USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 62
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With this, if not the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North- western Railroad as well, Mt. Pleasant will lose her name as being an inland village. There is but little doubt that the latter road will be pushed northward, as the company cannot afford to make St. Louis the terminus, and Mt. Pleasant, with her enterprise and unlimited facilities for manufacturing, is in no danger of being left out. The Lansing, Alma & Mt. Pleas- ant Railroad will be of more benefit to this village and county than any line from either direction could possibly be, as it passes through a better agricultural country along the entire route than can be found in any other direction.
MISCELLANEOUS,
HIS heading comprises many interesting items, which are well worthy a careful peru- sal. Among these may be mentioned the Pioneer Soci- ety, Educational interests, the Agricultural Society, the County Poor Farm, etc., all of which are subjects with which every one should become familiar. All these matters are of equal im- portance with those which are more regularly classified elsewhere in this work; but their nature and the amount of matter concerning each make it more appropriate to place them under the above head, at the conclusion of the historical department of this vol-
Material Interests.
IIE growth of Isabella County has been a rapid one. The census of 1860 gave her 1,443 inhabitants; and the one of 1880, 12,159. The school census of 1883 gives her 4,431, which almost trebles the entire popula- tion of 1860. The census report of 1880 shows 1 3,733 acres of wheat, yielding 176,480 bushels. One- fourth more has since been cleared and sown to wheat, and with the excellent prospect now in view the harvest in Isabella this season may confidently be expected to produce 320,000 bushels. Add to this the yield of other cereals and vegetables for which this county is so famous, and to which may be added the large lumber product, it will compare fa- vorably with any county in Central Michigan.
It is estimated by careful and competent persons that 50,000,000 feet of pine logs are annually floated down the Chippewa alone. When we take into con-
ume.
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sideration that the Pine, the Big and Little Salt Riv- ers, and their tributaries, also carry away a wealth of lumber, as well as the hundreds of thousands of feet of manufactured lumber moved by rail, the value cannot be far short of $7,000,coo per annum. Add to this the amount of oak and stave timber, with the lath and shingles manufactured by the local mills in the county, and the total will exceed $10,000,000. The lumbering interest will remain chief among the business industries for several years in several of the townships, but the removal of the magnificent forests will add largely to agricultural development.
There is not a man in the county who cannot point with pride to the immense resources which Isa- bella has in perpetuity for her children. The rich soil, even and healthful climate, industrious inhabit- ants and air of prosperity prevail everywhere.
The assessed valuation of both real-estate and personal property in 1862 was $270,995. In 1883 it reached the sum of $3,772,346, in real estate, and the personal column foots up $419,227. Taking into consideration that these figures really estimate less than one-half the real worth of real estate and other property, it will be safe to say that real estate alone in Isabella County is to-day worth $7,500,000, while the lands are not yet brought under the highest state of cultivation; neither are one-fourth of the fertile acres embraced in her boundaries cleared of the wealth of timber which abounds. The county is composed of 16 full townships, with 23,040 acres in each one, making a grand total of 368,640 acres, of which 2,000 acres or less might properly be termed "swamp lands," or lands unfit for cultivation.
Patriotism of Isabella County.
LTHOUGH no regiments or even a single company of men was raised in this county during the late war, yet patriotism was not lacking, as shown by the number of volunteers who enlisted and did noble service in defense of their country. This was almost a virgin forest when the first call to arms was made, and the inhabitants were illy prepared to make a living for their families, the country being so new and the im- provements meager. When the first enrollment was
made, only 151 men were found subject to military duty ; of these, 137 enlisted ! What act more noble can be conceived of than this, in which nearly every able-bodied man in the entire county left his wife and little ones, and hastened to the front in defense of his country's flag?
Only a few of these noble men returned. Their lives had been cheerfully given that the Union might be preserved and the country for which their grandsires had fought, and as a heritage forever, re- main among their children an unbroken heirloom in which no North, no South, no East or West should be known, save as a whole and undivided country.
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The Pioneer Society.
HAT greater pleasure can be imagined than the annual love-feasts which are en- gaged in by those whose heads are thickly silvered with grey hairs? What pleasant memories are associated with the well known stories related of pioneer life, when together they shared the toils, dangers, and even pleasures of the new country ! In those days there were no strangers. The coming of a family into the neighborhood was hailed with gladness by every one who had made a small beginning, and men, women and children turned out to assist the new-comer in erecting a cabin, and were always ready to share their last crust with him. Theological and political questions were lost sight of in their efforts to promote the welfare of those who were endeavoring to make a home in the dense forests. Their isolation from the world made those of every nationality the firmest friends, and to- day the warmest expressions of welcome follow the hearty hand-shake of the veterans as they meet at the place appointed for their annual reunion.
The first two meetings were held at the house of Daniel Childs, in Coe Township. The first was in 1879, the second in 1880. About 40 persons re- sponded to the first call and a most enjoyable meet- ing was held. The officers elected at this meeting were : Walter McLean, Chairman, and Richard Hoy, Secretary. Rev. Chas. Taylor, Judge P. H. Estee and John Campbell delivered very fine addresses, and their remarks were humorously interspersed with
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incidents of pioneer life. The second meeting was not so largely attended, but an excellent program was carried out. The third annual was held at the court-house in Mt. Pleasant, July 28, 1881. Dinner was served at the St. James Hotel, which hostelry has since been destroyed by fire. No meeting was held in 1883, but arrangements are now in progress to revive the organization, which, if allowed to be discontinued, would deprive the older people of the pleasure of an annual hand-shake, and the younger ones of an opportunity to listen to the tales of pio- neer life which are related so graphically by the early settlers of this county.
County Poor Farm.
MONG the benevolent institutions of Isa- bella County is the Poor Farm, which is located in Chippewa Township, and is provided with buildings, most of which are new and in good condition. The house is not yet sup- plied with bath-room or bath-tub, but those conveniences will doubtless be added at an early day. The buildings are heated by wood stoves and ventil- ated by a transom over the door of each room. The paupers receive good and kind treatment, no corporal punishment being allowed. All who are able to work are required to labor on the farm according to their physical condition, and all are required to be cleanly. Their clothing is plain and comfortable, such as the farmer usually provides for himself. The food is plain and wholesome and of about the same quality as is found upon farmers' tables, such as wheat and corn bread, beef and salt pork, tea, coffee and buttermilk for drink, and fruit and vegetables in abundance. The sick are well cared for by the over- seer and his family, and a competent physician is employed by the county. No especial accommoda- tions are provided for the insane and idiotic inmates. The children are sent to a district school, which is one-half mile away, and where they have a good, kind teacher who endeavors to improve their minds and start their young lives in the right direction.
The value of the county farm, including stock, buildings and all other property, is estimated at $9,250. The average amount paid annually to per-
sons who are in indigent circumstances, outside the County Poor-house, for temporary relief, is over $2,000, while the total for maintenance of the poor at the farm and elsewhere averages $4,000. What a credit to the county of Isabella is such careful treatment of her paupers! Few farmers' families are better clothed or fed than the unfortunate ones who are entitled to benefits at the expense of her people.
The Agricultural Society.
SABELLA, although a new county, is the center of an excellent agricultural district, and the annual exhibiton of the products of her soil are flattering in a high degree. More attention is lately given by farmers to the breed- ing of fine stock, and the last exhibition held on the grounds of the society was a surprise even to the farmers themselves.
The Agricultural Society of Isabella County was organized in 1868; but, having no grounds, the first three meetings were held on the court-house square. Two exhibitions were then held on some vacant lots in the northeastern part of the village of Mt. Pleas- ant. The exhibitions of stock and farm products had by this time assumed such proportions that the purchase of grounds and erection of suitable build- ings could no longer be delayed, and the committee appointed for that purpose purchased the grounds in 1880, which have since been enclosed with a tight board fence, and all the buildings, stables and pens for stock conveniently arranged, which are ample in every respect for the accommodation of exhibitors.
Contrary to custom, this society has always paid every premium awarded in full. Efforts to promote and encourage the interests of those engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits by members of this society have done much toward advancing scientific farming, the fruits of which are seen in the increased excellence of cereals, vegetables, stock and poultry.
The race course is a full half mile, and turfmen say that it is the finest in the State, without excep- tion, the one at Kalamazoo being second in the list.
The location being central, and only one mile from Mt. Pleasant, the grounds are easy of access by car- riage or rail, the Mt. Pleasant & Saginaw Railroad
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ISABELLA COUNTY.
Company having built a platform near the entrance gate, at which place passengers are landed.
Only a small indebtedness yet remains, which under the efficient management of the directors will be liquidated during the year.
The present officers are : John Landon, President ; Lewis Griffith, Secretary, and W. W. Preston, Treas- urer. The Executive Committee consists of one Vice President from each township in the county.
Educational Interests.
DUCATIONAL work has undergone a complete change since the first schools were organized in Isabella County. The vast difference between the old and new meth- ods is plainly apparent. In "ye olden times " the preceptor's word was supreme law in his little kingdom, and this law was enforced by a gen- erous distribution of strokes from the well seasoned birch rod. To execute a pencil sketch upon a slate was deemed a misdemeanor which merited at least 12 strokes from this same reformer, wielded by the sturdy arm of an incensed pedagogue. To ask as- sistance in the solution of a perplexing problem in mathematics more than twice during school hours consigned the unfortunate pupil to a seat on the " dunce block," the most observed, but not the most envied personage, in the room. The old straight backed benches and pine desks, smeared with butter and molasses and defaced by the big boys' "jack "- knives, have been superseded by single desks, where each student has all the comforts and conveniences he can desire.
The text-books were, at that date, of a miscellane- ous character, nearly every family having preserved the remnants of books which their fathers and mothers had studied during their school days, and were now brought into use by their children to save expenses, being deemed by the parents quite good enough for anybody.
All the scholars possessed Ray's Arithmetic, the only text-book of which there were a half-dozen alike. Geography was represented by " Peter Parley" and Monteith's Manual; readers, by MeGuffey's, Sanders', Eclectic and National Series; grammar, by
Pinneo, Green's Analysis, Clark's Easy Method and Brown's Parsing Lessons. Webster's Elementary, Sanders', Worcester's and the Eclectic Spellers were used indiscriminately. The scholars could hardly be classed, much less graded. Now, the systematic manner of grading pupils, the uniformity of text- books, with improved methods of teaching by object lessons and otherwise, give pupils of this day advan- tages not dreamed of 20 years ago. Students 12 years of age are in many instances further advanced in rhetoric, physiology and mathematics than were the less fortunate pupils who attended public schools during the entire time prescribed by law, not two decades since.
The elegantly arranged and substantial school building in Mt. Pleasant was commenced in 1881, but not completed until the following spring. In its construction, special attention has been paid to ven- tilation, light and heating apparatus. The corner- stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies July 2, r881, in which is deposited copies of all the papers published in the county, and other articles of historic interest. The building is two stories in height, con- taining eight rooms besides closets, etc., which are splendidly arranged for the different grades. The furniture is well adapted for pupils of all ages, and the corps of teachers employed are the best that can be obtained; so that 400 pupils can be amply accom- modated without using the recitation rooms. Six teachers are now employed, whose salaries amount to $2,620 per annum. The building and site cost the village $17,300. The site is an excellent one, having good drainage, and the location is easily ac- cessible from any part of the village.
The number of children enrolled in the several townships of the county are here given, together with the number of school buildings in each.
Union Township has six whole and two frac- tional districts. The number of children between the ages of five and twenty years, according to the last school census, is 867. There is but one brick school building in the township,-that at Mt. Pleas- ant. Four out of the eight are frame structures, and three are still the primitive log school-houses.
Isabella has seven whole districts and the number of children enrolled is 459. There are four frame school-houses, one log, and two situated in the In- dian Reservation and are under the control of the
ISABELLA COUNTY.
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United States Government, which employs the teachers. These schools are patronized only by resident Indians. They will probably be dispensed with at an early day, as the small number of pupils hardly warrants their maintenance.
In Vernon there are six whole districts and one fractional. The number of children elegible to the benefit of school training amounts to 421. This township has but one log school-house, the remain- ing five being neat frame buildings.
The township of Wise has but three whole districts and one fractional one. The number of children be- tween five and twenty years of age is 166. Of the four school buildings, two are frame and two log.
Three buildings, two frame and one log, constitute the educational institutions of Denver Township. The whole number of pupils is estimated at 109.
The progressive township of Chippewa has five whole districts and one fractional. Two hundred and forty-five children are enrolled and but 153 have attended during the last school year. Five of the buildings for school purposes are neat and commodi- ous frame structures, while the remaining one is a log house.
The first school-house in the county was built in Coe Township. In this township there are six whole districts and two fractional ones. One of the latter has been organized very recently from other districts. The number of pupils enrolled is 514. In Coe we find an absence of the old log school-house, every district being provided with substantial and modern frame buildings.
Lincoln has seven districts, one of which is frac- tional. None of the schools in this township are graded. District No. 4 has a nice brick school- house ; district No. 7 has the olden-time log, and the remaining five are supplied with frame buildings. Number of eligible pupils is 417.
There are six commodious frame and one brick building in Fremont, for school purposes. There are 422 pupils enrolled.
Deerfield has 247 pupils between the ages of five and twenty years; out of this number only 190 at- tend school, and these are divided among eleven districts, nine of which are whole and one fractional. Six of these school- houses are frame and five log.
Nottawa has but four districts, and of the four school-houses three are log and one frame. Of the 130 pupils in the township only 65 attend school.
Gilmore has only three district schools and 114 pupils in the township. Each of the three districts is provided with good frame school buildings.
Coldwater registers 159 pupils who are entitled to the educational privileges of the township. Two of the school buildings are frame, while the other three consist of logs. These, although fast going out of date, will serve for school purposes till frame or brick buildings can be erected.
Sherman, although having only 139 pupils, has six district schools. Three of the houses are frame and two log buildings, and the remaining one is con- structed of blocks.
Broomfield has four whole districts, and one more is about to be organized. There are but 96 pupils, and only 54 of these are members of the different schools. Two frame and three log school buildings constitute the whole.
Seven frame school buildings are scattered over as many districts in the township of Rolland. Six of them are whole districts and one is a fractional. Three hundred and fifty-nine children are qualified to enjoy school benefits in this township.
Neat frame buildings are rapidly taking the place of the old log school-houses, and the cause of edu- cation is constantly advancing, even in the rural dis- tricts. The schools of Isabella County compare fa . vorably with those of her sister counties, although young in years and having a limited population.
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Driving-Park Association.
SIDE from the Agricultural Society, there is another association, bearing the title of " Driving-Park Association," which has been quite profitable to its stockholders, besides af- fording an attraction for a large number of people who delight in sporting matters. The track is a full half-mile in extent, and the directors say that owners of fast horses tell them that it is without equal in Michigan.
The following officers were elected at the last an- nual meeting, held April 19, 1884: President, Wm. Pickard ; Treasurer, F. W. Carr; Secretary, Wm. T. Whitney ; Directors-Albert B. Upton, Wm. Pickard,
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ISABELLA COUNTY.
Wm. T. Whitney, Michael Garvin, T. W. Swart, J. S. Brazee and F. W. Carr.
Semi-annual meetings are held, and the purses are large enough to attract horsemen who own some of the most noted flyers.
The Isabella County Bar.
HEREVER civilization exists, and minis- ters, doctors and other equally reputable people are found, may be expected disci- ples of Blackstone, without whom the morals and municipal management of the country would soon be at low tide. The legal profes- sion everywhere is represented by men of talent, and the members of the Isabella County Bar are men of education and high standing in the community. Although the names given are all lawyers and mem- bers of the Bar, only eight of them follow the legal business exclusively. Of these, Charles T. and Fred Russell, Free Estee, H. H. Graves, Peter F., Wm. 1., George E. and Francis H. Dodds are active members of profession, and all of them have a nice practice. Hon. Wm. N. Brown, John C. Leaton, John Maxwell, Dr. S. C. Brown, Charles A. Brown, S. W. Hopkins, Cyrus E. Russell, D. Scott Partridge and Judge Cornelius Bennett are all engaged also in other business, but find ample time and opportunity to keep their legal armor burnished; and many a hotly con- tested case has been won by these men, who not un- willingly resign the field to the younger and more ambitious gentlemen that really compose the active membership of the Bar of Isabella. All these men are residents of Mt. Pleasant, and the greatest har- mony prevails among them.
A case came before Judge Bennett while he was Justice of the Peace, which was settled satisfactorily without going to law. Wan-de-may-quay was a good- looking widow, with a sprightly lad of 12 summers
her only heritage. Aw-zee-waw-me, her neighbor, was a widower, who also had a son about the same age. One day the boys went hunting, and his son fired his rifle at a robin and by accident killed his playmate, the widow's son. She came to Esquire Bennett's office to have the necessary papers made out for the arrest of her neighbor's son. The Esquire was giving her some advice in the matter, knowing the killing was purely accidental, when Aw-zee-waw- me came in, leading his boy by the hand. After hearing the story of her deceased son's excellent qualities, and the lamentations because her only support had thus been taken from her, he magnan- imously tendered her his own boy instead! She, not liking the lad very well, refused the liberal offer. They talked the matter over together for a few moments, when Aw-zee-waw-me said, "Well, I throw myself into the trade." The widow joyfully accepted this offer and the trio left Esquire Bennett's office as happy as any newly married pair could feel, and returned to the widow's home to bury the dead boy.
The nicest part of this story is, the couple are now living near Mt. Pleasant, and the husband is a mis- sionary among his people. They are doing nicely, and their courtship, although brief, has brought with it quite a pleasant married life.
A very rough character came through the town several years ago, and while stopping at the hotel, stole a pair of beaver gloves from the pocket of a guest. The fellow was detected in the act, and arrested. He was taken before Esquire Bennett, and a jury was summoned at the request of the prisoner. One or two witnesses had been examined, when the fellow arose, and, drawing the gloves out of his pocket, remarked, "Well, boys, this thing has gone far enough. Here's the gloves: let's go over and take a drink."
He evidently thought the whole proceeding was a farce, but was apprised of his mistake when he was found guilty of the theft, and was afterward sentenced to confinement in the county jail for six months.
A
Ackerman, B. A
235
Adams, Henry 310 Adams, John. 23 Bradley, Joseph M .282 Adams, John Quincy 39 Briggs, Lester .270 Adams, Wm .. .452 Brodie, Alex. .211
Albright, Amos F .298
Alexander, Jackson. . 382
Alger, George B. .290
Allen, E. W
.453
Allen, James B
195
Allen, James I)
.188
Alvord, E. E
. 382
Armstrong, I. M .260
Armstrong, James 265
Arnold, D. F .414
Arnold, I. E. .388
Arthur, Chester A 99
Atkin, George.
417
Ayling, Charles J
.. 185
Ayling, James
. 275
B
Bachelder, Jerome .. .185
Bagley, John J. .. 157 Baker, Geo. W. . 184 Baker, Jacob .216 Baker, John. 193
Baldwin, Henry P .153
Bamber, Thomas. . 244
Barden, Charles . 369
Barnes, A. W . . 250
Barrett, Hiram. .. 322
Barry, James .. 509
Barry, John S .. .113
Begole, Josiah W 169 Bellingar, Edward. .243
Christie, 1. Il ,84 Bennett, Cornelius. 18
Bennett, P. F . 427
Bigelow, H. O .. .287
Hingham, Kinsley S.
.137
Blair, Austin 145
Blake, Samuel. . . 508
Blesch, George. .419
Block, John ... .340
Bogan, Cornelius
200
Bogue, Charles D). .240
Bollman, W'm. F
Bone, Francis
. - 427
Bowen, W. B. 378
Bowen, W. H.
.416
Bowman, Charles E .523
Boyden, Francis N 322
Brooks, Charles M. .4,59
Brooks, David W
Broomfield, Wm ..
.361
Brown, Geo. W
- 404
Brown, Moses 510
Brown, S. C. 478
Brown, Wm. N 475
Brubaker, H. A
.319
Buchanan, James
75
Buhrer, C'onrad
203
Bundy, Caleb 244
Burdick, Daniel 428
Burnham. L
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Burr, Henry
377
Burwash, James
.324
Bush, James I
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Button, Ethan
299
Caldwell, Arthur B .21;
Caldwell, H. C. . . 323
Caldwell, James (
.267
Cameron, Alex
398
Campbell, James
.333
('ampbell, James J . 508
Campbell, Roderick
.309
Carr, F. W.
213
Carroll, Thomas 3.4
Chapman, Peter .24.3
('hatterton, J. K
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