History of Mason County, Michigan, Part 29

Author: H. R. Page & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 373

USA > Michigan > Mason County > History of Mason County, Michigan > Part 29

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).

When Chief was purchased, Mr. Russell also bought a cow, Ruby fifteen, which he still owns; next two cows were imported by Mr. Browne, one of which is now Mr. Gurney's, and the other A. R.

Digitized by Google

S.A. BROWNE.

Digitized by

GRAND SENTINEL.

GOLDEN STOCK FARM .

S.A. BROWNE , PROP'R

PENTWATER, Mich.

Google

Digitized by

HISTORY OF OCEANA COUNTY.

105

See's, of Weare. These are all that have been imported, and there are now registered but thirteen Durhams.

JERSEYS.

Mr. Browne, on his fine stock farm, on Section 12, Golden, purchased in 1878, and containing 240 acres, has a fine herd of Jerseys, and was the first importer, purchasing a celebrated bull from Howard, of Flint, which is now owned by Pringle, of Golden. Mr. Browne has also in full-blooded Jerseys: Miss Manchester, Rosebud, Butterfly and Milkmaid.

V. W. Knox, of Hart, in 1879, purchased the first Jersey cow, and this year a bull. In all there are eight registered Jerseys.

SHORT HORNS.

Mr. Browne's first venture was a celebrated bull, Bruno, and he purchased several cows, still owned in the county.

GALLOWAYS.

In this Mr. Browne excels, having, perhaps, the finest herd in all the state. They are fourteen in number, and worth $150 a head. He considers them well adapted to this climate, being rugged, giving rich milk, always fat, and as they are hornless, they can safely graze with other animals. He imported first two bulls and four cows, and sold a bull to Gay, of Crystal.

Of Herefords there are none. Of Holsteins, in 1878, Hubbard, Hosmer & Co., of Ferry, imported . a bull, and Rice & Ambler, of Pentwater, another, both being still in the county.

SHEEP.

Four or five years ago, the flocks were - largely coarse-wooled, from Canada, and claiming to be pure Cotswolds and Leicesters. To-day, the fine wool industry is quite important, Judge Russell real- izing $1,000 for his clip of 1882, it being 3,275 pounds. He has, in all, 1,000 sheep.

In 1865, Harvey Tower, of Claybanks, imported the first thor- ough-bred American merino ram from Ball, of Livingston County, Mich. The next were by Mr. Russell, in 1878, a purchase of two ram lambs and five ewes, from Dryer, of Lansing. In the Spring of 1879, Mr. Russell purchased the balance of Dryer's flock-sixty-five ewes, in all.

In 1879 L. M. Hartwick imported a thorough-bred, and now over half the sheep in the county are either pure or graded fine wools.

This county seems admirably adapted for fine wooled sheep, and importations of choice animals are still going on. A. S. White, of Hart, imported three thorough-bred ewes at $100 each, and Mr. Russell three more. The original Dryer flock, with their descend- ants, and those above-named, are all the thorough-bred merinos here.

As to coarse wooled, James E. Reed brought in fifty Cotswolds, from Canada, in 1877; E. J. Shirts got some from Lansing, in 1876, and the rest are largely grades.

PIGS.

The first pure-bred Essex was imported by H. Tower, in 1868, and from his the breed has been widely disseminated.

About 1870, Josiah Russell imported a pair of Essex pigs, and at the same time F. J. Russell imported a pair of Berkshires. The next were imported by Mr. Browne, and then by Hubbard, Hosmer & Co., and now they are scattered all over the county. Mr. Browne is the most extensive breeder, and some of the sires from which his are derived have cost $1,000.

The first Chester Whites were imported in 1870 by D. W. Crosby, and the next in 1881, by T. S. Gurney.

HORSES. The Oceana Chief, imported by Dr. Weare, was for years a

most noted horse, and as a trotter had a record of 2:22} on Sagi- naw track.

The first and only Norman stallion was Gray Marquis, by Hub- bard, Hosmer & Co., who also imported Clydesdale stallions.

But it is Mr. Browne that excels in trotting horses in this county, having a noble herd of trotters, and keeping about twenty head of the two and three-year-olds and fifteen brood mares, the young horses being chiefly from Grand Sentinel and Indicator. His sales of horses in 1881 were $10,000, and for the first half of this year, $6,000. In the Summer of 1882 he purchased six brood mares and fillies from Kentucky. Among his horses are: (1) Lady Turpin, record 2:23, six years old; (2) Golden Dust, stallion, record 2:29; (3) Grand Hambletonian, a stallion, record 2:281; (4) the brown mare Spinella, record 2:30. Among the brood mares are Shadow (2:27), Abdallah Belle, Richmond Belle, Peru Belle (2:27), Lady Humphrey (2:34), Scotia, dam of Spinella, and two others with a record of 2:30; Amethyst, Sea Bird, Lady Arnold, Susie Wilkes, Soprano, Spiletta, Indiana (2:39), Schottische, etc.

FRUIT.

Horticulture in Oceana County seems to have grown in interest every year since the first settlers pitched their tents here in the unbroken wilderness. And as this county has been settled by people who are intelligent and enterprising, they were not slow to discover that if there was any real merit in the claims commonly put forth in favor of what is known as the Great Fruit Belt of Western Michigan, Oceana County must be the " Hub"-for a glance at the map will show that, from the location, she certainly is better protected by the lake than any other portion of the country border- ing on the lake shore. And the abundant success that has followed the efforts of the intelligent horticulturist, fully establishes the fact that they were not mistaken, and from present prospects it will soon be said of the orchards, as it was said of a certain man's cattle of olden time, that they are upon a thousand hills.

The first ten or twelve years after Oceana County began to be settled up, of course, there was but little fruit raised in the county, and the early settlers found a very good substitute in wild berries, of which this county produced so abundantly that hundreds of bushels rotted annually; and they have pleasant recollections of times when whole families, and sometimes two or three families together, rigged in almost anything except their Sunday clothes, with their baskets well filled with dinner, and with an ox team, went berrying, and when a group of merry raspberry and blackberry gatherers returned, the question was how many bushels, and if blackberries, raspberries and huckleberries did not come from spon- taneous generation, they certainly did grow very abundantly.

But since the first fruit trees began to bear, many facts have been developed, indicating that this county is second to none in its adaptability for growing a great variety of fruit.

Lake Michigan, a body of water about 350 miles in length, and nearly 100 miles in breadth, and 900 feet deep, maintains a comparatively uniform temperature; and as this county is located so as to receive the north and west and south winds from off the lake, it has quite a perceptible influence during the whole year. In the Winter, on account of the great depth, the lake does not freeze over, and during very severe cold the winds are tempered, and the result is that the fruit and fruit trees escape uninjured, while at the same time the mercury runs from ten to twenty degrees lower in the latitude of Cincinnati or St. Louis than it does here.

Another climatic advantage is in the Spring of the year there are miniature icebergs, the result of accumulated ice and snow along the shore during Winter, and heavy ice on the numerous lakes, of which there is one at the outlet of each stream, on the east shore

Digitized by Google

106

HISTORY OF OCEANA COUNTY.

of Lake Michigan (besides these there are many other small lakes), and these serve to keep the atmosphere cool, and consequently the fruit buds are not developed until well on in the season, and when the ice is all gone we have Summer.

SOIL.

Any country producing the enormous growth of timber that composes the forest of this county, cannot be other than rich in all the elements of plant food-especially that portion that is cov- ered with maple, elm, basswood and beech; and so prolific is this country in the growth of timber that, when the original forest is cut down, the second growth of timber will be so formidable that in ten years after it is harder to clear than it was to remove the original forest.

The surface of the country is covered to a great depth with a rather peculiar kind of earth, which is said by geologists to have been drifted here in what is called the Glacial or Drift period, in which innumerable rocks were broken up and wrenched from the shores of the Northern seas by the drifting glaciers, and by their action ground and pulverized into a heterogeneous mass of sand, boulders, and in some places clay.

During the last hundred years there has been quite a diversity of opinion in the minds of scientific writers, in regard to the fertility of the soil on this lake shore. But it has been demonstrated that there is nothing equal to experience. In opposition to the opinion and prediction of some who were governed more by theory than practice, this country has gained a national reputation for her fine fruits and vegetables.

There is about one-half of this county that is comparatively barren. There seems to be too great a predominance of sand, and not enough of loam and clay, and it will be some time yet before the means are found by which it can be utilized and made remuner- ative. But we have unbounded faith in the ingenuity of the American people, and these barrens will be made fertile when we learn to utilize some kinds of forage plants that will root deeper than the common grasses, and this, coupled with an improved system of packing the soil, will transform these barrens into fertile fields.

This, perhaps, will be done when we learn to make use of the common broad-leaved burdock, and the bull thistle, and perhaps the Canada thistle, and notwithstanding these plants have been under the ban for generations, yet they are rich in all the elements of food, and it only remains for us to devise the proper mode of utilizing them. Their roots penetrate the earth to a depth that the common grasses will not reach, and in the loose, porous soils of these bar- rens, the plant food is carried too deep to be reached by the common grasses; hence the necessity of utilizing some other forage plants. But it is a well established fact that the more sandy soil is stirred, repeatedly exposing all parts of it to the action of the atmosphere and sun, the more fertile it becomes.

As it is now generally believed that the immense territory west and north of Lake Michigan will, in all time to come, have to depend almost entirely on Western Michigan for her supply of the tender fruits, it becomes a matter of the greatest importance to the fruit growers of this and other counties, bordering on the east shore of Lake Michigan, to perfect a systematic plan of transportation and marketing fruits. This can only be done when the Legislatures of the several states, or the Congress of the United States, will pass suitable laws, regulating freight rates, with the necessary provisions for its enforcement. At present, the greatest drawback to the fruit business is that the shippers are left almost entirely to the mercy of transportation companies, and the result is that the fruit grower has frequently but little profit. The advantage of easy transportation, both by water and also by railroad, is every thing that could be

desired by this country, save the uncertanity of freight rates, which in time, perhaps, will be so regulated as to do justice to both the shipper and the railroad companies.

The following will show something of the interest taken in the fruit business in 1881 and 1882, showing the number of trees sold in the county by some of the leading fruit tree dealers in those two seasons:

L. G. Bragg, of Kalamazoo, apples, 6,335; peaches, 19,676; plums, 1,824; pears, 812; cherries, 701; grapes and other small fruit, 6,254. A. E. Souter, of Shelby, apples, 2,850; peaches, 17,000; plums, 425; pears, 640; cherries, 325; grapes and other small fruit, 375. George D. Lawrence, Pentwater, apples, 765; peaches, 10,625; plums, 180; pears, 80; cherries, 125; grapes and other small fruit, 310.

The following are a few of the leading orchards that are now coming into bearing:

Taylor Lee, of Blackberry Ridge, apples, 8,000; peaches, 15,000; plums, 2,000. Mr. Jay, of Blackberry Ridge, apples, 1,000; peaches, 3,500; plums, 1,200; J. H. Sammons, of Blackberry Ridge, apples, 400; peaches, 4,000; plums, 700.

Of others having large orchards we may mention W. Swingle, Shelby, Section 9, with 500 peach and 600 apple trees; H. H. Pratt, of the same section, 600 peach, 900 apple, 320 cherry trees; Mr. Gebhart in Hart, Section 30, with 5,000 peach trees planted, and who in 1882 sold 13,000 peach and 500 plum trees; also Mr. Wan- mer, Section 30, Hart, with 800 peach and 1,200 plum trees; also Dr. Williams, of Hart, with 1,800 peach, and over 100 apple trees in his orchard.

We append the statistics of fruit in 1880:

FRUITS IN OCEANA COUNTY.

APPLES.

PEACHES.

SMALL FRUITS. (Sold in 1880.}

Acres in

Orchards

in 1881.

Bushels

1880.

Acres in

in 1881.

Bushels

sold in

1880.

Pounds.

Cur. ants,

Berries.

County

1,856.25

40,997

211.29

10.876

2,822

2.030

Townships.

Benona

124.50

8.228

4,190

40)

Colfax

Crystal

110.25

100

Elbridge

204

916

2.25

Ferry

144.50

2,200

Golden

60.50

4,820

29.50

3,638

Grant.

491

4.12

146

Hart

359.50

11,148

42.75

566

1.300

452

Leavitt

1.984

100

Otto ..

480

Pentwater

12.50

610

600 968

400

Shelby

436.75

3.003

27.42

548

120

State

231.479.61 4.831.936 12.908.28 413.418 3.234.969.207.103

COAL KILNS.

This county being well supplied with wood, about three years ago the Spring Lake Iron Company, of Fruitport, conceived the idea of constructing immense kilns along the railway line in which to manufacture their charcoal. Accordingly, in September, 1879, they commenced operations on Section 8, of Shelby, near the village of Shelby, and erected 11 kilns, consuming 1,200 cords per month, producing 45,000 bushels of charcoal. The work is done by Daniel H. Rankin, contractor, who carries on the whole business for him- self, purchasing wood and delivering the coal. The cost of con- struction was about $7,000, and the capacity of each kiln, seventy-five cords. The works here give employment to twenty-five men around the kilns and fifty choppers.

The Spring Lake Company also constructed in November, 1879, near Mears, in Golden Township, 10 seventy-five-cord kilns, making 40,000 bushels of charcoal monthly, and employing seventy men.

Digitized by

Google

Grapes in

Cherries.

Plums,

(Bushels) '

C'aybanks

2,515

Greenwood

90.25

280

Newfield

Weare.

111.50

4,022

8.50

1.060|

280

sold in

Orchards

HISTORY OF OCEANA COUNTY.

107

This is also operated by D. H. Rankin, in the same manner as that at Shelby.

The importance to Shelby and Mears of this industry, may be appreciated by knowing that Mr. Rankin pays out monthly over $5,000, and has shipped from Shelby alone 1,000,000 pounds of coal in a month.

In April, 1880, the New Era kilns were constructed, and are operated by the company itself, Duncan S. Rankin superintendent. They are located on Section 29, Shelby, and consist of 10 fifty-cord kilns, making 30,000 bushels per month. Cost of works, $5,000.

This immense consumption of wood,-nearly 4,000 cords a month,-must tell upon the supply, but there is one feature that deserves to be mentioned,-that any kind of broken wood or branches may be manufactured into charcoal, which utilizes what otherwise would be wasted.

THE PIGEONS.

One of the most wonderful episodes in the history of Shelby has been the great influx of wild pigeons in 1874, but more espe- cially in 1876, when they came in countless numbers. For fear that our figures may be considered incredible, we may mention that they are taken from the returns of the express agent, who is also station agent at Shelby,-Mr. A. Z. Moore. The express agent's fees, 10 per cent on the gross amount collected, were a comfortable addition to that gentleman's salary, in 1874 amounting to $630.29, and in 1876 to $1,553.30! In 1874, there were shipped 768 bar- rels, with twenty-five dozen to a barrel, and 261 coops, with six dozen to a coop; in all a quarter of a million birds. In 1876, there was shipped 1,781 barrels and 1,982 coops, and at the time this report was made, there remained 2,000 dozen live birds, which were captured and were being grain-fed for the market, so that there were shipped from Shelby that year over 700,000 birds, not counting what was teamed out and, used for home consumption. The fame of this influx of pigeons brought hunters and sightseers from a great distance, and at one time as many as 500 strangers sought shelter in the four-year old village. Fortunately, the weather was fine, so they could sleep anywhere, as there was not room to con- tain such a crowd, although all were as hospitable as they could be. The advent of the pigeons is heralded by a few hundred scouts, who select the grounds, and return in a few days with the hosts. In 1876, the nesting was in a dense wood, and was three miles wide and eleven miles long, situated about three miles southeast of the village. They came out the first of April, and remained about three weeks. They lay but one egg, and the male does his share of nursing. In the morning, with indescribable clamor, the males flew on an excursion, and in the afternoon the females took their promenade, the males keeping the eggs warm until their return. It was not lawful to shoot in the nesting, for fear of frightening them away, but many were taken in nets. Wheeler Bros. had at one time 8,000 dozen birds, feeding them on grain. At one time a carload of live birds, and a carload and a half of dead birds were shipped in one day. It is not likely that such an influx of these birds will be repeated, as the country is being cleared up and settled. They came very opportunely for the young village of Shelby, as it brought in much money, which has since been expended in building up the place.

CHURCHES.

The first preacher in this county was Timothy Brigham, of Claybanks, a shoemaker, and at the same time an elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which seems to have been the pio- neer church. Joseph Elliott, the Indian preacher, who preache 1 the first sermon at Pentwater, was a Methodist, although he was edu- cated by a Baptist gentleman, in Boston. He came, in 1856, with other leaders of the Indians, to select lands. He formed the first

class at Pentwater; James Brooker and wife, and C. A. Rosevelt were among the first members. Elliott became blind and died in Elbridge, nearly seventy years old. He established classes among the Indians, in Elbridge and Crystal.

The next Methodist minister was an Englishman, named Naylor, in 1858; next at Pentwater was Rev. Edgar Beard, in 1859. He preached over all of Mason and Oceana, and is now dead. Rev. H. M. Joy, now presiding elder of Grand Rapids district, came in the Fall of 1860, and organized classes at Whisky Creek, Benona and Ferry. Rev. Ahaz A. Darling, ex-supervisor of Hart, and ex-county superintendent of schools, came in 1862, and was in the county two years, organizing classes in Hart and Weare, the latter the first in the town, and among the Danes. The next man sent by confer- ence would not go, as he was frightened out by the stories of his predecessors. He was afraid he would have to live on roots, and might be devoured by wolves. Rev. W. M. Johnson was presiding elder in 1858, and Elder Steele in 1860; then came Rev. J. Boying- ton, who lived four years at Pentwater, and is still one of the leading preachers of the state. Rev. G. D. Lee was preacher at Pentwater while Boyington was presiding elder.

There is an official record kept by the county clerk, in which church organizations are supposed to be kept. They are imperfect, but we give them as correct as far as they go.

The first official county record of church trustees is by the Methodist Episcopal Quarterly Conference, which was held at Pent- water, August 25, 1866, and which is filed with Nathan Crosby, county clerk. It states that Peleg A. Hubbard, William H. Leach, S. G. Rollins, A. W. Peck and Mahar Wigton were elected trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Hart. It is signed by Jeremy Boynton and witnessed by R. A. Wightman, and A. J. Underhill.

THE BAPTIST SOCIETY OF HART

record on 20th November, 1868, their articles of association, which are signed by Amos and William Crosby, Moses Townsend, Ira Jenks, D. W. Crosby, George Reading, James Williams, Ira Harmon, I. J. Fay and William H. Walker. Elder Fay was the preacher.

THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY OF HART

record that on 31st December, 1868, at Pentwater, D. J. Fletcher and George H. Young were elected trustees for three years.

UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF PENTWATER

was formed at Good Templars' Hall, Rev. Robert Queal first pastor, Edgar D. Richmond, John Reed, E. S. Faxon, H. C. Flagg, E. Rice, A. Bryant, trustees; E. L. Williamson, clerk.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GREENWOOD

was organized April 17, 1869, Oliver Swain, W. A. Hoskin and Nel- son Wright, trustees.

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF CLAYBANKS AND BENONA

record that Henry Hendrickson, John Munson, Christian Anderson were elected trustees on October 31, 1869, and that Andrew Brady and H. Hendrickson were elected inspectors.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF FERRY

was formed on 14th February, 1871, at Shelby, at a quarterly con- ference of Otto Circuit. L. Briggs Mitchell, Gould E. Matthews, Paul Dodge, Orrin Benton and Benjamin F. Reed were elected trustees. Rev. B. F. Doughty was at this time presiding elder of the Pentwater district.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WEARE

record that on June 17, 1871, at the residence of J. Brooker, there was a quarterly conference of Hart Circuit, and Rev. B. F. Doughty was presiding elder. Orlo H. Derby, Samuel R. Wilson, Arnold Goodno, Martin Gloyd, Thomas C. Taylor.

Digitized by

Google

108

HISTORY OF OCEANA COUNTY.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SHELBY

met at Churchill's Hall, and the articles of association are signed by A. St. Clair, Alex. Pittenger, M. A. Gilbert, E. B. Gaylord, George M. Piper, Orrin Demming, E. J. Shirts, Jarvis Flemming, Levi S. Gaylord, E. M. Morris, Beer Pittenger, P. R. Cady, Charles H. Hewins, W. M. Branch.

THE GOLDEN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

erected their church edifice at Mears in 1873, Rev. E. L. Kellogg preacher in charge. The first trustees were: S. B. Pringle, E. R. Woodward, J. K. Howe, E. Tiffany, H. Waidley, C. Davis, A. M. Pringle, A. G. Avery and William Hiles.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SHELBY

was organized October 26, 1872, Rev. R. N. Kratz, preacher in charge. James S. Runner, H. H. Pratt, William Rolph, L. B. Parsons, William Clinger, Charles Rolph, and W. H. Churchill, trustees. Rev. George D. Lee was presiding elder at this time.

FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BENONA

was organized January 18, 1873, Rev. L. C. Austin, preacher in charge. R. Sabin, A. Huston, C. A. Sessions, James Gibbs, D. Gifford, trustees. The meeting was held at Benona Center.

FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CRYSTAL VALLEY

was organized November 7, 1874, Rev. D. W. Parsons, preacher in charge. J. S. Loveridge, W. H. Summers, G. C. Crouch, J. H. Gay and C. W. Prouty, trustees.

THE FIRST FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH OF SHELBY

organized January 22, 1876, at W. H. Churchill's office. Those present were: Rufus Hall, M. C. Wade, W. Colburn, G. Wolcott, J. Usborne, P. Colburn, Jr., E. Hulbert. Messrs. Usborne, Church- ill and Hall were elected trustees.

THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST

appointed as trustees II. Coolidge, J. E. Cutler and V. Sullerton, on December 14, 1878.

THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS OF SHELBY

filed their articles of association April 17, 1882. F. Carr, A. E. Hendrick and L. J. Loop, trustees.

MASONIC.

Freemasonry in Oceana County is in a flourishing condition, and on a solid basis. It embraces within its fold the foremost and most substantial citizens, and has long held a prominent place in society. The Masonic Bodies now in active existence are:

1. OCEANA COUNCIL, No. 27, Royal and Select Masters, which was established in 1879. The officers (1882) are: Comp., W. E. Dockry, T. I. M .; A. N. Randall, D. M .; Fred. Nielsen, P. C. W .; A. Sor- ensen, Treas .; J. H. Bouton, Rec .; W. E. Ambler, Cupt. G .; G. W. Imus, Con. of C .; Wm. Webb, Steward; I. N. Lewis, Sentinel; Past T. I. M. Comps., J. Boynton, J. M. Rice and F. Nielsen. Hall over Sands & Maxwell's store. Meeting every second Monday in the month.

2. The next body is OCEANA CHAPTER, No. 56, R. A. M., of Pentwater, which was instituted in 1868. The Past High Priests are: B. F. Doughty, J. M. Rice, W. E. Dockry, L. G. Rutherford. The officers (1882) are: Comp., W. E. Dockry, H. P .; S. A. Browne, King; F. Nielsen, Scribe; A. Sorensen, Treas .; A. W. Newark, Rec .; G. W. Imus, Capt. of H .; W. E. Ambler, P. S .; J. Thompson, R. A. C .; H. Brink, M. 8 V .; J. H. Bouton, M. 2 V .; A. N. Randall, M. 1 V .; A. Palmer, Sentinel. Meetings every third Monday in month.

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 Mason County, Michigan, Part 29

Author: H. R. Page & Co. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 373

Author: H. R. Page & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 373