Osceola County MI Archives History .....Osceola County Elections ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 10:45 pm Osceola County held its first general election in 1869. At this time existed no schisms from the two great political parties in this county, and the syffragisrs were held to their respective political faiths. The county, from its organization to the present time, has been most pronounced in its adherence to the principles of the Republican party. At times during the past decade the Greenbackers and the Prohibitionists have been recognized by a few voters in the county, but in the main they have had too much political wisdom to trifle with that great gift to the freeman - the elective franchise - by casting their votes for a party that could not present, either in the present or any future time, the shadow of a hope of electing their candidates. From the first vote given by the county for Presidential candidates, which was in 1872, when Gen. U. S. Grant and Horace Greeley were running, to the last election, the county has given a large majority for the Republican candidate. The same has been the case with the State Governors and other State Officers, the members of Congress, and county officials. Osceola County is in the Ninth Congressional District, and in the Congressional election of 1882 and that of 1884 gave its vote for Byron M. Cutcheon, one of the ablest members from Michigan. The people in choosing their local officials have been very fortunate in that they have been invariably worthy, efficient and honest. During the last campaign some interest was manifested by the people in the Prohibition movement, but the disastrous results of this movement to the country will, it is thought, prevent it from having any recognition hereafter. The lsit given below represents correctly the vote given by the county from its organization up to and including the vote of 1884: ELECTION OF APRIL, 1869. Probate Judge - James M. Foster Sheriff - Isaiah Manes County Clerk - John A. Gamage Register of Deeds - John A. Gamage County Treasurer - Rufus F. Morris Prosecuting Attorney - S. F. Dwight Circuit Cout Commissioner - S. F. Dwight County Surveyor - E. F. French Coroners - J. W. Ash and E. H. Wood There were no party lines at that period, nor does the record give the number of votes each candidate received. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1870. Circuit Judge Fourteenth Judicial District - A. H. Giddings, 283; J. B. Smith, 5. ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1870. Governor - Henry P. Baldwin, Rep., 163; C. C. Comstock, Dem., 78. Secretary of State - Daniel Striker, Rep., 170, J. W. Handers, Dem., 68. State Treasurer - V.P. Collier, Rep., 170; A. J. Bowne, Dem., 68. Auditor General - William Humphrey, Rep., 170; Charles W. Butler, Dem., 68. Commissioner of Land Office - C. O. Edmonds, Rep., 171; John G. Hubinger, Dem., 67. Attorney General - Dwight May, Rep., 170; John Atkinson, Dem., 68. Superintendant of Public Instruction - Oramel Hosford, Rep., 170; Duane Doty, Dem., 68. Congressman - Thomas W. Ferry, Rep., 169; Myron Ricer, Dem., 69. State Senator - S. C. Moffat, Rep., 170; J. W. Murdock, Dem., I. State Representative - E.D. Gray, Rep., 169; James Kennedy, Dem., I Probate Judge - Franklin Cole, Rep., 25; no opp. Sheriff - J.W. Ash, Rep., 109; L.F. Stephens, Dem., 54. County Clerk and Register of Deeds - John A. Gamage, Rep., 185; Joseph Newman, Dem., 68. County Treasurer - R. F. MOrris, Rep., 156; C. J. Perly, 38. Prosecuting Attorney - S. F. Dwight, Rep., 156; E. W. Miller., Dem., 90. Circuit Court Commissioner - S. F. Dwight, Rep., 156; E. W. Miller, Dem., 84. County Surveyor - R. W. Page, Rep., 106; J.J. Temple, Dem., 127. Coroners - D. A. Blodgett, Rep., 148; J. E. Smith, Rep., 148. ELECTION OF APRIL 1871. Justice of the Supreme Cout - James V. Campbell, Rep., 310; d. d. Hughes, Dem., 97. Congressman - special election - W. D. Foster, Rep., 313; W.M. Ferry, Dem., 104. Superintendent of County Schools - NOrman Teal, Rep., 314; W.C. McMullen, Dem., 88. ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1872. President - I.S. Grant, Rep., 546; Horace Greeley, Lib. Rep., 175; Peter Cooper, Gbk., 27. Congressman - Jay A. Hubbell, Rep., 542; Samuel P. Ely, Dem., 194. Governor - John J. Bagley, Rep., 540; Austin Blair, Dem., 176; William M. Ferry, Gbk., 28. Secretary of State - Daniel Striker, Rep., 541; George H. House, Dem., 176; T.C. Cutler, Gbk., 28. State Treasurer - V.P. Collier, Rep., 541; J.A. Hallon, Dem., 165; C.M. Davidson, Gbk., 14. Auditor General - William HUmphrey, Rep., 541; Neil O'Hearn, Dem., 176; Cyrus Peabody, Gbk., 28. Commissioner State Land Office - L.A. Clapp, Rep., 541; George H. Murdock, Dem., 176; Ira D. Crouse, Gnk., 28. Attorney General - B.D. Ball, Rep., 541; D.D. Hughes, Dem., 176; William Allison, Gbk., 20. Superintendent of Public Instruction - D.D. Briggs, Rep., 460; Willard Stearns, Dem., 176; A. J. Sawyer, Gbk., 20. Congressman - Jay A. Hubbell, Rep., 534; Samuel P. Ely., Dem., 194. State Senator - Edgar L. Gray, Rep., 549; George F. Stearns, Dem., 8. State Representative - E. O. Rose., Rep., 541; George F. Stearns, Dem., 67. Probate Judge - M. C. Burch, Rep., 410; W.A. Lewis., Dem., 342. Sheriff - M. B. Houghton, Rep., 417; R.F. Lewis, Dem., 345. County Clerk and Register of Deeds - T.T. Delzell, Rep. 320; J.N. Crocker, Dem., 204; Peter Doran, Gbk., 174. County Treasurer - E.G. Raymond, Rep., 281; R.F. Morris, Dem., 259; James Rooney, Gbk., 209. Prosecuting Attorney - C.O. Trumbull, Rep., 592; G.M. Holton, Dem., 146. Circuit Court Commissioner - C.M. Bradley, Rep., 508; W.A. Lewis, Dem., 169. County Surveyor - N.C. Pettibone, Rep., 455; J.J. Temple, Dem., 308. Coroners - C.W. Goodale, Rep., 332; Daniel L. Dumon, Rep., 406. ELECTION OF APRIL 1873. Judge of the 19th Judicial District - S.F. White, Rep., 573; D.S. Hardy, Dem., 161. Justice of the Supreme Court - Isaac P. Christiancy, Rep., 734. ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 1874. Governor - JOhn J. Bagley, Rep., 568; Henry Chamberlain, Dem., 275. Secretary of State - E.D.G. Holden, Rep., 570; George H. House, Dem., 275. State Treasurer - Wm. B. McCreery, Rep., 570; J. M. Sterling, Dem., 275. Auditor General - Ralph Ely, Rep., 571; J.L. Evans, Dem., 268. Commissioner of the Land Office - L.A. Clapp, Rep., 570; C.W. Greene, Dem., 268. Attorney General - A.J. Smith, Rep., 570; M.V. Montgomery, Dem., 269. Superintendent of Public Instruction - D.B. Briggs, Rep., 570; Duane Doty, Dem., 269. Congressman - Jay A. Hubbell, Rep., 573; Henry D. Noble, Dem., 142. State Senator - E.L. Gray, Rep., 551; G.F. Stearns, Dem., I State Representative - N.L. Gerrish, Rep., 550; G.F. Stearns, Dem., 208, Fitch Phelps, Gbk., 88. Sheriff - M.B. Houghton, Rep., 802; Stark Lampman, Dem., 23. County Clerk - T.T. Delzell, Rep., 822; (no other candidate). Register of Deeds - Charles Clark, Rep., 571; Irwin Chase, Dem., 256. County Treasurer - E.G. Raymond, Rep., 827 (no opp.) Prosecuting Attorney - C.O. Trumbull, Rep., 823 (no opp.) Circuit Court Commissioner - Walter H. Palmer, Rep., 815; S.F. Dwight, Dem, 2. County Surveyor - R.W. Page, Rep., 817; S. Lampman, Dem., 2. Coroners - J.N. Crocker, Rep., 701; Hezekiah Brown, Rep., 707. ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1876. President - Rutherford B. Hayes, Rep., 804; Samuel J. Tilden, Dem., 620; Peter Cooper, Gbk., 297; George C. smith, Pro., 22. Congressman - Jay A. Hubbell, Rep., 800; J.H. Kilbourn, Dem., 637. Governor - Charles M. Croswell, Rep., 793; Wm. L. Webber, Dem., 628. Secretary of State - E.D.G. Holden, Rep., 798; G.H. House, Dem., 618. State Treasurer - W.D. McCreery, Rep., 785; J.G. Parkhurst, Dem., 656. Auditor General - Ralph Ely, Rep., 790; F.M. Holloway, Dem., 651. Commissioner of Land Office - B.F. Partridge, Rep., 783; J.B. Fenton, Dem., 635. Attorney General - Otto Kirchner, Rep., 800; Martin Morris, Dem., 618. Superintendent of Public Instruction - H.S. Tarbell, Rep., 824; I.W. McKeever, Dem., 617. State Senator - M.C. Burch, Rep., 841; J.S. Lawrence, Dem., 573. State Representative - W.H. Palmer, Rep., 1373; B.B. Chadwick, Dem., 849. Probate Judge - Joseph Sayles, Rep., 822; Nelson Ferguson, Dem., 624. Sheriff - J.W. Mathews, Rep., 758; Daniel McGovern, Dem., 685 County Clerk - R.D. Simonton, Rep., 800; M.W. Stewart, Dem., 625. Register of Deeds - Charles Clark, Rep., 900; Samuel Delzell, Dem., 528. County Treasurer - E.G. Raymond, Rep., 848; H.E. Whitney, Dem., 594. Prosecuting Attorney - C.M. Beardsley, Rep., 891; W.A. Lewis, Dem., 544. Circuit Court Commissioner - J.B. Judkins, Rep., 789; W.A. Lewis, Dem., 613. County Surveyor - R.W. Page, Rep., 748; E.C. Martin, Dem., 682. Coroners - M.B. Houghton, Rep., 814; G.W. Miller, Rep., 780. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1877. Justice of the Supreme Court - Thomas M. Cooley, Rep., 708; H.F. Severens, Dem., 176. ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1878. Governor - Charles M. Croswell, Rep., 598; Orlando M. Barnes, Dem., 220; Henry S. Smith, Gbk., 262; Watson Snyder, Pro., 132. Secretary of State - William Jenney, Rep, 600; G.H. Murdock, Dem., 218; G.H. Bruce, Gbk.,262; Traverse Phillips, Pro., 132. State Treasurer - B.D. Pritchard, Rep., 597; Alex McFarlane, Dem., 222; Herman Goeschell, Gbk., 260; D.H. Stone, Pro., 132. Auditor General - W.J. Latimer, Rep., 600; W.T.B. Schermerhorn, Dem., 218; Levi Sparks, Gbk., 260; L.L. Farnsworth, Pro., 132. Commissioner of the Land Office - J.M. Neasmith, Rep., 597; George Lord, Dem., 222; J.A. Elder, Gbk., 250; W.G. Brown, Pro., 132. Attorney General - Otto Kirchner, Rep., 582; A. B. Morse, Dem., 250; Frank Dumon, Gbk., 254; D.P. Sagendorph, Pro., 124. Superintendent of Public Instruction - C.A. Gower, Rep., 597; Z. Truesdell, Dem., 223; Daniel Parsons, Gbk., 261; M.V. Rork, Pro., 131. Congressman - Jay A. Hubbell, Rep., 647; John Power, Dem., 230; George Parmelee, Gbk., 268. Circuit Judge - A. V. McAlvay, Rep., 709; S.D. Haight, Dem., 447. State Senator - W.E. Ambler, Rep., 644; S.S. Conover, Dem., 222; Wm. Jefts, Gbk,. 258. State Representative - W.H. Palmer, Rep., 578; W.J. Morey, Dem., 460; John Giberson, Gbk., 153. Sheriff - J.W. Mathews, Rep., 726; J.G. Piper, Dem., 480. County Clerk - R.D. Simonton, Rep., 714; A. Chapin, Dem., 489. Register of Deeds - Charles Clark, Rep., 655; W.W. Stewart, Dem., 423; J.B. Sleezer, Pro., 123. County Treasurer - E.J. Raymond, Rep., 681; B.B. Chadwick, Dem., 406; W.W. Seeley, Pro., 124. Prosecuting Attorney - C.M. Beardsley, Rep., 668; W.A. Lewis, Dem., 453; John Q. Patterson, Pro., 131. Circuit Court Commissioner - M.A. Lafler, Rep., 623; W.A. Lewis, Dem., 453; John Q. Patterson, Pro., 130. County Surveyor - R.W. Page, Rep., 631; E.C. Martin, Dem., 482; N.O. Pettibone, Pro., 3. Coroners - Truman Sawdy, Rep., 633; E.C. Richardson, Rep., 624. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/history/other/osceolac39gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 11.6 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Francisco, Charles D. September 25, 1857 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 10:06 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Charles D. Francisco, farmer, section 28, Hersey Township, was born Sept. 25, 1857, in Ontario Co., N.Y. His parents, Henry D. and Charlotte (Chaffee) Francisco, are natives of the State of New York. They came thence in 1861 and located in Gratton Twosnhip, Kent Co., Mich. In 1868 they removed to the township of Bown in the same county, whence, in 1876, they came to Hersey Township and located on section 33, where they are now resident. (See sketch of H.D. Francisco.) Mr. Francisco accompanied his parents in their several removals, and was 18 years old when they came to Osceola County. He was married Sept. 23, 1882, to Alta Sturdevant, and they are now the parents of one child, Orra V., born Jan. 8, 1884. The mother was born June 19, 1858, in Yates Co., N.Y., and is the daughter of Sheppard and Olivia (Cooper) Sturdevant. Her parents are living in reed City, and her father is estimated to be one of the best mechanics in Osceola County. John, Francis and Alta are their three children. Mr. Franciso belongs to the Republican element in politics. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/francisc985gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 1.8 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Byers, John B. April 29, 1838 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 10:04 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago John B. Byers, farmer, section 36, Burdell Township, was born April 29, 1838, in Bavaria. At the age fo eight years he found himself thrown on his own resources, and he earned his own living thenceforward as well as he could, until his marriage, which occurred Jan. 21, 1851, to Wealthy Bigameyer. they have had nine children, - Henry, Mary, William, John, Charles, Anna, Ella, Frank and Della. The mother was born June 21, 1831, in Bavaria. Two years after marriage Mr. Byers came to America. He landed at the port of New York with his little family, and resided in that city about two years; he went thence into the country and passed four years as a general laborer. In 1856 he went to Geauga Co., Ohio, where he operated as a farm laborer until the breaking out of the Rebellion, which afforded him an opportunity to better his fortunes and to prove the spirit in which he adopted the issues of the country for which he had abandoned the home of his birth. He enlisted Dec. 20, 1861, in the 128th Ohio Vol. Inf., Co. E, under Col. C.W. Hill. the duty of the regiment was chiefly to guard the rebel officers taken prisoners of war and confined on Johnson's Island in Sandusky Bay. He received an honorable discharge Jan. 17, 1865. He returned to Geauga County, where he continued to reside until the fall of 1868, the date of his coming to MIchigan. He secured a claim of 80 acres on section 36, where he established his homestead permanently. The condition of things was primitive; there were no roads and the township of Burdell was for some time afterward unorganized. He has made extensive improvements on his farm, and erected excellent buildings. In political faith he is a Republican, and in religion the family are Catholics. His children are all unmarried, and there has been no death in his family. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/byers984gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 2.6 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Gould, Daniel W. July 13, 1843 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 10:03 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Daniel W. Gould, farmer, section 8, Highland Township, was born July 13, 1843, in the State of New York. His parents went when he was six months old to Stark Co., Ohio, and four years later removed to Calhoun Co., Mich. His father, Rev. Joseph Gould, was for a long period of years a minister in the Baptist Church. After growing old in the exercise of his parochial efforts, he retired, and at the time of his death was an inmate of the family of his son, James Gould, at Kalamazoo. He died in 1876, aged 86 years. Abigail Gould, the mother of Daniel W., was born in New England and was of English descent. She died in Athens Township, Calhoun Co., Mich., April 2, 1861, aged 65 years. Mr. Gould is the youngest of four children born to his parents, and he was under parental control and attended school until the age of 18 years. He entered the army of the Union during the first year of the Civil War, enlisting July 28, 1861, in the 44th Ill. Vol. Inf., enrolling in Co. H. The regiment was commanded by Ciolonel Noblesdoffs, and was assigned to the Army of the West. Mr. Gould was in six different campaigns and 36 battles, among them Pea Ridge, Farmington, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca and others of equal importance. He was present at the seige of Murfreesboro, Jonesboro and Franklin. At the last he received a gunshot wound in the left side, which inflicted permanent injury. He escaped capture by the rebels and was mustered out of service at Galveston, Texas, in September, 1865, after a period of active military service including four years and two months. He returned after his discharge, to Athens Township, Mich., and became a farmer, pursuing that profession there two years. He set out for Osceola County in September, 1867, and entered the papers securing a homestead claim of 160 acres of land in Highland, - the second settler who came into the township, - and made a permanent location. The stilness and quiet of the unbroken forest pervaded the entire surroundings, and he set himself vigorously to the task of converting the wilderness into a home. He has since sold 80 acres, and has about seven-eights of the remainder under improvements. Mr. Gould is a Republican and true to the principles for which he braved the fate of war. He has been Highway Commissioner and Treasurer of his township. His marriage to Jane Teal occurred July 3, 1865, in Battle Creek, and they are the parents of three children, - Edith, Frank and Jennie. Mrs. Gould was born in September, 1845, in Jefferson Co., N.Y. Her father has been deceased some years. Her mother resides in this township. Mrs. Gould came to Michigan in 1861. She and her husband belong to the Baptist Church, of which society Mr. Gould is Clerk. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/gould983gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.6 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Hall, Robert W. October 20, 1853 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:57 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Robert W. Hall, hardware merchant at Hersey, was born Oct 20, 1853, in Oxford Co., Ont., and is the son of William and Mary (Pavey) Hall. His father was a native of England, and after his emigration from the land of his birth he was a farmer in the Dominion of Canada, where he died about 1860. Mr. Hall became an assistant in a mercantile establishment at Bell's Corners, on the ottawa River, in Canada, where he operated three years, subsequently passing three years as a farm laborer. In August, 1874, he came to Michigan, and operated two years as a lumberman in Osceola County, after which, in company with his brother John, he opened a store for the sale of general hardware merchandise, which they managed jointly five years. At the end of that time Mr. Hall became the sole owner by purchase, and has since continued its management singly. His stock of stoves, ranges, agricultural implements, etc., averages about $5,000. He makes a specialty of the sale of Jewel stoves, deals in spouting and other building fixtures, and manages a fully equipped repair shop. In 1880 he started a furniture store, associated with H.T. Lewis. they were burned out in March, 1884, sustaining a loss of $1,000. Mr. Hall has established a small furniture and undertaking business over his hardware store, and is doing a satisfactory business. In 1881 he opened a harness shop, which is constantly stocked with an assortment of all goods common to similair establishments. In 1884, with John H. Manning, be bought a saw and shingle mill in Hersey, with a capacity for the daily manufacture of 40,000 feet of lumber and 35,000 shingles, and requiring assistance of 35 men. During the season he has a threshing-machine in operation in the surrounding country, in charge of a competent manager. Mr. Hall owns his residence and two lots therewith, and three other village lots; also 160 acres of pine land in Cedar Township. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, - Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. He is also an Odd Fellow. He has officiated two years as Village Councilman, and is present President of Hersey Village. He was Treasurer of Richmond Township two years. Mr. Hall's marriage to Maggie Beers occurred Jan. 2, 1882, in Baldwin, Lake Co., Mich., and they have one son, William, born June 4, 1884. Mrs. Hall is the adopted daughter of Dr. Beers, who died near Hersey in 1878. She was born in Portland, Mich., in 1862. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/hall982gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....McKay, Angus September 1, 1854 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:53 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Angus McKay, farmer, section 28, Hersey Township, is the proprietor of 200 acres of land where his homestead is located, on which he settled in March, 1882. The farm was in a wild condition with the exception of a small "slashing." He was born Sept. 1, 1854, in Oxford, Ontario Co., Ont., and is the son of William and Christina (Graham) McKay. His father was a soldier in the British Army and belonged to the 93d Highlanders, and after his removal from Scotland, his native country, to the Dominion of Canada, he was appointed a militia Captain. He died Jan. 4, 1868, in East Zorra, Oxford Co., Ont., at the age of 75 years. The mother is a native of Scotland and resides on the homestead in Ontario. Mr. McKay was educated in the common schools of Canada, and was reared on a farm. After reaching his majority he managed a portion of his father's farm, which had been divided into shares. In March, 1882, he sold his interest and came to Hersey Township. He has cleared and otherwise improved 32 acres of his farm. He is a Republican in political sentiment and action. His marriage took place Jan. 16, 1878, to Anna McKay, and they are now the parents of two children, - Agnes M., born May 18, 1880, and George A., June 4, 1882. Mrs. McKay was born Sept. 19, 1856, in Oxford Co., Ont. Her parents, Alexander and Dorothy (McDonald) McKay, were residents of West Zorra, where the father died Feb. 4, 1881; the demise of the mother occurred in May, 1863. They had five sons and six daughters, all of whom are living. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/mckay981gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 2.3 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Brandow, Andrew H. April 5, 1846 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:51 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Andrew H. Brandow, lumberman and dealer in real estate at Evart, was born April 5, 1846, in Green Co., N.Y. His father, John H. Brandow, was in early life a farmer. He was born in Greene Co., N.Y., Feb. 24, 1820, and was married June 8, 1844, to Abigail Hornbeck, a native of Sullivan Co., N.Y., born Feb. 28, 1824. Andrew H. is the oldest of their children; Eli is a farmer in Hartwick Township; Nelson A. operates at Muskegon in the interests of William A. Daugherty, buying timber and logs; William B. died when 20 months old. In March, 1860, the family came to Newaygo Co., Mich., where the father engaged in lumbering, and in 1865 formed a partnership with his son, in the prosecution of lumbering interests. He is now retired and resides on a valuable farm comprising 120 acres in Croton Township, Newaygo Co., Mich. In 1868 Mr. Brandow closed his business relations with his father and came to Osceola County, embarking as a contractor, putting his logs in the interest of non-residents, in which he operated extensively, the "put" amounting some years to 15,000,000 feet. He was considered the heaviest operator for his age on the Muskegon at that date. He formed a partnership with John A. Bell, which was in existence and operative about seven years. At the same time he owned a half interest in a saw-mill at Evart, associated with W. A. Wightman, and also owned a shingle-mill located four miles north of Evart in Osceola Township. His real-estate proprietorship includes about 7,000 acres, a third of which is in pine timber. He owns a valuable farm in algoma Township, Kent County, which is included in the limits of the village of Rockford, and is the proprietor of a farm of 80 acres in Missaukee Co., Mich. In 1883 he formed a business association with Stephen F. Dexter, which continued one year. In addition to his more important occupations, he deals in all variety of lumber products. He is a member of the Order of Masonry. Mr. Brandow was married June 13, 1871, in Rockford, Kent County, to Mary A. Pierson. They have had one child, Arthur C., born April 10, 1874, in Evart, and died Aug. 8, of the same year. Mrs. Brandow is the daughter of aaron B. and Clarissa M. Pierson, and was born Nov. 25, 1852, in the State of New York. The portrait of Mr. Brandow, accompanying this sketch, deservedly embellishes this Album, being that of a representative business man of this enterprising county Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/brandow980gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Tillman, David M. February 13, 1852 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:50 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago David M. Tillman, farmer, section 33, Richmond Township, was born Feb. 13, 1852, in Allen Co., Ind. John Tillman, his father, was born in Pennsylvania and married Sarah Castleman, a native of Ohio. After their marriage they settled in Allen County, and are now resident there. In their family have been six children, - Delilah, David, John, Margaret, Henry and a child that died in infancy. Mr. Tillman of this personal account is the oldest son. He studied in the public schools until he was nearly 20 years of age, when he became a student in the Normal School at Valparaiso, in his native State. At the age of 23, in 1877, he came to Osceola County. He worked as a farm laborer by the month a short time, when he rented a farm, which he continued to manage two years. In the summer of 1882 he bought the farm which now constitutes his homestead, and which contains 80 acres of land. It was under some improvements, and at this writing - two years later - 50 acres of the place are subject to the plow. Mr. Tillman is in affiliation with the Democratic party and its issues. He has officiated as School Director of the District in which he resides. He was married Sept. 2, 1877, in Richmond Township to Ida M. Noyer, and their two children were born as follows: Lee C., Sept. 28, 1880, and Frederick E., May 21, 1883. Isaac J. and Catherine (Ole) Noyer, the parents of Mrs. Tillman, were natives of Pennsylvania. She was born May 4, 1860, in Randolph Co., Ind. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/tillman979gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 2.2 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Beardsley, Will L. August 21, 1842 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:49 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Will L. Beardsley, shingle-maker, resident in Hersey, mills on sectrion 29, Cedar Twosnhip, was born Aug. 21, 1842, in albany, N.Y. He is the son of Leonard and Gertrude (Lamphier) Beardsley. His father was a merchant in Albany and died there in 1852. Both parents were natives of the State of New York. The mother is still living, in Cannonsburg, Kent Co., Mich. She was born in August, 1824, and has been the mother of three children. One daughter, Catherine C., is living; another daughter Carrie, is deceased. Mr. Beardsley came with his mother when 11 years of age, in 1853, the year succeeding the death of his father, to Grand Rapids, removing the following year to Cannonsburg. His mother bought a farm and established thereon a mill for carding wool, in which pursuit, combined with farming, Mr. Beardsley was engaged about seven years. Within the first year of the war he enlisted in Co. H., 21st Mich. Inf. The regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, Second Division and in the corps of General McCook, attached to the Western Army. Among the most important battles in which he was under fire were those of Perrysville, Chattanooga, Chickamauga and Lookout MOuntain. He was in service throughout the war and received an honorable discharge in May, 1865. He returned to Cannonsburg and resumed the occupations of former years. In 1866 he began to operate as a land locater in the northeastern part of Michigan, in which he met with success until the financial stringency of 1873, which terminated his labors in that direction. He engaged a year in farming, and in 1875 he opened a mercantile enterprise at Ada, Kent County. He sold his business at the end of a year and became interested in lumbering at a point 15 miles north of Grand Rapids. Four years later he erected a steam shingle-mill at the same point, where he operated a year, removing the mill thence in 1880 to Cedar Township, where it is still operating. The business is prosperous and bids fair to be a permanency. Mr. Beardsley is a Republican in political principle and action. He served four years as Township Clerk while resident in Cannonsburg. He was married Jan. 1, 1868, to Victoria Bell Livingston, and they have four children, viz: Orolo M., Adazell, Ella Bell and retta N. Mrs. Beardsley was born Sept. 16, 1848, in Canada, and is the daughter of John and Malinda (Woods) Livingston. Her parents died in Richmond, Ont. Their other children were named as follows: Nancy M (deceased), Sarah, Carrie E., Hapy L., Ada, Harvey and John V. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/beardsle978gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.3 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Wells, Samuel A. June 17, 1844 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:48 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Samuel A. Wells, a farmer on section 32 of Rose Lake Township, was born in Fayette Co., Ind., June 17, 1844. Until 1870 he lived in his native State, except what time he was in the army. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the 75th Ind. Reg. Vol. Inf., served three years and came home unharmed. In the year 1870 he came to Osceola County and "took up" 160 acres of valuable land in Rose Lake Township, under the special act of Congress relating to lands for soldiers. Here he settled and has since lived, having 50 acres improved and in good tillable condition. He was married in Huntington Co., Ind., to Lydia J. Shields, a native of that State, and they have one child, Mary Alice. Mr. Well's parents John and Susanna Wells, were natives of North Carolina, who married and settled in the State of Indiana. While working in a well, Mr. W. received injuries from which he died. Mrs. W., his widow, is still living. Mr. Wells, the subject of this sketch, has been honored with the public offices of Highway Commissioner, Justice of the Peace and School assessor. In political matters he sympathizes with the Republicans. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/wells977gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 1.9 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Auer, Peter A. April 15, 1849 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:47 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Peter A. Auer, Clerk in the Second Comptroller's Office in the Treasury Department at Washington, D.C., was born April 15, 1849, on the Rhine, Prussia. His parents, John H. and Maria Auer, are natives of Prussia, and removed with their family in 1853 to the city of New York, and afterwards resided successively in Schenectady, Perry, Moscow and Mount Morris, in the Empire State, where his father pursued the business of tailor, later removing to Almont, Mich., and afterwards to Reed City. ( See sketch of J.H. Auer.) Mr. Auer was carefully educated, and at 17 became a clerk in Almont. He attended school after a year's service in that calling, and continued his studies a similar period. In 1868 he interested himself in insurance business, in which he operated two years. In 1870 he engaged in teaching, in which he was occupied two years. In October, 1872, he came to Reed City and entered upon the pursuit of the same calling; also for a year was Deputy Postmaster. He obtained a position as Clerk in the Treasury Department at the National Capital, and attended the Law Department of the Columbian University, where he was graduated, in the spring of 1877. Since that date he has discharged the suties of his position in the Department, and at intervals has practiced as an attorney. Mr. Auer was married in 1875, to Emma L. Patterson, daughter of J.Q. Patterson, of Reed City. (See sketch of J.Q. Patterson.) Mr. and Mrs. Auer have two children, namely: Harry, born May 10, 1878 and Nellie, born April 19, 1881. In March, 1882, Mr. Auer was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States, and is also qualified to practice in the circuit Courts of Michigan, to which privilege he was admitted at Hersey. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/auer976gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 2.6 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Watson, Henry L. April 9, 1857 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:46 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Henry L. Watson, Secretary and member of the Ashton Lumber Company, located at Dewing's Station, Le Roy Township, was born April 9, 1857, in Onondaga Co., N.Y. His father, John watson, was a descendant from New England ancestry and was born in New York. He cam thence with his family to Grand Ledge, Mich., where he was extensively engaged in lumbering. His mother, Rebecca J. (Lee) Watson, is also a native of the Empire State, and both parents are now resident at this place. Mr. Watson was 10 years of age when his father transferred his family and interests to Michigan, where they settled in Eaton County, in the vicinity of Lansing. Thence they went later to Grand Ledge, where Mr. Watson completed his education. When he was 19 years of age he became self-sustaining and engaged as a saw-mill assistant in Ashland Township, Newaygo County. He went thence to Baldwin, Lake County, where he engaged in teaching in the public schools. Eventually he engaged with Dewing & Sons in the lumber business at Baldwin, their interests being transferred to Le Roy Township, this county, in the fall of 1880. In the spring of 1883 the Ashton Lumber Company was organized, of which Mr. Watson was made Secretary, holding equal shares in the profits of the business. Since the organization, he has acted as resident manager. He is an adherent of the Republican party, and is Justice of the Peace. He was married Sept. 23, 1877, at Grand Ledge, to Myra J. Lamson, and they have three children, - Edward H., Flora E. and Lee. The parents of Mrs. Watson, Henry and Harriet (Robinson) Lamson, were born respectively in Vermont and New York, and were farmers. The father is deceased. Mrs. Watson was born June 11, 1858, in Grand Ledge, where she was reared to womanhood. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/watson975gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 2.5 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Mason, Frank A. January 16, 1851 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:45 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Frank A. Mason, farmer on section 32, Richmond Township, is the son of David G.and Sally (Fairbanks) Mason. (See sketch of D.G. Mason.) He was born Jan. 16, 1851, in Chautauqua Co., N.Y. He attended the schools of his native county until he was 13 years of age, and since that time he has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, working as a lumberman in the seasoms of that business. He owns 40 acres in Mecosta County, including 15 acres of improved land. In political faith and connection he is an adherent to the Republican Party. He was married June 10, 1876, at Big Rapids, to Cynthia, daughter of Abner Joslin. She was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 3, 1844. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/mason974gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 1.4 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Gooch, Benj. F. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:43 pm Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago Benj. F. Gooch, continued, from page 287. (The following items, concerning Mr. G.'s brothers, came too late for insertion in the proper place.) Amos Gooch volunteered, at Milwaukee, Wis., for the Mexican War, was in Gen. Wool's Brigade, and died in his country's service at Puebla, Mexico, July 30, 1847. In the great War of the Rebellion Mr. Gooch had four brothers, besides himself! Charles enlisted in the 14th w. Va. Vol., at Mannington, Marion County, and was killed at Winchester, Va., near Harper's Ferry. Horace enlisted in the sixth Mich. Cav. at Grand Rapids, and was killed July 14, 1863, in Major Weber's charge at Falling Water, Mo. John volunteered in the Michigan Regiment of Engineers and Mechanics, served his time and was honorably discharged. and still another brother volunteered in the 12th Regulars, was wounded and taken prisoner, served his time of enlistment and received an honorable discharge. Six brothers in one family! Scarcely another family in the whole State of Michigan can make such an exhibit of patriotism as that. Here are deeds that speak louder than words, giving evidence of a self-sacrificing heroism not describale in words; and all the surviving brothers still "vote as they shot" by a firm adhesion to the principles upon which the Republican party was founded. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/bios/gooch973gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 2.1 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives History .....Osceola County General History ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:39 pm One of the peculiar phases of this country is the advancement of its settlement. Unlike any other country, at least in modern times, its founders, and those who followed them, had a broad, almost unlimited expanse of territory uninhabited except by the aborigines. Step by step, from the Colonial occupation on the Atlantic shore to the present period, immigration has moved on its western march; one by one Territories have been laid out and States formed with their accompanying county and township orgainizations; one by one has that bright galaxy; the Union of States, been increased in numbers; and one by one have the stars been added to that flag which resplendently waves over all. As the polar star has been, and is, to the mariner, so the Great West is to the adventurer, - the pioneer, - his hope. As the Mussulman turns to Mecca, so does the pioneer turn towards the setting sun. He, with his bold heart, advances westward, removing the primeval forests, subduing the virgin soil, and bringing it under ripe cultivation. Close upon his footsteps come manufactories and commerce; and then civilization, on its luminous wings, with its arts, its sciences, and its culture, follow, rounding up and completing the work he so ably began. The advent of the pioneer into this territory is not unlike that of others; in the history of this county, the experience of the early settlers are similar to those who have preceded them in the past. They have had their struggles, privations and sufferings, their defeats and their triumphs. The location of Osceola County is in latitude 44 degrees north and longitute 8 degrees and 20 minutes west, in the middle of the Lower Peninsula. Its elevation is about 400 feet above Lake Michigan, and some 40 miles east of its shores. Wexford and Missaukee Counties lie on the north, Clare on the east, Mecosta on the south, with Lake County on the west. It was first laid off by an act of the Legislature approved April 1, 1840, and received the Indian name of Un-wat-tin. It retained this name until March 1843, when it was changed by the Legislature to Osceola. Between these years Nathan Hersey came into the territory. He was a trapper, and according to tradition was the first white man to enter. During the years of 1857-9 it was attached to Newaygo County, for judicial purposes. In 1858 it was organized into a township with a part of Mecosta, and was called Green. In 1861 the Township of Richmond was organized, which embraced the entire county, leaving off that part of Mecosta to which the county had been attached. The meeting was held at the residence of D.A. Blodgett, which was the first election held in this territory. Nine votes were cast at this important meeting, the result of which was the electio of D.A. Blodgett for Supervisor; James G. Robbins, Clerk, and Benjamin F. Gooch, Treasurer. Having so far traced the organization of the county, we return to some of the first things. Delos A. Blodgett was the first man to make a settlement in the county, which was on the west side of the Muskegon River, on what is now known as section 19 in the township of Hersey. This settlement was made in the spring of 1851. Mr. Blodgett cleared off a patch of ground and planted it in potatoes (the long pink-eye), which he brought up in a canoe from Croton, and this was the first crop of any kind planted in the county. Benj. F. Gooch was the next settler to come in, which was in 1855. He located 160 acres of land on what is now section 25, Richmond Township, and has remained there to the present time. The first women to settle in the county were Mrs. Dillornie and daughter, who were brought in from Palinfield by Mr. Gooch in the fall of 1855. They were hired to cook for a lumber camp. In the spring of 1856 James G. Robbins, William and Anson Berger came in. Mr. Gooch and Mr. Blodgett, with their men, opened the first road in the county, in the fall of 1855. It was built from north of Big Rapids. The first State Road was constructed from Big Rapids, entering the township of Richmond in section 34, and running diagonally through the county along the west side of the Muskegon River. Mr. Blodgett carried the chain all the way through the county. Mr. Gooch paid the first tax in the county, which ws collected from Newaygo County. He also brought in the first cow, and the first hens. The hens were secured in this way: He went tio Grand Rapids to purchase some flour. Arriving there he found that article very high. He was told if he would wait a few days he could get it cheaper. Accordingly he went back to his brother's, some eight miles, and helped him in planting. When he went away he said he would take his pay in hens, which he carried off with him. D.A. Blodgett and L. O. Schofield put up the first grist-mill in the county. It was a log building and was located where the bridge now crosses the Hersey River. Alice Jones taught the first school in the county, on section 25 in the township of Richmond. This school-house was put up by Benj. F. Gooch, a little way west of his residence, on his farm. The old building is still standing, a relic of the past. The first child born in the county was Mary, daughter of J.A. Robbins, in 1860. In 1856 the pigeons nested in this county; the air seemed to be ful of them; so thick were they that the people could kill them with clubs. In mentioning first things, it might not be just to leave out the first theft. there were people in those days, as well as the present, who liked to possess themselves of others' property. Farmer Gooch had secured a stock of meal which ws the envy of a neighbor. a bag of the meal was missed, and the thief was suspected. Upon searching he found it in possession of his neighbor. There were no officers in those days, nor were there any courts in the county. Mr. Gooch constituted himself both, and ordered the man to take the bag on his back and return it to his store-room, a distance of three miles, which he did, Mr. Gooch following him! He was then requested to get out of the county before the court sat (this was to be held soon), which he did, selling his farm. A very good story is told by D.A. Blodgett of early pioneer days. Jack Daniel came into his camp to log one winter, and brought with him a negro by the name of Ike. Jack was a boasting sort of fellow, and claimed to be a great trapper and hunter, and one of the best judges of fur about the country. He had with him a big bear trap. One day he went into the woods and set the trap, chaining it to a tree. He then went off to Croton, telling the negro to watch it. The next day Ike went into the woods where the trap was and sprung it, cut off some of his hair (or wool) and put it between the jaws. He then scratched the bark of the tree, tore up the ground around it in a fearful way, and went back to await events, telling the boys what he had done. The first day Jack came home and his first inquiry of the negro was if he had seen the trap. Ike replied that he had not. Jack then shouldered his gun and went into the woods to look after it. Pretty soon he returned in great excitement bearing in his fingers the negro's wool, which he showed around to the camp, bewailing his misfortune in losing such a splendid piece of bear's fur! The joke of the negro was to good to keep, and Jack, in order to have any peace, left the camp. A bill for establishing a mail route in the county was, through the effort of D.A. Blodgett, passed by Congress in 1865. It provided for weekly service from "Hersey Branch," as it was then called, to Big Rapids. This route was ioened in the fall of 1865, and ws the first in the county. Mr. Blodgett was appointed Postmaster for Hersey, who was also the first man in the county to have charge of the Government mails. In March 1869, the county was finally organized by the Legislature, which included the east half of the county fo Lake. The townships at this time organized were, Richmond, Hersey, Lincoln, Middle Branch, Osceola and Sherman. The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Osceola County was July 1, 1869, at Rooney's Hall, in Hersey. In 1871, the territory of Lake County was withdrawn, leaving Osceola with 16 townships and an acreage of 368,640. Hersey was the first village laid out in the county, namely, in 1869, by D.A. Blodgett, which ws made the county seat upon the organization of the county. Judge Giddings held the first Circuit Court in the county, in June, 1870. The first murder in the county was in November 1869, by a man named James Daggett, who killed a negro by the name of Daniel White. White had homesteaded a piece of ground on section 30 in Highland Township. He was killed on section 36, in Sherman Township, a short distance from his home. The body was not found until the following spring, in May, when the snow had melted away. It was discovered in the northeast corner of section 36 near the line. It was supposed up to the time fo finding the body that the negro had left the country or gone into some lumbering camp. Some time subsequent to the murder, Daggett, probably in a fit of remorse, told his father about the killing. At one time he drew his shot-gun on his father, fearing he would expose him. His father bared his breast and told his son to shoot, who thought better of it and dropped his gun. The negro had been shot and then his throat was cut. After the body had been discovered, the father, fearing his son, swore out a warrant against him, and he was arrested. After his arrest, he swore out a warrant against Isaac Reems, accusing him of the homicide. Reems was arrested, and , with Daggett, was taken to Big Rapids, where they were to be tried. The people of Sherman and Highland Townships had no doubt of Reem's innocence, but firmly believed in Daggett's guilt. Daggett had often shown his prejudice against the African race, and often boasted how he used, when in the army, to shoot them down. The impression got abroad that the court functionaries desired the conviction of Reems. He was acquitted, however, by a ready and unanimous verdict of the jury. After the acquittal of Reems, Daggett made a confession, acknowledging the killing of White. He was sentenced by the court, without trail, to 99 years' imprisonment in the penitentiary. The first death in the county was that of Pete Cameron, called "Scotchy," on the farm of Mr. Blodgett, in 1867. Mr. Blodgett sent to Big Rapids for a coffin. They sent back to know whether a preacher was wanted also. Blodgett replied that they did not. Funeral services were organized, and they went down to Big Rapids, Mr. Blodgett taking along with him Mr. Gamage to officiate, who was employed by him on his farm, and who was a sort of preacher, a man of considerable ability and a fine orator, though of eccentric habits. Arriving at Big Rapids, they held their funeral serice, at which there were many people and several clergymen present. Mr. Gamage took his text and delivered a most powerful funeral oration, distinguishing himself pre-eminently by his brilliant eloquence, his biblical lore and his oratorial powers. After the services were over some of the clergy came to Mr. Blodgett (who is something of a wag and had planned for and anticipated this surprise), and inquired who this man was and where he came from. "Oh," said Mr. B., "I keep him on my farm for just such occasions!" The first store opened in the county was at Hersey in 1869, by James Kennedy. D.A. Blodgett, as Justice of the Peace, married the first couple in the fall of 1860, the contracting parties being Theodore Lott and Mary McCarty. Osceola County owes its rapid development to its grand forests of timber and her water facilities for transportation, and to the advent of the railroads. The Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, which runs east and west through the lower tier of townships, was the first to enter the county, which was in 1870; it was followed in 1871 by the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, which enters the county on section 34 in Richmond Township, passes through the western tier of townships northward and goes on to section 6 in Sherman Township. These roads connect the county with the great commercial world, and have been potential factors in its growth. By these lines all important towns can be reached in the county in a few hours, and those in the State within a day. When the Toledo & Ann Arbor Raod comes in, which will be during the present year (1885), another impetus will be given to the development of the county. During its early days, and before the railroads came in, it was aided very much in its growth by the construction of State roads. The territory of which Michigan is composed once belonged to the State of Virginia and extended to the western boundaries of that State, and was known as the "Northwestern Territory." In 1787, it was ceded to the general government. Osceola County is of an alluvial formation, and, geologically speaking, of a recent date. Nearly all of the soil of the county was originally covered with dense forests. It varies some what in composition, from strong clay to light sand, with slight graduation from tile-clay loam to sand. But the great body, however, is clay loam. This loose material, or drift soil, according to the best geological reports, covers the surface of this territory from 200 to 300 feet in depth. The forests of Osceola County were principally pine, with a liberal admixture in some sections of elm, maple, oak, ash, cherry, beech, hemlock and basswood. It was thought, before the lands were brought under cultivation, that they would be poor farming lands; but experience has demonstrated to the contrary. These lands have been known to produce from tow to three tons of excellent hay to the acre. The surface of the land throughout the county is generaly rolling; but occasionally there are tracts of from 100 to 500 acres of level land. Another favorable feature of this soil is its strength. Crop after crop seems to have no effect in diminishing its fertility. The wheat produced is plump, large and excellent in quality, weighing above the average per bushel. Forty bushels to the acre have been raised on new lands. The statistics of 1880 give 5,413 acres of land in wheat, yielding 79,465 bushels, averaging 14.68 bushels to the acre. It has been demonstrated that upon the newest lands a good crop can be raised every year. The practice of farmers in the newer portions of the county, or on the new lands, is to alternate the wheat with corn, oats, and other spring crops. In the older fields the practice of "seeding down" os adopted. Lands are comparitively low. Unimproved lands can be had for from $3 to $15 per acre, and improved for from $15 to $50. A comfortable log cabin can be built for $50. where the wood is burned, lands can be cleared for $10 to $15 an acre. Where the timber is put into a martketable shape, the land will more than pay the expense of clearing. Another favorable feature of this county is its freedom from destroying insects. Since the first settlements there is not an instance known where crops have been injured by these pests. Some of the farmers say that the best crop to raise is "almost everything." While this might be well enough to meet the eccentricities of some of the seasons, yet we believe the best crops for the farmers of Osceola County to raise are wheat and hay, and the most profitable branches of farming for them would be dairying and stock-raising. The latter industry could be started very cheaply, as stump lands could be got at very low figures. D.A. Blodgett, in Hersey Township and at Cadillac, has taken the lead in high breeding in the French, Norman and the Percheron, which he imported direct from France; and in the short-horns and Jerseys. The wheat is generally put into the ground from the middle to the latter part of September, and before snow falls it usually gets a growth of three or four inches. The Michigan winter furnishes usually a heavy covering of snow to protect it, and in the spring it comes out fresh and green. The White Winter seed is generally used. As has been stated, the wheat of this county - and it holds the same throughout the state - maintains a high rank in the markets, and has a separate standard. Michigan White Winter wheat flour is known in all the important grain exchanges of Europe. The climate here is preferable to that of most of the Northern States. While Michigan is in about the same latitude as that of Southern France and Northern Italy, it is colder, on account of its higher elevation, being about 800 feet above the sea. This difference in altitude would not make the difference that exists between those countries and Michigan, in temperature, were it not for other causes. Scientists give us another reason, that the climate of Michigan, like the American climate in general, has the peculiarities of inland regions, in its not being modified or controlled by the warm breath of the oceans. The influence of the large bodies of water that surround Michigan on three sides, is a source of protection from the ravages of the fierce storms and cyclones which afflict other portions of this continent, and serves also to mitigate the excessive heat and cold, and gives it that soft and balmy atmosphere peculiar to salt-water climates. While the Lower Peninsula is visited occasionally by late frosts in the spring, it is remarkable for its fine autumns, and its freedom from early frosts. These advantages make this country well adapted to fruit culture. Those who have tried fruit culture have met with success. Apples, plums, cherries, and all the small fruits are grown to perfection, and are remarkably free from insects. The wild berries are exceedingly rich and plentiful, and the harvesting and shipping of these products constitute during the summer months an important industry. The rainfall about this locality is very evenly distributed. According to the report of the Agricultural College, the mean annual rainfall is a little more than 31 inches, and is ample for all crops. It is, according to this report, very evenly distributed through the year, though a little more than half falls during the five months of the most active growth, that is, from May to October. This equitable distribution of the rainfall is a very important consideration for agriculturalists. The average fall of snow in this county during the winter months is four feet, but there is seldom more than 12 inches on the ground at any one time. About three months of good sleighing is generally had during the winter, which is very advantageous to farmers as well as the lumbermen. It enable the farmer to do his heavy teaming with less tax on the strength of his teams; and the latter to get his logs to the different water courses and the mills. Osceola County is very liberally supplied with water courses. The great Muskegon Rover runs diagonally through the entire county, coming in at the middle of the eastern line, and going out in Hersey Township near the southwest corner. Besides this magnificent river, it has the Hersey, Chippewa, Middle Branch and Pine Rivers, and numerous other small streams and lakes. While the large forests have been somewhat depleted by the heavy draughts made upon them, yet the lumber business is virtually unceasing. Instead of this lumber passing down the Muskegon River and going out of the county, a large portion of it is now held by manufactories, and before going out is made up into different articles of commerce, thus retaining the profits of the manufacturer within the county, and establishing also a home trade. The estimated cut of lumber in the county for the year 1883 was 37,000,000 feet. Most of the townships have lumber mills of one kind or other, which enable the farmer to exchange his products for cash or for some article of lumber. The laborers at these mills receive from $1.50 to #3.50 per day, according to their skill or experience, or the kind of work in which they are employed. Not one- tenth of the facilities for manufacture has been yet utilized. Factories for making up the forests of hard-woods, as well as the soft, might be scattered all along the Muskegon Rover, which has an unexcelled water power. No county in the State can offer finer sites for manufacturing, and no county can furnish a better article of timber to be worked up. With such splendid water power, no wheat should be shipped out of the county until it is made into flour. The county has the raw material, the water power, the best transportation facilities, and all that tends to make up a manufacturing community. It is the great manufactories, and the samller ones, that build up communities, towns and counties; and the people who husband their manufacturing resources, who make up their raw material before they let it go to the outside world, are the ones that will be prosperous. The manufacturer builds up the agriculturist and the agriculturist supports the manufacturer. Without one of these two elements no country can thrive; without either, a country would hardly advance beyond the condition of a wilderness. Osceola County has both; therefore her future may be well assured. Since the first highway or State road, was constructed by Commissioner D.A. Blodgett, running along nearly parallel with the Muskegon, new roads have been built in every township, and in many of the townships on almost every section line. It takes some time to build up good country roads, and many counties are old in settlement before this has been done. But Osceola people have felt the necessity of good roads and have advanced very rapodly in this direction. The old log causeways are fast disappearing for the bridges and stone culverts; and the delectable corduroy road, that horror of all travelers, is passing away and giving place to the gravel bed. For a person of limited means, wishing to secure a home, there is no county in Michigan more desirable to locate in than Osceola. It is not so thickly settled but that he can find a place to meet his fancy, and that, too, at reasonable figures. If he comes in with courage, energy, and staying qualities, he will win. If he has not these, he had better stay out, for the people of Osceola county will not want him. Persons settling here have more advantages which do not accompany the possession of low-priced lands further west, or in the Territories. They have really the benefit of a settled society. They have all the advantages of good schools, churches and societies, and are in communication with the great railways of the country. It is not an unorganized community, nor is the society that of a crude and wild country. It is in connection with, and has all the advantages of, an old and cultured community, and a prosperous and thoroughtly established state. The laws are enforced, life and property are protected, a standard of morality is fixed, and the habits of the people have become settled. No State in the Union has better educational advantages, or devoted more care to the education of the young; and this system is extended and its influence felt in the remotest settlements. It permeates all parts of the State, and one of the first considerations of a new settlement after they have constructed habitations for themselves, is to provide a school building and a teacher for their children. The county is also well provided with religious societies and places for worship. They are liberally distributed throughout the county. Some of the edifices are very elegant in construction, and display a cultivated taste by the designers. Osceola County has no special Indian history. A few of these uncivilized people roamed about the forest for awhile after the white settlers came in, and then went out. Only one difficulty occurred with the Indian, which will be given in the hostory of Le Roy. Having only about a score of people at the breaking of the rebellion, the county could not be expected to have much of a war record. There was one enlistment, that of Benj. F. Gooch, from Richmond Township, the account of which will be found in his biography. The population of the county is now estimated at about 15,000, and is incresing very rapidly. All the towns with but few exceptions are also on the increase. Dotted all over its territory can be seen fine cultivated farms, with good dwellings and farm buildings. There is not a township now in the county but has some well established farms in it, and in the older townships they are quite numerous; most of the farmers, too, are out of debt, and are either increasing their acreage, their stock, adding to their buildings, or putting by a little money. The people of the county have been very fortunate in conducting their municipal affairs, and in the selection of their officials. Its public buildings, though not expensive, are good, and meet the wants of the people, and are all paid for. Osceola County is in the 28th Judicial District, in the 9th Congressional, and 27th Senatorial District and comprises a Representative District of itself. It is but a little while since the first settler came into the county; but a little while since the blow of the first ax first resounded through its forests, and the wild animals roamed fearlessly and undisturbed beneath their tall trees. Only a few years have rolled around since the first log cabin was put up, and the family altar erected; and only a few years since the cry of the first babe was heard with the low, sweet notes of the mother's lullaby. All is changed now. The wilderness has disappeared and in its place broad cultivated fields are seen. The rudely constructed cabins, with their home-made furniture, have given place to fine dwellings, to stately homes, with elegant and cultured surroundings. The buzz of the saw, the sound of the artisan's hammer, the shrill voice of the locomotive are now heard where once the only sound to break the stillness of night was the howl of a wolf. Some of the old cabins, with their rough articles of furniture, yet remain as a link between the past and the present, as a reminder of pioneer life with its struggles and privations. To their former occupants, hallowed memories cluster around them. Here were their first beginnings; beneath these humble roof they communed with each other, devising and maturing their plans for life's journey; and here the first born played around the light of the fire-place, with its bright, innocent face and chirping, musical attempts at speech. As modes of conveyance the old ox-sled and cart, and the heavy lumber wagon, with most of the people, are among the things of the past, and fine carriages, easy road wagons, or sleighs, drawn by good horses, have taken their places. With many the elegant railway coach has been substituted. Good markets are now acessible to almost every farmer as well as to those who dwell in villages. The inhabitants no longer have to depend on the wild game of the forest or the fish in their streams for subsistence; neither do they have to haul their supplies from Big Rapids or other distant markets. On the contrary, now, all that can be had in city markets can be had almost at their doors. The settlement has been established, the experiment is over, the reality has come, and success is guaranteed. A complete social and political government, under American institutions, has been founded. With the pioneers of this county there is no longer any doubt or misgivings as to their venture. The clouds of uncertainty have passed away and before them and their children the future is bright. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio Album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/history/other/osceolac38gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 29.2 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives History .....Osceola County Introduction ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:38 pm The forests of Osceola County have been but recently subdued by the enterprise of a civilized race, preparatory to the establishment of comfortable and permanent homes for a dense popilation. The early surveyors which the Government sent out to make the survey of this part of the State reported that it was an irreclaimable waste and not fit for cultivation in any quarter, the soil being of that character which precluded the propagation of cereals. The subsequent rapidity of settlement and enormous crops of everything in the line of cereals has demonstrated conclusively their mistake, for no acreage surpasses Northern Michigan in productiveness. Notwithstanding the oft-repeated tales of want and hardships told by their earthly sires, men of energy, with their families and all their earthly possessions loaded upon wagons drawn by oxen, pushed their way step by step, through the unbroken forests of Osceola, until they found suitable locations. With a spirit of heroism have they toiled until the forests were laid low, and their herculean labor is manifest in the broad acres of highly cultivated land, upon which stand palatial residences and outbuildings of the most expensive character. Over the grounds where the red man chased the bounding deer, and the wildcats and wolves held their nightly vigils, may be seen herds and flocks feeding and reposing in content; where useless weeds and unused timber cumbered the ground, the husbandman may now be seen gathering the golden harvests; and where the savage's miserable wigwam occasionally appeared, now stands a dwelling which by comparison is a mansion, with here and there a school-house or a church, the greatest distinctive feature of all in contrast with the aboriginal paganism. Transportation of goods by ox teams has given way to the power of steam, and a commerce has been opened up with all parts of the civilized world. Prosperity in a high degree has smiled upon her people, who, taking age into consideration, are fortunate in living in the most healthful, beautiful and productive States in the Union. The history of this county is possessed of no small degree of interest. While other counties were connected with the frontier by large bodies of excellent lands, this seemed for a long time shut off from the gaze of shrewd speculators by reason of its heavy growth of timber. They were destined to become the heritage of an honest, industrious people, and the income derived from the timber and products of the soil has given many of the first comers a handsome competency. HOW OUR FATHERS LIVED. The young men and women of today have very little conception of the mode of life among the early settlers of Osceola County. In but few respects are the manners of the present time similar to those of a quarter of a century ago. The clothing, the dwelling, the diet, the social customs, etc., have undergone a total revolution as though a new race had taken possession of the land. Pioneer life in Osceola County finds its parallel in almost every county in the State and throughout the entire Northwest. The land ws to be cleared of forests, and the skill of human art used to transplant to the fertile region the civilization of the East. Cabins were to be erected, wells dug, and the rivers and creeks made to labor for the use of mankind. As many living citizens can well remember, the pioneers had many difficulties to contend with, not the least of which was the journey from civilization to their forest homes. The route lay through a wild and rough country; swamps and marshes were crossed with great exertion and fatigue; rivers were forded with difficulty and danger, night were passed in the dense forests, with mother earth for a couch and the trees and foilage for a shelter; long, weary days and weeks of travel were endured, but finally their eyes were gladdened and their hearts beat faster when a vision of their future home burst upon them. The first thing upon his arrival was to set about building a cabin. While this was being done the family slept in the wagons or upon the grass, while the horses or oxen, tethered to prevent escape, grazed on the grass around them. Trees of a suitable and uniform size were selected, felled and prepared for their places. The day for the raising was announced and from far and near came other pioneers to assist in the labor. The structure went up, a log at a time, those engaged in the work stopping now and then to "wet their whistles," and soon it was ready for the clapboard roof, which was held on by huge weight poles. A door and a window were cut where the good wife directed, a chimney built, and the building was ready for its occupants. The space between the logs was filled with split sticks of wood, called "chinks," and then daubed over, both inside and out, with mortar made of clay. The floor was sometimes nothing more than earth tramped hard and smooth, but was commonly made of "puncheons," or split logs, with the split side turned upwards. The roof was made by gradually drawing in the top to the ridge-pole and on cross pieces laying the clapboards, which, being several feet in length, instead of being nailed were held in place by weight-poles, reaching the entire length of the cabin. For a fire-place, a space was cut out of the logs on one side of the room, usually about six feet in length, and three sides were built up of logs, making an offset in the wall. This was lined with stone, if convenient; if not, then earth was used. The flue, or upper part of the chimnet, was built of small split sticks, two and a half or three feet in length, carried a little space above the roof, and plastered over with clay, and when finished was called a "cob and clay" chimney. The door space was also made by cutting an aperture in one side of the room of the required size, the door itself being made of clapboards secured by wooden pins to two cross pieces. The hinges were also of wood, while the fastenings consisted of a wooden latch catching on a hook of the same material. To open the door from the outside, a strip of buckskin was tied to the latch and drawn through a hole a few inches above the latch bar, so that on pulling the string the latch was lifted from the catch or hook, and the door was opened withoug further trouble. To lock the door it was only necessary to pull the string through the hole on the inside. Here the family lived, and here the guest and wayfarer were made welcome. The living-room was of good size, but to a large extent it was also a kitchen, bedroom, parlor and arsenal, with flitches of bacon and rings of dried pumpkins suspended from the rafters. The old cabins are rapidly being superseded by modern frame and brick structures, yet with almost tearful eyes we watch them disappear. Every log and chink has a history; could they speak, they would tell us of the days of toil and privation under gone by our fathers, of the days made sacred by the birth or death of his children, of the religious services which were held there when no church was yet buolt in the neighborhood, or the merry-makings which the neighbors for miles around attended, when logs were to be rolled, and a dance given in the evening; the whole to conclude with a supper, the delicacies of which consisted of venison, maple sugar and corn bread. One by one of the old log structures are being removed; but it seems almost a sacrilege to tear the down, so closely have they been connected with the success of our pioneers, many of whom now state that although they are now wealthy and have every comfort and luxury that money can procure, yet the days spent in their primeval home and the kindness which everywhere prevailed among neighbors, brought more happiness than is now enjoyed, although their barns are filled with grain, their pockets with gold and their lands dotted with herds of cattle and sheep. VALUE OF LOCAL HISTORY. The great dread of mankind from the remotest ages has been to be forgotten. The means employed to prevent this and to perpetuate his memory has been in proportion to the amount of intelligence he possessed. It has been conceded now by scientists that the principal object of the Egyptians in building their pyramids was to perpetuate the name and deeds of their their great leaders and rulers. The walls in the extensive apartments beneath those huge stone monuments are covered with paintings illustrating the deeds, both in peace and war, of her illustrious princes, and in chronological order. These colors are as bright, apparently, as when they were first laid on, and the work shows great skill and artistic design. The exhumations made by the archeologist of Egypt from buried Memphis indicate a desire of these people to perpetuate the memory of their achievements. The walls of these palaces found buried here are decorated with historical emblems representing the lives and deeds of these people. In Memphis they displayed a higher art. They carved out in marble elegant and life-loke statues of their distinguished princes, accompanied with hieroglyphics, illustrating their deeds. The erection of those great obelisks were for the same purpose. Coming down to a later period we find the Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monuments, and carving out statues to chronicle their great achievements, and carry then down the ages. It is evident that the mound builders, in piling up their gross mounds of earth, had but this idea, to leave something to show that they had lived. All these works, these representations, though many of them costly in the extreme, give but a faint idea of the lives and character of those whose memory they were intended to perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of the people that them lived. The great pyramids and some of the obelisks remain, objects only for scientists or curiosity seekers; the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crumbling into dust. The monuments, statues and other relics are being gradually conveyed to the different museums of the world, and soon there will nothing remain in these countries to illustrate the lives of the people who once dwelt in them. Generation after generation comes and goes like the leaves of autumn. Nations have been born, have had their rise and fall, and then passed away leaving scarcely a riffle on the great ocean of time to show that they ever existed, so imperfect and mutable has been their means to perpetuate their achievements. It was left to modern ages to establish an intelligent, undecaying, immutable in that it is almost unlimited in extent, and perpetual in its action; and this is through the act of printing. Nations may become disintegrated and pass away, monuments and statues may crumble into dust, but books will live. This art has been rapidly advancing from its first inception until now it would seem that there were no longer any further fround for improvement. This is pre- eminently an age of printing, an age of books. To the present generation, however, are we indebted for the introdction of the admirable system of local history and local biography. By this system every man, though he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, through the coming ages; so alike has every community. We come to the work before us. To our patrons, we say, that the scythe of Time cuts down all; nothing of the physical man is left; the monument which his children or friends may erect to his memory in the cemetery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated by this book through coming ages. Shakspeare has said: The evil men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones. Our aim in this work has been only to preserve the good. We have sought to gather from the best sources of information obtainable, the conditions and incidents of the early pioneer life, and to present that, together with the present development of the county. Many of the pioneers came into these primeval forests without a dollar in their pockets, and with but the ax on their shoulder to carve out their fortunes and build up a country. With undauntd hearts, and a courage equal to that of the great heroes of history, they began life. The land where the wild animals once roamed undisturbed, where the Indian later on built his wickeup, has been transformed into cultivated fields , or is occupied by business houses, dwellings, schools adn churches. Here now may be seen all the elements of an advanced civilization: the husbandman at his plow; the artisan at his forge; the merchant with his stock of goods; the railroad train steaming through the country; the youth gathering into schools, and the people into their places of worship. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio Album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/history/other/osceolac37gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 13.9 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives History .....History Of Highland Township ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:37 pm Jan. 5, 1870, the Board of Supervisors made an order for the organization of Highland Township, and appointed George Stump, W.W. Stewart and J.P. Gould Inspectors to preside at the election, which was held in the school-house. S.C. Jones was elected Supervisor. Highland is situated in the northern tier of townships, in number 20 north, of range 8 west. It is bounded on the north by Missaukee County, on the east by Marion, on the south by Hartwick, and on the west by Sherman Townships. The surface of the land is rolling, and the soil is sandy loam. It is watered by the Middle Branch River and several streams which empty into it, and the west branch of the Clam River. The first settler in this township was s.C. Jones, who came in the fall of 1866 and settled on section 18. He put up a cabin and the following winter devoted himself to trapping, at which he was an experienced hand. He followed his favorite pursuit that winter on the Middle Branch, Clam, Pine and other rivers and branches, and on Muscat Lake. His route was regularly laid out with stations, where he would have his shanties. He would time it so as to reach these stations about nightfall, visiting his numerous traps, killing his animals and taking off the fur, which he would put into his sack, throw it over his back and travel on. In order to make these stations he would often travel 50 miles a day. In those early days trapping was a very profitable business. The principal fur caught was marten, beaver, mink, and sometimes they would take in a bear. As other early settlers, Anthony Duddles, George Stimp, Edgar Blaidell, Joseph Holmes, located in 1867. Duddles on section 8, Stump on 18, Blaidell on 20, and Holmes on section 30. Highland is divided into seven school districts, with the school buildings located consecutively from district number 1 up, as follows: section, 18, 4, 25, 27, 30, 12 and 7. No. 7 is frame and the rest are all log buildings. P.W. MItchell teaches the school in district NO. 5, and has nine pupils. This township is heavily timbered with maple, rock elm, black and white ash, beech, bass-wook, hemlock and some pine, which is being cut and sent to the different markets. Rodas have been and are being, built to meet the wants of the settlers, and schools are opened where there is sufficient number of pupils to make it worth the while. The township lies a little out of line of the rapid settlements, yet its population is gradually increasing, having, according to the census of 1884, 311 souls, an increase since 1880 of 123. Assessed value of the property, $140,000. Fruit, as far as it has been cultivated, is reported to do well. Potatoes are the best crop for vegetables, and oats the best crop for grain. Highland is remarkable for its production of that medicinal plant known as gentian. HUndreds of pounds of the root of this plant are marketed annually. Raymond Beebe has a saw-mill located on section 34. The township has two postoffices, one located on section 26, called Milburn, and the other on section 4, which is known as the Freelingville postoffice. The trading point for the people is Tustin, in BUrdell Township, and this place is their nearest railroad station. In religious matters Highland has been quite progressive, it having established two churches. The Methodist Church has two organizations, with services held in the school- house of Districts Nos. 1 and 2. The meetings are presided over by Rev. Mr. Green, from Wexford County; preaching every two weeks. The Baptist Church has one organization in school District No. 1. Services are held every month at the school-house, and are presided over by W.P. Squiers, of Reed City. The society was formed in 1871, by Rev. Mr. Stillwell, and services have been held pretty regularly since. It has now some 15 members. Highland Township, from its organization to the present time, has been represented by the following named: SUPERVISORS. S.C. Jones 1870-2 M.W. Stewart 1873-5 George W. Culver 1876 M.W. Stewart 1877-82 P.W. Mitchell 1883-4 Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio Album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/history/other/historyo36gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.9 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives History .....History Of Le Roy ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:36 pm About the time of the advent of the railroad the idea was conceived by some of the business men of the township of Le Roy of starting a village, and knowing that no town could prosper in modern times away from a railroad, a site was selected on the line of the Grand Rapids & Indiana. During the summer of 1871, while the railroad was being constructed through here, James E. Bevins, W. W. and Charles G. Westfall, Samuel Kimball, James M. Brown and H.C. Booth, located here for the purpose of engaging in business, and this was the beginning of the town. It is situated near the eastern line of Le Roy Township in section 13, on Beaver Creek, which is a tributary of the Manistee River, and about 18 miles north of Reed City. The site is on rolling ground, and is quite attracive. Extensive forests of fine timber surround it, and its location is in the midst of what will ultimately be a rich farming country. The first railroad train came in during the latter part of November, 1871, and from that time it became quite a lively town. The village of Le Roy was incorporated by act of the Legislature passed Feb. 2, 1873, and the election under this act was held the first Monday in March following: J.E. Bevins, H.M. Patrick and G. W. Averill were appointed a board of registration. The election was duly held, resulting in the choice of James E. Bevins for President; L.C. Dill, Clerk, and G. W. Kellogg, Treasurer. G. W. Averill, H.M. Patrick and Anthony Wenzel were elected as trustees; James C. Corbin, E.M. Braden, Godfrey Gundrum, George E. Merrill, Street Commissioners; Assessor, Walter L. Evans; Constable, M.W. Westfall. John Glerum was appointed Marshal, which completed the village government. The village was platted by James E. Bevins, its founder, Dec. 30, 1873, the plat embracing 40 acres. Samuel Kimball was the first man to open a store. M.W. Westfall, who was the first settler, put up the first house in the place; and Westfall Brothers opened the first hotel. this was all done in 1871. The first child born here was a daughter to the wife of Charles G. Westfall, which event occurred during the latter part of 1871. MURDER. One of the noted events of this part of the country was the murder of Gharles G. Westfall, just mentioned, by two indians, named Charles Powers and John Ka-the-way, which occurred Feb. 22, 1872. Mr. Westfall was thought a good deal of by every one who knew him, and this murder threw the entire country in this region into the greatest excitement. It was only by sober and conservative counsels, and probably from the fact that they were Indians, that saved these murderers (as both were supposed to have done the deed) from being lynched. Mr. Westfall had secured himself a homestead in Lake County, and in company with William A. Balcom was moving from Le Roy to his new home. He had an ox team and sled, which was loaded with their household goods, and which was also their only means of transportation. Balcom was acting as driver and was also looking after the little child. The Indians had been drinking at Le Roy, and had not started from town with the Westfall party, whose route took them by the Indians' cabin, and who were hauling some flour for them. Some ways out of town and awhile before dark, the Indians came up, and, asking to ride, were allowed to get upon the sled. Soon afterward Powers became quarrelsome; and as the party proceeded on its journey, grew more so. About dark they all arrived at Pine River, and soon thereafter at the point where the trail to the Indians' wigwam led off from the main road. Here the Indians' flour was put off and they were still being quarrelsome - particularily Powers - Mr. Westfall stopped to parley with them, hoping thereby, as it was thought, to placate them. Balcom, with the team, went on to the house of Mr. Byam, where they were to put up for the night. The night wore on and Mr. Westfall not comin in, considerable uneasiness was felt in regard to his safety, particularily as Balcom had made known the condition of the two Indians. Finally a party, with Balcom, started back in search of the missing man. They found him nearly where he had been left by the team by the roadside, with life almost extinct. He was unable to speak, and died within a few moments after he was found. The body was taken to Byam's, and upon examination was found to contain 29 stabs! Early next morning, a posse with guns started out for the Indians. They were found at their wigwam, arrested and taken before T.T. Delzell who committed them. There being no jail in the county, they were taken to Big Rapids and imprisoned there. Change of venue was finally obtained for them to Mecosta County, where they were tried for murder in the first degree. Excitement ran high during this trial, and people gathered to the court-house from all around the country. Ka-the-way was acquitted, but Powers was convicted. He was sentenced by the Court to imprisonment for life. Before, however, he ws conveyed to the Jackson penitentiary, he committed suicide by taking poison. This was accomplished by taking some bed-bug poison found in his cell, which was largely composed of corrosive sublimate. The people were ably represented by their counsel, and the defense was well conducted. Ka-the-way claimed that he was unconscious when he committed the murder, and knew not what he was doing. He bore himself during the trial with what people are wont, for more properly speaking, pleased to call Indian stoicism, but which is only the absence of conscience, or a sense of moral responsibility. It was developed after the trial that some one had, at a time dating back many months previous to the trial, broken up the wigwam of these Indians, and that Powers believed that Mr. Westfall had done it, and held a grudge against him for it. The name of the person who really did break up the wigwam was afterwards ascertained, which entirely exonerated the lamented Westfall of the act which was eventually the occasion of his murder. BUSINESS INTERESTS. Wenzel Brothers are extensive manufacturers of, and dealers in, lumber and shingles. This firm was organized in 1882. The business was started here in 1880, under a different firm. Capacity in lumber, 40,000 feet, shingles, 400,000 per day. They have 200 acres of timber land adjacent to their mills. J. C. Corbin, planing-mill, molding, matching, etc. Mr. C. has a large establishment; started his business in 1883; also deals in lumber. A. Kimball has a flouring mill, and is a general dealer in flour and feed. Established in 1883, and had a capacity of 300 bushels per day. James E. Bevins is a dealer in general merchandise, having one of the first stores opened in Le Roy. Is also an extensive dealer in real estate. C.F. Walden carries a general stock of merchandise. Patrick & co., have a general line of merchandise. H.N. Babcock supplies the poeple with jewelry, clocks, watches, etc. A. Shelander has a boot and shoe store. J. H. Williams keeps a general store. M.V. Gundrum carries a line of boots and shoes, crockery, drugs, groceries and dry-goods. The fair ladies of Le Roy have not been forgotten, nor their wants, for Mrs. Wm. Herlan is with them with a fine stock of millinery goods. B.S. Niles manufactures boots and shoes. Le roy meat market is kept by M.W. Westfall. Dell Roberts keeps a sloon and billiards. J.W. Davidson carries on a general blacksmithing business, keeps shingles and does general wood work. Wm. Herlan, general blacksmithing and horse-shoeing. Drs. J.W. Law and C.H. Andrews look after the health of the people, and I. H. Corbin attends to the legal business. Grant & McQuarrie, contractors and builders. Le Roy has also a restaurant, a barber-shop and a skating rink. The Westfall House, M.W. Westfall, proprietor, was opened in 1881, and is located upon the rising ground a little way from the depot. The house is well furnished and well kept. Landlord Westfall gives such attention to his guests that on leaving they feel like returning to Le Roy just for the pleasure of putting up with him. The American House, H.J. Jenkins, proprietor, is also a good house. It had been recently re-opened, newly furnished throughout, and offers good accommodations. Le Roy contains many good substantial buildings, has a population of about 350 souls, and is a growing village. Its people are industrious and energetic. This, together with the rich lands and splendid timber districts surrounding it, furnish all the elements necessary to a populous town. Le Roy is the shipping point for the products of the great lumber mills of A. E. Sawyer at Sawyerville, in Rose Lake Township. A tramway is constructed from this place to Le Roy, a distance of some three miles, over which his lumber is freighted to the depot. There are about or adjacent to Le Roy village eight shingle mills owned by Charles Duray, Mr. Spere, Metcalf & Noles, H. Gowsey & Sons, L. Brown, Freeman & Morse, and charles Jepson. A postoffice was established at Le roy in the winter of 1871. James E. Bevins was appointed Postmaster, and has retained the confidence of Uncle sam from that time to the present day. daily mails by rail, and once a week from Hartwick by stage. SCHOOL. Le Roy has been attentive to the educational interests. The citizens have put up a good school building, at a cost of $1,500, and have provided good teachers. This is in district number five, and is a graded school, with 178 pupils on the rolls. W.E. Jackson is Principal, and Alice S. Brown his assistant. PRESS. Le Roy Independent. - This is a five-column quarto paper, established in September, 1884. Its first issue was Sept. 13th, and this date is an epoch in the history of Le Roy as well as in the life of the energetic and talented editor and proprietor of this journal. Shakspeare has said that There is a tide in the affairs of men,' Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyages of their lives Are bound in shallows and in miseries. Mr. Jackson did not "omit the opportunity, but "took the tide at the flood." He is now afloat on the full sea of life, and he has but to keep a firm steady course, and his venture will "lead on to fortune." We wish him the success he so justly deserves. SOCIETIES. Osceola Lodge, I.O.O.F., No. 300. - This lodge was instituted July 26, 1877. Charter members - R.C. Johnstone, William D. Clark, Frederick Shields, charles Bradley, John R. Simonton, Godfrey May, D.B. Hamlin, Lewis Tupper, Joseph H. Forbes, S.E. Morris, Octave Decair, Thomas Hood, J. Randolph and J.G. Piper. Present officers - William Allen, G.G.; Joseph Allen, V.G.; W.J. Gaw, P.S.; John Kelley, R.S.; Samuel Bush, Warden; George E. Merrel, I.S.G.; John Byers, O.S.G.; J.G. Piper, R.S.V.G., and A. P. Bailey, L.S.V.G. Encampment of Le Roy and Rose Lake, No. 6, was instituted Aug. 21, 1879. Charter members - W.D. Clark, Frank Shields, Edwin Smith, Oliver Platts, Melvin P. May, James E. Bevins, John Gore, John Kelley, George E. Merrel, Joseph H. Forbes and John R. Simonton. Present officers of the Encampment: George Merrel, P.T.; E.S. Bevins, C.W.; Joseph Allen, J.W.; Samuel Bush, H.P.; John Kelley, Scribe; A.P. Bailey, Treasurer, and Oliver Platts, G.D. Victoria Lodge of Rebecca, No. 73. - This lodge was organized Sept. 24, 1884, with the following named charter members: W.J. Law, Miss E.V. Law, E.S. Bevins, Miss Permelia Bevins, A.P. Bailey, Elizabeth Bailey, Samuel H. Bush, Miss Martha Bush, F. Ripley, Miss Mary Ripley, Miss Julia Olekerk, M.W. Westfall, Miss Frances E. Westfall, N.J. Archibald and Miss R.H. Archibald. Officers of Rebecca Lodge: E.S. Bevins, N.G.; Miss Frances E. Westfall, V.G.; Miss E.V. Law, R.S.; A.P. Nailey, P.S.; Miss Martha Bush, Treasurer; S.H. Bush, Warden; W.J. Law, Conductor; Miss R. H. Archbald, R.S.N.G.; N.J. Archibald, R.S. V.G., and M.W. Westfall, L.S.V.G. All these lodges have a good hall, are well equipped and in good working order. G.A.R. - This lodge was instituted Aug. 3, 1883. charter members - Arian Newcomb, M.W. Westfall, Henry Vandusen, Homer R. Peake, George Hinkley, Henry M. Evarts, J.E. Scribner, Christian Gugle, Joseph A. Braden, Levi S. Jackson, George E. Filley, Abraham H. Fox, William A. Boyer, Louis G. Hall, Reuben H. Bishop, George W. Averill and George Caslaw. Officers - William A. Boyer, C.; Lewis S. Jackson, Sr. V.C.; A.H. Fox, Jr., V.C.; Homer R. Peake, Surgeon; J.A. Braden, Q.M.; Lewis J. Hall, Chaplain; George Averill, Officer of the Day; J.E. Scribner, Officer of the Guard; A. Newcomb, Adj't; R.H. Bishop, S.M.; M.W. WEstfall, Q.M.S. This lodge is prospering, is holding meetings regularily, and a good deal of interst is manifested. CHURCHES. The First Baptist Church of Le Roy was organized Feb. 21, 1877. Names of the first members - William C. Burke, Mary E. Burke, Elizabeth Babcock, John Lockhart, Esther Lockhart, Gideon A. Estes, Lottie Estes, Henry Worden, Ann Worden, Henry Hale, Mary E. Hale, Martin Burris, Margaret Burris, C.F. Price, Ann Price, William Wood, Amanda Miner, Lewis Hall, Angeline Sprague, Mrs. S.A. Newcomb and Marsena Brown. The first Pastor was REv. O.S. Wolfe. He was followed by Rev. J.J. Martin, who was succeeded by Rev. N. Stilwell, the present Pastor. A good church building has been erected by this society, which was dedicated June 18, 1882, and cost $1,650. Evangelical Lutheran Church. - This society belongs to the General synod of Illinois. It was organized July 3, 1883, by Rev. Charles F. Walden, with 42 members. Services once a month, which are held in the Methodist church. There is a Methodist Society here, but, though repeated efforts were made to the presiding pastor on whom we had to depend, we were unable to get any further information regarding it. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio Album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/history/other/historyo35gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 14.9 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives History .....History Of Le Roy Township ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:35 pm This township was organized from Lincoln Township by order of the Board. Its local government was established April 4, 1870, the election being held at the residence of Richard Toms. Thirty-two votes were cast at this meeting, resulting in the choice of Daniel McGovern for Supervisor, R.D. Simonton for Clerk, and George H. Bassett, Treasurer; Highway Commissioners - Daniel McGovern, Wm. Slaughter and J. R. Simonton; Justices of the Peace - Calvin Woolworth, Gideon A. Estes, Johhn Frayer and Charles W. Worden; School Inspectors - George H. Bassett and Frank E. Payne; Constables - Wm. snyder, R.D. Simonton, Richard Toms and John E. Guild; Overseers of the Highway - Henry Vandusen, George H. Bassett and Stephen Allen. SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS. Le Roy has five organized school districts. the school buildings are liocated s follows: District No. 1 (fractional) on section 1; No. 2, on section 9; No. 3, on section 7; No. 5, on section 13, and No. 6, on section 22. No. 1 has 100 pupils on the list; No. 2, 61; No. 3, 20; No. 5, 178, and No. 6, 58 pupols. The buildings cost, in No. 1, $600; No. 2, $400; No. 3, $300; No. 5, $1,500, and in No. 6, $400. There is no district numbered 4. District No. 5 is located in Le Roy village. Le Roy Township is in the western row in number 19 north, of range 10 west. Burdell Township lies on the north, Rose Lake on the east, Lincoln on the south, and Lake County on the west. It is watered by Beaver Creek - which heads in Rose Lake Township - and its tributaries; the Hersey Ricver, which heads in this township; and the Pine River, running across the northwest corner. The country is rolling, and well timbered with beech, maple, elm, hemlock and a little pine. The soil is clay loam, and in some localities a little sandy. The first settlers in the township are, Richard Toms, Daniel McGovern, R.D. Simonton, George H. Bassett, Calvin Woolworth, Gideon A. Estes, Charles W. Worden, John Frayer and E.M. Braden. Le Roy ranks the fifth in population, and in the assessed value of property, its population according to the census of 1884, being 1,020, and assessed valuation $232,000. It has now about 2,500 acres of improved land, with 120 farms. In 1882 ir produced 3,522 bushels of wheat, 10,635 bushels of corn, 6,602 bushels of oats, and 10,663 bushels potatoes, and 671 tons of hay. In 1883 it had 94 horses, 140 milch cows, 145 hogs, and 190 sheep. Wool production, 943 pounds. The average yield of wheat per acre is 1,414 bushels. The soil is regarded as productive adn well adapted for farming purposes. Good roads are being constructed to meet the demands of an increasing population. The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad passes through the township, entering on section 34, deflecting eastward and passing out north on section 1. The village of Le Roy is the trading place for most of the inhabitants and also their postoffice address.At Dewing's Siding and Ashton Lumber Company have their lumber mill, and a general store. Capacity of mill, 30,000 per day. The members of this company are Dewing, Halladay & Watson. The names of the Supervisors who have represented this township are given below: SUPERVISORS. Daniel McGovern 1870-1 T.F. Delzell 1872 G.W. Bassett 1873-4 James E. Bevins 1875 G.A. Estes 1876 E.M. Braden 1877 G.H. Bassett 1878-82 Peter R. Grant 1883-4 Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio Album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/history/other/historyo34gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb

Osceola County MI Archives History .....History Of Ashton ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 9, 2008, 9:34 pm Ashton village is situated on the line of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, in Limcoln Township, on the north branch of the Hersey, and about six miles from Reed City. Its location is pleasant and healthy, surrounded by a very good farming country; but it is principally sustained by the business. It was started by Joseph W. Ash in 1870, after the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad route had been determined. This road was completed here in the latter part of 1871. Mr. Ash was the first Postmaster of the town, receiving his commission in the spring of 1870. He held this appointment seven years, when he was succeeded by Frayer Halladay, who had held the confidence of Uncle Sam to the present time. The first store opened in the town was by Lou & Balch. They were soon followed by E.G. Raymond, who also opened a store. It is quite a mart for lumber, shingles, telegraph poles and tan-bark. The population is now estimated at 180, and is on the increase. BUSINESS INTERESTS. Frayer Halladay, who was one of the first to open a store here, carries a large stock of general merchandise, together with agricultural implements. He opened his store (then Halladay & Son) in 1870. His trade has increased from small beginnings until now he handles about $20,000 worth of goods annually. A.C. Adams has a general line of merchandise, with a good assortment of drugs and medicines. He cast his fortunes with this people in 1875; was burned out once and rebuilt, putting up a very recherhe establishment, one of the best appointed in the county. Arthur Mulholland keeps a general store, with drugs and medicines. James Verguson does the blacksmithing for the community. There are two saw-mills near the village, which are operated by Purchase & son, and Brett & Brothers. The medical profession is represented by Drs. J. W. House and Herman R. Palmer. The Exchange Hotel, T. A. Thorn, proprietor, is a good house for the traveler, and the landlord is painstaking in looking after his wants. The AShton House, Purchase & Son, proprietors, is the oldest hotel in town, and is well kept. The guests are well attended to, and everything done to make them comfortable, and to feel at home. SCHOOL. Ashton has a good school building for the accommodation of its scholastic population, which number about one hundred. Henry Swem is the present teacher of this school. CHURCHES. Methodist Episcopal Church - The society was first organized in Ashton in 1870, by Rev. Mr. Deal, who preached the first sermon here or in the township. The first presiding elder was Rev. H.P. Peck, who was succeeded by Rev. H.P. Henderson. Rev. Mr. Russell followed, and after him came Rev. J.A. Sprague, who is the fourth and present Presiding Elder. They have a neat little church edifice, which was erected in 1882, at a cost of $1,800, and 25 members who worship in it, with a flourishing Sabbath-school. Rev. James Anderson is the present Pastor. The Baptist Church was organized several years ago, but the society became disintegrated, and for years had no meetins. It was re-organized about the first of January, 1884, by 'rev. Wm. P. Squires, with a membership of 16. Services are held in the school-house every two weeks, and are presided over by Rev. Wm. P. Squires, of Reed City. Additional Comments: 1884 Portrait & Bio Album of Osceola Co. Chapman Brothers, Chicago File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/osceola/history/other/historyo33gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb