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 65
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The Methodist Church .- In 1832 Rev. Alvin Billings preached at the Murray school-house. Nearly all the settlers in that neigh- borhood were from the State of New York. The same year he formed a class of the following persons: Isaac Burhans, Calvin
650
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Holmes, Sidney Smith and wife, Joel Smith, Orrin Jeffords and wife, Mr. Patte and wife, Orrison Leland and wife, and Mrs. Leet. Isaac Burhans was chosen class-leader. About the same time, or soon after, a class was formed at the Matthews school-house, and was recognized in the Methodist General Conference with stated preaching until about the year 1840. In the year 1847 a Methodist church was built at Leland's Corners and the two societies united, and was known as the First Methodist Church of Northfield. A burial-ground was laid out in connection with the church the same year.
There is also a Methodist church located at Whitmore Lake. The edifice is of frame and a credit to the society. As early as 1838 the people assembled for religions worship at the house of Christian Zook, which was situated on the lake.
Lutheran Church .- The first German Lutheran church was built in 1875 and dedicated the same year-Rev. Mr. Stein, of Germany, pastor. Its members were C. F. Kapp and wife, Abraham Steffin and wife, Frederick Bender and wife, George J. Cook and wife, Christian Rosenburger and wife, Jacob Swerget and wife, Mr. Lud- wick and wife, George Kempf and wife, Christian Lutz and wife, Charles Procner and wife, Bernard Bower and wife, John Garlock and wife, Dr. Smith and wife, Christian Fry and wife, Mr. Wag- goner, Henry Wessel and wife, Gottlob Bessinger and wife, Enso Giger, and John Kapp and wife. They have preaching on Sun- days, and a school is taught in the basement of the church by the minister.
SUTTON SCHOOL . HOUSE.
There has been more or less talk among the historians of Wash- tenaw county relative to when and where the first school-house was built. Nelson Brundage's father came into the neighborhood in 1828. Nelson was then about seven or eight years old, and has lived there ever since. He thinks the first school-house was built in the year 1826, and the first school was tanght by Sally Ann Green.
Mr. Hurd thought the school-house near Benjamin Sutton's was built in the spring of 1828, and the first school was taught by Miranda Leland. She and David Hurd were married the January following by Rev. Mr. Page. The school-house east of Satton's was built in 1828 or 1829. The same winter a debating society was organized and spelling school taught, and in 1830 a Sunday- school was started under the care of a young man by the name of Merrell, assisted by Miss Parmelia Leland.
My first knowledge of the Sutton school-house was in the year 1830. It was built of logs with a small window beside the door and a four-pane sash on the other side, giving only a small amount of light for the inmates. The hearth was made of mortar cement, the chimney back was laid up with undressed stone for abont four
651.
NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.
feet, and the rest was finished with what was called a "stick chimney" composed of mortar and sticks.
NAMES OF LAKES.
Whitmore lake receives its name under the following circum- stances: Jonathan F. Stratton, who was the only surveyor in Wash- tenaw county at the time, in company with Mr. Whitmore, who lived near Ann Arbor, had been out "prospecting," as the old set- tlers called land-looking. On their way home they felt weary and tired, and as night was approaching they concluded to pitch their tent on the bank of the lake near by. The next morning after breakfast and the preliminaries for starting were through with, Mr. Stratton proposed to Mr. Whitmore that they give a name to the lake, and they called it Whitmore lake. It was so put on the maps and has since been known by that name.
Some time previous to 1830, a few of the old settlers of Northfield and adjoining towns had a "picnic party " on the 4th of July, on the bank of the lake, and christened Independence lake.
Jack lake was so called from the fact that Jack, a horse owned by Benjamin Sutton, strayed away from home. Jack was tracked by friendly Indians a distance of some six or seven miles, and found on a small island in the middle of the lake. Jack could not be got off except by means of a raft, owing to the softness of the shore.
IIeary lake took its name from Michael Heary, who was one of the original purchasers of land adjoining the lake.
Van Atta lake was called after Aaron Van Atta, who was the first settler and who owned land adjoining.
Horse Shoe lake was so named from being in the shape of a horse shoe or crescent, having a small peninsula jutting in from the south side. The water is deep and contains a variety of fish. It covers about one section of land. The lake receives the waters of all the lakes and marshes in the town except Jack lake and Mud lake. A few years ago Joseph Pray purchased a farm near by, and through his influence principally, the lake was lowered about four feet by lowering the " outlet" which ran into the Huron river.
The first hotel at Whitmore Lake was kept by A. Burt. He re- mained landlord only a short time, when he sold out to Mr. Stevens in 1831 or 1833. Where the tavern then stood, two hotels have since been built. One is known as the Clifton House and the other the Whitmore Lake House. This lake is quite a noted summer resort, and is visited by hundreds of people during the hot months. The scenery in the vicinity is of great beauty, and the accommoda- tions are ample for the entertainment of hundreds.
THE FIRST TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
A temperance society was organized in Northfield as early as 1839 with 25 members. According to the by-laws of the society,
652
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
a member could violate the pledge not exceeding two times, and on due proof of the third offense, he was unanimously " bounced." The by-laws were drawn up and signed by John Davis, John Ren- wick and S. H. Craim, committee. The next meeting of the society was held in a school-house near Robert Appleton's. Meetings were held four times a year. On Dec. 4, 1839, a constitution was adopted and an address was delivered by the Rev. Guy Beckley, on "The evils growing out of intemperance and the benefits resulting from a temperate course of living." At this meeting 10 men and three women signed the pledge. The first annual meeting of the society was held in a school-house near Philander Murray's on the 8th day of April, 1840, and the following officers were elected : President, Rufus Matthews; Vice President, Philander Murray; Secretary, Nathan Salyer. The following vigilance committee was also appointed : Jas. Huston, Orrin Jeffords, Robert Appleton, Horace Coy and John Renwick. The first Secretary of the society was J. G. Leland who was succeeded by Nathan Salyer, who held the office until 1846. This society continued in its good work until 1845, when the interest in the temperance cause seemed to wane; and before the close of the next year regular meetings were aban- doned. No special efforts to advance the cause were made until the ribbon movement of 1878, when
ST. PATRICK'S TEMPERANCE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
was organized through the influence of Father Van Waterschoot, of St. Patrick's Church, Dec. 25, 1877, with three members, Patrick Purtell, Thomas Kearney and Charles Ryan. The following officers were elected : President, Patrick Purtell; Secretary, Thomas Kearney; Treasurer, John Mclaughlin. The society rapidly in- creased, and now numbers over 40 members. They have given two dramatic entertainments; one in St. Patrick's Church, and repeated it in the Opera House at Ann Arbor. The society has wielded a beneficent influence for good among the young men of Northern Washtenaw county, and deserves the best wishes of all temperance people. Each member wears a very neat and tasty silver badge with the words " St. P. T. S." handsomely engraved thereon. The present officers are : President, Patrick Purtell; Vice President, John Conlin; Secretary, James Welch; Treasurer, Michael How- ard. Six counsellors are elected annually, whose duty it is to look after the society's poor, and also delinquent members.
Northfield Grange, No. 399, was organized April 18, 1874, and the following officers were duly elected and installed by an officer from Roseville, Mich .:- Master, George Sutton; Overseer, S. W. Shurtleff; Lecturer, C. K. Kapp; Steward, N. E. Sutton; Asst. Steward, T. T. Burlingame; Chaplain, William Doty; Treasurer, F. Kapp; Secretary. E. E. Leland; Gate-Keeper, A. Steffin; Ceres, Mrs. M. R. Shurtleff; Pomona, Sarah Kapp; Flora, Luena Steffin; Lady Asst. Steward, Miss C. A. Sutton. The lodge numbers 31 members, and is in a very prosperous condition.
653
NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.
SOME OF NORTHFIELD'S BOYS.
If " the highlands produce poets," the people of Northfield con- gratulate themselves on producing men of literary tastes and abilities.
Judge L. Horrigan, of Memphis, Tenn., received a common- school education at the Sutton school-house. Dr. John Kapp, Mayor of Ann Arbor; his brother, Dr. C. Kapp, of Manchester; Dr. H. Shurtleff, of the same place; Prof. T. E. Howard, of Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind., and his brother, John Howard, received their early education at the Shaw school-house. P. Mcker- nan, Circuit Court Commissioner of Washtenaw county, received his primary education at the Mutolph school-house. Col. John Ses- sions, of Ann Arbor, received his first impression of a common- school education in Northfield. Dr. Dolen, of Lansing, and his brother, attended school at the Moe school-house. Capt. Richard Beahan (dec.), and John and William Cuthbert, of Chicago, were pupils at Mutolph Corners. Miss Shanahon, subsequently known as " Madamoiselle d' Isabell," was a scholar at the same old school- house. Col. William Stevens was a student at Whitmore lake, and Capt. Leland (dec.) received his primary education at the Leland school-house.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The following are those that have served in different official capacities since the organization of the township:
SUPERVISORS.
John Renwick. 1833-4
Rufus Matthews 1835-6
John Renwick 1837
George Sutton. 1838-9
John Renwick. 1840
Lucien B. Barker 1841
Rufus Matthews 1842-3
John Ren wick. 1844
Rufus Matthews 1845
Nathan Salyer 1846-7
George Sutton. 1848
John Renwick. 1849
Rufus Matthews. 1850-2
Nathan Salyer, 1853
-
Patrick Purtell.
1878-80
CLERKS.
George Sutton. .1833
Dan B. Appleton
1834
George Sutton
1835-6
Robert Shaw 1837
John Renwick. 1838
Robert Shaw .. 1839-40
Samuel Botsford 1841
L. B. Barker. .1842
John Smith Cuthbert 1843
Mandeville Tuttle 1844
Samuel Botsford. 1845
John S. Cuthbert. 1846
John Renwick. 1847
Charles Curtis. 1848-9
Martin Howard 1850-1
John Renwick 1852
Henry F. Brown 1853
Orison Leland. 1854-6
George Sutton 1857-8
John Seary .. 1859-60
James O'Brien . 1861-2
John Seary. 1863
John Ryan 1864
John Kapp.
1865-6
Timothy Howard. 1867
John Gibney. 1868-9
James Walsh. 1870
Patrick Purtell 1871-2
Eugene Gibney 1873
Patrick Purtell. 1874
William Walsh
1875-8
Eugene Gibney 1879-80
Ira Harker. 1854
James Clancy 1855
Philip Winegar. 1856-8
Joseph Pray. 1859
Patrick McKernan. 1860-1
Philip Winegar .1862
Patrick McKernan 1863-4
Joseph Pray. 1865
John Ryan. 1866
Patrick Wall. 1867-71
George Renwick. 1872 74
Emory G. Leland 1875
N. E. Sutton ..
1876-7
654
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
TREASURERS.
Orange Green. 1838
Patrick Gibney. 1859
Dennis Clancy 1839
John Prindle .. 1860
Lucien B. Barker 1840
Nathan Nixon 1861
Samuel Botsford.
1841
Patrick Glennan 1862
John King
1842
William Lennan 1863
Richard Stackable.
1843
Timothy Donovan 1864
James O'Brien
1845
Orison Leland ..
1846
William Lennan 1867
Henry Busenbark.
1847-9
Bernhard Bauer
1868
Chester Rosencrantz. 1850
James McHugh. 1869
Patrick Hoban. 1851
John Taylor 1870-1
Douglas Stevens. 1852
George Danner 1872-3
Luther Hatch.
1853
Henry Young. 1874-5
Absolem Pidd. 1854
George N. Allen.
1855
William F. Kennedy 1850-7
William Foley
1858
John Taylor. 1880
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Benjamin Sutton. 1831
Zenas Bird. 1858-61
George W. Dexter .1832
George Sutton .1859
Joshua G. Leland.
1832
Joseph Pray 1861
Isaac R. Futton. 1836
John Seary 1862
John Kernan. 1836
George Sutton 1863-4
M. H. Stubbs. 1836
Bates West. 1865-8
Thomas T. Pettis 1836
John Brokaw. 1865
Rufus Matthews 1837-40
Charles W. Taylor .1866
Robert Shaw 1837
Bryan Galligan. 1866-8
Alvin Moe. 1838-41
John Nixon, .. 1866
John King. 1839
William Schaffer 1867-70
Nathan Sutton. 1839
1840
Joseph Pray .. 1868-70
John Beedru.
1841
Christian F. Kapp 1868-9
George Sutton 1842
Bryan Galligan .. 1869-72
John Keenan 1843
Nelson Hallock. 1844
Bates C. West 1869-70
Roswell Curtis 1844-7
James Barry. 1870
Albert Stevens. 1845
George Sutton.
1846
James Barry 1871
John Brokaw. 1847
Christian F. Kapp. .1871
Aaron B. Van Atta. 1848
Albert Stevens.
1849
William Duncan .1873
George Sutton.
1850
Thomas Haran. 1873
C. F. Kapp. 1874-6
George Renwick 1874
Albert Stevens. 1853
J. G. Leland. 1853
John Brokaw 1876
George Sutton. 1854
Patrick Purtell 1877
Aaron B. Van Atta. .1855
C. F. Kapp
.1878
Joseph Semain. . 1856
Thomas Haran 1878
William Rogers. 1856
John Ryan. 1879
Samuel D. Bird. 1857-9
George Sutton. 1879
Bryan Galligan. 1857-8
William Schaffer. 1880
Joseph Pray. 1857-60
William D. Birdwell 1880
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Below we give personal sketches of many of the leading citizens of Northfield township, whose lives are more or less identified with its history and in fact constitute an essential factor of the same.
George Sutton 1869-70
Thomas Harran 1870-73
Haskal Laroway. .1872
John Brokaw. 1851
Roswell Curtis. 1852
E N. Stiles 1874-5
George Sutton 1868
J. G. Leland.
Daniel Barry. 1876-7
John Mclaughlin. 1878-9
John Gibney. 1865-6
Morgan OMrun
سعيد
657
NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.
E. T. Brokaw was born April 2, 1839, and is a life resident of this county. His parents, John and Catherine Brokaw, came to this country in 1838. Mr. Brokaw was educated in the common and Union schools of Ann Arbor. He has a wide reputation as a teacher, having taught some 12 or 15 years. At present he is de- voting his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He was married May 4, 1864, to Mrs. Mary Shelby, who was born Jan. 29, 1833, and daughter of D. B. and Jane (Appleton) Shelby. They have 3 children-Edith M., Ira E., and Roscoe T. Mrs. Brokaw's first husband was E. M. Shelby, a lawyer by profession. They were joined in marriage March 20, 1845. Mr. Shelby died in 1846.
John Brokaw was born at Sumner, New Jersey, Sept. 9, 1809, and is a son of John and Phoebe Brokaw, who came to this county in 1836, locating on sec. 20, Northfield tp., where the former died in 1858, and the latter in June, 1877. John learned the shoe- maker's trade when quite young, which business he followed until his removal to this county in 1837. He was married in New York in 1830, to Catherine Holly, who was born in New York in 1809. Six children have been given to this couple, 5 of whom survive -George, Ezra, Robert, Phoebe A. and James. Mr. Brokaw is a successful farmer, and owns 160 acres of good land.
Edmund Clancy, farmer, sec. 29; was born in Ireland Nov. 23, 1816. His parents, Dennis and Margaret (Morrison) Clancy, came to the United States in 1818, locating in Pennsylvania. They then removed to Monroe county, N. Y., and in 1835, to this county, where the former died at the advanced age of 93, and the latter at 81 years. Edmund was reared on a farm, and has followed that vocation through life, with the exception of 10 years, from 1842 to 1852, when he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was married April 29, 1845, to Caroline Keenan, who was born in New York, June, 1823. Of the 8 children born to them, 7 are living- Caroline, wife of Franklin Hanlan; Margaret, wife of John Shan- non; Edmund, William, Elizabeth, Mary and Gertrude. Mr. Clancy and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. He has been School Inspector of Northfield tp., for eight years.
A. B. Close, blacksmith, on sec. 5, P. O. Whitmore Lake, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., May 7, 1823, son of Reuben and Hannah Close, both of whom died when A. B. was quite young. Mr. Close was taken to Monroe county, N. Y., where he lived until he came to Northfield tp., then being over 40 years of age. He was married March 2, 1859, to Caroline Nelson, who was born in Penn- sylvania. They have 3 children-Willard H., Selecta E. and George A. L. Mr. Close has been a blacksmith since his youth, 23 years of that time being spent in Washtenaw county.
Edward Comisky isa native of Ireland, where he was born June, 1794. His parents were John and Ann Comisky, the former of whom died in Ireland. Mrs. Comisky emigrated to America and settled in New Jersey, where she passed the remainder of her days.
40
658
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Edward came to America in 1833, and after a two-years residence in New Jersey to Northfield tp., locating on his present farm. He was married in 1839 to Mary Kating, born in Queen's county, Ireland, and daughter of Lawrence and Mary Kating. Seven chil- dren born to this union are living-John, Joseph, Frank, Maria, Christopher, Edward and Margaret J. Mr. Comisky was in limited circumstances when he came to Northfield tp., but has pros- pered exceedingly, and now enjoys the comfort of a good home with pleasant surroundings. Himself and wife are members of the Ro- man Catholic Church. Mr. Comisky resides on sec. 21.
Christopher Donagan (deceased) was born in Ireland in 1830, son of Eugene and Elizabeth Donagan. Mr. Donagan came to America in 1854, and settled at Ann Arbor, and three years later at Welch's Corners, in Northfield tp., where he was engaged in blacksmithing for 16 years. He was married Dec. 9, 1863, to Alice Conlan, a native of this county, born July 2, 1840. Of the 7 children born to them. 4 are living --- Eugene, William, John and Alice. Mrs. Donagan's parents were Owen and Ellen Con- lan, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1827, and to Northfield tp. in 1833, where the former died Feb. 19, 1877, and the latter Sept. 17, 1869. They were the parents of 5 children, all of whom are dead, but Mrs. Donagan, who lives to mourn the loss of father, mother, brothers, sisters, and her loving husband. Mrs. Donagan is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Thomas Featherly was born in Wayne county, N. Y., Sept. 20, 1822, and is the son of Frederick and Catherine Featherly, the former a native of New York and the latter a native of Canada. They both died in Wayne county, N. Y. Thomas came to Washtenaw county and settled in Superior tp., thence to his present location in Northfield tp., in 1840. He was married June 11, 1842, to Susan Whitehead, who was born in Steuben county, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1826. They have 8 children living-Matthew, Mark, Phoebe M., William M., Jennie E., Ella S., Edward W., and Annie L. Mr. Featherly served four years and three months in Co. G., 3d Mich. Cav., par- ticipating in many of the most serious engagements, but never re- ceived any wound whatever. IIe was honorably discharged at New Orleans and returned to his farm in Northfield tp., where he has since resided.
Robert Flintoff, a native of Yorkshire, England, was born in August, 1815. His parents, George and Mary Flintoff, came to America and located in New Jersey in 1824, where they passed the remainder of their life. Robert removed to Michigan and set- tled on his present farm in 1839. He was married April, 1855, to Sarah A. Rockafellar, who was born at Romulus, Seneca Co., N. Y., Nov. 13, 1824. Mr. Flintoff has 2 children-Robert and Rosa M. Mr. Flintoff is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of North- field tp., and owns 190 acres of land, under a high state of cultiva- tion. His P. O. address is Ann Arbor.
659
NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Timothy Fohey was born in New York city Feb. 27. 1843. His parents, Philip and Mary (Mulchy) Fohey, were natives of Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1832. They came to Washtenaw county in 1855. locating on sec. 18, Northfield tp., where he died Sept. 22, 1864. His widow died in June, 1869. Timothy re- ceived a common-school education, and has followed farming and stock-raising through life. He was married May 24, 1871, to An- astatia ()'Brien, who was born in Webster tp., Jan. 1, 1848. Six children have been born to this union, 4 of whom are living -- An- astatia, Victoria, Helen C. and Mary T. Mr. Fohey has been very successful in his farming operations, and owns 485 acres of well- improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Fohey are members of the Roman ( 'atholic Church.
Patrick Gibney, Sr. (deceased), was a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1807. He came to America in 1829 and settled in New York, where he was married, in 1833, to Julia Lynch, born in Ireland in October, 1802, a daughter of Owen and Mary Lynch, who came to the United States in 1832. They removed to Michigan the same year and settled in Washtenaw county, where they resided until death. There are 6 of the children living-James, Michael, Patrick, Eugene, Eliza and Mary. Michael is a professor of elocu- tion at Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1877. He served one year in the 10th Mich. Cavalry. Patrick was a member of the same regiment, and is now located on a part of the old homestead farm. Eugene was born in North- field tp., June 20, 1849, and received his educational training in the high schools of Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor.
He has been a teacher in Northfield and Ann Arbor tps. for a number of years, and bears the reputation of a good tutor. He was married Nov. 23, 1880, in Northfield tp., to Katie Welch, who was born in this county in 1850. Mr. Gibney has been School Inspector, and at present is Clerk of Northfield tp. Himself and entire family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
James Hallen, farmer, on sec. 29, was born in Ireland in 1824. His parents, James and Ann (Koon) Hallen, both departed this life in their native land, and in 1848 their orphaned son made his way to America, first stopping in Dutchess county, N. Y., where he worked by the day for seven years. He came to Michigan in 1855, and was employed in a brick-yard near Detroit for two years. He then removed to Washtenaw county and obtained employment with Samuel McCormick, a farmer of Salem tp. He worked there one year, at the expiration of that time purchasing 50 acres of land, for which he paid all his ready cash and went in debt $500. By hard toil and strict economy he managed to pay off this debt, and as soon as it was done, he added 36 acres more to his farm at a cost of $300. This last purchase was paid for, and Mr. Hallen became a free man once more. He resided in Salem tp. 12 years, and then located in Northfield tp., where he owns 220 acres of well improved land, and finely situated. He was married Oct. 9, 1854, to Rosanna
.
660
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Maloney, a native of Ireland. Their 6 children are-James H., William, Frank, Kate, wife of William Cullanine, of Dexter, Mary and Lizzie.
Thomas Haran, farmer, on sec. 18; was born in Ireland Nov. 15, 1819, and is a son of Michael and Margaret Haran. Mr. Haran's father emigrated to America in 1822, but soon returned to Ireland. In 1825 he came again, and located in New York, coming to Wash- tenaw county in 1834. He settled in Webster tp., where he resided until his death. He was a saddler and harness-maker by trade, but did not work at that business after coming to America. He died March 21, 1843, and his widow followed him Jan. 9. 1854. Thomas came from Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in 1852, and was reared to man- hood in Webster tp., where he has since resided, engaged in farm- ing. He was married May 10, 1847, to Margaret, daughter of William and Catherine Pringle. Her parents came to this county in 1830, locating in Northfield tp., where the former died Nov. 19, 1852, and the latter, July 23, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Haran, and their 5 children-Mary, Catherine, William, Francis and Charles-are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Calvin Holmes was born at Henrietta, Monroe Co., N. Y., March, 1802. In the fall of 1831 he came to Washtenaw county, purchas- ing one tract of land in Northfield tp., and then returned to New York. On May 10, 1832, he started with his family and household goods for his new home in Michigan, arriving at Patrick Gulegin's, about two miles south of his purchase, at noon on May 17. There was no road north of this, so the goods were unloaded and the teams sent back to Detroit. After dinner Mr. Holmes took the baby, and his wife the rifle, and started for the home of Philander Murray, whose land adjoined on the north. They met with a warm reception at Mr. Murray's (Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Holmes were cousins), and the next day Mr. Holmes, borrowing Mr. Murray's oxen and sled, moved his goods to his new house, which had been erected by his fa- ther the previous autumn. The structure was only a rude affair and unfinished. The roof and upper floors were covered with bark, and split and hewn basswood logs were used for the floor. In a week or ten days the family were safely housed, and as happy as they could be under the circumstances. Mr. Holmes had brought one barrel of flour and a barrel of pork with him, and they had to last until money could be raised to purchase more. He never complained of his lot, but went cheerfully to work and succeeded in making a pleasant home out of his surroundings. In 1854 he moved to Eagle, Clinton Co., Mich., where he still resides, aged 79 years.
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