RELIGIOUS

KENSINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH

     The Baptist denomination have had for more than a quarter of a century a society in the township of Brighton. Previous to that time, the attendants upon the Baptist services worshiped at Kensington, hence the name of the organization. In the year 1854, the membership in Brighton having reached nearly 30 in number, it was deemed expedient to erect a house of worship. A plain but commodious structure was built, and since that time the condition of the church has varied. Five years ago the Rev. G. T. Ellis filled a pastoral relation with the people, and infused new life and energy into the society. His labors have been greatly blessed, both spiritually and in a temporal sense. The house has been remodeled and greatly improved, and the membership has reached 80. A flourishing Sabbath-school is also maintained in connection with the church. Gardner Spring is the church clerk.

THE PLEASANT VALLEY WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH *

     This church is located in Pleasant Valley, about five miles east of the village of Brighton, on the road to Milford.

     The society was organized March 9, 1873, by Rev. John C. Martin, of Williamston, Ingham Co., who took charge of the church as its pastor, and labored arduously to promote the interests of the work committed to his care. At the time of its organization there were 24 members, nearly all heads of families, and they found that much persistency was required to stem the tide of opposition that set against them. The society held their services at that time in what is known as the Lyon School-house, and notwithstanding the persistent opposition, their numbers increased, and they steadily and confidently looked ahead to the prosperity that awaited them. In the fall of 1873, Rev. J. H. Canfield was invited to serve them as pastor, and during the following winter his labors among them resulted in a powerful revival of religion, the influence of which was widely felt.

     In the spring of 1874 a project was entered into to build a house of worship, and through the energy and persistent efforts of the pastor, assisted by some of his members, sufficient subscriptions were raised to cover the entire expense of the contemplated building. They looked upon the "pay as-you-go" system as being safest in the end, hence all bills were promptly paid; and when the church was completed, it was dedicated to the Lord as free property, without a mortgage or debt. The church is 48 feet long by 32 feet wide, and the posts are 18 feet high. The seats are so arranged as to comfortably seat about 250 persons. Mr. Thomas Hunter took the contract for building, and the work was executed conscientiously, and to the entire satisfaction of the committee. It was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1874, and a large congregation listened to the dedicatory sermon preached by Rev. Adam Crooks, of Syracuse, N.Y., who was called a few months after to enter his eternal rest. The whole cost of building the church, as reported by the board of trustees, was $1727.50.

     The society having a house of worship of their own, took new courage, and as they put forth increased efforts to improve the moral condition of the community, they were permitted to see a corresponding degree of increase in the interests of the society. New members were added from time to time, and many who had not been in sympathy with them attended their meetings.

226a. Image of
Thomas Woulds Residence,
Brighton, Livingston County, Mich.

     227. In 1874 another society was formed in the village of Brighton by the pastor, and 8 of the members of the Valley Church, who resided near Brighton, withdrew and united with that church. They were somewhat weakened by the withdrawal of these members, but were comforted with the thought that they were sending a part of their number to labor in an adjoining community for the extension and establishment of those principles which they had struggled so hard to defend. Shortly after the organization of this new society, an other society was formed in Milford township, the three societies thus established being connected with an older society at Kensington, six miles from Brighton, and the whole formed a charge or circuit, to be known as the Kensington and Brighton charge. Rev. J. H. Canfield served the charge as pastor until September, 1875, when Rev. D. A. Richards became his successor, and entered upon the duties assigned him. He was the first Wesleyan pastor whose family had accompanied him to the charge, and they soon found a residence in the village of Brighton, and a home in the hearts of the people. The church at Pleasant Valley was much the strongest, numerically and financially, and they assumed more than one-third (nearly one-half) of the pastor's salary, which proportion they have continued to assume, and it may be said to their credit that they pay promptly the amount of their apportionment. The congregations increased under the labors of the new pastor, and the attachment between pastor and people became very strong. On one occasion they manifested their appreciation of his services by meeting at the church for a donation, and leaving for his benefit about $150. He held a series of meetings, at which time several members were brought into the church as a result of his labors. He served the church as pastor two years.

     In September, 1877, they again exchanged pastors, and called to the work Rev. E. W. Bruce, who still labors with them as pastor of the charge. He moved his family also to Brighton, and dwells among his people. Two series of meetings have been held by him with the church at the Valley, each being attended with a measure of success and resulting in some conversions and accessions to the church. The first year the people expressed their esteem by a donation, leaving for the benefit of the pastor and family about $165, and repeated their appreciative act during the present year by a similar donation amounting to $201.25.

     The society commenced with 24 members, and an average attendance at services of from 30 to 35. Since that time the membership has reached 76, and there is now an average attendance of from 120 to 130 persons. From the 76 members received one has died, eleven have been granted letters of dismissal, and three have been dropped from the membership without letters. In the spring of 1879 the society purchased a Beatty organ, and the use of it in the church is productive of increased interest in connection with the Sabbath services.

     At the last Conference, in September, 1878, an associate pastor was obtained, in the person of Rev. M. Cuthbert, whose services were rendered necessary because of new ground that had been entered upon, thus making too large a field for one pastor, and an exchange of appointments has been so arranged that he preaches at the Valley Church once in three weeks. The united labors of the two pastors have been attended with success, and the future prospects of the Pleasant Valley Society are encouraging.

BRIGHTON GRANGE, No. 336

     The Brighton Grange charter bears date March 25, 1874, and is signed by the following officers of the National and State Granges: National Grange, Dudley W. Adams, M.; O. H. Kelley, Sec. State Grange, S. F. Brown, M.; J. T. Cobb, Sec.

     Charter members: J. B. Thurber, M.; W. H. H. Dean, O.; D. Thomson, L.; A. D. Newman, S.; Ira Bradley, A. S.; S. Bidwell, C.; C. Jacobs, T.; G. Bradley, Sec.; E. C. Sears, G. K.; Mrs. N. E. Bidwell, Ceres; Mrs. M. L. Dean, Pomona; Mrs. A. L. Palmer, Flora; Mrs. S. A. Thomson, L. A. S.; G. A. Blain, L. G. Bitten, Charles Hyne, Jeannette Newman, Eunice Jacobs.

     The Brighton Grange has devoted itself more especially to the discussion of agricultural topics and subjects which should interest farmers, and has aimed by frequent intercourse to develop the social qualities of its members. The secretary has furnished the following statistics: cost of hall, $300; amount of goods for one year, $247; amount of farm implements, $215; amount of musical instruments, $390; amount of seeds, $176.61; plaster for three years, 30 tons per year, $301.50; 25 tons refuse salt, $100. Goods were purchased for but one year, the grange not desiring to engage extensively in mercantile transactions.

     The following are the officers for 1879: S. Bidwell, M.; G. Bradley, O.; J. B. Thurber, Lec.; J. McClements, S.; D. S. Kiernan, A. S.; S. McClements, C.; G. A. Bidwell, T.; William Palmer, Sec.; J. C. Newman, G. K.; Miss Maggie McClements, Ceres; Miss Minnie S. Kiernan, Flora; Miss Julia Sleaford, Pomona; Mrs. Rachel Newman, L A. S.

     The following is a list of township officers elected in Brighton since its organization:

228a. Image of
John Carter Residence
Brighton, Livingston County Michigan

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

HON. JOHN CARTER

is of Irish birth and parentage. His father, Julian Carter, emigrated to this country from Ireland in 1821, and settled in Oswego, N.Y. He was a farmer, merchant, and lumber manufacturer, and was actively engaged in business until his death, which occurred in 1873. John, his only child, was born in Queens Co., Ireland, Oct. 10 1820. Soon after his birth his mother died, and he was reared by his grandparents. He attended school until he attained his eighteenth year, when he joined the "constabulary," a corps of men employed by the government to preserve order; he served in this organization until 1845, when he came to America, where he joined his father, with whom he was associated in business for three years. At this time he made an extended tour through Michigan, preparatory to choosing a home there. The following spring he removed to Milford, Oakland Co., and was engaged in a flouring-mill until the spring of 1850, when, deciding to engage in farming, he purchased eighty acres of partially improved land, upon which he remained until 1856, when he sold and removed to Pleasant Valley, where he purchased two hundred acres of land which he now owns. He has since added to it two hundred acres; his present farm is considered to be one of the most valuable in the county.

     Mr. Carter not only occupies a prominent position among the representative men and leading farmers of the county, but has identified himself largely with the politics of his district, county; and town. For several years he represented Brighton upon the Board of Supervisors, where he was considered an able and efficient member. He was elected to the Legislature in 1872, and served in the extra sessions of 1873 and 1874. He was again nominated in 1874, and although Livingston County is largely Democratic, he was defeated by only fifteen votes. In his own town his integrity and ability have won for him an enviable position, as is evidenced by the fact that at his election in 1875, as magistrate, he received every vote in the township but three.

     April 19 1849, Mr. Carter married Jeannette, daughter of John and Jane Lambie, of Camden, N.Y. She was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, Jan. 30, 1827. In 1831 the family emigrated to this country, and settled in Camden, Oneida Co., N.Y., where Mr. Lambie pursued his former avocation, that of a dairyman and stock-dealer; he was a shrewd, enterprising man, and possessed of more than ordinary energy and determination. He died in Camden in 1834.

     It may be truly said of Mr. Carter that he has been "the architect of his own fortune." Commencing life in a new country, with only his natural resources for his capital, he has attained success in all his undertakings.

AARON H. KELLEY

     Aaron H. Kelley was born in the town of Shaftsbury, Bennington Co., Vt., June 10, 1805, and first came to Michigan in the spring of 1830. He returned to Vermont the subsequent fall, and remained there until 1833, when he again came to Michigan and lived in Dixboro, Washtenaw Co., until 1837, during which year he removed to the farm he had located in Brighton township. He also built, in 1837, a saw-mill and operated it for some time. This mill, operated by water-power, was known far and wide in those early days, and furnished the lumber for many of the first buildings erected in Livingston County. About the last work done by this pioneer mill was sawing a quantity of plank for the Detroit and Howell Plank-road. Mr. Kelley sold his first purchase, known as the Clark farm, and purchased one adjoining of the Winchells, taking possession of it in 1837; he occupied a log house (built by Jacob Winchell, and one of the first in Brighton) until 1846, when he removed to a frame house near his mill. In 1836, while residing in Dixboro, he married Miss Emeline Grimes, a native of New York. She, his faithful companion in the hard pioneer struggle of early years, died in 1849. In 1851 he was married to Miss Mary I. Murray, who, before her marriage, had been engaged for several years in 230. school-teaching. She taught three months in Green Oak township, and for eight years was a preceptress in various school-rooms, both in Livingston and Oakland Counties.

     Mrs. Kelley was the daughter of Frederick Murray, and was born in the town of Victor, Ontario Co., N.Y., in 1825. She accompanied her father and the other members of the family to the township of Farmington, Oakland Co., Mich., where Mr. Murray purchased eighty acres of land. In 1841 he moved to Green Oak township, Livingston Co., and bought one hundred and twenty acres. His death occurred in the latter township. All of Mrs. Kelley's family are now deceased except herself and two brothers, one residing on the old farm in Green Oak, and the other in LeRoy township, Ingham Co., Mich. Their father was a farmer, and had a family of eight children. Mr. Kelley is also deceased, his death occurring Oct. 26, 1877.

REV. IRA WARNER

     a minister of the denomination known as Christians, and who traces his ancestry back to Col. Seth Warner, of Revolutionary fame was born in Van Buren, Onondaga Co., N.Y., Nov. 10 1809, and is one of a family of four children. His education was derived from the common schools of the time. At the age of nine years (Aug. 16, 1818) he was deprived of a father's care, the latter's death occurring at that date. The son remained upon the farm until he was eighteen, and on the 27th of December, 1829, when a little past twenty years of age, was married to Miss Laura Foster, the eldest of a family of thirteen children, and herself but sixteen years old. The same winter Mr. Warner preached his first sermon in the school-house where he had first attended school. After that he did not preach again for ten years, paying his whole attention to his farm. After changing his location several times, he moved with his family, in 1839, to Monroe Co., Mich., and settled in the township of Milan, where he purchased sixty acres of heavily timbered land. Before clearing it up he began preaching, his calls being so numerous he could not attend to them all. After remaining ten years in Milan he traded his place for a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Brighton township, Livingston Co., to which he removed, and upon which he now lives, his wife of nearly fifty years occupying it with him. Mr. Warner has preached in nearly every school-house in Livingston County, and attended all the funerals in the neighborhood, yet for thirty-nine years' preaching and various services he has not received a total compensation of three hundred dollars. During one of his engagements, which required his presence every alternate Sunday, the distance to the place being twenty-five miles, he succeeded in procuring a horse, but no saddle, and in lieu of the latter used blankets, with strings of basswood-bark for stirrups. He has twice received the appointment of missionary to this portion of the State. The summer of 1879 was the first for many years that he did not fill regular appointments for preaching, but ill health prevented. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are the parents of six children, of whom one died, and the others are married and living in homes of their own.

MELZER BIRD

     was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., in April, 1805, being one of a family consisting of seven girls and five boys. His ancestors were English. In 1815 his father removed to Ontario Co., N.Y., with the family. The son was employed on his father's farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he began learning the cooper's trade with his uncle Winslow, remaining with the latter seven years. For three years subsequently he conducted a shop of his own. On the 26th of October, 1829, he went to Rome, N.Y., and was married to Miss Laura A. Wentworth. Returning to his home, he continued working at his trade until 1833, when he came to Livingston Co., Mich., and purchased the one hundred and twenty acre farm upon which he now resides, in the township of Brighton. He has since purchased two hundred and forty acres additional. In the spring of 1834 he brought his wife and two children to their home in the West. During his residence in this State he has erected one hundred and three buildings for various parties, and for the first ten years every coffin used within a radius of ten miles was made by his hands. His children are eight in number, viz., Francis A., Catharine, Julia, Adeline, Gilbert (deceased), Oliver (deceased), Margaret (deceased), and Harriet (deceased). His faithful and loving wife died April 23, 1869. Mr. Bird's barn was the first one built in the township of Brighton, and his log house the fourth one in the same territory. Mr. Bird has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1826. In politics he is a sturdy, staunch Republican.

THOMAS WOULDS

     South Kyme, Lincolnshire, England, is the birth place of the gentleman named above. He was one of the oldest in a family of nine children, his father being a farmer. The son, until he was 

230a.

Image of
Rev. Ira Warner

Image of
Mrs. Ira Warner

Image of
Melzer Bird

Image of
Mrs. Melzer Bird

     231. twenty-one years of age, worked by the year at farming, and after attaining to that age was employed for three years on public works. Sept. 21, 1852, he was married to Miss Anna Abbott, and three weeks later embarked in a sailing-vessel for America. After reaching New York City he proceeded to Honesdale, Pennsylvania, where he remained one and a half years. He then came to Michigan, and, in company with his brother John, purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in the township of Brighton, where he now lives. This was in the fall of 1855. His brother died in 1858, after giving a deed for his share of the place to Thomas. In 1867, Mr. Woulds, in company with Mr. Warner, bought the old "Woodruff Mill," and after expending considerable money in repairs, operated it about five years. Connected with the mill was a farm of one hundred and ten acres. In 1872 the co-partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Woulds retained the mill, while Mr. Warner took the farm. In the spring of 1878, Mr. Woulds sold the mill to Mr. Nye, and returned to his farm, upon which he has since remained. His place contains one hundred and sixty acres, including eighteen acres of timber, and is finely improved. Miss Anna Abbott, who became the wife of Mr. Woulds, was one of a family of seven children, and the daughter of a farmer. Her sister married a man named Young, and emigrated with him to America, and, they induced Mr. and Mrs. Woulds to follow them, with what success is seen in the foregoing.

GEORGE W. CONELY

     George W. Conely was born in New York City, on Christmas day, 1828. His father, S. M. Conely, was a carver and gilder by trade, and in company with a large number of his fellow-tradesmen came to Livingston Co., Mich., in 1837. G. W. Conely stayed with his father and worked on the farm in Brighton until he was twenty-one, after which he worked out at farming for three years, receiving eleven dollars per month for his services the first year and twelve the other two. Oct. 25, 1853, he was married to Miss Eliza N. Warner, daughter of Rev. Ira Warner, an early settler in the township of Brighton. One son and four daughters were born to them; two of the children are now deceased. After his marriage Mr. Conely rented a farm near his father's for one year, and during the time purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He has added to it forty-eight acres, making one hundred and twenty-eight acres altogether. Twenty-three years after he was married his wife died, leaving him and three children to mourn her loss.

     Two years later (March 12, 1878) he was married to Mrs. Alice Lemonion, daughter of Cornelius Wiltse, one of the pioneers of Shiawassee Co., Mich. This lady was born in Shiawassee County, July 27, 1846, and is one of a family of four children. At the age of twenty-one her first marriage was consummated, her husband dying eight years later. By him she had one child, which is now living with her. Her marriage with Mr. Conely took place on the same day with the golden wedding of the latter's parents, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Ira Warner, father of Mr. Conely's first wife. Mr. Conely's eldest daughter, Ella, died at the age of twenty years, shortly after her return from Detroit, at which city she had been perfecting herself in music. When, in 1854, Mr. Conely moved upon his present place, not a tree had been cut nor any improvements made; but the lapse of twenty-five years has witnessed its transition into a productive and finely-improved homestead.

SAMUEL M. CONELY

     Mr. Conely was born in the city of New York, on the 26th of September, 1806, and early learned the trade of a carver and gilder. His father, Jeremiah Conely, was a seaman and was born at a place called Snow Hill, in Maryland, about 1766. His mother was born at the east end of Long Island. His ancestors were among those who came to America with the famous Lord Baltimore. Mr. Conely was one of a family of seven children,--three sons and four daughters,--of whom all are deceased, except his sister Eleanor and himself. His father died when the son was fifteen years old, and the latter, at the age of sixteen, was apprenticed on Fulton Street, New York City, to learn the trade above spoken of. There he remained until he was twenty-one. On the 12th of March, 1828, he was married to Miss Rebecca Southard. For several years thereafter he continued to work at his trade. In 1837 he started, with his wife and four children, for Livingston County, Mich., and after a passage to Buffalo by canal, thence to Detroit by steamer, they purchased a yoke of cattle, a wagon, a cow, and a barrel each of pork and flour, loaded up and drove through to their new home. Mr. Conely purchased one hundred acres of government land, which has since been his home. His children are eight in number, as follows: George W., married and living in Brighton township; William B., a portrait painter, married and residing in Detroit; Benjamin F., living on a farm of his own in this township; John A., living on his farm in Illinois; Francis M., occupying a farm in Brighton township; 232. Thomas J., on his own farm in Brighton; Henry, deceased; and Mary E., married and living in this township. Henry died at his father's house, Feb. 14, 1873. Mr. Conely has twenty living grandchildren. During three winters after his settlement in Michigan, he returned to New York and worked at his trade to earn money with which to provide for his family. Mrs. Conely was one of nine children, and was born on Long Island, July 5, 1809. Her ancestors were among the first settlers of the island. Both her own and Mr. Conely's mother died in Michigan. The house first built by Mr. Conely is yet standing; but he now occupies a new and more modern structure erected in 1876. In 1878, Mr. and Mrs. Conely celebrated their golden wedding, and at the happy gathering guests were present from Nebraska, Illinois, and Lansing and Detroit, Mich. A large number of presents commemorative of the occasion were received by the aged pair, who for fifty years--much more than the average length of man's existence--have together buffeted the reverses, and tasted the joys of life.

O. K. VAN AMBURG

     An example of what can be accomplished by perseverance and stern determination is presented in the case of Mr. VanAmburg. He was born Dec. 16, 1803, in Milton, Saratoga Co., N.Y., and his father supported the family by day labor, having fourteen children dependent upon him. The son, when twelve years of age, left his home and worked by the month at farming until he was twenty-one. Shortly after attaining his majority he started for Michigan on foot, in company with his oldest brother, Matthew. After a hard journey of fifteen days, they arrived in Oakland County, in the latter State. The first job was one in which they worked four days for an axe. They then took a job of clearing and fencing twelve acres of land, in order to earn some money. The younger brother, with the proceeds of his work, purchased eighty acres of timbered land in the township of Novi. During the first two years of his residence in the State he was sick fourteen months. March 15, 1829, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Taft, daughter of one of the first settlers of Novi. For a year he worked with his father-in-law, and then moved upon his own place. Four years later he sold out and entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land in the same township, upon which he remained until 1845. In the latter year he exchanged for a farm of one hundred and seven acres on the Detroit and Grand River Turnpike. In December, 1850, his wife died, after having borne him seven children. In August, 1851, he married Miss Amanda M. Brown, who became the mother of two children. His children by his first wife were Louisa M., Orston T., Harriet Ann, William H., Joseph T., Henry W., and Daniel O.; by his second wife, Albert A. and Charles W. Mr. Van Amburg's ancestors lived for many years in Saratoga Co., N.Y. His parents both died in Michigan, at the home of their son. His children all reside in Livingston County, except two,--a married daughter in Oakland County and a married son in Ogemaw County. In 1857, Mr. Van Amburg exchanged his last-mentioned farm for one of two hundred and forty acres in Brighton township, Livingston Co., and is now living just across the line from his first building-spot in this county. For ten years he was a justice of the peace, and also for a number of years commissioner of highways.

W. C. SEARS

     Mr. Sears was born in Fabius, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1812, king one of a family of six children. His father, who was a farmer, moved to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1829, and purchased forty acres of land near that place. The son worked for his father several years. At the age of twenty-one he commenced to work at the carpenter's trade, continuing for a short time. In February, 1846, he came to the township of Brighton, Livingston Co., purchased about two hundred acres of land, and built a log house, the remains of which are yet standing. About twelve years later, he built the house he now occupies. March 14, 1853, he married Miss Elvira Toncray, who bore him a son,--Pitt,--his birth occurring Feb. 3, 1854. The son is now living with his wife on the farm, he having married Miss Ada Traverse, Dec. 11, 1878. Mrs. W. C. Sears died July 17, 1878. Even at the date Mr. Sears settled in Brighton the country was yet new, and no improvements had been made on the land he purchased. Deer, wild turkeys, and wolves abounded. Mr. Sears carried his wheat to Detroit, and sold it for fifty cents a bushel, making the trip with his team of oxen. He has at present one hundred acres of land under cultivation.