History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 106

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 772

USA > Michigan > Eaton County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 106
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 106

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Before the village of Potterville was in existence there was not a church, saw-mill, or blacksmith-shop in the town- ship of Benton. At present the manufactories of the place have a capacity for working up 5,000,000 feet of hard- wood lumber annually.

Potterville post-office was established about 1870, with J. W. Potter as first postmaster. He held the office about two years. Its occupants since have been H. J. Maynard, E. G. Boughton, and the present incumbent, J. B. Hart- well. Mr. Potter received twelve dollars a year for his services. Previous to 1860 a post-office called West Ben- ton existed in the west part of the township, and mail was brought to it from Charlotte. It was poorly patronized, owing to the proximity of larger and more important offices, and after a brief existence was discontinued. Potterville post-office is the only one now in the township.

RELIGIOUS.

The society known as Seventh-Day Adventists began holding meetings in the neighborhood of Potterville, in

* The original plat of Potterville was made on sectiens 23 and 26, by these gentlemen, Feb. 12, 1868. An amended and corrected plat was made by them Jan. 12, 1870. Mr. Phelps laid out an addition April 25, 1871, and a second one was platted by William Parmenter and others, Oct. 8, 1872.

422

HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

private and school-houses, about 1858-60. The first preacher of this denomination who held services in the place was Rev. Mr. Frisbie. After the village was laid out liberal inducements were offered by George N. Potter to all societies which should build here. The Adventists were the first to take advantage of his offer, and in 1869 erected their present frame church in the south part of the village. The membership is quite small, and meetings are only held occasionally.

Within two or three years after the above-mentioned church was built, the Congregationalists erected the present brick house of worship occupied by them. The present pastor of this church is Rev. Mr. Murray. The congrega- tion is large, and the affairs of the church and society are in a flourishing condition.

The Methodists held meetings in the vicinity for a num- ber of years before building a church, occupying, a portion of the time, the house owned by the Congregational Society. The present fine frame church of the Methodist Society was erected in 1877-78, and dedicated Feb. 3, 1878. On the day of dedication, Rev. B. F. Bangs, the presiding elder of the Lansing District, preached in the morning, and Rev. C. S. Fox, of Bellevue, in the evening. Rev. E. Knapp, who was then pastor, is now serving his third year in that capacity. The building is in the pure Gothic style, after plans and specifications by Mr. Sloan, of Philadelphia, Pa. It has stained-glass windows and is heated with a furnace. It is carpeted throughout and seated with black-walnut. Its seating capacity is 300. The cost of the house and lot was 82750; of the bell, $216; of the church furniture, $250; of the organ, $200. On dedication day the total debt of the society, with interest, amounting altogether to $1241, was cleared. The building is a credit to the society and to the village.

SCHOOLS.

About 1843, Japhet Fisher, Stephen Davis, and William Quantrell built a frame school-house, twelve feet square, on land owned by Mr. Fisher, in the southwest part of the

township. Children from the few families living in the neighborhood attended. The first teacher was Miss Celesta Davis, daughter of Stephen Davis, and now the wife of Nathan A. Johnson, of Charlotte. Miranda Hutchins and others taught subsequently. At nearly the same time- possibly a little later-Mr. Fisher helped to build a log shanty, with a trough roof, in the Ilovey settlement, on section 29, which was also used for a school-house. The first district in the township was organized in that neigh- borhood, and included also the families in the Fisher set- tlement.

The first school in the east half of the township was taught in the barn owned by Linus Potter, in 1845, by his daughter Louisa, now Mrs. John F. Carman. It was not used as a barn until afterwards. Seven children attended. A frame building was afterwards erected, and used until 1870, when the present brick two-story school-house in Potterville was built, near the site of the old one. The school is conducted on the graded system, has two depart- ments, and was taught, in the winter of 1879-80, by Charles A. Smith, from the State Agricultural College, at Lansing. Miss Ida Cranston was principal in June, 1880.

The report of the township school inspectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879, contains the following facts regard- ing the schools of the township :

No. of districts, all whole. 8

" school-childreo io township 478

in attendance during year .. 392

days school taught 1254

school-houses (brick, 2; frame, 6). 8

seatings in same.

636

Value of school property.

$6530

17 No. of teachers employed ( males, 4 ; females, 13) Wages paid same (malcs, $550; females, $943.60). $1493.60 Total resources for 1879 2842.57

Amount on hand, Sept. 1, 1879 .. 494.54

Total expenditures, less amount oo haod .. 2348.03

The schools of Benton are all in flourishing condition, and from the foregoing figures it will be seen that the buildings average well in condition and value with those of any township in the county.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GEORGE N. POTTER.

The life of George N. Potter presents one of the finest examples of the success which is the reward of persevering, untiring efforts, combined with the qualities of a well- balanced mind and sound judgment. With no advantages of birth or education to advance his career, he has utilized the natural gifts with which nature endowed him, and made himself a strong influence in the commercial and financial world.

Mr. Potter was the son of Linus and Diana Phelps Potter, the former a Pennsylvanian, and the latter a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y. He was born in Ira, Cayuga Co., Oct. 16, 1827, and when three years of age came with his parents to Michigan. Another child, now Mrs. John F. Carman, of Potterville, accompanied them. Pass- ing over the details of their journey, which was eventful

only in the hardships encountered, the emigrants at length arrived at their destination, little George during much of the journey strapped upon the back of his father. The same fall they located at Saline, Washtenaw Co., and there Mr. Potter erected the first frame house in the ham- let. Fourteen years was spent at this point, but financial reverses overtaking the family they again became pioneers, and invaded the forests of Eaton County,-the household now consisting of the father, mother, and seven children, the eldest seventeen, and the youngest but one and a half years old, now George N. and James W. Potter respect- ively.

A shanty of logs was erected, with a roof of troughs and a puncheon floor, neither nails nor boards having been used. The site was that now occupied by the village of Potter- ville. The father died July 26, 1846, and left George N.

FIRST H

RESIDENCE & PROPERTY OF GEO. M. .

CASH FOR WHEAT.

IN THE WOODS

TTER, POTTERVILLE EATON CO. MICH.

BENTON.

423

MRS. GEORGE N. POTTER.

at eighteen years of age to care for the family. His only educational advantages embraced a season of three months at school at Vermontville, for which he chopped ten acres of woodland in exchange for his board. This not hav- ing been dcemed sufficient pay by the rapacious host, he returned and assisted in hoeing corn for a week in the fol- lowing summer.

With thirty-five dollars given him by his mother as a reward for his fidelity to the family, and fifteen dollars earned by him, he departed soon after to locate forty acres of land, having previously pre-empted it. The government refused the paper money he offered, and which had been secured at the cost of infinite labor and toil, and demanded gold. Not having a surplus with which to effect the exchange he was dismayed, when a kind friend, in the per- son of Judge McQueen, of Eaton Rapids, exchanged the paper for gold, and paid a high compliment to his honesty by being willing to wait for the difference until he was able to pay it. He was from that time a land-owner, though not yet twenty years of age.

Upon this he built a comfortable house of logs, and on March 1, 1849, was married to Miss Martha L. Gladding, formerly of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.

GEORGE N. POTTER.

MRS. GEORGE N. POTTER (DECEASED).

In 1856, Mr. Potter was elected sheriff of Eaton County, which office he held for four successive years, and in 1862 was appointed deputy provost-marshal, in which position he served during the continuance of the war. He soon after became an extensive land-owner, and introduced into the county the first circular saw.

Mr. Potter's energies were now directed to the construc- tion of a railroad through the county. He was one of the projectors of the Grand River Valley Railroad, and one of the original thirteen capitalists who inaugurated the Pen- insular Railroad, now known familiarly as the Grand Trunk Railroad, of which he was a director. The inception and subsequent growth of the village of Potterville is entirely the result of his energy and liberality. He first erected a saw-mill, and later a stave and heading factory. Then followed a brick block, including a spacious hotel. A flouring-mill was next erected, and at present an exten- sive establishment for the manufacture of bedsteads engages his attention. In all these his younger brother is a partner.

Mrs. Martha L. Potter having died in 1869, in 1870 he was the second time married, to Miss Mary A. Page, of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.

424

HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

HIRAM C. FRENCH.

HIRAM C. FRENCHI.

Among the residents of Benton township who have by their own force of character and energy risen from positions of obseurity to independence and influence is Mr. French, the subject of this biographieal notiec. His father was Charles French, who died when his son was very young, and his mother Mrs. Lovisa Spooner French.

Mr. French was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1820, and emigrated with the latter parent to Ohio in 1834, locating in Lorain County. He was at the age of twenty- two united in marriage to Miss Barbara Smith, whose birth in Baden, Germany, occurred in 1849. They soon

MRS. IIIRAM C. FRENCH.

after repaired to Michigan, and purchased the land upon which he now resides. This farm was on his arrival un- cultivated, and was by Mr. French brought to its present condition of produetiveness. Both Mr. and Mrs. French have contributed to this end by their industry and frugality, having been among the earliest pioneers, and the first to aid in the settlement of the township.

They have four children living to cheer and brighten their declining years. Mr. French is in politics a Repub- lican, though not actively interested in the political sehemes of the day, his attention beiog chiefly confined to the labois of his own estate.

aCAMAHOP

W. Z. MITCHELL.

MRS. W. Z. MITCHELL.

RESIDENCE OF HIRAM C. FRENCH. BENTON TP. EATON CO. MICH.

RESIDENCE OF W 7 MITCHELL RENTAN TO EATON PO MINU

425

BENTON.

W. Z. MITCHELL.

Mr. Mitchell was a son of Welcome Mitchell, a native of New York State and a drummer in the war of 1812. The mother was Priscilla Williams, of New York. They became the parents of fourteen children,-twelve boys and two girls. The son whose biographical sketch is here published was born Oct. 27, 1831. Ile led, during his early years, a monotonous life upon the farm, enjoying during a portion of his time common educational advan- tages. At the age of eighteen he entered school, where he continued two years. At twenty-one he began teaching district school. At the age of twenty-two, in 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Emily A. Ellis, of Orleans Co., N. Y. In April, 1855, they emigrated to Chester town-

M=C

BENNETT J. CLAFLIN.

Among the pioneers of Michigan who hail from New York State is the subject of this memoir. Mr. Claflin was born in Windham, Greene Co., N. Y., and his parents were Cornelius and Phebe Claflin, who were both also natives of the State, and belonged to the farming class.

Owing to the limited mneans and large family of his pa- rents, young Claflin's education was mainly acquired after he went from home and had commenced work for himself. The lack of the necessary education has caused him in later years to take a deep interest in the education of his children, of whom three are now attending college. In his younger days he was something of a wanderer, and engaged in several kinds of business, including milling and boating, before he settled in life.

In 1837 he visited Eaton Co., Mich., and selected land where he now resides, in Benton township, which he has cleared and improved. In 1842 he returned to New York State, and married Miss Harriet B. Penny, with whom he had been acquainted and associated previously, and who was 54

ship, Eaton Co., Mich., and here a rugged experience was endured by both, with little means and many obstacles be- fore them. Snecess was only achieved by perseverance and indomitable courage. In June, 1855, he purchased eighty acres of wild land and erected a log house, varying the labor of the husbandman with the profession of instructor, and also serving as school inspector for eleven years in his township. In 1866 he removed to Benton township and purchased his present residence, to which he has added improvements and land until it has become one of the rep- resentative estates of the township. In 1878 and in 1879 he was supervisor of this township. He now owns three hundred acres of land and has three children, all at home. . lle is a staunch Republican.

M. G.

MRS. BENNETT J. CLAFLIN.

born in Unadilla Forks, Otsego Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mis. Claflin lived together for a period of thirty years, until 1872, when Mrs. Claflin was taken away by death, her demise occurring in Benton, Eaton Co.

They were blessed with eight children, all but one of whom are now living. Amos F. has purchased the homestead, and with him the father, now nearly seventy years of age, finds a welcome home. During the whole of his active life in Michigan he has never known a day's illness, having es- caped even the universal malady, fever and ague. Mr. Claflin has during this long period enjoyed the regard of a wide circle of neighbors and friends. Mr. Claflin is a staunch Republican of the Zachariah Chandler stamp, and very often makes the assertion that he has never missed voting for President.

Ilis townsmen have honored him with every gift in their power. As evidence of his political stamina, it may be mentioned that he walked eighteen miles to cast his first vote for President, which was given to Gen. William Henry Harrison.

426

HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

MRS. WILLIAM QUANTRELL.

WILLIAM QUANTRELL.

Among the enterprising citizens that have bade adieu to the mother-country and chosen homes in the county of Eaton the name of Mr. Quantrell stands prominent. He is the son of William and Harriet Quantrell, both of Eng- lish descent, and was born in Norfolk, Jan. 14, 1816, his father having been by profession an actor. William, their son, spent his early years in a silk- and worsted-factory, having at a tender age realized the necessity of labor as a means of livelihood.

He, with his mother and children, finally emigrated to the inviting field of industry America offered, and first settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where they remained for eleven years. He was, in 1840, married to Miss Esther Landers, of Medina Co., Ohio, whose parents were early pioneers to

WILLIAM QUANTRELL.

that county. They removed to Michigan in 1841, and located on his present farm, where he was afflicted in 1853 in the loss of his estimable wife. He was united in mar- riage in 1854 to Miss Mary A. Searles, whose birth at Wales, Erie Co., N. Y., occurred Jan. 13, 1828. Her parents, Jonathan and Sarah Bart Searles, were pioneers to Eaton County in 1836.

Mr. and Mrs. Quantrell have both experienced all the vicissitudes, hardships, and trials of pioneer life, having arrived in the county when the lands were covered by forests, and by their energy and conrage assisted in its de- velopment to its present fruitful condition. They are still able to bear their share of the burden and heat of the day, though a fair modicum of success in their undertakings has rendered further hard labor unnecessary.

WILLIAM B. OTTO.

MRS. WILLIAM B. OTTO.

BRICK YARD & TILE WORKS OF WMQUANTRELL & SONS.

RES. OF W™ QUANTRELL, BENTON TP. EATON CO. MICH.

ido

VIEW OF BARNS FROM THE SOUTH WEST.

STOCK FARM & RES OF WR OTTO BIRmana Catauf Alle

VIEW OF RESIDENCE FROM SOUTH EAST.

-Ihrung DE MOSES FOX . BENTON TP. EATON CO. MICH.

427

BENTON.

WILLIAM B. OTTO.

The parents of Mr. Otto were Henry and Cyrena Bryan Otto, the former having been a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Their son was born in Wood Co., Ohio, in 1846, and lost his father, who combined mechanical pur- suits with those of a farmer, at an early age. He remained at home assisting his mother in the care of the farm until his sixteenth year, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Infantry, and served his country until the close of the war, participating in the following battles : Stone River, Hobbs' Ferry, Loudon Creek, Campbell Sta- tion, Knoxville, where he was taken prisoner, Strawberry Plains, Rocky Face, Burnt Hickory, Pine Mountain, Kene- saw Mountain, Peach-Tree Creek, Atlanta, Utoy's Creek,

L-B

MOSES FOX.

Moses Fox, who was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., April 6, 1816, was the son of Uriah and Polly Allen Fox, the former of whom was a native of New Hampshire. Their son was early instilled with principles of industry and econ- omy, and taught to depend upon his own exertions for success. After a few terms at the district school of the neighborhood, he was instructed in the laborious pursuits of the farmer. At the age of twenty-five years, and on the 3d of December, 1841, he was united in marriage at Elba, Genesee Co., N. Y., to Miss Julia Ann McIntyre, who was a native of New England, and born April 29, 1817, her parents having been Amos and Nancy McIntyre. Being desirous after his marriage to establish a home for himself, he emigrated with his wife to Michigan, and lo-

Lovejoy Station, Columbia, Franklin, Nashville, and Fort Anderson.

With a creditable record he returned at the close of the war, and in 1866 removed to Michigan, where he engaged in milling and farming at Potterville until his marriage to Miss Celia Potter (daughter of George N. Potter, of Potterville) in 1873, who was born in Benton township in 1854. A year later he purchased the Potter homestead, his present residence. This estate is one of the most highly cultivated and attractive in the township. Mr. Otto pays particular attention to the breeding of draught horses, which he has for some time made a specialty. He is not only a successful business man, but a courteous and liberal gentleman.

.......

L-B

MRS. MOSES FOX.

cated in the township of Benton, upon eighty acres which had been purchased the previous fall. In the midst of the wilderness a shanty of logs was erected, which was covered with elm-bark. Eaton Rapids, a distance of thirteen miles, afforded the nearest trading-point, and their limited means enabled them but seldom to avail themselves of its advan- tages. Mr. and Mrs. Fox have by their own industry and frugality acquired a competence. Their farm of two hundred and eighty acres is one of the most productive in the township, and all their surroundings are those of com- fort and abundance. They are both members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, which they have generously sus- tained. Two children have blessed their home,-Mary S. and Amos N. Mr. Fox is in his political predilections a Republican, though not a strong partisan.

428

HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

LORENZO HATCH.

Lorenzo Hatch was born in Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., in 1817. Until he was twenty-five years of age he lived at home, attending school the greater part of his youthful boyhood, and working on his father's farm the more mature years. In 1842 he came to Michigan, and located in Benton township on eighty acres of land, which was then an almost unbroken forest, few having preceded him. Those days were days of trials and hardships, though there were spots of sunshine in the lives of those pioneers, though all kuew the meaning of hard labor and privation ; but slowly under their exertions the scene changed, and forest gave place to field, swamp to meadow, and the log cabin and barn to frame or brick structures, with all the comforts of civilization. Mr. Hatch married in - Miss Alvira , who died in lle married for his second wife Martha A. Childs. Solomon, the second son of the last marriage, purchased the old homestead, where he now resides, having married Miss Libbie Wetmore, of Benton township.

Mr. Hlatch died in Charlotte in 1876. He was a man known only to be esteemed, possessing a large circle of friends, respected for his sterling virtues, and honored for his integrity. Such men are the woof and warp of our society, the woven threads of whose lives compose the fabric whereon rests our social civilization, our civil government, and the perpetuity of our free institutions.

CHARLES II. BROWN.

Charles II. Brown was born in Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., on Nov. 30, 1832. His father, Avery Brown, was a native of Connecticut, born in 1800, and by trade a tailor .. His mother, Matilda ( Hatch ) Brown, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1797. They were the parents of nine chil-

CHARLES H. BROWN.

dren,-six sons and three daughters,-Charles H. being the fourth son. His early life was passed at home and in school, attaining a good, thorough common-school educa- tion, engaging in farming occasionally, enough to imbue him with a true love of it, which he has never lost, always indulging in it with a zest rather than performing it as a duty. When he was sixteen years old his parents moved to Grand Rapids, locating on one of the finest farms in Kent County. This was eminently to the satisfaction of Charles, and in 1853 he purchased eighty acres of wild land, which he caused to be improved until it was in a high state of cultivation, although himself being employed as foreman of a large saw-mill in Ottawa County for eight years. He had married, in 1854, Miss Mary Ann Haire, of Ottawa County, a sister of John and Robert Haire, who were men well known in that section of the State, pos- sessing large property and considerable influence. Being bereft of his wife, who died in Georgetown, Ottawa Co., he sold his farm and removed to Potterville. This was before the village had an existence, and he assisted in laying out and platting it. In 1864 he married Miss Hannah Haire, a sister of his first wife. Although a resident of Potter- ville, owning a valuable farm adjacent to the village, he has lived a portion of his time in Charlotte, having held the office of register of deeds six years, during which time he rented his farm, living in that village, serving one year as mayor. He has also been supervisor of his township three years in succession, besides holding several other township offices. Has been president of the Eaton County Agricul- tural Society, and in many other ways is identified with the public interests of the community in which he lives, pos- sessing great energy, force of character, and public spirit. Supports liberally the churches, schools, and every enter- prise tending towards the advancement of the community in which he resides and where he is highly respected, hold- ing a great influence and exerting it for the best interests of the people of his chosen village and township.

بي٠ ٥.

429

BROOKFIELD.

Nº 3

ROWLAND PAINE.

Mr. Paine's birth occurred at Martock, Somersetshire, England, in 1820. His father was William Pipe Paine and his mother Mary Cox, a native of the same parish. Their son devoted himself to study until his fourteenth year, when he became an apprentice to a linen-draper, whom he served faithfully for seven years. He then emi- grated to Australia, where he remained eight years, and on returning to England was married to Miss Elizabeth Cog- gan. Three months later he came to America, leaving his wife in England, who survived her marriage but thirteen months, and died leaving one child. Four years later he returned to his native land, and was uuited to Miss Sarah Lock, daughter of George and Mary Lock, of Martock, Somersetshire, England, whose family for successive gener- ations occupied their homes at this point. The families of .

M . G.

MRS. ROWLAND PAINE.

both Mr. and Mrs. Paine numbered thirteen children,-a rather singular coincidence.

Mr. Paine pursued the occupation of a stock-dealer in Ohio for four years, after which he removed to the town- ship of Roxand, Eaton Co. At the expiration of seven years he repaired to Benton and purchased the premium farm of the county. This fine estate embraces one hun- dred and thirty acres of improved and highly-cultivated land, with every advantage of location. Mr. Paine has not only demonstrated his success as a farmer, but has ever maintained a deserved reputation as a man of generous im- pulses and great excellence of character. Both arc honored members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His con- nection with this church has extended over a period of twenty years, while Mrs. Paine recalls double that length of time as a zealous Christian. Mr. Paine is in politics a Republican.

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History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 106

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co. Number of Pages: 772

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 772