311.
Plainfield, where his son,
Aaron Westfall, now resides, moved finally to Stockbridge, Ingham Co., where he died. He
built a tavern at that place, and kept it a number of years. C. B. Westfall and his
younger brother, Albert, --the latter of Plainfield, -- are the only representatives of
their father's family now living in the township. Albert did not move from Plymouth until
some years after the others had settled in Unadilla.
John Shields, a native of Ireland, emigrated to New York in 1832,
and in May, 1836, removed to Michigan from Watertown, Jefferson Co., in the first-named
State. For two or three years he lived at Dearborn, west of Detroit, and in 1840 came to
Unadilla, and settled north of the place he now occupies. His present farm, on section 14,
was first settled and improved by a man named Chipman, who sold out to Henry Hartsuff Mr.
Shields purchased of the latter.
Charles Bullis was one of the earlier settlers in the eastern
part of town. His son, Charles E. Bullis, at present resides on section 13.
John Winans, from Albany Co., N.Y. removed with his family to
Michigan in 1834, settling in the township of Scio, Washtenaw Co., In April or May, 1836,
he came to Unadilla, and took up his residence on land previously owned by George
Bennett.* Mr. Winans, who engaged exclusively in farming during his life in this town,
resided on this farm until his death, which occurred late in the fall of 1843. In 1845 his
widow and son, Edwin B. Winans, moved into the township of Hamburg, and in the latter, on
the south shore of Pleasant Lake, the son now lives. They located at Petteysville, where
Mrs. Winans died in July, 1852. E. B. Winans worked four years in the carding-mill at the
village, owned by S. A. Petteys. He has since become one of the foremost citizens of the
county, as he long has been of the township in which he lives. In the fall of 1875 he was
elected judge of probate for Livingston County, and entered upon the duties of the office
in January, 1876.
So rapidly did settlers locate in this township that in 1837 it
had a population of 642, and bore the appearance of a much older settled community. Its
villages were flourishing, and its forests were rapidly giving place to cultivated farms.
The smoke from the chimneys of the log cabins ascended from many localities over the
territory then included in the township, which embraced what are now Unadilla and Iosco.
Previous to the formation of the county, a part of Lyndon, Washtenaw Co., was also
included.
The following were residents in
what now comprises the township of Unadilla in the year 1844: (re-alphabetized by
webmaster)
|
Abbott, Abram |
Jackson, John |
|
Abbott, Cyrenus |
Keenan, Patrick |
|
Angel, Henry |
Kirtland, Joshua |
| Angel, V. R. T. |
Lewis, Artemas |
| Backus, Gordon |
Lincoln, Francis |
| Backus, O. J. |
Livermore, James |
| Beale, Emery |
Lyman, Clark |
| Bennett, George |
Lyman, Hollis F. |
| Bird, David |
Marsh, Zerias |
| Bird, William S. |
Marshall, Archibald |
| Birney, James |
McAlser, Sarah |
| Birney, Timothy |
McCabe, Edward |
| Bullis, Charles |
McCabe, Patrick |
| Bullis, Robert H. |
McConachie, John |
| Bullis, William |
McIntyre, James D. |
| Bullock, Hezekiah |
Mead, William S. |
| Bullock, Rebecca |
Montague, Lucas |
| Carpenter, William |
Montague, Alexander S. |
| Carson, William |
Morgan, Peter |
| Caskey, William |
Noble, Albert C. |
| Chalker, Gideon |
Noble, George |
| Chipman, Charles |
Noble, Sylvester G. |
| Chipman, Lemuel F. |
Pardee, Wheeler |
| Chipman, Luffier |
Pyper, Alexander |
| Chipman, Samuel S. |
Richmond, George W. |
| Clawson, Levi |
Riggs, Clinton |
| Cobb, William S. |
Rodgers, Charles |
| Cole, Alexander |
Sales, Stephen B. |
| Cool, C. G. |
Schenck, William L. |
| Cool, John |
Schoonover, James. |
| Cool, William S. |
Secord, Lorenzo |
| Coy, John S. |
Sharp, Hattie C. |
| Crafts, Edward |
Shear, Richard |
| Craig, James |
Shield, John |
| Craig, William |
Skidmore, Sarah |
| Daniels, Gilbert |
Sprout, Rowley A. |
| Danser, John |
Stevens, Henry |
| Davis, George |
Stiles, Henry |
| Davis, Robert |
Sutherland, Edward |
| Davis, William |
Sutherland, Samuel |
| Denton, Daniel |
Sutherland, Solomon |
| Du Bois, William |
Sutherland, Thomas |
| Dunkin, Charles |
Sutton, Hiram. |
| Dunn William H. |
Taylor, Isaac |
| Dutton, David |
Taylor, John |
| Dyre, Philip |
Taylor, Richard |
| Ewers, Tillison |
Tetley, Betsey |
| Falk, William |
Thompson, Elijah C. |
| Fay, Sela B. |
Titus, Ebenezer |
| Filch, , James |
Topping, Albert G. |
| Foster, James S. |
Topping, Alexander |
| Foster, Jonathan B. |
Townsend, Samuel |
| Gladon, Charles |
Vanatton, Jacob |
| Glenn, Charles |
Van Dorn, John B., Esq. |
| Glenn, Robert |
Van Sickle, Samuel F. |
| Goodrich, Joshua |
Vanderpool, William |
| Green, Esac |
Wasson, John |
| Gregory, Philander |
Wasson, Myron H. |
| Hartsuff, Henry |
Wasson, Samuel |
| Hase, Lawrence C. |
Watson, John |
| Haworth, Richard |
Westfall, Cornelius B. |
| Hill, Dudley R. |
Westfall, Levi |
| Holmes, David |
Westfall, Reuben |
| Hopkins, Philander |
Williams, Amos |
| Howell, John |
Williams, William A. |
| Isham, Harry |
Winans, Theron |
|
Ives, Orrin |
Wood, Abner B. |
|
Ives, Samuel G. |
|
312. Village of East Unadilla |
| Babcock, Moses (saw-mill) |
Howell, Charles |
| Cleveland, J. P. |
Kirtland, Benjamin |
| Cornell, Stephen |
Montague, Luke |
| Dixon, D. R. |
Taylor, George |
| Field, Junius L. |
Tuttle, Chester J. |
| Hartsuff, Joseph L. |
|
Among
other early settlers in the township, whose names appear on the
records of the County Pioneer Society, were the following: Patrick McLeer, native of Ireland, settled November, 1837; T. McLeer,
native of Ireland, settled November, 1838, John Wasson, from New York, settled June 18,
1837; Dennis Shields, from Ireland settled January, 1841: J. Cool, settled in 1836; J.
Morgan, settled in 1837; J. L. Crosman, 1843; O. Bangs, 1848; John Marshall, 1845; and
others, of whom mention will be found in connection with the villages at or near which
they located. Many who were temporary residents of the township, subsequently seeking
homes elsewhere, as the pioneer spirit prompted them, would be named here if aught could
be ascertained of them definitely, but it is impossible to learn of all, as in many cases
no sources of information exist.

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION
CIVIL LIST, ETC.

Unadilla was formed, by act of the Legislative Council of the
Territory of Michigan, March 26, 1835, and, as mentioned, included
what is now losco and a portion of Lyndon, Washtenaw Co. On the 6th of March,
1838, Iosco was set off, --the county having been previously organized, and the south part
assigned to Lyndon and Unadilla was left in its present shape, including township 1 north,
in range 3 east.
By provision of the act erecting this township, its first
election was to be held at the house of Elnathan Noble, but it was adjourned to that of
Baxter Collins, and the following-named officers were elected: Supervisor, John Drake;
Township Clerk, Peter N. Hard; Justice of the Peace, Elnathan Noble;
¥ Treasurer, James
McIntyre; Highway Commissioners, Selah B. Collins, Elnathan Noble, Francis Lincoln.
The second annual township meeting was held April 4, 1836, at the
house of Elnathan Noble. At that time it was "Voted, that E. Noble, John
Drake, and P. N. Hard be delegates to attend a county convention to nominate county
officers."
Jan. 1, 1844, a license was granted to William S. Mead to keep a
tavern in his dwelling-house at the village of Milan (now Unadilla). April 15th in the
same year, a license was granted to C. J, Tuttle "to keep a tavern and vend
spirituous liquors in the house he now occupies in the village of Milan," license to
expire on the last day of April, 1845. June 18, 1869, it was decided--by a vote of 104 to
1--to raise the sum of $20,000 in aid to the Michigan Air-Line Railway Company, who should
extend their track across this township. The result of this scheme is fully mentioned in
other places in this work.**
The following is a list of the officers of the township of
Unadilla, from 1836 to 1879, inclusive, as compiled from the records:
SUPERVISORS |
|
1836-37 |
Elnathan, Noble |
|
1838 |
Solomon Sutherland |
|
1839 |
Philander Gregory |
|
1840-43 |
John Cool |
|
1844-46 |
Henry Angel |
|
1847 |
John C. Stedman |
|
1848 |
Alison Denton |
|
1849 |
John Cool |
|
1850 |
W. H. Dunn |
|
1851 |
S. B. Reynolds |
|
1852-53 |
John C. Stedman |
|
1854 |
Orla J. Backus |
|
1855 |
Theron Winans |
|
1856 |
S. B, Sales |
|
1857 |
John C. Stedman |
|
1858 |
William S. Bird |
|
1859 |
Archibald Marshall |
|
1860 |
John Jackson |
|
1861-62 |
John C. Stedman |
|
1863-65 |
John Jackson |
|
1866 |
Stephen B. Sales |
|
1867 |
Jonathan B. Foster |
|
1868 |
Samuel B. Reynolds |
|
1869-72 |
Stephen B. Sales |
|
1873 |
Halsted Gregory |
|
1874 |
William W. Wood |
|
1875 |
John J. Watson |
|
1876-77 |
Jonathan B. Foster |
|
1878-79 |
Thomas Howlett |
|
TOWNSHIP
CLERKS |
|
1836-37 |
Peter N. Hard
β |
|
1838 |
Emery Beal |
|
1839 |
John Jackson |
1840 |
Horace R. Northrup |
|
1841-42 |
Philander Gregory |
|
1843-44 |
Albert G. Topping |
|
1845 |
George Taylor |
|
1846-47 |
Daniel R, Glenn |
|
1848 |
James W. Forshee |
|
1849 |
S. S. Chipman
# |
|
1850 |
O. D, Chapman |
|
1851 |
William Rounseville
€ |
|
1852 |
Alexander Pyper |
|
1853-54 |
William E. Gregory |
|
1855 |
Cyrenus Abbott |
|
1856 |
J. H. Marvin |
|
1857-58 |
R. C. Marvin |
|
1859 |
William W. Wood |
|
1860 |
Seth B, Torrey |
|
1861-62 |
James Craig |
|
1863 |
C. J. Glenn |
|
1864-65 |
S. B. Torrey |
|
1866-74 |
James Craig |
|
1875 |
Morris Topping |
|
1876-77 |
James Craig |
|
1878-79 |
Sylvester G. Topping |
ASSESSORS |
|
1836 |
Jacob Dunn, Francis Lincoln, James D. McIntyre |
|
1837 |
George C, Wood, Lemuel F. Chipman, John Drake |
|
1838 |
John Sutherland, Samuel Townsend, David Bird |
|
1839 |
David Holmes, David D. Bird, Samuel Townsend |
|
1840 |
Samuel Tetley, S. Townsend, John Sutherland |
|
1841 |
S. Townsend, John Jackson, Robert Glenn |
|
1842 |
John Jackson, J. L. Hartsuff |
|
1843 |
Samuel Townsend, Philander Gregory |
|
1844 |
S. Townsend, William H. Dunn |
|
1845 |
Henry Hartsuff, David Holmes |
|
1846 |
William H. Dunn, Moses Babcock |
|
1847 |
John Cool, S. B. Van Size; |
|
1848 |
J. C. Stedman, William S. Cool |
|
1849 |
J. C, Stedman, O. J. Backus |
|
1850 |
James Craig, David Holmes |
|
1851 |
D. Dutton, J. C. Stedman; |
|
1852 |
S. Townsend, Isaac Taylor |
|
1859 |
O. J. Backus, John Cool |
|
COLLECTORS |
|
1836 |
James D. McIntyre |
|
1837 |
Samuel G. Ives |
|
1838 |
Levi Westfall |
|
1839 |
Samuel G. Ives |
1840-41 |
Van Rensselaer T. Angel |
312a.

Image
of
Hon. Samuel G. Ives

HON. SAMUEL G. IVES

The subject of this sketch, who for over forty years was one of the
most enterprising and prominent men of Livingston Co., Mich., was
born in Lansing, Tompkins Co., N.Y., Dec. 21, 1812.
The years of his boyhood were spent in his native town. From
early childhood he was entirely dependent upon his own efforts for a livelihood, with
surroundings not calculated to develop the latent forces within him, except, perhaps, to
teach the lesson that if he was to accomplish anything in life it must be by his own
exertions. The years of his majority found him with but the rudiments of a primary
education, with worldly effects not exceeding in value one hundred dollars, and, that
invested in a running horse. And now, without doubt, the first step taken was the laying
of the corner-stone of his future prosperity and success, and, although but dimly
foreshadowed, was sufficiently prominent to stimulate mental activity and physical vigor
in every effort.
By dint of good fortune he exchanged his "racer" for
eighty acres of land in the almost unbroken wilds of Michigan, situated in township 1
north, of range 3 east, now Unadilla, Livingston Co. March 17, 1835, with high hopes and
youthful ambitions, he turned his face toward the setting sun,--on foot and alone he
started for Michigan.
The incidents of this journey and the events of the succeeding
months are still referred to by him with animation and just pride. After experiencing
considerable delay, traveling by various means of locomotion, he finally reached Detroit.
From here the journey was toilsome and laborious indeed; however, the variations were
quite sufficient to break the monotony. Following an Indian trail, going by
"blazed" trees, crossing swollen streams, and, lastly, by the aid of a
"land-looker," he was enabled for the first time in life to stand upon his own
soil.
The site selected for building was soon cleared, a log house
sixteen by twenty-two feet rolled up, arrangements for clearing and putting out to wheat
about four acres, and Mr. Ives returned to New York.
This proved to be the nucleus to his future home, and to it he
added, from time to time in after-years, as he was prospered, until he became the happy
possessor of one of the finest and most productive stock and grain farms in Central
Michigan, with pleasant and attractive rural buildings overlooking the entire estate.
August 30, 1835, Mr. Ives married Miss Maria Louisa, daughter of
Hon. Josiah Hedden, of Lansing, N.Y., and
on the sixth of October following they bade adieu to the scenes of
their childhood, with all their hallowed influences, for their home "out West."
Here they were to live to see the tall, unbroken forests swept
away, and in their places come waving fields of grain; to see the long, winding trail of
Lo and his followers transformed into a broad highway, and traversed by commerce and
thrift; to see the ever-moving waters of the beautiful streams, which for ages had borne
the rude canoe of the dusky fisherman, turning the wheels of industry, and aiding in the
development of the country and its resources. Yes, this lone spot in the wilderness,
possessing only the beauty and grace of nature, was to become to them the dearest spot on
earth,--their home. Here, for nearly forty years, they toiled together, in
sunlight and shadow, heart and hand, and under the smiles of a kind Providence, whose
overruling power they ever recognized, they were abundantly blessed "in basket and in
store."
As the fruit of their wedded lives eight children were born to
them, seven of whom grew up to manhood and womanhood, five of whom are still living. All
are married, pleasantly circumstanced, following honorable pursuits, and located within a
circuit of a few hours' ride.
Mr. Ives has always taken a lively interest in all matters
pertaining to the growth, development, and prosperity of his adopted county, contributing
freely and generously to every enterprise looking to the elevation and well-being of
society.
To-day, nearly a dozen churches, within a radius of as many miles
from his old home (whose spires, pointing heavenward, are silent monitors for good),
received from him in the course of their erection substantial aid and encouragement. To
him is due, perhaps, more than any other, the credit for the erection of the Methodist
Episcopal church at Williamsville in 1853, the second church edifice built in Livingston
County. For nearly thirty years Mr. Ives has been a prominent and active member of this
society. The moulding influence of his life upon his community, in favor of morality,
temperance, and religion, will live and be felt long years after he has been laid beneath
the beautiful granite shaft that now adorns the family plat at Williamsville Cemetery.
Here rests the companion of his youth, the mother of his children, who for nearly forty
years was the sharer of his joys and sorrows alike, a helpmate indeed, who departed this
life Oct. 4, 1871.
Hospitable and liberal, his house was for many years the
312b.
home of the itinerant minister of the gospel; and in
the years agone, when the itinerancy meant something more than it does in Central Michigan
to-day, such men as Revs. Wm. E. Bigelow, J. M. Arnold, Samuel Clements, Dr. Fisk, T. C.
Gardner, and scores of others-many of whom are gone to the mansions above-have found here
a hearty welcome and a happy fireside.
In this connection it might be well to mention that Mr. Ives is a
brother of Rev. B. I. Ives, D.D., of Auburn, N.Y., for many years chaplain of the Auburn
State-prison, a man of enviable reputation as an orator, and well known throughout the
nation and the Christian world as the "great Methodist dedicator;" the man who
has dedicated more churches and raised more money for clearing church debts than any other
man on the continent, if not in the civilized world.
In politics, Mr. Ives was an Old-Line Whig, and cooperated
heartily with that party until the organization of the Republican party, when he at once
adopted its creed, and has ever been a strong advocate of its principles. Mr. Ives has
been called to fill many positions of public trust and confidence. He was for sixteen
consecutive years justice of the peace, and had a happy faculty of settling by
arbitration, and without costs to the belligerent parties, a large percentage of the cases
that came to him in his official capacity.
In 1844 or 1845 he, with V. R. T. Angel and Freeman Webb, was
instrumental in raising a company of cavalry under the then existing military laws. At its
organization he was elected to a lieutenancy, and, later, upon the resignation of Capt.
Webb, was commissioned by Governor Epaphroditus Ransom as "Captain of Livingston
Troops," which position he retained until the disbanding of the company. Mr. Ives was
the first Republican representative from Livingston County in the State Legislature.
Elected in 1854; was re-elected in 1856, and also served at an extra session.
Though not a public speaker, by his earnest, forcible manner of
argument he became an effective and efficient legislator, an honor to his constituents,
and enjoyed the confidence of his political opponents. In 1874 he was unanimously
nominated State Senator for his district, but, owing to a complication of circumstances,
he peremptorily declined the honor.
During the late war Mr. Ives was instrumental in raising and
forwarding to the front many soldiers for the Union armies, giving freely of his time,
money, and influence. He was appointed by Prov. Mar. McConnel, of Pontiac, enrolling
officer for his district, the perplexing and oft times unpleasant duties of


Image
of
Mrs. Samuel G. Ives

which office he performed with
fidelity, meeting the hearty approval of the department. He was particularly prominent in
raising men for the 26th Regiment of Michigan Infantry, in which command his son, Maj. L.
H. Ives, of Mason, Mich., served with distinction and honor. He was Presidential elector
on the Republican State ticket in 1872. Commissioned by Governor Bagley a
"commissioner for the additional asylum for the insane" at Pontiac, in 1874, he
proved a very efficient member of the board during the erection of the buildings; this
position he still retains. In 1875 he was appointed by the Governor a trustee to the
institution. His elections or appointments to positions of trust and honor were never
augmented by having been connected with any organization or society calculated to give him
political preferment, but were rather the public recognition of personal fitness, and,
though his party in his township and county were oftenest in the minority, he never
suffered a defeat. He was for many years a stockholder and director in the projected
plank-road from Dexter to Lansing, five miles only of which was ever completed. Strictly
speaking, this enterprise was not a financial success.
Farming and stock-growing has been his principal occupation, and
in these he has demonstrated what may be wrought out by economy, industry, and frugality.
At various times, however, Mr. Ives has owned a controlling interest in a saw-mill,
flouring-mill, a country store, etc., but these have always been secondary. Few men enjoy
a right fine team of horses better than Mr. Ives, and very few farmers in Michigan have
owned more or better.
In 1876, having practically retired from active farm life, and in
order to better meet the public demands upon his time, he turned over to his son, Frank
E.,--who, by the way, is one of the rising, clear-headed young agriculturists of his
county, and destined to become one of her solid men, the entire control of the old
homestead of three hundred and forty acres of land, and removed to Chelsea, Washtenaw Co.,
where he still resides. Since living there he has been president of the village and a
member of the Common Council. Although having lived out nearly his threescore years and
ten, Mr. Ives still retains the full mental and physical vigor of his middle life, and
bids fair to live yet many years to enjoy the mercies a bountiful Providence has so
liberally bestowed upon him. His present wife, Mrs.. Mary A. Duncan, is an estimable lady.
Theirs is a happy home, and with an ample competence, surrounded by his children and
grandchildren, and hosts of friends, he is enjoying the later years of an active life.
313.
TREASURERS |
| 1839 |
Luke Montague |
| 1840-41 |
Hezekiah Bullock |
| 1842 |
David Holmes |
| 1843-45 |
V. R. T. Angel |
| 1846 |
Daniel Barton |
| 1847-48 |
James Birney |
| 1849 |
John Jackson |
| 1850 |
Garry Briggs |
| 1851 |
W. Bullis |
| 1852 |
William S. Cool |
| 1853 |
Robert Brearley |
| 1854 |
James Craig |
| 1855 |
Robert Brearley |
| 1856 |
John Fulmer |
| 1857 |
L. Hopkins |
| 1858 |
D. A. Dunkin |
| 1850 |
John Shields |
| 1860 |
Nelson A. Glenn |
| 1861 |
C. G. Cool |
| 1862 |
Gurdon Ward |
| 1863 |
W. S. Livermore |
| 1864 |
G. S. May |
| 1865 |
J. B. Foster |
| 1866 |
Wm. J. May |
| 1867 |
Isaac S. Davis |
| 1868 |
Wm. D. Hartsuff |
| 1869 |
Wm. J. May |
| 1870 |
Robert H. Bullis |
| 1871 |
Robert Brearley |
| 1872 |
La Fayette Peet |
| 1873-74 |
Robert Brearley |
| 1875-76 |
Joseph Kirtland |
| 1877-78 |
George Abbott |
1879
|
Samuel Placeway |
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE |
| 1836 |
E. Noble, J. Tetley, L, Dunn, Francis Lincoln |
| 1837 |
John Wood |
| 1838 |
David Holmes, Solomon Sutherland |
| 1839 |
Joseph L. Hartsuff |
| 1840 |
John B. Van Doren |
| 1841 |
John Sutherland, Samuel Tetley (the latter took
the place of Elnathan Noble, deceased) |
| 1842 |
Daniel Denton |
| 1843 |
J. L. Hartsuff, John Jackson |
| 1844 |
John B. Vandoren |
| 1845 |
George Bennett |
| 1846 |
Samuel G. Ives, Wm. S. Bird |
| 1847 |
Joseph L. Hartsuff |
| 1848 |
Samuel Townsend |
| 1849 |
George Bennett |
| 1850 |
S. G. Ives, Theron Winans |
| 1851 |
J. L. Field |
| 1852 |
G. W. Richmond |
| 1853 |
Theron Winans |
| 1854 |
S. Townsend, S. G. Ives |
| 1855 |
J. L. Field |
| 1856 |
S. Townsend |
| 1857 |
S. P. Reynolds |
| 1858 |
D. S. Denton |
| 1859 |
J. L. Field |
| 1860 |
Morris Topping |
| 1861 |
Daniel Wright |
| 1862 |
S. G. Ives |
| 1863 |
O. H. Obert |
| 1864 |
Morris Topping |
| 1865 |
Daniel Wright |
| 1866 |
Archibald Marshall |
| 1867 |
Junius L. Field, Frederick Sharp |
| 1868 |
Royal Barnum, Wm. S. Bird, Jonathan B. Foster |
| 1869 |
Wm. S. Braley |
| 1870 |
Wm. S. Bird |
| 1871 |
Wm. J. May, Halsted Gregory |
| 1872 |
Jonathan B. Foster |
| 1873 |
Wm. S. Braley |
| 1874 |
Royal Barnum |
| 1875 |
Zenas A. Hartsuff, Wm. A. Williams |
| 1876 |
C. Nelson Bullis |
| 1877 |
Wm. S. Braley |
| 1878 |
Wm. A. Williams, D. O. Dutton |
| 1879 |
Daniel Barton |
SCHOOL INSPECTORS |
| 1836 |
Peter N. Hard, John Drake, Jacob Dunn, Elnathan Noble,
James Tetley |
| 1837 |
James Tetley, Gad C. Dibble, William Wright;
$ |
| 1838 |
Jame, Tetley, Gad C. Dibble, David Holmes |
| 1839 |
J. L. Hartsuff, Guilson Morgan, John Winans |
| 1840 |
James Tetley, Abraham Abbott, Joseph L. Hartsuff |
| 1841-42 |
James Tetley, J. L. Hartsuff, Alexander Pyper |
| 1843 |
J. L. Hartsuff, Alexander Pyper |
| 1844 |
J. L. Rice, A. Beal
|
| 1845 |
Alexander Pyper; |
| 1846 |
George W. Noble |
| 1847 |
Alexander Pyper |
| 1848 |
Joseph L. Hartsuff |
| 1849 |
O. D. Chapman |
| 1850 |
Alexander Pyper |
| 1851 |
W. W. Wood |
| 1852 |
Joseph Hartsuff; |
| 1853 |
T. McLeer |
| 1854 |
Joseph L. Hartsuff;
+ |
| 1855 |
A. B. Wood |
| 1856 |
T. M. Joslin |
| 1857 |
William W. Wood |
| 1858 |
L. Hopkins; |
| 1859 |
Jonathan B. Foster |
| 1860 |
James Shields |
| 1861 |
Thomas J. Hays |
| 1862 |
Loren Hopkins |
| 1863 |
Halsted Gregory |
| 1864 |
Oliver L. Smith |
| 1865 |
Halsted Gregory |
| 1866 |
John O. Stedman |
| 1867 |
William D. Hartsuff |
| 1868 |
Ira C. Backus |
| 1869 |
Geo. Reynolds |
| 1870 |
William W. Wood |
| 1871 |
Jonathan B. Foster |
| 1872 |
Benjamin F. Chipman |
| 1873 |
La Fayette Peet |
| 1874 |
Thomas Howlett |
| 1875 |
Jonathan B. Foster |
| 1876 |
John O. Stedman |
| 1877 |
Albert H. Watson |
| 1878 |
John O. Stedman |
| 1879 |
William W. Wood. |
|
TOWNSHIP SCHOOL
SUPERINTENDENTS |
| 1875 |
Halsted Gregory |
| 1876-78 |
William F. Bird |
| 1876 |
Eli F. Carr |

EARLY ROADS

The following were among
the first highways laid out in the township, and the routes of most
of them have since been changed.
Dunn's road, "commencing at a stake on Tetley's road, south
70 degrees east, 21 chains and 25 links from quarter stake between sections 17 and 18, and
terminating at a stake on the north line, 11.50 links from quarter stake between sections
5 and 8, town 1 north, of range 3 east." Surveyed l0th of July, 1835, by John F.
Farnsworth, Deputy District Surveyor.
Tetley's road, "commencing at a stake on the town line, 12
chains and 50 links north of the quarter stake on section 12, town 1 north, of range 2
east, and terminating at the quarter stake between sections 20 and 21, in town 1 north, of
range 3 east." Surveyed July 9, 1835.
Drake's road, "commencing at a stake on the Dexter road,
south 76 degrees west, 28 chains from the quarter stake between sections 2 and 3, town 1
south, of range 3 east, and terminating on Peterson road, north 48 degrees east, 18 chains
and 25 links from the quarter stake between 26 and 27, in town 1 north, of range 3
east." Surveyed July 11, 1835.
Saw-Mill road, "commencing at a stake on Drake's road, on
the east side of the mill-yard, south 62 degrees east, 23 chains and 14 links from the
quarter stake between sections 34 and 35, in town 1 north, range 3 east, and terminating
on the Dexter road, at a stake south 51 degrees east, 22 chains and 50 links from the
quarter stake between sections 33 and 34." Surveyed July 11, 1835.
The foregoing were all the roads surveyed in the township in
1835. Among those laid in 1836 were a continuation of Nathan Rose's road, alteration of
Collins and Green's road, Palmer's road, Prospect Hill road, Centre road, Base Line road,
Hard's road, Chipman's road, Sutherland's road, Broad Trail road, and Ives' road. The last
four were surveyed by Richard Peterson, Jr., and the others by John F. Farnsworth. The
latter person, who studied law with judge Turner in Howell in 1842-43, removed soon
afterwards to Kane Co., Ill., and became one of its most prominent citizens. He was long a
leading legal practitioner, and represented that Republican district fourteen years in
Congress.
In 1840 what was called the "Beaver Dam Road," angled
across the western portion of Unadilla township, from a point half a mile south of the
present school-house in District No. 12, to the farm now owned by John Jackson, thence on
to Lansing, Ingham Co. The southeastern terminus of the road was at Dexter, in Washtenaw
Co. 314.
Its name came from the fact that after passing the
line between Livingston and Ingham Counties, and in the latter, it crossed an ancient
beaver-dam, at the outlet of an extensive marsh.
Another early road angled more to the north, across what is now
the C. B. Westfall place, finally terminating at Plainfield. From the fact that no
underbrush was found in the forest, it was possible to see a long distance among the
trees, and teams could be driven almost anywhere, except having occasionally to avoid
large trees.

VILLAGE OF WILLIAMSVILLE

Amos Williams, from the State of Connecticut, came to
Michigan in 1833, with his brother-in-law, Eli Ruggles, to visit relatives in Pontiac, and
also called on Nathaniel Noble, an old acquaintance who was living at Dexter. Mr. Williams
was a millwright, and at the instance of Mr. Noble came with the latter to examine the
privilege the latter had discovered, at what is now Williamsville. The result was that Mr.
Ruggles located the 40 acres already mentioned, and the men returned to Connecticut. In
the fall of the same year, Mr.Williams came back, in company with his son, Samuel
Williams, his son-in-law, Garry Briggs, and the latter's wife. These were the first
settlers in the township, and Mrs. Briggs was the first woman who had set foot within its
limits. For four weeks she lived in the wilderness, without seeing another woman of her
own color, although Indian squaws were numerous. During that winter the men built a
saw-mill, and its operations commenced in the spring of 1834. During the latter year Amos
Williams went after his family, returning with them in the fall. Their nearest neighbor,
when they first came, was Henry Warner, who lived ten miles southeast, in Washtenaw
County. Stephen Stevenson was, at the same time, building a log house on the shore of
North Lake, also in the county named. Indian trails or lines of marked trees were the only
highways.
January 30, 1837, Darwin N. Edson and the heirs of Curtis Noble
laid out a village, and called it Unadilla, the same which is now known as Williamsville.
Edson lived in Greene Co., N.Y.
The work was done under authority of Elnathan Noble, who was
attorney for Edson and the heirs of Curtis Noble. The survey
£
was made by John F.
Farnsworth. The saw-mill stood on the river, south of the village plat.
Mr. Noble
presented a lot to Mrs. Briggs, in honor of her being the first
white female inhabitant of the township, and Mr. Williams built a
house upon it for her, in which the Briggs family lived a number of
years. Mr. Williams' son, William A. Williams, now resides at the
village, and a
second son, Samuel Williams, is a resident of White Oak, Ingham Co.
Large quantities of lumber have been sawed in the old Williams
mill, the frame of which is yet standing, although it has not been in operation for
several years. The mill-privilege is said to be an excellent one for a small stream.
In the summer of 1847 David Holmes built a store at the village,
and filled it with goods the same fall. He and Anson Denton entered into partnership, and
conducted business about two years. Mr. Holmes, who was a Baptist deacon, owned a fine
farm, but was so unfortunate as to lose it in unprofitable mercantile pursuits. His place
is now owned by his son, William S. Holmes. Mr. Denton, Holmes partner, purchased the
latter's interest and moved the merchandise into a room in William A. Williams' house,
where he continued in trade for a time. James Jamieson afterwards kept a store about a
year in the same place, and since then no efforts have been made in the mercantile line in
the village.

VILLAGE OF PLAINFIELD

Numerous Indian trails
crossed each other at or near the site of Plainfield, and the
locality seemed to be a favorite camping-ground among the red men.
Cranberries abounded here, and this fact doubtless had its weight.
The chief best known to the settlers of this region was "Toag," whose followers could not be
kept in hand, and were generally thieving and drunken. Instances are related of their
entering houses when the men were away from home, and scaring the women into giving them
food, and even clothing.
Some time in 1835, Jacob Dunn and Levi Clawson started together
for the West, from Newton, N.J. Mr. Clawson stopped in Ohio, while Dunn came to Michigan,
purchased land and settled upon it, being the first to locate on the site of Plainfield.
During the following winter Mr. Clawson came to the same place and purchased, and found
Dunn living in a log house on the south of his (Dunn's) farm. He learned afterwards that
the road was to be laid on the section line north of him, and moved his house to it. Dunn
was the only man living at the place when Clawson entered his land. The latter returned to
Ohio, and in May, 1837, removed with his family to his place at Plainfield, where he has
since resided.
314a.


Image of
Plainfield, Livingston County, Michigan

315.
In the mean time
Fleet Van Sickel bought land at Plainfield, but soon sold to Philip Dyer, who became the second
settler at the place. Dyer was also from New Jersey, and located here in 1836. He and Dunn
both kept taverns. The place was originally known as Dyersburg, but upon the establishment
of a post-office the name, Plainfield, was given by Mr. Dunn, after a town in New Jersey.
John Cool and family came with Dyer and located west of the village, where two of his
daughters are now living. Samuel Townsend settled in the fall of 1836 on the farm now
occupied by John Van Sickel, who married one of his daughters.
Philip Dyer's youngest son, John Dyer, occupies his father's old
farm. A daughter of Mr. Dyer is now the wife of A. L. Dutton, living on section 16.
David Dutton, from Oneida Co., N.Y., came to Michigan in 1834,
and after a short stop in Scio, Washtenaw Co., settled at Lima, in the same county. In
May, 1837, he moved to the farm, half a mile northwest of Plainfield, now occupied by his
son, D. O. Dutton. He died May 29, 1867, and his widow makes her home most of the time
with her children at Eaton Rapids, Eaton Co., although her sons, D. O. and A. L., in
Unadilla, have her company at times.
When Fleet Van Sickel sold his place at Plainfield to Mr. Dyer he
paid the money to his brother, Samuel F. Van Sickel, who purchased land southeast of the
village, where his son, Edgar Van Sickel, now lives. S. F. Van Sickel came from New Jersey
in company with Levi Clawson, and after a short stay in Ohio proceeded to Dexter,
Washtenaw Co., Mich., finally locating in Unadilla. One other of his sons, David, lives
near Edgar, southeast of Plainfield.
Samuel Wasson settled northeast of Plainfield in 1837. The old
farm is divided between his two sons, Myron and John, who reside upon it. Mr. Wasson came
from a locality about thirty miles from Buffalo, N.Y.
The first physician in the neighborhood was Dr. Morgan, who came
at an early day from Ohio, with his family, accompanied by Mr. Tuttle and family. This was
previous to 1839. The doctor was much esteemed by his acquaintances, and ranked high as a
physician. After the death of his wife he removed to Indiana. He was the only physician
who ever lived here any length of time. He had an extensive ride, ranging into the
township of White Oak, Ingham Co. The vicinity of Plainfield was always noted for its
healthfulness, and Dr. Morgan once remarked that "if it were not for White Oak he should
starve to death" Dr. D. M. Greene located here in the spring of 1879.
Albert G.
Topping, from Cleveland, Ohio, settled in Plainfield in November,
1839, living for a short time in a house on Philip Dyer's place,
while building a log house for himself. That structure occupied the
ground upon which now stands the residence of his son Morris
Topping. When not busy on his own -place, Mr. Topping was employed
by Dyer. He died in 1844, from the effects of the amputation of his
leg, rendered necessary by a white swelling. His son, Morris
Topping, in the spring of 1853 built the store he now occupies, and
began business in October of the same year, having continued in the
same place since that time. He is now the oldest merchant in the
place; has also a large stave-factory and coopering establishment,
manufacturing about 20,000 barrels per annum. This business was
started about 1864.
Mr. Topping built his stave-factory first, subsequently adding a
saw-mill, and finally a grist-mill. All were burned about 1875, but the stave-factory and
grist-mill have been rebuilt. Steam is the motive-power used; the grist-mill has three
runs of stone, and does both custom and merchant work.
E. T. Bush has a planing-mill and cider-mill which have been in
operation about ten years.
The first store in tile village was established by Rice A. Beal,
since prominent in his connection with the State University at Ann Arbor. He first
appeared as a peddler of clocks, etc., but finally built and stocked a store and managed
it a number of years. He went afterwards to Howell, where he owned a fine establishment,
and finally removed to Ann Arbor, where he now resides. His father, Emery Beal, settled at
Plainfield about 1837.
Plainfield post-office was established about 1837-38, with Emery
Beal as postmaster, and was kept in the latter's house. Mail was brought from Milan
(Unadilla post-office), the route extending from Ann Arbor, via Dexter, to Unadilla and
return. Some mail was afterwards brought in from Mason, Ingham Co. A tri-weekly mail is
now received from Fowlerville, the route extending from Fowlerville to Unadilla. A man
named Burnett, who lived east of Plainfield. held the office a short time, succeeding
Beal. Rice A. Beal was subsequently appointed. In 1853 when Morris Topping established
himself in business, he received the appointment of postmaster, which position he has
since retained.
The present hotel at the village was built in 1876 by Morris
Topping, and its first landlord was William Oxtoby. The present proprietor is A. D.
Spaulding, who has occupied it since the fall of 1879. The building is a frame structure,
and the first regular hotel in the place.
316.

VILLAGE OF UNADILLA

A village, called "East
Unadilla,"
∞
was platted April 14, 1837, the survey being made by Richard
Peterson, Jr., but it was not recorded until April 21, 1840. The
proprietary names on the plat are Robert Glenn and Thomas G.
Sill,--the latter the administrator of the estate of John Drake. The
plat, as acknowledged, bears date April 16, 1840. The village was
originally locally known as Milan; but when it became necessary to
establish a post-office it was ascertained that another office of
the same name existed in Monroe Co., and while the office was named
Unadilla, the village was recorded as East Unadilla, to distinguish
it from the Unadilla mentioned elsewhere.
John Drake, the founder and one of the proprietors of the
village, built a dam across the Portage in 1835, and as soon as possible thereafter
erected a saw-mill, the lumber used in its construction being sawed at Williams' mill at
Williamsville. Robert Glenn had entered the land, and gave Drake 40 acres on which to
build his mill and improve the water-power. Glenn built a grist-mill in 1838, the same
being a part of the mill now standing. It had originally but one run of stones, but a
second was afterwards added. Glenn subsequently sold a half-interest to Dr. Field. Others
were proprietors at different times, and it finally passed into the hands of the present
owner, George Hoyland, who inserted a third run of stones. Dr. Field, Charles Duncan, and
Seth A. Petteys all had shares in the mill at one time with Glenn. Petteys built the
grist-mill for Glenn, and afterwards erected a carding-machine in his own interest, but
finally abandoned it, owing to the supply of water being insufficient to run all the
mills. The old wheel in the grist-mill was a heavy one of the overshot pattern. An
improved turbine wheel is now in use.
John Dunning, from the town of Byron, Genesee Co., N.Y., came to
Unadilla in December, 1846, and entered the mercantile business, and has continued in the
same to the present. With the exception of during the first eighteen months after his
arrival, he has occupied the building in which he is now located. It is the first frame
building erected in the village, and was built by John Drake for the purpose of a store
and dwelling.
The store--the first in the place-- was kept by Drake & Dibble, and necessarily
contained but a small stock. Drake died within a year after the store was built, and its
contents were purchased by Mr. Ward, of Ann Arbor, now deceased. Mr. Drake first lived in a log house which stood near his
saw-mill in the southwest part of the village, a few rods south of the Presbyterian
church.
W. S. Livermore, one of the firm of O. H. Obert & Co., at the
village, came from Richfield, Tioga Co., N.Y., in 1844, with his uncle, John C. Stedman,
now living north of Unadilla. Since July, 1864, he has been engaged in business with his
brother-in-law, Mr. Obert. The present brick store occupied by the firm was built in 1873.
William Gilbert, from Cayuga Co., N.Y., located in Unadilla
village in the spring of 1837, and established the first blacksmith-shop in the place, on
the lot where W. S. Livermore now resides. The frame of the shop is yet standing on the
north side of the creek, whence it was removed and since enlarged. Mr. Gilbert's mother
and the wife of Luke Montague were sisters.
Mr. Montague, also from Cayuga Co., N.Y., located land both in
Unadilla and the township of Lyndon, Washtenaw Co.; he also purchased some from Aaron
Palmer (son of James Palmer, who had settled with his sons, Aaron and Benajah), who is now
living in the village. Mr. Montague purchased in the fall of 1836, and returned to New
York for his family. When they came back in the spring of 1837 Mr. Gilbert was one of the
party. Montague settled first on the Palmer Place, across the line in Lyndon, and lived
there about a year, building a house on his-place in Unadilla in the mean while. In the
latter Dr. Field lived for a time, afterwards moving into the village and building a house
on the hill in the south part. The doctor afterwards moved to the present W. S. Livermore
place, where he died.
Mr. Montague sold the Palmer place to his son, Alexander
Montague, when he moved to his place in Unadilla.
One of the characters of this region at an early day was an old
man familiarly known as "Deacon" Barnes. He lived to be about ninety years of
age, and died a few years since in Ingham County. He lived at Williamsville, and was a
blacksmith by trade. With much satisfaction he would relate his apprenticeship
experiences, and his stories led his listeners to understand that he served his
apprenticeship before the Revolution. He was a bachelor, and possessed a remarkable
memory, but no education. At one time he was employed in a shop at Dexter, Washtenaw Co.

PHYSICIANS

Dr. Junius L. Field, the first physician in the
township, was a very popular citizen and an excellent physician. For years he was the one
sought after by the sick of the vicinity. He was very
|