Map of Deerfield Township 1880

413. The town of Deerfield embraces a territory a little more than six miles square, lying on the north line of the county of Livingston, just east of the centre. In the United States survey, it is known as township 4 north, of range 5 east. It is centrally distant from Howell, the county-seat, nine miles in a northeasterly direction, and is bounded on the north by the town of Argentine, in Genesee Co., on the east by Tyrone, on the south by Oceola, and on the west by Cohoctah. It is of the kind of land known as timbered oak openings, and presented such a peaceful beauty to the eyes of the land-lookers that it is no wonder they were led to come and settle beneath the shades of its beautiful oaks. The whole upland of the town was like one immense grove, where the majestic trees, standing wide apart, let the sunlight of heaven in upon the earth, to produce the luxuriant growth of grass and flowers that delighted the eyes of the beholder. Through the wide aisles of this forest the startled deer fled precipitately before the tread of the settler; the saucy squirrels whisked their bushy tails, and chattered loudly from their high perches in the tree-tops, as if protesting against the rude invasion of their sylvan domain; the sober-plumaged partridge crept stealthily from its nest and suddenly whirred away through the trees; and the shy wild turkeys stole like black ghosts into the undergrowth, and hid from the sight of their foes.

     The general surface of the town is lightly rolling, becoming more hilly in the northwest and west parts, and subsiding to more level lands in -the central and southern parts. The soil is varied in 414. its character, and distributed somewhat in streaks, running east and west across the town. These streaks are of a light, sandy nature, and between them are corresponding streaks of heavier soil, a sort of clayey loam, which predominates largely in the southern part of the town. The soil is well adapted to the cultivation of general crops, and well rewards the husbandman for his toil, and the heavier soil is especially well adapted to the growing of wheat.

     The streams are more rapid than is usually the case in Michigan, and two of them furnish mill-seats in their course through this town. The principal stream is the south branch of the Shiawassee River, which enters from Cohoctah near the northwest corner of section 18, runs north to the north line of section 7, then east a half-mile, and then north till it passes into Argentine. Where it crosses the line between sections 6 and 7 the stream has a considerable fall, and affords the finest waterpower in the town, and the only one that is utilized. From the Shiawassee, going eastward, we next reach the stream known as Yellow River. The Indian name, which had the same signification and was probably given it on account-of the color of its waters, was "Saw-ick-sah." This stream takes its rise in a small lake in the north part of Oceola, which bears the name of Lown's Lake, from an early settler in that vicinity. Another branch of it rises in the south part of section 35, and flows west to about the centre of the south half of section 34, where it joins the outlet of the lake, and the combined streams follow a westerly, northwesterly, and northerly course, till it enters the southern extremity of Indian Lake. It leaves the lake, passing in a northerly course, crosses the county line, and unites with the Shiawassee River in the town of Argentine. Next east of Yellow River we come to Cranberry Creek, so called because it had its rise in a cranberry marsh. It rises in section 36, and is the outlet of Payne's Lake, on that section. Its general course through the town is northwesterly, and near a point seven-eighths of a mile north of the southwest corner of section 4 it empties into the Yellow River. On sections 15 and 10 it passes through a string of four lakes, and is augmented by their overflow. As we approach the eastern boundary of the town we reach another stream, more particularly described in the history of Tyrone, which is only second in importance to the south branch of the Shiawassee, if, indeed, it does not outrank it. It is North Ore Creek, and enters the town from Tyrone about eighty rods south of the northeast corner of section 13, pursuing a northerly course till it enters Bennett Lake, on the southeast quarter of section 1. It once more leaves the lake, in the northeast quarter of section 2, and, running northwest, crosses the county line, into Argentine, where it affords a very fine mill-seat at Argentine village. Its waters join the east branch of the Shiawassee in Argentine. The other streams of the town are little brooks, tributary to these larger streams. The land along these water-courses is generally more rolling than elsewhere, and in some parts the knolls and ridges are almost worthy to be designated as hills.

     The town has rather more than the usual number of lakes. The largest is called Indian Lake, from the fact that an Indian family lived for many years upon its bank, and was known among the Indians as Portabeek's Lake. It lies west of the centre of the town, and contains an area of about 450 acres of open water. The marshes upon its shore are more or less overflowed at certain times. Most of the lake is on section 17, but its southern extremity reaches a few rods into section 20 and a limb extends north into section 8. Its length from north to south is about two miles, and its average width not far from three-eighths of a mile. Its outline is very irregular. Its outlet is the Yellow River. The next one in importance is sometimes called Laird Lake, but should be called Bennett Lake, after William Bennett, the first settler along its shore. The practice seems to have obtained here of calling these lakes by the names of those residing nearest them, changing the name every time the property is transferred to some new owner. This is a reprehensible practice, and should be discouraged. If--as would have been the best way--the Indian names for these lakes and streams could not be learned and perpetuated, it might answer to name them after the first settlers upon their shores; but once named, that name should be continued through all time, unless some more appropriate or better name should be, by common consent, conferred upon them. In this work we follow the rule, as far as possible, to call these lakes and streams by their earliest names, believing that they are the ones that should be preserved.

     Bennett Lake is very irregular in form, surrounded, generally, by a wide marsh, and extends for a considerable distance into Tyrone. Its greatest length is from east to west, a distance of a little over two miles, and its average width is only about a quarter of a mile, though in places it widens out to nearly a half mile. It contains upwards of 300 acres of open water, exclusive of all marshes. Its western extremity is marked by a bolder shore than those of any other lake in the vicinity. Its outlet is North Ore Creek. It lies on sections 2 and 1 in this town, and 6 in Tyrone.

     415. Ryan Lake lies in the northeast part of section 3, and contains about 80 acres. It is of rounded outline, and its outlet, running from its northwest side, empties into the Yellow River in Argentine. It is longest from northeast to southwest, and is surrounded by marshes. Its name was derived from John Ryan, an early settler in that vicinity.

     Leonard Lake lies in the west part of sections 15 and 10 and was named after Samuel Leonard. It is three-quarters of a mile long, and a quarter of a mile in width, and contains an area of about 60 acres.

     The rest of the lakes are small, and of comparatively little note. One of them lies across the county line on section 5; another across it on section 2; one lies in section 9, near the southeast corner; one near the centre of section 36; one near the northwest corner of section 29; one south of Bennett Lake, on sections 1 and 2; two on section 10 and one, sometimes called Cranberry Lake, on the corners of sections 3, 4, 9, and 10. All of these bodies of water are marked by the same general features, They are surrounded by marshes and tamarack swamps, have muddy or sandy bottoms, and average from 30 to 40 feet in depth. They were formerly well stocked with fish,--pickerel and the different species of bass preponderating, but many other kinds being found in greater or less numbers. Though the fishing is not now as good as when the country was new, still there are enough fish in the lakes to make the sport interesting, if not profitable in a monetary sense, and, to the true sportsman, the question of pecuniary profit is ever one of the minor considerations. In addition to these natural ponds there are two artificial ponds that should be mentioned. The first, and the only one wholly in this town, is the Deer Creek Pond, which overflows about 60 acres, on sections 6 and 7, forming the pond of the Deer Creek mills. The other lies on section 2, and is a portion of the Argentine Mills pond.

     Having glanced thus briefly at its natural features, we naturally turn our attention to the steps taken to bring about the settlement of the town, and towards the development of its resources. From the beauty of its contour and appearance, as well as from the apparent fertility and ease of cultivation of its soil, it very naturally attracted the early attention of those who were traveling over the State in search of land on which to settle, or purchase for purposes of speculation. And scarcely was it thrown into the market before they eagerly seized upon the choicest of its lands, so that in a short time the whole of them had passed from the control of the government into the hands of private parties. These entries of land extended through a period of thirty-four years, but more than seven-tenths of them were made in the one year of 1836. The first entry was made by John How, on the 27th of September, 1833; and was the only one made that year. In 1834 two entries were made, one of them by the same party, and the other by William Peel, both on the 7th of June. Then in 1835 the rush began, and continued from October, 1835, till the spring of 1837. In 1835, John How, William and Benjamin Bennett, Horace H. Nottingham, William Hatt and his son, William Hatt, Jr., Caleb Wood, and Bishop W. Sherwood, made purchases in this town. The purchases in 1836 were 152 in number. The rest of the entries were, in 1837, 9; in 1838, 3; in 1839, 2; in 1841, 2; in 1842, 1; in 1847, 3; in 1848, 5; in 1849, 5; in 1850, 1; in 1851, 2; in 1852, 2; in 1853, 2; in 1854, 4; in 1855, 4; in 1861, 1; and in 1866, 2.

The following is a complete list of all the entries, giving the name and former residence of each purchaser, and the date, description of land, and number of acres of each entry, the names of those who actually settled here being marked with an asterisk.

     The first part consists of those who entered land upon more than one section, and the second part of those who made entries on only one section. The list is made from the records as found in the Livingston County tract-book, and is as follows:

     The remaining entries are for more convenient reference arranged by sections, as follows:

     In the foregoing, the names of those who are known to have become actual residents of the town are distinguished by a (*). In most cases considerable time intervened between the date of entry and the date of settlement. And in some instances this space was lengthened into months and years.

     As will be seen, by any one whose curiosity prompts them to carefully examine the list, there is still some land that has never been purchased from the government. This embraces what might well be termed submarine farms, as it is mostly, if 418. not entirely, composed of the bottoms of the lakes, with perhaps a little strip of the bordering marshes. The total amount of land thus left unoccupied is 479 acres and a fraction, and is distributed as follows: on section 1, 79.4 acres; on section 2, 40.01 acres; on section 8, 40 acres; on section 15, 40 acres; and on section 17, 280 acres.

SETTLEMENT

     We of the present generation are wont to pay but little heed to the generations that have preceded us along the pathway of life. In the rush and whirl of active life, the past, with its people, their wants and wishes, hopes and dreams, fears and troubles, joys. and sorrows, are forgotten and ignored. And yet it is always well to look back upon the pathway of the world's progress, study the events and experiences of the past, with a view to seeing their logical results, and thus to profit by what others have learned only through, trial and suffering.

     Turn back upon the footsteps of time but little more than one generation and mark the contrast presented by this part of our land. Here was a vast wilderness, unpeopled save by wild beasts and savages, with beautiful openings and impenetrable forests mingled together in a seemingly endless succession, with thousands of beautiful, placid lakes hid in the bosom of the forest, and smooth-gliding streams, running stealthily along, with the forest trees frowning darkly upon their own reflected forms. And this had been the inheritance of a people rude and uncultured, but having all the attributes of the race which, by its reason and conscience, was made fit for the position, assigned it by the Creator's fiat, as ruler over all the earth. These aborigines have passed away, leaving their loved hunting-grounds to become fertile and fruitful farms, and we scarcely give their, memories a passing thought. We know that they existed, and occasionally have the fact recalled to mind by the discovery of some relic that the plow brings forth from its earthy hiding-place, but we take no pains to perpetuate their memories or preserve their histories. Will the future inhabitants of this continent in ages to come be as careless and indifferent regarding us ?

     Though Deerfield was in many respects an excellent hunting-ground, and was, therefore, frequently visited by roving hands of Indians, it was not the site of any of their villages. The only Indian who resided here was an old chief who bore the name of Portabeek, and had a habitation, half-wigwam, half-shanty, upon the west bank of the Yellow River, near Indian Lake, There he lived with his old squaw and a widowed daughter, who bad two or three children. He was of fine appearance, unusual size, and possessing more than the usual amount of intelligence. He was of a jovial disposition, thoroughly honest and reliable, and always lived on the best of terms both with his red brethren and pale-faced neighbors. For some five or six years after the advent of the white settlers he continued to reside in his cabin, hunting, fishing, and trafficking with the pioneers, and then the family in some way became broken up, and Portabeek and his wife commenced a roving life, that lasted till the Great Spirit called them to the happy hunting-grounds, After his wife died he rambled about in his loneliness, spending most of his time in Tyrone, where he died; but the event was looked upon as of so little importance that neither the time of his death nor the place of his burial can now be learned.

     The first white settler of Deerfield came to reside here in 1834, and his. family was for a year or more the only family in town. This man's name was John How, and a brief sketch of his life will no doubt be of interest to the readers of this work in the present, as it must ever be to future generations of the descendants of the pioneers of this vicinity. He was an Englishman by birth and education, and learned the trade of cotton manufacturer and machinist. In 1820 he emigrated to this country, hoping to find a better market for his labor, and a field of operations that presented more hope of accumulating a competency. Soon after his arrival in New York he found a position in a cotton-factory near Yonkers, in Westchester County, and remained there for thirteen years, most of the time holding the position of agent in charge of the factory. During this time he had accumulated some property, and had been able to afford his children good school privileges; but now his sons were approaching the age when they would desire to start in life for themselves, and he thought the most feasible plan to promote his own and their interests was to push out into the undeveloped Western country, and invest his surplus capital in the cheap but well-reputed lands there so plentiful. He no doubt felt the itching to become a landed proprietor, which is so marked in those of our citizens who come from that country where only the wealthy and titled are privileged to hold a title to the soil. Leaving his son, John, in charge of the factory, he started for Michigan in the summer of 1833, and came by public conveyance over the usually traveled water-courses till he landed in Detroit, where the United States land-office was situated. Hiring a guide and an Indian pony each for the guide and himself, he left Detroit on the Shiawassee trail to look up 418a.

     John How was born near Carlisle, England, in the village of Dalston, April 19, 1814. His father, also named John, was a machinist by occupation, and reared a family of six children,--four sons and two daughters,-our subject being the eldest. In 1821 the family emigrated to this country, and settled in New York City. The following year the elder How removed to Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., where he established a cotton-factory, which he operated successfully for about thirteen years. In 1833 he came to Michigan. Arriving in Detroit, he secured the services of a guide and started on a pedestrian tour in search of a home in the wilderness. At this time the government had disposed of most of its desirable lands in the southern part of the State, and it was not until they reached Deerfield that Mr. How found a suitable location. Here he entered about six hundred acres of land. He soon after returned to New York, and the following year returned with his family, which was the first in the township, their nearest neighbor being at White Lake Oakland Co.

     The elder How was a man of great industry and ability. He was the first supervisor of the town, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He died in Deerfield, in 1850, in the sixty-first year of his age.

     At the date of the emigration of his father, John, Jr., was twenty years of age. He had obtained in New York a good common-school education; this, coupled with a hardy constitution and industrious habits, were of eminent service to him in his new home.

     In the entire county no single individual will be found, perhaps, who has taken such an active and prominent position in the history of his town as has Mr. How in Deerfield. He has been prominently identified with its political history. He represented the town upon the Board of Supervisors for many years, and of that body was considered to be an able and efficient member. In 1857 he was elected to the representative branch of the Legislature, and has filled many other positions of trust and responsibility.

     In 1841, Mr. How was married to Miss Eunice Jones, who was born in Middlefield, Otsego Co., N.Y., Feb. 22, 1822. Her parents, Levi and Betsey Jones, were pioneers of Salem, Washtenaw Co. Mr. and Mrs. How have been blessed with three children, one of whom, James, is living at the old home. 

     419. a satisfactory location. He wanted to find a locality where the soil should be light enough to cultivate easily, and yet heavy enough to bear successive cropping, and still yield a remunerative return for the labor of cultivation. The plains he considered too light, and the timbered lands, as a whole, too heavy for his purpose, but hoped to find on the timbered openings, near the edge of the timber belt, a soil that would suit him.

     Not unmindful of the advantages of a healthful location, where the too prevalent chills and fevers were less common than in some parts, he sought for a situation well towards the sources of the streams, judging that there their courses would be more rapid and their waters more pure. Then, too, as he was a practical mill-wright and machinist, he thought that a good water-power would be an excellent thing to own, as it would furnish motive power for saw and grist-mills for the accommodation of the coming settlers, and might in the future, when the resources of the State became more fully developed, become valuable for purposes of manufacture. With all these things in view he traveled along the Shiawassee trail to Owosso, without finding a satisfactory stopping-place, and turned upon his track, determined to follow some of the streams towards their sources, and see if something suited to his mind could not be found. Arrived at Byron they left the trail and followed along the east bank of the South Branch of the Shiawassee River till they reached this town, and found a country which answered to Mr. How's preconceived notions. He finally decided that it he had found a spot that possessed all the desirable qualities and natural advantages that could be expected anywhere, and made minutes of the description of the pieces he wanted to purchase. Mounting their ponies he and the guide retraced their steps and followed the Detroit and Shiawassee or Walled Lake trail to Detroit, where Mr. How entered a section of land, embracing the east three-fourths of section 7, and the west quarter of section 8. Having thus secured his land, which was the first taken up in the town, he returned to the East to settle up his business and prepare his family for removal.

     It was the 1st of May following before they were ready to begin their journey, which was made by steamboat up the Hudson to Albany, by canal to Buffalo, and steamer to Detroit. The party consisted of John How and wife, four sons,--Jonathan, William, Thomas, and John, Jr.,--two daughters,--Susannah and Mary,--and a hired man, named William Peel, and his wife. Upon their arrival at Detroit, Mr. How hired a teamster to carry his goods to Birmingham, and purchasing an ox-team and wagon loaded in himself and companions and proceeded to Birmingham. He looked about for a place to live in while he was preparing a house on his land, and finding an unoccupied house near Orchard Lake, in Bloomfield, hired it of its owner, Mr. Harris, who was also a former acquaintance, and moved there. Then with his three sons,--John, William, and Jonatlian,--and Mr. Peel, he went on to his land to build a house. They succeeded in finding the place without much difficulty, and Mr. How at once recognized the land he had chosen, and pointed it out to them. John bad made something of a study of the plan of the United States survey, and knew all the marks of section lines, corners, quarter- stakes, etc., and he at once informed his father that if it was the land he had selected it certainly was not the land he had entered. A close examination of the plat proved this to be the case. In some way (thought to be the fault of the guide) a mistake had been made, and Mr. How's section was just a half-mile south from where he intended it to be. He was vexed, and also alarmed lest some one else had appropriated his selection, and taking a careful description of it he hastened back to the land-office in Detroit. He found that the plat was still unbroken, except by his former purchase, and at once entered the southeast quarter of section 6, and William Peel entered the west half of the southwest quarter of section 5. These entries were made June 7, 1834. They then returned to Deerfield.

     The first trip from Orchard Lake to Deerfield occupied a week's time, as they were careful to make a good road through the woods, and though following the trail to the crossings of the streams, yet succeeded in straightening it a good deal, and freed the track from logs, stones, and underbrush. It was marked throughout by "blazes" on the trees. When they reached their destination, work was immediately begun both upon the house for the family, and upon a clearing for a potato-patch. The potatoes were planted as quickly as possible, and in the fall gave a satisfactory yield.

     The site decided upon for the dwelling was about eighty rods west of the southeast corner of section 6, and, while the work of putting it up was in progress, the workmen lived in a small tent they had brought with them for that purpose, and sheltered their tools in a small bark shanty, erected immediately after their arrival. This first white man's dwelling in the town was similar in construction to the log cabins of the period. The logs were sawed flat on two sides, and notched at the ends to bring their unsawn sides as closely together as possible, Then, with mud and split basswood or poplar poles, the spaces between were 420. securely chinked and plastered. It was provided with a stick chimney, and what was rather unusual in those days,--a board roof. The lumber for the roof, floors, door, and casings for the door and windows, was brought from Pontiac. It was the intention to finish up the house in time to get back to Pontiac to celebrate the "fourth of July." It was necessary to take two days for the return trip, stopping over one night on the road at White Lake. So, when the morning of the 3d dawned, they packed up and started for Pontiac. Before they reached White Lake, in the early evening, they began to hear the regular booming of cannon, and thought that the Pontiac boys were commencing their celebration a little earlier than usual. But when they reacted the settlement they found to their disgust and chagrin that they had somehow lost a day in their reckoning, and would arrive in town the day after the celebration. As soon as possible the family and goods, together with three yoke of oxen, two cows with calves, and a pony, were transported to Deerfield, and the regular pioneer life was begun.

     While the house was building, ten acres were cleared and sown to wheat, being the first wheat sown in Deerfield. When harvested the next summer it yielded about 20 bushels to the acre.

     The work of clearing was rather more arduous than was usually the case in this "opening" country, because the timber was heavier than on most of the surrounding sections. Of the experiences of their first winter we are not able to speak in detail, but imagination draws a pleasant -picture of the cosy cabin, snow-shrouded, with a column, of fleecy smoke rolling from its stick chimney into the azure vault, while within were the comfort, and quiet, and pleasant peace of "home." Then there were the rude but healthful labors in the clearing, and the exciting hunting scenes, as the settlers pursued the deer, or lay in wait for the turkeys, all of which added a charm to the new life on the frontier. The boys soon formed the acquaintance of old Portabeek and other Indians, and used to hunt and fish in their company, furnishing the family table with by far the greater share of its supply of meat as the result of their efforts. Succeeding years passed in nearly the same way, though the family, like nearly all the pioneers, was gradually growing into better circumstances, and had to endure less and less privation with each succeeding year. They were the only residents of the town till the fall of 1835 or (as seems more probable to the writer) spring of 1836, when William Hatt, William Hatt, Jr., and Horace H. Nottingham moved into the eastern part of the town. Soon after the completion of his house, Mr. How rigged up a " Pit-saw," and began cutting pine-trees, numerous on his land, and sawing them up into boards. This was the first mechanical industry of the town.

     John How was a self-made man, and possessed the virtues of honesty, energy, thoughtfulness, and good judgment to a marked degree. He was capable as a manager, as well as industrious as a workman, and in his brief connection with public affairs acquitted himself with credit. Upon the organization of the town be was elected its first supervisor, and held the office for three successive terms. Appointed as the first treasurer, in 1839, he held that office seven successive terms, and then retiring from public life devoted his time to the management of his farm and mills until his death, which occurred Jan. 21, 1848, at the age of fifty-nine years, eight months, and fourteen days. His wife died two years before him, April 7, 1846, at the age of fifty-six years.

     Jonathan How married Lucinda Bennett, of this town, Jan. 7, 1838, the ceremony being performed by David Dickson, Esq., and settled on a 90 acre farm he had bought on the northwest quarter of section 5. He died there in 1846, leaving a wife and three sons, the youngest but ten months old.

     William How married Lovisa Anable, May 21, 1848, and lived on a part of the old homestead till his death, Feb. 5, 1864, in his fifty-seventh year. He left a wife and four children.

     Thomas How married Sarah C. Bristol, March 7, 1848, and settled on the place where he still lives, on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 18.

     John How, Jr., to whom the writer of this sketch is much indebted for invaluable assistance, was the one member of the family who has particularly distinguished himself. Jan. 14, 1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Eunice Jones, and settled on 300 acres of land lying mostly on section 7. His residence was built on the east half of the northeast quarter of that section, and is still standing near the more modern residence that has supplanted it. On the same place Mr. and Mrs. How are calmly enjoying the pleasures of later life, surrounded by children and friends. Mr. How entered early into the arena of public life, his first appearance being in the role of school inspector, in 1839. He then held the office of town clerk for three years, and was elected as supervisor in 1848. He has served twelve years as supervisor at different times, and in 1856 was elected a Representative in the State Legislature. In all of these positions he discharged his duties with zeal and fidelity, winning the good opinion of his political foes, as well- as of the members of his own (Cont. on Part. B.)