History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 77

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The North Marion Burying-Ground Corpora- tion was incorporated Dec. 31, 1864, and the offi- cers then elected were Elijah F. Burt, President ; Frederick W. Munson, Clerk ; Samuel M. Yerkes, Treasurer ; and Henry E. Avery, Sexton.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GEORGE COLEMAN

was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Sept. 7, 1833. His father, Eri Coleman, emigrated to Livingston County in the fall of 1843, with his family, which consisted of a wife and six children,-five sons and one daughter. In April, 1844, they settled on eighty acres of land, where George Coleman now lives. Upon this land there was a small log house, and a few acres improved ; that year a frame house. was built, and other improvements were made. As the boys grew up, the farm increased in ratio, until it contained five hundred acres, with a large share under good cultivationed The property was

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

then divided, and Mr. Coleman went to Pinckney and engaged in the mercantile business, where he died, Dec. 20, 1863, aged sixty-four years. In the distribution of property, George received the old homestead with two hundred acres of land. He has since added other lands, erected fine buildings, and has what may be termed a model farm. He is a well-read and thinking man, the owner of a good library, and his farm is conducted with in- telligence, as are all his affairs. He breeds a good grade of horses, and has a fine herd of Galloways. Politically he is a Democrat; has served as super-

visor four terms, and as justice of the peace for sixteen years, filling these offices to the satisfaction of all. His official course has been to prevent litigation in the neighborhood.

Mr. Coleman was married in 1855 to Sarah Rubbins, who died Jan. 30, 1861, leaving three children. He was again married, in September, 1862, to Eliza Rubbins, by whom he has had two children. Both wives were daughters of Adamı Rubbins, who came from England, and was an early settler in Marion, where he now lives at an advanced age.

Photos. by Brown, Howell.

W. K. SEXTON.

W. K. SEXTON,

one of the enterprising and reliable men of Living- ston County, was born at Sherburne, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1835. He came to Livingston County in 1837, with his father, William Sexton, who pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 14, now in Marion township, upon which there was an unfinished log house, and a few acres cleared. Having some means, he soon made sub- stantial improvements. Subsequently, he pur- chased other lands, made other farms, and finally retired to the village of Howell, where he now re- sides.

The immediate subject of this sketch lived with his father until he attained his majority, assisting on the farm, and receiving such educational advan- tages as were offered by the schools at Howell, and the State Normal School, at Ypsilanti. He taught school one winter, and graduated at the Commer- cial College, in Chicago, in 1858. He was subse- quently employed by the Cairo and Fulton Railroad Company, as agent at Charleston, Md. With this

MRS. W. K. SEXTON.

education and experience, he was well prepared for the stern realities of life. Returning to his native town, he purchased the old homestead of two hundred and forty acres from his father. He was married Dec. 19, 1860, to Miss Cynthia L. Adams, of Utica, Mich., and since that time has made farming his specialty.

His ability, as a business man, is recognized by the farmers of Livingston County, who have for several years made him the business agent of the County Council, and the Howell Grange. The success and prosperity of those organizations, under his management, show that a man may pos- sess business qualifications as well as being a prac- tical farmer. A visit to his fine farm and com- fortable home, is convincing evidence that he and his estimable wife enjoy the good things of this world in a sensible and practical manner. They have long been active and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, of Howell, and have filled some of the most important offices in that body.

Politically, Mr. Sexton is a Republican, but has

RESIDENCE OF W Y CEVTON

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MARION TOWNSHIP.

never sought political fame. He has held the office of school inspector, and of deputy collector of the United States Internal Revenue for the Fifth District of Michigan.

Although yet a young man, Mr. Sexton is widely known throughout Livingston County for his efficiency, enterprise, and good judgment, and enjoys to a large degree, the confidence and es- teem of all who know him.

THOMAS LOVE

was born Jan. 4, 1813, in the Parish of Mortimer, Berkshire Co., England. He emigrated to this country with his father, Henry George Love, who came in May, 1836, with a family of five children, and settled on a half section of land on the south line of the town of Marion. This has since been known as the Love settlement. There he died in 1860.

Thomas Love remained with his father until July 24, 1839, when he was married to Lavina Basing, who came with her father from the same neighborhood as did the Loves, in 1838. The young couple at once started on their own account, their only capital being strong arms, with a very limited outfit of household goods. For a time he operated the Bevins saw-mill on shares, afterwards worked some land on shares for a few years, when he purchased eighty acres of land where he now lives. Upon this land there was an unfinished log house, but no other improvement. For the neces- saries of life he worked out by the day, and as the land was not yet paid for, the improvements were made only by the greatest exertion.

Mr. Love and his wife each had watches they had brought from the old country,-gifts from friends; with these they paid for splitting the rails which made their first fence. Their first cow was bought on credit, for they had nothing else to buy with. Mr. Love was much employed at his trade, that of a carpenter. He worked on the house of Townsend Drew, said to be the first frame house in town.

Through these discouraging years they never faltered. Slowly, but surely, progress was made. The first land was paid for, and other lands added, until at one time he had three hundred and forty acres. The log house has long since given place to a commodious residence. A family of seven children have been reared and given such advan- tages as are enjoyed by the most enterprising people of the day ; and now, after an industrious and exemplary life, this pioneer couple look back to the small beginning and privations of the fron- tier life with the satisfaction that they have acted

well their part,-as they enjoy their pleasant home, a large circle of friends, and a well-earned com- petency.

GEORGE B. WILKINSON

is the descendant of a very respectable family of the middle class of society in England. The first of whom we have any record was one Thomas Wilkinson, who migrated from the north of Lin- colnshire to the " Fens," in quest of a better con- dition for his children than his own. He settled on a farm at Moore's Wood, and raised a very numerous progeny. The youngest son was named Thomas Wilkinson (2d). In due time he married a young lady by the name of Martha Wilson. To them were born many children, nine of whom lived to manhood, and did honor to their name. The fifth child, George Wilkinson, was the father of the subject of our sketch. He lived on a farm, and occupied a house commonly known as the Pear- Tree House, for about forty years. The sharer of his joys and sorrows was Miss Mary Ann Mar- shall. She was the mother of fifteen children, thirteen of whom are now in the prime of life. Mr. Wilkinson is a man ever ready to speak his mind on all subjects, and from youth labored with Cobden, Bright, etc., for every needed reform,-ever battling the idea that distinguished origin was a matter of personal merit, or obscure origin one of reproach.

George B. Wilkinson was born in the parish of Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, England, Feb. 25, 1833, being the eldest of the fifteen children. Circumstances early initiated him into the duties of "chore-boy" upon his father's farm, where a rigid performance of every duty was demanded,- a severe but good discipline. In the year 1851, being about eighteen years of age, he emigrated to America, coming an unusual route, via New- port, in Wales, to Portland, in Maine, a passenger in the little bark " Richard Youngs." Immediately he journeyed to Western New York, where he sojourned one year and three months. He then moved to Ohio, and wandered a little, staying in the State one year and nine months. In the year 1854 he came to Michigan, residing a short time in Green Oak, but eventually moved into Lyon, Oak- land Co., where he lived about eight years. He and his two brothers, Charles and Samuel C., were quite well known in that region. The former en- listed and served three years in the United States army, and was accredited to the quota of that town.

In the year 1863, George B. Wilkinson married Miss Keziah, third daughterdof the late William

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Fletcher, of Milford. The union was a happy one. They were blest with five children, of whom three survive,-one son and two daughters. After their marriage they moved on to the farm upon which they now live. Mr. Wilkinson soon became noted as an agriculturist. Within a few months he opened about a mile of ditch, thereby reclaiming much land before considered worthless. To him is accredited the building of the first underdrain in the township. It was an inverted trough, and did good service. On his farm, to his credit it may be said, weeds are seldom allowed to go to seed.

Mrs. Wilkinson is very domestic,-a fond mother, refined in her tastes, having a great love of the beau- tiful. In horticulture she takes great delight, and commands much notice. From her front door may be seen a fine sight, one which needs to be seen to be appreciated. No pen-picture can do it justice. Nature and art combine to make it beautiful. On the flower-stand are many choice domestic and exotic plants, the pride of their pos- sessor, and the admiration of the passers-by.

Mr. Wilkinson is conservative in politics, usually acting with the Republican party. He seeks no office, yet has many times been the Republican candidate for positions of trust. His tastes are somewhat literary. While at South Lyon, in Buchanan's hey-day, he gained some little notice by a political satire. Since his residence in Marion he has, for amusement, written consid- erable for the newspapers. On visiting England he also furnished the press with some incidents of travel. Shortly afterwards he composed the story, " What Hattie did with her New Year's Gift." " An address to the Pioneers of Living- ston County" showed much ability, as did also another and more recent address to the farmers, when in council, at a farmers' institute, held in Howell.

PIERPONT L. SMITH

was born in Greene Co., N. Y., June 16, 1805. His father, Stoddard Smith, was a lawyer in Greenville, N. Y. He came to Marion in 1836, and settled on a farm, where he died Dec. 17, 1842, aged seventy-five years.

When Pierpont was fifteen years of age he went to New York City, where he was a clerk in a dry- goods store until 1826, when he came to Michigan and located on land in Washtenaw County. He returned to New York City in August that year, and married Letitia M. Degarmo. They came to Webster, Washtenaw Co., where they resided sev-

eral years and made a good improved farm. While living there he was appointed justice of the peace by Governor Mason. At that time Livingston was attached to Washtenaw County for judicial purposes. While living in Webster he purchased the land where he now lives, in Marion, and in 1840 moved on to it. He at once made substan- tial improvements, and now has a highly-cultivated farm of three hundred acres.

Mrs. Smith died May 28, 1865. She had been the mother of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity, except one. Two of the sons were sol- diers in the war of the Rebellion. W. Augustus was captain in the 22d Michigan Infantry ; was wounded at Chickamauga, and died in hospital. Junius, in the same regiment, was wounded at Chickamauga ; he is married and lives on a por- tion of the old farm.

Mr. Smith was a second time married, Jan. 17, 1871, to Mrs. Frances Warner, of Dexter, formerly Miss Porter, of Bridgeport, Conn.

GEORGE YOUNGLOVE

was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., May 4, 1827. His father, William Younglove, emigrated to Wash- tenaw Co., Mich., in 1830, where he remained six years. He then came to Livingston County, and settled on the town line, between Marion and Put- nam. That fall (1836) he built a small frame house, which was the first or second frame house in the town of Marion. This is the wing of the present house on the Younglove homestead. William Younglove was a man much respected and honored ;. he was justice of the peace, and for many years occupied some position on the town board. He died March 19, 1876.

George Younglove was the youngest of five children. He and his brother, William, purchased ninety acres of land with the old homestead, and after William's death purchased his interest. He has added other lands, until he now has nearly three hundred acres. In 1857 he was married to Miss Margaret A. Lawson. Her father, John F. Lawson, came from New York City in 1857, and purchased from government five hundred and sixty acres of land in the towns of Genoa and Oceola, where he died.

Mr. and Mrs. Younglove are among the pioneers who have witnessed the transformation of the primeval forest into a prosperous community, and remember well when the Indian and the wolf were not an uncommon sight, where now is a thickly- settled town.

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GEO. YOUNGLOVE.

MRS. GEO. YOUNGLOVE.

P. L. SMITH . .

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MARION TOWNSHIP.

AARON VAN PATTEN

was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., July 24, 1828. When he was seven years of age his father moved to Onondaga County, where he died in 1844, leav- ing a family of nine children. Aaron remained with the family some ten years after his father's death, but worked out a portion of the time. Wishing to get a home of his own, he came to Livingston County in 1854, and purchased eighty acres of land upon which there was a small house and a few acres partially improved. He had money to make a small payment, but nothing left to make further improvements. For the necessaries of life he worked out by the day. Before this " eighty" could be paid for, an adjoin- ing one was offered for sale, and Mr. Van Patten desirous to possess a larger farm, borrowed the money and purchased it. In those days the money-lender was master of the situation, and the heavy interest he was obliged to pay added other and more serious burdens to his already heavy load. At this juncture he received material aid by marrying, March 15, 1857, Miss Phoebe Ann, daughter of Ira P. Annis, who enlisted in the 26th Michigan Infantry, and died in hospital, March 17, 1863, aged forty-eight years.

For several years after Mr. Van Patten was mar- ried the struggle was severe and progress slow, but by frugal habits and persistent industry the land has been paid for, large and substantial buildings erected, the farm put under a high state of cultivation, and a handsome interest account running in his favor.

Mr. and Mrs. Van Patten are consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Church. To them have been born eight children, five of whom are now living,-one son and four daughters.

ELDRED BASING

was born in Berkshire Co., England, April 4, 1821. His father, Joseph Basing, came to America in 1838, with his family, consisting of a wife and nine children. One other child was born after they came to this country. He purchased one hundred and twenty-three acres of land near the Love settle- ment, Marion, where he still lives at the ad- vanced age of ninety-six years. His wife died May 29, 1878, aged eighty-six years.

Eldred Basing lived at home until he was twenty- four years of age, when he went out to work by the month for a few years. He then purchased eighty acres of unimproved land. He cleared some twenty-five acres, when he sold and purchased one hundred and twenty acres on the corner where he now lives. Upon this land there was a log house and sixteen acres cleared. With this start he determined to have a home. He worked bravely and alone for three years, when he took a copartner by marrying Cordelia Burden, Dec. 22, 1853. She died Oct. 27, 1865, leaving four children,-three daughters and one son.

Mr. Basing was again married, Nov. 21, 1867, to Mrs. Priscilla Merritt, formerly Priscilla Fields, daughter of William Fields, who came from Erie Co., Pa., in 1848, and settled in Livingston County. He died in Iosco, in 1873.

The history of Mr. Basing shows what may be accomplished by industry and economy. There has been no sudden accession of wealth, but by his own exertions, year by year, the improvements have been made. The progress, although slow at first, has been sure, until a fine farm, a pleasant home, and an abundance have been secured.

Mr. and Mrs. Basing are consistent members of the Methodist Church, and respected by all who know them.

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HARTLAND TOWNSHIP.

THE township of Hartland is described as town- ship 3 north, range 6 east, and lies on the eastern side of Livingston, bordering on Oakland County. The reminiscences of Hartland are intimately as- sociated with the latter county, and its early settlers were frequently called upon to extend courtesies to their neighbors, whose entrance to the Territory as pioneers bore a much later date,-Hartland having remained an unbroken stretch of wood and plain for some years after the settlement of Oakland. The earliest entries of land, with a single exception, were made in 1833, and the larger proportion of them not earlier than 1835 and 1836, while many bear a much later date.

Though arriving at a period subsequent to the settlement of the adjoining townships, they were not the less thrown upon the resources of their own ingenuity. Their dwellings were also rude cabins made of logs, sometimes rough, sometimes hewn, and isolated as they were from all commu- nication with the world of civilization, with their stout hearts and willing hands the wilderness was soon made fruitful, and comfortable homes ere long replaced the primitive log structures.

The township of Hartland seems to have de- rived its name from a township of like name in the State of New York, which was the former home of some of its early settlers. Its separate existence dates from 1836, when it became an in- dependent township and held its own elections. The writer has been unable to discover any early arrival antedating that of Col. Samuel Mapes, who came from Niagara Co., N. Y., to the Territory of Michigan, and located in Washtenaw County. In 1831 or 1832 he was attracted by the rich lands of Hartland and removed thither, entering at first a tract of 80 acres, and subsequently adding to it. At this early period the country was almost an unbroken wilderness, a pilgrimage of six miles being necessary to hold intercourse with a single human being. With Col. Mapes came his son, Samuel, who aided him in breaking up the land and establishing a home. They arrived in winter, and their labors were first directed to cutting timber with which to build a shanty, and later a saw-mill. They succeeded in erecting a comfort- able habitation, and the following year they were followed by the family, who became permanent

residents. Rufus Tenney also located land very early, and was among the earliest of Hartland's pioneers.

Eli Lee came late in the fall of 1833, from Mon- roe Co., N. Y., and entered 125 acres on section 25. With him came his family, including five sons, but one of whom survives. With Mr. Lee came E. J. Smith, of the same county in New York State, who located lands upon sections 24 and 5, each 80 acres. Mr. Smith built a comfortable shanty upon section 20 soon after his arrival, and as soon after as practicable a house. Neither of these gentle- men found any road to guide them to their desti- nation, and were able to reach their lands only by following the Indian trail, which indicated the di- rection of their travels, while the axe was in con- stant demand to provide a pathway for the oxen. Their neighbors were all residents of the township of Highland, in the adjoining county.

Mr. Lee's house was, during the early years of his settlement, constantly the rendezvous of land- lookers, and it was not unusual to find the floor covered at night with their slumbering forms, be- ing grateful for even such meagre cheer as it was possible to offer.

In the spring of 1834 a child was born to Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Smith, which they christened Frances, and who afterwards became Mrs. Myron Curdy. This child enjoyed the distinction of being the first white child born within the limits of the township.

Menzo Smith arrived in 1834, and located on section 23. Soon after he lost a child, which was buried on his land, and is believed to be the earliest death that occurred in the township. The exact date is not known, but thought to be the latter part of the year 1834 or early in 1835.

William E. Huntley was a native of New York State, and early removed to Ohio, where he re- mained one year, and then came to the county of Livingston and settled in Hartland, arriving with the pioneers of 1834. He immediately took an active interest in the growth of the county, and in 1846 was elected sheriff, which office he held for four years. He removed later to Howell, and died in that village in April, 1872. Elias Armstrong came to the township from Connecticut in 1834, and died on the farm he at first purchased.

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OLD HOME BUILT IN 1841.

B. G Clark

Mars Lo & Clark

RESIDENCE OF LE GRAND CLARK , HARTLAND, LIVINGSTON CO., MICH.

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HARTLAND TOWNSHIP.

Norman Brainard came with his family from Genesee Co., N. Y., in May of 1835. From Buf- falo to Detroit they traveled by steamboat, his original intention being to proceed to Illinois and there purchase a farm. Meeting at Detroit a band of settlers from Highland, who extolled the advan- tages of Michigan, he was induced to prospect in the State. He procured a team and came via Birmingham (then rejoicing in the cognomen of Piety Hill) to Commerce and Milford. From Com- merce there was no road, but the route was marked by blazed trees. No special incidents marked the progress of the party, who arrived ere long at the house of Deacon Jesse Tenney in Highland. The following day, leaving the family at this hospitable house, Mr. Brainard, together with the deacon and a neighbor, departed in the search of land, and were so successful that the succeeding day Mr. Brainard repaired to Detroit and located 121 acres on section 21. He imme- diately began the erection of a log house, the family remaining during the interval at the house of Deacon Tenny for four weeks until its comple- tion. When first occupied it had neither floors, doors, or windows. However, two windows were very soon improvised, the sash and glass having been brought with the household goods. The children could not overcome their fear of the wolves, which prowled around the house and made night hideous with their cries, especially since there was no door to prevent their entrance. The boards were consequently taken from a box in which the goods were brought, and a floor was rudely constructed upon the beams overhead. There the children slumbered in less fear of wild beasts, but in imminent peril of tumbling out of bed and breaking their necks. A lower floor of puncheons was soon in place, and before winter approached a few boards were obtained, from which a door. and upper floor were made. The following fall, after the first crop of wheat was harvested and threshed, Mr. Brainard took the grist to a mill four miles north of Pontiac to be ground, and was absent four days. During his absence his family consumed their last loaf, and by employing the coffee-mill were able to grind a sufficient amount of wheat to supply their needs until the flour arrived. When the pork barrel was empty, the want could always be sup- plied through the Indians, who constantly offered fresh meat for barter, and thus kept the larder abundantly filled. Mrs. Grace Brainard (wife of Mr. Brainard) organized at her home the first Sabbath-school in the township, to which the children came a long distance through the woods when there was no road. A Sunday-school cele-

bration was held during the summer of the first year of its existence, which proved a very interest- ing occasion, and may with propriety be charac- terized as the first event of like character in the county. Addresses were made by the older ones present, and at the close of the exercises 24 of the little ones sat down to a sumptuous repast pre- pared by the willing hands of Mrs. Brainard.

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History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 77

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

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