History of Oakland County, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories, Part 77

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 77

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In 1837-38, Needham Hemingway built a large flouring-mill at the village of Orion, below the saw-mill. It had three run of stone, and was capable of doing good work. It was destroyed by fire some years after. In order to get suffi- cient power, the dam across Paint creek was raised to the height of twelve feet. This produced an immense area of water, causing, in stormy weather, such a pressure against the breast of the dam that it gave way several times. The im- mense volume of water freed and rushing down the narrow valley caused great destruction. On one of these occasions the property-holders living below the dam protested against its being rebuilt, and secured an injunction restraining Mr. Hemingway from proceeding with the work. But, in the mean time, the water remaining in the bed of the pond had become stagnant, and there was great dan- ger of miasmatic diseases decimating the country. On the ground of such ap- prehension, the order was set aside so far as to allow the board of health to rebuild the dam as a sanitary measure. With this purpose in view, the entire country for miles around was aroused one Saturday night to get men and teams to rebuild it the coming day. As soon as the light dawned the forces began to appear, and by noon several hundred men and many teams were engaged in the work. Be- fore evening the work had so far progressed that the dam was virtually rebuilt, and it was finished without further let or hindrance from the protesting parties.

The dam has been destroyed three times in all, always giving way on the north side ; consequently the channel has been much enlarged in that direction.

In 1872 the track of the Detroit and Bay City railroad was laid along the dam, and, to secure the necessary road-bed, it has been strengthened in a very substan- tial manner by piles and curbing. The entire length of the structure is now about four hundred feet.

Some years before the destruction of the Hemingway mill, Mr. E. R. Emmons erected a very fine three-story building, thirty-five by fifty feet, on the south side of Paint creek, for factory purposes. The mill being burned, Mr. Emmons bought the site, and thus gained entire control of the water-power at Orion. He supplied his building with improved mill machinery, and in 1868 commenced grinding. The mill has three run of stone, with a capacity of seventy-five barrels of flour per day.

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES.

Soon after the formation of the Decker settlement, Samuel Eaton opened a school in a private house. It was attended by the children of the early settlers at that place.

About 1834 a log school-house was built, at what was then known as Clark's corners, on the land of Elijah B. Clark. It was a rude building, poorly furnished, but served a good purpose for some years. Among the first teachers were Miss Jane Bagg and Miss Sarah Wooden. Both had a good reputation as teachers.

In 1836 the township was divided into four districts, and log school-houses erected in different localities, and in these humble temples of knowledge most of the citizens of to-day received the first principles of their education. Among these houses may be noted the " Block," in the northwestern part of the town- ship, and the " Shanghai," in the central part. Both had more than a local reputation.

The first school-house at Orion was a frame building, erected in 1844. It is now used as a dwelling-house by Alvah Rodgers. In 1868 the present structure, a fine brick edifice, thirty-eight by fifty-two feet, was completed at a cost of four thousand dollars. It will accommodate two hundred pupils. In other parts of . the township good frame buildings have been erected for school purposes. ·

SOCIETIES AND ORDERS.

I. O. of O. F .- A lodge of this order was established in 1849, meeting at Orion village. James Kingsland was the Noble Grand. A few years thereafter the lodge-room and all its contents were destroyed by fire. Among the members of this lodge were a number of gentlemen who afterwards became prominent in State history, as M. H. Hart, Alvin N. Hart, Colonel J. R. White, and William Hemingway. These came from Lapeer-twenty-one miles-to be initiated. The order does not have a lodge at Orion at present.

Masonic .- Orion lodge, No. 46, was organized in 1851. Its first officers were

Jesse Decker, W. M .; David Ketcham, S. W .; and Asa Owen, J. W. Mr. Owen is still living, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The lodge has now sixty-five members, and has held regular meetings ever since its organization. It was burned out twice,-the last time on July 9, 1874, when all the property and records were destroyed. This prevents the giving of as full a history as desirable.

Sons of Temperance .- A division of this order was organized in 1852. James P. Keeler was the first W. P.

Good Templars .- A lodge was instituted September, 1862. Charles K. Car- penter was the first Worthy Chief.

Patrons of Husbandry .- A grange of this order was organized February, 1874. It had sixty-one charter members.

IMPROVED STOCK.

John Lessiter was the first to introduce blooded stock. In 1865 he brought five Durhams from New York, and has kept on adding to his herd until it num- bers thirty head, with yearly sales of from eight to ten head. Since the intro- duction of this stock there has been a great improvement in the stock of the township, most of which is directly traceable to Mr. Lessiter's herd.

RAILROADS.

In 1872 the Detroit and Bay City railroad was built through the northeastern part of the town. Its building was a great benefit to the country, as it is an ex- cellent road, and gives good shipping facilities. Other routes have been projected, but there is no probability that the roads will be built at an early day. Orion village is the principal shipping point for the township.

CEMETERIES.

The first burials of the settlers were made in the Bigler grave-yard, in Oakland township, just across the town-line. Here the mother of Samuel Munson was interred about 1828. About the same time Roxanna, daughter of Philip Bigler, was buried there.

In 1838 a burial-ground was set aside north of the village of Orion, on land now belonging to A. S. Warner. It is not at present in use, those buried there having been removed to the " Evergreen cemetery."

Perry's burial-ground, on section 12, was first used in 1840. John Perry was the first person there interred.

EVERGREEN CEMETERY

is a handsome tract of land of about three acres, lying north of Lake Orion, and within the corporate limits of the village. Fine oaks and pines grow in a state of nature on the elevated ground of the cemetery, while its drainage is excellent. It is managed by an association, incorporated under the laws of the State. The . association was formed in 1859, with D. C. Earl as president, and A. S. Warner, secretary. The present officers are E. R. Emmons, president, and A. S. Warner, secretary.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

On Monday, April 5, 1835, the first town-meeting was held at the house of Jesse Decker, agreeably to an act of the legislative council, approved March, 1835. It was organized by choosing William Merchant moderator, and G. W. Close clerk. Fifty votes were cast, and the election resulted as follows :

Jesse Decker, supervisor ; Alexander McVean, clerk; Joel Seeley, collector ; Simeon Walton, Asa Owen, and A. McVean, assessors; Elijah B. Clark, Philip Bigler, directors of poor ; Joel Seeley, Philip Bigler, and G. W. Close, commis- sioners of highways; Joel Seeley and G. W. Walton, constables; J. Bigler, S. Walton, and J. Decker, fence-viewers ; G. W. Close, William Merchant, and E. B. Clark, commissioners of common schools.

The supervisor's salary was two dollars that year, and the total expenses of the town were only thirty-six dollars and ninety-six cents, leaving a balance of two dollars and ninety-six cents in the treasury.

The records of the township from 1835 to 1859 were destroyed by fire, which makes it difficult to determine who were officers in that period. As far as has been positively ascertained, those elected to the principal offices, for a constitu- tional term, since 1835, were:

Supervisors .- Jesse Decker, 1836, 1841-42, 1844-45, 1847, 1853-54 ; E. B. Clark, 1837-38; C. W. Close, 1839, 1840; Gordon Chapel, 1843; Ezra Car- penter, 1846 ; Benjamin F. Sheldon, 1848-52; W. H. Spencer, 1855-56 ; C. K. Carpenter, 1857-58; Andrew Bradford, 1859-61 ; Noah Tyler, 1862-64; William E. Littell, 1865-69, 1872-77; Christopher Cole, Jr., 1870-71.

Town Clerks .- William E. Littell, 1859; Vincent Brown, 1860-61, 1868, 1877; William Graham, 1862-63; Charles B. Rich, 1864-65; Theodore D. Rich, 1866-67.

258

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Justices of the Peace .- Jesse Decker, 1836-37, 1845 ; G. W. Close, 1836, 1838; A. McVean, 1836, 1840, 1844, 1848; Hiram Voorheis, 1838, 1842, 1846, 1854, 1869 ; Robert Jarvis, 1839; Josiah Russell, 1841 ; John W. Kent, 1843; Warren Churchill, 1849, 1853; E. R. Emmons, 1850; F. C. Myrick, 1851; John Hall, 1852, 1856 ; Andrew Bradford, 1857; Isaiah Bradford, 1858; George R. Tower, 1859; John Lessiter, 1860, 1864, 1868, 1872, 1876; Alan- son C. Hemingway, 1861 ; Andrew Bradford, 1862; Asar Brown, 1863; Wil- liam Honeywell, 1865; William E. Littell, 1866, 1870, 1874; Jesse B. Sharp, 1867, 1873; Payne Axford, 1871 ; John H. Lord, 1875; Joshua C. Predmore, 1876; Christopher Cole, 1877.

CHURCHES.

As early as 1825 the pioneer missionary made his appearance among the settlers of Orion. Elder Norton, a Baptist, Elder Warren, a Methodist, and Elder Earl. a Protestant Methodist. are remembered as being among the first to pro- claim the gospel in those sparsely-settled regions of the county, their meetings being held in the houses of the most prominent settlers in different localities.

- In 1831-32, Rev. Frazer Methodist, of the Ohio conference, preached regu- larly in Orion. He was followed by Rev. L. Hill, of the same conference, who organized the first Methodist class in Orion, at the house of Hiram Barnes, in 1833. It was composed of Hiram Barnes and wife, Job and Elizabeth Sherman, and their daughter Ellen. Thos. J. and Juliette Carpenter, Samuel Eaton, Joel Eaton, wife and daughter Jane. William Merchant and wife, and Elizabeth Wyc- koff-in all fourteen. This class was now regularly supplied, and services were held in the school-houses in the east part of the town. Among those who preached on the circuit of which this was one part, were Revs. J. H. Davison, E. H. Pilcher, Washington Jackson, O. F. North, F. Britton, J. Gray, H. Mor- gan, J. Boynton, Wm. Mothersell. T. Woodard, R. Pengilly, S. Steele, H. Hall, Wm. Bigelow, H. N. Brown, E. D. Young, B. F. Prichard, S. P. Lee, John Gray. Thomas Seeley, Wm. Mckibby, John G. Whitcomb, James R. Noble, A. Minnis, Theo. C. Higgins, S. Bessey, S. Bird, B. H. Hedger, Rodney Gage, and A. Laing.

While in charge of the latter, steps were taken to build a church at Orion vil- lage. The corner-stone was laid in June, 1872.

On the 11th of January, 1873, while the Rev. J. R. Cordon was in charge, the lecture-room was dedicated, and on June 14, 1874, the whole house was for- mally dedicated by the Rev. Dr. Ives, of New York. It is an imposing structure, built of wood, thirty-eight by sixty feet, thirty feet high, and is surmounted by a spire one hundred and four feet high. The house has three rooms below, and a handsomely finished audience-room above. The entire cost was about seven thou- sand dollars. Rev. Cordon remained pastor until 1875, when Rev. D. Whiteley assumed charge, and is now the pastor. The church has eighty-five members.

In 1870 the Methodists organized a Sunday-school, which met in a hall until their church was completed. Vincent Brown was the superintendent. He is also the present incumbent. The membership of the school is one hundred. It sustains a library of two hundred volumes.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

About 1833 a society of Congregationalists was formed at the house of N. Hemingway, then living in Oakland township, by Revs. Ruggles, Worthington, and Shaw. It was styled the " Congregational Church of Paint Creek," and was . composed of Apollos and Matilda Dewey, Hannah Coleman, Lydia Potter, Par- melia Baldwin, Polly Decker, Walter Dewey, Peter Brewster, Nancy Whitney, and Lucinda Owen. Rev. J. W. Ruggles was elected pastor, and Apollos Dewey deacon and clerk. Meetings were held in the Perry school-house.

This was the germ of the society which was reorganized at Orion village, January 18, 1853, by Revs. Isaac W. Ruggles, D. L. Eaton, P. R. Hurd, and H. A. Reed. The members connecting themselves were Freeman Hall, Hannah Hall, Jane Hall, Thomas C. Carr, Josiah Dewey, Hannah Noble, Almira Churchill, Joseph Tindall, Patience R. Small, Almeda Tindall, Philo Van Wagoner, and Phoebe A. Van Wagoner.

At an election held April 7, 1853, Josiah Dewey and Joseph Tindall were chosen deacons, John Hall clerk, and Rev. D. L. Eaton pastor.

. A neat frame church was erected in 1854, thirty-five by fifty feet, to which a session-room, twenty-six by eighteen feet, and a kitchen, twelve by eighteen feet, were added in the spring of 1877. The entire cost of the building was five thousand dollars. It is very complete in all its arrangements.

Following is a list of the pastors who have been connected with the church since 1853: Rev. D. L. Eaton, till 1855 ; Rev. E. T. Branch, 1855-66 ; Rev. Wm. E. Stickland, 1866-68 ; Rev. Whitney, 1869-70; Rev. Samuel Phillips, 1871-73; Rev. Robert Hovenden, 1875-76. In April, 1877, Rev. D. Payson Buede was elected the present pastor. The membership of the church is now seventy-five. A. S. Warner is the present clerk.

A union Sunday-school was held in this church years ago, but no record of it can be found. In 1875 a Congregational school was organized, with Deacon John Taylor as superintendent. This office was also held by Alanson Predmore and W. L. Carpenter, who is the present incumbent. The school has ninety members, and one hundred and fifty books in its library.

THE PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY.

About 1844 a Presbyterian society was formed in the western part of the town, whose meetings used to be held in the " Block" school-house. For some years it had a prosperous career, and steps had been taken for the building of a church. But the dissensions arising between the old and the new schools of the church prevented the consummation of this purpose, and the society was dissolved about 1852.

VILLAGE OF ORION.

In 1836, James Stillson, a traveling auctioneer, platted forty acres, on the northeast part of section 11, for a city. He had a highly-colored view of it made, representing wharves, with steamers arriving and departing, public parks, graded streets, numerous fine buildings, and all the appliances of a city. He called the lake Canandaigua, and the embryotic metropolis Canandaigua city. Taking his plat to the east, he made fabulous representations of the advantages which this coming city of Michigan offered, and succeeded in selling a number of lots at exor- bitant figures. The remainder of the lots he offered at public sale in Detroit, and received a bid of six cents a lot for them. Some of his eastern purchasers came on to the supposed city, only to find it a bit of marshy ground, with not the least sign of habitation. Thoroughly disgusted, they left the country, and their city lots to whoever wished to possess them. E. R. Emmons' mill now stands on the site of the paper city.

But nature had bestowed her gifts upon this place with too lavish a hand for them to remain long unused. Here were advantages that need but be improved to make them the foundation of a thriving town. Realizing this, Needham Hemingway platted the east half of the southeast quarter of section 2 in 1838; and this now forms the principal part of the present site of Orion. A few months later, John Perry platted sixteen blocks on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 1, calling it Perrysburgh. It is now an addition to Orion. In 1858, Jesse Decker platted an addition of thirteen blocks on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 11, being part of the same ground that Stillson had platted twenty-two years before.

The early growth of Orion was not remarkable, but rather in response to the trade created by the surrounding country. The first frame house erected was used for hotel purposes by Thomas Abernathy. It was in the northern part of the village. It is still standing, and is now the property of Stephen Seeley. Among other buildings put up at an early day was a large house, not far from the mill, for a tavern. It was called the " Orion House," and was owned by David Shadbolt. It is still used for hotel purposes.

In 1842, Enos Gage, a mechanic of superior ability, erected the first brick house, from brick burned in the village by Mathias Varhite. His yard was the only one in all that section of the country, and was patronized for many miles around for brick to build chimneys. With the exception of the school-house in the village, no other brick house was ever built in the township. It is still in good condition, and is now occupied by Mr. Gage's widow.

Robert Jarvis and Paul Rice opened the first store in the village in 1838. Jarvis was also the postmaster of what was then known as New Canandaigua. It had a weekly mail. In 1854 the name of the post-office was changed to Orion, and a semi-weekly mail supplied.

In 1842, Simeon Andrews opened the second store.

About 1837, Dr. Smead located at Orion as the first physician. A year later he associated Dr. Bugbee with him. Dr. Power also practiced in the township.

L. L. Treat was the first lawyer in the village. He was an able counselor, and his services were widely sought. In 1841 he drew up an application for a public school in the village, and soon thereafter they succeeded in establishing one of the best schools in the county. In 1865, Mr. Treat was sent to the senate of Michi- gan from Oakland County.

Josiah Russell was the joiner of the village. He subsequently removed to the western part of the State, when he became a judge.

. Robert Jarvis was the justice of the peace. He was a man of shrewd sense, and his decisions were generally final. In those days lawsuits were numerous, and justice was meted out freely.

John Sanders, Jacob H. Brown, and N. B. Miller opened blacksmith-shops in the village from 1838-40. Of these, Mr. Miller still follows his avocation in the place, having had many patrons for thirty years.

In 1859, Orion was incorporated, but its charter was repealed in 1863. The

C. A . CARPENTER

MRS. C. A. CARPENTER.

RESIDENCE OF C. A. CARPENTER, ORION TP, OAKLAND CO., MICHIGAN.

C.K. CARPENTER.

MRS. C. K. CARPENTER.

RESIDENCE OF C.K. CARPENTER, ORION TP., OAKLAND COUNTY, MICH .

259

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

records of this period have been carried away, so that not much can be said con- cerning its municipal government.

In 1862 nearly the entire business section of the village was destroyed by fire. Recovering from this blow, it was again-1869-chartered as a village, and is now governed under it.

The first election held under this charter, April 12, 1869, resulted as follows :

President, Isaiah Bradford; Recorder, Naaman J. Ingersoll; Treasurer, Vin- cent Brown; Assessor, Simeon Andrews; Trustees, Alanson Predmore, John H. Lord, William E. Littell, Nelson Beemer, Henry R. Crawford, and William H. Ferguson.

The principal officers elected since then were :

In 1870, President, Isaiah Bradford; Recorder, N. J. Ingersoll ; Trustees, Henry R. Crawford, Nelson Beemer, and Wm. E. Ferguson.

In 1871, President, John R. Plumley ; Recorder, Wm. E. Littell; Trustees, Vincent Brown, Isaiah Bradford, and A. S. Warner.

In 1872, President, John R. Plumley ; Recorder, Wm. E. Littell ; Trustees, Joshua C. Predmore, E. R. Emmons, and Darius Wilbur.

In 1873, President, John R. Plumley ; Recorder, Wm. E. Littell; Trustees, Isaiah Bradford, Vincent Brown, and Thomas N. Reynolds.

In 1874, President, John R. Plumley ; Recorder, Wm. E. Littell; Trustees, John Berridge, Thomas Sherdy, and Alanson Predmore.

In 1875, President, Willard Humphrey; Recorder, Joshua C. Predmore ; Trustees, Thomas N. Reynolds, Peter Kline, and James C. Seeley.

In 1876, President, Vincent Brown ; Recorder, H. F. Higby ; Trustees, Adam R. Shoup, David Conn, and Isaac S. Kitchen.

In 1877, President, David B. Ketcham ; Recorder, James W. Seeley ; Trustees, Peter Kline, James S. Porrit, and Henry Blanchard.

On the night of July 9, 1874, nearly the entire business area of the village was again destroyed by fire. This was a severe blow to the place, crippling its busi- ness to some extent; but the village has about recovered from its effects, and now does a fair business, as will be seen from the following résumé :

Agricultural implements, Carpenter & Owen ; barber-shop, Charles Farmer ; blacksmiths, N. B. Miller, Thomas Sherdy ; broom-maker, R. Hurlbut ; books and notions, A. S. Warner ; boots and shoes, J. R. Plumley ; carriage-factory, W. Humphrey & Son ; cooperage, Charles H. Seeley ; drugs, A. Merrick ; dry-goods, Joshua C. Predmore; foundry, Ketcham & Smiley ; furniture, Gustavus Fluri; grain-dealers, Carpenter & Owen; groceries, Belles Brothers; hardware, D. Conn; harness, Vincent Brown ; hotels, "Sims House," R. Sims, " Lake House," D. I. Dunton ; lumber, J. C. Seeley, Francis & Johnson Brothers ; meat-market, J. W. French ; milliners, Miss Kate Crawford, Mrs. J. W. French, Mrs. Lane; news- paper, Weekly Times, James W. Seeley, editor and proprietor; postmaster, A. S. Warner ; physicians, H. J. & A. R. Reynolds, C. A. Spencer ; restaurant, Mrs. E. Whitcomb ; undertaker, Isaiah Bradford.

Orion has an excellent cornet-band of ten members, led by Vincent Brown. The many celebrations held at the place call out the band frequently, and it always maintains its well-earned reputation.

THE OAKLAND COUNTY BUTTER AND CREAM ASSOCIATION

was organized April, 1877. Its object is to furnish a superior quality of butter for the Detroit market ; also to ship pure milk and manufacture cheese. It is officered by David B. Swayze, president, and Payne Axford, secretary. In the spring of 1877 a " creamery" was built by the association at Orion village. The main building is twenty by forty feet, with a wing ten by twenty feet. The creamery is supplied with the most approved apparatus, and is operated very suc- cessfully by Lane & Coe.

ORION PARK ASSOCIATION.

The beauties and advantages of Orion lake as a place for summer resort have already been alluded to. As soon as the Detroit and Bay City railroad, which runs along its shore, was completed, it became frequented by pleasure-parties from Detroit and other metropolitan cities. About this time E. R. Emmons improved a natural park on the north shore of the lake, which was used for picnic purposes. In 1874 he placed a small steamer, the " Little Dick," on the lake for excursions to this park and the many islands of the lake. In 1874 a party of gentlemen purchased one of the finest of these islands, and formed themselves into an ass o- ciation with the above name. The incorporators were C. K. Carpenter, L. L. Treat, John H. Lord, Hiram Andrews, Alanson Predmore, Simeon Andrews; Lewis B. Hemingway, Isaac S. Kitchen, Robert Sims, C. F. Whitcomb, and Isaiah Bradford. They immediately began a series of improvements which have made this place one of the finest in the country. They constructed a fine bridge one hundred and fifty feet long, to connect the island with the mainland. Upon the island they built a reception hall one hundred feet long, surmounted by a tower eighty-four feet high. From this a magnificent view of the lake and the

surrounding country may be had. In a natural amphitheatre west of the tower a rostrum was erected, and seats for an audience of several thousand. They also purchased the " Little Dick," and constructed a wharf and boat-house opposite the island, and within a few rods of the railroad depots. From this regular trips to the island are made, giving parties a ride over one of the handsomest sheets of- water in the State.

" At the outset of the enterprise it was resolved by the managers of the park to permit no intoxicating liquors to be sold on the premises. This resolution has been adhered to, and societies, schools, and private picnic-parties are here entirely free from the annoyances often caused by the sale of this common enemy of the public peace.

The foregoing history of Orion was compiled largely from personal information given by Hon. C. K. Carpenter, Hon. L. L. Treat, Hon. E. B. Clark, Eli Welch, Powell Carpenter, A. S. Warner, Vincent Brown, Charles A. Carpenter, the Orion Times, Asar Brown, John Lessiter, Mrs. J. R. Cordon, Mrs. Walter Dewey, E. R. Emmons, Ezra Carpenter, and others, to whom the historian hereby ex- presses his indebtedness.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CHARLES K. CARPENTER.

This gentleman was born January 23, 1826, in Hornellsville, Steuben county, New York. His father, Daniel P. Carpenter, was born in 1781, in Westchester county, New York. His mother's maiden name was Anna Ketcham, and she was born in the town of Cornwall, Orange county, New York, in 1787. Her ancestors formerly lived on Long Island, but removed to Orange county at a very early day.

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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 77

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