USA > Michigan > Macomb County > History of Macomb County, Michigan > Part 103
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JOHN K. SMITH. a native of Vermont, rendered a most important service to his country's troops in 1813; was afterward appointed a Forage Master of a United States regiment, and served with the command until discharged at Detroit in 1816: the same year, he visited Stromner's Island, leased the old Laughton House thereon from David Laughton, and inaugurated the Smith Pottery there in May, 1817; in the winter of 1818, he taught school on Harsen's Island, in a part of Jacob Harsen's house, at the same time being engaged in trade with the Indians, in company with D. Langhton; he was commis-
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
sioned Justice of the Peace of Macomb County May 17. 1815. by Gov. Cass; was the first Postmaster in St. Clair County, being appointed in charge of an office at Plainfield An- gust 26, 1826, and Special Commissioner of St. Clair April 20, 1527, first Custom Inspec- tor on the St. Clair River May 1, 1832; and was the first Probate Judge of St. Clair, being elected in 1835; he was Justice of the Peace from 1818 until his death, in 1855. Through out the chapters of the general history, the name of John K. Smith is given in close con- nection with the affairs of Macomb County in ISIS, 1819 and IS21.
ADDISON G. STONE, son of George H. and Melinda Farewell, natives of New York and Ohio, was born at the village of Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y., March 16. 1849; he re- ceived a primary education in his native place, and then entered Eastman's Commercial College, of Rochester. N. Y., and then to Georgetown College, of Washington, D. C., where he graduated from the Law Department in June, 1875; was admitted to the prac- tice of law by the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia June 14, 1875, entered upon the practice of his profession at once, which was continued one year; on leaving Wash- ington, he went South, and was in Savannah during the rage of the yellow fever, and was one of the sufferers; then he removed to Rutland County. Vt., and engaged in the practice of law at that place about two years, where he was a member of the bar for that county. He removed to Macomb County December 12. 1878, locating in Richmond Village, where he still resides, and is engaged in his profession. He was married. September 10, 1873. to Lucretia M. Kent, a native of Wallingford, Vt. ; she was the daughter of E. W. Kent, a farmer of that place; they have no children. At the township meeting next succeeding his arrival in the township, he was elected a magistrate, which office he still holds; in ISSO, he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner of the county, and is still in office. Mr. Stone is well up in his profession, and is a Republican in politics: was elected by the larg- est majority of any one on the ticket. Mrs. Stone was born in Wallingford. Vt .. March 31. 1850. Mr. Stone was Clerk of the village of Richmond for two years succeeding its organization and incorporation -1879 and ISSO.
SANFORD M. STONE. son of Solomon and Betsey, daughter of Amos Bradley, was born October 22, 1828, in Monroe County, N. Y. : came to Macomb with his father's fam- ily in 1543; lived at home until attaining the age of twenty years, then attended private school at Armada Village from this time until 1857, when he was a public teacher in the schools fourteen tenns; then he bought land on Section 26, Richmond; he soon added to the farm and improved it; he sold in 1863; since that time, he has been engaged in agriculture in various places, and now owns several farms; was married, March 16, 1859, to Caroline A. Halleck, daughter of Hinsdale Halleck, a native of Orleans County. N. Y. : she was born in Lapeer County April 26, 1840; they have four children-Alice J., born September 6. 1861: Mary E .. June 21. 1863: Hiram H., November 1. 1865, died March 25. 1866; Warren S., born September 23, 1869: Phoebe C., September 7, 1873. After marriage, Mr. Stone lived on the farm six years, then he moved to the village of Rich- mond, and has since resided there: in 1878, he built a residence, which at that time was the finest residence in the place; he has been a township officer at several times; also an officer under the village charter from the beginning, and at present is its President: a dealer in real estate and securities, and always a Democrat; an officer at the organization of the Union School of the village.
SOLOMON STONE. Was born January 17. ISS; he was the son of Elias Stone, a native of Massachusetts. Solomon was married first to Martha Stanton Clark, who died after a few years. A few years after, he married Betsey Bradley, who was born in Salem, Washington Co .. N. Y .; they had one child, Mrs. Sherman, of Bruce Township; by the two marriages there were twelve children, six of whom are living. Mr. Stone was a farmer, having taken land from the Government, on which he lived until the time of his
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
death, which occurred February 2, 1853. on the homestead. Mrs. Stone died in Rich- mond Village February 1, 1878. All but one are living in the county: came to Macomb and located his land and moved his family in September. 1843.
DAVID STONE, one of the old-time residents of Macomb, a fuller and carder by trade, was born in Massachusetts in 1793. He distinctly remembers the scenes of Wash- ington's death, and the fact of his parents going to attend funeral services, which were held at many places; also the terrible shock attending the death of Hamilton at the hands of Aaron Burr: during the war of 1812, was called ont with the militia for defense. He moved from Genesee County, N. Y., to Macomb. Mich., about the year 1836, and became a pioneer of that region. establishing himself in the trade of carder of wool and dresser of cloth; this business was destroyed by fire, and soon after, his wife, only son and two daughters died. His present home is at Lapeer City. He became a Christian early in life, joining the Congregational Church, of which he is still a devoted and consistent member; he is an active politician, and has voted for every President since 1815: always Whig and Republican. His only surviving danghter is Mrs. Dr. Hamilton, of Lapeer, with whom is his present home.
GEORGE H. STUART, son of Ebenezer and Susan (Hale) Stuart, was born in West Bloomfield, N. Y., October 20. 1513: his parents were natives of Massachusetts: his father removed to Ontario County. N. Y .. and died there in 1817: his mother died at Detroit in 1858, at the age of seventy-five. Mr. Stuart passed his early life in Richmond, in the family of Mr. Nathan Hicks, attending school and working on a farm; in April. 1842, he removed to Macomb, having been married the December previous to Miss Betsey A. Jones, of the same place, who accompanied her husband to his new home; they located on land previously purchased, on Section 10, Richmond. on which he has continuously resided since that time. Mrs. Stuart was born May 18, 1817: she is the daughter of Seth Jones, of Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y. ; they have no children. Mr Stuart has held important offices in township and society, and is a member of the Democratic party: he brought his land from a state of nature to a pleasant and productive farm.
D. T. SUTTON.
BYRON SUTHERLAND, son of Andrew and Naomi (Cooley) Sutherland, was born in Cambria, Niagara Co., N. Y., February 4. 1824; his parents were natives of Rutland County, Vt., who removed to Western New York and died in 1836; he was a soldier of the war or 1812. and was promoted to the Colonelcy of a regiment. and was discharged with honor; his mother died at Romeo in 1871. The subject of this sketch removed to Ma- comb in the year 1849. and located land on Section 10. in Richmond Township, which is a portion of his present farm. He was married. January 1. 1849. to Sarah A .. only child of Noah Cooley, of Washington Township: she was born in Niagara County, N. Y., Sep- tember 30. 1824; the fruits of this marriage have been Sarah, born November 26, 1849, married H. Woodward and lives in Flint; Andrew B., born September 9, 1851, married Lou DeLand and lives in Memphis Village; Emma 1 .. born January 13, 1854, living with a brother at Romeo; Noah C., born August 13, 1556, married Stella Skillman and lives near Romeo; Anna N., born July 9. 1858, lives at home; William D., born Novem- ber 19, 1860, lives at home; Elmer B., born June 22, 1862, lives at home; Irving C. and Earnest A. (twins), born March 25. 1565, also at home. Mr. Sutherland has been an otli- cer of the township, and is the owner of a well-situated and fertile farm of 250 acres. The father of Mrs. Sutherland was born at Rutland, Vt., November 26, 1804; moved to Romeo in 1831 and cleared the homestead farm, where he died April 10, 1877. Her mother was born in Allegany County, N. Y., November 14, 1807, and died at Romeo No- vember 16, TSS0; her ancestors took part in the Revolution.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
STEPHEN G. TAYLOR, son of Elijah and Clarissa Taylor, a native of New Hamp shire. and his mother's great-grandfather was Lord Granville, of England. Mr. Stephen . Taylor was born in Carroll County. N. H., October 13, 1835, one of eight children, all liv- ing but one; also their father and mother, in their native State, had lived together for fifty-seven years. He came to Michigan in 1856; was a school-teacher near Baltimore one term, and then engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store until 1859, when he removed to Memphis and engaged in the dry goods trade in that village; this was continued for a few years, when Orl Rix became associated with him, which partnership was continued until the business was closed out in 1864. At this time, Mr. Taylor engaged in the milling busi- ness with Mr. Rix, and. on Mr. Rix retiring in 1877. Mr. A. D. Taylor became a partner, which continues at the present time. Mr. Taylor was married, in August. 1861, to Sarah A., daughter of Orl Rix, of Royalton, Vt .; she was born at Memphis July 13, 1843: their children are as follows: Charles R., born February 4, 1863. now in Detroit: Adrian G., born May 20, 1867: May L., born September 6. 1877. Mr. Taylor has been a member of the Congregational Church of the village for sixteen years, and a Deacon of the same: Mrs. Taylor has also been a member the same length of time. He has been for a long time connected with the Sunday school, and active in all the improvements of the village. In polities, he is a Democrat.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
The meeting to organize the township of Washington was held at the house of Alvin Nye (where Emulous Stone lived in 1877) in April. 1827. Daniel Thurston was called upon to preside. and Otis Lamb was chosen Clerk. It was then proposed that some one would propose a name: many names were given and passed over, until at length the Chairman said: " I move that we name the town in honor of the father of our country." The name was accepted enthusiastically, and confirmed by act of organization. At that time there were not over forty families in the township.
ORGANIZATION.
Washington Township, comprising Towns 4 and 5 north, in the twelfth range east. was erected under powers given in the act of April 12, 1827, and the first town meeting was ordered to be held at the house of John Holland, the last Monday in May, 1827. The first town meeting was held at the schoolhouse, near John D. Holland's, May 28, 1827. (Hideon Gates was chosen Moderator, and Isaac Andrus, Clerk. The election resulted in the choice of John A. Axford, for Supervisor: John D. Holland. Clerk: Daniel B. Web- ster, Collector and Constable: Asahel Bailey, John Bennett and Nathan Nye, Assessors: Alexander Tackles, John Bennett, James Starkweather. Commissioners: Albert Finch and Joseph Miller, Overseers of the Poor, and Alvin Nye, Constable; Asahel Bailey, Elon An- drus, Edward Arnold, Poundmasters: George Wetson. Otis Lamb, Robert Townsend, Nathan Nye. Daniel Hayden. William Allen. Philip Price, Albert Finch and Isaac Skill- man, Overseers of Highways, appointed by the County Commissioners in March, 1827. Among the first acts of the new board was that to raise $25 for the support of the poor. On August 15, 1827, a special election was held to select a Constable and Collector, vice Daniel B. Webster, resigned, when William Price was chosen. The principal town- ship officers, elected since the year of organization, are named in the following list:
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
TOWN ROSTER.
Supervisors-John S. Axford, 1527-28: Gideon Gates, 1828-33: Caleb Wilbor. 1833 -38; County Commissioners, 1835 43: John Keeler. 1843-44: Erastus Smith, IS44-45: John Keeler. 1845-47: Noah Cooley, 1847-49: Erastus Smith, 1849-50: Elisha Calkins, 1850-51: Noah Cooley, 1851-53; Elisha Calkins. 1853-55: Marshall S. Hadley. 1855-56: George H. Fenner. 18:6-57: Hugh Gray. 1857-58: Erastus Smith, 1858 72: Jerome W. Nyms, 1872-81: Stephen B Cannon, 1881-82.
In the foregoing list of Supervisors, it must be remembered that from 1818 to the date of township election, in 1827, the county was governed by Commissioners; from that period until 1838, by Supervisors: from 1838 until early in 1843, by County Commission- ers. when the Supervisors' Board was re-established.
Clerks --- John D. Holland, 1827-31: Horace Foote, 1831-32: James Starkweather, 1832-33: John D. Holland, 1833-45; Otis Lamb. 1836-50: Albert Nye. 1850-51: Otis Lamb. 1852-53: George Washer, 1853-54: Charles F. Mallary. 1854-58: A. H. Poole, 1858-59; Albert E. Leete, 1859 60: C. F. Mallary, 1860-70: Nathan G. Bates, 1870-71: Charles C. Bradley, 1871-76: Collins Bradley, 1876-77: Byron J. Flumerfelt, 1877-78: Eber J. Dudley, 1878-82.
Treasurers-Daniel B. Webster. 1527; William Price, 1828: Alvin Nye. 1829; Gad Chamberlin. 1530; Hiram Calkins, 1831-33: H. Van Kleek, 1834: James H. Rose 1837; Hiram Calkins, 18440: Orin P. Southwell. 1842: James H. Rose, 1844; Orsel Dudley. 1851: Marvin Wilbur, 1855: Morgan Nye. 1857: Truman R. Andrus. 1858: John Cannon, 1861: Emulias Stone, 1863: Theron Cole. 1865: Elias L. Stone, 1867; Theron Cole, 1868: James H. Rose, 1870: Aaron B. Rawles. 1875; Jonathan Stone, 1877: Edward W. Andrus. 1879; Jonathan Stone, 1881.
Justices of the Peace-Ezra B. Throop, 1527: Gideon Gates, 1829: Otis Lamb, John Bennett, 1830; J. B. Hollister, 1831; Alexander Tackles, 1832; Wells Waring. 1833: Azariah Prentiss, 1834: Alexander Tackles, M. Shaw, D. W. Noyes, Orsel Dudley. C. F. Snover, Wells Waring, 1836; Hiram Sherman. 1837: John Lawrenc., Justin H. Butler, Alexander Tackles. 1838: John Lawrence, 1839: Orsel Dudley. 1840: Justin H. Butler, Thomas Wheeler. 1841: Azariah W. Sterling. 1842: John Lawrence. Cortez P. Hooker. 1543: Orsel Dudley. 1844: Cortez P. Hooker. 1845: Azariah W. Sterling, John Bates, 1846: William Park. 1847: John Bates, 1848: Caleb Wilbur. 1849: Orsel Dudley, Azariah W. Sterling, 1850: William Park, 1851: Orsel Dudley. C. C. Lamb. 1853; A. W. Ster- ling. 1854: William Park, 1855: Aaron Stone. James N. Cole, 1857: A. W. Sterling, 1858: William Park, 1859: S. H. Burlingham, 1860; William A. Stone, 1861: A. W. Sterling, 1862; William Park. George W. Knapp, 1863: George W. Knapp, 1864; C. F. Mallary, James M. Vaughan, 1865: Azariah W. Sterling, 1866: Edward Soule, 1867: Charles F. Mallard. 1868: James M. Vaughan. 1869: James M. Vaughan, Azariah W. Sterling 1870; Martin Buzzell. 1871: John V. Rush, 1872; Edward Soule, 1873: Azariah W. Sterling, 1874; Martin Buzzell, 1875: John J. Snook, Cortez Fessenden. 1876: Albert Yates, 1877; Cortez Fessenden, 1878; Martin Buzzell. 1879: John J. Snook, ISSO: James M. Vaughan, 1881.
The officers elected in April. 1552, were Supervisor, S. B. Cannon, Republican. 225; Chas. T. Mallory. Democrat, 71: Republican majority, 154. Clerk. E. J. Dudley. Re- publican. 212: William S. Badger. Democrat, 90: Republicau majority. 122. Treasurer. Jonathan Stone, Republican. 220: J. L. Benjamin. Democrat, 78; Republican major- ity, 142.
GRAND THUNK RAILROAD OF MICHIGAN.
A petition to Supervisor Aratus Smith, dated January S, 1868, requesting him to call a meeting of Washington Township, was acceded to January 16, and the meeting convened
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
February 13, 1868. The people voted a loan of $33,000 to the Grand Trunk Railway of Michigan for the purposes of constructing a railroad from Ridgeway, or Richmond, to Pontiac: 236 freeholders voted for the loan, while 106 opposed it.
MICHIGAN AIR- LINE RAILROAD
On May 15, 1869, a petition, signed by thirty-two citizens of Washington, to Aratus Smith. asking him to convene a meeting of freeholders to consider the question of grant- ing aid to the Michigan Air- Line Railroad, was acceded to and a meeting called June 10, 1869. Two hundred taxpayers voted a loan of $25,000, while 190 opposed such a loan.
A REMINISCENCE OF EARLY DAYS IN WASHINGTON.
The greater portion of the families named in the following paper came from the State of New York in the years 1822, 1523 and 1824; each purchased from 80 to 160 acres. generally at $1.25 per acre, and commenced clearing up the land for permanent homes.
In the year 1824. in the fall, it was deemed advisable by the few settlers in the northern part of the town of Washington to establish a school; consequently, a site for a house was soon decided upon, a log edifice built, and a young lad named Silas Scott in- stalled as teacher. The house, which was at the time designed to be centrally located, on Freeborn Healy's land, was built in the woods, one mile and a half south of the present village of Romeo, on the west side of the road on the hill, just beyond what is now known as the Benjamin Model Farm. The number of pupils in attendance in the year 1824 was twenty seven or twenty-eight, coming in from two or three miles in different directions through the almost unbroken wilderness. The principal roads at that time were Indian trails. There was also an Indian encampment at that time on the east side of the road nearly opposite this schoolhouse, near where the railroad now crosses the brook. The gathering of so many children seemed to greatly puzzle the natives, and frequently they would, after ornamenting themselves with nose and ear jewelry, paint and feathers, steal up to the windows of the schoolhouse to take a peep at the scholars. The scholars of 1824 were three sons and one daughter of Philip Price -- Samnel. Polly, Philip and James. Those of other families, Horace Arnold. Robert Arnold, Phoebe Arnold, Thomas Woodman, Horace Tackles. Horton Healy, Pantina Healy, Rosanna Chandler, Orsamus Webster, Samantha Webster, Edwin Gould, Adelia Gould, Elijah Thorington, Miranda Thor- ington. Lucy Phelps, Jed Smith, David Smith, George Finch, Alpheus Finch, Wesley Finch; these Finch boys were brothers of the lost child; Harrison Kittridge, Jane Gates and Wilber Gatos. About one-half of the number are still living. Silas Scott, the teacher, after closing his school in the spring of 1825, purchased a farm in sight of Romeo Village, where he resided until his death, a few years ago, leaving one son. Frank Scott, who, at the present writing, resides on the same farm, and is also at the present time teaching school in the same neighborhood that his father tanght fifty-seven years ago. With three or four exceptions (the familes of Thorington, Scott and Arnold), the early settlers at that time have either died or removed, and others have taken their places. Large, well-cultivated fields, nice residences and splendid roads are now to be seen on every hand, instead of Indian encampments, trails and dense forests. And the trials and privations endured by those early, hardy settlers are, by the present generation in their abundance, scarcely re- membered.
THE CRISSMANN SCHOOL .
The Crissman School District was organized February 12, 1848, from fractions taken from the surrounding districts. The first school meeting was held February 26, 1848, at the house of J. J. Crissman, when the following officers were elected: F. S. Crissman, Moderator; Clinton Sowles, Assessor: John Bates, Director. The first schoolhouse was
Mathan Kuler
Mary J Keeler
( DECEASED )
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
built by Alvin Baldwin, and was finished September 15, 1851. The size of this building was 20x25 feet, and its cost $233.88. The first district school was taught by Miss Laura Parrish (now Mrs. Charles Crissman, of Mt. Vernon) for a consideration of $2 per week. She taught fifteen weeks and had twenty-seven pupils. The schoolhouse in use at the present time was built by William H. Jersey during the summer of 1869. The cost of this build- ing was $1,000, and its location close by the site of the old house.
SCHOOLS.
There are five district schools and three fractional district schools in the township. The Directors for the year 1881-82 were Samuel C. Ritter. I. N. Brabb, D. T. Smith, M. H. Crissman, Ira Wood. W. H. Balesole, W. W. Vaughan and E. Rowley. There are six frame and two brick school buildings, valued at $6,590. During the year ending September, 1881, no less than fourteen teachers were engaged, to whom the sum of $1,- 559.50 was paid. The number of children of school age in the township in 1880-81 was 370, of which number only 264 attended school. The total expenditures of the township for school purposes during the year ending September 5, ISS1, was $2, 713.73, of which sum $357.38 accrued from the State school fund.
A reference to the schools of Bruce will point out the fact that a number of children belonging to Washington Township are enumerated as belonging to the Union School of Romeo, and noticed in the Bruce school statistics.
A TEMPERANCE BUILDING.
The first building raised in this vicinity without the use of whisky was the present residence of J. R. Manley, in 1838. The architect and builder, the late Chauncey Church, was interested in the temperance cause and would have no spirituous liquors at any of his raisings. After the work on this occasion was done, he mounted on the topmost timber and delivered the following original toast:
"This frame is of oak, it stands upon rocks, 'Twas framed upon honor for Elias Wilcox, And since it is raised and things are all right. 'Tis Elias' home and Nancy's delight. We've had no whisky, we don't care for that, We'll have something better than rum or wild cat. So let us be merry. both Democrat and Whig. And we'll go to the house and get some baked pig."
MENTION OF A FEW OLD SETTLERS.
In August, 1823. Mrs. Nancy Anne Lamb Andrus and her husband, with John Holland, Polly Greene and Laura and Aurilla Miller, formed the first Methodist class in Washington Township, meeting from house to house, often several miles apart, for seasons of prayer and praise. They were models of hospitality and all were made welcome, particularly the traveling ministers, and their houses were known for many years as the preachers' home. The Andrus house was also the head- quarters for all the land-lookers and travelers, and hundreds were fed and lodged within their small but hospitable dwelling. They struggled through almost incredible hard- ships, but reared all their ten children and saw them all married. Mr. Andrus died in July, 1865, and the widow has since resided with her daughter-in-law, having lived to witness many changes in church and society, and never losing her interest in either, al- though for a few years she has been unable to leave home. She retained her faculties, except hearing, to the last, and, until a few weeks of her death, she sewed as many hours in a day as any seamstress, and her work was always very nicely done. Five of the chil- dren have outlived the parents - Mrs. Laura Hamlin, of Rochester; Dr. W. W. Andrus,
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IIISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
of Utica; Loren Andrus, Mrs. S. A. Babbitt and Mrs. J. M. Vaughan. Mrs. Andrus be- longed to a family remarkable for their longevity, and there is one sister now living who does her own work at the age of ninety-four.
REMINDERS OF THE PAST.
There was regular circuit preaching here before there was any schoolhouse built in this town. The minister's name was l'etit, not l'attee, and he used to preach at the house of Joseph Miller, standing on the ground where the hotel now stands. The going to Utica was on quarterly meeting occasions, and they used to go with ox teams or on foot. The first schoolhouse was built about a hundred rods from the corners south, and on land be- longing to George Wilson, nearly opposite the residence of Mrs. Marquis Nye. The next, on the corners where the brick one now stands, three miles south of Romeo. The third was opposite the cemetery.
METHODIST CHURCH.
The original class of Methodists was formed here in 1823. consisting of six persons- John Hollan 1. Elon Andrus, Nancy Andrus, Polly Greene, Aurilla Miller and Laura Mil- ler. They met at first in prayer-meetings from house to house, the nearest preaching be- ing at Utica. where they occasionally went. until the building of the log schoolhouse op- posite the present cemetery. Rev. Elias Petit is supposed to have been the first minister, and his circuit extended nearly 500 miles. After a few years, a log schoolhouse was built on the main road, and, in 1839, a frame schoolhouse was erected, nearly opposite the residence of Loren Andrus, and religious services were conducted there until the building of the present church edifice in 1846. There were always two ministers on the charge. and Ebenezer Steele and Nelson Barnum were stationed here then. There is no record of anything pertaining to the society previous to the building of the church. but under date of February 12. 1846, we find the following: "The Trustees for the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington contracted with Chauncey Church to build a meeting- house for said M. E. Church, on the west side of Section 24, in said township, opposite Dr. Cooley's garden, said house to be 36x50 feet, without a belfry. to be finished by the Ist day of January, 1847, for the sum of $1,150." This was signed by Elon Andrus, Abel Warner, Benjamin McGregor, David W. Noyes, John Keeler.
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