History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 114

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

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little of the township was settled. The Indians were more numerous than the white population. Wolves roamed the forest in packs, making night hideous with their howls. On one occasion a man in the employ of Mr. Dean went into the woods at nightfall for the horses, and on his return encountered a number of these prowlers in search of food. He was greatly alarmed, and taking advantage of the nearest tree, quickly climbed to its highest limbs, and there remained until dawn advised him that he was free from danger.

John Batey was one of the earliest settlers in the town- ship, having located, in August, 1835, 160 acres on sections 1 and 2, where he still resides. The country on his arrival was little more than a vast wilderness, the only log houses in the township being those of Carlo Vorce and Elijah Smith, who occupied the one built by Chester Johnson and Jacob Ramsdell. Mr. Batey at once erected a shelter for his family. The house, which had very few conveniences, was con- structed after the most primitive fashion, with no windows and no doors, save those improvised from blankets hung up for protection against the cold. Mr. Batey improved his land, and by industry was soon able to erect for his family a more comfortable abode. He retains many reminiscences of his early settlement, and speaks with much satisfaction of the experiences of the early pioneers.

Amos Chipman came in 1835, and entered 160 acres on sections 11 and 13, which he improved. Hiram Chipman also came at an early date, and purchased land on section 13.

Alanson Osborn removed from Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1837, and bought of Alvah Gates 246 acres on sections 4, 5, and 20. On the latter section he owned 40 acres, upon which stood a house, which he disposed of soon after. The first summer of Mr. Osborn's arrival he built a house upon his land and improved it, living meanwhile with Elijah Root, in the present township of Portage. After residing for three years upon the land he sold it, and made a later purchase upon sections 20 and 29, embracing 160 acres. There were at this date very few neighbors, no roads, and much of the land was marshy. The Indians paid the family frequent visits, and their presence was always synonymous with a demand for food. Often they would beg, and occa- sionally borrow what they desired. They became very inso- lent, and when not pleased with what was given them, would frequently throw it out of the window. Finally they became so annoying that Mr. Osborn procured a large dog, which rendered him effectual aid in keeping them away. Plenty of wolves were to be seen, and occasionally a bear. Mr. Osborn still resides upon his early purchase.

A. J. Osborn came with his brother Alanson in 1837, though a mere lad at the time. He early left his home and hired himself to Gould Richardson to work on his farm. On coming of age, he purchased 40 acres on section 29, which he subsequently sold and bought 100 acres on section 21, to which he has since added, and upon which he still resides.

A. D. Nash came in 1837 from New York, and purchased 120 acres on section 30. On this land a log house had previously been erected, to which he removed his family. Ten acres had also been improved. His nearest neighbor was Nelson Dunshee, who lived in the portion of Pavilion

which is now embraced in the township of Portage. With Mr. Nash came Caleb Lammon, who purchased 200 acres of William W. Watkins, on section 31. In the southwest corner of the same section was John Crader, who arrived soon after and purchased 160 acres on section 31. He afterwards disposed of his farm and resided in Vicksburg, where he died two years since. The farm is now occupied by Isaac Olmstead.

Few of the early pioneers passed through such varied and trying experiences as Edmund Chase and his family. Feel- ing the necessity of seeking some wider sphere of usefulness than presented itself in his former home, in Ontario Co., N. Y., he determined to emigrate to Michigan, and effected an exchange whereby he became the possessor of 200 acres of land in Pavilion, on sections 3 and 4, and 120 acres in Branch County. He determined to settle upon the former, and removed with his family to a small piece of ground adjoining, with a log house upon it, which he rented. On this place he remained two years, in the mean time building a frame house and improving his land. There had not been time for raising a crop of wheat, and meanwhile the family were destitute of bread. Mr. Chase traveled two days be- fore he was able to find a sufficient quantity of wheat for their subsistence during the year. Not long after his arrival a very bountiful crop rewarded his labor, and while pre- paring to harvest it he and all his family were prostrated with that scourge of the pioneer, fever and ague. This prevented his gathering the harvest, which was nearly all lost.

Mr. Chase had for a fellow-townsman in New York the Mormon prophet, Joe Smith. His acquaintance with the leader and his followers was not such as to inspire him with admiration for their virtues, and he did not regret his re- moval from their midst. On reaching the township of Pavilion on Saturday they were hospitably entertained by a neighbor. The following Sabbath a large assemblage had gathered within the limited quarters the house afforded for worship. Mr. Chase was dismayed to find himself again in the very centre of Mormonism. The disciples of this faith ultimately removed to Utah.

Notwithstanding the obstacles Mr. Chase and his family encountered, they persevered and were finally able to enjoy a comfortable home and a competency.

William G. Collins came from Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1846, and located upon 260 acres of land on section 21, on which was a log house and barn and 30 acres improved.

The farm, which is now owned by his son, is under a high state of cultivation.

Prominent among the early settlers of Kalamazoo County was Dr. David E. Brown, who later made the township of Pavilion his home. His residence at Pickerel Lake was the abode of hospitality. His generous acts in a widely- extended practice as a physician are still remembered by the surviving pioneers of many of the western counties of the State. A more extended notice of Dr. Brown will be found in this volume among the sketches of prominent medical practitioners of the county.

Among other names who are justly entitled to be enrolled upon the list of pioneers are Lyman T. Earl, who entered land on section 1 as early as 1833, but did not until later

EDWARD DENNISTON.

MR$ E. DENNISTON.

EDWARD DENNISTON.

Edward Denniston was born at Coburg Lodge, Ros- common Co., Ireland, March 2, 1821. He was the eldest son of John and Alice (Dowling) Denniston. The elder Denniston was the son of an Episcopal cler- gyman, and was educated at Dublin College, intending to follow the profession of his father. Before reaching majority his father died, and he went to live with a maternal uncle with whom he resided until his mar- riage to Alice Dowling, in 1820. He then engaged in farming, which occupation he followed until his emigra- tion to this country, with his family, in 1836. He first settled in Northampton Co., Mass., where he lived a short time. From thence he went to Genesee Co., N. Y. In 1858 he came to Michigan, and died the following year. Edward, on the arrival of the family in the United States, went to live with a paternal uncle, Dr. E. E. Denniston, of Northampton, with whom he re- mained about one year, when he accepted a situation in New York as shipping clerk in a dry-goods jobbing house.

In 1840 he resolved to try his fortunes in Michi-

gan, and came to Kalamazoo County, and during that year worked for a farmer, on "Indian Fields," by the name of Chaffee. The next year he purchased a farm on Gourd-Neck Prairie, which he improved. He resided on this farm until 1849, when he sold and went to Indiana. Remaining there a short time, he sold and went to California. In 1851 he returned home and - again located on Gourd-Neck Prairie. In 1853 he pur- chased the farm where he now resides.

In March, 1853, Mr. Denniston was married to Mar- garet Hawkins, by whom he had four children, two of whom are now living,-Jesse E. and Edward C. In 1871 Mrs. Denniston died, and he was again married to Lydia J. Beckwith, who was born in Fort Ann, Washington Co., N. Y., June 4, 1818, and came to Michigan in 1842.

Mr. Denniston is a thrifty and successful farmer, and, since his settlement in Pavilion, has been prominently identified with the best interests of the town. He is a staunch Republican in politics, but has never sought office.

MRS. EDWARD CHASE.

EDWARD CHASE.

Edward Chase was born in the town of Western, Oneida Co., N. Y., March 20, 1803. He was the son of Clark Chase and Phebe Mason, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. When Edward was a year old the elder Chase removed to the town of Rutland, Jefferson Co., N. Y., where he followed his trade, that of a tanner, cur- rier, and shoemaker. In the spring of 1812, he moved to Ontario Co., N. Y., where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1821. His protracted illness left the family poor and in debt, and Edward's labor was necessary for their maintenance. He remained until he was twenty-two years of age, when he embarked in business for himself as a farm hand at ten dollars per month. At the expiration of eight months he took his wages, eighty dollars, and pur- chased a small piece of land. He next went to work on the Erie Canal, where he was engaged two years. Jan. 27, 1828, he was married to Miss Hannah B. Brown, daughter of Ballon and Rhoba Brown. After his marriage he com- menced improving his land and making additions to his farm ; but finding, as he says, that his family increased more rapidly than his acres, he thought to possess himself of the advantages offered by the cheap lands and fertile soil of Michigan, and exchanged his farm for lands in Branch and Kalamazoo Counties. He received in exchange one hun- dred and twenty acres in Pavilion, Kalamazoo Co., and two hundred in Branch County. June 1, 1843, he started for Kalamazoo County with his family. He came through Ohio, and arrived Saturday, July 1st. He stopped over Sun- day with a man by the name of Cook, and was considerably surprised, Sabbath morning, to find the people gathering at the house of his friend for the purpose of holding a Mormon

meeting. Monday morning he moved his family into an unoccupied house in the neighborhood, and started for Jack- son, which was at that time the terminus of the Central Railroad, for his goods. He worked in harvest, and ob- tained bread for his family for a year.

The pioneer life of Mr. and Mrs. Chase was replete with hardships and privations. For months the larger portion of the family were laid on beds of sickness, and, did our space permit, we could pen from their lips many an incident that, to the present generation, would sound like fiction. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have reared a family of twelve children, four of whom were born in this State: Charles, Leander, Albert, George, Gurley, William H., Julius A., Jane, Cyn- thia A., Elvira, Frances, and Elsie. Six of the sons, and two sons-in-law, served their country in the war of the Re- bellion. Albert and William H. were killed, the former while contesting a ford on the Rapidan, on the 14th of Sep- tember, 1863, and the latter on the 20th of the same month, in battle. Mr. Chase has been an industrious and successful man. Since coming to Michigan he has purchased several hundred acres of land. His home farm consists of two hun- dred and forty acres, under a good state of cultivation, and having commodious buildings.

In his political affiliations Mr. Chase is a staunch Re- publican. Although not courting political preferment, he has been called to fill several positions of trust and respon- sibility. In 1846 he represented Pavilion in the board of supervisors, and was again elected to the same position. He has been magistrate of the town for four terms.

Altogether, Mr. Chase is one whose identification with any county is always productive of good.

423

TOWNSHIP OF PAVILION.

become a resident ; William Earl, who also entered land on section 12 in the same year, and, later, additional land on section 11; Harvey H. Starr, who entered 80 acres on sec- tion 28 in 1836; George Myers, who entered 80 acres on section 21 in 1837; James Noyes, Horatio Chipman, John Soger, John Francisco, Chauncey Dean, Warren Watkins, Elbert Calkins, Henry Barnum, and Chauncey Beckwith.

ROADS.

The early settlers of Pavilion mnade use of the Indian trails, as did their neighbors, but, unlike them, they did not, in the early survey of roads, follow exclusively sec- tional lines, but pursued an oblique line in many instances where distance could be economized thereby.

The earliest recorded road in the township, designated as road No. 1, began at the corners of sections 24 and 25, ran due west, then south, and after deviating in its course from south to west and again to the south, finally termi- nated at the township line, on the south side of section 32. This road was recorded Aug. 15, 1837, and probably surveyed by William R. Watson, though no date of its survey has been discovered.

Road No. 2 began at the corners of sections 25 and 26, and, running southwest, intersected road No. 1 on the. south side of section 27. This road was surveyed May 26, 1837, by William R. Watson, and recorded August 15th of the same year.

Road No. 3 began at the corners of sections 3 and 4, and ran south to Pickerel Lake, and, continuing south, in- tersected with what was known as the Climax and Gourd- Neck road. This road was also recorded Aug. 15, 1837.

Other roads were surveyed and recorded the same year, many of them, including road No. 1, being subsequently altered.

Those laid out in 1839 were surveyed by R. S. Clapp, then filling the position of county surveyor. Well-con- structed roads now traverse every portion of the township.

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.

There is no village in the township of Pavilion, the spot known upon the county map as Pavilion Post-Office, or, more familiarly, as McKain's Corners, being simply a hamlet with a cluster of houses and a post-office.

It derives its name from Martin McKain, who purchased most of the land in the vicinity in 1835. It is located in the southeast corner of the township, and contains a store, of which Charles Collins is proprietor, as well as post- master, one hotel, kept by Joseph Slater, a blacksmith-shop, and the school-house belonging to District No. 1. Dr. Malcolm Hill is the physician of the place.

The Peninsular Railroad* runs diagonally across the southeast portion of the township, and has a station on section 24, called Scotts. There is also a post-office estab- lished here, William H. Delano being postmaster. There is another station on section 34, called Indian Lake Station.

A convenient township hall is located near the centre of Pavilion, where the township-meetings are held.

SCHOOLS.

The first school district was laid out April 8, 1837, and embraced sections 25, 26, 35 and 36; and the first district meeting was held at the house of Hiram Chipman, on the 22d of the same month, the school inspectors being Jacob Ramsdell, Hiram Chipman, and Caleb Sweetland. Very soon after other districts were organized in adjacent parts of the township, and these again divided into fractional districts as convenience demanded. In the first district, soon after its organization, a school-house of logs was built, which was located near the northwest corner of section 36. This was the earliest school building erected in the town- ship, and in it was organized the first school taught in Pavilion. The presiding genius of this school was Miss Charlana Adams, daughter of John Adams, Esq., and now Mrs. Burton Johnson, of Shelbyville, Mich.

Her successor was Miss Olive Smith, daughter of Elisha Smith, now Mrs. Chamberlain, who presided over 17 pupils. After 1840 school-houses were built and schools organized in various portions of the township. These early buildings, as the population increased and the necessity for more com- modious quarters became apparent, were replaced by more pretentious frame or brick edifices.

The present school territory of Pavilion embraces eight whole districts and one fractional district, the directors being as follows : District No 1, Thomas Cloney ; No. 2, Charles Davenport; No. 3, Herbert Warren ; No. 4, Benjamin C. Collins; No. 5, Daniel Evans ; No. 6, J. G. Schilling ; No. 7, Eugene Beckwith ; No. 8, M. D. Ramsdell.

The number of children at present receiving instruction is 261. The number of teachers employed is 16, to whom, in salaries, the sum of $1127 was paid during the last year. The total value of school property in the township is $2145. The total resources for the past year were $2242.78, of which $182.48 was derived from the primary-school fund.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ELIJAH LEMUEL SMITH

was born in the town of Clarendon, Rutland Co., Vt., April 21, 1817. His father, Elijah Smith, was born in the town of Ware, Hampshire Co., Mass., Sept. 3, 1772, and was of the Puritan stock of that country. His mother, Rebecca Smith, was also born in Massachusetts, Nov. 18, 1776 ; and her parents, David and Christine Ma- coy, were born in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the year 1753. At the age of about twenty-one David Macoy was united in marriage to Miss Christine Munroe, and took up his residence with a wealthy aunt in the city of Edin- burgh. About this time young Macoy was compelled by impressment to take up arms in favor of the king against the American colonies.

However reluctant he was to leave his native country, . he felt that he could not go and leave his wife, and permis- sion was obtained for her to accompany him on the perilous voyage. Commodore Maxwell was ordered with his fleet to sail into Boston harbor, then in the hands of the British. Nothing happened to mar or interrupt the pleasant voyage

* Now known as the Northwestern Grand Trunk.

424

HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

of the fleet till they arrived in Boston harbor, when a heavy shot from the fort came into the commodore's vessel, carry- ing away a portion of the rigging and the commodore's head.

This told the crew very plainly that they were in the hands of the Americans. They were taken prisoners-of- war, and soon after an exchange was effected, when young Macoy, not relishing the idea of fighting the Americans, deserted the English lines and asked protection from the American commander. This was granted, and he was offered and accepted a position on board a privateer then being fitted out in Boston. On board this vessel young Macoy saw hard fighting, and many an English flag was compelled to come down. After the close of the war young Macoy, with his wife, removed to Rutland Co., Vt., where they lived to the age of nearly a hundred years, enjoying the protection of the government they had adopted, and fought so hard to maintain.

Elijah Smith and Rebecca Macoy were married in 1797, and settled in Rutland Co., Vt., where they lived till 1826, when the family removed to Washington Co., N. Y. ; and in 1833 Mr. Smith, with his family, removed to Livingston County, in the same State, with a view of purchasing a home, but on arriving there he found the price of land beyond his limited means. After remaining there two years and getting together what means he could he de- cided to "go West," and Bronson, Kalamazoo Co., Mich., was selected as the point of destination. Accordingly, on the 12th day of May, 1835, Mr. Smith, with his family and three horses and two wagons, started from Livonia, Livingston Co., N. Y., on his journey, loading the two- horse wagons with such light articles of household furni- ture and cooking utensils as could be best carried. A journey of that description at that time-having to pass forty miles of " the black swamp" in Ohio, and many other hardships incident to a new country-was anything but a journey of pleasure. After stopping over one week in the eastern part of the State, they arrived on the bank of the river at Bronson, and were ferried over, and drove up to the Kalamazoo House on the eve of June 5, 1835.

The next day they drove out to Otis Pitts', who lived in a shanty at " Indian Fields," and there learned that a log house had been built the fall before on the southeast quarter of section 6, in Pavilion, by Chester Johnson, and was empty. This house was procured for the family for one year, and they commenced housekeeping with such articles as were brought on the wagon. June 7th the southeast quarter of section 7, town 3 south, range 10 west (Pavil- ion), was decided upon as the future home for the family, and June 8, 1835, Mr. Smith went to Kalamazoo (then Bronson) and purchased the same of the United States government, paying therefor two hundred dollars, which took nearly every dollar belonging to the family. The pur- chase was a beautiful oak forest, for which Kalamazoo County was so celebrated. The family consisted of the father and mother, two daughters, Sally and Olive, and two sons, Asahel H. and Elijah L., the youngest of the family. Sally died in 1852; Asahel H. lived a bachelor, and died in 1875, leaving his entire estate to the children of his

brother, Elijah L. ; Olive became the wife of Ormon Cham- berlain, and is now living, a widow, on Cedar Street, Kala- mazoo. Elijah Smith, the father, died in 1850, and his wife in 1852.

E. L. Smith was married, March 10, 1847, to Eliza Ann Eddy, who died June 4, 1852, leaving three children, of whom one died a month after her decease, and another two months later. Ellen L. is still living. He was again mar- ried, May 10, 1853, to Julia Ann Dutcher, who died Feb- ruary 4, 1855, leaving one son, Edgar J., who is living.

On September 27, 1855, he was again married, to Abigail Train, who is now living, and has borne him four sons and two daughters,-Lucien H., Ormon C., Byron L., Everett L., now living; and Nellie A. and Lena A.,. who died of diphtheria, one on the morning of October 19th, the other on the morning of Oct. 20, 1878.

Mr. Smith was originally a Whig, but joined the Re- publican party upon its organization. Although he never sought political preferment, he has held political positions in his township from its earliest organization.

At the commencement of the war of the Rebellion, in 1861, he was elected supervisor of his township ; was re- elected in 1862, and again in 1863-64, both political par- ties putting his name at the head of the ticket; and again in 1865 he was elected to the same office.

At the close of the war he asked to be excused from any further service, which was granted till 1871, when he was again solicited to allow the use of his name. This he con- sented to, and was again elected to the same office, which he held for one year. He also served as justice of the peace three terms, and was a deputy under Sheriffs Sweet- land and Thomas.

In matters of religion he is not a sectarian. True re- ligion he believes to be the foundation of all moral and social governments. It not only prompts a man to go to the sanctuary and carry with him that profound humiliation and respect for his Creator, and the many blessings daily received at his hand, but it shines forth in all his daily walks, in his honesty, in his integrity, in his sobriety, in his morals, and in all that goes to make a man a good and valuable citizen.

Mr. Smith has always been a great fancier of fine stock, and in 1872 he and his brother engaged in the breeding of short-horn cattle ; their selections were of the best, and rep- resentatives from their herd were sought after from all quar- ters for their superior qualities. Their cattle, wherever shown, were sure to take the first premium and command the highest admiration from visitors. After the death of his brother, A. H. Smith, in 1875, he continued to keep the herd together till 1879, when failing health admonished him to reduce his cares. Accordingly, on Oct. 30, 1879, he sold, at the National Fair-Grounds in Kalamazoo, the larger part of his herd at remunerative prices.

In connection with his sister, Mrs. Chamberlain, he purchased and improved a family burial-lot in Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo, which for beauty and design is not surpassed by anything of the kind in the county. The lot is about forty feet on each side, and is located on one of the highest elevations of that beautiful ground. It was graded to a level. From the centre out sixteen and one-half feet

TOWNSHIP OF PAVILION.

425

it is raised about twelve inches, forming a circle thirty-three feet in diameter. On the centre of this stands the family monument, a massive structure, hewn from the purest of Vermont white marble, seventeen feet high, and of a very beautiful design. Around the monument are the burial- lots, twenty-three in number, with the head at the outer rim of the circle.

Mrs. Smith was the daughter of Samuel M. and Lydia Train, born in Rochester, Vt., May 29, 1836. Her father, with his family, removed to Le Roy, N. Y., when she was eleven years old, and from there to Kalamazoo in 1854, where he and his wife now reside, in good health, at the age of seventy-seven. She is an excellent wife, a kind and af- fectionate mother, generous and open-hearted to the needy, always ready to minister to the wants of the suffering and afflicted, and highly respected and esteemed by those who know her.

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History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 114

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