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 72
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FIRST FRAME HOUSE.
Samuel Wilson, a New Yorker, located on section 27, about 1835. He built a small frame house that year, which is now standing in the village of Oxford. It was, probably, the first house of this character in the township.
In the summer of 1834, both Alanson Decker and Elbridge G. Deming raised frame barns the same day. On account of the sparse settlements, hands had to be procured from Lapeer county, and one of the barns was raised in the fore- noon, the other in the afternoon. Decker's barn was destroyed by fire in 1841. In the spring of 1840, Harry Frink built a frame barn for Lester Badger, that being the first one in that section. It is yet in first-rate order. Harry Shelters also built a frame barn for Samuel Rossman, about 1835. It was thirty-two by forty-four feet, and was used until 1868, when its timbers were employed in the construction of a new barn.
EARLY ORCHARDS.
John Rossman planted an orchard in 1835. Most of the trees grew, and are yet bearing. Alanson Decker set out some apple-trees in 1834, that grew finely, and still bear. Other settlers planted orchards as soon as trees could be pro- cured; and Harry Frink raised one from the seeds, which is now one of the finest in the township.
IMPROVED STOCK.
John Thomas is a carpenter by trade, but having too strong a liking for the pleasures of farm-life to continue plying the hammer and saw, he resolved to be a tiller of the soil, and to farm better than most of his neighbors. With this purpose came a resolution that he would be the first to introduce blooded stock. Accordingly, in the summer of 1841, he purchased three head of Devons from E. P. Beck's herd in Wyoming county, New York. These proved so satisfactory to him that he secured three Durhams in 1844. Considering the Durhams rather more profitable than the Devons, he disposed of what he then had, and, in 1851, imported five head of Durhams from Canada. Almost the entire Durham stock and its grades, in the township and surrounding county, are traceable to Mr. Thomas' herds ; and there are now some fine herds of this blood in the township. Mr. Thomas also introduced the first Merino sheep, bringing a flock of twenty-four head in 1842. In 1851 he imported four Leicestershires from Canada, and raised a large flock of that breed.
In 1876, Harry Frink purchased two head of pure Jersey cattle from the herd of B. Barber, a breeder of that stock in Illinois, and brought them to Ox- ford. They were the first animals of that breed in the northern part of the county.
IMPROVED FARM MACHINERY.
It is generally believed that the first mower brought into the county was a Ketchum machine. It had been consigned to a firm at Pontiac, without finding a purchaser for a long time. At last, John Thomas, of Oxford, bought it, and placed it on his farm about 1841. It was a great curiosity to the neighbors, who gathered round it, anxious to know whether it would work. Nor was this curiosity shared alone by the whites. A tribe of Indians passing by stopped to examine it. After commenting on its construction, in their language, they motioned to Mr. Thomas to drive ahead. The noise of the machine frightened one of their dogs so that he rushed in front of the sickle and had one of his legs cut off. This astonished them, and taking up the dog they bore him away, mut- tering in broken English, " Ugh ! noisy wagon ! no good ! no good !"
On one occasion, while visiting in New York, Mr. Thomas bought a revolving hay-rake at Rochester, and shipped it home. No one knew, at first, how to ad- just it: and it was only after much effort that they succeeded. But it worked
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
capitally, and did the work of ten men. Mr. Thomas was highly gratified, and expected his neighbors to share this pleasure with him. But they looked upon the new invention with very little favor, and some of them even predicted that he would lose his horses, on account of the gritty material which, they said, was raked up. Others said the curse of God would descend upon a man who would thus deprive the laboring man of his customary employment, haying. But Mr. Thomas continued to use it, and soon it was generally adopted.
The honor of using the first reaping-machines is shared by John Thomas and Samuel Axford, who both purchased Seymour and Morgan reapers in 1844. The use of improved machinery soon became general, and Oxford farms are now noted for the fine machinery with which they are supplied.
INDIANS HARVESTING.
The early settlers were often assisted by the Indians in haying and harvesting. Mr. Axford was always fortunate in getting help from this source. He remem- bered especially Squawne and Tipsyeo, who were excellent, faithful workmen, raking and binding as well as their white brethren, and fully as well behaved
A PIONEER BELL-MAKER.
In 1835, William Wood built a cedar log shop at Deming's, where he manu- factured excellent cow-bells, whose clear notes could be heard many miles. It is related of Mr. Wood that he laid a wager with one of his neighbors that he could make a cow-bell which could be heard all the way to Pontiac, about fifteen miles. The bet being taken, Mr. Wood procured a mule, placed one of his bells around his neck, and getting another neighbor to accompany him, started for Pontiac. The conditions of the wager were literally complied with,-the bell being heard all the way. Mr. Wood returned and claimed the money. He worked at Dem- ing's about two years, then located at Van Wagoner's, where he associated George Ellison with him, and also did general blacksmithing.
EARLY TAVERNS.
Elbridge G. Deming opened his house for the accommodation of the new- comers as early as 1833, but he never paid special attention to the business, and gave entertainment simply because it could not be had elsewhere. About 1835 John Rossman fitted up his log house on section 4 as a tavern. It was a well- known point, and served as a stopping-place in that region for many years. Soon after, Fite Rossman kept a public-house on section 27, where the first town- meeting was held in 1837.
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THE FIRST PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Pliny Powers came to the Deming neighborhood in 1837, seeking a loca- tion as a physician. At the solicitation of the settlers he took up his abode at Deming's, and became the first practicing physician in the township. His success induced him to build a house near Deming's in 1838, with a view of bringing his family into the country. This house still remains as built. He also associated Dr. E. Burdick, of Dutchess county, New York, with him. This partnership was continued until 1839, when Dr. Burdick located at what was then known as Oxford Corners. Dr. Powers removed to Detroit a short time after, and died at that place.
POST-OFFICES AND MAIL-ROUTES.
The first post-office in the township was established at the house of Elbridge Deming in 1834 or 1835. Mr. Deming was appointed postmaster, and held that position until the office was removed in 1839. A weekly mail was provided from Rochester to points in Lapeer county, which was first carried on foot by a Mr. Hubbard. Subsequently, a Mr. Rose carried it in a cart. Upon the removal of the Deming post-office to the village of Oxford, William H. Powell was appointed postmaster. The office has since remained there, and is now supplied with daily mails. The North Oxford post-office was established at the house of John Ross- man in 1840, and was continued there about fourteen years. John Rossman was the postmaster. In 1874, the Thomas post-office was established, with Byron Knapp as postmaster. It now has daily mails.
EARLY BIRTHS.
Amanda Deming was the first child born in Oxford, in 1833. She grew to womanhood and married a Mr. Lee. They are now residing in Lapeer county. Juliette Decker was born the same year. In 1835, Jesse Decker and Kinzie Hunt first opened their eyes to the sorrows of this mundane sphere.
THE FIRST DEATH.
A Scotchman, named John Stuart, who had come with his brother to improve a piece of land, died after a brief illness in 1835. His unmarked grave is now in a field belonging to Hoyt W. Hollister. Some years ago, a Mr. Jenkins, residing in the northeastern part of the town, met with an accident which re-
sulted in his death. He fell from a wagon loaded with grain, and the wagon passing over him injured him mortally. This sad affair was profoundly lamented by Mr. Jenkins' neighbors, who held him in great esteem. He was buried on section 12, where a short time previous an acre of ground had been set aside for one of the town cemeteries. . A Mr. Badger was one of the first interred here, and shortly after Harlan Hollister also found it his last resting-place. This ceme- tery is now chiefly used by the citizens of northeastern Oxford, and is controlled by the town board.
About 1838 an acre of ground in the southwest quarter of section 22 was purchased by the township for a cemetery. William Maxwell, a youth about nineteen years of age, was the first grown person interred there. Grandmother Rossman was the next. About 1871 the township purchased six acres of land as an addition to the cemetery. It has also improved and beautified the grounds, making it a very attractive spot.
Previous to 1855 the people of northwestern Oxford had no public burial- ground. That year a lot was secured on the southwest quarter of section 6 for this purpose. An association was formed, charged with its care, and it has since been under its management. It is now known as the Oakwood cemetery.
PIONEER MINISTERS AND RELIGIOUS MEETINGS.
The settler had hardly pitched his camp before the evangelist followed in his wake proclaiming the gospel. He belonged to that noble type of mankind which esteems all things else as naught if the Master's work can but be advanced. Hardships and trials are endured with patience, if the light of the gospel can be made to illumine the way of those whom circumstances have placed beyond the privileges and influences of churches. To this class belonged Rev. Isaac W. Ruggles, the first preacher in the township. He traveled over the country on foot, and preached wherever opportunity offered; and he was a man who knew how to make an opportunity. Elder Ruggles was not long alone in his labors. In 1836, Elder Cannon, a Christian minister, preached at the houses of the set- tlers, and in the school-houses as soon as they were erected. His efforts were crowned with success, and his name is ever spoken with gratitude as belonging to a self-denying, noble man. Elder Jackson, a Methodist, was also one of the early heralds of the cross; and Elders Solomon Snyder and Fuller labored effectively in the pioneer ranks of the moral vineyard. Others followed and preached in school-houses until the churches at Oxford were erected. Around these most of the church history of the township clusters.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES.
The pioneers of Oxford were not unmindful of the intellectual interests of their children. Though wanting the comforts of life, they were determined not to deprive them of the greatest and richest boon,-an education. Among their first acts, then, after the building of their own humble homes, was the erection of school-houses, rude, and bare of the appliances now generally found in buildings of this class, but serving very well the purpose for which they were intended ; and it must be recorded to the credit of the people of this township that, as soon as possible, they supplanted these uncouth structures with a better class of buildings.
The pioneer school-house was built on section 9, in 1835, and was, like most of the buildings of that day, a log structure. Miss Maria Sherman had the honor of teaching the first school, probably in the summer of 1836. Her pupils were gathered from far and near, some coming from Lapeer county. The house was burned down in 1839, and in 1840 a frame building took its place, and remains to this day. The northwestern part of the town was first supplied with a school- house in 1837. It was built on section 7, was destroyed by fire in 1842, and had a frame successor near its old site in 1813. In the northwestern part of the town the first school was taught in 1839, by Miss Betsy Howard. Some of the pupils attending were the Earls. Miss Howard received at first eight shillings a week ; and this was increased until it was estimated that her services were worth twelve shillings a week, and she was voted that princely sum. The first school-house in the southern part of the town was erected about 1837, on section 22. In 1842 a frame building took its place, and was used until 1860, when the district got possession of the Oxford Institute building. Among the first teachers at the log school-house were William H. Betteys, Samuel Wolf, and Elizabeth Pelton. The pupils were Orin Stone, Thomas Powell, Joseph C. Powell, O. E. Bell, David Bell, and others.
ROADS AND RAILROADS.
The Territorial road from Rochester to Lapeer was located through the town- ship in 1832. It enters it on the south side, near the middle of section 35, and passes thence in a northwesterly direction to the northern line of section 16, when it deflects slightly to the northeast, and passes out of the township near the east line of section 4. It was a very important highway, and is yet the principal road
M.J. PARK.
RESIDENCE OF M. J. PARK, OXFORD TP. OAKLAND CO., MICHIGAN.
MRS. M. J. PARK.
E.A Summer de
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MOSES B. KILLAM.
MRS. MARY KILLAM.
RESIDENCE OF MRS. MOSES B. KILLAM , NORTH OXFORD, OAKLAND CO., MICH.
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
in the town. Among the other early located roads was one west from the Lapeer road, on the line between sections 4 and 9; also, one east from the Lapeer road, between sections 22 and 27. William M. Axford was the surveyor of these roads. In 1872 the Detroit and Bay City railroad was built along the general line of the Territorial road to the centre of section 9, whence it passes northwest to the west line of section 4, and into Lapeer county. It is a well-constructed and finely-equipped road, and has two stations in the township : Oxford, on section 27, and Thomas, on section 4. The construction of this road was a boon to the people of Oxford. Prior to this they had to carry their produce many miles over bad roads to market ; now excellent markets are afforded at home.
SOLDIERS OF 1812.
Peter Stroud, a soldier of 1812, was born in New York in 1791. At the age of twenty-one he enlisted as a private in Captain Abram Mattison's military company of New York militia. He was appointed fifer, with the rank of corporal, and participated in the engagements at Black Rock and at other points. In 1852 he became a resident of Oxford, where he still lives, at a very advanced age.
Adam Drake, a native of New Jersey, was also a soldier of 1812. He settled in the western part of the township, where he died in 1874, at the age of ninety- seven years.
FIRST TOWN-MEETING.
In the fall of 1836 the citizens of the town held a primary town-meeting at Deming's school-house, to petition the legislative council to grant them a separate organization. They were then a part of Oakland township. A committee, con- sisting of Samuel Axford, Otis C. Thompson, and John Rossman, was appointed to select a name for the new town. Mr. Thompson insisted that nothing could be more appropriate than Oxford, since nearly all the settlers had ox-teams, and would have for some years to come. His suggestion prevailed, much to the chagrin of a patriotic Yankee, who strenuously opposed the adoption of any name that was so strongly savored with British life and customs as Oxford.
The civil organization was effected in April, 1837, when the first annual town- meeting was held. The electors assembled at the house of Fite Rossman, on section 27, and after choosing Rufus K. Moore moderator, and Justin Bixby clerk, elected as Supervisor, Peter D. Makely ; Clerk, Daniel Haines ; Assessors, Samuel Axford, Daniel F. Ingals, and Harlan Hollister; Justices of the Peace, Daniel F. Ingals, Justin Bixby, Rufus K. Moore, and Levi Smith; Commissioners of High- ways, Addison Orcutt, Rufus K. Moore, and Hezekiah B. Killam ; School In- spectors, Daniel F. Ingals, Robert Mckay, and Samuel Axford ; Collector, Morgan Axford; Directors of the Poor, John Rossman and William Coates ; Constables, Adam Rossman and Horace Hovey ; Pound-master, Joseph Furguson.
The principal officers elected for constitutional terms since 1837 were :
Supervisors .- Daniel F. Ingals, 1838-39, 1841 ; Elbridge G. Deming, 1840; William H. Powell, 1842-49, 1852 ; E. J. Bell, 1850; Robert W. Davis, 1851 ; W. Stark, 1853; Samuel Axford, 1854, 1858-59 ; Joel P. Toms, 1855-56 ; John Thomas, 1857 ; Joseph C. Powell, 1860-61, 1870-72 ; Loren L. Treat, 1862-64, 1873; John Moyers, 1865; A. Hagerman, 1866-69; Henry Groff, 1871; Thurlow L. Pierce, 1874-75; William J. Tunstead, 1876-77.
Town Clerks .- William H. Powell, 1838, 1840-41; Daniel Haines, 1839; Samuel Rossman, 1842-43 ; Daniel F. Ingals, 1844; Samuel Phelps, 1845-46 ; Robert W. Davis, 1847 ; George H. Kilborn, 1848; Joel P. Toms, 1849, 1852; John E. Deming, 1853; Peter D. Morris, 1854; Lewis G. Clark, 1855; A. H. Hovey, 1856-57; O. E. Bell, 1858-60, 1868; Alfred Hagerman, 1861 ; David W. Bell, 1862, 1865; Isaac Kitchen, 1863-64; J. M. Dunlap, 1867, 1876- 77; Joel Wallace, 1868; M. M. Stanton, 1869; H. Baldwin, 1870; John Gardner, 1871; Levi W. Sutherland, 1872-73; Quincy A. Thomas, 1874; Lovett W. Stanton, 1875.
Justices of the Pence .- Justin Bixby, 1838; Daniel Haines, 1839; John Thomas, 1840 ; Rufus K. Moore, 1841 ; David Applegate, 1842, 1846 ; Ambrose Clemons, 1843, 1847 ; Adam Rossman, 1844, 1848; Alfred Allen, 1849, 1853; Harry Frink, 1850, 1861; Edwin J. Bell, 1845, 1856; Joel P. Toms, 1851; W. Stark, 1852; William Hollister, 1854; Alphonso Baker, 1855; William H. Betteys, 1857; Lucius Fitch, 1858, 1862; Loren L. Treat, 1859; Newland C. Jones, 1860 ; O. E. Bell, 1863; Lovett W. Stanton, 1864, 1868, 1872, 1876; Squire W. Stark, 1865; Samuel Axford, 1866; Thomas N. Lomis, 1867; Andrew Sutherland, 1869, 1873; Henry Groff, 1870, 1874; Ralph Hunt, 1871, 1875; Payne Chappel, 1877.
THE OFFICIAL RECORDS
of the first town-meetings contain some interesting matter. In 1837 a bounty of three dollars was voted for every wolf killed within the bounds of the town. Five school districts were formed, and sixteen road districts established.
At the Congressional election, held in August, 1837, fifty-six votes were polled ;
and at the State election, in November of the same year, this number was aug- mented to eighty-two votes.
The entire expenses of the town, for 1837, were eighty-three dollars and fifty- five cents, of which sum the supervisor received fourteen dollars and twenty-five cents.
In 1842, the matter of restraining cattle was brought before the meeting. It was decided that they be restrained. Lemuel Van Wagoner was elected pound- master; " and that his barn-yard be taken for a public pound, and he is to have twenty-five cents for every creature he may pound."
OAKWOOD.
Somewhere about 1845, there were a number of houses erected on the Brandon town-line, on the southwest corner of section 6, and the northwest corner of sec- tion 7, in the township of Oxford, and on the adjacent section in Brandon. The place was never platted for a village, but lots were sold from the farms of Hosea and Welcome Campbell; and from the circumstance the place was at first called Campbell's Corners.
About 1848, Welcome Campbell built a tavern on the southwest corner of section 6. It was a commodious building for those times, and has been used for tavern purposes ever since. A short time after, Mr. Campbell built an addition to his house and put in a stock of goods. With the growth of the place came a change of name, and it is now known as Oakwood. It is delightfully located, in a rich farming country, and affords pleasant homes for about one hundred and fifty inhabitants. . John C. Meacham conducts a hotel, on the Oxford side; James Douglas has a blacksmith-shop; James Weir a cooper-shop; and Daniel Fuller and Marcus Gregory have wagon-shops. There is also a fine school-house and about fifteen private residences in the same part of Oak wood.
THOMAS.
Soon after the building of the Detroit and Bay City railroad there was a demand for a station and village on this line, in the northern part of the town- ship. In response to this desire, John Thomas platted eighteen acres on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 4, in December, 1873. The situa- tion is extremely beautiful. It is on a high plain, overlooking the surrounding country, yet easily approached on all sides. The first building erected at Thomas was a grain-elevator, in 1874. Its dimensions are fifty-six by twenty-four feet, and it has a capacity of fifteen car-loads. It was also used as the first freight depot. In the fall of 1874, the Francis brothers erected a grain-house, thirty- eight by forty-six feet, being the second building in the place. Early in 1875, John Thomas built a fine store-house in the eastern part of the village, when L. D. Campbell put in a large stock of goods in the fall of that year. The same season a large hotel was erected north of the store. The main building is twenty- four by forty-eight feet; the wing, twenty-four by thirty-six feet. It is two stories high. Messrs. Knapp & Wilson erected a large store the same year. A handsome depot building was also put up in 1875. A steam grist-mill was erected by Francis & Johnson Brothers, in 1876. The main building is thirty- four by forty-six feet, twenty-two feet high,-with an addition of twenty-two by sixty-four feet. The machinery is first-class, three run of stones, and operated by a forty horse-power engine. The capacity of the mill is seventy-five barrels of flour per day.
The growth of Thomas has been steady and continual, and it now has a popu- lation of about seventy-five souls, with the following business: cooperage, Francis & Johnson Brothers; hotel, " The Sherman House," H. E. Bartholo- mew ; steam mill, Francis & Johnson Brothers; general store, Knapp & Wilson; millinery, Misses Ewell and Widger; grain and lumber, Francis & Johnson Brothers ; clothing, A. M. Lewis; boots and shoes, J. Eeles ; wagon-shop, Nelson Whitbeck ; blacksmiths, Samuel Bradley and John Miller; postmaster, Byron Knapp; express agent, G. S. Maynard.
Thomas is noted as an important shipping point. In 1874, two hundred and sixteen car-loads of wheat were shipped from this place.
OXFORD VILLAGE.
This thriving and enterprising village is located on sections 22 and 27, on the Detroit and Bay City railroad. It is situated on an elevated plain several miles in extent, and, owing to its altitude, which raises it above malarial influences, is one of the healthiest localities in the State. The surrounding country is under a high state of cultivation, which conduces greatly to the prosperity of the place. It is noted as one of the finest trading points on the railroad. Its private and public buildings present a neat and handsome appearance; and there is an air of thrift and business activity which betokens general prosperity. The land on which the village is located is part of the original purchases made by Fite and Adam Rossman in 1833 and 1834. These also were the first settlers. The house
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
erected by Fite Rossman in 1833, and which was afterwards used as a tavern, stood near the present " Oxford Exchange."
Henry Shelters settled near Rossman's in the fall of 1833, and was the first carpenter and joiner in the place. He has lived here since, and still follows his trade.
About 1837, William H. Powell settled at what was then known as Oxford Corners, and commenced building a frame tavern. It was not completed until 1839. It was then a good building, and is yet used as a hotel, being now known as the " Stanton House."
In April, 1839, Dr. E. Burdick removed from Deming's to Powell's, and helped the latter complete his tavern. They used home-made lath, splitting cedar posts into thin strips for this purpose. Dr. Burdick was the first practicing physician in the place.
Isaac Annice, the first blacksmith, located about 1838. He was well liked, and always spoken of as Uncle Annice.
Robert W. Davis was the first wagon-maker, building a shop about 1840.
In 1839, Hiram Gould came to the village, and worked at his trade,-car- pentry.
Worthington Gay was the mason and plasterer.
Daniel Haines was the weaver. He made plain cloths. No one could afford the luxury of a rag carpet.
About 1840, Daniel F. Ingals and Benjamin Knight built a small foundry at Oxford. They made plows, sleigh-shoes, and repairs for farmers. Some of the citizens of the village desiring a gun to celebrate the nation's natal day, Knight & Ingals undertook to cast one at their foundry. Perry Ball made the model. The work of casting was easy enough, but it was found a somewhat diffi- cult matter to drill the bore. It was finally accomplished by sinking the gun into the ground in an upright position, and then, by the aid of sweeping levers to which drills were affixed, carried round and round like the levers of a thrashing power, four men did the work, which occupied several days. After the work was done, they were afraid the cannon would burst if used. To test its strength they tied it to a stump, and putting in a heavy charge were gratified to see it equal to the strain. This novel piece of ordnance was used to announce the advent of the fourth of July, 1841, and has been employed on many similar occasions subse- quently. It is yet able to belch forth the glad notes of America's independence, and was used to celebrate the centennial anniversary. It is now the property of Dr. Burdick, one of the original owners.
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