COLDWATER REPUBLICAN Algansee Township, Branch County, Michigan

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                                COLDWATER REPUBLICAN

VOLUME IV NO. 63 COLDWATER, MICH. TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 375

ALGANSEE INVADED BY OUR TRAMP.

Algansee being rather an important point on the Coldwater, Mansfield Lake Michigan Railroad, we will now call the attention
of the reader for a time to the consideration of the pioneer history and local interests. The first person whose acquaintance we
made was a yellow dog and his greeting was so cordial that it will not soon pass from our memory. If at any time any dentist
should wish to furnish a set of teeth for this canine usher, he need not go to Algansee, for we have a well defined impression of
his chewing facilities on our left leg.

The first day of January, 1836 Asabel Brown and Nathan Austin entered their land to Algansee. Austin entering two lots of
land and Brown, ten. After entering his land Mr. Brown hired Mr. Lampson, of Kinderhook, to put up a log house and break a
few acres of land. He then went back to Lenawee County, where his family had been living for four years. In the spring he
again came to Algansee and put in some crops, but it was not until July 3d that he arrived with the family. The family at that
time consisted of parents and five children; three have since been added to the flock and three have died. The land upon which
the homestead is located is burr oak openings, and the timber on 60 acres of it was so small that it could be logged off with one
horse. The first time Mr. Brown visited Coldwater he went on foot, following an Indian trail. It was late when returned and
the wolves were close upon him. A man who was living with him took a dinner-horn and blew it lustily as he approached
home, and the Wolves, not liking the noise, drew off from the trail. It being somewhat difficult to obtain bread-stuffs, Mr.
Brown found a place to buy and engaged his wheat for the next year at $1 per bushel. Before the year was out wheat had
advanced to $2 per bushel, which made quite a handsome saving for him. Mr. Brown at once took an active and prominent
part in the public affairs of the township and held many positions of trust and honor, representing this senatorial district
twice in the State Senate, was a member of the Constitutional convention of 1850 which drafted the constitution under which
we live, and also of the convention to revise the constitution in 1867. He was supervisor of the township a great many years,
but the exact length of time could not be ascertained; also justice of the peace a long time, and while the old board of assessors
remained in existence he was one of the assessors. The first town meeting was held at his house, there being only six or seven
voters present. At the time of settling Mr. B. did not know where the road would be laid out and built his first house on the
town line east from where he now lives. In 1837 what is called the "State road" was laid out, and when the family mansion
was erected it was built on said road. The first school house in the township was built near where the school house at Brown's
Corners now stands. The first school was taught by Sarah Beach, the same lady who taught the first school in California
Township. When Mr. Brown came to Algansee Mr. Beach, of California, was his nearest neighbor, and between his place and
Coldwater there was nothing but heavy timber. The first religious organization was a society of Methodists; they had no
regular preacher on the start, but depended upon exhorters for their spiritual light. Mr. Brown died four years ago last June at
the age of 71. Mrs. Brown, who still survives him, is 70 years of age. She was born in Farmington, Monroe Co., N. Y. When
she first moved to Algansee it was three months before she saw the face of a white woman.

Andrew Simpson was born in Scotland 59 years ago. His first stopping place in this country was Livingston County, N. Y.,
but for the last 17 years he has been a resident of Branch County. For 16 years he lived in the immediate vicinity of
Coldwater, removing to Algansee two years ago.

Mr. Albert G. Barnes returned from the Mexican War in 1848. During his absence his father's people had removed from the
state of New York to this state, and he came from New Orleans to Branch county which has since been his home. He is 53
years of age and has lived in Coldwater 25 years. Mrs. Brown is a daughter of the Hon. Asabel Brown. She is 51 years of age
and was 9 years old when her people came to Algansee. The day after they arrived, her father and Mr. Austin went to Mr.
Beach's to grind their axes. While they were gone Mrs. Brown fastened the house and took the children up stairs for fear of
Indians, and in this way Independence Day was celebrated. We were informed by Mrs. Barnes that Mr. Austin, who came to
the country with Mr. Brown, now lives in Hillsdale. Much of the information give us by Mrs. Barnes was embodied in the
description of Mr. Brown's life.

Aaron Simpkins settled where he now lives in 1843, coming from Fairport, N. Y. He is 61 years of age and quite feeble in
health. After buying 80 acres of land he had just five dollars left upon which to live. Being a blacksmith by trade the neighbors
made a bee and put up a shop for him. He borrowed $35, bought some tools and went to work, taking farm labor in pay for
his mechanical work. He got his farm cleared up much more rapidly than he could had he done it himself. Mrs. S. took in
sewing for which she received farm work, and they prospered until now their 80 acres have grown to 520, with more to
follow. They did not see the hardships with which the old settlers were perplexed, but occasionally, when they were unable to
get to mill, they saw very pinching times. A young man by the name of Gardiner came west with Mr. S. and purchased 80
acres near him, but he is not in the vicinity now. The maiden name of Mrs. Simpkins was Burt; she was born in Berkshire Co.,
Mass., but when she was quite young her people moved to New York. She is 58 years of age and is the mother of seven
children, five of whom are now living.

Mrs. Polly Clark was born in New York 71 years ago, and has lived on the first farm north of Mrs. Brown's place 33 years.
Her husband, Carleton Clark, died twenty years ago, at which time he was 52 years of age. He was a native of Vermont.

Stephen Birch was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., 69 years ago last August. At the age of 23 he moved to Livingston Co., N. Y.,
later to Ohio and 18 years ago came to Algansee.

J. L. King has spent the whole of this life in this county, and was born in California Township 29 years ago. He is now living
in this township and is associated with A. C. Hall in the grocery business. His father, Hosea King, came to this county 30
years ago. He died 19 years ago at the age of 50 years. 

Benj. Craig removed from Seneca Co., Ohio, to this vicinity 44 years ago, but the first six years were spent among the
Hoosiers, after which he moved on his present farm where he has lived 38 years. When he moved to Indiana it was not
thought by anyone that Coldwater would ever amount to anything as a business place, and it was shunned by many as not
being a desirable place to locate. This, with other things, might have induced Mr. Craig to locate in Indiana, but after a six
years' residence there, during which time he was sick every year, he returned to this State, and has had ample reason to change
his mind in regard to the business prospects of Coldwater. The first town meeting at which he voted was held at the house of
Horace Purdy. He thinks he saw his share of hardships, especially on one occasion, when he carried a bushel of corn on his
back four miles to mill. In going from Coldwater to Pretty Prairie there was only one house on the route, which was that of
John Croy, in Gilead, the first settler in the south tier of towns. Mr. C. killed an animal, said to be a lynx, which had been
making sad havoc among the sheep in the neighborhood.

A. C. Hall was born in Cuyaga Co., N. Y. Expecting to be a cripple, he started out in life as a shoemaker at the age of 19 years,
but got better and went to work at the carpenter trade, working at that in the summer and shoemaking in the winter. He went
to Livingston Co., N. Y., and carried on a boot and shoe business for a number of years. Soon afterwards he repaired a hotel
and officiated for a number of years as landlord, and then went to Richmond Co., O. After six years, having buried two wives
and two children, he went back to New York and again engaged in the boot and shoe business; his health failing him, and
outdoor exercise becoming a necessity, he worked on the enlargement of the Erie Canal at Brockport, five years. After the job
was completed he read law and was admitted to the bar. He then commenced the practice of law; got a commission as
postmaster, and kept a grocery on the banks of the Genesee Valley Canal for 12 years. In 1874 he came to Bay City, in this
State, and in the summer of 1875 to Coldwater, and nine months later moved to Algansee, where he erected a store in which he
is now conducting a grocery business. Anyone having a more checkered experience will please raise their right hand.

E. S. Taylor was born in Cuyahoga Co., O., July 8th, 1824. Feb. 4th 1846, he started in company with a brother for Ogle Co.,
Ill., traveling with oxen and taking sheep and cattle with them. At the time of passing through Coldwater there was 18 inches
of snow on the ground and the coldest weather he has ever experienced. Less than one year of the cold weather, high winds,
chills, fevers, and dirty shirts of Illinois, sufficed to start him eastward again in the same rented wagon in which the previous
trip was made. He stopped in Stuben Co., Ind., a few months, and then resumed his route eastward, stopping in Loraine Co.,
O. In 1849 he united his destinies with one of the fairer sex, and afterwards made longer stops and did not exhibit as much
restlessness as heretofore. In 1853 he removed to Hillsdale county and in 1870 to Algansee, which has since been his home.
He is something of a hunter, and his faithful gun, which has been the companion of all his wanderings, is still doing good
service. He is now 54 years of age, and let up hope that his wanderings have ceased.

Jacob Cline was born in Germany, but at the age of 21 emigrated to this country, since which his time has been divided
between Sturgis, Ovid and Algansee. He says that he likes this country better than Germany on account of absence from the
oppressive taxation to which he was subjected there. 

Nelson Baker has lived in this vicinity 36 years last fall, and came from Rochester, N. Y. to Coldwater, where he first settled,
but was born in Vermont 56 years ago. He has lived on the farm where he now is 21 years. It was quite new then, but now
there is little about his 165 acre farm and elegant buildings to remind one of the backwoods. We have refrained from writing the
history of cats till we could find a genuine old settler, but one need go not farther than Mr. Baker's as he has one which is 28
years old this spring.

Thos. Nixon was born in Ireland 67 years ago next May, and received his education in a very crude school house, a description
of which was published in the REPUBLICAN a year ago. At the age of 16 he came from Ireland to New York, and for some
time was in the employ of the Methodist Book Concern. At one time he hired out to Horace Greeley as a traveling agent. In
1835 he moved to Livingston Co., N. Y., and in the fall of 1835 he was married to a Miss Burpaide. In 1842 he moved to
Cuyahoga Co., O., and in 1854 purchased a farm on the town line near where Mr. Odren, of California, now lives. He moved
on the farm where he now lives in the fall of 1865. When quite young Mr. Nixon was left an orphan with his own way to
make in the world. He has managed to work, out a comfortable competence and at the same time develop the faculties with
which nature has endowed him, and now as old age creeps on apace and active usefulness is past, he has a well cultured mind
which can grasp and comprehend something besides mere dollars and cents, which, after all, are but a small part of the
comforts demanded by old age.

John S. Logan came from eastern Ohio in 1865; is 59 years of age, and lives on the town line between California and Algansee.

Stephen West was born in Jefferson Co., O., is 70 years of age, and at the time of our visit was lying near death's door. He has
lived in Algansee 14 years and has excellent buildings.

Herbert D. Warner was born in Hillsdale county, and is now 28 years of age; for seven years he has lived where we now find
him, and is a hospitable and genial gentleman. Mr. Warner's father is still living in Hillsdale County, where for a long time he
ran what was known as the "Buckhorn Tavern."

J. Wesley Brown is a son of the Hon. Asabel Brown, and was nine years of age when the family moved to Algansee. He is
now 51 years old, but remembers the events connected with the removal very well. The outfit with which the family moved
through from Lenawee county was such a miscellaneous one, and the incidents connected with their fording or swimming Hog
Creek so amusing as to make one think of those who did not get in the ark at the time of the flood. The family crossed on two
logs lashed together and slightly hollowed out, standing one foot in each. The cattle, hogs, and other domestic animals, came
swimming after the oxen. About twenty small pigs were kept in a box on the hind end of the wagon, the anxious mothers
following closely behind. Once in two or three hours the caravan was stopped and the young porkers were taken out and
allowed to satisfy their appetites, after which they were again boxed and the march resumed. After crossing Hog Creek,
Wesley and his mother took the cattle and pushed forward as rapidly as possible, arriving at Mr. Cass' place in California
nearly an hour before the rest of the party. It had rained hard all day, and they stayed with Mr. C. that night. The house in
which Mr. Cass was temporarily living was built by laying a pole from the limbs of one tree to another, and then setting
puncheons up from the ground against it. It took them all the next day to reach their home in Algansee, and they had to clear
the road as they went, but just at dark, July 3d, 1836, they took possession of their new home. Mr. Brown had purchased so
much land that it made it impossible for settlers to approach him in some directions, so the second year he sold 160 acres to
Jonathan Hall in order to have a neighbor. Wesley remained with his father, helping to clear and work the large farm until 1851,
when he married Miss Helen Tripp, of Kinderhook. At the age of 24 he purchased a part of his father's farm. After two
winters passed in this house, he moved to Kinderhook where he lived one year, then erected a board shanty 12x14 on his land
and moved back. In addition the same size of the original structure made this dwelling large enough for them to live in four
years. We were shown a sketch of this unpretentious dwelling made by Mrs. B. who assured us that notwithstanding the
humble appearance it was real cozy, and life was enjoyed here as much as in the elegant home in which they now reside. Mr.
B. says that the greatest hardships to which he was ever subjected was the poor clothes he was obliged to wear, which were
so scanty that he actually suffered from the cold. He had to go barefooted as long as he possible could, and a pair of shoes
sufficed to protect his feet from the frosts and snows of winter. He mentioned one instance of hardship in which a lady had to
churn in a large bottle about the size of our ordinary fruit jars. She could not get any other churn, and the products of her dairy
were absolutely indispensable to the maintenance of her family, as they were destitute of almost everything else. In 1858 Mr.
B. moved to Coldwater, and after a three year's apprenticeship entered the dry goods business as one of the firm of
Woodward, Gilbert & Brown, but poor health obliged him to retire in a few months. He has since engaged in cabinet, and
hardware business, but his health would never admit of his remaining long in confinement. Since 1867 he has not been actively
engaged in any business.

Mrs. Brown is a daughter of David and Sally Tripp, formerly of Kinderhook. Her people arrived at Waterhouse Corners July
3d, 1836, the same day that Mr. Brown's people reached their home in Algansee. The birthplace of Mrs. B. was Otsego
county, N. Y. In coming from the east they drove through from Toledo with an ox team, and their experience in crossing the
big cottonwood swamp was such as to impress itself ineffaceable upon here memory. Her mother came near being drowned
and a part of the heaviest goods had to be left by the roadside or they never could had got through. They forded the river west
of Coldwater and took refreshments with Wabskokie. The same night they asked permission to stay at a house over night and
were informed by the hostess that they could stay, but that she had nothing in the house but meal to eat and no place for them
to sleep. As they had a supply of provisions with them an excellent supper was soon prepared and the lady, whose husband
was away in search of work to earn something upon which to live, enjoyed their company very much besides doing ample
justice to their eatable.

Mrs. Sally Tripp, the mother of Mrs. B., is living with her daughter, and was 70 years of age last November. Her husband,
David Tripp, died in October, 1874 at the age of 68 years. Both were born and raised in Otsego county, N. Y., but came
directly from Genesee County here. Mrs. Amos Flint and Mrs. Osborn, of Kinderhook, are sisters of Mrs. T.

 

VOLUME IV. NO. 64. COLDWATER, MICH., FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 376

ALGANSEE INVADED BY OUR TRAMP.

S. H. Keelar was not a pioneer but when he came to Algansee, 27 years ago, the immediate vicinity was entirely new and his
farm has been all cleared up by himself. He is 62 years of age and was born in Connecticut, but came from Cayuga Co., N. Y.,
when he settled here. He had lived in New York 23 years previous to coming to Michigan. Five children have been born to
him, three of whom are now living. 

Geo. McAchron is the 83d year of his age, and was born in Washington Co., N.Y. He removed from Cayuga Co., N. Y., at the
time of coming to Algansee, 23 years ago. Mr. McA. lives entirely alone and has the best of opportunities to enjoy his own
company. 

Geo. Bennett winged his way westward 16 years ago alighting in the west part of the township of Algansee, but now lives in
the central portion. He was born in Wayne Co., N.Y., and is 38 years old.

The Rev. E. W. Hard was born and raised in Orleans Co., N. Y., and early entered the ministry in the M. E. church; but the
itinerancy proved too much for his health and he was obliged to abandon it. He now acts in the capacity of local preacher,
filling any position in which he is called to officiate. Mr. Hard's residence in Algansee dates back but five years; he lived in
Hillsdale county 19 years previous to coming here. The maiden name of Mrs. H. was Benson; she was born in Hillsdale
County.

Dr. J. A. Williams, while not an old pioneer, is one of the permanent institutions of Algansee. He was born and raised in
Cayuga Co., N.Y., and studied medicine with Dr. E. R. Palmer in the town of Conquest, Cayuga Co., and afterwards took a
course of lectures in surgery at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Mass. Came to Algansee 24 years ago last May, at which time the
immediate vicinity of his home was an unbroken wilderness, through other parts of the town had been settled many years. His
house was built in a very small clearing, and at one time, during a very severe storm, a tree blew down and came near crushing
it. The spring he settled in Algansee he cleared the ground where he afterwards planted an orchard. Notwithstanding an
extensive ride in the practice of his profession, he has now an old, well-improved farm. The brick church near his place,
belonging to the M. E. society, was erected ten years ago. Dr. Williams has been a thorough-going, public-spirited man and has
frequently been the recipient of testimonials of the regard to which he is held by the citizens of this township and county. In
1862 he was elected to the office of supervisor and again recalled in 1867. From 1871 to 1877 he sat with the board of
supervisors, Twice he has been called upon to represent his district to the State Legislature, also being appointed to the office
of county superintendent of schools under the old system. Previous to engaging in the study of medicine he taught school one
year in this State, then entered the corps of topographical engineers engaged in making coast surveys and soundings of Lake
Erie. For many years he has been an indefatigable worker in the cause of education, having taught a great deal and in many
ways identified himself with the intellectual development of the rising generation. The maiden name of Mrs. W. was Wilcox;
she is 47 years of age, and united her destines with those of the young M. D. 25 years ago last July. The fruits of this union
are two sons, aged respectively 20 and 11.

M. V. Berry is a Michigander, having been born in Quincy 38 years ago. His father, Joseph Berry, was one of the earliest
settlers in the township. The first years of Martin's mature manhood were spent in the service of his father in his store in
Quincy, after which he moved to Algansee, where for two years in the quiet seclusion of life in the "Bachelor's Hall," he had
ample opportunity to study out the problem of life. The result of his cogitations was to convince him that the tempestuous
sea of life could best be navigated in company with Miss Eliza Abbott, of Reading, with whom he proceeded to form an
alliance offensive and defensive. The results have proven the wisdom of his choice. Happiness and prosperity have followed
this union, and "the Tramp" can but gratefully remember the cordial hospitality with which he was entertained. The farm
upon which Mr. B. lives is about the second farm settled in the township as near as we have been able to ascertain. Lyman
Robbins, Sr., who settled the farm, was a preacher in the Presbyterian church and inaugurated and conducted the first religious
services ever held in the township. Mr. Robbins obtained possession of a whole section of land at the time of settling here, it
being a section of school land. Mrs. Berry was born near the Black Swamp, in Ohio, 41 years ago her parents removed to
Reading when she was only six months of age. Reading was formerly known as "Basswood", the name originating from six
basswood trees which grew in a circle where the village now stands.

Fred Hilderbrandt likes our laws and customs better than the laws of Germany, from which country he emigrated as soon as
he attained his majority, which occurred in 1861. Upon arriving in this country he worked two years by the month, then
worked the farm of W. J. Barnes, south of Quincy, two years, after which he purchased the farm upon which he now lives in
Algansee. He was the first German to settle in the township and has been the nucleus around which 20 families of the same
nationality have gathered. He is something of an interpreter, and is looked up to by them as the guardian of their ???? The ???
of "D?? Fred" is the name by which he is familiarly known throughout the entire community, and, as he does not object to it,
we may as well abbreviate his long German name, too. The German community referred to are peaceable, industrious and
prosperous, but the native population claim that they do not assimilate to our ways as rapidly as they should, still retaining
some of their loose customs of Sabbath amusements, which are claimed to have a demoralizing tendency upon the young
natives. They indulge quite extensively in Sabbath dances and American boys frequently attend.

Mrs. M. A. Taft was born in Clarkston, N. Y., 59 years ago. She has lived in Algansee 20 years, and also a number of years in
Ionia. Her husband, Jesse Taft, had his health so much impaired in the service that he died five years ago from injuries
received, at the age of 59 years. Chas. Smith was born and raised in the town of Adams, in Hillsdale county. Age, 25 years.

When Isaac T. Camp came to Algansee, 26 years ago, there were not half the improvements which are now to be seen in the
township, it being still comparatively new. He is 56 years of age and was born in Connecticut, but came from Ashland Co.,
Ohio, when he came here.

Geo. P. Goodman is a resident of 46 years' standing, it being that length of time since his people removed to the township of
Rome, Lenawee Co. They removed to Algansee 41 years ago, arriving here in 1837. He was only nine years of age at the time
and consequently does not remember much of the early history of the township, but his brother and Bradley Hanchett hunted
nearly all day to find the first town meeting, which was held at the house of Asabel Brown. Mr. G. was born in Delaware Co.,
N. Y., and is 50 years of age. The name of his father was Thomas Goodman; he died in 1848 at the age of 58 years. The
mother lived until three years ago, at which time she was 87 years old. Messrs. Brown, Fisher, Bradley, Robbins, Hanchett
and Crater were about all the settlers there were in the town at the time his people moved here. The first frame school house
erected in the township was at Algansee Center. The town house was the creation of a later day and was built only two years
ago. Dr. Williams was the first physician who lived in the township, and previous to his coming people desiring medical
attendance were obliged to go to Quincy, Coldwater or Fremont. There were six of the Goodman family at the time of their
moving in here. Mrs. James Lawrence and Mrs. D. Bovee being sisters of Mr. G. The house in which the family lived was
struck by lightning in an early day and Ensign Clark, a brother-in-law of Mr. G. instantly killed, some curious freaks were
played by the subtile fluid. Almost every member of the family was shocked so badly that they fell from their chairs. Some
pies were being baked in a tin oven which stood in front of the fire; the oven was torn to pieces, one pie was turned bottom up
and the plate upon which it was being baked set on top of it, the plate being right side up all of this time. The first house in
which the family lived was burned 33 years ago, and the house in which Mr. G. now resides was erected immediately
afterwards. The first roads laid out were called State roads, being laid out by the State Government, and ran anywhere to avoid
the low grounds. The street running south from Quincy was a State road, as was also the one running east and west south of
Mr. Goodman's place. When the family moved from Lenawee county they brought four hogs with them, but the first season
two of them were killed off by bears. Mr. G. caught one wolf in a trap but was unable to punish the thieves who stole the
hogs. Mr. Goodman's father spent one month in the service of the United States just at the close of the war of 1812. We were
shown an old drinking flask in which he carried medicine while in the army. It is a very quaint and unique relic. His mother
tanned deer skins, which were made into gloves and mittens and sold to purchase necessaries for the family, She wove a great
many year, and when failing eye-sight incapacitated her for that she applied herself assiduously to knitting up to the time of
her death, which, however, did not occur until long after she was entirely blind. Mr. G. has been a great hunter in his day, and
his faithful rifle has sealed the doom of a great many deer. At one time, having short a deer, he ran up to cut his throat, but the
animal, which was not yet dead, kicked the knife from his hand, and quite a lively struggle ensued. Mr. G. took him by the
horns and held him until his brother could come to his assistance. 

C. T. Goodman is 63 years of age. He is a brother of Geo. P. Goodman, and came with the family to Algansee in 1837.
Previous to coming to Branch they had lived in Lenawee county over four years. He was born in Chanango Co., N.Y. The
family arrived here Christmas day. Lenawee county at the time of his residence there was yet an entire wilderness, and there
was at Adrian only one hotel, one law office, and one or two small stores. There were a number of names proposed for the
township, but Mr. Goodman was unable to inform as why the name Algansee was adopted for the township. The first
school-house in the township was erected just east of the Simkins corners, the Brown school-house previously mentioned
being in California. The road running south from Quincy was the second road in the township. The 4th of July following their
advent here Mr. G. and his father helped to kill a bear. Bruin had been wounded by one of their neighbors and they followed
him nearly all day when they ????dog who, having become discouraged, had quit the chase. Mr. Goodman's dog was put upon
the track and shortly after dark the dog and bear were engaged in a sanguine struggle. The party came up and Mr. G. Sr., hit
the bear three blows with the head of his ax, not daring to strike with the blade for fear of killing the dog. After receiving the
third blow the bear came to the conclusion that he would stand no more and let go of the dog with the evident intention of
making it warm for Mr. G., who darted behind a tree. The man whom they were assisting and who had a lantern, put out the
light, and the party were for a time delightfully intermixed in the darkness, with the prospect of at any moment receiving a
hearty hug from his bearship. In a short time, however, a torch was made, which, being lighted, enabled them to follow the
bear to a swamp, where Mr. G. gave him a fatal dose from his rifle. Mr. G. has killed as high as four deer in one day, and in
four or five instances has killed two deer at one shot. Having caught the leader of a gang of wolves in a trap the rest of the pack
left the country and the people were not again troubled by their ravages. Previously a neighbor had killed a beef and left it
hanging at night and the wolves ate it nearly all up before morning. He then hung the hide up as a decoy and set a gun so as to
command the path. Six or seven wolves were killed in this way. Two were killed in one night. At one time when Mr. G. was
out hunting with a Mr. Brot they were wearily returning home after a long tramp, when Mr. Brot jocosely said that he would
give Goodman $50 to carry him home. This offer he declined, but Broth's offer to carry Goodman home for that amount was
instantly accepted. Mr. G. mounted his back, and after getting his gun and everything ready Brot started, but had taken only
three steps when he fell at full length depositing his precious burden unceremoniously on the ground. He jumped up and
shouted "fifty dollars, get on again,' but Mr. G. declined to again take passage on a vessel that sailed keel upward. At first
Coldwater was their post office, next Quincy, and later Reading. Eventually a post office was established in Algansee when
the mail was brought from Reading. A man by the name of Craft was the first to carry the mail, which he frequently did on
foot. Mr. G. was acquainted with a great many Indians, and among others knew Maleah, who, with his tribe, lived near
"Devils Lake" in Lenawee county. Maleah was a cruel and vindictive old tyrant, many a scar worn by his squaw attesting to
his cruelty. Of Bawbeese he, like others, speaks in the highest terms of praise. 

 

VOLUME IV. NO. 65. COLDWATER, MICH., TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 377

OUR TRAMP STILL IN ALGANSEE

H. H. Moffat came to Algansee 22 years ago and settled near Wakeman's mill. He was born in the State of New York, and is
63 years of age at the present time.

Joseph Wilmarth has lived 40 years in Branch county, and was only six years of age when his father moved to Quincy. He
first rode into Quincy on a whisky barrel, the man who came to Detroit after the family stopped at Plymouth to get whisky
with which to stock his farm. Mr. Wilmarth's father first located west of Quincy, where Elder Bennett now lives. Mr. W. has
lived in Algansee 11 years. The whole family used the same spelling book at school, said school being held in the school house
where the embankment at the railroad station in Quincy now stands. Mr. W. was born in Lebanon, Wayne Co., Penn. Two
years since he was burned out.

J. S. Hughey has lived in Michigan about 12 years, first locating in St. Joseph county. He was born in Ohio 43 years ago, and
came to Algansee four year ago.

Mrs. M. DeWitt has lived on the farm where she now resides 15 years. She has lived in the township since 1851, at which
time she settled near Wakeman's mill. Her husband, J. O. DeWitt, died five years ago, being at the time of his death 62 years of
age. They came from Knox Co., Ohio, but Mrs. D. was born in Muskingum county. Only three months had elapsed after their
arrival here when they were afflicted by the loss of their little son, who was crushed by a falling tree.

John S. Hall was born near Auburn, N. Y., 70 years ago. While living there he was so unfortunate as to help a prisoner to
escape. He had been unloading some lumber in the prison yard and a prisoner crawled on the reach of his wagon, rode out of
the prison, thro' the town, and when two or three miles out shouted, "Hold on Hall." Mr. Hall was very much alarmed, as he
could not tell whether the voice came from the earth or where it did come from. Upon his getting off from the reach Mr. Hall
found that the convict was a convict with whom he was acquainted and who had been so tractable that he was allowed many
privileges. He told Hall his destination and then struck out for his liberty. Mr. H. always had weak eyes, which would not
admit of his studying, so he would go to school and listen to the other scholars, and , in his own language, he stole his
education. Afterwards he gradually lost his sight until now he has been blind for a great many years. He has always worked at
farming and has overcome many difficulties which would have overwhelmed a man of less fortitude. He lived in Huron Co.,
O., 22 years. He married there and there he lost his wife. He bought a farm in Ohio and paid for it by his own exertions, in the
meantime paying a doctor bill of $500 and divers other bills for hired help, etc. He engaged in selling books occasionally while
living in Ohio, but the poor health of his wife would not admit of his staying out long at a time. While out on one trip he made
$136 in six weeks. He was frequently invited to address religious and temperance meetings which he often did. At one time he
was credited with having given the start in a meeting which resulted in the conversion of a large number of souls. The parties
having the meeting in charge had labored long and were discouraged. He sought to encourage them, and they besought him to
stay until another night and speak to them, which he did, and six seekers of the truth were the immediate result. At another
place he addressed a temperance meeting with great power. He was everywhere entertained by the clergy and was offered a
license to preach, but this he declined, choosing rather to do what good lay in his power in his chosen line of duty. When he
came to Algansee he bought a farm for $2000, and a trumped up claim being brought up he had to buy it again, paying nearly
the same price as the original purchase. At the time of his purchasing the farm there was but 12 acres cleared, but now there
are 60 acres under a good state of improvement. He has raked and bound every harvest since he was 16 years of age, never
losing a season. For the last two or three seasons he has taken up one section after a reaper and always kept up with the other
binders. He can mow nearly as well as men that can see. While living in Ohio he had a faithful dog which would guide him to
and from work, to get the cows, or anywhere that he wished to go. The dog would get his small tools for him, bring his mittens
if they were lost, and make himself useful in a great many ways. At one time Mr. H. was out looking for his cows. He heard a
mad bull come bellowing along the path and the dog tried to get him out of the way, but Mr. H. patted him and said, "We will
stay and fight," the dog after making every effort to get him out of the way, stood trembling violently until the bull came very
near, when he sprang, grabbed the bull by the nose, threw himself between his legs, throwing the bull violently on his back.
The bull was so near Hall that his tail struck him violently on the head. Had he been a little nearer he would have been crushed.
As soon as the bull was down the dog came and pulled Hall back, but the bull gave them no more trouble, but turned and ran
as fast as he could. The way Hall managed to follow his dog was to take hold of his t__rudder, to which the dog good
naturedly submitted.

Jonathan Bickford wandered west in 1837. His first summer in Michigan was spent at Prairie Roads, where he worked at
breeding and made an extensive acquaintance. The first winter he was in the State he lived at Ira Purdy's and they built an extra
log house. For lumber they drew their logs to Crater's saw mill just south of Dr. William's place in Algansee. He settled on the
farm where he now lives in 1840. Mr. B. claims to be full blooded Yankee, although he was born in Canada. His people had
recently removed from New Hampshire, and when he was only two years of age they came to Huron Co., Ohio, where he
lived until he was 24 years of age. He is 64 years old. He was a citizen of the township at the time it was organized, and Mrs.
B. still has in her possession the ballot-box used at the first election. The people of the township sent a petition to the
Legislature to have the township named Carleton, but he does not know why the name of Algansee was given it. The people
considered it a very ugly name on the start, but "what's in a name!"

Joseph Berry was around trading horses and collecting taxes while it was yet an embraced in the township of Quincy. The
road running from Hall's Corners to Quincy was the second road through the township, and was worked through before being
laid out, Mr. B. helping to work it. For nine years he was Commissioner of Highways and helped to lay out a great many
roads and contract for the erection of crossways and bridges. He corroborates Mr. Goodman's assertion that the first school
house was just east of Simkins Corners. The first teacher in the school house was Phoebe Curtis. Ezra Berry preached in this
vicinity in an early day. Mr. Bickford's sister was a teacher at Purdy's in early life. Mr. B. is of the opinion that a son of
Lyman Robbins practiced medicine in the township previous to the coming of Dr. Williams. Dr. Bennett, of Coldwater,
commenced his practice here. The first death that occurred in the township was that of Roswell Haywood, as near as can be
ascertained. The maiden name of Mrs. B. was Purdy, and she, too, is an old pioneer, her father Horace Purdy, came to the
township in 1837 He died five years ago at the age to 67 years. He settled one and three-quarters miles east of Burch's Corners
on the farm now owned by Mr. Hawes. Her father went to the prairies of Indiana for wheat, for which he paid $2 per bushel.
The man of whom he purchased shed tears, as he was afraid he was not getting the market price for his grain. Her father killed
three bears who had been stealing pork from him. Mrs. Bickford is another Yankee born in Canada. She was married to Mr. B.
39 years ago, at which time they commenced alone on the farm where they now reside. They have raised five children on this
farm, and now in their old age they are left alone again. Two of their sons have recently removed to Harper Co., Kansas, one
of whom was elected to the office of Sheriff in that county last fall.

James N. Hall came to Algansee 12 years ago, last October, and has lived on the place where we now find him since that time.
He was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., but for a time resided in Huron Co., Ohio. The maiden name of Mrs. Hall was Harriett
Curtis. She was born in Sandusky Co., Ohio.

J. H. Stowe was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., near Auburn, 54 years ago. Came to Algansee 17 years ago, at which time he
settled on the farm where he now resides, but in an early day he had lived in this State near Marshall. At the time of coming to
Algansee he had been living in Huron Co., Ohio, where he had resided about 12 years. He has been honored with the office of
Justice of the Peace eight years. The maiden name of Mrs. Stowe was Selover, and she is a daughter of Mr. Selover, who lives
south of Coldwater city. She was born in Tompkins Co., N.Y. and was married 27 years ago. Her age is 45 years, and she is
the mother of seven children, five of whom are living.

 

VOLUME IV. NO. 70. COLDWATER, MICH., FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 382

RAMBLES THROUGH ALGANSEE

Dear Readers, You have kept us company all winter, and now after a brief respite we will again conduct you back to Algansee.
At first we are disposed to feel some misgivings as to the weather of Algansee proved to be fully equal to the execrable
arrangement which Mark Twain characterized as New England weather. We had an hour of sunshine and an hour of storm;
next a day of fair weather and a day of foul, followed by the muddiest mud that ever visits this region, and left for home to
another raging storm, expecting to find everything fair upon our return to the center of the universe; but that irrepressible
weather had boiled up and bubbled over till it has permeated the whole country, and the face of nature was as uninviting and
the mud just as muddy anywhere else as in Algansee.

Near the town line lives John Becker, and here he has lived for 25 years. He was born in Montgomery Co., N.Y. 78 years ago,
but had lived 11 or 19 years to Ontario from which he came direct to Algansee and settled on the farm where he now lives.

D. D. Priddy has lived in Otsego, Wayne and Cayuga counties, N. Y., but was born in Otsego. His people came from England.
He has lived in Algansee 16 years.

H. D. Hermance was born in Chattaugna Co., N.Y., and is 60 years of age. He has lived in the State 30 years and in Algansee
26 years' had lived in Lenawee country previous to coming to this county. The maiden name of Mrs. H. was Becker; she was
born in Schobarie Co., N. Y.

Twenty-three years ago Robert Wilber came from Wisconsin to Quincy where he lived until five years ago and then moved to
Algansee. During his residence in the latter town he has cleared up a farm which was at the time all woods. He is 59 years of
age and was born and raised in Nunda, Livingston Co., N.Y.

Bates Fisher lives in Quincy and is 54 years of age, but as the most of his life has been spent in Algansee we will class him
with its pioneers. He came with his people to Algansee 40 years ago, at which time his father located five lots in a body in the
southeast part of Algansee. He afterwards purchased the Crater Mill property and ran the mill till near 1850. His father's
name was Nathaniel; he died in 1850 at the age of 55 years. There were a few acres of land cleared on Mr. Fisher's place when
he first purchased it, and he planted some corn the first season he lived there. The rich alluvium of the soil in its native state
forced such a growth of stalks that there were not enough ears on them to be worth gathering. Mr. Fisher being a short man
build a small ladder upon which to stand when blading the shocks of corn. He sowed one-eighth of an acre of clover the first
year to get seed, but the growth was so great and the hay so coarse and worthless that he did not try to raise any more. His
people attended meeting at old Mr. Robins' and one Sabbath one of his daughters was belated and started home after dark
upon on old horse that was so blind that it would not keep the road in the dark. The horse got out of the road and the path
could not again be found. While in this predicament a storm came up and she was drenched to the skin. After the storm
subsided she left the horse tied to a tree and started for home, where she arrived just at the break of day the next morning; but
it was not until after a half day's search that the horse could be found. Their first apples were raised from the seed. They had
succeeded in raising some peach trees in the same way, but just as the first fruit had got about the size of a hickory nut they
were killed by the frost in June. Some amusing anecdotes were related to us about old Mr. Robins, of whom mention has
previously been. made. He had, at some previous period of his life been insane, and tho' he had recovered and was a very
estimable man, still he was subject to some strange hallucinations. At one time his dog had got his nose full of porcupine
quills, when the old gentleman hung him up by the heels, carefully extracted the quills and then took him down only to find
that the dog was good for nothing but sausage, as he was dead. Another time he went to mill to draw some lumber home, but
one of his oxen being poor sick and unable to go, laid down and could not be induced to get up. After making a few efforts to
get him up. Mr. Robins started for home where he procured some straw, took it back, laid it by the side of the ox and set fire
to it, burning nearly all the hair off from him before he could be made to rise. After signing a note with another man as surety,
he said: "I want you to understand I do not bind myself in honor to this transaction, only so far as the law goes." He would
sometimes remain seated when delivering a sermon, and would frequently occupy three hours in its delivery

Cornelius Streeter was born and raised in Cayuga Co. N. Y. and is 55 years of age. He first came to Algansee in 1845 and
located on the farm upon which he how lives. Afterwards he spent three years in the East, since which time it has been his
permanent home. When first purchased his farm the surrounding region was all woods and there were no neighbors for some
distance. There were no regularly laid out roads, but merely paths chopped through the woods anywhere that convenience
demanded. Mr. and Mrs. S. commenced in life about as poor as anyone, and for many years struggled against adversity. The
first house erected on the place was recently torn down. It was built of logs, with fireplace, stone hearth, stick chimney and
wooden crane. The chimney was one of those broad affairs through which they could look up and see the tree tops overhead.
We were shown the churn in which Mrs. S. first made butter. It was nothing more than a gallon crock of rather peculiar
construction; for cooking utensils about all they had was a couple of kettles. Now they are enjoying a well-deserved
prosperity upon an old and improved farm, with comfortable and commodious buildings. In the matter of hospitality Mr. S.
has no superior. In an early day Mrs. S. saw a flock of turkeys pass through the yard and at once energetically seized the gun
and started in pursuit, but the turkeys were "too soon" for her. Mr. S. sold a black walnut tree the past season for $100, and
??? of the top logs, which were left as worthless, he has made lumber to the value of $25. A great many trees, no better than
this one have been sold from the farm opposite his for three dollars each. In 1865 Mr. Streeter has one of his hands torn off in
a threshing machine.

John T. Loomis is 46 years of age and was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y.; from which place he came direct to Quincy 21 years
ago and for the last ten years has lived in Algansee.

L. D. Reynolds commenced life in this country 35 years ago by working on the farm of Hiram Corless, in Quincy township.
He afterwards worked at clearing land a few years but is not located in Algansee.

Francis D. Ransom was born in Onondaga Co., N.Y., 62 years ago, and came from that county to Michigan 36 years ago. He
first located where he now lives, it being entirely new when he came here. He worked, watched and waited for seven years
before there was any improvement in sight of his farm. His first neighbors were Jordan, Culver and Hobbs, none of whom
lived within less than a mile of his place and some a great deal further away. Mr. R told us that he thought the name Algansee
was derived from two Indian names; but we do not think that the attempt to perpetuate Indian names at the expense of the
people of this township was a success, as many of them have not become reconciled yet to the name which the township
bears. The road which runs by his house was not laid out until after a ten years residence there. When Mr. R. arrived in the
State he had $25 in money with which to support a family though the winter, and, in his own words, he had nothing but the
beech trees to look to for bread. Mr. R. has often been the recipient of evidences of respect and confidence from his
townsmen, and for at least twenty years he has been continued in the office of justice of the peace. He has formed a very
extensive acquaintance though out the county and is well and favorable known, but at present his health is so poor as to make
it impossible for him to mingle much in society. The maiden name of Mrs. Ransom was Streeter, she being a cousin of
Cornelius Streeter. She is 66 years of age and was born in Onondage Co., N.Y. When the country was yet new she was lost, in
the woods at night and did not get home until one o'clock in the morning. At another time she lost her way and when she
emerged from the woods she was 1-1/2 miles south of Quincy at what is known as the Mudge School House; from here she
followed the road home, a distance of several miles. She has frequently walked three or four miles to attend the sick. Dr. Berry
rode quite extensively through this region in the practice of his profession.

J. A. Ransom, son of the lst named gentleman, is cozily situated near by the old homestead. He is 40 years of age, and was
born in the State of New York, moving with his people to Algansee when he was only four years old.

Jesse L. Culver is 46 years of age. He was born in Ohio, and when six years of age removed with his people to Quincy where
he was always lived until within the last ten years, during which time he has made Algansee his home. 

Fifty-three years ago H. Van Hoosear made his advent into Wayne county, N. Y., but had been in California two years
previous to settling here which he did 20 years ago. 

Wanton Corey was born in Huron County, Ohio, is now 60 years old and located in Algansee 30 years ago, at which time the
vicinity of his home was still quite new.

Frank Barber, a young man 27 years of age, is very pleasantly situated upon a fine farm where he has lived ever since moving
from Reading, the place of his birth. Benj. Culver has been a resident of Algansee 13 years, and moved from Quincy where his
parents located 30 years ago. He was born in Huron County Ohio and is 47 years old. His father, Amos Culver, died 11 years
ago at the age of 70 years. Fruit was very scarce at the time of their locating here, and about the only orchard in the south part
of Quincy of any special importance was that of Mr. Leland, on Maple street. With the exception of a clearing of ten acres on
the original homestead, there was no clearing on the west for 1/1/2 miles at which point the Mudge School House was situated.
The spot where the Lake School House now stands was logged off the 6th of April previous to their coming here. About their
first experience in farming in Quincy was the raising of a crop of wheat which yielded 32 bushels per acre. In company with
Joel Barnes, Mr. C. ran the mill known as the "Barnes Mill" for about 11 years after its construction. One of the remarkable
incidents which occurred in his neighborhood in an early day was the body snatching by which the remains of John Cory were
taken up the night after interment. The parties were tracked to Willow Prairie, Indiana, where for eight days a strict watch was
kept, which was rewarded by finding the body in an old building just out of town. Two young physicians named Robins and
Edmunds were, arrested and tried for the offense but were not convicted. Edmunds afterwards confessed to an intimate friend
the commission of the crime.

Levi Barber was born and raised in Steuben county, N. Y., since which time 63 years have rolled into eternity and he has
survived them all. Forty-three of those years he has spent in Michigan, settling with his father in Reading when there were
only two houses in that place. He came to Algansee 19 years ago, and has since lived upon the farm which by now calls home.
He is the father of five children, four of whom are now living. 

Jas. Martin is 50 years of age, and though born and raised in the smallest State in the Union, there is nothing small about him.
He came to Michigan 24 years ago, at which time he settled on what is now known as the Houghtailag farm in the south part
of Quincy township. The fine appearance of his farm and his excellent building are things which remind a tramp of a better
life. Mrs. Martin, whose maiden name was Morey, has been in the country since a very early day, her father, Samuel Morey,
settling in the south part of Quincy while it was all woods there. Mrs. Martin is the mother of three children, all living. When
Mr. Martin took possession of the place where he now lives it was very new, and the improvements have been made and
buildings erected by him.

John Pitcher has lived in Michigan 22 years last October. He first located in Jackson county; has since lived in Lenawee and
Hillsdale counties, but for the last 16 years his home has been in Algansee. He is 64 years of age and was born in New York.
Two children have been born to him, only one of whom is living, however. He took the farm upon which he now lives almost
in a state of nature and has cleared nearly all of it since he came. The maiden name of Mrs. P. was Barnhart. She was born in
Onondage county, N. Y., and is 54 years of age.

Malon W. Brainard was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., in 1834, and in 1836 his father's family removed to Algansee, at
which time he settled upon the farm upon which he now lives. He bought the farm from the government and has never had any
deed of the place, except the piece of parchment conveying it from Uncle Sam. At one time when the old gentleman had been
to Hall's Corners and purchased a quarter of beef he came home after dark and was obliged to stand in the back part of his
wagon all of the way home, with an ax in his hand with which to fight the wolves off. After he came to Algansee he went back
to Detroit and bought a cow and calf which he drove through on foot. A hog which he purchased for $14 was stolen by the
Indians a short time after get got it home. His brother-in-law, Thomas Pratt, came to Algansee the season following and
purchased a farm, but both himself and wife have passed away. Mr. M. W. Brainard, the person with which we commenced
his sketch, lived with his father in Algansee until he was 31 years of age when he learned the business of carpenter and joiner.
He eventually went into a partnership with Mr. Wakeman, ??? Wakeman mill, and after two years, ?? last business removed
to Quincy. A portion of the time that he lived in Quincy he was engaged in the cabinet business. He ?? removed to Coldwater
where he?? in the furniture business, being a member of the firm of Brown, Brainard and Firth, so well known to people in
Coldwater and vicinity.

Josiah Chase has lived in the State 28 years, is 59 years of age, and was born in Otsego county N.Y. When he came to
Michigan the farm upon which he settled, and where he now lives, was new, and most of the improvements are the result of
his hard labor. A noble brick house and a first-class new barn are among the recent improvements. The barn is 34x46 feet, with
a basement story, and all the modern improvements. It is sided up solid with beveled and matched siding, and is one of the
best structures we have yet seen. Mr. Chase is quite a fancier of good stock and is feeding some very fine cattle, among which
we noticed one of the best two year old heifers we have yet seen. At the time of coming to Michigan Mr. Chase came direct
from Niagara county, N. Y. He is the father of four children, all living. His father lived with him after his removal to his State
and died 12 years ago, at which time he was nearly 80 years of age.

Chas. C. Trim was born in Algansee and has always lived within three miles of his present residence. At one time when at
work in the pine woods drawing logs a falling tree struck his load between the place where he sat and the team, making it one
of the loudest calls to which he has ever listened. At another time when out hunting a comrade, who had climbed a tree,
became suspended from a limb in such a manner what he had to let go and fall to the ground. Mr. Trim had a companion
placed themselves under the tree and caught him, though not without seriously injuring one of the parties and allowing the
falling man to get a pretty severe bump.

J. C. Whaley has lived in Algansee only two years, during which time he was erected a fine new brick house. For nearly 40
years he has lived in Williams county, Ohio, about sixteen miles from his present house. That county was very new at the
time of his advent there, and he has had a full initiation into the hardships of pioneer life. His father once had an encounter
with wolves, single handed and in the dark, with no weapon except a club. Mr. Whaley himself was treed twice in one night
by wolves in Williams county. He was born and raised in Genesee county, N. Y., and is 58 years of age.

Z. G. Trim is 49 years old, and was born in Oswego county, N. Y. When he was four years of age his people came to
Michigan and located in Lenawee county, where they lived 16 years, then removed to Hillsdale, and after a residence in that
place of three years, during which Mr. T. was married to Miss Ursula Campbell, he removed to Algansee 29 years ago,
settling half a mile west of where he now lives, and 13 years ago moved to his present home, where we enjoyed his
hospitality. His father, who came into the State on foot and carried a knapsack on his back, is 83 years of age, and now lives in
Quincy. He was lamed so badly by carrying his knapsack that he had to build his first house with one hand. When he laid
down he could not raise up without help, so he had a rope suspended over his bed and by its aid was enabled to help himself.
It was by passing through such trials as these and by undergoing the most grinding hardships that the pioneers were enable to
settle up and develop the country till the young people of the present generation have little idea of the price which was paid
to secure for them the blessings which they now enjoy. There were only three or four frame houses in Adrian at the time that
he moved there. Mr. Trim was three years in the U. S. service, being a member of the 11th regiment of Michigan infantry.
Mrs. Trim was born in Cayuga county, N. Y. Her father's family moved from New York to Indiana, and from there to
Hillsdale county where she was married. One child, Chas. C., has been born to them. Mr. and Mrs. T. were among the first to
organize the Baptist church in Algansee. The church edifice was erected 13 years ago. Mr. T. has been trustee of the society
ever since it was organized, until the last year.

 

VOLUME IV. NO. 71. COLDWATER, MICH., TUESDAY APRIL 1 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 383

ALGANSEE STILL INVADED

A. Whaley has been a resident of the township two years, is 24 years of age, and came from Williams Co, Ohio. 

Martin A. Foster has lived in Michigan 23 years. He came to Michigan from Onondage county, N. Y., where he was born and
raised. He is now 58 years of age. His first location was in Wheatland, Hillsdale county, where he lived ten years; since which
time Algansee has been his home. The maiden name of Mrs. Foster was Salisbury. She was born in Canada and is 56 years old;
five children have been born to them, three of whom are now living.

Wm. Barlow has lived in this township 15 years, previous to which he had lived in Hillsdale county and State of Indiana. His
birth place was Van Buren county, N. Y.

Sally Jordan will be 90 years of age next October, and has lived in Algansee 36 years, her husband, Solomon Jordon, being
among the pioneers of the township. He died 24 years ago last June. They came from Orleans county, N. Y. For a number of
years Mrs. J. has been entirely blind, and now lives with the family of Mr. Barlow. She owns the original farm upon which
her husband settled, and gives the use of the place for her support. Out of a family of 14 children only four are now living, and
these are scattered far and wide, and she has not a relative to care for her in her old age. She had lived in the township of
Adams, Hillsdale county, a few years previous to coming here. Mrs. Jordan is fast losing the use of her faculties, and her
memory is so poor that we were unable to gain much information from her, though she has had quite an extensive experience in
the township.

Amassa Spaulding came from New York, and has lived in Algansee 14 years. He has one child living. 

John Ransom was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1827. When he was 20 years of age he came to his county. His people
settled near where he now lives, a brother-in-law now living upon the old homestead. For the first two or three years he
worked for Mr. Leland upon Maple street, in Quincy, his father taking his wages for the first year and a half. The 13th day of
June, after he has been at work for Mr. Leland two years, Mr. Morey came to the house in the evening and told him that
another man was going the next day to buy the place upon which Mr. Ransom had his eye and the one where he now lives.
The night was dark, it was raining; the roads were merely chopped through the words, and it was 17 miles to the residence of
Mr. Chester, the owner of the land, who lived in Camden. There was not a horse in that region, but as he must secure the land
then or never, he started out with torch in hand. About three miles south of Reading he came to a small stream without a
bridge, and the opposite side he discerned the eyes of some animal which to him appeared like two balls of fire. He had heard
that wild animal could be scared away by shaking a torch at them, and he plunged into the water with his torch swinging and
the animal broke for the woods. His torch, which was getting very short, was replenished at the first hickory tree, but the
animal followed him until just before daylight, and the uncertainty which involved the subject of a chance lend speed to his
steps and shortened his journey not a little. A man to whom he imparted the information about his being followed went back
and killed the animal which proved to be a bear. She was also accompanied by two cubs, one of which was killed. Two years
afterward he married and moved upon the farm, 65 acres of which have been cleared by his own hard knocks. He says that he
began barehanded and almost barefooted, but now enjoys a comfortable and well-earned competency. Mr. R. thinks there were
but two horse teams in Algansee when he came there. In an early day James Clizbe, of Quincy, cradled seven acres of oats in
one day and told Mr. Ransom that if he would bind them all up in one day he would give him two dollars, and in the event of
his failing he was not to receive any pay. Mr. R. accepted the conditions of the contract and went to work the next day, and
just as the sun was sinking to rest he bound the last bundle, but he assured us that he put in the whole of the time and did not
leave the field for his meals which were brought to him.

David Ransom is a brother of the last named gentleman, is 30 years of age, and was born in Canandaigua co., N. Y. His people
came here when he was a small boy. He is now living on a part of the original homestead. His father died 13 years last May at
the age of 56 years, and his mother died last spring aged 68 years.

C. W. Myers lives on the original Ramsom homestead, and is 46 years old. He was born in New Jersey, and came with his
people to Michigan 23 years ago; had lived in the city of New York 14 years and in Jersey City three years previous to
coming here. His people first located near where they now live on section two, near the Baptist church in Algansee. The
maiden name of Mrs. Myers was Ransom; she is 33 years of age and has lived in Algansee 31 years of he life. Wm. Myers, his
father, still lives on the farm where he first settled, upon which he has fine buildings. He is 67 years of age. The maiden name
of Mrs. Myers was Quackenwoss; she was born in New Jersey and is 64 years of age. She has raised five children, all of
whom are now living. The neighborhood had been settled about ten or twelve years before, but it was a dreary looking place at
the time of their coming there. One year ago there was a logging bee in the neighborhood, at which place there were seven yoke
of oxen, and the old settlers had a regular reunion, all agreeing that it was a real treat to see so many oxen together.

Franklin Roundy is 57 years of age, and was born in Onondaga county N. Y. but 24 years ago he superior and irresistible
attractions of Michigan drew his westward. He first located south of where he now lives, but has lived 15 years upon his
present farm. The maiden name of Mrs. Roundy was Fisher; her age is 55 years, and she, too, was born in Onondaga county,
N. Y., as indeed nearly all of the people in Algansee seem to have been.

Lemuel Pratt is sixty one years of age. He was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., and came direct from there to Michigan. He has
lived in Algansee 31 years. For 16 years he has been afflicted with palsy, or creeping paralysis, induced by hard labor and has
been so helpless that most of the time he has required help for almost everything. When Mr. P. and wife came to the county
they located in the Goodman settlement, at which time that locality was yet very new. The maiden name of Mrs. Pratt was
Putnam; she was born in Otsego county, N. Y., and is 56 years of age. She was married at the time of coming to Michigan, but
the only child born to her is not now living.

Arnold Goodman is 56 years of age, and was raised in Cheuango county, N. Y. For 33 years he has made his home in
Algansee, a part of the time, however, he was absent in the service of Uncle Sam. While in the service he was wounded by a
ball which struck him in the immediate vicinity of the heart; he heard the ball and dodged a trifle and save his life. He settled
near the center of the township where he cleared up a farm. He is at present living with Mr. Pratt's people.

John Joseph is an old settler which whom hardships and hard work became so common place as to be monotonous, but he is
now beyond the reach of want, and his facilities for enjoying coming old age are simple. He is 58 years old and was born in
Pennsylvania, but his earliest recollections are of Tompkins county, N. Y. His first acquaintance with Michigan was in 1839,
but it was not until 1842 that he made it his permanent home. He lived for a time with his brother, Lucus Joseph, of Quincy
after which he tried keeping bachelor's hall. He made Algansee his permanent home in 1846, at which time he was married. He
worked by the month a few years and then took up the farm where he now lives. He cut the first tree every felled on his farm,
and said tree is now one of the house logs in his old house, which is still standing. The first well that he dug he took his ax and
auger and made a ladder out of poles, and upon this he would go into the well and bring the water out in pails as he was too
poor to buy a rope. For several seasons he went to the west side of Marble Lake, a distance of three miles, and cut hay on the
marshes, and in the winter drew it across the lake on the ice. One time he went to cut hay in this manner when his wife was
taken with a sick headache and was seized with an unquenchable thirst, to satisfy which she went down into the well for
water, and being weak it was only a superhuman effort that she was enabled to get out. Ever after that Mr. Joseph did not
leave home when there was any symptoms of this wife's having the headache until things were better arranged for her comfort.
For sweetening they would boil pumpkins and squeeze out the juice, being too poor to purchase sugar. With the glorious
appetites enjoyed by pioneers, this kind of sweetening was relished very much, especially when used upon tomatoes. The
physician having prescribed some medicine, he thought he could not do without some sugar with which to take the medicine.
He went to a grocery in Quincy and asked him if he would trust him for a pound of sugar. The dealer told him that he would
put up two pounds, as he would as soon trust him for two pounds as one. What was not used for medical purposes was
carefully hoarded as a great luxury, and was not used except upon very rare occasions, and then sparingly. When neighbors
called upon one another it was customary to bring up a pan of turnips and these were relished as heartily as a pan of apples
would be at the present time. As soon as his first house has a roof on he moved in; he managed to get enough boards for a
floor, but had no furniture except such as he made himself. For a table he hung boards against the wall which leather hinges and
had one leg which set under the table on the floor when it was in use. The following dialogue took place between Mr. J. and
his wife: An old rooster, which with four hens, constituted their first flock of fowls, being engaged in destroying some
vegetable which he had with great difficulty raised he shouted to his wife and said, "kill him". He threw his hammer and killed
the old chanticleer. "Wife, said He, "I have killed him." "Oh, dear, what made you do it?" "You told me to." "I did not mean
it." "I did not mean to kill him." But the rooster was dead, and though they mourned the loss of property which it would be
difficult to replace, one consolation was left them -- they had a good square meal of chicken broth. When he arrived in the
country he has an ax, a rifle, a and $16.25 in silver. The postage on a letter at that time was 25 cents, and his brother advised
him to keep the money for the purpose of getting letters out of the post office. The money was eventually all paid out for that
purpose. During the past season Mr. J. has erected a large and commodious dwelling house, and a few weeks ago had an
old-fashioned house warming, an account of which appeared in the Republican. When they were sick in the early days Dr.
Berry would deal out the calomel and quinine and tell them they must not work so hard, but they were obliged to work hard.
While on his way to mill at Coldwater one time, he was walking by the side of his team through the clay near the brickyard
east of Coldwater, and the mud was so sticky that is tore the sole from one of his boots, which, by the way, were a very poor
old pair. He tried to tie the top of the boot on his foot so as not to appear to be barefooted, but it was all to no purpose and
finally he had to go into Coldwater barefooted. He went to the house of Ezra Berry, who was at that time selling goods in
Coldwater, and told him that he wanted some boots but had no money. Credit was obtained and he was shod until the
emergency passed. He afterwards worked a day with his team at logging to pay for patching the boots and bringing a log chain
from Hillsdale to a man who was coming right through with a team.

Mrs. B. A. Streeter is a resident of 28 years, and was born in Oswego Co., N.Y., 48 years ago. Her present home was the
place upon which she and her husband first settled, it being all uncleared with the exception of three acres upon which a log
house had been erected. The name of her husband was John Streeter. He died 12 years, aged 40 years. He, too, was born in
Oswego county, N. Y. 

 

VOLUME IV NO 72 COLDWATER, MICH., FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 384

ALGANSEE STILL INVADED

Eighteen years ago D. S. Green came to Algansee from Oswego Co., N.Y., which had been his home since he was five years of
age. He was born in Connecticut and is 69 years of age. The maiden name of Mrs. Green was Putnam. She is 69 years of age
and had always lived in the state of New York previous to coming to Algansee. She is the mother of five children all of whom
are living.

Robert Crawford, another Cayuga county man, has lived in this county 23 years. Lived for about four years near Quincy
previous to moving to Algansee. He was married 30 years ago and has three children now living.

Orton Hoxie, still another Cayuga county man, has been in this State since 1836, at which time his people located in
Wheatland township, Hillsdale county. At that time Mr. H. was 12 years old. After a ten years' residence in Wheatland Mr.
Hoxie came to Algansee and settled upon the farm where he now lives. In moving from Hillsdale county he had to clear the
road for some distance east of the Baptist church in that township and describes the task of moving to his place as one of the
most fatiguing day's work that he has ever experienced. There was no road by his place at the time of his settling there, but
when a road was laid out the first horse team that passed over it created such a vivid impression as never to be forgotten.
There were only one or two horses in Wheatland when he moved there, and the reader who has not lived in the days of ox
teams can not realize the curiosity and pleasure with which the advent of horses was greeted in a community. Mr. Hoxie's
father died in Wheatland in 1863, aged 70 years, but his mother is still living on the original homestead. A half sister of Mr. H.,
who was only eight months old when her people come west, was cradled in a sap-trough; but we could discover nothing which
indicated that nature had smiled upon her less approvingly than upon those who are born with "a silver spoon in their
mouths," or are cradled in the luxurious appliances of the nursery of the present day. In fact there was something about the
rigid discipline to which the pioneers were subjected which developed the latent forces of nature to a remarkable extent and
brought their manhood out in bold and striking relief against the dark background of hardship and suffering. About one year
after settling in Algansee, in the absence of Mr. Hoxie, his house was burned. Mrs. H. was so badly frightened that she ran out
the house calling for help, and the thought of preserving her infant, which was in the house, never occurred to her until the
flames had gained such headway as to make its rescue impossible. This sad affair cast a gloom over the family which was not
quickly dispelled and was soon followed by a financial calamity which served to keep the nose of Mr. H. to the grindstone a
much longer time and lessened his confidence in human nature. E. G. Parsons, formerly of Coldwater, swooped down upon
him with a title to his place and Mr. H. was obliged to repurchase it and pay $200 in gold. This additional accumulation of
misfortune necessitated the selling of his oxen, cattle, and everything he had accumulated, and again placed him at the foot of
the ladder; but with indomitable energy he has worked his way to the top, and is now one of the solid men of the county.
Certain parties in Coldwater are said to have done a thriving in speculating upon the misfortunes of the settlers and forcing
them to pay their trumped up claims which frequently made the last straw in their accumulated load of misfortunes and broke
them down entirely. When Mr. H. came to the township, Deacon Ransom, old Mr. Jordan, Mr. Knickerbocker and Harrison
Mudge were neighbors of his, but Mr. Ransom is the only one left; the rest are all gone, and a short time will suffice to
witness the departure of the last pioneer. For three or four years Mr. Hoxie worked at the construction of railroads. He
commenced at Sturgis Prairie and helped lay iron clear to the Mississippi. He also worked on the New Albany & Salem
Crossing road, and a road north of Detroit. For 18 years the townsmen of Mr. H insisted upon his acting in the capacity of a
public servant, and during that time he performed the duties of treasurer of the township and also filled the office of justice of
the peace.

Amos C. Bray has been something of a rolling stone in his time, and in his peregrinations has been three times a resident of
this State; but his citizenship dates back 18 years since he last came to the State. He was born in Ontairo Co. N.Y., and is 44
years old. The maiden name of his wife was Buch and she is an actual native, having been born in Ann Arbor 32 years ago, and
being now the mother of seven children.

Uriah B. Colwell has lived on the place which he now calls home 18 years, after a previous residence of eight years in Clinton
county, Michigan. He took his farm in a very crude state and has added a good many improvements, among which are three
barns a fine new house which he has erected during the past season. He was born in Portage Co., Ohio and is now 53 years of
age. Mrs. Colwell's maiden name was Thorpe; she is now 40 years of age and the mother of five chidden.

Mrs. D. Houck is 54 years of age and was born and raised in Niagara Co., N.Y., from which place she moved 30 years ago
directly to Algansee and settled on their present farm. Out of five children who have been born to her, only two are now
living. Her husband, William Houck, died nine years ago aged 49 years.

William Herrick has been in the township only 13 years; but his wife, whose maiden name was Myers, came with her people
to the State 23 years ago.

P. Walbridge had lived in Niagara Co., N.Y.; 20 years previous to coming to Michigan, which he did 25 years ago. When he
located it was quite new in the vicinity and there was no clearing on his farm. Now his farm is nicely improved and he has a
fine house upon it which has the appearance of having been built recently. He is 48 years of age and was born in Vermont. The
maiden name of Mrs. W. was Knapp; she was born in Monroe Co., N.Y., and is 41 years of age. It has been 22 years since she
took the matrimonial vows, and the fruits of this union are two children.

Jacob Myers is 43 years of age and was born in Bergen Co., N.J. He has lived in Algansee 23 years and has owned and lived
upon his present farm 12 years, previous to which he lived with his father's people on the original homestead. From the time
he was five years of age till he was nineteen he lived in New York City and after that in Jersey City. After reaching years of
maturity he was engaged in the business of stair building which is carried on as a separate trade in New York City. He was
married 22 years ago and the maiden name of his wife was Clark. Three children have been born to them and all are now living
to gladden their hearts. Mrs. Myers is 41 years of age.

If the reader were accompanying us in our rambles he would undoubtedly be led to inquire who lived in the fine residence just
by yonder little spring brook which runs through a deep gorge and furnishes some of the most romantic scenery to be found in
our practical, common-place county. To such an interrogatory we could answer that it was the residence of Joel Barnes. Mr.
B. is 49 years of age and was born in Huron Co., Ohio. He has lived in Michigan 26 years; his first stopping place was at
Saginaw where he lived two years, during which time he was engaged in the mill business. He next moved to Quincy and for
ten years was engaged in running what was known as the Barnes MIll in partnership with Benj. Culver. He next moved upon
his handsome farm, which at that time was a wilderness, one man having been upon it, but no clearing having been done. Two
years ago a very good barn was burned on his place, which has since been replaced by one of the best basement barns in the
county, and together with the elegant house and out-buildings makes one of the best equiped we have seen in this part of the
county. At the time the building was burned, Mr. B. was severely wounded from which he did not recover for some time.
When he commenced digging his well he told his men that he expected to strike water at a depth of ten feet, but upon quitting
a night a depth of sixteen feet had been reached and no water yet. The next morning the well was found to have filled and was
running over the top. It has never ceased to run since. A drain was dug six feet below the surface and an inch pipe placed in it
which conducts the water to a trough in the barnyard, from which place the surplus water again finds it way underground to
the brook near by. The volume of water is generally sufficient to flow an inch stream of water that, while cool enough, is so
warm that in winter the trough and pipe never freeze, and makes one of the best water privileges in the county. Mr. B. is quite
extensively engaged in shipping stock and is feeding some very likely steers for the spring market. His flock of French Merino
sheep is considerable above the average, owing, undoubtedly, to his superior facilities for sheltering them. He intends to erect
one of the largest and most complete stock barns in the country, through which he will conduct a stream of water from one of
the living springs in the vicinity of the intended site. The maiden name of Mrs. B. was Cory. She was born in Michigan, is 40
years of age and has been married 23 years, during which time one child has been born to her. Both Mr. and Mrs. B.
commenced with no stock in trade and are entitled to the well-earned competence which they now enjoy.

S. W. Spaulding has lived in Algansee 19 years, coming from Illinois where he had lived six years, but he was born in
Onondage Co., N.Y., and is 64 years of age. His mother died at his residence, at the advanced age of 92 years. About three
years ago his wife became blind.

H. W. Wirt is badly afflicted with a tumor in his throat which resists all attempts at removal. Dr. Beech attempted to remove
it, but it has never got well and will undoubtedly be a source of trouble to him as long as he lives. Mr. W. lived in Michigan 11
years, nearly all of the time in the southeast part of Quincy township.

Geo. Spaulding is 49 years of age and was born in Onondage Co., N.Y. When only three years old his people moved to
Illinois, twenty-five miles from Chicago. At that time the best house in Chicago was not worth $400, and for the first two
years his people traded with the Indians in that city. They moved from Detroit to Chicago with a yoke of oxen and when near
Calumet the oxen got away in the night compelling them to remain there nine days searching for them. Mr. S. has lived in
Algansee 15 years and is the father of five children, four of whom are now living.

Asabel Potter is 70 years of age and was born in Connecticut. In early life he was bound out and at the age 19 came to Huron
Co., Ohio. He lived in that county from 1827 to 1854, when he came to Algansee and purchased the farm upon which he now
lives. He was at the time crippled in one hand and had only his small boys to aid in the clearing up his new land, but he has
succeeded in developing its resources until now he has an old and well improved farm. He is the father of seven children, all of
whom are now living.

H. Comstock has lived in Algansee 12 years, first locating near by where he now lives. He was born in Lenawee, county 37
years ago.

James R. Crawford is 54 years of age, and has lived in Algansee 13 years.

N. Shurtleff is 68 years old. He was born in Lower Canada, where he lived until he was 19 years of age. Has since lived in the
states of New York, Wisconsin and Ohio, and moved from the latter state to Algansee seven years ago. He is the father of four
children, three of whom are now living. The maiden name of Mrs. Shurtleff was Spaulding. She was born in New York 56
years ago.

Linus Marshall is an Englishman and was born in "Merrie England" 52 years ago. He came to America in 1854 settled in
Lenawee county. He came to Algansee 21 years ago and has lived on his present farm 16 years. The maiden name of Mrs.
Marshall was Clark, and she, too, was born on the other side of the water. While living in Lenawee county two of her sisters
and their husbands were drowned in Devil's Lake which they were crossing on the ice on their way from church.

Frank Potter was born and raised in Ashland Co., Ohio, and lived there until four years ago when he came to Algansee. He
lives upon the place upon which his wife, formerly Miss Abbie Thompson, was raised.

We know of no person's history which has been attended with more hardships and has been characterized by more pluck,
perseverance and hard work than that of Mrs. C. Thompson. Mrs. T. is 71 years of age and was born and raised in Genesee
Co., N.Y., but for forty years she has been a resident of Michigan. With her husband, William Saunders, she first settled in
Lenawee county, but after three years' residence there they removed to the place where Mrs. T. now lives. The same spring
they came to Algansee her husband went back to Lenawee to complete some chopping which he had contracted to do, and
while at work there was taken with inflammation of the lungs which resulted in his death shortly after. She was thus left alone
in a new country, with a large family of children who had no other protector to whom they could look for their support. A
person with a less indomitable spirit would have succumbed to the force of circumstances; but not so with Mrs. T. She
bravely put her shoulder to the wheel and proved herself equal to the emergency. She at once assumed control of the farm, and
also executed what she planned. She cut wood, split rails, made maple sugar, raised crops and harvested them. Most of the
trees now in her orchard were raised from the seed by her. The fence surrounding her orchard is partially built of rails which
she split herself. She had, at the time of Mr. Saunders' death, one son 15 years of age, but he was confirmed cripple, and
instead of being a help to her was an extra burden of care; in fact she says she had everything to hinder, but nothing to help
her. About two years after coming here she lost two children with a week, at which time the whole family with the exception
of herself, were sick, and as her neighbors were in a similar condition each had to do their own watching, and for three weeks
the head of this devoted woman never rested on a pillow. Her children are what are called "free bleeders' and a mere cut, barely
sufficient to break the skin, would cause them to bleed to death if medical attendance was not promptly summoned. The
pulling of a tooth would set them to bleeding in the same dangerous manner. This has furnished ample occasion for the exercise
of her care and solitude, as no other person sufficiently understood the peculiarity of their constitutions to capacitate them for
the care of these patients who had to be kept on stimulants for a long time. She was afterwards married to David L.
Thompson, who died seven years ago at the age of 66 years. When hunting cattle Mrs. T. was obliged to take her youngest
child with her, and for fear of getting lost she would follow the tracks of the cattle in all their wanderings. When she went to
milk she frequently took one child on her back, one by the hand, a milk pail in the other hand, and thus equipped she would
repeat the tedious journey until it became monotonous and common place. Mrs. T. would spin flax for her neighbors and also
took in weaving; she would work out of doors during the day and weave nights, and when tired she would take her sewing for
a rest. Now, at the age of 71, Mrs. T. is rugged and robust to an extent seldom enjoyed by people of that age. 

 

VOLUME IV. NO. 73. COLDWATER, MICH., TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 385 

ALGANSEE STILL INVADED

Rufus Enos has lived on his present farm 14 years, but he had lived within two miles of there eight years previously. He is 61
years of age, and is a native New Yorker. The maiden name of Mrs. Enos was Chickren. She, too, was born in New York and
is the mother of seven children, all of whom are still living.

The experience of Wm. Cory has all been subsequent to 1836, at which time he was born in Huron county, Ohio. When 12
years of age his father, John Cory, located in Quincy, and was the same whose remains were stolen as related in the
reminiscences of Benj. Culver. His death occurred in 1851 at which time he was 50 years of age. Mr. C. has lived in Algansee
since 1875. Among the hair-breadth escapes related to us by Mr. C. was one which occurred about 10 years ago. At a school
meeting in his district two young men were present upon horse back, and after the meeting was over they started out with the
avowed intention of "going cooning,". With a whoop and hurrah they set out on the gallop, but had rode but a short distance
when their horses were brought to a stand still by some wild animal which was crossing the road. The voracious beast did not
seem inclined to make its escape, and the men from the school meeting were soon summoned by the loud cries of frightened
young men. As soon as reinforcements arrived a council of war was held and it was decided that it was not prudent to make
the attack in the present unarmed condition of the crow. Messengers were dispatched in every direction for all of the fire arms,
pitchforks, axes and dogs in the neighborhood, speculation in the meantime being indulged in as to the most reasonable mode
of attack and the probability of some of the party getting wounded. At length the company all being armed and the
preparations for a grand onslaught all made, a light was brought to bear upon the dark colored object by the side of the fence
which was supposed to be a lynx, or a panther. The first flash of the light revealed the true character of the bold aggressor
which proved to be an old black sheep with a lamb at her side who was quietly chewing her cud, and evidently lost in wonder
at the extraordinary attention which was being given her. The two young coon hunters are said to have rode off very quietly.

Alvin Enos dates his residence in the State back 25 years. He is 33 years of age, and was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio.

Leslie Hendrick is a Wolverine 33 years of age, and was born in Hillsdale county where his parents still reside. 

Issac Youngs is 67 years of age, and for 20 years has been a resident of this State, but is only within the last year that he has
been a resident of Algansee. 

Amos Gage has lived in Michigan since he was three years of age: was raised in Quincy, but for five years past Algansee has
been his home. The maiden name of Mrs. G. was Barber, and is a native Michigander and was born in this county 32 years
ago.

The next person upon whom we called was Nicholas Bier, and though 27 years have elapsed since he responded to the bugle
call, still something of the martial air remains and the effect of stern discipline are still discernible. Mr. Bier is 54 years of age,
and was born in Prussia. For three and one-half years he served in the Prussian army under Emperor-- at that time King
William. He entered the service in 1847 and came out in 1852. He was employed in the suppression of a number of
insurrections, the most prominent of which was the insurrection of Baden Baden at that time belong to Austria, but the
attention of that government was so much occupied with other troubles that they were under the necessity of asking help of
King William who sent 24,000 men to put down the rebellion. Mr. B. received a medal of distinction from "William" for his
services in Baden. The fare of a Prussian soldier was hard enough, but Mr. B. feels proud of his service in the army and to the
discipline he attributes the development of some of his faculties which have served him so acceptably in after years. The care
of a Prussian soldier was not such as to cause them to fatten suddenly or at once take rank among capitalists. Their pay was
three cents per day, and their food consisted on one and one-half pounds of bread daily; but while at one garrison they were
allowed two pounds per day and thought they were faring pretty well. They could, however, have eaten much more. An
amusing illustration was given us by Mr. B., of the respect which was entertained for the prowess of the French soldier with
their time honored reputation for courage, dash and endurance, corroborated by the prestige which they had gained under the
first Napoleon, the Prussians held them in awe, supposing that the army of no other power could stand before them. It was
thought that they might at some time demand the Province of Rhone, in which event opposition was thought to be useless and
unconditional surrender the only course left for the Prussians to pursue. The events of the past few years have, however,
materially changed their views, and it has been demonstrated that the Prussians are the equals and superiors of the very ones
whom they once considered invincible. At the time that Mr. B. emigrated to American, in 1854, he had rather a limited idea of
this country. There were 800 passengers on board the ship in which he crossed the ocean, and he indulged in some anxious
foreboding lest they would glut the whole labor market of America, but upon landing they scattered to the four winds of
heaven and in all his wanderings about this vast country of ours he has not met one of them since. Upon landing in American
he found himself six dollars in debt for money borrowed of his sister to help pay his passage, but he is now the owner of a
fine farm of 160 acres, the result of his own hard labor, prudence and honesty. He first stopped in Lenawee county where he
worked a few years for other people, and after having accumulated $500 he purchased 80 acres of his present farm and for one
year lived upon it in the employment of single blessedness, but this becoming monotonous he went back to Lenawee and
united his destines with those of Miss Harriett Newell, who for the past 20 years has shared his joys and sorrows and borne
him three children. She is 43 years of age, and a native of the State. She was born in Lenawee county where her people settled
when there was but one house in Adrain. For a number of years Mrs. B. has been an invalid and confined to her chair and bed.
Mr. B. says he shall never cease to be grateful to the people who took him in and exhibited so great solicitude for his welfare
when he first landed in American. In a recent communication we credited Fred Hilderbrand with being the first German in
Algansee, but Mr. Bier was there some time previous, and was, so far as he knows, the first German to settle in the township.

Lydia Wager is the only one left of the original company who came to Michigan with Alanson Sprague, who lived in Bronson.
She is 54 years of age, and was born in Ontario Co., N.Y. Her husband, H. C. Wager, died seven years ago at the age of 52
years. He, too, was a native of Ontario county.

F. M. Cole has been a resident of Algansee but four years; moved to Ionia county 28 years ago and made that his home till he
came to Algansee. He was born in the State of New York 48 years ago.

It was 41 years ago that L. A. Mallory was born in Yates county, N.Y., and 33 years ago his people located in Reading. He
has lived in the north part of the State fourteen years and came to Algansee two years ago.

The people of John Walworth came to Toledo 60 years ago, at which time he was only one year old. After a residence of ten
years at Toledo they removed to Adrian. He lived in Lenawee county until 14 years ago when he came to Algansee and settled
upon his present farm. He is the possessor of five farm buildings. The maiden name of Mrs. W. was Waterbury, who is 50
years of age and was born in the state of New York. Twenty-nine years ago she united her destines with those of Mr. W; they
have now five children living out of eight born to them.

Geo. Briggs was born in Warren county, N.H., 51 years ago. He always lived upon the same farm until he came to Algansee, at
which time he settled the farm where he now lives. Mrs. B., whose maiden name was Serham is 48 years of age and a New
Yorker by birth.

Adam Town has lived in Michigan 23 years and in Algansee 5 years. He was born and raised in Wayne county, N.Y., and now
at the age of 40 years is most pleasantly situated. During the past year he has erected a very excellent new farm house. The
maiden name of Mrs. T. was Noble, who was born in Erie county, N.Y., about 40 years ago.

Joseph Poats is 53 years of age, and was born and raised in Ohio. Since he has lived upon his present farm he has cleared 100
acres of land besides erecting good and commodious buildings upon the place. One year ago the wife of his son was burned so
badly that her death followed shortly after. The maiden name of Mrs. P. was Doing; she was born in Pennsylvania and is 44
years of age.

Ezra Potter is a young householder 21 years of age who was born in Algansee. He has lived in his present home four years. 

 

VOLUME IV. NO. 74 COLDWATER, MICH. FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 386

ALGANSEE STILL INVADED

Matthew Biers is 51 years of age. He was born in Prussia, and has lived in America 26 years. He first located in Poughkeepsie,
N.Y., and has lived in Algansee nine years. He is a brother of Nicholas Biers, and he, too, was in the Prussian army.

Wm. Wimer is a young Ohioan and ex-soldier 37 years of age. He was born in eastern Ohio, but has lived most of his life in
southern Ohio. Nine years ago he came to Algansee, since which time he has formed a very favorable acquaintance. He started
in life with a capital of one good pair of hands and has already worked out a comfortable competence. One his place of a
flowing well; he also has a spring house on the banks of a pretty little brook. The maiden name of Mrs. W. was Randall, and
she, too, was an Ohioan.

Byron Smith has lived in Algansee only three years, but he was born in Hillsdale county, and the 22 years of his life have been
spent in this State.

Samuel Harmon came to Michigan in 1848, first locating in Allen township. He has lived on his present farm in Algansee 22
years. At the time of his moving here the place was almost in a sate of nature, there being only three acres cleared. He was
born and raised in Pennsylvania, but removed from Ohio when he settled in this state. About three years ago Mr. B., had a
narrow escape from death from a falling tree; he was right where the crotch of the tree fell, one limb falling each side of him. He
had one arm broken, but fortunately escaped with his life.

Mrs. A. M. Smith is 56 years of age and was born and raised in Erie county, N.Y. Lived for a time in Illinois, but for 36 years
has been a resident of this State, 29 years of which time she has lived in Hillsdale county. Her husband, Benj. Smith, died three
years ago, aged 60 years.

Mrs. Clarissa Keyser is 62 years of age, and was born in Muskingum county, O. Her maiden name was Cass, and with her
people she came to California township in 1836. They had at that time only three neighbors short of English Prairie in that
direction, and on the east it was nine miles to the nearest family, who lived at Long Lake, in Hillsdale county. Her father once
went to mill at Niles and was gone fifteen days, and on his way back he loaned a barrel of flour to Ashbel Brown. When Mr.
Brown and his family moved to Algansee they stayed over night with her people, who were then living in a temporary house
built of shakes. Her mother died three years ago at the age of 84 years. When they first located, her father was so anxious to
get some crops growing that he neglected to go to mill, and when he did go, before he returned they were destitute of
provisions. A sister of hers who was at work for Mr. Robbins, of Algansee, started for home on foot one day and saw a bear
crossing her track, which frightened her so that she ran all the way home, where she arrived completely exhausted and fell
upon the threshold in a swoon. For sweetening they used wild honey, of which they had at one time one and half barrels in the
house.

Stephen Keyser is 51 years of age, and was born and raised in Niagara Co., N.Y. He came to Michigan in the fall of 1853 and
to Algansee in 1855. Mr. K. has a great passion for machinery, and has everything from a corn sheller to a steam threshing
machine and saw mill.

F. L. Clapsaddle has lived in this town only one year, but he has resided in the State ten years. His age is 31 years and his
birthplace Ohio.

E. Culver was among the pioneers of Algansee. He is 63 years of age, and was born and raised in Tompkins Co. N.Y. In 1833
he first came to this State and settled in Lenawee county, but in 1838 he came to Algansee, purchased and improved the farm
now owned by Mr. Stowe. The farm was entirely new, and he struck the first blow himself, and in the eight years of his
residence upon it he improved 40 acres of land. His nearest neighbor lived within a mile of him, but they would not average
one to the mile the country over. The first time that an abolition vote was polled in the township only two persons took that
position, and Mr. Culver was one of those who cast the votes. Thus created considerable sport and laughter, but Mr. C.
adhered to the abuse, and he lived to see the principle of right, justice and humanity involved therein triumph. After a
residence of eight years in Algansee Mr. C. moved back to Lenawee, where he spent 18 years, and 13 years ago came to
Coldwater, where he engaged in the drug business, being the principal of the firm of E. Culver & Son, with which everyone in
the vicinity of Coldwater is familiar. He says that the only remarkable thing about his pioneer life was work, work, work.

Wm. Dove was born in Pennsylvania 63 years ago, but at the age of 21 he abandoned his native State and went to Medina C.,
O., where he remained 28 years at the expiration of which time he moved upon his present farm in Algansee, where he has
lived 13 years. Six children have been born to him, only three of whom are now living. Eight years ago he was bereaved by the
loss of his wife.

Jacob Thomas is a native of Williams Co., O., which was his home until he moved to Indiana, and one year ago came to
Algansee. He is now 30 years of age.

Samuel Stroh having secured Miss Alta Corless is a partner of his joys and sorrows, is now at the age of 23 fairly launched
upon the sea of life. He first embarked at Cornell Co., O.

Rufus Craft first saw the light in Ohio 55 years ago, but at 12 years of age his people came west and settled in Tecumseh, and
shortly after came to Algansee, which has since been his home. For 22 years he has lived where we now find him. His father
died 13 years ago at the age of 72 years.

The birthplace of Geo. V. Crapo was Cayuga Co., N.Y., and his age is 55 years. He was but 13 years of age when his parents
came to Detroit, and after a seven year residence there he removed to St. Joseph county. When he came to Algansee 15 years
ago the vicinity of his present home was still quite new, cut the appearance is now materially altered. Seven children have been
born to him.

Stephen Knapp just escaped being a Michigander, as his people came to his country 43 years ago while he was yet less than
one year old. His home was in Hillsdale until 12 years ago, at which time he settled where he now lives in Algansee.

Ira Stockwell says that he shall never cease to be annoyed by the pangs of remorse for the one mean act of his life, and that act
was helping to capture Jefferson Davis alive. He is 48 years of age and has lived 24 years in New York and 24 years in
Michigan. He has lived on his present farm since 1864. He spent 22 months in the service of Uncle Sam when said Uncle was
demonstrating to the fire-eating Southern chivalry the good fighting qualities possessed by Northern mudsills.

James M. McCormick is 36 years of age, and though he made a good soldier he is also a good farmer. He was born in Summit
Co., O., but has lived in Michigan 13 years, first living with his parents in Quincy.

Chas. Clair is another young farmer 30 years of age.

Francis Clair has lived in Michigan 43 years. His first home was in Washtenaw county, from which place he came to this
county 20 years ago, but as he has been on the move most of the time we will not attempt to give all his removes, but will
simply locate him where we find him, in Algansee. He is 56 years of age, and Providence has smiled so benignly upon him that
he how has six children to smooth for him the cares of coming old age.

Jay Wright is 68 years of age and known to all the region roundabout. He was born in Chatauqua Co., N.Y., from which place
he removed to Erie County, Penn., and eventually found his way to Michigan, stopping for a short time in Cleveland while en
route for Algansee, which, for 34 years, has been his home. At the time of his settling where he now lives, there were only two
houses between his house and Quincy, a distance of about six miles. Ira Wright, a son of the latter, was born while the family
were stopping in Cleveland. He is 34 years old, and with his family is living on the original homestead with his father's people.

Porter B. Hewitt, a soldier in the last war, is 60 years of age, and has never recovered from the effects of a disease contracted
while in the service which has incapacitated him for active work since. Within the past year he has had a stroke of paralysis,
which has left him a confirmed invalid. He was born in Cayuga Co., N.Y., but from early childhood till the year 1847 he lived
in Niagara Co., N.Y., after which he came to Algansee, which has since been his permanent home. A family of four children
look to him for parental care and advice.

Henry Harmon, another young farmer, has lived in Michigan 24 years, but only four years of his life have been spent in his
present home. He is 33 years of age, and was born in Delaware Co., O.

 

VOLUME IV. NO. 75 COLDWATER, MICH., TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1879. WHOLE NUMBER 387

ALGANSEE STILL INVADED

S. B. Hanchett has seen pretty much all there was to be seen of pioneer life, and now at the age of 67 years he remains hale
and hearty, living upon the farm which for so many years has been his home. He was born in Saratoga Co., N.Y., which place
he quitted when he attained his majority. Upon leaving New York he went to Canada, where, for three years, he worked by
the month with varying fortunes. Among his exhilarating experiences in Canada was a ride in a stage coach behind a runaway
team, the driver having left them unhitched while he entered a tavern to get some beer. Before leaving Canada he suffered an
attack of small pox. From Canada he came direct to Michigan, staging it from Detroit to Coldwater, and such times as he had
riding in that unique conveyance! The vehicle was an open one, and from lack of grain the horses were so poor that they were
not able to pull the whole load through and male passengers would be obliged to get out and walk up hills and frequently
around mud-holes. When approaching a mud-hole the driver would put the whip to the horses and go through at a high rate of
speed. The pitching and swaying of the vehicle at such times was frequently very alarming, and Hanchett once jumped out for
fear of being tipped over, to the great amusement of the rest of the passengers, one of whom a traveling salesman, was very
pointed in his remarks, but the next mud-hole that they came to the vehicle tipped over and our commercial traveler went at
the very bottom of the load into the mud, Mr. Hanchett falling on top of him. Arrived at Coldwater he immediately went to
work on the farm near where he now lives, which had previously been taken up by his brother. He afterward built a mill near
the site of the Crater mill, and in company with one Dennison worked it until it was worn out. When they erected the house in
which he now lives, which, by the way, was the first frame house in the township, he went to Detroit on foot to get the house
trimmings, putty, glass, nails, etc. On his way to Detroit he was taken with the ague, and having heard that brandy and sugar
was good for that disease, he called for and drank some, and judging from his after conduct its effects were not agreeable, for it
was his first, last and only brandy and sugar. The next night he put up at a French tavern, and as there was a good deal of
drinking and carousing he was somewhat apprehensive that he might have trouble or be robbed. He carried a gun with him and
relied upon that for safety. Early in the evening he retired to rest, but not to sleep. After a long season of suspense a cautious
tread was heard on the stairs, and he seized his gun, resolved to sell his life dearly if he must die. The room that he was
occupying was a large one, and there was a door at the end of the room farthest from his bed, and toward it the footsteps were
directed. His heart was in his throat, and memories of the past passed in rapid review before his mind. A hand was laid on the
latch, the door silently opened, and one of the female attaches of the house entered the room, glided silently across it and
entered her own apartment, which could be reached in no other way, thus spoiling what to this young man's overheated
imagination at first promised to be a first class sensation. Arriving in Detroit there was no establishment that kept an
assortment large enough to furnish the few articles he wanted for an ordinary farm house, and he had to purchase of a number
of different firms. He and Mr. Leland, formerly of Quincy, hired a teamster who was coming this way to bring their goods
through for them. Mr. H. and his brother had the first frame barn in the township, and he helped build the first one in
California. At one time a neighbor came to him just after dark and wanted him to go and shoot a bear which he had treed; so he
started out, but it was too dark to see, so a fire was built and they awaited the coming of dawn to renew the attack. In the
morning Mr. Crater shot and wounded the bear, at which he began to come down, and Mr. H., thinking to finish him by a ball
through his back, between the shoulder, fired and broke his under jaw, which made it an easy job for the dogs to dispatch him
when he reached the ground. On another occasion Mr. Crater came to their door just at the break of day and startled them by
the announcement that the bears were killing heir hogs. Under the impulse of the moment, and with a determination of save his
hogs, Mr. Hanchett jumped up, seized his gun and started out robed only in his night costume. He had not gone far when he
glanced back and saw his brother and two hired men following, all attired like himself and in condition which would
undoubtedly have been characterized by one the Sherman's raiders as under "light marching orders". They arrived upon the
scene of action just in time to find that the hog had been killed, and when they proceeded to chastise the bear found that there
was no load in his gun and no ammunition had been brought by any of the party, so Bruin made his escape unmolested.

Mr. H. helped dig the mill race in Bristol, In., and being something of an athlete outran the best man in the town; he also threw
the best man in two townships at town meeting at Hall's Corners in an early day. Mr. H. has held offices of constable,
collector and justice of the peace. Steadily pulling and hard work have enabled him to secure a farm of 300 acres, and, though
he has met with some reverses, he has now a comfortable competence upon which to depend in old age. Seven children have
been born to him, of whom five are now living.

Two years ago Edson Satterlee wended his way westward from his native place, Oswego Co., N.Y. The dial plate of time has
indicated 34 years since his birth.

Wm. Marquoit is an honest Dutchman 40 years of age, who was born in Germany, but emigrated to this country five years
ago, but has lived only a short time on his present farm.

Louise Waterbury is a native of Ashland Co., O., and has lived in Algansee 26 years. Her husband, Louis Waterbury, died four
years ago, aged 41 years.

Wm. Hilderbrand came from Germany, the place of his birth, 17 years ago, and first stuck his stakes where he now lives. He is
59 years of age and a thrifty farmer.

Frederick Rohloff is 46 years of age, and was born in Germany. He came to this country 16 years ago. 

Wm. Gottschalk is another native of Germany, as is also Louis Hilderbrand, and each and all of the before named gentlemen
have begun upon first principles, and by frugality and patient industry have carved out a comfortable competence for
themselves.

Louis Waller was born in Mulligan Co., O., is 28 years of age, and came to Algansee five years ago.

Wm. Reynolds was born in Cayuga Co., N.Y. He has lived in Michigan 26 years, and first settled in Algansee, though not
upon the farm where he has lived for the last ten years. His buildings are very good, and everything gives evidence of being
comfortable and cozy. The maiden name of Mrs. Reynolds was Corliss, and she is a daughter of Hiram Corliss, of Quincy.
Her age is 44 years. She was born in Canada and came with her people to this county 41 years ago. Was married 25 years ago,
and is the mother of two children, both of whom are now living.

W. F. Lumbrad has lived in Algansee 12 years, during which time he has occupied the farm upon which he now lives. He is 36
years of age, and was born in Onondage Co., N.Y. The maiden name of Mrs. Lumbard was Lanfare. She is 33 years of age, and
is a native of New York.

Chas. Roode has just started in Algansee. The most of his life has been spent in Quincy township. He is 30 years of age, and
was born in Kalamazoo county. Mrs. Roode, formerly Foster, is 25 years of age, and is an Ohioan.

J.H. Brown, formerly a carpenter, but now an Algansee farmer, was born in Burlington, N.J. He is 41 years old, and with the
exception of a short residence in Iowa, has lived in this State since 1855. He has lived on his present farm 11 years. The
maiden name of Mrs. B. was Rathburn. She is 33 years old, and was born and raised in Algansee. Her father, who settled in
the county 35 years ago, died 20 years ago at the age of 43.

John Knecht is 25 years of age, but is already the head of a family, and has lived upon his present farm six years. He was born
in Ohio, but has lived in this State 13 years.

Charles Wright, a son of the old pioneer, Jay Wright, is 42 years of age and was born in the state of New York. He came with
his people to Algansee 34 years ago, at which time neighbors were almost as scarce as post offices are now. Mrs. W. cannot
be called anything but a Wolverine, for she never was out of the State in her life. Her maiden name was Canfield and she was
born in Lenawee county 33 years ago. She is the mother of five children.

Albon A. Noyes was born in Wheatland township, Hillsdale Co., 40 years ago. He lived in Hillsdale county until 10 years ago,
when he came to Algansee and settled on the farm where he now lives. His father came to Hillsdale when the country was so
new that there was only one house from their place to Adrian, a distance of 25 miles. He had a great experience in pioneer life,
and died six years ago at the age of 84 years.

Mrs. C. Winchell, the widow of Stephen Winchell, is 46 years of age. Since she was four years of age she has lived in
Michigan, the first part of which time she lived in Clarendon, Calhoun county. Her husband died 12 years ago last August,
aged 36 years. She has raised a family of three children who are still living.

John Van Tussle died a year ago last February at the age of 45 years. He was born in Wayne county, N.Y., and had lived in
Algansee 19 years. His widow, Miss Emma Van Tassle, and seven children still survive him. Mrs. V. is 46 years of age, and
was a native of Wayne county, N.Y.

J. D. Hadden came to Algansee in 1866, at which time he settled down upon his present farm. He was born in Sullivan county
and raised in Cayuga county, N.Y. Nine years ago Miss Crawford assumed his name, since which time they have traveled the
path of life together. Mr. H. was in the service a couple of years.

Chas. Hall, a young man 22 years of age, is engaged in clearing up a new farm. He was born in Huron county, O., and has lived
in Algansee 12 years.

Chas. Bickford is 58 years of age, and was born in Seneca county, Ohio. In 1838 his father's people moved to Algansee and
located on the farm now owned by Stephen Bickford. At the time of his parent's removal to his township he was 17 years of
age. His father died Sept. 20th, 1859, at the age of 63 years. When Mr. B. settled upon his farm there were one and one-half
acres cleared and he commenced life in a very humble way, but he did indulge in one luxury in which he excelled his neighbors.
He purchased brick and built a brick fire-place, oven and chimney, but aside from that his furniture was very limited. There
were no chairs, tables, or any furniture of that kind in the house. The first meal was eaten on chips, and for chairs they used
block sawed from the ends of the house logs. The cooking was done in a kettle, which answered for cooking potatoes, frying
meat and boiling water for tea. The present condition of the family, however, has little about it to remind one that they
commenced life upon so nearly fundamental principles. They have an old, improved farm with good buildings, and in all
probability will never again be under the necessity of living with like economy. Mr. B. expected an attack of ague just as
regularly as the recurrence of the seasons and managed his work with special reference to such an emergency. At one time
while he was suffering from his malady a man came to him and wanted to sell him a piece of land which he now owns, offering
it to him for one hundred and fifty dollars, and giving him any length of time to pay for it; but Mr. B. peremptorily declined to
purchase at any price, as he only wished to see what he already had and get out of the country as soon as possible. Three
years later he purchased the land for $500 and thought it a good bargain. The first school taught in the township was in a
private house east of Simkins' Corners and was taught by a Miss Woodard. The first school house erected was on the farm of
Alonzo George, and it was built without any district organization. The first two schools were taught by David Bovee and a
Mr. McNitt, since deceased, but which came first we could not ascertain. The Quincy Channel Company's across his place,
where they have 175 rods of solid digging. Mrs. Bickford, whose maiden name was Thompson, came with her people to
Michigan 42 years ago. Her people located where Hiram Thompson now lives, on the town line between California and
Camden townships. She is 52 years of age. She was married 33 years ago last fall, and is the mother of six children, all of
whom are now living. Mrs. B. was born in Canada, but as her people only resided there a short time she claims to be a
thorough going Yankee. 

 

VOLUME IV. NO. 76 COLDWATER, MICH., FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 388

ALGANSEE STILL INVADED

Matilda Collins was born in Genesee county, N.Y., where she lived until she was 12 years of age, at which time she came to
Branch county with her people. Since she was married to Bernard Collins they have resided in a number of places. Her
husband has for some time been an occupant of the Asylum at Kalamazoo. 

Waite Deming is a Michigander 40 years of age and the first 28 years of his life were spent in Lenawee county, but for the last
12 years he has lived in Algansee. He moved upon a place which only had four acres of improvements upon it, but now it has
all the appearances of an old and improved farm. 

Ira Bickford, a son of Jonathan Bickford, is 35 years of age and was born on the same farm upon which he now lives. The
maiden name of Mrs. Bickford was Craig; she was born in Sandusky county, O.; has lived in Michigan 25 years and is 33
years of age.

Mrs. Adaline Craig was born and raised in Erie county, Pa; she afterward moved to Ohio and has lived 25 years in Algansee.
Her husband, Harrison Craig, died 16 years ago at the age of 43 years. They were married 32 years ago and have raised a
family of three children. 

Stephen Knocht at one time assisted to catch old John Morgan when he has extended his raid into Ohio. A force of three or
four hundred volunteered and putting themselves under command of army officers, gave chase to the old fellow on Sunday. He
was overtaken seated in a corner of the fence, and though it was the intention of the company to forever put an end to his
raiding, the officers rushed him off and saved his life. Mr. Knecht is 49 years of age and was born in Pennsylvania. He has
resided in various parts of that state and Ohio. He came to Algansee 14 years ago, nearly all of which time he has lived on the
farm where we found him taking solid comfort under his own vine and fig tree. He worked several years in the coal banks of
Pennsylvania and Ohio. 

Joshua Leaf, born in Columbiana Co., O. located where he now lives in Algansee 11 years ago. He is 44 years of age. Fourteen
years ago he married a Miss Knecht and three children are the result of the union. 

Samuel P. Warren and wife are both natives of Algansee. Mr. W. is 36 years of age and has a good start in the farming
business. Mrs. Warren is a daughter of Charles Bickford and is 29 years of age. 

Samuel Knecht first saw the light in Mahoning county, O. He is 28 years of age, has been married six years, and moved upon
his present farm last summer; he has, however, lived in the township 14 years. The maiden name of his wife was Craig. 

J. H. Sherman has lived in Michigan 35 years, locating first with his people in Quincy when he was four years old; has lived in
Algansee nine years. He is the father of two children, but lost his wife about two years ago. 

Edwin McNitt was born in Ohio, coming to Algansee with his parents when he was six months old. His people first located
north of where Stephen Knecht now lives. He was first married 19 years ago, but is now living with his second wife, whose
maiden name was Underhill. She was born in Ohio and has lived in Algansee 33 years. Her father, James Underhill, first
located on the farm where Mr. McNitt now lives; but he died 17 years ago at the age of 63 years. He was treasurer of the
township for a number of years.

Alonzo George is 51 years of age and was born in Seneca county, O. He has lived in Michigan 41 years; his parents, moving
direct from Seneca county, settled on the farm upon which he now lives. His father entered the farm from the Government. At
that time there was not a house between their place and the turnpike, a distance of seven miles. His people first built a long
house and for the want of a better substitute hung a blanket at the door of their dwelling. One night there was a meeting at
Asabel Brown's and Mr. George's people attended, leaving the children at home. In the evening the wolves drove the dog in the
house and poked their noses under the curtains, which alarmed the children very much. Alonzo G.. who had hear that wolves
were afraid of the noise of a horn, tried the experiment of blowing one, and was rewarded by the wolves running as though
grim death were close upon their heels. His parents, when they heard the noise, came home as rapidly as the wolves had
departed. Mr. George's father was one of the first in that region to own a horse team, and being thus equipped he was always
called upon to go for a doctor in cases of emergency and Alonzo would be the one to send. Many a dark night was has
threaded the muddy and circuitous forest path leading to Dr. Miner's in California, but he was never troubled to keep the road,
as his faithful beast knew the road so well that when once headed that way she would carry him to his destination without
any guidance. His father, Isaac George, died eight years ago. Mr. George united his destinies with those of Miss Coy 27 years
ago, and they started out on the journey of life in a very unostentatious manner. Mr. G. had $11 as his stock in trade; and this
he invested in a stove with which they commenced keeping house. The first dress purchased by Mrs. George after this event
was paid for with money which she had received for digging ginseng roots. They now have a fine farm of 170 acres, good
building, and everything which will conduce to solid comfort. Five children have been born to them, four of whom are now
living. For a kind-hearted, genial, hospitable gentleman commend us to Mr. George. 

Wm. Lossing, a young farmer 32 years of age, was born in Union township, which was always his home till within the last
seven years which have been divided between Ovid and Algansee. His father, an old resident of Union, is still living in that
township. Eight years ago he took a partner for life whose maiden name was Johnson. 

S. P. Gillett was born in Genesee county, N.Y. and is now 60 years of age. When a child his people came from New York to
Lorraine Co., O., and after a residence of eight or nine years there he moved to St. Joseph county, Mich., where he remained
18 years. From there he went to Steuben County, Ind., and 20 years ago came to Algansee. He has lived 18 years on his
present farm. The maiden name of Mrs. Gillett was Fiero and she was born in Ontario county, N.Y. About four years ago her
parents came to live with them and both have since died there aged respectively 83 and 80 years. We were shown an old
shot-gun which belonged to Mr. Fiero when he was a young man and sailed on the Hudson River; and it is thought that it was
carried by him while in the war of 1812, but this is not positively known. The gun is 6 feet in length and still does good
service. His old sword and horse-pistol have been preserved. Mr. G. takes a good deal if interest in his farm and has some very
find stock in his hog-pen and yard, among which we noticed some chester white and poland china hogs and some crosses
between the two, all of which were very fine.

Jerone B. Tift is supposed to be the oldest person living who was born in Algansee, his birth occurring 40 years ago. He was
born on the same farm upon which he now lives. He was in the U. S. service nine months. His father died Feb. 21 1869, aged
52 years; his mother passed away about three months previous at the age of 49 years. His father entered his land of the
government and came here in 1836; he was a stirring man, oftentimes up at one o'clock in the morning driving his business to
the extent of his capacity. The maiden name of Mrs. Tift was Grice; she is a daughter of Peter Grice, a sketch of whose life
appeared in the California reminiscences. She was born in Canada and is 39 years of age. 

Leander George, a brother of Alonzo, a sketch of whom we have previously given was born in Seneca county, O., and is 57
years of age. He was married 33 years ago, and has lived in his present home 30 years. His changes in location, up to the time
that our sketch begins, had all been about the same as those of his brother. The maiden name of Mrs. George was Underhill, a
daughter of Jasper Underhill, one of Algansee's pioneers. He was formerly a Green Mountain man, and later a pioneer of
Huron county, O. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. G., but only one is now living. 

Loren Coffman, Levi Johnson and Joseph Zerby are young men all living in the same neighborhood, age aged respectively 22,
27 and 27 years. 

Alexander Purdy has seen the whole process of the settlement of Algansee, and has undergone his share of the hardship and
hard work. He is 55 years of age and was born in Seneca county, O. His parents moved to Michigan in 1830, at which time
Thomas Praff, Ezra Brainard and Jesse Craft were near neighbors, all living within half a mile of them. Aside from this
settlement there were only two families in the township. His father, Horace Purdy, settled on the farm now owned by Mr.
Hawes. At one time, a bear having killed a hog for Mr. Purdy, he set a dead fall in which he caught three bears and two wolves,
and was never again troubled with these animals, Horace Purdy died Oct 21, 1859 ?? aged 67 years, and his wife died in 1871.
Mr. Purdy has lived on his present farm five years only, but he has done his share of clearing, and over 100 acres of heavy
timber have yielded to his steady and patient industry. During nine months spent in the U. S. service he contracted a disease
which has ever since troubled him and will undoubtedly follow him to his grave. The maiden name of Mrs. P. was King; she is
44 years of age. Her parents are both gone, but two brothers are yet living. They have had eight children, seven of whom are
now living. 

D. H. Cresswell has lived in Michigan four years and is 20 years of age. He was born in Clinton county, O. 

A. H. Moffat was born in Huron county, O., 32 years ago and has lived in Algansee four years. 

V. Cross is 52 years of age and was born in Madison county, N.Y. A thirty years residence in Ohio and eight years in
Hillsdale have filled in between the time of leaving his native state and locating here, where he has resided only four years. He
is an M.D. and practiced medicine for along time until he came to Algansee. Mrs. C. was born and raised in New Jersey, is 48
years of age and the mother of five children. Her maiden name was Brown. 

Andrew Cross, a son of the latter gentleman, is 24 years of age, and has started out upon life's voyage with a life partner who
maiden name was Purdy. 

Wm. Yerks is a Canadian by birth and left that country at the age of 18 years. He has lived in Ohio and Indiana, but has spent
the lst seven years in Algansee. Twenty-five years ago he was married to Miss Flutter, of Fort Wayne, Ind., since which time
nine little Yerks have Fluttered around their home. 

Isaac Zerby is 45 years of age, was born in Cuyahoga county, O., and moved to Indiana when he was only ten years old.
Located in Steuben county, Ind., where for a time they saw pretty close times. For nine weeks the family, consisting of eleven
persons; lived in a temporary shanty constructed by laying a pole from one tree to another and then setting up boards against
that. For three weeks, while they were living in this rude building, the whole family were sick, not one being able to help
another. Mr. Z. has lived in Algansee 13 years. The maiden name of Mrs. Zerby was Hughey; she was born in Ohio, was
married 30 years ago, since which time the hue and cry of six little Zerbys has occupied her attention. 

Home Underhill has seen the new country, to which his father early emigrated, developed until it has reached the high order of
improvement which we see at the present day. He is 37 years of age and was born in Seneca Co., O. He has lived in Algansee
since he was four years old. His father came from Vermont. We were shown a commission by which his grandfather was
appointed a lieutenant in the army dated 1792, and signed by General Washington, who was at that time President. The
parchment upon which the commission was written has been ill taken care of part of that time, but is still a pretty fair state of
preservation. Five years ago Mr. Underhill was married to Miss Nikon who is 33 years of age.

Henry Hungerford was born in Oakland county, Mich., 44 years ago, from which place his people came to Algansee 22 years
ago and settled near where he now lives. The immediate vicinity of his home was, at that time, entirely unimproved. His
father, Matthew H. Hungerford, died five years ago at the age of 67 years; the mother was 65 years of age when she died, four
years ago. Miss Matilda Hungerford is a twin sister of Henry Hungerford, is a life-long teacher, and at one time tried to direct
the growth of the ideas of the writer when they were just beginning to bud. (Most of our readers probably know what a bud is
from experience.) The maiden name of Mrs. H. was Hobbs. She, too, is 44 years of age and was born in New York City. She
has lived in Michigan since she was six years old and took the matrimonial vows eleven years ago. 

April 19th, 1811, Abraham Ackerson was born in Belmont county, O., but was among the first to settle in Algansee. Among
the entries in his family record is the date of a vision which Mr. A. says he saw and to which he attached special significance.
He says that it guided him through difficulties and troubles by which he was being annoyed. This vision, he says, appeared to
him while wide awake, and the clouds seemed to descend to the earth laden with the white-robed occupants of the better
world. Mr. A. appears to be somewhat eccentric, but is firm in his belief that this did actually occur.

J. C. Noble is 48 years of age has lived in Algansee six years, but for along time previous had lived in California. 

Austin Hutchins was born in Ohio 31 years ago and has lived in this State for about four years.

Chas. Thompson is very finely situated in the matter of buildings, but he was not at home and we failed to get much
information of Mrs. T. whose heart has evidently soured on tramps and historians, and who replied to our request for
information. "I don't care for your histories." 

It will be borne in mind by the reader that while we were gathering the information embodied in the last few sketches we were
tramping through a severe snow storm, and with a few discouraging circumstances were getting rather blue; but his was all
dispelled by the genial kindness of Corlan Brainard, upon whom we next called. He is 84 years of age, a brother of Mahlon
Brainard, of Coldwater, and was born and raised in Algansee. He had lived upon his present farm only one year, having
previously lived one mile west. His father, Ezra Brainard, is still living in the township. The maiden name of Mrs. B. was
Drury. She was born in Huron county, O., and is 84 years of age. 

Myron Draper is 27 years old, was born in Ohio and has lived 12 years in Michigan, having first located in Hillsdale county.
The maiden name of Mrs. Draper was Gordineer; she was born in Quincy 27 years ago. Wm. H. Gordineer is 68 years of age
and was born in Scholiarle county, N.Y. He has lived in the county 40 years, his first location being in California; afterwards
he lived 10 years in Quincy, and for the last 18 years in Algansee. He was married 38 years ago. Five children have been reared
by him. 

Geo. Winter (by the way, the name was very appropriate at the time we visited him, our April shower coming in the shape of
a blinding snow storm), is 88 years of age and was born in Ohio. Since he was 18 years old he has lived in this State. He was in
the U. S. service eighteen months, participated in eighteen battles, besides many skirmishes, and accompanied Sherman in his
march to the sea. Mrs. Winter has always lived in this county; her age is 86 years and she was born in California. She is a
daughter of W. H. Gordineer. 

 

VOL. IV NO. 77 COLDWATER, MICH., TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 389

STILL MARCHING THROUGH ALGANSEE

Clark Bovee has lived in Algansee 40 years. His age is 47 years, and he was born in Jefferson county, N.Y. His father,
Jonathan Bovee, is 82 years of age and lives with him. Mr. B. has lived 20 years upon his present farm, and it is 23 years
since he was married to Miss Randall, who is 46 years of age and was born and raised in Huron county, O.

Roswell Tift is 46 years of age this month, and was born in Washtenaw county, from which place his people removed to
Algansee while he was yet a barefooted boy five years of age. His people located on the farm now occupied by Jerome Tift.
Mr. T. has lived upon his present farm 25 years this spring. His father died 20 years ago, aged 53 years. His father came to
Saline, Washtenaw county; 47 years ago, cleared the first five acres on his farm without the aid of a team and carried the rails
with which to fence it on his shoulder. While living in that county he killed three bears, the first one of which frightened him
considerable, but he afterwards became accustomed to warm work like a good soldier and ever afterward retained his
equanimity in the presence of bruin. When he came into this township the Indians were friendly. The first pork raised here
was sold for eleven shillings per hundred, and half store pay at that, while groceries and other goods commanded a high price.
The cutting of wood for the family while his father was sick, and he was a mere boy, and falling from a scaffold a few years
ago are the two things which have pretty effectually weakened the vitality of Mr. Tift, but he is still possessed of
considerable vim and vigor and an indomitable will enables him to do with poor health that of which others would dispair. Mr.
T. has four children; His first wife, to whom he was married in 1860 died in 1866, but he is now living with his second wife
whose maiden name was Shumway. The farm upon which Mr. T. lives is what was formerly known as the DeWitt farm. A
little son of Mrs. DeWitt was here killed by a falling tree as previously described by us. Mr. T. was at the time we visited
him, the clerk of the township, and did everything in his power to assist us to obtain information, but as the part of the
records to which we wished to obtain access are not in existence, we are forced to relinquish our desire of giving an account of
the organization and original officering of the township. 

We visited Mrs. Nancy M. Shumway in the morning, at which time she talked with much interest and seemingly with as much
strength as any person. We obtained some data in regard to her history, little thinking that even then she was in the valley of
the shadow of death; but at one o'clock at the same day the white robed messenger had entered that quiet home and borne the
spirit of Mrs. S. to its eternal rest. Mrs. Shumway was 55 years last July, and was born in Wayne county, N. Y. With her
father's people she moved to Michigan in 1836 and in 1849 came to Algansee, at which time she and her husband settled upon
the farm where her death occurred. The maiden name of Mrs. S. was Davis, and her father preceded her 34 years in his flight
to the better land. Her husband, Alfred Shumway, died five years ago at the age of 55 years, his death resulting from an
accident by which two of his fingers were taken off. Three children were born to them who are now living. They saw many of
the pinching necessities of which the early settlers were subjected, and at one time Mr. S. carried a basket of eggs on his arm to
Coldwater, a distance of 14 miles, to exchange for goods. Mrs. S. lived in the township three years before she went to town. 

Jacob Pridgeon is 38 years of age, and a native of Michigan. He was born in Detroit and was raised in California from the time
he was five months of age. He has lived in Algansee two years. His father died nine years ago, at the age of 70 years; but his
mother is still living in California. The maiden name of Mrs. Pridgeon was Brayman. She was born in Erie county, N.Y., is 38
years of age and has lived in Michigan 33 years. 

Ezra Brainard was one of the first to set his stakes in Algansee, and has consistently stuck to the text for the past 42 years.
He is now 72 years of age, and was born in Madison county, N.Y. When he first located here Mr. Ackerson was his nearest
neighbor on the north and east and Mr. Brown south and west. He is able to give us a partial list of the first officers elected in
the township, which is as follows: Supervisor, Asabel Brown; Clerk, Jasper Underhill; Assessor, Wm. Lawrence and David
Tift (the other he cannot recall); Highway Commissioners, Ezra Brainard and Jonathan Hall. Mr. B. was afterward treasurer of
ten or twelve years and township clerk five years. When Mr. Brainard came in the fall, the land office was closed so he
squatted on his claim. When the land office was again opened he enters his land. His experience has led him to believe that the
Indians are thievish. The maiden name of Mrs. Brainard was Woodward, and was born in Jefferson county, N.Y., and is 69
years of age. 

Mrs. Jane Tift is a sister of Mrs. Brainard, and was the first person to teach a school in the township. Her husband, Geo. Tift,
died 15 years ago, aged 50 years. 

F. T. Gallop is 56 years of age, was born in Canada, but came with his father to Michigan the fall of 1834. His father, Ezekiel
Gallop, died 18 years ago, aged 72 years. Mr. G. has lived in Algansee 26 years, having first lived in Lenawee county. He was
married 30 years ago, since which time five pair of little feet have galloped around his hearthstone, only three of whom are
now living. He says that he has grubbed pretty hard to keep things going all right, but the result has compensated him for his
efforts, but he is now ensconced in a very pleasant home and upon a good farm with all the necessaries of life, and judging
from the elegant appearance of his find brick house he enjoys some of the luxuries. 

Stephen V. Brayman is 46 years of age, and was born in Erie county, N.Y., but since he was 13 years old he has lived in
Michigan, and until ten years ago resided in Camden, Hillsdale county, at which time he came to Algansee where he has since
lived.

James Carruthers is 42 years and was born in Ireland, though of Scotch descent. His people removed to his country when he
was quite young, first settling near Baltimore. In 1850 they moved to Michigan, one year previous to the death of his father,
who was 50 years of age at that time. His mother still lives with him at the age of 80 years; she is quite smart and active, but is
a cripple from the effects of a fall on the ice some years since. Mr. C. was once chased by the wolves and put in some of his
best time. He has been something of a rolling stone and has lived in Bronson, this county, and in Alabama and Mississippi,
but is now securely anchored in Algansee. The maiden name of Mrs. Carruthers was Brown. She was born in Portage county,
O., is 28 years of age and has borne her present name for the last ten years. Two children have been born to her.

Geo. R. Purdy is 42 years of age, and was born in Sherman county, O., but has lived in Algansee since he was six months old.
He is a son of Horace Purdy, and now lives near the original homestead. He was married 20 years ago to Miss Martha Clark,
who is now 40 years of age and has borne him three children who are now living.

Layman Robins has lived in this State 26 years, is 67 year of age, and was born and raised in Wayne county, N.Y. He first
located in Reading, Hillsdale county, and has lived in Algansee about 12 years. He was married first 48 years ago, but has now
lived with his second wife nine years. He was through this country in 1838 and rode on the first railroad west of Toledo while
the cars were yet drawn by horses. The railroad was at that time called the Toledo, Adrian & Kalamazoo road, but was
completed only to Sylvania. The maiden name of Mrs. Robins was Davis, and she was born and raised in Pennsylvania.

Samuel C. Parker is 49 years of age, and was born and raised in Preble county, Ohio. After a residence of 30 years in Indiana
he came to Algansee in 1866, since which time he has lived on the place where he now resides. The maiden name of Mrs.
Parker was Stuffleboam. She was married to Mr. Parker in 1849, and has reared eight children. She was born in Miami county,
O., and is 46 years of age. 

James Nichols is 62 years of age and came to Algansee in August, 1836, from Lenawee county. He was born in Washington
county, O. He came in at about the same time as Messrs. Asabel Brown, Pratt, Brainard and Purdy. His step-father, Jesse
Craft, located where Mr. Parker now lives. Mr. Nichols drove the first team that ever went through on the road past his
house. Forty acres of his land was purchased from the government. While the township of California was yet a part of
Algansee they had elections two days in succession, holding the polls one day in each part to accommodate the people in all
parts. He saw some pretty pinching times, and for three weeks at one time lived on potatoes and milk, and two days had
nothing but acorns to eat. Mrs. Nichols is a daughter of Horace Purdy. She was the youngest of the daughters, and while the
others were away at work she would assist her father upon the farm. Many a day she has followed her father with a
handspike and helped him about logging or making sugar. She was married to Mr. Nichols 39 years ago and is the mother of
five children who are all living. At one time when she was making sugar with a little brother, a storm came up towards night
and it grew dark so suddenly that they had to make a torch to find their way out and keep the wolves off that began to follow
them. In going to Adrian one time in the fall of the year Mr. N.'s wagon got stuck, and going into the water to get it loose he
lost one of his shoes. It was cold and dark and he was followed by wolves all the way to his next stopping place, a distance of
eight miles. His pants were frozen stiff when he arrived.

Stephen Bickford is 55 years of age, and was born in Seneca county, O. He was the youngest of the brothers and the farm
upon which he lives is the original homestead, upon which his father settled in 1838. The house in which he lives was built in
1838, and is still a very pleasant and comfortable farm house. While this house was in process of erection the wolves killed 20
sheep and two hogs for his father. The hogs were valued at $50 each. The school house previously mentioned as being east of
Simpkins Corners was near his place, and was what would now be considered rather a rude affair. Those who taught in it
would hardly, with the same qualifications, get a certificate from an inspector of the present day. Many boys would not get an
opportunity to attend school until they were so large that they were ashamed to go, and so never got any education. The
maiden name of Mrs. Bickford was Whaley. She is 46 years of age, was born in Wyoming county, N.Y., and has lived in
Algansee 36 years. For several years she lived with Mr. Hanchett's people and a part of one year with old Mr. Robins and
attended school; was married 26 years ago and has raised two children. 

Wesley Merritt is 36 years of age, and was born in Portage county, O. Has lived in Michigan 26 years, first residing in Union.
The maiden name of Mrs. Merritt was Richardson; she is 33 years of age and was born in Union township. 

Erial Purdy is 53 years of age, and was born in Seneca county, O., where his people came to Algansee, about two months
previous to Asabel Brown's coming in. He, too, was a son of Horace Purdy, and his farm is in the immediate vicinity of the
original homestead. He was married 32 years ago, and for seven years thereafter worked on the farm of Asabel Brown, and 25
years ago purchased and settled on the farm where he now lives. The farm was at that time wild, and he has done all improving
and building himself He has a noble farm house. He has had a family of six children, five of whom are now living. He was at
one time chased by seven wolves and had a pretty snug time getting away from them. Mrs. P. is one of the most genial women
we have met and to have an interview with her without enjoying a hearty laugh would be to demonstrate one's incapacity for
merriment. He maiden name was Craft, and she is a sister of Jas. Nichols. She is 51 years old and has lived in the township
since August 1836. Mr. Nichols was working on a marsh one day cutting hay, when he saw something moving in the grass,
and supposing it to be a turkey seized his gun preparatory to shooting it, when the supposed turkey raised up and proved to
be a squaw, who was digging roots. She has frequently gone on foot seven miles to meeting. Mr. P. commences in life poor,
but has a farm of 140 acres with good buildings, besides a house and lot at Hall's Corners. While a boy, Mr. Purdy and his
brother started to crawl into a hollow log, but finding that there was an old bear and some cubs in there they were not long in
making their exit. One time Mr. Purdy was out in the woods and heard something bleat in a lump of bushes; he supposed it
was a deer and ran in there only to find that it was an Indian trying to entice an old doe within shooting distance. The Indian
laughed and said, "fool moky man." Mr. Purdy sat down and in a short time the Indian decoyed he doe up and shot her. 

 

VOLUME IV NO.78. COLDWATER, MICH., FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 390

 

STILL MARCHING THROUGH ALGANSEE

A. A. Dodge is 33 years of age and has lived in Algansee since 1864. He was born and raised in Ohio and entered the service of
the U. S. at the age of 15 years. At the battle of Stone River he was so badly wounded as to cripple him for life and was
discharged. He fell within the rebel lines and laid on the field six days before his wants were attended to. His mother, Mrs.
Mary A. Dodge, is living with him; she is 70 years of age. The maiden name of his wife was Cortwright. She was born in
Algansee and is 25 years of age. Mr. Dodge has been building a fine new residence the past season. 

H. Roice is 66 years of age and was born and raised in New Hampshire. He has lived in Michigan 20 years, but had previously
resided in Essex county, N.Y., and Huron county, O. His farm was all unimproved with the exception of one or two acres, and
he has made all of the improvements and erected the buildings. The maiden name of Mrs. Roice was Price; she was born in
Cayuga county, N.Y., is 58 years of age and was married in 1835. They have had six children, only two of whom are now
living. 

Wm. Dufur was born in Canada and is now 45 years of age. When he was only two years old his people moved to Ohio, and
to Michigan when he was 14 year old. They first lived in Union a short time and then came t Algansee. Mr. Dufur has lived
one his present farm 28 years. When he first located there it was quite new and all the improvements are the result of his own
labor. Mrs. D., whose maiden name was Parker, is 43 years of age; she was married 23 years ago and has raised two boys. 

Mr. Levi Shumway, not being at home when we called, left us without any data with regard to his history; but he is quite
nicely situated as far as can be judged by passing along the street. 

Thomas Dunlap is 40 years of age and was born in Philadelphia, but when he was two years old his people came to
Tecumseh, in this State, and 35 years ago removed to California, where they have since lived. He has lived on his present farm
since 12 years ago, at which time he married a Miss Wilkinson. She is 35 years of age, and was born in Cayuga county, N.Y. 

Almon W. Thorp is 42 years of age. The first 27 years of his life were spent in Portage county, O. A residence of three years
in Vineland, N.J., and 12 years in Algansee accounts for the rest of his life and brings us down to the present, where we find
him in possession of the post office in Algansee, which position he has held for the past six years to the satisfaction of
everybody concerned. Mr. T. is very pleasantly situated, with good buildings, etc. Mrs. Thorp, too, first made her debut on
the world's stage in Portage county, O. Her maiden name was King. She was married 21 years ago and has four children all
living. 

Reuben Draper is 78 years of age and was born in Washington county, N.Y. When seven years of age his people removed to
Cayuga county. After a 30 years' residence there and 17 in Huron county, O., he was ready to emigrate to Algansee, and has
now lived on his present farm 25 years. At the time of coming to Algansee his farm was entirely new, and with the help of his
youngest son he has made all the improvements and put buildings, orchards, and other fixtures for comfort and convenience
upon it. When Mr. Draper came to Algansee Mr. Wakeman had been there and put up a mill frame, but he himself did not
come with the machinery until the next season. Thomas Pratt, one and one-half miles north, was the nearest neighbor. Mr. D.
hired some chopping done the first season; the news soon spread that he was paying money for chopping and the young men
came out of the woods in all directions so that on one day he had 13 at work, though he only paid fifty cents a day. He and his
son Olney, at that time 15 years old, under brushed 16 acres previous to hiring the help before mentioned, and after having it
chopped off sowed twelve acres of it to wheat the first fall, since which time he has never been without wheat in his granary.
The first year of his residence here he chopped, sawed and dragged 50 logs to Wakeman's mill, only the frame of which was
erected. When traveling through Michigan 42 years ago, Mr. Draper stopped over night at a hotel where the Oriental now
stands in Coldwater, and was visited in the morning by a gentleman who wished to sell him a piece of land right on the prairie
within one mile of the town, which he offered him for twenty shillings per acre: but Mr. D. had seen to much of the ague that
he did not dare to buy in this country, and thought he could never be induced to come here under any consideration. The
maiden name of Mrs. Draper was Olney, and her youngest son now bears the name. She is 74 years of age and was born in
Saratoga county, N.Y. She was married 53 years ago to Mr. Draper. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are
now living. Olney Draper is the youngest son of the above named gentleman, and is the one referred to as helping his father to
clear up the home farm. He is highly respected by the people of the township, and he held the office of township clerk seven
terms, school inspector, under the old system, three terms, and has been elected supervisor this spring. The maiden name of
Mrs. D. was Slater, and she was married to Mr. D. six years ago. She was born in Fremont, O. 

E. H. Larkin came to Algansee about one year later than Mr. Draper and settled on the place where he now lives. He was born
in Rhode Island and with his parents came into the state of New York when he was quite young. At the age of 27 years he
came to Huron county, O., and from there direct to Algansee. He is now 64 years of age and was married 44 years ago. He
worked at blacksmithing when he first came to the county and has done much toward clearing up his farm at the anvil. The
maiden name of his life partner was Shue; she is the mother of seven children, of whom six are now living, one having been
killed by a falling tree. 

David M. Draper, an ex-mountaineer, was born in Cayuga county, N.Y., 45 years ago. When three years of age his parents
removed to Huron county, O. New Year's day, 1852 he set out for the then famous gold diggings of California by way of the
Isthmus. He was but 19 years of age. In crossing the Isthmus the distance from Fortune Bay to the west coast was 16 miles,
and the transportation company who furnished the passengers with mules to ride would allow those going on foot $2.50 This
looked like pretty good pay for the walk and he set out on foot, but had not gone more than a mile when he gave out under the
heat of the tropical sun and give $3.50 for a mule to ride and half a dollar for carrying his baggage. He was within two hundred
miles of Mountain Meadow at the time of the massacre by Lee and his hellish Mormon fiends, and the indignation of the
mountaineers was so great that they gave the Mormons who fell into their hands rough usage, the persuasive arguments most
frequently used being clubs and stones. At one time when supplies had been cut off from the mountains for a while he paid
one dollar a pound for a 50 pound sack of flour. He located on his present farm in 1858 and has cleared it up since then. Like
most persons who have become accustomed to roving in early life, he longs to be on the wing again, and often casts a longing
eye toward the West, but the attractions of home will undoubtedly hold him where he how is. Mrs. Draper was born in
Ontario county, N.Y., and is 43 years of age. Her maiden name was Ross. She is the mother of four children, all of whom are
now living. 

John Flaherty has lived in America 24 years, but was born in Ireland 28 years ago. He first came to Canada, next to Cleveland,
O., and for the last 12 years has lived in Algansee. The maiden name of Mrs. F. was Wakeman, a daughter of Eli Wakeman.

James Hughes is an Englishman by birth and 51 years old. He has lived in American since he was 28 years of age, and is very
comfortably situated on his present farm. 

A. Bassage, too, was born on the little island across the water, is 25 years of age and has lived in this country ten years.

John Burnison was born in Maryland, near Baltimore, but when quite young come to Ohio, from which state he came to
Algansee 12 years ago. Since he has lived here Mr. B. has built a very cozy dwelling house on his place, and everything about
him has an air of comfort. Mrs. B. formerly born the name of Astry; she is 53 years of age and was born in Columbiana
county, O.

D. C. Phillips has lived in this county 42 years, first settling in Bethel. His father, Thomas Phillips, died 22 years ago aged 65
years. Mr. P. took his place in Algansee 24 years ago in a state of nature and has made all the improvements himself. He has
raised three children and one year ago lost his wife. 

Jas. Odren was born in Detroit 41 years ago, and since he was three months old has lived in California township.

Daniel Schaff was born in Summit Co., O., but his residence in Algansee has been short: He has, however, lived in Michigan
several years.

Frederick Goodwin was born in Merrie England, 38 years ago. He has been in this country 28 years. 

Wm. Goodwin, a brother of the latter, is 36 years of age, and has lived in America the same length of time. He has lived in the
State 12 years and nine years in Algansee. The maiden name of Mrs. G. was Hilton, and she too, was a native of England.

J. H. Corey is a Michigander, 40 years of age, and was born in Hillsdale, but ever since he was four years old he has lived in
this township. His father, Samuel Corey, died 22 years ago, at the age of 38 years. He has lived on his present farm 11 years,
and has raised three children. He was in the service during the late war. The maiden name of Mrs. Corey was Clark and she
was born and raised in Allen township, Hillsdale county.

Mrs. Elizabeth Clark spent the first 14 years of her life in Monroe Co., N.Y., and has lived in Michigan 43 or 44 years, and
her age is 68 years. She has lived in Algansee 35 years, first locating at the center. Her husband, Alvah Clark, died four years
ago at the age of 68 years. They were married 50 years ago and have raised seven children, only five of whom are now living.
Her father, Icahbod Burdick, located the whole of Allen's Prairie. 

S. J. Clark has lived in Michigan since he was 12 years of age, and first located on Allen's Prairie. He is now 54 years of age,
and was born in Batavia, N.Y. A daughter was killed by lightning last summer in their own house. 

Mrs. Cortwright, the widow of Levi Cortwright is 55 years of age, and was born and raised in Ohio. Came to Michigan 32
years ago, and first located in California. Her maiden name was Ellis. She has lived in Algansee 23 years. Her husband died 17
years ago at the age of 38 years.

Ruel D. Clark was born in northern Indiana 40 years ago, but his whole life, with the exception of one year, has been spent in
Algansee. 

Sereno Bradley and his brother Augustins are the oldest settlers in the southwest part of the township. Mr. S. Bradley is 51
years of age, and was born in Delaware Co., N.Y. When he was about three years of age his people came west and located in
Lenawee county. They staied (sic) there five years and then came to Algansee and settled upon the farm where Mr. B. now
lives. His father, S. L. Bradley, died in 1853, aged 60 years. His mother died 19 years ago last January at the age of 71 years.
The roads were surveyed out the next year after they came here and worked out three or four years later. Mr. Goodman's
people moved in the same year that the Bradleys did. The first school house for this part of the town was built just over the
line in Hillsdale county, near their place. The first schools were hold in an old log shanty vacated by one of the neighbors. The
maiden name of Mrs. Bradley was Pratt. She was born in Genesee Co., N.Y., and is 49 years of age. She was married 22 years
ago, and has raised a family of three children. Mr. B. has held the office of supervisor for the past year. 

Erastus Bradley is 55 years of age, and has lived in Michigan 48 years of his life. His removes have been about the same as
those of his brother. He was married 22 years ago to a daughter of Israel Hall, the man after whom Hall's Corners was named.
She is 55 years of age, and was born in Ontario Co., N.Y. Her father died at their residence six years ago at the age of 83 years

Joshua Pridgeon has lived In Algansee ten years. The maiden name of Mrs. P. was Brayman. She is 50 years of age, and has
lived in Michigan 38 years. 

John McCarty has lived in Michigan 34 years, most of the time in Hillsdale county.

The first eight years of Wesley M. Sage's life were spent in Vermont, but from that time till he attained his majority he lived in
New York. He moved to Michigan 25 years ago and settled on the farm where he now lives. He is 55 years of age. 

Henry Waterbury was born in Rensselaer Co., N.Y. He is 53 years of age, and has lived in Algansee 30 years. 

James Waterbury is 79 years old; was born and raised in Renselaer Co. N.Y., and has lived here 33 years. He has raised seven
children, six of whom are living.

 

VOLUME IV NO. 79 COLDWATER, MICH., TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 391

OUR TRAMP COMPLETES HIS WALK THROUGH ALGANSEE.

Thomas Campbell has lived where we now find him 21 years. He is 61 years of age and is a native of Vermont. The maiden
name of Mrs. Campbell was Williams, and she is a native of Herkimer county, N. Y. 

J. Y. Clark is a native of old England, is 58 years of age, has lived in the United States 25 years, and 12 years in Algansee.
Mrs. Clark came from England when she was 18 years of age. 

Nathan Nivison moved from Thompkins county, N.Y., to Michigan 25 years ago; has lived on his present farm five years. 

James Adair has lived in Algansee five years, is 40 years of age and was born in Ohio. 

Michael Kennedy is 44 years of age and was born and raised in Ireland and has lived in America since 1852. He has lived in
Algansee eight years, has an excellent farm house, and everything seems to indicate thrift. Fourteen years ago he was married
to Miss Stevenson, since which time three children have been born to them.

J. H. Depue is 56 years of age, and was born in Seneca county, N.Y. He has lived in Algansee 17 years. 

F. D. Burlingham is 58 years of age, is a native of New York; has been in Michigan 23 years and 13 years in Algansee. The
maiden name of his wife was Sessions. She is 40 years of age and was married 24 years ago. She has raised three children. 

Eli Wakeman is 55 years of age and settled in Algansee 26 years ago. He was born in Tompkins county N.Y., but removed to
Algansee from Tifton county O. He came to Algansee, purchased his place and put up a frame for a saw mill, then went back
to Ohio and the next spring moved the machinery for his mill here and has since run it. During the past year he has built a grist
mill which is run in connection with the saw mill. The new mill is one of the most perfect of its kind and is fitted up with
patent process, middings purifier, and all first class machinery. Mrs. Wakeman died four years ago last June at the age of 50
years. Two children survive her. One of these, Mortimer B. Wakeman, lives near by his father and is engaged with him in the
business of milling. He is 35 years of age, and was born in Huron county, Ohio. He has held the office of town treasurer three
times and is a thorough going and competent business man, in whom his townsmen all have the greatest confidence. The
maiden name of Mrs. M. B. Wakeman was Mellendy. She is a sister of R. W. Mellendy, formerly Judge in this circuit. She is
31 years of age, and has been married 11 years. Mrs. S.S. Mellendy is the mother of Mrs. M. B. Wakeman, and for the last ten
years has lived in her daughter's family. She is 69 years of age and was born and raised in Litchfield county, Conn. Her
husband, Norman Mellendy, died 23 years ago aged 49 years. Thirty-three years ago they moved to Michigan and located in
California. Her son, ex-Judge Mellendy, was born in Chenango county, N.Y., but was raised in California township. Mrs. M.
is the mother of 11 children, only eight of whom are still living. One child died on southern soil while helping to defend his
county. 

H. C. Mead is a native of Huron county, Ohio, where he was born 40 years ago, but in 1863 the superior attractions of
Michigan became so apparent to him that he pulled up stakes and came to Algansee where he has since remained happy and
contented. The maiden name of Mrs. M., to whom he was married 17 years ago, was Briggs, and she was a native of Erie
county, O. 

Sylvenus S. Clark removed from Monroe county, N.Y., 40 years ago and settled on the farm where he now lives. He is 68
years of age, and was born in Clarkson, but there is no danger but that the name will be perpetuated still, as the Clark's
emigrated to Algansee in sufficient numbers to give to the neighborhood in which they live the name of Clarktown. On one
occasion Mrs. Clark was sitting up late at night at work when she heard something which she supposed to be an Indian's dog
whining. She stepped to the bed and awoke her husband who got up, took a brand of fire, bent outside and stood there, but
nothing could be heard. He then swung the brand about in the air and the wolves scampered in every direction, their tracks in
the snow being as thick the next morning as though there had been a flock of sheep in the yard. The maiden name of Mrs.
Clark was Scott. She is 53 years of age and is a native of Monroe county, N.Y. She has raised a family of four children. 

J. From has lived in Indiana, Michigan and divers and sundry other places for the past 26 years, and has lived eight years in
his present home. 

Josephus Clark is a native of Monroe county, N.Y., from which place his people moved when he was but ten years of age.
They went to Canada where they lived two and one-half years, then came to Michigan, lived at Allen's Prairie and Quincy,
after which he came to Algansee. He was in the service about one year.

Geo. L. Clark has been in Michigan 40 years, is 57 years of age, and is a native of Batavia, N.Y.; first came to Allen's Prairie,
then to Quincy and afterwards to Algansee. The maiden name of Mrs. Clark was Fowler. She was born in Oneida county,
N.Y., and is 56 years of age. She has lived in Michigan since she was 17 years of age. 

Geo E. Clark belongs to the second generation of Clark's; is 29 years of age and was born and raised on the farm where he now
lives. The maiden name of Mrs. C. was From.

John Hayes has lived in the county 30 years. He is 55 years of age and was born and raised in the State of New York. He
commenced life with his own way to make in the world, but has now an old and well-improved farm, with buildings which
would be a credit to any farm. The maiden name of Mrs. Hayes was Conley. She was born in Jackson county, Mich., and is
36 years of age. Since her marriage to Mr. H. five children have been born to them, who are all now living. 

Lyman Bartholomew is a Michigander, and a very congenial one too. He was born in Jackson county, and is 38 years of age.
His people moved from there to where he now lives when he was three years of age, and his home has since been in Algansee.
His father Jehial Bartholomew, died four years ago. When his people came to the county they saw pretty plain times and
pretty plain living, in fact such as would make the reformers of the present day stare. They saw a good deal of sickness, and at
one time his father was under the care of a physician three or four years. Mrs. B., whose maiden name was Galbreaith, is a
native of Ohio, and is 33 years of age. She is the mother of two little girls, both of whom are now living. Susan Bartholomew,
the mother of Lyman, is 67 years of age, and was born in Vermont. She was married to Mr. B. 54 years ago and has raised a
family of three children, two of whom are now living on the original homestead. When they first moved to Algansee her
husband had a terrible battle with a large snake of the species known as "Blue Racers," and for some time there was
considerable doubt about who would get the mastery. The snake would stand up nearly as high as his head and come for him
with all the venom of its malignant nature. Mr. B. finally obtained the mastery and laid his opponent out, but he was so much
frightened that he at first declared his intention of packing up his goods and moving out of the country at once. 

Almond Bartholomew is an older brother of Lyman, and is 40 years of age, and he now lives upon his father's original
homestead which is a very lovely place. He is also engaged in running a portable saw mill which, by the way, is a very
excellent one. He was married 19 years ago to Miss Misner. His father was a great hunter, and as the game is the days when he
first moved here was very abundant, he has on several occasions killed six or seven deer in half a day. Next up the road we
came to Darwin L. Gray, who came to Michigan 52 years ago. He was born in Massachusetts and was only four years of age
when his people came to Washtenaw county, at which time there were but three other families in that county. After living in
Washtenaw county eight years his people moved to Toledo, O., where they lived eight years and then came to Algansee. His
father, Eli Gray, died eight years ago at the age of 81 years. He says that he saw pioneer life to his entire satisfaction, and that
when we hear of anything suffered or experienced by the pioneers we can calculate that he has seen the same thing. The
maiden name of Mrs. Gray was Archer. She was born in New York and is 46 years of age. 

Asher Archer has lived in Michigan 36 years, all of the time where he now lives. He is 43 years of age, his native place being
Cattarangus county, N.Y. While a mere boy Mr. A. was crippled by something of the nature of a paralytic stroke, which has
ever since deprived him of the use of one arm, but with indomitable energy he has made his way in the world equally as well
as men possessed of better facilities. One year ago he was burned out, but has rebuilt and is living in a new house. He is a
famous school teacher, and has acted in that capacity 22 terms. The maiden name of Mrs. Archer was Jordan; she is 37 years
of age, has been married 17 years and is the mother of eight children. 

In 1837 Hiram Richardson came to Michigan from Vermont where he was born and raised. He first settled near White Pigeon,
but in 1838 came to Union township and lived there until 12 years ago, then moved to Quincy, and has lived in Quincy but
one year. He is 71 years of age, has been married twice, and has raised four children. The maiden name of his present wife was
Stone, and her age 44 years. 

Mrs. Lucinda Corless is 48 years of age and was born in Seneca county, N.Y. Her maiden name was Emmons. Her people first
settled in Quincy when she was six years of age. She has been twice married, the name of her first husband being Harger. She
has raised five children.

S. W. Taylor was born in Daulphin county, Pa., in 1815, and engaged in building mills. For the last twelve years he has lived in
Algansee upon the farm which he now owns. He was married 30 years ago, the maiden name of his wife being Hall. Five
children have been born to them, but all now are gone and they are left along in their old age. 

J. H. Barker was born in Huron county, O. He is 49 years of age and located in Michigan in 1861. His first stopping place was
in the south part of Algansee, but for the past 13 years he has lived on the north line of the township where he has a fine farm
and good buildings The maiden name of Mrs. B. was Coburn, and her married life dates back 26 years.. She is 42 years of age
and the mother of four children.

A. C. Greswold is 51 years of age and was born in the State of New York, but he has lived in Michigan 48 years, his people
first locating in Wayne county. He has since lived in divers and sundry other places, among which have been Hillsdale and
Ionia counties, and for the past 15 years in Algansee. The maiden name of Mrs. G. was Wilmarth. She was born in
Pennsylvania, but at the age of eight years came with her parents to Michigan. Twenty years ago she took the matrimonial
vows, since which time two children have been born to her.

Henry W. Sisson is 78 years of age and has seen pioneer life in all its phases. He was born in Rhode Island and lived there till
he was eleven years of age. In 1824 he united his fortune and misfortunes with those of a Miss Davenport, since which time
they have traveled the journey of life together. The last day of October, 1833, he landed in Detroit and immediately settled at
Techmseh, on the Chicago road, and for five years kept a log tavern, after which time he came to the vicinity of Jonesville.
During his residence in that vicinity he made four removes, then came to Allen where he remained seven years, but not being
satisfied came to Algansee where he has located for life. The only child he ever had, a daughter, is dead, but she left three grand
children to his care, one of whom, Adelbert Tabor, is now living with him. Two years ago he was paralyzed in one arm which
has incapacitated him for hard labor, but as he is possessed of a competence he will not suffer for the comforts of life. Mr. S.
is a very genial gentleman which whom it is a pleasure to visit. With this sketch our reminiscences of Algansee will cease and
our rambles through that township come to an end. We have spent much time among its inhabitants and have formed so
favorable an impression of those that it is only with regret that we take our leave. We endeavored to give a correct idea of
country and people, and hoping that we have done justice to all will next introduce our readers other fields of labor. 

                                             





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