USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
The first official census of Isabella County was taken in 1860, at which time there were 67 families in Coe, and every family with a male head. In Chip- pewa, at the same time, there were 24 families, in- cluding 167 persons. Union and Isabella had 28 families, which at that time included Clare county in its territory. At that date, 1860, there were but 577 whites, and 856 Indians, making the total population 1,433.
1
The county has rapidly developed in the last 12 or 14 years, and is possessed of good soil and timber in plenty. 'Tis true that pioneer life has had its hard- ships ; but it also had its pleasures, and their high hopes have been fully realized in the beautiful homes, the prosperity of the county and, best of all blessings, excellent health, a boon which it seems was vouch- safed to all the early settlers.
The early days in the history of Isabella are ones long to be remembered. Mrs. Ellen Woodworth gave some graphic descriptions of the way ladies used to dress. Many of them went barefoot, and some of the wealthiest ladies of this county to-day used to braid their own straw hats. One of the ladies, whose name has been forgotten, came to visit her one day, the visit being principally to show a new delaine dress recently purchased. She was not the possessor of a pair of shoes, but the new dress compensated for lack of foot gear. The costume worn by the
delegation of ladies who made and hoisted the flag at the Fourth-of-July celebration in 1861, related on a preceding page, consisted of white cotton skirts with a short calico blouse. This, in that early day, constituted a "full-dress " costume.
The people in those days thought nothing of walk- ing five or ten miles to church, or to spend the day in visiting a newcomer. Every one was anxious for the welfare of his neighbors; and when one of them was ready to raise a log cabin, all the settlers for miles around was ready to lend a helping hand.
One thousand and five hundred dollars was voted by the Board of Supervisors in 1860 to defray the expenses of the county. This was certainly a modest amount to begin with, considering there were several salaried officers to be paid.
The Gratiot News, of Ithaca, Gratiot County, published the first report of the Board of Supervi sors of this county, in 1861.
The total amount of State and county tax for that year was $1,035.07, of which $160.71 was personal tax, divided among the several townships as follows: ยท Isabella, $79.84; Coe, $40.07 ; Union, $86.12; Chip- pewa, $5.42.
The people of this county had a serious time in appropriating money to build the present court-house, efforts having been made by the Supervisors for sev- eral years in that direction, but at the polls their schemes met with an invariable defeat. Through the management of I. A. Fancher, then the Senator of this district in the State Legislature, in 1876, the sun of $10,486.76, due this county from some error on the part of the State Auditor on the detaching of Clare County, was recovered by special act. This fund being thus secured, the Supervisors appropriated $10,000 of the amount for the purpose of building a court-house; $2,000 more was added by the citizens, and $1,000 raised by taxation. The contract was let to llemmeter & Kaiser, in May, 1876. The corner- stone was laid by the Masonic fraternity, assisted by other secret organizations, July 28, of that year. The building committee was I. E. Arnold, Wm. R. Crowley, Wm. M. Peterson, Samuel Kennedy and H. H. Graves. The building was completed Oct. 26, 1877, which with the furniture cost the county $16,- 190.49,-every dollar of which was paid the day it was ready for occupancy.
-
HE county of Isabella has been strictly Republican from the date of its organization until the past four years. The Independent, or "Green- back," element, is, however, growing stronger day by day, and it is confidently expected that the next election will bring about a marked change in the political field. Be that as it may, Isabella County has been well governed during all these years, and is now out of debt, with a nice balance in her treasury. Her people are enterprising, honest and industrious, and let come what will in the political fight, there is no doubt of the ability of her officials to manage prop- erly the affairs of the county and subserve her inter- ests in every way.
The following is a list of all the county officials elected since its organization, with the date when each was elected. Where more than one year is in- dicated, the party was elected for more than one term, and for the year given :
County Officers.
SHERIFF'S.
Charles H. Rodd (Indian). .. 1859
John Meisler 1 860
Henry Dunton 1862
John Q. A. Johnson
1864
Ransom Kyes.
1866
Tunis W. Swart
1868
John Maxwell.
1870
Thomas J. Fordyce.
1872-4
Tunis W. Swart.
1876
Charles M. Brooks
.1878-80
Thomas Pickard.
882
COUNTY CLERKS.
1. E. Arnold.
1859
Wm. H. Nelson.
1860
Norman C. Payne
1862
Milton Bradley
1864
C. C. Foutch
1866
James T. Welper.
1868
Cornelius Bennett
870
Daniel E. Lyon
1872
Joel C. Graves
1874
John W. Hance.
1876-8
Lewis C. Griffith
1880-2
COUNTY TREASURERS.
Richard Hoy
859
Nelson Mosher
1860-2
Langdon Bently
1864-6
Nelson Mosher
1868-70
John Maxwell .
1872-76
Alexander Brodie
878-80
Wallace W. Preston
1882
REGISTER OF DEEDS.
Milton Bradley
1859
Norman C. Payne
1860-2
W. W. Preston
1864
C. C. Foutch
1866
James T'. Welper.
1868
Cornelius Bennett
1870-2
Joel C. Graves.
87.4
-
ISABELLA COUNTY.
541
OLITICAL
-
542
ISABELLA COUNTY.
John W. Hance.
1876-8
Charles O. Curtis 1880
Michael Murtha.
1882
JUDGES OF PROBATE.
James Wilsey .
1859
Perry H. Estee
1860
Wm. H. Nelson
1864
Richard Hoy
1868
William W. Struble.
1 87 2
John Q. A. Johnson
1876
Cornelius Bennett.
1880
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Nelson Mosher.
1859
James P. Mosher.
1860
Moses Tompkins
1862
Isaac A. Fancher
1 864
Albert Fox ..
1866-8
Isaac A. Fancher
1870
Albert Fox
1 87 2
Samuel W. Hopkins
1874
Asa M. Tinker.
1876
Michael Devereaux
1878
Peter F. Dodds
ISSo
Charles T. Russell
ISS2
CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS.
Nelson Mosher
1859
James P. Mosher
1860
Moses Tompkins
1862
Isaac A. Fancher
1864
Cornelius Bennett.
1866
Myron McLarren.
1868
Isaac A. Fancher
1870
Albert Fox.
1872
Asa M. Tinker
1874
Simeon C. Brown
1876
Asa M. Tinker
1878-80
Simeon C. Brown.
1882
SURVEYORS.
William M. Davis
1859
William H. Nelson.
1860
Malcomb D. Davis.
1862
Isaac A. Fancher
1864
Emory H. Bradley
1866
Myron McLarren
1868
Irving E. Arnold.
1870
Anson R. Arnold.
1872-76
Almond K. Herrington
1878
Joseph A. Graham
1880-2
CORONERS.
1859. 1870.
Thomas C. Chatfield
Delos Bromm
H. Bigelow
Simeon C. Brown
W. H. Stout
1872.
1860.
Gideon S. Case
J. Q. A. Johnson
Joshua Miller
John Collins
1874.
Levi A. Crane
Daniel Brickley
1862.
John Q. A. Johnson
1 876.
Andrew J. Goodsell
Francis T. Cushway
Allen J. Struble
Solon D. Coon
John Meiser
1864.
1878.
Albert L. Chatfield
Jesse J. Struble
Milton Bradley
James H. Seely
Lyman Bennett
1880.
1866.
Henry A. Dunton
James C. Caldwell
Jason A. Hunt
Oliver P. Comers
1882.
1868.
Henry Burr
Jesse J. Struble
Jesse H. Jordon.
William J. Pratt
SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
John B. Young.
1869
Charles O. Curtis.
1871-3
(The county superintendency system was abolished in 1875.)
nelle
-
3
ISABELLA COUNTY.
543
TOWNSHIPS.
OWNSHIP history is an es- sential and prominent part of county history. The vari- ous parts of Isabella County were settled by men most of whom have representatives now living in the county, and some of them yet reside in the townships in which they were born. The southern tier of townships was first settled, being nearest to and adjoining Gratiot County, which was settled somewhat before its or- ganization in 1855. Previous to its organization, which was in the year 1859, it was attached to Midland County for judicial and munici- pal purposes.
A careful perusal of the incidents relating to the early settlement of the several townships will repay the reader, as each one contains the names of the first settlers, and many other items which are required to make the history complete. Almost every town- ship claims the honor of having the first settler in the county located in her borders; but with the most careful reference to dates, Coe is awarded the palm. Be that as it may, each has furnished many men who for integrity and worth cannot be excelled
in any country, and they refleet great credit upon the county they represent, politically or socially.
+6
Coe Township.
OE Township was organized in 1855. and has quite an important history, being the first township organized in Isabella County, and having the first entry of land made in it, in October, 1854, by Judge P. H. Estee, who located the northwest quarter of section 18, in 13 north and 3 west. At that time, there was neither white man nor Indian in the county. There were only two houses in St. Louis, two in Alma, and but one or two diminutive cabins north of Pine River. Oct. 10, 1854, Daniel Brickley, William B. Bowen, Daniel Childs, Eben Willard, John Stew- art and James Woolsey, came with the intention of making Isabella their home, Messrs. Woolsey, Brick- ley and Stewart being the first men to bring their families into the county.
Coe is bounded on the north by Chippewa Town- ship, on the east by Midland County, the south by Gratiot County, and the west by Lincoln Township. It is numbered 13 north and 3 west.
The first road cut through the forest of Isabella
0
544
ISABELLA COUNTY.
County was commenced Nov. I, of that year. It commenced at the south line of the county near John Thomas's and extended to Salt River. The men who were engaged in this, really the most important work in the development of a new country, were Messrs. William B. Bowen, William Adams, James Shepherd, J. B. Walton, George and Dow Greenfield.
On the evening the road was opened, John Stewart and Daniel Brickley came with their families. The next day Jacob Middaugh, W. Middaugh and John Hendershot came over the road with an ox team. On the 7th day of November, Jos. Roberts, Sr., Patrick Fanning and Thomas Roberts, with their families, moved upon section 10, 13 north and 3 west. They were the first families coming into the county, and to them is due the honor of breaking into the wilderness and planting the seeds of civili- zation.
William B. Bowen was the first Supervisor of Coe, and the first township meeting was held in April, 1856, at the house of James Campbell.
The first general election held in the county was at William Campbell's house, in November, 1856, when 66 votes were polled; there being no printing press in the county, the tickets were written with pen and ink.
Coe Township is one of the best in the county for agriculture, being well watered and nicely drained by Salt River and its tributaries. Coe was originally well timbered, but now it is the most highly improved and thickly settled township in the county.
Salt River, a small village of less than 300 in- habitants, is located on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 9. There are a post-office, hotel, blacksmith and wagon shop, stores, etc., all of which do quite a nice business, the village being half way between Mt. Pleasant and St. Louis. Salt River was platted by E. Moore, and afterward G. W. Miller platted " Miller's Addition." It is a fine place, in an ex- cellent farming country, with a limited water power. A saw-mill and planer, one mile below the village, has been sustained for a number of years. The first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the county was organized at this place, in 1871, and has a large membership. In 1874, the 1. O. O. F. was estab. lished here and has a large number of members.
In this township are numerous school-houses and churches, and the youth of this community are rapidly advancing in the arts and sciences.
Among the names of the Supervisors of Coe Town- ship will be recognized the names of some of the foremost business men and able financiers of Isabella County. Their names are appended, together with the years served in an official capacity.
SUPERVISORS.
Perry H. Estee 1859
William R. Robbins 1860
Horace O. Bigelow 1861
William R. Robbins
1862-3
James Wilsey
1864
Perry H. Estee
IS66
Samuel Kennedy
1867
Perry H. Estee
1868-70
Jacob L. Fordyce
1871-72
S. C. Brown
1873
Perry H. Estee
1874
Richard Hoy
1875
Perry H. Estee 1 876-78
Richard Hoy 1879
Thomas Hannett
1880-84.
Chippewa Township.
CHIPPEWA was one of the first townships 3 organized in the county. It was also one
of the first townships settled by the whites. As early as 1850-1, there were several families residing inside her boundaries, among whom might be mentioned Norman and William Payne, William Foutch, Geo. W. Howorth and Rev. Charles Taylor. Mr. Taylor was the first minister in the county of the Methodist faith, and has been for many years, and is still, doing a large amount of good by inculcating the doctrines of that denomi- nation among the people in his neighborhood. The men above mentioned cut their way from Alma to Salt River, and thence on to the lands they had se- lected in Chippewa Township. William Payne's daughter Ida was the first child born in this township, if not in the county. John Landon is another one of the prominent settlers, although coming at a much later date. He was a penniless boy, but indomitable energy has in his case been rewarded, he being now one of the wealthiest farmers on Chippewa Town- ship. His present residence was the first brick house
545
ISABELLA COUNTY.
built in the county, and his outbuildings rank among the finest in the State.
Mr. Landon and Wm. Miles have been inseparable companions for a number of years; and, living within a convenient distance of each other, have indulged their liking for field sports to its fullest extent. Their hunting record is given elsewhere, but an anecdote or two are here related of their hunting exploits. In the spring of 1883, they were out hunting, and night came on. The distance was fully three miles be- tween them, and the woods were very dense, and a favorite rendezvous for bears. Miles lay down on a bed of pine boughs, and covered himself and his dog with a blanket in order to keep the animal from running after any game which might be prowling about. About midnight a bear came sniffing around, having discovered our friend so leisurely taking a nap. The breaking of the dry brush as the bear marched about awakened Mr. Miles, who, upon raising one edge of the blanket and discovering his bearship, took as good aim as possible in the darkness and fired. He missed the bear, but the moment the re- port of the gun was heard, the dog bounded after bruin and soon brought him to bay. This dog was one of the finest animals for bear-hunting ever owned by Mr. Miles, and had been trained for sev- eral years in all the mysteries of the chase; yet he was unwary enough to get within reach of the bear's paws and was hugged by bruin until several of his ribs were crushed, and the hide nearly torn from his body, by that beast's murderous claws! Notwith- standing the darkness, Miles knew his pet was get- ting worsted, and, running up to the scene of conflict, placed his gun within a foot of the bear's head and sent a bullet crashing through his brain.
After caring for the wounded dog as well as he was able, Miles started out to find Mr. Landon, knowing very nearly the place where he would biv- ouac. As daylight appeared, he saw Mr. Landon lying under a tree wrapped in his blanket, while all around him were plainly visible the footprints of an enormous bear, which had inspected the sleeping man from every point of the compass but feared to attack him.
These two gentlemen killed a large deer in this county whose horns weighed 40 pounds, and upon which were 35 enormous prongs! This specimen is
now in the museum at New York, the proprietor having been offered $1,000 for it. Allowing one prong for each year, the animal was, when killed, 35 years old.
Wm. Miles, and his son Charles, only 15 years of age, killed 29 deer last autumn. Charles bagged six of them alone. Florence, the eldest daughter, is one of the finest target shooters in the county, and han- dles a revolver with as much precision as she does her rifle. Without lowering her arm, she can send six balls inside a two-inch circle at 20 paces. Neither are these the least of her accomplishments. Aside from attending to the household duties, which de- volve entirely upon herself, she has acquired an ex- cellent education and knowledge of music.
Only the west half of Chippewa Township is very well improved, a large portion of the lands in the eastern part being covered with heavy timber. Onion and Potter Creeks flow through the southern and eastern sections, Chippewa River also passing through the northern part of the township from west to east. Millions of feet of excellent lumber are awaiting the coming of the lumberman with his ax, and that de- partment of business will take precedence of agricul- ture for several years.
Chippewa is bounded on the north by Denver Township, on the east by Midland County, on the south by Coe, and the west by Union Townships. It is numbered 14 north and 3 west. One postoffice, several school-houses, but no villages or railroads, can be mentioned in Chippewa. This township has been served by the following
SUPERVISORS :
Norman C. Payne 1859-61
Marcus Grenell 1862
Ryland J. Hill 1863
Stephen Humphrey 1864
O. P. Converse 1865-9
William W. Struble 1870-3
Marcus Grenell 1874
Ephraim Salisbury
1875-7
Enoch Robbins
1878-9
Benjamin Wing 1880-2
Jacob Struble ISS 3-4.
546
ISABELLA COUNTY.
Isabella Township.
-
SABELLA was organized in 1857, two years before the organization of the county. It originally embraced all the territory bounded by the county line, together with a part of Clare County, except townships 13 and 14 north, of range 3 west. Chas. A. Jeffries was Supervi- sor, and the business affairs were conducted at Mid- land, to which county Isabella was attached for ju- dicial and municipal purposes. As the years rolled by, the different towns were organized, leaving Isa- bella the same number of sections of which the others are composed.
The boundaries of this township are as follows : On the north by Vernon, the east by Denver, the south by Union, and the west by Nottawa Township. It is numbered 15 north, and 4 west. The lands are well adapted to agricultural purposes, being well watered and yet undulating enough to drain the en- tire township.
The Saginaw & Mt. Pleasant Railroad divides sec- tion 36 from northeast to southwest. There are several nice streams traversing this township,-all branches of the Tittabawassee; and the timber was formerly very fine, but most of this has been removed. There are a number of Indians yet living in Isabella, and much of their lands are yet unimproved. Most of these lands will pass into the hands of the whites during the next five years, and the development of Isabella will rapidly ensue.
Calkinsville, a small hamlet, is situated at the crossing of the roads between sections to, 11, 14 and 15. It has a store, hotel, blacksmith shop and school-house, besides several dwelling-houses, but has no commercial importance.
Isabella was the home of Andrew J. Campau, one of the best known Indians of his day. He was really only a half-breed, being the son of a French- man, who now resides in Saginaw. Campau was naturally shrewd, and was born to command. He had quite a good education, and used to sway the Indian element just as he desired. His talent for money-getting was unequaled, but his extravagant habits proved his ruin financially, socially and morally. He was at once the life and terror of any party with
whom he was in company, for he was reckless when drinking, and this recreation consumed most of his time. He had a beautiful wife, of whom he became insanely jealous, so far as to endeavor to shoot Phil Gruett, a clerk in his store at Isabella City, whom he suspected of interference in his domestic affairs.
Campau was very proud of his personal appear- ance, and thought nothing of paying $150 for a suit of clothes. His horses were of the fleetest and finest which money would procure. It is related that he, when in his cups, would harness a thoroughbred horse to a nice buggy, turn him loose and give him a cut with a whip just to see the buggy demolished as the frightened animal dashed frantically along the stumpy road !
At one of the Indian camp-meetings, Campau created quite an excitement, which came near re- sulting disastrously for him. He purchased a fine suit of clothes, and ornamented them with a band- some pair of silver epaulettes and a massive star; and, bringing with him several kegs of whisky, opened out a refreshment stand, and soon the In- dians were becoming quite hilarious. He declared that he had been appointed United States Marshal, and was authorized to arrest any one whom he chose. The Indian Agent, Richard M. Smith, was on the ground, but feared to say anything, knowing the quarrelsome character of Campan when drinking. Smith went to Judge Bennett and asked him to use his influence in getting Campau off the ground, as there was sure to be trouble. The Judge spoke to Campau, who was strutting about the encampment, but his words only served to exasperate the half- breed, who declared that if anything more was said he would arrest Mr. Smith. This he afterward did, and the Agent was led away with a pair of handcuffs clasped upon his wrists. He was turned loose, how- ever, Campau thinking that discretion in the case might save him from trouble with the United States Government. He afterward apologized to Mr. Smith, and removed his whisky upon condition that no prosecutions should follow.
Below are mentioned the names of those who have served Isabella Township as
SUPERVISORS:
Charles A. Jeffries, 1857-8
Albert G. Ferris, 1859
Charles H. Rodd, 1860
ISABELLA COUNTY.
547
Douglas H. Nelson, 1861-3
W. A. Nelson,
1864
Douglas H. Nelson
1865
G. W. Jeffries,
1 866-70
John C. Davis,
1871
HI. H. Graves,
1872
John C. Davis
1873-4
Peter Jackson,
1875-6
John C. Davis
1877-8
Thomas Carroll,
1879-83
James S. Graham,
1884.
Fremont Township.
FEW families moved into the territory now embraced within the boundaries of this township prior to its organization, which was effected Oct. 16, 1863. The first election was held at the house of Jerome Bachelder, who, with J. C. Caldwell and William Tiffany, were In- spectors of Election. William Tiffany was elected Supervisor, William H. Harrison, Clerk, W. Winters, Treasurer, and Norton Skinner, Justice of the Peace.
The township is numbered 13 north and 5 west ; it is bounded on the northi by Deerfield, the east by Lincoln, the south by Montcalm County, and the west by Rolland Township.
Fremont was settled very slowly, but by a very good class of people, who still maintain the reputa- tion won at an early day.
Fremont is watered by tributaries of Pine River, which stream touches the southwest quarter of sec- tion 31. Much of the land is yet quite heavily wooded, but the extensive mills in that township are fast manufacturing the noble trees into lumber, which has no superior in the markets.
The first sermon preached in this township was by J. Q. A. Johnson, who was afterward elected Sheriff of Isabella County. A school-house was built soon after the organization of the township, and Miss Grace McLeod presided over the first school taught. Those were the days in which the teacher " boarded round," and received but small wages compared with the remuneration of the instructors of the present day.
The first wedding in Fremont was that of Mr. William HI. Harrison and Miss Wealthy Tiffany.
The first child born was May Caldwell, now the wife of - Streator.
James Caldwell sowed the first spring wheat, which when ready for harvesting was reaped by his son Arthur with a pair of sheep-shears! For a long time harvesting was done with the sickle and cradle, but the stumps have mostly been removed, and the farmer now gathers up the ripened grain as it falls already bound and ready for the thresher.
Dushville, a small village, is located on the north- west quarter of section 15. It has a store or two, blacksmith and repair shop, boarding house, etc. The inhabitants are a social, industrious people, and have pleasant homes in the quiet village. It is quite a convenient trading point for the neighboring farm- ers, who in that vicinity are prosperous.
The Supervisors of Fremont have served only short terms, the voters preferring to give every man an opportunity to represent the township. Their names are given below.
SUPERVISORS.
William Tiffany 1864
J. C. Caldwell I865
F. L. Williams 1866
C. G. Richardson 1867-8
Jacob Crum 1869
Dean Newcomb 1870
Thomas G. Williams 1871
Dean Newcomb 1872-3
C. G. Richardson 1874-5
Thomas Judge 1876
John Ulam 1877-9
A. R. Bentley 1 880
George Davis 188 1
John Maxwell 1882
James Manwell
1883 4
-
Rolland Township.
OLLAND Township occupies the southwest corner of Isabella County. Its northern boundary is Broomfield, and its eastern Fremont Township; its southern Montcalm, and the western Mecosta County. It is num- bered 13 north and 6 west. This township has a number of rivers, of which Pine is the most im-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.