History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 61

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 61
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 61

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).

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1840, Ilezekiah Waldo, Marens Beers; 1841, Winance Davis; 1842, Caleb Carr; 1843, Randolph W. Whipple; 1844, Bowen Hieks; 1845, John A. Torrey ; 1846, William Carr; 1847, John Iutehin- son,- S. Crossman ; 1848, William Tompkins; 1849, Daniel A. Hewes ; 1850, Lonson Ilill ; 1851, John Intehinson ; 1852, M. M. Atwood, Jacob Rowe; 1853, William Tanner; 1854, John M. Ball; 1855, Simon P. Hondriok; 1856, M. M. Atwood, Jacob Rowe, Andrew Hunt ; 1857, Jacob Rowe, James A. Heald ; 1858, John B. Dakin ; 1859, Loren S. Miller, Fra Hatch ; 1860, Marcus M. Atwood; 1861, Daniel T. Weston ; 1862, Randolph W. Whip- ple ; 1863, Charles B. Dean, Elias J. Smith ; 1864, Marcus M. Atwood; 1865, Daniel T. Weston; 1866, Elias J. Smith ; 1867,

* Resigned, and E. J. Smith appointed.

+ Bemoved, and E. J. Smith appointed.

# Resigned, and Joseph Keene appointed.

248

HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Henry L. Strong : 1868, Marcus M. Atwood; 1869, Ezra C. Walker ; 1870, Elias J. Smith ; 1871, A. P. Hicks, James M. Royce; 1872, M. M. Atwood, O. R. Whiting ; 1873, David D. Fox; 1874, Loren S. Miller; 1875, Daniel T. Weston; 1876, James M. Royce ; 1877, David D. Fox, August Habn; 1878, David A. Ilewes ; 1879, O. R. Whiting.

1980 .- Supervisor, Samuel Skadao; Township Clerk, Levi Geer; Treasurer, Lemuel K. Strong ; Justice of the Peace, Romi- ner Holt; Superintendent of Schools, Daniel E. Watts ; School Inspector, Joseph W. Brewer; Commissioner of Highways, D. A. Hewes; Drain Commissioner, C. M. Wil- liams ; Constables, Alanson D. Beardsley, George W. Glyon, Darwin S. Hewes, Charles E. Ball.

SCHOOLS.

No satisfactory account of the earlier schools in the township has been obtained, from the fact that those who were depended upon to furnish items were absent from the township when the writer was at work in it. It is probable, however, that but a short time elapsed after the township was settled before schools were organ- ized, for the pioneers had considerable families of children. At Dansville a district was organized in the spring of 1846, and a log school-house was built. The boards used in making the floors and teacher's desk were drawn with oxen from Caleb Carr's saw-mill, in Wheatfield, by Lonson Hill, and four days from the time work was commenced on the building Mr. Hill's oldest daughter, Catherine E. Ilill, then only thirteen years of age, began teaching in it, and was employed in that capacity for two years. The log school- house was used for four or five years, and then gave place to a frame building. About 1868-70 the present two- story brick Union school-building was erected, at a cost of $7000.

From the report of the township school inspectors, for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879, are taken the following items :

Number of districts (whole, 5; fractional 3). 8

children of school age in township ... 450

in attendance for year. 355

school-houses (brick, 3; frame, 5). 8

" sealings in same 540 Value of school property. $11,440 Number of leachers employed (males, 5; females, 17). 22 Wages of same (males, $1360; females, $1541). $2901.00

Total expenditurea for the year ....

4072.54

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

In 1846 there were no church buildings in the town. A Baptist Church had been organized very early, but had been disbanded on account of some trouble. A Baptist Council was organized in June, 1842, and in the following winter it was recognized as a church. Elder John W. Coe was the first pastor, and the original membership was about twenty. The pastors since have been (perhaps not in the order given) : Elders - Babcock, Elijah K. Grout, who came on horseback and preached once in four weeks; A. B. Kinne, H. B. Fuller, A. B. Kinne, a second time; Ezra Rumery, L. Bath, Henry Tibbitts, J. L. Smith, J. C. Lemon, Charles Purrett, C. B. Abbott, Alexander Mc- Learn, James R. Monroe, I. W. Lamb, William A. Kings- bury, and the present pastor, J. C. Lemon, filling the pulpit of this church the second time. The frame house of wor- ship now in use was built about 1860. The membership of the church, Sept. 18, 1880, was ninety-six, and the

Sunday-school had then an average attendance of sixty ; H. L. Strong is superintendent of the latter.

A Methodist Church has also existed for a number of years at Dansville, but repeated efforts to obtain faets re- garding its history have not availed.

The Protestant Methodist Church at Dansville has been organized more than thirty years, but the precise date of its formation is not recollected. Elder Kilpatrick was its pastor as early as 1850, when meetings were held in the school- house. The society is at present (September, 1880) build- ing a neat and commodious brick church, on the site of the old frame school-house, to cost about $3000. The organ- ization has not been continuous from the start. Its present pastor is Rev. E. S. Clark.

VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE.

Samuel Crossman (name originally spelled Crosman), from Cayuga Co., N. Y., purchased 400 acres of land on sections 14 and 15, in the town of Ingham, in May, 1836, and his son, John S. Crossman, settled on section 15 in September, 1840, and cleared forty aeres. lIe taught school in the winter of 1839-40. He lived on the land until February, 1843, and during the years 1843-44 was in Jackson County. In the fall of 1845 he returned to Dansville, where he re- mained until November, 1852, when he went to California. His wife died at Dansville in June of that year. In 1854 he was married again, in the State of New York. He resided in California and Nevada for twenty-three years, finally settling in Williamston, Ingham Co., Mich., where he is now living, as are also two of his brothers. All are prominent business men.

Samuel Crossman settled at Dansville with his family in November, 1845, and remained ten years, finally removing to Ann Arbor, where he now resides, aged eighty-four years. In May, 1842, when Henry L. Strong came to the vicinity, the only persons living at Dansville were John S. Crossman, Samuel Skadan, William B. Everts, and possibly Dennis Robinson, although the latter moved away about that time. Their houses were built of logs, the only frame structure at the place being John S. Crossman's barn.

Lonson Hill, from Ontario Co., N. Y., came to Michigan in May, 1846, and located at Dansville, which has since been his home. At the time he came Samuel Crossman had the frame of a new house up and inclosed, but the building was not yet completed. This was the first frame house in the place.

Simon P. Ilendrick, from Mumfordville, Monroe Co., N. Y., came to Michigan in 1839 or 1810, and located, with his parents, in Hamburg, Livingston Co. In 1851 he removed to Dansville, which is now his home.

The first business establishment in the place was a small store, with a general stock, opened by Samuel Crossman about 1847.

HOTELS.

The first hotel in the village was the present " Union Hotel," which was commenced in the fall of 1856 by David D. Fox, and completed in'1857. Mr. Fox kept it for several years, and sold to a Mr. Harris. The present proprietors of the house are the Owen Brothers. Messrs. Coy and Andrews conducted it at different times.

249

INGHAM.

The " National Hotel" was built in 1860-61 by Hen- drick & Wiggins, and is now the property of William Telford, who has owned it several years.

POST-OFFICE.

In 1846 a post-office called Ingham was kept in the southeast part of the township by John B. Lobdell, who was postmaster several years. The office was subsequently moved to Haynes' Corners, one and a half miles south of Dansville, and Henry Densmore was postmaster. It was finally moved to Dansville, and the name changed to cor- respond. Dr. Daniel T. Weston was the first postmaster at the village, about 1855. The present incumbent is L. K. Strong.

VILLAGE PLATS.

The original plat of the village of Dansville was laid out May 26, 1857, by Samuel Crossman and Ephraim Hilliard on part of the southeast quarter of section 15 and the northeast quarter of section 22. "Crossman's complete plat," acknowledged Oct. 26, 1866, is on sections 15 and 22, and embraces the original plat, D. L. Crossman's ad- dition, and Dakin & Otis' addition.

INCORPORATION, ETC.

The village of Dansville was incorporated, by act of the Legislature, March 9, 1867, and the charter was amended in 1869. The first charter election was held Monday, May 6, 1867; the following officers were chosen : President, Dan- iel L. Crossman ; Recorder, Marshall Hawcroft (resigned, and Z. Ransom appointed) ; Treasurer, Lemuel K. Strong; Trns- tees, Henry L. Strong, Martin V. Jessop, Joseph Keene.

From 1868 to 1880, inclusive, the officers of the village have been the following :

1868 .- President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, D. L. Crossman ; Treasurer, Joseph Keene; Trustees, Daniel T. Weston, Henry L. Strong, Thaddens Densmore.

1869 .- President, Marens M. Atwood; Recorder, D. L. Crossman ; Treasurer, Cyrus W. Dean ; Trustees, Henry L. Strong, Thaddeus Densmore, Daniel T. Weston.

1870 .- President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, Joseph Keene; Treasurer, Zebina Ransom ; Trustees, Daniel L. Crossman, Henry L. Strong, James M. Royce.

1871 .- President, Marens M. Atwood; Recorder, Daniel L. Crossman (resigned, and L. Woodhouse appointed) ; Treasurer, Zebina Ransom ; Trustees, Henry L. Strong, Philo Otis, Martin V. Jessop.

1872 .- President, Marens M. Atwood; Recorder, Lemnel Woodhouse ; Treasurer, no record ; Trustees, M. V. Jessop, H. L. Strong, W. H. Heald.

1873 .- President, Marens M. Atwood; Recorder, Lemuel Woodhouse; Treasurer, Marshall Hawcroft; Trustees, M. V. Jessop, II. L. Strong, E. Rice.

1874 .- President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, Lemuel Woodhouse; Treasurer, Joseph Kcene; Trustees, Henry L. Strong, M. V. Jessop, H. H. Field.

1875 .- President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, Martin V. Jessop ; Treasurer, Joseph Keene; Trustces, Henry L. Strong, Egbert Rice, Martin S. Atwood.

1876 .- President, Marcus M. Atwood ; Recorder, Charles L. Randall ; Treasurer, Morris A. Carpenter ; Trustees, Henry L. Strong, Martin S. Atwood, Henry H. Field.

1877 .- President, Marcus M. Atwood ; Recorder, Charles L. Randall; Treasurer, Lemuel K. Strong; Trustees, H. L. Strong, Merritt Chappell, David D. Fox.

1878 .- President, Marens M. Atwood ; Recorder, Charles L. Randall; Treasurer, Joseph Keene; Trustees, Morris A. Carpenter, David D. Fox, Henry L. Strong. 32

1879 .- President, Charles L. Randall; Recorder, Levi Geer ; Treas- urer, Joseph Kecne; Trustces, Daniel R. Jessop, Morris A. Carpenter, Henry II. Field.

1880 .- President, Charles L. Randall ; Recorder, Levi Geer; Treas- urer, Daniel A. Hewes ; Trustees, Morris A. Carpenter, Henry II. Field, Daniel R. Jessop.

MANUFACTURES.

A steam saw-mill was built about 1864 by Martin V. and Daniel R. Jessop, and some time later a planing, match- ing, and moulding department was added. The establish- ment is now owned by Daniel R. and George Jessop. When the mill and shops are running with full force from three to five persons are given employment therein.

Ephraim and Elisha Hilliard erected a steam grist-mill about 1855, which is now the property of a man named Hershey, living in the State of New York. It contains three runs of stone, and does only custom work. A twenty horse-power steam-engine is in use, and two men are em- ployed. The capital invested is about $3000.

A. M. Hall is the present proprietor of a carriage-factory in the village, having purchased it in the spring of 1879, and succeeded W. W. Heald. Four to six men are em- ployed, and the annual business amounts to $5000 or $6000. This is the only manufactory of carriages in the place, other shops making repairs alone, which branch of the business Mr. Hall is also engaged in. He has resided in the county since 1860, when he came to the township of White Oak with his father, G. M. Hall. The latter, a native of Vermont, had resided fourteen years in Jackson County before moving to Ingham.

In 1877, Messrs. Doan & Avery built a fruit-drying establishment on the Alden plan, and are the present pro- prietors. For two years the business has not been very brisk, but during the present year (1880) it has greatly revived, and a large amount of fruit will be dried during the season, which lasts about two months. The daily capacity is about 250 pounds of dried apples. Several persons are given employment.

SOCIETIES.

Dansville Lodge, No. 160, F. and A. M., has been organ- ized nearly twenty years. Its first Master was Marcus M. Atwood, who held the position four years. The present mem- bership is about seventy-five, and the officers are Joseph Keene, Worshipful Master; L. C. Chase, Senior Warden ; W. H. Daniels, Junior Warden; A. M. Hall, Sec .; Samuel Skadan, Treas.

Dansville Lodge, No. 102, I. O. O. F., was instituted Sept. 21, 1866, with eight or nine charter members. The first Noble Grand was Charles B. Dean. The present mem- bership is about fifty, and the officers are D. V. Miller, Noble Grand; Fred L. Miller, Vice-Grand; Elias J. Smith, Rec. and Per. Sec. ; Lemuel K. Strong, Treas.

BAND.

A cornet band was organized at Dansville, Wednesday night, Sept. 15, 1880, with thirteen pieces, under the auspices of the village corporation. Some of its members belonged to a band which formerly existed in the place, but most of the players are novices. New instruments have been purchased. The teacher and leader is J. W. Loranger.

LEROY .*

NATURAL FEATURES.

THE township of Leroy is designated by the United States survey as township No. 3 north, of range No. 2 east, the exterior lines having been run by Joseph Wampler in 1824, and the subdivision lines the year following by the same party. It is bounded on the north by the town- ship of Locke, south by White Oak, east by Livingston County, and west by the township of Wheatfield. It was first settled in 1837, and was not rapid in its advancement. For years no village had sprung up within its limits, though a post-office was early established on section 6, known as Phelpstown, and later familiarly spoken of as " Podunk." With the advent of the Detroit, Lansing and Lake Mich- igan Railroad in 1871, which passes through the north portion of the township, the village of Webberville, on section 11, was first projected, and has since grown to be a prosperous place.

The surface of Leroy is generally even and free from abrupt elevations and sudden declivities. Some portions are gently rolling, and afford a pleasing variety to the land- scape, though hills of any considerable altitude are not found. The soil of the township is a composition of elay, loam, sand, gravel, and muck. Clay is found principally in the south, while sand abounds quite generally, though more perceptible in the northeast and northwest portions, as also in the west. Gravel is also more abundant in the west and northwest. Considerable swampy land is seen, sections 13, 24, 25, 35, and 36 being partially covered by marshes, while sections 11 aud 12 also contain a mode- rate quantity of lowland. This is, however, being rapidly drained and improved. The land is watered by the Cedar River, which enters on section 1, and nearly follows the northern boundary-line, passing out at section 4; by the Dietz Creek, which rises in a marsh in White Oak, and flowing north, then west, empties into Doan Creek ; by the Kalamink Creek, which finds its source in a swamp on section 26, and flowing north pours its waters into the Cedar; and by the Doan Creek, which rises in Wheatfield, and following a northeasterly course joins the Dietz Creek on section 8, and discharges into Cedar River, in Locke township. Most woods, excepting pine and hemlock, flour- ish in Leroy, among which are the maple, ash, black-walnut, basswood, beech, and elm. The tamarack is the companion of the marshes here as elsewhere.

Fruit abounds and attains unusual size and excellence. Apples during the present season are especially abundant and of a very superior quality. The yield of grain is quite equal to the average of townships throughout the county, the land being well adapted to the raising of wheat and corn.

LAND ENTRIES.

The lands of township No. 3 north, of range No. 2 east, were entered by the following parties :

Section 1 .- Matthew C. Patterson, July 12, 1836; James T. Beach, April 2, 1836.

Section 2 .- Charles Batlee, April 2, 1836.

Section 3 .- William Thompson, April 12, 1836; Ira Ward, June 24, 1836; Henry W. Delevan, Sept. 23, 1836.

Section 4 .- Ebenezer Jessup, Jr., May 31 and June 4, 1836; George Morell, June 7, 1836; Joshua Rayner, July 11, 1836.

Section 5 .- Henry Whiting, May 21, 1833, and May 31, 1836; Eben- ezer Jessup. Jr., May 31, 1836; Alonzo Bennett, June 21, 1836. Section 6 .- John M. Berrien, Jan. 28, 1836; Ebenezer Jessup, Jr., May 30, 1836; George Morell, June 7, 1836; Rufus L. Carroll, May 13, 1837.

Section 7 .- David Tobias, July 12, 1836; Eliza Chapin, July 16, 1836; Jared Wilson and Albert Lester, July 16, 1836.

Section 8 .- Peter Westfall, June 28 and July 19, 1836; Volney Brown, July 19, 1836; Jared Wilson and Albert Lester, Jaly 16, 1836; Hiram Dana, Aug. 4, 1836; Beaufort A. Parsell, Sept. 22, 1836; Edward H. Learned, Oct. 27, 1836.

Section 9 .- E. Jessup, Jr., May 30, 1836; Ilealy and Kercheval, May 31, 1836 ; Peter Westfall, June 24, 1836; Iliram Dana, Aug. 4, 1836; William Bradner, Dec. 12, 1836; David B. Wilcox, June, 1836.

Section 16 .- Ebenezer Jessup, Jr., May 30, 1836; Henry A. Leonard, June 27, 1836; Ilenry W. Delevan, Sept. 23, 1836; William Bradoer.

Section 11 .- Ebenezer Jessup, Jr., May 30, 1836; Ilenry W. Delevan, Sept. 23, 1836.

Section 12 .- E. Jessup, Jr., May 31, 1836; Matthew C. Patterson, July 12, 1836; Norman Speller, Sept. 21, 1836 ; Miles P. Samp- son, Oet. 25, 1836.

Section 13 .- Flavias J. B. Crane, July 13, 1836; Minard- Farley, Sept. 21, 1836 ; Miles P. Sampson, Oct. 25, 1836; D. A. McFar- lan, Nov. 18, 1837.

Section 14 .- Flavius J. D. Crane, July 13, 1836 ; Henry W. Delevan, Sept. 23, 1836.

Section 15 .- Flavius J. B. Crane, July 12, 1836; Flavias J. B. Crane, Sept. 20, 1836; Iliram Bradner, Dec. 12, 1836 ; Horace A. Noyes, Dec. 12, 1836; Joho L. Johnson, Dec. 12, 1836; Pardon Brow- nell, Dec. 12, 1836.

Section 16 .- School seetion.

Section 17 .- l'eter Westfall, Jaly 9, 1836; Isaac Coleman, July 9, 1836; Harry Meech, July 9, 1836 ; James Grant, July 16, 1836. Section 18 .- Ephraim Meech, July 9, 1836; Henry Meech, July 9, 1836; Henry Meech, Jaly 9, 1836; Thomas P. Sawyer, Aug. 2, 1836; l'eter Judd, Aug. 2, 1836.

Section 19 .- Benjamin Moreland, July 9, 1836; James Wadsworth, July 16, 1836.

Section 20 .- Thomas Mann, July 25, 1836, Peter Westfall, July 9, 1836; John Sayers, July 9, 1836; David Mecch, Jaly 9, 1836; Samuel M. Spencer, Jaly 16, 1836.

Section 21 .- William Van Leavan, July 9, 1836; Eliza Chapin, July 16, 1836 ; lleary Herne, Aug. 3, 1836; Miles P. Sampson, Oct. 25, 1836.

Section 22 .- F. J. B. Crane, July 12, 1836; IIenry M. Moon, Aug. 6, 1836; M. P. Sampson, Oct. 25, 1836 ; lliram Bradaer and Eldred Ilabbard, Dec. 12, 1836 ; Cephas Hoyt, Dec. 13, 1836; William Brewer, Dec. 14, 1836.

Section 23 .- June Place, Nov. 28, 1835 ; Charles Place, Dec. 4, 1835;

F. J. B. Crane, July 12, 1836; F. J. B. Crane, Sept. 20, 1836.

Section 24 .- Meses W. Thompson, Sept. 20, 1836 ; Aaron Ballard,

· Compiled by E. O. Wagner.

250

251

LEROY.

Sept. 20, 1836; Lemuel Drusell, Jr., Sept. 21, 1836; Timothy Lyon, March 1, 1836 ; David A. McFarlan, March 18, 1836. Section 25 .- William Farley, Sept. 24, 1836; Peter Hartman, Sept. 23, 1836; Pardon Barnard, Sept. 24, 1836; Alexander Grant, April 24, 1836.

Section 26 .- Seth Spencer, Sept. 23, 1836; 1Ienry W. Delevan, Sept. 23, 1836; Miles P. Sampson, Oct. 25, 1836 ; Epaphroditus Graves, Sept. 21, 1836.

Section 27 .- Samuel M. Spencer, July 16, 1846; James Grant, July 16, 1846 ; Thomas P. Sawyer, Aug. 2, 1846 ; Henry Howe, Aug. 3,1846.

Section 28 .~ Augustus Waters, July 5, 1836; James Quaile, July 6, 1836 : James Grant, July 16, 1836; Wilson and Lester, July 16, 1836.

Section 29 .- Charles 11. Hunt, June 30, 1836; Joseph Gale, July 2, 1836; Horton Frost, July 2, 1836; Michael Smith, July 2, 1836. Section 30 .- James Huffman, June 15, 1836 ; Benjamin Glimpse, July 9, 1836 ; Cornelius Glimpse, July 9, 1836; Richard Putman, July 15, 1836; Alexander Patterson, Oct. 31, 1836 ; D. A. McFarlan, March 18, 1837.

Section 31 .- Jason Beckley, Jr., June 15, 1836; John Ilester, June 17, 1836; John B. Hartford, July 16, 1836 ; B. B. Kercheval, Oct. 29, 1836.

Scetion 32 .- Daniel Miller, June 17, 1836; Jacob Helsel, June 17, 1836; Joseph Galc, July 2, 1836; Sylvester Milliman, July 2, 1836; Peter Westfall, July 9, 1836.

Section 33 .- Jacob Helsel, June 16, 1836 ; Ira Davenport, June 30, 1836 ; James Wadsworth, July 16, 1836; John and James Mul- holland, Oct. 28, 1836.

Section 34 .- Benjamin Huger, Ang. 5, 1836; David F. Ilass, Sept. 21, 1836; Henry Meech, June 22, 1836.

Section 35 .- Seth Spencer, Sept. 23, 1836; II. W. Delevan, Sept. 23, 1836.

Section 36 .- Peter Hartman, Sept. 23, 1836; 1I. W. Delevan, Sept. 23, 1836; James Hughes, Nov. 14, 1836.

RESIDENT TAXPAYERS FOR THE YEAR 1844.

Uriah Smith, section 23.

Acres. 110

Nathan Jones, section 23. 50

Alva Jones, section 23 40

llarley Bement, section 24. 80

Luther Brown, section 24. 80

IT. M. Wood, section 23. 200

Alonzo Hooker, section 15. 80

Joshua Baker, section 22.

Edinund Alchin, sections 32, 33. 240

Daniel C. Wilcox, section 5 107

Oren Dana, sections 8, 9 170

Peter Dietz, sections, 8, 9, 17.

320

Alva Smith, sections 3, 17. 320

Daniel Tobias, section 7. 78

B. K. Gecr, section 20.

L. S. Rouse, section 18 27

George Rouse, sectiun 18 27

Thomas Medberry, section 18 119

John Murray, sections 6, 7.

100

Ephraim Meech, section 18.

151

James De Forest, section 7.

Henry Meech, sections 17, 18

160

Isaac Coleman, sections 17, 28 240

Henry Lee, sections 20, 21.

160

Richard Putman, section 30

. James Rosecrance, section 20.

160

Thomas Horton, section 29 M. Bennett, section 29

Jacob Countryman.

John O'Brien

Calvin Wilson, section 24.

Hiram Rix, section 8 ..

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The earliest settlers in the township of Leroy were Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Meech, who left Brutus, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1832, for Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., where they remained one year, and then purchased a farm in Green Oak, Livingston Co., in the oak-openings. Here they re- mained until 1836, when land was purchased on section 18, in Leroy township, upon which they removed in Jan-

uary, 1837. The snow at this time was eighteen inches deep, and for a distance of eight miles through the wilder- ness the travelers were obliged to cut and break their way. The cold was intense, and in crossing a creek the ice broke, and the stockings of Mrs. Meech were completely frozen to her feet. The first greeting she received the morning after her arrival was from two Indians, who asked for whisky. The only other inhabitants were wild beasts. Bears were frequent visitors, and made great havoc among the swine. One was shot, just after he had carried away a fine hog, which yielded five gallons of bear's oil. Wolves were constant disturbers of the peace, and would frequently sur- round the house and begin their dismal howlings as even- ing approached, which they steadily maintained until morning dawned. Mrs. Meech would spread a blanket on the boards which served as a floor for the loft of their dwelling, and lie down for the night, in constant fear lest the marauders should break through the window.

She welcomed with great joy the presence of the next settler, for she had not seen the face of a white woman for eight months. Mr. Meech raised the first crop of corn grown in the township. IIe used frequently to carry grain to the mill for neighbors, which would generally re- quire a week to go and return, the time having been much lengthened by the bad roads and swollen streams which had to be forded.

Many instances of wolf-trapping and bear-hunting might be mentioned in which Mr. Meech took an active part, the bounty on the former offered by the State having mate- rially aided the settlers in their early struggles. Mr. Meech died on the land he entered, in 1876. His wife survives, and resides on the homestead, where she entertains her friends with many interesting tales of pioneer life.

The earliest birth in the township occurred at the house of Ephraim Meech, that of Nancy Tobias, daughter of an early settler, and who afterwards became Mrs. Gorton, of Leroy.

James Rosccrance, the second settler in the township, arrived in the spring of 1838, and located upon 160 aeres, on section 20, which was wholly uncleared. He erected a shanty and began at once the work of underbrushing, the men of the family being their own housekeepers. An ex- tensive tract was improved in course of time, which is now occupied by the sons of Mr. Rosecranee.

Oren Dana, the first township clerk of Leroy, came from Le Roy, Genesee Co., at nearly the same time, and occupied land previously entered upon section 9, embracing 160 acres. He cleared this tract, and remained upon it until his death, in 1879. His son, H. J. Dana, now occu- pies the estate.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 61

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