History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 17

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

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The commissioners went on their survey as far west as Kalama- zoo county, when, their provisions becoming exhausted, they struck across to the nearest settlement on the Chicago road, and returned home.

In the foregoing narrative, given by Mr. Clark, we have ex- plained more fully the objects and inducements the citizens of Ann Arbor had in cansing this great thoroughfare to be opened through the heart of Michigan. It also reveals the manner in which the city of Jackson received its original cognomen, "Jacksonburgh." This has been a question often asked, and all seem anxious to know why this place was called "Jacksburg," or "Jackson's burgh."

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Beyond all controversy, it was named after Maj .- Gen. Andrew Jackson, the hero of New Orleans, and the then President of the United States.

FIRST CONVENTIONAL BODY.

These " volunteers," as they styled themselves, formed the first conventional body of civilized citizens ever assembled in this " burgh," and their aets were the first inauguration of eivil comity, manners and decorum of life, in the bush. The ball which followed was the first gemo-komon dance of the thousand-and-one which have since been enacted, and, though rude in ontline and eireum- stance, was full of hilarity and warmth of social feeling, to drive full care away. A jollier set of fellows never joined in the dance. In regard to the political opinions held by the members of that convention, we are left to form conclusions, although it smacks strongly that they were Democratic in principle, or at least the sons of Democratic forefathers, inasmuch as they were unanimous in bestowing the name of the great Democratie leader of the age on the new "burgh."

When these men returned to Ann Arbor, the fame of Jackson- burgh was spread over the land, and a company was soon formed to carry out this work of improvement with activity. Early in the following. spring Alexander Laverty, Isaialı W. Bennett and Rus- sell Blackman became residents of the then embryo village. Mr. Blackman, although not mentioned by Clark, was one of the party, assisting the surveyor as chain-bearer, and went through the entire route with the commissioners .. .

NEW SETTLERS SEEKING PRIVILEGES.

Jacksonburgh-for we now had a name to distinguish our new settlement-had attained a considerable notoriety abroad, being the first point of importance west of Ann Arbor, now ready to spring into existence as if by magie power. It was now unquestionably regarded as not only the county-seat of Jackson county, but as the future capital of Michigan.

Early in the spring of 1830, the settlement commeneed. A company from Ann Arbor, comprising Isaiah W. Bennett, W. R. Thompson, Benjamin H. Packard, E. W. Morgan, Chauncey C. Lewis and some others came and located lands adjoining Black- man's purchase. Messrs. Bennett and Thompson entered some lots on sections 2 and 3, township 3 south, range 1 west, lying on the river and directly south of Blackman's, with a view of obtaining water-power and-a portion of the plat. This occasioned some alter- cation between the parties interested, but this difficulty was settled by compromise made with Russell Blaekman as the agent of Hor- ace, his brother, who was then East, each party agreeing to share equally in the village plat, and the original plat, which contained less than one-fourth of the present area, was laid out by Bennett.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Thompson and Packard in March, 1830, on the west side of Grand river, extending from Trail street on the north to Franklin street on the south, and running along the bank of the river on the east to the quarter-post line of sections 34 and 3, townships 2 and 3 sonth, 1 west, containing an area of about 150 acres. The plan was regular, all the principal streets crossing each other at right angles, forming the whole into blocks of convenient size, and subdivided into lots of 4x8 rods. Public alleys of one rod in width ran through the entire plan once in eight rods, par- allel with the streets, so that every lot was accommodated with a street in front and an alley in the rear. The whole was platted on a most convenient plan, both in regard to its streets and alleys, as well as its public squares and sites for public buildings. In the center was a square of 484 rods, through which ran the two prin- eipal streets, forming the base and meridian lines upon which the plat was predicated-Main, or St. Joseph street, as the base, and Jackson street as the meridian line. Main street was calculated as the great commercial avenue of the village, and was located on the township line of townships 2 and 3, range 2 west, with a width of six rods, and also on the line intervening the location of Black- man and Bennett. Jackson street was platted to be the same width as Main street, and to cross it at right angles in the center of the square.

Three-fourths of this publie square has been since vacated by order of the Circuit Court, upon the application of parties inter- ested therein, the northwest quarter only remaining. On that portion of the square north of Main street, and where the Congre- gational church now stands, was a patch of Indian planting- ground. the corn-hills of which were plainly visible at the time.

THE WHITE CAPTIVE.

If not deemed out of place, we would here append a little epi- sode of Indian history, as related by Waup-ca-zeek, a semi-chiet of the Pottawatomie tribe, then living at an Indian village some ten miles southwest of Jackson, in the town of Spring Arbor. Sometime during the war of 1812, an American soldier was taken captive by the Indians under Tecumseh, at the battle of Frenchtown, and was brought to this place, it being deemed by them a seenre re- treat. Here he was tried, condemned and executed according to the rules of Indian justice, no one appearing in his behalf. He was eon- demned to be burned at the stake, a kind of immolation most common among savages. This cruel sentence, passed upon the unfortunate soldier, was, as alleged by Waup-ca-zeck, in retaliation for the bar- barous acts of the American soldiery toward the Indians, to which he alluded in justifieation. Here, on this devoted spot-perchance the very spot on which the church now stands-the execution took place, amid the imposing and barbarous scenes of an Indian war- dance and pow-wow. This sad story was known by very few of

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

the early settlers, as it was revealed by the Indian only when in a state of intoxication.

PERSONAL INTERESTS AND ENTERPRISE.

In March, 1830, the second colony became anxious to commence the settlement, thinking thereby to gain certain advantages by being first on the ground, and anticipating some of the plans of Blackman, and the colony of settlers expected to come in with him from the East. Bennett, Thompson and Packard, who had already shared largely in the plot, and had ahnost acquired a controlling interest in the affairs of the settlement, were anxious to obtain possession of the river water-power, by flinging a dam across Grand river about a half-mile above Blackman's location, thereby depriving him of the privilege. No time was to be lost; they engaged a number of men at Ann Arbor to assist them in building a dam and getting out timber for erecting a saw-inill, in order to secure the hydraulic privilege to themselves. Linus Gillett and wife, and Josephus Case and wife came out, being employed by Bennett and Thompson, -Gillett and his wife to board the workmen, and Case to do the blacksmithing.

Mrs. Gillett and Mrs. Case were the first white women that came into Jackson county.

THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH.

A good story is told of our friend Case. Being ont hunting one day, and coming into the trail he overtook a traveler, who in- quired how far it was to Jacksonburgh. Case said he was going right there. The traveler next inquired if there was a black- smith there, and how far it was to his shop? Case, feeling a little jocose, told him he was the man; and said they were in the shop, but it was three miles to the anvil. The traveler remarked that his was the most extensive one he ever knew. The fact was, that his shop was the open canopy, his anvil being placed on a linge stump beside his shanty. Mr. Case was a brother of Daniel L. Case, late auditor of state, who soon after became a resident of Jacksonburgh, and is now a resident of Lansing.

THE MILL-BUILDERS.

John Wickham, a millwright, and Caniff worked on the mills. Hiram Thompson, brother of Wmn. R., George Mayo, S. Town and Jason Barlow constituted the posse of hands employed by Mr. Bennett. Those workmen occupied Blaekman's log house for a short time; they soon erected a double log house for their own accommodation,-a house with two large rooms. This was the second house built in Jackson county, and stood on the spot now occupied by Bennett and Thompson as a publie house for several years.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

The preparations for building the dam and saw-mill were prosc- cuted with vigor. Plats of the village were completed by Surveyor Stratton. Lots were offered at a low rate, with a proviso that they should be built upon and improved immediately. A number of lots were soon taken by Stratton, Gillett, Case, Caniff, Wiek- ham, Mills, Prusia and others; and their rapid sale exceeded the utmost expectations of the proprietors. Immediately after this the people petitioned the Legislative Council praying that the county- seat be established at once in Jacksonburgh. The council acceded to the prayer, and sent their commissioners to locate the county- seat; their report was duly confirmed by a proclamation of Gov. Cass. The commissioners defined the location of the pro- posed court-house, fixing the site on the spot where the Union school-honse now stands.

Horace Blackman started on his second trip West May 3, 1830. accompanied by his father, Lemnel Blackman, and family-three sons and two daughters, -Elizur B. Chapman and wife, and Wm. R. De Land, wife and two children.

BREVITIES.

Wm. R. De Land was the first justice of the peace in Jacksonburgh, being appointed Oct. 18, 1830, by Gov. Cass for the county of Washtenaw, in answer to a petition from the citizens. Horace Blackman was appointed deputy constable.

The first ground broken in the county was an old Indian corn- field in the flat between Blackman creek and Ganson street, Jack- son, extending north and west to the quarter-post line of section 34, 2 south and 1 west. It was done by Mr. Blackman, with a large plow drawn by four to six yoke of oxen, and managed by three men, one to drive the team and two to hold the plow.

In the fall of 1830 a number of fields were broken and sowed to wheat, by Messrs. Lewis, Durand, Daniels, Pease, Laverty. Roberts and others.

In August, 1830, Messrs. Blackman, De Land and others cut over 75 tons of hay about three miles up the river.

The first year of the settlement business was brisk, money plenty, provisions high, the saw-mill was completed, and the people healthy. Hiram Thompson was the first to get sick, taking " chill fever," and the only other case was that of Geo. B. Cooper. Both these gentlemen have since been distinguished citizens. Dr. Packard, of Washtenaw, was the nearest physician, who attended the latter in his illness.

The first resident physician in Jackson was Dr. Samson Stoddard. who came here in September, 1830. He was afterward county clerk, and now resides at Concord.

The first sermon preached in the county was by Rev. John D. Pierce, a Congregationalist, in the summer of 1830, at the residence of Lemuel Blackman. The first regular preaching at

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

this place was by Revs. Elijah H. Pilcher and Henry Colelazer, of the M. E. Church.

In 1830 many bridges were built, the first across Grand river being erected in December, on the territorial road, now Trail street.

FIRST POSTMASTER.

A postoffice was established in the fall of 1830, and Isaiah W. Bennett appointed postmaster, being the first incumbent of the office. The first mail brought through from Ann Arbor was by private conveyance, in the top of Iliram Thompson's hat. The mail for some time was carried by private conveyance, any re- sponsible citizen carrying ont and bringing in the same, as oppor- tunity offered. Soon, however, the business increasing, a regular contract was made with George Mayo for carrying a one-horse mail once a week between Ann Arbor and Jacksonburgh.

A CHIANGE IN THE NAME OF THE VILLAGE.

The name of the office was designated by the Postal Depart- ment "Jacksonopolis," in contradistinction to Jacksonburgh, as there were so many offices of the latter name in the United States already. This was the official name of the postoffice until the organization of 1833, when it received the simple title, "Jack- son."

MAYO AS A MAIL-CARRIER.

The arrival of the first regular mail for Jackson was the cause of much amusement to the villagers. Mayo, of that class of mankind properly designated "Phunny Phellows," was desirous of making his vocation known and of giving to the people an agreeable surprise. Having provided himself with a suitable in- strument while at Ann Arbor, he came over the route for the first time. When near the verge of the day he began to approach the confines of the village; the villagers were enjoying themselves .n their quiet vocations, when suddenly they were aroused from their wonted serenity by the loud tooting of a tin horn, and soon a horse and rider were seen galloping furiously np the river bank, and making his way for the postoffice. Reining in his steed he dashed the mail-bags to the ground, and in stentorian voice an- nounced-"The Great Eastern Mail from Ann Arbor!"

HON. GEO. B. COOPER

succeeded Mr. Bennett as postmaster in 1834. The business of this office has constantly increased, keeping pace with the growth and improvement of the country, till it has become one of the largest and most important offices in the country.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

THE REPUBLIC FOREVER.

In 1830, the first year of actual settlement, the Jacksonburgliers determined to have a regular "down-east" celebration of Inde- pendence day, attended with all the "pomp and magnificence " of the occasion. This was the first gala day in the new settlement. A committee was appointed consisting of Win. R. De Land and Hiram Thompson, of Jackson, and Anson Brown, of Ann Arbor, under whose supervision the affair was managed successfully. A num- ber of citizens of Ann Arbor expressed a wish to join in the cele- bration, and so an invitation was extended to them to participate in the festivities of the day. This invitation was accepted by a number of the Ann Arbor friends, among whom were Miss Trask, of Ann Arbor, and Miss Dix, of Dixboro, two young ladies who came the entire distance on horseback, accomplishing a 40-mile heat in 12 hours, over an Indian trail through the wilderness. Messrs. Brown, Clark, Jewett, Wilcoxson, Packard, Dix, Lovell and others accompanied these ladies, and all arrived on the even- ing of July 3, having traveled from sunrise to sunset. The com- mittee forwarded an invitation to Gov. Cass, which could not be accepted, owing to previous engagements. The day was beautiful, and was ushered in with an anvil salute given by Case, the village blacksmith. The procession was formed at 11 A. M. under Lieut. Clark, of Ann Arbor, and Horace Blackman, of Jacksonburgh, and proceeded to the rendezvous on an elevated plateau east of

Jackson street, near the summit level of that street, then a natural arbor. Isaiah Bennett presided, assisted by W. R. De Land and H. Thompson as vice-presidents. . Geo. Mayo read the Declara- tion of Independence, Hon. Gideon Wilcoxson delivered the ora- tion, John Durand officiated as chaplain and Captain Alex. Laverty commanded a platoon of musketeers dressed in a neat uniform. At 1:30 P. M. the celebrants partook of the banquet prepared by Mr. Torrey and lady, of the Bennett and Thompson log-tavern house, spread upon a table 100 feet in length, extending along the east line of Jackson street to Courtland street, in the rear of the tavern house. Eighty persons sat down to the first table, and in turn gave place to others, until all had feasted. Those who par- ticipated in the festive joys of that celebration will never forget it, or the pleasing hopes, the friendships and acquaintances formed, the happiness and whole-heartedness that characterized all the proceedings. There will never be a pleasanter or more patriotic commemoration of the glorious anniversary of American inde- pendence while our country lasts or the monuments of freedom endure.

EARLY MANIIFACTURES.

The first general manufacturing business done in the primitive stage of the community was a rough and unpolished kind of workmanship, such as the making of pole bedsteads, three-legged

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

stools and cross-legged tables. The housewives made feather- beds and other useful articles suggested by their industry. The first regular mechanic who came into the county was John Wick- ham, who with Caniff commenced building the saw-mill for Ben- nett & Thompson in 1830. The first attempt at manufacturing was made by Major D. Mills and Christian Prusia, who erected a tannery on the west bank of the river, on the spot where Mr. Gavan subsequently built his brewery. The business was satis- factory for some time, but owing to the small supply of material for tanning. the business was finally abandoned.

BOOT AND SHOE MANUFACTORY.

Wm. D. Thompson, from Batavia. N. Y., settled here in the fall of 1830, and opened the first boot and shoe shop in the community. Mr. Thompson ranks as the first of that vocation in Jackson county. having established the first manufactory of boots and shoes in Central Michigan. He pursued the business for several years, and was honored by the citizens with several offices of trust and profit among which were township clerk, deputy postmaster, county clerk. etc.

THE FIRST CABINET-MAKER.

was Mr. Kline, who, in company with Lemuel Woolsey, a turner and chair-maker, set up a small shop for the manufacture of chairs and eabinet-ware.

They were succeeded by John Penson, Collamer and others.

THE FIRST TAILOR IN THE COUNTY

who commenced work at Jackson was Mr. Campion, who estab- lished himself here in 1832. He was succeeded by Messrs. Stone, Graves, Chittock, Mitchell and a host of others. In justice to an old settler, the writer would here recount that Mrs. John Wellman commenced the trade the first year of the settlement of Jackson, and has plied her needle unremittingly every year since, so that she ought to stand at the head of the profession.

FIRST MERCHANTS.

The first merchant was Daniel Hogan, from Schoharie Co., N. Y., who brought in a small stock of dry-goods and groceries in the summer of 1830, and opened a trade on North Blackstone street. corner of Luther street, now No. 1 North Blackman street, then the residence of W. R. De Land, who was the first settler on this street. Strange as it may seem, it was on this street the com- mereial business of Jackson was first commenced. The amount of trade at this time was small, a considerable portion being traffic with the Indians. As soon as lumber could be procured Mr. Hogan

Hawley F. Thomas

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

commenced building a store on the north side of the public square, which was finished in March, 1831.

This was the first frame building and the first store erected in Jackson connty. It stood in the rear of Courter's Block. Thomas J. McKnight, a young man of Rochester, N. Y., was Mr. Hogan's clerk.

Daniel Dwight succeeded Hogan in the commercial business, having bought out his entire establishment, which being increased by a new stock, a very respectable trade was acquired. Mr. Dwight continued trade at this location for about one year, when a new store was built on the south side of Main street, the goods removed to the new building, and John N. Dwight became principal of the new firm. This might properly be called the first permanent dry- goods establishment in the place. David F. Dwight was afterward associated as one of the partners in the firm, which continned for a number of years, as one of the principal dealing houses of the vil- lage.

In 1833 Messrs. Wm. E. Perrine and C. H. Van Dorn brought a large stock of dry-goods and groceries, and commenced trade in a new store they erected on the south side of Main street, a little east of Dwight's. About this time the first grocery store was opened by Guy H. Gorham, and soon after Moore and Warner opened a general store.

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.

Up to the spring ot 1835 the settlement was a little republic under the rule and authority of a single magistrate. During the session of the Legislative Council 1830-'31, an act was passed organizing the 20 townships of the county into one township by the name of Jacksonburgh, attaching the same to Washtenaw county for judicial purposes. The first township meeting was to be held at the house of Wm. R. Thompson, April 4, 1831.

FORM AND LAW OF FIRST ELECTION.

We now arrived at a period at which the political sentiments of the settlers were to be made known by an election. Politics at this time were a good deal mixed, being divided into three or four dis- tinctive parties-"Jackson men"-"Adams men "-" Mason " and Anti-Mason,-the two latter constituting the distinguishing antagonism of party at the time. The manner of voting then was to ballot separately for each candidate until a choice was made, and then for the next in regular rotation. If no choice were made on the first ballot a second was taken, and so on until all the offices were filled. It was in fact the cauens as well as the election, and altogether more democratic than the present system, as it enabled those who wielded the political franchise to vote for men instead of the ticket. This was the modus operandi in the early days of our little republic.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

At this time the community was without any board of election or township officers, except a justice of the peace. The Territorial laws provided that in such cases any justice or legal township of- ficer might call the meeting to order and proceed to choose a mod- erator and clerk, who being duly sworn, together with the jus- tice of peace, should form a board of inspectors of election, and thus were authorized to receive and canvass the votes and deelare the result.

Under these provisions the first township meeting was held April 4, 1831, at the house of Wm. R. Thompson. It was called to order by Wm. R. De Land, Justice ofthe Peace, and proceeded to elect viva coce. Alexander Laverty, Moderator, and Hiram Thomp- son, Clerk. With the election of supervisor came the tug of war, when freemen met foemen in open ballot. The masons were cer- tain they would carry the election; the Anti-Masons were confident the choice would be in their favor. The ballots for supervisor being called for and counted by the board, it was ascertained that the whole number of votes cast was 31. of which Ralph Updyke, Anti-Mason, received 17, and Wm. R. Thompson, Mason, 13. Mr. Updyke cast his vote for Capt. John Durand. Christian Prussia, Anti-Mason, and David Stuker, Mason, the candidates for township clerk, received a similar vote to that recorded for the supervisor. Horace Blackman and Ezekiel T. Critehett received 14 votes each. They represented the Anti-Masonic section. Horace Blackman received no opposition in seeking the collectorship, and guardianship of the peace. Isaac Sterling, Mason, Alex. Laverty. Anti-Mason, and Isaiah Bennett, Mason, were elected highway commissioners without opposition. Lemuel Blackman, Anti-Mason was elected overseer of the poor. Wm. R. De Land and S. Stoddard, Anti-Masons, and Dr. Oliver Puss, Mason, were chosen school-commissioners. Hiram Thompson. W. R. De Land, Osgood II. Fifield. Isaac N. Swain and James Valentine, were elected school inspectors. John Durand. Martin Flint, Samuel Roberts and Timothy Williams were chosen fenee-viewers, and Martin Flint, pound-master. After establishing some municipal by-laws for the regulation of the township in regard to cattle, etc., running at large as free commoners, and in regard to fixing a bounty on wolf scalps, the meeting dispersed.

THE FIRST COUNTY ROAD.

The first road surveyed and established was one commencing at a point on Trail street near where Blackstone crosses, running north to the north line of T. 2 S., 1 W., now the town of Blackman. This road was surveyed by Jonathan F. Stratton, W. R. De'Land and Daniel L. Case, by order of J. W. Bennett and A. Laverty, Commissioners. It wascalled the Grand River road, and gave a publie and authorized highway to a number of settlers who had located along the route and commenced improvements. The

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

record of this road like all the primitive records of the township for the first three years, is not to be found.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 17

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