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WE' S-l -fA 7 7' -- UM 7 b L 7 h gU --7 tx= ýT -7 P* ft-z ffiA tit __ IIBOU lIAult1111dII 3 0000 002 519 266 LIBRARY OF MICHIGAN i\ I A HOME OF MILTON BARNEY, THE FIRST HOUSE IN THIS VILLAGE. Our forest life was rough and rude, and dangerj closed us round; But here, amid the green old trees, freedom was sought and found. Oft through our dwellings w'intry blasts would rush with shriek and moan; We cared not-though they were but frail, we felt they were our own! Oh! free and manly lives we led, 'mid verdure or 'mid snow, In the days when we were ploneers, ffty-odd years ago. W. D. GALLArHEBR. HOMER AND ITS FIONEERS - mA-ND ITS =-ýý+ýBUsINESS ME1VIN OF TO-DAY, BY WILLIAM A, LANE, M. D., Editor of the Homer Index. P. W. CHASE, PUBLISHEU OF INDEX, PRINTER. HOMER, MICH.: 1888. AIGJIYGAN STATE LS.BRAR LANSIIGD 13 Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1888, by WILLIAM A. LANE, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. y */A297 f p 7324Y2( w Jy '$ -7yu ij er "y- 1 SF"~* d ~~~~~3z ~~~i~~~~~_~ LS~ i uaaui~an ----~~K;M ot--8 The pioneers of Homer are fast passing away. The majority have already gone from earth, while the wrinkled face, the silvery, lock;s, and the tottering step betoken that the minority will ere many years join them in the silent city of the dead. That their names and deeds should not be forgotten, or lost in the dark shadows of the past, was the incentive of this little work. To those who have generously contributed and extended aid in this undertaking, the author feels to be under grateful obligations, and especially so to Thomas S. Dorsey, Milo D. Hamilton, William J. Gregg, Hon. George H French, Charles D. Holmes, Eli T. Chase, Mrs. Nathan D. Beedon, Edwin W. Blair and others for information and services. This work is not presented to the reader as a literary production or with the idea that it contains a line, sentence or paragraph tending to show literary talent or ability. It therefore seems to call for no apology in that direction. That the work will be appreciated by those for whose information its contents were collected, written and compiled, there is but little doubt, and I can only ask that the imperfections which it contains may be overlooked. Errors have crept in. "Errors are common," but no one knows better than an editor or an author how errors may occur. W. A. L. Homer, May, 1888. RE': MAY 1956 HOMER AND ITS FIONEERS, CHAPTER I. THE STATE IN VWHICIH WE LIVE. Even in this brief sketch of Homer and its settlement, it seems proper that dates and a few incidents relative to the settlement of the State and Calhoun County, of which IIomier is a part, as well as a few tables for reference, be given. With the exception of Illinois, Michigan in point of colonization, is the oldest of the inland states, its first settlement even ante-dating that of Georgia. July 24, 1701, De la Motte Cadillac with one hundred Frenchmen marched upon the border where is now the City of Detroit, and took possession of that point in the name of the King of France. Notwithstanding 1701 marks the era of the first permanent settlement, it was over a half century prior thereto when the first ripple of the incoming tide broke upon the verge of our State. This was in 1641 when Isaac Jogues and Charles Raymbault, two Jesuit missionaries, envoys of the King of France, crossed from Canada to the upper Peninsula, and preached to an assemblage of two thousand red men of the forest at Sault Ste. Marie. These two missionaries are supposed to have been the first white men' to stand upon the soil of Michigan. They founded a mission among the Chippewas. Five years later,October 18, 1646, Jogues was put to death in Canada, by the Mohawks, as a sorcerer. He was 39 years of age, and was born at Orleans, France. These missionaries were followed by Rene Mesnard in 1660, Claude Allouez in 1665 and by Jacques Marquette in 1668. Marquette founded the mission at Sault Ste. Marie, and in 1671 built a chapel at Mackinaw. He died near the mouth of the Marquette river, May 18, 1675, at the age of 38 years. With the coming of the missionaries the fur traders of Canada also made an appearance and began to explore and temporarily occupy the territory. The first American settler in Michigan is said to have located at Frenchtown on the River Raisln, in 1796. The French authority over the State lasted until September 8, 1760, when together with Canada, it was surrendered to Great Britain, which-surrender was ratified by the treaty,-Paris, February 10, 1763. The HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. English domination lasted until July 1, 1796, when Michigan formally passed into the possession of the United States, and became a portion of the Northwest Territory. In 1800 the Northwest Territory was divided into two territories, the one retaining the name of Northwest Territory, the other receiving the name of Indian Territory. The former embracing the eastern half and the latter the western half of the State. July 11, 1805, Michigan was constituted a separate territory with its present boundaries, Gen. William Hull being appointed governor. June 15, 1836, Michigan was admitted into the Union as a State, upon condition of acceding to the boundary claims of Ohio. which claims, though first rejected, were finally acceded to, and on January 26, 1837, Michigan was, by act of Congress, formally declared a State. The seat of goverment was formerly at Detroit, but was removed to Lansing in the spring of 1847. The present State Constitution having been in force since November, 1850. The population of Michigan in various years from 1810 to 1884 inclusive, is given as follows:.1810, 4,528; 1820, 9,048; 1830, 32,531; 1834, 87,273; 1837, 174,061; 1840, 212,267; 1845, 206,489; 1850, 397,654; 1854, 507,527; 1860, 749,113; 1864, 803,661; 1870, 1,184,282; 1874, 1,334,031; 1880, 1,636,937; 1884, 1,853,658. Of the State population 1,421,984 are native born and 431,674 foreign born. Of the latter the Germans head the,list with 98,872; the Irish second with 48,230; the English third with 48,000, while aside from the Chinese, the Hungarian born is the lowest on the list in number, being 214. Number of males in the State of voting age 559,533. Vote for governor in 1886, 380,885. Number of school houses, 7,000. Value of school property, $9,770,000. Pupils attending school, 402,732. In educational matters in the scale of states, Michigan ranks 8, still we have over 50,000 persons over 10 years of age who are unable to read, and about 70,000 over 10 years of age who can not write. In 1886 Michigan contained 138,844 farms consisting of 12,460,688 acres, of which 7,463,514 are improved, and 4,997,174 are unimproved. There were 1,627,915 acres of wheat, with an estimated yield of 26,649,594 bushels, the acreage for 1887 being 1,653,523, with an estimated yield of 22,815,153 bushels. In 1886 there were 349,695 horses, 358,453 milch cows and 392,681 other cattle, 509,290 hogs and 2,128,937 sheep. There are 559 newspapers and periodicals published in the State. The newspapers consist of 461 weeklies, 39 dailies, 9 semi-weeklies, and 1 triweekly. Politically they are divided as follows: Independent, 187; Republican, 164; Democratic, 78; Neutral, 24; Prohibition, 11; Greenback, 7; Labor, 6; National, 5; Free Trade, 2; Liquor Interest, 2; Knights of Labor, 1. There are 16 papers printed in German language, 6 in Holland, 3 in French, and one each in Polish, Scandinavian and Swede. There are 6 agricultural, 11 medical, 9 commerce, 18 religious, 9 educational, 8 literary, 3 secret society and 6 miscellaneous. CHAPTER II. CALHOUN COUNTY. The recognized pioneer of Calhoun County was Sidney Ketchum, who died in the City of Marshall several years ago. Ketchum. came from Clinton county, New York, in August, 1830, and located on the present sight of the City of Marshall. A Mr. Blashfield from Flowerfield, this State, had arrived the June previous and secured a pre-emption of certain lands, but after blazing a few trees to indicate the boundaries of his estate, returned to Jackson county, and soon after made a deal with one Samuel Camp whereby he, Blashfield, realized seventy-five dollars and a shot gun for his claims in Marshall. The first regular entry of lands in this county was made by Noble McKinstry on the 15th of October, 1830. He located some 70 acres covering the water power of Maishall and on the day following Ephraim Harrison located the south half of the northeast quarter of section 2, town 3 south of range 4 west, covering the water power at Albion. These were the only land entries in the county in 1830, and were made the same month in which the land office was opened at Monroe. The next deal of importance Was in the spring of 1831, when Abram Davidson and Jonathan Wood located lands which later contained the original plat of Marshall village, where the county seat was formally located the following year. The first house in the county was of logs, and was erected by a Mr. Fuller, three miles west of Marshall city in the fall of 1830, the second building being a saw mill erected on Rice creek in the summer of 1831 by George Ketchum, who, with several families had come on from New York State. The first brick building erected was the old National hotel building at Marshall. The first crops grown in this county were in the spring and summer of 1831. They consisted of corn and potatoes and were the products of lands owned by Dr. Hayes and Sidney Alcott. The first orchard in the county was planted in Eckford, by Oshea Wilder. The first birth in the county was Helen, daughter of Peter Chisholm, in October, 1831. The second, Luther, son of Dr. Andrew L. Hayes, in January, 1832. The first death was Isaac N. Hurd, who died in Marshall of cholera in July, 1832. Warren Nichols, his Wife and three of their eight children and a Mr. Crossett fell victims of the same disease at Athens the same summer. The first tavern in the county was opened in Marshall in 1832, and the same year Marshall had a postoffice with Geo. Ketchum postmaster. The first court of record holding a session in this county was the Circuit Court of the Territory of Michigan, which opened in Marshall, November 8, 1833, Judge Eleazer McCamly presiding. The first Judge of Probate was Dr. James P. Graves, who was appointed by Governor Porter in 1834. The first school in the county was at Marshall and was taught by Miss Eliza Ketchum in the summer of 1832 in a small frame building erected for school purposes. In this building the first Board of County Supervisors organized August 7, 1834. The first physician was Dr. Andrew L. Hayes, who came from New Hampshire in the summer or fall of 1831, and located at Marshall. Hayes was accompanied by Rev. 10 HOMIER AND ITS PIONEERS. John D. Pierce, the first minister. The first marriage in the county was the union of Mr. John Kennedy and Miss Louisa Hart, the ceremony taking place in Marshall, in iNovember, 1832, Rev. John D. Pierce officiating. Kennedy came in from New York with Geo. Ketchum in 1831, but at the time of his marriage had located and was living on the farm now owned by Hon. Wm. Cook, in Clarendon. Miss Hart also resided on the same farm at the time of her marriage, being a daughter of Henry Hart, who occupied Kennedy's house as tenant. Mr. Kennedy died about the year 1845, on the farm now owned by Solon Robinson, in Eckford, and was buried on Cook's Prairie near his early home. Mrs. Kennedy died of consumption in the spring or early summer of 1848 and was buried at Marshall. At the time of her death she was the wife of John Tillotson, to whom she was married in the spring of '47. Mr. Tillotson is a resident of this village at the present time. Barnes Kennedy, a brother of John, still resides two miles west of this village in Clarendon. Barnes came into the county from New York in May, 1832, and went to work as a carpenter on the grist mill being erected by Geo. Ketchum on Rice creek at Marshall. About this time a courier appeared at the little colony with the news that Black Hawk and his warriors had doffed the war paint and were about to make a raid upon the settlers in Southern Michigan, and would murder men, women and children without mercy. A meeting was at once called for the evening of the same day on which the startling news was received. In organizing the meeting, Isaac E. Crary was chosen chairman and Dr. Andrew L. Hayes secretary. It was the unanimous sense of the meeting that armed men should be sent out to meet the approaching foe. There was no compulsion, but for the safety of the lives of others and especially for the sake of the wives and little ones, thirteen brave pioneers, trusting to fate, volunteered to risk their own lives in facing Black Hawk and his band of red men of the forest. Among the number were Barnes Kennedy, Dr. Hayes, Geo. Ketchum, Reuben \hite, So]on P. Davis, John Vickery and David Vance. The little command was or-.dered to Prairie Ronde, with a week's rations in their knapsacks, and there to remain for further orders. The orders were complied with and after a week's stay at Prairie Ronde with no scalps captured, and no prospects of an opportunity to wage war on Black Hawk, all were discharged and sent home. Of these thirteen volunteers sent out from Marshall in May, 1832, to battle with the forces of the great Indian chief, Barnes Kennedy is the only one now living. In population Calhoun County ranks seventh among the counties of the State, as follows: Wayne, 188,966; Kent, 84,600; Saginaw, 74,795; Bay, 51,221; Lenawee, 49,580; Jackson, 45,232; Calhoun, 41,585. Population of Calhoun County from 1837 to 1884 inclusive was as follows: 1837, 7,960; 1840, 10,599; 1845, 15,500; 1850, 19,162; 1854, 22,517; 1860, 29,560; 1864, 30,770; 1870, 36,571; 1874, 35,655; 1880, 38,452; 1884, 41,585. The following constitutes a complete list of senators and representatives from this County in the State Legislature since its organization in 1835. SENATORS. 1839, James W. Gordon, Marshall; 1839-40, Sands McCamly, Battle Creek; 1842, Henry Hewett, Marshall; 1843, Edward Bradley, Marshall; HIOM-ER AND ITS PIONEERS. Il '1844-45, Abner Pratt, Marshall; 1848-49, Campbell Waldo, Albion.; 1853, Nathan Pierce, Mareng9o; 185,5, Erastus I-ussey, Battle Creek; 1859, Charles T. Gorham, Marshall; 1865-7, Victor P. Collier, Battle Creek; 1871-2-3, Philip H. Emerson, (a) " 1875-7, Win. Cook, Hlomer; 1883-5, Charles Austin, Battle Creek; 1, Vice President pro tern 71-2 1846-7, Loren Maynard, Marengo; 1850-1-3, Charles Dickey, Marshcall; 1855, Win. I-H. Brockway, Albion; 1857-8, Nathan Pierce, Marengo; 1861-2-3-4, Geo. H. French, HIomer; 1869-70, John C. Fitzgerald, Marshall; 1874, Wmi F. Hewitt, (b) Marshall; 1879-81-2, John Cl Patterson, Marshall.; 1887, Perry Mayo, Marshall. 1, Vice Emmerson resigne(d. REP:IESENTATIVES. 1835-6, Ezra Convis, (a) Battle Creek; 1837, Ezra Convis, Battle Creek; 1839, Justus Goodwin, Burlington; 1840, HIenry Cook, Homer; 1840,.Nathaln P. Hobart, Athens; 1841, Michael Spencer, Andover; 1843, Justus Goodwin, Battle Cree"k: 1844, James Sheldon, Albion;1845, Eli L. Stillson, Albion; 1846, John BarboIr,.Battle Creek; 1847, Jolin D. Pierce, Marshall; 1848, Andrew E. Campbell, B. Cre,,ý;" 1.848, Hiram Smith, Homer;.n 1849, Orlando Moffatt, Battle Creek; 1850, Erastus IIussey, Battle Creek: 1851, John L. Balcombe, Marengo:. 1851, Nathan Pierce, (d) Marengo; 1853, James Winters, Pine Creek; 1855, Daniel Dunakin, Homer; 1857, Chester Buckley, Battle Creek; 1857, James Monroe,. Albion; 1859, Charles Dickey, (f) Marshall; 1861, William Cook, Homer; 1862, William Cook, Homer; 1863, William Cook, Homer; 1863, Isaac C. Abbott, Pine Creek; 1864, William Cook, Homer; 1864, Chester Buckley, Battle Creek; 1865, Geo. R. McKay, Marshall; 1865, Wm. H. Blockway, Albion; 1867, Harvey Randall, Tekonsha; 1869, Loomis Hutchinson, Ceresco; 1870, Loomis Hutchinson, Ceresco; 1871, George I. Brown, Battle Creek; 1872, Geo. I. Brown, Battle Creek; 1873, Solon E. Robinson, Marshall; 1837, Sands McCamly, (b) Battle (Creek; 1838, Andrew Dorsey, Homer; 1839, Geeo. C. Gibbs, Marshall; 1840, Jonathan Hart, Battle Creek: 1841, Charles Olin,, Marshall; 1842, Isaac E. Crary, Marshall; 1843, Sands McCamley, Battle Creek; 1844, Moses Hall, Albion; 1845, Dr. Andrew L. Hayes, Marshall; 1846, Isaac Crary, (c) Marshall; 1847, [Henry W. Taylor, Marshall: 1848, John D. Pierce, Marshall; 1849, Fenner Ferguson. Albion; 1850, HenryK. Clark, Marshall; 1850, Nathan Pieree, (e).Marengo; 1851, Darius Clark, Marshall; 1.853, Bradley P. Hudson, Marengo; 1853, John R. Palmer, Albion; 1855, Talman W. Hall, Battle Creek; 1857, Asa B. Cook, Marshall; 1859, James Monroe, Albion; 1859, Walter W. Woolnough, B. Creek; 1861, Eden F. Henderson, Battle Creek; 1862, Eden F. Henderson, Battle Creek,; 1863, Abner Pratt, (g) Marshall; 1863, Chester Buckley, Battle Creek; 1864, Isaac C. Abbott, Pine Creek; 1865, Rodolphus Sanderson, B. Creek; 1865, Joseph P. Beach, Battle Creek; 1867, Geo. Willard, Battle Creek; 1867, Martin Haven, Albion; 1869, John Wagner, East Leroy; 1870, John Wagner, East Leroy; 1871, Wm. I-I. Brockway, Albion; 1872, Wm. H. Brockway, Albion; 1873, Rodolphus Sanderson, B. Creek; HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 1874, Rodolphus Sanderson, B. Creek; 1875, John Houston, Marshall; 1875, Philo Budlong, Marshall; 1877, Richard Keeler, Battle Creek; 1879, James IH. Campbell, Marshall; 1881-2, James H. Campbell, Marshall; 1881-2, Charles Austin, Battle Creek; 1883, Stephen F. Snyder, Marshall; 1885-7, Alvah D. Eldred, Tekonsha; a. Speaker. c. Speaker. f. Speaker Pro tern. 1874, Solon E. Robinson, Marshall; 1875, Almon E. Preston, Battle Creek; 1877, John W. Fletcher, Marshall; 1877, James Walkinshaw, Marshall; 1879, Geo. Robertson, Albion; 1881-2, Geo. Robertson, Albion; 1883, Newell J. Kelsey, West Leroy; 1885, Stephen F. Snyder, Marshall, 1887, Fred F. Hoaglin, Albion; b. Vice Ezra Convis, deceased. d. Succeeded Calvin Smith,deceased, in '39. g. Died at close of session. As an agricultural district Calhoun County ranks high among the counties of Southern Michigan, and has long been looked upon as one of the best in the State. Its yield of wheat in 1887, 1,030,581 bushels, in amount being exceeded only by Oakland, with 1,096,741 bushels. Number of farms in the County, 3,610, with an average number of acres each of 103.98, making a total of 377,117 acres, of which 259,359 are improved, and 117,758 acres are unimproved. In 1885 there were planted 34,003 acres of corn which produced 2,150,096 bushels of ears; 19,563 acres were sown to oats, which yielded 674,489 bushels. The County had 11,148 horses, 9,617 milch cows, 10,378 cattle other than milch cows, 14,824 hogs and 97,987 sheep. 6,259.91 acres in apple orchards, which produced 42,800 bushels. CALHOUN COUNTY PRESS. Town. Name of Paper. Editions. Publishing Days. Character. Publishers. Albion, Recorder, Weekly, Saturday, Rep. Warren & Bissell. Albion, Mirror, Weekly, Friday, Dem. L. W. Cole. Athens, Times, Weekly, Saturday, Ind. Edward Wisner. B. Creek, Journal, D. and W. Wednesday, Rep. Geo. Willard. B. Creek, Moon, D. and W. Saturday, Ind. M. V. Brown. B. Creek. Call, D. and W. Sunday, Labor, Call Pub. Co. B. Creek, G.F. Journal, Monthly, Agr'al, Gray. Burlington, Echo, Weekly, Saturday, Ind. Rand'1 & Robins'n. Homer, Herald, Weekly, Saturday, Rep. C. F. Haigh. Homer, Index, Weekly, Wednesday, Ind. P. W. Chase. Marshall, Chronicle, Daily, Ind. Chronicle Co. Marshall, Expounder, Semi-W. Wed. and Sat. Dem. Chronicle Co. Marshall, Statesman, Weekly, Friday, Rep. Lewis & Arthur. Tekonsha, News, Weekly, Saturday, Ind. Rand'l & Robins'n. In addition to the above, the Review and Herald establishment at Battle Creek, an institution of the Seventh Day Adventists, and one of the largest and most complete printing and binding establishments in the State, issues regularly a large number of miscellaneous, papers and periodicals, not only in English, but in German and other languages. CHAPTER III. IHOMER LONG YEARS AGO. It is the design of this sketch to give an account of Homer and to record some of the more important events of its early history. In doing this it will be impossible to write that which will prove entirely new, for all of it has been told over and over again, and much of it has appeared in the local press as well as in the various histories of Calhoun County. From the organization of Calhoun County up to 1834, the territory of Homer was included in the Township of Marshall. In 1834 the Territorial Legislature passed an act creating Homer a separate township, including within its borders the present Townships of Albion, Eckford and Clarendon. The new township was named Homer, in defference to the wishes of James Hopkins and others of the early settlers who had been residents of Homer, Cortland county, New York. Mr. Hopkins, who first suggested the name, was the father of Almond C. Hopkins, at the present time a resident of this village and whose portrait appears elsewhere in this work. Before proceeding further it seems proper to give a brief sketch of this region upon which nature seems to have lavished so many of her beauties and excellences. In doing this I shall not confine myself to Homer of today, but will speak of it as Homer of years ago when it contained within its domain the townships above mentioned, and consisted of a territory twelve miles square. It was, in its natural state, one of the finest regions in all Michigan; it had its hills and dales covered with beach, maple and oak, which, on a summer's day would shade the earth with their green foliage. It had its gentle slopes and sunny ridges; its rich plains bringing forth green herbage, and beautiful flowers to blossom in spring time; its beautiful lakes and rivers where the Indian in his birch canoe could be seen sailing on the bosom of the placid waters. The beauty and loveliness of the region alone would have attracted the early settler here. But it was not this alone, not alone the grandeur, or beauty of landscape that enticed the seekers of homes, in the then far West, to locate in this section, but it was the diversity as well as the fertility of the soil. The whole region was found to be as various as its surface. The lowlands were found to contain the deepest vegetable moulds, which through cultivation would make excellent meadows. Its broad acres of beautiful plains, dotted here and there with a lonely oak and filling the air with the fragrance of its beautiful flowers, contained the richest loams, were easy of cultivation and well adapted for the growing of vegetables and cereals and especially of Indian corn, while the hills and ridges with the same rich loam and a larger admixture of sand and gravel, would prove excellent for the successful cultivation of apples and other fruits. In addition to all this, the region was found abundantly supplied with water from the Kalamazoo and St. Joseph rivers and their tributaries, the former rising in Hillsdale county and entering the township at the north-east quarter of section thirteen of Homer proper, taking a north-westerly direction until it 14 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. reaches the present village from which point it takes a north-easterly course until reaching the City of Albion, where it unites with an eastern branch, forming- what was known in early days as "The Forks." The St. Joseph also rises in Hillsdale county, taking a north-westerly course, touching at Hillsdale city, Jonesville and Litchfield, enters the Township of Clarendon at the southeast quarter of section thirty-six and still taking a north-westerly direction passing at a point about one mile west of this village, where it receives the outlet of Burt Lake, thence making a direct turn and taking a westerly, direction leaves the township on the north-west quarter of sectibn nineteen. These streams and their branches proved not only beneficial for irrigation, but their borders were fringed with an abundance of excellent timber, and at the same time the main water courses supplied ample power to convert the timber into lumber for houses and the wheat and other cereals into flour for the 'great markets of the world. It is not strange that the pioneer saw in the surround-' ings all the essential elemehns of prosperity to the careful and industrious lusbandman. It is not strange that he resolved to make this beautiful land his home, and that when his earthly caieer should close he should be laid away to the silent and peaceful rest in the'land he had sought and learnled to love. Homer has long been known as thie "Gardein of Soutiern Michigan-," anid itl is no misnomer. Though the name"'as applied to Homer and its imtmediate semi-surroundings on the north aiid"i est, it,ould prove only a woithy appellation for the township as 'drigi'til organized, for there is no territory of like dimensions in all Michigan that coitains a greater amount of rich arid productive lands than this region of Ours. It is the' land that we should all love; it is the land we should feel proud to call our home. In' a state of nature its fertile plains, termed,'burr oak plains," were nearly destitute of timber and in summer were covered all over with a luxuriant growth of vegetatio6~ interspersed with a variety of gorgeous and beautiful flowers. In a state of cultivation these same plains are, to the joy of the husbahn'dman, year after yearbringing forth abundant harvests of golden grain. "The principalof these prairies: can be given as follows: "Cook's Plains" or what is now commonly called "Cook's Prairie," lying a little north-west of this village, in Clarendon; thle ".Homer Plains," lying between the Kalamazoo river and Burt Lake, covering the site of this village and extending south and south-east about twd miles; the "Pennsylvania Settlement," due east from this village about three miles',' a' d tlhe "Fisher Settlement," which is ~ituated in the south-east part of the t;wnlship. Each of these plains mark the site of one of the earliest settlements'. L(s's:thai three score years ago this region of beauty and excellence, this land wilich conitained all the essential elements of prosperity to the tiller of the soil,,Wa1s scarcely known to civilized man. Here, less than sixty years ago, the' bear could have been seen at nightfall, with his logy gait, quietly strolling about, searching for some sleeping victim on which to make an evening's meal. As the darkness of night gathered around, or as the stars of Heaven beamedi in all their beauty and the moon shed its soft silvery rays across river and lake, the howl of the wolf could be heard as it echoed and re-echoed frim among the hills, and as morning dawned in all its glory, the sweet notes of the feathBred songsters would fall upon human ear, filling man with delight and causing him to adore the great Spirit above. - This land was then'the home of the red man; HOMIER AND ITS PIONEERS. his well, beaten trail was over hills, through the valleys and across the flower covered plains, extending as it were, from river to sea, and the smoke of his wigwam ascended on every hand. It was the Indian's paradise. Here the plains and lowlands supplied an abundance of pasturage for his ponies; here he cultivated his little patch of maize, with little labor, and with no fears of being molested by his white brother. He pursued his game into the depths of the forest; he fished on the lakes and rivers, and his little canoe was the only craft to sail the crystal waters or to be found anchored among the ferns and lillies. Deer, wild turkey and other game were in abundance. It was the Indian's happy hunting ground on earth; here he brought forth and reared his young, taught them to become fleet in the chase and made them experts in the use of the arrow and bow. Here, too, he could stand beside the graves of his departed chieftains whom he honored, and his maidens whom he loved. No wonder this child of nature was attached to these charming haunts. No wonder poor "Lou" dreaded the coming of the "pale face;" no wonder he hated to vacate to civilization, and when that order came (1840) and his steps were taken westward, it is not strange that he cast one "longing lingering look behind," and in all his stateliness "bowed his face to earth and wept." In sadness and sorrow he departed From the haunts where he so loved to dwell, Near the graves of his chieftains and kindred, And he wept, when he bade them farewell. This particular neighborhood was a favorite resort of the Indian, and especially of the tribe of Pottawottamies, many of them lingering several years after the arrival of the white settlers. Traces of their rude cultivation of corn were distinctly visible, even on the present site of this village.. They gathered the earth at regular distances into hillocks of considerable hight, planted the seed in the top, and instead of digging the ground over again for a second or third crop, they would simply pull out the old stalks and insert new seed. From this, the red man's mode of cultivation, originated the term "corn hills." The principal Indian's trail through this section, crossed the Kalamazoo from the north, just west of the present site of the Homer Mills, ascending the hill on the south, as shown in our illustration of "Barneyville." From this point it passed west, on what is now Leigh street, until reaching the crossing of Sophia street, where it took a south-westerly course, leaving Burt Lake a little to the south, and continuing west, south-west to Tekonsha. On the east banks of Burt Lake, on the premises now owned by Sylvanus Cook, was an Indian's burial ground of considerable dimensions, the unevenness of the ground caused by the depressions in the earth was ample evidence, even up to a few years ago, that the spot contained many a grave. In the eastern part of this village, on grounds now owned by Wm. Hastings, is a tract upon which the earlier settlers found tomahawks and an unusual number of spear and arrow heads. It is the opinion of some that this tract was used as assembly grounds, while others believe it a place where two warring tribes, some day now long past and gone, met in fierce battle. Two miles north-west of this village, on the farm now owned by Hon. Wm. Cook, and near the town line, earthworks had been thrown.up, forming a complete circle, enclosing a tract of from one-third to one-half acre. Whether it was constructed as a place of refuge, for fortification against an approaching foe, or as assembly grounds where the braves 16 HOMER AND ITS8 iIONEELS. met in council and danced about the camp fire, or smoked the pipe of peace, time never will tell. At the time of the arrival of the white settlers and up to the time of the removal of the Indians to Iowa, the principal chiefs of the tribes in this section were Wopkezike and Leather-nose, the latter receiving his name from a buckskin or leathern arrangement worn for a nose, that important as well as ornamental appendage having been bitten off in the winter or spring of 1837, by a bull dog owned by Hawley & Ely, who kept a grocery and "fire water" store in this village, at the intersection of Main and Webster streets, where later was located E. P. Potter's foundry. These chiefs are spoken of, as of kind disposition and not only friendly, but that they became very much attached to the whites, especially was this the case with Wopkezike, who, when all was ready for the removal of his 'tribe to the far West, accompanied by his squaw, called at the homes of the white settlers to bade them a last farewell, and as he took his departure, Maitland W. Hatch, or Mailt, for short, among his friends, tells us that the old chief's heart was filled with sadness and his eyes bedimed with tears. Mait was a boy in those days and was apparently quite a favorite among the Indians, and especially so to Wopkezike, who presented him with three young wild turkeys. Malt reared them with the best of care, but when nearly full grown they wandered off with a drove of their own kind, to parts unknown. The little Indian boys mixed freely with the few white children, consisting of the Hamilton's, the Powers', the Iatch's and others, in the different sports, and Mait being just as full of fun then, as now, was always perpetrating some trick on the little braves, and it is a little strange that they did not secure a good sized scalp from that bald spot which Mr. Hatch now carries beneath his hat. Mr. Milo D. Hamilton, at the present time the able editor and publisher of the Monroe Commercial, and whose portrait, with a sketch of his life, appears elsewhere in this work, sends a communication, which, being so full of interesting incidents of early days, is given in full. He says: "A considerable tract of ground which is now thickly settled and'contains the business part of Homer, was, previous to the settlement there of Milton Barney, an Indian corn patch, and as late as 1835-7, the square on which the Methodist church now stands, was a grand hazel patch, and a little to the south was a growth of oak, interspersed with hazel shrubs, among which the writer often filled his basket with luscious wild strawberries. Indians (Pottawottamies) were qiite numerous In the streets of Iomer in those years, and often pitched their tents in the near vicinity, on the north banks of the Kalamazoo. They were friendly for the most part, except when having procured too much 'fire water,' at which time some of them were inclined to be ugly. The little Indian boys, in '35, came into the settlement freely and often took a running game of 'tag' with the white boys, of whom there were but few. Indians were more or less numerous until the fall of 1840, when the United States government took the Pottawottamies beyond the Mississippi. I well remember a bright October day when gathering hazel nuts by the roadside, some ten or a dozen lumber wagons were driven southward, loaded with United States'.Infantry. Such a sight was, of course, enough to fill my boyish eyes with wonder. An officer of the company called out, saying: 'Boy, if you'll save me a basket of those nuts, I'll bring you an Indian's scalp when I come back.' A few days later, when the troops returned with a band HOMER AND ITS PIONEERtS. 17 of Indians, captured in Hillsdale county, the riddle was solved and the wonder at an end. It will be remembered that there were no daily papers in those days to herald such happenings. The Indian procession with the soldier contingent, filled the street in pretty close marching order for fully a mile. The officer, however, forgot the scalp. From this time on, Mr. 'Lo' was seen no more on the hunting grounds. In these early years wild game was plenty, and it was no uncommon thing to see five or six antlered beauties of the forest, bounding along one after another. There were droves of wild turkeys, and prairie chickens and quail were especially numerous; aside from affording plenty of shooting for the huntsman, hundreds of the latter were taken by the rude traps, improvised by the boys, and set with a figure 4. The first educational privileges of Homer were established in 1835, in a little building about twelve by fifteen feet in size, that stood near the east line of the old Homer hotel lot. The building was originally intended and used as a store, but was abandoned for the larger one built that year, opposite the hotel. The school was taught by one of the older daughters of Milton Barney, and she would have had ten or a dozen scholars, had not the ague kept them away the larger portion of the time. It was fashionable to have the ague in those days-a good hard shake every other day at least-and the man, woman or child who did not have it as often as that, was losing caste in the community. In 1836 or '37 a better school house was built on the Burt farm, west of what is now Iillsdale street, and near the crossing of the Air Line railroad, where for several years gathered, not only the lads and lasses of the little village, but also of the country for two or more miles south and east, and imbibed such treasures from the fountain of knowledge as the teachers and books of those early days were able to impart. I must not forget to mention one feature of the country in those days--the beautiful and dversified flora that filled the openings-a 'thing of beauty' and certainly a 'joy' to thousands. The advance of civilization, not only drove out the Indians and wild game, but at the same time drove out or obliterated many of the varieties of wild flowers." The store building which Mr. Hamilton speaks of, in which the first school in the village was taught, was the little store building shown in our illustration of Barneyville. In 1833 or '34 it was moved onto the site now occupied by Mrs. Woodbury's millinery shop, and is now a part of a house on Fulton street, west of Webster street, and is owned by Albert Collins. This school, however, was not the first school in the township, as originally organized, for as will be seen elsewhere in this work, the first school was in what is now the Township of Clarendon, in 1833, while later in the same year, a school was opened in what is now Albion township. As stated by Mr. H., the Indians were uniformly friendly with the whites. They circulated freely among them and in large numbers, and constituted the chief patrons of the country store, bartering their furs, their berries, their saddles of venison, their baskets and other articles of their handiwork for provisions and such articles as they desired, including, too often, the Indian's, as well as the white man's most pernicious enemy, "fire water." The Indians seemed to understand the quality of liquor and knew full well when the dealer had "watered" it. As an illustration of this, it is said that at the old log tavern, one of them had imbibed so freely as to become about "three sheets in the wind," and when asked how he liked it. exclaimed, in 18 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. broken English, and to the amusement of those present, "too much,Kalamazoo." Still another, under the influence of liquor, was returning from this village and had arrived at a point near the present residence of B. F. Wetherbee, in Clarendon, when he became chilled and died. His brother red men, upon being asked as to the cause of death, said, "Too much Kalamazoo in fire water." In 1840 the Indians were removed beyond the Mississippi, one of the officers informing them that they would, in that far off land; never be disturbed by the approach of the white settler, but alas, the tide of civilization knows no bounds, and the poor Indian who once had universal sway in this great land of liberty, has been driven onward, still onward to the far, far West. The graves of his ancestors are deserted, the ranks of his living are fast being depleted, and it is feared that time, fast fleeting time, will, ere many years, mark the hour when the "red man" will be known in our land, only as a being of bygone days...4 'I 0 rjq 0l 0 0 0 t tcj CD z 0 cD CHAPTER IV. SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP. The first white settlement in Homer took place in the spring of 1832, when Powell Grover, William Wintersteen, and two brothers, Richard and Henry McMurtrie, all from Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, arrived and located lands three miles due east from what is now this village, on section 1, 2 and 11. The entire journey from their home in Pennsylvania was made on foot, the distance being six hundred miles. All were single men with the exception of Mr. Wintersteen, who left his family in Pennsylvania and returned for them the following spring. The project of coming to Michigan originated with Mr. Grover, who, prior to leaving Luzerne county, had decided to locate on the identical spot on section 11, where for many years he made his home, and where he accumulated a handsome property. The party arrived at what in later years became known as "Grub Hill," about ten a. m. on April 20th. This hill borders section 2 on the east, and from its summit these sturdy pioneers had an unobstructed view of the rich and fertile plains of section 1, 2 and 11, where they had resolved to seek their fortunes. After an hour's stay on "Grub Hill," for rest and refreshments, the party decended to the plains and went into camp on section 11, north of the Kalamazoo river, at a point which later became known as "Swale Hill." Their first habitation was constructed of logs, and was covered with a thatched roof. As to who erected this abode there is a diversity of opinion; some say it was a shanty vacated by the Indians, while others assert that it was built by the pioneers themselves, the former, however, is without a doubt true, and also that the shanty was erected for, and occupied by Leather-nose, the Indian chief, long before the white settlers arrived. This being the case the party soon took possession, "moved in" and began housekeeping. They had no furniture to arrange, no stove pipes to swear over, but they had lots of pluck and energy, and they had implicit confidence, that, 20 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. should occasion demand, their faithful dogs would apprise them, and their trusty rifles would protect them from an approaching foe, be it a wild beast of prey or a "red man of the forest." At this time there were but very few white settlers in this or adjacent counties. A little colony had located at Marshall, and still another at Battle Creek, while a few families had also settled at Berlin, or what is now the Village of Athens. There was no white settler at "The Forks," or what became the site of the present enterprising little City of Albion, until the year following. In Jackson there was a tavern, built of tamarack logs, known as the "Tamarack tavern," which was kept by one "Bill" Thompson. Jackson also had a little grocery store and a couple of log cabins. A man by the name of Jones, and also one Mr. Olds, had settled on the present site of Jonesville village, the former becoming postmaster of the place and in due time, we are told, won considerable notoriety for robbing the mails. Ann Arbor on the east and White Pigeon on the west, were the nearest points of importance, and the nearest points where mills had been erected, although later in the same year a mill was put up in Marshall by George Ketchum. Mr. Grover, the McMurtries and Mr. Wintersteen all being from Pennsylvania, started what to this day is known as the "Pennsylvania Settlement." They occupied the "Indian's shanty," or temporary dwelling for about one year. Having no table or boards of which to construct one, they cut down a large tree, which chanced to stand near by, and when the weather would admit, served their meals on the top of the stump, which had been made as smooth as possible for the purpose. South of the shanty a well was dug, and as no rope was at hand with which to hoist out the dirt, a "way station" consisting of a scaffold made of sticks, was put in, in the descent, and the work progressed until water was reached, which was at a depth of fifteen feet. This well is still in existence, but not used at the present time. In the winter or spring following, each built a log cabin for himself on lands of his own. Mr. Grover's and Mr. Wintersteen's were both on section 11, Richard McMurtrie's was on section 2, and Henry McMurtrie's, which was torn down a few months ago, was on section 1. The same year Mr. Grover erected a second cabin, and the following year still another, the first was occupied by Jacob Cool and his family, and the last by John Wooliver. About this time, or as early as 1835, Mr. Grover dug a race, constructed a dam and put up a saw mill on the north banks of the Kalamazoo. This mill sawed a large portion of the lumber for the old college building at Albion, which was erected in 1841, as well as the Methodist church, of South Albion, which was built in an early day. Mr. Grover seemed to have been a benevolent sort of a man, as a greater portion of the sawing done at his mill for the above institutions was without recompense. This mill also furnished a great many rails for the Michigan Central railroad, in the days when such rails were made of wood with simply a strip of iron on the top. The old mill was torn down away back in the fifties, but some of the timbers which entered into its construction, are still in existence and are now a part of a building on the Henry McMurtrie farm, which is now owned by the Potters. The following diagram of section 11, and the south half of section 2, gives the exact location of the early settlement, together with the highways, dwellings, etc., at the present time. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 21 In M M w G F h g 1 1K j I f G w M W V C B D *A o G L G a A, Indian's shanty, abode of first settlers, 1832. *, Stump used for a table by pioneers. o, Well dug by pioneers. B C D, The Grover cabins. E, Grover's saw mill. F, Richard McMurtrie's log cabin. H, Henry McMurtrie's log house on lands located by him. I, Wintersteen's log house. G, Lands located by Grover. M, land, located by Richard McMurtrie. W, Lands located by Wintersteen. a, Kalamazoo river. im, Michigan Central, Air Line, railroad S, C. J. & M. railroad station. f g, Dwellings on lands nowv owned by Mr. Harris, his new residence being a few rods west of the latter point. j, Residence of L. G. Hartung, who now owns the Wintersteen farm. k, Spaulding school house L, Lands now owned by "Len" Grover. N, Lands now owned by George Woolley. O, Lands now owned by H. A. Wintersteen. P, Lands now owned by H. R. Wintersteen. 1, Residence and farm now owned by E. J. Potter. h, Brick residence and farm now owned by Jones Findley. r. Road leading to the Grover mill, now vacated. 22 H]OMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Near Mr. Grover's log cabins, the location of which is shown in the foregoing diagram, was an orchard planted in an early day by Mr. Grover, and a few apple trees still remain to direct the curious to the spot where the first settlers of Homer located. As has already been stated, these pioneers came into the country on foot, and therefore could bring no furniture. They did, however, bring along a few dishes, which the women folks at home had placed in their knapsacks. As there was no pantry or shelving connected with their new habitation, a shelf was improvised of poles on which to set away their "china" after meals. A few days later, during the absence of the men, the dogs, while on a tour of inspection, had torn the shelf down and broken every dish. The first wagon made was, indeed, worthy of mention, as the wheels wete cut from the end of a large log, after which a circular opening of sufficient dimensions to fit the axletree was made in each. Parts of this old wagon are still in existence and may be found on the "Len" Grover premises. On May 7, 1832, or less than three weeks after the arrival of the Pennsylvanians, Henry Cook, from Aurelius, Cayuga county, N. Y., and Anthony Doolittle, formerly from the same state, but later from Ohio, came and settled two miles north-west of this village, forming the nucleus of what in early days was known as "Cook's Prairie," but what at the present time is more frequently Stermed "Cook's Plains." Sylvanus and James, sons of Mr. Cook, and also Solander and Jefferson Rossman, hired men, accompanied the party, the balance of the Cooks and Doolittles remaining in Saline, Washtenaw county, where the families had settled in the fall of 1831. Prior to the settlement at Saline., however, and while his family tarried in Detroit, Mr. Cook, through a suggestion of the State Surveyor, had explored this section, and was so captivated with the beauty and fertility of the plains west of this village that he at once resolved to make a portion of them his future home. Upon returning to Detroit:and informing the family of his intentions, Mrs. Cook, through fears that the Indians would prove troublesome, discouraged the idea, and it was finally decided that they should settle in Saline. Upon arriving at that place Mr. Cook purchased of Mr. Doolittle, lands which had been located by the latter, and upon which he had already erected a frame dwelling. There the winter of 1831-2 was spent, but Mr. Cook was not satisfied. Having once seen the rich and fertile plains of this section, they had so charmed him, that he could not give up the idea of making them his home. When spring came the lands at Saline were sold, Mrs. Cook's consent was given, a couple of wagons with ox teams were gotten in readiness, and the party whose names have already been given, started on the journey for this county. The journey was by Indian trail which led through Sharon, or what was then called "Bend of the Raisin," Grass Lake, Jackson, Spring Arbor and what is now Concord. The party put up the first night in Sharon, and at the only cabin then in the place. The cabin was owned by Mr. Fellows, who, in later years became quite noted as a grower of fine wooled sheep. Upon reaching Grass Lake one of the oxen had given out, and Mr. Cook purchased an untamed steer of one Daniel Richie, put it under the yoke and continued the journey. One night was passed at a little log hut, east of Jackson, and still another at Spring Arbor, with a family by the name of Acker, one of the sons of this family, whose name was Peter, will be remem JOHN COOK, [page 43.] T'HEODORE COOK, [page 44.1 ION. WILLIAM COOK, [See Village Presidents.] SYLVANUS COOK, [page 44.] MRS. SYLVANUS COOK, [page 44.] SI HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 23 bered by some of our older settlers as a clerk in a store here in an early day. The last night passed by our pioneers before reaching their destination was on the west banks of the little pond two miles this side of the present Village of Concord. After leaving Spring Arbor there were no signs that the tide of civilization had already preceded them until they reached a point near the Spaulding school house in this township, when they were not a little amazed, but at the same time joyed, to see the smoke ascending from the home of white men, which proved to be the abode of the Pennsylvanians. The journey from Saline was made without mishap of importance, except as has been narrated. Streams and rivers were forded and when no other accommodations were to be had, the party camped at night by the roadside. Upon arriving on the plains, the erection of a house was at once started, and was completed in just one week. In the meantime the party slept nights beneath the wagons, the boxes of which were turned over, the better thereby to provide a means of shelter. The house was of logs and was 20x22 feet in size and was covered with shakes. Aside from the door, which was added later, not a nail or board entered into the construction of this pioneer home. There was but one window, and that contained a solitary sash brought from Saline. The floors were of basswood,, split out of logs, and made as smooth as possible by the use of adz. On the day that the house was completed Messrs. Cook and Doolittle left for Saline to bring on the remaining members of the families, together with the horses and other stock, at the same time leaving Sylvanus, James and the two hired men to keep house and look after things at the new quarters. As there were no boards or other appropriate material of which to construct a door to the rude abode, a quilt was used for such purpose. This answered to a certain extent in keeping out the night air, but as a barrier for protection against wild beasts it was of no avail. The inmates, just after retiring for the first night, were startled by the dogs, who came bounding into the cabin, yelping at every jump, and displaying the "ivory" from ear to ear. A moment later the lower end of the quilt used for a door was seen to raise, when the unwelcome countenance of a monster bear presented itself. "Uucle Jim," who was then a boy of but twelve years, suggested that the hired men reach the rifles and shoot, but the hired men didn't seem to hanker after that kind of sport. Old bruin, after taking a careful and apparently an unconcerned survey of the premises, but without intruding further, took his departure. Later, when the Rossmans were interviewed in regard to the first caller at the domicile, they would universally say "it was no bear, but an Indian pony." The Rossmans, as has been stated, came into the county as hired men. Jefferson worked for Mr. Cook and located lands which now constitutes a lirge portion of the Gibbs' estate, south of this village, which is one of the finest farms in Southern Michigan. Solander was employed by Mr. Doolittle, and received for his first season's work, sixty acres of land off the east side of the fine farm now owned by H. A. Bunnell in Clarendon. Solander, also, later located lands which constitute the desirable farms now owned by A. C. Sabin and William Wetherbee, the latter property being better known as the Peter Mitchell estate. The Rossmans removed to Butler, Branch county, in an early day, where both died some years ago, and where descendents of these two pioneers of this section, still reside. 24 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. The following diagram of the south half of section 36, Eckford township, and north half of section 1, Clarendon township, will give the reader the location of the first settlement, with other points of interest. Mr. Doolittle's log house being on section 1, of Clarendon, a short distance south-west from the present residence of Hon. Wm. Cook, the location of which is shown in the diagram. f O b h B d C I) i j A, Lands located by Mr. Cook. B, Lands located by John Kennedy, now owned by Wm. Cook. C, A. C. Sabin's farm. D, Mitchell farm, now owned by Wm Wetherbee. O, Indian fort or assembly grounds, see page 15. E, A portion of the Elijah Cook farm, now owned by Mr. Andrews. a, Mr. Cook's log cabin, 1832, and where the first school in the township was taught in 1833. k, First school house in Clarendon, was of logs, and burned down in an early day. f. School district No. I, fractional Clarendon, Eckford and Albion. b, John Kennedy's shanty, 1832, c, Residence of Theodore Cook, and site of Henry Cook's frame house erected in 1833. d, Residence of Hon. Wm. Cook and location of John Kennedy's log house where Mr. Hart lived when John Kennedy and Louisa Hart were married in November 1832. e, Freewill Baptist church. g, Theodore Cook's tenement house, occupiedby Archie Sinclair. h, Cook's Plains cemetery. 1, A. C. Sabin's residence. j, House on the Wetherbee farm, occupied by A. J. Shattuck. In 1833 Mr. Cook built a frame dwelling on the site of the fine brick residence now owned by his youngest son, Theodore. The old frame house is still standing, having been moved from its former location and is used as a shop or HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. carriage house. After the building of the frame dwelling, Mr. Cook devoted the log cabin to educational purposes, and in this humble edifice opened the first school ever taught in the township. The school was taught by Miss Alvira Keep, who later became Mrs. William Blashfield, of Clarendon. She died only a few years ago. Just two weeks after the arrival of the first party on the prairie, the remaining members of the two families reached the cabin. The household now consisted of twenty members, as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Cook and nine children, John, Sylvanus, William, James H., Elizabeth, Stephen, Daniel, Christina and Rachael; Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle and five children, Eliza, Charles, Imogene, John and Mary; and the two Rossmans, Solander and Jefferson. Large families have been known, but this one was evidently large enough for all practical purposes, when the size of the house is taken into consideration. The upper story of the cabin was used as a sleeping apartment of the single men and boys of the household, the beds being placed directly on the basswood flooring, which flooring "Uncle Jim" Cook informs us, was fortunately laid with the soft side up. This floor was also occupied nights by transients, seekers of lands, who universally made the Cook home their headquarters, and late in the season this class came in considerable numbers. Heads to the center line with feet to the points of the compass was the arrangement, and at times to the number of twenty occupied these beds on basswood foundations. There was heaps of sport in that "old attic," and when "Jeff," the hired man, would tell the boys about seeing some big "Injun," a bear or a wolf, they would ask him if it wasn't an Indian pony. During Mr. Cook's stay in Saline, Dr. Hayes, of Marshall, had located a large tract of land, in what is now the township of Eckford, which tract included the lands on which Mr. C. had concluded to settle. Dr. Hayes had, however, transferred his claim to a Mr. Hastings, who in turn sold six eighties to Mr. Cook, receiving for the same fifteen shillings ($1.871) per acre, or a margin of about $300 above government price. Mr. Doolittle had intended to locate lands adjoining the Cook's on the south, but that tract had been located by John Kennedy, who came into Marshall with George Ketchum the year previous. Kennedy was willing to sell, but Mr. Doolittle did not have the means to pay the margin asked. Mr. Doolittle settled in the same neighborhood, however, on lands now owned by Cleveland Sabin. Mr. Doolittle's lands were in what is now the Township of Clarendon, and he was, without a doubt, the first white settler in that township. About the time of the settlement of Cook's Prairie by the Cooks and Doolitties, Oshea Wilder, from Worcester county, Massachusetts, located lands on section 8, of what is now Eckford township, his lands covering the site of what became known as "Lower Eckford," but what today is a station on the Cincinnati, Jackson & Mackinaw railroad named Wilders. Mr. Wilder came into the township as early as 1831, but there is no evidence that a building was erected or a permanent location decided upon until the following spring or summer, when all necessary arrangements for the comforts of his family having been completed, they arrived and took up their abode at the new home, in October of 1832. The house was a double one, stood on the west side of Wilder creek, HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. and was constructed of tamarack logs. Mr. Wilder was a man of ample means for those days, and located a large tract of land, purchasing the same direct from the government. At the time of the settlement in "Lower Eckford," Mr. Wilder's family consisted of seven children, six sons and one daughter, and with the exception of the oldest son, Daniel, all came to the township as above stated. Daniel remained in Rochester, New York, for a time, but joined the family later. Still other children were born to the household after the arrival in the township, one, a little daughter named Cornelia, who vwas born in 1834, being the first white child born in the neighborhood, and probably the first in the township. Little Cornelia brightened the home of our pioneers for only a few short months, when the angel of death came, and the pet of the household, the darling little one, was laid away to sleep in the cold, cold earth, but a beautiful spot was selected, one where the wild flowers would come forth in springtime to pour forth their rich fragrance and sparkle in the morning dew; a spot beneath a beautiful oak, from the branches of which, as morning dawned, came the sweet notes of the feathered songsters, and where at nightfall the gentle zephyrs sang its soothing lull-a-by. In the summer of 1833 Mr. Wilder erected a frame saw mill, which stood on or near the site of the present one, north-west of the station. It contained an upright saw and is said to have been quite an institution at the time. The dam was constructed nearly one-fourth of a mile above the mill, and was of the kind known as a "spar dam," the water running over the center. HIe also built a blacksmith shop the same season, and two years later put up a large building which was used as a wagon shop and chair factory. John Hinkle was one of Mr. Wilder's first wagon-makers, and one Francis Peck was the first to preside at the anvil in the old blacksmith shop, while Ebenezer Avery, who later removed to Bellevue, Eaton county, made the wooden and rush-bottomed chairs. Mr. Wilder also put up the building known as the Eckford House, which for many years was kept as a counrty inn. This building though used only as a private dwelling, is still standing, and has long since become a landmark of olden times. About 1835 a postoffice was established at the settlement, Mr. Wilder being appointed postmaster. He held the office for nearly a dozen years, when he was succeeded by his son, William. Mr. Wilder was what is termed a prominent man and almost constantly occupied some official position of trust, to which he had been called by the suffrages of the people. The first orchard in the county was at Lower Eckford and was planted by Mr. Wilder. Mr. Wilder died on the premises where he located, in November, 1846, aged sixty-four years, his companion on earth following him some years later, the latter ending her days at the home of her daughter, Sarah A., now Mrs. S. V. R. Lepper, of Marshall, and the only surviving member of the once large and happy household of Wilders. Mrs. Lepper is now in California for the winter, her absence from home not coming to the knowledge of the writer until too late to receive from her, dates and incidents which would have enabled him in giving still further particulars, and a more complete record of this estimable family of pioneers. While the settlements already referred to were being formed, the beautiful plains, a portion of which later became the site of the present Village of Ho HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 27 mer, were not long overlooked, for as will be seen in chapter V of this work, Miltoni Barney, theh a resident of Lyons, New York, early in 1832 purchased a large tract of land here, covering not only the village site, but the water power now owned by Cortright & Sons, and occupied by the Homer Mills. In addition to his family, which then consisted of his wife and five children, Mr. Barney was accompanied by Timothy Hamlin, Thomas' McGuire, Henry Stanchel.and a boy by the name of Richard Norris. In June of the same year, Robert McCully, formerly from Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, but who came to Michigan and settled in Ann Arbor, this State, in the fall of 1829, arrived and located lands adjoining this village on the north-west, which lands are now owned and occupied by his only son, Andrew Frank. Mr. M'Cully's log cabin was erected about thirty rods south of the town line, and a little west of south ofthe present residence of Willard Cotton. Mr. M. was a single man when he came into the country and for the next four years "kept bach," tilled his own soil and presided over the affairs in his own kitchen. The latchstring of this little cabin was always out, and the weary traveler or land seeker was ever welcome to partake of the hospitalities within. Mr. McCully was a musician of some distinction for the times, and there still reside in this section, those who can recall many a pleasant evening spent at Robert's rude home listening to the melodious tones from the violin. During the summer and fall of 1832 still others arrived in the township, among the number being William and Benjamin Doolittle, brothers of Anthony, Benjamin Failing, David L. Hutchinson, Anthony Rogers, Loren Keep, and Erastus Enos, all locating in what is now Clarendon township. The two latter were from Homer, New York and arrived here in July. Mlr. Rogers was from Washington county, New York, and located on secteon 2. Mr. Hutchinson was from Madison county, New York, arrived in October, and first located lands near the site of the F. B. church on Cook's Plains, building his log cabin just across the line in Clarendon. A few years later he sold his first purchase, and bought and removed on to the lands four miles west of this village, where, he died only a few months ago. The same year also dates the arrival of Levi Murray, Samuel W. Douglass and Joseph Ehle, the latter locating in "Lower Eckford," and the two former in what is now Albion township. The early settlers in this section, though subject to more or less privations and hardships, these were not so common as are usually incident to pioneer life in a new country. As a general thing they brought with them their own teams, farming tools, and drove in an ample number of other stock, 'and the rich and fertile plains.being nearly destitute of timber, were ready for the plow. Bears and wolves, and esp6cially the latter, were more or less annoying, as they would occasionally carry off a young pig, and even provisions of all kinds left within their reach. The annoyance from these animals were, however, to quite an extent overlooked owing to the abundance of deer, wild turkey and other game, which supplied the tables with delicious meats. Many of the early settlers were experts in the use of the rifle, and not only the deer and turkey, but the wolf and bear fell before its "deadly aim." During the year 1832 the settlers were obliged to go to Ann Arbor for milling, where, too, they purchased their plows and plow repairs, the distance to Ann Arbor in those days being a a seven days' journey with ox team. A land office had been opened at White 28 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Pigeon to which place those taking up government lands were required to go to enter the same. This journey was made by Indian trail, the conveyance usually being an Indian pony, which would ford streams, and if needs be, would cross the same on a bridge consisting of a single log. In the winter or early spring of 1833, George Ketchum had completed his mill at Marshall. The news of this gladdened the hearts, not only of the settlers in this section, but of those throughout the county. Prior to the opening of the Ketchum mill, Mr. Cook had devised a means of grinding or rather pulverizing corn. A mortar was made of a block cut from the end of a large log, which, with a weight and pole arranged similar to the bucket and sweep of an old time well, with this exception, the base or large end of what might be termed the sweep or spring pole, was permanently fastened to the logs of the house, completed the outfit. The corn, which had been shelled and sufficiently dried, was placed in the mortar, the muscles of the younger Cook's were brought into requisition, and the corn in course of time was converted into meal. Mr. James Cook says he well remembers the many times he has stood at the old mortar for hours, pounding corn. Michael Gregg, Wm. W. Wells and John Clark, the two former being residents of this village at the present time, in an early day constructed a corn mill, which was thought to be an improvement on Mr. Cook's, and consisted of a mortar, sweep and iron wedge. In 1833 the tide of emigration increased, and settlers came in considerable numbers. March, 1833, marks the era of the settlement at "The Forks," or what is now the City of Albion, of Tenny Peabody and his family, Charles Blanchard, a nephew of Mr. Peabody, and a young man named Clark Dowling. Historians in the past have dated the arrival of these settlers March, 1832, but from papers in the possession of surviving members of the Peabody family it is learned that they did not arrive until March of the following year. Mr. Peabody, Blanchard and young Dowling reached "The Forks" on.the 4th of the month and went into camp across the street south of the present site of the Presbyterian church, where they put up a log shanty, covering it with poles and marsh hay. The family arrived one week later. In due time a comfortable log cabin was erected, the first habitation vacated by the household, and appropriated as a stable for sheltering stock. Later in the season came Ashael Finch, Wareham Warner, Peter Holmes and his two sons, Charles D., and Patterson P.; the three Knowles, Seth, Willard and-Clark; still later came Daniel Welch, John Fabrique, Orson West, Patrick Hatch and Frederick Ansterburg, all locating in what is now Albion township. About this time Stephen S. Powers, James M. Parsons, now of Marshall, and Chauncy C. Lewis dropped in at "Barneyville" and located in the vicinity, Mr. Lewis locating the farm south of town now owned by Paul Collyer. Charles Wagoner the same year located in the "Pennsylvania Settlement." Eckford also received an accession to her numbers by the arrival of Edwin L., and Calvin Rogers, Vine Markham and Charles Olin, who later became Judge Olin. Mr. Charles D. Holmes, of South Albion, who still resides on section 22, where he settled fifty-three years ago the coming June, writes; "When we located on section 22, there being no track, we found what was called "The Forks" by following the section line, For the first two years emigration was HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 29 small, but afterwards immense, and Homer received its share. As evidence of this, in 1836 we drove from the Wabash and slaughtered one hundred head of cattle and the beef sold in Homer. Navigation closed early, and salt went to $16 per barrel. About the first thing the settlers in South Albion did in 1833, after building log houses for their families, was to get together, cut, haul and roll up logs for a school house. A white-wood log was procured and brought to "Barneyville." where it was sawed into boards, which served for benches, etc. In a few days was completed a, very comfortable log school house, believed to be the first erected in Homer. It was located on the northeast corner of section 34, on the farm now owned by John Ansterburg. Patterson P. Holmes taught school in this building three months the following winter, furnished his share of the fuel, built his own fires and for all this he received ten dollars per month and board -round. Thomas Holmes taught the second winter and of the fifteen or twenty scholars, several came from two miles or more away. The books used were such as were brought by their parents from the states from whence they came, no two alike, and yet with all these drawbacks, by the use of the black board, it is believed the progress in education would compare favorably with that of a later date, under far different circumstances. In this house, the next season, the first Sunday school in what is now Albion, was organized. We received our first mail at Spring Arbor, then at Waterbury, on the territorial road and then at Homer. In 1834 a postoffice was established at Albion, with Jesse Crowell postmaster. Of the sixty-five settlers who cultivated the lands and made improvements in the eastern half of Albion township prior to 1837, but thirteen, including their decendents, can be found today upon the original farms." The "Fisher Settlement," which has already been referred to, was founded in 1834, when Cornelius Fisher and his six sons, Philip, Matthias, John, Benjamin, Enoch and Joseph, came and settled in the south-east part of this township. The family was from Pennsylvania. The same year dates the settlement in the same neighborhood, of John Kearns and his two sons, Jeremiah and Aaron, Christian Mensch and son Philip, and James McGregor. The lands in the "Fisher Settlement," for beauty and fertility are among the best in Calhoun County. By an act of the Territorial Legislature in 1836, Eckford was organized as a separate township, the first town meeting being held at the house of Joseph Ehle, April 4th, 1836. By a similar act in 1837, Albion also became a separate township, with Isaac S. Jackson as clerk, who came to Homer for the necessary records, In 1838 Clarendon in a like manner became organized as a separate township, leaving Homer with its present boundaries. The first town meeting of the new township was held on the first Monday in April of that year, Aaron Bartlett being chosen moderator and Timothy Hamlin, clerk. The first supervisor of Clarendon was Truman Rathburn; the first clerk, Timothy Hamlin. The following which is taken from the records in the office of the township clerk, will be found of unusual interest to many, giving, as it does, the place of holding the first township meeting of Homer, as originally organized, together with the officers elected, a complete list of the supervisors and clerks of the township from the time of its organization down to the present time, 30 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. with the full vote cast in various years, together with some of the more important acts: "At a township meeting held at the house of Milton Barney, in Homer, on the first Monday of April, 1834, Henry Cook was chosen moderator, and Osha Wilder clerk of meeting, both of whom, being duily qualified according to law. The meeting being organized and" proclamation made, the electors proceeded to ballet for the officers, and having received and counted the votes, it'appeared that the following officers were appointed, viz. Stephen S. Powers, Supervisor. Chauncy C. Lewis, Township Clerk. Edward L. Rogers, John Fabrique, Assessors. Anthony Doolittle, GEO. LETTS, Constable and Collector. Isaac Hopkins, Directors of the Poor. Seth Noles, "After having made choice of the above by ballot, the electors proceeded to pass the following town laws which were carried by large majorities by holding up the right hand. 1st. "It was voted that all fences shall be at least four feet high and a half. 2d. "It was voted that the three lower rails shall not be more than five inches apart. 3d. "It was voted that Timothy Hamlin be a constable for said town. 4th. "It was voted that David L. Hutchinson, Osha Wilder, Peter Holmes and Richard McMurtree be path masters in the several districts in which they belong. 6th. '"It was voted that Orson West, James Hopkins and Osha Wilder be appointed school commissioners. Henry Cook, Moderator. Osha Wilder, Clerk. 1835.-At this meeting was cast the first vote for county officers, the record of which being as follows: "At a town meeting held at the house of Milton Barney, in Homer, on the 6th day of April, 1835, the following votes were given for Register of Deeds for,the County of Calhoun, viz.: Randall Hobert received 44 votes; Luther Hart, 11; Horace Brace, 2 votes. "We certify the above to be correct. Henry Cook, Moderator. M. Barney, Justice of Peace. C. C. Lewis, Clerk. "I certify that a copy of the above has been sent to the clerk of Calhoun County. James M. Parsons, Town Clerk. 1836-Number of votes cast 176. Lorenzo D. Collamer,., Supervisor; Asel Woodruff, Township Clerk. Voted to pay a bounty of $2 for every wolf killed. 1837-Andrew Dorsey, Supervisor; Elisha Thornton, Clerk. Voted to pay $5 for each wolf killed. Voted that hogs be free commoners. 1838-Elisha. Thornton, Supervisor; David Burton, Clerk. 1839-Number of votes cast 154. Stephen S. Powers, Supervisor; Michael Miller, Clerk. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 31 1840-Number of votes cast 176. Stephen S. Powers, Supervisor; Arza Lewis, Clerk. 1841-Number of votes cast 138. Joseph Gibbs, Supervisor; Arza Lewis, Clerk. 1842--Number of votes cast 128. Election held at Homer Exchange Hotel. Henry D. Garrison, Supervisor; James Humeston (2d), Clerk. 1843-Number of votes cast 142. Joseph Gibbs, Supervisor; James Humeston (2d), Clerk. 1844-Number of votes cast 146. David Benton, Supervisor; David L. Mahaney, Clerk. 1845-Number of votes cast 153. Election held at Homer Hotel. Joseph Gibbs, Supervisor; James Humeston (2d), Clerk. 1846-Number of votes cast 156. Joseph Gibbs, Supervisor; James Humeston, Clerk. 1847-Number of votes cast 154. Elisha Thornton, Supervisor; Philetus S. Wilson, Clerk. 1848--Number of votes cast 151. Joseph Gibbs, Supervisor; Philetus S. Wilson, Clerk. 1849-Josiah N. Westcott, Supervisor; P. S. Wilson, Clerk. 1850-Josiah N. Westcott, Supervisor; P. S. Wilson, Clerk. 1851-Number of votes cast 143. Hiram Smith, Supervisor; Justin D. Woolley, Clerk. 1852-Number of votes cast 137. Hiram Smith, Supervisor; Edward Henderson, Clerk. 1853-Number of votes cast 167. Nathan Eslow, Supervisor; Justin D. Woolley, Clerk. 1854-Nathan Eslow, Supervisor; P. S. Wilson, Clerk. 1855--Nathan Eslow, Supervisor; Michael Gregg, Clerk. 1856-Number of votes cast 218. Nathan Eslow, Supervisor; Heber Crissey, Clerk. 1857-N umber of votes cast 168. Nathan Eslow, Supervisor; Heber Crissey, Clerk. 1858-Number of votes cast 191. Nathan Eslow, Supervisor; Heber Crissey, Clerk. 1859-Number of votes cast 237. Philo Gibbs, Supervisor; Edward Henderson, Clerk, 1860-Number of votes cast 236. Rufus Hill, Supervisor; Edward Henderson, Clerk. 1861-Number of votes cast 231. Truman Spaulding, Supervisor; Heber Crissey, Clerk. 1862-Number of votes cast 265. Truman Spaulding, Supervisor; Vernon Parks, Clerk. 1863-Number of votes cast 249. Truman Spaulding, Supervisor; Vernon Parks, Clerk. Vernon Parks died while in office and Byron Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy. 1864--Number of votes cast 231. Truman Spaulding, Supervisor; Mason Gibbs, Clerk. 32 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 1865-Number of votes cast 245. George H. French, Supervisor; David L. Mahaney, Clerk. 1866-Number of votes cast 259. George H. French, Supervisor; Maitland W. Hatch Clerk. 1867-Number of votes cast 283. Philo Gibbs, Supervisor; Henry H. Parks, Clerk. 1868-Number of votes cast 318. George H. French, Supervisor; Edward Henderson, Clerk. 1869-Number of votes cast 303. Benjamin F. Wetherbee, Supervisor; Edwin R. Smith, Clerk. 1870-Number of votes cast 339. B. F. Wetherbee, Supervisor; Edward Henderson, Clerk. 1871-Number of votes cast 319. B. F. Wetherbee, Supervisor; Edward Henderson, Clerk. 1872-Number of votes cast 360. Stephen F. Snyder, Supervisor; George Seymour, Clerk. 1873-Number of votes cast 319. Stephen F. Snyder, Supervisor; Edward Henderson, Clerk. 1874-Number of votes cast 330. Stephen F. Snyder, Supervisor; Edward Henderson, Clerk. 1875-Number of votes cast 349. Lane, Clerk. 1876-Number of votes cast 357. Lane, Clerk. 1877-Number of votes cast 377. Cleveland, Clerk. 1878-Number of votes cast 358. Burt, Clerk. 1879-Number of votes cast 386. Dorsey, Clerk. 1880-Number of votes cast 407. Mahaney, Clerk. 1881-Number of votes cast 391. Lane, Clerk. 1882-Number of votes cast 387. Snider, Clerk. 1883-Number of votes cast 363. Clerk. 1884-Number of votes cast 413. Van Horn, Clerk. 1885-Number of votes cast 453. Clerk. 1886-Number of votes cast 470. der, Clerk. 1887-Number of votes cast 492. der, Clerk. Stephen F. Snyder, Supervisor; William A. Stephen F. Snyder, Supervisor; William A. B. F. Wetherbee, Supervisor; George D. Albert H. Spaulding, Supervisor; Chas. D. Albert I-I. Spaulding, Supervisor; Daniel A. H. Spaulding, Supervisor; Charles H. Amsden J. Anson, Supervisor; William A. Amsden J. Anson, Supervisor; William W. Geo. A. Aldrich, Supervisor; W. W. Snider, Geo. A. Aldrich, Supervisor; Leander T. Geo. A. Aldrich, Supervisor; W. W. Snider, Stephen R. Alien, Supervisor; W. W. SniGeo. A. Aldrich, Supervisor; W. W. Sni d a. MILA A. HATCH, [page 46.] M. W. HATCH, [page 49.] MILTON BARNEY, [page 44.] M. D. HAMILTON, [page 45.] DAVID BURT, JR., [page 49.] HOME OF MILTON BARNEY. CHAPTER V. SETTLEMENT OF HOMER VILLAGE. Fifty-five years ago, on the south bank of the Kalamazoo river, about fifteen feet due south from the present site of the Homer Mills, nestled the home of Milton Barney, the founder of Homer village or what was then known as Barneyville. Just west of the house in 1833 a small frame building was erected for store purposes, while to the east and north of the dwelling, a little saw mill had been built and the valuable water power was being utilized. The accompaning illustration is a faithful representation of Barneyville, or Homer, in those days, giving, as it does, not only the outward appearance of the build 36 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. ings, but the exact locations, together with the immediate surroundings, even to the roadway over the dam, which will be recognized by the earlier settlers; while further to the west and ascending the hill, is seen the time beaten Indian trail over which, daily, traveled the long lines of "red men of the forest." In order to get a correct view of this illustration, the reader should imagine himself standing on the north side of the river, from which point he is looking south. Milton Barney was from Lyons, 1 ew York. In the early summer of 1832 he explored this region, and fully appreciating the valuable water power, surrounded as it was by a large section of country which for beauty and fertility could not be surpassed, he purchased a large tract of land covering not only the water power, but a large portion of the present village site, with the intention of not only making the place his home, but of making it a business center of considerable importance. After completing his purchase, he went back to Lyons for his family, arriving here on his return trip in September of the same year. At this time in addition to his family, Mr. Barney was accompanied by an ample number of workmen, among them being Timothy Hamlin, Thomas McGuire, Henry Stanchel and a boy named Richard Norris. Mr. Barney also brought with him, mill irons and other material for the construction and operation of a saw mill. While the log house was being erected, the. pioneers occupied tents, which they pitched on the bank of the river. The 'first night after the arrival, young Norris accepted the hospitalities of an Indian's wigwam, which hospitalities had been kindly tendered him by a "son of the forest." Soon after the arrival here, Mr. Barney procured the services of Osha Wilder, who was a surveyor, and proceeded to lay out the village plat. In 1833 he brought on a stock of merchandise, placed the same in the little store building which has been referred to, and opened trade in the mercantile line. In the following year this little building with the contents was moved to the site now occupied by Mrs. Woodbury's millinery shop, and in the fall of 1835 the stock was transferred to a larger and more commodious building erected on the corner of Main and Sophia streets, the site being now occupied by O. L. Linn's clothing establishment. The first store building being vacated, was transformed into a school house and devoted to educational purposes, with Miss Aurelia, a daughter of Milton Barney, as teacher. This was the first school taught in the village, and it was taught in the first frame building erected here. As has been stated in chapter III, the building is still in existence and constitutes a part of a dwelling house on Hamilton street, and is now owned by Albert Collins. The second building already referred to, was burned in the big fire of May 3d, 1876, being owned and occupied at the time by M. W. Hatch as a drug store. In the spring or summer of 1833 Frederick R. Hatch from Hampden county, Massachusetts, and James Parsons from Lyons, New York, arrived at Barneyville, the latter entering the employ of Mr. Barney, as clerk in the store. Mr. Hatch left his family in New England until the summer of 1835, when they, too, came to Homer, being accompanied by Samuel W. Hamilton and family. Mr. Hamilton was a brother of Mrs. Hatch. Mr. Hatch was a carpenter and builder by trade, and was the principal mechanic in the erection of several of the more important buildings in the place prior to 1839, such as Barney's second HOMER AND ITS 1PIONEERS. 37 store building; the Homer Hotel, erected by Mr. Barney in 1834 and enlarged some years later; The "Green Mountain House" or what is now known as the "Commercial," put up in 1837-8, a portion of this house was being erected for Reuben Gridley, father of Abram Gridley, when Mr. Hatch purchased and enlarged the same with the express purpose of making the house a public inn. Mr. Barney lived in his log house, where he also boarded his workmen and entertained travelers, until the Homer Hotel was completed, when he removed to the latter, and opened it as a public house and as such it was kept until May of 1887-fifty-three years. In 1835 the buildings in the village could be enumerated as follows, which are given in the order of their erection: Barney's log house, the little store building, Homer Hotel, hotel barn, store opposite hotel, little building just east of present site of engine house, occupied by the Hatch family; across the street south a little house occupied temporarily by the Hamiltons, and later as a store by Hawley & Eley, this building now constitutes a part of Thomas S. Dorsey's residence; a blacksmith shop on the present site of Allen Brothers' shop, near which was also a dwelling house, both being owned by Champion Eslow, who sold the same the following year to Andrew Dorsey, father of Thomas S. and William A., now of this village; the John Burt house on IIillsdale street, near the present site of the residence of Mrs. Higby, a daughter of Mr. Burt; and the frame school house still further south on the same street. The Homer Mills, which burned January 25th, 1886, and which occupied the site of the new Homer Mills, were erected by a stock company in 1837-8, at an expense of $20,000. The mill company consisted of Milton Barney, Walter Wright, Nelson D, Skeeles, Asahel Finch jr., and a Mr. Platt. In time Elisha Thornton came into possession of the controlling interest, and still later the mills were owned and operated by Thornton, Hiram Smith and Thomas S. Dorsey. In January, 1849, Thornton and Dorsey sold to B. S. Redfield, and soon after, Arza Lewis purchased an interest, when for a few years the mills were run by Smith, Lewis & Redfield. In 1860 the property passed into the hands of B. & E. R. Smith, and some twelve years later was transferred to the late Judge Emons, of Detroit, whose heirs in 1887 sold the water power, lands and mill site to Cortright & Sons, the present owners. The Calhoun Mills, just north of this village, and which are now owned by A. H. Randall, were erected by a stock company in 1839-40, at a cost of $35,000, the company consisting of James Hopkins, Arza Lewis, Hiram Smith, J. M. B. Weatherwax, Henry Cook and Abram Letts, the latter at the time owning the James Worthington farm. Anson Southerland, now a resident of Dunkirk, New York, was the millwright in the construction of both mills. An institution of early days was the "Farmers' Bank of Homer," it came into existence in 1837, reached its highest altitude in 1838, and became a thing only of the past in 1840. It was inaugurated under the plan known as the "wild cat" banking system and it was the first bank of the kind opened in the State, the letters of incorporation dating August 19, 1837. Milton Barney was made president and Asahel Finch jr., cashier. The principal directors were Mr. Barney, Hiram Smith, Arza Lewis, Henry Cook, John Burt, N. D. Skeeles 38 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. and Walter Wright, of Homer, and Leonard Stowe, of Concord. At the time of its incorporation Asahel Finch was a member of the State Legislature from Lenawee county, and upon the adjournment of that body, came to Homer and accepted the position of bank cashier. The first counting room of the establishment was in a rear corner of Mr. Barney's store, the business being transacted through an open window at the north end of the building, to get to which the patrons were compelled to let down or climb a rail fence. The same year a frame building for banking purposes was erected on the present site of Thomas Lyon's fine banking house, and still later the directors built the upright of the brick building, which is still standing in the rear of the site of the first one erected. About the time the new structure was ready for occupancy, the great crash to banking industries throughout the country came, and the "Farmers Bank of Homer" fell into line, and with all its kind, closed its doors and became extinct. Silk culture was tried in Homer in an early day, when Michael Miller in 1840 planted a mulberry grove, and constructed a cocoonery on the premises now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Francis Stevens on Hillsdale street, Mrs. Stevens being a daughter of Mr. Miller. The enterprise proved a failure, however, and silk culture was abandoned a few years later. Still another industry of early days was what later became known as the "Chicago Beef Packing Company," receiving its appellation from the brand "Chicago Beef" placed on the packages, and which brand in due time got the company into a little trouble which resulted in the closing up of its affairs. The company had, however, done an extensive business for a year or more, buying and slaughtering immense numbers of cattle and hogs, packing the beef and pork. A good deal of the stock killed was evidently not of the best quality, for in speaking of it, old settlers say some of the cattle had to be held up to be knocked down. The business was carried on in the building still standing on the north side of Platt street, east of Sophia, which building is known as the "old ashery," receiving its name from being erected for, and used as an ashery prior to being converted into the "Chicago Beef Company's" packing house. Some two years prior to the erection of this building an ashery was built near the northern terminus of Hillsdale street on lands now owned by the Churchill heirs, it was owned and operated by Henry D. Garrison, and was in charge of Henry C. Haskill, now a resident of Marshall. This ashery run two or three years and did considerable business. In 1836 David C. Morgan and Asel Woodruff both from New York state, arrived at Homer and opened a cabinet and chair factory in a building erected oJi Main street, a short distance east of Mrs. Henderson's dwelling. They continued in business until 1841, when Mr. Woodruff died. The same year of the arrival of Morgan and Woodruff, Henry Hawley and Amsden Eley, from Saratoga county, New York, came and opened a grocery in the little building which has been referred to as being the temporary abode of the Hamilton's. Later, Hawley & Eley erected a building for their trade at the corner of Main and Webster streets, on ground which later became the site of Ellery P. Pot_ ter's foundery which was burned in the summer of 1871. Hawley & Eley continued in trade until 1839, when Mrs. Hawley became insane and the family returned east. Mr. Hawley died some years later at Schenectady, New York. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 39 In 1841 Mr. Eley removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he died some years ago, and where his widow still resides. In addition to the buildings erected in an early'day, and which have been mentioned as still in existence, we may also add, the upright to the dwelling at the corner of Sophia and Fulton streets, now owned by Thomas Rainey, and which was erected by William Vreland in 1837. It was originally located on Iillsdale street, on the present site of Rev. Bela Fancher's residence, and was sold by Mr. Fancher and removed to its present location in 1867. The house onj the corner of Hillsdale and Adams streets now owned and occupied by Dr. Bangham, was erected in 1836 by Frederick Hatch, and was occupied as a dwelling by his widow until her death, August 20th, 1884. The house of Thos. Walford was erected for a Presbyterian church in 1837, and was located at the south-west corner of Webster and Adams street. The stone house on Hillsdale street, now owned and occupied by Albert Collins, was built in 1837 or 1838 by Milton Barney. Edward Henderson's dwelling house on Main street, was erected by Asel Woodruff in 1837. The upright to Mrs. E. Roberts' residence, east of Henderson's, was built in the same year, by Mr. Morgan. John Hoffman's residence, opposite the Osborn House, north, was put up for Henry D. Garrison in 1840, and was occupied for a time as a store. L. D. Bradley's tenant house on Leigh street, and which was moved from its original location at the corner of Sophia and Everett streets, was erected by Ellery P. Potter in 1840. This building was for many years owned and occupied by Dr. Nims, and later became the home of the Westcotts. The main part of the residence of Dr. Cook, corner of Hillsdale and Leigh streets, was built in 1840 by David Burt jr., father of C. D. Burt. The two buildings now used as barns by S. R. Allen and Silas Curtis, respectively, are worthy of mention, being, as they were in early days, the homes of two prominent and energetic business men, Hiram Smith and Arza Lewis. The first burying ground in the village was west of the residence of H. O. Cook, near the intersection of Main street aid the C. J. & M. railroad. The spot was set off by Mr. Barney in 1835, especially for the sepulture of the dead, the remains of William Powers being the first thereii interred, his death occurring in August of the following year, which was the first death in the township. A few years later what is now known as the old cemetery, located on Webster street, was plated, the lands being donated by Mr. Thornton and John Burt. The new cemetery was purchased and plated for a burial ground in 1874. The first carriage making was carried on in 1836 by Geo. Ballentine, at present making his home with the Hendersons, in this village. Mr. Ballentine sold to Benton & Dorsey in the following year. In 1836 Asel Woodruff and David C. Morgan opened the first cabinet shop, and were the first to manufacture chairs in this place. In 1835 or 6 Samuel Shaw did the first tailoring in the village, and in the year following, A. J. Chestney did the first painting. The first exclusive boot and shoe trade was begun in 1837, by N. B. Eaton, and three years later Harvey Foote opened the first harness shop. Champion Eslow did the first blacksmithing in 1835, and the same year Dr. Bonner, the first physician, came in with his saddle bags to look after the sick. Allen Deming commenced law practice in Homer in 1839. In 1840 David Benton, 40 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Andrew Dorsey and Elisha Thornton, under the firm name of D. Benton & Co., began the manufacture of fanning mills, which had an extensive sale in later years. In 1841 a foundery was started by E. G. Champion, who sold the same to E. P. Potter and Rufus Hill, the latter's interest being purchased by L. Champion, the firm then becoming Potter & Champion. The new firm added a machine shop, a planing mill and moulding room to the establishment, and some years later built the first steam engine in the place. For dates and early history of our schools, churches, secret societies, etc., the reader is referred to a chapter devoted especially to these matters. On July 4th, 1836, a dance was held at the Homer Hotel of which Mr. Barney was proprietor, and one John Graham, then at work for F. R. Hatch in Marshall, was manager of the dance. The dance turned out to be a Marshall affeir, it being deemed that the Homer people did not have the right cut to their garments nor the graceful movements to their underpinnings to alla-manleft or do-si-do with the "calicoes" and "big neck ties" from the county seat. Our Homer people felt slighted, and concluded to have a time of their own. The event came off on the 14th of the same month, and David C. Morgan, Wm. Vreland and Richard Norris were chosen managers. Everybody was invited, and those who did not dance occupied one corner of the hall, where they played "snap and catch him," while those who shook the "cow hides" monopolized the other, the division line being designated by a blue ribbon. Mr. Barney served an excellent supper and all had a good time. David C. Morgan once used a bed sheet for a boat sail, after which John Graham inscribed the following on the hotel register: "Captain D. C. with his excellent skill erected a boat down here by the mill, And when his sheets were well filled and he had a good breeze, He could sail about as fast as he could crawl on his knees." In an early day a young man went to see Mrs. Abram Letts' hired girl, (Letts owned the Worthington farm) and when he was returning home he was frightened by a lot of young fellows, who had hidden in the bush by the roadside. The young man yelling at every jump ran to a barn some distance away, where he remained until morning, and the next day gave a glowing description of how he was chased by wolves. The young man was Calvin Burt, who now lives in Detroit, and although he can not run as fast now as then, yet those who know him assert that he can tell a wolf story just as well. CHAPTER VI. OUR PIONEERS AND EARLY SETTLERS. POWELL GROVER, whose portrait appears opposite page 19, was born at Pittston, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1806, of English-Scotch descent, his ancestors being numbered among the earlier settlers of America. His grandfather served in the war for independence, and his great grandfather was a soldier in the French-Indian war under Gen. Wolf. Powell was left an orphan at twelve years of age. Upon arriving at manhood he conceived the idea of settling in the then far West, and early in 1832 he set out for Michigan and located lands on section 11, of what is now Homer township. In the fall of 1835 he returned to his native state, and also visited New Jersey, where, on the 19th of January, '36, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cool, of Knowlton, Warren county, that state, and with his young bride returned to his possessions in this township. From this union seven children were born, John C., married F. Adelaid Clark, Dec. 3, 1863, now resides in South Albion; Alexander, married Caroline G. Hartung July 3, 1863, resides in Parma; Milton, who died in infancy, March 16, 1844; Len, who resides on the old farm; Hiram Gardner, Indianapolis, Ind.; Josephine, who married Geo. H. Graves, Dec. 17, 1863, now residing in Albion; Millie, a maiden lady living at the same place; and Dillie, who married William Anderson, of Romeo, this State, May 22, 1886. There are two grandchildren, Mable, daughter of Alexander, and Frank J., a son of Josephine. Politically, Mr. Grover was a strong abolitionist, believing that every man had a soul-the black man as well as the white. In religion he was a zealous advocate of the Christian doctrine. He died Oct. 18, 1881, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, Mrs. Grover following to the eternal home two days later, both being laid away to rest in the Riverside cemetery, Albion. RICHARD A. MCMURTRIE was born in Oxford, Sussex county, New Jersey, April 27, 1799. In 1809, with his father's family, he removed to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until early in 1832, when, as stated elsewhere in this work, he set out for Michigan and settled in this township, locating his lands on section 2 and 11. On July 4, 1834, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy J., daughter of Frederick Ansterburg. Mr. McMurtrie's first house was a log cabin, but two years later he built a frame house. In 1839 he erected a barn 40x60 feet, with underground basement, and nine years later put up the brick house in which he died, November 27, '82. His first farm implements are worthy of mention, being made by his own hands from imaginary models of his own devising. The wheels of his wagon were circles sawed from the end of a large pepprage log, and the axletrees were of white oak. His wheat was put in by the use of a crotched drag with wooden teeth. He went to Ann Arbor, or White Pigeon to mill and to get his plow-shares sharpened. He drew oats and pork to Adrian, where he sold the former for ten cents a bushel. At the time of his death 42 HrOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. he was the owner of 520 acres of land, of which 240 were in this township, 160 in Pulaski and 120 in Albion. He was upright in deal with his fellow men, was always full of sport, which made the home of "Uncle Dick" and "Aunt Nancy" a pleasant place to visit by the young as well as the old. Mr. M. had five children, Joseph F., married Cornelia Whitney, and lives in South Albion; John, married Ellen Patterson, and resides in this village; Aiten, who married Fila Thorne, and lives in Litchfield; Sarah, widow of the late David Johnson, who died in Albion Feb. 11, '81; and Mary, who died in 1865, at which time she was Mr. Johnson's first wife. Mrs. McMurtrie is still living, and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Johnson, in Pulaski. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. McMurtrie will be found opposite page 19. IENRY MORGAN MCMTURTRIE, brother of Richard, was born in Oxford, N. J., Sept. 30, 1806, and was-three years of age when the family removed to Pennsylvania. In 1831 -Henry started out in search of a home for himself, traveling on horse-back he came to Michigan, and from here went to Kentucky. Finding nothing in the latter place suited to his taste, he returned to Michigan in the following spring, being accompanied here by his brother Richard, Powell Grover, and William Wintersteen. Henry purchased his lands of the government, his selections being on sections 1 and 6 of this township, where he continued to reside for sixteen years. On the 15th of December, 1834, he was united in marriage to Miss Violetta H. Leach, daughter of Elihu Leach, and sister of E. H. Leach now residing near this village. The ceremony took place in a little log cabin, which was the home of the bride. Miss Leach was from New York, and was born in Ontario, Wayne county, that state, in 1816. On her seventeenth birthday, in company with her sister's family, the late Mrs. David Agnew, she set out for Michigan. The party crossed Lake Erie and arrived in Detroit where Miss Leach, her sister and the two children remained until Mr. Agnew could walk to Homer and return with a.team to convey them to this place. When Miss Leach came to Michigan' she designed returning to New York the following year, but her father in the meantime having decided to come west, the return to her native state was abandoned. In 1851 Mr. McMurtrie moved to Albion for the purpose: of educating his children and four years later followed the tide of emigration to Iowa, and located 300 acres of land in Decorah, Wnneshiek county, that state, where on the 12th of November, of the same year, (1855) he died, and where his companion on earth still resides. Mr. MeMurtrie was the father of four children, Susan M., who married Theodore R. Crandell, Oct. 23, '59, resides at Northwood, Iowa; Abner H., killed in battle near Jackson, Miss., July 12, '63; Thomas E., married Libbie Cook, March '67, lives, North Bend, Wis.; and Violetta E., married C. W. Burdick, Feb. 20, '67, and resides at Decorah, Iowa. There are five grand children, Violetta M., and John A., children of Susan; Allen S. and May C., daughters of Violetta, and George H., son of Thomas. Mr. McMurtrie was a man of high christian character. He was generous to a fault, his house was universally the stopping place of ministers of the gospel, so much so that his brother "Dick" used to say; "The Methodist preachers will eat you out of house and home;" Henry's answer was; "Though I die poor I shall be rich in the woxld to come." WILLIAM WINTERSTEEN was born in the State of New Jersey, January 11, 1802. When a mere child, with his father's family he removed to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he passed his boyhood days, and on the 20th of June, 1822, was married to Miss Margaret McMurtrie. He came to Michigan in 1832, and returned for his family in the following spring. Mrs. Wintersteen died in this township, Oct. 4, 1864. On the 18th of October, 1866, Mr. Wintersteen was again married, this time to Mrs. Deborah Smith. Mr. Wintersteen was identified in the early history of the township as one aiding with a generous hand all worthy enterprises. It was at his house where the first school was taught, he engaging a teacher to teach his own children and those of his neighbors. He was unas HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 43 suming in manner, quiet and unobtrusive, ever kind and cheerful and especially so to those whose home was at his own fireside. On the 12th of October, 1887, this old pioneer, in the winter of life and with the leaves of autumn, passed peacefully away, his life's duties ended, his work well done. Mr. Wintersteen was the father of four children, all born in Pennsylvania,. H. Albert, now living in East Homer; Mary Ann, now Mrs. Daniel Penoyer, of South Albion; Sarah, who was Mr. Penoyer's first wife and who died Feb. 14th, 1862; and Henry, who also resides in East Homer, and who was married to Imogene M. Rogers, August 18, 1855. Grandchildren.-To I. Albert: Franklin F., Annie O., who died Feb. 7,1857, William H., Forrest D., Carrie VM., Rena Maud, Mahala A., and Lewis S. To Mary: Sidney E., Julia and Sarah. To Henry: Almanda, who died in the spring of '63, aged four years. H. Albert has been four times married, first to Ruth Ann Rogers, who died Nov. 16, '58; second to Mary A. Wood, who died April 25, '64; third to Mahala D. Bentley, who died Mlay 10, '71; and fourth to Mrs. Isabella M. Deming, who is still living. HENRY COOK [portrait.] was born in Palestine, Montgomery county, N. Y., Feb. 16, 1788. Upon reaching his majority he worked for a time for his father, by the month, and later removed to Onieda county, where, on August 7th, 1814, he was married to Miss Maria Mumbrue, who died in Eckford, this State, June 15, 1871. The family came to Michigan in 1831 and settled in Saline, Washtenaw county, and the following spring came to Fckford, as has been stated in chapter IV. Mr. Cook was what might be termed a public spirited man, and was of a kind and generous disposition. In church matters he was an earnest christian and a liberal giver. He and A\rs. Cook were among the members who organized the Congregational church on the Plains, in 1834, which church was merged into the Presbyterian church, of this village, which was organized in 1838, at which time he was elected deacon, and continuously occupied some official position in said church up to the time of his death, which occurred September 14, 1874. H-e was a large owner of real estate, at one time his lands consisting of 1,200 acres. He acquired a handsome property and at the time of his death was one of the wealthiest men in this section. His homestead, which is now owned by his youngest son, Theodore, is one of the finest farms in Southern Michigan. Mr. Cook was the father of twelve children: John, born March 15, 1815, was never married and resides at the old homestead in Eckford; Sylvanus, born Oct. 25, 1816, married Lucy Oliver; William, born May 3, 1818, married Louise Cook; James Henry, born Jan. 26, 1820, married Lucinda Prior, who died in an early day, his second wife being Aurelia Osborn, reside in this village; Elizabeth, born Nov. 22, 1820, died Feb 17, 1862, being the wife of James M. Eamans, of Benton Harbor; Jane, born Oct. 29, 1823, died Oct. 22, 1830; Stephen, born Dec. 6, 1825. married Mary Sheldon, resides at Benton Harbor; Christina, born Nov. 22, 1827. died Oct. 26, 1854, being the wife of Ozro Buckingham; Rachael. born June 29, 1830, now Mrs. John Powers, south of this village; Daniel, born Feb. 12, 1833, married Mary Bryant and lives at Riverside; Esther, born March 15, 1835, widow of the late George Mitchell, Charles City, Iowa; and Theodore, born March 8, 1839, married Julia IIHfer, and resides on the old farm in Eckford. JOHN cooK, [portrait.] oldest son of Henry Cook, was born in Verona, Onieda county, N. Y., March 15, 1815, came to Michigan with his father's family in 1832, since which time he has lived in Eckford, and on the same farm where the family first settled, or a period of nearly fifty-six years. Mr. Cook is an experienced and practical apiarist, and for a number of years has devoted a good deal of time to the culture of bees. "Uncle John," as he is more commonly called by those who know him best, is of a generous disposition, has a kind word for one and all, and has not an enemy in the wide world. He was never married. 44 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. SYLVANUS COOK, [portrait.] second son of Henry Cook, was born in Verona, N. Y., Oct. 24, 1816, came to Michigan in 1832 and March 18, 1840, married Miss Lucy A. Oliver, who was born in North Hero, Grand Isle county, Vermont, Dec. 27, 1819. Miss Oliver was of a family of eleven children, herself and one sister, Mrs. Betsy Waldron, being the only ones now living. Mr. and Mrs. Cook resided in Clarendon until about 1863, when they removed to this village and have since resided here. For nearly half a century they have been members of the Presbyterian church, of which organization Mr. Cook has for many years continually occupied some official position, at the present time being a Deacon and Elder. They had three children, Emaline A., born January 25, '41, died Sep. 17, '42; Elizabeth M., born June 13, '44, married Walter P. Marsh, January 3, '72, now resides in Clarendon; Henry 0., born April 6,'51, married Libbie Ingersoll, May 2, '77, she died Feb. 28, '79, married second wife, Jennie E. Church, Oct. 10, 1882, and resides in this village. Grandchildren.-Sons of Elizabeth: Frederick and Henry. Children of Henry 0.: Sylvanus G., born Nov. 11, '78, died Feb. 17, 79; Libbie I. born April 6, '85, and Helen O., born May 6, 1887. JAMES I. COOK, fourth son of Henry Cook, was born in Yerona, January 26, 1820, came to Michigan in 1832, married Miss Lucinda Prior in 1840; she died in 1844. Married second wife, Miss Aurelia Osborn, Nov. 15, 1845. Children.-Henry Martin, died Sept. 26, '49, aged one year and two months; Hattie E., wife of James P. Bickford, of Eckford; Emma L.; James H. jr., who married Miss Kittie Osborn, and resides in this village; and Helen Louise, who with Emma L., reside with their parents at the homestead in this place. There is but one grandchild, Edna, little daughter of James. Mr. and Mrs. Cook lived in Eckford until 1861, when they removed to this village, where they have since resided. "Uncle Jim" is the jolly as well as the fat member of the original Cook family, and his home is one of the happiest homes in the place. THEODORE' COOK, [portrait.] youngest son of the Henry Cook houeshold, still resides on the farm in Eckford where he was born March 8, 1839. About twelve years ago he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Hafer. They have no children. Theodore has one of the finest farms, not only in this section, but in Southern Michigan. His fine residence occupies a site but a few rods to the west of the original Cook cabin erected in 1832, which was not only the first house erected in the township, but the house in which the first school in Homer township, as originally organized, was taught. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are estimable people, and relatives of each continuously share the hospitalities of their elegant home. MILTON BARNEY, [portrait.] was born in New Marlborough, Mass., Feb. 3, 1796. Upon arriving at manhood he removed to Lyons, N. Y., and about 1818 married Sophia Dorsey, an aunt of Thomas S. and William A. Dorsey, now residents of this village; came to Michigan in 1832, and was the first white settler in this village. In 1843 he removed to Detroit and purchased the Woodworth Hotel, which he kept-until it was destroyed by fire. He later went to Chicago, where he kept the American Temperance Hotel until the spring of '52, when with his family he crossed the plains to California and settled in Sacramento, where he died January 5, 1879. Mrs. Barney was born in Libertytown. Maryland, in 1800, and died in Sacramento in September, '75. Mr. and Mrs. Barney had eight children: Aurelia, who married Elisha Thornton, now lives in California; Mary, now Mrs. M. D. Kellogg, Oakland, the same state; Daniel, who died in California in 1859, or '60; Caroline, who died in Detroit in '45 or 6; Elanor, who married a Mr. Brady, resides in Sacramento, Cal.; Henry, who died here in Homer in '44, aged ten years; Delia, now Mrs. Ingrham, of Sacramento; and Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Coe and lives in Sanfrancisco. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. OSHA WILDER was born at Gardner, Worcester county, Mass., July 16, 1784. February 4, 1813, he was married to Miss Cornelia Anthony, who was born at Fishkill, Dutchess county, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1791, the ceremony taking place in New York City, Rev. Geo. Spring officiating. Mr. Wilder came to Michigan in 1831, the family following the next year (see page 25.) Mr. Wilder died in Eckford in November, 1846, his wife at Marshall some years later. They had a large family of sons and two daughters, only one, Mrs. S. V. R. Lepper, of Marshall, is now living. SAMUEL W. HAMILTON. Few of the early pioneers were better known in this and adjoining towns than Samuel \\atson Hamilton. He was born in Granville, Hampden county, Mass., April 18, 1801, and was married to Miss Sarah Parsons, of the same place, March 9, 1824. His ancestors on his father's side were Scotch-Irish, on his mother's, English, but both families for several generations had been residents of Masachusetts. He had two brothers and three sisters, one of the latter being Mrs. Mila A. Hatch, whose portrait appears in this work. Mr. H. with his family came to Michigan in 1835, arriving in Homer in June of that year. They came with the Frederick R. I-atch family, and the journey from Detroit, which was made with two ox teams, occupied a week. A Mr. Taylor, from Long Meadow, Mass., accompanied them with a one-horse wagon. It -was a beautiful summer's day when the little party, as they came over the Concord road hill, saw for the first time the little hamlet which was to be their home. Mr. H1. was a natural mechanic, and finding that a stone mason was needed in the new settlement, adopted that as his trade and on the day following his arrival here commenced laying the foundation for Mr. Barney's store building. In the spring of '36 the family moved into and occupied for some time the Barney log house, which is shown elsewhere. In 1837 Mr. II. purchased of the government the desirable farm south of this village, now owned by T. H. Janes, built him a house and moved into the same the following year. Mr. Hamilton was an active member of the M. E. church from early manhood, he was one of the first of the Homer society and was a steward and class leader in the church for many years. He took an active part in erecting the old wooden structure, which for many years occupied the site of the present church edifice. The itinerant ministers of early days always found a welcome under his roof. He was a noble and upright man. In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat. He died on his farm south of this village, after a long and painful illness, March 31, 1851; his wife, one of the kindest and most devoted mothers, following him to the world beyond, July 21, '64. She died at the home of her son-in-law, H. H. Dorsey, in Albion. Both funerals were held at the old M. E. church, and both were buried in the old cemetery on Webster street, this village. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton had eight children: Betsey Adelia; Milo Dwight, Orpha Clarinda, Emma Almira, Mila Almeda, Frank Parsons, Samuel Luman, and Sarah; of these, five are still living and are all residents of this State: Milo D., Monroe; O. Clarinda, now Mrs. HI. H. Dorsey, Albion; Emma A., wife of Jackson Howell, of the same place; M. Almeda. now Mrs. Frank Rice, Paris; and Rev. Samuel Hamilton, a minister of the M. E. church, Buchanan. MILO DWIGHT HAMILTON, [portrait.] second child, and oldest son of Samuel W. Hamilton, was born in Blanford, Hampden county, M ass., Oct. 5. 1828, and came with his father's family to Homer in 1835. His boyhood days were spent in this village and on the farm south of here, and his education was obtained in the village and country district schools, with one term at the academy in the old bank building. In the spring of 1846 he apprenticed himself to Seth Lewis, of the Marshall Statesman, to learn the printing business. He was foreman of the Liberty Press, a free soil paper published in Battle Creek, when that establishment was de 46 4HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. stroyed by fire in 1849. In the summer of 1850 hie went to Detroit, aind becaime a member of the Detroit Free Press staff in the spring of '54, and the following year became commercial reporter for the Detroit Daily Advertiser, with whMich paper lie remained until he left Detroit in '58. Hie assisted in the organization of the Detroit Board of Trade in June, '56, and was elected secretairy, wlici position he held until he removed from the city. He later beciame finamctial aind colimercial reporter of the Cincinnattii Enquirer, which position he left in 1860 to assu.me editorial charge of the Monroe, (Mich.,) Commercial, stnbsequently purchasing that paper. He continued in chlarge as editor and publisher until January of the present year, when he sold the establishment. ie( has been,an active and staunch Rdepublican since the foundation of that party. In '64 he was appointed by Gov. Blair one of the commissioners of election to Lake the vote of the Michigan soldiers in the field, and was assigned to thei Seventh Mlichigan Itnfantry and the First Michigan Slharpshooters, then xx ithli Granit's army before Petersburg. Hle was appointed postmaster of MIoniiroe b President Grant in 1870, and held the office four years. IIe is a member of tlh( New Jerusalem church (Swedenborgian) and belongs to the A. O.. U W., tle Knight~s of Honor, and the Michigan Sanhedrim. Ie was married in 1852, il Detroit, to Miss Eveline S. Rawson, who is still living. They had one c (ildb only, Frank D., now a resident of Denand, Florida. The subject of this sket(clj was probably as well known in this village and township, when a boy, as 'any of the "young" pioneers. FREDERICK R. HATCH, SR., was born in Blandford, IHampden county, Mass., of Irish-Dutch descent, Aug. 12, 1803. There he passed his boyhood days and in 1824 married Miss Mila A. Hamilton, of East Granville, the above county. In May,. 1832, lie set out fori Michigan, arriving here in Homer, or what was then known as Barneyvilie, a few weeks later. Mr. Iatch was a house builder by occupation and was in charge in the erection of several of the first buildings in this place, and also in the City of Marshall, among the latter might be mentioned the Dibble House, now owned by Mr. Getrell, the Circuit Court stenographer. In 1835 Mr. atchli sent for his family, they being accompanied to Homer by the Hamiltons, as has already been stated. Mr. Hatch met them in Detroit. In 1837-8 Mr. TIatch erected the Green Mountain H-iouse, now known as the Commercial, for a public inn. Having completed his hotel he went to Detroit where h lie purchased furniture for the same, and upon returning was taken sick and died soon after arriving home, his death occurring Sept. 12, of the latter year. Stricken down in the prime of manhood, leaving a wife, and little ones in( a land where they so much needed the care and support of a kind and induhstrious husband and father, but Mr. Hatch left a noble wife, a kind, energetic and loving mother to his children. One of his children in speaking of her and of his father's death says: "Our's was, indeed, a sad, sad home, though surrounded by those whose great hearts poured forth sympathy for the sad and sorrowing, we were left in unfavorable circumstances. My mother and six children were left to battle alone in this, our pioneer home, but our kind and loving mother, remarkable for her energy and perseverance, succeeded in rearing and educating us as well as the times and surroundiilgs would admit." Mrs. Hatch was, indeed, a noble woman, her many acts of kindness were not confined to those who surrounded her own fireside, but extended to nearly every home throughout the village, and no portrait in this little work will probably be scaned more closely by a great many, than the one which so faithfully represents the features of her, whose noble life is worthy of a more extended notice than the pages of this little book will admit. She for nmanv years had been an active member of the M. E. church, and passed to her reward, August 19, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch had six children.; Maitland W., born June 17, 1826; Sarah A., born March 12, 1828; HI-elen M., born May 1, 1830; Frederick R., born June 18, 1832; James M., born in March, 1834; Frances I., born May 20, 1837. Maitland married Sarah J. Elston DDec. 8, '53. 49 So cS MIClHEL MILLER, [page 49.] MRS. MILLER, [page 49.] THOMAS S. DORSEY, [page 51.] JOHN BALLENTINE, [page 51.] GEORGE BALLENTINE, rpflge 52.] HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 49 and resides in Marshall; Sarah married John Tillotson, May 16, '49, died in Pulaski in 1876; Helen married John J. Van Voorhies January 16, '50, and is now Mrs. A. M. Wood, of Chicago; Frederick married Emma Hamilton August 1, '61, she died Aug. 15, '65, lives at Onalaska, Wis.; James married Zuba A. Rogers in April, 1855, and lives in San Jose, Cal.; Frances married Andrew J. Shattuck January 19, '55, and resides in Clarendon. Grandchildren.Charles O., Henry, (died in infancy) and Maggie A., children of Maitland: Ella M., Flora H., John D., Frederick S., Maitland J., Albert, (died in infancy) and Elma L., children of Sarah: Sarah F. and Eva A., daughters of Helen: William H. and Sadie, children of Frederick: Ossian L., William D. and Geo. E., sons of James: Ernest, (born April 16, '57, died in 1860,) Edith N., Edson A., Nellie E., HIarriett M., Albert J.. and Claud J., children of Frances. MAITLAND w. HATCH, [portrait.] oldest son of Frederick R. I-Hatch, was born in Blandford, Conn., June 17, 1826. Maitland's grand-parents on his father's side were Timothy Linus and Sarah W. The latter's maiden name was Shepherd, her ancestors being leading patriots in the Revolution. At the age of nine years Maitland came to Michigan with his father's family. About 1842 he began a three years' apprenticeship in the office of the Marshall Statesman, after which he passed three years as a tramping jour., in his rounds taking in Detroit, Battle Creek, Milwaukee and other places. He returned to the Statesman office, where he remained as foreman until 1860, when he came to Homer and for five years carried on blacksmithing with his brother James. In '67 he started in the drug trade, which business he has followed up to the present time, and is now with WV. H. Elston, in Marshall. "Mait." is a practical business man, an exceptionally good druggist, is a jolly fellow, popular with everybody and has lots of friends. If there is any thing in which he is a little off, it is his politics-he is a republican. On Dec. 8, '53, he was married to Miss Sarah J. Elston, who was born in Pennsylvania, in December, 1835. They had three children: Charles 0., Henry and Maggie A. Charles married Sarah J. Thorn, and lives north of this village; Henry died in infancy, and Maggie A. married Preston C. Mitchell andlives in this place. Grandchildren.-Ray C. and Helen L., children of Charles; Dor P., son of Maggie. DAVID BURT JR., (portrait.) was born in the City of New York, May 17, 1814; came to Michigan in 1837 and located in this village, where on the 20th of March, 1839, he was united in marriage to Miss Marrilla Johnson, who is still living and resides in this place. Mr. Burt was a carpenter and joiner by occupation, and put up a good many of the buildings erected here in an early day. The last year of his life was passed three miles east of this village on the farm now owned by Geo. A. Aldrich, where in the prime of manhood he died, Nov. 5, 1844, aged forty years. He was a member of Humanity Lodge, F. and A. M., and was a clever, kind hearted and energetic man. Mr. Burt was the father of six children: Geo. W., John W., Charles D., Mary Frances, James and Jane. George was born January 4, '40, died Feb. 16, '45; John was born Oct. 4, '41, died Sept. 10, '43; Mary was born Feb. 4, '48, died January 2, '64; Jane was born June 8, '53, died Oct. 4, of the same year; Charles D. resides in this village, and on Dec. 11, '73, married Hattie L, Snider, who died May, 17, '75, married his second and present wife, Marrilla B. Richardson, March 22, '77; James lives in Marshall. MICHEL MILLER, [portraits.] was born in Wolcott, Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 13, 1800; married Miss Lydia Dorsey in Lyons, New York, May 21, 1826; came to Michigan in 1836, arriving in this village on the 9th of December of that year. Mr. Miller was a Methodist minister, but devoted only a portion of his time to that calling and preached only occasionally. A few years after his arrival here he tried silk 50 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. culture, (see page 38) and later became a daguerreian artist, which occupation he followed up to the time of his death, which occurred Oct. 26, 1863. He was the first portrait artist in the place, and carried on his business in a little car with which he visited the different towns in this section. He was a justice of the peace in an early day, was one of the charter members of Humanity Lodge, F. and A. M., and was its fourth worshipful master, being elected to that position in December, 1851. Mr. Miller was a law and order man and one who had the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Mrs. Miller was born in Libertytown, Frederick county, Maryland, Sept. 12, 1797, and was the youngest of a family of sixteen children. She died in this village Feb. 28, 1886, and was the last of this large family of Dorsey's to pass from earth. She was an aunt of Thomas S. and William A. Dorsey, of this place, and a sister of Mrs. Milton Barney. Mrs. Miller had been a member of the M. E. church for seventy-five years, and was one of the original members in the organization of that society here in 1837, and up to the time of her last sickness was an active member in every matter which tended to be of benefit to the church. Aunty Miller ever had a kind word for one and all, and was beloved by the young and the old; at her funeral Rev. Wmn. Brockway, of Albion, said: "She would not change her position with Victoria, the Queen of England, the Empress of Indian." Just prior to her death she said to those present: "This is the brightest, happiest day I ever saw; I thank the Lord. Now I know that the religion I have professed is no fiction. No, bless the Lord, it makes me happy in this trying hour. My work is done; my sky is clear; Jesus died for me." Mr. and Mrs. Miller had seven children: Elizabeth R., Sophia B., Delia R., George E., Deborah C., Mary H. and Julia. Elizabeth died in 1850 aged 23 years; Sophia married Harmon Wood Sept. 29, '52, and died in Litchfield Sept. 30, '71; Delia R. married George E. Hayes Dec. 25, '55, and resides in Albion; George married Julia Stowers Dec. 21, '58, and is superintendent of a state institution for the blind, at Wyandotte, Kansas, which position he has held for twelve years; Deborah married Francis Stevens June 11, '73, and resides in this village; Mary married Thomas Savier, of Portland, Oregon, Feb. 18, '62, Mr. Savier died in March, '76; Mary is now living in Portland, Oregon, with her second husband, H. E. Jones, M. D., to whom she was married in Feb., '79, the ceremony taking place in Germany, where \I rs. Savier was sojourning at the time. Grandchildren.-Eva E., daughter of Sophia; Delia D. and Thomas R., children of Delia; Fred W. and Clara L. children of George; Laura V., M. Louise, Florence A. and Helen L., daughters of Mary. Great-grandchildren.-Henry Savier and Arthur, sons of Laura, now Mrs. S. M. Mears, daughter of Mary. ANDREW DORSEY. was born in Libertytown, Maryland, April 25, 1786. In 1800 with his father's family he removed to Lyons, N. Y., and on May 14, 1811, was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Shekel, of Phelps, the latter state. He was a lieutenant in the war of 1812; came to Michigan with his family in 1836, arriving in Homer April 3, of that year. In 1837 he was elected supervisor of this township and the same year was elected a representative in the State legislature from this county, taking his seat in '38. being the first person to fill that position from Southern Calhoun. He constantly occupied some position of trust and was a justice of the peace at the time of his death, which occurred in this village April 12, 1842. Mrs. Dorsey died here, March 13, 1865. Children.-Ann L., born Nov. 28, 1812; Eleanor, born Aug. 12, 1814; Daniel, born June 20, 1816; Thomas S., born July 20, 1818; William A., born May 15, 1820; Sarah H., born Dec. 13, 1822; and Ruth Ann, born April 25, 1825. Ann L. died July 22, 1813; Eleanor married James M. Parsons, May 18, '36 and lives in Marshall; Daniel married Margaret Burt Oct. 1, '40, and died in this village June 13, '83; Thomas married Frances McCarthy January 11, '48, and resides in this village; William married Margaret McKinney Sept. 17, '44, she died in October, '64, he married his second and present wife, Mrs. Maria Swart, November 15, '77, HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 51 and lives in this place; Sarah married Edwin W. Curtis January 29, '50, died Maay 3, '53; Ruth died March 10, '41. Grandchildren living: Sarah and Edwin, children of Eleanor; Andrew, John and Phoebe J., children of Daniel; Elisha T. and Kittie, children of Thomas; James P., William K., Thomas S., Ruth and Mary, children of William. THOMAS S. DORSEY, [portrait.] second son of Andrew Dorsey, was born in Lyons, New York, July 20, 1818, where he passed his childhood days, and in 1831, at thirteen years of age, he went to Geneva, that state, and clerked in a store. In the spring of 1836 he came to Homer and with his brother Daniel, tried farming, On lands located by his father on section 14, this township. In 1838 Thomas S. began his business career in this village by clerking for Barney and Thornton, and for the next ten years as clerk, partner or proprietor, was engaged in merchandizing and milling. On January 11, 1848, Mr. Dorsey was united in marriage to Miss Frances McCarthy, who was born Oct. 11, 1826. From 1848 to 1850 Mr. Dorsey was proprietor of the H-omer Hotel, which became known as the Dorsey House. Some time in the latter year he removed to Grand Rapids, where he kept the Rathbun H-Iouse, and in 1853 we find him in the mercantile trade in Jonesville. In 1854, with Oliver Lynch and Cyrenus Crandall, of this place, and a Mr. Van Hovenbugh, of Jonesville, he crossed the plains to California. The party left Jonesville April 20, and arrived at the mines Aug. 29, of the same year, going by cars as far as Rock Island, Ills. Mr. Dorsey returned to Michigan the following year, and removed his family to the golden state in 1857. In 1861 he again returned to this State and settled in Quincy, where he kept hotel until 186,8 when he removed to Coldwater and went into the grocery business, which trade he carried on until the spring of 1870, when with the hopes of improving the health of iMrs. Dorsey, who had become an invalid from asthma, he sold out and the two accompanied by their then little daughter Kittie, again went to California, but that climate not having the hoped for effect, the family, in the "dl of the same year returned to Michigan and settled permanently in this place. Mr. Dorsey has been in the grocery business here for the past eleven years, and has not only one of the most complete establishments, but a big and satisfactory trade. Mr. D. belongs to the order of MaIsons and has the honor of being the first person "raised" by IHumanity Lodge, No. 21, of which lodge he was worshipful master in 1871. He was also a charter member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, Quincy, and Coldwater Lodge, Coldwater, and was the first presiding officer of each of these organizations. He is a man who has not sought official honors, but during his life has frequently been called upon to fill positions of trust. Few, if any, were better or more favorably known in this section in an early day, than the subject of this sketch, and the same is true at the present time. "Uncle" Tom is a land mark of pioneer times. He is an enterprising, push-ahead business man among us today. In politics, a Democrat; in religion, is a believer in the Episcopal doctrine. Children:Elisha T., Thomas R., Lewis Cass, Willie and A. Kittie; Elisha and Kittie being the only ones living, both are single and reside with their parents, Elisha being the popular salesman iu his father's store. JOHN BALLENTINE [portrait.] *as born in County Tyrone, Ireland, March 20, 1808; came to the United States in 1833, and to Michigan in 1835, arriving in -omsr in June of the latter year. Having but limited means, he went to work by the month and later served an apprenticeship in the Homer Mills, and followed the occupation of milling for several years. On the 24th of March, 1838, he was united in marriage to Achsah Ann Bournes, who was born in Rose, Wayne county, New' York, Aug. 16, 1817, and died in Clarendon, Dec. 6, 1884. About 1850 he removed to lands purchased in Clarendon, where through industry and good management, he acquired a good property and where he died January 30, 1885. I'r. Ballentine was a master mason and took the degrees in that order in Ireland in 1832. He was one of the ten charter members of Humanity Lodge, 52 HOMIER AND ITS PIONEERS. and was the last among them to be summoned by the Grand Master of the Universe to appear before Him in the Grand Loage on high. He was a kind father, a good neighbor and respected citizen, and one who believed in the existence of a Supreme Being who do'eth all things well. Children: -Mary L., George H., Clara J., John J., Edward F. and Zemira A. Mary married O. P. Viets, Oct. 3, '59, and lives in Albion; George married Margaret N. Garrison, Sept. 16, '63, and died at his home in Clarendon, Nov. 1, '81; Clara married Frank Vandenburg, Aug. 20, '65 and lives in Clarendon; John is single; Edward married Florence Chapin, of Watertown, N. Y., July 19, '81, and Zemira is also single; the three latter reside at the old homestead in Clarendon. Grandchildren:-George C., Anna, Lewis and Nellie, children of George H.; Edward, Jay, Ernie, (all deceased,) and John, children of Clara; Clara, Roy and "Babe," children of Edward. GEORGE BALLENTINE, [portrait.] brother of John, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Feb. 22, 1811. George accompanied his brother to the United States. The two shipped in an old whaler built in Hull, for thirty-four days was out of sight of land and arrived in New York, January 16, 1834. George went to Cicero, Onondaga county, the latter state, where he remained until 1836 when he came to Homer, arriving here the day following the fall elections of that year. He was the first wagonmaker to open a shop in this village and erected for himself the dwelling house which still stands on the south-east corner of Main and Webster streets. After a three years' stay in this place he removed to Albion, where on January 2, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Tichenor, who died in that village Dec. 26, 1878. Soon after the death of his wife, Mr. Ballentine came to Clarendon, making his home with his brother John, and is still living in this immediate vicinity. He was made a master mason in 1844 or 5, was one of the organizers of Murat Lodge, Albion, and at the present time is the only one of the charter members living. Uncle George through a life of industry has accumulated a property which in his declining years places him beyond want. He is a kind and noble man, beloved by all who know him. He had no children. The following lines are of his own production and were composed for this work: "When I am dead and in my grave and all my bones are rotten, This little book will tell my name when I am long forgotten." ROBERT MCCULLY [portrait.] was born in Mifflin, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1795. He came to Michigan in 1829 and settled in Washtenaw county, where he remained three years or until the summer of 1832, when he came to this township -and located the desirable farm north-west of this village, now owned and occupied by his only son, Andrew Frank. In October, 1836, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Harris, of Albion township, who died May 10, 1864. Mr. McCully was a fuller and dyer by trade and prior to coming to Michigan worked at that occupation in Pennsylvania and New York. He was of a kind disposition, generous to a fault, and was one of the "level headed" men among the early settlers. In politics he was an Andwew Jackson Democrat. He died April 20, 1867, and was laid away to rest in Cook's Prairie cemetery, beside his noble companion of earth, who had preceded him to the world beyond. He was the father of two children: Andrew Frank and Priscilla J.: Andrew Frank married Sarah J. Pease, May 1, 1860, and lives at the old homestead; Priscilla died in childhood in 1840. Grandchildren:-Robert, James, John B. and Sarah, children of Andrew Frank-James being the only one now living. STEPHEN S. POWERS was born in Vermont, November 15, 1804, and married Miss Rhoda Hopkins, of the same state, the date of her birth being February 10, 1808. The couple removed to Virgil, New York, where the two sons, Truman and John were born, the former April 26, 1828, the latter January 29, 1831. In 1833 the fami JOHN POWERS. [page 55.] CHARLES WAGONER. [page 55.] ROBERT MCCULLY, [page 52.] JAMES HOPKINS, [prage 56.] ALMOND C. HOPKINS, [page 56.] 2: Q a i HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 55 ly came to Michigan and located in this township and in the spring following,. at the first election held in this township, Mr. Powers was elected supervisor. On January 14, 1835, Mrs. Powers died, which was one of the first deaths in this section. Mr. Powers married for his second wife. Miss Mary Burt, oldest daughter of John Burt. Mary was born in New Jersey, Oct. 5, 1809, but at the time of the marriage was a resident of Homer, having emigrated to this. place with her father's family in May, 1834. Mr. Powers died November 10, 1841; his second wife January 4, 1866. Mr. Powers was the father of five children: By his first wife three, Truman and John, whose births have already been given and who are residents here, and Matilda, born in this village, Dec. 14, '34, died January 14, '38: From the second marriage; Cynthia, who married W. J. Webster and resides in this village, and Mary E., now Mrs. John A. Zimmerman, of Barry county. Grandchildren:-Mary E., Charles, (died in '86) and willie, children of Truman, who married Rosetta De Bow, Oct. 15, '52;. she died May 2, '86; Stephen H. (died June 23, '69) and Florence, children of John, who married Rachael Cook; Mary E., daughter of Cynthia; and I-Iattie A., Bert P. and Sherman J., children of Mary. JOHN POWERS, [portrait.] second son of Stephen S. Powers, was born in Virgil, C.-rtlanc county, New York, January 29, 1831, and cama to Michigan with his father's family in 1832. The family first settled in Oakland county and the year following came to this township, first locating in what is now Albion township, then in Eckford and later south of this village. On January 1, 1881, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to 'Aiss Rachael Cook, a daughter of Henry Cook, born June 29, 1830. Mr. Powers resides two miles soath of this village, where he owns one of the most desirable farms in this section. He gives a good deal of attention to the raising of fine stock and especially horses, being at this time the owner of the celebrated French coach horse "Eastham," which is valued at $3,000. He also buys a good many horses for the eastern markets, and for several years has been one of the leading wheat and wool buyers of this place. John is a Democrat, always has been one and naturally thinks Grover Cleveland is the best president this country has had for years. Children:-Stephen Henry, who died June 23, '69, and Florence May, now in school at Battle Creek. CHARLES WAGONER, [portrait.] was born in Pennsylvania on the 17th of January, 1801, where he was reared to manhood, and where on the 5th of March, 1832, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Mensch, who is still living and a resident of this village. He came to Michigan in the spring of 1833, and located the lands in East Homer now owned and occupied by his son, William J. Here he remained until 1851, when in company with Jacob Kiefer, Benjamin Mensch and William Hanson, he crossed the plains to California. The journey was made with ox teams and wagon. Upon reaching the mountains the wagon was left and the journey continued, the party arriving at Hangtown. now Placerville, California, July 16, 1851. Mr. Wagoner was of a roving disposition, the wilds of the regions about and beyond the Rocky mountains seeming to have especial attractions for him. There he passed the last thirty years of a life filled with thrilling adventures. He became perfectly familiar with every quarter of the Pacific slope from Southern California away north into British Columbia. In 1864 his son, william J., went out and found him in Idaho, when the two crossed to California. William remained with his father until 1866, when the former returned to Michigan, and the following spring Mr. Wagoner went to Nevada, where he died from the infirmities of old age in 1830. At the time of his death he had been a member of the Christian church for nearly half a century. He was the father of four children: Julia M., William J., Philip and Lorenzo. William J., who resides on the old farm, being the only one now living. 56 03HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. JAMES HOPKINS [portrait.] was born near Providence, Rhode Island, in 1791; married Miss Margaret Smith, of Virgil, Cortland county, New York, and in 1833 came to Michigan and located lands a mile north of this village, the tract consisting of 520 acres, covering the site and water power of the present Calhoun Mills. In 1834 he erected a saw mill on the Kalamazoo near his residence. This mill run for about nine years. Mr. Hopkins was the first person who suggested the name of Homer for this township. He was appointed a school commissioner at the first town meeting held here, was also the first justice of the peace in this township, and officiated at the marriage of Richard McMurtrie and Nancy Ansterburg, July 4, 1834. In 1844 with his wife and four of his ten children he returned to New York State, where he died in 1855, and his wife five years later. Children:-Abram ]B., Almond C., Aurelia, Jennette, Angeline, Ardasee, Philip P. and James S., born in New York State, and two others born here, both of the latter dying in infancy. Abram is married and lives in Iowa; Almond married Mary Prior and resides in this village; Aurelia, now Mrs. George Robertson, lives in Oakland county, this State; Jennette married Alonzo Hotchkiss and lives in Virgil, N. Y.; Angeline married Charles Doolittle and died'Dec. 27, 1880; Ardnsee was never married and resides in Plymouth, near Detroit; Philip is married and lives in Binghamton, N. Y.; and James is married and lives in Milford, this State. ALMOND C. HOPKINs, [portrait.] second son of James H-opkins, was born in Virgil, Cortland county, New York, May 31, 1819; came to Michigan with his father's family in 1833, and has since lived in this vicinity, being at the present time a resident of this village. On January 29, 1840, he married Miss Mary Prior, who was born in Junius, Seneca county, New York, June 12, 1820. In 1843 Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins located and moved on to a farm on section 26. Eckford township, where through industry and good managefient they acquired a good property. In 1876 they leased the farm and purchased the pleasant home in this village where Mrs. Hopkins died, August 22, 1886. Mr. Hopkins is a man unassuming in manners, one who has the respect of all who know him, and his estimable companion was endowed with those pure and noble traits of character that makes one beloved by a large circle of acquaitances. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins had four children: Alvener M., born Oct. 31, 1841; C. D'Ette, born Oct. 9, 1849; Edgar L. T., born Sept. 6, 1853; and Nellie Dell, born March 21, 1862: Alvener married Albert Andrus, Nov. 26, '61, and resides in Clarendon; D'Ette died April 2, '52; Edgar died May 3, '68; and Nellie married Llewellyn Fleming, Sept. 13, '82, and resides at Sault Ste. Marie. Grandchildren:-Justin, May and Leonard, children of Alvener; Ludllle, daughter of Nellie. BERIAH S. REDFIELD [portrait.] was born in the Town of Junius, Seneca county, N. Y., March 1, 1807. He was the son of Luther and Mary Redfield, who were from Berkshire county, Mass., and settled in Junius, N. Y., where the subject of this sketch was born, and afterwards removed to Clyde, N. Y., where for many years they resided, and where the mother died, May 7, 1853, the father dying at Monroe, Michigan, June 10, 1867, in his 87th year. Beriah spent his early boyhood upon the farm, but when quite young entered a general store as clerk, and was afterwards for nearly his entire life engaged extepsively in the mercantile business-first in Clyde, N. Y. and then in Homer to which place he removed in the fall of 1842. His father's family consisted of thirteen children, of which Beriah was the second son. Eleven of these reached maturity. Four sisters and one brother are still living, as follows: Mary Lewis, at Homer; Sophia Lewis, at Monroe, Mich.; Albert F., at Clyde, N. Y.; Sarah D. French, at Homer, Mich., and Martha R. Hurd, at Fayetteville, N. Y. IHe was married at Marengo, N. Y., January 16, 1834, to Cornelia N. Parkinson, by whom he had seven children: John, Caroline, Chandler S., Charles, Vernon, Beriah B. and Nellie: Of these, Caroline Marsh resides in Clarendon, Mich.; Chandler S. and Beriah B., at AtZA. LEWIS, [page 59-1 BYRON SMITH, [page 60.1. BERIAIIH S. REDFIELD, [page 56.] ALEXANDER ARTHIUR, [page 60.] RUFUs HILL, [page 61.] "j HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 59 Englewood, Ill.; Charles, at Battle Creek, Mich.; and Nellie Kell, at Litchfield, Mich. Mr. R. died quite suddenly, of pneumonia, May 23, 1857, while still in the prime ana vigor of matured manhood. being only fifty years of age. At that time the family were residing on the farm now owned by H. H. Parks. His funeral was very largely attended at the Presbyterian church, the sermon being preached by Rev. Bela Fancher, of this village. He had been connected with the Presbyterian church for twenty years, removing his connection to the church here on his removal from Clyde, and was one of its warm and active supporters, aiding largely in the erection of the church edifice built in 1853-4. His wife out-lived him over twenty years, dying at the residence of her youngest daughter, Nov. 2, 1879. In politics Mr. Redfield was first a Whig, becoming a Republican at the organization of that party and was present at Jackson, with the immense mass meeting there convened, at the the time of its birth. He was an active, public-spirited citizen, always ready to do his full share in every enterprise to build up the village, contributing liberally of his means, not only in building the Presbyterian church, but also the school building known as the Homer Academy. -He was always hopeful and courageous-a man of noble and generous impulses, liberal to a fault, and of a sunny, genial temperament-He made and retained hosts of friends in this village and vicinity. An illustration of his resolution and unfaltering pluck and perseverance in the midst of reverses, is related of his early boyhood, when in going around a stump on the newly cleared farm, his foot was caught by a root, pitching him head-long to the ground. Rising and surveying for a moment the scene of his downfall with a resolute air and determined manner and speech, he said: "I'll try that again," and at once proceeded to put his resolve into action. DEA. ARZA LEWIS, [portrait.] one of the pioneers of Homer, was the son of Ezra Lewis, and was born at Derby, in the State of Conneticut, May 1, 1799. While he was yet young, his father removed to the Township of Galen, near Clyde, in the State of New York, and settled on a farm, where young Lewis grew to manhood. Having served as clerk in Clyde and then in Albany, he afterward engaged in mercantile business in the former place, continuing in that business in Clyde successfully for several years. There he became acquainted with Mary Redfield, to whom he was married June 1, 1828, and with whom he spent half a century of happy married life, their golden wedding being celebrated June 1, 1878. In 1837 he removed to this village anjd for nearly twenty years was engaged extensively in milling and mercantile pursuits. He was an active, energetic and upright business man. He was one of the original members of the Presbyterian church o)f Homer, which was organized in 1838, and one of its deacons for so many years that every one knew him as "Deacon Lewis." During his business life he was a liberal supporter of the institutions of religion and his house a minister's home. His convictions of right were firm and decided. With commendable foresight he secured the present site of the Presbyterian church and parsonage, holding it 'till the old church edifice was erected in 1853-4. This, he and a few others furnished the means, to build at a time when the society did not feel able to erect a house of worship. His place in the sanctuary was never vacant while his health permitted him to be present, neither did business keep him away from the weekly prayer meeting. For several of the last years of his life he was badly broken down in health and for much of the time a great sufferer, yet he bore it all with much patience and quietness, and with feeble footsteps made his way to the house of God very regularly, and less than a month before his decease, was present for the last time on earth at the communion table of his Lord. Politically, Mr. Lewis was a Democrat of the old Jeffersonian school, holding strongly to the "inalienable rights of man." Being from principle decidedly anti-slavery, at the breaking out of the rebellion he became strongly Republican, and always afterward voted with that party, thus adhering to his early principles and con 60 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. victions in regard to liberty and human freedom. During his earlier years in this village and before the question of slavery had divided political parties as it afterward did, he and other prominent Democrats and Whigs belonged to an anti-slavery organization of this town, Hiram Smith being president and Vernon Parks, secretary. In common with nearly all northern men of all parties, his feelings and sympathies were with the down trodden and oppressed in their efforts for freedom. Mr. Lewis had three brothers, Bennett, Isaac, and Hiram, and one sister, Eliza, who married Joseph Gibbs of this town. Arza and Isaac married sisters. Mr. L.'s children are Edward, Mary, Cornelia, Sarah and George. George was in the army, accompaning Sherman in his famous "march to the sea." IHe returned at the close of the war and emigrated to Kansas, where he died Feb. 25, 1872. Mary, who married Franklin Mead Esq., died July 31, 1874. Mrs. Lewis is now in her 79th year and the other children are living. Mr. Lewis died January 17, 1879, in the 80th year of his age. His funeral was on the Sabbath and at the sanctuary he had helped to build and where he had so long worshipped. The services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. A. S. Badger, who was assisted by Rev. L. H. Corson, of the Episcopal, and Rev. E. L. Kellogg, of the Methodist church. All the churches united in the service and nearly the entire community came together to pay the last tribute of respect to one so well known, and so intimately identified with the early history of Homer and the Presbyterian church of this place. HIRAM SMITH was born in Westchester county, New York, May 24, 1804; On the 29th of June, 1828, he was married to Miss Hannah Parkinson, of Junius, Seneca county, that state, with whom he passed thirty years of wedded life, she dying in this village, August 4, 1864. He subsequently married Mrs. Lucinda Walhart, who died June 26, 1880. Mr. Smith entered into the mercantile business soon after arriving at manhood, and for some ten years prior to coming to Michigan was engaged in trade in his native state, in Marengo and Clyde. In 1837 he came to this village, and in company with Arza Lewis engaged extensively in the mercantile business and milling the firm's establishment for years being a leading institution here, and in fact one of the most extensive in Southern Michigan. He was'active, energetic and liberal in all enterprises calculated to promote the public good and build up and improve the village. He took a lively interest in educational matters, not only providing the best instructions and advantages for his own children, but rendering substantial aid in furnishing a school of high order in this village as early as 1845. He was frequently called upon to fill positions of trust, and in 1847, represented this district in the lower house of the State Legislature. At the time of his death which occurred May 4, 1874, he had been a member of the Presbyterian church for thirty-five years. He was the father of four children, three by his first wife, Byron, Mary and Edwin R., Edwin R. now a resident of Jackson, being the only one now living. One by his second -wife, William, now in school at Battle Creek. BYRON SMITH [portrait.] oldest son of Hiram Smith was born in Marengo, Wayne County, New York, June 30, 1831, and came to Michigan with his father's family in 1837. Oh December 7, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence E. Woodbury, of this village, who died January 1, 1875. Mr. Smith was a man of quiet and unostentatious disposition but possessed of fine literary and legal attainments. His early education was received in this village, after which he took a proparatory course of study in Albion, and later graduated from the State University in Ann Arbor. He then began the study of law and was admitted to the bar at Detroit before arriving at twenty-one years of age. The practice of law not being entirely to his liking he entered into the mercantile trade in this place with his brother, Edwin R., the firm being known as B. & E. R. Smith. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 61 In 1860, they came into possession of the Homer Mills, and for the next twelve years carried on an extensive business in milling. The firm then dissolved, Edwin removed to Jackson, and the subject of this sketch again took up the 1practice of law, which profession he followed up to the time of his death, which took place in his office, October 28, 1881. Politically Mr. Smith like his father was a democrat, through and through. He was a man of fine scholarly mind, excellent literary taste, and one possessed of more than ordinary legal ability. iHe had two children, Halmer W., born September 17, 1872, and Raymond C., born October 1, 1874, both living in this village. ALEXANDER ARTI-IHUI, [portrait.] was of Scotch-English descent and was born in the city of London, England, August 9, 1825. When young Arthur was about two years of age the family came to the United States, remaining for a time in New York City, and later living in Albany, and then in East Troy. In the latter place the mother died when Alexander was still a mere child. The father (given name Peter) and son then removed to Canandaigua, and from there came to Jackson, this state, where they made their home for a time, with a half-brother of the subject of this sketch, John A. Bacon who still resides in that city. In 1843, the Arthurs came to this village and engaged in shoe making, which business they carried on jointly until the father's death which took place November 18, 1855, and which business the son carried on through life, and for years had one of the most extensive boot and shoe establishments in this place. April 26, 1849, Alexander married Miss Sarah Foster who was born in Virgil, Cortland county. N. Y., October 28, 1829, and died in this village, September 26, 1867. On October 8, 1868, Mr. Arthur married Miss Nettie Gatchell who still resides in this village. \ir. Arthur died very suddenly at his home in this place, May 22.1875. He had for many years been an active member of the Presbyterian church and his funeral which was held at the family residence was attended by a large concourse of people, the business places in the village being closed on the occasion that one and all might pay homage to one whose life was a life of uprightness and whose death.created universal sorrow in the community. Mr. Arthur w as the father of five children- From his first marriage; Peter, born May 14, '52, married Ida Barnes, resides in Wyandotte; Alexander S., born May 14, '55, died February 3, '63; James S., born February 17, '62, lives in this village, and Sarah E., born June 3, '63, died September 22, '63.-From second marriage Maggie, born in '74. RUFUS HILL, [portrait] was born in Lyons, New York, August 7, 1817, came to Michigan in 1836, and located in this village. He was a cooper by trade and for several years followed that occupation here. Later in company with E. P. Potter he engaged in the manufacturing of fanning mills, which had an extensive sale in this section of the state. In 1851, he sold his interests in the manufacturing business to Mr. Potter, and purchased the Hoiper Hotel, which he cbnducted as a public inn up to the time of his death, which occurred July 26, 1861. Mr. Hill was a Master Mason and his funeral drew one of the largest gatherings to assemble in this place on such an occasion in those days. Delegates from distant lodges came to pay their respect to the dead, and to assist Humanity Lodge in performing the last sad rites at the grave. Mr. Hill was twice married. first in 1839, to Miss Sarah Deming, who died about two years later. April 16, 1844, he married Miss Lucey E. Bradley who was born in Lyons, New York, September 4, 1819, and who is still living and a resident of this village. He was the father of eight children, Sarah Louise, born May 7, '45, married Orange Bugbee May 31, '63, and died March 17, '75; Charles B., born February 19, '47, died November 15, '47; James F., born December 13, '48, still single and resides in Rutherford, California; Jennie M., born December 9. '51, married W. A. Lane August 23, '70, lives in this village; Henry A., born April 12, '55. died November 21, '56; "Babe," born March 12, '54, died in infancy; William F., born March 15. '57, died March 30, '57; and Eawin A., born July 20, '59, married 62 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Linnie Brand. of Redfield, Dakota, July 23, '85, and lives in La Mars, Iowa; Grand children, Alice, (now deceased,) daughter of S. Louise, and Sarah Louise and Mable Irene, children of Jennie. ORRIN BALL [portrait.] was born in Virgil, Cortland county, New York, July 24, 1807. He was of a family of sixteen children, eight sons and eight daughters. His boyhood days were passed in Virgil, and in 1828, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Cogswell, of Cortland, the same county. With his young wife he removed to Port Watson, that state, where for three years he worked at his trade that of shoe maker and currier, at which vocation he was an apt apprentice and superior workman. In 1834, he bade farewell to his native state, and with his family which then consisted of his wife and two children, Horace and Eliza, he set out for Michigan, and upon arriving here located and settled upon the desirable farm now owned and occupied by his youngest son, Charles O., in Albion township. For nearly half a century he occupied these lands, and through earnest toil converted them from a wilderness, which contained the haunts of wild beasts and a rendezvous of Indians into rich and productive estates bringing forth year after year harvests of golden grain. In early life he united with the M. E. church, he was one of the original members in the organization of that society in this place, and from its organization up to the time of his death the column of B's in the church record was headed with the name, "Orrin Ball." IHe died at the home of his daughter, in this village, June 2, 1883, and was buried beside his noble companion of earth who had preceded him to their eternal home, December 4,1881. There were three children, Horace, married Cornelia M. Farley, November 24, '64, lives in South Albion, Eliza, married John Snider, November 24, '74, lives in this village, and Charles 0., married Fidelia Gridley, December 5. '72. and lives on the old farm. Grand children,Elmer and Rose, children of Horace, and Nettie (born June 10. '74, died July 15, '75,) Charles O., Frank, Arthur and Sarah Estelle, children of,Charles. JOHN VANDENBURGII (portrait.) was born in Saratoga county, New York, Febr:-ury 18, 1811. When but five years of age his father died, and soon after John, his mother, one brother, James, now a resident of Albion this county, and one sister, Mary, which con*stituted the family, removed to Tompkins county, that state. There the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, and on the 27th of February, 1833, was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Griswold. His mother, and his only sister who became Mrs. Johhn Tyler, died in Tompkins county. In 1837, Mr. Van-.denburgh came to Michigan and located the lands now owned and occupied by A. Cunningham, in Albion township. There his only children, Abram and Frank were born. In the spring of 1868, Mr. Vandenburgh sold his farm and removed to Cedar county. Missouri, and purchased extensively in lands and farmed it on a large scale. In August 1880, while upon a visit to a half brother, the late Chauncey Marvin, near his old home north of this village, he was taken sick with pneumonia and died after a few days illness on the 10th of that month. Mr. Marvin was also stricken with the same disease and died nine days later. Mrs. Vandenburgh died in Eldorado Springs, Missouri, September 9, 1884. Her remains were brought to Albion and interred beside those of her husband in Riverside cemetery. Side by side they sleep, sterling and reliable representatives of early days, and though dead, their worthy deeds in life have caused their names to live in grateful memories. Children.-Abram born June 11, '37, married Sarah J. Fabrique, in October '56, and was killed near Chicago by the cars September 10, '82, and Frank born March 3, '47, married Clara J. Ballentine, August 20, '65, and now lives in Clarendon. Grand children.-John, (killed in Missouri, September 24, '87,) May and Charles, children of Abram; Edwin, Jay, (both deceased,) Erma and John children of Frank. ORRIN BALL, [page 62.] FREDERICK ANSTERBURG, [page 65.] JOIIN VANDENBUC1RGH, [page 62.1 ABRAHAM SNYDER, [page 65.] AMNOS A. BABCOCK, [page 65.] 1-1~1~ la t,.~ g:,i:i%.I HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 65 FREDRICK ANSTERBUEG [portrait.] was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1790. In 1812 he was united in marriage to Miss Polly I-oster in Seneca county, New York. In the spring of 1833 he came to Michigan and located lands on section 34 in what is now Albion township. The farm consists of some of the best land in the township and is now owned by Mr. Ansterburg's oldest son John. The first school house in Homer township as originally organized was erected on Mr. Ansterburg's farm. Reference to this school house has already been made on page 29 of this work. Notwithstanding Mr. and Mrs. Ansterburg had a large family of their own to provide for, the weary traveler and seeker of lands ever found a welcome at their poineer home. If he was hungry, they gave him an abundance to eat. If he was weary, they provided for him a place to rest. In January 1858, the subject of this brief sketch passed away by the hand of Death, his good wife following in June, two years later. Both numbered among the earlier pioneers, and both have now for over a quarter of a century been sleeping that sweet and peaceful sleep which knoweth no awakening until the resurrection morn. They had nine children: Nancy, widow of the late Richard Mc\lurtrie; Catherine, now Mrs. William Juckett, South Homer; Betsey, who married J. A. Fabrique, and died in-June 1861; Sarah, widow of the late Ezra Benham, South Albion; Jenette, widow of the late Albert Sharp, Condit; John, who married Louise K. Shelp. lives on the old farm; Michael, who married Priscilla Putnam, lives in this village; HIenry, married Uretta Shelp and died in 1862; and Fredrick Jr., who married Nancy Shelp and lives in Bancroft. ABRAHAM SNYDER [portrait.] was born in Belvidere, New Jersey, November 23, 1792. In 1802, with his father's family, he moved to Tompkins county, New York. The subject of this sketch though but ten years of age, and with no covering for his feet, walked the entire distance and assisted two brothers in driving eight cows to their new home. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was stationed for a time at Buffalo. In 1814 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann McCutcheon of Dryden, Tompkins county, where she died May 7, 1836. In the spring of 1835 Mr. Snyder had come to Michigan and located 440 acres of land on section 23 of what is now Albion township. This land he sold later, and in the spring of 1846 removed his family to this state, purchased two quarter sections 28 and 29, a portion of which constitutes the farm in South Albion now owned and occupied by his yqungest son, Wesley. On this farm Mr. Snyder passed the last eleven years of his life, death occurring October 4, 1857. He was a man who in life had the respect and esteem of his acquaintances and his death occasioned unusual sorrow, not only in his own household, but throughout the community. Ile was the father of eleven children: Harvey, Amy, Lewis, Philip, Lucy Ann, Arad and Jerid-twins, Mlatilda, Cornelia, Chauncey and Wesley; but only Lucy, Matilda and Wesley are now living. Lucy married Fredrick H. Newman January 19, 1847, and lives in Three Rivers. M[atilda married Fredrick C. Belcher in 1848 and resides in South Albion, and Wesley married Harriet M. Waldron March 15, 1859, and resides on the old homestead. AMOS A. BABCOCK [portrait.] was born in Worcester, Otsego county, New York, November 26, 1806. On the 21st of October, 1830, he was united in marriage in Binghampton, Broome Co., New York, to Miss Polly Carr, who was born in Dryden. Tompkins county, the above state. In 1835 Mr. Babcock came with his family to Michigan, arriving in Homer on the 26th of October of that year, and located on section 8 of what is now the township of Albion. He purchased his land direct from the government, still occupies the same and is still in possession of the original deed which contains the signature of President Jackson. Mr. Babcock was a blacksmith by trade, but after coming to Michigan, in connection with farming, followed the occupation of a carpenter and in the latter capacity assisted in the erection of many of the first buildings in the vicinity of his own home. On June 10, 1877, 66 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. his wife, that loving and kind friend and mother, that companion for nearly half a century, passed away from earth. The portrait of Mr. Babcock seen in this little work presents the features of one in whom these lines have induced an interest, and to acquaintances recalls the original. He had four children: James H., Edwin J., Olive L., and Daniel M. James married Anna Durkee of Albion, October 27, 1859, and lives in Philadelphia. Edwin died at Fort Gaines, Alabama, October 7, 1864, at the time being a member of the 6th Michigan Heavy Artillery. Daniel married Clarrissa A. Kern, November 21, 1869, and resides at the old homestead. REV. BENJAMIN SABIN [portrait.] was born in Pomfret, Connecticut, March 1, 1790. Died near Homer, February 17, 1875, being nearly 85 years of age. His early life was passed upon the farm. At 19 years of age he was licensed to preach, and in 1810 joined the New England conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After over twenty years of labor in the New England and Genesee conferences, he came to Homer in September 1836, living temporarily in Mr. Barney's log house. Judging from what is written in his diary, he knew something of the privations in common with the early settlers. From his journal of the first Sabbath after his arrival, we copy the following: "This has been a long, dreary, rainy Sunday. I am having the ague every day followed by a high fever, as are also two of our children. Last night the rain came through the roof of our home so that my wife caught the water in pails and pans to keep the bed clothes dry. The Indians encamped near here give the family much annoyance and alarm. The future looks dark. I would give all I possess to be placed back in "York State." But with the clearing up of the skies, and a recovery from the ague, came a stout heart and strong hand, ready to dare and to do. His first purchase was the land now occupied by H. O. Cook and Henry Parks. Here he resided a year or more and then sold to Asahel Finch, president of the Homer Bank. He afterwards purchased the farm now owned by the Rev. B. Fancher, and then the one on section 1 in Clarendon where he resided at the time of his death. Subsequent to his removal to Homer he gave several years to the work of the ministry, in which he was greatly blessed by the promotion of revivals. Aggressive, positive, uncompromising toward wrong, he often said words that burned, yet, conscious of the infirmities of human nature, he manifested a forgiving, conscientious spirit that won for him the respect and good will of his opponents. He valued the work of the minister of the Gospel above pecuniary consideration. To illustrate, we copy from his journal: "This year (1816) my work has been hard and laborious, on a charge in Canada. 1 find the members very poor; the season has been unfavorable. On the 16th and 17th of June snow lay upon the ground as in winter. Little was raised except potatoes. Mly salary received for the year, has been $30, yet I have fared with the people. 'Why should I count even my life dear unto me-so that I may win Christ.' 'Happy if with my latest breath, I may but gasp his name; Preach him unto all and cry in death: Behold, behold the Lamb.' " During the later years of his life, it was a pleasure for him to hold services at places remote from the churches, and after the frost of eighty winters had passed over his head, neither summer heat nor winter cold could abate his zeal to preach the Gospel. His home was the home for the itinerant, and a membership in the church insured his hospitality. Oftimes the brethren and their families came in numbers that would have appalled any modern housewife and produced a famine in the larder, yet the pork barrel and potato bin were always well filled, and to the plain wholesome fare, they were always welcome. He preached first in Homer in the school house, which stood opposite to where William Raby's planing mill now stands, and labored for the success of the Methodist class-few in numbers and poor in this world's goods-until he saw it numerically the largest and strongest society of the place. For sixty-five years he was a minister of that denomination. In view of the changes of that time, is it any wonder that he gloried in what had REV. ELIJAH COOK, [page 69.] ELI T. CHASE, [page 69.] REV. BENJAMIN SABIN, [page 66.] ORLIN H. PUTNAM, [page 70.] MRS. ORLIN H. PUTNAM, [page 70.] i: 1 t il-e -'B "~a HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 69 been accomplished? And yet with a brotherly feeling toward other deno1minations, he counted many of his warmest friends among their clergy and members. Politically he was formerly a Whig, but was early identified wiitll tl Republican party. His political creed was a matter of conscience seciond onwly to his religion. HIe prayed as lie preached, and voted as he prayed. Likie Sam Jones, he had a quaint way of stating things, and used to say: "Mix your ireligion with your politics, as you put sugar in your coffee, and you will bei nali the latter; but put your polities into your religion, like putting coffee into the sugar, the former is spoiled." i)uring the Rebellion he took a deep interesti in national affairs and by word and (deed tried to encourage and support the government. His outspoken way often brought him into contact with tlhose of different views. A prominent citizen of pro-slavery proclivities once said to him: "You mix your religion with your polities, but-" "Yours woii't mix," was his reply. A resident clergyman suggested to him that it would be better nlot to pray publicly for the abolition of slavery for fear of offence to some ot the brethren. "I will pray for the right, though devils rage," was the Luther like reply. Yet no one rejoiced more at the return of peace, or regretted more the price at which it was purchased. Thus lihke scores of others he lived and died. Fulsome praise and overdrawn encomiums are uncalled for, but it is meet that we remember the work and worth of the strong, courageous, heroic fathllrs. They planned largely, but built better than they knew. We enjoy more than they ever anticipated. REV. ELIJAH COOK, JR. [portrait.] was born in Rensselaer county, State of New York, July 17th, 1793. lIis father, Elijah Cook, was a Revolutionary soldier, who died and was bllried on Cook's Prairie, Eckford, in the fall of 1839, aged 80 years. On the 5th of Febmary, 1815, Elijah Jr. was married in Vernon, the above state,.to Miss Catlierine Roatrick. IIe came to YMichigan in the fall of 1834 and located iiear the present site of the Free Will Baptist chiIurch in Eckford, where he passed his reimaining clays, andc where he died January 29, 1873, his earthly companion joining him in the world of the righteous, January 1, two years later. d Mr. (look was an ordained minister of the Free Will Baptist Churchll and was one of the principal organizers of that denomination on Cook's Plains. Later in life lie filled appointments regularly in Burlington, -Stony Point, Girard and other places. tie -was an earnest advocate of a higher order of education and as such was one of the first to encourage and render assistance in the establishment of the Free Will Baptist College at IHillsdale. He waS a man of strong coiivictions aind great perseverance, and one who wielded a good moral and religious inifluence in the community in whicih lie lived. HIe was ever ready to render aid for good and benevolent works, and especially so in helping to build up and sustain new and weak churches. Not one, perhaps, of our our early pioneers had a larger circle of acquaintances in this (and adjoining counties thin Elijah Cook, and none were more favorably known. Children: Eliza Ann J., E. Ilutchinson, Harriet W., Henry R., Minerva, Charlotte S., Catherine, Lockwood. Eliza married Daniel Dunakin, and died in Eckford, December 22, 1880. IIutcliinson married Mcartha M. Walker and resides in this village. Ilaurriet married Will.iam Cherry and resides at Pentwater. Henry R. married Julia L. Walker anda resides in Eckford. Minerva is now Mrs. Wm. Rosecrantz of Marshall. Charlotte is now Mrs. Joshua HIenshaw, Grand Rapids. Catherine married Frank Mead, and died in 1850. Lockwood married Priscilla Harris, and died at the old homestead June 24, 1876. Giland children: Albert (deceased), Alma and A da, children of Eliza; Byron D., Charles H-I., Kittie, Clara, Ella and Jared, children of HuI-Itchinson; Nellie. daughter of Henry; Charles and Homer, sons of Minerva; Nellie and Flora, daughters of Charlotte; and Harry, son of Lockwood. ELI T. C-IASE [portrait.] was born in Kinderhook, Columbia county, New York, December 8, 1813. At 70 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. the age of 14 Eli set out for himself, going to Monroe, where he resided with an uncle until the latter's death, after which he remained in the same family until arriving at manhood, with the exception of a part of one year passed in working on the canal. About this time Mr. Chase had an attack of what was called "Michigan fever," the ailment ha.ving been brought about through reports that eighty acres of land could be purchased in Michigan for one hundred dolla.is. His spare earnings were laid aside, and on the 20th of January, 1835, in company with Elijah Cook and Daniel Dunakin and wife, young Chase set out for the Wolverine State. The journey was a slow one consuming twenty two days. The first place the party dined after reaching their destination was at Deacon Henry Cook's. Mr. Chase purchased his longed for eighty acres of land and after paying for the same, his earthly possessions consisted of his land, clothes, an axe and three dollars in money. His friends in the east told him the land was poor in Michigan, that it was a sickly country and that he would be back in the spring, but Mr. Chase had the "get there Ely" and had come to stay. He worked the first season by the month and took his pay in cattle. He found time however to break up five acres of his land the first summer, and early made other improvements. The first wheat marketed in this village was sold by Mr. Chase, he and T. S. Dorsey weighing the same with a pair of steelyards. September 3, 1837, he was united in marriage to Miss Margarette A. Whitcomb, daughter of the late Rev. Samuel Whitcomb, first pastor of the Free Will Baptist church on the Plains. \ir. Chase is an active member of that church and was one of its principal organizers and is the only one now living. For one-half a century he has taken an active interest in educational matters, and was one of the original committee that established H-illsdale College, and voted for its removal from Spring Arbor to Hillsdale. At the first township meeting held in Eckford, he was elected constable and in later 'years occupied the position of township treasurer, commissioner, justice of the peace, etc. Mr. Chase says the first salt he'bought, the neighbors combined, purchased a barrel paying nine dollars for the same. This wias in 1838. The first religious meeting he attended in Eckford was at the house of Deacon Cook, Rev. John D. Pierce preaching a sermon. Mr. and Mrs. Chase had a family of nine children, six have grown to manhood and womanhood and have families of their own, 1while three have been laid away in the silent tomb. On the old farm in Eckford still resides the subject of this sketch and his noble wife; for over half a century they have journied together, ever sharing in each others joys and each others sorrows. The children living have grown up and departed from their parental roof, and only the two old pioneers are now the occupants of that dear old home, but both are blessed with health, both are loved by their acquaintances, both respected by all who know them, and both can look into the future with the perfect assurance that a reward is awaiting for them in the world to come. Children:-Alfonso, Henry W. and Charles W., (all deceased) Mary, now Mrs. E. L. Kingsland, Hager, Berrien county; Frank, who married Jennie Robinson and lives in Sweetzer, Indiana; John, who married Eva Underhill, lives in Berrien county; Melville C., who married Linda Shafer, and resides on the old farm; Charles W., 2d, married Satie Woolley, and resides in Faulkton, Dakota, and Dora, now Mrs. John H. Graham, of St. Joseph. ORLIN H. PUTNAM [portraits.] was born in New Hampshire, July 3, 1814. Only his early boyhood days were passed among the hills of New England, for at the age of seven years Orlin with his father's family removed to the state of New York, and in October 1836, came to Michigan arriving in what is now the township of Clarendon, on the 30th of that month, locating on section 3. On the 5th of April, 1838, Mr. Putnam was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Brown who was born in Rome, Oneida county, N. Y., June 6, 1815. They continued to reside in Clarendon until 1858, when they purchased and remtoved to the farm in Eckfora, where they have since lived and where they are surrounded by all that heart could I r r DR. GEORGE W. BLAIR, [page 73.] MRS. G. Wl. BLAIR, [page 73.] DR. DwlGH t B. NIMS, [pago 73.] DR. VERNON PARRS, [pa-ga 74.] S"DR." EDWARD HENDERSON, [page 77.] HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 73 wish, and where in their declining years they are in the enjoyment of all the comforts of an elegant farm home. They are estimable people and have the love and respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam had nine children all grown to manhood and womanhood. Louana A. was born March 13, '40; Charles B., May 10, '42; Frank 0., April 6, '44; Fanny A., January 8, '46; George A., March 8, '48; Henry O., April 3, '50; John I., and Eliza -I. twins, May 19, '5,, and Edward, September 19, '55. Louana is now irs. Wm. E. Griggs, Northville; Frank married May Jackson, and lives in Sunfield; Fanny is now Mrs Thomas VanBuren, and also resides in Sunfield; George married Helen Philips and lives iu Plainfield, losco county; Henry married Emma Mains, and resides in Sunfield; John married Julia Dodge, and lives in Eckford, and Eliza married Wmi. I-I. H1. Pandy, and lives in Spring Arbor, and Edwin married Stella Bryant, and is now living at the old homestead. DR. GEORGE. GE GE BLAIR [portlait.] was born in Brattleborough, Vermont, February 17, 1806. George's mother died when he was a mere child and he was left to c;re for himself, living with his grandparents. I-e was an energetic boy and his education was commenced and continued for years at night, by the light supplied by burning pine knots, his days being passed in performing the tasks set for him. At the age of seventeen years lie -ame to Western New York, where he studied his chosen profession that of a physician with a Dr. Billings, an eminent practitioner. While studying medicine George supported himself by teaching school, and by his own exertions alone, took a collegiate course at (Crolton College, a leading institution where lie graduated with honors in June 1833. He then returned to New York, where he practiced for a time and then came to Michigan, looked the state over and settled in this village, then known as Barneyville, in 1836. In 1837, he went back to New York, where he married Miss Betsey Cleveland, who was born in Oneida county, that sta:te, April 16, 1812. With his young bride he returned to Homer, the journey being made with a horse and carriage. Here he passed the remaining years of a long and tsefual life. But few if any of the earlier physicians in this county were better or more favorably known, but few if any in this county had a more extensive practice. His pioneer life was full of interesting incidents with Indians, and thrilling adventures with wild beasts of prey. Many a time had he been turned to the road side by the bear, more than once at night time had he for hours taken refuge in a tree, away from the wolves. In early days he traveled on horseback, many times journeying ten and twenty miles to visit the sick, 'ui.lced in his travel by marked trees. I-Ie continued in active practice until 1869, when a severe and protracted illness with typhoid fever unfitted him from riding. His last illness was from a fall which resulted in the return of a nervous prostration, death occurring May 27, 1881. His companion still lives and resides at the old home. In her youth she embraced the Christian religion, and has since lived in accordance with its teachings and precepts. In 1884, a stroke of paralysis rudely announced the uncertainty of life, and with shattered constitution, she who was once so active, awaits the inevitable and unexceptional call to give an account of her stewardship to her Divine Master. Children:-Ellen M., born October 3, '38; Anson C., born August 9, '40; Cornelia C., born February 28, '42; Ectwin W., born August 16, '43 and Albert H., born June 12, '48. Ellen is at the homestead caring for her mother, Anson and Cornelia, both died young; Edwin married H-elen A. Palmer, (see portrait and sketch elsewhere) and Albert married Ella A. Smith, lives east of this village and has two children, Bessie L. and Maud L. DR. DWIGHT B. NIMS [portrait] was of English descent, his anscestors emigrating to this country in colonial times. He was a son of James and Lucy Nims, the latter's maiden name being Boyden, and was of a family of ten children, two of which, Lucy, who mar 74 7HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. ried Fordyce F. Orcott, and Horace are still living, the latter in Columbia, S. C. Dwight was born in Conway, Massachusetts, September 12, 1808. His professional education was received at the Fairfield, N. Y., College of Physicians and Surgeons,western district, and at the Berkshire Medical Institute, his degree of M. D. being conferred at the latter institution in June 1833. In the same year he entered upon the practice of his profession in the state of New York, and on the 8th of September, 1834, was united in marriage to Miss Anna A. White, the ceremony taking place in Marcellus, the above named state. In 1835, he came with his family to Michigan locating in Clinton, and in 1839, removed to this village. Here he lived practicing his profession with eminent ability ahd success until late in 1864, when he removed to Jackson city. Dr. Nims was a man of fine natural talents, good education, excellent social qualities, and one of the best read and successful physicians in central Michigan. He was a membel of the Onondaga county, N. Y., Medical Society, the Calhoun County Medical Society, the Jackson County Medical Society. being President of the latter. He was also a member of the Miichigan State Medical Society, and from 1856, up to the time of his death, was a member of the American Medical Association. He was one of the early pioneers in his chosen profession in this section, was an honorable man, one held in high esteem by his professional brethren, and although he had lived the Psalmist's three score and ten years, his death which occurred in Jackson, April 15, 1879, was deeply regretted by all who knew him. He was a Master Mason. In religion he was an Episcopalian-In politics an ardent democrat. Mrs. Nims is still living and resides in Muskegon. Children:-Frederic A., Mildred L. and Leslie I., only the two former being now living and both are married. Frederic is a prominent attorney at Muskegon and Mildred is now Mrs. C. P. Goodwin, and resides in Toledo, Ohio. DR. VERNON PARnS [portrait] was born of New England parentage on the 14th day March, 1812, in the town of Livonia, Livingston county, state of New York. The earliest date mentioned in his family record, is the year 1740, when his great grandfather Nathaniel Parks was a resident of Guilford, Connecticut. The Parks' family was undoubtedly of English origin. Yet in his veins ran also the blood of the H-uguenots, of France, for his father's mother, whose maiden name was Anna Beaumont was descended directly from that people. Born to no heritage of wealth or ease, the years of his minority were spent in assisting his father in the labors incident to the clearing up, and cultivation of a new farm. His opportunities for acquiring an education, though they might be lightly esteemed at the present day,were good for that time and place. While his summers were mostly spent in labor on the farm, the comparatively leisure time of winter was devoted to study, and attendance at a good common school in the district where he lived. So good use did lie make of his opportunities that when he was seventeen years of age, at the solicitation of his teacher, he engaged in teaching the winter term of a school in a neighboring district. Six successive winter terms of teaching constituted the sum of his labors in that direction. In the spring of 1832 he removed with the family to the town of Pembroke, Genesee county, N. Y., where his father, having sold his place in Livonia, had bought another and larger farm. In the spring of 1834, after the close of his winter term of school, he entered the office of Dr. Aaron Long, at Long's Corners, (now Corfu,) a small village in the town of Pembroke and began the study of medicine, and the years 1835-6, he spent at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He took his second course of lectures at the Farifield Medical College, N. Y., at which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1837. Soon after completing his collegiate course he entered into partnership with Dr. Long, in whose office he had pursued his studies from the beginning. A few months after his graduation, occurred his marriage to Fidelia Bradley who was then residing at Pembroke, and not far from a year : j 31ICHAEL GREGG, [pZLge 77.1 DAVID L. MAHANY, [page 79.] ELLERY P. POTTER, [page 78.] ELIHU H. LEACH, [page 79.] LEDLEY BURT, [page 80.] HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 77 later he made a profession of religion and united with the Presbyterian church. In the winter of 1838-9 he made a prospecting tour to Michigan, and in the spring of 1839 he removed with his family to this village, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred on the 16th of May, 1863. After locating at Homer his principal occupation was the practicing of his profession, although he engaged in various business pursuits in all of which as well as his profession, he achieved a laudable degree of success. As a citizen he was public spirited and took a prominent part in all matters of public interest, especially in the building of churches and schools, as well as other enterprises which were calculated to promote the prosperity and importance of the place in which he lived. His family at the time of his locating in Homer, consisted of his wife and one child, Minette, born November 16, 1838. On September 14, 1841, a son, Charles E. was born, who died in infancy, as did also the daughter, Minette. The children of his family who survived him were Henry H., born April 23, 1843; Albert V., born June 2, 1845: Mary E., born June 30, 1850; all of whom are now residents of f omer. His wifse sarvived him nine years, her death occurring April 15, 1872. EDWARD HENDERSON [portrait] was born February 2, 1807, in the Parish of Killucan, County West Meath, Ireland. He was early apprenticed to a tailor, learned the trade, worked: in different places in his native land, until April 5, 1832, when he embarked in a sailing vessel from the city of Dublin for America, landing in Quebec, after a voyage of sixty three days. This was the year of the great cholera epidemic, and Mr. II. was in the very midst of it during his stay in Quebec, faithfully doing what he could to alleviate suffering. From Quebec he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and from there, in the year 1837, came to Homer where he has since lived. HIIe ws married in 1839 to Miss Fanny Bordwell, who died in September 1810, leaving an infant aughter, Frances B., born September 6, 1840, and now the wife of William J. Gregg, of H-omer. In 1842 Mr. I-enderson was again married, his second wife being VIrs. Fanny Woodruff. Two children were the fruit o this union. William E iward, born October 1, 1845, who was married to Miss Elida Smith of Litchfield in June, 1869, and is at present an engineer on the Michigan Central railroad and lives in Jackson. The other, Sarah Foster, born April 26, 1850, also lives in Jackson, being the wife of George Peppet, who is also an engineer on the Michigan Central. Mr. and Mrs. Peppet have an interesting family of four children: Fanny, who is almost a young lady, and three noble boys, Freddie, Eddie and Georgie. For many years Mr. Henderson was the leading druggist in IIoLner and because of his skill and great kindness and success in nursing the sick he has won and still unwillingly wears the sobriquet of "Dr." He has served the township of Homer as Clerk, and was for sixteen years Postmaster of Homer, being commissioned under President Linco'n. Mr. Henderson distinctly remembers the funeral obsequies of Sir Edward Pakenham, who was the British commander at the battle of New Orleans and was killed in that memorable fight, and whose remains were taken back to Ireland and buried in the ancestral estate in the parish of Killucan. Mr. Henderson was one of the original members of the Presbyterian church organized in Homer in 1838 and was for many years an elder and deacon in the church. With the exception of John Janes, he is the only living survivor of the original membership. MICHAEL GREGG [portrait.] comes from Scotch parentage, who were during our struggle for national independence, firm and unflinching patriots, his grandfather after whom he was named, and who was born in 1758, having served both as private and officer in the continental army. An ink horn carried by this Michael Gregg was among the revolutionary relics at the Centennial. The present Michael Gregg was born on Christmas day, 1811, on the banks of the Delaware, n Bucks county, Pennsylvania. On October 29th, 1835, he was married to Miss Ruth Warner Clark, who was four years his junior, and who is also a native of Bucks 78 IHOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. county. The young couple moved to Michigan in 1836, first making their home in Tecumseh, but removed to Clarendon in 1837, and thence to Homer in 1849. They are the parents of four children, one of whom died in infancy. John Clark Gregg, the eldest, (of whom a more extended notice is found elsewhere in this book) was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1836, and died in the city of Washington, while in the military service of his country, January 9, 1863. William J. was born in Clarendon, Michigan, July 22, 1839, and was married to Miss Frances Bordwell Henderson. October 30, 1867. They reside in Homer and have one daughter, Edith Louise. Eva Frances, the youngest child of M. and 11. W. Gregg was born in Homer, Feb. 21, 1853, and was married in July 3, 1874, to Clarence A. Barnum, and theynow live in Elmira, in the northern part of Michigan, with a happy little family of four interesting children, John A., Mary F., Louise and Willie. Mr. and Mrs. Gi egg in their home in Clarendon experienced all the hardships of pioneer life, the entire family being "clothed with pure linen clean and white" manufactured by Mrs. G.'s own hands. At one time their cabin was of the most primitive character, but it was covered with fine black walnut plank of three thicknesses, which at present prices would, if sold, have paid for a palatial residence. Mr. G. about this time invented a rude corn grinding apparatus, spoken of elsewhere in this book, and also a device for making rope. In early life Mr. G. was very popular as clerk and salesman, but on coming to Michigan he engaged in farming, afterwards clerking for a time, and afterwards engaging in business for himself. For more than twenty years he has been the leading fur buyer in this vicinity. Mr. G. has been a man of great physical endurance and marvelous strength, and even in his old age he possesses great vigor. ELLERY PALMER POTTER [portrait] was born in Lyons. Wayne county, New York, August 22, 1815. At the age of 15 years he entered the employ of one Newel Taft of whom he learned the trade of carpenter. March 16, 1836, with Thomas S. Dorsey and others he set out for Michigan, arriving at Barneyville on the 3d of April, having been on the road eighteen days. Just one week later he went to work for F. R. Hatch, the first lday's service wooding a plow and assisting in raising a barn north of this village on the fa.rm now owned by the Hatchs. January 1, 1840. Mr. Potter was married to Miss Permelia Johnson, who was born in Parma, Monroe county. New York, August 18, 1818, and who came to Michigan with her father in 1833. The journey was through Canada, was made with ox team and consumed thirty days. In 1836 Miss Johnson taught school in a little shanty near her parent's home in South Albion. Mr. Potter cast his first vote in this township in 1836, voting for Henry Clay, and since that date or for fifty-two years has voted at every township, county, state and presidential election held in this place. He had also voted at every village election here until his removal into the country two years ago. For nearly half a century he was prominently identified with the business industries of this place. The Potter foundry was a leading institution of its kind in the state in early days, and the Potter hardware store was one of the finest retail establishments in Southern Michigan in modern times. In the time of the late war Mr. Potter was appointed a deputy marshal and gave nearly his whole time to his country's cause. No person here, it is said, was more liberal with his own means or spent more of his own time in raising troops than the subject of this sketch. He is a man of kind and generous disposition, yet one who is never delicate about speaking his own opinion. Some may differ with him in many things but all can carefully scan the record of by-gone days and still find not one whose energy, enterprise and ambition has done more to build up the industries and fair name of Homer than Ellery P. Potter. May he and his good wife long live. Children: Mary J., born Sept. 26, 1840, died Nov. 12, 1846; Charles H., born December 12, 1845, died a prisoner of war in Savannah, Georgia, September 26, 1864; Mary Elizabeth, born October 14, 1845, married Stephen R. Allen December 23, 1868, and lives in this HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 79 village; John C., born,May 21, 1848, died June 2, 1849; Byron and Myron, twins, born May 23, 1850, died May 26, 1850; Harvey H., born June 7, 1852, married December 15, 1874, to Estelle Dickinson, who died August 1, 1881; Ellery J., Elida and Edwin J.-all single. Grand children:--Ellery P., Laila S., Susan P. and Ina E., children of Elizabeth, and Charles H., son of Harvey. DAVID L. MAHANY [portrait.] is of Irish-Scotch descent and was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1815. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and both grandfathers were soldier patriots in the Revolution, his grandfather Mahany being killed at the battle of the Cow Pens. The widow of the latter afterward married an English soldier of the same war. David passed his boyhood days in his native town, where, upon arriving at manhood, he had learned the trade of tailor, which occupation he followed in different places in Pennsylvania until early in 1837, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained a few months and then came to Homer, arriving in the fall of that year. Since that time he has been a resident of this place. H1e continued at tailoring for some years and then went into the mercantile trade which he followed up to a few years ago. On January 1, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Murray, who was born in Charlton, New York, September 6, 1823. Mr. Mahany is a man who has not sought official honor, still one who has been frequently called upon to Jill positions of trust; was also postmaster here in early days. I-IH is an unpretending man, unless we except when he is speaking of how he used to jump, wrestle and pitch quoits, when in his prime. In politics a republican-an exceptionally good man however. In fact it's a long journey e'er you'll find a better man than "Uncle Mac," or a happier home than is found beneath his roof. Children: Sarah J.,;born April 12, 1842, married William H. Maxfield December 25, 1865, resides in Milwaukee, Wis.; Lydia C., born July 20, 1844, died February 5, 1865; William L., born September 15, 1847, married Katherine Dickinson March 13, 1872, lives at Hammond, Ind.; Mary E., born November 7, 1851, lives in this village-she married George H. Show May 28, 1873, who (lied December 23, 1874; Charles H., born December 7, 1859, traveling salesman; Ella J., born October 10, 1857, now Mrs. C. A. Sliuson, Hillsdale, Mich., to whom she was married May 5, 1880; Byron L., born June 22, 1862, died May 29, 1874. Grand children: Esther (deceased), Shirley, Benjamin and Cora, children of Sarah; Byron, son of William; Lillie, daughter of Mary and Francis, son of Ella J. ELIHU H. LEACH [portrait.] fifth child and second son of Elihu and Sarah Leach (see Vol. Ir. which will be issued to the subscribers of the INDEX for 1889,) and was born in Wayne county, New York, July 22, 1823. He came to Michigan with his father's family in the spring of 1834, settling on section 10 of this township, where he for several years lived and helped his father in improving the new faim. In 1855 the subject of this sketch removed to this village and engaged in the manufacture of harness, a portion of the time having a branch shop at Jonesville which did a good business. He continued in the harness trade for some years and in 1868, sold his property here and purchased of Henry Churchill the desirable place known as the Nursery farm two miles southeast of this place, where he has since resided, with the exception of a year in 1884-5 passed with his family in Nebraska with the hopes of benefiting the health of an invalid son. Mr. Leach was twice married, first on October 6,1847, to Miss Mary J. Talmage, who was born in New York state, March 27, 1829, and died October 5, 1850; second, on June 16, 1852, to Miss J. A. Elizabeth Eslow, daughter of the late Nathan Eslow, who was born in Ontario, New York, 1830, and died August 27, 1887. A noble Christian woman, beloved by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Leach is a member of the M. E. church, lives a quiet Christian life, is unassuming in manners, and a good man in the fullest sense of the term. He has been a Master Mason for forty years and has held several offices in Humanity 80 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Lodge. Mr. Leach had six children by his second marriage, one daughter and five sons: Eugene H., born December 2, 1854, married Aadie Dunn, of Cresco, Iowa, and now lives in Nebraska; Susa M., born Sept. 16, 1859, died January 3, 1864; Winfield S., born July 17, 1861, married C. Adelle Dryer and lives on the old farm; "Babe," a little son who died in infancy; Abram E. and Arthur E., twins, born August 7, 1869, Abram dying July 25, 1885. Grand children:-. Susie B., daughter of Eugene; Espie W. and Bessie M., daughters of Winfield. LEDLIE BURT [portrait.] was born in Shelby, Orleans county, New York, June 24, 1815. In 1834, with his father's family, Ledlie came to Michigan and settled in this village. Here or in the immediate vicinity he passed his remaining years, his occupation being that of farming. September 5, 1840, Mr. Burt was united in marriage to Miss Ann Merchant, who was born in Schoharie county, New York, November 1, 1825. From this union two children were born, both dying in infancy. Bereft of their little ones, they adopted a son who became known as Willie Burt. Willie enlisted in Co. G. 18th Reg. Mich. Infantry, and after only seven months service,,,was striken with fever and died in Nashville, Tennessee, April 5, 1864, aged nineteen years. July 28, 1878, Ledlie Burt was found dead upon his premises, having been stricken with heart disease, an ailment with which he had been troubled for years. Mr. Burt had ways peculiar to himself, but he was one of those noble men whose heart would melt at the sight of sorrow and whose hand was ever open in charity for the relief of distress. For sixteen years he had. been a member of the M. E. church and was a firm believer in the sufficiency of the atoning blood of the Crucified One to save. He was geniel in his manners, strong in his attachments, and naturally friendly to all. His sudden death, therefore, occasioned universal sorrow in the community. Being industrious, temperate and frugal, he accumulated a property which placed his devoted wife beyond want. No-,ember 6, 1884, Mrs. Burt married Harley C. Clark, who died in this village March 1, 1886. Though she is again left alone, without a kind husband or loving children upon whom to lean in her declining years, she is one of those noble Christian women who has a dear Savior to whom she goes for comfort, and in whom she has firm faith to believe that she will find support in her lonely journey. BARNES KENNEDY [portrait.] was born in Norway, Herkimer county, New York, April 8, 1808. When six years of age, with his father's family he removed to Madison county, the same state. There lie remained until the spring of 1832, when he set out for Michigan, arriving in Marshall in April of the same year, where he went to work at carpentering on the George Kitchum grist mill, which was being erected. Barnes was one of the thirteen volunteers ordered to Prairie Ronde at the time Black Hawk threatened to invade Michigan, and is the only one of the thirteen now living. Later the same year Mr. Kennedy came to what is now Clarendon and located 160 acres of land on section 2 of that township. This purchase he sold the year following, to Anthony Doolittle, receiving for the same $400, doubling his money. In the fall of 1837 he went back to New York, where he was united in marriage to Miss Prudence Barker, of Sullivan county. With his young wife he returned to Michigan and went to living in good earnest on the farm two miles west of this village where he still resides and where he passed his 80th year yesterday, April 8, 1888, having owned and occupied the one farm for half a century. Mrs. Kennedy died December 29, 1857. July 6, 1859, Mi. Kennedy was again married, this time to Mrs. Maria Mendell who is still living. Both are estimable people and both have the respect of a large circle of acquaintances. Both have passed the allotted time to man on earth, yet both are in the enjoyment of passable health, which is a good indication that several years may yet roll around ere their sun will set. Mr. Kennedy is the father of three children, two by his first wife: Cicero B., born November yk 0 Qt c1 -a) oo r7 ~CQ 00 12) Ne L -- U!) P4u 01 1 ~:?I'~;j: HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 83 24, 1838, died a martyr to his country in Mumfordsville, Ky., January 26, 1863; Abby J., born June 29, 1842, died Sept. 1, 1847; one by second wife, Carrie V., who lives with her parents at the old home. DAVID L. HUTCHINSON [portrait.] was born in Sullivan, Madison county, New York, November 30, 1806. He passed his boyhood days in the region of the historic Oneida lake, and in 1832, at the age of twenty-five years he set out for Michigan to make his fortune. He arrived in what is now Clarendon township in October of 1832, locating land near the present site of the F. B. church on Cook's Plains. In June 1833, he sold his original purchase to Isaac Hopkins, and bought the southwest quarter of Sec. 10, Clarendon, where he erected a log cabin in which he:"kept bach" for nearly four years. April 9, 1837, he was united in marriage to Miss Huldah M. Bennett, who was born in Wayne county, New York, February 16, 1818, and died at the homestead in Clarendon, June 20, 1880. Mr. Hutchinson died September 18, 1887, being one of the last of the early settlers in this section to be summoned by the Divine Master to appear before him in the world to come. Mr. H. died on the farm which he had owned and occupied fifty-four years; on the land where a half century ago the deer and turkey fell before his wellaimed rifle, and the great oak crumbled to earth from the master stroke of his axe, which echoed in the forest. He was an invalid the last twelve years of his life, a portion of the time being so helpless as to be unable to feed himself. When in the strength of manhood, he was a hard working, energetic man, yet one who was liberal and generous. The latch-string of the Hutchinson pioneer home was always out, and a weary traveler or land seeker was ever welcome to partake of the hospitalities within. Chilaren: Joseph, born February 27, 1840, married Evangeline E. Fox. April 13, 1371, lives in Clarendon; Olive, born August 14, 1844, married Charles E. Alien, July 14, 1866, resides in Portland; Charles II., born August 11, 1847, lives at the old homestead; Sarel, borii December 15, 1848, died September 7, 1850; Daniel J., born November 25, 1852, married Emma H. Gill, January 28, 1881, also lives on the old farm; Laura J., born March 1, 1856, married Milton Ogden, March 23, 1874, resides in Burlington. Grand children: David L., Sarah A., Ellery P., Alletta L., children of Joseph; Frank R., Rosa A. and Hattie Z., children of Laura. JAMES W. VANDEBURG [portrait.] was born in Genesee county, New York, August 26, 1814. At the age of fourteen years he removed with the family to Wayne county, same state. In Wayne county, March 30, 1837, he was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Markie, who was born in Northumberland. England, September 5, 1816. In 1839 Mr. and Mrs. Vanderburg and daughter Mary set out for Michigan, in due time arriving in this county and locating in Clarendon. The land purchased consisted of 160 acres on section 8. To this amount more land was added and at this time the whole consists of 360 acres and is one of the finest and most productive farms in the township. At the time of its purchase it was covered with dense forest of heavy timber, but Mr. Vandeburg being a man of energy and perseverence, he went at the work before him with a will, and being a powerful man physically, favored with almost Herculean strength, the great oaks fast fell beneath the strokes of his all-powerful axe. The great forests, which were the favorite hunting grounds of the Indian, were swept away to be replaced with beautiful meadows and rich fields of golden grain. Mr. Vandeburg as a farmer was a hard working man, but for the toil while in the full vigor of his manhood, he is amply repaid with an abundance in these later years when the infirmities of age have so crept upon him, that he has become almost helpless. In 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Vandeburg leased their farm, purchased a pleasant home in this village, where they are still residing. Mrs. Vandeburg is a noble woman, and she and her now invalid husband have the respect and esteem of all who know them. Children: Mary Jane, born December 26, 1837, married Simeon Swartwout in March, 1860, died November 14, 1867; James I., 84 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. born May 26, 1840, married Jennie Kirkindoll in 1868, resides in this village. Grand children: Samuel, James, Charles, Sarah, (all died in infancy), and I-Horace V., children of Mary; Ralph (deceased), Mabel, Harry M. and Hattie M., twins, children of James. ALONZO H. ROGERS [portrait.] was born in Washington county, New York, September 1, 1800, and was of a family of eleven children, the father's name being Anthony Rogers. May 8, 1823, Alonzo married Miss Rebecca Rogers, who was born in New York state, on the 26th day of March 1806. Early in 1833 Mr. Rogers with his family, then consisting of his wife and one child, came to Michigan, arriving in what is now Clarendon township on the 6th of May the same year. HIe purchased lands on Sec. 2, where he lived the iemaining years of a long and useful life. He died after but a day's illness July 17, 1880. Mr. Rogers was one of the early pioneers who was beloved by all who knew him, being geniel and unassuming in manner, and of a kind and generous disposition, those who best knew him were his admiring friends. In religion he was a firm believer in the TJniversalist Church doctrine. Mrs. Rogers at the time of her death, which occurred in Clarendon, July 30. 1869. had been an invalid for years with consumption; but all those years she was patient, ever looking on the bright side, and like the noble Christian woman that she was, was ever ready to respond to the call of the Divine Master. Children: Lyman, born Sept. 8, 1824, died in infancy; James S., born January 30, 1827, died February 22, 1842; Mary J., born June 18, 1831, died March 21, 1532; Sarah J., born April 12, 1833, died January 21, 1837; Albert N., born November 9, 1838, is still living and owns and occupies the old farm. Albert on November 7, 1861 was married to Miss Martha Hopkins, who was, born June 30, 1841 and died June 18, 1884. Albert has two children, Bertha and Fayette. ANDREW S. CHUR-CH [portrait.] was born in Ridgway, Orleans county, New York, January 6, 1822. Andrew's boyhood days were passed on his father's farm, which was situated near Knowlersville on the old stage coach line between Rochester and Lewiston. He well remembers many quite important events which originated in western New York, prominent among which was the political humbug, the Anti-Mason party, and remembers the Morgan tragedy. He remembers Lorenzo Dow, and has not forgotten Sam Patch's wonderful leap from the Falls. He also remembers that the first man he hurralhl for was Andrew Jackson, and if he hurrahs to-day, it is for some one who advocates 'true blue Andrew Jackson democracy. In the spring of 1837 the family was taken with Michigan fever and set out for this state, coming by the canal and Lake Erie. They arrived in Barneyville June 15. The family settled three miles from this village and Andrew came to school at the old log school house on Hillsdale street. He says his seatmate was a colored boy who lived with Milton Barney. Later Andrew lived with an uncle, Abram Letts, on what is now the Worthington farm. He then served an apprenticeship at coopering, and followed the occupation of making barrels, etc., for several years. January 1, 1848, he married Miss Mary J. Cummings, who was born in Delaware Co., New York, February 13, 1828. They moved onto 40 acres of land on section' 25, Clarendon, which Andrew's mother had purchased for him in 1837, and for forty years they have made the farm their home, having added to the original, 120 acres more, which has made it one of the most desirable premises in that township. Through toil and industry Mr. and Mrs. Church have an abundance from which to gather the comforts of the body in their declining years. Through kind and noble acts they have won the hearts of many friends from whom they will receive words of cheer as they travel on in the journey of life. They are two of the early pioneers, beloved by all, and are still blessed with excellent health. Chilaren: Albert B., born August 28,' 1855, married Minnie Dibble and has three children: J, i' II SMITH W. NELSON, [page 87.1 ISAAC J. NELSON, rpage 87.) JOHN W. RICHEY, [page 87] THOMAS 0. DUNTON, [page 88.] IBARNEY GARDNER, [page 88.] EZRA ARCHER., [page 9. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 87 Nellie, Essie and Frank; Vernon D., born August 13,1858, is single and lives at the homestead. SMITH W. NELSON [portrait.] was born in Duchess county, New York, in January 1808. There he passed his boyhood days, and there after arriving at manhood, he was united in marriage to Miss Marie Ostrom, who was born in the same county in April, 1811. In 1835 Mr. Nelson came to Michigan and purchasea lands three miles east of this village which are now owned by George A. Aldrich and Mr. Sherrard, upon which a cabin had been built. After making some primitive improvements he went back to New York and returned with his family, in the fall of 1836. Upon his return trip. in addition to his own family he was accompanied by Rev. William Farley and Isaac L. Ostrom and their families, Mr. Ostrom was a brother of Mrs. Nelson, and Mrs. Parley a sister. The entire journey was overland with teams. The Nelsons moved into the log cabin, in due time built on an addition, the whole making quite a commodious dwelling. About 1856 the frame house now owned by Mr. Aldrich was erected, and at the time of its erection it was one of the finest residences in this section, and situated as it was in a beautiful grove on the brow of a gently sloping hillside made it not only an elegant home for its occupants, but one much admired by others. In this home Mr. and Mrs. Nelson past their last years on eairth. In this home both passed to the reward which was awaiting them in that still more beautiful home on yonder shore. Kind, generous, upright and Christian people, they were beloved by all that knew them. Both were members of the M. E. church of this village, Mr. Nelson for years being class-leader. Both were laid away in our village cemetery, Mrs. Nelson dying February 8, 1871, and her companion July 23, 1873. Mr. Nelson was the first keeper of the poor farm in this county, being appointed to that position in 1850. holding the same.for nine years. Children: Isaac J. and Mary E., born in New York and Byron, Josephine and A. Eugene born in this township. All are living and married-Mary, now Mrs. B. B. Cook, Albion; Josephine, Mrs. James Thompson, South Albion; and Byron and Eugene living in St. Louis, this state. ISAAC J. NELSON [portrait.] son and first born of Smith W. Nelson, made his appearance on this mundane sphere in Duchess county, New York, March 16, 1833. He accompanied the family to Michigan in 1838. It is natural to suppose that he remembers nothing about the trip, but we will venture the assertion that the older ones in the party who had the care of him in the long tiresome journey, camping at night by the road side, were always aware that young "Ike" was with the crowd. January 4, 1855, Isaac married Miss Clarrissa C. Cook, daughter of Thomas Cook, Marengo, who died April 1, '64,aged 30 years. June 12, 1883, he married Mrs. Martha J. Linton, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and resides in this village. He is a liquor dealer by occupation and for elegance his palatial establishment is among the first in the state. He als, owns one of the finest blocks in the village. For several years he was a deputy sheriff and in that capacity he was one of the most efficient officers the county has ever had. He has taken a good deal of interest in politics and for years has been prominently identified in the councils of the party to which he belongs. JOHN WIKOFF RICHEY [portrait.] was born near Trenton, New Jersey, April 5, 1802. There he passed his early days and upon arriving at manhood removed to the state of New York where, on July 27, 1823, he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Brown, of Ulysses, Tompkins county, the latter state. In the spring or early summer of 1832, Mr.. Richie with his family, consisting of his wife and two children Lawrence and Henry B. 1st, came to this state and settled on Cook's Plains northwest of this village. Here, after a residence of only a little over one short year, October 15, 1833, the Angel of Death entered their pioneer home and took from beneath 88 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. its roof, little Henry. Sadness and sorrow pervaded the household. Though even in this, then great wilderness, kind friends were found to extend sympathy, none could bring back the family's darling boy. Mr. Richey followed farming as an occupation but in an early day he did a good deal of teaming, hauling goods from Detroit and Ann Arbor to this village. The millstones for the old Homer Mills were brought from Ann Arbor by Mr. Richey, on which occasion while near Jackson he came near losing his life by one of the stones slipping from the wagon and falling on him. He died at his home in Eckford, September 30, 1871, Mrs. Richey surviving him over thirteen years, dying December 1, 1884. They were clever, kind-hearted and generous people, whose names are well worthy of a place in the records of early days. Children: Lawrence, who married Harriet Young in 1856, lives in Jackson; Henry B. 1st, died October 15, 1833; Elizabeth M., now Mirs. T. R. I-. Little, Greenville, Iowa; Henry B. 2d; Anson W., married Orpha Balcomb, March 17, 1867; arid William H. THI-OMAS.( DUNTON [portrait.] was born in the town of Georgia, Franklin county, Vermont, July 4, 1822. Among the hills of New England he first got a peep of this great land of liberty, and it was on Independence Day at that. Not every one has been so blessed but those who have cannot help but think a guod deal of the day we celebrate, and would not object even if it came much oftener. When Thomas was still quite young the family removed to the state of New York, and on the 10th of April, 1836, left Rochester, the latter state, for Michigan. They took the canal to Buffalo and made Detroit via Lake Erie, the freight and passage costing $75. They first settled in what is now Eckford, where they arrived April 25th. In the following month the family moved to Battle Creek where a farm was purchased. Thomas went with his parents and remained with thenm until the fall of 1839, w hen he came back to Eckford, where on October 17, 1842, he married Miss Harriet Prior, who was born in the state of New York, Mirch 25, 1810. After their marriage Mr. Dunton removed to Battle Creek, where he purchased 80 acres of heavy timbered lands, cutting and hauling an immense amount of timber used in the building of the Michigan Central railroad. In 1845 lie sold his lands in Battle Creek, again came to Eckford and purchased the farm upon which lie has since made his home. He and his noble companion, now an invalid, still live in a land whiuh, half a century ago they saw a vast wilderness. They have seen those lands (eveloped through cultivtiion until they were caused to bud and blossnm as the rose, and the great forests changed into well tilled fields bringing lorth golden giain. Many an old pioneer have they helped to lay away in the dark and silent tomb. Yet Mr. and Mrs. Dunton still live. But as it is with all mankind; as days, months and years pass aw av, they too, are drawing nearer, still nearer tliat bourn whence no traveler returns. Children: Frances, now Mrs. Charles Vandevoort, lives at the homestead; Lillie, now Mrs. Judson Owen, Eckford; anid George E., who married Ella Harrington, lives in this village. Grand ohildren: Livona, Maggie, Etna, Floyd, Mylo and "babe," children of Lillie; Alina and "Dot," children of George. BARNEY GARDNER [portrajt.] was born in Warren county, New Jersey, July 28, 1820. He lived in Jersey until nearly seventeen years of age, when he followed thle tide of emigration to Michigan, arriving in Homer, May 26, 1837. He went to work by the month for Powell Grover and continued in the latter's employ for thirteen years. iHe worked in the Grover mill and on the Grover farm, in fact he seems to have been a general utility man on the Grover premises. On September 18, 1850, he was married to Miss Larettie Stookey and in 1851 moved onto the farm on section 23, on which farm he still resides, having owned and occupied the same for thirty-seven years. Mrs. Gardner died January 3, 1872. There was one child, William, who was born September 5, 1860. He is still single, for the past two years has been in the West and at this time is in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Mr. Gardner is an exceptionally clever; good natured man; everybody likes him, iop JACOB COOL, Lpage JACB COL,[pae 9.1JAIIES WVOWTIlINc4TON1, [page 91.] J)A-VIL) JANES, Clpge 92j.1 WIrjLLIABM hATCH, [p)a g e,9 -VICTOR D. RIGGS, [page93. MfUS. I'VACiIAEL JUCKETT, [page 94.1 R.IESYE AE,[ae9. MR.S. BETSEY E. JANES, [page 194.1 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 91 few if any of the early settlers, or the later ones as for that matter, have more or warmer friends in the community, and although he is nearing the alloted time to man on earth, he is still in good health. We bespeak for "Uncle Barney" many years of health and happiness in the land of his adoption. EZRA ARCHER [portrait.] is an Englishman and was born in Swanborn, Buckinghamshire, England, in the spring of 1804. When 22 years of age he married Miss Hannah Collier, who was born in Great Marlow, near Ezra's native town. In 1833, with his family, then consisting of his wife and one child, Leah, he came to the United States, first settling in Utica, New York, where he remained some three years, then going to New IHartord and still later to Port Byron, the same state. In 1814 he came to Michigan, settling in this township, and has since been a resident among us. He has been a farmer by occupation, but from 1865 to 1870, he presided in the office of the Homer Hotel, and made a capital good man for the place. About four years ago he retired from active work on his farm and came to the village where he now makes his home. He does not pretend to be one of the purest and most noble specimens of the works of the Creator, but if men ever lived who had hearts as big as an ox, "Uncle Archer" is one such. Although his head is silvered o'er with the frosts of eighty-four winters, his step is still steady ana his reasons good. Mrs. Archer died several years ago. Children: Leah, now Mrs. James Clark of East Homer, her first husband being Edward Ayling who died in the army; Emma, now Mrs. Elias F. Champion, East Homer; Mary, now Mrs. Nathan Strang, Pulaski; James, who married Marion Crisp, lives on the old farm. Grand children: Hattie, George, Lewellyn and Emma, children of Leah; Douglas, Lillie and Jessie, children of Emma; Maud, daughter of Mary; and Warren E. and Nellie E., children of James. JACOB COOL [portrait.] Few if any of the early settlers were better or more favorably known than the subject of this sketch. Jacob Cool was born in Knowlton, Warren county, New Jersey, March 18, 1802. There he passed over thirty years of his life, and there on the 20th of November, 1823, he married Miss Mary M. Wooliver, who was born in Jacob's native town. In 1835 the family came to this state, settled in Homer, and for a time occupied one of the Powell Grover cabins, which have already been referred to. Later Mr. Cool purchased a farm on section 22 ot this township, where he passed his remaining years and where he died December 5, 1881, his good wife having preceded him to that home where sickness and death never enter, July 27, 1868. The portrait of Mr. Cool which is given in this work was taken several years prior to his death, still to those who were his acquaintances it presents the features of the original, who was known in life as a kind husband and father, a good neighbor and an upright citizen. Mr. Cool was father of eight children: Caroline, Nelson, Susan, John, Andrew,Charlotte, Jehiel and Henrietta. But four are now living: Andrew, who married Francena Thorington in September, 1868, lives on the old farm. Charlotte is now Mrs. L. H. Hovey, of Rochester, New York, to whom she was married in June,.1864. Jehiel married Franc Lacey November 9, 1869, owns and occupies an elegant home southeast of this village. Henrietta married M. 0. Robertson April 10, 1869, and lives in Ashton, Dakota. Grand children: Mary and Nettie, children of Susan, whose husband's name was Morris; Byron J. and Irwin, sons of Andrew; Gertie, daughter of Jehiel; and Ada, Clarence, Orval, Eddy and Roy children of Henrietta. JAMES WORTHINGTON [portrait.] was born in Colchester, New London county, Connecticut, December. 15, 1802. When James was six months old the family moved to Ogden, Monroe county, New York, where he was reared to manhood and where he lived until twentysix years old. When twenty-four years old he married Miss Mary Lacy of Chili, 92 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Monroe county. He came to Michigan in October, 1843, first settling in Union City, but in the June following came to Bomer, where he purchased the fine homestead two miles southeast of 1his village, which he has owned continuously ever since. On this farm Mrs. Worthington died in the fall of thesame year of the family's arrival in this township. October 5, 1t47, Mr. Worthington married Mrs. Lovinia Hopkins, of Pittsford, New York, who died October 25, 1876. Mr. Worthington occupied his farm up to a few years ago, when he came to this village, making his home with his youngest son charles C. With the latter he spent several months in California during the winter just gone, returning in March. Mr. Worthington has been what is termed a successful man. Through industry, good management and excellent financiering he has become one of the wealthiest men in this section. His life has been such that now in his declining years, when the infirmities of age are fast creeping on, lie is the recipient of kind thoughts and words of cheer from one and all. Ile had four children by his first wife, two dying in childhood; one, Amelia, wife of James Bellows, of Rochester, New York, died in 1867, and one, James L., married and now living in Albion. By second wife one, Charles C., who is married and lives in this village. DEACON DAVID JANES [portrait.] The following brief outline of a life recalls the name of one long familiar to the settlers of this township. David Janes was born in Windham county, Connecticut, February 8, 1805. When a mere child with his father's family he went to Vermont, where they remained a few years and then removed to Canaan, New York. When David arrive d at manhood he went to Lima, Livingingston Co., the same state, where on Jan. 14, 1829,he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Bacon, who was I orn in 1807 and died in this township May 29, 1863. In the fall of 1834 Mr. Janes, accompanied by his brother Eleazer, came to Michigan and located lands Eouthwest of this village, forming the nucleus of what later became known as the Janes Settlement. After entering his lands the subject of this sketch went back to New York and returned with his family in the following spring, driving his own team and stock from Detroit; the journey from the latter place consuming one week. Mr. Janes was prominently identified in the early history of the township, aiding with a generous hand all worthy enterprises. Especially in religious matters he was ever ready with precept and example. He ~as a member of the Presbyterian church of this village from the time of its organization to his death, and was an officer in the. same continuously for over a score of years, being a deacon, which caused him to be commonly known as Deacon Janes. March 12, 1887, on the evening of a beautiful day in springtime, Deacon David Janes passed peacefully away. Laiden with years and honers, his life's duties ended, his work well done, he had gone for the reward awaiting him in Heaven. Children: Lydia, born January 28, 1831, married Cyrus I. Church September 29, 1849; William, born April 29, 1833, married Jane Pritchard December 25, 1854; Thomas H., born July 20. 1835, married Jane Riggs December 16, 1856; Emily, born Aunust20. 1838, married Asahel Pease December 17, 1856; Eliphalet B.. born November 4, 1840, died July 30. 1844; Celia, born October 14. 1842, married William Ruell June 20, 1865; Chloe W., born May 31, 1845, married Albert Juckett December 15, 1867. Mr. Janes had twenty-three grand children and eleven great grand children. WILLIAM I-ATCI [portrait.] From the record in the old family Bible published in 1801 we find that the subject of this sketch was born on the 27th day of August, 1789, and that on the 28th of December 1815, he married Miss Lydia A. Sackett, who was born November 6, 1893. Both were born and reared in Washington county, New York. In the war of 1812 Mr. I-atch was drafted, but being actively engaged in mercantile trade he hired a substitute, paying $300 for the same. In 1818, with quite a large party, mostly relatives, the Hatchs removed to Illinois, settling in Mount Carmel. The journey to the latter state was made on a flat boat con HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 93 structed for the occasion, and the party were several weeks on the water.' In 1829 the family removed to Ohio where Mr. Hatch almost continuously for 21 years held the office of Justice of the Peace. In 1850 they came to Michigan and settled four miles south of this village, where Mrs. Iatch died in 1867, Mr. Hatch surviving her eighteen years, his death occurring April 20, 1885, he being at that time nearly 97 years of age. Mr. Hatch was a member of an unusually large family, and what is truly remarkable, both parents lived to a good old age, and each of his brothers and sisters lived to be over ninety. Mr. Hatch during his residence here had the respect and esteem of all who knew him, all of which he was truly worthy. God in his goodness gave him a longer life upon earth than usually falls to the lot of man, and in the end a ca lm and peaceful death. He passed quietly away into that precious sleep to awake in the presence of Him to whom he had looked for guidance, through life, and in whom he put his trust, in death. Children: E. Mary, born March 7, 1818, died October 11, 1832; Julia L. Maria, born December 10, 1820, died September 30, 1823; Elizabeth C., born November 16, 1822, died October 8, 1824; William C., born October 14, 1825, died at Sault St. Marie, November 19, 1863; Francis W., born May 25, 1829, died March 5, 1849; Catherine M., born IJly 10, 1831, died March 29, 1832; De Alton P., born June 9, 1833, (see portrait elsewhere in this work); and John S., a veteran of the late war, now married and holding an important position in the Treasury department at Washington. Grand children: Charles W., Marion (deceased), Francis J., Agnes G., Seymour B., (deceased), Madelon V. and Zaide B., children of De Alton; Frederick W., Eva Louise, Alice E. and Charles F., children of John. Great grand children: De Alton E. and lola M., children of Marion, whose husband's namr was Barton. VICTOR D. RIGGs [portrait.] was a New Yorker by birth, having been born in Allegany county, that state, June 27, 1809. In 1833 he married Miss Jane Wilkins, and two years later they came to Michigan, making the entire journey with ox team. They settled four miles southwest of this village, their lands being on sections 19 and 30 of this township. Mrs. Riggs aied February 11, 1842, and in 1813 Mr. Riggs married Maria Hager who died March 7, 1852. In 1853 Mr. Riggs married his third wife, Miss Sophronie Brown, who is still living and resides on the old farm. She is an estimable lady and a noble Christian woman. Mr. Riggs died May 8, 1882. At the time of his death he had occupied the one farm for forty-seven years. For over thirty years he.had been a Christian believer and for that period was a consistant and honored member of the Presbyterian church of this village and for many years was connected with the choir as member and leader. He was a man naturally very modest and retiring in disposition, but a man of extensive reading and information. I-Ie was honored and respected in life, and missed and lamented in death. He was honest, upright and trustworthy, and went down to the grave full of years, without reproach, and with the happy assurance of the reward which is awaiting the pure in heart. He was the father of fifteen children: Nancy Jane, born Aug. 8, 1834, now Mrs. Thomas H. Janes; Benjamin P., born in August 1836, died at the age of five years; Samuel W., born April 21, 1838, died in 1841; Julia E., born May 2, 1840, now Mrs. Samuel Pritchard, Clarendon; Benjamin E., born August 31, 1846, lives in Norton county, Kansas; Alexander H., born May 22, 1849, married Calista Sheldon and resides in Faulk county, Dakota; Edgar, born January 1, 1851, died in childhood; Clara S. born July 25, 1854, now Mrs. J. G. Archer, their home being in Missouri; Charles B., born September 7, 1855, lives on the old farm; Hattie M., born July 18, 1857, now Mrs. William Doolittle, of Clarendon; Thomas V., born January 29, 1859, is an.artist at Escanaba, this state; Frank M. and Fannie M., twins; with Florence A. and Mary A., are still single and reside with their mother and brother Charley at the old homestead. Grand children: Ida May, Charles S. and Mary, children of Eliza J.; Cora May, Emory, Nellie and Luther, children of Julia; Clarence and Florence, children of 94 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Alexander; Bert, Bessie and Vernon, children of Hattie. Great grand children: Walter and Dora, children of Ida May, now Mrs. George Kline. MRS. RACHAEL JUCKETT [portrait.] Among the portraits and sketches of the early settlers, none is more worthy of a place in this little book than Mrs. Rachael Juckett, or Aunt Rachael, as she is better known among her large circle of acquaintances. The faithful portrait given is from a photograph taken on December 7th last, on which day A-int Rachael had arrived at that goo:d old age of ninety-two years. Her maiden name was Gregory ana she was born in Brothertown, New York. When five years of age the family removed to Livingston county, the same state. where on the 14th of September, 1816, she was united in marriage to Gamaliel Juckett, a. farmer by occupation, and together they tilled the soil, providing for a large family of children resulting from the union. In 1836 Mr. and Mrs. Juckett with their ten children born in Livingston county, set out for Michigan with a team of horses and after a thirty-five days journey, arrived in what is now Albion township, where they lpurchased and settled on the lands now known as the Knickerbocker farm. Here six more children were born. Here in September, 1847, Mr. Juckett was takein away by the hand of death. - Bereft of her companion, the father of her children, Aunt Rachael was left in sadness and sorrow, but with that mothelly love for 1er ( fftprings she toiled on in. her efforts to provide for those whom God in his goodness had given her to nurture and rear to minnhcod and cmiranhlccd. If any one of the large family have strayed from the p:ths of uprightness it was not the fault of that kind and loving mother, who blessed them in infancy, guided their steps through youth and gave them wise counsel as one by one they bid farewell to the 1arental roof. Aunt Bachae el is now making her hcme with her daughter, Mrs. E. L. Hopkins, in this village. Her extreme age betokens that but a few more suns will rise and set ere Ehe will start on the journey for the home awaiting the kind and Christian mother on yonder shore. She has been a member of the M. E. church for 77 years. She has had 16 children, 39 grand children and 39 great grand children. Children: Elisha W., married Elizabeth Spaulding and died in South Albion some years ago: Elijah V., married.i ary Coleman, died in the army at Nasihville, Tenn.; Evolina L., married John Granger, who died in '61, her second husband, E. L. I-opkins of this village, where she still lesides; Wm. E., married Catherine Ansterburg, lives in South Homer; Samuel D., married Betsy Holden, died in army; Bachael S., married Alva Fordham (who died from starvation in Andersonville prison), lives in Albion; Gamaliel P., died in South Albion in '83; Mary A., married Benager Kelicutt, died in Albion; Stephen C. married Margarett Ostrom, served in Union army, now livesin Tekonsha; Buyancey M., now widow of the late John Snelgrove, Burlington; Cynthia L., married Henry Bennett and died in '65; Nancy J., died in '65, aged 18 years; James II. was in Union army, married a Kentucky bride and still lives in that state; Martha L. and two others died in childhood. Of the grand children, Elisha was the father of two; Elijah four; Evulina three, of which two are living, Mrs. H. L. Hopkins and George W., both residing in this village; William was the father of seven; Samuel. six; Rachael was the mother of four; Mary, three; Steplhen was the father of one child. Buyancy had three: the oldest, Sarah K., married George Reuben Burleigh, the "New England bard," James was the father of four children. MRS. BETSEY E. JANES [portrait.] Among the noble Christian women of the early pioneers of this township was the subject of this brief sketch. Mrs. Betsey E. Janes, whose maiden name,wis IHemnpstead, was born in Long Island, New York, February 13, 1799. When Betsey was still a little girl the family moved to New Lebanon, Columbia county, New York, where they remained several years. New Lebanon was the home of the Tildens. The Hempsteads were well acquained with the Til HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 95 dens and when that distinguished son of the latter family, whom Mrs. Janes knew as a school boy, was nominated for President of the United States she earnestly wished that he might be elected. In 1822 Miss [Hempstead was united in marriage to Mr. Eleazer Janes, of Lebanon, and in 1827 removed to Ira, Cayuga county, the same state. In 1836, with the brothers of Mr. Janes, they came to Michigan and settled southwest of this village on section 19, forming what has been spoken of as the Janes settlement. Their pioneer cabin was in sight of an Indian wigwam, and deer could be seen running unmolested, except as disturbed by the huntsman or by the red man of the forest. Airs. Janes was blessed with a strong constitution, with unusual health and strength. She was ever ready to lend a helping hand to her pioneer neighbors, to the needy and to the distressed. A. noble Christian woman, she lived to the good old age of nearly 85 years, dying January 7, 1884, her noble companion having preceded her to the home of the ransomed nearly forty years prior thereto, he dying in 1847. They had eleven children, of whom three only are now living: Mary, now Mrs. Samuel Blatchley, of Dowagiac; Harriet, now Mrs. Clinton Ball, of Coldwater, and Henry, who resides at the old homestead. Henry on the 10th of February, 1868, married Miss Sarah E. Evarts, who was born in Long Meadow, Mass., August 24, 1839, and died March 13, 1887. For sketches of still many others who were pioneers or early settlers in this section the reader is referred to the second work on this same subject, which, it is expected, will be issued from the INDEX Office in January 1889. __ X~~~K> K: __ _ U CHAPTER VII. HOMVER TO-DAY-TOWNSHIP-VILLAGE-SCHOOLSL-SOCIETIES-FIRE DEPARTMENT-RAILROAD FACILITIES-BUSINESS INDUSTRIES. Those of our pioneers still living, as they look back over a half century, can see a wonderful change in the land of their adoption, and they are led to say: It is the coming of the while man and thereby the introduction of civilization that has brought this change about. Here a little over a half century ago the land was in its native state. Here for centuries the towering maples and hickories, and the majestic oaks, in primitive times fit emblems of grandness and-strength, shaded hill and dale with their foliage of green. Here the fertile plains annually brought forth nature's green herbage, interspersed with nature's flowers, which filled the air with rich fragrance. Here the occupants of the pioneer home could view the stately form of the Indian as he passed and repassed their door. Here, too, were seen the bear and the deer, and the howl of the wolf echoed on hum-:n ear. But what a change a few short years have produced. The red man has vacated to civilization. The rich plains and wooded hillsides are now transformed into productive fields annually bringing forth fruits and harvest of grain, while the howl of the wolf has given way to the lowing of the sleek bullock as he responds to the call of the husbandman. The herds of deer which were once seen quietly feeding in the distance have gone forever, having been superseded by the fleecy lambs which in springtime gambol on the rich carpets of green sward. The pioneer cabins and log houses have,'too, been replaced by elegant farm homes and fine residences, while the solitary little store building in this village, and the school house, the latter serving the double purpose of being a place to educate the young on week days and as a place for the old and young to congregate on the Sabbath, to sing praises to God and to teach his holy law, long ago served their intended purpose, and served that purpose well. But through the thrift, energy, perseverance and enterprise of our pioneers they were abandoned. for that which was more commodius, more suitable and more modern, and their noble efforts have produced graind results, for to-day we have our substantial blocks of store buildings, a fine school edifice, and magnificent church structures. The early means of ingress and egress, which was on foot, with ox team or with horse and wagon, has given place the to powerful engine, which draws its palatial cars at lightning speed over the well ballasted steel tracks, which extend north, south, east and west, giving Homer the worthy sobriquet, the Hub. * JOSIAH N. WESTCOTT. [page 100.] STEPHEN R. ALLEN. WILLIAM W. SNIDER. [page 103.] [page 103.] HOMER VILLAGE-PRESIDENTS OF THE CORPORATION. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 99 Homer township has been developed until it is to-day one of the finest tracts of farming lands to be found in a long journey, and Homer village for beauty of location, for thrift and enterprise of its business men and citizens and for its railroad facilities, as a market place, to buy or to sell, is not excelled by any place, even of much greater population in all Michigan. The population of Homer township including the village is 2,800, about 1,300 of which reside in this corporation. There are 190 farms in the township with an average number of acres in each of 115.43. The average annual product of wheat in the township is 92,000 bushel; corn, 125,000 bushels; oats, about 40,000 bushels; clover seed about 100 bushels; potatoes, 11,000 bushels; hay, 2,000 tons. The township has about 600 horses; 600 milch cows; 700 other cattle; 1,000 hogs; about 6,00') sheep, the latter annually producing over 30,000 pounds of wool. There are 347 acres of apple orchards which annually produce 1,000 barrels of the finest fruit. In addition to this pears, plums, grapes, strawberries and other fruit are cultivated successfully, but not grown extensively. There are eight school buildings in the township, the value of school property being $13,100. Over $4,200 are expended annually for educational purposes, about $3,400 of which is for teachers. The number of children that attended school during the year ending September 1, 1887, was 473. The number of teachers employed was twenty-seven, of which nine were male and eighteen female. THE VILLAGE. MAIN STREET FROM THE PUBLIC SQUARE LOOKING EAST. The act incorporating the village of Homer was passed by the state legislature at the session of 1871, and the same was approved on the 6th of March of that year. The village consists of the following territory, all in the township of Homer: The southwest quarter of section 5, the southeast quarter of section 100 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 6, the northeast quarter of section 7, the northwest quarter of section 8, and the north half of the north half of the southwest quarter of said section 8. The first election was held in the hall of the Homer hotel on Tuesday, April 11, 1871. Hon. Josiah N. Westcott and Matthias M. Camburn being chosen Judges of Election and Chester J. Murray clerk. The officers elected were: J. N. Westcott, president; George H. French, Thomas Lyon and Henry Churchill, trustees for two years; and James W. Vandeburg, Alexander Arthur and Ellery P. Potter, trustees for one year; the appointive officers being Benjamin F. Wetherbee, assessor; Thomas Lyon, treasurer; Edward Lewis. recorder; Amsden J. Anson, marshal; A. B. Waterman and James H. Cook, street commissioners. In 1874 the charter was amended making the offices of assessor and treasurer elective instead of appointive. The charter provides that the annual election shall be held on the first Tuesday in March, and that the polls open at nine o'clock in the forenoon. The Council is made the custodians of the public affairs of the village, and is empowered to enact ordinances, regulating the erection of buildings, requiring the building and maintaining of walks, supplying necessary means for protection against fire, regulating the sale of liquors, etc. The incorporation of Homer was a step in the right direction. New life was infused and a system of improvements was inauguiated. The meetings of the council were held in leased rooms until early in 1877, when the fine brick engine house was completed, in the second story of which are the Council Chamber and Fireman's -Hall. The present village officers are W. W. Snider, presid.ent; John C. Snider, W. J. Webster, G. A. McCartney, A. J. Ogden, Dr. A. D. Bangham and Riley King, trustees; C. D. Burt, recorder and assessor; Wells Pratt, treasurer; J. M. Bennett, street commissioner; Dr. G. A. Haynes, health.officer; and L. M. Thayer, marshal. The following is a complete list of the village presidents and recorders from the time the village was incorporated: Presidents. Recorders. Presidents. Recorders. 1871 J. N. Wcstcott. Edward Lewis. 1872 J. N. Westcott. C. F. Collins. 1873 J. N. Westcott. W. A. Lane. 1874 W. J. Gregg. W. A Lane. 1875 W. J. Gregg. W. A. Lane. 1876 W J. Gregg. W. A. Lane. 1877 W. J. Gregg. W. A. Lanie. 1878 W. A. Lane. G. D. Cleveland. 1879 E. A. Collins. C. D. Burt. 1880 E. A. Collins. D. T. Sutton. 1881 E. A. Collins. W. A. Lane. 1882 W. A. Lane. L. T. Van Horn. 1883 W. A. Lane. L. T. Van Horn. 1884 Wm. Cook. L. T. Van Horn. 1885 S. R. Allen. A. M. Lott. 1886 S. R. Allen. L. T. Van Horn. 1887 W. W. Snidr. L.. T. Van Horn. 1888 W. W. Snider. C. D. Burt. HON. JOSIAH NELSON WESTCOTT [portrait.] first president of the village of Homer, was born January 8, 1810, at Richfield, Otsego county, New York. The Westcott geneology shows his progenitors to have been men of predominating influence upon their day and time; possessed of strong intellects and characters of rare fibre. Mr. Westcott was a worthy scion of such a race. To know the right and to do it, was the rule of his life, which for more than half a century was devoted to the service of Christ, in the Protestant Episcopal church. IHe was a man of commanding presence and dignity, with rare geniality of nature, and social instincts the strongest. Possessed of HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 101 noble intellect enriched by the choicest treasures of the knowledge that can be gleaned from books, and a character such as adorns only the highest manhood, he was a shining light in his day and generation. His life was largely devoted to educational pursuits. As an educators he was unrivaled, leaving his impress upon the world in which he moved, in the distinguished pupils who went forth from his moulding hand. Many of them became the bone and sinew of the land, in this and other states. He married in early manhood Sophronia Willard, a native of Egremont,' Berkshire county, Massachusetts, finding in her all that, man could ask as wife, mother and helpmeet. For a time they conducted together an academy in Clyde, Wayne county, New York, with distinguished success. They removed to Homer. Mich., in 1845, where Mr. Westcott again opened a school for young men and women, which was the Alma Mater of many of Calhoun county's best citizens of to-day. In 1852 Mr. Westcott removed to Perrysburg, Wood county, Ohio, where he remained until 1865, making an honorable record in the county as auditor, and in the state senate to which he was twice elected from that district, known as the "Toledo district." There as everywhere he became a leading spirit, being chairman of the most important committees, and a power in every undertaking. He returned to Homer in 1865 and made this place his home until called up higher. Here he led an honored and useful life. He presided over the school board, was prominent in politics, affiliating with the Democratic party, being a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type. In the Church he was a father in Israel, a blameless Christian, full of good. works. His latter years were devoted to mercantile pursuits, which he found less congeniel than his life work as an educator. He and his devoted wife reared eight children to manhood and womanhood, two having died in infancy; and in these sons and daughters found joy and comfort. And behold they each and all "rise and call them blessed." Mr. Westcott survived his beloved wife two years, passing to life eternal January 12, 1885, at Trinidad, Colorado, whither he had gone to visit his daughter Caroline (Mrs. Romney). His illness was short, being acute bronchitis. He died as he had lived, strong in faith and in Christian courage, thoughtful for others rather than himself. Majestic in the repose of death, his face was "as it had been, the face of an angel." Hie rests beside, his wife in Woodlawn cemetery, Winona, Minn., far from the land of his birth and his manhood's home. But while any remain among whom his life was spent whether in the east or west, there shall loving memory build a monument for Josiah Nelson Westcott, upon which the inscription shall be: "We shall not look upon his like again." WILLIAM J. GREGG [portrait.] second president of the Village of Homer is a son of Michael and Ruth W. Gregg and was born on a farm in Clarendon township, July 22, 1839 When William J. was two years of age the family removed to this place, where the parents as well as the subject of this sketch have since made their home. Mr. Gregg was president of this village for four years in succession, having previously served a term as trustee. In each capacity he was an active worker, and as president was an able and efficient officer. For several years he has taken great interest in religious and educational matters, at the present time being president of the Calhoun County Sunday School Association, and is also secretary of the board of trustees of the Homer graded schools. He is a Republican in politics, is an intimate friend of Representative O'Donnell, and was one of the latter's lieutenants, who labored for Mr. O'Donnell's nomination and election. He is a pleasant conversationalist, and a gifted public speaker. Several years ago he was a traveling salesman for a Detroit house, but since 1871 he has been passenger and freight agent in this place for the Michigan Central Railroad Co. October 30, 1868, Mr. Gregg married Miss Frances B. Henderson. They have one daughter, Edith Louise. 102 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. DR. WILLIAM A. LANE [portrait.] third president of the Village. Of all the subjects which seem to require attention, this person is written up with a degree of delicacy. Not that I desire to insinuate that the subject of itself is a delicate one, for my acquaintances might say the term "hard one" would prove,more appropriate. I had thought of selecting another to write this particular sketch. One whose brain would generate thoughts that would thunder in the distance like the falls of the great Niagara, and at the same time describe a temper as placid as the stilly lake, a heart as pure as the lily which nestles on the bosom of the waters, a disposition as kind and consoling as a sweet and peaceful dream. But upon more mature deliberation I felt the writer in justice to himself would desire to head his sketch with the latter symbol-"A Dream"-as a prototype. Again, it would be hardly proper to place my case in the hands of those who know me not, and those who know me best know me too well, for me to accept the risk. Suffice it to say: I was born in Convis, this county, March 1, 1845. I was born too eaily in the month, or the accustomed March atmosphere had not got under way if it had anything to do with the regulating of my temperament. Whether my acquaintances agree with me in this I will not venture an assertion. Served my time in sitting on the platform, standing on the floor and on a brick, at the district school, and in 1862 entered the academy at Vermontville, where I came near being wrecked with "love" from the teacher, now Dr. P. L. Green. Attended Olivet College in 1863, being a classmate of Ex-G. A. R. Commander Shank, and in some particulars Shank's record exceeded my own. Studied medicine with Dr. Gallup of Marshall, entered the Medical department of our State University in 1864, passed the fall and winter of 1866-7 in the Philadelphia University, which, February 23, 1867, awarded me the necessary credentials for dealing out distress to the already distressed. I came to Homer March 27, of the latter year, and I am glad to say some of my first patients are still living. Married Jennie M. Hill, August 27, 1870, and we have two daughters, Sarah Louise and Mable Irene. DR. EUGENE A. COLLINS [portrait.] fourth president of this Village, was born in floneoye Ontario Co., New York, Feb. 2, 1842. being the oldest son of Albert and Mary Collins. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1856 and in 1863 began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Hawkins of Jonesville. Entered the Medical department. of the Michigan University in the fall of 1863, took a two years course and in the fall of 1865 entered Bellevue Hospital College, New York, from which institution he received his degree of M. D. in 1866. He came to Homer in the same year succeeded Dr. Russell, who died in March 1867. In January 1884 he removed to Salina, Kansas, where he still resides, and is in active practice. Dr. Collins had an exceptionally good business here for years and we understand he is blessed with plenty to do in his new field. He is a great lover of a fine horse, and when he pulls the reins over one it has to "get there Eli." Dr. Collins has been twice married, first March 29, 1865, to Miss Carrie G. Kennedy, who died some years ago; second to Miss Carrie G. Johnson who is still living. HON. WILLIAM COOK [portrait.] fifth president of the Village, was born in Oneida county, New York, May 3, 1818. He came with the family to Michigan in 1832, as stated elsewhere in this work. He married Miss Louise Woolley, purchased and moved onto the fine farm on section 1, Clarendon township, which Mr. Cook still owns. They have two children, Lizzie M. and Justin T. In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Cook removed to this village, built them an elegant home and have since been residents of this place. For many years Mr. Cook was supervisor for Clarendon, in 1862-4 represented this district in the state legislature and in 1875-7 was State Senator from this county. In each of these capacities he proved himself an able and efficient official, and one in whom his constituents had the utmost confident e. As a citizen he is generous and liberal, and I do not think it saying too much HOMERE AND ITS PIONEERS. 103 by adding: Few if any have more admiring friends than William Cook. Mr. Cook's present business is buying grain. STERPHEN R. ALLEN [portrait.] sixth president of Homer Village. is a son of Ira and Rebecca Allen and was born in Geauga county, Ohio, December 26, 1846. lie came to Michigan in 1852 with his father's family, first locating in Butler, Branch county, where they remained one year and then came to this village. In 1865 the subject of this sketch engaged in blacksmithing and the manufacture of carriages with an older brother, King P., now in Dakota. A few years a'o King P. withdrew from the firm and Ethen I.. a younger brother became partner, the firm now being S R. Allen & Co. In 1886 Mr. Allen was supervisor of this township, and for his efficiency as such officer would have received a renomination by his party had not the same been declined. He has been a member of the school board of this village for years, and still occupies said position. The firm of S. R. Allen & Co. does a lucrative business and is a leading institution of its kind in the county. December 23, 1868, Mr. Allen married Miss Mary Elizabeth Potter. They have four children: E. P., Laila S.. Susan P. and Ina E. WILLIAM W. SNIDER [portrait.] seventh president of this Village, is the oldest son of Peter and Harriet Snider and was b'rn in Albion, this county, June 29, 1857. He came to this village with his father's family in April 1876, and has since been a resident at the Hub. March 1, 1882 he succeeded George A. Dusenbury, of Murray & Dusenbury, dealers in dry goods, the firm becoming C. J. Murray & Co. The institution has a very large trade, and has long been a leading dry goods establishment, not only in this village but in Calhoun county. Mr. Snider is now filling his second term as Village President and is also Clerk of the township, having held the latter position for four years in succession. He is an active business man and makes an efficient public officer. April 19, 1882, Mr. Snider married Miss Ella C. Sabin, daughter of Abner and Mary Sabin, who died February 26, 1883. EDUCATIONAL. Elsewhere in this book allusion has already been made to the first schools established in the township, but it may be of.interest to note.somewhat more minutely the progress of the school in the village, known then as it is now as District No. 1, in that pioneer period, in comparison with its present condition and advancement. The first regular meeting of the district of which there is any record was held in the "Presbyterian meeting-house," December 18, 1838. This meeting was held in the day time, Andrew Dorsey being moderator and E. Thornton secretary pro ter. Without transacting any business the meeting adjourned to reassemble at the "Exchange" the same evening. The school house at that time was situated on the John Buit farm nearly opposite the present home of Wim. Taylor. During the autumn of 1839 it was moved into the village and the site was fixed on "lot 75, between the Presbyterian and Methodist meeting houses," although the site was not at once occupied. In the spring and summer uf 1839 Miss Sarah Babcock taught the School and made the first recorded enrollment of her pupils' names, which numbered fifty and included Byron and Edwin Smith, Edward and Mary Lewis, Truman and John Powers, Lucinda, Phoebe and Sarah R. Burt, Ira, Martha and Nelson Lambson, M. W., Sarah H., Helen, Frederick and James Hatch, Luther Cham 104 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. pion, Sally Foster, Jerome and George Drury, Emeline, Cynthia, Ann and Amos Deming, Wealthy Foot and Charity Letts. The first movement toward securing a library was made in the same year, ten dollars being voted by the district for that purpose. The wages paid for teachers were not extravagant, male teachers receiving from $16 to $22 per month without board, and females receiving $2 to $2.50 per week sometimes with and sometimes without board. As late as 1850 Miss Elizabeth Woolley who was the principal teacher, had for her assistant for five weeks Miss Frances. Maynard, on the magnificent salary of seventy-five cents per week. In 1842 it was "resolved" to build a new school house, and $300 was voted for that purpose, and the contract was let to D. Buit, Jr. (father of our esteemed fellow citizen C. D. Burt),"according to plans and specifications in the hands of E. Henderson." The old house and fixtures were sold to John Ballentine for $49.50. This new house was completed in 1843 and served the uses of the district for twenty years, although numerous unsuccessful efforts to secure a new one had been made, attended many times with somewhat stormy and acrimonious debates. Select schools were established at various times in the district, one of the first if not the earliest, being condicted by the late Hon. J. N. Westcott, a gentleman of much culture, and fine ability as an instructor. In 1843 the old wooden Presbyterian meeting house, which stood on the corner of the lot now occupied by C. E. Darrow's dwelling house, was secured, fitted up, and a select school was opened, the Rev. Samuel Fleming, pastor of the Presbyterian church, being teacher. In April, 1854, J. E. Tenney of Vermont, now Judge Tenney of Lansing, and Mrs. Harriet A. Tenney, his young and beautiful wife, who is now, and for many years has been the very able and efficient Librarian of the State of Michigan, arrived in Homer, and at once established a select school in the old Presbyterian meeting house. The school was very successful under their most excellent management. Mr. Tenney came expecting to establish an academy, but there was much delay in the matter, and the following-year much to the regret of the entire community, he accepted the Superintendence of the Marshall city schools, and removed thence in September 1855. Judge Tenney was and is a man of extraordinary ability, and his fund of general information seemed absolutely inexhaustible. He fairly reveled in statistics, and during his residence here, he was a sort of World's Gazeteer and universal cyclopedia of useful information. He was not only a brainy man but many a luckless lad who attended his school are firm in the conviction that he was a very brawny man. His methods were very pronounced. He ever sought to draw out the latent and inherent ability and good which he deemed the birthright of every individual, but woe to him who failed to respond to such reasonable expectations. Thus it came that his methods of instruction may have been properly called methods of involution and evolution, for often he hammered it in at one end and drew it out at the other. In fact the hammering process sometimes became so vigorously marked and deep seated, that certain hitherto incorrigible lads at times seemed unable to thinkof anything else, HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 105 and the abstracted and faraway look that overspread their faces as they meekly and silently received their refreshments from the mantel piece and then backed up in some convenient and obscure corner to rest, was truly pathetic to behold. But what shall be said of Mrs. Tenney? Nothing less than this can be said: If, under severe provocation he was sometimes the "tempest," she was ever the "sunshine." If his severity sometimes caused fear, her rare and raidiant sweetness ever inspired love. After all, Mr. T. was doubtless no more severe than the exigencies of the case demanded. Verily, he corrected us for our good, and we give him not only reverence, but for him and his lovely wife there is still a cherished and a very warm place in the hearts of all their old pupils. In 1856, after numerous discouragements and long delay, a joint stock company was formed and Homer Academy, a substantial and commodious two story brick structure was erected, and a Mr. Jewell, of Connecticut, was engaged as principal. He not proving successful retired, and Rev. B. Fancher, then pastor of the Presbyterian church, was induced to assume the position, which he held for years. During this time he was ably assisted by Norman J. Strong, now of Lenawee county, Miss Emily Robinson, who has since died, and Miss Sarah Coan, now wife of ex-Mayor Dean, of Niles. The school under the management of Mr. Fancher was eminently prosperous and successful, being well attended by resident pupils, as well as by a large number from neighboring towns. Mr. Fancher's peculiar fitness for the position consisted not only in his ability to instruct in the arts and sciences, but he was able and successful in an eminent degree in lifting the minds of his pupils to higher and nobler aspirations, He secured not only their reverence and respect, but also their friendship and love. Indeed, the feeling and relations existing between him and his pupils were like those of the celebrated and honored Dr. Arnold and his pupils of Rugby School. Happy thought, that the passing years have only served to strengthen and intensify this bond of affection between Mr. Fancher and all his old pupils. The academy flourished with varying success until 1863, the effect upon the ordinary district school being very disastrous and well nigh fatal. The district building became dilapidated, the number of pupils attending the school was greatly decimated and it became clearly apparent that two schools could not be successfully continued in the district, and therefore in September, 1863, at the annual meeting of the district a resolution was, after much discussion, carried to purchase the academy for the use of the district for the sum of $2,000. In 1864 the district organized a graded school, and has since that time been successful and progressive. Among those who have been engaged as principals of this school are H. N. French, now Supt. of Kalamazoo schools; Olaf Varlo, now occupying a professor's chair in an eastern collage; L. E. Dow, now assistant principal in a popular young men's training school in New Jersey; and R. A. Culver, now the popular and efficient Secretary of the County Board of School Examiners. The officers and teachers of the school at the present time are as follows: OFFICERS-Rev. B. Fancher, moderator; William J. Gregg, director; H. H. 106 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Parks, assessor; S. R. Allen, trustee; C. C. Worthington, trustee; Mrs. W. J. Gregg, librarian, William Ryan, janitor. TEACHERS-A. F. Burr, principal; Miss Emma Runner,. assistant principal; Harry McArdle. grammar department; Miss Delia Carr, 1st intermediate department; Miss Ella Ferris, 2d Int. Dept; Miss M. A. Granger, primary department. RELIGIOUS. -METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Homer, Michigan, was organized in 1836 with 22 members, of whom Mrs. Calista Sabin is the only survivor. Michael Miller was the first class leader. The first board of trustees was Stephen S. Powers, Milton Barney and Truman Rathbun, elected in the year 1839. They commenced the erection of a church building at once, which was finished in 1840. It was a frame structure 40x58 feet with basement and cost about $4,000. This house was used nearly forty years, when it gave way for the present structure of brick, which was begun in 1878 and finished in 188' at a cost of nearly $13,000. In 1859 the society bought the house and lots on the corner of I-Iillsdale and Everett streets for a parsonage. In 1862 this was sold and the present parsonage was built on Adams street, two blocks west of the church. The present membership of the church is about 240. The Sunday school has a membership of 250 and is the pride and hope of the Church. The following named persons have served this charge as Presiding Elders: E. II. Pitcher, G. Smith, A. M. Fitch, E. McClure, R. Sapp, G. Bradley, J. Jennings, E. Holdstock, M. A. Daugherty, D. D. Gillett, I. Taylor, H. Hall and A. A. Knappen. Pastors. 1836 to '39 John Kinnear, M. G. Perkizer, Z. C. Brown, J. F. Davidson, J. I-I. Pitezel, Benj. Sabin, S. Lapham, H. W. Ransom. 1839-40 George W. Breckenridge, 1841-42 R. Parker, I. Bennett, 1842-43 I. Bennett, A. Staples, 1843-44 E. Erchenbrach, S. Steele, 1844-45 W. Collins, J. Jennings, 1845-46 Geo. Smith, J. Nobles, 1846-47 Geo. Smith Wm. Bigelow, 1847-48 R. Pengelly, T. H. Jacokes, 1848-49 I. Cogshall, Wim. Kelley, 1849-50 I. Bennett, C. C. Olds, 1850-51 I. Bennett, W. II. Perrine, 1851-52 A. C. Shaw, A. Gore. 1852-53 G. Bradley, J. Johnson, 1853-54 F. Gage, A. W. Torrey, 1854-55 I-. Law, J. W. Cawthorne, 1855-56 M. B. Camburn, E. Crane, Pastors. 1857-58 W. H. Brockway, M. 1. Smith, 1859 H. Morgan, 1860-61 Thos. Lyon, 2 years, 1862-63 W. W. Johnson, 2 years, 1864 F. B. Bangs, -1865-66 David Burns, 2 years, 1867-68 G. W. Tuthill, 2 years, 1869 L. M. Edmonds, 1870-71 J. M. Reid, 2 years, 1872 I. Taylor, 1873 I. Worthington, 1874 A. Hunsberger, 1875-76 N. Fassett, 2 years, 1877 T. H. Jacokes, 1878-80 E. L. Kellogg, 3 years, 1881 F. B. Bangs, 1882 A. D. Newton, 1883 G. W. Sherman, 1884-86 P. J. Maveety, 3 years, 1887 W. W. Rork. -HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 107 The following are in official relation with the Chuich at the present time:Rev. Ira Ia. A. Wightman, presiding elder; Rev. W. W. Rork, pastor; Rev. Thos. Lyon, supernumerary and S. S. Supt.; Rev. W. P. McAllister, L. P.; T. E. Eslow, Elijah A. Smith, George S. Cotton, leaders; Thos. E. Eslow, Thos. Lyon, W. J. Webster, P. H. Carr, Z. P. Eslow, trustees; F. E. Strong, district steward; W. J. Webster, recording steward; S. R. Allen, James Thompson, W. W. Snider, Joseph King, E. S. Carr, Wmi. M. Kellogg, Benj. Warner, J. W. Breakey, Hattie Cotton, Harriett Thorn,. M. E. Benham, stewards. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The " First Presbyterian Society of Homer " was organized according to the statute September 4, 1837 in a room over the store of Lewis & Smith. Arza Lewis was chairman of the meeting and Asahel Finch, Jr., secretary. This room was used about a year for public worship. The society at once proceeded to take measures to provide a house of worship and on the 23d day of April, 1838, the "Session House," as it was called, was completed and accepted. It was 24 by 36 feet in size, costing $739. The first minister employed was a Rev. Mr. Conklin. The "First Presbyterian Church of Homer" was organized June 2, 1838 by Rev. Elijah Buck and was composed of 31 members, 18 males and 16 females. A Congregational Church organized a few years earlier on Cook's Prairie was merged into the new organization in the village. The first minister after the organization of the Church was Rev J. W. Allen, for six months. During this time 37 others united with the Church. Rev. Mr. Smith was then employed for a few months ending June, 1839. Rev. B. R. Bennett then preached twentyfour Sabbaths. In September, 1840, Rev. Elijah Buck was employed for one year. During the year following the Church was without a regular minister, but was supplied a part of the time by a Methodist preacher, Rev. Thos. Champion. In October, 1842, Rev. Henry J. Hammond began his labors and remained two years. In December, 1844, Rev. Mr. Morehouse was employed for the winter, and in May,, 1845, Rev. Henry H. Northrop commenced his work and at the end of a year was called to the pastorate, installed, and remained for four and a half years. The next minister was Rev. Geo. C. Wood, who came in September, 1850 and labored two years. The old Session House had become too small for the growing congregation and in May, 1851, a move was made looking to the building of a new house of worship; but nothing definite was accomplished until the next year, when (the society as such feeling too poor to build), five members of the church agreed to proceed with the work, furnish the necessary means and secure their pay by a public sale. of the slips when completed. On this plan a substantial brick structure was ]erected and finished in 1853, at a cost of about $8,000. Arza Lewis, Hiram Smith and Henry Cook had charge of the work, each supplying an equal amount of funds, the others'a less amount in equal proportion. The church edifice was located on the present ample and eligible site, which with commendable forethought had some time before been purchased and held for this'express purpose by Dea. Arza Lewis. 108 HEOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Rev. Samuel Fleming was employed in October 1852 and continued to supply the church until January, 1855. In April, 1855, Rev. Bela Fancher 'began his labors and continued the regular minister for9 years, till April, 1864. After the close of his labors with the church Rev. Win. F. Rose was employed and remained a little less than a year. In June, 1865, Rev. John Gerrish was employed and at the end of his first year was called and settled as pastor and continued as such until December 1877, a period of twelve years and a half. The parsonage was built in 1867 costing about $3,000. The lecture room was added to the church in the winter of 1876-7 at an expense of $1,600. The pastorate of Mr. Gerrish was followed by employing Rev. A. S. Badger, who commenced in. February, 1878, and closed his labors November 1, 1880 -Following him a candidate, Rev. H. T. Scholl, supplied the pulpit two months, and in the spring of 1881 a call was extended to Rev. Edward K. Strong, who commenced his work May 1, was ordained and installed during the same month remaining pastor of the church till May 1, 1885. He was succeeded by Rev. Edward P. Clark who was with the church nearly two years, after which the Church and congregation called the present pastor, Rev. Herbert E. Davis, who entered upon his labors in September, 1887, and was duly installed the month following. In 1853 the subject of improving and repairing the church edifice was considered, but it was not until 1885 at the annual meeting in May, that it was determined to "arise and build." The work of repairing and remodeling was commenced in August of that year and completed in the fall of 1886 at an expenditure of nearly $6,000, resulting in the present commodious and substantial structure, standing conspicuously, an ornament to the village and a credit to the society. The first trustees of the society were Arza Lewis, Henry Cook, Asahel Finch Jr., N.. D. Seels, David Janes and Medad Bordwell. The number of trustees was shortly after reduced to three. The present trustees are: H. A. Bunnell, Wm. Gibson and W. M. Welch. The session of the Church at first consisted of three Elders: Medad Bordwell, Asahel Finch and Asahel Finch, Jr. The number was afterward incieased to six, and the present number is eight, consisting of Sylvanus Cook, Geo. H. French, T. H. Janes, W. J. Gregg, H. A. Bunnell, C. J.. Murray, HI. O Cook and W. M. Welch. Henry Cook and Arza Lewis were the first deacons, serving for many years. Afterward David Janes and William Bouton occupied the same position till a few years since. The present deacons are Sylvanus Cook and G. H. French. A Sunday school has been maintained in connection with the Church from its small beginning, has grown to be a prosperous and flourishing institution and a a valuable aid to the Church. For superintendants it has had Samuel S. Lacey, Edward Henderson, David Janes, G. H. French and Wm. J. Gregg. Mr. French is now the superintendent, having occupied that position between 35 and 40 years. In all 584 names have been entered upon the roll of the Church. The number now in communion is a little over 200. The society owns the entire square HOMAER AND ITS PIONEERS. 109 upon which the church edifice, the parsonage and other buildings are situated, making a very valuable property-the whole convenient, well arranged and adapted to to the work of the Church. With these facilities and with an active, intelligent church membership, efficient and influential officers, and an able, earnest and devoted pastor, the Presbyterian Church of Homer will be in the future what it has been during its. past. fifty years, a potent influence for good in the village and surrounding community. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Christ Church parish of Homer was organized May 25, 1840. For several yeals occasional services had been held in the village by Rev. William N. Lyster of Brooklyn, Rev. Darius Barker of Jonesville, Rev. Charles Fox of Jackson, and Rev. Montgomery Schuyler of Marshall. At the meeting called for the organization of the parish Rev. Win. N. Lyster presided. The officers elected at that time were as follows: Sen. Warden, Dwight Nims; Jun. Warden, Anthony Doolittle; Vestrymen, Andrew Dorsey, Elisha Thornton, Alexander J. 'Chester, Samuel Shaw, Hiram Smith, Henry D. Garrisopl and Timothy Hlamlin. For more'than a year after the organization Rev. Darius Barker officiated alternately at lomer and Jonesville, services being held in the- school house which stood east of the present M. E. Church. Mr. Barker was succeeded in February, 1842, by Rev. F. C. Hodgkin, who had charge of the parish about three years, holding services half the time at Albion. The church edifice was build 1842, but was not completed and freed from incumbrance until 1844, when it was consecrated and occupied. In September, 1845, Rev. Darius Barker again became rector, and continued until April, 1854. From this time till 1865, the parish was not regularly supplied with a pastor. Rev. Mr. Corson of Jonesville, and Rev. Wim. Lyster officiated occasionally. In 1862 and for a few months in 1863 Rev. Mr. Hudson of Hillsdale county, had charge of the parish. In 1863 and 1864 Rev. Marcus Lane held services ini Homer and Albion. Rev. Henry C. Randall had charge of the parish from July 14, 1865, until October 1, 1867. Rev. L. S. Rogers was the rector from Christmas, 1868, until 1870. For the next ten years services were held by Rev. Mr. Corson, part of the time quite irregularly. In 1881 Rev. Mr. Morton vas the pastor. In 1882 Rev. Mr. Wetherbee held services alternately at Homer and Schoolcraft. In July, 1884, Rev. B. A. Brown took charge of the parish in connection with Albion. Under his ministrations the church membership increased, a new interest was aroused in the parish, and the church building was repaired and very much improved, and made a comfortable and pleasant place in which to worship God. The present vestrymen are: J. M. Bayes, Stephen La Dow, C. F. Collins, Byron Armstrong, N. D. Beedon, J. H. Masten, W. A. Lane; Officers-Stephen A. La Dow, senior, warden; C. F. Collins, junior warden; N. D. Beedon, treasurer; Byron Armstrong, clerk. FRANKLIN MEAD, [page 112.] MWITAEL MILLER, [page- 49.] V PONIALLES. [ptage 74.] LEDLIE BURT, [page 80.] WESLEY SNYDER, [page 113.] HUMANITY LODGE-ITS WORSHIPFUL MASTERS. fr. S. DORlSEY [page.51.1 / E. A. COLLINS, [page 102.] C. D 1 IT',[page11. (iEO. SA NFORD, [page 114.] L. H. CHAMPION, [page 114.] HUMNANITY LODGE-ITS WORSHIPFUL M3ASTERS. 112" HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. SOCIETIES.-HUMANITY LODGE, NO. 29, F. A. iM. has been in existence nearly forty years. The preliminary steps for its establishment took place at a meeting of Master Masons in the Dorsey House in Aug. 1848. Those in attendance were: Caleb Sherman, T. S. Dorsey, Isaac Van Fossen, James Valentine, John Burt, Nathan Eslow, Peter Arthur, Michael Miller, Jonathan Robinson, James T. Woolley, Joseph Gibbs, and John Balentine. The lodge worked under dispensation until Jan. 1849, when the charter was granted. The first officers were Caleb Sherman, W. M.; Isaac Van Fossen, S. W.; James Valentine, J. W.; Nathan Eslow, Sec'y; John Burt, Treasurer; Michael Miller, S. D.; Peter Arthur, J. D.; Jonathan Robinson, Tiler; James T. Woolley and Joseph Gibbs, Stewards. The first lodge room was in the second story of the building still standing on the east side of Sophia street known as the Dorsey wagon shop. The brothers of the square and compasses met there until 1867, when a more suitable hall was procured on the second floor of the building now, occupied as a hardware store by Strong Brothers. In 1871 the order moved to the fine hall now occupied by the Odd Fellows, celebrating the event by giving a grand banquet, and in 1877 removed to the elegant quarters fitted up expressly for their use on the second floor of Parks & Pratt's bank building, which the lodge still occupies. Regular communications are held Tuesday evenings on or before the full and visiting brothers in good standing are always welcomed. The following is a complete list of Worshipful Masters, with. the years in which they served: Worshipful Masters. Worshipful Masters. 1848 Caleb Sherman, 1872 T. S. Dorsey, 1849 James Valentine, 1873 E. A. Collins, 1850 Isaac Van Fossen, 1874 and '79 Charles Doolittle, 1851 Michael Miller, 1877 Wesley Snyder, 1852 and '56 Vernon Parks, 1878 and '80 C.,;D. Burt, 1853, '59 to '61 Daniel Dorsey, 1881 George Sanford, 1854 and '58 Ledlie Burt, 1882 Jacob Wartman, 1855 Rockwell Hazen, 1883 and '84 L. T. Van Horn, 1857 Allen Deming, 1885 and '86 A. V. Parks, 1862 to '69 also '75-6 Frank Mead, 1887 and '88 L. I-I. Champion. The present officers are: L. H. Champion, W. M.; Jehiel Cool, S. W.; David B. Kirby, J. W; George Sanford, Treasurer; W. A. Mumbrue, Secretary; Wesley Snyder, S. D.; A. E. Howell, J. D.; S. R. Allen, F. H. Smith, Stewards; F. G. Seitz, Tiler. FRANKLIN MEAD [portrait.] for many years occupying the highest position in the gift of Humanity lodgethat of Worshipful Master-was born in Clarendon, Orleans county, New York, September 27, 1827, and died at his home in Clarendon, this county, August 29, 1887. Mr. Mead was made a Mason and member of Humanity Lodge October 26, 1858, the late Dr. Osborn, of Albion, officiating. Few if any were more attached to the order, none wielded a greater influence for good, none were more HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 113 impressive in performing the solemn ceremonies at the altar, and none observed more gentlemanly bearings or unsullied dignity while presiding over the deliberations of the lodge, than the subject of this sketch. Aside from his own family circle, none could love him more or appreciate his true nobleness better than those who assembled with him in conclave, in an order at the doors of whose council chamber kings and potentates knock for admission and are received at the threshold where no distinction is made between the royal ranked or worldly titled and the occupant of the humble home. Franklin Mead was a son of Timothy and Permelia Mead, the father dying when Frank was but five years of age. In 1835 with the family, consisting of his mother who had remarried, one brother who was three years his senior, and one sister, Frank came to Michigan and located on the farm in Clarendon where he lived up to the time of his death, with the exception of two years residence in this village. The brother, Stephen Israel, died October 25, 1850. The sister, Chloe, who became the wife Henry Kennedy, died in Clarendon. March 24, 1884. His mother whose second husband's name was Blair, died at the home of her daughter September 4, 1860, ag3d near:y sevmnty-two years. Mr. Mead was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church on Cooks Plains, was one of its staunch and able supporters and did much also in aid of Hillsdale college, being for years one of the trustees of that institution. For years he held positions of official trust in the township and while in this village was for a time one of the trustees of the common council. As an official he was able and efficient, as a man kind and generous, none more respected, none more loved and esteemed. Mr. Mead was four times married. First, November 26, 1848, to Catherine Cook, who died June 9, 1850; second, July 18, 1852, to Alma Cook, who died May 27, 1856; third, November 10, 1859, to Mary E. Lewis, who died July 31, 1874; fourth, in December, 1875, to Sarah Lewis who is still living. IHe had one son, Lewis R., who was born June 3, 1862. Lewis lives on the old farm, married Miss Rose L. Chapin, September 18, 1882, and has two children, Frank L. and "Babe." WESLEY SNYDER [portrait.] was born in Dryden, Tompkins county, New York, being a son of Abraham and Mary Ann Snyder. He came to Michigan with his father's family in 1846, locating on lands in what is now Albion township still owning and occupying the farm where the family first settled. Marchi 15, 1859, Wesley married Miss Harriet M. Waldron, a resident of Jackson county, and they have three children, Richard W., who married Miss Ida A. Littlejohn and lives in South Albion; Byron S, who is in Woolsey, Dakota; and Anna May, living with her parents. Mr. Snyder has always been a farmer by occupation and has an elegant farm house. ' He has been a Master Mason for nearly a quarter of a century and is an active member of Iumanity Lodge, and also a Royal Arch Mason. He was Worshipful Master of Humanity Lodge in 1870. CHARLES D. BURT [portrait.] for two terms the presiding officer of Humanity Lodge, was born on Burt Hill, three miles south of this village, February 2, 1844. His father was David Burt, Jr., his mother Marietta Burt, (see pape 49.) In 1854 the father died, Charley, only 10 years of age being the oldest of the three children then living. To him, therefore, in his early life, the mother and the younger children looked for aid and counsel, and they looked not in vain. In this respect, what is said of Charley in youth can also be said of him in manhood, for the still widowed mother whose silvery locks and wrinkled brow betokens that she is now journeying down the hill of time, still has in this dutiful son, one who is ever ready to pave her path not only with cheering words, but with the comforts of life. Mr. Burt was a soldier in the war of the rebellion, being a private in Company A, 25th Michigan Infantry, for nearly three years. He is an ex-Commander of Gregg Post, G. A. R. and an ex-village trustee. He was for years connected with the INDEX office, for a time being a partner. He is now in the harness business 114 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. and has a good trade. He holds the office of village assessor and is also village recorder. He has been twice married: First, December 13, 1873, married Hattie L. Snider, who died May 17,1875; second, married Marcella B. Richardson. He has three sons, all from second marriage, Fiancis E., George D. and Charles E. GEORGE SANFORD [portrait.] was born in Greenville, Greene county, New York, March 30, 1846. his parents being George and Harriet Sanford. July 10, 1872, he married Miss Martha Champ of Onondaga, this state, and they have one son, Melville. January 1, 1876, they removed to this village, and in March of the following year Mr. Sanford started in the hardware trade for himself, which business he is following at present. He is also manager and one of the firm known as the Homer Lumber Company, which was organized in November 1886, and which is doing an extensive business in lumber, coal, lime, etc. Mr. Sanford is a thorough business man, his hardware establishment is one of the finest in this section of the state, and its gentlemanly proprietor enjoys a very extensive trade. He is public spirited, anad was a trustee of the village corporation from 1883 to 1885. He has been presiding officer of Humanity Lodge F. & A. M. and of Homer Lodge A. 0. U. W. LEWIS HENRY CHAMPION [portrait.] the present Worshipful Master of Humanity Ldge and who is serving his second term as such, is about 51 years of age and was born in this township, being a son of Jesse and Polly Champion and a nephew of Rev. Thomas Champion, the latter a Methodist minister here in an early day. In the fall of 1866 Lewis H. married Miss Eleanor B. Eslow, a daughter of Martin L. and Cathererine Eslow, and they have oje son Clyde. Mr. Champion takes an active interest in Masonry and is a good presiding officer. He is a farmer by occupation and has a fine homrne three and one-half miles south of this village. PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. Homer Grange No. 200 waw organized by Grand Lecturer C. L. King, January 10, 1874, at which time the following were elected officers: Master, Abram Gridley; Overseer, D. P. Hatch; Lecturer, Len Grover; Steward, Chandler Murray; Ass't Steward, G. A. Aldrich; Chaplain, T. E. Eslow; Treasurer, E. H. Leach; Secretary, C. C. Worthington; Gate Keeper, George Agnew; Ceres, Mrs. T. J. Lacey; Pomona, Mrs. T. E. Eslow; Flora, Mrs. E. H. Leach; Lady Ass't Steward, Mrs. G. A. Aldrich. The present offi-ers are: Master, J. W. Breakey; Overseer, J. B. Cunningham; Lecturer, Mrs. J. P. Cunningham; Sec., Mrs. L. 11. Lockwood; Treas., A. Cunningham; Chap., T. E. Eslow; Steward A. E. Howell; Assistant Steward, G. A. Aldrich; Lady Ass't Steward, Mrs. G. A. Aldrich; Gate Keeper, Mrs. A. E. Howell; Ceres, Mrs. D. C. Howe; Flora, Mrs. J. W. Breakey; Pomona, Mrs A. C. Sabin. The grange meets in A. 0. U. W. hall every other week on Saturday evening. There is a membership of thirty. HOMER LODGE NO. 232, 1. 0. 0. F. was instituted on the 15th of June, 1874. Nearly ore hundred and fifty Odd Fellows, among them several of the most prominent members of the order in the state, being in attendance at the opening ceremonies. The first officers of HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 115 the lodge were: M. W. Hatch, N.G.; W. H. Powers, V. G.; W. O. Wells, R. S.; T. S. Dorsey, P. S.; E. P. Potter, Treasurer. The present officers are:-- Walter P. Marsh, N. G.; O. W. Mumbrue, V. G.; J. H. Darrow, R. S.; R. C. Jones, P. S.; E. T. Dorsey, Treasurer. The lodge room is on the third floor of the Lyon block and is one of the most suitable and at the same time one of tlhe finest furnished society halls in the place. Meetings Monday evening of each week. HOMER LODGE NO. 46, A. O. U. W. was organized April 30, 1878, with fifteen charter members, the present membership being 112, making the largest secret society organization in the place. The Ancient Orcter of United Workmen is a fraternal organization, its business and purpose being to improve the mental, moral and social conditions of its members, to create a fund for the purpose of iding them d~luing sickness or other disability, to generally care for the living, to bury the dead and to secure for the family of every member in good standing the sum of $2,000 to be paid upon his death, in a manner as he shall direct while living. It is the largest society of the kind in the world, numbering now over 200,000 members in the United States and Canada. Since its organization six members of Homer Lodge have died and the $2,000 guaranteed to the family of each of the deceased was promptly paid. First Officers. P. M. W.-W. A. Lane, M. W.-D. P. Hatch, Foreman--B. F. Goodrich, Overseer-C. E. DeBow, Recorder-C. A. Slauson, Receiver--C. J. Murray, Financier-L. T. Van Hiorn, Guide-George Sanford, I. W.-Linard Born, O. W.-O. W. Mumbrue. Present Officers. P. MVI. W.-William Taylor, M. W.-J. W. Breakey, Foreman-J. H. Darrow, Overseer--George A. Aldrich, Recorder-Preston C. Mitchell, Financier-C. J. Murray, Receiver-W. W. Snider, Guide-C. Dorherty, I. W.-E. T. Dorsey, O. W.-A. Bennett. Members of Homer Lodge, No. 46, A. 0. U. W. Date of Joining. April 30, '78 May 2, 1878 7, 16, 7, Names. C. J. Murray,tt W. A. Lane,itt D. P. Hatch,tt C. E. DeBow, tAL L. T. Van B-orn, t$ Geo. Sanford,tt Linard Born,* t O. W. Mumbrue,t G. D. Cleveland,t E. S. Bro6kway, t W. J. Webster,tt A. J. Anson,t Wm. Beedon,tt W. B. Janes, J. J. Banford, Jerome B. Henshaw,* Date of Joining. July 11, 11, 25, Oct. 3, Jan. 30, 1879 Feb. 13, Mar. 27, Apr. 9, 26, Mar. 4, 1880 Apr. 1, May 20, Sep. 29, Dec. 17, Names. Stephen S. Thorn,* 11. S. Green, E. J. Potter, C. A. Barnum, A. T. Brooks, N. D. Beedon,t F. Hannah, C. H. Mahany, E. A. Smith, E. L. Owen, E. G. Champion, G. S. Cotton, J. M. North, C. 0. Ball, A. S. Benham, R. F. Simonds, 116 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Members of Homer Lodge, No. 46, A. O. U. WV. Date of Dec. Jan'y Feb'y July Sept. Feb'y Sept. May June July Oct. Feb'y Mar. Apr. June July Jan'y Feb'y Joining. Names. 17, '80. A. U. Richey, 18, '81 P. D. Burns, R. C. Jones, S18, David B. Swart,* 15, A. J. Copman, 16, W. H-. Welch, J. Pell,.16, '82 A. C. Sabin, A. Peters, 9, '83 P. C. Mitchell, 29, W. Taylor,t J. Watts,' A. D. Bangham,: LB. Tompkins, W. H. Ashley, C. Doherty, E. W. Blair,t W. M. Kellogg, A. B. Lacey, 5, C. O. Hatch, A. IH. Blair, 11, R. J. Stid, 30, E. L. Mingus, 27, J. McDonald, 5, 85 J. M. Burnam, E. C. Rouse, 19, J. H. Darrow, 5, A. H. Randall, 2, E. R. Armstrong, T. H. Janes, H. D. Lee, 16, W. M. Welch, 18, A. N. Hopkins, 2, W. W. Snider, 7, '86 L. R. Mead, 4, C. F. Collins, F. J. Aitken, E. T. Dorsey, E. C. Doolittle, W. S. Harris, 18, John W. Breakey,, K. P. Allen, A. J. Juckett, C. A. Vandevoort, Mar. May Aug. 4, 18, 6, 5, 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, 18, Dec. 2, 16, 30. Jan. 20, '87 Feb'y 3, 17, Mar. 3, Nov. 17, Dec. 1, Apr. 19, '88 Date of Joining. Feb'y 18, '86 Names. J. J. McCartney, Peter Reese, 0. L. Linn, W. P. Mansfield, A. Bennett, I. K. Henshaw, G. P. Bickford, G. A. Aldrich, J. M. Ogden, W. M. Lyon, G. W. Armstrong, J. C. H-umphrey, F. A. Dean, C. S. Hayes, D. F. Cole, L. C. Robinson, L. B. Crandall, J. A. Smith, G. L. Woodard, T. J. Shipp, R. A. Culver, J. M. Bickford, T. D. Powers, S. H. Stafford, L. D. Sackett, D. H-. Janes, J. D. Tillotson, J. L. Harris, W. J. Newton, F. S. Sackett, A. J. Whitney, L. D. Sanford, F. E. Strong, C. C. Worthington, A. Spayde, G. O. Wright, A. E. Howell, N. G. Bennett, S. L. Streeter, C. H. Van Wagoner, C. Snyder. B. F. Woodbury, H. Dickinson. * Died. t Charter members. P Past Masters. ( Withdrawn and joined other Lodges. The order meets in their finely furnished hall in C. J. Murray's building, on the first and third Thursday evenings. IDE A LTON WVILLIAMV A. LAINE.Ep. 102] CHARLESI (JI-IARLE~ F. T)F B9W.Elj). 118] GEORGE SIFR~.1141] XNATHAN ID. BEEDON.[ 119] ARTHUR D. BANGHAMV.[p. 119] EDWIN W. BLAIR.[p. 119] HOMER LODGE NO. 46, A. 0. U. w.-PAST MASTERS. 118 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. DE ALTON P. HATCH [portrait.] first Master Workman of Homer Lodge A. O. U. W., is a son of William Hatch (see page 93) and was born in Ohio June 9, 1833. He came to Michigan with his father's family in 1850, settled on the farm south of this village which is still his home, Mr. Hatch, however, for the past few years being a traveling salesman. He took an active interest in the early development of Homer Lodge, was always in attendance at the meetings anct was a thorough yet courteous presiding officer. April 17, 1855, Mr. Hatch married Miss Hattie B. Howard, who was born May 2, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch had seven children: Charles, W., married Libbie Rozelle and lives at the homestead; Marion K., born July 23, 1858, married George Burton, and died August 2, 1887; Francis J., married lone Hungerford, lives in Concord; Agnes G., now Mrs. Boyd Rainey; Seymour B., born August 25, 1865, died November 7, 1866; Madelon V. and Zaide Beryl, two younger daughters living at the homestead. They also have three grand children: A little daughter of Francis and a little son and daughter of Marion. CHARLES A. SLAUSON [portrait.] first Recorder and second Master of Homer Lodge A. 0. U. W., was born in Cairo, Greene county, New York, March 11, 1850. When six months old he moved with his parents to near Binghamton, entered the academy at Whitney's Point, New York, in 1863, and later taught district school four terms, beg'an railroading as agent and telegraph operator in spring of 1871 on the D. L. & W. R'y., and the following year came west and served as operator in the Dispatchers office of the L. S. & M. S. R. R: in Elkhart, Ind. Later, was an operator in that company's office at Chicago. In June, 1873, the company commissioned him agent and operator at Springport, this state, and the 1st of April following' transferred him to this village where he remained seven years, then was given charge of the company's business at Eaton Rapids, and in 1883 was appointed agent at Ypsilanti. August 1, 1887, he withdrew from the Lake Shore t"; accept of the position of Traveling Agent for the Red Line Transit Company with headquarters at Toledo. Mr. Slauson is a capable and efficient railroad man, and his promotions were awarded as a result of true merit. May 5, 1 880, he married Miss Ella J. Mahany, daughter of D. L. Mahany of this village, and they have one little son, Francis. Mr. and Mrs. Slauson's home is in Hillsdale. CHARLES E. DE BOW [portrait.] a Past Master of Homer Lodge, was born in Sherwood, Branch county, this state, January 2, 1853, being a son of James E. and Lucinda De Bow, now residents of this village. Charley came to Homer with the family in 1863. At the age of twenty he had learned the dental art, and in August, 1873, opened an office here. Some eight years later he removed to Albion, where he is still practicing his profession and where he has a nicely furnished and finely equipped office for carrying on an extensive business, which he has. He also visits this place fortnightly as an accommodation to his patrons in this section. He is author of a Dental Ledger, and inventor of appliances used in dental work, the former having been copyrighted and the latter patented. December 15, 1773, he married Maggie G. Brown, and they have two children, Rosco IH. and Forence E. CHESTER J. MURRAY [portrait.] one of the first Masters of Homer Lodge, A. O. U. W., was born in Scio, Washtenaw county, this state, May 26, 1839. He is a son of G. B. and Hannah Murray and with his parents in 1840 came to this county and settled on Wet Prairie. He was in the army of the rebellion, for a time being Q. M. Sergeant of Company A. 8th Michigan Cavalry, and later was Captain of Company A. 102d U. S. C. T. At tne close of the war he returned to this county and February 6, 1866, started in the dry goods trade in this village in a little wooden building HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 119 situated on the present site of L. D. Bradley's boot and shoe house. In 1872 he erected his flue brick store building and ten years later enlarged the same to make room for his large and continually increasing trade. Mr. W. W. Snider is a partner of Mr. Murray in the business the firm being C. J. Murray & Co. It is a very popular house and the dry goods establishments in the county that have a moi e extensive trade are few and far between. As a business man of energy and enterprise, or as a liberal giver for all worthy objects the subject of this sketch has few equals and no superiors among us. Mr. Murray is a member of Gregg Post G. A. R. and was its first Commander. For five years was a member of the'finance committee of the Grand Lodge A. O. U. W., being chairman two years, and at present is Grand Foreman. He is an ex-Noble Grand of Homer Lodge I. O. O. F., was a village trustee in 1883-4 and for years was a trustee of Homer Graded Schools. In religion a Presbyterian, being an elder in that chu'ch here. July 19, 1866, Mr. Murray married Hattie Roberts of Toledo, Ohio, and has two children, Belle and Bert. DR. ARTHUR D. BANGHAM [portrait.] one of the Past Masters of Homer Lodge, 46, is a son of Sandusky K. and Minerva E. Bangham and was born in Marengo, this county, November 8, 1859. When a boy in school the garment covering the heavy part of his anatomy went through many a dusting from the long end of the ruler, and in later years he presided in school, and it is presumed with a similar weapon. In 1879 he entered the regular medical department of our State University, which institution awarded him the degree of M. ). in June 1882. The same season he began the practice of his profession in Dexter, succeeding Dr. Howell who removed to Alpena. In the M.ay following he sold his practice and outfit to a Dr. Wright and in company with J. T. Honey and Edwin Bennett of Dexter, he went on a prospecting tour through the west, visiting the principal cities in California and Oregon, and Washiigton and Utah Territories. In Sept. 1883, he came to this village, where he is now carrying on an extensive drug trade in connection with a large practice. He belongs to several orders, was one of the organizers of the Blue Cross, and is a Supreme officer in the same. He is also a village trustee at this time. August 26, 1880, he married Estelle Austin of Marengo, and they have two children, Austin S. and Belle D. NATHAN D. BEEDON [portrait.] is a Past Master of Homer Lodge No. 46, A. O. U. W., and was born in Washtenaw county, this state, September 7, 1842, his parents being William and Sarah Beedon. In 1847 the family moved to Yates county, New York, where young "Nate" passed the most of his boyhood on the banks of the historic Seieca Lake. At the breaking out of the late war Nate enlisted as a private in Co. B., 126th N. Y. S. V. and served as a soldier for three years. December 12, 1866, lie married Priscilla Berry, who was born in New York state in 1844. In 1877 with their family consisting of three children then living they came to Michigan and located in this village and have since been residents among us. Mr. Beedon made a good presiding officer. I-e is also an active member of Gregg Post G. A. R. and in 1884 was one of the speakers on Decoration Day, delivering one.of the most able addresses ever listened to on such an occasion in this place. They had five children: Ida May, who died at the age of five years in 1873; Harry and George; and little Carl, who died October 21, 1887, aged 12 years. Mr. Beedon farmed it until two years ago, when he began baling and shipping straw, which business he now carries on on an extensive scale. The firm, Beedon & Aldrich. employ a number of men. EDWIN W. BLAIR [portrait.] Past Master of Homer Lodge No. 46, is a son of Dr. George W. and Betsey Blair, and was born in this village August 16, 1843. In early manhood he taught writing and was connected with commercial schools, and for a time was 120 HOM3ER AND ITS PIONEERS. in the wholesale tobacco business in St. Louis, Mo., after which lie came to Port Huron, this state, where for some years he owned a foundry.and machine shop. In 1881 he returned to this village and on December 19, of that year opened a restaurant which he has since carried on in his present place of business. He keeps notions, candies, fruits, etc., and has a well stocked establishment. Oysters fresh from Baltimore, oranges from Florida and ice cream from the "North Pole" are always supplied in their season. Hle takes an active interest in the A. O. U. W. and for the past two years has devoted a good deal of time to lodges and societies having for their object family protection by insurance. October 13, 1869, he married Nellie A. Palmer of Port I:Huron and they have had six children, four of whom are living: Mettie, Daisy, Charles IH. and Frank P. JOHN[:CLARK GREGG. [page 122.]. GREGG POST, NO. 155,G. A. R. was mustered in by Judge Advocate Mark A. Merrifield, assisted by Chief of Staff Reynolds, July 12 1883. The Post started out with 22 members, and was named Gregg Post, in honor of John Clark Gregg, whose portrait and a sketch is given in this work. First Officers. P. C.-Chester J. Murray. S. V. C.-John Hoffman. J. V. C.-William O. Wells. O. D.--Theodore D. Creque. Q. M.-Luke M. Thayer. Adjt.-Charles D. Burt. Chap.-Joseph M. D)olph. O. G.--David Kirby. S. M.-Nathan D. Beedon. Q. M. S. -Harry Hopkins. Present Officers. P. C..--Joseph M. Dolph. S. V. C.-George W. Grubb. J. V. C.-Luxe M. Thayer. Adjt.-Harry Hopkins. Q. M.--Lewis Waterman. Chap.-Nathan D. Beedon. Surg.-Albert J. Juckett. O. D.--David Kirby. 9. G.--Abram Bennett. Q. M. S.-M. M. Ford. Guard-George Morton. Sentinel.-F. Snyder. CHESTER J. MURRAY, L118.1 WILLIA3M 0. WELLS, [p. 122.1 CHARLES D. BURT, lp. 113.] WALTER P. MARSH, [p. 123.] ALVIN N. HOPKINS, [p. 123.] GRItEGG POST,G. A. H.-ITS COMMANDERS. 122 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Roster of Gregg Post, No. 155, G. A. R. Name. Company. Regiment C. J. Murray,t A John Hoffman. W. O. Wells,f A L. M. Thayer, I C. D. Burt,$t A J. M. Dolph,$t David Kirby, I N. D. Beedon. B A. J. Juckett, I John Mumbrue, I John Brainard, C Abram Bennett, C D. H. Janes, A Thomas Ryan, G D C. Dolph, I Jas Thornton, HI A.N. Hopkins,lt*EE Robert Warren, B Step'n Sherman,I-I Harry Hopkins,$ I L \Vaterman, M Alva Spayde, B Isaac Robinson, A 8th M ich.Cav. (and 102 U.S.C-T. 8th Mich.Cav. 25th Mich. I. 4th Mich. Car. 25th Mich. I. 27th Mich.I. 2S.S. 6th Mich. H. A. 126th N. Y. I. 2d Mich. I. 9d Mich. I. 25th Mich. I. 67th Ohio I. 17th Mich. I. 1st Mich. C;w. 4th vlich. Car. 15th Mich. I. 7th Ohio I. 9th N. Y. N. A. 13th Mich. I. 2d Mich I. 2d Mich. Cav. 38th Ohlio I. 82d Ohio I. Name. Company. Regiment. W. P. Marsh,t A 186 N. Y. I. Linard Born,* E 1st \iich. I. Henry S. Green, A Ist Mich. Eng's. David Foley, B 8th Mich. Car. A. P. Wyant, F 55th Ohio I. A N. Richey. E 6th \lich. H. A. W. H. Stebbins, I 1st.\lich. S. S. C. H. Barne's, B 49th \Iass. I. Jas. fl. Darrow, H 9th Mass. I. Geo. W. Grubb, I 1st Ohio I. Ge',. Morton, B 1st N. J. Art. S. G. Bennett, G 9th Mich. I. H. E. Barker, I 1st Mich.Lg't Art. P.RI. Taffee, A 6th Mich. H. A. J. F Blodgett, A 25th Mich.' I. M. M. Ford, 1 6th Mich. H. A. Floren Snyder, A 141st N. Y. I. Uriah Marteeny, D 3rd Pa. H. A. W.\W.McClintock,C 28th Mich. I. J. I. Vandenburg,C 1st U. S. S. S. G. D. Cleveland, E 6th Mich. H. A. H. A. Littlejohn, E 7th Mich. Car. Jacob Stross. E 9th Mich. I. fl. B. Foote, C 166 OhioNat.Gds. * Deceased t Commander. t Adjutant. JOHN CLARK GREGG [portrait.] after whom the Grand Army Post of Homer is named, was among the first to offer his services to the government at the beginning of the great rebellion.' In connection with others a company of three months men was raised in thelsouti-h ern part of Calhoun county and at a meeting of the company held in Tekonsha Mr. Gregg was unanimously elected captain. No more three months men' would be received by the government and hence the company disbanded. An, offer of a lieutenantcy came from Marshall in a company forming there but was one day too late, he in company with eight others having gone to Detroit and enlisted in Co. I. 2d Michigan Infantry. He was a faithful and true soldier and for meritorious conduct at the battle of Williamsburg, was specially commended by Col. O. M. Poe, and his adjutant and company officers, and recommended to Governor Blair for promotion to a lieutenantcy. For some reason this promotion never came although it was strongly promised. Mr. Gregg died in Washington on January 9, 1863, of exposure and overwork incident to camp life, and is buried at the soldier's h6me in that city. WILLIAM O. WELLS [portrait.] Past Commander of Gregg Post, was born in Clarendon, this county, February 4, 1845, being a son of William W. and Martlia B. Wells. He removed with his father's -family to this village in 1862 and in August of the same year enlisted in company A. 25th Michigan Infantry and served in the U. S. army for three years. July 3, 1866, he married Ellen O. Andrus, 'of Clarendon and has' since been a resident of this place. He has frequently been called upon to fill official positions of trust, being an ex-village'trustee, ex-township treasurer, ex HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 123 deputy sheriff of this county and in the latter capacity he was one of the best deputies Calhoun county has ever had. For a time he was in the mercantile business here and later dealt in insurance and real estate. Now and for a year or more past he has been a traveling salesman for the Pitts Agricultural Works of Buffalo, New York. He has three children: Lena D., Preston L. and Florence. WALTER P. MARSH [portrait.] a Past Commander of Gregg Post G. A. R., was born in Jefferson county, New York, February 1, 1846, his parents being James and Sarah Marsh. Walter served in the 186th New York Infantry, being 2d lieutenant of company A. of that regiment. In 1867 he went to Dundee, Illinois, where he remained three years and then removed to Charles City, Iowa. January 3, 1872, he married Elizabeth M. Cook, only daughter of Sylvanus and Lucy Cook, the ceremony taking place at the home of the bride's parents in this village. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh returned to Charles City, where they remained until 1875, when they came to Michigan, settling in Clarendon where they now reside. Mr. Marsh is a farmer and has a fine home one mile west of this corporation. He takes an active interest in Homer Lodge No. 232, I. 0. 0. F. as well ds in Gregg Post, and at the present time is Noble Grand of the former organization. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have had three children, two of whom are living, Frederick and Henry. ALVIN N. HOPKINS [portrait.] who was Commander of Gregg Post at the time of his death, which occurred in this village on the 13th of February, the present year, was born in Berlin, Erie county, Ohio, March 13, 1843. In 1861 he enlisted in the 7th Ohio Infantry and served in the Union army for four years. In 1865 he came to Michigan and February 9, 1868 married Clara A. Harding an adopted daughter of Elijah and Almira Andrus of Clarendon. Mr. Hopkins followed farming as an occupation until 1883 when he removed to this village and went into the drug trade, which business he continued up to the time of his death. He took an active interest not only in Gregg Post but also in A. O. U. W. matters, being presiding officer of Homer Lodge No. 46 when summoned from earth. He was a kind hearted generous man, practical and successful in business pursuits and enterprising as a citizen. His sudden death cast a gloom over the community, and was keenly felt not only by his immediate friends but by all who knew him. HIe had three daughters, Clara, Minnie and Jennie. GREGG POST RELIEF CORPS. was instituted by Department President Emma S. Hampton March 12, 1885. The corps started out with sixteen members and now has forty. Mrs. N. D. Beedon, through whose efforts the corps was organized, was elected its first president. Mrs. u. J. Murray was its second president, occupying the position two terms. Mrs. Murray was followed by Mrs. H. S. Green, who was succeeded by Mrs. David Kirby the present president. The corps is an active adjunct to the Post and is one of the most worthy organizations in the place. Its principal objects are the relief of the needy and distressed, and many a home has been b brightened by the liberal disbursing of supplies from its well filled treasury. A. D. BANGHAM, [page 119.] C. H. COOK, [page 126.] -W. C. ALLAN, [page 126.] HOMER TENT NO. 148, K. O. T. n. of the World was instituted with sixteen charter members June 13, 1885, its present, membership being sixty-four. Its foundation is morality, its principles fraternity, its objects the relief of the sick and distressed and the protection of hunmanity, especially the widow and the orphan. The order here is gaining rapidly, its members taking an active interest in promoting the usefulness and prospesity of the tent and the society stands second to none of its kind in the place. They meet every Tuesday evening in the well furnished hall of their own over Dr. Bangham's drug store. The K. O. T. iM. ladies do much to assist in the social features. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 125 Officers of HIomer Tent No. 148, K. O. T. M. First Officers. Sir Knight P. C.-E. W. Blair, 1" "L C.-G. A. McCartney, " " L. C.-A. P. Wyant, " " R. K,-C. M. Waite,.." F. K.-W. W. Snider,.. " C Prelate-S. L. Streeter, " " Phy.-A. D. Bangham, " " Serg't-C. M. Emmons, c" " M~. A.-J. A. Nichols. C." I st M. G.-F. R. Brown,." 4 2d M. G.-W. A. Emmons, " 4C Sent.-J. J. Perry, cc 4C Pick.-J. C. Patterson, Present Officers. Sir Knight P. C.-L. R. Mead, I; LL LC LL C( CC LC Cc rC CC C( r( C.-Chas. Gilchrist, L. C.-W. Mingus, R. K.-W. C. Allan, F. K.-W. YW. Snider, Pre.-W. A. Needham, Phy.-C. H. Cook, Serg't-C. Avery, M. A.-A. E. Knight, 1st M. G.-C. Kline, 2d M. G.-A. Nelson, Sent.--E. L. Baxter, Pick-W. Nelson. Members of Hfomer Tent No. 148, K. O. T. M. Date of Joining. Name. June 10, 1885, E. W. Blair, G. A. McCartney, A. P. Wyant, W. W. Snider, S. L. Streeter, A. D. Bangham, J. A. Nichols, F. R. Brown, J. J. Perry, J. C. Patterson, H. A. Littlejohn, R. Simmonds, Aug. 17, M. Rhodes, Oct. 6, S. H. Rogers, Nov. 3, W. A. Needham, 17, G. Ballentine, Feb. 9, 1886, W. H. Mingus, L. R. Mead, 23, J. W. Simpson, MVar. 10, J. H. Vandybogart, 23, S. R. Butler, Aor. 20, C. G. Kline, May 11, W. Kennedy, 25, W. C. Allan, A. Perry, June 22. C. E. Gilchrist, Aug. 10, E. Osborn, Oct, 26, A. W. Pratt, Nov. 23, G. L. Woodard, Dec, 14, C. B. Cook, Chas. Hatch, Jan. 13, 1887, H. Wait, Date of Joining. Feb. 8, Mar 22, Apr. 12, June 14, Aug. 9, 23, Sept. "'7, Oct. 27, 19, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 22, Dec. 27, Jan. 9, 1888, 24, 31, Mar. 20, Apr. 17. May 1, 8, Name. W. O. Clark, W. Nelson, A. R. Nelson, B. Rainey, H-. C. Bronson, D. Houchen, A. W. Keasey, A. E. Knight, S. Peters, E. Harington, J. H. Mendell, A. R. McMurtiie, T. Gregg, W. S. Leach, W. J. Nelson, A. Nelson, E. L. Baxter, R. Dewey, M. J. Rowley, J. Nelson, F. Garland, D. F. Cole, W. L. Garland, N. C. Daggett, C. F. Avery, F. Austin, P. W. Chase, S. D. Strong, R. W. Snyder, S. P. Aldrich, G. A. Lansing, F. S. Cotton. 12A6 HOMBER AND ITS PIONEERS. G. ALBERT MCCARTNEY [portrait.] first Sir Knight Commander of Homer Tent K. 0. T. M. and P. C. C. of Homer Lodge K. of P., was born in Shelby, Orleans county, New York, March 28, 1852, being a son of William H. and Sarah A. McCartney, now residents of Benton Harbor, this state. When Albert was two years of age the family came to Michigan and settled in this village since which time he has with the exception of a year or two made this place his home. He is a carpenter and builder by occupation and is one of the. most thorough and practical workmen and contractors in this section of the state, and has been awarded the contract of erecting many of our finest and most substantial buildings. H-e takes an active interest in Homer Fire Department, and is an able and efficient trustee of this village. He at present is in the employ of the Homer Lumber Company. December 15, 1874, Mr. McCartney married Miss R. Elvira Randall, of Concord, and they have one son, Earnest. WILLIAM C. ALLAN [portrait.] present Sir Knight Record Keeper of the 'K. 0. T. M., was born in Brechin, among the hills of bonny Scotland, August 26. 1862, his parents being William and Jane Rankin Allan. William C. came to America in 1881, and on November 12, 1883, married Elizabeth Taylor of Toronto, Canada. April 22 of the following year they came to this place, Mr..Allan opening a tailor shop, soon demonstrating that he was an expert in that line of work. He now carries on tailoring on the second floor of C. II. Cook's drug store building, employs several hands and is doing a good business, even filling many orders for suits from all parts of this county, as well as from Jackson, Hillsdale and Branch counties. Mr. and Mrs. Allan have one son, James. Mr. Allan takes an active interest in the K. O. T. M. and makes an efficient Record Keeper. DR. CHARLES H. COOK [portrait.] Sir Knight Physician of Homer Tent K. O. T. M., is a son of E. H. and Martha M. Cook and was born in Clarendon, this county, August 24, 1856. He spent his boyhood days in Clarendon and in 1878 began the study of medicine in the office of the late Dr. Switzer, of Tekonsha, attended lectures in the Eclectic. Medical College of Cincinnati in 1880-1, and the latter year came to this village and began the practice of his profession. In 1882 he went to Burlington, succeeded Dr. Green, also opened a drug store and was appointed and served as postmaster. In the fall of 1884 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, attending two courses, receiving his degree of M. D. March 23, 1886. In April of the latter year he returned to this village where he again entered upon the practice of his profession in connection with the drug trade which he carries on extensively, having a large list of patrons in both lines of his work. September 1, 1881, Dr. Cook married Dana G. Warner of Albion. She is an estimable lady and the Dr. and Mrs. Cook have a very pleasant home. HOMER LODGE, NO. 88, K. OF P. was instituted November 30, 1887, with twenty-three charter members, the membership now being thirty-five. The Knights of Pythias is the youngest secret society organized in the village, but in popularity it is making great strides for a leading position. It is made up as a rule of the younger class of our business and representative men and they are a jolly as well as a clever lot of Knights. The Lodge meets Wednesday evening of each week in I. 0. 0. F. hall. W. W. SNIDER, [page 103.] G. A. I31C'ARTNEY, [page 126.] G. A. HAYNES, [page 128.] A. J. OGDEN, [page 128] C. R. MAINS, [page 128.] S. D. sTRoNG, [page 1528.] Officers of Homer Lodge, No. 88, K. of P. First Officers. P. C. C.-G. A. McCartney, C. C.-W. XV. Snider, V. C. C.-J. T. Cook, Prelate.-G. A. Haynes, M. of E -P. C. Ilitchell, M. of F.-W. O. Clark, K. of R. & S.-C. R. 2Mains, M. at A.---A. J. Ogden, I. G.-C, E Gilchrist, O. G.-W. H. Mingus. Present Officers. P. C. C.-G. A. McCartney, C. C.-W. W. Snider, V. C. C.-J. T. Cook, Prelate.-G. A. Haynes, M of E.-P. C. Mitchell, M. of F.-S. D. Strong, K. of R. & S.-W. 0. Clark, M. at A.-C. E. Gilchrist, I. G.-E. I. Allen, O. G.-W. II. Mingus. 128 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. DR. GEORGE A. HAYNES [portrait.] Prelate of Homer Lodge Knights of Pythias, was born in Princeton Massachusetts, May 15, 1858. His parents were Joshua A. and Charlotte Haynes, the latter's maiden name being Perkins. Both parents died when George was but 8 years old, leaving him and three sisters, two his senior and one his junior in years. The two older died later, the younger now being Mrs. F. W. Pike, of East Saganaw, this state. His boyhood days were passed on a farm, and when old enough did his share of work until the fall of 1876, when he entered the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass., where he graduated June 17, 1880, and the same year became principal of the High school at Dalton in the same state. In the fall of 1881 he came to Michigan and entered the regular medical department of our State University, receiving his degree of M. D. from the latter institution June 26, 1884. He at once came to Homer and opened an office and has an exceptionally fine business. Dr. Haynes' great grandfather and grandfather served as officers of the Continental army in the revolution, his great grandfather falling at the battle of Concord. ALBERT J. OGDEN [portrait.] Master at Arms of Homer Lodge K. of P., is a son of Arby S. and Elizabeth Ogden and was born up in lonia county, in the town of Otisco, on the 28th of April, 1856. He came to Homer with the family in 1860. Although on account of his tender years he didn't make much of a stir when he first arrived, when he got a little older there was not a boy in town but knew it if Bert was around. The only bones he ever had broken was one of the shafts to his underpinning and that was so nicely repaired that it did not in any way impair his fine anatomy. He is one of the most popular men in town, has filled the office of township treasurer several times and might have still more times had he accepted it. He is a trustee of the village council, and though one of the youngest members of the board he is one of the ablest. He is of the firm of Thayer & Ogden, general blacksmiths and dealers in agricultural implements, and the firm is one of the most reliable and substantial in the place. October 25, 1883, he married Sophronia Hartley and they have a home where the older delight to assemble, but the very young have not as yet strayed that way. CHARLES R. MAINS [portrait.] K. of R. S. of the Homer Lodge Knights of Pythias, is a son of John and Mary J. Mains and was born in Eckford, this county, December 23, 1865. His early education was received in a district school. In 1882 he entered the Spring Arbor Seminary, where he remained three years, and then entered the law department of our State University, graduating from the same two years later, June 30, 1887. On August 13th following Mr. Mains opened an office in this place for the practice of his profession, and soon began what is proving a very lucrative and satisfactory business. He is a thorough student of law and has marked legal ability which cannot fail to bring him into prominence at the legal bars of this country. Jan. 5, 1887, he married Nettie Omans, of Spring Arbor. SAMUEL D. STRONG [portrait.] M. of F. of the Knights of Pythias, is a son of Chauncey G. and Fannie E. Strong of Tekonsha, where Sam was born March 10, 1862. Sam grew up in that burg, and this particular production did not hurt the place and fortunately the place did not seem to have any bad effect on the product. In 1881 Sam went to Colorado where for two years he was in the silver mines, after which he returned to Michigan and worked for two years at the tinner's trade in his native town. March 10, 1885, he came to this village and in company with his brother Frank E. engaged in the hardware business. The firm, which is F. E. Strong & Brother, succeeded B. F, Goodrich. Their establishment is one of the finest, not only in this place but in southern Michigan, and they have a big trade. Sam is a member of the M. E. Church choir, has a fine voice which makes him a favorite vocalist. September 15, 1884 he married Ella J. Dorris, of Tekonsha. W. J. GREGG, [page 101.] G SD. CLEVELAND, [page 133] X L. B. TOMLPKINS, [page 13 KNIGHTS OF THE BLUE CROSS is an institution which owes its incubation to this place, the first organization of its kind and having its name taking place in this village. It is incorporated under the laws of the State, the charter governing the supreme lodge bearing date September 16, 1887. The offices of the organization are in this place. It is a fraternal society, its object being insurance. 0.] Supreme Lodge Officers. S. N. M.-W. J. Gregg, S. S. N. M.--Mrs. F. B. Gregg, J. N. M.-T. D. Creque, Sec.-L. B. Tompkins, Treas.-G. D. Cleveland, Chap.-Mrs. E. Bangham, Marshal.-Mrs. F. L. Cleveland, IM. E.-A. D. Bangham, I. G.-Mrs. L. K. Tompkins, O. G.-Mrs. L. A. Creque. Officers of Homer Lodge, No. 1. S. N. M.-J. Mi. Dolph, N. M.-G. A. Haynes, J. N. M.-A. Kirby, Sece--J. H. riarrow, Treas.-E. W. Blair, Chap.-T. H. Janes, M arshal.--D. H. Janes, M. E.-G. A. Haynes, I. G.-A. Janes, O. G.-C. R. Church. 180 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. LEVI B. TOMPKINS [portrait.] Supreme Secretary of the Knights of the Blue Cross and one of the organizers of that order, is a son of Jesse and Maria Tompkins. the latter's maiden name being McClean. Levi B. was born in Gilboa, Schoharie county, N. Y., Aug. 17, 1850. He came to Michigan with his father's family, worked on a farm and later became clerk in a store, bookkeeper and school teacher. Before arriving at his majority he began the study of law in the office of Hayes & Wright at St. Louis, this state, and in 1871 went west with the senior member of that firm, John D. Hayes. March 6 of the following year, Mr. Tompkins was admitted to practice law by Judge Crounse at Lone Tree, now Central City, Nebraska, and immediately thereafter opened an office in Grand Island that state, with M r. Hayes, the firm being Hayes & Tompkins. Later he returned to Michigan and March 10, 1876, was admitted to practice in this state by Judge Hart of Ithaca and June 16, 1885, was admitted to practice in our supreme court by Chief Justice Thomas M. Cooley. In March, 1878, he settled in Albion and October 30, following came to this village where he has since been in active practice. He has a good business, thoroughly understands his profession, and his ability has many times brought him into prominence in many of the different courts in this state. He is author of an "Attorney's and Collector's Register," which has been copyrighted. He has been twice married, first July 9, 1873, to Hattie Osborn of Clarendon, who died April 21, 1874, leaving an infant son, Harry L.; second September 21, 1881,to Louisa Kell, and from the latter union there are two children, Bessie L. and Floyd K. GEORGE D. CLEVELAND [portrait.] Supreme Treasurer of the Knights of the Blue Cross, was born in Wood county, Ohio, October 31, 1840, being a son of Brainard and Esther Cleveland. George's mother died when he was but 7 years old, his father three years prior thereto having become insane from injuries resulting from the kick of a horse, had been sent to the insane asylum at Columbus. A year after his mother's death an uncle brought George to Michigan and farmed him out to James H. Cook, now of this place. At the age of eighteen George ran away and for the next few years worked for A. C. Sabin, Peter Mitchell and Rev. Bela Fancher. Matters got so hbt down in Dixie that George enlisted and served as a soldier for upwards of two years, in company E. 6th Michigan Heavy Artillery, the most of the time being regimental clerk. He was offered a commission in a colored regiment but did not accept. He was with his regiment at the time of the taking of Fort Gaines and Morgan and at the fall of Mobile. April 18, 1864, Mr. Cleveland married Flora L. Robinson and they have two daughters, Mary F. and Dollie. Mr. Cleveland has been in the lumber trade here for nineteen years, his yards and offices being located near the Lake Shore station. He has a big trade and is one of our most enterprising and substantial business men. He was a member of the village council for ten years in succession, is an ex-member of the school board, etc. He is public spirited and has built and sold several residences. He was an invalid for several years but is in the enjoyment of better health now and makes business boom in lumber, lath, lime, coal, etc. IOMER FIRE DEPARTMENT. This organization is limited to fifty men, each member being allowed a sum prescribed by the common council, for being in attendance at regular meetings, drills, etc. The department has lately been reorganized and its members as a rule can hustle like blazes when it's blazes they are after. The department is equipped with one of the finest hand engines in this country, hooks and ladders HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 131 with truck, chemical extinguishers, buckets ptumps, etc. The present officers are: President, D. H. Janes; Sec., E.' I. Blair; Treas., G A. McCartney; Chief, C. F. Avery; Foreman of Engine Company, George Granger; Ass't Forman, William Kennedy;.Foreman of Hose Company, F. S. Cutton; Assistant, A. E. Knignt; Foreman of I-Hook and Ladder Company, G. A. McCartney; Assistant Foreman, Frederick Seitz. THE RAILROADS. -M3ICHIGAN CENTRAL. The railroad facilities of Homer are unsurpassed by any town in the state of M3ichigan which maktes it a pecaliarly desirable point for eitalishing mn.inu fac. - tories. First comes the Air Line division of the Michigan Central, the oldest and most important road, with its fifteen or twenty regultr trains, this number beinlg largely increasedl during the busy season. The Michigan Central has always 1ebeen a favorite with the traveling publie, its track being smcoth, andl s )lid, its cars clean and luxnmrious, its connections close and certain, its speed second to none and its employes courteons and obliging. The Michigan -E.c -(Ce.-ntral is the only Zai~~ re--. al ~Nia a -a r a allis 1oule"h the c uon tr y,Siione e ni without "M. C." bulow n in the bottie. It is the ionly railroad thiat gives a-- s-atisf (ac tor 1y view of the Falls. 11 Every dam trai n stops from afi\e to teln minutLes It Fialls View which is what thi imame inicantes, a spleniiid point f. l-Oim whicli to viaw t1ime great cataract9 It is iight (In the hrinlk of the gran d -- canyou, at t ie CCancadian end of the H orse-Shloe. iji ~a lnd every Itart of tie 'Falls is ii plain sight. Even if lie is too ill or o( lazy to get out of his crii, he can see the liquid wonder of ihe world from the window or' thie platlorm. ThIis is the ichigan Central's strongest hold on popnlar faivor. its greate t amiva tntage, its chief attraction. So long as the waters of that mighty river ethunder down to the awful delpths below5, so long as the rush and r1oar, the sutrge 'and tfoana, andt piismatic spray of natnre's cataractic masterpiece rellain, to delight and awe the human soul, thousands and tens of HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. thousands of beauty-lovers and grandeur-worshipers will journey over the only railroad from which it can be seen. There is but one Niagara Falls on earth, and but one direct great railway to it. LAKE SHORE AND MICHIGAN SOUTHERN. Next comes the Lansing Division of the L. S. & M. S. running from Hillsdale to Lansing, being one of the most popular northern and southern roads in the state. This road runs two trains each way daily. CINCINNATI. JACKSON AND MACKINAW.running from Toledo to Allegan, which is yet a new road, but bids fair to make some of our old lines in the State do some hustling work to keep pace with it. It runs three trains each way daily. These three roads supply the town with very fine mail facilities. No less than eight or ten mails being: received and as many sent daily. To any enterprise seeking a fine healthful location, superior mail and shipping facilities, excellent schools, fine churches, and an excellent moral atmosphere, Homer certainly offers first-class inducements. -,~4Z ____ r-. ( J_. \. _.,r_, b-- F., -"-." j-_, _? _N O" _ - ROW OF BUSINESS BLOCKS ON MAIN STREET EAST OF SOPHIA. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 133 THOMAS LYON. In continuing these brief sketches of Homer's business and representative men of to-day, I should be derelict in duty did I not give Rev. Thomas Lyon a prominent place among them. In fact if there is any man among our citizens who is deserving of a place above all others in the scale of enterprise and public spiritedness it is Mr. Lyon, as no man in the whole list has been more liberal with his own means or has done more to build up the village than he. In fact in the erection of fine buildings no six men have done as much. In all worthy objects tending to build up the place the name of Thomas Lyon always finds a prominent place among the largest subscribers, and to the man in business' who needs ready means in times when currency is scarce he seems to delight in extending accommo- THOMIAS LYON. dation. He has an abundance of this world's goods, is the heaviest taxpayer in the township and owns property including several farms elsewhere, all of which has been accumulated through good business ability, good management and excellent financiering. Mr. Lyon is a son of Thomas and Lois Lyon and was born in Bethel, Sullivan county, New York, May 22, 1819. In early life he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and upon arriving at manhood entered the ministry, which, with teaching, he followed for twenty-eight years, eighteen years of his ministerial work being in this state, he joining the Michigan conference in September, 1854. In March, 1870, Mr. Lyon settled in Homer and opened the Exchange Bank in a little wooden building on Sophia street. He at once erected a fine three story business block at the corner of Main and Sophia streets, which contains three elegant stores on Main street and the postoffice on Sophia street. The latter place Mr. Lyon occupied for his bank after the building was erected until his removal to the building which he erected expressly for banking purposes in 1887, and which is the finest bank building in Calhoun county. Mr. Lyon has been twice married; first to Susan Brown, a noble woman beloved by all who knew her, and who died January 20, 1884; second to Lottie L. Rice, an estimable lady. There is but one child, a little son, John Thomas, which is the issue of the second marriage. ALBERT V. PAXRKS, of Parks & Pratt, bankers, is a son of the late Dr. Vernon Parks and was born in this village June 2, 1845. In company with Mr. Pratt he began banking business in this village in 1875. Their house has always maintained an enviable position as a sound and substantial institution. In December, 1881,, Mr. Parks married Gussie Mitchell, daughter of the late Peter Mitchell and they have three children, Arthur M., Helen and Laura. WELLS PRATT is the junior member of the firm of Parks & Pratt, bankers, and is also of the firm constituting the Homer Lumber Company, and also of the firm of Pratt & Worthington, grain buyers. Mr. Pratt is a native of New York and is about thirty-six years of age. He came to Homer from Jackson county in 1872, first clerking for Pratt & Davis. Mr. Pratt married Nettie Spinning of Grass Lake, October 19, 1876 and they have one son, Henry O. ALBERT ANDRUS, of the firm of Andrus & Webster, bankers, was born in Clarendon, this county, November 22, 1840, and is a son of Elijah and Almira Andrus, and followed 134 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. farming until May of last year, when in company with Mr. Webster he opened the banking house of Andrus & Webster. It is the youngest banking institution in the place, but its proprietors are business men and both are well healed with this world's goods, which makes their institution a substantial financial concern. November 26, 1861, Mr. Andrus married Miss Alvener Hopkins and they have three children, Judson. May and Leonard. WILLIAM J. WEBSTER, of the firm of Andrus & Webster, is a son of Robert and Elizabeth Webster and was born in England May 17, 1848. Mr. Webster came to the United States when a boy and in 1871 came to this village. For a time he taught school, later was cashier of the Homer Exchange Bank. and still later for a term of years was postmaster here. He is an ex-member of our school board, and at present is a village trustee, and justice of the peace, in every place an able official. In 1872 he married Cynthia A. Powers, of this township, and they have one daughter, May. ORLANDO L. LINN, Orlando Livingston is his given name in full, but his more intimate acquaintances shorten it up considerable by calling him "Dick." Dick was'born in Bourbon, Marshall county, Indiana, September 23, 1855, his parents being James W. and Lucy Linn. Dick was evidently a.clever boy in his youth, one who loved sport, and these traits have ever stuck by him. In 1883 he came to Michigan and in company with Alva Spayde, now of Hudson. opened a clothing and boot and shoe establishment in this place, the firm being Spayde & Linn. The house at once took a prominent place among our business institutions which had a good trade, and which increased yearly. In September last year Mr. Spayde withdrew and Mr. Linn became sole p)roprietor. Mr. Linn keeps a large and exceptionally well selected stock, is a practical business man and without a doubt has as c:ood a trade as any house of the kind in the coun ty. February 17,1875, Mr. Linn married Miss Elsia A. Nave, of Roanoke, Indiana and they have one son, Frank. 0. L. LINN. FRANK E. STRONG is one of the most popular business men of the place of to-day, and is an older brother of Sam D. Strong, whose portrait is seen elsewhere. Frank was born in Tekonsha, October 11, 1858. \ "When Frank was nineteen years old he came to SHtomer and presided at the tinner's bench for B.. F. Go:odrich, and later returned to Tekonsha S where for a few years he was in charge of a branch store of Mr. Goodrich's. March 10, 1885, in company with his brother Sam, he purchased the Goodrich stock and has since carried on trade under the firm name -of F. E. Strong & Brother at the old stand in this village. They carry an immense stock and probably have as extensive a trade as any hardware house ini the county. Like Sam, Frank is a singer, and like Sam too he is F. E. STRONG. one of the happiest fellows in all Michigan. Feb. 16, 1881, he married Nora V. Thorn, of Homer, and they have three daughters. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 135 W1ILLIAM NRABY, a leading dealer in lumber, lath. lime, etc., was born in Soham, Cambridgeshire, England, December 24, 1822, his parents being William and Ann Raby. In September, 1842, he married Mary S. SBorne, of Isleham in William's native shire. Will-. lam was an apprentice at blacksmitling at the age of sixteen, became an expert at the trade and folSlowed the occupation at Isleham until 1848, when lie left England for Sidney, New South Wales. In tle following year he left Australia, for London, going around Cape Horn, the passage consuming twenty-four weeks. In 1850 he came with his family to the United States and for a time worked at blacksmithing in Albany. Jersey City and Buffalo, coming to Homer in 1858. Since coming to the United States he has visited the land of his birth four times, the last visit being in 1880. From 1866 WM. RABY. to 1871 he farmed it in Eckford, the latter year opened the planing mills near the Air Line in this villiage which he operated for years. He is an exceptionally good business man, and has accumulated a good property. He is honorable in deal i and his word is as good as a bankable note. He is an ex-trustee of our common council, is a master mason, and was made an Odd Fellow in England over forty years ago, and at this time is a prominent member of Homer Lodge No. 232. Mr. and Mrs. Raby have had sixteen children, of whom only five are living: Ann, now Mrs. B. D. Cook; Wm. J., who married Alice Seafer; Frank, who married May Brown; Emma, living with her parents and Minnie, now Mrs. F. S. Cotton. Mr. Raby's lumber yards and office are located near the C. J. and M. railroad station. GILES E. COOPER. In the town of Scipio, Hillsdale county, this state, on a beautiful day, June 17, 1854, the neigh- G. E. COOPER. bors called upon Abram and Eliza Cooper to congratulate them upon the arrival of a son, who later was named Giles E. It was not the first son in the household, but it was the first Giles. In 1876 Giles came to Homer and in company with his father and an older brother, William W., opened the Osborn House. They were practical hotel men and built up an extensive hotel business. Later Giles and his brother were in the livery business and still later opened an agricultural warehouse, which they still own and operate, the same being under the charge of the subject of this sketch. Giles is also proprietor of one of the leading grocery establishments in this place. There is no better business man here than Giles. He handles lots of ducats and salts a good pile of them in his extensive business. He never was married but says a host of old maids, with now and then a younger one, and an occasional widow, have given him ample opportunities. GEORGE E. WALWORTH, although not now a resident of this village, having recently removed to Hillsdale, was for the past three years so prominently identified with our business interests as to deserve a notice of praise. He is a son of Thomas H. and Martha A. Walworth and was born in Jackson county, December 18, 1859. December 136 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 3, 1884, he married Miss Fannie Merrett, of Eaton Rapids. Mr. Walworth was with Reynolds Bros., Eaton Rapids, for years and in January 1885, was placed in charge of a dry good store of the ReySnods' in this village. Later the establishment was purchased by George E. and a younger brother, Ora, the firm being Walworth Brothers. Ora later withdrew and George became sole proprietor.' He continued in trade here until April of the present year, when he removed to Hillsdale. George is an exceptionally good business man and had a good trade here. He was a trustee of the village council in 1887 and during his stay in this place won a host of friends. RICHARD F. CHURCH. one of Homer's popular bnsiness men, was born on Door Prairie, Indiana, September 5, 1848, being a G. E. EWALWORTHI. son of Alonzo and Mary J. Church. Richard or Dick as he was naturally nicknamed, came to Michigan with his father's family when but four years of age, settling in Norvil, Jackson county. Arriving at manhood Dick learned the jeweler's trade and in 1873 came to this village, with a limited kit of tools, and opened shop, which was the nucleus of his fine jewelry establishment which is not only an ornament to the town but a business place visited and admired by the traveling public. Few if any firms in the county handle a finer class of goods, and no dealer in jewelry is more reliable. August 21. 1874, Mr. Church married Jennie Webster, of Maple Rapids, who died December 24, 1878. hle hlas one daughter, Maude. CHARLES R. CHURCH, brother of Richard, was born in Jackson county, Septem)er 28, 1859. Charles is also a jeweler by occupation and is one of the best skilled workmen R. F. CHURCH. ever in this place. His establishment is always well stocked with the finer class of goods and S though first starting in trade here in April two. years ago, he has already built up an unusually good business. October 1. 1882, Charley married! Ida A. Tubbs, who was born in New-York state, and they have one little daughter, Mary F. IRA K. HENSHAW, of Henshaw & Co. undertakers, and manufactur-. ers and dealers in furniture, is a son of Ira K. and Catherine M. Henshavw, and was born in Genesee county, New York. June 23, 1844. Ira learned the trade of cabinet maker in Batavia, New York, and for a time worked at that occupation in different Scities in that state. He is a skilled workman in the true sense of the term and can make anything " that can be carved out of wood. HIe came to Michigan in 1870, located in this village, and for several I. K. HENSHAW~. years was in the grocery business. In December HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 137 1885 he opened his present establishment, employing a number of workmen in the manufacturing department.' Henshaw & Co. also own one of the finest funeral cars in this section of the state and their services as embalmers are almost always sought in case of death anywhere in this section. September 1, 1867. Mr. Henshaw married Emurette M. Putnam, of Batavia, New York. They have one daughter Ivy R. LUKE n. THAYER. of Thayer & Ogden, general blacksmiths and dealers in agricultural implements is of English descent, but if one goes back in genealogy for a couple of centuries he will find a Frenchman, an ancester,:i.. who spelled his name Theirs. Luke was born in 'l Onondaga. New York, December &1, 1834, a son of Sanford and Sarah Thayer, the latter's maiden L...THAYER. name being Miner. Luke learned blacksmithing when eighteen years of age, and later served on the police force of Syracuse, N. Y., for live years. Came to Homer in the spring of 1855. When the war of the rebellion broke out Luke was one of the first on deck and with John Gregg, Col. Allen Deming and E. P. Potter was instrumental in raising the first company of three months men in this part of the county, and at a meeting of the company held in Tekonsha was tendered the office of lieutenant. As no more three months men were wanted Luke enlisted in Company I. 4th Michigan Cavalry, serving until the close of the war or for nearly four years. In the 4th he was first farrier and later Veterinary Surgeon of the regiment. He was never absent from his regiment only when on duty, and participated with it in over one hundred active engagements principally among them being the battles of Perryville, Murfreesborough, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesborough, and was with Kilpatrick in his famous raid around Atlanta, Mr. Thayer being captured in the charge at Lovejoy Station, but later escaped. -le was one of the command that captured Jeff Davis at Irwinville. May 10, 1865, rnd was one of the twenty-nine who dismounted and surrounded the Jeff Davis camp, Mr. Thayer having charge of the left of the line, Lieut. A. B. Purrinton now of Coldwater, being in charge of the right. The first shot was from the left and was fired by Thayer himself. Luke occasionally speaks of his adventures in the war, and is sure to when some other soldier attempts to size up a record. Luke is a good business man, and a good official, is now village Marshal, and has been a number of times before. October 6, 1854. he married Mary Eaton, who was born in England. From this union there were eight children, four of whom are living, Thomas S., Glenny, Clifford and Tuney. E. CHARLES ROBINSON, of Robinson & Miller, formerly known as the Buckeye Machine Company, dealers in agricultural implements and farm machinery, was born in LeRoy, this county, February 29, 1856. January 6, 1887, Mr. Robinson came to this place, and in company with Mr. Miller opened their establishment. The institution at once took a leading position, and as the firm only handled the better class of machinery, the house at once entered upon an extensive trade which has constantly increased. The offices and ware rooms are owned by Messrs. Robinson & Miller, are on Main street and are not only the best arranged, but are among the largest institutions of the kind in the county. November 15, 1887, Mr. Robinson married Miss Cora Brown, of Battle Creek. ZENAS W. MILLER, of Robinson & Miller, was born in Dundas county, town of Winchester, Canada, January 6, 1861. In 1879, moved to YorkState, and to Michigan in 1882. Came HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. to Homer in 1887. On November 11, 1884, Mr. Miller married Miss Hattie Robinson, of Leroy, and they have one daughter. Carrie. CAP, WILLIAM B. LARRABEE. One of the jolliest and best natured men in town is Cap. Larrabee. He is known as Cap. but is entitled to still another cognomen, that of Doctor. He does not look after the ills of man, but if there is a sick horse anywhere in this section, the Captain is usually summoned, and if there is any one who can restore to health the noble specimen of the brute creation, it is the subject of this notice. Captain Larrabee was born in Brownesville, Pa., December 30, 1830, his parents being Joseph W. and Lucy A. Larrabee. He came to Michigan in 1856, went further west and returned here in 1858, went into the army in 1862 and for nearly four years was first lieutenant of Company A. 4th Ill. WM7. B. LARRABEE. Cavalry. At the close of the war he returned and purchaned a farm south of here in Litchfield, and in 1873 sold out and removed to Grand Island, Nebraska, and in 1885, returned to this village, where he has since practiced veterinary surgery, for which work he has a fine outfit of instruments and appliances and is very successful. November 16, 1855, Captain Larrabee married Mariette Bugbee, a daughter of Loren Bugbee, of this village. Mrs. I arrabee died in Nebraska, May 29, 1878, leaving one daughter, Gertrude, now the widow of the late Dr. T. C. Howe who died in this village February 7, 1886. JAMES A. CLARK, of Clark & Son, grocers, was born in Elba, Genesee county, New York. February 22, 1836, his parents being William and Mary Clark. James came to Michigan in 184., making his home in this place and vicinity until 1869, following farming and carpentering. Enlisted in the Union army serving as private in company A. 15th Michigan Infantry. In 1869, he went north and for a time was in the mercantile and lumber businessin Amsden,Montcalm county, and later removed to Lansing, where he did mechanical work for four years on the Capital building which was being erected, ant the six years following was assistant engineer in the same building. Returned to this village in August 1883, and began his present business, the firm being Sloan & Clark. One year later W. O. Clark, son of James, succeeded Mr. Sloan in the business, when the firm became Clark & Son. Clark & Son have an elegant business place, one of the most complete and best selected stocks in town, and no-firm has a better trade. Mr. Clark has been twice married, first November 1, 1858, to Miss Lois Budd. of Clarendon, who died September 3, 1869, second December 9, 1872, to Miss Eliza Burlingham, of Lansing. W~ILLIAMN O. CLARK, son of James A., and of the firm of Clark & Son, was born in Clarendon, October 5. 1863. He is one of the popular young business men of the place and married Miss Lillie Kirby, daughter of David Kirby of this village, April 8, 1885. B. FRANK WOODBURY, of B. F. Woodbury & Co. was born one mile north of this village, in Albion township, September 7. 1853,* his parents being Joseph and Emily Wooodbury. The father died when Frank was four years old. Frank learned telegraphy and was operator at the Air Line station in this village for ten years. In March last he purchased the late A. N. Hopkins' drug stock and is carrying on the same. Frank is now one of the best pharmacists in the place, has lots of patrons as well as a host of friends, and has one of the best drug trades in town. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 139 THOMAS J. UWALFORD, proprietor of Walford's livery and sale stables, was born in Middlesex, Yates county, New York, July 15, 1834. his parents being John and Elizabeth Walford. Thomas was bred on a farm and after arriv-. ing at manhood followed faIr:ing as an occhpation for twenty-six years. Early in life lie formed. quite an attachment for fine horses and to-day, as a judge of good horse flesh lie has no superior anywhere. He first came to lHomer in 1872, remained a time, then purchased a farm in South Albion. In 1882 he removed to Kansas and four years later returned to this village and engaged in the business of buying and liandling horses for the eastern markets, in due time running a livery in connection. HIe has some of the best turnouts ever in this place, keeps themr up in nice shape, and is a clever, obligiag man. One can seldom look through his stables T. J. VALFORD. Zwithout seeing one or more fine animals which are destined for driving in Central Park or some other noted place in an eastern city. November 4, 1865, Mr. Walford married Zelphia Brown, of Yates Co. They hiad one son and three daughters: Edgar S., Agnes, now Mrs Jacob Loder,Annis, who married * John Sharp and died in Kansas, anld Clarrissa H-I. living at home. W'ILLIAM M. WELCHI, 444Z Homer's popular dentist, was born in Clarendon,.a few miles west of this village, June 17, 1851, and is a son of William and Mary Welch. At the age: of eighteen years he began the study of dentistry: in Bristol, Indiana, completing the same in the office of- Dr. Eggleston, in Marshall, this county. Dr. Welch practiced his profession for ten years in S Reading, Hillsdale county, and in 1883, came to w. M. WELCH. this village. His office and operating rooms are on the second floor of Lyon's bank building, and are not only nicely furnished but are fully equipped with all the best instruments and appliances for successfully carrying on dental work, and the doctor is a succes.i3ful operator and skilled workman and has an exceptionally good business. He takes an active interest in religious matters and is an elder and trustee of the Presbyterian church in this village. April 24, 1872, he married Abigail Gannett, of Bristol, Indiana. They have two children Winfred E. and Lewis G. JOHN HOFFMAN, dealer in agricultural implements, carriages and farm machinery, is a son of Henry and Ellen Hoff- i man, now of Eckford, and was born in New York.: city December 18, 1844. John came to Michigan "'' when a boy, learned the carpenter trade and Dec. " 15, 1862, enlisted in Company A.- 8th Michigan Cavalry, first being corporal and then sergeant. JOHN HOFFMAN. 140 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. While the army was at Dandridge, Tenn., on January 16, 1863, John with three others was sent with dispatches from Gen. Burnside's headquarters to Colonel Genard some fifteen miles distant, and John and his companions were taken prisoners. They were taken before Gen. Longstreet and sent to prison, first to Belle Isle, then to Libby, then Andersonville, next to Florence and lastly to Charleston. John was in prison fifteen months, seven months of the time at Andersonville. His three companions died in prison. John suffered terribly from prison life and it was only his then good constitution and a heap of grit that enabled him to survive. Probably no man can give a more correct idea of Andersonville than Mr. Hoffman. At the close of the war John returned to Michigan, i worked at carpentering in Eckford until 1871, when ": he came here, ran a livery for a few years and then engaged in his present business and has a fine FRANK AUSTIN. trade. Is an ex-village trustee and ex-township treasurer and made a good official. Oct. 8, 1879, he married Mary Snider. They have two children, J. Norman and Mabel. FRANK AUSTIN, of Bangham & Austin, druggists, is a son of Theodore N. and Helen M. Austin, of Marengo, this county. Frank was born in.Cayuga county, New York, April 6, 1858. Came to Michigan with the family when four years of age, settling in Marshall. Arriving at manhood he became a carriage woodworker, but failing health caused him to discontinue that occupation for farming. Later for three years he was a traveling salesman for Cray "" & Rood, of Toledo, selling harness hardware, his territory being Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and I1 -". " linois. In 1887. he came to Homer and engaged C. H. MAHANY. in the drug trade with Dr. Bangham, and the firm has a fine business. July 31, 1879, MIr.Austin married Alice M. Sharp, of New York. They have thTee children, Pearl S., Theodore N. and Helen M. HARLO WAIT, of Wait & Co., grocers, was born in New York, February 25, 1856, being a son of the late Martin Wait. April 17, of the present year, Wait & Co. succeeded Cole & Wait, Harlo being a member of the latter firm. Mr. Wait is a practical business man and the establishment has an exceptionally good trade. CHARLES H. MAHANY, manufacturer of the Baldwin hammock and swing, is a son of David L. and Sarah A. Mahany. Charley arrived in town Deceniber 7, 1854, and when the older ladies heard him yell, observed his well cut features, and saw the promi~nent nose masquerading between the little bright eyes they no doubt said he's a beauty, and they knew if he grew up he would be a jolly good natured fellow, for he was a chip off the old block. But they had no idea that.his face would ever produce such a portrait as the one which so faithfully represents him in this work. Charley was bred in the healthful atmosphere of this place, and in time was in the mercantile trade with his older brother, William L. In 1880, he became a traveling salesman for the Seely Manufacturing Company, of Detroit, HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 141 and has since visited all the more important places from northern Wisconsin to Florida. He is still in the employ of that company, except for a few months during the summer season when he looks after his hammock business. The Baldwin is the finest hammock made and Mr. Mahany will get out several hundred this year. HENRY I-I. SHEAR, of Shear & Son, dealers in fresh and salt meats, was born in Tompkins county, New York, August 5, 1826, and was a son of John and Mercy Shear. June 5, 1847, he married Mercy Vati Loan, of Schuyler county. and on December 24, 1851, his first wife having died, he was again married, this time to Margaret E. Cotton, of the same. county. In 1862 the family came to Michigan and! settled in Clarendon, where Mr. Shear farined it ' i until 1884, when lie removed to this place, first en- H. H. SHEAR. gaging in the flour and feed business, also keeping a wood yard. He began his present business the first of March of this year. He is a member of the S F. B. church on Cook's Plains, is a clever, goodS' hearted business man and can find money in any undertaking. IHe had eleven children, of whom S eight are living: Malissa and Willard by first wife, * ^ Emmet, Syrenus, Belle, Arthur, Etta and Harmie by second. ARAH H. RANDALL, proprietor of the Calhoun mills, is a native of this county, was born and bred in Tekonsha and his early education was derived from the district school. He entered Hillsdale college at the age of seventeen, was a student of that institution continuously for eight years, graduating June 19, 1873. For the next ten years he was engaged it teaching A. H. RANDALL. and mercantile pursuits. About January 1, 1883, he purchsed the Calhoun mills and has since operated the same. In 1887 he put in the improved roller process, and made other important changes, all of which necessitated an expense of several thousand dollars, the mills now being among the best in the county. Mr. Randall is now supervisor of Albion township, makes a good official and is filling his third term in said office. June 23, 1873, he married Miss Ada Tucler of Tekonsha, from which inin there are five children, two.sons and three. daughters. WILLIAM PEPPET, the artist from whose work the street scenes and '. many of the portraits found in this work were en- ' | graved, is an Englishman and was born in London June 29, 1818. When a boy he was apprenticed to a coach maker, and later worked at that occupation in his native city. He came to the United WM. PEPPET. States in 1847, worked in New York city for one firm eight years. Then was in 142 HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. Janesville, Wisconsin, four years and then returned to New York city, and four years later, in 1862, came to Albion, this state, and the year following to Homer. H-ere he worked at carriage making until 1872, when he opened a photograph gallery, which business he still follows, and is doing a very good business. In religion he is a high church Episcopalian and is an active member of Christ Church of this village. He has been twice married, first in London, Ma y 29, 1838, to Elizabeth West, who died in this village March 29, 1880; the second time to Josephine E. Doolittle, of Fayette county, Iowa, June 22, 1881. Mr. Peppet has had eight children: By first wife six, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Broman; Anna, now Mrs. David Kirby; George who married Sarah F. Henderson; William, who died Oct. 16, 1865; and Mary J., who became Mrs. Edward Waldron, and died Sept. 24, 1881. By second wife, Hanford, who died in September, 1883, and Mary a little daughter about three years old. PAIRIS W. CHASE, publisher of THE HOMER INDEX, and who did the typographical work of "Homer and Its Pioneers," was born at Enfield Center, Tompkins county, New York, March 2, 1865. His parents were Parvis W. and Jennie Chase. The father died seven weeks prior to the birth of Parvis, jr. and the mother seven years later. Left an orphan with an older brother. Ezra, the subject of this sketch was taken in charge by an aunt, now Mrs. Adda C. Fleming, of Hillsdale, Michigan, who kindly cared for them until the two arrived at manhood. The brother died in Wheatland, Dakota. October 9, 1885. Parvis attended district school and later was in the State Normal School at Cortland, N. Y. In 1883, with his aunt he removed to Parkman, Ohio, where Parvis began the trade of tinner in the hardware establishment of one Charles Bundy. in the fall of P. W. CHASE. the same year came to this place, and for eighteen months was with B. F. Goodrich in the same business. March 1, 1885, dates the beginning of his career in the INDEX Office, beginning as general utility boy, later becoming typo, then manager, and finally publisher, taking the last named position January 1 of the present year. He is a good printer and his paper has one of the healthiest circulations of any local publication in the county. February 23, 1888, Mr. Chase married Miss Zaide L. Redfield, daughter of the late John Redfield, and granddaughter of Beriah S. Redfield, whose portrait appears on page 57 of this work. Mr. Chase is about as handsome as the aver-age newspaper man, still his portrait fails to do him credit. Page 16--Leathernose lost his nose prior to the coming of the white settlers. It was a man named Stephen Cronin who was bitten in the grocery. Page 17, line 37-Clarendon should read Eckford. Page 29, line 21-1834 should be 1838. Page 30-Supervisor and clerk for 1835 were Osha Wilder and James Parsons. Page 44-Theodore Cook was married in spring of 1872. Page 43-For Louise Cook read Louise Woolley. Page 49--David Burt, Jr. died Nov. 5, 1854. Page 52-John Balentine's grandchild "Ernie" should read Erma and is living. Page 77-Mr. Henderson's first wife was Frances W. Bordwell. Page 79-Charles H. Mahany was born December 7, 1854. Page 113-Lewis R. Mead was born January 3,1862. Page 128--Samuel D. Strong was married September 15, 1886. Page 134-Alva Spayde now of Hudson, should read, now of Tecumseh. Page 139-Thomas Walford was married in 1855. HOMER AND ITS PIONEERS. 143 or the last ten years in and around Homer, KELLOGG'S COLUMBIAN OIL has had the largest sale of any Medicine known, and dealers have always been authorized to refund the money in any case of dissatisfaction in Rheumatism or Kidney Complaints in any form and all Pain, Inflammation, Chiolera Morbus, Diarrhoea, Catarrh or Colds and all kinds of Distress. The beneficial effects of are at once felt and its remidial effects always suie and certain. It is the best household remedy known and should always be kept on hand in case of an emergency. n H1. VAP WAGOIER & 0o, iMANUFACTURERS OF THE VAN WAGONER STEAM FEED 0OOKER, NHOMER, MIICHIIGAN. The Van Wagoner Steam Feed Cooker is the best and most practical apparaLus of its kind ever invented, being the _ simplest in operation. run with the least expense, and the most satisfactory of any Cooker made. Any kind of stock can be fattened through the use of this Cooker at one half the cost of the old way, and with little trouble, as a child even can operate it. Two barrels of feed can be cooked in a little time at an expense not to exceed three cents. The Van Wagoner Cooker will pay for itself if used by any farmer or stock raiser in a few weeks. It is used for cooking feed for cattle, hogs, sheep and all stock. By the use of the Van Wagoner Cooker it has been demonstrated, that the farmer can, by cooking the feed, 'make a greater profit by selling at three cents, than by fatting the old way and STEAM FEED COOKER. receiving five cents per pound. For circulars anc testimonials address, C. 11. VAN WAGONER &e CO., Homer, Michigan. CONTENTS, CHAPTER I. Michigan-Early settlement of territory, - When became a state, - - - Population of, - - - - Products and standing, - - 8 CHAPTER II. Calhoun County-Early settleme it, - - First marriages, births and deaths. - - Population of, - - - Its senators in legislature, - - - 10 Its representatives in legislature, - - 11 Its products and newspapers, - - - 12 CHAPTER III. Township-Why it was named Homer, - - Its natural resources, - - - SA favorite resort of the Indians, - - - - 14 Indian's assembly grounds, - - - 15 Removal of the Indians, - - - 17 CHAPTER IV. Township-Settlement of Homer proper, - - 19 Settlement of Eckford and Clarendon. - 22 Settlemem of Lower Eckford, - - - 26 Settlement of A lbion, - - - - 28 Division of, - - - - 29 Supervisors and clerks of, - - - - 30 CHAPTER V. Village-Settlement of, - 35 Its first buildings, - - - 37 Its first flouring mills, - - - 37 Some of its first industries. - - - 38 C F APTER VI. Biographical-See Index of Names. CHAPTER VII. Village-When incorporated, - - - - 99 Its presidents and recorders. - - - - 100 Its schools, past and present, - - - 103 The Methodist Episcopal Church, - - - 106 The Presbyterian Church, - - - - 107 The Episcopal Church, - - - -109 Humanity Lodge No. 29, F. & A. M., - - - 112 Homer Grange No. 200, P. of H., - - 114 Homer Lodge No. 232, I. O. O. F.. - - 114 Homer Lodge No. 46, A. O. U. W., - - - 115 Gregg Post No. 155, G. A. R., - - - - 120 Gregg Post Relief Corps, - - - - 123 Homer Tent No. 148, K. O. T. M., - - - 124 Homer Lodge No. 88, K. of P., - - 126 Knights of the Blue Cross, - - - - 129 Its Fire Department, - - - - - 130 Its Railroads, - - 131 Its Leading Business Men-See Index of Names. INDEX OF NAMES OF PERSONS WHO HAVE RECEIVED SPECIAL NOTICE. PAGE. Arthur, Alexahder.............. 61 Ansterburg, Frederick........... 65 Archer, Ezra.................. 91 Allen, Stephen R................ 103 Allan, W illiam C................ 126 Andrus, Albert................. 133 Austin, Frank................... 140 Barney, M ilton.................. 44 Ballentine, John................. 51 Ballentine, George............... 52 B all, O rrin..................... 62 Babcock, Amos A............... 65 Blair, Dr. George W........... 73 Blair, Mrs. George W............ 73 Blair, Edwin W............... 119 Burt, D avid Jr.................. 49 Burt, Ledlie................... so 80 Burt, Charles D................. 113 Bangham, Dr. Arthur D.......... 119 Beedon, Nathan D.......... 119 Chase, Eli T.................... 69 Chase, Parvis W................. 142 Champion, Lewis HI............. 114 Church, Andrew S............... 84 Church, Richard F.............. 136 Church, Charles R............... 136 Clark, James A................. 138 Clark, W illiam 0................. 138 Cleveland, George DI............ 130 Collins. Dr. Eugene A........... 102 Cook, Dea. Henry............... 43 Cook, John...................... 43 Cook, James H-.................. 44 Cook, Sylvanus.................. 44 Cook, Mrs. Sylvants............. 44 Cook, Theodore.................. 44 Cook, W illiam................... 102 Cook, Rev. Elijah............... 69 Cook, Dr. Charles H............. 126 Cool, Jacob...................91 Cooper, Giles E............... 135 Dorsey, Andrew................. 50 Dorsey, Thomas S............... 51 Dunton, Thomas O0.............. 88 DeBow, Charles E............... 118 PAGE. Gardner, Barney................. 88 Grover, Powell.................. 41 Gregg, Michael.............. 77 Gregg, John C................... 122 Gregg, W illiam J................ 101 Hamilton, Samuel W............ 45 HIamilton, Milo D............. 45 Hatch, Frederick R........... 46 Hatch, Mrs. Frederick R......... 46 Hatch, Maitland W.............. 49 Hatch, William............... 92 Hatch, De AltonP.............. 118 Haynes, Dr. George A.......... 128 Henderson, Edward............. 77 Henshaw, Ira K................ 136 Hill, Rufus.................. 61 Hoffman, John.................. 139 Hopkins, Almond C............ 56 Hopkins, James.--..............56 Hopkins, Alvin N............. 123 Hutchinson, David L............ 83 Janes, Dea. David................ 92 Janes, Mrs. Betsey E......... 94 Juckett, Mrs. Rachael......... 94 Kennedy, Barnes............... 80 Lewis, Arza................... 59 Leach, Elihu I-IH.................. 79 Larrabee, William B......... 138 Linn, Orlando L.............. 134 Lyon, Rev. Thomas............. 133 Lane, William A.............. 102 Mahany, David L................ 79 Mahany, Charles 11.............. 140 Mains, Charles R................ 128 Marsh. Walter P................. 123 McCartney, G. Albert............ 126 McCully, Robert............... 52 McMurtrie, Henry M........ 42 McMurtrie, Richard A........... 41 McMurtrie, Mrs. Richard A....... 41 Mead, Franklin............ 112 Miller, Michael............. 49 Miller, Mrs. Michael............. 49 M iller, Zenas WV................. 137 146 HOMER AND ITS PTONEERS PAGE. Murray, Chester J............... Nelson, Smith W..... Nelson, Isaac J................. Nims, Dr. Dwight B........... Ogden, Albert J............. Parks, Dr. Vernon.............. Parks, Albert V................. Peppet, William......,........... Potter, Ellery P................ Powers, John............... Powers, Stephen S........... Pratt, Wells................ Putnam, Orlin H................. Putnam, Mrs. Orlin HI.......... Raby, William........ Randall, Arah H.e............ - nedlield, Beriab S.............. Rnichey, John W................. Riggs, Victor D................ Robinson, E. Charles............ Rogers, Alonzo II.... -.... Sabin, Rev. Benjamin........... Sanford, George............. 118 87 87 73 128 74 133 141 78 55 52 133 70 70 135 141 56 87 93 137 84 66 114 P Sheare, 1Henry H1-................. Smitli, Byron.................. I Smith, Hirlam................... Slairson, Charles A............ Snyder, Abraiham........... Snyder, Wesley................. Snider, William W.............. Strong, Frank E................ Strong, Samuel D................ Thayer, LDke M................. Tompkins, Levi B................ Vandenburgh, John............. Vandeburg, James W........... Wagoner, Charles............... W ait, HFIarlo.................... Walworth, George E............. Wal ford 'Tbhomas.............. Westcot, Josiah N.............. Wells, William O................ Welch Williaim M............. Wilder, Osha.................... Webster, William J............. Wiintersteen, William............ Worthington, James............. Woodbury, B. Frank............ AGE. 141 60 60 118 6'* 1 5 103 131 55 140 135 130 622 839 45 135 91 138 ii'; i ri! ii iji 11! II' I II ii i,i;~ ii i II r i: r h ~! # .4 4 4 It &I X4 it.4~ 44, 44,11A XM j 444 JI144444 I -ij1 aj^i,j ~ ~, ~ b4..+.. 4 fit4 g.IA424 ft 4 ~;~~ ~4 4. 444 44444 ~ 4 4 4 4 as Jf 4. 4~, 4 44 4z. 061. 1 4.1v