USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 9
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George H. Coe came into Berlin in 1839, and built a cabin on Sec. 3, where he still resides. He came poor, but has made a good farm; las children grown up as useful citizens. Ile has secured for himself the confidence and respect of all who know him, and still has the prospect of many useful years ahead.
David Woodruff came at about the same time, and from the same place, as Mr. Coe. He was absent a few years, as a pio- neer in Montcalm county, but returned, and has been one of the most useful and valuable citizens.
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A little later came Solomon Tanner, who was a natural pio- neer. Born in the woods. he had made his mark in New York and in Eastern Michigan before he came to Berlin. He knew how to use an axe, a handspike, oxen, etc .; and he has left a very plain mark in Berlin. He did too much logging alone; and just when he had got a good farm, good buildings, and everything comfortable around him, he became sick, sent for a doctor, (of what school, Mr. S .? ) and had to leave. He was a quiet, peaceable, unassuming. yet energetic, thorough man; attending to his own business faithfully. and performing every duty with fidelity and promptness. He had the confidence of all who knew him.
Nelson Beckwith came in 1837, and settled on the north part of section 7. He was poor, and with his young wife went into his log-cabin before it was completed. He was handy with tools; had more than usual perseverance and industry, and made himself a good, comfortable home. He built a good house, and was in circumstances to enjoy what he had earned; with his children around him, and with good prospects for the future. But in the night, when all were in bed, his house took fire. In his efforts to save his children from the flames, he perished with the child that he gave his life to save. His widow and surviving children are still in Berlin.
Robert F. Hall came about the same time, put up a frame shanty, and made some improvement on section 6. He had no family, but lived alone and made what headway he could. until one fatal day, in an attempt to eross Grand River-it is not known precisely how or when-he was drowned. His body was found some time after, floating in the stream. Hle was put down deep in the soil, and all his hopes, plans and expectations were buried with him.
Abraham Eddy came in 1837. He was a middle-aged man, poor, with a large family, some of them grown, and none very young. Hle commenced on 40 acres at the southwest corner of section 2, which he cleared, and to which he added more land, good buildings, and all needed improvements. He made money; settled his children around and near him; lived to see them prosperous, and died quietly, in March, 1875, at the age of SS. -
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John W. Young settled on section 2 at about the same time: made many improvements, but was compelled by ill-health to give up farming. He now lives in Ionia.
Lyman Simmons, at about the same time, settled on a lot of timbered land on section 11. Very few.of our early settlers have had more to contend with, or more to discourage them than Mr. Simmons, But his industry, energy and conrage have been equal to every emergency; and very few men in Michigan, or in any other new country, can show better re- sults for the time and labor expended, than he can. His farm, his buildings, his orchards, and finally, everything about him are models of comfort, neatness and thrift.
One of the most enterprising and valuable of the early set- tlers of Berlin was Dr. William B. Lincoln. He came to Ionia (as noted elsewhere) in 1833 ; and peddled the first pills that did execution in the county. Not finding enough to do in Fonia, he bought a lot on Sec. 11, in Berlin. The Doctor was industrious, and handy with tools, a true Yankee in energy and thrift; and in the intervals of time, when his professional services were not in demand, made and mended boots and shoes; made doors and sash, or did any useful work that came in his way; among other things, serving the public as Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace. The Doctor got a good farm well under way, when his father came on from Ver- mont and took his place, he returning to Ionia. He was a good, kind, attentive and humane physician ; no obstacle conld keep him from his duty to the sick, and hundreds are living to appreciate and testify to his kind care and devotion in their time of sickness and danger.
Some time about 1842, Joshua Clark and his son, Edward O. Clark, came to Berlin and made a home on Sec. 33. They came from New York at a very early day, had previously lived some time in Marshall and Niles. Joshua was well along in years, but was a man of extraordinary industry and energy; had too much ambition for his strength; was a first- rate mechanic, understood his trade, and was too honest to slight his work. Though his constitution was weakened by sickness, and he was seldom well, he accomplished wonders,
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and all that he did was done well. After clearing up a farm in Berlin, they went to Orange, made a good farm there, sold ont and went to Saranac, where the old man died at the age of 78. Edward O. lived mostly with his father, until his death. and is now in business in Ionia. He married Olivia, daughter of Deacon Babcock. Harriet, the second daughter, married Joseph M. Babeock, in Berlin. Mrs. Clark was a model woman, wife and mother. She died in Ionia in June, 1872. aged 79 years.
I am about to speak of two of the early settlers in Berlin that have displayed extraordinary energy and thrift under circumstances of discouragement. Joseph Howard, a poor Englishman, and much poorer cobbler, came in 1843, put up a poor log shanty on land not his own, by mistake; yet near his cabin he had the misfortune, as was thonght, to own the poor- est 40 acres in town. Hle had a wife, and family of small children, and nothing else. But she was a good woman and a help, and they took hold together. The children were made nseful, and tanght to do what they could. They worked hard. lived cheap, earned and saved until the poor 40 acres was made productive, 65 acres more added, and all brought into good condition; good buildings erected, money saved and loaned on interest. Joseph lost his good wife, retired from business, and his son William reigns in his stead, the worthy son of a wor- thy sire.
The other was Henry P. Gates, who came from the Hoosier State in 1845, to escape the sickness which he and his family were subject to the whole time they were there. He had a wife and several small children, a pair of scallywag steers, and a miserable old wagon, and that was all. He traded all, ex- cept his wife and children, for a fraction of a little over 50 acres on section 5, being part swamp, and the balance side-hill, balancing the account with his note. He had Yankee blood in him, and knew how to work fast and well. He was by nature industrions, faithful and honest; and with health came energy and effort, and finally success. He has purchased 80 acres more land; has made a good farm with good buildings. and is living with his family in comfort and peace; and may long live to enjoy the fruits of an active and useful life.
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Thus far we have closely followed Mr. Sessions. With him the work was done con amore. The author is feelingly aware that his work would be more valuable if every town had its man, who could so appreciatingly "tell what he knew."
ADDITIONAL.
Among the earliest settlers in the town may be placed, Philo Bates ( just over the line, in Ionia), Benjamin D. Brand, Wm. Reed, Nathan and William Pierce (1837), Nelson Beckwith and Wm. Elvert. In the spring of 1838, Reuben W. Stevens and Luke Howard. Mrs. Taylor (over the line, in Ionia) states that they came from Washtenaw county, in the winter of '37-8. They came in the winter because then they couldl cross the streams on the ice. They brought a family of six children. Their journey lasted six weeks; and they thought they had a good time. Their goods were brought through by ox teams. It took about all they had to get through. They were soon very happy in a log cabin; managed to get something to eat. Mr. Taylor died in Feb. 1871, aged 79 years.
Let us listen to the yarn of that son of Erin in South Ber- lin, whose fine farm and good house show the result of his enterprise; and whose frank cordiality invites confidence and respect-Francis Humphreys.
He came to Berlin from Boston, Mass., in the spring of 1839; having left Ireland fourteen years before. He came to Bellevue; and then the problem was how to get on to Berlin. There was no road or track; the woods were dense, and no one there would attempt the job of forwarding them. But he was en- couraged by being told that there was a man several miles north of Vermontville, who might possibly be secured-Mr. Peter Kinny. Humphreys left his wife, and went to seek Kinny. On the way, at night, he was treed by wolves, who tried to get at him. He fired at them with his pistols, and had the satisfaction of hurting some of them. Early in the morn- ing, benumbed with cold, and hungry, he got down from his perch, where he had passed a sleepless night; came on, and found his man. Kinny was in bed, but got up, received him kindly, and seeing that he was famished with cold and hunger, told him to lie down on the bed and get a little sleep if possi-
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ble, while he got him some breakfast. An arrangement was made with Kinny, whom he soon took a liking to, to go back to Bellevue, get his family and goods (about 16 cwt.), and go through to Berlin for $40. Kinny, with two yoke of oxen. went back for-the load; and got to Vermontville in five days. Nothing serious occurred so far; but here commenced the tug of war. The hardships of that journey were almost incredible: tugging through swamps, cutting ont trees, getting across streams; in some instances being obliged to take the wagon apart. and carry that and the load piece-meal across a swamp. often not making half a mile in a day. Snow fell during the time and the cold sleety storms caused suffering in addition to their exhausting labor. Serenaded at night by wolves, tired, cold and wet, for five weeks they struggled on-and got through. It cost Kinny his life; he was so nsed up he never recovered. This is pioneering.
To further show how people lived and fared, take the case of Zopher Alderman and his family; and it may be observed there is nothing unique in it. There is a sameness in old set- tlers' stories. What is said of a settler in one town, may be safely predicated as having been the experience of those in others. We have thrown in a characteristic trial or adventure -some here and some there. Combine them, and suppose they all occurred in one town, and the picture would be true- a picture of pioneer life.
But to Mr Allerman. He came with his family from De- troit to Ionia. He was fifty-five years old; had a wife and eight children-from twenty-four years down. He had pre- viously bought eighty acres of land. A yoke of oxen and two cows were about all the property he had. Still vigorous, and able to endure the hardest labor, he and his boys "pitched in; " cut and cleared twelve acres; chopped six more; work- ing for others for something to eat. They soon had food of their own raising; but clothes and a little money for taxes came hard, to. say the least. A son of Mr. Alderman, now re- siding in South Berlin, says, that one pair of linen shirts lasted him two years; mended and re-mended by every available kind of cloth, they did service until, patch upon patch, they were
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curiosities. Taxes were a fright, for they must be money. Labor would command food, but not money; and the money must be got, cost what it would. Jobs were let by the towns to make roads across the swamps. The roads were of two kinds, the "rail-road " and the "log-road." The rail-road was made by grubbing out a track, covering it with split rails. and putting on the rails eight inches of dirt; the log-roads, by laying down logs as stringers, and covering the track with logs, putting on the same amount of earth. There wonkl be fierce competition for these jobs, which were cash. Mr. A. states that he and others have taken these jobs-rail-road at ten cents, and log-road at twenty-five cents a rod; where, by the hardest labor, working early and late, a man with a yoke of oxen could earn twenty-five cents a day. That seems up- hill business, but such things are not the hardest a pioneer has to submit to. Think of a man taking a bag of wheat on his shoulder, and going forty miles to mill; returning, wading in the snow-a four days' trip-which was done in Tonia county. That " your humble speaker" would not have done. Ile would have done as Mr. Alderman did-make a big mortar. and bruise the grain, content to eat for life; and not be so particular to have flour biscuit, purchased at so dear a rate.
William Babcock, when he came on, was 62 years old. He brought his wife and eight children, and took up " land enough to give each of them a farm." His five boys and three girls were, Julius, Hiram, Joseph, Henry, Marcus, Dolly, Lucy and Elizabeth. There was another son, but he never lived much in Ionia county, so he is not counted. He would, if counted. make nine. Julius died at Lowell, a farmer, in 1858. Hiram, Joseph and Marcus are in Berlin, and Henry in Ionia. They are all too young to have half done their life-work. Dolly, when she came on, was the third wife of Philo Bates. She is now the wife of the Rev. George C. Overheiser, of Ionia. Lucy now lives, the wife of Ed. O. Clark, of Ionia. Elizabethi is also in Ionia, the wife of Harvey Harter; all still living, after forty years, and all in one vicinity. Had they been Yankees, one would have been in Texas, another in Oregon, a third in Kansas: but here they all keep together, and it is to be hoped that they do it from "natural affinity."
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Philo Bates (over the line. in Ionia), having been much mar- ried, brought on considerable of a family. His daughter Har- riet married Dr. Gorham and II. H. Smith (not both at once ). and resides in Jackson.
Orpha died in Jackson. the wife of II. Lathrop. Susan is in Jackson, the wife of C. Knickerbocker. William P. and Philo live in Ionia.
Philo Bates, Sr., died in 1838.
Benjamin Brand, who is mentioned as a pioneer, soon re- moved to Orange, where he lived a substantial farmer. IIe died in 1871.
William Elvert is still resident in Berlin.
Edward Butler was killed by a fall from a wagon in 1873. He was an early settler-a very worthy man.
On the farm of Alonzo Sessions is a " congeries " of mineral springs, one of them chalybeate, and another " white sulphur." If the " mineral spring " business had not been so fully played. there are no places better fitted to start the excitement than Danby and Berlin. Danby with her chalybeate, and Berlin with her " white sulphur" waters. The spring on Mr. Ses- sions' land may be taken as the sure indication that gypsum underlies that region; whether available or not, only explora- tion' can tell.
BOSTON.
The settlement of Boston dates from 1837. when Worcester English. Timothy White, Jesse Williams, Cyprian S. Hooker. James Hoag, Moses M. Gould. Jeremiah Stannard, Orman Hunt. David Whitney, Becket Chapman, James M. Talent, and Albert Clement, located themselves in the part of the town of Cass which is now Boston.
They were followed, in 1838, by Riley and Diocletian Hess. and Jared Stocking.
In 1839 was added, as far as can be ascertained, Marvil Church.
1840 brought in Richard Vosper. Edson English, Sylvester Train, Stephen Nnte and Edward Carveth.
For some years but few settlers came in. About 1846, the
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town began to fill up, and was then rapidly settled. Return- ing, we will individually trace these pioneers.
Some of them, in green old age, are still where they hewed out for themselves a home in the woods; but not now " wid axe on the shoulder away to the woods." No, no; they are quietly smoking their meerschaums in the doors of their painted houses, looking over their broad acres, where " lowing herds " and "waving grain " give promise of beef, bread, and a piano. Yes, fat, hale and jolly, these old fellows and their " vronws" are enjoying their homes; cracking their jokes with their grand-children; telling them bear and wolf stories; spinning yarns about Indians; talking over "old times" with each other, and must it be said -sighing for the " good old days," when a log house was their palace; a wood-chuck their dinner; a shingle-bolt their chair, and when they went up a ladder to their rest under the roof, to sleep, serenaded by wolves, owls and katydids. But such is " poor human nature." The nigher to savage we are, the happier; the less thought, the more feeling; and the more feeling the more enjoyment. We heap up wealth. build and adorn sumptuous houses, with car- peted floors; have our sofas, our mirrors and chandeliers there; store our minds with the lore of ages, and find after all, that wealth and wisdom are not happiness. But, was there ever a more foolish sentiment uttered than,
" Where ignorance is bliss 'Tis folly to be wise."
Just as though men lived to be happy. Let those be " happy" who have no higher aim. Let them, if they please, pant for a heaven where they shall spend an eternity in ecstatic delight, singing one eternal hallelujah; or let them, while here, be for- ever contriving how they may be "happy as a fool." Bah! I am not, old gentlemen, sneering at you because you are happy in the enjoyment of well-earned wealth and peaceful honrs, or that you look back on the happy days long past. Then you were happy because you were doing something, and you are now happy because you have done something. And if you ever walk the streets of the New Jerusalem, you will
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not find it a place where "eternal delights " are purchased by a short life of spirtual longing here, as we purchase a big laugh at a circus for fifty cents. Happiness may come in the train ; but the soul that is worth saving, delights in being, in action, in beneficence; and looks forward in eternity to being one with the Eternal in beneficence and love. The fool is happy, be- canse he is an animal. And, kind reader, I hope you may at times be happy, as a relaxation from that thought and labor that prove you a man. But let me tell you, you poor, selfish spiritual animal, if your "humble speaker " should ever be commissioned door-keeper, where Peter now stands, and you come sneaking to the door to get in, because you want to be happy, the door will not open, but there will be some hinting that you have mistaken the place.
" Life is real: life is earnest; Happiness is not its aim."
Away off again! Excuse me, denizens of Boston. It was well meant, and there is wisdom in it.
Worcester English, the pioneer. died April 18th, 1851. Ile was a jovial, kind-hearted man; the life of the social circle; a good neighbor, and worthy citizen. Ilis son, Edson English, a man respected by all, died at Grand Rapids. Another sou, Harvey, died four days after his father. Ilis only surviving daughter is Mrs. Horace Robinson.
Timothy White came March, 1837. and still lives on his old place. Mr. White, if you were only dead, we would talk about you; but disliking flattery, and meaning to speak evil of no one, we respecfully lift our beaver-no, straw hat-and wish- ing your shadow may never be less, pass on. But, en passant. will say that Mr. White engineered a road through the swamps in Campbell, and secured a mail by that route; helped cut a road to Ada and Cascade; was first postmaster. in 1839. He and the rest of the company that came with him, had to cut their road from Yankee Springs. Winter, as it was, they had to wade the Thornapple and Coldwater, wading breast deep in water full of anchor ice; camping in the woods with their ox teams. One time, in "the days of happiness," he went to
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Grand Rapids for provisions, took one hundred pounds on his shoulders, and came home in a day. He was one of the com- missioners to re-survey the old Clinton road from Jackson to Grand Rapids; also to lay a State road from Lyons to Ada. So, Mr. White, as you have done something; it is to be hoped as long as you live you may smoke your pipe in happiness, and that when the old "mortal coil is shuffled off," it may repose under a good epitaph. "So mote it be; Amen."
Jesse Williams did not long survive his coming; dying Aug. 5th, 1838; leaving one son. Elbridge G., and a daughter, Mrs. W'm. Hatch, of Lowell. As he had no time to show himself, his history is personal.
Cyprian S. Hooker, in a good old age, is living at Lowell, where hats are reverently doffed to him, and where his many friends lately buried him in rich gifts at his golden wedding. He has long been a public man, and a sketch of his life is found elsewhere. In 1841-2 he built a saw-mill at Saranac. where the " Red Flouring-mill " now stands.
Jared Stocking was the first cabinet-maker. He moved away, and is dead.
James Hoag was killed in the spring of 1851, by the fall of a limb from a tree. He left no family but a wife. His loss was deeply felt. He was an energetic, persevering man, fitted to achieve success; and was a leading, influential person.
Moses M. Gould still resides on his old farm; quiet, snug and happy. His wife, to whose tenacious memory we are in- lebted for most of the dates here given, can tell you more facts than any other person; and is never mistaken. If such a memory was in every town, the historian's work would be easy. She will give you the year, the month, the day and the hour that any event occurred, and there is no use in disputing. The copious notes, dictated by her, were shown to other old set- tlers, and by them confirmed in every particular, and gen- erally with the remark, " There is no use disputing Mrs. Gould on dates."
Jeremiah Stannard still lives in the southwest part of the town; has won a good name and independence.
Ormand Hunt came from Vermont. He died in 1861, aged
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67. He left two sons and one daughter. The youngest son, Herman, died a soldier; the other, Simeon, is county register. The daughter is Mrs. James English.
Becket Chapman, the first shoemaker, still dignifies Boston with his presence.
Riley J. Hless and his brother, Diocletian, came from Sten- ben county. N. Y. Riley was a Free-Will Baptist preacher. the first person who ever conducted religious meetings in Boston. They were held at the house of Worcester English : afterwards in the school house. He died at Grand Rapids in 1878. Diocletian Hess died in 1851, aged 41. An interesting event of the early times occurred in his family. His wife car- ried the dinner to the men, who were at work in the woods. Returning, she got lost, and, bewildered, wandered until near perishing. She was found by the neighbors, who had rallied for the search.
Marvil Church died in 1863, at the age of 68. One son, Harvey, still lives in town; another, Robert, is in Campbell.
Stephen Nute was a farmer; stood among the more prom- inent men of the town. He was from Tunbridge, Vt. IIc died in 1862, aged 57. ITis widow and son still occupy the farm.
Sylvester Train came from Tunbridge, Vt. He was an energetic, stirring man, with a good many peculiarities; a genins of his own sort; one of the most thrifty farmers. He died in 1863, at the ripe age of 72, leaving a large family that he had trained for high respectability.
Albert Clement was also from Trunbridge; was a surveyor; a prominent man in the town. At the age of 50, he died in 1862. His widow is in Saranac.
Richard Vosper is now, in vigorous manhood, dispensing justice at Saranac; a terror to sinners, and to those who have rights, a fountain of hope. Long may he wave! and long may his cheerful visage be one of the cheering sights in the town where he has grown up, until he is of it the chief magistrate.
Mr. James M. Talent; we have reserved him for the last, chat we may indulge our propensity to talk, and he furnishes the material for pointing a moral or gracing an idea. IIc
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still resides in his old log house. The rest of his compeers have discarded logs, and erected their second houses, but he is true to his first love. He helped build the first log house: has always lived in a log house, and has reverently made up his mind to die in his log house. There, on his fine farm, he welcomes his friends with simple kind-heartedness, and, on the down-hill side of life, with the wife of his youth, is enjoy- ing the rustic simplicity that, once a necessity, has become the choice of their lives. Mr. Talent, let that old house be; leave it as a landmark; something to remind posterity of the simple life of the pioneers. You will never find another . house a home; you are too old to learn to put on airs, and to begin life in a new house. Every log has its hallowed associ- ation. That old fireplace is sacre:l, for many a pleasant hour has been passed before it. How would you feel in a painted house, with a carpet on the floor, and obliged to use a spit- box? It is thickly enshrined with moss -- let it be; leave it to those who have no associations, to desecrate the old house.
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