History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 121

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457

USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan > Part 121

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ORIGIN OF THE NAME.

The first part of the following paper was addressed to the writer and compiler of this historical sketch; but the name of him who deserves credit for the compilation was not given. IIe says:

"So much has been said, written and printed,on the mooted ques- tion of the origin of the name Ypsilanti, that I have thought I might help, with the aid of dates and letters before me, to confirm Mr. J. Morton's statement of recollections concerning it. He is undoubtedly correct as regards the early owners of the soil, these men having purchased of the earlier French claimants-Godfroy, Pepin, Le Chambre and others. John Stewart and William Har- wood were living here when wearrived in June, 1828. Mr. Morton also mentions Mr. John Bryan and family, as among the earliest settlers at the grove. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bryan were personal friends of mine, and were true, reliable persons. We found them here in 1828; were intimate during the years of their residence here, and have corresponded since their removal to Constantine, in this State, where Mrs. Bryan is still living. In a letter received not long since she alludes to the mistake of Mr. John Geddes in suppos- ing the name of the town was given by 'Major' Woodruff. She says he had at that time no interest in the new village, his home and interest being a short distance below, at Woodruff's Grove; that he, with many others, as Mr. Morton states, wished the town to be called Waterville. At the preliminary meeting Mrs. Bryan says her husband always opposed it, and took sides with Judge A. B. Woodward, one of the first judges of the infant Territory, and who had the honor of giving his name to its first code of laws. This was called the ' Woodward Code' and was signed by Governor Hull, and the two judges, Augustus B. Woodward and Frederic Bates.

" IIis influence finally prevailed, to secure the name of Ypsilanti. Early in 1825, the same year, Congress passed an act giving power to the Governor and Council to divide the Territory into town-

1103 .

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

ships, to incorporate the same, and to provide for the election of officers, etc.

" The story of the Greek revolution had reached our shores as early as 1823, and the most harrowing accounts of sufferings and destitution of the Greeks reached this country. The inhabitants of the Eastern towns and cities were aroused; meetings were called, the women were enlisted in the work, and clothing and much pro- vision gathered. A vessel was chartered, and Dr. Howe, of Boston, was sent in charge of the distribution in 1824. Foremost among the patriots of this time were the noble Princely family of Ypsi- lanti, of whom a few facts are here appended.

" Constantine, born in 1760, in Constantinople, conspired to free Greece, was pardoned, and died in Kiev, Russia. His sons, Alexan- der and Demetrius, distinguished themselves in the Russian service. In 1820 Alexander took the leadership to promote the independence of Greece; in 1821 he surrendered to Austria and remained a pris- oner for six years. He was finally released in 1827 by the interpo- sition of Nicholas, of Russia, but with health hopelessly destroyed. He died the following year. His younger brother, Demetrius Ypsi- lanti, joined the insurrection in 1821; took part in the siege of Tripolitza, which he carried by storm in October, but was repulsed at Nauplia in December. In June, 1822, he was chosen President of the National Assembly. Met with varying successes; but in July distinguished himself by audaciously holding the citadel of Argos with 300 men and three days' provisions, against a three days' siege, from an army of 30,000 men. The Greeks having exhausted their scanty supplies cautiously withdrew during the night and forced their way through the Turkish lines without losing a man. In 1823 he withdrew from public life, but in June, 1825, opposed, successfully Ibrahim Pacha, at the Mills of Lerni. In 1826 he opposed receiving a "protectorate" from England. In 1828 he was made commander of the troops in Eastern Greece. In April, 1832, he was chosen one of the seven commissioners, and held that office until his death. His sister, Maria Ypsilanti, with patriotism equal to his own, gave her dowry, worth $150,000, to aid her suffer- ing country. With such associations as these may we not rejoice in the firmness of Judge Woodward in giving to our town the hon- ored name of ' Ypsilanti ,' instead of the unmeaning ' Waterville.'

"Aside from the sentiment connected with the name we may con- gratulate ourselves that its five consonants will always hinder it from being a popular title. While Pennsylvania rejoices in the posses- sion of seven Danvilles, the whole United States has but one Ypsi- lanti.

"The following extract from an old Detroit Tribune shows the different ways Ypsilanti was spelled upon the envelopes of letters which passed through the division distributing postoffice during six months in the early settlement of Washtenaw county:

"' We know of no better standpoint to witness and weigh the general stupidity of mankind than is possessed by the attaches

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

of our larger postoffices. The specimens of chirographical, ortho- graphical and syntactical blunders that daily tax and puzzle their ingenious faculties, are always marvelous and sometimes mirac- ulous. Through the kindness of some of the gentlemen connected with our own postoffice, we are enabled to lay before our readers a number of more ludicrous and novel occurrences, that occasionally vary the monotonous routine of duty, which may prove amusing if not edifying.

"'No one can appreciate the labor of making-up mails until he understands the great difficulty of determining from the envelopes the destination of the enclosure. The percentage of letters properly directed is small, and that of those decently written is still less. Foreign letters especially distort the names of American postoffices into the most unearthly shapes, so that only a perception, sharpened by long practice, could detect the semblance. As an example we give the following list of the various methods in which the word 'Ypsilanti' has been spelled upon the envelopes of let- ters passing through our postoffice during the past six months, taken down by Mr. Cargill, in charge of the Michigan Division of our distribution postoffice :

Yplanthropi.

Epsolynny.

Hypisalianty.

ipsalantie.

Ipsileindi.

Epcilantia.

ipsloty.

Yulomtice.

Ypseylantia.

Eplonsay.

IPis-lanta.

Yps-i Landtine.

Upsylanti.

Ibcelandie.

Gypsslante.

I ppslanty.

Epoilante.

Ippsylanta.

Yplantie.

Iipsalinta.

Ipsalantia.

Ippes Landing.

Yeplanpha.

Whipcalentia.

Ipsolanty .

Epcilanti.

Clypsalanta.

I bseliny.

Eipsly-Lanty.

Upslantei.

Ypt-zy-luntia.

Hypslenti.

Ipcliontia.

Hypsilantean. Ipsillanti.

Ypslnaty.

ieplantice.

Eyspialanti.

Yipshulanty.

Wipsilanti.

Ibselandie.

Ypssyllanti. 1

Apsalanta.

Iepcilunta.

I seland.

A Bsa Lanty.

Lipslantic.

Ypisylvania.

Ebsalanda.

Hipsalantie.

Gyselantio.

Ipsciluntun.

Iscpylantia.

Ipsylanta.

Eybsylandy.

W. Y. Pslanty.

Ippssalantia.

IPseylunty .

Fypislantia.

Hipslyanty.

Wyphsorlanter.'"

Hypsilanthen.

E Ypcaluntia.

eypsssillianty.

The following reminiscences of Mr. Ezra Lay are interesting and valuable: The first visit of that pioneer to Michigan was in the month of May, 1822. He landed in Detroit from the steamboat Henry Clay, and after spending a few hours in Detroit, came out on the Chicago road to Ypsilanti, and crossed the plains east of Ypsilanti, little thinking then that he should spend over forty years of his life a resident of those plains. From Ypsilanti he went to Geddes on the Huron river, and thence to Ann Arbor, by following the Indian trail near the river. After looking round Ann Arbor he started the next morning for Salem and stopped over night with an old acquaintance. Passing through what is now Northville, he found a small improvement and one house there. Most of the way from Ann Arbor to Pontiac was then a wilderness, with a few settlers just making a beginning in the

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

woods. After leaving Pontiac he went to Detroit, and took the steamboat Superior for Buffalo.

THE GREAT NURSERY.

In the month of May, 1833, he returned to Michigan, for the purpose of establishing a nursery; and after traveling through Washtenaw, Jackson, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties, arrived at Ypsilanti, and located a place for a nursery on the farm where he resides, and returned to Western New York. In the fall of 1833 his brother, Z. K. Lay, and himself, came again to Michi- gan, and brought with them about 25,000 cultivated fruit trees, consisting of apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes, etc., together with a large variety of shrubbery. It was the first nursery of cultivated fruits of all kinds, started in Michigan. In the fall of 1834 was built a small green-house which was the first green- house in the Territory that there is any knowledge of. For the first few years of residence in Michigan, the roads a part of the way from Ypsilanti to Detroit were almost impassable. Two and a half days have been spent in making that journey with a team, and only half a common wagon load at that. The wolves used to howl around the plains the first few years, and one night attacked a calf on what is now a part of the Lay farm, leaving the calf minus a tail.

METEORS AND WOLVES, IN 1833.

In November, 1833, the celebrated meteoric shower (or falling stars, as commonly called) occurred, and a man living just east of the Ypsilanti plains happened to be up and saw it. He was very much frightened, thinking the end of the world was near at hand. It being a bright, moonlight night he started for the tavern about a mile from where he lived, and when he got about half way there he met a drove of wolves in the road. They commenced howling and he was more frightened than ever. The noise he and the wolves made aroused those in the neighborhood, and they afterwards declared they could not tell which made the most noise, he or the wolves. But the wolves gave him the disputed territory, and he got to the tavern where, it is presumed, he felt more safe.

THE WOLF HUNT.

In the winter of 1835 the citizens of Ypsilanti, together with those of the town of Ypsilanti, and a part of Superior, got up a wolf hunt in the town of Van Buren, in Wayne county, and after surrounding a piece of land southeast of what is now Dentonville succeeded in killing some seven or eight deer but no wolves. Speaking of this hunt Benjamin Emerick states that the tract of country surrounded was much more extensive than the description of it by Mr. Lay would lead one to suppose.

1106

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

ORGANIC.

Immediately after the settlement of Woodruff's Grove, when the people sought for municipal organization, Major Woodruff was appointed the first Justice of the Peace, the first Sheriff and the first Postmaster in the county. The Territorial Governor ap- pointed other officers, and ultimately approved a bill attaching the district to Wayne county for judicial purposes. Abel Milling- ton was the first Supervisor, receiving the entire vote of the town- ship, which, in 1827, numbered 59. Subsequently, under authority of the Legislative act of 1827, the four eastern townships were detached from Ann Arbor township, and organized under the name of Ypsilanti. The first township meeting was held at Mc- Kinstry's Hotel, where the Worden Block now stands. Dr. Abel Millington was elected Supervisor with Asa Reading, Township Clerk. The following is a copy of the act:

That all that part of the county of Washtenaw included in the surveyed town ships 1, 2, 3 and 4 south, in range 7 east of the base line, shall be a township by the name of Ypsilanti, and the first township meeting be held at the house of Andrew Mckinstry in said township.

That all the remaining part of township number 4 south, of range 6 east, and sections numbered 35, 36, 25, 26, 23, 24, and the south half of sections 13 and 14, in township 3 south, in range 6 east, be set off and form a part of the township of Ypsilanti : Provided, That nothing in this act shall affect the assessment and col- lection of taxes heretofore assessed in the township of Ann Arbor.

Ypsilanti township, as constituted by this act, embraced the district now forming the four eastern townships of the county, viz .: Salem, Superior, Ypsilanti and Augusta.

SUPERVISORS OF THE TOWNSHIP.

J. W. Van Cleve 1853-54

Charles Shier .1860

Erotus Morton.

1855

E. D. Lay

1861-5

Delos Showerman.

1856

George Jarvis. .1866

H. Compton ... 1857

E. D. Lay. 1867-8

J. W. Van Cleve.

.1858

W. Irving Yeackley 1869-78

E. D. Lay

1859

Albert R. Graves. 1879-80

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR 1880-1.

Albert R. Graves, Supervisor; Alonzo E. Ford, Town Clerk; Ditmus V. Harris, Town Treasurer; J. Evarts Smith, Benjamin D. Loomis, Peter D. Martin, W. Irving Yeackley, Justices of the Peace; Frederick A. Graves, Drain Com .; Eugene M. Gardner, School Inspector; Edwin C. Warner, School Superintendent; B. D. Loomis, Highway Commissioner; Hiram Eaton, George Clow, Constables.

The number and valuation of the school-houses of this township are as follows: No. 1, $800; No. 2, $1,300; No. 3, $350; No. 4, $1,800; No. 5, $300; No. 6, $1,600; No. 7, $1,500; No. 8, $2,000; total value, $9,650.

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

YPSILANTI CITY.

In the completion of this sketch of Ypsilanti, the valuable papers prepared by Mrs. Alvin Cross, Mrs. Finlay, Jonathan Mor- ton, John Geddes, Alvin Cross and S. M. Cutcheon have been made the basis of information. The members of the Pioneer Committee, Messrs. Chauncey Joslin, Benjamin Thompson and Wm. Watling, have made very important additions to all that had been already written. Dr. F. K. Rexford, whose intimate association with the village of former days, as well as with the city of the present, sug- gested many items for the history. F. P. Bogardus, in his precise paper on the banking houses of the past and present, contributed to render the labors of the writer light in this connection. To Frank Joslin, City Clerk, is due, in a great measure, the accuracy of the list of village and city officers. W. C. Hawkins, Mrs. Perry and Benjamin Emerick have given the information on which the history of the old and new hotels is based. In a word, every effort has been made to collect material for a full history of the city. The old settlers displayed a desire to co-operate with the compiler, and it is hoped that the result of their valuable suggestions and the wish of the writer to be accurate and impartial, will render this historical sketch worthy of the people of whom it has been written, and fully satisfactory to the people of the county, to whom the vol- ume is dedicated.

A DESCRIPTION.

The city is beautifully situated on the Huron, which river enters it at the northwestern angle, flows southeast, and forms an expan- sion west of the northern limits of what now is known as the east side of the city. The expansion may be said to extend as far south as Mill street or Forest avenue bridge, where the river returns to its original channel, and takes a southerly course. At the foot of Follett street it enters on a southeastern course, and again between that point and Independence island, forms a semi-circular curve; from the head of this island to Race street bridge a complete curve is made, so that both half circles, the one beginning at North street on the east bank, the other ending at Race street on the west bank, form an S. From the latter points it flows through its tortuous channel in a southeasterly direction to the city limits. The river with its expansions and dams, assumes at this point an appearance peculiarly agreeable. Here is a great industry, there a milldam or a race, there a bridge, there a residence, on each bank half a city; on every side evidences of comparative prosperity. Along the west bank are the dwellings of D. L. Quirk, L. A. Barnes, G. W. Lee, John Starkweather, Cornelius Cornwell, Wm. B. Clark, Wm. Wortley, Mrs. McAndrews, Chauncey Joslin and S. Wortley; on the east bank, the dwellings of Pluto Ferrier, Wells Burt, Charles Seigmond, A. H. Smith, Charles Ferrier and Mrs. C. P.

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Worden; while rising gradually higher and higher are seen the stately mansions of modern times, the school building of the city, the churches, the domed Opera House, and the hundred modern buildings dedicated to the strength and health of the country,- trade.

A village which boasted of 121 dwelling-houses in 1837 now counts them by hundreds, if not by thousands. Then shaded streets, sidewalks, splendid buildings, did not exist; now they are present, rendering Ypsilanti a little city of beauty, a town for which nature and artifice labored. The streets are comparatively regular. With the exception of Congress, from Adams to the river, a few blocks on Washington, and two on Huron streets, devoted to commercial business, the west side is given up to private residences, beautiful gardens, green parterres, and shaded streets.

Long years before Surveyor Brookfield platted the village, the rude log house of the French traders stood beside the Pottawatomie trail, and thus was the first house erected here. From that rude beginning how has the place advanced! The logs of the old buildings were removed before many of the old settlers came to seek the former home of Godfroy. Later, the visitor of olden times came to view the den of the counterfeiters, or, perhaps, hunt the deer on the untenanted lands beyond the river; but the den was turned into an ordinary sand hole, and the deer had fled to districts yet unapproached by the American pioneer. Every rem- nant of the Indian's and Frenchman's occupation died out within a brief space of time after the pioneers arrived, the face of the val- ley was changed, the wigwam and the traders' hut gave place to the settlers' log cabin or the merchants' frame store, and those, in time, gave way before progress, until now a city looms up over the ruins of primitiveness.

GODFROY'S TRADING POST.

Reference after reference has been made to the Godfroy trading post; many naming its exact location, and as many reaching wide of the mark. To settle this point forever, Jonathan G. Morton and others have been consulted. Mr. Morton, whose connection with the early mercantile interest of the Godfroy settlement renders him an authority on such a question, states emphatically that during the year 1825 one McCloskey, a son-in-law of Godfroy's, with a band of 20 fellow trappers called at his store; situate at the north- west corner of Huron and Pearl streets. Before leaving, McClos- key pointed out the ruins of the old trading post; the entire party visited it and pointed out to Mr. Morton the charred logs, which formed the walls of the cellar. During their later visits, the old trappers of the Huron never failed to make a pilgrimage to that cellar. He is also inclined to believe that the trading post was burned between the years 1812 and 1815, and, further, that the logs and fragments of bark roof as seen by Mrs. Cross and others

1109

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

formed the remains of a temporary trading house, built by Godfroy and company about the fall of 1815, after the war. This house stood directly north of the Arcade Block.

THE STORY OF EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

Ypsilanti city was founded by John Stewart in the summer and fall of 1824, on the north French claim. On the first of June, 1825, the Detroit and Chicago road was surveyed by the United States surveyors under Orange Risdon, through what is now Ypsilanti city. The line of said road was then made the base of Ypsilanti. When it struck the section line between sections 9 and 10, it took a due west course until about one-fourth mile west of the Huron river, where it took a southwestern direction. Shortly after the lay- ing out of this road, John Stewart, Augustus Brevoort Wood- ward and Wm. W. Harwood made a plat of the village-Stewart and Woodward on the west, and Harwood on the east. Mr. Har- wood had previously secured the property of Eli Kellogg in 1824. Each of the proprietors had a name for the village. Judge Wood- ward's choice prevailed, and so the place was called Ypsilanti, after the Greek general. Woodward at this time owned the Godfroy claim 690, containing 612 acres. The line of the Chicago road struck the northeast corner of Woodward's land, where it crossed the river; but as the line of the French claim runs 17° south of west, it soon struck Stewart's south line. Woodward resided at Detroit during this time; Stewart and Harwood were residents of the proposed village. The former was a native of Seneca Co., N. Y. He sold out in 1831 to Jason Cross, and traveled westward. Judge Woodward disposed of his lands to Judge Larzelere, went to Florida and died. Wm. W. Harwood remained for some years, sold out to John Gilbert, moved into Pittsfield, and there closed his career.

On the right bank of the Huron and north of the French claims, on section 5, Josiah Rosencranz bought from the general Govern- ment 114 acres, May 10, 1825. Hiram W. Johns purchased 66 acres, north of Harwood's location, on section 9, this being the southeast fractional quarter of section 4. Henry Burlingame bought a quarter section May 23, 1825. The northeast quarter of section 4, containing 160 acres, was purchased by Ezra Mead, April 25, 1825; while Major Woodruff bought a tract of 37 acres adjoining Harwood's land in section 16. In September, 1825, David De Forest Ely and Jonathan T. Ely established a store at "Woodruff's Grove." Early in 1826 they transferred their busi- ness to Ypsilanti, and in August of that year moved to Ann Arbor, and there built a two-story frame house in 1827, on the corner of Main and Ann streets. As merchants they were unsuccessful, and left the State early in 1829.

The first store-keepers were Jonathan G. Morton and Erastus Belden, who established their houses here in June, 1825, and also

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

carried on the business of blacksmithing at Ypsilanti. Mr. Mor- ton's day-book, as well as other books, are in his possession still.

Moses Clark, a hard-shell Baptist preacher, is said to have preached the first sermon in Ypsilanti in the summer of 1825.

John Stewart, jr., died near Battle Creek, Jan. 29, 1881. He is said to have been at one time part owner of the land on which Ypsilanti now stands, and to have laid out the original village. He deeded the city a park, as it is said, on condition that it be used or no other purpose. However, it was otherwise used, and a report has gained credence that his heirs are instituting a suit to recover the property. Mr. Stewart has 21 brothers and sisters, and lived on the farm where he died for nearly 40 years.

VILLAGE ORGANIZATION.

As early as 1829 the township of Ypsilanti was organized, under authority of a Legislative enactment approved Oct 1, 1829. Three years later the villagers of Ypsilanti assembled within the shop of John Bryan, to carry out the provisions of another Legislative enactment, which provided for the organization of their village. This meeting was held Sept. 3, 1832, and resulted in the return of John Gilbert as Village President; E. M. Skinner, Village Re- corder; Ario Pardee, Village Treasurer; and Abel Millington, Mark Morris, Thomas R. Brown, James Vanderbilt, Walter B. Hewitt, Village Trustees. The transactions of this corporation, and indeed of all its successors, were of a most simple character. Committees were appointed to supervise the various improvements resolved upon by the council. These committees are said to have faithfully performed their duties, the village recorder issued orders to the village creditors, the treasurer accepted and paid such orders, and here the labors of this little municipal organization ceased. For years the people were satisfied with the order of affairs; but, at length, discontent entered the village, and those inhabitants of the east side sought a divorce from their Western friends, because it appeared to them that much of the tax collected on the east side was expended in improving the west side. As recently as the year preceding the incorporation of Ypsilanti as a city, the State Legislature passed an act enabling the township treasurer to collect the village taxes, thus abolishing the office of treasurer in the vil- lage. The act of incorporation of 1858 remedied all this disaffec- tion; a city was organized under a mayor and 10 aldermen. To this assembly was applied the motto, "Plus sages que les sages," because its administration was characterized by wisdom, and its meetings by propriety.

Some time prior to the granting of a city charter, that portion of the old village lying east of the Huron was organized as the village of East Ypsilanti, with its own president and trustees; however, when the proposition to unite under a city government was made, the people of the east village were among its strongest supporters.

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

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History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 121

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 1457

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457