USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 88
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The justices elected drew lots for the respective terms, the result being as follows: Walter B. Beers, one year ; Philander Mclain, two years; Frederick Wilcox, three years ; James P. Allen, four years.
" At a meeting of the Assessors an I Township Clerk of the Town- ship of Gaines, County of Genesee, and State of Michigan, held at the school-house by E. Fletcher's on the 19th day of May, 1812, to review the Assessment roll, the fourlling persons were selected to surce as grand Petty Jurers for the year ensuing :
" Names of Grand Jorere : William Gazmy, Walter B. Beers, Phi- lander Mclain. Names of Petty Jurers: Marvin Williams, John Rood, Edward S. Dart."#
A special meeting was held in July, 1842, and Edward S. Dart and William Smalley elected constables in place of Elisha Martin and Lanman Davis. The last-named person had left the State.
The following is a list of the officers of the township of Gaines from 1843 to 1879, inclusive :
SUPERVISORS.
1813-11. William B. Young. 1869. Zenas A. Gage.
1845. Martin Dart.
1870. John M. Clark.
1846. Sedgwick P. Stedman.
1871-72. llenry F. Bush.
1847-51. James Van Vleet.
1873. Zenas A. Gage.
1852. Sedgwick P. Stedman.
1871 Henry F. Bash.
1853-58. James Van Vleet.
1875. Zenax A. Gage.
1839. Thurston Fintnons.
1876-77. Thurston Saumon4.
1860-61. George B. Runyan.
1878-79. Samoel C. Goodyear.
1862-68. James Van Vleet.
TOWNSHIP CLERKS.
1843. Martin Dart.
1859. J. B. Randolph.
18.11. William Wheeler.
1860. James Vun Vleet.
1845. Sedgwick P. Stedman.
JAG1. Charles II. Currie.
1816-19. B. C. Covert.
1862. David P. Cargill.
1850-51. S. P. Stedman.
1863. Jefferson 11. Downer.
1432. B. C. Covert.
1564. Zenas A. Gage.
1853. Haynes B. Krewson.
1865-71. George B. Runyan.
1×51. Hartford Cargill.
1572. A. B. Van Vleet.
1855-56. Daniel T. Ward.
1873-79. George B. Runyan.
1857-58. Haynes B. Krewson.
· Gazlay.
t Beers.
Į Town Records.
=
all other grain raised in 1873 potatoes
19,059
1,701
corn =
113
25,615
pounds maple-sugar made in Isz1 acres in orchard- 6
415
work-oxen.
Amount of capital invested
Capital invested
250
5
43
338
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
TREASURERS.
1843. Ephraim Fletcher.
1844-45. Sedgwick P'. Stodman.
IS46-52. Ephraim Fletcher. 1871-72. Tra T. Gilbert.
1853-54. John Blackburn.
1873. George C. IFohnes.
1855-56. William Martin.
1857-58. Ephraim Fletcher.
1876-78. Heury E. Giddings.
1859. John Blackburn.
1860. John Carpenter.
1864. D. Brown.
1871. Charles Borst.
1865. Peter Aere.
1872. Wm. II. Crane.
1866. Nelson Proper. Wm. D. Bailey.
1867. A. II. Whitmore. Jacob Westrich.
1874. Marcus F. Storrs.
1868. Morgan Webster.
1869. James Lawther.
1876. Charles MeLain.
1870. Seth Terry.
1877-78. William D. Bailey.
1871. F. M. Oliver.
1879. John Goodyear.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1843. Walter B. Beers.
1862. Fra T. Gilbert.
Martin Dart. 1863. James Van Vleet.
1844. Philander Melain.
1864. Daniel Brown.
1845. William Wheeler.
1865. G. B. Runyan.
IS46. B. C. Covert. S. P. Stedman. IS17. James Van Vleet.
Ira J. Chatfield.
TOWNSHIP SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
1866. Jacob W. Rall. John Voung. 1875. James Lawther. 1878. Devere Hall.
ISIS. William Wheeler.
1849. Joseph Verkes.
1850. S. P. Stedman.
1868. Constantine Beebe.
SCHOOL INSPECTORS.
1843. W. D. Beers.
1857. Isaac A. Worden.
David P. Cargill.t 1858. Nelson Meaker.
1844. W. B. Beers. 1859. Amos Stark.
1845. William Wheeler. 1860. Tra J. Chatfeld.
1846. 11. B. Krewson. James Van Vleet.
1862. Tra J. Chatfield.
1847. Ilayves B. Krewson.
1863. Frank A. Smith.
1848. II. B. Krewson. 1864. St. Clair lamlin.
James Van Vleet. I865. James M. Wilson.
1849. IT. B. Krewson.
IS66. St. Clair Hamlin.
Nathan Cargill. 1867. Charles MeLain.
1868-69. Bela Cogshall, Jr.
1850. James Van Vleet. HI. B. Krewson.
1870. Bela Cogshall.
1851. Haynes B. ; Krowson. G. P. Power.
1852. William Wheeler.
IST1. St. Clair Hamlin.
1853. H. B. Krewson. James Van Vleet.
1872. Georgo F. Aldrich. John Proper. 1873. Iliram D. Soule.
1854. Isaac G. Soule.
William Wheeler.
1874. Samuel C. Goodyear.
1855. J. W. Rall.
1875. John Chapell.
Ira T. Gilbert.
1876-77. Charles M. Miller.
I856. J. W. Rall.
1878. George F. Brown.
George Il. Lyon.
1879. Albert Van Vleet.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
18.13. David Tomlinson.
1852. Wm. Gazlay.
Wmn. Gazlay.
Marvin Davis.
1844. Erastus Root. 1853. William Coy.
William Gazlay. William Gazlay.
1845. Aaron Decker. E. S. Dart.
1854. Wm. Wheeler. Hartford Cargill.
1846. Wm. Gazlay.
Ephraim Fletcher.
1847. Wm. Gazlay. Erastus Root.
Edward S. Dart.
1858. James Van Vlect.
1848-49. Wiu. Gazlay. C. White.
Peter Acre.
1850. S. P. Stedman.
1859. Philander MeLain.
B. C. Covert.
Aaron II. Whitmore.
CONSTABLES.
1843. Edward S. Dart.
1845. C. Van Vleet.
D. P. Cargill.
Ed. Van Vleet.
Constantino Beebe.
HI. B. Krewson. Aaron Decker.
1844. Charles Jaslin.
· IS46. John Rood.
E. S. Dart.
Ephraim Fletcher.
Erastus Root.
W'in. Gazlay.
Carlton Reed.
William B. Young.
# Dart resigned and Cargill removed, and William Wheeler and Edward S. Dart were appointed in their places.
1850. Jesse Welch.
Martin Dart.
1851. Isaac N. Tewksbury.
Aaron Decker.
1852. lienry lowes. Jesso Braford.
1844. Charles Joslin.
Ephraim Fletcher. Walter B. Beers.
Silas Simonson.
1845. Ephraim Fletcher.
Jesse Doan.
Ilaynes B. Krewson. Philander MeLain.
Constantine Beebo.
1846. Constantine Beebe.
IS55. C. C. Deeker.
F. Wilcox. Sedgwick P. Stedman.
1857. Constantino Beebo.
1847. S. P. Stedman.
Charles Joslin.
1858. Edward S. Dart. Isaac A. Worden. 1859. Ira T. Gilbert.
William Wheeler.
1848. C. Beebe.
1860. Thurston Simmons.
W. B. Beers.
IS6I. Wmu. B. Young. Nelson Proper.
C. W. Joslin.
1849. William Sutton.
1862. Joshua L. Wilcox.
W. B. Beers.
1848. II. B. Krewson.
James Van Vleet.
1849. Wm. B. Young.
Nathan Cargill.
1846. Wm. B. Young. James Van Vleet.
1850. Wmn. B. Young.
1847. S. P. Stedman.
S. P. Stedman.
Wm. B. Young.
1852. Isane G. Soule.
1848. Wm. B. Young.
II. B. Krewson.
1856. Daniel Brown.
1876. Daniel Brown.
1877. G. B. Runyan. C. M. Miller.
1858. Thurston Simmons.
1859. James Van Vleet.
George E. Houghton.
Win. H. Borst.
1860. Daniel Brown.
1879. Wm. H. Borst.
1861. George B. Runyan.
John Donaldson.
ASSESSORS.
1815. William Wheeler.
1872. Daniel Brown.
William Wheeler.
1873. William Proper.
1855. Jacob W. Rall.
1874. Tra T. Gilbert.
James Van Vleet.
1875. George A. Evans.
1857. Jacob W. Rall.
J. J. Gorden.
1853. II. B. Krewson.
Jesso N. Doan.
1869. G. B. Runyan.
B. C. Covert.
1851. Henry D. Ilowes. James Van Vleet.
J. W. Rall. James Lawther.
1852. S. P. Stedman.
1870. J. W. Rall.
William Wheeler.
1871. Ilarrison P. Doan. Daniel Brown.
1854. B. C. Covert.
1867. James Van Vleet. Ira T. Gilbert.
1876-77. William M. Brown. 1879. George F. Brown.
--
1878. Franklin Borst (2 years). 1879. John N. Clark (v.).
1874. Daniel Brown.
1875. George P. Perkins.
TOWNSHIP DRAIN COMMISSIONERS.
1872. John N. Clark. 1876. John N. Clark (2 years).
1873. Sidney S. Lee.
1873. George L. Underhill.
1875. William 11. Crane.
1874-75. Charles MeLain.
1879. Ilorace W. Gilbert.
1861-63. Ira J. Chatfield. 1864-70. Edward S. Dart.
COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHWAYS.
1813. David P. Cargill .*
1853. John Knight.
1854. H. B. Krewson.
1856. George H. Lyon.
Aaron Decker.
1856. Philander MeLain. James Van Vleet.
1857. Peter Acre.
t These failed to qualify, and at a special meeting W. B. Beers and Philander MeLain were elected to fill vacancy.
1863. Nelson Proper.
1878. Ira T. Gilbert.
1861. Amos Stark.
339
GAINES TOWNSHIP.
1847. 1I. B. Krewson. C. Van Vleet. John Blackburn.
1848. Erastus P. lodge.
John Wood. William B. Young. Haynes B. Krewson. IS49. John Wood. Charles White.
1863. llenry C. Parks. Frank A. Smith. Paul Davidson. Philander Decker.
1979 1879. John Beebe. John McSorley. Jerome Clark. Frank Whitmoro.
SCHOOLS, EARLY AND PRESENT.
Owing to the fact that this township was less rapidly filled up with settlers than the others, schools were not taught nor districts organized until a comparatively late day. The earliest record of the formation of a school dis- triet after the separate organization of the township is in the spring of 1842. From the school record the following extracts are made :
" At a meeting of the board of School Inspectors of the townsbip of Gans, County of tienesee and Stato of Michagun, the Following- named persons was eraminied as Candidates for teaching primary sebool and found Compitent, and certificates given them, viz. : philo- mela Danning and Lois Leach.
"GAINs, July the 10, A.D. 1843. " MARTIN DART, " Clerk of the School Inspectors."
Samuel C. Stiles given certificate, Nov. 30, 1844. Other carly teachers were Zulcima Austin, Sarah Hallock, Nancy Bowles, Mary Ann Ilowes, Louisa Vosburgh, Mary Vos- burgh, Julia Slaght, Miss Greattrack,¿ Hannah Williams, Ira Williams, and others.
About 1845 the settlers living in the Van Vleet and Cargill neighborhood hired a teacher, and had a school kept on the Cargill place. A daughter of Mr. C. was pos- sibly the teacher ; Miss Mary Vosburgh taught here after the district was organized.
District Number 9, including the village of Gaines, was organized in 1858, and a frame school-house was built in 1859, the same which is a part of the house now in use. The school has two departments and a large attendance. The various schools of the township exhibited the following condition Sept. 1, 1878, as shown by the report of the township school inspectors at that date : Receipts for the year, $2630.33; amount on hand Sept. 1, 1878, $200.48; expenditures for year, less amount ou hand, $2429.85.
DISTRICTS.
Number of Children
over Five and under
Attendance during
Non-Resident Pupils.
Number of Days School
during Year by Quali-
No. SCHOOL-
HOUSES.
Number of Sittings.
Value of Property.
Mate.
Female.
Male.
Female.
No. 2.
.17
37
1
I60
1
50
$500
1
1
$100
$48
4
25
34
5
160
1
14
600
6.
65
55
G
157
1
50
1000
1
1
120
48
7%
90
99
1
165
1
60
350
1
...
453
215.80
"
10%
48
9
130
I
60
500
...
3
....
85
* Resigned, and Stephen Brown appointed.
# This name appears as " Miss Great Track" on the record.
t Resigned, and E. M. Jackson appointed in his place.
¿ Fractional districts.
1850. E. Fletcher. E. P. Ilodge. Joseph Yerkes. Jesse Braford.
1851. E. Fletcher. Jesse Braford.
1865. S. Brown. John J. Strein. Orson B. Joslin. Jacob Westrich.
1852. Robert C. Covert. Ephraim Fletcher. Jesse Braford. Erastus P. Hodge.
1866. S. Brown. E. S. Dart.
II. C. Park. Solomon llenry.
1853. E. P. Hodge.
C. C. Decker. John Blackburn. William W. Fay.
1867. George W. Simonson. Alfred J. Skinner. Orson B. Joslin. Stephen Brown.
1854. Stephen Brown. Putnam Burton. Jesse Braford. Christopher C. Decker.
1868. Albert J. Potter. Morgan Webster. Wm. Evans. Charles II. Davis.
1855. Wells B. Miller.
E. M. Bailey.
1869. E. S. Dart.
Dewitt C. Mapes.
1856. E. M. Bailey. Solomon Henry. Peter Acre.
T. Doloharty. W'in. Evans.
Albert Simonson.
1857. Thomas Cowan.
Stephen Brown. Sammel A. Sunderland. E. S. Dart.
1871. Harvey L. Tibbils.
1858. Nelson Meaker.
Wmn. Newton.
Stephen Brown.
Elam Bailey.
S. A. Sutherland.
William D. Brown.
E. M. Bailey.
1859. Stephen Brown.
E. S. Dart.
William Newton.
"Jacob Westrich.
Elam Bailey.
Haynes B. Krewson.
1873. Charles Yerkes.
1860. Cyrus C. Atherton.
John S. Smith.
John Carpenter.
Wm. D. Brown.
Ira T. Gilbert.
HI. L. Tibbils.
Joseph Ilershey.
1874. Elias Jackson.
1861. George Lefever.
Robert Carter.
Wm. D. Bailey.
John Covert. Solomon llenry. Stephen Brown.
Frank Myers.
1875. Leonard Sprague.
NUMBER OF TEACHERS.
TEACHERS' WAOES.
65
55
4
158
1
80
400
1
1
140
72
64
G
160
1
70
600
...
....
296
92
137
...
200
1
100
500
2
3
......
142
Twenty Years,
Year.
fied Teachers.
Frame.
1875. Frank Myers. 11. L. Tibbils. Win. Evans. 1870. If. L. Bogartis. Jeromo Clark. Artemas R. Commins.t Lewis B. Hopkins. 1877. D. C. Mapes. Jerome Clark. Edmund Clark.
1877. L. B. Hopkins. 1878. John Beche. Frank Myers. John McSorley. Eugene Fox.
1864. Stephen Brown. C. Hamlin. George Lefever. William Fletcher.
1862. Jacob Strein. Spencer Miner. lliram V. Weeder." Orson Juslin.
1870. Elias M. Jackson. Win. Evans. William Wray. Adolphus Perry.
1872. John Goodyear. II. L. Tibbils.
340
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The attendance in district No. 9 was not given on the report, but in June, 1879, it was about 100.
VILLAGE OF GAINES.
On the 4th of July, 1856, the first passenger-train over this portion of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railway passed over the site of the village, then in the midst of the forest. This train ran as far west as Owasso, and, in November following, the track was extended, and trains ran to St. John. The first building erected here was the railway- depot. James B. Simonson, now a prominent banker of Holly, Oakland Co., was the first station-agent. He held the position a short time, and was succeeded by George B. Runyan, who resigned in 1859, at which time a tele- graph-office was established, and Mr. Runyan was fearful he could not learn the latter business.
The first house in the village was erected by Thurston Sinnons, who had come from Livingston County. Mr. Simmons moved with his mother and brothers from Marion, Wayne Co., N. Y., to Oakland Co., Mich., in 1833, after the death of his father. After one year he returned to New York, and when but nineteen years of age was married. In November, 1840, he started for Conway, Liv- ingston Co., Mich., where he subsequently settled on a farm of 40 aeres. Had borrowed money to enable him to get there, and when it was gone borrowed more of another friend. He stopped a few months at Pontiac on the way, and earned enough to pay what he had last borrowed. In March, 1841, he reached his place in Livingston County, without a ceut in his pocket, and his wife had but one calico dress, orange and blue. He cleared a small space, built a log cabin, and began life in the wilderness. Both he and his young wife were filled with ambitious desires, and the cloud of adversity in time passed by. Mr. Sim- mons bought a cow, paying for it by laboring nineteen days, and split 1600 rails for a pair of calves, intending to raise them for a team. Hauled pork to Pontiac, selling it at a dollar and a half per hundredweight, and receiving " store- pay." Calico was then worth two shillings a yard. In the spring of 1850, Mr. Simmons went to California, but sick- ness obliged him to return in January, 1851. He finally sold his farm in Livingston County, and in 1856 removed to Gaines, where he built the first house, as mentioned. In a part of this building be placed a stock of merchandise valued at about $250, and started the first store in the place. The woods were so dense that the depot, only fif- teen rods away, could not be seen from his house. When he first started in business here, it is related that he was induced to deal in liquor, and after much coaxing bought half a barrel of whisky, of which he sold a small part and poured the rest on the ground, and since then that article has not been enumerated in his stock.
George B. Runyan, a native of Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., and one of a family of twelve children, came with his wife and one child to Michigan, in September, 1839, and located iu Kensington, Oakland Co., early in October. In June, 1841, he removed to section 24, in the town of Vernon, Shiawassee Co., and in his own house opened what he says was the first tailor-shop in that county. In April, 1848, he removed to Byron, in the same county, where he con-
tinued to work at his trade for several years. When the railroad was built and a village was started at Gaines, he purchased a lot, cleared it up ready to build on, and in No- vember, 1856, moved his family here, following the next month himself. The only buildings then standing in the village were the store, dwelling, and tarern of Thurston Simmons (keeping boarders in the same house where he lived and had his store), which stood next north of the store now occupied by James A. Perkins, the latter built by Silas Simonson, who owned a farm near by, the depot, and a small dwelling occupied by C. C. Atherton, who still re- sides in the village.
About 1857, Mr. Runyan was appointed agent for the American Express Company, which established an office here, and, with the exception of one year, when the Mer- chants' Union Company had the line, he has held it until the present time. During the year mentioned Thurston Simmons was the agent.
Thurston Simmons kept the first " public-house" in the village, although from necessity, and not as a special calling. The first regular hotel was kept by Mr. Westrich, in a building now standing opposite Mr. Simmons' store, on the west side of the street. H. L. Tibbils also kept a hotel a short time opposite the depot. The present " Larned House" was built by Peter Van Ness in 1864 or '65. The northern portion was used as a store, and the balance as a hotel. Van Ness kept it until 1871, and since that time it has had several proprietors, and been known at different times as the " Gordon House," " Orth House," and " Rob- erts House." It is the ouly hotel now in the place, and is managed by Horace J. Larned, of Fenton, who became pro- prietor early in the summer of 1879.
POST-OFFICE.
The first post-office in the township of Gaines was estab- lished in October, 1852, east of the village site, on the farm of Bergen C. Covert, who received the appointment of post- master. He was from Seneca Co., N. Y., and held the of- fice, which was called Gaines, as long as it existed. After the one at the village was established, Mr. Covert was wont to carry the mail from here to his own office in his hat.
The advent of a railway rendered it necessary to have an office at the village, and accordingly " Gaines Station Post- Office" was established in November, 1856, with George B. Runyan as postmaster. He held until 1861, when Thurston Simmons succeeded him. Under President Johnson, Runyan was reappointed, and when Grant was elected the position was again given to Mr. Simmons, who was succeeded in the spring of 1879 by Harry S. Cook, the present incumbent.
The original plat of Gaines village was laid out by Henry N. Walker, and acknowledged May 10, 1859. Additions have since been made, as follows : William Walker's plan, Oct. 11, 1871, on the northeast quarter of section 5; Walker's replat of outlots 11 and 12, Feb. 25, 1873. The Gaines cemetery was laid out May 24, 1870.
The village was incorporated in 1875, the following being a part of the act incorporating it :
" ART. 1, SEC. 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That all that certain tract of land situated in the county of Genesee and
341
GAINES TOWNSHIP.
State of Michigan, being in township number six (6) north, of range number five (5) east, and described as follows, to wit: Being south- east quarter of section thirty-one (31), and west half of southwest quarter of section thirty-two (32), is hereby constituted a village cor- porate, known and designated as the Village of Gaines."
·
It was directed in the aet that the first election for vil- Jage officers be held at the hotel of William Roberts, in said village, on the first Monday in March, 1875. The cleetion was, however, held April 12, 1875, and the fol- lowing officers chosen, viz. : President, James A. Perkins ; Clerk, George B. Runyan ; Marshal, Wallace Bowers ; Treasurer, Thurston Simmons; Assessor, William Roper ; Trustees for one year, Orson W. Tock, William Myers, Frederick M. Oliver; for two years, William Williams, Smith M. Cogshall, Reed Larue.
The officers for the succeeding years have been the following :
1876 .- President, James A. Perkins; Clerk, Friend D. Simmous (resigned, and E. M. Roberts appointed, who in turn resigned, and G. B. Runyan was appointed) ; Mar- shal, Jacob Croop; Assessor, George B. Runyan ; Treas- urer, Thurston Simmons ; Trustees, two years, Orson W. Tock, William Myers, William Ireland.
1877 .- President, Frederick M. Oliver ; Clerk, G. B. Runyan ; Treasurer, Henry F. Bush ; Assessor, George B. Runyan ; Marshal, Artemas R. Commins; Trustees, two years, Robert Carter, William Williamus, George Still.
1878 .- President, William Roper; Clerk, Smith M. Cogshall ; Treasurer, Henry F. Bush ; Assessor, Smith M. Cogshall ; Marshal, John W. Becbe ; Trustees, two years, Joseph Fowler, William Ireland, William Myers.
1879 .- President, William Roper; Clerk, Eugene E. Pratt ; Treasurer, Henry F. Bush ; Assessor, Eugene E. Pratt; Marshal, E. M. Jackson ; Trustees, two years and two for vacancy, Wallace Simonson, Thomas Vandenburgh, James L. Middlesworth, William H. Brooks, Charles Davis.
In the spring of 1879 the village contained sixty-eight voters, six stores of various descriptions, a school-house, two restaurants, one hotel, two churches, three millinery- shops, three blacksmith-shops, two shoe shops, three wagon- shops, one harness-shop, some extensive charcoal-kilns, owned by Smith & Brainard, a stave-factory, two grain- elevators, and three physicians. A steam saw-mill and a broom-handle factory have been recently in operation, but at present are idle.
The first physician who located here was probably Dr. Harris, now of Linden, who stayed but a short time. The first permanent one was Dr. Bela Cogshall, now of Flint, son of a prominent lawyer of the same name living at Holly. Dr. Cogshall established the first drug-store here, in company with Charles Hood. Both these men were from Oakland County. The present physicians of the place are Drs. G. E. Waters, Joseph Marshall, and Isaac Parks, the latter a practitioner of the homeopathic school.
The Masonic order has twice established a lodge here,
the Odd-Fellows onee, and others at different times, but no secret orders at present have lodges in the place.
James A. Perkins, originally from Utica, Oneida Co., N. Y., went from there to Canada in 1845, and at Kingston built a large saw-mill. From that place he removed to Brant- ford, the burial-place of the famous Indian chieftain, Joseph Brant, or Thayendanega, whose remains Mr. Perkins aided in removing to a new sepulchre. After a residence of twelve years at Brantford, Mr. Perkins came to Detroit, and thence in 1863 to Gaines, at which latter place he built a steam saw-will, which was subsequently burned. He also built the stave-factory now owned by Henry F. Bush, to whom he sold. About 1868 he purchased the store le at present owns, and since then has been engaged in the mercantile business.
Henry F. Bush is a native of Deerfield, Livingston Co., Mich. (born in 1837). During the famous excitement over gold discoveries in California he went to that land of prom- ise, and was quite successful in his efforts to accumulate wealth. In 1863 he returned to Michigan, and entered the photographie business at Battle Creek. He afterwards built the Ionia Stave-works, and in the fall of 1868 eame to Gaines and purchased the stave-factory of James A. Per- kins, which he still continues to operate. In 1875 he built his elevator.
RELIGIOUS.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, GAINES VILLAGE.
In 1858 or 1839 a Methodist Episcopal class was organ- ized here, being supplied with preaching from the Byron eireuit, to which it belonged. The class consisted of about a dozen members. One of the first preachers who held ser- vices here, and possibly the first, was Rev. Mr. Prindle, now superannuated. The present frame church was built in 1869, during the pastorate of Rev. Orlando Sanborn, and while the charge was yet a part of the Byron circuit. Gaines circuit was organized in the fall of 1869 or 1870. The more recent pastors have been Revs. D. B. Millar, Wil- liam Birdsall, Mr. Lanning (now of Byron), and the present incumbent, Rev. John Wesley. The latter has charge of classes at Durand and the " Hongh School-house," both in Shiawassee County. The membership of the church at Gaines is in the neighborhood of 60.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CIIURCII
in the village was built about 1871, and is a part of the charge of Rev. Father William Kilroy, of Fenton.
To those who have furnished data for the foregoing sketch of the township of Gaines thanks are hereby tendered, with the assurance that their aid is highly appreciated. Among them are Philander Mclain, Putnam Burton, Edward S. Dart, the family of Ephraim Fletcher, G. B. Runyan, Thurs- ton Simmons, James A. Perkins, and numerous others.
Some account of the village of Swartz Creek will be found in the Clayton township history, to which the reader is referred.
BURTON.
THIS is an interior township, and is designated by the United States survey as township No. 7 north, of range No. 7 cast. It lies directly east of the city of Flint, which includes within its corporate limits the whole of section 18, and portions of sections 6, 7, 17, and 19 of the Congres- sional township. On the north, cast, south, and west are the respective townships of Genesee, Davison, Grand Blanc, and Flint.
Its surface is comparatively level, yet sufficiently elevated above the bed of its water-courses to afford good surfacc- drainage. It was heavily timbered, originally, with fine forests of becch, maple, red and black oak, basswood, and other varieties of deciduous trees. Upon scetions 5, 6, 19, and 20 was found considerable pine, while sections 27 and 34 were what was termed by the original settlers " staddle lands."
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