USA > Michigan > Eaton County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 59
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 59
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Cook Roud .- Under date of Nov. 25, 1843, is the fol- lowing :
. The earliest road in the records, though recorded after a number of others, appears to have been the Luther road, in the northeast part of the township. Laid in May, 1838, hy Anson Jackson, sur- veyor.
239
DELHI.
" Beginning at the quarter-post in the west line of section No. 24, in township No. 3 north, of range 2 west ; thence north 15' west on said section-line, seven chains ; thence north 37º 5' east, five chains ; thence north 16º 55' west, ten chains ; thence north 43º 55' west three chains and thirty-cight links; thence north 15' west, on the section-line, twelve chains sixty-two links, to the northwest corner of said section 24 ; thence on the west lino of section 13 four chains and fifty links, where it intersects the centre of the highway run by true meridian, 3º 5' east."
Surveyed by Thomas J. Brown, Nov. 4, 1843.
The commissioners of highways at that time were D. H. Stanton and Hiram Tobias.
On the 20th of March, 1844, a road was laid from the west quarter-post of section 29, to the centre of the seetion, and was called the " Blodgett road."
The Spring Brook Road was originally laid out March 20, 1844, through the centre of sections No. 8 and 17.
The Parish Road was laid out on the 14th day of March, 1844, on the north line of sections 35 and 36.
The Burch Road was laid out March 21, 1844, on the west line of seetion 22.
The Town- Line Road was laid out Nov. 10, 1845, on the south line of section 32, by the commissioners of highways for the townships of Delhi and Aurelius. B. Dunn, Seth North, Ansel Priest, Commissioners for Delhi; John Wright, Alexander Waggoner, Commissioners for Aure- lius.
The earliest subdivision of the townships into road dis- triets appears by the record to have been in 1843, when there were eight. In 1848 there were twelve, in 1860 twenty-two, and in 1880 thirty-seven, road distriets, or more than one to each section in the township.
HOTELS.
The first building used for a tavern at the Centre was erected by Price W. Welch, probably in 1848; at any rate, we find by the township record that he was licensed on the 6th of January, 1849, to keep an inn and sell liquors from that date to the 1st of April following, and this must have been in the old tavern stand, as it is de- scribed as being on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of seetion 14.
The first license to keep a hotel and sell liquors was granted to John Ferguson on the 29th of April, 1848; and, according to the record, his house was located on the east half of the northwest quarter of section 23, which would be on the south side of the east-and-west road pass- ing through the Centre, and west of the quarter-section line, which passed a little east of the school-house. Fer- guson afterwards erected and kept a tavern at the "Five Corners," where he was subsequently burned out.
Among the landlords who have kept the regular hotel at the Centre may be mentioned Joseph Hunt, William Wil- loughby, Frank North, John Deeker, and John Ferguson. The present landlord is David Laycock.
George Phillips, the first settler at the Centre, opened the first place for the accommodation of the publie in his dwelling on the northeast quarter of section 22, some time in the spring of 1847, but the place was not considered a regular hotel. He also had the post-office in his house when first established at the Centre.
POST-OFFICE.
The first post-office in the township was kept in the dwelling of George Phillips, the first settler at the Centre, in 1839. The office was established, as near as can be as- certained, about 1848. How long Mr. Phillips, who was a farmer, kept the office, is not known, but Price W. Welch, who opened a hotel in 1848, seems to have sue- eeeded Mr. Phillips after a short time. Caleb Thompson succeeded Welch in 1858, and held until 1861. Mr. Thompson was then in trade, and the office was kept in his store.
Samuel Hoffman, who also was a merchant, succeeded him in 1861, and had the office in his place of business, but he seems to have held it only a short time, and was fol- lowed by S. S. Gidney, who officiated for a brief period about 1863, and was followed by Mr. Hoffman. After him came Lyman W. Baker, and he was succeeded by the present incumbent, James Wigman, in March, 1878. The office was known as Delhi Centre until about 1859, when it was named HOLT, in compliment to Postmaster-General Holt.
The first mails were few and far between, but now the office is in daily communication with the outside world by mail, telegraph, and telephone.
MERCHANTS.
There was never any village plat laid out at the Centre, all the lots being sold and described by metes and bounds, but it has been the location of nearly all the business in- terests of the town. The first mercantile establishment was opened by Robert Smith about 1857. In 1859, Messrs. Mosher & Thompson bought him out, and con- tinued until 1862, when Mosher sold his farm and re- moved to East Saginaw, selling his interest in the store to Mr. Thompson, who continued the business until 1864. Ile and Mosher had also carried on the boot and shoe business together. Mosher sold the shoe business to Samuel F. Hoffman, and Thompson took the dry goods. During their continuance together Mr. Thompson was deputy post- master for Hoffman. Thompson sold his interest to HIoff- man in 1864. Hoffman and Watson were also together in trade for a while. Hoffman sold to Watson. Messrs. Elmer & Baker were also in business together for a time. Several others were probably in trade at different periods. U. T. Watrous was running a mercantile establishment at the old corner in September, 1880, but was on the point of disposing of the business to a new party. The new frame store was erected by Elmer & Baker.
The first merchants who kept where the post-office build- ing now stands were Messrs. Hoffman & Watson. Others have been Henry Lott, and Lott & Wigman, who were burnt out in the spring of 1879. Mr. James Wigman erected the new brick store in 1879. He had also been previously burnt out on the opposite side of the street. He built the brick store after being burnt out the second time.
MANUFACTURES.
The manufacturing establishments of a farming commu- nity must necessarily be neither many nor extensive ; never- theless, they are of sufficient importance to demand notice
240
HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
in Delhi township, and we give what information has been obtained concerning them.
Steam Sur- Mills .- The first steam saw-mill in the town- ship was built by Messrs. Lee & Cory, a firm from Ohio, in 1856. They operated it for a while, and it then changed hands a number of times until about 1864, when Mr. J. M. Abels purchased it and kept in operation for about three years, and sold to John M. Keller, who operated it for several years, and sold to John Krotz, his brother-in-law, who is still the owner. It is an " upright" mill, and is propelled by a thirty horse-power steam-engine.
J. M. Abels erected the mill he now owns in the village of Holt in 1870. It is fitted with circular saws, and con- strueted to do a heavy business. A shingle-mill was added about 1871. Previous to the erection of this mill, Mr. Abels operated a portable mill on the gronud for a short time.
The new mill did an extensive business for a number of years, until the visible supply of timber began to diminish and the introduction of pine Inmber and shingles lessened the demand to a considerable extent for hard-wood lumber, and particularly shingles.
In the busiest times employment was furnished to five first-class hands, and lumber to the amount of 1,500,000 feet was manufactured in a single season, working about eight to nine months. The amount produced has some- what diminished with the diminishing demand, and the present year-1880 to 1881-the number of feet will be about 700,000. The mill has always had a capacity exceed- ing the demand. It is run by a sixty horse-power steam- engine.
Mr. Abels was formerly in the same business with Mr. Christopher Haag at Windsor, Eaton Co., Mich. He sold out to his partner and removed to Delhi, as before stated, in 1864. Ile was formerly from Weedsport, Cayuga Co., N. Y., from which place he removed to Potterville, Eaton Co., Mich., in 1857.
Christopher Haag removed the machinery of the Wind- sor Mill to section 5, Delhi township, where he erected a new mill in 1864, and has since continued the business. His mill is fitted up with upright saws and run by steam. Ile does a smaller business than Mr. Abels, but runs nearly continuously the year round.
Carriage- and Wagon-Shops. - Addison Stone has been in the carriage business at the " Five Corners" for ten or twelve years. For some years he carried on quite an extensive business, but for a number of years past has been principally engaged in farming.
Augustus Julleer opened a shop at the Centre in April, 1878, and is doing most of the business in the carriage line. He manufactures carriages and wagons, wheelbar- rows, etc., and does general repairing work.
The present blacksmith at the Centre is John West. The first blacksmith at the Centre was probably Nelson Ililliard, who began at the Corners. He now has a shop on section 10.
Foundry and Repair-Shops .- An establishment of this kind was put in operation on section 24, about half a mile southeast from Holt Station, by Edwin Shaw in the spring of 1875. Israel Wood became interested in the fall of 1879.
The business ineludes the manufacture of land-rollers, plows, drags, cultivators, and general repairing. Power is furnished by a steam-engine. The firm is now Shaw & Wood. The location is not favorable for prosperous busi- ness, and the intention is to eventually remove to a better business point.
Brick .- Messrs. Henry Lott and M. T. Brown opened a brickyard on the southwest quarter of section 13, and have manufactured brick during the two seasons of 1879 and 1880.
There are also three eider-mills in the township. E. W. Mooers has quite an extensive establishment run by steam on the southeast quarter of section 9. At the Centre are two shoemakers, Charles Goldwood and Adam Finkbin- der, and one harness-maker, Lewis Rupert.
VILLAGES.
The two clusters of buildings known as the CENTRE (or HOLT) and FIVE CORNERS contain three churches, one hotel, two general stores, one post-office, three physicians (one a mile west), two wagon-shops, a fine school building, a steam saw-mill, a harness-shop, two blacksmiths, and about thirty-two dwellings, among the most conspicuous of the latter being those of Dr. Chaddock and II. J. Aldrich, the latter of brick.
A village called " Delhi" was laid out originally at the railroad station known as Holt by Matthew King, who was proprietor of the land; but failing to place his plat on record, after selling a number of lots, he joined the several owners and perfected the legal title by recording the plat and proprietors' names. The names of these, as they appear on the record at the register's office in Mason, are Minor E. Park, Matthew King, J. M. Abels, Stephen Cronkite, and George Mauk, and the date of platting July 24, 1877. Within the limits of this plat, which probably covers some sixty acres, there are the passenger station, a grain elevator and freight depot combined, the steam-mill of J. M. Abels, and about a dozen dwellings. A telephone connects the station with Holt post-office, and there is an express and telegraph office also.
CEMETERIES.
There are two cemeteries in the township, one on the southwest quarter of section 3, containing an aere, pur- chased of Joshua North about 1842, which cost the town- ship fifteen dollars, and one at the Five Corners, on section 14, probably purchased about 1853, and containing also about an acre. In that year the sum of $100 was ex- pended in surveying and platting the last-mentioned one. Both are situated upon sandy or gravelly knolls, and are in good condition.
PHYSICIANS.
LEVERETT R. CHADDOCK was born in Alexander, Gen- esce Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1824. His early education was obtained at the seminaries of Alexander and Bethany, in Genesee County. In 1845 he removed to Lapeer Co., Mich., and subsequently to Ionia County. He read medi- cine with Dr. Cornell, of Ionia, and attended medical colleges at Cleveland and Chicago. In 1850 he settled in Delhi, where be has since practiced his profession and won
241
DELHI.
a good reputation as a professional gentleman and citizen. Ile belongs to the regular school.
DR. WILLIAM MATTHAEI, a graduate of Ann Arbor, and a student of medical schools in Germany, removed to Delhi from Lansing, where he had been in practice, about 1868, and has since practiced there. He resides about one mile and a half west from the Centre, and is a member of the homeopathic school.
DR. JOEL S. WHEELOCK was born in Lockport, Niagara Co., N. Y. He was educated at the Michigan University, where he graduated June 27, 1878. He also attended the college at Battle Creek, Mich., and resided in that city and in Midland County for a number of years previous to at- tending the university.
He located and commenced practice in Delhi (at the Centre) in the fall of 1878, and from small beginnings has built up quite an extensive and lucrative practice, and has won a fine reputation. He is a disciple of Hahnemann.
SECULAR ORDERS.
Delhi Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, No. 322, was organized in March, 1874. The charter bears date at Washington, D. C., July 8, 1874. The charter members numbered about thirty, and the paying membership is now about forty-five. The grange meets in a hall over the store of Wyman & Bond. The Worthy Masters have been John Ferguson, Dan Il. Rice, Benjamin Ohlinger, William Cook, and George D. Green.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS.
A lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was organized in March, 1879, with nineteen members. The charter bears date March 3, 1879. The Worthy Chiefs have been V. D. Green, M. T. Brown, John West, O. D. Wright, H. J. Bond. The present membership is about sixty-five.
A Red Ribbon Club was organized in 1877, and the membership has been as high as 200. The present presi- dent is M. W. Hill.
SCHOOLS.
The first record touching school districts in the township bears date March 2, 1843, at which time the boundaries of school district No. 1 are described as follows : Sections Nos. 15, 22, west half of 23, and 14.
Though this is the first action, it appears farther along in the record that District No. 2 was organized as a school district on the 6th of December, 1842, and was composed of sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. The school inspec- tors were then David Wait and Caleb Thompson.
District No. 3 is described, under date of March 2, 1843, as being comprised of sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 24, 25, and the east half of 14, 23, 26.
At a meeting of the inspectors, held May 6, 1843, Thomas J. Brown was appointed "to visit and examine the several schools that may be taught in the Township, and to give such advise to both teachers and scholars as he may think propper."
Fractional District No. 4, of Delhi and Alaiedon, was formed March 22, 1844, to include sections 25 and 36 in 31
Delhi, and sections 30, 31, and part of 32, and the west half of the southeast quarter of section 29 in Alaiedon.
District No. 5 was formed April 23, 1853.
Among the early school inspectors were Thomas J. Brown, Israel R. Trembly, David Wait, R. P. Everett, Don A. Watson, H. H. North, James Joles, Manning Curry, L. R. Chaddock, and John D. Cory. All previous to 1860.
In the list of early teachers examined and licensed we find the following :
Elizabeth Everett, licensed to teach in District No. 2, Sept. 28, 1843; Thomas J. Brown, in District No. 1, same date; Randolph Strickland, examined and granted cer- tificate to teach in District No. 1, Dec. 21, 1844; F. M. Cowles, Dec. 6, 1845 ; Rebecca Wells, May 2, 1846 ; John Ferguson, Dec. 5, 1846; Orpha Matteson, May 3, 1847 ; Eunice C. Hilliard, May 25, 1847 ; Don A. Watson, Nov. 11, 1847 ; Louisa G. Joslyn, Dec. 22, 1847; David W. Sanford, George McEwen, Dec. 11, 1848; Mary Jane Ferguson, April 24, 1849 ; Adelia Monroe, May 15, 1849 ; Mary Jane Amesbury, July 4, 1849 ; Elihu Elwood, Nov. 3, 1849 ; Charles S. Davis, Dec. 15, 1849 ; Betsy J. Ilow- ard, April 13, 1850.
LIBRARY.
Provision was made for a library on the 1st of February, 1845, at which time the inspectors drew up a long and ex- ceedingly judicious list of books which were to be pur- chased, comprising about fifty choice volumes.
Amount of primary school money divided among the several districts in 1850 :
Children.
Amount.
Distriet No. 1 ..
.. 67
$28.23
2
.. 43
18.11
5
.....
22
9.26
8
.. 18
7.58
$63.18
The amount divided among the several districts in 1856 was as below :
District No. 1.
$53.53
66
"
2
29.68
3.
15.37
66
4.
15.90
¥
5.
9.54
66
6
11.66
16
8.
18.55
$154.23
Amount divided in 1859 :
District No. 1
$105.54
" 2
63,62
“ 3
48.87
4
42.39
5
44.29
6
40.00
Fractional District No. 1.
10.25
8
40.00
$394.96
For 1867 it was as follows :
District No. 1
$50.40
"
2
28.35
3
20.25
4
14.40
16
5
14.85
6
17.10
Fractional District No. ]
17.55
16
“ 8 ..
29.25
$192.15
The fines money for the same year amounted to $9.57.
.
242
HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.
The total amount distributed for 1874 was $234.50, and of fines money §20.70; total, 8255.20.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The first school in the township was taught in the cabin of George Phillips, in 1840, by his sister-in-law, Miss Lydia M. Wells, now Mrs. William P. Robbins, of Alaiedon. She also taught the first two terms in the log school-house at the Centre. Thomas North was among the carly teachers, and taught in District No. 2 as early (his brothers think) as 1841. There was probably a school in District No. 1 as early as 1840. The first school taught in No. 2 was in a shanty on the farm of Roswell Everett, by Miss Buck.
The first school building at the Centre was of logs, on the ground near where now stands the present fine brick build- ing, and according to the best information was erected as early as 1840. It served a very good purpose until about 1852, when a larger frame building was erected where the log one stood. This did duty until 1875, when the present building was erected at a cost, exclusive of furniture, of about $1800. The furniture cost $500. The old building was moved a few rods to give place to the new one, and is still standing. The new one has a fine cupola and bell. It is divided into two large rooms, and has accommodations for 100 scholars. The present school is divided into two departments, primary and intermediate, and employs two teachers. It is the largest school in the township. The next largest is the Maple Grove School No. 5, fractional with Windsor township, in Eaton County.
The number of school districts in 1880 is eleven, of which seven are whole districts and four fractional.
Number of school buildings (briek, 2; wood, 8) ...... 10
Value of school property.
Total expenses for year.
$6550.00 2357.91
Total number of school-children betwecu the ages of five and twenty years. 481
CHURCHES.
First Presbyterian .- This church was organized April 5, 1865, principally through the instrumentality of Rev. Alfred Bryant. Rev. Horace Kittredge was also a valuable assistant in the enterprise. The original members were as follows : James Thorburn, Sr. (since dead), William Som- merville, Mrs. Jane Sommerville (since dead), Mrs. Mary IJedden, Susan Thompson, Mrs. Harriet Stanton, Mrs. Fanny Harkness, Church Wilber, Mrs. Hannah Wilber, James Thorburn, Jr., Marion Thorburn, Casper Lott, Cath- erine Lott, Mrs. Maria L. Mallory (since dead), Miss Alice M. Mallory, now Mrs. Pixley ; Miss Hattie Stanton, now Mrs. Bristol ; Mrs. Arrena Gunn, now Widow Strickland ; William Irwin; Mrs. Lane Thorburn, now Mrs. G. W. Mallory. Mr. G. W. Mallory joined at a later date.
The first minister was Rev. Alfred Bryant, as stated supply, who remained three years, when he removed to North Lansing. Rev. Hosea Kittredge succeeded as stated supply May 9, 1869, and continued until April, 1871. Following him in September, 1872, came Rev. J. E. Weed, who officiated until April, 1877. Rev. J. E. Bucher, from New York, then preached for about four months in the suminer of 1877, and was followed by Rev. Alfred Bryant a second time, who filled the desk from the fall of
1877 to June, 1880, when he retired on account of ad- vancing age and ill health, removing to Lansing, where he has a home. At present (September, 1880) the society is without a settled pastor.
The church edifice at the Centre was erected in 1869, at a cost of about $2000, of which sum $500 was contributed by the general church erection board. It was dedicated Oct. 3, 1869. It has a tower and bell. The bell weighs 500 pounds, and was purchased in Cincinnati, Ohio, at a cost of $150. The church is also furnished with a cabinet organ, which cost about $200.
The present membership is about eighty. A Sabbath- school was organized near the time the church was com- pleted. It was at first a mission school of the Methodists and Presbyterians, but has been a Presbyterian school since about 1870. It has an average attendance of some 100 scholars, with five officers and eleven teachers.
The present rnling elders are Casper Lott and G. W. Mallory. The board of trustees is composed of Casper Lott, James Thorburn, William Cook, W. H. Churchill, L. W. Baker, and William Long; Clerk, G. W. Mallory.
Methodist Episcopal .- There were a few Methodists living in Delhi at an early date, probably at the first settle- ment of the township; and Rev. Bennett preached occa- sionally in the dwellings of the settlers or in the early school buildings. Among the early oncs were Mrs. Isabella Abbott, Mrs. George Phillips (the latter since dead), Mrs. Dr. Chaddock, Mrs. Alonzo Douglass (since dead), and possibly others.
William Mayer, a native of England, who settled in Ohio in 1850, and removed to Delhi in 1854, and Albert Mc- Ewen, from Ohio, were early members. About 1854, Mr. McEwen organized a class. At first meetings were held in the old school building at the Corners, and at a later date in the German Methodist church at the " Five Corners," the Germans and others using the building alternately. This arrangement continued for about five years.
The individuals of this society assisted in the building of the German church. The new Methodist Episcopal church at the Centre was erected in 1876, at a cost of about $1500. It is furnished with a bell and cabinet organ. Among the earlier preachers were Revs. Clump, Kellogg, Dodge, and Crittenden. The first who preached in the new edifice was Rev. Jason Cadwell, and following him came Rev. B. W. Smith.
The ministers who have officiated at Delhi have for a number of years resided at Okemos, in Meridian township, where there is an older society.
The Delhi society formerly belonged to the Mason Cir- cuit. The present circuit comprises Okemos, Delhi, Alaie- don, and perhaps other points.
The present membership of the Delhi society is about sixty, divided into three classes. A Sabbath-school, with about fifty scholars and five teachers, is snstained.
German Methodist Episcopal .- This church was organ- ized in 1873, and in the same year a building for public worship was erected at what is known as the " Five Cor- ners,"-half a mile from the Centre, or HIolt post-office,- at a cost of $2000. The parsonage at the Corners is val- ucd at $800.
FIRST HOME IN THE WOODS,
PROPERTY OF WM. COOK, DELHI, MICHIGAN.
243
DELHI.
The pastors of this society, who reside here, have been Revs. G. A. Reuter, G. H. Fiedler, A. Mayer, and the present incumbent, Daniel Volz.
The original members were A. Helmker, local preacher ; A. Wiegman, J. Schroitzgaebel, G. Diehl, L. Diehl, G. Roth, Ernest Diehl, G. Ahrend. The congregation of the church at present numbers 118 full members and 10 pro- bationers.
The church sustains a flourishing Sabbath-school, with
70 scholars, and 20 officers and teachers, and has a very good library of 150 volumes. The pastor of this church also holds services at Okemos, where there is a small society of German Methodists.
Obligations are tendered to Joshua North, Caleb Thomp- son, Matthew King, Minor E. Park, J. M. Abels, Dr. L. R. Chaddock, G. W. Mallory, William Mayer, Rev. D. Volz, and others, who rendered valuable assistance in com- piling the history of Delhi.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM COOK.
WILLIAM COOK
was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Feb. 20, 1818. Ilis father, John Cook, was a cooper, and William worked with him until he was fifteen years of age, when he left home and worked as a farm-hand for several years, contributing to the support of his father's family.
May 28, 1841, he married Jeannette, daughter of William King, of the parish of Lesmahagow, Scotland, where she was born Nov. 28, 1824. In July, 1843, William Cook and his wife came to America and settled in Delhi, having just sufficient money to purchase forty acres of land from the government. He worked at such employment as offered for a year or more, when he built a log house, into which they moved in January, 1845. His land was situated in a dense forest of heavy timber. With little or no means, the improvements were made with the greatest difficulty. Dur- ing the first two years some ten acres of land cleared was all that could be done; and so on, year by year, the im- provements have been made, and other lands added, until the original forty acres have expanded to a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres. The small clearing has grown to broad and well-cultivated fields; the log house has long since been superseded by a commodious brick res-
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