USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 72
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 72
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125
SECTION 4.
Ebenezer Brown (3d), 1835. SO
Caleb Curtis, 1835 155.83
Edwin B. Gregory and Jebn Coek, 1836. 160
.James Lawrence, 1836. 80
Sanford Clark, 1836. SO
Benjamin Brown, 1836 112.71
Jasper Parish, 1836. 40
SECTION 5.
Jacob Wilkinson, 1833. 40
Samuel N. Whiteomh, 1835.
10
Charles Wilkinson, 1835 61.77
Abraham O .. Newman, 1835 SO
Jobn W. Newman, 1835. 240
Samuel N. Whitcomb, 1835. 59.24
John Burtis, 1836.
James Lawrence, 1836. 61.77
James B. Seott, 1836. 59.24
SECTION 6.
llenry Leaeh, 1833. 95.75
James Wilkinson, 1833. 178
Jacob Wilkinson, 1833. 113.70
Edward E. Perry, 1831. SS.31
Joseph Parmenter, 1835 54.47
George Kittridge, 1836. 102.18
SECTION 7.
Chesley Blake, 1836 .. 18
Edwin B. Gregory and Jobn Cook, 1836 80
Enoeh Jams, 1836. 47.18
Royal HI. Waller, 1836. 80
Acres.
Sally llelly, 1836.
40
William Barker, 1836. 160
Orson Barker, 1836 .. 80
Dexter Clark, 1839 40
SECTION S.
Ransom W. Holley, 1836. 160
Sally Holley, 1836 40
Walter Lawrence, 1836. SO
Almon Isbam, 1836 10
Jabez Clark, 1836. 10
Savina Hopkins, 1836.
40
Sarah Clark, 1836. 80
William Garrison, 1836. 10
Mary B. Miller, 1836. SO
John Long (State), 1859 40
SECTION 9.
James Lawrence, 1836. 160
Walter Lawrence, 1836 .... 80
L. G. Gordon and J. Cook, 1836 80
Hervey Miller, 1836
Asa F. Chalker, 1854. SO
J. B. Miller (State), 1858 120
A. J. Van Osman (State), 1864. 40
SECTION 10.
James Lawrence, 1836. 160
Josiah F. Fowler, 1836. 120
Jasper Parish, 1836 .. 40
John Snyder, 1855. SO
James F. Vineent (State) 40
Luther Dennison, 1859
40
Cortland B. Stebbins, " 1858
10
Josiah Brown, Jr., 1869
80
Alex. W. Jackson, 1865. 40
SECTION 11.
James Billington, 1836 40
Jabez Clark, 1836. 80
Uri E. llowell, 1836 40
Daniel Curtis, 1836.
John Burns, 1851. 160
Stephen Loomis, 1851. 40
Caleb Curtis, 1854
40
Alpheus Stiles (State), 1864.
10
Solomon Brown, 1868
40
Joel Vincent,
1864
40
George Brown, 1869 10
SECTION 12.
George Brown (State), 1869. 40
Jonathan Stevens,“ 1868 40
William Brown,
1869 40
Thomas Munger, "
1868 SO
Joseph Cobb, 1838 40
Avery Guest, 185) 160
James Larue, 1851 160
SECTION 13.
Nicholas Bouek, J. G. Gebhardt, and David Dietz, 1836
320
Elihu Ward, 1836 .. 80
B. W. Farnham, 1836 210
SECTION 14.
Solomon F. Cook, 1836. 80
William J.' Pease, 1836. 80
B. W. Farnbam, 1836 2.10
Ralph Wright, 1836 ... 160
Benjamin l'ellagoen, 1852 40
James Smith, 1854. 10
SECTION 15.
llenry B. Young (State), 1869.
10
C. W. Miller, 1836
10
T. A. Fowler, 1836.
120
William Young, 1836. 160
E. Van Wormer, 1836 120
10
lliram Cornish, 1844
10
B. P. Mayward, 1845.
James Davis, 1847 $0
Hiram Cornish, 1853. 40)
302
HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.
SECTION 16.
Acres.
School seetion .. ....... .... 640
SECTION 17.
James Adams, 1836. 80
Moses Wolfer, 1836. 80
Reuben West, 1836. 80
William K. Reed, 1836 80
Isaac Barker, 1836
240
Austin Depue, 1836 10
James Collins, 1836 40
SECTION 18.
Benjamin Williams, 1836 120 Enoeh Jones., 120.60
B. Y. Barker. 126.32
J. Thompson and Lyon 200
SECTION 19.
Joseph Baker, 1836 10
Levi Frost, 1836. 80
James Pennell, 1836. 80
E. P. Hastings, 1836. 46.12
Enos Welch, 1836 80
Joel Tuttle, 1836
40
Edmund Foster, 1836
80
N. 1I. Johnson, 1836 40
Levi Conk, 1836 45.92
A. B. Webster, 1836. 40
SECTION 20.
Joseph Heath, 1836. 80
James Pennell, 1836. 80
James Adams, 1836. 160
Henry Van Wormer, 1836. 80
James T. Chittenden, 1836.
80
George Jasperrood, 1830.
80
Mary Van Wormer, 1836. 40
Daniel Van Wortner, 1836. 40
SECTION 21.
Aaren Swain, 1836. 40
Sylvanus Ewell, 1836 .. 160
Alanson Foster. 40
Samuel Leonard, 1836 80
Peter Desnoyers. 80
George W. Armstrong 40
Benoni Morton, 1836 40
Jesse and Wettley Irons 80
Jasper Parish. 40
Mary B. Miller, 1836. 10
SECTION 22.
James A. Yonng, 1836 40
John D. Flower, 1836 40
John Young, 1836 .. 40
Joshua Coomer, 1836. SO
Chauncey Hammond, 1836
Ralph Wright, 1836, 360
SECTION 23.
William Hay, 1836. 480
Ralph Wright, 1836. 160
SECTION 24.
William Thompson, 1836 .. 320
L. G. Gordon and J. Cook, 1836. 160
S. Bliss and S. Graves, 1836. 160
SECTION 25.
Trumbull Cary, 1835 80
George Kissam, 1836. 80
William HI. H. Sheldon, 1836. 80
Samuel W. Harding, 1836. 80
W. and J. Hopkirk, 1836. 160
S. Bliss and S. Graves, 1836 100
SECTION 26.
Trumbull Cary, 1835. 80
Abel Millington, 1836. 80
Edward Chase, 1836.
Martin M. Farns, 1836. 80
William A. Gilbert, 1836. 80
Beehe Truesdell, 1836. 240
SECTION 27.
Acres.
Noah Bovier, 1834.
40
Ahel Millington, 1835 80
Stephen J. Durkee, 1836 40
Sarah G. Moore, 1836. 80
Samuel W. Harding, 1836 80
William A. Gilbert, 1836. 80
L. G. Gordon and J. Cook, 1836 .. 160
James llorton, 1836. 80
SECTION 28.
James Rutan, 1834. 40
Trumbull Cary, 1835. 80
Alanson Fuster, 1836. 160
Linus K. Minor, 1836. 280
John R. Martin, 1836.
40
S. Bliss and S. Graves, 1836 40
SECTION 29.
John Smedley, 1834 40
Samuel W. Ilarding, 1836 80
Loren Baldwin, 1836. 80
Asa Pierce, 1836 40
Josiah Pierce, 1836
40
S. Bliss and S. Graves, 1836.
280
John Shepherd, 1836 80
SECTION 30.
Josiah Pierce, 1833. 74.65
Alfred L. and Benjamin O. Williams, 1833. 12.63
William Black, 1834 76.30
Trumbull Cary, 1835 80
Cornelius W. Miller, 1836.
135.64
Loren Baldwin, 1836.
160
SECTION 31.
Nathaniel G. Phillips, 1853. 390.78 Joseph Grace, 1853. 40
John A. Loomis, 1853. 80
Nathaniel G. Phillips, 1854 90
SECTION 32.
Nathaniel G. Phillips, 1853. 12.40
Seth Frost, 1853. 80
Thomas llad, 1853 19.20
Luke P. Smedley, 1853 .. 36
N. G. Phillips, 1853 18.20
llenry J. Cartongh, 1853. 10
Jacob Hiller, 1853.
217.30
Ilenry R. Dean, 1853.
120
James M. Devon, 1853 SO
SECTION 33.
Uriah Dubois, 1835 SO
John Rutan, 1836. 40
Samuel W. Harding, 1836 80
Linus K. Miner, 1836. 160
S. Bliss and S. Graves, 1836. 280
SECTION 34.
Mary Castle, 1835. 160
Abel Millington, 1835 80
Uriah Dubois, 1835. 80
George Dowles, 1835. 80
Uriah Dubois, 1836 10
Abel Millington, 1836
160
Eli Shattuck, 1847
40
SECTION 35.
Trumbull Cary, 1835 80
A. Millington, 1835. 80
Edward Chase, 1836. SO
Martin M. Farns, 1836. 80
Lueinthe Chase, 1836. 10
Randolph Manning, 1836
SO
William Merrill, 1836 200
SECTION 36.
Elisha P. Davis, 1836. 160
Trumbull Cary, 1835 80
George Kissam, 1836 80
Samuel W. Ilarding, 1836. 160
John Sturdevant, 1836
160
303
VERNON TOWNSHIP.
SETTLEMENTS AND SETTLERS.
The year 1833 witnessed the advent of the earliest set- tler within the present boundaries of Vernon. Henry Leach came during the summer of that year, having aban- doned the attractions of the city of Detroit for the life of a pioneer. He entered about one hundred acres on section 6, and began at once the process of underbrushing and clearing. Tinkelpaugh, Swain, Smith, and Baker were already located in Shiawassee, and it is probable that with one of these families Mr. Leach found hospitable shelter while erecting his log cabin. Not a settler had yet broken ground in Vernon, and very little land had been entercd. Ile remained three years and accomplished an improvement embracing twenty acres, after which he removed to Sciota. The isolated life he led seemed disturbed by the presence of settlers, and their arrival became the signal for his depar- ture. He ultimately removed to California, where his death occurred. A daughter, born in 1836, was the first birth in the township. A squatter named Lathrop arrived from Jefferson Co., N. Y., and located also upon section 6 the same year, where he built a bark shanty. He assumed to be a surveyor, and had with him some evidences of the statement in various implements of the craft. He, how- ever, cleared no land, and manifested no energy either in agricultural or professional labor, and soon after made his exit.
Jacob Wilkinson, in 1833, entered forty acres on section 6, and may practically be regarded as the second settler in order of arrival. He found Leach occupying his rude shanty and making progress in his pioneer labor.
The township was a dense forest, and deer, bears, and wolves were the unmolested possessors of the soil. As aggressive as were the latter animals, the most formidable fues appeared in the mosquitoes and gnats, which made life a burden to the invader of their domain.
In 1835, Samuel N. Whitcomb left Oakland County and entered a fractional eighth of section 5, upon which he built a log house and immediately commenced the labor of chopping. Ile found Indians numerous, and though not aggressive, often annoying by the frequency of their visits. Mr. Whitcomb remained for several years in the township, and made much progress in the improvement of his pos- sessions, but finding the picturesque and rolling lands of Livingston County more attractive than his home, ex- changed with Cyrus R. Angel, and became a resident of the latter county. Mr. Angel remained a resident of the township until his death.
James Rutan, who afterwards attained a judicial position in the county, entered in 1834 forty acres on section 34, and became a settler in 1835. He found but few indica- tions of progress, and devoted himself to hard labor and various neighborly acts to later comers during the early years of' his life. At a subsequent period he became im- mersed in professional duties, which absorbed his time.
John Smedley entered, in 1834, forty acres on section 29, upon which he located two years later. Ile erected a log structure for his family, and devoted his energies at once to the conversion of this forest into a productive farm, which he continued to cultivate and improve until his death. The homestead is now occupied by the widow and
one son, while his sons, L. I. and Jefferson Smedley, reside on sections 1 and 33, respectively.
Josiah Pierce entered about seventy-five acres of land on section 30 in 1833, and an additional forty on section 29 in 1836. Hle located the same year npon the latter, and began his pioneer labor of chopping, erecting a log house, and sowing wheat. He soon after engaged in the county polities, and was chosen as the first county treasurer.
Noah Bovier also arrived in 1836, and located east of Mr. Smedley on section 27, where he entered forty acres in 1834 ; but later he removed to forty aeres upon section 31. He became involved in some complications connected with the administration of the business of the county, and did not long remain a resident in the township.
William K. Reed, formerly a resident of Tompkins Co., N. Y., entered in 1836 eighty acres on section 17, which at the date of purchase was entirely uneleared. With him came six sons, who aided in cutting the road from the Shiawassee Exchange to their land, which was as yet unopened. On arriving at section 19 the family en- camped in the forest from Friday until the following Mon- day, improvising such rnde shelter as was possible with the material at hand. Abram Rutan was then employed to convey the household wares on an ox-sled to their destina- tion. A hut of sheets and boughs was constructed, and underneath it a bed was spread in which all slumbered peacefully. A few days later a log cabin was completed, and soon after a small clearing was effected and sown with wheat. Mr. Reed resided upon this farm until his death in March, 1868, when his son, George W., became owner of the homestead. His other sons, five in number, are also residents of' Vernon, Andrew W. having one hundred and twenty acres on section 17 ; Abner G., the same number of acres on section 7 ; Rasselas, ninety on section 17 ; William J., forty on section 16; and John, one hundred and fifty- seven on section 7.
Joseph Parmenter emigrated from Madison Co., N. Y., and purchased fifty-four acres on section 6 in 1835. But few settlers had arrived, and Vernon was yet a wilderness. Ile remained with William Black in Shiawassee until a house was built, to which the family soon after removed. The labor of chopping was at once begun, and with the aid of his father Mr. Parmenter improved five acres the first year, which was soon after covered with crops. He was actively identified with the interests of Vernon until 1849, when he removed to his present home in Shiawassee.
Another pioneer from Oakland Connty was Jabez Clark, who arrived in 1836 and entered forty acres of land on section 8. He remained with William K. Reed while erecting a home, after which he proceeded to the improve- ment of the farm he had purchased. Mr. Reed and Moses Wolfen were his nearest neighbors. Mr. Clark left the township for a short time, but returned and remained for years upon the place, though his death occurred at the house of his daughter, Mrs. A. D. Herrington.
Moses Wolfen, a former resident of Tompkins County, in the Empire State, came to the county of Oakland in 1834, and to Vernon in 1836. He entered eighty aeres on section 17, and built a log cabin, finding a temporary abode meanwhile with John Reed on section 7. With the assist-
304
IHISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ance of his son he made an extensive improvement soon after his arrival, and continued to reside upon the farm until declining years found him enjoying the protecting care of his daughter, Mrs. Reuben West, where he died in 1871. At Mr. Wolfen's house occurred the earliest mar- riage,-that of Moses Melvine to Catharine Wolfen in 1838.
Henry Miller removed from Oakland County in 1836, and entered eighty acres on scetion 9 the same year. Ephraim Wright, of Shiawassee, a brother-in-law of Mr. Miller, had preceded him, and with him he found a cordial greeting on his arrival. IIe did much to make the farm productive, and chose it as his dwelling-place until his later removal to Durand, where he died.
Reuben West, a son-in-law of Mr. Moses Wolfen, re- moved from Cortland County in 1836, and settled on sec- tion 17, where he entered eighty acres. He was no excep- tion to his neighbors in the routine of labor he pursued, having first exercised his skill in the construction of a house of logs, and later replaced it by a frame dwelling of more extended proportions. The land, under his skillful manipu- tion, rapidly became productive, and won for Mr. West the reputation, which he still enjoys, of being one of the most thorough farmers in Vernon.
Nathaniel Chalker, formerly of Seneca Co., N. Y., pur- chased of John Cook a farm entered by him on section 3. This purchase of one hundred and thirty-six acres was made in 1837, and the land having been mortgaged, necessitated a double payment from Mr. Chalker. Two sons accompa- nied him, and the trio remained with Benjamin Brown, who had earlier, during the same year, entered one hundred and thirteen acres on section 4. After the completion of their log structure and the sowing of wheat to afford sub- sistence for the following year, which embraced a field of five acres, their attention was directed to the reception of the family, who arrived the following fall. Mr. Chalker brought with him cooking-utensils, and expected to have boarded himself, but having found a family near by, aban- doned the project. Two sons of Mr. Chalker still reside in the township,-Calvin C., who has one hundred acres on section 1, and Chandler B., whose residence is located upon one hundred and six acres on section 3. The latter gentle- man has been many times elected to the office of supervisor of Vernon.
George Herrington, another emigrant of 1836, purchased a farm of eighty acres upon section 20. Ile was a former resident of the Empire State, and fully imbued with the spirit of enterprise and perseverance peculiar to the pioneers of that early day. This land he cleared and cultivated, and resided upon it until his death. The farm is now occupied by M. O. Herrington.
John K. Smith, a former resident of Pontiac, Oakland Co., arrived in this township in February, 1837. He lo- cated upon eighty acres on section 25, and was assisted in the work of clearing by his two sons, Nathan M. and B. F. Smith, the latter of whom gave his life in battle for the cause of freedom. Nathan M. is still a resident of Vernon, where he has eighty acres on section 27. In 1840, Mr. Smith, having been elected to the office of county clerk, changed his residence to Corunna, and on the expiration of
his term of office removed to California, but returned again to the county-seat, and died in 1861.
Ezekiel Van Wormer came from Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1837, and located upon one hundred and twenty acres, which he had entered the year previous, on section 15, the farm being now occupied by M. V. Russell. It was entirely uncleared on his arrival, and during the time re- quired to erect a comfortable habitation he remained at the log house of George Herrington. He cleared the land . and afterwards erected a second log house, more capacious than the first, in which he lived until his death, in 1861. Two sons are now residents of the township,-A. J. having eighty acres on section 16, and an additional forty on sec- tion 9, upon which he has built a substantial residence. The farm of Abel Van Wormer lics on sections 11 and 14, and is well improved, with a modern dwelling upon it.
Jarues Van Auken preceded Mr. Herrington by one year, and purchased the farm formerly owned by Henry Leach, on seetion G, together with other lands adjacent. He made very considerable improvements on this farm, upon which he lived until his death. It is now occupied by his son, H. J. Van Auken.
William Garrison removed from New Jersey to Oakland County in 1836, and to the township of Vernon in the spring of 1838, purchasing of Aluion Isham forty acres on section 8. He had previously entered (in 1836) forty acres on the same section. On the former land had been erected a small cabin, and a few acres bore some slight evi- dence of improvement. Mr. Garrison devoted his energies entirely to farming pursuits, and occupied the land until his death, in 1858. Four sons accompanied him to Michigan, two of whom died on the farm. The remaining two are actively engaged in business pursuits in the village of Vernon.
Lewis Sayre settled upon section 24, having left New York State in 1839. The land was on his arrival still in its original condition of forest. Mrs. Sayre was equal to her husband in the ambition she evinced, and together they cleared and cultivated the farm. Their log house was afterwards superseded by a spacious frame residence, which is still occupied, and which, with the competency that labor has brought, they are now able to enjoy. Their sons, Charles and Daniel Sayre, are owners of the extensive saw-mill on section 25, familiarly known to the towns- people.
The earliest death in Vernon, so far as remembered, oe- curred in 1838, at the house of S. N. Whitcomb. It was that of a settler named Howell, who had been engaged in clearing land for Mr. Whitcomb, and had been for many weeks in feeble health. Dr. Weir, of Shiawassce, and Dr. Pattison, of Owosso, were the earliest physicians in Vernon. Elder . B. B. Brigham, of Shiawasseetown, conducted the first religious services.
In 1840, Mr. Sickles came to the township and located upon section 25, where he purchased eiglity acres of land. He found no improvements, and the excellent farm later owned was wholly the result of his own industry. His death occurred upon the homestead, which is now occu- pied by his son Emery, while John and James, the other sous, have well-improved farms in the township.
VERNON TOWNSHIP.
305
Following is a list of the tax-payers of Vernon township in 1840 :
George Kissam.
William Pcase.
Trumbull Cary.
Theron A. Flowers.
James C. Goodell.
Louisa Cronk.
John Sturdevant.
William Young.
Thomas Bentley.
Isaac Barker.
Benjamin Dutton, Jr.
Manson Taber.
Lorin Baldwin. Thompson & Lyon.
Gordon and Cook. Benjamin Barker.
Stephen F. Drake.
E. P. Hastings.
John B. Morton.
Levi Cook.
Bliss and Graves.
N. H. Johnson.
John Shepherd.
William A. Beers.
Mark Norris.
Enos Welch.
A. L. & B. O. Williams.
William Sayre.
Jasper Parrish.
Abel Millington.
Samuel E. Peters.
Edward Chase.
John Reinfraub.
Cynthia Chase.
Joseph L. Peters.
William Merrill.
William E. Peters.
Daniel Van Wormer.
Gilbert.
Chauncey Hammond.
Cook & Gregory.
Randolph Manning.
John Burtis.
James Smith.
John W. Newman.
Paul Spofford.
Daniel Johnson.
Mortimer Wadhams.
George Kittridge.
Henry Catelazer.
Royal W. Walker.
Augustus Crane.
Orson Barker.
H. V. R. Hawkins.
George Jasperson.
George W. Armstrong.
Samuel Leonard.
Saunders and Kittredge.
Joshua Cooman.
Lansing B. Mizner.
William J. Hopwich.
Clark and Warren.
Herman Van Vicht.
Z. B. Webb.
James HI. Jerome.
Calvin P. Austin.
John Cogan.
Henry C. Walker.
Samuel A. Goddard.
Samuel Wilkinson.
Isaac Smith.
Daniel R. Carpenter.
Jacob L. Larvalien.
Squire Adams. David Sutton. Alpha Carr.
Jacob Woodruff.
Christopher Colson.
T. F. Burns.
George W. Wells.
Charles Taylor.
John Thomas.
Nathaniel C. Peckham.
Crane and Freeborn.
Charles Hillsbury.
Henry Miller.
N. R. Randolph.
Edward G. Faile.
Jabez Williams.
Charles West.
John A. Weeks.
Artemas Spoor.
Edwin Randolph.
H. Richardson.
Lester Catlin.
Walter Lawrence.
C. C. Hascall.
Enoch James.
J. S. Bagg.
Dexter Clark.
Rowland Sprague.
Lorenzo Bankman.
Thomas Bigfrid.
David IFalstead.
Samuel Meagre.
John F. Bliss.
David Ilalstead.
S. F. Cook.
Almon Mack.
Charles Taylor.
John F. Bliss.
Abram Boekhover.
John B. Valec.
Gideon Lce. Jacob B. Reed.
Lanson Lacy. Benjamin Bradley.
II. G. Bills.
Jacob B. Bird.
Frank Taylor.
William Lovejoy, formerly of Lyons, N. Y., settled upon section 27 in 1844, having purchased eighty acres. Marvin Wilcox, who had preceded him and settled upon section 35, was the nearest resident. Samuel Harding was located upon section 34 when Mr. Lovejoy came to Vernon the year previous on a prospecting tour, but died during the interval before returning. A brother of Mr. Lovejoy occupied the place for a year, and effected a clearing of ten acres, after which he removed to Ingham County, and its purchaser continued the improvements already begun. In 1878 he removed to Durand and erected a convenient dwelling, which is his present residence. Daniel McCollom, one of the numerous pioneers from Monroe Co., N. Y., arrived in 1846, and purchased of the State some years later a farm on section 16, known as school lands. He had previously been employed in various portions of the town- ship, and found his services much in demand. A log house was built and five acres improved the first year, after which steady progress was made in the clearing and cultivating of the land. In 1876 a spacions residence was erected, which is now the family home.
Thomas Smith came in 1847, and purchased the farm on sections 33 and 34 which had been partially cleared by Samuel Harding. He continued the improvements already begun, and rendered the farm very productive. Mr. Smith is still a resident of Vernon, as are also.his sons, Albert and M. S. Smith, both being located on section 34.
Samuel Patchel emigrated from New Jersey in 1848, and settled upon eighty acres on section 9. William Grunsley, who had located on the same section, offered him hospitality while erecting the log house, to which he removed on its completion. Ile chopped but little at first, but ultimately cleared a productive farm. In 1866, Mr. Patchel erected his present substantial house and abandoned his primitive abode. Caleb Conrad preceded Mr. Patchel, moving to the township from Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. Ile purchased eighty acres of uncleared land on section 5, upon which he did the first chopping. A log cabin was first erected, which was later replaced by a comfortable dwelling, his present home.
Edward Holmes, formerly of Madison Co., N. Y., set- tled in 1848 upon eighty acres on section 19, which were wholly uncleared. Roads had been surveyed but not im- proved, and travel was much impeded by the obstruc- tions encountered. Hampton Bentley had already made a considerable clearing on section 20, and was the nearest settler. With him Mr. Holmes remained while construct- ing a temporary abode. lle cultivated this farm, and in 1874 erected his present home. He is still actively engaged in farming.
With Mr. Holmes came Q. F. l'erry, who settled on forty
39
William Barker. Daniel Curtis. James Billington. Nicholas Bouck. B. W. Farnow. Elias Ward.
George Horner.
Edward G. Faile.
John P. Clark.
William P. Patrick.
M. Holmes.
306
HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
acres on section 17, which was unimproved. He occupied this farm for several years and then removed to his present estate of eighty aeres on section 19.
Horace Hovey, a pioneer from Ohio, purchased an ex- tensive traet of land on section 20 in 1850, and resided upon this land until his death. His widow, now in ad- vaneed years, occupies the family residence, her sons being located near her in the township.
John Jewell, formerly of Genesee County, purchased, in 1854, eighty acres on section 22, npon which a small elear- ing had been made by a settler named Hammond, who en- tered the land and liquidated the indebtedness upon it by the sale of maple-sugar. It was subsequently owned by Horace Pratt, of whom it was purchased by Mr. Jewell. He occupied the log house and labored upon the farm until his death in 1869, after which it came into the possession of its present owner, Dr. J. M. Shaw. Three sons of Mr. Jewell are residents of the township, two of whom are car- penters and the third a wagon-maker in Durand, where he is a considerable owner of land adjacent to the village.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.