USA > Michigan > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Michigan > Part 16
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 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121
There are few, very few, of these old pioneers yet lingering on the shores of time, as connecting links of the past with the present. What must their thoughts be, as with their dim eyes they view the scenes that surround them ? We often hear people talk about the old-fogy ideas, and fogy ways, and want of enterprise on the part of the old men who have gone through the experiences of pioneer life. Sometimes, perhaps, such remarks are just, but. considering the experiences, education, and entire life of such men, sneh remarks are better unsaid. They have had their trials, mis- fortunes, hardships and adventures, and shall we now, as they are passing far down the western declivity of life, and many of them gone, point to them the finger of derision, and laugh and sneer at the simplicity of their ways? Let us rather cheer them up, revere and respect them, for beneath those rough exteriors beat hearts as noble as ever throbbed in the human breast. These veterans have been compelled to live for weeks upon hominy and, if bread at all, it was bread made from corn ground in hand-mills, or pounded up in mortars. Their children have been destitute of shoes during the winter; their families had no clothing except what was earded, spun, woven, and made into garments by their own hands. Schools they had none; churches they had none; afflicted with sickness ineident to all new countries, sometimes the entire family at onee; luxuries of life they had none; the auxiliaries, improve- ments, inventions, and labor-saving machinery of to-day they had not, and what they possessed they obtained by the hardest of labor and individual exertions; yet they bore these hardships and priva-
165
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
tions withont murmuring, hoping for better times to come, and often, too, with but little prospect of realization.
As before mentioned, the changes written on every hand are most wonderful. It has been but three-score years since the white man began to exercise dominion over this region, erst the home of the red man, yet the visitor of to-day, ignorant of the past of the county, could scarcely be made to realize that within these years there has grown up a population of 40,000 people, who in all the accomplishments of life are as far advanced as are the inhabitants of counties in the old States. They possess more liberal views, and look at everything in the broadest light. Schools, churches, colleges, palatial dwellings, beautiful grounds, large, well-culti- vated and productive farms, as well as cities, towns and busy manufactories, have sprung up, and now occupy the hunting and c ump grounds of the red man, so that wherever the eye may rest. there are evidences of progress and intelligence. There is but little left of the old landmarks. Civilization has blotted out all traces of the aboriginal occupiers, until now the Indian name is all that is remembered. Never grow unmindful of the peril and ad- venture, fortitude, self-sacrifice and heroic devotion displayed in the lives of the pioneers. As time sweeps on in its ceaseless flight may those who inherit the result of their labors cherish their mem- ories and do honor to their names.
1.1
CHAPTER III. EXPLORATION AND FURTHER SETTLEMENT
From all that has been written on the early history of the county and townships, it might be supposed that the story of settlement and progress had been well told. This should not be the case. If it were possible to have the reminiscences of every pater familias now residing in the county appear in this volume, some new subject for history would present itself in each paper, and so add immensely to perfeet a record of the past and pres- ent. It is impossible to collect every literary contribution, even to induce some men of average mental capabilities to write about im- portant events with which they are acquainted; but it will doubt- less be conceded that a sufficiently large amount of valuable subject matter has been collected or written to render this histor- ical volmine as perfect as possible. In this chapter a series of most important events are recorded, and if there be one whose vanity may lead to criticism and fault-finding, let him remember the difficulties which attend the writing of such a volu- minous work, and how little he himself has contributed to render the work of the historian light, or to add one single item that would make it more complete.
POETRY IN PROSE.
In dealing with county history it is thought just and honora- ble, as well as desirable, that the writer or compiler should utilize that which has been written on the affairs of the county by one of its citizens, when the subject appears to be treated in an impartial manner. The following sketches were penned by an old settler in 1866, and deal with the first three years of pi- oneer life here. They appear to deal with the subject minutely and impartially, and are so subscribed: "There are but six of the first settlers who came here in the spring of 1830 now left, resid- ing in this city, namely: Mr. and Mrs. W. R. De Land, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Durand. The others are gone to their long rest, save a few removed to parts unknown."
The first settler of Jackson county was Horace Blackman, of Berk- shire, Tioga Co., N. Y., who came here in the summer of 1829, and located the southeast quarter of section 34, town 2 south, range 1 west, on which the first ward of the city of Jackson now stands, and to him pertains the honor and enterprise of being the first per- manent settler of Jackson county. He was assisted in his under- taking by Lemuel Blackman, his father, and Russell Blackman
( 16)
167
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
his elder brother. Michigan at this time was a Territory, and but a very small part of it settled. Its entire population was about 30,000. The city of Detroit was at that time an okl, dilapidated looking town, with a population of 2,220. The Chicago road had just been built at the expense of the United States Government, opening an avenue of travel through the southern part of the Ter- ritory, and along this route a few small settlements were begin- ning to emerge from the wilderness. Ann Arbor at this time was the extreme frontier settlement west of Detroit. It was a small village, containing three or four stores, two publie houses and some 500 inhabitants. Here was the end of the road going west.
Blackman came on as far as this place to visit some friends who resided here. From these and some others, he learned what he could regarding the country lying west of Washtenaw; also from the map of survey of the United States Government which had re- cently been completed. Possessed of a spirit of enterprise and indomitable energy, and led on by a pioneer impulse, he was deter- mined to strike for the wilderness. In accordance with this deter- mination he made up his mind to explore the country as far as the valley of Grand river, which would carry him forward near the heart of the country. Accordingly he set out on his journey of ex- ploration July 2, 1829, accompanied by Capt. Alex. Laverty, an experienced pioneer and excellent woodsman, and an Indian guide named Pee-wy-tum, who was well acquainted with the country and a great friend of the Gem-o-Komon, as he
called the white settlers. With varying success they pursued their way under the scorching rays of a July sun, sometimes fording a river and sometimes wading a wet and quaggy marsh, following the great Indian trail leading through the central part of the Territory, from Detroit to the mouth of the St. Joseph river. The first day of their journey they arrived at the foot of the Short Hills where they encamped for the night. The next they pur- sned their journey with renewed ardor over hill and plain, and long vistas of oak openings covered with rich and luxurious grass and herbage, and interspersed with many varieties of beautiful flowers. When faint and weary with traveling they would sit down and rest their locomotive museles. Pee-wy-tum would use all his powers of persuasion to cheer them on. Pointing west he would assure them that they would soon find better corn-fields, purer and brighter rivers and more sunny spots for wigwams, when they arrived at the great valley of the Washtenong Sepee, as he called the Grand river. Washtenaw, or Washtenong, means in the Pottawatomie language, a clear, swift stream, running over a bed of pebble stones, and was the Indian name for this place and vicinity.
Near the close of the second day's journey our travelers began to approach their long-wished-for goal, and about sunset they arrived on the last bank of the river, with hearts gladdened at the prospects before them. Pee-wy-tum was frantic with joy at the
168
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
sight of this familiar stream, on whose waters his canoe had so often swiftly glided in pursuit of fish, with which it abounded.
THE PIONEERS' FIRST SURVEY OF THE POSITION.
On the eastern bank was a heavy belt of timber extending from the river back to the rising ground in the rear. On the west side of the river the land was more elevated and open, with a large Indian corn-field a little to the right. Having refreshed them- selves with the pure water of the river, for the first time drank by the Anglo-Saxon, our travelers crossed the ford-way on the trail, where Trail street bridge now stands, and eneamped for the night on the ground near the intersection of Jackson and Trail streets. Here was an old Indian camping ground, which formed a very convenient resting place for their caravan, as they traveled through the country. Here also were fine fishing grounds on the river. and hunting grounds in the surrounding openings, and the spot where Jackson now stands was considered a point of great impor- tance by the aborigines. At this point was a concentration of all the leading trails of the Peninsula, and from this fact the first set- tlers were lead to believe that it would beeome a central and im- portant place of business.
THE FOURTH OF JULY.
After enjoying a quiet and refreshing repose, our travelers awoke next morning to behold the rising of a beautiful July sun, - it being the morning of the 53d anniversary of American Inde- pendence,-their bodies rested and invigorated with sleep, their minds flushed with the bright hopes of the future,-to think they were about to establish a new home,-to found a new city whose fame might outrival Rome itself in the future. Thirty-six years ago these pioneers of the wilderness, standing on the bank of this beautiful river, beheld the placid morn which ushered in the birthday of our nation's freedom, and although remote from friends and home, and isolated from the masses of populous town and city, they felt the spirit of liberty and patriotism burning in their bosoms, and resolved to celebrate the day in as solemn and as appropriate a manner as circumstances would admit. A dinner was prepared of fish and game, and with some other fixings consti- tuted the delicacies of their banquet-table. After a brief oration in Pottawatomie by Laverty, the dinner was soon dispatched, and with plenteous libations of wauboo from the river, several patriotic toasts were drank under the crack of Pee-wy-tum's rifle, which re- verberated long and long through the answering forest. A more heartfelt and joyous celebration of our nation's freedom was, per- haps, never enjoyed, the recital of which, by Blackman and Laverty. to the early settlers was the eause of much amusement.
169
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
HORACE BLACKMAN'S STORY.
Laverty had been fishing that morning, and had left his fishing pole standing by a stump, the line hanging over with a piece of pork on the hook; Pee-wy-tum's dog had eyed this closely for some time, and just as they had finished the celebration, concluded to seize it. It swung some four feet from the ground, and the dog making a sudden leap, seized the pork, and hung suspended in the air,-" a noble specimen of the dog fish," as the Captain had it. A few kicks, the line broke, and the dog ran away with the hook sticking in his jaws, keeping up a continual ki-yi, ki-yi, rubbing tirst one paw and then the other over his jaws, which the hook had so cruelly lacerated. As the dog disappeared, Horace quietly remarked that it was the first dog he ever saw playing the Jew's harp. The Captain said he believed him to be a good patriotic dog, and that he was probably playing Hail Columbia, or some other national air, set to the peculiar measure of canine music.
MAKING A LOCATION.
The festivities of the day being ended, our explorers began to look about to aseertain their position and examine the face of the surrounding country, in order to fix a site for laying out the plot of a village, embracing as many local and other advantages as possible. This was no ordinary undertaking, requiring a thorough geographieal knowledge of the country, and a sound, discriminating judgment as to all the advantages and facilities that a single point might possess.
From the United States survey previously made, he traced townships and section lines, whose markings and boundaries were very plain and visible. Blackman soon ascertained that he was then resting on the southeast quarter of section 34, town 2 south, of range 1 west, two miles west of the meridian and 12 miles south of the base line, the two great quartorial lines drawn north and south, and east and west through the Territory, on which the United States survey is based in regard to its descriptions. He found that this quarter section embraced a good water-power on the river, was on the direct route of the St. Joseph trail, the most important and heavily traveled trail of the country; that it would in all probability become the county-seat of the next county west of Washtenaw, and also that it might become the future capital of the State. Under all those circumstances he concluded to make it his location, and time has shown us with what accurate judgment and calculation his choice was made. Most of his expectations have been realized, and all would have been, had jus- tice been done us.
Here then, in the midst of a vast wilderness, was the standard of civilization planted by a humble individual, and the first initiatory step taken in the march of a vast improvement. Fifty-one years ago the spot on which this beautiful and populous city now
170
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
stands was naught but the wild and desolate abode of the savage. Now, instead of being on the extreme frontier, we are scarcely midway, and looking back to the hills of the olden States and forward to the peaks of the Rocky mountains, we find ourselves in the midst of a vast nation, which has spread the light of science and civilization, and the arts and improvements of agriculture and domestic husbandry from ocean to ocean.
The site which Mr. Blackman fixed upon for his log cabin was the same where the dwelling-house of John F. Durand now stands, -a spot consecrated in the memory of the early settlers.
OFF TO MONROE.
Blackman and Laverty returned to Ann Arbor, and thence went to the land office at Monroe to obtain the duplicate. Being soon joined by his brother, Russell, who had come on from New York with some hands they hired at Ann Arbor, came out to Grand river (then called Blackman's location), put up a log house, and covered it preparatory to their reception the following spring. This was the first log house built in Jackson county. Blackman now returned to New York, leaving Russell at Ann Arbor to watch the course of events and take charge of his new possessions during his absence, calculating to return the next spring, with his family and a colony of other settlers.
LEGISLATIVE WATCHFULNESS.
At the session of the council of the Territory (then consisting of only 13 members) an act was passed setting off a new tier of counties, from the county of Washtenaw west to Lake Michigan. The county of Jackson was to contain 20 surveyed townships, thus giving it an area of 720 square miles, being 24 miles north and south by 30 east and west. This establishment of the county limits brought Blackman's location within half a mile of the geo- graphical center of the county, and within 12 miles of the geo- graphical center of Michigan Territory, according to the United States survey, and in all probability the most eligible point for the State capital.
Another and important act of the Legislature was the laying ont of the Territorial or State road, running through the tier of new counties, thus opening a new route for the immigrant north of and parallel with the Chicago road. This road was to commence at a point near Sheldon's Corners, in Wayne county, and running in a westerly direction, terminating at the mouth of the St. Joseph, along the route of the great Indian trail, called the "Detroit and St. Joe trail." The principal points named in the act to be on the line of this road comprised among others Ann Arbor and Blackman's location. The location of this road was suggested to the minds of our wise legislators by the fact that it was the great thoroughfare of Indian travel through the Peninsula from time im-
171
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
memorial. The survey and the opening of this road was a great benefit to the Territory, as it gave a new impulse to immi- gration, and opened a wide field for settlement along the whole route on the rich and fertile lands of which those new counties were composed. The commissioners appointed to locate those roads were Col. Orrin White, Jonathan F. Stratton and Seeley Neale, of Washtenaw. Stratton was also appointed surveyor. They immediately proceeded to discharge the duty devolving upon them, rightly judging that the winter season would be most favor- able for a survey, as the marshes and streams would then be frozen over, and the chaining performed more accurately. Having made the necessary arrangements for a winter campaign, they commenced the survey about Jan. 1, 1830, and proceeded as far as the village of Ann Arbor. Mr. E. Clark, in referring to the sub- ject of the road, and to the settlement of Ann Arbor and Jackson- burgh, says: " In the early settlement of Washtenaw, before we had facilities for transporting produce to market, and indeed be- fore we had much to send off. it was the object to induce emi- . grants to come among us to settle. They made a home market for the surplus provisions and stock we had to spare. They brought all the money, so that the success of the farmer, mechanic or merchant depended as much upon a good season of immigration as upon good crops." Up to the year 1829 there was no road leading west beyond Clement's farm, on Mill creek, seven miles from the court-house. The Chicago road was only traveled then by immigrants in search of homes. Mr. Clark was on the Chicago road and noticed the travel, and the idea suggested itself that a road might be opened through theacentral . part of the Territory; th and thus open to the new-eomer a rich district in which to make a home. A few days after this a proposition was made to the late Elnathan Botsford. that they would call a meeting of all interested, and if the project was deemed feasible, to petition the Legis- lative Council, praying authority to lay out a road from some point on the Chicago road, in the county of Wayne, west to St. Joseph river. Notices were written (they had no printing press in those days at An Arbor), and Botsford volunteered to post them along the line. The meeting was duly held, and the plan adopted. A petition, bearing numerous influential names, was presented to the council, and at its first session an act was passed in accordance with the prayer of the petitioners.
The commissioners began their work Jan. 1, 1830, on the farm of T. Sheldon, in Wayne county. On the evening of the 7th they reached Ann Arbor. The next morning they were joined by eight persons. citizens of the village, namely. Henry Rumsey, Samuel Van Fossen. Zenas Nash, Jr., Wm. Hunt. Edward Clark, Alex. Laverty. Jerry McCarthy and Isaiah W. Bennett, who vol- unteered to accompany them as far as Grand river. and open and work the road by removing obstructions. The first night after leaving Ann Arbor they lodged at Mr. Clement's house. on Mill creek. Here they were at the remotest point of their set-
172
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
tlement going west, and the end of the white man's path; beyond was a vast wilderness. That was in 1829, and where now is the west end of the road leading west? It is where the waves of the Pacific Ocean wash the strand. The second day they crossed the Short Hills. The snow was now nearly a foot deep. They en- camped for the night west of the Hills.
ARRIVAL AT GRAND RIVER.
After seven days' work and fatigue they crossed Grand river, where they found the body of a log house that had been put up by Mr. Blackman the fall before. The roof was on, but was without chinking, floor, door and windows,-indeed they had to cut a hole to get into it, being left in that condition to prevent the Indians from destroying it during the winter. Here they stayed two nights. This was the first building erected on the site of the pres- ent city of Jackson, and the first in the county. They hung up + their tents as curtains on the wall to break off the winds. This was as far as the volunteers proposed to go; but before they parted with the commissioners and their party, it was thought proper to have a name for the village that was to be. Accordingly the last night of their stay here they organized a convention by eleeting Hon. H. Rumsey as president. He was provided with a log for a chair, which favor he appreciated and acknowledged in a very ap- propriate speech. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Stratton and White, was appointed to report a suitable name. While the members of this body were out, that is, the smoky side of the log- heap, the president arose, and in a grave and solemn manner, said: "Gentlemen, -In my intercourse with mankind, I have remarked that men who are respected at home for their orderly and moral conduct, when away from home and in a strange land are too often forgetful of their own positions as gentlemen and good citizens, and thereby bring disgrace not only npon them- selves, but upon their neighborhood. Yon are all respectable at home, and while you are here I trust you will not forget or forfeit your character as gentlemen. Soon your committee will return and report a name for the village that is to be built here. After it is adopted one of you may move that it be received with nine cheers. If that may be the wish of the convention I hope your noise will not disturb the neighbors."
REPORTING THE NAME.
The committee soon after came in and reported JACKSONBERGH. The report was on motion accepted and adopted by acclamation. It was then resolved that nine cheers be given for the name of the future city, and three times three wilder cheers were never sent up by 15 hearty men than went up then and there. The volunteers had provided some extra fixings for the occasion, which were now produced, and after partaking of a good supper, the festivities of
173
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
the night were prolonged by a dance, the two oldest of the com- pany opening the ball to the tune of Yankee Doodle, and for a few moments there was a strife between the dancers and the fid- dler to see which could get ahead, much to the amusement of the lookers-on. After that seven of the number appeared bareheaded, to represent the fair sex, and the other seven kept their hats on like gentlemen. Before daybreak preparations were made to leave, the commissioners and their attendants for the West, the volunteers for home. On examination the latter found they had only one quart of flour left. This was put into a frying-pan, mixed up with some river water, and cooked, then divided into eight parts, when each took his share and ate it. Thirty miles of un- broken snow lay between them and the place where they could get their next meal. As soon as it was light enough, the tents, rifles, axes, etc., were put into the wagon. The oxen that had subsisted several days on browse, were yoked, and two men were detailed to take charge of the team. Leave was taken of the com- missioners, and their party and the volunteers started for home. The six on foot led off in single file, each taking his turn in leading and breaking the track. The day was cold and the snow half- knee deep. All went well until the former reached the first creek east of Grand river. There one of the party fell in and got wet. In the afternoon they reached the top of the Short Hills. There Nash and Van Fossen left the rest of the party and went ahead.
At the small pond, on Pierce farm, in Lima, they came up with the volunteers, and found them sitting upon a log. They hurried on until they became fatigued, and sitting down to rest they soon be- came chilled and drowsy; but after some exertion they started on with the remainder of the party, and soon were all right again. About dusk they came to Mill creek, now Lima Center. The water was,abont waist deep. There was no help for it; cross. it they must, and did. Judge Rumsey stumbled and was wet nearly all over. Between 8 and 9 o'clock in the evening they reached Clement's. Here the creek was shoal and the crossing much easier. Some of the party stayed at Clement's all night, while others accepted the hospitality of Jerry McCarthy, a warm-hearted son of the Emerald Isle, who had a farm two miles farther on toward Ann Arbor. The next day they were all comfortably at home.
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.