USA > Michigan > Muskegon County > History of Muskegon County, Michigan: with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 29
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
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Montague. He was united in marriage the second time to Miss Lena Mok, who was born February 6, 1853.
JAMES H. CROSBY was born in the town of Compton, Quebec, in 1843, and was about five years of age when his parents removed to Chicago, Ill. In 1849 they removed to Grand Haven, in 1852 they came to White River Township. At thirteen years of age Mr. Crosby's father died, and he resided first with a sister a year, and with a brother until 1861, when he went to work in the sawmills. On the 19th of July, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F. 5th Mich. Cavalry, and after serving eleven months he was discharged for physical dis- ability. In 1866 he took up a farm on Section 1, White River, and the same year married Laura A. Crosby, of White River, by whom he has one child.
S. J. B. WATSON, farmer, is one of the oldest and most promi- nent citizens of White River, and has filled many public offices, but is now retired to his fine farm. He was born June 20, 1814, in Hartford, Conn., moved when three years old to Watertown, N. Y., and in 1855 came to White River as carpenter to the Ferrys. He was postmaster from 1858 to 1864, receiving about $300 annually; was Supervisor for over ten years, also County Superintendent of the poor, Deputy Sheriff under Gray of Ottawa, Justice of the Peace twenty years, and is still Superintendent of Schools, also Treasurer and Assessor for two years. In politics he is an old time Democrat. He married first, Silvia Slate, in 1836, at Watertown, and the only issue is T. S. Watson, of the Mears Hotel. About 1840 he married Mary Hewitt, by whom he has Sanford Watson, of Montague.
JOB B. KINNISON, son of John J. and Betsey Kinnison, was born in the town of Parny, Monroe County, State of New York, on the 18th day of August, 1826. At the age of fourteen, he bound himself as an apprentice to a cabinet maker. He remained in this position for five years, giving the closest attention and un- tiring energy to mastering the details of the trade. The first prac- tical account to which he turned his knowledge of cabinet making was at Munday Valley, whither he went and engaged to work for Edward and Samuel Swayne, but after one year and a half in their employ his health became seriously affected from the inhalation of dust arising from black walnut turnings. After two years of suf- fering he was sufficiently recovered to resume business, but not dar- ing to risk another attack by working in contact with walnut he purchased a boat on the Genesee Valley Canal and conducted that business during the ensuing season. It was at this time that Mr. K. met Miss Ellen Marks, a very estimable lady, daughter of Sam- uel and Betsy Marks, of Old Dansville, Livingston County, N. Y., and on the 7th day of June, 1848, they were united in marriage. Mr. K. removed to Michigan three years afterwards and has been a resident of the State ever since, residing in various portions. Mr. K. enlisted Aug. 5, 1861, in Co. G, 6th Mich. Infantry Volunteers, under Col. Curtemas. He was mustered into the service at Kala- mazoo on the 21st day of August, 1861. This regiment was enlis- ted for three years. It was sent to Baltimore, thence to Newport News, and was at Forts St. Philip and Jackson during the siege of those noted places. His regiment was the first to unfurl the union colors in the city of New Orleans. He was afterwards sent to Vicks- burg, Baton Rouge and Alexandria, where he partook of two sharp engagements; also Brazin City, La., Pattersonville, and in captur- ing the rebel gunboat, William H. Cotton, while on a soouting ex- pedition near Lake Pontchartrian. Mr. K. received injuries from which he has never recovered and for which he is now drawing a pension of $18 per month. These injuries were caused by falling through a railroad bridge while in pursuit of the retreating rebels. Soon after returning from the army Mr. K. came to White River Landing, on the 9th day of June, 1866, and has lived there ever "since. His occupation at present is fishing. He has represented
the interests of the town to a considerable extent during his resi- dence there, holding the offices of Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace and Postmaster, to which office he was appointed April 1, 1880. His family consist of the following named: Mary H., born April 6, 1853; Lucretia B., born July 20, 1856; Mary Ann, born Aug. 10, 1858; John S., born Sept. 24, 1860; Eliza E., born Dec. 28, 1861; Of this number Mary Ann died Sept. 6, 1860, at Cheshire, and John S., died September 24, 1860. There was also one child Maud H., which died in its infancy. Lucretia B. is the wife of Frank S. Nickett, married at Clay Banks, Jan. 22, 1871; and Eliza E. was married Feb. 21, 1821, to Benj. F. Johnson. Both of the latter named gentlemen are at present residing in White River.
CHAS. P. CUSHWAY, sawyer, at Heald's mill, Montague, was born in Saginaw in 1829, is of French extraction, and the son of an Indian trader, who was also born in Michigan. After various moves with his parents, at eighteen Charles came to Grand Haven and shipped on the schooner "Honest John," and also the sloop "Ranger," both belonging to Charles Mears, the latter carrying but fifteen cords of shingle bolts. He also sailed a coaster called the Ocean, and worked for years for the Ferrys at "the mouth," and for the last nine years for Heald & Co. He married in 1855 Esther Louisa Storms, whose decease a few years ago he had to mourn, and who for the last ten years of her life was an intense sufferer. He is the father of four sons and two daughters. Mr. C. is of a small but wiry and well-knit frame, capable of enduring great hardships, is yet vigorous and delights in telling tales of his early pioneer days. We are indebted to him for help in picturing these times.
THOMAS HAWKS was born in Devonshire, England, March 10, 1824. As a boy he worked round for the farmers of the vicinity, until he concluded to try his fortune in the New World. In 1847 he landed in Quebec, went thence to Port Hope, Ontario, and final- ly to Janesville, Wis., where he remained six months, when he went into the employ of Charles Mears, with whom he remained nine years. In 1858 he purchased land in Section 11, of White River Township. Mr. H. desirous of selecting the very best locality, had tried Canada and Wisconsin and found nothing to suit him better than his present place, which he purchased on the advice of Mr. Mears. It was a wilderness when he moved on it with his family into the log cabin he had built. It is now one of the finest farms in the township. He has purchased in all 280 acres. In 1856 he married Miss Angeline Harder, of Woodstock, Ill., by whom he has six children, four of whom survive.
ROBERT HAWKS was born in Cornwall, England, in 1828. In 1849 he came to Quebec, and thence he shortly removed to Port Hope, Ontario, and in two weeks removed to Milwaukee, going thence to Janesville, Wis. In the fall of 1850 he went to work for Charles Mears, remaining in his employ thirteen years, part of which time he was in Canada and also in Chicago. After this he lum- bered two years, then worked a year for Mr. Mears, and in 1859 he bought a farm in Sections 10 and 15, in what is now Fruitland, living on it three years, after which he worked in Whitehall for sev- eral parties for four or five years. For four summers he wooded steamers of the Lake Shore line, and for three summers he wooded for various boats. In 1872 he purchased a farm in Section 11, White River Township. June 5, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth Harder, of Woodstock, Ill., by whom he has had six children, of whom three survive. In 1862 Mr. Hawks purchased six lots in Whitehall village, on which he built, and was offered for the prop- erty $4,000, a part of which he still owns. He has a very fine farm with soil of a clay loam, and he has about the best fruit farm in the vicinity. In 1881 he realized quite a snug sum from his fruit. He has endured many hardships in the various callings in which he has engaged.
WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP.
In order to understand properly the municipal history of White- hall and Montague it is necessary to recapitulate the history of
OCEANA TOWNSHIP,
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which included, until 1874, both Montague and Whitehall Town- ships, and the northern portion of Blue Lake. Oceana was itself an offshoot of White River Township, and was organized by the Board of Supervisors of Ottawa County, at a special meeting held at East- manville April 1, 1859, and the inhabitants interested were sum- moned to their first special meeting at 9 A. M., on the 18th day of the same month at the school house in section 20, Township 12, north, in Range 17, west, and the notice was signed by Jas. P. Scott, Clerk. The meeting having been convened as directed, the fol- lowing officers were selected: Israel E. Carleton, Chairman; Evan Knudsen and Zerah Mizner, Inspectors of Election, and Moody Farman, Clerk; and to the credit of the people be it mentioned that their first motion was to appropriate one-half of the two mill tax for a township library. $75 was ordered for general expenses. A pro- posal to give [$200 to the poor was voted down, and $25 was carried. Job Sargent was elected pound keeper over R. L. Harmon. It was then resolved that all studs and mules be prohibited from running at large, but on consideration, mules were allowed to retain their liberty, and the move to restrict swine was promptly voted down.
There seems to have been thirty-five voters present, and the following is the list of officers elected :
Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, Moody Farman; Treasurer, Andreas Knudsen; Justices of the Peace, Lewis Grow, Thos. Sed- den, Jas. B. Jewell; Highway Commissioners Jas. Jewell, Peter Hobler; School Inspector, I. E. Carleton; Overseers of the Poor, John Killson, Evan Knudsen; Constable, Thos. Sedden, Jr., Dan'l Basom.
The next important meeting was at the house of E. Knudsen, on Oct. '31,1 1859, at which it was ascertained that from the Township of White River there was due the munificent sum of $33 for primary school fund. It appears that Daniel Basom had removed [from the town, and his place as constable was filled by Volney B. Gee, and as Highway Commissioner by the appointment of Moody Farman. There were but three accounts to settle, and but three members present, each of whom had an account for ser- vices, in all $14, which was allowed. Those present were Evan Knudsen, Chairman; M. Farman, Clerk; and Lewis Grow.
On Jan. 11, 1860, the Supervisors again met, and all they seem to have done was to pass about a dozen accounts, amounting to the sum of $83.
The next annual meeting of the township was held at the same school house as before, April 2, 1860. $150 was voted to be raised for the expenses of the past year. The mules were attended to this time, and it was voted to restrain them from running at large. The following were appointed Overseers of Highways:
Road District No. 1, Job Sargent; Road District No. 2, J. B.
Gee; Road District No. 3, A. A. Parker; Road District No. 4, John Killson; Road District No. 5, I. E. Carleton.
They thereupon proceeded to elect officers for the ensuing year, thirty-three voters being present, as follows:
Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, E. Knudsen; Treasurer, N. Sargent; Justices, Horace Jones, Jacob B. Gee, A. A. Parker; Commissioner of Highways, J. Killson; School Inspector, J. D. Pullman; Overseers of the Poor, John Webb, Randolph Ward; Constables, Jas. L. W. Farnsworth, N. Sargent, M. Hines, V. B. Gee.
No meeting is recorded again until Jan. 12, 1861, when Messrs. Carleton, Parker and Knudsen being present, E. Grow and E. Knud- sen were appointed road commissioners, and accounts amounting to $72 were passed, the Supervisor getting $37 and E. Knudsen $12 .- 40, which shows how economically affairs were conducted in those early times.
At the next annual meeting on April 1, 1861, Carleton, Knudsen and J. B. Gee, J. P., were present, and $100 was ordered to be raised for township expenses, and again to their credit be it mentioned, that one-half of the two mill tax was appropriated for district library. The Overseers of Highways elected were:
Road Dist. No. 1, Hiram Staples; Road Dist. No. 2, J. B. Gee, Road Dist. No. 3, A. A. Parker; Road Dist. No. 4, D. Basom; Road Dist. No. 5, A. G. Vanholton; and Job Sargent for the "third term" pathmaster. The voters present, 39 in number, then proceeded to elect officers for ensuing year as follows:
Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, Hiram E. Staples; Treasurer, N. Sargent; School Inspector, I. E. Carleton; Justices of the Peace, Jesse D. Pullman, Jas. Sewell; Highway Commissioners, R. L. Harmon, John Webb; Constables, Owen Soules, V. B. Gee, N. Sar- gent, W. J. Kennedy.
No more meetings are recorded until Sept. 30, 1861, when vacancies perhaps caused by the war, were filled as follows: M. Far- man, Clerk, and J. B. Gee, G. Franklin and Joseph Heald, as Justices.
On the 7th of April, 1862, the next annual meeting was held, at which Job. Sargent was re-appointed pound keeper, and Over- seers of Highways as follows:
District No. 1, N. Sargent; Dist. No. 2, A. W. Clark; Dist. No. 3. T. J. Whitbeck; Dist. No. 4, E. Sargent; Dist. 5. John Gusta- vison.
The annual election, thirty voters being present, resulted as follows:
Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, M. Farman; Treasurer, N. Sargent; Justices, J. D. Pullman, I. E. Carleton, A. A. Parker; School Inspector, J. D. Pullman; Highway Commissioner, N. Sar- gent; Constables, N. Sargent, R. L. Harmon, Owen Soules, H. W. Landford; Assessors, J. D. Pullman, N. Sargent.
On April 6, 1863, the next annual meeting was held. This time the animals running at large were still further circumscribed from that privilege by including jacks and swine, an invasion of the
RES. OF H. E. STAPLES ESQ. WHITEHALL, MICH.
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HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY.
poor man's rights which no doubt caused a ripple of excitement at the time.
Job Sargent was again appointed pound keeper. The [meeting then proceeded to elect officers, only 26 voters being present, with the following result:
Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, Jos. Heald; Treasurer, N. Sargent; Justices, H. L. Brown, Dugald Leitch; School Inspector, I. E. Carleton; Highway Commissioner, John Webb; Assessors, Jos. Heald, N. Sargent.
On Dec. 30th, of same year, accounts amounting to $94 were passed.
At the next annual meeting, held April 4, 1864, $130 was ordered to be raised for contingencies, and swine were again allowed to root up the highways and enjoy the liberty of nature.
The meeting then proceeded to elect officers, 24 voters present, with the following result:
Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk. M. Farman; Treasurer, N. Sargent; Justices, E. Knudsen, A. D. Rice, E. Grow; Highway Commissioner, T. J. Stanage; School Inspector, D. Leitch; Con- stables, O. Soules, R. Ward, W. G. Allen, F. Sargent; Assessors, N. Sargent, T. J. Stanage.
On the 15th of August, 1864, a special meeting was held to de- termine whether bounties should be given to certain volunteers, and eighteen votes were given for $100 each to three volunteers, and five for no bounty.
On Dec. 24th the annual account, amounting to $112.49, was passed, $62 to Supervisor Carleton, who resigned at this session, Joseph Heald being appointed to fill the vacancy.
At the annual meeting held April 3, 1865, $150 was ordered for repair of bridge across White Lake; the same amount for slab bridge between Dalton's Mill and White River; $100 for contingen- cies ; $100 for fencing burying ground; $50 for the poor. The office of pound keeper for the whole district appears to have been too onerous for one man, so Job Sargent was appointed for the north side of White Lake, and Peter Hobler, for the south side.
This time there were 62 voters present, and the following were elected for the next term;
Supervisor, Jas. D. Sturtevant; Clerk, M. Farman; Treasurer, C. C. Thompson; School Inspectors, M. Farman, A. J. Covell; Jus- tices, D. Leitch, P. Dalton, E. Knudsen, M. Hall; Highway Com- missioners, Joseph Hinchman, P. Dalton, Jos. Heald;
As Joseph Hinchman refused to serve N. Sargent was ap- pointed in his stead.
On the 29th of May a meeting of the township boards of Oceana, Blue Lake and Dalton was held to adjust the finances, Oceana being represented by Sturtevant and Farman, Dalton by Hiram Stearns, David E. Califf and Simeon Freeman, and Blue Lake by A. P. Ware and B. F. Aldrich. The result, as far as Oceana was concerned, was to allow for contingent fund due $83, for library $30, and for war loan $210.
At the next annual meeting on April 2, 1866, at first $80.16 was allowed for contingencies, but the $100 appropriated the year before for fencing the burying-ground being unexpended, it was voted to transfer it to the contingent fund, and to rescind the first motion for $80.16. Perhaps as a compensation for leaving the cem- etery unfenced hogs and mules were solemnly restricted from run- ning at large. Six hundred dollars were appropriated for roads and bridges.
Job Sargent was again appointed path-master for the whole township.
The meeting then proceeded to elect officers for the next term, 118 voters being present, with the following result:
Supervisor, C. C. Thompson; Clerk, M. Farman; Treasurer,
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E. Knudsen; School Inspectors, J. D. Sturtevant and D. Leitch; Highway Commissioners, N. Sargent and P. Hobler.
On Sept. 11th it was resolved to levy $200 for the poor and $200 for the contingent fund.
The expenses of the township seem now to have risen, proba- bly in consequence of the necessity of developing its resources, as, on Dec. 22d, $420 was voted for the payment of accounts, and a week afterward $75 more.
At the next annual meeting $600 was ordered for contingen- cies, $300 for roads and bridges, and $500 for the poor fund.
There were 136 voters present and the following were elected: Supervisor, C. C. Thompson; Clerk, Chas. Cook; Treasurer, A. J. Foster; Justices, C. Cook, A. G. Hopkins and William M. Simon; School Inspector, E. C. Dicey; Commissioners of High- ways, D. C. Brown and Wm. M. Simon.
On April 6th, 1868, it was moved that the poor of the town be sold to the lowest bidder, and that such bidder treat them well.
There were 289 voters present, and the following was the re- sult:
Supervisor, John A. Wheeler; Clerk, P. I. Hedges; Treasurer, Z. Mizner; Justices, P. I. Hedges, P. Dalton, G. S. Rosevelt, Jas. D. Sturtevant; School Inspector, H. E. Staples; Commissioners of Highways, G. W. Rice, John Miller; Pound Keeper, Robert Hawks.
A financial statement showed that the 2 mill tax raised $515.51, township tax $2,113.51, and dog tax $51.
At a meeting on June 26th, 1868, the Supervisor was paid $250.
On July 15th C. L. Parks resigned as Constable, and Peter Hobler was appointed.
On December 21st Robert Hawks was allowed $24, or $2 per month, for the use of the pest house, which would indicate the presence of some epidemic, which we find in the next resolution to be small pox, as A. G. Hopkins and Wm. Simons are allowed eight days' services each, at $1.50, and $6 to Wm. Peck for services in case of small pox, under direction of the Board of Health.
On January 9th, 1869, fences were ordered around the burying- grounds. At the same meeting $200 was transferred from the contingent to the poor fund, which would indicate considerable dis- tress.
On the 16th $50 more was transferred to the poor fund, a re- minder of the effects of a hard winter; in all $850 were appropri- ated to the poor.
At this time there was found to be in the treasury $780.38.
At the annual meeting on April 5th, 1869, $500 were appro- priated for contingencies, $200 for roads, $1,000 for the poor, $50 for Whitehall cemetery, and $25 for the Harman cemetery.
Two hundred and twenty-seven voters were present, and Israel E. Carleton had three votes more than Dewitt C. Bowen for the Supervisorship; Clerk, P. I. Hedges; Treasurer, Z. Mizner; Jus- tices, G. S. Rosevelt and E. R. Burrows; School Inspectors, G. W. Rice and D. G. Scroggs; Highway Commissioner, A. W. Clark; Pound Keeper, C. C. Thompson.
On May 24th $200 was transferred from the road to the poor fund.
Clark Whitney was appointed Constable on June 7th, but as he declined to serve Hiram Stearns was appointed on July 21st.
On the 21st of October it was resolved to raise $600 more for the contingent fund, and the Supervisor was allowed $500, and the Clerk $75.
On February 2d, 1870, the only business done was to extend the time for the payment of taxes to March 1st, the first time such a resolution appears on the books.
On the 19th of March, according to the petition of thirty rate
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payers to grant aid to the Michigan & Lake Shore R. R., the Board met. The petition was for $30,000 for said road, under certain conditions set forth, and was signed by C. C. Thompson, D. C. Bowen, J. Heald, and others. The scheme was to issue bonds to the amount of $30,000, at 7 per cent., the bonds to be not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, and to fall due, $5,000 on March 1st, 1875, and so on, $5,000 each year until paid. The vote was 256 yeas and 26 nays. The balance in the treasury at this time was $1,542.24.
In 1870 there were 289 present and I. E. Carleton was again elected by 165 to 124, over D. C. Bowen, as Supervisor; Clerk, Henry Slater; Treasurer, Z. Mizner; Justices, E. R. Burrows and Moses Hall; Commissioner of Highway, H. E. Staples; School Inspector, D. Leitch; Pound Keeper, Wm. E. Parker.
On May 2d a vote to grant $4,000 to build a bridge across the head of White Lake was carried by 94 to 4.
On the 31st of October $550 was voted to the Supervisor, $100 to the Clerk, $1,800 to roads, $700 for the contingent and $1,500 for the poor fund, and on Dec. 16th the Clerk was requested to charge the Treasurer $14,539.84 for taxes, as per assessment roll. The State tax was $421.90, county tax, $5,245.05, and the 2 mill tax $759.88.
W. C. Sargent was elected pound master. 272 voters were present with the following result: Supervisor, John A. Wheeler; Clerk, H. Slater; Treasurer, Z. Mizner; Justices, D. G. Scroggs, Jas. Dalton; Commissioner of Highways, M. S. Perkins; School Inspector, D. P. Glazier.
In January 1872 we find that the State tax was $790, county tax, $3,683; township tax, $2,800; school tax, $5,666. In all $13,479.
At the annual meeting held April 1, 1872, there were 377 votes and H. E. Staples received 20 more votes for Supervisor than John A. Wheeler. Clerk, H. Slater; Treasurer, Z. Mizner; Justices, A. G. Hopkins, D. G. Scroggs; Commissioner of Highways, C. H. Cook; School Inspector, C. C. Thompson.
On the 31st of March about $127 was raised for the care and burial of a small pox patient. On the 1st of November $500 was voted to build a pest house.
The old book of Oceana Township has some rather quaint no- tices; for instance, it is recorded on May 25th that J. B. Gee about the previous New Years, took up a two year old "female swine" spotted black and white with a long bushy tail. We preserve the "tale" for posterity by recording it in our history.
WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL.
In 1874 the township of Oceana was subdivided into two town- ships, the northern and western portions containing about nineteen sections, being named Montague Township, and the southwestern part containing 13 sections, being 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 35, and 36, and was named Whitehall. White Lake and the river were the general boundaries, although Whitehall has a small fraction across the river. In Montague is the village of Mon- tague, as yet unincorporated, but there is a movement to do so among its most enterprising citizens. The township at its last cen- sus had fourteen more inhabitants than 'Whitehall. Generally the soil of Montague is quite sandy near the water, but speed- ily becomes a heavy clay or loam on leaving the river or lake. White- hall is chiefly a sandy loam. Out of Whitehall has been taken the incorporated village of Whitehall from its western "side, extending for about one and a half miles, on the east side of White Lake from near the head at Staples & Covells mill to the site of the old water mill, now Wilcox's, near which is a beautiful part of the village full of neat, clean residences with thrifty gardens, chiefly occupied
by Swedes with a few Norwegians, and known as Johnson's Addi- tion or more popularly as Swedentown. The inhabitants came here mostly direct from Scandinavia and have done well, working in the mills and teaming. They are a reading, thinking race, and are sure to make good citizens. Whitehall extends inland to Hall's Addition a distance of one mile.
The division of the Township of Oceana was vigorously opposed by many, especially in the south, but was partly brought about by a feeling that in the north they had not the proper share of officials or influence. The first town meeting in White- hall Township, was on Friday, April 10, 1874. The Inspectors of Election were H. E. Staples, H. Slater and A. Mears. Poll Clerk, W. F. Nufer and James Williams. 330 votes were cast for Super- visor; Albert Mears got 218, Z. Mizner, 112. The other officers were John Tait, Clerk; C. E. Covell, Treasurer; Justices of the Peace, P. I. Hedges, J. D. Pullman; Commissioners of Highways, H. Ruggles, P. Hobler, M. R. Stevens. For Constables, N. Pat- terson, W. Smart, F. M. Stewart, D. W. Covell; F. Hinman, School Inspector. $600 was voted for contingent fund; $400 for the poor, and $500 for roads and bridges. For overseers of high- ways, Swain Nelson was elected for district No. 7, and William Sprague for No. 8. Watson Smart, pound keeper. There was however, a previous joint meeting of Montague and Whitehall, at the office of the Lumberman, on the 5th of March, 1874, Joseph Heald, chairman, and John Tait, secretary, for the purpose of di- viding the funds and apportioning the indebtedness of Oceana. For road districts 7 and 8 Whitehall, there was due $348, and for school districts 3 and 4 about $85; for Montague road districts 1 to 6 there was due about $260, and for the school districts about the same amount. It happened that a poor man, Henry Gibberts, was buried at the public expense on the 10th of April, the very day set apart for the new town meetings, so it was agreed to take $41- rather an expensive funeral-out of the common poor fund to pay the expenses. The amount of funds on hand to be divided was only $859.92, of which Whitehall got $474.46. The Board also found Oceana indebted to the amount of $200 taken from the road fund for building a road to the trading post on the north side of the lake and $100 for a road on the south side; and $500 for the bridge between Montague and Whitehall. The total indebtedness of Oceana was $1,050, of which Whitehall was assigned $581.05.
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