USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 81
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ยท Fractionnt district.
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HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
cognized in the glanee of his eye. the tone of his voice, and the pressure of his hand. His heart overflowed with sympathy towards those around him, and many who re- paired to him for counsel and advice could testify to the warmth of his feelings, as well as to the rectitude of his judgment. He was a man of great energy and decision of character. In his home he was kind, confiding, and unos- tentatious ; sensitive to the cry of pain, zealous to alleviate suffering, and careful of wounding the feelings of others. Ilow unstudied, and yet how effeetnal, his power to throw around him the sunshine of a loving and confiding heart, his four sons (John L., Varuum B., George E., and Clarence F.), who have all arrived at man's estate, and all others who had access to that home, will ever remember.
lle was married, Sept. 1, 1839, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Fletcher, who was born at Lowell. Mass., March 20, 1820, and died at Argentine, Mich., Aug. 15, 1877. She was the daughter of Jonathan Fletcher and Mary Varnum. who was the daughter of Col. Prescott Varnum, of Dracut, Mass. She received a liberal education, and the fall after after her marriage (Sept. 21. 1840), she, with her mother, accompanied her husband to Michigan, arriving at Detroit, Sept. 27, 1840. After spending a year at the " City of the Straits," they moved into the township, Oet. 8, 1841. and commeneed " clearing up" the farm where they ever after lived. It was a great change for Mrs. Cochran, from the so- ciety and comforts of an Eastern city to the quiet and solitude of an almost unbroken forest ; but for her young husband she felt, " Whither thou goest. I will go; where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried." How true, indeed, of her ! as she only survived her husband a short time, and her mortal remains now rest by the side of her husband's, in the beautiful cemetery at Linden, where, in her own words,-
" The silent sleepers, one by one, Rest with their kindred dead : Where youth and age put off their pride,- Forget there's rank or birth. And by this softly-rippling tide Mingle again with earth. And so 'twill be in after-years Our forms will slumber too; Friends will plant flowers amid their tears, Which fall like evening dew. Strangers will walk amid these grounds, Drink from this purling spring. And joyous birds above these mounds Will linger oft to sing.
Oh, sacred spot,-serenely cahn. To rest at life's glad ev'n With glorious hope,-the spirit's balm, Of a home above, in heaven."
Though Mrs. Cochran wrote of Massachusetts, her native State .-
" I hail thee with pride, dear State of my birth. And think thee the fairest and brightest of earth," --
she lived to love her own adopted county, Genesee, and wrote of her .-
" I've wandered 'neath the orange tree, And culled the tropic flowers : My cheek was fanned by ocean breeze, I've dreamed in Southern bowers : But naught so fair, no air so frec. As thy fair county, Genesce."
Mrs. Cochran was a lady of fine literary tastes and talents, and often contributed both prose and poetry to the periodical press of the country. Many of her productions appeared from time to time in the different county papers. It was a pleasure for her to write ; and, as she often ex- pressed it, " she wrote for her own amusement." A promi- neut lady of Flint, in writing to The Democrat at the time of Mrs. Cochran's death, said : " She was a lady of great strength of character and much ability as a writer. and I felt honored in being able to class her as among my per- sonal friends. But now she is numbered with those who have passed to that land from whence no traveler returus to tell us of its hidden mysteries. I seem as one left alone upon a dreary waste, with chilling winds moaning over the deserted plain."
Her life was one of active usefulness and unselfish devo- tion to her family, and it was here in the home circle, as wife and mother, that her many noble qualities of head and heart found fullest play. She always gave her personal attention to the education and instruction of her children, and was largely instrumental in giving them all a liberal education.
Iler influence and interests were by no means eireum- seribed by the walls of her own home, but extended to all who needed her assistance and friendship. It ean truly be said that she was always foremost in promoting the interests of religion, education, and temperance in the community where she was so long and favorably known. During the late Rebellion she was active in collecting supplies to send for- ward for the benefit of our wounded soldiers, and many will remember her as one ever ready to carry sympathy and comfort to the home of suffering and distress.
Is it not possible that the influence of her life, which lives after her, is a most fitting answer to her own beautiful words ?-
" And when others fill these places, Which have echoed to our tread, May we leave some bright memento Which will speak though we are dead."
LORENZO C. FLETCHER
was born in Lowell, Middlesex Co., Mass , Sept. 16. 1815. His father, Jonathan Fletcher, was a merchant in his early life, but later became a builder, which occupation he fol- lowed until his death, which occurred in 1830. He was an estimable man of much energy and determination. and successful. Lorenzo received an academieal education, and at the age of eighteen years was apprenticed to the trade of a builder, which occupation he followed until 1854. In 1839, in company with his brother George, he came to Michigan, and settled in Detroit, where he remained until his removal to Argentine, in 1854. During his residence in Detroit, a period of nearly fifteen years, he was promi- nently identified with the city, and was twice elected alder- man, which position he filled with credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In 1854 he disposed of his property in Detroit, and purchased of Gov- ernor Fenton three hundred and twenty acres of wild land in Argentine, which he has improved, and to which he has
Oll Elizabeth Cochran
John B Cochran
MRS.DAVID BROOKS.
DAVID BROOKS.
PHOTOS BY J H PHIPPS |
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ARGENTINE TOWNSHIP.
added about four hundred acres, making one of the largest farmns in the county.
In 1845, Mr. Fletcher was married to Miss Julia A. Harris, of Macomb Co., Mich. She was born in Burrel- ville, R. I., Jan. 28, 1821. They have reared a family of three children,-two sons and one daughter.
Mr. Fletcher is a man of decided opinions, and of invin- cible determination. Ile possesses the elements of a suc- eessful business man,-keen perceptive faculties, coupled with good judgment and an abundance of will-power. Socially, he is courteous and genial, winning and retaining the regard of all with whom he comes in contact. He is in every way worthy of the position he holds among the representative men of Genesce County.
JOHN BOYD
was of Seotch parentage, born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1815. Ile was the son of David and Rebecca Boyd. At the age of twenty he came to America, and shortly after his arrival went to Hartford, Conn., and entered the employ of II. & H. Freeman, manufacturers of boots and shocs. Ile remained with this firm nine years. In the spring of 1845 he came to Argentine, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. Returning to Hartford, he arranged his business, and with his family-which consisted of his wife and two children, William D. and Colwell-returned to his new home. Ile was a man of very industrious habits, great energy, a successful farmer, and a valuable citizen. He died in March, 1862.
In 1840, Mr. Boyd was married to Margaret Pattison, of Hartford. She was born in Philadelphia, in 1820, and was the oldest child in the family of James and Martha (Allen) Pattison. Her father was a weaver by occupa- tion, and came to Hartford in 1838, where he resided until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd reared a family of seven children,-five sons and two daughters. John Boyd was emphatically a self-made man. Starting in life with only his natural resources for his capital, he attained success, and became not only prominent in his calling, but an estecmed and valuable member of society.
LEWIS LAHIRING.
This gentleman, one of the prominent farmers and early settlers of Argentine, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 24, 1825. His parents, John and Elizabeth Lahring, had a family of six children,-four boys and two girls. The elder Lahring died when Lewis was but six years of age, and in 1837 the family emigrated to America, and settled in Holly, Oakland Co. He commenced life as a farm-hand, which occupation he followed three years. In 1849 he came to Argentine, and purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of land, where he now resides. He was at this time unmarried, and built a log cabin in the woods, in which he lived alone for two years, when he married Miss Sally, daughter of Halsey Whitehead, one of the town's first settlers. She was born in the town of Tyre, Seneca Co., N. Y., Sept. 8, 1828.
When four years of age llalsey Whitehead came to
Michigan, and settled in the town of West Bloomfield, Oak- land Co .; in 1838 he came to Argentine, where he resided until his death, which occurred Sept. 2, 1874, having lived in the town thirty-seven years. He filled various offiecs of publie trust to the satisfaction of all. He was born in the town of Morris, Hanover Co., N. J., and while young moved to Tyre, Sencca Co., N. Y. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a man highly esteemed.
Mr. Lahring is a thrifty and successful agriculturist. To his first purchase he has added two hundred aeres, and his farm is justly considered to be one of the best in the county.
WILLIAM T. JENNINGS
was born in the town of Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., July 31, 1837. His father, Stephen Jennings, was a native of Massachusetts, and a cooper by occupation. In 1843 he came to Argentine with his family,-which consisted of his wife and two children, Elvira II. and William T.,- and settled near the village, where he purchased eighty aeres of land. This he exchanged in 1858 for one hundred and sixty acres, which is a part of the farm now owned by his son ; to this William T. has added two hundred aeres, making one of the largest farms of the town. In 1859 he married Miss Savilla Middlesworth, daughter of Isaac R. Middlesworth, one of the pioneers of the town. Mrs. Jen- nings was born in Newark, N. J., June 1, 1837. Mr. Jen- nings has been prominently identified with Argentine, and is one of the successful and progressive farmers of the county. IIe has an interesting family of five children,-two boys and three girls.
DAVID BROOKS.
Among the vencrable pioneers of Genesee County who, by their own industry and energy, laid the broad founda- tion for its present wealth, none are more worthy of a con- spicuous place in the annals of its carly history than David Brooks. Ile was born in the town of HIomer, Cortland Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1808. His father, Samuel Brooks, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was killed in the battle of Queenstown Heights. About 1815 the family removed to Cayuga County, where they resided until Mr. Brooks' emui- gration to Michigan, in 1831. IIc first stopped in Roch- ester, Oakland Co., where he was engaged as a teamster ; this occupation he followed some sixteen months. At the expiration of his term of service he was married to Miss Abigail Shipey, daughter of Stephen Shipey, one of the town's first settlers. Mrs. Brooks was born in the town of Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 8, 1812. When she was seven years of age her parents emigrated to Oakland County.
After a residence of three years in Oakland County, Mr. Brooks came to Argentine, and " took up" the farm where he now resides. At that time there was only one other white person in the town,-Mr. James Murray, who had settled in what is now Argentine village.
Pioneer life in Gencsee was at this time replete with hardship and privations, and Mr. and Mrs. Brooks had
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HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
their full sharc. The nearest mill was at Pontiac, and for nearly all articles, either for the farm or household, they were obliged to go to Detroit. He speaks of the kindness of the Indians, by whom he was highly esteemed, and says that they frequently rendered him material assistance. Many interesting incidents occurred, for which we refer our readers to the township history.
Mr. Brooks' farm was originally heavily timbered ; the fine farm of to-day is the result of years of toil, and a last- ing monument to his industry and energy. In 1837 the town of Argentine was organized, and Mr. Brooks was elected its first justice, which position he has since held, ---- a period (1879) of over forty-two years.
Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have had eight children,-four sons and four daughters,-five of whom are now living. One son, Edward, was a member of the Sth Michigan Infantry, and lost his life at the battle of Coosaw River, N. C., in January, 1862. He was a brave soldier, and in the fatal charge was so far ahead of his comrades that his loss was not discovered unti. the company left the field. The other sons, James and William, served through the war,-the former as a member of the 7th and the latter of the 11th Infantry Regiments. Mr. Brooks has passed his " three- seore and ten ;" is possessed of most of the virtues and but few of the failings of humanity. He has endeared himself to a large circle of friends and relations.
MOUNT MORRIS.
MOUNT MORRIS, one of the latest township organizations in the county, was formed from Flushing and Gencsee by an act of the State Legislature, approved Feb. 12, 1855. An interior township, it is joined on the north by Vienna, cast by Genesce, south by Flint, west by Flushing, and in the field notes of the United States survey is designated as township No. 8 north, of range No. 6 cast. In its natural features it is very similar to other interior divisions of the county already described, the surface slightly rolling, and covered originally with heavy forests of beech, maple, oak, ash, and many other varieties of deciduous trees indigenous to the soil in this section of the State.
The Flint River, in its flow to the northwest, crosses the extreme southwest corner. Devil Lake, a small body of water containing from ten to fifteen acres, is situated upon scetion 35. Brent's Run takes its rise from this lake, and flows northerly through the central part. Several other small tributaries of the Flint cross the township and flow in a general northwest course. Stone similar to that ob- tained in the Finshing quarries is found in the bed of the river upon section 31. The soil is very productive. The people, who number about 2000 at the present writing, are chiefly agriculturists, and wool, live-stock, and wheat the principal products.
ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT.
To one engaged in preparing a historical sketch of Mount Morris whose field shall be confined within its present boun- daries, the task is a most arduous one. From the date of its first settlement (in 1833) to 1836, its territory formed part of Grand Blane township. Flint was formed in the spring of the latter year, and from that time until early in 1838, this township was under the jurisdiction of Flint. In the year last mentioned the townships of Genesee and Flushing were erected. By the act of their formation the cast half of surveyed township No. S north, of range No. 6 cast, was assigned to the township of Genesee, while the west half was included within that of Flashing. This condition of
affairs, so far as the present town of Mount Morris was con- cerned, remained unchanged until 1855. Consequently, the early social and political history of the township was so clearly divided by an imaginary line, separating the east from the west half, and so interwoven with those townships with which they were connected, that old residents of to- day, when they go back in their recollections to years prior to IS55, still insist, when speaking of friends and neighbors who reside in the east half, as of being in Genesee, those in the west half as of Flushing. Another obstacle confronts the local historian at the outset, viz .: the almost total disappearance from the vicinity of those who witnessed or took an active part in the first improvements. However, it is conceded by those most conversant with the facts that Benjamin Pearson-" Uncle Ben," as he was more familiarly called-was the pioneer of Mount Morris. He came from Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., early in the spring of 1833, and immediately after his arrival at Todd's tavern devoted many days to " land-looking," as it was his purpose to be- come a permanent resident of the new country, and also to invest a considerable sum in the purchase of desirable lands. Ile finally made choice of the south half of section 25, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 36, as the place of his future residence, and purchased the same from the general government early in May, 1833. At the same time he entered lands situated in the present township of Genesee. A few years subsequently he became the owner by purchase of many other tracts situated in this and ad- joining townships.
About the time that Mr. Pearson had decided where to locate, there arrived at his hostelry (Todd's tavern) Lewis Buckingham, John Pratt, Isaae N. Robinson, and Richard Marvin, from Mount Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., also in search of lands and a homestead in the promising young Territory. Desirous of securing them as neighbors, Mr. Pearson volunteered to show them " some of the nieest land they had ever seen." The following morning, May 2, 1833, he guided them to a point on the Saginaw road about
FRONT VIEW"
D
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RESIDENCE OF CHAS. JOHNSON , MT MORRIS, GENESEE CO., MICH.
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MOUNT MORRIS TOWNSHIP.
four miles north of the present city of Flint. The location suited all except Marvin, and two or three days later Pear- son, Pratt, Buckingham, and Robinson repaired to Detroit and entered lands in what was to be known a few months later as the "Coldwater settlement." After assisting to build a log house for Luman Beach, which was located in the present township of Genesee, they all returned to New York.
In the month of August, or early in September, 1833, Benjamin Pearson and John Pratt returned from the East, accompanied by their families. Mr. Pearson then erected, and before the 1st of October was occupying, the first dwell- ing built in Mount Morris township. This was situated upon the northeast corner of section 36.
Mr. Pratt lived with Luman Beach until the completion of his cabin, which was situated a short distance north of Pearson's. It is stated that later iu the same season Ly- man G. Buckingham and Alanson aud Luther Dickinson arrived and settled on section 36; also Asahel Beach and a Mr. Ballard, who located on the west side of the Sagi- naw road.
Daniel Curtis settled upon section 35 in the fall of 1834. During this and the succeeding year the " Coldwater set- tlement" was considerably increased in numbers by new ar- rivals, all of whom, and their place of settlement, we are now unable to trace. Schools were opened, a society of Presbyterians organized, and the principles of temperance disseminated and practiced iu their midst.
Ezekiel R. Ewing, the first supervisor of Mount Morris, came to Graud Blane in 1829. After residing there and at the Flint River settlement for a number of years, it is believed that he settled upon section 31, in this township, some time during the year 1835. During the period that the west half of this township formed part of Flushing, Mr. Ewing was prominently identified with the public in- terests of the latter, and was also conspicuous as a county official.
Charles N. Beecher, from Livingston Co., N. Y., settled upon section 24 iu the fall of 1835. Years later he became a resident of the city of Flint. Ile was always a prowi- nent man in Geuesee County, and was the recipient of many official favors iu the gift of an appreciative publie. Years ago, while reciting some of his pioneer experiences, he men- tioned that Peabody Pratt came to Genesee with him. There was theu a turnpike, 90 feet wide, opened five miles north of Flint, terminating near Benjamin Pearson's farm. The roads out of Detroit were welluigh impassable. Ile paid $1.25 per hundredweight to have his goods brought from the latter city. It was no unusual sight to see babies packed in baskets and carried through on horseback.
Edwin Cornwell, from Middletown, Conu., arrived in the township in October, 1836, and settled near the cen- tral part, upon section 14. Ile, with his family, consisting of a wife and two children, shared the hospitality of Nor- man Coue, an early settler of Genesee township, until a log dwelling could be constructed, and a road cut out by him- self, leading from the Saginaw turnpike to the place of his (Cornwell's) present residence. Without a doubt, Mr. Cornwell was the first permanent settler in the central part of the towuship. Ile relates that during the first winter
he killed nineteen wolves, and that his nearest and only neighbor on the west was Jacob Dehn, a German, who had settled upon section 18* early in 1836. Frederick Walker settled in the northeast corner at about the same time as Cornwell, and their dwellings were " raised" the same day. Among other settlers, not already mentioned, who were here prior to Mr. Cornwell's settlement, were Juba Bar- rows, at whose house the first township-meeting for Gen- esce was held, and Richard Johnson, from England, one of the early leading Methodists.
Frederick Walker, a native of England, came from Dutchess Co., N. Y., in October, 1836, and settled upon the present site of the village of Mount Morris, being the first settler in that vicinity. Mrs. Walker remembers that their nearest neighbors were Grovner Vinton, two miles distant to the northward, an 1 William Woolfitt, who was on section 13, one and a half miles south. Albert II. Ilart was on the opposite side of the road, in Genesee township. Mr. Walker, during his lifetime, was ever active in ad- vaneing the best interests of his townsmen, and discharged with rare fidelity the many duties imposed while wearing official honors. He was the first postmaster in the village, and, besides serving in various official capacities in Genesee township, represented Genesee County in the State Legis- lature during three terms. fleury Parker also settled in the northeast part in 1836. In 1837, George Selby bought of Frederick Walker 30 acres, and the first dwelling built by him (Walker). A few months later Selby died. Wil- liam Bodine then purchased the Selby place, and lived there for many years.
In July, 1839, Rodman W. Albro, a native of Rhode Island, came from the city of New York, and purchased of II. I. Higgins the west one-half of the southwest quar- ter of section 13, which he still owns. lle was accompa- nied by his wife and three children. Mr. Albro's recollee- tions of those residing in the east half of the township at the time of his arrival are as follows : " Manley Miles, Ly- man G. Buckingham, Alanson Dickinson, William Pierson, John Rusco, near Devil's Lake, Jesse Clark, Porter Flen- ings. John Pratt, Daniel Curtis and his father-in-law Bacon, Luther Trickey, who had been here two or three years, Juba Barrows, Elder Cobb, of the Presbyterian Church, Daniel Andrews, Pratt's brother-in-law Humphrey Hunt, Charles N. Beecher, who owned a large traet of land, Edwin Cornwell, Linus Atkins, - Twogood, William Woolfitt, Frederick Walker, Henry Barber, George Scho- field, with a large family of sons, William Bodine, and Richard Johnson. A man named Moffat had settled on section 19, built a small log house, and done some clearing, but removed prior to 1839. Samuel Stewart had built a house, but after living here a short period had gone away ; also a man named Hopkins, who made a beginning on the property now owned by Louis Cornwell."
Ile was not so conversant with those living in the west part, as heavy forests separated the Flushing and Genesce settlements, but believes that " James Armstrong, Abial C. Bliss, Sylvester Beebe, William Chase, Jacob Dehn, Eze- kiel R. Ewing, Nathaniel Hopson, William HI. Hughes,
" On the farm known as the Travis place.
40
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HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Dominick Kelly, Vincent Runyon, Russell Welch, and Alvin Wright were all there prior to 1840."
The resident tax-payers of 1844, alphabetically arranged, together with the scetions upon which they paid taxes, were as follows :
Andrews, Henry, 23.
llopson, Nathaniel, 9. llughes, William II., 28.
Albro, Rodman W., 13, 14.
Armstrong, James, 18.
Iloyes, Aaron (., 31.
Buckingham, Lyman (., 36. Barber, llenry, 2, 3.
Kelly, Dominick, 29.
Barrows, Juba. 24.
Miles, Manley, 36.
Bodine, William, 12.
Pearson, William S., 36.
Bacon, Nathan, 25.
Pratt, A. B., 24, 25.
Bliss, Abial C., 31, 32.
Pettengill, Samuel, 32.
Brown, William, 30.
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