History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 82

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 82
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 82

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).

Meantime his wife had not been idle, but had gathered the children of the neighborhood together in their home and taught them, receiving provision and home-spun cloth, or any commodity that could be turned to account. With such energy and ability did he manage the work upon his farm, or whatever he engaged in, that he was soon called to serve his township in many a public capacity, as highway commissioner, town clerk, supervisor, and was instrumental in securing a mail-route from Howell to Williamston, and was postmaster for near twenty years, and one of the board to secure an appropriation for the ercetion of the court- house, thus insuring the continuance of the county seat, which otherwise might have been removed to Lansing, as a strong effort was being made with that object in view. In 1862 he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected the following term, when Mrs. Hayner returned to the farm to superintend and push its improvements. At several times he has made additional purchases, until two hundred and twenty-five acres are included in the home at present, finely improved, with good, substantial buildings, all erceted by his own hands, and with everything necessary for the enjoyment of farm life. Since his retirement from county office, he has filled the office of supervisor, but, from pressure of private business, has been obliged to deeline to act in a publie capacity. Mr. Hayner was born in Grafton, Rens- selaer Co., N. Y., Aug. 23, 1814, and united in marriage, Oct. 27, 1836, with Julia, a daughter of Stephen and Mary A. Martin. She was born in Coleraine, Franklin Co., Mass., March 5, 1817.

Mr. and Mrs. Hayner are the parents of five children : Stephen M., born Aug. 1, 1837; James II., born Oet. 16, 1838, died April 22, 1867; John W., born Aug. 31, 1843; Charles A., born April 5, 1853; Walter, born Sept. 20, 1862. The two last named were born in Michigan. Each on becoming of age was the recipient of a substantial gift from their parents much superior to that enjoyed by the giver in his early days. Mr. Hayner was bereaved by the death of his loved wife and companion, June 12, 1877,

MRS. GEO. H. PROCTER.

SAM. PROCTER.

GEO.H. PROCTER.

RESIDENCE OF GEO. H. PROCTER, WHITE OAK, INGHAM CO., MICH.

WHITE OAK.

331

MRS. ABRAM HAYNER.

lamented and mourned by a large circle of friends, who will ever cherish within their hearts the memory of her pure and useful life, which had won their affections. Her deatlı was a sore loss to Mr. Hayner, as he was left desolate and alone with his domestic duties. Both necessity to his family and inclination combined to provide one to fill in part the vacancy in his heart and home ; he sought and obtained the hand of Miss Eliza B. Ackerson. They were married in November, 1878. Mr. Hayner, by industry and good man- agement, has accumulated a large property, and to-day is living in the peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of a well- spent life. Mr. Hayner has lately erected over the remains of his beloved wife and son one of the finest family monu- ments in Ingham County.

GEORGE H. PROCTOR.

When but a youth George II. Proctor evineed a keen appreciation of the relative value of merchantable com- modities, and as he emerged into manhood became quite an adept in speculation. He, however, remained at home, placing his accumulations in common with his father, until twenty-eight years of age, at which time he came in pos- session of a farm of sixty-three acres in Stockbridge town- ship, well stocked and provided with the necessary farm implements. For two years he worked upon his farm, then leased it, and located in St. Louis, Gratiot Co., in the mercantile business, which be conducted successfully, but from failing health was obliged to abandon. Closing out his interest there, he returned to Ingham County. In 1875 he purchased one hundred and forty-five acres on sections 29 and 30, in White Oak township. Having about seventy acres partially improved he immediately erected a substantial farm dwelling, at the same time carry- ing forward other improvements. Mr. Proctor has been twice married. First, Nov. 3, 1862, to Miss Frances E.

M-G.

ABRAM HAYNER.

Lowe, of Stockbridge. One child was born to them, but died in infancy. Mrs. Proctor remained to bless his home but for a short time, her death occurring in March, 1865. Four years later, on Sept. 23, 1869, he married Miss Mary J. Wessel, daughter of Samuel and Ellen E. Wessel, of Ingham township.

Mr. Wessel formerly resided in Wayne Co., N. Y., but located lands iu Ingham County in 1836, to which he re- moved in 1840. In connection with farming he opened his doors to the traveling public many years before travel by wagon was superseded by railroads. His genial and hospitable ways always insured a liberal patronage. Mrs. Proctor was the third in the family of four children. During his life Mr. Wessel accumulated a large landed property as well as personal. Mrs. Proctor received a lib- eral bequest, including lands now embraced within their home-farm of two hundred and ninety aeres.

Mr. and Mrs. Proctor are also the owners of other land, and are sufficiently possessed of this world's goods to enable them to pass life pleasantly. From their abundance they contribute liberally for charitable purposes, as well as to sustain the Christian cause, having been members of the Methodist Episcopal Society over twenty years. He was superintendent of North Stockbridge Sabbath-school while residing there, and is at present superintendent of Pleasant Street Sabbath-school, White Oak. Mr. Proctor has often been solicited to permit his name to appear upon his party ticket, but steadily refuses, preferring to devote his time to other pursuits. Both are members of the township and county grange association, in which they take a lively interest. Their union has been blessed by two children,-Sam J., born Aug. 23, 1870, whose portrait, in connection with those of Mr. and Mrs. Proctor, accompa- nying a view of their home, appears in this History ; Frank G., the second son, was born April 2, 1872, and died Jan. 19, 1878, of scarlet fever after an illness of forty-four hours.

332

HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

DANIEL DUTCHER.

Daniel Duteher was born Sept. 1, 1805, in the town of Oppenheim, Fulton Co., N. Y., being the third child in a family of seven sons and three daughters. At an early age he was instructed in all that pertains to farming, receiving also a common-school education. By mutual consent of his parents, when nineteen years of age he went forth from home to build up his own fortune. He first found his way to Yates, Orleans Co., N. Y. The change was disastrous to his health, bringing on a sickness that lasted twenty-three months and exhausted his small capital. Nothing dannted, with- out money for a trousseau by either of the contracting parties, on April 13, 1825, he married Miss Maria Bullock. At farm work by the day, and occasionally jobbing, he man- aged to make a comfortable living. About a year after their marriage he purchased a piece of land from the Holland Company. Each year his balance-sheet showed a small gain, and in May, 1835, on closing out his interest, the sum of fifteen hundred dollars appeared to his eredit. Leaving his family he journeyed West to seeure a home, and after an extended search located three hundred and twenty aeres on seetion 2, Stockbridge, and sections 34 and 35, White Oak, this being the first entry of land in the latter township. He returned home in June, and in September following they came by eanal to Buffalo, by lake to Detroit, and there purchased a yoke of oxen and wagon, into which he loaded his household goods and family. His purchase of a team proved rather unfortunate, as they were wild and intractable. He was obliged to walk by their side the entire distance, quite an inconvenience, as at times the road was only cleared sufficient to permit the passage of a wagon. Each day's journey seemed the hard- est, until the climax was reached the last day's drive, about noon, when be landed his outfit into a marsh so deep that it could not be extricated without assistance. Ile bethought him of a man they had passed about three miles back, and,

F -

MRS. DANIEL DUTCHER.

after securing his team, went to obtain help. IIe could not spare the time until after his day's work was finished. To remain out all night was impossible. Returning, he and his wife each took a child in their arms, and, leading the third one, journeyed on foot a distance of seven miles to her brother's, then residing in Unadilla. Leaving his family he went forward and erected a log house twenty by twenty on section 35, White Oak township, to which he removed his family the October following, this constituting the first settlement in that township. From the wilderness home he brought forth one of the finest farms in Ingham County, and during his ownership conducted it on the most extensive seale. After his large family had grown to ma- turity and passed from the parental roof, he sold and dis- tributed sixteen thousand dollars among them, and retired to a farm of forty aeres. So accustomed to labor, and with a mind so active, he could not remain idle. They were the parents of eleven. children, as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Youngs, born Jan. 16, 1828, resides at Williamston ; Be- nonia, born Nov. 22, 1829, died at the age of nine months ; Daniel T., born Oct. 17, 1831 ; Joseph A., born June 3, 1834, now of Fairfield, Shiawassee Co. ; Mrs. Abbie Clark, born Dee. 19, 1835 ; Stephen, born Nov. 8, 1837, died from disease contraeted in the army ; Israel, born Oet. 19, 1839, died Dec. 27, 1862; Mary M., born Oet. 31, 1841 ; Mrs. Patience Van Buren, born June 2, 1843 ; Mrs. Olive Van Buren, born May 30, 1845, now of Stockbridge; Mrs. Vie- toria Carpenter, born Nov. 3, 1847.

While they were yet in their youth, Mr. and Mrs. Dutcher joined the followers of the Christian faith, and after a nuited labor of forty five years, on May 7, 1874, Mrs. Dutcher passed to the fullness of that reward to those who faithfully follow the teachings of the Master, beloved by all for her many womanly qualities and her untiring devotion to her family. Mr. Dutcher continues on in the fullness of years, honored and respected for his many noble qualities, firin in the Christian faith that shall unite him with those gone before.

RESIDENCE OF E. W WOODWARD, WHITE OAK, INGHAM CO., MICH.

333

WILLIAMSTOWN.

EPHRAIM W. WOODWARD.

The family of Woodward dates back to an carly period in the history of the settlement of the English colonies in this country. On their arrival they separated, a portion settling in New York and New Hampshire, while others sought a home in Connecticut. Ephraim Woodward was a native of Windsor, Conn., and on becoming of age visited New Hampshire, made the acquaintance of and married Miss Lucy, daughter of Ithimar Woodward, a distant rela- tive of his family. He finally located at Lyndboro,' in which the present subject of this sketch was born, Aug. 12, 1820, being the youngest in a family of four children. The family being in limited circumstances, Ephraim, while quite young, engaged as a farm-hand by the month, which occupation he followed until twenty-five years of age, when, in 1854, with his accumulations he purchased an interest in milk-trade at Lowell, Mass. Being prospered in the business, he was enabled to consummate the long-cherished desire of taking to himself in marriage the maiden of his choice, Miss Lydia W., daughter of Asa and Olive Man- ning, residents of Lyndboro', N. H. He remained at Lowell for a period of ten years with continued success. Closing

out his business, he prepared to seek a home in Michigan, where a portion of his wife's family had already located. They came to Stockbridge, and remained temporarily with a brother, Joseph Manning. After a careful investigation he purchased one hundred and forty-eight acres on section 25, his present home, in White Oak, to which they removed in March, 1856. By the time they were fully prepared for the work before them, they had incurred quite an obli- gation, which called forth untiring industry and perseve- rance to satisfy. The partially cleared fields were soon put in a condition to yield an abundant harvest. A few years and they emerged from under the cloud (which had proven only a stimulant to a thorough exertion of their abilities) into the sunshine of prosperity. The log cabin was replaced by a fine dwelling surrounded by useful and ornamental trees. A view of his home will be found on another page.

Mr. Woodward, since his residence here, has often been called to serve the people in a public capacity as justice of the peace, highway commissioner, and supervisor. The latter office he has filled for the past four years, with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his townsmen.

WILLIAMSTOWN .*

GEOGRAPHICAL, ETC.

THIS township is situated in the northeastern part of the county next east of the principal meridian, and is bounded north by Shiawassee County, south by the township of Wheatfield, cast by Locke, and west by Meridian. It is the smallest in area of any township in the county, con- taining less than thirty government sections, by reason of the convergence of range-lines, sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30, and 31 being cut off on the west along the meridian-line. Its total area from this cause is reduced from 23,040 acres, the area of a full congressional township, to about 20,000 acres. The sections along the north line, however, are more than full, each one containing about 120 acres surplus.

The principal water-course is the Cedar River, which traverses in a tortuous course sections 27, 28, 29, 34, 35, and 36 in a general direction bearing north of west. It is quite a rapid stream and furnishes considerable hydraulic power at the village of Williamston. Its average width through the township, where not enlarged by dams or islands, is about 60 to 100 feet.

The principal tributary of Cedar River is Coon Creek, which rises in the northeastern part of the township and, flowing in a southerly direction, discharges into the Cedar River on section 27. A half dozen smaller creeks and spring- brooks discharge into the river at various points. A string of three small lakelets on section 1 discharge north into the Looking-Glass River, and a small creek on section 5 also

runs north into the same stream. Springs are very abundant in this township.

TOPOGRAPHY, SOILS, ETC.

The township may be considered as very generally level, with some inconsiderable elevations north of the Cedar River. The valley proper of the latter stream is quite wide and was covered formerly with a heavy growth of elm, aslı, sycamore, water-oak, and other varieties commonly found in the low-lying bottom-lands of the State. The soil is a mix- ture of heavy clay, sand, and vegetable mould, producing excellent crops of small grains and vegetables, and affording good pasturage. There are considerable tracts of marshy lands, which under a thorough system of drainage are likely to become valuable. Like all the surrounding region the township produces excellent fruit in great variety. It is quite thick ly settled and under a good state of cultivation.

The township-lines of Williamstown were run by Joseph Wampler in 1824, and the subdivision lines by the same man in 1826. The township is designated in the survey as town 4 north, of range 1 east of the principal meridian.

ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES.+

Section 1 .- McHenry, Kercheval, Healey, and Smith, May 24, 1836. Section 2 .- John Eaman, June 24, 1836; Aristarchus Champion, June 25, 1836; Samuel Townsend, July 7, 1836.

Section 3 .- William M. Halstead and R. T. Haines, June 6, 1836; Samuel Townsend, July 7, 1836.

+ From the tract-book in the register's office at Mason.

* By Samuel W. Durant.

334

IIISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Section 4 .- William II. Townsend, April 23, 1836; James Titus, April

24, 1836 ; lliram Tooker, Nov. 6, 1838 : James Tyler, Jan. 4, 1843; Jesse P. Hall, April 22, 1846; Abbe Knapp, July 1, 1846, and April 24, 1854.

Section 5 .- Ebenezer Titus, Sept. 24, 1836 ; James Tyler, Nov. 16, 1837; Jacoh Esty, James Tyler. Dec. 19, 1837; John Beyen, June 6, 1838; James Tyler, April 8, 1842.

Section S .- William 11. Townsend and Henry W. Delavan, Sept. 23, 1836; Willis Newman, Dee. 9, 1837.

Section 9 .- William H. Townsend, John C. Waterman, Henry W. Delavan, Sept. 23, 1836.

S-etion 10 .- William M. llalstead and R. T. Haines, June 6, 1836. Section 11 .- Ilstend & Haines, June 6, 1836; Daniel Cook, Ilenry Snider, June 24, 1836.

Section 12 .- Aristarchns Champion, June 25, 1836.

Section 13 .- Elon Farnsworth, June 27, 1836; Simeon Clay, July 29, 1837.

Section 14 .- Aristarchus Champion, June 25, 1836 ; Albert R. Frisbie, Elvioa Giles, William Ford, July 31, 1837.

Section 15 .- Halstead & Haines, June 6 and 7, 1836.

Section 16 .- School Innd.

Section 17 .- Henry W. Delavan, Sept. 23, 1836; Ebenezer Larned, Oct. 27, 1836; Ira Ormsbee, Nov. 4, 1836.

Section 18 .- Cut off by meridian.

Section 19 .- Cut off by meridian.

Section 20 .- David Gould, Oct. 31, 1835; William H. Townsend, Nov. 10, 1835; Charles Cleland, May 17, 1836; Rumsey Mellenry, B. B. Richard, Mark Henly, and F. O. T. Smith, May 23, 1836.

Section 21 .- E. C. Canfeld, Oet. 31, 1835; William Thompson, April 12, 1836.

Section 22. - William Thompson, April 12, 1836; Kercheval, Healy, Smith, and Mellenry, May 23, 1836.

Section 23 .- Aristarebus Champion, June 25, 1836; John E. Edwards,

Oct. 26, 1836 ; David Ford, Jan. 7, 1837 : William Batt, Jan. 16, 1837.

Seetimi 24 .- John W. Edmonds, Oct. 26, 1836; Ehenezer Larned, Oct. 27, 1836; James Alger, Dec. 30, 1836.

Section 25 .- MeHenry, Kercheval, Healy, and Smith, May 23, 1836. Section 26 .- MeHenry, Kercheval, llealy, and Smith, May 23, 1836. Section 27 .- Andrew J. Watson, Jan. 28, 1836 ; Noyes Billings and

William W. Billings, March 4, 1836; William Thompson, April 12, 1836.

Section 28 .- William A. Townsend, Feb. 5, 1836; John M. Berrien, Feb. 18, 1836; N. Billings and W. W. Billings, March 4, 1836; William Thompson, March 29, 1836; James Craven, May 17, 1836.

Section 29. - Henry Whiting, April 30, May 15, 1833; Milo P. Lamp- son, Oct. 27, 1835; H. 11. Comstock, Jan. 27, 1836; Lansing B. Misner, Ang. 3, 1836.

Section 30 .- Cut off by meridian.

Section 31 .- (Fractional) William Il. Drake and William MeCurdy, Dec. 28, 1836.

Section 32 .- John Witherell, William Timms, William Lightfoot, Francis Navis, May 17, 1836 ; William Lightfoot, June 11, 1836. Section 33 .- William Aske, William Uride, Joseph Ilayton, Robert Aman, May 17, 1836; Mellenry, Kercheval, Ilealy, and Smith, May 23, 1836.

Section 34 .- Edwin Rose, Jan. 27, 1836; Milo Mason ( United States army), April 6, 1836; John Uride, May 17, 1836; McHenry, Kercheval, Healy, and Smith, May 23, 1836.

Section 35 .- Henry Whiting, May 15, 1833; Milo Mason, Ang. 14, 1833; Iliram Pulnam, Dec. 14, 1833; Edwin Rose, Jan. 27, 1836; Jonathan Karsley, Feb. 6, 1836; Mellenry, Kercheval, Ilenly, and Smith, May 23, 1836.

Section 36 .- Joseph B. Putnam, Dec. 14, 1833 ; Peter A. Cowdry, Oct. 23, 1835; John M. Berrien, June 27, 1836; Mellenry, Kerche- val, llealy, and Smith, May 23, 1836.

NorK .- Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30, and most of 31 are lacking on the west line of the township, being cut off by the meridian-lino.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The territory now included in the township of Williams- town " was without a white inhabitant until the spring of 1834, when Hiram and Joseph Putnam left their home in - 1 0. B. Williams, J. M. Williams, and H. B. Williams.

Jackson County for the purpose of making a settlement upon the banks of the Cedar River. In passing through the township of Stockbridge they found David Rogers building the first house in Ingham County. From there the Put- nams eut a road some twenty miles, most of the way through heavily timbered land, to Cedar River on section 35, which track was known for many years after as the Putnam trail,-now the Putnam road. They took pos- session of an Indian planting-ground of some fifteen aeres, lying on the north bank of the river, it now being in the corporated limits of the village of Williamston. There they built a small log cabin, twelve by sixteen feet, and covered it with shakes, this being the second white man's roof in Ingham County. They fenced, plowed, and sowed the Indian clearing to oats. They met with many priva- tions, difficulties, and losses, . . . one of which was the loss of their team, which strayed away in the yoke. When they were found, after many days' search through the dense forest into which they had gone, one was dead, and the other reduced to a mere skeleton in his efforts to drag his mate in search of food. And then they imagined that the Indians were quite too numerous, wild, and uncivilized to make agreeable neighbors. These difficulties were some- what magnified by their desire to mingle again with wives, friends, and civilization at home ; and also being disheartened with the prospects before them, they went back to Jackson County and stayed until harvest, then came back, cut, stacked, and fenced their oats, and left not to return, leaving the grain to be fed to the Indian ponies and land-lookers' horses." *

The second improvement in the township was made late in the fall of 1839, when Simeon Clay " rolled up" a log house. Ile returned to Dearborn to spend the winter, and while he was gone the land formerly owned by the Put- nams was purchased by three brothers named Williams, t from Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., who built the second house in town (the habitation of the Putnams having been but a shanty). They were not long without neighbors, for Mr. Clay returned, and new settlers came in the persons of Dillucene Stoughton, James Tyler, and the Lounsburys. Okemos was the nearest settlement on the west, and the nearest house to the eastward was eleven miles distant. In the fall of 1840 the Williams brothers had a dam and saw-mill in operation on the Cedar River. The smoke of ten or twelve Indian wigwams could be seen from the mills as the 'Tawas, to the number of 30 to 150, " occupied and planted the farm now owned by J. M. Williams, and, for lack of better, they were considered very friendly, sociable, and acceptable neighbors, supplying the settlers plentifully with many articles of food, which to-day would be con- sidered luxuries, such as venison, fish, and fowl." It was the custom of the Indians for some time to return to the locality and indulge in a feast at a certain full moon in the spring, not forgetting to give a portion of the food to the departed.

In 1842 the Messrs. Williams erected a grist-mill known

* From article written in tho spring of 1874, and now in Pioneer Records.

335

WILLIAMSTOWN.

as the " Red Cedar Mill," containing a single run of stone, which in 1874 was occupied by Mead & Fleming. An additional run has since been added.

Simeon Clay and Sophronia Stoughton, daughter of Dillucene Stoughton, were the first couple married in town, the event occurring in 1840, and the ceremony being per- formed by Caleb Carr, a justice of the peace from Locke township. The first white child born in the township was Amaziah J. Stoughton, son of Dillucene and Sophronia Stoughton, his birth occurring in 1840. The first death was that of Oswald Williams, father of the Williams brothers, who died, in 1842, while on a visit from New York. At that time the nearest mill and physician were at Dexter, Washtenaw Co .; the nearest post-office was ten miles away and goods were packed from Detroit, Dexter, or Ann Arbor on the backs of Indian ponies. *

George B. Fuller, a native of Fishkill, Dutchess Co., N. Y., moved to Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., Mich., in June, 1834, and was married at that place in January following. In December, 1836, he removed to Leoni, Jackson Co., and in December, 1844, to his present residence in Wil- liamstown, Ingham Co., arriving on the 19th of the month. No improvements whatever had been made upon his place, and there was no traveled road by it. Mr. Fuller's wife died in March, 1873, and in Jannary, 1874, he was mar- ried to the widow of Egbert Grattan, and daughter of David Gorsline, the first settler of the township of Wheat- field.

Nathan C. Branch, from Worthington, Hampshire Co., Mass., settled in Williamstown with his family in Septem- ber, 1846. His wife's parents, Uriah M. and Lydia Chap- pell, came at the same time ; both are now deceased. Dec. 1, 1846, Mr. Branch became lost in the woods and re- mained out all night, but was fortunate enough not to be caten by wolves or bears.

The winter of 1842-43 was known as "the hard winter," and the voters at the spring election in 1843 trav- eled on a hard snow-crust above a layer of two feet of snow, which melted on that day for the first time sufficiently to be made into snow-balls. During the preceding winter the cattle were mostly compelled to feed on browse, as the supply of marsh hay was exhausted in a short time. The settlers were obliged to break the heavy crust with poles to enable their cattle to get at the fallen tree-tops. The severe weather was fatal to the deer, which became so reduced that they were casily taken with dogs upon the snow-crust, though they were so lean as to be comparatively worthless for food. The straw covering of sheds and hovels was in good demand for fodder, and the period will long be re- membered by those who were then " pioneers."

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History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 82

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