USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 55
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The principal value attached to this land was the magnificent pine timber which grew on it, and its value was enhanced by the fact that it was within easy and practicable distance to the Chippewa and Salt Rivers, by which the logs could be floated to Saginaw or Bay City.
Lumber speculators soon bought the pine, coupled with the right of removal, at a nominal figure; and after them the land speculators purchased the land. Some of the Indians kept their land (very few com- paratively), but none of them kept their pine.
It is perhaps just as well as it is. The theory of the Indian Commission and the would-be humanita-
rians, that the Indians of North America can be turned into a set of civilized farmers, is a chateau d'Espagne of the most enormous proportions. A per- centage of them may be recovered and converted to civilization and its rules, by schools like that at Carl- isle, l'a .; but "an Indian is an Indian, and nothing else. He had rather fish and hunt than farm, and the nomadic habits and tastes of his ancestors still cling to him with persevering force.
Locality is one of their chief attributes. Although they are entitled to land up here in Isabella County, not only land, but the means of having permanent and confortable homes,-notwithstanding all this, which any white man would accept greedily, the Indian will not take, but even now can be found in his old haunts, rendered doubly dear to him by hab- itation and the traditions of childhood.
The Indian problem has had a fair, honest and in- telligent trial among the Chippewas of Saginaw, Swan Creek and Black River; and as far as amel- iorating their condition is concerned, it has been a failure. Schools have been furnished them, with patient, earnest teachers; the gospel has been preached to them, by hard-working, self-denying min- isters of Christ ; many can speak English ; some can write, read and cipher; some are members of the Church, and all are peaceable and quiet,-civilization has done this much, but it has all been for the ben- efit of its own cupidity and protection. As for the Indian (!) in the wild woods, unbroken by the ax of the pioneer; by the shimmering stream full of sus- tenance to him, and whose banks were bordered by the unstinted growth of medicinal plants whose vir- tues were unknown at that time, only to his medicine man : the Atropa Belladonna, by which they charmed their enemies to death ; the Blue, Black and Purple Cohosh ; the " Taraxacum Dens- Leonis," or Dande- lion, the Podophyllum peltatum, or Mandrake or May Apple; with nature at his command ; with his bow and arrow on his shoulder, or his fishing pole or net in his hand, the Indian of primeval ages was more one of God's noblemen than the nondescript produced by the hypocrisy of civilization !
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Early History.
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HE people of this generation, those who are reared in the midst of luxury and rocked in the cradle of affluence, know comparatively nothing of the hardships and pleas- ures attendant upon pioneer life. The attractiveness of our beautiful farms and picturesque landscapes, dotted here and there with neat and substantial residen- ces, present a pleasing picture in strong contrast with the humble log cabin of 1854, whose walls sheltered a few articles of rude fur- niture, and the stumps in the door- yard were repositories for cross-cut saws, the beetle and the ax. Many of the children who were born beneath these humble roofs, whose infantile cries were hushed by a tender mother's soft lullaby as she carefully rocked them to sleep in a cradle improvised from a basswood sugar- trough, are the men who now fill official positions, and conduct the business affairs of this county.
The log cabin yet remains; silent and unpreten- tious it stands, reminding us of former days and as- sociations. Who can look at one of these relics of pioneer life and not call to mind the toil and priva- tions of early days? She whose willing hands and
warm heart helped you fight life's battles, plied the busy needle, or prepared the frugal meal around the huge fire-place, whose crumbling remains are yet visi- ble, is perhaps sleeping the sleep of death, while another enjoys the fruits of her toil and care. Si- lently you gazed on the features of that wan little one in that old cabin as its spirit winged its flight. and now the bodies of them both are resting side by side in the City of the Dead. Such memories cluster about the old log cabin that you can hardly lay rude hands upon the decayed material, even to remove it. Every log and chink has a history, and, could they speak, would relate a story worth listening to. But these relics must give place to the more substantial and modern improvements, and ere another decade has passed scarcely a trace will remain of pioneer life.
It is not a long time since the first entry of land was made in this county, nor since the date when the first white inhabitant pitched his tent, and built a log cabin to shelter his family from the inclement weather, as well as to afford them protection from the howling wolves or the crafty Indians. Should an attempt be made to go back to the time that the first white man set foot upon this territory, much specula- tion would have to be indulged in and no real benefit derived by the reader. Missionaries, the advance and advancers of civilization, are said to have visited Detroit as early as the year 1620. This was when it
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was under French control, many years before the fondest hopes and imaginations of man conceived that he in time should be the happy recipient of this fertile virgin soil, and the favored possessor of that highest of civil and political rights, personal and po- litical freedom.
All this wilderness remained under French and British rule until 1787, when it was ceded to the United States by Virginia, to whom it then belonged, and became what was historically known as the Northwest Territory. In 1805, the Territory of Mich- igan was formed and set off, with the seat of govern- ment at Detroit, where it remained until 1847, when it was removed to Lansing. The old capitol build- ing at the latter place, a frame structure, was destroyed by fire in 1881, and nothing remains a memento of its primitive style. That magnificent building, the new State Capitol, stands 50 to 100 rods northwest of the site of the old one.
The territory embraced by Isabella County was set apart at the organization of the State, and remained so until Nov. 28, 1861, when the first tract of land was entered by Aloney Rust, it being the southwest quarter of section 4, in township 15 north, of range 3 west. A few other tracts were entered by specula- tors during that and subsequent years. In October, 1854, Daniel Brickley, John Stewart, Andrew F. Childs, James Wilsey, Daniel Childs, James Camp- bell, George Reasoner, Charles F. Young, M J. Hall and P. H. Estee, each entered a quarter-section under the "Graduation Act," at 50 cents per acre, and most of them soon settled upon and commenced improving their purchase.
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The first road was cut from the south line of the county to Salt River about the first of November, 1854, which was the first step toward subduing this country. On the seventh day of November, Joseph Roberts, Sen., Patrick Fanning and Thomas Roberts, with their families, moved into the county over the new thoroughfare, and are entitled to the honor of being the first families in the county.
Nov. 21, Daniel Brickley and John Stewart moved their families into the woods on the west side of Coe Township. Settlements were then made rapidly, and in December George Hfursh and Lewis Jenner cut a road from Brickley's place to the farm of John M. Hursh, south of where the village of Mt. Pleasant is now located.
On the 25th day of February, 1855, Mr. Hursh
moved to this farm and formed the first nucleus for a settlement in the central portion of the county. About the same time, John Fraser crossed the Titta- bawassee River, and with two or three others cut a road along Pine River to the Old Indian Mission, then across to the land which he had entered and subsequently improved.
The early settlers upon coming into the new coun- try found themselves subject to the pressing demands of nature. Away from civilization, yet they must live. After the first meager supply was exhausted they were obliged to go out after more, and the near- est point for trade was Maple Rapids or Fish Creek, both being 45 miles distant. Thither they were obliged to go, not only for provisions, flour, etc., but also to obtain their mail. Necessity is the mother of invention, and each week's travel over almost im- passable roads gave them ample time for reflection, which soon suggested the idea of having mills at home, and "hand-mills" were introduced. The first one was purchased by Daniel Brickley, John Stewart and others, who used it for grinding their own corn, and allowed their neighbors to use it at a rental of one shilling per bushel. Some of the settlers were not willing to pay what they considered an extrava- gant toll, and resorted to the more primitive way of grinding in a coffee-mill, or shaving it down with a jack plane. A few of them used a trough made from a black ash log, in which the corn was placed and beaten to the requisite degree of fineness with an iron wedge which had been driven into the end of a hand-spike. Wild game was very plentiful, which furnished the basis of their meat supply, only a few being able to purchase bacon or other salt meats.
Their garments were not made by dressmakers and tailors, nor were they of faultless fit or of the finest material; yet all seemed to be satisfied with their lot in life, and those of the early settlers who are yet living unanimously declare that the good feeling and harmony which prevailed at an early day was infinitely greater than it is now, when surrounded by everything which wealth can procure or mind suggest. Neigh- borhood quarrels and scandals were unknown. Everybody was interested in the welfare of those about him, and all vied with each other in promoting harmony and happiness in the community.
In 1855, a treaty was made by the Government with the remnants of several tribes of Indians which remained in Clinton, Saginaw and Gratiot Counties,
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whereby nearly the whole of six townships in this county were ceded them and their descendants for life. What was known as the "Indian Mills " was soon after built by the Government on the Chippewa, about one mile from Mt. Pleasant ; also a council- house to be used by the Indians. This led to the formation of a settlement on the river known as Isa- bella City, which has never been of much import- ance, although some shops and a store or two were built. F. C. Babbitt, with his family, were among the first to settle in the embryonic village. The hotel was built by W. H. Nelson, who also located there, and was afterward elected Judge of Probate. Chip- pewa River was the only thoroughfare into the cen- tral part of the county, except one road which could scarcely be traveled, and all the supplies were brought hither in a canoe.
Privations of every sort were experienced, but the pioneers never flagged. They had made a stand, and nothing could cause them to falter. They had the soil and the will, and their labors have at last been crowned with success. The great forests have mostly been removed, and the soil gives forth abund- ant harvests. No greater monuments to their indus- try can be erected than can be seen everywhere in substantial improvements, and the rapid increase in the value of real estate is unprecedented by any sec- tion in the State. The past should be to us all a valuable lesson (as history is but an experience of the past), from which we learn that by perseverance in our own honest efforts, working at all times by the standard of honesty and moral integrity, we cannot experience defeat ; but, like the pioneers who have spent the best years of their lives in clearing and otherwise improving the country, we shall not only succeed, but like them shall also deserve the admira- tion and blessing of future generations. They were heroes of a true type, and too much praise cannot be awarded them.
Isabella County was organized in 1859, and was composed of three townships, Coe, Chippewa and Isabella. The first mentioned was named after Lieut. Gov. Albert G. Coe. Originally it comprised townships 13 and 14 north, of 3 west, and the re- mainder of the county comprised the townships of Chippewa and Isabella.
The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held at the house of John Hursh, May 9, 1857, at which meeting P. H. Estee, of Coe Township, was
Chairman. Noiman C. Payne, of Chippewa, and A. G. Ferris, of Isabella, with I. E. Arnold as Clerk, constituted the Board. Their first official act was to approve the bond of Richard Hoy as County Treas- urer; the next, to issue $1,500 in bonds to relieve the destitute of the county, a petition asking for aid hav- ing been presented. William R. Robbins was ap- pointed to negotiate these bonds, but was authorized to take no less than 75 cents on the dollar for the same, the money to be used in purchasing provisions, etc., which were to be sold on credit to those wishing the goods, on two years' time, he taking their notes with real estate for security. Several hundred dol- lars of these bonds were thus disposed of, and those most in need were substantially relieved for the time.
These were the days which tried men's souls, as the entire crop for two years was almost a complete failure, there being but little improved land in the county, while their families were located in a wilder- ness, and in many cases without food or the means to purchase any. Only by the most rigid self-denial, and in some cases real suffering, did those brave pio- neers maintain their ground and support their fami- lies. A glance over these broad acres and the well filled granaries present no traces of the destitution which then prevailed, not only in Isabella, but also in other portions of Northern Michigan, during the eventful years of 1857-9.
The Government lands were taken out of market in 1855, and none were sold for eight years. Those who had previously purchased under the "Gradua- tion Act" were in good spirits, by reason of having had choice of the magnificent tracts of timber, which were composed of the finest specimens of pine, maple, ash and elm. The withdrawal of the lands from sale retarded the settlement of this county very greatly, but this may have been of benefit nevertheless, as those who then came were mostly men of means, which resulted in a rapid development of the county.
The first county order was issued to M. D. Davis, for services in drawing a jury. It was written on foolscap paper, and read as follows :
$00.75.
Treasurer of Isabella County: Pay to M. D. Davis, or bearer, 75 100ths dollars out of money in your hand- raised for incidentals.
1-abella Centre, Oct. 11. 1859.
IRVING E. ARNOLD. Clerk. P. 11. ESTEE.
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
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The first wolf certificates were issued in favor of Isaiah Ah-pwa-qua-hua, John Peboom and Abraham Ah-ne-mah-gue-hong. Wolves were quite plentiful and the early settlers tell many stories of their un- earthly howling at night while camped in the forest during the erection of their cabins. They were never known to attack man in this region, although they would follow him at a safe distance for hours. Game of every kind was very plentiful, the fur-bear- ing animals especially being numerous. Messrs. William Miles and John Landon, both well known men residing in Chippewa Township, have killed more game perhaps than any two men in the county, and hunted there only at intervals during the hunting season, both being farmers and having their lands, stock, etc., to care for. Keeping largely within bounds, they estimate that during the past 18 years they have killed over 300 deer, 17 wolves, 30 bears, and hundreds of smaller fur-bearing animals.
'The first Fourth-of-July celebration was held at the house of Henry Sherman, in 1854. Although there were only two families living in the county at that time, yet they were imbued with as much patriotism as are the people of to-day. Mrs. John M. Hursh is authority for the statement that on July 4 of that year their family went to the cabin of Henry Sher- man, their nearest and only neighbor, to celebrate our natal day. A grand dinner was served of roast pork and sturgeon. Mr. Sherman made a speech, and they sang the "Star-Spangled Banner," fired off their guns and made as grand a demonstration as possible under the circumstances.
The first Fourth-of-July celebration that was pub- licly observed was in 1861, at the house of James Campbell, at Salt River. Norman C. Payne was President of the Day, Hon. P. H. Estee read the Declaration of Independence, and Hon. Nelson Mosher delivered an address. A pole was raised which was 120 feet in height, from whose tip floated a beautiful flag made by Mesdames James Campbell, D. D). Burham, H. O. Bigelow, James Wilsey, Wil- liam R. Robbins and P'. II. Estee. The ladies hoisted the flag with their own hands, and prepared a bountiful dinner, which was spread in the woods, and to which the entire assemblage were invited. Fully 1,000 persons were entertained at this banquet. The pole stood a memento of that festive occasion until the night of the assassination of President
Abraham Lincoln, when it was blown down in a storm.
Miss Carrie Kilbourn taught the hrst school in this county, in a log school-house near Salt River.
The first couple married in the county was Daniel Robinson and Jane Foutch. W. H. Stewart, a Jus- tice of the Peace, performed the ceremony and re- ceived his pay in "coon-skins," which at that time were practically "legal tender" for everything except taxes.
There are several claimants for the honor of being the first female child born in the county. Mrs. John M. Hursh says that she and her husband came to the county in February, 1854, and her daughter Isa- bella was born in June following. It is also stated that Mary A. Fanning was born May 5, 1855, and Isabella Campbell also in the summer of that year. If Mrs. Hursh's story is correct, her daughter is un- doubtedly the first. We leave this matter to be set- tled by our readers, but one of the three is certainly the first, and all of them the first girls born in Isa- bella, which entitles each to a place in the history of their native county.
Adelbert Reynolds was the first male child born in the county, without doubt.
It would be wrong for us to leave it for open con- jecture as to whether the early settlers brought with them all of the desires and requisites of a high civili- zation : the moment we begin to inquire, we find that they did. On the 25th of March, 1855, at the house of Eber Hamilton, religious services were held, Rev. Charles Taylor preaching the first sermon ever de- livered in the county. Services were held by appoint- ment at different houses in the neighborhood for some time. After school-houses were erected in different localities, it was more convenient for the people to attend worship, and nearly everybody attended divine services. The pioneers were mostly of the better class, morally speaking, and very few disagreements among neighbors arose.
'The first brick house erected in the county was the handsome residence of Mr. John Landon, in Chip- pewa Township. This is a credit to the enterprising spirit of Mr. Landon, whose fine farm ranks among the first in the county in excellence and character of improvements.
The first corner's inquest was held on the body of James Robinson, who was drowned at Isabella Dam
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on the 22d of April, 1859. Thomas Chatfield, an Indian, was the Coroner. The jury was composed of three white men and three Indians.
The first piano brought into this county was a present from Mr. F. C. Babbitt to his daughter Nellie. This piano was brought up the Chippewa on an In- dian canoe.
The first lawsuit in the county was held in the township of Coe, in 1856, before J. Q. A. Johnson, J. P., in a case wherein two neighbors, Daniel Brickley and D. Childs, had disagreed about some sap troughs. The difference was only $4, and to save expense each pleaded his own case.
The first postmaster appointed in the county was William R. Robbins, who received his commission Aug. 8, 1857. This office was located at Salt River. The first mail was carried on foot, and the route lay between Maple Rapids and Salt River, passing through Gratiot County. The first flouring mill was built by John Reynolds on Salt River. This was the first frame structure erected in the county, and was built in 1856. The next year the Indian mills were built at Isabella City, but were not accepted by the Indian Agent, Rev. A. M. Fitch, until the follow- ing year. This mill was built by Mr. Penmont, who had to transport all the machinery up the Chippewa from Saginaw, upon two Indian canoes lashed to- gether, upon which a sort of deck was built.
Those who travel over the nicely graded roads of the county to-day, cannot realize how utterly impos- sible it was for teams to draw a wagon at an early day along the narrow paths cut through the woods. which in many instances led across swamps alinost impassable for man, not speaking of the greater diffi- culty experienced by animals. In reviewing the situation, the old pioneer invariably remarks, “I don't see how we ever did it." Even yet, "corduroy" roads are frequently found across some of the bogs; and without this method of filling in, it would have been impossible to cross the swamps, which in many places abounded in quick-sand.
The first schools in the county, although held in log houses, were presided over by skilled teachers, and students received the benefits of a thorough dis- cipline in educational matters from the beginning. At this day it seems crude and uncomfortable to see a log school-house, with long pine slabs for seats, upon which are perched from 1o to 15 pupils who,
without desk or blackboard, are busily engaged in obtaining an elementary education ; yet there are a few still in the county built of logs; but all are equipped with fair school furniture. Although de- prived of many advantages now possessed by chil- dren attending our public schools, there were many of the youth of both sexes attending school in those early days who are now ranked among the most talented business men and accomplished ladies of the country. Their education, although not a com- pound of Greek, Latin and French, has been of that practical kind which taught them how many pounds a bushel of corn, wheat or oats weighed, and how to compute interest at any given rate per cent. Such an education was worth infinitely more than one of the fashionable educations received to-day.
The first flowers cultivated in Isabella County were brought here by Mrs. A. Babbitt, who lived at an early day in Isabella City. They were sent from Cleveland, her former home, and were guarded with jealous care. Mrs. Babbitt was a great favorite with the Indians, and her title of Wa-sash-com-mo-qua (the woman who brings light) was conferred upon her by the renowned chieftain, Sa-shaw-na-bees, who often came to her house for his dinner. He was one of the best Indians that ever inhabited this region, and every confidence was reposed in him by white men.
The house built by Mr. Babbitt at Isabella City was small, having only one room, in which were two windows and one door. The Indians would frequently slip in unobserved, but never appropriated anything belonging therein. Mrs. Babbitt says: "It was no unusual thing for me to return home and find a half dozen Indians squatted on the floor of my cabin; and they often came to the windows, where, with eyes shaded, they peered inside, seemingly surprised to note the manner in which my household affairs were conducted." To this day the Indians love her with the same fondness displayed 30 years ago, and all of them know her name.
Judge Wilbur F. Woodworth held the first Circuit Court in 1858, at Isabella t'enter, Dr. Jeffries had built a log court-house, but all his schemes failed to hold the county seat.
There might have been previous law cases, but the first one appearing on the Circuit Court Journal is from the township of Isabella, wherein Charles B.
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Young obtained a judgment for $100.80. This was the only law case tried at the January term of 1866.
The first petit jury was summoned by Charles Rodd, the first Sheriff, July 11, 1859.
L. C. Bright was the first man fined for assault and battery in the county, but the penalty was the nomi- nał sum of one dollar; nevertheless, it becomes historic, being the first dollar paid into the county treasury. Only the first things are of the greatest importance in making historical mention of this char- acter.
In this connection the mention of the first church building is made, which was built on the southwest quarter of section 4, 14 north and 4 west, near the Mission School-house. It was dedicated in February, 1861, and was destroyed by fire in June of that year. Another church was then built on the Indian reser- vation, at "Ne-bee-sing." Both these houses were built for the benefit of the Indians.
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