HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY
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THE TOWN OF COLUMBIA
Township 14 north, of range 9 east, was organized by the board of supervisors at a meeting held December 31, 1855, and designated by the name of Columbia. The first township meeting was held at the house of David Clark on section 18. The inspectors of election were Wesley Hess, Andrew Marshall and Horace Marvin. This township had formerly belonged to Indian Fields. It belongs to the north tier of townships and is bounded on the north by Huron County, east by Elmwood, south by Almer and Akron and west by Akron.
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Its boundaries were slightly changed in 1879 by the
annexation to its territory of sections 36 of Geneva and 1 of Akron, which
included the site of Unionville.
Owing to the absence of the town records from 1856 to
1866, inclusive, the proceedings to town meetings and of town boards during
those years cannot be given. It is known, however, that at the first
town meeting there were thirteen voters present and fourteen offices to be
filled. Allen Brewer was chosen supervisor; H.C. Marvin, treasurer; Almon
Achenbach, clerk.
At the annual town meeting of 1883 the number of votes
cast was 270.
ENTRIES OF LAND.
The following entries of land were made prior to 1860:
TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 8 EAST
SECTION 1 Martin W. Cramer,
November 10, 1852
Charles E. Fonda, September 21, 1853
Charles E. Fonda, October 18, 1853
Michael F. Wurster, December 6, 1853
Levi Rumpel, March 20, 1854
Edward Van Demark, May 3, 1854
Levi Bluer, May 3, 1854
Leonard W. Kile, October 23, 1854
Samuel B. Covey, April 23, 1855
TOWNSHIP 15 NORTH, RANGE 8 EAST
SECTION 36 Wa-ba-ta-wance, March 27, 1840
Christian Krepp, July 20, 1852
Waterman Burlingham, November 10, 1852
Horace C. Marvin, October 14, 1854
Robert Kile, October 23, 1854
Richard Goodwin, March 2, 1855
Asa Butricks, July 11, 1856
TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 9 EAST
SECTION 3 Philip Krickbaum, May 30,
1855
Philo Harvey, October 3, 1855
SECTION 4 Allen Brewer, April, 1855
Philip Krickbaum May 30, 1855
Philo Harvey, October 3, 1855
SECTION 5 Jacob Theobald, August
26, 1853
John Mast, August 26, 1853
Mathias Bizer, December 2, 1853
Samuel B. Covey, April 18, 1853
Mathias Bizer, June 12, 1853
SECTION 6 John Van Demark, May 3,
1853
Mac-ca-koosh, October 10, 1842
Wa-ba-ta-wance, October 10, 1842
SECTION 7 Daniel D. Dewey, August
26, 1854
Daniel Marvin, August 26, 1854
John Dunnovin, November 8, 1854
SECTION 8 Daniel D. Dewey August
26, 1854
Daniel Marvin, June 5, 1855
John Covey, February 17, 1856
Abraham H. Farver, October 13, 1856
SECTION 9 Michael Culligan, October
27, 1856
James McDonnell, November 6, 1856
SECTION 10 John McDonall, November 1, 1856
James McDonnell, November 6, 1856
SECTION 17 Daniel Marvin, June 5, 1855
Abner S. Lamond, January 24, 1857
SECTION 18 David Clark, February 26, 1855
David Clark, March 2, 1855
Hosea A. Waldo, June 20, 1855
William Y. Phillips, October 16, 1855
John Woods, March 6, 1856
John Woods, March 19, 1856
SECTION 19 Almon Achenbach, December 20, 1854
Jacob Gould, April 17, 1855
Aaron Hagenbach, June 14, 1855
SECTION 20 Frederick Farver, may 30, 1855
John Staley, May 30, 1855
Jacob Hill, June 14, 1855
John Shawll, October 13, 1855
SECTION 21 Joseph Colling, June 5, 1854
Horace C. Hutchins, December 5, 1854
William Bird, April 17, 1856
Charles Conner, April 29, 1856
SECTION 22 Joseph Colling, June 5, 1854
William Abke, November 24, 1858
William Abke, March 23, 1859
SECTION 23 Joseph Colling, June 5, 1854
Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856
William Abke, November 24, 1858
SECTION 25 Edward W. White, November 22, 1856
SECTION 26 Henry H. Loomis, October 19, 1855
Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856
Duane Gillmore, October 16, 1856
John Kelley, March 8, 1858
William Hubbell, June 2, 1858
James H. Cumings, June 2, 1858
SECTION 27 Thomas Colling, June 5, 1854
John Cleaver, June 5, 1854
SECTION 28 Thomas Colling, June 5, 1854
John cleaver, June 5, 1854
Henry E. Gidley, November 4, 1854
Raymond P. Case, November 15, 1854
SECTION 29 Alinas Cole, October 26, 1854
Jackson Gifford, November 16, 1854
Jacob Hill, June 14, 1855
William S. Albertson, September 29, 1855
William King, August 15, 1856
SECTION 30 Almon Achenbach, December 20, 1854
Wesley Hess, April 26, 1855
Joseph King, June 5, 1855
Aaron Hagenbach, June 14, 1855
SECTION 31 Wesley Hess, July 14, 1854
Daniel Marvin, August 26, 1854
Benjamin G. Allegen, October 14, 1854
SECTION 32 Matthew Tuman, September 7, 1854
Ira Greenfield, October 11, 1854
Alson Greenfield, October 11, 1854
Silvester Smith, April 17, 1855
SECTION 33 Willard Greenaus, June 10, 1854
James Cleaver, November 6, 1854
Thomas Jackson, November 6, 1854
James Cleaver, July 26, 1855
SECTION 34 John Coverdale, November 6, 1854
James Cleaves, November 6, 1854
Thomas Jackson, November 6, 1854
SECTION 35 Samuel Tedford, November 19, 1855
Charles Mallory, November 19, 1855
Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856
Ceylon M. Kelly, December 30, 1857
Nathan J. Kelly, January 2, 1858
SECTION 36 Edward W. White, November 22, 1856
Nathan J. Kelly, January 22, 1858
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EARLY SETTLEMENT
The first settlement of Columbia was made in 1854 by H. C. Marvin and Andrew Marshall. The northern part of the county was then all new; no roads were laid out, but a little underbrush had been cut, and the settlers picked their way slowly through brush and over logs. The nearest postoffice was at Vassar, where also was the nearest grist-mill. Sometimes they went to Saginaw City to mill, but oftener to Vassar, traveling frequently nearly all night. When short of flour they often ground corn through the coffee-mill, taking turns at it, and grinding all the evening. Old boot legs they saved to half sole boots with, doing their own cobbling. The nearest railroad was at Pontiac. Traveling was done chiefly on foot. A great many Indians were camped in different parts of the county.
Mr. Marvin, in speaking of early times says: "In 1854 I came from Ohio to Michigan. After we left Farrandville, there was no public conveyance, and I walked from Farrandville to King Allen's three miles above Watrousville, in one day. The next week in company with King Allen and andrew Marshall I went to Sebewaing. We spent the night with one of the old settlers, Frederick Schelling, and the next day started back. Coming to an Indian sugar-camp after we had traveled some eight miles, we rested, bought some of their sugar, and took a good view of the Indians, their way of living, etc. We then started to go throught the woods south so as to strike the Allen neighborhood. We followed section lines part of the way, Mr. Allen leading until nearly sundown; then, as he was tired and wished me to, I took the lead, through a large cedar swamp covered with water. I was unacquainted with the country, but watched the sun closely, and after it became dark took the fixed star for my guide, and also felt the moss which always grows on the north side of trees. My companions felt certain that we were on the wrong course, and would have to lie in the woods all night. After traveling a considerable distance further we came to a chopping. Mr. Allen did not know where we were, but approaching a house that stood in the little clearing he knocked at the door, which was opened by one of his neighbors, Mr. John Kelsey. We had reached the desired destination of our journey.
"My first building in Columbia was made of hewn timber in the form of a block-house 22x32 feet in size. I did the work, assisted by Andrew Marshall. The shingles were made from sapling pine in the winter by throwing the blocks on the fire in our shingle shanty to draw out the frost. We made them up, sap and all, and they still remain on the roof of apart of what is now called the Shellito House. What lumber I used for floors, doors, etc., was hauled through the woods from Watrousville and Wahjamega, costing me $25 per thousand feet. In the spring I cleared all the land I could, working early and late, planting corn and potatoes as late as June 16th, and sowing oats ten days later. My drops were good. I cut and sold prairie hay at $4 per ton. Oats sold for 5 cents a bundle. I often walked to Vassar,, Flint or Saginaw. Have walked to Vassar between noon and dark and to Saginaw in less than a day, by way of Watrousville Junction. I came into this wilderness because I thought the country was good, and I have not been disappointed. The soil is rich, the climate healthful, and the rising generation will find desirable homes made so by the toil of the fathers."
The first school in Columbia was taught in the winter of 1858-59' by Mrs. Fonda. The school was taught in the first schoolhouse built in the town, and was located on section 6.
The first sermon preached in the town was by Rev. Mr. Klumph at the house of Samuel B. Covey, in the fall of 1855.
The postoffice of Columbia was established about 1877, and Ruolph Nemode was postmaster. Present incumbent, N. B. White. At an early day the settlers in Columbia received their mail at the Akron postoffice, which is now Unionville.
Among the early settlers were Isaac Santee, R. P. Case, W. S. Albertson, David Clark, Allen Brewer, W. J. Davis, E. Staley, Wesley Hess, Almon Altenbach, John and Mathias Bitzer.
FARMING
Although the settlement of this section dates back about thirty years, the farming era commenced some years later. It is a well known fact that Cass River cork pine was a valuable commodity for years, and lumbering was carried on on a scale that gave employment to hundreds of sinewy men and sustenance to their families. Settlers found lumbering paid better than farming, and so for years agricultural development was a thing that obtained no lodgment in the minds of the pioneer toilers. The almighty dollar was the incentive to labor in those days, as now, and the quickest way to earn the dollar was adopted as the means of livelihood. a change came one day, however, and the fact that the vast forests of pine had succumbed to the ruthless advance of the lumberman was graven on the minds of those who had taken up homesteads or purchased farms. The soil must be tilled for a livelihood, but before the tilling must come the clearing and burning. The pioneer farmer is a resolute specimen of the genus homo, and when he began his warfare upon the forest each year marked a considerable advance toward its ultimate subjugation. For a time the progress was slow, as the number of farmers was small and the hardships they had to endure were sufficient to make even a brave man shrink from the task. Gradually the holes in the woods grew larger and more frequent, and the log cabin gave way to more pretentious dwellings. But the forest was not the only enemy the farmers in Columbia had to contend with. The land is low, and in wet seasons much trouble was experienced.
THE COLUMBIA SWAMP
From three to four sections in the northeast part of the town are covered by what is known as the Columbia Swamp. Previous tot eh fire of 1871 it was covered with a heavy growth of black ash, cedar and tararack, and an occasional ridge of hemlock. The fire of 1871 burned over the surface, consuming the resinous cones and foliage and loosening the grip of the trees upon the soil, so that the hurricane which followed laid nearly the whole forest prostrate. In 1881 the fire found here the best of fuel, through which it swept with a force and intensity unparelleled in other sections of the country. The soil of this swamp is sandy loam and vegetable mold. Systematic drainage would undoubtedly render this as valuable as any portion of the town or county, and it is only a question of time when this result will be reached.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Services were for several years held in private houses in the town by Revs. G. Speckhart and J. L. Hahn.
February 14, 1876, the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Unionville met at that place and adopted a constitution, providing in section 1 that the name of the congregation should be "The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Congregation of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession , of Unionville." January 22, 1877, a meeting of the male members of the church of full age met at their place of worship in the town of Unionville and elected three trustees, viz.: Gottfried Schultz, John Leger and Mathia Bitzer, thus legally organizing and incorparating the church.
The number of members was nine; the pastor, Rev. J. L. Hahn. A small building and grounds were bought in the following year, and in 1881 a church was built two miles distant from the village of Unionville, in the town of Columbia. It is 26x40
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feet in size and has a seating capacity of three hundred. Rev. Mr. Hahn is still pastor, but, having the church at Sebewaing and others under his charge, holds services here but once in three weeks. Arrangements are being made for a settled pastor, and a Sunday-school is to be organized. The trustees of the church are Christian Schutz, Reuben Bach and Gustav Streiter. Clemens Martini is clerk.
SCHOOL MATTERS
According to the report of the school inspector of the town of Columbia for the year ending September 4, 1882, the school directors for the ensuing year were William Hamlin, Frank c. Edgar, Fayette Haynes, R. A. Lyman and William J. Davis. There were four whole and two fractional districts and five schoolhouses. The total number of children of school age was 401; number attending school during the year, 303.
STATISTICAL
Census of 1860: Population, 94; families 22; dwellings, 24; number of occupied farms, 18; number of acres improved, 494; number of horses, 1; number of cows, 42; bushels of wheat raised, 529; bushels of rye raised, 129; bushels of corn raised, 663; bushels of oats raised, 365; bushels of potatoes raised, 769; pounds of butter made, 2,800; pounds of cheese made, 500; tons of hay cut, 71.
Census of 1870: Population, 424; families, 93; dwellings, 93; farms, 53; voters, 94; number of acres of improved land, 1,572; pounds of butter made, 14,650; bushels of wheat raised, 2,715; bushels of corn raised, 914; bushels of oats raised, 2,170; bushels of potatoes raised, 2,125.
Census of 1874: Population, 538; bushels of wheat raised, 4,041; bushels of corn raised, 8,890; bushels of potatoes, 4,657; tons of hay cut, 639.
Population in 1880, 1,196. In 1882 the number of acres assessed was 22, 769; total equalized valuation of real and personal property, $394,824; number of farms in 1881, 137; acres of improved land 3,673; bushels of wheat raised in 1880, 1,823; of corn, 27,220; tons of hay, 1,168.
TOWN OFFICERS SINCE 1866
YEAR | SUPERVISOR | CLERK | TREASURER |
1883 | Alson Greenfield | Perry A. Marshall | John S. Coy |
1882 | Alson Greenfield | R. H. Russell | D. C. Marvin |
1881 | E. Staley | James W. Stiner | Andrew Marshall |
1880 | E. Staley | Roswell Surine | Andrew Marshall |
1879 | E. Staley | Griffin Covey, Jr. | Herman Archibald |
1878 | E. Staley | Francis a. Stiner | Andrew Marshall |
1877 | E. Staley | Francis a. Stiner | Andrew Marshall |
1876 | Alson Greenfield | Augustus Greenfield | Andrew Marshall |
1875 | Alson Greenfield | Roswell Surine | Andrew Marshall |
1874 | Alson Greenfield | Roswell Surine | P. C. Coy |
1873 | Alson Greenfield | Roswell Surine | H. C. Marvin |
1872 | Alson Greenfield | Roswell Surine | H. C. Marvin |
1871 | Alson Greenfield | John Russell | H. C. Marvin |
1870 | Alson Greenfield | P. C. Coy | H. C. Marvin |
1869 | Alson Greenfield | George H. Granger | H. C. Marvin |
1868 | E. Staley | George H. Granger | H. C. Marvin |
1867 | E. Staley | S. Ale | H. C. Marvn |