USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
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The religious wants of the pioneers of this town received early attention from the Methodist Episcopal Church which about 1838 organized a class in the southern part of the town.
The earliest school teachers in the town were Maria Gibbs, Jerusha Eoff and Mary West.
The winter of 1847-'48 will in all probability be remembered with as much distinctness by the people of this town, and also throughout the State, as any winter since the first settlement of the State, as being the season of great alarm and distress, by reason of the prevalence of what was at the time termed by physicians the "brain fever," or "congestion of the brain." It was a disease of an entire new type, and almost all of the first who were attacked with it died, as a general rule, within forty-eight hours after the attack. The alarm was general throughout the State. The legislature was in session at the time, and several members died of the epidemic. The members became alarmed, and adjourned for the month. Af- ter a little time the physicians became more acquainted with the disease, and about one-half of those attacked recovered. Some however would linger along for five or six weeks, and then die with what the M. D.'s called quick consumption.
During Taylor's administration a postoffice was established in the south part of the town, with Lyman Russel as postmaster. It has been removed a short distance from its original location and is now in section 29. Mrs. Ransom Miller is postmistress.
There are three church edifices in the town; one in the village of Attica and spoken of in connection with the account of that village; one in the southwest part of the town, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church and under the pastoral charge of Rev. Mr. Moore of Metamora, and the third belongs to the Baptist de- nomination, but now occupied by a class of the Methodist Protestant Church, under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Flint, of Attica village, serv- ices being held every other Sunday. This church building is lo- cated in the southeast part of the town.
Of the earlier settlers of the town the only ones now living are James Nightingale, David Olmstead, Martin Russel, William North, Albert Spencer and John F. Mitchell.
A retrospective view of the history and changes that have been wrought out in this and other towns in the county from their earliest settlement up to the present time; from a howling wilderness, inhab- ited only by the bear, deer, wolf, lynx, with occasionally a moose and other small game; without roads and destitute of every and all the comforts of civilized life; in all its primitive wildness and originality, save only, perhaps, an occasional foot-print of the red man, who, himself, was the fit companion only of the wild beasts upon which he preyed and depended for a livelihood. From such a state to the present condition of the county in all its grandeur, mag- nificence and beauty, with its broad acres of cultivated fields, stately
dwellings, well arranged and comfortable highways, prosperous cities and villages, with the thousand and one comforts incident to civil- ized life, all of which have been wrought out. All these changes have been made within the last forty-five years, and by whom? Chiefly by the original pioneers and their posterity, but mostly by the original settlers. To them is due the credit of redeeming this land from its original wild, uncultivated state, to what our eyes be- hold and what the people of the land enjoy to-day. To them is due the tribute of grateful hearts and an unfading monument that shall endure while time shall last. Over three-fourths of that class of men and women of this town and county have passed that bourne whence none return, and their children, with the accumu- lated population, enjoy the fruits of their labors, privations and hardships. No severe taxing of the imagination is necessary in order to duly appreciate the character and labors of those early vet- erans to whom so much is due from their children.
ORGANIZATION.
At the first town meeting, held as before stated, the inspectors of election were John B. Henderson, John Barber, Jonathan T. Walton and Alanson Holcomb; clerk of election, Lyman Russel. The following were the officers elected for the ensuing year: Super- visor, Charles A. Hebard; clerk, Lyman Russel; treasurer, Martin Russel; justices of the peace, John B. Henderson, John Barber, William Eggleston and Charles A. Hebard; commissioners of high- ways, Richard I. Vosburgh, Jonathan T. Walton and Israel Ells- worth; school inspectors, Abram D. Fish, Charles A. Hebard and Jonathan Walton; constables, Nathan Jones, Thomas Ruby, Ro- dolphus Eggleston and Daniel Ellsworth; directors of the poor, James Henderson and Beriah H. Matterson; overseers of highways, Israel Ellsworth, District No. 1; Martin Russel, District No. 2; Jon- athan T. Walton, District No. 3; John Barber, District No. 4; Tru- man Castle, District No. 5; William Cusick, District No. 6, and William Karr, District No. 8.
It was voted that cattle, hogs, horses and sheep shall be lawful commoners all the year except between the 15th day of March and the 15th day of April, and that no male cattle, hogs or horses over three months old shall run at large.
It was voted to raise twenty-five dollars to buy books and bal- lot boxes.
The first meeting of the town board was held April 13, 1842, at which the bonds of the town officers were approved. At the sec- ond meeting, held June 27th, the compensation of town officers was fixed at one dollar per day. Various bills were allowed, the first being of Algernon Maryweather, $3.50. It was voted to raise $120 for town expenses, $50 of it to pay Dryden crders; also $250 for roads and $20 for books and ballot boxes.
The general election for 1842 continued for two days, the first day at Benjamin Huntley's house and the second at the school- house in District No. 3. Total vote, sixty-two.
In 1879 a town house was built in the village of Attica at a cost of $600.
The annual report of the school inspectors of Attica for the year 1882, shows that the number of school-houses was five; num- ber of children, 485. The school inspectors were H. P. West, M. J. Marshall, W. North, W. Blake, Francis West.
TOWN OFFICERS.
1842-Supervisor, Charles A. Hebard; clerk, Lyman Russel; treasurer, Martin Russel.
1843-Supervisor, Charles A. Hebard; clerk, Lewis Alverson; treasurer, Martin Russel.
1844-Supervisor, Jonathan T. Walton; clerk, Horace H. Tackles; treasurer, Henry B. Smith.
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
1845-Supervisor, Charles A. Hebard; clerk, Horace H. Tack- les; treasurer, Daniel Ellsworth.
1846-Supervisor, Charles A. Hebard; clerk, Daniel West; treasurer, Daniel Ellsworth.
1847-Supervisor, John B. Henderson; clerk, Lyman Russel; treasurer, Benjamin Henderson; number of votes, 65.
1848-Supervisor, Charles A. Hebard; clerk, Daniel West; treasurer, Walter Thompson; number of votes, 66.
1849-Supervisor, Charles A. Hebard; clerk, Daniel Ellsworth; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 62.
1850-Supervisor, Lyman Russel; clerk, William K. Harvey, treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 62.
1851-Supervisor, Lyman Russel; clerk, William North; treas- urer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 71.
18 2-Supervisor, Jonathan T. Walton; clerk, William North; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 97.
1853-Supervisor, Jonathan T. Walton; clerk, William North; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 104.
1854-Supervisor, Jonathan T. Walton; clerk, Daniel West; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 127.
1855-Supervisor, Jonathan T. Walton; clerk, Daniel West; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 116.
1856-Supervisor, Lyman Russel; clerk, John H. Hand; treas- urer, William Mckay; number of votes, 130.
1857-Supervisor, William North; clerk, J. B. Haney; treas- urer, Charles S. Cusick ; number of votes, 154.
1858-Supervisor, William Youngs; clerk, Daniel West; treas- urer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 182.
1859-Supervisor, William Youngs; clerk, Daniel West; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 200.
1860-Supervisor, Daniel West; clerk, Isaac T. Beach; treas- urer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 202.
1861-Supervisor, Daniel West; clerk, O. A. Williams; treas- urer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 193.
1862-Supervisor, John B. Sutton; clerk, John S. Briggs; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 205.
1863 -- Supervisor, John B. Sutton; clerk, John S. Briggs; treasurer, Chancey Hall; number of votes, 178.
1864-Supervisor, Daniel West; clerk, John S. Briggs; treas- urer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 184.
1865-Supervisor, Daniel West; clerk, O. A. Williams; treas- urer, James M. Nightingale; number of votes, 152.
1866-Supervisor, Daniel West; clerk, O. A. Williams; treas- urer, James M. Nightingale; number of votes, 198.
1867-Supervisor, Anthony Williams; clerk, John S. Briggs; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 221.
1868-Supervisor, Anthony Williams; clerk, O. A. Williams; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 261.
1869-Supervisor, Benjamin Henderson; clerk, John S. Briggs; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 256.
1870-Supervisor, Benjamin Henderson; clerk, John S. Briggs; treasurer, David C. Henderson; number of votes, 287.
1871-Supervisor, Benjamin Henderson; clerk, William H. Wood; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 261.
1872-Supervisor, Oliver P. Davison; clerk, John S. Briggs; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 290.
1873-Supervisor, Anthony Williams; clerk, David Donaldson; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 285.
1874-Supervisor, Anthony Williams; clerk, John W. Peck; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 252.
1875-Supervisor, Zeph. Varnum; clerk, Arthur H. Fish; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 301.
1876-Supervisor, Zeph. Varnum; clerk, Arthur H. Fish; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 333.
1877-Supervisor, Zeph. Varnum; clerk, George W. Williams; treasurer, Arthur H. Fish; number of votes, 357.
1878-Supervisor, William North; clerk, George W. Williams; treasurer, Arthur J. Fish; number of votes, 345.
1879-Supervisor, Anthony Williams; clerk, John W. Peck; treasurer, David Olmstead; number of votes, 345.
1880-Supervisor, Zeph. Varnum; clerk, Varnum N. Hodges; treasurer, Frederick H. Hill; number of votes, 335.
1881-Supervisor, Zeph. Varnum; clerk, Varnum N. Hodges; treasurer, Frederick H. Hill; number of votes, 344.
1882-Supervisor, Zeph. Varnum; clerk, Joseph R. Hodson; treasurer, Frederick H. Hill; number of votes, 302.
1883-Supervisor, James P. Smith; clerk, Joseph R. Hodson; treasurer, George W. Williams; number of votes, 302.
VILLAGE OF ATTICA.
The village of Attica is situated on Grass and Elk Lakes, in sections 9, 10, 15, and 16, of the town of Attica, and is a station on the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad. It originated with the mills of Williams and Culver, on Grass Lake, and Jenness and Rogers, on the north side of Elk Lake. These were commenced in 1851 and went into operation the following year. Mr. Williams and Mr. Jenness were the men who were actively engaged in founding and advancing the growth and prosperity of the new vil- lage.
Among the many men who have helped to develop the re- sources of Lapeer County, Mr. Williams occupies a very conspic- nous place. Born in Cazenovia, N. Y., in 1804, he made Wash - tenaw County, Michigan his home in 1834, where he remained ten years, when he settled in Dryden Township. In 1851 he moved to Attica, and in connection with a Mr. Culver built a steam saw-mill on Grass Lake, which with all its mishaps, (having been burned three times), has ever since remained in the family, and now is operated by his sons Oscar A. and Anthony. On Mr. Williams' land, sections, 15 and 16, was built the main part of village of . Attica. In his lifetime Mr. Williams was for a long time justice of the peace, and in March, 1881 expired. He was married in 1825 to Betsy Brockway, who was born in Orleans County, N. Y., in 1808, and is the mother of fourteen children, only three of whom are alive. Oscar A. and Olivia A., (twins), born in 1827, and Anthony born in 1836. Oscar was married in 1853 to Euphe- mia Tripp, who was born in Macomb County, in 1833 and died in 1856, by whom one child was born, Valorus, who died at the age of four years. Second marriage in 1865 to Myra Tripp who was born in Erie County, Pa., in 1840. Three children, Willie, Belle, Annie. Oscar A. enlisted April, 1861, in the Seventh Michigan Infantry, served till the close of the war, having been regularly promoted nearly from the ranks to a captaincy. He was also the first post- master in Attica, when the name of the office was Hill Station. Once ran for the State legislature, on the Democratic ticket, in a district which usually gave a Republican majority of 700, and came within less than 200 of being elected, and to-day is engaged in lumbering and farming, being one of Attica's most esteemed citizens.
I. N. JENNESS was born in the State of New York in 1827. Settled in Lapeer County in 1850, and immediately engaged in the lumber business, which he has since continued. He in connection with other parties built and operated several mills, as already stated. He now owns and operates the only one of these mills which remains. He also conducts a general merchandise business.
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
Connected with his store is the postoffice, under the charge of Mr. Jenness, who has been postmaster for about thirteen years. Mr. Jenness is the owner of about fifteen hundred acres of land, and cultivates a farm of 600 acres. He was married in 1850 to Eliza Nye, who was born in Monroe County, N. Y., in 1826.
Soon after the completion of their mill, Rogers & Jenness built a store in its vicinity, and this general merchandise business has been continued ever since. In 1863 Rogers & Jenness were succeeded by Allen Fish, Henry Fish and I. N. Jenness, under the firm name of I. N. Jenness & Co. In 1878 I. N. Jenness became sole proprietor. Two other mills were built by the firm of I. N. Jenness & Co., on the south side of Elk Lake, one in 1869, the machinery for which was taken from the north side mill, and the other in 1870.
About 1870 a general merchandise store was opened by David Donaldson, and at about the same time a hotel was built by Mr. Williams.
The amount of business done here is shown by the fact that in the last ten years Mr. Jenness has shipped 150 million feet of lumber.
In 1870 aid to the amount of $7,000 was voted by the town of Attica, to the railroad now known as the Chicago & Grand Trunk, but before the issue of the bonds, the transaction was declared un- constitutional and not consummated. A private subscription of $17,000 was then raised, of which I. N. Jenness & Co., gave $10,000 and the road was built.
The postoffice was first established in the south part of the village with Oscar Williams as postmaster. In 1870 it was removed to the north part of the village and I. N. Jenness appointed post- master. He still retains the office.
ATTICA IN 1873.
We find the following article descriptive of Attica village in February, 1873 :- "This village is located in Lapeer County, eight miles east of the city of Lapeer. The place was settled about twenty years ago, and through the lumber interests centered in and around it, claims a population of between six and seven hundred. It is intended to commence the erection of a Methodist Church dur- ing the coming season. The town already possesses one district school, which has an average attendance of 100 students; two gen- eral stores, owned by I. N. Jenness & Co., and David Donaldson; a millinery store, owned by Mrs. Laura Harris; three grocery stores, the property respectively of J. M. Rutherford, G. D. Hamilton and Henry Wood; a cabinet shop owned by Smith & Locker; two boot and shoe shops, owned by John Erwin and Nelson Sanderson; a meat and provision store, owned by L. Rutherford, and a livery stable, kept by T. Soper.
"There is also a Masonic lodge in the place, and a lodge of Odd Fellows.
"There are three hotels, viz .: the Williams House, kept by W. H. Race; the Nickerson House, kept by Ralph Nickerson; and the Lumberman's Home, kept by Smith Fancher.
"There are two blacksmith shops, owned by Thomas Ingley and A. B. Royce & Co .; a saw-mill, owned by I. N. Jenness & Co .; two grist-mills, owned by C. W. Briggs and Hodges & Barnum; and a tannery, by Mr. Chown.
"William Williams will erect a saw-mill next summer, in place of the one recently burned, belonging to him.
"I am informed that Attica is an important point for the ship- ment of lumber, shingles, staves and spars for ship-building. One hundred and twenty spars were shipped from this place last year, and the number will probably be increased during the present year. "The physicians in Attica are Messrs. Manzer and Southard.
"Among those who are especially prominent in public matters are Oscar A. Williams, O. P. Davison, David Donaldson, J. W. Peck, Anthony Williams, William Youngs, W. H. Race, John S. Briggs, I. N. Jenness, E. Watkins, Charles Chown, Parley L. Beebe and Nelson Sanderson.
Attica is said to be quite a charming place during the summer season, as there are four lakes in the immediate vicinity, viz .: Elk Lake, which is the largest of the four; Grass Lake, which possesses pure soft water; Lake Pleasant and Long Lake. Efforts are to be made during the coming summer to draw the attention of the trav- eling public more than ever to this point."
Since the above was written the pine timber of the vicinity has become exhausted, and of its saw-mills but one is in operation mainly on hard wood lumber. Valuable hard wood timber remains, and an excellent soil which as the lumber era passes away is becom- ing better appreciated and will in the future contribute to a more permanent prosperity. A good grist-mill also makes the village of Attica a desirable market and point of trade.
A school-house suited to the needs of the district in which the village is located was erected in 1872, at a cost of $2,000. In 1878 a graded school was established, of which A. B. Coggar and wife are in charge. The number of scholars in the district is 174.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1868 under the pastorate of Rev. James Riley. Their house of worship was built in 1873, and dedicated in March, 1874, under the pastorate of Rev. J. E. Withey. At its dedication Revs. J. S. Smart, of Port Huron and William Fox, presiding elder of the Romeo district, officiated. The building was described at the time as follows :- "It is 36x50 feet, 20 feet at the corner, with center tower belfry and spire, the whole height of which is nearly ninety feet. The windows are round topped, and fitted with beautifully stained glass. The siding is of matched and beveled inch lumber, the whole neatly painted white, except the brackets, which are trimmed with brown. The belfry is octagon and the spire well proportioned. The audi- ence room is seated with patent seats from Chicago, leaving a broad aisle in the middle and a narrower one on each side. There is a rostrum extending two-thirds the width of the building, neatly furnished with pulpit sofa and chairs, seats for choir, and organ. The wall is white, hard finish, and wood work oak and ash, oiled and varnished. The gallery extending across the front end above the vestibule, waits for those who could not be seated elsewhere. There is also a lecture room in the rear, opening into the audience room near the end of the rostrum, 24x32 feet, furnished and seated for the Sabbath-school and the smaller meetings of the society. The cost was only $4,000." The present membership of the church is about fifty-six. In connection with it a union Sunday-school is held, with a membership of about seventy-five. The pastor is Rev. Henry Nankervis.
The Methodist Protestant Society was organized about 1868 with about twenty members. It has continued in active existence to the present time. Services are held every Sunday in the town hall. The parsonage was bought in 1882. The church numbers thirty-two members, and is in charge of Rev. W. H. Flint. The trustees are H. A. Sternberg, W. Balch and J. Jellings. A Bible class is held every Sunday morning.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Attica Lodge No. 295, Free and Accepted Masons, was organ- ized under dispensation in 1869, continued under dispensation two years, and was then chartered. Its first master was William Smith Merritt. It has a present membership of about thirty-five. The following are the officers :- Master, H. P. West; Sen. warden,
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
Gavin D. Hamilton; Jun. warden. John R. Byer; treasurer, Daniel West; secretary, George Williams; Sen. Dea., Walter West; Jun. Dea., Angus A. Dame; tyler, Oscar Williams. Regular meeting Saturday evenings on or before the full moon in each month.
Attica Lodge No. 171, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted November 7, 1871, with seven charter members. Its first officers were Cornelius Barr, N. G .; J. W. Ghrist, V. G .; W. H. Race, R. secretary; E. D. McKay, treasurer. The lodge now numbers fifty-two members. Regular meetings are held every Sat- urday evening in the town hall. The officers are :- W. P. Baird, N. G .; Charles Bryant, V. G .; W. L. Woodrow, R. secretary; J. Lancaster, P. secretary ; B. R. Terry, treasurer.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
DR. WILLIAM BLAKE was born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, in 1845. Graduated in the Medical Department of Trinity University, Toronto, Ont., in 1873. The same year settled in Attica, Mich., and commenced the practice of his profession, in which he has achieved marked success, being the only physician at present in the township. He also owns and operates a farm on section 14. Mar- ried in 1873 Bella A. Robertson, who was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1850. Three children -Ada M. G., Frederick W., and an infant.
DANIEL WEST was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1821. He came in connection with his father's family to Lapeer County, 1838. Landing in Detroit they made the journey on foot to Almont Township. They made a permanent settlement in Attica in 1840. Mr. West worked on the farm summers and taught school winters, which he continued several years. By industry, perseverance and economy, he has secured a competency, and now resides in the vil- lage of Attica. He owns his fine farm of 220 acres on sections 31 and 32, Attica Township, and forty acres in Arcadia after having helped his children to the amount of over $10,000. Mr. West is a first-rate sample of what an enterprising young man can do by tak- ing Horace Greeley's advice, "Go West and grow up with the country." He was married in 1849 to Martha Jane Henderson, who was born in Ohio in 1832, and died February 22, 1866, leaving five children. Walter, who lives on the old farm; Agnes A. Riley, who resides in Burnside; Leva A. Ryan, living in Arcadia; Etha- linda Lester, who lives in Imlay City, and Martha J., who lives at home. Second marriage, August, 1868, to Mrs. Margaret Balle, who was born in Canada in 1826. Mr. West has enjoyed the con- fidence of his townsmen to a remarkable degree, having held all the offices in the gift of the people for a term of years. He enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, rank, lieutenant, in 1862, but after serving a year and a half was sick unto death and was discharged for disability. Lost three children in infancy: Viola, 1855; Har- rison, 1864; Arthur D., 1865. His father, Benjamin, was born in the State of Rhode Island and died at Attica at the age of fifty-four. His mother's maiden name was Sallie Blow, who died in Attica at the age of forty-eight. His father's family consisted of Benjamin, who was killed in Attica by the kick of a horse; Mary, who married D. Wallace and died in Attica; Daniel; Almond B .; Nancy Bachelor, who died in Wisconsin; James, died in Attica; George, killed by the falling of a tree in Attica; Francis; Sallie Spencer; Harrison P.
J. R. HODSON was born in Burlington County, New Jersey, 1844. Settled in Dryden Township, Lapeer County, Mich., in 1857. Mr. Hodson established a mercantile business in Attica in 1875, which he still continues, doing a good business. Has been justice of the peace and is the present township clerk. Married, June, 1882, to Jessie M. Stafford, who was born in Attica in 1866. JAMES P. SMITH was born in Almont, Lapeer County, in 1841.
Settled in Attica on section 29 in 1872, and is the present super- visor of the township. Has been twice married: first, in 1863, to Mary Gordon, who was born in Canada in 1842 and died in 1877, leaving four children : Eulalie, Lee G., Eva M. and Minnie. Second marriage, in 1878, to Mary Spangler, who was born in Almont in 1852.
JAMES HODGES was born in Tioga County, New York, in 1826. Settled in Oakland County, Michigan, in 1843. The following year settled in Dryden, Lapeer County, on section 5, where he still owns a farm of 340 acres; also owns 260 acres of other lands. The flour- ing-mill in Attica, built by Varnum & Hodges in 1873, is now owned by him alone. He was married in 1853 to Elizabeth Varnum, who was born in Canada in 1833, and came to Lapeer County in 1843. Eight children, Varnum, Zephaniah, Elvira, Addie, Clare, Eliza- beth, Jabez, Austin.
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