USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 50
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 50
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1846. Edward Peek.
1868. Nelson S. Van Tuyl.
1869. John 1'. Davis.
1847. Oliver E. Wolcott. John P. Drake.
1870. Nicholas Gulick.
1871. James Sleeth.
Goorgo A. Parker.
1849. Sullivan R. Kelsey.
1850. Robert Crawford. John P. Drake.
1851. Harvey T. Lee.
1852. Nicholas Gulick.
Oliver Wolcott.
1875. O. E. Wolcott.
1853. Jabez Close.
1876. Warren Clough.
1877. Frank Karrer. Charles Drum.
ASSESSORS.
1837. Thomas P. Green.
Robert Crawford.
Amos Foster.
1838. Robert Crawford. John Burgess. Thomas P. Green.
1848. Nicholas Guliek.
1872. George A. Parker. S. R. Middleworth. 1873. llenry S. Redmond. 1874-75. Nicholas Gulick.
1857. Jabez Close.
1880. Alexander Orr.
John K. Tyler.
1840. Seymour Goodale.
1859. Jonathan l'. Gale.
1851-55. David G. Royce.
1860. S. R. Kelsey.
1862. lliram Webster. Oliver E. Woleott.
MRS THOS P. GREEN (DECEASED)
THOMAS P. GREEN.
MAS THOS P. GREEN .
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS P. GREEN . BURNS TP. SHIAWASSEE , CO. MICH.
203
BURNS TOWNSHIP.
1839. Thomas P. Green. Robert Crawford.
1842. Roger Haviland. Ezra D. Barnes.
John Burgess,
1815. John Burgess.
1810. Robert Crawford.
Sanford Smith.
Martin Loveland.
1848. Roger Ilaviland.
Abner C. Botsford.
William H1. Chaffee.
1811. Rufus Rathhurn. Thomas P. Green. Edward Peck.
Edward Kanouso.
CONSTABLES.
1837. John Burgess.
1855. Charles West.
Edmund Foster.
A. F. Westcott.
Alonzo Wood.
Oliver Wolcott.
1838. T. Nichols.
Olin S. Spring.
John Burgess.
1856. Nathaniel Murdick. B. H. C. Ilowe. Robert Fox.
Leslie Allen.
John G. Tyler. John Burgess.
1857. Frank Karrer.
D. C. Burdiek.
Alonzo Denton.
Tilly Nichols.
1858. Frank Karrer.
1811. Tilly Nichols.
George Van Tuyl. Oliver C. Woleott. Robert Fox.
1842. William R. Knapp.
1859. Frank Karrer.
John G. Tyler.
O. C. Wolcott.
John W. Williams.
Martin L. Davis.
1813. Timothy Tyler.
James T. Ketehledge.
Robert Fox.
1860. James T. Ketchledge.
Jarvis White.
Robert Fox.
Nelson Coston.
S. Swick.
1844. Timothy Tyler.
M. L. Davis.
Robert Fox.
ISGI. A. J. Rowley.
D. L. Reading.
J. Parkhurst.
1845. D. L. Reading.
M. Cooly.
Robert Fox.
A. II. Clark.
Win. L. M. Butler. Benjamin Welch.
1862. A. J. Williams. . Leslie Alden.
1846. F. G. Lec.
N. P. Merrill.
1. C. Gillett.
1863. George Foster.
1. A. Guthrie.
George Rogers. Lester Alden. Myron A. Carpenter.
A. P. Barnum. T. Tyler.
Robert Fox.
1848. Jarvis White.
Nathan P. Merrill.
Robert Fox.
Abijah P. Barnum.
1849. James L. Middlesworth.
James M. Blake.
Robert Fox.
1866. B. F. Green.
N. P. Merrill.
F. M. Van Tuyl. Reuben Il. Wiltsio. John Kilson.
1850. Robert Fox.
Truman W. Rowley.
1867. Reuben Wiltsie.
Ilenry II. Bradley. Edward Foster.
Frank Van Tuyl.
IS51. Robert Fox.
Jonathan P. Gale.
Isaae Crawford.
1868. E. N. Fisher.
1852. Robert Fox.
Melviu Ilaughtin.
H. B. Treadwell.
Samuel Hunt.
Isaac Crawford.
1869. Nathaniel T. Murdick.
1853. Robert Fox.
Edward Burlingamo.
G. B. Whitney.
William J. Tower. William R. Vansickles.
Ileury A. Bradley.
1870. Daniel Lewis.
1854. Lester Alden.
Benjamin F. Green.
Myron A. Carpenter. W. G. Merrill. Thomas Trumbull.
Rufus Rood. George C. Wolcott.
1871. Oliver Campbell.
1871. Albert M. Drumm. 1876. Albert Rowley. Frank Karrer. Mathew Walworth.
Charles Swan. Martin Comstock.
1872. A. S. Betterly. Rufus Rood.
1877. Charles W. Parker. A. S. Betterly. A. W. Campbell. Alexander Orr.
1873. John A. Olinstead.
H. N. Lewis.
Lester Newman.
A. S. Betterly.
1878. Milton Coykendall. David M. Tilman. Walter Wadley. Anson Redson.
1874. S. Steele. 1879. Milton Coykendall. A. S. Betterly. John D. Williams, Jr. Charles I]. Smith. Lester Newinan. Walter Wadley. Taleott Tyler.
1875. William Boice. 1880. David M. Tillman.
William Nelson.
Walter S. Pratt.
A. S. Betterly. Lorenzo Barnes.
A. S. Betterly. Alfred Bigelow.
1876. William Boice.
BYRON VILLAGE.
The corporation of the village of Byron comprises the adjacent quarters of seetions 13, 14, 23, and 24. This territory was located by Judge Samuel W. Dexter, July 13, 1824. The patent conveying the same to him is dated October 20th of the same year. Judge Dexter came from Massachusetts and settled in Washtenaw Co., Mich., at a very early day, the township of Dexter in that county being named in his honor.
On the 21st of June, 1836, Judge Dexter sold the lands above referred to to his brother-in-law, Maj. F. J. Prevost, C. Smith, P. L. Smith, and S. S. Derby, who formed an association usually known as the Byron Company. On the 28th of August of the same year Wallace Goodin be- eame one of the firm by purchasing a one-fifth interest in the undivided lands of the company. The village of Byron was immediately platted and recorded April 28, 1837. The moving spirit of the enterprise was Maj. F. J. Pre- vost. He came from New York to Washtenaw Co., Mich., where he married the daughter of Judge Boyden, a pio- neer of that county, after whom the locality known as Boyden's Plains was named. Maj. Prevost lived in Wash- tenaw County a few years and then eame to Byron, bring- ing his wife and three children, in the summer of 1836. He employed men to build a log house on the company's land, now owned by George Buel. His family lived here until the fall of 1837, when they moved into the house now occupied by William Russ. This house was erected ou the site where Jabez Close's residence stands, from which place it was removed.
Major Prevost and his wife lived in Byron until April, 1850, when, accompanied by Augustus, their eldest son, they went to California, where Maj. Prevost died. His eldest daughter married Capt. David Royce, who was killed in the battle of Falling Waters, Va. She afterwards mar- ried Mr. Fairbanks, and now lives in Nebraska. In the cemetery near the bank of the river stands a small monu- ment raised in memory of Theodore H., the son of F. J. and M. A. Prevost, who died March 17, 1837. It records the first death in the village of Byron. The name of a sister, who died many years after, is also engraven upon it.
C. Smith, another member of the Byron Company, came to the new village, but after remaining a short time re-
James Lotsford.
1864. John L. Wilkins.
Myron A. Carpenter. Frank Karrer.
1865. William A. Vansiekles. Reuben 11. Wiltsie. B. J. Green. Truman Van Tuyl.
Adam S. Betterly. John Badger.
Francis Van Tuyl. Albert Martin.
Leslie Alden.
W. P. Parsons.
1849. David Sherwood.
0. Campbell.
Nelson Coston.
1839. T. Nichols.
1840. Joho Burgess. Nelson Coston.
John G. Tyler. John Burgess.
Myron Corn. A. J. Rowley.
1847. Chauncey Barber.
204
HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
turned to Washtenaw County. P. 1 .. Smith brought his family to Byron, and after remaining a few months re- turned to his home in Livingston County. Of S. S. Derby but little is known. His visits were infrequent and of short duration. He would, as it were, look in on the little village struggling for existence, and with a shake of the head would soon depart.
Wallace Goodin came to Byron in the summer of 1836, and, next to Maj. Prevost, was the life of the enterprise. He was married to Miss Angeline Smiley about the year 1845. 1Ier people came from Pennsylvania and settled in the vicinity of Newburg. Mr. Goodin lived in Byron until 1847, when he disposed of his property and went to Massachusetts, where he died.
As soon as fairly organized the Byron Company began to build a dam across the East Branch of the Shiawassee River, the village being located at the union of these streams. This dam broke away many times, causing the necessary outlay of considerable money. It was first com- pleted late in the fall of 1836. The company also built a log house intended for a boarding-house for their employees. It was the first building in the village, and was completed the latter part of September, 1836. It stood on the hill above the grist-mill, and near the site of the present residence of E. A. Sheldon. It was occupied by M. Mosier and wife, who had been engaged to board the company's men. When the saw-mill was completed, Mr. Mosier took charge of it. But he soon became dissatisfied, and moved with his fam- ily to St. Joseph County. When Mr. Mosier left, the building was occupied by Seth Saddler, to whom the com- pany gave it, on condition that when he went away " he should leave a landlord." It was afterwards occupied by a Mr. MeLain and then by a Mr. Haddin, neither of whom remained long in Byron. In January, 1837, Joseph Lay- ton, a blacksmith, came to the village. Maj. Prevost had previously visited him at his home in Washtenaw County, and persuaded him to come and look the situation over. The company offered to give him two lots in a good loca- tion and lumber for a shop, as an inducement to him to locate with them. Mr. Layton accepted the proposition, and in the month of May following brought his wife and five children to Byron. He built the first framed building in the village. It stood on the side of the hill, directly north of the dwelling now known as the mill-house. Many years afterwards it was moved to the top of the hill, where it still stands, occupied by Dr. F. E. Sleeth. Mr. Layton also built the first blacksmith-shop in the village. It stood at the foot of the hill, on the east side of the road, where the mill-house now stands. When Mr. Haddin wished to leave Byron, Mr. Layton bought the log hotel from him, and occupied it, but also continued to run the blacksmith- shop. until his death, which occurred in July of 1840. Mrs. Layton was subsequently married to a Mr. Woods, and she is still living in a house which occupies the site of an Indian camp near the upper iron bridge across the Shiawassee River. Of the five children but two are living, one near Omaha, Neb., and the other in Huron Co., Mich.
We have thus mentioned the founders and the first set- tlers of Byron in a cursory glance. From this time its history will be arranged under proper headings. The vil-
lage did not grow as rapidly as its founders had expected. When Judge Dexter entered the land in 1824 it was be- lieved that a county-seat must be located somewhere in this vicinity, but the erection of new counties from the territory of Shiawassee ruined the prospects of the projected village. To use the expression of an old settler, Byron " was tone side," and its excellent water-power and the splendid farm- ing country surrounding it could not overbalance this dis- advantage. After three years of hard work and much ap- parently useless effort, the Byron Company was poorer in money and less courageous in spirit than when-at its com- mencement with the plat of Byron-it saw in imagination a prosperous and thriving village. In 1840 Byron con- tained but five families. The first step that tended to make life more tolerable was the establishment of a post- office, with a weekly mail. A letter from New York cost twenty-five cents. Maj. Prevost was the first postmaster, and opened the office in a little frame building which stood on the east side of Main or Saginaw Street, nearly on the site of Owen's Knapp's cabinet-shop. Prior to 1840 the mail was brought from Holly, but not at regular intervals. From the establishment of the office, in the early spring of that year, until about the 1st of June the mail was carried on horseback. At this time a stage-line was established from Pontiac to lonia, by which the mail was brought to Byron. The stage-line was not, however, a success finan- cially, and was soon taken from the road. The mail was then earried as before. In 1845 another stage line was es- tablished over the same route, which proved a success, and which continued to run until the completion of the railroad to the east. Maj. Prevost was succeeded as postmaster by Holden White, who came to Byron in 1842. Mr. White opened the first general store in the village soon afterwards.
The following are the names of the postmasters of Byron, in the order of their appointment, as near as can be ascer- tained : Francis J. Prevost, Holden White, George C. Holmes, Nicholas Gulick, G. G. Royce, C. Lemon, F. E. Sleeth.
Dr. Abner Sears was the first physician who located in Byron. He came to the village in 1838 or 1839, and died in a few years. Dr. Henry Rowland came in 1841. He was subsequently married to a daughter of Robert Crawford, and practiced his profession until his death, which occurred about the year 1850. Drs. Guthrie, Web- ster, Sleeth, Austin, Fox, Colwell, Stevens, Knapp, and Seymour are among the physicians practicing in Byron in subsequent years.
Several attorneys have resided in Byron from time to time, the first of whom was probably Corydon Lee. The profession is now represented by James Sleeth.
Mills .- In 1842 a partnership was entered into in Byron by Bowman W. Dennis and Sullivan R. Kelsey, under the firm-name of Dennis & Kelsey. These gentlemen were a most valuable addition to the business element of the village, and their energy began at once to infuse new life into the little settlement. They purchased the mill-privileges of the Byron Company, and immediately began operations. The saw-mill was moved from the east
PIONEER
HOME:
I.S. BARNUM.
MRS I.S. BARNUM.
RESIDENCE OF ISAAC S. BARNUM. BURNS TP. SHIAWASSEE CO. MICH.
205
BURNS TOWNSHIP.
end of the dam to the place where the one now stands, and was repaired and improved. The road, which before had run along the top of the dam, much to the terror of trav- elers, was now changed to near the line of the present one, and some time afterwards necessary bridges were con- structed. The firm also opened a store, the second one in the village of Byron. But the crowning achievement was the completion of the flouring-mill, the first and only one built in Byron. It was completed in 1843. The firm continued to do business until about the year 1858. The interest of Mr. Dennis was then purchased by Owen Good- speed. The Hon. S. R. Kelsey is now living in Corunna, and is filling the office of Judge of Probate. The saw- mill referred to above took fire and was destroyed. The one now standing was built by Royce & Lemon.
A building was erected by F. J. Prevost at the waste- gate south of the flouring-mill for a carding-mill. It was also burned, and another was built in the same place, which was, however, discontinued in a few years, and converted into a plaster-mill, which was not a success, and was soon left to go to decay.
In 1856, Solon Stone built a dam across the Shiawassee River, in the northwest part of Burns township, and soon after completed a saw-mill. He sold it to 1. A. Roberts, who some years after tore it down and built a new one. Mr. Roberts in 1874 built the large flouring-mills at the same place. A village has been platted here by Mr. J. J. Gaylord, but it has not yet been recorded.
Hotels .- The first public-house in Byron was the log building intended as a boarding-house for the mill-hands. When Mr. Saddler took possession of this cabin he hung ont the sign " Cottage Inn," which continued to attract at- tention until 1847, when it was taken down by Mrs. Lay- ton, who had kept the hotel from the death of her husband to that time.
About the year 1841, Wallace Goodin built a small frame building, which he named the " Byron Hotel,"-a name which has descended to the hotel now standing on the same site. Mr. Goodin sold it to Freeborn Joslin, and it was subsequently purchased and enlarged by Harvey Lee. At two o'clock in the morning of the 19th of June, 1848, it was discovered to be on fire, and it was totally destroyed. Two young men, named J. D. Williams and E. L. Buck- ingham, narrowly escaped death by jumping from an upper window. It was the largest hotel at that time in the county. Mr. Lee built another on the same site, which has since been improved. The Eagle Hotel was built in 1860, by F. W. Downer.
Early Stores .- As has been stated, Holden White started the first store in the village of Byron in 1842. The build- ing stood on the site of the house now occupied by Dr. Knapp. In 1845, Mr. White built the large house oppo- site the Byron Hotel now owned by Mrs. Wilson, and opened a large stock of goods. He only continued in busi- ness, however, in Byron until 1846, when he again went East and remained there. Nicholas Gnlick came to Byron in 1843, and was employed by Holden White as clerk in his store. Mr. Gulick subsequently bought a small stock of goods from George C. Holmes, who started a store in Byron in 1845. Mr. Gulick is still in the business, and is
now the only one left of those who had settled in the village up to 1843.
The business interests of Byron are at present represented by a number of fine general stores, two firms dealing in agricultural implements, several wagon- and blacksmith- shops, two hotels, and the usual accompaniment of smaller business places.
Schools of Byron .- The first school in Byron was taught by a young lady in a little log cabin that stood near the place where the Odd-Fellows' Hall now stands. This young teacher (whose name has not been ascertained) subsequently married a Mr. McCollum and moved to Fentonville.
The next school was taught in the house now occupied by Dr. F. E. Sleeth, before referred to. The first regular school-meeting called in the village was held at the Byron Hotel on the 6th day of December, 1843. There had, however, been a number of terms of school taught in the village besides those mentioned above, previous to this time. At this meeting Freeborn Joslin, was chosen moderator, Joseph H. Wendell director, and Holden White assessor. Dr. Abner Sears acted as chairman. It was resolved to have three months' school in the winter, and four months' school in the summer. William Chaffee was employed to teach the school, which was soon after commenced. By resolution of the school board, each scholar was required to furnish a one-half cord of wood.
The first school-honse was erected in Byron in 1845, and cost two hundred dollars. It stood on lots 5 and 6, block 3. The union-school building was built in 1865, and cost three thousand five hundred dollars. The primary- school building cost about eight hundred dollars.
The report for the year 1879 shows the number of scholars of school age in the district to have been one hun- dred and forty-seven, and the total amount of money ex- pended eight hundred and two dollars and seventy-four cents.
Village Incorporation .- The village of Byron was in- corporated April 1, 1873. The first clection was held on the 8th of the same month in Welch & Leland's hall. The following are the names of the officers of the village from its organization to 1880:
1873 .- President, Charles H. Lemon ; Recorder, James Sleeth ; Assessor, Jabez Close; Marshal, D. M. Tallman ; Trustees, Chauncey Wells, Wellman F. Close, Orlando Lee, A. B. Welch, Adam Betterly, Isaac Barnum.
1874 .- President, Charles Lemon ; Recorder, Charles M. Fuller ; Assessor, Jabez Close ; Treasurer, Owen Knapp ; Trustees, E. B. Welch, Jacob Boice, Perry Hadsall, H. D. Cook, F. E. Welch, E. B. Newman.
1875 .- President, George Goff; Recorder, F. Karrer ; Treasurer, O. Knapp; Assessor, O. H. Lemon ; Marshal, J. A. Olmstead ; Trustees, F. W. Downer, E. B. Newman, Perry Hadsall, F. M. Van Tuyl, William Caldwell, Jacob Boice.
1876 .- President, George Goff; Recorder, Frank Karrer ; Assessor, Charles II. Lemon ; Treasurer, O. S. Fuller; Marshal, William Boice; Trustees, Perry Hladsall, Mark Boice, HI. S. Cook, William Cald- well, E. B. Welch, James Anderson.
206
HISTORY OF SIHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1877 .- President, Perry Hadsall; Recorder, Frank Karrer; Marshal, Albert W. Campbell ; Assessor, Jabez Close ; Treasurer, Edward S. Fuller; Trustees, Byron S. Knapp, Joseph M. Royce, Orlando Lee, Iliram Webster, Byron Rosseter, Oliver Campbell.
1878 .- President, H. L. Cook ; Recorder, F. E. Welch ; Treasurer, O. S. Fuller ; Assessor, Jabez Close ; Marshal, E. H. Fisher ; Trustees, E. B. Welch, Orlaudo Lee, A. S. Betterly, E. B. Newman, John E. Martinis, Mark Boice.
1879 .- President, H. L. Cook ; Recorder, F. E. Welch ; Assessor, Jabez Close ; Treasurer, C. M. Fuller; Marshal, William Buteher; Trustees, Orlando Lee, John Martinis, Mark Boiee, E. B. New- mau, E. B. Welch, G. S. Lewis.
1880 .- President, Orlando Lce; Recorder, W. H. Bige- low ; Treasurer, E. A. Sheldon ; Assessor, F. E. Welch ; Marshal, F. G. Lynde; Trustees, P. Gale, John E. Martinis, Jacob Boice, Gilbert Lewis, Joseph M. Royce, II. L. Cook.
CHURCHI HISTORY.
The first regularly organized society in Byron was that of the Christian Church. Occasionally, during the years 1838-39, several families living in Burns and Argentine held religious meetings, usually led by William Cummings, an authorized cxhorter. These families had been connected with this church in the East before coming to Michigan.
In 1840, Rev. John Cannon, a resident of Romeo, Mich., came to Byron and began a series of meetings, which was attended with considerable success, and which resulted in the organization mentioned above. These meetings were conducted in an unoccupied dwelling on the hill on the west side of Saginaw Street, and occasionally at the house of Maj. Prevost. Mr. Cannon was followed by Rev. Stepheu Winans, who remained one year. The society built a church in 1842-43, but there is a diversity of opinion as to who was the minister in charge at that time. The growth of the society was gradual until one of its members joined a secret order in 1849, and the society having pre- viously voted to ordain him as a minister then refused, and in consequence of this several prominent members withdrew. The society gradually declined until 1855-56, when meet- ings were entirely discontinued, and since that time the society of the Methodist Episcopal Church has occupied the building erected by the Society of Christians.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Although this society was not the first regularly organ- ized in the town of Burns, it is probable that religious meet- ings were held by its ministers at a very early day. The church record, from which are taken many of the following facts, does not give the names of the first class, nor does it give the date of its organization.
In 1836 the Rev. Washington Jackson made a circuit of the new settlements iu this vicinity, preaching wherever and whenever an opportunity presented itself. He organ -. ized the Shiawassee mission, embraced in the Flint River district, with the Rev. A. P. Shaw as presiding elder.
The Shiawassee mission at that time embraced an area of country extending from Fentonville on the east to the Rochester Colony on the west, and thence south to the boundary of the Ann Arbor district, making a circuit of more than one hundred miles to be traveled once in four weeks. The Rev. Isaac Bennett succeeded Rev. Washing- ton Jackson in 1837-38. IIe organized the class in Gaines. The Rev. Abram Billings was appointed presiding elder, and Flaviel Britton to the charge of the mission. The latter was reappointed in 1840, with S. P. Springham to assist him. The following are the names of the ministers who traveled the circuit from 1840 to 1850: Revs. John Cosart, Riley C. Crawford, W. F. Cowles, G. T. Heimway, J. Boynton, E. Westlake, A. Allen.
In 1844 the mission embraced twenty-two appointments, and Rev. E. Westlake made the circuit alone. The Byron circuit proper was not formed till 1853.
Since occupying their present place of worship the so- ciety has enlarged and repaired the building.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.
The First Presbyterian Church of Byron was organized by the Rev. Seth Hardy, June 24, 1845, at which time the following-named persons presented testimonials of dismissal and recommendations from other churches, and desired to be organized into a church : Joseph H. Wendell, Phoebe W. Wendell, Eliza Wendell, Nancy Hathaway, Peter Kanouse, G. B. Runyon and wife, Samuel Lovejoy, Mary B. Lovejoy, Emily Kelsey, Sarah C. Kanouse, Joseph Royce, Sally Royee.
After adopting the name for the society, Joseph Royce and Joseph Wendell were elected elders. The first motion made after completing the organization was to the effect that the members should neither use uor traffic in intoxi- cating liquors, which was unanimously carried. In the afternoon Arthur B. Hathaway was baptized, after which the Rev. Seth Hardy administered the sacrament.
The meetings of the society were usually held in the old school-house until the church edifice was built, iu 1858, at a cost of two thousand dollars. It was dedicated in 1859, Rev. Chauncey Osborn officiating.
The society is now free from debt and numbers thirty- eight members.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
In the winter of 1838-39, Elder Brigham, who had preached occasionally in the previous year in the township, organized the First Baptist Church of Burns. The following, so far as ascertained, composed the society : Deacon Sanford and wife, Deacon Ramah Cole and wife, John Barnum and wife, Michael Thatcher and wife, Mrs. Samuel Leonard, Mrs. Aaron Wellman, Mrs. Beard, and Mrs. Botsford, whose husband joined soon afterwards. In the spring of 1839 a protracted meeting was held, which resulted in the conversion of nine persons, all of whom joined the church. These meetings were held in a log cabin built by Edward Foster, which stood on the south part of seetion 22. Al- though receiving much encouragement at the start, the so- ciety lost its influence and declined, and was finally disorgan- ized. It was again revived and reorganized by Elder Peck aud some of the substantial members of the former associa- tion. The meetings were held in the school-house which
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