USA > Michigan > Muskegon County > History of Muskegon County, Michigan: with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 25
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EDWIN E. HAYWOOD was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., June 3d, 1826. He settled in Eaton Rapids, Mich., in the Fall of 1841, and in Muskegon City in 1846, and located land in Casnovia, in section 25, where he still resides. Mr. Haywood has large holdings of land in other localities, and is extensively engaged in the lumber interest.
WM. H. TwIss was born in Brutus Township, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Aug. 3d, 1825, and settled on section 25, Casnovia, in 1851. He was married in Seneca Co., O., Aug. 17th, 1847, to Electa Ben- nett, who was born in Ohio June 13th, 1829.
M. HOLDEN was born in Somerset Mass., March 30th, 1831, and settled in Missouri in 1859, remaining till 1864, when he located in Casnovia, in section 25. He has been twice married- first on Jan. 6th, 1855, to Elizabeth Kealiher, who died Dec. 20th, 1873. His second marriage was celebrated Oct. 21, 1879, with Mary A. Frink, who was born in Yates Co., N. Y., Jan. 9th, 1840.
NATHANIEL F. WESTCOTT was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., July 13th, 1826. He was married Nov. 5th, 1848, to Phobe J. Fulker- son, who' was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., July 28th, 1827. He settled on section 26, Casnovia, in 1850. Mr. Westcott was Road Commissioner for fifteen years; also Township Treasurer. He died July 18th, 1879.
AZARIAH LYNCH was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Sept. 11th, 1832. He settled in Ohio in 1841, and in Casnovia in 1860. He was married Nov. 15th, 1857, to Abigail J. Green.
JACOB PROBASCO was born in Casnovia Sept. 6th, 1853. He was
married Dec. 8th, 1876, to Polly Miller, who was born in Chester, Feb. 20th, 1858. His father, George Probasco, was born in Penn- sylvania in 1827, and married Sarah Surrarrer in 1850. He settled in Casnovia in 1848, being one of the very first settlers.
A. J. SIMMONS was born in Carthage, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1834, and settled in Casnovia in 1857. He is a farmer and lives in section 26. He was married Nov. 11th, 1855, to Josephine E. Reed, who was born March 16th, 1833, at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. They are the parents of thirteen children, only four of whom are living. The record of the deaths is: Everett, March 22, 1862; John, March 5, 1865; diphtheria, the terrible scourge, took the next five, Julia Ann, June 1, 1870; Edwin, June 3, 1870; Asa, June 4, 1870; Evaline, June 9, 1870, and Rebecca, June 19, 1870. Byron died March 8, 1873, and Edna Aug. 23. 1875.
R. P. HANNA was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Aug. 23, 1840. He followed lumbering till 1865, when he settled in Cas- novia and was known as a builder and contractor. In 1873 he built a pump factory, added a cider mill in 1875, and a heading mill in 1881, all of which he still owns and operates. He was mar- ried Jan. 13, 1870, to Amelia Stevens, by whom he has two chil- dren.
HENRY M. NICHOLS was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., May 23, 1841. He moved to Hillsdale Co., Mich., and remained there until 1862, when he enlisted in Battery F., 1st Mich. Light Artillery, and served nearly four years. He was in forty-seven battles-from Somerset, Ky., to the battle of British Cross Roads, N. C. He was married June 17th, 1866, to Ellen L. Barber, when he settled in Casnovia, and now resides on section 22, and is engaged in farm- ing and brick and tile making.
D. BARTRAM was born in Ontario, Can., Dec. 17, 1827. He moved to Lambton Co., Ont., in 1847, and remained till 1867, when he located at Canada Corners, Casnovia, and is engaged in the man- ufacture of sawed lumber and shingles.
P. A. THOMPSON was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., June 6, 1829; settled on Section 35, Casnovia in 1853; enlisted Jan. 20, 1862, in the 16th U. S. Regulars; wounded at Stone River in the right arm and side; served fifteen months. Married April 7, 1850, to Rach- el Pruden, who was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., April 15, 1829.
R. G. HUTCHINS was born in Clinton Co., N. Y., Oct. 4, 1840; enlisted August, 1862, in the 153d N. Y. Volunteers; served over three years in the department of the Southwest, and in seven regu- lar engagements; settled in Casnovia in 1866 on Section 35. Has been supervisor two terms. Married Jan. 1, 1866, to Maria H. Phelps, born in Clinton Co., N. Y., Sept. 27, 1844.
SOLOMON DRAVENSTRATT was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, July 22, 1829; settled in Eaton Co., Mich., in 1853, and in Casnovia, Section 14, in 1858. Has been twice married, first Sept. 25 1854, to Elizabeth Paine; second marriage March 10, 1881, to Mrs. A. McManus, who was born in Branch Co., Mich., Jan. 15 1842, and settled, in connection with his father's family (Timothy Colby) in Casnovia in 1848, being one of the very first settlers.
ORRIN WHITNEY was born in Seneca Co., Ohio, August 15, 1825; settled in Casnovia in 1854. Has been school inspector, and is serv- ing his second term as treasurer. Married Nov. 25, 1852, to Mary E. Cook, who was born in Seneca Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 1831. Three children.
JOSEPH MINNICH was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Oct. 4, 1823; set- tled in Casnovia in 1855, on Section 3, where he still resides, own- ing four hundred acres of land, and is a very successful farmer. Has held the several township offices of supervisor, treasurer, clerk, jus- tice of the peace, etc., and is the present Master of Trent Grange No. 372. Married May 21, 1846, to Harriet S. Wyllys, who was born in Portage Co., Ohio, Dec. 12, 1828.
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
OLIVER WALKLEY was born in Middlesex Co., Conn., April 30, 1809; settled in Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1837, and in Casnovia in 1853, on Section 3, where he still lives. Has been supervisor and justice of the peace. Married Nov. 15, 1830, Parthena Smith, who was born in Conn., April 20, 1812. Mr. Walkley had two sons in the war of the Rebellion.
LAFAYETTE SEAMAN was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 1831; moved to Hillsdale Co., Mich., in 1842, and settled in Casnovia, Muskegon Co., in 1853, on Section 4, where he now lives. Married Sept., 1861, to Roxana Moore; has seven children. His father, John Seaman, was among the very first in his section of the town to make a settlement. He was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., July 14, 1804. Married April 29, 1827, to Lucretia Wyllys, who was born April 19, 1803, both of whom are still living, (1881).
DR. VICTOR SINZ was born in Switzerland, Dec. 30, 1838, and was educated in Classics at Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, and received his medical education at Naples, Italy. Settled at Frelandsville, Indi. ana, 1859. Served in the U. S. army of the Rebellion for three years and five months as assistant surgeon; was twice wounded. Married March 4, 1866, to Mary Cleland, who was born at Liberty, Steuben Co., N. Y., Dec., 24, 1848. Settled at Trent, Casnovia Tp., Muskegon Co., in April, 1872, as a practicing physician, which oc- cupation, in connection with a drug store, he still continues.
NATHAN WHITNEY. If we look among our pioneers for men who have been closely identified with the progress and interests of a lo- cality, we shall find no one more so than Nathan Whitney. He has been closely identified in the government of his locality, having been township clerk, school inspector and supervisor for eighteen years, representative to the State legislature, etc. He was born in Huron Co., Ohio, Nov., 11, 1821; settled in DuPage Co., Illinois, in 1844, and in Casnovia, Muskegon Co., Mich., in 1854, and en- gaged in farming, and at present is the owner of 240 acres of land in that township. Mr. Whitney has been twice married, first Sept. 12, 1844, to Matilda Chambers, who was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., February, 1824, and died March 26, 1858; second March 4, 1860, to Lovicy Henry, born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Sep. 23, 1829.
GEORGE CARRINGTON was born in Leicester, England, April 6, 1831; settled in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1840. When he arrived at his majority he traveled in California and other places till 1858, when he settled in Ashland and engaged in farming on Section 33, where he still owns a farm of 186 acres. In 1869 he also engaged in the mercantile business at the village of Trent, Casnovia Town- ship, which he still continues. He was married Dec. 16, 1857, to Sarah Mitchell, who was born in England, Jan. 12, 1837.
BENJAMIN WHITNEY was born in Seneca Co., Ohio, Dec. 22, 1823; settled in Kent Co., Mich., 1849, and in Casnovia Tp., Mus- kegon Co., in 1854, and engaged in farming and milling, which he still continues, being the owner of the gristmill at Trent. Has been treasurer and collector two terms. Married June 26, 1851, Rachel Blauvelt, who was born August, 1832, and died October 22, 1877.
GEORGE A. MILES, born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Nov. 21, 1817; settled at Grand River, Mich., in 1856, engaged in the lumbering business, and moved to Casnovia Tp., Muskegon Co., in 1869, and is engaged in the mercantile business. Has been justice of the peace twenty-four years, and is the present postmaster of Trent. Married Nov. 21, 1843, to Elizabeth H. Marshall, who was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., and died Dec. 25, 1850; second marriage Jan. 17, 1852, to Catherine M. Tooker; five children.
ALEX. McINNIS, born in Argyleshire, Scotland, November, 1822; settled in Elgin Co., Ontario, in 1832; moved to Lambton Co., Ont., in 1846; remained till 1866, when he settled in Casnovia Tp., Canada Corners, where he still resides. Married Feb. 1, 1854, Nancy McClellen; six children.
HERMAN GILBERT, born in Seneca Co., Ohio, April 19, 1842, moved to Kent Co., Mich., in 1849, and to Casnovia, Muskegon Co .; in 1854, settling on Section 8. Married July 3, 1862, to Josephine E. Rowland; second marriage April 2, 1877, to Kate M. Hull, who was born in Ashland Tp., Mich., June 5, 1856.
HERMAS GILBERT, born in Seneca Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1839; moved to DuPage Co., Illinois, 1844, and in Kent Co., Mich., in 1849, and in Casnovia, Muskegon County, in 1854. Has been con- stable, township clerk, and secretary of Trent Grange. Married Sept. 18, 1864, Minerva A. Hart, who was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 24, 1839.
EUGENE W. CRANMER, born in Hillsdale Co., Mich., Nov. 19, 1849; moved to Alpine, Kent County, in 1851, and to Casnovia in 1876, settling on Section 9, where he still resides. His occupation, a farmer, or more particularly a nurseryman, furnishing fruit trees and ornamental stock. He also has a peach orchard of 1,700 trees. Married Feb. 17, 1875, to Ida M. Chatterdon, who was born in Alpine, Kent Co., March 3, 1855.
S. B. OLMSTEAD, born in Northumberland county, Ontario, June 23, 1843; moved to Kent county, Mich., in 1855, and to Casnovia in 1857 and engaged in the lumber and shingle manufactory at Trent, owning a saw and shingle mill. Married Jan. 1, 1868, Agnes A. Minnich, who was born in Portage county, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1851.
GEORGE BROWN, born in Wayne county, Mich., Aug. 4, 1831; settled in Casnovia Township, on section 16, in 1860. Enlisted in the 1st Mich. Light Artillery, January, 1864; served under Sher- man till the close of the war. He married Lydia Norton, in 1855.
JOHN SPRING, born in Kent county, Mich., Aug. 17, 1847. Early in life engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store at Grand Rapids. In 1870 he commenced the dry goods business on his own account at Grenville, Montcalm county, Mich., remaining till 1875, when he transferred his business to Bailey, Casnovia Township, and is a member of the firm of Spring & Lindley. He married Sept. 2, 1872, Frances M. Love, of Grand Rapids.
RUFUS B. LINDLEY, born in Ontario county, N. Y., Jan. 5, 1830. Early learned the joiners trade which he worked at till 1875 when he engaged in the mercantile business with J. Spring at Bailey. He married, May 11, 1854, Louisa Love, of Grand Rapids.
CHAS. FRALIGH, born in London, Ontario, June 22, 1823. Settled in Casnovia in 1868, and died Feb. 16, 1881. He married Dec. 8, 1842, Hannah Zavitz, who was born Feb. 4, 1822.
JAMES I. WALKER, born in Onondaga county, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1825. Learned the trade of blacksmith and wagon maker and carried on that business till 1865, then coupled farming with it till 1871 when he started a hardware store at Bailey, and in 1879 changed to the grocery business, which he still continues. Has been Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. Mr. Walk- er has been twice married, first Oct. 8, 1846, to Fannie Gaines, who died in 1854; second marriage Jan. 23, 1859, to Mary C. Berry, who was born at Little Falls, N. Y., March 22, 1830. Four chil- dren.
A. W. FENTON, born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., May 8, 1837. Settled with his father in Kent county, Mich. in 1846. Engaged in farming till 1876 when he settled at Casnovia and commenced the drug business which he still follows at Bailey. He married May 23, 1861 Sarah S. Porter, who was born in Monroe county, N. Y., Nov. 1841. His father Cornwell Fenton, was born in Rutland, Vt., July 24, 1796. Settled in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., about 1836, and died in Kent county, Mich., July 14, 1865.
CHAS. F. RUSSELL, born in Monroe county, N. Y., Sept. 7, 1839 Settled in Casnovia in 1856, on section 15, now lives on section 24. Enlisted in the 12th Ill. Cav. in 1863; served three years under Gen. Banks. He married May, 1859 Silence M. Seaman, who
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was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., April, 1839. Father's name Wm. H. Russell, born in Vermont, Oct. 6, 1804, died April 23,1871.
JOHN HERALD, born in Wyoming county, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1835; moved to Steuben county, N. Y., in 1856, thence to Missouri in 1867, remained a year and settled in Saginaw county, Mich., in 1868, and in Çasnovia, Muskegon county, in 1871, and resides on section 21. He married Feb. 15, 1862 Sarah Young, who was born Dec. 25, 1838 and died Feb. 18, 1875. Mr. Herald has been Town- ship Clerk four years and elected Supervisor for 1881, but resigned on account of ill health.
JOHN A. MILLS, born in Chittenden county, Vt., Feb. 23, 1826. Settled in Stark county, Ohio, in 1837 and in Muskegon county, Mich., in 1854, and soon after engaged in making sawed shingles, being the pioneer shingle maker in this locality. Now is engaged in farming on section 16, Casnovia Township. Has been Town- ship Treasurer two terms and Director of the Poor. Married Dec. 11, 1847, Emeline Harlow from New Hampshire, who died May 23, 1850. Second marriage Dec. 12, 1850, to Caroline Dingman, who was born in Oswego county, N. Y., Sept. 7, 133.
LEVI B. SEAMAN, born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., May 8, 1836. Settled in Hillsdale county, Mich., in 1842, and in Casnovia in 1 53. Has been Township Treasurer three terms, and School In- spector. Married January 1861, Hattie Mitchell, who was born in England, 1838.
L. B. MURRAY, born in Pollet Township, Vt., Sept. 9, 1820. Settled in Washington county, N. Y., in 1828, remaining till 1837, when he moved to Erie county, N. Y .; there remained till 1842, when he settled in Calhoun county, Mich. In 1857 he moved to Tyrone, Kent county, two miles east of Bailey. He has generally been engaged in farming and now has a 240 acre farm in Tyrone, but resides at Bailey. He married Dec. 9, 1846, Emily E. Arnold, who died March 3, 1864. Second marriage Jan. 15, 1866 to Mrs. Sarah E. Probasco, maiden name Surrarrer.
WM. AVERILL, born in Syracuse, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1828. Settled in Ottawa county, Mich., in 1848, and very soon after moved to Muskegon county, and in 1850 purchased his present farm on sec-
tion 32, Casnovia Township. Has held the offices of Commissioner of Highways, Township Clerk, School Inspector and Justice of the Peace. Married Jan. 1, 1855, Adeline Ferguson, who was born in Oswego county, N. Y., July 2, 1835.
MYRON ABBOTT, born in Wayne county, Mich., Sept. 2, 1851. Settled in Casnovia in 1859. Has always followed milling which he still continues in connection with owning and running a steam thresher. Is acting Postmaster at Slocum's Grove and Notary Public.
HINSON COLE, born in Seneca county, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1821. Settled in Oakland county, Mich., in 1831, and in Muskegon coun- ty in 1857, on section 7, Casnovia, where he still lives. Married 1850 to Betsy Young who died in 1859. Second marriage 1860 to Martha Lambeck.
SMITH K. LEWIS, born in Chemung county, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1832. Settled in Casnovia on section 7, in 1861. The same year enlisted in the 3d Mich. Inf. Served three years in the Department of the Potomac; wounded at the second battle of Bull's Run, also in front of Gettysburg. He married Sept. 2, 1879, Shelda M. Young.
JAMES H. LOBDELL, born in Fairfield, Vt., Sept. 6, 1818. Set- tled in Chemung county, N. Y., in 1835 engaged in freighting on the canal, being the owner of a boat. In 1842 he settled at Eaton Rapids, Mich., moving to Lansing in 1849 and to Muskegon county in 1857; was the first Sheriff of the county, also brought the first stock of goods to Casnovia. He married, July 1838 Ruby Ann Lewis, from Chemung county, N. Y. Mr. Lobdell at present is en- gaged in farming on section 18, 240 acres.
AMOS SLATER, born in Washington county, N. Y .. March 30, 1821. Settled in Newago county, Mich., in 1854, and in Casnovia, Muskegon county, in 1857, on section 7, where he still lives. Be- sides being a farmer he owns a saw mill on section 11, Moorland. Was Supervisor of Bridgeton Township, Newaygo county, and has been Treasurer of Casnovia. He was married Dec. 10, 1846 to Lydia A. Wallace, who was born in Washington county, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1823.
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C
EGELSTON TOWNSHIP.
The town is bounded on the north by Cedar Creek, on the east by Moorland, on the south by Fruitport, on the west by Muskegon, from which it was set apart at the first meeting of the County Board of Supervisors, after separation from Ottawa on July 18, 1859. The first meeting was held at the house of William Sturdefant, who was one of the petitioners. Adna Egelston, an early surveyor, in honor of whom the town was named, was the first Supervisor and was elected continuously every year until 1873, a period of over thirteen years, when David R. Jones took his place. In 1874 E. R. Porter was elected; in 1875, W. Carr; in 1876, A. Durdy; in 1878, W. Carr, who has been reelected annually until the present time.
In 1881 the officials were: W. Carr, Supervisor; Alanson Rice, Clerk; John Littell, Treasurer; John Parkhurst, School In- spector; Aaron Eakright, School Superintendent; and W. Carr and Frederick Delano, Justices of the Peace.
The population in 1860 was but 29; in 1864, 153; in 1870, 233; in 1874; 317; in 1880 it had fallen to 218. It will be seen from this that a year after it was set apart in all its territory of thirty-six square miles, but twenty-nine persons were found in its limits, and which has risen in fourteen years to 317. During the last six years it has fallen back to 218. This is accounted for by the fact that Egelston was at that time a great lumbering region and that it has now been largely denuded of its timber and has to depend upon agriculture. One circumstance which has retarded the develop- ment of Egelston has been the large blocks of land held by non res- ident owners, who valued it chiefly for its timber. The Booming Company, Ferry & Bro., and others own considerable land, and
other sections are government and railway lands. There are but few schools and these in the eastern side, one on Section 11, another on Section 22, and a third on Section 36, where E. R. Jones, one of the oldest, if not the oldest settler, came in 1853.
There is no post office in the town. A village lot was laid out and named Almer, on Section 33, on land belonging to J. Scott and A. Cummings. It is near the head of Black Creek, whose branches, the Little Black and the Cranberry, water the southwest of the town.
Carr Lake, chiefly on Section 32, is about half a mile each way, and has four smaller lakes to the west.
The soil is chiefly sandy and covered with oak and pine, the latter being nearly cut off. The southeastern portion is best settled and the soil there is clayey and gravelly. There is considerable wet or marsh land, which will doubtless ultimately prove the best land in the town. S. C. Hall, on Sections 13 and 24, and part of the ad- joining section of Moorland, has a noble farm of nearly 2,000 acres, called Deer Park farm, which had been set down by the surveyors as impassible marsh. The farm is managed by John Littell & son. It is thoroughly ditched and raises great crops of hay, which finds a ready market in Muskegon city.
Settlers are beginning to come in and settle on the sandy soil, and if it is worked right they will do well. Wolf Lake is a beautiful lake, the water being clear and cool. There is neither an outlet nor inlet to the lake, some parts of the shore of which are springy. The size of the lake is about one mile long by one-quarter mile wide. It covers most of Section 16.
CEDAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
This town contains thirty-six square miles, and lies between Holton, Dalton and Egelston, with Newaygo County on the eastern boundary. It contains a number of lakes, of which the largest is Duck Lake, on Section 11, which is three-fourths of a mile long and half a mile wide. Mud Lake and Clear Lake lie to the west of Duck Lake. The Muskegon River crosses the southeast, and Cedar Creek drains the whole town.
MUNICIPAL.
This town was originally a part of White River, and then of Dalton, and was set apart with Holton attached in 1861, which union lasted for ten years, Holton going by itself in 1871. The Su- pervisors of Cedar Creek have been Norman Cunningham, in 1861- 2-3-4-5-6; Paul G. Shippey, in 1867-8-9; E. Dalton, in 1870. In 1871 Paul G. Shippey appears again on the board of Supervisors,
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
107
and is reelected in 1872-3, then Seth Evans comes in 1874-5-6-7- 8; M. Thompson, in 1879-80; and Seth Evans has been Supervisor ever since, having just been elected for the fourth time. The Jus- tices of the Peace are Seth Evans, Rice Jones and Aaron E. Sevrey. The present Supervisor is Seth Evans, Treasurer, Anton Schmidt; Clerk, Warren F. Odion, who is serving his third term, and came to the town in 1866.
The population of Cedar Creek was 166 in 1864, 660 in 1870, 291 in 1874, and 432 in 1880. The fall in population in 1874 may be accounted for in that Holton was not included. The town of late years is improving agriculturally.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Joseph Martin claims to have been the first settler in Cedar Creek on Section 1, in 1856, at which time there was but one man named Sheppard near, who was logging but not a permanent set- tler. A lumberman, J. Thompson, now deceased, was up the river, and was on the river two or three years before Martin. Charles Odell, now of Holland, came in about 1856 and lived next to Mar- tin. Then came Hendrickson, Richard Ryerson (brother of Martin,) John Schmidt and Anton Schmidt.
Almira, daughter of Jos. Martin, born in 1857, was the first white child born in the town.
The first teacher was Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Ryerson, who taught in her own house before a school house was built.
The first school house was on Section 12, on Hendrickson's land. Miss Adelia Wilson (now Mrs. Martin Ryerson, her husband being the son of Richard) was the first teacher there.
The first missionary to preach was the Rev. Mr, Irvine, a Bap- tist from Twin Lake.
Tho Norwegian Lutherans have a church edifice on Section 25, where there is quite a large settlement.
The first saw mill was that of Mr. Jones, on Section 35, now gone to decay.
The Shippey mill in 1867 was the next, and A. T. Linder- man's in the northeast corner of the town was the last.
In 1869 Mr. Ruprecht built a small mill at Duck Lake, and sold it to Blodgett & Byrne, who moved it to Holton in 1871, and after one year built larger. There are no other saw mills except S. P. Hartshorn's small mill on the Little Cedar.
The soil of the town is not very inviting, being chiefly clay and sand, Sections 1, 12 and 36 being among the best. There is not much pine left, much of it being taken off by Otto Ryerson and Peter Johnson, both now deceased.
The first marriage was by John Hendrickson to a Miss Syphers; that of Martin Ryerson and Adelia Wilson, being also among the earliest.
Taxes are light, and the town is in no debt. Fires have done but little damage. The crops have generally been fair, except in 1881, but there are but few farmers as yet in the township.
The Muskegon road is the chief route of travel, it being less than fourteen miles from the center of the town to Muskegon; but since 1872, when the railroad came in, Holton has had considerable of the farmers' trading.
In Cedar Creek, about two miles from Twin Lake, is
LINDERMAN'S SIDING,
where is A. T. Linderman's shingle mill, built in 1879 by C. W. Dunning & Co., and purchased by Linderman in 1880, capacity 50,000 per day. Mr. Linderman, who is a prominent merchant of Whitehall, has also a model farm where he raises on sand, clover knee deep. This farm is 640 acres on sections 4, 5 and 6; his mill is on section 5.
JOSEPH MARTIN, farmer on sections 1 ard 12, on 200 acres, came among the very first settlers in 1856, was born in Lower Can- ada in 1825, and brought up in his native place. At 24 years of age he went west, and after various wanderings he settled in Cedar Creek. He married Almira Piche, in 1855, and has had eight chil- dren, of whom six survive.
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