USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 58
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J. C. Caldwell, the proprietor of the Two Rivers Hotel, is a vigorous man of 60 summers. He was recently married to a handsome lady from Ohio, which occasion furnished a great deal of amusement to his neighbors. He had been a widower but a short time, when the "tender passion " became as firmly planted in his anatomy as it would had he been a youth of 20. Mrs. Sarah Griswold, of Bissell, Ohio, was visiting in the neighborhood, and her charming manner and handsome face completely captivated him. Shaking off the mental depression which had clung to him for four long weeks, he began paying court to the handsome widow, and his suit met with favor.
Her visit nearing its end, she had fixed upon the day to return to her native village, but Mr. Cald- well's persistent pleading had a fitting reward, inas- much as he had her promise that she would return and become his bride. After her departure, letters from the twain were mailed regularly each day, but this mode of corresponding seemed too slow for the restless nature of our venerable friend. He longed to possess in reality what was his own by right of con- quest, and the day had scarcely arrived in which his bride to be would return from her eastern trip, when he started from Deerfield, expecting to meet her in Mt. Pleasant. She was expected on the evening instead of the morning train, but, equally as impatient as himself, had started one day earlier than was originally intended, and the long miles which were traversed were rendered bearable in the anticipation of taking her lover by surprise. Reaching Mt. Pleas- ant early in the forenoon, she procured a livery team
and started for "Two Rivers," fondly anticipating the joyful welcome she would receive.
The day was very cold, and the few persons ven- turing out were closely muffled to protect them from the frosty air. Mr. Caldwell was coming to meet his intended, and, to do the thing up in style, had engaged a driver, while he lay back in the sleigh covered by robes of fur, with a big stone, carefully heated to keep his feet warm, tucked beneath the blankets. The driver failing to recognize the bride to be, passed her sleigh in blissful ignorance of its fair occupant. Mr. Caldwell arrived in due season at Mt. Pleasant, and was soon made presentable through the skill of the tonsorial artist and a well paid tailor.
Time hung heavily on his hands while awaiting the arrival of the evening train. He nervously paced the platform at the depot until the passengers had alighted. The object of his affections not appearing among them, he became uneasy and telegraphed to Ohio for particulars. An answer was returned stat- ing that she had started the day before and certainly expected to arrive that evening.
Nothing was to be done but wait patiently for the morrow. The morning train carried him to Coleman, where he confidently expected to meet her, but again he was sorely disappointed. Realizing that "there is many a slip," etc., he returned to Mt. Pleasant. In the meantime he had sent his team home, and was obliged to call on the livery man for favors. Here he was informed that his lady had arrived the day before on the morning train and was now safely quartered at the hotel at Two Rivers.
Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, a team was procured and the excited man started post haste for home. On the way he stopped at the house of Justice A. J. Stansell, and the worthy functionary dressed and accompanied him. When the pair arrived at the hotel, everybody had retired for the night; but the case being one which would not ad- mit of delay, the household were aroused and prep- arations made to celebrate the nuptials of the pair who had been by accident so rudely separated for so many hours! The meeting of the lovers was af- fecting; and, after explanations were made and their exuberant feelings somewhat calmed, Justice Stan- sell pronounced them mated for life. No happier couple reside in the township, and their romantic courtship and marriage gives the story a place in the history of Isabella County.
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ISABELLA COUNTY.
Deerfield Township is numbered 13 north and 5 west. The northern boundary is Nottawa Township, the eastern, Union Township, Fremont Township on the south and Broomfield on the west.
Only three Supervisors thus far have represented this township, and one, Mr. J. H. Robinson, was appointed to fill the unexpired term of a man who, making some mistake in the assessment of the town, became frightened and left the country.
SUPERVISORS.
Wm. Peterson
1875-7
J. H. Robinson
1878
Samuel Craft
1879-83
William H. Hanna
1884
Coldwater Township.
BOLDWATER Township is situated in the northwestern corner of Isabella County, and is bounded on the north by Clare County, on the east by Gilmore and south by Sherman Townships, and on the west by Mecosta County. It is numbered 16 north, and 6 west. The soil of Coldwater is drained by two creeks, known as Walker and Colley Creeks. These two beautiful streams of crystal water flow through grassy meadows and shady woodlands, while from either side of their inossy banks stretch afar the broad acres of fertile and productive farm lands, where great quantities of corn, rye, oats and wheat are cultivated successfully. Garden vegetables of all kinds are also grown in this rich soil.
On section 31 is located part of the little village of Sherman, called Sherman City, a small trading point and postoffice for those living in the vicinity of the hamlet.
On the same day that Broomfield was organized, the Board of Supervisors conferred local self-govern- ment on the people of Coldwater, and ever since its organization it has been a temperance township. The first election was held on the first Monday of April, 1868, at the house of H. B. Roberts. II. A. Brubaker, H. B. Roberts and W. W. Ryerson were the Inspectors of Election.
Serel A. Letson, who bought land in this township in the year 1866 and located on his claim in the fol- lowing year, was the first permanent settler here, and
now resides on section 22. Harry Brubaker, now living on section 20, in Gilmore, was the first man who moved his family to Coldwater. They came in 1867. Samuel Colley, now on section 34; Wm. B. Forbes, on 22; Thomas Summerton, also on 22; George Steed, Jonathan Lamer on 32 ; Charles Hunt, near Mt. Pleasant; Martin Tombs and son, on 16; Jackson Alexander, on 26, and S. Smith, also living on section 26, were the first men who settled in the township.
The first birth that occurred in Coldwater was that of a child of Harry Brubaker, and the death of this infant was the first occurrence of this nature, the second being that of Posey Roberts.
The first marriage was that of Frank Bone and Sophronia Baker, in the fall of 1869.
The first school taught was in District No. 1, on section 26, in the year 1870.
Calaphael Taylor, one of the oldest residents of Coldwater, was a pensioner of the war of 1812 until his death, which occurred on May 2, 1884, at the advanced age of 90 years. He died respected and beloved by every adult resident of the township. Over his grave many tears of sympathy were shed.
The Supervisors who have represented this town- ship from the beginning were all men of merit. Their names are given below in the order which they served :
SUPERVISORS.
J. J. Colley 1868-9
Harry A. Brubaker 1870-1
James McKersey 1872
J. J. Colley 1873
Clark Brown 1874-7
William B. Forbes 1878
James C. Colter 1879-80
David W. Brooks 1881
William B. Forbes 1882-3
David Colter 1884
Lincoln Township.
HE organization of Lincoln Township was effected Oct. 16, 1863. F. I. Williams, W. J. Corbus and H. N. Griswold were In- spectors of the first Election, which was held at Mr. Griswold's house.
The same may be said of Lincoln as of each township in Isabella County, that it was densely
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wooded, and a large part of it at an early day was very low and marshy. The clearing up of these forests and cultivation of the soil have changed the appearance greatly, topographically, and some of the low lands which were formerly covered with water during the entire year, have by reason of numerous drains become the most productive of farm lands.
Lincoln is numbered 13 north and 4 west, with boundaries on the north by Union, on the east by Coe, the south by Gratiot County, and the west by Fremont Township. It is drained by Salt River and its tributaries, and at present enjoys the luxury of two post-offices, one being called Crawford and the other Strickland.
The first settler in Lincoln was U. Mckinstry, who located on section 36, in the fall of 1862. Mc- Kinstry was soon followed by Edward Dugan, G. P. Ryder, E. Dunham, Samuel Woodworth, Nelson Ives and Warren Wardwell, all of whom were enter- prising men.
The first birth in Lincoln Township was a daugh- ter of Mr. Mckinstry, the event occurring in the autumn of 1862.
Mr. Wardwell relates a couple of anecdotes which well illustrate the character of mankind. Most of the lands had been taken in the eastern part of Lin- coln, but one day an Irishman came along on foot, in search of a tract. Wardwell told him that two miles west of his farm there was a nice piece of va- cant land, and directed the fellow where and how to find it. He returned in the evening feeling much fatigued and evidently disgusted with the long tramp through the briers and bogs, there being no road. When questioned by Mr. Wardwell as to his opinion of Michigan lands, the man replied that the lands were good enough, but added in a despondent tone, "Ef I tek thet pace of land, whin will the road git to me?" "Whenever you make it, you d-d fool," said Wardwell. The Irishman did not desire such a task as that implied, and left the land for some more en- terprising man.
When William Tiffany moved his family to Lincoln Township, the woods were full of game and he fre- quently shot a rabbit or pheasant while driving along the road. On this day, however, he saw game which he was not expecting, and, as hunters express it, he had an attack of " buck ague." While walking ahead of the wagon with a rifle on his shoulder, he espied
a large bear leisurely walking toward him. Tiffany ran back to the wagon, shouting to the driver to turn around, as a bear was coming down the road. "Why don't you shoot?" yelled the man on the wagon. This seemed to Tiffany the proper thing to do under the circumstances, and with his eye on the bear and the gun elevated at an angle of 45°, pulled the trigger, and the bear, hearing the report, ambled away. To Tiffany, this was a real adventure and one to be proud of, although he had no trophy to show.
We are pleased to give the names of those who have ably represented Lincoln Township as Super- visors since its organization.
SUPERVISORS.
Irving Williams 1864
J. T. Guthrie 1865
R. Wilcox 1866
J. E. Hunt 1867-8
John Maxwell 1869-70
R. Wilcox 1871
James Ayling 1872
A. C. Vredenburg 1873
Amos D. Mattison
1874
James Ayling
1875
A. C. Vrendenburg 1876
A. M. Hance 1877-8
Henry Burr 1879
John Mull 1880-2
A. C. Rowlader
1883-4
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Wise Township.
HE township of Wise was organized Jan. 4, 1872, and was named after George W. Wise, its father and founder. It is situated in the northeast corner of Isabella County, and is numbered 16 north and 3 west. Its north_ ern boundary is Clare County, its eastern Mid- land County, its southern Denver Township, and its western Vernon Township.
The first election was held at the school-house in Loomis,-G. W. Wise, B. L. Loyd and Cornelius V. Hulburt, Inspectors.
The western half of the township is drained by Salt River and its numerous tributaries. The saw- mills are its principal support. Messrs Wise and Loomis built the first mills. In March, 1871, George W. Wise, with 13 men, landed where Loomis now is
ISABELLA COUNTY.
557
and commenced the erection of a saw-mill, and on the tenth they had a portable mill running; about the 20th they began making shingles also. It was kept running most of the time day and night, cutting lumber in the day time and shingles nights. The mill was destroyed by fire in May, 1875, but was soon replaced by another. Wise and Loomis, with others, also opened a store, thus laying the founda- tion for the future town of Loomis. Its location is in the northern part of the township, and was platted in 1871. A hotel, the "Hursh House," was built about the same time the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad Company built their depot. A shingle mill was also erected and run till 1874, when it blew up, killing one man. In 1872 a company was formed and built a hemlock-extract factory, at a cost of about $15,000, and it has manufactured large amounts of extract. A shingle mill was also connected with it.
The first religious services were held in Wise & Loomis' saw-mill by C. V. Hulburt. Loomis is quite an important town, being situated in the center of a fine lumbering district. It has 350 inhabitants, two hotels, five stores, one drug store, a church, black- smith and wagon shop, and last, but not least, two saloons.
Fletcher Tubbs opened the. first farm in Wise Township. In May, 1871, a school district was formed and a school-house was soon after built, and Miss Allen taught the first term. A Mr. Candy was the first man to open a whisky saloon.
There are numerous school-houses, with a fair attendance.
The first legal case was for an assault and battery.
Mr. G. H. Hersey, who lives near Loomis, has the finest barn in the township, and the material on the ground for an elegant residence, which will be com- pleted this year.
Wise Township is yet quite heavily wooded, and the improvements not so numerous as several of the older townships.
The lumber interest is still the chief industry of Wise Township, but a few years more will find the supply very much limited.
The list of Supervisors of this town is given below.
SUPERVISORS.
Isaiah Windover
1872
Lewis Hawkins 1878-80
George M. Quick
1873
Henry L. Voorhees
1874-5
George M. Quick
1876-80
Joseph Funk 1881-2
E. W. Allen
1883-4
Denver Township.
ENVER is included in the Indian reserva- tion, and at this time is very sparsely set- tled. A number of Indians are yet living inside her boundaries, and hundreds of acres of the most valuable timber lands are owned by speculators. All the east half of Denver Town- ship was covered with a heavy growth of pine, but this has been mostly cut away. The land is low and flat, and much of it can now be purchased for Si per acre. Only 16 sections of Denver can soon be set- tled, the balance belonging to Indians who cannot dispose of their lands, and speculators owning large tracts have no desire to sell.
The first settlements were made in 1875-6, by Lewis Hawkins, the present Supervisor, John Collins, and Julius C. Jordan.
The township was organized Jan. 6, 1876, being the last town to be organized in the county, no ma- terial being left for any more.
The first election was held at the house of Robert Pearson, who, with James Render and Anson Fitchet, were Judges of the same. Robert Pearson was chosen first Supervisor, and met with the Board in the cen- tennial year.
Both branches of the Tittabawassee and Salt Rivers unite in the eastern part of Denver, and the entire township is traversed by the south branch. The Mt. Pleasant & Saginaw Railroad passes through Denver from northeast to southwest, with one flag station only within the limits.
It is bounded on the north by Wise Township, on the east by Midland County, the south by Chippewa, and the west by Isabella Township. It is numbered 15 north and 3 west.
The population in 1880 was only 250, but is per- haps double that number to-day.
SUPERVISORS.
Robert Pearson 1876-7
William Mogg 1881-3
Lewis Hawkins
1884.
ISABELLA COUNTY.
558
ANECDOTAL,
NLY a few years ago these broad acres were the favorite pasturing ground of hundreds of deer, and the wild woods the home of the bear, wild- cat, lynx, the gaunt wolf and the wily Indian. But few persons can realize the fact, yet it is true. Many are the stories related of hairbreadth escapes by men of undoubted veracity, while recounting their adventures with wild beasts at an early day in Isabella County. Some of these are well worth preserving, and they form an interest- ing part of this work.
Among the best known of the white men who have achieved a reputation as hunters, we are pleased to mention John Landon .and Wm. Miles, both residents of Chippewa Township and whose reputa- tion is excelled by none. Within a few miles of the beautiful village of Mt. Pleasant are yet to be found plenty of fur-bearing animals, and bears are quite numerous in some localities.
Miles Chased by a Bear.
FEW years ago William Miles was engaged in clearing out a jam of logs in Potter Creek, when he discovered a large bear near by. Having no gun, and his house a full half-mile away, he hardly knew how to proceed, as bears were his legitimate game, and he had no inten- tion of allowing it to get away.
He ran home to get his gun and ammunition, and
while there concluded to take a fine Cuban blood- hound which he had recently purchased, thinking this would be a fine opportunity to teach it how to track large game. Upon arrival at the place where the bear was first seen, the blood-hound took the trail and soon brought Bruin to a stand. The bear reared upon his hind legs, when Miles fired, wounding but not entirely disabling the animal, which, with a howl of pain and rage pursued the intrepid hunter. Miles made tracks as fast as his legs could carry him, with the bear less than ten feet behind! After running a short distance his powder horn became detached from its fastening, leaving him with only an empty gun for protection while the bear gained steadily upon him, and would in a few bounds more have overtaken the fleeing hunter had it not in its blind rage dashed against a log over which Miles had leaped, thus giving him a few feet more of a start. A tree growing near by proved finally the means of his escape, for the bear was less than two feet behind when it was reached. Darting around it, Miles was enabled to keep out of the monster's clutches, although it required considerable dexterity to avoid being caught by the immense paws of Bruin, who, with his neck against the tree, pursued Miles as furiously as before, going first in one direction, then changing his position and turning the other way. Another tree stood near, hardly so large as the one first giving shelter to the hunter, and he concluded to try that, but soon returned to the first, the smaller one being hardly sufficient protection from the long claws of the bear. All this time the blood was trickling from its side and the path around the tree presented the ap- pearance of an abbatoir. The chase was continued
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ISABELLA COUNTY.
from nine until eleven o'clock in the morning without interruption before the bear showed signs of exhaus- tion. Miles said he might have killed him with his gun, but he disliked to break a good Winchester rifle to pieces over the head of a black bear, for he con- sidered his wind more than a match for any animal that roamed the woods of Michigan.
At last the bear lay down, and Miles, after taking a few breaths, left the tree, keeping it between him and the bear until a few rods had been gained, when he darted away at full speed for home, intending to get ammunition and assistance before trying again to dispatch his bearship. Reaching home, and without relating his perilous adventure, he inquired of his wife where "Riley " (the dog) was. She replied that " he was under the bed." Miles shied an old boot, which lay conveniently near, at the crouching hound, having no better way in which to vent his ill pleasure, and started again for the scene of recent adventure; but the bear had vanished; neither could any further trace of it be obtained. A number of persons visited the place next day and were astonished to think how narrowly Miles escaped with his life. The brilliant future which was supposed to lie before " Riley " was by his cowardice on this occasion brought to an abrupt termination. His owner, although having paid $20 for him a few weeks before, was glad to present the canine to a friend, deeming a dog worth nothing that would desert his master at a time when assistance was most needed.
Bear Afraid of Fire.
NE of Wm. Miles' first experiences in hunt- ing was rather thrilling, and will bear ie- peating. He was hunting in the dense woods when darkness came on. He built a fire, ate his supper, and made a bed of leaves and moss near the pile of blazing embers. The sleep of the tired man was not disturbed until after midnight, when, hearing a peculiar noise, he knew a deer was rushing past pursued by some ani- mal. The deer plunged into the river which ran in proximity, followed soon by a wolf, which also took to the water in quest of its prey. Being now thoroughly awakened, and feeling somewhat chilled, he arose
and began kindling the fire, which had become a mass of smouldering coals. While engaged in fan- ning them into a flame, a crashing in the brush near by startled him, and, jumping to his feet, he discerned a monstrous black bear tearing through the bushes ! When daylight appeared, an examination of the vi- cinity revealed the fact that the bear had walked round and round the sleeping man, but feared to attack him, he being in such close proximity to the fire. When the bear started away he was within 20 feet of Miles, who all this time was unconscious of the danger that menaced him. Mr. Miles says this was the first and only time that the slightest fear has been experienced by him, although many hair-breadth escapes are chronicled in relating his numerous ad- ventures.
A Rum Story.
OHN FRASER tells a story, of rum and mosquitoes, which is pretty good, while the manner of getting rid of the mosquitoes was quite novel. He, together with Judge Estee, George Atkin, Chauncey Kyes and James Shepherd, borrowed a canoe of John M. Hursh, with the intention of going to Saginaw for provisions. The trip was easily made going down, but it was very hard work getting back, the current being so swift. It was in the autumn, and the prev- alence of ague during this season of the year induced them to purchase a gallon of whisky before starting. "Jim " Shepherd thought of working a scheme to get a jug of rum home without having it sampled by his comrades, and claimed to have pur- chased it for " bitters " for his father. The rest of the boys said nothing, but determined to have a fair sample of the rum if strategy could obtain it. After loading the canoe with provisions they started up the stream, taking turns in pulling the canoe against the rapid current, while the fierce rays of the sun beamed down upon them, which, with the great exertion necessary to propel the canoe, bathed them in per- spiration from head to foot.
By the morning of the second day, the jug which contained the whisky was empty, and they begged " Jim " to give them a drink of his rum, even offering to pay an exorbitant price for the same ; but he per-
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sistently refused. The mosquitoes were getting so troublesome that it seemed impossible to withstand their attacks, and a scheme was devised which at last allowed them some rest. One of the party stripped to the buff, and smeared himself from head to foot with grease from a bacon rind, which was found to be an effectual protection so long as the surface was well coated with the unctuous but not very pleasantly aromatic embrocation. The others followed suit, and the voyagers were thus enabled to keep their craft moving all the time.
Arriving at last at the house of Mr. Hursh, they concluded to stay all night; and two of the party were detailed to watch Shepherd make a disposition of his jug, he fearing the loss of its contents. Not long after the canoe was unloaded, he slipped out to the woods and secreted the jug in an old hollow stump. Fraser and others made a note of its loca- tion, and when it became dark, made their way to the spot and all took a hearty draught. The next morning the same was repeated, and the empty jug left standing, covered with leaves, which were so skillfully arranged that no signs of its being disturbed were visible. When "Jim " went after his treasure and found only an empty jug, he became frantic and wanted to whip the whole crowd ; but, not knowing which one to begin on, finally concluded to let the matter drop. His penuriousness taught hin; a valu- able lesson, and he was always willing to divide any thing after that.
A Heart-Breaking Loss.
YAVING neither stock nor grain to sell, the early comers were sorely puzzled to obtain provisions for their families. Everything was turned to account. Shingles were virtually legal tender for all debts except taxes, but the settlers had no means of getting them to market. Considerable quantities of maple sugar were manu- factured in the spring-time, which was afterward taken to Saginaw by boat and exchanged for groceries and dry goods.
John Fraser, Mason Foutch, George Atkin and George Howorth started for Saginaw one morning in May with the proceeds of their spring work, consist-
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