USA > Michigan > Gratiot County > Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich. > Part 74
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Mr. Spicer moved away soon after his election, and Hiram Burgess was appointed by the authorities of Saginaw County to fill the vacancy.
The first special session of the Board of Supervi- sors was held at the residence of Ralph Ely, Jan. 7, 1856, at which meeting Gratiot County was organized. Henry S. Lane was Chairman of the Board.
The county seat was located as near the center of the county as practicable by this Board. Feb. IT, 1856; but the particular site was not designated, on account of the absence of several land-owners at or near the center. After considerable discussion, it was located March 5, 1856, on lands belonging to John Jeffry, who named it Ithaca, that being the name of the village in which he was reared, in New York.
The village plat of Ithaca was surveyed by Sidney S. Hastings, Feb. 11, 12, 13 and 14, 1856. The Su- pervisors met March 5, of that year and selected grounds for public buildings.
The permanent location of the county seat had caused considerable hard feeling between the resi- dents of Pine River and Arcada Townships, each in turn protesting that their respective towns-viz., St. Louis and Alma-were preferable, and by reason of numerous natural resources the proper place for es- tablishing the county seat. This dissatisfaction has ceased to exist, and the reason is obvious to every unprejudiced mind. The driving of the stake which officially effected the location was made the occasion of much hilarity. The Supervisors took turns in driving it down, and the enthusiastic shouts of those who witnessed the performance woke the echoes far and wide.
The first court-house was a two-story log cabin, built by John Jeffry in 1856. This was done at his expense, being a part of the consideration for having the county seat located on his land. The county of- ficials took possession of it in the fall of that year.
The first frame school-house built in the county was erected at St. Louis in 1858, Richard G. Hillier, contractor. This was considered a rapid advance in
civilization, and scholars attending the same consid- ered themselves the " aristocracy " of the county.
The first Fourth-of-July celebration was held at Ithaca in 1856. This was a gala day for Gratiot, and fully 400 were in attendance. What was lacking in numbers was amply compensated for by the enthu- siasm evinced, as the grand military parade headed by an amateur band filed adown the principal streets. Thirty rough and ready volunteers who had done duty with " corn-stalk " weapons on training days, in the Eastern States, went through the "manual of arms," to the great delight of the persons witnessing the performance. E. C. Farrington, one of the first settlers in Emerson, was quite conspicuous upon this occasion, being arrayed in what had formerly been a swallow-tailed coat, which was minus one tail ; but his erect carriage and precise drill made amends for all shortage in costume. Most of the men were clad in raiment much the worse for wear, which resembled " Joseph's coat of many colors," from the multiplicity of patches of varied hue that adorned them. The drum was made by stretching a green deer's hide over a nail keg, but it furnished music enough to in- spire those honest-hearted people as much as would the latest productions from our most celebrated orches- tras to-day. William Preston and Sam Graham kindly donated the drum which now becomes of his- toric interest, being the first one known to have been manufactured in the county. Hiram Burgess went on foot to De Witt, via Maple Rapids, to have hand- bills printed. This necessitated a journey of 80 miles, but the committee were bound to have a big time, and well did they succeed.
The officers of the day were : President, Francis Nelson; Vice-Presidents, all the Supervisors of Gratiot ounty ; Rev. Lafayette Church, Chaplain ; R eader of Declaration of Independence, Orville M. Wood ; Orator of the Day, Frank Miller ; Marshall, Abram M. Crawford.
The ladies made a fine flag, material for which was donated by Messrs. Wood & Miller. John Knight gave a grand ball in the evening, at his house one mile north of Ithaca, which concluded the exer- cises of the first and one of the most enthusiastic celebrations ever held in the county. L. C. Knapp furnished the dinner for most of the people, at 25 cents each. A whole beef was roasted, and the bill of fare included potatoes, rice, hominy and pudding.
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with squash pie and lemonade as dessert. W. W. Comstock was a regular boarder at Knapp's, paying for his johnnycakes and bacon the ordinary compen- sation of one shilling per day. Seeing the over- worked waiters straining every nerve in their endeavors to supply the hungry guests, Mr. Comstock rolled up his sleeves and went to work with a will, helping to wait upon the table and carving nearly all the meats. When all wishing dinner had been served, there was nothing but minute scraps left for the waiters, of whom Mr. Comstock was one.
He made a meager meal of the remnants, and when settling his bill the following Saturday he was somewhat surprised to learn that for the dinner on the Fourth he was charged two shillings, Mr. Knapp telling him that as an extra dinner was given he could not afford to feed his boarders on such an ex- pensive bill of fare at the regular price. Knapp made no allowance for the arduous diy's work put in by Mr. Comstock, for which he was charged noth- ing. as he said ; if Comstock wanted to do it, all right, but he was not asked to assist.
No political, theological or personal differences then existed to mar the friendship of the participants, but all strove to enhance the pleasure and welfare of their neighbor.
The organization of the Republican and Demo- cratic parties were effected in 1856. The first vote gave a relative strength of nearly two-thirds in favor of the Republican party, which has maintained a majority to this date.
The first saw-mill was built by Joseph Clapp in 1855. The first sawing was done in April, 1856. Men, women and children, together with a number of Indians, kindly lent their aid in raising the heavy timbers ; neither could the work at that early day have been accomplished without their assistance. From that date began the erection of frame houses and substantial buildings of every character, thus showing the great good resulting from even one saw- mill in a new country.
The first regular term of the Gratiot County Cir- cuit Court, according to the official record, was held at Alma Jan. 18, 1859, Judge Wilbur F. Woodworth presiding. The "grand jury " were : Messrs. Henry and Samnel Boyer, Briggs J. Bently, Lorenzo Badge- ly, George W. Brooks, James B. Curtis, Wilbur Coon, Elijah Curtis, Sether Dean, John Franklin, Roman
Fyler, Orange Hopkins, Thomas J. Huntington, Erastus Kidder, Michael Nichols, Samuel T. Roe, Joseph B. Stafford, William Wooley and Abraham Wooden.
The first white girl born in Gratiot County is sup- posed to be Rhoda Smith, the daughter of William H. Smith. She is the wife of Jacob Martin, of New- ark Township. Dates are difficult to obtain regard- ing such matters.
The first white male child born in the county was James B. Fulton, son of Nicholas B. and Abigail (Payne) Fulton. He was born July 24, 1847.
Arnold Payne built the first frame barn in Gratiot County. There were not men enough then residents to raise the heavy timbers. The women came to the rescue, and when the massive timbers were placed in position many cheers long and loud echoed through the wild wood.
Mr. Payne claims that the first Fourth-of-July cele- bration north of Maple River was in 1845. The per- sons present were : Mr. and Mrs. James Gordon, Nicholas and Mrs Abigail Fulton, Mr. and Mrs. Nel- son Johnson, and a few from the south side of the river. They hoisted a Union flag, and had a grand time, numbers being taken into consideration. Only three persons who attended that celebration were alive to enjoy the pleasures of the celebration of our natal day in 1883.
A triple murder occurred in the village of Ithaca in March, 1861, which was as cowardly as it was brutal, and deserves a place in this history, it being the first murder committed in the county.
Thaddeus Green, a cooper, who left the county during the hard times of 1859, returned in the spring of 1860, bringing with him his daughter, Josephine, a comely miss of 16. He rented a small house near the present residence of William C. Beckwith, where he worked at his trade during the winter. Among those of their neighbors who frequently visited them was Miss Sally Taylor, a daughter of Benson Taylor, of Newark Township. Sally was about the same age as Josephine, and they were school-mates and friends from early childhood. On Friday, March 9, 1861, Thaddeus and his daughter went to Mr. Taylor's, where Green was doing some repairing on barrels, and they remained until Sunday, when Sally Taylor accompanied them home, intending to remain a few days. On Monday morning, the blinds were
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down at Green's house, creating the impression that they were away from home. Nothing was thought of the matter until Friday, when Mr. Stephen Cun- ningham, a neighbor of Mr. Taylor, called at the house, as her father wished Sally to return home. Receiving no answer to his knock at the door, Mr. Cunningham inquired of Mr. 1 .. C. Smith concerning their whereabouts. Suspicion that all was not right led them to pry open a window, when the dead bodies of Green, his daughter and Miss Taylor were discov- ered lying on the bed in a pool of congealed blood, a & stream of which had run down upon and across the floor! The fiend had killed the girls with a hatchet, which lay on the floor covered with their life's blood, his daughter receiving six and Sally two blows from the murderous instrument. Green had then lain down upon a bed opposite the one upon which the lifeless bodies of the girls were stretched, and ended his life by stabbing himself in the neck with a knife, which was found sticking in the floor. The murder was a most diabolical one, but nothing was left for the avenger to do.
Papers found, upon searching the house, proved conclusively that Green had been for some time com- mitting incest with his daughter, and it is supposed that the matter so preyed upon her mind that the secret was imparted to her friend Sally Taylor, which was overheard by Green, who, to prevent the fact coming to the ears of the public, committed the crime
of murder and suicide. This terrible crime has scarcely been equaled, and the sickening scene can never be effaced from the memory of those who wit- nessed the sight.
Benjamin Crawford drove the first team from Ma- ple Rapids to Pine River. He also helped build the " Indian Mission," and broke the first sod done with a plow north of Pine River, having been employed by the Indian Agent to plow the lands on the reser- vation on Pine and Chippewa Rivers.
The first house built in Ithaca, that was lathed and plastered, was erected by Mr. Crawford. It occupied Lot 2, Block 10. Moving to this county in 1854, he was among the first settlers, but had been through Gratiot many times before, having driven stock fre- quently through the county from the southern part of the State to winter them upon the reeds which grew plentifully along the Chippewa and Pine Rivers. His last venture in that line was not successful, as he had taken several hundred head to winter, giving a guarantee for the lot at $5 per head. A violent snow-storm came on, and nearly all the cattle per- ished, which almost made Mr. C. a bankrupt. He was quite an able lawyer, although he was not ad- mitted to the bar. His widow still resides in Ithaca. Mrs. Crawford helped make the first flag ever hoisted in Gratiot County, and has lent her aid scores of times in caring for those who were less fortunately situated during the early settlement of the land.
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INDIAN 6
ISTORY.
HE history of the aborigines in this county is very limited. Although these were their lands, and amongst the best hunting grounds, they were all removed to a reservation in Isabella County, which had been ceded them by the Governmentin 1856, which lands are yet pos- sessed by the remnants of the tribes, now nearly extinct. Near- ly all the Indians living in this portion of the State belonged to the Chippewa tribe, although the Patta- watomies and Ottawas were so mix- ed with them by intermarriage that comparatively few full-blooded spec- imens could be found of either tribe. They were for the most part in Ful- ton Township, south of the Maple River, which stream was one of their favorites, its waters abounding with · fish, and the bottoms on either side furnishing abundant pasturage for
- their ponies, and also being a splendid hunting ground. William McOmber, a representative of the North- western Fur Company, traded with the Indians at this place, and at the old Indian mission near St. Louis, from 1832 until their departure in 1858. He acquired their language, and speaks it yet quite flu-
ently. There was always a kindly feeling existing between the Indians and the whites of this county, and no disturbance of importance was noted during the early history of this section. Their time was spent in hunting, fishing and trading, having only a few acres of cleared land, which was cultivated very poorly. These lands are now owned by Messrs. Par- mer Phillips and Alanson Matthews. Mr. Phillips came in 1849 and selected the lands which were then occupied by the Indians, and moved his family in 1851. The acknowledged leader of the Chippewas at that time was Acean Lemeronger, a half-breed Frenchman who had been educated at the Mackinaw Island mission. He was a man of good morals and exerted a great influence over the Indians. Mache- toquet, the chief, died in 1849, leaving his son Wau- ga-ba lack, to succeed him; but his propensity for drunkenness disgraced him even in the eyes of the tribe, and they refused to recognize him as chief.
Part of the tribe went to Washington Township, and were under the control of Patrick Bey, until their final removal in 1858.
Parmer Phillips relates a story which illustrates well the Indian's love for whisky. It was the early springtime and preparations were being made for their "sugar dance." One Indian had been sent to Maple Rapids for a jug of whisky, with orders not to tarry on the way. Mr. Phillips having gone to a neighbor- ing shop to get some repairs done upon agricultural implements, was returning, and passed an Indian ly-
GRATIOT COUNTY.
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ing by the road-side in a drunken stupor, while near him stood a jug of whisky. Caring nothing for a drunken Indian, Mr. Phillips passed on ; but had pro- ceeded only a short distance when he met an Indian who inquired if he had passed "Injun squibby " (drunk). Receiving an affirmative answer, the fellow loped off seemingly in a hurry, to meet the " com- mittee " who had gone for a jug of rum. Hardly was this one out of sight before there came another and another, and Mr. Phillips states that twenty or more Indians met him before he left the trail from whom came the same question, "seen Injun squibby?" There was enough whisky left to make them all how]- 'ing drunk, and they had a wild night of it.
Their dances were the occasion of much hilarity. and every one that desired was made welcome as lookers on. The "sugar dance," the " green-corn dance," " harvest dance," and " war dance " were the only recreations indulged in, unless it were an occa- sional "horse race," and these were tame affairs, the ponies following each other along a trail in single file.
Before this county was organized, there was a large tribe, with headquarters on Maple River in Fulton Township; but the small-pox made its appearance and the ravages of this terrible scourge nearly depop- ulated theland. The " medicine men " tried to exorcise the evil spirit by " incantations " and beating " tom- toms," while dances wereheld around the sick patient ; but the plague was not stayed. They resorted to the "steam bath," " plunge bath," etc., but death invari- ably followed all efforts.
They would dig a small hole in the ground, heat a large stone in the fire, place it in the hole and pour water upon it, thus creating a steam, or vapor bath, over which the sick man was placed until bathed in perspiration, when he was carried to the river and chucked into the water. Of course this treatment was wondrousły fatal.
Believing that the "Great Spirit " had sent a plague upon them, the remnant of the once powerful tribe abandoned all those who were sick, leaving them lying on the ground near the river to starve or die, surrounded by wild beasts, with no helping hand near to offer aid or defend them in their helpless condition. None that were left recovered, and their bleaching bones for many years strewed the grounds.
Their manner of burial was peculiar. The corpse was wrapped with baik and deposited in a shallow
grave, which when filled with earth was covered with bark. A pipe, tobacco, and hatchet were put at the head of the grave ; and quarterly, during the first year, a squirrel or other small animal was buried, that the warrior might have sustenance for support until he reached the happy hunting grounds.
The Indians could marry for "a moon " or for life, just as they liked. The marriage ceremony con- sisted only in presenting the bride a necklace, blanket, or any trinket, which if accepted constituted mar- riage. They were not limited in number, some having three or more wives. Acean Lemeronger had three wives, and children by all of them. The first son of his first wife was called " Dixie," and Acean sent him to school one year at Grand Rapids. Dixie could not stand the confinement, and returned home. Taking a rifle, he started into the forest and returned at the close of the first week laden with the hides of 17 deer. This seemed to please his father, who re- marked, "Dixie too much Injun: must buy him blanket."
The tribe, after leaving their sick on Maple River, went to the Lutheran mission near St. Louis. Here they remained until their final departure for the res- ervation in Isabella County.
Pay-mas-ega, the aged Chippewa chief, died at Indiantown, and his body was kept "lying in state " or several days; plenty of whisky was furnished the Indians from some quarter, and riot and revelry pre- vailed. During the carnival of drunkenness three squaws were murdered and burned.
Me-gon-ge-wan, a daughter of the chief mentioned, afterward married Henry Ashman, who represented the people in the State Legislature at a later date. Two of his sons live in Isabella County and are both intelligent and worthy men. Mrs. Mary Gruett, wife of James Gruett, who acted as interpreter at the Indian mission, still lives near St. Louis and is pos- sessed of quite a fund of information regarding In- dian life.
The inter-marriage of the race has so reduced them physically that a few more years will find but a mere handful of the "noble " red men who were formerly owners of this beautiful land. When they are gone who will mourn? Who will drop a tear in memory of their former greatness? They have been dispossessed slowly but surely until a mere spot of land includes their possessions. Their end is near; their race is nearly run. Like Napoleon, shorn of
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his power, the noble warriors were forced to retire be- fore the onward march of civilization. No more is seen the smoke curling from their wigwams ; no more is heard the "tom-tom,' as its monotonous sound marshaled the braves for the " war dance," at which the young men were initiated and afterward allowed
to participate as warriors in the chase, or to give bat- tle to their foe. Their camp fires have gone out ; their hunting grounds are transformed into luxuriant meadows and highly cultivated fields. Nothing is left save this humble memorial to indicate that the aborigines ever inhabited this country.
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TOWNSHIPS.
N interesting feature of this work is an historical review of the several townships. They were settled by men most of whom have representatives now living in the county, and many of them yet reside in the townships, in which they were born. The southern tier of town- ships was first settled, being near- est to and adjoining Clinton County, which was settled somewhat be- fore its organization in 1839. The townships of North Shade, Fulton, Washington, Elba, Hamilton. North 4
Star, Newark and New Haven, were previous to the organization of Gratiot County at- tached to that of Clinton for judicial purposes, and the two northern tiers of townships to Saginaw County, for similar reasons.
A careful perusal of the incidents relating to the early settlement of the several townships will repay the reader, as each one contains the names of the first settlers, and many other items which are required to make the history complete. Almost every town- ship claims the honor of having the first settler in the county located in her borders; but with the most
careful reference to dates, Fulton is awarded the palm. Be that as it may, each has furnished many men who for integrity and worth cannot be excelled in any country, and they reflect great credit upon the county they represent, politically or socially.
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Fulton Township ..
HE best agricultural body of land in Gra- tiot County is Fulton Township. Being the first settled portion of the county and near Maple Rapids, where supplies were easily procured during the hard times of 1857-8-9, her people were more fortunate than many of *their neighbors, who lived at a remote distance from a trading point.
The first settlement in Fulton was made by Robert Fulton, Arnold Payne and James Fulton, who came in 1846. Nick Fulton and Nelson Johnson came in 1847, and took claims, but afterward deserted them. They returned in 1849 and were then among the earliest settlers in the county.
Parmer Phillips located his lands in 1849, and came with his wife in 1851. He lived on the south side of Maple River and was in easy circumstances,
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being provided with teams, etc. Benjamin Cole and wife came in August, 1853, and located where Gil- lette now lives. At that time they were the second family north of Maple River. Lehman Johnson and his brother, Nelson, were then living in the township. Nelson was known as "everybody's Johnson," being always ready to leave his own work to assist a neigh- bor in raising a cabin, rolling logs, or doing anything which was asked of him.
Ben Cole and his wife selected a place for their cabin, and he went to work felling trees. Their bed was made under a huge oak whose foliage was their only shelter for some time. Mrs. Cole relates that she kept the mosquitoes from molesting her husband until two o'clock in the morning, when he performed a similar service for her. Their first visitors were 15 Indian women, who brought presents of venison and other meats. In fact, during the first year, Mr. and Mrs. Cole depended upon the Indians for their meat supply.
The first wedding known to have occurred in the county, was that of James Carpenter, who married a daughter of Arnold Payne in the winter of 1852. James Martin soon afterward married another one of Mr. Payne's daughters. Leroy Sutherland came in 1854 and soon afterward wedded Angelina Moss.
Nearly every early resident of Gratiot County first came to Fulton Township, the only road in the county being the one leading from Maple Rapids to St. Louis. Arnold Payne's place was known for many years as affording the best hotel accommodations in the county, and no man was more widely known.
The first " log-rolling bee " was on the land owned by Nick Fulton. Twenty-two of the hardy pioneers lent a helping hand, of whom a half dozen at least are yet living. These affairs always terminated with a grand supper and dance, to which everybody in the neighborhood were invited. The first township meet- ing and the first election held were at the cabin of Ben Cole, one of the best known and most eccentric men of Gratiot. Ben is now 84 years of age, and to date has never missed a town meeting or an election in the county. He is one of the best story tellers extant, and his presence was always considered nec- essary to complete any social gathering. His gold- en wedding was the first one celebrated in Fulton Township. That pleasant event occurred July 4, 1881. His wife Louisa is also quite sprightly, and
enjoys the reminiscences of early days in Gratiot as well as anybody living. Their shanty was only 12 x 16 when completed, yet Mr. Cole says 2r grown per- sons have stayed all night with them, and all had room enough.
To make mention of half the pleasant stories Ben was possessor of, would make a large, interesting vol- ume. Perhaps no one in Gratiot County is possessed of a larger fund of general knowledge than he. In mentioning the hard times, Ben says they lived prin- cipally upon " knick-knacks ;" if they had anything to eat, it was a " knick," had they nothing, it was a " knack." At all events they were happy, and Ben Cole and his aged wife are among the happiest peo- ple on earth to-day. His epitaph was composed by himself years ago, and we give it a place here, to commemorate the characteristics of a man who is respected by every one as being a kind neighbor and full of virtuous deeds. Any one who has ever heard Ben Cole talk will recognize his sentiment in the fol- lowing, which will be engraved upon his tomb-stone after his demise :
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