USA > Michigan > Kalamazoo County > History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan > Part 107
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149
(Signed) " GEORGE H. THOMAS, " Maj .- Gen. U. S. A. Commanding."
He also has recommendations from Brevet Maj .- Gen. Donaldson for a commission in the regular army, speaking of him as a "most excellent officer, prompt, willing, and intelligent, and his appointment would be a valuable acqui- sition to the service."
And from Chaplain Earnshaw to Governor Brownlow, his appointment as chief police commissioner of Nash- ville is asked for on the ground of his being " one of the best organizers he has ever known; a true lover of his country, and as brave as Julius Caesar. His fine adminis- trative qualities eminently fit him for the position."
Since the war Col. Shafter has been with his command on the Texas frontier, until in 1879, when he was promoted to colonel and given the command of the 1st Regiment United States Infantry, and assigned to Fort Randall, Da- kotah Territory, where he now is.
The extracts we have given from military papers are the best evidence that could be adduced in proof of the soldierly qualities of Col. Shafter. His promotions he has earned by meritorious service. He is a born soldier, and his further advancement to higher positions is only a matter of time. This county and State are justly proud of a soldier so able, loyal, and brave; one who has proved, and may again prove to be,
"his country's stay In day and hour of danger."
Col. Shafter is a social, courteous gentleman, and strongly attached to his old friends and home. He has an accom- plished and lovely wife. They have but one child, a daugh- ter, now at school in Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
.
RESIDENCE OF A.H. STODDARD, COOPER, MICH.
395
TOWNSHIP OF COOPER.
FRANK P. MUHLENBERG
was born June 22, 1840, at Reading, Pa. He was the son of Peter Muhlenberg, late an officer of the United States army, and only male descendant of Gen. Peter Muhlen- berg of Revolutionary fame. Entered the service of the United States as private of Company G, 1st Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, April 16, 1861. Appointed first lieutenant 13th United States Infantry, May 14, 1861; promoted to captain same regiment, Jan. 4, 1862. May 19, 1863, participated with regiment in assault upon the enemy's works in rear of Vicksburg. Was inspector in assistant acting provost-marshal general's office, Northern District State of New York; from Nov. 17, 1863, to July 22, 1865, acting assistant provost-marshal general, Northern District State of New York. Major by brevet, March 13, 1865, for " faithful and meritorious services connected with the recruitment of the armies of the United States." Resigned April 5, 1866. Is a member of the State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania. Maj. Muhlenberg is now one of the business men of Galesburg, and serving the township of Comstock as justice of the peace.
JESSE R. HAVENS
was born in Howell, Monmouth Co., N. J., Sept. 9, 1807. He was the son of Thomas and Jane (Osborn) Havens, who reared a family of six children,-three boys and three girls. The elder Havens was a farmer of industrious habits, and highly esteemed as a kind Christian gentleman. When Jesse was eighteen years of age the family removed to Allegany Co., N. Y., where the elder Havens died of cholera, in his fifty-fifth year, leaving his family in some- what straitened circumstances. Jesse's advantages in youth were limited; he received only an ordinary education, but formed habits of industry and thrift that were eminently
serviceable in after-life. When twenty-two years of age he started in life as a farmer, on a new farm of fifty acres which he improved, and where he lived until his emi- gration to Michigan, in 1837. He first settled in the town
HAMS
JESSE R. HAVENS.
of Grass Lake, Jackson Co., where he resided until 1849, when he removed to Comstock, where he has since resided. In 1832 he was married to Miss Mary Kennedy, of Alle- gany Co., N. Y., who died in 1869.
In his religious affiliations Mr. Havens is a Baptist, and a prominent member of the Galesburg Baptist Church. He has taken a deep interest in religious and educational enterprises, and has been a liberal supporter of both. Mr. Havens has led a quiet, uneventful life ; never sued a man, nor was he ever sued. His long life has been devoted to his family and his farm, and among the citizens of Com- stock no one is more highly esteemed.
COOPER.
NATURAL FEATURES.
Geography .- The township of Cooper lies on the north border of the county, and is bounded east by the township of Richland, west by the township of Alamo, north by the county of Allegan, and south by the township of Kala- mazoo. The township was surveyed in 1827 by John Mul- lett, but no immediate entries of land followed this survey. It was not until seven years later that it became a perma- nent abiding-place for emigrants from the East.
Lakes and Water-Courses .- Cooper is abundantly sup- plied with water, which principally assumes the form of run- ning streams. A portion of Twin Lakes lies in the south- west corner, while the Kalamazoo River enters the township
from the south, flows north, nearly dividing its surface, and makes its exit through section 4. It is one of the most picturesque of the larger rivers of the State, passing through a portion of the county especially rich and productive, and adorned on either hand with an abundant growth of luxuri- ant foliage. The two railroads which traverse the township follow its course for a distance of many miles.
In the early days of the settlement of Cooper the river abounded in fish, and well rewarded the patience of the lover of piscatorial sport. Stories-almost fabulous-are told of the enormous growth the fish attained, and stur- geon weighing a hundred pounds were frequently landed upon the shore. The water is still well stocked with fish
396
HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of smaller proportions, though superior in quality and flavor. Numerous small streams flow into the Kalamazoo, principal among which are Silver Creek and Spring Brook, which ap- proach it from the east, and Collar Brook from the west.
Soils .- The soil of the township varies in localities. The northern portion is principally a sandy loam, while in the southern sections the sand is intermixed with clay and gravel. The river-bed is composed of pebbles, gravel, and sand, though in places is found a bottom of soft, porous rock .* On the west side the waters of a spring flowing from the hillside, and impregnated with carbonate of lime, form a calcareous coating on the vegetable matter over which they pass. This has gone through a hardening process until a soft, porous rock is the result. The spot has become so well known as to attract frequent visitors, all of whom bear away specimens as mementoes of their visit.
Surface .- The surface of Cooper varies greatly. The land adjacent to the river is level, and portions are low and swampy, and covered with varieties of timber which flourish on wet lands. The north and northwestern por- tions are also level, while the eastern and southern parts are hilly and undulating.
The surface in portions of the township is dotted by mounds of peculiar construction, whose origin antedates the presence of the Indian, who traversed the forests of the county years prior to its settlement by white men. In the general history of the county a chapter will be found devoted to these peculiar formations.
EARLY LAND-ENTRIES.
The following list embraces the original land-entries in the township, showing date and section :
Section 1 .- 1836, Jonas Russell ; 1837, D. C. and A. C. Kingsland, George A. O'Brien.
Section 2 .- 1833, David E. Deming, Simon Calkins; 1834, Lewis A. Crane, Samuel Hubbard; 1836, Truman Averill; 1837, Ambrose Cock.
Section 3 .- 1834, Cyrus P. Deming, Nathan Harrison, Azzan Fenton, Theodore S. Hoyt ; 1835, Joseph McDonald, Lewis A. Crane; 1837, Richard O'Brien ; 1851, Charles N. Russell.
Section 4 .- 1834, Noah Edwards, Azzan Fenton ; 1835, Junius H. Hatch, Elisha B. Seeley, Henry Sherman, Alonzo Darrow ; 1836, Betsey Palmer; 1853, Charles N. Russell.
Section 5 .- 1835, Cyrenas Kintee, Theron Norton, E. B. Seeley, John Patterson, Benton Barnard, John Jones; 1836, Allen Kinincut; 1837, George A. O'Brien.
Section 6 .- 1832, A. L. Cotton ; 1835, Freeman Gage, Thomas Cham- berlain, Jr., Benton Barnard, E. R. Squier; 1837, George A. O'Brien; 1836, T. Chamberlain, Jr.
Section 7 .- 1835, Wm. Finch, Nelson Sage; 1836, Alonzo L. Chap- . man; 1837, Chester Buckley.
Section 8 .- 1834, Ephraim B. Delano, Barney Earl; 1835, Jacob Chatterton, John H. Ostrom, William R. Palner, Thomas R. Walker ; 1837, George A. O'Brien, Luther H. Trask.
Section 9,-1834, Ephraim B. Delano; 1835, Joseph Gillett, Samuel Boyd, Samuel Boyd, Jr., Mace S. Borden, Ira Blanchard, Myron Perkins, John H. Ostrom, William R. Palmer, Thomas R. Walker. Section 10 .- 1833, David E. Deming; 1835, Mace S. Borden ; 1836, David M. Hard, Mumford Eldred, Jr .; 1837, D. C. and A. C. Kingsland; 1851, Alexander Buell, Marcellus C. Churchill; 1837, Enos B. Troop.
Section 11 .- 1833, David E. Deming ; 1834, Hiram Hinsdill, Samuel Hubbard ; 1835, Truman Averill, Robert Averill; 1837, Henry Barnard, Lewis Bohne, Herman Joachim, Joseph Allen ; 1844, Daniel S. Travis ; 1847, Enos T. Troop.
Section 12 .- 1837, D. C. Kingsland, A. C. Kingsland. Section 13 .- 1836, Ambrose Cock ; 1837, Ambrose Cock.
Section 14 .- 1834, Samuel Hubbard, Alonzo Murray ; 1835, Frederick
Knickerbocker; 1836, Samuel Hubbard, Isaac Parker ; 1837, D. C. Kingsland, A. C. Kingsland, David N. Willard.
Section 15 .- 1835, Irad Harris, William Lyman, Alvan Hall; 1836, David M. Hard, Mumford Eldred, Jr. ; 1851, Richard Veeder. Section 16 .- School section.
Section 17 .- 1834, Ephraim B. Delano, Barney Earl; 1835, Henry Skinner, Russell Harris, Luther H. Trask ; 1836, John A. Hicks; 1837, Luther H. Trask.
Section 18 .- 1835, Milton H. Gregory, Benton Barnard, John S. Clark; 1836, Luther Chamberlain, Jonathan A. Hall, Jared H. Randall; 1838, Hiram Davis.
Section 19 .- 1834, Samuel Hubbard; 1835, Salmon Gregory, David E. Evans, William R. Guerin, John S. Ganson, David Guerin. Section 20 .- 1835, Thomas A. Drayton, Curtis Newton, Nathan John-
son, Jr., Jas. Goodwin, Wm. Lyman, Alex. Glen, Francis Fitts. Section 21 .- 1834, Allen Smith, Joseph Skinner, Alexander Newton, Jason Parmalee, Jolın Randall; 1835, Jason Parmalee, Norman Tucker, John Randall.
Section 22 .- 1834, Joseph Skinner, James Goodwin, Ira Smith, Norman Tucker; 1835, John S. Clark, Francis Fitts; 1836, Henry Skinner, Samuel Hubbard, Isaac Parker, Thomas S. At Lee, Richard J. At Lee.
Section 23 .- 1833, James Shea; 1834, Frederick Knickerbocker; 1836, Samuel Hubbard, Isaac Parker, Oliver Davenport ; 1837, Stephen Besher.
Section 24 .- 1833, James Shea; 1835, Frederick Knickerbocker, Thomas Masters; 1836, William Jackson ; 1837, Thomas War- dell, Henry Conklin, Hosea B. Hulton, Isaac Vickery.
Section 25 .- 1833, James Shea; 1834, Patrick Banberry, John Baxter, William B. Hill; 1835, Henry W. Taylor, William B. Hill ; 1836, Aaron D. H. Cadwell.
Section 26 .- 1833, James Shea; 1834, Patrick Banberry; 1835, Thomas Masters, Henry W. Taylor, Patrick W. Banberry ; 1836, Samuel Lathrop, Ira Bock ; 1837, William Hook.
Section 27 .- 1834, Lemuel Adams, John Jones, Samuel Brion Under- hill; 1835, Frederick Boogher, James S. Sandford, Lewis H. Sand- ford; 1836, Samuel Lathrop, Ira Buck, David M. Hard, Mumford Eldred, Jr.
Section 28 .- 1834, Rodney Seymour, Allen Smith, Nathan Lyman, Reuben Pratt, Jason Parmalee; 1835, Frederick Boogher, Ben- jamin Jones, Alexander S. Eaton, Jason Parmalee; 1836, Silas Trowbridge, Chauncey Burrell.
Section 29 .- 1834, Nathan Lyman, Reuben Pratt; 1835, Henry S. Perrin, Frederick N. Francis, Nathan Allen ; 1836, Silas Trow- bridge, Chauncey Burrell.
Section 30 .- 1835, Andrew Mowrey, Abijah Stone, Elias Easton, Joseph D. Beers, Samuel Sherwood.
Section 31 .- 1835, J. Gilkey, Solomon Parker; 1836, Aaron Eames. Section 32 .- 1835, Joseph D. Beers, Samuel Sherwood, Nelson Sage, Andrew Baxter, Sylvester Plumley ; 1836, Oliver Davenport.
Section 33 .- 1834, Patrick Banberry, Russo H. King, Joseph Bow- man, Geerge W. Doughty, Nelson Sage; 1836, Silas Trowbridge, Chauncey Burrell, Oliver Davenport.
Section 34 .- 1834, Charles S. Whitman, Patrick Banberry, Russo H. King, Harvey Seymour ; 1835, Lewis H. Sandford, Jared Sperry ; 1836, Herman Logan, William A. Tomlinson, William A. Booth, Samuel Hall; 1837, John J. Barnard, Henry B. Hall.
Section 35 .- 1834, Ebenezer Durkee ; 1835, John Jennison Barnard, Levi N. Barnard, Nathaniel Livermore, Cyren Burdick, James Hutchins ; 1836, Jacob Leephart, Samuel Hall.
Section 36 .- 1834, Donald Frazier Mckenzie; 1835, Betsey Fuller, Horace H. Comstock.
The following is a complete list of the tax-payers in the township of Cooper for the year 1838 :
RESIDENTS.
Section 2 .- D. E. Deming, L. A. Crane, Orin Barto.
Section 3 .- Jonathan Travis, L. A. Crane.
Section 4 .- John Borden, John A. Borden, Henry Sherman.
Section 5 .- John Patterson, Theomen Norton.
Section 6 .- Thomas Chamberlain, E. R. Squire.
* Doubtful.
3
JOHN WALKER.
MRS. JOHN WALKER.
RES. OF THE LATE HON. JOHN WALKER, COOPER, MICH.
397
TOWNSHIP OF COOPER.
Section 7 .- A. L. Chapman.
Section 8 .- William Chapman, B. Hicks, R. B. Platt.
Section 9 .- E. B. Delano, S. Boyd, Ira Blanchard, William Chapman, S. Boyd, Jr., M. S. Borden. Section 10 .- M. S. Borden, C. P. Deming.
Section 11 .- Truman Averill, Thomas Mosher, D. E. Deming.
Section 14 .- Matthew R. Tift.
Section 15 .- William Lyman, T. A. Drayton.
Section 17 .- B. Earl, E. Hicks, John Hicks, J. Hart, E. B. Delano. Section 18 .- M. Gregory, Luther Chamberlain.
Section 19 .- D. Guerin, S. Gregory.
Section 20 .- A. Glenn, H. Skinner, A. P. Monroe, D. Guerin, T. A. Drayton, N. Johnson.
Section 21 .- Samuel Boyd, George Delano, Joseph Skinner, Allen Smith, J. Parmalee, John Randall, Norman Tucker.
Section 22 .- Ira Smith, Norman Tucker, James Goodwin.
Section 23 .- Matthew B. Teft.
Section 24 .- Anson Beebe, Martin R. Teft.
Section 25 .- James Elsay, P. Banberry.
Section 26 .- P. Banberry, James Elsey.
Section 28 .- E. Parmalee, J. Parmalee, Asa Norton, N. Lyman, Allen Smith.
Section 29 .- N. Lyman, N. Allen.
Section 30 .- Elias Easton (Personal), Luzon Towsey, Orrin Hart, Joshua Hicks, Levi Hicks.
NON-RESIDENTS.
Section 1 .- James Russell, D. C. Kingsland, G. A. O'Brien.
Section 2 .- A. Cock, T. A. - , S. Hubbard.
Section 3 .- T. A. Hoyt, J. McDonald.
Section 4 .-- Palmer, - Seeley, N. Edwards, J. Hatch, A. J. Fenton.
Section 5 .- J. Jones, C. Kinter, G. A. O'Brien, B. B. Seeley, A. B.
Section 6 .- B. Barnard, G. A. O'Brien, T. Cotton, T. Gage.
Section 7 .- N. Sage, E. Buckley, William Finch, B. Gray.
Section 8 .- J. Chatterton, G. A. O'Brien, William Reed, M. Perkins. Section 9 .- Jacob Gillett, M. Perkins.
Section 10 .- J. M. Hand, J. C. Kingsland.
Section 11 .- Unknown, R. A. - , J. Allen, S. Hubbard.
Section 12 .- D. C. Kingsland.
Section 13 .- Ambrose Cock.
Section 14 .- A. Murray, D. C. Kingsland, H. Hubbard, Ira N. Wil- lard, S. Hubbard.
Section 15 .- Hall, J. Harris, D. M. Hand.
Section 17 .- R. Harris, T. H. Trask.
Section 18 .- J. A. Hall, J. S. Clark, B. Barnard.
Section 19 .- S. Hubbard, Ganson & Co.
Section 20 .- J. Goodwin, C. Newton.
Section 22 .- T. H. Trask, J. S. C., -- At Lee, S. Hubbard.
Section 23 .- S. Besher, -- Hubbard, O. Davenport, James Shea, Hubbard & Co.
Section 24 .- W. Wardell, H. B. Huston, H. Conklin, J. Shea, T. Master.
Section 25 .- A. D. H. Cadwell, -- Taylor, J. Baxter, H. W.
Section 26 .- J. Masters, H. W. Taylor, Lathrop & Co., M. Hook.
Section 27 .- Hard & Co., Lathrop & Co., - Sanford, -- Boogher J. Jones, - Underhill, - Adams.
Section 28 .- T. Booher, B. Seymour, B. Jones, A. S. E.
Section 29 .-- Trobridge, H. S. Pervin, - Francis, R. Pratt.
Section 30 .- A. Stone, A. Mowry, - Beers, - Sherwood.
Section 31 .- Aaron Eames, J. Gilkey, S. Parker.
Section 32 .- Burs & Sherwood, N. Sage, - Depont, A. Baxter. Section 33 .- J. Bowman, - Trowbridge, O. Davenport, G. Doughty, - Banberry, - King, - Sage.
Section 34 .-- Banberry, - King, S. Sperry, H. Seymour, Hull, S. S. Barnard, S. Logan, T. B. - , C. S. Whitmour.
Section 35 .- E. Durkee, J. Leephart, N. Livermore, S. N. Barnard, Hutchins & Co., S. Hall, - Barnard.
Section 36 .- H. H. Comstock, B. Fuller, -- McKenzey.
ORGANIZATION.
The township was organized in 1836, and, until 1838, embraced, in addition to its present territory, that now com- prised in the township of Alamo.
It was named by the late Hon. Horace H. Comstock, then a member of the Territorial Legislature, in honor of his wife, whose former name was Cooper .*
EARLY SETTLERS.
The early history of Cooper is closely allied with the advent of Dr. David E. Deming, who was the first settler in the township. He made an entry of land on' section 2 in 1833, and became a permanent resident in March, 1834. Previous to his removal to the township, Dr. Deming, with his family, had found a temporary abode on Gull Prairie, and during that time had erected a comfortable shanty upon his land, to which he removed the following spring. Soon after, a more spacious frame dwelling was erected, and the serious business of clearing the land and preparing it for a crop of wheat was begun. The following spring opened with the prospect of a bountiful harvest, but with the appearance of heavy frosts in June of that year van- ished all the hopes of the farmer. For some years after Dr. Deming's arrival, demands were made upon his pro- fessional skill, but he gradually relinquished his practice for the pursuits of the agriculturist. Inheriting a strong love of nature, he gave himself up with enthusiasm to his adopted calling.
Dr. Deming aided in the organization of the township, and was its first supervisor. Some years later he repre- sented his district in the State Senate, and, though not in any sense a politician, entered with his accustomed energy into the duties of these various offices, and won the confi- dence and esteem of his constituents.
The doctor was also a man of strong religious convic- tions, and prominent in religious work in the township. He died, after a protracted illness, in September, 1879, at an advanced age. Mrs. Deming still survives, and resides at Plainwell, Allegan Co., in the enjoyment of robust health. Cyrus P. Deming accompanied his brother and entered land on section 3, which he still occupies.
Joseph Skinner was one of the earliest settlers on the west side of the river. He entered, in October, 1834, 240 acres of land on section 21, and became a resident in April of the following year, his three brothers soon follow- ing him. To him belongs the credit of plowing the first furrow on the west side of the river. The marvelous execution done by the implement greatly surprised the In- dians, who gazed in amazement at the work it accomplished, though probably somewhat familiar with its operations in a neighboring county, settled prior to Kalamazoo, which was a portion of their hunting-ground. The oxen seemed to inspire them with an absolute terror, and it was not until Mr. Skinner took hold of the horns to guide them that their fears were quieted.
On one occasion several Indians called and requested from Mr. Skinner a supply of flour. One, more presuming than the rest, helped himself, and in so doing aroused the anger of the host, who ejected him. For many days either shame or fear prevented the wandering band from present- ing themselves. Finally they reappeared, bearing tobacco
* Other authorities claim that it was named in honor of James Fenimore Cooper, the novelist. Comstock's wife was a daughter of the novelist.
398
HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and pipes, and were not satisfied until each member of the family smoked in token of reconciliation. Mr. Skinner passed through the experiences incident to pioneer life, and by industry gained a competence, which he still lives to enjoy in the home of his adoption.
The same year came Barney Earl and family, who left the attractions of city life for the privations of the wilderness. He had previously located 120 acres on section 17, which he improved and eventually made a productive farm.
He was instrumental in securing for the township at an early day a post-office, of which he was the first postmaster, Joseph Skinner being the first mail-carrier. The post- master received no compensation, giving his commissions to the carrier and performing the labor gratuitously. Mr. Earl filled the office of associate judge, and was also elected to the State Legislature, and was a member of the body which sat for the first time in the then new (now the old) capitol at Lansing. Many offices of trust in the township were also filled by him. He died at an advanced age in Kalamazoo.
Ephraim B. Delano removed to the township from Sara- toga Co., N. Y., and entered 40 acres on section 17, in 1834, upon which he settled. He also owned land upon sections 8 and 9. Mr. Delano, coming early to the town- ship, was able to select from the attractive oak openings and fine timber-land portions which afterwards were em- braced in his well-cultivated farm. He had the satisfaction of seeing, during his lifetime, his numerous family settled around in well-appointed homes of their own. His death occurred on the land he located, in 1871. He was the first clerk of the township.
Allen Smith came in 1834, and located 80 acres on sec- tion 21, upon which he settled. His early residence was Huron Co., Ohio, from whence he came to Grand Prairie, and ultimately removed to Cooper. He aided in the or- ganization of the first Sabbath-school in the township, and was its earliest superintendent. His brother, Ira Smith, arrived in company with him, and located upon section 28, in the north portion of which he owned 80 acres. The brothers on their arrival made the log house of John Ran- dall their temporary abode. Ira erected a log house on his land, and afterwards constructed a stable of the same ma- terial. The following year the house was burned, and the family were glad to avail themselves of such shelter as the stable afforded. Here their eldest son was born.
Mr. Smith recurs with pride to the reputation he early established as a successful hunter, and related to the writer many stories recalling his experience with the rifle. He would frequently stand within his door and fire at wild turkeys, and deer were so abundant as not to be counted among the luxuries of the table. Bear and wolves were also among the trophies of his valor, one of the latter being the victim of his unerring aim on the ground now em- braced in Main Street, Kalamazoo, in 1831. Mr. Smith still lives upon the land he located, being the first white resident on the west side of the river.
John Randall located 80 acres adjoining the land of Allen Smith, and, with the aid of his nearest neighbors, soon erected a log house. The number of neighbors, how- ever, was not sufficiently great to accomplish the raising,
and a demand was made upon the pioneers of Prairie Ronde, who readily responded to the call. The land he purchased was, by hard labor, soon made to yield abundant. harvests.
Lewis A. Crane, the father of the present supervisor, was among the earliest as well as the most influential set- tlers on the east side of the river. He entered the farm now occupied by his son, on section 2, in 1834, which has been in possession of the family from that time to the present. He was the first justice of the peace, and at that early period earned the title of " 'Squire," by which he was ever after known. It is a tradition that 'Squire Crane had but $15 when he first arrived in the county, and the skill of the counterfeiter had been exercised upon a large pro- portion of that amount. With the meagre balance as a cash capital, he began his Western life, and with energy and excellent judgment acquired a competence. He is described as a man of genial social temperament, and his sudden death, in the full vigor of manhood, caused profound sorrow in the community.
Thomas Chamberlain came with his father-in-law, Wil- liam Finch, in 1835, and located in what was known as the Finch Settlement, embracing the northwest portion of Cooper and section 1 of Alamo township. Mr. Chamber- lain was among the most influential men of his day, and bore a reputation second to none for probity and honor. His death occurred in 1857, and his widow still resides upon the land he first located.
The first public host in Cooper was Matthew Teft, who located upon section 14. Soon after the organization of the township the elections were held at Teft's tavern. The electors came in primitive attire, many of them with- out coats or boots, and on one occasion their patriotic duties occupied two days, when the leisure time was occupied with ball-playing and other athletic sports. Mr. Teft held various official positions until old age admonished him to leave the cares of office to more youthful hands. He died in the fullness of years, and was buried in the attractive spot he had donated to the township for a burial-place.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.