History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 109

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 761

USA > Michigan > Kalamazoo County > History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan > Part 109

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1855 .- Lewis A. Crane, Supervisor; John Walker, Township Clerk ; John H. Wilson, Treasurer; Jeremiah Cox, Joel Lillie, Jus- tices of the Peace; James Noble, Highway Commissioner ;

Allen Smith, Overseer of the Poor ; James Hart, Billings Crane, Constables.

1856 .- James Noble, Supervisor; John H. Wicks, Township Clerk ; Edward D. Wicks, Jonathan Woodard, Justices of the Peace; Orrin Woodard, Treasurer ; Henry Skinner, Highway Com- missioner ; Charles N. Russell, to fill vacancy ; Albert G. Coney, School Inspector ; A. V. Monroe, Overseer of the Poor ; Edward Packard, Henry Earl, Constables.

1857 .- Barney Earl, Supervisor ; Orrin J. Woodard, Township Clerk ; Moses Swazey, Rensselaer Hicks, Justices of the Peace; Sanford D. Earl, Treasurer; John Walker, School Inspec- tor; Billings Crane, Highway Commissioner ; Joel Lillie, Overseer of the Poor; Henry Earl, William M. Woodard, Constables.

1858 .- Barney Earl, Supervisor ; Orrin P. Woodard, Township Clerk ; Joel Lillie, Lewis A. Crane, Justices of the Peace; A. V. Monroe, Treasurer ; John H. Wicks, School Inspector ; A. P. Lillie, Highway Commissioner; E. C. Adams, Overseer of the Poor; Charles Huntley, William Woodard, Constables. 1859 .- Edward S. Wicks, Supervisor ; Stephen V. R. Earl, Township Clerk ; Henry C. Earl, Treasurer ; Orrin J. Woodard, Charles Drury, Justices of the Peace; Perry Reed, Highway Com- missioner; Quincey Goodrich, School Inspector; Jonathan Woodard, Overseer of the Poor; Austin Norton, William Woodard, Constables.

1860 .- John Walker, Supervisor ; S. V. R. Earl, Township Clerk ; Darius R. Newton, Treasurer ; John Albertson, Justice of the Peace; Samuel E. Lincoln, Andrew Martin, Highway Commissioners; Albert G. Coney, School Inspector ; L. W. Pennock, Charles V. Huntley, Constables.

1861 .- John Walker, Supervisor : John W. Brakeman, Darius R. Newton, Township Clerk ; Moses Swezey, Justice of the Peace ; Samuel E. Lincoln, Highway Commissioner; Levi B. Fisher, R. Wicks (to fill vacancy), John H. Wicks, Henry Selkrig, School Inspectors; William Finch, Henry Skinner, Constables.

1862 .- John Walker, Supervisor; John W. Brakeman, Township Clerk ; Darius R. Newton, Treasurer; Edward S. Wicks, Lewis A. Grane, Justices of the Peace ; Rensselaer Hicks, Highway Commissioner; Rufus Apthorp, James M. Noble, School Inspectors; L. Platt, Lewis Warrick, Constables.

1863 .- S. V. R. Earl, Supervisor; Jarvis Skinner, Township Clerk ; Lemuel B. Newton, Treasurer ; Luther F. Chamberlain, Justice of the Peace; John W. Brakeman, School Inspector ; Orrin Woodard (to fill vacancy), Levi B. Fisher, Highway Commissioners; Leander A. Platt, Henry H. Squier, Con- stables.

1864 .- Stephen V. R. Earl, Supervisor; Orrin J. Woodard, Town- ship Clerk ; Lemuel B. Newton, Treasurer; William D. Stall, Highway Commissioner ; George W. Bliss, to fill vacancy ; Asa H. Stoddard, School Inspector; Lewis War- rick, Daniel McGregor, Constables.

1865 .- William S. Delano, Supervisor; J. J. Monroe, Township Clerk ; Billings Crane, Treasurer ; Charles C. Hopkins, Highway Commissioner; Orrin J. Woodard, School Inspec- tor; Philander A. Ware, Samuel E. Lincoln, Constables.

1866 .- Lewis A. Crane, Supervisor; Clark Adams, Township Clerk ; Sanford D. Earl, Treasurer; Levi B. Fisher, Justice of the Peace; E. W. Huntley, Highway Commissioner; Edward Strong, School Inspector; P. A. Ware, Henry Caldwell, Constables.

1867 .- George Delano, Supervisor; Addison W. Huntley, Township Clerk ; Rensselaer Hicks, Treasurer; Morris Noble, School Inspector; George W. Bliss, Highway Commissioner ; . Luther F. Chamberlain, Justice of the Peace; P. A. Ware, F. I. Baldwin, Milton Chamberlain, Samuel C. Lincoln, Constables.

1868 .- George Delano, Supervisor; Allen D. Chappell, Township Clerk ; Henry Banbury, Treasurer; William Skinner, School Inspector; Jacob Souzer, Highway Commissioner; Alonzo W. Ingerson, - McMaster, - Bryant, Justices of the Peace; Lafayette Hart, George Albertson, Amos Carpenter, Frank Glynn, Constables.

1869 .- John Walker, Supervisor ; Albert Noble, Township Clerk ; Eliphalet Monroe, Treasurer ; Levi Smith, Edward S. Wicks,

HERMAN BLANCHARD.

MRS. HERMAN BLANCHARD.

HERMAN BLANCHARD

was born in Concord, New Hampshire, Feb. 12, 1797. He comes of a patriotic and warlike family. His father, David Blanchard, who was also born in Concord, was a soldier in the old French war, and served a short time in the Revolutionary war in the place of one of his sons, who was sick. His sons, John and Joseph, were both in the same war, while his younger sons, Herman and Moses, served in the war of 1812. David lived on the old homestead, which was two and a half miles from the state-house. The farm was cleared by his father, and there he died. After the war David returned to the old farm, where he passed the re- mainder of his days.

Herman remained on the farm with his parents until he was eleven years old, when he went to live with Maj. Long's father, with whom he resided until he was seventeen years old. The war of 1812 was then in progress, and, true to the family record, young Herman enlisted in Capt. Smith's company, which was raised for a volunteer regiment. The regiment not having filled, the men were transferred to the 45th United States regulars, young Blanchard becoming a member of Capt. Bradford's company. He served one year, and was discharged. He was in the battle of Plattsburgh. After the war he returned to the old home at Concord, where he remained two years. He then worked for Mr. Long one year, after which he went to Jefferson Co., N. Y. Here he worked one summer for what was known as Gen. Brown's company, who were then engaged building mills. In the year 1818 he bought a farm, on which he paid what

money he had saved, all of which he lost by a defective title. A year later we find him on a farm of his own,-this time on a new farm in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. It was miles from any neighbor ; but for Mr. Blanchard this had no terrors, and with his accustomed energy he went to work to re- claim the wilderness. On this farm he remained seven years, when he exchanged it for one in the same town on which he resided until 1841, when he exchanged it for one in Michigan, on which he settled in 1842. This farm was in Cooper township, Kalamazoo Co., and was all new save about six acres. On this he built a log cabin. Mr. Blan- chard had no money, and times were hard ; and but for Mrs. Blanchard's trade,-that of a tailoress,-it would have been close management to keep the wolf from the door. Here they have since lived ; and here they expect to pass the remainder of their days.

Mr. Blanchard has always been a Democrat, though he is not a politician. In religion he is liberal. He married Miss Betsey Taylor Nov. 23, 1824. She was the daughter of Stephen and Ruth (Lovejoy) Taylor, was born Jan. 20, 1803, and died June 6, 1838. Their children were as follows: Hannah M., born Jan. 12, 1826; William B., born Dec. 12, 1829, died Dec. 17, 1849.

Mr. Blanchard married, June 3, 1839, Miss Laura Weed, who was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., March 11, 1810. She was the daughter of John D. and Betsey (Wood) Weed. Mrs. Blanchard has been a church-member nearly fifty years.

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TOWNSHIP OF COOPER.

Justices of the Peace; Almond V. Monroe, Highway Com- missioner; Albert Dunham, School Inspector ; William War- rick, Albert H. Noble, P. A. Ware, Charles E. Ferguson, Constables.

1870 .- John Walker, Supervisor; Delos Chappell, Township Clerk ; Eliphalet Monroe, Treasurer ; William Baldwin, Justice of the Peace; Milton-Chamberlain, Highway Commissioner; Asa H. Stoddard, School Inspector ; P. A. Ware, Theodore Parker, William Woodard, John Carner, Constables.

1871 .- John Walker, Supervisor ; D. H. Chappell, Township Clerk ; Cyrus W. Thayer, Treasurer; Daniel R. Newton, Justice of the Peace; Jacob P. Souzer, Highway Commissioner; Wil- liam Skinner, School Inspector ; Charles E. Ferguson, Wil- liam Shau, Constables.

1872 .- John Walker, Supervisor; Charles Ferguson, Township Clerk ; Cyrus Thayer, Treasurer; John Albertson, Justice of the Peace; Henry V. Skinner, Robert Averill, Highway Com- missioners ; D. A. Chappell, School Inspector ; Henry Car- penter, Thomas Platt, Henry Vanderbilt, William Shau, Constables.

1873 .- John Walker, Supervisor ; A. W. Huntley, Township Clerk ; George . Albertson, Treasurer ; George H. Wickwire, Levi Smith, Justices of the Peace; Robert Averill, William Woodard, Highway Commissioners; Warren F. Sherman, School Inspector; Amos Carpenter, Thomas Platt, Charles Tift, Charles Shau, Constables.

1874 .- John Walker, Supervisor; Addison W. Huntley, Township Clerk ; George Albertson, Treasurer; William M. Woodard, Highway Commissioner ; Alonzo Ingerson, School Inspector ; William H. Baldwin, Justice of the Peace; Amos Carpenter, Philander A. Ware, Charles Tift, Henry Vanderbilt, Con- stables.

1875 .- John Walker, Supervisor ; Charles Ferguson, Township Clerk ; George Albertson, Treasurer ; George Delano, Justice of the Peace; Henry V. Skinner, Highway Commissioner; A. H. Stoddard, School Superintendent ; D. E. Wilcox, School In- spector; Theodore Parker, John A. Cairnes, Amos Carpenter, William Albertson, Constables.

1876 .- John Walker, Supervisor; Charles Ferguson, Township Clerk ; George Albertson, Treasurer; John Albertson, Elijah P. De Yoe, Justices of the Peace; H. F. Skinner, Highway Com- missioner ; A. H. Stoddard, School Superintendent; H. Sher- wood, School Inspector ; P. A. Ware, James Chandler, Henry Vanderbilt, L. G. Hart, Constables.

1877 .- Alonzo W. Ingerson, Supervisor ; Albert H. Noble, Township Clerk ; James J. Skinner, Treasurer; George H. Wickwire, Justice of the Peace; Nelson H. Delano, Highway Commis- sioner ; John Albertson, Superintendent of Schools; H. Sherwood, School Inspector ; R. L. Skinner, Henry V. Skin- ner, George Travis, Charles Bingham, Constables.

1878 .- Billings Crane, Supervisor ; Albert H. Noble, Township Clerk ; J. J. Skinner, Treasurer ; Albert S. Dunham, Justice of the Peace; James McNabb, Highway Commissioner; Theodore M. Robe, School Superintendent ; D. R. Newton, School In- spector ; Elihu Davenport, R. A. Moore, George Albertson, Philip Shaw, Constables.

1878 .- Billings Crane, Supervisor ; A. W. Huntley, Township Clerk ; E. F. Stearns, Treasurer; E. P. De Yoe, Clarence Vander- bilt, Justices of the Peace; James McNabb, Highway Com- missioner ; Theodore M. Robe, School Superintendent ; Wil- liam Skinner, School Inspector; Alexander Glen, Drain Commissioner ; James Parker, Amos Stearnes, George Al- bertson, Philip Shaw, Constables.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HON. JOHN WALKER.

Of the early settlers of Cooper township there are none who have taken a more prominent part in all that pertains to its growth and advancement, or who better deserve the title of " self-made," than the Hon. John Walker, who was

born in Deerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., May 12, 1818. His father, Alexander Walker, was a native of Scotland, and migrated to America while he was yet a young man. For a short time he followed his trade,-that of a glass-blower, -and then adopted farming, which he afterwards followed. John remained with his father until he was eighteen years of age, receiving a common-school education, supplemented with one year in the academy at Fairfield, N. Y. His health having been delicate for some time, his father gave him his time when he was eighteen and sent him West, thinking a change of climate would be beneficial. In the spring of 1836 he started for Kalamazoo, Mich., but was taken ill on the road and had to stop in Detroit, where he remained until his funds were nearly exhausted. Getting better, he came to Kalamazoo, and as soon as he was able went to work. His first employment was as a clerk in Wil- lard & Co.'s grocery-store. He afterwards drove a breaking- team summers, and taught school winters. For many years he followed teaching, and this gave him a start in life. In 1840, Mr. Walker bought of Deacon Trask the southwest quarter of section 8, in the town of Cooper. It was new and away from roads, he being compelled to pick his way to it through the woods. With the energy and perse- verance for which he was noted he commenced to clear and improve his farm. In 1842 he built a log house, which was burned before it was fully completed, and with it the lumber he had earned in teaching the winter before. The winter of 1842-43 he spent with his father in Oneida County, on the old farm. The following spring Mr. Wal- ker married Miss Phebe Doolittle, with whose parents the newly-married couple resided a short time. He then built a house on his farm, which became his permanent home. The wilderness, under his management, soon became a well- improved and productive farm. The forest disappeared as if by magic, and in its place were fields of growing grain, a fine house, and outbuildings. As a business man, Mr. Walker had few superiors, and it is said of him by his old neighbors " that he was always the first to take part in any enterprise that was to benefit his fellow-citizens; that he was a man of sterling worth, respected and esteemed by all." In politics, he was a Republican from the organization of that party until his death, which occurred Feb. 21, 1878. For many years Mr. Walker was supervisor of his township, and held many offices in the gift of his townsmen. In the fall of 1869 he was elected to the lower house of the Legis- lature, which office he filled with credit and ability for three successive terms, serving as chairman of the committee on roads and bridges his last term, and as a working member of other committees. For his second wife, Mr. Walker married Miss Octavia Cunningham, daughter of Cyrus and Mary W. (Crary) Cunningham. She was born in Madison, Lake Co., Ohio, Nov. 17, 1821. Their union has been blessed with two children,-Mary A., born March 22, 1854, and Cyrus A., born Jan. 2, 1858.

LUTHER CHAMBERLAIN

was born in Westford, Middlesex Co., Mass., Sept. 2, 1795. When Luther was fourteen years old his father, Thomas Chamberlain, moved to Vermont. He worked a farm,

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HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

assisted by his sons. In 1816 he removed to the Holland Purchase, in New York, where he had bought a tract of wild land, but on which he had not settled on account of the unsettled state of affairs during the war. This land he improved and built upon, making it his home until 1839, when he came to Michigan, where he remained with his children until his death, which occurred Nov. 18, 1842. Arrived at the age of twenty, Luther started in life for himself. He went to Townshend, New London district, Canada, and engaged in distilling and building distilleries.

: to. Niles for his family, which he brought to their wilderness home. His land was new and the surrounding country an almost unbroken wilderness, as there were then but five families in the town of Cooper. A log house was built. The farm he has improved, and a fine house has taken the place of the log one. Since then he has owned over 300 acres of land. In the war of 1812 Mr. Chamberlain served in Capt. Colton's Fair Haven company, and was in the battle of Plattsburgh. He served from Aug. 15, 1812, until peace was proclaimed. In politics Mr. Chamberlain is a

VAIKAMS

Photos. by Packard, Kalamazoo.

LUTHER CHAMBERLAIN.

MRS. LUTHER CHAMBERLAIN.

He remained in Townshend until 1831, when he sold his business and moved to Niagara Co., N. Y., where he bought a farm which was but partly cleared. In 1835, Mr. Chamber- lain sold his farm, and with his family removed to Michigan, where land was cheap. They came with a team and wagon, and were thirteen days on the road. At Niles he left his fam- ily, and started on foot to look for a home. From Paw Paw he followed an Indian trail to his present home in Cooper. Being pleased with the location, he bought from the gov- ernment the northwest quarter of section 18, and returned

Republican. He has served as justice of the peace six years. As a citizen and neighbor Mr. Chamberlain is esteemed and respected, and he can say what few men can say,-viz., that he has never taken from any one a cent of interest. On the 12th day of August, 1824, he married Martha Beemer, daughter of John Beemer, who was born June 26, 1807, and died Nov. 23, 1868. There were born to them three children,-Edwin, Feb. 17, 1829, died April 7, 1829 ; Louisa, March 26, 1830 ; and Emily, July 30, 1833.

A. H. STODDARD.

The Stoddard family is of English origin, and was among the early settlers of New England. Asa Stoddard, the father of the subject of this memoir, was a native of Con- necticut, but early removed to the State of New York, and was for many years a resident of Essex County. During the war of 1812-15 he served on the Niagara frontier. In 1852 he removed to Juniata; Tuscola Co., Mich., where he resided until his death, in 1868.

On the maternal side, Mr. Stoddard traces his ancestry to John Rogers, the martyr, who perished at the stake in 1555, a victim to the bigotry of the age. His maternal great-grandfather, then an old man, fell in the terrible battle (commonly known as the massacre) of Wyoming, in July, 1778.

His grandmother was among those who had taken refuge

in " Forty Fort," and was wont to relate to her descendants the following incidents of that memorable period :

When the few survivors of the battle returned to the fort they drove in some of the cows belonging to the in- habitants. She, among other women, hastened to milk them. In a few moments she had finished two, and came in with two brimming pails, which she immediately pro- ceeded to distribute among the thirsty soldiers, who had formed in line inside the fort. The welcome beverage was just sufficient to go around. She was in the fort when the British and Indians took possession, and saw among the savages one who wore her father's coat, which he had taken from the dead body. The fatal bullet-hole told how the deadly messenger had done its work. The heroic woman made her escape with others by traveling on foot through forty miles of wilderness, carrying her little child,

MR$ WM. S.DELANO.

WM. S. DELANO

RES. OF WM S. DELANO, COOPER, MICH,

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TOWNSHIP OF COOPER.

eighteen months old, and a package of wearing apparel and other articles in her arms. Mr. Stoddard has a pewter plate in his possession which she carried on that perilous journey.

His maternal grandfather, Henry Harding, served under Washington in New Jersey, and was in Gen. Sullivan's famous expedition against the Six Nations in 1779. He died at Minisink, Orange Co., N. Y., in 1792, leaving eight children, of whom Lucretia, the mother of Mr. Stoddard, was the youngest save one. Mrs. Harding married for a second husband Benjamin Atwater, one of the early settlers of Wayne Co., N. Y. They settled in Williamson in 1802, where, on the 31st day of October, 1814, Mr. A. H. Stod- dard was born.

His mother dying while he was yet an infant, he and his sister (now Mrs. M. B. Russell, of Battle Creek) were taken by their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Atwater, with whom they passed the earlier years of life. The death of the grandfather, in 1825, devolved the care of the family upon his son, Benjamin Atwater, Jr., with whom Mr. Stoddard lived until eighteen years of age, when the family broke up and he was thrown upon his own resources.

His first object was to secure a good education ; and to provide the necessary means, he worked on a farm by the month during the summer, and attended school in the winter until he was qualified to teach, when he reversed the order by teaching during the winter and attending an academy during the summer. As a teacher he was abund- antly successful, and followed that (to him) pleasant avoca- tion for twenty-four successive winters, six of which were spent in one district.

In 1837 he married Miss Mary Ann Russell, of Wil- liamson, a daughter of Daniel Russell, the first settler of that township. Mrs. Stoddard died in 1846, leaving one daughter, who died in 1853. In 1848, Mr. Stoddard married Ann Elizabeth Anthony, daughter of Silas An- thony, of Williamson. Death deprived him of this excel- lent woman in 1849, and in 1852 he married Miss Laura Jane, daughter of William R. Sanford, of Marion, Wayne Co., N. Y. This lady, like her husband, was an experi- enced and successful teacher.

To this union have been born two sons,-William S. and Lucien H.,-both of whom reside on the homestead, four miles north from Kalamazoo, and formerly known as the Howard farm. It is an excellent location, and the buildings and improvements are among the best in the township.

Mr. Stoddard became a resident of Kalamazoo County in 1863, and, although not among the pioneers, is a well- known, influential, and valuable citizen. He has from early manhood taken a deep interest in educational matters, devoting his best energies to the advancement of the com- mon schools, both in New York and Michigan, and holding at various periods responsible and important positions in that connection.

He has been from boyhood an earnest advocate of tem- perance, and in his declining years contributes liberally, by tongue and pen and various other means, to the cause.

He has never been an active politician. He was reared a Democrat, but since the year 1854 has generally acted

with the Republican party, because, to use his own words, he " considers it the more democratic of the two."

His religious views are of the " liberal" order ; and while claiming the right to express his opinions on all proper oc- casions, he willingly concedes the same right to others.

Mr. Stoddard is an original and vigorous poetical writer, and is familiarly known as the " Farmer Poet," a sobriquet very justly bestowed, and of which he need not be ashamed. Selections from his writings will be found in Chapter XXII., in connection with those of various local writers.

WM. S. DELANO.

Among the early settlers of Cooper township were the Delanos, several families of whom still reside in the town, honored and respected citizens. Wm. S. Delano was born in the town of Ontario, Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1819. His father, Stephen B. Delano, was a physician, and followed his profession in Wayne and Steuben Counties, N. Y., until his death, which occurred May 20, 1827, leaving a wife and three children in limited circumstances. After the death of his father, William S. went to live with his uncle, Icha- bod Hart, with whom he resided until he was twenty-one. Growing to manhood on a farm, he early learned habits of industry which have made him a most successful farmer. Arrived at majority, Mr. Delano commenced business for himself, working by the month for the farmers in Cooper. In the fall of 1843 he bought the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 28, in Cooper, only eight acres of which were improved. On this farm he built a log house, into which he moved in the fall of 1844. To the begin- ning thus made he has added, until he now owns two hun- dred and thirty-five acres, mostly improved, with good and commodious buildings. In politics, Mr. Delano is and has always been a Democrat, and though he has never sought office he has been supervisor of his township, and also treasurer. He has been a church-member thirty-eight years, and is now a member of the Congregational Church of Cooper Centre, and one of its officers. For his first wife, Mr. Delano married Louisa C. Skinner, who was born in Providence, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1818. She was a daughter of Henry and Deborah (Inman) Skinner. There were born to them four children, as follows: Stephen B., born Sept. 4, 1842, died Sept. 1, 1862 ; Joseph E., born July 5, 1844; Hiram A., July 12, 1847; and Louisa C., Nov. 3, 1849. Mrs. Skinner died July 1, 1853. For his second wife he married Miss Hannah M. Blanchard (daugh- ter of Herman and Betsey M. [Taylor] Blanchard), who was born in Persia, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Jan. 12, 1826. This union has been blessed with the following-named chil- dren : Herman B., born July 10, 1855, died Oct. 24, 1874 ; George E., born Aug. 5, 1857; Albert W., Sept. 22, 1859 ; Fred. S., Dec. 20, 1861 ; Lydia M., Nov. 10, 1863; Laura J., April 19, 1866 ; and Orlyn J., May 13, 1868. Stephen B. Delano enlisted, Nov. 1, 1861, in Company F, 3d Mich- igan Cavalry ; was in the following battles : New Madrid, Mo., siege of Island No. 10, siege of Corinth, and battle of Farmington, Miss., May 5, 1862. He died in hospital at Tuscumbia, Ala., Sept. 1, 1862.

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HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

JAMES McNAB

was born in Johnstown, Fulton Co., N. Y., May 14, 1826, and is a descendant of an old Scotch family. His father, Archibald McNab, was born in Scotland. His family came to America in 1800 and settled in Johnstown, where he married a Miss Christiana Walker, who was also of Scotch descent, her parents having been born in Scotland. When James was two years old his parents moved to Caledonia, Livingston Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood, and where his parents lived and died. His education was lim- ited to a few weeks' attendance in the winter at the district school, working on the farm summers as soon as old enough. In 1856 he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. On this farm he remained until 1868, meeting with marked success. He then sold and came to Kalamazoo County, and bought, in the town of Cooper, the farm known as the Governor Throop, or Springbrook, farm. The farm con- tains four hundred and eighty acres, and is pleasantly sit- uated on Springbrook, which runs through it. Governor Throop bought the farm in 1848, improved two hundred acres, and set out orchards, ornamental trees, and arranged the finest flower-garden in the region. The locust-grove still standing on the farm is a souvenir of the Governor, who is still remembered by the older inhabitants as a gentle- man of the old school. In 1856 he sold the place and re- turned to his Willowbrook farm, near Auburn, N. Y., where he died, Nov. 1, 1874. Governor Throop filled many im- portant offices, both State and national, and it seems strange that at his time of life he should settle on a new farm in a new country. He thus explains it in a letter to Mrs. McNab :

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History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 109

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott Number of Pages: 761

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 761