History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 84

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

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RES . OF JOHN W. KIRBY, CHARLESTON, KALAMAZOO, CO., MICH.

313

TOWNSHIP OF CHARLESTON.

and paid for has been improved and added to, until Mr. Lemon now owns four hundred and thirteen acres of beau- tiful land, finely improved, with a large and elegant house and many and well-arranged outbuildings. In politics, Mr. Lemon is a Republican, and has served on the Board of Supervisors, although living in a strong Democratic town- ship. During the war of the Rebellion no one in Brady gave his money more freely or supported the government more cheerfully. He is a professor of religion, although not now a member of any orthodox church. He married Miss Annie Spicer, Jan. 1, 1838. She was born April 28, 1822; daughter of Wm. and Lydia Spicer. She died Feb. 11, 1847. Their union was blessed with four chil-

dren, viz., Almina, born Sept. 14, 1839, died Jan. 31, 1852 ; Lydia, Oct. 18, 1841, died July 18, 1847; Mary Jane, July 18, 1843; and Amie, Jan. 6, 1847. Mr. Lemon married, Oct. 18, 1847, Miss Hannah Spicer (sister of his first wife), who was born May 13, 1827. There have been born to them the following children : Nora, born Dec. 11, 1848; James N., Sept. 6, 1850, died Feb. 10, 1852; Sarah, Sept. 6, 1852 ; George, Sept. 29, 1854, died Aug. 8, 1857; Frank E., Nov. 1, 1856, died Feb. 1, 1866; Ida and Eva, Oct. 25, 1858,-Ida died in March, 1860 ; John, Oct. 3, 1860, died Sept. 7, 1869; Charles, June 3, 1863; Fred, March 20, 1865 ; Sanford, Feb. 19, 1867 ; and Frank R., March 14, 1870.

CHARLESTON.

THE township of Charleston, designated in the field-notes of the original survey as township number 2 south, of range number 9 west, is situated upon the east border of Kala- mazoo County.

It was surveyed by John Mullett in 1825 and 1826, and organized as a separate township in 1838.

The surface is generally level, especially so from the Ter- ritorial road north to the Kalamazoo River. South of this road the land rises to a higher elevation, and is more undu- lating.

Originally some heavily-timbered lots existed in the south part, and along the river-bottoms, but for the most part the lands of this township consisted of " oak openings." Por- tions of sections 3 and 4 were denominated burr-oak plains, and Climax Prairie extends into the southern sections.

The township is well watered, the principal streams being the Kalamazoo River, the outlet from Gull Lake, and one of the Portage Creeks of the St. Joseph River. The former crosses the northwest quarter of the township diagonally, from Augusta to Galesburg. The outlet from Gull Lake flows in a southerly direction, and intersecting sections 6, 7, and 18, finally effects a junction with the Kalamazoo River near the southwest corner of section 17.

Portage Creek takes its rise from a lake of the same name situated on sections 27 and 34, and flowing to the southwest, becomes tributary to the St. Joseph River.

The seven lakes of the township-Portage, Eagle, and Burnham's being the most important-cover an expanse of about 550 acres.

The soil of Charleston Is most excellent, and, compara- tively speaking, its productions are unsurpassed by any township in the county.

The village of Galesburg includes portions of sections 18

Its inhabitants are afforded excellent railroad facilities. The Michigan Central Railroad in following the right bank of the Kalamazoo River crosses +1 est corner, and the Peninsular Railroad theast corner of the townsh: and Galesburg

Latral Railroad-are the - -st-

rping-points.

THE PIONEERS AND FIRST SETTLEMENTS.

To those now residing in a region which he was the first to explore, and where he was the first to endure the perils and privations of that almost savage condition, a pioneer life, the earliest settler is an object of especial interest.

Many of these pioneers, in their integrity of character, their kindness of heart, their hospitality, their contempt of danger, and their cheerful endurance of toil and privation, have claims upon the historian other than the mere fact that they were among the first to settle here.

Scarcely a more striking and inspiring figure can be pre- sented than one of these hardy and athletic frontiersmen, with only his family about him, establishing his home in the remote, solitary wilderness :

" His strong right hand the ready rifle grasps; His axe the left with equal vigor clasps; With equal nerve prepared the foe to meet, Or lay the forest prostrate at his feet."

As the first settler of Kalamazoo County, one of its first judges, and the original from which J. Fenimore Cooper drew his character of the bee-hunter, in his novel, " The Oak-Openings, or the Bee-Hunter," the name of Judge Bazel Harrison has gained wide celebrity. Judge Harrison was born in Frederick Co., Md., in 1772. His father was a brother of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and, consequently, the judge was cousin

ugust: norvac

314

HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

periods in the States of Pennsylvania and Ohio, Judge Harrison finally removed to the present township of Prairie Ronde in November, 1828. He was accompanied by his wife, six sons, and four daughters.

His son, William Harrison, the first settler within the limits of Charleston, remained as a member of the Prairie Ronde settlement until the spring of 1830. He had mean- while, during various scouts and hunting-excursions, visited the region known as Climax Prairie. Its natural beauties invited occupation, and here, on section 36, " Uncle Billy" resolved to stake out his pre-emption claim.

Assisted by the friendly Pottawattomies, a rude log cabin was erected during the spring or early summer of 1830, and soon after he and his good wife, America, became its occupants, and the first settlers within a radius of twenty miles. "Uncle Billy" relates that his small family had to " browse it" part of the time during the first year, and when they could not do that, the Indians helped them with saddles of venison, corn, etc., else they would have starved.

Uncle Billy Harrison still resides upon the section where he settled nearly half a century ago. He has always been a prominent character, and many incidents illustrative of his physical strength, courage, endurance, generosity, and in- tegrity have been told ; one or two of which we reproduce :

His Encounter with a Bear .- Soon after his settlement Terex Prairie, Uncle Billy wished to sharpen his + happened in the accomplishment of

can't a grin' stone within

eight male Goddard's on Goguac .*

So I called Jerry, .

ne, Jer, let's go to God-

dard's and grind the axe. Their route led them across the country through tangled thickets and openings, and over the stream afterwards known as Martin Brook. God- dard's was reached near noon, the axe was ground, and then they retraced their steps. Martin Brook was again crossed, and on ascending the hill west of it, " Tearcoat" (his dog) gave signs of wild animals being around, by growls and a sudden start up the hill-side. Sure enough, on look- ing in the same direction, they discovered a large black bear slowly moving away, and "Tearcoat" bearing down upon him at full speed. The old dog, like his master, never having met anything that he could not conquer in a fight, was eager for battle. Bruin was soon overtaken ; he turned upon his pursuer, and the animals closed at once. The first bout resulted in a terrible yell from "Tearcoat," as the bear, standing erect on his haunches, caught the un- fortunate dog in his paws, and, fastening his jaws upon his shoulder, threatened the speedy termination of "Tear- coat's" career, unless assistance was quickly rendered. For- getful of his axe, Uncle Billy ran to the rescue of his favorite dog. He grasped the hind legs of the bear and began jerking and kicking him. At this Bruin let go of the dog, and immediately transferred his attentions to Uncle Billy's boot, taking in at one mouthful the entire heel and a "leetle" more. It was now Uncle Billy's turn to yell, which he did most lustily. In the struggle Uncle Billy fell to the ground, and the bear sprang upon him. His only chance was to close in upon him, and thus grap-

pled, they rolled over and over down the steep hill-side to- gether. In the descent Uncle Billy got loose. Quickly springing to his feet, he hastily looked about him to find a stick with which to cudgel Bruin's head, " but," says he, " I never saw so many rotten sticks in my life,-every one that I got hold of broke. Both 'Tearcoat' and myself had now learned something about bears, and as he did not seem inclined to force the battle, we were willing for a time to give his paws a wide margin. I still continued to search for a stick." In the meanwhile "Tearcoat" had again got his courage up, and began a second attack upon his bear- ship, who, perhaps thinking his assailants were too many, beat a retreat up a large tree, the old dog at the same time applying his teeth to his haunches. "Now," said Uncle Billy to Jerry, "you go to the Prairie and arouse the neighbors, while 'Tearcoat' and I watch the bear." Jerry was gone an hour and a half. He was accompanied upon his return by William and Andrew Eldred, and old Bruin was soon brought down by their rifles. He was a large fellow, weighing some 300 pounds.

A Lawsuit Proves his Honesty .- Uncle Billy and one of his neighbors, Seth Fletcher, became involved in some dif- ferences of opinion, which resulted in a lawsuit. The case was tried before a jury of six, Justice Isaac Pierce presid- ing. Uncle Billy appeared as his own counsel, while Mr. Fletcher retained the services of his son-in-law, Hale. After the evidence was all in Mr. Hale summed up for his client and then took his seat. Uncle Billy slowly arose, glancing calmly upon those assembled ; his eye at last rested upon Mr. Hale, and he inquired, " Have you got done ?" " Yes," says Mr. Hale, "I rest the case." "Then," says Uncle Billy, " move your chair out of the way and let Lawyer Harrison come forward and make his plea." His speech was short, sharp, and pithy, and then he rested. In ten minutes the jury rendered a verdict of $48 damages in favor of Uncle Billy.

A few days later he called upon Justice Pierce, and said he wished to see his docket. It was produced. "Just in- dorse on that judgment against ' old Fletch' $25 as paid." " How is that?" asked the justice. "Why, you see, ' old Fletch' proved that he loaded up so many feet of lumber on his wagon, but he failed to prove that he delivered it to me. Now he did deliver it. I got the lumber, and I want to do the fair thing and give him credit." "But," says Squire Pierce, "why didn't you say so on the trial, and acknowledge it there ?" " Ah, squire, that was the fight. I was fighting ' old Fletch' then. You see it wouldn't do to let up at that time. I wanted to whip him for being mean, so I let it go then. But I don't want his money. Put down the $25 as paid ; that's fair."

This lawsuit conspicuously illustrated Uncle Billy's repu- tation for honesty, and if it did not establish his claim as a lawyer it evinced most clearly the acumen to seize the im- portant points in his case and defend them, while he probed the armor of his adversary.

As before mentioned, Uncle Billy Harrison still resides upon the premises he first began to improve in 1830, and delights to inform his friends that at one time he was the " prettiest man" in the township, for the very good reason that he was the only one.

* Goguac Prairie.

WM. HARRISON.

WILLIAM HARRISON.

There is on earth no spectacle more beautiful than that of an old man, who has passed with honor through storm and contest, and retained the fresh- ness which adorned his youth ; such is a true green old age, and such an one it is a pleasure to know. There is a Southern winter in declining years where the sunlight warms, although the glare is gone.

There is still living in the town of Charleston, and its first settler, William Harrison. For fifty Fears he has observed the momentous changes which have culminated in the present state of advance- ment. When he left his home in Ohio, and came to Kalamazoo County, he found a trackless wilderness. Detroit had hardly reached the distinction of a vil- lage. Beneath his observation in a grand life pan- orama, Kalamazoo County has been organized and developed into one of the foremost agricultural re- gions of Michigan. It is in keeping with the self- abnegation of such men that he has retired to the background, and quietly looks on as the great and varied interests of which he helped to lay the foun- dation, expand and multiply and prosper.

William Harrison was born in Frederick Co., Va., Jan. 17, 1790. He is the oldest son of Judge Bazel Harrison, the first white settler of Kalamazoo County, and the most important character in its history. He can refer with pride to a long line of distinguished ancestors. His paternal great-grand-

father was a descendant of the General Harrison who held a commission under Cromwell.

Benjamin Harrison, father of President Harrison, who participated in the proceedings of the First Con- gress, and who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and an intimate friend of Washington, was his great-uncle. His grandfather, also named William, was with Washington in Braddock's ex- pedition, and often told his children of that awful day on the Monongahela, and the charmed life which that young Virginia colonel, who was afterwards to be so great in history, seemed to wear. His father, Judge Harrison, who may be appropriately called the father of Kalamazoo County, first settled in Prairie Ronde, in the history of which township an extended sketch of his life may be found. William's emigration to Michigan was one year subsequent to. that of his father, shortly after he settled in Charles- tou, where he was not only the first white settler, but had the honor of plowing the first furrow and raising the first crop.

The life of Mr. Harrison has been an eventful one, and marked by interesting incidents, many of which are mentioned in the town history. He is a man possessed of great strength of character and fine natural abilities. Socially he is genial and courte- ous, winning the regard of all with whom he comes in contact.

315

TOWNSHIP OF CHARLESTON.

Early in 1831, Asa Gunn, from Washtenaw County, be- came the second settler in the township. He had resided at Ann Arbor some five years prior to his removal here, and was a practical distiller. With other furniture, trap- pings, etc., he brought to this town the necessary apparatus for setting up a small still, and a bottle of " pure juice" as a specimen of his handiwork. He, in a moment of charac- teristic generosity, gave some of it to his Pottawattomie neighbors. They soon became drunk, and, in their threat- ening and savage importunities for more, so frightened the old man that he never dared to put his still in opera- tion.

In June, 1831, he, together with Benjamin Grenville, purchased a portion of section 15. Here he erected his cabin, and became the first settler in the central part of the township.

Mr. Gunn's cabin,* remembered by all the early set- tlers, was situated on the Territorial road, about one and a half miles south from Cock's Corners, and at an early day afforded shelter for many pioneers while seeking lands in this portion of the Territory. When the Burdicks and Whitfords came with their families, all took refuge with Mr. Gunn in his small cabin.

After they had built their own houses and moved into them, the cabin of the hospitable Gunn was discovered to be on fire, and the flames had already gained such headway with the marsh-hay roof that it was impossible to save it. With the aid of appreciative friends, the cabin was replaced by a substantial log house, which for many years served as the home for Mr. Gunn and his family.

Surrounding this old homestead is one of the oldest orchards in the county, and as far back as the year 1842 the excellence of its fruit was famed far and near.

The public lands situated in this township were first opened to purchasers in June, 1831, and among those who bought during the same month were Asa Gunn and Benja- min Grenville, from Washtenaw Co., Mich .; Horace H. Comstock, from Otsego Co., N. Y .; William Earl, from Niagara Co., N. Y .; Edwin H. Lothrop, of Kalamazoo Co., Mich .; and Hiram Moore and Caleb Eldred, from same county ; Charles Andrews, from Onondaga Co., N. Y. ; Stephen Eldred, William Eldred, Lovell and Hiram Moore, James M. Fellows, and Nathan Harrison, from Kalamazoo County.

# Henry Little, now a prominent resident of Kalamazoo village, came to this county first in 1831, journeying from Detroit via Jack- son, Marshall, and Battle Creek to Toland's Prairie. In the present township of Charleston there then resided but two families, viz., those of William Harrison and Asa Gunn. He describes Mr. Gunn's first cabin as follows :

" From Goguac to Asa Gunn's, in Charleston, was a wild region. The party took dinner at this old pioneer's hut. He had gone with an ox-team to Detroit-a four-weeks' trip-to purchase $10 worth of provisions. Mr. Gunn's family consisted of himself and wife and a daughter, twelve years old. His hut, or tavern, as all the pioneers' cabins were at that day, deserves a description. It was in dimensions about 12 by 16 feet, three sides of which were inclosed with small logs; the fourth, or front side, was entirely open, except three rails, laid up as bars, to prevent his oxen from entering at night and trampling upon the inmates, while sleeping upon their beds of marsh hay, spread upon the ground. The roof was formed of rails for raf- ters and marsh hay for shingles, and at the lowest side was but six feet high. The cooking operations were all performed outside."

Edwin M. Clapp, now a resident of the village of Kala- mazoo, is a native of Onondaga Co., N. Y. Prior to 1831 he had resided in Niagara Co., N. Y. In the summer of the latter year he visited portions of this State, Kalama- zoo County included.

The only settlers then in the present township of Charles- ton were William Harrison and Asa Gunn ; and Mr. Clapp was one evening entertained and received as a guest by Mr. Gunn in his rude cabin previously described.

In July, 1832, Mr. Clapp again returned to this town- ship, and during the same month purchased from the general government 220 acres of land, situated upon sec- tions 17 and 19. A third round trip to Niagara County was made in October, 1832. His mother, brother Rufus S., and sister Polly then accompanied him here. A sub- stantial log cabin was soon completed by the brothers, and occupied by the family during the winter of 1832 and '33.

Mr. Clapp recalls the fact that Jabez Rogers, also from Niagara Co., N. Y., came in during the summer of 1832, and purchased lands on sections 7 and 18.

Since the time of his settlement in Kalamazoo County, Mr. Clapp has been prominently identified with its public interests, and is to-day one of its most honored citizens. He, with William Harrison, in 1832, built the first bridge over the creek which crosses the Territorial road near the line dividing Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties. In 1838 he was the first supervisor elected in this township. The year following he was elected county commissioner,-a board composed of three officers, who, during the years 1839, 1840, and 1841, performed the duties previously and sub- sequently assigned to a Board of Supervisors. An accom- panying biography alludes more particularly to Mr. Clapp's life and services, to which the reader is respectfully re- ferred.

During the year 1833, the population of that part of Richland now known as Charleston was augmented by the arrival and settlement of several families. Among them were Robert Burdick and his sons-Lanckford, Alvin, and Charles-and Robert Whitford and his son Joseph. These families were from Otsego Co., N. Y., and came with their own teams through Canada. They arrived in the fall of 1833, and settled upon lands purchased at the White Pigeon land-office in May, 1833, during a visit of Lanck- ford and Alvin Burdick and Joseph Whitford to this region.

It is believed that Joseph Flanders also settled here in 1833 or early in 1834, and at about the same time a Mr. Bacon, who purchased from second hands, land situated upon sections 17 and 18. He was a drover and cattle-dealer by occupation, and somewhat addicted to habits of dissipation. One night he stopped at a tavern situated about two miles east of the county line, and was never again seen alive. His horse returned home with an empty saddle. His sons im- mediately instituted a search, following the direction taken by his faithful dog, and attracted by his barking, they found their father's dead body lying in a thicket, about one mile west of Gilbert's tavern.

Among the settlers of 1834 were Charles M. Nichols, Dr. James Harris, Joseph Wiseman, from Niagara Co., N. Y., and George Townsend.

Charles M. Nichols, during his residence here, was one

316

HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

of the most prominent men in the township. The land- office records show that in June, 1833, he came from Wayne Co., Mich., and made the first entry of lands upon section 10. He erected a rude log cabin upon the knoll that appears about half a mile north of Cock's Corners, on the direct road to Augusta. Here he became the first postmaster of Charleston, in 1835. Soon after he built a new framed house-the third framed house erected in the township-upon section 11, and on the line of the Territo- rial road. Here the post-office was kept for a number of years, and the residence of Postmaster Nichols was in those days considered palatial. In 1844 or '45 he removed to Wisconsin.

Dr. Harris was a Thompsonian in his mode of practice, an occasional Baptist preacher, an early tavern-keeper, and a staunch supporter of Whig principles, as enunciated by the Albany (N. Y.) Evening Journal, and during the war of the Rebellion was equally as outspoken and fearless in expressing his fealty and devotion to the party which was then waging a successful conflict against both Northern and Southern traitors. . Indeed, it is told of him that during the war, although but a small-sized man, and then nearly eighty years of age, he struck down with his walking-stick one of those vile, cowardly, creeping things who disgraced many a hamlet and village with their harangues and words of laudation for those only who fought to tear down and destroy the fair fabric which required a century nearly to create. An old soldier, who fought through all those years of battle, would here testify to his appreciation of those who protected the rear. Peace to his ashes, and may the memory of the old doctor, and such as he, forever remain green in the hearts of all who value country more than demagogues !

Abraham Aldrich, in the fall of 1833, came from Alle- gany Co., N. Y., and purchased a portion of section 18. He built a log shanty, and a house of the same material, which was completed with the exception of floors, doors, and windows. He then returned early for the purpose of bringing out his family, but died of the cholera. During the following winter his sons, Hiram and Zenas, came on and finished the house, and the remainder of the family settled here in the fall of 1834. Dr. Harris lived in this house in the summer of 1834.

James McClary, a native of New Jersey, accompanied by his son Andrew, and daughters Eliza, Charlotte, Mary, Cornelia, and Lydia, came from Romulus, Seneca Co., N. Y., and settled upon section 17, in the spring of 1835. He served with a regiment of New Jersey troops during the war of 1812. Soon after his arrival here he bought the land entered originally and slightly improved by George Townsend.

Three months later, or about Sept. 1, 1835, William McClary, son of James, came on with his young wife and infant son. The following year he purchased from Joseph Wiseman his present homestead. Mr. Wiseman had erected a small log house, and made some other slight improve- ments.

Samuel Canute, from Upper Canada, also settled here in 1835. To him is ascribed the honor of bringing the first sheep into the township. He entered lands upon section

4,-the place now owned by B. W. Beckwith. A num- ber of others came from Canada with Mr. Canute, and settled at about the same time, viz., Dr. Salmon King, Ste- phen Fuller, Asa H. Turner, Thomas Evans, Mr. Misner, and George, Joseph, Isaac, David, and Samuel Merrill.

John Smith and family, originally from Otsego Co., N. Y., came to Michigan in the spring of 1836, and settled on the north half of the southwest quarter of section 23, in the township of Charleston, which he cleared up and transformed into a fine farm. Here he died about 1844. His son Isaac, who came with his father, located at an early date the east half of the northwest quarter of section 27, and a few years after began improvements upon it.

Mr. Smith commenced work upon a harvester for Hiram Moore, at Schoolcraft, in 1841, and he constructed the only two machines which were built in Kalamazoo County. He also constructed the elevating and cleaning apparatus in the old " Experimenter," at Climax, in 1842, and operated the machine for a period of seven years, a portion of the time at Schoolcraft, where, when in full operation, cutting a ten-feet swath around a field of grain, and drawn by six- teen or eighteen horses, it was a grand sight to behold.

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History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 84

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