History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 83

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 83

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Chauncy M. Crego was born Aug. 2, 1835, in Erie county, N. Y. His father, Richard Crego, was a native of Herkimer county and emigrated to Michigan in 1835, and located 240 acres of land on sec. 11. His family consisted of S sons and 1 daughter. of which Chauncy M. was the seventh. He received his early school- ing in Columbia tp., and finished at Leoni Seminary, Jackson Co., and afterward taught school in Lenawee county for several terms. Dec. 14, 1861, he married Miss Jennie Conover, a daughter of Den- nis Conover. a farmer of Steuben county, N. Y. By this union they had 1 daughter, Nora, who died in 1864. Mrs. Crego also died July 16, 1865. In 1867 Mr. Crego again married, this time Miss Delia Wyman, daughter of Jonas Wyman, a farmer of Or- lea.is county, N. Y., his native home. He afterward came to Ing- ham county and settled near Lansing, where Delia was born. He has since moved further west, and now resides in California. Mr. Crego has 2 sons and 5 danghters-Dennis M., Walter L., Addie, May, Edith A., Maggie E., and Cora E. He has 160 acres of land on sec. 14. all under improvements, with excellent build- ings.

Hon. Anson H. De Lamater .- Probably there is not a man in Jackson county who has been more closely identified with the early history, growth and development of this, one of the best and most prolific counties in the Peninsular State, than Anson H. De Lamater. Having come to Jackson county at a time when the prairies and forests were in their primeval state, he has had an ex- perience that has justly earned him the venerable title of pioneer.

The genealogy of the De Lamater family is traceable as far back as the year 1656, to one Captain Isaac De Lamater, who belonged to the Huguenot sect and emigrated from Holland to America about that time, and settled in Ulster county, N. Y. Further down the line of descendants, history tells of one John De Lamater, who was one of the fourth generation from Captain Isaac De Lamater,

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and he married Miss Maria Kipp, she being of the fifth generation of the descendants of the historical Anneke Jans, who was a con- spicnous character in the days of the early settlement of New York city. Anson H. De Lamater was born April 13, 1811, in the town of Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y. His father, John De Lamater, was formerly a resident of Dutchess county, but moved from there to Pompey about the year 1800, where he married Miss Yoa Eaton Nov. 13, 1803. It was here that Anson received his early school- ing, and afterward finished at Cazenovia Seminary. He was at this time 16 years of age, and being possessed of an independent and enterprising spirit, sought his own support and engaged alter- nately in teaching and farming in Madison county, N. Y., until the spring of 1834, when he, with a cousin, Edward De Lamater, and their lamented friend and boyhood companion, Samnel T. Marsh, set out to seek their fame and fortunes in the then almost unbroken wilderness of the Territory of Michigan, the first objective point being Detroit. From there they wended their way into the inte- rior on foot, Indian file, following most of the time such tow-paths or Indian trails as seemed to lead to the fountain of perpetual youth and fortune, until they brought up on the north bank of Clark's lake. Following around to the opposite shore, they drove their stakes, and the wisdom of their choice is verified by the fact that these three farms, located side by side, are not only first in history, but are among the finest in point of location and quality of soil in the county. Having acquired at Cazenovia something of the the- ory of engineering and surveying, his knowledge proved of prac- tical use to himself and others in locating boundaries to their property, and in 1837 he was elected the first Surveyor of Jackson county, which responsible position he held for 12 successive years. The duties of this office in those days were arduous and attended with much responsibility, and the accuracy and dispatch with which this work was done is due to the ability, energy and pub- lic zeal of Mr. De Lamater. His popularity as a citizen and offi- cial was demonstrated in 1842, when he was chosen to represent his district in the Michigan Legislature, which he did with much satisfaction to his constituency. He was the first Supervisor of his township, and filled that position for several successive years; and as a proper recognition of his valuable services as a public official, a citizen and a pioneer, he was elected President of the Pio- neer Society of Jackson County in 1880, and re-elected in 1881. Mr. De Lamater has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Ann Alida Adams, of Lansingburg, N. Y., in 1831; nine years later she died. In 1842 he married Miss Lydia A. Parma- ter, of Steuben county, N. Y.

In personal appearance Mr. De Lamater is a little above the medium height, and stands erect. His genial countenance bespeaks the force of character and the warm and passionate heart that has made him a friend to the friendless, a father to the fatherless, and a ready helper to the poor and needy. He still occupies his homestead,

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

commandingly situated on the south bank of Clark's lake, and he lives in comparative retirement. His portrait is on page 785.

Jeremiah M. Dubois was born in Washtenaw county, in the town of Lodi, Aug. 28, 1833. His father, Jacob Dubois, was a native of Seneca county, N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1824, and settled in Lodi, on Government land. Here he remained 10 years, and then removed to Bridgewater, in 1834, and bought of the Gov- ernment 240 acres. He had 4 children-Rachel, Jeremiah, Margaret and Julia. Jeremiah received his schooling in Bridgewater tp., and in 1857 married Mary Jane Hart, danghter of Reuben Hart, of Columbia tp., and they have 6 children-Lizzie, Delmar, Myra, Lucins, Clarence and Florence. Mr. Dubois has one of the best farms in Columbia, which consists of 210 acres on sec. 33, and is kept well stocked and under a high state of cultivation.

Daniel Every is a member of one of the oldest families of Co- Inmbia tp., his father, John Every, having come to Michigan in 1835. Daniel was born in Columbia, Jan. 1, 1838. He received his schooling in district No. 4, and soon developed into a man of much energy and good business principles. Jan. 1, 1861, he mar- ried Miss Lucretia Wood, daughter of Milton Wood, a pioneer and a farmer of Napoleon tp., and there Mrs. Every was born, Jan. 4, 1843. Mr. Wood's family consisted of 7 children-Abel, Lucretia, Frank, Percy, Alvina, Henry and Orville (deceased). Mrs. Every's mother was Maria Randall, daughter of Benjamin Randall, a farmer and pioneer, who located and occupied Mr. Every's present home. Mr. Wood died Feb. 1, 1863, at the age of 52, and Mrs. Wood Dec. 19, 1878, and their remains are interred in Jefferson cemetery. Mr. Every first settled on sec. 33, but traded for the Wood homestead, where he has lived for six years. Their family consists of 6 children-Milton, Charles, Burt, Florence, Robert and Homer.

Charles B. Fish was born in Marcellus, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1809. His father, Joseph B. Fish, was an ative of Connec- tieut, a farmer by occupation, and moved to Michigan and settled in Norvell tp. in 1836. He married Cynthia Barnes, and their family consisted of 6 sons and 6 danghters. Charles B. was the first son, and received his schooling in Onondaga county, and Feb. 16, 1830, he married Miss Lurinda Bliss, and they have 5 children -Martha, Mary, Helen, Grace and John H. His second marriage took place Feb. 16, 1849. Joseph B. Fish was born in 1784, and died in Ionia county in 1862. Mrs. Fish was born in 1786, and died in the same connty in 1863.

Vernon French was born in Bristol county, Mass., in the town of Berkley, May 2, 1810. He received at the home of his youth a common-school education, and when a young man learned the carpenter's trade, at which he served three and one-half years' apprenticeship. He came to Michigan in 1839, landing at De- troit, and then pursued his way westward via the Chicago turn- pike, and settled in sec. 30, this tp., where he developed a

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productive farm. He married Bathsheba Hathaway, daughter of Joseph Hathaway, of Fall River, Mass., where Mr. French learned his trade. They have had 8 children, 6 of whom are living: Caroline, now Mrs. George Stacy, a harness-maker of Brooklyn; Belva Ann, now Mrs. Thomas Murray, a molder by trade, of Three Rivers; Cyrus V., George B. and Richmond W. Mr. and Mrs. French have 12 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

John J. Friedrich (deceased) was born Aug. 18, 1826, at Lahr, in Baden, Germany. His father, John Friedrich, was a stone- cutter by trade, who died in Germany at the age of 48, leaving a family of 1 son and 4 daughters. John J. was the second born of the family, and the only one who came to America. He emigrated in 1853. He was raised a farmer and soon found ready employ- ment on Long Island farms, and afterward came to Buffalo, thence to Michigan, and worked several farms of Columbia tp., until 1860, when he purchased 100 acres of land in sec. 14. Oct. 13, 1861, he married Miss Barbara Fender, daughter of George Fender, of Baden, Germany. She came to America the year of her marriage, leaving her parents in the old country. She died in 1878, leaving a family of 8 motherless children, viz .: Sophia M., Anna B., George J., Jennie D., Ludwich P., Emma R., Flora R. and Frederick W. Mr. Friedrich again married, Nov. 27, 1879, Christiana Holloch, widow of John Holloch, of Germany, by whom she had 3 children-Albert, Bertha and Frederick. Mrs. Friedrich's maiden name was Christiana Harer, daughter of John L. Harer, of Wittemberg, Germany, and she came to America in 1871.

Shubeal A. Fuller, of Columbia tp., was born in Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y. His father, John Fuller, was a farmer in Massachu- setts, where his parents settled in 1787, when he was but six months old, and here he was reared and educated. He was born July 14, 1788. He made his own way in the world and afterward settled in Wayne county, N. Y., where Shubeal was born, June 15, 1819. Mr. Fuller's grandfather was a shoemaker by trade, and a native of New Hampshire. At the age of 30 he moved to Massa- chusetts, where he followed his trade and farming. He was a man of much intelligence, a loyal citizen, and during the war of the Revolution was a valiant soldier, and took part in some of the hottest battles of that notable conflict. He died in Monroe county, N. Y., at the age of 63. Jolin Fuller, Jr., was the father of 14 children-9 sons and 5 daughters. All are living but 4 sons and 2 daughters. He came to Michigan in 1837, first settling in the town of Madison, Lenawee Co., where Shubeal received his education, after which he purchased the homestead which he occu- pied three years. He next engaged as traveling salesman for Needham & Co., publishers, of Buffalo, and afterward settled on his present premises in Columbia tp., one-half mile south of Brooklyn village, in 1876. Dec. 24, 1851, he married Miss Martha A. San- born, daughter of Abram Sanborn, of Hanover tp., this county,

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

and later of Montcalm county, where he died Jan. 5, 1872. Her mother's maiden name. was Saralı Dearborn, daughter of Josiah Dearborn, a farmer. Mrs. Fuller was born March 30, 1832. They have 3 children-Nellie M., John A. and Lizzie.

Lebeus Gardner, of Brooklyn village, was born in Suffolk county, Mass., town of Hingham, Oct. 31, 1829. His father, Cushing Gardner, was a cooper by trade, who also devoted a part of his life to farming pursuits. He was a New Englander by birth, and a direct descendant from " May Flower " stock. Cushing Gardner's fanily consisted of 13 children, and Lebeus was the 11th. He received his education at the village school, and at 14 years of age commenced serving an apprenticeship as shoemaker, which he fin- ished in three years. He came West in 1850, and settled first in Kalamazoo, where he remained only six months, when he came to Jackson and became overseer in the boot and shoe manufacturing department of the Michigan State's Prison one year, and then com- menced business for himself at Brooklyn, where he has since re- mained, doing a thriving business in the manufacturing line.

He married, Jan. 1, 1851, Miss Lucy A. Hunt, daughter of Josiah Hunt, of Braintree, Mass. Mr. Gardner's mother was Deborah Hathaway, daughter of Joshua Hathaway, and was born at Plymouth, Mass., June 17, 1791. He has 3 children living- Mary, Isa and Bertha. Carrie and Hattie are deceased.

George W. Greene, of Brooklyn village, is one of its most enter- prising and reliable manufacturers. He is the son of Nathaniel S. Greene, a native of Northfield, Vt., who came to Michigan in 1834, and settled at Clinton, Lenawee Co., where George W. was born March 14, 1838. Nathaniel S. Greene was a weaver and cloth- dresser by trade, but has made farming his business since he came to Michigan. George W. received his early education at Clinton, and afterward graduated at Ypsilanti Seminary under Prof. Esta- brook. He afterward learned the machinist's trade at Tecumseh, and followed the business until 1868, when lie came to Brooklyn and bought the foundry and machine shop of G. H. Felt and entered business for himself. This institution is located on Marshall street and occupies one acre of ground. The main building is 40x90 feet in size, two stories in height, and constructed of wood. The

rear is occupied by engine and boiler and moulding rooms. In the front ou first floor are located lathes, drills and other iron-work- ing machinery. The second floor is used for wood-working and finishing rooms. The machinery receives its propelling power from a 25-horse-power engine. Mr. Greene manufactures agricult- ural implements, including straw-cutters, plows, cultivators, wind- mills, and does a general repairing business, employing nine men. Mr. Greene was married Oct. 25, 1860, to Miss Mary E. Townsend, daughter of Joseph Townsend, a respected citizen and a pioneer of this tp., and they have + children-George E., Charles T., Leon S. and Clark.

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COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP.

Joseph M. Griswold, of the village of Brooklyn, is one of its citizens who has for many years devoted much of his time to the pub- lic good. Having come into the State at a time when the country had a place and a service for men of public spirit and ability, Mr. Griswold's life naturally drifted into a public channel. He was born March 28, 1828, at Fabius, Onondaga Co., N. Y. His father, the lamented Rev. Horace Griswold, was a Baptist clergyman by profession, and he is well remembered by most of the pioneers of this section as the second pastor of the First Baptist Church of Brooklyn, then Swainsville, in the years 1835-'7. Upon coming into this wilderness in the first named year he located 360 acres of land on secs. 18, 19 and 35, but died in the second year of his resi- dence here, leaving a large family and circle of friends to mourn his departure. He was succeeded in the pastorate of his church by Rev. Samuel Fulton, whose son, Rev. Justin D. Fulton, the present noted Baptist divine of New York city, was a school-mate of Joseph's, at Brooklyn, in 1837-'S. After mastering a full course of study at home, Mr. Griswold completed a conrse at Hamilton Academy, and then entered the employ of the publishing-house of the Madison Observer, at Forestville, N. Y. In 1846 he returned to Michigan and entered farming on his late father's homestead, where he gained his first actual business experience. In 1854 he purchased an interest in the Jackson Patriot, and occupied its edi- torial chair two years, and in 1856 assumed charge of the Michi- gan State Journal at Lansing, having purchased a half-interest in the same. This arrangement continned until 1858, when he pur- chased his partner's interest and continued two years more. In 1858 he was appointed Postmaster of Lansing, and served ontil 1861. At the breaking out of the Rebellion newspaper ability was in great demand, and Mr. Griswold's services were secured as war correspondent of the Chicago Times, and in that capacity accom- panied Gen. Grant from Shiloh to Vicksburg. He served the Times until 1866, when he was called to the editorial staff of the Detroit Free Press during 1866-'7. Having experienced several years of exciting public life, he retired to the home of his boy- hood nntil 1870, which year was entirely devoted to seenring sub- scriptions to the stock and right of way through Columbia tp. of the Detroit, Hillsdale & Southwestern railroad, and by contract built that portion of the road lying in Norvell and Columbia tps. to Brooklyn village, since which time he has lived in comparative retirement at his home in Brooklyn. In 1879 he was elected Su- pervisor of Columbia tp., re-elected in 1880, and in 1881 was re- turned by an overwhelming majority, running far ahead of his ticket, which is a satisfactory index to his popularity, both as a citizen and an official.

He was married in 1855 to Miss Eunice Worden, daughter of Thomas F. Worden (deceased), who was a farmer and pioneer of Columbia tp., and they have 1 daughter-Florence J.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Cornelius Hasbrouck is another one of the farmers of Columbia tp. whose father has seen early days in Michigan, and can properly claim the venerable name of pioneer, and can tell from actual ex- perience its meaning. The farm upon which Cornelius now lives was taken up by his grandfather, Cornelius Dubois, in 1834, who migrated from Ulster county, N. Y., as did his father. Cornelius, being only three years of age when the family came West, received his education in Columbia tp., attending at Jefferson village, and grew up a full-fledged farmer. Nov. 3, 1855, he married Cornelia Dingee, daughter of Jeremiah Dingee, a farmer of Ulster county, and they have 4 children-John H., Katie, Luther and Jessie.

Alden Hewitt, one of the oldest and highly respected citizens of Brooklyn village, was born Aug. 15, 1806, in Palatine, Liv- ingston Co., N. Y. Thomas Hewitt (deceased) was the father of Alden, and was one of the three brothers who emigrated from England to America when boys and settled in New London, Conn., where they remained until that town was burned by the British in Revolutionary times. Thomas then moved westward, and at the time of his death was living in the tp. of Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y. Alden was the third son. He attended school at Palatine and received a common-school education. His business experience was gained on a farm, and farming was adopted as the chosen calling of his life. He came to Michigan in 1835 and settled on Government land, on sec. 21, this tp. (then Napoleon), and secured 240 acres. In 1830 he married Julia Carey, of Madison county, N. Y., who died in 1851, leaving 7 children to mourn her loss. Five of this number are still living, viz .: Aurelia, now wife of C. S. Pratt, of Jackson city; Julietta, now Mrs. N. H. King, of Jackson; Caroline, now Mrs. J. B. Stoutenburgh, of Detroit; Kate, now Mrs. D. C. De Lamater, of Jackson, and Frederick, a resident of Kansas. Mr. Hewitt married as a second wife Miss Huldah R. Howe, daughter of Jones Howe (deceased), then a resident of Royalton, Fulton Co., Ohio, March 19, 1852. They have 4 children living- Fremont, living in Adrian, this State; Charles, living in Kansas; Corey and Grace, at home. Mr. H. has been an ambitious, active and public-spirited citizen, and in early days was the organizer and leader in the State militia, having risen through the official grades from a private to that of a Colonel. He now owns a 215-acre farm on sec. 27, Columbia tp., 114 acres in Brooklyn village. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Baptist Church, of long standing.

Byron W. Hill, one of the enterprising farmers of Columbia tp., was born Nov. 20, 1834, in the town of Ogden, Genesee Co., N. Y., where he lived until he came to Michigan, in 1858, and set- tled on his present place, which his father, Benedict, had located in 1836, after which he returned home and suddenly died the same year. Elisha, Byron's grandfather, was a general business man and a mill-owner of Steuben county, N. Y. Benedict Hill was a black- sinith by trade, which he pursued inost of his life. The farm con- sists of 120 acres, on sec. 18, and originally cost $1.50 an acre.

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Mr. Hill married Miss Mary E. Reed, daughter of James Reed, of this tp., and they have 2 children-Bertha, born June 21, 1867; Reedy, born Dec. 14, 1878.

Jonathan P. Hinshaw was born in Randolph county, N. C., July 27, 1820, son of Jesse and Eunice (Guilford) Hinshaw. Mrs. H. was a daughter of Col. Guilford, of Guilford county, N. C. Jonathan received his education in the common schools of Guil- ford county, and finished in a Quaker school of that locality, after which he pursned farming for several years. He afterward entered the jewelry trade for eight years, during a portion of which time he engaged in dentistry. In 1861 he enlisted in the 6th Indiana Infantry, and was made Orderly Sergeant, serving two years in the regulars, and was engaged in the battles of Pittsburg Landing and siege of Corinth, after which he was detailed to care for sick and wounded soldiers, and later transferred to the secret detective service for some months, and discharged in 1865. He then re- turned to Brooklyn, where he has since been engaged in dentistry. He has been twice married: in 1840 to Miss Jane Caltram, and they had 2 children- Mary L. and Elmira. His second mar- riage was to Mrs. Mary M. Rounds, and they have 1 child living- Maggie.

G. Hitt was born in Delaware county, N. Y., at Coal Center, Sept. 14, 1832. His father, Ephraim F. Hitt, a farmer and a pio- neer, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and for a time served as an Orderly for Gen- eral Washington. He was afterward appointed carrier of Govern- ment mail. Ephraim F. Hitt. in 1835, moved from Delaware county to Jackson county, and purchased of George Stranalian 50 acres of land on sec. 17, to which has been added 220 acres. Mr. Hitt received his education in the common schools of Delaware . county, and was married Oct. 6, 1858, to Miss E. M. Aulls, daughter of Wm. H. Aulls, a farmer of Bridgewater tp., Washte- naw county. They have 3 children-2 sons, Elmer G. and Frank R., and a daughter, Mary E. Mr. Hitt's farm comprises 270 acres of fine tillable soil, upon which is situated one of the finest farm houses in Jackson county. Of most loyal blood were his ancestors and he is in every essential a Union man, and is industrious and frugal.

Philip S. Howland was born in Tompkins county. N. Y., in the town of Ithaca, Ang. 11, 1824. His father, Jabez, was a farmer of Tompkins county, and died in 1830 when Philip was a small boy. It was at Ithaca that Philip received his early school training. They remained on the farm until 1837, when they sold ont and came to Michigan. The family at this time consisted of the mother, Philip, Luthern and Mehitabel, and they settled in the town of Tecumsch on a farm, the boys having become old enough to assume responsible charge of the same. At Tecumseh Philip married, Oct. 17, 1858, Miss Catharine Vest, daughter of Eli Vest, of Tecumseh, and a mason by trade. He was a native of Seneca

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county, N. Y., and was born in 1808. He died at Tecumseh in 1855, at the age of 47. In 1877 Philip moved to Jackson county, and settled in the town of Norvell, and 1879 removed to Columbia tp., and permanently settled on his present place, which consists of 80 acres on sec. 20. Mrs. Howland was born in Tecumseh, Sept. 12, 1840. Her mother, nee Eliza Wood, was a daughter of Barnabas Wood, a native of New England. She is still alive and resides at Clinton, Lenawee Co. They have 7 children-Avorice E., Jabez, Mary Bell, Grace, Philip, Hillard and Benjamin Alonzo.

A. C. Ide was born March 14, 1813, at Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y. His father, Timothy Ide, was a farmer and a native of the Green Mountain State. His mother was of Irish parentage, but American born. They moved from Washington county to Stafford, Onondaga Co., and from there to Michigan in 1838 and first settled in Ypsilanti. In 1839 they came to Manchester and farmed it there. In 1841 came to Jackson county and purchased 56 acres of A. B. Whiton. This farm is finely located, adjoining Brooklyn on the east. In 1842 he married Miss Henrietta Palmer. daughter of Capt. Stephen N. Palmer, and they had 3 children: H. G. Ide, the eldest, was born Aug. 11, 1853, and is now a graduate of the homeopathic college of Detroit, practicing with much success at Memphis, Macomb Co., this State; Etta K. was born July 11, 1856; at 21 years of age she married F. C. St. John, then living in Brooklyn, now residing in Kansas; Clarence A., deceased. Mrs. Henrietta Ide died March 8, 1861, at the age of 36. Mr. Ide again married, this time Sarah Bartlett, daughter of S. Wright Bartlett, of Brooklyn village, Sept. 24, 1862.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 83

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