History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 97

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 97

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D. W. Smith was born December, 1833, in Jefferson county, N. Y., son of David Willard and Hannah W.(Adams) Smith. After re- ceiving a fair common-school education, he went to learn the machin- ist's trade, and ultimately got a position in the Utica & Syracuse R. R. shops. In 1850 he entered the service of the W. & R. rail- road; was engaged as engineer in the construction of that road; ran the first engine into Watertown, and piloted the first engine into Cape Vincent. In 1852 he married Miss Eliza A. Beltzinger, of Schuyler county, N. Y., and they became the parents of 6 children, viz .: II. W., born, 1854; D. W., 1856; Charles E., 1858, died July 3, 1874; Geo. W., 1860; Fred E., 1862, and Lottie E., 1867. In 1856 he purchased a farm at Ypsilanti; sold out and took a posi-

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

tion on the M. C. R. R .; was foreman of saw-mill at Saginaw city; removed to Jackson in 1869, and entered the J., L. & S. R. R. Co's. service as engineer; subsequently took charge of the locomotive and car depots of F. W., J. & S. R. R., and ultimately purchased farm of 100 acres in Leoni tp. in 1879, where he now resides. The experiences of Mr. Smith are varied and happy, and for a man now in his 48th year his prospects are bright indeed.

George W. Smith, M. D., was born May 24, 1836, in Tompkins county, N. Y., son of Abraham and Mary Ann (Garrett) Smith, natives of New Jersey and New York respectively. In 1844 the family settled in Grass Lake tp., and subsequently moved to Union City, Mich. At the age of 18 years Mr. Smith resolved to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, which business he pursned 16 years, during which time he built some of the finest dwellings known at that period in Leoni tp. His marriage with Miss Emma S. Land, of Ashtabula county, Ohio, was celebrated March 7, 1861. Four years after this event, the Doctor moved to Ohio, where he remained until 1874. There he commenced the study of medicine, which study was completed at the Michigan University. He came to Leoni in 1874, and entered on the practice of his profession; he is the only physician in the tp. Mrs. Smith previous to her mar- riage, was Preceptress at the Michigan Collegiate Institute at Leoni in its palmiest days.

Jonathan Smith, a well-known agriculturist of Leoni tp., was born in Seneca county, N. Y., May 10, 1809, the oldest son of Ste- phen and Elizabeth (Pickell) Smith, the former of Massachusetts, the latter of New Jersey, and of English and German descent. Jonathan received a liberal district-school education; was brought up to farming pursuits; came with his mother to Michigan in 1837; located in Leoni tp .; entered land in Leoni, also in Henri- etta. He remained with the family some two years. In 1839 he was married to Lorinda Smith; their children are as follows: Lafayette G., born July 29, 1839; George A., April 25, 1842, now a resident of this tp .; Charlotte E., Dec. 20, 1848; Addison J., July 7, 1851; the latter died in infancy. More than mere mention is due to the memory of their oldest son, Lafayette G. He enlisted in the 12th U. S. Inf. in 1861; participated in nine different engagements before Richmond; was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness; with other prisoners was recap- tured by Gen. Sheridan; sent to the hospital in Washington where he died in July. Mr. Smith removed to his present home in the spring of 1867, where, in his declining years, he is enjoying the fruits of a life of industry; has been School Commissioner for years without intermission; is a warm supporter of popular educa- tion, a member of the Congregational Church and esteemed by all who know him.

Truman A. Smith was born Sept. 3, 1847, the second son of Peter and Julia A. (Pease) Smith, of N. Y., old settlers of Jackson county, who located in Grass Lake tp. at an early day, and moved to a new home in Leoni during the year 1847. Peter Smith died

S. T. Marsh

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LEONI TOWNSHIP.

in January, 1871. The subject of this sketch studied in the schools of Leoni, and for some years devoted his attention to farming. In September, 1872, he married Miss Emily B. Reese, of Shelby, Rockfield Co., born in Ohio, 1853. His mother is still living, and has attained her 62d year.

Erastus Sparks was born in Cortland county, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1820. His parents were Erastus and Philotha (Higgin) Sparks. He received a fair common-school education in New York State and Ohio, to which latter State the family removed in 1830. He was married in 1843 to Miss P. A. Moore, born in Ohio in 1825; they have had 4 children-Leman E., born August, 1844, now con- ducting the milling business in Chelsea, Mich .; Almira, born in 1846, drowned while bathing on the coast of Florida in July, 1877; E. R., born Sept. 14, 1852, an engineer on the M. C. R. R., and a resident of Niles, Mich. After marriage Mr. Sparks was engaged in farming on the old homestead in Ohio until 1856, when he came to Leoni and became interested in the flouring mills at that place; he remained till 1869, and sold out to his partner and purchased an interest in the Michigan Center Mills, where he remained about two and a half years, then returned to Leoni; resumed his former proprietorship in the mill there, where he has since re- mained; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1873; declined to qualify. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks are members of the M. E. Church.

James H. Stearns was born March 11, 1835, in Berkshire county, Mass., eldest son of Alanson and Eliza Ann Stearns; received an ordinary education; learned the carpenter's trade at the age of 21, and combining it with the labors of the agriculturist, continued a dual vocation for years. In 1851 he came to Norvell tp., whither his father's family came three years later. In 1864 he located a farm in this tp., where E. Underwood now dwells. In 1858 he married Miss Ellen Huise, who died four years later. His mar- riage with Miss E. L. Bliss was performed October, 1865. Mr. Stearns has traveled through the Northwestern, Central and South- western States, accompanied by his family, and his horses and con- veyance. In 1876 he returned to Michigan, took up his residence in Leoni, and has since dwelt here. Mr. Stearns' father, brother, and hired man were drowned in Gillett's lake, June, 1870. The sad affair cast a gloom over the people which time could scarcely lighten.

John Stewart was born Sept. 28, 1810, in Montgomery county, N. Y., son of Alexander and Margaret (Sinclair) Stewart, natives of Scotland; attended the schools of his native town until 18 years of age, when the family removed to Madison county, N. Y .; he continued to attend the academy near his new home ; followed the farmer's plow for a period, then learned the trade of builder and architect. In 1840 he married Miss Julia A. Stanton, daughter of Judge N. P. Stanton; they are the parents of 6 children, two of whom are living. Mrs. S. died in 1859. Mr. Stewart carried on the building business in New York State nine years after marriage, then

932

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

came West in 1849, and settled in Jackson, where, in partnership with Judge Stanton, he erected a hotel; subsequently he was ap- pointed head of the Public Building Department of the State. Toward the close of the war he went to Marshall to engage in the agricultural implement business, with Wm. Hammond, of the State's Prison Agency. During Mr. Stewart's residence at Mar - shall he married Mrs. Electa M. Sheldon, author of The Early His- tory of Michigan. He has been Justice of the Peace, Postmaster, and ticket agent of M. C. R. R. at Michigan Center, and the pur- chaser of the old homestead of Captain Abel F. Fitch.

Augustus A. Sullivan, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser ot Leoni tp., was born in Lenawee county, Mich., May 6, 1845. He is the youngest son of William M. Sullivan, one of the early settlers of Jackson county. Some of the incidents of his eventful life will be found in the chapter devoted to pioneer history. Mr. Sul- livan received a liberal education in district schools and afterward attended the Michigan Collegiate Institute at Leoni several years, where he completed his studies about 1863. He taught school a number of winters ; followed farming in the summers ; was Tp. Clerk in 1876-'77-'79. In 1878 he was married to Nellie M. Rogers, born in this connty in 1860; they have 1 child-Clarence M., born Oct. 12, 1879. Mr. Sullivan was elected Supervisor in the spring of 1880. His popularity within the county is unqnes- tioned, and he is looked upon as one of its worthy and substantial citizens.

H. R. Thompson was born Sept. 30, 1838, in the district now known as Schuyler county, N. Y., and is the eldest son of William and Samantha (Harmon) Thompson. Having received a liberal education in the district school, he learned the trade of gun-smith. In September, 1858, he came to Jackson, commenced working at his trade there, and continued it until 1871,-the period of his elec- tion to the office of City Treasurer. He married Mary A. Purdy, of Elkhart county, Ind., in 1859, and they are the parents of 2 chil- dren, viz., Willie, born May 6, 1860, and Annie L., born Oct. 19, 1867. Early in 1874 he moved to Leoni, and purchased 137 acres of the old C. H. Smith farm, where he now resides. His father died Ang. 29, 1876, and his mother Dec. 15, 1880, aged 62 years.

Erastus Thurston was born in Erie county, N. Y., April 12, 1833. His parents were Thomas and Electa (Wilcox) Thurston, natives of Vermont and New York respectively, and of English origin. Mr. T. was educated in the common schools and bronght up to farming pursuits; remained with his parents until their re- moval to Michigan the spring of 1850, when they located on the home now occupied by Mr. T. He was married October, 1853, to Cornelia H. Slosson, born in Tompkins county, N. Y., Jan. 5, 1835; their children are-Loine, born April 30, 1855, now Mrs. Hiram Eddy, of Leoni; Carmi J., Dec. 2, 1858, died Aug. 28, 1863; Willie G., Nov. 12, 1863; Marion Thurston Hilton, March 15, 1860. Mr. T. resided in Waterloo tp. some eight years; in

933

LEONI TOWNSHIP.

1863 removed to the old homestead in Leoni, where he has since remained. His ancestors are celebrated for their longevity, his grandfather having died in 1850, at the patriarchal age of 97 years, 8 months and 17 days; his father, Thomas Thurston, March, 1872, aged 86. In this connection a few words regarding Miss Sa- mantha Thurston, the oldest sister of the subject of this sketch. After her mother's death she assumed all the responsibilities of a mother, and conducted the affairs of the old homestead with an earnestness and well-directed zeal, which claimed the unqualified approbation and admiration of her relatives and neighbors.

Thomas O. Thurston was born May 23, 1853, in this tp., second son of V. D. and Almira (Allen) Thurston; received an elementary education in the schools of the district, and subse- quently attended the Union school at Jackson. In 1876 he visited Kansas, and returning in the course of a year, purchased his present home; is also the owner of lands in Waterloo tp. He mar- ried Miss Nellie A. Slosson Nov. 25, 1879, born in Clinton county, N. Y., in 1857; they have 1 child-Bertha A., born Nov. 26, 1880.

V. D. Thurston was born Ang. 13, 1818, in Erie county, N. Y., son of Thomas and Electa (Wilcox) Thurston; was educated in the schools of the district, labored on the farm, served three years of mercantile life, and returning to the old homestead remained there until the immigration of the family westward in September, 1850. He married Almira Allen in 1850, who was born in Ver- mont, and was the mother of 3 children, viz. :- Herbert D., born April 7, 1851; Thomas, May 25, 1853; Jabez A., Feb. 3, 1858. The year of his arrival in this county he located on a farm of 500 acres in this tp. In 1852 his present dwelling was completed, and since that period he has continued to reside there. Mrs. Thurston died May 25, 1864. Her sons were educated in the schools of Jackson and Grass Lake. In 1867 Mr. T. married Harriet Peck- ham, a native of Monroe county, N. Y. In political matters he is not ambitions, yet the people of the tp. conferred upon him impor- tant offices.

E. E. Underwood was born Aug. 26, 1806, son of Samuel and Jemima (Fletcher) Underwood, of Massachusetts. He received his education in the common school of Otis, Berkshire county, Masschusetts. He went with his parents in 1814 to New York State, lived at Parma, Monroe county, and came with them to Michigan in 1832, locating his present home the same year. Mr. Underwood took care of his parents until their decease. He married Miss Margaret Ammer- man Sept. 16, 1844; their children are-Mary M., born in 1848; Letta A., 1851; Daniel S., 1854; Ida A., 1858; Fred J., 1862; Henry E., born in 1846, died May 8, 1858; and Martha, born in 1852, died in April of the succeeding year.

Anson Updike was born July 15, 1818, in Tompkins county, N. Y., son of Ralph and Margaret (Ritchie) Updike, of New Jersey; was educated in the common schools of his native village. In 1827 his father's family moved to Washtenaw county, im-

934

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

proved a farm there and three years later sold out and moved to this county in 1830-'1, where they located one and one-half miles west of Grass Lake village. Mr. U. was one of the pioneers, and first Supervisor of the tp. of Grass Lake. Mr. Anson Updike labored on the old homestead until his marriage in March, 1839, to Harriet S. Updike, of Tompkins county, N. Y. She is the mother of 8 children, 5 of whom are living, viz .: Montgomery, Matilda, Herman, Sidney and Milo K. Mr. Updike farmed and also conducted a saw-ınill in Waterloo tp. S years, and subsequently a grist-mill. He went to California in 1850, where he was a miner and a farmer; returned in 1854; resided for a time at Leoni, and in 1859 purchased 270 acres, to which he lias added since 130 acres, with farm buildings. In 1871 he erected a fine dwelling-house, and continues still to ad- vance with the times.

Jacob A. Updike was born Nov. 19, 1821, in New Jersey; eldest son of John S. and Margaret (Apger) Updike, of New York. The family moved to New York State during the infancy of Jacob 1., and in this State he received the education which the district schools of the period afforded. He married Miss Caroline Updike Nov. 19, 1845; 2 of their children are living. Mrs. Up- dike died March 25, 1863, and on July 16, 1864, Mr. U. married Miss Delrow, born in New York in March, 1828. In 1848 he trav- eled westward and settled near Leoni village, and in 1863 erected his present home.

Leonard S. Waldo was born April 5, 1817, in New Hampshire, son of Justus and Samantha (Beckwith) Waldo, of Vermont. While he was in his infancy his parents moved to New York State, where he attended school until 1833, the period of their, removal to Michigan. In 1834 the family removed from Washtenaw county to Leoni and entered a tract of land on the Territorial Road. Mr. Waldo purchased his present farm about 1844 while yet in its wild state; reclaimed it; erected buildings and converted it into one of the garden spots of the county. Justus Waldo died at his son's residence Dec. 9, 1872, in the 90th year of his age. Mr. Leonard's wife, formerly Miss B. St. John Marvin, to whom he was married April 7, 1860, died Jan. 6, 1862. Nov. 9, 1869, he married Caroline Miller, to whom were born 2 children, Franklin L., April 10, 1871, and Mary S., May 9, 1873.

Robert Watts was born April 12, 1796, in England. He attended school until 16 years old, after which he labored on the farm. Subsequently he worked at Aberdeen and St. Ives, and returning, lived at home until 26 years old, when his marriage with Miss Sarah Cook was celebrated. This lady was the mother of 12 children, of whom 5 are living. He emigrated in 1844, after the death of his wife; resided eight years in Ohio; married Miss Susan Teachont in 1846, who bore him 4 children. Mr. W. came to Michigan in 1852, located at Leoni, and is now the owner of a fertile tract of land containing 75 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Watts are members of their respective Churches, which, in the first

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LEONI TOWNSHIP.

instance, is the Congregation of Disciples, and in the second that of the Congregationalists.

Edmund K. Webb was born March 6, 1830, in Jefferson county, N. Y., son of George and Julia S. (Skinner) Webb; was educated in the common schools of the district, and afterward in the Black River Institute at Watertown. In 1853 he married Pamelia Ad- sit, of Montgomery county, New York, by whom he had 3 sons and 4 daughters. He enlisted Sept. 27, 1862, in the 29th Wis. Vol. Inf., with which regiment he served throughout the cam- paign. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, in the affair at Champion Hills, and in the Red River campaign, April 8, 1564; he aided in the construction of a dam across Red river, served a full term, and was mustered out at Madison, Wis., July 11, 1865. In the spring of 1866 he moved to Leoni tp., purchased his land there in 1868, and entered upon a permanent residence. He has held many tp. offices. Himself and his wife are zealous members of the M. E. Church of Leoni.

Wm. H. Welsh, a well-known farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Clinton county, Mich., March 27, 1840, and is the only son of Benjamin and Susan (Boughton) Welsh. His father came to Michigan about 1830, first locating in Wayne county; was there some six years; went to Clinton county in 1836; was one of the pioneers of that section which was then very sparsely settled, his nearest neighbor at one time being nine miles distant. He kept the first house of entertainment in that part of the country; re- moved to Leoni tp. in 1842; located upon secs. 3 and 4; after- ward lived a retired life in Jackson some seven years; he died at the residence of his son in this tp. Sept. 1, 1877, aged 74 years and three months. William H. acquired a very general educa- tion, which would fit him for many walks in life, as well as that of his choice-a farmer. He remained with his parents until his marriage, in 1861, to Ellen H. Sherman, born in Washtenaw county in 1842; they have 3 children, as follows: Frank B., born March 5, 1862; Mary Ellen, Dec. 21, 1864; and William H., Jr., Feb. 26, 1868. For about eight years following his marriage, Mr. Welsh conducted the farm for his father; subsequently built a fine residence on a portion of the old homestead; also made numerous other improvements. Himself and family are worshipers in the Congregational Church, at Michigan Center. Mr. W. has never sought public office, although he is an influential citizen and a genial gentleman.

Mrs. Elizabeth Whipple, a native of Pennsylvania, was born Jan. 20, 1824, daughter of Garrett Codbury and Mary Hannah Codbury, of Pennsylvania. During her early years her parents moved to New York State, where she attended the common school. In 1836 she came West with her father and settled in the northern portion of Leoni, where she continued her studies, and subsequently taught the district school there two terms. She mar- ried O. C. Whipple, Dec. 14, 1853, who was born in New York, Sept. 29, 1825. Their children are- Edwin B., born Jan. 16,

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

1856; L. O., born May 7, 1860; and Ulmer V., born Jan. 6, 1867. Mr. Whipple died Oct. 17, 1870, at Jonesville, after a very active life, being Supervisor during two terms, School Director, temperance worker, and a successful farmer.

John N. Winfield was born Feb. 7, 1>26, in Yates county, N. Y., son of Henry and Mary (Wilson) Winfield. After receiving the ordinary education then offered by the district school, he de- voted his attention to the farm. His marriage with Miss IIannah M. Coykendall took place Dec. 16, 1847; they are the parents of 4 children, namely: Mary, born May 29, 1853, now Mrs. R. S. Towle, of Beloit, Wis .; John F., 1855; Herbert E., 1858; and Asa L., July 23, 1861. Mr. Winfield remained in New York 12 or 13 years after marriage, and tenanted the old homestead un- til his removal to Michigan in January, 1860, when he purchased the farm where he now resides.

Benjamin Winne was born March 21, 1815, in Rensselaer county, N. Y., son of Martin and Annie (Sweet) Winne; received a limited common-school education; was raised on the farm. In 1831 he engaged in the farmn and lumber business in Delaware county, where he labored until emigrating Westward May 3, 1837. He located at Saginaw, and cleared the land where East Saginaw now stands. In July the same year he turned his steps toward Leoni tp .; located at Michigan Center; helped to build the first mill-dam, and the saw and grist mill the following year. He married Miss Betsy Naylor in 1834, the mother of Peter Naylor, now of Grass Lake; was occupied in farmning and constructing the M. C. R. R. for years. In 1841 he married Huldah Laycock, by whom he had 4 children. He engaged in the distillery business at Michigan Center in 1841, and later worked in Col. Shoemaker's distillery four years. He removed to Leoni in the fall of 1848 and worked for William Jackson. The distillery was built at an early period, but has disappeared. Mr. Winne has now turned his attention to cold water instead of alcohol; he is known as a well-digger. Mrs. W. is also an active temperance worker, a member of Leoni Pro- hibition Club, of which Jacob Sagendorph has been President for many years; she also wronght the first Prohibition banner made in the State, and carried it in procession at the Prohibition conven- tion held at Jackson in 1874; she is a member (original) of the Woman's Rights Club. Her husband served with the 1st Michi- gan Regiment of Mechanics and Engineers from 1861 to 1863. Her son, Engene, served with the 2d Michigan Volunteer Infantry, through the campaigu; was wounded several times, and fell, mor- tally wounded, while skirmishing ontside of Jackson, Miss., July 11, 1865.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

The first settler of this township was Moses Tuthill, who came in June, 1835, locating in the northeastern portion. He built the first frame barn in the township in 1838, and the first frame house in 1839, which he still occupies, but it has been remodeled. About the same time John Neely settled near him, and John Hess and Ezra Ramery settled in the southeastern part of the township, Jesse Bivins in the western part, and George Snyder in the northern. In the fall of the same year John J. Krout, Nathaniel Pettengill and J. S. Knight came in. In the spring of 1836 Franklin Pierce, Solomon Skiff and Palmer Barlow moved into the township, and during the subsequent fall the settlement of the township was rapid, among them Hiram Kennedy and Hiram Tuthill.

March 3, 1837, the citizens met at the house of Solomon Skiff, to organize the township. After much discussion as to a name for it, Jesse Bivins proposed the name of Liberty, which was unani- mously adopted. The first Monday of the next month an election was held at the same place, when 21 votes were polled, electing Ezra Rumery, Supervisor; Moses Tuthill, Treasurer; A. G. Otto, Clerk, and Jesse Bivins, Prosper Lewis, A. G. Otto and Franklin Pierce, Justices of the Peace.

The first white child born in the township was John Neely, Jr., April 19, 1836; the first marriage was that of John Lemons and Adelia Tuthill, in April, 1837; the first death was that ot Lorenzo Neely, March 6, 1837.

The first mill in this township was a saw-mill, built by Mr. Otto in 1837, on section 23, on Grand river. The first store was opened in Fentonville, in 1839, by Leonard Watters. A flouring-mill, built in 1848 by Erastus B. Fuller on section 26, on Grand river, and now owned by Solomon H. Holmes, is the principal manufac- tory of the township at present.

The first school in Liberty township was taught by Miss Nancy A. Tuttle, in the spring of 1838, in the house of Mr. Skiff; num- ber of pupils, 12 to 15; the first school-house, of logs, was built in 1841, on sec. 13, the first school in which was taught by Martha Hart; in district No. 7, a frame school-house was built in 1846, and one of brick in 1874. There are now eight school-houses in this township.

The first sermon in this township was preached by Elder Cor- nell, in the summer of 1837, at the house of George Snyder. The first church was erected in 1865, at Liberty Mills, by the Methodist Episcopal society. There are now three church buildings in this

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

community : one Methodist Episcopal, where services are held by Rev. Mr. Youngs; one Baptist, occupied by Rev. H. D. Allen; and one Universalist, where the principal preaching at present is by Rev. W. L. Gibbs.

The first postoffice, " Montgomery," was established in 1837 or 1838, kept by Franklin Pierce, who also was mail-carrier, bringing the mail from Brooklyn on foot, once a week. Marvin E. Palmer is the present postmaster.

The present township officers are: Burr Tuthill, Supervisor; D. W. Alverson, Clerk; R. B. Lewis, Treasurer; William Moor, W. E. Kennedy, Marvin E. Palmer and J. P. Sanford, Justices of the Peace.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 97

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