History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 109

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

USA > Michigan > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Michigan > Part 109

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).

1017

RIVES TOWNSHIP.

James Taylor, farmer, was born in the State of New York, Oct. 19, 1831; here he remained with his parents until they came to Wayne county and located in Van Buren tp. In 1855 he came to Rives tp. and located on sec. 15, on the old Patton Morrison place, where he has since resided. His mother died March 29, 1836, while they were living in Ohio. After the death of Mrs. Taylor, Mr. Taylor, thinking that he could better the condition of his children, moved to Michigan, which was at this time compar- atively a wilderness. But by his industry he has brought out of chaos harmony and union. In his father's family there were 12 children, of whom there are 5 now living; James is next to the youngest. Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Polly Poste, a native of the State of New York, and of American ancestry. Her father, Cornelius Poste, came to Michigan some time about 1830, but located in Washtenaw. There were 7 children in her father's fam- ily. His early education was rather limited. He is a warm sup- porter of Greenback principles, and when he came to this State he first located in another county about 10 years, when he was per- suaded to take a large farm and work on shares. In the spring of 1832 he came to this State, but did not locate until along in the fall. Some time in the winter of 1834 he moved to this county in order to better his condition; but after he came to the State he was troubled with sickness.

A. G. True, farmer, secs. 21 and 22; P. O., Jackson; was born in Genesee county, N. Y., May 7, 1828; when eight years of age his parents emigrated to Jackson county and located on sec. 27; took up Government land and made a farm. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received but a limited common- school education, having to go from four to five miles to school, through wilderness. In 1850 he went to California, crossed the plains with horses, and was 86 days making the journey. Mr. True, in company with a Mr. Fifield, crossed over the Nevada mountains, where the snow was 15 feet deep, and had the honor of sleeping over night with old Kit Carson. After arriving in California he engaged in mining, where he remained 18 months, then returned to Michigan, and remained one winter, and the following spring went back to California, crossing the Isthmus; he remained but a short time, when he returned to Jackson county, where he engaged in farming and has remained in the same business since. Mr. True has been twice married; for his first wife he married Miss Angeline Jones, of Ohio, who died March 20, 1866, leaving 3 children-Ida May, Minnie M., Alva, Jr. For his second wife he married Miss Helen Knowlton, who was born in Ireland, April 20, 1845. By this union there were 2 children-Dudley C. and Winthrop C. Has 335 acres of land, valued at $60 per acre.

Orrin True, farmer; P.O. Jackson; was born in Rives tp., Jackson county, Mich., Nov. 5, 1836; son of Alva and

the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter a native of New York, and of American ancestry; he remained at home until Oct. 16, 1857, when he married Miss Eliza Byan, a native of Michigan; by

1048

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

this union there have been born 4 children-Lory, Susie, Kitty and Mary, all of whom are living. Mr. Orrin and Orville True are the first white male twins born in the county, and the first white male children in the tp. Orville is now living in Ingham county. At present Mr. Orrin True lives in Rives tp., on sec. 16; he has just completed a large frame honse. His early education was rather limited owing to the distance they had to go to school; for quite a number of years they had four miles to walk, and then could only go to school in the winter time; he has frozen his hands, feet and ears many times before he could reach the school-house. After he had grown to manhood the school district was divided and a school-house was built within two miles of his father's house; he attended this school for a short time, but his education has been obtained since he left school, by reading. Mr. True is an honored and respected member of the M. E. Church, as is also his wife. He is a war Democrat, and holds as sacredly to the principles advocated by the old-time Democrats as he does his religion; some of the offices of the tp. have been given him to admin- ister, which has been done in a manner satisfactory to the inhabitants of the tp.

John S. Trumbull, farmer; P. O., Rives Junction; was born in Connecticut, March 3, 1807, the son of Benjamin and Mary (Mather) Trumbull, natives of Connecticut, of American ancestry. He lived with his parents until 1834, when he left the scenes of his boyhood and came West to seek a home in its wilds and a fortune in its growth. In his wanderings he came to this county, where, being pleased with the country and climate, he began the laborious task of picking out a future home; at last he located in Sandstone tp., where he remained but a short time, when he removed his effects to Cass county. On returning, he settled on sec. 24, Rives tp., where he now resides. In 1840 he was married to Miss Tunni- cliff, and they have had 4 children, all of whom are living.

The subject of this sketeli is a brother of Hon. Lyman Trumbull, of Chicago, the eminent Statesman. He is a supporter of Demo- cratic principles, as advocated by Gen. Jackson and others. Mr. Trumbull is now in his 74th year, yet he has left a great mem- ory and a mind finely balanced and singularly gifted, and had he been politically educated, would have marked out a pathway bordering upon political perfection. Mrs. Trumbull died in 1875, lamented by all who knew her.

Ephraim Van Horn, son of Philip and Margaret (Peck) Van Horn, was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., the 29th day of March, 1818. In 1836 he removed with his father to this State. Philip Van Horn bought out R. H. Anderson, who had erected a log house on the place, and here he kept an open house for about nine years to accommodate the immigrants that were pouring in with great rapidity. In 1845 Mr. Van Horn departed this life, and the property came into the possession of his son, Ephraim, who had acunired a liking for the business, now hung out a sign and his house was swarmed with immigrants who had come to the new

1049

RIVES TOWNSHIP.

State to seek a home; but at last tiring of the busy life connected with hotel-keeping, he sold out, thus breaking the bonds that had fettered him for nearly 25 years. In the spring of 1837 we find Mr. Ephraim Van Horn aiding in the erection of the first log house on the east side of Grand river, belonging to Mr. Jno. Westren, who had bought a large tract of land in 1836. He has been three times married: his first wife's name was Alvina True; his second, Mary A. Morrill; and his third, Mrs. Sarah F. Ellice. Leander T., a doctor in Homer, has a very extensive practice. Daniel Van Horn, brother of Ephraim Van Horn, enlisted from Ingham county in 1863, and was out one year, when he was taken sick and dis- charged; but improving in health he re-enlisted and soon after died at Coldwater. Ephraim Van Horn cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren, and has since that time voted with the Democrats, until the Greenback party was organized, when he esponsed their cause, and has since been closely identified with their interests.

William HI. Wood, blacksmith; P. O., Rives Junction; son of Harry and Celinda (Gardner) Wood; father of English descent, but born in this country; mother of Gerinan descent and a native of the United States, being born in Pittsford, Monroe Co., N. Y., May 6, 1821. The subject of this sketch learned the trade of blacksmithing of his father when a boy and has always followed the same. In 1835 his father moved to Bloomfield, N. Y., where he was married to Miss Electa Walker. She was born in Lyons, N. Y., in 1819. There were 4 children, 1 of whom is living. After marrying he continued in business in Bloomfield three years, when he moved to Perrington, where he remained four years in the same business, then moved to Ogden, near Rochester, and remained one year, then to Orleans county, where he was engaged in the grocery trade and shoemaking; afterward came to Michigan, where he has remained since. In politics is a Republican.

SANDSTONE TOWNSHIP

The town was organized at the house of Henry G. Whipple, on the first Monday in May, 1836. John Barnum was at the time elected supervisor. The township then included Sandstone, Parma, Springport and Tompkins. In April. 1837, at the second town meeting, Caleb M. Chapel was chosen supervisor. The special meeting for the organization of the present township was held at the house of Frederick Beck, on Wednesday, April 17, 1839, at which time Captain Chester Wall was elected the supervisor. Sandstone village at one time bid fair to rival Jackson, and in 1837 it had two hotels, a bank, and quite a number of stores, but those "wild-cat" days of speculation soon passed away, and the village of Jackson rapidly increasing in population left Sandstone out in the cold, and the disappointed speculator soon gathered up his effects and left for more remunerative fields. Some time in May, 1830, Samuel Roberts and family came into the county of Jackson, and settled on the Territorial road, six miles west of Jacksonburgh, near Sandstone creek, and was the first settler in the township.

THE PIONEERS OF SANDSTONE

include, first-Chester Wall, Jonathan Wood, M. Freeman, Samuel Roberts, and James Valentine; second-Samuel Upton, Leroy Richardson, D. D. Trumbull, Caleb M. Chapel and D. Avery.

There are two churches in the town, a Methodist and a Congre- gational, the former being in the village of Parma and the latter at Berry, or, as it was now called, Sandstone, though many of the older settlers give it the old name, "Berry." The postoffice is located here, and was presided over by Mr. John Haddock upward of 30 years, and at his death his widow was appointed in his place. There are eight school districts; the Parma village school building stands within the limits of this town.

In 1834 the Congregational Church of Sandstone was organized by Rev. Jason Park; the first communion service was held in the log school-house June 14, 1835. In 1836 Drusus Hodges was elected deacon. F. B. Ward was chosen deacon in 1843. Rev. Mr. Park died in May, 1849, when his successor, Rev. Hiram Elmer, took charge. The Rev. J. W. Smith, of Eaton Rapids, preached in 1858; the Rev. L. Chandler, of Parma, in 1860; Mr. Laird in 1868-'9. March 4, 1869, the Church was reorganized, and the name changed from Barry Congregational Church to the Union Congregational Church of Sandstone. Rev. J. B. Parma-

(1050)

1051

SANDSTONE TOWNSHIP.

lee was the pastor from March, 1869, to June, 1870, when he was succeeded by the Rev. L. M. Hunt. The Congregational church building was erected in 1870, at a cost of 82,500.

Sandstone creek runs through the town, flowing in a northwest- erly direction, and emptying into the Grand river, in Tompkins township. There are a number of marshes still existing; the soil is a rich, sandy loam. There are quite extensive sandstone quar- ries in the southeastern part, and it was from these that the town received its present name. There is also an extensive coal mine which was operated some four years, and the proprietors realized handsome profits. For some reason, however, it was not regularly worked. Limestone is also found to a considerable extent in the town.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Several of the best-known citizens of Sandstone township are noticed more at length in the following pages:

Charles Bailey was born in the borough of Abingdon, England, July 27, 1821. His parents came to America in 1832, and located in Seneca county, N. Y. In the spring of 1843 Mr. Bailey came West and bought land in secs. 23 and 24 in this tp. He married Elizabeth Welch, of England; their family is as follows-Chas. J., merchant in Boston; Horace G., Fannie E., Annie M., Her- bert A., Frank A., Eugene, Irvin R., Jos. W. and Ernest Walter. In 1852 Mr. Bailey went to California, returning in 1854; since that time has been farming; owns 200 acres of land in secs. 23 and 24, where he now resides. He devotes very little attention to politics, but votes with the Republican party. P. O., Parma.

Charles A. Blair was born in Steuben county, New York, June 20, 1848. His father, Jacob L. Blair, was a native of New York. Nov. 1, 1870, he was married to Alice Rhines, and they have 2 children -- Willie and Charles. Mr. Blair owns 160 acres of land on sec. 10, where he has resided since 1862; he has been a farmer all his life. Politically, he is a Democrat. P. O., Jackson.

Dr. Smith H. Bristol, of Parma village, was born in Chenango county. N. Y., June 14, 1827. His father, John Bristol, was a native of the same county, a farmer by occupation and of English descent. He married Abigail Smith, a daughter of Renben Smith, a farmer of Chenango county, and their family consisted of 11- children, all of whom are living in the West except 1. Dr. Bristol received his schooling at Canandaigua Academy, and afterward studied medicine with Dr. Harvey Jarrett, of Allen's Hill, Ontario Co., N. Y .; he attended lectures at Buffalo Medical College; came to Michigan in 1851; practiced medicine at Cresco two years; came to Parma in 1853, where he has since been located. In 1862 he received the appointment of Assistant Surgeon of the 13th Mich. Vol. Inf. In 1872 he attended a course of lectures at Bellevue Hospital, New York city, and also the College of Physicians and

1052

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Surgeons; is a member of the Michigan State Medical Society; also of the American Medical Society; is a member of Parma Lodge, No. 183 F. & A. M., also of Jackson Chapter R. A. M., and Jackson Commandery, No. 9, Knights Templar.

Lorenzo D. Chapel was born in Salem, Conn., Nov. 4, 1811. He married Margaret Clapp, Sept. 12, 1832, and they have had 3 chil- dren-Isabel (deceased), Julius, and Helen (deceased). He came to Michigan in 1836, and located on sec. 18, where he now owns 200 acres of land on which he still resides. He is a Republican in politics. P. O., Parma.

Samuel Chapel, A. M., was born in Jackson county, Mich., Dec. 10, 1833. › His father, Caleb M. Chapel, was a native of Con- necticut. He graduated at the University of Michigan in the class of " '57," taking the degree of A. B., and June 28, 1876, the de- gree of A. M. was conferred upon him by the same institution. He was married to Amy A. King, May 3, 1865; their 4 children are- Mary Elizabeth, S. Roy, Florence R. and Robbie G. Mr. Chapel is a farmer and owns 320 acres of land in sec. 33, Sandstone tp. Politically he is a Democrat. P. O., Parma.

Nathan Dean was born in Vermont Aug. 25, 1799. He mar- ried Tryphena Smith, Feb. 17, 1822; came to Michigan in August, 1835, and entered six 80-acre lots of Government land; mnade a homestead on sec. 7, Sandstone tp., where he still resides with his son, George Dean. He is a member of the M. E. Church and organized the first class-meeting in this vicinity. P. O., Parma.

Matthew Dearin is of Irish descent, and was born in Pough- keepsie, N. Y., March 10, 1817. His grandfather, John Dearin, was born Aug. 2, 1755, and his grandmother, Annie Maria Law- son Dearin, Oct. 28. 1757. His father, John Dearin, was married to Annie Van Keuren, in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1804, and came to Michigan in September, 1837, locating in' Sandstone tp., where he lived until his death, Jan. 25, 1856. He was distinguished through life for honesty, temperance and hospitality, traits that were transmitted to his children. Matthew Dearin was married to Abbie La Rue Perrine, Dec. 25, 1843. a descendant of Pierre Perrine, one of three brothers who fled from France upon the re- vocation of the " Edict of Nantes " by Louis XIV. The refugees landed on Staten Island, and finally located near Monmonth, N. J .; it was here that Henry Perrine, the father of Mrs. Dearin, was born; he married Esther Gilbert, in Salem, N. Y. In 1833 he came to Sandstone, where he resided until his death. Their children are as follows: Van, born Oct. 11, 1844; Ann, Jan. 18, 1847 (deceased); Kate A., Jan. 19, 1849 (deceased); Henry Perrine, Feb. 19, 1851; Mary Josephine, Ang. 12, 1853 (deceased); Ella A., Aug. 20, 1856; Elizabeth L., June 18, 1860; David Matthew, Feb. 29. 1864.

Mr. Dearin has always been a Republican, and attended the first Republican convention held in Jackson as a delegate. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. He owns a

1053

SANDSTONE TOWNSHIP.

fine farm in sec. 34, Sandstone tp., worth about $75 per acre. P. O., Sandstone.

Samuel Fassett was born in Fabins, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Sept. 30, 1814. His father, Samnel Fassett, Sr., was a local minister, and preached the first sermon ever preached in Jackson, in the fall of 1830. The subject of this sketch was married to Mary Ann Dun- ham Sept. 19, 1837; there are 9 children, viz .: Chas. S., Francis A., Sarah Jane, John Henry, Solomon N., Miner P., Alvan G., Mary Jane (deceased) and Mary Jane.

Mr. Fassett is a farmer and local minister of the M. E. Church; has preached more funeral sermons than any other man in Jack- son county ; is not a member of any political party, voting for the best man. P. O., Parma.

Duvid Harrington was born in Rutland county, Vt., Oct. 1, 1806. His father was a native of Connecticut, and his mother of New York. He was married to Nancy Lynch, Oct. 6, 1830; came to this country in April, 1849, and 10 years after, located in Sandstone tp., where he now resides with his son Charles, who was born in New York in 1836, and came West with his father in 1849; he now lives on sec. 29, this tp. P. O., Parma.

Lucius Dorr Hawkins was born in Oswego county, N. Y., Dec. 30, 1824. His father, Amasa Hawkins, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1794; his mother, Maria (King) Hawkins, a native of Vermont, was born in 1796, and married in 1820. Mr. Hawkins, Sr., came West in 1835 and located in Spring Arbor tp. Lucius was married to Harriet Z. Wall in October, 1845; they have 7 children, viz .: Christina Maria, Emma Jane, Wright, Elsie, Celia, Dwight, and Dell. Mr. Hawkins went to California in 1853 and again in 1859; he remained the last time until 1865, dealt in min- ing stock with fair success; was general manager for Flint, Peabody & Co., of San Francisco and Boston; since his return he has been general agent for the McCormick Reaper Co. He is a liberal Republican and was elected State Senator by that party in 1874; is a minister of the Baptist Church; owns a fine farm and saw-mill in sec. 15, Sandstone tp. P. O., Parma.

Thompson Charles Lewis was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., Nov. 12, 1811; came West in 1832; kept the Washtenaw House at Ann Arbor for several years; in 1834, went with goods to Marshall to trade with the Indians; was for some time agent for the stage company and also Assistant Revenue Collector. He mar- ried Catherine Maria Toppin, of Ann Arbor, May 22, 1838; there are 6 children-Charles, Julia, George, Francis. Eva and James. He has lived in Parma since 1843; belongs to Jackson lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 4. P. O., Parma.

Milo Markham was born in Blackman tp., Jackson county, July 3, 1840. He married Sarah Jane Smith Sept. 24, 1865, and they have 2 children-Kitty Mabel and Elva Jeanette. During the war, Mr. Markham was with McDonald's company in the capacity

1054

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

of a mechanic. In 1874 he came to Sandstone tp., where he has since resided. P. O. Jackson.

Henry Martin was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., Aug. 28, 1823; Geo. Martin, his father, was a native of Rensselaer county. He came West in 1843, located in Washtenaw county; came to Parma in 1846; was with the U. S. topographical engineers in 1843; worked for the M. C. R. R. 18 years. He married Sarah A. Coy, Dec. 29, 1874; they have 3 children-Geo. H., Helen F. and C. R. Mr. Martin came to sec. 16, this tp., in 1854, where he now resides; he is a Democrat and member of Parma Lodge, I. O. O. F. P. O., Parma.

H. L. Moe was born in Rutland county, Vt., in 1822; he came West with his parents and located on sec. 25; he was married to Amelia Hay, of Onondaga county, N. Y., Dec. 9, 1846; there are 5 children now living-Orville, Aaron, Alma, Mabel, and Willard. In the fall of 1847 Mr. Moe came to sec. 4, where he now resides; owns 160 acres of land and has been a farmer all his life. P. O., Jackson.

Amasa Quivey, of Sandstone tp., was born Jan. 9, 1832, in Saratoga county, N. Y. His father, Aaron Quivey, was a farmer, and a native of the same county. His grandfather, Amasa Quivey, was also a native of New York State, and a Scotchman of pure blood. Aaron Quivey married Lucinda Moe, daughter of Joseph Moe, a pioneer of Jackson county, having settled on sec. 12, this tp., in 1837. He had S sons and 3 danghters, viz .: Amasa, Joseph M .. Clara, Caroline, Mary, Aaron (deceased), William Henry, John P., Roscius (deceased), Israel and Charles. Amasa received his early schooling at Clifton Park, Saratoga Co .; afterward attended Fort Edward's Academy, in Washington county; came West in 1855, settling in Blackman tp., on sec. 30. Ia 1864 he moved to sec. 21, this tp. : sold out and removed to his present home on sec. 30 in 1866. He was married Dec. 24. 1857, to Miss Rachel Sammons, daughter of Cornelins Sammons, of Blackman tp., a farmer and pioneer of 1836. They have 6 children-Mary L., Carrie A., Ada E., Hattie A., Charles H. and Aaron F.

Jacob Rhines was born in Shannon, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1804. He came West and located at Sandstone in 1833; worked at black- smithing in the village, and erected the first shop there. He was married to Lucinda Godfrey, of Orange county, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1848; they have had 2 children-Vega J., died Sept. 28, 1876; Emmett, now living at home. Mr. Rhines owns 196 acres of land in sec. 35, where he resides, and has been engaged in farming for the past 20 years; is a Republican in politics, and has never voted any other ticket. P. O., Sandstone.

Edmund W. Richardson was born in Genesee county, N. Y., May 21, 1823. He came West with his parents in 1834, and located in Lenawee county, Mich .; in the fall of 1835 he came to Jackson county, and located in sec. 21, Sandstone tp .; in 1852 went to California, where he remained four years. He was mar-

1055

SANDSTONE TOWNSHIP.

ried Jau. 13, 1858, to Angylette Alexander, of Richland county, Ohio; they have had 3 children. viz .: Dora, Della (deceased), and Jared. In February, 1856. Mr. R. located in sec. 17, where he has since lived. In politics he is a Republican. P. O., Parma.

Jared Leroy Richardson was born in Leroy, Genesee Co., N. Y., April 13, 1813, son of Jared Richardson, a native of Massa- chusetts. In 1834 he came West and located in Sandstone tp., the following year going to Monroe on foot and alone to buy his land. He was married to Harriet Maria Bush, Feb. 2, 1837. There are 4 children-Harriet Lavina, Henry Clay, Lucretia Maria and Frederic Albert; Ida May was adopted in 1855. Politically, Mr. Richardson is a Republican, and has held nearly all of the town offices. P. O., Parma.

Thomas Sackrider was born in Oxford county, Canada, March 28, 1822; his father, Christian Sackrider, was a native of Saratoga county, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1840 and was married to Mary McClary, of Charleston, Kalamazoo Co., Nov. 9, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. S. have 3 children-Frederick C., Frank and William. He came to Sandstone in 1865, located on sec. 26, where he now resides. He owns 148 acres. Politically, he is a Republican, and a member of the Congregational Church. P. O., Sandstone.

Jonathan S. Scott was born in Madison county, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1816; came to Monroe county, Mich., in 1842, and in 1844 to Parma, where he now resides. He was married to Dorcas Ann Miller Oct. 13, 1839, in Genesee county, N. Y. There are 3 children-Irene Louise, Chester E. and Anson S. His wife died Jan. 12, 1847, and Sept. 1, 1847, he married Elizabeth D. Ingram; they have 2 children-Elsie K. and J. W. Mr. Scott was in the employ of the M. C. R. R. 23 years, holding responsible positions. He now resides in Parma. P. O., Parma.

Levi Somers, of Parma village, was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., Nov. 12, 1808. He came to Michigan and settled in Parma village in 1836; is a blacksmith by trade, and has made it the occupation of his life. He married Miss Mary Van Alstine Sept. 2, 1830, and they have had 11 children, of whom S are still living. His father, John Somers, was a farmer by occupation, a native of Erie county, and was born July 26, 1763. He married Charity Merermess, who was born in Germany, May 30, 1771. They were married Nov. 20, 1788, and had 14 children; the ages of those living are as follows: Susan, 90 years; Abram, 85; John, 81; David 76; Levi, 72; and Elizabeth, 59; total, 463. Mr. Somers is now living a retired life; is a man much respected as a neighbor and a citizen.

Timothy I. Titus was born in Niagara county, N. Y., July 15, 1822. He came West with his parents in 1833. His father located Government land on sec. 29, Sandstone tp. He was mar- ried to Laura J. Pool, of Genesee county, N. Y., in February, 1851; they have 3 children, viz .: Jane, Cornelius and William P., all living at home. In May, 1853, he removed to sec. 17, where he has since resided. He is a thorough Republican and has voted with his party ever since its formation. P. O., Parma.

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

History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 109

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