Fennville City (part 1 of 6)

Fennville City

The importance of this young and aspiring village should not be gauged by the duration of its history, which as yet barely numbers a dozen years of activity and growth. The major portion of the land on which it is built was purchased from the government during the years 1836-37 for purposes of speculation. From that date until 1855 no improvements whatever were made. A little later a mill was erected, as well as a few rude structures necessary to accommodate the men employed in its operation, and these remained until about 1864 the only forerunners of the future flourishing village.

In 1865 the village was first platted by Robert B. Grege. In 1866 the Grand River Valley Railroad was projected, and the preliminary survey made. In January, 1869, the first train passed over the recently-completed railroad, and then began an almost unprecedented era of progress.

On Section 25. - The southwest quarter by Ichabod Clark, of Genesee Co., N. Y., on April 29, 1836; the southeast quarter by Marion C. L. Penniman, of New London Co., Conn., Nov. 24, 1836.

On Section 26. - The southeast quarter by Horace Butler, of Oneida Co., N. Y., May 9, 1836; the east half of the southwest quarter by Dimmick Bennett, of Calhoun Co., Mich., Sept. 19, 1837; the west half of the southwest quarter by William G. Sprague, of Livingston Co., N. Y., Sept 4, 1837.

On Section 35. - The east half of the northeast quarter by John R. Pettibone, of Wasbtenaw Co., Mich., Feb. 13, 1836; the east half of the southeast quarter by Abram Voorhes, of Wayne Co.,

Mich., March 1, 1836; the southwest quarter by Alfred Warren, of Washtenaw Co., Mich., Nov. 24, 1836; the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter by Charles T. Moffatt, of Eaton Co., Mich., April 4, 1837; the west half of the southeast quarter by Francis Moor, of Castleton, Barry Co., June 9, 1854.

of Kalamazoo Co., Mich., Nov. 7, 1835; the west half of the northwest quarter by John R. Pettibone, of Washtenaw County aforesaid, Feb. 15, 1836; the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter by Abram Voorhes, of Wayne Co., Mich., March 1, 1836; the south half by Horace Butler, of Oneida Co., N. Y., May 9, 1836; the east half of the northeast quarter by Marion ©. L. Penniman, of New London Co., Conn., aforesaid, Nov. 24, 1836.

In Maple Grove

On Section 2, - The northwest quarter by Benjamin Tate, of Hillsdale Co., Mich., April 17, 1837 ; the northeast quarter by Charles S. Briggs, of Windham Co., Conn., July 11, 1837.

{t will thus be seen that Nashville embraces portions of the townships of Castleton and Maple Grove, two of the most attractive townships of the county.* Pursuing its devious way through the central portion of the village limits is the Thornapple River, a stream which, aside from the picturesque beauty it imparts to the landscape, serves a more useful purpose in affording an excellent water-power, which has been for a quarter of a century utilized for commercial purposes. - .

Plats And Additions

stated, by Robert B. Gregg, the survey having been completed on the 2d day of October, 1865, by Joshua Martin. The official record thus describes the territory of the intended village:

"Located on the west half of the northwest quarter of section thirty-six, in township three north, of range seven west, in the county of Barry and State of Michigan, the survey commencing at the northeast quarter of lot number one; bearing taken, stone eighteen inches long, sixteen inches wide, and twelve inches thick, north ten degrees and thirty minutes east three chains and five links. Said stone is north forty-three degrees and fifteen minutes west ninety-five links from the northwest corner of Stauffer and Kuhlman's storehouse, and is the northwest corner of Leonard Stauffer's land. The lots are fiftyfive feet north and south by one hundred and thirty-two feet east and west, excepting lots number 24, 25, 42, 43, 60, 61, 66, 67, 84, 85, which are sixty-six feet north and south by one hundred and thirty-two feet east and west, and the fractional lots, the dimensions of which are represented in feet by the figures on the margin of the lots in the plat. Main Street and Queen Street are sixty-six feet wide, and run north one degreeswest from the magnetic meridian. All other streets are sixty feet wide, and run at right angles with Main Street, excepting Sherman Street, which runs north eighty seven degrees and fortyfive minutes east, and is sixty-six feet wide. The alleys are twelve feet wide, about thirty feet and four inches being given for Middle Street, on the east, which runs north two degrees and thirty-five minutes west from the magnetic meridian."

* Only a small portion, however, is in Maple Grove, and that is outside of the thickly built part of the place. It may therefore be considered as practically a village of the township of Castleton.

Early Settlers

Henry Feighuer, a previous resident of Ohio, came in 1852, accompanied by his brother Solomon, to the township of Castleton. He had been intrusted by his father with the purchase of land' in the vicinity, and accordingly located 880 acres'in that township, including the land upon which stood the saw-mill before mentioned, then owned by Hiram Hanchett. 'Solomon Feighuer became the successor of Mr. Hanchett in the management of the mill, but carried it on only a short time, when it became the property of his brother Henry. Mr. Feighuer, after the sale of the property, repaired to the farm he now occupies, which is within the corporate limits of the village, though not platted. His father and three brothers, John, William, and Solomon, also se residents of the village and township.

Jacob Purkey, who eh moved from Eaton County in 1856 to the northwest portion of Castleton, subsequently exchanged his land'there for property within the present village limits, to which he removed in 1860, and upon which he still resides. The only-improvement on his land at that time was a log house erected by the former owner, Archibald A. Graham, only a short time previous. Henry P. Ralston, also a former resident of the Buckeye State, the township, purchased 70 acres now embraced within the limits: of Nashville. No indication of the future enterprising village was apparent when he became a settler.

Alanson W. Phillips, who came from Cortland Co., N. Y., to another portion of Castleton in 1857, subsequently acquired 320 acres on the south side of the Thornapple River, a part of which he platted as a portion of the village of Nashville.

"Samuel R. Clendenin came from the Golden State, and in 1856 secured 33 acres near Hanchett's saw-mill. He was a blacksmith by trade, and found active employment in the exercise of his craft. Mr, Clendenin presided over the anvil and forge for many years, and remained upon the land he purchased until his death in 1872. The house he built is now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Ralston.

O. A. Phillips, a former resident of Broome Co., N. Y., purchased, in 1863, 80 acres on section 36 in Castleton, a small portion of which is now platted, but the greater part of which is still cultivated asa farm. John Webster arrived in 1864, and erected a blacksmith-shop on the north side of the river, which, as business increased, was removed to the more populous south side.

Commercial Enterprises Thos, Blasoell

During the former year Leonard Stauffer became the pioneer. in mercantile enterprise. He erected a building on the site of the residence of Philip Holler, and, in connection with William Feighuer, placed in it a small stock of goods adapted to the very meagre patronage they were likely to attract, the rude structure doing duty both as store and dwelling.

The following year Mr. Robert B. Gregg, with a premonition of the advancement that awaited the little village, determined on surveying and platting the ground he owned. Mr. Gregg having carried out this plan, the lots were offered for sale, the first one being purchased by Enos Kuhlman, a brother-in-law of Mr. Stauffer, who had become associated with him in his mercantile venture.

After this the forest was rapidly felled to make way for 'the log structures which followed the arrival of each new settler. Among those who early became owners of lots were George Boyer, Israel Wright, Ephraim Church, and William Killen. William Feighuer afterwards erected a building and opened a grocery-store, while John Markler and William Parker were among the mechanics of the place. Dr. J. H. Palmer guarded the health of the hamlet, and was for at least two years without a rival.

A decided impulse was given to business enterprise by the erection of a grist-mill on the Thornapple River by Eli M. and M. V. B. Mallett,and G. W. Johnson. The project of a railroad had also assumed such proportions as to warrant the most sanguine predictions of success.

-The year 1866 witnessed the arrival of two of Nashville's early merchants, D. C. Griffith and L. J. Wheeler, the latter of whom had previously been a resident of Woodland. After an active career of three years in the army he repaired to Nashville and erected a building sixty by twenty feet in dimensions on the site now occupied by the shoe-shop of EK. A. Bush. In this, in connection with his partners, - the firm having been Wheeler, Downing & Co., - he opened a store with a general assortment of goods. In 1873 he built the brick store at present occupied by him, and two years later his attractive brick residence.

Mr. Griffith moved from Ingham County to Nashville early in 1866, and built a store on the site now occupied by Messrs. Francis & Boise, on Main Street. Mr. Griffith subsequently embarked in the grain trade, and in 1875 erected the brick building in which he now carries on business. About 1867 a gentleman named Reed opened a store in Nashville, but his mercantile career extended over a period of only two years.

Lewis Durkee was attracted to the village in 1866, and, in connection with Hiram Coe, embarked in the sale of groceries on Main Street. The railroad having been completed in January, 1869, he engaged in its service, in which he remained six years. He is still a citizen of the village and engaged in active business pursuits. Clement Smith began the practice of law in 1868, but has since removed to Hastings, and is now judge of probate.

From this time various professional and mechanical pursuits were represented as the hamlet advanced, and in 1869 the Legislature bestowed a village charter upon it. This act occasioned much apparent surprise to the leading citizens, and no resident has yet assumed the responsibility of having advocated the measure. The name it bears was given in honor of Mr. Nash, the chief engineer of the Grand River Valley Railroad, although he was in nowise identified with the place.

The young lady who has the honor of being the first child born within the present corporation limits is Miss Hattie, daughter of Robert B. Gregg, whose advent occurred in 1865.

A clergyman was early summoned from Vermontville to unite in matrimonial bonds Mr. M. V. B. Mallett and Miss Alcesta Price, this happy event having been the earliest marriage in the village.

On the 4th of July, 1867, occurred the first national celebration in Nashville, when three thousand people assembled on the river-bank, east of Main Street, and listened to the patriotic strains of a barrister from Calhoun County.

of this calamity was for a while a general feeling of depression, but a reaction eventually followed in its wake, and new and more imposing edifices arose in place of the old ones. So great has been the growth and success of this village, numbering little more than ten years of development, that it now ranks as the second commercial and manufacturing centre in Barry County, and its course is still steadily onward and upward.

During the year 1866 it became apparent that there were a number of children in Nashville for whom educational advantages should be provided. A notice was circulated that at a time specified a "bee" would be held for the purpose of erecting a school-house. The call met a prompt response, and on the day appointed, before darkness approached, the school-house was in actual existence. It could hardly be commended for beauty of design, but served well the purpose for which it was erected. After a more spacious structure had superseded it, the former building did service as a barn on one of the neighboring streets. The first school numbered thirteen children, who were under the care of Miss Aggie Smith (now Mrs. C. M. Putnam). The school-house, which was said not to have been discernible from a short distance, so thick was the forest, also did duty as a church and Sunday-school room.

The present school building was erected in 1868, and, although at that time apparently large and comfortable, the growing demands of the place have made more extensive quarters a necessity. The teachers who have filled positions in connection with the Nashville school since its first organization are, in order of service by terms, as follows:

Mr. R. M. Payne. Miss L. A. Davis. Miss Mary Gear. Mrs. A. M. Flint. Mr. R. M. Payne. Mrs. A. M. Flint. Mrs. A. J. Beebe. Miss Mary Hindmarch.

The present school, under the superintendence of R. M. Payne and an able corps of assistants, is organizad on the " praded" plan, and has gained an enviable reputation for thoroughness and excellence in all its departments.

The Medical Fbaternity Of Nashville

The first physician to establish himself in Nashville was Dr. J. H. Palmer, who followed his profession there from 1865 until 1867 without a rival ora colleague. During the latter year Dr. C. W. Wickham came from Eaton County, his former home. He is still in active practice at Nashville. ;

Dr. Wickham was followed in the spring of 1870 by Dr. H. A. Barber, of Lansing, Mich., who had been a practitioner in Minnesota before reniaiee to his native State. He was the first representative of the homeopathic school in Nashville, where he has since remained.

cal Society, as well as the vice-president of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Barry and Eaton Counties. _ Dr. W. H. Young, formerly of Toronto, Canada, became

Toronto University and of the Detroit Medical College, and is also a member of the State Medical Society. Dr. W. H. Griswold, a native of Olivet, Eaton Co., Mich., engaged in the practice of medicine in Nashville in October, 1878, having formerly resided in Maple Grove. Heisa graduate of the Detroit Homeopathic Medical College, from which he received his diploma in 1875. Dr. F. A. Jones has just begun the practice of his profession in Nashville, having arrived in the spring of 1880.

The Legal Profession

Lewis Durkee became a resident of Nashville in 1866, and for several years was engaged in business pursuits. Having during this time devoted much attention to the study of law, he obtained admission to. the bar and entered on the practice of his profession, in which he is still actively engaged. Abijah M. Flint, a native of Eaton Co., Mich., came to this village in 1868. He made but a brief stay at that time, removing to Kansas, where he remained six years. In 1875 he returned to Nashville, and is now following his profession at that place.

Methodist Episcopal Church

and removed to Nashville the following year. He was until 1877 employed in the office of Clement Smith, the present probate judge of Barry County, after which he opened an office of his own, and is still in practice. W. S. Powers began his professional studies in Ohio, and subsequently graduated from the law school of Ann Arbor University. He came to. Nashville from Katon County in 1877, having fora brief period been a practitioner in Bellevue. CHURCHES. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The church at Nashville was embraced in the Woodland Circuit until the year 1868, when it was set apart as an independent charge, with., the following appointments: County Farm, Mudge's, Castleton Centre, and Martin's School-house. .

The earliest society in connection with this church was formed in 1866, under the supervision of Rev. T. J. Spencer, then connected with the Woodland Circuit. The members embraced in the first class were George Gregg, EK. M. Mallett 'and wife, Minor Mallett and wife, L. J. Wheeler, and Mrs. Clendennin. The grist-mill erected by Mallett & Johnson then afforded a place of meeting, the first service having been conducted by Rev. H. J. Richards. Soon after a log building was erected as a temporary schoolhouse, which was located in the rear of the present Yates Block. - This structure was placed at the disposal of the band of worshipers until a small framed building owned by Mr. Appleman afforded more ample accommodations.

On the erection of the present school-house a still more convenient place of meeting was offered. The earliest Sunday-school was organized in 1866, with E M. Mallett as superintendent. In 1869, with a view to the erection of a church edifice, lots were purchased of Robert Gregg, and the following year a building was erected under the ministrations of Rev. R. Pengally. The pastors in succession have been Rev. T. J. Spencer, Rev. J.S. Harder, Rev. R. Pengally, Rev. L. M. Edmonds, Rev. C. H. Ellis, Rev. J. M. Akin, Rev. EK. L. Kellogg, Rev. C. G. Thomas, Rev. N. L. Brockway, and the present pastor in charge, Rev. A. D. Newton. A flourishing Sunday-school is connected with the church, of which L. J. Wheeler is superintendent. It numbers 150 scholars, with a constantly increasing attendance. Arthur Ainsworth is librarian, and J. C. F. Dillon secretary. The present board of trustees of the church are Lorenzo Mudge, Jacob Purkey, D. Staley, H. Coe, Dr. H. A. Barber.

The capacity of the building is unequal. to the wants of the large concourse of worshipers, and as a result a more commodious edifice will doubtless supersede it.

Baptist Church

The earliest meetings of the Baptist Society were held at the school-house, and the subject of organization was discussed at a gathering of those interested, which took place Dec. 1, 1868, Rev. P. C. Bassett acting as moderator and L. KE. Stauffer secretary pro tem. The following persons on this occasion presented themselves for membership by letter: Rev. P. C. Bassett, Jonah Racey, Rosetta Racey, Mariah Barnes, Lucinda Raymond, P. L. E. Stauffer, Jane

E. Bassett, Rev. J. H. Straight, M. C. Straight, M. Cross, J. Steadman, and S. T. Stauffer. The following were reecived on profession of faith: Mrs. H. C. Appleman and W. H. Barnes. Services were at this time conducted in the school-house, and later in a hall secured for the purpose. In 1876, Fred Appleman, W. A. Whittaker, and Mark Detrick were chosen trustees. |uring the same year measures were taken for the erection of a church edifice, which was later completed, the structure being built of brick, and costing, together with the ground upon which it stands, $3300. The pastors in succession since the year of organization have been Rev. P. C. Bassett, Rev. John Dunham, Rev. Lester Monroe, Rev. W. R. Northrop, Rev. C. B. Shear, Rev. L. H. Monroe, and various other clergymen who have filled the pulpit as supplies. The present _trustees are Theodore Barnes, Newall Barnes, and J. B. Racey. The Baptist Society of Nashville is at present without a pastor and somewhat embarrassed by a church indebtedness, but it is confidently hoped that this claim will be released under the ministry of an energetic pastor.

The Christian Church

then available, and an effort was made to erect a church edifice, which was so far successful that in 1870 a substantial building was completed and dedicated, the total cost having been $2100.

The pastors in succession since its organization have been Revs. S. Dailey, who remained one year; O. I. Deyo, two and a half years; M. W. Tuck, one year; W. W. De Geer, two years; and ©. I. Deyo, three years, having filled a second pastorate. The society is now without a pastor.

The present officers are F'. D. Soles, Orno Strong, Charles Fowler, Nathan Weeks, G. A. Truman, Trustees; G. A. Truman, Treasurer; T. B. Van Wagner, Clerk.

First-Day Adventists

This society was organized by Elder Philip Holler, Oct. 9, 1878, and has a membership of 13. Its services are held in the school-house of the village.

Red Ribbon Club

ance cause. Many citizens not especially attracted to this peculiar feature of philanthropic work were induced from curiosity to hear the speaker. The logical arguments he advanced and the simple stories of reform which he and his associates related won their attention and sympathy. As a result 100 signed the pledge, and on the 16th of the same month a Red Ribbon Club was organized; with the following as its first officers: William Teaster, President ; James McLain, First Vice-President; J. D. Dickenson, Second Vice-President; Charles Halbert, Third Vice-President; Milton Flaherty, Sec.; Charles Brady, Financial Sec.; William Jones, Treas.; Henry Wolcott, First Marshal; Frederick Appleman, Second Marshal.

The whole number of the persons who have signed the pledge since the organization of the club is 730, and the present membership is 100. There have been 176 club meetings, with an average attendance of 40 at each meeting. There have also been 55 mass meetings, with an average attendance of 250, making a total attendance of 20,790. The club since its first inception has had its periods of growth and decay, but has been during its existence a powerful lever for good in the community. Its mission work has been the organization of the Vermontville, Kalamo, Morgan, West Kalamo, and Kast Castleton clubs, all of which are flourishing, and are accomplishing much in their respective localities. Many of the most eminent speakers in the temperance field have at various times addressed the club, and the citizens have been entertained aud instructed as well as benefited thereby.

The Nashville Red Ribbon Club is at present in an exceedingly prosperous condition, and numbers among its members many of the most prominent business men of the place. Its officers are Dr. H. A. Barber, President ; Charles H. Brady, 1st Vice-President; Henry Wolcott, 2d Vice-President; H. W. Flint, 3d Vice-President; Frank McDerby, Secretary; Rev. J. S. Harder, Financial Secretary; Mrs. H. A. Barber, Treasurer; H. P. Hoyt, Steward; Francis Baker, Ist Marshal; F. Gokey, 2d Marshal.

With a view to encouraging those who had embarked in the red ribboa cause, and also for the purpose of co-operation in other good work, the union was organized March 27, 1877, with a membership of 20, Its first officers were Mrs. W. H. Young, President; Mrs. M. J. Zimmerman, Vice-President ; Miss L. A. Nichols, Recording Secretary ; Mrs. L. J. Wheeler, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. B. F. Reynolds, Treasurer. With a desire to establish the organization on a sound financial basis, a serics of entertainments were arranged, the first having been a temperance lunch on election-day, which netted $17.95. This was succeeded by socials, festivals, and other legitimate means for raising funds, which were used for defraying necessary expenses and furnishing a club-room for the gentlemen.

The Red Ribbon Club having finally become self-sustaining, and requiring no further aid, the ladies determined to choose some definite object as an inspiration to future effort, and resolved upon the establishment of a library, to be under the supervision. of the Woman's Christian Tem- this purpose, which added considerably to the funds in the treasury. The nucleus-of a library was formed, which has already reached $100 in value, and the number of volumes is being constantly augmented by purchases or gifts.

The society, since it was founded, has increased in membership and influence, 40 working members now being enrolled upon its lists. Its officers have been efficient workers and of much administrative ability.

The present presiding officers are Mrs. G. A. Truman, President ; Mrs. L. J. Wheeler, Vice-President ; Mrs. L. J. Wilson, Recording Secretary; Mrs. C. Smith, Corresponding Secretary ; Mrs. F. McDerby, Financial Secretary ; Mrs. C. L. Collier, Treasurer.

The charter of this lodge bears date Jan. 15, 1869, its charter members having been Lewis Durkee, Charles W. Wickham, Orin E. Nichols, D. C. Griffith, Daniel Halbert, Abel Sheperd, Robert B. Gregg, Henry P. Ralston, Myron Hester, William P. Little, and F.N. Francis. The lodge had previously. worked under a dispensation, which was granted Nov. 25, 1868. Its first officers were Lewis Durkee, W. M.; Charles W. Wickham, 8. W.; Orin E. Nichols, J. W.; Daniel Halbert, Sec.; D. C. Griffith, Treas. The present officers are Robert McCartney, W. M.; Harvey J. Bennett, S. W.; Ira B. Bacheller, J. W.; John H. Smith, Sec. ; Robert B. Gregg, Treas. The lodge is prosperous, and embraces 70 names upon its roll.

Manufactories And Mills Grand Rapids Chemical Manufacturing Company

MANUFACTORIES AND MILLS. GRAND RAPIDS CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY. 12. March of the present year a proposition was made to' the citizens of Nashville by W. G. Sears, representing the

Nashville the works they were about erecting. A bonus of $800 was required, which, under the efficient direction of a committee to solicit subscriptions, was speedily raised. On the 12th of the same month ground was broken for the erection of the buildings, having a retort capacity of eight cords of wood each twenty-four hours, the product being 400 bushels of charcoal, 1200 pounds acetate of lime, and 30 gallons of wood-alcohol each day. The works are under 'the efficient management of William G. Sears, the officers being Adolph Leitelt, President; T. M. Peck, Vice-President; John L. Shaw, Secretary and Treasurer.

Nashville Elevator And Feed-Mill

This establishment, which is located on West Main Street, upon the Grand River Valley Railroad, is owned by Messrs. Ainsworth & Brooks. It was originally constructed by Messrs. Griffith & Grant, but has been controlled by the present firm. since 1874. The building is 40 feet square, and 60 feet high from cellar to cupola, having been made of seasoned timber and unusual care devoted to-its construction. The cellar has two divisions 22 by 44 feet and 10 by 20 feet, with a depth of 10 feet. In this cellar are four receiving-bins with a capacity of 1500 bushels. To receive wheat from farmers' wagons this building is provided with a double set of elevator legs, capable of raising 1000 bushels per hour, The grain is carried by these eleue vators to a height of 55 feet, after which it is passed through two large suction-fans. The light grain and straw are drawn into these fans, and blown into spouts projecting over the roof. After being thus cleaned it is dropped into which is a small spout. This hopper is placed upon a pipe which runs to the first floor, and a person on this floor is thus able to move the pipe and distribute the grain into whichever bin he prefers, by means of. an index corresponding with the rod which encircles the pipe. There are twenty-four storage-bins in the second story, with a capacity of 30,000 bushels.

Afterwards spouts are attached to- the bottom of the storage-bins, the grain being drawn into the cellar and again into two grading-bins, where it is mixed to suit the market. From these bins it is. carried by 16-inch cups that are capable of elevating 1000 bushels per hour into a hopper holding 500 bushels, which is placed at the top of the elevator, upon a set of Buffalo scales capable of weighing 30,000 pounds, or 500 bushels of wheat.

Tn loading a car the weight is taken upon the first floor, and, by pulling a suspended rod, the wheat drops into a bin holding 500 bushels, which is designated as the " shippingbin," and from this bin it'is spouted into the car.

In 1877 a feed-mill, with steam-power attached, was added to the former business of the firm. It has a single run of stone, and grinds all varieties of feed for home consumption. - : gr which furnished an ample power for the two run of stone with which they were first built. Flour and feed were ground, and the immediate neighborhood consumed the product of the mills. They were purchased in 1868 by the present owner, Philip Holler, who removed to the village from Berrien County. He at once made many improvements, introducing two turbine-wheels of the Dayton patent, and adding another run of stone. He has also recently employed the new patent process for the manufacture of flour. 'The capacity of the mills is 300 bushels for twelve hours. They are principally employed in custom-work and in furnishing supplies to the home trade. The sawmill originally built by Hiram Hanchett is used by Mr. Holler as a feed-mill. - ;

The mill and fixtures of this establishment are owned by Philip Holler and leased by Mr. Tuckerman. It is exclusively devoted to the handling of hard wood, a market for which is found in the Hast, much of it reaching Boston and other large Hastern cities.

Two cylinder-saws are used, and seven men are employed about the works in various capacities. The timber is found in adjacent parts of the county, and has heretofore supplied all the demands of the mill. The capacity of -this saw-mill is from 8000 to 12,000 feet per day, but when run

Allen B. Cooper

This venerable pioneer was born in the town of Covert, Seneca Co., N. Y., March 24,1813. His father, Samuel Cooper, was a pioneer of the town of Covert; he reared a family of seven children to habits of industry and thrift, and gave them such advantages for education as his limited means would allow. Allen lived with his father until he was twenty-three years of age, at which time he was married*to Miss Emeline Napier. She was a native of Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and was born Nov. 28, 1811. Two years after their marriage Mr. Cooper started for Michigan in company with his brothers. They arrived in Detroit in May, and from thence went to Oakland County, where a cousin of Mr. Cooper's, one James Cole, had settled some time previous. Here they rested a few days, when they again took up the line of march for the town of Woodland, where he had purchased eighty acres of land on section 35. The journey from Oakland was made with an ox-team, and after leaving Vermontville he was obliged to cut his road through a dense wilderness. He arrived safely, however, in the month of June; three families had preceded him in Castleton, and one or two adventurous pioneers had located in Woodland. The pioneer life of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper was one of many privations and hardships; their scanty stock of provisions was soon exhausted; there was no money in the country, and starvation stared them in the face. As illustrative of the desperate condition in which they were placed, Mr. Cooper relates that some months after they came their stock of flour was exhausted, and the only article of traffic he had was a small quantity of leather he had brought from Seneca County. This he carried to Marshall, thinking it possible to exchange it for flour. The storekeeper, a man by the name of Comstock, told him that flour was fourteen dollars per barrel, and was a cash article, and that he could not purchase his leather. "Where was that leather tanned?" asked the merchant. " What

"In Seneca Co., N. Y.," answered Mr. Cooper. is your father's name?" gave him an order for two barrels of flour, and stocked him up with a goodly store of provisions. Mr. Cooper was overcome by the generosity of the merchant, and asked an explanation. He replied, " Your father once befriended me, and I am glad of this opportunity of paying the debt." they were obliged to undergo, but the one just mentioned will suffice. Mr. Cooper assisted in the organization of the town, and was elected its first road commissioner. Mrs. Cooper taught the first school, and their names are stamped ° on nearly every initial event in the early history of the town. In his political belief Mr. Cooper was originally a Whig, and identified himself with the anti-slavery movement upon its inception. Upon the organization of the Republican party he became an ardent Republican. He has never desired political honors, preferring the quiet of home and the cares of his farm to the turmdil of political life. He did his part in the development of Barry County, and is in every way worthy of a prominent

During the year 1876, Mr. A. W. Olds erected the large saw- and planing-mill at present managed by him. It is run by a steam-engine, with a capacity of 45 horse-power. There are five saws of different styles and dimensions, and a complete line of machinery of most approved design for purposes of planing. It is possible to saw and dress 20,000 feet per day, and even to exceed that amount if necessary. The material, in the shape of logs of hard wood, is obtained from the country surrounding Nashville and converted into dressed lumber, which, is shipped to Boston, the principal market, Mr. Olds also purchases the product of other mills to supply the demand of his Kastern

This mill was originally built by A. W. Olds, in 1870, and by him disposed of to H. Lee, from whom it came into the possession of the present owner, Mr. H. R. Dickenson. It is propelled by an engine of 40 horse-power, and is devoted principally to the hangling of hard wood. It has a capacity, when run to its extreme limit, of 12,000 feet per _ day. The market is found chiefly at home, though much of the lumber sawed recently has been purchased by Mr. Olds, and shipped to supply an Kastern demand.

The business at present controlled by Mr. Cook was origially established by him in 1874, on Main Street. It was then almost exclusively devoted to the manufacture of lumber-wagons, for which there was a considerable home demand. The firm at that time was Reynolds & Cook, while Messrs. Hobbs & Webster managed the blacksmith-shop connected with the establishment Later Mr. Cook became sole proprietor, and confined his attention principally to the construction of carriages and buggies.

The works complete, ready for the market, about 100 wagons and carriages annually, the demand being principally local. Twelve men are employed in the various departments. The present convenient buildings were erected in 1878.

Mr. Buxton first came to Nashville in 1866, and was employed in the saw-mill erected by Hiram Hanchett, where he remained five years. He was later in the workshop of the Remington Armory, at Ilion, N. Y., and in 1870 returned to Nashville and erected the present shop, which is well stocked with lathes and other machinery of his own construction. He has since that time been engaged in the manufacture of guns, saws, and various mechanical instruments. He is now engaged in the construction of a spacious warehouse and workshop on Main Street, which will be provided with steam-power, in which he will devote his time to the construction of light machinery and the manufacture of firearms.

LENTZ & SONS' FURNITURE-MANUFACTORY. The business of this firm was established in 1867, and has since grown steadily in importance, until successive additions to the various departments have become necessary to meet the growing demands of their trade. Their manufacturing is done in an extensive brick building erected for the purpose, while a spacious warehouse is being constructed on Main Street for their use. All the varieties of furniture adapted to a general country trade are made by them, for which a market is found in the vicinity. Their wares were formerly shipped, but a later home demand has rendered this unnecessary.

From 500 to 800 beds are made by them annually, while 200 bureaus, 100 extension-tables, and a large supply of chairs and lounges are readily sold.

Other Establishments

Messrs. Kellogg & Demaray have also a furniture-manufactory in which steam power is employed. They produce tables, bed-room sets, chairs, and other articles peculiar to the trade, and find a home demand for their wares. Their warehouse is located on Main Street. I. W. Powles has a carding-mill in which steam-power is employed, and contemplates the erection, during the present season, of a more spacious building for his use.

Incorporation And Officers

The act of incorporation which constituted the hamlet of Nashville a village, and bestowed upon it a chartered organization, was approved by the Governor, March 26, 1869, and reads as follows:

"The people of the State of Michigan enact: That all that tract of country situate in the town of Castleton and Maple Grove, in the county of Barry, and distinguished and designated on the plat in the land-office of the district as sections thirty-five and thirty-six, and the south half of sections twenty-four and twenty-five, in town three north, of range seven west, and the north half of sections one and two in town two north, of range seven west, be, and the same is hereby constituted a village corporate, to be known by the name of the village of Nashville."

The first meeting for the election of village officers was held at the office of Lewis Durkee, on Wednesday, the 7th of April, 1869, at twelve o'clock, and, the ballots having been cast, the following officers were declared by the inspectors of election duly elected: President of Council, Lemuel Smith ; Recorder, Leonard HK. Stauffer; Assessor, Hiram Ooe; Treasurer, Robert B. Gregg ; Councilmen (for two years), Henry P. Ralston, Horace T. Davidson, Philip Holler; (for one year), Henry P. Ralston, Myron Pennock, Jacob Purkey.

Biographical Sketches William Crabb

William Crabb was born in Plymouth, England, Feb. 6, 1805. His father, Edward Crabb, was a stone-mason, and reared a family of nine children, William being the eldest.

William Crabb

At the age of nine he was apprenticed to a farmer, who was more of a brute than a man. He was obliged to toil from morning until night, and was treated with such brutality that he ran away and bound himself to a stonecutter; he acquired the trade, which he followed until his emigration to America, in 1831. With' him came his mother, brothers and sisters, and relatives, to the number of nineteen. Their original intention was to settle in Baltimore, but they were induced to change their destination, and came to Newport, R. I., where Mr. Crabb obtained employment upon the fortifications of Fort Adams. Here he remained two years. In 1837 he went to Boston with his family, and was there engaged in the construction of Forts Warren and Independence. He remained in Boston ten years, when he became so broken down by hard labor that he decided to try his fortune in Michigan asa farmer. In 1847 he started-for the West, and arrived in Castleton September' 20th. He then purchased the farm on which he now resides. He suffered many privations, and four years had the fever and ague. But his pluck and perseverance; overcame all obstacles, and he has secured a fine homie and a competency. Mr. Crabb has been twice married: first, in 1834, to Miss Maria Lawrence; she was born in Carlisle, England, in 1805, and died in 1861. In 1862 he was again married, to Mrs. Frances Burdick, of Rutland; she died in 1875. Three children have graced their home circle, viz.: the first-born, a daughter, died at the age of five years; William J., at the age of twenty-one went into the 'army as a member of Company ©, Twenty-First Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, was shot four times at the battle of Stone River, Tenn., and died at the hospital in Nashville, Feb. 9, 1863 ; and George, now living on the old homestead.

one of the pioneers of the town of Castleton, was born in Genoa, Cayuga Co., N. Y., April 12, 1815.' His father, Medad Blasdel, was a farmer of limited means, and unable to give his children but slight educational advantages. Thomas, however, acquired such an education as the district school of that day afforded, and remained with his father upon the farni until he attained his: majority, when he acquired the trade of a miller, which ealling he followed for several years. In 1837 he decided to try his fortunes in Michigan, and in the spring'of that year came to Plymouth, Wayne Co., where he entered-the employ of a miller by the name of Holbrook, with whom he. remained three years. He then returned Kast, and the following year was married to Miss Alice Hall. .In 1846 he returned to Michigan and settled upon the farm'where he now resides. The farm was entirely new, and during the fall he erected a comfortable log house,-and the following spring he built abarn. The land was heavily timbered, and the improvement of a farm was a work of no small magnitude; but by degrees field after field was added, and Mr. Blasdel is now rewarded for the years of toil and privation in the possession of a fine home and one of the most productive and valuable farms in the county. In 1861 his first wife died, and in 1865 he was again married, to Miss Charlotte Burdick. In 1867 he was again left a widower, and he married Mrs. Phemie Gillis. She died in 1878, and he was married to Miss Bertha D. Bock. Mr. Blasdel has made a reputation for integrity and honorable dealing, and is everywhere known as a successful farmer and a valuable citizen:

Lycurgus J. Wheeler

' Lycurgus J. Wheeler, the pioneer merchant of Nashville, was born in the town of Wheeler, Steuben Co., N. Y., Feb. 9,1830. The Wheeler family are of Scotch-Irish extraction, a combination of national characteristics, energy, and intellectual ability that has done much for the advancement of civilization and the best interests of society. But little is known of the family history previous to their emigration to Steuben from Saratoga County, where they were a prominent family. Jonas Wheeler, grandfather of.the subject of this biography, came from Saratoga and settled in the town which was afterwards named in honor of his brother Silas, who settled in the township a few years earlier. He was a man of wealth, and for many years one of Steuben's most prominent citizens. He reared a family of twentytwo children. Asa Wheeler, his son and father of Lycurgus J., was born in the town of Galaway, Saratoga Co., Oct. 8, 1797. He married Miss Henrietta, daughter of Isaiah Betts, who was an officer in the Revolution. He came to Steuben with his father, and was also one of its leading citizens. In 1834 he came to Michigan on a tour of observation, and, being favorably impressed with the country, returned Kast and the following year (1835) came back and settled in the township of Saline, Washtenaw Co., where he followed his trade, that of a shoemaker, until his removal to Woodland, in 1842. Here he resided until 1866. During this time he identified himself largely with the growth and development of the town. He was its first magistrate, a position he filled creditably for twenty years. He took, an active part in political matters, and was an exemplary member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Lycurgus J. obtained an academical education, which he made practically useful to himself and others by teaching. This avocation he followed, in connection with farming, until 1861, when he entered the army as a member of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry. After a period of active service he was detailed for clerical duty at Gen. Copeland's headquarters, where he remained until 1863, when he returned home on recruiting service.

At the close of the war Mr. Wheeler returned to Woodland; the following year he disposed of his property and came to Nashville, where he established one of the first stores in the place. He has since prosecuted a successful business in merchandising, and has identified himself largely with the growth and development of the village. He has taken the initiative in all religious and educational enterprises, and has done much in building up and advancing the best interests of society. In May, 1860, Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss. Sarah J., daughter of Reuben Haight, one of the pioneers of Woodland. She died in 1863, and he was again married, Dec. 26, 1865, to Mary J. Ellis, of Hastings. She died Dec. 20, 1874, and Sept. 10, 1876, he married Mrs. Maria I. McNab, of Big Rapids.

Nashville is largely indebted to Mr. Wheeler for the public spirit and enterprise he has evinced in its behalf, and among its leading citizens he occupies a prominent position. He takes decided grounds on the subject of political prohibition, and was the nominee of the Prohibition party for the Legislature for the eastern district of Barry County in 1878,

Tue civil township of Hastings, from the subdivision of the old township of that name, on the 16th day of February, 1842, until the formation of the city of Hastings, on the 11th day of March, 1871, was identical with. surveytownship No. 3 north, in range 8 west. It now comprises the whole of that territory except what is included in the city just mentioned. It is bounded north by Carlton, east by Castleton, south by Baltimore, and west by Rutland and _ the city of Hastings, which cuts out sections 7, 8, 13, and 14, and parts of sections 16, 19, 20, and 21.

The Thornapple River flows through the township from southeast to west in a sinuous course, and close beside it runs the Grand River Valley Railroad, commonly known as the Grand Rapids division of the Michigan Central road. On this thoroughfare there is one station within the township, which bears the. name of Quimby. The township is a productive agricultural district, containing many excellent farms and wealthy farmers.

The Pioneer Settlers

years 1837 and 1838, penetrated the wilderness south of the Thornapple, and made their homes on section 27. James had come from New York in 1836, entered the land for himself and brother, and returned to the East. Late in 1837, Daniel moved to his place with the family, followed the next spring by James. For some time they were the only settlers in that portion of the township, being shut in by dense woods, through which their only roads were such paths as they themselves could make. Still they were but about three miles from the little village of Hastings, and were not compelled to make such long journeys to " mill and to meeting" as some of the pioneers. Daniel McLellan was for several years a mail-carrier, and after an active pioneer experience died in Hastings village in 1865. His brother James died on his farm two years after settling there. James and John L., sons of Daniel, also became early settlers in the south part of the township. One of Daniel McLellan's daughters married Willard Hays, a prominent pioneer in Hastings village, and is still a resident of that city. Among those to settle at an early day in the neighborhood of the McLellans were Ambrose Hubbell, Kirk Munger, Mr. Morley, and Mr. Germon.

% By David Schwartz. As before stated, Hastings township has, since the incorporation of the city of that name, been legally entirely separate from it. It is therefore given a separate place in this work. Of course, however, the township officers' before the separation were largely from the village out of which the city was formed.

In 1846, Adam Tinkler, who had become a resident of Ohio in 1836, came into the township on a land-looking tour, and concluded to |6eate in it. He accordingly traded his outfit of horses, wagon, and harness for 120 acres of Jand on section 28, which was then a wilderness. The only house between-his location and Battle Creek was that of Mr. Bristol, in Johnstown, while on the northwest his nearest neighbor was Ambrose Hubbell.

Directly after Mr. Tinkler made his settlement, his father, John Tinkler, and his brothers William, Thomas, John O., Martin, and Joseph, came from Ohio, and made their homes in the neighborhood. Mr. John Tinkler died in 1860, on the place where he 'first settled, on section 21. Thomas and John O., who located:on section 21, now live in Hastings city; Martin bought a place on the same section, and still resides there ; William took up his residence in Hastings village, and has since made his home there; Adam lives on section 21; and Joseph, who resided with his father until the death of the latter, has a farm on section 21. It is a, circumstance worthy of remark that of the six brothers who began their pioneer experiences together thirty-five years ago, all are still living and are near neighbors, as they 'were at the outset.

Ephraim Shattuck, now resident on section 23, came to Hastings from Orleans Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1844, in response to the persuasions of Seymour Andrus, who had been his neighbor in New York, and who had located in Hastings the same autumn. Mr. Shattuck leased Lewis McLellan's place (now the poor-farm) directly after coming, having for neighbors Daniel McLellan on the south and a Mr. Hutchinson on 'the west, while about two miles east were the families of Stephen Robinson and Eliphalet Hyde, who had come in together from New York in 1842. North of Mr. Shattuck's place the country:was a wilderness, into which there soon after came the Pierson family, Almon Covey, John Fisher, and his brother-in-law, Mr. Cook. ©. B. Benham, a pioneer from Ohio, now occupies the place settled by Stephen Robinson in 1842 on section 25.

In that neighborhood Adam Sponable and his son Isaac (early settlers in Ohio.) made a location, in 1857, on section 27. Washington Sponable, another son, came out in 1859, and in 1861 the two brothers made separate settlements of their own in the neighborhood where James Lewis, John Althouse, H. Hardy, and Elam Crook had already located. §. J. Bidleman, a Branch County pioneer, came to Hastings about the time the Sponables did, and made his home on section 34. EH. D. Reid located in Baltimore township in 1855, and in 1857 moved to his present home, on the same section. North of him was John Francisco,

Ainlihm 394079 Suw Ainlihm 3940399 Hastings

David N. Lake came from Seneca Co., Ohio, in 1863, and bought a place on section 33, being induced thereto by his son-in-law, Daniel Reed, who a few years before had migrated to Hastings village to follow his trade as a carpenter, and who in 1864 settled upon a farm on section 33 where he now lives. Porter Burton, a member of the Legislature during the session of 1879, located in Jackson County in 1842, and in 1856 moved to his present home, on section 33, which was even then in the midst of a very wild country. West of Mr. Burton lives G. W. Gregory, _a pioneer in Baltimore township, and later a new-comer in Hastings. Adjoining Gregory's on the west is the Bush farm, earlier known as the Toms place, once owned by _ Maj. Toms, and occupied in 1851 by Richard Stillson, a pioneer in Lenawee County in 1844. His son, J. W. Stillson, settled in 1867 upon a farm on section 28, previously occupied by Walter W. Kelley. Ebenezer Pennock, a settler in Kalamazoo County in 1844, moved to the town of Barry in 1845, and to Hastings in 1872.

Seymour Andrus, already spoken of, came to Hastings in 1843, bought 160 acres of Dr. Hays on section 9, and the following year moved his family out from New York. On the way he overtook, at Detroit, Hiram Greenfield, whom he persuaded to come on and settle in Hastings. At the time of Mr. Andrus' settlement he had no neighbors in the township either north or northeast of him. The first to locate near him were John Lewis and Philander Turner, who had been working for a few years as carpenters in Hastings village, and who, in the spring of 1845, moved out upon farms close to Andrus' place. Subsequently the earliest comers into the neighborhood were Edward Bump, Ami Palmer, Hawley Stillson, William S. Meloy, and a Mr. Russ. Upon section 16 Boyd Craig settled in 1850, and even at that recent date found his home in a wild district where now, the eye roams over a broad expanse of cultivated fields.

children, and that school had been kept seven months. A report from Vespasian Young, director in school district No. 1, dated Oct. 6, 1845, gave 47 as the number of school children enrolled, and Henry S. Jennings, Phoebe Hays, and Mary J. West as the teachers, to whom, for six months and a half teaching, an aggregate of $18 in wages had been paid.

The first meeting of the school inspectors was held Oct. 31, 1838, when A. ©. Parmelee was chosen chairman. Nov. 3, 1838, the inspectors formed 2 school districts, each composed of 9 sections, and each three miles square. No. 1 included sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, and 18, in township 3. No. 2 comprised sections 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, and 35, in township 3. District No. 3 was formed in 1839. Oct. 17, 1839, district No. 1 appropriated $15 for a library-case and $10 for library-books. A. C. Parmelee was librarian, and the library was ordered kept at his house. Districts No. 4 and 5 were organized Jan. 8,

The school inspectors' records show that from Feb. 6, 1841, to May 27, 1854, the following persons received teachers' certificates: John Fowler, in 1841; Dameras Ellis, in 1843 ; Mary Jane West and W. T. Orr, in 1845 ; Sophia E. Standish and Henrietta P. Cooley, in 1847; 8. C. Sprague, in 1848; Harriet Pease, Cordelia Warner, and I. S. Geer, in 1849 ; Rich, and Margaret Young, in 1850 ; Miss Johnson, in 1851 ; Miss Morley, Miss Newton, Miss A. Hawley, John Evans, and H. H. Bement, in 1853; Mary HE. Johnson, Emeline Robinson, and Miss Philancie Hollister, in 1854.

Quimby Station

Southeast of Hastings city, on the railway, is Quimby Station, once a bustling hamlet, but now of much less importance. H. L. Quimby moved thither from Grand Rapids in 1872, erected a mammoth saw-mill, engaged a force of 30 or 40 men, built a score or more of dwellinghouses for them, opened a store, caused a post-office to be established at that point, and, in short, set out to make Quimby a full-blown village. For two years it thrived greatly, but at the end of that time the mill was destroyed by fire, the prosperity of the place came to a sudden halt, and, although the post-office was continued there until 1878, when it was removed to Sheridan, the village has never. recovered its former position.

Organization And Officers

Under a legislative act approved March 6, 1837, townships 3 and 4, in ranges 7 and 8, were organized as the township of Hastings, the name being bestowed in honor of Eurotas P. Hastings, a large land-owner in Barry County. An act approved Feb. 16, 1842, separated from Hastings three townships, and called them respectively Woodland, Carlton, and Castleton, leaving to Hastings the territory of township 3, in range 8.

The first town-mecting in Hastings was held at the house of Slocum H. Bunker, April 6, 1838. "A township board was chosen by electing Parsons Rhoads moderator orjudge of the election. The meeting also elected Willard Hays clerk of the election." A full list of the officials chosen on that occasion is herewith given: Supervisor, Thomas H. Bunker; Town Clerk, Willard Hays; Assessors, EH. R. Carpenter, Thomas S. Bunker, and Willard Hays; Commissioners of Highways, Slocum H. Bunker,

Jared S. Rogers, Nelson N. Sprague; Collector, Levi Chase, Jr.; School Inspectors, John Kenyon, Frederick Burgess, and Thomas 8. Bunker; Constables, Levi Chase, Jr., Harrison Barnum, George W. Fowler; Directors of the Poor, Levi Chase, Jr., Nehemiah Lovewell; Justices of the Peace, George Fuller, Nelson N. Sprague, A. C. Parmalee, Slocum H. Bunker; Pathmasters, John Kenyon, Slocum H. Bunker; Fence-Viewers, Levi Chase, Jr., Harrison Wickham, Zebulon Barnum: 'The poll-list for 1838 has been lost, but the list for 1839 has been preserved, and from that we have taken the names of the voters in the town that year, as follows, the number being sixty-one :

Appended will be found the names of those chosen annually from 1839 to 1880 to serve as supervisors, clerks, treasurers, and justices of the peace:

Justices Of The Peace Church Of Christ In Hastings

CHURCH OF CHRIST IN HASTINGS. This organization, having a 'ehurch edifice in the northeast corner of the township, was formed in 1875, with 20 members, The church building was dedicated January, 1877. Rey. O. S. Barnes, the first pastor, remained four years; and was followed by Rey. John Grice, now in charge, who preaches once in four weeks. The membership is now about 35. William-'Smith, B. F..Wolf, James Farrell, A. I. Barnum, and Dexter Sprague are the trustees; William Smith, Levi Cotton, and Leonidas. Farrell the deacons; and B. F. Wolf and James Farrell the elders.

Biographical Sketch George Whitney

GEORGE WHITNEY. George Whitney was born in the town of Parma, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, April 12,1828, He was the son of Joseph Whitney, and was -reared on a farm, obtaining a commonschool education. Upon attaining: his majority he commenced life for himself. In 1837 the family came to Michigan and settled in Jackson County, where the elder Whitney purchased a farm. Here he resided six years; then came to Carlton, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1875. Mr. Whitney's first venture in business was in manufacturing shingles ; he then went into a saw-mill, in which vocation he became an expert; for eleven years he was in the employ of Ryerson & Hills, proprietors of the Bay Mill, at Muskegon; he worked for this firm eleven years without the loss of a day. In 1876 he came to Hastings, and purchased the farm on which he now resides, a view of which we present on another page. In 1854 he was married to Miss Margaret McMannes, of

HopPE is a township of lakes and hills. Of the former there are thirty-six, and of the latter a legion. Although a majority of the so-called lakes are no more than goodsized ponds, at least four of them are handsome sheets of water, covering considerable territory. Wall Lake in the southwest is a picturesque object, and rests in the midst of an attractive bitufcountry. Its waters, extending over fully 700 acres, are deep and clear and well stocked with bass, pickerel, ete. Long Lake, Mud Lake, Gurnsey (or Granger) Lake, and Big Cedar Lake are worthy of notice, both in respect to size and the possession of great numbers of fish. Anglers from afar off favor these localities, and, while the fisherman finds in Hope much sport to entertain him, the people of the township enjoy a plentiful supply of finny specimens, to be had almost for the asking, at their very doors. These lakes were boons to the early settlers in Hope, since fish were exceedingly plentiful and the larder was therefore easily and cheaply filled. In such a region fish stories are of course too numerous to mention, and the tales one hears of wonderful fish having been caught in some of the lakes would fill a good-sized volume. It is, however, true that pickerel and bass of thirty and even forty pounds in weight have been caught in Big Cedar Lake. Although such ponderous specimens have not latterly been taken, there are those who will testify that a pickerel of

It is argued, and with some show of reason, that the presence of so much water in the town materially moderates the temperature of the locality, and that for that reason peaches may be as successfully and extensively cultivated as on the shores of Lake Michigan.. Indeed, in some portions of the town there has been something of an awakening on the subject of peach-culture, but the general verdict appears to be that, although the town is well adapted for growing peaches, the business is not likely to be pushed to any great extent until rapid transit by railway becomes a reality. Such a convenience was at one time promised, and came very near to realization in the proposed narrow-gauge toad of the Kalamazoo, Lowell and Northern Michigan Railroad Company. The company obtained in Hope, from private subscriptions, several thousands of dollars, and indeed graded the road through Hope, from southwest and northeast, but just then the project stopped for lack of further support, and in that somewhat chaotic condition remains to-day; likely, however, at no distant time to be revived and carried forward to successful completion.

Hope sadly needs railway-transportation facilities, for the country is so exceedingly hilly, and part of it so far from the nearest market-town, that the task of conveying his pro- ducts to market is to the farmer a very tedious and tiresome one. It is, however, esteemed a good wheat-town, and produces not only a fine average yield to the acre, but so excellent a quality of winter wheat that at some purchasing points it is preferred to wheat from many other localities in Barry County. The early settlers found the town generally covered with heavy timber, with here and there oak-openings. There is considerable timber and swamp-land in the town to-day, but within the past five years a great deal of clearing has been effected, and that work is now going rapidly and briskly forward.

Hope consists of townships 2 north, range 9 west, and is bounded on the north by Rutland, south by Barry, east by Baltimore, and west by Orangeville. It has one village, called Cedar Creek, where there is a post-office and the only church-building in the township.

The Pioneers Of Hope

Hope was not particularly calculated to attract the Western pioneer while other more desirable towns lay open to the hand of the horny-palmed sons of toil, for it was a rough and miry land in many places. It remained, therefore, utterly untenanted, save by the red man, until the year 1840, when David Bowker led the way to its unbroken wilds and effected a settlement upon section 36. Although the only settler in Hope for about two years, he was, nevertheless, near to other settlers south of him, and in the matter of neighbors was not badly off. He and his family were the only occupants of Hope until the year 1842, when there came accessions in the families of John Southard and his son Amasa, the former making a beginning on section 31, along the town-line, and the latter just north of that point. The Southards remained until 1846, when John sold to Hiram Tillotson and Amasa to Alvin Graves, both removing to Van Buren County. The John Southard place was occupied in 1868 by Joseph Burge, an emigrant to Barry in 1846, and now a resident of Orangeville. Shortly after the appearance in Hope of the Southards came Jeckanias Mott to section 35. Similarly, all of Hope's early settlers, hesitating to venture into the interior, pitched their tents close to or upon the southern town-line, where they could be within convenient distance of each other. After 1844 people began to move in more freely, - slowly at first, but presently in considerable numbers, - although settlement was exceedingly backward in every part of the township.

In 1847 the settlement in Hope was increased by the arrival of the Campbells, a New York family, consisting of the father (James), mother, and twelve children. Campbell had bought 120 acres on section 25, and on that place he lived until his death, in 1857. There were already in the town, when Campbell came, the families of David Bowker on section 36, Jeckanias Mott on section 35, Alvin Graves on section 26, Harry B. Day on 25, and Hiram Tillotson on 31. Directly after the Campbells came J. Q. A. Johnson, Isaac Le Grange, Thomas V. Robinson, John Larrabee, George W. Baird, Simeon Kingsbury, Leman Chamberlain, John Russell, Tunis Russell, Alson Russell, Silas Bowker, Peter Russell, J. H. Parks, and Solon Dowd.

Jeckanias Mott, above mentioned, died in 1847, and was buried in the Barry cemetery. His death is believed to have been the first in Hope, Isaac Graves, who died in 1848, was the first one buried in the cemetery on section 36, where David Bowker had donated an acre for a burialground. Thomas Baird, ason of George W. Baird, was the first white child born in town, and Charlotte, a daughter of Alvin Graves, the first female child, but the date of the birth of neither one can now be given.

Praying Indians

About the time William Campbell came to the township a good many Indians in that portion of the country were taken with a religious fever, and were carefully converted by Bradley and Slater, Indian missionaries, who were located on Gull Prairie, but who moved here and there as oceasion pointed the way, to save the souls of the savages. Certain of the Indians who had sat under the persuasive teachings of Bradley and Slater until they had become thoroughly good and pious set out to carry on the good work among themselves unaided. In furtherance of that plan they inaugurated 'prayer-meeting exercises whenever in camp, and especially upon their camping-ground, near Cedar Creek, their devotional enthusiasm was quite extraordinary. To these prayer-meetings they frequently invited the whites, and always counted upon seeing William Campbell and wife, near whose house their camps were laid, and with whom they maintained pleasant friendly relations.

Hard Times

Hard times came upon the pioneers of ope frequently enough, and particularly hard were the times encountered during the winter. It was often said, in jest, that was, that if a man wintered so that he could in the spring pull a leek out of the ground without falling over backwards, he had wintered exceedingly well. It was also a common understanding that for a certain period in carly spring, just after the breaking up of winter, the entire population of the township had no time to do anything except to pull cattle out of the mire and swamps. Money was scarce, and, as there wasn't much in the way of opportunity to earn it'at home, many settlers would go miles to work for somebody that had cash, or they would be glad to work even for some one who could pay them in pork, which was gladly carried home over an eight or ten mile pedestrian journey. C. P. Larrabee, the pioncer storekeeper of the township, says he has many a time walked to Battle Creek for a supply of groceries for his store, and walked home again with his stock upon his back. Lem Thomas, a maker of corn-baskets, used to foot it to Yorkville, fourteen miles, with a load of corn-baskets clinging to him, and foot it back again with a 60-pound bag of flour as his re- turn-load. The mail-carriers between Cedar Creek and Yorkville not only carried the mail afoot, but were daily charged with commissions from Hope people to bring up packages and all sorts of things; and veracious men even tell the incredible story that on one occasion a mail-carrier went so far as to lug over a keg of nails for a modest member of the settlement.

Later Settlers

William Peake and John Brainard, his father-in-law, came to Hope in February, 1854, and girdled a few trees on 160 acres in sections 14 and 15, which Brainard had taken up on a soldier's Jand-warrant, issued to him by virtue of his services in the war of 1812, in which he was engaged for a space of eighteen months. They came back again in June and made a clearing, and in November of the same year brought their families to the place. The only settler they found in their neighborhood upon their coming, in 1854, was Emory Wilkins, who had pre-empted a piece of Jand just east of them. Their nearest neighbor on the northeast was Thomas Barber, in Baltimore. South, the nearest was J. N. Chandler, two miles away. The nearest road on the south was the one at Chandler's, and on the east the one to Hastings, which they couldn't reach under a mile's journey. The nearer roads were only Indian trails. The redskins roamed in considerable numbers through those parts, and near the corners of sections 1 and 2 they had their camp in the winter season.

Among those who came into the neighborhood soon after Peake and Brainard located were Lyman and Hiram Hickox, Thomas Mosher, and Thomas Lindeman, the latter of whom built a saw-mill on section 10. Hastings was near, but it was very small, and Kalamazoo was the market-town

Money was in demand before returns could-be had from the first crop, and to get a little cash for the supply of life's necessaries Peake went as far as Gull Prairie to work through harvest. J. N. Chandler, already mentioned, was from Ohio, and settled in Hope, on section 23, in 1852. At his coming he found on section 25 his brother, Enos P. Chandler, and Hawley Stillson on the place earlier occupied by H. B. Day and John Hults. Solon Dowd, Thomas W. Newton, and Harvey 8. Johnson were on section 23, west of him Leman Chamberlain and Silas Bowker, and on section 27, J. Q. A. Johnson (who sold out to L. C. Gesler in 1855) and Lemuel Thomas.

Myron Simpson settled about that time on section 27, and in 1854 Harvey Bruce located on sfction 23, In 1352 " Uncle" Thomas V. Robinson's house, about a mile north of Chandler, that of Harvey 8. Johnson, opposite Robinson's, and the Stillson house, on the Bush place, in Hastings town, were the only dwellings on the road from at best a wild thoroughfare, and those who traveled over it merely kept about the same course, but picked out their route az it best suited them. Do the best he could, Mr. Chandler could not go to mill at Hastings and retussu in jess than about eighteen hours, Usually the start was made about one o'clock in the morning, and the return was not accomplished until after nightfall,

Settlements in the northern portion of Hope were delayed until some years after the southern and other sections began to receive residents. Probably the first to locate in the territory mentioned was Donald McCallum, who ventured as a settler into Orangeville as early as 1838, and who in 1851 moved into Hope, upon section 7. In 1854, Seymour Tillotson made a start on section 3, but in 1855 sold his place to Moses Schults, who, in that year, came in with his brether Joseph. Tillotson's brother-in-law, J. E. Hall, accompanied him to Hope and bought a place on section 3, now occupied by his brother, J. A. Hall, whose advent in the town occurred in 1855, after an eight years' residence in Prairieville. The northern portion of the town was sparsely populated even until a short time ago, and for years after 1850 much of it was a wilderness. Now, however, it is a locality much esteemed by farmers, although there is yet considerable work to be done there in the way of clearing off the timber.

Turning next to the southern portion of the township, reference may be made to one George Peak, a colored man, and a survivor of the war of 1812, who, in 1848, settled upon section 28, as did his sons James, Nathaniel, and Thomas, each of whom had a place of his own. When William H. Carpenter, now living on section 29, came to his present home, in 1855, he found the residents thereabout to be Jeruel Phillips and the Peaks, on section 28 ; Simeon Kingsbury, on section 20; John Townsend, and Lewis 4nd Miner Barnes, on section 29; Gideon Walter, his son-in-law, Horace Eldredge, and Alvin Graves, on section 32; James Stewart and Robert Wood, on section 30; and Rooney Dake, Daniel Axtell, George Tuttle, O. M. Titus (who had come about 1848), Seth Lewis, and Benedict, on section 3). Simeon Kingsbury settled on the same year he built a saw-mill. In 1859, John Replogle made his home on section 18, and occupied land on which one Harper, had made a small clearing in 1854. In that year Timothy Collins made a location on section 18, and the following year there came new accessions in George Curtis to section 18, and Abram Hayward to section 17. One of the earliest settlers in that neighborhood was a man named Granger, who lived on the banks of what is called on the county atlas Gurnsey Lake, but which was really named Granger Lake, and is so designated on the map in this work.

The Resident Land-Owners In 1850

From the first assessment-roll made for Hope township in 1850 is taken the subjoined list of resident tax-payers, together with amount and location of each one's land:

Tragic Events

The history of Hope is marked by an unusually long list of tragic episodes, in which there appears a list of one murder, two suicides, and six fatal accidents. First in prominence may be noted the killing of Dean S. Tyler, in June, 1878, by John R. Pitts. The testimony taken upon Pitts' trial showed that trouble originated between the two men by reason of Mrs. Pitts leaving her husband and living openly with Tyler. Such conduct scandalized the community, and the members thereof promptly resented it by appearing before Tyler's house one night and decorating Tyler and the woman with coats of tar and feathers. Despite this exhibition of popular disapproval, they contivuued to live together in the town as usual until one Sunday morning shortly after the demonstration. On that day Tyler, Mrs. Pitts, and Mrs. Pitts' sister set out for a ride to Nashville, and proceeded peacefully upon their journey as far asa place known as the Dead Sea (just north of Cedar Creek), where Pitts, the injured husband, appeared suddenly in the roadway, gun in hand, and without warning shot Tyler instantly dead. Pitts was tried and convicted of murder in the second degree, under which he was sent to the penitentiary for fifteen years, and there he still remains.

In the spring of 1877, Henry Jenkins hung himself in a fit of despondeney, and John Townsend sought a way out of the world by like means. In March, 1877, Abisha Crossman was riding from Middleville to his home in Hope when, by an awkward mischance, a gun which he was carrying accidentally exploded, and killed him on the spot. While at work in the woods in 1872, George Hazel was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun, and in the same year George Collester was drowned while bathing in Long Lake. In 1873, Wellington Bowker was drowned in a lake in the northern part of the town, and in 1868, George Jenkins, son of Henry Jenkins who hung himself in 1877, was kicked to death by a horse. About 1852 a family named Bird lived on section 13, and one day the parents, going out after marsh-hay, left behind them an infant son, whom for security they locked in the house. During their absence the house took fire, and, burning to the ground, roasted the child alive. His remains, subsequently found near where the front doorway had been, told the pitiful story of his feeble but futile efforts to escape from the devouring flames.

Early Roads

A road to Hastings was of course one of the earliest considerations, and that road, constructed about 1852, was the first important highway acquired. Over that route settlers had previously traveled by way of an Indian trail.

It is said that the first team over the route from Cedar Creek to Hastings was an ox-team which was driven over with a number of grists from the neighborhood for the Hastings mill. There wasno regular road, but there was a trail to show the course, and Silas Bowker, David Bowker, H. B. Day, Columbus Campbell, Lovinus Campbell, Alvin Graves, and William Campbell accompanied the team for the purpose of cutting out a road.

The first school-house built in Hope was the Mott schoolhouse, on section 36, -included originally in " district No. 3, of the towns of Hope and Barry." The building occupied a corner in the town-cemetery, and in 1848 the first school was taught in it by Julia Woodward. Her pupils numbered about 20, and included seven of William Campbell's children, four of Silas Bowker's, six of. Bunnell's, and two of 'McNulty's. Among the immediate successors of Julia Woodward as teachers were Julia and Jane Graves, Charles Nichols, and Catharine Campbell. At the first town-meeting in Hope it was resolved '"' That school district No. 3, in the towns of Hope and Barry, make their annual report to Hope, and draw of Hope the present year, and of Barry the next, and 'district No. 6 make report to Harry, and draw their books from that town the present year."

Philancy Houster, that she had received $16.25 for thirteen weeks' teaching, that 30 scholars attended the school during the year, and that a school-house was built in the spring of 1853, at a cost of $75. The report for 1858 was as follows :

District No. 3 was organized May 5, 1853. District No. 6 was formed in 1856, and there Rachael Mosher taught the first school, and for two successive terms afterwards. The early school records are not available for elaborate information, and what has been given in the foregoing is about all of possible interest that can be gathered. The annual school report for 1879 shows the following statistics :

The school directors for 1879 were Charles Bailey, M. McCollum, H. L. Armour, P. Miller, D. A. Bowker, J. N. Collester, George Haven, 8. Sprague, I. N. Consen, and William L. Hall.

story goes that Salmon C: Hall, then a representative in the Legislature, named the town in remembrance of a peculiar capacity of William M. Campbell for " hoping that things would improve by and by," and the frequency with which he expressed his sentiments in that direction. At the first town-meeting there- was evidently some dissatisfaction with the name of Hope, for there appears in the record the entry, "A vote of the township was taken to alter the township name to Cedar Creek." Although the record does not assert such to have been the case, yet it is evident that the Legislature declined to sanction this, since the name of the town has never been anything but Hope.

The first town- aseetfnd was 'held April 1, 1850, and on that occasion the votes cast aggregated 14, The officers then elected were as follows: Supervisor, Silas Bowker ; Clerk, H. B. Day; Treasurer, Geo. W. Baird; School Inspectors, Silas Bowker and. Tunis Russell; Overseers of the Poor, Geo. W. Baird and H. B. Day; Highway Commissioners, J. E. Russell, Chas. A. Graves, and J. Q. A. Johnson; Justices of the Peace, J. C. Russell, C. A. Graves, J. Q. A. Johnson, and Joseph Kingsbury; Constables, J. Q. A. Johnson and T, R. Russell. David Bowker was chairman of the meeting, H. B. Day clerk, and Thomas V. Robinson and J. Q. A. Johnson inspectors.

The Old Baptist Church

Hope's first temple of worship was the Mott school-house, on section 36, where in 1852 Rev. Mr. Johnson organized a Baptist Church, of which the earliest members were David A. Polley and wife, Jesse Hampton and wife, Noah Bowker and wife, Amos Brewster, William Campbell and wife, Richard Stillson and wife, Silas Bowker and wife,

Michael Chatterton and wife, Mr. and Mrs. John Bunnell, Mr. and Mrs. Solon Dowd, and Mr. and Mrs. William Moore. Previous to the formation of this society the set~ tlers in that portion of Hope had gone over into Barry to church, but when they had a religious organization at home they endeavored with much spirit to encourage the enterprise. Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Yorkville, who effected the organization, and who frequently preached for the people afterwards, used to say to his Yorkville congregation that they might well learn lessons of Christian energy from the Baptists in Hope, who were so earnest in their attendance upon divine worship that in many instances they would come from a distance of six miles, with ox-teams, to attend Sunday-evening services,

Elder Silas Bowker preached a good deal for the church, and with Mr. Johnson performed all the ministerial service during the existence of the church in Hope. Worship was held in the Mott school-house until the structure grew too dilapidated for use, when the place of meetings was transferred to Barry township. About the time of the organization of the Baptist Church a Methodist Episcopal class was formed at the Dowd school-house, but its existence was brief.

The United Brethren Church

There are in Hope three United Brethren classes, known respectively as the Cedar Creek, Hope Centre, and North Hope classes. They are on the Cedar Creek Circuit, which is in the charge of Rev. G. H. Shelley. A United Brethren class organized at the Dow school-house in 1859 flourished so well that about 1869 it was decided to make three classes of it. Some of the members accordingly organized a class at Hope Centre, others a class at Cedar Creek, and others still remained as a class at Dowd's Corners. Among the first members of the class at Dowd's were Peter Schronts and wife, L. C. Gesler and wife, A. T. Foot, and Maria Gesler, Peter Schronts being chosen class-leader. Rev. Mr. Jacobs, who organized the class, preached after that once in two weeks for quite a space of time. This class after a brief time was consolidated with that at Cedar Creek.

The Hope Centre class, worshiping in the Schronts schoolhouse, has a membership of 15. he class-leader is Jacob Kahler, and the class-steward Moses Seeber.

The Cedar Creek class worshiped in a school-house until 1876, when the present house of worship was built. Luther Brown is the class-leader, H. L. Armour the classsteward, and H. L. Armour, Eugene Campbell, L. C. Gesler, G. H. Shelley, and Henry Newman, the trustees. The church membership is 75, and that of the Sunday-school 40. Luther Brown is the Sunday-school superintendent, George H. Abrams the secretary, and James McDonald, treasurer.

The North Hope United Brethren class was organized in 1876, by Rev. Mr. Kilpatrick, with Cyrus Brouse and wife, Lloyd Patterson and wife, and Barbara Tuttle as members. The membership is now 9. William Tuttle is class-leader, and George M. Hudson class-steward. C. H. Stone is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has an average attendance of from 30 to 40 scholars. The class meets in the school-house on section 10, where also a few Second Adventists have meetings once a week.

Besides the religious organizations herein named, the town contains a society known as the Church of God, worshiping at the school-house on section 34, a German society at the Schronts school-house, a Wesleyan Methodist class at the Morey school-house, and a Methodist Episcopal class at the school-house on section 12.

The Hope and Rutland Union Sunday-School Institute was organized in August, 1879, for the purpose of advancing the Sunday-school interests of both towns. The five schools attached to the institute at the outset have now increased to seven. The promoter of the enterprise, and president of the institute, is 8. T. Wright, the secretary L. T. Patterson, and the treasurer William Cline.

This grange, now owning a hall on section 22 and having a membership of 17, was organized with 25 members, and - officers as follows: CO. N. Youngs, M.; Seneca, Larrabee, O.;, Daniel Newton, L.; David A. Bowker, Chaplain; D. 8. Tyler, Sec.; W. Blackman, Treas, The Masters since the organization, in the order of service, have been C. N. Youngs (three years), John Coleman, George M. Hudson, and C. N. Youngs. The present officers are C. N. Youngs, M.; D. A. Bowker, O:; Mrs. J. A. Hall, L.; George M. Hudson, Chaplain ; Conrad Kahler, Sec. ; Nicholas Kahler, Treas. ; S. T. Wright, Steward; Asa Knowles, G. K.; Mrs. C. N. Youngs, Ceres; Mrs. D..A. Bowker, Pomona: town, with 30 members. Paul Blake was M.; William Ellsworth, O.; V. Reploge, Sec. ; Philander Otis, Treas. ; and Ira A. Osgood, Steward. The present master is William H. Otis, and the Overseer, George Reploge.

Cedar Creek Village

The place known as Cedar Creek, although a village of no extraordinary pretensions, commands considerable trade, and is, moreover, the only milling-point for miles around. The place boasts three stores, a blacksmith- and wagonshop, a turning-lathe, a church, and a grist-mill, with the promise of an additional grist-mill before the close of 1880.

The first store in that vicinity, and the pioneer store in the township, was opened in 1855 by C. P. Larrabee, in a house put up by a Mr. Abbott for a dwelling. Larrabee sold out to Wing Willison, but resumed business afterwards, and is still in the trade at Cedar Creek. He came to Hope in 1853 and opened the pioneer blacksmith-shop in the town. he early merchants had to buy their supplies of goods at Battle Creek and haul them home at a heavy expense, for it was very difficult work to get a load even from Battle Creek to Cedar Creek over the rough country that intervened, and it is likely enough that storekeepers' prices at Cedar Creek were expressed in good round figures in those days. The first saw-mill in the township was built by Isaac La Grange in 1849 on Cedar Creek, and in 1863 Simeon McCaffrey and Philander Clark built at Cedar Creek the grist-mill now carried on there. Dr. H. F. Peckham has now in process of construction at the village a steam grist-mill, which will much improve the business condition of the village, since the water-power at that point is failing, and in the summer season is apt to

Hope in 1853, and for' two years continued a fairly successful medical practice in the township, he is hardly considered as having belonged to the medical profession, since he was a graduate of no college. Be that as it may, he was called Dr. Barnes, and had a good mariy patients during his stay. He was a preacher, too, but he was strongly inclined to a loose belief in' moral responsibility, and left behind something of an unsavory reputation. Dr. H. F. Peckham was a comer in 1868, and from that time to the preserft has been in continuous practice in Hope and neighboring towns. Previous to his time one Dr. Crandall was at Cedar Creek a few months, and in 1877 Dr. Henry Webster located, but-remained less than a year. Dr. William Smith, now a practitioner at Cedar Creek, studied with Dr. Peckham from 1877 to 1879, when he entered upon practice on his own account.

Cedar Creek Post-Office

In the year 1850 Cedar Creek post-office was established in Hope, and Isaac ua Grange appointed postmaster. Cedar Creek was chosen as a name because Cedar Creek flowed through the neighborhood, and this creek received dfs name from the presence, at its source, of a cedar swamp. Solon Dowd succeeded La Grange in 1854, and he in turn gave place, in 1856, to C. P. Larrabee. Following thereafter in the order named were Abram Gordonier, John Robinson, David Bailey, Benjamin Stanton, D. 8. Murphy, C. P. Larrabee, A. M- Armour, and Charles Wilson, the latter being now the incumbent. The first mail-earrier in the township was William Campbell, who carried the bag afoot, once a week, from Yorkville to Cedar Creek.

Wildiam H. Carpenter

William H. Carpenter was born in Livingston Oo., N. Y., Feb. 9, 1824. His: parents soon after moved to Orleans Co., N. Y., where, in May, 1849,he married Caroline Thompson, also a native of the "Old Empire State," born Nov. 29, 1829. In 1855, Mr, Carpenter came to Michigan, and settled on the banks of Wall Lake, in Hope township, where he still resides, having made for himself and family a pleasant home. His business. has been, that of a farmer, and all his time has been engaged ini improving his farm, except nine months spent in the service of his country. He was drafted Nov. 29, 1864, and served in the.

Gedar Creek Flouringmells, H. Pec Kh Am, Pror Mrs. H. F, Peckham

On this page we will introduce H. F. Peckham, M.D., who was born in 1844 in Madison, Madison Co., N. Y. His father was David R. Peckham, a native of Rhode Island. He removed to Madison Co., N. Y., when he was twenty-six years of age. His occupation was solely to shoe '. the soleless maidens, and the boys to boot were not forgotten. He was the parent of three children; one of them isa daughter, Mrs. Eda Gardner, of Chenango Co., N.Y. The second daughter is a Mrs. Bouck, of Kent Co., Mich. He also has a son, Dr. -H. C. Peckham, residing in Otsego Co., Mich., who read medicine with his brother, Dr. H. F. Peckham, the gentleman whose portrait heads this sketch. Dr. H. F. Peckham received his early instruction in the district school of his native town.

At the age of sixteen he entered the Madison University, of Hamilton, where he remained for three years in the literary department. After having studied with great credit he withdrew from school, and, after an absence of one year, commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Hiram Scran- ton, of Cortland, N. Y. He graduated at the Kelectic Medical College of Philadelphia, Pa., and entered upon his career as a physician at Chenango Co., N. Y. He lived in this county for two years, and then removed to Cedar Creek, Mich., where he has ever since sedulously attended to his profession.

His marriage fortune was made on Oct. 24,1870. He wooed and won the daughter of T. H. Allen, of Barry County, whose first name is Sarah. She was born in Battle Creek, Mich.

The doctor is not a member of any church, but his views are inclined towards the Universalist denomination. He is a Democrat politically, and is a strong partisan. He is a very active leader in his own party. During many campaigns he has spoken in nearly every school-house in Barry County, and his speeches were received with great acclamation. At the present time he is building a mill at Cedar Creek, which will be completed during the coming summer, 1880.

Turs township, known on the government survey as township 4 north, range 9 west, lies upon the northern boundary of the county, and has upon the north the Kent county-line, upon the south Rutland township, upon the east Carlton, and upon the west Thornapple.

'post-offices, 6 church buildings, and 12 district schools, so that, as concerns mail, religious, and educational facilities, the provision is abundantly ample. There are some manufactures at Irving and Freeport villages, but agriculture is of course the dependence, and, it may be added, a profitable

_ cent in the southwest corner of the township, across which also passes the Grand Rapids division of the Michigan Central Railroad, upon which Irving village is a station. The surface of the country is hilly, and offers many widereaching and pleasing natural prospects. F

Irving'S Pioneers

Upon a 40-acre lot in the southwest corner of section 33, A. E, Bull, a New Englander, made the pioneer settlement in Irving, and the first settlement likewise in Rutland, , in which latter town, indeed, he had considerable land on section 5. It was mostly prairie-land, and is to-day known as Bull's Prairie. This tract Mr. Bull purchased as early as 1836, but he did not make any pronounced move towards settling upon it until some time in 1837, when he put up a cabin on the 40 acres in Irving, and entered vigorously upon the work of clearing, fencing, and cultivating his land. 'Mr. Bull was unmarried, and about the time he began work upon his place he engaged John Henyon to chop for him, and Henyon's wife to keep house and provide the subsistence for his choppers, of whom he had at, one time more than twenty. Though Mr. Bull remained a bachelor some years after his settlement in Irving, and though he was away from the township frequently, he continued to preserve his identity as a settler, and that he was in the strict acceptation of the term an active, hardy pioneer cannot be denied. He was, moreover, an industrious surveyor, and laid out many of the early roads in both Rutland and Irving. While still a resident of Rutland, whither he removed his house many years after his settlement in Irving, he died in 1865, during a visit to Massachusetts. Until the spring of 1838, Mr. Bull was the solitary settler in Irving. At that time there came to the township William W. and Velorous Ingraham, two brothers; from New York, and upon section 34, where the Ingraham tavern afterwards stood, and yet stands, they built a log cabin, made a clearing, and by summer had matters in readiness for the reception of their grandfather, father, and brother, - Amos, Frederick, and Orrin L. Ingraham, - all of whom then made their appearance as members of the white settlement in Irving. Frederick Ingraham had bought a place on the hill just east of his son William's farm, but all lived at first with William and his family, he being the only one of the sons married. While living there, Amos Ingraham died,

Shortly after the State road through Irving was surveyed in 1844, William Ingraham determined to convert his house into a tavern, and by material additions made it a roomy framed structure, as it stands to-day, at the intersection of the two roads, near the: town-line, on section 34. He put up a sign, whereon was emblazoned the legend " Ingraham House," and, although business was at first not remarkably brisk, by reason of delay in constructing the State road, the opening of the stage-route between Battle Creck and Grand Rapids, vid Hastings, in July, 1846, gave affairs an impetus, and, as the Ingraham House was at one time a point where the stage changed horses, it was then a bust- Ingraham relinquished the business of landlord to Silas Smith after the lapse of a few years.. Smith was the last landlord the tavern knew, for after his departure the sign was taken down, and, although H. J. Kenfield and Orrin L. Ingraham, who occupied the house successively afterwards, occasionally entertained travelers, the tavern-stand ceased to be such when Smith left it. William W. Ingraham' moved from Irving in 1865, and lives now near Battle Creek. Velorous, his brother, died in Irving, and Orrin L. lives in Virginia. Frederick Ingraham lived on his place, east of William's, unti! his death, in December, 1848. He was by trade a blacksmith, and kept a shop near the Ingraham House, down to the time of his decease. The only representative of the family now in Irving is George W., a son of William, who lives on section 27.

During the year 1838 there. also came to Irving Daniel Williams and his family, who made their home on section 19. Mr. Williams: died in 1874, having a few years previous removed from the town. His son Charles lives near Irving village, on section 31.