USA > Michigan > Eaton County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 72
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 72
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Onondaga Lodge, No. 152, J. O. O. F., was instituted Feb. 21, 1871, with Ilenry S. Willis as Noble Grand. It has a present membership of thirty-five, and its lodge- rooms are in the same building with those of the Masons. The officers are C. Streeter, Noble Grand ; John Towers, Vice-Grand; P. Van Riper, Treas .; II. S. Willis, Rec. Sec. ; James Ewing, Per. Sec.
"KINNEYVILLE"
is a small village on Grand River, two miles below Onon- daga, so called from its original proprietor, Stephen Van Kinney, who came here from Nova Scotia, purchased a large quantity of land, and on the 9th of June, 1849, laid out the village on section 17, giving it the name of Nova Sco- tia, by which it is recorded. As " Kinneyville," however, it is best known, and by that name it is called among those acquainted with the place.
Mr. Van Kinney built a grist-mill and a saw-mill before laying ont his village, and the former is yet standing. Jo- seph S. Peirson was the millwright. The grist-mill stands on the west side of the river, near the end of the dam, and the old saw-mill was on the opposite side. Mr. Van Kin- ney finally removed to Jackson, where he died about 1875-76.
Soon after the mill was built, Joseph S. Peirson erected a large building, which was used as a dwelling and hotel, and is yet standing, but now deserted, and Mr. Peirson is deceased.
Henry Losey opened a small grocery and liquor-store at the place quite early, but the first general store was not es- tablished until about 1853, when Griffith & Sprague offered for sale a stoek of dry goods and general merchandise.
The grist-mill is now owned by Samuel Stetler, and a saw-mill, axe-handle- and shingle-factory, immediately be- low, is the property of George Taylor. A side-track was built on the railroad, a mile from the village, and consider- able quantities of flour are shipped by Mr Stetler.
A cheese-factory was built about 1870 by a stock com- pany, Hosca Kenyon (now deceased), the checse-maker, being also a stockholder. The stock after a time became the property of one or two members of the company, and finally passed into the hands of one man. Rinaldo Fuller, formerly a druggist at Onondaga village, owned the factory for some time, and at length sold it to Lee S. Cobb, the present proprietor.
295
ONONDAGA.
The village contained in September, 1880, two stores, two churches, a new school-house (built in 1879), a cheese- factory, two blacksmith-shops, a wagon-shop, a shoe-shop, a grist mill, a cooper-shop, and a handle- and shingle-factory. It was doubtless intended by Mr. Van Kinney, when he laid the place out, that it should become at no distant day a place of mueh importance, and its location, as far as natural advantages are concerned, is good; but when the Grand River Valley Railway was built " Kinneyville" was left at one side, and Onondaga received a forward push, of which it took advantage.
The post-offiec at Kinneyville is called " Winfield," and was established about 1860-61, with William Earll as postmaster. Ile built the store in which the office is now kept. James E. Howland was appointed postmaster, April 25, 1864, and possibly a man named Parker was his sue- cessor. Jonathan D. Lane was appointed Sept. 20, 1870, and was succeeded by Rufus Swart, whose appointment was dated Feb. 10, 1873. The latter died in office, and his son, Albert E. Swart, the present incumbent, was ap- pointed to the position Feb. 27, 1880.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
JOAN HARWOOD.
John Harwood was born June 23, 1830, in Bucking- hamshire, England. He was the son of Thomas Harwood, who reared a family of twelve children,-nine sons and three daughters. John Harwood followed the avocation of a baker, and was an active, energetie business man. In May, 1831, he emigrated with his family to the United States, and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y., where he purchased a small farm. Here he resided until his emigration to Mich- igan. In 1836 he came to Ingham County and located one hundred and sixty aeres of land in the town of Onon- daga, where his son Johu now resides. He returned East, and in the following August started from Oneida County with his family and household effects loaded in a wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen and horse. The journey was a tedious one, and occupied nearly two months. He built a rude log house near the present residence of John Har- wood. The township was at this time a wilderness; Jack- son had hardly reached the distinction of a hamlet, and the nearest mill was at Ann Arbor, a distance of eighty-six miles. The family upon their arrival in their new home were in a very impecunious condition, and the elder Har- wood was obliged to obtain employment in various ways to
support his family. However, he succeeded in making a small elearing during the winter and spring, and sowed some grain. He also met a serious misfortune in the loss of his only cow and oxen. The following year (1839) Mrs. Har- wood died from exposure and consequent exhaustion in fight- ing fire. In 1841 he married Mrs. Margaret Van Horn,
M-G.
JOHN HARWOOD.
of Jackson County, whither he removed shortly after his marriage, and where he died in 1851. John was a lad of seven years when the family removed to Michigan. He remained with his father until his decease, when by the provisions of the will he succeeded to his estate, upon which he has since resided. He married Miss Emma, daughter of Joseph and Fanny Stearns Walworth, of Eaton Rapids, who were early settlers in the town of Brookfield. She was born in Adrian, Lenawee Co., in 1839. Her grand- father was an early settler in the city of Toledo, and it is stated that he built the first house within the present limits of the city. In 1853, Mr. Harwood went to California. IIe suffered many hardships, and during his stay there was engaged in mining. After a residence of four years he returned to the old home, where he has since resided. Mr. Harwood has identified himself prominently with Onon- daga not only as an early settler, but as a prominent, progres- sive farmer. Ile has greatly improved and enlarged the old homestead, and is considered one of the successful agri- culturists of the township.
1
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STOCKBRIDGE .*
NATURAL FEATURES.
THE township of Stockbridge has a just claim to dis- tinction in the fact that it is the pioneer township in point of settlement in the county of Ingham. No white settler had yet appeared within its boundaries when the earliest emigrant traversed the oak-openings, then covered with snow, with his ox-team, drawing upon the sled the frame of his primitive abode. Settlers slowly followed in his wake until 1836, when a very decided accession was made to the population, the lands on the eastern side proving especially attractive to land-lookers. The exterior lines of the town- ship were surveyed by Joseph Wampler in 1824, and the subdivision lines by the same individual in 1826. It was designated as township No. 1 north, of range 2 east. Some years later one of the early pioncers, desiring to commemorate the place of his nativity in New England, suggested the name of Stockbridge, which was adopted by the State Legislature. The township, which lies in the extreme southeast part of the county, is bounded on the north by White Oak township, south by Jackson County, east by the county of Livingston, and west by Bunker Hill township.
Stockbridge is watered by several lakes of greater or less dimensions, and two considerable streams, Turtle Creek and Portage Creek. The former rises in Lowe Lake, and flow- ing south and sontheast pours its waters into the Huron River. The latter has its source in a small lake on section 17 not dignified by a name, meandering to the southeast and then to the southwest, and flowing into the Portage River. Lowe Lake, on sections 2 and 11, is the most con- siderable sheet of water, and affords excellent sport to fishermen ; while Rice Lake on section 14, Bear's Lake on section 34, Jacob's Lake on section 31, and Mud Lake on section 16, are picturesque bodies of water.
The surface of Stockbridge may be described as undu- lating. Many gentle elevations afford variety to the land- scape, though level fields, presenting no obstacles to the husbandman, are prevalent.
The soil shows considerable variety, including clay, sand, and gravel, the union of which gives the township high rank as-a grain-producing territory. The yield of wheat, corn, and oats is quite equal to the average throughout the county, and the quality of the products is superior. Fruit of all kinds exhibits a most luxuriant growth. On every side apple-orchards, bearing a most prolific yield of the choicest grafted fruit, are found. By their side are seen peach-trees bending beneath their burden, and the pear and cherry also find here a congenial soil.
The prevailing woods are hickory, ash, basswood, elm, and the healthy growth of oak peculiar to oak-openings.
In the centre, west, and south, and in a limited portion of the east part of the township, marshy land prevails. This produces the accustomed growth of tamarack.
LAND ENTRIES.
The lands of Stockbridge were originally entered from the government by the following individuals :
Section 1 .- Cyrus Jackson, June 24, 1833 ; Samuel Townsend, April 22, 1835; Samuel Proctor, April 30, 1835.
Section 2 .- R. R. Lowe, Nov. 5, 1834; lleman Lowe, Jan. 25, 1835; David Dutcher, June 13, 1835; C. M. Dubois, June 25, 1835; Almon Gregory, March 10, 1836.
Section 3 .- R. R. Lowe, Nov. 5, 1834; Heman Lnwe, Jan. 21, 1835; Iliram Stocking, July 4, 1835; Peter Lowe, March 25, 1836. Section 4 .- George and lforace Wheaton, May 17, 1836; Warren Dunning, Robert S. Willson, J. R. Walan, Nov. 14, 1836; John D. Reeves, Nov. 8, 1837.
Section 5 .- William Little, May 17, 1836; Simeon Cummins, Sept. 25, 1836 ; William P. Garrett, Nov. 17, 1836; Nelson Burhans, Jan. 14, 1837; Howell Reeves, March 8, 1837.
Section 6 .- William Little, May 17, 1836; Hugh Ballentine, June 4, 1836; Levi Adams, June 7, 1836; Joseph A. Holmes, June 28, 1836; John Douglas, July 28, 1836 ; Charles B. Thompson, Sept. 21, 1836; Jesse Lowe, Nov. 25, 1836; William II. Baker, July 5,1837.
Section 7 .- C. H. Bryan, June 6, 1836 ; Myron Gould, June 28, 1836; Ira Bellews, June 28, 1836; Joseph A. IIolmes, June 28, 1836; Ilowell Reeves, March 8, 1837.
Section 8 .- Myron Gould, June 28, 1836; Ira Bellews, June 28, 1836; L. Higby, July 14, 1836; John Ilaydock, Aug. 3, 1836.
Section 9 .- George Wheaton and Horace Wlicatou, Nov. 26, 1835; Ephraim Wheaton, March 25, 1836; Abraham A. Post, April 20, 1836; John Haydock, Aug. 3, 1836.
Section 10 .- Ira A. Blossom and E. D. Efner, July 2, 1835 ; Hiram Stocking, July 4, 1835; Chauncey Teachout, Dec. 9, 1835; John 11. Bacon, June 25, 1836; John McCollom, Aug. 2, 1836; Electa Baldwin, Oct. 23, 1848.
Section 11 .- John Thurston, Dec. 14, 1833; I. A. Blossom und E. D. Efner, July 2, 1835; lliram Stocking, July 4, 1835; Sarah Dun- ham, Jan. 9, 1836; Almon Gregory, March 16, 1836; Royal Stephens, April 22, 1836.
Section 12 .- John Scarls, May 30, 1835; I. A. Blossom and E. D. Efner, Aug. 27, 1835; 1I. S. Sporry, April 22, 1836 ; Hiram Mace, April 26, 1836; Warren Dunoing, Aug. 4 and Nov. 14, 1836; John Pelton, Dee. 16, 1836.
Section 13 .- Cyrus Jackson, June 13, 1834; Allen Smitb, April 1, 1836; James lloughtaling, April 9, 1836; Minor Towasend, April 22, 1836 ; Judson Dakin, Feb. 14, 1837.
Section 14 .- Alden Smitb, April 1, 1836; James Keyes, April 6, 1836; O. F. Rice, April 9, 1836; Ira Wood, May 16, 1836; Joseph Weeks, June 3, 1836; S. V. R. Bogert, Aug. 4, 1836; Samuel Philips, Aug. 5, 1836; E. R. Daggett, Nov. 4, 1836; Ano Reason, July 14, 1838.
Section 15 .- Royal Stephens, April 22, 1836; Felix Williams, May 7, 1836; Anson Standish, May 9, 1836; German Weeks, Juno 3, 1836; lIenry S. Lewis, Nov. 4, 1836; A. La Rue, Aug. 20, 1839. Section 16 .- G. M. Lyon, S. Carter, C. Matthewson, 11. Lyon, Jr., M. M. Rose, E. Green, Franklin LaRue.
Section 17 .- C. HI. Bryan, Juno 6, 1836; Iloratio N. Forbes, July 1, 1836 ; George Reason, Nov. 5, 1836; Daniel Macomber, June 24, 1842.
Section 18 .- C. II. Bryan, June 6, 1836; Timotby Brown, July 14, 1836; Charles F. Day, Jan. 2, 1837.
* By E. O. Wagner.
296
297
STOCKBRIDGE.
Section 19 .- Thomas Haffey, Nav. 22, 1836; Rufus Crossman, Dec. 16, 1836; J. R. Bowdish, Fch. 24, 1837; Jahn Farmer, Feb. 28, 1837; Reuben Robe, March 21, 1837.
Section 20 .- II. H. Vannest, June IS, 1836; G. W. Franklin, June 18, 1836; Obadiah Force, Sept. 20, 1836; Caleb Hall, Nov. 14, 1836 ; Thomas Haffey, Nov. 17, 1836, and Nov. 23, 1836; Nathan Van Pelt, Dec. 27, 1836 ; James Dancer, July 6, 1836.
Section 21 .- Alonzo Baker, May 9, 1836; Cornelius Gillespie, May 9, 1836; James Leek, May 30, 1836; Nathan Van Pelt, Dec. 29, 1836; A. S. Williams, March 25, 1839.
Section 22 .- II. Throckmorton, Oct. 30, 1835 ; Isaac Philips, Sept. 9, 1836; Justus Matthewson, May 9, 1836; Lawrence Petric, June 23, 1836; William Finley, July 7, 1836; Robert Giles. Nov. 1, 1836; Reuben Robie, March 21, 1837; John Chester, Nov. 25, 1837.
Section 23 .- Charles Thayer, April 11, 1836; IIenry Throckmorton, Oct. 10, 1836; Robert Giles, Nov. 1, 1836; Henry Muller, Dec. 2, 1836 ; Jacob Steffy, July 21, 1837; Wchster aud Prior, May 21, 1836; George Mason, Oct. 19, 1838; Elijah Stanton, Nov. 6, 1838; J. H. Youngs, July 27, 184I.
Section 24 .- Thomas Smith, June 16, 1834; Charles Thayer, April 11, 1835 ; Anson Norris, March 3, 1836 ; A. A. Post, April 20, 1836; B. MeMelling, March 8, 1836.
Section 25 .- M. W. Tesdell, Feb. 1, 1834; D. D. Bird, July 4, 1834; Lester Sammis, July 26, 1834; Furman Bird, June 30, 1835, and Nav. 12, 1836 ; William Vaughan, Nov. 16, 1836 ; Sewall Austin, June 16, 1836 ; II. J. Phelps, July 5, 1836; B. B. Kercheval, Dec. 17, 1836.
Section 26 .- Ira W. Bird, Feb. 15, 1834; Lester Sammis, July 6, 1834; J. E. Field, Sept. 2, 1835 ; M. A. Field, Nov. 24, 1835 ; O. F. Rice, April 9, 1836; Samuel Denton, April 21, 1836; Elijah Smith, May 7, 1836; Phincas Prouty, July 14, 1836 ; Jeremiah Atkins, Aug. 4, 1836.
Section 27 .- O. F. Rice, April 9, 1836 ; Fra Wood, May 7, 1836; C. H. Bryan, June 6, 1836; Jeremiah Atkins, June I8, 1836 ; Law- rence Petrie, Jr., June 28, 1836.
Section 28 .- John McLaren, Dec. 4, 1835; D. McIntire, April 21, 1836; Ira Wood, May 16, 1836; Jared Todd, May 31, 1836; B. B. Kercheval, Dec. 17, 1836.
Section 29 .- John G. Soverhill, June 10, 1836; O. Force, Sept. 20, 1836; Willium Dougherty, Nov. 25, 1836; Francis Dougherty, Sept. 24, 1838, and Dec. 18, 1838.
Section 30 .- William Smith, June 25, 1836; Simeon Cummings, Sept. 23, 1836; J. R. Bowdish, Feb. 24, 1837; Hannah Little, Feb. 28, 1837 ; John Tanner, Sept. 25, 1838.
Section 31 .- James Davis, June 18, 1836 ; W. Il. Cook, June 27, 1836 ; John A. Bacon, July 12, 1836; Daniel Green, Ang. 2, 1836; Orange Backus, Oct. 31, 1837 ; Francis Dougherty, Jan. 22, 1839; Rogers Matthews, Feb. 4, 1839.
Section 32 .- John Davis, Feb. 11, 1836; Simeon Cummings, Sept. 23, 1836; J. M. Wood, Feb. 2, 1837; II. B. Webster, Fcb. 3, 1837; Uriab Coulson, Sept. 18, 1838; Francis Dougherty, Nov .- 26, 1838; Uriah Coulson, July 20, 1839 ; M. E. Lathrop, Jan. 2, 1841; George Judson, Oct. 9, 1848.
Section 33 .- Elias Smith, Jr., Donald McIntire, July 8, 1836; John Sayre, Dec. 14, 1836; R. J. Polhems, Dec. 29, 1836.
Section 34 .- John Sayre, Dec. 14, 1836; A. W. Coddington, Dec. 29, 1836; 1I. M. Branch, July 2, 1850.
Section 35 .- O. J. Rice, April 9, 1836; Jeremiah Atkins, Aug. 4, 1836; John Dunn, Aug. 5, 1836; R. J. Polhemus, Dec. 28, 1836; Justus Norris, Jan. 27, 1837 ; Hopkins and Bird, Oct. 4, 1844.
Section 36 .- John Davis, Feb. 20, 1834; Thomas G. Sill, June 17, 1834; Stuteley Jipson, Feb. 23, 1834, and May 4, 1835; William Vaughn, March 16, 1836; Almira Sill, June 24, 1836 ; B. B. Kercheval, Dec. 17, 1836; Mary Ann Rogers, June 1, 1837.
The following list embraces the names of resident tax- payers in the township of Stockbridge for the year 1844 :
Joseph Hunt, Saml. C. Proctor, Asa Proctor, Daniel Jackson, Roht. Chapel, James Reeves, HIeman Lowe, Hiram Stocking, Oren Gregory, Benj. Bullock, Wm. Pressley, S. S. Buck, Richd. R. Lowe, Peter Lowe, S. H. Stocking, Jerome Wheaton, Henry Smalley, H. M. Wheaton, James Bending, A. D. Felton, Reuben Smith, Wm. Douglas, Benj. Green, Elliot Richmond, Mason 38
Branch, M. D .; L. F. Branch, Earl Webster, George W. Gibbs, Chauncey Prior, George Munn, Jacob Steffy, Danl. Smith, Wm. Farmer. II. U. Forbes, Wm. Vaughn, John and Lewis Rice, James Steffy, Ruth Petrie, Olney F. Rice, Ira Wood, E. E. Beebe, Abraham Towner, IIenry Bellinger, Daniel Jacobs, Wealthy Dow- ner, John R. Bowdish, Peter Force, Obadiah Force, J. S. Hurd, Wm. Smith, John Reason, Orvin Wheaton, Wm. Coddington, II. S. Stevens, Silas Beche, Chauncey Teachont, Royal Stephens, Minor Townsend, John Pelton, Jahn Howell, John Soule, Allen Whittier, James Houghtaling, Silas Beche, Jr., D. II. Beers, A. 11. Standish, Alden Smith, II. S. Lewis, Jas. C. Pierce, Danl. Macomber, George Beaton, Wm. A. Ilavens, Timothy Paxon, Asa Thompson, Cornelius Gillespie, Justus Matthewson, Chas. Mat- thewson, Aaron B. Matthewson, Manuel Steffy, J. P. Smith, George Judson, Uriah Coulson, Geo. Reason, Jr., Thomas Gar- rity, Oliver LaDue, P. P. Fox, David Rogers, Eliot Richmond, II. K. Force, David Dewey, Iliram Houghtaling, Russel Ilewitt, Thos. Macomber, Wm. Marshall, Thomas Gillman.
VILLAGE OF STOCKBRIDGE.
Gilson Morgan, Orton Williams, J. V. Jenkins, Lawrence Petrie, John W. Turner, Jerome C. Branch, John Newkirk, Ira Wood, E. E. Beebe, Stlas Beebe, Jr .. Eliut Richmond.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
As late as 1834 the forests of Ingham County were peopled only by wandering bands of the Pottawattomie and Ottawa Indians. In the spring of that year their do- main was first invaded by the white man. John Davis, the preceding February, had purchased the east half of the southeast quarter and the southeast quarter of the north-
east quarter of section 36, in the township of Stockbridge, which was soon after settled by his son-in-law, David Rogers, the earliest pioneer in the township as well as in the county .* Mr. Rogers had located the previous year in Lima, Wash- tenaw Co., and while there was assisted by John Davis and James Mitchell in the erection of a frame house, from which point it was drawn on sleds to his land in Stock- bridge, where it was finished and made habitable the follow- ing April.
Mr. Rogers devoted himself at once to chopping and the work of underbrushing, and soon after had a considerable traet cleared and sown with wheat. His house was the resort of emigrants and land-lookers for successive months, and was frequently filled beyond its capacity. His death occurred March 22, 1875, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mrs. Rogers survives, and is a resident of the village of Stockbridge.
In June of the same year Thomas G. Sill located on see- tion 36, where he entered land. A son, born to him at the close of the year, was the first white child born in the township. The population was not further increased until 1835, when Heman Lowe and his family came from Sulli- van Co., N. Y., and entered 640 acres of land on sections 2 and 3, which had been previously selected by his son, Richard R. Lowe. Mr. Lowe and his three sons, Richard R., Jesse, and Peter, all located on section 3, upon which they erected a comfortable log house for the senior member of the family. The others, in turn, built comfortable abodes. Jesse, however, began the erection of a more spacious dwelling, and while engaged in its completion, in 1837, was drowned in Lowe Lake. Mr. Lowe, with the
* There is some difference of opinion regarding the first settlement of this township, some fixing the date in 1833 .- ED.
29S
HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
assistance of his son Peter, eleared the first year thirty acres which was sown with wheat. The crop was carried to Dexter and Pinckney for sale or milling purposes.
Unadilla, in Livingston County, at this period boasted the only saw-mill in the immediate neighborhood. Indians were then numerous and much inclined to sociability with the whites. They were civil and peaceable, except when fired by liquor, when they became boisterous and often troublesome.
Mr. Heman Lowe died at his home in Stockbridge, Oct. 26, 1860. Richard R. still resides on section 3, and Peter is prominently identified with the business interests of Mason.
Conrad M. Dubois entered, June 13, 1835, ninety acres on seetion 2,* and remained with Mr. Lowe while preparing a suitable habitation upon the land, to which he afterwards removed.
Abram Towner came from Steuben Co., N. Y., to the township in 1836, and located upon eighty acres on section 28, which he purchased of Ira Wood. On his arrival in the State he remained one year at Pinckney, and then re- moved to his purchase with teams. He was employed by Mr Wood to assist in clearing, and thus paid for his land. He purchased of Mr. O. F. Rice material with which to erect a dwelling, making shingles in exchange for the lumber. Cornelius Gillespie, a near neighbor, offered the family shelter while building. Mr. and Mrs. Towner are still residents of Stockbridge village.
Olney F. Rice was a former resident of Essex Co., N. Y., and in April, 1836, entered land ou section 27. He im- proved this farm and did much to make it productive, but having been a man in advanced years on his arrival, did not long survive. Ira B. Wood removed from Ann Arbor and on the 7th of May, 1836, entered land on section 27, upon which he located. He engaged actively in farming pur- suits, and also took a commendable interest in civil affairs. Ile was chosen the first justice of the peace for Stockbridge, and presided with dignity in his primitive court. His present residence is Chelsea.
John Soules, also a native of Steuben Co., N. Y., entered in May, 1835, eighty acres on section 12, and subsequently added forty, upon which he settled in the following year. Oren Gregory was his nearest neighbor. Mr. Soules, after building a log house, cleared ten acres, which was sown with wheat. Dexter, at a distance of twenty miles, was the headquarters for milling purposes, and Unadilla was resorted to for lumber. Mr. Soules still survives and with his family resides upon the homestead.
Oren Gregory, on his advent from the Empire State, first settled in Jackson County. In 1836 he became a pioneer to Stockbridge and located land on sections 11 and 12. After clearing a sufficient space he erected a shanty, having first availed himself of the hospitality of his near neighbor. Mr. Gregory was prominent in public life, and was chosen as the earliest supervisor of Stockbridge. He later became an elder of the Protestant Methodist Church and engaged in preach- ing. ITis death occurred in Kalamazoo County in 1847. Mrs. Gregory resides in Dansville, and a son, Oscar Gregory, occupies a portion of the homestead, owning in all 240 acres.
.
Earl B. Webster, one of the most prominent of the early pioneers, removed from Genesee County in 1836, and located upon section 26. He improved the land and made it his residence for a series of years, but finally left the township. At his house occurred the first marriage in Stockbridge, that of Miss Flora Thompson to Mr. George W. Gibbs, David Rogers, an early justice of the peace, performing the ceremony.
Justus Matthewson, a pioneer from Genesee Co., N. Y., entered, May 9, 1836, eighty acres on section 22, upon which he settled. This was wholly unimproved. Although about fourteen families had chosen homes in the township, the distance was so remote and travel so difficult as to make frequent intercourse almost impossible.
Mr. Matthewson pursued the whole journey from his former home with horses and wagon, following a portion of the way the Indian trail. James Seek had already located on section 21 and crected a shanty. With him a comfortable shelter was obtained while making improve- ments on his own land. Deer and wolves were at this time the principal denizens of the forest, the former afford- ing an ample supply of fresh meat to the settlers. Mr. Matthewson died many years since. The homestead is oc- cupied by Fernando Bowdish, while Charles Matthewson, a son, resides upon eighty acres on section 16.
Anson K. Standish came at the same time, and entered land on section 15, May 9, 1836. He has since dicd, and the widow and four sons remain residents of the township.
George Reason, also an emigrant from the Empire State, removed from Medina in 1836, and entered in November of that year 120 acres on section 17. With him came his family, including four sons. James Seek had erected a small shanty and covered it with bark, to which they re- paired while a hut of more spacious proportions, and built of elm-bark, was constructed, which afforded them a home for a season. Ile at first hired five acres broken, for which he paid five gold sovereigns. The remainder of the land, with the assistance of his sons, was soon subdued and ren- dered productive.
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