History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 74

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

USA > Michigan > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 74

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1858, Mrs. Coe, George Gooding, Obadiah Parsons, Sarah E. Rumsey.

In 1859, Henrietta Bigelow, Laura Sabin, Laura Bogert, Miss Lyon, Miss Sowle, Sarah Winegar, Wm. P. Parsons, J. J. Hitchings, G. B. Chandler.

In 1860, Nancy Locke, Eliza R. Grant, Mary A. Pratt, Maria Randall, Eliza J. Randall, and Ellen Baker.

The annual report for the year 1860 shows the following number of children of school age residing in the township, and the amount of public moneys apportioned: District No. 1, 54 scholars, $24.84; No. 3 (fractional), 34 scholars, $15.64; No. 5, 46 scholars, $21.16; No. 6, 59 scholars, $27.14; No.

7, 37 scholars, $17.02; No. 8, 48 scholars, $22.08; No. 10, 22 scholars, $10.12.

1870 .- District No. 1, 46 scholars; No. 2, 31 ; No. 3 (fractional), 48 ; No. 5, 52 ; No. 6, 57; No. 7 (fractional), 35 ; No. 8 (fractional), 65 ; No. 9 (frac- tional), 23; No. 10 (fractional), 37.

Amount of primary-school funds apportioned during the year, $196.06.

From the annual report of the township Board of Education for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879, are taken the following statistics :

Number of whole districts ........

fractional districts

children of school age residing in the town- ship 421

66 children attending school during the year ... 357

children non-residents attending school dur- ing the year ..

brick school-houses.

Seating capacity of houses 474

Value of school property.

$4300.00

Male teachers employed during the year.

Female «

Months taught by males.

females.

Paid female teachers

$381.62

RECEIPTS.

From moneys on hand Sept. 2, 1878, two-mill tax, pri- mary-school fund, district taxes for all purposes, and from all other sources $2500.15

EXPENDITURES.

Paid teachers. $1146.62

For building, repairs, and other purposes. 640.13

Cash on hand Sept. 1, 1879 .. 713 40

Total

$2500.15

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.

CONWAY GRANGE, No. 114, P. OF H.,

received its dispensation from the National Grange, Oct. 30, 1873 ; its charter, March 1, 1874; and was duly incorporated in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, Jan. 20, 1876.

Those members named in the articles of incor- poration were A. J. Wickman, Thomas Copeland, Harriet L. Wickman, Cecil D. Parsons, Jr., Thomas Stanfield, Charles L. Benjamin, Mary A. Benjamin, John G. Copeland, Joel A. Chapman, Henry Snyder, Robert Copeland, Etta J. Copeland, Dwight Gaston, Oren B. Green, C. Sherwood, James L. Gordon, and Wilbur F. Parsons.

Their hall is situated on the southeast corner of section 22, and the society still continues in a flourishing condition.

RELIGIOUS.

In the fall of 1837, Rev. Washington Jackson, a circuit preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, visited those people residing in the

Paid male teachers

$765.00

frame

Hosted by

Google

B. P. SHERMAN.

MRS . B. P. SHERMAN. ( DECEASED. )

MRS . B. P. SHERMAN.

PHOTOS. BY BROWN, HOWELL, MICH

Hosted by

Google

343

CONWAY TOWNSHIP.

Parsons settlement, and held the first religious services, in the house of Levi Parsons. Before con- cluding his visit, a class of that denomination was formed, of which Frederick B. Parsons and wife and Cecil D. Parsons and wife composed the original members. Revs. Isaac Bennett and John Cosart were also very early preachers. Among other early members were Amasa G. House and wife, Levi H. Bigelow and wife, Thomas Stanfield and wife, and Mrs. Jacob Sherman.

This society has continued its organization with varying success to the present time, and a flourish- ing Sabbath-school is maintained. Their meetings are held in school-houses.

Among other religious denominations which have an existence and a following in the township are the Methodist Protestants and United Brethren.

CEMETERIES.

The first place of burial in the township was the Coughran burying-ground, on the southeast quarter of section 25. Other places of interment have since been established on the northeast corner of section 27, the west side of section 29, and the Conway and Antrim burying-ground on the north side of section 2. Within recent years the town- ship authorities have purchased a tract for ceme- tery purposes, containing nearly 20 acres, and situated on the west side of section 15; but as yet no improvements have been made upon it.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BENJAMIN PORTER SHERMAN.

Among the representative men of Livingston County who have, by their own exertions, taken important positions and made the county what it is, should be mentioned him whose name stands at the head of this brief sketch.

Benjamin P. Sherman was born in Palmer, Mass., Dec. 22, 1811. His boyhood and early manhood was passed upon a farm. When twenty-three years of age he came to Michigan, and worked on a farm in Washtenaw County. While thus engaged he located some three hundred acres of land, where he now resides. He was married April 26, 1841, to Mary E. Dudley, and imme- diately proceeded to occupy his land, upon which he had built a log house, and partially cleared some twenty acres of land. The latter was sowed to wheat and oats, but was not a success, yielding only about double the amount of seed sown. Notwithstanding this discouraging beginning he did not retreat, nor rely upon his neighbors,-

in fact, his nearest neighbor then was one and a half miles distant,-but with a persistence which has characterized him throughout life, he kept steadily onward, year by year pushing back the forest and improving his land, until ease, comfort, and wealth have been secured. His wife died Nov. 15, 1872, leaving one son, Roger Sherman, who married Emma Swarthout, of Handy, and who resides on an adjoining farm. Mr. Sherman lost a daughter, Mary Augusta, who died in 1867, aged eighteen years. Mr. Sherman was again married Sept. 1, 1873, to Mrs. Rhoda L. Lowry, formerly Mrs. Comstock.

Politically, Mr. Sherman is a Republican. He has held several town offices, among others that of supervisor during the first two years of the war. Mr. Sherman is ranked among the substantial citi- zens of Livingston County, and has justly earned that distinction.

LUTHER CHILD.

Charles T. Child, the father of the above, was a native of Woodstock, Conn., and the father of thirteen children. He was a farmer, and in com- fortable circumstances.

Photo. by Brown, Howell.

LUTHER CHILD.

Luther Child, who was born July 19, 1815, re- mained on the home-farm until he was twenty-two years of age, at which time he journeyed to the home of his brother-in-law, in Steuben Co., N. Y., and worked at various occupations about three years. Jan. 10, 1841, he was married to Miss A. Coates, of Steuben County, and for the following fifteen years carried on a farm and engaged in lumbering. In 1855 he removed to Michigan with Hosted by

344

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

his wife and six children, and settled in Novi town- ship, Oakland Co. For two and a half years he continued farming in that and Plymouth town- ships (the latter in Wayne County), and in 1858 came to Howell, in Livingston Co., where his wife died in 1863. For the past five years Mr. Child has attended to the affairs of a two-hundred-acre farm belonging to his son, Marcus B. Child, who is engaged in the lumber business in Kent County. Mr. Child, Sr., who is in his sixty-fifth year, is yet as active as in middle age, and performs most of his own work.

WILLIAM P. STOW.

This gentleman, the son of a farmer, and one of a family of four children, was born in September, 1830, in Patterson township, Putnam Co., N. Y. His father, David L. Stow, moved in 1834 to Living- ston Co., N. Y., where he purchased one hundred acres of land and lived for twenty-two years. In the spring of 1856 he removed, with his wife, son, and daughter, to Howell, Livingston Co., Mich., purchased a house and lot of L. D. Smith, and lived but one year afterwards.

William P. Stow worked on the farm with his father until he was twenty-four years old, attending school winters. Before he left home, on March I, 1855, he married Miss B. B. Hillman, daughter of Benjamin L. Hillman, an early settler in Living- ston Co., N. Y. She was the youngest but one in a family of four children, and with her husband lived on the old farm until the fall of 1856, when they came to Michigan and located in Conway township, Livingston Co., moving into the log house which they still occupy. Their children are two in number,-George F., born in'December, 1856; now married to Miss Nancy Bailey, and living half a mile south of his parents' old farm, on the place formerly owned by George W. Stone. Willie E., born in August, 1858, and now living at home. They have also an adopted daughter, Liz- zie B. Stow.

Mr. Stow, who is a Republican in politics, has held numerous township offices, among them that of supervisor one term, justice of the peace two terms, commissioner of highways one term, and township clerk two terms. In 1860 he went to Fowlerville in company with his brother, George W. Stow, and the two opened a store, carrying a full line of dry goods, groceries, and drugs. Wil- liam P. Stow was also postmaster. In January, 1863, he sold out his interest in the store, and in September returned to the farm. Jan. 2, 1864, he enlisted in the 9th Michigan Infantry, and remained

in the service until Sept. 27, 1865, leaving his wife and two small children on the farm. While in the army and acting as company clerk, he was detailed by Gen. Thomas as clerk in the Military Conduc- tor's office, and assisted in making out muster-out rolls. After the war he was postmaster at Fowler- ville for several years, finally resigning.

LEVI H. BIGELOW

was born in Batavia, N. Y., July 2, 1817, at which time his father, Abel Bigelow, was sheriff of that county. He subsequently moved to Canada, and from thence to Michigan, settling in West Bloom-

LITTLE

Photo. by Brown, Howell. LEVI H. BIGELOW.

field, Oakland Co., in 1825, where he died in 1866. Levi H. lived at home until he was eighteen years of age. He then worked on a farm for three years, at one hundred and fifty dollars per year, from which he saved three hundred dollars; with this he purchased eighty acres of land, where he now lives, in November, 1837. In November, 1840, he married Mary Capron, formerly of Niagara Co., N. Y. The next fall William Bigelow moved on to his land, where he has since resided. His wife died Aug. 16, 1876, leaving nine children, one son, Howard Bigelow, having previously died while in the army ; he enlisted in the 12th New York Cav- alry, and died of fever, Dec. 4, 1864.

Mr. Bigelow was again married in May, 1878, to Mrs. Eliza Ann Mathews, formerly Miss Cor- nick, of Niagara, Canada. Other lands have been added to the original eighty, which have been sub- divided, leaving one hundred and twenty acres with the old home. The children are all married except the three youngest sons, who live at home.

345

CONWAY TOWNSHIP.

LITTLE

Photos. by Brown, Howell.

CECIL D. PARSONS.

LITTLE

MRS. CECIL D. PARSONS.

CECIL D. PARSONS

was born in Conway, Mass., March 12, 1808. His paternal grandfather, Joel Parsons, was one of the earliest settlers in that town. He was born in Somers, Conn., June 28, 1753, married Triphena Booth in July, 1775, and removed to Conway, Mass., in the summer of that year, making the journey on horseback, and carrying his wife on the horse behind him. Here he located on a farm, but for many years worked at blacksmithing, which was his trade. He raised a large family of chil- dren, of whom Levi, the father of Cecil D. Parsons, was one of the oldest.

Levi raised a family of seven children, Cecil D. being the second son. The latter came to Michi- gan in 1831, and entered land in Washtenaw County, where he remained six years, when his father, Levi Parsons, came on with the family. Frederick B., Cecil D., and Julius F. were married. Samuel F. was the youngest. Ruth M. married Waterman B. Fay. They all came to Webster, Washtenaw Co., where Cecil D. was then living. Desirous of all being neigl.bors, he sold out, and they all went farther into the forest. They took up lands adjoining, in all about one thousand acres, in what is now the town of Conway. After secur- 44

ing their lands they returned to Webster. In the month of June, 1836, the young men went on to their land, and built a log house for the old people. This was the first house in the town of Conway. In the fall of 1837, Cecil D. moved on to his land,- one hundred and sixty acres,-where he has since resided. He was married while he lived in Web- ster, Oct. 21, 1834, to Elizabeth Munger, who was born in Claremont, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1816. Her father died when she was a child; her mother came to Oakland County, where she died in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have been the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are now living, viz .: William P. is a farmer in Shiawassee County ; Cecil D. is a farmer, and has a part of the old farm ; Charles L. is a farmer in Shiawassee County ; Edward H. is a farmer in Orleans County, N. Y .; Elvira J. married Orin B. Green, a farmer in Kent County ; Louis A., Joel F., and Frederick N., the three youngest, live at the old home.

Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are the only surviving couple of the original colony. They have wit- nessed the entire growth of the town, and procured the naming of it after the town they came from in Massachusetts. They are consistent members of the Methodist Church, and assisted to organize the first class in the town of Conway.

'Hosted by

Google

MARION TOWNSHIP.

THIS township was formed from Putnam in 1837. It is one of the four interior divisions of Livingston County, and lies directly southwest of its geographical centre. Adjacent township or- ganizations are Howell on the north, Genoa on the east, Putnam on the south, and Iosco on the west. By the original United States survey, it was designated as township No. 2 north, of the base line of range No. 4 east, of the principal meridian. Its present name, although suggested by one* who had formerly resided in the town of Marion, Wayne Co., N. Y., is, with the latter or- ganization, derived really from Gen. Francis Marion, a gallant American officer, who, as the "Swamp Fox of the Carolinas," gained much celebrity and distinction during the war of the Revolution.

" Well knows the fair and friendly moon the band that Marion leads-

The glitter of their rifles, the scampering of their steeds.

'Tis life to guide the fiery barb across the moonlit plains;

'Tis life to feel the night wind that lifts their tossing manes. A moment in the British camp-a moment and away Back to the pathless forest before the peep of day." -From Bryant's Song of Marion's Men.

The general surface, which here reaches the greatest altitude of any portion of the county,- over five hundred feet above Lake Erie,-is di- versified with plains, bluffs, and ridges, dotted with numerous small lakes, and intersected by streams whose surplus flow, here divided by Nature's water- shed, starts in opposite directions, and ultimately finds its way to Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michi- gan. The original timber consisted principally of white and red oak, hickory, beech, and maple, on the higher grounds, while black and white ash, whitewood, and elm predominated in the low- lands.

Openings of light, dry soil, known at an early day as Prevost's, Boyden's, Hubbard's, and Chubb's plains, besides others of lesser note, occurred in various parts of the township. These, interspersed with more heavily timbered belts, the meander- ing brooks abounding with excellent fish, and numerous beautiful, clear lakes, fed by springs and rivulets, made this region in early summer a most enchanting spot. Wild-flowers grew in great pro-

fusion, which, with a considerable growth of pale- green grass, rendered the carpet nature had created more lovely than an artificial one. Deer and wild fowl were very plentiful,-the former as tame as domestic animals not especially well treated. In the low timbered places wild grapes climbed to the tree-tops. Whortleberries and cranberries were to be found in numerous swamps, and along the higher banks of the streams apples and wild plums abounded.

These bounties of nature, here so lavishly dis- played, enticed the Indians to tarry within her borders, and contributed much to the ofttimes scant larder of the pioneers of Marion. Cedar Lake was a favorite resort of the aborigines during the hunting and fishing seasons. Two trails crossed to the north of the lake, and on a high hill or bluff, still farther to the northwest, was their usual camping-ground. Near by this was a place of burial, and here many of their weapons of war and the chase have been found.

The principal water-courses of Marion are the Cedar and Shiawassee Rivers. The former takes its rise from the lake of the same name, and flows northerly through the west half. The latter starts from Coon Lake and flows in a general course towards the north through the east part. Some eighteen lakes are found in the township, a major- ity of them being in the southern part. Among the most considerable are Cedar, Pleasant, Coon, Grass, Triangle, and Mud Lakes. Horseshoe Lake, the largest body of water in the northern part, is situated on section 10. The total lake surface of the township is not far from 700 acres. Springs generally abound, and in all respects the locality is well watered. The soil consists of the alternate belts of sand and clay loam usually found in Mich- igan. It produces abundantly, and in the quality and amount of its agricultural products Marion stands in the front rank of Livingston County townships.

Her people are chiefly engaged in the pursuits of agriculture, and numbered in 1874-the last census-1162.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS.

Sardis Davis, one of the pioneers of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., purchasedothe northwest part of the

* Hiram Wing.

346

RESIDENCE OF HIRAM P. BAKER , MARION LIVINGSTON CO MICH

Hosted by

Google

347

MARION TOWNSHIP.

north part of the northwest fractional quarter of section 2, Sept. 15, 1834, and we have reason to believe that he became the first resident of town- ship 2 north, of range 4 east, during the same sea- son. It is related by those who were personally acquainted with Mr. Davis that he was about forty years of age at the time of his settlement here ; an invaluable pioneer, generous in the extreme, whose door was ever open to those in need of a shelter or sustenance, and who more than once divided his bread with the hungry to the extent of going to sleep without an evening meal. He was one of the most active in procuring the organiza- tion of the new township of Marion, and, as will be further noticed,* was one of the first justices of the peace and highway commissioners elected. Mr. Davis was a carpenter by trade, and one of the first framed barnst in the township was erected by him in 1837. He harvested the first crop of wheat in 1836. His wife, a most estimable lady, died the same year,-hers being the first death in the town. In 1839 or 1840, Mr. Davis removed to Wisconsin, and his further history is unknown.

In the summer of 1835, Deacon Israel Branch, of Ann Arbor, purchased the southeast quarter of section II from the government, and of James T. T. Allen and David Godfrey the northeast frac- tional quarter of section 2. He settled upon the latter section during the early part of the fall of 1835, thus becoming the second settler of the township. Some time during the year 1836, while visiting Ann Arbor, he died. The lands situated upon section 2 were soon after purchased of his heirs by Edward F. Gay, who settled here in 1837. Before the winter of 1835-36 had fairly closed in, Major Francis I. Prevost, Alexander Boyden, Jean Louis François Benoit Fasquelle, and Stoddard Smith, all from Washtenaw Co., Mich., moved in, and erected for themselves log habitations in the northwest part of the town. All of these settlers last mentioned purchased their land from the gen- eral government. Major Prevost remained here but a short time, having sold his possessions to Ebenezer Stearns in the spring of 1837. Mr. Fasquelle also remained here but a brief period (one winter), having sold his lands and improve- ments to Guy C. Lee. In 1836 he returned to Ann Arbor, where, as Professor of Modern Languages, he served in the State University for many years. He was the author also of a valuable work entitled "Fasquelle's French Series."

Stoddard Smith, father of Pierpont L. Smith,

settled upon the east half of the southwest quarter of section 7, remaining there until his death.

The history of Alexander Boyden is well known to nearly every present resident of Marion. "Boy- den's Plains" has ever been a landmark in the township annals. A favorite variety of wheat, propagated by him and bearing his name, was ex- tensively cultivated by people of the county. His location was admirable and his lands were readily brought under cultivation, but his great delight was in threading the intricacies of the forests in pursuit of the game with which they then teemed, and it is related that during the winter of 1835 and '36 he killed more than Ico wolves and deer. He died in 1877, upon the farm where he began the first improvements more than forty years pre- viously.

Sylvester Rounds, from Wayne Co., Mich., was the next settler in the township. He made the first entry upon section 19, Jan. 14, 1836, being the northwest fractional quarter, or 166 acres, and, during the same winter, built a log house and settled his family here. He was a man well versed in the amenities and duties of life, and a consistent member of the Methodist Church. At his house the itinerant minister always found a hearty welcome. Among the members of his fam- ily was an elder son, by the name of Jabez, who, like most young men, was fond of company and the gatherings which usually terminated in an exhibition of the "light fantastic." One evening there was to be a prayer-meeting held in the neighborhood, and, at another house, a dance. The family possessed but one horse, an Indian pony, which the father usually rode to " meet- ings," and which he proposed to do on this oc- casion. On the other hand, Jabez required the pony to take his girl to the dance. Long and loud were the arguments between them, which was finally ended by Jabez exclaiming, "There is no use talking, father, the stoutest man takes the horse!" and Jabez departed with the pony. Robert Munns, a son-in-law of Mr. Rounds, settled in the same vicinity in February, 1836, and became one of the first highway commissioners of the town- ship.

On the 6th of May, 1836, Hiram Wing, his brother, John L. Wing, and their father, Barker Wing, a veteran of the war of 1812, arrived in the township. The brothers had purchased a portion of section 15 in October, 1835. Upon this they erected a log house, and began the herculean work of hewing out a home in the wilderness. They were from Marshfield, Plymouth Co., Mass., origi- nally, but in years subsequent to 1824 had resided in Oneida and Wayne Counties, N. DOgle

* See list of township officers.

t An informant states that barns were built by Sardis Davis and Sylvester Rounds at the same time.

348

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Hiram Wing, aged seventy-five years, now resides in the village of Howell, having removed from his farm in Marion eight years ago. In the quiet pos- session of a modest competency, good health, and all his faculties, he bids fair to remain, for years to come, one of the respected and honored landmarks of the past, one of the very few now living who saw Marion in 1836, and witnessed its many trans- itions to the present.

The first township-meeting was held in his house in 1837, at which he officiated as clerk, and was the same day elected township clerk and justice of the peace. He relates many incidents illustrating the difficulties and hardships which beset the paths of those who chose Marion as their home prior to 1840; but as none are of a startling nature, were shared in common by all residents, and have been many times related at home firesides, we forbear their repetition. He is quite certain, however, that at the time of his settlement none had preceded him other than those already named, viz .: Messrs. Davis, Branch, Prevost, Boyden, Fasquelle, Smith, Rounds, and Munns.

During the summer and fall of 1836 the popu- lation of the township was further increased by the arrival and settlement of some 20 or more addi- tional families. Among them were Miles Chubb, who settled in the southeast part. Townsend Drew, from Steuben Co., N. Y., who still resides on the land then purchased by him, it being upon the highest elevation in the town. He early de- voted much attention to fruit culture. He also built the first framed house, in the fall of 1836, Mr.

Barker Wing doing the carpenter work. Henry G. Love, James Bavin, Nehemiah Gilks, Thomas Love, William Love, Elisha Love, Stephen T. Probet, Adam Rubbins, and Joseph Brown were all from England. Thomas L. Hancock, from Wash- tenaw Co., Mich. Dr. Thomas Hoskins, the first physician, and the first supervisor of Marion, was also from Washtenaw County. He is described as having been an able man, a practitioner of the old school, rigid in his treatment, yet withal a ge- nial gentleman. He removed to Scio, after con- tinuing here but two or three years. George P. Jeffreys, from Washtenaw County. Samuel Lyon, from Steuben Co., N. Y., who, as " Deacon Lyon," became well known throughout the county for his many estimable qualities.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 74

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

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