USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 5
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
"The spot selected for the court house by the commissioners was not suddenly or inadvertently fixed upon. They carefully examined the county all around for six days, and finally determined on the site upon the lands of Samuel Dexter, a few rods east of the center of the county seat and west, and about two miles north of the center north and south. For beauty and healthiness it is believed that this location is not surpassed by any place in Michigan. A large spring of excellent water issues near the county seat,
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
which affords a sufficient quantity for one hundred thousand inhabitants. and, with trifling expense, might be conducted to every man's door. Near to this spot are mill seats and extensive hydraulic privileges. \ grist-mill is already under contract to. be built immediately, one-fourth of a mile from the county seat. South of the county seat lies a prairie of some hundred acres, sloping to Grand river, which has been grossly misrepresented as a swamp, not susceptible of being drained. A part of this prairie is wet, but. there being a descent of at least twenty feet to the river, a chance is afforded for laying it dry by a drain or ditch, which for the most part is already accomplished by Mr. Dexter, and will be finished early in the ensuing spring.
"Much has been said by many in the east part of this county with regard to the quality of the lands lying west of the county seat as of being an inferior quality. This is a matter which they have prejudged and guessed at without knowledge or investigation. Since such representations have been made, we have traversed the county and examined the lands south, southwest, west, north and northwest. Almost the whole of the southwest quarter of the county appears to be first-rate timbered land. A great pro- portion of the timber is superior fencing-timber and an abundance of sugar- maple is found.
"We have commenced cutting a road from lonia center south upon the center section line of the county, to continue through Eaton county to Marshall. the shire of Calhoun county. We have progressed eight miles with the road without meeting with any obstacles which would require a deviation from the section line. It passes through a beautiful country. which is believed will be settled at no remote period by a dense population. Not a single eighty-lot could be selected upon the road as far as we have gone but what would be excellent. The country north is generally tim- bered with oak, and contains some extensive burr-oak plains. The face of the surface is beautiful and the soil of good quality. West and north- west large tracts of timbered lands of the best quality are found, and along the river to the westward are extensive bottom lands, which it is believed are not surpassed in quality by any lands in the United States. \ consid- erable portion of the last mentioned lands are already purchased and settled rapidly. In short, the west half of this county, considering the quality of the soil, the utility of the numerous springs, brooks and other watering- places, with which it abounds, the healthiness of the place, as far as our observations and experience has extended, is such that we believe with those that observed it, 'that no county in this territory excels it."
62
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
"The statements above mnade are facts which we should attest to on oath but for the want of officers in this county qualified to administer oaths. In view of these facts, can it be reasonable, just or proper that the county seat, after being located near the center of the county by three competent and judicious men, should be removed five or six miles east, to the great inconvenience of all of those who have and all who will hereafter settle in the county west of the center ?
"Therefore, being solicitous for the welfare and prosperity of western as well as eastern Ionia, and believing that Your Excellency participates in the same solicitude, we must earnestly request that you exercise the authority vested in you by issuing your proclamation confirming and establishing the location of the county seat for this county according to the determination of the commissioners. For which we shall ever pray.
"Ionia, Feb. 11, 1835.
"(Signed) Erastus Yeomans, Jared Conner, Eli Yeomans, Zenas G. Win- sor, Samuel Dexter, W. B. Lincoln, William Dumper, Lorenzo Dexter. John C. Dexter, Dexter Arnold, Asa Spencer, Lyman Webster, San- ford A. Yeomans. Oliver Arnold, Nathaniel J. Brown, Alfred Cornell. Patrick M. Fox, Nelson Beckwith, Thomas Cornell, Daniel Cornell, Alfred Cornell, Jr., Gilbert Caswell, Benjamin B. Barber, George W. Case, William Doty, Eleazer Murray, James Crofford, Thomas H. Con- ner, Elisha Doty, Charles Doty, Silas D. Arnold, Josephi Hadsall, Charles Thayer, John E. Morrison."
The last petition seems to have settled the county-seat matter with the executive-at least to have proved a clinching argument ; for, although we have been unable to ascertain the precise issue of his proclamation confirm- ing the commissioners' report, it is conclusive that it was issued some time during the year 1835 or 1836 and the seat of justice of Ionia county still remains where it was first located in the autumn of 1833.
OFFICIAL ROSTER.
The following lists embrace all the judicial and civil officers who have have served in lonia county from its organization to the present time. together with the dates of their election :
63 .
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
JUDGES OF PROBATE.
William D. Moore, April, 1837: Henry Barstow, 1840; Washington %. Blanchard, 1844; John L. Morse. 1848: Gilbert H. King, 1850; Adam 1 .. Roof, 1852; John L. Morse, 1856-60; Willard B. Wells, 1864-68; William H. Woodworth. 18;2-70-80: Myron Balcom. 1884: A. Milan Willett, 1888- 92; Charles A. Wilson, 1896; William O. Webster, 1900-04; Montgomery Webster, 1908-12.
SHERIFFS.
Elhanan W. Curtis, April, 1837: John P. Place. November, 1838: Alonzo Sessions, 1840; William Cramer, 1842: Cyprian S. Hooker, 1843: Hiram Brown, 1844: Volney Eaton, 1846: Peter Coon, 1848: Asaph (. Smith. 1850: Ami Chipman, 1852; Charles .A. Holmes, 1854-56; \bra- ham Alderman. 1858-60; James L. Jennings, 1862-64: Abraham Adler- man. 1866-68: Edson P. Gifford, 1870-72; William Reynolds, 1874: William H. Mattison, 1876-78: William Toan, 1880-82; Hiram N. Lee. 1884-86; Hamilton R. Walker, 1888-90: Alexander T. Montgomery. 1892- 94: Henry H. Jordan, 1896; Frank L. Moon, 1898-1900; Elmer E. Fales, 1902-06: Elmer F. Cilley, 1906-08; William R. Taylor, 1910-12: 1d. N. Lowrey, 1914.
COUNTY CLERKS.
Asa Bunnell. April, 1837: Lawson S. Warner, November. 1838; Osmond Tower. 1840: David Irish, 1842: Hampton Rich, 1844-46; Abram V. Berry, 1848: Alvin C. Davis, 1850-52; Willard B. Wells, 1854: Alfred Cornell. Jr .. 1856: Clark A. Preston, 1858-60: John S. Bennett, 1862-04: Edgar M. Marble, 1866-68: Henry C. Sessions, 1870-72: Levi Noble, 1874: Samuel O. Hosford, 1876: Henry P. Taylor, 1878-80; Ralph D. Sessions. 1882; Alonzo E. Sunderlin. 1884-86: William D. Place. 1888-00; 1 .. Delos Burch, 1892-94: John J. Green, 1896; Glenn J. Lawless, 1898-1900; Harry J. Holbrook. 1902-01-06: Fred M. Cook. 1908-12; George W. Moulton, 1914.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
John E. Morrison, April. 1837: Thomas Cornell, November, 1838; Asaph Mather. 1840-42; Isaiah G. Frost. 1944-46; John C. Dexter, 1848; Charles M. Moseman, 1850-52; Mbert Williams, 1854-56: Ethan S. Johnson,
6.1
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1858-60; George Ellsworth, 1862; Clark A. Preston. 1864: Silas Sprague. 1866-68: John Morton, 1870-72; Amon Otis, 1874; John L. Mosser, 1876- 78; Josiah E. Just, 1880-82; J. Warren Peake, 1884-86; Charles Brown. 1888-90: George W. Snyder, 1892-94: Lee B. Spaulding, 1896; Edwin F. Cook, 1898-1900: Ethel \llen, 1902-04; Thomas Sparks, 1906-08: Albert L. Spencer. 1910; Thomas Sparkes, 1912-14.
REGISTERS OF DEEDS.
AAdam L. Roof. April, 1837: William Dallas, November, 1838; John C. Dexter. 1840: William Dallas, 1842: Frederick Hall, 1843-1844; Archibald F. Carr. 1846; Ethan S. Johnson, 1848-50: Thomas Cornell, 1852: Herman Hunt, 1854: C. Oscar Thompson, 1856; Julius Jennings, 1858-60; Joseph Rickley, 1862-64: Vernon 11. Smith, 1866-68; AAlfred 11. Ileath, 1870-72: Albert K. Roof, 1874; James A. Sage, 1876-78: James W. Loomis, 1880: James W. Loomis, 1882; Phil Brock, 1884-86: Charles L. Halladay, 1888- 00: Loren C. Fales, 1802-04: Emory F. Strong, 186; Che J. Godwin. 1898-1900; Palmer T. Williams, 1902-04: William A. Wilder. 1906-08: John C. Beattie. 1912; George H. Dye. 1914.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
John C. Blanchard. November, 1850-52: Harvey Bartow, 1854; Willard B. Wells, 1856-58; AAlbert Williams, 1860: William W. Mitchell, 1862-64; Allen B. Morse. 1866-08; Edgar M. Marble, 1870-72: Charles L. Wilson. 1874; Willard B. Wells, 1876-78; Frank D. M. Davis, 1880-82: Adolphus A. Ellis, 1886-88; Frank D. M. Davis, 1888-90; Royal A. Hawley, 1892-94; John B. Chaddock, 1896-98: William K. Clute. 1900-02: Frank M. Bur- bank. 1904-06: Dwight C. Sheldon. 1908-10: Alfred R. Locke, 1912; Her- bert C. Hall. 1914.
CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS.
L. E. Jones. November, 1852; Louis S. Lovell. 1854: John Toan, 1865; Morris B. Wells, 1860; John A. Bander, 1862; B. Franklin Spencer, 1866- 68: Edward Cahill, 1870: Harvey Bartow, 1870; William O. Webster, 1872; William L. Strickland. 1872: Vernon H. Smith, 1874: William B. Thomas, 1874; Frank D. M. Davis, 1876; William L. Strickland, 1876: Donald McPherson, 1878: Clarence B. Wardle, 1880: George A. Hawley, 1880;
05
IONIAA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Clarence B. Wardle, 1882; Royal .A. Hawley. 1882; Fred HI. Stone, 1884-86; John H. Mitchell. 1884-86: Palmer T. Williams, 1888-90: Bingley R. Fales, 1888: John H. Mitchell, 1800: Henry J. Harrigan, 1892-94: John B. Chad- dock. 1892-94: Charles P. Locke, 1890: Edward C. Spaulding, 1896; Hal H. Smith. 1898: J. Clyde Watt, 1898-1900: Elvert M. Davis, 1900-02; George Bennett, 1902: Edwin A. Murphy. 1001-06-08-10; Raymond .A. Col- well. 1904-06; William II. Howard, 1908-10-12-14: Foss O. Eldred. 1912: Edward A. Murphy, 1914.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
Buel H. Mann, April, 1837: Alexander F. Bell. November, 1837: Thomas Cornell. 1838: James M. Marsh, 1840; John E. Morrison. April, 1841-42; Alexander F. Bell. 1844: Jedediah Brown, 1840: Royal Howell, 1848: William Jennings, 1850: Asaph C. Smith, 1852: Jireh Baker, 1854: Samuel C. Alderman, 1856-62: William 1. Freeman, 1864: Hiram W. Nicholson, 1866-68; Thomas Cornell, 1870-72: Asaph C. Smith. 1874: Thomas Cornell. 1874-80: Daniel E. Iloover. 1882: David Cotton, 1884: David C. Crawford, 1888-04: George O. Bignell, 1896: David C. Crawford, 1898-14.
CORONERS.
Philo Bogue, April, 1837: Thaddeus O. Warner. 1837: Levi Taylor. November .. 1838:Thaddeus O. Warner, 1838; Franklin Chubb. 1840: Charles Broas, 1840: Lucius Babcock. April, 1841: Renben W. Phillips, November. 1842: Edson English, 1842: John L. Covert, 1844: Levi Taylor, 1844-40; Gilbert H. King, 1846; George D. Kellogg, 1848: Levi Taylor, 1848-50; Willard R. Brooks, 1850: James White, 1852; Levi Taylor, 1852-54: Ebenezer F. Smith, 1854: Levi Taylor, 1856; Philander Danley, 1856; John E. Morrison, 1858: Peter Clark, 1858; John E. Morrison, 1800; Peter Clark, 1860; David Crapo, 1862: Shiverick Kellogg, 1862: Arba Chubb, 1861: Abraham Alderman, 1864: Benjamin Shelton, 1866; Peter Clark, 1860; Arba Chubb. 1868; Peter Clark, 1868; Oscar Talcott. 1870: C. Oscar Thompson, 1870; Ethan S. Johnson, 1872; John II. Welch, 1872; Charles Mathews. 1874: Milo Dibble, 1874; Ethan S. Johnson, 1876; Frederick Pitt, 1876: Ethan S. Johnson, 1878: Albert F. Morchouse, 1878; Ethan S. John- son, 1880; Daniel Hoyt, 1880; Ethan S. Johnson, 1882; John Mckelsey, 1882; James Curry, 18844-86: Henry Weiser, 1884-80; Plyn Williams, 1888- (5)
66
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
90-92-94; Levi Shotwell, 1888; Lyman T. Sessions, 1890; Leroy A. Scho- ville, 1892-94; Lester Joslin, 1896; Emory A. Richards, 1896: Julius S. Tibbetts, 1898-1900-02-04; Charles S. Cook, 1898-1900-02-04; Fred T. Wortman, 1906; Henry C. Clark, 1906-08-10-12-14; Fred Brickley, 1908; Benjamin J. Boynton, 1910-12-14.
TIIE PUBLIC SQUARE.
Concerning the public buildings and the real estate owned by fonia county, the story is easily and quickly toldl. The west half of the public square was set aside and donated to the county for the purpose of erecting public buildings thereon by Judge Samuel Dexter at the time of making his original plat of the village of "Ionia County Seat." On the 3rd of June, 1850, the east half of the square (one hundred and twenty-eight square rods ) was granted. to the county by J. M. Kidd, of Ionia county, and Edwin C. Hart, of Oswego, New York, in consideration of the sum of ten dollars. Thus, the plat known as the "public square" embraces an arca of two hun- dred and fifty-six square rods, or sixteen rods square.
COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING.
The proposition to build the structure where were located the first county offices was submitted to the people in April. 1842, and, by a vote of one hundred and fifty-two for, to one hundred and seventeen against, it was decided to erect the building. The returns from Lyons township, however, were thrown out by reason of not having been signed or certified to by the township inspectors of election.
The building was completed in 1843. In 1874 eleven hundred dollars were expended for repairs and in building an addition.
At numerous times agitations were launched for the erection of a court house which should do credit to the county, but these attempts did not meet with success.
COURT HOUSE.
The first move toward getting a court house for the county of Ionia was made by J. S. Gage, at the October session, 1882, of the county super- visors. Supervisor Gage had a committee appointed to investigate the advisability of building a court house, and to report at the January session. The following were elected to investigate: J. S. Gage. E. P. Gifford and
.
67
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
C. Waterbury. The committee reported at the January session, 1883, and it was decided to procure plans for a structure which should house all of the county officials. This was done and it was resolved to place a proposition before the voters to raise forty-five thousand dollars for the erection of a court house. This proposition was voted on in the spring of 1883, and was carried. Plans were immediately drawn and the contract let. Clare Allen received the contract and began work upon the structure, but he had not pro- ceeded to any great extent when, in July, 1885, he failed. As a consequence. the building committee took charge and proceeded with the work. This committee was composed of C. Waterbury, Levi Shotwell and E. P. Gif- ford. The court house was completed in the spring of 1886 and. although the contract price had been only forty-two thousand three hundred and eighty dollars, the total cost of the building ran up to over fifty-seven thousand dollars. It was furnished complete with the best furniture at a cost of five thousand three hundred dollars. On July 3. 1886, the dedicatory services were held and Ionia county then ranked among the foremost of the state as to the beauty and efficiency of its temple of justice.
COUNTY JAILS.
The construction of a jail was authorized in October, 1849. The plans submitted by H. Borden were adopted in January, 1850. and during the same year the building was completed under contract by 11. Borden and Osmond Tower. In January, 1851. it was accepted by the board of super- visors and doubtless was soon afterward occupied by some luckless wight. Up to that time malefactors condemned to durance vite had generally been incarcerated in the Kent county jail. Rooms suitable for dwelling pur poses were arranged in the structure in 1864. But in the course of time the old jail became insufferable and utterly unfit for purposes required for a jail-building, and in April. 1880, the question was submitted to the people of the county whether ten thousand dollars should be appropriated for the construction of a new jail. By a vote of two thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight to two thousand two hundred and six. the proposition to build a new structure was carried. J. V. Con-aul soon after entered into a con- tract to perform the work, and the process of construction began about July 1. 1880, being completed on January 1. 1881. The building is constructed of lonia sandstone and brick. It is commodious and substantial in appear- ance, and adds to the appearance of the "public square."
68
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
POOR FARM AND BUILDINGS.
Prior to December, 1856, the indigent of the county received assistance from the authorities of the various townships in which they resided, from a fund annually appropriated by the board of supervisors. These appro- priations were small, comparatively, during early years and as late as 1849, but four hundred dollars being appropriated for the support of the county poor for the latter year. At their annual session, held in October, 1855, the supervisors voted that "the county superintendents of the poor be authorized and instructed to examine lands with some improvements, with a view of purchasing eighty acres for a poor farm." The superintendents were also instructed to report at the next (January) session of the board of super- visors what building's would be necessary for county poor farm purposes. Two thousand dollars were then appropriated for the purchase of a poor farm, etc., of which one-half was to be "raised the present year."
In January, 1856, Alonzo Sessions and Osmond Tower were appointed a committee with power to purchase a farm and to erect suitable buildings thereon, to the amount of the appropriation (one thousand dollars), which amount was ordered spread upon the tax rolls by the board sitting in Octo- ber, 1855. Erastus Yeomans and John E. Morrison were added to the com- mittee in June, 1856, and in October of that year the supervisors voted (in addition to the one thousand dollars already raised) the further sum of six hundred and forty-four dollars and thirty-three cents, with which to pay for the premises, in Ronald township already bargained for by the com- mittec. The buildings were immediately placed in order for their occupa- tion by the county poor, and were so occupied during the winter of 1856-57. During the subsequent ten years from fifteen hundred to two thousand dollars were annually appropriated for the maintenance of the indigent and insane of the county.
Plans for the construction of a new county house were submitted to the board of supervisors by Ora Waterbury in 1870, and on the 7th of February he contracted to build the county house for the sum of nine thou- sand seven hundred and ninety-one dollars and fifty-seven cents. The struc- ture, which was of brick, was completed during the same year. costing, with heating apparatus, ten thousand seven hundred and twenty-two dollars and seven cents. In 1875 one thousand dollars were expended in finishing the interior of the upper story. Under the able management of different super- visors, the conditions of the farm were improved from year to year.
EF
١١٠
1
كيف الو
.٢٠- 4m
- سعد عن
STATE ARMORY. AT JONIA
(4)
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
On Wednesday, March 6, 1907, the county farm was destroyed by fire. with total loss, less the insurance, which amounted to ten thousand five lum- dred dollars. A special session of the supervisors was immediately called to make plans for new county buildings. On April 27. 1907, a special elec- tion was held to vote bonds to the amount of thirty-five thousand dollars for the erection of new county buildings. The result of this vote was two thou- sand nine hundred and sixty-eight for and nine hundred and eighty-eight against the issuance of such bonds. At the next session of the board of supervisors the question came up whether it would be advisable to sell the old farm and buy a new site which would be much better adapted to the public use. A committee was appointed to investigate several different farms about the county. As a result of this, the supervisors purchased, on Sep- tember 5. the Chester Adgate farm of three hundred and twenty-six acres in Berlin township for sixteen thousand three hundred dollars. Plans were immediately drawn by Edwin A. Bowd, architect, for the new county build- ings. The plans which were finally adopted represented approximately seven thousand five hundred feet of floor space and were up-to-date in all respects. The contract for the new buildings was awarded to Right & Prawl for twenty-six thousand four hundred and twenty-two dollars, the structure to be built of Ionia red brick. The old county farm was sold for ten thousand dollars to Frank P. Normington.
CHAPTER III.
BERLIN TOWNSIIIP.
The present township of Berlin was organized. March 6, 1838, as the township of Cass, and included townships 5 and 6 north, in range 7 west. the west halves of townships 5 and 6 north, in range 6 west, and all that portion of the west halves of township 7 north, in range 6 west, and town- ship 7 northi, in range 7 west, lying south of Grand river. Cass township was christened by Alonzo Sessions as a mark of honor for Lewis Cass, then a conspicuous statesman, and in recognition, moreover, of the Democratic tendency of the age. On February 16, 1842, the name of the township was changed from Cass to Berlin.
On March 19. 1845, the west halves of townships 5 and 6 north, in range 6 west, was apportioned respectively to the townships of Sebewa and Orange. On March 25, 1846, township 5 north, in range 7 west, was organ- ized as Odessa, and on March 22, 1848, that portion of township 7 north, in range 6 west, lying south of the Grand river was apportioned to Ionia. These changes left to Berlin the six miles square of township 6 north, in range 7 west, and all that portion of township 7 north, in range 7 west. lying south of the Grand river. that being the territory now included in the township
At the first township meeting in Cass township, held in the house of William Babcock, April 2, 1838, John E. Morrison was chosen moderator and William S. Babcock, clerk. The officials chosen were, Alonzo Sessions, supervisor : John E. Morrison, clerk: W. B. Lincoln, Levi Taylor and C. R. Bickford, assessors: Lucius Babcock. R. W. Stephens and William Reed, commissioners of highways; John Taft, collector and constable: John Taft, James Hurlbut, Silas D. Arnold and Amos B. Bliss, constables; John E. Morrison, Job S. Sessions and William S. Babcock, school inspectors ; Reuben W. Stephens and William Babcock, directors of the poor; Alonzo Sessions, John E. Morrison, Philo Bates and W. B. Lincoln, justices of the peace. Overseers of highways do not appear to have been chosen until the annual meeting in 1839, when Oliver Arnold was elected for district No. I.
71
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Alonzo Sessions for No. 2. E. K. Bigford for No. 3. John Tait for No. 4. Lucius Babcock for No. 5 and Nathaniel Pierce for No. o.
That portion of Berlin township lying nearest the river, and included within township ; north, range 7 west. engaged the attention of land-lookers as early as 1833. and, because of the general desire of the first-comers to keep within hailing distance of the Grand river, then a highway of traffic. coupled. perhaps, with the opinion that land thereabout was a little better than land in the more remote interior, the river district was in a fair state of development by the time the central and southern portions of the town- ship heard the first notes of the woodman's axe. The region lying upon both sides of the Bellevue road, which divide lonia and Berlin, was likewise a favored locality, and. beginning to grow in population almost as soon as the township took its first step forward, advanced materially in that respect when the Bellevue road was pushed through and offered the luxury of a thoroughfare worthy of such a name.
The first land entry in the present township of Berlin was probably made in July. 1833. by John E. Morrison, who was likewise the first person to make a settlement in the township. The land he entered occupies the northeast corner of the township, upon section 25. in township 7. and lies upon the river. Mr. Morrison penetrated into Oakland county, Michigan. in 1824, and after nine years experience as a pioneer in that locality was dissatisfied with the progress he had made. Conceiving that better land could be found farther westward. he determined to investigate the matter and endeavored to impress some of his neighbors with similar sentiments Ilis efforts in that direction were, however, unavailing. They declared themselves suited with what they had, and intimated to Morrison that he had better remain content or it might be worse for him. Young Morrison was. however, not to be dissuaded, and, in July. 1833. set out alone on horse- back over the old Indian trail from Pontiac, bound west. In narrating that portion of his Michigan experience, Mr. Morrison remarked that he was more determined than ever to push his project since others opposed it He added, with a glow of satisfaction, that he never "backed out" of any enter prise into which he entered, although he would have backed out in 1810. when. on a tour across the plains to California, he was taken sick and felt sure that he would die. He had to stick, however, because there was no help for it.
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.