History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 164

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 164

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E. O. Parker, farmer, sec. 22; P. O., Nora; was born in this county Sept 9, 1827, and is a son of Ezra and Evaline (Seymour) Parker. Mr. Parker was married in 1853 to Mrs. Sarah (Warner)Harman, who was born in New York April 14, 1825, and daughter of Jesse and Margaret Warner. Three children have been given to bless this union-Helen M., Lizzie M. and Clark W. Mrs. Parker has 1 child, Estella Harman, by her former marriage. Mr. Parker claims to be the first white child born in Webster tp. He is a Democrat and owns 13 acres of land.

Parley Phillips (deceased) was born in New York in 1812, and emigrated to Michigan in 1836. He located on sec. 19, York tp., where he passed the remainder of his days. He was married in 1839 to Mary Warner, who was born in New

1434

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

York in 1817, daughter of Jesse and Margaret Warner, who settled in this county in 1830. Seven children were given to this union, 5 of whom survive- Henrietta, wife of Benjamin Martin, of Bay City, Mich .; Sarah E., Milton, Ellen, wife of William Cook, of York tp., and Willard, who resides on the farm with his mother. William and an infant are deceased. Mr. Phillips was a Democrat in politics. He died in October, 1874, leaving 170 acres of valuable land.

George F. Richards, farmer, sec. 16, York tp .; P. O. Saline; was born in Washtenaw Co., Mich., Dec. 4, 1844. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Sibbert) Richards, natives of England, the former being a manufacturer of lace and watches. They emigrated to this county in 1830, and among the pioneers of this fair region George F. was reared to manhood, and on Oct. 17, 1873; was married to Esther L. Kelsie, born in this county July 3, 1845, daughter of James M. and Hannah (Dunning) Kelsie, natives of New York, who emigrated to Washtenaw county in 1834. Three children were sent to this marriage- Henry S., born Oct. 24, 1874; Ray D., born June 18, 1876, and Dora G., born Jan. 3, 1878. Mr. Richards has officiated in several township positions, and ranks among the better citizens of the county. He owns 160 acres of well-improved land. valued at $60 per acre.

John Richards, farmer, sec. 18, is a life resident of this county, and was born Feb. 10, 1832. His parents, William and Elizabeth Richards, were natives of England, and came to Michigan in 1829. Mr. Richards was married in 1858, to Laura A. Morton, born in this county Oct. 27, 1834, and daughter of Wash- ington and Laura Morton. Of the 7 children born to them, 6 are living- Ethelanda, Alfred C., William, Frederick, Charlotte, and Delbert E. John F. is deceased. Mr. Richards owns 124 acres of fertile land, and is a faithful adherent to the principles of the Republican party. His P. O. address is Saline.

Thomas Richards, farmer, sec. 25; P. O., Milan; was born in England, Sept. 17, 1825. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Sibbert) Richards, emi- grated to this county in 1830. Mr. Richards was married in 1847, to Urania Blakeslee, born in New York in 1839, and daughter of John and Urania Blakes- lee. They have 2 children-George B-, born in 1851, and Elizabeth P., born in 1855. Mr. Richards was U. S. mail agent for 12 years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a Republican. He owns 63 acres of land.

Clark Rogers, farmer, sec. 5; P. O., Saline; was born in New York, in 1813, and is a son of Francis Rogers. Mr. Rogers came to Washtenaw county in 1834, lo- cating in Pittsfield tp. He was married in New York in 1832, to Nancy Cotton, who was born in the Empire State, 1816, and is a daughter of Robert and Phoebe (McNair) Cotton. The fruit of this union are 12 children, 7 of whom are living-Edgar; Mary, wife of Walter Kanouse, of York tp .; Jane, wife of John Cowen; Spencer; Madaline wife of Daniel Pierce; Hebern and William. The deceased are Ira, Clarence, and 3 infants. Mr. Rogers is one of the old and honored pioneers of Washtenaw county, and has done much toward improving this large and prosperous county. He is Republican in politics.

J. E. Rogers, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 6, was born in New York, June 20, 1836, and is a son of Clark and Nancy (Carpenter) Rogers, natives of New York, who came to this county in 1834. Mr. Rogers was married Sept. 29, 1858, to Hattie Parsons, born in New York Aug. 9. 1839, and is a daughter of John and Harriet J. Parsons, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of New York. They came to this county in 1826. Of the 4 children born to this un- ion, 3 are living-Bert E., born Feb. 27, 1869; Ollie M., born July 10, 1871, and Linnie A., born March 13, 1879. Carrie was born, May 15, 1866, and died Aug. 24, 1869. Mr. Rogers is among the more energetic and enterprising citizens of the county. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mrs. Rogers' father is deceased, and her mother resides with them, on their farm of 160 acres. Mr. Rogers deals extensively in stock, and especially sheep, of which he always has from 300 to 400 head.

Ransom Salsbury, farmer, sec. 10, York tp., was born in Greene Co., N. Y., May 31, 1824. His parents were Matthew and Esther (Leslie) Salsbury, the former & native of Pennsylvania, of English descent, and the latter a native of New York, of Irish descent. They emigrated to this county in 1829, locating at Woodruff's Grove, now called Ypsilanti. The father was a carpenter, and was kept busy at his trade for several years. He built the greater portion of the first mills erected in that part of the county. He had 10 children, of whom Ransom was the 9th. He was reared on a farm, receiving but a limited education. He was married

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YORK TONWSHIP.

Dec. 22, 1850, to Margaret S. Throop, who was born in Canada, June 24, 1828, and daughter of Eli and Mary (Galloway) Throop, who came to this county in 1836. Two years later they removed to Hillsdale county, Mich. They were married Feb. 4, 1811. The father was born Aug. 16, 1787, and died Dec. 11, 1846; the mother was born June 12, 1788, and died Oct. 9, 1868. Five children have been given to Mr. and Mrs. Salsbury, 3 of whom are living-Franklin J., born Aug. 21, 1854, was married in 1878. to Mary Crane; Fred. A., born Aug. 24, 1860, and Lee R., born Nov. 6, 1869. Florence E was born May 8, 1852, and died Sept. 17, 1854, and Kittie was born Jan. 12, 1857, and lived but 10 days. Mr. Salsbury and wife have also taken 3 girls to raise, one of whom, Helen D., is the wife of H. S. Belden, of Ohio. The others are deceased. Mr. Salsbury has filled different tp. offices, and politically is a member of the Republican party. He has been very successful in life, and owns at present 160 acres of excellent farm land.

Christian C. Sangree, farmer, sec. 22; P. O., Saline; was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 14, 1829, son of Jacob and Anna (Shelby) Sangree. They came to this county in 1852. Mr. Sangree was married in Orange county, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1851, to Harriet Burnham, born in this county Dec. 24, 1834, and daughter of Allen E. and Olive (Harrison) Burnham, the former of whom was killed by lightning in 1831. Mrs. Burnham is still living and resides with her daughter. Four chil- dren have been given to this union, 3 of whom survive-Wayne, born Sept. 17, 1853; Mary A., born Aug. 22, 1868, and Ettie O, born Oct. 11, 1870. Mr. San- gree has been elected to several tp. offices, and is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 33, at Saline. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

George A. Shaw, farmer on sec. 19; P. O, York; was born in Washtenaw county in 1842, and is a son of William and Electa (Miller) Shaw, the former a native of England, and the latter of New York. They emigrated to this county in 1830, where the former died in 1858, and the latter in 1852. Mr. Shaw was married in 1867 to Almira C McBride, who was born in New York in 1840 They have no children but an adopted child-Vade L., who was born in 1869. Mr. Shaw is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a prominent farmer of York tp. He owns 120 acres of land.

George W. Shaw, farmer, sec. 19, was born in Washtenaw county in 1852, and is a son of Robert and Eliza Shaw, natives of England. Mr. Shaw was married Oct. 21, 1874. to Sarah Martin, who was born in New York Sept. 20, 1850, and daughter of Myron and Harriet M. Martin, natives of New York. Mr. Shaw's father is a prominent farmer of Saline tp., and an old and honored pioneer of Wash- tenaw county.

Thomas Shaw, farmer, sec. 31, was born in England July 21, 1811, and his parents were Joseph and Mary Shaw. Mr. Shaw emigrated to America in 1830, and settled in York tp .. where he has since resided. He was married in 1842 to Ann Throop, a native of Canada. Of the 7 children born to them 3 are living-Sophia T., wife of Vol. Davenport ; Minnie L., wife of Frank Olds, and Effie M. Mrs. Shaw's parents came to this county in 1837. Mr. Shaw and wife are members of the Bap tist Church, and he is a Republican. Heowns 120 acres of land.

Robert K. Stansfield, farmer, sec. 17, was born in Vermont, Dec. 19, 1854, and is a son of Edwin and Hannah (Kinworthy) Stansfield, natives of England, who came to this country in 1850. Mr. Stansfield was married at Saline, Mich., in 1876, to Adelaide Tolland. They have no children. Mr. Stansfield's father is a woolen manufacturer, and Robert worked at that business for four years. He is farming at the present time, and owns 120 acres of fertile land.

Jesse Warner, farmer, sec 31, was born in New York, April 30, 1827. His par- ents, Jesse and Margaret Warner, natives of Ontario Co., N. Y., emigrated to this county in 1835, locating on sec. 31, York tp., where the latter died September, 1849, and the former, April, 1861. Mr. Warner was married April 12, 1853, to Mary E. Wilcox, born in 1835, daughter of Daniel E. and Mary Wilcox, who came to Washtenaw county in 1835. They have 3 children-Helen E., born Dec. 30, 1854, wife of William Gauntlett; Della, born in 1861, and Ada L. born March 31, 1865. Mr. Warner is the present Supervisor of York tp., which office he has ac- ceptably filled for five years. He owns 144 acres of well-improved land, valued at $60 per acre. Politically he is Democratic.

Edwin D. Webb, farmer, sec. 20, was born in New York, Nov. 1, 1830. His par ents, Pascal and Linna (Monk) Webb, emigrated to this county in 1835. Mr. Webb was married in 1857, to Mary A. Kanouse, who was born in New Jersey in July, 1839. They have 2 children-Milton H., born April 24, 1859, and Ottie M.,

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

born Feb. 19, 1873. Mr. Webb has held several positions of honor and trust in York tp., and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Himself and wife are mem- bers of the M. E. Church. Mr. Webb owns 80 acres of fertile land.

Reuben Westfall, farmer, sec. 36, was born in Livingston Co., Mich., Jan. 18, 1846, son of Levi and Lydia (Burgess) Westfall. Mr. Westfall moved to this county in 1862, and was married in Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1867, to Mary E. Cook, who was born April 27, 1846, daughter of Hiram and Catherine Cook, natives of New York and early settlers in Lenawee county. They have 2 children-Irena, born Oct. 8, 1868, and Luella C., born Sept. 25, 1878. Mr. Westfall owns 172 acres of good land, and deals extensively in sheep. He believes in the principles as set forth by the Democratic party.

James W. Waugh, farmer, sec. 31, was born in Vermont Sept. 1, 1816. His parents were Nathaniel and Mary Waugh, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of New Hampshire. They came to this county in 1832. He was married in Ver- mont in 1837, to Abigail Phillips, who was born in New York, December, 1823. Two children were born to this marriage-Sarah A., wife of Albert Warner, of this county, and Nancy, a resident of Livingston Co., Mich. Mrs. Waugh died in 1847, and in 1849 Mr. W. married Mrs. Rhoda Stone, who was born in New York in 1823. She had 2 children by her first marriage-William I. and Francis E. Mrs. Waugh is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Waugh is a firm believer in the doctrines of the universal salvation of all mankind, and Democratic in politics.

Lewis A. Wilcox, farmer, was born in this county Jan. 5, 1842. His parents were Alexander and Alvira A. (Sherman) Wilcox, the former of whom came to Michi- gan in October, 1834. and located 120 acres of land on secs. 25 and 26. He died Oct. 18, 1875. Two children were born to them-Lewis, and Addie, who was born Jan. 9, 1853, and married March 28, 1877, to Alva R. Dexter. Lewis was raised on a farm, and Feb. 12, 1863, married Louisa J. Fox, a native of Niagara Co., N. Y. Four children were given them, 1 of whom survives-Clara B., who was born December 24, 1863. Hiram A, Addie, and an infant are deceased. Mr. Wilcox owns 80 acres of land on secs. 6 and 35, valued at $65 per acre. Heis a member of the I. O. O. F.

Henry Young (deceased) was born Jan. 16, 1794, in New Jersey. He learned the tailor's trade in the city of New York, from which place he went to his native place. Afterward he went to West Meriden, Monroe Co., N. Y. He joined the war of 1812 just before its close, being in the service only three months. He married Miss Mary Scramlin Dec. 21, 1817, who was born Feb. 20, 1802, near the Honeoye Falls, in Meriden, Monroe Co., N. Y. He came to Michigan in the spring of 1833, bought some land in sec. 36, town of York, this county, where he lived until his death, Dec. 28, 1863. He built a log house and chopped the timber on four acres. Then he went East for his family. Aug 19, the same year, they started again for Michi- gan. At Rochester he took passage on a canal boat for Buffalo, whence he sailed for Detroit on the Sheldon Thompson, They had a very rough voyage. The boat sprung a leak which put the fire out, and every man had to take his turn at the pumps to save the boat from sinking. They managed to run into Cleveland for repairs ; then went on to Detroit. There was a very sick time on the boat, scarcely well ones enough to care for the sick. They came from Detroit to Saline with a team, taking four days to accomplish the journey. In about two weeks from the time of starting from their home in the East they reached their home in the West. After getting his goods they went to housekeeping in the wilderness. There was no family except a bachelor brother, whose land joined within two miles. After a year or two the country was settled very rapidly.

He raised a large family of children, 6 of whom are now living-Franklin was born Aug. 28, 1824, and now lives in Saginaw county ; Francis, born Dec. 28,1838, who lives on a part of the old homestead; Helen J. was born Nov. 13, 18.8, married James Lawrence, Nov. 14, 1850, and lives in the town of York, this county ; Janet was born Dec. 11, 1830, and married Nathan Stewart, of London, Monroe county, where they now reside; Caroline, was born April 12, 1835, and married Jonathan Atkinson, of Raisinville, Monroe county, where they now reside; Ardella was born April 3, 1840, and married Andrew Braman; they live in Milan, this county. Mrs. Young died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. James Lawrence, Nov. 25, 1876.

They attended the M. E. Church when they first came to Michigan ; their nearest meeting place was at Ypsilanti, a distance of 12 miles. It sometimes took two days to go, as they had to go with ox teams. IIe was no hunter, but the first year he came to Michigan he used to stand on the run-ways and kill deer. One evening he shot an old stag, then went to cut his throat and in their struggle he came very rear boing his life As for privations he had none worth mentioning, as he had some money that he ze e ved for his farm in New York State.

AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP.

It has been stated emphatically by many of the surviving pioneers that Andrew Muir was the first settler in the district now known as the township of Augusta. He built the first fire ever lighted by an American citizen in that portion of the wilderness, and also the first log house ever erected in that section of the county. The pio- neer frame house was that built by the Bennett family in 1836, the second by Josiah Childs, and the frame buildings of Markham and Lawrence immediately after. The first saw-mill was erected in 1831-'32 by Asa Redding and David Hardy, who located a water- power on the East Monroe road, near Oakville, Monroe county. The Smith saw-mill, located in section 28, was subsequently put in operation, and in this manner the nucleus of the township man- ufacturing industries was formed.

SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

In 1833 the settlers erected a log school-house on section 3, which they dignified with the title of " District School No. 1." This es- tablishment was presided over by the first school-teacher, Richard Gorton, and answered all the educational requirements of the time in that township. The first district school was not organized un- til 1839, although the school-building was erected in 1838. What a change has taken place! Now the well-built school-houses are nu- merous, and the system of education well adapted. The town hall is a neat building and stands near the southwest angle of section 15, and cost about $1,500. The workings of the Church have also changed since the time when Ralph Fisk was accustomed to call his friends together and join with them in quiet prayer. The Presby- terian congregation, organized in September, 1833, erected a church in 1835. Rev. Mr. Boughton was the first regular preacher to this congregation, and it was he who preached the dedicatory sermon. The Methodist and Congregational Churches have been added to the list in later days, so that in this respect the people are well provided for.

THE HARDY MURDER.

This was enacted under the most mysterious auspices. The pio- neer settler was returning to his home, and was in the act of placing his horses in the stable, when he fell beneath the blows of an as- sassin.

(1437)

1438

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

THE WILD .CAT DAYS.

In the early times, when an uncertain paper currency circulated throughout the land, the people of Augusta did not exceed their fellow citizens in other districts in prudence. The issue of the wild- cat banks found its way into their hands, and for a period every- thing flourished in the quick motion and the new strength it infused into the people; but failing to continue its beneficial career, as all things unsound do fail, many of the people were plunged into financial ruin, from which a few of them never recovered. Others by their courage rather than their craft survived the crash of wild-catism, and are now among the most prosperous inhabitants of the county. In dealing with Ypsilanti township, of which Augusta once formed a part, the very insecure banking system of the past is referred to.

PENUMBRA.

Andrew Muir is said to be the first settler; but there is a faint sha- dow of probability that James Miller, who made a settlement near Stony Creek in 1829, may be the owner of the honor-he who founded the village of Stony Creek-and to him is accorded the honor of be- ing the father of Andrew Miller, said to be the first white child born in the district. To obtain the seed for a garden of a few rods in extent which he intended planting with potatoes, he had to trav- erse the marsh for a distance of 18 miles, when he reached Tessabik or Flat Rock, procured the seedlings, and returning, planted them around the stumps which decorated the little garden.

THE FIRST POSTOFFICE

was established as early as 1832 at Wejinigan-sibi, or Paint Creek. The mail stage between Monroe and Ypsilanti passed that way at irregular intervals, never failing, however, to transfer a mail packet into the care of David Hardy, the owner of the office and first postmaster in the town. This little building stood on the spot where Josiah Childs subsequently built his dwelling-house and now resides.

THE FIRST AND ONLY ROBBERY

was that of March, 1878, when Township Treasurer Augustus Phelps was despoiled of $400; and after being subjected to very se- vere treatment at the hands of the burglars, was discovered in an unconscious condition by his mother. The perpetrators of this out- rage were evidently strangers in the township, as no clue whatever could be obtained regarding their names or whereabouts.

1439

AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIC.

The organization of Augusta into a separate township was car- ried out in April, 1836, under authority of the following act, passed by the Territorial Legislative Council, and approved Jan- uary, 1836:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That all that portion of the county of Washtenaw designated by the United States survey as township 4 south, of range 7 east, be, and the same is, hereby set off and organized into a separate township by the name of Augusta, and the first township meeting therein shall be held at the dwelling-house of Aaron Childs in said township.

The election was held in accord with the spirit of the act at the house of Mr. Childs .resulting in the election of Stephen Meade as first supervisor, and Aaron Childs as township clerk. From the or- ganization of the county to that date it formed a portion of Ypsilanti township. For over 40 years the highest political honors in the power of the township inhabitants to confer was bestowed largely upon the Childses, Howards, and Alcotts. The names of the old settlers are found propping up annually the record of the officials.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

The township of Augusta has long since passed from the con- dition of a vast, untenanted timber marsh land into that of a beau- tiful field of grain and grass. The great labors of the pioneers have been the first cause in the attainment of this result. They who cleared the land of its heavy forests were, perhaps unknowingly, the great drain-makers; for it is said, and with truth, that every clearance effected in the forest lowers the waters in the neighbor- hood, by permitting the atmosphere to play its full part as an ab- sorber. The water courses, known as Paint creek, which runs through the heart of the township from north to south, and Stony creek with its main tributary, Sugar creek, which may be said to spread in every direction through the western half of the town, aided the efforts of the early cultivators, so that by the combined efforts of industry and nature, another tract of land was converted from its primitive state into one of the richest agricultural divisions of Washtenaw. The new railroad was completed toward the close of 1880, and forms a most beneficial industrial characteristic of the town.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES.

The township of Augusta possesses the smallest area of improved lands of all the political divisions of the county. Of 13,042 acres under fence, 7,129 are under cultivation and about 5,913 used as pasture. The entire number of farms is set down at 142, which would give an average acreage of 91.85 to each farm.

1440

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

The number of acres reported sown in wheat in May, 1880, was 1,833. This compares very favorably with the advances made in this direction in 1879. During that year 1,340 acres yielded 29,- 703 bushels, averaging 22.17 bushels per acre. The corn-fields com- prised 1,235 acres, producing 104,380 bushels, and the acreage of oats, 679, yielding 31 1' ' bushels. The acreage of clover was 122, producing 243 hr" uis of seed; that under potatoes 80, yielding 8,840 bushels; ale the 1,095 acres given up to pasture and meadow lands showed a product of 2,062 tons of hay. Evidently what this little township has lost in extent of improvements has been amply repaid by the fertility of its soil.

CHURCHES.

The Presbyterian Church of Stony Creek was organized Oct. 25, 1833. Previous to this date religious meetings had been held with considerable regularity for several years in school-houses and private dwellings, the services for the most part being conducted without ministerial assistance. In these the ladies took a promi- nent part. Sermons were frequently read by Mrs. George Mc- Dougall and others.

The formal exercises of organization were held in the school-house in Pittsfield, situated in what is now known as the Crittenden dis- trict, by Rev. Ira M. Wead and Rev. John Beach, delegates from the Presbytery of Detroit. The following persons constituted the original membership: Deacon Mason Hatfield and Azubah Crit- tenden, his wife; Cyrenius I. Dewey and Beulah his wife; Allen Crittenden and Emily Reed, his wife; Daniel W. Russell and Cor- nelia Miller, his wife; Henry Albright and Catharine Miller, his wife; Elisha Pratt "and Sarah, his wife; George McDougall and Mary Muir, his wife; Coon Redner, Alva Pratt, Mrs. Gitty Miller, and Misses Luna Dewey, Lucinda Rowley and Mary Wickham. Mason IIatfield and Cyrenius I. Dewey were the first elders, the former being also elected deacon.

The Church society was organized Feb. 10, 1835, Coon Redner, Rodrick Rowley and Alva Pratt serving as the original trustees and Cyrenius I. Dewey as clerk. The same year (1835) the original church building, a log structure, was erected by Ebenezer Giles, for the sum of $75, on land owned by James Pierson, sr., west of the road, nearly opposite the present church. The com- modious brick building now in use was constructed in the year 1845. At its dedication Rev. Justin Marsh preached the sermon, the choir being led by Mr. Rollo. The parsonage house was put up in 1849. In 1871 the church building was repaired, reseated and re-dedicated, Prof. Estabrook, of Ypsilanti, preaching.

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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 164

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