USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 79
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301
MUNDY TOWNSHIP.
March 15, 1856. The latter was killed by the cars at Du- rand, Dec. 9, 1877 ; he was conductor of a freight train, and was making his last trip as such, prior to taking the position of a passenger conductor.
Aretus Howland is now living on and owns a part of the old farm. The daughter, Mary P., is married and lives at Charlotte. John C. graduated in the literary class of 1870, at Ann Arbor, and afterwards was graduated in the law school. Ile subsequently practiced law three years with Judge Swift, in Detroit, but is now by himself, and has a good practice. George W. went to Ann Arbor in 1867, and was graduated in the medical school in 1870 ; he prac- ticed medicine in Pontiac during 1869 ; since graduating he has had an office in Flint, where he has a good practice.
SAMUEL W. ALGER.
The subject of this sketch was born in West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 2, 1821. lle was the son of Josiah Alger, of whom an extended notice is given on an- other page of this work. Samuel W. came into the town of Mundy in 1836, where he grew to manhood. By long association with the Indians he learned to talk their lan- guage fluently, and became an interpreter for them, often going with them to Detroit, where they exchanged their furs for blankets, provisions, etc. He was looked up to by them, and t> them his advice and word were law. llis sou Alvah well remembers his being called to their village to settle disputes. Arrived at his majority, his father gave him the east half of the southwest quarter of section 22 in Mundy, which was then all new. There was theu no road to it, Mr. Alger going and coming by Indian trails. On this land he built a log house, set out an orchard, and improved it. He afterwards bought the west half of the southwest quarter of section 22, and also the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of the same seetion, which he improved, and part of which is now owned by his son, Alvah W.
In politics, Mr. Alger was a Democrat, although he never took an active part in political matters. lle was married April 24, 1843, to Mary Lovejoy, who was born Oct. 27, 1826. There were born to them Alvah W., born April 11, 1846 ; Albert, born Dec. 25, 1847 ; and Charles, boru March 21, 1857. Mr. Alger died July 18, 1865.
ALVAH W. ALGER was born on the old homestead, and intends to make it his permanent home. He has done much to beautify it, having built a new and handsome house, good outbuildings, fences, etc. He was married April 17, 1867, Miss Roseltha Childs becoming his con- sort. She was born in Broome Co., N. Y., April 24, 1846. She is a daughter of Jesse and Clara (Ilub- bard ) Childs. There have been born to them two children, as follows : Bennie E., born Ang. 22, 1874 ; and Alonzo, boru Nov. 28, 1875. lu politics, Mr. Alger is a Democrat.
JOHN REID
was born in the township of Rush, Monroe Co., N. Y., July 16, 1822. llis father, Benjamin T. Reid, came, with his family, to Michigan in 1834, with the intention of
locating, but were taken with the cholera on their way, and within five weeks of their arrival Mr. and Mrs. Reid, one son, and a daughter died. John was then a boy of twelve, and was thus left an orphan and without any means. Ile made his home with his sister, Mrs. Tupper, with whom he resided uutil after his marriage. The country was then
JOHN REID.
new, and his chances for an education were limited ; still he acquired sufficient to fit him for the active and successful business man he afterwards became. He first bought fifty- four acres of land in Clayton, which he afterwards deeded to Dudley Brainard in exchange for the one hundred and twenty acres now owned by his wife, and which is called the Reid farm. One consideration of the exchange was that Mr. Reid should support Mr. Brainard and his sister during their lifetime. This was his start in life. The farm was cleared and improved by his hard labor, and to it he added, until at the time of his death he was the possessor of three hun- dred acres of land under improvement. He was the owner and proprietor of the Reid House for twelve years, and be- came widely known. In politics, Mr. Reid was an ardent Republican, and used his influence and money to advance the interests of his party, although he was never an office- seeker or office-holder. lle died Jan. 12, 1875, mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Reid married, Nov. 20, 1845, Miss Almira Halleck, daughter of Amos and Rachel (Crane) Ilalleck. Mrs. Reid was born, March 5, 1824, in Chittenden Co., Vt. Their union was blessed with four children, as follows : Adelaide J., born May 27, 1847 ; Susan A., born April 4, 1853; George W., born Nov. 1, 1857; and Alfred H. born Sept. 3, 1860.
NATHAN W. SELDEN
was born in lladdam, Conn., Nov. 25, 1810. When he was four years old his father moved to Leroy, Genesee Co., N. Y., where Nathan grew to manhood, going to school winters and working on the farm summers. Arrived at his majority, he started out for himself, with nothing to com-
302
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
mence with bnt a strong constitution and rectitude of pur- pose. He worked by the month on a farm, and at other times dug wells, thus getting his first start by the hardest kind of labor. In 1835 the Western fever was at its height, and Mr. Selden with many others determined to seek his fortunes in a new country. To think with him was to act ; and he came to Michigan and bought of the government the east half of the northwest quarter of section 33, in the town of Mundy. He then returned to New York and stayed one year ; the following year he returned, and dur- ing the winter cleared a small spot and commenced a log house, after which he returned again to New York.
On the 10th of October, 1838, he led to the altar Miss
NATIIAN W. SELDEN.
Harriet R. Dudley, a native of Madison, New Haven Co., Conn., and daughter of Phineas and Elizabeth A. (Graves) Dudley. Soon after their marriage the young couple moved to the farm previously purchased in Mundy, where a partly finished log house awaited them. The house was soon completed, and life in the wilderness began. There were no roads, and near them no clearings; while white neigh- bors were few and seattering. Yet Mrs. Selden, who proved to be a true pioneer wife, says they enjoyed themselves, and she believes those were the happiest days of their lives. The Indians were their nearest neighbors, but were very friendly, and Mrs. Selden was never afraid of then. Wolves, deer, and other game were numerous, but were unmolested by Mr. Selden, as he was no hunter. With his accustomed energy he at once commenced to improve his place, and soon a well-improved farm, with good build- ings, orchards, ete., took the place of the forest. And on this farm he passed the remainder of his life, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. IFe died May 1, 1869. In polities Mr. Selden was in early life a Whig, subse- quently a Republican. Ile always took an active interest in political and educational matters, and was for many years a school-director. In 1841 he was elected a justice of the
peace, which office he held until his death, with the excep- tion of four years,-an incumbency of twenty-four years. He also served as supervisor of his township. Before leaving Leroy, Mr. Selden joined the Presbyterian Church, and he continued a member of that society until his death. Two years after his final settlement in Michigan the first Presbyterian Church of Mundy was organized, Mr. Selden taking an active part in its institution and growth. Ile was one of its first deacons, and filled that office while he lived. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Selden eight children, as follows : Phineas C., born July 17, 1839, died Ang. 1, 1839 ; John E., born Feb. 12, 1841, died June 24, 1841 ; William II., born May 5, 1842; Nathan E.,
LITTLE
MRS. NATHAN W. SELDEN.
born April 10, 1844; Eliza A., born Dec. 12, 1845 ; Ste- phen D., born July 18, 1847 ; Mary E., born April 20, 1849; and Francis G., born May 16, 1851.
CHAUNCEY L. BADGLEY
was born in Batavia, Genesce Co., N. Y., March 5, 1836. His father, William H. Badgley, was born in New York about the year 1809. He married Miss Loviea Green. The result of this union was thirteen children, Chauncey L. being the sixth. The elder Mr. Badgley moved to Michigan in 1849, and settled in Grand Blane, Genesee Co., where he worked land on shares. When Chauncey was fifteen he went to Flint to learn the moulder's trade, and worked for King & Forsyth. Remained in Flint three years, then went to Grand Rapids, where he worked at his trade one year. Until 1858 he worked in Chicago and Grand Haven at his trade, and also in a saw-mill. In 1858 he joined a party which was formed in Grand Haven to go to California. In St. Louis the party broke up, and Mr. Badgley, who was determined to see the Western world, en- listed on the 29th day of January, 1858, in Co. I, 7th
RESIDENCE OF THE LATE JOHN BOYD, SR ., ARGENTINE, MICH.
303
ARGENTINE TOWNSHIP.
Regiment U. S. Infantry, Major Paul commanding. Soon afterwards his company went to Utah, where they were kept scouting after the Indians and watching the Mormons. From Utah they were sent to Fort Filmore, New Mexico, marching the entire distance. Remained there, doing frontier service, until the war of the Rebellion broke out. After the first Bull Run, he, with the entire command, was surrendered by Maj. Lynde to the rebels without firing a gun. They were paroled and sent to Fort Montgomery, Rouse's Point, N. Y., where they remained until October, 1862, when they were exchanged, sent to the Army of the Potomac, and assigned to the 5th Corps. Mr. Badgley was in the battle of Fredericksburg and other minor eu- gagements. Ils time having expired, he was discharged Jan. 29, 1863. Mr. Badgley lost three brothers in the war; one died in Andersonville. After his discharge he returned to Rouse's Point, the attraction being one of its fair daughters. He was married, Feb. 11, 1863, to Miss Anna Doty, daughter of Samson and Arrilla Doty. She was born Nov. 12, 1836, at Peru, Clinton Co., N. Y. Her father, Samson Doty, was born in Wallingford, Rutland
Co., Vt., Feb. 23, 1809; her mother, Arrilla Sutfin, was born in Northumberland, Saratoga Co., N. Y., July 19, 1803. Of their two children, Mrs. Badgley was the eldest. Mr. Doty came to Michigan in 1863, and on the 22d day of February, 1864, he enlisted in Co. F, 8th Michigan In- fantry Regiment. Although exempt from military service by reason of his age, he was an ardent patriot, and resolved to fight for his principles. He was killed the Gth day of May, 1864, in the battle of the Wilderness.
After Mr. Badgley's marriage, he, with his father-in-law, came to Michigan and purchased the east half of the south- west quarter of section 28 in Mundy, to which have since been added ten acres. The farm was partly improved, but the subsequent labor and care bestowed upon it have de- veloped it into one of the finest in the town. Mr. Badgley is a Republican, but not a politician. There have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Badgley children as follows : Katy Doty, born April 19, 1864; Ida I., born Sept. G, 1866 ; Lillian M., born Feb. 6, 1869; Ruby, born Oct. 10, 1871; Chauncey L., Jr., born June 27, 1875; and Mary E., born Jan. 19, 1878.
1
ARGENTINE.
ARGENTINE is the southwest-corner township of Gene- see County, and is bounded north by Gaines, east by Fen- ton, south by Livingston County, and west by Shiawassee County. Much of its surface is rolling, and many pleasing landscapes are beheld within its borders. Its soil has the same characteristics as all that in the immediate region. Fine improvements are met with throughout the township, and evidences of prosperity and wealth are seen on nearly every hand. The township is well watered by the Shiawassee River and its tributaries, which furnish considerable power, and numerous lakes and ponds add to the water-area. Principal among the latter are Lobdell, on sections 35 and 36, named after an early settler on its shore; Murray, on section 34, named after the first settler in the township ; MeKane, on sections 28 and 32; McCaslin, section 22; Bass, section 27, etc. Lobdell Lake has been changed somewhat in area by the raising of a dam at Argentine village. The shores in many places are marshy, and in various parts of the township tamarack-swamps exist.
This township at first included what is now Fenton, which latter was first settled. A large acreage of timber is yet left, although but a portion of this township was heavily timbered, the balance being " oak-openings."
Through this town, as through all others in this region when first settled, roamed great numbers of wolves and deer, with an occasional bear or panther, and the lover of sport could enjoy himself to the utmost.
LAND ENTRIES.
The following is a list of the entries of land in what now constitutes the township of Argentine :
SECTION 1. Acres.
Abijah B. Dunlap, Seneca Co , N. Y., April 6, 1836. 85 84 Nelson Stickney, Oakland Co., Mich., June 14, 1836. 80
Gilman Davis, Wayne Co., Mich., June 14, 1826 95.41 Phineas Davis, .. Ang. 3. 1836 .. 210
Ira Lamb, Genesee Co., Mich., Nov. 14. 1836
Philip S. Hubbell, Livingston Co., Mich., Nov. 14, 1836. 80
SECTION 2.
Cyrus Eddy, Jefferson Co., N. Y .. June 13, 1836. 160
Hiram Bellows, Franklin Co .. N. Y., June 25, 1836.
John Patterson, Wayne Co., N. Y., Ang. 1, 1836 176,57 Hinman Rexford. Livingston Co., Mich., Aug. 3, 1836. 174.27 David Tillman, Genesee Co., Mich., Nov. 14, 1836.
SECTION 3.
David and William I. Williams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., June 13, 1836 80
ITorace Parmelee, Clermont, N. H., July 16, 1836, 160
James Wadsworth, Livingston Co., N. Y., July 16, 1836. 343.12 Charles Couden, St. Clair Co., Mich., June 18, 1846. 40
Thomas II. Gilbert, Genesee Co., Mich., June 16, 1849. 40
SECTION 4.
Allen Spencer, Allegany Co., N. Y., July 13, 1836. 657.73
SECTION 5.
Allen Spencer, Allegany Co., N. Y., July 13, 1836 488.83 Jatues Bogert, Orange Co., N. Y., July 16, 1836. 169.72
SECTION 6.
Sarah A. Preston, Oakland Co., Mich., July 13, 1836 85,66 James N. Smith, t'Ister Co., N. Y., July 11, 1836 .. 160
Foster D. Preston, Oakland Co., Mich., Ang. 1, 1836. 79.60 Scott, Bixley & Co., Addison Co., Vi., Aug. 2, 1836 238.84 Clarissa B. Preston, Oakland Co., Mich., July 11, 1536. 80.08
SECTION 7.
John Myers, Caynga Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 80 Scott. Bixley & Co., Addison Co., Vt., August, 1836.
Phineas Davis, Wayne Co., Mich., 37.36 George Goff. Ontario Co., N. V., Detober, 1836 80
155.84
304
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
SECTION 8.
Acres.
Phineas Davis, Wayne Co., Mich., August, 1836. 80
Seth Werd, Caynga Co., N. Y., September, "
George Goff, Ontario Co., N. Y., October, 46 160
Abram Middlesworth, Genesce Co., Mich., November, 1836. 80 David Tillman, Genesce Co., Mich .. November, 1836 80
John Myers, Cayuga Co., N. Y., September, 1837.
SECTION 9.
Bartimeus Packard, Jr., Wayne Co., N. Y., June, 1836. 80 Cook & Gordon, Wayne Co., Mich., July, 1836. 160 E. L. Goodman, August, 1836. 160
Ziba Goff, Ontario Co., N. Y., October, 1836. 80
William Brady, Genesee Co., Mich., August, 1849 .. 40
David Myers, .. December, 1853. 10
Thomas Wharam, 16 January. 1854. 66 40
Gustavus V. Coudon, Genesee Co., Mich., November, 1854. 10 Truman Atherton, 6 = December, 1854
SECTION 10.
William B. Mead, Tioga Co., N. Y., June, 1836. 160
M. 1. Pratt, Ontario Co., N. Y., July, 1836 .. 160
John Patterson, Wayne Co., N. Y., August, 1836 80 Delos Davis, Wayne Co., Mich., September, 160
Jacob A. Clark, Genesee Co., Mich., October, 1853 40
To be entered .. 40
SECTION 11.
William B. Mead, Tioga Co., N. Y., June, 1836. 160
David Brooks, Oakland Co., Mich., July, 120 Muses S. Scott, Saratoga Co., N. Y., August, “ 160
Scott, Bixley, Morgan, aod Richards, Addison Co., Vt., August,
1836.
120
William H. Scott, Saratoga Co., N. Y., August, 1836. 80
SECTION 12.
Asahal Ticknor, Oakland Co., Mich., September, 1836. 80
Edwin A. Seymour, Albany City, N. Y., 160
Joseph Hadley, Oakland Co., Mich., October, 1836.
Everett L. Yates, Montgomery Co., N. Y., November, 1836 160 Philip S. Ilubbell, Livingston Co., Mich., SO Swamp land ..
SECTION 13.
William Manifold, Washtenaw Co., Mich., June, 1836. 80 Samuel W. Pattison, Genesee Co., 80 Alfred A. Coy and Wm. Lathrop, Otsego Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 480
SECTION 14.
Enoch Stark, Washtenaw Co., Mich., June, 1836. 160
160
Edwin A. Seymour, Albany City, N. Y., September, 1836. 160
Philip S. Hubbell, Livingston Co., Mich., November, 1836 .. 160
SECTION 15.
Enoch Stark, Washtenaw Co., Mich., June, 1836. 80
Hezekiah Seely, Seneca Co., N. Y., 160
John Myers, Cayuga Co., N. Y., JJuly, 1836. 80
John Patterson, Wayne Co., Mich., August, 1836. SO
Delos Davis, 66 September, 1836. 160
Daniel Alger, Orleans Co., N. Y., December, 1836. 80
SECTION 16.
School land. 640
SECTION 17.
Isaac R. Middlesworth, Sussex Co., N. J., June, 1836. 320
Ziba Goff, Ontario Co., N. Y., October, 1826 .. 160
George Goff, Genesee Co., Mich., July, 1838 .. 80 Samuel Kelley, “ 6
66 September, 1838 40
Abram Middlesworth, Genesee Co., Mich., January, 1854 40
SECTION 18.
Jabin W. Elliott, Wayac Co., Mich., June, 1836. 76.36
Abram Middlesworth, Sussex Co., N. J., June, 1836 .. 160 Scott, Bixley, Morgao, and Richard Addison, Vermont, Au- gust, 1836 154.52
William IE. Scott, Saratoga Co., N. Y., August, 1836. 80
Ralph JJ. Smith, Livingston Co., N. V., September, 1836. 80
Calvin W. Ellis, Genesve Co., Mich., January, 1839 76.36
SECTION 19.
Samuel W. Dexter, New York, September, 1821. 160
December, 182.4. 160 William Chapman, Washtenaw Co., Mich., April, 1836. 80
Azel Pettibone, Genesce Co., N. Y., May, 1836. 221.04
SECTION 20. Arre8.
Daniel II. Chandler, Genesee Co., N. Y., May, 1836 480 Alfred L. Coy und Win. Lathrop, Otsego Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 160
SECTION 21.
Solomon Sutherland, Orleans Co., N. Y., May, 1836. 160 Elijah Bird, Washtenaw Co., Mich., July, 1836. 320
Orates IT. Wright, Addison Co., Vt., July, 1836 40 Alfred Coy and Wm. Lathrop, Otsego Co., N. Y., July, 1836 ..
Elijah Bird, Gonesee Co., Mich., June, 1838 40
SECTION 22.
A. Coy and Win. Lathrop, Otsego Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 240 John Patterson, Wayne Co., N. Y., August, 1836. 160
B. B. Kircheval, Wayne Co., Mich , December, 1836. 80 Nathan E. Shaw, Genesce Co., Mich., October, 1836. SO
Not given .. 80
SECTION 23.
Danicl 11. Chandler, Gencsee Co., N. Y., June, 1826. 240 A. Coy and Wm. Lathrop, Otsego Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 400
SECTION 24.
HI. and R. Rhodes, Washtenaw Co., Mich., January, 1836. 80 Philemon C. Murray, Washtenaw Co., Mich., February, 1836 .. 160 E. J. l'eaniman, Wayne Co., N. Y., March, 1836. 240 . A. Coy and Wus. Lathrop, Otsego Co., N. Y., July, 1836 ... 160
SECTION 25.
Philemon C. Murray, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Februry, 1836 .... 80
Philothy Dutcher, 16 80
Wm. Beamer, Oakland Co., Mich., February, 1836 80
Jirah Iliffman, Lewis Co., N. Y .. May, 1836 360 IFenry Singleton, Devonshire, England, June, 1836 160 John Patterson, Wayne Co., N. Y., August, 1836. 80
SECTION 26.
James B. Olney, Monroe Co., N. Y., May, 1836 .. 320
Elijah Crane, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1826 SO David Il. Chandler, Genesce Co., N. Y., June, 1836 80 Samuel Fowler, Macomb Co., Mieb., January, 1837 40
Swamp lands 120
SECTION 27.
Samnel W. Dexter, New York, November, 1824. 160
Charles E. Green, Washtenaw Co., Mich., March, 1836 SO
Calvin W. Ellis, June, 1836.
40
John Patterson, Wayne Co., N. Y., August, 1836. 80
Wm. C. Ruby, Macomb Co., Mich., November, 1837 SO
John Middlesworth, Warren Co., N. J., October, 1838 40
Margaret Bird, Genesee Co., Mich., July, 1843 .. 10
Swamp land. 10
SECTION 28.
Jarvis Bailey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March, 1836 120
Thomas Sturgis, Oakland Co., Mich., May, 1836 160 Joseph D. Beers, Tompkins Co., N. Y., May, 1836. 120
Calvin W. Ellis, Washtenaw Co., Mich., June, 1836 80 Benjamin L. King, Wayne Co., Mich., August, 1836 160
SECTION 29.
David Penoyer, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March, 1836. 120
J. and S. Brers, Tompkins Co., N. Y., May, 1836 80
John Myers, Cayuga Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 160 llenry L. Whipple, Wayne Co., Mich., August, 1836. 80 John Myers, Cayuga Co., N. Y., September, 1836
B. Thorp, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, May, 1850 120
SECTION 30.
John Myers, Cayuga Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 148.04 William Chapuian, Washtenaw Co., Mich., July, 1836, 80 John Cooper, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., July, 1836 .. 200 Elizur L. Goodman, Wayne Co., Mich., August, 1836. 148.76 Abram Middlesworth, Genesee Co., Mich., November, 1836 ... 40
SECTION 31.
Bontwell and Moore, United States, May. 1836 80
McGregor and MeGraw, Boston, Mass., June, 1836. 66.60
John Myers, Cayuga Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 147.34
Alfred Voy and Win. Lathrop, Otsego Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 240 Francis G. Murray, Erie Co., N. Y., August, 1836.
SECTION 32.
MeGregor and MeGraw, Boston, Mass .. May, 1836. 160
160
E. J. Penniman, Wayne Co., Mich., JJune, 1836 .4 80
64
Charles A. Green,
=
Asaph C. Smith, Oakland Co.,
305
ARGENTINE TOWNSIHP.
Acres.
Henry B. Holbrook, Wayno Co., Mich., June, 1836. 40
E. J. Penniman,
Bethuel Norris, Genesee Co., Mich., October, 1853. 40
80
Vacant ..
SECTION 33.
B. L. King, Wayne Co., Mich., August, 1836 .. 210 Fletcher Collyer, Wayne Co., Mich., August, 1837 80 McGregor and MeGraw, Boston, Mass., May, 1836 .. 320
SECTION 3.1.
James 11. Murray, Washtenaw Co., Mich., November, 1835 .. 80
Asa Sprague, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1836 .. 120
Anthony Paddock. Wayne to., Mich., June, 1836. 40
Calvin W. Ellis, Washtenaw Co., " 44
40
John Ryan, Wayno Co., Mich., August, 1836 .. 160
Abram Middlesworth, Genesee to., Mich., November, 1836 80
Calvin W. Ellis, Genesee Co., Mich., November, 1838. 40
.
80
SECTION 35.
Sally Murray, Washtenaw Co., Mich., . November, 1835. 80
Asa Spraguo, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1836. 10
Anthony Paddock, Wayno Co., Mich., June, 1836
James 11. Murray, Genesee Co., Mich., November, 1836. 80
Samuel Fowler, Macomb Co., Mich., January, 1837. 40
John Kimball, Genesee Co., Mich., March, 1851 40
C. Sutherland,
November, 185.1 160
80
Vacant.
SECTION 36.
William Lobdell, Wayne Co., Mich., February, 1836 120 E. J. l'enniman, March, 1836 80 Daniel II. Chandler, Genesee Co., Mich., May, 1836 .. 160
John Freeland, Macomh Co., Mich., September, 1836.
E. J. Penniman, Wayno Co., Mich., November, 1837 40)
Castle Sutherland, Geneseo Co., Mich., January, 1855 80
Vacant.
80
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first white men who became residents of what is now Argentine township were James II. Murray and Wil- liam Lobdell, who located in March, 1836, but it is at this time impossible to determine which of the two came first. The former has been generally given the credit, but neither his widow,-now Mrs. Palmer,-who is yet living at Ar- gentine village, nor the widow of Mr. Lobdell, who resides at Linden, can tell positively the facts in the case. Beyond dispute, however, they settled during the same month and very nearly at the same time, and it is probable that Mur- ray was in first.
James HI. Murray, who formerly lived near Rochester, N. Y., came from Cayuga County, in that State, to Michi- gan with his family in May, 1830, and settled in the town- ship of Superior, Washtenaw Co. In the fall (November) of 1835 he located land in Argentine, purchasing four 40- acre lots, in order to secure a water-privilege. On the 4th of March, 1836, he moved in with his family, and imme- diately after built the dam now standing at the village, and erected a saw-mill, which was put in operation the sanie season. At the date of his arrival there was no house nearer than one owned by a man named Bennett, two miles south, in Livingston County. Seth C. Sadler lived four miles cast, in Fenton township, and to the west a wilder- ness, sixteen miles across, intervened between Mr. Murray's and the nearest house,-away in Shiawassee County.
Mrs. Murray (Palmer) recollects seeing Mr. Lobdell be- fore her husband's saw-mill was completed. The mill-irons were made in Washtenaw County, and brought up by Mr. Murray on a wagon.
William Bennett, who settled the same spring, in Living- ston County, at " Bennett's Bridge," had drawn logs up and prepared to build a saw-mill at his place cast (above) of Argentine, but Murray proved the more energetic of the two, and completed his mill while Bennett was still making preparations, and the plan of the latter was not carried out. The old Murray saw-mill is not now standing.
In the course of two or three years, Murray built a large frame grist-mill, and placed in it two runs of stone. From it flour was drawn to Detroit in wagons, and Argentine soon became a village of considerable importance. The grist-mill is the same now owned by Messrs. Hall & Bishop.
The first store in the village was established by Mr. Murray, and stood opposite the grist-mill. Goods were purchased in Detroit. Previous to 1845 it was rented to William Axford, who carried it on for a time.
The first hotel was built by Abram Middlesworth, and the second by Mr. Murray, and both had considerable cus- tom. The one now owned and occupied by J. H. Page was built subsequent to 1844 by William Bennett, who had moved in from his place in Livingston County. It is a large frame building. Murray's hotel stood on the north side of the street.
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