History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 68

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Philip Dyer's youngest son, John Dyer, occupies his father's old farm. A daughter of Mr. Dyer is now the wife of A. L. Dutton, living on section 16.

David Dutton, from Oneida Co., N. Y., came to Michigan in 1834, and after a short stop in Scio, Washtenaw Co., settled at Lima, in the same county. In May, 1837, he moved to the farm, half a mile northwest of Plainfield, now occupied by his son, D. O. Dutton. He died May 29, 1867, and his widow makes her home most of the time with her children at Eaton Rapids, Eaton Co., although her sons, D. O. and A. L., in Unadilla, have her company at times.

When Fleet Van Sickel sold his place at Plain- field to Mr. Dyer, he paid the money to his brother, Samuel F. Van Sickel, who purchased land southeast of the village, where his son, Edgar Van Sickel, now lives. S. F. Van Sickel came from New Jersey in company with Levi Clawson, and after a short stay in Ohio proceeded to Dex- ter, Washtenaw Co., Mich., finally locating in Una- dilla. One other of his sons, David, lives near Edgar, southeast of Plainfield.

Samuel Wasson settled northeast of Plainfield in 1837. The old farm is divided between his two sons, Myron and John, who reside upon it. Mr. Wasson came from a locality about thirty miles from Buffalo, N. Y.

The first physician in the neighborhood was Dr. Morgan, who came at an early day from Ohio, with his family, accompanied by Mr. Tuttle and family. This was previous to 1839. The doctor was much esteemed by his acquaintances, and ranked high as a physician. After the death of his wife he removed to Indiana. He was the only physician who ever lived here any length of time. He had an extensive ride, ranging into the town- ship of White Oak, Ingham Co. The vicinity of Plainfield was always noted for its healthfulness, and Dr. Morgan once remarked that " if it were not for White Oak he should starve to death !" Dr. D. M. Greene located here in the spring of 1879.

Albert G. Topping, from Cleveland, Ohio, settled in Plainfield in November, 1839, living for a short time in a house on Philip Dyer's place, while building a log house for himself. That structure occupied the ground upon which now stands the residence of his son, Morris Topping. When not busy on his own place, Mr. Topping was employed by Dyer. He died in 1844, from the effects of the amputation of his leg, rendered necessary by a white swelling. His son, Morris Topping, in the spring of 1853 built the store he now occupies, and began business in October of the same year, having continued in the same place since that time. He is now the oldest merchant in the place; has also a large stave-factory and coopering establishment, manufacturing about 20,000 barrels per annum. This business was started about 1864.

Mr. Topping built his stave-factory first, subse- quently adding a saw-mill, and finally a grist-mill. All were burned about 1875, but the stave-factory and grist-mill have been rebuilt. Steam is the motive-power used; the grist-mill has three runs of stone, and does both custom and merchant work.

E. T. Bush has a planing-mill and cider-mill, which have been in operation about ten years.

The first store in the village was established by Rice A. Beal, since prominent in his connection with the State University at Ann Arbor. He first appeared as a peddler of clocks, etc., but finally built and stocked a store and managed it a number of years. He went afterwards to Howell, where he owned a fine establishment, and finally removed to Ann Arbor, where he now resides. His father, Emery Beal, settled at Plainfield about 1837.

Plainfield post-office was established about 1837 -38, with Emery Beal as postmaster, and was kept in the latter's house. Mail was brought from Milan (Unadilla post-office), the route extending from Ann Arbor, via Dexter, to Unadilla and re- turn. Some mail was afterwards brought in from Mason, Ingham Co. A tri-weekly mail is now re- ceived from Fowlerville, the route extending from Fowlerville to Unadilla. A man named Burnett, who lived east of Plainfield, held the office a short time, succeeding Beal. Rice A. Beal was subse- quently appointed. In 1853, when Morris Top- ping established himself in business, he received the appointment of postmaster, which position he has since retained.

The present hotel at the village was built in 1876 by Morris Topping, and its first landlord was William Oxtoby. The present proprietor is A. D. Spaulding, who has occupied it since the fall of 1878. The building is a frame structure, and the first regular hotel in the place.

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316

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

VILLAGE OF UNADILLA.

A village, called " East Unadilla,"* was platted April 14, 1837, the survey being made by Richard Peterson, Jr., but it was not recorded until April 21, 1840. The proprietary names on the plat are Robert Glenn and Thomas G. Sill,-the latter the administrator of the estate of John Drake. The plat, as acknowledged, bears date April 16, 1840. The village was originally locally known as Milan; but when it became necessary to establish a post- office it was ascertained that another office of the same name existed in Monroe Co., and while the office was named Unadilla the village was recorded as East Unadilla, to distinguish it from the Una- dilla mentioned elsewhere.

John Drake, the founder and one of the propri- etors of the village, built a dam across the Portage in 1835, and as soon as possible thereafter erected a saw-mill, the lumber used in its construction being sawed at Williams' mill at Williamsville. Robert Glenn had entered the land, and gave Drake 40 acres on which to build his mill and im- prove the water-power. Glenn built a grist-mill in 1838, the same being a part of the mill now stand- ing. It had originally but one run of stones, but a second was afterwards added. Glenn subsequently sold a half-interest to Dr. Field. Others were proprietors at different times, and it finally passed into the hands of the present owner, George Hoy- land, who inserted a third run of stones. Dr. Field, Charles Duncan, and Seth A. Petteys all had shares in the mill at one time with Glenn. Petteys built the grist-mill for Glenn, and afterwards erected a carding-machine in his own interest, but finally abandoned it, owing to the supply of water being insufficient to run all the mills. The old wheel in the grist-mill was a heavy one of the overshot pattern. An improved turbine wheel is now in use.

John Dunning, from the town of Byron, Genesee Co., N. Y., came to Unadilla in December, 1846, and entered the mercantile business, and has con- tinued in the same to the present. With the excep- tion of during the first eighteen months after his arrival, he has occupied the building in which he is now located. It is the first frame building erected in the village, and was built by John Drake for the purpose of a store and dwelling. The store-the first in the place-was kept by Drake & Dibble, and necessarily contained but a small stock. Drake died within a year after the store was built, and its contents were purchased by Mr. Ward, of Ann Arbor, now deceased. Mr.

Drake first lived in a log house which stood near his saw-mill in the southwest part of the village, a few rods south of the Presbyterian church.

W. S. Livermore, one of the firm of O. H. Obert & Co., at the village, came from Richfield, Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1844, with his uncle, John C. Sted- man, now living north of Unadilla. Since July, 1864, he has been engaged in business with his brother-in-law, Mr. Obert. The present brick store occupied by the firm was built in 1873.

William Gilbert, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., located in Unadilla village in the spring of 1837, and estab- lished the first blacksmith-shop in the place, on the lot where W. S. Livermore now resides. The frame of the shop is yet standing on the north side of the creek, whence it was removed and since enlarged. Mr. Gilbert's mother and the wife of Luke Montague were sisters.

Mr. Montague, also from Cayuga Co., N. Y., located land both in Unadilla and the township of Lyndon, Washtenaw Co .; he also purchased some from Aaron Palmer (son of James Palmer, who had settled with his sons, Aaron and Benajah), who is now living in the village. Mr. Montague pur- chased in the fall of 1836, and returned to New York for his family. When they came back in the spring of 1837 Mr. Gilbert was one of the party. Montague settled first on the Palmer place, across the line in Lyndon, and lived there about a year, building a house on his place in Unadilla in the mean while. In the latter Dr. Field lived for a time, afterwards moving into the village and building a house on the hill in the south part. The doctor afterwards moved to the present W. S. Livermore place, where he died.

Mr. Montague sold the Palmer place to his son, Alexander Montague, when he moved to his place in Unadilla.

One of the characters of this region at an early day was an old man familiarly known as " Deacon" Barnes. He lived to be about ninety years of age, and died a few years since in Ingham County. He lived at Williamsville, and was a blacksmith by trade. With much satisfaction he would relate his apprenticeship experiences, and his stories led his listeners to understand that he served his appren- ticeship before the Revolution. He was a bachelor, and possessed a remarkable memory, but no edu- cation. At one time he was employed in a shop at Dexter, Washtenaw Co.

PHYSICIANS.

Dr. Junius L. Field, the first physician in the township, was a very popular citizen and an excel- lent physician. For years he was the one sought after by the sick of the vicinity. He was very

* " Unadilla village" was laid out June 11, 1836, on the east part of section 33, by Mary Winans and Alexander Pyper, the survey being made by John Farnsworth. This was abandoned, and the village of East Unadilla is known at present as Unadilla.

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UNADILLA TOWNSHIP.

careful in his practice, and it has been said of him that his only fault lay in giving too large doses of medicine ; but however that may be, his practice of many years was attended by remarkable success.

Dr. Foster, who settled about 1845-46, stayed a number of years, finally removing to Ypsilanti, where he died. He came here from Canada, and suffered much with the ague at first, and threatened to leave as soon as he was able. He was finally persuaded to remain, however, and brought in his family. He was also eminently successful in his practice.

Several physicians have located at different times, but only remained a short time. Dr. Samuel Du Bois, now of the village, has resided and practiced here many years, and is the only physician in the township, except Dr. D. M. Green, a recent arrival at Plainfield.

The only lawyer who ever lived in the village or practiced in the township was a man named Mar- tin. He came from Stockbridge, Ingham Co., and after a short stay and a failure in finding clients he went to California, where he rose to prominence.

HOTELS.

About 1838-39 a tavern was built by William S. Mead, on the ground previously occupied by Gilbert's blacksmith-shop,-the latter being moved off to give room to the hostelry. This was the same building Dr. Field lived in for a time (and died in), and the one now occupied by W. S. Liver- more. In the spring after this was built, a second one was erected by Moses Babcock, and is now standing south of the creek, occupied as a dwelling by George Hoyland. Neither this nor the one first described has been used as a tavern for many years. It was customary in the early days for taverns and stores to sell liquors, and it was quite as customary for each family to "keep a bottle of whisky in the house to drive off the ague." A temperance society (not the subsequent Good Tem- plars) was organized in 1838, the first lecture before it being delivered by Rev. Dr. James Pyper, a Bap- tist minister, who still resides in the village. Soon after the organization Mr. Gilbert, one of the mem- bers, went East and remained one year. Upon his return he met the president of the society, who had in his pocket a bottle of "Golden Seal," to keep off the ague, as he said. The vice- president was armed in the same manner and for the same purpose, as were numerous others belonging to the society, and Mr. Gilbert soon arrived at the conclusion that, as he did not wish to fend off the ague in that way, his name had better be dropped from the rolls.

The hotel now known as the Unadilla House, and kept by James Craig, was built for a dwelling,

either by Luke Montague, or his son Alexander. Henry Hartsuff, at a later date, had a store in it. It was finally purchased by E. J. Smith, who con- verted it into a hotel and became its first landlord. Several additions to it had previously been built. Mr. Craig has been proprietor since March, 1861.

Unadilla Post-Office was established in 1836, with Elnathan Noble, now deceased, as first post- master. The latter's son, Curtis G. Noble, now a resident of the village, was the first mail-carrier, bringing it on horseback from Dexter, and occa- sionally having no other receptacle for it than his pockets. No salary was paid the postmaster, nor any commission (it is said), but he was allowed to take whatever he could make out of the office. Letters from the East brought twenty-five cents each when delivered. The office was located at Mr. Noble's proposed village site, west of what is now Unadilla village. His son, George W. Noble, a hatter by trade, built a hat-shop at that place, and a blacksmith-shop was also built and carried on a short time. The frost of competition nipped Mr. Noble's project in the bud. A subsequent change in the location of the road, which had originally followed an Indian trail, left his log house some distance from the highway. His suc- cessor in office was William S Mead, who lived a mile north of the village of Unadilla. About 1848 it is stated to have been taken to a locality northwest of the village, and kept for a short time by the Quaker politician, Stephen Cornell. It was finally permanently located at Unadilla, however, and since July 9, 1861, the duties of the office have been performed by James Craig, the present incumbent. A tri-weekly mail is brought from Chelsea, Washtenaw Co.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN UNADILLA .*

This church was organized Feb. 4, 1837, by Rev. Charles G. Clarke, of Webster, Washtenaw County, with the members named in Mr. Craig's address. In March, 1838, Rev. Mr. Smith became the first pastor, and stayed one year. He was succeeded in 1839 by Rev. D. R. Dixon, who remained several years. In the winter of 1843-44, Rev. Noah Cressy took charge and preached one year, being suc- ceeded by Rev. Mr. Hamilton, whose term of ser- vice lasted nearly two years. The next pastor was Rev. Josephus Morton, who was succeeded in the summer of 1849 by Rev. Benjamin Marvin. The latter stayed until 1858. Rev. S. Carey, of Stock- bridge, Ingham Co., preached here a short time, but was possibly never regularly installed as pastor.

* Compiled from the church record.

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318

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

The church at Stockbridge was originally a branch of the one at Unadilla. Rev. Benjamin Franklin became the next pastor, in 1857. Rev. Mr. Alvord came in 1859, and Rev. Mr. Bissell in 1860. In September, 1863, Rev. William J. Nutting was in- stalled as stated supply. Rev. Seward Osinga came in 1867, and remained nine years. He was succeeded by Rev. Theodore B. Williams, in De- cember, 1877, and the latter is the present pastor. The brick church now standing was built in 1846, at a cost of $1400. Meetings had been held pre- viously in the school-house. The membership, in the latter part of July, 1879, was about 55. A Union Sabbath-school is sustained by the Presby- terians and Methodists. Its superintendent is Alexander Marnock, of the Presbyterian Church.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, UNADILLA VIL- LAGE .*

In 1836-37 a minister of the Methodist denom- ination by the name of George Breckenridge was on the circuit that then embraced this section of country. A little band in sympathy with the views of that church were in the habit of gathering to- gether at North Lake, and listening to services held by him when his ride brought him in this region. James Palmer and his wife and Mrs. M. B. Palmer, living at East Unadilla, being interested in the cause, attended services at North Lake, at the house of John Glenn, where a class had been formed, of which Charles Glenn was leader. In April, 1837, Mrs. James Palmer and Mrs. B. M. Palmer joined this class, and on their way home the same day, while following the trail, became lost, and wandered for several hours before regain- ing it. At that time they persuaded Rev. George Breckenridge to visit the hamlet at East Unadilla and preach for them; which he consented to do upon his next visit, which was in the fall of the same year. Services were held at the house of Mr. B. M. Palmer. But few families lived in the neighborhood. Notice was sent out, and the few that gathered together at that time were Luke Montague, John Bruyn, John Drake, and their wives, who, together with the Palmers, formed the first con- gregation. The success of that first meeting de- termined Mr. Breckenridge to hold this place in the meetings of the circuit. He preached here several times before a class was organized. Some time in the year 1838, James Palmer, B. M. Pal- mer, Aaron Palmer, and Joseph Hartsuff, with their wives, were constituted a first class. Joseph Hart- suff was chosen leader, but he remained a short time only in that capacity. The class-meetings were held in the house of B. M. Palmer, which

stood where 'Squire G. Palmer's house now stands ; preaching was held in the evening.

After Rev. Mr. Breckenridge had finished his term on this circuit he was succeeded by Rev. John Gillette, then a young man, this being his first circuit. He afterwards became one of the foremost men in the denomination in the State. Rev. John Sayre, t an old preacher who held services wherever he could find a congregation, came with Mr. Gil- lette the first time. The ministers all made Mr. Palmer's house their home. Rev. Henry Colclazer was the first presiding elder, and attended the first quarterly-meeting held in this place, at the school- house where Mrs. Anderson's house now stands. The next quarterly-meeting was held in the grove south of Mr. Obert's house, now the public square.

The ministers who succeeded Mr. Gillette were Revs. Mr. Babcock, Adam Minnis (who was the first one to bring his wife with him), John Scotford, Samuel Berrie, - Pengally, and others. Stephen B. Sayles was class-leader in 1843. In 1846 the class contained 67 members, with Benjamin Sayles as leader; Rev. Thomas Wakelin and J. W. Don- aldson were then on the circuit. About 1851 Revs. Brockway and Borden were preaching on the circuit. Rev. L. W. Wells, a revivalist from the East, came through this region and visited this place, and a revival was held which resulted in the conversion of about 100 persons, most of whom remained faithful. Meetings were first held in the school- house, but as the interest increased it was found too small, and the Presbyterian church was used. As many of the congregation at this time lived near what was called Williamsville, it was deemed advisable to remove the class, which was accom- plished, and in 1853 a church was built at that place. In 1855 another class was organized at East Unadilla, and R. C. Barnum was chosen its first leader. They occupied the Presbyterian church every alternate Sabbath until 1870, when they changed their place of meeting to May's Hall, where they remained until Aug. 10, 1873, on which day they dedicated the house they now occupy.

The present pastor of the church is Rev. Mr. Clack, who preaches also at Williamsville, and at North Lake, Washtenaw Co.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WILLIAMSVILLE.

The class which was organized here in 1851, or transferred here from Unadilla, consisted of some 30 members, of whom many are since de-

* Communicated.

+ Mr. Sayre lived in Pinckney. He was a hatter by trade, and at an early day worked at it in Dexter, Washtenaw Co. He went to California during the great gold excitement, and is said by some to have become reckless and dissipated, and finally died. It is also stated that he was murdered for his money.

319

UNADILLA TOWNSHIP.

ceased. The first pastor was Rev. Ransom Good- ell, now also dead. This class, which has a present membership of about 25, was the strongest one in the vicinity, until after the completion of the new church at Unadilla.

BAPTIST CHURCH, WILLIAMSVILLE.

The original record of this church is not to be found, and the exact date of its organization can- not be given, but according to the recollection of some of its older members it was not far from the year 1835. It therefore ranks among the oldest religious organizations in Livingston County, if it was not the very first. The original membership was 13, and the first pastor was Elder Brunson, well known to the pioneer Baptists of Michigan. Their present brick church was dedicated in 1852. Meetings are still continued, and the society has a respectable membership. The present pastor is Elder Putnam, of Howell. Elder James Pyper, now living in Unadilla village, preached at a very early day.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI AT PLAINFIELD was organized June 1, 1838, by Rev. C. G. Clark, of Webster, Washtenaw Co., at the house of Levi Clawson, the original members being Levi Claw- son and wife, Samuel Wasson and wife, William S. Caskey, and John B. Van Doren. The first pastor was Rev. H. L. S. Smith, and those since have been the same in charge of the Presbyterian Church at Unadilla. Their present neat frame house of worship was dedicated Dec. 8, 1869. The membership is in the neighborhood of 60. A Sabbath-school is sustained, with Robert Gardner as superintendent.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH, PLAINFIELD.

This society was organized at the Fulmer school- house, in April, 1852, but was transferred to Plain- field the same year, by order of the Quarterly Con- ference. The original members were G. J. Daniels, wife, and mother, and Benjamin Dutcher and wife. The first pastor was Rev. M. L. Perrington. The present frame house of worship at Plainfield was dedicated Sept. 26, 1878. The membership on the 30th of July, 1879, was about 140, and the pastor, Rev. Samuel Riley, who came in 1876. Classes also exist at the Livermore school-house in Una- dilla, and at the Wilson school-house in Iosco, at both of which places Mr. Riley holds service, as he does at Parker's, in Iosco township. Sunday- schools are sustained at the various places of meet- ing. The value of the church property at Plain- field, including the parsonage, is $7500, and at Parker's, $500. Many of the members of this so-

ciety are natives of England. Its pastor in 1871 was Rev. R. T. Kellogg, and the church had at that time a membership of 102. Nearly all who formed the original class in April, 1852, are still living.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in the township was probably taught in a shop belonging to Stephen Cornell, by Alonzo Wood, about 1835. About 1836 a log school-house was built, half a mile west of the site of the present brick building in District No. 1I, on the farm of Hiram Case. The first teacher therein was Royal C. Barnum. By the time the log house was ready for use the number of children of school age in the neighborhood was considerable. It was several years before the log school-building fell into disuse and a second and more suitable struc- ture was erected. The house now in use is built of brick.

At Unadilla village a carpenter, named Murray, had started to build a plank school-house in 1837, but he died before it was finished, and it was not until the spring of the next year that the building was completed,-the work being done by another carpenter, named James Wright. The death of Murray was the first one which occurred in the neighborhood. The school-house stood on the west side of the street, on the hill in the south part of the village, the lot having been given by Robert Glenn. He afterwards gave the district a new deed for the lot where the school-house now stands. The first teacher was a Miss Chipman ; Miss Samantha Joslin also taught here early.

The body of a log school-house was built at Plainfield, in 1837, on ground given by Philip Dyer, being the same lot on which the present frame school-house stands. The first school was taught in it in 1838 by Lois Bissell, daughter of Mrs. Townsend. She had, in the summer of 1837, taught the first school in the neighborhood in the log house of her stepfather, Mr. Townsend.

The following statement of the condition of the schools of Unadilla for the year ending Sept. 2, 1878, is from the report of the township school inspectors of that date:

Number of whole districts.

fractional districts.

= children of school age 322

Attendance for year. 291

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History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 68

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 617

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 617