USA > Michigan > Eaton County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 135
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 135
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" That undiscovered country, from whose bourne No traveler returns."
George P. Carman, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., came to Eaton Co., Mich., in October, 1844, with his wife and one son, Mattison Carman, then three years old, and settled in the township of Benton, on the southeast quarter of section 13. In November, 1849, he removed to Windsor town- ship and located upon a place on the State road between West Windsor and Potterville, where his son is now living. For several years afterwards, says Mrs. Carman, they were the only family on the direct road between Charlotte and Lansing, and Mr. Carman assisted in opening the road. Mr. Carman and family are now residing at West Wind- sor.
The widow of R. T. Cogswell is also living near West Windsor, and her mind is stored with many interesting anecdotes of the early days. It is told of her that on one occasion, during the absence of her husband, she spied a " noble antlered buek" near the house, and taking down a rifle, took deliberate ain, and shot bim dead in his traeks, without a symptom of the " buck fever."
Residents in 1844 .- The following is a list of resident taxpayers in Windsor township in 1844, as shown on the assessment-roll for that year : Chauncey Bohannon, Edmund Lewis, Charles Hinckley, H. M. Skinner, O. D. Skinner, John D. Skinner, W. P. Skinner, W. H. Cogswell, S. H. Cogswell, John Worthington, S. A. Moore, R. MeRedfield, Charles Wright, R. T. Cogswell, John Courter, O. Towslee, Clinton Burnett, Samuel Munn, S. D. Reeves, John Galvin, R. J. Bradley, C. J. Gladding, David Nettleton, D. and C. Murphy, Denison Searls.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION .- LIST OF OFFICERS.
The Legislature of the State of Michigan enacted, Feb. 16, 1842, that " all that part of the county of Eaton desig- nated by the United States survey as township number 3 north, of range 3 west (now a part of the township of Oneida), be and the same is hereby set off and organized into a separate township by the name of Windsor, and the first township-meeting shall be held at the house of Aldis Torrey, in said township." Agreeably to this act the in- habitants met on the day and at the place appointed, and organized by choosing Oramel D. Skinner moderator, and O. D. Skinner, John D. Skinner, Aldis Torrey, and John Conrter inspectors of the election. It was
" l'oted, To have two assessors to act with the supervisor.
" Resolved unanimously, To raise one hundred dollars, to be paid in labor or otherwise, to be expended in the several road-districts where it is raised, to be at the disposal of the road commissioners.
" Resolved, To raise twenty-five dollars for books and stationery."
The following officers were elected, viz .: Supervisor, John D. Skinner ; Town Clerk, O. D. Skinner ; Treasurer, Nathan H. Pray ;} Justices of the Peace, O. D. Skinner, John Courter, Aldis Torrey, Robert McRedfield ; Assessors, Leonard Murphy, Orange Towslee; Poormasters, Aldis Torrey, Royal T. Cogswell ; Road Commissioners, Chauncey Bohannon, Royal T. Cogswell, Charles Hinkley ; Constables, Royal T. Cogswell, Horace M. Skinner, Chanucey Murphy, Clinton Burnett ; School Inspectors, Oramel D. Skinner, Charles Torrey, Horace M. Skinner; Overseers of High- ways, Leonard Murphy, Royal T. Cogswell, Nathan H. Pray, Oramel D. Skinner.
The following is a list of the principal officers of the township from 1843 to 1879, inclusive :
SUPERVISORS.
1843-46, John D. Skinner; 1847, Nathan HI. Pray ; 1848-49, John D. Skinner ; 1850-51, William II. Taylor; 1852, B. F. Bailey ; 1853-57, George P. Carman; 1858-59, Cyrus N. Streeter ; 1860- 6I, Edmuod Lewis; 1862, George P. Carman; 1863-66, Edmund Lewis ; 1867-68, Aaron T. Cunningham; 1869-78, Esek Pray ; 1879, Auburn D. Carlton.
TOWNSHIP CLERKS.
1843-44, Oramel D. Skinner; 1845-46, Iforace M. Skinner; 1847-50, John Conrter; 185], Otis Whaley ; 1852-53, John Courter; 1854, A. T. Cunningham ; 1855, William W. Flagler; 1856, Philetus Whaley ; 1857, A. R. Williams; 1858, M. E. Munger ; 1859-63, Charles HI. Furber ; 1864-67, Tyler Ifull; 1868, William Ells; 1869-74, Tyler IIull; 1875, Beecher P. Adams; 1876, Robert Mann (resigned and Tyler llull appointed) : 1877-79, Thomas M. Sloan.
TREASURERS.
1843-44, Itorace M. Skinder; 1845, William P. Skinner; 1846, Nathan II. Pray ; 1847, Clinton Burnett; 1848-51, Nathan II. Pray ; 1852, Addison Koon; 1853-54, Nathan II. Pray ; 1855, C. L. Subio; 1856, A. T. Cunningham ; 1857, John Courter : 1868-59, Edmund Lewis; 1860, Lovi Shotwell; 1861, Nathan II. Pray ; 1862, E. Lewis; 1863-77, Chauncey Bobannon ; 1878-79, Samuel Mathews.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1843, Charles Itinkley, A. P. Moore; 1844-45, no record ; 1846, Solo- mon Pearce, O. D. Skinner ; 1847, Joseph P. Lewis ; 18-18, Charles Ilinkley ; 1849, R. T. Cogswell, O. D. Skinner ; 1850, O. Whaley,
# Resigned, and Jobn Courter appointed Sept. 24, 1842, to fill vacancy.
* Six persons became members. F'irst Sabbath-school formed July 13, 1845, by John Courter and Solomon Pearce.
+ First marriage in township, that of Chauncey Bohannon and Maria Gilbert, by John Courter, Esq., Oct. 23, 1842. The first fu- neral was July 14, 1841, that of a child of Nathan 11. Pray. The first celebration of the nation's independence in town was held on land of Orange Towalee, July 4, 1816; oration delivered by Matthias Spear, and Declaration of Independence read by John Courter.
541
WINDSOR.
D. B. Searls; 1851, Philetus Whaley; 1852, Charles llinkley, N. B. Albro ; 1853, George W. Newman, Edmund Lewis, Addison Koon ; 1854, A. T. Cunningham, Albert MeKenney ; 1855, Wil- . liam H. Twitchell, Enoch Longmate, E. Beckwith ; 1856, Sey- mour Carpenter, C. L. Sabin, Solomon Pearce; 1857, E. D. Davi- son, J. Ashley, M. Il. Craft; 1858, A. T. Cunningham, John Courter; 1859, Denison B. Searls, N. B. Albro, Norman Carrier ; 1860, Levi Shotwell, Robert Bell; 1861, J. B. Leisenring, S. Car- penter ; 1862, H. P. Stewart, Stewart Hutt, Samuel Mathews; 1863, Jabez Ashley ; 1864, S. Carpenter; 1865, Norman Carrier, H. Terrill, D. Dickinson; 1866, C. S. Torrey, Vine Sprague; 1867, Solomon Pearce, L. F. Hutt; 1868, Moses Howard, D. A. McQuown ; 1869, David A. McQuown ; 1870, Abram Albro; 1871, Stewart Hutt; 1872, Henry M. Towslee; 1873, Leonidas Mc- Quown; 1874, Abram Albro; 1875, Moses Howard; 1876, H. M. Towslee, M. Howard; 1877, Henry Van Auken ; 1878, Silas French ; 1879, 11. M. Towslee, Abram Albro.
Officers elected in 1880 :- Supervisor, Auburn D. Carl- ton ; Township Clerk, Thomas M. Sloan ; Treasurer, Samuel Hough ; Justice of the Peace, Moses Howard; Superin- tendent of Schools, Tyler Hull ; School Inspector, Henry A. French ; Commissioner of Highways, Orlando S. Pearce ; Drain Commissioner, Humphrey J. Corwin ; Constables, Isaac D. North, George Mathews, Edward Twitchell, James Barber.
Esek Pray, who was elected to the office of supervisor of the township of Windsor when but thirty-one years of age, and who was subsequently chosen to the same position for nine successive years, was in 1878 still more greatly honored by being elected to the responsible position of county treasurer, which office he now holds. His father, Nathan H. Pray, is still living, and is one of the most honored citizens of the township.
VILLAGE OF DIMONDALE.
In May, 1850, Isaac M. Dimond commenced to improve the water-power on Grand River, near the centre of section 15, in this township. After a year and a half had elapsed he had completed a dam across the river and had a saw-mill in operation. About the next spring (1852) a freshet car- ried away part of the dam, and washed around the mill to such an extent that considerable repairs were necessary, and much trouble was afterwards experienced in keeping the dam repaired, and people were often disappointed in getting lumber for building purposes. In 1856 Mr. Di- mond built and started a grist-mill at the end of the dam opposite the saw-mill, but after a few years that end of the dam gave way and the grist-mill was nearly upset into the stream. In the same year (1856) in which he built the grist-mill, Mr. Dimond caused a village plat to be laid out, and gave it the name of Dimondale. The survey was made Ang. 6, 1856, by Hosey Harvey, surveyor. After the break in the dam last mentioned, Mr. Dimond returned to New York, where his death soon after occurred. Affairs at Dimondale were taken in hand by A. C. Bruen, who righted the mill and repaired the dam, and soon after sold the property to E. W. Hunt, who continued to do an exten- sive custom and a fair merchant business with the mill. He also built a new mill in 1869, to which the water was conveyed through a raceway about forty rods in length.
The grist-mill built by Mr. Dimond is still standing, though it has not been in use for ten years. It was thirty by forty feet in dimensions, three stories high, and con-
tained two runs of stone. The mill erected by Mr. Hunt is a short distance below the old one, on the raceway, and is now doing a custom business principally. It was built for a " four-run" mill, but contains two runs of stone only. This mill is forty by sixty feet, four stories high, and is one of the best in Central Michigan. A new saw-mill has been built on the site of the old one, and is owned by Al- exander Oliver. The old saw-mill was moved once or twice by Mr. Dimond, on account of being undermined.
The house built and occupied by Mr. Dimond became also the property of Edmund W. Hunt, who sold it to A. H. Olmstead. The latter remodeled it and converted it into a hotel and is now its proprietor. The building, which stands on the west side of the river, is known as the " Olm- stead House." Mr. Dimond, in company with his brother- in-law, Mr. Benham, established a store-the first in the place-on the west side. He finally closed his business affairs here and made an assignment, after which a man named Bingham established a store, also on the west side.
In 1866, when E. W. Hunt came to Dimondale, the place contained but sixteen buildings of all descriptions, and it has grown to its present dimensious since that time. It now contains seven stores of various kinds and two mil- linery establishments, besides a steam planing-mill, a grist- mill, a saw-mill, and the usual complement of mechanic- shops.
A post-office called East Windsor was established early in the eastern part of the township, and George Cheney and Rev. Mr. McCarty, a Baptist minister, were among the first postmasters. Dimondale post-office was established in the winter of 1872-73, and on the 6th day of January, 1873, Edmund W. Hunt was commissioned its first post- master. After about a year he was succeeded by Clark Sloan (now of West Windsor). Those holding since have been Henry A. French, Clark Sloan (a second time), and the present incumbent, Thomas M. Sloan. The office is kept in the store of Mr. Sloan, a brick building on the east side, the only brick store in the place.
Grand River at Dimondale has sloping, grassy banks, and the aspect of many of the prairie streams of the West. Nothing in the appearance of the river here would lead the beholder to imagine the existence of the rocky walls which frown upon it but a few miles below at Grand Ledge. It is here a quiet, pastoral stream, smooth in surface and dark in hue, flowing silently on in its course to the great lake beyond.
VILLAGE OF WEST WINDSOR.
Improvements were begun at West Windsor in the spring of 1856, when a Mr. Davison built a steam saw- mill, which in 1869 was owned by Mulhollon Brothers. In the latter year the place contained also a store, two blacksmith-shops, and a wagon-shop.
J. M. Abels and Christopher Haag operated a steam saw-mill with upright saws in this township previous to 1864, and in the latter year it was removed to Delhi town- ship, Ingham Co.
One of the earliest inhabitants of the place was Thomas J. Sloan, a native of the town of Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y., who settled here in 1844, having previously lived four
542
HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
years in Medina Co., Ohio. Mr. Sloan's death occurred at West Windsor, April 14, 1871.
Among the early arrivals in the vicinity of West Wind- sor was N. B. Albro, formerly from the State of New York, and afterwards of Medina Co., Ohio, who removed here about 1848 and is still living.
The first store in West Windsor was opened by A. R. Williams, brother-in-law to Mr. Davison. A small grocery is the only establishment of the kind now in the place, the last regular store having been kept by Clark Sloan. Soon after the saw-mill and first store were built, John Steeples erected a building and opened it as a hotel, and in its day it was a noted affair. The house is yet standing, but is oc- cupied as a private dwelling. Simon Wright, who was a later proprietor, built a large addition to it.
No village plat has ever been laid out at West Windsor, lots being sold " by metes and bounds," in sizes to suit purchasers. The place received the nickname of " Sevas- topol" at the time of the Crimean war, and several stories are told as to the origin ; one is that a free fight occurred on one occasion at a ball, and another that a newly wedded couple successfully withstood the siege of an enthusiastic charivari.
The first mail passed over the State road in December, 1849. West Windsor post-office had been established a short time previously,-during the same fall,-and George P. Carman received the appointment of first postmaster, keeping the office in his log shanty on the farm now occu- pied by his son. Mail was carried through from Charlotte three times a week on the back of a mule. A line of stages was soon placed on the route, and a daily mail was secured. Mr. Carman held the office for seven years in succession, and afterwards held it about seven more. His first successor was Solomon Pearce or Mr. Davison. The office, now located at the village, is in charge of George Albro, and a daily mail is received at Sevastopol Station, one mile west. Trains do not stop at the station, where are located a steam saw-mill and two or three dwellings.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The first religious organizations in the township have been mentioned by Esek Pray, in his article upon the early settlement, from which quotations are herein made. The churches now in the township are located at Dimondale. The oldest is the Presbyterian, which was originally organized at the house of Nathan H. Pray, and newly organized at Di- mondale about 1874-75, since when the pastors have been Revs. Henry Marvin, James Malcolm, and - Franklin, the present pastor, who comes from Lansing and preaches once in two weeks. The present fine frame church was built in the summer of 1877, at a cost of about $2500.
1
The second church in the place was built during the same summer (1877) by the Adventists, and is also a frame building. This society has never had a settled preacher, although meetings are held regularly.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized before that of the Adventists, and its present frame house of wor- ship was built in 1878. Its organization was consummated in 1868, and meetings were for several years held in school- houses. For three or four years an old dwelling on the east side of the river at Dimondale was used, the partitions having been removed and the house fitted up for a chapel. The present pastor is Rev. James Riley. The member- ship of each of the churches is comparatively small ; all maintain Sunday-schools.
SCHOOLS.
April 26, 1845, the board of township school inspectors met and organized District No. 2, to include sections 20, 21,28, 29, 32, and 33. May 1, 1847, Nos. 1 and 3 were reorganized, to include respectively sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, and 36, and sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, and 19. At the latter date, says the record, " Miss Harriet Reeves presented herself for inspection and Received a Cir- tificate for teaching a Primary School in Town." Dec. 6, 1847, a certificate was granted to Miss Maria Louisa Potter, and one to Miss Ball, December 26th, to teach in District No. 1. May 4, 1848, that portion of the town- ship lying east of Grand River was organized into a sepa- rate district, and called No. 4. A certificate was granted to Miss Alice T. Hinkley, June 2, 1848. Among other early teachers were Cordelia Jane Wright, Susan Skinner, Christina Weller, Elizabeth Hocum, Polly Lobdell, George Nierman, Mary Beadle.
The present two-story brick school-house at Dimondale was erected in 1879. It is on the west side of the river, and belongs to District No. 6, which includes the village. The school is a graded one, with two departments; Miss Addie Skinner, Principal. A frame building half a mile west was previously used. From the report of the school inspectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879, the follow- ing statistics are taken regarding the schools of the town- ship :
Number of districts (whole 7, fractional 2). 9
school-children in township
482
= children in attendance for year 407
" days school taught.
school-houses (briek 2, frame 7) 9
1133
seatings in same 638
Value of school property $7475.00 Number of teachers employed (males 4, females 21). 25
Wages of same (males, $316.80; females, $893.91) ......
$1210.71
Total resources for year. 3962.78
Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 814.18
Total expenditures, loss amonnt on hand. 3148.60
RESIDENCE OF GEO. D. PRAY. WINDSOR TP. EATON CO. MICH.
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WINDSOR.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
MRS. GEORGE D. PRAY.
GEORGE D. PRAY. .
GEORGE D. PRAY.
George D. Pray is the son of Nathan H. and Sally Ann McCormick Pray, and was born in the township of Superior, Washtenaw Co., Feb. 2, 1843. His early life was com- paratively uneventful. The educational advantages were in those primitive days limited to the district school, which was enjoyed only when respite from the more active dnties of the farm permitted. The winter fonnd Mr. Pray-then a lad-at school, and the summer engaged in the labor of clearing, sowing, and reaping. His parents having removed to Eaton County in the fall of 1845, he accom-
panied them, and at the age of twenty-five married Miss Libbie M. Winslow, who was born in Millburgh, Berrien Co., Sept. 27, 1851, and was the daughter of Dr. Ansel Winslow, a physician of Windsor. Two children, Loula and Merta, have brightened their fireside.
Mr. Pray has two hundred acres of excellent land, most of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has been during his lifetime industrious and temperate, and to the virtne attributes his robust physique and excellent health.
He exerts a commanding influence as a successful farmer and a citizen of high character.
ADDISON KOON.
Nicholas Koon, the father of the subject of our sketch, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., about 1794. At the early age of nineteen or twenty he enlisted and served through a portion of the war of 1812. After leaving the service he engaged in farming, and after a few years of toil and privation acquired the necessary means to purchase a farm in Steuben Co., N. Y .; soon after marrying Miss Samantha Carroll, also a native of New York, born about 1800. They became the parents of five children,-three sons and two daughters,-Addison being the third child and second son, his birth occurring in 1824. His early years were passed after the manner of most farmers' sons in those days, receiving a good common-school edneation and working on the farm summers, after attaining sufficient age. Upon reaching the age of twenty-two was united in marriage to Miss Adelia M. Brant, who was born in Niag- ara Co., N. Y., in 1830. She was the danghter of Joseph
and Sally (Wheeler) Brant, both natives of the same State. Her father was engaged in the Canadian Patriot war. Her mother dying when she was twelve years of age, she was brought up by an aunt, and although her mother had left her abundant means, her educational advantages were limited.
In 1848 Mr. and Mrs. Koon moved from Lockport to Michigan, and with what little means they had purchased the land which they now occupy, being one hundred and twenty acres on section 33, in the township of Windsor. This township was then very new and sparsely settled, only about forty votes being polled, but their hearts were willing and their arms strong, and rapidly they changed the forest to field, hewing as it were their way to prosperity and in- dependence. The winter of 1848 Mr. Koon helped to cut ont the highway across the township; he also assisted in building the first house in Dimondale, and to erect the saw- mill and dam across the river, and various other improve-
544
HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
MRS. ADDISON KOON.
ments. How well Mr. and Mrs. Koon improved their time may be better understood by glancing at the view of their farm and home, which we give upon another page; com- paring with it their humble home and beginning in the wilderness.
ADDISON KOON.
Mr. Koon has held a number of the minor offices in his township, such as treasurer, commissioner of highways, etc., but has never aspired to office, though an earnest partisan, striving for the success of his party and cause; formerly a Democrat, he now labors with zeal in the Greenback cause.
MRS. NATHAN II. PRAY.
NATHAN H. PRAY.
The father of the subject of this biography, Esek Pray, was a native of Connecticut, and the mother, formerly Miss Sally Ann Hammond, was born in Rhode Island. The birth of their son Nathan occurred in Providence Co., R. I., on April 1, 1814. The family removed during the year 1815 to Allegany Co., N. Y., and remained ten years. In
NATHAN II. PRAY.
1825 they repaired to Michigan, and settled in the town- ship of Superior, Washtenaw Co., where the son had the misfortune to lose both parents. The father died in 1856, and the mother in 1871, on the homestead. He, however, remained upon the homestead farm, and was in 1837 united in marriage to Miss Sally Aun McCormick, of Washtenaw County. The same year witnessed their removal to Wind-
ـعلـ
WINDSOR.
545
sor, Eaton Co., where they were among the oldest settlers in the township. Mrs. Pray died Jan. 11, 1869, and in September, 1871, Mr. Pray married Miss Helen Howard. Ten children were born to the first marriage,-six living to mature age,-viz. : Esek, Sarah Jane, George D., Andrew, Freeman G., and Lillie. Mr. Pray has the respect of his neighbors for his integrity of character and uniform
MRS. E. W. HUNT.
EDMUND W. HUNT.
Edmund W. was the third child of Timothy W. and Phebe Fellows Hunt, and was born in Lodi, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Oct. 14, 1828. The grandfather, John Hunt, was a patriot of the war of 1812.
Edmund's father, while a resident of Connecticut, pur- sued the vocation of a tanner and currier, but on his arri- val in Michigan adopted the life of a farmer, remaining until his death, in 1873, in Washtenaw County, a period of forty years. He was one of the earliest and most enter- prising pioneers of that county. Edmund occupied his early years with the duties of the farm, and at the age of twenty-three married Miss Elizabeth Olcott, of York, Washtenaw Co., who was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1829. Mr. Hunt repaired to Jackson County soon
urbanity. He is actively engaged in religious enterprises, having been for nearly half a century a member of the Congregational Church, and one of its most generous sup- porters. In September, 1871, Mr. Pray married his third wife, Mrs. Ellen McCormick, formerly Miss Ellen Howard, who died about two years subsequently, since which time he has been a widower.
M-
E. W. HUNT.
after, and followed mechanical pursuits for six years, after which he removed to Benton and engaged in farming. He became a soldier in the late war in 1863, and a member of the Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and was subse- quently promoted to a lieutenancy in the First United States Engineers, in which capacity he served until the close of the war, having been engaged in many celebrated encounters under eminent commanders. He repaired at the close of the war to Lansing, and soon after engaged in milling at Dimondale, which now occupies his attention. He has also been a director of the Lake Shore and Mich- igan Southern Railroad. Mr. Hunt was, in 1869, elected to represent his district in the Legislature. He has since that time devoted himself to business pursuits and the enjoyments of a tranquil home-life.
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PART IV.
MILITARY HISTORY.
CHAPTER I.
HISTORY OF ORGANIZATIONS.
IN the great war of the Rebellion the State of Michigan furnished an aggregate of 90,797 men to the armies of the Union. Of this number the counties of Eaton and Ingham are credited with the following totals : Eaton County, 1741; Ingham, 2097. The percentage of deaths by wounds and disease in the State troops was about fifteen in a hundred, and the same ratio will make the deaths of troops from Eaton County about 260, and those from Ingham County about 300, or a total for the two counties of 560.
These counties were represented in a large number of regiments aud organizations, the larger representations being in the First, Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Twentieth, and Twenty-Sixth In- fantry Regiments, the First Engineers and Mechanics, and the First, Second, Third. Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Cavalry Regiments, and in Stuart's Sharpshooters. The numbers in these organiza- tions ranged from about 30 to 250. Besides these there were men scattered through many other organizations, from one to a dozen or more in cach.
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