Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 76

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 856

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

743

Bounties were paid in different townships for wolf scalps, and it is related that Mr. Finch trapped one in Arcada, and drove it over to Newark Township before it was killed, in order to obtain a larger bounty. The older settlers also had an eye for business, it seems, by this maneuver.

Mr. Hastings relates an incident which occurred while he was surveying in this township. Mr. Finch had emptied the contents of a bed-tick in the road, which was being surveyed. Judge Nelson and Will- iam Todd were carrying the chain whose track lay directly across this pile of material. Judge Nelson pushed it aside with his foot and exposed a large rattlesnake (dead), which had been pressed as flat as a board. Calling the attention of Mr. Finch to it, he explained that, having no straw to fill the bed, he had cut some rushes in the marsh, and, leaving them during the day to dry, had carried them home in the evening and filled the tick at night. Using the bed afterward, the reptile had been crushed and none were the wiser until it was found in the straw.

The lumber interests will continue to be the prin- cipal industry in Arcada for a few years; but the splendid farms, taking the place of the majestic woods, will bring back larger returns.

Arcada Township has been served by the follow- ing

SUPERVISORS :

Francis Nelson

IS55-6

Anson R. Arnold

1857

Ralph Ely . 1858-9

L. C. Smith. 1 860

George W. Jennings 1861

Alonzo E. Kingsley . 1862

Wm. Moyer. 1863

T. A. Johnson 1864-5

Wm. S. Turck. 1 866

Wm. Moyer 1867

George Chandler 1 868

Ralph Ely

1869-70

James T. Hall 1871-2 Wm. S. Turck 1873

James T. Hall 1874

Wm. S. Turck. 1875-6

James T. Hall

1877

E. R. Spink 1 878

Wm. S. Turck 1 879-80

Darius Reed . 188 1

George G. Holliday 1 88 2

Darius Reed . 1883

New Haven Township.

OHN A. and Richard Crispel are presuma- bly the first settlers in New Haven. Their location was made on section 4, in the year 1854. Uncle Joseph Wiles, Henry Clark and Moses White came in 1855 and settled on sec- tion 33. Rev. Charles Chick, a Methodist minister, was the first preacher to hold divine services in the township. Rev. W. S. Everest was the first Baptist minister presiding, and he yet has frequent appointments.

Richard Houck, Tom Haynes, Alex. Chapman, Jacob Snyder, Jos. H. Bennett, Proctor Campbell, Peter Pendell and Franz Manache, all came in 1855 and '56, with their families, and the township rapidly assumed a prosperous outlook.

The first school-house was built on section 33, and Arad Lindsay taught the first school in the fall of 1855. All the religious denominations who desired, used the school-house for services. The early set- tlers were essentially a church-going people, and are yet noted for their strictly orthodox principles.

The first election in the township was held at the residence of Henry Clark.

The march of improvement has been rapid in New Haven, and the township ranks sixth in agricultural products. Not one of the original log cabins is now standing; their places are occupied by commodious residences and naught remains to remind us of its early history, save a few pioneers whose heads are thickly sprinkled with gray hairs. They are taking their ease and enjoying a handsome competency, after many years of arduous toil. The pioneers fared badly, as every one knows. There were not a half dozen teams in the county in 1854, and all the provisions had to be carried on the shoulders of men. Alex. Chapman, one of the first settlers of New Ha- ven, frequently carried a hundred pounds of flour upon his back, from Matherton to the neighborhood in which he resided, a distance of 14 miles.

New Haven Township had a Fourth-of-July cele- bration of her own in 1862. Everybody who was left in the town after the husbands, fathers and sons had gone to the war, came out to have a good time.

GRATIOT COUNTY.

744

Emery Crosby was the Orator of the Day and gave the people a very good address. Tom Haines made all the music necessary, with one violin, there being no brass bands in the county. Guns were fired, and the woods resounded with the shouts of old and young. A table was spread under the trees, and an elegant dinner was served to the entire party.

New Haven was for many years without roads, and the highway commissioners issued bonds to the amount of $5,000, which were negotiated with St. John's and other parties. The amount allowed by law being only $1,ooo, the bonds were afterwards repudiated, and John Hicks and others lost quite a large sum of money. This is a stain upon New Ha- ven, from which she will never recover.

New Haven is bounded on the north by Sumner, on the east by Newark, and on the south by North Shade Townships. The western boundary is Mont- calm County. The number is 10 north and 4 west. Most of her best lands were purchased by specula- tors, which retarded for a long time the settlement of the township. The parts now under cultivation are very fertile.

Mr. Charles H. Morse has served the township longer as Supervisor than any other representative elected in that capacity, and is one of her most en- terprising and wealthy men. Read the list of the

SUPERVISORS :

Joseph N. Bennett, 1855

llenry P. ('lark, 1856

Joseph N. Bennett,

1857

Henry P. Clark, 1858

J. A. Crispel, 1859-60

A. H. Mack,

1861

Addison Helback,

1862

M. IT. White, 1863-7

P. Bmlingame, 1868-9

Charles 11. Morse, 1870-2

W. S. Everest, 1873

Charles 11. Morse, 1874-6

D. W. Gardner, 1877

S. C. Robinson, 1878-So

Charles 11. Morse,

1881

A. J. Chambers,

1882-3

Pine River Township.

HIS township was organized during the win- ter of 1855, and originally embraced the township of Bethany. It is numbered 12 north, and 3 west of the 3d principal meridian, and is bounded on the north by Isabella County, on the east by Bethany Township, on the south by Arcada Township and by Seville on the west. Pine River Township is a most excellent body of land and was from the first one of the most enter- prising in the county.

George L. Spicer was elected first Supervisor. He settled on what was afterward known as the " Smith Farm," half way between Alma and St. Louis.

Joseph Clapp and Sylvanus Groom came in the spring of 1853, and soon after moved the family of Mr. Groom into a shanty built by William McOmber, which was used by him as headquarters in making purchases of furs from the Indians. The coming of Mr. McOmber at a much earlier date is mentioned elsewhere.

To Joseph Clapp belongs the credit for the early settlement of this township, who, being a very enter- prising man, brought help and at once commenced getting out timbers for a saw-mill, which was put into successful operation at a later date. At his own ex- pense be employed men and opened a road along the " Old Indian Trail " from Maple Rapids to the point where St. Louis is now located, thus paving the way for ingress to the locality; to him belongs the credit of the first great "pioneer work " done for Gratiot County.

l'he timber in this township was of the best quality. Towering pines, majestic oaks, maples and hickories grew closely together, presenting an unbroken front to the woodman's ax. A dam was constructed across Pine River at a point opposite the mill site, in 1854, but Ralph Ely, the proprietor of Alma, came with a force of men and tore it out on the 22d of Septem- ber. This act on the part of Mr. Ely caused great indignation among the settlers who were quite anx- ious that the mill be put in running order, that lum- ber might be procured with which to build themselves homes. Mr. Ely had previously succeeded in navi- gating Pine River with a flat-boat as far as Saginaw,

745

GRATIOT COUNTY.

and claimed in justification of his act that Mr. Clapp had no right to place such an obstruction across the river, thereby impeding navigation.

The first sawing was done at the new mill in April, 1856.

Four or five log houses were built on the bank of Pine River before the present village of St. Louis was platted.

Dr. Abram Crawford came from Lansing in 1854, having already some landed interests near Pine River. Ile conceived the idea of a village, to be called " Pine River," and the plan was subsequently carried out. The doctor was noted for his eccentric- ities and skill in manipulating those who could best serve him in business. The strife for the location of the county-seat was at its height-Gratiot Center, Alma and Pine River, all claiming their eligibility ; but while the people wrangled with the project the doctor went to Lansing, and through the intervention of political friends succeeded in having an act passed by the Legislature locating the county seat at " Pine River." He brought a surveyor, Mr. L. D. Preston, from Lansing, who surveyed 150 acres into village lots, which were lithographed and placed on sale.

The doctor and his friends in the vicinity of " Pine River" thought he had done a nice piece of strategy in thus securing, as they thought, the county seat ; but subsequent developments showed their mistake. However, it was understood that the action of the Board of Supervisors in " staking down " the county seat was both illegal and void, and quite a sectional feeling was exhibited. The first session of Circuit Court was held at Alma, but in the township of " Pine River," Alma being situated partly in Arcada and partly in " Pine River." The Board of Super- visors finally located the county seat permanently at Ithaca, in January, 1860, and the township of Pine River submitted with becoming grace.

A postoffice was established here in 1855, with Dr. Crawford as Postmaster. He carried the first mail from Maple Rapids to Pine River in his pockets.

Frank Clapp, son of Joseph and Mrs. Clapp, was the first white child born in this township.

Mr. Sidney S. Hastings and family came in June, 1855. His earthly goods, family, etc., were brought from Saginaw on a "dug-out," with an Indian as pilot, there being no roads, and this the only means of reaching Pine River except via Maple Rapids.

Dr. Crawford erected a hotel in St. Louis, in 1856, upon land given for that purpose by Mr. Clapp. This hotel was not only well patronized, but was used as a postoffice, and the first session of circuit court was held in it. Jacob Wilden, a German, put in the first stock of groceries. They were all shipped to Saginaw excepting one wagon-load, which he brought direct from Williams Co., Ohio, his former location. There being no road to Saginaw, Wilden constructed a boat which was used in carrying his stock from that place to St. Louis. This boat was made from a pine tree which grew in front of Col. Elwell's house, and was seven feet in diameter. It was known as the largest pine tree in the county. The boat, when completed, was painted a dark red color, and was christened " Red Susan," in honor of Mr. Wilden's daughter.

Dr. John R. Cheesman came in 1857 from llam- ilton Township, and Ed. Cheesman and Gilbert Pratt purchased a tract of land adjoining Pine River. A part of this, to which was given the name of St. Louis, was surveyed and platted, into which Pine River was subsequently merged, and the name of the postoffice changed in accordance therewith. The doctor put in a stock of groceries, hardware, etc., and also dispensed pills and potions to the afflicted dur- ing the first few years of the county's history, but afterward sold his stock of goods and attended wholly to medical practice.

Pine River is perhaps the wealthiest and one of the best townships in Gratiot, having within its boundary the beautiful and thrifty city of St. Louis, as well as some of the wealthiest farmers in the county. It also embraces the northern half of the village of Alma, another highly prosperous town. Pine River Township is, by reason of many natural resources, adapted for both agricultural and mechanical pur- suits, having a splendid water power, the beautiful stream, Pine River, passing through the southeastern portion of the township.

The Saginaw Valley & St. Louis railroad, and the Detroit, Lansing & Northern, pass through the south- ern portion of the township, giving every town in the county direct communication with all points north, south, east and west. The inhabitants have ever been noted for enterprise, and the evidences of wealth and refinement on every hand demonstrate the fact.

The following gentlemen have served as Super-

746

GRATIOT COUNTY.

visors of this township. George Spicer was the first Supervisor elect, but he either resigned or failed to qualify, and Hiram Burgess was appointed in his stead. Pine River, for several years, swayed the county in a political way, it being well settled with men who took a deep interest in such matters. Her rank in this respect is still first, but the former war- cry of the inhabitants of, "As goes Pine River, so goes the election," is numbered among the things that were. Among these representatives will be seen the names of men who would do honor to any town- ship.

SUPERVISORS.

Hiram Burgess. 1855

Sylvanus Groom.

1856

Sidney S. Hastings

1857

Amasa Packard. 1858

Cornelius Holliday 1859-63

1 .. Smith.

1864

James Gargett

1865

1 .. Smith.

1 866-8

James K. Wright . 1869

John Vanderbeck

1870-2

Edson Packard

1873-4

H. P. Clark

1875

D. R. Sullivan. 1876

D. O. Cuff 1877-82

Charles R. Holliday

883

North Shade.

IIIS township is numbered 9 north and 4 west. The northern boundary is New Haven Township; the eastern, Fulton ; the southern, Clinton ; and the western, Montcalm County. It is well watered by Otter and Pine ('reeks, with their tributaries. all of which flow in an casterly direction.

North Shade was organized in 1854, with Henry Lane as Supervisor. It also furnished the first sher- iff for Gratiot County, Mr. George E. Walker. It was the first township organized in the county.

The first permanent settler was William Avery, who, with his wife, located on section 31 in 1847. The following spring, his father-in-law, John Sturgiss, came and occupied, with his family, a part of the house built by Avery. Koman Fyler and wife came in March, 1852. Mr. Fyler had previously erected a

cabin on the southeast quarter of section 24. He was the first settler on the east two-thirds of the township, and still owns his original purchase.

lle tells an amusing incident of the " starvation period " which illustrates well how those pioneers fared who were too proud to accept provisions sent in for the destitute and needy. They had taken a little girl four years of age to raise, and the first even- ing, for supper, they were making a meal upon pota- toes which had been carefully saved for seed. The little maiden, evidently used to a more generous diet, surveyed her potato with its "jacket" burst partly open, and the glass of water by her side, with anything but satisfaction. Nerving herself for the effort, she asked, " Please, Mama, can I have some gravy ?" "My dear," replied Mrs. Fyler, " we have no gravy this evening." " Will you please give me some butter, then? " asked the little innocent. But- ter also being one of the things not procurable, this request was not complied with. Thinking that any- thing was preferable to nothing for " potato season- ing," baby again asked, "Have you got any salt?" The supplicating tone of the child as the last ques- tion was asked and answered in the negative, brought both smiles and tears to the face of kind Mrs. Fyler, who pacified her protege by saying that soon they would have gravy, butter and milk in abundance. The larder of these good people was as well supplied as many of their neighbors.

George E. Walker came to the township in 1847 or 8, and his was the first wedding celebrated, which event occurred Jan. 1, 1850. Truman Wilson and family came in 1851; L. B. Loomis and Joseph Roberts, in 1853. There were scores of bears and deer in the woods, and Mr. Fyler relates the story that a hunter shot three bears from trees near his premises without moving his position.

The first school-house was built on the southeast quarter of section 31, and Miss Mary Webster taught the first school. There was a postoffice established in 1854 on section 6, but the postmaster, Joseph Comstock, moved to Montcalm County a year later and " took the office with him." Another was estab- lished in 1882, named for the present Supervisor, William Brice.

The farmers receive a weekly mail at this office and discuss the weather, crops, and the general out- look, political and otherwise. Mrs. Lane, mother of

747

GRATIOT COUNTY.

Henry S. Lane, the first Supervisor, proposed the name " North Shade," which was afterward adopted as the name for that township. The dear old lady passed from earth long ago, her death being the first occurring in the township. This is not considered one of the best towns in the county for agricultural purposes, being rather flat and low. It is well adapted to the rearing of stock and also has some excellent farming lands within its boundaries.

Among those who were pioneers in the township, and yet reside upon and own the lands entered by them, are Messrs. John Dobson, John H. Salisbury, Charles Chick, Peter Shong, Charles Proctor, Peter Duffalo, L. B. Loomis, Roman Fyler, James Harlow, William Towner, Mrs. John Wright, George E. Walker, William Brice and John Kipp. All these gen- tlemen are substantial citizens and well-to-do in a financial way, thus showing conclusively that pluck and enterprise will always succeed.

The first vote given in this township numbered 21, of which 19 were Whig and 2 Democratic.

William Brice, the present Supervisor, came with his wife in 1854. They settled on section 21, and for a long while a quilt did duty in lieu of a door. The nearest mill was at Matherton, nine miles away, and the settlers had neither teams nor wagons, the only wagon in the neighborhood being a rickety old thing owned by William Hall, a Baptist minister. This was used generally by all who had any teaming to do. The virgin forests were so dense that a few rods traveled shut off all trace of a settlement. Mr. and Mrs. Brice, accompanied by their neighbors, John and Mrs. Carr, started out one afternoon to look over their lands. After walking for a time the truth flashed upon them that they were lost. They were sure that home could be only a short distance away, but in what direction could only be guessed. Dark- ness came on and the dismal howl of many wolves broke the stillness of the summer night. After de- liberating, it was concluded best to remain where they were until morning, as the ladies had already suffered severely by reason of the long tramp and having their dresses nearly torn off by briers. The tinkle of a cow-bell was heard in the distance, which was delightful music to our weary pilgrims, as it de- noted at least the presence of some living animal besides bears and wolves. They determined to fol- low the sound of the bell at any rate, but had not

proceeded far when it ceased entirely, the animal wearing it having lain down.

The party concluded to try what effect a yell would have, not having thought of this before. A chorus of voices woke the echoes as they shouted lustily the oft heard " Hello!" This effort was a success, and the shrill notes of a dinner horn were heard in an- swer, but at some distance away. After considerable trouble they reached a cabin which Stephen Collett and wife had nearly completed, they being new com- ers in the neighborhood and as yet unknown to the parties that were lost. They were welcomed with hospitality for which the pioneers were so famed, and a supper was hastily prepared for the party. Only a short distance intervened between the lands of Mr. Brice and Collett, yet this was their first meeting. Many a hearty laugh has since been taken while dis- cussing events of pioneer life by these neighbors, who lived for years on the most intimate terms of acquaintanceship. After the death of Mr. Collett, his widow became the wife of Theodore Everest, and yet resides in the township of New Haven.

During the earlier years Lyons was the nearest trading point, and goods were almost entirely carried on the backs of the settlers, owing to the impassable swamps and lack of teams. It was not accounted a great feat to carry a hundred pounds of flour 20 miles.

In the subjoined list of Supervisors, the name of William Brice appears for 13 consecutive years, and this fact shows the appreciation of his services by the voters of his township. Mr. Brice is recognized as being one of the ablest and best Supervisors this county has ever had ; during his long term of service no measure has failed that he has advocated. North Shade is most fortunate in having such a representa- tive, as he has few equals and no superiors.

SUPERVISORS.

Herny Lane 1855-6

Erastus Perry 1857

Emery Crosby IS58-62

Erastus Perry 1863

George E. Walker 1864-7

A. P. Smith 1 868

George E. Walker

1869

J. B. Luther 1870-I

WVm. Brice 1872-84

748

GRATIOT COUNTY.

Washington Township.

HIS township is bounded on the north by North Star, on the east by Elba Township, K on the south by Clinton County, and the west by Fulton Township. It was organized in 1856, and is numbered 9 north and 2 west. The first election was held at the house of Edwin Tripp, with J. B. Smith, Alonzo A. Squire and Edwin Tripp, as Judges. W. W. Comstock was the first Supervisor. He figured quite largely as a local politician for many years, and was one of the movers in establishing the first newspaper in Gratiot County.

Washington Township is well adapted for agricul- tural purposes. . The southern part of it being trav- ersed by Maple River, makes it an available region for rearing stock, a never-faiting supply of water be- ing obtained at all seasons of the year.

Philetus Whitford was one of the earliest settlers, and located on section 10. Cornelius Campbell came soon afterward and purchased a tract on section 8. Ilis son, O. J. Campbell, was the first child born in the township and still resides there.

The lumbering interest for many years took prece- dence of any other branch of industry, but a part of Washington is now under a high state of cultivation.

Every locality is favored with incidents peculiar to itself, and two or three are appended here which were of actual occurrence and quite amusing illustrations of frontier style.

A local justice was called upon to marry a couple in the neighborhood, but being somewhat poverty- stricken and almost barefoot withal, consented only on condition of his being fortunate enough to " bor- row " a pair of boots. This he succeeded in doing, al- though they were a " couple of sizes " too large for him. The ceremony was just as binding, however, and the parties as well pleased, as if he had worn a " French calf."

At another time a message was left for him to go to Newark Township to perform a marriage service. Upon arrival he found four or five men sitting on the wood-pile in front of the house, among whom was a burly fellow six and a half feet tall, with an avoirdu- pois of more than 200. Not recognizing the bride-

groom, arrayed as he was in shirt-sleeves and panta- loons, considerably dilapidated by long associations with pioneer life, our worthy 'Squire went in the house to see the parties desiring to wed. Meeting a woman, who with the aid of a little girl 14 years of age was engaged in preparing a very frugal meal, he asked who the parties were that expected to be married. The mother of the girl said that it was her daughter and that big fellow out on the wood-pile. Com- pletely astonished, the Justice said, " Sissy, do you want to get married ? " The reply came " that she didn't know." " Do you want to marry that fellow out there?" asked the Justice. "I don't know," said the girl. "Then I am sure that I shall perform no ceremony here," said our worthy functionary, and he bowed himself out of the door. Going to the would-be bridegroom, he read him a lecture as he deserved and demanded his fee, of $2, which he re- ceived although he wouldn't perform the marriage ceremony. This couple were married two years later.

At another time he returned from a neighbor's where he had been engaged in drawing up a will. The hour was 2 A. M., but a couple were waiting to be married even at that early hour. The groom was 60, and the bride 20 years of age, but they were determined not to put off until to-morrow what should be done to-day. After telling them to get ready, the woman took off her shoes, opened a little box which she had brought along, took out a pair of slippers and put them on. She also donned a wig of majestic proportions which, after being tied with a bright ribbon, made her look like a " daisy " by the side of the groom, who was dressed in a very rusty suit. Style in this case was everything, although there was but one room in which to make the prepa- ration for spreading it on.

Many instances might be related of similar hap- penings, but this will suffice. Perhaps no harder times were experienced in the county during its early settlement than were those by the inhabitants of Washington and Elba Townships. Yet her people have done well latterly, and many splendid farms grace the lands which are a credit to their owners as well as the county.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 76

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 856

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 856