HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY
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TOWN OF ELMWOOD
The territory comprised in the town of Elmwood is,
by government survey, designated as township 14 north, of range 10 east.
the surface of the country is generally rolling, some
portions, however, especially in the western part being level. The
soil is a clay loam, a portion gravelly. Maple, beech and hemlock are the
prevailing natural growth, the last named predominating in the western sections
of the town.
Among the earlier settlers were Joseph White, George H.
Wilcox and sons, Amos Predmore, John C. Laing and Warren Weydemeyer. The
earliest settlement dates from June 4, 1855, when Joseph White, his wife and
five children, settled on section 33. Mr. White was a native of Chenango
County, N.Y., and at the time of coming thus to make for himself a new home in
the wilderness of the West, was already an old man, being about sixty-four years
of age. They came by boat from Detroit to Saginaw, thence by team to
Elmwood. the journey from Saginaw took two days' time. The only road
for the last eleven miles was a "tote" or lumberman's, which, however
serviceable when snow is on the ground, and thus "the rough places made smooth,"
are but a poor apology for a road in June. The last mile and a half they
had to cut out themselves. It was well for them that they were strong for
labor and hardy of heart and will as well as of arm, for they had their full
measure of the toils, privation and discouragements inevitable in the life of a
pioneer in the woods. Sometimes they could get neither flour nor pork
nearer than Saginaw, and the supply often ran low. the nearest store and
mill was Aaron Watrous', of Watrousville.
It took five days for a trip to Saginaw and return with
supplies. Flour cost $10 per barrel in Saginaw and pork $20, and it cost
$2 per barrel for delivery at a point one mile north of Caro. A barrel of
flour was at one time sent them by the way of Sebewaing, and trip to bring it in
from there took two and a half days. The water was sometimes into the
wagon box.
Mr. White died in 1880, aged eight-nine years and four
months. His widow is living with her daughter in Juniata at the age of
eighty-five. Of the children who came with them, Elijah S. lives on the
old homestead; Mrs. James King resides in Juniata; Mrs. Frederick Rayner lives
in Reed City; Andrew died in the army, and Caroline, wife of Amasa Faulkner,
died in Caro. another son, Inman, is living in the State of New York.
The first marriage in the town was solemnized at the
house of Joseph White in march, 1856, Rev. I.J.B. McKenney officiating.
The contracting parties were Frederick Rayner and Robie White.
In 1857 B. F. and Tiffany Nettleton put up on Joseph
White's place a frame barn, being the first frame building in the county above
Caro, the lumber being brought from Wahjamega.
The first chld born in the town was Anna Powell, in
September, 1857.
The first Fourth of July celebration in the town was
held in 1860, near where now is Elmwood postoffice. Rev. A. N.. Warren was
chaplain; John C. Laing, reader; Andrew O. McDonald, orator; and Simeon
Botsford, marshal. There were about one hundred persons present.
Mail facilities until 1862 were anything but facile.
A club was formed of the families in the neighborhood and a formal agreement
entered into by which every man was to take his turn in going to Watrousville
and subsequently to Wahjamega for the mail, and of course this trip was made an
occasion for shopping and the transaction of business. This continued
until 1862, when a mail route was established from Watrousville via Wahjamega to
Forestville. Dick Patty, of Watrousville, was the contractor. The
mail was carried once a week, on horseback usually, sometimes on foot. The
establishment of this mail route was as great an event tot he people along its
line as is now the completion of the first railroad. The postoffice was
established at J. C. Laing's house, and Mr. Laing was appointed postmaster.
The office was subsequently removed to Elmwood village, or, as it has been
nicknamed, "the shebang," where it is now located.
The first sermon preached in the town was by the Rev.
George Graham at the house of Joseph White in the year 1862, and the first
church was organized by Rev. X. O. Smith in the winter of 1864, the church being
of the Methodist Protestant denomination.
The first school as taught by Lydia White in the first
schoolhouse built in the town, in section 35.
The first lawsuit was before Joseph Gage, justice of
the peace, in the year 1864, John McGee being plaintiff and Simon Campbell
defendant.
The first death was of Theodore B. Myers, which
occurred in March, 1865.
The town of Elmwood suffered severely in the forest
fires of 1871 and 1881, yet to a much less extent than many other towns.
The fire had not gained the intensity and rush which it attained as in advanced
farther east. In 1871 the fire had burned for about three weeks, when on
the 9th of October a hurricane came on, blew down the timber which had been
undermined, and carried the fire into the clearings. In 1881 the
destruction of property was greater, from the fact of so much down and dead
timber being left by the previous fire to furnish fuel for the flames. The
worst of the fire was in the western part of the town, where the hemlock and
other resinous woods were in greater abundance. the following is a list of
losses:
Charles Andrews, house and contents; Joe Vallad, hay,
straw and stable; Nelson Barse, oats, orchard; Robert Blouk, wheat; Daniel
Evans, fodder, orchard; William Fournier, horse, harness, William Ware, hay,
straw, stable, shed, orchard, lumber; J. B. Nicholson, hay, straw, fences, oats,
furniture; Richard Pardo, fences, buckwheat; S. B. Bourn, barn, hay, grain,
straw; Frank Seeley, fodder, wood; Al. Freeman, wheat, clothing; W. H. Mills,
clothing, bedding; John Benedict, wheat, oats, tools; David Baucus, buckwheat,
plow, wagon. The fire had one good result, that it helped to clear and to
bring under cultivation lands which were considered almost worthless, but are
now found to be among the best in the town. There is still a large area of
good land awaiting settlement, and offered for sale at reasonable prices.
ENTRIES OF LAND.
The following are the entries of land prior to 1860:
TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 10 EAST.
SECTION 1. James Cleaver, July 26, 1855
SECTION 2. Horace Bradley, March 19, 1857
Dexter F. Mitchell, April 14, 1857
SECTION 3. Horace Bradley, March 19, 1857
Robert McFurlan, March 19, 1857
Dexter F. Mitchell, April 14, 1857
Jonathan Vandyne, June 24, 1857
SECTION 4 Horace Bradley, March 19, 1857
SECTION 7 James Cleaver, June 19, 1856
SECTION 8 James Cleaver, June 19, 1856
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SECTION 9 James Cleaver, June 19, 1856
SECTION 10 James Cleaver, June 19, 1856
SECTION 11 Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855
SECTION 12 James Cleaver, July 26, 1855
Eliot Burnett, July 27, 1859
SECTION 13 James Cleaver, July 26, 1855
Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855
Eliot Burnett, July 27, 1859
SECTION 15 Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855.
SECTION 17 James Cleaver, June 19, 1856
Horace Bradley, December 10, 1856
Horace Bradley, December 30, 1856
SECTION 22. Peter Fuller, August 23, 1856
Horace Bradley, December 30, 1856
SECTION 23. Samuel P. Sherman, April 10, 1856
Peter Fuller, August 23, 1856
Mary Ann Wilcox, March 17,1 857
SECTION 24 David Walker, September 17, 1855
Weston Palmer, September 17, 1855
John Palmer, September 17, 1855
David B. Decker, September 17, 1855
SECTION 25 John Palmer, September 17, 1855
Franklin K. Beck September 22, 1855
SECTION 26 Martin Watrous, June 16, 1855
Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855
Horace Bradley, December 10, 1856
SECTION 27 Martin Watrous, January 5, 1853
Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854
Martin Watrous, May 5, 1854
Samuel P. Shearman, December 10, 1856
Horace Bradley, December 10, 1856
Mary Ann Wilcox, December 3, 1856
Mary Ann Wilcox, December 30, 1856
SECTION 28 Horace Bradley, December 10, 1856
Lina M. Wilcox, December 3, 1856
SECTION 29 Martin Watrous, January 30, 1858
SECTION 31. Dexter F. Mitchell, September 29, 1857
SECTION 32 Martin Watrous, March 3, 1855
Martin Watrous, March 2, 1855
Martin Watrous, April 17, 1855
Elijah S. White, August 28, 1855
James M. Van Campen, April 1, 1856
Thomas H. Williamson, December 15, 1856
Martin Watrous, January 30, 1858
SECTION 33 Martin Watrous, August 2, 1853
Daniel d. Dewey, September 22, 1853
Seth Hughs, November 25, 1854
Joseph White, August 28, 1855
John Palmer, September 13, 1856
Horace Bradley, December 10, 1856
SECTION 34 Martin Watrous, August 2, 1853
Martin Watrous, November 21, 1853
Lewis C. Beach, October 3, 1854
James M. Loud, November 24, 1854
William H. Swift, November 25, 1854
Daniel D. Dewey, February, 23, 1855
Thomas E. Rathburn, October 23, 1855
SECTION 35 Martin Watrous, August 2, 1853
Martin Watrous, April 18, 1854
Martin Watrous, June 14, 1854
Bela B. Balckslee, July 4, 1855
Thomas E. Rathburn, October 23, 1855
Walter Walters, April 18, 1856
Joshua D. Smith, March 10, 1857
Robert McFarlan, March 19, 1857
SECTION 36 Andrew Crofoot, Novmeber 13, 1854
John C. Laing, Novmeber 13, 1854
Amos Predmore, November 13, 1854
Jane Laing, November 17, 1854
Franklin K. Beck September 22, 1855
Robert McFarlan, March 19, 1857
PIONEER OF ELMWOOD
ELIJAH S. WHITE was born in Allegany County, New
York, June 24, 1834. In 1855 he came with his parents to Tuscola County,
arriving in the town of Elmwood on the fourth day of June, where his father had
previously pre-empted land in section 33. he himself purchased one hundred
and twenty acres of land in section 32, on which he made improvements; he did
not take up his residence upon it, however, but made his home with his parents,
and has continued to live on the old homestead to the present time. Coming
of age shortly after his arrival, he took active part in public affairs, and was
one of the petitioners on whose application the town was organized. At the first
town meeting he was elected treasurer and held the office de during the years
1850 and 1861. In 1862 he was elected supervisor which office he held for
eight years in succession and again, after one year's intermission, for four
years in seccession.
Mr. White was married August 9, 1833, to Nancy A.
Smith, daughter of Joseph Smith, one of the first settlers of the town of
Columbia. Mrs.. White was the pioneer teacher of Akron and also taught school
subsequently in Elmwood. They have two children, one having died.
The first lumber brought into the town of Elmwood was
rafted in Wahjamega, poled up the river to Caro by Mr. White, his brother
Andrew, Simeon Botsford and William R. Robinson, and thence by land to Mr.
White's place, where it was used in the construction of a barn, which is still
in good preservation and constant use.
The family suffered many hardships; money was anything
but plenty with them; the flour and pork barrels often ran low and the wild
fruits formed frequently a welcome addition to their fare. When, however,
their increased clearing furnished a surplus of products, a ready market for
their sale was found in the neighboring lumber-camps.
TOWN HISTORY.
The town of Elmwood was organized in pursuance of a
resolution adopted by the board of supervisors at a meeting held January
11, 1860. The territory comprised township 14 north, of range 10 east.
The signers to the application were William L. Miles, Geo. H. Wilcox, John C.
Laing, William S. Miles, John McGee, Amos Predmore, A. O. McDonald, P. R.
Weydemeyer, B. Prevo, E. S. White, Joseph White. First township meeting
was ordered held at the house of Joseph White. The town was first called
Waterloo, which name it retained until 1863. when it was changed to Elmwood by
act of legislature, approved March 14, 1863.
At the first annual town meeting of the town of
Waterloo, held April 2, 1860, at the house of Joseph White, George H. Wilcox was
chosen moderator, Amos Predmore, clerk, and Theodore B. Myers, assistant clerk
of the board of inspectors. The whole number of votes cast was eleven, and
the following were the officers elected, viz., supervisor, George H Wilcox,
clerk, John c. Laing; treasurer, Elijah s. White; school inspectors, Andrew O.
McDonald, Amos Predmore; highway commissioners, Philetus R. Weydemeyer, Elijah
S. White, Amos Predmore; justices of the peace, theodore B. Meyers, John H.
Wilcox, Andrew O. McDonald, John C. Laing; constables, Andrew White, Philetus R.
Weydemeyer; a unanimous vote was given in favor of district instead of town
libraries. Five hundred dollars was voted for highway purposes, and one
hundred and fifty dollars for contingent expenses. The inspectors at this
election were George H Wilcox, Elijah S. White and Amos Predmore.
The first meeting of school inspectors was held in the
following August, and School District No. 1 formed to consist of section 23, 24,
25,26, 35 and 36.
A meeting of the town boards of Waterloo and Ellington
was held November 17, 1860, at the house of Joseph M. Dodge, in the town of
Ellington, for the purpose of a settlement between towns; which resulted in the
town board of Ellington giving to the town of Waterloo an order on the county
treasurer for 4798.01 and an order on the treasurer of the board of school
inspectors for $50.87.
At the annual town-meeting in 1861, fifteen votes were
cast. The treasurer's statement shows the following as the tax-roll for
1861:
State
tax................................................................................$
53.25
County
tax.............................................................................
180.17
Township
tax........................................................................
1,050.00
Highway
tax.........................................................................
191.70
School
tax.............................................................................
149.84
Excess of
roll.........................................................................
2.11
_________________
Total......................................................................
1,627.07
August 21, 1861, the town board appointed Emery Nash as
supervisor to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of George H. Wilcox.
The annual town meeting for 1862 was held at the school
house in District No. 1. Two hundred and fifty dollars was voted for
highways, $75 for contingent expenses and one-half the two mill tax for library
fund.
June 20, 1862, the town board appointed George F.
Higley highway commissioner, to fill vacancy. At a meeting held October 8,
1862, Joseph White was chosen treasurer to fill vacancy, and Theodore B. Myers,
highway commissioner, to fill vacancy.
At the annual town meeting in 1863, it was voted to
raise $55 for each volunteer. The number of votes cast at this meeting was
thirteen. At the annual town meeting in 1864, the voters were eighteen.
A special town meeting was held June 27, 1864, for the
purpose of raising money for volunteers in the military srvice in the United
States. The town board was authorized to issue bonds in the sum of $100
each for payment to each person who should volunteer or furnish an accepted
substitute; and that $100 be paid Lewis P. Ramsdell on the transfer of his
certificate of election, being transferred to the town of Elmwood.
In August, 1864, the town board appointed Nelson Higley,
clerk, and E. S. White and George W. sumner, highway commissoners, to fill
vacancies.
From 1865 to 1870, the records of town meetings and of
the town boards, are missing.
The number of votes at the town meeting in 1870 was
fifty-one.
The records of town meetings and town board for 1871,
are missing.
In 1874 the number of votes at the town meeting was
ninety-three. Five hundred dollars was voted for contingent fund, and $285
for cemetery fund.
In 1875 the number of votes cast at the annual town
meeting was 101. It was voted to raise for the old orders in the town of
Elmwood, $700, for highway fund, $500.
In 1878 $1,000 was voted for highway purposes, and $300
for contingent fund. September 5th, the town board appointed Daniel Price
clerk, to fill vacancy.
At the annual town meeting in 1880, a resolution was
adopted to build a town hall, as near as possible to the center of the town.
The next year $200 was voted for a town hall, and the next town meeting was
appointed to be held as near the center of town as possible. the hall was
subsequently built, and has been, occupied by one town meeting.
SCHOOL MATTERS.
From the annual school report of the town of Elmwood, for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts are obtained. Directors for the ensuing year: Roswell Webster, Robert Miller, N. a. Waugh, Louis Fornier, George Carolan and W. W. Hargrave. There are four whole and two fractional districts, with six frame school-houses. The number of children of school age is 398; attending school during the year, 310.
STATISTICAL
Census of 1864: Population, 100; number of
acres of taxable land, 2,580; number of acres improved, 341; bushels of corn
raised preceding year, 765; bushels of wheat raised; preceding year, 662;
bushels of potatoes raised preceding year, 561; tons of hay cut preceding year,
73; pounds of butter made preceding year, 1,925.
Census of 1874: Population, 565; bushels of wheat
raised, 7,554; bushels of corn raised, 2,465: bushels of potatoes raised, 3,530;
tons of hay cut, 367.
In 1880 the population was 1,017; in 1882 number of
acres assessed, 22, 830; equalized valuation of real and personal property,
$280,325.