History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 64

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 64

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of Northfield at their first township meeting, and by that act two tickets were placed in the field at the first township meeting held on the first Monday in April in the year 1833. The records show that the election was held at the house of Benjamin Sutton, and that Rufus Matthews was chosen moderator, and Geo. Sutton clerk pro tem. A. F. Shoff and James Barr were elected clerks, and J. G. Leland justice of the peace, which formed the board. The follow- ing officers were elected for the ensuing year; John Renwick, Su- pervisor; Geo. Sutton, Township Clerk; Frederick Smith, Gilbert A. Gardner, and Abijah Shoff, Assessors; Nicholas Groves, and Joseph Lora, Overseers of the Poor; Philander Murray, Asahel Hubbard, and Joseph Lora, Commissioners of Highway; Joshua G. Leland, Abijah F. Shoff, and Asahel Hubbard, Committee on Schools; Gilbert A. Gardner, Frederick Smith, and Thomas J. Tettis, School Inspectors; Thomas J. Tettis, Marvel Secord, Constables.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

When Benjamin Sutton arrived in the township it was purely an oak-opening district; since that period extensive clearings have been made, the beautiful oaks which dotted the land have almost disappeared, except at long intervals, and then only where the trans- mutor possessed sufficient taste to admire them, and let them stand as so many relics of the outgoing past. In tracts not yet reclaimed may be found forests of sapling oaks. The creeks and streamlets of the township are numerous and insignificant, yet sufficient to afford many advantages, the absence of which would be fruitful of trouble to the agriculturist.

The lakes comprise Horse Shoe on sections 8 and 17, Whitmore lake, covering two-thirds of section 5, Dead lake on section 6, Mud lake and its feeding springs in section 4, and Jack lake in sections 10 and 11. These lakes are all in the northern sections, and are supplied by streams flowing from the southeast.

Almost the entire surface of Northfield is level with a dip to the northwest, interspersed with numerous lakes and marshes. The inhabitants have shown a great perseverance in constructing open ditches which drain the marshes, and lower the water in the lakes, thus adding very materially to the health of the town. It is esti- mated there are about 40 miles of open drains constructed. The products of the land are wheat, Indian corn, oats, barley, hay and potatoes. The inhabitants of Northfield, from the first settlement, with a small beginning, have exhibited a strong propensity to im- prove their condition, and acquire comfortable homes. Many of them left their " Father Land "' to seek a home in the West. From the disadvantages that the people have suffered, having small means and the hardship of pioneer life, they can now congratulate themselves in having good and comfortable homes.

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

MINERALS.

Iron ore is found near the surface of the ground on the farm of F. S. Chapin, covering 15 or 20 acres of land; also on land owned by Anson Wheeler, on the old Keenan farm. The soil where the ore is found is of a yellowish hue. Mica is found on the farm of John George Gerlach.

CHARACTERISTICS.

The people of Northfield from the earliest settlements have ex. hibited a strong desire for educational and social enjoyment. Soon after the town was organized it was divided into school districts. School-houses were erected, and were soon occupied with teachers and pupils, and many of them grew up to fill important positions in society. " If the highlands produce poets," the people of the lowlands of Northfield can congratulate themselves on pro- ducing men of literary tastes and abilities. Judge L. Horrigan, of Memphis, Tenn., received a common-school education at the Sutton school-house in Northfield. Dr. John Kapp, Mayor of Ann Arbor, and his brother, Dr. C. Kapp, of Manchester, and Dr. H. Shurtleff, at the same place, Prof. T. Howard, of Notre Dame Col- lege, Indiana, at the Shaw school-house, and his brother, John Howard, at the same school. They afterward graduated at the Michigan University and became noted as lawyers and bankers at Memphis. P. McKernan, now circuit court commissioner, re- ceived his primary education at the Multoph school-house. Col. John Sessions, of Ann Arbor, received his first impression of a common-school education in Northfield and Green Oak. Dr. Dolen, of Lansing, and his brother now in college, attended school at the Moe school-house. Capt. R. Beahan, deceased, and John and Will- iam Cuthbert, of Chicago, went to school at Multoph Corners. Miss Shanahon, afterward known as " Madamoiselle de Isabell," was a scholar at the same school-house. Col. William Stevens was a student at Whitmore Lake, and Capt. Leland, deceased, received his primary education at the Leland school- house.

Dr. John Cuthbert, a " gentleman of the old school," who had received a liberal education in Ireland, purchased a farm in North- field. In the year 1836 he came on with his family. The Doctor lived a retired life; books and authors were his constant com- panions. He tilled a small farm more for amusement than profit, and died in the year 1860. The doctor was a first cousin of John Mitchell, the Irish patriot, on his mother's side.

NEW IRELAND.

In the year 1831-'2 a few enterprising men who had left their homes in the " Green Isle," settled in the town. Father Kelly came the same year, and with the assistance of his few church peo- ple and Isaac Dickee, erected a log church on section 29. Mr. Sut-

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ton is happy to have it in his power to record the names of all those who contributed by their own hands in erecting this log edifice to the worship of the meek and lowly Savior. They were John Keenan, William Prindle, William Stubs, John McKernan, Philip McKer- nan, John Sullivan, Michael Portal, John McIntyre, Michael Bennett, Peter Smith, Michael Neligan, Patrick Walsh, Michael Walsh, Patrick Donavin and Bryan Galligan.

THE TRUE PIONEERS.

The old settlers of Northfield as far back as 1833 comprise Robert Appleton, Daniel B. Appleton, David Austin, Isaac Apple- ton, Hugh Alexander, Gardner Bird, Ammon Blain, Orange Brown, Abraham Bennett, Richard Berry, Micheel Bennett, Henry Busen- bark, Abis Brundage, Samuel Botsford, Jabez Beach, James Barr, Isaac Burhans, Amos Curran, Henry Conlen, Martin Connors, Edward Cummesky, John Carlan, Chauncy Childs, Casey Thomas, Cary, Oliver Carpenter, Benjamin Curtis, E. B. Carnish, Sale Cranson, Stephen Dexter, Sherman Dix, Elias Dean, William Deats, Geo. W. Dexter, Isaac Decker, Guy Earl, Patrick Gibney, Nicholas Groves, Byron Galligan, Gilbert A. Gardner, Elihu Gunison, Keal Hoisington, J. B. Hammond, Thos. Hannon, Rogers Hadigan, John Herst, Calvin Holmes, K. J. Haywood, Orrin Jeffords, William Jackson, John Keenan, Sewell Knowlton, Elijah Carr, Razor Levan, Reuben Lafevour, J. G. Leland, William Lemon, Steven Lee, Joseph Lowree, Nathan Leland, Mainard Malby, Elijah Marsh, Michael Madison, David Meach, Ephraim Meach, Harry Meach, Steward Moe, Thomas McKernan, Ross McKernan, Phillip McKernan, John McKernan, Elam Moe, Alva Moe, Rufus Mat- thews, Philander Murray, James Maroney, Daniel Maroney, John McIntyre, Robert Nelson, Michael Neligan, Gov. Bingham, T. Olmstead, Thomas Pettis, Nehemiah Pain, Arnold Pain, Warren Parker, Charles Place, William Prindle, John Renwick, Barney Roney, Garret Rosenkrans, Michael Rouch, Patrick Roe, Fredrick Smith, Isaac Smith, Manly Smith, John Starkweather, John Pattee, Michael Stubs, Benjamin Sutton, Peter Smith, Nathan Sutton, Sr., George Sutton, Isaac R. Sutton, Win. S. Sherman, Marvel Secord, Isaac Secord, Robert Shankland, Sidney Smith, Orange Towsly, Tuttle, Aaron Van Atta, Hugh Vaughan, Leonard Waldron, Pat- rick Walsh, Michael Walsh, Daniel Williams, E. Woodworth, Chris- tian Zook, A. F. Schoff, George Sessions, Hanson Sessions, Sam- uel Bird, James Kennedy, Michael Stubbs, Elias Dean, Orrison Leland, Dr. N. H. Halleck, Harris Semour.

A TRAVELER'S SKETCH.

The following sketch of one of the early settlers of Northfield was written by the Hon. John Renwick, a few years previous to his death. He states therein, "The first impression I had of the

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

township of Northfield was in traveling through the south part of the town on the old Indian trail from Plymouth to Ann Arbor, in the year 1827. The township was in a state of nature except what was settled by Benjamin Sutton and Moses Allen. Mr. Benjamin Sutton was the pioneer of the town, having settled on his farm in 1824. He cut his way from the River Rouge. Mr. Sutton possessed all the requirements of the pioneer. First a strong robust consti - tution, a quick, deserving, and intellectual mind and a perseverance that never faltered. He was a man of uncommon hospitality. His house was a home for all the pioneers that passed into that sec- tion of the country. Such was the man, strong-minded and calcu- lated to be admired in any society, none were above him, and few his equal."

As has been stated, the township was organized in 1832. The ollowing is a copy of the Legislative enactment:

AN ACT to set off and organize the township of Northfield in the county of Washtenaw.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, That all that part of the township of Ann Arbor, bounded on the east by the town- ship of Panama, on the south by the township line running east and west, between towns one and two south, of range six east, and on the west and north, by the pres- ent boundaries of the township of Ann Arbor, in that part lying north of said line between said towns one and two south, be and the same is hereby set off into a sep- arate township, and the name thereof shall be Northfield.

SEC. 2. That the first township meeting to be held in said township shall be held at the dwelling-house of Benjamin Sutton.

SEC. 3. That this act shall take effect from and after the last day of March, 1833.

AN INTRODUCTION TO A FEW PIONEERS.

Hon. John Renwick was born in the State of New York, of Eng- lish parents. He received a common-school education; was mar- ried to Miss Eliza Pratt, and emigrated to Northfield in 1827, and died in 1866, leaving a wife and four children. His wife survived him two or three years. Mr. Renwick was too fond of reading and social enjoyment to be a very successful farmer, yet he acquired an ample fortune. His hospitality was liberal and generous, and no one went from his door wanting. He was fond of light reading- Cooper was his "ideal." Mr. Renwick was wholly imbued with American ideas. In politics he admired Henry Clay. His motto was "Circumstances make the man." He held several positions in the township as supervisor, town clerk, etc., and was elected once or twice to the State Legislature, which he filled with ability and honor.

Hon. Michael Stubbs resided here some time previous to 1830, and owned what is now known as the Thomas Fohey farm. Mr. Stubbs was elected one of the delegates to the Territorial Conven- tion from Washtenaw county, which began in the city of Detroit, May 2, 1835. He was elected by the Democratic party who took the position that all who were in the Territory at the time of form- ing the constitution preparatory to being admitted to the Union, as

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a free and sovereign State should be considered inhabitants of said State of Michigan, and should be eligible to vote at future State elections. Mr. Stubbs was an ardent supporter of that doctrine, and contributed largely to promulgate it. Some few years after- ward Mr. Stubbs sold his farm in Northfield and went to join his brother in Washington, D. C.

In the year 1826 Moses Allen emigrated from the State of New York with his family and settled on land adjoining Benj. Sutton's. He purchased the first apple-trees and peach-pits in the town and planted an orchard. In the year 1830 he sold out to Nathan Sut- ton's son, and moved to the town of Plymouth, Wayne county. He lived to acquire a large estate.

Aaron Van Atta was born in Warren county, N. J., in 1805. IIe married Miss Sidney Ann Banghart. They moved to Michigan in 1832. Mr. V. died in 1877, leaving six children. He was elected at different times to fill offices in the town. He was kind and gen- erous to the poor, and during his life gave large sums of money to his children, and at his death left a handsome property to his heirs.

Joseph Lane purchased in 1826, 80 acres in the Sutton neighbor- hood. He put up a log house and made some other improvements, and in 1829 sold out to Nathaniel Brundage. The year after Mr. Brundage died, leaving a wife and four children. Mrs. Brundage lived to a good old age. Her son, Nelson Brundage, now resides on the homestead.

Prof. Michael Gibney, of Iowa, was born in Northfield. He re- ceived a common education at the Shaw school-house. Grad- uated in the literary and law departments of the University of Michigan. When at college he was known as the Websterian elo- cutionist.

Peter Sears was born in the town of Ashfield, Mass., Aug. 24, 1787; was married to a lady of the same town May 15, 1808; emi- grated to Northfield in November, 1826. He settled on a good tract of land, that finally improved in value, and is worth to-day a handsome fortune. Mr. Sears retained to his death the custom of his New England ancestors, and died Jan. 18, 1867, highly re- spected by his friends and neighbors. Mrs. Sears died on the 22d day of February, 1875.

Mr. Solomon Sears, one of the sons, retains and still lives on the old homestead.

Rufus Matthews emigrated from the State of New York, and settled in Northfield in 1831. He held for several years the office of supervisor of the town; was chosen by the Board of Supervisors and held the office of commissioner of the county. He was one of the commissioners appointed to purchase the county poor-farm, and to superintend the location of buildings thereon. He was continued in office for several years thereafter as superintendent. He built the first frame bridge over the Huron river, at Ann Arbor, in 1832. Mr. Matthews was a man of fine executive and mechanical abilities, and in religious matters a strict disciplinarian. His house furnished

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many a poor sojourner hospitalities. A few years before his death he sold his farm to Calvin Mitchell, and moved to Ann Arbor. In his advanced age he suffered with rheumatism, and died in 1869.

Thomas Earl, now of Ann Arbor, of which honorable mention should be made, moved to Northfield in 1833. He lived there long enough to clear up a fine farm. After the death of his daughter, a fine young lady, he retired from the farm and went to Ann Arbor, where he still resides.

John Keenan purchased in the year 1830 or 1831 about six lots of land, and brought his family from the East the same year. Mr. Keenan was a man of fine stature, a nobleman by nature, a man of integrity and lover of justice. I knew him well, and only knew him to love him in common with his neighbors.

Christian Zook came in some time before 1830 or soon after. I can not speak personally of Mr. Zook. He came from Pennsylvania and purchased two 80-acre lots on the banks of Whitmore lake. In the year 1834 or 1835 there was quite an excitement in relation to the manufacturing of silk. It was thought by some that our climate was well adapted to the growth and preservation of the silk- worm, and that fortunes could be made by it. Mr. Zook showed his earnestness in the enterprise by procuring and setting out a number of multicaulis mulberry trees for the worms to feed on during the working season. The trees have now grown to a large size and look healthy.

Michael Prindle emigrated to Washtenaw county in 1830. He was of Scotch descent, modest and unassuming, strictly honest and upright, and agreeable in conversation. His modesty was so great that he would not allow his name to be used in connection with any office. Mr. Prindle died some years ago in the full faith of the Christian religion.

Dr. N. S. Hallock came from New York to Northfield in 1833, where he practiced medicine for nearly 45 years. He also kept a shop for the repairing of watches and clocks. His residence was near the lake, and his farm was one of the best in the township. It is said that Dr. Hallock never rode on a railroad train, and what is more curious still was never in a railroad car.

George Sessions came with his family to this township from Madison county, New York, in September, 1833, and purchased six lots of land on sections 2 and 11. He was from one of the oldest New England families, being a descendant of Samuel Sessions, who was a resident of Andover, Mass., in 1677. George Sessions was born in South Wilbraham, Mass., in 1784. His father settled in Wilbraham soon after the close of the Revolutionary war and was one of the " Boston tea party " who threw overboard in Boston har- bor the tea from England on which a tax was demanded, and which was one of the immediate causes of the Revolution. He married Eunice Mather, of Windsor, Conn., a very estimable woman and a descendant of the noted Cotton Mather, of Massachusetts colony. Mr. Sessions died about a year after he came to Northfield, leaving

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his widow and eight children who remained and cleared up one of the best farms in the township. The best part of this farm is still owned by Hanson Sessions, of Ann Arbor, the oldest member of the family, J. Q. A. Sessions of Ann Arbor, being the youngest. The other survivors are Mrs. Harriet A. Tracy, of Lansing, and George D. Sessions, of Van Buren county. Mrs. Sessions died Sept. 1, 1843. J. Q. A. Sessions is a graduate of the Michigan University, and is now a lawyer, living in Ann Arbor. He has taken active interest in writing up a true history of Washtenaw county. In 1879 he read before the Historical Society a graphic history of the city of Ann Arbor. He served three years in the army during the Rebellion and was 1st Lieut. of Company D, 7th Regiment of Michigan Cavalry. This regiment was a part of the brigade commanded by Gen. Custer.

Robert Shaw, with his wife and four children, came from Liver- pool, England, where he kept a kiln for drying grain. By the rav- ages of fire he lost heavily, but managed to save a few thousands. He afterward emigrated to America, and in time settled in North- field on a farm he had purchased from Benjamin Sutton, in 1833. He retained many traits of character peculiar to his former stand- ing in England, which many of his neighbors who have formerly lived in Ireland can hardly tolerate. His ability was duly acknowl- edged, and he filled the offices of Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, and other positions, with credit. During his residence in Northfield, he did a very large business, but the expenses were too great for his income. After some time he removed to Ann Arbor. Harris Seymour was among the early settlers of Northfield town- ship. He purchased his farm, located near Whitmore lake, in the fall of 1831, and had a party live there and improve it until 1833, when he took up his residence on the farm. He was employed as an accountant and general manager of the firm of Brown Brothers, of Ann Arbor, at that time one of the largest mercantile establish- ments west of Detroit. The firm sold out in 1832 and Mr. Sey- mour returned to his farm, where he resided until his death, in August, 1834. His land finally became the plat of the present vil- lage of Whitmore Lake. "Uncle Seymour," as he was known far and wide, was a man possessing a warm, genial nature, and well respected by all with whom he was acquainted. He died suddenly of the cholera, and was buried on his farm, but in 1854 his remains were removed to Ann Arbor.

Michael Quigley purchased Government land and moved into the town in the year 1833. He soon cleared up a nice farm and planted a large apple orchard and other fruit trees, but did not live long to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He was father to John Quigley, and father-in-law to P. Wall and P. Conners.

Gilbert A. Gardner was born in Seneca county, N. Y., and his wife, Mabel Baldridge, of the same place. They came to North- field June 7, 1831. Mr. Gardner was a man of fine abilities, but did not have a constitution strong enough to endure the hardships of a

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

pioneer life. He died in 1836, much regretted by his neighbors and friends. His wife is still alive and in the vigor of health. Mr. Gardner left one daughter, Augusta, who married Alonzo Doty, of Ann Arbor. Nathan Salyer married Mrs. Gardner in Seneca county, N. Y., Sept. 7, 1837, and moved to this county in Septem- ber, 1839. In the year 1848 he was elected to the State Legislat- ure, and subsequently held other offices in the town. He died in the year 1880, leaving two children, Judson Salyer and Mrs. Robert F. Brokaw.

Capt. John Moe emigrated with his family to the Territory in the year 1827, and purchased what afterward proved to be one of the most valuable tracts of land in Washtenaw county. There were few more intelligent, enterprising men than Capt. Moe. He died in 1855, aged 54 years. Abraham Moe, one of the members of the family, is still living and resides in Adrian.

Hon. J. G. Leland was born in Madison county, N. Y., in 1805. He received a common-school education, and was married to Miss Nancy Bly, and emigrated to Michigan and settled in the township of Ann Arbor in 1831. He stayed there a year or two and sold ont to James Mowry, who owned a half interest in the farm, and purchased a farm in Northfield. Mr. Leland had great executive ability, a healthy, strong constitution, a perseverance that never faltered, and an indomitable will that never forsook him. Quick of apprehension, he could apply himself to any emergency. He was ambitious to acquire wealth and renown. He held by appoint- ment the office of Justice of the Peace under Gov. Cass, in 1833, and subsequently many other township offices. In the years 1844 and 1846 he was elected a member of the State Legislature. Dur- ing that session an act was passed to sell the Michigan Central rail- road, in which he bore a conspicuous part. In the year 1869 Mr. Leland retired from business and moved to Ann Arbor, where he died in 1876. Mrs. Leland survived him only a few years. Their children are Mrs. C. H. Worden, Mrs. Ransom Townsend, Mrs. Hascall Laraway and Emory Leland, who still owns the old home- stead in Northfield. Capt. Joshua Leland, another son, died in the army during the late war.

CHURCHES.

St. Patrick's Church .- About the year 1829, some two or three Catholic families came to the dense woods of Northfield, built log houses and commenced to clear the forests. In 1830 they were visited by Rev. Father Kelly, who said mass in their houses. In 1831 there were about ten Catholic families, and these good, devout people built in the spring of that same year a log church on the spot where now the pastoral residence is situated, and under the administration of Father Kelly the parish grew, attracting Catholics from all districts. In 1835 Rev. Father Morrisey was appointed parish priest of Northfield, and under his administration

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a frame church, 30x40 feet, was built in 1837. Father Morrisey left there in 1840. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Cullen. The parish at that time had about 90 families. Father Cullen took up his residence in Ann Arbor, and attended to the spiritual wants of both Northfield and Ann Arbor until 1864. In 1850 the 30x40 frame church had become too small, and a 30x60 addition was attached, which gave the building the form of a T. This church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. P. P. Lefevere, Bishop of the Diocese, under the name of St. Bridget's.

In 1864 Northfield again was restored to the primitive honor of being one of the first parishes of the diocese of Detroit, and Rev. Peter Wallace was appointed to link that broken succession. Dur- ing his administration the rectory was built in 1865. Rev. Father Wallace left Northfield in 1873. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Lux, an able speaker, and a highly educated priest, but an invalid, who died in the beginning of June, 1874, after the short adminis- tration of eight months. Father Lux was born in Holland. He was succeeded the same year by Rev. Father A. Carrolan, who came in October and left in November. Dec. 5, 1874, he was succeeded by Rev. J. Van Waterschoot. Under his administration the present new church was built, the history of which follows:

Dec. 5, 1874, Rev. J. V. Waterschoot was appointed rector in Northfield after leaving St. Joseph, Berrien Co., Mich., where he had labored for nine years. Jan. 17, 1875, he began to speak of building a new church, as his predecessors had done before him. Discouraged by former attempts at building in Northfield, many members, if not the majority, laughed at the idea, and had made up their minds that it was not profitable to do so, and undoubtedly impossible it was, as he proposed to do it on a cash basis. Still, as he seemed to make so little of it, and promised not to make any debts, it would be, at least, as he said, worth trying. On the next day the first stones were brought to the spot by Messrs. Francis and James Hanlin. From that day till the building was completed all the materials were hauled and brought to the building spot by the unanimous zeal and praiseworthy efforts of the parishioners. The corner-stone was laid May 31, 1877, by the Very Rev. Edward Joos, assisted by Rev. Fathers Buyse, Delevere, Slattery and the pastor, in the presence of a great concourse of people. The out- side building was completed on Oct. 19. Oct. 20, 1878, the church was dedicated by the Right Rev. C. H. Borgess, D. D., Bishop of Detroit, assisted by Rev. Fathers H. J. Schutjes, F. J. Van Erp, F. Slattery, Rev. Father Joseph and an immense concourse of peo- ple. The building is 44x88 feet, and the total cost was $10,000. The building committee were John Boyle, John Smith and John Coyle.

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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 64

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