Dorr Township (part 1 of 6)

First Settlements

The first settlement was made in this township in October, 1845, by Nathaniel Goodspeed and his son Orrin. They came from Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, with their own conveyances, drawn by one horse and one ox-team, and also brought in twelve head of cattle. The father was a widower. Orrin's family consisted of himself, his wife, and sons, George, Cyrus, Daniel, and William. Their lands, purchased while en route, at Marshall, Mich., were situated on the north sides of sections 1 and 2, were entered in the name of Nathaniel Goodspeed, and, except one other, were the first purchases made upon those sections. The father erected a small log cabin, near the present residence of Orrin Goodspeed, and the latter lived with him that winter, establishing himself the same season in another log house, on section 2.

Thus situated, they passed the winter of 1845-46, and a very severe one it was, too, especially for their cattle. Their nearest neighbors were seven miles distant, to the northeast, while on the south nine miles had to be traversed through the forests ere a settlement was reached. Not a particle of hay or straw could be obtained for their livestoclf ; but by a vigorous and daily use of the axe, their cattle were enabled to eke out a scanty subsistence through the winter by " browsing."

sufficiently to put in crops of corn, wheat, potatoes, and turnips, and from that time the generous soil supplied them abundantly with food, but, notwithstanding, money was hard to obtain. Store goods were unreasonably high, and only to be obtained at distant points, and Orrin Goodspeed's children frequently wended their way to school in the snow barefooted. The elder Goodspeed was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. He was a tanner and currier by trade, and before settling here had lived in various portions of the country. In September, 1850, he committed suicide by shooting himself in his own house, and his is believed to have been the first death to occur in the township. The first white child born in the township was Charles L., son of Orrin Goodspeed, whose birth occurred June 21, 1846. The next settlers in the township were the bachelor brothers Edward and William R. Moore. Edward purchased land on sections 1 and 2 in October, 1845, and with his brother erected a log cabin, and settled upon the premises now owned by L. C. Gilbert, in the winter of 1845-46. Both were prominent citizens in the township when it included the present town of Hopkins ; served as justices of the peace and in other capacities. Edward Moore now resides in Byron, Kent Co., Mich.

Edmond Johnson, the fourth to settle his family in the township, arrived during a December snow-storm, in 1847. The same day witnessed the arrival here of Warren Jones and Rodney C. Sessions. They arranged a shelter for the first night by turning their wagon-box bottom upwards, crawling underneath ; and the next morning there was ten inches of snow upon the ground. The settlers last mentioned were from Oakland Co., Mich.

James A. Sterling, who settled upon section 10, was also one of the prominent early settlers. He built the first framed house in the town, and, as he served for many years as justice of the peace, his house was a well-known place of resort for early litigants. Frequently his court held open till midnight. Meantime, his good wife would prepare supper for those assembled, of whom about one-half paid for their entertainment. Squire Sterling would earn perhaps |1.50 in fees, while next morning it required two or three hours' hard work to clear up, and arrange household matters again.

For the first years settlements tended towards the northeast quarter of the township, and the families coming in were principally Americans. But soon after 1850 several Germans began improvements in the northwest portion, and their numbers have been increased by others, until to-day they own at least one-fourth of all the lands in the township. They are good -citizens, and most excellent farmers. Among those not already mentioned who were settled here prior to June, 1853, were Benjamin Truax, Stephen Perkins, William H. Lock, Cyrus C. Babbitt, Robert Sproat, James Clark, David R. Averill, David R. Averill, Jr., John L. Barney, Dudley Miller, Byron Nelson, Jason J. Morrill, Thomas A. Morrill, George Krauss, Levi Swartz, Anton Harrish, Jacob Bartz, Nicholas Kline, George H. Sessions, William Kite, and Norman Miller.

Histoky Of Allegan And Barry Counties, Michigan

RESIDENTS IN 1853. The following list comprises the names, etc., of all who were assessed as resident tax -payers in June, 1853. This was the first assessment made after the organization of Hopkins, and those here named may be considered the charter members, the real pioneers of the township of Dorr :

Since 1860, and more especially since the close of the war and the completion of the two different lines of railways, population has increased so rapidly that Dorr township of to-day is one of the most populous in Allegan County.

The names of many other early settlers are mentioned in the lists of township officers, church and village histories, etc., to which the reader is referred.

Civil Histoey

From the 23d of March, 1836, until the spring of 1842, the territory comprised within the present limits of Dorr formed part of Otsego township. Watson was formed in 1842, and included within its boundaries the present townships of Watson, Hopkins, and Dorr.

By an act to organize certain townships in the State of Michigan, approved March 16, 1847, the township of Dorr was erected. That portion of the act relating to this territory reads as follows :

" Section 2. That townships three and four north, of range number twelve west, in the county of Allegan, be and the same are hereby set oflf from the township of Watson and organized into a separate township by the name of Dorr,* and the first township-meeting therein shall be held at the school-house, in school-district number three, in said township."

FIRST TOWNSHIP-MEETING, Etc. At the first township election, which was held at the school-house in district No. 3, Monday, April 5, 1847, the meeting was organized by choosing William H. Warner chairman, John Parsons clerk, Jonathan 0. Round and Edward Moore inspectors of election. The whole number of votes polled was 14, and all were thrown for John Parsons for supervisor. The other officers elected were Jonathan 0. Round, Township Clerk ; William H. Warner, Treasurer; Edward Moore, William H. Warner, School

Inspectors ; Orrin Goodspeed, Erastus Congdon, Jonathan Brewer, Highway Commissioners; William H. Warner, Harvey N. Baker, Directors of the 'Poor; William H. Warner, Edward Moore, Harvey N. Baker, Justices of the Peace ;t Orrin Goodspeed, John Parsons, Jason Baker, Jonathan 0. Round, Constables. The appointments for overseers of highways were : Jonathan 0. Round for District No. 1, Jonathan Brewer for District No. 2, John Parsons for District No. 3, and Edward Moore for District No. 4. The electors then concluded their business by voting as follows :

" To raise $150 for township expenses. To raise $250 for highway purposes, and $15 for wolf-bounties. To pay $3 for each wolf killed in the township. That for school purposes, fifty cents be raised on each child in the township between the ages of four and eighteen years. That Timothy J. Crampton's barn-yard be the Pound, and William H. Warner serve as pound-master. That the next townshipmeeting be held at the house of Timothy J, Crampton.''

On effecting a settlement with Watson, Dorr received of the highway fund $439.31, and of the Watson township library 56 volumes, valued at $28.63. The total amount of taxes collected during the year ending April 1, 1848, was the sum of $76.60, which was disbursed as follows :

At a meeting of the Allegan County board of supervisors, held Dec. 29, 1852, township No. 3 north, of range No. 12 west, was set off from Dorr, and organized into a separate township, by the name of Hopkins. The first meeting after this change of boundary-lines was effected was held at the house of Orrin Goodspeed, on the first Monday in April (4), 1853.

Erastus Congdon, having been elected justice of the peace of Watson, held over, and served his unexpired term - two years - tn this township.

Educational

» Upon the organization of Dorr (including Hopkins), in 1847, township No. 4 north, of range No. 12 west, was known as school district No. 2.

a fractional one, including parts of Dorr and of townships in Kent County. The school-house stood upon the countyline, and in it Miss Mary Baker, of Hopkins, taught the first school. About 1853 a school district was organized in the northeast- quarter of the township, and the house was built near the Congregational church. Mr. D. Prindle taught the first school in this house, and, in early years, it was facetiously termed the " Dorr Academy."

For several years after the separation of Dorr and Hopkins townships the school records were loosely kept, and no information can be gained from them. We find that the teachers licensed in 1857 were Helen Leonard, Mary Miller, and Mary Smith, and that there were 162 children of school age residing in the township. The teachers of 1858 were Jane Sooy, Ellen M. Styles, Reuben A. Wilson, William P. Wilson, C. D. Wood, and Peter Reausek. In 1859, Charles Winchester, Efiie M. Baker, William Pepper, John W. Stone, Louisa Bates, Rebecca Miller, and Jackson D. Dillenbeck. In 1860, Lydia Camp, Emma Leonard, Levi H. Webster, Augusta Houston, Delia A. Smith, and Jane Sooy. In 1861, Adelia Smith, Maria Stone, Jane Pullen, Levi H. Webster, and Lewis F. Smith.

As showing the present condition of schools in the township, the following statistics, gathered from the township school-inspector's report for the year ending September, 1879, are appended :

Dorr Centre

Dorr has two villages within its borders, named respectively Dorr Centre and Moline. The former is situated in the central part of the township, and is a station on the line of the Kalamazoo division of the Lake- Shore and Michigan Southern Railway.

It contains about 200 inhabitants, a Congregational church edifice, Masonic lodge-rooms, steam saw-, flouring-, and shingle-mills, two hotels, numerous stores, and several small mechanical shops. Wheat, flour, pork, lumber, and stave-bolts are the principal articles of shipment.

Histoky Op Allegan And Barry Counties, Michigan

Among the business and professional men at present residents of the village are Messrs. Frank Neuman and Lyman W. Ehlis, hotel proprietors ; Barris & Neuman and Ewing & Sproat, grain-dealers; Edward Byles, lumbermanufacturer; E. S. Botsford, Pritsche & Co., Joseph Neuman, and John Sommer, merchants; L. N. Fisher, railroad-agent ; H. M. Averill and John A. Beamer, attorneys ; Ferd. Neuman, flouring-mill ; Lyman E. Parker, hardware-merchant, postmaster, and express agent ; Seth Colvin, stave-manufacturer ; Drs. Theodore Cole, H. P. Evarts, and J. H. Smith, physicians ; Rev. N. K. Evarts, clergyman.

Improvements were first made on the village site by Mr. Frank Neuman, an energetic German, who came from the Fatherland in 1855, to Dorr Centre in 1856, becoming its first settler, and in 1857 erected the first framed house. He also established the first wagon-shop, and was the first in many other enterprises. On the 27th of September, 1869, as proprietor, he caused to be surveyed and laid out the original village-plat, to which an addition was made by Joseph Neuman the same day. As already noticed, the Neumans are among the most prominent and successful business men of the village at the present time.

Moline

This small village, situated on the east side of Dorr township, was started by Alfred Chappell, John L. Shaw, and Edward P. Vining, July 16, 1872. It is a station on the line of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, seventeen miles south of Grand Rapids, lumber and farm products being the principal articles of shipment. The village was projected in 1870, and now contains about 100 inhabitants. Among those doing business here are B. Gilbert, postmaster and merchant ; Balch Bros , saw-mill proprietors ; Alfred Chappell, station and express agent; W. M. Pierce, merchant; R. J. Rogers and Charles H. Wademan, blacksmiths.

Masonic

P. S. Pullen Lodge, M. 307, F. and A. if. - The original members of this lodge held their first meeting in the grist-mill at Dorr Centre, July 1, 1871, and inaugurated measures for the building up of a lodge and lodge-rooms. On the 21st of February, 1872, the first regular communication was held in their new hall, and the ofificers first installed were as follows : J. M. Burnett, W. M. ; William J. Sproat, Sec. ; E. J. Boynton, S. W. ; Otto R. Pritsche, J. W.; Harmon Campbell, S. D. ; Eli Driskell, J. D. ; Fred. Custer, Tyler. Other charter members were Philetus S. Pullen, Prank Neuman, Ferdinand Neuman, A. G. McConough, Charles L. Christie, John McNeal, Thomas Carruthers, and William H. Reid.

The subsequent Masters to the preser t time have been J. M. Burnett, to 1875, inclusive; Eli Driskell, 1876-77; Henry P. Evarts, 1878 ; George W. Shriuer, 1879 ; William J. Sproat, 1880. Other present oiEcers are Eli Driskell, S. W. ; Alfred Emmons, J. W. ; George W. Shriner, S. D. ; J. W. Pullen, S. D. ; P. S. Pullen, Treas. ; Lyman E. Parker, Sec. ; and Andrew Truax, Tyler. The bdge numbers 40 members, and regular communications are held in

Medical

Dr. Benjamin J. V. Stone, who subsequently became an army surgeon and died at Alexandria, Va., March 3, 1865, was the first resident physician in the township. He had a large practice, and was very successful.

Dr. Max Snitzer, a German, who settled in the northwest part of Dorr, was also an early physician, and practiced extensively among those of his nationality.

Dr. Theodore Cole, a graduate of the Michigan University, of the class of 1869, first practiced in St. John, Clinton Co. From thence he removed to Dorr Centre in March, 1870, where, to the present time, he has been engaged in an extended and successful practice. Drs. H. P. Evarts and J. H. Smith have each practiced here some six or seven years.

The Congregational Church Of Doer

KELIGIOUS. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF DOER, whose church edifice is situated in the northeast quarter of the township, was organized Aug. 27, 1857, in a small school which stood near the present church site. The original society was comprised of 11 members, viz., Bradley Gilbert, Martha J. Gilbert, Nahum Snow, Sarah Snow, Lauren C. Gilbert, Judith Gilbert, Edward Averill, Mary B. Averill, William A. Smith, Elizabeth Smith, and Sarah Smith. William A. Smith was chosen, the first deacon, and Nahum Snow the first clerk, - positions which both held many years, the latter until his death, in March,- 1876. In February, 1858, Rev. James A. McKay accepted the pastorate, and remained four years. The following September the First Congregational Church of Grand Rapids presented this church a communion-service, which is still in use. Rev. N. K. Evarts became their pastor in the autumn of 1862.*

A Sabbath-school was established at the beginning, of which Mrs. Elizabeth Smith was the teacher and superintendent. The growth of the church has been steady and healthful, marked by no unusual events or divisions. Before the war its members indulged in the hope of soon erecting a church edifice, but at the call of their country all the able-bodied male members joined the Union armies, and the subject of building a house of worship was dropped. Meetings were continued in the school-house, and the question was not again revived until 1870. When some of the people were disappointed in the location of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad station, an effort was made to consolidate the Hilliard's Church with this, and together build a church edifice at Dorr Centre. On the 18th of November, 1872, the place of meeting was changed to the Centre. The consolidation failed, but the church edifice at the Centre was commenced in 1873. However, owing to an alleged failure on the part of the contractor, the building committee would not accept the structure, and litigation followed.

to be the nucleus around which gathered the original members of the church, and on the 6th of March, 1875, the vote of Nov. 18, 1872, was rescinded, thus changing the place of holding meetings from the Centre back to the school-house. Soon after, the subject of building a church edifice in the latter neighborhood was again brought forward, and finally resulted in the completion and dedication of the present beautiful house of worship in 1876. It cost f 2500, has sittings for about 250 people, and a membership of 100. A flourishing Sabbath-school, long presided over by Bradley Gilbert as its superintendent, is now in charge of Mr. E. M. Gilbert. Anfong other pastors who have administered to the spiritual wants of this congregation since the expiration of Mr. Evarts' first term were C. N. Coulter,

First Congregational Church Of Dorr Village

This organization was formed Nov. 11, 1875, and its original members were Adrian De Clark and wife, William H. Ewing, H. T. Pomeroy and wife, Antoinette Kelly, Christina Patterson, Horace Barton and wife, N. K. Evarts and wife, and Mary J. Byles.

Rev. N. K. Evarts became the first pastor in 1875, and has continued to the present time. The church edifice was commenced in 1873 ; it was completed soon after, and is the one mentioned in the sketch of the other Congregational Church. The society numbers 24 members.

Other Religious Organizations

It is probable that Rev. P. Glass, a Methodist divine, presided over the first religious meetings held in this township, in 1849. Two classes of this denomination exist at the present time, and are connected with the Byron Circuit. A society composed of United Brethren is located mainly in the eastern part of the township.

In the northwest quarter the German Catholics have a large congregation, composed of members of from 40 to 50 families. Their church edifice - the largest house of worship in the county - is situated near the county-Une, and on the highway dividing sections 5 and 6 of this township. They also have a well-conducted private or parochial school in the same vicinity.

Biographical Sketches Orrin Goodspeed

Orrin Goodspeed was born in the township of Mentor, Geauga Co., Ohio, Aug. 6, 1816. His father, Nathaniel Goodspeed, a native of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., married a widow, Mrs. Miller, and became an early settler in Ohio.

Orrin, their only child, grew to manhood in the latter State, and on the 9th of March, 1837, was married to Sally M. Curtis, of Northfield, Ohio. As farmers the father and son passed an uneventful Ufe in the Buckeye State until the autumn of 1845. When journeying with their own conveyances to the northern border of the present township of Dorr, they purchased a quantity of

From the time of his settlement here until the present Orrin Goodspeed has been one of the most prominent citizens, and by habits of industry and economy is now the possessor of a most beautiful and fertile farm, embracing the lands purchased by his father in 1845.

Lauren C. Gilbert

Lauren C. Gilbert, the tenth child in a family of seventeen children, was born in Chester, Geauga Co., Ohio, March 17, 1830. His ancestors were early settlers in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., and numbers of them served in the Continental army during the war of the Revolution.

Joel Gilbert, the father of Lauren C. Gilbert, was a native of the State of Connecticut, and married Miss Crisilda Crocker. He emigrated westward, and successively became a pioneer in Genoa, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and in Chester, Geauga Co., Ohio, finally locating upon lands in the latter State now owned by E. 0. Lyman.

When nine years of age, Lauren C. Gilbert began work for E. 0. Lyman, and remained with him - the proceeds of his labor being paid to his father - until twenty years old. He then remained at home for a short period, and on the 3d of March, 1852, married Mi.'s Judith Wisner, of his native town. In the autumn of 1 853 he removed to his present place of residence in the township of Dorr, purchasing eighty acres, the lands originally occupied by Edward Moore, and of which but sixteen acres were then improved. Additions to his first purchase have been made from time to time, until he now owns in this and Leighton townships four hundred and sixty acres. The major portion of the home-farm is under a high state of cultivation, and the whole embellished by a tasteful residence, commodious farm buildings, fruit- and shade-trees.

In August, 1861, he enlisted in the First Regiment of Michigan Cavalry, participated in all its campaigns, and, with his regiment, was mustered out of service at Salt Lake City, Utah, March 10, 1866.

Politically, Mr. Gilbert is a Republican. Socially, and as a true representative of the agricultural classes of Allegan County, he is most highly respected.

Benjamin Grover was born in Bennington, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Feb. 9, 1826. He was an adopted son of Benjamin and Mabel Grover, and passed his boyhood and early days of his manhood in that section. He married, in 1851, in Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., Miss Mary M., daughter of Sebra and Dura Weaver, who had removed with her parents from Wellington, Tolland Co., Conn., in 1828. She was born Feb. 2, 1827. In September, 1853, Mr. Grover came to Dorr, Allegan Co., all this section being then a wilderness, and the woods the abode of all kinds of wild animals. He purchased first eighty acres, upon which his widow still resides ; he afterwards added one hundred and twenty acres, which is now in possession of their son. Mr. and Mrs. Grover were the parents of the following children : Flora A., born Oct. 13, 1851 ; died Feb. 17, 1865. Jerome A., born Nov. 3,1852; married Caroline Burgman Jan._l, 1876. George C, born Feb. 18, 1853 ; died March 17, 1854. Infant .son, born and died Dee. 22, 1857. Delew B. Grover, born Oct. 14, 1860; died June 15, 1867. Mary C. Grover, born July 16, 1867 ; died Aug. 26, 1867.

Benjamin Grover was not a member of any church, believing that to the just and those willing and read^ to be judged and meet their God, no other creed or baptism was necessary. His death occurred Feb. 9, 1875. He was much respected as a neighbor, citizen, and man in the community in which he lived. Mrs. Mary M. Grover is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Charles H. Daugherty

CHARLES H. DAUGHERTY. Charles II. Daugherty was born in Penfield, Monroe Co., N. Y., Nov. 22, 1829. His father, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America when quite young, and settled in the State of New York, where ho married a lady of Scotch parentage. About 1833 he removed to the State of Ohio, purchased a farm in Spencer township, Medina Co., and resided upon the same until his death, which occurred in April, 1879, at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife died suddenly of apoplexy in 1845.

Charles H., the third child, the only ,son, and the only surviving member of his father's family, remained under the parental roof assisting his father in farm labor until 1852, when he married Miss Armina N. Inman, March 31st of the same year, a young lady who had .engaged in teaching in Spencer, Ohio, for several years, and where her parents still reside.

In the autumn of 1858, Mr. Daugherty removed to the present township of Dorr, where he has since successfully engaged in the pursuits of farming and lumbering, and is now conspicuous as one of its most prominent citizens. An elegant farm-residence, erected in 1875, surrounded by necessary out-buildings and one hundred and fifty wellcultivated acres, silently yet eloquently attest to the facts of which we speak.

He enlisted in the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics in the fall of 1864, joined his regiment at Atlanta, Ga., soon after, served as regimental inspector of elections, in November of the same year participated in the memorable march through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia, in 1864-65 was present at the siege of Savannah, Ga., the battles of Averysboro' and Bentonville, N. C, the grand review at Washington, D. C, continued with his regiment until its honorable muster out of the service, and during all that time was never in an ambulance or absent one day from his company.

In his political convictions Mr. Daugherty is a Republican, and represented his party in the State Convention held at Detroit, May 12, 1880. He has also served his townsmen in many other official capacities. (See township civil list.)

Township 4 north, range 15 west, now called Fillmore, and previously a portion of Manlius, lies on the northern border of Allegan County, and is bounded on the north by the Ottawa County line, on the south by Manlius township, on the east by Overisel, and on the west by Laketown. The population of the township in 1874 was 1720, and is composed now, as it has been since 1847; almost exclusively of Hollanders, who, in the year last named, were numbered among the earliest settlers, and who have gradually acquired the territory. Two railways, the Chicago and West Michigan Eailroad and the Grand Haven Railroad, pass through the township, only one of which, however, - the latter, - has a station in it, that being known as Fillmore, where there is a small, but bustling, village. There is also in the northwest a village called Graafschap, which lies on both sides the line between Fillmore and Laketown. Between the west and northeast there is a narrow belt of lowland, which is being gradually reclaimed by effective drainage to valuable usefulness. In that region, especially of late, heavily ovei-- grown with timber, may be observed the desolation wrought by the wide-spread forest-fires that passed through Western Allegan in the autumn of 1871.

The town is liberally supplied with excellent schools, and in the matter of school buildings has just reason to be proud. Equally abundant are the conveniences for religious worship. Water-power there is none, and manufactures have therefore received but little attention. Agriculture is profitable, however, and the farmers are, as a rule, thrifty and prosperous.

The First Settlers In Fillmore

The first five white settlers in Fillmore were George N. Smith, Anton Schorno, Daniel Lamoreux, Isaac Fairbanks, and Benjamin Fairbanks, who ranked as to priority in the order named. All save Schorno arid Daniel Lamoreux are still living, - Smith, in the Mackinaw country, Isaac Fairbanks, in the village of Holland, and Benjamin Fairbanks, in California.

George N. Smith was a Congregational minister, and was sent out by the Congregational Church, in 1841, as a missionary to the Indians in Western Allegan. He bought some land on section 3, in town 4, and with the assistance of Indians put up a log house and made a small clearing. He then built a second log house on his place, and into that building he used to gather such Indians as could be persuaded to come, taught them from school-books during the week, and preached to them on Sundays. At the outset the redskins took kindly to the project, and came in considerable numbers to school and to church, but when the novelty of the proceedings wore off, they declined, as a general thing, to give their attendance, so that towards the last Mr. Smith had barely a dozen willing to be instructed. In 1844 he received the appointment of government missionary to the Indians, and set about the establishing of an Indian colony. To that end, he induced several Indians to purchase land in town 4, and to encourage the project still further the government appointed Isaac Fairbanks, in 1845, to be an " Indian farmer," charged with the duty of instructing the savages in the business of farming. Mr. Fairbanks came, in 1845, to township 4 from near Kalamazoo, settled upon section 3, adjoining Mr. Smith's place, and assisted the latter in civilizing the sons of the forest ; but somehow the scheme was not a success. In 1848 the Indians moved farther north, to the Mackinaw. Smith accompanied them, and at latest advices, in 1878, was still living there.

Previous to Isaac Fairbanks' advent, Anton Schorno, a German, who had been living at Singapore, in Newark township, settled in township 4, on section 26, in 1842, where he lived until his death, in 1879. In 1844, Daniel Lamoreux located on section .34, whence, however, he soon removed to township 5. Settlements in the northern part of the township, near the county-line, following that of Isaac Fairbanks, were made by Benjamin Fairbanks on section 2, and by Homer E. Hudson, who came with Dominie Van Raalte, the founder of the Dutch colony at Holland, and started a nursery upon the Smith place. Not succeeding in the venture, he soon changed his location to Holland. George Harrington, who conveyed Van Raalte to Holland and assisted in the erection of the first house at that place, bought a place on section 3, in township 4, and in that year - 1847 - made a settlement upon it. He was at first engaged in teaming, and hauled many loads of supplies for the Dutch colony between Holland and Grand Rapids, Allegan and Kalamazoo.

Darwin Drew made a settlement near Schorno's, but did not stop long. The first Dutch settler in that quarter was John G. Kronemeyer, who, in the winter of 1847-48, located with Behrend Seeman on section 23. Their neighbors in the north, on the road to Holland, were Isaac Fairbanks and George N. Smith. That road, which had been underbrushed by Schorno, was subsequently, in 1849, fairly constructed ; being called the Bee-line road, by which name it is yet known. In 1847 a log school-house was put up on section 26, and there a Miss Boies, of Saugatuck, taught nine scholars, four being children of Kronemeyer and five of Schorno. Three days after Kronemeyer began to make a clearing on his place his left arm was broken by the fall of a tree. As soon as a surgeon could be fetched from Zeeland he had the required atten- tion, but it was not until the next day. He was of course compelled to lie idle for a time, but it was a sore trial for him to do so, since upon tlie labor of his hands alone the support of his family depended. Becoming at last impatient over his enforced quiet and being resolved to work at all hazards, he resumed his chopping operations with one hand only, and after that fashion, until he got over the injury (four months after he was hurt), he wielded his axe with his strong right arm and carried his left in a sling. The incident serves to illustrate how pressing were the needs of the hour, and how stubbornly the pioneers faced misfortunes disheartening enough to prostrate any but the stoutest energies. Kronemeyer and two of his young sons went out once in search of wolves, the presence of which had been reported hard by, and after a persevering tramp captured seven of these animals in a bunch on section 15. As the bounty on wolf-scalps from State, county, and town amounted then to something handsome, they were well paid for their day's work.* Apropos of wolves, a daughter of Mr. Bonselaar, seeing in her father's yard what she took for a fox, ran hastily to obtain a pitchfork, and succeeded in pinning the animal to the ground, when she was somewhat astonished to find that she had brought a wolf, instead of a fox, to grief Had she known at first that it was a wolf she might possibly have hesitated before venturing upon the attack.

The Dutch Colony

THE DUTCH COLONY. In the summer of 1847 the settlements by the Dutch at Holland began to penetrate into Fillmore and Laketown on either side the hne between the two towns. Amon"' those who located on the Fillmore side were A. J. Neerken, Lukas Tinholt, D. Mantingh, and others. Henry Schrotenboer 'and wife, accompanied by Dirk Lenters, came in 1848. The former lived near Graafschap until 1856, when he removed to section 20, where he found Lenters already located. The latter had been living here and there until 1855, when he made his Fillmore settlement on section 20, as the pioneer in that vicinity. There came into the neighborhood shortly after, J. H. Tencate and William Plassman, and these four families were for some time the only residents thereabout. The country was so heavily timbered, and in many places swampy, and in coming in they found it a matter of such difficulty to make roads for wagons, that they brought their goods in afoot upon their backs. Lenters used to walk nine miles to Sau^atuck after flour, and walk back again, lugging 100 pounds of the commodity upon his back. For some time the only road these settlers had was an Indian trail passing between Manlius and Holland, and even at that late day wolves and bears were sometimes seen, although they gave no trouble.

The next settlers in that vicinity were John Otten, Peter Allen, Garret Brower, G. J. Weavers, John Deiters, J. H. Glupker, John Glupker, Jacob Deiters, J. H. Seiblink, J. J. Dekker, J. H. Lammen, B. Camps, and H. Bonselaar. Berend Timmerman moved from Overisel in 1852 to section 24, jn Fillmore, where his son Hendriok now lives.

At that time the settlers about there used to go to mill at Allegan, and, traveling by ox-team, could not at best complete the round trip in less than two days. Garret De Witt moved to Holland in 1848, and thence to section 10, in Fillmore, upon land which had until then not known the ring of the woodman's axe. His neighbors were Isaac Fairbanks, James Vanderbett, T. Sluiter, Stephen Fairbanks, - the Nies family, on section 1, and the Schaaps, on section 2. After De Witt, the comers to that neighborhood included John Fork, H. Schuttmaat, Mr. Oldemeyer, and Mr. Overbeck. The Garvelinks were early settlers in Holland, - in 1847, - and after the elder Garvelink's death his sons moved to Fillmore, where their father owned land. One of his sons, - Jan W., - who lives on section 8, has been conspicuously identified with township aflfairs since 1857, havin" been supervisor fourteen years, town clerk two years, and justice of the peace twelve years.

After 1856 the Hollanders gradually extended their settlements to every portion of the township, and at this time comprise almost the entire population of Fillmore, - indeed, it would be difficult to find in the town a dozen families not Hollanders. In 1859, along the townline road between Fillmore and Manlius, Christian Arzt, Jacob Illg, and Frederick Kern were settlers on the Fillmore side, while there were also Hollanders on the Manlius side. Later, the Dutch began to people both sides of the line quite freely, and where the Chicago and West Michigan Eailway crosses it they have a village called East Saugatuck, which lies on both sides the town-line, but chiefiy in Manlius. In 1859 the town-line road, although " chopped out" previously, had become thickly grown over, and was then at best a mere cattle-path.

TOWNSHIP OEGANIZATION. Fillmore was set off from Manlius in 1849, and named in honor of the then Vice-President of the United States. The name was Suggested by the wife of Ealph R. Mann, at whose house Isaac Fairbanks called to enlist the influence of Mr. Mann in favor of a petition asking for the separation of town 4 from Manlius. " What will you call the new town?" asked Mrs. Mann. "We haven't decided upon a name," replied Mr. Fairbanks, whereupon Mrs. Mann exclaimed, " Call it Fillmore," and Fairbanks, adopting the suggestion, so christened it. By some mischance the records of township elections from 1849 to 1851, inclusive, have been lost, but as to the officials elected 'at the meeting in 1849, it is known that Isaac Fairbanks was chosen Supervisor; Benjamin Fairbanks, Clerk; Anton Schorno, Treasurer ; and Isaac Fairbanks, Anton Schorno, George N. Smith, and George Harrington, Justices of the Peace. The officials for 1850 included Isaac Fairbanks Supervisor; A. Schorno, Treasurer ; B. Fairbanks, Clerk! Those for 1851 cannot be clearly ascertained. The first election was held at the house of Isaac Fairbanks, on which occasion six votes were cast, by Benjamin and Isaac Fairbanks, George N. Smith, George Harrington, Anton Schorno, and Darwin Drew.

A list of those who were chosen annually, from 1852 to 1880, to be supervisors, clerks, treasurers, and justices of the peace, is hereto appended :

Justices Of The Peace

The town-board in 1849 was composed of Isaac Fairbanks, George N. Smith, and Benjamin Fairbanks, and a settlement with Manlius on road and school moneys, etc., was effected May 8th of that year. In 1850 .the township now called Overisel was set off from Monterey and attached to Fillmore. In 1857 Overisel was detached and given separate jurisdiction. In 1850 the town board was composed of Isaac Fairbanks, Anton Schorno, and Benjamin Fairbanks; in 1851, of Isaac Fairbanks, Anton Schorno, and George Harrington.

In 1853 the voters at the annual election were Cornelius Lepeltak, Peter Boven, Hendrik Klumper, Peter Van Anroy, William Oldebekking, Berend Telman, H. J. Smit, H. Strabbink, Egbert Nykerk, J. Schroetenboer, Harm Bouws, Hendrik Schroetenboer, Hendrik Hulst, Johannes Porter, Hendrik Beltman, Garret Peters, G. J. Finewever, Hendrik Huishur, H. G. Miokmanshuizen, Egbert Nyland, William Hulsman, J. Karelse, William Kleit, Hendrik Almink, G. J. Wolterink, Albert Eske, G. W. Koojers, Jacob Schaap, Cornelius Notting, Hendrik Strabbink, Abram Krapshouse, Lukas Dangremond, Kaas Simpel, M. Ypma, J. H. Streur, G. J. Immink, Hendrik Lamping,- Hendrik Geurink, Berteld Vredeveld, Hannes Kok, Mathew Naijer, Harm Schippert, Lukas Vredeveld, J. W. Agterescli, W. R. Root, Rolf Van Dam, Jan Van Rhee, Berens Boersekool, Klaas Vanzouten, Garret Vrilink, M. Kleinheksel, Bernhard Seeman, A. J. Neerken, J. G. Kronemeyer, Hendrik Timmerman, G. J. Brouws, G. J. Hopman, M. Von Tubbergen, M. Martman, A. Von Tubbergen, Lambert Hopman, J. H. Hopman, M. Slotmsfti, Z. Vugteven, Jan Poer, C. J. Voohorst, J. Hopman, J. W. Grotenhust, H. Kleinheksel, Anton Schorno, Isaac Fairbanks, J. Hellenthat. In 1856 the voters numbered 135 ; in 1859 101 ; in 1861 121 ; in 1865 104; in 1872 186 ; and in 1877 254.

ROADS. In December, 1840, R. R. Mann and James MeCormick, highway commissioners of Manlius, laid out a road, commencing fifty links east of the southwest corner of section 34, in township 4, and terminating at the southwest corner of section 8, in township 3, Aaron Chichester being the surveyor. The Richmond road was laid out in September, 1841, and two others in 1842. Anton Schorno and Benjamin Fairbanks were highway commissioners in Fillmore in 1849, and August 20th of that year laid out the first road. In 1850 they laid three, and two in 1851.

Piest Birth And Death

PIEST BIRTH AND DEATH. George N. Smith's daughter, born during the early days of his settlement and dying soon after, was the first white person born, as well as the first one to die, in the township. She was buried on her father's place, but was afterwards removed to the Holland cemetery, lying just out of the northwestern corner of Fillmore and owned conjointly by the townships of Fillmore and Laketown.

Fillmore Centre

FILLMORE CENTRE. This village, known as Fillmore Station on the Grand Haven Railroad, is the seat of Fillmore Centre post-ofiice. There was built there shortly after the completion of the railway, in 1870, Telman, Hoffman & Wagenar's saw-mill, now carried on by H. Telman. In 1875, Telman, Hoffman & Lemmers built a fine grist-mill, with three run of stone, which, owing to litigation, was stopped in January, 1880. The first store opened at Fillmore Centre was that of Hendrik Kronemeyer, who began to trade there in 1874. The post-office was established in 1873, and G. Wagenar appointed postmaster. In June, 1874, he was succeeded by Hendrik Kronemeyer, the present incumbent. The village now contains three stores, and in railway shipments it makes a very satisfactory exhibit.

Dutch Reformed Church At Graafschap

The first religious organization formed in the township of Fillmore was located at the village of Graafschap. The church was organized in 1848, and in the same year being incorporated as a society, purchased of G. Henevelt 81 acres on the east side of the Fillmore and Laketown line, which they laid out as the village of Graafschap, and upon which they built a log chureh, meetings .having, however, been held for nearly a year before that time in the houses of settlers. The officers first chosen were Jans Rutgers, Stephen Lucas, Lambert Tinholt, and Henry Salmink, as elders, and Johannes Van Anroy and Mathias Naaye, as deacons. Upon the organization of the church, a call was sent to Rev. H. G. Klyn, in the province of Zeeland, kingdom of the Netherlands, who came on at once to take charge, being accompanied, moreover, to America by Adrian Zwemer, now pastor of the same church. Mr. Klyn, who served as pastor two years, vnow resides in Keokuk, Iowa, at the venerable age of eighty-six, and is still engaged in preaching. His successor at Graafschap was Rev. Martin Ypma, upon whose retirement, in 1853, there was a vacancy in the regular succession for some years, although the pulpit was meanwhile supplied by the church at Holland. During Rev. Mr. Ypma's term the church parsonage was converted into a church, the old log cabin was abandoned, and a new parsonage was built.

In 1857 differences on religious opinion arose in the congregation, and as a result about three-fourths of the members decided to effect a new departure as the True Reformed Church of America. Being in the majority, they retained the church property, while the minority continued the original church organization at such times and in such places as they best could for two years thereafter, and, although they were without a regular pastor, managed to enjoy preaching pretty regularly. In 1859 the present house of worship was built, and, in 1861, Dominie Peters, a graduate of the New Brunswick Seminary, was employed as the first pastor subsequent to the church division, in 1857. His successors were Dirk Broek in 1865, Dominie Ogger in 1871, William Van Derkley, who served until December, 1875, and Adrian Zwemer, the present pastor, who entered upon his pastorate in July, 1876. Mr. Zwemer remembers preaching, while he was a student at Holland, to the congregation in Mr. A. J. Neerken's house, in 1857, when but 7 families worshiped with the church. Now the congregation includes 74 families. The present elders are G. Henevelt, A. J. Neerken, Albert Bekman, Herman Strabbing, and Hendrik Zuidweg. The deacons are Berend Lugers, Stephen Speet, Garret Zalmink, Heudrik Joldersma, Hendrik Brinkman. The Sunday-school, in charge of the pastor, employs 12 teachers, and has the names of 85 scholars on its roll. Connected with the church is a Sabbath-school on section 2, in Laketown, at which 25 children usually attend, and which is in charge of Frederick Zwemer and George Henevelt.

True Reformed Church At Graapschap

After the division of the Dutch Reformed Church at Graafschap, in 1857, those who pronounced for the True Reformed Church retained, as has been stated, the church property, including a church, a parsonage, and the property upon which the village was laid out. They used the old parsonage for public worship until 1861, when they erected the commodious edifice now in use. Subsequent to the division. Rev. Mr. Bush occupied the pulpit for several years, preaching once in three weeks., There were other ministers also until 1864, when Rev. D. Vanderwerp was called to be the first pastor. He preached every Sunday until 1872, after which, until 1874, the dependence was upon supplies. In 1874 Rev. H. W. Trealing was called, and remained until 1877. In April, 1879, his successor, the present pastor. Rev. R. T. Knipers, took charge. The church has prospered from the outset, and has now an average attendance of 150 families. The elders are Henry Lamping, Jacob De Frel, John Bouws, Egbert Fredericks, Henry Lubbers, H. H. Broenne, R. Brill. THjf deacons are Cornelius Lokker, Lucas Tinholt, G. Mokma, John Slink. The Sunday-school, in charge of the pastor, has 9 teachers, and a membership of 200.

Dutch Reformed Church On Section 2

DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH ON SECTION 2. This body was organized in 1867 by members of the church at Holland, for the sake of having a place of worship nearer home, and that year a church edifice was erected. The first elders chosen were G. Dalman, William Oonk, Garret Wildering. The deacons were Jacob Fork, Peter Knaber, and Frank Lucas. The first pastor was Rev. II. C. Knipers, who remained in charge until 1877, and was succeeded by Henry E. Dascher, the present pastor. About 70 families attend the church and enjoy public worship every Sunday. The church elders are William Oonk, Henry Dalman, William Kooyers, and Garret De Witt. The deacons' are Jacob Fork, John D. Bloomers, Garrit Rooks, and J. W. Wildering. The Sunday-school, which is in charge of the pastor, has 8 teachers and 70 pupils.

True Reformed Church On Section 28

This was organized in 1868 by members of the Graafschap church living in the southwestern portion of Fillmore. A church edifice was built in 1868, and, being destroyed in the forest fires of 1871, was rebuilt in the spring of 1872. The first elders and deacons were Dirk Lenters, John Leiblink, John Lohrman, H. Bruhn, and E. Bruhn. The first pastor was Rev. John Staat, whose successor. Rev. Mr. Skabus, was followed in 1875 by the present ptstor. Rev. "William Von Leyung. The average attendance is 90 families. The elders are R. Pastma, H. Helms, H. H. Dobben, and A. Kunnen. The deacons are Dirk Lenters and Henry Garvelink.

East Saugatuck Dutch Reformed Church

This church was formed Dec. 23, 1868, by a council composed of Revs. A. C. Van Raalte, J. G. Nykerk, D. Broeck, and Elders G. J. Walderdenk and G. Henevelt. Twentytwo members presented themselves at the organization, which was efiected in a log school-house, on the town-line, in Manlius, where meetings had previously been held. Edward Sprick and A. Boesel were chosen elders, and H. S. Berksman and H. Dalman deacons. Directly after the organization a church edifice was built on the town-line, in Fillmore. Preaching was supplied until 1873, when Rev. J. ¥. Zwemer, now in charge, was employed as pastor. From a membership of 22 in 1868 the church has increased to a present strength of 110 families. The elders are Edward Sprick, G. Van Tubergen, J. Lankhorst, and J. Heeringa. The deacons are H. Neuwenberg, John Lubbers, B. Vandenberg, and John Eisen. The Sundayschool has 12 teachers and 80 scholars.

George N. Smith and Benjamin Fairbanks were chosen school inspectors at the election in 1849, and on the 5th of May organized districts No. 1 and No. 2. The organization of No. 3 is unrecorded, but on the 22d of June, 1852, it was ordered that No. 3 should contain the southeast quarter of the town. No. 4 was formed Aug. 21, 1851, fractional district No. 5 in 1854, and fractional districts No. 6 and No. 7 in -1867. In 1853 the school children between the ages of four and eighteen numbered 206, including 40 in district No. 1, 70 in No. 2, 20 in No. 3, and 76 in No. 4. The first record of the appointment of teachers appears in 1853, when Phineas A. Hagar, Harriet H. Hudson, Constance Bingham, Mathew Janse, and Gracia P. Briggs were engaged.

Fillmore has now six fine school-houses, of which three are brick structures and two graded schools. The annual report for 1879 gave the following statistics :

The Bergman Mysteky

Fillmore was somewhat agitated, in 1877, over what was known as the Bergman mystery, and to this day the subject is a matter of lively recollection. Some time before the year named, Bergman left Fillmore and his wife, and, as no word came from him, after a reasonable lapse of time his wife married again. Not long after that Bergman made his appearance in Fillmore, but, unlike Enoch Arden, was unwilling to release the right to his spouse without protest. Husband No. 2 persuaded him, however, to waive his claim in consideration of a donation of $25, and, the bargain being thus peacefully concluded, Bergman abandoned himself to the delights of single blessedness.

Unhappily for him, certain youthful but high-spirited citizens of Fillmore resolved to rebuke the heartless bartering a wife away for a paltry $25, and so, coming upon Bergman in the shades of night, they assailed him most grievously, and wounded him sorely by means of divers and sundry blows. So disconcerted was Bergman at such treatment, and so frightened moreover at the prospect of more beatings, which were promised him if he did not leave the town, that he stood not upon the order of his going, but went as fast as ever he could.

News of the assault coming the next day to the ears of the town authorities, and a rigid search for Bergman failing to disclose his presence, the impression straightway prevailed that his assailants had murdered him and made away with the body. They were arrested, on the charge of murder, and upon preliminary examination were held for assault with intent to kill. Being tried, they were found guilty of assault and battery, and were each fined $25. With the result of that trial, however, the good people of Fillmore were not satisfied. Bergman had not been found, nor was he likely to be found, and the murder-theory, taking a fresh start, gained ground rapidly, until the public was more than ever convinced that Bergman had really been foully dealt with. The excitement was wide-spread and intense. At a town-meeting it was voted to offer a reward of $500 for the production of Bergman, dead or alive, and for a time nothing was talked of but the Bergman mystery and the evident determination of the townspeople to probe the afiair to the bottom.

Meanwhile, Bergman was peacefully earning his bread in the State of Georgia, all unconscious of the solicitude exercised on his behalf, and glad, no doubt, to be thus far from the muscular moralists of Fillmore. By chance his presence in the flesh in Georgia became revealed to the Fillmore people, and thereupon, satisfied that the man was not murdered after all, they returned to tranquil contentment, saved their oifered $500, and blessed their stars that the afiair had turned out so happily at last.

This township, organized in 1847 and named by Dr. Coats, a member of the Legislature from Otsego (who for some unknown reason selected the name of the holy river, of India), is known on the United States survey as town 2 north, in range 16 west, and is bounded north by Saugatuck, south by Casco, east by Clyde, and west by Lake Michigan.

It is an excellent farming township, and near the lake the land is devoted cfiiefiy to the cultivation of peaches. This branch of industry has come into prominence in Ganges within the past six years, and, as it continues to expand from year to year, the town seems likely to gain from this source no inconsiderable wealth.

Carefully-compiled statistics gave the number of peachtrees of all ages in the township, in the spring of 1879, as 63,985, and according to the best estimates about 20,000 more were set out during the year, so that by Jan. 1, 1880, the number of trees reached 84,000, of which 30,000 were four years old and over. The largest growers in the township have about 3000 trees each, while those who have 2000 each are quite numerous. The fruit of Ganges is mainly sent away at Fennville, on the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad, although considerable amounts are forwarded by ships every season from the Ganges piers, from Douglas, and from South Haven.

There is some lowland in the southeastern portion of the township, through which the north branch of the Black River flows, but it is being rapidly reclaimed. During the season of navigation communication by water with lake-ports is easy, while the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad is also near at hand. The township refused in October, 1869, by a vote of 167 to 21, to raise $30,000 in aid of the road just mentioned, but in November of the same year agreed, by a vote of 106 to 31, to donate $15,000. The railroad company did not, however, run its line through the township.

History Of Allegan And Barey Counties, Michigan The Pioneers

Harrison Hutchins, a New Yorker, led the way in the fall of 1838 to the settlement of Ganges, and where he then settled he lives to-day. He had come West in 1836, and while residing in Allegan had purchased 160 acres of land iu Manlius in 1837, and the same amount on section 1 in Ganges. Meanwhile, in Allegan, in the fall of 1838, he put up a log cabin, 16 by 18 feet, on his Ganges tract. In November of that year he brought his sister and her three children to his house (he being himself unmarried), and began life as a pioneer.

In December, 1838, John H. Billings, with a family consisting of a wife and five children, came with Cyrus A. Coles to Ganges, to locate upon lands which Coles had previously entered. They moved into Hutchins' cabin, and, although the house had but one room, the two families, which, including Coles, numbered 13 persons, managed to live in it from December, 1838, to February, 1839. Mr. Billings then moved his family into his own cabin, on section 3, where he had bought land of Coles. In that same month (February, 1839) James W. Wadsworth, who had come to Manlius, near the Ganges line, with James McCormick, in December, 1838, made a settlement upon section 2.

The neighborhood then consisted of the families of Hutchins, Billings, Wadsworth, and McCormick, the latter being nearer to the Ganges people than to his fellowtownsmen of Manlius. Wadsworth was the only one of them all who boasted the ownership of a pair of cattle. Cyrus Coles was a bachelor, but intended to make a settlement upon his land in section 3. He did not, however, like the idea of pioneering alone, and, after helping to roll up Wadsworth's cabin, returned to the East. Subsequently he married there and brought his wife to his Ganges farm, where he still resides.

In February, 1839, when Hutchins, Wadsworth, and Billings were the only residents in the town, Ganges was entirely a forest, with the usual accompaniments of Indians, wolves, deer, etc. The Indians were all friendly, and much given to trading with the whites. The wolves were so numerous as entirely to prevent the keeping of sheep ; while the deer were also plentiful, furnishing the settlers with venison in lieu of the mutton of which they were deprived.

The three families already mentioned were for two years the only white inhabitants of Ganges. In 1841 they were joined by Levi Loomis. That gentleman came from New York in 1838, and with his brother Lyman - both carpenters - had worked at Singapore, at the mouth of the Kalamazoo, during the intervening period. Levi Loomis was noted during his stay in Singapore as a skillful hunter, and in the slaughter of deer was especially successful. In 1841 he purchased 160 acres on section 11 in Ganges, and made his home upon it. He continued, however, to do considerable carpenter-work, erecting many houses and helping to build a number of mills in the county. Mr. Loomis was a lonely settler in the midst of a densely-timbered tract, although he could reach his nearest neighbor by a mile's travel.

lend a helping hand to incoming settlers. He owned one of the two pairs of cattle in the settlement, and was always ready to loan them without reward to his less fortunate neighbors, frequently to his own serious inconvenfence. He showed an unwearying determination to assist those who needed assistance whenever possible, and he is remembered for his kindness to this day. He was for a time coiKn-maker in general to the surrounding country, and for that work never charged a penny. Once, when asked how much he received for making a cofiSn, he replied, " Well, sir, when I get so that I'll have to charge for making a ooflfin I'll quit the business."

For ten years after the advent of Mr. Loomis settlers came very slowly. In the south part of the township they did not begin until 1843, when A. N. Crawford located upon the lake-shore, and in 1845, when Timothy McDowell settled in Casco, the people of both townships were so few that Loomis and Hutchins went from near the north line of Ganges to assist in raising McDowell's barn.

A. N. Crawford, alluded to above, who had lived in Calhoun County eight years, was the first settler on the lakeshore ; and when he located upon section 30, in 1843, his nearest neighbors on the north were Levi Loomis in Ganges and James Hale in Newark (now Saugatuck), each mord than six miles distant, while there was nobody south of him to the base-line. The next settlers in that locality were Nelson Root, who stayed only a year, W. R. Clark, H. F. Bostwick, and Orville Hudson. Mr. Bostwick's widow and A. N. Crawford are the oldest living members of the little pioneer band who first located in that portion of Ganges.

C. 0. Hamlin made a settlement in December, 1846, upon land in section 32 that he bought of Nelson Root. Hamlin set up a blacksmith-shop, which proved to be a great convenience to the country around, and to which people often brought their horses for shoeing from Singapore and Manlius.

In 1845, John B. Goodeve, of New York, bought of one Bascom some land on section 4, in township 2 (now Ganges), and with his wife and two children started by land for Michigan. On the way they were joined in Ohio by A. S. Collins and family, and all came to Ganges in company. Collins bought 40 acres of Goodeve, and while they were building Goodeve's house both lived with their families in an abandoned log cabin on James Wadsworth's place. In the spring of 1846, however, they both had houses of their own. As evidence regarding the character of the timber, Mr. Goodeve says that from a piece of 5| acres he cut logs enough to make 50,000 feet of lumber and over 400 cords of hard-wood. After that he cleared the balance of the land, and when his men came to " lo"" for him they remarked that the number of logs upon the ground indicated that there hadn't been a stick hauled away.

As may be imagined, roads in such a country were not easily made. There was a tolerably good road on the lakeshore, but nowhere else in the township. The nearest neighbor to Collins and Goodeve was David Updike, who had, a few days before their coming, moved upon a place on section 8, now occupied by S. I. B. Hutchinson, and first settled by a German. Their next nearest neighbor was James Hale, in the present township of Saugatuck.

Amos Hale, who had lived at Singapore from 1844 to 1846, located in the last-named year in Ganges. His widow married B. S. Collins. Besides those already named, the residents of Ganges in 1845 included Mr. Baragar, Mr. Bankson (on the present O'Brien place), Mr. Stewart (on section 11), Thomas Carter, G. F. Hughes, Mr. Roach, and S. M. Thompson. Among those who came soon afterwards were Amos Hale, Samuel Weaver, Benjamin and Nathaniel Plummer, Roswell Daily, Orlando Weed, Richard Mack, William Dunn, Thomas Wilson, Charles M. Link, Wm. Dornan, William Warren (whose wife's son, G. D. Dean, now living on section 21, came when a lad with his mother). Lamed Cook, W. R. Clark, Jonathan Warrick, Orville Hudson, T. Tracey (who died 1879, aged eightynine), J. R. Kelley, Harrison Fry, the Bardens, Nyes, and others.

Richard Mack located upon section 31, where he had bought 120 acres of his brother-in-law, A. N. Crawford. Peter Sargent, an early settler in Clyde, removed to section 1, in Ganges, where he now lives. Nathan Slayton, who had visited Ganges soon after 1841, settled ultimately on section 10, where he lived until his removal to Kansas, in 1870. Walter Billings, who had come to Michigan in 1 834, living meanwhile near Detroit, in Allegan, and in Clyde, moved to Ganges in 1851, where he now lives upon a place he bought of James Wadsworth.

Among other early settlers may also be mentioned H. J. Atwater, S. W. Loveridge, William Goodwin, John Stilson, Hiram Lee (a blacksmith), who sold his place to Rufus Dowd in 1862, A. A. Johnson (a salt-water sailor, from Maine, who bought a place on section 9, of Nathan Plummer, in 1854), Simeon Staring, Charles McVey, William Dunn, Philander Taylor, S. I. B. Hutchinson, W. A. Seymour (who bought the W. R. Clark place), J. Gardner, R. J. Knox, William Darling, E. Penfold, W. McCarthy, R. C. Eaton, Joseph Trigg, and Joseph Johnson.

ROADS. The first highway of any consequence in the township was the lake-shore road, which was laid out about 1843 by Mr. Chichester, the county surveyor, and ultimately run through to South Haven. The first highway commissioners chosen in Ganges were Roswell Daily, Nathan Slayton, and John Thayer. In 1847 the town was laid out into six road districts. Previous to that twelve roads, including the Breedsville road, had been laid by Newark township in the territory subsequently called Ganges. After 1847 town roads were rapidly constructed.

Fiest Birth And Death

FIEST BIRTH AND DEATH. Singularly enough, the first birth and death in Ganges both took place in the family of one who was not a settled resident of the township. In 1840, Russell Hall, a brotherin-law of Harrison Hutchins, had a piece of land in Manlius from Mr. Hutchins, and while making it ready for a residence was living in the house of that gentleman in Ganges. While he was living there, in the year before named, his son, paniel H. Hall, was born, he being the oldest white native of the township. He now lives in Kansas. The same year, and while still living in Hutchins' house,

Rev. L. Gage, of Plainwell, a Methodist circuit-minister, preached Mr. Hall's funeral sermon, which was the second sermon preached in the township. Mr. Hall was buried on Mr. Hutchins' place, and there, for some years afterwards, was the only burial-ground the township had.

PHYSICIANS.' At that time there was no physician to be had short of Allegan. Dr. Chauncey B. Goodrich settled in the township soon afterwards, however, and until his death, in 1879, was almost continuously in practice in the western part of Allegan County, in which he was for many years the only physician. Dr. E. E. Brunson has been practicing in Ganges since 1875.

MILLS. The pioneers of Ganges were not very well off with respect to grist-mills. Saw-mills were convenient enough, but there was not a very pressing demand for lumber by the early settlers of Ganges, who generall3' rolled up log houses as the cheapest and most expeditious method of providing homes. The nearest grist-mill was at Allegan, and a journey thither, over the roads of that day, involved a trip of two days, and sometimes more. Occasionally a family which had used up the last of its stock of bread would be in sore need before the journey to mill and back could be accomplished, although some neighbor was generally found to supply the deficiency. Mrs. Plummer remembers that when the family of Ralph R. Mann reached their new home in Manlius they found themselves without bread, and, learning that Mr. Plummer was their nearest neighbor, five miles or more distant, they sent a messenger on foot to the residence of that gentleman to ask the loan of a loaf of bread. Fortunately, the Plummers had the bread to spare, and willingly supplied the wants of their distant neighbors.

Drowned In The Lake

Mention will be made in the history of Saugatuck of a calamity on the Kalamazoo River in 1841 whereby three children of John H. Billings, together with Mrs. Billings, were drowned. Three other children of Mr. Billings, in the boat on that occasion, were saved, but one of them, Ozias by name, seemed born under an adverse star, for he subsequently lost his life in Hutchins' Lake, in Ganges, while crossing on the ice. He was warned that the journey was a risky one, but boy-like he persisted in making the venture, and before he had proceeded far felt the ice giving way beneath him. He struggled bravely to save himself, but in vain, and soon went down beneath the icy waters of the lake.

Township No. 2, in range 16, was a portion of the civil township of Newark until 1847, and when Ganges was formed in that year it included survey-townships No. 2 and No. 1, now known respectively as Ganges and Casco, the latter having been set off in 1854. The first town-meeting in Ganges was held at the house of Orlando Weed, April 5,

History Op Allegan And Barry Counties, Michigan

The officials chosen on that occasion were the following : Supervisor, A. H. Hale ; Clerk, S. H. Weaver ; Treasurer, Levi Loomis ; Justices of the Peace, N. D. Plummer and

G. F. Hughes ; School Inspectors, Daniel Piatt and A. H. Hale ; Directors of the Poor, J. W. Wadsworth and Nathan Slayton ; Assessors, J. W. Wadsworth and J. B. Goodeve; Commissioners of Highways, Nathan Slayton, Roswell Daily, J. B. Goodeve ; Constables, John Lutz, Henry Baragar, S. H. Weaver, and 0. C. Thayer ; Pathmasters, District No. 1, Henry Baragar ; No. 2, David Updike ; No. 3, N. D. Plummer ; No. 4, C. 0. Hamlin ; No. 5, Timothy McDowell. At the same meeting $300 were voted for ordinary township purposes, and $250 for roads and bridges.

PLUMMBBVILLE. Plummerville, ep called, was founded in 1846, by Benjamin Plummer and Orlando Weed, who came from Saugatuck and set up a saw-mill on the creek near there. 0. R. Johnson and a Mr. Noyes soon started a tannery near by. Plummer opened a store, and, in company with Mr. Robinson, built a lake-pier, four hundred feet in length, at which considerable lumber and cordwood was shipped. Mr. Weed went to California in 1849, and then Mr. Plummer carried on the saw-mill alone until about 1858. The tannery flourished until 1875. John and Loren Baldwin, now living on section 8, and Charles M. Link, a resident of section 5, were employees in Plummer & Weed's saw-mill, which was the first one of any kind erected in Ganges. The second-jvas put up by G. F. Hughes, a short distance south. Mr. Plummer, who was one of the pioneers of Saugatuck, where he located in 1834, still resides at Plummerville, which, however, has ceased to show any of the characteristics of a village.

Pier Cove

PIER COVE. The village known as Pier Cove was laid out by Deacon Sutherland, in 1851, upon section 5, where he had located in 1849. The first improvement of any consequence was a steam saw-mill, erected by Abbott, Squires & Co. Franklin Nichols set up a turning-lathe directly afterwards, and subsequently transformed it into a grist-mill, which has been in continuous operation to the present time. Mr. Sutherland built a pier into the lake, sixteen feet wide and three hundred and twenty-three feet in length, and on subsequent occasions made additions which brought the total length up to two hundred feet and the width to forty feet. A store was opened by Mr. Cranston, a tavern was built by J. J. Gardner and George Dunn, and several other residents located in the young village. Business reached such a volume presently that the village boasted of four stores, a population of 20 families, and such brisk times at the pier that it was no rare thing to see a half-dozen vessels loadino' there with lumber, cordwood, etc., at the same time. Afi'airs prospered until 1867, when, the supply of timber becoming exhausted, the saw-mill was discontinued, shipments ceased, and the place relapsed into quietude. It has now a store, post-office, and a population of a dozen families, and during the proper season of navigation does something in the way of shipping fruit.

There is some talk of restoring the pier (now much dilapidated), and if this should be done the fruit business would be likely to show a material increase.

Post-Oppices

POST-OPPICES. In the earlier days the settlers obtained their mail at Saugatuck, and after 1853 at Pier Cove, a post-offiee being established at that place that year. Samuel M. Thompson was the first postmaster, and after him the incumbents were Lorenzo Weed, John S. Payne, Elijah Weaver, William

New Casco post-office was established in Casco township in 1856, when Lawrence Hyde was appointed postmaster. Wm. P. Davis was the second appointee, and Wm. 0. - Packard the third. During the administration of the latter gentleman the location of the office was changed to Packard's Corners, in Ganges. After Mr. Packard, Wm. Chase was the postmaster, he being followed by Geo. T. Clapp, the present incumbent. Early in 1879 the name of the office was changed to that of Glenn, which it now bears.

Peach Belt post-office, on the northern lino of the township, was established Feb. 1, 1879. Walter Billings was the postmaster until December of that year ; in January, 1880, John Hoover was appointed.

Methodist Classes

The first sermon preached in Ganges was delivered by Rev. L. Gage, of Plainwell (a Methodist circuit-preacher), in James Wadsworth's house, during the year 1840. After that Mr. Gage generally preached in Ganges once in four weeks. His circuit covered a wide stretch of country, extending from the Kalamazoo Circuit to the lake-shore. He was a tireless worker, and for that reason came to be known as " the breaking-up plow." Gage organized a class which worshiped at times in Wadsworth's house and barn, and also in an old log house on Harrison Hutchins' place. Subsequently a second class was formed, a mile and a half south of the town line, in what was known as the " White School-House." This latter was afterwards united with the Pier Cove class.

The Methodist class now worshiping near Pier Cove was organized about 1852. The first members were V. WadswortU and wife, E. S. Collins and wife, Wm. Corner and wife, Jas. W. Wadsworth and wife, Charles Goodeve, Mr. and Mrs. Roswell Daily, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Plummer, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Dunn, Mrs. Samuel Weaver, Mr. and Mrs. Simmons.

Meetings were at first held at the houses of Nathaniel PJummer and E. S. Collins, and at the Wadsworth schoolhouse until 1867, when the present church edifice was built. Among the earliest pastors were Rev. Messrs. Bliss, Boyington, Erkenbach, Mosher, Campbell, Eldridge, and Earl. The present pastor is Rev. N. M. Steele, who preaches at Pier Cove once a week. David Hoover is the present class-leader. The trustees are Wm. Dunn, B. T. Collins, PEilander Taylor, Wm. Corner, James Gardner, David Hoover, Wm. Ferguson, V. Wadsworth, and John Wadsworth. The Sunday-school superintendent is Wm. Corner. There is also a class at Packard's Corners, known as the South Ganges class. Its membership is 11, and its leader German Richards.

The First Baptist Church

Loomis, Sarah Ann Loomis, Joseph Collins, Marcus Sutherland, Almira Hudson, Charlotte Collins, Mrs. Sutherland, Eunice Crawford, and Bathsheba Rockwell. The first deacon was Marcus Sutherland, and the first clerk Levi Loomis. Among the pastors who served the church during the first twenty years of its existence were Elders Austin Harmann, ,C. P. Grosevenor, Silas Bowker, Abner Webb, E. O'Brien, and William Munger.

Worship is held at present in the Lewis school-house, although a movement is afoot looking to the speedy erection of a church edifice. Rev. J. E. Piatt, the present pastor, has been in charge since 1877. The membership is 54. The deacons are Harrison Hutchins and G. W. Loveridge. The trustees are Glenn O'Brien, Gillette Spencer, and Edward Hutchins.

The Second Baptist Church

THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH. The Second Baptist Church was organized Sept. 22, 1868, by members of the First Church and others, aggregating, all told, 17 persons. The first pastor was Rev. Silas Bowker ; the first deacons were William P. Sherman and J. H. Barden, and the clerk Levi Loomis. The present deacons are Levi Loomis, William P. Sherman, and 0. P. Carman. Weekly Sunday services are held by Rev. J. E. Piatt, in the " Sherman" school district. The membership is now 38.

United Brethren In Christ

A United Brethren class was formed at the Pier Cove school-house by Rev. Mr. Foote. in 1861, with a membership of 24. The first class-leader was Lorenzo Weed. Until 1875, services were held in the school-house. The class had at one time a membership of 50, but it now numbers only 35. Among the immediate successors of Mr. Foote were Rev. Messrs. Buck, Baldwin, and Linn. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. De Long, of Casco, who preaches at Pier Cove once in two weeks, and similarly to a class worshiping in the Sherman school district. The charge is in the Ganges Circuit, which includes six appointments. The church now used by the Pier Cove class was built in 1875. The present class-leader is Arthur Howland, the trustees are Elisha Weed, Ro,bert Linn, Edwin Goodwin, and John Goodwin, and the Sunday-school superintendent is Edwin Goodwin.

The Wbslbtan Methodist Class Of Peach Belt

This church was formed by Rev. Mr. Burnell, in the Billings school-house, with 14 members, Charles Atwater being the class-leader. Rev. Mr. Grinnell, of Ganges, is now the pastor, and is in charge of the Peach Belt Circuit, which includes Laketown, Peach Belt, and Mack's Landing. The church stewards are William Ledig, Walter Billings, and Mr. Frazier. Meetings are held in the Billings school-house once in two weeks.

School district No. 1 was formed in April, 1847, and had for its first teacher Isaac Stewart, who had previously been teachin" a school in James Wadsworth's house. Districts 2 3, and 4 were organized July 20, 1847. Among the early district school-teachers besides Stewart were Mary Piatt, Samuel H. Weaver, Helen E. Seymour, Frances

Pool, Jeanette Earl, Constance Bingham, and Eliza Jane Starr. The official report for the year 1879 furnishes this information touching the Ganges public schools :

The school directors for 1879 were A. C. Goodrich, W. H. Dunn, W. A. Seymour, C. M. Link, Edward Lindsey, George W. Hampton, John Wadsworth, James Miller.

GANGES GRANGE, No. 839. This was organized July 8, 1874, with 42 members, Anson Grover being the Master ; W. A. Woodworth, 0. ; James Gardner, L. ; A. N. Perrotlet, Sec. ; and Edward Hawley, Treas. The succession of Masters from the first has been Anson Grover, William Cummings, S. R. Lewis, and William Cummings. The membership in February, 1880, was 50, and the officers were William Cummings, M. ; S. R. Lewis, Sec. ; E. Hawley, Treas. ; N. W. Lewis, L. ; Henry Plummer, 0. ; Freeman Robinson, Steward ; Andrew Staring, A. S. ; Clarence Ardrey, G. ; Mrs. F. Robinson, Chaplain; Mrs. E. Hawley, Ceres; Mrs. William Corner, Pomona; Mrs. Taylor, Flora. The grange owns a commodious hall at Lewis' Corners, which was completed in March, 1880.

Temperance Societies

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. During the winter of 1877-78 a strong temperance movement was started in Ganges with the organization in school district No. 10 of a Red Ribbon Club. The cause prospered steadily from the outset, and in February, 1880, was encouraged by four Red Ribbon Clubs in various portions of the town, with a promise of much increase of strength.

The Saugatuck And Ganges Pomological Society

This society was organized Sept. 30, 1871, at the village of Douglas, as the Lake-Shore Agricultural and Pomological Society. It then embraced members from the twelve western towns of Allegan County. The officers chosen at the organization were D. W. Wiley, President ; J. J. Holmes, S. R. Lewis, James McCormick, B. F. Dressier, R. C. Eaton, and R. B. Newnham, Vice-Presidents; C. A. Ensign, Secretary; E. W. Perry, Corresponding Secretary; J. S. Owen, Treasurer; H. H. Goodrich, J. P. Leland, Alexander Hamilton, and J. F. Taylor, Directors. The charter members numbered 85.

"The society believed they had the fairest part of the State for their iield of labor, and that within its limits was contained all that the farmer or fruit-grower could desire. From the commencement of this society, when there was not fruit enough raised in this vicinity for home consumption, till th« present time there has been a constant and steady increase in the agricultural and pomological productions not surpassed by any other locality, and equaled by very few.

" The high price of fruit, and especially of peaches, during the first years of this society gradually gave prominence to pomology in its discussions. The remoter towns paid less and less attention to it till the membership was confined mostly to the towns of Saugatuck and Ganges. These two facts being discussed, it was decided to change the name of the organization, and accordingly the change

"Since the organization, seven years ago, the production has increased from not enough to supply home consumption to over 100,000 bushels for shipment from the towns of Saugatuok and Ganges alone, and only a small portion of the trees in full bearing. It is fair to that the amount will be more than doubled within the next five years."

The membership of the society in March, 1880, was 40, and the officers as follows : James F. Taylor, President ; Levi Loomis, Alexander Hamilton, N. W. Lewis, J. H. Bandle, William Corner, and P. Purdy, Vice-Presidents ; Byron Markham, Secretary ; J. S. Owen, Treasurer ; J. P. Leland, S. R. Lewis, A. Hamilton, and H. L. F. Crouse, Directors.

Edward Penfold

EDWARD PENFOLD. Mr. Penfold is of English extraction, and was born in Sussex, England, May 21, 1828. Having become impressed with the superior advantages accorded artisans and laborers in the New World, he, at the age of twenty-one, bade adieu to the mother-country and embarked for America. After a brief residence in New York State Mr. Penfold returned to England, and was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Gratwick, who was born Dec. 31, 1827, jnd was a native of Sussex County, as were also her parents. Two children add to their happiness, - Henry J., born Oct. 11, 1856, and Charles E., whose birth occurred Nov. 21, 1862. An adopted daughter, Miss Hattie, is also a member of the pleasant family circle.

Mr. Penfold returned again with his bride to America, where, in connection with his brother Henry, who had meanwhile left his native shore, Edward engaged in labor in New York State. During the year 1855 they removed to Michigan, where he purchased 40 acres of land in Ganges. This was soon transformed from a wilderness into fruitful fields, and two years later sold and a more extensive farm purchased, upon which his present residence stands. During one of the big fires in that year of fires (1871), and on the day Chicago was burned, his log house and the lumber and shingles for a new one, and two barns, together with all utensils, were burned.

During the late war both Edward and Henry Penfold were actively engaged in the contest, the latter of whom sacrificed his life for the cause. In 1877, Mr. Penfold, accompanied by two neighbors, visited again his native land for a brief period. They revived many pleasant associations, but returned fully impressed with the advantages of a republican over a monarchical government. Mr. Penfold is regarded as a public-spirited citizen, and his career has fully justified the estimate in which he is held. His wife and his eldest son are exemplary members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

of eleven children, - six boys and five girls. His father, Stephen Hamlin, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, Elizabeth (Felts) Hamlin, was also a native of that State, having married Mr. Hamlin some time in 1807, afterwards removing to Ohio, locating on the farm where they died, - Stephen Hamlin in 1856, and Elizabeth Hamlin in 1878.

C. 0. Hamlin, like most boys of his time, passed his boyhood days with little advantages of schooling, and less time for play and recreation, hard work being the portion of nearlyall in those days. At the age of twenty he commenced life for himself, working on a farm for the first years by the day and month. Then he learned the blacksmith's trade, and at the age of twenty-five he married, in Stark Co., Ohio, Dec. 14, 1837, Miss Margaret M. Fisher, daughter of Reuben and Lavina (Knox) Fisher, both natives of Crawford Co., Pa., where Miss Margaret was born, Aug. 2, 1820. Mr. Fisher's death occurred in Michigan in 1851 or '52, and Mrs. Fisher's in Kalamazoo, in 1873.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin they commenced housekeeping in the town, Mr. Hamlin working at his trade. Here they remained for nine years, and in the spring of 1846 started westward with their family of five children, traveling in the usual way of those days, by wagon, stopping first at Battle Creek for some six months ; then moved to and settled on the farm where they now live, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, and which only had a small improvement when they purchased, and, though Mr. Hamlin has continued working at his trade, being the only blacksmith in that vicinity for many years, still has managed his farm with success and profit.

Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin are the parents of the following children, who have grown to manhood and womanhood, viz. : Harvey R., born Dec. 10, 1838 ; Melissa L., born April 13, 1840 ; Jarret H., born Sept. 13, 1841, died Dec. 12, 1861, in the army ; Malinda M., born May 7, 1843 ; Maria 0., born Dec. 22, 1844 ; Caroline F., born Oct. 23, 1848 ; Emeline M., born Aug. 2, 1850 ; Ida A., born Sept. 1, 1852, died May 22, 1873 ; Viola A., born Aug. 12, 1854; Charles F., born March 31, 1862 ; besides these, three have died in childhood. In addition to the home-farm of one hundred and sixty acres, Mr. Hamlin owns other land in the township to the amount of one hundred and twentyfive acres. He has always followed mixed farming, but, like many others of this township, has of late years interested himself in fruit-raising, and with success.

Politically, Mr. Hamlin is a Republican, but never seeking the emoluments of political work, leaving for others who wish them the oflSces and honors.

Their family are all grown to manhood and womanhood, and, with the exception of one son and one daughter, have left home seeking fortunes for themselves.

Levi Loomis

LEVI LOOMIS. Mr. Loomis is the direct descendant of Revolutionary stock, one of his ancestors having been a soldier of the war of 1812. His parents were Josiah and Rebecca (Sheen)

Loomis, who were the parents of four sons and a daughter. Their son, Levi, was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1810. On the death of his mother he found a home with a family friend, - Dr. Foot, - with whom he remained five years, his time having been principally occupied in school duties. He later engaged in labor, and with the proceeds liquidated the indebtedness upon his father's farm. Subsequently, having learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, he, in June, 1835, removed to Michigan, landing in Detroit on the 23d ; July 3d he went to Marshall ; on the 4th went to Grand Rapids ; thence to St. Joseph, and crossed the lake to Illinois. He returned to St. Joseph on the 28th, and commenced work on the steamboat " Royalon." On the 8th of September ho quit work on account of the ague. He sailed on the lake from May 1st to June 19th, being towed from St. Joseph to Swan Creek, Allegan County. He built a mill, thirty-five by fifty, doing all the framing and laying foundation, and within three weeks, with the help of a millwright, had it in running operation. He remained there until the 10th of May, 1837, when he returned to the East, and was married to Miss Sally Ann Skinner May 25th, same year, and returned to Michigan, crossing the State in a wagon, going from Allegan to the mouth of the Kalamazoo River on a raft. Of their eight children five are married and living near their parents' home.

The early home of Mr. and Mrs. Loomis after their marriage was Singapore, where they erected the first dwelling in the hamlet. Mr. Loomis followed for a period of years his calling of a millwright, assisting to build a mill fifty by one hundred and twenty feet. In the spring of 1839 he moved to Saugatuck, then to Kalamazoo ; left there in January, 1840, for a farm of eighty acres which he had purchased in 1839, which was then uncleared land, and is the site of the present homestead. Eighty acres has since been added, and the whole farm placed under a high state of cultivation. After becoming a farmer he was not satisfied, but built a mill at Fennville ; built and supplied it from his farm ; but fire wiped it out, and about four hundred thousand feet of lumber, worth about six thousand dollars. Ho then went back to his farm satisfied. Much of this land is devoted to fruit-raising, ten acres being devoted to apples and twelve to peaches. This has proved exceedingly lucrative. He may justly be said to have been the pioneer in the peach-growing interest in the western portion of the county. Mr. Loomis was formerly a Whig in his political convictions, and has fallen very naturally into the Republican ranks. He is not in any sense an office-seeker, though several minor offices in the township have fallen to his lot. He was the earliest assessor in Saugatuck, and, with the assistance of Mrs. Loomis, made the first assessment-roll in the township. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are, in their daily walk and conversation, exemplars of the faith they profess.

Two of their sons were soldiers in the war for the preservation of the Union, one of whom sacrificed his life in 1864. With this affliction, together with the loss of two other of their children, their lives have been saddened, though many occasions for thankfulness are still gratefully recognized by them.

Few residents of the county of Allegan are more familiar with its pioneer history or more closely identified with its early interests than is Benjamin Pliimmer, who, in 1834, became a settler within its boundaries. He was born Nov. 20, 1802, in Maine, having been the oldest child of David and Hannah Ames Plummer, both natives of New Hampshire.

They were for a brief period residents of Pennsylvania, after which they removed to Wayne Co., Ohio. His father having died in 1828, the mother accompanied her son to Michigan, where her death occurred in 1857. Mr. Plummer, in 1827, married Miss Elvina Andrews, who was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1805, her parents having been natives of Connecticut, and pioneers to Ohio in 1824.

Plummer

son, has the honor of having been the first white child in Saugatuck, where his parents removed in 1834. After a residence of twelve years in the latter township, where all the deprivations incident to pioneer life were endured, they removed to Ganges, their present home. Both lumbering and farming engaged Mr. Plummer's attention here, as had been the case previously. His original purchase was one hundred and fifty acres. This, by division among his children, has been reduced to fifty, which is now cultivated. During the ravages in 1853 of the cholera in Michigan, Mr. and Mrs. Plummer were severely aiBicted in the loss of four children in one week. This severe dispensation has marked an era in their lives which is otherwise fraught with many happy memories. ^Mr. Plummer's political career has not been an eventful one. He is a staunch Republican, though not an office-seeker.

William Dornan

The life of William Dornan presents a conspicuous example of the power of industry to overcome obstacles. He was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, March 30, 1820, his father, a native of Pennsylvania, having moved from that State to Ohio a short time previous to William's birth. The subject of our sketch was afBicted with the loss of his mother at an early age, her death occurring in 1830, and soon after William drifted from the parental roof and became, as soon as possible, independent of other aid than that afforded by his own hands. His father's death occurred in Indiana in 1845 or '46.

In the fall of 1847, William was married to Miss Nancy McClurg, a former resident of his native town, her parents having removed to Ohio from Pennsylvania in the fall of 1844. Mr. Dornan visited Michigan on a prospecting tour previously, but did not remove his family thither until 1851. He then located on section 20 in Ganges township, clearing up the farm of eighty acres first purchased, and, selling that, bought one hundred and sixty acres on sections 20 and 29, which he still owns, and where he lived until within a short time, now living on section 7, having recently purchased a fruit-farm of thirty-seven acres, a sketch of which can be seen upon another page. Mr. Dornan was severely aflSicted by the loss of his wife in 1870, who left a family of six boys and two girls, all of whom are, with the exception of the youngest, still living. He was a second time married, to Mrs. Simpson, Nov. 23, 1873, who was a native of Pennsylvania, her maiden name being Mary Jane Rlheldaffar ; she came to Michigan with her first husband in 1858.

Mr. Dornan is an advocate of the principles of the Greenback party, being formerly a Democrat, though but little interested in political matters, being wholly absorbed in his farming and business interests, although spared much of the responsibility of the farm management by the ability and judgment of his sons, who have been remarkably successful in all the departments of agriculture to which their attention has been directed, his crop of wheat last year of thirty acres averaging over forty bushels per acre, some going as high as fifty-five.

eminent degree has enabled him to overcome every obstacle ; and, although he has had his share of bad luck, among which was the loss of nearly everything by fire some fifteen years ago, and by which he was compelled to begin again almost at the bottom-round of the ladder, yet he is now comparatively independent.

The subject of this biography is descended from Revolutionary stock, his maternal grandfather, Joseph Beecher, having been a captain in the war of 1776. Mr. Hutchinson was born May 18, 1809, in Chenango Co., N. Y., and until his twentieth year was engaged in labor incident to farming pursuits. In May, 1829, he became impressed with the advantages afforded by the State of Michigan to young men of energy, and bade adieu to the scenes of his early life. Arriving at Monroe, Mich., he pursued the trade of a brickmaker for a period of three years. This calling frequently necessitated travel over a wide range of territory, and Mr. Hutchinson remembers traversing the ground now covered by the city of Toledo when not a dwelling marked the site of the present thriving commercial centre. In 1834 he located a farm in Emmett, Calhoun Co., upon which he soon after removed and lived the solitary life of a bachelor.

In May, 1842, he was married to Miss Charlotte Hughes, daughter of John and Elizabeth Hughes, of England, her birthplace. She came to America when seven years of age, and became a resident of Calhoun County in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson have had four children, two of whom are now residing in Douglas, Allegan Co. The remaining two are deceased, the son having repaired to California in pursuit of health, where he died in 1879 ; the daughter's death occurred in 1870. Mr. Hutchinson, in 1862, disposed of his extensive farm in Calhoun County, embracing three hundred and twenty acres, and removed to his present residence, the land of which has been devoted principally to the raising of choice varieties of fruit.

He is a firm advocate of the principles of the Republican party, though not an active partisan in politics. In religious opinions both Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson are liberal, with a profound respect for the convictions of others.

The township bearing this name embraces the territory designated in the United States survey as township No. 1 north, of range No. 11 west, and is situated in the southeast corner of Allegan County. Barry County joins it on the east, and Kalamazoo County on the south, while the townships of Otsego and Martin, in Allegan, form respectively its western and northern boundaries.

Except those portions bordering upon its water-courses and the beautiful tract known as " Gun Plains,'' which are comparatively level, the surface is generally rolling, and in a few instances hilly, the highest points attaining an altitude of one hundred and fifty feet above Lake Michigan.

The original forests were deciduous in their nature, beech, maple, oak, whitewood, sycamore, lynn, and ash predominating, and the growth most dense on the bottomlands skirting the streams. Although pine was found in many places, it never flourished extensively on any particular section. " Gun Plains" was a burr-oak opening of the finest quality and prairie-like in its appearance. Frequently but two or three trees were found standing upon an acre. The soil of the plains, rich and friable in its nature, yielded readily to cultivation when once broken. The soil of the township generally is excellent, being a sand and clay loam with alluvial deposits intermixed, and is distinguished by no traits rendering it different from that of the greater part of the Peninsular State.

The principal water-courses are the Kalamazoo and Gun Rivers, and Silver Creek. The former enters the township on the south line of section 33, and thence, in its rapid flow towards the great lake, pursues a northwest course, and, intersecting sections 33, 32, 29, 30, and 19, leaves the township by crossing the west line of the latter section. By the construction of dams and an artificial channel at the village of Plainwell, excellent water-power is obtained and utilized by various mills, village water-works, etc.

Gun River takes its rise in a lake of the same name in Barry County, and, as a tributary to the Kalamazoo, flows in a southwesterly direction across the northern part of this township, and finally effects a junction with the latter stream in the eastern part of Otsego. Its current is sluggish, and extensive swamps and marshes abound along its course. These marshes were of great benefit to the early settlers, for here they were enabled to obtain pasturage and hay for their stock at a time when the present well-cultivated fields were covered with forests. By dredging and the cutting away of drift-wood, thousands of acres now valueless can and will yet be reclaimed.

Silver Creek, a small and limpid stream, flows from I'rairieville across the southeast corner of Gun Plain, and enters the Kalamazoo in Cooper township.