USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 27
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A shanty erected on section 23, in 1835, was perhaps the first building dedi- cated to education in the township. Here, in the summer of that year, Mariette Tedman had gathered the Hagerman children, the Tellers, the Bakers, and others of that vicinity, to instil into their young minds the rudimentary principles of knowledge. She was highly esteemed for her devotion to the work, and her amiable qualities. Polly Baker followed her as one of the other early teachers. A substantial school-house took the place of the old one in a few years, and was also occupied for religious meetings.
In the northeastern part of the town the first school was held in Nicholas Fer- guson's barn in the fall of 1836. The building had just been erected, and, as the neighbors desired a school, Mr. Ferguson told them that one corner of his barn was at their service for this purpose. Accordingly, a board was put up to show where the school-room ended and the barn began. Miss Sarah Gilbert was in- vested with the honor of teaching in this novel school-house, at the very moder- ate salary of six shillings a week. Her pupils were the Gilberts, Whiteheads, Blanchards, and Fergusons. Subsequent schools were kept in dwelling-houses until 1838, when a small frame school-house was built on section 12. Miss Ken- dricks was the first teacher there.
The first school-house in the southwest part of the town was erected in 1838. It was a frame building, not very large, but for those times quite comfortable. It was situated on section 27, about eighty rods west of Lakeville. Borden Taylor, Mary Snow, and Mariette Tedman were among the first to fill the teacher's posi- tion, and the pupils came chiefly from the Snyder, Dudder, Bowers, Snow, and Larzelier families. But previous to the building of the school-house there was a private school kept by Mrs. Leonard Jarvis, in her shanty on section 33, proba- bly in 1836, which was attended by the children of that part of the township. The township is now well supplied with a fair class of buildings for school purposes, and some of those more recently built are noteworthy for their fine appearance and convenience of arrangement. The school-house at Lakeville especially is marked in these respects, and is a credit to the place.
MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, AND DEATHS.
Respecting the first marriage in the township there is some difference of opin- ion. In the absence of more definite information we can only give the dates of some who assumed the bonds at an early day. George K. Snover, of Oakland town- ship, married Charity Hulick, at the house of Dennes Snyder, in the fall of 1834. A year or so later William Tupper married Sarah Snyder. Nothing definite can be learned as to the first child born in Addison, and we do not venture an opinion as to whom this distinction belongs. Among the first deaths in the township was that of Austin Roy, who had come to see the country. He was taken ill, and died very unexpectedly in the latter part of 1836. He was buried on section 32, and his grave is at present in a neglected condition. About this time an elderly man, named Smith, was drowned in the lake, while fishing. He was buried at the Snyder school-house, on section 23. In 1838 a Mr. Hotchkiss, a blacksmith, who came into the country in 1836, and settled on section 11, was buried at the same place.
Aside from a few private burying-grounds, the grave-yard on section 23 was the
only one used by the early settlers. It was never thought a very desirable location, and was probably selected on account of its proximity to the school-house. In 1843, Ernest Mann donated one acre of ground on section 34 to the public, for its use as a cemetery. To this spot most of those interred elsewhere were trans- ferred. Derrick Hulick, a soldier of 1812, who died in 1843, was the first person buried in what is now known as the Lakeville cemetery. The situation of the cemetery is exceedingly fine, and when it is improved, as contemplated, it will indeed be a beautiful " city of the dead."
SOLDIERS OF 1812.
To Jesse Elwell-who lived on section 19-and Derrick Hulick belong the honor of having served our country in the struggle with Great Britain. Both served in New York, but their company connections cannot be ascertained. The former died in 1874, the latter in 1843.
THE VILLAGE OF LAKEVILLE.
The very first settler of Addison seemed to realize that somewhere on section 27, at or near the outlet of the principal lake of that region, would be the site for the village which would serve as a trading-point for the township. And when, in 1830, Sherman Hopkins built a small log house and a saw-mill on the spot where Lakeville now stands, he really laid the foundation of the place. His successor, Addison Chamberlain, completed the work ; and in 1840, Frederick S. Clark, Payne K. Leech, and Richard L. Clark laid out the village of Lakeville on section 27. There are thirty-four blocks of eight lots each, and two half-blocks, included in the plat. The location of Lakeville is beautiful, almost romantic. The hills bordering the lake on the east are so elevated that not only the waters of that body can be overlooked but a considerable portion of the surrounding country lying below them, presenting, with its variegated surface, a very pleasing picture. Fringing the little stream are clumps of cedar, whose dark green contrasts sharply with the foliage of surrounding deciduous trees, while here and there tall pines appear, rearing their lofty forms of majestic beauty towards the sky. On one of these hills Mr. Chamberlain built his frame house, which was soon enlarged, and became the first tavern, where the genial Chamberlain provided for the comfort of his pioneer guests as only a generous host can. Another addition to his house made a store-room, where he, in 1835, opened the first store. He continued in the mercantile business for several years ; then he turned his attention to milling. erecting the grist-mill mentioned elsewhere in the history of the township.
George Larzelier having purchased the tavern and store, devoted his entire at- tention to them. The Larzelier tavern had more than a local reputation. It was the headquarters of several stage-lines, and the customary stopping-place between Royal Oak and Lapeer. Hence it soon became a popular resort for a lot of " hale fellows well met," and many were the convivial feasts they there enjoyed. The build- ing was destroyed by fire in 1870, and thus passed away one of the most familiar land-marks of the township.
THE POST-OFFICE AND MAIL-ROUTES.
About 1838 a post-office was established at Lakeville. George Larzelier was the postmaster. The mail-route was from Royal Oak to Dryden, in Lapeer county. The mail was carried on horseback, a small pony being used. Very often he was obliged to swim the streams. A " stage" was put on the route soon after. It was a " democrat" wagon, capable of carrying four passengers, if the roads were not too muddy. A short time after, mail-routes were established from Lakeville to Bald Eagle lake, and from Lakeville to Beebe, now Ridgeway. Since then Lakeville has lost her prestige as a mail-centre, and has now only one route, which furnishes a semi-weekly mail.
THE FIRST BLACKSMITH
to locate permanently at Lakeville was Ephraim B. Case. His shop was the cedar-pole shanty erected by Sherman Hopkins. He was a good workman, and was greatly respected by his neighbors.
EARLY PHYSICIANS.
Among the early healers of the sick in Addison were Doctors Morrison and Whitney. Both located at Lakeville, the former in 1842, the latter in 1848.
THE LAKEVILLE MILLS.
After the destruction of the Chamberlain mill, in 1846, Charles W. Chapel secured the mill site, and in 1847 erected a fine three-story and basement mill, having a dimension of forty by fifty feet. He supplied it with two run of stone and good machinery, which is propelled by a thirteen-foot overshot wheel. The capacity of the mill is fifty barrels of flour per day. Messrs. Frink and Gray are the present proprietors.
126
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CHAPEL'S STORE,
opened in 1851, was the first one in the village which carried a full stock of everything required in the trade. From that time until the building of a rail- road through Oxford, a rival village on its west, Lakeville enjoyed an enviable reputation for trade. Its present business is conducted by the below-named firms :
General store, L. B. Price ; hotel, A. A. Snyder, proprietor ; foundry, John N. Snyder and son ; cooperage, James Winn ; blacksmith and wagon-shop, John N. Snyder and son ; physician, William D. Wilkinson ; postmaster, Isaac Ryman.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first religious meeting held in the township was a prayer-meeting at the house of Wm. Hagerman. Most of those worshiping there professed the Meth- odist faith, although others of different creeds united with them. About 1836 Rev. Chatfield was appointed as the first " circuit preacher," having a number of other appointments all over the country. He organized the Methodists of Addi- son into a class, which chose William Hagerman leader and Jefferson Teller ex- horter. The members were the above and their wives, Jacob Snyder and wife, Enoch Fosbinder and wife, Geo. Crawford and wife, Mary Crawford, Mrs. N." Townsend, and James McGregor. They had regular preaching at the Snyder school-house, and the meetings were well attended. Quarterly meetings were generally held in barns, as the school-house was too small to accommodate all who attended on such occasions. The increase of the membership of the class war- ranted its division about 1840, part of the members going to the school-house west of Lakeville, the remainder to the school-house on section 12, thus forming two preaching-places. In 1856 it was determined to build a church. For this purpose a fine location was secured at the village of Lakeville, and a handsome little church was erected that year. The edifice is thirty by forty feet, with a tower surmounting it. Rev. John Gray was then the pastor in charge. Since then the following has been the pastoral connection : Revs. J. G. Whitcomb, J. R. Noble, Adam Minnis, S. Bessey, Samuel Bird, S. C. Higgins, Aaron Laing, B. H. Hedger, James R. Cordon, Fred. Coates, William Tuttle, and J. R. Noble, the present pastor. The membership of the church is seventy-five. The board of trustees consists of William Hagerman, James Wallace, Levi Bell, Albert Stoddart, and Isaac Wallace.
A Sunday-school was organized in the church as soon as it was built, and has been continued since. Isaac Wallace is the present superintendent. Its mem- bership is now about sixty.
The Methodists have the only church organization in the township, although other denominations occasionally have meetings in the school-houses in different localities, where summer Sunday-schools are also conducted.
For much of the foregoing history the historian is indebted to L. B. Price, M. D. Ribble, William Hagerman. Powell Killam, Elathan Townsend, Nicholas Ferguson, Abram A. Snyder, John W. Anderson, Cornelius Snyder, and others.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DENNES SNYDER.
"The parentage of this old and well-known family in Addison is traceable to 'German ancestry. The father of Dennes Snyder came to America when a lad, and. on arriving in New York, was sold to pay his passage-money. His master took him to New Jersey, where he served until he had obtained his freedom, then married and settled in that State. He had three children, two sons-Dennes and Jacob-and a daughter. On the breaking out of the " Whisky Insurrection," he enlisted, and contracted a cold in the service, from the effects of which he died. This left his family in destitute circumstances, and necessitated the mother to "bind out" her sons until they should attain their age, on condition that they should receive a horse and saddle and one hundred dollars in money as a " free- dom gift." Dennes was bound to Captain Abram Axford, of Warren county, New Jersey, and at the expiration of his time received the promised bonus. But his brother, Jacob, disappeared mysteriously a short time before his freedom was due, and it is supposed that his master was a party to his removal, to avoid pay- ing the agreed stipend.
The immediate subject of this sketch was born in Warren county, New Jersey, February 7, 1788. The vicissitudes of his early life prevented him from obtain- ing an education, and his life was one of common toil from boyhood to age. Soon after attaining his majority, on the 14th of February, 1813, he married Miss Sally Gulick, who was a faithful and devoted companion until her death, May 30, 1829. By this union he had the following seven children :
Christopher, December 20, 1813, died March 27, 1831 ; Cornelius, December
9, 1815 ; Mary Ann, July 30, 1818, married Edward J. Boice ; Jacob, Septem- ber 18, 1820; Hannah, November 11, 1822, married Levi H. Bell ; Abram A., December 9, 1824; and Dennes, March 13, 1827.
In August, 1830, Mr. Snyder married his second wife, Mary A. Hulick, but did not have any children by this marriage. She also preceded her husband in death, on March 30, 1861.
After his marriage, Mr. Snyder settled on a farm in New Jersey, and lived there until May 20, 1833, when he started for Michigan with his family and his wife's sister,-nine persons in all. Embarking on the schooner " Commodore Perry," at Buffalo, they reached Detroit on the 20th of June, after a twelve days' sail. From this place to John S. Axford's, thirty miles from Detroit, an ox-team was taken, and after three days' travel their destination was reached. Shortly after, he moved to his land on section 33, Addison, being the third family to settle in that township. His farm was at that time four miles from the settle- ments, and his home was a simple log cabin, destitute of the comforts and conve- niences now found in the poorest home in Addison. After years of toil and hardships, he was rewarded by the ownership of a very fine farm, whose original dimensions had been much increased by subsequent purchases, and his last days
Dennes Friyeler
were passed in comparative ease and affluence in a home near his humble beginning.
An active, enterprising man, Mr. Snyder was interested in everything which had in view the better condition of the community. He assisted in the organization of Addison, and held various town offices. As a road commissioner he exerted himself to improve the condition of the highways, and helped to locate nearly all the roads of the town. Although of frugal, industrious habits, and having a large family to support, he never turned a deaf ear to the entreaties of the needy, and was ever ready to assist the worthy. He was upright and conscientious in all his dealings, and although a kind and provident father, he trained his sons to depend on themselves, and dealt with them as he would with a stranger. To him honor and integrity of character were virtues which he dearly prized, which pre- vented him from taking undue advantage of the business reverses of his neighbors or benefiting himself by the misfortune of others. He never took a greater rate of interest than that fixed by law, and sought not his own with rigorous measures.
Thus he lived to a ripe old age, and died universally esteemed, September 8, 1872.
JACOB SNYDER
MRS. JACOB SNYDER.
RESIDENCE OF JACOB SNYDER, (SEC.18) ADDISON TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.
RESIDENCE OF WM. HAGERMAN, IN 1834, ADDISON TP., OAKLAND COUNTY, MICH.
PRESENT RESIDENCE OF WM. HAGERMAN, ADDISON TP, OAKLAND CO., MICH.
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
127
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SNYDEP
WILLIAM HAGERMAN.
MRS. WILLIAM HAGERMAN.
WILLIAM HAGERMAN.
The Hagerman family, a numerous and honorable one, were originally from Holland, and settled in Pennsylvania at a very early period of the history of that old colony. They were farmers, and, with their countrymen, taught their children to rely at an early age upon their own resources, thus fitting them for the realities of life, whenever they should be forced upon them. The subject of our sketch, William Hagerman, was born in upper Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, February 15. 1802, being the second in a family of two sons and four daughters. His parents were Francis and Anna Hagerman. He worked his father's farm in Pennsylvania until he accumulated sufficient means to bring him to Oakland County and purchase a farm in 1833. In June of that year himself and his father came to Addison township and bought the whole of section 14, and the west half of southwest quarter section 13, and the following summer William purchased his father's interest, and in the month of June, 1834, came with his family, which consisted of his wife and four children, and settled on the old homestead, where Cornelius, his son, now resides, and which was then two miles from any other white settler. At the time the Indian chief
Tuck-a-toe was living with his tribe upon the west side of the lake, with whom Mr. Hagerman was ever on friendly terms, often employing them to assist him on the farm. He was a very successful farmer, and to his first very considerable purchase for those days added other tracts from time to time until he was the heav- iest land-holder in Oakland County, owning about thirteen hundred acres. On the 6th day of January, 1827, Mr. Hagerman was united in marriage to Sarah Dewitt, a most estimable lady, by whom five sons were born to him : Alfred, John D., Frank, Cornelius, and William S., all living and residents of Oakland County. Mrs. Hagerman passed to her rest April 14, 1845, and Mr. Hagerman subse- quently married Mrs. Olive Rice, who died in June, 1859. In 1861 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Berry, who was born in the township of Hope, Warren county, New Jersey, May 24, 1808. She was the daughter of Stephen and Catherine Applegate. Mr. Hagerman's political sympathies have over been with the Democratic party, with which he has always acted. He has from his boyhood been a churchman, and the first religious meetings of Addison township were held in his house.
128
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CORNELIUS SNYDER.
This is the oldest living son of Dennes and Sally Snyder, and was born in Warren county, New Jersey, December 9, 1815.
The poverty of his parents necessitated his early application to the work of the farm. and he was thus debarred from the educational privileges which even those times afforded. His entire school-days would not cover a period of six months, and what education he possesses was learned in the schools of actual life and experience.
Coming to Michigan with his parents, at the age of eighteen, he applied him- self at once to the subjugation of the forest, and helped to make the first extensive clearing in the township of Addison. Becoming of age the year the town was organized. Mr. Snyder cast his maiden vote at its first election, and has ever since preserved his interest in the affairs of his town and State; and has had various offices of honor and trust bestowed upon him by his townsmen.
At the age of twenty-two, on the 17th day of November, 1838, he married Miss Mary Boice, daughter of Nicholas Boice, who was then seventeen years old. Eight children have been born as the fruits of this marriage: Dennes, December 1. 1840; Marinda, November 13, 1844, married Merritt Walker; Jacob, August 10. 1846 : Sarah Jane, September 9, 1848, married Charles Joslyn ; Emma L., December 22, 1850; Eliza A., February 23, 1853, married Ezra Newman ; Hulda S., May 7, 1854, married Abram Close; Cornelius, August 15, 1863.
Mr. Snyder is a thrifty, well-to-do farmer, who has succeeded in life, but at- tributes his success solely to patient, steady work, and industrious, frugal habits.
ABRAM A. SNYDER.
This gentleman is the sixth of seven children born to Dennes and Sally Snyder, in Warren county, New Jersey, his birth occurring December 9, 1824. When but a lad, he came to Addison with his parents, spending his boyhood days on the frontier. and enduring such hardships and having such privations as are incident to a sparsely-settled country. His school privileges, consequently, were limited when he was young, and when he became older his daily toil was in the woods, assisting his father and brothers in hewing out a home.
When he had attained manhood he was wedded to Miss Ann Maria, daughter of Jacob Bowers, of Addison, July 3, 1847. Ere he had enjoyed a year of married life he was bereaved of his partner, April 7, 1848. Three years later- February 9, 1851-he married Mary Ann, daughter of Henry D. Hulick. Miss Hulick was also a native of Warren county, New Jersey, and was born Septem- ber 13, 1819. By this marriage there were four children born : Anna Maria, May 20, 1852, died November 28, 1856; Mary Olive, July 31, 1859; Laura Louisa, December 15, 1860; Henry D., May 12, 1862.
Mr. Snyder is still in the prime of his life, is a farmer by occupation, and now resides on the old homestead, on section 33. Here, by judicious management and energy of character, he has accumulated a valuable property, and has erected the handsome buildings shown elsewhere in this work. His farm buildings especially are models of architectural beauty and completeness of arrangement. Although much engaged with the cares of his private business, Mr. Snyder is not unmindful of the interests of the public. He has held various offices, and is at present justice of the peace. Mr. Snyder's success in life entitles him to rank among the leading farmers and business men of Oakland County.
JACOB SNYDER.
The subject of this sketch is the fourth member of the Snyder family, and was born in Warren county, New Jersey, September 18, 1820. Coming to Michigan a boy, in 1833, he had but little opportunity to attend school, but received what education he possesses at home, while attending to the-work of the farm.
On the 15th of June, 1848, he was united in matrimony with Mary Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter Dodder, of Addison. This lady is a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, where she was born January 17, 1829. By this marriage there were born unto them seven children :
Henry H., who died, at the age of seventeen, in the army; Margaret Ann, who married Jerome F. Arnold, Oscar, Jr., Sarah E., George E., Almira, and Ella M. .
Immediately after his marriage Mr. Snyder moved on to his land on the south- west quarter of section 18, which was at that time comparatively new, and com- menced at once to rear him a home. After years of hard work and close applica- tion to his farming interests he has succeeded in making a very fine farm, with good buildings, as will be seen in the illustrations in this work.
Having always been a farmer, Mr. Snyder pursues that avocation with system
and skill, and has demonstrated by his own success that it is a profitable as well as the most honorable pursuit, and that the precepts and practices of a wise father are the richest legacies which can be bequeathed to dutiful, prudent sons.
GEORGE M. BOICE.
The Boice family is descended from Holland. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was one of the Dutch settlers of Long Island. There Nicholas Boice, the father of George M., was born in the stormy times of the Revolution. From this point he moved to Nova Scotia, where he lived several years, and then became a resident of the State of New Jersey, settling in Warren county. Here George M. was born, October 8, 1818, and his boyhood days were spent in that county, attending the common schools of that time.
On the 12th of May, 1835, when George M. was about sixteen years old, the Boices again changed their home, this time going west, to Michigan, locating in the southwestern part of Addison township. The life of George M. was now changed from comparative ease to the burdens and trials which attend the life of a pioneer. Having grown to manhood, he applied himself to the cultivation of the soil, and has always been a farmer. He is now the owner of a fine place on section 29, a view of which appears in this work. On the 7th day of April, 1868, he married Miss Liles Close, a daughter of Reuben Close, of Orion. This union has been blessed with two children. In denominational preference Mr. Boice is a Congrega- tionalist, and is a member of the church at Orion.
HENRY PURSE.
This gentleman, a son of Warren and Lucinda Purse, was born on the 7th of February, 1818, in Monroe county, State of New York. On the 29th of Novem- ber, 1842, he married Miss Margarette Mondinger, a native of the city of Hamburg, Germany, born January 13, 1818. In the autumn of 1829 she came with her parents to the United States, and settled seventeen miles below Detroit. Her father was a farmer, and also worked at the business of tailoring. Mrs. Purse was the youngest of a family of six children, and at the age of fourteen went to live with the family of John W. Hunter, of Birmingham, where she remained until her marriage with Mr. Purse. The Rev. E. H. Pitcher performed the marriage ceremony. In April, 1843, the couple settled in Addison township, Oakland County, where Mr. Purse bought the southeast quarter of section 6. They have had eight children : Albert Henry, born November 21, 1844; Alanson B., born March 15, 1846; Frederick A., born March 13, 1852; Edward H., born June 29, 1857; Lucinda H., born February 18, 1859. Three others died in infancy. The surviving children are all living upon the old homestead. Two of them are married : Albert H. to Mary A. Barnes, of Lapeer county, and Alanson B. to Martha F. Whitbeck, of Olivet, Eaton county.
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