History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 76

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 683

USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 76

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In the spring of 1840 the writer of the foregoing, Wil- liam Ira Williams, came from Saginaw in company with his mother and step-father, Arden Moses, the family lo- cating on a rented farm in Grand Blane. In the spring of 1842 they settled on a farm in the north part of Mundy township, now owned by John L. Jennings. Mr. Moses died a few weeks later, and in the fall of the same year the family moved south to a location on the Baldwin road, half a mile east of Mr. Williams' present residence. Mrs. Williams, Sr., is yet living. IIer son purchased the farm he now owns in the winter of 1849-50, and made upon it the first clearing at the corners, except a Jot which had been made ready to build a school-house upon in 1847.

Mr. Williams prepared a considerable amount of cooper- stuff from timber which grew upon his place, made a part of his tools and bought others, learned the trade alone, and worked at it some six years. Ile now has a finely-improved farm, and iu connection with it is keeping the Mundy post- office and a small general store. He has written to con- siderable extent for the press of the county, and aspired to poetical fame with greater success than have many who inflict their effusions of poor rhyme and bad grammar upon publishers. By reference to the list of township officers it will be seen that he has been the recipient of numerous official favors from the hands of his townsmen. Although yet comparatively young, there are few in the township who have better-improved farms, and none, perhaps, who are better or more influential citizens.

The following poem, by Mr. Williams, was read by the author at one of the meetings of the Genesee Pioneer Society :

THE PIONEER.

Once more, my friends, we meet nguin on this our festal day, To talk of seenes of early youth and trials by the way

When first the wilds of Genesee by white men's feet were trod- When first our cabin-walls wero reared, when first we broke the sod.

We love to dwell upon these scenes, though often some were sast, While others ofttimes in their sheen have made our spirits glad. Then let us talk together of those days now past and gone, While distance fresh enchantment lends to feed our minds upon.

When first with axe in brawny hands we felled those oaks of yore, We little drenmed this fruitful land, so plentiful in store,

2SS

HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Woukl he our happy lot to own, which blossoms as the rose, And brings us what our toil has won-a prosperous repose.

When first we cleared the crooked roads that led us to our doors, And chiuked the logs with basswood, of which we made our floors,- Twas then we saug our merriest songs to keep our spirits up. While the spirits that we drank those days were from the brook and cup.

With cont thrown off and sleeves rolled up, we grappled with the work,

While throughout all this goodly land you found no lazy shirk, But all with one accord endured the hardships of the day, And night's refreshing sleep would chase all gloomy thoughts away.

'Twas then with hearty relish the pork and beans went down, With johnny-cake in plenty, all doue so nicely brown. Oh yes, those days were happy ones, without n sorrowing tear, When first we felled the forest, a hardy pioneer.

'Twas then the partners of our joys, with ever-ready hands, Would help to pile and burn the brush and poke the burning brands : And oft with song and words of hope would till our hearts with cheer, That made us glad we undertook to be a pioneer.

Our children, fat and ragged as seldom children are, With freedom roamed the forests and plucked the cowslips fair With which we cked our scanty store, while oft the timid deer At the erack of our trusty ritles would fill oor homes with cheer.

Our smoke-house was the chimney-top, our chimney mud and sticks, With wall and hearth of clay and stone, for want of better bricks. Our roof was covered o'er with bark, held firmly down with poles ; Our bakery the ashes, whence came the sweetest rolls.

Then, as we clenred our homesteads and let the sky-light in. It made us think of youthful homes, where all oor past had been, And as the opening widened, with vigorous nerve and band We'd roll together ponderoas logs to clear the goodly land.

And often, as the shade of night its sable mantle spread, We'd kindle bonfires to give ns light to bow the forest's head ; And often in the gloaming would you hear the deafening sound, When the lofty oak would tremble, and then come thundering down :

While wife and children merrily would cheer us on our way, Knowing full well the darkest night would lengthen into day. Then, when the rich and blackened ground was ready for the seed, With axe instead of hoe we'd plant the corn for winter's need ;

For many a mile of crooked road we'd have to travel o'er, If industry should fail to give to us the bounteous store. Yet still we fought on manfally to do our humble part, While joy and sorrow often mingled in the peasant's heart.

But through them all we often saw the plncid sens beyond, Which gave our strength new energy, and bade us nut despond ; For ofttimes in the future would we see the welcome light That came to us in prophecy, and made our hearts delight.

llow well do we remember that dear old brindle cow

Which gave us milk, and raised those steers to which we hitched the plow ;

That drew our wood, our fallows logged and helped us many a time : And the boys would strive to see which should drive the oxeu-Duke and Dime.

And often when the bright moon shone would we hitch to the wood- shod sleigh

To visit some near neighbor, perhaps five miles away ;

While the glistening trees with splendor shone, and childhood's happy shout,

With happiness o'ersurging, went merrily ringing oat.

llow happy were those visits !- and we often made them o'er, And which were oft returned again-by which we set munch store. Thus, mingling oft together, we cheered each other on,

When taking from each other's hopes would bid ver cares begone.

Though oft through many a care-worn path we trod the walks of life, We had no neighbors' gossip, no neighbors' fend nor strife, -- No jarring nor discordant notes to give our bliss alloy, For all was peace and unity, which gave a geninl joy.

And when new-comers sought our doors, latch-strings were always out, With hearty welcome to our fare, which never gave the gout ; And often, with the compass as our only guide and friend. Would we look with them for future homes, a helping hand to lend.

How every man, with axe in hand, wouhl hurry to the spot, When told that a new-comer needed help to raise his eot, -- When logging-bees were plenty, and huskings all the go, And youngsters tripped, with merry zeal, the light fantastic toe.

Oh, yes, those days were happy ones, the thoughts of which still cheer-

When first we cleared the forests wild, a hardy pioneer. Iodelibly those times of yore are stamped upon the mind, And who would c'er forget them ? 'Twould not be human-kind.

So oft through many hardships the pioncer has passed, Till hopes, now in fruition, have come to him at last ; And many of life's changes bright visions often seem. While early days of hardship are but a pleasant dream.

The wolf no more with fearful howl his nightly vigils keeps : No more the luring paother will wake you from your sleep. No more the savage war-ery shall give you harrowing fear, For such things long have giveu way to things of better cheer.

Instead, the church bell's welcome sound comes ringing through the air,

And noisy ears, with human freight, go hurrying here and there,- With the busy hat of thousands, which falls upon the ear,- But withal you still remember when you were a pioneer.

And once where nature's forests covered all this land, You now see towns and cities in their places stand,- And ask in wondrous awe,-who made such changes here ? While we hat auswer truthfully, the hardy pioncer.

Nathan W. Shelden, a native of Haddam, Conn., and afterwards a resident of the town of Le Roy, Genesee Co., N. Y., came to Michigan in 1835 and took up the land upon which his widow now resides. In 1836 he came again, cleared a small tract, and partly built a log house. An idea had entered the heads of some of the settlers that he was ouly a speculator, and it was with difficulty he could get help enough to raise his house. He moved here with his wife in October, 1838, arriving on the 26th of the month, and here has been the home of the family since that time. The log house was finished and occupied De- cember 13th succeeding their arrival. During the interim they had lived with the family of Henry N. Thompson, next east of their own place. Mr. Thompson, who was a carpenter by trade, was then working in Highland, Oak- land Co. Times were so hard that it was almost impossible to obtain provisions. As an example of the effect of Mich- igan food on the cattle the following will answer: Mr. Selden at one time bought of George Judson a quarter of beef, paying at the rate of seven dollars per hundred-weight, and from it Mrs. Selden proeured but two pounds of tallow ! Yet no one had any better, and people could not complain of being in worse circumstances in this respect than others. On one occasion the families of H. N. Thompson, Esquire Baldwin, and Daniel Brewer-the latter also an, carly set- tler in the neighborhood-had to put their provisions together in order to have enough for a meal, for neither

L.C. FLETCHER.

MRS.L. C.FLETCHER.

RESIDENCE OF L. C. FLETCHER , ARGENTINE , MICHIGAN

289

MUNDY TOWNSHIP.

had a sufficient quantity alone. Mr. Brewer, who had settled a little previous to 1838, afterwards returned to New York, but finally settled permanently in Michigan, in which State he died. Mr. Selden died in May, 1869.

For the first two or three years after coming here the times for all the settlers were the hardest. Dr. Alger, on one of his missions of mercy, went to Pontiac and bought several barrels of Indian meal,-a portion of it sour, which mattered not to the hungry,-and out of the whole used but two messes in his own family, having distributed it among his suffering neighbors. Mr. Selden was known to have sent to Fenton, Flint, Grand Blanc, Highland, and even to Pontiac, for tea, but without success, nor could he get it any place nearer than Detroit.

John Thompson, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., came to Mich- igan in 1841 and located in the township of Convis, Cal- houn Co., where he lived until 1843, working at his trade (that of a mason) part of the time in Battle Creek, where he helped build the first brick building. In the latter year he removed to Mundy and settled on the place where he now lives, section 26. Hle purchased of Maxwell Thomp- son, now of Fenton, and the latter had purchased the place from Cornelius Bray, who had entered it in October, 1835, cleared about 7 acres, and built a log house. Bray became dissatisfied and returned to New York. Mr. Thompson helped build the first brick house in Genesee County, *- a small brick school-house on Chauncey Paine's lots on the north side of the river at Flint. Hazelton's brick block, on Saginaw Street, was built the same season. Mr. Thomp- son continued to work at his trade until about 1876, since which time his whole attention has been paid to his farm.

John Slaght, a native of New Jersey, and later a resi- dent of Seneca Co., N. Y., to which he moved in 1802, has lived in Mundy since June, 1847, and is now in his eighty- ninth year. During the war of 1812 he belonged to an independent rifle company, which " went out to the lines." Mr. Slaght, who had been badly poisoned in his limbs, was unable to follow them until two weeks later.

Mr. Slaght's sons-Dr. Andrew Slaght, of Grand Blanc, and his brother, Joseph Slaght-had come to Hillsdale County the previous spring, and the rest of the family came the following winter.

Peter Hempstead, from Genesee Co., N. Y., came to Mundy in December, 1843, and settled on the place where he now lives, having previously resided several years in Grand Blanc. He married there the widow of James H. Beebe, who settled in Grand Blanc about a year after Mr. Hempstead had come, or in 1836. Mr. Beebe and his wife had lived a short time in Ohio. Mr. Hempstead's father also settled in Grand Blanc, living near Whigville.t

Jason F. Allen came with his family from Mendon, Monroc Co., N. Y., to Genesee County in 1837, and set- tled in the township of Burton. He had previously lived in Livingston Co., N. Y. In 1843 he came to Mundy and purchased a farm north of his present residence, a part of which he still owns. He made the first improvements upon it, and has only lived upon his present place since about

1862. The latter was originally settled by Mithra J. Bar- rett several years before Mr. Allen came to the township. Barrett committed suicide on the place by cutting his throat.

John Richards, from the State of New Jersey, settled in Grand Blanc some time previous to 1840, and subsequently moved into Mundy, where he held numerous offices. Ilis son, David Richards, is a resident of the town of Richfield, in this county.

William Richards, father of the present town clerk, was also from the State of New Jersey, and a nephew of John Richards, above mentioned. He came to Grand Blane with his family about 18-16-17, and after two years removed to Mundy, settling on the farm now owned by A. Bigelow, northeast of Mundy Centre. He lived there about eleven years, and then removed to the farm where his son, Philetus Richards, now lives, and finally to the place his son, John Richards, now occupies. He died in the fall of 1873. When he located on the present Bigelow farin he made the first clearing upon it, and built a log house a short distance south of where Bigelow's present residence stands.

Ilenry II. Howland, a native of the town of Ira, Rut- land Co., Vt., moved with his father to Monroe Co., N. Y., when very young, and when but nine years old went with the family to Middleport, Niagara Co., in the same State, his father removing to that place. In the fall of 1829, Mr. Howland emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Troy, Oak- land Co. His father was a soldier of 1812, and his grand- father a veteran of the Revolution. In 1836 he purchased land in Mundy, went back to New York after his wife, and, owing to her sickness, was obliged to stay there until March, 1837, when they came on to their home in the forest. Their nearest neighbor at that time was the widow Simmons, who had moved in with one daughter and three sons,-Cyrenus, Benjamin, and Lowell Simmons. Some of the family after- wards became involved in the counterfeiting business, and were obliged to leave the neighborhood.

Mrs. Howland's father, Peter Van TifHlin,-now living in Grand Blanc, aged eighty-three years,-occupies the same farm he took from the government. When he set- tled there he had to procure his flour and provisions at Detroit. One of his sons, Reuben Van Tifflin, is a promi- nent citizen of Flint, and another son, William, lives in the township of Mundy.

In 1838, Mr. Howland raised some corn on his place, and when it was ripe shelled out a bushel and a half, took it on his back, carried it to John Cook's " pepper-mill," at Long Lake .- eight miles away,-and, on arriving, found he could not get it ground for some time ; so he left it there, started homeward, and borrowed 79 pounds of flour at a house one mile on his way, and carried it home. The way the family relished a portion of it when cooked will un- doubtedly never be forgotten by them.

Iu October, 1837, Mr. Howland was summoned to Flint on county business, and walked up in the morning without a cent in his pocket, sat there all day, and walked home at night in time to do his chores.

In the matter of opening and working highways, Mr. Howland has perhaps done more work than any other man in the township. Samuel Dibble and John Newton were

* So Mr. Thompson was told at the time.

t Information by Mrs. Hempstead.

290

HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

also influential in that direction, and these three acted as chief movers in building excellent highways throughout the township. Of this trio of sturdy and enterprising cit- izens Mr. Howland is the sole survivor.

When Mr. Howland came with his family he moved up from the south and stopped with Josiah Alger until the 5th of April, when his log shanty was near enough finished to serve as a habitation, although it had neither doors nor floor.

Samuel Dibble came to the township about 1839, took up land where Henry Hill now lives, and settled upon it. He was a native of Connecticut, but had moved here from Hudson, Columbia Co., N. Y. He started with a wagon- load of goods to peddle, and, on arriving in Michigan, chose to locate. He was then unmarried. On one occa- sion, while hunting land, he lost his way in the woods, and climbed a tree in order to ascertain where he was. He afterwards married and settled, and his widow is now living east of Mr. Howland.

Ilenry Hill and his father, Darius G. Hill, came to the township in the fall of 1839. The elder Ilill bought land of Chauncey Simmons, and made the first improvements upon it. He was quite prominent in the township, and both he and his wife died on their farm, on section 10. Henry Hill is yet living in the township.

The next farm east of the Hill place was located by Josiah Chatfield, who settled in June, 1837. He and his wife both died here. His son, Cyrus G. Chatfield, is one of the prominent citizens of the township, and his daugh- ter is now the widow of Alvah Bigelow.

Jacob Bentley, who lived still farther cast, settled a few days before Mr. Ilowland came, and Charles Wilcox came some time later, and settled on the farm adjoining Bent- ley's on the east.

Smith Titus purchased land south of Mr. Howland the same day with the latter, but never settled upon it. It was afterwards taken by some Frenchmen,-Peter Coquigne and his son-in-law, Francis Larobardierre. They stopped at first on section 1, where they cleared up 240 acres of land for a man named Baldwin, and with the money thus earned purchased the land above mentioned. They came soon after 1840, and were in very destitute circumstances, having searcely anything save a yoke of oxen. They have been prosperous during their residence here, however, and are worthy citizens.

Bradbury Eastman settled opposite the Bentley place as early as 1837-38, and he and his wife both died in the township.

John Newton purchased land of H. II. Howland in 1838, and settled next east of the latter, on seetion 4. His wife and Mr. Howland's first wife (who died in 1838) were sisters. Of the family two children are left, one son- George-occupying the old farm, and a daughter teaching in the high-school at Flint.

Bildad Hodge and his son William lived in 1838 a mile south of Howland's Corners. Both are now deceased. A grandson is a resident of the township. Old Mrs. Hodge fell in the fire and received injuries which caused her death. ller husband was a man of much intelligence and ability, but the demon of strong drink obtained possession of his

faculties, and he was too often seen under the influence of some one of the various distilled poisons in use at that day.

A man named Nelson bought land on section 2, and settled upon it in the spring of 1838. None of the family now live in town, and the farm is divided among other persons.

Jonathan G. Firman was one of the carlier settlers in the northeast part of the township, where he was living in 1835.

The Indians who lived in Mundy and owned property finally sold out. Some of them are now living in Gaines township. Others went to Pewonigawink, and some to Shiawassee. There were about two hundred of them in Mundy at one time, and they owned altogether abont 160 acres of land. Of this amount Fisher, the chief, owned 40 acres. They gave as a reason for leaving, that there were " too many white folks-kill all muskrat."

" PODUNK."

In 1844 a raceway was cut through from Long Lake, passing across the farm of George Judson, the water finally finding its way into tributaries of Swartz Creek. On Mr. Judson's place an oil well was built by David L. Latourette, who then lived at the head of Long Lake, in Fenton town- ship. The business of manufacturing linseed oil was con- ducted with varying success for a year or more. Other parties succeeded Latourette, among them Smith & Gris- wold and George C. Thorp. After several years the build- ing was converted into a grist-mill by Edward Thorp. It was finally abandoned, and none is now in operation in the locality, called " Podunk," which euphonious title is ever ready to be applied to places of equal importance.

OLD TAVERNS.

Along the old plank road from Fenton to Flint which formed the eastern boundary of the township for four miles were built at an early date numerous taverns. The one known as " Mason's Tavern" stood on the southeast corner of sec- tion 13, and for many years was owned and conducted by Daniel Mason and his brother. It was flourishing finely some time previous to 1850. Daniel Mason now lives in Flint, and a Mr. Todd owns the property.

" Reed's Tavern," on the northeast corner of section 13, was built considerably later, by John Reed, now deceased. He was an early settler in the township. His family lives opposite the old tavern in Grand Blanc township.

A tavern was built on the southeast corner of section 17 in the summer of 1867, by Solomon Bloss, who moved here that spring from Saratoga Co., N. Y. Mr. Bloss is now deceased, and the building is no longer kept as a tavern, although occupied by his family.

POST-OFFICES.

A post-office called " Elgin" at one time existed in the eastern part of town, and was kept at Mason's tavern. After the Flint and Pere Marquette Railway was completed, the line of stages which had long run between Fenton and Flint was taken off, and the office was discontinued.

About 1845 an office was established in Fenton town- ship, north of Long Lake, and called " Long Lake Post-

C. L. BADGLEY

MRS . C. L. BADGLEY,

RESIDENCE OF C. L. BADGLEY, MUNDY, MICHIGAN .

291

MUNDY TOWNSHIP.

Office." In March, 1851, it was moved to George Judson's place, in Mundy township, Mr. Judson appointed post- master, and the name of the office changed to Mundy, which it still retains. About 1858 the office was moved to the " Ballwin Road," and Benjamin Hunt appointed to take charge of it. He held it about two years, and was succeeded by Morgan Baldwin, who held it about the same length of time. Ara Hopkins was postmaster from about 1862 for several years, and was succeeded by Nathan W. Selden, now deceased. From 1869 to 1873 it was held by William 11. Borden, and in the spring of the latter year, William I. Williams, the present incumbent, assumed charge and has held it since, keeping the office at his house. Up to and including Mr. Baldwin's term of office mail was brought from Fentonville, but since then from Linden.

The following were resident tax-payers in 1844, as appears from the assessment roll for that year :

Allen, Hopkins S.

Alger, A. B. Alger, Lewis HI.

Linsley, Orango. Lawrence, Joseph. Lewis, John.

Alger, Samuel W.

Lovejoy, l'almer. Leach, De Witt C.

Austin, Jason L.

Alger, Josinh II. Beckwith, Lodowiek.

Lamorenx, Joseph.

Bentley, Thomas E.

llentley, Josiah.

Brainard, Dudley.

Morton, Washington D. Meaker, Nelson. Martin, Mrs.

Bigelow, Alvah.

Meart, Burton.

Bigelow, Jairus, Jr.

Nelson, Nathaniel.

Brainard, Itiram.

Newton, Johu.

Odell, William.

Odell, Moses.

Odell, Daniel.

Parrish, John.

Parks, Ilarvoy.

Phillips, Joseph. Phillips, James.

Pearsall, Josepb.

Pierce, William B.

Piereo, Asa T.

Pease, Granger.

l'erry, Joseph.

Rusco, Iliram.

Rix, James.

Rusco, Horace.

Richards, Jobn. Stearns, Edmund.

Storrs, Harvey.

Glover, Thomas.

Suritb, William.

Scovel, Ruel W.

Scovel, Nathan. Smith, Homer B.

Gregory, Lewis. Gibson, David. Gilbert, Eli. ftewland, Henry Il. Itill, Henry. Hodge, Bilind.

Sage, William. Selden, Nathan W. Stuart, William. Thompson, Lyman.

Huxley, Itiram.

Tupper, Charles.

lempstead, Peter.

Thompson, Maxwell.

Houghton, James.

Volentine, Cornelius.

Hathawny, Daniel D.

Wilcox, Itenry. Wilcox, Charles.

Whitmore, Ilorace.

Wilkerson, Sprague. White, George. White, Orson.

White, Alphens. Whitmore, Noah L.

Winget, Reuben.

NAME AND ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIP- CIVIL, LIST, ETC.

When the petition for a new township was sent in to the Legislature, the name Independence was proposed for it, but owing to the fact that a township in Oakland County bore the same name, that of Mundy was substituted by the Legislature, in honor of Edward S. Mundy, then lieuten- ant-governor of the State. The aet forming the township was approved March 11, 1837, and reads as follows :

"SEC. 9. All that portion of the county of Genesce designatedl in the United States survey as township 6 north, of ranges 5 and 6 east, he, and tho same is hereby, set off and organized into a sep- arate township by the name of Maudy ; and the first township-meet- ing therein shalt be held at the house of Josiah Alger, in said town- ship."

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History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 76

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott Number of Pages: 683

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 683