USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 65
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 65
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The Union Sabbath-school of Morrice is one of the most ereditable and well conducted in this county. In this the members and children of the various denominations unite, and the best of feeling prevails. J. V. R. Wyckoff, Jr., is superintendent.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI OF MORRICE.
The society of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Morriee was organized at the school-house (then known as the Purdy school-house) in April, 1865. Rev. J. R. Gordon had been holding a series of meetings which brought about the formation of a class, as above stated. The first meeting called for the purpose resulted in the names of the following persons being enrolled : Mr. and Mrs. H. A. McKnight, Mr. and Mrs. James Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Ely, and Mary Davis. The society now meets in the Presbyterian church.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church was organized May 11, 1880. Mrs. M. MeKnight was elected President ; Mrs. G. O. Austin, Secretary ; Mrs. Jennie Colby, Corresponding Secretary. The membership is thirty.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MORRICE.
In October, 1877, several families which had been con- neeted with the Baptist Society of Antrim and Perry met and organized the Society of the First Baptist Church of Perry. Elder Hayden, of Perry, presided at this meeting. The names of those who were present and formed the so- ciety are as follows : Mr. and Mrs. Horace Purdy, Abraham Queick and wife and daughters, Anna and Eva, Mr. and
271
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
Mrs. M. Setterly, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Ormsby, Morris Ormsby and Miss Etta Ormsby, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson Bristol, and Mrs. Leonard Ferris. The society now has twenty-three members.
FRATERNITIES.
Several fraternities, composed of the citizens of Morrice and vicinity, hold their usual meetings in Sager's Hall, in that village.
The charter granted to the lodge of Knights of Honor, No. 1519, at Morrice, is dated Oct. 9, 1879.
The grange of the Patrons of Husbandry was organized in 1873. It soon declined and surrendered its charter, but was reorganized July 18, 1879.
The Independent Order of Good Templars, No. 53, was organized Jan. 16, 1878. The order at this place is now in a flourishing condition.
The charter of the Juvenile Templars bears date Jan. 17, 1879, with the following names as officers : Jesse Ball, C. T .; Etta Ormsby, V. T .; Anna Goodburn, Rec. Sec. ; James Whaley, P. C. F .; Altie Dickinson, Fin. See .; Abbie Litchfield, T.
VILLAGE OF PERRY.
The village of Perry is situated upon land settled by Horace Green. When the railroad was completed through the township the company established the depot on or near a piece of land belonging to Mr. Isaac Gale. A majority of the inhabitants of the township were much dissatisfied. It had been understood that the station should be located where the railroad crossed the " Mason and Owosso State road," this location having been decided upon by a vote of the people of the township. With this understanding con- siderable contributions were made. Norman Green, with a proviso to that effect, gave the company one thousand dol- lars, and five acres of ground for depot and yard purposes. After several private meetings had been held by some of the more prominent men in this part of the township it was determined to plat a village and build up a business at this point. The village was platted on the land owned by C. II. Calkins and William McKellops. The latter gentleman commeneed at once to build a mill, and other business places were opened in quick succession, a number of build- ings being moved from the old centre. Still the railroad company would neither receive any freight for this point nor ship any from it. The people then petitioned the company, but without avail. They next petitioned the Legislature of the State. After various investigations and delays, by a special act of Assembly a committee was ap- pointed to investigate the case. The report made, favored the village, and resulted in compliance on the part of the railroad company. The people then donated ties for the side-track, and contributed money to build the depot.
The business interests of the village are continually en- larging, while it is steadily increasing in population and importance. There are two large flouring-mills, two general stores, a hotel, two hardware-stores, two drug-stores, two harness-shops, three blacksmith- and wagon-shops. The physicians now practicing medicine in Perry village are L. M. Marshall and S. Chapin.
The Perry Brick Mill was built by William MeKellops, in 1877. It has four run of stones, and has a capacity of one hundred barrels per day.
The Reliance Mill was built by O. N. Parshall, in 1878. It has a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour in twenty- four hours. Its flour took the premium at the Michigan State Fair of 1879.
TILE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CIIURCH OF PERRY.
The history of this society begins properly with the win- ter of 1838-39, when Flaviel Brittan held a series of re- vival-meetings in the house of Lyman Melvin, in Antrim township. A decided interest being manifested after the continuation of these exercises during a few weeks, at the first meeting called for the purpose, a class was formed com- posed of the following-named persons : Charles Locke, Har- vey Harmon, Levi Harmon and wife, John Ward and wife, Josiah Stevens and wife.
The society at first held its meetings in Antrim town- ship, but the place of worship was subsequently changed to the house of Josiah B. Stevens, in Perry township. In after-years, when the class in Antrim was formed, a part of the members residing in that township withdrew from the society in Perry, and united themselves with it.
When the elass was first formed the territory now com- prised in the Perry Circuit was part of what was termed the Shiawassee Mission, spoken of more fully in the his- tory of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Byron. In 1845 the Bennington Circuit was formed, which included the appointments in Perry and Antrim. The first quar- terly conference of this circuit convened in Bennington, Nov. 29, 1845. Ilorace Hall was the preacher in charge, assisted by G. W. Alexander, a local preacher. At one of these meetings it is recorded that M. L. Stevens, of Perry, after making some remarks to the conference, offered the following resolution, which was adopted : " Resolved, that we consider American slavery necessarily an evil." Although his proposition received the approval of the conference, it would probably have been ignominiously defeated had it been submitted to the people at that time.
Perry was next included in Antrim Circuit, which was formed in 1855. The first quarterly conference of this circuit was held at the Beard school-house in Antrim, Oct. 27, 1855. The first board of stewards was then elected as follows, viz. : David D. Adams, Seth Johnson, Charles Locke, James C. Dennis, John P. Shaft, and William Wright. In 1857 the name of the circuit was changed and " Perry Circuit" adopted. Lyman H. Dean was the first minister in charge.
At a meeting of the society for the purpose of diseuss- ing the propriety of building a church, Charles Locke was appointed chairman of a building committee. The other members were J. W. Brown and M. S. Hinkley. The building was completed in 1868, at a cost of eleven hundred dollars. The society has now a membership of eighty.
BAPTIST CHURCH OF PERRY.
On May 19, 1838, the society of the Baptist Church of Bennington was formed at the house of William F. Stevens. After the township of Bennington was divided and Perry
279
HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
formed, the society reorganized and adopted its present name and title. The names enrolled at this meeting were Horace B. Flint, Hannah Flint, Phineas Austin, Angeline Austin, Jesse Whitford, Diantha Purdy, Polly Green, Cynthia Hill. B. B. Brigham was the first elder in charge. Cyrus Barnes, John Martin, and F. W. Colhe are also among the pioneer preachers of this society. The usual place of meeting was the " Tamarack School-house." now known as the " Austin School-house," until the build- ing of their meeting-house in the village of Perry. At a meeting bekl in the " Green School-house" two committees which had been appointed reported to raise a buikling-fund. It was then found that the committee selected to work in the village of Perry and vicinity had secured nine hundred dollars. A site for the church was then selected by a ballot, which resulted in locating it where it now stands. A building committee was then appointed, composed of Charles Calkins, W. P. Laing, 11. A. Roberts, to act in conjunction with the trustees of the church. The meeting- house was completed in 1877 ( while Elder R. H. Hayden presided), and was dedicated in December of that year.
M. Il. De Witt is the present pastor, and the society now has a membership of seventy-two.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PERRY was organized in December. 1879, the Rev. Leroy Warren officiating. The names of' fifteen persons were placed on the record of the church at the first meeting. The number has since been increased to thirty-four.
The society now meets in the Methodist Episcopal church, and is under the charge of Rev. James Verney.
A LODGE OF THE I. O. O. F.
was instituted at Perry by Past Grand Master B. W. Dennis, May 13, 1873, with the following-named persons as charter members, viz. : D. F. Burnett, A. J. MeCarn, J. W. Brown, D. D. Dunning, Eugene Brown, W. S. Morrice, S. Chapin.
The encampment of the order was established here in 1875, since which time the lodge has erected a hall build- ing costing fourteen hundred dollars. The lower floor is used as a store-room. The hall is twenty-two by forty-four feet, with proper reception- and ante-rooms attached. In less than two years from the time of its organization the society numbered sixty members in good standing, and is now in a prosperous condition.
PERRY LODGE, F. AND A. M.,
was instituted under a dispensation granted by Right Wor- shipful Master John Finch, Grand Master of the State of Michigan. The first meeting was held May 10, 1878. The charter members of the lodge were as follows: 'T. S. Wright, W. M .; William Cooper, S. W. ; C. S. Stackhouse, J. W .; A. A. Harper, Sec. ; C. W. Halleck, Act. Treas .; George Goff, Act. S. D .; Joseph Keene, J. D. ; Thomas Sharp, Tiler; llenry W. Cramer.
The charter was granted to the lodge Jan. 29, 1879. The first election under the charter was held March 7, 1880, when the following persons were elected to the varions offices : T. S. Wright, W. M .; William Cooper,
S. W. ; C. S. Stackhouse, J. W .; O. Halleck, Treas. ; A. A. Harper, See. ; L. L. Sutterly, S. D. ; James O). Walker, J. D. ; Thomas Sharp, Tiler.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
RUSH TOWNSHIP .*
Location, Topography, and Capabilities of the Township-Original Land-Entries-Settlement of the Township-Early Highways- Organization and Civil List-Hendersonville-Churches-Schools.
Tux township of Rush is one of the most progressive in the county. The earliest settler first broke its stubborn soil in 1839, but it was not until 1850 that emigration affected materially its population and development. Sinco that time its advance has been steady and rapid, and the industry and enterprise of its farming population are placing it among the foremost of the sixteen townships of Shia- wassee County. It is designated in the United States sur- vey as township No. 8 north, of range No. 2 east, and is bounded on the north by Saginaw County ; south, by Owosso ; east, by New Haven ; and west, by Fairfickl. The soil of the township may be described as a combina- tion of clay and sand and rich muck. Gravel predomi- nates in the north and northeast, while in other portions, more especially ou section 2, sand prevails. A strong clay is found in the northwest, which presents some obstacles to cultivation. Near the centre is an extensive marsh, which will prove the most productive soit in Rush when thor- oughly drained. The township has already inade applica- tion to the State for an appropriation to this end. The soil is admirably adapted to wheat and corn, while grass is usually a prolific crop. The agricultural returns for the year 1873 give one thousand and seventy-seven acres of wheat as harvested, which produced fourteen thousand one hundred and thirty-five bushels of that grain, while four hundred and sixty acres of corn yielded a erop of eleven thousand nine hundred and ninety bushels. Twelve hun- dred and fifty tons of hay were eut in the same year. Of other cereals than wheat, the yiekel was fourteen thousand and forty-three bushels. The prevailing timber of Rush is ash, becch, maple, basswood, and ehm. A limited quan- tity of black-walnut and butternut has been eut, but these woods are not abundant in Rush. A dense growth of tamarack formerly prevailed, but skillful drainage has since rendered the land tillable, and much of the tamarack has disappeared. The dark waters of the Shiawassee River flow through the southeast portion of the township, enter- ing at seetion 36, and following a circuitous course to the northward. At section 13 they pass into the township of New Haven.
The Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw division of the Michigan Central Railroad passes through the east and northeast sections of Rush, and has a station at Henderson. This railway offers many advantages to farmers in the ship- ment of their produce.
* By E. V. Wagner.
273
RUSH TOWNSHIP.
ORIGINAL LAND-ENTRIES.
The lauds of Rush were entered from the government or purchased of the State by the following parties :
SECTION I.
Arros.
Trumbull Carv, 1×35 132.73
Gideon Ice, 1436 .. 320
A. J. Holin: #, 1×45. 66.33
B. Collin» (Ftate), 1819, 40
Irane Van, "
1152
SECTION 2.
Philip Mickles, ( Ftate), 1849. 52.19
Jor. Turner, 1819 ..
R. L. Blake, 151.
P. C. Blirr,
%. Perry,
185
M. B. Hear,
O. W. Stower,
18:19.
=
40
Ira A. Lee,
1851
40
FECTION 3.
Ed. Haynes, 1-51. 160
J. B. Curtir, 1835. 10
r'. W. Butler (State), 1855,
87.57
John Cox,
1813
M. Robin von,
A. Gould,
1869
17.25
David Weeden,
SECTION 4.
J. P. Burns, 1851. 160
J. R. Post (Ftate), 1859. 118.13
F. B. Nappe,
". W. Butler (State), 1655
51.72
Dyer Wood,
1-50
J. F. Child-,
1950.
George Hawking (State), 1849.
SECTION 5.
Gideon Lee, 1836. 210
George Hawking (State), 1819.
Smith Wilcox, 1852 811
James Briggs, 1850
Silas Clark, 1819
55.58
KJ. Camp,
=
56.97
SECTION 6.
Gideon Lee, 1836. 240
Peter Montrose, 1851. 174.23
James Watson (Etate) 20,51
JI. B. Young,
1 14.50
SECTION 7.
Squire Wood, 1853.
F. W. Fowler, 1x55 ...
Luther Marble (State), 1866. 50
Win. Raincy, 62.12
L. Fowler,
Nelson F'arley,
40
Fila- Clark, =
F. W. Fowler,
30.74
F. W. Fowler, = 1969
30.74
S. Runyan,
SECTION 8.
(. S. Griffin, 1854 210
M. A. Grimley (State), 1850
120
S. J. Gilkey,
('. Wercott, 1850
Dyer Wohl, 1850
Ralph Sutliff. ..
1-30
John Ru gell, 1×50.
SECTION 9.
Frase Van (State), 1819. 160
A. Harter, 1850 320
Jos. Lockwood (State), 1850. 10
(. L. Shepard, 1×32 40
M. W. Gardner, 1850.
Chax. Werrott, 1850. 160 Horton Wilcox, 1850. 80
FECTION 10.
Willam L'. Gilbert/ Frate , 1851 160
Edwin Wh to,
1830
William Ificks, 46
S. W. Or Henden,
1130
Edwar I Butler,
W. I. Gilkey,
1919
160
SECTION 11.
James Turner (State, )- 19. 160
C. W. Butler,
N. G. Che bry, 1-55
10
.J. W. Norris,
1655.
120
N. Taylor, 1 ×50
40
.I. O. Hardy, 1-50.
M. Robinson, 1852
FECTION 12.
W. M. Coplin (State), 1818 180
A. W. Sprague, 181*
J. M. Tower,
1-49
M. Rob pron,
18:50
40
T. O. Potter,
1×19.
J. O. Cheobro,
=
1950
fleury Woodard, "
J-31
SECTION 13.
Trumbull Cary, 1835. 151.98
Cornelius Bergen, 1336
Jamen Wadsworth, 1836. 220
FECTION 11.
Gideon Lee, 1836 ..
1. 1%. Fimonson, 1836.
Cidron Lec, 1:36.
240
11. 5. Hayne, 1851
J. O. Hardy (State), 1850
I rate: Van,
1×19
10
Thomas Matthias (State), 1815. 40
SECTION 13.
Samuel Shuster, 1851. 160
Henry Bowen (State), 1849
Clark Borbe,
1449 ...
40
W. F. Smith,
40
Lloyd Clark,
M. B. Hem, 1819.
40)
C. S. Kimberley, 1855
100
Ezra Joner, 1-57 10
FECTION 18.
School lande.
SECTION 17.
(. 8. Griffin, 1-51 ...
J. J. Garnre, 1855 80
1. F. Gamber (State), 1×6G
Kwamp Jand
320
Eli North (State)
SECTION IS.
Swamp land.
270
W. C. Hawk- State), ..
Famuel Runyan, "
1. 1 .. - kort,
J. D. Richmond
Abraham čkutt
63.40
SECTION 19.
Charles Howard, 1451. 220
;. C. MeCumb (State), 1x65
Charles Howard, 1834 200.28
FECTION 20.
Charles Conner (State) ..
Swamp land, 120
Charler Angle,
1-66
Charles Howard, 185] 320
J. J. Garnee, 1555.
SECTION 21.
1 .. 11. Parron», 1831
Charle- Augle (=tate).
10
11. 2. Young, ..
5. Goodale,
1-59.
John Gallagher,
Alvin Ballın, 44 1858.
35
10
40
Jamey Davide, =
274
IIISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
SECTION 22.
Acres.
Ford and Patterson, 1852
D. S. Centre, 1854 190
Francis Waldron, 1854 .. 40
Alvin Ballin (State), 1858. 40
D. N. Center (State), 1858. 120
John Gallagher (State), 1858. 80
llenry Pattison (State), 1853 80
Charles S. Kimberley (State), 1855. SO
SECTION 23.
John B. Willison, 1819. SO
Trumbull Cary, 1835. 30.10
C. Bergan, 1836 .. 186.40
Gideon Lee, 1896. 80
John Parshall. 1836. SO
Albert Burrell, 1836. 80
SECTION 24.
Trumbull Cary, 1835. 1.86
C. Borgan, 1835 6.40
Joseph Pitcairn, IS36 141.40
Gideon Lee, 1836. 80
John F. Bliss, 1836. 80
F. G. Mney, 1836.
73.28
Henry Rush, 1836. 240
SECTION 25.
Trumbull Cary, 1835. 300.29 Cornelius Bergan, 1836 .. 92.90
Mellenry, Kercheval and Ifcaly, 1836. 260
SECTION 26.
1. B. Simonson, 1836. 80
Otis Judson .. 320
J. L. Curry, 1849. 80
W. B. Gilbert, 1851. 160
SECTION 27.
Thomas Carmody (State), 1852 160
Michael Carmody (State), 1853 80
William Burgess (Stale), 1850. 120
James Grant (State), 1852. 40
John Gallagher (State), 1858. 80
Goodwin and Dimmock, 1846. 40
Sandy Patterson, 1854. SO
William King, 1855. 80
SECTION 28.
Williams and MeGilvra, 1846. 40
Charles Howard, 185.1. .40 John Gallagher (State). 100 Edwin Ayres, 1858 .. 120
William Smith, 1858.
40
SECTION 29.
John Gallagher (State), 1858. 320
Charles Howard, 1851. 120 Daniel Trowbridge, 1854
A. T. Foss, 185.4.
T. F. Sheldon, 1853.
SECTION 30.
Charles Howard, 1854 [41.76
J. It. Park, 1854 ... SO
William Scott, 1854. 141.96
Daniel Trowbridge, 1854. SO
John Gallagher (Stato), 1858.
Cyrus White, 1866. 80
SECTION 31.
Cyrus White (State), 1866 160
F. A. Barber (Sinte), 1858 40
John Gallagher (State), 1858 160
Caleb Everts, 1854. 191.76 Charles Howard, 1854. 65
SECTION 32.
John Gallagher (State), 1858. 600 Benjamin Craven, 1855 .. 40
.SECTION 33.
John Gallagher (State), 1858. .............. 640
SECTION 34. Acree.
John Gallagher (State), 1858. 320
I. V. Shaft, 1853. 40
C. W. Butler (State), 1868. 10
Jeremiah Coughlin (State), 1858. 10 Walter Love (State), 1860 .. SO
Augustus Brocket (State), IS60 .. 40
SECTION 35.
F. Middleberger, 1836. 320
Calvin Rose, 1836 160
Theodore Robbins, 1854.
Jacob Newman (State), 1858. 80
SECTION 36.
Trumbull Cary, IS35. 297.77 Cornelius Bergan, 1836. 90
Alex MeFarren, 1836. 10S.SO
George Kittridge, 1836.
111.30
SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP.
Though one of the latest of the townships of the county in its organization, Rush claims among its present resi- dents but few survivors among the number of those who entered it when a wilderness, and in its clearing and early development bore the heat and burden of the day. The first white settler within its boundaries was Ransom White, who arrived in 1839, and purchased of E. C. Kimberly (who controlled the land as agent for Trumbull Cary, of New York ) ninety acres on section 26. He creeted upon it a cabin and devoted some time to clearing, after which he took up his residence in Owosso. He later returned to his purchase, where several years were devoted to the labors incident to pioneer life. Mr. White was not, however, successful in his early agricultural efforts, and allowing the land to revert, he changed his residence and chose a home in Barry County.
The second arrival in Rush was that of Avery Thomas, who came with his family in 1842. He was a former resi- dent of Cayuga Co., N. Y., and first located in Oakland Co., Mich., but having been attracted by the superior ad- vantages of the county of Shiawassee, soon after selected a home in Rush. There were no roads at this time, and as a necessity the family of Mr. Thomas embarked in scows, and were floated down the Shiawassee River to their desti- nation. On their arrival there were no settlers, Mr. White having left for Owosso. While Mr. Thomas was ereeting a frame house of spacious proportions the family were con- fortably quartered at Owosso. This house is still standing, and was occupied until a more pretentious and elegant resi- dence was recently erceted by Avery Thomas, Jr., on the adjacent ground. Mrs. Thomas died the year after their arrival, and hers was the earliest death in the township. The domestic economy of the family having been sadly de- ranged by the loss of this wife and mother, Mr. Thomas before the year had expired was married a second time, to Mrs. Sarah A. Sampson, who still survives and resides on the homestead. This was undoubtedly the earliest marriage ceremony performed in the township. The question of the earliest birth in Rush may not be easily decided. It is possible that it was in the family of Mr. Thomas, though the claims in behalf of the household of Mr. Henry Rush are equally well founded.
The above-named gentleman with his family arrived in 1843, and entered one hundred and sixty acres on section
275
RUSII TOWNSHIP.
24. It was first cleared by his sou, Jacob Rush, who re- moved to the land soon after and built a shelter of logs which he occupied. His father arrived some time later, and for a while made it his residence, but subsequently re- moved to Pennsylvania. The elosing years of his life were spent in the township, where he died, as did also his son. Through the influence of friends the township bears the family name, though many of the older settlers entered their quiet protest, and regarded this mark of deference as hav- ing been justly due the earliest pioncer, Mr. Ransom White.
Robert Irland arrived in 1843, and purchased eighty acres, one-half of which was upon section 24 and the re- mainder in the present township of New Haven. This was entirely destitute of improvement on his arrival. There were no roads and Pontiac was the nearest milling point, involving a tedious journey, with the Indian trail as the only guide. Mr. Irland built the usual house of logs, which was afterwards supplanted by a more modern frame dwelling. He died many years since, and the widow and a son now occupy the farn.
William Goss, formerly of Monroe Co., N. Y., arrived in the same year, and settled upon one hundred acres on section 25. Ilis brother, Samuel Goss, purchased the same number of acres adjacent to his own. The latter, not having been greatly impressed with the advantages of Michigan, returned again to the Empire State. William ereeted upon his purchase a log cabin, finding, meanwhile, a temporary abiding-place with Avery Thomas. He eleared ten acres the first year, and continued his labors until the forest was transformed into a productive farm. Mr. Goss died in 1863. Mrs. Goss still survives, and, with her son, occupies the land.
Jonas Robbins came from New Jersey among the earliest of the township pioneers. The date of his arrival is not remembered with exactness by either himself or family. lle experienced some vicissitudes during the first years of his residence in the county, and having been directed to a tract of land not his own, was obliged to vacate. He finally located upon eighty acres on section 26, where he still resides.
Walter Graham and Silas Clark were each pioneers from Lenawee County to the township of Rush, where they located upon section 5. The former purchased eighty acres, while Mr. Clark made a clearing and built a log house upon forty-one acres. Mr. Graham also erected a primitive abode of logs and began the clearing of his land, which, by constant labor, he rendered very productive. Both are now dead, and the properties have passed into the hands of other parties.
R. A. Sutliff was another settler who found the attrac- tions of Shiawassee County superior to those of Lenawee County and located a farm of forty acres upon section S, having, at a later date, added twenty to it. Ile found an ample field for tho exercise of industry in the unfelled woods which covered the land. Ile made a considerable clearing, but ultimately removed to Saginaw County. Benjamin Washburn became the subsequent owner of the land, and Levi Clark is its present occupant.
Michael Rourke came from Massachusetts to Rush in 1851, and purchased of William B. Hurd, who had already
been located some time upon it, forty acres on section 26. Upon this tract tour acres had been cleared and a log house built, to which he removed. Mr. Rourke found still much labor to perform, and devoted himself with a will to the task before him. At the expiration of the first year eight additional acres had been chopped and partially improved. Jonas Robbins was the nearest settler, and the township had as yet attracted but few individuals from the vast tide of emigration then pouring into the State. But seven voters assembled at the polls the previous spring. Indians frequently chose Mr. Rourke's land for their camping- ground. Deer were abundant, wolves made night hideous with their howling, and bears would, under cover of the darkness, visit the sheepfold in search of a victim. Mr. Rourke has greatly improved his farm, which now embraces one hundred and eighty-five acres.
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