History of Oakland County, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories, Part 64

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 64

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" Bears and wolves were heard around their house almost every night, seeking something to eat. Mr. Goodenow purchased some sheep about a year after his first settlement, which he kept closely penned every night. One night the sheep were left out of their inclosure, and were found in the morning down by the river, all killed by the wolves. There were no frame buildings in Ann Arbor at the date of their first settlement. Provisions and stock came mostly from Ohio, cows selling at from eight dollars to eighteen dollars per head. Store bills became due 'when navigation opened,' rather than ' after harvest,' as in later days."

THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

was held on the farm now owned by John Kinsman, in 1836. The people assem- bled under the old " round top"-a large oak so called-which stood on an elevated spot. The date, " July 4, 1836," was carved on the bark of the tree, which has since decayed, and has been removed. Thus has perished a venerable landmark, and one in which the people of the vicinity took a great pride.

EARLY AMUSEMENTS

in the new settlements consisted principally in social dancing-parties, when the

SAMUEL FULLER

J. L. ANDREWS,

MRS. J. L. ANDREWS.

RESIDENCE OF JOHN L. ANDREWS, MILFORD , OAKLAND CO., MICH.

PUB.BY L.H. EVERTS & CO. 716 FILBERT ST., PHILADELPHIA

223

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

good old-fashioned terpsichorean exercises were indulged in sans cérémonie, and with a gusto that demonstrated the pleasure the folks of "ye olden time" took in " tripping the light fantastic toe." Among the first who furnished music at these entertainments were Saul and John Kinsman, who took up " the fiddle and the bow" when young men, and have played at dancing-parties for more than thirty years. They still contribute to the amusement of the present as they did to that of the past generation of youth.

The subsequent development of Milford township forms an interesting chapter in its history. As a matter of course, the early settler's first move, after building his humble dwelling, was the improvement of his land; which task was often- times the most difficult part of pioneer-life. The first farm opened was that of Elizur and Henry Ruggles, who broke up that part of their farm which now occupies the site of block 2 of Armstrong's addition to the village of Milford, in 1832. On this they put in the first wheat, consisting of nine acres, which they sowed the same year.

The first frame house was erected by Leonard and Pliny Phillips, in June, 1833. Its dimensions were sixteen by eighteen feet, and the getting out of the lumber, building, making the shingles, and inclosing occupied them just eight days. It now stands on the farm of George Harper, on section 14, the solitary landmark of the " long ago." To the old settler, this venerable monument of the early enterprise of its builders must act as a peculiar reminder of the past, and call forth most vividly the recollections of other days,-days of hardship, trials, and troubles, such as fall only to the lot of the pioneer. But these times are o'er. One of its builders has gone the way of all flesh ; and the wife of the other has also long since departed. The other, who assisted in its erection and spent many of his first days in Milford beneath its shelter, now lives within a few miles of the old place, surrounded by the many comforts of rural life, and blessed with many of the bounties of Providence, as a reward for his industry and thrift.

The first brick house in Milford was erected by William McCollough, in 1847. It is now occupied by Charles P. Bennett.

The first roads laid out in the township of which any records exist were de- scribed as follows :

" First. Beginning at the northeast corner of section 35 and the southeast corner of section 26, and running west to the county line, on the corner of sections 30 and 31 in township 2 north, range 7 east.

" RUSSEL ALVORD, " LOUIS VANDENBURGH, " Commissioners of Highways.

" April 27, 1833."

" Second. Beginning on the line between sections 3 and 4, where the line of the turnpike crosses the section-line ; thence running north to the Huron river on the section-line, ending on the line between sections 9 and 10 in township 2 north, range 7 east.

" RUSSEL ALVORD, " LOUIS VANDENBURGH, " Commissioners of Highways.

" April 27, 1833."

" Third. Commencing at the quarter-stake in the line between sections 13 and 24 in township 2 north, range 7 east, and running west on the line of the section to the town-line, ending at the corner of sections 18 and 19.

" RUSSEL ALVORD, " LOUIS VANDENBURGH, " Commissioners of Highways.

"June 14, 1833."

THE FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE

was a log structure, erected opposite the residence of John Vincent, in 1835. This building was used up to about 1842, when the present frame structure was built, about one-fourth of a mile south of the original house, on section 21 .*

The person accredited with having introduced the first improved farm ma- chinery into the township was Isaiah J. Hudson, who brought in the first thrash- ing-machine about 1838. It was a primitive affair, having an open wooden cylinder, with spikes driven into it, which frequently came out and perforated the barn or buildings adjacent to the locality where it operated. It had no sepa- rating apparatus, and wheat, straw, and chaff came out in a conglomerated mix- ture; and it took a good workman to separate it, and a tough one withal; for a portion of the grain scattered around within a radius of five rods, with a velocity which made itself felt on the faces of those whom it struck. What has not the past quarter of a century wrought in the way of improved agricultural imple- ments !

ORGANIZATION.

Milford was detached from Novi township, and organized by the Territorial leg- islature, December 30, 1834. The records of the township-meetings for the first

decade are lost or destroyed, so that we are unable to give the entire list of officers elected at the first meeting, and the three principal ones subsequently, until 1845. On the authority of one who was present at the first meeting, however, we are enabled to state that the first township clerk was John Vincent, and the first supervisor Alfred Hayes. The gentleman above referred to also relates an amusing incident connected with the first election for supervisor. An Englishman named R. P- ran against Mr. Hayes, and was beaten by a few votes. He was so chagrined at the result that he sat on a stone and wept, saying, " Hif hi can't be helected to hoffice, hi 'ave more goold in my trunk than hany hof ye." He had a few pounds sterling, which, fortunately, consoled him in the absence of political honors.

The supervisors, township clerks, and justices of the peace of Milford from 1845 to 1877, inclusive, are as follows :

Supervisors .- Zebina M. Mowry (two years), Charles P. Holmes (two years), Z. M. Mowry, Harry C. Andrews (four years), Alfred Crawford, William Gamble, William A. Arms, Alfred Crawford (eleven years), Philip F. Wells, Charles P. Bennett (six years), James Rutherford, Walter Crawford, James Rutherford, present incumbent.

Clerks .- William C. Hoyt, Harman C. Noble, Harry C. Andrews, Lorenzo L. Armstrong, George Davis, Philip F. Wells, Morgan L. Smith, John A. Crossman, William A. Arms (two years), Henry B. Mowry, John Wood, Philip F. Wells, William B. Jackson, Henry B. Mowry, William B. Jackson, Daniel Morrison, Daniel W. Wells, Daniel Morrison (two years), Joseph F. Pickering, Charles Bennett (two years), Thomas M. Birdsall, Findlay H. Trump, Edwin Hubbell, Henry B. Mowry, Edwin E. Andrews (two years), Edward Viges (died in office, and Daniel Morrison appointed to fill vacancy), Findlay H. Trump, Charles E. Lovejoy, present incumbent.

Justices of the Peace .- Morgan L. Smith, Dugal MeIntire, John N. Clark, Henry Padley, Jonas G. Potter, Dugal McIntire, Marcenas B. Wilsey, Joseph S. Birdsall, John N. Clark (vacancy), Philip F. Wells, Henderson Crawford, John Carter, Joseph S. Birdsall, William Hard (vacancy), William A. Arms, Thorn Pudney, Marcenas B. Wilsey (vacancy), Josiah H. Hulett, Cromwell Bowen, John Pearson, Henry Nicholson, William A. Arms, Lorenzo D. Ruggles, Henry Nicholson, George Bourns (vacancy), George Bourns (full term), Jehial B. Race (vacancy), Philip F. Wells, Henry T. Weaver (vacancy), Zebina M. Mowry, J. C. Pettinger (vacancy), J. C. Pettinger (full term), James Ellinwood (vacancy), George Bourns, Daniel Morrison, Abraham McCain, John C. Kinsman, Walter Crawford, Daniel Morrison, Abraham McCain, James Greason, Henry Nicholson (vacancy), Walter Crawford, Daniel Morrison.

THE VILLAGE OF MILFORD.

Less than half a century ago the present picturesque site of the village of Milford was a smiling wilderness, uninhabited except by the aborigine. It lies nestled among the hills, and from almost every direction a pleasing view of the place can be obtained. It is now the scene of industry, and is peopled by a busy population. Geographically it is conveniently located, in the northeast part of the township of Milford, on both sides of the Huron river, which, with Petti- bone creek and lakes, form a water-power unsurpassed in the county. Elizur Ruggles is accredited with the dual honor of having been the first white settler within its present limits, and also with having erected the first house in the town- ship, in connection with the Parks family, as already stated in the history proper of Milford township. Among the pioneers who came in prior to 1836 were Jabesh M. Mead, Aaron Phelps, Luman Fuller, t William A. and Ansley S. Arms, and Truman Fox. Of those arriving between 1836 and 1840, whose length of residence constitutes them worthy of notice, were Dr. Henry K. Foote, } D. M. Ladd, Philip S. Hubbell, John Crawford.

The first village plats were made in 1836, and recorded in August of the same year. These, with the various additions since made, are as follows :

Jabesh M. Mead, part of old town, laid out in August, 1836; original town, by Calvin Eaton, same time; Aaron Phelps' addition, 1838; Stephen and John L. Armstrong's addition, 1839; William J. Wells' addition, 1840; Joseph Nute's addition, 1869; John Hathorn's addition, 1869; Mowry's addition, 1870, by Zebina M. and Henry B. Mowry ; Elizur Ruggles' addition, April 5, 1871; Charles Riley's addition, 1872; Andrews' addition, 1872, by Eliza B., Edward E., and George H. Andrews ; Bellevue addition, 1872, by Charles T. Stagg, of New York ; Job Austin's addition, 1872; John Hathorn's second addition, 1876.

The first store was erected by Jabesh M. Mead, and was kept by Ansley S. Arms, his brother-in-law, in 1836. It stood on the site now occupied by Henry Lingham's residence. It is a frame structure, and is now used as a store by R. F. Bridgeman, about eighty rods from where it originally stood.

t See biography.

# See under head of " Medical."

# See under head of "Educational."

224

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

The first tavern was kept by the Widow Edmonds, about 1836. It was a small frame house, and stood on the site now occupied by the Central House, opposite the post-office.

The first frame dwelling was erected by Ansley S. Adams, in 1836, and is now owned by Mrs. Robert Thompson, and occupied by her and her daughter, the widow of Dr. Z. M. Mowry.

The first brick house was built by George Dunning, about 1847. It is now owned by William Shinnaman, and occupied by one of his workmen.

The first church edifice erected in town was the Methodist building, in 1841-42. It is now occupied by J. C. Dawson as a furniture-store.

The first school-house in the village was built about 1837, and stood on the present site of Mrs. Isabella W. Shepard's millinery-store. It was a frame structure. painted red. and was known as the " old red school-house." In it were held all sorts of meetings, from religious worship to political caucuses. Among its early teachers was H. H. Van Leuven, Esq., still a resident of the place.

Contemporary with the above, a similar building, designated as district school- house No. 5 (the former was No. 4), was erected on the south side of the river, and stood in front of the site of Mr. D. M. Ladd's barn, at the south end of Clinton street. This house was used by Henderson Crawford, Esq., as a private school-house for a short period. It now stands on Joseph Nute's place, and is used by him as a barn.

The first saw-mill was built by Elizur and Stanley Ruggles, in 1832. They operated it for a number of years, when it passed into the possession of Stephen and John L. Armstrong, in 1839, and was owned and worked by them until about 1853. when it was purchased, together with the water-power, by Major Hughes, and conducted by him until the destruction of the dam by the people in 1856.

"This dam business will be here partially explained. The citizens of this town, particularly those living along the banks and in the vicinity, had long suffered severe sickness from the spread of so much stagnant water over so large a surface. There was one period which many of us can remember in 1847; there were hardly well ones enough to take care of the sick. For four weeks here every day seemed like Sunday,-naught could be seen on the streets except now and then a pale, sickly-looking shadow inquiring for the doctor. Every effort had been put forth-legal or otherwise-to abate this terrible nuisance. Finally, in 1856, the property then belonging to Major Hughes, matters came to a climax. Hughes being absent in Ohio on business, one bright spring morning the farmers from up the river. with their teams, " gathered at the river," or rather at the dam, and before night not a log was left upon another. tearing everything down to the mud- sills. Mrs. Hughes came out in her husband's absence, and took the names of the depredators. which were given freely. She told them they would hear from her husband. They told her they distinctly understood the consequences, but it made no difference. The dam was leveled, and to-day Milford is as healthy as any town of its size. The matter lingered along in the courts for years, but the farmers carried too many years for the major. They fairly out-winded him. The building now forms the main building of Shepard's foundry."

The first grist-mill was erected by Luman Fuller, in 1836. He continued to operate it until 1840. when he sold it to, William J. Wells, and he to Jacob Peters. the present owner, in 1847. The old mill started with two run of stone. It has been improved, enlarged, and repaired by Mr. Peters until the old struc- ture has almost lost its identity in the present building. One run of stone has also been added, together with American turbine iron wheels in place of the old- fashioned ones it formerly contained.

OTHER GRIST-MILLS.

Stephen Armstrong and his nephew, John L. Armstrong, having purchased of the Ruggles' all that portion of their property lying west of the Huron river, including the saw-mill, as above stated, in the summer of 1839, built the " Arm- strong flouring-mill." This continued to do business in that capacity until the tearing down of the dam, as narrated.

The Pettibone mills were built by W. B. Hebbard, in 1846. After operating them for a number of years he sold out to his brother Alva, and he to John L. Andrews, in 1859. The latter disposed of the property to Daniel E. Matthews in 1872. who conducted the business about five years. In the spring of 1877, Messrs. Morrison & Hungerford, the present proprietors, purchased the property. The mill has three run of stone, one Beloit, Wisconsin, iron wheel, and one over- shot-wheel. The amount of production in 1876 was : custom, 17,000 bushels ; feed. 17.000 bushels ; merchant, 9000 barrels.

THE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS

of Milford form quite an important item of its history, as pertaining to the develop- ment and prosperity of the village. Among the earliest manufacturing enter- prises established here was the woolen-factory, which was erected by W. B. Heb-

bard and George Davis, in 1850, and commenced operations for the manufacture of woolen goods the year following. These gentlemen continued the business until 1854, when Sterling Hebbard purchased his brother's interest, and the establishment was conducted by him and Mr. Davis until 1863, when the latter became sole proprietor by purchase. In the spring of 1877 he commenced the manufacture of Kentucky jeans, of which he turns out an excellent quality. The capacity of the mill is two hundred and fifty yards per diem ; capital invested, ten thousand dollars ; number of hands employed, twelve.

The Vowles cultivator works were established by Joseph Vowles, the inventor of the implement, in 1865. It is an improved cultivator, and designed for gen- eral use. It consists of a solid rod thoroughly side braced, and its perfect adapt- ability to all kinds of land and soils, its peculiar adjustability to any and all posi- tions and circumstances, render it one of the most complete of modern improved agricultural implements. Mr. Vowles conducted the manufacture of his culti- vator alone until the spring of 1876, when Ambrose C. Orvis became a partner, and the style of the firm was changed to Vowles & Orvis. The capacity of the works is six hundred cultivators per annum ; capital invested, fifteen thousand dollars ; hands employed, six.

The Milford agricultural works were established by P. F. & D. W. Wells, in the spring of 1865, in the present location. These gentlemen embarked in the manufacturing business as early as 1848, and had a small works opposite the Petti- bone grist-mills. In March, 1875, P. A. Shepard purchased the establishment, and now conducts the same in the building, a part of which used to be the old Armstrong grist-mill. He manufactures all kinds of agricultural implements. Capital invested, twelve thousand dollars ; hands employed, six.

Jewitt Brothers & Tower are the proprietors of the foundry and machine-shops established by the Jewitt brothers in October, 1875. Frederick E. Tower was admitted into the copartnership in the spring of 1877. They manufacture agri- cultural implements and hollow iron-ware. Capital invested, five thousand dollars.

MILFORD EXCHANGE BANK.

This banking establishment was organized May 11, 1876, under the style and title of John Wilhelm & Co., the company consisting of the following well-known gentlemen : Thomas Hadley, James H. Cummings, J. S. Philbrick, and S. S. Wilhelm, of Holly. The senior member of the company resides in New York State. The business is managed by S. H. Wilhelm, who is the cashier, teller, and general factotum of the bank.

VILLAGE INCORPORATION.

Corporate honors were bestowed upon Milford in a special charter granted by the State legislature, March 30, 1869, to which an amendment was added in 1871.

The following gentlemen were elected, at the first annual meeting, to the offices opposite their names, respectively : President, Carnot L. Northrup; Trustees for one year, William F. Hovey, William Greig, Crocker Hastings ; Trustees for two years, Philip S. Hubbell, Joseph Vowles, Daniel Morrison.

The following appointments were made by the trustees : Henderson Crawford, clerk ; George W. Dows, marshal; Philip F. Wells, assessor ; Ed. L. Phillips, treasurer ; John L. Andrews and George A. Clarkson, overseers of streets.

The subjoined is a list of the presidents : Carnot L. Northrup, Philip F. Wells, Benjamin F. Russell, Samuel B. Furguson, C. L. Northrup, Benjamin F. Wells, B. F. Howland, Daniel Morrison, C. L. Northrup, present incumbent.

The clerks have been as follows: Henderson Crawford (two years), Edward E. Andrews (two years), Edward J. Bissell, present incumbent (four years).

THE POST-OFFICE.

A post-office was first established at Milford in 1835, and Aaron Phelps was appointed postmaster. The business of the office for the first two years did not amount to more than twenty dollars a year, but after 1836 increased quite rapidly.

The names of those who have been appointed postmasters, and the years in which they entered upon the duties of the office, are as follows : Aaron Phelps, 1835 ; N. B. Eldridge, 1840 ; John Crawford, October, same year ; William J. Mills, 1841 ; Charles C. Foote, 1845; John Taylor, 1846; M. L. Smith, 1849; E. M. White, 1833; Henry J. Weaver, 1861; John Crawford, 1863; Abram McCain, 1866; John Crawford, 1869, present incumbent.

August 3, 1873, a money-order department was established, since which time seven thousand eight hundred and thirty-five orders have been issued. The business of the office for the year ending July 1, 1877, was as follows ;

Number of orders issued, 1239; amount of same, $19,294; number paid, 366; amount of same, $5672; number of registered letters, 344; number re- ceived, 172; amount of postage, $1612.

PROPERTY OF JAMES MOORE

JAMES MOORE.

MRS. JAMES MOORE.

PROPERTY OF JAMES MOORE.

JOHN EVERITT'S PRESENT TO HIS DAUGHTER M. MOORE.

PRESENT RESIDENCE OF JAMES MOORE.

RESIDENCE AND FARMS OF JAMES MOORE, MILFORD TP, OAKLAND CO., MICH.

225

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

RELIGIOUS.

The religious history of Milford embraces quite an extended period. Religious meetings were held in the place some years before it assumed the dignity of a village; at a time, indeed, when a few scattered log houses constituted the entire settlement of its present site and the surrounding country. At first worship was had in private dwellings, and subsequently in the old red school-house, prior to the erection of the regular church edifices, the first of which was not built until after 1840.

The pioneer religious organization was a Methodist class, formed in 1836, with Truman Fox as class-leader, and Washington Jackson as preacher. There were six original members, namely : Truman Fox, Charles Haynes, Hiram Scollard and wife, " Lord" Balkcorn and wife. About the same time a second class was organized, and called the " English class," from the fact that the preacher and all the members of it were emigrants from England. There were eight constituent members, as follows : Robert Pearson, preacher, wife and two sons, Robert and Richard, - Sutton and wife, Michael Bird and wife. The meetings were held at the residence of Mr. Bird until the log school-house was erected, a year or so afterwards, when worship was had there. These classes continued to pros- per until they were constituted a church, about 1840.

The preachers from that time to the present have been - - Goodall and Thos. Brown, Thos. Fox, F. Brittain, - Woodward, Geo. Bradley, Geo. King, David Thomas, David A. Curtis, Oscar F. North, Calvin S. Kingsley, John K. Gillett, P. G. Buchanan, John K. Gillett, I. W. Donaldson, M. W. Stambaugh, S. Calkins, Thomas Wakelin, F. Brittain, John Livingston (two years), Wm. Benson (two years), Elias Westlake (two years), Chas. P. Watson, Wm. Havener, George Taylor, Joseph S. Sutton, S. S. Littlefield, John G. Whitcomb (two years), E. C. Brockway, Thomas Stacker, Isaac Crawford, E. Vanorman, L. J. Whitcomb (two years), C. C. Lee, Dr. Luther Lee, J. F. Davidson (two years), and S. J. Joslin, present incumbent (two years).

The first house of worship was erected in 1844, and was dedicated by Henry Colclazer, presiding elder, and Rev. George Bradley, preacher in charge.

The present fine brick edifice was built in 1875, and dedicated in January, 1876, by Rev. J. S. Smart. It cost nine thousand dollars, which, with the par- sonage at two thousand dollars, makes the total value of church property eleven thousand dollars.

The present board of trustees is composed of the following gentlemen, namely: John Crawford, chairman; Wm. Potts, Wm. D. Crawford, Massam Pearson, Frank Potts, Joseph Openo, and A. D. Hagadorne, M.D.

The stewards of the church are A. D. Hagadorne, John Crawford, Massam Pearson, Michael Bird, A. Dehil, Wm. Crawford, Thomas Wallace, J. Gamble.

The present membership is one hundred and ninety-one; scholars in Sunday- school, one hundred and fifty-eight; teachers, twenty-six ; volumes in Sunday- school library, two hundred and fifty.

THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN AND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

of Milford originated in the organization of a Presbyterian church in the summer of 1838. The society divided temporarily in 1841, and constituted themselves into two religious bodies, namely, a Presbyterian and a Congregational church re- spectively. They continued as such, worshiping in the old school-house and other places, until 1845, when the two societies reunited under the title of the " United Presbyterian and Congregational church of Milford," and have since been known as such. Among the original members were Captain Abel Peck and wife, Ansley S. Arms and wife, Philip S. Hubbell and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Wendell, Dr. Henry K. Foote and wife, and others.

The organization of the church in 1845 was effected at an ecclesiastical meet- ing of the members and congregations of the two religious bodies (the Presbyte- rians and Congregationalists above mentioned), which convened at Milford on the 2d of April of the year last named.

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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 64

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