History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 161

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 161

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ELDER GOODMAN,

a Baptist clergyman who came from England, did much toward the moral and intellectual development of the early settlers in this township. Once a week he held meetings in the first school-house

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

built in the town. He either read to them from the history of England or talked to them on religious subjects. His kindness and self-denying devotion to the cause of truth earned for him many friends, and the young, especially, formed a strong attachment to him, and learned from him many useful lessons not soon to be for- gotten.

Mr. Aaron R. Wheeler now owns, and since 1833 has occupied, the old homestead of Snow. Among others may be mentioned the names of Captain Thayer, Hall brothers, and Mrs. Smith, who came from Ohio in company with Alanson Snow, and settled here in an early day. Capt. John Thayer was Captain of one of the vessels on the lakes during the war of 1812. The privations of early pioneers can hardly be realized in these days of plenty. Capt. Thayer en- dured hardships peculiar to pioneer life. Among some of his trials may be mentioned that of his trying to quiet his children by singing to them, when they were crying from hunger. The heroic fortitude of his daughter Abigail, a girl of sixteen, entitles her to be ranked among the Spaldings, Langstones, Harts and Dariuses of Revolutionary fame. Her father had a "sugar bush" some two miles from his house, situated in a dense forest populated by bears, wolves panthers and other wild animals, and Abigailattended the " bush " herself. She stayed there night and day alone. Her lodge was in a hollow tree, which her father fitted up for her con- venience. The names of Oscar McClouth, Samuel Bishop, the Shaws, Wm. Richards, John Parsons, Lander LeBaron, Ephraim Judd, Josiah Hathaway, Dea. Lorin Moore, may also be mentioned among the early settlers. Josiah Hathaway and Thomas Shaw are still living and in this town. Among other early settlers we must not forget to mention Mr. French, a soldier of the war of 1812. He lost a leg in that war, and had a wooden one. He was very generous, and was of great help to the early settlers, using his pen- sion very often in alleviating their wants. We may add right here that it must not be forgotten that at this early day there was an abundance of wild game and that the maples afforded an abundance of molasses and sugar. Had it not been for this, the pioneers would have suffered more than they did for the necessaries of life. That the aborigines were artists, though of a rude order, was seen from the traces they left on the trees. Images of bears, deer and turkey, were found cut in the bark of beech trees, and very correct representations they were. In one instance there was found en- graven on a tree, on a farm adjoining that of the writer, a white man running followed closely by an Indian with a drawn tomahawk. This was said to be a warning to the first surveyors, if any one at- tempted to colonize here.

There were other pioneers of York, who deserve attention. Jacob Cook, who lived farther north, was one of the early pioneers. He came in 1830. His nearest neighbor was four miles distant. Caleb Moore, Lorain Moore, Daniel Carpenter, Sheffield Newton, Isaac Clark, and Jesse Warner were among the first settlers.

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YORK TOWNSHIP.

Humphrey Davenport settled on the very southwest corner of York in 1833. In other parts of the township were Matthew Salisbury, Aaron Wheeler, Arthur Coe, the Kelseys and LeBarons; and among the very earliest settlers were the Shaws, James Miller, Conrad Redner, and Casey Starks, who came from 1824 to 30.

YORK IN 1833.

David Berdan's reminiscences of this portion of Washtenaw form an unvarnished story. He looks back to the township through spectacles 48 years older than they were when he beheld the village of Mooreville first; he names a few of his earliest friends, and speaks of those who tendered him hospitality on his arrival, in a plain, manly strain :

"I came to this country in 1833. As my finances were rather limited, I could not settle in Plymouth with my friends; therefore, I had to go back, as it was called, and seek a home at first cost. I came from Plymouth to this place by way of Ypsilanti, which was a very inferior little hamlet, and Saline was next to no place. Mr. Risdon kept a tavern where Mr. Davenport now lives, and his sign stood out in the commons. Mr. Mckinnon's store and a few others comprised Saline. As 'Squire Moore came from the same part of the country I did, I wended my way to Mooreville. The way I went I found Mooreville before I found its father, which was 'Squire Moore. Mooreville, all told, was one log house, which stood about where the Methodist church now stands. Well, I found the 'Squire, and inquired of him if he knew of any Govern- ment land. He said there had been a nice ridge discovered the winter before, and it was being taken up very rapidly. He showed me my place, and I bought it, and have been there most of the time since, four miles from Mooreville. Besides 'Squire Moore, who lived near Mooreville, were Isaac and David Hathaway, Dr. Bowers and Mr. Wolcott, who were there before I came.

" I must relate a little incident that occurred the first winter I lived up in the woods. 'Squire Moore and Mr. Hathaway came to visit me and see how I got along. The 'Squire remarked to me that I should have a pig, as every family should, to eat the crumbs from the table. Well, I bargained with him for one, but the ques- tion was, how to get it home. Not a very long time after that, I had a friend come to see me from Clinton, with a yoke of oxen; and how do you think I fed the oxen ? We unhitched them from the wagon and turned them up to a brush heap ! I guess they were sat- isfied, for they didn't find any fault. The next morning was Sun- day. My visitor and I took the oxen from the brush heap, and started for 'Squire Moore's (four miles) for some hay for the oxen. We arrived there after awhile and got our hay, and were about ready to start back when I happened to think of the pig I had bar- gained for. The 'Squire being a good old Baptist, I felt a little delicate about asking him for it on Sunday. But the opportunity

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

wss so good (I didn't know as I'd ever have another chance to get the pig), that I mustered up courage to speak to him in regard to it. The 'Squire hesitated a little, but finally said he, 'I guess there will be no harm in it; you may catch it, but don't let it squeal.' I took the pig, the first live animal I ever owned in Michigan.

"Before I had a house on my place, I put up with 'Squire Moore considerably; and I must say that he and his wife were as kind as any people I ever met. He was quite a useful man in matters of State; was Justice of the Peace, went to the State Legislature, etc. He was also instrumental in founding the Baptist church at Moore- ville As I was the first settler up there, the new comers naturally came to me to get acquainted and know the lay of the land, etc .; and soon there were quite a number of settlers in there, and as friendly as can be imagined.

"'Squire Moore left a family which a President might be proud of-six sons and one daughter-among which were one minister and two lawyers. The minister. Lyman, died at Marshall. One lawyer, Oliver, died in the employ of the Government at Washing- ton. The other lawyer is no less a personage than William A. Moore, of Detroit. "

Mr. Berdan recites the names of a few settlers who occupied the land before his coming, but, as their names are hitherto given, this paragraph of his reminisences is omitted. In concluding bis paper he states: "This is the best account I can give of York from my own knowledge and hearsay history.

" And now let us remember the poor pioneers, Who came from all States of the East, And remember them also as brave volunteers Who dare settle among the wild beasts -- Where the bears and wolves unmolested did roam, And the nimble deer skipped about ;

Where the red man from time immemoral did roam. And made the woods ring with a shout,

Who wandered about with their quiver and bow, And also their fish-hook and line. Why they were put here we none of us know, But it seems it was done by design ;

But now they are gone, also the wild beasts, And a new generation is here

To enjoy the proceeds, and luxurous feasts, Of the toils of the poor pioneer. But yet, my young friends, you have something to do, Whatever the course you may steer ;

As it has been with us, so it may be with you ; Some of you may become pioneers. "

INDUSTRIES.

York Mills .-- This mill is situated on Spring Brook near the river, about one mile south of the center of the village. It was erected in 1836 by Moses Rider, who shortly afterwards sold it toEzekiel J. Moore, who in turn disposed of it to Ralph and Edwin Mead. It then successively passed into the hands of David S. Haywood, Caleb

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YORK TOWNSHIP.

Van Husen and Levi H. Reynolds and Caleb Van Husen. In 1851, Mr. Van Husen sold it to Daniel D. Wallace, who improved the property by the addition of a wing on the west. In the course of time Mr. Wallace deeded it back to Van Husen, but in 1868, it was again sold, Robert Brooks being the purchaser. Mr. Brooks ran it for a short time, but without success, and was compelled to assign it to William H. Davenport. In 1872 Mr. Davenport dis- posed of it to William H. Druse. Up to the time of Brooks the mill had always been run by water power, but on passing into his hands he built an addition and put in a 42-horse power engine, thus enabling the mill to run at all seasons of the year and to use either water or steam. In November, 1875, Mr. Druse sold to the present proprietors, J. G. Hoyt & Son. The mill bas three run of stone and is run to its utmost capacity, using some 18,000 bushels of wheat per year, in custom work. In the spring of 1880 in addi- tion to the standard grades of flour, the firm began manufacturing the new-process flour. In 1878 a stave and heading factory was started in connection with the mill, which has proven a successful and remunerative venture. Ten men find employment in mill and factory.

The first saw-mill was built at Mooreville by Isaac Hathaway in 1832.

The second saw-mill was built by Aaron R. Wheeler on Honey creek, running through the farm he still occupies.

In the fall of 1833, another saw-mill was built on Mill brook by Baugham & Co., in 1838.

At that time these mills furnished lumber for nearly all the buildings in Washtenaw county, especially the central part.

Now there are three manufactories in the township, a cheese factory, a cider mill and a steam saw-mill at Mooreville, and a stave factory and a sash and blind factory at Milan.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first house was built on the farm now owned by Horace Par- sons, the second upon the neighboring farm of Leander LeBaron. Both houses were built of log

The first store in the town, was opened by Elijah Ellis about 1835, at Milan.

As near as can be ascertained, the first marriage was that of Arby Lampson to Esther Bonner in 1830, Rev. John Walworth officiating.

Their first child, born in the fall of 1831, was the first child born in the town.

The first death was that of Aretus Belding which occurred in the fall of 1831. Rev. John Walworth preached the funeral ser- mon. Mr. Belding was a partner of Jonathan G. Morton, who kept first store at Ypsilanti.

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Wm. Moore and Aaron R. Wheeler were the first Justices of the Peace in York. They were appointed by the Governor of the Ter- ritory of Michigan.

The first law-suit was tried before A. R. Wheeler, Esq.,-Sackett vs. Wm. Fuller, defendant. Wm. Davis acted as attorney for de- fendant. Case decided in favor of plaintiff.

The first township meeting, April, 1834.

The first Supervisor was the Hon. Wm. Moore.

The first Township Clerk was Othniel Gooding.

The first school-house was erected in 1831, and opened under Washington Morton, in November, 1831.

The first ballot ever cast in the township was by Wm.&Marvin, Jr., in 1834.

Rev. John Walworth preached the first sermon in the township.

VILLAGES OF YORK.

Mooreville, called after its founder, John Moore, who came from New York and settled here in an early day. is a small hamlet situ- ated on the Saline river, about six miles from Saline. It contains two stores, one hotel, a steam saw-mill, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, a cheese factory, five churches and a fine new school building. It has a daily mail. Lumber and cheese are the chief manufactures. Its present post-mistress is Mrs. Dr. Bowers. Dr. F. F. Oakley, who was a surgeon in the late war, and who is well known throughout the surrounding country as a successful phys- ician and surgeon, is located here.

MILAN.

partly in this township and in the town of Milan, Monroe county, is also situated on the Saline river. It derived its name from the town of Milan. The first postoffice was established here about thirty-five years ago. Hon. D. A. Woodward, first postmaster. Miss Nettie Palmer is the postmistress at present. The first set- tlement was made by Mr. Marvin, father of Hon. Jarvis Marvin. Its railroad facilities consist of the T. A. & A. R. and D. & B. raildoads; while its ease of access and convenience of landing freight are seldom excelled. The trade transacted by its business firms is good, and steadily increasing. It contains four dry-goods stores, one grocery store, one boot and shoe store, one news office and jewelry store combined, one hardware, one drug store, two millin- ery stores, two wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, one dry house, two hotels and one church. As an illustration of the enterprising spirit of its inhabitants, we have but to point to the fine residence of C. D. Blackmar and the almost palatial residences of Dr. Bes- sac and Mr. Burt, now being built. A large stave factory and cider mill combined is situated in this village. The chief manufactures

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YORK TOWNSHIP.

are flour, lumber, brick, staves, hoops and barrels. Its leading shipments are wheat, wool, wood, apples and pork.

CHURCHES.

Rev. John Walworth, of the Christian denomination, preached the first sermon in the house of Stephen Bonner. Now there are seven churches in the town, two Baptist, two Methodist, one Epis- copal, one Universalist and one Union church. The names of the pastors are as follows: Rev. Henry F. Cochran, of the York Baptist Church, Rev. J. Fisher, of the Mooreville Baptist Church, Rev. Dunning, of the M. E. Church at Mooreville. There are no regu- lar pastors at the other churches.

Baptist Church .- A brief history of the first Church in the town will not be inappropriate. Since it was of the Baptist faith, we can do no better than copy a few extracts from a brief history of the York Baptist Church, a paper prepared for the Wash- tenaw Baptist Association, and read before that society in 1868: "In the year 1831 a few Baptists settled in the west part of the town, then almost an unbroken wilderness, and, although destitute of the preaching of the gospel, yet they observed the Lord's day, meeting for the reading of the Scriptures, prayer and conference. The little band continued their meetings about a year, when Rev. Bradbury Clay, seeking a home in regions beyond, here found him- self so deeply settled and established in the land, that farther pro- gress was impossible. The good man, looking about for assistance, called on Mr. Wm. Moore, an earnest Baptist Christian. A mutual acquaintance was soon formed. Mr. Clay was pressed to tarry and preach to them. He consented, and the result was his settlement with them as their first pastor.

" The first effort on record toward the formation of a Church oc- curred Ang. 10, 1832. Met Aug. 31 pursuant to adjournment. After a season of prayer and conference, resolved unanimously to form themselves into a Church, and Elder Clay gave them the hand of fellowship as a Church of Christ, to be known as the First Baptist Church of Mooreville. It numbered about ten persons, and Mr. L. Moore was chosen deacon. Mr. Clay remained with the little band about two years, and several were added to them by letter during that period. In 1834 several brethren and sisters settled in the east part of the town who desired Church privileges in their new home in the new country. For the convenience of the brethren and the good of the Church, they decided to hold their meetings alternately at Mooreville and York, changing the name from the former to the latter, their number having increased to . about 30. In May, 1834, Mr. Brigham visited them and preached one year, 15 having been added by letter in that time. In May, 1835, the first baptismal occasion occurs.

"The next pastor was Rev. G. D. Simmons. In October the same year, the Church resolved to build a place of worship, and a log

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

structure was erected soon after, in which they worshipped 12 years. The writer will simply add that many a glorious revival occurred in the old log house. Much seed that was then sown is now bearing fruit through the direct agency of Christian men and women who date their conversion to those early days. This Church has enjoyed many seasons of prosperity and seasons of depression, but it still lives."

The present officers are: Clerk, W. W. Kelsey; Deacons, A. R. Wheeler, Othniel Gooding, Sr., J. U. Fuller and Henry Kelsey. The average attendance at the Sunday-school is 50; its Superin- tendent, B. F. Gooding.

Episcopal Church of Mooreville .- The ground on which this building is located was deeded to the vestrymen of the Church by Thomas J. Olcott and wife, May 1, 1860. The vestrymen were Asahel Edson, Thomas J. Olcott, Richard Alchin, Alexander Mc- Mullen and William McMullen The same day the grond was deeded, Rev. Darius Parker, of Clinton, laid the corner stone. Conflicting circumstances hindered the completion of the building until 1863, since which time there has been occasional services in the church by different clergy, but the organization does not num- ber members enough to support a resident minister.

Union Church .- There is but one organized religious society at Milton, the M. E .; and in 1866, they erected a Union Church to be used by all Christian denominations. The building is 35x50 feet in size, and 19 feet in height, and cost $3,500. The present trus- tees are :- H. Allen, J. Gamulett, P. Case, M. C. Edwards, and C. H. Wilson. The M. E., Presbyterian, Baptist and Universalist societies usually have the use of the church.

Universalist Church .-- In December, 1877, Rev. J. B. Gilman. of Manchester, assisted by Revs. Sisson, Crane and Gibbs, held a three days meeting in York tp., for the purpose of organizing a Universalist Society. A Ladies' Aid Society was formed, and the cause went rapidly forward. In February, 1878, the society was formally organized with Rev. Gilman (now of Macomb, Ill.,) as its first pastor. The Ladies' Aid Society gave entertainments, etc., and in one year accumulated $1,048. The Church Society and its friends decided on the erection of a structure in which to wor- ship; a site was selected, and under the supervision of the officers of the Church, an edifice costing $3,000 was erected. This was furnished throughout by the amount raised by the Ladies' Aid So- ciety. The dedicatory sermon was preached early in 1880 by Rev. Stocking, of Lansing, and it was a very happy and enjoyable occa- sion. Rev. Gilman was succeeded by Rev. V. A. Saxton, who is the present pastor. The society is in a healthy and flourishing condition, and give promise of doing much good in the future.

TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.

The first school-house was built on section 18 in the fall of 1831. It was built of logs by one Burtis Hoag. He furnished all of the

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YORK TOWNSHIP.

material and was paid $50. Washington Morton taught the first school in the winter of 1831. At the present date of writing (fall of 1880), the number of school districts are eleven, seven of which are fractional. There are eight school-houses in York, valued at about $10,000.

YORK TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-SUPERVISORS.

Noah Wolcott. 1834

William Moore. 1835-6

Lyman Carver. 1837

H. H. Brinkerhoff 1857-8

Jacob Cook .. 1838-9

Thomas Gray.

1859-64

Uzziel Kanouse. 1840

Peter Cook.

1865-72

John Kanouse. 1841-2

Jesse Warner. 1873-6

Lyman Carver 1843-8

Caleb Moore. 1849

James M. Kelsey 1850

John W. Blakeslee. 1880

CLERKS.

William T. Stone. 1834

Othniel Gooding. 1835

Peter Cook. 1857

William T. Stone

1836

James Lawrence. 1858

Othniel Gooding 1837

Easton D. Gilman. 1859

Calvin Douglas. 1838

James Lawrence. 1860-9

Edward Webb.

1839-42

A. D. Jackson 1870-1

Othniel Gooding. 1843-8

Edward Webb ..

1848

Allen B. Hanson 1873

Othniel Gooding

1849-50

W. W. Kelsey 1874-6

Edward Webb .. .1851

C. W. Blackmer 1877

Asahorel Sanford.

1852-3

A. D. Jackson

1878-80

TREASURERS.

James Hankeson 1834-7

Josiah Hathaway 1838

William Davis.

1839

Donald McIntyre. 1840

Horace Barnard. 1841

J. W. Blakeslee, sen .1842

Milton R. Moore. 1843

James Dunning 1844-6

Daniel Le Baron. 1847-8

Myron Webb ... 1849

Henry W. Moore 1850

Myron Webb. 1851

Jerome Gooding. 1852

Jacob C. Hathaway 1853

Noah G. Kelsey 1854-6

John Cook. 1857

William Dexter. 1858

Milo Clark. 1859

Horace Shepard. 1860-4

Henry Rearick. 1865

William J. Jackson. 1866

C. C. Sangree 1867-8

H. T. Le Baron. . . 1869-70

T. C. Kanouse.

1871-2

Nahum A. Waugh 1873-4

Alfred Davenport 1875-6

Geo. F. Richards.

1877-8

Franklin Butler

1879-80

Jesse Warner .. 1879

Caleb Moore ..

1851-2 -

James M. Kelsey 1853

Caleb Moore. 1854-6

John W. Blakeslee 1877-8

Othniel Gooding. 1854-6

C. C. Sangree. 1872

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Wm. Moore .1836

J. R. Bowers 1858

Wm. T. Stone. 1836

Thos. Braman 1859

Albert Warren. 1836

S. B. Newton. 1860

Daniel E. Kelsey 1837

Peter Cook. 1861

Jarvis E. Marvin. 1838

J. R. Bowers. .1862

William Lake 1839

A. H. Hotchkin 1863

J. R. Bowers. 1840

1841

J. M. Kelsey

1865

I. B. Hathaway 1842

J. R. Bowers

1866

James M Kelsey 1843

A. H. Hotchkin

1867

Milton R. Moore. 1844

J. U. Fuller 1868

Uzziel Kanouse

1845

Daniel Carpenter

1846

James M. Kesley

1847

Milton R. Moore 1848

S. H. Gay 1872

George Sperry 1849

J. A. Jackson. 1873

John Kanouse. .1850

E. A. Reynolds 1874

A. B. Graves .. 1851

John W. Blakeslee 1875

James M. Kelsey 1852

Allen B. Hanson 1876

Geo. Sperry. 1853

Truman Carpenter. 1877

L. C. Allen. 1854

James Doyle. 1878

Thomas Gray 1855

John A. Jackson. 1879

James M Kelsey 1856

James Gauntlett, sr 1880

Jesse Headon. .

1857

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

In the personal sketches succeeding, are many incidents of early settlement, entertaining and instructive. The foregoing historical sketch embraces much subject matter, of a valuable character; but to prevent, as far as possible the repetition of facts, nothing that has been fully treated in the biographical collection, is mentioned in the history proper.

Hon. L. C. Allen, was born Sept. 21, at the close of that cold summer of 1816, in the town of Huntington, Chittenden Co., Vermont, in one of those deep valleys which abound so plentifully among the green mountains. He was the 4th of 6 brothers-Harmon, Abel, Carlos, Lovatus Chapman (the present subject) Cyrus and Harry. Three sisters were also raised to woomanhood-Charlotte, Maria and Laura. The 3 sisters and Cyrus have gone, the rest remain. Their father, Edward Allen, was a native of Connecticut and the son of Elihu Allen, who was a cousin of the celebrated Ethan Allen, of Ticonderoga fame. The Allens emi- grated to Vermont from Connecticut some time before the Revolutionary war, and Edward, the father of L. C., at the age of 17, enlisted and served during the last three years of the war, for which the Government gave him a pension during a few of the last years of his life. He was the surveyor for quite an ex- tensive neighborhood during its early settlement. L. C.'s mother was Abigail, nee Palmer, who also was a native of Connecticut.

Mr. Allen commenced his education at a little log school-house on one corner of his father's farm during the summer before he was three years old. His mother has told him that she sent the older boys to school and he would run away and go too, and as he made fair progress in learning, and was out of her way, she was quite willing he should go. He himself now distinctly remem- bers going there to school before he wore trousers. At the age of about six his family removed to the town of Richmond, where he was raised during the rest of his minority, going to school summers till about 9 or 10 years old, and then about three months a year during the winter when the snow was not too deep to get there. His most vivid recollections during these years are. wallowing through the snow and going over the drifts on the crust, digging houses in the drifts, and

E. A. Reynolds. 1869

J. R. Bowers 1870

R. Salsbury 1871

J. U. Fuller 1864

T. J. Olcott.

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YORK TOWNSHIP.

wrestling at school. At the age of 18 he went to an academy about four weeks, and then took a large school where there were many larger scholars and some boys larger and older than himself. He taught this school three months. He worked at home during the next summer, and in the fall took another term of five weeks in an academy, and in the ensuing winter taught another school, with better success.

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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 161

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