History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 81

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his house. He owned no land here, and has been dead over twenty years. Mr. Barbour stopped for a short time, when he came, with Benjamin Earl, his nearest neighbor, across the line in Genoa. Mr. Earl was a cousin to Riley Earl, still living in Genoa. A Mr. Benjamin, brother of Nelson Ben- jamin, now of Genoa, was then living in Oceola, or came very soon after, and William Palmer, still a resident of the southeast part of the township, came the same year.

Noah Briggs, from the town of Groton, Tomp- kins Co., N. Y., brought his family to Washtenaw Co., Mich., in June, 1835, locating in the town- ship of Pittsfield, afterwards in Superior, a short distance north of Ypsilanti. During the following winter he located land in Oceola, upon which he moved with his family in the fall of 1838. In March of the same year he had moved into the county and rented a house of William Placeway, in the northeast corner of Genoa, where the latter kept a log tavern. During the fall Mr. Briggs built a log house on his own place, into which he moved. The farm was subsequently purchased by his oldest son, Anson C. Briggs, who now lives in Howell, while another son, H. G. Briggs, owns the property. Mr. Briggs, Sr., aided Joseph Whitacre in building a log house in the summer of 1838, on a tract adjoining his own, and lived with him until he could complete a house for himself, having stayed but a few weeks in Genoa. Mr. Whitacre has one son, David, living in Howell.

William C. Rumsey, who had originally settled in Green Oak, sold out in that township in June, 1836, and in the fall of the same year built a log house upon the place he had previously purchased in Oceola (sections 29 and 30), and moved into it in November. The land he owned in this town was all taken from the government except 80 acres, which he purchased from second hands. In the winter following his settlement he prepared timber for a saw-mill, which necessary institution was built and in running order in June, 1837. The first lumber sawed in it was taken by Charles Van Keu- ren, who yet lives in town. Mr. Rumsey contin- ued to operate his mill until 1847, in March of which year he moved to Howell, having the pre- vious autumn been elected register of deeds for Livingston County. The property was not dis- posed of for some years, and the saw-mill was kept up until the amount of water in the small stream which furnished the power had lessened to such a degree that it was deemed impracticable to con- tinue it longer. The frame dwelling which Mr. Rumsey now occupies in Howell was built in the spring of 1847, and occupied by him in June of the same year. The hardwood lumber used in its con-

RESIDENCE OF EDWARD BROWNING, OCEOLA, MICH .

RESIDENCE OF ROBERT WALKER, OCEOLA, LIVINGSTON CO., MICH.

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OCEOLA TOWNSHIP.

struction was principally sawed at his mill in Oceola. Mr. Rumsey held the position of regis- ter for four years, and was subsequently elected county treasurer, the duties of which office he performed an equal length of time.

Daniel Whittaker (name also spelled Whitaker), from Wayne Co., N. Y., came to Michigan as early as 1833-34. In 1835 his son, Joseph, entered land in Oceola, and the family moved upon it in the fall of either that year or 1836. The place is now owned by William Whitaker and Thomas Walker. The Whitaker family was a large one, there being fifteen children. Of these, William and Daniel are yet residents of the township, and Ezra lives in Howell.

John Powers, the present clerk of Oceola town- ship, although not numbered among the early set- tlers of this town, is still a pioneer of the State, having come with his father, Edward Powers, from the State of Vermont in 1838 or 1839, and settled in the township of Highland, Oakland Co. His residence in Oceola dates only from the year 1866. The place now occupied by Mr. Powers was early owned by Anson Nelson, who settled upon it in the fall of 1836 or early in 1837. He is yet living with a son in Le Roy, Ingham Co., and has passed the age of eighty-nine years.

Charles Van Keuren, a native of Ulster Co., N. Y., visited Oceola in June, 1836, and purchased land. In the spring of 1837-having returned Fast-he started from New York City with his family, consisting of his wife, three sons, one daughter, and his nephew, Tjerick Van Keuren, for the new home in the West. Upon arriving at Buffalo, the ice was found to be so plenty in the harbor that boats could not push through. The family remained in the city, while Mr. Van Keuren and his nephew sought other means of reaching their destination. Proceeding to Cattaraugus Creek, they found the way clear, and taking a steamer at that point, the two soon found them- selves in Detroit. The remaining portion of the journey was accomplished on foot. A shelter was necessary, and a phenomenal dwelling was erected, consisting of a few poles set up in cone shape, and covered with marsh hay. They had stopped for a night or two with Louis Norton, who lived on the farm adjoining to the north. The latter had come in the winter just preceding. He had a large family of children. On the 4th of July, 1838, Mr. Norton, who had taken a job of clearing in what is now the Batcheler neighborhood, was killed by lightning while at his work in that vicinity. His body was discovered in the evening by Mrs. Hutch- inson, who was returning to her home in Howell township, with her husband, from some place at

which they had been making a "Fourth of July visit."

Mr. Van Keuren and his nephew at once began building a log house, and help was so scarce that they were three days getting it raised. It was not yet completed when Mr. Van Keuren went after his family, with which he returned in August fol- lowing.

When Mr. Van Keuren purchased his land in this town (1836), Capt. Jeremiah Casady was lay- ing up his log house, and when the former re- turned with his family the worthy captain had been called from earth, and his widow and her family were occupying the place. A man named Knee- land lived a short distance west, in Howell town- ship.

William McFail settled south of the Van Keuren place in 1837, shortly before the latter arrived.

William B. Eager came with Mr. Van Keuren in June, 1836, and entered land north of the latter's place, where his son, Jacob M. Eager, now lives. Five men had started together from Buffalo, but only the two above named were able to get through.

Among other early settlers were Jabez Mead and Dan. Fuller, the latter making the first im- provements where Thomas Parks now lives. These were living in town in 1837, on the road extending eastward from the Van Keuren place. Messrs. Chapman and Gibbs were also early arrivals.

Andrew Ferguson came about 1840 to the place now owned by Samuel Tomion, and made the first improvements upon it. Roswell Barnes and Montgomery Adams lived in the northwest corner of town, the former on section 6, and the latter on section 5. Both were respected citizens. Their stay in the town was of but a few years' duration. Adams is now a resident of Genesee County.

One of the oldest orchards in the township is that on the farm of Charles Van Keuren, which was set out in 1839, and is still in good bearing condition. Most of the early settlers planted orchards as soon as possible, and this township is not behind its sisters in the production and quality of its fruit. The first potatoes raised by Mr. Van Keuren were mostly too small for use, yet he sorted out about twenty bushels of excellent ones, and from this it will be seen that the virgin soil was not backward in producing a large yield of whatever was intrusted to its covering.

Asa Parker, from Genesee Co., N. Y., emigrated to Michigan as early as 1831, and settled in the township of Lyons, Oakland Co. Several years later, probably in 1835 or 1836, he moved to Oceola and located on the farm now owned by Francis Eager, near the present residence of his son, Danford Parker. Edwin Batcheler says he

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

visited Mr. Parker's house in 1836, and saw in it a floor of hewed logs .*

Daniel O. Taft, from the State of Massachusetts, came to Oceola about 1842-43, and settled on the place now occupied by his son, Noah Taft, where he spent his remaining days. His death occurred in May, 1871. Danford Parker's wife is his daughter. Another son, James Taft, also lives in the north part of the township. Both Mr. Taft and Asa Parker were engaged in agricultural pur- suits while they lived here.

Harvey Parks came to Michigan, in 1836, from Madison Co., N. Y., and settled in the township of Mundy, Genesee Co. In 1849 he removed to Oceola, where he died. Part of his family still lives in town.

Sallu Riddle, from Genesee Co., N. Y., came to this township in the spring of 1839, purchased from second hands the farm now owned by his son, Lucius E. Riddle, on section 15, and built the log part of the house yet standing. He then returned for his family, and brought them back in October of the same year. Although not the original purchaser from government, Mr. Riddle made the first improvements upon his place.

John W. Botsford, now living east of Riddle's Corners, settled about 1840

Amos Walterhouse came to Detroit in the fall of 1835, stayed in the township of Dearborn, Wayne Co., until the spring of 1836, and then settled in Highland, Oakland Co. In January, 1842, he moved into Oceola. He is a native of New Jersey, and came to Michigan from Genesee Co., N. Y.

Archibald Nelson, brother to Mrs. Sallu Riddle, came to this township in 1835 with his father, Jonathan Nelson. The former came to the State in 1832, locating in Farmington, Oakland Co. In 1835 he entered land in Oceola, and settled upon it probably in the fall of the same year, cutting his own road through from Highland.

Russell Blood, from Alexandria, Genesee Co., N. Y., came with his family to this township in October, 1836. During the time from the pre- ceding June they had lived at Ann Arbor, Wash- tenaw Co. Mr. Blood located upon the place where Amos Walterhouse now lives. He died on the 22d of February, 1851, and his widow sub- sequently became the wife of Mr. Walterhouse.

Peter Y. Browning settled on the place where his widow now lives in 1836 or 1838, and became one of the prominent citizens of the township.

Samuel and Edwin Batcheler, from East Douglas,

Worcester Co., Mass. (natives of Rhode Island), came to Michigan in 1833, arriving in Detroit on the 17th of May, and pushing on to Commerce, Oakland Co., the next day. In that town they settled. In the fall of 1836 they sold their prop- erty and purchased land in Oceola, upon which they moved in February, 1837. Samuel Batcheler lives on a part of the old farm, and Edwin's son, Benjamin F. Batcheler, occupies the other part. The latter served in the Federal army during the Rebellion, first as a private in the 26th Michigan Infantry, and afterwards as first lieutenant and acting captain in a colored regiment. His grand- father was a soldier in the Revolution.

The land owned by the Batchelers in Oceola was bought of Hosea Root, who had entered it the same year, but made no improvements upon it. Edwin Batcheler at present resides in the township of Marion, south of Howell. His wife came to Michigan in 1839 with her first husband, Salmon Adams, who had settled at Grass Lake, in Jackson County, in 1835 or 1836. Mr. Adams purchased land in Marion the same year from Flavius J. B. Crane, purchasing also in Oceola at the same time. He lived at Grass Lake until 1839, when he went East and was married, bring- ing his wife back with him to that place. In 1841 they moved to Iowa, where they remained two years. In December, 1843, they returned to Grass Lake, and in July, 1844, moved to Oceola, where they resided until 1847, when they settled upon the land in Marion which Mr. Adams had bought in 1835 or 1836, it being the same now occupied by Mr. Batcheler. Mr. Adams died Sept. 15, 1850, and his widow subsequently became the wife of Mr. Batcheler.

Charles P. Hardy came to the township of Oceola in the fall of 1837. After a residence here of three years he removed to Du Page Co., Ill., where he yet lives, in the township of Milton, near Prospect Park, formerly called Danby.

Mr. Hardy's father, Ephraim Hardy, entered land on section 23, in 1835. Early in 1836 he moved upon it with his family, Joel and Joseph Rumsey coming with their wives at the same time. A log house (not of the best kind) was built on Joseph Rumsey's land, in February, 1836, and occupied for a time by all three families, or until other dwellings could be erected. Mr. Hardy worked at intervals upon his own log house, and had it finished and ready for occupancy late in the summer. He had taken pains to clear some ground and plant potatoes, etc., for future use, be- fore hurrying much with his house. The old building is yet standing, on section 23, opposite (north of) the present residence of his son, Ephraim

* Other authority thinks Mr. Parker did not move into Oceola until nine or ten years after his settlement in Lyons.

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J.W. BOTSFORD.

MRS. HANNAH BOTSFORD.

RESIDENCE OF J. W. BOTSFORD, OCEOLA, MICHIGAN

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RESIDENCE OF J. D. BOTSFORD , OCEOLA, LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICH .

RESIDENCE OF P. V. M. BOTSFORD, OCEOLA, MICHIGAN.

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OCEOLA TOWNSHIP.

J. Hardy. It is 18 by 24 feet in dimensions, and was at first covered with " ribs and shakes"-terms which all pioneers well understand. The family consisted of Mr. Hardy and his wife, two sons,- Ephraim J. and Cephas,-and one daughter. Jo- seph Rumsey's wife was also a daughter of Mr. Hardy. At that time there were no other families living in their immediate neighborhood, the near- est being three or four miles away to the southeast, and a few others about the same distance to the northeast. Mr. Hardy died Oct. 12, 1838, and his was the first death which occurred in this part of town. He was at first buried on his own farm, and subsequently removed to the Riddle cemetery.

Ephraim J. Hardy, who was eighteen years old when he came here with his father, has made the township and the old farm his home since that time. He is the only one of his father's family now living in town, and he and his brother, Charles P. Hardy, of Illinois, are the only surviving mem- bers of that family. E. J. Hardy has voted at every election since he became of age.

Oceola Centre post-office was established late in the year 1840, after the Presidential election, on a mail-route established at the same time between Howell and Pontiac, via Milford. Hiram Good- rich was the first postmaster. Jesse Rumsey (brother to Joseph) was at the same time keeping a small store near the present school-house site in District No. I. The store was opened that same summer, and an effort was made to remove the post-office to it, but the wrong shade of the store- keeper's politics caused the failure of the scheme. Those who have succeeded Mr. Goodrich in the office are Joseph Rumsey, L. C. Crittenden, John G. Horton, Peter Y. Browning, Edward Browning, and the present incumbent, Ephraim J. Hardy, who took charge in the spring of 1861, soon after the inauguration of President Lincoln.

Andrew Riddle, the father of Mrs. William Mc- Pherson, of Howell, came from Scotland, and settled in the village named in June, 1836, and started the first blacksmith-shop at that place. He brought his family with him; one of his son's is now in business in Detroit. In the spring of 1837, Mr. Riddle moved to Oceola township, and not long afterwards built a blacksmith-shop one and a half miles west of Ephraim Hardy's place. His son, Andrew, subsequently carried on the shop. About 1855-56, Ephraim J. Hardy also built a blacksmith-shop, which has been abandoned but a few years.

Hollon N. Lewis and William Palmer, living in the southeast part of the township, are among its oldest residents. The latter settled in 1837, and the former a little earlier. A Mr. Hecker settled

in the same neighborhood quite early ; he lost two sons during the great Rebellion of 1861-65.

Harry Neff, who has been previously mentioned, built up a considerable trade with the Indians when he first settled, selling them whisky and other articles, and taking furs in exchange.

Harleigh H. Graves, the first settler, was the first justice of the peace in the township, holding the office by appointment from the Governor before the town was organized. His place was on the east line of the township, near John T. Brown's, and is now the property of Mr. Owen.

George Wright,* whose sister was Harry Neff's wife, lived in town for a short time, but owned no land. He was a young man, possessed a good education, understood various languages, and was a close student.

William E. Redding, who entered land in Oceola in 1832, did not settle until about 1836, during which year he helped the Batchelers build their house.

Among other early settlers in this town were H. G. W. Fry, from New York, September, 1842; Abram Switz, from New York, May, 1847 ; E. Kel- logg, 1846; Jacob Snell, purchased land in 1836; F. Hetcheler, settled in 1845.

The list of township officers accompanying this sketch contains the names of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens of the township, of whom the greater proportion have made their last long journey and entered upon the scenes beyond the dark river. The mention of their names must bring to their surviving friends and neighbors a flood of recollections of the days when all were struggling with their might to carve from the for- est homes for themselves and a heritage for those who should follow. Those who were then in their prime have nearly all passed from mortal gaze, and the youth of forty years ago is the mid- dle-aged man of to-day,-his locks streaked with the silver that the brush of time alone can paint, and his mind awake to the solemn fact that ere many years he, too, must join the shadowy throng which has preceded him to the unknown hereafter and give place to the advancing generation.

The following alphabetical list comprised the residents of Oceola township in 1844:

Alvord, Americus V.

Browning, Peter Y.

Bergin, Daniel.

Batcheler, Otis.

Bergin, Patrick. Batcheler, E.

Bergin, Michael. Batcheler, S.

Bergin, Conner. Blood, Russell.

Beaujeau, Eusebius. Botsford, John W.

Barbour, William. Brown, John T.

Briggs, Noah.

Brown, John T., Jr.

Bennett, Abraham.

Beidelman, Christian.

* This name is also given as (William Wright.

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Bennett, Joseph H.

Mason, David B.

Booth, William.

Mason, Hiram.

Barron, Richard.

Martin, Peter.

Chambers, James.

McGivney, John.

Colburn, Samuel.

McFail, William.

Colburn, Robert.

Merrill, Horace.

Curdy, James.

Merrill, Warren.

Cole, Joseph.

Chaplain, Henry S.

Miller, Stephen J. Nelson, Jonathan. Nelson, John.

Conklin, Barnard.

Neff, Harry H.

Dean, William.

Pinckney, Thomas.

Donahue, Patrick.

Parshall, Thomas K.

Durfee, Benjamin B.

Parshall, Israel.

Earl, Riley.

Parker, Asa.

Fail, Elijah R.

Palmer, William.

Frink, Nicholas.

Rhodes, Harvey.

Franklin, F. S.

Rumsey, Joseph H.

Ferguson, Andrew.

Riddle, Andrew.

Ferguson, John H.

Root, Amos B.

Fry, Henry L.

Riddle, Sallu.

Glover, Luther M.

Roberts, Guy N.

Glover, Samuel S.

Reese, Henry.

George, Henry.

Roberts, Mehetabel.

Graves, William.

Rumsey, William C.

Griswold, Reuben.

Steel, Joseph H.

Sanders, Nathan M.

· Griswold, Frederick. Griswold, Samuel. Holt, Barzilla.

Stone, John.

Harker, William.

Snell, Jacob.

Hardy, E. J. and C.

Sutton, Lewis C.

Hardy, Artemas S.

Taft, D. O.

Hodges, Norman W.

Tubbs, Samuel K.

Hardy, Francis.

Van Camp, Mahlon.

Hardy, Francis S.

Van Camp, John A.

Hodges, Allen C.

Van Camp, Azariah H.

Hetcheler, John.

Van Keuren, Charles.

Kellogg, David.

Walterhouse, Amos.

Knight, Ira.

Whitacre, Joseph.

Knight & Roberts.

Walker, Henson.

Lewis, Hollon N.

Walker, George W. Whitney, Lyman.

McFail, John B.

Wakely, John.

McKenny, Patrick.

Whitaker, Daniel.

Mckeever, Francis.

Whitaker, Joseph.

Murdock, Orville.

Whitaker, Daniel, Jr.

Mapes, Samuel.

Whitaker, James.

Mapes, Elisha G.

Norman W. Hodges and Francis Hardy paid in the year given the highest taxes in the township, those of the former amounting in all to $13.73, and of the latter to $15.37, the amount paid by others seldom ranging above four or five dollars. The total taxes for the township in 1844 were but $612.49.

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION .- CIVIL LIST.

By an act of the Legislature of the State of Michigan, approved March 11, 1837, "All that portion of the County of Livingston, designated in the United States survey as township three north, of range five east," was set off and organized into a separate township by the name of Byron, and it was directed that "the first township-meeting therein shall be held at the house of Hiram Goodrich."

The territory included had previously formed a part of the township of Howell. On the 6th of March, 1838, the name was changed from Byron to Oceola, which name it has since retained. The change was made because another township named Byron ex- isted in the State.

From the original book of records the following entry, describing the first town-meeting in Byron, is transcribed :

" At a meeting of the legal voters of Township number 3 north, Range number five east, held at the house of Hiram Goodrich, Samuel Mapes was elected Moderator; Artimus Nelson, Clerk, pro tem .; Thomas K. Parshall, Philester Jessup, Joseph H. Rumsey, Inspectors."*

At this meeting it was voted "that there shall be a Town Bounty of Three Dollars per head on Wolves caught and killed by an Inhabitant of the Town of Byron, in said township."

The following township officers were elected, viz .: Supervisor, Jacob Snell; Town Clerk, Arti- must Nelson; Assessors, John Van Tuyl, Russell Blood, Joseph H. Rumsey ; Collector, Elisha Gris- wold; Directors of the Poor, Ephraim Hardy, Ellis Luther; Commissioners of Highways, Peter Y. Browning, Peter Martin, John Stone; Constables, Elisha Griswold, Israel Parshall; Justices of the Peace, Jacob Snell, Thomas K. Parshall, William C. Rumsey ; School Commissioners, John Stone, Jacob Snell, Ellis Luther; School Inspectors, Sam- uel Mapes, William C. Rumsey.

At a special election held June 6, 1837, Ephraim Hardy was chosen director of the poor, and Phil- ester Jessup, John Stone, and John Van Tuyl, school inspectors. Before the election for 1838 the name of the township had been changed to Oceola.

The following list shows the officers of that township from 1838 to 1879, inclusive :

1838 .- Supervisor, Jacob Snell; Town Clerk, Joseph H. Rum- sey ; Assessors, Russell Blood, John Stone, Samuel Mapes; Collector, Artemas S. Hardy ; School Inspec- tors, William C. Rumsey, Philester Jessup, John Van Tuyl; Justice of the Peace, Joel B. Rumsey.

1839 .- Supervisor, Jacob Snell; Town Clerk, Joseph H. Rum- sey ; Treasurer, Jacob Snell; Justice of the Peace, Edwin Batcheler; Assessors, Henry D. Benjamin, A. S. Hardy, Samuel Martin; Collector, Reuben Griswold; School Inspectors, H. D. Benjamin, Joseph H. Rumsey, Jacob Snell.

1840 .- Supervisor, Jacob Snell; Town Clerk, Joseph H. Rum- sey; Treasurer, Jacob Snell; Justices of the Peace, Thomas K. Parshall, Jacob Snell; Assessors, Joseph A. Pinckney, Samuel Martin, Thomas K. Parshall ; Collec- tor, Reuben Griswold; School Inspectors, H. D. Benja- min, J. B. Rumsey, Hiram Mason.

1841 .- Supervisor, Roswell Barnes; Town Clerk, Joseph H. Rumsey; Treasurer, Roswell Barnes; Justice of the Peace, Amos Slader; Assessors, A. S. Hardy, Ira Knight, Joel B. Rumsey; Collector, Reuben Griswold; School Inspectors, H. Mapes, Amos S. Slader, Allen C. Ilodges.

* 1837.

McGuire, Thomas.

Sanders, Mckinstry.

Goodrich, Hiram.

Rumsey, Joel B.

Casady, Jeremiah.

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OCEOLA TOWNSHIP.

1842 .- Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Town Clerk, Russell Blood; Treasurer, Peter Y. Browning; Justices of the Peace, William C. Rumsey, Roswell Barnes ; School In- spectors, H. Mapes, John Mason, Charles Van Keuren. 1843 .- Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Town Clerk, Russell Blood; Treasurer, Reuben Griswold; Justice of the Peace, Thomas K. Parshall ; School Inspectors, Joel B. Rumsey, Henry L. Fry.

1844 .- Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Town Clerk, Russell Blood; Treasurer, Edward Browning; Justices of the Peace, Norman Hodges, Patrick Bergin; School In- spector, John Nelson.

1845 .- Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Town Clerk, Joseph H. Rumsey ; Treasurer, Joel B. Rumsey; Justice of the Peace, Benjamin B. Durfee; School Inspector, David B. Mason.

1846 .- Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Town Clerk, John R. Mason; Treasurer, Samuel K. Tubbs; Justice of the Peace, William C. Rumsey; School Inspector, William P. Glover.

1847 .- Supervisor, Samuel K. Tubbs; Town Clerk, Russell Blood; Treasurer, John W. Botsford; Justices of the Peace, Samuel Mapes, Stephen J. Miller; School In- spector, David Mason.

1848 .- Supervisor, S. K. Tubbs; Town Clerk, Russell Blood ; Treasurer, John W. Botsford; Justice of the Peace, Patrick Bergin; School Inspectors, John R. Mason, Kelly S. Franklin.

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History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 81

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

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