USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 13
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CAMPBELL.
This wealthy, beautiful and excellent town, on account of the lateness of its settlement, has no pioneer history, except
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what centers around two brothers-Irishmen -after whom the town was named. These were Martin and Jeremiah Camp- bell, who, on Christmas day, 1840, took possession of their land; where they lived for seven years before they had a neighbor. Jeremiah Campbell was a bachelor, and has always remained such. Martin had a wife and family.
The Campbell's did not, like most pioneers, come in poor. Jeremiah brought in fourteen head of cattle and Some of " the root of all evil." He built him a shanty; browsed his cattle during the winter. How much his brother brought is not known. Martin, after some years, went off to California, leav- ing Jeremiah, with a maiden sister, on the place where he first began his almost hermit life in the wilderness. There he lives. The fact that he is the patriarch of the town; that it bears his name, that he was its first Justice of the Peace, have not puffed him up with pride, or made him feel any bigger than when he first took up his residence in the woods. He apparently wears the same shirt he did then, smokes the same pipe, has the same simple furniture, is true to his old religion, and, in old age, is the same Jeremiah; a center of interest; an interesting fossil-a man of his own sort. On coming in he bought only eighty acres of land. He had many adventures while hunting his cattle; he has sat up all night, listening to the musical concerts of the wolves; was once scared nearly to death by a panther-which proved to be a screech-owl. IIe has been twice burned ont, and now lives in a snug little house, where he can indulge his simple tastes; and, on the down hill side of life, is happy and respected. He has scorned to be any- thing but Jerry. Go and see him, shake the hand of an hon- est man, and think whether the people did right when they gave the town his name.
It was not until 1848 that other settlers moved into Camp- bell; then came four brothers-Amasa, Calvin, Charles and Marcus Nash ; Marvill Church, Wmn. Mercer; Alexander II. Bushnell. Joseph S. Whitney, Thomas Q. Frost, Henry Briggs and Alvin Briggs.
The town was set off from Boston, and organized in 1849: the first meeting was at the house of Marvill Church.
·
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First town officers : Supervisor, Wm. Mercer; Clerk, A. II. Bushnell; Justices, Jeremiah Campbell, Alvin Briggs, Martin Campbell, Amasa Nash,
The number of voters was 14, nearly all of whom were placed in office, and some had a plurality.
In religion, it must be admitted, the inhabitants are not united; no less than five church organizations existing in that rural town, viz: Wesleyan Methodists, Episcopal Meth- odists, Dunkards, Christians and Presbyterians. The Dunk- ards are the only society that has a church building; a small one, near the south line of the town.
With little to speak of as matters of history, the town has much of which it may well pride itself-the results of quiet in- dustry. Later in settlement than any other town in the county, it presents to-day as few evidences of the poverty and necessi- ties of early times as the older settled towns. The first houses have mostly disappeared, and the inhabitants of Campbelltown (let that be the last time it is called Campbelltown-call it Campbell) do not feel that they are in a new country.
SEBEWA.
It is refreshing to come to a town the pioneers of which had the good taste to give it a musical and poetic name, instead of condemning it to be known by some uncouth sound, which happened to be the name of some man-perhaps a great man, perhaps a small one-ambitious that his town shall from him be called "Smithville " or "Jonesburg." Again, who can ap- prove of that lack of self-respect that gives us many small places named after great ones ?
I reverently take off my hat to the pioneers of Sebewa. They could appreciate the music of the beautiful Indian word, by which they designate a small stream; and, appreciating it, applied it to their embryo town, and also to their principal stream, though they improperly call it " Sebewa Creek," when it should be "The Sebewa."
Sebewa was a part of Berlin from the time of its organi- zation until 1845. Its first election was held at the house of Jacob Showerman, March 19th,
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No record of the organization of the town is in existence. except a copy of the act of the Legislature authorizing the or- ganization of the town, directing that the first meeting shall be at the house of Jacob Showerman (without date.) Under that is a list of accounts. audited in October. From that list and the memory of some of the old residents, we make out that
Benjamin D. Weld was Supervisor; Anson W. Halbert, Clerk; Edmund Sanborn, Geo. W. Dickinson, Justices.
The first proper record is of the 2d year-1846.
It is a matter of tradition in the town that sixteen voters were at the first election. From the records of the 1st and 2d years we gather the names:
Joseph Munn, Paul Steel, Benj. D. Weld, Edward Sanborn. A. W. Halbert, John C. Smith, Wm. Hogle, John M. Tirrill, Jacob Showerman, Orrin Merchant, Richard Fleetham, Moses Hogle, Walter Harmon, Eleazer Brown, John Maxim, G. W. Dickinson, Elkanal Drake, Rufus Goddard, John Waddell.
Some of these were transient, and have passed from mem- ory as well as from the town.
The antiquity of Sebewa dates back to 1836, when a man by the name of Jones settled on Sec. 1. Bnt scanty particu- lars can be gleaned, as he stayed but a short time, when he sold ont to Mr. Hogle and disappeared. This much is known: he and his wife came in on foot, bringing all their worldly goods in their packs. Perhaps they found it lonesome with nobody but wolves and bears for company, and, discouraged, sold out to the first land-looker who would give them the means to get away. We hope he is now a village squire somewhere else. looked up to and venerated; but among the numerons family of Jones, it is useless to inquire for the Jones, the pioneer of Sebewa.
John Tirrill, Charles W. Ingalls, and John Brown (not the John Brown "whose soul is marching on,") are accredited as being the first permanent settlers, moving in in 1838. They were three Vermont Yankees. Some others had located their lands before, but did not immediately possess them.
In the fall of '39 Jacob Showerman moved in with his
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family. In '40 were added Stephen Pilkinton, Moses and William Hogle, and John Smith. In '41 John Waddell and Benj. D. Weld, and in 1844 Rufus Goddard. For some years the settlement was slow. Heavy timber may be the reason. Sebewa, when first settled was merely on the outskirts of civil- ization-about 17 miles off-that distance from Portland. Yet, though not called on to do as the earlier settlers of Ionia county did, they still can tell their stories of the early times, when going to mill was an event; the nearest was at Port- land, and they had no roads. To get their grinding done, the neighborhood would club together, and generally send David Goddard, then a youth of fifteen, with an ox team, and ten bushels (a full load). He would start early, with their benedictions, and at ten o'clock at night be at the mill. There his grist would be ground in the night. Mean- while, he would turn out his team, eat his supper, wrap himself in his blanket, and sleep until morning; then, re-har- messing Buck and Brindle, he would wend his weary way homeward. Some miles from home he would be met by a neighbor, with a lantern; and, on his arrival, be greeted as a hero and a benefactor. The women, seeing there was a prospect of biscuits, would greet him with a "God bless you, David!" The boys would pat and praise the oxen, who had so oxfully performed the pilgrimage, and so cheerfully drawn the load. All were happy when David got back from mill.
Thus began David's popularity in Sebewa-a popularity which the man retains. All swear by David now-think he is the best fellow living-" a good deal more honest than there is any use in being." They make him supervisor, postmaster, and a general factotum; never watching him, for they know it is all right if David has the managing. A good name is a good thing; but sometimes it is rather an expensive luxury.
Little can be recorded of this excellent agricultural town. Its history is the development of fine farms.
It has four church organizations. Presbyterian, Baptist, Deciples, and Wesleyan Methodist.
The Presbyterian church was organized in 1855, by Rev. Lewis Mills. Its original members were:
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D. W. Goddard. Robert Allen and wife, Hannah Goddard, Mary Cos. E. B. Buckman and wife, Benj. Bartlett and wife.
They have a small church edifice, which was dedicated February. 1866.
Present membership, about twenty. No settled pastor.
The Baptist church was organized April 3d, 1858. Original members: Josias C. Clark and wife, Samuel Freehouse. Carlos Pierce and wife. stephen Rider and wife. Addison Rice and wife, John Jackson and wife. Cyril Carpenter and wife, Elkanah Carpenter and wife, Samuel Carpenter (a preacher), Mary Betts, Margaret R. Grithin.
The first pastor was Elder Samuel B. Towne.
Church dedicated in 1872.
Present membership about seventy-five.
Of the other religions societies we have no information.
A willow tree of remarkable growth may be seen in front of Mr. Goddard's house. As a boy, he stuck the stick in the ground. It is now more than ten feet in circumference.
Sebewa is a great town for wheat.
ODESSA.
This town was set off from Berlin in 1846. The first town meeting of thirteen voters was held at the house of Myron Tupper, in April of that year. There were seventeen offices to fill. and thirteen men to fill them. The names that appear on the records, with the number of offices given to each, are given below :
Myron Tupper. 1; John D. White. 1; Reuben Haight. 2: Geo. E. Kibby, 2; Asa Houghton, 2; Esteven Russell, 2: Hiram S. Lee. 1; Benj. F. Tupper.1; Wellington Russell, 1: James A. Galloway, 2: Daniel Hetor. 1.
Poor Joseph Hetor went home that night a private citizen.
First town officers: Myron Tupper, Supervisor; Esteven Russell. Clerk; John D. White, Treasurer: Hiram S. Lee. Reuben Haight, Benj. F. Tupper, George E. Kibby, Justices.
Odessa was an unbroken wild until 1839. when Myron Tup- per, accompanied by Harvey Kibby, came on, chopped five acres, and planted some corn and potatoes. In the fall, Tupper brought his family. Next came Wellington Russell, the same year. Tupper, Kibby and Russell shantied together the first winter. Russell and Tupper still (1876) live on the land they first occupied. Kibby, disregarding the divine command, let
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his name run ont when he died-an awful warning to all old bachelors. It does seem strange, when a wife may be had for the asking, that so many will shiver alone, darn their own stock- ings; live with no little fond arms about their neck; die, and go to-the grave, where they will be forgotten. Are you not ashamed of yourself, you undignified old bach., when you look at your neighbor, the family man? See him, with two little ones on cach knee; six more clinging on his chair, be- sides the one that is treading on the kitten's tail, and that one with his band in the sugar-bowl! Perhaps it is all because Sally Ann Sago said she "would rather be excused." You unregenerate, white-livered, faint-hearted, soft-headed non compos! Give up because one particular fish did not bite your hook! Live a despised, slovenly, undignified old bach., just becanse one girl said no! A dozen others were peeping sly at you, longing for a chance to say " yes;" each one of them worth two of that red-headed vixen. Fie, fie! "Faint heart," et cetera.
The history of Odessa moves slow, when the historian stops to moralize; but is it not the office of the historian to be the Mentor of his own and future ages? Again, the advantages of history lie not in the simple facts chronicled there, but in the lessons drawn therefrom. It is the historian's province to see what these lessons are, and by a wise and philosophical use of them, be the great teacher of the world. No more will I apologize for digressions. Henceforth I will feel the true dignity of my position.
Coming back to the tame recording of events: next came Hiram Lee, who, at the present writing, lives in Keene; hav- ing achieved a fortune by hard labor and energy. Then. Benjamin Russell, whose life's labor, well done, was ended in 1870. Benjamin R. Tupper came in 1840, and is still resi- (lent.
As those who came in 1842, or thereabouts, may be men- tioned, Esteven Russell, Jolm D. Hite, Reuben Haight, Geo. E. Kelly, James N. Galloway, Asa Houghton, Daniel and Joseph Hetor.
The town (one of the best) has but little history. There was
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the usual up-hill work, incident to hewing out homes in the heavy forest; a moderate stock of adventures with the deni- zens of the woods. But it was only twelve miles from civil- ized settlements. mills, physicians, and the other requisites of civilization. Lonely they might be, but half a day would carry them where white folks lived, and where they could get their corn ground, buy tobacco, whisky or calico; they had only to plod right on, cut down tree after tree, subdue field after field, and the Odessa of to-day was the result. While there has been little in particular to record, the aggregate of the whole is a firm, well-cultured town; built up and developed insensibly. We will still hope that no special historic event shall intrude itself into the regions of rural simplicity. Leave the big schemes and the great crimes to the cities. Go there yourself, when you must have a bust ; there do your drinking, and there commit all your irregularities. Come home to Odessa sober; there sow your wheat; there train your children, and there sleep in honor when your life-work is done; and be sure that affection may, with truth, inscribe on your humble monu- ment, something that may read like-
A true-hearted father; a citizen good; His life labor done, is resting him here.
Or:
She guided her children by wisdom and love; And has now set a light in the window above.
But if you respect the good town of Odessa, don't oblige the people to strain conscience when they place such an epi- taph over you.
The first child born in Odessa (and she, not liking the wild- woods, went to Woodland, Barry county, to be born) was Rosetta. daughter of Myron Tupper. She died in 1870, the wife of Esteven Russell.
The first death was that of a daughter of Hiram Lee. An- other daughter of Lee was accidentally shot by her father.
Religiously, Odessa has not made much of a show. The Free-Will Baptists first got a footing, and the first man who preached there was Riley Hess, one of those devoted pioneers
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who sought the stray lambs in the wilderness. He has closed his earthly labors; having served the first generation in the Valley, by his holy example illustrating the religion he pro- fessed and inculcated, he rests now. Greater men have suc- ceeded; but who has left behind him more of the atmosphere of holiness than the humble IIess?
For a series of years our friend, Myron Tupper, who seems to have been the factotum of the town, was their preacher. He cannot be acensed of making merchandise of the gospel ; for he preached for nothing and boarded himself for many long years. Tupper was a zealous evangelist; preaching in this and other towns; riding thirty or forty miles on a Sunday, and preaching two or three times. Think of that, ye kid-gloved, smooth-spoken, self-serving preachers, who temper the gospel to the tastes of a fashionable congregation, and preach for eclat and a big salary. Tupper never received $50 a year; worked on his farm for a living, and gave the Sabbath and his unwearied labors to his fellow men and to God. Tupper, I like you, and would be glad to hear you preach. But I slightly fear I should merit the sarcasm of the Methodist class-leader, who, in answer to the man who in class-meeting thanked God for a free religion, stating that for the ten years he had been a Methodist it had cost him but 25 cents, devoutly raised his eyes, and said, "God have pity on your poor, stingy soul!"
The Free-will Baptists kept up an organization for some dozen years. Hess was their first preacher, and afterwards Tupper. It has languished and died ont.
The United Brethren have lately secured a standing. The original Class was organized in 1866, and consisted of Daniel Mower and Wife, Nicholas Arney; Isaac Manrey and wife: C. E. Bretz; Thomas Cooley and wife, and P. A. Wacks.
Their present (1876) membership is about forty-five. They depend on circuit preachers.
In 1875, they built a house of worship, 45 by 50 feet-cost $3,000. Well done, Brethren !
All the religion there has ever been in the town, has been of that humble, quiet sort, which consists in the worship of God, and in the practice of the Christian virtnes. They have not brought in the fashionable sort, for the Free- Will Baptist or the
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Brother does not take stock in aristocratic piety; and does not require a plush-covered cushion on which to kneel to say his prayers. No! no! no! Like their Master, they can sit with publicans and sinners, and kneel by the side of the humblest, in worship of the Eternal. Under the tree or in the school house, they can preach the simple religion of Jesus; and lov- ingly invite all who have souls to join with them in spiritual communion. If you have a better religion than that, please display it. You did not get it from Jesus of Nazareth.
An adventure of Mr. Crapo is an episode in the history of Odessa, and is of no small interest. In 1868, in company with Samuel F. Alderman, he was out in Montcalm county, land-looking, when he should have been at home, leaving wild-wood ranging to the young. He had the misfortune to split his foot, so that it was impossible for him to proceed or return. They were forty miles from any settlement. The next day Alderman started to find a lumber camp, which he believed was sixteen miles south, and where he hoped to get help. Ile got lost on the way, and did not return for six days. He (Alderman) suffered everything but death; was badly frozen, starved and faint; yet his grit carried him through, and he found Comstock's lumber camp. From the camp eleven men came without delay to the rescue of Crapo.
In the meantime Crapo, believing Alderman had perished. himself prepared to die. His provisions were nearly exhaust- ed. What little he had he husbanded to protract life, for how- ever certain death is, we ask a day more. He cut his name on his gun-stock, that, if found when dead, he might be identified; and languishing, waited his final hour. But the loud cheer of Comstock's men roused him from his dream of death to the consciousness of life and safety. They were the finest looking lot of men he ever saw; each one a perfect Apollo.
They carried him on a litter sixteen miles to their camp, where his wants were attended to; and he lives to tell the story.
Two lessons may be learned from this adventure of Crapo:
Ist. Old men should stay at home, or keep in the settle- ments.
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2nd. If you must split your foot, do it about home, for forty miles in the wilderness such a thing endangers life.
And 3d. There is avery strong popular prejudice against a " eloven foot."
DANBY.
The early history of this town is identified with that of the settlement, which centered at Portland. . Its own political his- tory commenced in 1845. Until that time it had been a part of Portland.
The town held its first meeting at the house of Chancellor Barringer, April 7th, 1845; 26 voters present. No poll list is in existence, but the following names are found on the records of 1845:
Abijah F. Schoff, Oscar P. Schoff, Elkanah Drake, John Campton, James Burns, Matthew Davenport, Wm. Cronkrite, Henry Jones, Lorenzo Sears, Charles G. Brooks, Alpha David, Nathan Wyman, Geo. S. David, John D. Brown, Geo. A. Kil- bourne, Ashur Kilbourne, Chester Davenport, Elias Bailey, Reuben Hopkins, Benj. Horner, Erastus Miner, Wm. H. Turner, Henry Allman, Geo. W. Peake, Sydney C. Perry, Lorin Barr.
The list of names here given is not the poll list of the town, but the names of those who voted at the first meeting:
Abijah Schoff, Supervisor; John Campton, Clerk; Matthew Davenport, Wm. Cronkrite, Henry Jones, Lorenzo Sears, Jus- tices; Charles G. Brooks, Treasurer.
On the list of those who voted at the fall election, we have the additional names of Jonathan Bailey, Justus Bailey and Geo. Davenport.
Of the early settlers it cannot now be assertained who were the first. John Campton came in with his family in March, 1837. IIe is certain that he found in the town: Ashur Kil- bourne, Abijah Schoff, Willard Brooks, Charles Brooks, Wm. Cronkrite, Isaiah Frost. Soon after came, that year. John D. Brown, James D. Norris, James Burns, Patrick Murtaugh, Seth Hull, Benj. Horner, Chester Gleason, Chancellor Barrin- ger, Nathan Wyman, Elias Bailey, Isaac De Witt.
After 1837, settlers came in more rapidly.
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The first school was kept by Hester Ann David, in what is now Dist. No. 1; commencing Dee. 6th, 1844. Her school was in a shanty. She is now Mrs. Soules, of Portland.
Religionsly, the Methodists have always hal full swing in Danby; were the first to occupy the field. and in substance, have had it entirely to them- selves. Of them the first class was gathered June 14th, 1833, by Eld. Orrin Mitchell, who came bat once; and consisted of: John Campton. Aaron C'ampton, Jonathan Ingalls, Charles W. Ingalls and wife, Nancy Hull, Win. Cronkrite and wife. Soon joined: John F. Tirrill, Martha A. Tirrill, John D. Brown, Charlotta Brown, Stephen Pilkinton, Abigail Tirrill.
The first class-leader was J. Campton, who has always since filled that position.
The church occupy School House No. 1. No other denomination has ever had an organization: though many in the town are connected with th . churches in Portland.
The first birth in Danby. so far as known, was that of Charles Brooks, August 28th 1838.
The grim messenger-death-first gave his summons to the wife of Abijah Sehoff. She was buried on their own land, and her grave is surrounded by a picket fence.
The first white man buried was Wm. Cummings. To show the primitive style of doing thing, among pioneers-he was drawn to his grave on an ox-sled, and to lower him into it. use was made of the only halter in the settlement, and a log- chain. IIe sleeps there just as quietly, as he would if drawn in a plumed hearse, and lowered to his resting place by less simple means. In the back-woods a funeral is a solemn thing. We are familiar with death in the city. The funeral cortego passes in pomp along the street. We inquire. " Whose funeral is that? " look at the hearse, count the carriages, and let it pass. But it is not so in the woods. There a funeral is a sad reality. They can make no pageant display; but with the deepest solemnity, lovingly bear the dead to the humble grave. Tears fill all eyes as the hollow thud of the falling earth tells the sad tale. that a brother or sister is shut out from their sight forever. Manly bosoms heave, and woman's eye is tcary, as they turn from the grave, and seek their homes.
" Bury me where most the butterflies are,"
Was the youthful naturalist's dying prayer;
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"O lay me where my fathers are laid," The dying patriarch feebly said; "Tis the last fond wish, full oft expressed;
" In my own dear land be my final rest," Where kindred friends and neighbors come, And bedew with tears the lowly tomb. In the dying breast the hope will rise, That loving hands will close the eyes; That loving hands may bear the bier; That loving eyes will shed a tear; That loving hearts will yet be found To consecrate the swelling mound; That loving hands will plant the rose Upon the grave where we repose.
In living souls to have a share
Is nature's last, its yearning prayer.
INDIANS.
In Danby at the time of its first occupation by the whites, was a small settlement of Indians on section 22, on land now - owned by C. Ingalls. Their number is supposed to have been about 150. The name they gave to their settlement is vari- ously remembered: "Chim-i-me-con," " Mishshiminecon," and "Michimmeny Cahniny."
· The old lady, Mrs. Brooks, who lived eight years with the Indians as almost her only companions, and became as much master of the Indian language as of her native Irish, says the name was "Chiminicon." Their chiefs were Da-mek, and his half brother, Mau-nk-wood.
Prominent among the others were Onewanda, Nacqnit, Negumwatin, Sisshebee, Nikkenashwa, Whiskemnk, Pashik, Squagun, and his sons, Thargee and Chedskunk.
Damek was a frightful looking Indian, and not a very good man. Nacquit was a good Indian. Negumwatin and Niek- kenashwa were bad fellows. On the whole, the clan, as found, were rather a set of low-lived Indians.
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