Jackson County Michigan History & Genealogy

Spring Arbor Township
History

From "The History of Jackson County, Michigan" 1881

    At the spring election in 1833, held in Spring Arbor, Mr. Gibson received the full vote for supervisor, and the entire number of votes cast was 11. The next year he was elected to the same office, receiving the full vote, which had increased to 31. The present township was set off in 1838, having also been divided from its first eight townships into four in 1836. The first supervisor of the town, after its final organization, was Dr. Connell.
    A. B. Gibson and Moses Bean settled in Spring Arbor township in the spring of 1831. That township then embraced the eight townships west of Jacksonburgh. There were three families besides himself at the time he located there, Isaac N. Swain's, Mr. Smith's, and Mr. Van Fossen's. Among the old settlers who were pioneers in this town are, James Videto, L. W. Douglas, J. D. Crouch and Louis Snyder, Jr.
    This town is quite intimately connected with the early history of Jackson County. It was here that the Pottawatomies had their Indian village. Here also to-day is to be seen the old burying-ground of their young " braves." For a great many years the people of the town kept this burying-ground well fenced, but of late years they have forgotten this humane duty, and the traces of Indian occupation are daily growing more and more extinct.
    The college of Spring Arbor was the Alpha of the Hillsdale College, Presidents Graham and Fairfield having started their school here, and continued it for several years before removing it to Hillsdale. The buildings were erected by a joint-stock company, and the institution was under the special patronage of the Free-Will Baptists. For some years after the removal of the college to Hillsdale the buildings were unoccupied, but the Free Methodist denomination opened a school in them in 1874.
    The agricultural resources of the township are without a rival; the many opportunities which it offers to the manufacturer seem to pass unnoticed, so that the township capital may be said to be comprised in church, school, and postoffice buildings.

SPRING ARBOR SEMINARY

    The Spring Arbor Seminary is situated eight and one half miles south and west of Jackson city, on the Air-Line of the M. C. R. R. This institution of learning was organized by the Free Methodists in 1872. It commenced with nine trustees, all business being carried on by the direct vote of the board. The board now numbers 15, and the business is conducted by a code of by-laws. The yearly meeting of the board convenes in the school-building the first Wednesday of each November. Present Board—-Chester S. Gitchell, President, Spring Arbor, Mich.; Ira W. Bell, Secretary, Pittsford, Mich.; A. M. Shipley, Treasurer, Spring Arbor, Mich.; Win. H. Osman, Agent, Pontiac, Mich.; Edward P. Hart, Jackson, Mich.; Charles Mattice, Spring Arbor, Mich.; John French, Spring Arbor, Mich.; Alpheus Spencer, Spring Arbor, Mich.; Lemuel T. Frink, Spring Arbor, Mich.; Dewitt Pretty, Spring Arbor, Mich.; D. P. Baker, Chicago Ill.; Burton E. Jones, Cleveland, Ohio, W. H. Clark,Parma, Mich.;D. W. Abrams, Paw Paw, Mich.; Mr.Pallaster, Kay, Mich.
    Arrangements and preparations were being made in the fall and winter preceding the opening of the first term. The old buildings, formerly the college building of the Free-Will Baptist denomination, were repaired to serve a sufficient number of years to determine the future success of such a school—then to give way to a commodious structure intended for convenience and durability.
    The citizens living near these old buildings subscribed enough to purchase the property, and something toward the improvements, for which the school was to be run at least five years. Rev. E. P. Hart, now resident of Jackson city, had the full control of purchasing the property and preparing the buildings, and almost the entire management until the prospect of success was deemed certain.
    The first term was held in the spring of 1873 by Prof. Clark Jones, assisted by his wife. Twenty-eight students were in attendance. The opening of the fall term received an addition both of teachers and scholars, Prof. Jones being the principal, and continued as such until the close of the fall term of 1874. Prof. Callaud, of Oberlin, Ohio, was secured as principal during the winter term of 1874-'5. Nearly 100 students were in attendance. The spring term was conducted by Prof. Walter A. Sellew, of Syracuse, N. Y. He was engaged to take charge of the school for the coming year, but during the spring term the death of his father called him back to New York, and Prof. Jones took his place. The pressure in money matters and the decline in property weighed heavily for a time upon the school, reducing the number, but gradually wore away. The running of the school for five years, commencing with the fall term of 1876, was placed in the hands of Prof. Jones, who is conducting it with ability. The roll of students is on the increase. The winter term of 1880-'l numbered 116. This spring's term is about 100. The tuition, including incidental expenses, is as follows: Primary department, $4; Intermediate, $6; Languages, $8.
The surroundings of this school recommend it to the favor of all parents wishing to educate their children, and at the same time save them from ruinous company and low, obscene conversation and conduct. There is no saloon within five miles to entice the youth into coarse, rough expression, blasphemies, foul-mouthed vulgarity and other deadly, damning habits. No hotel for loungers. No place for doubtful recreations. Therefore the children are not trained in card-playing, dice and other games tending to gambling or squandering of time. No mania for tobacco. Students are not poisoning the air with narcotic practice, neither would it he allowed. No tobacco sold in the place except at a very small, poverty-stricken establishment in the suburbs. One convenient and sufficiently extensive store is kept by Messrs. Bailey & Rogers.
    This seminary has some promising and effective advantages over other like institutions of the State, in that most of the female students dress plain but neat, thus cutting off the many hours of silly thought and talk about fashions, and the much time consumed in making and arranging their apparel, and the parades to disclose their decorations, until the mind finds little else to occupy it; also those fun-making socials, chaining the attention from one to two days before their meeting, then bind the mind at least one day more in amusing themselves over the comic and other parts of the entertainment, leaving the heart foolish, vain and trifling. With this school, sound, thorough education is the motto, coupled with the principles of morality and extended religious privileges.
    The seminary carries the student within two years of a graduation at Ann Arbor College, giving the children a longer time for healthy, moral exercise, strengthening them to resist detrimental influences when finishing their education, than at colleges where students have been permitted to have their liberty in recreations which dissipate the mind and hinder them from being master scholars.
    The corps of teachers numbers four. Prof. Clark Jones, graduate of Ann Arbor College, is principal of the school and teacher of languages. Prof. David S. Warner, graduate of the Baptist college of Rochester, N. Y., teacher of mathematics. Miss H. J. Chittenden, of Newark Seminary, N. Y., principal teacher in the preparatory department, and preceptress of the school. Mr. John Huston, assistant teacher in the intermediate department.

    The new building is to be erected during the spring and summer of 1882, which will add measurably to the appearance of the village, increasing greatly the value of the surrounding farms. It will establish the place for many years to come as a desirable resort for educational pursuits, and a healthy, quiet place to build homes for permanent residence. The dwellings of Spring Arbor village are mostly new and commanding, and the number is increasing.

BIOGRAPHICAL

Alfred E. BAILEY was born July 3, 185-, in Galva, Henry County, Ill., where he lived with his parents until 1868.   His father, Lewis Bailey, was born in Lawrence County, N. Y., and in an early day, with his parents, moved to Delaware County, O. There his father, James Bailey, ran a saw-mill and flouring-mill, and by this means Lewis learned the miller's trade. While living in Ohio Lewis married Mary E. Brown. After two years of married life in Ohio, he and his wife and child, Lennette, moved to Henry County, Ill., near Galva, where he put up a flouring-mill and remained there eight years or so, in which time one more member was added to the family, Alfred. The father feeling his call to the ministry, sold his interest in the mill and entered the ministry, in which he continued until his death, Dec. 22, 1873. He had been publisher and proprietor of a religious paper for three years previous to his death, which the widow continued for about nine months after his death, and then sold it. It had been the father's design to send his son Alfred to the seminary situated at Spring Arbor, and in the fall of 1874 Alfred came to Spring Arbor, where he now lives, also his mother. His sister, Lennet B. Dake, died in Iowa in 1876. Alfred E. is now engaged in business as a partner in the firm of Bailey & Rogers, of Spring Arbor. Mr. Bailey had been teaching in the seminary nearly two years, but saw a chance to enter business and did so. He is Postmaster, and owns the larger interest in the stock.

Ambrose BEAN, the first white child born in the town of Spring Arbor, Oct. 17, 1831, lives now on section 12. His father, Moses Bean, came to Michigan in 1830 and entered the land on section 12, in Spring Arbor, and built one of the first houses in the town, and made the first wagon road west of Jackson into Spring Arbor. He died at the same place only last January (Jan. 30, 1881), over 70 years of age, being born Sept. 14, 1808, in New Hampshire. Mrs. Moses Bean is still living with her son Ambrose, in the full possession of all her faculties, having a mind full of the recollections of the early history of Jackson County. Before marriage her name was Lydia Perry. She was born Jan. 16,1809, and moved to Spring Arbor in the spring of 1831, with her husband. Ambrose married Losinda Hosmer, of Oakland County, Dec. 10, 1862; 3 children are living—Nettie, born March 27, 1864; George H., Oct. 11, 1869; and Seth S., June 11, 1871. Mrs. Ambrose Bean died March 29, 1877.

Lorenzo Dow BEAN, brother of the next mentioned, was born Oct. 6,1825, at Batavia, N. Y; came to Michigan in 1834; married March 4, 1861, Urania Spaulding, who was born July 2, 1842. Children—Eugene S., born Sept. 16, 1862; Zachariah Chandler, Aug. 28,1864; Jewett S., Dec. 15, 1866; Fred R., Oct. 8, 1868; Lorenzo, Jr., Oct. 27,1871, and died Nov. 3,1872; and Bessie May, born Jan. 29, 1877. Mr. Bean has a fine farm on section 12, of about 400 acres, and back of his stone residence stands the first frame house built in the town. Mr. B. is a Republican.

John H. BEAN was born in Batavia, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1820; came to Spring Arbor May 22, 1834, by the way of the lake, and from Detroit, even as early in the spring as that, with the reports in previous years that Michigan was all swamp. There was hardly water or mud enough the whole way to wet the tire. Nov. 27, 1844, he married Miss Susan Cranmore, who was born June 26, 1818, at Batavia, N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1839. Their children are—Celinda S., born Aug. 26,1846, now Mrs. D. A. Culver, Liberty, Mich.; Naomi F., March 25,1849, and was married to Dr. L. T. Van Horn April 16, 1873, by Rev. Mr. Hunt. She died at Homer, Oct. 6,1876. John 0., born Oct. 7,1851; residence, Parma; Sinkler O, Aug. 30, 1853; Elmore J., Dec. 1,1855; and Nolan S., Sept. 2, 1860.

Sinkler BEAN, father of the two preceding, was born in New Hampshire Dec. 16, 1793; married Betsey Haynes in 1815; came to Michigan with his family in 1834, when John H. was but a boy. John's parents have been dead a number of years, and he lives now upon his farm, section 12, of nearly 400 acres, on the Spring Arbor road, four miles west of the city. Mr. Bean has always been a teetotaler, never having called for a glass of any intoxicating drink in his life.    P. O., Jackson city.

St. Clair BEAN, Sr., farmer, section 19; P. O., Spring Arbor; was born Nov. 25, 1809, in Salisbury, N. H., and came to Michigan in 1846. Mr. Bean's first wife, Rebecca West, was the mother of Henry F., born Sept. 23, 1833; he is an engineer and surveyor, now locating the northern extension of railroads in Northern Michigan. Other children were—Fanny (deceased), Clarissa and St. Clair, Jr., born Feb. 5, 1849, now of Spring Arbor. March 12, 1868, Mr. Bean married his present wife, Maria Darling, who was born at Lockport, N. Y., Aug. 26,1825. Her parents, Amasa and Hannah Darling, came to Michigan in 1834, the mother living now with her daughter. Mrs. Darling is in her 90th year, probably the oldest person in the town. Mr. Bean owns one of the finest burr-oak farms in Michigan, of several hundred acres, two miles west of the Spring Arbor College.

John BELDEN was born in Litchfield County, Conn., Dec. 16, 1806. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of that county. During his youth he worked on his father's farm, and attended the district school winters. Afterward attended the high school at Groshen. For some time afterward he taught school in his native State, as well as in the State of New York, afterward attending in Ohio and Michigan. In 1832 he purchased land in section 26, in Spring Arbor, upon which he has since resided, and which is accounted one of the best farms in the county. In 1838 he married Harriet Hale, and has 1 son. He has held various offices of trust, including Supervisor, which he has had a number of times. He is universally esteemed as a man of strict integrity and kindness of heart, seeking rather the good of others than himself. His memory will be cherished by all who know him for his noble characteristics. A portrait of Mr. Belden will be found on page 839.

Francis BELDEN came to Jackson County in an early day and settled in Spring Arbor, on the southeast quarter of the southeast section of the township. He never married. In 1844 Henry Town and wife came from Orleans county, N. Y., and stopped with Mr. Belden. Dec. 19, 1845, Mr. Town died, leaving his wife and 2 children—George W. and Kate L. Mrs. Town has remained upon the farm ever since, keeping house and taking care of Mr. Belden in his old age, until his death, which occurred but a few years ago. For her faithfulness and care the property, in part at least, was willed to her, and she is now managing the farm. The daughter is now Mrs. Ambrose Crouch.

T. C. BISHOP, born in Monroe County, N. Y., Oct. 8, 1833, came to Michigan in '56 and married Martha A. Cary Oct. 18, 1869; she was born in Massachusetts, May 27, 1850; their children are — Frances Bell, born Nov. 12, 1870, and John Fredy, Jan. 3, 1873. Mr. Bishop's father, Barnwell Bishop, came to Michigan and settled in Hanover before he came. His mother, Eliza (Birchill) Bishop, recently died in Baldwins, March 9, 1881. Mr. Bishop has a fine farm on section 34, worth $70 per acre. He has worked hard to accumulate this property, and can look forward now to days of plenty and peace. By a straightforward course in life and strict honesty he has gained the respect of all. In politics he is a Republican. P.O. address, Horton, Mich.

Anthony CARTER, farmer and wheat-buyer, was born Jan. 17,1842, at Manchester, this State, also the native place of his wife, who was Miss Laura C. Moore. They were married April 10, 1865; their first child, Sarah Bell, was born Jan. 8,1866; their eldest son, Lyman P., Feb. 3, 1867; Emma C. was born March 29, 1872; Lenora E., Feb. 6,1874, and John F., April 20, 1876. Mr. Carter's parents have lived in Spring Arbor for a good many years, his father's farm joining one of his on section 22, near Snyder's Station, the only shipping point in Spring Arbor. Mr. Carter has bought wheat here for some time, and in the last year has already bought over 50 car-loads, paying Jackson prices. Mr. Carter is a member of the Board of Trade, with a number of prominent citizens of the town. He has two very nice farms, on section 22, one of which he offers very cheap, as he proposes to give his attention to the wheat trade.
Oliver CHAPEL was born in New London County, Conn., Aug. 27, 1818; came West with his parents in 1832; was married to Louisa J. Chapman Nov. 7, 1841; there were no children by this marriage; she died July 4, 1856. He married Keziah Donner, Jan. 13, 1858. Their children are—Jackson and George W. In March, 1842, Mr. Chapel located on section 5, this township, where he now resides. He now owns 160 acres of land in Spring Arbor and Sandstone townships. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Republican. P. O., Parma.

John COGSWELL, born in Ticonderoga, Essex Co., N. Y., June 17, 1833. His father, John Cogswell, Sr., came to Spring Arbor, in 1834, and died April 18, 1870; the mother, Eunice M. (Mead), died Sept. 14, 1872. Dec. 24, 1865, Mr. Cogswell, married Maria French, daughter of John French, whose biography appears further down. They have 2 children—Albert Ray, born Nov. 24, 1874, and Charles Gardner, April 22,1880. They reside on the farm the father took up,   a fine burr-oak tract now worth $75 to $100 per acre. Mr. Cogswell is a Republican. P. O., Spring Arbor.

Alpheus COON, born in Somerset County, N. Y., July 8, 1815; in 1838 he went to Illinois; came to Michigan in 1841, settling on section 16, this township Nov. 27, 1844, he was married to Mary Ann Cranmore, of Summit, this county, and James, the eldest son, was born May 21, 1846, now of Brookfield, Mich.; Ellen Mary was born April 24, 1849, and died Nov. 27, 1864; Douglass, the youngest son, was born May 29, 1858. Mr. Coon lives a half mile east of Spring Arbor Seminary, on the Jackson road, on the farm he has owned so long. Mrs. Coon's mother is still living, in Summit, this county, well advanced in years.

Wm. Smith CROWL, County Surveyor, one of the first white children born in Spring Arbor, named after Dea. Wm. Smith, an old pioneer and much loved neighbor of his parents, Buel P. and Maria (Worth) Crowl. They came to Spring Arbor in the fall of 1831. William was born the next spring, April 3, 1832. He attended some of the best schools in the country, attained a fine mathematical education, and has engaged quite extensively in surveying. In 1856 he married Miss Josephine Tift. Two sons and 1 daughter— Clarence E., born Jan. 5, 1869; Herman E., March 21, 1873, and Anna Verne, March 25, 1876. The father is taking great pride in the education of his boys, who are remarkably forward in their studies. The widowed mother of William, now at the advanced age of 80, lives with her son, retaining her mental faculties remarkably. Mr. Crowl has always been a Republican. P. O., Spring Arbor.

Fitch, B. COMSTOCK, born Jan. 1, 1805, in Montville, Conn.; married in Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1833, Miss Eliza Thorp, who was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1801. They came to Michigan in the spring of 1833, and lived for many years in Sandstone. There were but very few log houses west of Jackson when they came in. Their children are—Mary D., Carole B., James A., born Oct. 8, 1837, now on the old farm, section 28, Sandstone; Chas. V., born April 7,1840, and died May 10, 1873; Francis Henry, born April 1,1843. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock, now in their old age, have a pleasant home on section 11, near the Spring Arbor Mills. He has always been a staunch Republican, an upright neighbor, and is held in great respect by his many old acquaintances.

James A. DEWEY was born in Cohocton, Steuben Co., N. Y., Jan. 21,1824. In 1836 he came to Michigan with his parents, Timothy and Sally (Flint) Dewey, who live now on section 25, in Concord Township, where they settled when they came to the county. They had a large family; James is the oldest living; he married Oct. 24,1849, Amanda Gary, who was born in Vermont, a daughter of John and Sally (Rice) Gary, pioneers of Calhoun County, Mich. Mr. Dewey has had 3 children, the eldest deceased—C. Clark was born Aug. 1, 1852, and died April 18, 1859; Phineas J., born Jan. 3, 1854, and Wilber J., born March 10, 1856.    Phineas J. Dewey was married Jan. 5, 1875, to the daughter of S. F. Woolcut, of Concord, and an old settler of Spring Arbor, Julia F., whose mother, Harriet F., nee Stone, came to Hanover, this county, with her parents when the county was very new.

Justus FOWLER, born at Fabius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 26, 1810; came to Michigan in 1838, and settled on section 19, in Liberty. He married at Tally, N. Y., in 1839, Flory M. Lake. On the farm in Liberty 2 sons were born: the eldest, Henry H, March 30, 1840, who died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 15, 1862, while with his regiment, the 14th Mich. Cav. Major Van- Antwerp, now of the Jackson Patroit, writing his obituary, speaks in the highest terms of Sergeant Fowler, of his virtues as a man and soldier. The second son, Charles W., now of the firm of Fowler & Dunham, was born Sept. 17, 1842. He is now President of the Y. M. C. A. of the city of Jackson. Mr. Fowler's first wife died Dec. 2, 1847. From this time to the present his home has been in Spring Arbor, on section 13. In 1848, Dec. 12, he married Miss Olive R. Miner, of Liberty, and they have 2 sons, born on the Spring Arbor homestead —Clark R., born Dec. 9, 1850, is married and lives now at the place of his birth, where his only child (a daughter) was born, in the same room 30 years after; Frank W., born Jan. 20, 1853, resides now in Liberty, on section 19, on the farm entered from the Government by his grandfather, Justus Fowler, Sr., who died May 19, 1858, in the 90th year of his age. Mrs. Olive (Miner) Fowler's father, who lived in Liberty, Anderson Miner, died in 1878, at the age of 83 years. T he mother, Mrs. Miner, lives now in Montcalm County, Michigan. The subject of this sketch, Justus Fowler, is now at the allotted age of man, enjoying the fruits of his labor and the respect of all the wide circle of acquaintances, and a beautiful home. He is but a fair representative of the men who have cleared up the oak openings of Jackson County and made the substantial farm improvements that dot every section of our county. P. O., Jackson.

John FRENCH was born in Hopewell, Ontario Co., N.T., April 23, 1811. He lived in Buffalo and married there, in 1831, Nancy Lothrage; they came to Michigan in 1833, first to Ann Arbor. By this marriage Mr. French had 3 children—the eldest, Moses J., now Deputy Sheriff of Jackson County, residence Jackson; Hannah M., who died in her 18th year, and Elizabeth, now Mrs. John Denton, of Jackson. Mr. French's first wife died in Spring Arbor in the fall of 1840. He was married again Jan. 3, 1844, to Almira M. Spratt, who was born in Washington County, N. Y., Sept. 9, 1818; she came to Michigan in 1835. The children by this marriage— Maria, now Mrs. John Cogswell (see sketch above); Martha A. and Joseph A. Mr. French has been connected with public matters for several years, and is one of the Board of Trustees of the Spring Arbor Seminary.

Chester S. GITCHELL was born Dec. 8, 1834, in Parma, Monroe Co., N. Y.    His father, Rev. David D. Gitchell, was born Aug. 8, 1807, in Vermont, and died Dec. 27, 1877, in Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Indiana. Almira Handy, his mother, was born March 29, 1812, in Connecticut, and died in Mishawaka in the fall of 1842. His father married Almira Handy in the winter of 1831. Nancy, their eldest, was born in Parma, Monroe Co., N. Y., June 16, 1832, and died in Michigan February, 1857. Maria S. was born May 10, 1836, in Parma. Chester came with his parents to Ba Bago, St. Joseph Co., Mich., the summer of 1836. Leman Gitchell was born in this place in 1838, and died in Mishawaka in the fall of 1840. Early in the fall his family moved to Mishawaka. James H. was born in the spring of 1841, and died here in the fall of 1845. Rev. D. D. Gitchell, father, married for his second wife Rebecca Curtiss, who bore him 2 children, Almira and Eliza, in Mishawaka, and died in this place in 1849. In the spring of 1851 Rev. Mr. G. married Mrs. Mary Ann Curtiss, sister to his second wife, who bore him 2 children—Didama and James D.
    Chester was sent to a select school for several years, and afterward attended the Northwestern University of Chicago. March 16, 1854, he was united in matrimony to Miss Nancy Shick, of Elkhart County, Ind., and moved to Elkhart village, where they resided two years, and where their first child, John D., was born Nov. 11, 1856, and died in Grove City, Christian Co., Ills. He moved with his family to this place in the spring of 1857. Delilah M. was born in Grove City, April 6, 1858. Didama S. was born Aug. 5, 1860, in Blueville, of the same county, and is now the wife of Francis Crouch, of Jackson County, Mich. Chester S. experienced religion Aug. 19, 1859, and in the fall of 1861 moved to Evanston, Ill., where he took a theological course in the Garrett Biblical Institute of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the fall of 1863 he joined the Free Methodist Church, and took work in the Illinois Conference, and Clintonville, Kane Co., was his first circuit. Here Mary S. was born, Feb. 6, 1864. He preached two years in Illinois, one in Indiana, then one in Michigan. Willis F. was born Jan. 6, 1867, in London, Monroe Co., Mich. The next year, conference sent him back to Indiana, where he remained two years; then was sent to Richland County, Ohio. Benjamin F. was born in this county Jan. 3, 1870. Two years in Ohio, three more in Indiana, then the remaining time the family were in Michigan, principally in Spring Arbor. Mirtie, their youngest, was born Feb. 22, 1877, in Spring Arbor, and died Sept. 29, 1877, in Coopersville, Ottawa Co., Mich.
    John Shick, Mrs. G.'s father, was born in Lancaster, Pa., in 1808, and moved to Stark County, Ohio. Sarah Palmer, her mother, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1808. Her parents were married in 1831. Mary, their eldest child, was born April 20, 1832, in Springfield, Stark Co. Nancy, their second child, was born Dec. 5, 1834, in Springfield. Urias F. was born in Springfield, Sept. 1, 1837. In the fall of 1840 the family moved to Medina County, Ohio. Lydia was born in Wadsworth, Medina Co., Sept. 8, 1842. Amos was born May 14, 1844, in Wadsworth, and died in the army near Vicksburg. Susan was born in June, 1846, and died three years of age. The family moved to Elkhart County, Ind., where Lovina was born February, 1849, and died in the spring of 1854. The family were of German descent.

    Hulbert HALSTED, section 35; P. O., Horton; he was born at Wilson, Niagara Co., N. Y., Sept. 24, 1828. He came to Jackson County when a boy, with his stepfather, and settled in the south part of Liberty; and there, near the old Chicago turnpike, he helped to break up the oak openings when a mere boy, driving "breaking-up" teams, barefooted, and often working beyond the strength of his slight frame, not attaining man's size until after he became a voter. But by hard work and exchange of land and farms he has now one of the best in the county. Feb. 16, 1862, after a home had been procured, Mr. Halsted married Mrs. Jenette McMichael, daughter of Daniel O. and Sally Lee, old settlers here from Niagara County, N. Y. She was the widow of Allen McMichael, by whom she had 2 children—Sylvester, born Oct. 15, 1851, died May 18, 1875; and Eliza M., born Nov. 18, 1852, now Mrs. Wm. Vroman, who also has had 2 children—Burt, born May 2, 1875, and Freddy, born May 14, 1876, and died Jan. 27, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Halsted have 1 boy—Charles N., born Dec. 25, 1865. Her father, Daniel O. Lee, died Oct. 16, 1849, aged 48 years, 11 months and 20 days. Her brothers and sisters are deceased-John died July 24, 1852; Mary died May 13, 1844, in her 18th year; Isaac died Aug. 8, 1858, also in his 18th year; and Ira died July 4, 1868, in his 23d year. For further particulars of the Lee family, see sketch of Abraham Lee, in Summit Township.

    Porter S. HARRINGTON was born April 14, 1842, in Summit, this county; his father, Charles Harrington, came into Jackson County in an early day, and to Spring Arbor, on section 15, where he now lives with several of his children settled around him on beautiful farms. Porter was married April 14, 1868, to Miss Lina M. Teft, who was born in Spring Arbor, April 25, 1848; she was the daughter of one of the pioneers of the county—V. J. Teft, who died in 1854; her mother died in 1851; both are buried in the Spring Arbor cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have 1 child—Cora, born Sept. 11, 1873. They have a beautiful home on the Spring Arbor road, a fine farm of some 200 acres of as good strong land as Jackson County can produce;   P. O., Spring Arbor.

    Judge Barnabas O. HATCH (deceased), of Spring Arbor Township, was born in August, 1809; emigrated from Steuben County, N. Y., about 1837. He was deprived of school advantages in youth, and when married had no education; but through his own efforts, assisted by an excellent wife, he attained a degree of culture superior to most persons enjoying much better opportunities.   The Judge was married in 1829, and his children are—Eliza J., now Mrs. W. J. Weeks; George N., the next mentioned; James E., Hanover; Sylvanus C., died Aug. 6, 1849; John O., Hanover; Barnabas O, Jr., Helen H, now Mrs. James F. Brown; Charles B., Harriet A., afterward Mrs. J. B. Weeks, died June 23, 1875, and Lewis Cass. Upon arriving in Jackson County, the only capital he possessed was an extraordinary supply of common sense, industry and energy, these, had it not been for a proverbial liberality, would have made him very wealthy; but as it was, he earned a competence for declining years, and besides, as each son became of age and married he was fitted out with a good farm. Judge Hatch's generosity and public spirit led him to take great interest in, and to labor for, the advancement of Jackson city and county. That he was highly esteemed as a neighbor and citizen was well attested by the calls made upon him to fill official positions. He represented his township in the county Board of Supervisors eight or ten terms; held the office of Justice of the Peace 20 years; served some time as second Assistant County Judge; was chosen Representative to the Legislature in 1849, and was soon after elected County Judge. In all these positions he discharged his duties with signal ability and fidelity. To rare intellectual endowments Judge Hatch supplemented a fine sense of honor and unswerving integrity of character. He died Feb. 22, 1874, leaving a family of 8 children and a valuable estate.

    George N. HATCH, son of the preceding, was born June 13, 1832, in Steuben County, N. Y.; he came to Spring Arbor with his father, Judge Barnabas C. Hatch, in 1835. He was married Nov. 26, 1854, to Ann Hutchins, whose father, Jacob Hutchins, came to Michigan in 1843, to Summit. Their children are— James B., born July 5, 1856; Eleanor E., Sept. 10, 1858. Mrs. Hatch died Jan. 6, 1879, and is buried in the cemetery south of Baldwins. Mr. Hatch has taken a prominent part in the affairs of the county for years. He is the Supervisor of Spring Arbor at the present time and has held the office many years. His farm is one of the best in the county; situated on section 35, about a mile from Baldwins. He married again March 25, 1880, Mrs. Frances A. Gildersleave. P. O., Horton.

    Amasa F. HAWKINS was born in Oswego County, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1828; came West with his parents and located in Jackson County in 1835; married Ruth Amelia Hubbard, of Lenawee County, Mich., Dec. 27, 1852. They have 9 children, viz.: Amasa Hubbard and Francis Way land, deceased; Ella Amelia, Cora V., Delia Maud, Francis Wallace, Angie, Amasa and Jessie J. Mr. Hawkins owns 180 acres in section 5, Spring Arbor Township, where he resides; is independent in politics; religiously is in sympathy with the Unitarians. P.O., Parma.

    Henry S. HOLCOMB was born in Ulster County, N. Y., June 12, 1800. May 9, 1821, he married Jane Slaughter, born in Steuben County, N. Y., April 12, 1805. He came to Spring Arbor July 3, 1833; entered 4 eighties of land on section 25. They have a large family, now mostly residents of Michigan, and nearly 40 grandchildren. Their children are—Charles Horton, the oldest, is deceased; Christian, John, Diana, Sally, Nancy, and Daniel S., born Nov. 6, 1833; residence, Summit; P. O., Jackson; Eb. N., born Aug. 30, 1835; residence,   Jackson; Margaret, Henry S.,   William T., Edwin (deceased), Jane, Gertand and Amanda F. Mr. Holcomb died July 14, 1854; he was of Welsh descent. Mrs. Holcomb's father and grandfather on her mother's side were both Revolutionary soldiers, the latter being in the whole seven years of the war.

    Clark JONES, the present principal and manager of the Spring Arbor Seminary, was born near Delta, Ohio, March 5, 1842. His parents were among the first settlers of that section, and were natives of the State of Vermont. After having lived in Ohio for some years they came to Michigan about 1850 and settled in Monroe County. Clark received his early education at a district school near his Michigan home, and worked on his father's farm. At the age of 21 he hired to his father to work on the farm for five months, after which he prepared himself for teaching, by attending the Monroe high school, where he prepared for college; in the fall of 1868, he entered the Michigan State University. After completing a course of study there he assumed charge of various schools in the East, after which he returned to Michigan and assumed the principalship of the Spring Arbor Seminary, opening the school May 5, 1873. Here he continued until 1875, and then retired for one year, devoting his time to religious work until the spring of 1877, when, by request, he returned and assumed full control of the school in all its departments.

    Charles Fumer KING was born July 7, 1846; he married Miss Frank C., Sept. 3,1873, of Albion, this State, daughter of Lafayette and Casline Silliman, from New England and New York; they have 3 children—Herbert Charles, born Feb. 28, 1876; Floss Caroline, born July 2, 1877, and Fadge Harriet, born June 13, 1880. They now live on his farm three miles south of Parma, part of which was the old homestead taken up in an early day by his father, Furner King, who died Dec. 17, 1880, in his 64th year. His second wife, Nancy, nee Perry, the mother of the subject of this sketch, died Sept. 27, 1874. For a young man Mr. King has a splendid start in life, a good farm and home. P. O., Parma, Mich.

    Theodore A. KING, with his father and mother, Fenner and Eliza (Godfry) King, came to Spring Arbor from the State of New York, in the spring of 1837, and settled on section 7. Fenner King was born in Connecticut, April 17, 1807; he was married in New York State, March 28, 1832; his wife was born Dec. 4, 1814. They had 1 son older than Theodore—Fayette, born March 4, 1833, who died in his 36th year; a younger brother, James Henry, born Oct. 13, 1836, was scalded soon after his mother's death, which occurred on Nov. 2, 1838. Theodore's father married a second wife, Nancy Perry. Theodore A. King and Delia M. Chapel were married April 7, 1850. Their eldest son, Fenner D., died March 11, 1864, aged 5 years, 1 month and 13 days.   They have 3 children living: Royal H., Eva Delia, and Theodore Ray, who is just nine years of age. Jessie and Josie, twins, were born Dec. 21, 1874, and died in infancy. Mrs. King is the second daughter of David and Sarah Chapel, old and esteemed residents of Spring Arbor. Mr. and Mrs. King, with their 3 children in their beautiful home, with fine educational advantages given their children, are but typical of the many farm homes of Central Michigan, where can be found that elegance and refinement so often seen here. Mr. King has several hundred acres of fine wheat land bordering on Burr Oak Plain, equaling for beauty and production any of the farms of the West. He is a Republican and has filled many places of trust and responsibility. P. O. address, Parma.

    Charles MATTICE was born Aug. 19, 1830, in Schoharie County, N. Y.; came to Michigan in 1846; was married to Mary A. Wilcox, Nov. 29, 1853, in Otsego County, N. Y., daughter of Asa and Achsah (Mateson) Wilcox, natives of Vermont, who came to this county in 1836 and settled in Concord, on what is known as the Jerry Reynolds' farm, with their father, Samuel Wilcox; the latter came some years previous, and died in 1861, aged 84 years; Asa Wilcox died in 1863, in his 66th year; his wife is living with the subject of this sketch, in her 75th year; her 2 sons, Eben and Spencer, are deceased; the elder died Dec. 23, 1875; the younger, Dec. 31,1862. Mr. and Mrs. Mattice have 1 son living— Edson, born Aug. 9, 1863. Mr. Mattice is one of the Board of Directors of the Seminary, and has done much to further its interests since its organization.

    Rev. Commodore Perry MILLER was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., April 18, 1843; in 1850 came to Genesee County, Mich., with his parents, Harvey and Esther A. (Slade) Miller; in 1864 he went to Illinois; Sept. 5, 1865, he married Maria P. Jones, third daughter of Alexander and Albine Jones, Massachusetts; commenced in the ministry in 1867; in 1869 joined the Free Methodist Conference, and traveled three years; worked in Kansas, and was on several circuits in Illinois about seven years; came to Spring Arbor for the purpose of educating his children; they have had 7: Inez May, born Sept. 19, 1866, died Dec. 26, the same year; Eugene M., born Oct. 15, 1867; Frank H., born Sept. 19, 1869; Albert Berry, Aug. 2, 1871; Clara Lovina, March 1, 1875; Marcia Belle, Feb. 20, 1877; and Chester P., March 22, 1880. Mr. Miller came to Spring Arbor and bought a tract of land just north of the seminary, and laid it out in lots; originated a plat of the village, and has sold nearly all of his addition, having made many improvements the last year. He is now building a residence for himself and several for others.

    Amasa M. PARDEE was born in Royal, Niagara Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 1826; came to Michigan with his parents, Thomas Jefferson and Eleanor (Angel) Pardee, in June, 1832, and settled on section 27, not far from his pleasant home on section 28. Feb. 19, 1850, Amasa married Miss Julia La Due, of Albany, N. Y.; they have 3 children—Alice F., now Mrs. St. Clair Bean, Jr., of Spring Arbor; Helen A., now Mrs. J. C. Knapp, Milbank, D. T., and Fenton J., born July 31, 1858. As Mr. Pardee came to Spring Arbor in June, 1832, he is probably the oldest resident in the town who came from other States, many of the oldest settlers that came in that year and the year before having passed away in the last few years. Mr. Pardee has held many places of trust in the town; is a staunch Republican, a member, with his family, of the M. E. Church of Spring Arbor, of which he has been Recording Steward for many years. P. O., Spring Arbor.

    Cyrus PARMETER was born Dec. 14, 1797; was married Dec. 14, 1824, to Lany Widrick, born Nov. 24, 1804; their 4 children are living: Mary, now Mrs. Filo Curtis, of Jackson; Cary, Orlin and Albert, live on the old farm where the parents lived so many years. Mr. Parmeter died Dec. 27, 1880, aged over 83 years. His father, Jesse L. Parmeter, came to Michigan in a very early day, and struck the first blow in a blacksmith shop in Spring Arbor; the shop stood by the big spring on section 28. The family came from Vermont to Herkimer County, N. Y., and was among the first to settle in the south part of Spring Arbor.

    Lewis M. PERKINS was born in Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1816; he came to Michigan in 1836; traveled through the central part; passed on to the West; returning, he settled first on the county line in Henrietta, where, March 19, 1846, he married Catherine E. Pulver, born Oct. 22, 1820; they have 2 sons—Francis L., born Jan. 13, 1848, and Joseph E., Nov. 17, 1857. Mr. Perkin's grandfather, Joseph Perkins, of New York, enlisted when 16 years old in Washington's army as one of his body guards; he and his brother James went through the whole Revolutionary war. Simon Pulver, the father of Mrs. Perkins, was born in Massachusetts; her mother, Sarah Strong, New Hartford, Conn.; her mother's family name was Payne, and of English origin. Mr. Perkins, as well as his father, was an old line Whig until the formation of the Republican party; is always liberal in his views, and believes the national debt of our country should be paid in the money of our Government. He has been a great reader and has taken a deep interest in the affairs of his country. Residence, section 23, near Snyder's station. P. O., Spring Arbor.

    John G. PERRINE was born in Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., Feb. 9, 1810; came to Michigan in November, 1831; went back to New York and Aug. 22, 1834, he was married to Mary C. Tripp; returning, they settled on a farm bought from the Government. Mr. Perrin has the deed from Martin Van Buren for part of his farm on section 10. Here he has lived and reared a family of intelligent children, as follows: Ruth Ann, now Mrs. Seth Abbot, of Abbot's corners, Erie County, N. Y.; Emma, Noah W. (deceased); Jennie; John H., residence Jackson, and Delia. Noah W. died Feb. 12, 1879. Mr. Perrine's parents, Henry and Esther (Gilbert) Perrine, died in Sandstone. The family have been noted for their piety and uprightness of life. Many will remember the Rev. Mr. Perrine of this family who recently died at Albion College. The subject of this sketch has always been foremost in every good work of advancement; he was one of the first to vote the Abolition ticket; has been a Methodist until a few years since, when he espoused the Advent doctrine with his family, and they have been instrumental in building up a church and society.

    De Witt PRETTY was born Jan. 23,1832; came to Detroit in 1834, where he has lived most of the time since. Dec. 3, 1857, he married Catherine Collins—daughter of William and Ann (Martin) Collins, who were old settlers of Detroit. Mr. Pretty came to Spring Arbor in the fall of 1876 with his family for the purpose solely of educating his children, of whom he has 9—Emma E., Adelaide A., George D., Arthur E., Phoebe, Albert, Alice F., Frank E. and Olney V. He engaged in mercantile business two or three years, then purchased a farm one-half mile west of the village; has now one of the best farms in Jackson County, buying additions and making improvements, and spending fully $20,000. Mr. Pretty is one of the Board of Trustees of the Spring Arbor Seminary and has always been foremost in every good work to further the interest of the institution and the Free Methodist Church of the place, under whose control the school has been in a very flourishing condition for some years.

    Cornelius ROBERTS was born in Seneca, Ontario County, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1810; lived in New York, and at the age of 24 married Alvina York; they had 1 son, William Henry Harrison. Mrs. Roberts died Aug. 26, 1836, in her 20th year. Mr. Roberts then came to Michigan but went back and was married again, Feb. 26, to Mary Chambers and the next spring, 1837, moved to Spring Arbor and settled on the west quarter of section 8. In 1842 he moved to his present homestead on section 17. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts had 3 children—Mary A., Wilford, Millard Fillmore. Mr. K. lost his second wife Oct. 19, 1850; April 11, 1851, he married Abigail Welch, whose parents, Nelson and Sarah (Olds) Welch, came to Michigan in 1834 and settled in Leoni. His children by this wife are: Franklin J., Orlando, both in Minnesota; Tremont, now in Dakota; Herbert G., P. O., Spring Arbor; Cora; Irwin died Nov. 28, 1879, age 6 years and 2 days. Samuel Roberts, father of Cornelius, and his wife, Huldah (Dewey) Roberts, came to Jackson County and built the first house west of Jackson at Sandstone, where they kept tavern for some time.

    Stephen M. SEARS (deceased) was born Nov. 9, 1811, in Sharon, Conn.; came to Michigan in 1832 and took up a large tract of land on the Burr Oak plain, on sections 34 and 35. Dec. 12, 1839, he married Miss Martha Hale, whose mother, Mrs. Abiel Tripp, came to Hanover in 1832 and built the first house on section 4 in that township. She was also a niece of Dea. Wm. Smith. Mr. Sears' two sons still own and reside on the land he first entered: the oldest, Charles A., was born Nov. 20, 1844; resides now on section 35, P. O., Horton; the mother makes her home with this son; Newton H., who has until quite recently been engaged in the mercantile business at Horton, was born Oct. 19,1854, and married Jan. 13, 1876, Miss Eulalia Wilson. He has recently built the finest residence on section 34 in the town. P. O., Horton, Mich. Stephen H. Sears died Nov. 26, 1877. He left a large estate, accumulated by hard work and good management; was always liberal to a fault, and no man had more friends than he; always a Republican, and liberal in religious views.

    Aman Massnea SHIPLEY was born in Spring Hill Township, Fayette Co., Pa. Oct. 15,1806; lived there and married, April 5, 1827, Susan Saddler, born Nov. 6, 1805; they came to Knox County, Ohio, in 1834. Their children are: the eldest, Minerva, born Oct. 14, 1828, now Mrs. Win. B. Wollison, Stanwood, Iowa; Worthington, born Nov. 5, 1829, P; O., Howard, Ohio; Ann died, March 16, 1841, in her 10th year; Henry, born March 4,1834, died April 12, 1834; Ben Francis, born June 29, 1836, P. O., Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Emma, who lives with her father in Spring Arbor; Agnes D., now Mrs. Calvin Miller, of Odin, Marion Co., Ill.; Eugene O, born Jan. 8, 1845, recently of Jackson, this State; Almon D., born Aug. 9, 1847, Delaware, Ohio; Dr. R. Sherman, born Oct., 26, 1852, Lindsey, Sandusky Co., Ohio. Mrs. Shipley died in Ohio, Nov. 16, 1872, but was buried at Jackson.

    Erbert O. SPRATT was born in Concord, Jackson Co., Feb. 5, 1856. His father, Gardner D. Spratt, came fromWashington County, Vt., to this county in 1835; March 12, 1851, he married Jane M. Morrell, daughter of one of the old settlers of Jackson County; he died April 7, 1856, in the 31st year of his age. Mrs. Spratt has since remained a widow. Erbert married July 3, 1879, Miss Julia O. Bright, who was born in Spring Arbor April 10, 1856; they have one of the first settled farms in the town, on section 20, known as the Benedict place; it is situated just north of the Air Line R. R. about a mile west and south of the college buildings. P.O. address, Spring Arbor.

    Alfred F. STREETER was born May 30: 1805; his parents were from Vermont. He was married Mar. 13, 1827, at Batavia, N. Y., to Samantha Walton, who was born July 18, 1810. Their children are—Mortimer M., born Sept. 30, 1830; Alzina F., born Dec. 22, 1832; Charles B„ born Mar. 11,1839; James W., born Sept. 18, 1844; Alfred F., born Sept. 13, 1846; Caroline, born June 10,1848; the 4 last were born on the farm four miles west of Jackson, where the family settled in 1835. Mr. Streeter died May 25, 1864; the widow lives on the farm of 200 acres, now over 70 years of age.

    William TODD, Vice-President of the Pioneer Society, was born Dec. 9, 1807, in Jefferson N. Y.; came to Washtenaw County, Mich., in 1832, and to Spring Arbor in 1836. He married Sept. 6, 1835, Marietta French, who was born in Ontario County, N. Y., July 13, 1817, and came to Ann Arbor in May, 1833, with her parents, Cyrus and Hannah French. Her father died June 6,1856, aged 68 years; her mother died Aug. 22,1855, in her 58th year; they were buried in Spring Arbor cemetery. Mr. Todd descended from New England stock; Mrs. Todd dates her ancestors in Scotland. Their children are—Lewis R., born June 28, 1836, now on the old homestead, section 20; Harriet M., born Aug. 16, 1839, now Mrs. George W. Chapel, P. O., Parma; Charles W, born Sept. 1, 1842, residence, Jackson; Rufina U., born Sept. 11, 1845, now Mrs. Edwin Hotchkin, Jackson. Mr. Todd has several hundred acres of splendid land, lying just west of Spring Arbor village, section 20.

    William H. TURPENING, of Schoharie County, N. Y., came to Michigan in 1861; June 18, 1863, he married Sarah Maria Snyder, oldest daughter of Lewis Snyder, an old settler of Spring Arbor, and pioneers of Jackson County remember his genial ways, and hospitable home on section 23, the first brick house in this part of the country. Mrs. Turpening's parents gave part of the old homestead to her. Their children are—Lester Lewis, born Aug. 13,1865; Cad Eliza, born Aug. 15,1866; George E., born Dec. 26,1868; Pearlie Ellie, born Feb. 21, 1871; Victor Albert, born April 25, 1879; little Pearlie died Nov. 21,1879, a pearl of great price. Mr. Turpening went to Colorado in 1880, engaged in mining for some time, but is now on the Santa Fe R. R., in New Mexico. Mrs. Turpening has charge of Snyder's station, which was named after her father for the interest and liberality he manifested in having the Air Line run on this route. The station is becoming of considerable importance as a shipping point, as this is the only shipping station in the township. Mr. Snyder has lived in Hanover for some years. Mr. Turpening purposes to remain in the West, mining and railroading, until he gets what he went for—wealth.

    John WEAVER was born Feb. 22, 1812, in Tompkins County, N. Y.; was married to Esther N. Hollister, Dec. 28,1837; she was born in Livingston County, N. Y., March 30, 1818; their children are Eliza E., born Feb. 7, 1843, now Mrs. Geo. S. Dart, of Spring Arbor; they have 1 son, John W. Dart, only grandson of John and Esther (Hollister) Weaver; Sarah Ann, born Dec. 30, 1849, died July 17, 1865. Mr. Weaver died May 12, 1875. His father and mother came to Michigan in 1843, and settled on section 28. Mrs. Weaver lives with the daughter, Mrs. Dart, surrounded by old neighbors and friends.

    James WORTH was born March 9, 1805, in Warren County, N.Y.; came to Michigan in 1837 and settled on section 28, where he now lives. March 2, 1842, he married Ruth R. Knapp, who was born Dec. 15, 1816; her parents, Ezekiel and Temperance (Wilder) Knapp, came to Michigan from the New England States in an early day and settled in Spring Arbor, on section 20. Mr. and Mrs. Worth have had 7 children—Hannah Maria, now Mrs. J. M. Chamberlain; James Chauncy, born June 7, 1847; Temperance A., born Sept. 16, 1848, and died Jan. 13, 1854; William Augustus, born Oct. 8, 1850; Amasa DeWight, April 27,1856, died March 5,1876; Albert and Alfred (twins), born July 10, 1860. Mr. Worth is now in his 77th year, retaining his vigor remarkably well, lives on his beautiful farm on sections 27 and 28; P. O., Horton. His father, Wm. Worth, came to Michigan in 1831, one of the first settlers, and he came from New Jersey to New York, Seneca County, in 1821.