History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan, Part 96

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 96
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 96

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previously provided for the convenience of the county officers.

Capt. Scott early received his commission as postmaster of the hamlet, and established an office at his house. He continued to reside in Dewitt until his death, in 1851, having been the leading spirit in all business enterprises. . His son, David Scott, still occupies a portion of the land he entered. Another son, Sylvester Scott, made his advent the month succeeding that of his father, and located on a portion of the land entered by the former. His wife, Mrs. Sophronia Scott, who is still living in De Witt, and one son arrived soon after, and Sept. 15, 1836, a second son, " Charles, was born, he having been the first white child born in the county.

Sylvester Scott did not long survive his early pioneer experiences. Hiram Wilcox had in 1837 erected the first saw-mill in the county, on the south side of the river, upon the plat known as New Albany. It was completed and in running order early in 1838, and a party of settlers having assembled at Capt. Scott's one Sabbath afternoon, it was suggested that they should visit the mill on a tour of in- spection. On their arrival, Mr. Scott with others was ex- amining the construction of the machinery and had uncon- seiously placed himself in a position of great danger. One of the party, not aware of this faet, suddenly turned on the water, which set the mill in motion and instantly killed the unfortunate man. This event eaused profound sorrow in the little community.

Milo H. Turner arrived in 1838, as the agent of George T. Clark, who had previously purchased the land platted on the south side of the river known as New Albany. He brought with him a stock of goods, ereeted a log house, and opened the first store in the village of De Witt. He leased the saw-mill of Hiram Wilcox, and after effecting a considerable elearing, built a large frame structure, which was devoted to the uses of a hotel. His brother, Jesse Foot Turner, arrived the following year, and embarked with Milo 11. in business enterprises. In 1844 they erected on the Looking-Glass River a grist-mill, which was consumed by fire in 1847, but soon after rebuilt. The brothers Turner were men of much activity, and largely identified with the interests of the township and the county. They remained residents until 1850, when the gold fields of California lured them to the Pacific coast. George T. Clark also became a resident at a later period.

The earliest store on the north side of the river was built by David Sturgis, who came from Portland, Ionia Co., in 1840, with a stock of goods which he offered for sale, as the agent of Messrs. Abbott & Beecher, of Detroit. He soon after built an ashery near by, and remained in business at De Witt until 1850, when he removed to St. Johns, and later to Gratiot County, where he died. Ile at one time filled the position of associate judge of the county court.

The distinction which was accorded to De Witt as the centre of the judicial business of the county attracted many representatives of the bar, and made it for a period of many years the centre of legal talent. A brief review of the advent and subsequent career of the lawyers of the village is embodied in a chapter on the Bar of

407

DE WITT TOWNSHIP.

the County in a preceding portion of this work. The uncertain tenure by which De Witt maintained its prestige as the county-seat offered strong obstacles against the erec- tion of county buildings, and on the occasion of its later removal to St. Johns not a single structure of importanee had been devoted to county uses. This faet also materially influenced the growth of the village, and has effectually checked the development of its business interests since 1857. The village now has one hotel, of which R. Durham is the landlord ; two general stores, kept by J. E. Jayne and A. A. Woodruff; one drug store, owned by Dr. G. W. Top- ping; two millinery-shops, kept by Mrs. Ware and Mrs. Woodruff respectively ; one shoe-store, by J Averill ; one wagon-shop, of which A. Lott is proprietor; and three blacksmith-shops, owned by Messrs. Tout, Pilbeau, and Worden. J. A. Sweet holds the commission as postmaster. There are two saw-mills, owned by William M. Potter and E. G. Holmes & Son, and a completely-appointed flouring- muill, equipped with four run of stones and enjoying an ex- tensive custom trade, of which Messrs. Osgood & Co. are proprietors. There is also a foundry, owned by R. Merritt. De Witt has two ehurehes, whose early history, found else- where, is coexistent with the primitive days of the hamlet.

The second pioneer in the township of De Witt came there to settle in 1834. This was Chauncey S. Ferguson, who brought with him his family, including his father, Daniel Ferguson, and located upon seetion 6, where he entered in the same year one hundred and sixty acres of land. He removed from Oakland County, and at once erceted a log house, but effected little iu the way of clear- ing. Mr. Ferguson seems not to have been well satis- fied with the advantages Clinton County offered to the set- tler, for the year 1837 found him a pioneer to the wilds of Ionia County, where he became a land-owner. Mr. Fer- guson exercised a generous hospitality to subsequent eomers, who never failed to receive a cordial welcome to his humble home and frugal board on their arrival.

The third pioneer in order of arrival was Franklin Oliver, who came from Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1835, and settled upon two hundred and four acres, which he entered the same year. He remained with Chauncey Ferguson while building a house, and very carly effected a considerable clearing. Four years later he constructed a saw-mill, which, however, for want of power, was never operated successfully, and was ultimately abandoned. Mr. Oliver died a few years later, and the estate was purchased by Morris S. Allen.

William M. Webb has with justice advanced his elaim to having been the fourth settler. He entered, in 1835, one hundred and seventy acres on section 6, upon which he located in the same year, having come from Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich. The land he found entirely uncleared, and for four weeks enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Fergu- son's log cabin afforded while constructing a temporary abode for his own family. At De Witt there was an Indian village, several families of whom were still enjoying peace- able possession of their wigwams. Bears and wolves were frequent visitors, and enused consternation among the sheep and swine. Mr. Webb was very successful in construct-

ing pitfalls by which the stock of bears was considerably diminished. He still resides upon the land he at first en- tered, where a highly-improved farm is the result of his industry. The first Fourth of July a gathering of a social character was held at the house of Mr. Webb in 1837, daneing having been enjoyed upon a puncheon floor.

The next settler iu order of arrival was Ephraim H. Utley, who also came from Plymouth, Wayne Co., and arrived the day following Mr. Webb's coming. He entered thirty plats of eighty acres each in De Witt and elsewhere, and made a settlement upon scetion 7. He cleared and im- proved this farm, but ultimately removed to Newaygo County, where he died on Big Prairie, in 1860. Mr. Ut- ley held office the first year of the township organization, and was also at one time county commissioner. He occa- sionally practiced as a lawyer, and was a man of influence during his brief residence in De Witt.

Alanson Goodrich was among the pioneers of 1835, as stated by his early neighbors, though he does not appear to have made an entry of land until 1836, when he secured one hundred and sixty-six acres on scetion 7, and resided on it until his death. The earliest school-house in the county was built upon this land, and the Goodrich neighborhood was, until 1840, the centre of the educational interests of the township.

Isaac Hewitt arrived in 1835 and located ou section 17, where he had one hundred and twenty acres, having beeu a former resident of Steuben Co., N. Y. He devoted him- self with much energy to the clearing of his farm, being greatly aided by his six sons, but one of whom-Edmond -now resides in the township, where he has a farm on the same section.

Gilbert Cushman came from Putnam Co., N. Y., in 1836, three of his sons having preceded him to this State and located in Bath. He remained with them until a house was built upon eighty acres on section 24, when all removed to the township of De Witt. There was no neighbor within five miles, and Dexter, sixty miles away, was the most convenient milling point. With the eireuit- ous route usually followed the distance was inereascd to nearly one hundred miles. A muill was later built at Wa- cousta, which enjoyed a very liberal patronage from the ad- jacent country. On the farm of Mr. Cushman, and those of his six sons, forty aeres were eleared the first year. Of this large family, embracing the parent and six sons, all of whom followed agricultural pursuits, but two survive, both of whom reside on section 24, in De Witt. George Cush- man has one hundred and twenty acres, and an additional forty on section 13, while Russell has one hundred and twenty on cach section. The father's death occurred in De Witt during the year 1855.

In 1836, among the prominent arrivals, was that of Jonathan R. Pearsall, who in the year previous had entered eighty aeres on section 17. lle found this land unclearcd, and began at once the work of chopping, with a view to the erection of a log house, and became soon after absorbed in the improvement of his farm. Ile was an industrious farmer and a leading man in all religious enterprises. Mr. Pearsall served among the carliest township officers, and held many positions of influence in De Witt.

408

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Peter Lott, who had formerly located in Washtenaw County, purchased in 1837, on sections 19 and 30, three hundred and fifty-five aeres, and settled on the former the same year. With him came five sons, all of whom camped ont while building a house of logs. Benjamin Lott, a brother, followed him soon after, and, purchasing eighty acres on section 19, remained with him while building a house and making a preliminary clearing. He later re- moved to his present residence on section 3, where he has one hundred and sixty acres. Two sons of Peter Lott- Chauncey and Albert Lott-still survive, and reside in the township.

Ilenry Moon entered, in 1837, one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, embracing the southeast quarter of the section. He remained at the house of Mr. Utley while building a cabin in the forest that covered his land. Mr. Moon improved his purchase and converted it into a pro- duetive farm, but ultimately removed to the village of De Witt, where he now resides in advanced years.

Dr. Levi D. Jenison, who was the earliest resident physician in the township, and for a period of some years enjoyed an extended practice, entered in 1836 forty acres on section 15, and subsequently purchased other land in the township. His career will be more fully mentioned in a chapter on the medical fraternity of the county, as will also that of Dr. Hiram Stowell, who settled in 1837 on section 2, on a farm originally owned by Capt. Lowry, of Watertown. The doctor was originally from Caynga Co., N. Y., and came from Ann Arbor to this township, where he followed his profession and agricultural pursuits nutil his death, in 1857. ITis widow resides in De Witt.

Barnabas Bassett entered eighty acres on section 21 in 1836 and became a resident. Ile improved the land after having built a house upon it, and converted it into a farm which has well repaid the labor bestowed upon it. After a life of activity, Mr. Bassett removed to the village of De Witt, where the advancing years of his life are spent among scenes familiar to him since his settlement in the township.

The earliest circuit preacher in De Witt was Washington Jackson, of Wayne County, who in 1838 held services at the various log houses in De Witt. Later, school buildings were erected, and Elders Cole and Bigelow officiated. The townspeople, while devoted to the word as expounded by these gospel messengers, were not without occasional social diversions as well. The log cabins of the day, thongh lim- ited in dimensions, were the scene of many terpsichorean revels, at which music of a novel character was introduced. For want of better melody, a venerable pioneer, still resident in the township, regaled them with a whistle, and this music is said to have often furnished inspiration and pleas- ure to the dancers from " early candle-lighting till dawn."

From Lockport, N. Y., in 1839 came Theodore Chapin and his son De Witt C., who located in the village of De Witt and followed for years their profession as lawyers, where they were known as successful practitioners. They subsequently removed to Ionia, and then to Allegan County, where De Witt C. attained some distinction in his profes- sion. He returned again to De Witt and was elected county clerk in 1856, and died at his later residence in

Gratiot County iu 1874. The father's death occurred in Allegan.

Nelson K. Allport came to De Witt as early as 1839 and opened a store, having erected a building for the pur- pose. He later purchased the hotel formerly kept by Milo H. Turner and built by David Scott.

Elihu Gunnison, formerly of Livingston Co., Mich., settled in Bath in 1836, and three years later removed to the township, where he found an attractive location on sec- tion 14, embracing one hundred and sixty acres. He first built a cabin, and later a log house, having remained upon the farm until his death in 1877. Three sons, Alfred, Joseph W., and James H., now reside in the township. Alfred has eighty acres on section 23, Joseph W. is on section 9, and James H. occupies the homestead. The widow still survives and resides in the towoship.

William A. Moore became a settler at nearly the same period, having entered forty acres on section 14, two hnn- dred and forty on section 23, and eighty on 24. He im- proved the land on which he located, and was not only a successful farmer but a man of some influence in the town- ship.

Erastus S. Ingersoll entered land on section 3 in 1836, and became a settler. He was a man of excellent judg- ment in his agricultural pursnits and of much publie spirit, having during his residence taken an active part in the administration of township affairs.

George Allen, a venerable pioneer of 1841, still living, is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., and removed from Oak- land County to this township, where he purchased forty aeres on section 19. His father, Barney Allen, had pre- ceded him by four years, and located upon the same sec- tion. With him he found a temporary habitation while erecting a log house on the eighty acres he had purchased. The father survived until 1847, and died at the home of his son. His neighbor was Elder Lewis Coburn, who re- sided upon eighty acres on section 20, and combined the sacred office of a preacher with that of farming pursuits. Elder Coburn entered his land in 1838 and occupied it a year later, was the earliest resident minister, and conducted most of the religious services of that early day. There were no roads at this period, and Mr. Allen on his arrival followed the Grand River road, then only partially under- brushed, to his land. Indians were numerous, and wolves and bears were very destructive to cattle. With his own hands Mr. Allen has cleared two hundred acres of land, and is still actively employed in the superintendence of his home interests.

Dr. Seth P. Marvin was one of the earliest representa- tives of the medical profession, and followed Dr. Jenison to this township. Hle came with his father, Calvin Marvin, to Watertown in 1835, and soon after removed to De Witt. He engaged actively in political contests, and filled many important township and county offices, among them that of register of deeds.

James Collins came from Marshall, Mich., to the town- ship in 1845, and located upon one hundred and sixty aeres on section 21. lle temporarily occupied with his family a cabin on the farm of Mr. Ilewitt, and later erected a substantial house of logs npon his own farm. He raised

409

DE WITT TOWNSHIP'.

little grain at first, but devoted his spot of eleared land to garden products for family use, though a fine farm was ultimately improved, upon which he resided until his death, in 1860. The widow and son still occupy the homestead, upon which an elegant brick residence was erected in 1876.

Edward A. Gunderman came from Orange County in 1847, and selected a farm of forty, acres on section 22 and an additional forty upon section 16. The former was pre- empted by him, and entered in 1850.

Barnabas Bassett and Charles Cushman were near neigh- bors, the former having preceded Mr. Gunderman and died on the farm he then occupied. Indians were numerous, there being a small eneampment of them on the land, which was vacated on his arrival. They paid him frequent visits, principally in pursuit of fire-water, and were occasionally boisterous. Mr. Gunderman still occupies the land he first purchased, and is engaged in farming.

Stephen W. Downer came from Bingham to this town- ship in 1849, and located upon one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, which has since been increased to eight hundred. He first built a cabin, which was occupied for a period of nine years, after which his present residence was erected. Thomas Lester was a near neighbor, as was also William A. Moore, who later removed to Iowa. Mr. Dow- ner's progress was at first moderate, much of his land being marshy. This when drained, however, was converted into the most productive land in the township.

In reviewing the long list of pioneers or settlers who though not early in point of arrival still did much to level the forests of the township, it will be possible to give only a brief mention of many names that are justly entitled to notice.

Levi Townson eame in 1840, having been the first lawyer in the county, and also prosecuting attorney and judge of probate from 1816 till his death in 1849. Mark A. Childs was a lawyer of prominence, and the founder of the Clin- tonian newspaper, established in 1812.

Joseph Hollister, who came to De Witt in 1846, was ae- tively engaged in the practice of law until his departure for Dowagiac, where he died. Joseph Baker came from Ionia in 1847, and remained ten years in De Witt. Randolph Strickland, who arrived in 1847, is now one of the promi- nent lawyers of St. Johns, his brother O. F. Strickland, who came in 1851, as did also D. C. Wiley, having both been practitioners, the former being now a resident of St. Johns, and the latter of Lansing. Dr. G. W. Topping came from Ann Arbor to the village of De Witt in 1854, and engaged in the practice of medicine, being still in the enjoyment of an extended practice. John Gould settled early on section 18, where he had one hundred and sixty D. Ward had eighty acres on section 18, and later removed to St. Johns. Roland S. Van Seoy resided upon one hundred and sixty acres on section 17. Samuel B. Smith owned forty acres on section 4. Benjamin Van Louven located one hundred and sixty acres in the north- east corner of De Witt on section 1. Samuel Sherman also settled upon the same seetion. John S. Swezey had two quarter-sections on 10 and 12, and Sanborn S. Matthews purchased forty aeres on section 2.

Below are given lists of persons who were resident tax - payers in De Witt in 1839 and 1840, showing very nearly who were the settlers who had located in the township prior to that time. The lists are taken from the original assess- ment rolls of the township for the years indicated :

1839. Town 5, Range 2, West.

Names. Acres.

Peter Lott, section 19. 160

Georgo Pearsall. section S .. 100

Alanson Goodrich, section 6. 250

S. B. Smith, section 4

Hiram Wilcox, section S

M. II. Turner, section 8.

148

S. D. Jenison, section 15.

Robert M. Folb, section

Ephraim II. Utley, section 7 120

Richard Moon, section 27

Chauncey Lott, section 30. SO

Thomas Myers, section 17 .. SO

William W. Webb, section 6 366

William Utley, section 9

162

Joho Berry, section 2

Benjamin Van Louvea, section I.

160

Samuel Sherman, section 1 89

E. S. Ingersoll, section 3. 161

Elihu Gunnison, section 14 160

William Moon, sections 24, 14. 440

Gilbert Cushman, section 24 80

Russell Cushman, section 24 160

Warren Cushman

Iliram Stowell, section 2 113

Trustees of Sylvester Scott, sections 5, 6. 243

Charles Lent, section 34. 40

David Scott, sections 5, 8, 2, 36, 35, 9, 15, 6 1426

1840.

Acres.

David Scott, sections 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 15, 25, 35, 36 ... 1426

120

J. R. Pearsall, section 17 .. 80

Asa Parker, section 17

John Gould, section 18. 160

Franklin Oliver, section 7

204

D. Ward, section 18

Cheney Lott, section 30

Barney Allen, section 19 80

Benjamin Lott, section 19

Peter Lott, section 19 ..

80 390

Lewis Cobane, section 20

R. S. Van Scoy, section 37

160

Thomas Myers, section 17

llenry Moon, section 29 160

Richard Moon, section 29.

Levi D. Jenison, sections 8, 15.

100 40 162 72 40

Alanson Goodrich, sections 6, 7

253 166

E. 11. Utley, sections 7, 9 ..

353 249

M. II. Turner, section 17.

Charles Cushman, soction 22

David Otis, section 23

360

Gilbert Cushman, seetion 24

160

David G. Wilscy, section 26.

Benjamin Van Louven, section I

160 S9

Samuel Sherman, section 1.

320

Miram Stowell, section 2

112 320

James Sweezey, section 11

320

E. S. Ingersoll, section 3.

160

Elihu Gunoison, section 14

160

Daniel Moore, section I

Lyman JJ. Hewitt, section 31

Almanzo Eldred.

Morris Cushman

George Smith

The following list embraces the names of the jurors drawn in De Witt for the year 1839 : E. S. Ingersoll, Elihu Gunnison, William Moore, Benjamin Van Houven, Orange

Hiram Withou, section 8

William Utley, section 9

John Sands, section 9,

Samuel B. Smith, section t

William W. Webb, section 6.

Sophronia Scott, sections 5, 6 ..

William A. Moore, sections 11, 23, 24.

Russel Cushman, section 21

Sanborn S. Matthews, sections 2, 35

John S. Sweezey, sections 10, 12 ..

acres.

Isaac Ilewitt, section 17.

100

Daniel Moon, section 4

410

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Ferguson, Ephraim Merrihew, James Annis, Ransom Read, William W. Webb, Harvey Alexander, Franklin Oliver, J. R. Pearsall, Alanson Goodrich, Barney Allen, Thomas Myers, William Utley, Asa Parker, Levi D. Jenison, Orange Cushman, Lyman J. Hewitt.

" Jurors for 18.12 .- David Scott, Jesse Foot Turner, assessors, and Seth P. Marvin, township clerk of De Witt, Clinton Co., having convened at the office of the township clerk of De Witt for the purpose of revising the assess- ment rolls for the year 1842, agreeable to notice giveu pur- suant to law, do at said meeting, as the law directs, propose a test of such inhabitants of said town as we deem well qualified for serving as jurors in the circuit court of said county of Clinton, being of good moral character, sound judgment, and free from all legal exceptions, which list in- eludes not less than one for every one hundred inhabitants of said township, computing from the last census, and which were not returned as jurors at the last preceding review of its assessment roll, from the best of our knowledge.

"Grand Jurors .- William Utley, Elihu Gunnison, Jon- athan R. Pearsall, Samuel Greeley, Lewis Coburn, Charles Cushman.

" Petit Jurors .- John S. Sweezey, George Smith, John Scott, Edward Grecley, Thomas H. Myers, William Rouse.

" DAVID SCOTT, " JESSE FOOT TURNER,

"Assessors.

"SETH P. MARVIN, " Township Clerk."

EARLY HIGHWAYS.

The earliest highway that traversed De Witt was the old Indian trail, subsequently known as the Pontiac and Grand River road, which ran from Pontiac and followed the north line of the township to the northeast corner of section 3, where it diverged to the southwest and into the village of De Witt. The earliest pioneer, David Scott, followed this trail in making his advent to the township in 1833.

In an examination of the early highway records, road No. 1 is described as " beginning at the northwest corner of section No. 7, in township No. 5 north, of range 4 west, and running easterly along the line of scetions through the 3d and 4th ranges, and terminating at the quarter section post on the north line of section 7, in township 5 north, of range 2 west.

" E. II. UTLEY, " DAVID SCOTT, " Commissioners of Highways."

The above road was continued as follows :

" Beginning at the quarter section post on the north line of section 7, township 5 north, of range 2 west, and run- ning east along the section-line fifteen chains; thence north seventy-four and a half degrees, east three chains; thence easterly nearly parallel to the scetion-line fourteen chains ; thence sonth seventy-three degrees, east two and a half chains to the section-line; thence continuing east on said line to the northeast corner of section No. 8 in said town." Recorded March 6, 1837.

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History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan, Part 96

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