USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 16
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Like most of the Congregational churches of the West, this church has been fostered by the American Home Missionary Society, and it is hoped that its moral and pecuniary powers for good will, in the future, amply repay the prayers, and labor, and money that have sustained it for the past twenty- five years.
BOWNE.
The pioneer of Bowne was Jonathan Thomas, who in 1836 entered a large tract of land in the southwest part of the town.
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Ile brought on with him William Woolley, Frederick Thomp- son, Israel Graves, and their families. From Toledo they came, with ox teams; and were two weeks on the journey.
At this time it was a " new country," but they proceeded to make themselves comfortable. If you wish to know what it took to make a man of means comfortable, imagine a log shanty 12x16, and in it stowed three or four families. Mr. Thomas soon found himself unfit for the hardships and priva- tions, to which he had not been innred. He was taken siek, and was carried back, on a bed, in a sleigh, to New York. The same man, lying on his bed in a wagon, went to Kalama- 200, during the first summer, for wheat, when out of provis- ions.
In the spring of 1838, Roswell Tyler and his three sons- Roswell, Loren B., and Asahel R.,-ventured in; also Malcomb and John MeNaughton, who broke up land and put in wheat. In the fall, Norman Foster and J. C. Beach were added. Afterwards, in the course of a few years, William Stuart, Jas. Truax, Daniel C. MeVean, Jared Miller, and Abraham Lowe.
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Thus its will be seen, that though Bowne was remote from any of the river points of settlement, it was at an early day taken possession of. Although there was a seattering of set- tlers along the river before, 1836 was the year when possession was taken in earnest; and that year witnessed the occupation of Bowne by Thomas and his band. It was a venture further from the river than any other of that year.
At first the settlers leaned on Thomas and the Indians. Thomas had money; they worked for him, clearing his land; and would sell turnips and potatoes to the Indians; getting money and venison. Among the Indians then resident was Pegu-a good-hearted, noble fellow, of whom all speak with respect and gratitude. He is now at Pentwater; but would. find himself among friends, should he come back to Bowne. Another of the early Indian favorites of the settlers, was Poka- nomino, who is now a thriving farmer at Freemont Centre.
The Indians of Cascade, Caledonia and Bowne were a mix- ture of Ottawas and Chippewas. They did not belong to any mission, and were known as " Robinson's Indians." The old
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leader was Casua, who resided three-quarters of a mile from Whitney's tavern. He attempted farming. His wife was a most lady-like woman; held in the highest esteem by the whites. A number of their kindred were settled around them; among whom she was "a good mother." The writer well recollects the first and only time he saw her. She was riding her pony, on her homeward journey from Grand Rap- ids. We remarked to the man in company that she was "a respectable looking squaw," and received the answer : " She is a venerable woman." In fact, human dignity does not de- pend on complexion or race; and we are happy to notice, that people with souls are beginning to appreciate that fact. What makes the difference? What color is a human soul? In former times, the British military uniform was scarlet. An officer met a little negro boy in the street, and showed his sense of disgust. Little darkey pat his thumb on his nose, and said: " You was as black as I be till you was biled." Little nig was a philosopher, and had seen lobsters, living and cooked. And let me ask you, who look with lofty self-com- placency on your white skin, as your patent of nobility, and with contempt on the one who is of a different hue, are you a gentleman, or are you merely a boiled lobster ? But in our wise reflections, we have strayed from Bowne. Revenons a nos moutons.
There were some troubles with the Indians, due to whisky. But, on the whole, they made themselves useful; and, indeed, they were indispensable. Their hospitality was hearty and sincere, and, where they professed friendship, it was true and reliable. The Indian, uncorrupted by association with the baser element of the whites, is chivalrously honorable, honest and true. His friendship or his enmity is reliable. IIe don't smile in your face and stab in the back. He don't ask the question, "Can I conveniently do this stranger the favor asked?" So the settlers in Bowne found them, and they re- member the Indians with respect and gratitude.
What an event to the early settler is " going to mill!" We now have the saying, " As plain as the road to mill;" as though going to mill was as simple a thing as going to the barn. Let
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us go to mill with Mr. Thompson once, in 1837. It was to go to Kalamazoo with oxen, through the woods; camp out, and get along as he found himself able. ITis oxen strayed away: and with his journey and hunting his oxen, he got back in eight days. His wife, wearied with waiting, and fearing danger, set ont on foot and alone to find her husband, and met him return- ing. A specimen of an old bachelor met her on the way, who. on learning why she was so far from home, and so earnest, said. " I, too, would marry if I could get such a wife." There are. even now, some women who consider their husband a part of self. We won't say "God bless the man who has such," for God has anticipated the prayer.
A little episode of these times may illustrate the primitive way of dealing with sinners. A specimen of that genus had stolen some money from Mr. Campau. They caught him, and chained him up in the barn at Whitney's tavern. Then Whit- ney and Campau matured their plan. Campan was to disap- pear, which he did, but put himself where he could see the sport.
Whitney went to the rascal, told him Campan had gone for an officer, and that it would go hard with him; that he (Whit- ney) wished to befriend him, and would let him go before Cam- pau got back, if he would clear out. He told him to take the shortest cut to the woods, and having got under cover, to put distance behind him as fast as possible. This the fellow upon his sacred honor promised to do. Whitney then undid the padlock that held him chained: he shot for the woods, and was seen no more. In the meantime the two were holding their sides until he was out of hearing; and then they exploded. By the way, who ever repented of telling a lie to a thief?
A pair of panthers were seen by Mr. Thomas, between Bowne and Middleville. They were afterwards seen by two men who had rifles, near Ball Prairie, on the Thornapple: but the men dared not shoot. These panthers have been traced across the southern part of Ionia county, where they were repeatedly seen; across the southern part of Kent county, to Talmadge, in Ottawa county, where one of them was killed: the other has maintained an alibi ever since. In speaking of
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the beasts of the forest, this pair of panthers are the only ones spoken of by the old settlers as having been seen. It is doubtful if that beast was ever anything but a stranger and a pilgrim in Michigan. The settlers can tell bear and wolf stories until they cease to interest; but all we can hear of the dreaded panther is of this one pair, and they were a couple of cowardly sneaks, probably expelled from society and ashamed to be seen; their most daring exploit being to chase a defense- less boy, and be scared by his shout.
By reference to what is said of Caledonia, it will be seen that Bowne was united with that town until 1849. The set- tlement had been slow, and it seems that but few voters par- ticipated in the first election.
The first meeting was at school-house No. 1, the first Mon- day in April.
Elected: Supervisor, Roswell F. Tyler; Clerk, Daniel C. Me Vean; Treasurer, Justus C. Beach; Justices, Daniel Mc- Naughton, Jared Miller, Norman Foster.
Sixteen names are on the record, in addition to those above: Ilenry C. Foster, Frederick Thompson, Abijah Pool, JJohn A. Campbell, Loren B. Tyler, James H. Truax, Asahel R. Tyler, Win. Gibson and John Underwood.
Since the organization of the town its progress has been a steady one of filling up and developing as an agricultural town. Its first saw-mill was built on Sec. 36, in 1855; its only grist-mill was put up by A. D. Thomas in 1862.
The first census we have of the town is that of 1854, when the population was 357.
The progress of filling up can be seen by referring to the summary of the census returns. The U. S. census, of 1850. makes no mention of Bowne. In 1845, the two towns num- bered 127; in 1850, Caledonia, 99.
At the present writing (1875) several of the pioneers are living and resident. Norman Foster, a quiet, sensible, straightforward man, died in 1870. Asahel Kent died in 1840, and John P. McNaughton, in 1841. Roswell C. Beach closed the life of a worthy citizen in 1862. John Underwood died in 1868. Malcomb P. McNaughton died many years ago.
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The survivors of the earlier days are still a band of brothers. bound by the ties of long ago. As age silvers their hair, they more and more live over the days "lang-syne," when far in the wilds they drank deep of the fraternal spirit. It is a no- ticeable fact that if any of these pioneers of Bowne had a fault, the survivors have forgotten it. They are eloquent in praise. but speak of no failings. They partake of the spirit of the song:
"I know not, I ask not, if guilt's in this heart; I but know that I love thee, whatever thou art."'
It may seem that a very inappropriate use is made of the beautiful lines of Moore; but just live ten years in the woods. with a few scattered neighbors, and then tell me if "love " is too strong a word to express your feelings towards those who were your companions in seclusion. I shall make no apology to the old fellows in Bowne, f'or they told me so themselves. Speak disrespectfully of one of their forest companions, and see if they don't flare.
BYRON.
Byron is an outgrowth from the Grandville settlement. By a reference to what is said of Wyoming, it will be seen that Grandville was one of the earliest settled places on the Grand River; that the organization of the town was coincident with the organization of the county. The two townships, five and six, north range, twelve west, were made a town, with the name, Byron. In this union they continned until 1848, when a separation was effected; the southern town retaining the original name; the other assuming the name of Wyoming.
The fact that Byron was a heavily timbered township, re- tarded its occupation. The openings to the first settlers seemed more inviting; there was free passage; and the labor of clearing, and getting in a crop, was comparatively small. For these reasons the heavy timbered lands, which experience has proved to be the best in general, were not the first sought. Let us not, gentle reader, reprove their lack of sagacity. You or I, under similar circumstances, would have done as they did.
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The land for some miles from the river was of the class called "openings; " further back, on either side were " tim- bered lands." As the character of the openings has changed, so that nothing of the kind is now seen in the settled parts of Michigan; and as the generation of those who have grown up in the region, have seen nothing of the sort, it may not be considered amiss to give a description of the "openings" lands.
Looking at any piece of oak woods, two distinct growths will be observed; one of very scattering large trees, and the other a thick growth of smaller ones. The large trees were all that was on the land when the region was first occupied. The land was "open; " no fallen timber, and nothing but the very scattered oak trees to obstruct the view. A wagon or load of lay could be driven anywhere.
The settler had only to cut down or " girdle " thie scattered oaks, put in the plow with a strong team; and sow his ground.
Neither the "openings " nor the " prairies" were natural. They were the result of the Indian practice of burning over the lands; with the double object of making them more open, so that they could see their game, and rendering the region more healthy. Where the fires killed the whole of the wood, the result was a prairie. Where they only killed the young growth, it was an opening; just as good for Indian purposes. Where the undergrowth was oak or hickory, the fires killed only so much as was above the ground, leaving the root to sprout up again. This gave rise to what received the name of " grubs," that is, strong, heavy roots, with only an insignifi- cant bush growing from them. The root of a shrub an inch in diameter would be sufficient for a tree of several inches; and would have a spreading top, like a mushroom. A fire run- ning through would kill all these young bushes. In a year or so all would be clear. In general there was nothing which could not be ent with the brush-scythe, or torn ap by the plow.
There were two ways of preparing the ground for a crop. The first has been indicated-with a strong team "break " the land, and pull out the roots, partly by the harrow, and partly
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by hand. The second way, to " grub " the ground, or dig out cach root with an instrument made for that purpose.
This was the more laborious and better way, as it left the land in a better condition to receive the erop. A breaking team of three or four yoke of oxen could "break" an acre in a day, but there was still all the labor of "pulling out." A stout man would "grub" with his mattock and ax, an acre in a week. A class of men in early times owned teams and made a business of " breaking." Those, who could not pay the " breakers." or who wished their land earlier under good culture, " grabbed." The openings are a thing of the past; therefore, this explanation.
Again, the early settlers had not been backwoodsmen. They came from a region, cleared by their fathers, and were little accustomed to the use of the ax. To them a heavy standing growth of timber, and the great fallen trees, were formidable. A tree was not then, as now, a little mine of wealth, but it was a nuisance-to be got rid of, and that, too, by the hardest labor. Therefore, we will not censure the wisdom of the pioneers for their preferring the openings to what they well knew would prove to be the better " timbered lands."
It required a little nerve to push into South Byron; a few settlers were early there. It is not now known that any one located before 1836, when several came into the northern part of the township. Three brothers-Nathan, Jerry and Wil- liam Boynton; another "three brothers" -- Justus C., Jacob and Charles Rogers. It is generally conceded that Nathan Boynton was the first. He proceeded to put up his " palace" -split logs for roof and floor, with clay and sticks for a chimney. We have called it his "palace, " and not without rea- son, for every old pioneer confirms the fact, that his first rude shelter had more attractions in his eyes, then any house that subsequent good fortune enabled him to build, and, we believe them. Go into the woods yourself, camp under trees until you can get up a 12x20 log house, with a fire place in it, and then see if your dreams, the first night you are in it, are not of a palace-your own home. Ah, my dear sir, or madam, log houses were before painted verandas, and sand was used before carpets.
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Mr. Rogers brought some means with him, so that he could . hire much done, and in two years we find him harvesting 100 acres of wheat, which he sold for 373 cents a bushel.
Slowly one after another ventured into the timber, to combat with the forest, to conquer a home and a farm. In 1837, we have Harmon Kellogg, John Harmon; and in 1838, Harvey Kibby, Ella Judson. Hiram Lockwood, Alden Coburn, Benjamin Robinson, Ephraim Chamberlain, Win. R. God- win and Cyrus Jones. It is not absolutely certain that all of these came in 1838. The memory of the survivors does not always agree. They came about that time.
In the years immediately following, came Charles Lane, (transient ), James B. Jewell, Amalek Taylor, Joseph Gallop, Larkin Ball, Eli Crossett, Peter Goldin, Wm. Olmsted, Henry A. Van Nest, Samuel Hubbell-only one or two a year. As late as 1844, the south part of Byron was an unoccupied wild. In .that year Ezekiel Cook settled near the southwest corner. and had no neighbors nearer than four miles.
The settlement of the town was so slow, that for ten years some one was a pioneer in some part of it. We cannot follow each one, neither is it necessary. This one fact is patent: that it was twelve years after the first settlers came in before they had inhabitants enough to feebly commence as a town by themselves. The reason has been given above.
The recollections are that 1846-7, were the years of real occupancy, and the records of the votes of old a .d new Byron indicate that there was quite an influx in 1847.
In 1847, the vote for supervisor in the town, as then (Byron and Wyoming), was seventy, when, it is well known, the prin- cipal vote was at and around Grandville. Upon the organiz- ing of the new town in 1848, the vote was fifty-two, which indicates that either in 1847 the south Byron voters stayed at home, or that many settlers came in in 1847. In new towns roters go to town meeting. That is their holiday.
Indicative of the relative population of Wyoming and Byron, at the settlement between the two towns. May, 1848. Byron received 28 1-10 per cent. of the money on hand.
At the gubernatorial election in the fall of 1847, the vote of
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the two towns was ninety-three. In 1850, the population was 309. A reference to the census reports will show that it then filled up rapidly.
Byron is essentially an agricultural town. It has two little villages-Corinth and Byron Center -- both of which sprung up around mills.
Corinth (formerly Cody's Mills) is on the line between Gaines and Byron, partly in each town, and is a hamlet of about twenty- five houses. It originated with three brothers by the name of Cody. who, in 1866, put up steam grist and saw mills. They did business about three years. The mills then passed through several hands, and were unsnecessfully operated. In 1872, they became the property of Isaac D. Hazen and W. R. Russell, who have successfully carried on the business since. In 1869,a furniture factory was started by a joint-stock com- pany. The company did a good business one year, when the factory was burned. The company re-built, but failed to make the concern a success, and broke up, deeply involved. The village has at present no prospect of growth-is a pleasant little country center.
The other village-Byron Center -- is of recent origin. In 1871, Mr. Towner built a saw-mill for entting hard lumber. In 1872, he platted a village by his mill. Stores, shops, etc., naturally clustered themselves there, as there was the mill and the railroad station. At present, the village has about twen- ty-five houses. A Methodist church was built in 1873.
The old settlers have a good many stories to tell about the wolves. These sneaky pests were thiekest in the shady timber. They were seldom dangerous, but at times were provoking!y impudent. The writer has not heard of any one being killed by wolves in the Grand River Valley, though many have been obliged to fight them, or take to a tree. Singly, the wolf was despised; in packs, they were dangerous. A good club, a reso- Inte eye, and a shout, generally, in the day time, would disperse the reprobates. It was not safe to be surrounded by them in the night, as James M. Barney, of Byron, learned in 1850. He, un- willing that his cow should be beef for wolves, after listening to what they said one night by his yard, sallied out with some-
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what more wrath than discretion, to argue the question of the ownership of said cow. The wolves, seeing vengeance in his eye, and a shooting iron in his hand, did not stop to argue the case, but retreated to the bushes, keeping all the time one eye on Barney. He, thinking wicked words, entered the bushes; and there the wolves, abandoning their claim to the cow, de- bated with him until broad daylight, whether he should not be mutton for wolves. He used all his eloquence to prove that man was not made for wolves, using his gun as his aid, and he got his case.
One of the stray panthers, otherwise spoken of as having traversed the south part of Ionia and Ottawa counties, was seen in Byron, but there was no adventure with it.
In the spring of 1836, a tornado did some damage in Byron and Paris. In Byron, it blew down the house of J. C. Rogers; and in Paris, that of Cyrus Jones. No one was seriously in- jured, though several were badly scared. Who wouldn't be? The humble writer got mixed up in one once, and while the trees were crashing on all sides, gave a specimen of magnifi- cently tall walking. He has never since wished to look a tor- nado in the face, and speaks of them with trembling respect. We like the balmy air, and the gentle breeze, and we respect the strong gale. But when the air gets its back up, and is in a whirlwind of passion, we forget poetic sentiment; at least that was the case with the writer.
The first organization of Byron is given in the history of Wyoming.
CASCADE.
Cascade was a part of Ada until 1848. The first town meeting was held at the house of Wm. S. Gunn, April 3d, 1848; Harry Clark, Moderator; J. R. Stewart, Clerk. The first officers were:
Peter Teeple, Supervisor; J. R. Stewart, Clerk; Asa Den- nison, Treasurer; Leonard Stewart, Zerra Whitney, Justices. Number of voters present, 50.
One hundred dollars voted for town expenses.
Cascade did not claim an independent existence at so early
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a stage as many other towns; content to be a part of a town until it was some evidence of respectability to be a town officer.
Its pioneer occupation dates from 1836-the year of the rush of land-seekers into the Valley. First came Lewis Cook, followed the same year by Peter and George Teeple, and IFiram Laraway.
In 1837, the only person who is known to have settled in the town is Edward Linen, the pioneer Irishman; soon fol- lowed by more of his countrymen, who have proved the advan- tages that result to the sons of overcrowded Ireland, when they leave their country for their own and their country's good; their own, for they can find a home, competence, wealth and respeet; their country's, for each one leaving gives better chance and wages to those who remain.
It is hard for a man whose sole eapital is a nervous body, to achieve property and position where labor begs employment. A British statesman once said in parliament, "It is no mys- tery to me how the man with a thousand pounds can increase it to a million; but it is a mystery how a man, commencing with nothing, ean obtain a thousand pounds." The Irish peas- ant knows full well that in Ireland he cannot be respectable without property; and that there property is practically be- yond his reach. He knows of a land across the sea, where he can be a man among men. Cascade shows some of the results.
Mr. Linen was not long the only Irishman in Cascade, for the next year several more took up land in the town: James May, David Petted, John Farrell, James Annis, Wm. Annis, Michael Matthews, Patrick, Christopher and Michael Eardley.
Of these, James May, Edward Linen and Michael Matthews are still resident; men of means and respectability.
David Posted died in 1870.
James Annis died in 1865.
William Annis was frozen to death in 1861; found, snowed under, a mile from his home.
Patrick Eardley died in 1855.
Christopher Eardley removed to LaPorte, Ind., and there died.
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Michael Eardley was a good scholar, educated for a priest. He held town offices-was respected and looked up to. He died in 1870.
The same year (1838) brought Frederick A. Marsh, whose tragic death, in 1846, sent a thrill of horror through the town. Returning from Grand Rapids, he was thrown from his wagon, and killed.
Iliram Laraway also came to a premature and unnatural death. He perished by cold, between his home and Ada, in the winter of 1841-2. Of him we know little. His widow. " Aunt Mary Laraway," the sister of the Teeples, lived until 1869, a model of virtue and amiability-bravely enduring hardships-training her sons and daughters as only a good mother can. God bless such a woman! But there is no need of that prayer, for God always does that; and blesses those who have the happiness to call her "mother;" and St. Peter, who holds the keys, with his hat in his hand, makes to her his best bow, as she enters the gate. Blessed is the memory such a woman leaves behind-the choicest legacy to her children, in whose souls she is enshrined a saint. She was killed by falling from a cherry tree, in the summer of 1869.
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