USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 51
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Among those who early became identified with this church were Joseph Wood, Charles Fowler, Bradford Carmichael, Henry Carmichael, Leonard Billsby, Lyman Noyes, Elijah Noyes, Jane Trumbull, Mariah Cook, Mary Noyes, Ransel Wood, George W. Brearly, Robert Woodward, Rebecca Nokes, Ebenezer Trumbull, Bethiah Barnes, Harriet Fowler, Charlotte Wood, Cynthia Cook, Phoebe Wood, Mary Hoxsie, Isaac Lamb, and Charles Carmichael.
The list of pastors since Mr. Whitcomb includes Elders John Thomas, William Ellwood, James Madison, H. S. Limbacker, L. B. Potter, S. H. Davis, John Thomas a second time (here nine years), D. L. Rice, A. A. Myers, B. L. Prescott. For some time it was supplied by college students, previous to the installation of the present pastor, Rev. John Harrington.
The membership of the society in December, 1878, was about 60, and the church affairs were then in a flourishing condition.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WHEATLAND CENTRE.
Among the early settlers of the township were a few members of the Methodist denomination, who formed them- selves into a class about the same time the Free-Will Bap- tist Church was organized (1838). Some of the first mem- bers of this class were Elkanah Wood and wife, William Adams and wife, John Brearley (or Brealey) and wife, Thomas Fitzsimmons and wife. One Davis organized the class, and the same person afterwards became presiding elder of the district. The first meetings were merely mis- sionary services, held at different places. The present frame church was built about 1848. The first pastor in charge here was Rev. John Scottford. The membership in De- cember, 1878, was in the neighborhood of 40, and the pastor Rev. Mr. Paddock.
A second Methodist Episcopal society has a frame church on the northwest quarter of section 18, in the west part of town. This society was organized at a comparatively re- cent period, and its membership is not large.
A society of Wesleyan Methodists, with a limited mem- bership, has a frame church at Wheatland Centre.
WHEATLAND CENTRE POST-OFFICE.
The township of Somerset was formed from the north part of Wheatland by an act passed March 20, 1837. Previous to that time (about 1834) an office, called Wheatland, had been established at Gambleville, in what is now Somerset, and Thomas Gamble was appointed first postmaster. Upon the division of the township the name of the office was changed to Gambleville, and a new office established, called Wheatland Centre, on the north line of the present town of Wheatland. Allen Van Vleet was the first postmaster appointed here, and is remembered as a man considerably addicted to habits of intemperance, yet always able to attend to the duties of his office. Mail was carried once a week by Charles Carmichael over the route between Adrian and Jonesville, and mail passed between Adrian and Hudson, via Canandaigua, once a week, four days being the necessary time in which to make the trip.
Previous to the establishment of the old Wheatland post-office mail was received at Adrian. The present post- master at the Centre is Leman Sweazy.
Quite a settlement has been built up at the Centre, in- cluding a store, which is of great convenience to the citi- zens of the neighborhood, the nearest one at any other point being several miles away.
CHURCH'S CORNERS POST-OFFICE.
This locality was named for Lorenzo Church, from the town of Ontario, Wayne Co., N. Y. He had purchased land in Wheatland in 1834, and in January, 1838, came alone to it, built a log house and made a small clearing, and in June following his wife and eight children also came. The old homestead is now owned by his sons, Francis G. and Judson A. Church, on northwest quarter of section 27 and southwest of 22. The old log house stood on the north side of the road, on section 22. The frame dwelling in which the Messrs. Church at present reside was built by Dr. Daniel Timms, on a small lot purchased of Lorenzo
HARVEY M. GEE.
JOHN W. STEWARD.
ALMON GOFF.
SAMUEL COMBS .
PHOTOS.BY CARSUN & GRAHAM.
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Church for the purpose, the latter afterwards buying the property back.
About 1844-45 a store was established at the Corners by Asaph Wood, who conducted business here for two or three years, or until his death. He was from the town of Walworth, Ontario Co., N. Y. This was the only store in the locality previous to the one now owned by the Congre- gational minister.
Church's Corners post-office was established in July, 1870, previous to which time the citizens of this part of the township received their mail at Hudson, Lenawee Co. Francis G. Church was appointed first postmaster, and has been continued in office to the present.
Among those who have furnished information in this town are Charles Carmichael, G. S. Wells, Richard W. Williams, F. G. Church and brother, Mrs. Timms, Sr., Mrs. Timms, Jr., Thomas Robins, and many others.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SAMUEL COMBS,
the subject of this sketch, was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., April 8, 1818; he was of English descent. His father, Richard Combs, was born in England, and served in the English army, which he left to come to America. He landed in New York City, and from there went to Orleans Co., N. Y., where he married a Miss Hannah Elkhorn, and settled,-choosing the occupation of farming. He after- wards moved to Washtenaw Co., Mich., where he died. Samuel came with his father to Michigan, in 1839, but soon went back to New York. Again, in 1840, he found himself working on the farm with his father, which he con- tinued to do, except when living with Darius Comstock, up to the time of his marriage, which took place Sept. 3, 1843 ; the bride being Miss Cynthia Bachelder, daughter of Samuel and Sally (Kithridge) Bachelder. Soon after his marriage he bought of Darius Comstock the east one- half of the southeast one-quarter of section 33, in Wheat- land township, Hillsdale Co .; the land being new, with hardly a stick cut. On this land he built a small log house, which occupied the site of the present brick structure, which was built by him. It was winter when the log house was built, but Mr. Combs and his young wife moved in, though it was only roofed. Mr. Combs improved this farm, or the south part of it. The north half he sold, and then bought the southwest one-quarter of the southwest one- quarter, section 34, which he cleared up and improved. He was a man of sterling worth, and one whom to know was to esteem and respect. His neighbors say of him " that he was an honest, industrious man, a good manager, a worthy citizen, and a generous and true friend." In politics he was a Republican. He died Feb. 22, 1859. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Combs six children, as follows: Hannah, born June 7, 1846; Seymour, born Feb. 19, 1850; Lyman S., born Feb. 14, 1853; Loring E., born June 4, 1854; Thomas F., born Oct. 18, 1857; and Alvin B., born July 10, 1860. Of these, Hannah and Seymour died in 1853.
DR. JOHN W. STEWARD.
Among the self-made men of Hillsdale County none can better lay claim to that title than Dr. John W. Steward, the subject of this sketch, who was born in Wolcott, Wayne Co., N. Y., July 24, 1817. His father, Jabez Steward, was born in Paxton, Worcester Co., Mass., in the year 1770. In the year 1796 Jabez Steward was married in Deerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., to Miss Rachel Warren, who was born in Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Mass., in the year 1777. After his marriage (in 1810) he moved to Wayne Co., N. Y., where he followed the occupation of a miller, and where he died, leaving a family of ten chil- dren.
After the death of his father Dr. Steward, who was the youngest of the family, went to live with his brother Daniel, with whom he made his home until he was fifteen years old. Up to this time his opportunity for acquiring an education had been limited to a district school. With this he was not satisfied, and he attended several terms the academies at Geneva and Oaks Corners, N. Y., earning the means to pay his way by working at the carpenter's trade. On the 3d day of September, 1843, he was mar- ried to Miss Caroline L. Powell, daughter of Jonathan L. and Saphronia S. (Glover) Powell. She was born in Sodus, Wayne Co., N. Y., June 22, 1823. There have been born to them five children, as follows: Sarah S., born June 7, 1844 ; William P., born Sept. 3, 1846; Lillian E., born May 25, 1849; John F., born July 5, 1858; and Geo. W., born Aug. 17, 1860.
In September, 1843, Mr. Steward with his young wife moved to Hillsdale Co., Mich., and he at once commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Franklin French, who was located in Hillsdale village. He afterwards attended the medical schools of Geneva and Buffalo, graduating at the latter in 1848. Up to this time life with the young medi- cal student and his family had been anything but a holiday. But with him there was no turning back, and although their means were limited, they managed to keep the wolf from the door until the doctor graduated, when he at once located in Wheatland, taking the place of Dr. Derbyshire, who was the first physician in that township, and by whom he was cordially welcomed.
He made a tour to California of a year and a half, from January, 1853, to May, 1854. He commenced practice near Reading village (then Basswood Corners) in 1846, but the following year removed to Wheatland, where he has for more than thirty years practiced medicine, meeting with marked success, and now has an extensive and lucra- tive practice.
Dr. Steward is and has been throughout his life a hard student, thus keeping up with the times and making himself proficient in the profession he loves. He has made no effort to become rich, but has spent his surplus means in educating his family. He has always been active in school matters, and has been one of the school inspectors of his township for many years. In politics the doctor has always been an ardent Republican, in his religious views is liberal, and is an earnest worker in the temperance cause.
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Photos. by Carson & Graham, Hillsdale.
SETH WOOD.
MRS. SETH WOOD.
SETH WOOD,
the subject of this sketch, was born Aug. 17, 1803, in Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood, adopting the occupation of a farmer.
Nov. 4, 1829, he was married to Lydia Gates, who was born in Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 27, 1811. After his marriage he resided on the homestead of his father four years, when he determined to seek his fortune in a new country, and at once turned his face westward. He bought a farm in Lorain Co., O., not an acre of which was cleared. On this wild land Mr. Wood erected a log house, into which they moved before there was a door or window, and when neighbors were few and far between. On this farm he lived until 1841, clearing and improving the same. He then sold out and again wended his way westward, bringing up in Wheatland, Hillsdale Co., Mich., where he again bought a new farm, being part of sections nineteen and thirty. In this home, which he cleared up and improved, he resided till his death, which occurred Jan. 8, 1855. Mr. Wood was a man of industrious and frugal habits, a man esteemed and loved by his neighbors and friends. He was for many years a member of the Baptist Church and one of its deacons. In early life he was a member of the Macedon Rifle Company, of which he was lieutenant, and finally for several years its captain. In politics, he was in early days a Whig, latterly a Republican, and by the latter party he was elected a justice for Wheatland. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood were born seven children, as follows: Esther, born April 17, 1831; Levi W., born April 29, 1833; Huldah J., born June 6, 1835 ; May, born May 6, 1838; Martha, born Sept. 3, 1840; Myron G., born April 23, 1843; George B., born Sept. 7, 1845 ; Sarah B., born June 30, 1848; and Permilla E., born May 4, 1852.
Myron G. Wood was married May 24, 1866, to Miss Susan Crater, daughter of Mathias and May Crater. Four
children have been born to them,-May, born Nov. 23, 1868; Hattie, born Jan. 5, 1873; Elsie, born April 20, 1876; and Bessie, born July 27, 1878.
The old homestead is now owned by Myron Wood, who is looked upon as one of the most energetic, thorough young farmers in his township.
ALMON GOFF.
Among the earliest settlers of Wheatland township was Almon Goff, the subject of this sketch. Born among the green hills of Vermont, he imbibed in his childhood a love for adventure and travel. He was born Aug. 1, 1808, and resided with his father (who moved from Vermont to Ontario Co., N. Y., when he was quite young) until 1832, when he was married to Freelove Craft, when he commenced life for himself with nothing but an indomitable will, and health and strength. In 1834 he emigrated with his young wife to what was then the wilds of Southern Michigan, and bought from the government, part of the northeast quarter of section 27 in Wheatland. This land he owned a couple of years, when he sold out and bought the southeast quarter section 28, which he improved, and built thereon fine build- ings. April 4, 1859, he again started for a new country, going with a party over the plains to California, where, for a few years, he engaged in mining. From California he went to Nevada, where he died Oct. 25, 1865. His wife died June 19, 1856. Mr. Goff was a man of great energy, and possessed of good business talents. His benevolence was unbounded, and many a poor person remembers with gratitude Mr. Almon Goff. In his will, made before he went to California, he bequeathed his fine property to his adopted daughter, now Mrs. J. I. Davis, who has caused his portrait to be inserted in the history of Hillsdale County as a slight token of the love and gratitude she feels for him, her more than father.
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
HARVEY McGEE,
the subject of this sketch, was born Sept. 12, 1809, in On- tario Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood. His chances for an education were very limited, being such as was to be obtained at the district schools of the time, working on the farm summers with his father, and attending school a few months in the winter. He also chose farming as an occu- pation, and in it became very successful. On the 29th day of October, 1833, he was married to Martha Martin, who proved to be a pioneer wife and mother of the right metal, bearing the hardships of Western life without a murmur, and raising a large family of children. In 1834, Mr. McGee came to Michigan, part of the way in a wagon, and bought of the government the north west quarter section 21, and the northeast quarter of northeast quarter section 20; to this he added until he owned at his death five hundred and forty acres of fine land, mostly improved, all of which was in a wild state when bought. Mr. McGee was a man of sterling worth, a man who gained the respect and friendship of all. It is said of him " that he was an energetic, industrious man, and one of the best managers and business men in the town, that his hospitality was unbounded,"-a trait inherited by all his sons. In 1849 he went to California, going over- land with an ox-team, a year being consumed in going. He worked in the mines one year, and was very successful. Again, in 1856, he returned to the land of gold, this time for his health, which had become seriously impaired by over- work and application to business; was gone two years. The climate seemed to be of no benefit, and he returned home and again carried on his farm, which he continued to do up to the time of his death, which occurred Aug. 25, 1862. In politics he was a Republican, though never a politician. He was for many years a member of the Methodist Church. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. McGee seven children, as follows : George, born Aug. 29, 1834; Jane, born Aug. 25, 1837; Joel, born March 8, 1839; Maria, born Aug. 24, 1840; Myron, born Dec. 8, 1842; Laura, born June 8, 1846; and Harvey, born July 3, 1848.
At the time they settled here it was three miles to their nearest neighbor. It was three months from that time be- fore Mrs. McGee saw another woman.
NELSON R. ROWLEY.
Among the earliest settlers in the southeast part of Wheat- land was Nelson R. Rowley, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., March 20, 1810. By the death of his parents, he was thrown upon the world at the age of eight years. He lived with an uncle three years, when he went to Seneca Co., N. Y., and hired out by the year to work on a farm. During the winter months he attended a district school, making such good use of his time that he acquired a good common-school education. Arriving at the age of twenty-five years, he resolved to seek for himself a home in what was then the wilderness of Southern Michigan, and in 1835 he came to Wheatland, where he bought from the government the northwest quarter of section 25, which he still owns. After purchas- ing his farm, he returned to New York, where he worked
one year, and then returned to his farm in Michigan. He at once built a log house, and commenced clearing up and improving his land. Also, at this time, he became ac- quainted with Miss Phebe Hall, who was, and had been for six years, a teacher in the high school at Williamsport, Pa. The acquaintance soon ripened into an attachment, and Oct. 17, 1843, they were joined in marriage. She was born in Geneva, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1810. This estimable lady, though born and reared in a large town, cheerfully and willingly commenced her married life in the log house her husband had built, and where she presided, a model pioneer wife and mother, until the old home was deserted for a new and luxurious one on the same farm. Their union was blessed by four children, as follows : Stephen N., born Sept. 6, 1844 ; Ella Jane, born May 1, 1849 ; Anna Russ, born June 17, 1851 ; and Harriet H., born Sept. 28, 1852. In 1876 Mrs. Rowley was attacked with a lingering disease, from the effects of which she died July 24, 1877, her death regretted by a large circle of friends. Mr. Rowley has been for many years a member of the church, and has done much to advance the cause of religion in his town- ship. He was present at the organization of the first church society organized in the Bean Creek Valley, and became a member of that church. Upon the organization of the Congregational Church in Wheatland, he became a member of the society, and has ever since been one of its deacons and trustees. In politics Mr. Rowley has always been a Republican, but never an office-seeker, though in an early day he was for several years a justice of the peace.
ALBERT B. SLOCUM.
Smith Slocum was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., in 1787, where he grew to manhood. In early life he was married to Miss Elizabeth Bliss, who was born in the same county, in 1795. In 1816 he emigrated to Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming. He resided here until 1834, when he sold and moved into the town of Per- rinton, Monroe Co., N. Y., where he died in October, 1835, leaving a wife and seven children, as follows : Albert B., Benjamin, Amy, Ann Mercy, Almeda, Nathan, and Sarah. The eldest of these, Albert B. Slocum, the subject of this sketch, who was then but seventeen years old, thus early found himself the head of a family.
He was born March 19, 1818, in Wayne Co., N. Y. After his father's death he remained on the farm working for the general good of all till he was twenty-five years old. He was married Aug. 30, 1843, to Miss Cordelia E. Tread- well, daughter of Col. Levi Treadwell and Olive (Eaton) Treadwell. She was born Feb. 9, 1821. To them were born three children, Lewellyn, Helen, and Charles. Mr. Slocum having lost his wife was again married Oct. 22, 1867, to Mrs. Sophia Knight, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Cottrell) Morrison. She was born April 12, 1836. This union has been blest with one child, Anna E., born May 14, 1877. In 1843, Mr. Slocum emigrated to Michigan, and bought the west half of the southwest quarter of sec- tion 28, in Wheatland, which was then new, not a stick having been cut. The first winter he was in Michigan he taught a district school, by which means he paid for cutting
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
off the first ten acres cleared on his farm. He has since added to it, until now he owns two hundred acres of fine land, mostly under cultivation, with large and commodious buildings, a view of which appears on another page of this work. He has never sought office, but has many times been elected to fill the different offices in the gift of the people of his town and district. Soon after he came to Michigan he was elected school inspector, which office he held several years. In early life he was a Free-Soil Demo- crat, but on the organization of the Republican party he was among the first to join its ranks, and was a delegate to the County Convention which sent delegates to Jackson, when that party was finally organized. In 1859 he was elected superintendent of his township. In the fall of 1864 he was chosen by his party to represent the Third District of Hillsdale County in the State Legislature, which position he held to the credit of himself and his constituents. During the war he was appointed by Gov- ernor Blair and Provost-Marshal-General Fry a recruiting- officer, and rendered valuable aid in clearing his town from the draft. He took an active part in organizing the Hills- dale County Agricultural Society, and at the first meeting held to elect officers was chosen one of its directors, hold- ing that position at the time the present Fair Grounds were bought. He was afterwards elected president of the society, holding the position two years, and is still an officer of the same. Mr. Slocum has always led an active busi- ness life, and one that he can recall with much satisfaction.
THOMAS ROBINS.
Among the earliest settlers in the southwest part of Wheatland township was Jonathan Robins, who was born Nov. 8, 1785, in Hunterdon Co., N. J., where he was mar-
ried, Jan. 17, 1807, to Miss Mary Vossler. He resided in his native county, following the occupation of a farmer, until December, 1826, when he moved to Wayne Co., N. Y., where he worked on a rented farm until 1837, when he moved with his family to Wheatland, and bought from the government the southwest quarter of section 29, the east half of the southeast quarter of section 30, the east half of the northeast quarter section 31, and the west half of the northwest quarter section 32. This land he owned at his death, which occurred June 25, 1838. After his death the land was divided among his eight children, and is still owned by the family. Thomas Robins, the subject of this sketch, was the sixth child, and was born in Hunter- don Co., N. J., Sept. 21, 1821. He resided with his mother and brothers up to the time of his marriage with Miss Laura Wood, which took place Dec. 10, 1850. She was the daughter of Freeman and Morilla (Gates) Wood, and was born in Massachusetts. After his marriage he built a house on the land given him by his father, into which he took his bride, although it was only partly finished. Mr. Robins now owns ninety acres of land in a fine state of improvement, which has been the work of his own hands. In politics he was a Whig till the formation of the Repub- lican party, since which time he has been one of its most ardent supporters. By it he was elected supervisor in the spring of 1862, holding the office one term, and then de- clining a renomination. Again, in 1878, he was elected supervisor, which office he now holds. Has also been com- missioner of highways. He has been a member of the Congregational Church of Wheatland since its organization, and most of the time one of its officers. Mr. and Mrs. Robins have had born to them three children, as follows : Luther A., born Sept. 16, 1851 ; Carrie, born Aug. 29, 1856, and George F., born Nov. 13, 1863.
WRIGHT .*
THE opening of the year 1835 looked upon the territory comprised within the limits of the present town of Wright as a vast, dense, and almost impenetrable forest. The tow- ering sycamores along the water-courses, the dome-topped elms of the bottoms, the sturdy oaks and the graceful maples of the uplands, all lifted their arms towards heaven, vying in strength and beauty one with another, and joined with one voice, in full accord and perfect harmony, in adora- tion and praise of their Creator. Swept gently by the breezes, or more rudely by the blasts of the tempest, their branches waved or tossed about, and their thousand voices united like the swelling chords of some immense organ in a grand and majestic hymn of praise :
"This is the forest primeval."
It was then a part of the town of Wheatland, and was
known in the United States survey as township 8 south, of range 1 west. A fractional part of town 9, south of the same range, also belongs to the present town.
At this time there was great activity among people living at the East who desired to secure homes in the Western country, and also among the capitalists, who looked upon these lands as profitable investments for purposes of specu- lation. Both classes were eager and busy in looking up the most favorable locations to suit their tastes and purposes. As a natural result of this feeling the lands of this town were rapidly taken up and entered, nearly the whole town- ship passing from the possession of the government into the hands of private owners. The following is a list of pur- chasers of lands in town 8 south in the year 1835 :
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