History of Oakland County, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories, Part 60

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts & co.
Number of Pages: 553

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 60

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Sashabaw had a half-brother, Wa-me-gan, a young giant in size, yet whose every movement was grace and beauty, and whose nature, though seemingly stern, was gentle as a woman's, and brave as ever a man that lived. He never knew fear, and, relying upon his prowess as a hunter, little recked that a lurking danger

would some day overtake him, and that the beasts of the wild, over which he seemed to hold absolute sway, would triumph over his valor and unnerve his strong arm of power. One day, in early winter, he came in contact with a huge bear ; he fired upon him, without succeeding in killing him. Determined upon his capture, the brave hunter attacked him with his knife. Now ensued a mortal combat, unwitnessed by human eyes, but which, judging from the fearful manner in which the Indian was lacerated, must have been terrible. Day followed day, and Wa-me-gan returned not to his home, although the storms of the season had now set in. Alarmed for the safety of their father, his three sons,-Ke-o-qum, Mashquet, and As-a-bum,-aided by Alfred L. and Benjamin R. Williams, began a search. For some days they looked in vain, as the drifting snow had covered up his tracks, until they found evidence of his pursuing some wild animal. The indications were soon unmistakable, and ere long they found tracks of blood. Following these, they at last came to the lifeless form of Wa-me-gan, reposing against the trunk of a tall pine in the Sashabaw plain. He had dressed his wounds, and then, exhausted, had drawn his blanket over his head to await the death which was sure to follow his injuries. The young men bore his remains to Silver lake, where they laid them by the side of Sashabaw, and then returned to the plains to avenge their father's death. After a long hunt they found his de- stroyer in a marsh, whither he had gone after the conflict, wounded, but still able to offer resistance. They succeeded in killing the bear, and triumphantly brought him to the Indian settlement, where they feasted many days upon the meat thus taken.

Wa-me-gan's sons inherited many of the traits which had characterized their father, being bold and skillful huntsmen, but they were not able to resist the de- moralizing influences of the white man's civilization, and, becoming intemperate, soon dissipated so much that they lost all the pride and dignity of their noble family. Their dissolute habits unfitted them for the place won for them by their parents, and they soon became common drunkards.

Even after the settlement of the whites, the Indians were accustomed to make visits to the grave of their beloved chief, and engage once more in the hunt and sports of their younger days, when the stillness of the plain was unbroken save by their own exclamations of delight and unfettered joy. And for many years after they were gone game was very plenty and beasts of prey were frequently seen. Occasionally a black bear would venture into the settlements, causing havoc in poultry-yards and pig-sties. Sometimes the Indians would capture a cub and present it to some of their white friends. These animals, although half tame, would yet prove dangerous customers when turned loose. On one occasion-in August, 1833-such a bear, about two-thirds grown, slipped the noose over his head, and, finding himself free, made his way to the house of John Davis, which he reached about midnight. The men were away from home, cutting hay in the Big meadows, in Brandon, leaving Mrs. Davis, her sister (Emily Green, who after- wards married Arthur Davis), and a lad, Francis Davis, all alone. Mrs. Davis, hearing a prowling noise, awoke her sister, telling her that there was a bear about. Emily was slow to believe this, and was only convinced when she heard the bear give unmistakable evidence of his presence by a series of grunts so peculiar to that animal.

The house in which they lived at that time was made of logs, with holes cut through the walls for windows, which had been left open, the weather being warm. The boy slept overhead, and the women were afraid that the bear would climb up the sides of the house, enter one of the holes, and kill the lad. To prevent this purpose, Emily hunted up some victuals and threw them into the yard to tempt the bear from the house. The smell of the food induced Bruin to come down, when the boy was awakened, and preparations made to kill the animal. Procuring an axe, they all sallied forth, and the boy aimed several blows at the head of the bear. Instead of killing him, this was only the means of thoroughly enraging him. His growls frightened Mrs. Davis and the boy into the house, leaving Emily alone with the now maddened beast. Something must be done, and that quickly. Grasping an old-fashioned hoe, which she chanced to see, she plied it about the head of the bear with such effect that it killed him. She now retired to the house, and there, for the first time, realized the danger to which she had exposed herself.

Wolves abounded, and often became desperately fierce, especially in winter. One night, in December, 1835, as Arthur Davis was returning home from his neighbor-Greenwood's-he was startled by the howl of a wolf in the marsh near by. This was answered by another, and another, until the woods resounded with the demoniac yells. Mr. Davis knew too well what it meant, and being on foot he ran for his home, soon pursued by the entire pack. He had barely reached his cow-shed and climbed on to its roof before they were on hand snappingly springing after him, howling like a legion of furies. Their noise alarmed the cattle so that they added their bellowings, making the night fairly hideous. The wolves-thirteen in all-ran around the stable several minutes, vainly endeavor-

PETER VOORHEIS.

MRS. PETER VOORHEIS.

RESIDENCE OF PETER VOORHEIS, (SEC.27) INDEPENDENCE TP, OAKLAND CO. MICH.

O BEARDSLEE.

MRS. O. BEARDSLEE.

RESIDENCE OF ORSAMUS BEARDSLEE , (SEC. 13 ) INDEPENDENCE TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.

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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

ing to reach Mr. Davis, then, at a signal from their leader, left the place, keeping up their infernal yells. That night they destroyed nearly the entire flock of sheep belonging to a neighbor, which appeased their hunger, and no more annoyance was caused by them.

Acknowledgments for assistance rendered and information given are gratefully made to Guy Selden, A. H. Cross, Hon. E. G. Clark, N. B. Smith, M. H. Clark, William Holcomb, William Daniels, N. J. Clark, J. S. Fletcher, Harrison Walter, E. Stiff, Deacon Riste, R. N. Clark, J. H. Dresser, Moses Case, Mrs. Malby, Peter Voorheis, E. T. Beardslee, Orsamus Beardslee, Arthur Davis, Mrs. Arthur Davis, and Mrs. M. A. Hodges, from whose recollections and personal accounts this history of Independence was largely compiled.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ORSAMUS BEARDSLEE.

The subject of this sketch belongs to that large and useful class of citizens known as self-made men. Whatever success he has attained in life is the result of his own efforts, and in spite of fortune, which had classed him among the poor and toiling millions of our country. He was born the oldest son of Aaron Beardslee, October 24, 1825, in Sussex county, New Jersey. In 1832 he re- moved with his parents to Michigan, settling first on the Sashabaw plains, and the year following on section 13, which has since been his home. The only edu- cational privileges he enjoyed were those afforded by the pioneer schools, and he could not avail himself of these to their fullest extent, because the circumstances of his parents often obliged him to remain at home to work, on the little farm they were opening. His father's death, when Orsamus was but thirteen years of age, left the care of the family to a large extent on his hands. He manfully assumed this charge, under the direction of his mother, and at the age of sixteen became sole manager of the farm, having ever since been a farmer in the town- ship of Independence, and owning at present a fine tract of land.

In December, 1847, he married Miss JANE HIBLER, of Orion township, by whom he had one child,-a son, -JOHN. He was bereaved of his partner in September, 1852, and three years later,-in October, 1855,-was married to his present wife, then Miss CLARISSA BEARDSLEE. This happy union has been blessed with five children,-ESTELLA, AARON, ELMER, SUSIE, and WILLIE.

Although closely devoted to his farming interests, Orsamus Beardslee has never neglected his duties as a citizen. He has ever manifested much concern in school matters, public improvements, and town affairs. His fellow-citizens have appre- ciated this interest, and have often called him to assume the cares of office, as the records of the township attest.

PETER VOORHEIS.

There are men in every community who are regarded as leaders, upon whom devolves the duty of inaugurating every new movement, and who must bear the brunt of every new work and improvement. Such a man is Peter Voorheis, and the record of his life teaches us what may be accomplished by a determined pur- pose. He is a son of Peter D. Voorheis, and was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, August 14, 1812. When Peter was three years old his parents moved to Seneca county, New York, and subsequently to Ogden, Monroe county, in the same State. Here they resided until their removal to Michigan, in 1832. They located on section 35 of the present township of Independence, Peter remaining with his parents until the next year, when he-then not quite twenty-one years old-began making a home for himself, by locating a piece of government land on section 22. On this he lived the life of a pioneer for nine years, when he purchased his present farm on sections 26 and 27.

After having built himself a humble home young Peter took unto himself a helpmate, in the person of Mary Fisher, on the 27th of November, 1834. This lady is a daughter of Adam Fisher, of Warren county, New Jersey, and came with her father from that State in 1833. She is now the only surviving member of that family.

Mr. Voorheis' marriage brought a family of ten children to cheer and bless his home : Fisher A., John, Margaret, Nancy Ann, now Mrs. E. H. Tompkins, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Mark Hixson, Mariette, now Mrs. Luke Voorheis, Ruth Ann, now Mrs. Gideon Gates, Peter, Elisha S., and Isaac I. Three of these have died,-John, Margaret, and Nancy Ann,-the others have grown up useful men and women, and have been aided in life's conflict by the provision made for them by Mr. Voorheis. Although thus mindful of the welfare of his family, Mr. Voorheis has not neglected the duties pertaining to his citizenship. He par-

ticipated in the organization of his township, and has held various offices, as supervisor, justice of the peace, etc. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and helped to organize the Sashabaw society and the Cemetery Associa- tion at that place Under his able superintendence the cemetery has become one of the finest in the county, and is, aside from the esteem in which his neighbors hold him, a fit monument of his worth as a man and citizen.

HARRISON WALTER.

This gentleman is the oldest son of a family of eight children. His father, Jacob Walter, was a native of Somersetshire, England, who came to America about 1830, settling in Oakland County about 1837. He purchased a farm on section 9, in Independence, that year, and here Harrison was born, July 15, 1840. His boyhood days were spent on this farm, working on it in summer and attend- ing the common schools in winter until he was eighteen years old, when his father gave him his freedom. The youth began at once to hew out his own fortune, by engaging to work by the month for some years to enable him to attend school abroad. This he was permitted to do in 1860, entering the Mishawaka (Indiana) high school, and remaining there a year. He now returned home, and varied his occupation as a farm laborer by teaching school in winter. By exercising economy he accumulated six hundred dollars in two years' time. With this he purchased his present farm, going in debt for a balance of four thousand four hundred dollars. This obligation he was enabled to discharge at the end of six years, and all from the products of his farm. Having his homestead clear, he now began a series of improvements on his place, which have resulted in the splendid buildings shown elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Walter is now devoting his attention to fruit-culture, making a specialty of the apple. He has, at present, an orchard of two thousand trees of this fruit, and, by the use of improved methods of storing his apples, is enabled to make shipments as late as August.

Mr. Walter has always been a total abstinence man, and attributes his success in life to this fact, as well as to his frugal and industrious habits. His example should stimulate young men to make vigorous efforts to achieve the mastery of a fortune. by leading them to see what can be accomplished in the legitimate pursuit of farming by pluck and enterprise aided by sound judgment.

In 1864, Mr. Walter was married to Miss Mary M., the oldest daughter of Samuel Howell, of Brandon, and by her he has had a family of three children, two of whom are now living.

A. H. CROSS.

This gentleman is descended from English parentage. His father, Moses Cross, was born in England, February 25, 1815; his mother, whose maiden name was Essie Gallagher, was a native of Ireland, and was born May 22, 1820. When quite young Moses Cross emigrated to America, becoming a citizen of the State of New York, where he lived until 1835, when he came to Michigan, settling in the northern part of Independence township, in which locality he lived until his death, March 29, 1875, at the age of sixty years. In this neighborhood, and within one mile of his present home, A. H. Cross was born, December 30, 1837, being one of a family of three sons and two daughters, all of whom survive except a younger brother.

The subject of this sketch married Miss Matilda Jones, of Independence, when he was twenty-three, and has had a family of three children,-one boy and two girls.

Mr. Cross is still a young man, is a farmer by occupation, and is noted for his energy and enterprise. His home, on section 6, is one of the finest in the town- ship, and has been procured by his own industry.

JUDGE JEREMIAH CLARK.

The name of Jeremiah Clark recalls another of Oakland County's best-known pioneers. He was born in the State of Vermont on the 19th day of September, 1790. While he was but a lad his father, also named Jeremiah, moved to Nelson, Madison county, New York. Here young Clark abode until he had attained his majority, when he became a citizen of Onondaga county, where he soon after secured an interest in a salt-manufacturing establishment, in the prosecution of which business he was engaged several years. Then he moved to Albany, New York, to attend to a contract he had received on one of the public works of the State. After three years he returned to Syracuse, where he engaged to teach the greater part of a year, at the same time making preparations to move to Michigan. On the 4th of July, 1831, he left Syracuse for that Territory, and settled at

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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Detroit, where he conducted a bakery and grocery-store for several years. In the mean time he prospected for land in Oakland County, making purchases soon after. principally in Independence township. To one of these tracts he moved his family, and engaged in farming, opening a farm most of which is yet owned by one of his sons.

In 1838 he purchased the Holcomb mill property, at what is now Clarkston, and in 1839, in company with his brother, Nelson W., erected a fine grist-mill, which is still used, and is favorably known as " the Clarkston mill."

Although not making politics a business, Jeremiah Clark was ever ready to assume his duties as a citizen and discharge them for his country's good. His townsmen frequently bestowed office upon him, calling him to serve them as their first supervisor and as justice of the peace for a number of terms. He was elected to the Michigan legislature in 1839 and 1841, where his services were characterized by the exercise of sterling good sense, and won for him a reputa- tion which evinced his sound judgment, and he was soon after called upon to serve the people in the capacity of a judge. In a brief time after this, August 29, 1847, he died. while yet possessing the strength and vigor of manhood.

Judge Clark was married, in 1814, to Phoebe Holdridge, of Vermont, and had six children : Edwin G., born April 8, 1815; Darwin F., born June 6, 1816, died 1841 ; Washington L., born May 14, 1818, died 1854; Milton H., born January 13, 1820 ; Newton J., born October 18, 1821 ; Phoebe J., born Novem- ber 13, 1825.

Mrs. Clark died August 29, 1838, and the family now consists of three sons

and the daughter, who still reside near their pioneer home, where the efforts of their parents have aided them in securing homes of plenty and comfort.

HON. EDWIN G. CLARK.

This gentleman is the oldest son of Judge Jeremiah Clark, and was born in the town of Manlius (now called De Witt), Onondaga county, New York, April 8, 1815. His boyhood was spent in that State, and he was educated in the common schools of that day. His parents came to Michigan when he was sixteen years of age, and to Oakland County about the time he had attained his majority. One of his first acts on becoming a citizen of Independence was to assist in the organization of that township, and he has ever since manifested a warm interest in its affairs. His townsmen have appreciated this interest, and have repeatedly called him to serve in an official capacity. He was constable nine years, justice of the peace twelve years, and supervisor four years.

In politics, Mr. Clark is a Democrat, and was elected by that party to the legislature in 1876. His services there reflected credit upon himself and proved acceptable to his constituents.

Mr. Clark is a farmer by occupation, and now resides in easy circumstances on his farm, on section 7, honored and respected by his neighbors. He was married on the 11th of August, 1834, to Miss Mary Lyons, of Wayne county, Michigan, and has had a family of nine children, only four of whom are living,-Mary J., Lovina J. (now Mrs. James Harris), Edwin W., and Lawrence C.

LYON TOWNSHIP.

THE township of Lyon was detached from Novi, legally organized March 7, 1834, and designated in the United States survey as town 1 north, range 7 east. The first secular meeting ever held in the township was for the purpose of peti- tioning the Territorial legislature to organize a new township ; as Novi, as then con- stituted, was altogether too extensive for judicial and other purposes. A committee was appointed to circulate the petition and forward it to the legislature. The meeting was held at the house of Eleazur E. Calkins, and among those present were Joseph Blackwood, Israel Whipple, Jacob Hannan, Thomas Jones, William Thompson, Dr. Thomas Sellman, Chester Adams, John Thayer, William Harman, and Jacob Burton.

Considerable interest was manifested and some humor indulged over the naming of the township. The pioneers present seemed to think that they had found the best place in the world,-a place in comparison with which the first settlement on the banks of the Euphrates, of which we read in Genesis, was insignificant. Thinking thus, they were anxious to bestow upon it an appropriate name. After several proposed names had been rejected by the meeting, Chester Adams pro- pored the name " Fruitland." This name was adopted and petitioned for, but the legislature gave the township the name of Lyos, in honor of Lucius Lyon, then a member of the Territorial legislature. The entire proceedings of the first township-meeting for the election of officers, etc., together with a list of those having held the most prominent offices in township, will be found farther on in this history.

The topography of Lyon presents a varied aspect. The northern part of it is oak-openings. and the southern part was also covered with a growth of various kinds of timber. The surface is generally level, in places rolling, and everywhere sufficiently undulating to be fertile and productive. It is watered by Kensington lake. the Huron river, Davis creek, and other small streams. It abundantly pro- duces wheat. corn. oats, barley, and potatoes, and any cereal or other crop capa- ble of cultivation in this section of country or climate. The soil is of a gravelly or dark sandy loam, generally of great richness and durability.

INDIAN TRAIL.

An Indian trail entered the township on section 6, and ran through sections 5, 4, 10, 14, and 24. and thence through Novi southerly. It passed through Kensington, and on the bank of the lake there was once a regular camping-ground of the noble red man. Who can tell but that in the times long since gone the Indian planted his wigwam on the borders of Kensington lake, and there celebrated some success- ful hunting expedition, and held there the peace jubilee, or chanted the song of war? Perchance once;the placid bosom of the lake was dotted over with the bark

canoe, and here and there could be seen the swarthy maiden or the paint-bedecked warrior cautiously angling for the sportive bass or graceful pickerel. But those days are gone ! The pioneer remembers the indolent aborigine, and as he takes a calm retrospection of the past, and recalls the days of yore, when the stalwart brave spread his blanket within the pale of civilization, and gradually, under the beneficent in- fluence of the white man's kindness, commenced a friendship which endured until their removal beyond the Missouri, methinks he will be filled, momentarily at least, with pity at their present lot, and compassion for their future. Verily, the illustration of the brave, who, while in council assembled, to treat with the white man as to his ultimate destination, sat upon a log, and moving along gradually until he came to the end, said, " So have the white men driven us from our pos- sessions. At first we lived in the fair country, which was located, as it were, at this end of the log. Then we were removed farther on, into a less fertile and lovely country, where the hunting-grounds were less plenteously filled with game ; then farther and farther, until at last we shall be driven to a barren and sterile land, where exists not sufficient herbage for the deer, and where flowers bloom not to gladden the Indian's heart." A pertinent and truthful illustration.

THE EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Clustering around the pioneer settlement of Lyon township are memories re- plete with privations and hardships, commingled with those of joy and gladness. For even in the early settlement of a new country the sacred pleasures of the domestic hearth are enjoyed, and tend to counteract the wearisome toil and the arduous labor incident to pioneer life. Those who, nearly half a century ago, made their first habitation amid the smiling forests, and laid the foundation for the future progress and development of this township, remember the days of yore, but do not regret the active part they took in bringing to pass the grand results of the present.

" There are moments in life that we ne'er forget, Which brighten and brighten as time steals away ; They give a new charm to the happiest lot, And they shine on the gloom of the loneliest day."

The first permanent settlements in what now constitutes the township of Lyon were perfected in the year of grace 1830. Prior to this nothing but the unbroken wilderness was presented on every hand. The only marks that gave any evidence that the foot of civilized man had pressed the soil in this region were the blazed trees that denoted the section-lines. Such was this township, -- without inhabitants, or even name, except that the United States surveyor had designated it " Township 1 north, range 7 east."

In such a place as this, in the year 1830, came Bela Chase, who first located

A. H. CROSS .

MRS. A. H. CROSS.

RESIDENCE OF A. H. CROSS, (SEc. 6) INDEPENDENCE TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.

DOLLY VARDEN

COL. KEITH.

MOLLIE KEITH.

CAP KEITH No :6428 WEIGHT 2200.

SALLY KEITH.

(DEALER AND BREEDER OF SHORT HORN CATTLE.)

RESIDENCE OF EZEKIEL DENNIS . (SEC 12.) INDEPENDENCE TP, OAKLAND CO., MICH.

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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

on the base-line of the township, where he stayed but a short time, when he re- moved to a farm on section 27, and there resided until his death. The place is now owned by Samuel Carpenter.

The same year Robert Purdy came in from Seneca county, New York, and settled on section 35, on the farm now owned and occupied by Levi Deake.

Also John Thayer, originally from New York State, but then from Wayne county, Michigan, where he had located as early as 1825. He settled in the northwest quarter of section 36, on the farm now owned and occupied by James Moore. He leaves one daughter, now the wife of Daniel Harman, a resident of the township.

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History of Oakland County, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories, Part 60

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts & co. Number of Pages: 553

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts & co.
Number of Pages: 553