Author Title Imprint. J&— 47373-2 OPO HISTORY OF THE C'^<^/v^.J^.y^_• CITY OF ADRIAN, AND THE SETTLEMENT OF LENAWEE COUNTY, FROM THE YEAR 1824 TO THE PRESENT TIME. DETAILS OF ALL THE IMPORTANT EVENTS, 'GIVING DATES AND GRAPHIC STATEMENTS. ^^LSO A COMPLETE COMPILATION OF THE PRESENT MOST IMPORTANT INTERESTS OF THE CITY. ADRIAN : LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 1874. CRANE & LIVESAY, II lES, Cor. Main and Maumee Sis., Adrian, Mich. Sr 131 0^s jM ^' ^ ^ " ^^ j^ '^^ ^^ ^^^ ^ ^^^ ^ ^ '^ ■J' ^ittc ioUct ^mp, fmn) ^uiiv aiul itootli gvtiohco, PERFUMERY AND FANCY TOILET ARTICLES. The Cheapest and Best Perfumery is our BLACK BOTTLE COLOGNE. PAINTS, OILS, VARNISH, DYE STUFFS, GLASS, PUTTY, CARBON OIL, &c., &c. OUR HEAVE CURE, Acknowledged to be the BEST REMEDY EVER USED IJ{ THE COUJ^TRT. It never fails to permrtneivtly cure the ivorst case of heaves. We can refer to a number of persons who have tided it. We warrant a cure every time. ADRL\N. Sept. 25, 1874. CT^/^A-ICTE &C IL.Z^ES^^"2". HISTORY OF THE CITY OF ADRIAN, AND THE SETTLEMENT OF LENAWEE COUNTY, FUOM THE YEAR 1824 TO THE PRESENT TIMK DETAILS OF ALL THE IMPORTANT EVENTS, GIVING DATES AND GRAPHIC STATEMENTS, JLLSO if A COMPLETE COMPILATION OF THE PRESENT MOST IMPORTANT INTERESTS OF THE CITY. ADRIAN: \ .''^-^t^.r LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 1874. Entered according to Act of C&ngress, in the year 1874, by Wilh'enn A. Whitney, in the office «f the Lihrarinn of Congress, at Wa»hxnglon. ADRIAN, MICH. Compiled and Arranged by, AfiHIAN, MICH : RICHARD 1. BONNER, PKfSTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE DAILY PRF.SS. 1874. the: siim[pil.£:st. IVIOST DXJFIABLE, 5IJ ~'e=5fe:58=^e=sez^e;;:; £:??;;:? g=Sfe^e=^tr:3 ISf IW f 11 J^G-EIDTTS ^AT J^ IsT T E ID WE KH]:i' A FULL ASS( )HI .MKM" OF FOR LADIES AND CHILDEEN'S GARMENTS. OSB.ce, 25 Maumee Street, B. VANDEMARK, GENERAL AGENT. M JytSP cs im^ Z*. i ALSO A FULL STOCK OF Shirting, Flannels, Blankets, Tickings, Denims, Table Linen, Gloves and Hosiery, Alwars on hand ^,yi* Kept M^rjseb J?oj}w irrrs rss Tixms, ^\'e being eoiuu'ctcd witli tlic (jreat Dry Goods House of Toledo, (Frc arc enabled to give bargains and job lots to our customers tliat no other house in Southern Mieliig; u are able to do. A r(>sideut buyer in Xew York, and t«o in Toledo, are always on the look-out f()r bargains to fill their FOUR large store.s. JJe sure and see us before purchasing your winter goods. ■ JAMES A. EATON & CO. Next to Post Office. ADRIAN, MICH. hZt 'a^lV^:^^ S^JF .^^t3-t:i James A. Eaton 8u Co., | THE POPULAR mi ARE CONSTANTLY RECEIVING NEW AND CHOICE STYLES OF DRESS GOODS, e XI ii. T^ Xa e , PANT GOODS, TIES, RUSHING, 2 ZJ PREFACE. )N presenting this Work to the Public, it is our intention to give as correct a history as possible of ■)Adrian, and Lenawee County from its earliest settlement up to the present time. At the same time we propose to further add to its v^alue by giving a complete list of the important business interests of the city in the form of Business Cards and Advertisements, which will be found of great importance and convenience to every citizen of Lenawee County. LTsefulness rather than any other object, has been our aim in the prc})aration of this Book, and as it is intended for gratuitous circulation, we believe it will i>rove a work of great benefit and importance to the community. Besides the very interesting and valuable statistics and sketches of the early settlement and progress of the city and county, which will be highly prized and treasured by a majority of our citizens, the business notices will also be found of great importance, as an index to the best and most reliable dealers in all the commodities in which the community may be in want. It will be found a comjilete reflex of our important business interests, as we have been careful in our compilation to solicit only the best ai;d most reliable firms and business men. OUR SCHOOL PRIVILIGES. ^^HE above cut is an accurate picture of our Central School Building. This is, without doubt, the finest Union ■*^^ School building in ilichigan, and was built at a cost of about ?1()0,000. The building contains more than 1,000,000 brick, beside the large amount of stone used in its construction, and is supplied with all the most modern and approved apparatus for heating, ventilation, etc.; while the seats, desks and furniture are the most comfortable and best in use. We have no hesitancy in saying that our Union School stands at the head of all similar schools in the West, the graduates being admitted into the University without question or examination. Besides the Central building, we have four large brick school buildings located in the different wards of the city, for the accommodation of pupils. The number of school children in the city between the ages of five and twenty years, is something over 2,900 The School Library contains 1,400 volumes. The Adrian College is also a thriving institution, with a Faculty equal to any in the West. The buildings, four in number, are all of brick, very large and commodious, and perfectly adapted to the purpose. They are located on a most commanding eminence in the west city limits, overlooking the entire city. No better or healthier locality can be found in Michigan. Pei-sons having children to educate can do no better than come to Adrian for that purpose, as we possess all the advantages that any person could wish for. The very best of schools of all kinds, the healthiest city in the West, fine churches of all denomination.?, and as intelligent, thrifty and law abiding citizens as can be found. ADRIAN; ITS VERY EARLIEST HISTORY, The folloiving Facts, Dates, Reminiscences and Events, we have gathered from, the very oldest Settlei's in the County, some of whom have ivritten their recollections for puhli- cation. We believe these statements are as reliable as can now be had of the very earliest days of the settlement of Lena- wee County: ^'.J^I^EPTEMBTCR 7th, 1825, Adaison J. Comstock piircliased of the United States, 480 acres of land 'K^jtggJow which the greater part of Adrian now stands. Mr. Comstock afterwards returned to tlie State of ■^'"^ New York, and was married to Miss Sarah S. Dean, February 14th, 1826, when the same spring he returned to Miciiigan with his wife, and stopped at the Valley with his father, until he could build a log house, ou the same ground where Mrs. Chloe Jones now lives, on the bank of the river. He also built another log house for his hired man, John Gilford, which was located, unfortunately, in the street, directly in front of where tne Gibson House now stands. June 28th, 1826, Mr. John Gilford purchased from the United States eighty acres of land, lying in the present Second Ward. Mr. Gilford, with his family, moved into the house built for him, by Mr. Comstojk, on the 10 ;h day of August, 1826. A few days latter Mr. Comstock and wife occupied their new house; hence it is that Mrs. Gilford claims to be the first female resident of Adrian, which is true by a few days. Mrs. Gilford is now living in St. Joseph County, this State. Her husband die 1 in Adrian about as early as 1829 or '30. December 26th, 1826, Elias Dennis purchased of the United States the eighty acres of land known for a long time as the Dennis property, and at a later date sold by the heirs to L. G. and A. S. Berry, who platted the same, and it is now known as L. G. and A. S. Berry's Southern Addition to Adrian. This same year I\Ir. A. J. Comstock built a saw mill near the one now owned by Mrs. Mandeville. Noah Norton came to Michigan in the employ of Darius Comstock, in the year 1826, and stojiped at the Valley. In the year 1827 he came to what is now Adrian, and built a house on land now owned by the Wells estate, just east of the Gibson Hou^e. The only one of the family now left in this vicinity is Mrs. George Ward, — the old gentlerjan having emigrated to California whe-e he died. *b FIRST ELECTION OF TOWN OFFICERS. At a township meeting, held at Darius Corastock's, in the township of Logan, County of Lenawee, and Territory of Micliigan, on the twenty-eighth day of May, A. D 1827, pursuant to the act, the following persons were elected for township officers: — Elias Dennis, for Moderator of said meeting; Adilison J. Comstoek, for Towiisliip Clerk; Darius Comst(X-k, for Sujjcrvisor; Xoali Norton, Warner Aylsw)rth, and Cornelius A. btout, Commissioners of Highways; Patrick Hamilton, Milo Comstock, and Abram West, Assessors; Patrick Hamilton and Abram West, Overseers of tlie Poor. The first child born in Adrian was Leander Comstock, son of Addison J. and Sarah S. Comstock, born August 9th, 1827. The first death in the place was Leander Comstock, October 8th, 1S27, a son of Addison J. and Sarah S. Comstock, and was the first bur'al in what is now known as tlic old burying ground. The second death was Mrs. Elias Dennis, in the spring of 1828, and the third M-as John Gitford, buried in the same grounds. October 23d, 1827, James Whitney purchased four hundred acres of land of the United States, on the west side of the river, and returned to Orleans county, Xew York, to close uj) his busiiicss, with the intention of moving to Michigan the next year. SECOND ELECTION. The fjlloTring is a copy of the procee was done, howe\-er. Dr. Bebee came to ^Vdrian this year, had a successful practice in his profession for about a year, caught the small pox while attending the family of Jacot} Brown, and died wth it in the summer of 1832. He was a voiiMi,' man of fine abilitv, and his death cast a gloom over all who knew him. He was the second physician who settled in Adrian. The same year Mr. Joseph H. Cleveland opened a store in a building standing between the Gibson House and the river. The year 1832 was an exciting year for Adrian. This was the year of the Black Hawk AVar, which gave us great alarm, especially when an Indian made his appearance in the village. Rumors were rife that large numbers of Indian=, were collecting in the woods, and that a general war was at hand. Nothing was talked of except battles and defeat, and scalping of white men, women and children. Ask an Indian any questions about it and he knew nothing. This only had the effect to alarm the people still more, who supposed they did kno\\- l)ut came in occasionally as spies. They were questioned so much when tliey did make their appearance that thcv actuallv became alarmc-d themselves. The Indians were as innocent as babes, but the trouble was the white settlers had lost confidence. It was but a short time before the able bodied men were called upon to shoulder their riiles to defend their families from the bloody tomahawk of the Indian. Th^n came the time that tried men's knees. Then it was that such men as Captain Charles M. McKenzie was appreciated in Adrian, while cowards and lovers wept like babies, ho was one of the tirst to shoulder his rifle. But it is not our purpose to give a history of the Black Hawk War. AYc would leave that to Capt. McKenzie, were he alive, or some of his brave comrades that filled the big tree with bullets, at the battle of Coldwatcr. This war and the cholera of that year, were about as much as Adrian could stand. The nearest case of cholora was in Detroit, and the nearest hostile Indian to Adrian was the Mississippi river. Captain Charles M. McKenzie settled in Adrian in the spring of 1832. He commenced making brick on the farm of Captain James Whitney, boarded with Isaac French, and lodged with his men in Mr. M'hitney's barn. Mr. McKenzie died November 21st. 1871, aged 71 years. November 22d, 1832, Dr. Parley J. Spaulding came to Adrian. This was justly considered an acquisition to tlie place, as time has proven. The Doctor still lives, to enjoy the fruits of his hard earnings on the lot he i)in-chased the 2.5th of February, 1833. He is the only person who lives on the original plat who purchased his lot direct from Addison J. Conistock. He was the third doctw who settletl in Adrian, and has always enjoyed the respect of the citizens, and will while he lives. He has held prominent positions, such as Register of Deeds, Mayor of our City, and was at one time a i>rominent candidate for Congress, and was only defeated by a division in his own party. He is a true Democrat, "long may he live." During the year 1832 the Presbyterian Church Society built the first church in the village. It was located on Church street, where it still can be seen. In 1833 Allen Hutchins and Joseph Chittenden, Jr., came to Adrian. They v.-ore young men, la^^Ters by profession. Hutchins purchased the five acres of land of James Whitney, now owned by Redfield & 10. Kimball, where stand those beautiful oaks in front. (The writer of this helped cut off the tops of those trees forty-three years ago.) INIr. Hutehins held this property until he became a defaulter to the United States, when it was confiscated, sold, and purchased by the present owners. Mr. Hutehins has been dead many years. Joseph Chittenden, Jr., was a young man of splendid talents, finely educated, and on'^ of the most promising young men in the Territory. He married the daughter of the late Dv. A\ ebb, and died October 6th, 1834, — ten months after his marriage. He was the brother of the Misses Chittendens, Olive and Mary Ann, also IMrs. Henry Hart. The year 1834 was a sad one for Adrian, hardly a family escaped sickness. Our doctors were riding night and day. Many citizens died that year. Among them Mrs. Amelia Ann Oi-msby, the wife of Dr. Ornisby. She died October 7th, 1834, the next day after Joseph Chittenden, Jr., died. The date on her tomb-stone in the old cemetery, where she is buried, is October 7th, 1835. This is a mistake; it should be October 7th, 1834. She was a noble woman. On her tomb stone is the following: "The record of her virtues is engraven upon the hearts of those who knew her." Her age was twenty-seven years. Daniel Jones died September 4th, this same year. Elias Dennis, one of the oldest citizens, died this year also. October 22d, 1834, R. W. Ingals commenced the ijublication of the Lenawee RepubUean and Adrian Gazette, — afterwards Watch Toioer. This was the first paper published in Lenawee County. In 1835, Ashel Finch, .Jr., and Abel Whitney, both of whom had been engtiged in the dry goods business, opened the first drug store in Adrian. It Mas located on lot number thirty, north side of Maumee street, and is now owned by John Kinzel, extending back about eighty feet. May, 1835, Daniel D. Sinclair came to Adrian. He, also, has held important positions from time to time. This year Elihu L. Clark located in Adrian. He opened a small dry goods store near the hotel of Isaac French, in a building built by Mr. French for a blacksmith shop. He has accumulated a large fortune, and lives to-day, supposed to be worth half a million. The Baptist Church Society held their meetings, in 1835, in the upper room of the house now owned by William A. Whitney. William R. Powers taught a select school in the same room, in the same year. In the fall of 1836, Dr. D. K. Underwood came to Adrian, and opened a drug store where John Kinzcl's store now stands on Maumee street. He has done his share towards building up our city, amassed a large property, and lives to enjoy it. It has occa.sionally been said that Mr. Comstock, the founder and proprietor of Adrian in an early day, charged extravagant prices for his village property which he held for sale. In answer to this I would refer the reader to the following sales of city property by Mr. Comstock, and their dates, and ask if this charge was true. To me it looks unfounded: — December 19th, 1828, Mr. Comstock sold to Charles Sleeper lot No. 40, fronting four and a half rods on Main street, and nine rods on Maumee street, containining forty and a half square rods. Consideration This is the corner where the First National Bank now stands. 11. !M:ircli 2d, 1830, he sold Mrs. Marian Stevens the property M-here Redfield & Kimball now reside, rumiin^t from tlic tannery south as far as Walter Whipple's lot, lyia^ bstween M lin and South Winter streets, and cniitainiiiti' 4 lt.'>-li»(l acres of kind, for the consideration of tiiirly (30) dollars. March 2(3th, 1831, Mr. Comstociv sold to I.-^aac Fi-ench lots thirteen and fifteen, fronting nine rods on !Main street and nine rods on Maumee street which is the corner occupied by Crane & Livesay, and also lot number thirty-four, ])art of which is now owned and occupied by Wm. A. Whitney, Maumee street, all included in one deed. Consideration, seventy (70) dollars. February 2o, 1833, Mr. C. sold to Dr. P. J. Spaulding lot number thirty-two, on which the latter now lives, fronting five rods on Maumee street and fifteen rods deep; for the consideration ot fift\' (50) dollars. In the year 1835, Mr. A. J. Corastock sold to Asahel Finch, Jr., and Abt>l Whitney village lot number thirty, on the north side of Maumse street, five rods front and nine deep, for the consideration of fiftv (50) dollars. But few understand the trials and perjilexitics of settling a new country, and what the old residents of Adrian had to contend with in its early settlement. The county seat of Lenawee County, being first established in Tecumseh, was the cause of much strife and opposition between the two rival villages, and the war wa.s kept up until this year, when Tecumsdi was compelled by an act of L'gislature to yield to justice, and the county seat was removed to Adrian. Mr. Comstoek, being more interested, probably did more towards accomplishino- this object, than any other man. The year 1836 the Erie & Kalamazoo railroad, which had been in progress for two years, was completed to Adrian, amid great rejoicing of the people. Tiiis opened a market long needed, the value of which canhardlv be estimated. This road was one of the first built in the United States, and the first in Michigan. Thedav of its completion was a gala day for the citizens of Adrian. For this enterprise Mr. A. J. Comstoek, his father, Darius Comstoek, George Crane, Joseph Gibbous aud Dr. C. N. Ormsby, in connection with gentlemen from Toledo, deserve the gratitude of Adrian. Adrian Lodge Xo. 8, I. O. O. F., was instituted March Gth, 1835, by R. W. P. G., B. F. Hi»ll,andR. W. P. G., J. H. Mullett, of ilichigan Lodge No. 1, when the following officers were installed: Daniel D. Sinclair, N. G.; Sebre Howard, A\ G.; Charles Smith, S.; R. W. IngaLs, T. The first band in this place was organized in 1838, by an Englishman named William Tutten, from Utica, New York, and was called the "Adrian Brass Band." This band went to Fort Meigs in 1840 with the Lenawee County delegation, to attend the great Harrison mass meeting. At this time it was led by Willi im C. Hunt, who now lives in the I'ity. General Joseph W. Brown was in command of the ^lichigan delegation at this great meeting, and held an umbrella over General Harrison while he was speaking. William Barnes built the first reservoir in the village in the summer of 1839, at a cost of $111 33. Alert Fire Co-npany No. 1 was officially organized June 19th, 1841. Following are the names of the original members of the company : D. K. Underwood, Joseph H. AVood, Milo Weins, S. V. R. Smart, R. Merrick, W. S. Wilcox, S. W. Van Yosburg, J. J. Newell, Isaac Paulding, R. Smart, A. Barnard, Thomas S. Baker, Samuel Smith, C. R. Watson, Phi. Tabor, T. D. Ramsdell, Charles lugersall, R. W. Ingals, James 12. Mills, J. H. Woodbury, E. H. Rice, W. M. Conistock, John Harkness, Charles W. Hunt. The machine was purchased from Lewis Selye, of llochester, New York, at a cost of $813. Hook and Ladder Company was officially organized June 19th, 1841. Following are the names of the original members: A. W. Budlong, A. S. Berry, L. G. Berry, J. H. Chittenden, Joel Carpenter, Washington Harwood, Henry Hart, Horace Mason, N. L. P. Pierce, Charles Philbrook, Clement Smith, Randall W. Smith. March 11th, 1842, the Village Council appropriated the sum of |90 for the purchase of a truck for the iLse of the company. We also notice on the records that Henry Hart, who was then a Trustee, offered a resolution to purchase three axes for the use of the company. The truck was built by William C. Hunt. Benjamin Anderson, D. K. Underwood, E. W. Fairfield, and Amos Biglow were the first Fire Wardens of the village, and were appointed December 17th, 1841. Carlisle Norwood was the first Chief Emriueer. The Adrian Guards, the first military company regularly equipped by the State in Lenawee County, was organized May 10th, 1842, by Daniel Hicks, who was elected Captain, which office he held until the year 1847 when he went to Mexico in command of a company. F. J. King was First Lieutenant, Edwin Comstock Second Lieutenant, William Aldrich Orderly Sergcnt. In 1843 George W. Hicks was elected Orderly he being the best ilrill-master in the company. Charles M. Croswell was elected Captain after Captain Hicks and held the office until the next annual election, when Frederick Hart was made Captain, which position he held up to April, 1861, M'ith the exception of one year — 1855 — when Justice H. Bodwell was made Captain. We find in an old Detroit Advertiser an account of the first military encampment ever held in this place, which occurred on the 4th of July, 1843. The encampment consisted of the Brady Guar Is, cf Detroit, the Monroe City Guards, the Toledo Guards, and the Adrian Guards. Pomeroy Stone was Quaitermaster of the encampment. The narrator in the Advertiser says: " I do not hesitate to pronounce the Adrian Guards the best drilled company of its age which can be found anvwhere. Its members wore a neat uniform, and appeared full of the genuine military spirit. Captain Hicks, their commander, is a perfect gentleman. I would say the same of Captain Hill aiid Mundy, the first of the Toledo, the second of the Washtenaw Guards. The Toledo Guards have a beautiful uniform; tiie Washtenaw's one very similar to our own, except they wore black shoulder-knots and plumes. I cannot speak too higlily of the soldierly and gentlemanly bearing of the men of each companies ; we were taken by the hand by them all and treated in a manner we never sliall forget. The Sabbath was spent very appropriately, by a prompt attendance at the several churches to which the companies were assigned. The great day of days, the 4th of July, Wiis ushered in amid the roar of cannon the wild beating of drums, and vociferous cheering of thousands of iron-nerved men — every heart was full — all eyes beamed with a new lustre and gladness and joy trembled on every tongue. Long before daylight the people from the country began to pour in, and by 10 o'clock' the time assigned for forming the prossession, not less than 6,000 people were in Adrian." ' Protection Fire Company No. 2 was organized in October, 1845. Perry B. Truax was the first Foreman W. Huntington Smith, Assistant Foreman, and F. C. Beaman, Secretary. The engine arrived in December the same year, and cost $990. The first Masonic lodge organized in the village was "Adrian Lodge, No. 19," on July 28th, 1847, by E. Smith Lee, Grand Master of Michigan at that time. The origiiuil officers were, John Barber, W. Master; William Moore, S. W. ; Warner Comstock, Jun. W.; Jonathan Berry, Treasurer; David Horton, Secretary; David Bixby, Sen. Deacon; William Talford, Jun. Deacon; Samuel Anderson, Tyler. Oak Wood Cemetery was opened to the public for burial purposes in the summer of 1848. Oscar Stevens, nephew of A. and William A. Whitney, was the first person buried there, July 31st, 1848, aged five years and two months. Isaac C. Dean died December 11th, 1867, aged 87 years. Abigail C. Dean, his wife, died in the same year, May 11th, aged 77 years. David Bixby died January 4th, 1865, aged 82 years. 13. d* Abram Truax diwl December 3(1, 1862, aged 68 years. James Wbitney dietl August 11th, 1851, aged 68 years and six months. Mrs. James Wliitney died the same year, August 24tli, aged 65 years and two months. Mrs. Ira IJuck (li('_ f^-^jp N the autumn of 18'2o, ]\Iusgrove Evans, Esq., a native of Pennsylvania, and bclonn:ingto the Soeiety <»^,^ 'Jof Friends, left Jetierson County, in the State of New York, to exj)lore the West, and, should fortune ^■^viil^f? smile, to enjoy those smiles more near to the setting sun. On arriving at Detroit, he found some friends, and made the acquaintance of Austin E. ^Ving. Mr. Wing had been a resident in the Territor)' for several years — some six or seven. Of the comparative merits of its various localities, he was well qualified to Judge. lie at once suggested to Mr. Evans the Valley of the Raisin, as a region of s]>eeial attraction, beautiful, rich and iiill of promise. After some ex|)lorations of other points, Mr. Evans was inclined to accept ^Ir. Wing's judgment in the matter, and resi)lved in the coming spring to investigate the claims of this new iield. He immediately returned home to Jetierson County, Nev York, and, during the following winter, wtus actively engaged in efforts to interest and enlist his friends in his western enterprise. He was quite successful. Early in the spring Mr. Evans, with his wife and five children, General J. W. Brown, his brother-in-law, E. F. Blood, Turner Stetson, Nathan Rathbone, and Peter Lowry, started together for Detroit. They i)assed up Lake Ontario, and Niagara River, to Black Rock. There they and some other gentlemen, from Buffalo, chartered the schooner Erie, the famed craft which subsequently went over the Falls of Niagara; and, ascending the Lake, arrived in Detroit on the last of April, 1824. Here the men left their families, and having chartered a Frenchman and pony, to carry their baggage, started into the woods on foot, and fijllowing an Lillian trail, took a western course to Ypsilanti, thence to Saline, and thence onward still, until they struck the River Raisin, some little distance above the point where now stands the village of Clinton. Here, they discharged the Frenchman and his jiony, and allowed them to return. They now took their provisions, etc., upon their backs, and pursued a south-westerly direction, till they reached Evans Creek, which they descended to the point of land on which the "Globe Mill" now stands. At this place they encamped, and, for a week or more, were busily occu])ied in viewing the country, but more especially, the streams — the Raisin ai,d Evans Creek — and the form of their banks, and the bordering valleys, the idea of obtaining a good water-power being a leading object of pursuit. It is proper to say here that Mr. Wing had been of gretit service to jMr. Evans and his co-adventurers, and, although.no agreement of a binding character had been entered into, yet so much had passed between them as to authorize a mutual exj)ectation that he, in some way, and to some extent, would aid the fortunes of their enterprise. Having this idea in view, from the time Mr. Evans took leave of him in Detroit, during the preceeding autumn, and learning that immigrants were exti nsively exploring in Washtenaw County, and j)arts adjacent, and fearing that the advantages at the liinctions of E\ an Creek and the Raisin might be found, appreciateil and snatched away, had the sagacity and prudence to enter the lands adjacent in his own name. T'hese lands were the west part of Section tvventy- SL'ven and east part of Section twenty-eight and included the water-iiower in Brownville. Mr. Evans and his associa ,ps, having i-atisfied themselves that they had found if not the best point in the interior of the Territory, they had at least found a location worthy of their acceptance, resolved to secure it. With this purpose, they gathered their effects and started for the "Land Office." On reaching Monroe they found Mr. Wing. Immediately Messrs. Wing, Evans & Bro vn entered into a formal co-partnership, and took up the north half of Section thirty-four. The adjacent lands were soon taken up by the companions of Mr. Evans, and adventurers from other places. IMessrs. Wing, Evans & Brown, liaving formed a co-partnership, and secured a location, deemed it important to their inteie-ts, if possible, to have it made the county seat. With a view to this, they delegated Mr. Brown to visit Governor Cass, at Detroit, and request him to nominate Commissioners to visit Tecumseh, and, if it should be deemed advisable, to designate it as the seat of justice for the county. The Governor treated the request with obliging consideration, and named Messrs. C. J. Lanmon, Oliver Johnson, and one other gentleman that committee. The committee, in due time, entered upon their mission, examined the situation, and aj)|)n)ved of it. On the last of June, 1824, the Legislature was in session, and the committee being |ircscnt, made their report, which was accepted and adopted. In consideration of this enactment it was stipidated that, in laying out the grounds for a village, the Company, NV'ing, Evans & Brown, should set apart It). for the public benefit, four squares; one for the court house and jail, one for a public promenado, one for a cemetery, and one for a military parade ground, and build a bridge across the River Rasin east of tlie village. The Company accepted the condition, and iippropriated for the court house and jail a square on the north-east cornc of Alaumee and Chiciigo streets ; for pleasure ground, a square on the south-east corner of Mauaiee and Chicago streets; for a cemetery, a square on the south-east sorner of Ottawa and Killbuck streets; for a military parade ground, a square having Shawnee street on the north, Ottawa on the ea^t, and, what is now styled Railroad street on the west. The bridge was also built. On the first Monday in June, 1824, Mr. Evans and Peter Benson, with their families, left Monroe, and started for what had now become the "bright particular" gem of the Raisin Valley — Teeumseh. After a difficult journey through a nearly pathless wilderness, and over the low and marshy grounds that intervened, they arrived at the place of their destiny on the following day, June 2d, 1824, about five o'clock in the afteruoon. There being no means of crossing the Raisin, on the land now owned by Wing, Evans & Co., i. e. on the east side of what afterwards became the village j)lot, they passed round upon the north side of the river and encamped upon the land which Mr. Wing had purchased the fall or winter previous, at the point wliereou now (1869) stands the cooper .-hop, a few rods north of the Brownville mill. Here Mr. Ev;uis erected a log house, twenty feet square. It was without any floor, as there was no saw-miil nearer than Monroe, and covered with bark peeled from the trunks of elm trees. During the sur.imer it iiad iieitiier cliimney nor fire place. For cooking purposes a fire was made upon tlie ground, the smoke, when tiie atmosphere was in repose ascended through a hole in the roof; at other times it went up or down, or here or there, as played the fitful winds. A bake-kettle supplied the [dace of an oven for several months, during wliich time Mrs. Evans prepared food for her husband and children, for the workmen in his employ, together with "goers and corners," amounting usually to from fifteen to twenty persons. In the aulu an Mr. Brown, wife, and five children arrived; also Mr. Gorge -^ipaffird an 1 wife. A bed- room was added t) the house, and an oven and cliimney built, the oven standing out and some distance from the house. Here Mr. Evans, wife and five children, Mr. Brown, wife and five children, the youngest diild of each family being a small infant, and Mr. Spatfbrd and his life, all domiciled during the winter of 1824-5. During the summer of 1824 Mr. Evans, being a surveyor, laid out the village plot. It was laid out into squares of twenty-four rods each, and each square into eight lots, each lot being six by twelve r<>ds — twelve rods north and south, and six rods east and west. The squares, so-called, set apart for the court house and public promenade being, in fact, but two one-half squares. In the summer jf 1825 Joseph W. Brown built a frame house on the corner lot, bounded on the north by Chicago street, and on the west by Maumee street. This was the first frame house erected in the county of Lenawee, and besides furnishing private apartments for the owner and his family, contained others also, wiiich were opened for the entertainment of travelers, and other transient persons. At that time it w;\s the first and only public house in the Territory west of Monroe. in the same year, during the summer of 1825, a Mr. Knaggs, a Frenchman, from Mor.voe, purchased the lot on the south-west corner of Chicago and JNIaumee streets, and built a store which he open cd, in jiart to aid the new settlers, but mainly for the purpose of driving bargain^ with the Indians. This enterprise proved, both directly and indirectly, of much benefit to the new settlers. They iiere found, at least io a limited exient, such commodities as, otherwise, they would have suffered seriously the want of, and, besids, it induced the Indians, still lingering in the neighboring woods, to come in and trade with the ccmimunity. In 182U Mr. Evans took the initial, and made some advances iu the work of building a more comfortable abode for his tiunily. It was completed, ^Te believe, the following season, and, as iu the case of Mr. Brown's before him, it became the comiintable abode of his family, and also a house of public entertainment. JNIany who there found shelter from the storm, reliet from hunger and thurst, rest from weariness, with generous sympathy and sootiiing cordials when burning fever and death-like ague was upon them, took pleasure in after years in speaking of thjse things, — so.nj lo.ig ago and forever silent, others still live, with tearful gratitude, to repeat the grateful story. In 1827 Mr. Brown, whom we style General now, sold his house, on Maumee street, to James T. Boiland, went over to Brownville and built, of hewed logs, the house so long known as the "Peninsular House." In the fall of 1824 the Company of Wing, Evans & Brown, resolved lo buiit a saw mill. For such a mill the want was very great. The inhabitants were indeed few, but that few were in greit want of lumber. Without it they could not construct shelters either for themselves or their stock. The trame of the mill was soon raised, the machinery got iuto position, the waiting waters let on, and the saw was playing, as though instinct with life, and actually felt that it was a "luxury to do good." Thus was completed the first saw mill in the County of Lenawee, and, no successor has ever tound a warmer welcome. Early in the spring of 1826, Wing, Evans & Brown resolved to build a grist mill. The frame was soon raised. And now for the stones — an item indeed, in a grist mill. Fi-ench burrs were q ite too costly for their limited means. It so happened that, about a mile and a halt' away, and a little north of ea-:t, in a district where a stone was one of the rarest things of natur.', there was found an immense bowlder — a large rock of pure granite. Uhey were not geologists; hcuce they asked no questions about its origin, from whence 17. it came, or how it got there. Enough that it was there. They fell upon it in earnest. AVith drills and poM-der thev soon split ott' two large slabs, each ofwhieh they wrought into stone of suitable size to answer their purj)ose. And, what was (juite remarkable, the stone contained an element resembling clay-slate, which in working, crumbled out, leaving a surface not wholly unlike the genuine burr — millstone grit. It is proper to add that this mill Wius able to grind about ten bushels of grain per hour; and for five or six years was the only grist mill in the interior of the Territory. THE BLACK HAWK AND TOLEDO WARS. The following is an extract from a speech by Dr. M. A. Patterson, before the Rasin Valle)' Historical Society, at Tecumseh, June 2d, 18138: — " According to the law of the valley, every male settler was a voter, without being over particular respecting his age, provided he could handle an axe and was stout and strong. Our people had been too busy to pay much attention to politics. But there was one man who seemed to regard it as a solemn duty, on no account to be neglected, and lor six years he aunually voted himself in Justice of the Peace. We are not aware that he tried a single case during all this long period. Universal harmony and peace prevailed, and a rogue or a thief was unknown. But the new comers of 1831 were fresh from the political fields of the East, and believed in the principle of "rotation in ofKce." At the next town election there came out of the woods of what are now known as the towns of Kasiu, Ridgeway, Macon and Franklin, a body of strangers who had never been seen at our polls before, and to the no small indignation and astonishment of Squire Thomas (iootlrich, our sole magi-strate and Justice of the Peace for six years, without a case on his docket, a host of new men rotated him out of office, in order, as they said, to establish in this Valley a great political principle. But our new friends had scarcely exercised the important privilege of the elective franchise a second time, indeed they were scarcely well established in their new homes until they were called upon, in common with the older settlers, to defieud them, and perhaps to shed their blood in defense of their homes. In May, 1832, Owen, the Indian Agent at Chicago, sent dispatch riders, with all possible haste, to Detroit, who, on the way, spread through our feeble settlement the startling intelligence that the 8ac and the Fox Indians, under Black Hawk, wore on the war-path, threatening to exterminate the whites from the Upper Mississippi to the lower lakes. The treacherous character of the American Indian is proverbial, and the danger of a union of the hostile western tribes, with the seemingly friendly Potawattomies, of Michigan, who were all around us, was by no means improbable. It was an alarming fact that within two or three days after the news of the hostile intention of the 8ac and Fox Indians reached us, the Potawattomies suddenly disappeared. Not an lud'an could be found in our vicinity or neighborhoods. Were they lurking in the dense forest.s of the valley waiting for orders to spring upon us with deadly intentions, or gone to new hunting or tishiig grounds far beyond us? were questions often asked, but which no one could answer. Untd the locality and designs ot the missing Indians were ascertained, the first intimation of their intentions and presence might have been amid scenes that have been witnessed again and again on our Western frontier, by the glare of our burning dwellings at midnight, amid the shrieks of women and children, the groans of the dying, and the iiellish war whoop of savages. At the bare possibility of such a fete, anxiety was depicted on the countenances of brave men, and there was not a mother in the settlement who did not fold her child still closer to her bosom. Against a hostile union of the powerful western savages, each armed w'ith a deadly rifle, and skilled in its use,, the scattered settlements on the line from Detroit to Chicago were almost defenseless. And there was cause of alarm when it was known that the United States Agent had urged uj)ou our Governor an immediate draft of the men of Michigan to check the advance of the Indians, until the regular government troops could be mustered on the frontier and hurled against them. As soon as it was ascertained that the Potowattomies had left us for a gathering of their tribe in the St. Joseph Valley, and at a council of their chiefs and our Territorial authorities, seemed peacefully inclined, all apprehension of immediate danger from this quarter was removed. The alacrity then with which the Eighth Regiment, composed of citizens of this valley, marched to the relief of the settlements beyond us, when they had reason to exiject a bloody contest, proved that our pioneers were of the right stock, and as ready to fight as to work, when occasion demanded an exhibition of their prowess. The details of the Black Hawk war,, and of the duties performed by our citizens in that contest, are too voluminous for our present purpose, and may well form an interesting chapter hereafter in the proceedings of this society. During three succeeding years after the close of this war, emigration to this valley was large and on the increase, and our citizens were earnestly engaged in literally fulfilling the primeval command to " multiply and subdue tlie earth," or at least, this part of it They were also preparing for the great work of changing their political condition of territorial dependence to the independent position of a State in the Union. But while engaged in these pursuits, we were again called to arras to defend our soils from the unlawful claims and threatening aggressions of Ohio. It is customary in these days, when the whole thing is settled and the danger gone by, to smile when the Toledo war is named, and to regard it as a " tempest in a tea-pot." This only proves entire ignorance of the merits of that 18. contest. There was an unquestionable attempt made by the authorities of Ohio, and in this remark we do not by any means include the whole people of that State, backed by a formidable array of force, to plunder from our Territory the only secure harbor on our southern border, and a large tract of valuable land. Plundering is a strong term, but we have no milder word that will properly apply to this act of the Legislature and Governor of Ohio. The boundary of the Territory of Michigan was clearly defined by an act of Congress, so far back as 1805, which had never been amended, and which left the disputed tract in Michigan. But Ohio, not with the sanction of Congress, but by the action of her own convention, extended her boundaries so as to include the long narrow strip in question, provided, as expressly stated by her own convention, at the time, "Congress agreed thereto." Seven or eight times during a period of thirty years, and down to the very time of our contest, Ohio had solicited Congress to sanction her claim, or, in plainer language, to gratify her ambition for territorial aggrandisement, and Congress had, as repeatedly, refused to do so. In the mean time the land, including the harbor at Toledo, was in possession of Michigan. Our towns, counties, and public roads were all arranged within the territory unlawfully claimed by Ohio, to suit the boundary established by Congress. Such was the strength of our title that the Attorney General of the United States, in an opinion written and published at the request of President Jackson, declared it unquestionable, and the venerable John Quincy Adams, on the floor of the House of Representatives, in a strong protest, also declared that it would be a gross violation of the plighted faith of the nation to take this land from a feeble Territory and give it to a powerful State. But when was unscrupulous ambition ever arrested by simple appeals to the eternal principles of justice and right? Governor Lucas, by virtue of an act of the Ohio Legislature, passed in 183-5, called out' a body of his militia to protect the Commissioners appointed to survey the boundary line, and to take possession of the "disputed territory " on behalf of Ohio, by force, if resisted. Information soon reached Tecumseh, by express, that the Commissioners of Ohio were actually running the boundary line on our .southern border, at the west end of the " disputed territory," and had, by a rapid movement, proceeded as far east as about fourteen miles due south of Adrian. Affidavit of the facts having been made by the express before a magistrate, agreeable to the provisions of an act of our Legislative Council, passed February 12th, 1835, entitled "An act to prevent the exerci.se of foreign jurisdiction within the limits of the Territory of Michigan." The Sherifl" of our county, James Patchin, being sick. Deputy Sheriff Colonel William McNair, assisted by General Brown, who was the Agent of our Territory to watch the proceedings of Ohio, soon gathered a posse. Among them, besides Brown and McNair, were Stillman Blanchard, John Robinson, Moses Wright, Sumner Spofford, O. Hough, Benjamin Baxter, and about twenty more whose names are forgotten. Thepos.se was strengthened in Adrian by a few recruits, mustering in all about forty armed men, who, by a rapid march, surprised a division of the surveying party of Ohio, with their military escort, while comfortably refreshing themselves in a house in the wilderness, owned by a man named Phillips. They had not the least suspicion that the Wolverines were on their trail. While our posse quietly surrounded the house Colonel McNair and Judge Blanchard entered. The Judge, with his customery politeness, took of his cap, and after making his best bow, civilly requested them to surrender to his friend, Colonel McNair, Sheriff of Lenawee County. A.ssuming a belligerent attitude. Colonel Hawkins fiercely demanded by what authority they presumed to arrest the legal officers of the powerful State of Ohio. Judge Blanchard immediately replied, " By the authority of the liCgislative and Executive power of Michigan ;" and in order to make it more emphatic, in a loud voice, so that the outsiders might hear him. Colonel McNair exclaimed, " By virtue of the posse of Wolverines here present we will arrest you." In an instant the Ohioans leveled their pieces and threatened to shoot our two friends. At this critical moment the posse gave a sliout that took the pluck out of the invaders, they made a dash for the door and took to their heels, having learned, perhaps, from Hudibras, that "He who fights and runs aw ay, May live to fight another day, But he who is in battle slain Will never live to fight again." As they were fleeing for the woods a few guns fired over their heads, by order of Gen Brown, brought some of them to a stand. The surveyor and eight of the party were captured and brought to Tecumseh, to be dealt with according to law. The Ohio commissioners were at the time in another house, not far from that of Phillips. They with the remainder of the armed force, frightened at the report of fire-arms, left their f.iends to take care of themselves and fled into the woods where they could not be found, Thus ended the first scene of this border drama. The second was played at Maumee, and is well described by Colonel Hascall, who witnessed the performance, in the following extract of a letter we will take the liberty of reading : — Monroe, April 28, 1835. Dbar Sib : — I have just returned to this place from Ohio, having left here on Saturday last, with dispatches from the Executive of Michigan to His Excellency, Robert Lucas, Governor of Ohio. I found hiiu at Maumee, accompanied by a military force, consisting of about five hundred men, commanded by a Colonel Brush. I immediately learned from the Governor that the object of this great nulitary array was for the protection of the Ohio Commissioners, who were then engaged in running the line in dispute between Ohio and Michigan, which he was determined should be run whatever might be the consequen'^es ; to use his own language — " peacefully if he could — forcibly if he must." About this time one of the Commissioners arrived, bringing intelligence that he had made his escape from at armed fon-e, supposed to be the Sheriff and his posse from the county of Lenawee, that soon after he started he heard the report of guns, and supposed the most of his party were taken or killed. * * * * Soon after another of the Commissioners arrived with a more favorable report, that the Commissioners had succeeded in making their escape, and but nine of the party were arrested, among whom were three 19. Colonels, viz.: Fletcher, Soo't, and Hawkins. Colonel Hawkins is also a member of the Senate of that State. This was unexpccteil to His I" xcellency, for he had jnst stated to the United States Commissioner and myself that not one of the men would be taktn alivc,and that he had sent a surgeon and assistants to take charge of the wounsed in our National Capitol of yielding to the arrogant demands of Ohio, and "breaking," in the language of that noble old man, John Quincy Adams, "the nation's plighted faith to the toil-worn pioneers of Michigan." When the act was consumated, despoiling us of our lawful territory, universal indignation prevailed in Michigan, especially among the citizens of this valley, who were more immediately interested in the result. The feeling was ojienly ex]ircss((l ill no measured terms. We had a right to regard it as a sacrifice of political weakness to political strength, of piiiici|)le to power, and of common honesty to degraded partisan expediency. There was no merit in the act of Congress giving us in exchange the Lake Superior district, for this was before the discovery of its wealth of mines and minerals, ai;d it was regarded on all hands as almost worthless. But it was an admission on the part of Congress that the attitude of Michigan was right, and as such a public tribute of respect for a jieople who had so manfully defended their soil from the attempted aggression of a powerful neighbor." BLISSFIELD; JS, v^ I HE following sketdi of Blis.sfield Was written by James T. Kcdzie, of that place : The town of Blissfield, 'i|;;v'4|JL Lenawee County, originally comprised town.ship seven south, of range five east. At its organization, in 1827, '^/(^ij^ Jic towns of Palmyra, Ogdcn, Riga, and the territory south to the Maumee river were in its boundaries. The ojganization of the above towns, at a later period, left us with only a territory six miles .square, which was covered with a heavy growth of timber — black walnut, hickory, whitewood, etc. William Kcdzie, of Delhi, Delaware County, New York, 'entered at the United States Land Office,' at Monroe, May ?>d, 1824, the first lands sold by the Government in this town, on Sections twelve, thirteen and fourteen. Henry Bliss, from Jlonroe County, made his 20, purchase June 19th, on Sections twenty-nine and thirty, — moved his family into the town in December of the same year, — and was the first inhabitant. It was this circumstance that gave its name to the town. Gideon West, from the same place, made his purchase June 28th, 1823, on Section twenty-nine, and moved on with his family in January, 1825, and for a time was the only neighbor to JMr. I31iss, nearer than ten miles. George Giles purchased his farm on February 23d, 1825, but did not move his family on until the spring of 1826, when he located on Seetiun thirty-one. Almond Harrison, from Berkshier, Massachusetts, niatie his purchase September 17th, 1825, on Section thirty, and began immediately to chop and clear, preparatory to building a log house, in which to put a young wife from his native State, Samuel Buck, a young man, late of Ohio, purcliased a farm on Section twenty-nine, October 29th, 1825, and believing the injunction that " it is not good that man should be alone," chose a helpmeet in the person of Miss Margaret Frary, (step-daughter of Gideon West,) and when he had prepared his cage, was married November 2od, 182(3. This was the first wedding, but not the only one; on the same day Mr. George Stout was married to Miss Delight Bliss. There was no one authorized to perform the marriage ceremony nearer than Monroe, and therefore they had to send a messenger to that place (thirty miles) on foot, (no horses in the town) expiessly to call Loren Marsh, a Justice of the Peace in and for that county, it being taken for granted that he could officiate in the unorganized counties of the Territory. On May 14th, 1826, William Kedzie, with his family, was landed on the pier in La Plaisance Bay, from the steamer Niagara, — no communication with the shore, not even a canoe, and no shelter to protect them. The floor was so covered with boxes of merchandize that only a small spot near the edge could be found where his wife and children could lie down, and there he had to watch all night for fear they would fall into the deep water. The next day in the afternoon a small sail vessel came down the river, on which they were conveyed to the landing near the village of Monroe. The next October, after building a log house, and before the doors and windows were in, they moved into the woods five miles from any inhabitant, and were greeted on the first night by a jubilee of wolves. Early in the spring of 1827 quite an immigration came into the town, namely: Benjamin and DaLiel H. C'lark, Jonas Ray, Anthony McKey, and Benjemin Tibbitts in the north part, and Isaac and Samuel Randall, Morris Burch, Ebenezer Gilbert, Edward Calkins, Jacob and John Lane, John Preston, Ezra W. Gofl'and his sons, Whiting, Timothy B., and Wiiliard, who were all voters, in the south part. May 28th, 1827, the first town meeting was held at the house of Hervey Bliss, for the election of township officers, at which time William Kedzie was chosen Supervisor ; Ezra W. Gotf, Town Clerk ; A. McKey, Jacob Lane, Moses Valentine, Assessors ; Almond Harrison, John Lane, A. McKey, Commissioners of Highways; Sanmel Randall, Constable and Collector ; Gideon West and George Giles, Overseers of the Poor ; William Kedzie, Isaac Randall, and Sam. Randall, Fence Viewers ; Hervey Bliss and George Giles, Pound Masters ; and William Kedzie, Hervey Bliss, George Giles, and Benjamin (Jlark, Pathmasters. There were twenty offices to fill, and only thirteen candidates. The result was, all were elected, some to two, and in one instance a man filled three offices. That Tttle band of pioneers, who then laid the foundation of this town, have all passed away, except Almond Harrison, who still remains the connecting link between the first and second generations. The first minister that visited our town was Rev. J. A. Baughman, of the M. E. Church, in the fall of 1827. The first birth occurred on October 3d, 1827, and was that of Lucinda, daughter of the first married couple. The first boy born was George Giles, Jr., on October 23d, 1827. The first school house, built of logs, in the summer of 1827, stood on what is now the north-east corner of Adrian and Monroe streets, in our village. The first school master was Chester Stuart, of Monroe, at a salary of $13 per mouth and " board found." The names of Thomas F. Dodge and George W. Ketchum are also among those of the early teachers of our young Wolverines. The first school house at Kedzie's Grove, in the north part of the town, was built in the fall of 1829, and the first and only teacher was Miss Caroline Amelia Bixby, of the town of Logan (now Adrian.) As early as February 22d, 1829, the First Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. Alanson Darwin, of Tecumseh. The first State or Territorial election was held on July 11th, 1831, when twenty-nine votes were given for "Delegate to Congress." Austin E. Wing received fourteen votes, Samuel W. Dexter nine, and John R. Williams six. WOODSTOCK; 3S^(^^f'^HE following sketcli of Woodstock was written by Alvin C. Osborn, of that place: In June, 1824, my "'^*^'*' 'I' father, .Jesse Osborn, in company with my uncle, Alvin Chase, and others of our old neighbors, left Enfield, Thonipkius County, New York, to go viewing the southern part of t!i3 State ol Ohio. Ou their way, in crossing Lake Erie in a schooner, they fell in with many others on a like errand, to find a place to make a future 21. f* horue, and as the Territory of Michigan was just bcinsr surveywl and coniins into market, and as it seemed to offer greater indiuviiionis. they ohangiHl ilieir anirst' aiui came to Miehig-au. After stopping a few daj-s at MounH\ they iiireil a Kreiiohmjin to aet as a giiiile. Then they traveleil wi>st uutil they i-ame to KiJgway. where mi>st of them after coing b;»ck to MonrvK\ }niri'h:ise«l huid : however, not one l^f them ever settled on it. A short time after another cvimpauv, amoni: whom was General Bn>wu and Miisgrove Evans, eanie on as far as Teounu-eh and purohaseil hind. And mv father hearing <>{ its Ix-ing a Unter KH>aiion for a town, and having Ixnter water privilegvs. also came to Teoumseh and lH>ught land on Evan"s Creek, in the wt^t p:»rt of the now village of Tixnmisoh, north of where Judge Staev's house now stands. My father then went Knek to the State of New York, K>ld his pn^jHTiy then?, and in August of tlie vear li'24. starte«l Ivaek to Michigan, taking his wife and tiunily of six children in a t\vi.>-hor^e iwereti wagvin. Some of the children are still living. We came to Butlalo with our team, where we shipiW on IxKinl ot' a schix>ner for Detrviit. On our trip up the lake we met a ste:imlvni Deirv>it we startetl for MouriH\ making the trip in one wei'k : the French inhabitants told us that our team was the first that had jvvssed over the ro;»il since the war of 1812. The ei>vering >ras all gx.>ue from the l>ridges. the stringer* only remaining : some streams we fordeil, and s*ime of the bridges we covenHJ by cutting round poles. At Monrvx» the only vai-jint house we could tind was up the river abi^ut tive miles, on the north side of the city ; it was a log hotise. and it had not been inhabited since the war. on aiixnmt. as the Frvni-h told us. of a woman and live childnni having Ixxni munle:eil then? bv the Iidians: the blor. At the town of R;isinville we stopjxHl for a short time, and with a part of our gvxnls, leaving the rest with my oldest sister, then about twelve years of age, we went on to Teinunseh : p-Lssing up the river on the nonh side, we found it settKxi for ten miles alxne M>mi-ix' by the French, from this on to Tet'unisoh it was one vast wilderne:^;: we were six days in going fnnu R:ulleil up the Kxly of a log house. I well n'member seeing my mother and s<,ugh tlie winter of 1824 and '2o, my fother working with his team to supjwrt hkf.imily. In the spring of 1825 we movevi l«ck to Teeum*eh, and lived in a shanty near where the depot now stands. We so^m finis'.ied off our house by putting on eaves mad« of shakes, and h:uigingup a blanket for a door. We moved iu iu the summer. We raises! s^ime corn, and there being no mill to grind it, we nwdea mortar by hollowing the end of a white log. which SvTveil the purjxise of a mill. Iu the fiill of 1825 we sowe^l the first wheat that was sown iu Leuaweo County ; we cut the wheat alnxit the first day of July. 182t>. My lather tix>k it to the mill, and fn^ni it w:is made the first tlour ever ground iu L.^nawee Couoty, out of which Mrs. General Bmwn made ctxke for the first Fourth of July i-elebration, held in Teoumseh in the year 182l>. In the winter of 182l» and "27 my father went to Coldwater with two teanvs, to carrv some pmvisions to the surveyors, who wen^ running out the land into township*? and sectii»i»s, it Ixuug tlie first team that was ever then'- or west of Tecun»s.>h. He went with a sptin of horses and a yoke of oxen : a hinnl man by the name of David Hawk dn^veone of the teanvs and my father the i^her. It to^ik them eleven days to make the trip, and when they got to Hog Creek, alxnit ten miles fn>:u C'>ld\vater. thoy unyokeil their oxen and turneii them out to bn>use; there IxMiig mi hay, the oxen went bi»ck hom-.\ which grieve\i them much at the time, but it pn^bably was the means of sjwriug their lives. ITiey went on to Coldwater with their horse team, auil then came back and tix>k the other load, which detaineil them several days. Tlie weather was very cold: it snowed and blowt\l all the time atler they had left Coldwater to return home; sti much snow had fiillen that it cvnenxl up their tracks, and jis they did not ■nark any trees when they went out. it was almost imjx>ssible to find their w.iy Ivu-k. Km they finally reaeheil home all safe and sound, following the tracks of the oxen, which had gone Ix'for^ them. The first white woman in the ciMinty was the young wife of Peter Benson, who. with her husband. w:is in tbo employ of Messtis. Evans it Crane. The next was Abbie Evans, wife of Musgiwe Evans, and sister to General Josi'ph Br.iwn. She was a very estiiiuible lady, of the Quaker onler. Messrs. Bnnvn and Evans Ixuight the laud wherj Te«.-um.u : the fin?t doctor w:is Caleb Xoble Ornisby. and a Ixtter man never livitl. Stetson and Ormsby l»th moved to Adrian. The first gvxxls were sold by a Mr. WoKvtt. The first miller was Silvenus Blackmore, the first settler of Cambridge township. The first minister of the gi^sjx'l was Elder Darwin, of the Presbyterian chun*h. Soon after the settlement of Tecuinseh was i.'ommeucetl the settlement of Adrian w.is begun. I renumlx^r am urg the people who stoppeil at my fathers house, on their way to Adrian, wsis Mr. A. J. Cooistock iuid Mr. Bixby, with their families. In the fall of 1824, while at Tecumseh. mv mother lxx?:nue une.asy .ibout my sister that was left at Kaisinville, amonj strangers that i.\>uld hanlly speak or understand a won! of English. She startt>l to ride to Kaisinville with a !Mr. Wolcott, taking with her the two yon-gest children. When alxnit two miles west of Big Frarie, twelve miles trom any inhabitant, he bn>ke his w.igon tongue. He left mv mother then? with her two childn'u, and went K-jck to Tecumseh to get another wagvm: when he arriveil there it w:is t late to return. He then informed my father when^ my mother wa*. ami he startetl on horsob;»ck to fiud her. But it became so dark en? long that he was obligi?d to halt and wait for the morm to rise; hefinallv came up with my mother, and found that she, he.-iring the sound of horses, feet, had loadeti the gun which was iu the wagon, and wjis prep;mxl for ;uiy emergency. In the winter of 1825, while my father was gone to Mom-oe, there came to our house one day, about sundown, a dozen Indians, who asked for something to eat. My niotlici- showed them a tin pan about two-thirds full of corn, and nuide them understand that was all she had. This seenieIicli. 28, TERMS AND CLUB RATES FOR WEEKLY PRESS : One Copy, Fifty-two niimberR fl 50 " Twenty-six K umbers, Six Months 1' 00 " Thirteen Kumbers, Three Months 50 MBEEAL mBW&EME^T^ TO) QliM'B^, lO'Copies, One Year, $1 30 Each $13 75 15" " " 1 25 " ::::: is 75 20 " " 1 20 '• 24 00 25 " " 1 10 " 27 50 The getter up of a Club :'t the above KEDUCED prices will be entitled to an extra copy, for one year. The Club muft be sent at one time and (o one post-ojjicc address. Additions may be made at club rates. B@:„The above are our lowest cash rates. Post-office orders and registered letters may be sent at our ^ ^ Office Corner Maurnee and Winter Sts., Masonic Temple. W. A. \VHITNEY, Proprietor. -^ KING & RICE, . ^m ^^^ <-i?i^ *-^m M- ^ WHOLESALE AJS'D EETAIL DEALERS IN iMi %* fe" f ^ %#• 1^ ■ :- ^-» ti «: *^- *-^-» Next door to Lawrence House, ADRIAN, MICH. .A-GEISTTS FOK eHlGKERlllG, WEBER, KREGER & HftlNES BROS.' PtftHOS. A Full Sized, Rosewood. First Class Piano, with all Modern Improvements, sold for $275 Everything Else in Proportion. ]^^^oniih c?ffp»/.'i /t?r ^itiiMf, ^^itcij uiicJ ^imiiian.'s <(■ plough ^rnum.""^^ This Combination cannot bo Excelled by any ^Makers on earth. PIANOS and ORGANS SOLD on MONTHLY PAYMENTS. KING' S -VIT^ IT, IC XM^ G, eo^^^3»SC^^^$S!^S Bookseller, Jeweler and Optician, ^^k?#[DMOiSTO| BUicf anil KING SPECTACLES, SOi/e AG 'EN^Cy-^ A T, IVo. S3 IMtiiinxee St. Whhh I'lial.lM uit! t.i 111, Ihf ey.; witli iii:illu-iii-.UiC!il nt-curaey. FUJI SiocK 01 Brazilian PetiWes and Crystal Lenses, In RulJlier, Stel, Silver and (JoM .Frames. The .iliDvo :ir,' iiitci-L-liangi'alilc, and ouc iiair will last for years. Next Door to the Lawrence House. ADRIAN STORE ! THE L^I^O-EST, BEST ^^HSTID CHOICEST STOCK OF TEAS IN ADRIAN CAN BE FOUND AT THE fiA & mmmi ef oil WEH WILLI FIRST BOOB WEST OF 31ASON1C TEMPLE. tm Miti I also have a Large and Complete Stock of 1^ toutim h> .A.3STID THE CHEAPEST SUGARS IN THE CITY. I Sell THREE POUNDS of GREEN TEA for $1.00. 1 Sell TWO POUNDS of JAPAN TEA for $1.00. I Sell ONE POUNV of the BEST JAPAN TEA in Lenawee Co., for $1.13. s^ C.A.r.r. .A.ND GET S A.3VII»I-E:S FFIEE ^« HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR ALL KINDS OF COUNTRY PRODUCE. ALL GOODS SOLD FOR CASH. 29. h* ?. w. -n:>tri r. ESTABLISHED 1S63. A I HTXTEE. S.\V. TEMPLE & CO.. WH'T.K'iAI.F. AM' m.al::i.- in all ki>Ii? of LUMBEE, SHINGLES, LATH SASH. DOOES AND BLINDS, NftlLS, PUTTY, PAINTS UNO OILS, HOUSE TRIMMINGS, k. — AL50 PROPRIETORS OF- TECUMSEH PLAITIITG & MATCHIITG MILLS, COR. PEARL AXD SHAWNEE STREEIS. \ Ofite vB Sha«B«« St-, bcr the current year, we are told, will rea h at least ^venty-five thousand dollars. This is truly a very creditable showing for Mr. Temple : not only because of the grand success attained from what setmed in the first place to be rather a dubious enterpr&.', but also because that that success has so largely con- tributed to the advancement of the industrial and commervial interests of the place. We were surprised to find the extent of territory, penetrated by the busine^ operstioBS of this etstaUishment, so large. In alxHit every section of this county, and in several of the adjoining counties, the people have learned of the advantages acvrtiing to themselves by purchasing their lumbe''. thei. house trimmings, glass, nails, paints and oils at this popular house, and hence the secret of so large and extended trade. Of the dior. sash and blind manufactory, connected with this establishment, we cannot speak in dotail. but we bslieve that it is admitted on all hands that the work turned out here is the mv>?t perfect in workmanship of anything of the kind which has yet appeared in the market, and is eagerly siHight after all over the country. If then, without capital to commence with, and the consequent difficulties and embarr^vsfments arising therefrom, a final and complete success has been attained, the career of the new combinaiiou, jusi fbrm..Hi. cannot be problematical. When such a man as Andrew J. Hunter, whose character for probity in the perfbnuauce of all the a&irs of life, and which is so well known, not only here, but thrviughout the whole country, concludes, after deliberate investigation, to embark in this enterprise, and invests a portion of his large capital therein, it is a sure guarantee that the public will he fairly dealt with, and that Tecuniseh will have one of the l;».'>r.-st cstiblishaients of the kind in this section of the Scale. — 7V«-hj»wA Hiraid, Junf. 1S73. 30. CARRIAGE EST-AJBLISHZEID 1851. THOS. CUM:m:INS. Prop'r. RAILROAD STRBXST, - TECUBISEH, nilGH. ALL OESCRIPTIONS OF CARRIRGES ON HAND OR MADE TO ORDER. WHeBHIlllTEi IS ilPRESEMTEO REPAIRING IN ALL ITS BRANCHES NEATLY AND PROMPTLY DONE. P,^'JL IJ %J^ BMiQEB AB LOW A8 Q&MM'BWEMT' WITM TME Q)WAMT'T Q>F W&MK, 31. SHERWOOD. BARKER & CO., I 109SUMMIT ST., TOLEDO. OHIO. | MILLINERY AND FANCY GOODS m mA ^ ^^ itt 1 1^ S3 It Oi iir O 3P 15 If . A Full and Fresh Stock of PATTERN BONNETS AND HATS, FLOWERS, VELVETS AND RIBBONS, MmiMf is @11 t&i- Sitilllis t i tfti Ittsii^ WHITE GOODS, HOSIERY & GLOVES, To "Which We Solicit Your Attention. WHOLESALE & RETAIL. SHEEWOOD, BAEKER & CO., lOd Summit Street. 32, ^'T%. Corbin & Chittenden's, 2d DOOR SOUTH OF CENTRAL HOTEL, M@ M®miM Maim M.,j Adlmmm^ Mmk^j Is the place you have heard everybody talking about as being the best place to buy Our line of STOVES will compare favorably with any in the market. We invite particular attention to the "CROWN JE\VE L; As the handsomest aud best Coal Stove made, and to the MANSARD OCCIDENT and ONWARD as the best Cook Stoves. WE KEEP THE BEST CLOTHES WRINGERS, And furnish new roles and fix;ures for repairing old wringers. We employ the best of workmen in our Tin and Job Shops, and are prepared at all times to do JOBS IN THE CITY OR COUNTRY AT BOTTOM PRICES. COME AND SEE US, WE DESIRE AN ACQUAINTANCE. Cornelius k Palmer, DEALERS IN ALL KINDS OP- 52 MAUMEE St., 2d DOOE EAST OF MAIN, We do not Attempt to Humbug any Partictdar Class by Pretending to Make Dis- crimination in their Favor, but will Sell to Grangers, Workiugmen, —AND EVERYBODY ELSE AT THE VERY LOTV^EST PHI CES. THE OLD FOUNDRY .A.IVI> MACHINE SHOP, O F NORTH MAIiyr STRBBT^ - - ADRIAN^ IKEICH. — MANUFACTURER AND BUILDER OF — STEAM mm, FARM IMPLEMENTS, DRAG SAWING MACHINES, HORSE POWERS, CALDRON KETTLES, &c. I Invite Special Attention to nxy PLOWS. GILfr"™"^^ 5J AND LAND ROLLERS. JOBBING AND REPAIRING DONE PROMPTLY AND IN THE BEST MANNER, NETT G-OODS, :p^itio ip>mxos 1874 1875 -THE BEST- CHILDREN'S WEAR AT PANIC PRICES. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER IN BOOTS, SHOES AND RUBBERS. New Brick Store, No. 4 North Main St., next door Nortli of J. B. Cook's Drug Store. .A-clrian, ]\Iicliigaii, t 1^ tt*'i^ m -^-^ mm %$ m w^ m m m m- %im 9 Custom Work Done to Order. Repairing a Specialty. ADRIAN, Sept. 25, 1874. 53 MAUniESE STREET, A-DRI^N, - - _ MUCH. m I KEEP ALWAYS ON HAND A ii^g^ -l^g ^ps^ ^'^^^ <^fa OF EVERYTHING IN THE LINE OF MW^. All ^,f If irilllY And sell all goods at the I ElEST ESPECliL AITENII 10 i! Wl OF Fli OTIOIRI are aid Isamke mj Stock, ^^^s W. E. KIMBALL. ESTABLISHED 1851. C. AV. KIMBALL. W. E. KIMBALL &, SON, Still keep the Largest and Most Extensive Stock of House Furnisliing Goods! KEPT IJV THE CITY OF ABRIAW. ?Siifc TT- i|\UR STOCK of Furniture consists in part of Parlor Sets, Chamber Sets, Drawing Room Sets, all J Styles of Kitchen Furniture. Beilstcads from $3.00 to $250.00. Bureaus from $8.00 to $200.00. StyK Common Furniture of Every description. Our Extpnsion Tables are the wonder of the world for Prices^and Quality. We can show you Extension Tables from $12.00 to $50.00, in Walnut and Ash, Fall Leaf Tables, Centre Tables (Marble and Wood Tops,) liibrary Tables, and in fact every thing in the line of Furniture, and iTisjzLL ovn CVuJ/ MAyiy:^j'-OTirTiE ! AND YOU CAN RELY UPON THE QUALITY. WE also have a full line of CROCKERY, (both Fine and Coarse,) Plated Ware, Castors, Forks and Spoons, Tea Sets, German Silver Spoons, Knives and Forks, (fine and common.) Lam;is, an immense stock of Glass Ware. We offer particular inducements to young people just commencing house keeping; we can furnish their house from cellar to garret, saving them largely in prices, and the trouble of going to three or four stores to find what they want. We also keep constantly on hand a large stock of FEATHERS. If you want a good Feather Bed or Pillows you can find them at KIMBALL ct iSON'S. We make all kinds of Furniture to order, also do all kinds of Wootl Turning with neatness and despatch. Call aud look us over before making your purchase, as it is no trouble for as to show goods. Sales Room 31 Stone Block, and 9 Maiden Lane, between Main and Winter Sts. Factory South ISIain S.t C- A. CONKLIN, 107 SOUTH MAIN STREET, ADRIAN, MICHIGAN. mim WROUGHT CASK k CASKETS BEST ITV THK A>^OIiLr>, KEPT ONLY BY C. A. CONKLIN. I have now the largest stock of AVood CofRns, Metalic s ? IN THE CITY, NO ONE CAN COMPETE, EITHER IN STYLE OP WORK. [1' Amount of Stock or Price. A visit to ray Ware rooms will convince you that I ST^TE FA.CTS. I shall keep at all times a large stock of '^l^ m miQY0^, Particular Attetition Given to the Preservation of Bodies. My Conveniences for this are Unequaled. '■ C. A. CONKLIN. WM. F. AYERS. J. W. MEDICK. NEW GOODS AND NEW PRICES. Wm. P. Ay ers & Co-, IXTholesale and Retail Dealers in J^ISTT)' FANCY GOODS, JVO. 71 AlfD 73 MAUMEE STREET, ^DRi^nr. We would Call the attention of the public to THE LARGEST AND BEST SELECTED STOCK —OF— TO BE FOUND IN THE CITY, AND AT LOWER PRICES THAN ELSEVTHERE. ¥ m THE LARGEST STOCK OF lEPHEHS, ZEPHEe PilTTEHKS, BOTH OM PftPIR and €ilPft^ EMBROIDERY CANVASS OP EVERY KIND, I^^ILLINQ- ©ILKS, &c., &c. o At lower prices than ever sold before. JAMES FARRER & CO, ENGINE BUILDERS, BOILER MAKERS, I F MANUFACTURERS OP UFRieiT FORTAEE IHRESIIHG ENGINES. * A >. i JL A A These Eogines are Superior to any made for the purpose, A A A. I L J- A- -A. A_ i A_ A A_ i. » A_ A- To See Them is only to be Convinced. They iveigh Four TJiousancl Poinids, only about one-half the iveight of other Machines of the same capacity ; requiring only about half the wood or ivater ; they are more easily handled so that more ivork can be done in the same time ; no staJcing down is required. And Plow -Repairs of all Kinds constantly on hand. gA^BMQM KETTLE!^, MQAB mBAPEMBf BOB SZEIQB §E&E^, Wrought Cider Screws, with or without Ratchet. All kinds of Brass Steam Goods and Fittings, Mud Pipe, Smoke Stacks and Britchings. IS-BOILER AND ALL KINDS OP MACHINE REPAIRING A SPECIALTY,-®a South Winter Street, ) T -TT\ \ TZ> T? XHT? M-r- i^^r~\ ADRIAN, MICH.} U . Jd ..^^xvxvxLrf xX csC ^kJ, ■laaiHaHi^BaaBaMU^Hb JAMES THOMPSON, %# 1 ^ A II fcl 4 i^ #! ^ 11 ft- T r ft TT ^ # 1^- # AND or s IT & Xa ^. ^irst §oor ^outh of ihe girst ^tfionul §anh. CLOCKS, WATCHES, Ac. GARKFULLY REPAIRED BY EXPERIENCED WORKMEN. ADRIAN, .... MICH. ^ "S Herrman & May, CLOTHING! CLOTHING! THE LARGEST AND BEST STOCK — OF— r: i/I^TI^ If/^T^S PtT n^FPTfT'Kf PS ^m\mi Cassimeres and. Nestings FOR THE FALL AND WINTER TRADE, :ever brought to this city, ani> will be miiB AT PMWE^ TO) ^WM TEE TIMEM. CALL AND SEE FOR YOURSELVES. We afe loaad t@ Igep ip ilie Eepitailss of Beisg the Leaiisg Oktilag Hsise, X,ET THE COKTSEClTTElSrCES EE "WH-A-T THE^ST IS^.A.'Y. No. 23 Maumee St., opposite the Lawrence House. ADRIAN, Sept. 25th, 1874. T.> till- first of our custoiii.-r.s ulio will send u»3 correct solution to the following Rebus we will give, aa a ItcwarU of Merit ONE PAIR LADIES FINE SHOES OR $5 CASH. To the 2il, One Pair blisses Shoes. To the 3d, One Pair Gent's Slippers. To the 4th, and everybody else, The solution to the above must be enclosed in sealed envelopes, which will be numbered a.s received, and on the 1st day of December, ISTo, the envelt)pes will be opened and the prize.-i awarded to the successful persons. stooik: l.a.i?>c3-est, best jl:n"e oh:e!.a.i=est. ^"0.2. Jipg at 012 2201, as Uf 1 ^\ 2 4 Ihom.^ SIGN OF BAISI & Emi Sotith Side of Mavmee Street, Next door to Bennet's Drug Store, " AURIAX, HICH. t^»j»»»v\'*.>tyfe^%^, Entered according to Act of Coiifrress, in tlae year 1871, by Crane & Co. (Lock Box aOU, Iiidiaiiapuiis, lud.), in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington. REPAIRS AND CUSTOM WORK DONE TO YOUR ORDER. We liuve now rieeived our immense Stock of F"-flLLL .A.NO -IVINTER BOOTS .A.ND SHOES Which we propose to sell at prices 10 per cent. BELOW THE LOWEST, and warrant our goods. AVe are bound to sell. Come here before you buy and see for yourself. Bring your solutions to the Kcbus and get the prizes at the Boot and Shoe Store of S. M. CONSTANTINE, !2! o n t?4 TS M: A^TJIVlEli] STREET. New 7 1-3 Octave Rosewood Pianos from ^^Z^ ^° '^RS Organs from SO _'_' l.^^O Violins fromt 1 •^'-'^ .A.1.]:^ OTMEFt GrOODS IN FROPOFlTIONr. T2 MAUMEE STREET. New Organs Rented With Privilege of Purchase on At ouc-fifth its value down, and at two and one-half jjer cent, interest ou honest cash value. 72 MAUMEE STREET. MASON & HAMLIN, PSLODBET, PELTON & Co, ANE KIMBALL ORGANS, All warranted from the factory in writing for iive years. Pianos sold on monthly payments. 72 MAUMEE STREET. PIANOS AND ORGANS TUNED AND REPAIRED. Remember you save 25 per cent, by Purchasing of me direct. S. M. COITSTAITTIITE, THE PIAUO MAIT, 72 MAUMEE STREET. V r^:-^i. ESTABLISHED 1842. DEALER IN BATS, CAFS, LADIES AND GENT'S lT-TT3)e« piJf PlrT-TTSUeiJ 0^ I ^J rLBM E"^ ^ n/ir nri.il iBi ROBES OF ALL KINDS. LADIES AND GENT'S Traveling Bags, Trunks and Umbrellas. o Silk Hats Fitted to the Head and Hepaired. MOTTO-" CHEAP FOR CASH." LIBRARY OF CONGRESS II III 014 754 782 1 •