History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 79

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

USA > Michigan > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 79

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).

Amos F. Albright early erected a grist-mill here, Hosted by

Wakeman, Austin.

Webber, Joseph.

Thompson, Elias.

Shaw, Z. Smith, John B.

Smith, William.

Scollard, Hiram R.

Cloucherty, John.

Child, Chauncey.

Copp, Peter.

369

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP.

and for several years managed its business, but in 1841 disposed of the property to Robert D. and Chauncey L. Crouse. With the arrival of these active business men begins the era of commercial enterprise in the little village, and the growth and prosperity of the place is largely indebted to their presence. Robert D. Crouse came to the State in 1832, and to Hartland in 1842. In connection with the mills, he purchased a large tract of land, and also kept a store with a general stock. This store enjoyed a large trade, and was for a long time a depot for much of the traffic of the township. Mr. Crouse was also one of the stockholders of the East Saginaw Salt Manufacturing Company, and erected in the city of Saginaw the first block of stores, called after him the Crouse Block. Chauncey L. was the brother and partner of Robert D., and was intimately associated with him in his business enterprises. He also became a resident here in 1842.

The village contains one tavern, kept by Asa Parshall ; one tin-shop, owned by L. Hurlbert; two dry-goods stores, the proprietors of which are Crouse & Co. and W. R. Gannon respectively, both of whom keep, in connection with dry goods, a general stock adapted to country trade; one drug- store, kept by H. Cullen ; a general store, by O. B. Chambers; a harness-shop, by O. Bowles, and a boot- and shoe-store, by George Darling. The grist-mill which was built by Amos F. Albright, and was afterwards the property of the Crouse brothers, is now owned by V. Parshall & Son. There is also a foundry in the village, which was built in 1849, by Lyman Bishop. In 1855 it was purchased by C. A. Weaver, who conducted it until. 1860, when it was disposed of to Hildebrant & Carl. The foundry is now owned by Sanford Hildebrant, and manufactures plows, scrapers, and other implements used in farming. There are also three blacksmith-shops, owned by R. Drulard, F. Steadman, and A. McDunagh.

There are three physicians in Hartland Centre, - Drs. William M. Hayford, Murphy, and J. J. Boyd, -the latter of whom represents the Homoeopathic school of practice. The village also contains a flourishing school, under the direction of Prof. Sell- man.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The First Congregational Church of Hartland Centre was organized April, 1844, in a school- house in the immediate vicinity. Eight persons united to form this new society,-six having letters from other churches and two uniting by profession. They were Myron Lovell, Caroline Lovell, John P. Kellogg, Ann J. Kellogg, Elsie Marvin, Mar- garet Lennon, Sophia Clark, Charles Williamson.

The Rev. Albert Worthington, of Milford, Oak- land Co., was the officiating minister, and continued to be their pastor for two years,-coming once in four weeks to preach to them. Two months after the organization of the church two more persons united by profession of faith. The church records are then silent until Feb. 21, 1847, when the Rev. A. Smith, also of Milford, preached and adminis- tered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper; at this date five persons united with the church by letter.

Rev. Mr. Waterbury came July 8, 1849 (from what place the records do not state), and preached and administered the Lord's Supper,-four persons uniting with the church at this date. Rev. Mr. Ackley, of Howell, preached Oct. 29, 1849, and administered the Lord's Supper,-four uniting by letter. Mr. Ackley soon after became their pastor for one year. After this the church had no pastor or stated preaching until the autumn of 1851, when the Rev. E. T. Branch, who had just completed a long pastorate at Genesee, became the pastor and continued his labors for two years. Both himself and wife were earnest church-work- ers, doing good, administering comfort to the af- flicted, and causing every one to feel that in them they had sincere friends.

The Sabbath-school (which at that time was a union school) was very prosperous during their residence here. All classes were gathered in and became interested in the study of the Bible. Mrs. Branch organized the first Ladies' Home Mission- ary Society in this place, which was a success; not only were the individuals themselves who thus met benefited, but funds accumulated with which to furnish the prospective church.

After Mr. Branch's pastorate the church records are silent until Nov. 3, 1860, a period of seven years. During that interval, however, Rev. Mr. Goodell was pastor of the church one year, and occasional preaching was had by ministers who were pastors of neighboring Congregational Churches. During that time, also, in the summer of 1858, their pres- ent house of worship was built, the cost of build- ing being $1800. This church was fully paid for and free from debt, and was also very well furnished by the ladies of the church and congregation at the time it was dedicated, December, 1858. . Rev. Mr. Greely, of Grand Rapids, was present on that occasion, and preached the dedicatory sermon. Myron Lovell was their first church clerk,-chosen to that office when the church was organized, and continuing to act in that capacity until February, 1847. Their second clerk was Daniel Rich, elected to the office in 1847, and filling the position until his death.

Hosted by Google

370

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

In the spring of 1860 the Rev. M. C. Stanley became the pastor, and remained with the church one year. At the close of his pastorate the Rev. W. W. Robson, of Worth, in this State, became the pastor. He was an able Biblical scholar, and brought well-beaten oil into the sanctuary. Seven persons united with the church while he was pas- tor,-five by letter and two by profession. His labors with the church closed October, 1863.

Nothing more is shown by the records until 1868, when the Rev. C. N. Coulter became pastor, and also filled the office of clerk during his stay of one year. Henry Bishop was the fourth clerk, chosen 1869, and held the office until his removal from this place, in 1873. Amos Beebe was the next or fifth clerk for three years, at the expiration of which time Miss S. A. Griffin was chosen clerk, and continues to hold the office at the present date.

Rev. W. B. Williams visited this church in 1872, and held meetings for four weeks, preaching every evening, and being assisted by the Rev. Mr. Crane. Soon after the close of these meetings twenty per- sons united with the church. At that time the Union Sunday-school was divided, each church having a separate school. The Congregational school purchased a large library, and also a fine organ.

Rev. H. H. Crane was their pastor in 1868, com- mencing his labors soon after the protracted meet- ing closed, and remaining one year. The church was then without a pastor until October, 1874. At that date the Rev. R. W. Fletcher, of Jackson, an earnest, faithful worker, became the pastor. During his stay the edifice was very thoroughly repaired and greatly beautified.

The first Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of this church was organized during that year, Mrs. Fletcher taking the lead in the work. It is still doing a good work.

During the summer of 1876 the church was without a settled clergyman, but in the autumn of that year the Rev. Mr. Osborne, of Augusta, Hills- dale Co., became their pastor, he occupying this field two years, preaching also in Tyrone each Sab- bath afternoon, at which place he organized a Con- gregational Church.

He was followed by Rev. D. A. Strong, of Fre- donia, N. Y., who commenced his labors Oct. 20, 1878. He has labored both here and at Tyrone, being pastor of both churches. His work has been very successful, and large numbers have been added to both churches. This society has, from the very first, kept itself free from debt. The esti- mated value of church property at the present date is $2000.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Hartland Centre embraces 69 members, and is at present in charge of Rev. N. J. Lyon. The church building, which is owned by the society, is a substantial structure, costing about $2500. An effort by the writer to obtain a complete history of the church has proved unsuccessful.

PARSHALLVILLE.

This active little hamlet lies in the extreme northwest corner of Hartland, and, though the larger portion may be claimed as belonging to the township named, a sufficient portion lies in Tyrone to entitle it to a share of the honor. As in many villages of much larger proportions, the water- power which the site afforded was the nucleus around which the village was built, it having offered a very attractive prospect to the first settler and founder of the place, Isaac Parshall, and induced him to cast his fortunes in this portion of Hartland in 1834. Having surveyed the country carefully, and discovered the opportunities that North Ore Creek offered to a man of enterprise, he immediately entered 400 acres of land, which in- cluded the mill-privilege.

Later, Mr. Parshall began the erection of a saw- and grist-mill, but did not at once settle upon his property. He returned to his home in the East, and in 1837 had fully determined to cast his for- tunes with the pioneers of Hartland. A mill had previously been built by Calvin Bussey in 1835, one mile south of Parshallville, on section 8. It was upon North Ore Creek, and had sawed much of the timber, during its brief existence, that had been used in the construction of the rude houses and barns of that early day. Later it was bought by Wm. Smith, and its quaint ruins are still seen on the banks of the creek as the traveler passes on his way to Brighton.

Having in 1835 erected a frame house and made some improvements in the surrounding land, Mr. Parshall, when he became a resident in 1837, found a wide and inviting field for his energies. He was also a blacksmith, and added to the occupations of miller and farmer the reputation of shoeing a horse as well as any smithy in the county. Mr. Par- shall did not entirely monopolize the field, how- ever, but encouraged John Roberts at an early day to embark in trade. He built a small store on the west side, and filled it with a general assortment of goods suitable to the country trade, and enjoyed the honor of having been the first merchant in the village.

The west side was not, however, to absorb all the business enterprise of the place, and soon a

371

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP.

similar store was built and opened by Austin Wakeman on the east side. The house built by Parshall was just east of the creek and opposite the mill. Soon after his arrival he induced the government to establish a post-office, of which he was postmaster, the office being in his own house. He had at this time a near neighbor in a Mr. Lewis, who came about the same date, and built a log house within sight of his own home. The hamlet having made a courageous beginning soon grew in size, until a neat little village is the result. It has never been incorporated, its size not warrant- ing such a procedure. It now contains a post- office, of which J. S. Griswold is postmaster; two stores, containing a general stock and kept by Griswold & Norbert and W. & I. Hetcheler; a shoe-shop, by Albert White; four blacksmith- shops, owned by George Hasper, Ezra Chamber- lain, Robert Bryant, and Henry Shaver ; a foundry, of which E. Chamberlain is proprietor, which man- ufactures plows, sleigh-shoes, and castings of all kinds for agricultural use, and has a considerable patronage from the neighboring farmers ; a wagon- shop, kept by Orlando Galt; a paint-shop, kept by Irving Johnson ; and a cheese-factory, which is not managed after the ordinary method of a stock company, but is owned and controlled by Jacob S. Griswold, who was a native of Chemung Co., N. Y., and emigrated with his father to Hartland in 1836. He entered mercantile life at the age of twenty-one, and in 1853 purchased land and devoted himself to farming pursuits, making the raising of fine stock a specialty. The beeves shipped by Mr. Griswold were conceded to be the finest ever raised in the county. He has also been the postmaster at Par- shallville since 1857, with the exception of two years. Mr. Griswold takes an active interest in the growth of the township, and has held many respon- sible offices.

Parshallville also boasts a graded school. The building is a frame one, located upon an eminence from which is obtained a commanding view of the surrounding country. It is under the direction of Harrison Dunham, with Miss Nellie Britton as assistant. A plat of the village has never been made, all descriptions being dependent upon meas- urements and boundaries for accuracy.

The Parshallville Mills are located upon the site of those formerly built by Isaac Parshall, on North Ore Creek, and are owned by Walker & Browning, who both being occupied with their farming inter- ests, intrust their management to the head miller, John Symons. The building was erected by Daniel Townley, in 1871, and purchased by the present firm in February, 1877. It derives its power from the creek upon which it is located, and employs

four run of stone in its grinding process. Its ordinary capacity is fifty barrels per day. Much feed is ground at the mills, and a large share of custom patronage is also afforded them.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH, PARSHALLVILLE,*

held its first meeting in the log house of James S. Webber, now residing at East Saginaw, on Feb. 25, 1837, of which Rev. Nehemiah Lamb was chosen moderator, and Rev. Aroswell Lamb (son of Rev. Nehemiah Lamb) clerk. At that meeting it was voted to unite in conference, and Articles of Faith and a Church Covenant were adopted.

At the second meeting, held March 25, 1837, ten persons gave in their letters as follows : Rev. Nehemiah Lamb, Rev. Aroswell Lamb and Phœbe Lamb, his wife, Isaac Parshall and Seraphina, his wife, James S. Webber and Phoebe, his wife, and Levi, Rebecca, and Elizabeth Andrus. James S. Webber was chosen permanent clerk, Rev. Nehe- miah Lamb, permanent moderator, and Rev. Aros- well Lamb, assistant, to serve in the absence of his father.

The conference was recognized as a regular Baptist Church, April 26, 1837, by a council rep- resenting the churches of Highland, Walled Lake, and Farmington, together with the Rev. Mr. Jones, of the township of Rose, and the Revs. Nehemiah Lamb and Aroswell Lamb, of Hartland.

On the same day Patience, Rhoda, and Content Lamb, Elizabeth Roberts, Betsey Townley, and James L. Andrews were received as members, in- creasing the number to 16.

Levi Andrus was chosen deacon April 29th, and Mrs. Westervelt was baptized June 25th, in a small brook running across the farms of James S. Webber and Rev. Aroswell Lamb, a dam having been made near the line on sections 8 and 9. She was the first person ever baptized by a Baptist minister in the town of Hartland.

Between April 26, 1837, when the church was recognized, and June 27, 1841, 70 persons were added to the church, as follows :

By Letter .- Hannah Lamb, Caroline Washburn, Alanson Olds, Jane Olds, Orson Stephens, Grace S. Stephens, William D. Snapp, Elizabeth Snapp, James Hills, Azuba Bryan, Amos F. Albright, John J. Blackmer, Harvey R. Stephens, Hannah Ann Gale, Solomon Gue, Joanna Gue, Elanor Perry, Rebecca Bunsey, Lavina Hills, Marietta Albright, Samuel Cole, Pru- dence Cole, Eli Cranston, Sena Mason, Palmer Cranston, Mary Cranston, Elizabeth Cranston, Mary Angas, Emily Clark, Polly Roberts, Joseph Cole, Elizabeth Cole, Barbara Wall, Catharine Van Camp, John Garfield, Mary Garfield, Bethawa Littlefield, Hannah Ann Stephens; total, 38.

By Baptism .- Roxana Westervelt, Susan Roberts, Job L. Bul- lock, Nelson Roberts, Harvey R Stephens, Debborah Ann

* Furnished by, the pastofGoogle

372

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Haynes, Nathan Cole, Lucettia Townley, Esther M. Cole, Benjamin R. Townley, George Townley, Andrew Townley, Malon Van Camp, William L. Webber, Ira Erastus Thayer, John Blackburn, Eliza Townley, Mary Mason, Martha Van Camp, Isaac T. Cole, Austin Burnett, Eliza Beach, Ada J. Cole, Elizabeth Cassada, Peter Rese, Israel Parshall, Daniel Townley, Minerva Parshall, Delia Chamberlin, Fanny E. Van Camp; total 30.

Added by Experience .- Beriah G. Smith and Betsey Smith, who came from the Seventh-Day Baptists ; total 2.

Adding the 16 original members who were first recognized as a Baptist Church, we have a grand total of 86 persons. During the same period two persons-Patience Lamb and Deacon Levi An- drews-died; 12 persons were dismissed by letter, and I excluded, leaving a membership of 71, on June 27, 1841.

Rev. Nehemiah Lamb remained in Hartland more than a year after the organization of the church, co-operating with his son, Rev. Aroswell Lamb.

After his removal, Rev. A. Lamb continued in charge of the church until the summer of 1856, making a continued pastorate of nearly nineteen and one-half years.

During this time, however, owing to the feeble health of the pastor, Rev. J. H. Rasco was called to his assistance for one year, and a young man, not ordained, named Stark, assisted him for a period of several months.

Unfortunately, the records were burned a few years since, and no official record of the progress of the church from June, 1841, to the date of the fire is at hand. Thus it is not practicable to obtain details of the history for a period of nearly thirty years.

It may be said, however, that for many years the divine service was held in the Smith school-house, on section 5, in Hartland. Later the services were transferred to the school-house at Parshallville, and were there held until the present church edifice was completed in 1855.

In the erection of the church edifice, a very sub- stantial brick structure, 36 by 50 feet in size, Dea- con Isaac Parshall was a leading spirit.

Being a man of means and energy, he hired the workmen, purchased the material, personally super- vised every part of the work, and paid the bills, with the exception of about $300 or $400, until the work was completed.

When finished-it having been erected upon his own land-he deeded the property to the trustees of the church and society, and the seats-having been sold at public auction-he deeded to the indi- viduals who purchased them. The sale of seats realized an amount nearly sufficient to repay the deacon for his outlay.

The Rev. A. Lamb was born in Prattsburg, N. Y., in April, 1810, and removed to Farmington, Mich., in 1821 or 1822. About a year later he settled on a farm near the east line of Livonia, in Wayne County, and officiated in the Redford Church four years, when, in the latter part of the year 1836, he exchanged his land in Livonia for the farm on section 8, in Hartland, on which he lived for twenty years.

During his pastorate of the church in Hartland, now known as the Parshallville Church, he received only a partial support from his ministerial labors ; but by careful management and personal labor on his farm, combined with teaching, he was able to rear his family and improve his farm, so that, upon his removal in 1866, he left one of the most attract- ive homes in the township. After a pastorate of nearly twenty years he left the church with a mem- bership of 145 and a fine church edifice, practically out of debt. His field of labor was very large, extending from Linden and Fenton on the north to White Lake on the east, Brighton on the south, and Oceola and Deerfield on the west and north- west. Shortly after his resignation at Hartland he was called to the charge of the Baptist Church at Salem, Washtenaw Co., where he continued to labor until his death in March, 1860.

The church has been in charge of the following persons as pastors or stated supplies since Mr. Lamb's pastorate, 1856: Rev. Mr. Adams, 1856- 57, one year ; Rev. Mr. Atwood, term not certain, probably two years; Rev. Mr. Conklin, stated sup- ply for some months; Rev. J. H. Rares, for one year; Rev. H. Stowitts, from 1862 or 1863 to 1865; Rev. P. C. Dayfoot, from 1855 to 1868; Rev. Wm. White, from 1868 to 1870; Rev. S. Gardiner, from 1870 or 1871 to 1872; Rev. Mr. Lyon for a few months; Rev. Samuel Smith, from 1873 to 1875 ; Rev. D. Gastellow, from 1876 to 1879; Rev. Isaac W. Lamb, began in May, 1879.

The church and society now own a fine brick edifice with about an acre of land attached, and twelve good stalls in their shed. The society have also a parsonage with a half-acre of ground attached, which was the gift by will of Deacon Parshall.

When the first general effort was made to endow Kalamazoo College in 1863, the Hartland Church raised more than $1600 for that purpose, of which Deacon Parshall and his estimable wife, since de- ceased, gave $1100.

The church has been from its beginning hearty in its support of the various missionary, educa- tional, and other benevolent Christian enterprises.

Its present officers are : Pastor, Rev. Isaac W. Lamb; Deacons, M. D. Bracle, S. E. Dean, Vin- Hosted by

373

HARTLAND TOWNSHIP.

cent Parshall; Clerk, Wells Avery; Treasurer, Marle Bracle.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

There is also in Parshallville a flourishing Methodist Episcopal Church with .a large mem- bership, and owning a church edifice which cost about $2000. Its present pastor is Rev. E. Dawe. Repeated efforts on the part of the historian to obtain facts with regard to it have met no response.

CIVIL LIST.

The following is a list of the township officers :

1836 .- Eli Lee, Supervisor; Josiah T. Clark, Township Clerk ; Erastus J. Smith, Treasurer; Norman Brainard, Samuel Mapes, Dennis Whalen, William Kinney, Justices of the Peace; Josiah T. Clark, James Whalen, School In- spectors.

1837 .- Elias Lee, Supervisor ; John G. Horton, Township Clerk ; Erastus J. Smith, Treasurer; Orman Holmes, Norman . Brainard, Dennis Whalen, Isaac Cornell, Justices of the Peace ; Orman Holmes, James Whalen, Josiah T. Clark, School Inspectors.

1838 .- John J. Blackburn, Supervisor; John G. Horton, Town- ship Clerk ; William E. Huntley, Treasurer; Norman Brainard, Austin Wakeman, Justices of the Peace; Amos F. Albright, Edward Davidson, James Whalen, School Inspectors.

1839 .- Eli Lee, Supervisor; John G. Horton, Town hip Clerk ; Amos F. Albright, Treasurer ; John J. Blackburn, Justice of the Peace; John Roberts, Amos F. Albright, James Whalen, School Inspectors.

1840 .- Eli Lee, Supervisor; George J. Griffin, Township Clerk ; Orman Holmes, Treasurer ; Orman Holmes, John J. Rice, Justices of the Peace ; Edward J. Davidson, Menzo W. Smith, George J. Griffin, School Inspectors.

1841 .- John Mudge, Supervisor; John G. Horton, Township Clerk; Freeman Near, Treasurer; Austin Wakeman, Justice of the Peace ; James Whalen, Samuel T. Mudge, Edward J. Davidson, School Inspectors.

1842 .- John G. Horton, Supervisor ; Horace B. Hubbard, Town- ship Clerk ; William E. Huntley, Treasurer; Norm in Brainard, Justice of the Peace; Samuel T. Mudge, Ed- ward J. Davidson, George J. Griffin, School Inspectors. 1843 .- George J. Griffin, Supervisor; John J. Rice, Township Clerk ; William E. Huntley, Treasurer; Ira C. Hatha- way, Justice of the Peace; Josiah T. Clark, Robert Crouse, School Inspectors.

1844 .- John G. Horton, Supervisor ; John J. Rice, Township Clerk ; John Wood, Treasurer; Orman Holmes, Justice of the Peace; Hiram Mapes, Samuel T. Mudge; School Inspectors.

1845 .- William E. Huntley, Supervisor ; Moses B. Hess, Town- ship Clerk; John Wood, Treasurer; John J. Rice, Jus- tice of the Peace ; Charles Ross, Josiah T. Clark, School Inspectors.

1846 .- John G. Horton, Supervisor; George J. Griffin, Township Clerk ; John Wood, Treasurer; Ledward Flint, Justice of the Peace ; Henry S. Worthington, Jacob S. Griswold, School Inspectors.

1847 .- John Wood, Supervisor; David Rich, Town Clerk; Eras- tus J. Smith, Treasurer; Hiram Mapes, Justice of the Peace; Edward Davidson, School Inspector.

1848 .- John Wood, Supervisor; George J. Griffin, Township Clerk ; John G. Horton, Treasurer; Orman Holmes, Justice of the Peace; Robert Crouse, School Inspector.

1849 .- David Rich, Supervisor ; David Atwood, Township Clerk ; Orman Holmes, Treasurer ; John J. Rice, O. B. Cham- bers, Justices of the Peace; George J. Griffin, Hiram Mapes, School Inspectors.

1850 .- John Wood, Supervisor; David Atwood, Township Clerk ; Orman Holmes, Treasurer; Rufus Tenney, William Smith, Justices of the Peace; Henry Worthington, School Inspector.

1851 .- John Wood, Supervisor; H. Mercer, Township Clerk ; Hiram R. Scollard, Treasurer; David Rich, Ledyard Flint, Henry Griswold, Edward Davidson, Justices of the Peace; Samuel T. Mudge, School Inspector.

1852 .- John Wood, Supervisor; Charles H. K. Warren, Town- ship Clerk ; Hiram R. Scollard, Treasurer; Edward Davidson, Justice of the Peace; IIenry Brockway, Charles Ross, School Inspectors.

1853 .- Josiah Whalen, Supervisor ; Henry S. Worthington, School Inspector ; Nelson Stevens, Township Clerk ; Hiram R. Scollard, Treasurer.

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 79

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

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