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 60
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600
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Capt. Ira Rider, in 1830; Capt. Robert Purdy, in 1831; but dwelt on that portion of his farm in Lyon, a township of Oakland county, ultimately moving into Salem in 1835; John Belgrave and Benja- min Pryor, in 1831; Alexis Packard, in September, 1831; Henry Bowers and John Freeman, in 1830; George King, in 1831, and Rev. Eben Carpenter, the same year; Lyman Corban located on section 24 in 1828; Daniel, Rufus and Elijah Herrick settled here in 1832; John Ceeley and Troiles Bennett, in September, 1831; Eliphalet Lewis, in the fall of 1831; Charles Lewis, in 1828; Thomas Bussey, in 1828; James Murray, in 1828; in 1831 Seth Thompson, Reuben Peebles, David Peebles and Rev. Hiram Hamil- ton, settled in the township. Eliakim Walker and Peres Walker located section 9, in May, 1831; two years later, in May, 1833, set- tled in the township; E. O. Smith, located on section 11, where the D. L. & N. depot now stands, in 1830; D. N. Smith in 1833; Peter Lane, in 1836; T. D. Lane, in 1836; John Van Sickles and Peter Larkings, in 1831. Larkings settled on section 1, immediately after his coming into the township. Rev. Moses Clarke, the first Baptist minister, located in Salem in 1832; in 1825 he settled near Geddesburg, where he resided until coming to Salem. Phineas Clarke opened a blacksmith shop on e. g, n. w. ¿ section 11, in 1832. Henry Yanson located on section 31, in 1831; E. C. Roberts came into the township in 1835; Elijah Coldren came in 1831, settling on section 13, now owned by his son Peter Coldren. James and Ellis Sober, in 1831. Doctors Edward Cook and Adam Spencer arrived about 1835. They were the first practicing physicians in Salem.
Among others who located here between the years of 1831 and 1835, were the following persons: Robert Shankland, Dudson Webster, Harrison Savage, Geo. H. E. M. Nalors, E. S. Warden, Ira Root, John Peebles, Warren Hamilton, Andrew Rogers, John B., Smith, Wm. B. Mead, Theran Wykuf, John Hart, Henry Whipple, Henry Forshee, Geo. Nelson, Anson Cary, Darwin D. Cook, Geo Mc- Cormick, Orange Woodworth, John Waterman, Luke Dake, Lemnel Dwelle, Anthony Farley, Martin Korabacher, Jonathan Kingsley, Ida Ham, J. B. Van Atta, Ephraim E. Edmond, Simmons Harvey Knapp, Levi Westfall, Asa Corson, Atchinson Moses, Richard Wal- ter, D. Corson, Sylvester and Jerome Sober, and John Davis; Stephen Haywood located lands on section 15 in 1831: Calvin Wheeler located on section 11, September, 1830. Isaac Wynkup came to Salem while a youth, and for many years took a very lead- ing part in public affairs of that section of the county.
In the list of early purchasers of the lands of Salem, mention will be made of many pioneers who came at a later date. Before passing from this subject it is well to add, that Rufus Thayer located the e. g of n. e. ¿ of section 13, it being the first land entered in Salem, and also a tract of land in Plymouth township. Having resided in the latter, his name will be associated with its history.
4 V. O. Pretenden
603
SALEM TOWNSHIP.
A SERIES OF FIRST EVENTS.
Mrs. Peters, wife of Jesse Peters, who came into the township early in 1825, was four months here before she met her sister pio- neer, Mrs. Amy Dickenson. Though the latter was undoubtedly here before Mrs. Peters, both of them may be termed the first white women ever seen in the district. At this early day the red men and their squaws roamed through the bush in quest of game. Deer, bear, and wolves were here in large numbers, yet the Indians not satisfied with the rich food which such game afforded, would visit the houses of those settlers at intervals, begging for bread and tobacco, and often causing alarm in the homes of these Eastern women, who were not accustomed to see the barbarians in their wild state.
The first white child born in the township was Isaac Peters. He was the son of Jesse Peters, and appeared among the pioneers early in 1827.
The first death which occurred here is said to be that of William Jackson ; but the first marriage was that of Elisha Comstock to Mary Black, in 1828.
Royal Wheelock was the first justice of the peace, having re- ceived his appointment from Gov. Cass in 1829. George Renwick was the first supervisor; and Alexis Packard, first township clerk.
Captain Ira Rider was the first postmaster, having charge of the office established in 1832, a little west of Lapham's Corners, and one mile south of the center of the town known as Salem. This was discontinued to give place to the present office of Salem.
The first saw-mill was built in 1829, on a stream forming the east branch of the River Rouge. Joseph Lapham was the builder and owner.
George Renwick was the first settler of Salem who was elected a member of the Territorial Council, and subsequently of the State Legislature.
Mr. Dickenson erected the first log barn and the first frame one. Edmond Pratt built the first log cabin. The former was the first man to become an honorary money-lender, the latter was the first honorary borrower.
Rev. Eben Carpenter was the first preacher of the Baptist Church at Salem. He settled there in 1831, and acted a part in the organ- ization of a Baptist society there two years later, in 1833.
John Freeman opened a tavern in the southeast corner of the township at a very early day. It soon "passed " into the "past," and has never returned. It was the only industry of that kind ever introduced to the people of Salem.
James Sober, now 88 years of age, was the first veteran of the war of 1812 who ever settled in Salem. He was followed soon after by Edward Dake, who has since passed away.
In that memorable war between Michigan and Ohio, known as the " Toledo war," D. N. Smith was a veteran, and the first to enter
37
604
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
the ranks. Joseph Lapham was Quartermaster, Isaac Pratt and Ira Hubbard were veterans of the rank and file. Calvin Wheeler, who was then Captain of militia, called out his troops, but seeing no danger while Uncle Sam was present, he concluded to remain at his post to await orders.
Rev. Hiram Hamilton and Mr. Olds were the first preachers to the Salem Presbyterian Church, in 1833. Deacons Pratt and Ham - ilton were its first officers.
James Murray, who settled on section 22, in 1828, was the first store-keeper in the township. He, however, removed to another township shortly after.
Rev. Moses Clark was the first preacher who gave services in the township. As early as 1832 he preached in a log school-house then standing near Bullock's Corners, also in several private houses. He was also the first pastor of the Baptist Church.
Phineas Clark, son of Rev. M. Clark, was the first blacksmith in the town, having located a shop on the E. & of the N. W. & of section 11, in 1832.
E. C. Roberts is the first of the pioneers who taught school for any great number of years in the township. Between 1835 and 1862 he taught 27 terms, Mr. Lane coming next in the noble work, with 17 terms to his credit.
The first questioners of the power of township officers or Boards to raise money by vote for aiding in the construction of railroads, were citizens of Salem. They succeeded in their suit.
The first orchard was set out by Dr. Mason, who platted a nur- sery on the S. E. qr. of section 28. Calvin Wheeler planted an orchard in 1832, obtaining his trees from Mason's nursery, and some from Dr. Vincent's nursery, of New York State. Alexis Packard set out an orchard abont the same time. Early in 1832, Eliakim Walker brought trees from New York and planted an or- chard on section 9, where some of the old trees yet live. About the same time other orchards were planted.
Eastman, Van Sickle and Van Houghton were the only mem- bers of the Salem community who ever enjoyed the hospitalities of the State's prison, or, as it was then called, " The Tamaracks." Their crime was simply that of counterfeiting and horse-stealing.
The three veterans of the war of 1812, now residing in Salem township, are: John W. Van Sickle, born Sept. 15, 1787; Rob't Shankland, born Nov. 3, 1791; and James Sober, born April 25, 1793.
SURVEY AND RESURVEY.
As early as 1816, Surveyor Wampum visited this township, per- haps, and reported having made a survey. Immediately after Dickenson's settlement, when other immigrants flocked thither to locate their lands, they found that if Wampum's descriptions were correct, the sun, moon and stars were wrong. Later, however, they
605
SALEM TOWNSHIP.
convinced themselves that the planets did not err ; that Wampum conceived a series of peculiar lines seldom conceived hitherto, and that his labors were falsely directed and most unsatisfactory. The story of this survey is thus told :
"The original survey of the township of Salem was made, or guessed at, in 1816. The settlement of the township commenced in 1825, and it was not long after this before the pioneers of Salem began to discover that there was something wrong about the lines. As a matter of fact, in many cases they could find no lines at all. They could not properly locate their lands. They knew not where to construct their fences, build their houses, or plant their orchards; and many an angry discussion and bitter quarrel took place in regard to this matter. In 1842 the contention and strife, the dis- quiet and anxiety with respect to the lines on the part of the people of Salem had become so great that they caused a memorial to be sent to Congress praying for a resurvey of the township. The Gov- ernment granted their request, and a resurvey of the township was made in 1844. The resurvey was made by Harvey Parke, and is known as the " Parke survey." And now the wretched condition of the original survey was more fully disclosed. Of the 60 miles of subdivision lines returned in the original survey as run and marked, 242 miles were never run at all, and many that were run and mark- ed were exceedingly erroneous. The new survey also discovered the fact that the township itself was deficient in land. The Government had sold to the people of Salem 631 acres of land more than they ever owned in that township. To make matters worse 147 purcha- sers of lands had got in the aggregate 382 acres more than they paid for. The purchasers of the remaining 128 tracts got 1,013 acres less than they paid for. Pioneers of Salem had been led to believe that if they could only get a new survey each person would, at least, get as much land as he had paid for. You may judge their surprise then, when the new surveyor told them that his in- structions required him to look up the old lines and re-establish them, and only make new lines where he could find no old ones. So that the old survey, as far as it went, grossly fraudulent and deceptive as it was, was re-established. This was a severe blow to the owners of deficient tracts. Many of these owners were men of slender means, and had vested all, or nearly all, their available sub- stance in the purchase of these lands. It is true that some of them lost but little, but others lost a large portion of their land, and in some cases they lost more than one-third of the land they had paid for. They not only lost their land but they suffered the mortifica- tion of having it taken from them after they had contended so long, so earnestly and so justly for it. But the Government had spoken and must be obeyed. They then prayed Congress for relief. If they lost their land they wanted pay for it. The Government then ordered Lucius Lyon, Surveyor General of Detroit, to proceed to Salem, make a personal inspection of every deficient tract of land, take testimony, and estimate the damages sustained by the owners.
606
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
He did so, and his report was made the basis of an application to Congress for compensation. The matter was placed in the hands of Gov. Woodbridge, who was then United States Senator, and he procured the passage of a bill by the Senate making the necessary appropriation; but that being a short session the bill was not acted on in the House and did not become a law. The next year, Gov. Felch having succeeded Gov. Woodbridge in the Senate, the mat- ter was transferred to him. But Gov. Felch was unable to procure the passage of the necessary bill unless the people of Salem would be satisfied with having the original purchase money for the lands they had lost returned to them. This was deemed at that time no just compensation and was indignantly refused. And there the matter rests, a stigma on the Government, for they knew the claim was a just one, not only from the sworn testimony of the people themselves who had lost their land, but from the testimony of Parke who made the resurvey, and of Lyon, who estimated the dam- ages, both gentlemen the accredited officers of the Government."
TOPOGRAPHICAL AND INDUSTRIAL.
The Detroit, Lansing & Northern railroad, running through the northeast quarter of the township, and the Toledo & Ann Arbor railroad, through the northwest quarter, afford sufficient advan- tages to the agriculturists of the town. The depot of the former road is situate at the village of Salem, section 11, and that of the latter near Worden's saw-mill, on section 19. Salem village is a model hamlet. In giving a list of its industries, the peculiarly happy fact will become evident that it is minus a saloon. The post- office, from which is dispatched a daily mail, and which receives one, is under Calvin Wheeler; the express office is in charge of George S. Wheeler, who is also owner of one of the three stores there, the second operated by A. F. Van Atta, and the third, known as the "grange store," carried on by E. T. Walker, member of the Patrons of Husbandry Association. The saw-mill operated by S. W. C. Adams, and another by William Sutherland, form the main manufacturing interest of the town. George Nollar's blacksmith and machine shops, wherein agricultural implements are made and repaired, add to the importance of this township business center. A shoe and barber shop, kept by Mr. Simpson, the millinery and dress rooms of Mrs. and Miss Rider, the boarding house conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Webster, a Baptist church, and a group of 25 hand- some dwelling-honses, form a very fair nucleus for the town of a fut- ure day.
LAPHAM'S CORNERS AND PEEBLES' CORNERS.
Lapham's is situated two miles south of Salem depot. It pos- sesses a general store, of which T. H. Corson is proprietor; a wagon and blacksmith shop, and a dozen dwelling-houses. Peebles' Cor-
607
SALEM TOWNSHIP.
ners, on section 17, is the location of C. H. Cilley's store. The depot of the Toledo & Ann Arbor road is situated near Worden's steam saw-mill, on section 19. This saw-mill was built by the , Hamiltons, prior to 1852, was subsequently purchased by Eli H. Webster, and ultimately by the present owner about the year 1863. All these industries are well supported, and the prospect of numer- ous additions to them is bright indeed. The population of Salem, Lapham's and Peeble's Corners may be set down in the aggregate at 200.
The township of Salem is said to comprise 19,620 acres, of which 13,829 are improved and 5,791 acres unimproved. There are 194 farms, which if equalized would give an average of 101.13 acres.
In 1879 there were 3,203 acres sown to wheat, which produced 70.594 bushels. The wheat area was not increased in 1880. Sta- tistics dealing with the crops usually cultivated have not been fur- nished in full; but, from figures collected by Messrs. Wheeler, Walker and Lane, a committee appointed by the County Pioneer Society to collect valuable information for this work, it is learned that during the year 1880 no less than 39,122 bushels of wheat, 5,556 barrels of apples with large quantities of oats and barley were shipped from the Salem depot of the D. L. & N. R. R. Judging from these figures, the prosperous condition of the people, and the beauty of the township, it must be inferred that Wampum's lines do not render the soil less fertile, or the people less happy.
In traveling throughout the counties one is apt to wonder why so many windmills are in use. Such a one may presume that this novel piece of mechanism is only required in pumping water from the well beneath; few even dream of it following the example of that old mill once attacked by a child of romance, named Don Quixote. To understand all the uses of a windmill the learner must come to Salem. Here is one with a 22-foot wheel, supposed to be of six-horse power. It is capable of running a corn-grinder with a capacity of from 15 to 20 bushels per hour. A straw and fodder cutter may be operated by its power, and the prepared prod- uct hoisted into the upper floor of the barn. It runs a power corn-sheller, conveys the grain to the bins in the upper part of the barn, and carries such grain back again to be ground into meal. It runs a 28-inch buzz saw, while at the same time it pumps water to all parts of the farm, forcing it through 1,075 feet of half-inch pipe. This extraordinary windmill was gotten up in the farm-yard of A. T. Walker, and forms one of the few such mills fully util- ized. The machinery in connection with this mill, together with a steam apparatus for steaming fodder and meal for stock, and heat- ing water for scalding purposes, cost $1,500. There are many well- equipped farm yards within the township, but it is questionable whether one can be found to excel that under notice.
ORGANIC. 1 1
The township of Panama comprised the present towns of Salem and Superior until March, 1833, when the following act, introduced
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608
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
into the Territorial Legislative Assembly, by Geo. Renwick, was approved :
Be it enacted by the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, That all that part of the township of Panama, in the county of Washtenaw, comprised in surveyed township number 1 south, in range 7 east, be a township by the name of Salem, and the first township meeting shall be holden at the school-house near Jacob E. Bullock's, in said township, and that this act shall take effect and be in force on and after the first Monday in April next.
The first election of township officers under the new statute took place April 1, 1833, at a school-house near Wheaton Bullock's, then called Bullock's Corners. Geo. Renwick called the meeting to order; Samuel Mapes was appointed moderator, and Joseph Jackson, sec- retary. The election was carried out in due form, resulting in the choice of George Renwick, first Supervisor; Alexis Packard, first Clerk; John Dickenson, Calvin Wheeler and Welcome J. Partello Township Assessors; Chas. Dean, Joseph Jackson, Royal Wheelock, Leonard C. Goodale and Lucius Peet, School Inspectors; Isaac Ham- ilton, P. C. Murray and John Bennett, Trustees of school lots; Michael Thompson, George King and Royal Wheelock, Highway Commissioners; Joseph Lapham, Treasurer; Orange Green, Director of the poor; John Dickenson, Treasurer of the poor fund; Joseph Lapham and Peres Walker, Constables. Royal Wheelock was ap- pointed a Justice of the Peace by Gov. Cass in 1829, and S. C. Goodale, by Gov. Porter in 1832. The men so appointed presided as justices until 1836, when the term of appointinent lapsed, and the office was placed under the patronage of the people. In the following lists are given the names of those who have held the more important township positions.
SUPERVISORS.
George Renwick 1834
T. D. Lane. 1855
L. C. Goodale.
1835-6
Daniel Pomeroy 1856
George Renwick 1837
Isaac Wynkup 1857-8
John Dickenson. .838
John Peebles. 1859
Royal Wheelock. 1839
John Peebles. 1860
Robert Purdy 1840
Lawrence Noble 1841
Robert Purdy .. 1842
Henry T. Walker. 1843-4
T. D. Lane. 1868
J. B. Palmer. 1869
Henry T. Walker
1848
Isaac Wynkup.
1870-1
John Dickenson. 1849
Isaac Wynkup 1872-3
John Crandall 1874
Lawrence Noble. 1851
Geo. S. Wheeler 1875-6
Ira Rider
1852
Geo. S. Wheeler 1877-8
Lawrence Noble.
1853-4
Thos. D. Lane.
1879-80
TOWNSHIP
Alexis Packard 1834-39
P. C. Murray
1840-43
Jno. Bennett
1844-48
Calvin wheeler 1849-50
P. C. Murray 1851-2
Michael W. Johnson 1853-5
Calvin Wheeler 1856
M. W. Johnson
1857-60
Eli H. Webster 1861
('LERKS.
M. W. Johnson 1862-4
W. B. Mead .. 1865-6
Silas Pratt. 1867-8
D. D. Cook. 1869-71
R. M. Simmons 1872
D. D. Cook. 1873-4
Silas Pratt.
1875-9
L. B Manning 1880
Calvin Wheeler 1865-6
John Peebles .1867
Lawrence Noble 1845
Royal Wheelock 1861-2
Rufus Babbitt. 1863-4
Daniel Pomroy .. 1846-7
Ira Rider. 1850
609
SALEM TOWNSHIP
TREASURERS.
Peres Walker 1834
Joseph Lapham 1835
J. N. Stoddard. 1836
Silas Pratt. 1857-8
Joseph Lapham 1837
E. B. Ishom. ..
1838
Alexis Packard. 1839
Joseph Lapham. 1840
I. N. Hedin.
1841-3
Eliakim Walker 1844
J. B. Vanatta.
1845
J. B. Lapham
1846
Dwite Peebles. 1869
Dwite Peebles. 1870-1
T. E. Shankland. 1872
J. B. Herrick.
1873-4
J. N. Thompson 1875-6
C. P. Walker
1877-8
J. L. Wheelock
1879
J. L. Wheelock
1880
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Royal Wheelock. .1829
Leonard C. Goodale. 1832
Geo. Renwick. 1836
Leonard C. Goodale "
Royal Wheelock
Hiram Rhodes.
Geo. Renwick 1837
Royal Wheelock
L. C. Goodale.
66
Hiram Rhodes
1838
H. T. Walker
1841
H. T. Walker 1842
John Peebles
Jacob Snapp 1843
Royal Wheelock. .1844
Michael Thompson. 1845
Henry T. Walker 1846
Orson Packard
John Peebles. 1847
Walter D. Corson.
1848
Michael Thompson 1849
James B. Vanatta. .1850
John Diamond.
4
Edward W. Cook. 1851
Daniel Pomeroy
Walter D. Corson. 1852
John L. Johnson.
John L. Johnson. .1853
Calvin Wheeler
1854
T. D. Lane.
Lawrence Noble. 1855
John Peebles.
John M. Limbarker 1856
Wm. B. Mead
John Crandall
1857
Lorin G. Ovenshire. 1857
Calvin Wheeler. 1858
Rufus Babbitt
John Peebles.
1859
L. G. Ovenshire.
66
I. J. Thompson
1860
L. G. Ovenshire.
66
John Crandall. 1861
Isaac L. Dennis.
1862
John Peebles.
1863
L. G. Ovenshire.
1864
Carlisle Ham ..
1865
John B. Waterman.
John Waterman. 1866
James B. Palmer
1867
John Peebles.
1868
John Peebles.
.1869
Lorin G. Ovenshire 1870
John Crandall
Luther Graham
Walter B. Palmer
1871
Calvin Wheeler
1872
John Crandall. :
1873
L. G. Ovenshire.
1874
Geo. M. B. Renwick.
E. T. Walker.
66
Calvin Wheeler.
John B. Waterman.
1875
T. D. Lane
1876
Saxton Macomber
.1877
Joseph B. Herrick.
Geo. N. B. Renwick
1878
Joseph B. Herrick
6
Hiram B. Daly.
1879
Joseph B. Herrick
6.
Rufus Babbitt 1859
Silas Pratt
1860
O. W. Peck 1861
M. W. Johnson 1862-3
J. W. Babbitt.
1864
Henry Dennis.
1865
B. G. Webster
1866-8
David Lapham
.1847
J. B. Vanatta.
1848
D. D. Cook
1849
Benj. Cary 1850
Michael Johnson 1851
Peres Walker 1852
Henry Smith
.1853
L. D. Cook.
1854
L. D. Cook.
1855
Celey Bennett. 1856
610
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
ASSESSORS.
John Dickenson 1834
Jeremiah Phillips. 1839
Calvin Wheeler.
66
David Lapham. 1840
Royal Wheeler. 66
Lemuel Dwelle
Thomas Bussey. 1835
John Bennett.
Calvin Wheeler.
John Bennett .1841
John Dickenson
Ira Rider.
Orson Packard. 1836
Michael Thompson
Thomas Bussey
66
Calvin Wheeler.
John Bennett. 6
David Peebles
יי
P. C. Murray
Calvin Wheeler. 1838
Levi Westfall. 1845
Parley Crowell. 66
John Dickenson
Calvin Wheeler
1839
Reuben Peebles.
66
EDUCATIONAL.
The advantages of education in Salem were not unlike those common to all new countries. The schools in the early day were small and school-houses were few and far between. The best of them were rude in construction and unpretentious in appearance. There has been some question as to the location of the first school-house within the boundary of the township, Mr. Wynkup, an old settler, claiming the location was on section 27. But the weight of authority fixes the location at Bullock's Corners, in 1829. This structure was built of hewn logs, and was considered a model of its kind. The first school was taught therein during the winter of 1829-'30 by Charles Dean. The second school-house was built on the northwest corner of section 15, in 1832. The first school here was taught by Miss Jane Jessups in the winter term of 1832-'3.
Regarding the first school-house, Isaac Wynkup says: " I under- stand that Mr. Wheeler of Salem has come to the conclusion that the first school-house in the township of Salem was built on section 27, and known as the " Bullock School-house." This, I think, is a mistake; my wife lived in the Bullock district when she was a young girl, and she says there was a school-house on section 31, and that she went to school there, because the Bullock school-house was not yet built." The Pioneer Committee, of which Messrs. Wheeler. Walker and Lane are members, still believe that the school-house to which Mr. Wynkup refers, was just outside the town line in section 6, of Superior township; and in this view, the majority of old settlers concur, holding that the first school- house built within the present boundaries of Salem, was that at Bullock's Corners. From the opinion of the majority there is no reason to dissent in this case. That opinion is founded on that belief, that the first school-house was built at Bullock's Corners in 1829, and the first school taught therein, during the winter of 1829-'30, by Charles Dean. This house was very humble in its
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