USA > Michigan > Gratiot County > Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich. > Part 75
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" Beneath these cold sous lies old Cole. Oh God! have mercy on his soul, AsI would on your's, If you was old Cole And 1 was God."
The best farm buildings in the county are located in Fulton Township, and the wealth of her farmers exceeds that of any township in the county. The taxation is almost as great as Pine River, which in- cludes a part of the prosperous villages of St. Louis and Alma.
Fulton is well watered by Maple River and its tributaries. It is bounded on the north by Newark Township, on the east by Washington Township, on the south by Clinton County and on the west by North Shade Township.
Most of the Indians who lived in Gratiot at the time of its organization, were residents of Fulton, and their farming grounds are now the property of Par- mer Phillips.
Mr. Charles E. Webster has been Supervisor of the township long enough to familiarize him with every detail of the county's business. We give the list of Supervisors to date:
SUPERVISORS.
William Norton . 1855
Whipple Martin 1856
Henry P. Howd 1857
737
GRATIOT COUNTY.
I. T. Cassada 1858-62
Roswold Danley
1863
L. T. Cassada.
1864-5
Charles E. Webster. 1866-9
Roswold Danley 1870
Charles E. Webster 1871-7
Nathaniel Walker.
1878
Charles E. Webster.
1879-82
Henry Stitt
1 883.
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Fulton deserves a front rank in an agricultural way. Every thing in the line of cereals which are adapted to this climate grows luxuriantly in her soil. Thrift prevails everywhere, and many of the most wealthy citizens of Gratiot County are now, or have been, residents of Fulton Township.
North Star.
HIS township is numbered 10 north and 2 west, and is bounded on the north by Emer- son, on the east by Hamilton, on the south by Washington, and the west by Newark. North Star was organized in April, 1855, and the first officers elect were :
Supervisor-Benjamin Crawford
Clerk-H. T. Barnaby ;
Treasurer-William W. Palmer;
Justices- William Hurd, John Franklin, Luther C. Smith, T. H. Rodgers.
Commissioners of Highways-Peter Hoffman, - J. W. Chaffin, George Criner.
The first township meeting was held at the resi- dence of Peter Hoffman in April, 1855. Addison Hayden and Mr. Hoffman are accredited the honor of naming this township. Mr. H. was an energetic and excellent man, and exerted a great deal of influ- ence in the community.
The first settler in the township was Rowland Smith, who built a shanty upon section 30 in April, 1854. Rev. H. T. Barnaby and Peter Hoffman, with their families, arrived in May of the same year. Rev. Barnaby was the first preacher in this neighborhood, and the time selected for delivering the first sermon, which was unavoidably postponed, serves as the basis for a brief anecdote. Services were to be held at the house of John Franklin, in August, 1854, and the minister had taken his position, as well as those who had assembled to hear a rendition of the divine law,
when word came that an old lady, a Mrs. Hawkins, was lost in the woods of Newark Township. Know- ing the dangers which might ensue from wild beasts, hunger and fright, the congregation was hurriedly dismissed, and the male portion, headed by Rev. Barnaby (who, to prevent being lost from the party, had a cow-bell suspended from his neck), started for Newark. Search was continued during that and the next day, when word came that she had found the " Old Indian Trail," and safely arrived at a settle- ment in the neighborhood.
Game was very plentiful that year, and the best hunting record of the season was made by Rev. Bar- naby, who amply demonstrated that he could fire a rifle as well as clear a farm or preach a sermon. Dur- ing the hunting season of that year he killed 45 deer, one bear and a wolf.
The first birth in the township was a daughter to Joel T. and Mrs. Smith, and the first death was that of an infant daughter of H. T. and Mrs. Barnaby.
North Star is an excellent agricultural township, and the numerous farms which are so highly im- proved, with the large list of taxable property, affords indisputable evidence of its rapid development.
This township is well watered by Bad River and its tributaries, and represents some of the finest agri- cultural lands in the county. The improvements also are up, and perhaps superior, to those of some of her sister townships. Among the earliest minis- ters, and perhaps the first minister, who settled in the county, was Rev. Elias Sower, who settled in this township in 1854. He was an active and indefati- gable worker, and is beloved by every one who knows him.
Having previously related the "sporting record " of Rev. H. T. Barnaby, the historian feels like giving another incident in the same line, although accom- plished by a woman, with a "woman's weapon."
Mrs. Hiram Brady went toward the barn, and was surprised to see a large buck feeding complacently at the corn-crib. She seized a stick of stove-wood, and struck the deer over the head, stunning it completely, after which a few more well-directed blows dispatched it. This is well authenticated, and occurred Dec. 2, 1875. It might be proper to add that a number of bears have recently been killed in this township; but as this story would apply to every twonship in the county, the space may be better used in speaking of matters more important.
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GRATIOT COUNTY.
Below will be found the names of those who have represented this township as Supervisors from its organization until the present time :
SUPERVISORS.
Benjamin Crawford. 1855
Addison Hayden . 1856-8
H. T. Barnaby. 1859-60
Win. M. Barstow
1861
Franklin Squire 1862 3
H. T. Barnaby 1864
Elias Sower. 1865-6
Wm. M. Barstow 1867-8
H. T. Barnaby
1869
W. J. Marshall
1I. T. Barnaby 1871-2
Lorenzo Squire 1873
W. J. Marshall 1874-5
Sidney Thompson
1870-7
W. J. Marshall. 1878-80
Sidney Thompso 1881-2
W. J. Marshall 1883
Hamilton Township.
IIIS township derived its name from Frank Hamilton, a relative of Elijah Cuntis. He has for many years been a conductor on the Detroit & Milwaukee railway. Elijah Curtis, William Barton, Dr. John R. Cheesman, Charles Brant, Timothy Eckels, and a number of others came in 1854. Dr. Elias Sower, who was also a minister, medicated the people and preached when desired, as well as assisting in erecting their rabins, although being located in North Star. He officiated at the first wedding celebrated in Hamilton, which was that of Daniel Huston to Elmira Curtis. The first child born in the township was Henry, a son of Elijah and Mrs. Curtis. William Barton was elected a Justice of the Peace, and relates how one of his first cases was disposed of by the jury without giving him an opportunity to render a decision.
Hamilton Township was noted for legal squabbles. Once a couple of neighbors were dissatisfied about some minor affair. They concluded to have a jury, who, after hearing the evidence. decided that there was " no cause of action " and that " each party " pay his own costs.
During the war, there were left in the township
but six men, and they were aged and infirm. This speaks in highest terms of their patriotism, of which no higher testimonial could be given. The 57th marriage anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. William Bar- ton, was celebrated at the home of his son-in-law Del. Barstow, at Ithaca, Jan. 17, 1884. Together they have braved the battle of life with its hardships and trials for more than a half century, and when their journey is finished will leave an honorable rec- ord behind. Mr. Barton was a soldier under the Duke of Wellington, and participated at the disas- trous battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon's forces were defeated, and he made prisoner.
Dr. ('heesman hauled the first load of pine lum- ber from St. Charles that was brought into the town- ship. Hailing from the city of Chicago, of course he felt somewhat aristocratic, and wished to convert his cabin into a modern-looking structure, to do which, clap-boards could not be utilized.
He relates an experience of the first "famine " in 1857, in which the demand for bread was imperative. Being fortunately situated himself, a stock of provis- ions were laid in sufficient to maintain his family for a year, but the necessities of the people were such that they were divided until the larder was bare as mother Hubbard's cupboard, and his family were also in need of food. Some friend in Chicago had sent $50, to help him along, and a man was dispatched to Maple Rapids to purchase flour, with the entire amount. It was in the early spring-time, and the ice was not frozen hard enough to bear the team. After trying vainly to make thelr way through the woods, and water a foot in depth, the team was taken home and Dr. C. started on foot with a bag to see neighbor Newell, who lived six miles distant and had fortun- ately secured a sack of flour. Arriving at his destin- ation, Dr. Cheesman made known his errand, and stated that he could get along with 12 pounds and of- fered to pay any price asked. Mr. Newell refused to sell but stated that he would lend the amount, to be returned when the doctor's load could be pro- cured. This was cheerfully accepted, and, with 12 pounds of the coveted merchandise swinging over his shoulder, Dr. C. started homeward, breaking through the ice at almost every step the entire dis- tance. To obtain only this small amount of flour, necessitated a journey of 12 miles through the forest, which was almost completely submerged with water
739
GRATIOT COUNTY.
nearly a foot in depth, covered with a thin ice which allowed the traveler to break through at every step. The wonder is, that such hardships were survived by so many, yet sickness was comparatively rare.
John Muffly, and his son Jacob, were early set -. tlers in Hamilton ; and a winter's hunt for Jacob, al- though a mere lad, is not without significance, as it shows what kind of game a boy could hunt with profit. His trophies, together with the amounts re- ceived for them, are here given :
128 coon skins $160 00
48 mink 240 00
8 wildcat 4 00
4 fox
1 60
3 bear
17 00
3 bear cubs, alive 30 00
Total.
452 60
All the flour used they carried upon their backs for several years, from a mill in Clinton County, 28 miles distant.
The first school in Hamilton was taught in 1860 by Carrie Barton, at what is yet known as Barton's School-house.
SICKELS.
The village of Sickels was platted by the proprie- tors, William Sickels and Sheldon L. Wight, Feb. 20, 1882, consisting of seven blocks and eight streets. It was surveyed by Thomas H. Harrod, and is situated on section 8 of the township of Hamilton, about eight miles east and a little south of Ithaca, the county seat. It has a postoffice, which is situated on the tri-weekly mail stage route from Ithaca to Edgewood. There are a general store, a flouring-mill, a saw-mill, a planing-mill, a wagon shop, a blacksmith shop, a hotel, two church edifices commenced, one by the Methodist Episcopal and one by the Free Methodist societies. It also has a tri-weekly mail from Elsie, Clinton County, and has a population of over one hundred.
For Hamilton Township, since its organization, the following is a list of
SUPERVISORS.
Elijah Curtis. . 1856
Orville M. Wood 1857
William Barton. 1858-60
John Deeter 1861
Thomas B. Lamb 1862-3
William Barton. 1864-5
H. A. Joiner 1866-7
J. H. Seaver. 1868-70
J. B. Curtis 1 87 1
J. H. Seaver 1873-4
Joseph Haight ? 1875
J. H. Seaver 1876
Silas Hill. 1877-9
Joseph Wright 18So
W. R. Wright. ISS1
William Sickels. 1882
C. A. Tann. 1883
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Bethany Township.
ROMINENT among the first settlers in Bethany Township, was the Gruett family, several of whom are yet residents. James Gruett was for ten years the interpreter at the Indian mission. He was married in 1833, at Saginaw, and came to the mission in 1846. The family consisted of several children, the eldest of which was a daughter named Sophia, of whom Mrs. Mary Gruett relates quite a laughable story.
After Joseph Clapp built the first house in St. Louis, he cleared a few rod's and planted a garden. This was the first garden in the place, and the veg- etables grew luxuriantly. Among the latter was a fine squash which assumed majestic proportions, being larger than a flour barrel and weighed over So pounds. Mr. Clapp frequently called attention to his treasure and felt very proud of his first venture in gardening. One day Sophia Gruett, then 16 years of age, was passing, and stopped to see the wonderful squash. It was fairly ripe and looked good enough to eat. Mr. Clapp came out, and in a bantering tone told Sophia that " she might have the squash if she would carry it home," not thinking it possible, as she lived three miles away. She went into the woods and cut a stick about four feet in length, sharpened the end and pushed it through the mammoth squash. Having procured some long strips of bark, she made a sort of harness by tying the ends to the stick, and having one band crossing her forehead and the other across her breast, she started with the heavy load upon her back and actually carried it the entire distance! Mrs. Gruett coming in next day, Mr. (lapp asked how Sophia wa ; feeting. She replied, "Good 'nuff; heap sick back."
1.
GRATIOT COUNTY.
740
The parents were both half-breed Indians, and were born in the upper Lake Superior country.
Mrs. Gruett is now 76 years of age, and quite a good talker, although one needs an interpreter unless well acquainted. Her son, William, who carried the mail for a long time from St. Louis to Maple Rapids, lives with her. He was quite unfortunate in May, 1883, having both legs fractured in five places while logging. However, he hobbles about quite well, and is cheerful and full of " olden-time " anecdotes. Mrs. Gruett was for a number of years, in the early his- " tory of the county, quite a "doctor," and kept her pony within reach that she might attend all calls. She prepared her own medicine from the roots and barks, the medicinal virtues of which were well- known to the Indians. Added to all this, was the gift of "prophecy," or fortune-telling, and her advice was much sought for.
When the Indians left Gratiot County for their res- ervation in Isabella. James Gruett and family went with them, as his knowledge of both the Indian and the American languages was indispensable. After his death, which occurred a few years later, the family returned to their old home in Bethany Township, where those who are yet living reside.
Mrs. Harriet Lake has furnished some very inter- esting reminiscences of olden times, for which our thanks are tendered. She was one of the early pio- neers, and no lady is better known or more highly respected in Bethany Township.
Bethany Township derived its name from the In- dian mission which bore that name.
W. J. Partello, was the pioneer of Bethany and by reason of many sterling qualities endeared himself to the people of this town, who have known him long and well.
Bethany has been ably represented by the following named
SUPERVISORS:
W. J. Partello
F. D. Weller 1858
1859-60
William B. Harris 1862
A. Clark. 1863-4
E. S. Drake.
1865
A. Clark 1866
J. C. Giddings
1867-74
Floyd E. Martin 1875
S. D. Hicks 1876-8
J. G. Thompson. 1879
Willard D. Tucker. 880-2 Mortimer Sharpsteen 1883
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Seville Township.
& EVILLE is the northwestern township of Gratiot County, and is bounded on the north by Isabella County, on the east by the township of Pine River, on the south by Summer Township, and on the west by Mont- calm County. Seville is quite fortunate in the way of railroad facilities, the Detroit, Lansing & North- ern passing through the southern part of the town- ship. The Marshall & Coldwater railroad is already surveyed across the western part of the town, and all the grading is done through Sumner Township.
In Seville Township are three railroad stations, on the line of the Detroit, Lansing & Northern railway, the most prominent one being Riverdale. A second, bearing the name of the township, is a small hamlet where trains stop only on signal. The third, Elwell, is a more important station.
In agricultural products this township ranks fourth in the county, and has a large lumber trade.
John D. Mallory settled on section 24, in 1855. Henry Boyer came the same year and settled in his neighborhood.
The latter tells a story on one of his neighbors, to illustrate how thin a man can get on a " mixed " diet. The family, consisting of six persons, subsisted on a pint of milk with maple sugar and leeks, and a soup made from basswood buds. The husband and father was working as hard as he was able, to clear up a little farm, but often complained to Mr. Boyer that his " liver " knocked against his ribs so hard that he could scarcely split rails !
The impassable roads of an early day impeded the immigration which came later. It is related that some parties, while out hunting, came to a very deep mud- hole which extended across the road. A man with a longox-gad was threshing around in the mire as they came in sight. Upon being questioned, he declared that he had driven into the marsh his team of oxen, and they were then buried in the mud.
Bernard Fox. : 1861
1,1
741
GRATIOT COUNTY.
That pre-historic race, the "Mound. Builders,' have lived in this township, and Messrs. R. F. Ked- zie, C. B. F. Bangs and F. W. Hastings, of the State Agricultural College, have made excavations in sev- eral of the mounds. One was explored on section 13, in which a number of relics were found. On sec- tion 14, they found two skeletons, in a bad state of preservation. The last mound examined was on section 31. This was situated on a level plain. It was a perfect cone, 10 feet high and 40 feet in di- ameter at the base. This was thoroughly examined, and some excellent specimens found, consisting of stone vessels and implements, besides pieces of skeletons, etc. We gaze with reverential awe upon the evidence presented of those peculiar people, who, hundreds of years ago, inhabited our country, and of whom no trace remains save these historic mounds, which alone mark their last resting-place. Their history died with them : let them rest.
The people of Seville Township have been served by the following nine
SUPERVISORS:
Carlisle Weeks. 1856
Henry Boyer. 1857-9
Henry Shults 1 860-1
Henry Boyer . 1862
Ira Amsbury . 1863
Henry Boyer 1864-5
Henry Shults 1866
Ira Amsbury . 1 867
James L. Shults 1868-71
Ira Amsbury 1872
Wm. J. Moffatt 1873
James L. Shults 1874
James R. Errett
1875-6
P. D. Egan.
1877-8
James R. Errett 1879-80
James L. Shults 1881
William Pitt. 1 882-3
Seville is numbered 12 north and 4 west. It has an intelligent population, good schools and churches, with an enterprising people to maintain them.
This township was named by Mr. S. S. Hastings, in honor of the town in which he resided in Medina Co., Ohio.
Arcada Township.
MONG the first settlers, we mention Rev. Lafayette Church, Rev. Francis Nelson, Edward Lake and Ralph Ely, with their families. The entire country was in a state of nature, but these energetic men went to work with a will, and the accessions to their ranks by new-comers soon formed quite a settlement in that township. The timber was of excellent quality, and Pine River furnished a means of transportation for groceries and provisions, as well as other commodi- ties, from Saginaw, which, with the exception of Maple Rapids, was the chief trading point for Gratiot County.
Ralph Ely and Abraham Woodin built the first boat that carried supplies on Pine River. Mr. Woodin erected a small log cabin near Alma in 1856. Francis Way put in a small stock of dry goods, which was kept in boxes under the bed. A few articles of general merchandise was added later, which, for economy's sake, was also disposed of in like manner. When a customer came in, the goods were dragged out and selections made. In addition to Mr. Wood- in's family, consisting of themselves and seven chil- dren, Francis Way, wife and child, lived with them, and persons traveling through the county in search of lands also made the cabin headquarters. When taken into consideration that the only room was 16 feet square, but little was left for the entertainment of company.
John Jeffrey was really the pioneer of Arcada, and located on section 1. Mr. Jeffrey came for the pur- pose of heading off a railroad which he had learned was to be built through his land. If such a thing had been done, it would have been of immense ad- vantage to this new country, but Jeffrey was seemingly unconcerned about its future. He was a very close man in his dealings, but strictly honest ; and during the early settlement of Gratiot, he befriended many a poor fellow who otherwise would have suffered. Jeffrey had some peculiar ideas, and once a resolu- tion formed, no argument could convince him that he was in error. The second Fourth of July that was celebrated at Ithaca demonstrated his perverser ess, and gave rise to quite a war of words at last. Ar-
742
GRATIOT COUNTY.
rangements had been made by committees previously appointed to secure speakers, but Mr. Jeffrey dis- liked one of them, and declared that another man shoukl speak instead. A disagreement was thus brought about, by which two celebrations were held the same day a quarter of a mile apart, Jeffrey's party holding theirs in the grove near town, the other being held on the square donated by Jeffrey for county purposes. There was a good attendance at both places, and the greatest harmony prevailed, there being several good speakers in attendance.
The next afternoon, John Jeffrey swore out war- rants before a justice for several of the men who were foremost in getting up the celebration in the court-house yard, among whom was Frank Miller, the Postmaster. The officer went to arrest him, but the mail being expected to arrive every moment, he refused to come out of the office until it had been distributed. Jeffrey and a number of others were loud in their denunciations of the men who were his opponents on the previous day, and declared he would have revenge for their trespass upon his grounds, the deed not yet being made to Gratiot Courty. Several men offered to go upon Miller's bond for appearance the next day, but were refused. The Jeffrey squad becoming more noisy, and seeming- ly intent upon obtaining Miller's body at all hazards, threatened to break down the door. W. W. Comstock appeared upon the scene, and planting himself against the door, declared that they should first pass over his dead body. This step put a quietus upon the movement, and the officer, in company with Jef- frey, left the building. The suit was dismissed. Jeffrey, finding the sentiment of the people strongly against him, was glad to pay costs in the case and let the matter drop.
Judge P. 11. Estec, now of Isabella County, had quite an experience when coming into the county with his family in 1855. He had engaged Capt. Ralph Ely to bring his family and their trunks from Saginaw to Alma, on his boat. It required several days for the trip, and the last day, as the boat was passing "Bovee's Riffle," below St. Louis, it was over- turned and the entire contents dumped into the river. None of the party were in the boat except the crew, as it had to be towed against the rapid cur- rent at this point, in which all took a hand. Three of their trunks were thrown into the water, one of
them remaining six weeks before being recovered. The party made their way to Mr. Woodin's, near Alma, and were made quite comfortable, although the room contained not only the stock of goods, but household and kitchen furniture besides.
Supper was prepared and sleeping accommoda- tions furnished for 17 persons. This was not an ex- ceptional case at Mr. Woodin's, but frequently by many of the pioneers in Gratiot County. Judge Estee and family are now residents of Isabella County, and his introduction to the inhabitants of this neighborhood has furnished the basis for many a hearty laugh.
Two railroads now pass through Arcada, and be- fore the close of the present year one more will be completed. A part of the thriving village of Alma and a part of Ithaca are in this township, which is a splendid tract of agricultural land. It is bounded on the north by Pine River, the east by Emerson, south by Newark, and the west by Sumner Town- ships. The number is it north, and 3 west.
Edward Lake and Paul Averill came to Arcada in March, 1855. Mrs. Lake arrived in June of the same year. Mr. Lake had built a little shanty on the southeast quarter of section 25. This cabin was a novelty in the way, bring built entirely of hick- ory bark. They remained in this until September, when alog house was completed, one and a half stories in height. The nearest neighbor, Simon Knott, a bachelor, settled the same year in the corner of Ar- cada, which is now a portion of Ithaca. As none of the neighbors had a wagon he made a wooden cart, the only bit of iron about it being one wrought nail. Knott and Mr. Lake used this cart to carry potatoes and groceries from Maple Rapids, pushing it the en- tire distance.
Reuben Finch soon afterward became one of Mr. Lake's neighbors. They were great friends, and spent much time in hunting. One day Mr. Lake killed three deer at two shots with a rifle, and Finch killed a bear. The latter's experience was rather unpleasant, as he only wounded the bear in one fore leg, when it showed fight. Finch climbed a small sapling, which stood conveniently near, but in his hurry dropped the gun. The bear tried to climb the same sapling and was prevented only by the wounded leg. It finally left, and Finch came down, loaded the gun, and soon dispatched it.
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