************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ Submitted by Cheryl VanWormer ERASTUS AND PHEBE (ARNOLD) YEOMANS Hon. Erastus Yeomans was born in Lebanon, Conn., Aug. 11, 1791. His parents' names were Daniel and Esther Yeomans. At the age of sixteen he removed with them to German Flats, Herkimer Co., N.Y. The ensuing year he engaged as teacher in one of the public schools of the county. Evidence of his efficiency in this capacity at the early age of seventeen is given in the fact that he continued in the same school for nearly three years, with an advance of salary each year. Soon after this, in the war of 1812, he demonstrated his fitness to be a citizen of the Republic by taking his place in the ranks of her defenders. March 19, 1815, he married Phebe Arnold, of Fairfield, N.Y. His parents being advanced in years their care devolved upon him and his wife, which duty was conscientiously discharged. Discerning that the future of his young family would be improved in the West, he emigrated with five other families to the then Territory of Michigan. The magnitude of such an undertaking can, at this time, hardly be estimated. The party, having chartered a canal boat, put on board all their goods and embarked for the West, April 20, 1833, arriving at Buffalo on the 7th of May. Here the heavy household goods and farming implements were shipped by sailing vessel to Grand Haven, and the party went by steamer to Detroit. After the necessary preparation for a trip across the Territory the company started, passing through Pontiac and other settlements in their course. On the eighth day out they took a guide to lead them through the wilderness, in which they had to cut their way slowly and painfully. When about thirty miles from their destination they were detained by an event distressing and mournful in character,--the sickness, death, and burial of a child of one of the families. Resuming their march, they reached the present site of Ionia City on the 28th of May. The purchase from the Indians of little patches of clearing with crops of corn and vegetables planted having been effected, the party exchanged their tents for bark wigwams. The Indians, well satisfied with the bargain, moved on a few miles to be ready for a similar transaction with the next new-comers. A number of the most able-bodied colonists were now sent to convey to their settlement on flat-bottomed boats, propelled by poles and strong arms, the goods which had been landed at Grand Haven. This accomplished, the erection of more suitable dwellings was begun. Not the least of the discomforts endured by them at this time were the mosquitoes. An empty wine pipe in which articles had been packed, placed with the open end towards a smudge, afforded to Mr. Yeomans a secure retreat, and an opportunity for much-needed sleep. The season being so far advanced, only the corn and vegetables purchased of the Indians could for that year be grown. They had no provision for grinding the corn, consequently had to prepare it for food in the Indian fashion. the large stumps of trees yet firmly fixed in the ground were hollowed into mortars, in which the corn was crushed until by obtaining a large coffee-mill it could be coarsely ground. This source of supply served to bridge over the times of sharp necessity caused by scarcity of breadstuff, which could be obtained only from Detroit by the way of Grand Haven. In 1835 a run of small mill-stones was procured and put in the basement of the saw-mill which had been erected. With the official organization and administration of the affairs of his county and town Mr. Yeomans was closely identified. He was appointed first postmaster of Ionia County, receiving his commission from Amos Kendall, Postmaster-General under President Jackson, which position he held for six years. In 1841 he was elected associate judge of the county, continuing to serve in that capacity for eight years. He has always been active in advancing the best interests of humanity and of the community. He is the only surviving one of the five pioneers who, with their families, constituted the colony. He is now in his ninetieth year, and without departure from truth, it may be said of him that "the silvery radiance cast athwart his locks by the sunset of life" is not dimmed by a single charge of wrong to his fellow-men. Mrs. Erastus Yeomans was born in Smithfield, R.I., March 18, 1797. Her parents, Job and Hannah Arnold, were of prominent families in the early history of Rhode Island. She was one of a large family of children, and early gave evidence of that amiability and strength of character which as wife, mother, and friend made her in these relations a tower of strength through life. At the age of ten she received a present of a pair of gold ear-rings for her faithful attendance, day and night, upon her grandmother, who was entirely blind. At the age of twelve a string of gold beads was the recognition of her continued faithfulness to her charge. Her educational advantages were limited to the common schools of the time. She removed with her parents to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N.Y., where she was married to Erastus Yeomans, March 19, 1815. This union was a most happy one in all that makes home the "one ray of happiness that survived the fall," and a home the influence of which pervades as with a blessing the lives of those reared around the hearthstone. The children born of this union were Sanford A., Amanda D., Harriet, Hiram, Sarah M., Emily, Mary M., Harriet A. Possessing to an eminent degree soundness of judgment and moral force, she stood by her husband, "staying up his hands" and bearing with unwavering spirit the burdens and hardships of a pioneer mother. One incident may be mentioned as illustrative of her character. The delusion of Millerism which swept over the land found many believers among her neighbors and friends. The church of which she and her husband had been almost life-long members did not escape, the pastor himself becoming a convert. In one of the last meetings before the direful day her intense convictions overcame a naturally retiring disposition, and, rising in her place, she denounced the whole thing as a sham and delusion, disgraceful alike to a Christian profession or common intelligence. On the conclusion of her remarks the meeting was closed, no one feeling able to escape the force of her ! denunciation. It is impossible in a few brief lines to do justice to a life like hers, and it must suffice to say that she was faithful to her day and generation in the sphere in which she moved. "Honor and shame from no condition rise: Act well your part; there all the honor lies." In this sense hers was a life crowned with honor. She "entered into rest" June 25, 1864, and her memory is treasured as a rich heritage by her descendants and friends. This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia: D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881. Facing Page 148.