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 76
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On the 28th of January, 1836, Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Sarah Mann, a resident of his native town, by whom he has had born to him two sons and five daughters, all but one now living and residing near the old homestead. Mr. Cole is a Democrat in politics. He is a supporter of all educational institu- tions of his township and county, taking a lively interest in the same, and giving to his children the advantages of which he himself was deprived in his younger days. He has also been a liberal contributor to the erection of all the churches in his neighborhood.
There was a company of seventy persons who came into Oakland County when Mr. Cole came, nine teams bringing the household-stuff and some of the persons. His father-in-law's family came by water.
WILLIAM ANDERSON.
Prominent among the stock-raisers of the country William Anderson is found, and he has done much to give to the people of Oakland fine specimens of man's best and most valuable servant, as well as a noble animal, the horse. He began the breeding of Hambletonian stock in 1872, at which time he made his first purchase, the same being the celebrated Rysdyck Hambletonian stallion "Jim Fisk," which he obtained in Essex county, New Jersey. This noted trotter has a record of 2.312, and has repeatedly made one-half mile in private in 1}. Several of " Fisk's" colts of Mr. Anderson's raising have already gained an envi-
able reputation on the records of the turf. Any lover of the horse, more especially of the Hambletonian family, will enjoy a visit to Mr. Anderson's stables. He sold " Jim Fisk," in 1875, to William Willets, of Pontiac, for four thousand five hundred dollars.
Mr. Anderson was born in Oxford, Warren county, New Jersey, July 22, 1836, being the ninth in a family of seven sons and three daughters. His parents, William and Margaret (De Mott) Anderson, were among the early settlers of Warren county, and were people of considerable wealth and great enterprise.
William, Jr., received an academic education, and taught school for a time. When twelve years of age his father died, and he remained on the farm assisting in its management until he attained his majority, when his mother engaged his services until he was twenty-six years old. Then he resolved to see the western country, and, with his mother, spent the summer of 1862 in looking up a de- sirable location in Oakland and Calhoun counties, Michigan, and a portion of Illinois.
He returned from the latter State in the fall of 1862, and purchased a farm in Albion, Calhoun county, Michigan, which, however, he rented, never becoming a resident of that county. In 1866 he made his first purchase in Oakland County, the same being one hundred and seventy acres on section 12, in the township of Oakland. In 1870 he disposed of this purchase, and bought two hundred acres of the present farm on which he resides, to which he has since added one hun- dred acres more. It is one of the best grain- and fruit-producing tracts in the county. A view of the homestead, and portraits of Mr. Anderson and his worthy helpmeet, may be seen on another page of our work.
Mr. Anderson was united in marriage March 26, 1863, to Miss Olive L. Flum- merfelt, daughter of John S. Flummerfelt, of Oakland, by whom five children, three of whom died in infancy, have been born to him. The surviving children are : Eddie J., born October 2, 1867, and Byron D., born January 13, 1872. Mrs. Anderson is a native of Oakland township, and was born August 27, 1845. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Democratic party, and himself and wife are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM B. FOSDICK.
The subject of the present sketch, William B. Fosdick, was born in the town of Clinton, Dutchess county, New York, June 20, 1807, being the youngest in a family of six sons and four daughters. He received as good a common-school education as the days of his boyhood afforded, and wrought at farm labor for his father until he was twenty-three years of age. For three years longer he con- tinued to follow the same business for other parties. In the spring of 1833 he came to Michigan, and bought eighty acres of land in the township of Oakland, on section 27, built some fence, and sowed a few acres of wheat, and in the fall of
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WM. B. FOSDICK.
MRS. EMMA J. FOSDICK.
N. B. FOSDICK.
MRS.WM. B. FOSDICK.
RESIDENCE OF WM. B. FOSDICK, OAKLAND, OAKLAND CO., MICH.
255
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
that year returned to Dutchess county, where he spent one summer, and returned to his Michigan farm in the spring of 1835, and during the summer built a house, and returned in the fall again to Dutchess county, and brought from thence Miss Esther Cox, a native of that county, to his Michigan home as his wife. She was born January 5, 1808. To his original purchase of eighty acres Mr. Fosdick has added from time to time other tracts, until at present he owns two hundred acres ; which, under his direct management and labor, has developed from the original forest to a most excellent farm, a view of which, together with portraits of him- self and wife, and those of their son and daughter-in-law, may be seen on another
page of this work. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fosdick, two of whom died in infancy : Nelson B. was born August 13, 1841, and married Miss Emma J. Carpenter, daughter of Jonathan Carpenter, of Ottawa county, Michigan, in January, 1874, and now resides on the old homestead with his pa- rents. Laura A., now Mrs. Axford Price, of Macomb county, was born December 17, 1837, and was married in November, 1863.
In political faith Mr. Fosdick is and has ever been a Jacksonian Democrat, but has, from choice, ever pursued the path of the private citizen, persistently refusing official positions.
ORION TOWNSHIP.
THIS township is described in the government surveys as town 4 north, range 10 east. By proclamation of acting Governor Woodbridge, bearing date June, 1820, it became a part of Oakland township, which at that time included the north three-fifths of the county. It remained a part of this until May 29, 1828, when, by an act of the legislative council, recorded in volume 2, page 653, "Terri- torial Laws of Michigan," it was set off and united with Pontiac township, with a provision " That nothing in this act shall affect the assessment or collection of taxes heretofore made in the township of Oakland." This relation was sustained until March, 1835, when it was organized as a separate township, to be called Orion ; and the first meeting was held at the (now) dwelling-house of Jesse Decker, in said township.
Relative to the application of this name to the newly-formed township, there is some difference of opinion. It is generally believed, however, that the name was suggested by Jesse Decker, who was impressed by its beauty on seeing it in an old school-book, and who urged its choice at the primary meeting.
The general character of the surface of Orion is broken by numerous hills, with small rose-willow and hazel plains in different localities. A spur of " Bald moun- tain" projects into sections 35 and 36, and has an elevation above the general level of several hundred feet. Mt. Judah is in the southwest part of the town. Neither of these points is distinguished from the surrounding country, except in altitude, no ledges or strata of rock being found in them. Their constituent elements are sand and clay, intermingled with bowlders. This stone, found also in nearly every other part of the town, is used for building purposes.
The land surface of this town was originally covered with a growth of timber, principally oak. This was quite heavy along the water-courses, and lighter on the more elevated grounds, often terminating in openings, which, on account of the frequent fires, were matted over with oak roots, or a growth of hazel and rose- willow. Other varieties of timber, as maple, beech, elm; linden, birch, and aspen, are also found. Quite an area was originally covered with pine. Sections 5 and 6, 18, 19, and 20, were so densely covered with this timber that those localities were always spoken of as " the pineries." Cedar is found to some extent along the lakes, while the American larch grows profusely in the marshy sections.
It is estimated that there are about seventeen hundred acres comprised in the area of the several lakes of this township. This, together with the marshes bor- dering on them, produces some twenty-four hundred acres of untillable land and water surface. The remainder of the township is covered with a fine, productive soil, although varying greatly in quality. Perhaps no other township in the county has a greater variety of soil in the same area than Orion. The town has a chain of lakes flowing in a general northeastern course, with Paint creek as a common outlet. This stream is the only one of any size in the town. After re- ceiving the waters of the several lakes it flows southeasterly, and discharges into the Clinton river at Rochester. Its descent is very rapid, affording excellent water-power, which has been improved to some extent. The presence of a mineral along its banks gives the water of Paint creek a reddish tinge, whence its name.
The twenty-nine lakes found in Orion vary from three acres to hundreds of acres in extent, and being fed by springs are all clear, cool, and usually contain an abundance of fish. Among the most noteworthy are Judah, Round, Long, Square, Elkhorn, Buckhorn, Voorheis, and Canandaigua lakes. One of these, Buckhorn, has no visible inlet or outlet. Its waters are very soft, and are highly esteemed for laundry purposes. Judah lake was named after Judah Church, who made an entry of land in its vicinity in 1820. Voorheis lake took its name from a Mr. Voorheis, who attempted the erection of a saw-mill at its outlet, but without real- izing sufficient power. An effort to get the water from Judah and Grass lakes was attended with no better success, and the project was finally abandoned as imprac-
ticable. Square lake is a misnomer, or a perversion of Squaw, as its general contour does not justify the former appellation. It is long and irregular, with comparatively high banks, and has but little swamp border.
Canandaigua lake, or Orion, as it is now called, is the largest in the township. By building a dam across Paint creek, its outlet, the level of the lake has been raised, forming many islands of the before-projecting headlands. These islands, seventeen in all, vary from forty square rods to thirty-six acres in extent. The shores of some of them are somewhat submerged, while others have high and sloping banks. These islands are generally studded with beautiful oak-, pine-, and cedar-trees, and viewed from a distance appear like settings of emerald in coro- nets of gold, when reflected by the light of the declining sun. The freshness of the waters of this lake produces healthful, invigorating breezes, and there are many excellent fisheries, which make it a favorite resort of the angler. The advan- tages of the lake are improved, and, besides utilizing its water-power, it has be- come a famous place of summer resort. These improvements will be noted at greater length in connection with the village of Orion, which is located upon its banks.
INDIAN HISTORY.
Little if any traditionary history of the aborigines exists. A few trails led through the town from Detroit to Lapeer, which until recently were quite well de- fined. One of these was along the route of the Detroit and Bay City railroad, which crosses and recrosses it, so closely does it follow its general course. Another trail was in the western part of the town. This was usually traveled by the tribes which had allied themselves with Great Britain when they went to Canada to receive their presents and annuities. On one occasion the smallpox broke out among them, and their dead and dying were left all along the route. There is also a tradition of the existence of a line of fortifications, used in Indian warfare, on what is now known as the Shick farm ; but the evidence is too vague to warrant it much credence.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
As near as can be determined, the first entry of land in Orion township was made by Judah Church and John Wetmore, in 1819. They purchased a lot on section 19, in the " Big Pinery," probably on account of the timber. It was as fine a body of pine as grew in the southern part of the State. From this time to 1824 there is no record of land purchased. In that year, Moses Munson, Powell Carpenter, Jesse Decker, Philip Bigler, and some others, made entries in the eastern part of the town, but no settlement was made until the year following.
In the spring of 1825, Samuel Munson first settled on section 24. He was a New Englander, and bringing the energy and enterprise of that country with him, he directed it to the development of his new home. He began at once to build a saw-mill, on section 25, near his home, built a log house, broke some ground, and, perhaps, planted the first orchard.
He was soon followed by Jesse Decker, Philip Bigler, Jacob Bigler, and John McAlvey, natives of New Jersey, who came in the fall of 1825, and united with Munson in subduing the wilderness. They built log houses, and the place where they located-on section 25-was soon known far and near as the " Decker Settle- ment." Around it cluster the earliest associations of Orion township.
Jesse Decker, the acknowledged leader of these pioneers, was a man of more than ordinary ability and strong native sense. He was well fitted for the arduous work of counseling and leading the people who were soon to gather in the forests around him. In the February following, being an open month, he seeded three acres to wheat, and began some improvements which gave character to the neighborhood. At a later day he was one of the foremost men in the affairs of the township.
256
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The same year-1825-Philip Bigler located the east half of the southeast quarter of section 2, which is now the principal part of the site of the village of Orion.
In 1826. Josiah Dewey and Needham Hemingway, natives of New York, lo- cated in the neighborhood of Decker, in Oakland township, but became identified with the interests of Orion. A few years later Walter Dewey became a resident of Orion.
In June. 1831. Elijah B. Clark, of Wayne county, Pennsylvania, located in the southeastern part of Orion, west of Decker. He was followed a few months later by Asa Owen. from the same place in Pennsylvania, who located on section 14, near Mr. Clark's : and in September, Eli Welch, of Cayuga county, New York, located on the north part of the same section. Thomas J. Carpenter, a son of Powell Carpenter, from Monroe county, New York, also settled on some of the land purchased by his father (in 1824 ) in September, 1831. This was on section 24. All these settlers made substantial improvements and became thoroughly identified with the town, aiding in the construction of the first school-houses, mills. and churches.
Again there was a lull in the tide of immigration for several years; but in 1535-37 it flowed with renewed vigor, bringing, in 1836, Charles F. and Ezra Carpenter. brothers, who located on section 12; and in June, 1837, Daniel P. Carpenter and family, who also settled on section 12. In the central part of the township Christopher Cole and Charles A. Carpenter made purchases of govern- ment land about this period ; and west of them Asar Brown, Solomon D. Buch- ner. and Philip Hibler cast their lots, living in Orion through the trying times of 1836-37. Others followed so rapidly that it would be a difficult task to classify all who deserve this distinction. A mere mention of the names of these hardy pioneers coming from the States of New York and New Jersey in the years 1834-38 will add lustre to the honor which already rests upon them for having been in the foremost ranks of settlers : G. W. Close, Wm. Merchant, Joel Seeley, D. Bagg, R. G. Rudd, John Parkhurst, Isaiah Bradford, and William Youngs ; also the Kiles. Perrys, Waltons, McVeans, Suttons, Andrews, Goods, Gates, Os- muns. and Voorheis.
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It must not be supposed that their daily lives were unattended by hardships and privations. From the time they left their homes in the east, until years after their settlement, most of them had a continual struggle with poverty, and suffered for the comforts and conveniences of life. Coming to Detroit by steamer, they were left to find their way to their new homes over almost impassable roads. Often this journey was made on foot, wading through mud knee-deep, or passing through forests whose quiet had until then been undisturbed by the tread of the white man. Erecting rude log houses, often covered with bark or boards, having only the simplest cooking utensils, and living on the plainest and coarsest food, they spent year after year, until their energy and industry triumphed over all the obstacles arrayed against them, when plenty and comfort came, ministering to all their wants. Theirs was a hard, stubborn lot ; and in view of the splendid achieve- ments. as shown in the many neat homes and well-kept farms dotting the town- ship, the fruits of their labors, they should ever be held in grateful remembrance by those who have followed them.
A few incidents will illustrate their privations and condition in life : Owing to the immense immigration in 1836, all the produce in the country was consumed. Flour could not be had for love or money, although but a short time before it sold at twenty shillings a barrel. Mr. Asar Brown relates the extremity to which they were reduced, being obliged to use bread made from meal sifted again and again. until it had passed four times through this process. In this hour of need, Dr. Williams, of Pontiac, appeared as the deliverer of the starving settlers. He brought a large quantity of flour and corn from Ohio, and dealing it out alike to the rich and the poor,-four pounds of flour and a peck of corn to each person,- their wants were relieved until additional aid was brought. Again, the means of communication, owing to poor roads and lack of horses, were limited. The axe was always carried along, and often poles had to be " packed" a long distance to make a bad place passable for teams. Some of the settlers could not get even an ox-team. They were obliged to draw their loads by hand. In the winter of 1838, Charles A. Carpenter and his brother made the trip from their home to Lapeer in a day, drawing a hand-sled, loaded with their tools and provisions,-about three hundred pounds weight,-all the way. Others relate how they went on foot twenty miles to get a peck of flour or a few pounds of coffee; and these articles, instead of being regarded as necessaries, were often . looked upon as positive luxuries.
EARLY IMPROVEMENTS.
Nearly all the settlers built log houses at first, which were replaced as soon as their means would warrant by comfortable frame structures. Some of these have done service to this day, although most of them have given way to more modern buildings.
The first frame barn was built by Jesse Decker, about 1830. It was a mod- erate-sized building, but there were not enough whites in the country to raise it, and Mr. Decker employed a lot of Indians to help him. They worked very well until they got warmed up by the " fire-water" which was always supplied on such occasions, when they became quarrelsome, and indulged in several fights.
In 1836, Thomas J. Carpenter raised a frame barn without the stimulating in- fluence of liquor. Inviting all his neighbors to the " raising," he told them that he would not supply whisky, but hoped all would come. On the appointed day two sets of men appeared, one to raise the barn on temperance principles, the other to look on, with a supply of whisky to keep them in cheer. The barn was raised without any trouble either from the weight of the timbers or from the liquor men, who stayed in the lane, jeering those at work. That night they vented their spleen by throwing down forty rods of rail fence which Mr. Carpenter had con- structed a few days before. The next day the temperance men returned and helped Mr. Carpenter to rebuild the fence.
STORES, SHOPS, AND TAVERNS.
In 1834, John Hankinson, a native of New Jersey, built a two-story frame building at Decker's, for a store-house. He put in a good stock of such articles as were in demand among the settlers, and conducted the store for several years. He was a fine man, and his death, which occurred some years after, was much lamented. From this time there was no store in the township until Orion vil- lage became a trading point.
As early as 1830 Jesse Decker kept a public-house, on section 25. In 1836 he was duly licensed by the town board to keep tavern.
Thomas Abernathy kept a tavern about the same time, at the old saw-mill, at what is now Orion. His first license bears the same date as Decker's.
For many years Rufus Streator was the only blacksmith in the town. He built a shop at Decker's, in 1832, where he plied his trade with a good deal of success.
POST-OFFICES AND STAGE-ROUTES.
The first post-office was established at Decker's, somewhere about 1832, with Jesse Decker as postmaster. The mail-route was from Royal Oak to Lapeer county, and a Mr. Rose was the carrier. He traveled first on foot, then on horseback. He was a peculiar man, but a great favorite along the route. Some years later a stage-line was established along the same route. Ira Pearsall was the first driver. It was regarded as a great accommodation, and quite an advance in civilization.
About 1837 the office at Decker's was discontinued and one established at Orion village, which now has daily mails. Between 1845-50 there was a post- office established in the western part of the township, known as Jersey. John Lessiter has been postmaster here for the last twenty-seven years.
SAW- AND GRIST-MILLS.
The first saw-mill in Orion township was built by Samuel Munson, in the sum- mer of 1825, on the northeast corner of section 25. It became the property of Jesse Decker some years afterwards.
A few months later, in 1825, Joseph Jackson built a small saw-mill on section 12, on the Paint creek. Powell Carpenter bought this property in 1835, and improved it. There is now a saw-mill near its first location, known as Rudd's mill.
In 1829, Needham Hemingway, Jesse Decker, and Philip Bigler built a saw- mill on Bigler's land, on section 2, just below the present dam at Orion. They also built a log house for the sawyer, which was afterwards used as a tavern by Abernathy. The mill was burned in 1832 by some Indians, because the proprie- tors would not furnish them whisky ; but was soon after rebuilt by Mr. Hemingway, who had, in the mean time, become sole owner of the property.
About 1835, Thomas Drake built a steam saw-mill in the " Pinery," section 19. It was supplied with good saws, but its engine was a wonderful wood-consuming affair. It kept three men and a team busy to supply it. A few years. later, Messrs. Chamberlain, Dorr, and Trowbridge bought this property and commenced work on a large scale. They also laid out a town, calling it Bangor. But there was never a house built on its site.
They employed a large force of men to cut timber and work on the mill. Not being paid promptly, the men suspected that the company was insolvent, and re- solved to deprive it of the work they had done. Accordingly, they kindled a large bonfire as an expression of their sentiments, burning up all the logs and wood they had cut. This event is still spoken of by the old settlers as the "Big Fire."
About this time Robert Merrick gained possession of the mill, and from him it passed into the hands of his son Fred, who moved it to the present ¿site of Mahopac about 1844. The mill and engine were much improved, so that now the " waste" furnished the necessary fuel. After operating it about ten years, he dismantled the mill, and sold the machinery to parties in Saginaw. It was the only mill ever operated by steam in the town.
MRS. CHRISTOPHER COLE.
CHRISTOPHER COLE.
VIEW OF SQUARE LAKE FROM RESIDENCE.
RESIDENCE OF CHRISTOPHER COLE, ORION TP, OAKLAND CO., MICH.
MRS. L. B. HEMINGWAY.
L. B. HEMINGWAY.
RESIDENCE OF L . B. HEMINGWAY , ORION TP, OAKLAND CO., MICHIGAN .
257
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
About 1845, Harrison Osmun built a saw-mill on section 6, which did the sawing for a considerable scope of country. It is still in running order.
In 1836, Powell Carpenter began work on his grist-mill, on section 12. A dam was built across Paint creek of material found close at hand. It was strong and substantial, and enabled them to use an eighteen-foot overshot wheel. The mill was a frame building, thirty-six by fifty-six feet, two stories and basement in height, and was supplied with three run of stone and good machinery. Its capacity was seventy-five thousand bushels a year. It was injured several times by floods, but remains to this day in essential feature as when built. It is now known as the " Valley mills," and is owned by R. G. Rudd & Son. The elder Rudd has been engaged as a miller in the township for thirty-six years.
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