USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 97
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 97
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
Road No. 2 was established by William A. Ilewitt and David Scott, highway commissioners, and recorded Dee. 3, 1837, commencing one hundred and five rods west of the northeast corner of section 8, in township 5 north, range 2 west, and terminating on the south line of section 34, in township 5 north, of range 1 west. Said road was to be six rode wide from the first to the second section, and the remainder to be four rods wide. The commissioners of highways continued to survey and award contracts for the construction of highways as the presence of settlers de- manded them.
The township in the spring of 1840 was divided into - the following road districts, a meeting for the purpose having been held March 24, 1840, at the house of David Scott :
District No. 1 to include south half of sections 10, 11, 12, sections 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, township 5 north, range 2 west.
District No. 2 to include sections 31, 32, 33, south half of section 30, and all of sections 28, 29.
District No. 3 to include north half of section 30, all of sections 19, 20, 21, and the south half of section 18.
District No. 4 to include scetions 16, 17, north half of 18, and the south half of sections 7, 8, 9.
District No. 5 to include north half of section 7, north fraction of 8, 9, south half of sections 5, 6, south fractional half and northwest fractional quarter of section 4.
District No. 6 to include north half of sections 10, 11, 12, and south fraction of sections 1, 2.
District No. 7 to include sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, north half of sections 7, 8, 9, 10, and all of sections 11, 12, township 6 north, range 2 west.
District No. 8 to include the south half of' sections 7, 8, 9, 10, all of 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, township 6 north, range 2 west.
District No. 9 to include north half of sections 5, 6, township 5 north, range 2 west ; south half of sections 2, 8, 29, 30, all of 31, 32, west half of 33, township 6 north, range 2 west.
District No. 10 to include sections 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, township 6 north, range 2 west, east half of seetion 33, of same township, north fraction of the northeast quarter of section 4, and north fraction of sections 1, 2, 3, township 5 north, range 2 west.
District No. 11 to include sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, north half of 28, 29, 30, township 6 north, range 2 west.
Distriet No. 12 to include the south fraction of the north half of sections 8, 9, township 5 north, of range 2 west.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION AND CIVIL LIST.
The aet of the State Legislature organizing the township of De Witt was approved March 23, 1836, and provides : " That the county of Clinton be and the same is hereby set off and organized into a separate township by the name of De Witt, and the first township-meeting therein shall be held at the dwelling-house of David Scott in said town- ship." As specified in the above act, the township of De Witt carly embraced the whole of the county of Clinton. The township of Watertown, embracing the west half of
411
DE WITT TOWNSIIIP.
the county, of ranges 3 and 4, was erected March 20, 1837. The township of Bingham, including the present Bingham, Ovid, Greenbush, and Sena (now Duplain), was set off March 21, 1839. Ossowa, including Bath and Victor, was erected March 22, 1839, and Olive was erected March 20, 1841, leaving De Witt a township with boundaries as at present existing.
At the earliest meeting of the electors of the township of De Witt, held at the house of David Seott on the Sth day of April, 1836, R. II. Utley was chosen moderator and Sylvester Scott clerk. The following township officers were elected for the year : Supervisor, Welcome J. Partelo ; Township Clerk, Sylvester Scott; Justices of the Peace, W. J. Partelo, E. H. Utley, Henry Rowland, John Ben- son ; Collector, Chauncey S. Ferguson ; Directors of the Poor, David Scott, Anthony Niles; School Commission- ers, Alexander Chappel, Calvin Marviu, W. J. Partelo ; Assessors, Jolin Benson, Calvin Marvin, Elihu Gunnison ; Highway Commissioners, David Scott, E. HI. Utley, Stephen B. Groger ; Constables, Chauncey S. Ferguson, Ezekiel Niles.
The township officers annually elected from the organiza- tion to the present time have been as follows :
SUPERVISORS.
1837-38. Welcome J. Partelo. 1855. F. R. Read.
1839. William Utley. 1856. S. W. Downer.
1840. Hiram Wilcox. IS57-59. Asahel R. Marvin.
1841. Franklin Oliver.
ISGO. A. R. Marvin.
1842. Jesse Foot Turner.
1861. Randolph Strickland.
1843-44. David Scott.
1862-63. Frederick A. Read.
IS15. Milo II. Turner.
1864. A. G. Gunnison.
1846-48. Jesse F. Turner.
1849. William W Webb.
186G-69. David Scott.
1850. David Sturgis.
1870-71 Samuel B. McPherson.
1851. Jesse F. Turner.
1872. James Cortright.
1852. F. R. Read.
1873-74. Galusha Pennell.
1853. David Sturgis.
1875-79. William Collins.
1854. Jonathan R. Pearsall.
ISSO. Charles Bauerly.
CLERKS.
1837. Sylvester Scott.
1863. A. J. Bement.
1838-40. J. R. Pearsall.
1861. R. J. Woodruff.
1841. Milo II. Turner.
1865. Tobias Foreman.
1842. Seth P. Marvin.
1866-70. Milton F. White.
1843-44. Sylvester Townson.
1871. Benton Bement.
1845. Seth P. Marvin.
1872. J. A. Sweet.
1846. George O. Wells.
1873. Mark Scott.
1847-48. Joseph II. Adams.
1874. J. A. Sweet.
ISIS-53. John F. Mekeen.
1875. Odell Brinkerhoff.
1854-55. James M. Estes.
1876. G. W. Smith.
1856-57. Elisha C. Cook.
1877-78. A. A. Woodruff.
1858-59. O. F. Strickland.
1879. Horace S. Ilolmes.
ISGO. Eben W. Dart.
1880. A. A. Woodruff.
TREASURERS.
1811. Samuel B. Smith.
IS63. Parker Webber.
IS61. George W. Scott.
1858. George W. Scott.
1865-71. Parker Webber.
1859. William R. Allen.
1872-77. Charles Bauerly.
1860. David Scott.
1878. Sylvester Moon.
1861-62. William R. Allen.
1879-80. Mark Scott.
ASSESSORS.
1837. Samuel Barker.
C. S. Ferguson.
1837. Elihu Gunnison. 1838. Iliram Stowell.
1838. William W. Webb.
184I. Iliram Stowell.
Elihu Gunnison.
1842. David Scott.
1839. William W. Webb. William Utley.
Daniel Ferguson.
IS13. William Utley.
Iliram Stowell.
Charles Cushioan.
1840. Isaac Ilewitt.
1814. John S. Sweczey.
Daniel Ferguson, Jr.
William A. Ilewitt.
Elihn Gunnison.
1845. Charles Cushman.
1841. W. W. Webb.
William A. Hewitt.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1837. Orange Ferguson. 1855. C. W. Leffingwell.
John Ferdon. 1856. D. C. Chapin.
William A. Ilewitt. Sylvester lloyt.
Sylvester Scott. 1857. Seth P. Marvin.
IS38. E. H. Utley.
1858. Theron Winans.
Jobo Ferdon.
1859. William Utley.
1839. William A. Hewitt.
1860. Sylvester Iloyt.
HIiram Wilcox.
1861. Daniel Hurd.
Orange Ferguson.
1862. Chauncey Lott.
1840. Hiram Wilcox.
Orange Ferguson.
S. E. Scott.
IS41. Elihn Gunnison. J. F. Turner.
1865. Daniel Hurd.
1842. Charles Lent.
1866. Channeey Lott.
Lewis Coburn.
1867. Charles A. Sloan.
1843. Martin Moore.
ISG8. Enoch Lewis.
1844. J. F. Turner.
1869. S. B. MePherson.
1845. J. S. Swezcy. Newton MeLoath.
1846. R. S. Van Seoy.
1870. William Calkins.
1847. Morris S. Allen.
1871. Charles A. Sloan.
1848. Walter Hubbell. Chauncey Lott.
1849. Daniel Hlurd.
1872. Chauncey Lott.
1850. William A. Ilewitt. 1873. J. A. Sweet.
1851. Corydon Lce.
1874. William Collins.
1852. John Gunderman.
1875. Charles A. Sloan.
S. W. Downer.
1876. A. J. Bement.
Joah Baker. 1877. J. A. Sweet.
1853. John II. Bacon. 1878. Charles Day.
R. Strickland.
1879. William A. Partridge.
1854. Joab Baker.
ISSO. Jotham Averill.
IIIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS.
IS37. William A. Hewitt.
1847. J. R. Pearsall.
Orange Ferguson. 1848. Morris S. Allen.
David Scott. 1849. R. B. Pennell.
1838. John Gould. George Allen.
Samuel Barker. 1850. John Gunderman.
1839. Orange Ferguson.
1851. William Rouse.
Ilarvey Alexander. 1852. No record.
John Berry.
1853. M. P. Ileadley.
1810. John W. Merrihew.
1851. William Rouse.
Ilarvey Alexander.
John Gunderman.
J. S. Sweezey.
1855. A. J. Bement.
IS.11. Jesse F. Turner. John Gould.
Daniel IIurd.
1842. Elihu Gunnison.
Charles Lent. 1857. John Woodbury.
William A. Ilewitt. Robert Smith.
1843. Elibu Gunnison. IS5S. Charles Day.
Charles Lent. John P'. Willet.
William E. Turner.
1859. Robert Smith.
1844. Elihn Gunnison.
Charles Sloan.
William E. Turner. 1860. Robert Smith. Charles Lott.
1815. E. Gunnison.
1861. Morgan Christopher.
W. Rouse.
1862. B. W. Cushman.
Charles Lent.
1863. Il. P. Clark.
1846. Elihu Gunnison.
ISGI. R. Webber. J. W. Peavy.
Charles Scott.
William Rouse.
1865. David Knight.
1847. David Sturgis.
IS66. Egbert Ilord.
Charles Scott.
1867. Joseph Sahneborger.
1842-57. David Scott, Jr.
R. S. Van Scoy.
1856, Benjamin Cushman. K. Wohher.
1861-62. Jonathan A. Sweet.
1865. Charles Day.
1863. J. P. Willet.
1864. J. A. Sweet.
J. W. Merrihew. Oliver Bebec.
412
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1868. William Calkins.
1874. L. E. Worden.
1869. George W. Scott.
1875. James Cartwright.
1870. Edmund Hewitt.
1876. Philip Kraus.
1871. David Knight.
1877-78. L. E. Worden.
1872. E. P. Wells.
1879-80. Edward Hewitt.
SCITOOL INSPECTORS.
1837. J. R. Pearsall.
1852. John H. Bacon.
S. Seott.
1853. Joseph 11. Adams.
W. J. Partelo.
1854. John JI. Bacon.
E. 11. Utley.
1855. J. W. Ransom.
1838. John Gould. 1856. J. H. Bacon.
Jtiram Stowell.
J. II. Adams.
J. R. Pearsall.
1857. E. M. Hutchins.
1839. No record.
1858. John D. Woodbury.
1840. lliram Wileox.
1859. Elihu Gunnison.
Daniel Ferguson, Jr.
1860. John 11. Bacon.
J. R. Pearsall.
1861. George W. Topping.
1841. Lewis Osborn.
1862. Frank Webb.
Itiram Stowell.
1863. A. G. Gunnison.
J. R. Pearsall.
1864. G. W. Topping.
1842. S. P. Marvio.
1865. H. P. Bartlett.
Lewis Osborn.
1866. Frank Wehb.
J. R. Pearsall.
1867. James Gunnison.
1843. Lewis Coburn.
1868. Mark Seott.
Levi Towoson.
1869. Charles Moon.
IS44. J. R. Pearsall.
1870. Edward M. Webb.
S. P. Marvin.
1871. William Collins.
1845. Lemnel Woodhouse.
1872. William D. Bird.
1846. Lewis Coburn.
1873. J. W. Gunnison.
William W. Upton.
1874. William D. Dird.
1847. Levi Townson. 1875-77. Alfred G. Gunnison.
1848. J. R. Pearsall.
1878. J. W. Gunnison.
1849. Joseph JI. Adams.
1879. O. G. Peunell.
1850. Hiram Stowell.
1880. Atbert Rouse.
1851. Joseph Hf. Adams.
SCHOOLS.
The early records of the board of school inspectors of the township of De Witt have not been preserved, and facts regarding its division into school districts and the subse- quent progress of the educational interests of the township are not accessible.
The earliest school building was a log structure erected on section 7, upon the farm of Alanson Goodrich, and known as the "Goodrich School-House." Miss Betsey Gooch was the pioneer instructress. The second school- house was built in district No. 2 (the first having been in district No. 1) in the village of De Witt in 1840. Both Dr. Seth P. Marvin and J. II. Adams are given as early teachers, and it is difficult to say which was the first. This first building was replaced by one of more extended pro- portions, in which the sessions of the court were for a time held, it having been at that period the most pretentious structure at the county-scat.
In 1870 the present spacious edifice of brick was erected, and the school is now conducted on the graded plan, with Prof. Coriel as principal, Miss Edith Williams as assistant, and Miss Josie Holmes in charge of the intermediate de- partment. The present school territory of De Witt is divided into one fractional and five whole districts, with the follow- ing as a board of directors : Robert McConkey, James Hath, A. A. Woodruff, Christian Kraus, A. S. Weste, and Edgar Hurd. The value of school property is eleven thousand nine hundred dollars, embracing one brick and five frame buildings. Three male and eleven female
teachers are employed. They have under their eare three hundred and twenty-six scholars, all residents of the town- ship.
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH[.
The first elass connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church of De Witt was organized by Elder Bennett, the pioneer in religious labor in the township, in 1836. Its earliest members were John Gould, Pamclia Gould, Asa Parker, Mary Parker, Samuel Smith, Lewis Coburn, and Lueinda Coburn.
Without information from church records it is impossible to give a sketch of the early progress of the church, though from various sources has been gleaned a list of the pastors who in turn were appointed to the charge. The date of their service is not obtainable previous to 1854. They were Rev. Zebulon C. Brown, Rev. Washington Jackson, Rev. Loriman Chatfield, Rev. Allen Staples, Rev. - Warner, Rev. Nathan Mount, Rev. Jeremiah Boynton, Rev. T. A. Blades, Rev. Whitmore, Rev. Ely West- lake, Rev. Stephen Woodard, Rev. E. H. Pilcher, who was the first presiding elder in the district with which the cir- cuit was connected, Rev. - Bradley, Rev. - Shaw, Rev. - Brown, Rev. - Penfield, Rev. - Hem- mingway, Rev. Seth Reid, Rev. T. S. Hill, Rev. Samuel Bessey, Rev. William E. Bigelow, Rev. William F. Coles, Rev. Joseph Sutton, Rev. - Fowler. The parsouage was erected in 1846, but it is not apparent under whose ministry this was accomplished. In 1854 Rev. - Dun- ton had the care of the flock, and was succeeded as follows : 1855, Rev. D. D. Young; 1856, Rev. E. D. Youug and T. J. Hill; 1857, T. J. Hill and Rev. - Fowler; 1858, Rev. Almon Gore and Henry P. Parker; 1850, Rev. A. L. Cullenden and C. B. Holbrook ; 1860, Rev. William Stafford and Rev. F. J. Freeman ; 1861, Rev. William Stafford; 1862, Rev. Charles Chick; 1863, Rev. L. M. Garlick ; 1864, Rev. James Roberts; 1865, Rev. William F. Jenkins, under whose ministry the present church was built ; 1867, Rev. E. Wilkinson; 1868, Rev. Thomas Clark ; 1869, Rev. II. D. Jordan ; 1870, Rev. F. J. Free- man ; 1872, Rev. J. R. Chadwell ; 1873, Rev. William J. Swift ; 1876, Rev. J. Garlick ; 1878, Rev. W. R. McEwing, the present pastor, who embraces in his field of labor the following appointments : De Witt, Riley, Wacousta, South Riley, Jason's School-House, and Gunnison's School-House, the whole being known as the Wacousta circuit. The De Witt church has a membership of sixty, under the direction of William Roberts and Seth M. Cook as class-leaders. A Sabbath-sehool is also connected with the organization, under the superintendence of Mrs. D. O. Topping, with Myron Clary as assistant.
The board of trustees are H. W. Springstead, S. M. Cook, J. A. Sweet, William Roberts, Jotham Averill, George Allen, Barnabas Bassett.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
A meeting of persons resident in the township of De Witt and desirous of forming a Congregational Church was held at the school-house in the village of De Witt
1873. J. H. Gunnison.
413
DE WITT TOWNSHIP.
April 21, 1851, for the purpose of organizing a society and electing a board of trustees. The following gentlemen were chosen : Adam W. Ruttridge, Jesse Foot Turner, Joseph Hollister, J. W. Gardner, Nelson J. Allport, Frederick R. Read, Rowland S. Van Scoy, James Sturgis, and Morris S. Allen.
This board having been disorganized, a new board was formed in 1853, embracing Riley A. Hloyt, James M. Estes, and Frederick R. Read. Services were held in the school-house at De Witt for a brief time, but the organi- zation seemed not to possess the elements of permanent ex- istence, and was eventually disbanded.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Meetings under the charge of the Rev. John Gunder- man, in connection with the Baptist denomination, had been held prior to 1850 at the school-house in De Witt. On the 20th of September a public meeting was convened at the above school house, for the purpose of organizing a church in accordance with the statutes of Michigan. Dea- con Jonathan R. Pearsall and Rev. Thomas W. Merrill were chosen to preside, and an election was held, the fol- lowing trustees having been chosen : Jonathan R. Pearsall, Rowland S. Van Seoy, David Sturgis, J. B. Clark, Orville Bacon, David Olin, N. B. Allen, Silas Walton, and Na- thaniel Foreman. It was on this occasion resolved " that the trustees elected be and their successors are forever hereafter called the 'The First Baptist Church and Society of De Witt,' and that Rev. John Gunderman is declared president of the said association and Jonathan R. Pearsall secretary." The meeting then adjourned subject to the call of the president, Rev. John Gunderman.
'This society grew in numbers and influence, and at one period of its existence embraced one hundred and sixty members on its church-roll. An edifice was erected and services were regularly maintained.
It afterwards suffered a period of decline, which seems to have reached a culmination with its present membership of thirty, all of whom are residents of the adjacent country and not of the village. Under the present pastorate of Rev. A. N. Niles new life has been infused into the con- gregation, and with a revival of interest a more extended membership and greater activity is hoped for.
GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHt.
This society was formerly connected with the Lansing charge, having been associated with it under the ministry of Rev. Jacob Krehbeil in 1854. The members continued their connection with the Lansing organization for many years, services having usually been held at the Allen school- house in the township of De Witt. The pastors after Rev. Jacob Krehbeil, in succession, were: 1855, Rev. Gustav Bertrams ; 1856, Rev. Henry Krill; 1857, Rev. John F. Jahraus; 1859, Henry Mentz; 1860, Daniel Meyer; 1862, Adolph Heluker; 1863, Gustav Bertrams; 1865, Andreas Meyer; 1867, Jacob Bram ; 1868, Gustav Ber- trams; 1869, C. F. Heitmeyer; 1870, C. A. Mitilzer ; 1874, William Audran; 1877, C. F. Ilietmeyer; 1879, Conrad Wehnes, the present pastor. Under the ministra- tions of' Rev. William Andran, in 1874, a church edifice
was ereeted on section 18, at a cost of two thousand one hundred and seventeen dollars and fifty-four cents, the board of trustees who superintended its construction hav- ing been C. F. Heitmeyer, John Schlee, Gebhart Gude- " kunst, and John Stutts. The present church-roll embraces eighty members, and a flourishing Sabbath-school is con- neeted with the charge, embracing fifty scholars, with Theo- dore Shaffer as superintendent. Adjoining the church is a comfortable parsonage in which the pastor resides, services being held each Sabbath. The present board of trustees are John Schlee, Gebhart Gudekunst, John Fell, Gottlieb Sehrey, and Charles Stebler.
DE WITT GRANGE, No. 459.
The De Witt Grange was organized in the year 1875, with the following officers: Galusha Pennell, Master ; George W. Scott, Overseer ; O. G. Pennell, Lecturer; M. L. Alexander, Chaplain ; S. E. Scott, Steward ; Bishop Downer, Sec .; De Witt Brinkerhoff, Treas. Its present officers are R. G. Mason, Master ; J. T. Morris, Overseer ; O. G. Pennell, Lecturer ; Mrs. O. G. Pennell, Chaplain ; William Collins, Sec .; Newton MeClough, Treas. The meetings, which are well attended, are held at Bates' Hall.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
GEORGE ALLEN.
George Allen, one of the first settlers of the town of De Witt, was born in Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 23, 1806. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was born in Washington Co., N. Y., Nov. 12, 1786. At the age of eighteen he was married to Miss Betsey Heath, and shortly after removed to Oneida County, where he resided until 1816, when he emigrated with his family to Niagara County, then an almost unbroken wilderness. But little is known of his history ; he was a farmer by occupation, but never attained special prominence in any way. When George was nine years of age he went to live with a Baptist minister, with whom he was to remain until he was twenty-one; but after five years of toil and inhuman treatment he ran away and returned to his home in Niagara County. At the age of fourteen he was thrown upon his own resources. He obtained employment of a farmer, with whom he re- mained nearly four years, hen, with an idea of bettering his condition, he went on to the Erie Canal, but that life was not a congenial one, and he returned to the farm. In 1831 he was married to Miss Margaret Laughlin. She was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, April 17, 1810 ; she has been the partner of all his pioneer experiences, and has shared with him the hardships and privations incident to a life in a new country. Six years after their marriage they came to Michigan, and first settled in Plymouth, Wayne Co., where he rented a large farm ; shortly after, however, he disposed of his interest for eighty acres of land in the town of De Witt, upon which he now resides. During his resi- dence in De Witt, a period of over forty years, he has demonstrated his general worth as a citizen, and has identi-
414
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
GEORGE ALLEN.
fied himself largely with the development of the town. He has attracted to himself a large circle of friends, by whom he is appreciated for his integrity as a man, and as a kind, obliging neighbor and friend. He is an honored and con- sistent member of the Methodist Church, and a generous supporter, so far as his means will allow, of all religious and benevolent enterprises. In his political belief he is a staunch
MRS. GEORGE ALLEN.
Republican, but has never desired or sought office, prefer- ring rather the retirement of the farm, the companionship of his family, and the good-will and esteem of all to the slight distinction gained by the occupancy of a subordinate position.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of two children,- Oscar, born Aug. 23, 1832, and Mary, born Aug. 28, 1834.
CHAPTER LV. DALLAS TOWNSHIP .*
Description-Tho Pioneers of Dallas-Township Organization and List of Officers-Schools-Township Roads-Village of Dallas- Fowler Village-Religious Organizations- Societies.
THE township of Dallas, known in the United States survey as town 7 north, in range 4 west, lies upon the western line of Clinton County, and is bounded on the north by Lebanon township, on the south by Westphalia, on the east by Bengal, and on the west by the Ionia County line.
The Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway passes through Dallas on an air-line between east and west, and traverses sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Stony Creek, a stream of some water-power, flows northward and west- ward from section 36 through sections 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 20, and 19. Following the course of the creek the old State road gave in the pioneer days convenient passage westward to Lyons, and even before the settlement of the town was a much-traveled highway. The country is gen- erally level and the soil clayey. There is some waste land, but only a trifle compared to the area of similar nature presented to the first comers. Fowler, a station on the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway, is a grow- ing village, and a wheat-market of some pretensions, as well as a lively business centre.
THE PIONEERS OF DALLAS.
In the year 1836, Morris Boughton and his brother-in- law, Benjamin Welch, came westward, in company with their families, and founded each a settlement in a Clinton County town,-Boughton in Riley and Welch in Dallas. Welch made his commencement upon section 36, on the line of the road chopped out by Dexter while pushing on for Ionia some time before, the place being now known as the Feldpanoch farm. Welch was for some little time the only settler in Dallas, until 1837, when a man by the name of Simeon McCoy rolled up a cabin on section 27 and started a clearing. McCoy owned no land, but came on for Giles Isham, of Lyons, who owned a tract of four hundred acres on section 27. McCoy did not, perhaps, fancy the work of pioneering, for after clearing about eleven acres he concluded he had had enough of it, packed his traps, migrated, and was heard of no more.
Following close upon that event came George F. Dutton, who in 1835 first pitched his tent in Michigan, upon the Grand River, at Lyons, and exchanged that location for one in Dallas, upon section 22, where his widow still lives with her son George. Mr. Dutton was a solitary settler in a wild tract of some extent, for his nearest settled neighbor was no nearer than Lyons. McCoy had been in and gone, and a mile east Nathan Bigelow and his wife had been living on section 23 since the previous September, in a wagon-box. Bigelow was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, but did not seem to care to exert him- self to put up a cabin until his neighbors rallied and as-
# By David Schwartz.
415
DALLAS TOWNSHIP.
sisted him to one. Keeping house in a wagon-box ap- peared to suit him and his good wife quite well enough while the mild season endured, and they were probably happy enough. Daniel Dutton, now living on section 14, was George F. Dutton's younger brother, and lived awhile with Mr. Dutton in Dallas. After a sojourn of a few years he moved to Portland ; became a settler in West- phalia in 185], and some years later upon the place in Dallas where he now lives. George F. Dutton built the first framed barn in Dallas, and when he got ready for the raising could not find neighbors enough to assist him without going to the Reynolds settlement, five miles or more away. There were sixteen men at that raising, and they were entertained by Mrs. Dutton in a hearty and hospitable, if not an elegant, manner. Hospitality was in those days a crowning virtue of the time, and was a spirit so broad and large-hearted that it pervaded every pioneer home and made itself felt wherever a stranger or wayfarer applied for food or shelter.
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.