Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 79

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

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Mrs. Henry Simmon and husband were among the first settlers in Hamilton Township, and she relates a number of incidents, among which might be mentioned what beds were filled with, in the absence of straw. Fine shavings were prepared of birch and hickory, which made not only a nice, healthful cot, but a very pleasant one. For weeks they lived in a tent made of blankets, and when their cabin was erected, they had no floor except "mother earth " for some time, yet they prospered and are now quite wealthy.

The first school-house erected in the county was built on section 14, in Arcada Township. This was an individual enterprise, in which Francis Nelson, Rev. Lafayette Church, John Nevins, John Glover, John Keefer and Jacob Rush were proprietors. The lamber for the same was sawed with a whip-saw. Gen. Nathan Church, Rev. Theodore Nelson and his brothers, William and Wilbur, were the only boys in attendance. C. C. Cole, a pompous individual, was the pedagogue who first instilled Websterian ideas into the minds of the above named gentlemen, all of whom now fill places of importance, and are num- bered among the foremost business men of the county. Of Mr. Cole, more is said in this work elsewhere.

During the agitation regarding the permanent loca- tion of the county seat, the officers elect were on the lookout for voters favorable to keeping the same at Ithaca, and scoured the county quite thoroughly in the canvass. There being but few residents in Ith- aca at the time, and they mostly officials who were largely interested in the matter of securing votes, they were all away for several days, as but little county business was to be transacted. A man came from Detroit to attend to some legal matters and

found the court-house locked. Going to the post- office he inquired of Nathan Church (who was officiating as Postmaster, pro tem) their whereabouts. Nathan explained the matter, but added, that per- haps he could attend to the business. Locking the postoffice, they went to the court-house and trans- acted all necessary details in the different offices, which greatly pleased the gentleman, who was anx- ious to return home. He wrote upon his arrival at Detroit, a lengthy article, which appeared in the Free Press, of the manner in which all the offices were filled in Gratiot by a boy only 16 years old, in- cluding the office of Postmaster.

At this time there was not a horse in the county, and only a few Indian ponies. Israel Coats was the fortunate possessor of one of the latter, which was utilized in carrying the records to and from the court- house in Ithaca to Alma, where court was in session. Mr. Church states that be purchased for his father the first span of horses ever owned in Gratiot.

As an illustration of what can be done upon small capital, the instance is cited of Mr. William Frank- lin, who came with his family to North Shade Town- ship in 1856, without any means whatever. His outfit consisted of a few articles of household furni- ture and a dozen new grain bags. Of the latter, clothes were made, and during the first 18 months of his residence in Gratiot he received only 50 cents in money, although working every day; the remainder being taken in " trade." To-day he is one of the most prosperous farmers in his township, owning 220 acres of valuable land, upon which is a handsome and costly residence. All this has been accumulated by honest toil and industry in a few years, and his example is worthy of emulation by the young men of to-day.

There was an avowed infidel by the name of Kibby, living near St. Louis, at an early day in her history, who was a noted hunter and trapper. His cabin was a small two-story log building, which inside pre- sented the appearance of an arsenal. Guns, revolvers, traps, axes, tomahawks and other parapher- nalia peculiar to the hunter's vocation hung from the ceiling, and the walls were covered with skins of deer, mink, otter, muskrat, wolf and bear. Kibby had a family consisting of wife and several children.

One morning, a child about four years old was found dead in bed. There had been no previous -

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illness and the occurrence was a severe shock, to the mother, especially. The few neighbors living near were sent for, and Mr. Elias Smith made a rough coffin out of a cupboard in his house, in which the body of the child was laid, and placed upon a rough table close to the wall. Everything which could conveniently be carried up stairs had been so dis- posed of, to make room for the friends coming to attend the burial. A grave was dug near the house, and everything was in readiness to consign the body to its last resting place, when the mother from the upper room asked that a song might be sung and a prayer offered, as it seemed heathenish to bury her child without some kind of services. None of the friends being professing Christians, they felt unequal to the emergency, and the father also objected, saying that " he wanted no praying around his house."

Another man also objected and said prayer was a mere form and could not possibly do any good ; so the sooner the child was buried the better off all par- ties would be. He had hardly ceased speaking, when the upper floor, to which hung loaded guns, knives, etc., parted in the middle and down came the occupants of the room above, with beds, bedsteads, corn, old boots, flour and bacon, which had been carried there to put them out of sight on this occa- sion. Strange to relate, no one was seriously injured, although the room below was full of people, and the mother up stairs came tumbling headlong with her babe clasped in her arms. The children were en- tirely uninjured and the escape seemed almost mirac- ulous. The corpse, which lay near the wall, was left undisturbed, not even being knocked from the table. After the excitement was over and the debris cleared away, Mr. Elias Smith asked Kibby, who was very much excited at the turn affairs had taken, what he now thought of an overruling power, the whole party having escaped so providentially. Mr. Kibby acknowledged that it seemed almost miraculons, and there must be something which averted danger to life and limb. This cireminstance completely changed the life of the man, and he was thereafter one of the foremost in good works and deeds.

James Kress was the second man settling north of Pine River. He came in the spring of 1854, and made his location of lands three miles west of Alma Three years later he moved to that village, and has ever since been identified with its growth and busi-

ness interests. His daughter, Rachel, was married to George Gee, April 17, 1855, by Rev. Slappee. Ilettie Hart and Louis Baker were wedded the same day ; but the marriage of Rachel and Mr. Gee occur- ring at an earlier hour makes them the first wedded couple in Arcada Township, if not in the county. A grand "charivari " occurred in the evening, all the people for miles around being armed with horns, or something with which more noise than melody could be produced. Refreshments were served, and the entire party and the joyous event is well remembered by a number of the older folks yet living in Alma.

Lorton Holliday, known in the early history of the county as " Black Hawk," was another of the early comers. He was a great hunter, and opened a kind of arsenal, in which was stored guns, ammunition, shoes, pork and whisky, which he sold to the Indians for furs. It is said that people generally feared him, although no violence was ever committed to their knowledge. A few years later, he bought a wife from a man by the name of Slocum, paying for her with a brass watch Slocum afterward came back and wanted his wife, but Holliday took him by the collar and kicked the unwary husband as long as he had strength to lift his foot. When Slocum was let loose. he made great haste to get out of Holliday's sight, who warned him never to come back ; which advice was well heeded.

Cornelius Scott came to Arcada at an early day, and settled three miles west of Alma, on Pine River. He was a widower, and had several children, Lavina being the eldest daughter. One peculiarity of Scott was his dislike for work and failure to provide for his family ; yet he lived in a country where plenty could be obtained had he chosen to exert himself. One evening, a lank fellow drove up to his cabin, and asked for accommodations for himself and wife, stat- ing that on account of the cold weather they could not camp out and be comfortable. At every house strangers were made welcome, and received an equal share of the scanty provisions, and the Scott family proved no exception. The susceptible widower gazed on the wife of his guest with covetous eyes, and proposed a trade, in which he would exchange his daughter, Livina, for Mr. Gillette's wife. Strange- ly enough, when approached, Gillette met the proposal with favor, and a bargain was at once consummated, in which the stranger was to receive a "cross-cut

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saw and a set of beetle-rings " to boot, as his wife was well-broken to matrimonial harness. As after events proved, Scott seemed to fear that some of the parties might " back out," and insisted that a " bill of separation " or transfer of title be made before a justice, which was agreed to the next morning ; and they walked over to the house of L. C. Cole, who has been previously mentioned as the first teacher of Nathan Church and the Nelson boys. We give the full purport of the bill as nearly as possible, procured from those familiar with the document, which is of itself a curiosity.

Justice Cole was a very pompous individual, and often remarked that "he resembled Gen. Cass very much," and that " at one time he was the reader of the Declaration of Independence in Massachusetts when Horace Greeley was present ; and that gentle- man had made the remark to friends that he (Gree- ley) would give $500 if he could read the Declaration as fluently."

Mr. Cole heard the story regarding the trade in women, and gave it very profound consideration for a few moments. Walking up and down the cabin floor, he asked that it be repeated very carefully, as he thought the case wasone in which he could satisfy all parties, although it appeared to be a very grave matter. Taking down a copy of the statute laws of the State, he opened the book and glanced hurriedly through it, remarking as it was carefully closed, " that there was no question of his jurisdiction in the mat- ter," and that the law plainly provided in all cases of " a Vinculo Matrimonii," that each party should have a bill of divorce, and swear that no collusion had existed regarding the transfer ; and that he should grant a "bill of separation " upon the ground of ex- treme cruelty, as the wife had refused to have any- thing to do with the trade! The article read as follows :

ARCADA TP., GRATIOT CO., MICH.

I, L. C. Cole, Justice of the Peace in and for said county, do hereby give, grant, and decree a bill of absolute divorcement between - Gillette and his wife, and do record a transfer of the personal proper- ty, to wit : One cross-cut saw and one pair of beetle rings, the aforesaid property being in lawful posses- sion of Cornelius Scott, of Arcada Township, party of the first part, who transfers the same to - Gil- lette, party of the second part, as the balance due upon a trade in which Mrs. - Gillette, party of the third part, becomes the wife of Cornelius Scott,

party of the first part, and Lavina Scott, party of the fourth part, becomes the lawful wife of - Gillette, party of the second part.

The above constitutes all the necessary legal in- struments requisite in making transfers of this char- acter, and I pronounce all the parties duly married as they do so sincerely desire the consummation of the exchange.

Given under my hand and seal, this day L. C. COLE,

J. P. in and for this township and county.

After Gillette harnessed his oxen and was ready to start, Lavina refused to go and no amount of persua- sion could induce her to change her mind. Gillette then wanted his wife back, but Scott refused to give her up, stating that he had traded fair, and if Lavina wouldn't go that he (Gillette) had his " saw and beetle rings anyway."

To illustrate how such things end, Lavina after- ward married the brother of her " quasi step-mother," who was shiftless and improvident. Becoming ill, and having no one to care for her, she was taken to the county poor-house, where she afterward died. Scott's wife left him after putting up with his abuse for two years, and is now living near Alma. She en- joys the distinction of having four living husbands in Gratiot County, as well as being the heroine of this story.

Bears are yet quite plentiful in parts of Gratiot County, although a large number of them have been killed. In November, 1877, Dan Kostenbader killed one in Emerson Township, which weighed, when dressed, 494 pounds, the hide, 521/2 pounds, besides yielding sixteen gallons of oil.

The migratory habits of these animals make them quite easy game to capture during the autumn, as they are in search of nuts and winter quarters.

During the destitution which prevailed, Dr. Chees- man, accompanied by Daniel Curtis and Charles Holliday, left Saginaw with a canoe loaded with pro- visions for people living in Hamilton Township, St. Charles being their destination. The afternoon was very cold, and ice was so rapidly forming that it be- came almost impossible to propel the boat. Dark- ness came on and the coldness increased until the boat was frozen fast in the middle of the river. Daniel Curtis became benumbed with cold, and only by great exertions was he kept from freezing. In this case, it seemed as if providence had specially inter- fered, for within reach was a pine raft upon which a

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fire was kindled. Only by this means were the lives of the entire party saved, the river being too deep and wide to permit them to gain the shore in safety. Accommodations have been previously mentioned as limited, but for genuine hospitality none could exceed Mr. and Mrs. David Courter, a well known couple yet living in the county. Mr. Hastings is authority for the item that he, with his surveying party, came to Mr. Courter's late one evening, and were kindly cared for and given a place to sleep, al- though the cabin was only 10 x 12 feet. Five of them were comfortably housed for the night, although the stove had to be carried outside. Beds were made on the bark floor and the men retired, Mrs. C. waiting outside until the light was extinguished. True hos- pitality consists in entertaining a guest with the best you have, without making excuse for inability to pro- vide more liberally, and this instance proves it. Not- withstanding the hard times, the young folks enjoyed themselves and were as merry as if there was plenty to eat and satins to wear.

Mrs. Elias Smith relates a story of a number of young folks, she being one of the party, who started on New Year's afternoon in 1858, in a sled drawn by oxen for " Cable " Smith's, where a dance was to be held in the evening. About one mile east of Alma lived a fellow by the name of Moon, who had rather a comfortable log cabin, near which was displayed a board sign upon which the words "Moon In " were roughly drawn. By accident the oxen ran against a stump and broke the sled so badly that they could proceed no further without repairing it. The party were unloaded and supper was ordered at this famous hostelry. The young folks had appetites unexcelled by any, and were somewhat chagrined to learn that the bill of fare would be " rather light," there being but "one partridge " in the larder and only meal enough to make " a few johnycakes." The bird was stewed in salt water, and they all took soup, which with the palatable corn bread, mixed up with water previous to being baked, made a very good supper. It would seem by this story as if the needs of man could be supplied very easily by " quality " and not "quantity," as the eight persons were regaled with one partridge and a few corncakes.

Dr. Cheesman relates some amusing experiences which are well worth preserving, as they show what ills an amateur in " pioneering " is likely to undergo.

In 1854, the Doctor came with his family to Ham- ilton Township, bringing a few household goods and some furniture. Of course there was no house ready for occupancy, and they had to " camp out " for a few weeks. The goods were piled under a large tree, near which was the site selected for the proposed cabin. An election was held at Greenbush soon after their arrival, and the neighbors who were en- gaged to help in the erection of the cabin had gone to that place to vote. Dr. Cheesman concluded that he would fell the " first tree " during their absence, and selected the one above mentioned upon which to try his skill. Without paying any attention to the direction in which it would fall, he went at the work in earnest, and hacked away until it came crashing through the dense underbrush; but his knowledge of "cause and effect " had been forgotten, as the chop- ping was done in such manner that the tree neces- sarily fell across the pile of furniture, making it a total wreck. While at that time it was an expensive experience the knowledge of "woodcraft " was largely enhanced.

At another time he was unfortunate enough to lose one of his oxen. Hearing of one near Maple Rap- ids that was for sale, he went down to make a pur- chase, but the owner could not deliver it. The ox was very wild and had never been yoked, and all efforts to capture him were fruitless. The man was then hired to drive his cows (among which the ox was reared) over to the Doctor's place, where there was a small lot enclosed by a strong brush fence. Into this lot the herd was driven and a lariat thrown around the horns of his recent purchase. Tying the ox to a tree, he was yoked alongside the well-broken one, and the pair were turned loose in the enclosure. To familiarize them with each other and get the new one used to the yoke, the Doctor concluded to let them wear it until next morning, as he feared the unruly quadruped would be hard to manage without more help than was at his command.

His surprise at finding the yoke turned the next morning can hardly be expressed in words, and he hastened over to his neighbor, Lafayette Sweatland, for assistance, telling him that some one had either played a trick upon him or " the wild ox had jumped over the old one !"

Many a hearty laugh has been since enjoyed at the Doctor's expense when this story was related. His

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experiences were limited as a hunter, yet the Doctor has bagged "game " with a fowling-piece as effectu- ally as ever malaria was subjugated by the use of his pills. Ile had a fine patch of turnips near his house, and a large buck came every day to browse on the tender leaves. One afternoon his daughter es- pied the deer coming , and told her father to get his gun. Dr. Cheesman knew as little about shooting as he did about felling trees; but, sticking the muzzle of the gun through the window, he pointed it in the direction of the deer, shut his eyes and pulled the trigger, trusting that one of the eighteen bullets with which it was loaded would hit the mark. An acci- dental ball broke the animal's back, and the over- joyed sportsman ran out intending to dispatch it with a knife; but the deer showed fight and kept the Doc- tor at bay until an ax was procured, with which it was easily killed.

His next and last exploit in this line gave him what is known among hunters as the "buck ague." A number of deer came every afternoon to browse upon the tree-tops where a clearing was being made, and the doctor concluded to have some more venison. Taking a position at the root of a large tree which had been felled, he waited a short time until five or six fat deer came walking up to the tree-top and be- gan their repast upon the succulent buds. Their heads were all together, but our Nimrod was so nerv- ous that he couldn't tell whether his gun was pointed in the right direction and was afraid to fire. Waiting

until one of them turned a broadside toward him, he blazed away, and, strange to relate, brought down a fine one. The success recently met with induced him to take several hunts, but this was his last game.

Judge Winton relates the story of a wedding in Fulton Township which illustrates the generosity of a newly wedded husband toward the author of his happiness. The justice had completed the ceremony excepting the salutation of the bride in regular ortho- dox style, when the bridegroom asked how much cash would pay the bill. " The law allows one $2.50," said the justice. "All right, 'Squire," said the fellow ; " if the law allows you to collect $2.50, here is an extra half dollar for your trouble, which will make it even : you ought to have something for doing the job."

Mr. S. S. Hastings relates a remarkable escape from injury of a family who were moving through Gratiot to their home in Isabella County. They were driving through the woods with a team of oxen hitch- ed to the wagon, which contained all their earthly possessions, as well as a family of children. A pork barrel stood in the back part of the wagon, and the family were ranged along both sides of the bed, fac- ing each other. A long pine snag, which had be- come rotten at the base, toppled over and fell upon the pork barrel, crushing it completely, and lodged lengthwise with the wagon, with the top resting upon the yoke between the heads of the cattle. It had to be cut twice in two before a removal could be effected. The escape was indeed miraculous, not one of the persons in the wagon being injured.

B-

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

...

POLITICAL.

ROM the organization of the county, Gratiot has been strictly Republican. The two last elections have de- veloped quite a large follow- ing among the Liberal people of all parties, and several can- didates were elected on the Liberal ticket. The elections until 1856 were non-partisan in character, men being select- ed for quality, not political faith. In 1856, however, both the Democratic and Republican par- ties were organized, the Republican being largely in the majority, and most of the offices were filled with nominees of their conventions. But little electioneering was done and elections usually passed off very quietly. The county offices were mostly held at Ithaca, except that of Sheriff, who stayed at Alma. The first session of Circuit Court was held at that place. The whole expenses for the county for the year 1856 were $1,953-53,-quite a contrast to that of 1883.

Following we give a complete list of all the men running for the different county offices, for Governor and President, since the first election in 1855, together with the number of votes each received and the party to which he belonged :

ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 13, 1855.

Sheriff-George E. Walker, 159; Isaac H. Jones, 123.

County Clerk-Orville M. Wood, 284.

County Treasurer-Ralph Ely, 148; Abram M. Crawford, 120; Joseph B. Smith, 7.

Prosecuting Attorney-Frank Miller, 108, maj. 12; Benjamin Crawford, 96; Marcus Service, 65.

Judge of Probate-John R. Cheesman, 284.

Circuit Court Commissioner-Henry Lane, 155, maj. 26; Stevens E. Longyear, 129.

County Surveyor-Sidney S. Hastings, 284.

Coroner -- Lewis B. Loomis, 279; Levi Smith, 150.

ELECTION, NOVEMBER 4, 1856.

Governor-Kinsley S. Bingham, Rep., 387, maj. 249; Alpheus Felch, Dem., 138.

State Senator-Stephen H. Warren, 380, maj. 276; Wilbur Fisher, 104.

State Representative-James Kipp, Rep., 387, maj. 247 ; James W. Ransom, Dem., 140.

Sheriff-Homer L. Townsend, 317, maj. 153; Hiram Burgess, 164.

County Clerk-Henry H. Smith, 256, maj. 58; Orville M. Wood, 198.

County Treasurer-Lafayette Church, 374, maj. 225; Joseph B. Smith, 149.

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Prosecuting Attorney-Sylvanus Groom, Rep., 353, maj. 185 : Frank Miller, Dem .. 168.

Judge of Probate-Francis Nelson, Rep., 362, 198; William L. Sutherland, Dem., 164.

Circuit Court Commissioner-Moses Tompkins, 519. County Surveyor-Addison Hayden, Dem., 263, maj. 10; Sidney S. Hastings, Rep., 253.

Coroners-Horace T. Barnaby, Rep., 364, maj. 201 ; Joseph A. Guthrie, Rep., 363, maj. 200; Bar- low Worthing, Dem., 163; John Knight, Dem., 163.

ELECTION, APRIL 5, 1858.

Circuit Judge-Wilbur F. Woodworth, Rep., 468, maj. 206 ; John W. Longyear, Dem., 262.

ELECTION, NOVEMBER 2, 1858.

Governor-Moses Wisner, Rep., 360, maj. 168; Charles E. Stuart, Dem., 192.

State Senator-Osmand Jones, Rep., 357, maj. 150; Alexander F. Bell, Dem., 207.

Representative-David J. Daniels, Rep, 319, maj. TOI ; Sylvester Hoyt, Dem., 218.

Sheriff-Homer L. Townsend, Rep., 280, maj. 9 .; Joseph B. Smith, Dem., 27 1.

County Clerk-Emery Crosby, Rep., 361, maj. 146; Benjamin E. Sawtelle, Dem., 215.

County Treasurer-Lafayette Church, Rep., 394, maj. 290; John W. Howd, Dem., 104.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 79

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

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