History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 108

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 108
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 108

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).

Peter Williams was the first settler at what is called Dut- tonville, having come in 1841. Enos Dutton located after- wards and built a saw-mill on Battle Creek. It was finally converted into a steam-mill. Mr. Williams subsequently built a steam saw-mill. He and his wife are now living on their old farm. Enos Dutton, for whom the settlement was named, finally removed from it, and is now deceased.

Martin Fox,* a native of Rome, Oncida Co., N. Y., settled in Michigan in the fall of 1836, and returned to the former State in 1842. In 1852 he came again to Michigan, and in the spring of 1854 located in Brookfield township, where he now resides. His son, Garry C. Fox, is the present clerk of Eaton County.

William G. Delesdernier, a native of Cobleskill, Schoharie Co., N. Y., settled in Eaton County about the last of Octo- ber, 1845. Ilis death occurred March 31, 1877 .*

Orrin Moody, a native of New Hampshire, came to Michigan in 1832 with the first portable threshing-machine

# Items from records of Pioneer Society.

RESIDENCE AND MILL OF G. A. STARKWEATHER BROOKFIELD TP. EATON CO. MICH.

433

BROOKFIELD.

ever brought to the Territory. He settled in 1833, and came to Eaton County in 1840 .*

Brookfield township seems to have been chosen as a par- ticular haunt for wild game, and bears, wolves, and deer were so numerous in its forests and swaups that every settler was afforded an opportunity, if he desired, of laying in a stock of adventures as a fund for anecdote in the years to come, when the game should have disappeared and the human actor in the play become aged and feeble.

TAXPAYERS IN 1844.

The following is a list of the taxpayers in the township of Brookfield in 1844. Of these a considerable number were non-residents: Peter H. Fisher, Alexander McAr- thur, Nicholas Boody, George W. Knight, Peter Moe, Samuel S. Bly, Joram Chatfield, James Moe, Henry Potts, Jacob Nichols, Joseph Walworth, Daniel S. Elliott, Cyrenus Kinter, John Boody, Peter Boody, B. B. Snyder, Esek Whipple, Jonathan M. Jackson, Jesse Hart, Peter Wil- liams, P. P. Fielding, Montgomery Crofoot, Thomas South- ward, John Boody, Jr., John Southward, Amos Carrier, John Otely, Henry P. R. Epley, Henry Moe, Peter L. Moe, Nelson McArthur, Erastus Sisson, Loomis & Hix (shingle-machine and shingles), G. Gilbert, B. Knight, Francis E. Knott, A. F. Fitch,* M. G. Lavalley, W. S. Landon,* C. Teft, A. Ferris,* O. S. Hobert,* James Mc- Donald,* S. Worth,* T. R. Smith,* Caleb Woodbury,* S. Ely,* A. Vancleve,* R. Cushing,* J. W. Blackman,* W. D. Thompson,* R. P. Hart,* Charles R. Sherman, Francis E. Knott,* J. Palmer,* W. Frink,* F. Haven,* J. Taber,* J. Baink,* S. Farnam,* H. W. Young,* R. P. Hart,* S. Powell,* O. Cooley,* G. West,* W. Coon,* S. Scofield,* H. Scofield,* J. P. Woodbury,* C. W. Clapp,* D. Crary,* A. Green,* E. Boughton,* G. H. Baker,* Elijah Green,* L. M. Pike .*

A considerable number of those marked as non-residents of the township were citizens of the county, and lived in Bellevue, Carmel, Eaton, and other townships, some of them being among the most prominent settlers and business men of the county. ,

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION .- LIST OF OFFICERS.

An act of the Legislature approved March 20, 1841, provided that " All that portion of the county of Eaton designated by the United States survey as township No. I north, of range No. 4 west, be, and the same is hereby, set off and organized into a separate township by the name of Brookfield, and the first township-meeting shall be held at the dwelling-house of Peter Moe, in said township."

From the township records is taken the following account of the first township-meeting :

"This may certify that at the annual township-meeting of the township of Brookfield, holden on the 19th of April inst., agreeable 10 an act to regulate township-meetings in newly-organized town- ships, there were elected four justices of the peace,-township officers, -viz. : John Boody, Palmer Rose, Charles R. Sherman, and Sidenus M. Fish, Justices of the Peace.

"Township Clerk, ¿ Sidenus M. Fish.

* Items from records of Pioneer Society.

+ Those marked thus (*) were non-residents.

į The record says nothing about the election of a supervisor. 55

" Collector, Sylvanus Metcalf .?

" Assessors, Jesse Hart, Samuel S. Bly, Amos Carrier.

"Constables, Samuel S. Bly, Peter Boody, Sylvanus Metcalf.

" Treasurer, Palmer Rose.

"Commissioners of Highways, Amos Carrier, John Boody, Jesse Hart.

"School Inspectors, Sidenus M. Fish, Charles R. Sherman, Palmer Rose.

" Directors of Poor, Samuel S. Bly, Charles R. Sherman.

"Township" Inspectors of Election, James McQueen, Jesse HIart, Sidenus M. Fish, Henry Moe, Charles R. Sherman, John Boody.

" Resolved unanimously, That there shall be raised fifteen dollars to purchase blank books for said township.

" Resolved, by the majority of said township-meeting, that there be also raised sixty dollars for the improvement of roads in said town- ship.

" Resolved, also, to raise twenty-five dollars for the support of poor in said township.

" Voted, That the next annual township-meeting he held at the school-house near Nicholas Boody's in said township.

" April 19, 1841.

" JAMES MCQUEEN, Clerk pro tem."

The following persons were selected as jurymen from the township of Brookfield for the year 1841 : Grand Jurors, Cyrenus Kinter, Jesse Hart, Charles R. Sherman ; Petit Jurors, John Boody, Amos Carrier, Palmer Rose.

In 1842 it was

" Resolved, That all gees, hens, hogs (with the exeptions of Boars) he free Cominers, waying over forty weight for the year 1842."

It is very likely the "gees" and hens cackled loudly at being allowed such unbounded liberty.

The following is a list of the principal officers of the township of Brookfield from 1842 to 1879, inclusive :

SUPERVISORS.

1842-46, Jesse Ilart; 1847, George W. Knight; 1848, Jesse Hart ; 1849, Pardon H. Fisher; 1850-51, Jesse Hart; 1852, Pardon H. Fisher; 1853, Thomas MeDonald; 1854, Isaac Thomas; 1855, Jeremiah Thomas; 1856, Aldro Atwood; 1857, C. R. Sherman ; 1858-59, Jesse Ilart ; 1860-61, John G. Estelle; 1862, Jesse Hart; 1863, John G. Estelle; 1864, John E. Kenyon ; | 1865, Aldra At- wood; 1866-67, Isaac Stevens; 1868, Harlow L. Dewey; 1869- 70, John G. Estelle; 1871-73, H. C. Whittum; 1874-77, H. B. Perry ; [ 1878, J. M. Peters; 1879, G. A. Perry.

TOWNSHIP CLERKS.

1842, Charles R. Sherman ; 1843, John S. Moe; 1844-45, George W. Knight; 1846, Jesse lIart; 1847-48, Pardon II. Fisher; 1849, Aldro Atwood; 1850, Charles R. Sherman; 1851-52, Thomas McDonald; 1853, Pardon H. Fisher; 1854, John Boody ; 1855, John Sherman; 1856, Jesse HIart; 1857, Pardon H. Fisher ; 1858, G. H. Scofield ; 1859, J. G. Estelle : 1860-61, Enos Dutton ; 1862- 63, Horace B. Perry ; 1864, John E. Kenyon ;** 1865-66, Elijah Sherman; 1867, Elijah Mosher; 1868-70, Horace B. Perry ; 1871-73, Charles Harris; 1874, William King; 1875-76, J. A. Vanande; 1877, Garry C. Fox; 1878, J. G. Estelle; 1879, Jose- phus Post.

TREASURERS.

1842-44, Benjamin B. Snyder; 1845-47, Cyrenus Kinter; 1848, Nel- son McArthur; 1849, Erastus K. Sisson ; 1850, Nelson McArthur ; 1851-53, Esek Whipple; 1854, Sargent Ticknor; 1855, Esck Whipple; 1856, Frederick M. Rose ; 1857-58, Nelson McArthur ; 1859-60, Joram Chatfield ; 1861-62, T. D. Bryan ; 1863-64, Har-

¿ Jesse Hart was appointed collector Jan. 28, 1842.

| Enlisted, and J. G. Estelle was appointed; resigned, and Peter Williams appointed.

[ Resigned in 1877, and G. A. Perry appointed.

*** Resigned, and Il. B. Perry appointed.

434

HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

low L. Dewey; 1865-67, M. M. Fancher; 1868, J. C. Sherman ; 1869, S. W. Pearson ; 1870, H. C. Whittum ; 1871, Charles P. Heath; 1872, Aldro Atwood; 1873-75, HI. L. Dewey ; 1876, A. H. Fletter ; 1877-78, II. L. Dewey ; 1879, J. A. Vanande.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1842, John Boody, Elijah Ilall; 1843, M. Crofoot, Esek Whipple; 1844, Joseph Walworth ; 1845, Jesse Hart ; 1846, John S. Moe; 1847, Amos Galusha, Cyrenus Kiater; 1848, Aldro Atwood; 1849, Joram Chatfield; 1850, Cyrenus Kinter ; 1851, Silas Ford- ham ; 1852, David H. Verplank ; 1853, Thomas McDonald ; 1854, Joram Chatfield ; 1855, W. M. Rogers ; 1856, P. H. Fisher, H. L. Dewey; 1857, Jesse Hart; 1858, Martin Bridenstine; 1859, H. L. Dewey, H. Wilber; 1860, J. Chatfeld, H. Wilber; 1861, J. Hart, S. S. Bly, P. Croup ; 1862, Enos Dutton, Adam Knapp ; 1863, Peter Williams, O. S. Larned, Andrew H. Flitter; 1864, George McArthur, D. R. Page; 1865, E. P. Mills, E. Calkins ; 1866, J. M. Peters, D. R. Page; 1867, Harlow L. Dewey ; 1868, J. G. Estelle; 1869, E. P. Mills; 1870, James M. Peters ; 1871, H. L. Dewey, J. C. Sherman ; 1872, J. A. Vanande, S. W. Pear- son ; 1873, J. A. Vanande; 1874, John P. Stuart; 1875, Peter Williams; 1876, O. M. Cadwell : 1877, J. A. Vanande, E. P. Mills; 1878, II. Hess; 1879, T. D. Bryan.

The following township officers were elected in 1880 : Supervisor, George A. Perry ; Township Clerk, Charles Harris ; Treasurer, D. T. Williams ; Justice of the Peace, James Umbarger ; School Superintendent, Josephus Post ; School Inspector, C. G. Brundige; Commissioner of High- ways, C. A. Spicer ; Drain Commissioner, Ira Johnson ; Constables, J. B. Deinier, G. A. Godfrey, George Force, Samuel E letson.

RELIGIOUS.

Meetings were held in the township quite carly in school and private houses, and for many years they were kept up principally by the Methodists. The Congregationalists and United Brethren have also had occasional services. One of the most zealous Methodists among the early settlers was Charles R. Sherman. Some of the first meetings were held at the house of Jesse Hart. A Baptist Church was organized in the early part of 1864. No house of worship has been erected in the township, but one has recently been built on the line between Brookfield aud Walton, by the Methodists and United Brethren.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in the township of Brookfield was taught at Moctown, where the first school-house-a log building -was crected. This school has been mentioned by Mr. Sherman, whose article may be referred to. The first in the northwest part of the town was taught in a small log shanty, which stood on the northwest corner of Jesse Hart's farm. This was a private school,-Miss Pentha Stone, teacher. Miss M. Whitehouse taught one season. She married a Mr. Collins, who died, and she is now the wife of A. Jackson, of Charlotte. The private school was con- tinued for two summers. Neighbors in the adjoining township of Walton assisted in supporting the school, and sent children to it. Fractional District No. 4, of Brookfield and Walton, was soon formed, and Mary Sexton was employed to teach. The district is now known as No. 4 of Brookfield. The following were among the early teachers in the township :

1847 .- Mary F. Gurley, Julia J. Baker, Stephen Cummings.

1848 .- Clarissa B. Kimble, Eliza Kelmere, Mary Wilder.

1849 .- Lydia Fitzgerald, Cordelia Parsons, George Gallery, Miss J. Wright.

1850 .- Nancy Gregory, Eliza A. Elmer, Clarinda Searls, Ermina Gilman.

The following items in relation to the schools of the township are from the report of the school inspectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879 :

Number of districts (7 whole, 3 fractional) 10

" school-children in township. 485

io attendance for year. 453

" of days school taught ...

1432

" school-houses (all frame) 10

" seatings in same .. 540

Value of school property. $4375

Number of teachers (males, 8; females, 14) .. 22 Wages paid same (males, $741; females, $780.03) $1521.03 Total resources for year 1989.48

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 249.84

Total expenditures, less amount on band. 1739.64

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MARTIN FOX.

The Fox family are of English origin, their ancestors having emigrated from England prior to the Revolution. Isaac Fox, the great-grandfather of Martin, was born in Connecticut, from whence he entered the army, serving as an aid on Gen. Washington's staff.

Abram and Abraham, son and grandson of Isaac, were also born in Connecticut, from whence they emigrated to New York, finally settling in Oneida County, where Mar- tin was born Jan. 29, 1824. In 1836, Abraham moved with his family to the town of Palmyra, Lenawee Co., Mich., and located a farm of wild land, which he and his son Martin cleared and improved. At the age of twenty- one years Martin began life for himself, his wealthı being just four dollars and fifty cents. He first worked his father's farm, having all he could make. He hired his farm-work done and worked at basket-making himself. In this way he got a fine start, but three years' sickness again left him with scarce a dollar. In 1849 he bought his father's farm, paying but thirty dollars down and having five years in which to pay for it He was again strong and well, and he worked at his trade early and late, the " wee sma'" hours often finding him in his shop. In this way he in four years paid up for his farm. Io 1852, the Ro- man Catholics becoming so numerous that they controlled all town and school affairs, he sold and came to Brookfield and bought the farm of one hundred and forty acres which he now owns, and which was then mostly wild land. By industry and good management he has now one of the finest farms in Brookfield, eighty acres under good improve- ment, with fine buildings, orchards, ete., and is ranked as one of the successful farmers of his town. He is an ardent Republican and takes a deep interest in politics, though he has never been an aspirant for political honors. He has been a church member for forty years, and is uow a mem- ber of the Brookfield Church of United Brethren, which he has done much to build up and of which he is a leader.

435

BROOKFIELD.

M-3

MARTIN FOX.

MRS MARTIN FOX.

He is a man of whom it ean be said, " He never turns baek when he has onee put his hand to the plow, and who never takes a baek seat in any good work." And he has the satisfaction of seeing his sons grow up to be useful and influential members of society. His son Edwin is a resi- dent of Oneida County, N. Y., where he is editing a tem- peranee paper. Ile too is a ehureb member and an active leader in the Sabbath-schools.

Garry C. Fox, another son, was town treasurer when . twenty-three years old, and at twenty-five was elected to the important office of county clerk, to which he has been the present year renominated by acclamation.

Mr. Fox married, Aug. 4, 1845, Miss Almira Dutton ;

to them were born two children : Thaddeus, born Oet. 11, 1847, died in the army in April, 1863, and Harriet, born May 1, 1850. His first wife died, and on the 19th day of April, 1851, he was married to Phebe Jane Purdy, born in Onondaga, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 10, 1832, daughter of Andrew and Rowena (Clark) Purdy. Their children are Edwin A., born Aug. 15, 1852; Garry C., May 6, 1854; Rowena L., May 13, 1856; Ida L., Nov. 20, 1858; Ai L., May 8, 1863 ; Wallace M., June 24, 1864; Earl B., March 26, 1867 ; Lewis B. and Luey B., July 11, 1869 ; Mary and Mina, July 18, 1871, died in infancy ; Lee O., Oet. 11, 1872; and Guy M., June 25, 1874. Of these but one daughter, Harriet, is now living.

PETER WILLIAMS.

In 1750 two brothers, Thomas and Henry Williams, were walking out near the city of Bristol, England, when they were set upon by the press-gang with the intention of making them sailors in the navy. Being large, powerful men, they overpowered the entire gang, for which offense they were compelled to leave England, which they did the same night in an American vessel, which very opportunely lay in the harbor ready to sail. One of the brothers owned valuable property on Williams Street, in Bristol, which was named after him. This wealth is still unelaimed by the Williams heirs. The other brother had his means in money, which took them to America. Thomas Williams, Jr., was here about the time the brothers landed in New York. He was learning the shoemaker's and tanner's trade in the eity of New York. At the time of Washington's retreat therefrom he fled with the patriot army, which he soon joined and in which he served three years, taking part in many battles. After the war he married and settled in the town of Coeyman's, Albany Co., then an almost unbroken

wilderness. There were born to them thirteen children, of whom Samuel was the oldest. He married Miss Jane Hogan, finally settling near Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., where he lived and died. They had six children, of whom Peter, the subject of this sketeh, was the oldest. He was born in Coeyman's, Sept. 15, 1814, and grew to manhood on a farm, though he learned the shoemaker's and tanner's trades.

Mr. Williams' first wife was Miss Sophronia Morton, by whom he had four children, viz. : S. B., born Aug. 11, 1833; Horace, May 24, 1835; Vine, Aug. 4, 1836; and Sophronia A., Nov. 13, 1838. Mrs. Williams dicd Dee. 19, 1838. In 1837, Mr. Williams eame with his family to Monroe Co., Mich., where the long illness of his wife detained him through the summer. After his wife's death he worked at whatever he could get to do for three years. On the 10th day of January, 1841, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Crofoot, who was born April 9, 1821. She was the daughter of Montgomery and Lucretia (Swift) Crofoot. Their children are William W., born Oct. 26,

436

HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.

PETER WILLIAMS.

MRS. PETER WILLIAMS.

1841; Helen, Feb. 29, 1843; David, June 5, 1845 ; Lodema, Oct. 31, 1847 ; Mary J., Sept. 23, 1850; and Thomas, April 29, 1853. In the winter of 1841, Mr. Williams came to Brookfield, and bought a farm in the midst of the then wilderness. He built a log house, which was the first one put up in all the country around without whisky and in the midst of a snow-storm. On April 8, 1842, with his father and brother-in-law and his family, he started with a team and wagon for the new home. For three miles he eut his way through the woods. Arrived at a creek near what is now Spicerville, Mrs. Williams, against her father's wishes, got down from the wagon, and very luckily, as the wagon, goods, and all went into the creek wrong side up. Mrs. Williams then went on foot

with her baby and the older children, and at dark came to a Mr. Bly's, where she spent the night. Mr. Williams, who was driving the live-stock, stayed with Mr. Kinter; the other two at different places, none of them knowing where the others were, and thus the first night in the town was passed. Mr. Williams only bought forty acres at first, but added to them until he owned four hundred and twenty aeres, part of which he has cleared ; and now, in the enjoy- ment of good health and surrounded by the conveniences obtained by a long life of toil and privations, Mr. and Mrs. Williams are passing away the evening of life, re- spected and esteemed by all who know them. In polities formerly a Whig and Republican, he is now a National. He has held all the town offices, except treasurer.

GEORGE A. STARKWEATHER.

George A. Stark weather was born in Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y., Dec. 19, 1834. The Stark weathers are of New England origin. Alfred Starkweather, our subject's father, was born in Connecticut, where he grew to manhood. Hle married a Miss Marilla Tanner. Ile is still living, and resides in Ionia Co., Mich. George A. passed his child- hood in Canada, where his opportunities for acquiring an education were limited, yet he obtained enough to fit him for the active business life he has since led. In 1854, Mr. Stark weather came from Ohio to Charlotte, Mich., where he worked for a time at the carpenter's trade. Wishing to extend his business, he, in 1859, bought forty acres of wild land in Brookfield, soon after adding forty aeres more. There was a log shanty on the land, in which they com- meneed life in a home of their own. In 1870, Mr. Stark- weather bought a steam saw-mill, which was burned in 1871. Nothing daunted, he rebuilt, and after a year moved it on

to his farm. In 1874 he sold his mill, and built a larger and better one, in which he placed machinery of the latest and most improved make. In 1876, seeing the need of a mill for planing lumber and doing the work necessary to be done iu building, he put in a planer, turning-lathe, and other machinery, and also put in the machinery necessary for a handle-factory. He prepared to manufacture all kinds of moulding and do the work in the finest manner. He furnishes employment for eight men, and sends his work far and near, shipping it to Olivet, Albion, Eaton Rapids, Springstead, and into all parts of Calhoun County. In the fall of 1880 he added to his mill Boomer & Boschert's latest improved double-platform cider-press, and will engage in making and shipping cider. Ile also does a large business in making and shipping whiffle-trees and handles to Green- ville and other points north. In addition to the fine prop- erty he now owns in Brookfield (a view of which appears on another page), he has a farm near P'alo, in Ionia County.

437

BROOKFIELD.

Although Mr. Stark weather labors under the disadvantage of being away from the railroad, he has a flourishing and increasing business, and is doing much to advance the prosperity of his section of country. On the 24th day of December, 1855, he married Miss Eliza J. Maxim, daughter of A. C. H. and Eleanor (Sparks) Maxim, who was born in Oswego, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1834. Her father

was born April 21, 1814, in New York, and died April 2, 1861. Mrs. Maxim was born March 30, 1814, and died Oct. 25, 1843. To Mr. and Mrs. Stark weather there have been born six children, viz. : Eva Jane, July 30, 1857, died Oct. 2, 1859 ; Emma E., July 15, 1860 ; George W., May 5, 1863; Jessie M., July 21, 1865 ; Mary J., May 21, 1868; and Hattie 1., April 27, 1874.

NELSON MCARTHUR.

The McArthur family is of New England stock, Alex- ander McArthur having been born Jan. 19, 1786, in Acton, Mass., from whence he emigrated to Rupert, Ben- nington Co., Vt., where he married and remained until 1836, when with his wife and children he moved to Brook- lyn, Jackson Co., Mich., where he located on some wild land. This he partly improved, but thinking to better his situation, he sold out in 1844 and went into Eaton County, when he finally located in Brookfield, where he resided until his death, in 1870. His family consisted of eleven children, of whom our subject, Nelson McArthur, was the fifth. He was born in Rupert, Vt., March 1, 1820. Coming to Michigan with his father's family in 1836, he grew to manhood in a new country. Arrived at majority, he em- barked in life for himself, his worldly possessions being less than one hundred dollars. He came to Brookfield and bought of a Mr. Field the east half of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 3, which was then entirely new. The next spring he commenced to clear up his larm. He boarded about two miles away, walking to and from his farm every day while engaged in fitting the first four acres for corn. He then worked at his trade, that of a carpenter, thereby earning the means to pay the balance duc on his farm. We find him now for a couple of years working at his trade when not engaged in clearing his farm. On the 17th day of September, 1843, he married Miss Sebra, daughter of Moses

MRS. SEBRA MCARTHUR.

and Anna (Fassett) Piper. She was born in Hancock, Addison Co., Vt., Jan. 31, 1826. Their union was blessed with the following children : Wallace, born Feb. 14, 1845, died Oct. 14, 1864. He enlisted in Company D, Seventh Michigan Cavalry, Aug. 12, 1862; was in the battles of Gettysburg and other lesser engagements; was captured while on a raid with Gen. Kilpatrick, and died in Ander- sonville prison. Maryette, born Feb. 22, 1848; Fremont, born June 16, 1854, died April 8, 1863; Nellie J., born Sept. 22, 1856, died April 26, 1864; Jay, born Sept. 15, 1859; Anna, born Aug. 31, 1861, died June 5, 1862 ; and Minnie S., born Oct. 24, 1866. After his marriage a log house was built and furnished according to their means, and the newly-married couple commenced life in the new home,-the home where they were to see many cares and sorrows, as well as many joys. The farm rapidly improved under the never-tiring industry of Mr. McArthur, ably as- sisted as he was by his wife, who proved herself a willing helpmeet. The years passed ; cleared fields appeared ; fine buildings took the place of the log ones; the hundred dol- lars swelled into thousands, while Mr. McArthur took his place in the community as a highly-respected and honored business man.

In politics he was an ardent Republican, and held offices of trust and responsibility. He was for many years a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died June 13, 1878, mourned and regretted by a large circle of friends.

438

HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

JOHN WORTHINGTON.

John Worthington was born in the town of Boscor, Lancashire, England, Dec. 16, 1807. Ilis ancestors, as far back as they can be traced, were tenant farmers, and had lived in Boscor. John grew to manhood on a farm, receiving no education but such as he has obtained in the school of life. Arrived at the age of twenty years, he had come to the conclusion that in the new world beyond the sea there was an opening for a young man, where he could get better wages and in time could by hard work and econ- omy sit under his own vine and fig-tree. He left the harbor of Liverpool about the 1st of January, 1827, in the brig "Industry," and after a stormy passage of ten weeks landed in New York City. He obtained employment on the rail- road then being built west from the city, but was cheated out of his pay. He worked in the hay-fields around the city, after which he and a Mr. Partridge for a time owned and operated a threshing-machine. This he followed sum- mers, and chopping and clearing for several years, his

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History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 108

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