USA > Michigan > Lenawee County > Illustrated history and biographical record of Lenawee County, Mich. > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
The first Presbyterian church was organized in Blissfield, Feb- ruary 22d, 1829, the Rev. Alanson Darwin, of Tecumseh, officiating.
At the election held July 11th. 1831, twenty-nine votes were cast. The township was organized in May, 1827, and then included all of the present township of Deerfield.
17
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The village of Blissfield is one of the important business points in the county. It is the principal trading point for the southeastern portion of the county, and three townships of the most productive farming land of Michigan are tributary to it. It is probably the largest shipping point for fat live stock, on the line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, between Chicago and Toledo. During the year 1902 fully 2,550 fine cattle and over 10,000 fat hogs were sent to the eastern markets from that station.
₹1
The Business Center of Blissfield.
The cattle shown in the above picture were fatted by Stephen H. Leonard, who resides on Sec. 12 in Ogden. Mr. Leonard is the largest cattle feeder in Lenawee County. In 1901-2 he fed 72 head of cattle, and in June, 1902, shipped them, together with 119 hogs, from Blissfield station, receiving in payment a check for $8,587.14. In 1902-3 he fed 66 head of cattle and 80 hogs.
2
18
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ADRIAN-The Third Settlement.
Early in the fall of 1825, Addison J. Comstock, accompanied by his father, Darius Comstock, started from their home, in Lockport, New York, for the Territory of Michigan. Upon arriving in Detroit they found Walter Whipple, who was on his way back east. Mr. Whipple had been on an exploring tour and had taken up land. They were old acquaintances in the State of New York, and Mr. Whipple informed his friends of the fine lands and opportunities south of Te- cumseh, where he had purchased. The Comstocks took the "Tecum- seh trail," and September 7th, 1825, Addison J. Comstock purchased from the government 480 acres of land, on which the greater portion of the city of Adrian now stands. Mr. Comstock was then a "single" man. Immediately returning east, he was married the following February, and that spring, 1826, started for his future home in Mich- igan. Thus the third settlement of pioneers in Lenawee county was begun.
East Maumee Street, Adrian, in 1863.
John Gifford came in Mr. Comstock's employ. Mr. Comstock forthwith gave his attention to building two houses, one for himself, located on the lot now occupied by the street railway company, as a depot, at the east end of Maumee street bridge. Mr. Gifford suc- ceeded in making his house habitable first, and Mrs. Gifford boasted of being the first white woman to settle in Adrian. Mrs. Comstock, however, was domiciled in her house a few days later.
John Gifford was the second man to locate land within the pres- ent limits of Adrian.
Elias Dennis was the third, his purchase dating from December
19
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
26th, 1826, and comprised a large portion of the southern part of the present city.
On the last day of March, 1828, Addison J. Comstock laid out, platted and recorded the original plan of the village of Adrian. This contained forty-nine lots, commencing at the river bank and running east nearly to what is now Broad street.
Settlers came in rapidly. The village was first called "Logan," but it was decided to change that appellation, and Mrs. Comstock christened it " Adrian," after the noted Roman.
The first public roads were laid out, fourteen in number, by Noah Norton and Warren Aylesworth, Road Commissioners, from November 26th, 1827, to December 11th, 1828.
Monument Square, Showing Soldiers' Monument.
The first election held for village officers took place in May, 1827. The second election in the township took place on the first Monday of the following November, for choosing members to the legislative council, when 71 votes were cast.
In the summer of 1828, the father of Mrs. Addison J. Comstock, Mr. Isaac Dean, came to Adrian, and soon after commenced the erec- tion of the first hotel, the "Exchange." The building stood on the corner of Maumee and Winter streets. It was a commodious structure for those days, became very popular as a public resort, was the "stage house" for many years, and was removed in 1859 to make
20
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
room for the large brick hotel now occupying the site. A part of the old building, now known as the "Gibson House," was located a little further down the street.
The second hotel was built by Isaac French, on the northwest corner of Main and Maumee streets, in 1830, and was known as the "Franklin House." It was destroyed by fire in 1846, and a brick hotel was soon after erected on the site.
In 1829 A. J. Comstock and Isaac Dean built a mill, for many years afterwards known as the " Red Mill." At that time the nearest mill was at Tecumseh.
The first postoffice in Adrian was established in 1829, with A. J. Comstock as postmaster. The first quarter's receipts were nineteen cents.
First Soldiers to leave Adrian in the Spring of 1861, under President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men.
The first school was opened in the village in the winter of 1828-9, by Miss Dorcas Dean. In 1829, a frame school house was built on the west side of South Main street, at the junction of Winter street. The first dry goods store was opened by E. C. Winter in 1829, on the southwest corner of Maumee and Winter streets. For many years Mr. Winter was a successful Indian trader and dealer in white men's supplies.
The first church edifice to be built in Adrian was in 1832, when
21
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the Presbyterian society located their house of worship on Church street, adjoining the lot where the principal apparatus of the fire de- partment is now stationed.
The first newspaper in the county was established in Adrian by R. W. Ingals, October 22, 1834. The paper was first christened The Adrian Gazette and Lenawee County Republican. This was subse- quently changed to The Watch Tower. Mr. Ingals continued to pub- lish the paper until 1863, when he disposed of it to Larwill, Apple- gate & Champion. September 11th, 1865, Gen. William Humphrey purchased the plant, when the name was changed to the Adrian Daily and Weekly Times, which still lives.
DENTIST
Main Street, Looking North.
The first meetings of the Baptist church of Adrian were held in 1832 in the upper room of the house now occupied by Dr. Jewett Williams, jr., on the north side of East Maumee street, next west of the postoffice.
The first drug store was opened by Abel Whitney and Asahel Finch, jr., in 1835.
During the summer of 1834 the village was visited by a plague of sickness that carried off many of the most respected and prom- inent citizens. Scarcely a family escaped.
The greatest event in the history of Adrian occurred November 2d, 1836, being the completion of the Erie & Kalamazoo railroad
22
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
from Toledo to Adrian. This was the first railroad built west of Schenectady, New York, and was an enterprise of the greatest im- portance.
It was through the enterprise and untiring efforts of Addison J. Comstock, his father, Darius Comstock, George Crane, Joseph Gib- bons and Dr. C. N. Ormsby, of Adrian, and some gentlemen in To- ledo, that the work was done.
The first court house and jail was erected in Adrian in 1836-7. The court house was destroyed by fire on the morning of March 14th, 1852. Many valuable records were lost.
MAPLE CITY LAUNDRY
Maumee Street, Looking West.
The first bank in the county was the "Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad Bank of Adrian." established by Philo C. Fuller, of Geneseo, N. Y. The bank afterwards went into the possession of John B. and F. W. Macey, of New York. With the Maceys came Carlisle Norwood, who was the first chief engineer of the Adrian fire depart- ment.
The Hon. Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, visited Lenawee County in 1838, remaining over night in Adrian.
The "big gristmill" was erected at Palmyra, six miles east of Adrian, in 1836-7, and for many years was a prominent landmark. In those days it was confidently predicted that Palmyra would out- strip, in size and importance, both Adrian and Tecumseh.
23
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The first Methodist church built in Adrian was on Toledo street, and is now owned and occupied by the Church of Christ.
Adrian was incorporated as a village in March, 1828, and as a city in January, 1853.
Adrian Lodge No. 8, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 6th, 1835, by R. W. P. G., B. F. Hall. and R. W. P. G., J. H. Mullett, of Michigan Lodge No. 1, when the following officers were installed; Daniel D. Sinclair, N. G .; Sebra Howard, V. G .; Charles Smith, S .; R. W. Ingals, T.
Mrs. Josephine (Southworth) Wilcox, wife of the late Hon. William S. Wilcox, on her death in 1897, left the sum of $5,000, to construct an entrance to Oakwood Cemetery, Adrian, in memory of her husband. The above picture shows the character of the Memorial as it now stands completed.
The first brass band in this place was organized in 1838, by an Englishman named William Tutten, from Utica, New York, and was called the "Adrian Brass Band." This band went to Fort Meigs in 1840, with the Lenawee County delegation, to attend the great Har- rison mass meeting. At this time it was led by William C. Hunt, father of W. O. Hunt, of this city. General Joseph W. Brown was in command of the Michigan delegation at this great meeting, and held an umbrella over General Harrison while he was speaking.
Alert Fire Company No. 1 was officially organized June 19th, 1841. Following are the names of the original members: D. K.
24
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Underwood, Joseph H. Wood, Milo Weins, S. V. R. Smart, M. Mer- rick, W. S. Wilcox, S. W. Van Vosburg, J. J. Newell, Isaac Paulding, R. Smart, A. Barnard, Thomas S. Baker, Samuel Smith, C. R. Wat- son, Phi. Tabor, T. D. Ramsdell, Charles Ingersoll, R. W. Ingals, James Mills, J. H. Woodbury, E. H. Rice, W. M. Comstock, John Harkness, Charles W. Hunt. The machine was purchased from Lewis Selye, of Rochester, New York, at a cost of $813.
City Hall, Adrian.
A Hook and Ladder Company was officially organized June 19th, 1841. Following are the names of the original members: A. W. Budlong, A. S. Berry, L. G. Berry, J. H. Chittenden, Joel Carpenter, Washington Harwood, Henry Hart, Horace Mason, N. L. P. Pierce, Charles Philbrook, Clement Smith, Randall W. Smith. March 11th, 1842, the Village Council appropriated the sum of $90 for the purchase of a truck for the use of the company. We also notice on the records
25
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
that Henry Hart, who was then a trustee, offered a resolution to purchase three axes for the company. The truck was built by William C. Hunt.
The Adrian Guards, the first military company regularly equipped by the state, in Lenawee County, was organized May 10th, 1842, by Daniel Hicks, who was elected captain, which office he held until the year 1847, when he went to Mexico in command of a company. F. J. King was first lieutenant, Edwin Comstock, second lieutenant, William Aldrich, orderly sergeant. In 1843, George W. Hicks was elected orderly, he being the best drill-master in the company. Charles M. Croswell was elected captain after Captain Hicks, and held the office until the next annual election, when the late Frederick Hart was made captain, which position he held up to April, 1861, with the exception of one year, 1855, when Justus H. Bodwell was made captain.
Protection Fire Company No. 2 was organized in October, 1845. Perry B. Truax, now of Toledo, was the first foreman, W. Huntington Smith, assistant foreman, and F. C. Beaman, secretary. The engine arrived in December, the same year, and cost $990.
The first Masonic lodge organized in the village was "Adrian Lodge No. 19," on July 28th, 1847, by E. Smith Lee, Grand Master of Michigan at that time. The original officers were : John Barber, W. Master; William Moore, S. W .; Warner Comstock, Jun. W .; Jonathan Berry. Treasurer ; David Horton, Secretary ; David Bixby, Sen. Deacon; William Talford, Jun. Deacon; Samuel Anderson, - Tyler.
The Adrian and Bean Creek Plank Road Company was organized on the 4th of May, 1848, with a capital stock of $75,000, divided into 3,000 shares. The original charter was from Adrian to Bean Creek, but an extension was granted, and it was built as far as Gambleville, in Hillsdale county, where it intersected with the. Chicago turnpike. During the year the survey was made, the right of way purchased and the contracts let for lumber and construction. The first plank of the road was laid in Adrian in the spring of 1849. Commencing on Front street, opposite where the Court House now stands, planks were laid up Main street to Maumee, and on Maumee street west to the village of Addison, etc. A. J. Comstock was the first president, Henry Jones, secretary, and E. L. Clark, treasurer.
The Adrian Gas Light Company was chartered by city ordinance, June 18th, 1855. The company consisted of Benijah Baker, H. P. Platt. George H. Wyman, L. C. Thayer. The Common Council that year was as follows: F. J. Buck, mayor ; Aldermen L. B. Bowen, R. J. Bradley, E. P. Linnell, J. H. Cleveland, A. J. Dean, W. E. Kimball, F. R. Stebbins, W. S. Wilcox.
The steam fire department was organized on Friday, October 11, 1867, consisting of two steamers, with attendant hose carts and one hook and ladder company. R. J. Bradley was appointed chief engineer and James Redmond assistant.
26
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
The state fair was held in Adrian in 1865, commencing Septem- ber 19th and continuing four days. It was also held here the following year.
The corner stone of the Masonic Temple was laid June 24th, 1865, and the building was occupied the following year.
The first Lenawee County fair was held in this city in Septem- ber, 1849.
HUDSON-The Second City.
The first settlement where the city of Hudson now stands was made by Hiram Kidder, October 29th, 1833. Mr. Kidder came from Yates county, New York. He located his land on section 8 and built a house upon it previous to moving his family, which consisted of his wife and five children, in October. The house had neither windows nor doors, and the nearest neighbor was twelve miles away. The whole of the country then known as the Bean Creek Valley, was an unbroken wilderness. Several other entries of land were made in the township that year, and on the evening of the first day of No- vember, two days after their settlement, there was a most important arrival, consisting of the family of Charles Ames, comprising his wife and four children, Elizabeth, Henry, William and Ezra, Miss Ball, sister of Mrs. Ames, and Alpheus Pratt. This was the founda- tion of the present prosperous city of Hudson.
In 1834, Hiram Kidder platted the village of Lenawee, which was acknowledged and recorded in the Register's office of Lenawee County, June 13th. That year Mr. Kidder built a mill, and Dudley Worden opened a store.
In May, 1834, Beriah H. Lane and his brother, Erastus, moved in and determined to found a village in opposition to Mr. Kidder. The settlement prospered, the first election being held April 4th, 1836, when B. H. Lane was elected justice of the peace. In May following a postoffice was established and named Lanesville, with Mr. Lane as postmaster, and the entire settlement was formally con- solidated as Lanesville. By common consent the name of the village was afterwards changed to Hudson, at the suggestion of Hiram Kidder.
The first newspaper published in Hudson appeared July 9th, 1853. The paper was called the Hudson Sentinel, and T. D. Mont- gomery was editor and proprietor.
The city contains eight churches, many of them fine edifices, all well attended and in flourishing condition.
It has a fine public school system, with adequate buildings and equipments. Its business interests are large and varied, with ample banking capital, and several factories and important enterprises have been developed and fostered within its borders.
27
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
MORENCI.
The first settlement made on Section 6, Town 9, range 1 east, where the village of Morenci now stands, was in 1833. It is situated on the bank of the Tiffin river (Bean Creek), near the Ohio line, in the southwest corner of the township of Seneca. Martin Hoag and Mr. Sherman entered the first land. Dennis Wakefield. Simon D. and James Wilson, and Elias Baldwin settled there in 1834.
View of Business Center of Village of Morenci.
Jephtha Whitman built the first log house, in which he lived and kept a store and postoffice. The first hotel was a double log house built and run by William Sutton. The first school was taught by Miss Louisa Dellman, in a log house erected for that purpose. The first church organization was the Methodist, in 1836, with seven members. Rev. Mr. Staples was the first minister. The first Methodist church edifice was dedicated in May, 1852, R. R. Richards presiding elder. The trustees were Hiram Wakefield, Josiah Osgood, Daniel Reed, S. D. Wilson and Samuel Warner. A Baptist church was organized in 1852, with fifteen members. The Congregational church was organized in 1858, with the Rev. George Barnum as pastor. The first frame building was erected by David M. Haight,
28
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
and was occupied as a store. The first gristmill was erected in 1852 by Franklin Cawley and Dennis Wakefield. The first plat of the village was made in 1852 by Franklin Cawley, who platted an addi- tion in 1858. The first name given the village was "Brighton," but owing to the fact of there being another village in the state of the same name, it was changed to Morenci by Mr. Whitman and S. D. Wilson. At that time there were four stores in the village, the original one having ceased to exist.
From this time, 1852, until the present the village has steadily grown in importance and wealth. It was incorporated in 1871, and is now one of the most thriving business points and growing centers of population in the county, outside of Adrian and Hudson. There is a splendid public school system, adequate churches, and a sound and progressive social sentiment, while the village today is one of the handsomest and most desirable places of residence in the county.
The business interests of Morenci are large and varied. There are two banks with an abundant capital, with surplus and deposits amounting to more than $500,000. Two brick and tile yards have recently been opened with good material and very large capacity. The Chappell Heating Furnace Company is an important industry. E. W. Scofield, dealer in furniture and undertakers' supplies, manu- factures a casket fastener that finds a ready market. The Michigan Brick and Tile Machine Works is a prosperous concern. The Morenci Roller Mills Company, merchant millers, is also another flourishing concern. The Ohio Dairy Company commenced the man- ufacture of condensed milk in 1902, and consumes daily more than 13,000 pounds of milk, the product being about 4,800 pounds. In 1902 the Morenci cheese factory made more than 148,000 pounds of cheese. There are many more important enterprises that go to make up a prosperous and happy community. The village is the center of an excellent farming region and enjoys a large patronage from the nearby Ohio farmers.
The village has recently expended over $14,000 in laying brick pavement upon the principal streets, and the business places are lighted with electricity.
For railroad facilities the main line of the Wabash railroad, the Fayette branch of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the Toledo and Western electric line furnish adequate and complete service. Other public improvements are contemplated.
CLINTON.
Clinton Village is situated on the northern border of the county, in the Township of Clinton, on the Jackson branch of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad. The Clinton Woolen Mill
29
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
is one of the important manufactories of the county, and its fine pro- duct of cloth finds ready market. The village is surrounded by a fine farming country, was incorporated in 1869, has a bank, good hotels, and is an important shipping point.
DEERFIELD,
The Township of Deerfield was set off from Blissfield in 1867, and the village of Deerfield was incorporated in 1872. It is a thriv- ing borough of about 1,000 inhabitants, and some considerable trade is done there in merchandise, live stock and farm produce. It has a bank, hotels and some manufacturing interests. It is situated on the Detroit branch of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail- road.
CLAYTON.
The village of Clayton is situated on the town line between Dover and Hudson, on the main line of the Lake Shore & Michigan South- ern Railroad, eleven miles west of Adrian. It was first settled in 1836, and was incorporated in 1870. It is a business centre of con- siderable importance, and has a population of about 600.
UNINCORPORATED VILLAGES,
The unincorporated villages in the county are:
ADDISON, in the southwest corner of the Township of Wood- stock. It has a good flouring mill and several reliable merchants. It is surrounded by a fine farming country.
BRITTON is a village in Ridgeway Township, on the Wabash Railroad, a good business point and farming centre.
CADMUS is a village in the Township of Dover, on the main line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, seven miles west of Adrian.
ONSTED village is situated in Cambridge, on a branch of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. Itis beautifully located and is the center of a fine farming region.
HOLLOWAY Village, on the line of the Wabash Railroad, in the eastern portion of Raisin Township, is an important shipping point for stock and farm produce.
30
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
JASPER, Weston and Fairfield Villages are all situated in Fair- field Township, and are important trading and shipping points in a most prosperous farming region. Palmyra village, in Palmyra Township, six miles east of Adrian, on the L. S. & M. S. railroad, is a trading and shipping point for farmers. Riga village, in Riga Township, on the L. S. & M. S. railroad, is also a convenient ship- ping and trading station. Ogden Center is a small village situated in the center of Ogden Township, with stores and postoffice, but no railroad connection. Macon village, in Macon Township, and Rome Center, in Rome Township, are hamlets appreciated by farmers in their vicinity.
Along the Wabash Railroad, west of Adrian, are the villages of Sand Creek, in Madison Township, Ennis, in Seneca Township, and Munson, in Medina Township. These are all shipping and trading points of importance and convenience to a large farming community.
THE LAST HUNT.
Nearly half a century ago there existed in Adrian a Hunting Club with the following members : Frank W. Clay, Asa Crane, William Crane, Edward Crane, John Harvey, M. Lawson, Philo Robinson, Stimson Harvey, Wm. Lewis and John Osborn as members. The above picture shows the result of the Club's last hunt, in 1863, with sixteen deer to its credit. The picture shows the then vacant lot on the corner of Broad and Maumee streets, the site of the Government building and Postoffice. Six members of the Club are still living.
31
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Old County Offices, built immediately after the burning of the old Court House in 1852. It stood on the site of the present Court House.
32
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.
The First M. E. Church,
As early as 1827, soon after Mr. Comstock had platted the village of Logan, now city of Adrian, the Rev. John Jones, a Methodist circuit rider, came to the log cabin of Noah Norton and preached the first sermon in the new settlement. Nothing important of a religious nature occurred again in the village until 1830. That year the Rev. Jacob Hill, also a Methodist, in charge of the Monroe Circuit, came occasionally. Asa result of his coming the first church of any sect was organized that year, with five members. Mr. and Mrs. William Barrus, Mr. and Mrs. John Walworth, and Americus Smith. Mr. Smith was a local preacher, and keeping up the interest that sum- mer, seven additional members were added. They were Milton and Louis Foote, Pharez and Hannah Sutton, Samuel and Ada Gregory, and Altha Sphink.
In September, 1830, Adrian was put down on the plan of the Monroe Circuit as a week-night appointment. James W. Finley was put in charge, and he came once a month to preach in some private house. The first "Sunday preaching " commenced in 1832. James F. Davidson and Thomas Wiley, of the Tecumseh Circuit, arranged to preach at Adrian school house every alternate Sunday. In 1833 there was a great revival. In 1838 the construction of a church edi- fice was commenced, and in 1840 the old brick church now standing on Toledo street, and recently purchased by the Church of Christ Society, was dedicated.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.