HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY

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JUNIATA

     This place is a station on the Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad, and is situated in the western part of the town of Fremont.  There are a saw-mill and postoffice, the principal business being the shipping of ties and bark.

TOWN OFFICERS.

STATISTICAL

     Census of 1860:  Population, 96; families, 21; dwellings, 21; number of occupied farms, 15; number of acres improved, 340; number of horses, 1; number of cows, 19; number of oxen, 16; bushels of wheat raised, 670; bushels of corn, 885; bushels of oats, 278; bushels of potatoes, 392; pounds of butter made, 1,800; tons of hay cut, 25.

     Census of 1864:  Population, 231; number of acres of taxable land, 2,325; number of acres improved, 311;; bushels of corn preceding year, 588; bushels of wheat preceding year, 1,090; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 1,189; tons of hay preceding year, 136; pounds of butter made, 2,821.

     Census of 1870: Population, 664; families, 136; dwellings, 135; farms, 76; voters, 128; bushels of wheat raised, 4,436; bushels of rye, 27; bushels of corn, 3,783; bushels of oats, 3,231; bushels of potatoes, 4,353; tons of hay, 520.

     Census of 1874:  Population, 794;; number of horses, 139; number of oxen, 184; number of cows, 212; bushels of wheat raises, 4,664; bushels of corn, 6,181; bushels of potatoes, 12,347; tons of hay cut, 586.

RECAPITULATION OF THE CENSUS OF 1880.

Number of inhabitants………………………………………….1,120
Farms……………………………………………………………………      40
Acres in farms………………………………………………………12,250
Acres improved……………………………………………………  4,911
Acres unimproved……………………………………………….  7,342
Acres mown…………………………………………………………    648
Tons of hay cut…………………………………………………….    686
Horses………………………………………………………………….    327
Cows…………………………………………………………………….    284
Other cattle…………………………………………………………     379
Sheep…………………………………………………………………..    512
Bushels of clover seed…………………………………………..   157
Acres of corn………………………………………………………….  418

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Bushels of corn……………………………………………………17,389
Acres of oats……………………………………………………….     383
Bushels of oats……………………………………………………11,044
Acres of wheat……………………………………………………  1,186
Bushels of wheat………………………………………………..21,165
Acres of potatoes……………………………………………….     104
Bushels of potatoes……………………………………………  6,657
Value of farms………………………………………..………$270,765
Value of live stock……………………………………………   34,101
Value of farm productions……………………………….   40,570

BIOGRAPHICAL

     George V. Ingersoll, undertaker and furniture dealer, was born in Sussex County, N. J. Came to Orion, Mich., with his father and mother in 1854.  Lived there until his father’s death, when the family went to Oxford, same county.  After two years returned to Orion, and from there to Rich, Lapeer county.  In 1870 went to Junction Township, Osage County, Kansas, afterward to Russell County, where he took up a homestead.  Lived afterward in Liberty, Clay County, Mo., the home of the mother of the notorious James boys.  Was there when Pinkerton’s men are said to have thrown a hand grenade into her house, by which the old woman lost an arm.  Saw her the day she had it cut off, and she was grit clear through. Came back to Michigan in 1875.  Worked at farming until 1882, when he bought out W. Tubbs’ furniture and undertaking establishment in Mayville.

     George B. Markham was born in Plymouth, Wayne County, Mich.  In 1856 he went to Illinois; returned in 1858.  Followed farming there and in this State until 1860.  Was afterward engaged in manufacturing patent corn planters, bed springs, etc.  Was also for a time in the foundry of Charles Herrington, Northville, manufacturer of agricultural implements, school furniture, etc. Came to Mayville in 1870 and started a planing-mill the first in this part of the county.  Continued in the business until 1881, when he opened a hardware and jewelry store.  Is now (1883) closing up his business on account of ill health.  Was school assessor four years.  Married to Lucy A Husted in 1866.   They have two children.  He is a brother of A. B. Markham, the attorney, and his aged father at present makes his home at his house.

     Arthur Veitch, postmaster at Mayville, Tuscola County, Mich., was born in 1850 in Embro, Oxford County, Ontario.  He learned the trade of a printer, working for about four years in the office of the Guelph Mercury.  In 1868 he came to Michigan, and for some months was in the store of H. K. Crittenden as a clerk.  In 1868 he went to Grand Haven, Mich., working in the News office there for some months.  From there he returned to Mayville, and in company with his father engaged in mercantile business.  June 19, 1873, their establishment was totally destroyed by fire.  The firm was dissolved by the death of his father, May 17, 1875.  The business which they carried on was formerly owned by H. K. Crittenden, and was purchased from him when he went to California.  In company with his father-in-law the bulding now occupied by him was built, and they did a general mercantile business for about a year under the firm name of Choate & Veitch, when Mr. C. retired from the firm.  He now deals in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, stationery, books, wall paper, shelf groceries, etc.  Was married to Miss Mattie C. Choate in 1871.  They have two children, both sons.

     Walter Tubbs was born of American parents in the township of Blenheim, Oxford County, Ontario.  The father brought his family to Michigan in 1842, and went to farming in Macomb County.  Removed from there to Oakland County, and later to Rich, Lapeer County.  The son, Walter, came to Mayville in 1867, and built the hotel now known as the "Fremont House." Sold it in 1869 and went to Kansas.  Farmed it there; also kept a country store in Junction Township in Osage County.  In 1876 returned to Mayville and followed butchering for some time.  In 1878 he engaged in the undertaking and furniture business; sold that in 1882; was deputy sheriff for four years under John McPherosn; married to Elizabeth Ingersoll in 1857.  They have three children living.

     Benjamin D'Arcy, M. D., is a native of County Wicklow, Ireland.  The D'Arcy family, according to tradition, on his father's side, have always been farmers, and on the mother's, either medical men, clergymen, or farmers.  The doctor emigrated to Upper Canada in 1851, living for a number of years in Durham and Huron Counties, while in the township of Harwich, in the last named county, he taught school and also studied medicine.  In 1864 he attended the normal school at Toronto, Ont.; also the literary department of Victoria University, at Cobourg, Ont.  Matriculated in 1866.  In 1868-69 he went to the University of Michigan, and in 1869 also went to the Detroit Medical College, at Detroit, graduating in that year.  He then came to Mayville, Tuscola County, and commenced the practice of his profession.  In addition to practicing he also carries on a drug store, dealing in drugs, groceries, notions, stationery, tobacco, cigars, etc.  He has now (1883) in process of erection a brick veneered building, 54X62 feet, and three stories high, with a basement, on the corner of main and Fulton Streets, in the village of Mayville.  Was married to Miss Ellen McKay, a native of Ontario, in 1871.  they have a family of four children.

     Nicholas R. Schermerhorn was born of American parents in Blenheim, Oxford County, Ont.  His father was a native of New York State, coming from near Schenectady.  The family came to Tuscola county in March, 1856, where the father bought land, clearing up a farm in what is now Fremont Township.  the son, Nicholas r., in 1858 left here and went across the plains to Califormia.  While in that State he worked at the blacksmith trade; also was a miner.  In 1861 he enlisted int eh Fifth California Infantry, in which regiment he served five years, lacking a few days, being in the service some sixteen months after the war closed.  In his company he was first duty sergeant.  His regiment saw service in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.  After his discharge he remained in Santa Fe, New Mexico, until 1867, when he returned to Tuscola county.  For two years he followed blacksmithing, and then went on a farm.  In 1873 he engaged in mercantile trade, was burned out the same year, losing everything.  Resumed business, however, and is an extensive dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware, tinware, stoves, boots, shoes, clothing, notions, etc.  Was township clerk, and also officially connected with the district schools.  Married to Miss Harriet Lawrason, of Oxford County, Ont., in 1867.  They have three children living.

     Allison L. Bryant was born in Kirtland Township, Lake County, Ohio.  His father moved with his family to Fremont Township, in august, 1861.  The son enlisted in Company G., Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, in 1862, and served through the war with his regiment.  Last two years was quarter-master's clerk.  Mustered out in 1865, at Salisbury, N. C., returned to Fremont, and in 1867 went into business at Mayville.  Was burned out in the fire of 1873.  built his present store, corner Main and Fulton Streets, after the fire.  Does a general merchandise business, runs a grist-mill, saw-mill, shingle-mill, and buys cedar and other timber.  Is a member of the firm of Bryant & Fax, grain dealers and proprietors of an elevator.  held the office of township treasurer six years.  Married and has a family of three children.

     Horace Fox, partner of A. L. Bryant in the grain trade, is a well-known farmer from Rich, Lapeer County.  Came to Michigan in 1856 from Canada.  He built the first steam grist-mill in Tuscola County.  It was burnt down in 1866.  Another was built on the same site by C. Kealand, in 1875.  In 1882 he rented his farm

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in Rich and moved to Mayville.  Is married, and has a family of six grown-up children.  In Lapeer County he held a number of public positions.  Was supervisor for Rich Township seven years, highway commissioner six years, and town treasurer two years.

     Alonzo b. Markham, attorney, was born in Plymouth, Wayne county, Mich., June 19, 1845.  His father was a farmer.  He received his education at the high school in Northville, the Agricultural College at Lansing, and the Michigan University, graduating from the law department of the latter institution in the class of 1870.  He was admitted to the bar at a term of the Supreme Court held at Detroit the same year.  He commenced practice in July, 1870, in the village of Mayville, Tuscola county.  Combined with his legal business he is also a real estate dealer and insurance agent.  In the fall of 1870 he was elected circuit court commissioner, holding the office four years.  Re-elected in 1880, continuing in office until January 1, 1883.  Has also been a justice of the peace, township clerk, deputy clerk, and connected with the management of the schools.  During the war of the rebellion he was a member of Company C, Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry, serving nearly three years, being with the regiment during the term of its enlistment and until the close of the war.  He was present at all of the engagements in which the regiment had a share, and it saw some very severe service.  He was married in 1873 to Mary Van Riper, of Fowlerville, Livingston County, Mich.  They have one child, a daughter.  Mr. M. has in his possession the original patent, signed by President John Quincy Adams, certifying that Abraham B. Markham, his father, had paid for and granting to him eighty acres of land in what is now the township of Plymouth, Wayne County.  It bears date of April 1, 1826.  This was the homestead on which he was born.

Harmon K. Crittenden was born in 1839 in Washington County, N. Y.   His father came with his family to Michigan in 1855.  they lived in Springfield, Oakland County until 1859, when they removed to Fremont, Tuscola County.  In 1851 the son, Harmon K., enlisted in the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, serving with that regiment three years, and participating in a number of engagements.  On one occasion four companies of his regiment, of which his own was one, numbering about 200 men, held four regiments of Wheeler's rebel cavalry in check for a whole afternoon, for which piece of gallantry they were highly complemented by Major General W. S. Rosecrans, and a corps flag presented them.  At the close of his term of service he returned to this county, and in 1865 put up about the first building in what is now the village of Mayville.  Was postmaster of the village from 1865 to 1868, also held the office of school inspector for a term.  He is engaged in a general merchandise business.  In 1869-71 he spent some eighteen months in California.  Married October 5, 1867.  Has a family of five children.

     Leonard Fox was born in Attica, Genesee County, N. Y.  From there his parents went to Canada in 1831, living for a number of years in the townships of Blenheim and Dumfries, in Oxford County, Ontario.  They were farmers, and he was brought up as one.  In March, 1855, they left the province and came to Michigan, locating in Tuscola county in 1856, in what is now the township of Fremont.  Mr. Fox bought the farm which he now tills from the United States Government.  It is in section 25, town 11 north, 9 east.  In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, serving with that regiment until the war closed, being mustered out at Salisbury, N. C., in June 1865.  he participated in all the engagements in which the regiment took part in the West, and also when it was transferred to the East, escaping without a scratch.  In the township of Fremont Mr. Fox has held a number of offices, having been treasurer a number of terms, highway commissioner and pathmaster.  Was married in 1856 to Eliza Vermilyea, of Brant county, Ontario, and they have a family of six children.  Besides wheat and other cereals.  Mr. Fox is also much interested in fruit raising, having a fine orchard of apple trees, and a young and promising peach tree, one of several hundred trees which are commencing to bear this (1882) year.  In coming into this township the early settlers, of whom Mr. Fox was one of the first, came by  of Marathon, Lapeer County, and the way through the wilderness had been traversed by only one settler previous to the families which came in at the time he did.  There was no grist-mill in this part of the county then, and they were at times compelled to grind their corn in coffee-mills.  It made pretty coarse meal, but the pioneers, judging from their personal appearance today seem to have thrived on it.

     Byron McCartney, farmer, was born in Wayne County, Mich., in 1836, in Plymouth Township.  Was educated in the district schools.  In 1858 he went to California by the Isthmus of Darien route, and remained there for twelve years, with the exception of a visit home in 1866-67.  While in that State he was a miner a portion of the time.  Worked in a wooden-ware factory, and teamed for four years between Sacramento and Virginia, and Gold City in Nevada.  On the death of his father, February 15, 1871, he returned to Plymouth, having been appointed administrator of his estate.  In February, 1874, he removed to Fremont Township, Tuscola County, and went on a farm.  Married to Mrs. Harriet Burgess January 9, 1872.  They have three children.  In 1853 he came to Watertown, in this county, with his brother James, but only remained a short time.  The brother still lives in that township.  Mr. McCartney was treasurer of Fremont Township in 1881 and 1882.

     William Turner, farmer, was born February 2, 1822, in Yorkshire, England.  His parents emigrated to Canada when he was an infant, locating in one of the parishes near Quebec, where his father died.  He then came West with his mother to Oxford County, Upper Canada, now Ontario.  In January, 1856, he came to what is now Fremont, Tuscola county.  At that date there were only two other settlers in the township, James Wells and James Mead.  He purchased land in section 23, town 11 north, range 9 east, afterwards settling in section 36, where he now resides.  In the early days it was a difficult matter to get grain  ground, mills being distant and roads at some seasons impassable.  One year he and his neighbors were compelled to grind corn in a large-sized coffee-mill he owned.  He has held a number of township offices, having at times been supervisor, treasurer, justice of the peace, highway commissioner, pathmaster, etc.  In 1848 was married to Catharine Spencer, a native of England.  they have four children.

     Will N. Kitchen, farmer, was born in 1817, in New Jersey.  His father, who was also a farmer,, left that State when the son was about two years old, and moved to the county of Oxford, Upper Canada, living in the township of Blenheim, and afterwards Dumfries.  Came to Michigan in 1855, and to Tuscola County in 1856, locating in what is now the township of Fremont.  At the time of his settlement in the township there was only one acre of land cleared, and that ws a part of the land owned by James Wells, and opposite the farm now occupied by Mr. Kitchen.  Mr. K. has not been an office-seeker----the only public position he ever accepted having been that of highway commissioner.  Has been married twice, the present Mrs. Kitchen being a native of Canada.  her maiden name was Charlotte Ann Hamilton.  Their marriage took place in 1859.  In all he has had nine children.  Two of his sons were members of Company D, Michigan Twenty-third Infantry.  Lewis L. died in hospital at Chattanooga, and the other, Freeman H., is now a farmer in Fremont Township.

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     Freeman H. Kitchen, farmer, was born in Blenheim, Oxford County, Ontario.  His father was a native of New Jersey, and was also a farmer.  His family came to Michigan in July, 1855, remaining at Flint until March, 1856, when they removed to Tuscola County, locating on section 36, township 11, range 9, at that time a part of Vassar Township, but now in Fremont.  The son and subject of this sketch bought land in sections 35, 27 and 14, in township 11, range 9, where he now has a farm of about 140 acres.  In 1862 he enlisted n Company D, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, serving with it through the war, and was mustered out at Salisbury, N. C., in 1865.  He has service with the regiment in the Western, and also in the Eastern departments.  Was absent only eight days from his command from the day of his enlistment until his discharge, and escaped unwounded.  In this township he has served as township treasurer two years, highway commissioner three years, and school director eleven years.  In 1880 he was elected supervisor, and re-elected in 1881 and 1882.  Was married in 1867 to Frances S. Root, of Rich, Lapeer County.  They have a family of five children living.

     Rev. Charles B. Mills was born in York County, Maine, May 5, 1823.  He was brought up on a farm.  He was educated at a neighboring academy and at Whitestown Seminary, in the State of New York.  He was educated for the ministry, and began pastoral work as a Free-will Baptist clergyman, in 1849.  September 18, 1851, he married Ann M. Morrison, of Sanford, Maine.  They have eight children living, and have buried two.  In 1854 he was preaching in Maine, and had been in poor health for several years.  He was told by his physician that he must abandon mental labor before he could regain his health.  With a view of securing cheap land he finally purchased 200 acres in the present township of Fremont.  In the spring of 1856 he moved his family to this new country.  at Pine Run he hired a team to bring them to Wolverton's, in the present town of Millington, and there got an ox team to transport them the remainder of the journey.  They were two days going the last thirteen miles.  They arrived upon the site of their new home in April, 1856, and first occupied a house that had just been built by David Fulton, one mile south of the present village of Mayville.  He immediately built a log house, going a circuit of twelve miles to het men enough to raise it.  Having studied navigation in his younger years, and finding that the services of a surveyor were needed he procured instruments, and for several years did all the surveying in that part of the county.  He was also preacher , doctor and counselor.  In the fall of 1860 he was elected probate judge, and held that office eight years.  he was a member of the State senate at the session of 1868-69, and the extra session of 1870, and a member of the house in 1876-77.  In August, 1877, he removed to Hillsdale, having accepted the office of treasurer of Hillsdale College, a position he still retains.  Very soon after entering upon the life of a pioneer his health was restored, and for seventeen years he was pastor of the Baptist Church, in Fremont.  Mr. Mills has always been very popular with the people of Tuscola County, and has contributed largely to its reminiscences and traditions, as well as to its fame.

     James Turner was born in England, in 1814, and came to Quebec, Canada, in 1823.  In 1856 he came to Tuscola county, and settled on a farm on section 23, in the township of Fremont, where he has since resided, and has cleared up a good farm, making himself a comfortable home.  He was married in 1839, to Miss Jane McNicoll, and has raised a family of ten children, two of his sons serving in the late war.  Mr.. Turner has held many of the township offices, including that of supervisor, justice of the peace, treasurer and clerk.

     E. F. Godfrey was born in Clarence, Erie County, Ohio, in 1818.  In 1859 he came West, and settled on section 21, in the township of Fremont, and cleared up a farm upon which he now resides.  He has served as justice of the peace twenty=three years, and supervisor, three years. Was married in 1843, 59 Miss Rhoda C. Clapp, and has a family of three children.

     Eli Brooks was born in England, in 1837, and came to the township of Fremont, in 1857.  He settled on section 24, but soon thereafter removed to Tuscola, Tuscola County, where he remained until 1860, when he returned to Fremont, where he has since resided, with the exception of three years he served in the late war.  In September, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, was in the Western Army till the close of the war.  Was with Generals Sherman and Thomas in all the prominent battles in that department.  He was married in 1859, to Miss Anna Turner, and has four children.  Mr. Brooks has held several important township offices, including supervisor, one year; commissioner of highways, six years, and treasurer, four years.

     John A. Morgan was born in New York, in 1833, and came to Washtenaw County, Mich., with his parents, in 1834.  February 9, 1851, he came to Vassar, which, at that time contained but five buildings, and engaged in lumbering until 1879.  He then came to Fremont and purchased a farm on section 18, upon which he now resides.  October 2, 1862, he was married to Miss Maria Hall, a native of Yates County, N. Y., and has five children. 

     Nelson Cody was born in Canada, in 1831, and came to Lapeer, Lapeer County, Mich., in 1859, thence to the township of Fremont, in 1864, where he located on section 35, and engaged in farming and fruit raising, having a fine orchard of about 450 apple trees, about 150 plum, pear and cherry trees, and 300 peach trees.  He was married in 1857, to Miss Emily Swift, of Lapeer, and has six children.  Mr. Cody has served as supervisor and treasurer of the township.

     W. B. Curtis, M. D., was born in Wayne county, in 1839, and in 1831 graduated from the Medical University, at Ann Arbor.   He practiced his profession in Wayne, Wayne County, till 1876, when he came to Mayville, which he has since made his home, and where he is having a successful practice.  He was married June 19, 1870, to Miss Mary A. Tong, who died October 30, 1881, leaving two children.

     Rev. John Haas was born in Switzerland, in 1831, and in 1856 was sent as a missionary to Africa, where he was located on the Gold Coast.  In 1861 he returned to Switzerland, and the following year came to America.  At first he preached in Allegan Mich., a short time, then removed to Bay City, where he remained until 1865, following which he was in Adrian until 1869, and thereafter till 1877, at Owosso.  He then came to Fremont and settled on section 26, since which time he has been a farmer and preacher.  He has been twice married, first in Africa, in 1859, to Miss Eliza Stoll, by whom he had five children, and second to Miss Mary Krauss, in 1874, who also has five children.

     John Mead, deceased, was born in England, 1826; came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1853, moved to Indiana, in 1855, thence to Canada in 1856 and came to Fremont in 1860, where he settled on section 27, and remained until his death, in 1865.  He was married in 1849, to Elizabeth shivers, and had two sons and one daughter, John, Jr., Henry C., and Elizabeth Ann.  Mrs. Mead survives her husband.

     Ezra Tripp was born in New York, in 1795, and came to Lapeer County, Michigan, in 1830.  In 1856 he came to Fremont and settled on section 35, where he resided till 1874, when he removed to Lapeer County and resided there till 1876.  He then came to reside with his grandson, Harry H. Miller, in Fremont.  Mr.. Tripp was the second settler in Fremont; was the first postmaster and

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merchant, and held the offices of supervisor and justice of the peace for several terms.

      Harry H. Miller was born in Metamora, Lapeer county, Michigan in 1840, came to Fremont in 1877, and settled on section 20, where he now resides.  In 1862 he enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry and served under General Rosecrans in Tennessee, was discharged in 1863 for disability. He was married in 1866 to Miss Anna Dawson.

     David Fulton was born in clarion County, Pa., in 1820, and in 1844 went to Wisconsin, thence, in 1852, to Canada, and in February, 1856, came to the township of Fremont and settled on section 36, being one of four of the first settlers.  he cleared up a fine farm, and has represented the township in the offices of treasurer, clerk and commissioner of highways.  He was married in 1845 to Miss Susan Roberts, who died in 1848; was a second time married, to Miss Jane Griffith, in 1853, who died in 1854, and a third time to Miss Nancy Schermerhorn, April 7, 1855; and has four children.