,^/> -J Glass. Book fK7^ -i i- '-, o r ^J < o> THE HISTOEY OF HOWELL JVlICHia A.N. BY E L I S H A 11 . SMITH liANSING : JOHN Ji. KKRP. A CO., .STEAM BOOK AM) JOB I'HIXTURS AND BZXDEIty. 1S68. ^5 7"^ 3 o:^^ PREFACE. It ie an innate desire in the mind of man to obtain a knowledge of hx^ Ancestors, and the antiquity of their flrat and continuous settlements. This feeling becomes the more intense when the thoughts are directed to scenes and people of our own particular section. Tradition gives us but a vague idea of the privations and hardships incidental to the first settle- ment and cultivation of new places. These are of great value. The life of the pioneer has its lessons, from which even the participant in advanced culture and civilization may learn. It has been suggested by competent advisers, that a concise History of the Township and Village of Howell should be wiiiten, entirely in this spirit. The Author haa endeavored to do this faithfully and impartially. He ha-s endeavored to keep in view the fact that "Geography and Chronology" are the two eyes of History, and if errors should be found in this little book, trusts that the reader will exercise a charitable judgment ELISHA H. SMITH. INTROnUCTION. In the month of October, A. D. 1834, Francis Monroe and myself, (we being residents of Ontario county, State of New York,) came to the territory' of Michigan, for the purpose of buying land. We purchased in township three north, of range four east, and then returned. In the month of May, 1835, my brothers, Villeroy E. Smith and John W. Smith and myself, emigrated to the above mentioned town. ASPECT OF THE COUNTRT. The woods were open, there being but little under- brush, owing to the ravages of fire. Eight here allow me to digress, for a moment, to speak of a most pe- culiar and curious feature of the section of which I especially treat. About twenty rods east and six rods south of the quarter post on the west side of section twenty-two, was a spot of ground about fifteen feet in width, twenty in length, and eight or ten inches in depth, the consistence of which was elastic, its color a light brown, and its weight com- paratively small. On being exposed to fire, it changed to a reddish brown. Its composition was unknown to men who were best informed in the science of Geology. It was barren, and was in proximity to marl, sand, gravel, and stone of various HISTORY OF HOWELL. colors, through which was emitted a disagreeble odor. ZOOLOGICAL. The insects were innumerable. The mosquito, gnat, deer- fly and horse-fly were most annoying. Honey-bees were plentiful. Of the reptiles, there were four species of Hzards, and two of turtles. The snakes were the green, the checkered, the striped, the blow snake, the adder, the water snake, the massassauger, the blue-racer and black snake. Of the fish, (without attempting to give scientific names,) there were the shiner, chub, horned-dace, perch, black-gills, sun fish, roach, dog fish, bill fish, bull head, rock bass, silver bass, black bass, suckers, mullet, and pickerel. Of the birds, there were the humming, chipping bird, cat-bird, sparrow, ground-bird, chajuck, blue bird, yellow-bird, robin, cherry bird, red-robin, red- bird, phoebe, cuckoo, mourning dove, pigeon, lark, thrush, kill-deer, king bird, bobolink, blue-jay, snipe, quail, woodcock, partridge, whipporwill, loon, her- ron, crane, raven, buzzard, prarie hen and wild tur- key. There were five species of wood-peckers, three of black birds, two of swallows, three of hawks, three of owls, two of eagles, and four of ducks. Of the animals, there were the chip-munck, gopher, flying squirrel, red, black, grey and fox squirrels. There were the grey, silver grey, red and black fox. There were the porcupine, woodchuck, racoon, hare, weasel, mink, muskrat, otter, martin, badger, wild cat, lynx, wolf, bear, deer and elk. Skunks, rats HISTORY OF HOWELL. / and erows did iiot make their appearance until sev- eral years after the Hettlemftut of the place. ABORIGINEES. The Indians were of tawny complexion, with black eyes and coarse, straight black hair. They were slim in stature, with prominent cheek bones, low heads and receding foreheads. Phrenologically considered, they had moderate reflective faculties, but prominent perceptives, especially locality, which gave them the ability to travel in the woods and re- tain the point of compass. During the mild seasons of the year they dwelt in cloth tents. In the winter they " went into winter quarters," and lived in small log huts or wigwams. Their huts were built similar to log houses. Their wigwams were constructed of small logs, the lower ends standing on the ground, and the upper ones being placed together, which made them cone-shaped. They were covered with bark, and their fires were built in the centre of them. Their furniture consisted of camp kettles and knives. Some few of them had spoons and tin cups. In eating they held their victuals in their hands. I have seen several standing around a kettle of soup, dipping it up in their hands and conveying it to their mouths. They slept on bark laid on the ground, with one or two blankets to cover them. In the warm weather they seldom remained more than ten or twelve days in one place. When they decamped, their tents and other things were tied on the backs of their ponies, the squaws and small children took their position. Their idea of deal was to exchange and equal amount in bulk. For a bas- ket they demanded the size of the basket in flour. 8 JIIHTOKY UF HUWELL. They would give an amount of lion^^y fox Llie same bulk of potatoes. Tliey were very fond of whisky, and in their carousals, one or more of their number would remain sober, concealing the guns, knives and axes. They were usually submissive to the sober Indians. On the north-west quarter of section twenty-two there are several places of burial, judg- ing from the appearance of the mounds where they were interred. They commenced burying their dead at the top of the ground, covering the corpse with earth. They then placed other bodies above this one, until the mound was several feet high. Several of these mounds have been opened for phrenological observation. Their traits of character were found similar to those who lived here at the time of the settlement by the whites. They were buried with their heads in a south-easterly direction. The In- dians who lived here at the time the mounds were opened, had no knowledge of them. On the ex- posure of the bones to the atmosphere, they would soon decompose. Settlement of the Towusliip, \vitli Cotemporaucous and Subsequent Events. In the month of May, 1835, James Sage imd George L. Sage, with their families, moved from Salem, Washtenaw county, Michigan, to this town. They arrived on section thirty-five, in town three north, of range four east, on the 14th day of the month. On the first of June following, David Austin and family set- tled on the same section. In December, of the same year, John D. Pinckney settled on section 3G. They were farmers. James Sage died June 29th, 1839. George T. Sage died in the township of Marion, HISTORY OF HOWELL. 9 August 21st, 1852. John D. Pinckney died Febru- ary 11th, 1861. They were all men of respectability, and had the honor of being the first four men that settled in the township. The widow of George T. Sage is living, and is now the wife of Rev. Geo. W. Jenks. Mrs. James Sage and Mrs. John D. Pinckney are also alive. Mrs. David Austin is dead. The nearest inhabitants from the centre of the township, at the settlement of the place, were eigh- teen miles away. In a westerly direction, it was about forty miles to the nearest settlemen^ The nearest mills were eighteen miles distant. I give herewith a somewhat detailed statement of the geog- raphy of the first settlement: Sec. Joseph Porter, 7 Samuel Waddell, 17 Whitely Woodruff, 17 David H. Austin, 20 Villeroy E. Smith, 21 EHsha H. Smith, 21 Nathaniel Johnson 23 Alvin Crittenden, . .' 23 Merrit S. Havens 23 Sec Francis, Field, 23 Moses Thompson, 25 Lewis Thompson, 25 Morris Thompson, 25 Edward Thompson, 25 Ezra I. Munday, 25 Amos Adams, 36 F. J. B. Crane, 3t5 Alexander Eraser, 36 The First of the Village The plat of the village of Howell -was estab- lished in 1835, and located on section 36, by F. .T. B. Crane, and Brooks, of Detroit. It was named (aa well as the township,) in honor of Thomas Howell, a son of Judge Howell, of Canandaigua, N. Y. A few years after Crane and Brooks established the original plat, an addition was laid out by Mr. Cow- dry, of the city of New York. Subsequently Edward Thompson, of Howell, made a further addition. In the autumn of 1885, Crane and Brooks erected a 10 HISTORY OF HOWELL. two story frame building for a hotel, situated on tlie south side of Grand Kiver street, and east of Wal- nut street. Amos L. Adams and his family, were its first occupants. The building was destroyed by fire September 28th, 1857. First Events in the Toirnsliip. The first person born in the township was Geo. L. Sage, son of Geo. T. and Louisa Sage, January 23d, 1835. Rev. John Cosort, of the Methodist denomination, was the first person that preached in Howell. The meeting was at the house of James Sage, A. D. 1835. The first marriage that occurred in Howell, was at the house of David Austin, the bride's father. The nuptials celebrated were those of Merritt S. Havens and Sally T. Austin. The ceremonies and festivities were a la mode. Thisw\as on the 15th day of January, 1836. They were married by Kinsley S. Bingham, who afterwards became successively Governor of this State and member of the United States Senate. luiniigration of 1836. Skc. John B. Larowe, 36 Hiram Bennett, 36 Henry Lake, 8 Garrett S. Lake, 9 Victory Curtis, 9 George Curtis, 10 John Curtis, 10 Ichabod Kneeland > 13 George W. Kneeland, 13 John B. Kneeland, 18 Nathan T Kneeland, 13 Benjamin G. Spring, 15 Morgan Lyon, , 18 Sec. Clement Stebbins, 19 Job Case, 22 Daniel Case, 22 Justin Durfee, 23 Peter Brewer, 23 Solomon Pettingill, 27 Henry Pettingill 28 James E. Head, 28 Oliver Reed, 35 Simon P. Shope, 36 Gottlieb Schraft 36 Jacob Schraft, 36 Watson G. Thomas 36 BISTORT OF HOWELL. H Immigiaitts that Settled l»i the Village in the Yeai just Mentioned. William McPherson. i John Russell, Joseph H. Steel, Peter Johnson, Giles Tucker, Sherburn Crane, Enos B. Taylor, | Joseph Tucker. Recurrence to Matters of the Township. At the organization of the township of Howell in 1836, it included the townships now named respec- tively, Handy, Conway, Cohoctah, Deerfield and Oceola. The inhabitants at this time, and previous to the establishment of a post-office in Howell, received their letters either at Ann Arbor, Plymouth, or Detroit. The post-office was assigned to Howell in March, 1836. F. J. B. Crane was appointed Post Master. About the 20th of the same moiith a mail route was established between Kensington, Oakland county, and Howell. Lewis Thompson was the mail contractor, and he carried the mail on horse- back once per week. Soon after this another route was established between Howell and Grand Rapids. James R. Sage, of Howell, a lad of about 17 years of age, was the first person who carried the mail on this route. It then required six or seven days to perform the journey. On his first trip he missed his path and was obliged to stay in the woods over night. The mail was carried on horseback. The first election in the township was held at the house of Amos Adams. This was the only house in the village. The election was in April, 1836. Amos Adams, F. J. B. Crane, John W. Smith, Jona- than Austin, and Alvin Crittenden as clerk, consti- tuted the board. For the want of suitable ballot boxes, sugar-bowls and tea-pots were borrowed of 12 HISTORY OF HOWELL. Mr. Adams' family to be used as depositories of the votes. There was no opposition at the election. The whole number of votes cast was 33. The elec- tion resulted in the choice of Philester Jessup for supervisor; F. J. B. Crane, town clerk; Amos Adams, Ezra Sanford, Harleigh H. Graves, and John W. Smith, justices of the peace; Francis Field, col- lector; Justin Durfee, David Austin and Geo. T. Sage, assessors; Joseph Porter, F. J. B. Crane and Jonathan Austin, school inspectors; John Sanford, Justin Durfee and Geo. T. Sage, highway commis- sioners; John D. Pinckney, F. J. B. Crane, Francis Field and Elisha H. Smith, constables. John W. Smith afterwards held the office of justice of the j)eace sixteen years in succession. On the same day of the above named election, one was held for the purpose of choosing county officers. Justus Ben- nett, of Hamburg, was elected sheriff; F. J. B. Crane, county clerk; Ely Barnard, of Genoa, register of deeds; Amos Adams, treasurer and surveyor. Some of the town officers were unacquainted with official proceedings, and consequently business was improperly executed in the assessment of prop- erty. The names of persons owning property were not placed in ali^habetical order — a matter which rendered the list very inconvenient when searching for names. The assessment was entered on half- sheets of paper. After it was completed these half- sheets were joined together with wafers. The list was 15 feet in length. Some persons who indulged somewhat in similes called it " Ezekiel's roll of a book." The first court held in the township was com- menced before Amos Adams, Esq., and was trans- HISTORY OF HOWELL. 13 ferred to John W. Smith, Esq. The court was held at the house of the author of this volume, on section twenty- one. The plaintiff in the case was George Kice; defendant, Henry Neff. The attorneys were Kinsley S. Bingham, of Green Oak, Livingston county, (afterwards Governor of the State,) and Dr. Curtis, of KensingtoD, Oakland county. The Dr. still lives at the village of Holly in this State. After having passed through formalities usual in law-suits, and arguing points of law, the plaintiff withdrew his suit and paid the costs. The first records of the proceedings of the town- ship and township board are destroyed or lost. A part of them were loaned to some person about the year 1850, who was concerned in the Detroit, Howell and Lansing plank road. The Grand River turn- pike running through Howell, was established by the United States Government. That part of it which lay in the township was laid out by the high- way commissioners for the purpose of legally apply- ing highway labor thereon. In June, 1836, there was an extensive fall of rain. The water rose to the height of three feet on the marsh adjoining the channel of the Shiawassee river, and a rudely constructed log bridge across that stream was swept away. Shortly after this event Henry Lake and Garrett S. Lake arrived with their household furniture. Their teams swam the river and their wagons and goods were conveyed across on a raft. During the summer and autumn of 1836, Artemas Hosmer, of Wayne county, under contract with the United States Government, built a bridge over the Shiawassee river on the line of the Grand River 14 HISTORY OF HOWELL. road. The plank and boards used in its construction were sawed with a pit-saw. In the autumn of 1836, a horse was stolen from Henry Pettingill. We are happy to say that lar- cenies have not been common in the township. The first school-house built in the township was erected in the fall of 1830. It was situated in the western part of the village. Justin Durfee was the first teacher who conducted a school there. The name of Durfee is rescued from entire oblivion by being associated with that of Benj. J. Spring, a wag of the very first water. Spring owned a farm ad- joining Durfee, and the two men had been in the habit of what pioneers understand as " exchanging work." It so happened that finally Justin owed Spring for one day's labor, and being of rather a grasping turn of mind, he never came to pay it except on some day when it stormed so he could do nothing at home. Coming over to Spring s house one rainy morning, he found Ben. under a shed ar- ranging some fishing tackle, and accosted him with the remark, "Well, Spring, I've come over to do that work, and if I can't do it to-day I shan't do it at all!" Spring coolly raised his eyes and looking over in the direction of a certain clay knoll, whereon there was some miserable, stunted blades of corn growing, said : " Mr. Durfee you can go over there and go to tasseling out that corn!" Tradition does not inform us that Justin went. On the first settlement of the place, provisions were scarce and difficult to be procured. Some of the inhabitants depended for their meat entirely on hunting and fishing. Gottleib Schraft and Jacob Schraft came near starving. They subsisted several HISTORY OP HOWELL ir> days on boiled grass and other herbage. After- wards, through the liberality of Moses Thompson, they were provided with food. It may be worthy of incidental remark that the Schrafts entrusted their money about this time to one Simon P. Shope, who pretended he was about to establish a village in the south-east corner of the town of Howell. Events of 1837, &e. The following named gentlemen settled in the township of Howell in the above year: Odel J. Smith, 10 Hezekiah Gates, 15 Abraham A. Van Nest, 17 Henry Tobias, 17 John Lagrange, 21 Aaron Lagrange, 21 James Lagrange, '21 Sec. Ebenezer West, 26 Matthew West, 26 Francis Monroe, 28 Rial Lake^ 32 William Hudson, 82 Huram Bristol, 34 The following persons came into the village in the same year: Edward F. Gay, Richard Fishbeck, John T. WatsoD, James Whit^, I George W. Jewett. Almon Whipple, I 0. J. Field, ! JosiahP. Jewett. F. J. B. Crane, of Howell, was elected a Represen- tative in the State Legislature in 1837. The first Circuit Court for the county of Livings- ton, was held at the School House, in Howell, in the same year. The jury room was in a small building situated on the north-east corner of the old public square. In the same year, Edward F. Gay erected a frame building for a dry goods and grocery store. Mr. Gay was the first merchant of the township. At one 16 HISTORY OF HOWELL. time his building (although not large,) coutained a store, post-office, lawyer's office, shoe shop and tailor's shop. In the spiing of 1837, Samuel Waddell was taken sick and died. Cyrus Wells, M. D., of Oakland Co., father of Wm. L. Wells, M. D., of Howell, was sent for to attend upon him. He arrived at the house in the evening, and after examining him uttered the fatal words, " I cannot help him.'' Mr. Waddell ceased to live on the 30th day of May, and was the first person who died in the township. He was at first buried on his farm, and shortly after was disinterred and buried in the village cemetery. He was a man of integrity and respectability. His family shortly after removed to the State of New York. Andrew D. Waddell, Esq., a son of the deceased, now lives in our midst, an honored and respected citizen. In those days the friends of the sick were forced to go even into Oakland and Washtenaw counties after physicians. William McPherson, the first resident blacksmith, settled in the township in 183G. This we had omit- ted to state, together with the fact, that Merritt S. Havens, a carpenter, and Joseph Porter, a millwright, came in 1835. Bichard Fishbeck established the first boot and shoe shop in the village, in 1837. James White started a cabinet shop in the same year. Moses Thompson erected the first frame house in the township, in 1837. Gardner Wheeler, M. D., settled in the township in 1838. He was the first resident physician of the place, and a man of intellectual ability, and skill in his profession. He died January 11th, 1859, and was interred accordinof to the rites and ceremonies HISTORY OF HOWELL. 17 of the Masonic Fraternity, of which he had long been a member. John A. Wheeler, his son, was the first medical student of the place. Wellington A. Glover, Esq., came in 1838, and was the first resident attorney. Garrett S. Lake manufactured the first brick in the township, on section nine, in the same year. John R. Neely came in 1839, and was the first resident mason. Joseph Rowe opened a tailor's shop the same year. Henry Thornton commenced cooper work on section 23, in 1842. Andrew Hill commenced wagon mak- ing in the village the same year. Eli Carpenter be- gan the business of saddle and harness making, in the same year. Nicholas Frink established a gun shop in 1845. Loren K. Kewett started a tin shop in 1846. Sidney HoUister established a jewelry shop in 1847. James E. and Edwin A. Stedman started a marble manufactory in 1856. Meteorological . The winter of 1842-3 was very severe. On the last days of March the snow was twenty-six inches in depth, and the winter did not begin to break up till the first Monday in April. Most of the hogs in the township died in that rigorous season. Right here allow us to observe upon a most singu- lar phenomenon. On an evening in January, 1837, the snow appeared to be of a deep red color, and the night was as bright as though the moon had shone. Miscellaneous Matters and Events. The first building consumed by fire was the dwel- ling house of Michael Brennan, situated on section 18 HISTORY OF HOWF.TJ.. 25, in 1840. All the household furniture was de- stroyed. Geo. T. Sage built the first house in the township in 1834. The first cattle, hogs and fowls owned in the town- ship, w^ere brought from Salem, Washtenaw county, by James and Geo. T. Sage, in the same year. In the summer of 1835, Moses Thompson brought three horses from the State of New York. The first colts were raised in 1843. Lewis Thompson is yet the owner of a horse that was a foal in that year. The first two sheep were brought by Ira Bray ton, from the State of New York, in 1838. A few sheep were pur- chased of a drover in 1841, but no sheep were raised until 1842. To show, however, the progress made in stock growing, we have but to state that in 1846, Almon Whipple and William Dorrance, of Howell, collected a drove of cattle, in Livingston Co., for the Eastern market. In the fall of 1836, Moses Thompson built a saw mill on section 25. In 1850, Morris Thompson, George AV. Lee, and Frederick J. Lee built a grist mill on the same section. The present proprietor is Thomas Birkett. In 1838, Amos Adams and Joseph Porter erected a saw mill on section 27. In 1854, Amos S." Adams and Enos B. Taylor became owners of the property. They built a new mill on the for- mer site. Subsequently Joseph M. Gilbert became proprietor, and he established a carding machine and cloth factory in connection with it. In 1866, Ira Brayton purchased it. In 1844, Ezekiel Sabin, of Howell, and Luther Willard, of Detroit, erected a frame for a flouring mill on section 22. Benjamin Cardell bought it in 1848, built a saw mill near the former site in 1849^ and in 1851 sold it to James HISTORY OF HOWELL. 19 Q. HoUis, who completed the flouiing mill. Ira Brayton is the present proprietor. In 1856, William, Albert, and Aaron Dorrence built a steam saw mill on section 17. William B. Smith and Franklin Kelly own it at present. In 1850, George W. Kneeland, S. B. Slyter and D. D. T. Chandler erected a steam saw mill in the Tillage, In 1851 it was destroyed by fire. In 1852 George W. Kneeland built another on its site. It is now owned by persons residing in Cohoctah. About 1840, Gardner Mason planted a nursery on section 35. Subsequently he removed it to the western part of the township. Mr. Mason died July 30th, 1853. A few years later, Dr. Gard- ner Wheeler established a nursery on section 35. The first foundry was established in the village by Nathan J. Hickey and John H. Galloway, in 1844. It was situated on East street north. They sold it to Abijah W. Smith, who subsequently took Dexter Filkins as a partner. In about two months after, the foundry was burned. In 1857, Abijah W. Smith erected another foundry on East street south. In 1860, it also, was consumed by fire. William R. Melvin's wagon and blacksmith shops were burned at the same time. In 1860, Benjamin Curtis and Henry Curtis built a foundry on the site of the one de- stroyed. In 1863 they constructed a first class steam engine for propelling shop machinery. It was the first steam engine made in Howell. In 1864, Floyd Wykoff became proprietor of the foundry. In 1849, Stephen Clark built a foundry, situated on the north side of Grand River street and west of Centre street. In 1859, George W. Taylor and George L. Clark be- came proprietors of the property. In 1864, George W. Taylor sold his interest in the property, and John 20 HISTORY OF HOWELL. H. Galloway became the partner of Clark. In the spring of 1867, Floyd WykoflFand Hudson B. Black- man were added to the firm. The Livingston Courier, the first newspaper published in the county, was removed by Nicholas Sullivan, its publisher, to How- ell, on the 11th day of October, 1843. Lewis H. Hewitt was its first editor, and the first number was issued in 1846. Mr. Sullivan sold it to E. E. Pow- ell. In December, 1848, Mr. Powell sold the paper to William B. Smith. Mr. Smith sold it to George P. Eoot, in April, 1856. Mr. Root published it one year and then suspended it. Nicholas Sullivan, of whom mention is made herein, died March 2l8t, 1857. The Livinyslon Democrat was established on the ruins of the Livingston Courier, August 5th, 1857, by Joseph T. Titus, its present editor and proprietor. Another paper, called the Livingston RepuUican, was started the last of April, 1855. It was conducted for some time by Harman and Lewis Smith, and finally sold by them to George L. Sage, who sold it in 1862 to Mr. James Bowers. Mr. Bowers died November 4th, 1866, and on the 1st of January, 1867, the paper became the property of Messrs. An- drew D. Waddell and Julius D. Smith. On the evening of September 28th, 1857, Howell was visited by a destructive fire. All the build- ings on Grand River street, between Walnut and East streets, were consumed, including a large hotel owned by Wm. E. Huntley. In the month of March, 1855, about thirty ladies, who had become a good deal excited over the unre- strained sale of liquor, visited the saloon of Samuel Balcom, and destroyed the liquor, and the casks HISTORY OF HOWELL. 21 which contained it. A portion of them were after- wards sued in an action of trespass for the damages, and a verdict of five hundred and forty dollars was rendered. In the month of October, 185G, an affray took place between Henry Hollis and George Obert. HoUis is said to have struck him with a neck-yoke. Obert lived but a few days, and Hoilis was arrested for his murder. The jury on the first trial failed to agree, and he never was brought to a final one. On the 20th of July, 1857, another affray occured between John Lagrange, (when intoxicated,) and Sanford S. Moore, which resulted in the death of Lagrange. The result of a coroner's inquest was, however, that Mr. Moore was exculpated. In the summer of 1863, a circus and menagerie, in combination, was exhibited at Howell, and while there one of the lions died. The showmen buried it on the old public square. In an early day, John W. Smith shot a grey eagle in this township, which measured over nine feet from tip to tip of its wings. Jesse Marr caught a pickerel with a spear, that weighed 21 pounds and 12 ounces. In the early settlement of the place, five elk were seen in the western part of the township. Two animals, known as Lynx, were caught in steel traps. Bears and wild cats were common game. In the autumn of 1834, a wolf pursued a deer in- to the door-yard of David Austin. On the wolf 's discovering the inmates of the bouse, it made its retreat, but the deer remained and was shot. In the fall of 1837, Henry Lake and his wife, with a young child, were returning fi'om a neighbor's in the even- 22 HISTORY OF HOWELL. iug, and when within about thirty rods of their house, were attacked by wolves. One of them attempted to seize the child. It caught Mrs. Lake by her dress in making the effort, but finally through the exertions of Mr. Lake and his dog, the animals were driven off. As showing the wildness of the country at this period, and how^ full the country was of those " wild eyed wonders," the terror of the early settler, we have returned to transcribe a short narrative written for the Livingston Republican of the 19th of April, 1864, by Miss Caroline Hitchcock, who formerly re- sided in Howell. It was related to her by a gentle- man formerly of Oakland county, and now living in Tuscola. The house of which she speaks as one mile from Livingston Centre, was the residence of David Austin, and the hotel at the Centre was kept by Amos Adams. Howell was formerly called Living- ston Centre. Til© Story. Some twenty-eight or thirty years ago, when the country was new, the times were very hard in Oak- land county. To get money for work was next to impossible. Just at that time there came glowing accounts of the good times " out west," on Grand River. My brother-in-law and myself resolved to go there and work through the summer. Accord- ingly, as soon as the weather settled in the spring, we began our journe}', driving before us a yoke of fat cattle, which we intended to sell upon arriving at our .destination. On our way out, wo crossed the Shiawassee river at a point where C.orunna now stands. There were HISTORY OF HOWELL. 23 then no settlements on the river; and only one soli- tary house where we crossed, known as " Knagg's" Trading Post. From thence we made our way through to Scott's place, on the Looking Glass river. Here we found but one house, used as a tavern, on the site of what is now known as DeWitt. From this point it was 24 miles through to Lyons prairie, on Grand river, and not a single house or clearing on the route. From the latter place we proceeded down the river, some 18 miles, to a new settlement, then called Dexter, but now known as Ionia. Here we disposed of our cattle for a good price, and went to work at two dollars per day at the carpenter business. The place was building up very fast, and was filled with people from all parts of the country, who were look- ing up and locating land — there being a land office here. Late in the fall, as I was nearly ready to start for home, I fell in with an old acquaintance, Mr. , a young lawyer from Oakland, who had been pur- chasing land. He informed me that he was about to return, and intended to pass through Livingston county, for the purpose of looking at some land which he owned, lying near Livingston Centre, and requested me to accompany him, as I was more ac- customed to traveling in the woods than he, to which I willingly consented. Being compelled to wait a few days for me to finish a job of work I had on hand, he proposed to go to Scott's place and await my coming. I agreed to this arrangement and he departed. After completing my work, I started on my return trip, and arrived at Scott's just after dark, very tired and hungry. I found many more people there than the house could accommodate, and the landlord nearly out of provisions. Wo all had our 24 HISTORY or nOWELT,. suppers, which consumed about the entire stock of edibles on hand, and then retired to rest on the floor, without bed or blanket. In the morning, Mr. and myself found that we were rather poorly sup- plied for our tramp through the woods, having no breakfast to start with, and no provisions to carry along. But as it was forty miles back to where we would be likely to obtain supplies, w^e concluded to push ahead. Providing ourselves with a compass and some matches we made a start, feeling in good spirits, for we were homeward bound, and our pock- ets well lined with money. We crossed the river at Scott's, and guided by our compass, took as straight a course as practicable for Livingston Cen- tre. The first day we reached the Red Cedar river, at a small Indian village, called Okemos. From this place we followed up the river, as our maps informed us that we would have to pass through a swamp if we crossed here. When we arrived at the proper place for crossing, the water looked too deep, and we went up the stream still farther in hopes of finding a more shallow fording place. On and on we went up the river for several miles, meeting with no suc- cess, until, knowing that we would be compelled to make the same distance back, we determined to go no further. Accordingly we placed our compass, matches and money in our breast pockets, and step- ped into the water. We did not anticipate a pleas- ant bath, for the weather was very cold and the snow was falling briskly. The river bottom was covered with weeds, and proved to be much deeper than we supposed. We moved on cautiously, and the water had reached nearly to our arm pits, when suddenly down we both went, our hats floating away down HISTOKY UF HOWELL. '25 stream. After considerable diving, plunging and scrabbling, we finally merged into the freezing air. The water which streamed from our hair and clothes, immediately formed into long icicles. We were in- deed in a sad plight. With long poles we succeeded in getting our hats, but our matches were wet, and we had no means of building a fire to warm our chilled bodies. What was to be done ? To remain standing there was certain death. We must keep in motion or perish ! The sky was overspread with thick clouds, the snow was falling fast, and night was near at hand. It would soon be too dark to move through the brush, but we concluded to travel down the river to the point where we were to strike into the woods, if possible. We had proceeded but a few rods, when we discovered the snow to be cov- ered with fresh tracks. " Look, said I, we are in the * midst of a large pack of wolves ! " " Is it possible?" asked my companion, his face growing very pale; " then we may as well resign ourselves to our fate, for nothing earthly can save us ! " " We have," said he, " no means of defense — no. not even a match to kindle a fire ! " " That," I remarked, " would be the most effectual of all means, but we must do some- thing, and that immediately. Not a moment is to be lost. Darkness is fast approaching, and the wolves will be upon us." Luckily we had with us an In- dian pipe, which served the double purpose of pipe and hatchet. With this I went to work cutting large cudgels, standing them together with one end on the ground, so as to be easily reached. But I soon saw that this labor was useless, for our hands were so be- numbed with cold, that it was impossible to wield them with any force. So abandoning this plan, we 26. HlbTOHY UF iiuwi^xuiu. tried to think of another. I hit upon one which I thought would succeed. "Let us cut some long, slim whips," said I, " and strike them around this beech tree. They will make a noise resembling the report of a pistol, and will, perhaps, frighten them away." My companion gave a short " yes,'' to all my suggestions. At work I went, cutting the whips and piling them at our feet. While I was thus en- gaged, the yelp and whine of the hungry wolves, broke upon our ears from every direction — some of them being very near us in the brush. It was now quite dark, and yet we could distinguish the moving forms of the voracious animals, skulking among the trees. We each seized a whip and commenced beat- ing the tree and ground. But this did not have the effect anticipated. Nearer and nearer came the hungry beasts, sometimes within reach of our whips, dodging from side to side, and watching their op- portunity to spring upon us. We renewed our ex- ertions with all the energy and determination of men working for dear life. And by whirling around and keeping our whips continually going, we kept them at bay. The growling, fighting and snapping of teeth, from these exasperated brutes, was enough to appal the stoutest heart. How numerous they were we could not tell. Some of the time they would be engaged in a general fight, and again they would try to crowd each other upon us. The snow and earth beneath our feet being trodden together, formed a dark circle, within which they dared not venture. During all the long night we continued to beat the earth in the manner I have described. So incessant and absorbing was our labor, that not a word passed between us. Suddenly the noise of our tormentors HISTORY OF HOWELL. 27 was hushed. The wolves had disappeared— not one was to be seen. Daylight had come nnperceived by us, and our cowardly enemies had fled ! Once more we breathed freely, and for the first time in ten hours, stopped to rest. Seating ourselves on a log, we en- deavored to decide w^hat coui'se it was best to pur- sue. We should probably reach a settlement sooner by continuing on our intended route, but our com- pass would not work, and we were left without a guide in a trackless wilderness. We began to feel the need of food and rest very keenly, but these were not to be aj)peased here. Our lively exercise through the night had thoroughly warmed our bodies, and partially dried our clothes. There was no chance for our lives but to push ahead. Accordingly we made a start, but scarcely had we moved outside the circle, when we rushed back again. The physical and mental agony we had endured, had made us nearly wild, and this spot seemed to us our only place of safety. After reasoning with each other a few moments, we made another start, and this time succeeded in getting clear of the attractive place. All that day we contined our journey, and by taking- views of distant objects, managed to keep in a tole- rable straight line. My companion, not so much inured to hardships as myself, soon grew weak and faint. Many times during the day he fell down from sheer exhaustion, and declarecl he could go no further. However, by dint of persuasion, I succeeded in raising him to his feet each time. During the afternoon we became bewildered, and for the third time came back to the same large tree that we had previously used as an object. Here my fellow trav- eler became thoroughly disheartened and said he 28 HISTORY OF HOWELL. could uoi possibly take another step. Taking Lis money from his pocket and presenting it to me, he said " take this to Miss G , if you live to get through. You may yet see home, but I must die here. Never mind me — go and save yourself ! " 1 tried every available means to get him started again. I even laughed and joked, while my own heart was fast sinking. After a long time thus spent, he once more resumed the tramp. Night was fast approach- ing, and we began to look around for some open space in which to pass it. A high piece of ground, where the timber was not very thick, w^as selected, and we commenced our preparations of defense against the wolves, whoso visit we again expected. After cutting a pile of whips, we placed our backs against a large tree, and awaited the commencement of hostihties. While standing in this position I discovered a iiickering light at a distance. "We watched it eagerly for some time, trying to decide what it could be. At times it would entirely disap- pear, and again flash up quite brilliantly. Finally we concluded to go to it at all hazards, and ascer- tain what it meant. Upon arriving in the vicinit}-, we saw two squaws and an Indian boy seated around the fire, in front of a small tent. As soon as we made our appearance they ran into the brush like wild deer. AVe were anxious to communicate with them, for it was in their power to save us. Fortu- nately, I could speak a little of the Indian language, and that little was spoken in as loud a voice as I could then command. They soon came shying back, and we approached nearer the fire. No sooner did my companion feel the warmth, than he fainted away. The squaws commenced rubbing his face HISTORY OP HOWEI-L. 29 with Biiow, and in a short time he again revived, but was very feeble. One of the squaws then pounded up some parched corn, placed it in a basin over the fire, and when sufficiently cooked, added thereto some oil which emitted a most unpleasant smell. This mixture she offered the sick man, but he was loth to take it. I persuaded him to try a few mouthsful, but no sooner did he swallow it than he vomited it up. In fact, it left him in a worse condi- tion than before. It seemed as though day light would never appear, but it came at last, the sky be- ing dark and gloomy as ever. We questioned the squaws respecting the distance to Livingston Centre, to which they replied by lifting up both hands, indi- cating many miles. Perceiving that they had a bridle in their possession, we inferred that a pony was not far distant. Thereupon I offered them three dollars to pilot us through, ani let my sick comrade ride him. To this proposition they readily consented, and sent the boy in search of the animal. Fearing that the little fellow would not succeed in securing the prize, I concluded to accompany him, but I had better kept away, for as soon as the pony espied me he tossed up his head, gave one snort, and flew from sight. One of the squaws then took the bridle and started in pursuit of the runaway. In a short time she returned leading the pony, but no sooner did my companion approach him than he again became frightened, and jumped about in a very wild manner. The squaws then threw a blanket over his head, and by this means he was mounted. After being seated on the pony, the squaws wrapped a blanket around my companion, and after giving directions to the boy what course to pursue, and where to meet them 80 HISTORY OF nOWELL. at night, bade him start. On and on we went, through swamps and over hills, the little pony bravely carrying his load, and the boy and myself walking by his side. It often seemed to me that the lad was guiding us wrong, but on mentioning my fears to him, he would only shake his head and grunt " kah ! " We were doomed to pass another day without food or rest, but towards night our eyes were greeted with the sight of a rail fence, a sure mark of civilization. We soon emerged from the woods into an open field, and approached a small log house. Upon reachiug this long desired haven, I assisted ray companion to dismount, and we entered Our wants were soon made known to the inmates, and a table was soon spread for our accommodation ; but we were so com- pletely exhausted, that it was with great difficulty we moved from the fire to the table. We had not so far lost our judgment as to at once satisfy the crav- ings of our appetite, so we ate very spariugly. Not so, however, with our Indian guide, who swallowed plateful after plateful, until literally gorged with food. After finishiug his supper, we gave him the price stipulated, and mounting his pony, he scampered for the woods. Upon inquiriug of our hostess con- cerning our whereabouts, she informed us that we were within one mile of Livingston Centre, on the farm afterwards owned by Kev. E. E. Gregory. Af- ter remaining here long enough to get rested, we walked down to the hotel at the Centre. Here we were treated very kindly, and furnished with a good bed. We were awakened by being shaken and hauled about in a strange manner, and upon being aroused were told that it was late in the morning, and that they had experienced considerable difficulty in break- H1«TUIIY 01:' HOWiiLL. 31 iug our sleep. Livingston Centre then contained but two or three buildings besides the hotel. From this place we hired a team to take us home, which we were not long in reaching. Subsequently Mr. had a severe fit of sickness, but he survived the shock, and was soon afterward married to Miss G — , and they are even now enjoying life together." While upon this line of information, it may not be improper to say, that as late as the year 1845, Wilham Lewis was on his way to a neighbor's, and when about sixty rods from his house he encountered three bears. He shot and wounded one — he re- loaded his rifle and wounded another, when the first bear he wounded made an attack upon him. He was obliged to retreat to keep out of the bear's way, but it pursued hioa to within a few rods of his house, Francis Monroe, his near neighbor, went to assist him. They made an attack upon the bears and killed one of them, but the other two made their escape. Mr. Lewis was the champion hunter of Howell. He killed five full-grown deer in one day; three of them at one shot, with a single ball. He killed five full-grown wild turkeys at two shots, with a single-barreled rifle. In the early days of har- mony and sport, it had come to pass that a bear had made havoc of the herds of swine and flocks of sheep of the farmers of the township of Howell; and Joseph Hogle said untp Abraham Van Nest, ** let us pursue the bear even unto its death ! '' Ac- cordingly they went in pursuit of bruin, with their dogs and guns. Howbeit, they had not traveled far in the woods, before Abraham said unto Joseph, " we shall not find the bear, and I will return home." Nevertheless, Joseph was a man of courage and de- 32 HISTORY UF HO WELL. termination, and his sheep and hogs were in danger, and he said unto Abraham, "the bear must be killed ! " and he continued the pursuit, while Abra- ham returned unto his own house. But a short time elapsed before Joseph heard the barking of dogs, and hastened to the scene of action. Forsooth he beheld the game — fired his rifle, and the ball struck bruin behind the shoulder. Notwithstanding, he did not expire until he had received six shots. The bear was exceedingly large and fat, and after it was dressed its carcass and hide weighed six hundred and forty pounds. And the neighbors of Joseph rejoiced and were glad that bruin was dead; and they had a jollification, and partook freely of a bev- erage called metheglin, insomuch that they became exceedingly cheerful through its effects, and each neighbor on returning to his own house, often devi- ated from a straight line. Military MaiierSt &,c, A rifle company was organized in the township of Howell in 1844. The commissioned officers of the company were William Lewis, Captain; Ira Bray ton, 1st Lieutenant, and Emmet Smith, 2d Lieutenant. The first military parade of this company was at the residence of John W. Smith, on section 28. A few years after the company was organized, military duty was not required by the State Government, consequently the company was disbanded. In the year 1861, the following persons of the township and village enlisted and mustered into the United States service in the war of the Rebellion : HISTORY OP HOWELL. 33 Andrew J. Bishop, promoted to a Cap- taincy. Solomon S. Lyon, Captain. William Brown, Captain. Hudson B. Blackman, 1st Lieut, and Quartermaster. Andrew D. Waddell, 1st Lieut. Harris A. Hickok, Adjutant. Frederick Angel, 2d Lieut. Everett Sargent, 2d Lieut. James Mulloy, 2d Lieut. Jabesh A. Pond, Sergt. — killed. Bernard Ryder, Sergt., died of dis- ease. Jonathan Sharp, Sergt., takon pris- oner and died. William Pullen, wounded. SERGKANTS RETrRNED, Franklin Goodrich, Charles Lake, Jared L. Cook, Edgar Noble. George Stafford, Stephen Fishbeck, Luther Frink, James Fitzgerald, CORPORALS KILLED, WOUNDED OR DIKD OF DISEASE. Joseph Pruden, ] Gardner S. Smith, Jerome Buckland, John Lake. Edwin Hart, Jerome PhiUips, Simon Dolph, Sylvenus Dolph, Thomas G. Marr, Eli Rambo, Abraham Sintzer, Jerome Barrett, George Lake, Edwin H. Smith, Chester Albright, Isaac Felter, Lyman Carl, Andrew J. Carl, John Hildebrant, Sherwood Hart, Jacob Zeely, Philander Helms, Charles Brockway, Reuben McFall, Simon Child, David Robertson, WiUiam Cooper, William Cooper, Jr. Frederick Zeits, George Axtell, Norton Monroe, Noah Boothley, Peter May, Franklin B. Abbott, Orrin G. Wells, B PRIVATES KILLED OR DIED OF WOUNDS. James Canfleld, Samuel Sutton, Merritt Pullen, Charles Smith, Peter Wall, Theodore Washburn, Amizee Axtell, Henry Carl, Philo Curtis, James Dewitt, Henry Preston. DIED OF DISEASE. George Pennell, Reuben C. Smith, John Cummings, William Curtis, John Dorn, George Newton, William L. Whited, Daniel Morse. PRIVATES WOUNDED IN BATTLE. Sidney Carpenter, Charles Culver, John Tompkins, Alvah G. Blood, James Monroe, Vernon C. Smith. PRIVATES WHO RETURNED SAFE. I Andrew WoU, Peter Woll, Jr., Thomas Gilchrist, 34 HISTORY OF HOWELL. Andrew J. Allen. Charles Hildebrant, Cyrus Carpenter, George Reed, James Reed, Cornelius Helms, John Daniels, Marion Hart, Jerome Helms, Leonard Helms, Henry Helms, Edwin Ware, William Clayton, Giles Donnelly, Joseph Preston, Chester F. Goodrich, William E. Bennett, Frank Whipple, Erwin Child, Marcus Child, Andrew J. Whitaker, George Wright, Henry Wright, David Wright, Theodore Huntly, George Bronner, Julius D. Smith, J. B. McLean, Henry Stansell, Amos Smith, Isaac Van Loon, Howard Glover, William Bennett, Martin Woll. Frederick Galloway, John Park, Edmund Hart, Edwin McKinley. Daniel Ellenwood, Elias E. Brockway, George F. Brockway, James E. White, Asa McFall, Ezra Whitaker, Azel Carpenter, William Brooks, James Larowe, Henry Larowe, George Blackman, Lewis Tupper, Henry Musson, William Tate, Asa Wilson, Orson Deming, John Ferguson, Reuben Warren, Henry Boothby, Rinaldo Balcom, Sidney Harington, Silas Peterson, Vertcll Baker, George Whited, William Yandercook. John Boothby, Thomas Donnelly, Franklin Jordan,' Andrew McKeeuc. Allen Stearnes. It may here be worthy of remark that Bernard B. Smith, a resident of the village, and a printer by trade, was engaged in sixty-two battles during the civil war. Henry Carl and Andrew J. Carl were sons of David Carl, deceased. Gardner S. Smith, Reuben C. Smith and Edwin H. Smith were sons of the author of this volume. It will be seen that we have been forced to be somewhat desultory in this book, and that, too, from the very limitations of the history. A sparseness of facts always renders classification and method very HISTORY OF HOWELL. 35 difficult. While i« the way of giving lists of names, we will present the names of those who settled in Howell before 1838, but have since removed. They are as follows: Joseph Porter, Whitely Woodruff, David H. Austin, Leny Lyon, Daniel Hotchkiss, Len Hotchkiss, Jonathan Austin, Alvin Crittenden, Merritt S. Havens, Francis Field, ' Alexander Fraser, F. J. B. Crane, John B. Kneeland, Nathan T. Kneeland, Morgan Lyon, Justin Durfee, John Russel, Peter Brewer, Solomon Pettingiil, Henry Pettingiil James E. Head, Oliver Reed, Gottleib Schraft, Jacob Schj-aft, Watson G. Thomas,, Peter Johnson, William Hudson, Sherburne Crane, John F. Watson, 0. J. Field, Henry Tobias, Josiah P. Jewitt,- Hezekiah Gate?, Huram Bristol. We also herewith append the names of those who have settled in the township or village, since the 1st of May, 1838, but who have since died or moved away. They are as follows: CARPENTERS— REMOVED. Joseph Grant, Elijah CoCTreu Isaac Peterson, Abraham Peterson, Norman Dexter, Galen Phillips, Edmund Hart, Ezekiel Sabin, Adam Korabachee, William McOmber, Henrj' Games, Levi Hoyt, Eli Snyder, Solomon Shy, Hiram Pearson, William Miles. CARPENTERS — DEAD. I William Barrett, I Philo Curtis. MILLWRIGHTS— REMOVED. I BLACKSMITHS —REMOVED. 1 James Haines, James Phelps, Ira Emerick, James Lawther, William Stedman. MASON'S- REMOVED. I John Jones 36 HISTORY OF HOWELL. Levi Hiscock, Eli Carpenter, Almon Hiscock, BOOT AND SHOEMAKERS — KEMOVED. I Barnhart & Harger. HARNESS MAKERS — REMOVED. I James Fitzgerald. TAILORS — REMOVED. Malloy & Harington, Alonzo Curtis, William Malune, Lewis Damon, Owen Chapman, Sidney Hollister, I William Dunlap, I William Brown. TAILORS— DEAD. I Daniel Sweeney, TINNERS— REMOVED . I Charles Barbour. JEWELERS- REMOVED. I John Long. MERCHANTS— REMOVED. Enos B. Taylor, R. A. Beal, Hamilton & Peebles— Peebles retired. Hinman k Bush— Bush died. Clark & Hopkins, Franklin Lombard, William Carlisle, N. G. Isbell, Loren K. Hewett, Josiah Turner, Gideon Rarasdoll, William Riddle, John Bush, Albert Pixley, Jessee Rumsey, Lemuel Spooner, John D. Gifford. Lewis H. Hewett, Loren K. Hewett, Josiah Turner, Jerome Turner, Richard Hall, James H. Ackerman, Charles A. Jeffries, Nicholas Hurd, William Doalman, Rev. Mr. Rev. Mr. Rev. Mr. Rev. Mr. Rev. Mr. Rev. Mr. Rev. Mr. Rev. Mr. Rev. Mr. Rev. Mr. Rev. Mr. ATTORNEYS — REMOVED. John B. Dillingham, William A. Clark, Justin Sawyer, John Farnsworth, C. C. Ellsworth, Burt Wheedon. PnYSlCIAXS — REMOVED. I Thomas R. Spence, H. J. Rumsey, died. CLERGY— REMOVED. Ro-scoe, Rev. Mr. McBride, Eaton, Rev. Mr. Banwell, Westlake, Rev. Mr. Grannis, Gregory, Rev. Mr. Mills, White, Rev. Mr. Dayfoot, Bridge, Rev. Mr. Dean, Howell, Rev. Mr. Lilley, Cochrane, Rev. Mr. Cochrane, Bassey, Rev. Mr. Kennedy, Bachman, Rev. Mr. Sutton. Root, HISTORY OF HOWELL. 37 Buildings»By Wlioui Owned and Erected* The east business building on the north side of Grand Eiver street, is a brick one, three stories high, and erected by Geo W. Lee and F. J. Lee. It is now owned by Francis Monroe, E. P. Gregory and Henry Mills. Next on the west is a frame building, erected by William H. Buckland, and now owned by Leonard Haynes. The third and fourth are frame buildings, built and now owned by Almon "Whipple. The fifth is a three story brick structure, built by Almon Whipple and George Greenaway, and now owned by Greenaway. The first building on the west side of East street, is a frame one erected by William Riddle, and now owned by Alexander Mc- Pherson. The second one west is a brick structure, built by Isaac W. Bush and Jno. McPherson, and now owned by Joseph B. Skillbeck and McPherson Sons. The third is a frame building, owned by John J. Van Dusen. • The fourth is a frame building owned by Mrs. Naylor. The fifth is a two story brick building, erected by Luther Glover, and the sixth, a frame building, both of which are owned by Wm. L. Knapp and M. J. Staley. The seventh is a frame building, owned by F. D. Sabin. The first building west of Walnut street, is a two story brick structure, erected by James Lawther. The second and third are frame buildings, all owned by B, W. Cardell. Fourth is a frame building, built and owned by Geo. Greenaway. The two first buildings west of Centre street, are frame buildings, owned by the firm of Clark, Wykoff, Galloway & Blackman. The first shop west of Chestnut street, is a frame one, owned by Wilson Sowles. The second is a two story 38 HISTORY OF HOWELL. frame building, owned by John G. Mason and Geo. W. Clark. Commencing on the south side of Grand Kiver street, the first building east of Walnut street, is a frame one, erected by Daniel Sweeney, and now owned by Edward McGum. The second is the Post Office. The third is a frame building owned by Thomas Donnelly. The fourth is a two story brick structure, erected by William Jewett and Z. Fobes Crossman, and Brockway, and Embury. It is now owned by those persons. The fifth one is a two story fi-ame building, erected by William B. Smith, and now owned by L. C. Dean and John Jones. The first building east of East slreet, is a two story frame building, well known as Union Hall, and now owned by V. K. T. Angell. The present landlords are Messrs. Harvey and Coleman. The second one is also two stories high, and a frame structure, owned by Ira C. Huntley. Thii-d — a three story brick building, erected by Derastus Hinman, Richard P. Bush and Loren K. Hewett, and now owned by John H. Galloway and Sardis F. Hubbell. The fourth one is a two story frame building, erected and owned by Jas. Swiney. The fifth is a two story brick building, erected by Edward F. Gay, in 1843. It was the first brick structure in Howell. It is owned by Elbert C. Bush. Sixth — a two story frame building erected by William B. Smith, and at pres- ent owned by Andrew Blanck. The seventh, eighth and ninth are owned by the heirs of Nicholas Sulli- van. The tenth is a two story frame buil-ding, owned by Milo L. Gay. The eleventh is a frame structure, owned by Jacob H. Fourge. The twelfth is a frame building, erected by O. J. Field, and now owned by HISTORY OF HOWELL. 39 the heirs of Joseph M. Gilbert. The thirteenth is a frame building, owned by William R. Griffith. The fourteenth and fifteenth are frame structures, erected by Levi Hiscock and Almon Hiscock, and now owned by John Cummisky. The first building east of Court street, is a two story frame structure, erected by William Shaft, and now owned by Handel Winship. The first two shops south of Grand River street, and on the west side of East street, are two story frame buildings, erected and owned by William R. Melvin. The first three buildings south of Sibley street, and on the west side of East street, are owned by Messrs. Clark, Wykoff, Galloway and Blackman. The first buildiDg "south of Sibley street, on the east side of East street, is the livery stable of William E. Hunt- ley and Ira C. Huntley The first buildings south are the wagon and blacksmith shops of Francis Melvin. The three shops situated north of Grand River street, and on east side of East street, are owned b^ Almon Whipple. History of Clmrcli and Other Organization*. As respects the Methodist denomination, a class of seven members was formed at Howell, in the year 1837. That same year a quarterly meeting was held in the village. Rev. John Cosort was their Pastor at that time. In the year 1855, they built a very comfortable frame church. It is situated south of Grand River street, and on the east side of Walnut street. Their present membership is about eighty. The Presbyterian Church was organized the 16th day of June, 1838. Rev. Henry Root was the first Pastor. The number of members at the organiza- tion was twenty-five. In 1839, they built a small 40 HISTORY OF HOWELL. frame Church. In 1855, they built a brick Church, which is located on the south side of Sibley street. Kev. E. McBride was their Pastov at that time. Their present membership is 160. The Baptist Church was organized in 1837, with a membership of nine. Reorganized June 2l8t, of the same year. Rev. E. Mosher was their first Pastor. He was hired at a salary of $100 a year and board, and was ordained at Howell, May 9th, 1839. They built a frame Church in 1852. Their Church is sit- uated north of Grand River street, and on the east side of Court street. Their present membership is 126. A Congregational Church was organized in the village of Howell, in 1849 — and was legalized in 1850. Their Church at once advanced to the num- ber of fifty-two members, but has since declined. They built a brick Church in 1853, north of Grand River street, and on the east side of Court street. The Howell Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, was established in 1849. The first officers of the Lodge were Amos Adams, W. M. ; James Fitzgerald, S. W.; Gardner Wheeler, J. W.; William T. Curtis, Treasurer; Warren Green, Secretary; Odell J. Smith, S. D. ; Ichabod Kneeland, J. D. The Livingston Chapter, No. 30, of Royal Arch Masons, was organized April 16th, 1863. The Chap- ter members were Charles W. Haze, H. P.; S. F. Hubbell, K.; M. B. Wilcox, S.; D. Farnum, C. H.; Joseph T. Titus, P. S.; H. H. Harmon, R. A. C; W. B. GreeD, O. 1st V.; George Wilber, O. 2d V.; W. A. Clark, O. 3d V. The Eastern Star Family, connected with the Ma- sonic Lodge of Howell, No. 38, was organized March HISTORY OF HOWELL. 41 6th, 1867. The following were elected officers: Worthy Patroness, Mrs. Z. F. Grossman; Warren Green, Conductor; J. Finsterwald, Conductor; Mrs. E. B. Gregory, Eecorder; Mrs. W. W. Carpenter, Treasurer; Miss Emily Wheeler, Jeptha's Daughter; Mrs. M. B. Wilcox, Ruth; Mrs. S. F. Hubbell, Esther; Mrs. H. H. Harmon, Martha; Miss Eliza Richards, Electa; Mrs. J. M. Gilbert, S. F. Hardy, Watchmen. An Odd Fellows Lodge was organized at Howell in 1849. The first officers were Josiah Turner, N. G.; L. K. Hewett, V. G.; Lemuel Spooner, P. S.; John A. Wheeler, R. S. ; James Mulloy, T. A Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars, was organized in Howell in 1865. The present membership is 250. The Tillage of Howell was incorporated March 14, 1863. The first officers of the corporation were Sardis F. Hubbell, President; Andrew D. Waddell, Recorder; Asa Van Kleek, Treasurer; John H. Gal- loway, Assessor; Marcus B. Wilcox, William K. Melvin, Wm. McPherson, Jr., John Hoyt and Philo Curtis, Trustees. It may not be improper here to state that the Detroit and Howell R. R Co. was formed June 17th, 1864. The first officers of the company were T. T. Lyon, of Plymouth, President; E. F. Burt, of Marion, Sec- retary; Wm. McPherson, of Howell, Treasurer; T. T. Lyon, Wm. Taft, Geo. A. Starkweather and S. Hardenburgh, of Plymouth, D. C. Abell, of Dear- born, J. N. Swift, of Northville, J. H. Galloway, J. H. Wilcox, of Howell, E. F. Burt, of Marion, Ly- man Judson, E. F. Albright, of Brighton, Royal C. Rumsey, of Green Oak, and Ely Barnard, of Genoa, Directors; I. W. Bush, Giks Tucker, of Howell, J. N. 42 HISTORY OF HOWELL. Swift, P. B. Holdridge, of Northville, and Hiram Newman, of Plymouth, Commissioners; Wm. Scott, Chief Engineer. Work began on the road in the spring of 1867. Miscellaueous Departineuts. A cemetery was located at the village in the year 1840. One on Sec. 8 in 1848; one on Sec. 17 in 1850, and one on Sec. 22 in 1853. A cemetery con- taining 15.44 acres of land was established on the N. W. i of N. E. J of Sec. 36, for the accommoda- tion of both township and village in 1867. The Livingston county court-house and jail was erected at the village in 1847, Enos B. Taylor, of Howell, contractor. The building for the offices of county clerk and register of deeds were erected in 1849, George W. Lee and Frederick J. Lee, con-, tractors. The building for the office of county treasurer and judge of probate was erected in 1853, John B. Kneeland, contractor. A two-story brick school-house, thirty-six feet in length and twenty-six feet in width, was erected in the village in 1849, Elijah Cofifren, of Howell, con- tractor. An addition of forty-eight feet in length and twenty-six feet in width was made to the school- house in 1856; John B. Kneeland, contractor. Biograplnical Sketches. Villeroy E. Smith settled in the townehip in May, 1835. He was interested in literature, and was a school teacher by profession. He died in the town of Marion, December 30th, 1851, while engaged in this business. Moses Thompson, by occupation a farmer, settled HISTOBY OF HOWELL. 43 in the township in June, 1835. He was a man who was generous and humane. He died the 2d of December, 1841. Edward Thompson, a farmer, settled here the same year, and died April 16, 1842. Nathaniel Johnson, a man of respectability, and a farmer, settled in the township in the autumn of 1835. He died January 25, 1852. Amos Adams settled in the village in November, 1835. He was a man who was industrious and en- terprisiDg — a very vakiable person in a new country. He died the 14th of May, 1855. He was buried with Masonic rites. Joseph Tucker settled in the village in 1836. He was by trade a carpenter. Died in 1862. Victory Curtis settled in the township in 1836. He was a farmer and a person of integrity. Died August 13th, 1848. George Curtis and John Curtis, sons of Victory, came with their father to Howell. Subsequently they moved to the village. George Curtis kept a hotel, and his brother John embarked in the mercantile business. The former died Octo- ber 4th, 1848, and the latter, December 7th, 1841. Benjamin J. Spring settled in the township in 1836. Subsequently he removed to the village and was the proprietor and keeper of a hotel. He was also a mail contractor, and was the first person who established a lino of commodious stages on the Detroit and Howell road. He was very humorous and witty, and the old citizens will not soon forget the msmy faceiice of their quondam neighbor. He died December 25th, 1853. Hiram Bennett settled in the township in 1836. He was accidentally killed by the falling of a tub 44: HISTORY Oi- HOWELL. while engaged in digging a well. He died June 9, 1855. Clement Stebbins settled in the township in 1836. Died November 11th, 1861 Job Case came to the township in 1836. Died October 9th, 1854. Odell J. Smith came to the township in 1837. He was an enterprising farmer and held several impor- tant local offices. Died January 23d, 1861. John, James and Aaron Lagrange settled in the township in 1837. Jamea died May 9th, 1857, and Aaron, December 9th, 1853. George W. Jewett settled in the village in 1837. In 1840 he was elected register of deeds for Liv- ingston county. He was also county treasurer one term. In 1845 he was appointed Clerk of the House of Representatives of Michigan. Died, Feb- ruary 12th, 1851. Ebenezer West, a farmer, came to the town in 1837. Died abou* the year 1849. Mathew West, also a farmer, cayne the same year, and died about the same year. Rial Lake, a farmer, settled in the township in 1837. He had a collegiate education, and was in- dustrious and enterprising. Died December 29th, 1851. John Marr settled on section 8 in the township in 1839. He died February 6th, 1860. Lemuel Monroe, came into the township in May, 1849, and lived with his son, Francis Monroe. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died April 29 th, 1854, at the age of ninety-five jears, one month and twenty -nine days. Richard P. Bush settled in the township of Handy HISTOKY OF HOWELL. 45 in 1837. He removed to the village of Howell in 1844. He died August 28th, 1853. He was twice elected Sheriff of Livingston county. Daniel Case settled in the township in 1836. He has been honored with several local offices, and "still lives." In the month of June, 1836, Henry Lake settled in the township. He is now the owner of a large farm in the western part of the same, and is in easy circumstances. Geo. W. Kneeland settled in the township in No- vember, 1836. In 1810 was elected judge of pro- bate — reelected in 1844. In 1849 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives. In 1851 he removed to the village of Howell, where he still resides. Giles Tucker settled in the village in 1836. He was a carpenter by trade. He has been sheriff of Livingston county two years. He is at present in the grocery business. William McPherson migrated from Scotland July 23d, 1836, and came into Howell village September 17th of the same year. He at first followed the business of blacksmithing, and afterwards entered into mercantile pursuits, in which he has been eminently successful, and has become affluent. Joseph H. Steel settled in the village in 1836. He bought Crane & Brooks' hotel in 1837. He moved to the town of Oceola in 1840, and returned to the village in 1843. Afterwards, he again removed to Oceola, and staid there till 1848, when he again returned. E. F. Gay settled in the village on the 1st day of April, 1837. He is a gentleman of enterprise and intelligence. 46 HIbTORY OF HOWELL. Almon Whipple settled in the township of Handy, Livingston county, in 1836. He removed to How- ell in 1837, and went into the mercantile business, which he followed until 1859. He was elected County Clerk in 1837, and County Treasurer in 1839. He was also Post Master six years. Mr. Whipple has become wealthy. Francis Monroe settled in the township on the 1st day of June, 1837. He still retains the same laud he purchased of the Government, and has become rich. Abraham A. Van Nest settled- in the township in 1837. He also, is a substantial farmer. Josiah Turner, an attorney and counselor at law, emigrated from Vermont and settled in the village in April, 18-10. He was appointed County Clerk, to fill a vacancy, in 1842, and was elected to the same office the same year. He was re-elected in 1844. Was elected and re-elected Cotmty Judge in the years 1846 and 1850. He was elected Circuit Judge for the Seventh Judicial District of the State of Michigan, in April, 1857, for the term of six years. By virtue of this office he became one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the State. He was re- elected in 1863, and is still on the bench. Mr. Turner removed to the city of Owosso on tke 9th day of July, 1860, from the fact that all the parts of his district were more accessible from that point. Sardis F. Hubbell, Esq., came to reside perma- nently in Howell, in the year 1854. In the same year he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner for the county, and was elected and re-elected Prosecu- ting Attorney, in the years 1862 and 1864. John H. Galloway settled in the village in 1844. HISTORY OF HOWELL. 47 He has been a prominent Kepublican, and was elected to the Senate in 1860. George and Frederick J. Lee settled in the village in 1845. Both have become wealthy. Frederick C. Whipple, an attorney and counselor at law, settled in the village in 1846. He was elected Judge of Probate in 1848, and re-elected in 1852. He is a lawyer of acknowledged learning and ability. Henry H. Harmon, another attorney, settled in the village in 1847. He studied law in the office of Lewis H. Hewitt, and in the month of May, 1848, was admitted to the bar. He was appointed Cir- cuit Court Commissioner, by John S. Barry, in 1851. In 1852 he was elected to the same office. In 1854 was elected Prosecuting Attorney. In 1862 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives, and in 1864 was elected Judge of Probate. There are many more persons whom we would like to enumerate, but our space forbids. We can call up the names of Coftrew, Spring, Gates, Steel, and others, who in their days of prime, constituted a coterie of fun, such as few towns have produced. The clubs of Johnson, Burke, BosAvell and Gold- smith are nowhere in comparison. Men of rare sus- ceptibilities for sport, used to come far out of their way to Howell, even in its pioneer days, just for the sake of laughing a little flesh on to their bones. They were never disappointed. For instance, who can fail to recollect that time, when General Cass stopped at the unpretending hotel of Benjamin J. Spring, a man, who as the sequel shows, could not restrain a joke, even in trouble. While the General sat eating, Benjamin, of course, stood over him, ready to anticipate his wants, and 48 HISTORY OF HOWELL. seeing the " old hero " pull a long hair out of the butter. Spring caught it up as quick as thought, and quietly ordered the servant to go to the store and get some in which the hairs were better rotted. So- cieties, however, are continually changing, and many of the wonted faces are gone from us forever. We will not mourn them, but we will cast now and then, a backward glance through this little history, and be glad to reflect, that we have had even a short time in our lives in their society. The present inhabitants of the town, their occu- pation, and the year of their settlement. Men who were under 21 years of age at the time they came to Howell, but are now over 21, and are owners of real estate, or permanent residents, are included; and also, those over 21 years of age, that were born in Howell, the year of their birth is given. Residents of tlie Several Sections. FARMERS OP SECTION OXE. Sylvester Andrews, settled, 1857 William B. McMillan, settled,. . , Vestell Baker " 1854 Ansel Wells settled ,.1857 , 1866 Waldo Baker,' " 1854 POPULATION OP THE SECTION. Males over 21 years of age, 6 1 Males under 21 years of age, . . Females over 21 years of age, 4 | Females under 21 years of age. ... 9 ... 6 SECTION TWO. Henry Chittenden, settled, 1849 .John Van Arsdale, settled, . . . , Stephen Wiles, " 1866 ..1867 POPULATION OP THE SECTION. ... 11 Females over 21, 6^ Females under 21, ... 6 SECTION THREE. William Y. Hyde, settled, 1847 George W. Wil'^cersou, settled,. . Calvin Wilcox, " 1865 ..1856 POPULATION OP THE SECTION. Males over 21 6 1 Males under 21, ... 8 Females over 21 5 Females under 21 ... 2 HISTORY OF HOWELL. 49 SECTION FOUR. John Roberson, settled, ] 851 James Roberson, " 1851 David Roberson, settled, 1861 POPULATION OP THE SECTIOX. Males over 21, 5 Females over 21 6 Males under 21, 3 Females under 21, ti SECTION FIVE, John B. Larowe, settled, ..... Joseph Stafford, ' " POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 6 1 Males under 21 1836 I George Stafford, settled, 1848 1848 Henry F. Allen, " 1855 Females over 21, . . 5 I Females under 21, SECTION SIX. .1865 I "William Newman, settled,. Henry P. Boyd, settled,.., Charles Sharp, " .. POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 3 1 Males under 21; 8 Females over 21, 3 | Females under 21, 6 SECTION SEVEN. 1843 I Adam Conradt, settled, 1865 Alvah Tomlinson, born, . , George W. Place, settled, 1854 | Edgar Durfee, Leonard Conradt, " 1865 Males over 21, . . Females over 21, POPULATION OF THE SECTION. 6 1 Males under 21, William Lake, settled, Jesse Marr, " Cyrus Marr, " Males over 21, .. Females over 21, 6 I Females under 21, 6 SECTION EIGHT. 1838 I Harlem MaiT, settled, 1839 1839 Charles Damon, " 1860 1839 I Colon Redpath, blacksmith, 1853 POPULATION OF THE SECTION. 8 1 Males under 21, 11 9 Females under 21 12 SECTION NINE. Charles Lake, farmer, Wm. A. Dorrance, Aaron Dorrance, Francis Henry, settled, . . .1838 ' ...1842 ' ...1842 ' ...1845 William Roberson, farmer, set., 1853 Sidney Carpenter, " 1858 Wilham A Dean, " 1865 Peter J. Dean, " 1865 POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 13 Females over 21, 13 Males under 21, 13 Females under 21, 20 SECTION TEN. Solomon Hilderbrant, settled, 1842 Alvah Allen, settled, 1843 Andrew J. Allen 1843 John Elson, settled, 1856 EnosW. Hill, " 1857 50 HISTORY OF HOWELL, POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, G Females over 21, 7 under 21, 4 Females under 21, 7 SECTION ELEVEN. Ichabod Kneeland, settled, 1836 William Earl, " 1839 Henry Smith, " 1842 Nicholas Hale, " 1864 Alfred Earl, settled, 1866 Elias Kleckler, " 1866 George Raymor, settled, 1867 Males over 21,... Females over 21, POPULATION OF THE SECIION. , 8 1 Males under 21 14 Females under 21, 12 SECTION TWELVE. Harvey Durfee, settled 1843 | Robert Holmes, settled 18-59 Dexter Filkins, 1853 I Isaac Norton, POPULATION OP THE SECTION, .1867 Males over 21,,... Females over 21,. Males under 21, . . . Females under 21, SECTION THIRTEEN. DeWitt C. Kneeland, settled, A. Dana Kneeland, " Abraham Switz, " ...1840 ...1840 ,..1846 Theodore Staley, settled, 1853 Peter Lamoroux, " 1866 POPULATION OP THE SECTION. Males over 21, . . Females over 21, Males under 21, 3 Females under 21, 10 SECTION FOURTEEN. Oliver Earl, settled, 1839 I Thomas Gordon, settled, 1858 Roger F. Archer, settled, 1845 Thomas Stevens " 1855 Richard May, .1862 Males over 21, . . Females over 21, Thomas Bucknell, settled, John H. Diamond, " POPULATION OF THE SECTION. 6 1 Males under 21, 5 5 1 Females under 21, 4 SECTION FIFTEEN. Seymour E. Howe, settled, 1856 .1855 .1855 POPULATION OP THE SECTION. Males over 21, 4 1 Males under 21, 10 Females over 21 5 Females under 21 4 SECTION SIXTEEN. Henry Larowe born, 1840 John Carl, settled, 1842 William More, settled 1847 Stephen S. More, " ' 1847 Robert McLean, " 1848 Thomas Gilchrist, " 1854 Everett Sargent, settled, . . . ....1864 Robert Wakefield, " ....1855 Eli Hornish, " ... ....1858 Daniel Elleuwood, " ....1864 Henry Pell, " ....1864 Eri Campbell, " . . . .1867 HISTORY OF HOWELL. 51 POPULATIOX OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 12 I Males under 21, 7 Females over 21, 11 | Females under 21, 13 Henry Lake, settled, 1836 Abraham A. Van Nest, settled,. .1837 Nicholas N. Lake, born, 1841 Alonzo Fowler, settled 1843 SECTION SEVENTEEN. Horace L. Lake, born, 1843 Sanford S. More, settled, 1847 Charles A. Phillips, settled, 1854 Samuel Strictley, " 1858 POPCtATIOK OF THE SECTIOy. Males over 21, 9 1 Males under 21, 8 Females over 21, 8 | Females under 21, 3 Farmers. Settled. Joseph Hogle, 1841 Christopher Van Nest, 1844 Samuel Sidell, 1863 Harvey Bushnell, 1865 SECTION EIGHTEEN. Farmers. Settled. Alexander Cameron, 1866 Coopers. A. W. Fuller, 1856 Warren Fuller, 1858 POPULATION OF THB SECTION. Males over 21, 9 Females over 21, 7 Males under 21 , 9 Females under 21, 15 SECTION NINETEEN. Farmers. Settled. Russel Richmond, 1856 Peter Woll, Jr., 1856 David Hall, 1862 Jerome Hand, 1867 Charles Hilderbrant, Cooper, 1842 Farmers. Settled. Philander Bennett, born, 1845 Ralph Bunn, 1846 John Bunn, 1846 Frankhn E. Stewart, 1850 John W. Richmond, 1855 Tracey Richmond, 1856 POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 14 1 Males under 21, IJ Females over 21, 12 | Females under 21, 10 SECTION TWENTY. Farmers. Settled. John W.Smith, 1835 Vernon C. Smith, born, 1838 Ephraim Fowler, 1843 Martial Fowler, 1843 William E. Bennett, born, 1843 Perry Brundage, 1846 Henry Stevens, 1851 John Stevens, 1851 Farmers. Settled. Phineas Stewart, 1854 Alonzo Ferren, I860 Charles Marken, 1866 Rosco Fowler, blacksmith, 1843 Ezekiel King, hotel keeper, 1860 John Park, grocer and Post Mas- ter at Fleming, 1856 POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 15 1 Males under 21, 9 Females over 21, 13 | Females, under 21, 11 52 HlSTOllY OF HOWELL. SECTION TW'ENTY-OXE Farmers. Settled. ElishaH. Smith, 1835 Burt Brayton, 1838 Nathaniel Brayton, born, 1839 Walter V. Smith, born, 1841 Galen 0. Phillips, 1845 Harris Henry, 1845 Farmers. Settled. Nicholas Lake, 1849 Nicholas Lake, Jr., 1849 Henry Lake, 1849 William Stewart, 1 854 David F. Crandal, 1866 Orrin J. Wells, millwright, 1859 rOPULATION OF THE SECTIOX. Males over 21, 14 Females over 21, 14 Males under 21, 9 Females under 21, 11 SECTION TWENTT-TWO. Farmers. Settled. Daniel Case, 1836 Orlando Brewer, 1836 Almon Brewer, 1836 Henry 0. Monroe, 1837 Farmers. Settled. George Wakefield, 1853 Robert S. Creig, 1862 Benjamin Waldron, 1862 Ira Brayton, proprietor of Mills, 1888 rOPCLATION OP THE SECTION. Males over 21, 11 Females over 21, 9 Males under 21, 12 9 I Females under 21, 15 SECTION TWENTY-THREE. Farmers. Settled. William Smith, 1843 Henry Harrington, 1849 Reuben Warren, 1855 William White 1 856 Farmers. Settled. Robert Musson, 1858 Calvin Dillon, 1863 Andrew Eari, 1866 Charles Yelland, 1867 Farmers. James J. Bennett, Settled. ...1866 POPDLATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 11 I Males under 21, 24 Females over 21, 11 | Females under 21, 16 SECTION TWENTY-FOUR. Farmers. Settled. John Wassenger 1852 George Frink, . .' 1862 POPULATION OF THE SECTIO.V. Males over 21, 6 1 Males under 21, 12 Females over 21, 5 | Females under 21, 6 SECTION TWENTY-FIVE. Farmer. Settled. I Farmer. Settled. Ezekiel Buckle, 1857 | Francis S. Hardy, 1868 Males over 21, .. Females over 21, POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males under 21, 6 Females under 21, 4 SECTION TWENTY-SIX. Farmer. Settled. I Farmer. Settled. Joseph Hubbard, 1861 | Elijah Mueson, 1866 HISTORY OF HOWELL. 53 POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21 2 I Males under 21, FemalesoTer21 3 | Females under 21, 1 SECTION TWEXTT-SEVEX. Farmers. Settled. Joseph Preston, 1846 Ransom Barrett, 1846 AsaMcFall, 1851 Jesse Child, 1856 POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 10 I Males under 21, .. Females over 21, • 8 | Females under 21, Settled. . . . .1860 Farmers. Edward Briggs, John Briggs, i»o" Michael Chaffee, 1866 SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT. Farmers. Settled. Silas Smith, 1854 John Casterton, 1865 Farmers. Settled. Francis Monroe, 1837 Samuel M. Yerkes, 1845 George Louck, 1846 POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, T I Males under 21 J Females over 21, 8 Females under 21, » Colored persons, 11 I SECTION TWENTY-NINE. Settled. I Farmers. Farmers. WiUiam Burch, 1863 George Baker, 1865 Settled. Lewis Geyer, .1865 Robert Johnson, 1866 POPULATION OP THE SECTION. Males over 21, 4 I Males under 21, 4 Females over 21, 4 | Females under 21, 10 SECTION THIRTY. Farmers. Settled, i Farmers. Frank Hook, I860 Leonard Hook, 1861 Settled. Miles "W. Davison, 1865 Henry Rogers. 1867 Maels over 21, . . Females over 21 . POPULATION OF THE SECTION Males under 21 5 1 Males under 21, o 4 I Females undeT 21 , 7 SECTION THIRTY-ONE. Farmers. Settled. George Austin, 1835 Samuel Stebbins, 1836 Ebenezer Stearns, 1855 Henry Stearns, 1855 Farmers. Settled. Allen Stearns, 1865 George Detterloy, 1862 John Hawes, 1867 POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 7 Females over 21, 9 Males under 21, 9 Females under 21, H 54 HISTORY OF HOWELL. SECTION TDmrr-Two. Farmers. Settled, l Farmers. Settled" James Daniels, 1852 Ferdinand W. Munson, 1860 Andrew Woll, 1856 | POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 3 1 Males under 21 , 6 Females over 21, 5 | Females under 21. .' 6 SECTION THIRTY-THREE. Farmers. Settled, j Farmers. Settled. John Van Blaricom, 1852 William Tongue, 1858 EnoB Sowlcs, 1854 ( POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 81, 3 1 Males under 21, 4 Females over 2i, 3 | Females under 21, 4 SECTION THIRTY-FOUR. Farmer. Settled. I Farmer. Settled. Richard Ray, 1858 | Nicholas J. Holt, 1861 POPULATION OF THE SECTION. Males over 21, 3 1 Males under 21, 9 Females over 21 , 5 | Females under 21, 6 RECAPITULATION. Whole number of males over 21 years of age, 243 Whole number of temales over 21, ^ 236 Whole number of males under 21, 286 Whole number of females under 21, -. 274 The following is the number of acres of improved land, and the number of cattle, horses, sheep and swine owned on each section: SECTION ONE. Acres of improved land, 280 1 Sheep, 260 Cattle, 20 Swine, 29 Horses, 12 I SECTION TWO. Land, 220 1 Sheep, 47 Cattle, 14 Swine, 21 Horsee, 8 | HISTORY OF HOWELL. 55 SECTION THREE. Land, 315 I Sheep, 260 Cattle, ; 15 Swine, 52 Horsf 8, 12 I SECTION FOUR. Land, 90 I Sheep, 103 Cattle, 15 Swine, 24 Horses, 10 | SECTION FH'E. Land, 235 I Sheep, 198 Cattle, 43 Swine, , 20 Horses,. 11 | SECTION SIX. Laud 121 I Sheep, .\ 91 Cattle, 16 1 Swine, 22 Horses, 5 I SECTION SEVEN. Land, 80 1 Sheep, 84 Cattle, 21 Swine, 28 Horses, 8 | SECTION EIGHT. Land, 336 I Sheep, 359 Cattle, 62 Swine, 44 Horses, 14 J SECTION NINE. Land, 235 l Sheep, 88 Cattle, 46 Swine, 29 Horses, 19 ] SECTION TEN. Land, 185 I Sheep, 195 Cattle, 27 Swine, 28 Horses, 6 | SECTION ELEVEN. Land, 340 I Sheep, 232 Cattle, 39 Swine, 48 Horses, 13 | SECTION TWELVE. Land, 320 I Sheep, 151 Cattle, 42 Swine, 68 Horses, 12 | SECTION THIRTBEN. Land, 340 I Sheep, 560 Cattle, 33 Swine, 4Q 56 HISTORY OF HOWELL SBCTION POURTKEN. Land, 373 I Sheep, 279 Cattle, 30 Swine, §0 Horses, 12 | SECTION FIFTEEN. Land, 142 I Sheep, 158 Cattle, 20 | Swine 29 Horses, SECTION SIXTEEN. Land, 317 I Sheep, 264 Cattle, 52 Swine, 55 Horses, 13 I SECTION SEVENTEEN. Land, 345 i Sheep, 411 Cattle, 43 Swine, 61 Horses, 27 | SECTION EIGHTEEN. Land, 283 I Sheep, 269 Cattle,- 48 Swine, 39 Horses, v 13 | SECTION NINETEEN. Land, 225 I Sheep, 99 Cattle, 38 Swine, 61 Horse?, 16 | SECTION TWENTY. Land, 470 I Sheep, Cattle, 49 | Swine, Horses, 15 SECTION TWENTT-ONE. Land, 386 I Sheep, 349 Cattle, 54 Swine, 39 Horses, 17 I SECTION TWENTY-TWO. Land, 428 I Sheep, 244 Cattle, 40 Swine, 32 Horses, 20 | SECTION TWENTY-THREE. Land, 271 I Sheep, 248 Cattle, 26 Swine, 38 Horses, 15 | SECTION TWKNTY-FOCR. Land 252 I Sheep, 260 Cattle, 29 Swine, 29 Horses, 9 1 Mules, 1 HISTORY OF HOWELL. 57 BKCTI05 TWE5TT-FITE. Land, 161 I Sheep, 149 Cattle, 8 Swine, 23 Horses, 5 I SECTIOX rwEXTY-srx. Land, 55 I Sheep, 34 Cattle, 7 Swine, 1 Horses, 11 SECTION TWENTY-SE^TEN. Land, 271 I Sheep, 245 Cattle, 18 Swine, 22 Horses, 12 | SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT. Land, 471 I Sheep, 600 Cattle, 67 Swine, 38 Horses, 17 | SECTION TWENTY-NINE. Land, 175 I Sheep, 90 Cattle, 29 Swine, 2S SECTION THIRTY. Land, 84 I Sheep, 64 Cattle, 29 Swine, 31 Horses, 5 | SECTION THIRTY-ONE. . . Land, 185 I Sheep, 149 Cattle, 34 Swine, 29 Horses, 12 | SECTION THIRTY-TWO. Land,... 75 I Sheep, 145 Cattle, 18 Swine, 22 Horses, 8 | SECnON THIRTY-THREE. Land, 148 I Sheep, 39 Cattle, 14 Swine, 28 Horses, 9 | SECnON THIRTY-FOUR. Land, 185 I Sheep, 112 Cattle, 19 I Swine, 17 Horses,-- 10 58 HISTORY OF HOWELL. RECAPITULATION. 4 The whole number of acres of improved land in the town, 8,40 " " of cattle, 1,065 '■ " of horses, 399 " " of sheep, 7,464 '' " of swine, 1,189 " '' of mules, 1 The number of acres of improved land within the corporation of Howell, 1,214 Number of cattle, ." , .'. ] 68 " of horses, 185 " of shfeep, 672 " of swine, •. 184 The folio wiog is a list of the inhabitants of the corporation and village; their occupation, and the year they settled in the town or village. Men who were under 21 years of age when they came to Howell, but who are now over 21, are included, and also, those who were born in Howell, the year of their birth is given: Farmers. Settled, Lewis Thompson, 1835 Ezra J. Mondaj', 1835 George W. Kneeland, 1836 Joseph H. Steel, 1836 Almon Whipple, 1837 Edward F. Gay, 1837 Charles Clark, 1843 Frank C. Whipple, born, 1843 Nathan J. Hickev, 1844 Charles A. Wilber, 1844 Sylvanus Lake, 1846 Warren Green, 1846 Ira Preston, 1847 William C, Rumsey, 1847 Jerome C. Helms, 1847 RufusF. Glass, 1848 David Blackman, 1849 V. R. T. Angell, 1856 George K. Hoyt, 1856 LaFayctte Barnhart, 1857 Ezra Whitaker, 1857 Azel Carpenter, 1858 Franklin Goodrich, 1860 William Woodward, 1861 Charles Woodward, 1861 William Williamson, 1 861 5. W. Bowers, 1864 Farmers. Settled. John E. Doru, 1 864 Orin Winegar, 1864 Lyman Pratt, 1865 F. A. Peavey, 1865 Chauucey Chapin, 1866 Thomas Marston, 1867 Charles Reeves, 1867 Barzilla Holt 1867 Nicholas Krisler, 1867 Gilbert Wolcott, 1867 Oliver Wolcott, 1867 David Phelps, 1867 F. D. Sabin, 1867 Laborers : Francis W. Colburn, 1839 Leander C. Smith, 1847 Leonard F. Helms, 1847 Andrew J. Rumsey, 1841 John Daniels, 1850 L. D. Smith, 1851 Samuel Balcom, 1851 George Balcom, 1851 Rynaldo Balcom, 1851 William Daniels, 1853 Adam Hall, 1854 Edwin Angel, 1856 Martin Woll, 1856 HISTORY OF HOWELL. 59 Laborers : Settled. James Teasdale, 1856 Andrew Feelej, 1867 William Musson, 1857 Henry Ptite, 1857 Henry Musson, 1857 Frederick Zitze, 1859 Thomas Briggs, 1860 J. W. Brower, I860 Leonard Hendricks, 1867 William Brower, 1867 Staging: Charles W. Barber, 1860 Stage-Driver: John Stapleton, 1851 Farrier: Joseph H. Peebles, 1842 Livery : William E. Huntley, 1847 Ira C. Huntley, 1847 Royal H. Rumsey 1847 Teamsters : Allen Lownsbury, 1855 D. C. Tucker, 1866 E. B. Gregory, 1860 Drovers : H. P. Wheeler, 1864 B. A. Morgan, 1864 Loren Allen, 1865 Manufact'rs of farm tools, &c. : John H. Galloway,. 1844 Hudson B. Blackman, 1 849 George L. Clark, 1866 Floyd S. Wykoflf 1862 Machinists : Benjamin Curtis, 1840 John J. Vandeusen, 1854 Richard Peterson, 1864 Moulders : Luther Frink 1845 Allen T. Huntley, 1847 George U. Taylor, 1847 Charles Martick, 1863 Manufacturers of tin, sheet- iron and eopper wares, and dealers in hardware : Francis N. Monroe, 1837 Edward P. Gregory 1839 Manufacturer of tin, sheet-iron and copper-wares : Albert B. Green, 1867 Tinners: Charles Sager, 1866 R. E. Bartcke, 1866 Proprietor of wagon and black- smith shops: William R. Melvin 1842 Wagon-makers : Settled. Henrv B. Curtis 1840 Francis J. Melvin, 1842 Wilson Sowles, 1844 William D. Rumsey 1847 James Elsie, ; 1851 Isaac Van Loon, 1851 William Cooper, 1855 Mark J. Staley, 1861 Matthew Mynahan, 1864 Carriage Trimmer; William C. Loehne, 1867 Carriage-painter : Thomas Clark 1864 House-painter: Hoyt B. Treadwell, 1853 Blacksmiths: Lewis Cass Chandler, 1843 Henry Greenaway, .1846 Bernard Cummiskey, 1852 Elias Brockway, 1855 Alonzo Teasdale, 1856 Charles Culver, 1860 William L. Knapp, 1865 Theodore Knapp, 1865 Robert Grieve, 1866 Carpenters : Silas Beardsley, 1845 Luman Frink, 1845 Noah Boothby, 1854 James Monroe, 1854 Frederick Brockway, 1855 Benjamin Washburn, 1855 Daniel Beardsley, 1858 Jason McFail, 1859 Philander Hill, 1862 D. L. Robinson, 1865 J. M. Hendricks, .1865 E. D. Wines, 1865 George Bush, 1866 John Latson, 1 866 T. W. Wisner, 1866 Manufacturer of window-sash, blinds and doors : John G. Mason, 1845 Cooper: George W. Clark, 1861 Manufact'r of coffins and tomb- stones: Benjamin W. Cardell, 1847 Marble engraver : Philo B. Wines, 1859 Shoe-makers : Richard Fishbeck 1837 Stephen Fishbeck, born, 1841 Leonard Fishbeck, born, 1844 Joseph Pruden 1854 60 HISTORY OF HOWELL Shoe-makeas: Settled. Joseph H. Donley, 1858 Charles Donley, 1858 Giles Donley, 1858 Amos Smith, 1858 William King, 1862 La Fayette Snow, 1864 Charles Rogers, 1867 Isaac Mott, 1867 Cabinet-makers : William R. Griffith, 1851 Gottlieb Hugger, 1854 Harvey Goodrich, 1866 Masons : John R. Neeley, 1839 Daniel Parker, 1847 Mason Boyce, 1852 Jonathan R. Axtell, . . 1853 Tailors: James Swiney, 1845 Orlando Cole, 1863 Saddle and harness makers : Lorenzo Sullivan, 1843 Theodore Huntley 1847 Joseph M. Gilbert, 1852 Joseph Wallace, 1867 H.:F. Gilbert, 1867 William Davis, 1867 J. T. Fisher,..,... 1867 Proprietors of a steam saw-mill situated on Sec. 17 : William B. Smith, 1843 Franklin KeUey, 1848 Millers: Morris Thompson, 1835 Thomas Shiveley, 1836 Engineer: Amos T. Slader, born, 1842 Bakery : George Lakin, 1865 Brewery : John Jones, 1860 Butchery and meat markets : William Chambers, 1855 Jacob Tourje, 1866 Dealers in dry goods, groceries, drugs and medicines : William McPherson, 1836 William McPherson, Jr., 1836 Martin J. McPherson, born, 1841 Edward G. McPherson, born, ...1845 Dry goods and groceries : William B. Jewett, 1837 Z. Forbs Grossman, 1852 George Greenaway, 1846 Henry H. Mills, 1867 L. C. Dean, 1860 Dry goods and groceries : Settled. Ledyard Flint, 1866 Frederick J. Lee, (retired,) 1845 Hardware and groceries : John Cummiskey, 1850 Clothing: Joseph Finsterwald, 1865 Leather, boots and shoes and groceries : Joseph B. Skilbeck, 1 889 PerleyD. Skilbeck, born, 1844 Groceries and provisions : Giles Tucker, 1836 Leonard Haynes, 1866 Groceries, drugs and medicines: George Taylor, 1847 William W. Kenyon, 1866 Groceries : Edward McGiinn, 1863 Isaac Bamberger, 1865 Books, drugs and medicines: Wallace W. Carpenter, 1864 Jewelry, clocks and watches : Henry C. Briggs, 1856 William H. Edgar, 1868 Lumber, window sash and doors : Joseph H. Wilcox, 1865 Tanner and dealer in gloves and mittens: George Blackman, .1849 Saloon : Thomas Donley, 1858 George Wilber, 1844 Bankers : Alexander McPherson, 1836 David Embury, 1864 Clerks: Luther Glover, 1840 Frank Hickey, 1844 Edward Greenaway, 1846 Edward Daniels, 1854 Milton Pettibone 1864 Frank Henry, 1865 Warner Newell, 1866 Frank Switzer, 1866 Hotel keepers: Elbert C. Bush, 186S Handel Winship, 1864 Harvey & Coalman, 1866 Agency : M. W. Barker, 1866 Toll-gate tender: Harvey A. Sowles, 18fl5 Barber : Abram Losford, (colored,) 1867 Photographic : Mrs. Alfred Coat3, 1864 HISTORY OF HOWELL. 61 Photograpbic : Settled . ilissJ. Palmer, 1866 Proprietors of newspapers : Andrew D. Waddell, 1835 Julius D. Smith, 1859 Joseph T. Titus, 1857 Attorneys and Counselors at law : Andrew D. AVaddell, 1835 MiloL. Gav, 1837 Sardis F. Hubbell 1841 Frederick C . Whipple, ; .... 1 846 Henry H. Harmon, 1847 Dennis Shields, 1860 Marcus B. Wilcox, 1861 Wallace W. Carpenter 1864 Physicians and Surgeons: William Huntington 1843 Z. H. Marsh 1847 Andrew Bianck, 1848 William L. Wells, 1849 Robert C. Hutton 1857 Physicians and Surg'ns: Settled. Wesley J. Mills, 1864 Clergy: Rev. Mr. Jenks 1864 " H. 0. Parker, 1864 " Wm. Tilley, 1865 " Mr. Lewis, 1866 " Mr. Kenedy, 1866 Supt. of Primary Schools : Isaac W. Bush, 1844 County Clerk: Solomon Lyon, 1864 Postmaster: Henry T. Clark, 1843 Milliners : Mrs. J. G. Mason, 1840 Mrs. J. Van Loon, 1851 Mrs. Naylor, I860 Mrs. N. P. Wheeler, . . .1864 Mrs. H. Leed, 1867 Mrs. F. D. Sabin 1867 POPULATION OF THE VILLAGE. Males over 21 years of ago, 246 Females over 21 years of age, Males under 21 years of age, Females under 21 years of age, ." 5J3e Colored persons, .V. . . , 10 243 Total, Remarks in Relation to tlie Iiilial>itants of the To>vn and Village. The inhabitants have labored under many disad- vantages, especially the agricultural part of the com- munity, particularly in their remoteness from market. Ox teams were used by most of the farmers for sev- eral years after the commencement of settling of the town. At the early settlement of the place, the nearest wheat market was at Hamburg, Livingston county. In 1840, wheat sold at that place for 43 j cents per bushel. At the same time merchandise, groceries and clothing were selling at exorbitant prices, at 62 HISTORY OF HOWELL. Howell. In 1844, wheat sold at about 60 cents; corn, 25 cents; oats, 15 cents per bushel, and pork was worth $1 75 a hundred, at Howell. One reason of the high price of goods and groceries, was on ac- count of the cost of transportation from Detroit, and the low price of farm produce was partially occa- sioned by the expense of transportation to market. The price of freightage from Detroit varied from $1 25 to $3 00 per hundred. The prices were varied according to the conditions of the road. The pres- ent price of transportation is 50 cents per hundred. The price of wheat in the spring of 1867, was $3 30; corn, $1; oats, 60 cents per bushel, and pork $10 a hundred. But these excessive prices of provisions, were partially occasioned by a light crop of wheat and corn in 1866, and a scarcity of pro- visions in the United States. And also, the great amount of currency that was necessarily put in circulation during the recent civil war, and the in- ternal revenue tariff had a tendency to augment the price of property in general. The town, like other inland places, destitute of public thoroughfares, was tardy in settling. The town and village was mostly settled by emi- grants from the State of New York. However, there were emigrants from England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Canada, the New England States, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The inhabitants were affable, generous and humane; but few of them were wealthy. They encountered many hardships, liable to occur to the inhabitants of new countries. They were afflicted by fevers and other diseases, which is the case in all new countries, especially in wheat gi'ow- HISTORY OF HOWELL. 63 ing countries, or where lime exists in the soil. But through their perseverance and industry, most of them have attained to affluence. Contemplation . When we reflect upon the condition and the events that occurred at the settlement of the township, its appearance and scenery is vividly presented to our minds ideal. The forest, the bear, the deer, the elk, and the terrific yell of the wolf, is distinctly recollected. The location of the Indian wigwam is distinctive. The Indian with his rifle in pursuit of deer, and his friendly meeting of the white man is also remembered. His harsh and gutteral intona- tion " buzshoo," greets the ear. The scene changes, immigrants are arriving, the woods are disappearing before the strong arm of the pioneer; fields of grain are growing in its stead; fruit trees are planted ; school-houses, churches, and other public buildings are erected. Log houses and hovels are giving place to brick and frame structures; the village is incorporated. Side- walks are built, the promenades are decorated with ornamental treets; the streets are partially paved; the village is well regulated through its incorporate authority. Farm- ers, mechanics, merchants and professional men are prosperous. 64 HISTORY or HOWELL. Supplement- -Sept., A. D. 1868, The favorable prospect, of the early completion of the Detroit and Howell Eailroad, and also the con- tinuation of the road to the city of Lansing, gave an impetus to industry and enterprise, and induced the rapid settling of the village. The route for the Eailroad from Howell to Lan- sing, was surveyed the first of May, 1868, under the supervision of Mr. Wm. Scott, Chief-Engineer of the Detroit and Howell Eailroad, and Mr. Joseph H. Wilcox, of How^ell, one of the Directors of the How- ell and Lansing Eoad. Accession of Lots to tlie Village Plot. In April, 1868, Wm. McPherson and Sons, Nathan J. Hickey and John H. Galloway, made an ad- dition to the north-east part of the village, of 108 lots. In the same month, Almon Whipple added 50 lots to the east part. In May following, Mrs. Jew- ett, widow of George W. Jewett, added 6-4 lots to the w^est part. Newspaper. In March, 1868, Mr. Waddell sold his interest in the Livingston Bepublican, and retired from its edi- torial charge, when Mr. Julius D. ^ Smith became editor, proprietor and pubHsher of the paper. HlS'rOKY OF HOWKIL. 6S Kducatioual. From the first commencement oi tke (settling of the town, the inhabitants have been zealous in the cause of education, and as the town became suffi- ciently populous, new school districts were formed, and at this date there are seven districts in the town, and each district is now provided with a commodious frame school house. The Village School Housr. This superb edifice was erected on the site sections21 and 22, in this town. C'onclMsion of tlic Volume. The reader will perceive that brevity has been our aim. But we have endeavored to be sufficiently ex- plicit in giving an account of the settlement, and the most important events that have occurred, hopeful that the History of Howell will be continued in the future, as this volume is only introductory, it being necessary that the history should be com- menced within the life and recollection of the first residents of the place. At this date there are but sixteen men living in the town or village, who settled in either place previous to the year 1838. "With these concluding remarks, this book is respectfully submitted to the inhabitants of the town and village, for their perusal E. H. S,