History of Oakland County, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories, Part 88

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 88

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John Jones lived on his last farm forty-five years, then removed to Birming- ham, where he now resides, a witness of the wonderful changes which have taken place in this county the past fifty years.

On the section northwest of where Mr. Jones made his last farm was Alva But- ler, a native of Vermont, where he was born in 1798, but had removed to New York in 1804. From that State he came to Michigan in the fall of 1822, being one of a party of four young men who started with their packs on their backs for Buffalo, from which place they took boat to Detroit. He purchased a tract of land on section 17, where he settled a short time after with his wife, Hulda. This aged couple are still living on the farm originally settled. They had six children.

Solomon Caswell was born at Belchertown, Massachusetts, in 1796, and became a resident of the State of New York in 1805. Here he served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1817, and from there to Michigan in 1821. He remained at Detroit a short time, then prospected the country, visiting Oakland and other counties. Started home in the fall of 1821, but a storm drove them into the harbor at Buffalo. He remained in New York until 1823, when he came to his present place, on section 19, where he has since resided.

John Vollentine and his sons, natives of New York, came to Michigan in May, 1821. Being without means to purchase land, they worked among the settlers, in Oakland and adjoining counties, until they had enough money to buy the northwest quarter of section 19, where they moved in 1823. After living there about twelve years, Mr. Vollentine moved to Bloomfield, where he died.

Isaac Smith, also a New Yorker, had settled on section 18 about 1822, living there a few years, and then moved to Bloomfield.

Aaron Webster, from Cayuga county, New York, came to Troy in 1821, pur- chasing land on sections 6, 8, 17, and 18. Soon after moved to Auburn, where he engaged in a milling enterprise, and purchased a large tract of land in that locality, where he died in 1823.

Elizur Goodrich, also from Cayuga county, New York, came a few months later to the neighborhood, in Troy, where Webster had settled, and purchased his land. Goodrich had been a soldier of 1812, and was wounded at Chippewa, and came to Michigan to better his condition in life, having six grown sons-Alanson, Ira, David, Zenus, Chester, and Willard,-who became identified with the interests of Troy and the neighboring towns, and are in every sense pioneers.

Mrs. Lucy Fish, a New Yorker, a widow, with three sons, located on section 19 in 1823. The year following she married Elizur Goodrich, whose wife had died just before his coming to Michigan, in 1823.

Captain Robert Parks, of Cayuga county, New York, who commanded a com- pany in the war of 1812, came to Troy in 1822, purchasing four hundred acres,

principally on section 8, where he lived some years, then removed to Grand Rapids.

Michael and Caswell Beach, natives of the State of New York, were among the first settlers in the northwestern part of the town, locating on section 8, prob- ably in 1821.

James Skidmore, from Cayuga county, New York, came to Michigan in 1823, locating on the northwest quarter of section 7. He returned to New York, mar- ried Philinda Beach, and came on to his place, where he now lives, his wife having died a few years ago, in a home very different from the humble cabin, furnished with furniture manufactured from the saplings growing close by. His house was destroyed by fire about three years after ; but his neighbors, with the generosity which characterized the true pioneer, came to his aid, helped him build a house, and contributed from their scanty stores until Mr. Skidmore was again able to keep house. These humble gifts he has preserved, and prizes them highly.

Elisha Glazier, a New Yorker, came to Michigan about 1820, and soon after settled on section 2. He operated a distillery at this place years after, probably in 1826. He was killed by a runaway horse throwing him against a gate-post.

Joshua Davis, also from the Empire State, was one of the first settlers on sec- tion 18, about 1821. He was a road commissioner, and helped build many of the early roads. Removed to Southfield, where he died.

Stillman Bates settled on section 8 about 1822. He did not remain long in the country.

Joseph Lane, a Canadian, came to Michigan about 1823, settling on section 9. Jesse Gregory, from Cayuga county, New York, came the same year, worked for different parties in the township until he had earned means, then settled on section 15.

Wheeler Clark, a native New Yorker, settled on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 10. Cyrus Clark came about a year earlier, and settled on section 14. He subsequently removed to Detroit, where he died.

Henry Blount, a New Yorker, came to Michigan in 1825, perhaps a little later, and settled on section 10. He was a useful, well-known cit _ vi Troy, and died in that township in 1862.

Calvin Gibbs came to Michigan about 1820. He improved some property near Pontiac, which he traded for land in Troy, and on which he moved in 1823, where he lived many years.

Benjamin Phelps, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, moved to Michigan about 1825. He located on section 10, in Troy. Had one child when he came to the country. He removed to Pontiac, where he died, his wife surviving him.

Jehiel Smith, from Middlebury, New York, became a citizen of Troy in 1825, settling on the northeast quarter of section 21.

Ira Smith, a brother of Jehiel, came about the same time, and located on the northeast quarter of section 27. Here he kept a tavern for a number of years, was the postmaster at Big Beaver, and a prominent business man of that place. His wife survives him, and lives on the old homestead.

Riley Crooks, a bachelor, with his mother, Eunice, and sister, Polly, came from New York about 1823, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 20. He was the first town clerk, and was elected to that office at the time of his death, which occurred by a limb falling on him, while chopping down a tree, on the 27th of April, 1830.

Pheroras I. Perrin, of New York, came to Michigan about 1821, but did not settle until 1824. That year he located on section 29, where he lived some years, then moved to Wayne county, where he died, in 1875.

Daniel Burrows had settled in the southwest part of the town about 1823, where he lived ten or twelve years, then moved to Independence.

Edward Martin, from Aurelius, Cayuga county, New York, came to Macomb county, Michigan, about 1823. Exchanged the land he had taken there for some land on section 6, in Troy. He had nine children and only one dollar in money, but he worked hard and was prospered. He was elected sheriff of the county, and held other offices of honor and trust.

Clement Pearsall, of Scipio, New York, became a citizen of Troy in 1825, settling on section 28. Had one child, Alanson B., now a resident of Flint, when he came to the Territory. In 1834, Michael Pearsall, the father of Clem- ent, and his family, also came to Troy, and became one of its best citizens.

Harvey Perkins, also from Cayuga county, New York, settled on section 10.

Samuel Gibbs, from Livingston county, settled in Troy in 1826, locating on section 22. He had three children,-Almeron, then nine years old, and who now lives on section 27, opposite the old homestead, Almira, and William. Mr. Gibbs died in 1861.

Perhaps among the first settlers on section 3, and that part of Troy, was the Wellman family. They came from Vermont as early as 1819. Among the members best known were Joel and Aaron, who were active in the affairs of the township and its religious interests.

RESIDENCE OF SILAS B. WATTLES , TROY TP, OAKLAND CO., MICH.

A. C. TROWBRIDGE.

MRS. A.C. TROWBRIDGE.

RESIDENCE OF A. C. TROW BRIDGE, TROY TP, OAKLAND CO., MICH.

JESSE LEE STOUT.

MRS. OLIVIA P. STOUT.

RESIDENCE OF JESSE LEE STOUT, TROY, OAKLAND CO., MICH.

287

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

John and Orrin Sprague, from Chenango county, New York, came in February, 1824, and settled on section 28.

Eben Crawford and his father, David, settled on section 33 in 1824. He im- proved this place, then moved farther north.

Robert Crawford, a Canadian, came about 1824, and settled on section 20. He sold his interests to William Poppleton.

Ramah Cole, from Ovid, New York, settled on the east half of section 21 about 1824. After improving his property he moved to Shiawassee county.

Rufus Beach, a New Yorker, came early in 1824, locating on section 28. He improved his farm to some extent, when, having embraced Mormonism, he moved west.

Clark Beardsley was a native of Cayuga county, New York. He visited Michi- gan in 1825, and located a tract of land in Troy. Returning to New York, he married the daughter of Michael Pearsall, and moved to his place in 1826. He was elected to various town offices, and held the office of sheriff four years. He died in January, 1876, at Detroit.

George P. Morse, of New York, came to Michigan about 1823, settling first in Royal Oak. In 1826 he moved to section 27, in Troy.

Friend Belden, also a New Yorker, settled on section 30 in 1825. His father had bought the land about 1820, and gone to New York to get his family, but died before he could return.

Ira Jennings, from Richmond, New York, settled on section 10 in 1825. Lived there until his death, in 1853, leaving a widow and six children.

John Everett, from New York, made a home on section 9 in 1825. Lived there ten years, then moved to Washtenaw county, where he died.

Silas Sprague located on section 4 in 1824. He had seven children when he came into the county. He improved his farm until it was in a high state of cultivation, and continued to live there until his death, in 1868.

Andrew Downer came from the State of New York about 1824, and settled on section 9. He has a grown son named Edmund, and a daughter Laura, who married Jesse Gregory in 1826.

James Bayley, from Cayuga county, New York, located on section 21 in 1825. He was a tanner by trade, and had been looking for a location, but having a strong love for the farm, he concluded to go to Michigan, where he might get land cheap. Came in 1824, and made a small clearing, which he seeded to wheat, built a log house, and made preparations to move the next year; which he did, and lived on the place (adding to it by purchases until there are two hundred and fifteen acres) until 1868, when he moved to Birmingham, where he now resides.

Hiram Smith, from Orwell, Vermont, but later from Middlebury, New York, where he had married Louisa Pitts, came to Troy, Michigan, in 1829, settling first on section 22, and shortly after on section 16, where he built a log house, a trifle finer than those of his neighbors. It was made of dressed logs, and had a stone chimney, while the common log house had only a stick chimney. He had two children when he came, Josephus, then seven years old, and Pliny, an infant. Hiram Smith was a man highly esteemed by his townsmen, and was frequently called on to serve them, as is shown by the town records. He died on his place on the 21st of February, 1871, and Louisa, his consort, a week later, in March, 1871. Pliny, the youngest son, is now a resident of Grand Rapids.

Josephus Smith resides on the old homestead, having lived there nearly fifty years. He, also, has been actively interested in public matters, having held the offices of town clerk and justice of the peace many years, as well as the office of supervisor, which he at present fills.

Alfred Phelps, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, settled in Troy in 1828, locating on section 10. Soon after he moved to section 21, where he has resided ever since.

Jesse Lee Stout and Olivia P., his wife, came from Richmond, Ontario county, New York, in October, 1832. Mr. Stout purchased land on section 9, of which about thirty acres were improved. With the exception of a short residence in New York, the family has resided on this place ever since, and has been actively : interested in public matters, Jesse Lee Stout having frequently been called upon to fill offices of trust, while his son, Byron G.,-now a resident of Pontiac,-is well known in State history. The elder Stout died in 1874, Mrs. Stout surviving, and at present residing on the homestead.

Samuel W. Harding and his wife, Ann, whose maiden name was Abbey, came from Richmond, New York, in 1830, and settled on section 17, where he built a house, which is still used as a dwelling. His trade was that of a cabinet-maker, which he carried on until his removal, in 1836.

Elias Daniels, from Scipio, New York, settled on section 9 in 1828. He removed to Grand Rapids some years after.

A. C. Trowbridge, from Painted Post, New York, settled in Troy in 1831. He bought a farm of Zadoc and Aaron Wellman, on section 2, to which he moved in 1836, and where he has resided since.

David Rhodes, from the same place in New York, settled on section 1 in 1831. Mr. Rhodes died at this place in 1868.

Frederick Blount, a native of Livingston county, New York, settled on section 2 in 1832.

M. I. James, from Cortland, New York, came to Oakland County in 1824. He first settled in Bloomfield, and then in Troy, in 1835. He subsequently re- moved to Birmingham, where he now resides.

Henry A. Judd, a native of New York, settled on the northwest quarter of section 14 in 1836. His brother was a missionary to the Sandwich Islands, and his mother left Troy in 1846 to make him a visit. She remained in the Sand- wich Islands many years, outliving three kings, her son and his wife, and became a centenarian.

Guy Phelps came to Michigan about 1822, and settled on section 3 soon after. He was a shoemaker by trade, and carried on that business at Troy Corners for several years.

Baxter Gillett, from Vernon, New York, settled in Troy about 1835. He sub- sequently moved to Rochester, and at a later day was interested in the milling business at Auburn.

Benjamin Page, from Madison county, New York, came to Troy in 1836, to work at his trade, carpentry, building the Presbyterian church. Now resides on the Silas Sprague homestead.

Humphrey Addams, from New York, came to Troy about 1822, and located on section 1.

John Waldron, from Seneca county, New York, came to Troy in 1822, and purchased land on section 4. The following year he brought his family, and lived on the place until his death, in 1867. His wife died in 1877. They had five children, all of whom now live in Oakland County.

Stoughton Thornton made a purchase on section 4 at an early day, probably in 1821. He became a resident a short time after, and lived here until 1833, when he sold his farm to HENRY WALDRON, also from Seneca county, New York. Mr. Waldron resided upon this place until 1846, when he moved to Pontiac, where he now lives, being the president of the Oakland County Pioneers' Society.

William Crooks, a brother of Riley Crooks, came a short time after the death of his brother, about 1832, and settled on that place.

William Poppleton was born at Poultney, Vermont, in 1795, but removed to Richmond, Ontario county, New York, when he was seventeen years of age. Here, in 1814, he married Zady Crooks, having by her seven children, two of which died in their infancy, two in ripe womanhood, and the remaining three- two sons and a daughter-are now the only surviving members of the family.

In 1823, William Poppleton came to Michigan to purchase land, and made a selection in the southern part of section 20, in Troy. To this place he came in 1825, with his wife and two children,-Orrin and Sady, aged respectively eight and seven years,-making the entire journey from New York to Michigan by wagon, thirty-two days being required for the trip. Arriving on his land, in December, after many hardships, resulting from the poor roads over which he passed, he at once built himself a pioneer's home, and began the work of devel- oping the country. To this he applied himself with such energy that in 1845 his small farm had swelled its proportions to twelve hundred acres in extent. He lived on his old place until 1856, when he moved to a place just east of Birming- ham, where he resided until his death, in 1869, his wife having died in 1862. Mr. Poppleton was a man of great industry and the strictest integrity, and was the supervisor of his town for several years. He was also elected to the legisla- ture in 1842. Orrin, his oldest son, engaged in mercantile pursuits at Birming- ham in 1840, and has been engaged in trade there ever since, occupying since 1843 his present place of business, and being, perhaps, the oldest and most pros- perous merchant in the county. He was also elected to the Michigan legislature in 1852. The surviving daughter married D. Hoxsey, and now resides in Troy. The other son, Andrew J., was thoroughly educated for the profession of law, and in 1851, in company with Governor Richardson, became a citizen of Ne- braska, when that Territory was comparatively uninhabited. They settled at Omaha, and at a later period platted that city. He became very distinguished in his profession, was a member of the Nebraska legislature, and is at present the attorney of the Union Pacific railroad.

Justice Toms, a native of New York, came to Troy in 1824, and settled on section 19. He afterwards removed to White Lake.

Abner Robinson, from the same State, came the same year, and settled on section 30, where he died.

Josiah Alger, from Bloomfield, Ontario county, became a citizen of Troy in November, 1823, settling on section 32. He had nine children when he came. J. H., the oldest of seven sons, was then nearly fourteen years old. In 1836, Josiah Alger and family moved to Genesee county, Michigan, where the parents died. J. H. Alger returned to Troy in 1857, and now resides at Birmingham.

288

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Samuel Patrick, from Cayuga, New York, settled in Troy, on section 18. About 1830 he removed to Bloomfield.

Solomon Mathews, a New Yorker, came about 1823, and settled on section 7, where he lived until his death. A son, born there in 1824, removed to Pontiac, where he engaged in business. Another son, Solomon, was colonel of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, and is at present United States marshal; and Whitney, a third son, is a sheriff in Michigan.

Washington Stanley, from Castile, New York, settled in Troy in 1826, pur- chasing on section 30. Lived there until his death.

William Stanley, a native of Vermont, but later of Ontario county, New York, moved to Michigan in the fall of 1823, settling on section 29. He had one child when he came, but a son, Luther, was born September 3, 1824. The father died in Troy, and Luther moved to Birmingham in 1854, where he now resides. He was appointed internal revenue assessor in 1863.

William W. Martin, from Scipio, Cayuga county, New York, came in the fall of 1825, and purchased land on section 23. He returned for his family, and settled in 1826. Lived in Troy until 1840, when he removed to West Bloomfield.

William Martin, the father of the above, came in 1828, and settled on section 23. He had two sons nearly grown, John R. and Josephus, and a daughter, Sarah, who married Allen M. Parks, a son of Captain Parks, and now resides in the southern part of Troy.

Ebenezer Martin, from Washington, New York, settled on section 33 about 1832. Lived there until his death, at the age of ninety-four years.

Calvin Perrin, a native of Ontario county, New York, settled on section 32 about 1823. Died there, and was buried in the Perrin burial-ground.

Jesse Perrin, his brother, settled at the same time on the same section. He moved to Indiana a short time after.

Willard Daniels, from Cayuga county, New York, settled on section 4 about 1823. Removed to the northern part of the State.

E. M. Francis settled in East Troy about 1833. He now resides in Pontiac. David Ford, a New Yorker, lived in the central part of the township about 1828.

Calvin Marvin, a native of Connecticut, came to Troy in 1824, and settled on section 32. He moved to Clinton county in 1835.

Ira Toms was born in Massachusetts, but his father moved to New York when Ira was a lad. He then moved to Canada, and from there to Michigan, in 1824, settling on section 28, in Troy. Lived in that township until 1857, when he became a resident of Birmingham. He had a son when he came to Michigan: David C., now living in Birmingham.

Martin M. Toms, from Ontario county, New York, settled in Troy, on section 33, in 1826. Also moved to Bloomfield, in which township he now resides.

William Cone, from Ontario county, New York, became a citizen of Troy about 1833, settling on section 14. He was for many years supervisor of the township, and a prominent man in its affairs.

Thomas Gibson, an Irishman, came to Troy about the same time, and settled on section 13.

Lyman Fuller, from the State of New York, located on section 5, probably in 1825.

Settlements were not made so early in the southeast of the town as in other portions. Among those first settling there were the Perrys, Coomers, Anthers, Aldrichs, Channahans, Richards, Hutchins, and Jacksons.

Among other early settlers of Troy were Stephen Chatfield, from Ontario county, New York, who had grown-up sons, named Edward, Hiram, Ira, and Daniel; William Lowes, G. C. Nelson, Isaac Baldwin, Laura Philbrick, and many others, who subsequently became residents of other towns, and will be noted in their history.

THE EARLY IMPROVEMENTS.

The character of the pioneer's home in Troy differed but little from those de- scribed in other parts of this volume. There was the plain log house, with its stick chimney, and a roof made of bark, boards, or shingles, as the means of the settler would permit or as his mechanical skill would enable him to construct ; and there, also, were the other rude buildings, with their primitive accompani- ments. But when the art of building had so far progressed that a stone chimney was considered a necessary adjunct of these forest homes, their occupants began to develop a taste which led them to build frame and brick houses. One of the first of the former class was the dwelling erected by Benjamin Phelps, about 1827, the shell of which is at present used as a barn by Clark Harris.

As soon as mechanics could be procured, frame barns began to appear on every hand, among the first being those of Michael Beach, Captain Parks, William Poppleton, and Jehiel Smith, erected from 1823 to 1827.

Orchards were planted as soon as trees could be procured; and when the settlers once became aware that fruit grew well and abundantly, large numbers of trees

were set out, from which generous returns were realized ; and soon many lowly homes had an abundance of what was a few years before regarded as a luxury, and which lent an additional charm to the group assembled around the fire-hearth, as it made its appearance in a heaped-up basket of apples or the brimming mug of cider.

It is pleasant to note the changes which have transformed this township from its sylvan condition to one of superior cultivation and improvements ; from the era of log houses, necessarily constricted and bare of the conveniences of comfort, to an array of beautiful homes, furnished with all that can make life happy ; from the rude shed, often constructed in haste to shelter the settler's little stock, to the imposing barn, whose walls house fine horses and large herds of improved cattle ; it is a pleasant and profitable task to note all these changes, and ascribe the work to the industry, self-denial, and patient efforts of the men and women whom we love to call pioneers.

ROADS, PAST AND PRESENT.

The unanimous testimony of the old settlers of Troy is that its early roads beggar description. The natural drainage of the country was not sufficient to carry away the surface-water in winter and spring, leaving the greater portion of the town in a semi-inundated condition. This water had a strong affinity for the friable soil, and mixed with it on the least provocation, producing the worst form of mire, whose depth varied from six inches to six feet. It was necessary to ditch and corduroy very many of the roads to make them passable.

Troy had this advantage, however: the surface of the country permitted every section-line to be used for a road, and the law of the State making all section-lines public highways has been fully complied with. The township in this respect is more fortunate than any other in the county.

One of the first roads officially located in Troy was the Paint creek road, in 1829. The general course of this road is north until it reaches the northwest corner of section 11, whence it passes eastward half a mile, then deflects diago- nally to the northeast part of the town. An effort was made to plank this road, about 1852, by the company which had been chartered to grade it ; but the pro- ject was soon abandoned, and it was graveled instead. The other roads of the town having been much improved meanwhile, the company did not find it profitable to keep its road in repair, and abandoned its charter somewhere about 1860.

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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 88

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