusk, 1856; Richard C. Satterlee, 1857 ; Myron Bunnell, Wm. J. Lusk, 1858; Horace C. Tuttle, 1859; Ira Tuttle, IIenry C. Crane, 1860; Myron Bunnell, 1861; Oscar H. Gallup, Wil- liam H. Putnam, Jr., 1862: John K. Dunn, 1863; Oscar II. Gallup, 1864-65; Horace Dunning, 1865; Thomas Mathews, Horace H. Dunning, 1866-67; Thumas Mathews, 1868; Geo. Kipp, Philip Mothersill, 1869; Philip Mothersill, 1870; James R. Kipp, 1871 : Daniel W. Campbell, 1872; Ilenry L. Hawes, James R. Kipp, 1873; Wm. Carpenter, Jr., 1874; C. I. Horton, 1875-76; George H. Cummings, 1877-78; Calvin Bunnell, 1879.
CONSTABLES.
James Lobban, 1836; George Hosler, James Lobban, 1837; George llosler, James Lobban, 1838; George Hosler, Roswell Preston, 1839; George IIvsler, Raswell Preston, 1840; John Britton (3d), Roswell Preston, 1841 ; George Hosler, John Vantine, 1842; Wil- liam S. Farrar, John Britton (3d), George Husler, 1843; George Hosler, David Case, 1844 ; Barney Hammell, George Hosler, 1845 ; George Ilasler, Barney Hammell, Austin Macumber, Eher Adams, 1846 : George Owen, L. II. Brannock, 1847 ; John C. Rockafellow, Jesse Eeles, 1848 ; John C. Rockafellow, Luman G. Ilusted, 1849 ; Austin Macumber, O. Owen, 1850; Henry II. Sheldon, Austin Macumber, 1851 : Samuel Larabee. John Buzzell, 1852; Simeon H. Ilart, Austin Macumher, 1853; Samnel Larabee, Barney Hammell, 1854; Samuel Larabee, Lowell Roberts, 1855; Samuel Larabee, H. B. Falls, 1856 ; Samuel Larabee, Marvin Cummings, 1857; Walter P. Ilyde, James Freeman, 1858; Samnel Larabee, Walter P. Ilyde, 1859; Simeou HI. Ilart, Aaron Crego, 1860; Aaron Crego, Israel P'.Witmer, 1861 ; Aaron Crego, Walter P. Hyde, Calvin Hyde, Albert N. Badgely, 1862 ; Aaron Crego, Calvin Hyde, Edward Hoard, E. G. Gale, 1863; Aaron Crego. Edward Iloard, Orlando Caswell, Harrison Withee. 1864; Edward Hoard, Aaron Crego, Adrian P. Gale, Roswell Preston, 1865; Edward HIoard, Walter P. Hyde, 1866; Edward Hoard, Daniel W. Campbell, Ilarrison Withce, Roswell Preston, 1867: Edward Hoard, Ros- well Preston, 1868; William Lewis, Roswell Preston. Aaron Crego, John Joy, 1869; Edward Hoard, Roswell Preston, Walter P. Ilyde, Orlando Caswell, 1870; Edward Hoard, Roswell Pres- ton, 1871; Edward Hoard, Geo. W. Enders, 1872 : George W. Euders. Ira Howard, 1873; Hendy Hart, Robert Wood, 1874 ; Henry E. Rockafellow, Addison Davis, 1875; Orlando Caswell,
66
.4
..
1856. 46
Wm. H. Putnam.
Myron Bunnell.
B. Vantine.
1861.
1866. Elbridge G. Gale.
Calvin Hyde.
0
OA.
3
ELM DALE FARM, RESIDENCE OF J. NARRIN, ATLAS, GENESEE CO., MICH.
257
ATLAS TOWNSHIP.
Henry E. Roekafellow, 1876 ; Byron Burt, Henry E, Rockafellow, Orlando Caswell, IST: : Henry E. Rockafellow, William A. MeCandlish, Is78 : Henry E. Rockafellow. Orlando Caswelt, George W. Enders, William Carpenter, Jr., IST ?.
VILLAGES.
The village of Goodrich* is situated upon the Kearsley River, and veenpies a eentral position in the township. It is sixteen miles southeast from the city of Flint, and eon- tains three churches,-Congregational, Methodist Episcopal, and Free-Will Baptist,-one hotel, one saw-mill, one flour- ing.mill, four stores of general merchandise, one union graded school, a post-office which receives a daily mail, many small mechanical shops, and about 450 inhabitants.
The first land entered upon its site was by Levi HI. and Enos Goodrich, in November, 1835. The mill-site, inelud- ing a traet of 40 acres, was entered in the name of Enos Goodrich.
In October, 1836, he underbrushed about one-quarter of an aerc, and built a house of poplar logs 18 by 30 feet in size, which stood east of the Kearsley Creek, and about two hundred feet south of where the Congregational church now stands. The first framed building was erected in De- eember of the same year, and was placed upon the southeast corner of Main and Clarence Streets, directly opposite the present brick store, aud across Clarence Street, east from Bushaw's Hotel. Small as it was, it fulfilled a variety of useful purposes, chief among which was a general store and the site of the "Goodrich Bank," an institution that honorably redeemed its eirculation, and procured the full discharge of its securities from the auditor-general. The next building ereeted in the village was the saw-mill, which was framed during the winter of 1836 and 1837, raised iu March, and commenced to eut lumber in the mouth of April of the latter year.
Nathaniel Fairchild came from Clarence, Erie Co., N. Y., and built and established the first blacksmith-shop in the fall of 1837.
The first framed dwelling-a small one-story structure- was built by Enos Goodrich, with his own hands, in the summer of 1838. It is still standing, and constitutes a part of the house in which the late William H. Putnam lived and died.
The grist- and flouring-mill, known as the " Goodrich Mill," was built by the Goodrich Brothers in the year 1844. It was commenced in the spring of that year, but did not commenee grinding grists until the fall or winter, and was not finished for merchant work until the following year. The entire est of the mill and dam, with raeeway and other fixtures, was 88500. The brick store, the first brick structure in the village, was built about 1852.
The post-office was first established in January, 1846, Enos Goodrich, postmaster. Ilis commission was signed by Cave Johnson, Postmaster-General, appointment made Jan. 13, 1846, commission dated Feb. 21, 1846. It was first known as the Atlas post-office, but was changed to the name of "Goodrich"-its present title-March 1, 1849. Incius P. Atkins, who now resides in Bay City, was the 1. - t mail-contractor, and he agreed to carry the mails from
Stony Run, in Oakland County, for the proceeds of the office, not exceeding 812 a quarter.
The first tavern was built and controlled by a Mr. Has- kins, about the year 18.16.
Hon. E. H. Thorson, the first attorney, and at present a prominent lawyer in the city of Flint, first settled here in 1837.
DAVISONVILLE,
known as Atlas Post-Office,-the oldest village settlement in the township .- is situated on the Kearsley River, about three miles northwest from Goodrich. It contains two churches .- Baptist and Methodist Episcopal,-one flour- ing-mill, one saw-mill, one plaster-mill, one plow-foundry, one store of general merchandise, post-office. distriet school, a few small shops, and about 125 inhabitants. The first settlers in its vicinity were Judge Davison and his family, who settled here in 1831. Here were loeated the first mills, workshops, post-office, schools, and merchants in the township.
Elias Rockafellow established the blacksmith-shop in 1837, and began casting plow-points and other necessary iron eastings very soon thereafter.
Fiteh R. Tracy began the mercantile business at about the same time (1838). Norman Davison was appointed postmaster in March, 1837, and, it is believed, was in partnership with Tracy in the store.
Oliver Palmer first began wool-carding and stock-dressing here about 1841.
William Thomas opened the first tavern, iu 1840.
SCHOOLS.
The earliest school of which we have any record, and very probably the first, was taught by Miss Sarah Barnes, a daughter of Junius, in 1837. The building oceupicd was a lean-to, adjoining Davison's saw-miil, which had been erected as the dwelling-place for Lewis Mantor, siw- yer for, and son-in-law of, Judge Davison. Mr. Mantor's wife, Sarah, died in 1836, the first adult to depart this life in the township. Mr. Mantor, becoming discouraged with his prospects here in the wilderness, returned to New York, and subsequently his house was used as a school-room.
The following are the school statistics for the year end- ing Sept. 2, 1878, as compiled from school inspectors' annual report : Number of whole districts, 6; number of fractional districts. 4. Number of children in the township of school age, 378; number of children attending school during the year, 354. Number of frame school-houses, 10. Seating capacity of school-houses, 513. Value of school property, 87203. Male teachers employed during the year, 3; female, 15. Months taught by male teachers, 18; months taught by female teachers, 70. Paid male teachers, $960 ; paid female teachers, $1137.72; total, 82097.72.
Receipts .- From moneys on hand Sept. 3, 1877, two- mill tax, primary-school fund, tuition of non-resident scholars, district taxes, and from all other sources, 83913.73.
Expenditures. - Paid teachers' wages, 82097.72; for building and repairs, on bonded indebtedness, and for all other purposes, 81313.05 ; amount on hand Sept. 2, 1578, $502.96; total, 83913.73.
Total indebtedness of the districts, $758.33.
* Historical data derivel from Iton. Enos Goodrich.
33
25S
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The Methodists were the first to hold religious meetings in the township. As early as 1836 their circuit preachers traversed this region, and held meetings in Judge Davisou's house and the school-house, but no record of their names or the proceedings of these carly meetings have been pre- served.
THE ATLAS BAPTIST CHURCH.
On the 2d day of April, 1843, several members of the Baptist denomination, who resided in Atlas township, met at the house of Eber Adams and resolved, " That as there is no church of our faith or order that we can conveniently unite with, and the moral destitution being very great, therefore. under these circumstances, after frequent eonsul- tations and prayerful deliberations, we deem it our duty to maintain the worship of God in this place, and that we do now band ourselves together for this purpose, and covenant with each other to observe the Sabbath, and constantly meet together to pray, speak, and sing of Ilis goodness, every Sabbath, and oftener, as occasion may require. That it is our duty to raise the standard of the eross, to main- tain the preaching of the word and the administration of the ordinances as delivered by the great Head of the church, and that freely relying ou His grace and promises, in His strength and through His assistance, we will thus do."
The church thus formed consisted of six members,-two males and four females. Eber Adams was chairman of the meeting, and C. P. Jacobs clerk.
April 15th of the same year the little church was reeog- nized by a council, at which the churches of Highland, Grand Blanc. Athertons, and Hadley were represented.
The following-named ministers took part in the services of the day,-Elders Jones, Potter, Grow, and Boothe. At this time the church had no minister, and the records are silent as to occasional preaching. The carly meetings were held in school-houses, and frequently in the dwelling-houses of members.
In July, 1843, a letter was received from the Hadley Church, signed by IS members,-apparently the whole church,-requesting to be received as a branch of the Atlas Church. The request was granted on certain conditions, which are not stated in the records. This union continued until April, 1848, when the Hadley Church, by its own wish, again became an independent body. In 1853 the members resolved to build a church edifice. This was completed under the ministry of Elder Fuller, in 1855, and cost about $3500. A parsonage was ereeted in 1867, at a eost, including site, of $2000. The following minis- ters have labored with this church, the dates given being the time of their respective settlements: A. K. Tupper, 1844; Daniel Anderson, 1847; A. Stark, 1849; I. H. Faeer, 1850; W. Purdy, 1851; S. Goodman, 1852; W. II. Fuller, 1854; W. G. Wisner, 1856; S. Wilkins, 1860 ; I. C. Atherton, 1862; E. J. Bennett, 1865 ; B. Freeman, 1870; I. C. Atherton, 1871; B. Freeman, 1872; D. B. Miller, 1873; A. H. Wilkinson, 1875; A. G. Cameron, present pastor, IS78.
The church edifice is situated in the village of Davison- ville, and has sittings for about 300 people. Present mem- bership, 47 ; scholars in Sabbath school, 60. Mr. John
Maeumber, superintendent of Sunday-school. The deacons of the church have been Messrs. Eber Adams, Ira J. Hor- ton, Oliver Palmer, John Bainbridge, Oscar II. Gallup, and B. E. Rust. Messrs. IJorton and Rust are the present incumbents.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1844, a class of some 10 or 12 members was formed in the village of Goodrich. Among them were John Thomas and wife, Jonathan Frost and wife, and John Withee and wife. The first meetings were held in the vil- lage school-house, and were continued there until 1852, when the present church edifiee was completed, at a cost of 83000. The site, containing one acre, was donated by a non-resident, a Quaker by the name of Hussey. Among the early ministers were Revs. William Blades, ----- IIem- ingway, and Israel Cogshall. Present membership, 50. Rev. C. R. Church, present pastor. The church building is situated in the village of Goodrich, and has sittings for about 300 persons.
SECOND METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This society was organized in the fall of IS49, in the school-house, village of Davisonville, Rev. Israel Cogshall presiding. Among the first members were John Buzzell and wife, Mrs. Jane Joy, Mrs. Lucia Selleck, Levi Gillett and his wife, Eliza M. This organization now forms part of the Goodrich circuit. The following is an incomplete list of those ministers who have labored with this church sinee MIr. Cogshall : B. F. Pritchard, N. H. Brown, Thomas Wakeland, John Livingston, - Belknap, Thomas Seeley, Isaac Crawford, Wesley Hagadorn, - - Ilascall, Bancroft, B. H. Hedger, HI. W. Hicks, S. J. Brown, W. J. Johnston, Wm. Birdsall, - Ramsdall, - Lyon, J. W. Crippen. - Hood, J. B. Varnum, - Steer, and C. R. Church, present pastor. A church edifice, situated in the village of Davisonville, was commeneed in 1870 and completed and dedicated Aug. 1, 1872. Rev. William Fox preached the dedieatory sermon. Rev. William Bird- sall being the pastor in charge. It has sittings for 300 people, and eost about 83000. The site upon which it is loeated was donated for church purposes by Judge Norman Davison, many years previously. Present membership, 12.
FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
This society was organized in Hadley township, Lapeer County, about forty years ago. The first meetings were held in the Davenport school-house. In later years the Brigham and Pierson school-houses were occupied as places of worship. The first membership was composed entirely of people residing in Lapeer County, but at the present time a large majority are residents of Genesee County. Their church edifice, a brick structure, is situated in the village of Goodrieh, and was completed in 1867, at a cost of 84500. It has sittings for 300 persons. Among those ministers who have at various periods assumed the pastor- ate of this church are mentioned Elders Kingsbury, Good- rich, Joucs, Williams, Shaw, Mills, Westgate, Howard, MeElroy, Spenecr, and N. H. Farr, the present pastor. Present membership of the society, 45; scholars in the
VIEW OF FAR
RESIDENCE & FARM -OF-LEWIS O MED
FROM THE WEST.
FAdum
RY, ATLAS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
259
ATLAS TOWNSHIP.
Sabbath-school, 110. E. E. Stimson, superintendent of Sunday-school.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CIIURCII.
During the summer of 1854, a number of persons resid- ing in the village of Goodrich and its immediate vicinity, feeling disposed to unite for purposes of worship under the Congregational form of church government, began a corre- spondence with Rev. Henry Bates, of Middlebury, Ohio, with a view of securing his services as a pastor. This re- sulted in the coming of Mr. Bates, and he began his labors in the village of Goodrich, October 1st of the same year. A meeting was held at the house of Reuben Goodrich, Jan. 25. 1855, at which it was resolved that a regular organiza- tion should be effected. At an adjourned meeting, held Feb. 2, 1855, a committee consisting of Rev. Henry Bates, Dr. J. Eastman, and J. W. Campbell was appointed to take the necessary steps to effect a regular organization, to prepare articles of faith, covenant, and by-laws.
At an ecclesiastical meeting held in the church edifice of the Methodist Episcopal society, in the village of Goodrich, Feb. 28, 1855, composed of ministers and delegates from Detroit, Owasso, Pontiac, Romeo, Campbell's Corners, Utica, and Canandaigua Churches, Rev. H. Fletcher was chosen moderator, Rev. H. R. Hurd scribe, and the or- ganization of this church regularly effected. The members of this first organization were as follows: Ilenry Bates, Cyrus Baldwin, Samuel Baldwin, John W. Campbell, Jo- seph Eastman, William Sauuders, George Hosler, S. Hall Morris, Keziah Bates, Susanna Baldwin, Lucy Baldwin, Eliza Campbell, Nancy Eastman, Ann MeAllister, Electa HIosler, Mary Saunders, Lorinda Pratt, Hannah Cram, Mary Hoover, Eliza Goodrich, Martha Cram, Hannah Ferris, Margaret Woodworth.
March 3, 1855, John W. Campbell was elected deacon, and Joseph Eastman clerk of the society. A church edifice, costing about $3000, was completed in the fall of 1858. Rev. Herbert Read delivered the dedicatory address. The following pastors have succeeded Mr. Bates in the care of this church, viz. : Revs. Alonzo Sanderson, D. B. Camp- bell, A. M. Ashley, A. Blanchard, Alonzo Sanderson, and II. K. Crane. Present membership, 36.
In the preparation of the history of Atlas township we have been ably assisted by information derived from the Hon. Enos Goodrich, Hon. John L. McNiel, Mrs. J. L. MeNeil, Messrs. Moses Goodrich, Wm. Carpenter, Iliram Husted, Adam Brigham, J. W. Campbell, Samuel Lason, Morgan Davison, B. E. Rust, Mrs. E. M. Gillett, and many others, to all of whom we desire to return our sincere thanks for their uniform courtesy and kindness.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
LEWIS O. MEDBURY.
The ancestors of Mr. Medbury were early settlers in Rhode Island, and of English extraction. Charles Med- bury emigrated to New York while a young man, and
settled at New Berlin, Chenango Co., where he married Miss Lucretia Arnokl; he reared a family of ten children. He was engaged nearly all his life in the mercantile busi- ness; served as sheriff, and held numerous offices in his town and county. He died at the age of seventy-nine years.
Samuel, his eldest son, was born at New Berlin, in 1808. Ile was reared and educated to the mercantile business, which he followed with success, at New Berlin, up to the year 1857. In 1836 he married Miss Lucretia R. Moss, of the same town. In 1857 he moved with his family to Detroit. He had previously become largely interested in several business enterprises in Michigan, such as banking, railroads, etc.
Mr. Medbury came to Detroit shortly after the panic of 1857, and, in conncetion with his two brothers-in-law, took charge of and managed the Peninsular Bank, in which they were heavy stockholders. After three years they disposed of their stock to other parties, and Mr. Medbury sub- scquently became prominent in the organization of the State Bank of Michigan, the forerunner of the present First National Bank of Michigan. He was also for several years a special partner of K. C. Barker & Co., in the tobacco trade ; he finally disposed of his interest in the latter firm, after which he gave his attention almost entirely to real estate, of which he was a large owner, embracing city prop- erty, pine-lands, and farms in various portions of Michigan and other States. Ilis death occurred on the 19th day of July, 1874, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. He left his widow and two children the memory of an unblemished character, the example of a moral and virtuous life, and a competency of this world's goods.
Esther A., the daughter, resides with her mother at the old home-residence on Woodward Avenue, in the city of Detroit.
Lewis O., the son, was born at the old home of the family, in New Berlin, July 9, 1837. Ilis boyhood days were passed in the schools, until the family came to Detroit, when he was employed in the Peninsular Bank ; after which he was engaged in the lumber business in Sanilac County for four years, and the ensuing five years in the firm of K. C. Barker & Co., in the tobacco business. . In 1873 he purchased, in the town of Atlas, Genesee Co., what was known as the old Gould Davison farm, consisting of about three hundred aeres, to which he has sinee added about ninety acres. Since his father's decease he has been en- gaged in improving and managing the farm in Atlas, and in looking after the interests of the estate.
On the 19th day of July, 1866, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary E. Sherwood, of Union City, Pa. Mr. Medbury has, since his residence in Atlas, made extensive improvements on his farm, in fencing, farm-buildings, tenant- houses, residence, etc. It ranks, in all its appointments, as one of the finest in the county. His residence has all the modern improvements, furnaces, gas, and every convenience.
Mr. Medbury and his esteemed wife are the parents of five children,-two sons and three daughters,-named Lucy R., Truman M., Samuel, Julia L., and Mary R., all at home with the parents. The reader may find elsewhere in the pages of this work a fine view of the farm-home of Mr. Medbury in Genesee County.
260
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
STEPHEN JORDAN.
The ancestors of this gentleman were natives of Surry, England. John Jordan, the father of our subject, was born in 1791, on the same farin on which his father be- fore him lived all his life. He was reared and educated a farmer, and at the age of thirty years married Ann Brooker, of the same place. She became the mother of eight chil- dren, viz. : Mary, Caleb, John, James, Stephen, William, Ann, and Louise. Of these all are living at this time ex- cept John, who died in the twentieth year of his age. Mrs. Ann Jordan died in 1835. The year after his wife's death, Mr. Jordan decided to emigrate to the United States, where he could better provide homes for himself and motherless children. Accordingly, in March, 1837, he embarked with his children for New York City, where they arrived after a six weeks' voyage. He went to Orleans County, N. Y., where he remained until the spring of 1839, when he re- moved to Michigan, and settled at Grand Blane. Soon afterwards he broke up housekeeping, and placed the chil- dren in different families for homes ; three years later they were again united as a family under the charge of Caleb, the eldest of the children. From that time onward, until his death, Jolin Jordan made his home with his children. Ilis death oceurred in January, 1878, aged eighty-six years.
Stephen Jordan was born at the old Surry home, in Eng- land, ou the 24th day of February, 1829. Ile was about ten years of age when the family came to Michigan, and the young lad was only twelve years old when he went to live with Charles Bates, an old settler of Grand Blanc. He remained with Mr. Bates until he was twenty-one years of age, attending the schools in the winter, and working on the farm in the summer season.
Ou becoming of age he received from Mr. Bates one hundred and twenty dollars ; after which time he worked for Mr. Bates six months, and with his brother Caleb about a year, when he was seized with the " gold fever." He went by the Nicaragua route to California, arriving there in June, 1852. lle went to Coloma, where his brother James was already located. With his brother and Esquire Davis, of Grand Blane, he engaged in mining, in the placer and ravine diggings, with the " Long Tom" of early mining days in that country. For four years he followed mining, and then returned to Michigan, where he purchased his present farm, in the town of Atlas, Genesee Co. His first purchase was one hundred and fifty acres, but he has increased it since by another purchase of one hundred and seventy acres.
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