History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 107

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Mrs. Alzira Luttenton, the widow of Reuben Luttenton, was born in Ontario county, N. Y., in 1812. She was married to Mr. Luttenton in 1829, in the State of New York, and came to Michi- gan in the fall of 1835. Mr. Luttenton was one of the first settlers in this tp., and up to the time of his death, Feb. 1, 1874, was among the most prominent and influential citizens of his tp.

He settled on a farm of 120 acres in secs. 11 and 14, in this tp. Mr. Luttenton died in the 70th year of his age, leaving his wife, the subject of this sketch, and 7 children; two of her sons, Win. W. and Frank, still live at the old home, working the farm for their mother: they are exemplary young men and quite successful in their business operations.

James Mallock was born in Schenectady county, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1812. He has been a resident of this county since the spring of 1843, at which time, in company with his devoted wife, he came to cast his fortunes in the new country. He first settled in Hanover tp., where he resided about 13 years, engaged in cultivating his farm; but in the fall of 1856, he removed to Lenawee county. This change, however, did not prove satisfactory, and in less than 12 months he returned to Jackson county, and bought a farm of 160 acres in Pulaski tp. on sec. 22, where he lias lived ever since, hon- ored and respected as a citizen, and eminently successful in his calling. He was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Bradshaw, June 9, 1839, in the State of New York. Mrs. Mallock, naturally a woman of fine sense and correct judgment, has aided him by lier counsels, and encouraged him by the faithful discharge of hier duties as wife and mother. They have 3 children living, all of whom are married and doing well. Mr. Mallock is a Republican, and has always voted that ticket since the organization of the party. He commenced life with little of this world's goods, and stands a living example of what may be accomplished by strict integrity and untiring energy. He has taken an active interest in securing sub- scribers, and otherwise aiding the enterprise for a proposed rail- road from Toledo, Ohio, to Grand Haven, Mich., which will pass directly through Pulaski tp .. and when completed will be of incal- culable benefit to the farmers. The successful completion of the road is now an assured fact, and to the liberality and earnest exer- tions of such men as James Mallock is dne the credit.

H. L. Mason was born in Berkshire county, Mass., March 1, 1841; came to this county in June, 1852, with his parents, who settled in this tp., sec. 27; his mother died Ang. 26, 1874. He was married to Miss Carrie Bailey, in September, 1868, in Kent county, Mich., and has 2 children living. He has held the office of Town Clerk two years, which he has filled acceptably to all concerned. While peacefully engaged as a farmer, assisting his father, the har- rowing bugle of civil war startled the country, and promptly re- sponding to his country's call, he enlisted Jan. 4, 1861, as a private in Co. C, 7th Mich. Inf., Army of the Potomac, 2d Div .; was raised to the rank of Sergeant, then acting Quartermaster Sergeant, Adju-

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tant, 1st Lieutenant, and in 1864 was made Captain of his company. He served his country gallantly; was one of the heroes of Gettys- burg, Harper's Ferry, and was present at the surrender of Lec at Richmond. In 1878 Mr. Mason bought his present property from his father, who now makes his home with him.

Lorenzo Nowlin. This name is intimately associated with the early history of Jackson county, and especially Pulaski tp. When the country that now " blossoms like the rose," the broad rich acres that yield such abundant harvests were wild forests of oak and hickory, where the present splendid public roads, that furnish such con- venient outlets to every farmer were but irregular trails opened by the bands of Indians that infested this region, with all the hard- ships to contend with that usually annoy early settlers in a new country, the subject of this sketch (then a child three years of age) came with his parents to Michigan, and settled on a tract of 80 acres of land in what is now Pulaski tp.

He was born in December, 1833, in Allegany county, N. Y.

His mother died in 1862, and his father in 1866, leaving a family of 3 sons and 6 daughters. By mutual agreement the children all relinquished their interest in the old homestead, and it was given to Lorenzo. He was married March 15, 1871, to Miss Margaret Ann Gregg, and in April, 1876, having disposed of his farm, he re- moved to a new homein sec. 15, where he had built a neat residence. They have 3 children, 2 sons and 1 daughter. There are but few citizens of this tp. who are older residents then Mr. Nowlin, and of him it may be truly said that he has grown up with the country. Though comparatively a young man yet, and with the prospect for many years of usefulness before him, Mr. Nowlin has witnessed the gradual development of this part of his adopted State, from the " happy hunting ground " of savage Indians, into highly cultivated farms and beautiful homes of an educated people. His brother, James Nowlin, who has been afflicted a number of years, having lost his sight entirely and being unable to walk without assistance, is a man of remarkable memory, and relates many incidents of interest in the early days of Michigan; as gentlemen and ladies they hold the respect and confidence of all.

W. D. Severance came to Michigan, from Franklin county, Mass., in May, 1835, and located a farm of 80 acres in sec. 23; but in March, 1845, traded that land and bought a farm of 140 acres in sec. 20, this tp. He returned to New York, where his family had moved from Massachusetts, and taught school one winter. In October, 1837, he was married to Miss Sarah Bullock; the same year he returned to Michigan with his wife, where he has remained ever since; they have 3 children living. Mr. Sever- ance is a Greenbacker, and a strong prohibitionist. He has disposed of his land until he now cultivates but 40 acres; his son, Lovell Severance, is assisting him. Mr. S. was born Nov. 17, 1812, and though an old man is vet possessor of a remarkable degree of strength and activity.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Albert Stookey came to this county to live in January, 1860. His first visit to this State was in 1836, he did not remain long, but returned to his home in Pennsylvania, where, in October, 1846, he was married to Miss Mary A. Boone. In January, 1865, he again came to Michigan, and settled on a farm of 74 acres in Pulaski tp., sec. 26. He is a Greenbacker, and a member of the Odd Fellows society. His wife is a direct descendant of Daniel Boone, the great Kentucky pioneer, whose history is familiar to every school-boy in the country. Mr. Stookey was born Dec. 9, 1815, in the State of Pennsylvania; his only child, Benjamin W. Stookey, died March 13, 1864.

Frank D. Turner, Pulaski tp., emigrated to Michigan from Genesee county, N. Y., in the fall of 1845. His father, Mark Turner, was a native of Connecticut, and on one occasion, having contracted to build a turnpike road in that State, at great expense he hired his help and fully equipped himself for the undertaking. Soon after commencing work the company failed, and Mr. Turner found himself alone responsible for all liabilities. This was a heavy blow, but with his characteristic promptness and accuracy he paid all the indebtedness to the last farthing, and gathering the scanty remnant of his once comfortable fortune, he moved with his family to the State of New York, where he died July 11, 1869, in the 79th year of his age. Frank D. was married to Miss Laura J. Mitchell in April, 1874; they have + children living and 2 dead. Mr. Turner is a Republican and has always voted with that party. He was born in Genesee county, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1817. In October, 1845, he settled on a tract of 120 acres of land in sec. 23, Pulaski tp. This property he has entirely cleared, and in latter years, has added abont 15 acres to his farm. Though far advanced in years he still retains his usual health and vigor.

Eli Watson was born April 15, 1825, in Upper Canada, near Toronto. In the fall of 1834 his father emigrated to Michigan, bringing his family, and settled in Washtenaw county. They lived there only one year, then they removed to Jackson county, and located in Concord tp., where they remained about 10 years. In the spring of 1845 they moved to this tp. and settled on a farm of 160 acres in sec. 21, where his father died. Mr. Watson was married July 11, 1854, to Miss Rose Parks; they have 6 children living. Of late years Mr. Watson has voted with the Greenback party; is strongly in favor of temperance, and is in every partic- ular, one of the substantial men of this tp.

William Watson was born in the northern part of Canada, near Toronto, Feb. 15, 1831. He came to Jackson county, Mich., in 1835, with his parents, with whom he remained, working on the farm and assisting his father until 1851; then he went to Califor- nia and engaged in gold mining. He resided in that State about 16 years, and in 1867 returned to this county, and settled on a farm of 80 acres, in this tp., sec. 28, where he has lived ever since. He was married in April, 1870, to Miss M. Dresser, in Pulaski tp .; they have 3 children living, viz .: Myrtle, born Oct. 23, 1871;

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Mary A., born April 23, 1873, and Eli, Jr., born March 23, 1875.

Hon. I. P. Wheeler has been closelyidentified with almost every movement designed for the advancement of his tp. since its organization, and such is the confidence he holds with all his fel- low citizens, that nearly every office of importance in his commun- ity has at one time or other been held by him. He is politically a Democrat, a strong advocate of temperance, and a member of the Masonic order. The first mail ever carried to Pulaski P. O. was by Mr. Wheeler, who for several years held the office of Post- master there. He has held the office of Town Clerk, was Road Commissioner, held the office of Supervisor several years, repre- sented his district one term, in the State Legislature, and in 1880 was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Treasurer of Jack- son county. He married Almira R. Wilber, Dec. 14, 1841; they have 3 children living. He was born in Middlesex county, Mass., Aug. 10, 1817, and in his youth, moved to Jackson county; from there, he went to Hillsdale county, but after a sojourn of three years there, he returned to Jackson county and settled in this tp., on a farm of 350 acres, which he has increased to 400 acres since. All of Mr. Wheeler's efforts in life have been more or less crowned with success, and being possessed with a strong constitution, coupled with energy and thrift, bids fair to reach a higher round on the ladder of prosperity.

Ira A. Wyllis was born in St Lawrence county, N. Y., March 12, 1818, and, with his parents, moved to Jackson county in the fall of 1838; they settled in Pulaski tp., on a tract of 160 acres of land. His father, Erastus Wyllis, died in the winter of 1840, after a long and well spent life; he left his property principally under the control of his son Ira; he was born in Connecticut, and was a direct descendant of the old family of Wyllises that figured prominently in establishing the charter of that State. His mother was from Vermont, and died in August, 1843. After the death of his parents, Mr. Ira Wyllis bought most of the original tract that his father settled, and Nov. 30, 1845, was married to Miss Adelia H. Putnam. They have 2 children living, both daughters, and married to prosperous farmers, and live contentedly in this tp. Mr. Wyllis is a member of the Pioneer Association of Jackson county, and at one time was the Vice-President for Pulaski tp .. When the slavery question was agitating the country, and feelings of bitterness began to rankle in the breasts of Southern slave- owners, and their Northern sympathizers, Mr. Wyllis stood almost alone, in Pulaski tp., a strong and earnest advocate of liberty prin- ciples. He has always interested himself in the temperance canse, and never allows an opportunity to pass wherein he can speak a word in its favor. He now cultivates but 80 acres of land (having disposed of the remainder of his farm); this is situ- ated in sec. 23, and there, surrounded by all the necessaries, and many of the luxuries of life, appreciated and respected by all who know him, for those sterling qualities of mind and heart that have always characterized him, he bids fair to live to a green old age.

RIVES TOWNSHIP.

Samuel Prescott, one of the first settlers of the county, was born at Sanbornton, N. H., Ang. 31, 1800, and wrote the following interesting reminiscences for Hon. H. H. Bingham, President of the County Pioneer Society, in 1879;

"The first family that settled north of Jackson, down the Grand river, was that of Lyman Pease. He arrived in the summer of 1830. and the same season broke 10 acres of ground, which he sowed to wheat. The same fall John McConnell came, and put in three acres of wheat, and was followed the same season by James and Osgood Fifield, with their families; also by Stephen Fifield, George Fifield, William Fifield and John Stephens. In June, 1831, Samnel Wing and family, Ed- ward Morrill and Samnel Prescott moved in also. In the spring of 1832 Rosevelt Davis and family settled in the same neighborhood, and early the following year, 1833, Nathaniel Mor- rill, Stephen Towne and families also became settlers in Blackman. About this time Samuel Prescott sold his place to Mr. Morrill, and bought a farm on sec. 34, in Rives. He was the first settler in that town. This was in 1834. The same year John Berry and Eleazer Clark moved into Rives, and in the fall Isaac Kirby and Charles Evans settled on the east side of Grand river, and Joseph Whitney, William Whitney and Pardon T. Fisher and families took up land north of Grand river, on the Grand river road. This was the first surveyed road north of Jackson. About the same time Milton J. Draper, Alfred Draper and Lyman Dra- per settled in the northwest part of Rives. Robert H. Anderson moved in also, in 1835, and Philip Van Horn and family in 1836. In 1834 Samuel Prescott erected the first house in the tp."

The town was organized into its present township limits in 1837, the first town meeting being held at the house of Oliver True, who lived on sec. 27. E. B. Chapman was elected supervisor. After they had got together, they found that no one had provided paper, pens or ink, and one of the men had to walk three miles to the nearest house to procure the requisite articles.

Samnel Prescott was the first postmaster in the town, an office being established at his house, and called the West Rives post- office. The present postoffice is located at Rives Junction, a small settlement which has sprung up in the woods since the Grand Rapids and Lansing roads formed their junction at this place. Sarah Prescott, a daughter of Samuel Prescott, was the the first child born in the town.

Mr. Chapman, father of the first female child born in Jackson county, was the first supervisor of Rives, and Alva True, father of

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RIVES TOWNSHIP.

the first twin male children born in the county, second Supervisor. It is thought that these were the first male children born in the county.

The Free-Will Baptist Church of Rives was organized in Octo- ber, 1838. The first members were: Asahel King and wife, Jesse Cole and wife, H. G. Cole and wife, Jesse Brown and wife, Nancy Merrill and David Brown. The meeting at which this organization was completed was held within the log house of H. G. Cole, on sec. 21, S. W. of N. E. quarter. The weekly meetings were held in the house of H. G. Cole for some years, until the erection of the log building, near the present school-house, in which their meetings were held for a period of three years, when the old log house gave place to a more pretentious frame building, and in this they assembled weekly for about five years. After this the authorities ordered that school buildings should be reserved for school purposes only, and so the congregation was forced to meet in their primitive and original church, referred to above as the log building.

In 1863 a brick school-house supplanted the frame, and in this building their meetings were held until Nov. 9, 1880, when the new church of Rives was dedicated. The corner-stone of this church was laid in May, 1880, and the building opened for wor- ship in November of the same year. The local press noticed the important event thus: "The new Baptist church at Rives Junc- tion was dedicated on Tuesday, Nov. 9, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. Theodore Nelson, of East Saginaw. The attendance was large, and the debt of $350 on the building was promptly raised. This is the first church erected in Rives tp."

The elders connected with the Church in Rives from 1838 to the present time are :- Messrs. Haddo, 1838; Whitman, 1838; Handee, 1841; E. Freeman, 1843; F. Freeman, 1845-'6; J. S. . Osborn. 1846; missionary preacher, 1854; Allen, 1856; Dunham, 1858; Lemon, 1860. The Church of Rives was without a regularly paid minister for a period bordering on 10 years, after which Mr. Fressenden took charge and held the position for eight years. Rev. Lyman Trumbull, Jr., succeeded and still continues to administer to the inis- sion. The membership comprised 60 communicants, but recently has fallen to 30.

A farmers' club exists at Rives, which is a live institution, re- solved to sustain the interests of the farming community with as much zeal and skill as other interests are maintained. At present D. H. Ranney is president and A. E. Butler, secretary; Caleb An- gevine, Alva C. Trne, John Grady, John True and others are also active members.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

We add a number of interesting personal sketches, as illustrative of the high standing of this enterprising township:

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Marvin Anderson, farmer; P. O., Jackson; was born in Tomp- kins tp., this county, Dec. 22, 1839, a son of Col. R. H. Anderson, of Irish ancestry. He lived with his father until he was 21 years old, when he engaged in farming for himself, on one of his fa- ther's farms located in Rives and adjoining the old homestead. Jan. 31, 1866, he was married to Miss Adelaide Esmond, a native of Michigan, and of American ancestry. They have had 4 children, all of whom are living. He has been solicited repeatedly to take some of the offices of his tp., but not desiring to be thus en- cumbered, he has declined. His early education was acquired at a district school, but since his school-days he has improved his time by reading good books. The improvements on the place were put there by him; he has built a house, barn and made other improve- ments of a like character until now the place is one of the best in the tp. The farm was a part of the old homestead given him by his father. Mr. Anderson's politics are Democratic.

R. H. Anderson, farmer, sec. 32; P. O., Jackson; was born in Ireland, March 10, 1810, and removed with his parents to this conn- try in 1817, landing in the harbor of New York after a boisterous voyage of about one month. He remained with his parents until 1834, when he came to Michigan and settled in Jackson county, Rives tp., where he remained until about 1836, when he moved to what is now Tompkins tp., but after living there for some con- siderable time, he became dissatisfied and returned to Rives, where he has since resided. He was elected Vice-President of the Pio- neer Society for the town of Rives in 1878 and is holding the of- fice at the present time. Being the fifth settler in Rives, he is very closely connected with the history of the tp. even before its organization, although he has lived in other tps. in the county and might be termed a pioneer settler, yet we think that having first settled in Rives and now a resident of that tp., we will be safe in putting him down as one of its pioneers. In 1838 he named Tompkins tp .; there being three names before the commissioner, a choice became necessary, and Mr. Anderson's name prevailed, and the town has since been called Tompkins. In 1850 he was elected Rep- resentative to the State Legislature, but never qualified; in the same year he was elected Associate Judge, which office he held, with credit to himself as well as to those who elected him, for one term; not wishing to engage in active political life, he would not consent to a re-nomination, although repeatedly solicited to do so, and after the expiration of the term, he returned to his farm and has since been engaged in farming. Mr. Anderson takes a great interest in the history of his county, and it is to him and others we are indebted for the success with which we have met. He has been elected to every office in the tp., with the exception of Super- visor. A portrait of Mr. Anderson will be seen in this work, p. 731.

Caleb Angevine, farmer; P. O., Leslie, Ingham Co., Mich .; was born in the State of New York, July, 1825, son of Bartholo- mew and Sarah (Peters) Angevine; came with his parents to the

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RIVES TOWNSHIP.

State of Michigan in the spring of 1854 and settled on sec. 24, Rives tp., Jackson Co., where he resided until the spring of 1876, when he moved to Ingham county, village of Leslie, but in the spring of 1880 he moved back to Rives tp., and went upon his farm, where he has since resided. In 1851 he married, and has had 4 children: Sarah, Maggie, Ida and Nettie. Mr. Angevine has been Supervisor of Rives tp. 7 years, and of Leslie, one; he administered the affairs of the tp. so well that it was only by his removal that the office was given to another of the worthy citizens; his father came to the State rather fore-handed, and bought a large tract of land, which, at his death, was divided among his children. Being a number one farmer he has added to the fortune left him by his aged father, and to-day he is one of Rives' first citizens in every respect. In politics Mr. Angevine has been a Republican since the organization of the party, until recently, when he cast his influence and vote with the Greenbackers. His early education was rather limited, going to school in the winter and working on the farm in the summer; but since he left school he has acquired a very extended knowledge by reading good and useful books.

Edward Blackmore, farmer, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., June 14, 1842, of English ancestry; his father came to this country in 1837; lived with his parents until their death. In 1848 they moved to the State of Michigan and located on sec. 14, Rives tp., where they lived until their death. Aug. 15, 1869, he was married to Miss Rhoda Miner, a native of this State. By this union there were born 4 children, all of whom are living. In April, 1880, his wife died, leaving this large family of small children in the care of her youngest sister, who, by the appearance, takes the place, as nearly as one can, of the deceased mother. Mr. Blackmore's early education was obtained at common district schools, and these were attended only in winter, when there was nothing else to do; but after he had arrived at the age of man- hood, he went to several high schools, and since that time he has improved his mind by reading useful books. He has been Tp. Superintendent of Public Schools. This office he held for several terms, with credit to himself as well as to his constituents. Other offices of the tp. have been tendered him by his fellow townsmen, but he has no time for such delicacies.

Mr. Blackmore has in his possession an old clock, owned by his father, Jesse Blackmore. Fearing lest there would be no clocks in America, he bought this one in the old country and brought it to the States. He was surprised to find that there were clocks here. It keeps good time, and has never been repaired since he has owned it.

Heis a member of the M. E. Church, as was his wife in her lifetime.

W'm. Blackmore, farmer, of English descent, was born in Dev- onshire, England, June 26, 1823; in 1831 his father immigrated to this country, landing in New York after a stormy and perilous

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

voyage of 21 days, and immediately moved his family to Genesee county, N. Y., where he remained until the spring of 1850, when he moved to the State of Michigan and settled in Rives tp., Jack- son county. In 1843, May 21, Mr. Wm. Blackmore married Miss Julia Ann Farley, a native of New York, born Feb. 11, 1826, of American ancestry, and in 1848 he immigrated to this State and located on sec. 24, Rives tp., Jackson county, where he resided until 1854, when he purchased a farm of 60 acres in sec. 12, in the same town and county, where he has since resided. Upon his arrival he had but 50 cents, and he cut and split rails for the first cow that he ever owned; he soon after bought a few young cattle and put them on the place; by selling these he made the first pay- ment on his place of $500; from this time on he has been prosper- ous and has never been unable to meet any of his many demands. His family has consisted of himself and wife, they never having had any children; he has been obliged to do all the work alone with the exception of what he has hired. A few years since, his health being poor, he determined to return to his native land and there live the remainder of his days. Extensive preparations were made, and in the course of a few months they were completed, and we imagine seeing him impatiently awaiting the Eastern bound train which would carry him with lightning speed to Amer- ica's great metropolis, where he was to take steamer for Liverpool and from thence by rail to his birthplace. After a calm and speedy voyage of but 10 days, his destination was reached in safety. He was disappointed; the country and climate were not what he had anticipated they would be, and after a brief visit of two or three days, he took his leave, returning again to Liverpool by rail, set sail for New York, getting into Jackson after an ab- sence of only 22 days.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 107

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1166

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166