FABIUS AND OTHER TOWNSHIPS
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Fabius, the township of beautiful lakes and wooded hills, was originally a part of White Pigeon township. The Legislative Council, in 1832 - 1833, divided White Pigeon and named one part for George Buck. Buck's township included both Fabius and Lockport. It was organized at the home of Hiram Harwood, of Johnny-cake prairie. The first three Justices of the Peace who were appointed by the Territorial Governor were: Hiram Harwood, Jacob W. Coffenberry and George Buck. Charles Rice was chosen moderator for the school board.
In 1840, the township of Bucks was subdivided - one portion became Lockport and the name of the other portion, in 1841, was changed to Fabius. The first 'town meeting' in Fabius was held at the home of Alfred Poe.
Among the first to settle in Fabius was Garret Sickles, who came in 1830, followed by the Hardwoods, Harverys, by Wm. F. Arnold in 1832, by the Deacon William Churchills, Morrisons, Burretts, Hartmans, Kings, Anables.
When the Knevels family settled in Fabius, the forests were dense and the cattle often strayed far from home. The settlers knew the different tones of the bells which were worn around the necks of the cows and so were able each to trace his own cattle. One night one of the Knevels boys tramped for miles before he finally found old Bess on the shore of Long Lake. On his return, as he neared a particularly dark place, he remembered the story of the Beadly boy who, on similar errand, approached a thicket and found instead it was a bear. Beadle shot instantly into the open mouth of the snarling animal and the dead bear with the boy fell together. Young Beadle remained perfectly quiet until the little cubs, which he had seen, came timidly back to their dead mother. Young Beadle captured them and raised them as pets. But the story did not calm the nervous little Knevels as he rode the cow past the fear inspiring thicket.
Joshua Corry settled on land bordering the beautiful lake which bears his name. It was Joshua Corry who first encountered Hezekiah Thomas, the Spiritualist, and assisted the Thomas family to establish themselves on the "inherited land". For the story of Hezekiah Thomas, we are indebted to Geroge Knevels, who came to Fabius as a boy of twelve years with his parents, the Grandville Knevels. Mr. Knevels says of Hezekuah - "He was a tall, thin man, dressed in a much worn black dress suit, on his head a very high silk hat, much too large for him, which he kept in place by a deep dent in the crown of the hat. Hezekiah explained to Mr. Corry that
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he had inherited the property which later became the Knevels estate. He was a spiritualist and soon had following. His controls, however, did not suggest work as a means of support and the family became so destitute that the wife and children had to return to the east. Hezekiah's controls told him to collect pebbles which they promised would turn into gold. The old plank house, where he had lived, contained many bushels of pebbles when the Knevels family purchased the land. The spirits, also, counseled Hezekiah to remove all of his clothing, arm himself with gun and dirk and sit in a boat on the lake to watch for a huge fish which they told him would be filled with diamonds. For weeks he obeyed "the voices," much to the indignation of the Protestant neighborhood. Because of their protests, he resumed the wearing of his silk hat and rusty black and in the early winter wandered off into the forest. Later, some of his followers made anxious by his continued absence searched for him and found him near a lumber camp, sitting on a log, frozen to death.
A few years ago a cumulative interest in the hermit of Fabius resulted in stories of marvelous treasure buried on the point of Corey lake and of haunted cabins on its shores. Insolent old chief Shavehead and the gallant chief Sagamon have been forgotten while good, sturdy, old settlers, through the alchemy of imagination, and lack of published records, have been turned into Indian chieftain. The farm, which Hezekiah Thomas claimed as an inheritance was really occupied by him as a "squatter." He had no title. After Thomas, it became the Knevels homestead and is now owned by Camp Eberhart and by the St. Joseph County Y.M.C.A.
F. H. Cheley, an entertaining story writer for boys, author of "Three Rivers Kids", doubtless had Hezekiah in mind as he told of Hesikia Thompson's treasure chest and its discovery by the Y boys when raising a flag staff at Camp Eberhart. "Just above the water line it lay. Its rusty appearance made it seem beyond a doubt to belong to a forgotten past.
"Three dead men on a dead man's chest. Yo-ho, and a bottle of rum!" shouted Durbin; but it is doubtful if the others heard him, they were so excited.
"Time had worked cruelly with the old chest, Rust had eaten and weakened it, yet the strong steel plates were still amply able to hold their secret.
"Was it gold? "The box was turned downward on the sand.
"Bags! Musty, sour, rotting. And guns! And daggers and hair and books!
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"Carefully the 'Chief' took hold of the largest bag to lift it from the chest. As he did so the bottom gave way, scattering the contents. Silence followed. The 'Chief' stood, as if paralyzed, holding the empty remnants of the bag, for where they expected to see gold, there were hundreds upon hundreds of pebbles.
"Hesikia Thomson! Hesikia Thomson! The treasure chest of Hesikia, the crazy hermit!......
"The line of boys passed by the treasure chest, each receiving something to carry to the lodge....
"The 'Chief' took the packet of pagers.....old deeds, checks and the map of the lake -- in the lower corner of the map was written: 'Cedar chest with body. Key in lonesome oak'. Then there was, also, the old hermit's letter'! Could boys anywhere ever have had a more perfect thrill?
Old Fabius township, once the hunting ground of Sagamon and his band of Indian warriors, the scene of depredations from grizzly old Shavehead's bands, has folk stories that thrill, but no less thrilling are its true stories of loyalty and patriotism. A stirring one of patriotic service is exemplified by the Hoisington family -- a father and six members of his family, who at the first call for volunteers, enlisted for service: Abishia, the father, as a drummer, assisted in raising troops and served as drum-major in Company G, 11th Michigan throughtout the war. His sons, Lucian J. in Company C, 6th regiment; William W. in Company E of the 11th Michigan, who died at Nashville; Captain Norman, in Company G, 13th Michigan Infantry and in company with many other Fabius men marched with Sherman to the sea; John M. served in Company C, 1st Michigan engineers. The sons-in-law, Benjamin Wells and H. C. Lambert, also served. The spirit of these Fabius men instilled in the hearts of their descendents is perhaps most brilliantly illustrated by the life and service of Colonel Perry M. Hoisington who has won military honors in an adopted western state.
Census of 1850, St. Joseph County, Michigan
Fabius Township, Vol. 9, pp 483-494
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
1 Sylvester Adams/24/Ohio/483
Jane/20/New York
2 Elias Shull/28/Penn.
Caroline M./26/Penn.
3 Aaron Shull/34/Penn.
Mary/34/Penn.
Philip Houts/50/Penn.
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
4 Joel Spaulding/27/New York
Anna/28/New York
5 Garret Sickles/49/New York
Elizabeth F./28/Ohio
6 Solomon Hartman/40/Penn.
Emma/31/Ohio
Catherine Jolley/60/New York
7 Sylvester Spaulding/25/New York
Angeline/21/Michigan
8 Richard Fulcher/54/England
Esther Jennette/22/New York
Esther Bridgeman/64/Conn.
Julia Ann Merville/20/New York
Joseph Wetherbee/23/New York
9 John Blodget/29/New York
Mary/23/New York
10 James L. Graham/43/New York/484
Elizabeth/45/New York
11 Lewis Munson/44/Conn.
Polly/42/New York
12 Stephen A. Rice/44/New York
Lucy J./36/New York
13 Juluis Erwin/27/New York
Nancy Ann/15/Michigan
Polly Barnum/43/New York
Eleazer Covey/18/New York
14 Ami H. Palmer/32/New York
Eliza/24/New York
15 Benjamin Haddiman/57/New York
Phebe Lodema/12/New York
16 Alva Gleason/32/New York
Laura/27/New York
17 Benjamin N. King/43/New York/485
Eliza/36/New York
18 Christopher Hammond/49/England/485
Laura/46/Vermont
19 Abram Moyer/51/New York
Sarah/50/New York
Henry Polly/22/New York
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
20 Alfred Poe/47/Ohio
Elizabeth/20/Ohio
Stephen Allcote/20/Ohio
21 John A. Slote/37/Penn.
Nancy/27/New York
22 David Slote/27/Penn.
Sarah/26/Penn.
Angeline Covell/27/New York
23 George Covell/27/New York
24 Charles Poe/30/Ohio
Gassey (Cassie?)/23/Ohio
Luther Flood/22/Canada
25 Andrew J. Wilkinson/28/New York/486
Phebe E./20/New York
David D. Wilkinson/26/New York
26 John Hamilton/48/Ohio
Catherine/36/Ohio
27 Robert Ady/35/Ohio
Sophia/25/Ohio
28 Charles Casemant/42/Isle of Man
Ann/40/Isle of Man
29 Alexander Millard/34/New York
Sarah Jane/24/New York
30 William Brown/23/New York
Everetta/20/New York
Sally/55/New Hampshire
Spencer/21/New York
Phineas/64/New Hampshire
31 Washington Bole/27/Penn.
Samuel Babcock/22/Ohio
Elizabeth/22/Ohio
32 Elizabeth Wetherwase/60/New York
33 Esther E. Young/24/New York
Lafayette Young/25/New York
James Young/53/New York
Mary/53/New York
Theodore/22/New York
34 George Evans/27/England
Livonia/27/New York
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
35 Clark Seely/28/New York/487
Dolly Ann/21/Michigan
Gresham/60/New York
36 Stephen J. Seeley/30/New York
Laura T. /24/New York
William/23/New York
37 Edwin Corwin/50/New York
Clarissa/65/New York
38 Jesse Seeley/25/New York
Elizabeth/23/Ohio
39 Piana Bole/56/Penn.
Clarissa/18/Ohio
40 Chapin Legg/44/New York
Ann/37/New York
41 Jesse Ferguson/40/New York
Laura/34/New York
42 Samuel Newel/50/Ohio
Polly/27/Ohio
Cassia/25/Ohio
Elizabeth/23/Ohio
Margaret/21/Ohio
Robert/28/Ohio/488
43 James C. Bole/29/Ohio
Mary/26/Ohio
44 Richard Jaqua/29/New York
Lydia/29/New York
45 John Jaqua/59/New York
Maria/46/New York
46 William Morrison/49/New York
Sarah/47/New York
47 Lewis K. Brody/36/Ohio
Rebecca/35/Ohio
48 John Burrow/31/New York
Ann M./29/New York
49 Adna Churchill/45/New York
Sally A. R. /44/Penn.
50 William Cochrane/28/New York/489
Phebe P. /18/New York
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
51 Randall Churchill/40/New York
Catherine J./39/Penn.
William/78/Conn.
52 Solomon Mann/26/Penn.
Margaret/24/Penn.
53 Joel Lutes/23/New York/489
Huldah/19/New York
54 William H. Fullerton/27/New York
Hannah/66/New York
55 Abisha Hoisington/46/Vermont
Nancy/43/New Hampshire
56 Ira R. Fuller/22/New York
Anna E. /29/New York
57 Benjamin Hass/40/Penn.
Ruth Ann/51/Penn.
58 William Houtz/48/Penn./490
Mary/42/Penn.
59 Huldah Money/33/Penn.
60 James D. Thompson/38/Penn.
Eliza S. /38/Penn.
61 Henry Hiles/46/Penn.
Elizabeth/40/Penn.
62 Josiah Farrar/46/New York
Julia/40/New York
63 Benjamin Smith/44/Penn./491
Mary/32/Penn.
64 Abram Money/33/Penn.
Mary Ann/33/Penn.
65 Reuben Wyneburgh/22/Penn.
Lorana/18/Penn.
66 William Arney/38/Vermont
Mary Ann/28/New York
67 William Huffman/33/Maryland
Ruth/28/Ohio
68 Thomas Ward/45/New Hampshire
Olive A./42/New York
Archie M. Teal/35/Penn.
69 Alonzo R. Hunt/39/Vermont
Emma/40/Conn.
Sydney/22/New York
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
70 Ruth Beadle/36/New York/492
71 David Beadle/24/Ohio
Lucy A. /20/Michigan
72 Ira J. Beadly/26/Ohio
Helen M. /19/New York
73 William Coffinger/37/New York/492
Sarah M. /31/New York
Philip D. Coffinger/25/New York
74 Thomas Manly/42/New York
Susan/27/Ohio
75 Hezekiah Wetherbee/47/New York
Abigail/48/New York
76 Henry B. Baker/36/Conn.
Lucy/27/New York
Mahitabel Manly/68/New York
77 Benjamin (Baker?)/50/New York/493
Andrew (Baker?)/48/New York
Polly (Baker?)/44/New York
78 Oliver P. Wetherbee/27/New York
Ann E. /24/New York
79 John Coffinger/28/New York
Elizabeth/25/New York
80 Lansing Fonda/50/New York
Eleanor Ann/46/New York
81 John Watkins/36/New York
Maria/34/New York
82 A.H.S. Teall/32/New York
Mary/33/Scotland
Clarissa Teal/73/Vermont
Virsula/39/Canada
83 David Stevenson/31/England
Ann/29/England
84 Joseph Graham/62/New York
Diana/55/New York
William/27/New York
Olive/23/New York
85 Nathan Harwood/36/Vermont/494
Nancy/53/Vermont
Susan/22/New York
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
86 Daniel Eddy/26/New York
Angeline/25/New York
Hasel Peake/20/New York
Van Rendeleare (Eddy?)/24/New York
87 Barnabas Eddy/42/New York
Laura/42/New York
88 Robert C. Smith/41/New York
Ann/40/New York
89 Jasper Eddy/45/New York
Mary/33/Ohio
William Eddy/23/Michigan
90[??] not there
91 Valentine P. Redway/27/Mass./494
Mary E./19/Vermont
Flora C./23/New York
William L. Geer/20/Michigan
92 James Adams/27/New York
Ann/25/New York
Mottvillle"Puddleford" - Have you ever read "Puddleford Papers," which ran in the old Knickerbocker Magazine?
"Puddleford was located in the west. Men, women and children live and die in Puddleford. It helps make governors, congressmen and presidents and yet who knows or cares about Puddleford? Some of the houses of Puddleford are built of logs, some of boards and some were never exactly built at all but evolved through a combination of circumstances which the oldest inhabitants have never been able to explain. The log houses were just log houses, but no one has been found with impudence enough to suggest an improvement - a pile of logs laid with mud and packed in mud, a mammoth fireplace with a chimney throat as large; a lower story and a garret and in one corner a Jacob's ladder. It is said Squire Longbow had a frame house and two rooms and this, in connection with the office of Justice of the Peace, gave him a standing and influence in Puddleford well nigh omnipotent."
Puddleford was supposed to be Mottville, the old Grand Traverse across the St. Joseph river. Of its many quaint characters, the "Hunter," John Bear, was among the most picturesque. Riley pictures him as "tall, brawny, a giant in strength," "He wore a red flannel wamus, a leathern belt girt around his waist, deerskin leggins and moccasins and a felt hat that ran to a peak. His rifle and shot-pouch were
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slung around him. His face beamed with intelligence and good nature and as he greeted me, a stranger, he shook my hand as heartily as if he had known me a thousand years - with, "So you are the person that comes in here to settle, I s'pose to cut down trees and plough up this 'ere ground." I said I was. "Well, said he, "so it goes. I have moved and moved and I can't keep out of the way of the ploughs and axes. It was just as much as the deer and the beaver and otter and I could do to stand the surveyors that went trampling just as though they was to be sold out wher-or-no. Then the school district and the school with a little bell on it. Scart the game. Game can't stand school bells and church bells, stranger, they can't. They clears right out." When I advised him to give up hunting and till the soil, he indignantly exclaimed: "What on airth does the soil want tilling for? Warnt it made right in the fust place? Huh?"
During this period, the spirit of interprise animated even the Indians. A story is told of the establishment of a toll gate conducted by the interesting old Indian, Chief Shavehead, who established tribute from all travelers. They paid rather than have trouble. One day Ashael Savery was stopped by Shavehead. The Indian coming to the wagon, dropped his chin on the edge of the box, leaned his rifle against the body and peered wickedly up at Savery, instead of handing out the toll, grasped the Indian by the scalp lock with his left hand and with his right vigorously used his black whip over the bare shoulders of the struggling Indian. Then discharging the Indian's rifle, he drove on. The toll station was discontinued.
Undoubtedly the first grist mill in the region was built by Klinger near Mottville on the St. Joseph. Wm. Taylor kept the famous old tavern at Mottville. Wm. Taylor was with Colonel Mullet in his surveying expedition in this territory and was in the celebrated Indian fight at Battle Creek in 1824,
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Quimbly was called to act as nurse. Taking a meat ax with him, he threw it with a noisy thump on the table in the sickroom and with a villianous look faced his patient. The startled Lancaster asked: "Q-Q-Quimby, what are you going to do with that ax?" Quimby, looking more savage than ever, grimly replied: "There's to be a dead pettifogger unless you straighten up". A subdued Lancaster took his medicine and went to sleep and was pronounced well in record breaking time.
The Beardsley's settled three miles north of Mottville - ten of them and a hired man, in a log castle which was twenty feet square and one and a half stories high. Mr. Beardsley describes the hardships of the settlers during the epidemic of 1838, when they fired alarm guns for help but no assistance came because there was no one in the settlement able to go. In the night a child died and three boys offered their services to the striken household. "We three were the undertaker, preacher, sexton and funeral procession altogether. We buried their dead though we three looked more like escapes from a graveyard than a funeral procession."
"There were no highways in this part of St. Joseph county until the Bonebrights, Beardsleys, H. E. Root, Milo Powell, the Traverses, Nathan Skinner, John and Hugh Ferguson, Harry Garrison and Amidons, cut out and made them from Wood Lake to Mottville and from Porter to Constantine". "Through marshes, swamps and quagmires, we carried the timbers for bridges and causeways".
In 1840 Mr Beardsley built a saw mill on his premises and quotes best whitewood lumber at "six dollars per thousand in trade and dicker."
Pioneers tell us that in clearing the land for agriculture, among their worst obstacles were the great whitewood trees which were often 70 or 80 feet to the first limbs and the trunks from 2 to 8 feet in diameter. They resembled columns of a temple. "To fell them, other trees were felled across them and a fire kept burning, sometimes for weeks, until the great trees fell." Often the whitewood and oak were used for rails to build the high worm-fences, simply to get rid of the timber.
L. D. Watkins, in his "Destruction of the Forest of Southern Michigan," describes the process of clearing the land by windrowing. "The huge forest trees were chopped partly off in such a manner that they would fall obliquely towards the center of a selected space, with the tops fallen from either side inward crossing each other and lodging there to form a level mass of wood and foilage, sometimes a quarter of a mile in length. Then at the end of the line, a huge tree was
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felled and as it came thundering down on the row of partly fallen trees, they would go down, one after another, with a crash each one carrying down the one in front of it. It was like a battle of giants, a sight of grandeur, with a paralyzing roar of sound. The trees were left as they had fallen until they were very dry and then when the wind was just right they were set on fire and the beautiful old forest became nothing but huge blackened logs with burial mounds of upturned roots. Then came the settlers to the "logging bees" when near neighbors joined in the work and with their oxen rolled the blackended logs into "log heaps." We are told that "When night came down and the men ceased their labor, they were as the blackest of the sons of Ham". Around the burned stumps the settlers planted their first crops, and so took the first steps towards Michigan's progress as a great agricultural state.
During the thirties, "A farmers outfit consisted of an ax, iron wedge, plow, harrow (this often a tree top) and a sickle. Most of the small grain was harvested by the sickle as late as 1835. Wheat and oats were stacked in a circle, in the center of which was a threshing floor of dirt, raised towards the center, upon which the sheaves were placed and trodden out by horses, the winnowing at first was done by two men waving a sheet while a third man threw the grain up in the air. Threshing machines began to make their appearance in the St. Joseph valley about 1842."
The first farmer in the St. Joseph river valley was Squire Thompson. A. B. Copley, in his "Early Settlement of Southwestern Michigan" describes the Squire as a model backwoods man, pioneer, hunter, farmer, trapper, statesman, merchant, lawyer, counsellor, arbitrator, politician, interpreter, guide, all combined in one person. He was born in 1784 and, at the age of 39, settled in St. Joseph river valley. He made frequent trips to Detroit packing out skins and furs and returning with the three indispensibles of frontier life, powder, lead and salt. "Money was no object to him and he wasted no time in trying to acquire it. He wore pantaloons faced with buckskin, a red flannel shirt, open at the throat in all weathers, no hat and only in the coldest weather wearing a coat. He emigrated to California with the 49'ers and died in 1850".
Flowerfield
The first white settler who took up a permanent residence in the township of Flowerfield, was Michael Beadle, who settled near the site of the village of Flowerfield, in 1829. He came from the State of Ohio, accompanied by his family. The first farm opened in Flowerfield was by Mr. Beadle in 1830. The first orchard was set out by Daniel Wheeler in the spring
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for 1835. The first frame house was built by Mr. Beadle in 1831. The first physician to take up his residence in the township was Dr. C. L. Clewes, who commenced the practice of medicine in 1832. The first record of a regularly surveyed road in the township is dated April 17, 1834. The surveyor was a Mr. Briggs. Prior to this, the old settlers used to drive everywhere through clearings and over farms, making their way along the streams, following the Indian trails, which invariably led to the easiest fording places. From constant and long use the trails became packed like a much worn path and were on an average of fifteen inches in depth. The first grist mill was erected in 1831 by Mr. Beadle. It had one run of stone which was made out of a natural boulder almost two and half feet in diameter. The famous Buckhorn tavern on the road between Prairie Ronde and Three Rivers was the center of its community life.
David Beadle's death occurred in 1839. He is entitled to special tribute as a pioneer who was among the first to develop St. Joseph's fine water power. He utilized it in grist, saw mills and flour mills, which he built in the early thirties. The following article is condensed from a sketch printed in the Three Rivers Tribune of July 21, 1882:
"David Beadle came to St. Joseph in 1827 accompanied by Michael and his family, David Jr., Henry Whited, Morris Dickson, Joseph Quimby and Gideon Ball. After "settling" they twice compelled to move because the surveyors found them on lands of prior claims. In 1828 they moved to Flowerfield, where David Beadle built his first mill, a 'corn cracker'" "The wheat was bolted through book muslin and worked by hand. He often had to shake the bolt for hours and in his absence his sons were given the job. In 1832, Mr. Beadle sold the mill to Challenge Wheeler and built a mill in 1833 on the Rocky at Three Rivers. In 1836 he changed it to a saw mill and in the same year built a grist mill on the opposite bank. This he sold to John H. Bowman.
In 1837 David Beadle built another grist mill at Lake Run, about one mile from Three Rivers and this he sold to Frederick Schurtz. James Valentine, a millwright and a brother-in-law of Mr. Beadle's assisted him with all except the first mill.
In 1838 he purchased a farm and the following year died, leaving a wife and eight children.
In reminiscences of pioneer times, Michael Beadle, the oldest son, tells of grinding buckwheat in a coffee grinder for a family of fifteen, of covering the pens of stock so that the wolves could not get them. He writes: "We saw the wolves often walking on top of the pens, could hear them growl and
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snarl. The hardships did not keep us from having good times. We did not think it a hardship to go ten miles with an ox-team to a party for we took our good time with us." During the Black Hawk scare, Michael Beadle and Mrs. David Gilbert, of Flowerfield, melted and ran a half bushel of lead into balls for ammunition.
"The water power of St. Joseph and its tributaries was a great inducement to the settlement of the county. The first gristmill in the country was built by Judge William Meek, on Crooked Creek. The water power and mill site was located June 15, 1829 and the small mill built by Hugh Wood, the millwright in 1830. "The bolt was turned by the hands of the owners of the grist-male or female.
"In 1831, Weston W. Bliss built a carding mill. In 1832 Judge Fitch built a sawmill at Eschol, which did an extensive business until 1840. Other early millers include the names of Robert and James Cowen, Schellhouse, Clark and Williams."
A story is told by Mrs. Henry Moore about Flowerfield's early settlers, who desired to hold Christian service on the Sabbath. They decided to meet at the store. After the little audience had gathered, some one remembered that it was unlawful to have liquor within a certain number of feet of a place where divine worship was being held. They solved the difficulty by rolling the barrel of rum, owned at the store, to the required distance from the building and then calmly proceeded with the service.
A quaintly interesting autobiography on file in the Three Rivers Public Library collection was written by the late Mrs. Arney and read before the Three Rivers Womans' Club in 1905. Mrs. Arney wrote in part:
"In September of 1836, the Ash family moved in a covered wagon from Washtenaw County to St. Joseph. We found our way through the forest by the blazes on the trees and built our house five miles west of Flowerfield.
"The first winter was a dreary one, filled with many hardships. We bought our flour from Challenge Wheeler and our venison from the Indians who took in exchange salt pork, which they called cucush, and potatoes, which to them were quoshgun.
"My husband, George Ash, purchased a small place in 1837 and as we were fifteen miles from anywhere, we had to make everything, even our own salaratus, which was ashes of burned corncobs moistened and made into little cakes."
Mrs. Arney tells of going one day to the Prutzman store on Prairie Ronde and stopping to visit a friend as she returned. It was sunset before she reached the heavy timber. As the sun
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set she heard the timber wolves on her trail and vividly pictures the race on old "Bet" for home.
In 1837 Charles Woodruff organized a school district and hired Mrs. Arney as teacher. She describes the arue, the dreaded sickness of the newly-broken prairies, and of the looting by the Indians of their vegetables which grew among the stumps. She describes the Indians climbing hole left for the escape of smoke and of the Indians stealing all of their bacon and flour.
After the death of Mr. Ash, Mrs. Ash married Rev. William Arney of Three Rivers.
The people of Flowerfield and Park were next door neighbors to those of Prairie Ronde, often their farms extended into Schoolcraft township and the two townships have many folk stories in common. One of them is of a young boy by the name of Covey, who possessed a great love for tamarack gum, and was often in the forest in search of it. "One day he found a fallen tamarack tree, having upon it the coveted gum. Dropping on his hands and knees, he nipped off the gum with his teeth as he slowly worked his way towards the top of the tree. He was dressed after the fashion of the times, with shirt and pants and coon skin cap-the tail of the coon formed the apex of the cone shaped cap, which bobbed with the motion of the boy's head as he crept, his entire attention centered on the gum. As he reached the main branches a sudden vicious snarl accompanied by the rush of a sharp clawed animal over his head and back and down the tree trunk, struck terror to his heart and losing his balance, he rolled more dead than alive down to the mossy ground below. Springing to his feet he fled with utmost speed for home. The animal was a wildcat, astonished at the strange creature crawling slowly towards her - had remained quiet until alarmed for her own safety, she broke into terrifying snarls and clawed the boy with the vicious energy of her flight."
As indicated by their names, the townships of Flowerfield and Park were named by the surveyors, because of their great beauty. Flowerfield was beyond description. Miss Ruth Hoppin wrote of it: "Much as I love forest scenes, I have not words sufficient to adequately picture them". "Wild flowers in full possession. Roads wound at will among the trees, all graceful curves and pleasing turns. In early summer the grass overtopped with wild flowers, surpassing in beautiful effects the most skillful landscape gardening. Blue lupines, variegated phlox, scarlet painted cups, purple and white erigerons, purple cranes' bills, blue spiderworts, yellow cynthias, rock roses, golden Alexanders, white meadow rue, galunis,
SETTLEMENTS
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coarse columbine, medical lady slippers, seneca snake root, in wildest profusion and stretching as far as the eye could see under the great oak foliage. Why try to describe the earlier growths of violets, buttercups and anemones, or the later gay crowd of sunflowers, asters and all their sisters and their cousins and their aunts? The now nearly exterminated fringed gentian that flourished in abundance."
"The farmers in their eagerness to subdue the soil, have destroyed whole families of these harmless plants and have let much more hurtful ones remain.
"Must the native flowers of St. Joseph county follow the buffalo, the deer, the wild pigeon and the prairie hen into the things of the past?
"Must the day come when there shall be no patch of forest where a child may see the flowers which charmed the parents eyes?"
Park
The township of Park was named for its park like appearance. The surface was covered with great oak trees which free from underbrush and small trees gave the appearance of some great estate of old England. Nature herself being the landscape artist and the Indians by their annual fires, were the keepers who freed the forest from obstruction.
The first land entries were made by Henry Carver and Russel Peck in 1830 and 1831. Other early settlers were Jonas and Leonard Fisher, in 1834, who settled on the east bank of that beautiful sheet of water known as Fisher's lake, and for whom it was named. The lake was located partly on Pottawatomie reservation. Other early settlers in Park were Issac Mowery and Leland Howers, the Hutchinsons, John Lomison, the Ludwigs, the Stoufers, the Hoppins, the McOmbers, Troys, the Sillimans and the Ulrich families.
The first orchard set out in the township was by Isaac Mowery in 1836. The early settlers depended largely on game for food. Mr. Ulrich shot 105 deers and three bears the first year. The first saw mill was built by Harvey Kinney in the fall of 1838.
The first preacher in Park township was a circuit rider of the Methodist Church, by the name of Kellogg, who held services in 1837. The first school taught in the township was held in a shoemaker's shop belonging to John Troy in 1837 and was taught by a Miss Kimble.
Moorepark, a station on the New York Central, established in 1871 was named in honor of the late Edward S. Moore, whose beautiful home stands but a few rods from the village. For several years it has been the property of Joseph
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Wilbur and was the home of his mother the late Mrs. Lucy Millard Beaumont, daughter of the Hon. Joseph Millard.
In their "Abstracts of St. Joseph County's First One Hundred Wills", the Daughters of the American Revolution included the will which was made by Samuel Fisher. It is perhaps, the first recorded public benefaction in the county. It is of interest also, as all wills are, for the genealogical information concerning the family as the special bequests are enumerated. We read:
"$450.00 to be given for the building of a Presbyterian church at Park, within two miles of Parkville.
"Children of Jonas and Mary Fisher, i.e., Charles, Sarah Williams, Mary, Harriet, Julia, Clara, Olivia, William, each to receive stated amounts; a double amount to Samuel, his namesake. Larger amounts to Jonas and Mary Fisher; to Catherine Culbertson; daughter of James and Chesty Culbertson; and to Charity Culbertson, a daughter of James of Nottawa.
$1000.00 towards improving and fencing Park burying ground near M.E. Church, NWQ of SE 1/4 S35, T5, R11W.
$100.00 to M.E. Church of Park township to paint church; and the balance to be used for the most charitable purposes that may come to their knowledge.
"Substantial gravestones to be purchased for Samuel, son of Paul Fisher of Union Co. Pa., and Samuel, son of George Fisher of Lycoming County, Pa.
The executors were his "esteemed friends" Jonas Fisher and John Lomison; and the witnesses Samuel Fisher, Jonas Everet, Andrew Reed and William Fisher.
Like all the old time makers of wills, he further disposes of the household effects including the best bed. The will closes with the request that Rev. Mr. Page of Three Rivers preach the funeral sermon and be paid ten dollars.
One of the greatest contributions made by St. Joseph county to the development of Michigan was the life and influence of the educator, Ruth Hoppin, whose childhood was lived in Park township and who lies buried in the Park cemetery.
Miss Hoppin wrote of pioneer Park:
"The grape vines hanging in long festoons from the trees along the streams, a solid mass of green, furnished the wild grapes of piquant taste for jams and jellies. Trees, shrubs, vine, swamps and rivers made a perfect condition for birds and the game birds seemed exhaustless.
"My mother spun, wove, colored and made up the wearing apparel for her whole family until the incoming railroad changed everything and made home manufacture un-
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
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mastide and the merry making extended from the early candle light of Christmas eve to the early dawn of St. Distaff's day".
In the newspapers of every year the story is retold of the Christmas day and its merry feasts, explanations of customs and the meaning of the overtone of spiritual significance. The old records change only the names of the individuals, for every holiday issue of the old newspapers during the years spell "home coming and happiness" - college boys and girls coming home, men and women of older years "coming home."
Closely following the interest in Christmas was the watch night service. An old pagan rite transformed into the Christian service of praying the old year out and the new year in; or for those less religiously inclined, a watch night party which lasted into New Year's day with elaborate "at homes" for the New Year's callers, - "the elegant" gentlemen who sipped a bit of wine and whose good wishes grew more and more eloquent as they proceeded on their round of calls. The gay sleighing parties, the masquerades, the numerous parades have marked the happy New Years, though none became an established custom in the county.
As a climax to the holiday gaiety, our English ancestors entered with zest into the Twelfth Night revels, which have been occasionally observed during the years. "When twice six nights from Christmasse each maister in his house doth burne ye frankensense, and with his goode wife doth bringe ye blessing of ye wisemen on ye house." It was the time when with elaborate ceremony the Christman greens were burned and in their place "ye living sprige of box above ye fire place is made to stande". It was the time when in quaint processional "with song and hymn and rondelay there was wroght the wise man's blessing on the house - when ivy, boxwood and wassail played their several parts to make "A house wherein neither bread nor meat shall want, Nor dreadful charm have power to hurt or harm." "A time when the Twelfth Night king and all his court sing carols around the wassail bowl'n and pledge each others health."
Heads of Families, Park Township, St. Joseph Co., Michigan Census of 1850 - Vol. 9
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
1 Jonathan Hoats/45/Penn./757
Mary Ann/40/Penn.
2 William Woodruff/47/Conn.
Jerusha/46/New York
3 John Sickler/44/Penn.
Ann/44/Penn.
4 Hannah Slote/61/Penn.
SETTLEMENTS
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Names/Age/Place of Birth/Page
5 George Slote/33/Penn
Margaret/33/Penn.
6 Jacob H. Foust/32/Penn./758
7 Jacob Hinebaugh/32/Penn.
Mary Ann/21/Penn.
8 Joseph Masser/40/Penn.
Catherine/35/New York
9 Thomas Foust/34/England
Emily F./32/New York
10 Isaac Blue/41/Penn.
Catherine/37/Penn.
11 Loren G. Brown/39/Penn.
Hester/38/Penn.
12 John Carpener/51/New York
Hannah/38/New York
13 Jonathan Booker/30/Penn.
Catherine/40/Penn.
14 John Foust/63/Penn./759
Mary/64/Penn.
15 Solomon Coleman/38/Penn.
Barbara/36/Penn.
16 Edward Good/70/Penn.
Martha/61/Penn.
17 Amos Reed/52/New Jersey
18 Jacob Carter/40/Conn.
Mary/31/Conn.
19 Samuel Moore/62/New Jersey
Polly/55/Con.
20 George Hill/33/Penn.
Martha/33/Penn.
Thomas Morrow/60/Penn.
21 Samuel Ludwig/49/Penn./760
Eliza/49/Penn.
22 William Caven/50/Penn.
Jane 52/Penn.
23 George Gentsler/28/Penn.
Catherine/27/Penn.
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
24 Mary Fox/39/Penn.
John Hoats/45/Penn.
John Fox/45/Penn.
25 Hiram Schoonmaker/39/New York
Sarah Ann/26/New York
26 Abram J. Schoonmaker/41/New York
Amelia Ann/41/New York
Thomas Silliman/28/Penn.
Benjamin Curtis/23/New York
Justin Wait/25/New York
27 Samuel P. Ludwig/26/Penn./761
Mary/21/Penn.
28 Frederick Dentler/35/Penn.
29 Solomon Guiger/29/Penn.
Mary/28/Penn.
30 James Johnson/26/Penn.
Mary/19/Penn.
31 William Clinton/45/Penn.
Mary/36/Penn.
32 John Holiday/38/Scotland/761
Margaret/29/Penn.
33 Garrett Grovenburg/42/New York
Esther/26/Ohio
Alexander McMeine/31/New York
34 Charles McCumber/49/New York/762
Mary/45/Vermont
35 William Stoufer/30/Penn.
Jane/32/Penn.
36 Chauncey Woodward/46/New York
Irene/48/Penn.
37 William Roberts/57/New York
William H./32/New York
38 Walter L. Foster/34/Penn.
Mary E./22/Ohio
39 Andrew M. Leland/32/Penn./763
Sarah K./35/Penn.
40 Andrew Hinebaugh/48/Penn./763
Catherine/45/Penn.
SETTLEMENTS
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
41 Jacob Bailinger/25/Penn.
Mary Ann/20/Penn.
42 Richard Daugherty/27/New York
Susan/26/Penn.
43 Henry Hinebaugh/40/Penn.
Lydia/35/Penn.
44 John Troy/48/New Jersey
Rebecca/47/New Jersey
45 John W. Moore/37/Penn.
Charlotte/32/Penn.
46 John Brown/35/New York
Harriet Miller/30/New York
47 Finley Campbell/31/Penn.
Ann/28/Penn.
48 Ambrose Campbell/25/Penn./764
Jane/50/Penn.
49 Isaac Mowery/41/Penn.
Catherine/39/Penn.
50 Philip Filker(Felker?) 37/Germany
Sarah/35/Penn.
51 Jacob Bauman/38/Penn.
Susan/39/Penn.
52 John Falger/40/Germany
Magdeline/30/Germany
53 Isaac Ulrich/50/Penn.
Elizabeth/46/Penn.
54 Andrew Reed/46/New Jersey/765
Catherine/44/Penn.
55 Jacob Shranger/43/Penn.
Catherine/39/Penn.
56 John Hartranaff/45/Penn.
Esther/39/Penn.
57 Lydia Carpenter/41/New York
58 Charles G. Carpenter/38/New York
Mary Ann/36/New York
John Carpenter/87/New York
Mary Bostwick/61/New York
59 Samuel A. Stirling/41/New York
Lucinda/37/Conn.
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
60 John Bramer/43/Penn./766
Transcriber's Note: There is a typo in the book. New York is where
Place of Birth should be
Margaret/43/Penn.
61 Isaac Budman/46/Penn.
Susanna/43/New Jersey
James Budman/49/Penn.
62 Persifer Golvard/37/Penn.
Anne O./30/Ohio
63 James Hutchinson/50/Penn.
Rosanna I./20/Penn.
Samuel Shranger/28/Penn.
64 Anna Reed/31/Penn/766
Elizabeth Goward/64/Penn.
65 William Ousterhout/44/Penn.
Catherine/38/Penn.
66 John F. Williams/26/New York/767
Cyrus W. Card/36/New York
67 James Reed/43/Penn.
Barbara/35/Penn.
David Millison/71/Penn.
68 Rebecca Hippen (Hoppen)/59/New Jersey
69 Jefferson Tompkin/33/New York
Phebe E./30/New York
70 John Adams/27/New York
Cornelia/17/New York
Maria Adams/56/New Jersey
71 Frank Dentler/31/Penn.
Mary/29/Penn.
72 Horace Boacht/26/New York
Caroline E./23/New York
73 Robert M. Roath/38/New York
Hannah A./28/New York
74 Sarah Card/57/New York/768
75 Walter B. Love/38/Penn.
Benjamin Hutton/58/Penn.
Abula/55/Penn.
76 Philip Caspar/25/Penn.
Hetty/29/Penn.
77 John Wyneburg/57/Penn.
78 Daniel Wyneburg/26/Penn.
Elizabeth/23/Penn.
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
79 John Hutchinson/45/Penn.
Caroline/34/Penn.
80 Michael Hower/36/Penn.
Mary/34/Penn.
81 Nicholas Hower/26/Penn.
Sophia N./24/New York
Reuben Fisher/32/Penn.
Sarah/23/Penn.
Leonard/88/Penn.
82 Loring Parsons/46/New York/769
Almira/47/Vermont
83 John Lomison/42/Penn.
Sarah/42/Penn.
84 Stephen Ercanbrac/26/ Penn.
Hester/23/Penn.
Charles Ercanbrac/38/Penn.
Elizabeth/35/Penn.
85 William G. Taylor/28/Mass.
Josephine/25/Vermont
86 Walter Foster/69/Ireland
87 Luther Carleton/41/Vermont/770
Grace/40/New York
88 Peter Everett/40/New York
Lunney/35/Ohio
John Hise/63/Penn.
Margaret/62/Penn.
89 Abigail Abbott/63/Mass.
Sally/64/Mass.
90 Robert Campbell/52/Scotland
Jane/53/Scotland
91 Amos Alexander/40/Penn.
Nancy/40/Penn.
92 John Hise/24/Penn.
Frances/20/Penn.
93 Jacob Hinebaugh/60/Penn.
Barbara/26/Penn.
94 Harvey Keeney/46/New York
Sarah Ann/32/New York
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
95 Samuel Citterman (Cotterman)/39/Penn./771
Charlotte/40/Penn.
96 Benjamin Perrin/34/New York
Louisa A./31/New York
97 Nicholas Bright/30/Penn.
Mary Ann/30/Penn.
98 Enos Osborne/24/New York/771
Martha/18/New York
99 David Bexley/31/New York
Elizabeth/20/New York
100 Alvin Westcott/27/New York
Fanny E./28/New York
Asa Day/29/Michigan/772
101 Edward Neddo/22/New York
Rebecca Ann/18/Michigan
102 Reuben Smalley/31/Michigan
Almeda/26/Michigan
103 William Smalley/22/New York
Sarah Catherine/65/New Jersey
104 Amos R. Kellog/35/New York
Eliza/25/New York
105 William M. Adams/40/Penn.
Amelia/34/New York
106 Lawrence Keep/31/Canada
Louisa/28/New York
107 David Osborne/54/New York
Polly/48/New York
108 John Laird/25/Ohio
Jane/22/New York
109 Freeman Smalley/37/New Jersey
Emily/22/Penn.
110 Sarah Norton/47/Vermont
Lydia Clark/37/New York
Elsie Huntington/40/New York
111 Hiram Case/31/New York/773
Laura/27/New York
Myers Mattox/21/Ohio
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 101
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
112 Nathan Osborne/47/New York
Mercy/45/New York
113 Isaac Smalley/30/New York
Elizabeth/21/New Jersey
114 Samuel P. Larkins/44/New York
Maria L./36/New York
115 Solomon Strong/66/New York
Ruth/63/New York
Asael Potter/87/New York
116 James H. Singleton/32/Ireland
Maria/25/Ireland
Peter Paterson/77/Scotland
117 Moses O'Brien/37/Ireland
Bridget/29/Ireland
118 Margaret Goodenburg/42/New Jersey/774
John Staley/22/New Jersey
119 Cornelius Hill/38/New Jersey
Elizabeth/38/New Jersey
120 Isaac Collar/41/Penn.
Harriet/34/Penn.
121 Charles Fox/41/New York
Elizabeth/31/New York
122 Israel Palmer/32/New York
Christianna/27/New York
123 Charles I. Wilson/23/Penn.
Angentine S. R./23/Ohio
124 Benjamin L. Kelley/24/Penn.
Margaret/21/Penn.
125 Alexander Troyer/45/Penn.
Mary/34/Penn.
126 Merritt Tappan/26/New York/775
Alivira/20/New York
127 Albino Castle/35/Conn.
Eunice M./32/Conn.
128 George Shook/30/Penn.
Eliza/28/New York
129 John Olburne/40/Penn./775
Martha/40/Penn.
David Shranger/26/Penn.
ST JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
130 Franklin Davis/40/Penn.
Mary Ann/40/Penn.
131 Samuel Moriere (Mowrer)/40/Penn.
132 Amos Casper/27/Penn.
Cymantha/20/New York
Daniel Casper/22/Penn.
133 John Wilcox/45/Penn./776
Elizabeth/39/New York
134 Abram Lamberson/40/Penn.
Ann Maria/29/Penn.
135 Danford Ballou/48/New York
Cynthia/42/New York
Seth Ballou/75/Conn.
136 John B. Budman/45/Penn.
Sarah/16/Penn.
137 Peter Blue/32/Penn.
Catherine/29/Penn.
Burr Oak TownshipIn 1831 Samuel Haslet and family accompanied by George Miller, settled in Burr Oak township. Among the first to come to Burr Oak were the Livermores, Sanburns, Stowells, Weavers, James L. Bishop, Sidney Carpenter and the Kibbes.
Burr Oak is one of the best agricultural townships in the county. Orman Coe and Lewis Austin made the first land entries in 1831. The village of Burr Oak was not laid out until 1851. It was platted by Henry Weaver on land owned by William Lock. Its first house was erected by William Betts in 1850. Its first tavern was kept by Julius A. Thompson in 1851. The village was incorporated in 1859, with E. J. Goff, president.
The following record is a certified copy of the "Census of 1850," volume 9, pp. 681-696. Census Bureau Washington. It gives the name and abode, age and birthplace of residents in Burr Oak township, June 1, 1850. The number preceeding the name indicates the family in the "order of enumerators visitation."
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
1 Clark Needham/39/Vermont/681
Mary T./37/New York
SETTLEMENTS
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
2 Joseph Brooks/53/England
Maria/31/New York
3 John Start/25/New York
Hannah/22/New York
4 Samuel Richardson/23/New York
Mary/23/New York
Eleazer/63/New York
Elizabeth/64/New York
5 Richard Houston/47/New York
Elizabeth/39/New York
6 Emile R. Weaver/35/New York
Olive/35/New York
Robert Gibson/67/England
7 Lucius W. Bryant/27/Vermont/682
Pulchera/24/New York
Samuel J. Graham/24/New York
8 William C. Bryant/29/Vermont
Eliza B./21/New York
9 Arthur Washburn/40/New York
Axy/38/New York
10 Charles R. Monroe/46/Mass.
Clarissa/47/New York
11 Charles Dean/29/New York
Polly/20/New York
12 Alfred Benedict/40/New York
Cyntha/30/Ohio
Martha Benedict/67/New York
13 James Engle/36/New York
Margaret/31/New York
14 Samuel Needham/38/Vermont/683
Nancy/40/Vermont
Thomas A. Dickinson/86/Conn.
Virsula/52/Vermont
15 Hannah Trussell/57/N. H.
16 George Harty/37/Penn.
Ann/32/Penn.
17 Elijah Lancaster/39/Conn.
Maria/27/New York
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
18 Benjamin Farley/59/Mass.
Harriet/54/New Jersey
William Betts/26/Canada
Jane/24/New York
19 Juluis A. Thompson/46/New York
Theodosia/42/New York
Joy W. (m)/49/New York
20 Sanford Lathrop/50/Conn.
Harriet/44/Ohio
21 Luther Graves/27/New York
Eliza/27/New York
22 Phenneas Sheldon/35/Vermont/684
Lucinda/29/New York
23 Joel North/50/New York
Lucy/40/New York
24 John Start/61/N. H.
Martha/61/N. H.
25 Charles Betts/27/Canada
Elizabeth/32/Vermont
26 James Warder/25/New York
Louise/29/Vermont
Albert Hutchinson/38/Vermont
Artemas French/23/New York
Sophia Letter/74/Vermont
27 Minerva Slocum/39/New York
28 Henry Buys/32/New York
Hannah/26/New York
29 Daniel Buys/29/New York/684
Adeline/22/New York
30 Julia Ann Whitney/30/New York/685
Betsey Runyon/64/New York
31 Hiram Lockwood/28/New York
Mary/25/New York
32 Olive Low/71/Mass.
Charles Kibble/35/New York
Julia A./35/New York
33 Israel Neguz/34/New York
Atlas E./31/New York
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 105
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
34 Seneca Ross/40/New York
Olive/20/New York
Cornelia/44/New York
35 James Filkins/40/New York
Eliza/40/New York
36 Ai Powers/58/Vermont
Sybil/51/Conn.
Israel Filkins/34/New York
37 Henry Weaver/37/Mass.
Amy Ann/35/New York
38 John Filkins/84/New York/686
Abigail/50/New York
Stephen/45/New York
39 Amy Weaver/65/New York
40 Lewis Cross/32/New York
Sybil/21/New York
41 Henry Swift/44/New York
Eliza Boughton/35/New York
42 Leonard Cross/55/New York
Mary/21/New York
43 William Locke/48/Penn.
Rachel/35/Penn.
Rebecca Gardner/80/Penn.
44 Richard L. Jenkins/57/England/686
Ann M./51/New York
45 Jason Kibbie/62/New York
Polly/60/New York
Lucinda Colton/25/Penn.
46 Nathan Hackett/33/New York/687
Sarah/30/New York
47 William Collett/58/England
Electa/59/New York
48 John Hackett/28/New York
Ellen/26/New York
49 John Benedict/31/New York
Laura/26/New York
50 Lawrence R. Greene/38/New York
Maria/29/New York
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
51 Alvah E. Stowell/44/N. H.
Jane/42/New York
52 Joseph C. Stowell/39/N. H.
Clara E./38/New York
Elijah/71/New Hampshire
53 James B. Pepper/32/Penn.
Axy Ann/25/Vermont
54 Calvin Cowles/50/New York/688
Rachel/49/New York
55 Gideon Lourborn/?/Vermont
Jane/35/Mass.
56 Reuben W. Trusell/26/Vermont
Wealthy Ann/22/New York
57 Chester Ward/43/New York
Lydia/38/New York
58 Peter Whitney/39/Maine
Laura/27/New York
59 Arthur Washburn/65/Conn.
Betsey/62/Conn.
60 Benjamin Marks/42/New York
Clementina/32/New York
61 Remington Whitney/48/Maine/688
Rhoda/33/New York
62 Joseph Buckrule (Bucknell?)/50/England/689
Sarah/41/England
63 Amasa H. Johnson/33/New York
Hannah/61/New York
64 Hulburt Brown/38/New York
Sally/28/New York
65 Albert L. Upham/32/New York
Elizabeth/31/New York
66 Sydney Carpenter/40/Mass.
Amanda J./18/New York
67 Barnabas Porter/46/New York
Mary/39/New York
68 Freeman Upham/28/Mass.
Olive/28/New York
69 John Sickles (Sickler?)/36/New York
Eliza/28/New York
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 107
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
70 James Sickles (Sickler?)/57/New Jersey
Eleanor/57/New York
John D. Vine (Devine)/45/New York
71 William Clarke/45/New York
Sarah/35/New York
72 David Merritt/46/New York
Sally/45/New York
73 Edgar C. Sampson/30/New York
Lucy J./33/New York
74 Anson Upsham/34/Mass.
Caroline/28/New York
75 Solomon Howe/26/New York
Anna/27/Ohio
76 Jophtha M. Bolt/41/New York
Jane/36/New York
Mary Hotchkiss/85/New York/690
Hiram Hotchkiss/58/Conn.
77 Benjamin F. Boots/25/New York
Mary A./24/New York
78 Alonzo Norton/43/Penn.
Nancy/35/Penn.
79 Calvin A. Wright/36/New York/691
Sally M./34/New York
80 Cyrus M. Atchinson/43/New York
Julia Ann/27/New York
81 John Johnson/43/England
Ann/32/England
82 Joshua West/35/Ohio
Jerusha/29/Ohio
83 Eli Stone/38/Ohio
Sally/40/Ohio
84 Winard Miller/57/New York
Polly/56/New York
85 George Miller/30/New York
Lucy/30/New York
86 Francis Weld/27/New York/692
Jane/27/New York
87 William H. Patchin/36/New York
Jane/28/New York
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
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Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
88 John Hoagland/41/New York
Margaret/30/New York
89 Melvin Gates/26/New York
Sarah/48/New York
90 James S. Tisdall/42/Conn.
Alva/29/New York
Abigail/65/Conn.
91 William Safford/57/New Jersey
Margaret/52/New Jersey
92 George W. Moore/44/Mass.
93 William Lafford/28/Canada
Mary E./24/New York
Elizabeth Graves/49/New York
94 Thomas J. Reid/73/Penn.693
Transcriber's Note: Thomas J. Reid, age 73 is in fact:
Thomas Jefferson Reed, age 23 years, the son of Mary.
Mary/45/Penn.
95 Harrison Platt/31/New York
Adeline/25/New York
96 Samuel Mathews/27/Virginia
Lucinda Ann/23/Virginia
97 William Bayles/55/Virginia
Amelia/52/Virginia
98 George Bayles/35/Virginia
Lucinda/32/New York
Joseph Good/27/England
Alexander Eagle/18/Ohio
Franklin Bates/24/New York
99 Lyman Hughes/57/New Hampshire
Jane/52/New Hampshire
100 George G. Gilbert/39/England/694
Margaret/36/England
101 John H. Steer/32/Dist. of Columbia
Mary H./32/Ohio
102 James Jones/43/New York
Lucy Ann/42/New York
Sylvia French/22/Ohio
103 Walter D. Plumb/38/New York
Didaina/39/New York
104 Edmund L. Arridon
(Amidon?)/40/Vermont
Emeline P./35/New York
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 109
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
105 Joseph Harrison/29/England
Polly/30/New York
106 Francis B. Warren/50/Conn./695
Esther/40/New York
107 Miles Bunheft/60/England
Sarah/61/England
108 Charles Adams/51/Conn.
Adeline/49/Conn.
109 Otis W. Rice/34/Mass.
Lodaisce/42/Canada
110 William Thrall/52/New York/659
Sarah A./33/New Hampshire
111 James L. Bishop/51/Conn.
Mary/51/Mass.
Samuel Bishop/81/Conn.
Rebecca/54/Conn.
112 Erastus Rice/39/Mass.
Frances M./45/New Hampshire
113 Ralph T. Fox/22/New York/696
Cynthia M./25/New York
114 Isaac Drake/62/New York
Elizabeth/58/New York
115 Christopher Drake/24/New York
Betsy/30/New York
116 Joseph Wren/41/England
Jane/20/New York
117 Elijah C. Warren/63/Conn.
Nancy/59/Mass.
118 James Wren/31/England
Emily/25/New York
Vesta Leighton/51/New York
119 Stephen Cade/24/England
Phebe Ann/19/New York
120 Harrison Kelley/51/Virginia
Nancy/48/Kentucky
Jarvis Harrison/24/England
Fawn River
Fawn River at one time a part of Sturgis prairie was first settled by Judge Sturgis and George Thurston. In 1828
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
PAGE 110
Alanson C. Steward joined the settlers and in 1829 Richard Hopkins, Thomas Hall, Lemuel Graham and Samuel Sewart arrived.
It was Lemuel Graham who walked to Monroe, a distance of one hundred and twelve miles, in two days, to record the land he so greatly desired.
Other names of early settlers of Fawn River include: Jacob Knox, Garret Sickles and James Johnson. 1836 brought Capt. Charles Moe, a soldier of 1812, and Joseph Bartholomew, Ebenezer Sweet, who built the first tavern and whose father, a soldier in the Revolution, came with him. F. A. Tisdell, Moses Roberts, Wm. Amidon, James McKerlie, Capt. Philip R. Toll, Wm. L. Lee and Francis Flanders in 1841.
Among the many Fawn River characters of rugged personality was Captain Moe. An incident is told which shows his patriotism. In church on Sunday the minister, Elder Farley, advocated the doctrine of peace and urged his hearers to turn the other cheek when it came to boundary disputes. He brought his address to a climax as he demanded: "Isn't it better to give up our claim to valueless land than to bring misery of war on two countries?" With no expectation of an answer, the speaker was not a little disconcerted to hear the rumbling base voice of Captain Moe as he indignantly exclaimed: "Not a rock, not a rock, give 'em the bayonet fust."
"Shelter and food and drink" were the three great needs of the poineers. Many of the immigrants lived in the open, sheltered by the great forest trees, with the covered wagon as home until a more substantial dwelling could be built. Undecided about a location, a family often settled on a hillside and "digging in" formed a half cave, over which branches of trees were placed. More substantial were the bark wigwams patterned after the bark huts of the Indians. The bark of trees fastened together and pinned to a light frame made a comfortable place for a summer.
The records of Fawn River pay special tribute to the heroic women of 1837-38, who during a most devastating epidemic - not forgetting nor neglecting their own households - went through the neighborhood on errands of mercy, carrying cheer to the stricken cabins: Mrs. Philip R. Toll, Mrs. James Johnson, Mrs. Richard Hopkins, Mrs. Charles Moe, Mrs. James McKerlie and Mrs. Bartholomew, the latter the first to die of the epidemic was buried in the little old cemetery on the shores of Sweet Lake.
Vivid descriptions are on file at the public library of pathetic scenes during the cholera epidemic, among then that of Dr. Crosette, who proved himself of "the stuff of which
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 111
heroes are made". No other doctor within forty miles, he passed from cabin to cabin, night and day, administering as best he could and was so exhausted that when he was taken sick he had no strength to recover. He died, leaving a wife and six young children. Dr. Sabin of Centerville is another of the scores of physicians, each of whom merits special mention as of those who have given of their lives to the health and welfare of St. Joseph people.
The spirit of the early doctors, animated by the unselfish sympathy which comes from training in the school of hardships and self denial, is well illustrated by stories about Dr. James B. Dunkin, who came from Virginia. It was often very difficult for the settlers to get enough to eat, and much to purchase. At a time of great distress, a neighbor came to him asking to buy grain. "Have you the money", asked the Doctor. "Yes", replied the settler. Then, Dunkin told him: "I cannot sell you grain, you can buy it most anywhere. I am keeping mine for those who have no money and must work".
The old cemeteries bear mute testimony to the lack of physicians in the county, and lack of prompt medical aid because of the great distances necessary to be traveled over prairies and along Indian trails by the few physicians who were here. The members of the Abiel Fellows chapter who have been copying the inscriptions for the vital records are appalled at the number of families whose little children and young mothers were sacrificed in laying the foundation of the civic life in St. Joseph county.
Fawn River was made famous through the life of Captain (afterwards Colonel) Isaac D. Toll, the hero of Cherubusco. He was a descendant of a line of famous fighters. A brief sketch of his life is given in the chapter on St. Joseph's Roll of Honor.
In Fawn River was located one of the pioneer "paper villages" the village of Freedom, on the historic Chicago road. Its one building was the commidious tavern built by the proprietor of Freedom, F. A. Tisdel. Mr. Tisdel was the first postmaster. The tavern changed hands and the dream village did not materialize, though it was the site of many historic scenes. Here Capt. I. D. Toll drilled the recruits for service in the Mexican war. Here, too, occurred the murder of Fanning, a deputy sheriff. And here, in later years, the counterfeiters were captured and their lands confiscated by the county to become the "poor farm" for St. Joseph County.
It is claimed that the first marriage in the township of actual residents was that of John W. Fletcher and Sarah Knox; ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
PAGE 112
the ceremony was performed by Samuel Stewart, Esq., September 1831. If this couple was not entertained "a la charivari" then they were undoubtedly the only ones who escaped the amateur orchestra of horse-fiddles, cowbells, and the inconceivable racket produced through use of the millgudgeon, with which the rollicking woodsmen always entertained the newlyweds.
Sherman
On November 5th, 1829, the township of Sherman was organized and received its name from Col. Benjamin Sherman. It then included Sherman, Sturgis, Fawn River, Burr Oak, Nottawa and Colon. Gradually other townships were formed from it. In 1838 Burr Oak was set off, Sturgis in 1845. It is a township of many lakes: Chapin lake, named for David Chapin, an early settler; Crossman lake; Thompson's lake for Elijah Thompson; the other lakes are Johnson, Fish, Crotch and Middle lakes.
The first white settler was Thomas Cade, a native of England. He had the most pretentious log cabin in the county. With impressive manner befitting so great an espense, it was whispered: "That cabin cost just one hundred dollars in gold". A most extravagant outlay.
Other settlers in Sherman included David Petty, Andrew and Benjamin Perrin, Adonijah Foot, David Chapin, Mrs. John Gifford and a long list of others.
In later years, Sherman was one of the first townships to cultivate mint. It was introduced in Sherman township, in 1846, by Eric Jones who claimed to have built the first mint distillery in the county. Florence and Nottawa townships likewise lay claim to honors in the development of the mint industry. Mint is as native to St. Joseph county as the Indians or mound builders.
Though an old Greek myth informs us that the goddess Persephone, in a fit of jealous rage, turned her beautiful rival, the nymph Mintha, into the fragrant herb which we call "mint ", an equally interesting Indian myth concerns the origin of the plant and tells us that the Indians' fiery "fever god" was controlled through enchantment by a Pottawatomie Indian princess in whose foot prints there grew a plant whose crushed leaves exorcised the evil power of the fever god.
Botanists claim that along the much trodden paths of immigration there are always found immigrant plants: plaintain, called by the sharp eyed Indians "Englishman's foot," mullein, nettle, henbane, wormwood, and many others-all English immigrants.
In 1890 at least one fifth of the world's supply of mint came from St. Joseph county, and the industry has steadily
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 113
developed. The Indians and earliest settlers placed among their prized medicinal herbs: spearmint, peppermint, pennyroyal, lemon scented bergamot, lavender while almost all of the mint family were held important for household use - especially peppermint for then, as now, peppermint "made into oyle of peppermint is useful to annoynt for vanityes of the head in cases of colds with fever."
The Pioneer and Hisorical collections for 1891 contain an article by the late Calvin Starr of Centerville, in which he states: "The cultivaton of peppermint was commenced in 1836 by M. Sawyer on White Pigeon Prairie. In 1837, before he had extracted any oil, he sold out to Clover and Earl. The process of obtaining the oil was steeping the herb in a kettle."
Frank Royce of Florence tells of his father's invention of a steam process, the first used in the county, to obtain the oil. Nearly every pioneer family raised its own mint, stories about which are related by the Majors, Royces, Fletchers, Franciscoes, Ortons and many other families. For years the cultivation and the distillation were handled mostly by Henry Hall and H. D. Cushman of Three Rivers, George Keech of Centerville, A. M. Todd of Nottawa and A. P. Emory of Mendon.
About 1880, A. M. Todd, of Nottawa, introduced the cultivation of English mint in St. Joseph county and so successful had been his work that he won the sobriquet of the "Peppermint King". Albert May Todd was born in the Todd homestead in Nottawa township in 1850, and is the son of Alfred and Mary Ann (Hovey) Todd, pioneers of St. Joseph county. Mr. Todd was graduated from the Sturgis high school and later attended Northwestern University. He married Augusta M. Allman of Sturgis in 1878. In 1894, Mr. Todd was Prohibition nominee for governor, and in 1897 was elected to congress from St. Joseph county.
Mr. Todd moved to Kalamazoo and in his residence there has won distinction as a collector of art treasures. By his generous loans and gifts of painting, porcelains, etc. to public institutions of Kalamazoo, he has become one of that city's most philanthropic citizens. "Who's Who in America", 1931, gives the additional information that Mr. Todd is a writer on the theme of municipal ownership, and "as president of the A. M. Todd company, is at present engaged in growing aromatic and medicinal plants and extracting their essential oils and alkaloids."
The reminiscences of an early physician prove that the pioneers grew medicinal plants and extracted their essential oils and juices. The roots of the lady - slipper became a decoction used as a nervine; the innerbark of the yellow and
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
PAGE 114
white oak was used in place of quinine; extract of butternut bark was substituted for calomel. The early physician, far from druggist supplies, was compelled to use substitutes when the "sickly seasons" emptied his medicine chest of all remedies except the native herbs that grew profusely in St. Joseph county. Ague was the bane of health, not only in Sherman but all others townships.
To read the old letters written by the early settlers concerning their common foe "fever'n chill" is to have a higher regard for the lowly mint and the Indians who introduced it to the settlers. In all the letters of the settlers, the ague held a prominent place. "Fever an Ague" were not mentioned with any flippancy by the immigrants. It was their first step towards citizenship in Michigan. "Shivers that came faster and faster and grew colder and colder as their icy undulations coursed down their spine. After an hour in the frigid zone where the life was all but shaken out of you gradually increased with heat until you reached the torrid zone. Then suddenly it was gone for the day. When the Indians had it, it shook all the 'whoop' out of them. The ague of today is but a dull, tamed and uninterestingly domesticated variety in comparison. Gone are the grand old times."
Not only was mint and other herbs introduced by the Indians but suitable material for wearing apparel and food easily obtained by the early settlers. A chapter on the beginning of the white man's civilization in St. Joseph county would not be just if it did not acknowledge his indebtedness to the red man's contributions. From the Indians the white man learned the secret of tanning. The Indians were superior tanners. They used the "brain and smoke" process. "The cellular envelope of animals brains was dissolved in warm water, the hide was cleaned and then washed in the solution until thoroughly saturated then it was hung up in dense smoke. The buckskin so treated was scoured with stone and when found to be soft was ready to be made into any kind of apparel. the Indian-tanned-buckskin was best adapted for use in pioneer life.
Florence
Florence township was organized in 1827 at the home of Giles Thompson. Its first settlers included David Crawford who came in 1829. Other of the earliest settlers were: Alvin Calhoun, Jeremiah Lawrence, Norman Roys, John Howard, Elisha Dimick, George Pashby, John Hagerman, John Peek, John Hull, the Rowens, Grays, Yauneys and others.
"Rolling up" a cabin was a difficult process, for it was set in a trench to the depth of two or three feet and stood solidly, a shelter from the forest foes. Upright around
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 115
the trench was a closely placed row of logs all of the same length, usually fourteen feet, for a single story, or eighteen if there was to be a loft. The earth was filled in solidly which kept the logs firmly upright. A horizontal band of puncheons, split logs smoothed by the face of an axe, was pinned around within the walls to keep them from caving in. Over this the bark roof, a bark shutter over the window opening, and a bark door hung on with hinges. A luxury added later was the puncheon floor. The settler's wife usually saw to it that the cabin was rolled up around a good flat stump for a table. The bedstead was a platform along one side of the wall or in one corner a heap of hemlock boughs.
One of the interesting features of the old doors was the latch strings hanging outside by which the doors could be opened; by pulling in the string the door was securely locked.
As immigration increased, the security of the cabin built of hewn logs was in greatest favor, especially for those living near the reservations from which came the Indians, drunk or in raiding bands.
After the establishment of saw mills, the plank houses replaced the log cabins in popular favor - their rough surfaces were "most tastefully covered with newspapers which had been carefully saved for the purpose."
Concerning the preparation of food and drink - families hoarded their treasured receipts. Some special method; the secret of some special flavor was handed down from mother to daughter - great amounts of spices were used in the forties and as there was no preservation by ice, perhaps the spices and perfumes were quite necessary. The wild roses and other fragrant flowers of grandmother's day were gathered, not only for their loveliness but to add their fragrance to the "bloom" of the bounce and cordial.
"Housewives pickled fennel and purple cabbage, barberries, elder-buds and many kinds of fish. Their meat was salted and soused, powdered and pickled, and most families owned a smokehouse in which beef, ham and bacon were smoked. November was the "killing month. Sausages, rolliches, headcheese, lard tried and tallow saved, skins dressed and fur garments fashioned." In the fall also the bee hunter cut the bee trees. The honey and maple sugar sweetended the cup which cheers, though "the cup" was brewed from raspberry leaves, golden rod, sage or other plants, and coffee made of parched rye dried in molasses.
Dried corn, stewed pumpkins, pumpkin bread, peas, spuashes, beans, parsnips, huckleberries, wild strawberries, wild crabapples were gathered. The making of the autumn's crop of apples into dried apples - their slices strung on long
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
PAGE 116
linen threads and hung from the attic rafters; the huge copper kettles boiling down apple butter preceded by the apple parings. "A cheerful kitchen with an array of empty pans, tubs and baskets; sharp knives and heaped up barrels of apples. A circle of laughing faces above skillful hands. The next day the stout crane in the open fireplace on which hung the brass kettles - sour apples in the bottom since they required more time; quinces added for flavor, molasses for sweeting."
Miss Ruth Hoppin wrote of the vegetables and fruits: "The fruit was picked from the field and swamp - strawberries, huckleberries and cranberries. Gardens and fields were luxuriant; melons were brought in by the bushel basket, and after the corn was cut in the fall there was a great display of the golden pumpkins. That almost forgotten fruit was made into pies, stewed for sauce, was dried and made into pumpkin butter, and a toothsome corn bread known as pumpkin Johnny cake."
The Indians gave the white settler the simple, original method of curing meat over coals. When sprinkled with salt and placed in layers it kept for a long time; or covered with tallow, the preservation extended indefinitely. "Dried venison, deer's tallow suspended in 'cases' and festooned in the smoke of the lodge high up near its funnel mouth", "Corn, tobacco, beans, were Indian gifts, these and succotash were the Indians' contribution to cookery. They sustained many a pioneer during the hardships of the thirties.
Census of 1850, St. Joseph County, Michigan
Florence Township, Vol. 9, pp. 620-637.
Note: The original spelling has been followed.
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
783/Robert Melburn/35/England/620
Pleasant/26/England
784/William Melburn/70/England
Mary/70/England
Richard/40/England
785/John Cotton/36/England
Jenny/32/England
786/Benjamin Whitaker/37/Penn.
Sophronia/31/Penn.
Margaret Barclay/22/Penn.
787/Amos Gale/37Penn.
Mary/37/Penn.
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 117
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
788/Nathan Kain/40/New York
Lucy/34/New Hampshire
Susan/30/New York
789/Aaron Blue/53/Penn.
Anna/49/Penn.
790/William Laird/58/Penn./621
Anna/56/Penn.
John Bellair/40/England
791/George Dicenson
(Dickison?)/37/England
Sarah/28/England
Mary A. Bowen/18/England
Sammie Everson/30/England
792/William Dicenson/42/England
Ann/39/England
793/Richard Wade/57/England
Ekanor/56/England
794/Ostin S. Rawly/30/New York
Ellener/24/England
795/George Johnson/42/England
Harriett/41/England
796/Richard M. Johnson/65/England
Georgia/33/England
797/Henery Seavian/24/Penn.
Ann/19/England/622
798/Samuel Hatcher/46/England
Martha/44/England
799/Thomas Fountain 30/England
Mary Tasker/40/England
800/William Thompson/40/England/622
Elisabeth/41/England
801/William Breden/43/England
Mary/47/England
Ellen Burnam/21/England
John Underwood/29/England
Robert Richardson/30/England
802/Charles R. Holmes/29/New York
Mary/33/England
James/23/England
William H. Ray/28/Unknown
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
PAGE 118
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
803/Thomas Bradly/40/England
Sarah/31/England
Joseph Thompson/16/England
804/George Ross/52/England
Elisabeth/51/England
805/John Jackson/60/England
Milcah/63/England
George Jackson/30/England
806/John Struble/28/Penn./623
Ruth/23/......
807/William Barnard/64/England
Elisa/52/England
Elisabeth Hablet/18/Canada
808/Samuel S. Hart/52/New York
Nancy/51/New York
809/John Putman/27/New York
Caroline/27/New York
John/79/Mass.
810/Joseph Gaston/59/England
Sarah/60/England
William Masterman/29/Michigan
811/Richard Gaston/54/England
Margaret/42/England
812/William Garnet/59/England
Rebecca/49/England
813/Oliver Arnold/33/New York
Jane/25/New York
814/Inman Arnold/59/New York/624
Narcissa/58/New York
815/John Masterman/35/England/624
Alice/30/England
816/Samuel A. Thompson/26/Ohio
Mary J./22/New York
817/John Greensides/35/England
Elisabeth/38/England
818/Hinman Bidwell/53/New York
Lydia/53/New York
Lydia Wilett/79/New York
819/John Tennison/23/England
Loreta/24/Ohio
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 119
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
820/Giles Tompson/58/Conn.
821/William Wade/60/England
Hannah/59/England
Joseph Gorton/30/England
Geroge Peacock/50/England
822/John Hull/34/New York
Mary A./33/New Hampshire
Henery Wills/18/New York
823/George Pushby (Pashby)/37/England/625
Jane/40/England
824/Hiram G. Tompson/32/Cannida
825/Stephen Wilett/50/New York
Sarah/43/New York
George Ferndale/25/Virginia
Laura/32/England
826/Robert Pushby (Pashby)/37/England
Hannah/28/England
827/Debra Patterson/60/Vermont
Christianna Hull/30/New York
828/Zera Benjamin/45/New York
Anna/45/New York
Altemus Porter/23/New York
Lenora/22/New York
829/James Blair/27/New York
Mariah/24/Ohio/626
830/John Rumford/55/New Hampshire
Patty/47/New York
831/John Shepard/32/New York
Mary A. /29/New York
832/Hiram Hart/23/New York/626
Caroline/19/Nova Scotia
833/Jacob Micles/30/New Jersey
Mercy/32/New York
834/Henery Van Buren/48/New York
Hannah/38/New York
John Warrick/16/Germany
835/Jacob Shover/36/Germany
Elisabeth/45/New York
836/Gardner Pitts/56/New York
Mariah/53/New York
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
PAGE 120
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
837/Liberty B. More/58/Mass.
Malinda/53/New York
838/Horace More/31/New York
Philena/25/New York
839/Gardner W. Pitts/28/New York
Marietta/21/Mass.
840/Warren Warden/57/Rhode Island
Betsy/56/New Hampshire
841/John Graham/49/Ireland/627
Mary/35/Penn.
842/Hiram R. Pitts/32/New York
Elisa/31/Vermont
843/Jacob G. Grey/35/New York
Martha/17/Unknown
844/Ephram M. Adams/39/New York
Rachel/32/New Jersey
845/Abel White/34/Penn.
Ester/32/Penn.
846/John Adam/33/New York
Mary/31/New Jersey
847/Isaac Mills/56/New Jersey
848/Hiram Benjamin/27/New York
Charity/27/New York
849/James P. Haynes/44/New York
Nancy/34/New York
850/James B. Haynes/ /New York
Harriett/27/New York/628
851/Summer Steers/36/England/628
Transcriber's Note: two following entries out of order in the book.
853/Abrum Calhoun/48/New York
Louise/30/Maine
Cyntha/21/New York
Edwin Cromel/32/New York
Oliver Garrison/22/New York
852/Ephriam Holenbeck/35/New York
Mary/34/New York
854/David Cole/46/Penn.
Mary/36/New York
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 121
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
855/Daniel Wilson/40/New York
Mary A./38/Ohio
William Hull/27/New York
856/Betsy (Hull?)/27/England
857/Gilbert Simson/25/New York/629
Mary A. /22/New York
858/Daniel Sparks/39/Mass.
Lucretia/38/New York
859/Ralph Stone/32/Mass.
Olive/30/New York
Walcott Lawrence/18/Michigan
860/James Woods/29/New York
Rosanna/45/New York
Asabel Williamson/25/Michigan
861/William Scobie/60/Scotland
Elisabeth/49/England
862/Samuel Cates/50/England
Ann/40/England
863/Caleb Mosier/52/New York
Abigal/40/Conn
864/Archibald Ormst/37/Germany
Jane/27/Penn
865/Thomas Steers/70/England
Elisabeth/63/England
866/Mary Wade/40/England/630
867/Ira Parish/31/New York
Catherine J. /27/New York
868/Aquilla Parish/56/Maryland
Eunis/58/Rhode Island
Joel Scofield/26/New York
869/Joseph Anderson/31/Penn./630
Eveline/27/Penn
870/John E. G. Hathaway/36/Vermont
Julia A. /33/Mass.
871/Albert H. Strong/37/Conn.
Ann/33/New York
872/Nathaiel Craig/36/New Jersey
Nancy G. /34/New York
873/Mariah P. Reed/38/New York
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
PAGE 122
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
874/Morgan Ketcham/45/New York
Laura/38/New York
875/Noah R. Hagerman/22/New York/631
Rebeca/19/Vermont
876/John Hagerman/29/New York
Susanna/22/Virginia
877/Michael Hubler/61/Penn.
Mary/53/Penn.
878/Joseph Sweezy/45/New Jersey
Christiana/36/New York
George Silver/30/England
John Hagerman/67/New York
879/Horace (Hagerman?)/28/New York
Elisa/17/Mass.
880/William Mosier/42/Penn.
Rachel/37/Penn.
Willis Pence/27/Penn.
881/William Hagerman/34/New York
Lucy A./32/Ohio
Fanny Hagerman/61/New York
882/M. W. Demick/56/New Jersey
Parthenia/27/Mass.
Polly Demick/56/New Jersey
Mary J. Demick/73/New Jersey
M. MacDonald/23/Virginia
883/John Peck/58/New York/632
Justic Miller/25/Penn.
Mary A. Garrison/19/New York
884/John Howard/68/Conn.
Patty M./65/Conn.
885/Julian (Howard?)/35/Conn.
Elisa J. (Howard?)/27/New York
Ephraim Thomas/22/New York
Hannah Hassenger/17/Ohio
886/O. F. Howard/38/Conn.
Cornelia/30/New York
Henery Richards/23/New York
887/John Demick/34/New York/632
Lydia/23/Mass.
SETTLEMENTS
PAGE 123
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
888/Jacob Clute/40/New York
Cornelia C./36/New York
Cornelia Gurnson/78/New York
889/Alexander Ely/34/New York
Elisa/26/New York
890/Nathan Barlow/25/New York
Sally/25/New York
891/Waldo Smith/50/Conn.
Jenny/40/Conn.
892/Hiram Adams/24/New York
Elizabeth/17/New York
893/Marshall Craw/45/Conn.
Eunis/48/New York
Orland Mack/22/New York
Catherine Murth/20/Ohio
894/Norman Roice (Roys)/44/Mass.
Caroline/29/New York
895/George L. Roice/40/Mass.
Elisabeth/30/New York
Daniel Swarts/23/Penn.
896/Robert Crawford/34/Ohio
Genett/27/New York
897/Allen Tenyson/28/England
Mariah/28/England
898/Altha Lawrence/45/New York
Harris Tennyson/25/Michigan
899/Ashby Wetherby/26/New York/634
Elisabeth/20/New York
900/William Ishay (or Isbray?)/28/Conn./634
Betsy/23/New York
901/Thomas M. Woods/32/Penn.
Peter B. Philips/27/Maine
Elizabeth/27/Penn.
902/Lyman Blair/52/Maine
William McKey/14/Michigan
Nancy/50/Maine
Aurilla Lyon/24/Maine
903/Amasser Danniels/60/Conn.
Sophia A. /46/Conn.
**out of order**
905/Susana Halmington/50/Penn./634
ST. JOSEPH IN HOMESPUN
PAGE 124
Name/Age/Place of Birth/Page
905/John S. (Halmington?)/31Penn. /635
Sarah M. (Halmington?)/26/Conn.
906/Lemuel Hammond/42/Conn.
Lydia/39/New York
Wallace Moshier/18/unknown
907/Jane Zurony/48/New York
James/21/New York
908/Henery Pawnsy (Yauney?)/28/New York
Adeline/24/New York
909/William Freeland/60/Mass.
Charlotte/38/New York
910/Josseph Jewit/47/Mass.
Mary A. /40/New York
Edward DeBoyse/35/New York
911/Eara Blogget/77/Conn.
Cyntha/62/Vermont
Mary A. Becker/20/Conn.
912/William Hogan/24/Mass.
Mary/19/Delaware
913/John H. Keller/57/New York
Margaret/53/New York
914/George J. Grey/54/New York/636
Nancy/55/New York
915/Lewis McDowell/37/New York
Harriett/34/Mass
Orson Dane/20/New York
916/Jules Ronns/30/Michigan
Polly Rhodes/26/Vermont
917/John Dicker/50/New York
Catherine/44/New York
918/Almond White/45/New York
Elsy/38/Penn
919/George Clark/56/Penn
Barbary/44/Penn
920/Robert Wethrington/29/New York
Margaret/29/Penn
921/Robert McKinly/47/Scotland/637
Catherine/39/Scotland
Maddison Stumel/21/New York
922/John Major/40/New York
Jane/38/New York
SETTLEMENTSPAGE 125
Mendon
Old Puddleburg, rising in civic dignity, chose in 1845 to be known as Mendon. It was platted by Leander Metha, its first settler, who built a house on the present plat in 1834. In 1844 Brownshon and Doan dammed the Little Portage and established a saw mill.
The township of Mendon at first included parts of Leonidas and Park. Many of its early settlers have been mentioned in preceding chapters. Other pioneers include the names of Peter Neddeaux, Moses Taft, Wm. Harrington, Abram H. Voorhees, A. W. Maring, James S. Barnabee, Stephen Barnabee, Fordyce Johnson, Samuel E. Johnson, Rowell, Elisha Foote, the Wakemans, Benjamin P. House, N. Chapman, B. B. Bacon, Ephrain Atkinson, James Van Buren, Ira Pellett, Joseph Woodward, Abner Moore, Harvey White, Ezra Brown, Timothy Kimball, Samuel T. Larkin, the Yaples.
The first settlers were Frenchmen and the French influence was dominant for years. Adams Wakeman, after the custom of the times, built a frame house and named it "Queen of the Prairie." The first schoolhouse in the township was built in 1837 and was taught by Wealthy Hunt. In a corner of a field near Bennett's bridge is a rugged weather beaten stone which marks the burial place of the first teacher on the Indian reservation. His name, so far, has not been ascertained.
The first hotel was built by Lewis Lyman.
The Michigan Pioneer collections furnish many stories concerning the early settlers of Mendon township among the most interesting are those compiled by Mrs. Alexander Custard and published in volume 38. The Pioneer Collections may be found in any public library in Michigan.
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