History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan, Part 51

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, D.W. Ensign & co.
Number of Pages: 716

USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 51
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 51

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

AMOS FOSTER.

MIŞ A. FOSTER.

RESIDENCE OF AMOS FOSTER. BURNS TP. SHIAWASSEE.CO. MICH.

207

BURNS TOWNSHIP.

stood on the southeast corner of section 20, across the road from the residence of G. Morse. In about ten years from the time of its reorganization it was again broken up.

BAPTIST CHURCH OF BYRON.

On the 6th of October, 1866, the friends of the Baptist Church met, agreeably to notice, at the " Green School- llouse," as follows : Jacob Kanouse, Henry Wiltsie, Thomas F. Shelton, Daniel Wiltsie, Mabel Kanouse, Lorilla Kanouse, Eliza Shelton, Elder William White, T. H. Shelton. The result of the meeting was the organization of " A religious association to be known as the Baptist Conference of Burns and Cohoctah." The association formed at this meeting was the germ of the society now in active operation in Burns and the village of Byron.

On Aug. 31, 1872, at the covenant-meeting of the society, it was resolved "to build a place of worship the coming fall." Committees to select a site and solicit sub- scriptions were then appointed. J. Kanouse, Isaac S. Bar- num, and J. D. Williams, Jr., were appointed on the latter, and J. Kanouse, A. J. Cole, J. Close, Noah Josliu, H. L. Cook on the former. The edifice was completed at a cost of three thousand dollars, and was dedicated Nov. 30, 1873. The church now numbers ninety members.

SOCIETIES AND ORDERS. BYRON LODGE, No. 43, I. O. O. F.

A dispensation was granted by the Most Worthy Grand Master Benjamin Follett, on the 2d day of July, 1849, to B. W. Dennis, F. J. Prevost, George C. Holmes, Isaac R. Middlesworth, C. C. Mills, W. W. Wixom, J. S. Curtis, James Botsford, William S. Joslin, and J. M. Van Alstine, and on the 9th day of August following District Deputy Grand Master Charles D. Little, assisted by the Worthy Grand Marshal George H. Hazelton, instituted " Byron Lodge, No. 43, I. O. O. F." The following were the first elective officers : Francis J. Prevost, Noble Grand ; Bow- man W. Dennis, Vice-Grand ; George H. Holmes, Secre- ary ; J. M. Van Alstine, Treasurer. Three candidates were initiated the same evening, making a membership of thir- teen. Byron Lodge, No. 43, has initiated since its organ- ization three hundred and ninety-three candidates.

In 1865 articles of association were entered into by B. W. Dennis, C. H. Lemon, Owen Knapp, Frank Karrer, and HI. L. Cook, who became incorporated as " Byron Lodge, No. 43, I. O. O. F.," according to an act of the Legislature approved March 15, 1865.

The lodge now has a membership of eighty-one in good standing, who rank among the best citizens of Burns. It owns its building, which was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. It is twenty-four by seventy feet. The first story is used as a store, and is the source of a good revenue to the lodge. The hall, which is in the second story, is twenty-four by forty feet, and has two commo- dious anterooms and an encampment-room attached.

BYRON ENCAMPMENT, No. 15, I. O. O. F.,

was instituted at Byron, June 9, 1864, by Grand Patriarch Cummins, assisted by P. G. P. Charles Hunt. The fol- lowing named were the charter members, viz. : B. W.

Dennis, C. 11. Lemon, Frank Karrer, A. Crippin, Matthias Cummins, Henry Croop, and A. H. Clark. Of the charter members of Byron Lodge, No. 43, Isaac R. Middlesworth is the only one now remaining ; and of the Encampment, C. H. Lemon, Frank Karrer, and Matthias Cummins only remain.

The above historical sketch of the Byron Lodge and Encampment was kindly furnished by F. E. Welch, Esq., for which courtesy he has the thanks of the writer.

BYRON LODGE, No. 80, F. AND A. M.

The charter granted by the Grand Lodge of the State of Michigan anthorizing the organization of Byron Lodge, No. 80, F. and A. M., is dated Jan. 10, 1856. The lodge in Byron now has a membership of fifty-six. It has a commodious hall, comfortably furnished, and owns the building. The names of the officers are Theodore Euler, W. M. ; Orlando Lee, S. W .; Robert Fox, J. W .; George Cosgro, Secretary.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

TRUMAN W. ROWLY.

Truman W. Rowly was born in Connecticut, Aug. 12, 1820. He was the youngest in a family of six children. His father, Isaac, and his mother, Content (Risley) Rowly,

TRUMAN W. ROWLY.

were also natives of Connecticut. Ilis father being a sea- captain, Truman remained at home until twenty-six years old, devoting the most of his time and attention to the wel- fare of the family, and working in a saw-mill and at farm- ing, adding materially to their comfort. With his parents he came to Monroc Co., N. Y., and then to Washtenaw Co., Mich.

On the 10th of February, 1847, he married Miss Jane

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HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Voorhis, daughter of James N. and Martha (Swartout) Voorhis, who came to Michigan in 1830. They were for- merly residents of Seneca Co., N. Y., where their daughter Jane was born, Nov. 25, 1821. She was the third in a family of eight children.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Truman Rowly have been born seven children, viz .: A. J., born Nov. 23, 1847 ; Mary, born March 5, 1850; James E., born Dec. 6, 1852; Alva A., born May 6, 1855 ; Martha, born Nov. 3, 1857, died the same day ; William, born born July 10, 1860 ; Frederick J., born Nov. 10, 1862. All live in Shi- awassee County with the exception of two.

Trnman Rowly came to Burns in 1847, and purchased the farm where the family now lives. Here he resided until his death, which occurred June 3, 1870. Mrs. Rowly, who has caused this brief sketch and a portrait of her husband to be inserted in this work as a tribute of re- spect to his memory, is still living with her son Albert in the old home.

ROGER HAVILAND.

Roger Ilaviland was born in Londonderry, Ireland, Dec. 12, 1812. Bernard Haviland, his brother, was born in the same place, Feb. 2, 1808. Both, when of sufficient age, were apprenticed to a shoemaker, and served seven years at that trade. In 1832, Bernard landed in Philadelphia, Pa., and went to work at his trade. The year following Roger left the old home of his parents (for they, too, were born and brought up in the same town) and came to America, reach- ing Philadelphia Oct. 25, 1833, and the two brothers con- tinued diligently to attend to business until the next year, when they moved to Canada, where they remained two years. In April, 1836, Bernard came to Michigan and bought land in Washtenaw County, and in July Roger fol- lowed him to the new settlement. In the fall, having sold their land in Washtenaw County, they came to Burns, and located part of section 2. They then went back to Wash- tenaw County, Roger working at his trade until 1839, when he returned to Burns and built a log cabin on the site now occupied by his residence. He then broke and sowed five acres of wheat. On Feb. 16, 1837, he married Miss Catherine Ferry, who was third in a family of four chil- dren, and born in Wilton, Fairfield Co., Conn., April 21, 1821. Her parents, both of whom were natives of Ireland, moved to Michigan in 1832, and settled in Scio, Washtenaw Co. Roger Haviland, with his wife, moved to Burns, Feb. 9, 1840, and oceupied the cabin already spoken of. Ber- nard came to the township soon after. The brothers worked together and accumulated a large property. Upon the death of Bernard, which occurred May 27, 1864, from consump- tion, Roger inherited his property. Bernard, though not a member of any religious denomination, died in perfect faith of a better life. Ilis plain and unostentatious ways, his kindly disposition, conpled with sterling honesty, won the esteem and respect of all who knew him. No children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Haviland, but five orphan children have borne their name by adoption and grown to maturity loving and honoring them. Mr. Roger Haviland has filled all the more important offices in the

township, as is indicated by the records given in the history of this county. He has large business interests in Corunna, being president of the First National Bank of that place, and is also president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany of Shiawassee County. We might add to this brief sketeh many encomiums on the life and character of Mr. Hlaviland which would be heartily endorsed by his many acquaintances and friends, but we feel assured that his un- assuming nature and sterling common sense will be better pleased with this plain statement of facts.

ROBERT FOX.

The parents of Robert Fox, the subject of this sketch, were both natives of New York. His father, Channey D. Fox, was born June 14, 1793, and his mother, Rebecca (Lenox) Fox, Aug. 17, 1795. Robert, who was the second in a family of fourteen children, was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1816. On the 4th of June, 1842, after a long and tedious journey, the family reached Burns township, and the father bought a part of section 14. Ang. 1, 1858, Robert married Mary C. Webster, who died March 9, 1860. On the 25th of October, 1863, he married Miss Celia Rathbun, whose family were among the early settlers of Burns, and are spoken of in the history of that township. She was born in Shiawassee township, Shiawassee Co., Oct. 18, 1846. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Fox are three in number, viz .: Ida Belle, born Jan. 1, 1865; Monroe, born July 12, 1867 ; Robert R., born April 13, 1870. Mr. Fox bought the land where he now lives in 1873, and having sold the place where he had re- sided, on section 26, moved to it in 1878. Though his ad- vantages for schooling were very limited, Mr. Fox, by the judicious selection of reading-matter, became much better informed than could have been expected, considering the many discouraging circumstances which surrounded him. In politics he is a Democrat, and has often been elected to the various township offices by his party. In religion he is liberal in his views, maintaining that each man has a right to his own eandid conviction. Mr. Fox's mother died March 5, 1849; his father, July 29, 1871.

ISAAC S. BARNUM.

Isaac S. Barnum, the youngest in a family of five chil- dren,-three sons and two daughters,-was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., Ang. 17, 1827. His father, John B. Barnum, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., Mareh 28, 1798. His mother, Urana (Sutherland) Barnum, was also born in Dutchess Co., N. Y. They were married about the year 1818, and lived in New York until 1836, when they came to Michigan, and settled in Burns township, Shiawassee Co.

When twenty-one years of age Isaae, who up to this time bad remained at home, began taking contracts to " break land" for new settlers in that vicinity. He followed this occupation for three years. Ilis father in the mean

MRS ROBERT FOX .

ROBERT FOX.

FORMER RESIDENCE .

RESIDENCE OF ROBERT FOX, BURNS, SHIAWASSEE CO. MICH.

NICHOLAS BRADEN

MAS NICHOLAS BRADEN.

RESIDENCE OF NICHOLAS BRADEN. BURNS TP. SHIAWASSEE CO. MICH.

209

BURNS TOWNSHIP.

time having helped him to forty acres of land, he purchased an additional forty aeres adjoining. But he was not yet satisfied. In 1852 he hazarded his little store of hard- earned means, and started for California. The trip from New York City to San Francisco, via Cape Horn, extended over a period of one hundred and fifty-two days. The ves- sel stopped twelve days at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and twelve days at Valparaiso, Chili, giving the passengers (of whom, when leaving New York, there were three hundred and twelve) a fine opportunity to see those cities and the surrounding country. Thirteen passengers died of yellow fever on the voyage, and were buried at sea. Upon reach- ing California Mr. Barnum turned his attention to mining, which he followed the first year of his stay. The second year he seeured a good salaried position, which he retained until his return home, when he found that he had realized by his venture two thousand dollars clear of all expenses. On his return trip he came via the Niearagua route, the journey occupying twenty-six days.

On the 28th of June, 1855, Mr. Barnum married Amelia, daughter of Robert and Sarah Crawford, pioneers in the township of Burns.

Robert Crawford was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., March 17, 1794. Sarah, his wife, was born Aug. 14, 1798, and died Jan. 18, 1880. Mr. Crawford is still living.

Mrs. John B. Barnum died May 24, 1848, and her husband Feb. 5, 1865. Abiger P. Barnum, eldest son of John B. and Urana Barnum, died and was buried at sea.

To Mr. and Mrs. Isaae Barnum have been born the fol- lowing children : Ella, born April 19, 1858; Nellie May, Jau. 6, 1867 ; Osmond S., born April 17, 1875, died Feb. 26, 1877.

Mr. Barnum's farm now consists of two hundred and thirty-two and a half acres of land in one of the most fer- tile and highly cultivated portions of the township. In politics he is a Demoerat, and in his religious belief is liberal. Mrs. Barnum is a member of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Barnum remarks, with satisfaction, that although fifty-two years of age, and having been actively engaged in business with nearly all elasses of men since he first eom- meneed breaking land, he has never been compelled to go to law, either in his own defense or in the prosecution of others, aud has never invested but one dollar in legal advice.

NICHOLAS BRADEN.

Nicholas Braden was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, in February, 1808, being the ninth in a family of ten children. He remained at home, working for his father, until seventeen years of age, when he borrowed a small sum of money and went to England, where he found employment in a sugar-refining establishment. Ile re- mained there two years, paying close attention to business and exereising the strietest economy, by which means he saved sufficient money to pay his fare to New York City, where he arrived in 1827, with only half a crown remain- ing of his two years' earnings. He soon secured a position in a sugar-house, which he retained for two years, at the expiration of which time he went into the grocery busi-

ness. Ile followed this oeeupation until 1836, when he sold out, eame to Michigan, and bought a farm, being a portion of the one now occupied by him. After going to New York and settling his business affairs, he eame baek to Michigan, built a log cabin, and began the work of clearing the forest around him. He lived alone in this cabin about eighteen months, when he married Miss Ka- trina Lahring, who was also born in Germany. By this union four children were born, but one of whom is now living,-Eliza, born Dee. 29, 1841.

Mrs. Braden died May 11, 1844, and Mr. Braden mar- ried, as his seeond wife, Mrs. Deborah (Clayton) Minor, the widow of Raymond Minor, who died in Oakland County, April 9, 1844. Their only living ehild is a resi- dent of Traverse County. Mrs. Deborah Braden was born in New Jersey, Jan. 12, 1819.

Mr. and Mrs. Braden have been active members of the Methodist Church for more than thirty years. To then have been born the following children : Emma A., born June 4, 1846; Luther J., born Aug. 24, 1848; Franklin A., born Feb. 2, 1851; Ruth E., born Jan. 22, 1854; and Henrietta, born Oct. 5, 1856.

Mr. Braden reached New York City at the age of nine- teen, without money or friends, unacquainted alike with the language and the enstoms of the people. Ile now owns a farm of two hundred and sixty-two aeres.

He has been successful in business, and as a neighbor and a citizen deserves honorable mention among the self- made men and pioneers of his eounty.

AMOS FOSTER.

Amos Foster was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Oct. 26, 1811. His mother, Elizabeth (Lowrie) Foster, was a native of Columbia Co., N. Y., and his father of Washington County, same State. After the death of his father, Amos being next to the eldest ehild was at an early age ealled upon to assist in providing for and sharing in the care of a large family. He remained at home, therefore, until in his twenty-fourth year. On the 12th of March, 1836, he married Miss Ordelia, daughter of Hiram and Otse Rath- bun, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York. Miss Ordelia was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., June 9, 1820. Iu the mean time the mother of Amos had married William Palmer, of Oueida Co., N. Y.

In the spring of 1836, Mr. Foster, with his young wife (she being then seareely sixteen years of age), eame to Michigan. Leaving her in the southern part of the State, Amos proceeded at once to the frontier, and after muel difficulty succeeded in finding, in the southern part of Burns township, a distant relative of his wife named Dias Rath- bun. lIere he purchased forty aeres in the southwest quarter of seetion 22. After acting as guide for several new-eomers in the township he returned to his wife, and in the September following they came to Burns.

He built a log cabin on his property, in which he taught school the two winters following, this being the first school in the township. During the summers he worked on the land he had purchased. At the expiration of two years,

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HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

on account of sickness, he sold his property and moved with his family to Ohio, where he remained, spending much of his time in the school-room, until 1862, when he returned to Michigan and purchased the farm where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are the only couple now living in Burns who were married and residing here as early as 1836. They have been the parents of the follow- ing children : Lauretta, born May 23, 1837; George L., born Sept. 20, 1838; Thomas, born Oet. 6, 1850 ; Mark V., born July 17, 1854; Carrie, born June 27, 1856. Thomas and Carrie died in infancy, and Mark V., June 3, 1879.

THOMAS P. GREEN.

Thomas P. Green was born in the State of Connecticut in August, 1805. The family moved to Burlington town- ship, Otsego Co., N. Y., about the year 1807. Thomas remained at home until sixteen years of age. From that time until in his twenty-first year he worked by the month during the summer, and taught school several terms. He then went to work in a general store. On the 25th of March, 1829, he married Ann Sprague, who was born in Richfield, Otsego Co., May 7, 1807. He and his wife remained in Burlington and Richfield until 1832, when they moved to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where they resided most of the time until 1836, when they moved to Michi- gan, first stopping in Livingston County. The same sum- mer, however, Mr. Green came to Burns and purchased a tract of land. After building a small cabin he broke six acres of ground, which he put under cultivation the next spring. After several years Mr. Green erected a larger and more commodious house, which was destroyed by fire ; after which the present residence was built.

For many years Mr. and Mrs. Green lived happily to- gether, enjoying the fruits of the labors and sacrifices of earlier years. Her death occurred Oct. 1, 1875.

To Mr. and Mrs. Green but one child was born, Oscar P., Feb. 19, 1830. He died Sept. 12, 1855, having pre- viously married a daughter of Garret Morse, who was an early settler of Burns township.

On March 15, 1876, Mr. Green married Elizabeth Mon- roe, the widow of Angus Monroe, who came to Michigan in 1854. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Monroe-three in number-reside in Michigan. Mrs. Elizabeth Green. was born May 5, 1828.

At the time Mr. Green settled in Burns township it was necessary for him to go three miles beyond Brighton-a distance of thirty miles from his residence-to mill ; and the nearest post-office was at Ilowell, fifteen miles away.

At the first town-meeting he was elected justice of the peace, assessor, and a commissioner of highways; in the exercise of the duties of which latter office he assisted in locating some of the earliest roads in the township.

In polities Mr. Green is a Republican. Although a member of no denomination he is liberal in his religious views. His first wife belonged to the Methodist Church, but his present wife is a member of the Presbyterian denomination.

The hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Green is well known among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. They live in a pleasant home in the midst of comfortable sur- roundings, the reward of patient toil and economy in earlier years.

W. W. SMITH.

On the ISth of June, 1815, in Leicester, England, was born W. W. Smith, the subject of this sketch and son of John and Mary (Pool) Smith, and the eighth in a family of fifteen children.

His father was a blacksmith by trade, following that oe- cupation until 1823, when with his family he sailed for America, locating at Geneva, N. Y. ITere he resided till his death, which occurred in December, 1876, having reached the advanced age of one hundred and four years, ten months, and fifteen days. The mother of our subject died at the age of seventy-five.

Mr. Smith remained at home till twenty-six years of age, and on the 10th of January, 1843, married Rebecca Woodin, who was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., May 3, 1821. She was the third in a family of eight children.

Her father, Robert Woodin, was a native of England, and her mother, Mary (Moline) Woodin, was born in Ire- land. Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Warren Co., Pa., where they remained and engaged in farming for three years, at the expiration of which time, in 1848, they came to Washtenaw Co., Mich., and bought eighty acres of land, for which they paid six hundred dollars. Mr. Smith im- mediately began to clear his new farm. Four years of energy and industry had placed it in such a condition that he was offered sixteen hundred dollars for it, which he ac- cepted, and then came to Burns and bought one hundred and twenty acres of choice land. Of this but fifty acres were cleared. Mr. Smith has since added to his farm until he now owns two hundred and thirty acres, one hundred and thirty acres of which are under good cultivation. Of the family of fifteen children but two remain besides Mr. Smith, a brother and a sister, the latter being seventy-seven years old.

Mr. Smith was a staunch Democrat until the formation of the National party, since which time he has adopted many principles advocated in their platform. He is opposed to monopolies of every description, and especially disap- proves legislation in their behalf.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have lived to acquire a fine property, and to see several of their children married and comfortably located near them. They have been the parents of the following children, viz. : Mary Jane, born Nov. 11, 1843; George M., born April 15, 1845 ; Charles H., born Nov. 2, 1849, died Jan. 22, 1878; Robert J., born Oet. 30, 1855 ; William B., born Oct. 17, 1857, died Sept. 5, 1858; Willis Winfield, born Dec. 27, 1859; John F., born March 23, 1862.

W. W. SMITH.

1. 0

MRS W. W. SMITH.

RESIDENCE OF WWW. SMITH. BURNS TP. SHIAWASSEE CO. MICH.

211

CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXXIL.

CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP .*

Location and Natural Features-Original Land-Entries-Early Set- tlers and Settlements-Township Organization and Civil List- Early Roads-Schools-Coal-Mining.

THE township of Caledonia may be justly regarded as one of the two most important townships of Shiawassee Connty, because, while its territory is composed of lands second to none in fertility and productiveness, it numbers among its natural resources a valuable vein of excellent coal, and it includes within its original boundaries the city of Corunna, the county-seat of Shiawassee. Ou section 20 are located the coal-beds, which continually develop new resources as their wealth of material is explored. Section 32 is the site of the county farm, which, by careful eulti- vation, has been rendered one of the most productive pieces of land to be found within the township limits.

Caledonia is designated as township number 7 north, of range 3 east, and is bonnded on the north by New llaven, south by Shiawassee, east by Venice, and west by Owosso. The township contains no lakes of any consider- able size. A portion of the territory is watered by the Shiawassee River and several small tributaries, which pour their waters into the larger stream. This river, which affords an excellent water-power, enters the township near the southeast corner, on section 36, and flowing in a gen- eral northwesterly course through the township and the city of Corunna, passes out through section 19 of Caledo- nia and enters the limits of the city of Owosso.

The surface of the township is generally undulating, though in some parts nearly level, presenting few obstaeles to the operations of the husbandinan. The soil is gen- erally of good quality, and produces abundant crops. In the northern part of the township the soil is considerably intermixed with elay, but it becomes more sandy as the southern boundary is approached. A rich muek is found along the river, and this is very productive. The timber found growing in the township is principally beech, elm, maple, basswood, and hiekory, very little pine being found here. The Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway passes through the southern portion of Caledonia, and has a depot at Corunna. A brauch of this road extends to the coal-beds on section 23.

ORIGINAL LAND-ENTRIES.

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History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan, Part 51

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, D.W. Ensign & co. Number of Pages: 716

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, D.W. Ensign & co.
Number of Pages: 716