History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 154

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 154

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When Mr. Palmer arrived in this tp. (Bridgewater) he found he had but $3 in money. He accordingly commenced teaching school immediately, in order to obtain a little money. His school was a private one, in Clinton, where he soon had all the pupils he could take care of. His postage bill averaged $1 a week; letters 25 cents each, and no pre-payment required. He next bought 40 acres of land and two village lots in Brooklyn, Jackson Co., and the following May (1837)

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BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP.

returned to New York, worked through hay-making and harvest, and in the fall he came back to Michigan, bringing his little son, and taught school in Clin- ton. In December he married his present wife, leaving his son with his Grand- father Randall ; taught school during the winters and farmed during the summers for seven years; then purchased of the State the southwest quarter of sec. 16, tp. 4 S., of range 4 E., then in a wild state. This purchase he made in order, prin- cipally, to give his children physical training at farm work. They cleared the land, plowed the " openings," with six yoke of oxen and a mammoth plow, split rails, made fence, put up buildings and prospered. The children attended a good school, about 70 rods distant, and ultimately became teachers,-F. M., four terms; Flora C., two terms; Emmett N., seven terms, and is now a graduate of the medical department of Michigan University and a practicing physician; Albert F., 30 terms, and served six years as County Superintendent of Schools for Woodson county, Kan. ; Henry R., 11 terms, and now Tp. Supt. of Schools for this tp .; Abbie S., eight terms, and Ara H., six terms.

Mr. Palmer taught school a part of each year for 17 successive years; was School Inspector in New York eight years and in Michigan 30 years. He also had an interesting experience as a member of the drilling squads after the war of 1812 for many years, and after coming West he was appointed Captain for the south half of Bridgewater, and afterward Colonel, which latter office he resigned. In 1869 he was employed as Secretary of the Washtenaw Farmers' Mutual Insu- rance Company, and he kept their books when their capital stock was $5,500,000. He is now Secretary of the Southern Washtenaw Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was never ambitious for public office.

A portrait of Mr. Palmer appears on page 1209 of this volume.

Mrs. Fidelia D. Palmer, nee Randall, wife of the preceding, came to Michigan in the fall of 1836, with her parents and other members of her father's family, being then at the age of 16 They came by canal to Buffalo, and by steamboat to Detroit, being 10 days in making the journey from Canastota to Detroit, and two and a half days with teams from Detroit to Bridgewater. She taught a winter term of school in Bridgewater after her arrival in Michigan, and the summer fol- lowing on what was then Napoleon (now Norvell) Plains. The school-house in which she taught was the first one built in the township. It was made of logs, with a huge fire-place in one end, and the seats were slabs, with sticks for legs and without backs. Her parents were both natives of New London Co., Conn., father of Stonington and mother of Groton. Her father's name was Roswell Randall, and he was the son of Peleg and Hannah Randall, of Scotch descent, the former a soldier of the Revolution and afterwards a minister of the Baptist denomination.

Her maternal grandfather's name was Zedediah Morgan, and he was one of the garrison at Fort Griswold ; was home on a permit to visit his family, when the attack was made by Arnold, and hearing the firing, started at once. When he arrived in sight he saw the British just leaving, and on reaching the fort found his commander, Col. Ledyard, and also many of his immediate friends and neighbors, weltering in their blood. Her grandfather Morgan moved from Connecticut to Bridgewater, Oneida Co., N. Y., about 1797. Her father came to the same place in 1799, and was married to Priscilla, the daughter of Jedediah and Lois Morgan. in 1801, and in 1805 removed to Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y., where they resided until they came to Michigan. Her father was a man well educated for the times; he taught 11 winters, held many offices of trust in the town, and at one time was appointed by the Governor one of three commissioners to treat with the Stock- bridge Indians for the purchase of their lands. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, holding a Lieutenant's commission, acting as Captain at Sackett's Harbor.

Mrs. Palmer is the youngest of 8 children, and has 3 brothers and 1 sister still living-R. Randall, of Clinton, Lenawee Co .; Mrs. J. M. Colgrove of Winchester, Tenn .; S. A. Randall, of Momence, Ill .; and the Hon. F. P. Randall, of Fort Wayne, Ind., for many years Mayor of that city, and once Senator of that State.

Francis M. Palmer, an enterprising farmer of this tp., was born in New York State in 1829, the son of David W. and Flora L. (Randall) Palmer, the father a native of New Jersey and the mother of New York, both of English descent. Francis was reared on the farm, and came with his parents to this county in 1837. He taught school five winters, working on a farm during the intervals. He has made of life a success, and now owns 110 acres of good land, with a neat and substantial residence; is a breeder of short-horn Durham cattle and thorough- bred Merino sheep. He is a Democrat, and a Notary Public, and has been School

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Director and Tp. Treasurer. March 4, 1875, he married Olive L. Soper, of Jack- son county, Mich., and they have 1 child-Nettie B.

Joseph Lawson was born at Northampton, England, in 1807; in 1829 crossed the ocean and for a time worked as a baker at Albany and Saratoga Springs, having been regularly apprenticed to this vocation in England; in 1838 he was married to Mercy Hoyt, a daughter of James P. Hoyt; two years previous to his marriage Mr. H. was a teacher in district schools, and also among the pioneer teachers of this county, whither he removed in 1834, and in 1836 became a permanent settler in this tp., where he invested in 160 acres of unimproved land. He was unusually industrious, and was soon on the high road to prosperity. He died Dec. 11,1880; his pioneer wife and 4 children survive him, who through his industrious efforts are comfortably situated in life.

Mrs. Seelye, the eldest of the children, is a resident of this tp .; Martha married James Gregory, residence Saline; Mary married Wallace Dell, of Bridgewater; George, from whom this sketch is obtained, and who ranks among the more pub- lic-spirited citizens of Bridgewater, was married to Elizabeth Nestell, a daughter of John B. Nestell, but this lady died of consumption in 1875, soon after her marriage. In 1877 Mr. R. married Mrs. Ella King, a daughter of Rufus King, a pioneer of this tp. Mr. and Mrs. R. have 2 children-Elizabeth and Frank. Mr. Rawson is the owner of 149 acres of land.

Junius Short. farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Livingston county, New York, in 1819; in 1840 he was married to Miss Betsey, daughter of Jacob and Elvira Tiffany. In 1849 Mr. Short came West and located in this township, where he bought in March, 1851, his present valuable farm of 140 acres. In 1857 he expended large sums of money upon an elegant residence, and erected extensive barns and outbuildings for the shelter of stock. Mr. S. makes a specialty of rais- ing fine-wooled sheep, having at the present writing, a flock of 200. Mr. Short frequently ships to the far West, and ranks high in this special line of farming. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Short 3 children-Elma, who married Dr. Lynch, of Manchester; and Mary and Wilbur,

George Schmidt (deceased) was a native of Hesse Cassel, Germany, where he was born Oct. 25, 1826. He came to America in 1849, and settled first in Saline and bought 82 acres of land in that township, residing there a number of years. About 15 years ago he bought the property where his family now lives, consisting of 80 acres, upon which stands a fine house, which was built in 1871 at a cost of sever- al thousand dollars. Mr. Schmidt was a very industrous man, and left his family well provided for in life. He died Nov. 19, 1877, having had consumption the last ten years of his life, and was laid at rest in the Bridgewater cemetery. He had 5 children, 3 of whom are living-Henry, George and Fanny. Mrs. Schmidt was married Feb. 16, 1881, to Edward Egan.

B. F. Starr, is a native of Palmyra, N. Y .; at the age of 18 years he moved to Michigan, and first located in Saline tp., where he bought and lived a number of years ; afterward he moved to this tp., and bought farm property. He was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth E., a daughter of Elder Powell. Mr. and Mrs. Starr are now residents of Clinton, and are very comfortably situated in life. One child was born to them-Octavia, who was married in Washtenaw county, Feb. 5, 1871, to Washington W. Hess, of Plainfield, Ill., and they have 1 child-Minnie.

Thomas J. Van Gieson, farmer, sec. 22; P. O., Clinton; was born in Patterson, N. J., Nov. 24, 1825, the son of John and Ellen (Van Riper) Van Gieson, natives of New Jersey and of Dutch descent; he came to the county in 1836, worked by the month to get a start, has succeeded well in his calling, and now owns 160 acres of good land, which was entered by his father. His first marriage was to Sarah P. George; they had 1 child; she died, and in 1874 Mr. V. married Rhoda McNeil, a member of the Baptist Church. He is a Republican, politically.

Hiram Welch was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1804; in 1832 he came to Michigan, and first settled in Pittsfield tp., in this county, where he bought a farm of 80 acres ; this he partially cleared, and not long afterward erected a com- fortable farm-house; thence he moved to Scio, where he purchased 160 acres in company with Edward Briggs; and from time to time bought and sold other tracts of land that proved remunerative investments. In 1852 he settled upon his present property, on which he now resides, and on which he erected 23 years ago his present residence. In 1824 he was married to Miss Mandy Briggs, who died in 1841, at Lodi; in 1842 he was married to Maria Isbell. In 1869 his wife was laid at rest in this county, and in 1871 Mr. W. married for his third wife, Miss Louisa Lathrop.

SALINE TOWNSHIP.

The town of Saline comprises all of township 4 south, of range 5 east. It was first settled in 1826 by Leonard Miller, who built the first house in the town, near the salt spring, about one mile south of the present village of Saline. Previous to this time, and for a period of probably 200 years, it had been the home of the red man, there being many evidences that near the salt spring an Indian village once flourished. The Indian burying ground upon the east bank of the river, south of the village, bears evidence that this was one of their settlements. Early seekers for relics did not hesitate to open the shallow graves, and the ground was strewn with the bones of departed warriors. The existence of several trails (six at least), all centering at this point, also attests its importance in by-gone days. In the early part of this century the tradition was current and undoubted among the old settlers of Detroit and Monroe, that a very large Indian village existed around and west of the springs. Fifty years ago the ruins of a well were seen by some of the earliest settlers of the town, and the report has been current for half a century that salt was made here, and also that a part of Gen. Anthony Wayne's army wintered here for that purpose. There can be no doubt that the existence of salt at this point drew the deer and other animals, and that the hunters, first with their bows and arrows and afterward with their guns, followed.

William M. Gregory, in a paper read before the Washtenaw County Pioneer Society, says: " We cannot doubt that this region was a favorite resort of the old Indian tribes, especially the Potta- watomies. Driven from their fishing grounds on the Detroit river, by the French, almost two centuries ago, they had but to pass the low belt of timbered land to find this lovely Washtenaw. They found fish in the streams; they found game in the forests and plains; and good planting ground everywhere. Almost every old pioneer resi- dent has, perhaps, some of the relics of their savage life. Those relics of the stone age when implements of war, of the chase, and of domestic life were wrought from this material. Soon after the year 1500 they were able to procure rude implements made of metal, from their first visitors, the French,and these, in a measure, supple- mented the other. But how to keep them in repair they knew not. The iron axes and other tools we have found, almost always lack an edge. Rude were their lives, and rude and ungainly were the means by which they sustained these lives. As the Indian tribes were led to join the English, in the war of 1812, they never could feel fully at peace with us afterward, and this accounts for

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

that wonderful disappearance and retirement as the wave of civil- ized life approaches them."

SURFACE, SOIL AND TIMBER.

The central portions of this town are undulating, but not hilly, while the southeastern part is level, timbered land. While Saline cannot boast of such beautiful and extensive plains as those of Bridgewater and Lodi, it is remarkably free from waste and unpro- ductive tracts. Small portions of sandy land, alternating with clay, loam and alluvial, produce a very desirable variety of soil, adapted to every kind of crop peculiar to this latitude; and the growth of black walnut, butternut, maple and basswood, even upon the highest lands, betoken a soil fertile and easily worked. While oak may be stated as the most common timber, hickory and ash are also found,

MARSHES, SPRINGS AND WATER-COURSES.

There is only one lake in the town, and the marshes, with one exception, are small and few -- all capable of cultivation, and highly prized. The Saline river, which rises mainly in the town of Bridgewater, enters the town on section 13, running in a north- easterly direction, passing through sections 8, 4 and 3, into Lodi, thence back into the town on section 1, running nearly south, through sections 12 and 13, entering the town of York from the lat- ter section. ' Macon creek rises on section 15, taking a southern and southeastern course, and passes through secs. 22, 27, 26, 35 and 36 into Lenawee county and Spring Brook. These comprise all the living streams in the town. Springs are not common. The salt springs have undoubtedly been of greater note in years gone by than they are at the present time. It has been reported that the largest spring exists in the present bed of the river where it courses through section 1.

EARLY SETTLERS OF THE TOWN.

As already stated, Leonard Miller was the first settler of the town, erecting his cabin near the salt springs on section 1. Here he kept a public house, entertaining in a hospitable manner all who chose to partake of his bounty. The sign which he swung to the breeze bore the inscription, "Live and Let Live." Mr. Miller died in 1830.

Daniel Cross built the second house in 1826, near Mr. Miller's, and, like the latter, furnished entertainment for man and beast.

Another settler in 1826 was Russell Briggs, who located west of the village, and is yet living upon the old homestead. Orrin and Chester Parsons also settled the same year. Orrin Fuller came in 1828; Samuel Cross in 1830, as also George Miller.

Orange Risdon purchased his land in 1824, but did not settle for

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some years after. A full reference to this pioneer is made in the biographical sketch following this history.

Orrin Parsons was a noted person in this town. He was born in the town of Sandisfield, Berkshire Co., Mass, in 1794. In 1802 his parents removed to Windham, Greene Co., N. Y. At 22 years of age he married Miss Rebecca Fuller. In May, 1826, in company with his brother Chester, he purchased 160 acres of land on section 12. The next year, 1827, they erected the first saw-mill in the town, which was of great benefit to the early settlers of all the surrounding region. The grist-mill was erected soon after. At the second annual town meeting in Saline, in 1831, Mr. Parsons was chosen supervisor, to succeed Mr. Davis, and was re-elected in 1832, 1833, 1835, 1837, 1838, 1839 and 1840. IIe also served as justice of the peace and in other town offices. In 1846 he was a member of the State Legislature. Mr. Parsons died at the early age of 57. His life was one of great activity and enterprise. He was public-spirited in a remarkable degree, and the poor and suffering were sure to receive from him sympathy and aid. As the owner of a grist-mill no one can recount the number and extent of his benefactions. Brought up to no particular trade, as occasion required he displayed a remarkable degree of ingennity and me- chanical skill, surpassed by very few men, even among the first settlers of a new land.

Another prominent and public-spirited citizen of the town was Julius Cruttenden, who was born in Poultney, Vt., in 1791, and in 1831, with his father, Thomas Cruttenden, came to Saline and purchased several hundred acres of land. In 1842 he was elected supervisor, but died in September of that year, before the expiration of his term. He was remarkably genial and popular. In mentioning the early settlers of the town, there are three that deserve special mention, from the fact that they were soldiers in the Revolutionary war, in which each bore an honorable part.

Timothy Cruttenden, in company with his son Julius, of whom mention has been made, came to Saline in 1831, and died Septem- ber, 1832, nearly eighty-five years of age. He was born in Guil- ford, Connecticut, in 1747. While residing in Lenox, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, he enlisted in the Revolutionary army. In 1776 he went to Montreal and Quebec. From the latter place our forces retired on the approach of the British transports. In the autumn of 1777 he shared in the notable campaign against Bur- goyne; was in the battle at the ford of the North river, near Fort Edward, where Burgoyne, after the last battle of Saratoga, attempted to force his way back to Canada. He afterward witnessed the sur- render of Burgoyne.

Archibald Armstrong was born about 1753, in one of the lower counties of the Mohawk Valley, New York. He was in Fort Schuyler, now Rome, when it was besieged by the British. He was also in the battles at Cowpens, Monmouth, Germantown, and finally at Yorktown, where he saw the surrender of Cornwallis.

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

He died about 1846. He came into Saline in 1832 with his son, Schuyler Armstrong. It is said he was present at the execution of Major Andre, the spy, and drummed his death-march. His grave lies near the southeast corner of Saline village cemetery.

In the Benton burying ground near Chester Parsons', is a grave unmarked by any monument-that of Dr. Francis Smith, another Revolutionary soldier. He was born in Rhode Island in 1761, came to Saline about 1836, and died in 1839. He enlisted in the Revo- Intionary war at sixteen years of age.

Alfred and Asher Davis bought a large portion of section 13, May 13, 1826. The farms of Samuel Cross, Jonas Bond, J. L. Hoyt and B. Wienette are wholly or in part on this tract. Asher died soon after the purchase. Alfred is still living at Grand Rapids. He was the first Supervisor in the town.

Robert Mills bought the southeast quarter of section 15, May 8, 1830. He lived but a short time to enjoy the fruits of his en- terprise.

Geo. W. Miller bought the northwest quarter of section 14, Sep- tember 29, 1830. The death of Mr. and Mrs. Miller almost simul- taneonsly a few years after was a public affliction.

Norman G. Fowler took up May 17, 1831, the southeast quarter of section 14, the farm now owned by Albert R. Clark.

Daniel Wallace and Daniel D. Wallace purchased upon the turn- pike, three miles west of the village of Saline, in 1831. The Brother has passed away. His wife still lives, making her home at Saline.

Lewis M. Phelps purchased June 12, 1832. He is the only one remaining upon the original purchase, who attempts the cultivation of his farm. Mr. Gregory and Russell Briggs retain portions of their original purchases.

There are other men, and women, too, who are equally worthy of honorable mention, among whom may be named Robert Ed- munds, David Hammond, Freeman Moulton, Jeremiah and John Smith, Smith Lapham, Aaron Goodrich, Robert Shaw, William M. Gregory, John Kanouse, Robert Hammond, Geo. Partridge, Jo- seph Annin, James Russell and Jacob Sherman.

FIRST THINGS.

The first building in the town was erected in 1826 by Leonard Miller.

The first birth was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Miller- now Mrs. Louisa Stoddard, of Lebanon, Clinton Co., Michigan.

Death claimed his first victim in the person of Asher Davis, who died in 1827. His remains were interred on Whitney's farm, after- ward moved near the Judd school-house, in York.

The first marriage seems to have been in the Benton district, on the Chicago road, between Robert Craig and Miss Polly Gilbert, on April 12, 1829, by Orange Risdon, a Justice of the Peace. Mrs.

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Risdon accompanied her husband on the same horse to the bride's house, to witness the ceremony.

The first school-house erected in the original township of Saline was in section 18, of what is now known as York.

The first school-house was upon the Chicago road, about a mile west of the village of Saline, and built mainly through the efforts of Russell Briggs, in the year 1831.

Calvin Lamb taught the first school, in the winter of 1831-'2, and Miss Harriet Sumner afterward. Mrs. Russell Mills taught the next summer school.

The first election was held at the house of Orange Risdon, the first Monday in April, 1830.

S. Douglas entered the first land in the town, the date of his pur- chase being June 16, 1824. He bought 80 acres on section 5. Orange Risdon bought the northeast quarter of section one, August 12, 1824.

The first mill built in the town was by Orrin and Chester Par- sons, on Saline river, two miles south of the village, in 1827. This was a saw-mill.

The first frame house in the original township of Saline was that erected by Orrin Parsons, in 1829, on section 12. This is now occupied by Mrs. M. M. Sumner, a daughter of Orrin Parsons.

SALT WORKS.

In 1863 a company was formed, composed of representative men of the village and town, for the purpose of manufacturing salt from the spring on section 12. A building was erected, a derrick put in place, and boring commenced. After three unsuccessful attempts to sink a well, the project was abandoned. There has always existed a doubt in the minds of many whether the contractor engaged to sink the well acted in good faith. The charge is boldly made that he was bought off by rival interests. That salt has been made here in years gone by cannot be doubted. Iron kettles have been found which were once doubtless used for this purpose. The Indian trails, already mentioned, lead to this place.

In 1834 H. F. Parsons met a Frenchman near Monroe, while himself and his father were in quest of horses, who, on learning the home of Mr. Parsons, said that years ago there were houses and a salt factory located in what is now called Saline.

SCHOOLS.

The first school-house in the town was built in the winter of 1830-'1, and school was held therein the following winter. The town was not organized into school districts until 1834. The boundaries of the several districts have been changed from time to time until at present there are five whole and six fractional dis- triets.

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Fractional District No. 1 is composed of all of section 1 and part of sections 2, 11 and 12, together with portions of the towns of Lodi, Pittsfield and York adjacent. District No. 1 was organ- ized first in 1834, and was then composed entirely of territory in Saline township. In 1838 a large part of the territory was taken from it and it was made a fractional district, to which was annexed a portion of the town of Lodi. At a later date a small part of the towns of Pittsfield and York were added. (For further informa- tion of this district see history of the village of Saline.)

District No. 2 is composed of parts of sections 2, 3, 11, 15, 16, and all of sections 9 and 10. The organization of this district dates back to 1834, but has been changed several times. A frame school- house was erected on section 10 in 1855, and is now valued at $300. Matthew Seeger is the present "director. During the school year of 1879-'80 school was held seven months at a cost of $126.

Fractional District No. 3 is composed of parts of sections 3, 8, 18, and all of sections 4, 5, 6, 7. A good school-house is on sec- tion 5, which was erected in 1878, and is valued at $775. John W. Gross is the present director.

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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 154

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