History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 88

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 88

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Dolu Balde

841

CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

1856; there were 2 daughters; of the 5 children there are 3 living -- Mary H., Sarah L. and Hattie P.

J. Blake Stoddard was born in this county May 17, 1838, son of Samson and Maria (Blake) Stoddard, natives of New York, the former of English, and the latter of Scotch and English ances- try. Dr. Stoddard, the father of J. B., came to this county in 1830, and settled in what is now the city of Jackson. In 1836 he moved to his farm in Concord tp., where the subject of this sketch was born; he attended the district schools of the county until he was 19 years old, then he went to Albion and attended the college two years; in 1860 took charge of his father's farm, and in 1861 he enlisted in the 6th Mich. Vol. Int., Co. I, as 4th Sergeant. He was at the taking of New Orleans; was wounded at Baton Rouge, Aug. 5, 1862, receiving four gunshot wounds in his legs; said wounds have always troubled him, having to bandage them until the present time. He was sent to the hospital at New Orleans, where he remained until November, 1862, when he was discharged. In the spring of 1863 he took charge of the old homestead, which he has conducted ever since. Sept. 26, 1865, he was married to Miss E. A. Ray, daughter of Mark L. and Elvira J. (IIartson) Ray, and they have 1 girl-Rena E., born Nov. 1, 1867. In 1862 he moved from the farm to the village of Concord, and engaged in the mer- cantile business until 1877, when he sold to his brother, who still carries on the business. In politics Mr. S. is a Republican; took the census of Concord tp. in 1880.

Albert H. Tucker, dealer in agricultural implements and prod- uce; P. O., Concord; was born in Essex county, N. Y., June 7, 1831, son of Calvin and Nancy (Thayer) Tucker, the former a native of Vermont, and of English ancestry. He came to this connty in 1859, and settled in Concord and engaged as salesman for Dodge & Whitman until 1864, when Mr. Whitman bought out Mr. Dodge and took Mr. Tucker as partner. In 1867 Mr. Tucker sold to Whitman, and bought out Mr. Olmsted, who was with Mr. Dodge; in 1871 he sold to Dodge, and went into the prodnee and lumber business; in 1873 he bought a stock of drugs and groceries of Mr. Morrill, and carried on the businessinntil 1876, when he sold out and went into the produce and agricultural trade with his brother, which business they still continue. He was married July 26,1857, to Sarah H.Bigelow, daughter of Jacob A. and Lonisa (Put- man) Bigelow; of their 5 children, 4 are living, viz .: Frank H., born Nov. 3, 1861, died Sept. 18, 1864: Mary H., born Oct. 27, 1865; James A., born Aug. 10, 1868; Rebecca G., born Nov. 4, 1870; Abram K., born May 18, 1874.

Andrew J. Van Wormer, farmer; P. O., Albion; was born in Allegany county, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1831, son of Jeremiah and Eunice (Wattles) Van Wormer, the former a native of New Hamp- shire, of Holland ancestry, and the latter of Massachusetts, of French ancestry. He was brought to this county by his parents, in 1835, and settled on sec. 17, Concord tp., where his father died 50

842

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Dec. 5, 1851. Andrew still owns the homestead. He was mar- ried Feb. 13, 1853, to Emily M. Gregory, daughter of. Noah and Lucinda (Hacket) Gregory, The result of this union was 6 children, of whom 4 are living. He owns a farm of 185 acres and a fraction, worth $75 per acre; he has buildings to the amount of about $4, 500. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and has been their local preacher for the last four years. Previous to that he had held several offices in the Church, and last fall was elected Superintendent of the Sunday-school.

Uriah Wade (deceased) was born in Massachusetts July 31, 1796; was taken by his parents to New York State in 1800, where he remained until 1835, then came to this county, and bought SO acres on sec. 33, Concord tp. In the spring of 1836 he moved upon the place, where his wife died the same year. He was married again, March 5, 1838, to Mary Gates, daughter of Asa and Mary (Robinson) Gates. Mr. Gates died Oct. 11, 1871, and his wife Nov. 14, 1879, leaving a family of 10 children. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics a Republican. Mr. Wade gave liberally to the railroad, and also gave the right of way through his place. Oct. 6, 1871, as he was crossing the railroad track, with his team, the engine struck the wagon and threw him out and injured him, so that he died five days afterward.

Casinnis Young, Jr., farmer; P. O., Concord; was born in this county May 21, 1843, son of Casinnis and Elizabeth (Young) Young, and of German ancestry. He was married Dec. 3, 1868, to Mary E. Rodenbach, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Webber) Rodenbach. The result of this union was 1 child, Franklin C., born Nov. 13, 1870. The father of the subject of this sketch came to this county in 1836, and settled on sec. 20, Concord tp., where the son now resides. He bought 80 acres of land, for which he paid $4 per acre; said land is now worth $85 per acre.

GRASS LAKE TOWNSHIP.

The enactment of the Territorial Council, approved June 29, 1832, erected the district now known as Grass Lake into a town- ship. It comprised all that part of Jackson county lying east of the principal meridian, and comprised, in surveyed townships, 1, 2, 3 and 4 south, in ranges 1 and 2 east. The district so laid off was named Grass Lake, and the first township meeting ordered to be held at the house of Ethan Allen. For some reason this meeting was held in the dwelling of Daniel Walker, when Ralph Updike was elected supervisor to the court at Ann Arbor; Daniel Walker, township clerk; and Joab Page, justice of the peace.

Zerah Boynton, one of the earliest settlers of Grass Lake, thus deals concisely with the history of the town:

Grass Lake was first settled in the spring of 1829, by a squatter named David Sterling, who resided in his Ione cabin one and one- half miles west of the location of the present village. In the fall of the same year he was followed by a party from Niagara county, N. Y., comprising George C. Pease and his son, Win. H. Pease and David Thayer, a cousin to Wm. H. Pease. In 1830 Daniel Walker arrived from Vermont. Mr. Walker was appointed post- master in 1831. Ralph Updike, John Ritchie and others settled here in 1831, so that the settlement filled up very rapidly, and in 1834-'5 nearly all the Government land was located. The first settlers of Grass Lake were mostly from New York, and a few from the New England States, -very moral, intelligent, industrious people.

THE FIRST SCHOOL.

The education of their children was not forgotten. Schools were soon organized in different parts of the town. The people of Grass Lake felt a deep interest in the education of their sons and daughters, so much so that they saw the necessity for a better grade of study than was then to be found in the common school. In 1838 they opened an academy in the Congregational church, - a school of high order, which was an honor to the town. The first school-house was built of logs in 1834, between the site of the present village and Sterling's log cabin. With this school the people were evidently dissatisfied, because, as has been stated, they determined to withdraw their children, and in 1838 established its successor, under the pretentious name, "The Academy."

COMMERCIAL AND OTHER BUILDINGS.

Ralph Updike built the first saw-mill, and also the first store. The latter was occupied by John M. Whitwell in 1834. The first

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844

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

hotel was erected in the summer of 1834, by James Fankner, and opened the same season. The houses of Geo. Watkins and Joab Page were opened for public entertainment in the spring of 1835. The house of Joab Page was first built of logs, and afterward an addition was made to it of frame work. This inn stood near the center of the village, as now known, and was for years cele- brated throughout the Territory as the Grass Lake House.

THE CHURCHES.

There was quite a religions element among the people; no less than three Churches were organized at that early day, namely: the Methodist, in 1832; the Baptist, in 1835; and the Presbyterian, in 1836, the latter of which was shortly afterward changed to the Congregational. All the societies soon built churches, locating them at Grass Lake city, a little east of the present village.

THE SECOND COLONY

comprised James Fish, George Denmark, Elias Keyes, David Striker, Squire and Job Rice, James Courrier, Stephen Watkins, Jeremiah and Zerah Boynton, Abe Thirby, Samuel Updike, L. Warren, David Durand and Hiram Gardner.

OTHER MATTERS.

In 1842 the Michigan Central railroad was completed through town to Jackson, and its depot established where the village now stands. Notwithstanding the thriving business which was trans- acted in the old town, trade flowed toward this depot, so that within a brief period it became the center of a new village.

Somewhere about 1844-'5 Dan Larzelere erected a flouring-mill, in which the steam engine was introduced. .

The first wheat raised in the district was that grown on the clearance of David Sterling, the earliest settler of Grass Lake.

The first township meeting was held in a log house, the dwelling of Daniel Walker, in the spring of 1832. Ralph Updike was elected supervisor; Daniel Walker, clerk; and Joab Page, justice of the peace. The township was created within its present limits, by act of the Legislative Council, in 1835-'6.

Grass Lake is situated on the M. C. R. R., 10 miles east of Jack- son, and 66 west of Detroit. The village was named after the beautiful sheet of water forming its northern boundary, and this lake was called Grass lake on account of its being almost covered with a luxuriant wild grass. If tradition informs us correctly, the lake derives its name from the expression of a little immigrant girl when riding by it. Beholding the grass in the lake, she ex- claimed, "Oh, what a grassy lake !" The town is generally level, and the soil well adapted to all the purposes of agri-

845

GRASS LAKE TOWNSHIP.

culture, being a warm, sandy loam of a most productive character. The timber is principally oak, hickory and tamarack.

The Indians were plenty here until 1839, when they were re- moved to a reservation in Iowa, and subsequently into Kansas. A company of militia was organized at an early date, and when Gov- ernor Mason called on the people to organize, to defend their ter- ritory from the invasion of the " Buckeyes, " in the far-famed "Toledo war, " they weut to the front. It is needless to say that they all returned without the smell of powder passing over them.

There are two postoffices in the town at the present day, one at Grass Lake village, the other at Franciscoville, a station on the Michigan Central railroad, in the eastern part of the town. It has several stores, a church, and some very fine residences.

Rev. E. H. Pilcher, a Methodist clergyman, while on his circuit from Ann Arbor to Jackson, preached here once in three or four weeks. His first sermon, and the first in the town, was preached in a log dwelling owned by Geo. C. Pease, sitnated about one and a half miles from the center of the present village. Since that time the congregations throughout the township have erected stately edifices devoted to the worship of God.

The Baptist churches of the township are stately buildings, and the members of that communion rank among the most influential citizens of the township.

The Grass Lake Congregational Church was organized, with a Presbyterian form of government, Dec. 16, 1835, with 27 mem- bers, by Rev. Charles G. Clark and Henry Root; a frame church was erected. Rev. John M. Ellis was its pastor from its organiza- tion until the spring of 1839, when the ill health of his family com- pelled his removal. To him in the fall of the same year succeeded, as stated supply, Rev. L. M. S. Smith, from October, 1839, to April, 1842. His successor was Rev. Thomas Jones, in May, 1842, under whom, June 3, in the same year, the government of the Church was changed to the Congregational form. Mr. Jones' ministry con- tinued for about six years. Rev. D. M. Bardwell succeeded him as a stated supply in the year 1848, for a year or two, and after him came Rev. John Patchin, during whose ministry the new church was built and dedicated, Rev. James A. Hawley, of Jackson, preaching the dedication sermon. Mr. Patchin was installed pas- tor of the Church in October, 1853, and at his own request was dismissed in the autumn of 1853. In January, 1856, a call was ex- tended to Rev. Wm. E. Catlin, to become their minister. The call was accepted, and he entered upon his labors, and continned with the Church in the discharge of ministerial duties for two years.

In February, 1855, Rev. Alanson Alvord was employed by the society as stated supply for one year.

In April, 1859, Rev. E. W. Borden was invited to preach for a given time. At the expiration of six months, being requested by vote of the society, he consented to continue his ministry through another year, as stated supply, and labored with the Church until

846

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

1861. For more than a year from this the Church was without reg- ular preaching.

In March, 1862, Rev. M. R. Gelston commenced, and continued until 1863. In October following Rev. Henry Bates accepted a call to the pastorate, and after a ministry of three years closed his labors December 39, 1866. During the next two years the pulpit was mostly unsupplied.

Rev. S. S. Hyde was employed in January, 1868, and continued until the following October. He was followed by Rev. Thomas Towler, who remained with the Church from May, 1869, to May, 1871.

The Church extended a call to Rev. George Williams, December, 1871, which he accepted, and remained with the Church three years. During his ministry the present church edifice was commenced, and dedicated during the ministry of Rev. L. R. Royce, who com- menced May 1, 1874, and closed 1875.

The next June the Church extended a call to Rev. F. W. Dickin- son, who commenced labors Aug. 1, 1875, subsequently to Rev. W. G. Roberts, and again to Rev. Mr. Patchin, the present pastor.

The society first met for worship in a log school-house west of the present village, and there gathered its first Sabbath-school.

In 1836 the first frame meeting-house was built at what is known as the Center, where it was expected would be the village of Grass Lake. This building cost $500, and was for that time a goodly house, capable of seating 150 persons. There was no formal dedication, but the house was occupied for worship in January, 1837, and was free from debt. After the society was through with it, it was sold to Deacon Adams, who used it as a barn.

But Grass Lake village went westward to its present situation for railroad conveniences, and when, in 1852, it became necessary to have a new church building, the society followed the village, and built on Church street a more commodious edifice, costing $2,500. This house was in size 40x60, and would accommodate about 300 persons. In 1852 the dedication sermon was preached by Rev. A. Hawley, of Jackson. After the dedication a debt of $300 was met by a sale of the slips. The church was furnished with a bell cost- ing $300, which is now in the Congregational meeting-house at Michigan Center. This building and lot are at present the prop- erty of the society.

The corner-stone of the present church building was laid with appropriate ceremonies Ang. 2, 1873. The building was ready for nse, including all its furniture and adornments, and was dedi- cated Oct. 29, 1874, by Dr. Eddy, of Detroit, assisted by Rev. Moses Smith, of Jackson. It cost $11,000, and has 450 sittings, and a debt of $500. It is 40x68 in size. It is furnished with a bell, and modern conveniences.

A meeting of pioneers was held at the residence of James Welch, Grass Lake, Christmas evening, 1873, at which the following named old settlers were present :- James Welch came to Michigan in 1824;

847

GRASS LAKE TOWNSIIIP.

William Birch, in 1837; Abraham Sidmore, in 1836; E. Taylor, in 1836; B. Cook, in 1837; P. M. Shearer, in 1844; A. Updike, in 1827; Jackson Simpson, in 1835; Milo K. Craft, in 1849; Chester Dn Bois, in 1848; F. Boynton, Peter Smith, 1830; Joseph Taylor, 1840; Samuel Updike, 1835; D. D. Eddy, 1862; J. W. Taylor, 1839, and S. S. Welch, 1834.

The elections of 1880 in the township were characterized by a party earnestness, and yet carried out in a spirit of friendliness. The following is the result :- Electors-Hancock, 193; Garfield, 260; Weaver, 32. Governor-Jerome, 258; Holloway, 191; Woodman, 33. Congress -- Lacey, 262; Pringle, 159; Hodge, 61. Senator -- Goodwin, 262; Wilson, 192; Palmer, 29. Sheriff- Lockwood, 247; Winney, 126; Terry, 26. Judge of Probate- Gould, 259; Powell; 186; Anderson, 38. Prosecuting Attorney- Sharp, 254; Barkworth, 143; Hewlett, 85. Representative -- Yar- rington, 256; Bunker, 207.

GRASS LAKE VILLAGE

first started up as a village in 1842, at the time of the completion of the railroad. There are now two hotels, four dry- goods stores, two hardware and two drug stores, two millinery establishments, a grocery and four saloons; three churches, Baptist, Methodist and Congregational, all of which have good houses, two of which were erected quite recently. The school building was erected in 1863, is well adapted to school purposes, and is in every sense a very fine building. Grass Lake has about a thousand inhabitants. The mineral water-cure that has lately been established in the eastern part of the village is proving quite an attraction to people from abroad, who are flocking into the town from all sides, for the pur- pose of trying the benefit of its waters. The lake, from which both village and town are named, is a beautiful sheet of water in the north of the village, and is quite a resort in summer for sailing parties.

The town hall is 36 feet wide by 80 long, and 20 high. There is a double door and two large windows in front, three windows on each side, and a double window in the rear. Inside the door is a hall-way 10x12 feet, leading into the main hall. On each side of this hall-way is a room 12 feet square".o be used as township offices, over which a gallery extends 12x36 feet. The main hall is 36x52 feet. A stage is erected in the rear 16x36 feet, with basement un- derneath for dressing-rooms. The stage is three and a half feet high, has a frontage of 18 feet, leaving nine feet on each side for scenery rooms. The basement has a door on each side, and two windows in the rear. The building is covered by a half-pitch shingle roof. This building is a better hall than any other town in the State no larger than Grass Lake can boast of being, and one which the taxpayers of the township will not regret having helped to build.

848

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

C. Calley, of Grass Lake, erected in January, 1880, a furniture factory, which he expects to have in operation early in the season. The building is enclosed, and the boiler and engine have just been put in place, as have been also other portions of the ma- chinery. The establishment will give employment to quite a num- ber of workmen.

The artesian well at Grass Lake, on which work began in the fall of 1879, after having reached a depth of 125 feet, was abandoned. Sixty feet of this distance was drilled through solid rock, and while the water does not flow, it rises to within eight feet of the top. The drill which was broken off in the well, together with a portion of the shaft to which it was attached, after several days' effort was secured and withdrawn.

The stores of the village, its few manufactures, are all conducted on first-class business principles. In the personal sketches the principal merchants, manufacturers and professional men of the town and township will be duly noticed, and the industries which they aided in building up reviewed.

Zion Lodge, No. 115, I. O. O. F., was organized Feb. 18, 1868, with O. F. Pease, J. H. Jenks, H. B. Hale, H. H. Capron, J. Conklin, D. M. Price and C. B. Royen as charter members; and as officers: O. F. Pease, N. G .; J. H. Jenks, V. G .; A. Shelly, R. S .; C. H. Gates, P. S., and H. B. Hale, Treas. The Past Grands have been: O. F. Pease, J. H. Jenks, C. H. Gates, Jno. Malnight, I. H. Remington, Abram Shelly, HI. H. Capron, C. F. Weiser, T. J. Bowen, J. G. Clark, D. B. Walker, Henry Giltner, O. D. Vandeboget, John Askew, W. H. Deavenport, H. C. Palmer, A. S. Grosvenor, and Wm. M. Giltner. The present officers are: Edward Ritter, N. G .; Abel Baldwin, V. G .; D. B. Walker, R. & P. S., and A. Grosvenor, Treas.

Lake Encampment, No. 8, was instituted Jan. 28, 1880, with A. Shelly, D. B. Walker, John Malnight, Henry Giltner, James G. Clark, Abel Baldwin and J. H. Jenks as charter members. First officers: John Malnight, C. P .; A. Shelly, H. P .; Abel Baldwin, S. W .; II. Giltner, J. W .; D. B. Walker, Scribe and P. S., and J. G. Clark, Treas. Present officers: D. B. Walker, C. P .; Abel Baldwin, H. P .; A. Shelly, S. W .; H. Giltner, J. W .; Wm. M. Giltner, Scribe and P. S., and A. Grosvenor, Treas.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

By way of continuation of the history of Grass Lake township and village, we here append personal sketches of many of the more prominent early settlers and other citizens.

Mrs. Olivia M. Adams was born April 23, 1815, in Worcester county, Mass .; her father was Jonathan B. Keith, and mother, Sarah (Page) Keith. She received her education in the common schools of the district, and graduated at one of the select schools; she taught during four terms. She married Edwin Adams Nov.

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GRASS LAKE TOWNSHIP.

4, 1839, who was born in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have had 5 children, 2 of whom are living-Ada E. S., who was born Sept. 8, 1842, now Mrs. M. E. Dawson, of Ottawa, Kansas; and B. K., born Feb. 24, 1847, now living at Toledo, Ohio. Immediately af- ter marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Adams traveled West and settled ultimately on the South Plains near Grass Lake. Their lands were entered in 1834 by Mr. Adams, who, with his brother, was the first to drive a team over the road running north and south through that section. He was a charter member of the Congre- gational Church, was Clerk, and filled many important offices in the Church and municipality up to the period of his death in 1866. Mrs. A. has done much in the interest of society, and won the re- spect of all with whom she has become acquainted.

Samuel Adams was born in Monroe county, Mich., March 10. 1814, and is the eldest son of John and Patience (Harrington) Adams, of New York, both of English ancestry. He attended the common schools in Monroe county until about 15 years of age. His mother moved to Grass Lake about 1830, and located upon the site of the present home, followed by Samuel in 1833. He re- sided with his mother until going to Boone county, Ill., in 1842, where he entered 160 acres of land, intending to locate there. Upon the death of his stepfather, Adam Overrocker, in 1842, he returned to the old homestead and took charge of the farm, and assumed the responsibilities of the family until the death of his mother, which occurred Ang. 29, 1871. She was an early settler of Grass Lake tp., and was the mother of 1 daughter, now Mrs. Ann Davidson, of Grass Lake. After his mother's death, Mr. Adams continued to conduct the farm with hired help, where he has since resided. He moved from a log house into his present residence about 1860, and owns 80 acres of land well improved.

Geo. W. Bowen was born Oct. 16, 1832, in Oneida county, N. Y., and is a son of Thomas J. and Hannah (Harkness) Bowen, of Vermont; his father was Captain of a boat plying in the Eastern waters, which occupation the son followed until 1853, when he married Marette E. Vroman. They are the parents of 3 children, viz .: Floyd Engene, born Jan. 10, 1854; Lemuel W .. July 22, 1858; and Jennie E, Dec. 29, 1861. Mr. Bowen, with his family, resided in his native State until 1865; when traveling West, he settled at Grass Lake, and established a cooperage. His losses re- sulting from fire have been serious and numerous; in the spring of 1878 his mill was burned. He manufactured as many as 25,000 barrels in one year. For eight years he was a member of the com - mon council of the village, and in other respects won the confi- dence of his fellow citizens.

George Bunker was born Sept. 11. 1831, in Saratoga county, N. Y. , second son of John and Lavinia (Hall) Bunker, of Connecticut. He came with his parents to Grass Lake in 1836, and attended the common schools of the district until he was 19 years old, when he took a position on the M. C. R. R., and ultimately became con- ductor. In 1853 he married Miss Mary Bunker, of Seneca county,

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

N. Y ., a lady one year his senior. In 1870 he returned to Grass Lake and resided on his farm until April, 1880, when he purchased the Bowen homestead on Lake street, where he now resides. Mr. Bunker is a Universalist in faith, and liberal in his social, political and religious dealings.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 88

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