USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 9
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In this connection we must not forget to mention our war supervisor, J. B. Hough, who held the office for five years. To his credit be it said, that we never had to stand but one draft, and at the close of the war we had credit for five men more than our quota. In 1866 Mr. Hough retired to accept a collectorship, and D. E. Hazen was elected and served for the next five years.
SCHOOL HISTORY.
The first school-house in the town was a log building erected in 1834, and located a few rods west of the present store of D. and A. Cochrane. Charlotte Freeman was the first teacher, and re- ceived the extravagant salary of 75 cents per week.
In the winter of 1834-'35 Elijah C. Bostwick taught a school in the Deneen shingle shanty.
In 1840 a frame school-house was built where William Cole- rick's residence now stands.
Abont 1844 Eliphalet Parker instituted an academic school which he conducted successfully for several years. The building used by him is still standing just east of the Baptist Church.
About 1855, Rev. Charles Kellogg, who had recently resigned the pastorate of the Congregational Church, became teacher in an academic school, a building for which had been erected by sub- scription. This building afterward became the property of the vil- lage district, and was occupied by the district school until 1866.
There arose in 1866 a demand for a change in the school sys- tem to keep pace with other improvements. After a good deal of
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
contention a Union School District was organized, and in 1867 a fine brick school-house was erected and was an ornament to the village and an evidence of the liberality and refinement of the people. This building was burned December 9, 1881, and in 1883 preparations are being made for the erection of a new building to cost about $14,000. It is expected to have the work completed before the beginning of 1884.
CIVIL HISTORY.
The town of Almont was organized March 7, 1834, comprising townships 6 and 7 north, of range 12 east, now known as the towns of Almont and Imlay. It was organized under the name of Mia, which was soon afterwards changed to Bristol, and finally to Almont. The name Mia was suggested by Elisha Webster, one of the earliest settlers of the town in honor of his daughter, now Mrs. Virgil S. Parmlee. The name Bristol was given in honor of Oliver Bristol, the first supervisor; and the name of Almont was suggested by the name of the Mexican general, Almonte.
The records of the town of Almont from its organization up to March 29, 1842, having been destroyed by fire, the following state- ments in regard to the first town meeting are based upon tradition, and the recollections of the few persons now living who were pres- ent on that occasion.
The first town meeting was held in Daniel Black's tavern, which has been described in another part of this history. This tavern, the scene of the beginning of the town's civil history stood about where now stands the block occupied by B. F. John- ston's furniture store, and Sullivan & Green's carriage shops in the village of Almont. Ira S. Sanders, having been appointed by the governor justice of the peace, presided at the meeting. There were about thirteen voters present, besides many from adjoining towns and boys of the town who had not attained to the dignity of voters, but who fully appreciated and were competent to take part in the fun which was the invariable characteristic of town meetings in early days. The serious business of voting was enlivened by plenty of whisky, ball-playing, wrestling and good natured fun. It is re- lated among the incidents of the meeting that a negro known as "nigger Ben," who was present from an adjoining town, stepped up to Daniel Black, who from too brief a residence in the town was not a voter, and slapped him on the shoulder with the remark, "We blacks can't vote."
The officers elected were, as nearly and as fully as can be ascertained, as follows: Supervisor and justice of the peace, Oliver Bristol; clerk, Jonathan Sleeper; treasurer, Daniel Black; asses- sors, Nicholas Richardson, and Elisha Webster; highway commis- sioner, James Deneen.
1842-March 29th, settlement with town treasurer shows amount of cancelled orders, $19.38; orders outstanding, $162.21; money on hand, $1.40. April 4th, at annual town meeting, it was voted that no money be raised for road purposes except for bridges; that town officers receive 75 cents per day for services.
1843-At special town meeting February 25th Deacon James Taylor was elected supervisor and John B. Hough justice of the peace to fill vacancies caused by resignation of David Ingalls, who had been elected sheriff of the county. At annual town meeting it was voted not to elect assessors. October 5th, town board voted $200 for town expenses.
1845-Record missing.
1846-March 30th board fixed compensation of clerk at $25 per year for services as clerk, school inspector, and all other ser-
vices required of him by law. This year the name of the town was changed to Almont.
1847-At town meeting, on question of liquor license, the votes for license were 105 against eighty-nine. And April 10th the board decided that the public good required but one place to be licensed for the sale of ardent spirits, and granted license to Miles J. Beach, of the Almont Exchange, on payment of $8 license fee and $2 fees of the board.
1849-At annual town meeting it was voted to raise 50 cents per scholar for support of common schools. On question of license nine votes were given in favor and thirty-seven against.
1850-June 15th, at a meeting of town boards of Almont and Imlay for the purpose of making a division of money and effects, there was found due Imlay $7.67 and road districts of Imlay $95.74. It was agreed to divide the library books on the basis of $15 worth to Imlay to $56 worth to Almont.
1851-Amount raised for contingent expenses was $50, and the same amount was raised in 1852.
1855-At annual town meeting it was voted to raise $1,000 by direct tax for a town house.
1858-July 19th supervisor gave notice that there was assessed against the town of Almont for State and county purposes, $1,265.26; valuation as estimated by supervisor, $295,880. November 10th supervisor gave notice that the assessment for school purposes was a total of $701.43.
1860-In the proceedings of annual town meeting appears an evidence of the advance of civilization in a resolution that hogs be not allowed to run at large, and that the board provide a pound.
1862-At a special town meeting held November 24th it was voted to raise the sum of $4,000 as fund from which to pay bounties to volunteer soldiers under the call of the general govern- ment for 300,000 men. There were 213 votes in favor and seventy- six votes against the proposition. February 28, 1863, the board in accordance with the vote of the town directed the issue of town orders of $100 in payment of bounties, and such orders were issued to forty volunteers.
1864-February 25th a special town meeting voted 162 to twenty-nine to levy a tax for payment of $100 each to all persons volunteering in the army or that were drafted, and furnished sub- stitutes under the last call of the president for 200,000 men. March 29th treasurer's settlement showed balance March 31, 1863, $255.51; received, etc., $10,495.21; paid, etc., $10,463.68; balance in hand, $287.04. Orders were drawn for payment of seven bounties. April 4th at annual town meeting it was resolved that all volunteers that the town may need now or hereafter to fill any calls made by the president shall be paid $100 bounty, and that the board pay each man who has been drafted and gone to the war or furnished a substitute, or that may hereafter be drafted from the town $100. It was voted to divide the library among the districts.
1865-Settlement with treasurer showed debits, $13,179.76; credits, 12,888.19; balance in hand, $291.55; expended for schools, $1,625.74. December 1st, statement of taxes assessed as follows: Highway commissioners' orders, $47.80; rejected taxes, $14.44; interest on county bonds, $64.13; returned by Road Dis- trict No. 11, $4.60; excess of taxes, $50.77; State tax, $1,445.69; county tax, $10,872.02; school tax, $1,518.26.
1866-September 12th, T. E. Hough appointed town clerk in place of A. V. Amerman, resigned.
1869-Taxes assessed as follows: State, $1,149.52; county, $3,220; county bonds, $963; contingent fund, $200; highway commissioners' orders, $125; school, $8,607.89.
1870-April 15th, at a special town meeting it was voted 310 to 102 to pledge the aid of the town to the Romeo & Almont Rail-
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
road Company to the amount of $45,000 for the construction of a railroad from Romeo to Almont, and May 11th the bonds provided for were issued.
1872 -- February 2d A. C. Dickerson resigned as treasurer and William W. Mckay was elected by the board to fill the vacancy.
1874-December taxes assessed as follows: State, $1,200.91; county, $3,722.06; town, $614.12; highway, $71.12; school, $5,170.27.
In 1876 the State tax was $936.99; county tax, $3,275.61; town tax, $501.51; for school purposes, $4,313.97.
At the April election in 1883, a proposition was voted upon to raise the sum of $2,000, payable in four annual installments, to be appropriated to aid in the purchase of a site and the erection of a building thereon by the township and village in company; said building to contain a town hall for the public use, and also a council room, engine room and jail for use of said village. This proposition was carried by a vote of 190 for to ninety-six against. Work upon the construction of the building was commenced dur- ing the summer.
The annual report of the school inspectors of the town of Almont for the year 1882 shows the number of school children to have been 525; number of school buildings, 8. Inspectors for the ensuing year: C. R. Ferguson, James Bruce, C. B. Kidder, John Mitchell, Warren Fisher, George Retherford, John Braidwood, William H. Reid, Linas Fisher.
TOWN OFFICERS.
The following is a list of the principal town officers elected since 1841:
1842-Supervisor David Ingalls; clerk, Jonathan Sleeper; treasurer, Daniel Black. Number of votes, 155.
1843-Supervisor, Daniel W. Taylor; clerk, James H. Andrus; treasurer, Daniel Black.
1844-Supervisor, Daniel W. Taylor; clerk, Abner Burring- ton; treasurer, Daniel Black. Number of votes, 203.
1845-No record.
1846 - Supervisor, James Taylor; clerk, S. P. Spafford; treasurer, Daniel Black.
1847-Supervisor, James Taylor; clerk, S. P. Spafford; treas- urer, Daniel Black. Number of votes, 200.
1848-Supervisor, James Taylor; clerk, Hiram C. Wells; treasurer, Daniel Black. Number of votes, 209.
1849-Supervisor, Calvin A. Shaw; clerk, Robert I. Goetchius; treasurer, Daniel Black. Number of votes, 239.
1850-Supervisor, Calvin A. Shaw; clerk, Robert I. Goetchius; treasurer, Daniel Black. Number of votes, 173.
1851-Supervisor, Z. H. Hallock; clerk, Robert I. Goetchius; treasurer,"Daniel Black; Number of votes, 199.
1852-Supervisor, Z. H. Hallock; clerk, Robert I. Goetchius; treasurer, Daniel Black. Number of votes, 249.
1853-Supervisor, James Taylor; clerk, Robert I. Goetchius; treasurer, Garry Goodrich. Number of votes, 280.
1854-Supervisor, James Taylor; clerk, Robert I. Goetchius; treasurer, Garry Goodrich. Number of votes, 295.
1855-Supervisor, James Taylor; clerk, Hiram D. Fitch; treasurer, Robert I. Goetchius. Number of votes, 334.
1856-Supervisor, James Taylor; clerk, D. E. Hazen; treas- urer, Walter P. Beach. Number of votes, 350.
1857-Supervisor, Samuel Carpenter; clerk, D. E. Hazen; treasurer, Hiram D. Fitch. Number of votes, 378.
1858-Supervisor, D. E. Hazen; clerk, James R. Taylor; treasurer, Hiram D. Fitch. Number of votes, 407.
1859. Supervisor, D. E. Hazen; clerk, James R. Taylor; treas- urer, Oliver P. Strobridge. Number of votes, 401.
1860-Supervisor, Hiram Howland; clerk, Hiram D. Fitch, treasurer, D. E. Hazen. Number of votes, 409.
1861-Supervisor, John B. Hough; clerk, D. E. Hazen; treas- urer, Anthony C. Dickerson. Number of votes, 319.
1862-Supervisor, John B. Hough; clerk, D. E. Hazen: treas- urer, Anthony C. Dickerson.
1863-Supervisor, John B. Hough; clerk, D. E. Hazen; treas- urer, Anthony C. Dickerson.
1864-Supervisor, John B. Hough; clerk, D. E. Hazen; treas- urer, Anthony C. Dickerson.
1865-Supervisor, John B. Hough; clerk; D. E. Hazen; treas- urer, Anthony C. Dickerson.
1866-Supervisor, D. E. Hazen; clerk, A. V. Amerman; treas- urer, Anthony C. Dickerson.
1867-Supervisor, D. E. Hazen; clerk, T. E. Hough; treas- urer, Anthony C. Dickerson. Number of votes, 306.
1868-Supervisor, D. E. Hazen; clerk, William W. Taylor; treasurer, Anthony C. Dickerson. Number of votes, 423.
1869 --- Supervisor, D. E. Hazen; clerk, T. E. Hough; treas- urer, Anthony C. Dickerson. Number of votes, 328.
1870-Supervisor, D. E. Hazen; clerk, Leland H. Briggs; treasurer, Anthony C. Dickerson. Number of votes, 377.
1871-Supervisor, P. H. McEntee; clerk, Leland H. Briggs; treasurer, Anthony C. Dickerson. Number of votes, 326.
1872-Supervisor, Uriel Townsend; clerk, Egbert W. Corey; treasurer, Anthony C. Dickerson. Number of votes, 286.
1873-Supervisor, Daniel C. Bacon; clerk, Egbert W. Corey; treasurer, Anthony C. Dickerson. Number of votes, 273.
1874-Supervisor, Uriel Townsend; clerk, Egbert W. Corey; treasurer, E. S. McEntee. Number of votes, 318.
1875-Supervisor, Charles Ferguson; clerk, Benjamin F. Johnston; treasurer, E. S. McEntee. Number of votes, 373.
1876-Supervisor, Charles Ferguson; clerk, Benjamin F. Johnston; treasurer, E. S. McEntee. Number of votes, 298.
1877-Supervisor, Maitland E. Martin; clerk, James O. Thurs- ton; treasurer, E. S. McEntee. Number of votes, 401.
1878-Supervisor, Maitland E. Martin; clerk, James O. Thurs- ton; treasurer, E. S. McEntee. Number of votes, 397.
1879-Supervisor, Maitland E. Martin; clerk, E. S. McEntee; treasurer, James O. Thurston. Number of votes, 388.
1880-Supervisor, Maitland E. Martin; clerk, Frank P. An- drus; treasurer, James O. Thurston. Number of votes, 347.
1881-Supervisor, Maitland E. Martin; clerk, James O. Thurs- ton; treasurer; Thomas C. Taylor. Number of votes, 329.
1882-Supervisor, Maitland E. Martin; clerk, James O. Thurston; treasurer, Thomas C. Taylor. Number of votes, not recorded.
1883-Supervisor, Maitland E. Martin; clerk, L. O. Folsom; treasurer, James O. Thurston.
VILLAGE OF ALMONT.
About the year 1834 the village was first christened, and strangely enough the baptismal font was a keg of whisky. A "bee" had been called to open a road one-half mile north from the cor- ners. To aid in the work a keg of spirits was procured by sub- scription; but some one who loved a horn himself, fearing, per- haps, the men might abuse the blessing, slyly took measures to pre- vent this, and serve a private end besides, by boring a hole in the keg, drawing off a large portion and filling up with water, and then carefully obliterating all traces of the operation. So he may be
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
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truly said to have in-AUGER-ated the first effort in behalf of temper- ance. When the whisky came to be used, it did not have the ex- pected effect; suspicion was excited, an investigation instituted, and the discovery made that the keg had been tapped. So it was then and there decided to call this place Tapshire, and the oldest inhabitants often call it so to this day. Philip Frisbie suggested the name.
1835-'36. In 1835 the first parcel of land was sold to second hands on the village site. December 19th Hubbard Hall bought of Oliver Bristol eight acres on northwest corner of section 27 for $80, and soon after sold to Philo Farnum one acre from the north- west corner for $10. The present value of this acre, with its build- ings, is something near $20,000. Here he built a log house, and shortly after a small shop; and commenced as pioneer in the shoe- making business. In the spring of 1836 or thereabouts, Daniel Black sold out his land to Otho Bell, excepting a small piece on the southeast corner where his house stood. This he disposed of to Lewis Alverson, who here kept the first stock of groceries ever brought for sale into this place; but the first building raised for a store and occupied as such was Charles B. Keeler's. It was built on the present site of Farquharson & Taylor's store, and was filled with a general stock of dry goods and groceries, in 1836. Albert Southwell established the first blacksmith shop about this time; and the first hotel building, the present Exchange, was erected by Hub- bard Hall, immediately purchased and kept by Henry Wing. In this year the State government was organized, though the State was not admitted to the Union till the following January; the county of Lapeer was also organized, and the township incorporated there- with, and the name Newburg adopted by the village, which now consisted of a school-house, hotel, store, blacksmith shop, shoe shop and five dwellings.
A PLATTED VILLAGE.
The first plat of the village was made and recorded September 8, 1836, by Oliver Bristol, Jonathan Sleeper, C. B. Keeler and James Thorington. John Dewitt, James Learmont, George W. Allen, Gerritt Schenck, Samuel Kidder, Garry Goodrich, Amasa Ross, Hiram and Reuben Howland, Truman and Calvin Shaw; William B. Owen, Amos Hewitt and John Matthews became settlers here during this and the following year. Caleb Carpenter was super- visor in 1836, and C. B. Keeler in 1837 and 1838.
For many years during those early times Dr. Caleb Carpenter used to carry the mail once a week on horseback through from Royal Oak, and often the weather and roads were so bad as to prevent his getting through as often as that. And people were glad enough to get the news once a week and to get letters even at the rate of two shillings a piece. The first regular postoffice was in Caleb Car- penter's house, in 1835; the second was in C. B. Keeler's store, in 1836. Ezra Hazen became postmaster in 1838.
In 1837 Dr. Jones came and built the first physician's office, the building now occupied by McGeorge's meat market, and Steplien A. McGeorge commenced gunsmithing.
In 1838 a grist-mill was built by Adam Boles one half mile east of the corners, Orrin Belknap commenced mercantile business, . William and John Steele succeeded Charles B. Keeler in the New- burg store, and Dr. F. K. Bailey settled in the northern part of the township and commenced practice. Cook Wells also settled in the northwest. On this year's 4th a crowd was assembled, a pole was raised, the flag displayed, and anvils fired to celebrate the day for the first time.
EARLY JUSTICE.
During much of this time Squire Oliver Bristol was chief justice of the peace, and administered the judicial affairs of the town with due rigor and impartiality. One case is recalled to illustrate the
times. It was a jury trial. During the progress of the case a jug of first-rate whisky had been introduced among other arguments, a proceeding which completely disarmed the prosecution. Several of the jury were soon so powerfully affected that in the words of truthful James, "the subsequent proceedings interested them no more;" and the judge became so mellow that he exclaimed, "Come, boys, let's quit lawing and settle this thing up." The council and clients liter- ally laid their heads together and wound up the suit with a com- promise-and another drink! Both Oliver and his brother Bezaleel have long since departed this life. Their children are still among us, and to the excellent memory of Joseph and Sheldon, sons of Bezaleel, this history is indebted for most of its earlier dates and incidents.
BUSINESS PROGRESS.
In 1840 Beach & Rundell started the first wagon shop; in 1842 John Roberts joined the firm, withdrawing a few years later to go into the grocery and fur trade with his brother Amariah.
In 1843 Isaac McKeen opened the first law office in town. A pearlash factory was also established by Daniel Black and Garry Goodrich a few rods north of the present Congregational Church, and Stephen Briggs built his carding and fulling-mill, which is still in operation. Henry Stephens, afterward so prominent in the business of this place, now made his first adventure in the mercantile line, also running opposition in the ashery business; but at this time he only remained about six months. In November Calvin A. & D. R. Shaw succeeded the Steeles in the Newburg store, and soon worked up a business that took the lead for about eleven years.
In 1844 the firm of Muzzy & Barrows started another foundry, James H. Andrus and James Lyons other stores and Matthew Tacey another blacksmith shop, James Goetchius having been engaged in the latter business for some time. There was a revival among the Methodists this year, and a church edifice, the first in town, was built, under the ministry of Elder Noble. All through these years down to the present time the circuit has been regularly supplied with preachers by conference.
J. S. Jenness opened a store in 1845, and soon became one of our most active business men. O. P. Strobridge, M. D., joined us this year, and entered upon an extensive practice. Both these gen- tlemen became of some note in public affairs, and served the State in the legislature. About this time the lumber business developed into one of the most important branches of our trade. In 1844 Beach, Imlay & Morse had erected a large steam saw-mill in Imlay, (F. P. Currier being builder); and that enterprise, together with the completion of a plank road from the mill through the village to Mt. Clemens via Romeo, and the establishment of a starch factory, on a large scale, two years after, by Moody, Chamberlin & Co., gave such an impetus to the general prosperity of the place as to mark an important era in our history.
In 1846 Silas D. McKeen, attorney, became a resident, prac- ticing with his brother Isaac. He was a man of unusual ability, and might have attained to any position in the State; but intem- perance ruined him. The first hardware and tin shop was opened this year by McGeorge & Cardwell. It soon passed into the hands of R. I. Goetchius. William Colerick was the first tinsmith. Bird Johnston & Hiram Wells also established the first furniture store the same season. These times are especially memorable to many liere on account of the potato rot. 25,000 bushels in the starch factory rotted in a mass, and polluted the neighboring air with a horrid stench. Coincident with this, whether caused by it or not, there occurred a terrible epidemic in the winter of 1847-'48 known as the "potato fever." The disease was very malignant, about fifteen deaths occurring in a short time, among them that of Isaac McKeen
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
and Mr. Hendershot, but the exact percentage of mortality cannot now be ascertained.
Daniel Black, having returned to the village, built in the sum- mer of 1848 the first brick edifice, a store, and engaged in mercan- tile business, on the site he formerly occupied. This building was destroyed by fire, together with several adjacent buildings, some ten years later. In this year N. H. Redmond, having studied with S. D. McKeen, commenced practice of law, and was elected prosecut- ing attorney of Lapeer County.
Meanwhile the starch factory changed hands. Samuel Rogers operated it in 1849, J. S. Jenness in 1850, and Charles Kennett in 1851. Farmers say they made money then raising potatoes at 10 cents a bushel.
The starch factory changed hands again in 1851. The manu- facture of starch ceased, and Briggs & Teller transformed the fac- tory into a steam grist and saw-mill. McHardy & Morton ran it in 1857-'58; Charles Ferguson from that time till 1862. James Mead also purchased the old water-mill built by Adam Boles, and put a steam engine into it. Two or three years later he was caught in the fly-wheel and instantly killed.
In 1851 the foundry and machine business passed all into the hands of one firm, viz: J. P. Muzzy and F. P. Currier, Sr., at Muzzy & Barrows old stand. Two years after, the present shop was put up, on the site formerly occupied by Price & Hendershot. The first steam engine built in the county was made by horse power, in Muzzy & Currier's shop in 1853, William Rider being head machin- ist. It is still running in the shop of Currier & Bro. Various changes have taken place in this business, the last in 1869. The firm name became H. A. & F. P. Currier, Jr., and remains so to this day, with a flourishing business.
In 1852 the National Hotel was built by Garry Goodrich, and then called the Goodrich House, and Walter P. Beach commenced a large mercantile business.
In 1854 the McEntee Bros. commenced the manufacture of fanning-mills.
In 1861 a severe conflagration destroyed the store of John Har- ris, in which it originated, and seven contiguous buildings. Mr. Harris was dangerously burned, being left a cripple, and barely es- caped with his life. The loss of property was about $5,000. In this fire the town records and those of the school district were lost.
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