History of Macomb County, Michigan, Part 92

Author: Leeson, Michael A., [from old catalog] comp
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, M. A. Leeson & co.
Number of Pages: 952

USA > Michigan > Macomb County > History of Macomb County, Michigan > Part 92

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).

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

cessful teacher and an interesting and acceptable contributor to the local press; N. Ade- laide was born June 19, 1849, and died January 31, 1854; Florence A., Mrs. Leman H. Chapman, of Cannonsburg, Kent County, married September 22, 1874, was born Decem- ber 3, 1854, and became a fine scholar and good musician. Mrs. M. was, in addition to her household responsibilities, an apiarist of some note for about thirty years, having at one time had the charge and management of eighty-five colonies of bees. Mr. and Mrs. M. moved to the northeast quarter of Section 3, in the township of Shelby. in the spring of 1845, where they now reside. Mr. M. is at this writing in his seventy-second year; he has been all his life a student of the Bible and actively interested in Sunday school and Bible instruction.

ORESTES MILLERD. P. O. Rochester, born Jannary 9, 1808, in Cayuga County, N. Y. ; settled in Michigan in May, 1823, and located in Shelby Township in October, 1827: he married Miss Webster the previous month; they were the parents of four chil- dren. each of whom must be considered a pioneer of Shelby. At the period of Mr. M.'s coming to this State, he says that there was not a foot of sidewalk in Detroit, nor a vil- lage in the northern portion of the county, save that known as Indian Village; he got the first tickets printed in the Territory for election purposes. Mr. M. is now in his seventy- fifth year: from 1827 to the present time. he has taken an important place in the economy of the county; he cleared 360 cares of land in Shelby, has always been identified with the Democratic party and religiously is a Baptist.

ISAAC MONFORE (deceased), was born September 14. 1803. in Delaware County, N. Y .; was the son of Peter and Olive (Conerkoven) Monfore, natives of New Jersey; his father was born September 9, 1757, of English and French parentage, and was a soldier of the Revolution; his mother was born January 27, 1758, of Holland ex- traction; they were married October 27, 1779. Mr. M. came to this county in the fall of 1828, and purchased 160 acres of wild land in Ray Township, and returned to Rush. Mon- roe Co., N. Y .; came back to Michigan in 1831, and purchased 160 acres on Sections 15 and 10. in Shelby: he increased his estate to 500 acres; his widow resides on the home- stead of 227 acres. He was married, July 15, 1836, to Mary D. Curtis, of Shelby, born May 30, 1818. in Middlebury, Wyoming Co., N. Y. : they had five children, whose record is as follows: Milton J., born July 6, 1837. married Maria A. Black, of Detroit, Mich, De- cember 29, 1875; Franklin P., June 6, 1840, married Sarah E. Bowers, May 13, 1864; Mary A., November 14. 1844: Isaac N .. July 10, 1848, married Effie E. Brooks, July 4, 1871: Ann J., born February 9, 1858, married Isaac Newton Gillespie, of Pavilion, N. Y .. May 17. 1882. Mr. M. studied for the profession of law and practiced for a short time; he was a Democrat in early life, but became a Republican after the admission of Michigan as a State; he was Representative in the Legislature in 1835-36 and 1837; he held the township offices of Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, Town and County Clerk. etc. ; both himself and wife belong to the Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon.

MILTON J. MONFORE, son of Isaac and Mary D. (Curtis) Monfore, born in Shelby, Macomb County. Mich., July 6. 1837. where he lived until the present time: was educated at the common schools: has followed the occupation of farmer, and, during the last eight- een years, has dealt in agricultural implements; married, to Maria Black, of Detroit, De- cember 25, 1874.

ALLEN S. PEARSALL. farmer, P. O. Disco, residing in the township of Shelby, was born January 19, 1818, in Sempronius, Cayuga Co .. N. Y. : he is the son of Henry and Phebe Summerton Pearsall: the former died November 15, 1850, the latter May 13, 1837; both were of English descent. Mr. P.'s father located in Troy, Oakland Co., Mich., and pur- chased 160 acres of partly improved land, where he settled in 1832. Allen S. Pearsall was married, January 31. 1844. to Miss Lydia Ann Andrews, daughter of Hiram and Anna

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

Andrews, a native of Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., born December 25, 1824: they have one child Helen M., born September 2, 1845, and married Llewellyn Chapel, who was born Angust 13, 1840: they have one child-Carrie M., born September 12, 1871. Mr. P. purchased his farm in Shelby in 1847. where he has since resided. Mrs. P. is a lady of favorable repute as a lecturer on temperance, woman's rights and Spiritnalism; she and her husband are members of the Grange.

DWIGHT E. PEARSALL. P. O. Disco. son of Ira S. Pearsall. native of Genesee County, N. Y .. was born in Washington Township, Jannary 15, 1537; the parents were Ira S. Pearsall, born Angust 1, 1810, son of Henry Pearsall, and Celia ( White) Pearsall. daughter of Mr. White, of Ohio, born September 1, 1817. Mr. Pearsall. Sr., came to Washington at an early date, with his father's family, and here married Miss White, Oc- tober 19, 1836; they were the parents of three children. viz .. D. E. Pearsall, referred to above. residing on the homestead farm: Adelia W., born April 10, 1839, married Morris Snook May 9. 1859. now living at Jackson, Mich. : and Celia, born December 30. 1847, de- ceased. Dwight E. Pearsall was raised and educated in Shelby; attended the Disco Academy until 1854, when he directed attention toward farming. In 1857, he entered on a Western journey and traveled through it for three years. He was married. in MeDonald County, Mo .. May 6. 1860. to Miss Mary S. Smith, daughter of John Smith, of Vermont, then a citizen of McDonald County; this lady died at the age of thirty-nine years. Novem- ber 22. 1879; to this marriage, three children were born-Ira S., born May 22, 1861; Fannie E .. Jannary 25. 1863, and Allon D .. March 3. 1872. the latter living at Jackson, Mich. The farm now owned by Mr. Pearsall, on Section 3. Shelby, contains 320 acres, 250 acres of which are cultivated, with good improvements. The water-course comprises two living streams. Together with the agricultural interest. Mr. Pearsall has devoted much attention to horses, cattle and sheep. He was engaged in mercantile business for several years. at Disco. the interest in which he sold to John Sweetzer, in 1880, and re- turned to his farm. Politically, Mr. Pearsall is a Democrat.

IRA PRESTON (deceased) was born March 9, 1785, in Wallingford. Conn. : was the son of Samnel Preston; he moved to Rush, Monroe Co .. N. Y., when a young man. He was married to Deborah Goff, and lived there about fourteen years: she was born February 11, 1793: in 1826, he came to Michigan and purchased 320 acres of land, on Sections 1, 2 and 13, when he returned to New York: in 1827, he came back to the wilderness of Michigan, with his family, reaching Detroit the last of May; he brought with him his household furniture and a supply of provisions and a cart; he purchased a yoke of oxen, made a rack for the cart, which he freighted with his possessions, and with his children and a party of twenty friends and relatives set out for his anticipated home; at the end of two days, he arrived at the place of Elias Wilcox, on the north line of the township of Shelby, where his party spent the might and the following day underbrushed a road two miles through the woods to the location of Mr. Preston; they set about building a log house, and, in about a week, were settled in pioneer life. The ring of the ax made their music by day and the howl of the wolves by night; their table was bountifully supplied with venison, and the neighboring Indians kept them from loneliness and monotony; in 1828, Mr. P. built a saw-mill, the irons for which he brought with him from New York, on what is called the Middle Branch, the only one for miles, and operated by himself and sons for forty-four years; in the course of fifteen years. Mr. P.'s farm was well improved, and he had completed all the building required, including two frame houses. The pio- neer's privation and endurance were ended, and the outlook of his remaining years was one of ease and comfort; in 1556, he distributed his real estate among his children, giving the homestead to his daughter. Mrs. Carlton. with whom he and his wife remained during the rest of their lives; he died August 20. 1872, aged eighty-seven years. Mrs. P. died January

HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

3, 1565, aged seventy-two years; she was helpless twelve years, with palsy. Mr. P. could never be induced to ride on a railroad: he first saw the cars and a locomotive at Mt. C'lem- ens in 1868: his gratified surprise at the sight of them is most pleasantly remembered by his children: it was indeed an event to a man who, for many years. had never been but a few miles from home. While the Bay City road was being built, he was persuaded by his son. R. S. Preston. to go to a railroad picnic. near Utica. on the completion of the road to that place, and he rejoiced heartily in its construction through the town in which he had lived fifty-five years. He died a few months after. leaving his seven children to mourn their irreparable loss. September 28. 1828. Emily, the eldest daughter, married Daniel Kniffin, who began pioneer life with her father; they settled two miles from Mr. Preston in the woods. October S. 1837. George W. Preston was married to Sally Goff, daughter of Russell Goff, a neighboring pioneer: he also went into the wilderness to make his life struggle. April 20, 1841, Riley S. Preston was married to Eliza Carlton, and occupied one of his father's houses several years; his wife died February 28, 1852. Minerva Preston was married to John Carlton November 7, 1844, and settled about two miles from home. Ira L. Preston was married to Cynthia Allen, October 14. 1547: purchased some land and settled about one-fourth of a mile from home. Eliza Ann Preston was married to Alfred Carlton, September 16. 1852, and located in Brooklyn, four miles distant. Judge S. Preston. youngest son. was married, November 1, 1853, to Caroline A. Bartlett: he was born January 16, 1831, and his wife was born December 7, 1834; they remained three years on the homestead in charge of the pioneer father and mother.

J. LUMAN PRESTON, P. O. Disco, was born February 21, 1825, in Rush, Monroe Co., N. Y .: he was two years old when his parents came to this county. where he has since resided; he was in the saw-mill business twenty-one years and is now pursuing agricult- ure: he owns ninety-five acres of land, with fifty-five under cultivation, and the remainder is choice timber. He married Cynthia Ann Allen, October 14. 1847; she was born June 18. 1826. in Ridgeway, Orleans Co., N. Y .; she died November 15, 1873; they had four children, born as follows: Ella V., March 29. 1851. died September 18, 1854: Eli V., born July 21. 1855. married May Cooley. October 31. 1877; Metta V., born August 5. 1859, married E. R. Wilcox, Angust 11, 1878; Jennie A., born January 26, 1864. El V. has two children-Clara C., born August 14, 1878. and Zoe M .. born February 15. 1882. Mettie V. has one daughter-Gertie M., born July 8, 1581. December 20, 1874. Mr. Preston married Rachel C. Hough, a native of Bristol, Hartford Co., Conn., born June S. 1840. Mr. Preston was married a second time. December 20. 1874. to Rachel E. Hough, of Bris- tol. Hartford Co., Conn.

JUDGE S. PRESTON, P. O. Disco, farmer, Section 1, was born January 16, 1831. in Shelby; is the son of Ira L. and Deborah (Goff ) Preston (see sketch of Ira L. Preston), Judge S. Preston purchased eighty acres of land in 1854: it was partially improved and is now in a state of advanced cultivation. with fine buildings; he was married. November 1. 1853, to Caroline A. Bartlett, born December 7. 1834, in Gates, Monroe Co., N. Y .; she came to Macomb County in October, 1839; they have five children, as follows: Lynd B., November 18, 1855; Helen A., Jannary 10, 1862; Charles E., July 16, 1866; May A., May 5. 1871: John M., February 7, 1876, Mr. P. has held the position of Drain Com- missioner two years: held the office of Notary Public four years; has also been School Di. rector, Moderator and held other township offices; he is a Democrat in politics and be- longs to Grange. No. 334, Disco.

GEORGE SEAMAN. P. O. Disco, farmer. Section 5, was born September 4. 1821; in Saratoga County, N. Y .; he is the son of Doty and Lydia (Fish) Seaman: both parents were of English descent. Mr. S. came to this county in May, 1835. and purchased eighty acres of land in the township of Ray: in 1844. he sold out and went to Oakland County:

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

fifteen years later, he purchased 240 acres on Section 35, in Ray, and on Section 2, in Ma- comb, which he sold, and located on 100 acres on Section IS, in Lenox: he again sold out and located 100 acres on Section 5, in Shelby, where he now resides; his farm is under cultivation, well stocked and with good buildings. He was married, September 5, 1844. to Almira, daughter of Enoch Crawford; they have nine children, born as follows: Mary, July 14, 1845, married Andrew Seeley, March 26, 1871: Robert, born August 29, 1853; Lydia, August 28, 1855, married George Dunkley March 22, 1878; Phebe. June 14, 1857. married Virgil K. Dryer July 2, 1874; Charity A., March 18, 1859; Lovina, April IS, 1861: Josephine, May 13, 1863; Doty, March 28, 1865; John, October 17, 1867. Mr. S. is a Republican in politics.

HIRAM SQUIER was born July 8, 1806, near Montreal, Canada, son of Nathaniel and Jemima (Dilno) Squier, the latter born in Vermont, the former in Connecticut, in 1752; his father came to this county in May, 1817, from Westminster, Canada, and. in partnership with John Cook, located 640 acres on Section 28, Shelby, where he resided until his death, in February. 1832; his mother died in 1811. Nathaniel Squier served in the war of the Revolution. Hiram Squier purchased 120 acres, Section 34, Shelby, in 1831, where he dwelt until September, 1SS1. He married Mahala Moe, widow of Fowler, who died in February. 1816: he subsequently married Maria Harris, born at Toronto. Canada, March 20, 1816. Mr. Squiers attended the first town meeting held in Shelby in 1827; he attended the first English school in the county in 1819, which was taught by Asa Hadsell; helped to raise the first mill at Stony Creek, and to build the first three homes in Shelby. He was a Democrat until 1840, when he accepted the platform of the Aboli- tionists. In 1856, he voted for John C. Fremont, and, in 1870, for the Prohibitionist candidates. Mr. and Mrs. Squier are members of the Methodist Church. He heard the first sermon preached in the township, in 1817, which was against intemperance. To this day, this old man is a Prohibitionist.

DAVID SUMMERS, P. O. Utica, born in Warren County, N. J., in 1824; married Caroline Aldrich, October 2, 1850; they are the parents of thirteen children-Mary Alice. born in 1851; Ella F., in 1853: Jacob L. in 1855; Whipple G. in 1856; Victoria Jose- phine. in 1858; William R. in 1860: Albert B., in 1862; Livingston L., in 1863; Evelena, in 1865; Riverdy. in 1867; Margaret, in 1869; George F., in 1873 and Clayton in 1878, all of whom are living, with the exception of George F. The head of the Summers family, John Summers. came from Germany in 1752, accompanied by his five sons, of whom the names Jacob and John are remembered: the former was a Judge of Records in Philadelphia, where he settled; the latter settled in Warren County, N. J .. where he was Circuit Judge for over twenty years. Jacob Summers, father of the subject of this sketch, was the youngest son of five born to Judge Jacob Summers and his wife. Mary Hiles; he settled in Shelby Township in 1831; was elected Supervisor in 1836; was chosen Representative and subsequently, was elected Senator for three terms in succession. Before the office of Associato Judge was abolished, he held the position while Judge Goodwin was Presiding Judge of the circuit. The pioneer of Shelby died July 25, 1863: his children are as fol- lows: Phebe, who married Samuel Axford. in 1836; Ann married Jacob Price; George died in 1877; Barbara died in 1861; Rebecca married Morgan Axford, and, for her sec- ond husband, Dr. William Beach, of Coldwater: David married Caroline Aldrich, October 3, 1850; the other children were John .. Margaret and William. As old residents of Shel- by. the members of this family are held in high esteem.

GEORGE SWITZER, farmer. Section 20. P. O. Disco, was born August 15, 1811. in Bavaria, Germany; he came to America in 1837; the passage was one of long-continued storm and peril, lasting seventy-two days; their provisions failed and starvation was close upon them; he came from the State of New York, Erie County, to this country; to Ma-

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comb County, Mich., in 1858, and purchased forty-seven acres on Section 7, which he afterward sold and purchased 195 acres of first-class land, where he now resides; his farm is nearly all under a good state of cultivation, with fine buildings. He was married, No- vember 1, 1842, to Elizabeth Fisher, a native of Bavaria, born May 14, 1820; they have had twelve children, of whom nine are living; their record is as follows: Mary E., born August 15, 1844, married Charles Andrews, November 1, 1866; George, January S, 1846, married Caroline George January 27, 1867: John W., Jannary 7, 1847; Fanny C., June 10, 1848, married Perry Everett, October 11, 1868; Charles E., April 23, 1850, married Mary Walwin; HenryJ., December 25, 1851, married Myrtie Smith; Abraham F., August S, 1853; William F., February 22, 1855, married Della Dickens; Lucius E., August 30. 1856, married Matilda Burd; Perry R., January 11, 1859, died September 15, 1863; Elmer P .. March 6, 1861, died November 20, 1861; Lydia Q., November 13, 1862, died October 8, 1863. Mr. S. is a Republican in political views, and has been elected School Assessor seven years; he is highly esteemed by his townsmen as an honorable and upright man and citizen.

WILLIARD A. WALES, aged sixty-two years, was born in Covington, Genesee Co .. N. Y., December 7, 1819; son of Solomon and Urania Wales, natives of Vermont. W. A. Wales married Amy Ann Chapman, April 10, 1843. daughter of John and Jane Chapman, born Angust 21, 1822, in the township of Livonia, Livingston County, N. Y. The children of this marriage were born as follows: William Wert, May 24, 1845; Henry Lee, July 13. 1849; Amos Emmet, June 3, 1852, died August 22, 1863; Earl Wright, December 13. 1853; Mary, September 1, 1856; Ellie May, November 29, 1864, died January 8, 1880. Mr. Wales removed to Shelby, Macomb County, in May, 1823, with his parents, where he has resided since that time; was educated at the common schools and has pursued the oc- cupation of a farmer to the present date; has held the office of Supervisor for ten years; was elected a member of the Executive Committee of the State Grange for two years; wrote and circulated the first call for a Republican convention in the county. in 1854. Mr. W. recollects seeing the Chief Wadson when a boy, at which time Romeo was called the Indian Village, and bears and wolves were numerous; at that time, his mother spun and wove linen and flannel to clothe the family.

ABEL WARREN, deceased, was born in Hampton, Washington County, State of New York, Angust 3, 1789, where he grew to manhood; enlisted and served in the war of 1812; held the office of Sergeant: was seriously wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Queenstown Heights; was paroled and returned to his home, and was married to Sarah Hooker, of Poultney Vt .. January 16, 1814, and. in 1816, moved to Covington, Genesee County, in his native State: in 1820, he came to Michigan and purchased eighty acres of land, near Pontiac, but subsequently sold it. and, in 1824, he moved with his family to Michigan and purchased an eighty-acre lot on Section 4, Shelby. Macomb County, where he lived and died; he was converted in Covington February 28. 1817, and joined the M. E. Church: held for a time the office of Class-leader, and subsequently, was licensed to exhort, which relation he held when he moved to Michigan: was licensed to preach at a quarterly meeting held in Detroit, in June, 1825; in 1930. he was ordained Deacon at a conference, held in Lancaster, Ohio, and subsequently, was ordained Elder; he was the first man licensed in the Territory of Michigan, and no doubt preached at more funerals and married more couples than any other one man in the county of Macomb, as when well, he was always ready at a moment's call for either, frequently leaving the hayfield and going ten or fifteen miles to attend a funeral, and, as horses in those days were very scarce. not unfrequently making the journey on foot. As a pioneer local preacher, he was abundant in labors, traveling on foot at times twenty- four miles on the Sabbath and preaching three times, and that after a hard week's work on the farm. and preaching as regularly as any

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

stationed preacher, and spending most of the winters in special revival work. in Macomb. St. Clair and Oakland Connties, in which hundreds were converted, thus helping to lay the basis on which rests the magnificent, moral and social superstructure of this beautiful region of country. And in reference to him, the language of the wise man seems appro- priate-"The memory of the just is blessed: for he is enshrined in the hearts of the peo- ple, and his memory will be cherished " while our present civilization lasts. With refer- ence to his character as a man and minister. I quote from his biographer: His chief en- dowment was strong common sense; he had a quick perception and was a remarkably good judge of human nature, and could address men in public or private so as to reach their better natures, withont arousing their prejudices; his education was very limited, but his language was always chaste and quite correct, and, his manner very impressive: an Epis- copal clergyman, after hearing him, said. " He has neither education nor eloquence, but something far better -- the power to convince and move men." He was genial and sym- pathetic, eould weep with those that wept. or rejoice and smile with the cheerful and happy, and thus was a welcome guest, either at the wedding festival, at the sick-bed or funeral obsequies. He had nine children, four sons and five daughters; one son died in infancy. the rest living to maturity; two of the sons are in the ministry, and the other holds important official positions in the church, and one daughter is the wife of a promi- nent minister of the Michigan Conference. Elder Warren died September 5, 1862. in the seventy-fourth year of his age; his wife survived him eleven years, and died December 6, 1873. Four only of the children are now living, the rest having passed with the par- ents to the home beyond. Many incidents, quite novel and of interest, might be given of

Elder Warren's early history in the county and Territory, but a few must suffice.

At the

conference held in the court house at Pontiac, twenty-two years ago, in the love feast, two or three of the old ministers claimed to have been the first there, but. after giving their dates, he said he was ahead of all of them; that, in 1820. stopping in town for the night. he came out into the brush. just about where the court house stood, for secret prayer, and the wolves gathered around and commenced to howl, and he held a prayer meeting with them. One Sabbath evening, while passing through the woods over an In- dian trail, he saw just ahead of him a huge bear. The animal seemed inclined to dispute the right of way; without apparent fear, the traveler picked up a stick. saying. "If you be good, I will, but otherwise we will try titles." The bear stepped aside and the Elder pushed forward on his journey.

HARMON A. WELLS, P. O. Rochester, farmer, Section 7. was born April 19, 1827, in Steuben County, N. Y .; is the son of Samuel D. and Lydia (Parmenter) Wells; his father was born March 24, 1789. in Saratoga County, N. Y., and died August 12, 1833; he was of Welsh extraction and was a soldier of the war of 1812. Mr. Wells' mother was born Angust 2, 1792, at Oakham, Mass., and died September 22, 1855; her lineage was English. The senior Wells came to this country in August, 1829, and located on 240 acres of land on Sections 6 and 7. where he resided until his death. Mr. W. of this sketch purchased 140 acres of the old homestead, which he has placed under the best state of cultivation, and which is supplied with good dwellings-and convenient accessory buildings. Mr. Wells married Roxelana Cannon, a native of Day, Saratoga Co., N. Y., born May S, 1832. Seven children have been born to them, as follows: Mary A. Wells, born Jannary 28, 1859; Frank D., September 19, 1861: Alice M .. September 15, 1863; George S., De- cember 26, 1866: Byron S., May 23. 1869; Emma M., May 28, 1872: Lydia M., January 9, 1876; Mary A. Wells died February 11, 1862. Mr. Wells is a Republican in polities. and has held the position of Road Commissioner four terms. Mr. and Mrs. Wells hold to the principles of the Universalist Church.

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History of Macomb County, Michigan, Part 92

Author: Leeson, Michael A., [from old catalog] comp Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, M. A. Leeson & co. Number of Pages: 952

Author: Leeson, Michael A., [from old catalog] comp
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, M. A. Leeson & co.
Number of Pages: 952