History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 27

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 27

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"The neerology contains not only the names of the members of this society who have gone before us since our last meeting, but also of all persons, so far as can be ascertained, who at the time of their death were over 60 years of age, as being entitled to this record ; for if they were not pioneers themselves they have followed their children or friends, and have spent their last days in this county. I regard all such as entitled to the notice of the society ; and in this connection I wish to say that it should be a rule of the society that immediately upon the death of a member the presi- dent and secretary should be notified, and a notice at once pub- lished by them asking all members of the society who can possibly do so to attend the funeral. No member onght to be allowed to go to his final resting place without this tribute of respect being paid to his memory.

" The society is largely indebted to many outside of their or- ganization for their efforts to make this meeting successful and agreeable. This applies to many in all parts of the county who have come forward and assisted its members in every possible

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manner. The daily papers of the city, the Patriot and the Citizen, have generously granted the free use of their columns to give the action of the society the necessary publicity. The Michigan Cen- tral, its leased lines; the Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw ; and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroads have, with com- mendable liberality, given reduced fare from all points in this State on their roads. .

"To the ladies who have so kindly and so thoroughly given their invaluable aid is the gratitude of the society partienlarly due. They have proved themselves worthy wives and daughters of pioneer husbands and fathers ; the work done by them is above all praise.

"To each and all the society returns its thanks for all favors re- ceived, and gratefully acknowledge the many acts of kindness ex- tended to it in the effort made to bring together the pioneers of the county and the State."

Mrs. N. H. Pieree, of Ann Arbor. appeared on the stand, and with a elear, distinct voice read the following poem, entitled

THE BRAVE PIONEER.

" On to the West!" was the earnest cry

Of our people some fifty years ago.

The people were many, and labor was scarce,

And industry crowded onr busy marts,

And the Eastern markets were gIntted and slow.

On to the land where the forests wild

Were standing so lonely with out-stretched arms.

The lakes and rivers were broad and free,

And all untrammeled in their rush and flow,

And waiting of human nse to be;

There were plains untilled, and mills and factories unbuilt,

And thonsands of chances for hearts of steel

To come and appropriate, till and build,

And open a way for humanity's weal.

There were richest mincs all nnexplored ;

There were leagues of iron and salt and coal,

The greatest of blessings on earth to men,

And source of comfort and wealth untold ;

It only needed the stalwart arm,

The iron nerve, and the flinty will,

To push straight on, to dig and delve,

And our beautiful State with prosperity fill.

And so, on they come ! and the western trains

Of the emigrant wagons white and slow,

Were circling round hill tops or winding through plains,

Undaunted by menace of half concealed foe.

They startled the deer in their ambushes wild,

As still moving onward the invaders filed ;

Dark savages peered at the unwonted sight,

And forgot to resist or seek safety in flight ;

But a garden of sweets to the ventnrous band

Was this wild territory, so new, yet so grand.

There were acres of wild flowers of every hne; Springs, rivers, and landscapes most charming to view :

There were silvery lakelets with fine sandy beaches,

And forests of timber with broad sunny reaches ; There were plaster and lime deeply bedded in earth,

Which have borne no mean part in enhancing onr worth ;

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

There were meadows of wild grass, grapes, and wild honey,

And nothing was wanting, indeed, except money. But the millions still buried in mincs and in land,

Was now only waiting the engineer's hand

To prove ns enriched with this product unfurled. Which soon would astonish the rest of the world !

"Seekest thou, " said a voice to the brave pioneer,

" A beautiful Peninsula ? Pehold it here !"

And soon through the forest the silence he breaks

With the firm, ringing blows of the engineer's ax,

And humble log-cabins soon dotted the plains,

And the spirit of civilization now reigns.

And gardens and orchards next brighten the way,

And deep, tangled wildwood soon vanish away,

And broad fieids of grain with their tassels of gold

Soon laugh in the sunlight, a treasure unfold,

And soon did the wilderness bloom like the rose,

Prosperity followed, their spirits arose ;

All nature exulting cries out with a cheer :

" Long life and success, to the brave pioneer!"

The years have rolled on and the young head is old,

And the heart, warm and hopeful, is fast growing cold,

And the hand once so nimble has finished its toil,

For the work of the laborer in tilling the soil

Has fallen to others still younger in years,

Who walk in the wake of the old pioneer !

Now, behold what a change to the eyes of those

Who were first to lead in the onward way :

Great forests are felled and rivers are bridged,

And towns and cities now stand this day.

All over the country, like network spread,

The rail and telegraph routes now lay;

And eager and longing and wishing for more,

Our youths are still seeking our western shore;

And then, when the uttermost verge is found,

They'll on to the east and the world go round.

Now, looking back through the vanished years,

We're well repaid for our toil and pain ;

The trials are over of the pioneers,

But their grand achievements still remain ;

And better facilities none can find,

In search of improvements in morals and mind.

FURTHER EXERCISES.

Gen. J. W. Brown, of Tecumseh, a veteran of 87 years, and one of the heroes of the Black Hawk war, in which he commanded all the troops of the Northwest, was introduced and made a short speech. He recounted his personal experience as a pioneer and gave a short sketch of his early life.

The band played "Hold the Fort" and "Sweet Bye and Bye" in their best manner.

Judge Witter J. Baxter, of Jonesville, was introduced. He said he was a pioneer rather by virtue of his gray hairs than because of any pioneer work he had ever done. He said he had witnessed the development and growth of the great State of Michigan with pride, and adverted in glowing terms to its religions and moral standing, to its educational advantages, and its political rights and privileges. Ife declared that she stood among the first in the galaxy

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

of States; and in the course of his remarks made eulogistic allusions to the nation at large. IIe retired amid enthusiastic applause.

B. F. Eggleston, of this city, followed with the ballad, "Forty Years Ago," which he sang in the happiest manner, and was re- warded by the attention and the applause of the assembly.

Harrington Hendee, of Blackman, read a poem, which we regret we have not space to reproduce.

Hon. Jonathan M. Shearer, of Wayne, was introduced. He is a genuine gentleman of the old school, and wore his silver hair in a cluster of curls behind, tied with a black ribbon. His speech, which was extemporaneous, was appropriate to the occasion and well re- ceived. At the close he sang a song entitled "The Down Hill of Life," with a great spirit. His age is 58 years. His aged but ex- cellent wife was also on the ground. They have been residents of the county for 50 years.

F. A. Dewey, President of the Lenawee Pioneer Society, was presented and made a brief speech. Mr. D., who is 68 years of age, was a drum major under General Brown in the Black Hawk war. He has lived in Lenawee county 50 years, and judging from his appearance has a quarter of a century's lease of life before him.

Eugene Pringle, of this city, made a most eloquent address in which he urged the necessity of preserving the local history of this county and of all the counties of the State. He said those who were to come after us would not understand the philosophy by which the civilization they will inherit was molded unless they were made cognizant of the early history of the country. He said the prosperity we enjoyed received impetus from the pioneers who braved every danger and laid the foundations here for thousands of pleasant and happy homes.

H. Bishop, of Kalamazoo, read a paper nrging the advisability of preserving all attainable records of the hardy pioneers who came to Michigan when it was a wilderness and made it bloom with widespread fruitful fields.

After music by the band, the danghter of Mrs. M. W. Clapp, read a succinct history of the latter's pioneer life. In 1837 her husband bought three-eighties in Hanover township, upon which she has ever since resided. Her age is 75 years.

Henry Little, of Kalamazoo, a hale and hearty man of 83 years, read an address entitled "Jacksonburgh and Jackson County, in 1831 and 1879." We regret that we are prevented for want of space from printing it. Mr. L. made a point by the assertion that "Michigan has better laws and more of them than any other State."

Dr. Robinson read a poem abounding in local allusions and pleasant personal references which was exceedingly well received. We regret that the length of our report prevents our presenting extracts from it. Hon. James C. Wood made the closing address which was made up of anecdote and personal recollection.

The following resolution presented by Morgan Case passed unan- imously:

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Resolved, That the thanks of this city be and they are hereby tendered to the ladies for the bounteous banquet which they have prepared here to-day; and for the ornamenting of the hall, and their kind and successful efforts in entertaining the society and its friends.

The recognition of the service rendered by the ladies was merited and fully deserved. They labored hard to make the oceasion what it was-a big success-and all united in according them the praise to which they were entitled.

EARNED HONORS.

The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the settlement of Jacksonburgh township, was also made the occasion of memorial- izing the settlement of the Fifield and Stevens families therein. Messrs. Fifield and Stevens left the township of Salisbury, Merri- mac Co., N. H., on the 6th day of October, 1830. The western bound party consisted of Enoch Fifield, James Fifield and wife. Osgood H. Fifield and wife, John S. Fifield, George W. Fifield, William P. Fifield, Edward Morrill, John Stevens and Benjamin Wilson. They arrived in Jacksonburgh on the 22d day ot Octo- ber, 1830, and put up at the log tavern then kept by Thompson, and had the privilege of sleeping upon a rail floor; not a board was used in building the house, even the doors were made of rails. Enoch Fifield and Edward Morrill returned East the same fall. The remaining nine of this company. together with the Pease family, numbering eight, making a party of 17, win- tered in this township in 1830-'31, they being the first white people that ever wintered in this township outside of Jacksonburgh. George Fifield and John Stevens are the only two now living of the 17 that settled here in 1830 and of the little party of 11 that left Salisbury, N. H., on the 6th of October, 1830.

At this meeting, June 18, 1879, were present Mrs. A. L. Bolton, a lady aged 70 years, who, with her family, was the first settler in Napoleon, where she lived 48 years. Subsequently, the same year, Morgan Case with his wife settled here also. Senator Hodges, who lived in Pulaski and Concord for a time of 43 years, was present. Melvin McGee, who came into the county in 1832, when 14 years old. and a resident for 47 years, was also present. Mr. Tripp, of Hanover, although 58 years of age, was pres- ent and seemed in the prime of life. This settler has resided on the old homestead 47 years. He came to Hanover in 1832, with his father, Abel Tripp, who located the first farm in that town- ship. John Curtis, aged 79, who came to Jackson in 1837, was also present.

The secretary of the Pioneer Society reported a membership of 304 men and 30 ladies. The oldest member is Allen Green, of Napoleon, born in 1789. His wife was born in 1801, and they were united in marriage in 1821. The next oldest member is John O'Dell, 88 years of age, who settled in Grass Lake in 1835.

yours Truly P.V.Carmen

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

The following list of pioneers who have died in Hanover since 1874 was presented to the president of the County Society : John Cobb, died Jan. 16, 1875. He was a native of Massachusetts, and settled in Hanover in 1834. Mrs. Densmore died Jan. 18, 1875. She was a native of Maine, and settled in Hanover with her hus- band, Abiel Densmore, in 1839. Orren D. Thompson died April 11, 1877. Mr. Thompson was a native of Connecticut and settled in Hanover in 1836. J. L. Hutchins died Ang. 16, 1877. He for- merly lived in Spring Arbor, but for quite a number of years pre- vious to his death had lived in Hanover. Paul Spink died Oct. 22, 1877. Mr. Spink was a native of New York, and lived in Concord until 1840. Mrs. Nathan Shaw was a native of New York, and settled in the town of Hanover, with her husband, in 1840. J. L. Rowe, a native of New York, settled in Michigan in 1835, and died in Hanover Oct. 16, 1878, nearly 86 years old. Mrs. John L. Rowe died in Hanover village June 15, 1875. She was a native of Vermont. Jefferson Drake died Feb. 16. 1879. He was born in New Hampshire. Mrs. Hannah Burdick died Dec. 31. 1879. She was a native of Rhode Island.

THE SIXTH MEETING

was held Feb. 21, 1880. Col Shoemaker and Hon. David John- son addressed the members present and were emphatic in their advoeaey of preserving a full record of the county. The speakers having coneluded, the choice of officers was made. HI. H. Bing- ham, the indefatigable secretary of the society, was elected presi- dent; B. F. Eggleston, secretary, and P. B. Loomis, treasurer. The vice-presidents chosen to represent the townships were : George Langdon, Springport; Thomas J. Stimson, Parma; Michael Dwelle, Grass Lake; John C. Covert, Napoleon; Jared L. Rich- ardson, Sandstone; Richard Townley. Tompkins; John R. Poole, Błaekman; Moses Tutthill, Liberty; Ira C. Wyllis, Pulaski; George Hateh, Spring Arbor; William Clapp, Hanover; Patriek Hankard, Henrietta: Richard Briggs, Concord: A. H. De Lamater, Columbia; Z. M. Barber, Leoni; Peter Knauff, Waterloo; Charles A. Brown, Norvell; Wm. Root, Summit: R. H. Anderson, Rives; Moses A. McNaughton, 1st and 2d wards; James (. Wood, 3d and 4th wards; S. O. Knapp, 5th and 6th wards; Engene Pringle, 7th and Sth wards, Jackson.

The president's valedictory, contained in his address to the pio- neers, was as follows:

" To the Pioneers of' Jackson County :- The winter meeting of the society is held for the election of officers; to hear the report of its vice-presidents, who each constitutes a memorial committee for the township which he represents, and whose duty it is to report the death of all members of this society, and also of any other pioneers, which have occurred in his township during his term of office; the arrangements for a summer picnic meeting or meetings, and the transaction of such other business as the society may think proper.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

"I would respectfully urge that vice-presidents, in the future, be instructed to give special attention to the memorial reports, and requested to give, with the date of the death of each pioneer, the time and place of birth, the date of settlement within the county, with a brief sketch of his or her life; these reports to be made annually, at the winter meeting of the society.

" The constitution of the society provides that there shall be two meetings of its members and other pioneers, one Feb. 22, and the other on the third Saturday in August. It has been found more pleasant to hold the summer meeting in June, rather than in August, it but one meeting is held in the summer months. It is desirable that the practice of the society should correspond with the requirements of its constitution, and I would recommend a revision of its provisions, not only as to the times of holding, but also as to the number of its meetings. In Washburn county the Pioneer Society meets four times a year, and at four different places in the county. I am decidedly of the opinion that it would promote the interests of the society if at least one picnic meeting each year should he held at some place other than Jackson, alter- nating each year, so that all parts of the county would have the ad- vantage of its proximity. There are many aged pioneers in the county who, if such a provision should be adopted and carried into effect, would be able to attend our meetings, but who now, from the distance they are obliged to travel, are precluded from doing so. A change of place of holding our meetings would also add to their novelty and interest. It would, I think, enable us to obtain more pioneer history than we can by holding our meetings at Jackson or any one place.

"Those who attended the picnic last June will always look back to it as one of the most pleasant gatherings it was ever their good fortune to attend. It is to be hoped that these meetings will be no less interesting in the future. This can, I think, be better assured by holding them at different points in the county, as each section will endeavor to make its meeting as pleasant as that of any other. I am assured that in Washtenaw and other counties this practice has had, in every respect, a most happy effect.

" In taking my leave of this society, as its president, as I shall at the close of this meeting, I wish to say that my interest in all the subjects connected with its organization has increased with the time I have been connected with it, and I return to the society my most sincere thanks for the honor they have so kindly and for so long a time conferred upon me. My interest in the society will be none the less than heretofore, and I have no doubt but my associ- ation with it will be the source of as much pleasure in the future as in the past."

SEVENTH MEETING, JUNE, 1880.

The summer meeting of 1880 was one of the most pleasant re- unions of the Jackson Pioneer Society. Everything that possibly

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

could be done to render the occasion one of pure enjoyment was done, so that the pioneers who attended were treated to a mental and corporeal feast.

The addresses of Hon. H. H. Bingham, President; Hon. Eugene Pringle, Hon. II. C. Hodge, and the sketches of the early settle- ment of Tompkins, by Mr. Richard Townley, and of Norvell, by .Mrs. S. W. Palmer, were carefully prepared and rendered excel- lently. The addresses follow in this chapter, while the sketches will claim a place in that section of the work given to reminiscences of the pioneers.

ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT BINGIIAM.

"Pioneers of Jackson County, Ladies and Gentlemen:

"On life's journey we have been carried forward another year since our last social gathering in this beautiful park. Since then some of our comrades have gone down the slope, and have crossed the river to the other side, joining their associates who have pre- ceded them. Like ripened sheaves for the harvest they have filled the measure of their days, and in our sorrow for their loss, and while holding their memory dear, we still feel and believe that they have reached a haven of rest.

" But the year has brought with it much tor gratitude and thank- fulness. The husbandman has been blest with bountiful harvests, no blighting dronth or devastating storms have reached us, and we have been visited with no fatal epidemies bringing sorrow to onr households. A mild winter so appreciated by those whose life's blood is flowing slowly, a genial spring with all its beauty and freshness, and the early summer giving promise again of plentiful fruits and abundant harvests, these are among the blessings vouchsafed us by a kind Providence, and filling our hearts to over- flowing with gratitude, and to-day, under a genial sun and sum- mer sky, we have assembled here to greet each other, and renew old-time acquaintance, going over again the hardships and priva- tions of pioneer life, but enjoying now the full fruition of most of our highest hopes and anticipations, reaping a rich reward for enterprise, industry and thoughtful care for the future.

" A few years onward, and after a few more annual rennions, we shall leave this beautiful heritage to our children and our children's children, giving them an example and a history that they can ever refer to with pride and gratification, representing their ancestry, not in every sense perfect, but possessed of sterling integrity and guided by a wise foresight for those that were to fol- low them. As an evidence, we have only to look over our country, with its highly cultivated farms, provided with capacious barns and orchards, and commodious dwellings filled with every convenience and adorned with works of art; at our school-houses and churches; at our villages and our Central City, with its busy streets. mannfactories and public institutions, all giving proof of

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

thrift and energy, and a wisdom in designing and planning rarely equaled in the history of our country.

"We greet you to-day, not as pioneers coming to this unbroken wilderness solely to improve its forests, hills, and plains, with the exclusive idea of greed and gain, but to build up homes with happy surroundings, and to establish and maintain those higher institutions molding and guiding in morality and intelligence.

" Forty-four years ago the speaker came into the State. The tide of emigration was then at its height, and the long trains of emigrant wagons was a noted feature of the day. Those trains, bringing hither a race of men who were strong in nerve and muscle, in will and energy, and a race of women, too, noted for their fortitude in enduring privations, and cheerfully adapting themselves to their circumstances, and taxing every effort to make the new homes pleasant and enjoyable.

" We may be pardoned some egotism in writing up our history, though we ean but be entitled to a large credit for what has been accomplished in our generation.

"Forty to fifty years have transpired since the first considerable settlement in the county. We were younger then than now, and notwithstanding that gray hairs are conspicuous, we may be thank- ful that we are yet so hale and are still possessed of so much that is enjoyable in life.

"Let the day, then, be a stopping place, a way station in which we can put away the cares, and stop the unceasing toil, and do ourselves the pleasure of once more meeting, and ocenpy a little time in calling up reminiscences and memories of the past, and making history that shall hereafter be read with pleasure and profit.

" And in referring to this history, may our children be filled with pride of birthplace and ancestry, of our State and country, and be thereby imbued with ambition and energy in making noble efforts to raise the scale of manhood in everything great and good.

"We take pleasure in greeting all those who have responded to our invitation, and have met with us. We hope they will carry away the impression that they have been received with a cordiality that comes from the heart. And so, after enjoying the festivities of this social reunion, and we shall have returned to our homes, may the recollections of the day be dwelt upon as one of the cheering incidents in which it has been our fortune to participate."

The following letters were read and placed on the records of the society :

Hon. H. II. Bingham :

DEAR SIR :- Your polite invitation to attend a pioneer meeting at Jackson, on the twenty-third instant, found me on a bed of sickness, and although I am recover- ing, I have not yet been able to leave my room. In 1834 the entire population of your county was thirteen hundred and sixty-five, less than one of the wards of your growing city at this time. Many of these have gone, and with them very much authentic history which can never be recovered. Many, I hope, are still alive, and are the possessors of historic facts, which, to the coming generation at least, will be

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of priceless value-Gather them up-gather them up! With my kindest regards to all " old pioneers," I am truly yours, etc.

O. C. COMATOOK.

Marshall, June 20, 1880.

DETROIT, June 17, 1880. H. II. Bingham, Esq., President Jackson County Pioneer Society :

DEAR SIR :- Your card of invitation to attend your meeting on the twenty-third instant is at hand. It would give me great pleasure to meet you again, for the rec- ollection of my meeting with you a few years ago is a most pleasant one. I do not think I shall be able to attend now, and for want of something better I send you a copy of the fifth edition of my poetical works, which I wish you to present at your meeting to the oldest pioneer of Jackson county. Wishing long life and health and happiness to all the pioneers, I remain,

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 27

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