Image of Isaac Cornell

Image of Mrs. Isaac Cornell

ISAAC CORNELL

     This gentleman may be appropriately called one of the founders of the town of Tyrone, having settled where he now resides in 1834. He was born in the town of White Creek, Washington Co., N.Y., Aug. 4, 1803. He was the son of Joseph Cornell and Abigail Allen, who had a family of eight children,--five sons and three daughters. The elder Cornell was a pioneer in Washington County, having emigrated from New Bedford, R.I., before the Revolution. The grandfather of our subject was a Quaker, noted for his piety and integrity.

     Isaac lived with his father until he was twenty years of age, when he went to Chili, Monroe Co., N.Y., where he purchased a new farm. After a residence of five years, he sold and removed to Chautauqua Co., N.Y. After several changes of location he decided to come to Michigan. Accordingly, in the fall of 1834, he, in company with his two brothers, Henry and George, came to Tyrone and entered two hundred acres of land which he now owns. He then went back to New York, but returned the following spring with his family. The Cornells were the first settlers in the south part of the town, and were obliged to cut their road from the Tenney settlement in Highland, Oakland County.

     Mr. Cornell has been prominently identified with the town of Tyrone; he was elected its first justice of the peace, a position which he filled acceptably for five terms.

     In 1825 he was married to Miss Sarah Eaton, of Arlington, Vt. She was born in the town of Cavendish, Vt., in 1803. They were blessed with five children. In July, 1836, Mrs. Cornell died, and he subsequently married Margaret M. Larmon, a native of Cambridge, Washington Co., N.Y. She was born in October, 1819. By this union there were six children.

     Mr. Cornell is a self-made man, and the position he holds among the best men of the county is due solely to his own exertions. He has acquired by his own efforts a competency and an honorable reputation. In his religious affiliations he is an Adventist, and his eldest son is an able exponent of the doctrines of that church.

     397. resided here since the month of January, 1838. Born in Greenville, Greene Co., N.Y., June 1 1813, he grew to young manhood in that health giving climate until, at the age of seventeen years, he started with his father and family for the new Territory of Michigan. The family came by way of the canal and lake, but John came with a team through Ohio, traveling in company with James Dedrick, his brother's father-in-law. They all reached Ypsilanti on the 8th day of August, 1830, and went from there to York, in Washtenaw Co., where they settled. While living there John married Miss Catharine Basom, their nuptials being celebrated Oct. 23, 1834, and in the fall of 1837 traded his property in York, with Henry Druse, for 240 acres of land on sections 14 and 26 in this town. He built a house that fall, and sowed eight acres of wheat, and in January brought his family and began life as a citizen of Tyrone.

     In 1841 his wife died, and he subsequently married Mary A. Colton, daughter of Charles Colton, of this town, who died July 19, 1847. His third wife was Sarah E. Merrill. From the time of his settlement here Mr. Salsbury has been one of the leading men of the town in his occupation of farming, as well as in political matters and the promotion of public interests. Elected as one of the first justices of the peace, he held that office by virtue of successive re-elections for a period of twelve years, and by subsequent elections has increased his incumbency of that office to a total of twenty-seven years. He has served as overseer of the poor for seven years, commissioner of highways for five years, and supervisor for three years. In addition to his work of farming, he has done considerable surveying, and, acting as a land agent, has negotiated the sale of a large amount of land, both in this town and in other parts of the State.

     In the southwest part of the town several families of Irish emigrants settled at an early day. According to the best information now obtainable, John McKeone came in 1837, James McGuire, James Agan, and James McKeone, in 1838, and James Murphy in 1840.

     John McKeond was a native of county Longford, Ireland, and was there married to Bridget Riley, emigrating to this country in 1833, and settling in Williamsburg, N.Y. Hearing of the fertile and low-priced lands in Michigan, he came West in the summer of 1836 and purchased some land, returning East and coming on with his family in the fall of 1837. The family resided in Tyrone until 1865, when their present house was built, and they moved across the road into Deerfield. Their children were eight in number: Bernard and Charles still reside in Tyrone; Mrs. Margaret Hogan in Fenton; Bridget is a Sister of Charity in New Orleans, and the other living children--Mrs. Mary Smith and James McKeone--reside in Deerfield. Mr. McKeone and his wife are still living among the scenes of the trials and tribulations that marked their pioneer life. James McKeone died in Deerfield a few years since; James Agan became disgusted with frontier life, returned to Brooklyn, N.Y., and died there; James McGuire emigrated to the State of Texas; and James Murphy is still living on his homestead on section 30 where he now owns 200 acres of fine productive land.

     David Colwell, a native of Otsego Co., N. Y., came to Tyrone from Ontario Co., N. Y., in May, 1838, settling on the farm which he still occupies on the southwest quarter of section 4.

     Hiram M. Rhodes came to Tyrone early in the spring of 1838, and settled on section 5, where he resided for about ten years. He was at one time a very prominent man in the town, and a political leader among the Democrats, who frequently elected him to office. He was the first town clerk, and held several other offices at different times. He removed from the town about 1848, and, having met with misfortunes, is now in his old age an inmate of the county-house.

     Elijah Clough was a native of Springfield, Mass., and, in 1814, moved with the rest of his father's family to Manlius, Onondaga Co., N.Y. In 1836 he came West in search of a good place to locate, and traveled in company with a man who was acquainted with Horace H. Nottingham. who had recently settled in Deerfield, and was led by that circumstance to come to this part of the State. Being pleased with the looks of the country, Mr. Clough bought 80 acres in Conway, and 160 in this town, and returned to the East. Three years later he came with his mother, his sisters Sarah, Mary, and Ann Eliza, and his brother Warren, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 7. His mother died in less than a year, his sisters married and moved into adjoining counties, and, about 1848, his brother moved to Shiawassee County, where he is now living. In 1844 Mr. Clough married Sabina Littlefield, who died in March, 1852. His second wife was Catharine Canner, and his third wife, who is still living, was Lovina Irish. He has replaced his first log house with a fine brick residence, and increased the size of his farm to 248 acres.

     On the south side of the county line, on section 5, at the point where the White Lake or Shiawassee road intersects it, stood what was for many years the most famous hotel on the line of the Shiawassee trail. It was known as the "Grove House," and was kept by Jairah Hillman, who was a 398. model host. He was formerly from Lowville, Lewis Co., N.Y., located his land in this town in the spring of 1836; moved to Plymouth, Wayne Co., in this State, in the spring of 1837; made 40 acres of improvement in 1838; and in the spring of 1839 moved on to his farm with his family of one son and six daughters. His house was not built with the intention of making it a public-house, but fastidious travelers, not satisfied with the accommodations furnished at the regular taverns, would not be turned away; and as soon as it was found that they could be accommodated there, the run of custom was largely increased, and travelers made it a point to get to the Grove House at nightfall, where they were sure of a hearty welcome, a bountiful supper, and an evening of pleasant, cheerful social intercourse. In the work of clearing the land of its growth of oak timber, Mr. Hillman selected the finest of the trees in the vicinity of his house and left them standing, to the number of a hundred or more. These trees added very much to the beauty of the place, and gave the inn the name it afterwards bore for so many years. Not the least attraction of the place in the eyes the better class of people was the fact that it was a strictly temperance house. Mr. Hillman was an intelligent man, gifted with pleasing conversational powers, and possessed of a generous, hospitable spirit, all of which rendered his companionship enjoyable. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and his success as an agriculturist proved conclusively that brains and "book learning" are no detriment to the farmer. He died at his home, July 6, 1861, and the property, originally containing 340 acres, was divided among, his heirs, the homestead  filling to the only son, M. M. Hillman. His wife formerly Elizabeth Holladay died in Detroit, in September, 1877. Of his children, M. M. married Miss Emily Lane, in Portage Co., 0h, in 1861, and is now living on the homestead, occupying an elegant residence built on the site of the "Grove-House," which was destroyed by fire on the 5th of July, 1877, and is one of the leading farmers of the vicinity; Mrs. Clarissa Sadler died in Fenton. Mrs. Julia Larned lives in Fenton; Caroline married Albert Holladay, who died in Otsego, Allegan Co., and is now the wife of Dr. Cole, of Ludington, Mrs. Louisa Clement died in Detroit, in 1865; Mrs. Adaline Joslin lives in Byron, Shiawassee Co., and Mrs. Delia Cook lives in Detroit.

     David L. Babcock, with his two step-sons, Harvey R. and Orson B. Stevens, came to this town in the fall of 1837 or early spring of 1838. Babcock was a carpenter, and worked at his trade, besides working his farm of 80 acres on section 19. He removed to Lapeer County about the close of the war. Harvey R. Stevens was an early schoolteacher and one of the first school inspectors of the town. He served in that position a number of years. He enlisted in the Union army in the time of the Rebellion, and failing beneath the stroke of a rebel bullet upon the field of battle, gave his life as a token of his patriotism and devotion. Orson B. lived on section 30 until about ten years ago, and then removed to Greenville, Montcalm Co., where he died a short time since.

     One of the foremost citizens of the town, if not the most prominent of all, was John Kenyon, Jr., well known as judge Kenyon, a title which he earned by virtue of having served as side judge of the county court. He came from Niles, Cayuga Co., N.Y., in 1840 arriving here the 2d day of June, and settled on section 33, where he had the year previous purchased of a Mr. Starks the 160 acres originally taken up by Isaac Degraff. Upon his arrival here he at once assumed a prominent place among his fellow-townsmen, and was the next spring elected supervisor of the town. He was frequently elected to office, holding the positions of highway commissioner, justice of the peace, supervisor (seven terms), second or associate judge, Representative in the Legislature, and State-Senator, and in all deported himself creditably, and discharged the duties connected with them in a careful and conscientious manner. As a farmer he was successful; as a business man able and energetic; and as a citizen public-spirited, upright, and honorable. Born Of Quaker parentage, he inherited and acquired a respect and admiration for the principles of that sect, and though unconnected with any church organization remained a Friend in principle until his death, which occurred Nov. 12, 1874, at the age of sixty-eight years.

     Thomas Love, from Monroe Co., N.Y., with a wife and five children, came to Tyrone in 1842, and lived for several years on a part of his brother James' farm. He afterwards purchased some land on the school section and lived there until 1866, when he moved to Tawas, Iosco Co., where he is now living. One son, Jacob, still resides in Tyrone.

     Dexter Farnharn was a native of New Hampshire, and with his wife and three children came to Tyrone from Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., in the fall of 1842, locating on section 17. He came to Grand Blanc from Pembroke, Genesee Co., N.Y., in 1836. He died in this town in July, 1876, at the age of sixty-nine years, having survived his wife by about one year. One of his sons, Marcellus, lives in Ingham County, and four--Henry, Hiram, John, and Robertson--are ranked among the most thriving farmers and respected citizens of this town.

     399. Amilo Gardner came from Herkimer Co., N.Y., in 1851, and bought the David Austin farm at a sale under foreclosure of mortgage. He is still living on the place, which has, by careful and thorough cultivation, become one of the best farms of the town. In 1855-56, Mr. Gardner was appointed as postmaster, and has served continuously in that position down to the present time, with the exception of a period of about three months in 1861.

     Of course, this does not by any means conclude the list of settlers, but it includes all about whom we have been able to learn any particulars. In this connection we also give a copy of the tax roll of 1844,--the earliest one now in existence, omitting the names of all except the resident taxpayers of the town in that year. This list gives the names of the actual residents and property holders at that time, showing the sections on which their property was located, the number of acres owned, and its valuation.
The list is as follows: (re-alphabetized by webmaster)

     The settlement of all new countries is attended with about the same amount of hard and trying experiences, but the early settlers on these oak opening lands did not have to endure the heavy toil, nor the tedious waiting, nor the painful privations that settlers in a timbered country inevitably meet. There was scarcely a farm in the town on which there was not some land that could be cultivated the first season, and made to yield a portion, at least, of the provision necessary for the sustenance of the family. Then, too, the miry roads through a trackless forest had not to be endured, for here the oaks grew well apart, and a wagon could be driven through the woods in any direction with very little inconvenience. Mills and markets were, as a matter of course, at first hard to get at, and necessitated long and tedious journeys, occupying days and sometimes almost weeks 400. in their accomplishment. For general market most of the early settlers went to Detroit,--Pontiac, Ann Arbor, and Ypsilanti being but small places, where but an indifferent and limited stock of goods was to be found. Pontiac and other places in Oakland County furnished milling accommodations, and lumber was furnished by Clark Dibble's mill at Fenton, which was then known as Dibbleville.

     In the line of wild fruits the settlers were well provided for. Apple-trees and a few other kinds of domestic fruits were procured at Ypsilanti, and set out, and in a few years began to yield an abundant supply of fruit. The Cornells and Joseph M. Becker set out orchards in 1837 or 1838, and most of the settlers followed their example as soon as they could conveniently do so.

     The first settlers depended upon oxen almost entirely for the performance of their team-work, as the marsh hay was not fit for food for horses, and there was no other hay to be had at first. The first horse brought into the town is said to have been an Indian pony which was owned by Isaac Cornell.

     The first death among the pioneers was that of Mrs. Isaac Cornell, which occurred in July, 1836. She was afflicted with goitre or tumor on her neck, which finally grew so bad as to necessitate a surgical operation for her relief, and while on the way to Ann Arbor, where the operation was to be performed, she became suddenly worse and expired.

     The first birth of a white child in Tyrone was that of George Love, which occurred on the 10th of December, 1835. He was a son of James and Evelyn (Shipley) Love, and grew to manhood in this town. In 1856 he was killed by a falling tree, while engaged in working in a pinery north of Flint.

     It is not known who were the first couple married in Tyrone, for, at first, it seems to have been the practice of the would-be Benedicts to seek a life-partner from among the fair daughters of the neighboring town of Hartland. At least two of the earliest marriages of residents of this town were contracted in that manner,--George Cornell marrying Eliza Williams in the spring of 1836, and Alfred White marrying Nancy Bidleman in 1837-38, both ceremonies being performed at the residences of the parents of the respective brides in Hartland.

     Game of all kinds was quite plentiful for several years after settlements were begun here, and the supplies of meat thus furnished formed a by no means small part of the pioneer's living. Most of the settlers were proficient with the rifle and spent a portion of their time in hunting. None enjoyed this sport with greater zest or prosecuted it with better success than William Dawson, and numerous tales of his prowess and adventures are related. It was his habit to load his gun rather heavily, and it was said by one who had inadvertently been induced to discharge it, that it always kicked so that it left the shooter stunned for half an, hour, and would, at a distance of ten yards, scatter over a space fifteen yards in width. It is hardly necessary to say that the piece which could do such execution in the rear was equally dangerous at the muzzle, and that the deer at which it was aimed fell a victim to its shower of missiles.

     There were other wild animals in the forest besides the timid and harmless deer. Wolves were quite common, though never known to attack any person, and bears occasionally visited the openings, especially in the berry season.

     Among the peculiar experiences of the early settlers was that of the family of Henry Larned, now living in the town of Rose, Oakland Co. When they first came they found an Indian wigwam standing on their land on section 12, and moving into it, made their home there until a log cabin was built for their use.

CIVIL AND POLITICAL

     In the winter of 1837-38 the citizens of town 4 north, of range 6 east, began to think of organizing themselves into a separate town, and circulated a petition for that purpose, obtaining numerous signatures; and forwarded it to the Legislature. Before the petition was sent a meeting was appointed for the purpose of fixing upon a name for the proposed town. It was held at the house of Joseph B. Jackson, on section 8, and, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather (the snow being leg deep and a cold storm prevailing), was quite largely attended. William Dawson proposed the name of Ripley'; William D. Snapp preferred Owasco; Jonathan L. Wolverton mentioned Tyrone; and someone else selected Wheatland; all being taken from towns in New York in which the ones who proposed them had formerly lived. The name of Tyrone was finally settled upon, and was ratified by the Legislature. It was taken from a town of that name in Schuyler Co., N.Y., which is said to have derived its name from county Tyrone, Ireland, from whence a number of its early settlers came.

     The earliest records of the township relations of Tyrone are found in the acts of the Legislature of 1835, when, by an act approved by the Governor, March 26, 1835, it was attached to the town of Highland for purposes of township government, in connection with all that 401. part of the county of Livingston then attached to the county of Oakland for judicial purposes. March 11, 1837, it was made a part of the town of Deerfield, and a year later was separately organized by the following act of the Legislature, which was approved by the Governor March 6, 1838, viz.:

    "SEC. 10.--All that part of the county of Livingston designated in the United States survey as township number four north, of range number six east, be, and the same is, hereby set off and organized into a separate township by the name of Tyrone; and the first township-meeting shall be held at the house of Eli Konklin, in said township."

     In accordance with this act the first meeting was held at the regular time, the first Monday in April, at the house of Eli Conklin, a few rods west of the north quarter-post, on section 28. But little is known regarding the circumstances surrounding and the incidents attending this meeting, but all passed off without any unusual event, and the business was conducted in a harmonious manner. The record of this meeting has been preserved and reads as follows:

    "The first Township Meeting of Tyrone held at Conklin's.

     "At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Tyrone, for the purpose of Electing Township Officers, for said Town, Joseph B. Jackson was chosen Moderator, and Henry A. Cornell and Isaac Ayres was Chosen Clerks for said meeting pro tem. The following persons were elected as town officers for said Town: For Supervisor, Joseph M. Becker had 23 votes. For Township Clerk, Hiram M. Rhodes, had 14 votes, and Joseph B. Jackson Jr., had 13 votes. For Justices of the Peace, Isaac Cornell had 15 votes; Jonathan L. Wolverton had 22 votes; Clark Dibble, 19; Daniel Runyan, 6; Henry A. Cornell, 14; John C. Salsbury, 26; Joseph B. Jackson 5; Isaac Ayres, 2. Inspectors of Common Schools, F. F. Riggs had 10 votes; Isaac Cornell had 21 votes; Harvey R. Stevens, 27 votes; Clark Dibble, 19 votes; Nathaniel C. Austin, 6 votes. For Commissioners of Highways, Isaac Ayres had 20 Votes; William D. Snapp, 28 votes; George Cornell, 24 votes; Joseph M. Becker, 4 votes; Hugh R. Hogle, 4 votes. For Collector, Isaac Morton had 12 Votes; Joseph B. Jackson, Jr., 17 votes. For Assessors, Henry A. Cornell, 21 votes; Frederick F. Riggs, 23 votes; Isaac Morton 23 votes; Joseph M. Becker, 2 votes. For Constables, Joseph B. Jackson, Jr., 16 votes; Harvey R. Stevens, 16 votes; Isaac Morton , 9 votes; Washington Hoisington, 9 votes; Hiram M. Rhodes, 1 vote, singular. For Directors of the Poor, Washington Hoisington, 26 votes; William Dawson, 26 votes.

     "Voted by the Electors of Tyrone, that the next Annual Township-meeting should be held at Eli Cranson's, on section 15."

     The town-meetings and elections of Tyrone have been of a migratory character, traveling about from year to year to different parts of the town at the caprice of the voters at each preceding meeting. In 1838 the town-meeting was held at Eli Conklin's, on section 28; in 1839 and 1840, at Eli D. Cranston's, on southwest quarter of section 15 in 1841, at Runyan's tavern, on section 3; in 1842, at John Westfall's, southwest quarter of section 17; in 1843, at Stephen B. Street's, north part of same section; in 1844, at Runyan's tavern; in 1845, at the Love school-house, northeast corner of section 33; in 1846, at Aunt Kate's (Runyan's) tavern; in 1847, at the Love school-house; in 1848 and 1849, at Thomas Love's, near the school-house; in 1850, at David E. Cranston's, near the west quarter-post of section 22; in 1851, at Alonzo Slayton's, northwest corner of section 27; in 1852, at Thomas Love's; from 1853 to 1856, at Alonzo Slayton's, and in the last-named year the meeting was adjourned from that place to the Cranston school-house, on the southwest quarter of section 15, leaving Charles Colton at Mr. Slayton's to notify all persons of the place of adjournment; from 1856 to 1861, at the Cranston school-house; from 1862 to 1866, at the house of Amilo Gardner, near the east quarter-post of section 28; and since that time,--now a period of twelve years,--at the house of Saul Kinsman, three-quarters of a mile south of the centre of the town.

     As a matter of interest we here insert a list of names of officers of the town from its formation to the present, --a period of forty-two years. This list has been carefully prepared, after a thorough research of the township records, and may be relied upon as correct in all essential points. It is as follows:

CIVIL LIST OF TYRONE

     The first juror list was prepared May 20 1839, and contained the names of eight persons, as follows: Isaac Cornell, Henry A. Cornell, George Cornell, William Dawson, John C. Salsbury, Joseph M. Becker, Nathaniel C. Austin, and Joseph Bolles.

     The first record of an estray was the following:

     "A Stray Horse taken up by Edward Fuller, December the 19th, 1838. Description: A dark Bey, Black Mane and Tail, two years old past."

     The political status of the town at the present time is Democratic, by an average majority of from 15 to 30 votes. When first organized it was Democratic, and so remained until the Republican party was organized, when that assumed political control for a time, and then began to lose ground, until their old-time opponents regained their former vantage.

     The leaders in the two parties have been as follows: On the Democratic side, John Kenyon, Hiram M. and Lyman E. Rhodes,, Alonzo Slayton, Clark Dibble, John C. Salsbury, Jonathan L. Wolverton, Frederick F. Riggs, Sanford Billings, and others. On the Whig and Republican side, Isaac Cornell, Isaac Morton, Dillis Dexter, John W. Ingram, Elihu Wait, De Witt Denton, and others.

     Tyrone township lies, as before stated, in the extreme northeast corner of the county, and is centrally distant thirteen miles northeast from Howell, the county-seat. On the north it is bounded by Fenton, Genesee Co., on the east by Rose, Oakland Co., on the south by Hartland, and on the west by Deerfield. Its total area, according to the United States survey, is 23,013.37 acres, and the census of 1874 reports of taxable land 22,902 acres, exempt land 9 acres, 5 acres in burial-grounds, and 11,760 acres improved. In the quantity of its productions, as compared with the other towns of the county, it ranks as the sixth town. In wheat and potatoes it holds second place; in other grains and butter it is fifth, in pork seventh, in hay and wool tenth, and in corn twelfth. In 1873 it had 3524 acres of wheat, yielding an average of 13-14 bushels to the acre, ranking as the tenth town of the county. In the same year it had 872 acres of corn, yielding an average of 30.36 bushels to the acre, giving it the fifth place.

     The following is a statement of the quantity of its products in 1873:

     The number of acres of orchard was that year reported at 538, and the yield of apples at 10,870 bushels. The year previous the yield was 12,000 bushels.

     The population of the town in 1850 was 867; in 1860 it had grown to 1176; in 1870 it had still