USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 25
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Mr. Oliver Davenport was on a farm the first twenty-three years of his life. About this time he married and moved to New York City, where he became superintendent of a barilla factory, manufacturing barilla for soap-making. At the end of ten years, in 1837, he removed to Michigan, settling in the lonesome wilderness of Hadley Township, Lapeer County, and entered 160 acres of land which George now owns. At that time it lay so deep in the wilder- ness that Mr. Davenport had to find his way to it by means of blazed trees. They had to cut the road through the timber for twelve miles. This family is now the third oldest in the township. Mr. Oliver Davenport, with two brothers, left the remainder of the family in Troy Township, Oakland County, with another brother, and went in advance into the wilderness and erected two log cabins, taking shelter under the wagon-box during the progress of the work.
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
All this land Mr. Davenport had the satisfaction of finally see- ing cleared, fenced, and stocked with good farm buildings, etc.
In this new country George had no opportunity of attending school until about three years after their settlement there, when a log school-house was built, about one mile distant; and his first teacher was his aunt, Sarah A. Davenport, who is still living. On account of being so far from town, they made their own furniture, as well as houses, and George's bedstead consisted of two-inch sticks driven into holes bored in the logs of the wall. January 18, 1846, his mother died, and three years afterward, in November, 1849, his father married Mrs. Eliza Richards, a widow lady, of Eng- lish ancestry. She was a resident of Sterling Township, Macomb County, Mich.
By the time he was twenty years of age George had received a very good common-school education. In 1856 his uncle, Israel Willersdorff, desiring him as a partner in the confectionery business, in New York, he went there; but, after working as his assistant for a year, he returned to Michigan, where, December 10, 1857, he married Miss Mary Hall, daughter of Job Hall, and born in Ashta- bula County, Ohio, in December, 1841, of English ancestry. Of their five children, all born in Hadley Township, three are living, namely, Eva E., born March 12, 1860, and died July 31, 1861; George, born October 20, 1871, and died August 5, 1874; Permelia, born July 29, 1862; Cassie, April 15, 1866; Oliver G., September 18, 1875.
Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Davenport returned to New York City with his wife, and after following his former employ- ment a year, he came back to Michigan and engaged in farming, having bought eighty acres of land, which after having paid for it, he lost in litigation, but he afterward again purchased it.
In Lapeer City, August 9, 1862, Mr. Davenport enlisted in Company K, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, Capt. William H. Smith. His brothers, Theodore and Jesse, also enlisted in the same com- pany about the same time. The company was soon sent to Louisville, and engaged in active service. Mr. Davenport served three years, his regiment participating in ninety-three engagements. He was sick, however, about three months. They followed the rebels soutlı from Louisville, and at Lebanon they had a general engagement. Jesse Davenport was wounded at Smith's Crossing, in Eastern Ten- nessee. George was first promoted as eighth corporal, then com- missary sergeant, quartermaster sergeant, then acting first sergeant. He also participated in the capture of Jefferson Davis, and was on guard over him four days after his capture. He had charge of com- pany as captain several months in the winter of 1864, on account of the officers being away. After his discharge he returned home and resumed farming. Theodore had been discharged at the end of a year on account of disability, and Jesse served out the three years and returned home safely.
Mr. Davenport made a number of improvements on the eighty acres mentioned, and without any notice a writ of ejectment was served upon him, compelling him a second time to buy the farm, which took all the money he had saved during the war, and ran him in debt several hundred dollars besides. But this he soon paid, and added sixty acres more. He cleared about fifty acres, and finally sold for $1,150. He then purchased of the family heirs a quar- ter section of the homestead, on which he has since lived, and where he now has 190 acres, 160 under good cultivation. He has a fine residence, barns, orchards, etc. Altogether, he has a very valuable and well-equipped homestead. To obtain this after so many mis- fortunes, has called into requisition more energy and business talent than most men possess.
Mr. Davenport has been commissioner of highways about seven years, township treasurer, 1861- 62, supervisor six years, secretary
of the Hadley District Agricultural and Horticultural Society from its organization for four years, and president of the same from 1881 to the present time. He is also president of the Lapeer County Veteran Association. In the fall of 1880 he was nominated for rep- resentative on the Republican ticket, against Joel D. McIntyre, and he received a majority of 400 votes, running far ahead of his con- freres. In February, 1881, he was a delegate to the State Republi- can Convention at Lansing, to nominate supreme judges and re- gents. In the summer of 1882 he was delegate to the State Conven- tion at Kalamazoo; also, in February, 1883, he was a member of the State Convention at Saginaw City again, to nominate regents and supreme judges; and in the fall of 1882 he was again nomi- nated by the Republicans and re-elected representative to the legis- lature, against Noah H. Hart, of Lapeer City, on the Fusion ticket, receiving a majority of 351. At the last legislature he introduced a joint resolution to so alter the State constitution as to add another supreme judge to the bench, and a bill relative to the equalization of taxation by the boards of supervisors.
JAMES H. HEMINGWAY was born in Chili, Monroe County, N. Y., August 26, 1822, and with his parents in 1837 moved to Rogers- ville, Steuben County, N. Y., and a year thereafter to Rushford, Allegany County, N. Y. In 1840 came to Hadley, Lapeer County, Mich., and settled on section 24, and in 1844 moved to his present farm on section 4, where he has since resided; has made improve- ments in the way of clearing up the land and in the erection of good substantial farm buildings. On arriving at the age of twenty- one years he was elected school inspector, holding the office eight years; has been township clerk several terms and a justice of the peace eight years. Married June 3, 1847, to Miss Lucina Flint. They have had five children, all of whom are living except one.
ELWELL IVORY was born in Dodge County, Wis., July 2, 1848. In 1854 he came with his parents to Hadley. Was brought up to farming, and has generally been engaged in that employment. In 1872 he married Julia A. Browning, of Hadley, a native of New York. In 1882 he built on his farm in the southwest quarter of section 3, the tile and brick works which he is now carrying on. The clay used in these works is pronounced a fine pottery clay, the very best for pottery and terra cotta work. This is underlaid by and in the manufacture is mixed with a fine, clear, blue clay. The engine is of fifteen horse power, carrying two Penfield machines, one for brick, the other for tile. The works employ seven to ten men, and have a capacity of 10,000 brick or 450 rods of two and one-half inch drain tile per day. Mr. Ivory deserves such active encouragement and support from the people of Hadley and vicinity as shall make his new enterprise a great financial success.
J. A. HODGSON was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Septem- ber 30, 1833. Came with his parents to Michigan in 1843 and settled in Elba. In 1854 he worked in Hauley and attended school. In 1866 he moved to Hadley and bought his present farm of the heirs of Charles Campbell. His land is the east half of east half of northeast quarter of section 9 and west half of west half of northwest quarter of section 10. January 1, 1856, he married Susan S. Campbell, and has two children.
SILAS FOSDICK was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., January 28, 1788. He was brought up to farming, which was his life occupa- tion. November 20, 1813, he married Susannah Davis, who was born in Ulster County, N. Y., July 3, 1792. In 1855 they came to Hadley and bought a portion of the Hart farm, viz .: 63 acres of southeast quarter of section 9. east of highway, and west half of southwest quarter of section 10. He died in Hadley January 25, 1875, aged eighty-seven years. Mrs. Fosdick died April 9, 1881, in Hadley, aged eighty-nine. Children, William Ashley, living in Dutchess County, N. Y .; Clorinda, widow of Harvey Riley, of
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
Hadley; Mary Louisa, died April 30, 1846; Charles D., died Janu- ary 12, 1855; Julia C., living on the homestead; John S., died May 9, 1831; Olive Aletta, died June 16, 1857.
JULIUS KLUSS was born in Silesia, Prussia, September 24, 1829. He there learned and worked at wagon making. Came to this country in 1852 and worked at his trade eight years in Detroit. In 1861 he moved to Ohio and in 1863 returned to Michigan, living six years at Romeo, two years at Oxford, and five in Lapeer. In 1877 he came to Hadley, where he has since resided. Is now em- ployed in Walter M. Beden's shops. He is a faithful and skillful workman. In 1867 he married Maria Steinhauser. Has seven children.
NORTON T. GRANDY was born in Wayne County, N. Y., March 29, 1834, and was brought up to farming. In 1864 he came to Hadley and bought a farm south of the village. Went to Missouri for his health and was there engaged in farming several years. Returning to Hadley he farmed several years near his present loca- tion, then a half mile south. Eleven years ago he bought his pres- ent farm, east half of northwest quarter of section 17. Was mar- ried in 1859 to Philinda Lower. Has five children.
ALONZO HART was born in Monroe County, N. Y., May 16, 1819. In July, 1835, he came with his father and brother Ansel to Hadley and commenced work upon the tract of land which his father had entered in the spring of the same year. A fall descrip- tion of their settlement and work appears in the sketch of William Hart's life. In 1841 he married Amanda Griggs. In 1860 he moved to Iowa, where his wife died in 1872, leaving three children, who now reside in that State. After remaining there twelve years he returned to Hadley. In November, 1872, he married Julia Mer- win, of Elba, Lapeer County. Resides in the village of Hadley. Employed in shoe making, having followed that occupation the most of the time for the last twenty years.
N. N. GREEN was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., February 2, 1843. During his infancy his parents and grand- parents came to Hadley, where his grandfather had previously bought a farm in sections 5 and 8, which he afterward divided among his children. N. N. was brought up on a farm which his father bought near the town line. In May, 1863, he enlisted in the Ninth Michigan Cavalry, serving with the Army of the Cumber- land . Was with Sherman in the march to the sea. Was twice slightly wounded and once captured while carrying dispatches. Was mustered out July 25, 1865. In 1867 he married Alzina Heath, a native of Canada. They have six children, all of whom are at home. In 1875 he bought the farm on which he now resides, west half of southwest quarter and west twenty acres of south half of south half of northwest quarter of section 5, in all 100 acres.
JOHN W. CAMPBELL was born in Oneida County, N. Y., Decem- ber 23, 1813. He was brought up on a farm. In 1843 he came to Oakland County, Mich., and engaged in farming. In 1863 he moved to Lapeer County and bought his present farm, southeast quarter of northeast quarter and east half of southeast quarter of section 18. He also bought west half of northwest quarter of sec- tion 17, which his son now owns. Mr. Campbell was married in 1840 to Eliza Durham. a native of Genesee County, N. Y., the marriage service being performed by Rev. Lyman P. Judson. They have one son, Flavel, and two daughters, Phoebe, wife of Dr. C. P. Felshaw, of Oakland County, and Sarah M., who -is now teaching school in the village of Hadley.
SILAS F. RILEY, son of Hiram Riley, one of the early settlers of Hadley, was born in Hadley, October 25, 1842. He was brought up on the old homestead (west half of northwest quarter of section 15 and east half of northeast quarter of section 16). In the spring
of 1869 he bought the farm where he now lives. Has the south- west quarter of northwest quarter of section 16 and west fifty-two acres of west half of southeast quarter of section 17. In 1875 he married Elsia M. Wiltsie, of Fishkill, N. Y., and has three chil- dren.
ANDREW SNOOK was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., April 12, 1828. When he was nine years old his parents moved to Wayne County, N. Y. In April, 1854, he came to Lapeer County, Mich., and rented a farm in Elba, where he remained three years, then bought his present farm. He has now east half of northwest quarter, west half of west half of northeast quarter, and northwest quarter of south west quarter of section 15, 160 acres. January 11, 1853, he married Sophronia E. Smith, a native of Wayne County, N. Y., and has one son, Byron L., who assists in carrying on the farm, teaching school during the winter. Mr. Snook enlisted, Aug. 9, 1862, in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry; was promoted sergeant and mustered out July 28, 1865.
WALTER M. BEDEN was born in Attica, Genesee County, N. Y., July 12, 1817. In 1821 his parents moved to Wayne County, N. Y., where he learned carriage and machine work. In May, 1836, they came to Hadley and located southwest quarter of northeast quarter, and northwest quarter of southeast quarter of section 21. July 5, '36, the family moved on the land, traveling through the woods seven miles, and for four miles cutting their road. On this place Mr. Beden lived until January, 1883, when he engaged in his present business of carriage and wagon work and blacksmithing. In 1853 he built on his farm a saw-mill, in connection with which he oper- ated a sorghum-mill, cider-mill, turning lathe, etc. Has followed a variety of employments, farming, tanning, shoemaking, carriage- work, blacksmithing, and civil engineering. He helped build the third house in the village of Hadley. March 8, 1852, he married Caroline Cramer, of Pennsylvania. They have one child living; three having died.
RUFUS T'. SANBORN was born in New Hampshire in 1815. The family afterwards resided in Attica, N. Y. He came with his par- ents to Hadley in 1836, where they located the west half of southeast quarter and.fractional southwest quarter of section 7, 214 acres. In 1841 he married Mary Dowd, a native of Berkshire, Mass. He spent his life on the old homestead and there died, in 1864. The surviving children are: Lucius, living in Hadley; John M., of Otsego County; Julia, wife of Jasper S. Kitchen, of Cairo, Tuscola County, and Newton R., of Hillsdale County. Mrs. San- born, now Mrs. John Tharrett, resides on the old homestead.
HARVEY RILEY was born in Genesee County, N. Y., July 31, 1811. January 3, 1836, he married Clarinda Fosdick, of Attica, Genesee County, N. Y. In May, 1836, he came to Hadley and entered the west half of the northwest quarter section 15, the patent for which is dated Aug. 5, 1837. On this land he put up a shanty and com- menced clearing. Mrs. Riley joined him here July 4, 1836. Mr. Riley was for many years deacon of the Free Will Baptist Church, of strong religious convictions and earnest and active in the advo- cacy of temperance and moral reform. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Riley, four are living, two have died. Ashley Riley, born Nov. 17, 1836, lives in Saginaw County. He was the first living white child born in Hadley. David, born Aug. 9, 1838, living in Hadley; Harvey, Jr., born March 16, 1840, living in Millington, Mich .; Silas F., born Oct. 20, 1842, living in Hadley; Mary L., born July 20, 1847, died Oct. 14, 1865; Geo. W., born Dec. 20, 1852, living in Hadley. Mrs. Riley resides on the old homestead with her son, George W., occupying the log house which her husband built in 1836.
MAHLON C. TUNISON died in September, 1878, from the result of an injury received from the kick of a horse. He was the son of
ELLERY A. BROWNELL.
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
Abraham Tunison, who, with William Hart, were the first settlers of Hadley village. Mr. A. Tunison had a family of two sons and two daughters. The oldest son died soon after their settlement here, of a malarious fever. The oldest daughter married Cook Cramton and died about six years since. Mr. M. C. Tunison, the younger son, married the daughter of Oliver Davenport and settled at the old homestead. The younger sister married Mr. Andrew Geer, and resides in the township of Elba. She is the last survivor of the family. The deacons of the first Baptist society at its institution were Abraham Tunison and Daniel Hartwell. Both held their offices until death, Mr. Hartwell retaining his over forty years, till his decease, December 2, 1881, aged 89 years.
Another pioneer not mentioned in Mr. Tunison's sketch, was Win. Farrar, who came with his wife and a large family of children, and settled just south of Eri Potter and John Morse in 1837. Mr. Farrar died many years since. Mrs. Farrar was a native of Mas- sachusetts, removed thence to New Hampshire, where she married and resided for many years. They removed from New Hampshire to New York about 1833, and remained there four years, then came to Michigan. Their youngest son, Thomas Farrar, a young man of uncommon promise, enlisted as private in Company G, Seventh Michigan Infantry, and fell at the battle of Fair Oaks, 1862, but though left desolate, she remained at the old homestead till her de- cease, Dec. 2, 1881, at the age of 88 years. The numerous descend- ants of this family in the town and county are honored citizens.
TOWN OF DRYDEN.
This town, known in the government survey as township 6 north, of range 11 east, belongs to the southern tier of townships. It adjoins Attica on the north, Almont on the east, Oakland County on the south and the town of Metamora on the west.
The population of Dryden in 1840 was 807.
Census of 1874: Population, 1,569; acres of taxable land, 22,960; of improved land, 16,623; number of sheep, 6,362; of swine, 898; of neat cattle other than oxen or cows, one year old and more, 716; of horses, 696; of mules, 4; of work oxen, 31; of milch cows, 636; products of the preceding year, 30,486 pounds of wool, 118,584 pounds of pork marketed, 150 pounds of cheese and 64,692 of butter made; bushels of wheat raised, 45,134; of corn, 35,264; of other grain, 52,344; of apples, 18,225; of pears, 399; of plums, 81; of cherries, 875; of grapes, 4,560 pounds; of potatoes, 10,741 bushels, and of hay, 2,233 tons; barrels of cider made, 519; pounds of fruit dried for market, 18,510. In 1874, 7,600 pounds of maple sugar were made. In 1880 the population was 1,535.
Aggregate valuation of real and personal estate in 1882, as equalized by the board of supervisors, was $873,000.
The first annual town meeting for the town of Lomond, now Dryden, was held at the house of Daniel Smith, on the first Monday in April, 1837. John M. Lamb was moderator. The following were elected officers of the town: Supervisor, John M. Lamb; clerk, Joseph S. Gibbons; assessors, Holden Tripp, Jolin Thomp- son, Hiram Terry; commissioners of highways, John C. Hinks, John M. Lamb, Wm. C. Baldwin; justices of the peace, Jonathan T. Walton, Joseph S. Gibbons, John M. Lamb, Peter Walker; con- · stables, Barton J. Curtis, John C. Hinks, Edwin T. Tennant; school inspectors, Sanford Kendrick, John M. Lamb, John C. Hinks; collector, Edwin T. Tennant; directors of the poor, Holden Tripp, Newman C. Griswold; overseers of highways, district No. 1, Benjamin Huntley, No. 2, Arick Sutherland, No. 3, Peter Moe, No. 4, Albert Wright, No. 5, Josiah Goodrich, No. 6, James E. King, No. 7, Nathaniel Terry.
Voted, that a fence four feet and six inches high and four inch space between rails shall be considered a lawful fence.
Resolved, That Andrew Mattoon be pound-keeper.
Resolved, That a bounty of two dollars be paid for each wolf killed in the town by any inhabitant thereof.
Thirty-seven votes were cast.
At a special town meeting held May 6, 1837, John Thompson was elected clerk in the place of Joseph S. Gibbons, who failed to qualify, and John M. Lamb, John Thompson, Sanford Kendrick and Peter Walker justices of the peace in place of the justices elect who failed to qualify.
Another account states that the first town meeting was held at an old log school-house standing one mile north of the present site of Dryden village.
Originally the township of Dryden was set off from Lapeer, em- bracing what is now Attica, and was named Amboy. This name did not give satisfaction, and at the time Attica was set off as a separate town, a new name was sought to be applied to Amboy. Some admirers of a land speculator by the name of "Lober," peti- tioned the legislature for that name, but by some mistake it came out in the act, "Lomond." This name was more distasteful than Amboy, and at the next session of the legislature a petition was sent in asking for the name of Richmond, but there were several towns in the State of that name, and some other had to be devised. S. D. McKeen was the representative from Lapeer County, and he wrote to John M. Lamb and Sanford Kendrick, to forward a name that would be generally satisfactory. Mr. Lamb requested Mr. Kendrick to suggest a name which he did, and the name of Dryden was selected in honor of the poet Dryden.
TOWN OFFICERS
1837-Supervisor, John M. Lamb; clerk, John Thompson; collector, Edwin T. Tennant.
1838-Supervisor, John Thompson; clerk, John W. Day; collector, Edwin T. Tennant.
1839 -- Supervisor, Loren Tainter; clerk, Henry LaRue; treas- urer, Ethan Squier.
1840-Supervisor, Loren Tainter; clerk, Henry LaRue; treas- urer, Ethan Squier.
1841-Supervisor, James Freer; clerk, Henry LaRue; treas- urer, Arick Sutherland.
1842-Supervisor, John M. Lamb; clerk, Henry LaRue; treas- urer, Henry Van Kleek.
1843-Supervisor, John M. Lamb; clerk, Henry LaRue; treas- urer, Henry Van Kleek.
1844-Supervisor, John M. Lamb; clerk, John W. Day; treas- urer, Henry Van Kleek.
1845 -- Supervisor, John M. Lamb; clerk, Randolph S. Ban- croft; treasarer, Henry Van Kleek.
1846-Supervisor, John M. Lamb; clerk, Joseph Chamberlin, treasurer, Henry Van Kleek.
1847-Supervisor, James Freer; clerk, John D. McRoberts; treasurer, Henry Van Kleek.
1848-Supervisor, Seth Hall; clerk, John W. Day; treasurer, Henry Van Kleek.
1849-Supervisor, N. Buel Eldridge; clerk, John W. Day; treasurer, William Quatermass.
1850-Supervisor, N. Buel Eldridge; clerk, John W. Day; treasurer, William Quatermass; number of votes, 143.
1851-Supervisor, N. Buel Eldridge; clerk, John W. Day; treasurer, William Quatermass; number of votes, 181.
1852-Supervisor, N. Buel Eldridge clerk, John W. Day; treas- urer, William Quatermass.
1
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
1853-Supervisor, Josiah Goodrich; clerk, Daniel W. Cole; treasurer, William Quatermass; number of votes, 220.
1854-Supervisor, Josiah Goodrich; clerk, John W. Day; treasurer, William Quatermass.
1855-Supervisor, Josiah Goodrich; clerk, John W. Day; treas- urer, William Quatermass; number of votes, 239.
1856 -Supervisor, Henry Van Kleek; clerk, Uriah Gardner; treasurer, S. H. Miller; number of votes, 270.
1857-Supervisor, Homer N. Parker; clerk, Uriah Gardner; treasurer, Miner Fuller.
1858-Supervisor, Amos Stone; clerk, Uriah Gardner; treas- urer, Miner Fuller; number of votes, 312.
1859-Supervisor, Homer N. Parker; clerk, John W. Day; treasurer, Miner Fuller.
1860-Supervisor, Amos Stone; clerk, John W. Day; treas- urer, Miner Fuller; number of votes, 343.
1861-Supervisor, Amos Stone; clerk, Joseph Manwaring; treasurer, John Gray; number of votes, 277.
1862-Supervisor, Charles F. Laman; clerk, Albert Bartlett; treasurer, Joseph Darwood; number of votes, 287.
1863-Supervisor, Charles F. Laman; clerk, Albert Bartlett; treasurer, Joseph Darwood; number of votes, 292.
1864-Supervisor, Henry Van Kleek ; clerk, Joseph Manwaring ; treasurer, Benjamin R. Shin.
1865-Supervisor, Charles F. Laman; clerk, William Quater- mass; treasurer, John Freer.
1866-Supervisor, Charles F. Laman; clerk, William Quater- mass; treasurer, John Freer.
1867-Supervisor, ---; clerk, N. B. Eldridge; treasurer, Benjamin Terry. 1868-Supervisor, -; clerk, N. B. Eldridge; treasurer, Franklin Goodrich.
1869-Supervisor, John Freer; clerk, John Weaver; treasurer, Franklin Goodrich.
1870-Supervisor, John Freer; clerk, John Weaver; treasurer, Franklin Goodrich.
1871-Supervisor, John Freer; clerk, Albert Bartlett; treas- urer, Yates Ferguson.
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