TOWN OF ELLINGTON. This town embraces township 13 north, of range 10 east, and is bounded on the north by Elmwood, east by Novesta, west by Almer and south by Wells. It lies on both sides of the Cass River, which divides it into two nearly equal parts, running from the northeast to the southwest. The character of the portion north and west of the river is generally rolling. The soil, a clay loam, except near the river, where it is more sandy yet of an excellent quality and very productive. The natural growth of this portion of the town is beech, oak, maple, basswood, elm, etc. South and east of the river the land is more level and comprises more swamp, its timber being generally pine, hemlock and cedar; the soil, a sandy loam, with a clay subsoil. The land having been generally entered for its pine, was of later settlement. ENTRIES OF LAND PRIOR TO 1860. TOWNSHIP 13 NORTH, RANGE 10 EAST. SECTION 1. Martin Watrous August 2, 1853. George H. Sanford October 21, 1858. William C. Beach September 16, 1858. William C. Predmore November 23, 1859. James L. Travis November 30, 1859. Martin Watrous January 30, 1858. George H. Sanford October 25, 1858. SECTION 2. Samuel G. Hathaway June 14, 1851. William H. Green August 30, 1850. Stephen D. Sayer January 28, 1854. Joseph H. Bugbee April 15, 1854. Charles Pomeroy June 6, 1854. Anson Rudd October 29, 1855. Alexander C. Watrous July 3, 1856. Martin Watrous February 22, 1869. Martin Watrous December 22, 1869. Martin Watrous February 5, 1869. SECTION 3. William H. Green August 80, 1850. William Winspear June 26, 1852. William E. Shearman March 24, 1854. Daniel D. Dewey September 7, 1854. Samuel P. Shearman October 4, 1854. Anson Rudd October 29, 1855. SECTION 4. Hiram Beach August 1, 1854. Inman J. B. McKenney October 12, 1854. Tristam Rogers November 25, 1854. Riley Nash February 20, 1855. Joseph White June 12, 1855. SECTION 5. Washington O. Donoughue July 9, 1853. Joseph Hartman March 7, 1855. Henry Day April 1, 1856. William C. Beach April 10, 1856. Henry A. Frink February 5, 1859. Sault St. Marie Canal Co. May 25, 1855. SECTION 6. Josiah Higley June 28, 1853. Martin Watrous April 18, 1854. Martin Watrous May 5, 1854. Seth Beeman (second) May 7, 1855. James Andrews July 5, 1855. SECTION 7. Eliza Andrews April 28, 1853. Rachel Andrews April 28, 1853. William Metcalf May 23, 1853. William Willcox June 27, 1853. James Andrews November 4, 1854. James Andrews November 8, 1854. Simeon Botsford December 26, 1855. SECTION 8. Martin Watrous October 23, 1852. Mary Ann Botsford March 25, 1854. Marshall N. Robinson March 25, 1854. George R. Smith May 15, 1854. Simeon Botsford March 16, 1855. William R. Robinson March 16, 1855. William C. Beach May 12, 1856. Joseph M. Dodge May 6, 1856. SECTION 9. Curtis Emerson February 5, 1850. Curtis Emerson June 8, 1850. William H. Green July 16, 1850. Maurice Moran January 22, 1852. Loiza Baker September 10, 1852. Martin Watrous October 23, 1852. William W. Gorton July 13, 1853. William W. Gorton January 28, 1854. David Kesiar April 5, 1854. Martin Watrous June 14, 1854. Wakeman Goodsell August 8, 1854. Asahel Disbrow April 6, 1857. SECTION 10. James Morgan Baldwin May 13, 1851. William Winspear June 24, 1852. James M. Edmunds May 22, 1854. Edmund H. Hazelton February 26, 1857. Martin Watrous January 30, 1858. SECTION 11. William H. Green June 19, 1850. Martin Watrous February 5, 1858. SECTION 12. John H. Hodges January 1, 1853. Willard Barker May 8, 1854. William H. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg October 28, 1854. Henry D. Braddock November 14, 1855. SECTION 13. William F. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg October 28, 1854. SECTION 14. James Morgan Baldwin May 13, 1851. William Winspear June 26, 1852. Willard Parker April 24, 1854. William F. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg October 28, 1854. Henry D. Braddock Nov. 26, 1855. Samuel W. Yawkey July 9, 1856. SECTION 15. Asher Tyler June 14, 1851. William H. Green June 19, 1850. Curtis Emerson February 23, 1851. Curtis Emerson February 23, 1851. Stephen D. Sayer January 28, 1854. Stephen D. Sayer February 11, 1854. SECTION 16. William W. Gorton December 31, 1856. James Andrews February 25, 1858. SECTION 17. Edgar Sheldon October 20, 1852. George G. Anderson May 11, 1853. William W. Gorton July 12, 1853. William C. Beach December 12, 1855. Lorenzo D. Welch December 13, 1855. SECTION 18. Edgar Sheldon October 20, 1852. Myron H. L. Tyrrell November 27, 1852. Benjamin W. and Jonathan A. White May 2, 1853. SECTION 19. Samuel G. Hathaway June 14, 1851. James Morgan Baldwin May 15, 1851. Cyrus Haven May 11, 1853. William Wilcox June 25, 1853. William Willcox June 27, 1853. SECTION 20. D. and S. Johnson September 14, 1847. Paschal Richardson October 14, 1847. Thompson, Whitney & Coit October 12, 1850. Ira Kibbee October 9, 1851. John C. Casler April 13, 1'854. SECTION 21. D. and S. Johnson September 14, 1847. Paschal Richardson October 14, 1847. Thompson, Whitney & Coit February 28, 1851. James Morgan Baldwin May 13, 1851. Ira Kibbee October 9, 1851. John H. Richardson October 19, 1855. Henry A. Braddock November 14, 1855. SECTION 22. Thompson, Whitney & Coit January 24, 1851. James Morgan Baldwin May 13, 1851. Lewis J. Davis September 3, 1856. SECTION 23. James Morgan Baldwin May 3, 1851. SECTION 24. Delia A. Baldwin July 28, 1853. Vallorous A. Paine July 14, 1859. SECTION 25. Martin Watrous November 16, 1858. SECTION 26. Delia A. Baldwin July 28, 1853. Alfred H. Wright May 4, 1855. Henry Hayden February 8, 1858. James L. Ketcham December 7, 1858. SECTION 27. Abijah H. Thompson and Thomas Whitney & Coit October 12, 1850. James Morgan Baldwin May 12, 1851. James Morgan Baldwin December 10, 1852. James M. Baldwin August 9, 1853. Martin Watrous May 5, 1854. Alfred H. Wright May 4, 1855. James J. McCormick November 17, 1856. Ebenezer A. Higgins November 28, 1856. Robert H. Weideman October 26, 1857. Alfred H. Wright May 26, 1858. Martin Watrous January 30, 1858. SECTION 28. Abijah H. Thompson October 12, 1850. Thomas Whitney and F. E. Colt October 12, 1850. Thomas Whitney and F. E. Coit February 3, 1851. Andrew M. Orvis October 9, 1851. James Cleaver November 6, 1854. George Cleaver February 19, 1856. Ebenezer A. Higgins November 28, 1856. SECTION 29. Artemas Thayer January 29, 1852. Samuel Lake June 24, 1852. James M. Baldwin August 9, 1853. William F. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg October 28, 1854. George Judson May 6, 1856. Edmund H. Hazelton July 7, 1856. SECTION 30. Thomas Whitney June 29, 1852. William Willcox June 9, 1854. William Willcox October 18, 1854. William Wilcox December 30, 1854. William Willcox January 8, 1855. George Judson May 6, 1856. William Willcox June 18, 1856. William Willcox July 4, 1856. SECTION 31. Curtis Emerson February 5, 1850. Samuel T. Atwater July 1, 1854. Samuel T. Atwater July 5, 1854. William Willcox January 26, 1855. William Wilcox March 24, 1855. SECTION 32. James Morgan Baldwin May 15, 1851. William F. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg October 28, 1854. William Willcox July 4, 1856. SECTION 33. James M. Baldwin May 13, 1851. William F. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg October 28, 1854. James Cleaver November 6, 1854. Alfred H. Wright May 4, 1855. Alfred H. Wright October 3, 1856. SECTION 34. Alfred H. Wright October 3, 1856. Alfred H. Wright February 1, 1859. SECTION 35. James M. Baldwin April 30, 1853. James M. Baldwin August 9, 1853. Alfred H. Wright October 5, 1858. James J. McCormick February 1, 1859. SECTION 36. James M. Baldwin April 30, 1853. Alfred H. Wright October 1, 1856. Alfred H. Wright October 5, 1858. FIRST SETTLEMENT. The settlement of this town dates back to 1854. The first settlers were William Medcalf, Jonathan White and his sons, B. W. and Almon, I. J. B. McKenney, William Robinson, Simeon Botsford, J. M. Dodge, William Wilcox, James Andrews and Elliott R. Burnett. Of these, Jonathan White, William R. Robinson and William Wilcox are dead; others have moved away. Mr. Botsford relates that his journey from Oakland County was made with a horse team largely by lumber roads, which, owing to the purpose for which they were constructed, were necessarily winding and indirect. His horses he was obliged to return and sell, a pioneer settlement furnishing but little food for their support. The night of their arrival was spent in Mr. Medcalf's small shanty, twenty persons occupying the one small building. The next day Mr. Botsford commenced work on his shanty, and the following forenoon at eleven o'clock the family took possession. This house was in section 8 on the site of the present village of Ellington. The first child born in Ellington was a son of William Medcalf, and was named George Ellington Medcalf. Rev. I. J. McKenney was the third settler in Ellington and a pioneer in the religious work of Tuscola County. He remained a resident of Ellington until his death, which occurred October 15, 1880. His widow still continues to live at the old homestead near the village of Ellington. Having spent twenty-six years of his life in the Christian ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, twenty-five of it in connection with the Genesee conference of New York State, he in 1854 took a superannuated relation to that conference and came with his family to Michigan in the fall of 1854 to make a home for his old age. Though adopting the employment of farming and with other pioneers bending his energies to subduing the forest and clearing the soil, he yet did not forget the earlier employment and service of his life. He at once resumed labor in the ministry of religion and preached from time to time in different parts of the county, holding the first service ever held in what is now the town of Ellington in the spring of 1855, and also about that time preaching in what is now the town of Indian Fields the first sermon preached in that town, being thus one of the pioneer preachers as well as one of the pioneer settlers of Tuscola County. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The first services of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the town of Ellington were held in the spring of 1855, when Rev. I. J. B. McKenney preached to the few settlers the first sermon to which they had listened in their new home. About 1858 the Ellington class of the Caro and Ellington Quarterly Conference was organized by Elder Klump with twelve or fifteen members. Its legal organization and incorporation was effected at a quarterly conference held on the Cass City circuit March 19, 1870, when the following persons were duly elected and appointed a board of trustees to be known and called the "Trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of the Township of Ellington," viz.: James D. Sutton, of the town of Almer, William Medcalf, Inman J. B. McKenney, Samuel Miller and Ozias Hutchinson, of the town of Ellington. The church has a house of worship in the village of Ellington, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Benson, of Caro. The church edifice was completed in 1874 and dedicated July 18th of that year. The event was one of interest, and was mentioned at the time as follows: "The dedicatory sermon by Rev. O. J. Perrin, P. E., was received with great satisfaction, and listened to with profound attention by a large and imposing audience. "At three o'clock in the afternoon the church was again filled ,to overflowing to witness the solemn and beautiful ceremony of dedication as conducted by Rev. Mr. Perrin, assisted by Rev. Messrs. McKenney and Ashford. This service was followed by a children's meeting, addressed by Rev. Messrs. Perrin, Gee and Maywood. "The building is a modem structure, completed in modern style and neatly furnished. Though not large, it meets the wants of the community in which it is situated. "The success of the enterprise is largely due to the enterprise of the pastor, Rev. Joseph Ashford, and the industrious ladies of the church. Great credit is due to Miss E. L. Bowen, through whose agency means were obtained to supply the furniture of the church. The day passed off pleasantly, richly enjoyed by those present, and will long be remembered with gratitude by the good people of Ellington as a new epoch in their history." METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. About the year 1858 a class of the Methodist Protestant Church was organized at the house of Simeon Botsford under Rev. A. M. Warren with four members, viz.: Simeon Botsford and wife and William R. Robinson and wife. To this class Mr. Warren preached about three years, services being held at school-houses. He was succeeded by Rev. C. D. Covill. The first quarterly conference, embracing nearly all of Tuscola County, was organized as the Cass River circuit at a meeting held at the Bourne school-house, in what is now Ellington, in 1862; Rev. X. O. Smith was chosen pastor and Simeon Botsford, secretary. From this circuit as originally organized new circuits have from time to time been formed, viz.: Fair Grove, Cass City, Prairie and Tuscola. Cass River circuit now embraces Almer, Columbia, Elmwood and Ellington. The pastors from the time of its original organization have been Revs. X. O. Smith, A. Omans, John F. Witherell and wife, Father Bradshaw, John Robertson, Mrs. N. J. Remington and E. B. Sutton, the present pastor. A special meeting of the legal members of the Ellington class of Cass River circuit of the Methodist Church was held at the school-house of District No. 2 of the town of Ellington May 11, 1868, for the purpose of electing trustees and effecting a legal organization. The following were elected trustees: Simeon Botsford, William R. Robinson, John W. Ostrander, John Patterson and A. Wilcox. The trustees were then duly elected a building committee. The name of the church as organized was the "Methodist Church of Cass River Circuit." In 1871 a church building was erected a mile and a half west of Ellington village, and known as the Sutton Church. It is a neat, plain edifice, worth about $2,000. A comfortable parsonage was built about thirteen years ago, to which additions have been made from time to time. The total value of the property is about $3,000. CIVIL HISTORY. The town of Ellington was organized by the board of supervisors at a meeting held December 31, 1855. The territory comprised townships 13 and 14 north, of ranges 10 and 11 east, under the jurisdiction of Almer. The names signed to the petition are as follows, being of free- holders of the townships to be organized: Eliott Burnett, A. P. Cooper, William Wilcox, Simeon Botsford, Inman J. B. McKenney, William Robinson, W. Goodsell, W. John, James Andrews, J. M. Dodge, Joseph White, W. C. Beach, P. Higley, Jonathan White, J. A. White. At a meeting of freeholders, inhabitants of township 13 north, of ranges 10 and 11 east, held at the house of Simeon Botsford Dec. 19, 1855, for the purpose of selecting a name for the town, Simeon Botsford being moderator and William R. Robinson clerk, on motion of Wm. C. Beach the name of "Eden" was selected by a unanimous vote. Simeon Botsford was chosen delegate to represent the town before the board of supervisors, and he was directed, if the supervisors would not grant the name selected, to then apply for the name of "Paradise." It appears, however, that neither name met the approval of the board, as the name "Ellington" was selected. The first town meeting was held April 7, 1856, at the house of Simeon Botsford. Simeon Botsford, William C. Beach and William R. Robinson, having been appointed by the board of supervisors inspectors of election, the meeting was organized by the appointment of William C. Beach, moderator, and Elijah S. White, assist-ant clerk. The polls were opened at ten o'clock and closed one hour at noon, and finally closed at three o'clock and fifteen minutes. The result of the election was as follows: Supervisor, Inman J. B. McKenney by a majority of two; town clerk, Simeon Botsford by a majority of four; treasurer, Benjamin W. White by a unanimous vote of twenty-four; justices of the peace, Hugh F. Cooper by a majority of twenty-three, William R. Robinson nineteen, Joseph M. Dodge fifteen, Jonathan White fifteen; school inspectors, Inman J. B. McKenney twenty-two, Elijah S. White twenty-two; commissioners of highways, Joseph M. Dodge for three years by a majority of twenty-three, Benjamin W. White for two years by a majority of twenty-three, William Edger for one year by a majority of twenty- three; constables, Alexander Cooper by a majority of nineteen, Jonathan A. White by a majority of nineteen, James Andrews by a majority of twenty-two and Elijah S. White by a majority of twenty-four; directors of the poor, Simeon Botsford by a majority of twenty-two, Inman J. B. McKenney by a majority of twenty-two. It is recorded that upon the same day the ballot box in use was presented to the town by the inspectors of election. The meeting further voted unanimously to raise $200 for highway purposes, and $130 for incidental purposes. It was moved by James Andrews as a by-law that swine should not be free commoners from the tenth of May. The vote being by the usual sign there was a dispute as to the result, and on a division of the house, the motion was lost. The terms of the justices being determined by lot, William R. Robinson was chosen for four years, Joseph M. Dodge for three years, Hugh F. Cooper for two years and Jonathan White for one year. The report of the town treasurer for the year 1856 was as follows: Dr. For roads, raised by vote of town $ 200.00 Incidental expenses 130.00 Road tax on non-residents 443.20 Mill taxes for library and school 68.77 Rejected tax re-assessed 70.00 Sub Total $ 911.97 Added to this is four per cent for collecting 48.24 Also for State and county tax 292.64 Also, if all is collected, an excess of taxes 58.51 Sub Total $ 1311.36 To this should be added for building of school-house in district No. 1, and to come out of excess of tax 27.37 Total $ 1338.73 All of which was covered by receipts, orders and cash on hand. The first meeting of the town board appears to have been held May 3, 1856, at the house of Simeon Botsford, the only business transacted being the appointment of Wm. C. Beach as highway commissioner, to fill vacancy for one year. At the town meeting held April 7, 1857, it was voted to raise $500 for highway purposes and $150 for incidental expenses. In April, 1859, the electors of the town voted to raise $250 for highway purposes, $125 for contingent expenses, and to appropriate one half of the two mill tax to the purchase of a town library. The vote on the question of township or district library, was fourteen for town and twelve for district. The appearance of small-pox in various parts of the county is indicated by a meeting of the board of health Nov. 21, 1859, and arrangements made for vaccination, for the expense of which it was voted to raise a tax of $50. At the town meeting held April 2, 1860, $25 of the two mill tax was appropriated to the purchase of a library, $500 for high-ways and bridges and $150 for incidental expenses. The year 1860 appears to have been a fruitful one, in town meetings. On account of local differences several special meetings were held but no action taken which changed the results of the annual meeting. At the annual town meeting April 6, 1863, it was voted that $150 should be raised to refund the bounty of volunteers; $700 was voted for highways. At a meeting of the town board of Almer and Ellington Dec. 23, 1863, it was agreed that $300 should be raised for each volunteer procured in those townships or drafted, the question to be submitted to a vote of the people at a special election; Almer to raise $660 and Ellington $540. The election was held in Ellington Jan. 9, 1864, and there were nine votes cast, all in favor of raising the money. The tax roll for 1863 was as follows: State tax $ 81.28 County tax 521.12 Non-resident highway 290.00 Township highway 700.00 Military bounty 150.00 Contingent fund 194.43 School District No. 1 46.24 Two mill tax District No. 1 16.60 School District No. 2, contingent 24.00 Two mill tax District No. 2 20.54 Mill tax unorganized territory 46.31 Collector's fees 83.63 Total $ 2174.15 At a special town meeting held March 3, 1864, the total number of votes cast being nine, it was decided by a vote of eight to one to raise a bounty of $100 for each volunteer under the last call of the President or any future call. In 1864 at the annual town meeting an ordinance was passed restraining swine from running at large; $1,000 was voted for highways. The total number of votes at this election was thirty-eight. The vote on removal of county seat from Vassar to Wahjamega was thirty-eight in favor, none against. The board of health met June 10, 1865, and to prevent the spread of small-pox, ordered all schools and public meetings stopped, and to stop travel on certain roads. The number of votes cast in 1866 was fifty-five, showing a material increase. It is evident that not every man owned a dog, for the list of taxable canines is but twenty-one. The number of votes at annual town meeting in 1868 was sixty-six. Four years later it was seventy-two. In 1871 provision was made for a bridge over Cass River by an appropriation of $500. In 1872 $200 was appropriated for the purchase of a burial ground. The town of Ellington appears to have kept the even tenor of its way, nothing of particular moment appearing in the records. The last report of the treasurer February 16. 1883, shows debits to the town of Ellington as follows: State tax 339 01 County 678 02 Contingent fund 300 00 To pay outstanding orders 125 00 General highway tax, 1882, 150 00 Non-resident highway tax 150 40 School District No. 1 290 95 Ellington and Elmwood Fractional No. 2 174 93 Ellington and Elmwood Fractional No. 6 9 20 Ellington and Alma Fractional No. 3 140 65 Dog tax 62 00 Received from Elmwood 72 65 Received from Alma 79 24 Excess of roll 13 74 Received from W. Ostrander, April, 1882 546 41 Total $3,304 64 Principal school money 255 44 Library money 6 38 Board of health money 8 00 $3,574 46 CREDITS. Orders returned $3,444 44 Orders remaining on hand 130 02 $3,574 46 At the last annual meeting, held April 2, 1883, the whole number of votes cast was 109. The money voted for township purposes was $300 for contingent fund and $150 for general highway purposes. TOWN OFFICERS. YEAR SUPERVISOR CLERK. TREASURER. COMMISSIONER HIGHWAYS 1883 Hiram R. Perry. Robert Wilson. Andrew J. Turner. William Campbell. 1882 James Brooker. Samuel Elliott. John Deitz. Charles Wickware. 1881 James Brooker. Samuel Elliott. Jo1m W. Ostrander. Hiram R. Perry. 1880 Hiram R. Perry. R. P. Henderson. John W. Ostrander. W. W. Peek. 1879 Hiram R. Perry. Samuel Elliott. Wesley W. Peck. John May. 1878 Hiram R. Perry. Samuel Elliott. Wesley W. Peck. John Deitz. 1877 James Brooker. Ozias Hutchinson. Darius H. Gould. John Deitz. 1876 J. M. Deitz. A. N. Hatch. Darius H. Gould. Wesley W. Peck. 1875 William Medcalf. Absalom Hatch. Darius H. Gould. Wesley W. Peck. 1874 E. J. Carpenter. Henry G. Bailey. Darius H. Gould. John McKenney. 1873 E. J. Carpenter. Nathaniel Dunn. Darius H. Gould. Christian Shadley, James Andrews, J. P. Hendricks. 1872 Joseph M. Dodge. Nathaniel Dunn. Darius H. Gould. John Deitz. 1871 Joseph M. Dodge. Ozias Hutchinson. Darius H. Gould. Andrew Campbell. 1870 James Brooker. Ozias Hutchinson. Darius H. Gould. Andrew Turner. 1869 James Brooker. Samuel Miller. Darius H. Gould. James Andrews. 1868 William Medcalf. E. J. Carpenter. E. R. Burnett. A. H. Smith. 1867 Joseph M. Dodge. E. J. Carpenter. William Medcalf. J. P. Hendricks. 1866 Joseph M. Dodge. Duncan Clark. James Dorman. James Andrews. 1865 William Medcalf. Duncan Clark. Ozias Hutchinson. J. P. Hendricks, John May. 1864 Benj. W. White. James Andrews. John W. Ostrander. Jonathan A. White. 1863 Joseph M. Dodge. I. J. B. McKenney. Benj. W. White. J. A. Sherman. 1862 Joseph M. Dodge. Nathaniel Dunn. Benj. W. White. S. C. Beecher, J. Ostrander. 1861 Joseph M. Dodge. E. R. Burnett. James Andrews. Nathan Ash. 1860 I. J. B. McKenney. Simeon Botsford. Benj. W. White. Wm. Medcalf. 1859 Duncan Clark. Jonathan White. James Andrews. Sherman C. Beecher. 1858 I. J. B. McKenney. Simeon Botsford. Nathaniel Dunn. Lucius Bardwell. 1857 I. J. B. McKenney. Simeon Botsford. Wm. C. Beach. Elijah S. White, J. M. Dodge 1856 I. J. B. McKenney. Simeon Botsford. Benj. W. White. Benj. W. White, Wm. Edger SCHOOL MATTERS. September 11, 1856, the school inspectors of the town of Ellington organized a school district consisting of sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 8, 9, 18, township 13, range 10; and south half of sections 32 and 33, township 14, range 10, to be known as District No. 1. At the first annual meeting of the district, Waterman Goodsell offered a site for a school-house in the west half of northwest quarter of section 9, township 13, range 10, which was accepted. It was voted to raise $25 for material for a school-house; that a three months school be had, beginning January 1st, and that the school officers employ a woman teacher. Miss Myra Selden, now Mrs. John Johnson, of Vassar, was employed, and the following winter taught the first school in Ellington, in a small log building, near where the village now is. From the annual school report of the town of Ellington for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts were obtained: Directors for the ensuing year, V. W. Mallory, B. F. Eayrs and Joseph W. Urea. The number of districts is three, one whole and two fractional, with one brick, and two frame school-houses. Whole number of children of school age, 222; number attending school during the year, 173. ELLINGTON VILLAGE. This is an unincorporated village, situated near Cass River, in section 8, town of Ellington. The first house was built by Simeon Botsford. About 1864 Darius H. Gould built the house now occupied by Ozias Hutchinson, and started a general merchandise store. This was the nucleus of the village of Ellington, or, Ellington Corners. While lumbering operations were brisk on the Cass River, Ellington was prosperous, and drew trade and travel from a large extent of country. The lumber supply being exhausted, and the permanent settlement of the country having resulted in the establishment of other markets, the trade of Ellington has gradually narrowed. It has now two stores, seven or eight houses, a Methodist Episcopal Church and other buildings. The postoffice was established about 1861, and located a mile from the present village, with I. J. B. McKenney, as postmaster. About 1865 it was moved to the "Corners," and Ozias Hutchinson was appointed post- master, which office he has held ever since, with the exception of one year, in 1878-'79. The office receives two mails a day by stage from Caro and Cass City. GOOD TEMPLARS. The Good Templars Lodge at Ellington, was organized in the fall of 1879, with thirty charter members. It has kept up its regular Saturday evening meetings with increasing interest, and has now upward of 100 members. Great good has resulted from the presence and influence of this lodge in the community. TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE. August 31, 1881, Rev. E. B. Sutton was appointed by the Michigan State Temperance Alliance as its agent in Tuscola County. By his invitation Capt. J. C. Banticue, the state agent, visited the county and organized the first branch at Ellington on the evening of January 9, 1881, with twenty-three charter members, Nelson Hatch, president and Mrs. Lois Brooker, vice-president. The membership has steadily increased and now numbers fifty. The meetings are held the first Monday evening of each month without fail. Lectures are delivered at each meeting; the attendance is large, and the interest deep and constant. The present officers of this branch are: Nelson Hatch, president; Mrs. Lois Brooker, vice-president; Nelson Mallory, secretary, and Samuel Elliott, treasurer. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860: Population, 92; families, 11; dwellings, 10; value of real estate owned, $24,482; number of occupied farms, 15; number of acres of improved land, 480; number of horses, 7; number of cows, 19; bushels of wheat raised, 957; bushels of corn, 720; bushels of oats, 450; bushels of potatoes, 967; pounds of butter made, 1,900; tons of hay cut, 60. Census of 1864: Population, 203; males, 100, females, 103; number of acres of taxable land, 2,979; number of acres improved, 644; bushels of. corn preceding year, 1,416; bushels of wheat preceding year, 1,394; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 1,440; tons of hay preceding year, 184; pounds of butter made, 2,875; number of horses, 23; number of cows, 50. Census of 1870: Population, 452; families, 88; dwellings, 88, number of farms, 56; number of acres of improved land, 2,072; number of horses, 76; number of cows, 104; pounds of butter made, 14,200; pounds of wool sheared, 987; bushels of wheat raised, 7,923; bushels of corn, 3,040; bushels of oats, 4038; bushels of potatoes, 4,289; tons of hay, 599; number of sawmills, 1; feet of lumber cut, 300,000. Census of 1874: Population, 465; males, 258; females, 207; number of horses, 112; number of cows, 155; number of sheep, 561; bushels of wheat raised, 10,656; bushels of corn, 7,907;'bushels of apples, 1,592; bushels of potatoes, 2,539; tons of hay, 654. Population in 1880, 723. Total equalized valuation in 1882, 258,790: Number of farms in 1881, 116; acres of improved land, 4575. Bushels of wheat in 1880, 31,169; of corn, 35,510; tons of hay, 51,364. BIOGRAPHICAL. JAMES P. HENDRICKS was born in Madison, Lake County, Ohio, in 1838, and lived in that State, with the exception of a few years spent on the lakes, till 1864, when he came to Michigan and bought forty acres of new land on section 2, in the township of Ellington, Tuscola County, which he cleared up and improved and upon which he has since resided. He has held the offices of school inspector and highway commissioner about four terms each. He was married in 1860 to Miss Sarah M. Bugbee, of Ashtabula, Ohio. They have four sons, Edward H., Egbert S., Adelbert F. and Franklin J. His father (Joel T. Hendricks) was a native of Vermont, but settled in Ohio at an early day, and at present is a resident of the township of Ellington. Mr. Hendricks has, for the past eight years, been engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, and is doing quite an extensive business in that line. JAMES ANDREWS, farmer, was born in Burton, Geauga County, Ohio, July 14, 1827. He left his native State when about twenty-two years of age, and resided nearly five years in Wyocena, Wisconsin. From there he came to Juniata, Michigan, then called Rogers, and from there he went to Indian Fields, and while there he score-hacked the large timbers for the saw and grist-mills in Wahjamega, and then removed to Ellington in 1853. He had been married to Miss Eliza Stone, of Claridon, Ohio, Dec. 5, 1847. She was born there Sept. 3, 1832. They had five children, Mary E. (now deceased), Charlie, Cornelia E., James H. and Frank E. Mrs. E. Andrews died Dec. 24, 1876. Mr. A.'s second marriage was to Mrs. Alice E. Russell, of Newburg, Ohio, May 9, 1878. They have one daughter, Mary Alice. They have now over 130 acres of land in Almer and Ellington, with 105 under cultivation. They have a fine fruit-bearing orchard of apples, pears, peaches, cherries and small fruits, and an excellent dwelling and other farm buildings, where, a few years since, the forest seemed to bid defiance to the purposes and courage of coming pioneers. He himself has chopped and cleared over 150 acres of land, doing very much of the work while barefoot. On Aug. 9, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, Company D, and served his country in the late civil war until honorably discharged, Feb. 19, 1863, because of disability from sickness. Some years ago he and one son fitted, logged, plowed, fenced and sowed twenty-six acres of fallow in one season, besides doing their other work on the place. He had to prepare a good deal of the track from Indian Fields toward his home, and the last four miles had all to be underbrushed and opened. The nearest hut was over four miles away. He was then farther up the river than any other settler. Several years ago he went with a Mr. Kesler, over eighty-two years of age, to show him some lands at or near the forks of Cass River. Mr. K. located the lands and afterward the place was derisively named "Moonshine." The county seat was located there and a log court-house was built, but an injunction was served against the removal of the county records to "Moonshine," and the county seat was changed to Caro. He has not been a hunter, but he one day in the woods found a large bear and two cubs, and with no weapon but a pocket-knife he rushed within arms' length of the three bears. The two cubs he frightened up trees, but while watching the one the other escaped. Soon, a neighbor, hearing him shout, came and watched while Mr. A. got a long cord from his house, and, ascending the tree nearly eighty feet with the cord and a forked stick, he caught Bruin in a noose of the cord, choked him from the tree, and then went and adjusted the cord on his neck, getting bitten through his hands in the act; after which he led him home to be tamed, but getting a pair of new pants torn off himself one day by Cuffie, he sold him shortly after to a Jew for another pair of pants. Mr. Andrews has served as highway commissioner nine years, township clerk one year and township treasurer three years, and is now in his twelfth year of service as justice of the peace. JAMES BROOKER, farmer, was born in Canada, March 26, 1832. He received his education in his Dative country, spent five years in mercantile business and two years in a law office, and built sixteen miles of the Grand Trunk Railway. Later he spent two years in New York City in hardware business, and still later about five years in Iowa, dealing in horses for transportation West. He also assisted in locating the line of road for the Pony Express from Iowa City to California. At this time he was called to Canada by the death of his father, James Brooker, Sr. On April 9, 1859, he was married to Miss Lois Thompson of Escott, Canada. She was born in Young, Canada, June 1, 1841. They have seven children, Nina J., Addie E., James D., Alphena Z., Lottie, Lois M. and Myrtle May. Mr. B. settled in Ellington, Michigan, Nov. 10, 1864. He now has 521 acres of land, 185 of which are improved, with a thriving orchard of apples, plums, peaches, pears, cherries and small fruits, and also with farm buildings and other home comforts. He has served as school director ten years, health officer three years and justice of the peace sixteen years, and is now serving in his sixth term as township supervisor. JOSEPH M. DODGE, farmer and lumberman, was born in Essex County, N. Y., January 27, 1828. He went with his parents to Ohio when eight years of age. He received his education and early culture there, and spent part of his time in agricultural work. He came to Tuscola County in August, 1854. He bought land in Tuscola, and at once cleared some on it and built a dwelling, but soon sold it and bought in what is now Ellington. He had been married July 4, 1848, to Miss Arvilla M. Stone, of Claridon, Ohio. She was born there November 2, 1829. They have one son, Henry A., born January 15, 1850. Mr. Dodge and his son have 400 acres of land, 150 of which are under cultivation. They also have excellent buildings and inviting home comforts. They have also spent some time in hunting during parts of the season. Mr. D. has killed 218 deer, two bears and one elk. His son has killed at least 250 deer. Thirty-six of them he killed in the last season in twenty days. He killed five in one day. They came to Ellington in March, 1855. William Medcalf, S. Botsford, Rev. I. J. B. Mc-Kenney and E. R. Burnett came the same winter. William C. Beach came a little later. Jonathan White and his two sons had come the season before. These were all the settlers there were for two years. Mr. Beach when he came began clearing lands, and also started a general store. He was so kind and liberal and obliging among his fellow settlers that he rendered more help to the early settlers than any other man in Tuscola County. The site of Caro at this time had not even been lumbered. The only road the settlers had was a lumber road from Tuscola to the forks of the Cass River. Mr. Dodge has carried fifty pounds of flour on his back from Watrousville, seventeen miles, to his home. The Vassar saw-mill was running when they came, but the stones for flouring wheat had not yet been put in the grist-mill part. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge baked and ate biscuits from part of the first bushel of flour ground in Tuscola County. It was ground on Sunday and eaten at breakfast on Monday, and was nearly as black as a stove. The nearest postoffice they had at first settling in Ellington was Watrousville. The neighbors took turns in going for the mail up to 1862. Soon after this they got the Ellington postoffice. Mr. D. has served as highway commissioner one term and four years as justice of the peace, and he has been nine years supervisor. GEORGE S. GAGE, farmer, was born in Canada June 10, 1838. He came to Tuscola County, Mich., in May, 1859. He bought some lands and located some in Ellington and Elmwood, and at once engaged in clearing the shaded acres of the new forest possessions. On August 14, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, Company D, and served his country in the suppression of the late rebellion. He served in General Schofield's command in the western army, commanded by General Sherman. He fought in the battles of Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, and all along the line of conflict in that State. As they were nearing Atlanta there came an order for the transfer of a large number of men from the army to the navy. Mr. Gage was transferred, and remained in the naval service until the close of the war. Being then mate on his vessel he remained with her until August, 1865, and did not receive his final discharge until October, 1865. The vessel on which he thus served as mate was an ironclad, the Benton, a flag ship of the squadron, commanded by Rear Admiral Porter. She carried sixteen 100 pound guns. She had run the blockade at Vicksburg before Mr. Gage went on board of her. Mr. Gage was married to Mrs. Dorothy A. Beach, of Caro, October 15, 1866. She had then four children, William E., Mike C., Sylvia A. and Joan Beach. Mr. Gage has 206 acres of land, with 160 under - cultivation. He has a thriving fruit-bearing orchard of excellent varieties of fruit, an elegant dwelling and commodious farm buildings. Their religious preference is the Universalist Church. WILLIAM C. BEACH, Mrs. Gage's former husband, was born in Troy, Mich., January 19, 1823, and came with his family to what is now Ellington in the fall of 1855, and engaged in preparing them a home in the forest, and also in furnishing the early settlers and the Indians with goods and supplies. He also dealt in lands. He enlisted in the service of his country in August, 1861, and served until the retreat from Richmond. In October, 1862, he died in the hospital at Washington, and his remains were brought to Highland, Oakland County, Mich., and interred in the family cemetery. REV. INMAN J. B. McKENNEY was born in Scipio, N.Y., December 2, 1803. He experienced religion when only thirteen years of age, and began itinerant labor as an Episcopal Methodist preacher in his twenty- fifth year. He was an effective minister in the Genesee and East Genesee conferences twenty-five years. In 1854 he became superannuated and came to Tuscola County, Mich., arriving in Tuscola in October. On November 25, 1854, they settled in section 4, in what is now Ellington. There were then no settlers nearer them than two miles. They had then no road except a lumber trail along the Cass River. When he arrived at his place he at once commenced hewing out a home among the lofty trees of the forest around him. Their nearest postoffice then was Vassar. They brought in their provisions mostly from East Saginaw, which was then just becoming a village. Mr. McKenney soon raised the banner of the cross in the new country, and preached the first sermon ever preached in Ellington. He continued his pioneer farm labors until he had nearly ninety acres under cultivation, with good buildings, an excellent fruit-bearing orchard, and inviting home comforts. He had been married to Mrs. Paulina Leach, of Canisteo, N. Y., October 22, 1849. She was born in Howard, N. Y., January 22, 1810. They have two children, Edward and Paulina. Mr. McKenney died of congestion of the lungs November 15, 1880, after suffering severely for six weeks. His death was a scene of resignation and Christian triumph. His last words were: "It is gain for a good man to die." He remained a member of the conference till the time of his death. Mrs. McKenney, also, has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church fifty-six years. Her son and daughter are also both members of the same church. They all still occupy the home farm, making such improvements as they can from time to time. They have at present 200 acres of land, and the improvement now is 120 acres. SAMUEL ELLIOTT, farmer, was born in Young, Canada, June 12, 1835. He was reared and educated there, and his early manhood was spent in farming, mercantile work, and other industrial pursuits. He was. married to Miss Mercy Wickware, of Young, October 21, 1863. She was born there May 9, 1838. Their children are Sherman L. and Charles Frank. They came to Ellington December 18, 1869, and bought land in section 9, where they now reside. He has forty acres of land all under cultivation, with a fruit-bearing orchard of apples, plums, cherries, peaches, pears and small fruits, and comfortable buildings. He has served as justice of the peace one term and as deputy town clerk one year, and is serving his fourth term as clerk of the township. JOHN DEITZ, farmer, was born in Germany, December 11, 1838. He came with his parents to America when about eight years of age. On the voyage they encountered a dreadful storm, which so damaged the ship that it drifted to the Azores Islands, where they obtained repairs, and then made the rest of the trip. He came to Michigan in the fall of 1856, and worked for a time in lumber camps and at farm work. On October 23, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Michigan Infantry, Company F, and served until discharged, January 5, 1863, for disability from epilepsy, caused by a gunshot wound in the head, received at the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. He had previously fought in the siege of Yorktown, at the battle of Williamsburg, and in other encounters. He suffered much from the wound for about eight years, and received a pension during this time, but his disability ceased, and he voluntarily reported the fact and gave up his pension; and received compliment as being the first soldier who had been known so to do since the war. He settled in section 17, in Ellington in the spring of 1866. He was married to Miss Malvina Mallory, of Ellington, May 12, 1867. She died April 24, 1868. She left one son, Daymond S. Mr. Deitz was married May 1, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Mallory, who died August 21, 1877, leaving three children, James B., Lucy E. and John H. His third marriage was to Miss Mary L. Davis, of Caro, February 1, 1880. She was born in York, Mich., August 7, 1849. They have 121 acres of land, about seventy of which are under cultivation. They have also a thriving orchard of the best varieties of fruit, and he is about to erect a new dwelling to perfect their home comforts. He has been school moderator, highway commissioner and justice of the peace, and is now serving as treasurer of his township. The funeral of Mrs. E. Deitz was conducted by Hon. Judge Wilder, of Watrousville, and was the first spiritual funeral ever held in Ellington. HIRAM R. PERRY, farmer, was born in Steuben County, N. Y., May 22, 1834. He was reared and educated in his native State, and spent his time partly in teaching and partly in farming. He was married December 29, 1859, to Miss Phebe A. Leach, also of Steuben County. She was born there September 26, 1833. Their children are Hattie M., Charles B., Thomas H., Loyd Albert and Dorr; also Paulina, who is now deceased. Mr. Perry came to Ellington in March, 1868, and purchased 120 acres of land in section 5, where they now reside. They now have about eighty-five acres improved, and a fruit-bearing orchard of apples, cherries, plums, peaches, pears and mulberries. They have good buildings, and increasing home comforts. In fraternity they are Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. Perry has served as highway commissioner and township superintendent of schools, and has been three years supervisor. ROBERT T. SMITH, gang-saw filer, was born in England, July 8, 1829. He came with his parents to Canada when three years of age. Some years later he sailed, spending three years in American employ. For three years or more he resided in York State, but on September 23, 1863, he came to East Saginaw, from Canada. He had been married December 31, 1850, to Miss Rose Ann Fowler, of Ogdensburg, N. Y. She was born there June 19, 1830. They have had seven children, Mary E., now Mrs. Henry Bigelow, Amelia E., Lois S., afterward Mrs. George Medcalf, (deceased April 8, 1882), R. Fowler, and Carrie Jane, afterward Mrs. Robert J. Hutchinson, deceased December 28, 1880. Two of the children died in early infancy. Before coming to East Saginaw they had lost their property by fire, and when they paid their freight and some other expenses after their arrival, they had only seventy-five cents left; and they had then a family of five children to support. Mr. Smith, however, engaged at once in working in Jesse Hoyt's little saw-mill at $1.50 per day. A little later he was allowed $3.50 per day, and later still for filing he has received $4.50 per day. He served in the employ of Mr. Hoyt over eight years. He has filed in all some thirteen years. Mrs. Smith in the meantime had engaged in needle work and other industries, and finally in keeping boarders, and continued in that enterprise five summers. Though the labor was severe and often the task a heavy one, she, with the blessing of God, has had excellent success, and has cleared on an average some $800 each season by that means alone. With the funds thus variously secured, they in 1867 bought eighty acres of land in section 6 in Ellington, where they now reside. They have over forty acres under cultivation. They have also a thriving orchard, and an excellent house which Mrs. Smith has built and furnished with her own savings; and their home is thus rendered a most inviting situation. Religiously Mrs. Smith is an Episcopal Methodist. Fraternally they are Patrons of Husbandry. Their son, R. F. Smith, conducts the farm with gratifying success. Last season he had 385 bushels of wheat on eleven acres of ground. EDWARD J. CARPENTER, farmer and lumberman, was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., December 15, 1832. He left his native State when about nineteen years of age, and spent some two years as an overseer of men in the building of the Great Western Railway. He afterward took part in building the Utica & Black River Railroad, and later was a conductor on that road. On December 10, 1855, he was married to Miss Mahala Denslow, of Boonville, N. Y. She was born there January 28, 1838. They have had five children, Lester J., Fred E., Albert D. (now deceased), Edward J., Jr., and Jennie Mahala. Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter started for the West, and located on the Elkhorn River. The summer of 1859 Mr. Carpenter spent in traversing the Rocky Mountains, and that fall they returned to their native place. They next came to Ellington, Mich., July 3, 1862, and settled in section 19, where they now reside. Mr. Carpenter has 213 acres of land, about 160 of which are under cultivation. He has two thriving orchards of the best varieties of apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes and small fruits, beside numerous other enticing home comforts and luxuries. Mr. Carpenter has spent most of his winters in lumbering, and with good success. He has frequently found it a more pleasant employment than farming. He has con-ducted his lumbering business mostly without a partner, yet the enterprise has reached at least ten million feet. Mr. Carpenter has been township clerk two years, and two years supervisor.