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Map of Howell
Township 1880
184.
THE township of Howell
is that which is designated on the United States survey as No. 3, north
of the base line, in range 4, east of the principal meridian of the
State. It is bounded on the west by the township of Handy, and on the
north by Cohoctah. Its eastern line--against the township of
Oceola--and its southern boundary, on which it joins Marion, are the central lines of
Livingston County, the former traversing it from north to South, and the latter from east
to west.
The water-courses of Howell are not numerous, nor is their supply
more than moderately abundant. The principal of these is the south branch of the
Shiawassee River, which, taking its rise in the lakes of Marion, flows north, nearly
through the centre of Howell, into Cohoctah. This is here a sluggish stream, and for a
considerable part of its course through Howell is bordered by swamps; but it furnishes two
water-powers of small capacity, which have, in past years, done some service to the people
of the town, by propelling mills for grinding grain, sawing lumber, and dressing cloth.
The east branch of Cedar River also enters the township from
Marion, and, crossing the three southwestern sections of Howell, passes into Handy, where
it joins the main Cedar.
Thompson Lake lies partly within the original township, but in
that part which is now included in the village corporation of Howell, as has already been
mentioned in that connection. From the north end of this lake issues an outlet stream,
which passes north and east through the north part of section 25 and the southeast part of
section 24 of this township, and enters Oceola, but returns into Howell on section 12, and
then flows north, through that and section 1, into Cohoctah, where it is known as Bogue
Creek, and where it finally joins the Shiawassee River.
The surface of Howell township is undulating, but cannot be
termed hilly. The altitude of some parts of it is perhaps nearly as great as that of any
part of the county, but the elevations of land are less abrupt, and not so high with
reference to surrounding country, as is the case in some of the other (particularly the
southeastern) townships of Livingston. A great part of the area of Howell was originally
covered with "oak-openings," and in these the soil, although not so strong as
that of heavy timbered lands, was of a quality well adapted to the purposes of
agriculture, and more profitable for settlers than that lying beneath the denser forest
growth, because it could be made available for crops in less time and with
less labor. The swampy lands along the streams, and in some other parts
of the township, are justly regarded as blemishes upon the face of the
country, yet they were positive blessings to the pioneer farmers who
settled here, for they were enabled to feed their stock on the coarse
wild marsh grasses during the time which necessarily elapsed before the
lands could be cleared and crops raised for their subsistence.
LAND-ENTRIES
The first entry of land in
this township was made by Orman Coe, of Genesee County, New York, May 20, 1833, and embraced the east half of the
southwest quarter of section 27. The next* was by Checkley S. Palmer, of Genesee Co.,
N.Y., it being the west half of the northwest quarter of section 25. The later entries are
shown by the following list, which is of the names of all purchasers from the United
States of lands on the several sections in Howell township, with the dates and
description's of their purchases:
| SECTION 1 |
| Bickford P. Hutchinson and Silas Titus, of Wayne Co., Mich.,
Feb. 18, 1836. Southeast quarter and northeast fractional quarter. |
| Edward Peck, of Genesee Co., N.Y., May 23, 1836. West half of
the southwest quarter. |
| Joseph Heath, of Monroe Co., N.Y., June 9, 1836. Northwest
fractional quarter. |
| Daniel Boutell, Onondaga Co., N.Y., Nov. 14, 1836. East half of
the southwest quarter. |
| SECTION 2 |
| William W. Shutes, Oakland Co., Mich., Oct. 19, 1835. South
part of northwest fractional quarter. |
| Ezra Frisbee, Montgomery Co., N.Y., Oct. 19, 1835. North part
of northwest fractional quarter, |
184a.
Image of
William White Residence
Howell, Livingston County, Mich.
185.
| William S. Gregory, Wayne Co., Mich., May 23, 1836. South part
of northeast fractional quarter. |
| Patrick Tobin, Livingston Co., Mich., May 28, 1836. Southwest
quarter. |
| Horace Heath and Apollos Smith, United States, June 10, 1836.
North part of northeast fractional quarter. |
| Harvey S. Bradley, Niagara Co., N.Y., Oct. 22, 1838. East half
of southeast quarter. |
| Joseph Bradley, Wayne Co., Mich., Nov. 2, 1838. Northwest
quarter of southeast quarter. |
| Maria Bradley Wayne Co., Mich., Feb. 5, 1839. Southwest quarter
of southeast quarter. |
| SECTION 3 |
| John Sanford, Oakland Co., Mich., July 8, 1834. Northwest
fractional quarter. |
| William Carpenter, Niagara Co., N.Y., May 21, 1836. West half
of southwest quarter. |
| Ebenezer Warren, Livingston Co., N.Y., May 21, 1836. West half
of southeast quarter and east half of southwest quarter. |
| Henry W. Randall, Niagara Co., N.Y., May 21, 1836. East half of
southeast quarter. |
| John Sanford, Livingston Co., Mich., June 8, 1836. North part
of northeast fractional quarter. |
| David Hyde, Livingston Co., Mich., Sept. 16, 1846. Southwest
quarter of northeast quarter; Feb. 23, 1848, southeast quarter of northeast quarter. |
| SECTION 4 |
| Samuel M. Spencer, Livingston Co., N. Y., May 7, 1836. West
half of southwest quarter. |
| Garret S. Lake, Livingston Co., N.Y., May 28, 1836. Southwest
quarter of southeast quarter. |
| Mark Healy and B. B. Kercheval, United States, May 28, 1836
East half of southwest quarter, east half of southeast quarter, northwest quarter of
southeast quarter. |
| Purdy Williams, New York City, June 15, 1836. West half of
northwest fractional quarter. |
| William Hyde, Livingston Co., N.Y., Nov. 17, 1854. East half
of northeast fractional quarter. |
| Almon Whipple, Livingston Co., N.Y., Nov. 23, 1854. East half
of northwest fractional quarter, west half of northeast fractional quarter. |
| SECTION 5 |
| Nathan Chidester, Genesee Co., N. Y., May 4, 1836. Northeast
fractional quarter. |
| William Slater, Livingston Co., N.Y., May 5, 1836. Northwest
fractional quarter, west half of southwest quarter, northeast quarter of southwest
quarter. |
| Samuel N. Spencer, Livingston Co., N. Y., May 7, 1836. East
half of southeast quarter. |
| William Slater, Livingston Co., N.Y., May 13, 1836. Southeast
quarter of southwest quarter. |
| John W. Pierce, Wayne Co., Mich., June 24, 1836. West half of
southeast quarter. |
| SECTION 6 |
| Joseph B. Craft, Livingston Co., N.Y., May 5, 1836. Northwest
fractional quarter. |
| Justus Boyd, Genesee Co., N.Y., May 5, 1836. Northeast
fraction; quarter, east half of southeast quarter, and northwest quarter of southeast
quarter. |
| Charles P. Bush, Tompkins Co., N.Y., June 9, 1836. North part
of southwest fractional quarter. |
| William Horton, New York City, June 15, 1836. South half of
southwest fractional quarter and southwest quarter of southeast quarter. |
| SECTION 7 |
| Joseph Porter, Washtenaw Co., Mich., July 21, 1834. West part
of southwest fractional quarter. |
| John Bennet, Washtenaw Co., Mich., July 14, 1835. Northwest
fractional quarter. |
| Jeremiah Greenfield, Cayuga Co., N.Y., Oct. 10, 1835. East part
of southwest fractional quarter and southwest quarter of southeast quarter. |
| Nathan Chidester, Genesee Co., N.Y., May 4, 1836. East half of
northeast quarter. |
|
Stephen S. Bullock, Wayne Co., Mich., June 14, 1836. East half of
southeast quarter and west half of northeast quarter. |
| Garret S. Lake, Livingston Co., Mich., April 13, 1837.
Northwest quarter of southeast quarter. |
| SECTION 8 |
| William H. Townsend, New York City, Oct. 1, 1835. Southeast
quarter. |
| William C. Blackwood, Seneca Co., N. Y., May 6, 1836. Northwest
quarter. |
| Ramsey McHenry, B. B. Kercheval, Mark Healey, and O. T. Smith,
United States, May 14, 1836. Northeast quarter. |
| Healey & Kercheval, United States, May 28, 1836. Southwest
quarter. |
| SECTION 9 |
| Isaac R. Stone, Ontario Co., N.Y., Oct. 16, 1835. West half of
southwest quarter. |
| William R. Spofford, Genesee Co., N.Y., May 20, 1836. West half
of northwest quarter. |
| Lester K. Gould, Genesee Co., N.Y., May 20, 1836. East half of
northwest quarter and east half of southwest quarter. |
| Garret S. Lake, Livingston Co., N.Y., May 28, 1836. Northeast
quarter. |
| Edward C. Douser, Livingston Co., N.Y., June 27, 1836. West
half of southeast quarter. |
| William Bloodworth, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Jan. 9, 1837. East
half of southeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 10 |
| Harry W. Phillips, Niagara Co., N.Y., May 21, 1836. South half
of section. |
| William Carpenter, Niagara Co., N.Y., May 21, 1836. North half
of section. |
|
SECTION 11 |
| Moses Thompson, Herkimer Co., N.Y., Sept. 3, 1835. East half of
southeast quarter. |
| Anthony Shaw, Saratoga Co., N.Y.. May 21, 1836. Northwest
quarter. |
| Patrick Tobin, Livingston Co., Mich., May 28, 1836. Southwest
quarter. |
| Aaron Sickels, May 8, 1838. Southeast quarter of northeast
quarter. |
| John F. Sickels, May 8, 1838. Northeast quarter of northeast
quarter. |
| Odell J. Smith, Livingston Co., Mich., Aug. 4,1838. Southwest
quarter of northeast quarter. and northwest quarter of southeast quarter. |
| Levi D. Smith, Livingston Co., Mich., Nov. 1, 1855. Northwest
quarter of northeast quarter. |
| Charles L. Ferguson, July 5, 1853. Southwest quarter of south
east quarter. |
| Levi D. Smith, Livingston Co., Mich., February 24, 1854.
Northwest quarter of northeast quarter. |
| SECTION 12 |
| Moses Thompson, Herkimer Co., N.Y., Sept. 3, 1835. West half of
southwest quarter. |
| Ezra J. Mundy, Livingston Co., Mich., April 30, 1836. Southwest
quarter of southeast quarter. |
| John F. Sickels, Wayne Co., N.Y., May 18, 1836. Northeast
quarter and northwest quarter, east half of southwest quarter, east half of southeast
quarter, and northwest quarter of southeast quarter. |
|
186.
SECTION 13 |
| George W. Teeple, Steuben Co., N.Y., July 7, 1835. Southwest
quarter of southwest quarter. |
| Ezra J. Mundy, Livingston Co., Mich., April 30, 1836. West half
of northeast quarter and east half of northwest quarter. |
| E. Thompson, Livingston Co., Mich., May 27, 1836. Northeast
quarter of northeast quarter. |
| Lewis Thompson, Livingston Co., Mich., May 27, 1836. Northwest
quarter of southwest quarter and east half of southwest quarter. |
| Patrick Tobin, Livingston Co., Mich., May 28, 1836. West half
of northwest quarter. |
| Levi Hotchkiss, Livingston Co., Mich., July 28, 1836. Southeast
quarter and southeast quarter of northeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 14 |
| George W. Teeple, Steuben Co., N.Y., July 7, 1835. Southeast
quarter of southeast quarter. |
| Orrin H. Harding, Niagara Co., N.Y., Sept. 28, 1835, Southwest
quarter. |
| Elijah Gaston, Livingston Co., Mich., May 2, 1836. West half of
northwest quarter. |
| Edward Peck, Genesee Co., N.Y., May 23, 1836. West half of
northeast quarter. |
| William S. Gregory, Wayne Co., Mich., May 23, 1836. East half
of northeast quarter and northeast quarter of southeast quarter. |
| Patrick Tobin, Livingston Co., Mich., May 28, 1836. East half
of northwest quarter, |
| Victory Curtis, Livingston Co., Mich., Sept. 24, 1836. West
half of southeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 15 |
| Orrin H. Harding, Niagara Co., N.Y., Sept. 28, 1835, East half
of southeast quarter. |
| Mortimer B. Martin, Wayne Co., Mich., Feb. 15, 1836. Northwest
quarter. |
| George Curtis, Livingston Co., Mich., May 2, 1836. East half of
northeast quarter. |
| John Curtis, Livingston Co., Mich., May 2, 1836. West half of
northeast quarter. |
| Ramsey McHenry, B. B. Kercheval, Mark Healey, O. T. Smith, May
24, 1836. Southwest quarter. |
| Benjamin J. Spring, Livingston Co., Mich., June 24, 1836. West
half of southeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 16 |
|
SCHOOL LANDS |
| Mary Jones, Jan. 21, 1848. Southeast quarter of southwest
quarter. |
| J. La Grange, April 17, 1848. Northwest quarter of southeast
quarter. |
| A. La Grange, June 14, 1848. Southwest quarter of southwest
quarter. |
| William Moore, June 12, 1849. Northeast quarter of northeast
quarter. |
| Anson La Grange, March 11, 1851. Southeast quarter of southwest
quarter. |
| O. P. Brayton, April 30, 1851. Southeast quarter of northeast
quarter. |
| Chas. O. Reed, June 28, 1851. North half of southwest quarter. |
| John La Grange, Aug. 16, 1851. Southeast quarter of northwest
quarter. |
| Nicholas Lake, Jr., Jan. 4, 1853. Southeast quarter of
northwest quarter. |
| William Moore, Jan. 19, 1853. Southwest quarter of northeast
quarter. |
| C. A. Dorrance, Oct. 8, 1853. Northwest quarter of northwest
quarter. |
| J. McDaniels, Oct. 14, 1853. Northwest quarter of northeast
quarter. |
| E. Marr, Oct. 17, 1853. Southwest quarter of northwest quarter. |
| Robert McLean, Oct. 20, 1853. Northeast quarter of northwest
quarter. |
| J. Whipple, Aug. 7, 1854. Northeast quarter of northeast
quarter. |
|
SECTION 17 |
| Chilson Sanford, Washtenaw Co., Mich., April 25, 1834. East
half of southwest quarter. |
| Whitely Woodruff, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Oct. 27, 1834.
Southwest quarter of southwest quarter. |
| Samuel Waddell, Oakland Co., Mich., July 14, 1835. East half of
southeast quarter. |
| Clement Stebbins, Oakland Co., Mich., Sept. 29, 1835- Southwest
quarter of southeast quarter. |
| William H. Townsend, New York City, Oct. 1, 1835. Northeast
quarter. |
| Flavius J. B. Crane, Livingston Co., Mich., Nov. 27, 1835.
Northwest quarter of southwest quarter. |
|
Abram A. Van Nest, Washtenaw Co., Mich., March 16, 1836.
Northwest quarter. |
| Henry Lake, Livingston Co., Mich., June 17, 1836. Northwest
quarter of southeast quarter. |
| SECTION 18 |
| James Hiscock, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Dec. 18, 1834. East half
of southeast quarter. |
| Alfred A. Dwight, Wayne Co., Mich., July 17, 1835. West half of
southeast quarter. |
| Bickford P. Hutchinson and Silas Titus, Wayne Co., Mich,, July
17, 1835. East half of northwest quarter. |
| Morgan Lyon, Chenango Co., N.Y., Sept. 28, 1835. Northeast
quarter. |
| Edwin Hubbard, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Oct. 14, 1835. East half
of southwest fractional quarter. |
| Harvey Hubbard, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Oct. 14, 1835. West half of northwest fractional quarter. |
| Ebenezer Demmon, Livingston Co., Mich., Jan. 25, 1837. West
part of southwest fractional quarter. |
|
SECTION 19 |
| Clement Stebbins, Oakland Co., Mich., Sept. 29, 1835. East half
of northeast quarter. |
| Mark Healy and B. B. Kercheval, United States, May 28, 1836.
Southeast quarter, southwest fractional quarter, northwest fractional quarter, and west
half of northeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 20 |
| Chilson Sanford, Washtenaw Co., Mich. April 25, 1834. Northwest
quarter. |
|
Sterry Lyon, Washtenaw Co., Mich., July 21, 1834. East half of northeast
quarter |
|
Nancy Gregory, Washtenaw Co., Mich., June 20, 1835, West half of
northeast quarter. |
|
Charles S. Gregory, Washtenaw Co., Mich., June 20, 1835, West half of
southeast quarter and southeast quarter of southeast quarter. |
|
Bickford P. Hutchinson and Alfred A. Dwight, Wayne Co., Mich., July 17,
1835. Northeast quarter of southeast quarter. |
| Flavius B. Crane, Livingston Co., Mich., Nov. 27, 1835.
Southwest quarter. |
|
SECTION 21 |
| Elisha H. Smith, Ontario Co., N.Y., Nov. 6, 1834. West half of
southwest quarter. |
| Villeroy E. Smith, Ontario Co., N.Y. May 22, 1835. West half of
northwest quarter. |
|
John W. Smith, Ontario Co., N. Y., May 22, 1835. Southeast
quarter of southwest quarter. |
| Robert Pixley, Ontario Co., N.Y., Oct. 15, 1835. East half of
northeast quarter, southwest quarter of northeast quarter. |
| 187.
Isaac R. Stone, Ontario Co., N.Y., Oct.. 16, 183S. Southeast
quarter. |
| Jarvis W. Carr, Ontario Co., N.Y., Oct. 16, 1835. East half of
northwest quarter. |
| Josiah Snow and George W. H. Fisk, Wayne Co., Mich., Feb. 8,
1836. Northeast quarter of southwest quarter. |
| John W. Smith, Livingston Co., Mich., Oct. 12, 1837. Northwest
quarter of northeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 22 |
| Dennis Hogan, Washtenaw Co., Mich., May 23, 1835. Southwest
quarter. |
| Paul D. Cornell and Alonzo Cornell, Rensselaer Co., N.Y., July
11, 1835. West half of northwest quarter and northeast quarter of northwest quarter. |
| Peter Brewer, Niagara Co., N.Y., Sept. 9, 1835. Southeast
quarter of southeast quarter. |
| Daniel Case, Livingston Co., Mich., March 10, 1836. Northeast
quarter of southeast quarter and southeast quarter of northeast quarter; April 4, 1836
northeast quarter of northeast quarter. |
| Luther B. Willard, Wayne Co., Mich., April 23, 1836. West half
of northeast quarter; Aug. 6, 1336, southeast quarter of northwest quarter. |
| Paul Stowell, Genesee Co., N.Y., March 9, 1837. West half of
southeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 23 |
| Agnes Wood, Niagara Co., N.Y., June 2, 1836. Northeast quarter
of northwest quarter. |
| Victory Curtis, Livingston Co., Mich., Sept. 24, 1836. West
half of northeast quarter. |
| Bickford P. Hutchinson and Silas Titus, Wayne Co., Mich., July
17, 1835. East half of southeast quarter. |
| Moses Thompson, Herkimer Co., N.Y., Aug. 18, 1835. East half of
northeast quarter. |
| Sally Johnston, Livingston Co., Mich., Aug. 10, 1835. Southeast
quarter of southwest quarter. |
| David Wadhams, Madison Co., N.Y., Sept. 3, 1835. Southwest
quarter of southeast quarter. |
| Peter Brewer, Niagara Co., N.Y., Sept. 9, 1835. West half of
southwest quarter. |
| Justin Durfee, Monroe Co., N.Y., Oct. 26, 1835. Wesf half of
northwest quarter. |
| James Sage, Livingston Co., Mich., May 9, 1836. Southeast
quarter of northwest quarter. |
| Patrick Hefferman, Wayne Co., Mich., May 28, 1836. Northwest
quarter of southeast quarter and northeast quarter of southwest quarter. |
|
SECTION 24 |
| George W. Teeple, Steuben Co., N.Y., July 7, 1835. West half of
northwest quarter. |
| Alfred A. Dwight, Wayne Co., Mich., July 17, 1835. West half of
southwest quarter. |
| Samuel Riddle, Jr., Washtenaw Co., Mich., April 26, 1836. East
half of northwest quarter and west half of northeast quarter. |
| William Packard, Wayne Co., Mich., May 16, 1836. East half of
southwest quarter. |
| William J. Pease, New York City, Nov. 16,1836. East half of
northeast quarter. |
| Alvin L. Crittenden, Livingston Co., Mich., Dec. 14, 1836.
North half of southeast quarter. |
| Aaron Saunders, Livingston Co., Mich., July 11, 1846. Southeast
quarter of southeast quarter; Oct. 17, 1849, southwest quarter of southeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 25 |
| Checkley S. Palmer, Genesee Co., N.Y., Oct. 7,1933. West half
of northwest quarter. |
| Robert R. Rowland, Wayne Co., N.Y., May 30, 1835. South half of
northwest quarter. |
| Elizabeth Thompson, Oakland Co., Mich., July 10, 1835.
Southwest quarter of northeast quarter. |
| Edward Thompson, Livingston Co., Mich., May 27,1836. Southeast
quarter of northeast quarter. |
| Joseph R. Thompson, Oakland Co., Mich., May 31, 1839. Northeast
quarter of northeast quarter. |
| Morris Thompson, Livingston Co., Mich., July 9, 1847. Northwest
quarter of northeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 26 |
| Itha J. West, Niagara Co., N.Y., Sept. 9, 1835. West half of
northwest quarter. |
| Bickford P. Hutchinson and Alfred A. Dwight, Wayne Co., Mich.,
July 17, 1835. East half of northeast quarter. |
| Clarissa Johnson, Livingston Co., Mich., Aug. 18, 1835. East
half of northwest quarter. |
| David Wadhams, Madison Co., N.Y., Sept, 3, 1835. West half of
northeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 27 |
| Orman Coe, Genesee Co., N.Y., May 20, 1833. East half of
southwest quarter. |
| Henry S. Larned, Livingston Co., Mich., June 15, 1835.
Southwest, quarter of northwest quarter. |
| Bickford H. Hutchinson and Alfred A. Dwight, Wayne Co.,
Mich., July 17, 1835. West half of southwest quarter. |
| Henry S. Larned, Livingston Co., Mich., July 21,
1835. Northwest
quarter of northwest quarter. |
| George W. Pennock, Upper Canada, Aug. 3, 1835. West half of
southeast quarter. |
| Itha J. West, Niagara Co., N.Y., Sept. 9, 1835. Northeast
quarter of northeast quarter. |
| Jonathan Austin, Livingston Co., Mich., Oct. 28, 1835. East
half of southeast quarter. |
| Harvey Metcalf, Livingston Co., Mich., June 4, 1836. West half
of northeast quarter and east half of northwest quarter. |
| John Haze, Oakland Co., Mich., Sept. 16,
1837. Southeast quarter of northeast quarter. |
|
SECTION 28 |
| Francis Monroe, Ontario Co., N.Y., Nov. 6, 1834. Southwest
quarter. |
| John W. Smith, Ontario Co., N.Y., May 22, 1835. Northeast
quarter of northwest quarter. |
| Israel Powers, Ontario Co., N.Y., June 8, 1835. West half of
northeast quarter. |
| B. L. Powers, Yates Co., N.Y., June 8, 1835. East half of
northeast quarter. |
| Jacob Leroy, Genesee Co., N.Y., Aug. 11, 1835. Southeast
quarter. |
| Flavius J. B. Crane, Livingston Co., Mich., Jan. 13, 1836. West
half of northwest quarter and southeast quarter of northwest quarter. |
|
SECTION 29 |
| Eliphalet Lewis, Washtenaw Co., Mich., July 14, 1835. East half
of northeast quarter and northwest quarter of northeast quarter. |
| Mark Healy and B. B. Kercheval, United States, May 28, 1836.
Northwest quarter, southwest quarter, southeast quarter, and southwest quarter of
northeast quarter. |
|
SECTIONS 30, 31 |
| Mark Healy and B. B. Kereheval, United States, May 28, 1836.
Entire sections. |
|
SECTION 32 |
| Rial Lake, Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 12, 1835. Southeast quarter. |
| Mark Healy and B. B. Kercheval, United States, May 28, 1836.
Northeast quarter, northwest quarter, and southwest quarter. |
|
188.
SECTION 33 |
| Jacob Leroy, Genesee Co., N.Y., Aug. 11, 1835. East half of
northeast quarter. |
| Rial Lake, Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 12, 1835. West half of
southwest quarter. |
| Leonard Collar, Orleans Co., N.Y., Oct. 26, 1835 West half of
northeast quarter. |
| Edward E. Gregory, Washtenaw Co., Mich., April 26, 1836.
Southeast quarter. |
| William M. Gregory, Washtenaw Co., Mich., May 24, 1836. East
half of southwest quarter. |
| Mark Healy and B. B. Kercheval, United States, May 28, 1836.
Northwest quarter. |
|
SECTION 34 |
| Moses Thompson, Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 9, 1834. Northeast
quarter, east half of northwest quarter, and northeast quarter of southwest quarter. |
| Morris Thompson, Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 15, 1834. Northwest
quarter of southeast quarter. |
| Brown Bristol, Genesee Co., N.Y., July 4, 1835. East half of
southeast quarter. |
| Hezekiah Carpenter and Socrates W. Carpenter, Genesee Co.,
N.Y., Aug. 11, 1835. West half of northwest quarter. |
| Edward E. Gregory, Washtenaw Co., Mich., May 24, 1836.
Southwest quarter of southwest quarter. |
| Joseph S. Crispel, Livingston Co., Mich., June 12, 1845.
Southeast quarter of southwest quarter. |
| Rice Tyler, Livingston Co., Mich., July 10, 1852. Southwest
quarter of southeast quarter. |
| E. G. Almy, Livingston Co., Mich., certificate assigned to Enos
Sowle, Jan. 9, 1854. Northwest quarter of southwest quarter. |
EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND SETTLERS
At the beginning of the year 1835 there had been no settlement made in
Howell west or north of the present village limits, but during the
spring and summer. of that year a considerable number of immigrants came
in and located themselves in different parts of the township. To which
of them belonged the honor of being the first settler in the township
cannot be stated, as several came in at nearly the same time.
Mr. Samuel Waddell, from Steuben County, N.Y., and a soldier of
the war of 1812, was one who settled here in the fall of that year. His location was on
the east half of the southeast quarter of section 17, which he had entered in July, 1835.
Mr. Waddell died on the 30th of May, 1837, his being the first death that occurred among
the settlers in the township. It was the result of injuries received at the raising of the
frame of a barn at Amos Adams' Eagle Tavern. He was buried on his farm; but his remains
were afterwards removed to the burial-ground in Howell village. In the autumn of the same year, his widow, with her family
of seven children, returned to Pultney, N.Y., from whence they had emigrated two years
before. She is still residing there at the age of more than eighty years. Andrew D.
Waddell, the fifth of her seven children, returned to the village of Howell in 1855,
commenced the study of law was admitted to the bar in the following year, and is now one
of the leading members of the bar of Livingston County.
Joseph
Porter, from Washtenaw Co., Mich., came in the same year, and located on
the southwest quarter of section 7, but did not long continue at that
place. He was a millwright by trade, and was employed in 1836 in
building the sawmill of Moses Thompson on the outlet of Thompson Lake.
Afterwards he was proprietor, with Amos Adams, of a saw-mill which they
erected on the Shiawassee, on section 27.
Villeroy E. Smith, John W. Smith, and Elisha H. Smith,
three brothers, from Ontario Co., N.Y., came here in May, 1835. They were men of
respectability, and stood well in the estimation of their fellow townsmen. The first and
last named located on section 21. John W. settled on section 28. He was one of the first
justices of the peace elected in the township, and afterwards held the office for sixteen
years in succession. Villeroy E. Smith was a school-teacher by profession, and died while
employed in that calling in the town of Marion, Dec. 30, 1851.
Elisha H. Smith was one of the earliest explorers of this region,
he having come through here on foot, with Mr. Francis Monroe, searching for government
lands, in the fall of 1834. He is still living on the northeast quarter of section 21.
Three sons of his--Gardner S., Reuben C., and Edwin H. Smith died in the service of their
country, in the war of the Rebellion. Mr. Smith is probably the best informed person in
Howell in reference to pioneer matters in the township. Much information and assistance
has been obtained from him in the preparation of this history of Howell; for which he has
the thanks of the writer.
Justin Durfee, from Henrietta, Genesee Co., N.Y., came to Howell
in 1835, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 23. When he first came to
Michigan from New York State (a year or two earlier) he had settled temporarily in Oakland
County, where he was employed in school-teaching. He was also the first male schoolteacher
in the village and township of Howell, being employed to teach the pioneer school in
District No. 1, in 1837. At the spring election of 1836 (the first in the township) he was
elected to the offices of assessor and highway commissioner, and held some offices
(especially in the school district) afterwards. He remained a resident in Howell until
1851, when he returned to New York State, and is now (or was recently) living there.
Merritt S. Havens, a carpenter and joiner by trade, settled in
1835 on section 23. His marriage
189.
with Sally T. Austin, daughter of David Austin, Jan.
15, 1836, was the first celebration of nuptials in the township or village of Howell.
Daniel Hotchkiss and Levi M. Hotchkiss were settlers of 1835,
both locating on section 28. Francis Field and Nathaniel Johnson settled during the same
season on section 23. Mr. Johnson died Jan. 25, 1852. Whiteley Woodruff, from Washtenaw
Co., Mich., settled in the summer of 1835 on the southwest part of section 17, the
locality now known as the "Six Corners;" and at about the same time David H.
Austin began preparations for settlement on the northeast quarter of section 20, where Mr.
Bump now lives. Very soon after, however, Mr. Austin removed from section 20, and located
on section 35, within the present village corporation. After living for some years on
section 35 he removed to Farmington, Oakland Co. His son, George Austin, is now living in
the southwest part of the township. The above-mentioned persons are believed to have been
all--and they were certainly very nearly all--who settled in the township prior to the
commencement of 1836. It has been stated by an old resident of Howell,¥
that at the end of
1835 there were but 22 adult males living in the whole of the township (that is, including
the territory of the present village). But if we add to the above list of settlers the
names of those who were then living within what are now the corporate limits of Howell,
viz., Moses Thompson with his three sons, James and George T. Sage, David Austin, Jonathan
Austin, Messrs. Pinckney, Adams, Crane, and Ezra J. Mundy, we have one or two more than
the number said to be resident in the township at that time. It may therefore be claimed
with considerable confidence that the above mention includes all who had settled in the
township down to the time named.
ERECTION AND ORGANIZATION
OF THE TOWNSHIP
The act erecting the township
of Howell was passed by the Legislature at the session of 1836, and
approved March 23d, in that year. It provided "that all that portion of
the county of Livingston designated by the United States survey as
townships three and four north, of ranges three, four, and five east, be
and the same is hereby set off and organized into a separate township by
the name of Howell, and the first township-meeting shall be held at the
dwelling-house of Amos Adams, in said township."
The territory thus set off to form the township of Howell
comprises, in addition to the present limits of the township, all of the present towns of
Handy, Deerfield, Cohoctah, and Conway. It has been since reduced to its present dimensions by the setting off
of Byron (now Oceola) and Deerfield in March, 1837; and Handy, Tuscola (now Cohoctah), and
Iena (now Conway) in March, 1838.
The name of Howell was taken from that of the village, which had
been so named when platted a year and a half before. The first township-meeting was held,
in accordance with the provisions of the act, at the tavern-house of Amos Adams on the
first Monday in May, 1836. Sugar-bowls, borrowed from the landlady, were used as
ballot-boxes, and in these, thirty-six votes were cast, resulting in the election of
Philester Jessup (of the township now Oceola) as Supervisor; F. J. B. Crane, Town Clerk;
Amos Adams, Ezra Sanford, Harley H. Graves, and John W. Smith, justices of the Peace;
Francis Field, Collector; Justin Durfee, David Austin, and George T. Sage, Assessors;
Joseph Porter, F. J. B. Crane, and Jonathan Austin, School Inspectors; John Sanford,
Justin Durfee, and George T. Sage, Highway Commissioners; John D. Pinckney, F. J. B.
Crane, Francis Field, and Elisha H. Smith, Constables.
A list of persons who have held township offices since that time
and until the present is given below, but it is incomplete for the years between 1836 and
1850, for the reason that the old township record covering those years has been lost; or
destroyed, and only a partial and defective list of officers elected during that period
has been gathered from other sources. Such as are given, however, are known to be
authentic, viz.:
| 1837 |
Supervisor, John W. Smith; Town Clerk, Jonathan Austin; justices of the Peace,
George W. Kneeland, John W. Smith. |
| 1838 |
Supervisor, Rial Lake; Town Clerk, John W. Smith; justices of the Peace, John
T. Watson, Odell J. Smith, Wellington A. Glover. |
| 1839 |
Town Clerk, Morris Thompson; justice of the Peace, Allen C. Weston. |
| 1840 |
Town Clerk, Morris Gardner Wheeler. |
| 1841 |
Town Clerk, Morris Thompson; justice of the Peace, John W. Smith. |
| 1842 |
Supervisor, George W. Kneeland; Town Clerk, M. S. Brennan; justice of the
Peace, Josiah H. Turner, |
| 1843 |
Supervisor, George W. Kneeland; justice of the Peace, Odell J. Smith. |
| 1844 |
Supervisor, Rial Lake; Town Clerk, Gardner Wheeler; justice of the Peace,
James H. Ackerson; Treasurer, William. McPherson; School Inspector, Edward E.
Gregory; Directors of the Poor, Derastus Hinman, Victory Curtis. |
| 1845 |
Supervisor, Odell J. Smith; Town Clerk, Gardner Wheeler; justices of the
Peace, John W. Smith, Nelson G. Isbell (to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Josiah
Turner). |
| 1846 |
190.
Supervisor, Gardner Wheeler; Town Clerk, Lauren K. Hewett; justice of the
Peace, William Lewis. |
| 1847 |
Supervisor, Odell J. Smith; Town Clerk, L. K. Hewett; justices of the Peace,
Richard B. Hall, Samuel M. Yerkes (to fill vacancy). |
| 1848 |
Supervisor, Frederick C. Whipple; Town Clerk, D. D. T. Chandler; justices of
the Peace, Lauren K. Hewett, George W. Kneeland (to fill vacancy). |
| 1849 |
Supervisor, William McPherson; Town Clerk, Henry H. Harmon; justice of the
Peace, John W. Smith. |
| 1850 |
Supervisor, Gardner Wheeler; Clerk, Henry H. Harmon; Treasurer, John B.
Kneeland ; justice of the Peace, Henry Lake; Commissioner of Highways, Edward Thompson;
School Inspector, John A. Wheeler; Directors of the Poor, Richard P. Bush, Josiah Turner. |
| 1851 |
Supervisor, Derastus Hinman; Clerk, John A. Wheeler; Treasurer, John B.
Kneeland; justices of The Peace, John H. Galloway (full term), William More (to fill
vacancy); Highway Commissioner, David Carl ; School Inspector, Gardner Wheeler; Directors
of the Poor, James M. Murray, William L. Wells. |
| 1852 |
Supervisor, Richard P. Bush; Clerk, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, John B. Kneeland;
justices of the Peace, Gardner Wheeler (full term), William More (to fill vacancy) ;
Highway Commissioner, Elisha H. Smith; School Inspector, William A. Clark; Directors of
the Poor, John D. Gifford, Josiah Turner. |
| 1853 |
Supervisor, Richard P. Bush; Clerk, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, John B. Kneeland;
justice of the Peace, L. K. Hewett; Highway Commissioner, Samuel M. Yerkes; School
Inspector, Gardner Wheeler. |
| 1854 |
Supervisor, Gardner Wheeler; Clerk, MyIo L. Gay; Treasurer, John B. Kneeland;
justice of the Peace, William More; Highway Commissioner, Daniel Case; School Inspector,
William A. Clark. |
| 1855 |
Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Clerk, Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, John B.
Kneeland; justice of the Peace, Odell J. Smith; Commissioners of Highways, Dexter Filkins,
Wm. Lake; School Inspector, Wm. B. Jewett. |
| 1856 |
Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; justice of the Peace,
Mylo L. Gay; Treasurer, Nathan Pond; Highway Commissioner, Charles Root; School Inspector,
George P. Root. |
| 1857 |
Supervisor, John B. Kneeland; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer, Andrew
Blanck; justice of the Peace, Daniel Case; Highway Commissioner, David Lewis; School
Inspector, George Huston. |
| 1858 |
Supervisor, John H. Galloway; Clerk, Henry C. Briggs; Treasurer, John W.
Richmond; justice of the Peace, Andrew D. Waddell; Highway Commissioner, Dexter J.
Filkins; School Inspector, B. Howard Lawson (full term), William B. Jewett (to vacancy). |
| 1859 |
Supervisor, John H. Galloway; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer, John W.
Richmond; justice of the Peace, John Marr; Highway Commissioners, Charles Root, Stephen S.
More; School Inspector, J. A. Pond. |
| 1860 |
Supervisor, John H. Galloway; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer, John W.
Richmond; justices of the Peace, Mylo L. Gay (full term), William Lake (to fill vacancy);
Highway Commissioner, Stephen S. More; School Inspector, Andrew Blanck. |
| 1861 |
Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer, Henry C.
Briggs; justice of the Peace, Daniel Case; School Inspector, Jabez A. Pond; Highway
Commissioner, Solomon Hildebrant. |
| 1862 |
Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer, Giles
Tucker; justice of the Peace, Dennis Shields; Highway Commissioner, George Wakefield;
School Inspector, Henry H. Harmon (full term), J. Bruce Fishbeck (vacancy). |
| 1863 |
Supervisor, Giles Tucker; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer,
Leonard B. Wells; justices of the Peace, William Lake (full term), William More (vacancy);
Highway Commissioners, Stephen S. More, George Wakefield; School Inspectors, Ebenezer B.
Bunnell (full term), George Wilber (vacancy). |
| 1864 |
Supervisor, Giles Tucker; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom; Treasurer,
Leonard B. Wells; justice of the Peace, Mylo L. Gay; Highway Commissioner, Solomon
Hildebrant; School Inspectors, Elijah F. Burt (full term), Dennis Shields (vacancy). |
| 1865 |
Supervisor, Almon Whipple; Clerk, E. Rollin Bascom (died during
this term, which was completed by Wallace W. Carpenter); justice of the Peace, Daniel
Case; Treasurer, Leonard B. Wells; School Inspectors, W. W. Carpenter (full term), Dennis
Shields (vacancy). |
| 1866 |
Supervisor, Isaac W. Bush; Clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer, Lorenzo H.
Sullivan; justice of the Peace, Wallace W. Carpenter; Highway Commissioner, Stephen S.
More; School Inspector, Dennis Shields. |
| 1867 |
Supervisor, Oren H. Winegar; Clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer, Elbert C.
Bush; justice of the Peace, Frederick C. Whipple; Highway Commissioner, Solomon
Hildebrant; School Inspector, Wallace W. Carpenter. |
| 1868 |
Supervisor, Oren H. Winegar; Clerk, Henry T. Clark; Treasurer, Elbert C. Bush;
justice of the Peace, Nicholas Lake; Highway Commissioner, Jesse Marr; School Inspector,
Philander Bennett. |
| 1869 |
Supervisor, O. H. Winegar; Clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer, William B.
Smith; justice of the Peace, William More; Highway Commissioner, S. S. More; School
Inspector, Ferdinand W. Munson. |
| 1870 |
Supervisor, William C. Rumsey; Clerk, William H. Wells; Treasurer, Edward B.
Gregory; justice of the Peace, James H. Martin; Highway Commissioner, Geo. B. Raymour;
School Inspector, Philander Bennett. |
| 1871 |
Supervisor, William C. Rumsey Clerk, William H. Wells; Treasurer,
Royal H. Rumsey; justice of the Peace, Albert Riddle; Highway Commissioner, Jesse Mart;
School Inspector, Rollin H. Person. |
| 1872 |
Supervisor, Calvin Wilcox; Clerk, William H. Wells; Treasurer,
Orrin J. Wells; justice of the Peace, Charles P. Lake (full term), Edward B. Gregory (to
fill vacancy); School Inspector, John J. McWhorter. |
| 1873 |
Supervisor, Harry J. Haven; Clerk, Henry G. Selliman; Treasurer, Orrin J.
Wells; justices of the Peace, William More (full term), Charles Hildebrant (three years),
Ezra C. Hatton (one year); Highway Commissioner, George B. Raymond; School Inspector,
Philander Bennett. |
| 1874 |
Supervisor, Benjamin H. Rubert; Clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer, Orrin J.
Wells; justices of the Peace, Ezra C. Hatton (full term), Gilbert L. Wolcott (to fill
vacancy); Highway Commissioner, Timothy Smith; School Inspector, Robert Smith. |
| 1875 |
Supervisor, Albert Riddle; Clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer, Orrin J. Wells;
justices of the Peace, Harry J. Haven (full term), D. C. Kneeland (to fill vacancy);
Highway Commissioner, James F. Moody; School Inspector and Township Superintendent of
Schools, C. Harlow Person. |
| 1876 |
Supervisor, Albert Riddle; Clerk, Royal H. Rumsey; Treasurer, Orrin J. Wells;
justices of the Peace, Dexter J. Filkins (full term), Edward B. Gregory (to fill vacancy);
Township Superintendent of Schools, C. Harlow Person; School Inspector, Orlando H.
Bushnell; Highway Commissioner, John Casterton. |
| 1877 |
Supervisor, William B. Smith; Clerk, Edward Greenaway; Treasurer, Homer N.
Beach; justice of the Peace, C. H. Person; Township Superintendent of
191.
Schools, Thomas Gordon, Jr.; School Inspector, Patrick Hammond; Commissioner
of Highways, Orlando S. Brewer. |
| 1878 |
Supervisor, William B. Smith; Clerk, William F. Griffith ; Treasurer, Homer N.
Beach; justices of the Peace, Isaac W. Bush (full term), Neil O'Hearn (to fill vacancy);
Township Superintendent of Schools, Thomas Gordon, Jr.; School Inspector, Patrick Hammell;
Highway Commissioner David P. Like. |
| 1879 |
Supervisor, George W. Fitch; Clerk, William F. Griffith; Treasurer, Thomas G.
Switzer; justice of the Peace, Edward B. Gregory; Township Superintendent of Schools,
Thomas Gordon, Jr.; School Inspector, Chas. A. Phillips; Highway Commissioner, William J.
Walbran. |
SETTLEMENTS SUCCEEDING THE TOWN ORGANIZATION
Among the first of those who
came to make their homes in the township in the year 1836 were Henry
Lake and Garret S. Lake, two brothers, from Mount Morris, Livingston
Co., N.Y., who came with their families to settle in Howell in June of
that year. It is recollected by the few who remain of those who were
here at that time, that when these two families arrived at the place
where the Grand River road crosses the Shiawassee River, they found that
the rude and frail log bridge which had previously been thrown across
that stream had been swept away by a recent freshet, and as the river
was too much swollen for fording, they were compelled to build a raft,
on which their wagons and household goods were slowly and tediously
ferried across, while their teams were forced to swim to the opposite
shore.
Henry Lake, the elder of the two, settled on section 8, near
where Isaac Henry now lives. He afterwards removed to the farm now owned by Heman Bump, on
section 20. When he came to Howell in 1836, his family consisted of himself, his wife, and
five children, William, Garret, Anson, Teresa, and Malvina. Of these children, William and
Anson are now living in California, and Malvina--now Mrs. Hamilton Benedict--resides in
Fowlerville. Of the children of Mr. Lake who were born after their settlement in Howell,
Wesley Lake is in California; Lilian (Mrs. James P. Spencer), and Rosa, an unmarried
daughter, are living in Fowlerville; another unmarried daughter resides in Lansing; Adelia
is the wife of Mr. John Knight, of Grass Lake, Jackson Co., Mich.; and George and Horace
L. are residents of Howell.
Garret S.
Lake, the younger of the two brothers who came here in 1836, settled on
the Shiawassee River, on the northeast quarter of section 9; his
location being the same which is now embraced in the farm of P. J. Dean.
There he lived in the comfort of an independent farmer's life, and there
he died. On this farm, in 1838, he manufactured the first bricks
made in Howell township. His son, Garret S. Lake, is now presiding elder
in the Church of the United Brethren, and is living in Charlotte, Eaton
Co., Mich. Another son, Andrew, is a farmer in Barry Co., Mich. A
daughter, Hannah (now Mrs. Henry Moon), also resides in Barry County.
Cornelia (Mrs. George Louk) still resides in Howell.
Daniel Case, a native of Monroe Co., N.Y., settled in Howell in
the fall of 1836, on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 22, this tract
having been purchased by him from government in the preceding March. He had come to
Michigan in the fall of 1835, but spent the winter at Toledo, working at his trade, which
was that of carpenter and joiner. Early in the spring of 1836 he set out on a prospecting
tour, and came by way of Monroe, Detroit, and Oakland County to Livingston Centre, which
was then much talked of. Here be employed Mr. James Sage to assist him in his
explorations, and having made several selections he hurried back to the land-office in
Detroit, where he succeeded in entering the lands on which he had fixed his preference. He
then returned to Toledo, and worked at his trade until the middle of May, when he started
back to Detroit, and from there took stage to Ann Arbor, from which place be came up
through the woods, by way of Pinckney and Livingston Centre, to the lands which he had
purchased, and which on a second inspection he liked better than ever, and decided to
settle upon them. About the first of June he started back on foot, by way of Ann Arbor and
Detroit, bound for Livingston Co., N.Y., to make preparations for removing West. On the
20th of September following, he set out on his return to Michigan, bringing with him his
father, job Case, his mother, and his wife (previously Miss Jane E. Fish, of Wyoming Co.,
N. Y., to whom he was married August 24th, in that year). The incidents of his journey
were afterwards related by Mr. Case, as follows:
"At Buffalo we went on board the steamer 'Daniel
Webster.' She was loaded heavily, and just as she was ready to start out five teams with
their loads, all the way from Massachusetts, sought a passage to Toledo, as they were
going to the south part of the State. The captain of the steamer told them be could not
take them, on account of the heavy load, but the mate said they might come on board, if we
all went down together. So on board they came, horses, wagon, and all; and the steamer did
come near sinking, though after many struggles with winds and waves she arrived safely at
Detroit, not being able, on account of the heavy load and bad weather, to put in at
Toledo. . . We hired Mr. A. B. Markham, of Plymouth, to
take a load of about fourteen hundred pounds and my wife and mother to Livingston Centre,
for which service I paid him thirty dollars in gold. They came by way of Plymouth. I
bought a yoke of oxen in Detroit, and loaded on my wagon what we most needed, and started
out on the Grand River road, which was turnpiked for ten miles, and then the
192.
timber lay thick in the road to the Sand Hill.
I had to drive through the woods anywhere to get my wagon through between the trees. I
reached Livingston Centre on the 8th day of October, and I drove the first team over the
road from Else's Corners to William Smith's.
"Winter was approaching, and I had to build me a
house, with no lumber to do it with. But I went to work with a will. I felled the trees
and hewed the timber on two sides for a house 18 by 22 feet, split out ribs to shingle on,
and then split oak shingles to cover it. The boards of the boxes I had brought with me
furnished me with lumber for doors. For the lower floor I split logs and hewed them out
for boards, When we had finished a place large enough to set a bedstead on we moved in,
and completed the house afterwards. Mr. Thompson's mill commenced running about that time,
and Morris Thompson had charge of it; and That all the settlers might be served alike, he
would let each man have just boards enough for an upper floor, and no more, till they had
all procured upper floors, and then divide again. I hired Benjamin J. Spring with his oxen
to go with me to Detroit for the load of goods we had left there. About the middle of
November we took up our line of march with two yoke of oxen and a wagon for them. From
here to New Hudson the road was not cut out, and we followed the trail around marshes and
swamps till we came to the Huron River. We got to Detroit the fourth day at night. The
next morning we loaded our goods, and got back to the Nine Mile House that night. We were
gone from home ten days, and I paid Spring one dollar and fifty cents per day, besides
expenses. Our expenses alone were over twenty-five dollars for the trip, making forty
dollars, besides my time. I mention these bills to show what it cost the first settlers to
come here, and to furnish a contrast to the present cost of a trip to Detroit."
Mr. Case went energetically to work on the land where he settled,
and became a prosperous farmer. He removed in 1844 to Howell village, where he remained
five years, and returned in 1849 to his farm, where he died July 21, 1874. He was twice
married; first to Miss Fish, as mentioned, and the second time to Exalla A. Stebbins, of
Madison Co., N. Y., a sister of Mrs. B. J. Spring. He had two children by the first
marriage and eight by the second. Of the latter two are living, Mrs. William Saunders, of
Howell village, and Mrs. Theodore Pettibone, who resides on the farm of her father.
Benjamin J. Spring, a native of the town of Eaton, Madison
Co., N.Y., and one of the most widely known of the early residents in Howell, came to this
township in July, 1836, and settled on the west half of the southeast quarter of section
15, which he had purchased from government in the same year. His wife, whom he married in
New York State, was Miss Sophronia Stebbins, a sister of the second Mrs. Daniel Case. The
farm on which they settled is the same which is now owned by Lafayette Barnhart, of
Lansing. On this farm he remained until 1840, and then exchanged it with Allen C. Weston
for the hotel property of the latter, known as the Stage House, in Howell village, to
which Spring then removed. He remained in the hotel business in Howell for some years,
afterwards removed to Novi, Oakland Co., in the same business, but returned to Howell, and
died on the James Sage farm in 1853.
Another of the. settlers of 1836 was Victory Curtis, who came
from Madison Co., N.Y., in that year in company with Benjamin J. Spring, and settled on
section 14, owning also an adjoining eighty acre tract in the northeast quarter of section
23. He was a good farmer, and an estimable and highly respected man. He lived on his farm
until his death, which occurred Aug. 13, 1848. Mr. Curtis' sons, George and John, were
married men when they came to Howell with their father in 1836. Besides these he had four
other sons, -- Benjamin, Alonzo, Loyal, and Alfred, -- and three daughters, who became
respectively Mrs. Almon Whipple, Mrs. L. M. Glover, and Mrs. John Dewey, of Shiawassee
County. George and John Curtis both settled as farmers on section 15; the former having
the east half of the northeast quarter, and the latter the west half of the same quarter.
A few years after, however, both removed to Howell village, where John became the
successor of Mr. Edward F. Gay in merchandising, but continued only a short time in the
business, as he died Dec. 7, 1841. George was engaged in the business of hotel-keeping in
the village for several years, and died Oct. 4, 1848. Their brother Benjamin died some
years since in the township of Handy. Alfred is now living in Saginaw, and Alonzo and
Loyal reside in Genesee County.
Hiram Bennett was one of the immigrants of 1836. He came in the
spring of that year, with a party of land-seekers, from Livingston Co., N.Y., and selected
for himself a tract on section 6, where he settled. He was killed by an accident, which
occurred in a well which he was engaged in digging, June 9, 1855.
John B. La Rowe also came from Livingston Co., N.Y., and settled
in the spring of 1836 in what was then the town of Howell, though the place where he
located is just across the township line in the present town of Handy. He, however,
regards himself as having been a citizen of Howell from the first, and it does not seem
improper to mention him as such, among the settlers of that year, for he soon after
removed to the farm on the southwest quarter of section 5 in this town, which he has
occupied until the present time. At a recent pioneer reunion in Howell village, be
narrated some of the incidents of his first trip to Michigan and subsequent settlement as
follows:
"In the spring of 1836 I started, in company with six
others, from the town of Mount Morris, Livingston Co., State of New York, for the
Territory of Michigan. One of our company was to carry us through with his team, and we
were to bear his expenses. We came to Buffalo, crossed over the river at Black Rock, on
the Canada side, got as far as Niagara Falls, where the team gave out
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