USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 55
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 55
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
EPHRAIM F. BENNETT.
Oliver R. Bennett was born in New Hampshire, from whence he with his father moved into the State of New York about 1808, and settled near Canandaigua. The breaking out of the war of 1812 fired the patriotism of young Bennett, and he enlisted and was with the American army at Buffalo when that eity was burned. His regiment was soon after discharged, when he again enlisted and served during the remainder of the war under Gen. Harrison. After the war he went to Shelby, Orleans Co., N. Y., where he and his brother John bought a piece of new land of Gen. Wadsworth. It was thirty miles from any inhabit- ants, in the midst of a dense wilderness. Nothing daunted, they built a shanty ou their lot and for a time kept bachelors' hall while they eleared and improved their land. In 1826 they sold out and again wended their way westward, set- tling in Brunswick, Medina Co., Ohio, which was then very new. Here Oliver resided until his death in August, 1863. Ephraim F., son of Oliver, was born in the town of Shelby above named Feb. 12, 1817. He grew to manhood on the home-farm in Medina, which he and his brothers cleared. Arrived at his majority he bought a small piece of land, upon which he made his home while he worked at the shoe- maker's trade. This trade not agreeing with his health he abandoned it and worked at whatever he could get to do until 1854, when he sold his place and started for Michigan, where land was plenty, cheap, and of an excellent quality. He purchased from the government one hundred and twenty aeres of heavily-timbered land in the town of Fairfield, Shiawassee Co. Buying and settling upon his land ex- hansted all his means, and for a few years he and his family experienced many privations. They owned no stock, their oxen being their only wealth save their land. For two years they had no cow and their living was of the plainest kind, often consisting of corn-meal made by drawing an ear of' corn aeross a carpenter's plane. Butter, milk, and meat were luxuries seldom seen by them, " but," says Mr. Ben- nett, " we had appetites to fit onr food." With energy and perseverance Mr. Bennett plied the axe, and soon fields of waving grain took the place of the wilderness and better days dawned upon the family. In all the ups and downs of pioneer life Mrs. Bennett has shown herself equal to the occasion, doing more than her share and proving such a pioneer wife and mother as the times and surroundings demanded. With Mrs. George Munson she dispensed the homely but welcome fare of a frontier home, never so happy as when doing some generous act. They now possess a well-
improved farm with a fine house and ontbuildings, all the result of hard work and close economy. In early life Mr. Bennett was a Democrat, but since 1840 has been an earnest Republican. Ile has filled acceptably most of the town- ship offices. For forty-eight years he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. On the 22d of May, 1842, he married Miss Catherine W. Squires, daughter of Morris and Rhoda (Wells) Squires, and born in Shelby, Aug. 17, 1823. Her family were among the early settlers in Shelby, and in 1848 moved to Brunswick, where Mr. Squires lived until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born two children, Rhoda E., Ang. 22, 1846, and Edward R., June 23, 1849. Edward R. still remains with his parents and conducts the farm. He, too, is a Republican in politics, and has been for several years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE B. MUNSON.
The oldest settler now living in the town of Fairfield is George B. Munson, who was the seventh settler in the town, and is the only one left of the seven. He came into the town in the spring of 1853, with his wife and child, having moved from Brunswick, Medina Co., Ohio, by wagon, being twenty-one days on the road, nineteen of which were rainy. There were no roads to or near his property, and Mr. Munson was obliged to underbrush the way to his farm. The day before reaching Elsie was oceu- pied in removing trees which had blown down in a terrible wind-storm of the previous day, one large tree falling across the road but a few moments after they had passed. He did not have money enough to pay for his land, and in order to raise the balance both himself' and wife worked out, he on the farm, his wife in the house, cooking and performing the duties rendered necessary by a large force of workmen. As soon as they had built a log house they moved into it, and Mr. Manson at once commeneed to elear his farm of one hundred and twenty aeres, which was heavy timber-land. But only a portion of his time could be spent on his land, as money had to be earned to keep the wolf from the door. To do this he eleared land for others more fortunate than himself, clearing in all more than fifty acres besides his own. The season of the hard frost was a severe one for them, as it eut off their crops, and for a long time their food consisted of bread and tea; butter, meat, and potatoes being Inxnries beyond their reach. Mrs. Munson says the best meal of her life was one prepared after Mr. Munson had been to Owosso and purchased, with money sent him by his brother, some pork, butter, and groceries. Their latch-string in those days was always out, and Mrs. Munson was noted for her hospitality. By dint of hard labor in and out of the house, they have now a well-im- proved farm, with good and comfortable buildings. Al- though a Democrat, Mr. Munson has held nearly all the offices in his township, which is strongly Republican, he having been one of the first highway commissioners, and since then treasurer for eight terms, clerk one term, also school inspector and justice of the peace; to all of which offices he has been elected by his fellow-townsmen regard-
29
226
HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
less of politics, they knowing his worth as a citizen of un- blemished character and of warm and generous impulses. Mr. Munson was born in the town of Guilford, Medina Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1824. His father, Jacob Munson, was born in Wallingford, Conn., Feb. 16, 1798. Ile was a carpenter, acquiring his trade in Canandaigua, N. Y. When twenty-two years of age he married Postreme Reeves, who was born in Mount Holly, N. J., July 6, 1797. After his marriage he moved to Medina Co., Ohio, which was then new. In 1824 he moved to the town of Brunswick, where he cleared a farm, and where he re- mained until his death, Nov. 13, 1859; his wife died July 15, 1875. George married, Aug. 8, 1847, Miss Zelinda Peck, who was born in Mattewan, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Aug. 29, 1827. She was daughter of William and Eliza Jane (Wilson) Peck. Mr. Peck was born Nov. 27, 1802, and his wife April 7, 1805. Ile was a machinist, and worked at his trade until compelled to stop by reason of old age. He was an early settler in Fairfield, and built the first school-house in that town. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. George Munson five children, viz. : Almira, June 30, 1848; William Henry, Nov. 27, 1850 (died March 28, 1852) ; Charles B., March 30, 1855; Edward R., Jan. 14, 1863 ; and Emma E., Feb. 7, 1866.
ITHIAL L. MUNSON.
Of the early settlers who came into Fairfield there are none who have been more successful or who have done more to advance the growth and prosperity of the township than Ithial L. Munson, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1819. When he was five years old his father moved to Brunswick, Ohio, where Ithial grew to manhood, thus early becoming acquainted with the hardships and priva- tions of a life in the wilderness. His education was such as could be obtained by a few terms' attendance in the dis- triet schools of a new country. Mr. Munson remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, when his health being poor for a number of years, he was unable to make a start in life until after he was thirty. He then for a number of years worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade in Cleveland, Canada, and in Illinois. In the fall of 1853 he purchased from the government two hun- dred and forty acres of heavily-timbered land in the town of Fairfield, Shiawassee Co., Mich., but did not go to it until the spring of 1857, when he made a final settlement on his farm. At that time he had caused to be cleared five acres, and had cut the timber from forty acres addi- tional. The new farm, purchased in 1853, has now be- come one of the finest in the township, and consists at this time of three hundred and twenty acres, of which two hundred and thirty are under improvement; it also con- tains a fine house, large barus, and is well fenced and culti- vated. Iu 1877, Mr. Munson bought of William Armond a fine thoroughbred short-horn, called the " Duplane Lad," and has since raised some fine cattle, with which his farm is well stocked. Mr. Munson also keeps a fine flock of
well-bred sheep, believing that in mixed farming the great- est success is to be obtained.
Among his neighbors and fellow-townsmen he stands high as a man of sound business capacities and of sterling integrity. In politics, Mr. Munson was originally a Whig, and has affiliated with the Republicans since the formation of that party. but is not a politician. On the 10th of June, 1860, he married Mrs. Mary A. Munson, the widow of his cousin, Ithial J. Munson. She was the daughter of Frank Carse, and was born in County Down, Ireland, June 24, 1831. There have been born to them three children, namely, L. L., born March 15, 1861 ; James J., Aug. 20, 1863; and Emily A., Oct. 7, 1866.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
HAZELTON TOWNSHIP .*
Origin of Name-Natural Features-Original Land-Purchases-Set- tlements-The Earliest Highways-Schools-Ilazelton Grange- Lothrop Village-Hazeltonville-Judd's Corners.
MUCH of the land embraced in the township of Hazelton was owned by Porter Hazelton, of Genesee County, to whom it was transferred by the State in 1849, in payment for services performed in the construction of a bridge across the Flint River. His brothers, George H., Homer, and Edward, were engaged with him in the enterprise, and be- came part owners of the lands in Shiawassee County, as did Ezekiel R. Ewing, also of Genesee County, another partner in the work. Mr. Hazelton offered many inducements to settlers, and ultimately disposed of his property in the township, which was, in deference to his connection with its early history, named Hazelton.
In geographical position it may be described as the ex- treme northeast township of the county, lying south of Saginaw County, and bounded on the east by Genesee County, west by the township of New Haven, and having the township of Venice on its southern line.
The surface of IIazelton is generally level, presenting few elevations. An exception to this is found, however, in the south and east, where rolling ground is occasionally met, though there are no abrupt declivities. Numerous streams water the township and afford variety to the landscape. Chief among these is the Misteauguay Creek, which rises in Venice and entering this township on section 35 flows in a general northward course, and leaves again at section 1. Numerous small tributaries feed this main stream, which affords an excellent power for milling purposes. Onion Creek makes its entry on seetion 33, and, flowing north, pours its waters into the Misteanguay, as does also Porter Creek, which rises in the southwest corner and flows north and northeast, ending its course on section 11. In the northwest is a stream formerly known as Dutcher Creek, which passes into Saginaw County through section 3 of Hazelton.
The soil of Ilazelton embraces in its composition sand,
* By E. O. Wagner.
227
HAZELTON TOWNSHIP.
gravel, clay, and muek The northwest portion has a elay subsoil with a sand aud gravelly surface. More clay abounds in the centre, while in the south and east is a sandy soil of excellent quality. But a small proportion of the swamps, which were at an early day an obstacle to the farmer, now remain as such. An excellent system of drainage has con- verted them into some of the best soil to be found in the township. In the north and northwest, however, there is still apparent a belt of swampy land, from eighty to one hundred rods wide, which is being rapidly drained.
Beech, maple, elm, and basswood are the prevailing timbers, though other woods are occasionally found.
Wheat and corn find here a congenial soil, and produce an average crop equal to that of other portions of the township. The last census gives the number of aeres de- voted to wheat in 1873 as eight hundred and three, which produced a yield of thirteen thousand eight hundred and fifteen bushels, while five hundred and thirty-three aeres of corn yielded a harvest of fourteen thousand eight hundred and twenty-three bushels. Hay is usually a prolific erop. The later development of the township will of course greatly enhance the above returns.
ORIGINAL LAND-PURCHASES.
The lands of Hazelton were entered from the general government, or purchased of the State by the following persons :
SECTION I.
Acres.
E. B. Strong, 1836. 111.09
John Casilear, 1836 160
E. L. Walton, 1836. 160
J. H. Coddington, 1836. 80
J. D. Emerson, 1836.
58.26
T. M. Laine, 1836. 80
II. L. Strong, 1837 58.26
SECTION 2.
P. F. Ewer, 1836. 160
11. Rexford, 1836 187.28
J. L. Larzalier, 1836. 160
N. Ilaywood, 1836 186.96
SECTION 3.
James Butler, 1836 SO
David Lee, 1836 80
Georgo MeDougall, 1836. 80
Porter Ifazelton (State), 1849 240
George Fleming, 1842 106
L. A. Teber, 1842 103.36
SECTION 4.
James Parsoos, 1836 320
Porter Ilazelton (State), 1849. 160
John Collins, 1854 101.5I
Martin Welch, 1854 101.35
SECTION 5.
Porter Hazelton (State), 1849. 682.48
SECTION 6.
Porter lfazelton (State). 1849, 417.43
Ilarvey Adams, 1854, 207.60
G. M. Ilemingway, 1854. 160
SECTION 7.
Porter Hazelton (State), 1819. . 735.68
SECTION S.
L. C. Russell, 1857 160 Porter llazelton (State), 1849. 480
SECTION 9.
Acres.
B. F. Town, 1836.
80
Porter Itazelton, 1849.
560
SECTION 10.
James Butler, 1836.
Joho Starkweather, 1836. 80
Edward Jerome, 1836 .. 80 J. M. Fitch, 1837 80
Porter Ilazelton, 1849 320
SECTION 1I.
Isaac 1lill, 1836. 640
SECTION 12.
lforace Foote, 1836 120
M. B. Brown, 1836. 160
Jonathan Turgan, 1837. 160
larry Brotherton, 1837. 80
Samnel Hubbell, 1837
40
E. Il. llazelton, 1854. 80
SECTION 13.
E. R. Ewing (State), 1850. 640
SECTION 14.
Garret D. Wall, 1836 .......
640
SECTION 15.
Gardus Dunlap, 1836. 160
Porter Ilazelton (State), 1849. 480
SECTION 16.
J. S. Knibs (State), 1865
J. H. Savage (State), 1865. 40
E. C. Gulick (State), 1857 80
W. Il. Crawford (State), 1854 80
C. R. Speers (State), 1854.
S. C. Christian (State), 1867
10
D. C. Burpee (State), 1867. 10
SECTION 17.
E. Conkling, 1836. 210
L. C. Russell, 1837 160
J. G. M. Fisk, 1837. 160
Henry Skutt, 1837.
80
SECTION 18.
Stephen Fisk, 1836. 120
E. Stacey, 1837. 200
Daniel Beebe, 1837 40
Joseph Peek, 1837 80
Porter Hazelton (State), 1849. 168.72
SECTION 19.
Philo Curtis, 1836 160
C. H. Godspeed, 1854 80
J. D. Wright, 1854. 209.80 Porter llazelton (State), 1849. 80
James Grant (State), 1851-52 211.44
SECTION 20.
James Grant (State), 1849. 240
Porter Ilazelton (State), 1849. 400
SECTION 21.
William T. Latta, 1854 40
Lorenzo Brigbam, 1854. 120
Porter Hazelton (State), 1849. 160
James Grant (Stato), IS49 320
SECTION 22.
James Wadsworth, 1836. 160
D. R. Prindle, 1836. SO
Porter Hazelton (State), 1849. 400
SECTION 23.
James Wadsworth, 1836. 210
Almon Whitney, 1836.
80
228
HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Acres.
Gardus Dunlap, 1836. 160 Panl Spofford, 1836. 160
SECTION 24.
Joseph Vallett, 1836. 160
David Trombley, 1836. 160 E. R. Ewing (State), 1850. 320
SECTION 25.
Samuel Goddard, 1836. SU
Azel Noyes, 1836. 160
G. N. Chapplin, 1836. .: 160
David Trombley, 1836. 160
E. R. Ewing (State), 1850.
SECTION 26.
James Wadsworth, 1836 160
O. M. Nourse, 1836. 160
E. R. Ewing, 1850. 320
SECTION 27.
T. L. L. Brent, 1836. 320
John F. Bliss, 1836 320
SECTION 28.
John Robbins, 1836. 320
James Grant (State), 1849. 320
SECTION 29.
E. H. Hazelton, 1854. 160
James Grant (State), 1849, 320
Porter Hazelton (State), 1849. 480
SECTION 30.
H. C. Riggs, 1853 80 C. It. Goodspeed, 1854. 80
Porter Hazelton (State), 1849. 587.92
SECTION 31.
Alfred Allen, 1834 80 M. C. Cole, 1834. 160
Porter llazelton (State), 1858. 514.28
SECTION 32.
E. H. Hazelton, 1854 I60
A. P. Greenman, 1854. 160
William B. C. Gillett, 1854. 80 Porter Hazelton (State), 1849. 160
James Grant (State), 1849. 80
SECTION 33.
John Martin, 1836 80
John Robbins, 1836.
80
J. F. Russell, 1836 320
Porter Hazelton, 1849 160
SECTION 34.
Colby Chew, 1836. I60
Robert R. Howell, 1836 160
Weed and Howell, 1836. 80 John Martin, 1836 ... 160
E. H. Hazelton, 1854
80
SECTION 35.
James Wadsworth, 1836 160
D. R. Prindle, 1836 80
S. A. Goddard, 1836 80
E. 11. Brnsb, 1836 80 James Weed, 1836. 60 E. R. Ewing, 1849-50 120
H. W. Felt, 1849. 10
SECTION 36.
S. A. Goddard, 1836. 160
J. L. Larzalere, 1836 160
J. T. Van Vleek, 1836 80
Edwin Jerome, 1836. 80 M. Mallowery, 1836 80
John Wells, 1836. 80
SETTLEMENTS.
The year 1848 saw the first settlements made within the limits of Hazelton. Stanton S. Latham and Eli E. Fowles, who were relatives, came from Genesee Co., Mich., and lo- cated upon eighty aeres on section 27. They at onee built a eabin and began a small elearing, but made no very de- eided improvement. Their limited quarters afforded shel- ter to the settlers who followed, and the hospitality extended by these early pioneers was in no wise governed by the dimensions of their primitive home. In the family of Mr. Latham was born the first child in the township, in the year following their arrival. In his home also occurred the earliest death,-that of Mrs. Latham, in 1852. Four weeks later he was married to his second wife by Charles Wilkin- son, then justice of the peace, in Venice. This was the earliest marriage in Hazelton. At the house of Mr. Latham oceurred the first township-meeting, in 1850, at which time the list of voters embraced the following names : Stanton S. Latham, Salmon MeIntire, J. C. Smith, Ethan Lord, Eli E. Fowles, John Willis, Orrin Black, Otis- Burpee, the latter of whom is the only one of this number still a resi- dent of the township.
-
Mr. Lathamu ultimately removed to the West and became an emigrant to the wilds of Oregon.
John Willis was a pioneer of 1849. Porter Hazelton had given forty acres each to Messrs. J. C. Smith, John Willis, Salmon Melntire, and J. L. Richardson, under agreement to effect certain improvements within a specified time and also to purchase an additional forty aeres, to be paid for as they were able. Mr. Willis located upon eighty aeres on seetion 22, which he immediately began elearing, having remained at the house, or rather shanty, of Mr. Latham while ereeting a habitation upon his own land. He soon had a very cousiderable tract eleared, which was sown with corn and wheat, and presented something of the aspeet of a cultivated farm. He, however, wearied of the labo- rious monotony of a settler's life, and he removed to Mis- souri in 1858. Mr. Willis was chosen as the first super- visor of Hazelton, and filled sueeessive offices during his brief residence in the township.
Salmon MeIntire, formerly of Ohio, was a companion in his settlement with John Willis, in 1849, and Joeated upon the farm now occupied by F. F. Brewer, on seetion 15, where be had eighty aeres secured under contraet from Porter HIazelton. He lived at the eabin of Stanton S. Latham while erecting a log house. He devoted some years to the cultivation of his land, and on his removal, some years after, removed to Grand Traverse, where he beeame a resident.
Otis Burpee removed, in 1849, from Genesee Co., Mich., to the township, where he located upon eighty aeres on see- tion 10. Half of this had been given him by George HI. Hazelton, while the remainder was purchased of him and paid for on possession having been given. This was en- tirely unimproved. He started with horses and wagon from Genesce County and pursued an Indian trail as the only guide. There were no roads, and the axe was an indispen- sable implement in his progress. For three nights he found no habitation, and was obliged to camp out, improvising such shelter as was possible. Mr. Burpee erected a eabiu
ยท
229
HAZELTON TOWNSHIP.
of logs and cleared a few acres, but made no decided prog- ress until four years later. Latham and Fowles were the only settlers who had made inroads upon the vast forest of the township, while Messrs. Willis and MeIntire had built their cabins, but were still domiciled with the former settlers. Mr. Burpee soon began the work of improvement, which eventually resulted in the conversion of his land into a pro- ductive farm. Ethan D. Lord came at the same time, and chose the east half of the southeast quarter of section 15, upon which he began the labor of clearing. Not long after- wards he moved to Genesee County.
J. L. Richardson arrived the following year, having had eighty acres under the Hazelton contract, which he selected upon section 22. This land rapidly improved . under the industry manifested by Mr. Richardson, who erected a comfortable house and did much during his official career as highway commissioner in 1850 to make various portions of the township accessible by the laying out of highways. lle was prominent in public enterprises connected with the township and filled many offices of importance.
J. C. Smith, another of the parties whose advent is associated with the Hazelton contracts, arrived in 1850 and became a settler on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 27. His first work was the erection of a shelter for his family, after which he began chopping. Mr. Smith remained several years, and as a result of his energy left twenty acres of improved land. He ultimately found a more attractive home in Wisconsin.
The farm first occupied by John Willis was in 1850 sold to Daniel L. Patterson, who removed from Niagara Co., N. Y., in the same year. A cabin had already been built by the former owner, though Mr. Patterson, finding this insufficient to meet his wants, at once crected a more spacious one adjoining. He met many obstacles to prog- ress on his way, and underbrushed a portion of the road with his jack-knife. Salmon MeIntire, who had but re- cently come in, was the nearest neighbor. Mr. Patterson added much to the clearing already made by his prede- cessor, and was actively engaged at an early period in lay- ing out and opening roads through the township. He was also an early dispenser of justice in Hazelton, and held his court within the precincts of the log cabin. His death occurred upon the farm in 1859. His widow-now Mrs. Levi McCarn-still occupies the estate and the log house built by him.
The following list embraces the resident tax-payers in the township of Hazelton for the year 1850, thus showing pretty nearly who had been the settlers in the township prior to that time :
Acres.
Otis Burpee, section 10.
80
Eli E. Fowles, section 27
80
Stanton S. Latham, sections 27, 23
Ethan D. Lord, section 15. 160
Salmon McIntire, section 15. SO
80
Abram Pierson, section 27.
J. L. Richardson, section 22
Orin Smith, section 22 80
Almond Torrey, section 15.
John Willis, section 22.
Jesse Rhodes, a former resident of Ohio, became a pioneer to the township in 1850, having purchased cighty . acres ou section 25. His progress was not rapid at first,
the erection of a log house having engaged his attention on arrival. Later much of the land was cleared and afforded a bountiful yield of grain. John Willis, one-half mile west, had already settled and effected a small clearing. Deer and wolves were among the visitors to the cabin, and the In- dian in his hunting expeditions occasionally craved a wel- come and a place before the blazing hearth for the night. The township was at first slow in its progress, but later years have made a perceptible difference in its population. Mr. Rhodes' death occurred in 1869. Two sons, Ransom and Marshall, are still residents of the same section, where they have each well-cultivated farms.
Another of the pioneers of 1850 was H. S. Allen, whose land lay upon section 15 and embraced eighty acres. Mr. Allen came from Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., and was a cabinet-maker as well as farmer. Ile built a house of logs and effected some improvement, but ultimately removed to Corunna, and later to Newburg, in Shiawassee township.
W. W. Warner emigrated from Potter Co., Pa., in 1852, and located on section 34, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres. On a small clearing amid this wilderness he built a board shanty, hauling the boards with an ox- team from Flushing, where he remained while building. Ten acres were chopped the first year, a small portion of which was planted with corn. The following year Mr. Warner built a substantial frame dwelling, in which he still resides. Indians occasionally visited the house and brought game and fish in exchange for other supplies. Early relig- ious services were held at the houses of the settlers, Elder W. J. Kent having been the first to conduct these exercises. Mr. Warner has taken a prominent part in the development of the township and manifested much public spirit during his active career. He has been for successive terms super- visor and held other minor offices.
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