USA > Michigan > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 47
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BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP.
known as Fonda's Lake. In 1833 a man was placed upon the farm to split rails, and the house having been built the following year, the family of Mr. Fonda, on their arrival in 1835, found the place in something like a habitable condition, though it was not until two years later that they made it a permanent home, meanwhile residing in Ann Arbor.
Ezra Macomber, a native of Massachusetts, set- tled in Pleasant Valley in 1834, having entered land in the vicinity of that occupied by Richard Marsh. He is now residing in Tuscola County.
E. G. Durfee came from Orleans Co., N. Y., to Washtenaw Co., Mich., in 1831, and removed in 1835 to the township of Brighton, where his father had leased a farm on section 34. In the year 1849 he purchased a farm on sections 10 and 20, and has also a blacksmith-shop, to which he devotes a por- tion of his time.
Cyrenus Morgan, one of the active spirits of the township, was from Jefferson Co., N. Y., from whence he came to Brighton in September, 1837. He bought 104 acres on section 28, and later dis- posed of it and purchased the farm he at present occupies, embracing 150 acres. Mr. Morgan has been deputy-marshal and auctioneer, which posi- tions have given him an extended acquaintance throughout the county. In the early days of his settlement here he was a peddler, and traded quite extensively with the Indians in Shiawassee County.
In the year 1833 the cholera prevailed to such an extent in New York City as to induce many people to think of seeking homes away from the metropolis. Among them were a number of gilders and other artisans who had heard of the advan- tages offered to settlers in Michigan, and deter- mined to purchase land in the Territory, some of them intending to become residents here. With that end in view, one of their number, Richard Lyons, of New York, was intrusted with about $8000 with which to make purchases in the county of Livingston. He came in 1835 and located many hundred acres, and with such entire satisfac- tion to those for whom he had acted, that in the following year he was intrusted with a similar commission. The aggregate number of acres pur- chased by him was nearly 20,000, most of it being in this county. Mr. Lyons, who settled later upon a portion of this land, was preceded by William Valentine, for whom he entered 160 acres on sec- tion 22, and who took possession of his land in 1836. He does not seem to have met a very happy experience in his efforts to become a pioneer far- mer, for at the end of one year the club of gilders, of which he was a member, by a subscription of
$10 apiece, raised a sufficient sum to enable him to return to New York and resume his former occu- pation.
The following is a list of the parties for whom Mr. Lyons entered land, together with the sections on which they were located: Francis J. Le Count, 80 acres on section 7 and 200 acres on section 9; Samuel M. Conely, 80 acres on section 27; Wm. Porter, 40 acres on section 20; Isaac L. Platt, 160 acres on section 21, 160 acres on section 15, 80 acres on section 3, and the same number on sec- tion 27; William T. Tunis, 160 acres on section 28 and 320 acres on section 17; Isaac Van Voorhes, 160 acres on section 9; William S. Conely, 80 acres on section 27, 80 acres on sec- tion 28, and 80 acres on section 15; Evander D. Fisher, 80 acres on section 28; Moses Lyons, a gold-beater, 160 acres on the same section ; N. T. Thurston, a gilder, 35 acres on section 6, 160 acres on section 4, 80 acres on section 1, and 120 acres on section 13; J. Mckinsey, 160 acres on section 17 ; Allan McDonald, 80 acres on section 8; - Ring, 40 acres on section 5 ; B. W. Conklin, 80 acres on section 21 ; Robert L. Lane, 80 acres on section 21; Peter Hemmel, an upholsterer, 160 acres on section 21 ; George W. Ruckle, 40 acres on section 21 ; W. N. Betts, 80 acres on section 15, and 80 acres on section 14; Lemuel F. Wil- liams, 160 acres on section. 7; H. Thurston, 40 acres on section 24; Jacob Bendernagle, 480 acres on the same section and 240 acres on section 23 ; A. Woolrabe, 80 acres on section 23 and 120 acres on section 13; Robert Lane, 80 acres on section 21, 80 acres on section 23, and 40 acres on section 26; William Paul, 80 acres on section 20; J. S. Winkler, 80 acres on the same section. Mr. Lyons entered for himself 160 acres on section 22 and an additional 120 acres on section 27.
Of this number Messrs. S. M. Conely, Lyons, Fisher, William S. Conely, Tunis, and Rogers came in 1837, and became permanent residents. William Paul, a gilder, found that his land em- braced the waters of a lake in the township, and ·returned to the city in disgust. Mr. Rogers worked upon the farm of William S. Conely until he pur- chased for himself 40 acres on section 20, and later he added to it another 40 acres, which he secured from Conely and Le Count. William S. Conely added to the land he entered 200 acres on section 7, 160 acres on section 18, and 65 acres on sec- tion 6. Much of this land was bought on specu- lation, while upon a portion of it the owners settled some years later.
Richard Lyons with his family and the settlers from New York who accompanied him, left Detroit on the 16th of June, 1837, for their homes in
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Livingston County, the portion of the township they located in having been known as upper Green Oak, until it was later set off as Brighton. Before leaving Detroit Mr. Lyons had provided himself with two farm-wagons, two yoke of oxen, three milch cows, their calves, and a man to assist him in clearing his farm. They arrived at their desti- nation in Brighton on the 19th of June, 1837. The log house built by William Valentine during the brief time he remained on his farm afforded them all a comfortable shelter until they could erect cabins on their own land. In this little house twelve persons took refuge, and a few weeks later the number had swelled to twenty-two, by the arrival of Samuel W. Conely's family from New York City, whose land was adjacent to that of Mr. Lyons. William S. Conely and Isaac L. Platt joined the little colony a few years later. Both of these early settlers are since deceased. Most of these settlers built for themselves comfortable frame houses the same year of their arrival, and in these houses early religious services were held until a school-house was built in the neighborhood, which was for years known as the Lyons School-house. The first clergyman who ministered to the early settlers was Elder Cosart, though Elders Bibbins, Fleming, and Gillet also held services during the first settlement of the township. Father Padley also held very early services in the house of Mr. Scollard, near Woodruff's mills. The second town- ship-meeting was held at the house of Richard Lyons, whose hospitable wife on that occasion pre- pared a dinner for the electors, making preparations for sixty, but the whole number present did not exceed forty, who partook with grateful hearts of her hospitality, and re-elected her husband to the office of supervisor.
The farming experiences of these settlers from the city of New York were certainly novel, and their ignorance of everything pertaining to their calling was a source of much diversion to their more practical neighbors. They persevered, how- ever, and with each year came the wisdom which is born of experience, until bountiful crops re- warded their industry and they became prosperous and contented.
Evander Fisher, one of the New York emigrants, let his farm, and remained in Detroit to follow his trade of cabinet-maker, and with him Mr. Samuel M. Conely and family remained for a time. In fact, Mr. Fisher's house seems to have been the hospit- able headquarters of nearly all the early emigrants who left the comforts of New York City for the privations of the Western wilderness. After pur- chasing an ox-team, wagon, flour, pork, and such other goods as they might need, Mr. Conely, with
his wife, sister, and four children, started on his journey, not knowing the way, and depending entirely upon the uncertain guide which might be obtained from the blazed or marked trees along the way. Not being accustomed to oxen, they had much trouble in managing them. On one occasion they became so refractory that he was wholly un- able to guide or control them, and he called to his assistance a woman whom they passed on the way, and who very soon brought the stubborn beasts to terms. On reaching the end of their journey they found the farm entirely unbroken. Mr. Val- entine's log house afforded them shelter, though it seemed already to be more than full, Mr. Lyon and family, Mr. Tunis, and Mr. Rogers being al- ready domiciled within its walls. For three weeks the little hovel contained 22 people,-the men being sent to the upper story for lodging, while the ladies occupied the more luxurious quarters below. But soon a house was completed with the aid of Allan McDonald, to which Mr. Rogers and Mr. Tunis transferred the families.
Elder Post, a Free-Will Baptist, came very early from Allegany Co., N. Y., and located on section 18. He held religious services soon after his ar- rival, and is thought by one or two old residents to have been the first preacher in the township, though it is almost certain that he was preceded by Elder Cosart. Elder Atwood and Rev. Mr. Morgan, father of Cyrenus Morgan, were also early ministers. The farm of Elder Post was purchased by Charles Prosser, who made the first brick in the township, which were used for chimneys, no resi- dent at that time having aspired to the luxury of a brick dwelling.
Ansel Crippen arrived in the township from New York State in 1836, and purchased 120 acres on section 7. The same year came Edward Mun- dy from Washtenaw County, and settled on section 35. Robert Edgar settled on 80 acres on section 26, and still resides there. He is prominently connected with the first clearing of the township, and is known as an able expounder of divine truth. John McConnell entered 160 acres on section 26, which he subsequently sold and became the pro- prietor of a hotel on what is known as the Gravel road, in Green Oak township. Timothy Warner on his arrival here from Livingston Co., N. Y., in July, 1837, purchased a farm, to which he has since added . until it now embraces 500 acres. His brother, H. H. Warner, entered 40 acres on section II. Smith Beach, of Ontario Co., N. Y., entered 160 acres on section 22 in 1833, but did not occupy. it until 1839. His family came with him, and his son, Willard Beach, now resides upon the farm, his father having died in 1849. Aaron Beach came in
RESIDENCE OF GEO. W. CONELY, BRIGHTON, MICHIGAN.
RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL M. CONELY, BRIGHTON, LIVINGSTON CO.,MICH.
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BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP.
1838, and located upon the southeast quarter of section 22, and is still living there.
An event occurred in the year 1841 which cast its gloomy shadow over the entire community, and threw one of its families into the most profound mourning. Merlin Doyen, from New Hampshire, came into the township in 1839, and being for the time unable to obtain a house, moved with his family consisting of his wife, her father, and a lad named Mortimer, who was nearly four years old, into the house with Richard Lyons' family. At the expiration of one year, finding the quarters rather limited for two families, Mr. Lyons built a small house for Mr. Doyen, allowing him to work a portion of his land. The occupants took pos- session of the dwelling, which was half a mile from the farm-house, early in November of 1841. About a week from that time Mrs. Doyen had occasion to go to the garden of their former home and allowed the lad to accompany her, wrapping a shawl closely about him as a protection against the November winds. The little fellow started full of happiness, and suggested to his mother that he intended run- ning away from her. Finally, discovering his father not far away from their destination, he obtained permission to join him, she meanwhile awaiting his return in the garden. He remained with his father a while, who finding him a hindrance to his labor, told him to run back to his mother. Mean- while, Mrs. Doyen, having completed her task in the garden, repaired to the house for a short call upon Mrs. Lyons. The child not finding his mother in the garden, started in pursuit. In his haste he chose the wrong path, which led him away from his home. It was supposed that after discovering his mistake he attempted to return to his father, and becoming bewildered chose a cross-path, which led him a mile from home. Here the child sat down upon a log, the prints of his little feet being distinctly visible in the sand, as they were also in the path. From there he crossed a wide marsh which brought him near the house of Mr. Tunis, who distinctly heard his cries as the darkness ap- proached, as did also his grandfather several hours before. After wandering for some hours he finally reached a swamp, where, probably from exhaustion or fright, he lay down to the sleep from which he never awoke. Here he was found the morning of the third day of his absence. Meanwhile, the neighborhood had been aroused, and for miles around came kind friends to aid in the search for the lost one. On the second day it was arranged that signals should be fired to indicate their suc- cess-one shot if he were alive-two, if not. The distracted mother had been apprised of these sig- nals, and was with one of the parties engaged in
the search. She heard the firing of a gun, and, not waiting for a second shot, flew to embrace her little one. The scene is described as inexpressibly painful as the truth was imparted to her. She never recovered from the shock, and the settlers who still survive, describe the event as the most heart-rending of their early recollections.
The following is a list of the names of resident tax-payers in the township of Brighton in 1843, being taken from the assessment-roll for that year :
Israel Arms. John Johnson.
John Andrews. David Jolly.
Harry A. Andrews.
Jos. M. Johnson.
John Appleton.
Marsena Jourden.
Edwin Ackley.
Barnard Kelley.
Seth Bidwell.
Aaron H. Kelley.
Melzer Bird.
Robt. and Mary Kennedy.
Gardner Bird.
John Lane.
Stephen Baker. James B. Lee.
John B. Burnham.
Alvin N. Loveridge.
George W. Burch.
J. B. & D. R. Lee.
George D. Bailey.
Harvey T. Lee.
John S. Beach.
Thomas Lea.
William Brown.
Richard Lyon.
Smith Beach.
R. L. Lane.
Ansel Crippen.
Jacob Leroy.
John Cushing.
Moses Lyon.
Benjamin Cushing.
William McCauley.
Mrs. Curry.
William Noble.
William Cushing.
Charles Norton.
William Cobb.
Norton & Power.
William Cooper.
Issacher Osborn.
James Covey.
John Osborn.
Job Cranston.
Osborn & Post.
Dr. Thomas Curtis.
Jacob Peters.
Mary Carpenter.
Granger Pease.
Samuel M. Conely.
John W. Peavey.
Cushing & Gordon.
William Parker.
Jacintha Clark.
Luther Parshall.
John Dean.
Owen Pierce.
A. P. Dickinson.
R. D. Power.
Fred. Dickinson.
Daniel Lane.
Jacobus Davis.
Lectus Lane.
Edward Durfee.
William Moore.
Sherman D. Dix.
Ezra Macomber.
Franklin Dart.
Jesse Matteson.
H. Doine.
Elijah Marsh.
Peter Delamater.
D. C. Marsh.
Robert Edgar.
Allen McDonald.
L. B. Fonda.
William Palmer.
Wilber Fisher.
Abel Palmer.
Fields & Appleton.
Jonathan Post.
Nelson Fuller.
Nehemiah Paine.
J. Goodspeed.
Amos Rogers. Sumner Ross.
Malcomb Fitch.
W. R. Field.
O. A. Ross.
Barak Gibbs.
H. P. Ross.
Hugh Gordon.
B. Searle.
F. W. Goodenow.
Robert Sleaford.
Michael Gaffney.
Allen Stephens.
Eben Hand.
Elias Sprague.
Jabez Haight.
James Seed.
Warren Hill.
J. A. Sterling.
Nelson House.
N. Sullivan.
John Henry.
Andrew Shiner.
Godfred Hyne.
Joshua Sheffield le
Edmund Johnson.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Charles Spencer.
Mary Valentine.
Joshua Sheffield.
Evert Woodruff.
Gayley Spencer.
William Wood.
Alva Ferry.
Joseph Wood.
Horace Toncray.
William Ward.
John Toncray.
Mrs. Warden.
Richard Toncray.
Elias Withey.
Robert Thomson.
Whipple & Peck.
James Taylor.
F. C. Whipple.
Alva Perry.
J. B. Waite.
Perry & E. Marsh.
Jacob Winchell.
Grace Thompson.
Robert Bigham.
William Tunis.
Crawford Fox.
John Van Luven.
Ross & Norton.
The largest tax was paid by Jacintha Clark, this amount being $45.71.
The soil of the township of Brighton varies greatly in localities, and may be generally de- scribed as a gravelly loam with an occasional mix- ture of sand and streaks of clay. The crops that it yields, though not always abundant in quantity, are generally of a superior quality. The surface is undulating, comprising some level stretches of excellent land varied by gentle slopes. Many very picturesque lakes add variety to the surface, chief among which are Beach Lake and School Lake in the centre ; in the southern portion, Wood- ruff Lake and a portion of Fonda Lake; and Mont Lake on the western side; and numerous smaller bodies of water are scattered throughout the bound- aries of the township. Ore Creek rises in Long Lake, Hartland township, flows in a southerly course until it reaches the township, when it mean- ders along its western boundary.
RELIGIOUS.
KENSINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist denomination have had for more than a quarter of a century a society in the town- ship of Brighton. Previous to that time, the at- tendants upon the Baptist services worshiped at Kensington, hence the name of the organization. In the year 1854, the membership in Brighton having reached nearly 30 in number, it was deemed expedient to erect a house of worship. A plain but commodious structure was built, and since that time the condition of the church has varied. Five years ago the Rev. G. T. Ellis filled a pastoral relation with the people, and infused new life and energy into the society. His labors have been greatly blessed, both spiritually and in a temporal sense. The house has been remodeled and greatly improved, and the membership has reached 80. A flourishing Sabbath-school is also maintained in connection with the church. Gard- ner Spring is the church clerk.
THE PLEASANT VALLEY WESLEYAN METHO- DIST CHURCH .*
This church is located in Pleasant Valley, about five miles east of the village of Brighton, on the road to Milford.
The society was organized March 9, 1873, by Rev. John C. Martin, of Williamston, Ingham Co., who took charge of the church as its pastor, and labored arduously to promote the interests of the work committed to his care. At the time of its organization there were 24 members, nearly all heads of families, and they found that much per- sistency was required to stem the tide of opposi- tion that set against them. The society held their services at that time in what is known as the Lyon School-house, and notwithstanding the persistent opposition, their numbers increased, and they steadily and confidently looked ahead to the pros- perity that awaited them. In the fall of 1873, Rev. J. H. Canfield was invited to serve them as pastor, and during the following winter his labors among them resulted in a powerful revival of reli- gion, the influence of which was widely felt.
In the spring of 1874 a project was entered into to build a house of worship, and through the energy and persistent efforts of the pastor, assisted by some of his members, sufficient subscriptions were raised to cover the entire expense of the con- templated building. They looked upon the " pay- as-you-go" system as being safest in the end, hence all bills were promptly paid; and when the church was completed, it was dedicated to the Lord as free property, without a mortgage or debt. The church is 48 feet long by 32 feet wide, and the posts are 18 feet high. The seats are so arranged as to comfortably seat about 250 persons. Mr. Thomas Hunter took the contract for building, and the work was executed conscientiously, and to the entire satisfaction of the committee. It was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1874, and a large con- gregation listened to the dedicatory sermon preached by Rev. Adam Crooks, of Syracuse, N. Y., who was called a few months after to enter his eternal rest. The whole cost of building the church, as reported by the board of trustees, was $1727.50.
The society having a house of worship of their own, took new courage, and as they put forth in- creased efforts to improve the moral condition of the community, they were permitted to see a cor- responding degree of increase in the interests of the society. New members were added from time to time, and many who had not been in sympathy with them attended their meetings.
* Prepared by the pastor.
oogle
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RESIDENCE OF THOMAS WOULDS , BRIGHTON , LIVINGSTON
COUNTY, MICHIGAN
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BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP.
In 1874 another society was formed in the village of Brighton by the pastor, and 8 of the members of the Valley Church, who resided near Brighton, withdrew and united with that church. They were somewhat weakened by the withdrawal of these members, but were comforted with the thought that they were sending a part of their num- ber to labor in an adjoining community for the ex- tension and establishment of those principles which they had struggled so hard to defend. Shortly after the organization of this new society, another society was formed in Milford township, the three societies thus established being connected with an older society at Kensington, six miles from Brigh- ton, and the whole formed a charge or circuit, to be known as the Kensington and Brighton charge. Rev. J. H. Canfield served the charge as pastor until September, 1875, when Rev. D. A. Richards became his successor, and entered upon the duties assigned him. He was the first Wesleyan pastor whose family had accompanied him to the charge, and they soon found a residence in the village of Brigh- ton, and a home in the hearts of the people. The church at Pleasant Valley was much the strongest, numerically and financially, and they assumed more than one-third (nearly one-half ) of the pas- tor's salary, which proportion they have continued to assume, and it may be said to their credit that they pay promptly the amount of their apportion- ment. The congregations increased under the labors of the new pastor, and the attachment be- tween pastor and people became very strong. On one occasion they manifested their appreciation of his services by meeting at the church for a dona- tion, and leaving for his benefit about $150. He held a series of meetings, at which time several members were brought into the church as a result of his labors. He served the church as pastor two years.
In September, 1877, they again exchanged pas- tors, and called to the work Rev. E. W. Bruce, who still labors with them as pastor of the charge. He moved his family also to Brighton, and dwells among his people. Two series of meetings have been held by him with the church at the Valley, each being attended with a measure of success and resulting in some conversions and accessions to the church. The first year the people expressed their esteem by a donation, leaving for the benefit of the pastor and family about $165, and repeated their appreciative act during the present year by a similar donation amounting to $201.25.
The society commenced with 24 members, and an average attendance at services of from 30 to 35. Since that time the membership has reached 76, and there is now an average attendance of from
120 to 130 persons. From the 76 members re- ceived one has died, eleven have been granted let- ters of dismissal, and three have been dropped from the membership without letters. In the spring of 1879 the society purchased a Beatty or- gan, and the use of it in the church is productive of increased interest in connection with the Sab- bath services.
At the last Conference, in September, 1878, an associate pastor was obtained, in the person of Rev. M. Cuthbert, whose services were rendered neces- sary because of new ground that had been entered upon, thus making too large a field for one pastor, and an exchange of appointments has been so arranged that he preaches at the Valley Church once in three weeks. The united labors of the two pastors have been attended with success, and the future prospects of the Pleasant Valley Society are encouraging.
BRIGHTON GRANGE, No. 336.
The Brighton Grange charter bears date March 25, 1874, and is signed by the following officers of the National and State Granges : National Grange, Dudley W. Adams, M .; O. H. Kelley, Sec. State Grange, S. F. Brown, M .; J. T. Cobb, Sec.
Charter members : J. B. Thurber, M .; W. H. H. Dean, O .; D. Thomson, L .; A. D. Newman, S .; . Ira Bradley, A. S .; S. Bidwell, C .; C. Jacobs, T .; G. Bradley, Şec .; E. C. Sears, G. K .; Mrs. N. E. Bidwell, Ceres; Mrs. M. L. Dean, Pomona; Mrs. A. L. Palmer, Flora; Mrs. S. A. Thomson, L. A. S .; G. A. Blain, L. G. Bitten, Charles Hyne, Jean- nette Newman, Eunice Jacobs.
The Brighton Grange has devoted itself more especially to the discussion of agricultural topics and subjects which should interest farmers, and has aimed by frequent intercourse to develop the social qualities of its members. The secretary has furnished the following statistics : cost of hall, $300 ; amount of goods for one year, $247; amount of farm implements, $215; amount of musical in- struments, $390; amount of seeds, $176.61 ; plaster for three years, 30 tons per year, $301.50; 25 tons refuse salt, $100. Goods were purchased for but one year, the grange not desiring to engage exten- sively in mercantile transactions.
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