USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 71
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Among the first settlers in the township was a man named Terbush, who located down the river from the present village, on a stream called " Cold Creek," where he built a log shanty and lived for six or eight years. This was on the farm at present occupied by Erastus Packard. Simeon M. Smith lived upon it after Terbush had removed, and died there. Terbush moved to Oakland County, and is now living in Bay City. Ile traded his farm in Flushing to Smith for another in Oakland County.
Ezra Smith, the father of Simeon M. Smith and Mrs. Alexander Barber, came with his wife and one son, Ezra Smith, Jr. (the latter accompanied by his wife and two children), in the fall of 1839, as did also Alexander Barber and family. All were from Madison Co., N. Y., and lived about four miles below Flushing village. Mr. Barber sub- sequently moved into the village, where he died in Feb-
ruary, 1878. Settlers, when these families eame, were accustomed to go quite often to mill at Pontiac, and the hardships endured can scarcely be described. Mrs. Barber feared the Indians very much, never having seen any before coming to Michigan. They, at one time, dug up Mr. Barber's potatoes after the sprouts were six inches high, leaving the sprouts in the ground, and the reason why they did not grow faster was only discovered when Mr. Barber dug down to see what the trouble was.
Origin Packard settled in town as early as 1838. In the fall of 1839 he had a small board shanty built on his place. His wife did her cooking at a burning log-heap near by. The shanty was formed by setting up a few poles and cov- ering them with boards. When the Smiths and Barber eame, in 1839, Packard had chopped 10 or 12 acres, and was burning the logs. Ile piloted these families to their land along an Indian trail, Mrs. Barber stopping with Mrs. Packard while they were gone, in response to that lady's invitation to " come and sit with her by her log-heap." This was Mrs. Barber's first neighborly call in the wilder- ness, and the circumstance is still fresh in her memory. Some of the trees felled by Mr. Packard obstructed the trail, and the wagons had to be carefully engineered around them. Mr. Packard died in June, 1879.
John Hallock, now living below Flushing village, was an early settler of the township, as was also Asahel Johnson, residing on a farm on the west side of the river.
Andrew F. Sutton, a native of New Jersey, moved into town about 1853, and purchased a portion of the Jarvis Bailey farm. Ilis wife's mother, Mrs. Davenport, settled about 1837, near Clarkston, Oakland Co. Mr. Sutton's brother, John Sutton, resides in Flint, where he settled in 1841.
THE ENGLISHI SETTLEMENT.
In the northwestern part of town is what is known as the " English Settlement," from the fact that it was early set- tled by a number of families from England, some of whom yet reside in the vicinity. The first families of that nativ- ity to locate in the neighborhood were John Reed and James Bailey, who came in the fall of 1840. Mr. Bailey's family followed at a later date. Samuel and James Wood camue from Lancashire,* England, in May, 1842, to Flush- ing, and in March, 1843, the former was married to Mrs. Mary Vernon, a widow who had come over the same spring with her father, John Bailey (father also to James Bailey), and lived at Flushing village. Her mother died on the Samuel Wood place, and the latter died in March, 1875. His widow still survives him, and lives with her son-in-law, Thomas II. Kelland, on the old place. Mr. Kelland came from England in 1850.
Other families of the same nativity who settled here were those of Thomas Hough, Sr. and Jr., Richard Bowden, William Bailey (brother of James Bailey and Mrs. S. Wood), and Thomas Newell, now of Flint, who came with the Houghs and Bowdens. The houses of J. Wood, Bow- den, and Ilough were all erected in one and the same day. Most of the English families who settled here had been farmers in the old country, but some of them were entirely
# Were natives of Derbyshire. James brought bis fatuily.
REMAINS OF OLD LOG HOUSE, BUILT IN 1836. FIRST HOUSE IN TOWN.
-
RESIDENCE OF WM SCHRAM, FLUSHING, MICHIGAN.
269
FLUSHING TOWNSHIP.
new at the business, and knew nothing about chopping, milking, etc., and the consequence was some of their expe- riences were laughable in the extreme.
When these settlers came, they hired a surveyor from Flint to come out and locate their land for them, paying him a sovereign in gold for his services. James Wood says that, in those days of " wild-cat" money, the whole county of Genesee could have been bought for $1000 in gold. Thomas Ilough bought a yoke of oxen some four miles south of the settlement, paying Et in gold for them. They were four years old, yet Hough said he believed that " for another sovereign he could have bought the old man's farm and his wife too." It was necessary to hire a man to drive the oxen up, and after he left they were kept yoked night and day, as no one knew how to yoke them. They were fed on basswood-leaves, and at the end of two months were nearly starved. The oxen were greatly afraid of the Indians ; as one of the carly settlers remarks, " they didn't like the smell of 'em !"
John Reed, who it seems was possessed of a fiery temper, on one occasion became angry with his cow, and drove her away into the woods to the north, kicking her at every step, until finally both were tired out. Ile had tried to turn her back at first, but she was obstinate, and that roused his ire. ITis boot came up at the same time, and when at last he stopped to rest he found himself in a strange neighborhood, lost in the forest. He finally pulled off one of his boots, milked the cow in it, drank the milk, and lay down on a log, where he was found the next day by the neighbors, who had instituted a search for him. He had fought mosqui- toes all night, and looked somewhat the worse for his adventure.
Bears, wolves, and other species of wild game were ex- ceedingly plenty, and the pig-pens of the settlers suffered upon numerous occasions. James Wood had a single hog, weighing. about 200 pounds, which was one night killed and dragged off by a bear, leaving a track as if a " saw- log" had been dragged along.
RESIDENTS OF FLUSHING TOWNSHIP IN 1844.
The following list of resident tax-payers in what is now Flushing in 1844 is made up from the assessment roll for that year :
Armstrong, James.
Brent, Thomas I .. L.
Atkins, Robert.
Beebe, Sylvester. Chamberlain, Barney.
Carpenter, Joseph C.
Chase, William.
Cooper, William IT.
Coutant, Latin.
Brown, William. Bowen, Benjamin.
Chapman, James.
Bump, Elias J. Boucher, William. Barker, Joseph.
Crocker, Stephen. Curtis, Iliram. Carpenter, Barnard. Case, James Il.
Begole, Thoamas. Begole, Frederick. Bump, Gideon.
Carter, James.
Barber, Alexander.
Chase, James.
Curtis, David. Curtis, Comfort.
Chilson, C. C.
Dehm, Jacob.
Dimond, Henry.
Dye, Reuben.
Parrish, Nathaniel.
Parsell, Robert.
l'aton, John.
Packard, Thomas J.
Evans, John. Ewing, E. R.
Eddy, William. Eggleston, John A.
Eggleston, John D.
French, Ira.
French, Ebenezer.
French, Henry.
Perry, George R.
Farnham, Elijah D.
Packard, Origin.
Green, Robert.
Runyon, Vincent.
Gott, William.
Ransom, Benjamin.
Gilbert, Anson.
Ransom, Robert. Rino, Aaron B.
Granger, Eli.
Rino, Stiles.
Godard, William.
Rall, Benjamin.
Gilkey, Levi.
Rall, Jacob W.
Ilopson, Nathaniel.
Rood, G. B.
Hughes, William IT.
Rood, Norman L.
Harrison, Rufus.
Reed, John.
Hlayes, Aaron G.
Stoddard, John.
Ilorton, John.
Smith, Oren.
Ilyslop, Andrew.
Shepard, William.
Ilerrick, Alanson.
Sullivan, Daniel.
Ilosie, James.
Smith, Simeon M.
ITosie, Andrew.
Smith, Ezra B.
Ilosie, John.
Seymour, Jaroes. Turner, William.
Ilough, Thomas.
lleal, Charles.
Taylor, John.
Johnson, Asahel.
Thorn, John.
Jenner, William.
Todd, Joseph.
Kelley, Dominick.
Vernon, Joseph.
Locker, William.
Vosbargh, Edward.
Miles, Nathan.
Van Antwerp, Norman.
Miles, Theophilus.
Weleb, Russell.
Miller, Jeremy T.
Wright, Alvin.
Miller, Jaoies II.
Wood, James.
McCormick, Joseph.
Wood, Samuel.
Marshall, John.
Washburo, Philip.,
Martin, Asahel.
Wallace, Robert.
Person, Marvin B.
Williams, Ilenry A.
NAME AND ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIP- CIVIL LIST.
The township of Flushing was formed in 1838, and origi- nally included the whole of townships 7 and 8 north, in range 5 cast, and the west half of townships 7 and 8 north, in range 6 east. This territory has been subdivided until the present town of Flushing includes only township 8 north, in range 5 east, as designated on the United States government survey.
At a preliminary meeting, held at the house of Ezekich R. Ewing, in what is now the edge of Mount Morris town- ship, to choose a name for the proposed new township, a considerable number of settlers were present. Each one offered a name, and that of Dever, given by Ebenezer French, was finally adopted, and sent in to the Legislature. Owing to the fact that another township of the same name existed in the State, that body substituted Flushing, and as such the township was organized and still remains,
The carly records of the township cannot be found, and it is therefore impossible to give a complete list of township officers. The first town clerk (1838) was Abiel C. Bliss ; Aaron G. Hayes followed in 1839; Alfred Pond, in 1840- 41; Jeremy T. Miller, from 1842 to 1846; and B. F. Warner, in 1847. Abiel C. Bliss and Jarvis Bailey were
Adams, Montgomery. Bowman, Richard. Bliss, Abial C. Bailey, Jarvis. Bennett, Isaac.
Cogswell, Chauncey.
Crocker, George.
Bartlett, Charles D. Baldwin, Isaac. Bailey, William. Bowlen, Richard. Bailey, Jatoes.
Dimond, Thomas. Delbridge, William.
Penoyer, David. Penoyer, Hiram. Pettingill. Samuel. Pettingill, Daniel. Person, David. Packard, Asahel.
Greenfield, Jobn.
270
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.
school inspectors in 1838. The officers from 1848 to 1879, inclusive, have been as follows, viz. :
SUPERVISORS.
1848. Ezekiel R. Ewing.
1857. John Hallock.
1849. Eber G. Langdon.
1$50. John Ilallock.
1859. Asahel Packard.
1851. James Seymour.
1852. Warren Harrison.
1853. Eher G. Langdon.
1866. William J. Kent.
1854-56. Warren Harrisoa. 1867-79. Charles F. Deland.
TOWN CLERKS.
184S. Alanson Niles.
1849. Washington I. Warner.
1850. Robert HI. Green.
1851. Eber G. Langdon.
1852-54. Arthur C. Andrews.
1867. Wallace R. Caldwell.
1855. Alanson Niles.
1868. Theron E. Haskins.
1856. Jacob Rezcan,
1869-70. Franklin Boman.
1857. Minor S. Newell.
1871-78. William llosie.
Is58. Charles Seymour.
1879. Daniel B. Perry.
1859-60. Iliram A. Packard.
COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHWAYS.
1848. Eber G. Langdon.
1861. James Ingham.
Henry French. Algernon S. Freeman.
Amos M. Woodruff. 1865. Ransford W. Grabam.
1819. Alvin Wright. 1866. Nelson Talbot.
1850. Alexander Barber. 1867. John Hallock.
1851. John Hallock. Joseph Deland.
Henry French. James Ingham.
1852. Truman Herrick. 1868. Alex. J. Deland.
Arthur C. Andrews. Jacob Kimmell.
1853. Andrew Fisher.
1869. Jacob Kimmell.
1854. Amos M. Woodruff.
1870. Carlos Packard.
1855. Robert Parsell.
Ebenezer French.
Ezra B. Smith.
1871: James W. Brown.
1856. Ezra B. Smith.
1872. John Rowe.
1857. William Lockyer.
1858. Robert C. Ransom.
1859. Charles F. Deland.
1874. John Il. Button.
1860. John Kimmell.
IS75-76. Nelson Talbot.
186]. Joha Ilallock.
1877. William A. Garner.
1862. Nelson Talbot.
IST8. John Dillon.
1863. Henry Bowden.#
1879. James W. Brown.
TOWNSHIP SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCIIOOLS.
1875-76. Lewis J. Gibson. 1878. James L. Spencer.
1877. Gilbert V. Chamberlain. 1879. Albert E. Ransom.
SCHOOL INSPECTORS.
1848. Hiram S. Penoyer.
1862. Franklin A. Niles.
1849. Elijah D. Farnam. 1863. Alanson Niles.
Eber G. Langdon. Sołon C. Bliss.
Jeremy T. Miller.
1864. Bronson Turner.
1850. Alanson Niles.
Alex. J. Deland.
1851. Alexander Barber.
I865. Samuel R. Kimmell.
IS52. Nelson W. Butts. Eber G. Langdon.
1867. Selden A. Banning.
1853. William J. Kent.
1854. Eber G. Langdon.
1869. Theron E. Ilaskins.
1855. William J. Kent.
1856. Eber G. Langdon.
1857. Alanson Niles. 1871. No record.
1858. Eber G. Langdon.
1872. Franklin Boman.
1859. Milton B. Deland.
1873. Alexander Barber.
ISGO. Alansoo Niles. 1874. Franklin Boman.
Arthur C. Andrews.
1875-77. Alexander Barber.
1861. Bronson Turner. 1878-79. Ebenezer French.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
IS48. W. I. Warner.
William Coutant.
1855. George W. flicks.
1849. Isaae Bennett. Jobn B. Copp.
Ebenezer French.
1856-57. Consider Swain. George W. Nieks.
1850-52. B. Chamberlain.
A. A. Martia.
1858. George W. llieks.
1853. A. A. Martin. James Ingham.
Alanson Payson.
1859. Asahel Johnson. William W. Brown.
DRAIN COMMISSIONERS.
1872. Henry French.
1 1876. Nelson Talbot.
1873. Daniel Tarry. 1877. William A. Garner.
1874. A. S. Partridge. 1878. George 1. French (two
1875. Alexander Barber.
years).
CONSTABLES.
1848-49. William D. Penoyer.
1852. Daniel Pettingill.
Seth S. C. Callwell. Wm. D. Penoyer.
1850. Joseph Dunbar. S. S. C. Caldwell.
1853. Henry Van Buren. Daniel Pettingill. Wm. D. Penoyer.
IS51. No record.
1852. Asahel Johnson. Allen Bump. * Resigned, and Henry French appointed to fill vacancy.
1850. Robert Ransom.
1850. Truman Herrick.
1851. Charles F. Deland. A. Fisher.
1848. S. Wright.
Ezra D. Smith.
1849. Harry Behan. Truman Herrick.
1877. Isaac G. Hotchkiss.
Charles F. Deland.
1861. Oscar F. Clarke.
C. F. Deland. S. D. Sanford.
1865. Osear F. Clarke. 1866. John Kimmell.
1849-50. Warren Harrison.
1851. No record.
1867-69. Alanson Niles.
1852. John Hallock.
1853. Warren Harrison.
ISTI. Alanson Niles.
1854. Henry French.
1872-74. Hiram A. I'nekard.
1855. John llallock.
1875. Hiram P. Ransom.
1856-58. Henry Freneh.
1876. Mortimer N. Park.
1859-60. Robert Parsell.
1877. Franklin Boman.
1861-62. Daniel W. Robinson.
1878. Iliram A. Packard.
1863. Charles Lusk.
1879. Itenry A. Ingham.
1864. George W. Hicks.
JUSTICES OF TILE PEACE.
ISIS. E. G. Langdon. 1864. C. J. Reed.
Andrew J. MeDowel.
1865. Ezra R. Smith.
1849. Truman llerrick. Samnel B. Kimmell.
E. G. Langdon.
1866. Ilarrison Parker. Arthur C. Andrews.
1851. No record. 1867. William Grinnell.
1852. Andrew Fisher.
ISGS. Consider S. Swain.
1853. Eber G. Langdon.
1854. Benjamin F. Warner.
1870. Arthur C. Andrews.
1855. Henry Freneb. Robert II. Green.
1871. Heury L. Williams. Isaac G. Hotchkiss.
1872. Jacob C. Rezeau.
1856. Ogden Clarke.
1857. Eber G. Langdon.
1858. Minor S. Newell.
1859. Asabel Packard.
1860. George Worden.
1861. Thomas Hough, Jr.
1862. Alanson Niles.
1875. Iliram Howe.
Solon C. Bliss. 1863. S. C. Rliss.
1876. David Sanford.
1878. A. C. Andrews. W. E. Partridge. 1879. William E. Partridge.
ASSESSORS.
1873. Isaac G. Hotchkiss. Daniel Tarry. John II. Button.
1874. A. C. Andrews. Seth S. C. Caldwell.
1854. A. A. Martin.
-
TREASURERS.
1848. John Hallock.
1861. John Paton, Jr.
1862-64. David Sanford.
1865. Franklin A. Niles.
1866. Hiram A. Packard.
1870. Nelson Talbot.
1866. Lodowick C. York.
1868. Alexander J. Deland.
1870. A. J. Deland. Jacob C. Rezean.
1850. Thomas Chapin.
1869. Ezra B. Smith.
1854. S. S. C. Caldwell.
1873. Ebenezer French. Carlos Packard.
1858. Eber G. Langdon.
1860. Charles F. Deland.
1861-65. Ebenezer F'rench.
1
A.GS.
RESIDENCE OF T. H.KELLAND, FLUSHING, MICH.
271
FLUSIIING TOWNSHIP.
IS53. Asahel Packard.
1865. Franklin Boman. George A. French.
1851. Daniel l'eltingill.
Asahel A. Martin.
1866. Willis K. Ilill.
1855. A. A. Martin. Homer Penoyer.
1866. Hliram E. Parker. John Yatter. Dennis Falby.
Il. Il. Kahl.
1879. Henry II. Kahl. Benjamin F. Freeland.
James B. Brown. Samuel E. Ottawa.
SCHOOLS.
In October, 1838, the township of Flushing was divided into five school districts, the school inspectors being Abiel C. Bliss and Jarvis Bailey. As the township was then nine by twelve miles in dimensions, or containing one hun- dred and eight square miles, the distriets were very large ; yet, as the population was scattering, but few schools could be sustained.
Perhaps the first school in the township, as it was then, was taught by Marshall Talbot (a cousin to William D). Penoyer), in a board kitchen attached to the house of Eze- kiel R. Ewing, just across the line in what is now Mount Morris,-the first farm cast of the Rufus Harrison place. To this school children gathered to the number of about 15, some of them going a distance of five or six miles. Mr. Ewing had originally settled in the town of Grand Blanc. His son, Lucien Ewing, was born in the latter town, and is said to have been the first white child boru in Genesee County.
At the English settlement a frame school-house was built about 1845 on the corner near the location of James Wood's present dwelling, and Huldah Ann Felt, whose parents lived in Clayton township, taught the first term of school.
From the school inspectors' report for the year ending Sept. 2, 1878, the following table is arranged for this town- ship, showing the condition of its schools at that date :
Children of School
Attendance for Year.
Non-Resident Pupils.
Number of Days School
Brick.
Frame.
Number of Sittings.
Value of Property.
Male.
Female.
Male.
Female.
No. ]
14
28
136
I
50
$600
1
$130
16
29
37
138
5G
400
I
1
91.25
138
67
47
...
78
1
70
600
1
...
1
1
119
60
13
65
34
138
1
100
800
1
I
140
80
10
52
47
...
157
I
60
700
2
195
500
...
?
130
Total receipts for year, $4969.63 ; amount on hand Sept. 2, 1878, $454.85 ; total expenditures, less amount on hand, $4514.78; number of private or select schools in town, 1.
. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ENGLISH SETTLEMENT.
The houses of the several English families who settled in this township, as mentioned, were built nearly at the same
time. That of Samuel Wood was built last, he living with his brother, James Wood, until his own was completed. Not long after the settlement, a Methodist Episcopal elass was formed, and the first meetings were held in James Wood's log house. Their first preacher was one Mr. Whitwam, a mason by trade, who was afterwards killed at Flint by a fall. The first class-leader was James Wood, who says, " We were Methodists when we came, and didn't want to go long without meetings." The frame for a
2.
200
158
38
200
]
...
10,000
1
5
900
6
64
-18
...
160
I
70
500
....
120
69
...
...
113
2-4
23
14G4
1
30
100
1
I
48
70
59
160
...
1
...
1876. S. Mulkins. 1878. S. E. Ottawa. S. E. Ottawa. II. II. Kahl. J. B. Brown. Il. II. Kahl. Robert Ilosie.
1877. S. E. Ottawa.
1856. Wm. D. Penoyer. Perry Smith. John B. Reed.
1867. Arza N. Niles. Homer D. Penoyer. Henry Hough.
1857. Wm. D. Penoyer.
John M. Caldwell.
Daniel Coteher. Jacob Kimmell.
1868. Daniel N. Fenner. Charles Knapp. Alex. J. Deland.
Lafayette W. Wisner.
W'm. D. Penoyer. Daniel Cotcher.
IS69. Win. J. Ottawa. L. W. Wisner.
Edwin F. Elmore.
Win. Ingham.
1859. John R. Reed.
George Hosie.
1870. L. W. Wisner.
A. N. Niles.
Horace D. French.
1860. Wm. D. Penoyer.
Wm. E. Ilicks.
1871. Murza Swartz.
Edwin F. Elwell.
Samuel E. Ottawa.
Elisha B. Coddington.
Amos B. Hurd.
1861. Willis K. Hill.
Cornelius E. Rulisen.
James E. Barnbart.
1872. S. E. Ottawa.
Wmn. E. Hicks.
C. B. Payson.
Edwin F. Elwell.
Elliott Ilough.
1862. W. K. Hill.
John Callwell.
C. Brockaway.
1873. A. D. Elliott.
Ilenry Bowden.
F. T. Baker.
J. A. Rezeau.
John Allen.
1865. Wm. D. Penoyer.
E. F. Elwell.
1874. George Jeffers.
W'in. E. llicks.
John Allen.
Henry Bowden.
Harley Hills.
Charles E. Mallory.
1875. H. P. Ransom.
Henry Hongh.
N. l'artridge.
John II. Rosemire.
H. II. Kahl.
1865. Arza N. Niles.
C. B. Payson.
James E. Barnhart.
1876. G. W. Parmelee.
SCHOOL - HOUSES.
NUMBER OF TEACHERS.
TEACHERS' WAGES.
DISTRICTS.
Age.
Taught.
-
...
1
160
59
W. E. Partridge. Robert Hosie.
Homer D. Penoyer.
Charles D. Fisher.
IS58. Arthur L. Ellsworth.
Asahel A. Martin. Peter W. Rifenbury. John 11. Spitzer.
Daniel N. Fenner.
E. F. Elwell.
1864. Erwin Cady.
John Caldwell.
...
# Fractional districts.
272
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
church was raised in 1863, and the building was finished in 1864. Rev. Albert Allen was the preacher in charge at the date of its dedication. The first quarterly meeting was held at Flushing village, in a barn, about 1844, and for the benefit of the hungry, a turkey was baked in an oven built by James Wood.
The church now belongs to Hazleton cireuit, in charge of Rev. Dunean Ward, of Hazelton, Shiawassee County. It has a membership of about 40, and sustains a good Sunday- school, with llenry Kahl as superintendent.
A Roman Catholic church is located in the west part of the township.
EARLY ROAD.
The first road eut in the township was the river-road from the east, which was surveyed, in the summer of about the year 1835, through to the farm of John Paton. That gentleman was instrumental in procuring the road, and brought the surveyors down from Flint. They were Messrs. Williams, of Grand Blane, and Benjamin Pierson, of Flint. This road has been changed somewhat since, and extended.
COAL AND SALT.
The first coal discovered in the township was that found on John Paton's farm, in the fall of 1842. It is a bitumi- nous coal of fair quality, and exists on both sides of the river. It has never been worked except where it eropped out at the river. The vein on the Paton farm was 29 inches thick. Several parties have prospected on the west side and taken out considerable quantities, and one or two geologists, who have examined the locality, aver that plenty of coal would be found by digging. The dip of the strata is towards the north. Some parties, in boring for coal on the farm of Henry French, on the south side of the river, above the village, passed through thirty feet of sand-rock. A company owning eoal-mines at Corunna, Shiawassee Co., leased considerable land along Flint River, in Flushing, drilled a few holes and did no further work, and the people were unable to ascertain whether they found eoal or not.
A well was at one time drilled here for salt ; brine was struck at a depth of seven hundred feet. The hole was deepened subsequently to fourteen hundred feet, and from some cause abandoned. Brackish water still flows from it.
FLUSHING SANDSTONE.
A gray sand-rock erops out at several places along the river in this township, and at a few of them has been quar- ried. The principal beds, or those nearest the surface, are on the farms of Henry French and John Sutton, east of Flushing village, and the Hallock farm, below the village. The first quarries were opened ou the French farm by the " Flushing Stone-Quarry Company," since discontinued, and on the Luee (now the Sutton) farm by Sutton and Luce. O. W. Parsell, J. W. Kimmell, and others formed a com- pany and opened a quarry on the Hallock farin. John Sutton, of Flint, is the owner of the principal quarry ; the stratumu is from ten inches to four feet in thickness, and the stone ean easily be quarried, as the water does not run in from the river, as it does in other places. By a light stripping, about 15 aeres on the Sutton place can be pre-
pared for quarrying. The river is lined here with sand- stone for three-fourths of a mile, and large slabs occupy the bed of the stream. St. Paul's Episcopal church, in Flint, Was constructed from this stone, 126 cords being taken from the Sutton farm, and a considerable quantity from that of Henry French. About 400 cords have been quar- ried on the Sutton place, and used in various places. The foundation of the Flushing mills is of this material, and much has been used in numerous buildings in Flint and elsewhere. Owing to inadequate means of transportation, the work has been temporarily abandoned. The stone ap- pears to harden by exposure to the atmosphere, and has been prononneed by experts to be of excellent quality for building purposes, and the best in the lower peninsula of Michigan. The first of any account taken out was for the church at Flint.
Robert Patrick, who came to Flint, Ang. 27, 1835, and still resides there, took a contract from the State, about 1841, for removing stone in the river-bed in Flushing, and changing and improving the channel, in order that rafts might be run down. Some very large slabs were removed. A loek was inserted in the dam at Finshing village, and everything prepared for " raft-navigation."
STATISTICS FOR FLUSHING TOWNSHIP.
The following items from the State census for 1874 will serve to show the condition of the township in that year, and enable the reader to compare its resources and present standing with those of the same territory two-score years in the past :
Population (939 wales, 926 females) I865
Number of acres ut taxable land
improved land
21,910.75 7,807
Value of same, with improvements
Number of acres in school- house sites
of wheat raised in 1874 1873
1,45S
16
corn raised in 1873 ..
bushels of wheat raised in 1873. eorn raised in 1873
822 22,765 23.705
tons of hay cut in 1873.
pounds of wool sbeared in 1873 pork marketed in 1873. butter made in 1873
barrels of eider made in 1874 pounds of maple-sugar made in 1874 acres in orchards.
bushels of apples raised in 1872. "
1873.
7,972 925 700 $6,863 $5,506 478
Number of horses one year old and over, 1874. mules, 1874.
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