355. On motion of Sardis Davis, it was voted "that a bounty of five dollars be paid out of the township treasury to any and every person who shall prove to have killed or destroyed a wolf in the township of Marion." On motion of Sylvester Rounds, the sum of one dollar and seventy-five cents was allowed Sardis Davis for expenses incurred in dividing the township. On motion of Price Morse, it was voted " that the next annual township-meeting be held at the house now occupied by Hiram Wing, and that this meeting do now adjourn."

     On the 21st of May, 1837, a special township-meeting was called to elect officers to vacancies existing by reason of the non-qualification of persons elected at the first meeting. Thereupon Elisha Martindale was elected constable, and Wm. Younglove, Price Morse, and George W. Lee inspectors of schools.

     The following is a list of township officers from 1837 to 1879, inclusive:

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS

HIGHWAYS

     The first highway laid in the township was opened in 1835 or 1836. This road followed no section lines, but, starting on the south line of Marion ran north to what was then termed Prevost's Plains its general course being about one-half mile east of the west line of the township. It is difficult to determine whether this road was laid by the town of Dexter in 1835, as claimed, or by the town of Putnam in 1836, for no transcribed records relating to it are to be found on the Marion books. The first highway projected by the township authorities of Marion was surveyed by Ezra N. Fairchild, June 16, 1837, and described as follows: "Beginning at the southwest corner of section nineteen, township two north of range four east; thence east on the south line of said section to the centre of a high way running north and south. Distance, 27 chains 23 links. Variation, 3° 30' to the right." During the succeeding twelve months eighteen more highways were laid by the highway commissioners, and surveyed by Mr. Fairchild.

     The town was first divided into road districts in 1838, as follows:

       A town-house, situated nearly one mile south of the geographical centre of the township, was completed in 1856, costing about $500.

WAR BOUNTIES

     On the 10th of February, 1864, a petition, signed by B. E. Mitchell, George Younglove, George H. Switzer, David Dickerson, James W. Dickerson, Hiram Wing, James Harger, Henry Bucknell, Daniel Jeffrey, Robert Holland, Robert Holland, Jr., Leonard S. Haynes, George Driver, Joseph Brown, and William Younglove, was presented to the town board, asking that a special township election be held at the earliest practicable day, "to determine by vote what sum of money shall be raised as a bounty fund to be paid volunteers enlisted and mustered into the military or naval service of the United States from this township; also to determine by vote whether such sum shall be raised by tax or a loan." In accordance, a special election was ordered to be held in the town-house, on Saturday, Feb. 20, 1864. This meeting failed of being a legal one, in consequence of not posting up a sufficient number of notices. Another petition, signed by James Harger and fourteen others, was thereupon presented to the town board on the day last mentioned, and an election was ordered to be held at the town-house, Monday, March 7, 1864. At this meeting 89 votes were polled, of which 84 were cast in favor of a loan, and 5 against a loan.

     On the 15th of August, 1864, James Harger, Hiram Wing, S. W. Dickerson, Theodore Welcker, Charles O'Connor, Philip Prior, Samuel Lyon, William P. Fitch, J. W. Dickerson, William Sexton, David Dickerson, Harvey Harrington, and Aaron, Younglove presented another petition to the honorable body composing the township board, calling upon them to appoint a special election to determine "whether a bounty of $100 be paid each volunteer who enters the military service of the United States upon the President's call for 500,000 men, dated July 18, 1864, and also to determine whether the money be raised by tax or loan." In pursuance, notices were posted designating Wednesday, Aug. 31, 1864, as the time for holding at the town-house a special election. At this election- 81 votes were polled, and all of them were for a tax.

     Soon after, the proper township authorities issued township bonds to the amount of $1900, payable in two years, with interest at seven per cent.

SCHOOLS

     It is probable that the -first school-house was built on "the plains," near the central part of section 7, in 1838, and that Miss Laurella Lee, a daughter of Guy C. Lee, taught the first school in 356a.

 Image of
Residence of George Coleman,
Marion, Livingston Co., Mich.

     357. the same building, during the summer of the same year. Other schools quickly followed this in various parts of the township, but as early school records have not been preserved, it is impossible to furnish statistics of their number and condition. The first school-house in the district of the "English Settlement" was built near Mr. Fuller and Bryant's, north part of Putnam. Thomas Love made the sash for the windows.

     The following statistics, taken from the annual report of the school inspectors, show the condition of the township schools for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879:

RELIGIOUS

     Although no house of worship has ever been erected within the limits of this township, the pioneers and their descendants have not been neglected in a religious sense. As early as 1837, Rev. Washington Jackson, a missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, visited the settlements, and preached at irregular intervals in the dwellings of Elisha Love and Guy C. Lee. Elder Cosart, who lived in the town of Hartland, was also a pioneer preacher of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He held meetings in 1838, and, for a few years immediately succeeding, in the houses of Sylvester Rounds, Guy C. Lee, Horace Griffith, David Dickerson, and Elisha Love. Later, classes and organizations of various denominations have been formed, who held meetings in district school-houses.

     The First Baptist Society of Marion was regularly incorporated Jan. 5, 1853, and Thomas Love, J. D. Bull, John Van Winkle, Ezra N. Fairchild, George Sewell, T. Bennett, and Lyman Clark elected trustees.

CEMETERIES

     The first place of burial was on the Pinckney road, near Joseph Walker's residence. The Lake Burying-Ground, situated upon section 5, was also a place for early interments. The grounds of the East Marion Burying-Ground Corporation, containing one acre, and situated near the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 23, were surveyed by Ezra N. Fairchild, March 15, 1849. On the 9th of February, 1878, these grounds were incorporated under the foregoing title, and the following officers elected: Joseph Brown, President; James Harger, Clerk; Alfred Wright, Treasurer; and James W. Dickerson, Sexton. The Putnam and Marion Burying-Ground Corporation was incorporated March 17, 1851. The grounds are situated on the northeast corner of section 5, Putnam township. The first officers were William Younglove, President; David Parker, Clerk; John Love, Collector; Elisha Love, Treasurer; and Nehemiah Gilks, Sexton. Other incorporators, Aaron Younglove, Thomas Love, John Larkin, J. Barney, Frederick Saunders, I. H. Shaw, Ezra N. Fairchild, Enos Burden, A. H. Smith, S. H. Hazard, William P. Fitch, Lorenzo Smith, Henry G. Love, and John Van Winkle. This association was reorganized April 10, 1869, and the name changed to the Marion and Putnam Burying-Ground Corporation. Thereupon Ezra N. Fairchild was chosen President, George Younglove, Clerk, and William H. Gilks, Treasurer.

     The North Marion Burying-Ground Corporation was incorporated Dec. 31, 1864, and the officers then elected were Elijah F. Burt, President; Frederick W. Munson, Clerk; Samuel M. Yerkes, Treasurer; and Henry E. Avery, Sexton.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

GEORGE COLEMAN

     was born in Orange Co., N.Y., Sept. 7, 1833. His father, Eri Coleman, emigrated to Livingston County in the fall of 1843, with his family, which consisted of a wife and six children,--five sons and one daughter. In April, 1844, they settled on eighty acres of land, where George Coleman now lives. Upon this land there was a small log house, and a few acres improved; that year a frame house was built, and other improvements were made. As the boys grew up, the farm increased in ratio, until it contained five hundred acres, with a large share under, good cultivation. The property was 358. then divided, and Mr. Coleman went to Pinckney and engaged in the mercantile business, where he died, Dec. 20, 1863, aged sixty-four years. In the distribution of property, George. received the old homestead with two hundred acres of land. He has since added other lands, erected fine buildings, and has what may be termed a model farm. He is a well-read and thinking man, the owner of a good library, and his farm is conducted with intelligence, as are all his affairs. He breeds a good grade of horses, and has a fine herd of Galloways. Politically he is a Democrat; has served as supervisor four terms,

Image of
W. K. SEXTON

     W. K. SEXTON, one of the enterprising and reliable men of Livingston County, was born. at Sherburne, N.Y., Feb. 6, 1835. He came to Livingston County in 1837, with his father, William Sexton, who purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 14, now in Marion township, upon which there was an unfinished log house, and a few acres cleared. Having some means, he soon made substantial improvements. Subsequently, he purchased other lands, made other farms, and finally retired to the village of Howell, where he now resides.

     The immediate subject of this sketch lived with his father until he attained his majority, assisting on the farm, and receiving such educational advantages as were offered by the schools at Howell, and the State Normal School, at Ypsilanti. He taught school one winter, and graduated at the Commercial College, in Chicago, in 1858. He was subsequently employed by the Cairo and Fulton Railroad Company, as agent at Charleston, Md. With this and as justice of the peace for sixteen years, filling these offices to the satisfaction of all. His official course has been to prevent litigation in the neighborhood.

     Mr. Coleman was married in 1855 to Sarah Rubbins, who died Jan. 30, 1861, leaving three children. He was again married, in September, 1862, to Eliza Rubbins, by whom he has had two children. Both wives were daughters of Adam Rubbins, who came from England, and was an early settler in Marion, where he now lives at an advanced age.

Image of
Mrs. W. K. SEXTON

  Photos. by Brown, Howell

education and experience, he was well prepared for the stern realities of life. Returning to his native town, he purchased the old homestead of two hundred and forty acres from his father. He was married Dec. 19, 1860, to Miss Cynthia L. Adams, of Utica, Mich., and since that time has made farming his specialty.

      His ability, as a business man, is recognized by the farmers of Livingston County, who have for several years made him the business agent of the County Council, and the Howell Grange. The success and prosperity of those organizations, under his management, show that a man may possess business qualifications as well as being a practical farmer. A visit to his fine farm and comfortable home, is convincing evidence that he and his estimable wife enjoy the good things of this world in a sensible and practical manner. They have long been active and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, of Howell, and have filled some of the most important offices in that body.

     Politically, Mr. Sexton is a Republican, 358a.

Image of
Residence of W. K. Sexton,
Marion, Michigan

359. but has never sought political fame. He has held the office of school inspector, and of deputy collector of the United States Internal Revenue for the Fifth District of Michigan.

     Although yet a young man, Mr. Sexton is widely known throughout Livingston County for his efficiency, enterprise, and good judgment, and enjoys to a large degree, the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

THOMAS LOVE

     was born Jan. 4, 1813, in the Parish of Mortimer, Berkshire Co., England. He emigrated to this country with his father, Henry George Love, who came in May, 1836, with a family of five children, and settled on a half section of land on the south line of the town of Marion. This has since been known as the Love settlement. There he died in 1860.

     Thomas Love remained with his father until July 24, 1839, when be was married to Lavina Basing, who came with her father from the same neighborhood as did the Loves, in 1838. The young couple at once started on their own account, their only capital being strong arms, with a very limited outfit of household goods. For a time he operated the Bevins saw-mill on shares, afterwards worked some land on shares for a few years, when he purchased eighty acres of land where he now lives. Upon this land there was an unfinished log house, but no other improvement. For the necessaries of life he worked out by the day, and as the land was not yet paid for, the improvements were made only by the greatest exertion.

     Mr. Love and his wife each had watches they had brought from the old country, --gifts from friends; with these they paid for splitting the rails which made their first fence. Their first cow was bought on credit, for they had nothing else to buy with. Mr. Love was much employed at his trade, that of a carpenter. He worked on the house of Townsend Drew, said to be the first frame house in town.

     Through these discouraging years they never faltered. Slowly, but surely, progress was made. The first land was paid for, and other lands added, until at one time he had three hundred and forty acres. The log house has long since given place to a commodious residence. A family of seven children have been reared and given such advantages as are enjoyed by the most enterprising people of the day; and now, after an industrious and.exemplary life, this pioneer couple look back to the small beginning and privations of the frontier life with the satisfaction that they have acted well their part,--as they enjoy their pleasant home, a large circle of friends, and a well-earned competency.

GEORGE B. WILKINSON

     is the descendant of a very respectable family of the middle class of society in England. The first of whom we have any record was one Thomas Wilkinson, who migrated from the north of Lincolnshire to the "Fens," in quest of a better condition for his children than his own. He settled on a farm at Moore's Wood, and raised a very numerous progeny. The youngest son was named Thomas Wilkinson (2d). In due time he married a young lady by the name of Martha Wilson. To them were born many children, nine of whom lived to manhood, and did honor to their name. The fifth child, George Wilkinson, was the father of the subject of our sketch. He lived on a farm, and occupied a house commonly known as the Pear-Tree House, for about forty years. The sharer of his joys and sorrows was Miss Mary Ann Marshall. She was the mother of fifteen children, thirteen of whom are now in the prime of life. Mr. Wilkinson is a man ever ready to speak his mind on all subjects, and from youth I labored with Cobden, Bright, etc., for every needed reform, -- ever battling the idea that distinguished origin was a matter of personal merit, or obscure origin one of reproach.

      George B. Wilkinson was born in the parish of Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, England, Feb. 25, 1833, being the eldest of the fifteen children. Circumstances early initiated him into the duties of "chore-boy" upon his father's farm, where a rigid performance of every duty was demanded, a severe but good discipline. In the year 1851, being about eighteen years of age, he emigrated to America, coming an unusual route, via Newport, in Wales, to Portland, in Maine, a passenger in the little bark "Richard Youngs." Immediately he journeyed to Western New York, where he sojourned one year and three months. He then moved to Ohio, and wandered a little, staying in the State one year and nine months. In the year 1854 be came to Michigan, residing a short time in Green Oak, but eventually moved into Lyon, Oakland Co., where he lived about eight years. He and his two brothers, Charles and Samuel C., were quite well known in that region. The former enlisted and served three years in the United States army, and was accredited to the quota of that town.

     In the year 1863, George B. Wilkinson married Miss Keziah, third daughter of the late William 360. Fletcher, of Milford. The union was a happy one. They were blest with five children, of whom three survive,--one son and two daughters. After their marriage they moved on to the farm upon which they now live. Mr. Wilkinson soon became noted as an agriculturist. Within a few months he opened about a mile of ditch, thereby reclaiming much land before considered worthless. To him is accredited the building of the first under-drain in the township. It was an inverted trough, and did good service. On his farm, to his credit it may be said, weeds are seldom allowed to go to seed.

     Mrs. Wilkinson is very domestic,--a fond mother, refined in her tastes, having a great love of the beautiful. In horticulture she takes great delight, and commands much notice. From her front door may be seen a fine sight, one which needs to be seen to be appreciated. No pen-picture can do it justice. Nature and art combine to make it beautiful. On the flower-stand are many choice domestic and exotic plants, the pride of their possessor, and the admiration of the passers-by.

     Mr. Wilkinson is conservative in politics, usually acting with the Republican party. He seeks no office, yet has many times been the Republican candidate for positions of trust. His tastes are somewhat literary. While at South Lyon, in Buchanan's hey-day, he gained some little notice by a political satire. Since his residence in Marion he has, for amusement, written considerable for the newspapers. On visiting England he also furnished the press with some incidents of travel. Shortly afterwards he composed the story, "What Hattie did with her New Year's Gift." "An address to the Pioneers of Livingston County" showed much ability, as did also another and more recent address to the farmers, when in council, at a farmers' institute, held in Howell.

PIERPONT L. SMITH

     was born in Greene Co., N.Y., June 16, 1805. His father, Stoddard Smith, was a lawyer in Greenville, N.Y. He came to Marion in 1836, and settled on a farm, where he died Dec. 17, 1842, aged seventy-five years.

     When Pierpont was fifteen years of age be went to New York City, where he was a clerk in a drygoods store until 1826, when he came to Michigan and located on land in Washtenaw County. He returned to New York City in August that year, and married Letitia M. Degarmo. They came to Webster, Washtenaw Co., where they resided several years and made a good improved farm. While living there he was appointed justice of the peace by Governor Mason. At that time Livingston was attached to Washtenaw County for judicial purposes. While living in Webster he purchased the land where he now lives, in Marion, and in 1840 moved on to it. He at once made substantial improvements, and now has a highly-cultivated farm of three hundred acres.

     Mrs. Smith died May 28, 1865. She had been the mother of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity, except one. Two of the sons were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion. W. Augustus was captain in the 22d Michigan Infantry; was wounded at Chickamauga, and died in hospital. Junius, in the same regiment, was wounded at Chickamauga; he is married and lives on a portion of the old farm.

     Mr. Smith was a second time married, Jan. 17, 1871, to Mrs. Frances Warner, of Dexter, formerly Miss Porter, of Bridgeport, Conn.

GEORGE YOUNGLOVE

     was born in Ontario Co., N.Y., May 4, 1827. His father, William Younglovc, emigrated to Washtenaw Co., Mich., in 1830, where he remained six years. He then came to Livingston County, and settled on the town line, between Marion and Putnam. That fall (1836) he built a small frame house, which was the first or second frame house in the town of Marion. This is the wing of the present house on the Younglove homestead. William Younglove was a man much respected and honored; he was justice of the peace, and for many years occupied some position on the town board. He died March 19, 1876.

     George Younglove was the youngest of five children. He and his brother, William, purchased ninety acres of land with the old homestead, and after William's death purchased his interest. He has added other lands, until he now has nearly three hundred acres. In 1857 be was married to Miss Margaret A. Lawson. Her father, John F. Lawson, came from New York City in 1857, and purchased from government five hundred and sixty acres of land in the towns of Genoa and Oceola, where he died.

     Mr. and Mrs. Younglove are among the pioneers who have witnessed the transformation of the primeval forest into a prosperous community, and remember well when the Indian and the wolf not an uncommon sight, where now is a thickly-settled town. 360a.

Image of Geo. Younglove	Image of Mrs. Geo. Younglove
Image of P. L. Smith

361. AARON VAN PATTEN

     was born in Herkimer Co., N.Y., July 24, 1828. When he was seven years of age his father moved to Onondaga County, where he died in 1844, leaving a family of nine children. Aaron remained with the family some ten years after his father's death, but worked out a portion of the time. Wishing to get a home of his own, he came to Livingston County in 1854, and purchased eighty acres of land upon which there was a small house and a few acres partially improved. He had money to make a small payment, but nothing left to make further improvements. For the necessaries of life he worked out by the day, Before this "eighty" could be paid for, an adjoining one was offered for sale, and Mr. Van Patten desirous to possess a larger farm, borrowed the money and purchased it. In those days the money-lender was master of the situation, and the heavy interest he was obliged to pay added other and more serious burdens to his already heavy load. At this juncture he received material aid by marrying, March 15, 1857, Miss Phoebe Ann, daughter of Ira P. Annis, who enlisted in the 26th Michigan Infantry, and died in hospital, March 17, 1863, aged forty-eight years.

     For several years after Mr. Van Patten was married the struggle was severe and progress slow, but by frugal habits and persistent industry the land has been paid for, large and substantial buildings erected, the farm put under a high state of cultivation, and a handsome interest account running in his favor.

     Mr. and Mrs. Van Patten are consistent members of the Methodist Church. To them have been born eight children, five of whom are now living,--one son and four daughters.

ELDRED BASING

     was born in Berkshire Co., England, April 4, 1821. His father, Joseph Basing, came to America in 1838, with his family, consisting of a wife and nine children. One other child was born after they came to this country. He purchased one hundred and twenty-three acres of land near the Love settlement, Marion, where he still lives at the advanced age of ninety-six years. His wife died May 29, 1878, aged eighty-six years.

     Eldred Basing lived at home until he was twenty-four years of age, when he went out to work by the month for a few years. He then purchased eighty acres of unimproved land. He cleared some twenty-five acres, when he sold and purchased one hundred and twenty acres on the corner where he now lives. Upon this land there was a log house and sixteen acres cleared. With this start he determined to have a home. He worked bravely and -- alone for three years, when he took a copartner by marrying Cordelia Burden, Dec. 22, 1853. She died Oct. 27, 1865, leaving four children,--three daughters and one son.

     Mr. Basing was again married, Nov. 21, 1867, to Mrs. Priscilla Merritt, formerly Priscilla Fields, daughter of William Fields, who came from Erie Co., Pa., in 1848, and settled in Livingston County. He died in losco, in 1873.

     The history of Mr. Basing shows what may be accomplished by industry and economy. There has been no sudden accession of wealth, but by his own exertions, year by year, the improvements have been made. The progress, although slow at first, has been sure, until a fine farm, a pleasant home, and an abundance have been secured.

     Mr. and Mrs. Basing are consistent members of the Methodist Church, and respected by all who know them.