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 155
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Fractional District No. 5 is composed of parts of sections 11, 12, 13 and 14, and adjacent territory in the town of York. A school-house is on section 12, which was erected in 1856 and is valued at $300. James Hoyt is the present director.
Fractional District No. 6 is composed of parts of sections 13, 24 and 25, together with much territory in the town of York, where the school-house is located.
Section 26, together with parts of sections 23, 24, 25, 27 and 35 form District No. 7. The school-house is located on section 26, and is valued at $300. Henry A. Hammond is the present direc- tor.
District No. 8 is quite a large district, with a good school-house on section 22, valued at $600. The district comprises parts of sec- tions 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 27, 29, 33, and all of section 28. John Gordon is the present director.
Ezra Sanford is the present director of District No. 9, which is composed of parts of sections 18, 8, 16, 24, 29, 30, and all of sec- tions 17, 19, 20. The school-house is on section 27, and is valued at $400. This is known as the Benton school-house.
District No. 10 comprises parts of sections 29, 30, 33, and all of sections 31 and 32, with a good school-house on section 32, valued at $500. The present director is C. L. Morgan.
Fractional District No. 12 comprises parts of sections 27, 33, 35 and all of section 34, with considerable territory in the bounty of Lenawee. It has a school-house on section 34, valued at $400. L. C. Grady is director.
Fractional District No. 13 comprises a very small part of sec- tions 25, 35 and 36, together with territory in York, and the towns of Macon and Milan, Lenawee county.
1375
SALINE TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIZATION AND ACTS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
The first town meeting in Saline was held on the first Monday in April, 1830. Boaz Lamson was made Moderator, and Barnabas Holmes, Clerk. The meeting proceeded to elect officers of the town, and resulted as follows:
Supervisor-Alfred Davies.
Town Clerk-Smith Lapham.
Assessors-Apollos Severance, Boaz Lamson, Evelyn Scranton.
Commissioners of Highways-Timothy W. Hunt, James May- bee, Ira Bonner.
Overseers of the Poor-Isaac Brown, Allyn Williams, Silas Lewis, Aretus Belden, Luke Gilbert.
Collector-Jason Gillett.
Constable-Horace Williams.
Commissioners of Common Schools-Allyn Williams, Isaac Brown, Aaron Swain, Arba Lamson, Luther Hatch.
Inspectors of Common Schools-Apollos Severance, Aretus Bel- den, Evelyn Scranton, Asahel Sawyer, Smith Lapham.
Treasurer of Poor Fund-Arba Lamson.
Pathmasters-Timothy W. Hunt, John G. Joslin, Orrin Par- sons, Ely Gray, Boaz Lamson, Jeremiah Post, Arba Lamson, Isaac Brown, John Parsons, Thomas Wood, Anthony Doolittle.
Trustees of School Lands-Orange Risdon, Timothy W. Hunt, James Maybee.
Treasurer of School Funds-Orrin Parsons.
At the first town meeting it was resolved that the height of fences shall be not less than four and a half feet.
The directors of the poor met and drew lots as to the length of their respective terms. Allyn Williams and Isaac Brown drew one year; Luke Gilbert and Silas Lewis, two years; Aretus Belden, three years.
The business of the town, judging from the records, was not very pressing, as no meeting was held previous to the annual meeting the first Monday in April, 1831, at which time officers were chosen for the following year.
Township records were ordered to be exhibited for inspection at the next annual meeting, and it was resolved that the sum of $2 be paid for every full-grown wolf taken in the township during the year.
At the town meeting held in April, 1832, $50 was voted for the support of the poor for the year.
In 1833 it was voted that it should be a standing rule that officers of the township who compose the Town Board, should exhibit yearly at the annual township meetings accounts of the receipts and expenditures of the township.
Since the organization of the town in 1830, a period of 51 years, many individuals have served the public in the various town of- fices. Some of these have moved to other States and Territories;
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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
others have been called to their final reward; others yet linger on the shores of time, waiting to hear the summons to come up higher. Their names recorded below will afford satisfaction to those yet re- maining and to unborn generations. Following is the list:
TOWN OFFICERS.
Since the organization of the town, the following named have served in official capacity :
SUPERVISORS.
Alfred Davis 1830
Orrin Parsons. 1831-33
Alfred Davis. 1834
Orrin Parsons. 1835
Ansyl Ford. 1836
Martin Gray. 1863
Orrin Parsons. 1837-40
Salmon L. Haight. 1864
Salmon L. Haight. 1841
Julius Cruttenden 1842
Orrin Parsons. 1842
Myron Webb 1867-68
Orrin Parsons. 1843-44
Augustus Bond. .1869
David S. Haywood 1845-46
Myron Webb. 1870
Salmon L. Haight. 1847
Joshua Forbes. 1871
Wilson H. Berdan. 1872
Amos Miller. 1849
Myron Webb. 1873-74
Salmon L. Haight. 1850
Wilson H. Berdan 1875-76
Thomas H. Marsh. 1851
Myron Webb. 1877
William M. Gregory 1852
Aaron H. Goodrich. 1853
Salmon L. Haight.
.1854-55
James M. Youngs 1880
CLERKS.
Smith Lapham 1830-33
1834-35
Jesse P. Warner. 1836
Smith Lapham. 1837-39
Samuel P. Fuller. 1840
Thomas N. Lee. 1862-63
John E. Mitchell. 1864-65
G. B. Gillett. 1866
Jacob Sturm. . 1867-70
Alexander Gordon 1871
Caleb Green. 1872
Alexander Gorton.
1873
Adam C. Clark. 1874-75
Charles N. Howe. 1876-77
William M. Phillips 1853
Harley M. Russell. 1854
John M Haywood. 1855
Samuel Conn. 1856-58
Jerome B. Lemley 1859
Mial Mason. 1860
Everett B. Clark. 1861
William H. Pattison 1841
Joseph Bickford. 1842
William H. Pattison 1843-44
John M. Haywood 1845
Samuel Conn. 1846-47
John W. Bedford .. 1848
Harlow Olcott. 1849-51
John M. Haywood. 1852
Caleb M. King. 1878-76
Charles N. Howe. 1880
-
William M. Gregory 1856
David A. Post .. 1857
Salmon L. Haight 1858-59
Augustus Bond. 1860-62
Roswell M. Parsons. 1865
Martin Gray. 1866
Joshua Forbes. 1848
Everett B. Clark. 1878
Edwin W. Wallace 1879-80
Samuel Robinson
SALINE TOWNSHIP.
1377
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Orange Risdon 1830-32
John B. Lewis 1855-56
Orrin Parsons. .1833
George L. Hull 1855-56
John Lawrence. 1833
Charles H. Wallace. .1857
John Lawrence 1834
Theron Ford.
1858
Augustus Bond. 1859
Orrin Parsons.
1835
George L. Hull. 1860
Thomas Shekell. 1860
Ansyl Ford. 1836
John Lawrence. 1836
George W. Miller 1836
Gershom B. Gillett. 1861-62
Alfred D. Parsons 1863
Smith Lapham. 1837
Ezra Sanford.
1838
Cephas B. Dresser
1839
John Lawrence
1840
Lorin Edmunds. 1840
Ezra Jones. 186.7
John Lawrence.
1841
Aaron Feldcamp 1867
Salmon L. Haight 1842
Ezra Jones. .. 1868
Anson B. Webber. 1843
1844
John Lawrence.
1845
Jesse P Warner
1846
Isaac S. Smith.
1847
Lorin Edmunds.
.1848
Zebulon C. Browne.
1849
Jesse P. Warner.
1850
Aaron L. Feldcamp. 1876
Edwin Smith 1851
John B. Lewis 1851
Amos Miller
1852
Charles H. Wallace. .1853
Henry Wallbridge 1854
James C. Rorebeck. .1859
Jesse Meacham
1831
Henry P. Miller 1860
Russell Briggs.
1833
James N. Lee. 1861
Jasper C. McBain. 1839
George Shumway 1862
Ebenezer Sprague. 1840
Lyman H. Sherman. 1863
Albert Gaston. 1841
Roswell W. Parsons. 1864
Robert Craig.
1842-43
Charles H. Wallace.
1844-46
Aaron H. Goodrich. 1847
James Crissy 1848
John D. Worth 1849-50
Samuel Crissy. 1851
Roswell W. Parsons .1852
Franklin Bickford. .1853
Jacob F. Williams. 1854
Edgar Webb .. 1855
John A. Klein. 1876
William P. Judd. 1856
John G. Gross. 1877-78
Thomas L. Humphreyville 1857
Matthew Seeger 1879
Henry P. Miller. 1858
-
John G. Gross
1880
Saline is considered from its organization to the period of its partition, by the formation of the townships of York, Lodi and Pittsfield, and on this account the record includes many names now identified with these new townships. At an early day a school- house was built in what now forms York, a portion of the original
Artemas D. Sumner 1865
Daniel Nisle. .1866
John Forbes. . 1867-68
William O. Hoyt. 1869
Byron W. Forbes.
-1870
Christopher Hauser. 1871
John G. Gross. 1872-73
Everett B. Clark 1874
Adam Klein. .1875
William O. Hoyt. 1870
Aaron L. Feldcamp 1871
Ezra Jones. 1872
Jortin Forbes. 1873
William H. Dell. 1874
Everett B. Clark. 1875
Aaron H. Goodrich 1877
Jortin Forbes. 1878
Wm. R. Gildhart.
1879
Aaron L. Feldcamp 1880
TREASURERS.
Orrin Parsons. .1830
Martin Gray 1861
Daniel D. Walker. 1836
William E. Gordon. 1863
Harvey Bennett
1864
William E. Gordon. 1865
Charles H. Wallace 1866
J. Manly Young. .1869
Lorin Edmunds
Charles H. Wallace 1861
John Lawrence. 1835
George W. Miller .1835
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HISTORY OF WASIITENAW COUNTY.
township of Saline; this was burned in a short time after, and a new one erected, owing to the advice and co-operation of Orrin Parsons.
SALINE VILLAGE.
Among the villages of Michigan there is not one, perhaps, which surpasses Saline in beauty of location, regularity of streets, or in the neatness of its commercial and dwelling houses. The people belong to that class known as progressionists, who seize upon every opportunity to build up the interests of their town. This is apparent in the number of business blocks which they have erected, in their principal school-building, in their churches, and in the taste displayed in the homes of the people generally. The business center of the village presents a busy scene that bears a very favorable contrast with the commercial quarters of much larger towns, so that it may be truly said, Saline forms one of the most pleasant little centers of population in Michigan.
SETTLEMENT.
Aug. 12, 1824, Orange Risdon entered the northeast quarter of section 1, township 4 south, of range 6 east. Mr. Risdon, who had penetrated every nook and corner of this fair county, doubt- less selected this spot for the foundation of a future great city. That the selection was well chosen cannot be doubted by any who have visited the place. Surrounded on all sides by a lovely coun- try capable of producing food for a multitude, with fuel in abun- dance and water for manufacturing purposes, it would seem that no mistake could have been made. Long years before Mr. Risdon set foot on this soil, the red men had here a large village. No less than six trails have been discovered leading to this point, and it is an acknowledged fact the Indian never makes a mistake in the se- lection of a site for a village.
About one mile south is the famous salt spring, of which men- tion has been made in the history of the town, near where Leon- ard Miller and Daniel Cross erected their cabins and "kept hotel " as early as 1826. The Detroit & Chicago road, which was sur- veyed by Mr. Risdon, passed through this section, making it on the line of the great highway to the West. Everything thus seemed to be propitious for the building up of a flourishing village or city at this point. Accordingly, in September, 1832, Mr. Risdon surveyed and platted the village to which he gave the name of SALINE, after town and river which was already so named. Since the original survey was made there have been several additions made to the village, the first of which was in January, 1848. by David S. Haywood. After Mr. Haywood, no further additions were made until after the completion of the D., H. & S. W. railroad, the ad- veit of which gave an additional impetus to the growth of the vil.
1379
SALINE TOWNSHIP.
lage. In May, 1870, A. H. Risdon made a large addition to the village plat, and was followed a few months later by Harvey Ben- nett, who surveyed and platted a number of blocks in the town of Lodi joining the village on the north. In October, 1871, Russell Mills made an addition, the last made. It is proper to say these additions were only made as the growth of the village seemed to demand.
The first house built upon the original site of the village, was by Orange Risdon, in 1829. Here for about 10 years Mr. Risdon engaged in the business of an inn-keeper, the house enjoying an excellent reputation far and near. At this house the first town election was held.
Some time before Mr. Risdon platted the village, Mr. Finch came to the place from the State of New York, and proposed to establish himself in the mercantile trade. For want of more suit- able accommodations, Mr. Risdon rented him his parlor, and in this room goods were first sold in the village of Saline. In the summer of 1832 Mr. Finch erected the first store building on the corner of Chicago and Adrian streets, the same building now occu- pied by J. Mckinnon & Son. However, a small shanty stood on the opposite corner. Caleb Van Husen was next to engage in gen- eral mercantile trade, and was for many years a successful merchant in the place. Since Mr. Van Husen's time many others have en- gaged in the same and kindred lines of trade, some of whom have proven successful, and others not. Trade, as a general thing, has always been profitable, the village attracting trade for many miles around it.
MANUFACTORIES.
While not considered a manufacturing village, yet there has always been more or less done in this line. The mills in the vil- lage and vicinity deserve special mention in this connection.
Schuyler Mills .-- This mill is located about one-half mile west of Saline village, and was built about 1845 by Schuyler Haywood, a native of Barnegat, New Jersey. Mr. Haywood found a suffi- cient supply of running water for his purpose, and so when first built the mill was run by what is known as a " breast wheel." This wheel was about 18 feet long and 16 feet in diameter, and 18 yoke of cattle were required to bring the shaft-which was three feet thick -- about one mile. Mr. Haywood, after running the mill for some 10 years, sold out to Jacob Sherman, and he, after two years, to William H. Pattison, who ran it successfully till 1866, when he disposed of it to John A. Klein, who has since then operated it. Under the supervision of Mr. Haywood, the mill was used to the best advantage and turned out an average of 25 barrels of flour per day, exclusive of custom work, which at that time was estimated at $20,000 yearly. Since Mr. Klein has become the proprietor, the mill has been doing only a fair amount of merchant
1380
*
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
and custom work, but making flour of the very best quality. Three grades of flour are made, and the patent flour finds a ready sale in the larger cities of Ann Arbor and Detroit, mostly at the latter place. Three sets of burrs are used in the mill-two for flour and one for corn. The mill is run altogether by water-power, and Mr. Klein has recently added the Excelsior Turbine Water-wheel and patent Eureka machine. The mill is a structure of three stories and a basement, and stands at a place where the old "Chicago turnpike" crosses the Saline river.
Reference has been made to the first saw-mill erected by Orrin Parsons. In 1836 the first grist-mill was built also by Orrin Parsons. It contained two run of stone, and was erected on section 13. It was enlarged in 1842. This building as enlarged was 50x63 feet, five stories high on the east side, and three on the west. The capacity of the mill was 30 barrels flour and custom work per day. The building and machinery cost about $20,000. The breast-wheel used for this mill was 15 feet long and 18 feet high.
Schairer Bros .-- The gentlemen comprising this firm have sev. eral buildings situated on the south side of Chicago street, and do quite an extensive business in the manufacture of wagons, buggies, fine carriages, and harness. The business was established in 1870, and since then has grown to be one among the many noted manu- factories of Washtenaw county. They carry a stock of $3,000, and their average sales amount to some $13,000. They occupy two large buildings, and have in connection a large blacksmith shop.
Tannery .- In 1853 James Seeley started a tannery in a build- ing 50x25 feet, and tried to build up a trade by honest and fair dealing with everybody. In the spring of 1857 Christian Helber purchased this building and trade of Mr. Seely, and immediately went to work to better the building and apparatus pertaining thereto, and to make for his leather a reputation second to none in this part of Michigan. He enlarged the buildings, placed better facilities for the manufacture of leather in them, and gave his son, Eugene Helber, charge of the work. The tannery proper is 25x50 feet, two stories and a base- ment, and situated on Henry, between Adrian and Russell streets. Mr. Helber has some 200 cords of oak-bark always on hand to use in the coloring business. In the manufacture of heavy harness leather, Mr. Helber has surpassed his own expectations, and en- joys a reputation among leather-dealers of making a quality which is hardly excelled in the West. His leather passes through some 24 vats and two large tanks in the process of tanning, and finds a ready sale in the cities of Chicago and Detroit. Some years ago the senior Helber turned over the establishment to his son, Eugene, who now has full control of the business.
Saline Windmill .- J. G. Gross & Bros., the manufacturers of this mill, bought out the firm which occupied a building on West Chicago street, and started the pump and windmill business on
1381
SALINE TOWNSHIP.
Nov. 16, 1875, had patented the "Saline Standard Windmill," which they now manufacture. They occupy one large manufact- uring building, one pattern shop and blacksmith shop, and have in their employ 12 men. They also deal extensively in Fairbank scales and farm implements, and carry a stock of about $1,500, while their annual sales amount to nearly $18,000. The "Standard "mill has secured an enviable reputation throughout the surrounding country. A foundry was formerly in connection with the shops, but has been discontinued.
Wagon Shop .- The manufacturing establishment of William R. Crane is situated on Russel street, south of Chicago street in Saline village. He turns out a very good quality of wagons, cutters and carriages, and also has in connection a shop where general repair- ing is done and satisfaction guaranteed.
RELIGIOUS.
A settlement is no sooner made in a new country than the min- ister of the gospel of Christ makes his appearance, proclaiming the gospel of the Son of God. He waits not for palatial meeting- houses, but is content to break the bread of life in log school- houses, barns, or in the hospitable cabin of the hardy pioneer. The settlement in and around the village of Saline was no exception to the general rule. The Methodist circuit-rider, the Baptist and Presbyterian missionaries, were early in the field, and the invitation was given to all to "partake of the waters of life freely."
The First Baptist Church of Saline, Mich., was organized in 1831, in the house of Deacon Jesse Stephens, who, with John Smith, were at that time ordained the first deacons of the Church. Rev. Thomas Bodley, of Saline, assisted by Rev. Mr. Lamb. of Plymouth, were present. Mr. Bodley became the first pastor. The constituent members of the Church were: Rev. Thomas Bodley and wife, Deacon Jesse Stephens and wife, Deacon John Smith, Lorin Edmonds and Anna Ford-seven members in all. It has a history 49 years old. During this time 17 pastors have served the Church, viz .: Thomas Bodley. J. S. Goodman, J. Mitchell, Mr. Munger, J. O. Birdsall, J. A. Keyes, Charles Evans, I. K. Brown- son, J. I. Fulton, L. Adams, J. C. Armstrong, C. E. B. Armstrong, O. D. Taylor, C. F. Nicholson, A. M. Allyn, G. M. Adams and H. M. Gallup. The 16 pastorates from the first average just three years each.
One of the most extensive revivals the Church ever experienced was during the labors of Rev. J. A. Keyes. For many months there were baptisms into the Church each month. The earlier records of the Church cannot be found, so that the history of pre- vious revivals connot be given. The Church has given several of its young men to the gospel ministry, viz .: P. Van Winkle, Geo. H. Hickox, and Jesse Boyden. The Church has held a willing, helping hand to all the benevolent work of the day-home missions
1382
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
foreign missions, domestic missions, Bible cause, and Publication Society. It has had its anti-slavery trials, and its war against in- temperance, early placing on its records its strong opposition to all forms of this gigantic evil.
The present house of worship was built in 1837, a noble monu- ment of the patience, faith and hope of that period.
The foregoing account we have from Rev. H. M. Gallup.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
as will be seen by the following certificate, was organized in New- ark, Wayne Co .:
The following persons, members of the Presbyterian Church at Newark, Wayne Co., N. Y., are about to leave this part of the country and settle in Michigan : Peter Cook, Jacob Cook, Rachel Cook, Eve Cook, Abraham Cook, Betsy Cook, David Hathaway, Phoebe Hathaway, Ira Hathaway, John Kanouse, jr., Sally Ann Hathaway, Nelly Kanouse. They were dismissed from said Church on the 22d day of May, 1831, and were organized into a Church at Newark aforesaid, on said 22d day of May. THEODORE PARTRIDGE,
Clerk of the Session of the Church at Newark.
The members of this Church left Newark with their families on the 23d of May, 1831, and landed at Detroit, Mich., on the 29th of the same month, all in health. A portion of the Church remained in Detroit two weeks; the others proceeded westward to the town of Saline, where they made a purchase of lands, and where in the good providence of God, all the colony settled together. On the 18th day of July, 1831, the Church assembled together and determined to take the name of the Presbyterian Church of Saline, and pro- ceed to act as a Church in this place. Rev. Reuben Sears was pres- ent at this meeting and remained with the Church five Sabbaths as stated supply. David Hathaway, Jacob Cook and Peter Cook were chosen elders before leaving New York. At nearly every com- munion season for some time following, additions were made to the Church. Meetings were held in private houses, school-houses, and in the meeting houses of other denominations until 1842, when a church edifice was erected, where the congregation have since met for worship. The Church has enjoyed the ministerial services of Rev. Mr. Wells, Bowton, Russell Whiting, Calvin Clark, A. D. Dunlap, Mr. Taylor, and doubtless others, as supplies, or occasional ministers, and of Rev. J. G. Kanouse, 12 years; E. P. Marvin, 2 years; Robert Laird, 3 years; L. J. Root, 2 years; Benjamin Frank- lin, 8 years; J. A. Marshall, 4 years; F. K. Adams, 2 years; Na- than B. Knapp, 3 years; Benjamin Parsons, 3 years; David L. Murray, 2 years; George C. Bush, since 1879, as pastors.
Methodist Episcopal .- The Church was organized by Rev. J. F. Davidson, who was the preacher in charge of Tecumseh circuit, the Rev. Thomas Wiley, his colleague. Rev. E. H. Pilcher, at the earnest request of the wife of Mr. Ansyl Ford had preached once or twice; he was'entreated to make an appointment, but he left the
1383
SALINE TOWNSHIP.
charge about this time, and was succeeded by the above ministers. The date of the formation of the class or society was Feb. 12, 1833. It consisted of Mrs. Ansyl Ford. By recognition she had joined the Baptist Church, and they refused to give her a letter, and two men who had letters,-one who upon Bro. Davidson's talking with him requested to be dropped, and Conrad Dubois, who soon after left the country, leaving this good woman alone. Her husband was converted at a quarterly meeting held at Tecumseh, March 10, 1833, and he joined with several others at that time. Father Jo- seph Bangs held a two-days' meeting in the Union District, at which there were a number of conversions, among whom was James Irvine, who was appointed the leader. A class was organized in Saline village by Rev. Bradford Frazer in the latter part of 1833 or early in 1834. A Mr. Burd was its leader, who was a cabinet- maker.
In the latter part of this year Mr. Ansyl Ford purchased a small building of a Major Keits, which he had erected for an Episcopal church, paying for the lot and building $400. A board of trustees was organized, comprising Ansyl Ford, Henry A. Francisco, Allan Burnham, John P. Marvin, Salmon S. Haight, David I. Gilbert and Samuel Kellogg. A lot was secured from O. Risdon, Esq., who generously had promised a lot to any religious society who should build a house of worship. This gave the society a pleas- ant location.
The first death in the society was that of Harriet Newell Mills, wife of Russell Mills, March 19, 1835, at the age of 19 years and 10 months. She was a sister of A. D. Sumner, and was said to be a very estimable young lady. In the summer following two of the members, Allan Burnham and Denis Kelly, were killed by lightning and their bodies burned up in the building.
In the summer of 1839 a house was purchased for a parsonage, for $300, from Mr. McBane, who was leaving for the village.
Revs. Thomas H. Jacokes and Jeremy Boyington, of the Michigan Conference, and A. J. Richards, of the Detroit Conference, were all recommended from the quarterly conference of Saline.
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