USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 75
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8
3
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Gideon G. King, who was then supervisor and assessor, estimated that the township contained a total area of 19,429-42% acres.
The personal estate was valued at $2070; the real estate was valued at $50,099.63. Total, $52,169.63.
The Board of Supervisors equalized the above amount, and by deduction determined that the aggregate value of the taxable real and personal property in the township of Amboy for the year 1851 be $22,000.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The Territorial road which intersects the township from east to west, passing along the south boundaries of the northern tier of sections of the original townships 9 south, ranges 2 and 3 west, was the earliest established.
Other highways were laid out in the west part by the township of Woodbridge, in 1840, and in the east part by the township of Ransom, 1841. The highways are in good condition, and have ever received a large share of attention. One thousand dollars was appropriated for highway pur- poses in 1852, and the same amount for the following year.
The road-bed of the Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan Railroad Company enters the township near the centre, on the south, and running in a northwesterly course, intersecting sections 12, 2, 3, and 4, of township 9 south, range 3 west, and sections 33, 32, and 31, of township 8
south, range 3. west, leaves the township near the northwest corner. The work was performed in the years 1870-71, and was paid for mainly with money received from citizens living along the line.
The following agricultural statistics are compiled from the census report of 1874 :
Number of acres of taxable land.
19,177
improved
7,438
farms in the township ..
227
" acres in farms.
15,988
Average number of acres in farms.
70,43 100
Number of acres of wheat growing June, 1874.
«
harvested, 1873
1,658
corn harvested, 1873
1,331
bushels of wheat harvested, 1873
24,674
66
corn harvested, 1873 ..
69,658
66
other grain harvested, 1873 ..
12,633
=
tons of hay harvested, 1873
1,485
pounds of wool sheared, 1873
6.958
=
pork marketed, 1873.
136,056
66 butter made, 1873.
fruit dried for market, 1873 ..
855
barrels of cider made, 1873.
127
acres in fruits, 1873
386
Value of fruits and garden vegetables, 1873.
$1,641
Number of horses, 1874.
414
mules, 1874.
6
working oxen, 1874.
32
milch-cows, 1874
626
other cattle, 1874.
659
swine, 1874
957
sheep, 1874
1,752
66
sheared, 1873
1,066
VILLAGES.
There are no villages of any importance in this township, the inhabitants doing the most of their trading across the line, at Pioneer, Ohio.
Amboy Post-office, 16 miles south of Hillsdale City, is situated a little south of the central part of the township, and receives mail semi-weekly from the latter city.
Austin, a hamlet in the northwest corner, and on the line of the contemplated M. C. & L. M. R. R., contains a saw-mill, store, post-office, and 8 or 10 dwelling-houses. Its post-office name is White. It is on the route from Camden Centre to Reading, and receives the mail semi- weekly.
R. W. Drinker's saw- and grist-mills are situated on St. Joseph's River, in the southwest part.
SCHOOLS.
The first school-house erected in the township was built about 1847. It was a small frame structure, and was situa- ted one mile east of the Baptist church. Miss Lucia Cohoon was the first teacher in the new school-house, and hers was the first school taught in the town.
The first teacher licensed, after the organization of the township, was Miss Elizabeth Doolittle, who was examined, and found qualified, May 8, 1850.
The first board of school inspectors, viz., Charles Farlee, William Drake, and Gideon G. King, met at the house of John King, Saturday, June 1, 1850, and organized five school districts. Charles Farlee was examined, and found qualified to teach, Nov. 2, 1850.
The following is the first report regarding school moneys, its apportionment, and explains itself :
5,407
King, Rodney
8
2
potatoes harvested, 1873.
Personal.
Lewis, Dewitt C
34
71,895
1,025
maple-sugar produced, 1873.
1,967
00 00
PHOTO. BY CARSON & CRA
PHOTO. BY GARSON & GRAHAM
MRS. HENRY LOUTSENHIZER.
HENRY LOUTSENHIZER.
RESIDENCE OF HENRY LOUTSENHIZER, AMBOY, HILLSDALE CO., MICH.
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
"STATE OF MICHIGAN, COUNTY OF HILLSDALE.
" To the Treasurer of Amboy township :
"SIR,-The amount of school money to be apportioned in the several districts entitled thereto, being the interest of the Primary School Fund, is $20.00 for the year end- ing Sept. 1, 1851. The districts entitled to draw money are districts Nos. 3 and 4.
" Number of scholars in district No. 3, 45; amount of money apportioned to the same, $15.25. Number of scholars in district No. 4, 14; amount of money appor- tioned, $4.75.
" Dated at Amboy, this 22d day of September, 1851. " CHARLES FARLEE, Township Clerk."
The school-house in district No. 7 was the first brick building erected in the township. Number of school dis- tricts in the township, 1878, 10; children of school age, 505 ; amount of interest, Primary School Fund, $281.88.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN AMBOY
was organized by Rev. L. A. Alford, Feb. 23, 1850, with the following-named members : Amos S. Drake, William D. Stout, Horace Gillett, Harris W. Odell, Catherine Drake, Emily Farlee, Catherine Heckel, and Mrs. Philbrick. Pre- vious to the formation of this society, the people had listened to the preachings of Elders Smith, Lewis, and other mission- aries, sent out by the Baptist Home Mission Society. Meet- ings were held in the school-house of district No. 5. Elder Perrin also preached here one year previous to the regular organization. In 1870, William Drake, Homer C. Davis, Warren Mccutcheon, John S. Drake, and Walter E. King were elected trustees, and empowered to go forward and build a house of worship. An edifice was commenced in the spring of 1871. This, when in a forward state, was blown down in the fall of the same year. Although some- what discouraged, another structure (the present one) was commenced in the spring of 1872, completed during the year, and dedicated Jan. 1, 1873. It has sittings for 300 people, and cost $3600, which is all paid up. The pastors since Mr. Alford have been William D. Stout,-a licentiate of the society,-who continued one year. He was followed by Rev. Orlando Mack, who came in 1854, and remained two years. Mr. Stout returned early in 1856. Rev. L. M. Rose became the pastor in 1859, and remained until the time of his death, May 11, 1872. Rev. William Pren- tice supplied for a few months after the death of Mr. Rose, also Elder William Bassett. Rev. Robert Clark came next, and remained two years. Rev. William Read was their last pastor. The society has no pastor at the present time. Present membership, 88; number of pupils in Sabbath- schools, 70 ; superintendent of Sabbath-schools, William Drake, who has served in that capacity for a period of 21 years.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In February, 1851, Rev. Newland Sampson organized a Protestant Methodist Society of about 15 members. Among them were George W. Alfred, Catherine Alfred, Milo Sco- vill, Cynthia Scovill, David C. Rowland, Eva Rowland,
Mary Shupp, Betsey Alfred, Lucy Alfred, Debalt Heckel, Mrs. D. Heckel, and Salander Johnson. Their meetings were held in the school-house of district No. 4, and they were visited by Elders Sampson and Hurlbut semi-monthly for about five years, when the society disbanded.
At this time (1856) a Methodist Episcopal class was formed by Rev. John J. Andridge, comprised of the fol- lowing members, viz. : George W. Alfred, Catharine Alfred, Milo Scovill, Cynthia Scovill, Cyrus Gordon and wife, and Mary Shupp. The meetings were held in the school-house until April 13, 1871, when their present house of worship was dedicated as the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Amboy. It has sittings for 300 persons, and cost $2500. Among the pastors of this church who have followed Mr. Andridge are Revs. Nathan Mount, I. Finch, E. C. Cham- bers, John Hoyt, Franklin Cook, Myron Wheeler, Charles Warburton, William Ball, John Johns, M. D. Carroll, - Jones, D. A. Ide, C. H. Ellis, J. Berry, and George - Donaldson, the present pastor.
This church now forms part of the Ransom Circuit, Coldwater District. Number of present members, 60; number of pupils in Sabbath-schools, 50. Henry L. Rus- sell, Sabbath-school superintendent.
CEMETERIES.
It was voted at the annual township-meeting, held April 7, 1851, " That the town board be instructed to procure or purchase a good and sufficient burying-ground in this township."
Acting upon these instructions, a ground for burial pur- poses was soon after located upon the northwest corner of section 5, township 9 south, range 2 west. Other burying- grounds are found upon sections 3 and 10, township 9 south, range 3 west.
MILITARY.
During the war of the Rebellion, the township issued bonds, for the payment of soldiers' bounties, to the amount of $2400. Her quotas were always filled, and by her sons was represented upon a majority of the hard-fought fields which from 1861 to 1865 deluged our common country with woe and bloodshed. Their names, and the history of the organizations to which they belonged, are more fully treated, under the head of military, in the general history, to which the reader is respectfully referred.
In compiling the history of the township of Amboy, we have been assisted very materially by information derived from Hon. William Drake, Messrs. George W. Alfred, William Elliott, Edward Darlington, township clerk, Mrs. James H. Fullerton, Mrs. John King, and many others, to all of whom we desire to return our sincere thanks for their uniform courtesy and kindness.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
AUGUSTUS' G. MCCLELLAN,
the subject of this sketch, was born in the State of Ver- mont, Sept. 16, 1811. Until he was eighteen years old he lived on the farm with his father. His education was such
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
as could be obtained at the district schools of that day, going three miles to school during the winter months. At the age of eighteen he went to Portage Co., Ohio, where he learned the carpenter and joiner trade, which he followed several years. April 18, 1833, he was married to Mrs. Mary Sears. The result of this union was four children, viz. : Ralph, born March 21, 1837 ; Orrison, born May 21, 1839; Melissa Ann, born May 16, 1843; and Alice S.,
Photo. by Carson & Graham, Hillsdale.
AUGUSTUS G. M'CLELLAN.
born Aug. 23, 1848. After the death of his first wife, Mr. McClellan was again married, to Miss Mary Taylor, and there were born to them four children : Clarence A., born Jan. 13, 1860 (he was killed June 23, 1864) ; Arthur W., born March 16, 1862; Ida and Ada, born Dec. 20, 1867. From Portage Co., Ohio, Mr. Mcclellan moved to Wood Co., Ohio, where he bought a new farm of eighty acres, which he cleared and improved, working at his trade part of the time. While residing in Wood County he was for many years justice of the peace and postmaster, always taking an active part in school matters, and generally a member of the board. In the fall of 1860 he sold his farm and moved into Amboy, Hillsdale Co., Mich., where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, which was mostly new. This farm he improved and built upon, living thereon till his death, which occurred May 15, 1874. He had lived in Amboy but two years when he was elected supervisor, which office he held several terms to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He was also for several years a justice of the peace, and it is said by his old neighbors that his advice in legal matters was better than that given by many lawyers. His son, Orrison, enlisted in Company B, 57th Ohio Infantry, and served one and one-half years. Ralph enlisted Feb. 3, 1863, in Company B, 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, and was dis- charged June 5, 1865. Was in the battle of the Wilder- ness and part of the siege of Petersburg.
ELIHU FERRALL.
William Ferrall was born in Holly Spring, Va., and was married at the age of twenty-three to Rachel Beck. His son, Elihu Ferrall, the subject of this sketch, was born Jan. 5, 1817, in Salem township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, from whence his father moved to Centre township, in the same county, where he resided until he was nineteen years old, when he left home, and, without a cent, commenced in life for himself. He was naturally of a roving disposition, and, bound to gratify this desire, he started out, earning the means to pay his way by working at whatever he could get to do. In this way he traveled through the States of Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and thence home to Ohio, where he remained but a short time, when he again started on his rambles, going down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi; then through the States of Iowa and Illinois to Chicago; from there across the lake to Michigan ; thence on foot to Toledo, Ohio ; from there to Cleveland by schooner ; then on foot again to his old home. March 25, 1840, he was married to Mary Ann Hart, daughter of Garrett Hart and Elizabeth Hart, who was born July 16, 1817. After their marriage they worked a rented farm for a couple of years and then bought. In 1855 he sold out and moved to Fulton Co., Ohio. In 1858 again sold out and moved with his family on a wild farm in Amboy town- ship, Hillsdale Co., Mich., running in debt for the same. At this time they had a family of eight children and nothing to live upon but potatoes, and not always enough of them, but an indomitable will conquered, and they soon had food in abundance. They have had ten children : Sarah Catharine, born March 26, 1841; Barzillai F., born May 7, 1842; Garrett H., born Nov. 11, 1843; Rachel B., born April 21, 1845; Oliver P., born July 26, 1846 ; Jane E., born March 5, 1848; John W., born Nov. 15, 1850; James E., born Oct. 17, 1852 ; Taylor S., born May 29, 1854 ; and Isabell Lucy, born May 21, 1856. Rachel B. died May 15, 1846. Mr. Ferrall owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, one hundred acres improved, with one of the best houses in town. In politics he was a Whig in early days, since then a Republican. In religion liberal, while Mrs. Fer- rall has been for many years a Methodist, but is at present a member of the society of United Brethren.
HENRY LOUTSENHIZER.
David Loutsenhizer was born June 15, 1802, in West- moreland Co., Pa. In 1824 he was married to Miss Mar- garet Cavett, and soon after emigrated to Ohio, living a short time in Licking County, from whence he moved to Williams County, where he resided till his death. They had born to them thirteen children, James, Mary, Louisa, Henry, Hester, William, Joseph, Lydia Ann, Oliver D., and John C. (the two last were twins), Margaret, Sarah, and David. Henry Loutsenhizer, the fourth child, and the subject of this sketch, was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1828. Arriving at maturity he commenced life for himself, with nothing but his energy and perseverance for a dowry. During the first winter he worked in an ashery, and the wages thus earned, added to the amount received
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
for a colt which had been given him, made the sum of ninety-nine dollars and fifty cents. At this time he was troubled with the California fever, but his capital was too small, and he applied to Judge Ayres, then of West Unity, for assistance, and the judge, with no security but Mr. Loutsenhizer's word of honor, loaned him one hundred dollars, Mr. Loutsenhizer agreeing to give the judge one- third of first year's earnings. April 5, in company with others, he started for the land of gold, going overland with a team, and making the trip in five months, and seeing the hard times and excitement attending an overland trip to Cali- fornia at that time. His first year's earnings amounted to twelve hundred and eight dollars, one-third of which he gave the judge. In April, 1852, he returned to Ohio, and,
with the money thus earned, he made a start with which he has made himself a competency, at this date owning a farm of two hundred acres, one of the best in his town. Dec. 5, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Bachman, daughter of George and Sarah Bachman, of Williams Co., Ohio, where they had moved from Seneca Co., N. Y., in which county Miss Bachman was born.
· In 1839, Mr. Loutsenhizer bought a farm in Williams Co., Ohio, which he cleared and improved, selling the same in 1861 and taking up his residence on another new farm in Amboy, Hillsdale Co., Mich., where he has since resided. In politics he is and has always been a Democrat, and has several times been nominated by his party for supervisor, always getting more than his party vote.
CAMDEN.
THE township of Camden was, in 1839, a part of the town of Reading, and had before the organization of that town formed a part of the town of Allen. A bill was presented to the Legislature, in the session of 1839, to set off the south part of Reading into a separate town. A meeting was held, during the pendency of this bill, at the house of Eason T. Chester, to select a name for the new town. Among the names proposed were "Clarence," " Echo," and "Camden." After considerable discussion the name of Camden, proposed by Mr. Chester, was settled upon, and the representative was notified of the choice and incorporated the name in the bill. This town was there- fore named Camden, after the town of that name in Oneida Co., N. Y. It is the southwest town of the county, and contains an area of 26,927 acres, being sections 1 to 36 (except sections 30 and 31 and the south half of section 19) of town 8 south, of range 4 west, and sections 1 to 12 (except sections 6 and 7) of town 9 south, of range 4 west. The sections excepted lie in the town of Clear Lake, Ind.
Camden is bounded north by Reading, east by Wood- bridge and Amboy, south by Northwest, Williams Co., O., and west by Clear Lake, Steuben Co., Ind., and by Cali- fornia, Branch Co., Mich.
The surface of the town is generally level or slightly rolling, rising into low hills in the central part along the course of the streams, and being most level in the south and east parts. In the northwest part of the town there is considerable marshy land, the surface there being low as compared to the water-courses. The hills rising highest above the general surface are just north of Camden village, and are of the kind known as clay knobs, and furnish a good quality of clay for use in brick-making.
The soil is varied in its character, and consists of clayey, gravelly, and sandy loam and muck. It is very irregular
in its distribution, all kinds of soil often appearing in a piece of land but a few rods square, and is of a very fertile nature. Originally the land was covered with dense forest, except in the western part, where there were oak openings. These openings were at first considered of but little value, and were neglected for many years, but latterly they have risen in the estimation of the people until they are now looked upon as good lands for agricultural purposes.
The principal stream of this town is known as Little St. Joseph River. It takes its rise in Clear Lake, Ind., of which it is the outlet, and enters the town at its northwest corner. It is soon joined by a branch which flows from Turner's Lake, in the town of Reading, and passing through two other small lakes enters Camden at the east line of sec- tion 6. It then pursues a southeast course, and passes into Amboy near the north boundary of that town. It eventu- ally flows into the Maumee River, and through that stream enters Lake Erie at Toledo. In its course through this town it is augmented by several tributary streams rising in this and adjoining towns.
Another stream of considerable size, and which is also a branch of the Little St. Joseph, is the outlet of Long Lake. This lake, which is very irregular in form, very much re- sembling a large letter Z, lies across the State line, about one-third of it being in Indiana. It covers an area of about 120 acres, has a gravelly bottom, and but little marsh about its shores. The outlet is at its western extremity, and curves eastward till it enters Camden in section 32 and flows eastward three miles, when it takes a sudden turn and runs south till it crosses the line into Ohio. These streams are not rapid in their flow, but rather inclined to be sluggish. Marsh Lake, covering an area of some 30 acres, lies in the north part of sections 4 and 5, South Camden.
There are a few very small ponds in the town, most of
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
them lying near the western border, and none of sufficient size to merit separate mention.
Previous to 1835 this country was a wilderness covered with a dense growth of trees, mostly beech, maple, oak, ash, whitewood, basswood, elm, hickory, and black walnut, with a little tamarack along the streams and in the swamps, and a sprinkling of white birch in some localities. The Indians roamed through the forest in search of game, and wolves and bears alone disputed their supremacy. But the restive, progressive American spirit was strong in the breasts of the Eastern people, impelling them on to seek new locations, to subdue the wild lands of the West, and to find on these new and cheap lands homes for themselves and prospective wealth for their children. The lands began to be taken up about 1832 or 1833, though the actual settlement was made a little later. A large part of the land in this town was taken up by speculators, and after being held by them for several years, was then sold at advanced prices to actual settlers, who immediately began to improve them, and to change the country from a frowning forest to a smiling and fruitful Arcadia. For a few years the settlements grew slowly, and not until about 1850 did settlers come in very fast. From that time the growth was rapid, and very soon there were no vacant farms remaining.
The first settlement within the limits of this town was made by James Fowle, on 480 acres of land in sections 28, 29, 32, and 33, in the west central part, near Long Lake. He was a native of Monroe County, in the State of New York, and at the age of twenty-four years married Mary Ann McKnight, a fair daughter of the adjoining county of Livingston, and with her came to Michigan to make a home. They first settled on the river Raisin, in Blissfield, Monroe Co., near the Kidd's Grove post-office. Not being fully satisfied with that location, in the fall of 1835 he left his family at Kidd's Grove, and taking an ox-team and a wagon, started out to look up a farm in the new country to the west. He had to cut his own road through the woods the latter part of his journey, and finding a location that pleased him, he at once entered it, the record being made Dec. 31, 1835. Through the winter months he remained on his land, living in a shanty he had erected, and clearing his land as fast as possible, in order to have some ready to plant in the spring. In the spring he returned to Kidd's Grove, and with the help of his brother, Charles Fowle, now living in Moscow, moved his family to his new location, going by way of Jonesville to Clear Lake, then skirting the shores of that and Long Lake, until he finally reached his desti- nation. That spring he planted potatoes, corn, and beans, and raised quite a crop of each, having, besides what he needed for his own use, some to sell to new-comers who were unsupplied. During the first year's residence in Camden- then a part of Reading-Mrs. Fowle said she did not see a white woman's face. Land-lookers, as men in search of farms were called, were plentiful, and nearly every night one or more would be domiciled with them. Indians, too, were often seen in the forest, or called at the cabin, and the squaws frequently came to their doors; but white women were scarce, and not until the arrival of new settlers in the spring of 1837 did she have the pleasure and satisfaction of meeting and conversing with one of her own race and sex.
In 1837 a post-route was established from Toledo, O., to Lima, Ind., and a post-road was cut through the woods, pass- ing through the south part of Camden. Application was made to the Post-Office Department, and a post-office was established, with James Fowle as postmaster. This office was called " Crawbrooke," after the place in England from which the Fowle family emigrated to America. Mr. Fowle continued to hold the office until the election of Polk to the Presidency, when he was removed. He was the first supervisor of Camden, and was also elected justice of the peace for the full term at the first town-meeting, and was re-elected at the expiration of his first term. He also served as representative in the Michigan Legislature three terms. He was a volunteer in the Black Hawk and Toledo wars, and in his later years drew a pension on account of his services at those times.
His family consisted of eight children,-Cordelia, who married Melvin Tillotson, and died at Fremont, Ind .; Mar- tha L., who married Frederick Chester, and is living at Camden ; Elizabeth, who married George Clark, and now resides at Reading; Louisa, who was the first white child born in Camden, in October, 1837, married Erastus Farn- ham, and is now living at Fremont, Ind .; and Western, Foster, Mary Ann, and Luella, all of whom died in Camden in their childhood. His wife died Sept. 17, 1856, and he subsequently married Mary Youngs, by whom he had one son, named Elco, who is now living with an aunt in Cali- fornia, his mother having died about 1868. James Fowle died May 18, 1865, at the age of fifty-eight years.
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