Joseph Halverson

"The Traverse Region, Historical and Descriptive, with Illustrations of Scenery and Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers"
Chicago: H.R. Page & Co., 1884
Page 319

The third settler in Cold Springs was Joseph Halverson, who located on Section 20 in March, 1872. He came on his homestead in May, built a house and remained until the following November, when he went after his family. They came from Fife Lake to Kalkaska on a construction train, and were taken by wagon to their new home, arriving there in December. in the fall of 1873 he sold fifty bushels of potatoes.

JOSEPH HALVERSON was born at Fall River, Mass., July 31, 1830. He was bereft of his mother, and removed with his father to Rochester, N. Y., in childhood. In 1841 they removed to Hillsdale County, Mich. Shortly after he attained his majority he went to California and was engaged in mining until 1862. He then returned home, and on May 4, 1863, he was married to Miss Hattie L. Mead, of Spring Arbor, Jackson County, Mich. She was born in Livingston County, Mich., June 25, 1823. Their childrcn are Nettie, Anna S., Grace and an infant daughter. After marriage Mr. H. spent three years in farming in Spring Arbor, and then removed with his family to California, and continued his work of mining until December, 1871. In March following he located land on Section 20 in what is now Cold Springs, Kalkaska County, Mich. On Dec. 12, 1872, his family arrived and took possession of their primeval forest home. They arrived at what is now Kalkaska on a construction train. There was no dwelling there then. They took supper in a cloth tent. When preparing his dwelling Mr. Halverson had to carry his supplies from Elk Rapids and Spencer Creek. He bought lumber for his house at eight dollars per 1,000 feet at a lumber camp and had to give nine dollars per 1,000 to have it drawn nine miles to his place. He has eighty acres of land with nearly forty under cultivation. He has an orchard of apples, pears, cherries, plums and small fruits, and an inviting home. He has served as township superintendent of schools two years, justice of the peace eight years, and is now, in 1884, serving in his fifth year as township clerk of Cold Springs.

Contributed 2009 by Pat McArthur

Hymen H. Haskin

"The Traverse Region, Historical and Descriptive, with Illustrations of Scenery and Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers"
Chicago: H.R. Page & Co., 1884
Page 317

HYMEN H. HASKIN was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1831. He came with his parents to Washtenaw County, Mich., in 1844, and went thence to Kent County in the spring of 1849. Five years later he removed to St. Joseph County, Ind. His youth and early manhood were spent chiefly in farming and school teaching. On March 25, 1853, he was married to Miss Sarah Ann Rupel, also of St. Joseph County. They had one daughter, Harriet. Mrs. Haskin died Aug. 30, 1855. His second marriage was on March 18, 1857, to Miss Adelia P. Grommon, of Marshall County, Ind. She was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., April 13, 1828. Their children are Elthea E., Octavia S., Grant and Henrietta A. In 1861 Mr. Haskin went to California, and was engaged chiefly in mining until June, 1866. He then returned, visited Traverse Region in August, and in November brought his family to Traverse City, where he put up the machinery, and for five years conducted the work in the planing-mill of Hannah, Greilick & Co. It was the first ever operated in Traverse Region. In May, 1869, he located land in Springfield, Kalkaska County, before a tree was felled on the shores of Fife Lake, and before any railroad or village there was contemplated. He often had to carry supplies from Traverse City on his back. In going to his homestead he and three others drew a load of some 200 pounds on a light sleigh from Traverse City twenty-two miles. Through twelve miles of the distance there was no track broken and the snow was two feet deep. He and his family entered their chosen home in November, 1870. He has eighty acres of land with about thirty under cultivation. He has also a flourishing fruit-bearing orchard of various kinds of fruit, and an inviting home. In the early pioneer times the forest was greatly infested by wolves. Mr. Haskin has caught gray wolves on his own premises weighing 100 pounds. Mr. Haskin was one of those who organized the county and also the township. He was appointed by the legislature as one of the inspectors of the first election held in the county. He was the first township clerk in Springfield and served two years. He then served as supervisor the next three years, and has filled various other official positions.

Contributed 2009 by Pat McArthur

L.A. Haynes

"The Traverse Region, Historical and Descriptive, with Illustrations of Scenery and Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers"
Chicago: H.R. Page & Co., 1884
Page 316

L. A. HAYNES, the present treasurer of Kalkaska County, was the second settler to remain permanently in the county, and the first in what is now the town of Wilson. He was born in Livingston County, N. Y., in the year 1829. When he was about two years of age his parents removed to Ohio, and settled in the township of York, Sandusky County. February 24, 1851, he married the daughter of a Mr. Root, one of the early settlers in that township, and in 1855 they removed to Michigan and settled in Lenawee County. September, 1864, he enlisted and was in service until May, 1866. After the close of the war his company was sent to Texas. After returning home he made up his mind to go into a new country where he could settle upon a homestead, and in August of that year, 1866, visited the Traverse Region. A friend who had located in Traverse County gave him information about the country, and after looking about, he located eighty acres on Section 8, in what is now the town of Wilson. In September, 1866, he brought his family. They went to Elk Rapids and were taken by team to Smith Lake, where they lived in a lumber shanty about a month, while their log house was being built. William Hough, also of Rome, Mich., settled with his family at the same time, and located on a homestead adjoining Mr. Haynes. Mr. Hough afterward went into lumbering and removed from the county.

The first clearing in Wilson was done by Mr. Haynes. Mr. Hough had some money but poor health, while Mr. Haynes had no money and with pork at thirty-six dollars and flour at fourteen dollars per barrel, it was necessary to labor. During that winter he chopped five acres for Mr. Hough and five acres for himself. He was the first justice of the peace and first supervisor in the town, and as a member of the board of supervisors, took an active part in the first affairs of the county. In the fall of 1869 he went to Rome with his family, and remained there until February, 1871, when they returned and located on Section 7, where they lived until the winter of 1883, when, having been elected treasurer of the county, Mr. Haynes removed with his family to the village of Kalkaska. They have had four children, and buried one son.

The first school in Wilson was taught by Miss Ada Haynes, at Mr. Haynes' house, in the winter of 1868-'69.

Contributed 2009 by Pat McArthur

H.U. Hill

"The Traverse Region, Historical and Descriptive, with Illustrations of Scenery and Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers"
Chicago: H.R. Page & Co., 1884
Page 316

H. U. HILL was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in the year 1825. His parents removed to Chautauqua County. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Forty-ninth New York Infantry, and remained iu the service until September, 1864. In the spring of 1867 he went to Iowa in pursuit of a home in a new country, but not liking the climate, did not make a location. He was at that time a reader of the New York Tribune, which was then publishing letters from Michigan descriptive of the country. He was broken in health as the result of his army experiences, but had sons old enough to engage in labor. They decided to try the new country in Michigan. In September, 1867, Mr. Hill came to the Traverse Region. He landed at Traverse City and spent several days examining maps and making inquiries regarding the country. The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was projected although not surveyed. He was of the opinion that such a road would be built, and desired to select a location as near the line of the road as possible. Taking a land looker he visited the present township of Clearwater, and thence into other townships. He finally made a location on Section 32, of Town 28 north, of Range 7, now in the town of Rapid River. He took up a homestead of eighty acres, and subsequently located another eighty acres adjoining. He was accompanied by one son, and they immediately went at work and built a good log house, completing it in December. In October his family came to Traverse City by way of the straits, and were taken to their new home by team. He lived on his farm until the fall of 1880, when he removed to the village. Mr. Hill was the first judge of probate in the county, and held that office until 1881. He was the first justice of the peace in the county, being elected in the spring of 1868. The county at that time belonged to Antrim County. He also held the office of supervisor for several years, and was president of the county Farmers' Club for some time. Married in 1846, at Ripley, Chautauqua County, N.Y., to Climena P. Bigelow. She died June 1, 1879. Seven children were born to them, of whom four are now living. Mr. Hill is now a justice of the peace.

The first school in Rapid River was taught by Mrs. H.U. Hill at her home, in the summer of 1868. The first school-house was built in 1869. It was of hewed logs and is still standing. Mrs. Hill and her daughter Eliza taught the first three terms of school in the township. Both are now dead.

Contributed 2009 by Pat McArthur

Thomas Hurley

"The Traverse Region, Historical and Descriptive, with Illustrations of Scenery and Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers"
Chicago: H.R. Page & Co., 1884
Page 315

THOMAS HURLEY, farmer, Clearwater, was born in England Feb. 21, 1857. He came with his parents in the fall of 1867 to Waukesha County, Wis. In April, 1869, they came to what is now Clearwater, Kalkaska Co., Mich. They located land in Section 22, and forthwith prepared them a pioneer forest home. Mr. Hurley has spent five years in the butcher business in Elk Rapids, and has purchased and now resides on the homestead farm taken up by his father. He owns 120 acres of land, with about sixty-five acres under cultivation. He has a fine fruit-bearing orchard and good farm buildings. His marriage was on November 25, 1879, to Miss Charlotte E. Baynton, of Whitewater, Grand Traverse County. She was born in Canada in 1853. Their children are Clarence H., and Bertha May. Mr. Hurley is overseer of highways, and also county constable.

Contributed 2009 by Pat McArthur

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