Fennville City (part 2 of 6)

Until June, 1842, there were no further accessions to the settlements in Irving. A. HE. Bull, Daniel Williams, and the Ingrahams were the only settlers, and they were by no means near enough to each other to be more than distant neighbors. At the first town-meeting, in 1840, there were but 7 voters for the two townships, then called Irving. There were but 6 men to occupy the offices, and, as the official positions were to be 21 in number, the 6 were compelled to "double up" very briskly, as witness :

Pent Er, Hope Tf, Barry

Maj. Mott was chosen assessor, school inspector, justice of the peace, constable, and overseer of highways; Estes Rich was treasurer, assessor, school inspector, highway commissioner, and justice of the peace; A. E. Bull was clerk, school inspector, director of the poor, highway commissioner, and justice of the peace; and Frederick Ingraham was supervisor, director of the poor, highway commissioner, and overseer of highways. Fortunately for the holders, the offices were almost sinecures, since, in the nature of things, there could be but little to do in any of them, save, perhaps, such as were concerned with the highways, else their official tasks would have left them little leisure for labor on their own behalf. Even as to highways, there was at first not much labor or trouble. The character of the country was such that travel was easy through the oakopenings, and roads to almost any point were to be had without difficulty.

In the winter of 1841-42, Peter Cubb came from Wayne Co., Mich., where he had been living since 1836, and, as a result of his land-looking expedition, purchased a tract in section 27, and in June, 1842, moved upon it with his family and brother Adna. Upon that place Mr. Cobb has resided uninterruptedly ever since, and is therefore the oldest resident settler in Irving.

Following Mr. Cobb, in 1842, came Richard Newell Hanna, who had bought of one Green, a New Yorker, 520 acres on section 33, and 160 on section 28, upon which latter he made his own home, and soon afterwards parceled out his land on section 33 to incoming settlers. He died in 1855. His brother, J. C. Cobb, afterward married his widow, and still occupies the old Hanna farm. The first settler on section 33 was Joseph C. Freeman, who, in 1843, located upon a 40-acre lot, and while building his cabin lodged an unbroken wilderness, and received no settler after Freeman until 1845, when Robert McClintock made a settlement. Freeman now lives in Middleville, and the widow of McClintock, aged eighty-four, resides in the same township. j William Cole located himself on section 27 in 1843, and in the year 1844 there was a considerable addition to the settlement. Isaac Hendershott, with his son J. J., was among the first, coming in the spring from New York, and making a land-purchase on the southeast corner of section 29. arly in the fall they returned to New York, and brought the rest of the family to the new home in Michian. Isaac Hendershott's widow, eighty-four years old, lives on the old homestead. J. J., her son, has a home on section 29, He married a daughter of Coben Balch, who, in October, 1844, came from Vermont to Michigan and settled south of the river, on section 32, where he lived until his tragic death, in 1863. The circumstances of the tragedy may be thus told. Mr. Balch visited Grand Rapids, and made his temporary home at.the Eagle Hotel, whereof one John Evans was Jandlord. Balch made some sport of the beefsteak set before him at supper, and remarked upon its extraordinary toughness, giving it as his laughing opinion that the animal from which the steak had been cut must have been a " breaker'' - referring, of course, to the hardened physical system of cattle used in breaking land. This and other similar jocose references a waiter promptly repeated to landlord Evans, and landlord Evans, swelling with rage at the thought that the delicacy of his beefsteak should be questioned, advanced quickly and wildly upon Mr. Balch while the latter still sat at the table, and, falling upon him, so beat, bruised, and maltreated him that from the injuries thus received Mr. Balch died within the ensuing forty-eight hours. Evans was tried, convicted, and sentenced to the State prison for three years, but before the expiration of his term he died.

In 1844, too, came William Barton, accompanied by his sons, Willard and Reuben, and his son-in-law, Massena Hopkins. In 1845, L. K. Powers, a settler in Johnstown township in 1840, located upon section 32 in Irving. In the same year D. B. Pratt became a settler in the same section, south of the river, and then also John Texter and his fatherin-law, John Wagner, from Ohio, bought 160 acres on section 35, but made no permanent settlement until 1847, when they returned to the township after a brief absence in Ohio.

a residence of two years in Irving removed to Carlton, whither he was followed three years later by Wagner. In 1846, Geo. K. Beamer, of Western New York, bought of R. N. Hanna a farm on section 33, and that year Harmon Wilcox settled upon section 32. Elizur Lusk located land upon section 30 in 1844, but did not occupy it until a few years afterwards.

Until 1848 settlements in Irving were confined almost entirely to the vicinity of the southern town-line, while north of Peter Cobb's the township had not been penetrated by the pioneer in any direction. About the year named there was a small colony of Indian farmers on section 6, where they had purchased government land and set about improving and cultivating it. Their attempts, like similar attempts by other redskins in other townships, resulted in the overwhelming conviction that whatever the noble red man might be fitted for he was assuredly not fitted to be a farmer, so after brief and disastrous experiments they gave up the task and returned to a nomadic and more congenial state of existence. In 1848, Sylvanus Travis moved to section 29, and in 1849, Wm. Moulton made a stand still farther north, upon section 23, where he bought a place of William Cole, the patentee. In 1849, Benjamin J. Trego, with a family of seven children, settled upon 160 acres on section 34, previously occupied by Q. H. Gorton, who had cleared about 20 acres. Of Mr. Trego's children John and Benjamin J. are living on the old place, Wm. C. on the same section, and D. R. in Rutland. In 1849, J. M. Walker settled on section 27, and in 1851 settlements in the northern part of the township began in earnest.

In that year John E. Archer, who had married in Ohio the daughter of Isaac H. Huyec, killed in the Mexican war, moved upon 160 acres, in section 13 of Irving, belonging to Huyck's widow under a soldier's land-warrant. The widow herself came out in 1852, and still lives in the town. When Archer settled upon section 13, in 1851, there was nobody north of him. West were S. W. Chase, Thomas McConnell, and John Taney. With Archer came also H. G. Jones, who settled upon section i2, and Foster Sisson on section 14. Sisson's widow marricd Una Bare, and

It was in 1851 that the considerable German settlement now in the northeastern portion of Irving was founded. Conrad Beeler and Charles, his brother, who had been liying in Ohio since 1833, came to Irving, and located land not only for themselves, but for Jacob Schmelicher as well, who made a settlement in 1854. After that John Reuter, Gottlieb Nagler, and other Germans followed into the neighborhood. The members of this German community are thrifty farmers, and support a church now endowed with a flourishing membership of 40. A. H. Bates, H. G. Wood, and Silas Wood were among the settlers in Irving in 1851; Patrick Ryan in 1853, upon<a place formerly occupied by James McNutt; James Brew in 1854; W. U. and E. L. Gott and Thomas Lucas in 1855; A. J. Gott and John Hammond in 1856; Henry Kohler in 1857, upon a place earlier improved by Samuel

Gibbs; Miles Engle (who moved with his father to Michigan in 1835) in 1858, on a place first settled by his stepfather, Wm. Boden, whose wife is still living in the town at the age of eighty-five; and J. R. Johnson'in 1859, on a farm earlier owned by David Hall.

First Birth And Death

The first born in Irving, among the white settlers, was George W,, son of William W. Ingraham, the date of whose birth was Dec. 5, 1839, and the place the old Ingraham house. George Ingraham still lives in Irving; on section 27. The first death in the white settlement was that of Amos, father of Frederick and grandfather of William W. Ingraham. He died Aug. 11, 1838, and was buried on William Ingraham's place, whence his body was removed some years later to the cemetery laid out in that neighborhood in 1846. The first burial in that cemetery occurred Jan. 1, 1847, when the wife of William Cole was laid to rest. In that cemetery lie now the remains of one Revolutionary soldier, Amos Ingraham ; of two soldiers of the war of 1812, Robert McClintock and Isaac Hendershott; of one soldier of the Mexican war, James Darling ; and three soldiers of the war of 1861-65, James Travis, Henry Wing, and Jasper Lusk.

Under a legislative act approved April 17, 1839, township 3 north, range 9 west, previously a part of Yankee Springs, and township 4, range 9, then belonging to Thornapple, were set apart as one township, and called Irving in accordance with the request of A. E. Bull, who, being an ardent admirer of Washington Irving's works, wished thus to honor that author.* By an act approved March 16, 1847, township 3 was set off and named Rutland, leaving to Irving the territory it now occupies.

The first township-meeting was held at the house of A. E. Bull, April 6, 1840, when Frederick Ingraham was chosen moderator, A. E. Bull poll-clerk, and Estes Rich, A. E. Bull, Major Mott, and William W. Ingraham in- spectors of election. A full list of the town officials elected at the first meeting, the total number of votes being but seven, is as follows: Supervisor, Frederick Ingraham ; Clerk, A. E. Bull; Treasurer, Estes Rich ; Assessors, Estes Rich, Maj. Mott, William W., Ingraham ; Collector, Maj. Mott; School Inspectors, A. E. Bull, Estes Rich, Maj. Mott; Directors of the Poor, Frederick Ingraham, A. E. Bull ; Highway Commissioners, Frederick Ingraham, Estes Rich, A. E. Bull; Justices of the Peace, Estes Rich, Maj. Mott, A. E. Bull; Constables, D. BP: Ingraham, Maj. Mott; Overseers of Highways, Maj. Mott in road district No. 1, composed of town 3, and Frederick Ingraham in road district No. 2, composed of town 4.

The Poll-List Of 1848

JURORS IN 1841. In May, 1841, the grand jurors drawn were Frederick Ingraham, Maj. Mott, and the petit jurors Estes Rich and William W. Ingraham,

In 1840 the road-tax aggregated an assessment of four hundred and sixty-nine and a quarter days, of which sixtyseven and a half days were worked out on the highways. The same record sets forth that '$97.75 were received from the county treasurer, and let the same out in jobs."

In 1840, A. E. Bull (who surveyed many of Irving's early roads) surveyed a road commencing "'at the corners of sections 12 and 13, in town 3 north, range 10 west, and sections 7 and 18, in town 3 north, range 9 west, near Maj. Mott's house; thence due east on the section-line 75 rods to a stake; thence north 45° east 34 rods; thence to the southeast corner of A. H. Bull's land; thence north 47° east 56 rods to the north-and-south State road." This was the first, survey recorded in the township.

Oct. 12, 1840, there was a survey of a road commencing at a point in the section-line 136 rods east of the corners of sections 4, 5, 8, and 9, in town 3 north, range 9 west, running thence on the aforesaid section-line 136 rods to the aforesaid corners; thence north 45° west 78 rods; thence north 66° west 27 rods; thence north 77° west 34 rods, there to intersect a road leading from A. KH. Bull's to Maj. Mott's.

That portion of the State road ("passing from Battle Creek by way of Hastings, to where the Kalamazoo and Grand River road crosses the county-line between the counties of Kent and Barry") lying in Irving was surveyed March 8, 1844. This road was, however, not opened as a stage-route until July 1, 1846, when Heman I. Knappen, of Hastings, put on a line of stages between Battle Creek and Grand Rapids, and carried the mail. Knappen was a brisk, stirring sort of man, and urged the completion of the road upon the citizens of Hastings with a good deal of energy. When questioned as to the kind of a road he expected to make, he caused a little astonishment and some ridicule by averring that it would be a road over which he would "trot clear through," for roads on which a pair of horses could trot were exceedingly rare in that country and in those days. That part of the road passing through Irving was well-nigh a natural highway, since the oak-openings were open enough to afford vehicles ready access in almost any direction.

In 1841 the road assessment in district No. 1 was two hundred and eighteen anda half days, of which but twentyfive and a half days were worked, and in district, No. 2, where the assessment was one hundred and twenty and a half days, the work done amounted to but nine and a half days.

Notes for road purpOses.e.oe rece voce reesesseaceneesens $29 Received of the county treasurer...... -sscesseseesees 7.50 Amount of taxes received in township orders (not any money received)...........scesseeeeeceeese 51 SODA Seedsceacakon desaeesesivice cameo reteed tate $81.01 SCHOOLS.

On the 10th of June, 1844, G. B. Manchester and Chas. Kellogg, school inspectors of Irving township, issued a notice to Hstes Rich that school district No. 1 had been formed of the southeast, southwest, and northwest quarters of section 3, the northeast, northwest, and southwest quarters of section 10, the whole of sections 9, 4, and 5, the northeast and northwest quarters of section 8, and the east half of section 6, in town 3 north, range 9 west, and sections 33 and 32, the east half of section 31, the south half of section 29, and the south half of section 28, in town 4 north, range 9 west. The first meeting in said district was directed to be held June 22d, at the house of M. W. Henyon.

The school inspectors' records make no reference to appointments of teachers previous to April 18, 1853, when it appears Martha P. Balch and Kliza J. Dennis were employed May 4, 1853. Martha Messer was given a certificate, and November 5th; the same year, A. D. Rork, Sarah Wooley, and Lucy Archer were appointed. Among later teachers (to November, 1857) appear the names of Mary E. Strasbaugh, Thomas Coyle, Amelia Smith, and Emeline Henyon.

The school directors for 1879 were C. T. Barton, J. M. Cunningham, R. Billingsley, John Fighter, T. C. Alverson, M. Yearington, J. Teeple, Farrel Burns, Emanuel Bergy, William Mugridge, H. Wilcox, and W. Calkins.

Irving Post-Office

The first post-office established in Irving was one of the results of the opening of the stage-route between Battle Creek and Grand Rapids via Hastings, July 1, 1846. It was located at the house of A. E. Bull (who was appointed postmaster), and called Irving. In 1847 the office was transferred to R. N. Hanna, and in the same year G. K. Beamer, being appointed deputy, kept the mail at his house, and in 1848 was himself appointed postmaster. He was succeeded in 1855 by L. K. Powers, who retained the office at his house until 1865, when it was removed to Irving village, and Asahel Hubbard was appointed his suecessor. In 1869 the office passed into the possession of F. L. Blake, the present incumbent.

North Irving Poqst-Office Fillmore Post-Office

NORTH IRVING POQST-OFFICE was established in 1858, when Peter Cobb was appointed postmaster, and as such he has remained continuously. to the present. pi Er FILLMORE POST-OFFICE was established in 1867, and named as a compliment to Millard Fillmore. D. D. Darling, the present postmaster, has been in charge of the office from the first.

Freeport Post-Office

The history of the medical profession in Irving may be recited briefly in the statement that the first physician to locate in Irving village was E. M. Rosencrans, who remained but a year. He was followed by Dr. S. Robinson; then came Dr. L. E. Haskins for a short stay, and in 1878 arrived Dr. J. Lamoreux, the only physician now practicing in the village. In Freeport, Dr. H. C. Peckham opened an office in 1878, and closed it in 1879, when Dr. L. E. Haskins, now the only physician there, occupied the field.

Religious Organizations The Irving Methodist Class

The pioneer religious organization of Irving was the Irving Methodist Episcopal class, organized in 1847, at the school-house on section 33, by William Sprague, presiding elder. The class was in Hastings Circuit, on which Rev. T. B. Sprague was the preacher. The members of the class were Peter Cobb (leader), Hannah Cobb, J. W. Bradley, Sarah Bradley, Polly Bradley, Julia Ingraham, Sylvenus Travis, Zilpha Travis, Lydia Ingraham, Eleanor Rich, and Rosamond Ingraham. At first there was preaching once in four weeks, and for about fifteen years, while the class remained on the Hastings Circuit, opportunities for public worship were not more frequent. Upon the transfer, however, of the class to the Irving Circuit, services were held fortnightly, and such has been the measure to the present one in Yankee Springs, and two in Rutland, and is in charge of Rev. John McAllister. The Irving class, with a present membership of 30, has enjoyed regular services uninterruptedly since 1847, and since that time Peter Cobb has been continuously the class-leader,

A German Methodist Episcopal class was organized about 1858 at the school-house on section 14, and included the families of Jacob "Schmelicher, Conrad Beeler, and John Reuter, Conrad Beeler being the class-leader. There was preaching once in three weeks by supplies from Grand Rapids. In 1860.a 'church was built on section 2, and, although it was not fully completed until 1869, it was occupied from 1860 forward. Rev. Mr. Bertrand, of Grand Rapids, was the first pastor after the occupation of the new church, and since him the pastors have been Rev. Messrs. Yahrhaus, Behrens, Grille, Buttenbaum, Mains, Herzog, Weber, Mattae, Schump, Kern, and Heidemyer, the latter being now the pastor, and preaching once a week. After Conrad Beeler, the classleader was John Reuter, and in 1869, Gottleib Nagler, the present leader, was appointed. The membership is now 42; the trustees are Conrad Beeler, August Gush, Jacob Schmelicher, Sr., Jacob Schmelicher, Jr., Gottleib Nagler, John Timm,-and Ernst Gush.

East Irving Congregational Church Methodist Episcopal Church Of Irving

Leader;. Mary Moulton, Eliza Fowler, Daniel Sparks, Francis Ruckle, Anna Jones, Mary.Slocum, and B. Eckert. Revs. Richards, Bliss, Selleck, Ross, and Jones were the ministers who succeeded Mr. Smith until the summer of 1877. At that time, the project of building a church being agitated, William Moulton essayed to push the matter forward, and upon his individual responsibility undertook the task of putting'up the edifice, trusting to the support of the members of the class as the work went on. He was, however, disappointed in this expectation, and, recciving no aid from that quarter, found himself with an unfinished house of worship on his hands. In this emergency he determined to organize a Congregational Church, provided the Congregational Union would supply the funds necessary for the completion of the building, and, this being pledged, the East Irving Congregational Church was straightway organized by Rev. J. B. Jones (previously pastor of the Wesleyan class) with 18 members. Jacob Wolf and George Coulter, now deacons, were chosen in 1877. Rev. Mr. Jones is still the pastor, and the pastor likewise of the Congregational Church at Freeport. The membership is now about 20. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF IRVING.

A Methodist Episcopal class was organized at Irving village in 1868 by Rev. 8. P. Hewitt, the then preacher on the Irving Circuit. George Brown, chosen first class-leader,

Following Hewitt, the pastors were Revs. Marsh, Parker, Hayes, Browning, Whitmore, and John J. McAllister, who is now on the circuit. Worship was held in the village school-house until 1877, when the present handsome brick church edifice was erected, at a cost of $3000. The trustees are Huoch Sylvester, John Texter, Frank Campbell, Harmon Wilcox, William Cridler. William Cridler is superintendent of the Sunday-school.

First Congregational Church Of Irving

' The first public religious services in Irving village were held abont 1854, by Rev. Mr. Waldo, a Congregationalist, in a building put up by L. B. Hill, for a chair-factory, and 'subsequently used for a grist-mill. About that time and subsequently, Rev. Mr. Tapley, a Wesleyan Methodist, Rev. Mr. Osborne, a Baptist, and Rev. Mr. Kidder, a Congregationalist, held occasional services in the village.

Previous to 1870 the pastors of the Presbyterian Church at Hastings used to preach in Irving once in two weeks, but in the year mentioned the minister of that church concluded to confine his labors to Hastings, whereupon the Presbyterians at and near Irving requested Rev. D. B. Campbell to organize a church there, and to become the pastor. He was commissioned a home missionary Oct. 1, T870, and Jan. 1, 1871, with Rev. T. D. Marsh and Ruling Elders J. P. Roberts and Richard Young, effected the desired organization at Irving. The members numbered 16, and until April 20, 1877, the church prospered more or less, but at that time it was resolved to dissolve the organization with a view to the formation of a Congregational Church.

Levi Warren, of Grand Rapids, superintendent of Home Missions for the American Missionary Society, preached in the Irving school-house preparatory to the organization of a Congregational Church, and on that occasion F. L. Blake, G. K. Beamer, and A. EH. Bull, were appdinted a committee to call for an ecclesiastical council. May 20th a confession of faith was adopted, and May.25th the organization was completed by the admission of members, as follows: F. L. Blake, Mary E. Blake, Patience Teeple, Lucy C. Teeple, Mrs. Saloma Bierce, and Mary EH. Hendershott, from the Wesleyan Methodist Church ; J. J. Hendershott, Martha Hendershott, Nancy J. Dudley, Eliza J. Lee, James C. Hanna, Lucena Hanna, George K. Beamer, A. E. Bull, Anna J. Beamer, Lydia Ann Bull, D. B. Pratt, Violetta L. Gardner, Isabella Campbell, Marietta Campbell, and Euphemia M. Hoyt, from the Presbyterian Church ; Emma M. Campbell, from the Protestant Episcopal Church ; and Mary T. Gibbs, Catharine T. Hendershott, W. 8S. Gibbs, H J. Dudley, Mrs. Clara Dow, Miss Lizzie J. Nash, Mrs. Alice M. Dudley, and Miss Minnie Lee on profession. A. E. Bull, F. L. Blake, and G. K. Beamer were chosen deacons, and April 9, 1878, the church joined the Grand River Conference. The church building now in use was built at the cost of $4000, and finished in September, 1878. The first services therein were at a meeting of the Sundayschool, September 8th, on which occasion the first prayer was offered by G. K. Beamer, and on September 22d, Rev. W. S. Bugbey preached the first sermon, the edifice being dedicated on the 19th of the following November. Bev. Mr. Moore preached as supply until the engagement of Rev. W. S. Bugbey, the present pastor, who preached also at Middleville. The Irving Church has now a membership of 30. The deacons are G. K. Beamer, F. L. Blake, and-J. C. Hanna. The Sunday-school is in charge of G. K. Beamer, assisted by five teachers, and has an average attendance of 40. THE FREEPORT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was organized May 27,1877, by Rev. I. B. Jones, with 21 members. P. H. Segar and J. H. Adams were chosen deacons, and are still in office. The church now occupied was begun in 1877, dedicated July 27, 1879, and cost $2500. 'The trustees are P. H. Segar, J. H. Adams, and Marcus B. Childs. The church membership is 28.

The Freeport United Brethren Class

now worshiping in the Methodist Episcopal church, was organized by Rev. Mr. Lane, in 1877, as a revival of a United Brethren class, which had been worshiping in the neighborhood. There were 8 members, of whom Freeman Fish, the present class-leader, was then chosen leader. There are now 24 members. Rev. Mr. Stimpson, on the Bowne Circuit, preaches once a fortnight.

The Methodist Episcopal Church Of Freeport

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF FREEPORT was organized in the summer of 1878 with but 6 members, and since then has not grown very materially in strength. There is preaching every Sunday by Rev. F. I. Bell, of Bowne Centre. Hlisha Jennings is the classleader. The trustees are Hlisha Jennings, Mrs. Susan Jennings, John Freeland, Geo. Salsbury, J. A. D. Vore, and Mrs. J. A. D. Vore.

was organized Aug. 13, 1873, with 18 members. J. J. Hendershott was chosen first Master, and served through 73, 74, and '75, followed in order by John Campbell, J. C. Hanna, and Isaac Cunningham to 1879, when he was again elected. The chief officers at present are J. J. Hendershott, M.; J. C. Hanna, Sec.; B. B. Travis, O.; Allen Matthews, L.; Wm. A. Moore, Chaplain; James Brew, Treas. The membership is now 23. Regular sessions are held in Grange Hall, at Irving.

Irving Village

In 1832, L. B. Hills, of New York, settled in Wayne Co., Mich., and in 1849 bought six 80-acre lots on the Thornapple River, in Irving township, where Irving village now stands. The fine water-power at that point induced him to make the purchase, and in July, 1849, he let the contract for building a dam. In 1851 he put up a sawmill and himself carried it on. Then too came William Gibbs, a blacksmith, and presently Mr. Hills made a bold push forward by the erection upon the river in 1853 of two buildings, intended respectively for a chair-factory and a foundry. These latter projects, however, were not carried out, and in October, 1854, Asahel Hubbard, coming to the place, purchased a half-interest in the water-power, and, in conjunction with Hills, converted the proposed chair-factory into a grist-mill, with two run of stone. Hills & Hubbard were the mill proprietors for a few years after that, when Hills disposed of his interest to Jeremiah Hendershott. In 1871, Hubbard & Hendershott erected the mill now carried on at Irving by Gardner, Campbell & Co. Itcontains five run of stone, represents an investment of upwards of $30,000, and is accounted one of the finest mills in Michigan. Its capacity is about 150 barrels of flour daily, and, besides doing a large business in custom-work, it-ships a great deal of flour to Europe as well as to the New England markets.

Trving village was surveyed by L. B. Hills in 1859, but when the water-power and milling interests passed to the control of Mr. Hubbard the place came to be known as Hubbardville, and as such is popularly known even now, although the post-office and railway-station have always been known as Irving.

Mr. Hubbard opened the first village store in a portion of -his residence in 1859, but the first full-stocked general store was the one opened in 1861 by F. L. Blake, and still kept by him. In 1865 the post-office: at 'Power's, east of the village, was transferred to Irving; in 1868 the railway now passing through the place was completed.

Freeport Village

In 1874 there was a promising prospect that the Kalamazoo, Lowell and-North Michigan Railroad would be completed, and, indeed, the grading of a major portion of the route was assured. The line crossed the northeastern

Samuel Roush owned land upon which they conceived the project of laying out a town, and so, in November, 1874, they platted the present village of Freeport. The only business enterprise there at that time was M. S. Roush's saw-mill, which was at once reinforced by a store building erected by Reigler & Roush, who built also a second one, and leased it to J. H. Herrington. Although the railway enterprise failed to culminate, Freeport pushed forward, and, still hoping for a railway at no distant 'day, is a smart vil- lage, containing three stores, two churches, the handle and rake-factory of Job Cheesbrough, where sixteen people find employment, a wagon-shop, hotel, ete.

Biographical Sketgh James C. Hanna

James C. Hanna was born in the town of Virgil, Cortland Co., N. Y., Feb. 13, 1815. He -was the son of James and Elizabeth (Barton) Hanna, who reared a family of twelve children. -Jamés resided at home until he attained his majority, when he entered the employ of David R. Barton, of Rochester, in the manufacture of edge-tools. With Barton he remained three years, when he engaged in the manufacture of scythes and axes at Avon, N.Y. This venture proved unremunerative, and he was next engaged in farming near Geneseo, N. Y.: But farming, owing to his limited means, was not a satisfactory pursuit in a pecuniary way, and after two years of unproductive labor he became a boatman on the Erie Canal. In the spring of 1856 he came to Michigan, and settled in the township of Irving, where his elder brother, Richard N., had settled in 1842; here he has since resided, and in many ways has identified himself with the development of the town. In his political affiliations he is.a Greenbacker, and in religion a Congregationalist. Although not-seeking political preferment, he has 'filled many-positions of trust and responsibility, notably that of supervisor, town treasurer, and justice of the peace. : and in 1859 he married his brother's widow, whose decease took place in 1877 ; and in 1879 he was again married, to Miss Anna Powers. Mr. Hanna is truly a representative man, and stands high in the respect and esteem of all who know him. He is the architect of his own fortune, and has secured a well-earned 'competency.

JOHNSTOWN was named in honor of John Mott, a Quaker preacher, who lived in Jackson Co., Mich., and who, at an early day, purchased a large tract of land in the southeastern part of Burry County, intending to send a colony of " Friends" thither. The project, however, was abandoned, and the land was subsequently sold. As Mr. Mott, in accordance with Quaker customs, was generally called " John" by his brethren in the faith, early settlers and land-seekers referred to this locality as John's Town. Consequently, when the county was divided into four townships, in 1838, the southeastern one received the name of Johnstown. In 1844 this township was divided, the western half retaining the dld name. In 1849 the northern half was set off under the name of Baltimore. Unless when it is otherwise stated, the name of "Johnstown" will be applied in these pages to the district of which that township now consists, viz., survey-township No. 1 north, in range 8 west.

Natural Features

Johnstown is divided into two almost equal parts by a series of lakes which, with their outlets, extend from near the western line of section 30 diagonally northeast across the township. Fine Lake, the largest in the township, is the first in the chain. are also of considerable size. Their waters flow through Highbank Creek into the Thornapple River. The southeastern part of the township is drained by a small stream that flows into the Kalamazoo River through Calhoun County. Along the west side of the chain of lakes is a range of steep and in some places precipitous hills, which terminates in an elevated fertile tract that originally consisted of prairie and scantily timbered belts. There are a number of low tracts and tamarack swamps in the township, most of which can be drained. The tillable land is generally very productive.

Early Settlement

In the year 1835, Harlow Merrill, a resident of Oswego Co., N. Y., reached Battle Creek, Mich., and employed a man to assist him in locating a piece of government land. Mr. Merrill was conducted along an Indian trail to the southern part of Johnstown. Here his guide pointed out a very fine piece, of about 80 acres, and told him how it was designated on the survey. This, without much delay, Mr. Merrill concluded to buy. For that purpose he immediately returned to Battle Creek, and proceeded thence to the government land-office. There the money was paid, and Mr. Merrill received a certificate showing his right to the land, to be afterwards supplemented by a patent.

In the latter part of the summer of 1836, having made what preparation his very limited means would allow, and accompanied by his wife, three sons, and two daughters, he started for the remote and almost unknown Territory of Michigan. He drove a yoke of cattle attached to a covered wagon from Oswego to Buffalo, where the entire outfit was placed on board a steamer bound for Detroit. The wheels were taken from the wagon and the covered box placed on the deck, where it served as a sleeping-room.

At Detroit the younger members of the family, with their mother, resumed their places in the wagon. After a toilsome journey of a week the little party reached Hattle Creek. There Mr. Merrill left his family and proceeded to his land in Johnstown.

Wishing to be more certain of the location of his property before building, he made an investigation, which showed that the land he had seen was not that which he had bought. Contrary to what might have been expected, however, the land his certificate described, which was the east half of the northeast quarter of section 35, was nearly as good as that which the guide had shown him. Not being much disappointed, and being inclined to consider all things for the best, Mr. Merrill proceeded at once to build a cabin of poplar logs, with a roof made of slabs split from a tree, and a floor of the same material. There was a place for a door and one for a window, but for the time those places were left unoccupied. After bringing his family to their new home, Mr. Merrill split rails for Albert Shepherd, near Battle Creek, and with the money received from him went to Toledo, Ohio, to purchase some necessary articles. With his faithful cattle, he made the journey in about two weeks' time.

At intervals during several years Mr. Merrill was in the habit of working in Battle Creek, for which he was sometimes paid money, but for which he generally received provisions, which he carried home on Saturday night on his back, the distance being ten miles. At one time a party of Indians, who had been at Battle Creek and become intoxicated, came to the house of Mr. Merrill, and, finding him and his elder sons absent, began to appropriate everything totheir own use. They were very ill tempered and boisterous, whooping and yelling continually. Watching his opportunity when they were all outside, the youngest son, a lad of twelve years, who was at home with his mother and younger sisters, bolted the door, and with a long iron-handled shovel took his place beside the window, declaring he would kill the first that attempted to enter. The Indians swore all the English oaths they knew, but the little fellow remained at his post. They even fired their guns into the window, but without effect. What might have happened had this not been interrupted it is, of course, impossible to

The same year that Mr. Merrill settled in Johnstown, William P. Bristol, with five other land-seekers, came to the township. Mr. Bristol finally resolved to buy 400 acres on section 4. Another of the party, Rufus Cole, decided on the southwest quarter of section 17 for himself, and the northwest quarter of section 8 and the southwest quarter of section 5 for his brother, Jason Cole. After traveling all day the party, headed by William Bristol, went to the Indian village on the bank of the body of water now known as Bristol Lake, and desired:shelter for the night. The village consisted of from 20 to 30 wigwams. The Indians received the travelers kindly through one of their number, named Joseph, who could speak English. He chief, who was absent, and the door of whose lodge was locked. But after considerable deliberation among them- "selves, they finally concluded to risk the anger of their chief rather than be inhospitable to strangers. The party was conducted to the door referred to. It consisted of pieces of bark placed upright, and the lock was a slender pole leaned against them, not to fasten them in their places, but to signify that the owner was absent. The " lock" was removed and the party entered, passing the night in perfecct quiet.

Early in the year 1837, Stephen Collier reached the township and settled on section 34, just south of Mr. Merrill. His family consisted of a wife and three children, - two sons and a daughter. One of the sons, Victory P. Collier, afterwards for two terms treasurer of the State of Michigan, was then a youth of twenty years.

The next settler was John Culver. He was employed by W. P. Bristol to come to Michigan and make some improvements on the land in the northern part of the township which Mr. Bristol had bought the year previous. Mr. Culver was to " build a log house, put in a field of corn, a patch of potatoes,' and make some minor improvements, for which he was to receive a quarter-section of land.

After many discouragements, which he was ill prepared to meet (the most serious of which was the destruction by fire of his hay, which he'had hauled from Gull Prairie, and the serious injury of his wagon at the same time), he gave up, and, it is said, started to return to New York. Meeting a land-speculator, however, he purchased 120 acres on section 22, where he built a house much after the plan of Mr. Merrill's, into which he moved before it was completed. Before it was completed, too, Thomas Iden, with his wife, four sons, and one daughter, arrived, and they were all given shelter with the family of Mr. Culver until their goods should come from Detroit. Soon after, William P. Bristol came with his wife, two sons, and three daughters. He found none of the improvements which he expected, and no place for his family to live. There was still room in the little cabin of Mr. Culver for a few more, and here Mr. Bristol decided to leave his family until he could build a house for them. On the evening of the first day that Mr. Bristol reached the house of Mr. Culver, a party of surveyors also happened along. These, with the members of the families referred to, made a total of 22 persons

The next morning Mr. Bristol, with what aid he could obtain, started for his land and began to erect a house. But, as. this was to be some time in building, he took a very fine rag carpet which his wife had made in New York for the floor of their new house, stretched it over a pole, and had quite a respectable tent. But it soon began to bleach out, and when they moved into their new house some weeks after, the bright colors had all vanished.

Tn the fall and winter of 1837-38 several other families came to the township, that of S. V. R. York, who had purchased a large tract on.sections 28 and 29 the year previous, being among the number. Mr. York's family consisted of a wife and three daughters. ~ Mr. York was first judge of probate in the county. While living in Battle Creek, Mr. York, with Rustin Angel and John Meechim, a surveyor, had been appointed to establish a road from Battle Creek through Johnstown to Hastings. This road entered Johnstown near the southeast corner of section 33, ran-northwest to a point near the northwest corner of section 20, and thence extended 'due north on the line between sections 17, 8, and 5 on the east, and sections 18, 7, and 6 on the west. It has never been materially changed, and is now known as the old State road. It was the first road located in the township, although a road previously had been surveyed through the eastern part.

Mr. Henry Paul, who now resides on a farm near Fine Lake, was then a young man in the 'employ of Mr. York. He helped locate this road, and drove the first team over it He was married some years later to a daughter of Elder Emery Cherry, the first preacher in Johnstown.

Elder Cherry came to this township in June, 1838, bringing his family, consisting of a wife, two boys, and two girls, and settled on section 33. i

Nelson Barnum, with his wife and one son, and Jason Cole, with his wife, one son, and three daughters, reached the township probably.in the early-summer of 1838. Mr. Barnum bought the southwest quarter of section 8. Mr. Cole, as we have seen, owned 320 acres, purchased for him by his brother two years previous.

Oris Barnum, a brother of Nelson, came soon afterwards with a family of three children. Seth Hull, with his wife and an adopted daughter, reached the township some time previous to this, and located 100 acres in the York neighborhood. Alonzo Brundage arrived in the township in the winter of 1837-38. He bought part of section 31.

In the spring of 1838, Mr. Bristol started a blacksmithshop, and employed a young man named Erastus Johnson as blacksmith. It was the first shop of the kind in this part of the county, and settlers frequently came as far as from Hickory Corners to have work done.

It was in the spring of 1838 that Johnstown was formed. It contained at that time what are now the four townships of Assyria, Maple Grove, Baltimore, and Johnstown. The first town-meeting was held at the house of William

P. Bristol on the 2d day of April, 1838. The number of voters present at this meeting is not certainly known, but it is thought that it did not exceed the twelve whose names are given below; all of whom received at least one office each, while several of them obtained two or three offices apiece. The following is the list: Supervisor, 8. V. BR. York; Clerk, Harlow Merrill; Commissioners of Highways, Oleaveland Ellis, William P. Bristol, Solomon Getman; Assessors, William Sutton, Stephen Collier, John Culver; Justices, S. V. R. York, William P. Bristol, Cleaveland Hllis, Harlow Merrill; School Inspectors, 8S. V. R. York, William Sutton, Harlow Merrill; Collector, John Culver; Constables, Solomon Getman, Philo Morton; Overseers of the Poor, William Henry Smith, S. V. R. York ; Fence-Viewers, Eli Lapham, John Culver, 8. V. R. York ; Pathmasters, William P. Bristol, Thomas Iden.

Mr. Thomas Iden, already mentioned, died in the fall of 1838. There was then no cemetery in the township, and he was taken to Battle Creek for burial. This was the first death in Johnstown.

In the spring of 1839, Henry P. Bowman located in the township. He was married in the fall of the same year to Miss Mary Culver by Squire S. V. R. York. This, the first wedding in Johnstown, took place at the residence of the bride's father, and the happy couple settled on a farm on section 29.

The same year a young man named Joseph Babcock came from New York and hired to work for Mr. Bristol "for a bushel of wheat a day." He received for his services, at the expiration of six. months, 150 bushels of wheat, which he afterwards sold for 3 shillings per bushel in Battle Creek. It is related of Mr. Babcock that, while mowing in the marsh just ahead of Mr. Bristol, he suddenly dropped his scythe and sprang back, with both hands | clutching the top of one of his boots, He whirled two or three times around, exclaiming, "Oh, I'm ruined, I'm ruined; Dll be dead in an hour!" After many questions, Mr. Bristol finally understood that a rattlesnake was in Babeock's boot. very instant the terror of the latter increased. He was as white as a sheet and as weak as a child. He would have his boot neither cut down nor pulled off, but sat on the ground lamenting his cruel fate. When he became a little more quiet, Mr. Bristol pulled the boot off, and with it came the hind-legs of a frog.

It not unfrequently happened that little incidents came up to mar the friendly terms that usually existed between the whites and the Indians, of which latter there were a great many in Johnstown in the early days. The following is an instance: When the township offered a bounty of $2 for every wolf killed, several plans were resorted to in order to catch the wily animals. John Culver made a " wolf-fall,"' which consisted of.a hole dug to a considerable depth, and so arranged that should anything fall into it, it could not get out. Upon going to his trap one morning, Mr. Culver found a wolf (as he supposed) fairly caught in it, The animal was forthwith killed and decapitated. But some of Mr. Culver's neighbors were not satisfied that it was a wolf, and an Indian, who was passing, was called on 'o give his opinion. When he was shown the head, he looked uncertain, and asked for the body. When the body was brought, the Indian shook his head, grunted "Chief's dog,' and departed. The chief was quite indignant, and demanded $10 for the slain animal, but finally compromised on $2.

At another time, when Mr. Bristol's hogs, which had destroyed a small patch of "potatoes belonging to the Indians, had been terribly torn by their dogs, Mr. Bristol went alone to their camp and told them he would kill all their dogs if his hogs were again so abused. The chief listened quietly, and then replied that they could settle better if they should wait and see whether the hogs lived or died. The hogs all recovered, and Mr. Bristol had nearly forgotten the occurrence, when the chief one day called and demanded pay for the potatoes. This Mr. Bristol refused. The chief looked grieved, and said, '' Hogs all get well, - potatoes all destroyed." His philosophy was too much for Mr. Bristol, who gave him twice as many potatoes as he demanded and a large plug of tobacco. The chief said, ' Big good," and went his way.

Mr. Bristol, who had become quite expert at the anvil, made a rude knife one day for an Indian at his request. While at work he asked the Indian if he had any money, and the latter replied that he had not. The knife was completed and handed over to the red man without further remark. A long time passed, when one day the same Indian, with a hind-quarter of a large deer on his back, came to the door of Mr. Bristol's house and laid down his burden, with the exclamation, '" Indian honest, - Indian pay."

The red men of Johnstown displayed many good traits. Their universal good-will and kindness to the early settlers is still the occasion of gratitude on the part of those who shared their hospitality. Further information regarding the Indians of this region may be found in the general history.

The first road in Johnstown, as has been stated, was the Old or West State road, which was established in 1837. The next road was established June 12, 1838. It lay on the base-line, commencing just east of the southeast corner of section 35; thence west to the southeast corner of section. 34. It was established by William P. Bristol and Solomon Getman, commissioners.

The next day the road north from the western terminus of this one was established. It ran north between sections 34 and 35, 26 and: 27; thence northwest to a quarter-post on the south line of section 22, from which place it extended northwest to the section-line between sections 21 and 22. It was about two and one-half miles long.

On the 14th of the same month a road was located, running north between the West State road and the one just described. This highway commenced on the base-line on section 33, and terminated at the quarter-post on the north line of section 9. The road between the townships of Johnstown and Barry was established June 24, 1839.

These roads were the lines of travel for emigrants into the townships and to the country on the north of Johnstown. The east-and-west roads have been established as the settlements in the various localities required.

At a meeting of the board of school inspectors, held on the 9th day of April, 1838, the northern half of the present territory of Johnstown and all of Baltimore were formed into one school district, called district No. 1. District No. 2 comprised what is now Maple Grove and Assyria, while district No. 3 comprised the southern half of the present territory of Johnstown. On the 9th of September, 1838, districts 1 and 3 were rearranged. Survey-township No. 1, range 8 (now Johnstown), was then divided into three school districts, as follows: The southwestern quarter of the township was district No. 1; the southeastern quarter was district No. 2; while the northwestern quarter was No. 3. The northeastern quarter was left unorganized.

It is probable that until this time there had been no public schools in the township, although there had been two terms of a private school taught by Miss Sarah Curtis. One term was taught by her in the house of W. P. Bristol, - in the northern part of the township, for which she received $1.50. per week. Her other term was taught in the house of Seth Hull, who with his wife had gone to Hastings to board the men who were building 4 mill.at that place. It is not-definitely known which of these terms was the first.

The first school building completed in. Johnstown stood on.the southwest quarter of section 28, and was built in 1840. A school building in the north part of the township had been commenced, but had not been completed. Walter Woodard taught the first school in the new building.

Thé school board next divided the district in the northern part of the township. The new one consisted of sections 3, 4,5, 8,9,10, and was designated as district No. 4. It was had been commenced was then completed. It served until the present fine building was erected, a few years since. In 1843 the number of districts in the four townships which then composed Johnstown was eight, but schools were kept in only six of them. The number of scholars is not given. The money apportioned among the districts amounted to $33. The first applicants for certificates to teach are recorded May 6, 1843, their names being Cordelia Robinson and Caroline Robinson. Both were successful, On the 9th of December, of the'same year, Sally Maria Woodward received a certificate.

After Baltimore was set off from Johnstown there were five school districts and 118 scholars enrolled in the latter township. The amount of interest on the school fund was $46.24.

In 1860 the number of scholars was 300; the number of districts'nine ; the amount of money apportioned among them $152.72. In 1870 the amount distributed was $373.92. In 1879 there were eleven districts (whole and fractional), with an attendance of 400 scholars.

Church History

Soon after his arrival, in 1838, Elder Emery Cherry began to hold religious meetings in various parts of the township. When Elder York arrived the two denominations to which they respectively belonged (Baptist and F'ree-Will Baptist) held services together, They usually met at the school-house in the York neighborhood. It is believed,

The Wesleyan Methodist Church

In the mean time two ministers of the Wesleyan Methodist Church began a series of meetings, and, although they did not organize a class, these meetings were really the beginning of the Methodist Church of Johnstown. This society was organized soon after, and has continued to meet to the present time. There is a diversity of opinion as to who the minister was who first organized the class. In the fall of 1864 Rev. William Rice was assigned to this charge. He soon commenced a series'of meetings, which were very successful. The church was completed during his .winistry. It was dedicated on the 18th of June, 1867, the pastor being assisted by Dr. Hatfield. It cost $4000.

The First Congregational Church Miles

In 1865 Rev. H. H. Van Auken commenced to hold meetings in the school-house of district No. 4. The organizing of the society of the First. Congregational Church of Johnstown was the result of his labors. Rev. Jones had held meetings in the same -place, but without definite result. On March 6, 1865, the first annual meeting of the society was held. The church building on section 12 was built in 1866. : MILES.

The first and only saw-mill in Johnstown run by water was commenced where the road crosses the outlet of Culver or Saw-mill Lake, by Andrew Corey. Mr. Corey soon sold a half-share to Simeon Diédrich, but Mr. Diedrich could not stand the ague, so he sold to Mr. Bristol, by whom the mill was completed. A steam saw-mill was afterwards built on section 34, Frederick Ackley also built one on section 4 in 1850.

The building used as astore in the west part of the town was built in 1876 by H. F. Bellenger. The post-office at this place was established in 1880. The store in the east part of the town was started by L. N. Mosier in 1879.

Albert G. Dewey

As an example of what a life of industry and perseverance will accomplish in forming and shaping the character, we present this subject. He was born Nov. 25, 1816, in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., is the oldest child of Eliphalet and Fannie (Morton) Dewey, who were natives of New York, and married in 1815, Mr. Dewey, being quite a prominent man, holding the office of sheriff of Chautauqua County ten years, besides other offices of trust. When Albert was six years of age his father died, 'leaving a widow and the two sons. After the death of her husband, the mother with her boys returned to her old home, in Madison County, where Albert remained until he was twelve, when he went to what was then Allegany County, now Livingston County, and lived with his uncle, Mr. 8S. 'Morton, remaining there until 1838. Having arrived at the acknowledged age of manhood, he came to Michigan with his uncle and family, landing in Emmet, Calhoun Co., where he made his first purchase of land, containing sixty acres, which he improved and kept four years, and then sold, and devoted his time to milling, having interested himself in that before, owning a half-interest in a grist-mill at Lowell, which was burned in January, 1849. His insurance having expired the first of the month, it was a total loss, leaving him incumbered with a debt of three thousand dollars.

To recover this he conceived the idea of going to the farfamed gold-mines of California, and the same spring, receiving help from his uncle, he started, taking the overland route in March, arriving there in September, agreeing to give his uncle one-half of what he made in two years to repay him for his kindness in starting him. In October he was taken sick, and in December, fearing he would be no better, he sailed for the Sandwich Islands, where he remained until February, when he returned to San Francisco dead broke, but with earth's richest blessing, health. He then went to mining, which he followed diligently three years.

At the expiration of his second year, having never forgotten his promise to his uncle, he sent him one thousand dollars, being one-half of what he had earned by the sweat of his brow. He then returned to Michigan, and in 1854 was married to Mrs. Mandana Wallace, of Gull Prairie, Kalamazoo Co. Her parents were natives of New York, where she was born, but came to Michigan when she was but twelve years old. After marriage they moved to Kent County, where he owned land near his brother, remaining only a short time, when they both sold out, moving on the farm where he now lives, which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, twenty improved.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dewey was born one son, who died in infancy, but Mr. Dewey passed through his severest trial in September, 1855, being bereft of his wife, thus leaving a vacancy in his home and a void in his heart which time alone can heal. In March, 1858, in Battle Creek, he married Emeline Cookson, who was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., ''» Nov. 19, 1820. Her father was a native of Maine, her mother of New York, she being one of a family of five

Barry Counties, Michigan

In politics Mr. Dewey is an ardent Republican. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Harrison. Himself and wife have been members of the Congregational Church since 1866. His advantages for education were limited, attending only the common schools, such as the country afforded in his youthful days. He has a very fine farm, under a good state of cultivation, yet this does not represent his entire property, he having quite an. amount invested in the far West. He is what might be termed a mixed farmer, making a specialty of no one thing.

Though they have never been blessed with children of their own, still they have been allowed to enjoy the society of them, having adopted four orphans, - raising two girls and one boy until they started in- life for themselves, adopting from the orphans' home in Chicago a bright, promising youth of little less than three summers, who only lived two short years. : :

A. P. And B. W. King

A. P. and B. W. King are brothers who trace their origin with commendable pride to a New England ancestry. They were born-in Brighton, Monroe Co., N.Y. A. P.

Of a family of seven children only two were girls, and all are living but one brother. Their father, David King, was anative-of the Bay State, where he was born Oct. 3, 1786. Their mother, Catharine Booth, was born in Stafford, Conn., June 16,1794, but married Mr. King in 1812 in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N..Y.° He was a carpenter-and joiner; worked at his trade in New York until the spring of 1841, when he with his family moved to Michigan, landing in Lyons, Tonia Co., still following his chosen avocation until 1845, when he was killed by a falling limb. Mrs. King remained on the home until her death, teaching her children by her example habits of industry, economy, sociability, and honesty. Her precepts were well observed, she never having cause to complain, as they all filled the. qualifications taught and became prosperous and respected. The subjects of this sketch remained at home, assisting their older brothers to clear up their new home, until they were of age, and in consideration for said work received a deed of eighty acres of wild land in Ionia County. In the spring of 1846 A. P. hired out to Mr. Jason Cowles, in Johnstown, Barry Co., for one year, and with this bought 80 acres more in Ionia County, his brother, B. W., still remaining at home improving their first purchase. After A. P.'s time was out in Barry County, he returned to Ionia County, and built a house on his farm, remaining about one year, making other improvements. June1, 1848, he married Miss Mary York, daughter of Henry and Polly York, who were both natives of Saratoga, N. Y., where she was born July 7, 1826. Her father was a farmer, and came to Michigan when she was sixteen years of age, where the mother died in 1846, the father pursuing life's ragged path unaided and alone until 1878, when he, too, was called to try the divine reality of that which is beyond. After marriage, instead of returning to their home in Ionia, Mr. King bought the farm where he aow lives of his wife's father, consisting of one hundred and twenty-eight acres on sections 28 and 29, Johnstown township, running in debt for it. In about one year the younger brother sold out his interest in Ionia and joined his brother, he marrying Miss Sallie York, a sister of his brother's wife. They have always lived as one family, thus proving an exception to the old adage, " No house is large enough for two families." In 1850 they disposed of their 'land in Ionia. To their home-farm they have added at different times, until it now contains four hundred and fifteen acres, - three hundred and sixty-five improved.

Though they have met with severe losses, losing at one time by fire three thousand dollars, they rank to-day among the leading farmérs of the county. They might be termed mixed farmers, making a specialty of blooded cattle and horses. They have at present forty head of short-horns as fine as can be found, and sixteen head of fine blooded horses.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. King were given two children, - Frances H., born May 16, 1851, now Mrs. Doty, and living in same town, and Henry N., born Nov. 23, 1853, still remaining at home. In politics both are Democrats, but not office-seekers, though often solicited. B. W. has been president of the Agricultural Society, and was nominated for the office of sheriff, but, his party being in the minority, he was defeated. Mr. A. P. King and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twelve years.

This man, athong many others, is in the truest sense of the word a self-made man, one who, with industry and perseverance, has made life a success. He was born in Litchfield, N. Y., March 24, 1815'; is the oldest of a family of seven. His father was a native of Vermont. His mother, of Pennsylvania, was of Dutch descent. Mr. Fisk, Sr., was a blacksmith; worked at his trade in New York until 1847, when he moved to Michigan, where he died, March 10, 1876, at the advanced age of ninety-seven, having buried his wife in 1864. J. H. Fisk learned his trade of his father, and remained at home until he was twenty, when he started for himself, working in his father's old shop. On reaching his majority he married, in Steuben County, Miss Samantha Gregory, who was born in the same county, Oct. 12,1815. Her father was a native of New York, her mother of Connecticut. After marriage they remained in New York, he still working at his trade, until 1839, when they came to Michigan, staying one year on Goquack Prairie, Calhoun Co., when they went to Emmet, same county, where they remained some three years, he still working at his chosen avocation.

In 1843 he moved on the farm where he now lives, then containing forty acres, on section 31, with a rude log house and three acres partly improved. Mr. Fisk built a shop, and, diligently pounding at his anvil, exchanged his work with his neighbors, thus keeping the improvement in progress on his new farm. In about two years he purchased eighty acres joining his farm. The farm now contains one hundred and forty-nine acres, one hundred and twenty in a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Fisk, though a blacksmith by trade, is also a practical farmer, takes great interest in the improvement of stock, and, in company with his youngest son, W. H. Fisk, is the owner of a fine flock of thoroughbred registered American Merino sheep, having lately made a purchase of sixteen head from L. I. Stickner, F. and L. E. Moore's flock in Vermont. He is also interested in the culture of bees. Mr. and Mrs. Fisk are the parents of five children, of whom two boys and one girl are living. §S. S. Fisk, the oldest, is married, and owns a farm joining his father's, on the bank of Fine Lake. The next son, W. H. Fisk, remains at home and carries on the farm under the supervision of his father. The daughter, Mira, now Mrs. Brinnistool, also lives at home. J. HE. Fisk is in politics a Republican, though never an office-seeker.

'His advantages for school were very limited; in fact, commencing to learn his trade when he was so small he had to stand ona stool to blow the bellows. Mr. and Mrs. Fisk have both been members of the Baptist Church for the past twenty years.

Among the earliest settlers the name of Hinchman stands prominent as that of an honest, upright man, whose ancestry trace themselves back to New Jersey, where this subject was born in Vernon township, Suffolk Co., March 4, 1803. He is a son of John and Hlizabeth (Blane) Hinchman, who were represented by a family of seven children. They were farmers, and lived and died there, - the father when our subject was about ten years of age, his mother in 1828. T. B. left home when quite young to make his mark. The reader can judge for himself of his success. Worked by the month until he was thirty years of age, when he secured a partner to assist him in traveling the rugged path of toil by marrying Miss Phebe McCain, daughter of Thomas and Amelia McCain, who were both natives of New York, where Phebe was born April 1, 1810, being the only daughter in a family of seven children. They, too, tilled the soil, and both died in New York, the father in 1828, the mother struggling against the vicissitudes of life as only a mother can until 1863, when she, too, departed to that land from which no traveler returns. After marriage they remained in New York, working her mother's farm until 1836, when they came to Michigan, landing in Battle Creek, buying a house and Jot ; they remained there some five years, earning their support mostly by days' work. In 1842 they bought and moved on to the farm where the widow now lives. His first purchase consisted of one hundred and sixty acres in the state of nature, to which he afterwards added, until, at his death; in January, 1879, his. farm contained three hundred and five acres, besides owning other land in the township. To Mr. and Mrs. Hinchman were given eight children, - John T., born May 4, 1835 ;

Mr. Hinchman was a Democrat in politics, and a member of no church, though he always attended with his wife, who has been a member of the Congregational Church since she was twenty; in fact, was one of tne first members of that society in Battle Creek. Since the death of her husband she has remained on the farm with her youngest son, Seward, who carries on the farm, and her youngest daughter,

Barry County, being bounded north by Castleton, south by Assyria, west by Baltimore, east by the township of Kalamo, in the county of Eaton. The village of Nashville embraces about 600 acres of Maple Grove within its corporate limits, and affords to the people of the township a very convenient point for the shipment of their produce. ©

Maple Grove, which is designated on the United States survey as township 2 north, of range 7 west, was, .as early as 1835, the resort of Eastern land-lookers and speculators, and two years later was chosen as the home'of an actual settler. Its progress was not rapid, and for many years the voters numbered but half a score. It was at this time under the jurisdiction of Johnstown (which then embraced the four townships of Johnstown, Assyria, Maple Grove, and Baltimore), and did not enjoy an independent organization until 1846. It was christened by the wife of one of the early pioneers. Several names were suggested before its present significant cognomen was adopted.

The soil of Maple Grove varies greatly, its ingredients being chiefly sand, gravel, clay, and muck, the two former of which predominate. A strong clay soil prevails in much of the western portion, though a considerable area of swampy land is also to be seen in this locality. Wet land is also observable elsewhere in the township, but a-good drainagesystem has rendered the most of it productive. In the centre and on the eastern border much good land is found, which is admirably adapted to the growth of grain.

The last census, that of 1873, gives the area of wheat harvested as 1573 acres, and that of corn as 1112 acres, which produced 27,339 bushels of the former and 40,442 bushels of the latter grain. Of other grains 26,803 bushels were gleaned, while 1254 tons of hay were cut. This yield has been greatly augmented by the improved condition of the township since that date. Highty-two thousand three hundred and thirty-four pounds of maple-sugar were also made, which figures attest the richness of its maple-groves.

The surface of the township varies greatly. Many abrupt declivities are apparent in the centre and west, while level stretches of land are found in the south and also in the west. F'rom the elevated points commanding views are frequently enjoyed. Beech, maple, ash, oak, and blackwalnut are the prevailing woods, while tamarack is the usual product of the swamps. No pine is found in Maple Grove. i '

Fruit is grown in abundance, the apple-trees being especially prolific. Very few farms are without an orchard of choice grafted fruit. Peaches are also extensively grown, the soil being very congenial to them. Cherry-trees likewise yield an ample harvest, and have proved a source of considerable revenue to the grower.

Early Settlements

Leander, and his daughter Sophronia, made a weary pilgrimage with an ox-team, from Wayne Co., Mich., a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles, to the woods of township No. 2, Mrs. Lapham and five younger children being left behind.

There was at this early day not a road in the township in question. On arriving in what is now Assyria, the travelers halted and accepted the cheer offered by the family of Cleaveland Ellis, while Mr. Lapham proceeded to cut his way to the quarter of section 35 which he had previously purchased from John Mott, of Jackson County.

Mr. Lapham immediately constructed a rude shanty of logs, into which, although it was still uncompleted, the family moved the following day. The work of clearing was at once begun, and 5 acres of wheat was sewed the game year.

In the July following, Mr. Lapham returned to Wayne County and brought back his wife and five children, with another load of household goods, also drawn by oxen.*

Wolves were numerous, and the night was made hideous with their howls, Mrs. Lapham found it difficult to overcome her terror of these animals, and at night protected the entrance to the cabin with a salt-barrel placed in front of the blanket which served as a door. " Massasaugas" were also abundant, and added much to the anxiety of the mother. The children were always warned to carry sticks when out of doors, with which to keep off these venomous serpents.

The little log cabin erected in May, when the bark would peel, was roofed and floored with bark. The bark on the floor showed a constant tendency to curl up, and it was therefore turned over daily to keep it flat. With the household goods brought in July were some pieces of oilcloth. In dry weather these did duty as a carpet, but on rainy days they were taken up and spread over the beds to protect them from the water, which poured through the leaky roof.

Mr. Lapham's death occurred in Calhoun County, in 1865. He was during his lifetime an exemplary believer in the Quaker faith, and much of his time was devoted to expositions of its peaceful teachings. His venerable companion died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Abram S. Quick. His son, Leander Lapham, resides on section 21, in Maple Grove, where he has been engaged in both commercial and agricultural pursuits.

Abel Hallock came from Wayne County with Mr. Lapham, and remained in township 1 (now Assyria) until a shanty was erected on the farm on section 26 now occupied by J. C. Dillon. The old home in Wayne County, however, had superior attractions for Mr. Hallock, and he returned thither in 1850 after selling his land to John Baldwin. Still later he removed to Ypsilanti, Mich., and subsequently to Howard, Montcalm Co., where his death occurred.

William Sutton, a former resident of Battle Creek, entered 160 acres in 1836 on sections 22 and 23, to which he removed in 1838, erected a shanty, and did some clearing. He was then a bachelor, but during the year of his arrival he wedded Miss Sophronia Lapham, the daughter of his old Wayne County neighbor. This marriage, which occurred at the house of the bride's father, was the earliest

* He likewise brought a mare, which was subsequently the occasion of much trouble. About two years after reaching Barry County she was stolen by Indians, but two years later was recovered by Mr. Lapham. Several Indians then presented themselves, fully armed, at Mr, Lapham's house, and, with many threatening gestures, demanded the animal back. Not being successful, however, they resorted to their former expedient, and stole her again.

in the township, and Mrs. Sutton (while Miss Lapham) was the first white woman who passed a night in the territory of Maple Grove. A daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, born in 1839, was the first child born in the township. In 1852, Mr. Sutton sold his farm to Adam Wolf, and afterwards moved with his family to Calhoun County, where they now reside.

Richard McOmber, the fourth pioneer in order of arrival, migrated from Wayne County, N. Y., in 1838, and located upon 160 acres on section 22. He had come with wagon and team to Buffalo, whence he had crossed the lake to Toledo, and from there had again traveled by wagon to the locality just mentioned. With Mr. McOmber came four sons, - Philo, Darwin, Pliny, and Otis, - and one daughter, - Amanda (now Mrs. Aaron Durfee, of Baltimore), - all of whom during the first year remained under

On Mr. McOmber's arrival he-occupied the shanty erected by Wm. Sutton during the temporary absence of that gentleman,, During the winter a house was erected, and the following spring 4 acres were sowed with grain and cultivated with hoes, no plows nor horses being available among the stumps and trees. Indians were numerous, and often slept on the floors of the cabin when belated on their hunting expeditions. They invariably dragged the game they had shot into the house to protect it fromi' wolves, and always offered a slice of venison or bear-meat to their hostess: for supper.

John Dean followed soon after, and located. himself upon 80 acres on section 26. Mr. Dean did much to advance the interests of the township, and the earliest religious services were mostly held at his house, when Eli Lapham usually presided; also officiating at his own house in the same capacity. Mr. Dean subsequently moved away from Maple Grove, his farm being now occupied by D. Jackson.

Abram 8. Quick left the attractive scenes of Niagara Co., N. Y., for the hardships of a settler's life in Michigan in 1839. On his arrival he bought 160 acres on section 34, in the township under consideration. Mr. Quick, like his neighbor, Mr. Sutton, came to the township a single man, but soon improved his opportunity and became the husband of Rachel R. Lapham, another daughter of the first settler. They were married according to the Quaker form, and the wedding-tour was limited to a walk to the house of John Dean for the purpose of attending a Quaker service. This was the second wedding in the township, both the first and second having occurred at the house of the Quaker preacher, Hli Lapham. Mr. Quick, in connection with Daniel Baldwin, erected for John Mott the earliest saw-mill in the township, on section 26, in which they had a half-interesé. Later it was wholly owned by Mr. Mott, and managed for him by Mr. Quick. The latter erected upon his land the first framed house in the township, which was several years afterwards consumed by fire., Ten acres were cleared by him soon after his arrival, and 40 acres were made. ready for cultivation before he hada yoke of oxen to assist in his labors. Among other experiences Mr. Quick relates an encounter with a bear, which very seriously alarmed his excellent wife, and enabled him for a brief time to cultivate a very close intimacy with the animal. A well-directed shot had dislocated the jaws of the beast, and allowed his victim to escape with only an enthusiastic hugging. <A detailed biography of My. Quick. is given at the close of the township history. ne

E. G. Mapes removed from Salem, Mich., to the township in 1839 (as near as can be ascertained ), and located upon 160 acres on section 36. Mr. Mapes served as the first clerk of Maple Grove township, and was frequently elected to other local offices. He at length died on the farm he had cleared. up. -'-.

_A pioneer from St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., arrived in 1841 in the person of Peter Downs, who-purchased 160 acres, in 1836, upon section .36, but did not remove on to it until five years later. He subsequently sold it, and purchased on section 15. Mr. Downs' death occurred in the township, at the residence of his son-in-law, in 1871.

The earliest disciple of the healing art in Maple Grove was Dr. Archelaus Harwood, who located himself on 160 acres of attractive land on section 35 in 1840. The doctor belonged to the Thomsonian school, and exercised his professional skill over an extended territory. He inspired very great confidence in the minds of his patients, among whom he dwelt until his removal to Battle Creek, many years later.

located upon 92 acres on section 5. He was an energetic farmer and public-spirited citizen, holding several responsible public positions. He subsequently removed to Ingham County. *' Adjoining the farm of Mr. Badcock was that of Aaron Burgess, who located upon it the same year. He still survives at a venerable old age, being yet a resident of the same tract.

J. F. Fuller was an early resident of Orleans Co., N. Y., whence he removed to Jackson Co., Mich., and in 1842 purchased 160 acres of unimproved land in the township. Upon this he erected a shanty, and then removed his family to their new place of residence. "Abel Hallock and James Owry were his nearest neighbors. He cleared 10 acres the first year, but soon. after leased his farm and removed to section 26 to superintend the running of the saw-mill early built on that section. Subsequently he resumed his residence on his farm, but in 1871 he removed to Nashville, his present home. His son now occupies the old farm on section 25,

Henry Mallory, a former resident of Calhoun County, settled in the township in 1843, taking up his residence on section 26 for the purpose of conducting the saw-mill already mentioned. He subsequently made his home on section 21, but finally removed to Nashville, where he now resides. Rufus Brooks made his advent in the township in February, 1843, and, though not among the earliest arrivals, he found the country still extremely wild. Mr. Brooks was among the earliest township officers, and served repeatedly in various public. capacities. He is still an enterprising citizen of the township.

Mrs. Peter Downs Mrs. Cha'S. 8. Dunham

Among other names that appear conspicuously among the early settlers was that of James Buck, originally from Seneca Co., N. Y., and later from Calhoun Co., Mich. He purchased 20 acres on his arrival, to which he added 40 soon after. His advent occurred in March, 1843, and the house of J. F. Fuller was opened to him until his own log shanty was completed. Mr. Buck was a soldier of the war of 1812, and drew a pension for his services. His death occurred in 1877.

Valentine O. Buck came from the State of New York two years later, and was for a while employed by Cleaveland Ellis, of Assyria. He found an eligible location upon 160 acres on section 19, which he cultivated and made productive. Mr. Buck was elected justice of the peace during the first year of the township's existence. He subsequently disposed of his property and returned to the Empire State.

D. G. Hamilton came from Ohio in 1846. He chose a location on section 24, where he had purchased 80 acres of Amos Dillon. He found Peter Dillon already located on the same section, where he had secured 140 acres, one-half mile east. There his family found a welcome until a house was constructed. For seven years the portion of Maple Grove immediately north of Mr. Hamilton remained uninhabited. After this date a new impulse was given to the development of the township by the arrival of settlers from Ohio and the Kast, which promoted its rapid improvement. But ten voters exercised the franchise when Mr. Hamilton. came. The nearest and earliest school-house, generally known as the " Quail-trap," was half a mile south of him. Mr. Hamilton, in 1871, removed to a tract of 80 acres on section 13, which is his present home.

Orson Dunham was one of the arrivals of 1847. He purchased 40 acres on section 26, which was totally unimproved. He removed, however, several years later to a more eligible locality, on section 31, where he still resides. His brother, Charles 8., came the same year, having formerly been a resident of Eaton County, where he had located in 1841. He at first superintended the running of the saw-mill erected by John Mott, on section 26, and afterwards purchased 80 acres' on section 14, where he built a log house and remained many years. In 1872 he moved to section 15, where he secured 80 acres, on which he still lives.

In 1848 came William Jarrard, a former resident of Ohio. Highty acres on section 15, which was quite uncleared, afforded him an opportunity to exercise his industry, and it is still his home.

Valentine Ostroth arrived from Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1849, and occupied a tract of 137 acres on section 4, which he found entirely uncleared. Earlier in the same year came George Delbahuer, whose house afforded a home to the settlers that immediately followed him.

He was accompanied by his son, George Delbahuer, Jr., who has now 145 acres there. P. M. Hyde, also from Ohio, located, in 1850, on section 21, his land embracing the tract now oecupied by the hamlet of Maple Grove.

Of the settlers after 1850 we can make but a cursory mention. Among those of the next few years were Reuben Norton, who came from Maine in 1851, and located on section 22; George Marshall, previously of Seneca Co., Ohio, who made his home on section 4; Adam Wolf, an Ohio pioneer of 1852, who purchased William Sutton's farm, on sections 22 and 23; John Wilkinson, another emigrant from Maine, who bought a quarter of section 34 in 1852 J. C. Dillon, who came from Knox Co., Ohio, in 1853, and located on section 26; James McKelvey, of Akron, Ohio, who became a resident of section 4 in 1852 ; John Stewart, another emigrant from the Buckeye State, who located on section 10 in 1855; A. J. Culp, from Akron, Ohio, who located on section 16 the same year; and Levi Elliott, who made his home on section 22 in 1854. Among still later settlers may be mentioned H. OQ. Bowen, who resides on section 25; H. Dewey, on section 16; George D. Moore, on section 17; William O. Freeman, on section 7; Edward Moody, on section 21; D. Jackson, on section 26; Gilbert Buck, on section, 19; Benjamin Miller, on section 35; William Kilburn, on section 19; C. W. Taylor, on section 23; and George Dean and George Mason, on section 16.

Tax-Payers Of 1846 Early Highways

"Commencing at the southwest corner of section 34, township 2 north, of range 7 west, running north on the section-line between sections 33 and 34, 10 chains and 40 links; thence north 24} degrees, east 11 chains and 8 links; thence north 15} degrees, west 6 chains and 16 links; -thence north 14} degrees, east 10 chains and 16 links; thence north 5 degrees, west 10 chains and 48 links; thence north 264 degrees, west 6 chains and 68 links; thence north 6} degrees, west 15 chains and 78 links; thence nortk 19} degrees, west 1 chain and 45 links to said 'section-line; thence north on the line 10 chains to the section corners of sections 27, 28, 33, and 34; thence north on the line to the corners of sections 27 and 28, 21 and 22; thence north on the line between sections 21 and 22, 22 chains; thence north 47 degrees, west 2 chains and 20 links; thence north 6 chains and 50 links; thence north 26} degrees, east 4 chains; thence north on said line 6 chains and 37 links to the quarter-post between sections 2L and 22; thence north on said line 40 chains to section corners of sections 21 and 22 and 15 and 16; thence north on said line to the quarter-post between sections 15 and 16; thence north on said line 4 chains and 84 links; thence north 31 degrees, west 25 chains and 40 links; thence north 144 degrees, west 138 chains; thence north 444 degrees, west 59 chains and 70 links to the northwest corner of section 4, township 2 north, of range 7 west."

Another road, surveyed the same month and year, began at the northwest corner of section 27 and ran to the northeast corner of the same section. The above roads were surveyed under the direction of William P. Bristol and Cleaveland Ellis, highway commissioners for the township of Johnstown, which then included the township of Maple Grove within its limits.

Educational facilities were first enjoyed by the few residents of the township in 1840. Misses Emma and Maria Mott, daughters of the prominent land-owner, John Mott, had made Maple Grove their residence, where a house had been erected for their convenience by Mr. Mott, on section 26, the spot being now occupied by a Mr. Hastman. Miss Emma determined soon after to open'a school, and was promised the patronage of the few settlers who lived near and had small children. The school: opened with six scholars, and did not greatly increase in numbers during its brief existence.

The first school-house was built on section 25, and was known as the " Quail-trap," from the fact that some enterprising lads found it a convenient rendezvous in their expeditions in search of these birds. This building, which was i district No. 1, was removed, and a new and more spacious edifice, on section 24, substituted. The township is now divided into-six whole and three fractional districts, with the following board -of directors: William @. Brooks, A. P. Jarrard, Frank Fuller, C. R. Palmer, John Hinkley, M. H. Palmer, John Day, Y. J. Cassell, Henry Troyer.

4 male and 14 female teachers are employed, who receive in salaries the sum of $1253.70. Nine framed school buildings have been erected, most of them being of comfortable but unpretentious proportions. The total resources of the township for educational purposes have reached the sum of $2080.86.

Maple Grove. Post-Office

The principal consequence of this litte hamlet is derived from the fact that the mail is distributed here. A store was built here by John Clark in 1868, for the purpose of conducting a business adapted to the demands of the neighboring country. It was sold at the expiration of two years to Gilbert Lapham. He disposed of the business to his father, Leander Lapham, who erected a convenient building in 1875, to which he removed the stock. He is, however, at'the present,time closing out the enterprise with a view to retiring, though doubtless some enterprising merchant will succeed him. There are also a blacksmith-shop owned by Stephen Savage, and a wagon-shop, the proprietor of which is T. T. Dewey. The postmaster is Johnson McKelvey.

Church Of The United Brethren

For mary years after the settlement of the township religious services were occasionally held at the houses of the settlers. In 1872, under the ministrations of Rev. L. G. Gester, a church andes the auspices of the above denomiue

The German Evangelical Church

H. H. Maynard, and he in 1876 by Rev. B. F. Hungerford. Rev. George Kilpatrick came in 1878 as pastor in charge, and the present. one, Rev. D. H. Shelly, was called in 1879. He conducts services at this church on alternate Sabbaths. A spacious brick edifice is now being erected on section 16 for the use of the society. The present trustees are Horace Dean, George Dean, and W. H. Whitaye ade THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

This body is now erecting a church edifice of brick on section 4, in which services are to be conducted in both the English and German languages. Rey. Mr. Miller, of Ionia, is the present pastor, who jeapeants the faith on each alternate Sabbath.

The Methodists

A society of Methodists once existed in the township and had a considerable degree of success. A building on section 15, formerly a school-house, was remodeled and used as a house of worship. The organization was, however, dissolved, and the building has recently been demolished. The Methodists of the township generally worship at Nashville.

organized into a separate township by the name of Maple Grove, and the first township-meeting therein shall be held at the house of Henry Deans, in said township." 2

The first township-meeting was held, in accordance with the above act, on the 25th of March, 1846, Peter Downs being chosen moderator and .Archelaus Harwood, Rufus election. Archelaus Harwood actéd as clerk. The following officers were declared clected for the year 1846: Supervisor, Peter Downs; Township Clerk, Elisha G. Mapes; Treasurer, Abraham §. Quick; Assessors; Peter Downs, E. G. Mapes, Joseph Badcock; Highway Commissioners, Eldridge Austin, Eli Lapham, V. O.: Buck ; Justices of the Peace, Joseph Badcock, Eldridge Austin, V. O. Buck, Peter Downs; School Inspectors, Archelaus Harwood, William Sutton; Constables, Charles Downs, William Sutton, Henry Smith, Henry Mott.

The parents of Pliny McOmber were residents of Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., at the time of his birth, which occurred in that place on the 15th of March, 1825. When Pliny was about eight years of age the family removed to Marion, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he attended the district school during the winter terms. In 1836 the advantages offered by the new State of Michigan began to attract great attention among the farmers of the Eastern States, and a very large and constantly increasing emigration was the result. Among those who became infected with this almost universal desire to remove West for the purpose of bettering their fortunes on the virgin lands of the Peninsular State was Mr. Richard McOmber, who came to Michigan in the summer of 1837, and purchased the northeast quarter of section 22, in Johnstown (now Maple Grove), and removed to it with his family in the fall of 1838. This purchase had been made from John Mott, whose daughters were living in the neighborhood, one of these - Miss Emma Mott - being teacher of the school which Pliny first attended in Michigan.

He remained at home with his father, assisting in the labors of the farm, until 1848, when, in company with two sons of Dr. Harwood, he engaged in the erection of a sawmill on Cedar Creek, in section 9, of the township of Baltimore (then Johnstown). He continued to operate this mill for about three years, when he returned to his father's farm, but soon after went to Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. Y., for the purpose of attending school at that place. After a year of study at Palmyra he returned home, but in the year 1852 he again went to New York State, where he attended school at Palmyra, Wayne Co., for about one year. While there he made the acquaintance of Miss Emily Sanford, _ who became his wife on the 2d of March, 1854, The newly-married couple came to Michigan and lived in the family of his father. On the death of the latter, Pliny McOmber came into the possession of the homestead, where he still-resides.

Mr. McOmber, who was originally an old-line Whig, became an ardent Republican, and continued a firm adherent to the principles of that party from its birth, in 1856, until the organization of the Greenback party, when he transferred his support to the latter.

Leander Lapham

Among the honorable names associated with the early history of Baltimore, that of Eli Lapham stands conspicuous, not less from the purity of his character than from the fact of his having been the earliest settler within its boundaries. His birth occurred in'the year 1791, and his marriage at the age of twenty-one. Having, at the expiration of the third year after, been left a widower, he later married Miss Rachel Crandall, mother of Leander Lapham. Their residence, for a period of years after this event, was in Erie Co.,N.Y. During the year 1831, Mr. and Mrs. Lapham and six children removed to Livonia, Mich., and six years later to Maple Grove, Barry Co., Mich. Eli Lapham survived until May, 1864, when his death occurred at Augusta, Mich. His memory is-still tenderly cherished by all who were familiar with his kindly nature and his unselfish life. Leander Lapham was born in Collins, Erie Co., N. Y., in the year 1819, and was eighteen years of age on his arrival in Maple Grove. Four years after he was married to Miss Irena Smith, born in Connecticut in 1815, who came with her parents to Michigan in 1837. Three children graced their cheerful home, - Gilbert, born Aug. 12, 1846; Alice M., whose birth occurred Nov. 26, 1851; and Melville, born April 28, 1853. Alice, the daughter, died Feb. 24, 1852. Mr. Lapham early became interested in public affairs, voted first the Whig ticket, was later un advocate of the Free- Soil platform, and is now an ardent Republican. He has represented his township on fifteen occasions as supervisor, and was in 1864 a represeutative in the State Legislature.

Since that time he has been engaged in the cares of his estate and the superintendence of his mercantile interests. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lapham passed through all the privations and hardships incident to the settlement of a new country and were successful, - not so much from aid and encouragement tendered them as from a firm reliance upon their own energy and capacity. While carving out a career of success for themselves, they were not unmindful of the kindly word and helping hand which was frequently a powerful lever to the success of others.