History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 103

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York, Munsell & company
Number of Pages: 882

USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan > Part 103

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).

In accordance with the provisions of the act, Aaron Greeley was appointed to make the survey of all the lands in Monroe county. He began the work in the fall of 1809, and completed it in 1810. His work was prosecuted under many serious difficulties. Such were the conflicting interests of the claimants, that at times it became almost im- possible to determine what their just allow- ance should be. It was utterly impossible to adjust these claims to the entire satisfaction of a community holding their lands by no title save that of possession. These private land claims embraced the entire lake border of Monroe county, and lands on either side of the River Raisin, to the west line of the township of Raisinville ; also lands on Plum creek, Otter creek, Stony creek and Swan creek. The claimants were mostly French, who settled on their claims at an early day.

The survey was not made according to any parallels or meridians, but were run at right angles with the course of the streams on which they lay. They were generally narrow, ex. tending back into the country a distance often of six or eight miles, and embraced some of the finest farms in Monroe county. Many of these farms are still held by the descendants of the original claimants.

There were a few English or Yankee families residing in the county at that time, who were generally regarded as intruders upon the rights of the settlers of longer standing, and were consequently subject to many inconveniences and privations by the original owners or claimants.

At the close of the year 1811 matters as- sumed so much of a warlike appearance as to render a residence extremely unsafe for American families, in consequence of the influ- ence exercised by the British leaders, and others in the interest of Great Britain, over the Indians. The designs of Congress, there- fore, in regard to the surveying and bringing into market the lands in this district, were frustrated for the time being. In the summer

596

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

of 1816 a party of surveyors arrived to resume the work. The survey begun by this party has a base line and principal meridian of its own, separate from the adjoining States. The base line begins at a point on Lake St. Clair, 173 links south of the southeast corner of old land claim 222, and extends west to Lake Michigan, a distance of 212 miles, and was run by David Fletcher. The principal meridian was run due north from the Maumee River, at Fort Defiance, to Lake Huron. This line was run by Aaron Greeley. A full party for such a campaign consisted of one surveyor, one axe man, two chain bearers, two pack men, two hunters and one cook.

In 1817 the southeast corner of the State was divided into townships, and in 1819 it was subdivided into sections. When we consider the circumstances and disadvantages under wbich the work was performed-immediately after the close of the war, in which the Indians had been stimulated to acts of barbarity-

traversing rivers and swamps, and an unbroken wilderness swarming with wild beasts of prey, and attended with dangers on every hand, we can but regard them as heroic and courageous. Robert Clark meandered the River Raisin from the confluence of its branches, near Adrian, to its mouth, a distance of 178 miles by course of the river. He was a veteran surveyor, and died on the Indian trail, with his compass on his arm.

Riley Ingersoll (then living at what was af- terwards Dundee) was elected supervisor of Raisinville in 1823, Samuel Atkinson in 1829, Richard Mettez in 1830 and 1831, Cyrus Ever- ett in 1832, Norman D. Curtis in 1833, Eliph- alet Clark in 1834, Norman D. Curtis in 1835, William H. Montgomery in 1836, George Young- love in 1842. For supervisors from 1842 to 1888, refer to page 267-270. The records from 1850 to 1873 were burned with the court house. For town officers from 1873 to 1888 inclusive, see page 276.

SUMMERFIELD TOWNSHIP.

Summerfield was settled in or about 1820, among the first settlers being Seth and Polly Wells, Louis, Morris and Russell Wells, Lucy, Olive and Electa Wells, who settled a short dis- tance east of the present village; John N. Wadsworth, Richard Peters, Elihu Ward. Rich- ard Peters came here in 1824, settling on sec- tion four, nearly opposite the present railroad station of Petersburgh, and in his house the first white child, Charles Peters, was born March 17, 1826.

The first school house in the township was a log structure on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section thirty-four, on what is now known as the Tremain farm (then the Louis Wells farm). It was started by subscription about 1827. In 1831 the building becoming overcrowded a school house was built on the east part of the Wadsworth farm on sec- tion thirty-five, and one in the village on the corner of Elm and River streets, about forty rods south of the bridge, both log. The latter was replaced in 1836 with a frame building, on the corner of Elm and Saline streets, which was opened by Alonzo Bigsby in the winter 1836-7, and remained until 1869, when it was moved to the eastern part of the village, converted into

a dwelling house, and the present graded school built at an expense of $1,400. There are at present nine school districts in the township, each having a very commodious school house. The total enrollment of the schools is 571 scholars, with a seating capacity of 634, and an average attendance of 440. The valuation of the buildings is about $20,000.

The first township meeting was held in the house of Mrs. Polly Wells, a short distance east of the village, having adjourned to there from the house of Morris Wells.

The first bridge of which we find any rec- ollection was built across the Raisin in 1828, by Benjamin Davis, prior to which Richard Peters ran a ferry-boat by means of which both wagons and men were taken over the river.

The first saw mill was built in 1829, east of the present water mill, and became the prop- erty of Cole & Wing in 1836.

In the spring of 1882 J. P. Becker com- menced operations tending to the establish- ment of a steam touring mill, and with Myron B. Davis the business was briskly carried for- ward. They first began to grind in December, 1883. The main building is 45x50, three

597

TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.

stories high, and a sixty-horse power engine for motive power. The roof is of iron, and the building a substantial edifice, as nearly fire-proof as possible. Shortly after Mr. Lantz purchased the interest of Mr. Becker, and the mill is now under the control of Lantz & Davis. In 1832 the only doctor in the township of Summerfield (including Dun- dee) was " Annt" Sina Parker, grandmother of the Hon. Burton Parker, to whose skill as as physician, many still living in the town- ship can bear testimony, she being very suc- cessful in handling the diseases then incident to the country.

The village of Petersburgh is situated on the River Raisin a little north of the center of Summerfield township, on the Detroit branch of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Rail- road, about midway between Adrian and Mon- roe. The village was originally the farm of Richard Peters (from whom it was named) and deeded by him to Thomas T. Cole and Austin E. Wing in 1836, by whom the village was platted.

The village is nicely laid out with broad streets, thickly shaded with evergreen trees, the streets crossing at right angles east and west. The corporation is laid out into blocks of about three acres each, and are uniformly graded and well provided with sidewalks. For communication with the outside world the Lake Shore road runs three passenger trains each way daily on the Detroit division, while telegraph and express facilities are much better than in many places of greater pretensions. The postoffice was opened in 1826 and named Petersburgh after Richard Peters, the first postmaster, who held the office until 1845.

For history of the Presbyterian church of Petersburgh, the reader is referred to page 504.

The history of the Methodist Episcopal church of Petersburgh in its early day is so closely connected with that at Dundee, that the history of the latter is substantially that of the former up to about 1850. The meeting at which the first class was formed, of whose names only that of Mrs. Bartlett and Mrs. Russell can be recalled, was held early in the summer of 1837 in " Uncle Dave " Russell's barn, and continued there till the inclemency of the weather compelled them to meet in the school house. As it was connected with the Dundee mission, the same preachers had charge

until 1850, when it was divided and attached to Palmyra. In 1856 a lot was donated for church purposes by Austin E. Wing, and a church built the same year. In 1859 it was made a charge by itself, and so continued until 1874, when it was united with Deerfield. The present membership is sixty, with a Sunday- school having an average attendance of abont fifty, with Elihu Wadsworth superintendent.

The Free Methodist church in Petersburgh was organized in February, 1887, in the house of B. F. Rose, Rev. W. Cochrane pastor in charge. In 1886 a church was built at a cost of about $700, which was dedicated October 6, 1887, at which time a Sunday-school was or- ganized, with E F. Tremain superintendent. The present church membership is twenty-one.

The Church of Christ was organized in the spring of 1878. The flock had for its shep- herd in 1878-9, Elder E. W. Gordon, and J. J. Harris from 1880 to 1884, since which they have ouly had evangelical preaching at inter- vals, although each Sabbath holding Sabbath- school and social meeting. In 1879 the society built a frame church, which was dedicated the first Sunday in June by State Evangelist Sias.

The Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's con- gregation of the Unaltered Augsberg Con- fession, was formed in 1876 by the Rev. F. Iske, then pastor at Ida, who commenced preaching in Petersburgh in 1875. The Rev. Christian Hager was installed pastor in August, 1876, in which year the congregation built a church at an expense of nearly two thousand dollars, which was dedicated November 10, 1876. The Rev. Duever followed in August, 1878, and later the present pastor, Rev. J. Krue- ger, was installed. At present there is a member- ship of thirty-four families represented by one hundred and fifteen communicants, in the con- gregation. The church has a parochial school with forty scholars, and a parsonage adjoining the church, valued at eleven hundred dollars.

At the close of the war the only brick build- ing in the village was a small blacksmith shop on Center street, west of Saline street ; now there are eight brick dwellings, two brick blocks of stores and offices, a brick church, a brick school house, and a brick grist mill, being an increase of from $300 in 1865, to upwards of $50,000 in 1888. During this time nearly one-half of the village has been built up, in fact all that portion on Center street, east

598

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

of Division, and south of Walnut, with the exception of one house. At the present time the population numbers over six hundred. Dur- ing this time newspapers have been printed by several parties, the pioneer effort being the Avalanche, by Henry T. Gage & Co., which was started in June, 1871, continuing until the fire of September 4, 1872, when it was suspended. This was followed by J. C. Seeley with the River Raisin Clarion, which, after about a year, was closed out by mortgage fore- closure. In May, 1880, Ira D. Boardman issued the first number of the Bulletin, which to all appearances has come to stay, as its circulation is 700 and increasing. Politically it is independent. The Journal was started November, 1883, by a stock company, consist- ing of John O. Zabel, Dr.Frank Willett, Eugene Cornell and Willey K. Gonsolus. February 25, 1884, fire suspended the issue for about three months, when O. C. Bacon & Brother, having purchased all that remained after the fire, resumed the issue, and continued until March, 1887, when the plant became the prop- erty of E. A. Gilbert.

JAMES I. RUSSELL.

Among the older residents of Summerfield perhaps none are more worthy of mention than Helen M. Russell, the widow of James I. Rus- sell, who was for many years closely identified with the early history of Summerfield. She was born in Oneida county, New York, March 7, 1819, and with her parents, David and Wealthy (Dewey) Curtis, came to Summerfield (now Dundee) in 1833. In the summer of 1839 she kept school in the first frame school house ever built in the township, and December 8, 1840, married James I. Russell, and began housekeeping in a little log cabin on section 16, on which farm she lived until Mr. Russell's death, February 1, 1882, when she purchased a house in the village of Petersburgh, into which she moved the next April.

In speaking of her life, which for nearly half

a century had been spent on the old farm, she bas just reason to be proud of the family which she has there reared. The oldest, James Otis, born February 19, 1842, was offered a sacri- fice on the altar of his country, enlisting in the Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery, and dying in the hospital at New Orleans, November 27, 1864, after passing through many hard-fought battles ; Jane Ann, born April 23, 1844; Alonzo C., born November 27, 1847, died September 17, 1849; Horace Isman, born February 11, 1850, now a train dispatcher in Oregon ; Henry Wayne, born April 3, 1852, now a mining su- perintendent in Mexico; Mary Wealthy, born May 4, 1854, died October 26, 1854; Newton Buchanan, born September 18, 1855, and now living on the old farm ; Orra Hull born Nov- ember 18, 1858, now one of the leading hard- ware merchants of the township; and Eugene D., born February 9, 1861, and for some years past, township clerk.

Of Mr. Russell we would say that up to the time of his death, February 1, 1882, he had al- ways been a respected and honored citizen. Born in Jay, Essex county, New York, June 24, 1812, he came to Summerfield at an early date, and was the last survivor of the number who voted at the first election in the township. He drove the first team through to Toledo, and helped construct the first dock in the " Corn City." Although devoting his time chiefly to farming, he always manifested a lively interest in the various improvements and issues of the times, serving as supervisor four years, and as representative one term, as well as most of the minor offices in the township. As a public man his record was clear ; as a private citizen he was a genial whole souled gentleman, well and favorably known to nearly everyone in the section of his home. Possessed of fine so- cial and conversational talents, he was always a welcome addition to any company, never failing to add a large degree of pleasure by his jovial good humor and fund of information and aneedote. At bis funeral was one of the largest turn-outs ever seen in Summerfield, the business houses in Petersburgh all being closed during the hours of his funeral.

Respectfully Gains M. Gandu

Very Sincerely, Eliza Z. learnder.

THE NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY.

- ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

599

TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.

WHITEFORD TOWNSHIP.

At a meeting of the electors of the township of Whiteford convened at the house of William Wilson on the 7th day of April, 1834, for the purpose of organizing said township according to law, William Wilson was chosen moderator, and James White, clerk; and after being duly qualified the meeting elected the following officers :

Supervisor, David White; clerk, James White; assessors, William Wilson, Frederick Leonardson, William M. White; collector, Elisha Corbin ; poor directors, Joseph Titsworth, David White; highway commissioners, Adam A. Gardinier, Samuel Russell, James Egnew ; Constables, Philander M. Jeffers, Elisha Corbin; overseers of highway, Frederick Leonardson, Samuel Young, Bishop Surdam, Patrick Flynn, John S. R. Ludd; fence viewers, James Dein, William McMillan.

April 12, 1834, the township was divided into road districts - five in number.

April 7, 1838, the school inspectors met and appointed Henry Vaughan chairman, and di- vided the township into districts.

The annual report of the several school dis- tricts for the year ending September 3, 1888, show the number of children attending school in the township 496. Of the school houses six are frame buildings and three brick, with a total valuation of $5,550. The schools have a total seating capacity of 539.

THE CANDEE FAMILY.

Caius Marins, eldest son of Asa and Mary (McAlpine) Candee, was born in Volney, Os- wego county, N. Y., June 7, 1812. His father, though of English ancestry, was born in Connecticut, while his mother first saw the light in Scotland, and came with her parents to America early in life.

The early years of Caius were spent in help- ing his father on the farm, and in school. In 1831, when nineteen years of age, during a re- vival of religion he came to realize, in some measure, the importance of a change of heart; he at once yielded and began to live in har- mony with his convictions of duty. He soon united with God's professed people. The tem- perance question being agitated about that

time, he joined the temperance society, and has always been able to keep his pledge.

At the age of twenty-one he had acquired considerable skill in the management of a saw mill, and also tanning, as they were both ap- pendages to his father's farm. Hc had also learned the shoemaker's trade. As the family was large, and his help was not needed at home, he started for the West in the fall of 1833. He spent the winter and the following summer in Waterville, Ohio. In the spring of 1834, the whole family having decided to go West, two brothers, next younger than Caius, came on with a span of horses and a wagon, purchased a lot of land, now in Whiteford, Monroe county, Michigan, still known as " Candee Place," and commenced making improvements. They built a shanty fourteen feet square of poles, such as they could raise, covered it with elm bark, ex- cept one corner for smoke to escape. They planted a few potatoes and sowed some buck- wheat.

One of their horses being rendered almost entirely worthless by rushing into a place where a log heap had been burning, that the smoke might relieve it from the pest of mos- quitos, they exchanged the other for a yoke of oxen, by the help of which they were enabled to raise logs for the body of a house. About this time one of the brothers was taken very ill with fever. Caius came from Waterville, and all were looking anxiously for the family to come on account of the sickness of Selden. On the 18th of September they arrived in Vistula, now Toledo; found conveyance to the Forks, now Sylvania. The family found shel- ter for the night at General White's, while the father hastened to visit the sick son, and also to get the team and an early start for a load of their goods. As they had to go by way of Sylvania for want of another road, they met General White coming to superintend hay- making on his marsh land, and had volun- teered to bring the family along. Cains now alighted from the wagon, exchanged greetings with loved ones, from whom he had been so long separated, and then hastened forward in hope of having a more extended interview on his return. They did not arrive home with their load until after daylight the next morn- ing. But what was their dismay to find the

600

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

children surrounding the bed in which their sick brother lay, their mother lying on the other bed, having died of cholera morbus a few hours before.

Disheartening as the circumstances now were, arrangements must be made for the funeral. There was no cemetery nearer than the Forks, and the report had made the people fearful of spreading the disease. With the ap- pliances they could command a coffin was pro- cured, a grave dug a few rods from the shanty, just within the inclosure they had been able to make, a few men were secured to help. One offered prayer, and then the coffin was forever hidden from their view.

Force of circumstances now demanded effort. The sick must be cared for. Winter was com- ing. Their house must be finished to protect them from the cold. Their mother, by economy in management, had been the practical financier of the family. Now Alty and Jane, fifteen and thirteen, and Amy eleven years old, were learning the same lessons without any visible teacher. In the four young men their father realized efficient help in carrying on improve- ments; and when means failed their muscular strength enabled them to clear a few acres of land, work in a sawmill, make boots and shoes or in some such way replenish their depleted exchequer.

After a year or more, Messrs. Robert Smith, Russell Clark and a few other settlers arrived, which made a school possible, where children might be taught the first rudiments. Re-en- forced from time to time by another family, who had decided to emigrate where land was cheap, and grow up with the country, which prepared the way for civil institutions to be established, and thus afford opportunities for mental culture, of which they had been so long deprived.

After a few years, avenues of usefulness, more or less remunerative, opened to one and another, until the father and oldest son were left mostly alone on the farm. For a large family to be deprived of a mother's care so early in life, it may not be amiss at this point to give a brief account of cach in the order of ages. Leander, the second son, farmer, died of inflammatory rheumatism in Hillsdale county, aged thirty-four. Selden went, in an early day

from the lead mines of Galena, to California, secured his pile and returned to Iowa, to locate as a farmer, from which he has now retired in old age. Gideon, railroad man, brief illness, buried beside his brother in Hillsdale county, aged thirty-four. Alty, Mrs. Oliver Wilson, oc- cupation has been farming, but he is now an invalid, Toledo. Jane, Mrs. Silas Phelps, . Fergus Falls, Minnesota, farmers. Amy, Mrs. S. K. Joles, farmers, Hillsdale county, age sixty-three years. Ara, blacksmith, farmer and creamery, Iowa. Eardly went to the Mexican War, passed through a number of battles uninjured ; received his pay ; was hon- orably discharged; returned as far as New Orleans, where all trace of him was lost. A steamboat explosion on the Mississippi about that time, in which his family supposed he might have perished. George, minister, grad- uated from Oberlin Theological Seminary, late of Grand Rapids, Michigan, now pastor in Toledo. Huldah, Mrs. George Cassada, farmers, Iowa. The last two were of triplets. The third died early. Orinda, Mrs. J. F. Siddall, dentist, Oberlin, Ohio. Mrs. Eliza H. Candee was born in Schodack, Rensselaer county, New York, February 3, 1821 ; married to C.M.Candee October 25, 1854. A singular coincidence is that each belongs to a family of thirteen chil- dren. One son, George H., and one daughter, Mary C., remain with them. The aged father is deserving of some further attention in this summing up. He held the office of treasurer in the township for a time ; was a man of strict integrity, regarding financial prosperity as bearing no comparison with the value of his word. He remained with them most of the time until his death, which occurred Septem- ber 15, 1871, at eighty years of age. As to the offices held by Mr. Candee, he was elected supervisor in the spring of 1850, and again in the spring of 1868, and the seven suc- cecding years; besides he held a few other offices for a limited period. As they have now long since passed the meridian of life, and though their pathway has been mingled with trial, yet they have much to be thankful for, and think proper at their age to be taking in sail, and thus become prepared to welcome quietude and retirement.

MRS. ELIZA H. CANDEE.

GENERAL INDEX.

PAGE.

Advocate,

PAGE. 492

Court,

137, 266

Allouez (Jesuit) .

10-22

Court, First U. S.

Amateur Boat Club, 391-392

Court-house, 42

American Flag,

Cryptic Masonry, 339

Anderson, Col.

Dablon, Claud, 11, 24

Aquatic Sports, .

391

Daniel (Jesuit), 9

Ash Township,

578

Detroit, 9, 20, 28, 51

Avalanche, . 495

Dewey Bros. 467

Battle of Lake Erie, .

Battle of River Raisin

54-67,73-81

Dundee Ledger,

495

Battle of the Thames,

Dundee Reporter,

495

Bay Point Club,

411

Dundee Township,

584

Bedford Township, 479

Eaton, J. C. 424

Benac, Joseph P. 38

Egnew, Jared, 40

Berlin Township,

583

Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, 570

Blackbirds,

139

Eldred, Jarvis, . 209

Blanchard Lodge,

333

Elections, Monroe (town and village) 138, 140

Boat Builders,

409

Ellis, Edward D. 136, 491

Boating,

391

Emanuel Lutheran Church,

516

Brandy, .

Enterprise, . 495

Brebeuf (Jesuit),

Erie Shooting Club, 411

Brickyards,

423

Erie Township.

587

Bridges, 43, 140

412

Eureka Lodge, . 334

Cabinet Officers, 253

Evangelical Church, 512-514

Cadillac, 28

139

Exeter, 591

Canada Southern R. R.

238

Farmers, 43

Capitular Masonry, 338

Felch, Alpheus,

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 Monroe County, Michigan, Part 103

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: New York, Munsell & company Number of Pages: 882

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York, Munsell & company
Number of Pages: 882