Montcalm County Mini Biographies
Bowen ~ Bradshaw Biographies
Bowen ~ Bradshaw Family Photograph Gallery
submitted by Linda B. Eppinger
Eli Bowen Eli and Anna (Bristol) Bowen
Written by Gerald A. Cory
Eli M. Bowen was born on Handy Township, Livingston county, Michigan, in 1843, the sixth child and fifth son of David and Betsey Bowen. David and Betsey were both born in New York State and had emigrated to Canada and then to Michigan, arriving in Livingston County in 1838. The children of David and Betsey Bowen were Serilla, Philander, Hiram, David, Oren, Eli, Spencer, William, Henry, Emerson, and Julia. The family had settled on a farm near Fowlerville and remained in Livingston County for many years. Eli worked on the farm with his father and attended the common school in Handy Township. In 1860, at the age of 17, Eli was employed by Peter and Sarah Cameron in Marion Township, as a farm laborer and lived at the Cameron home. Also living with the Camerons, was Annie Bristol, Eli's future wife.
Eli continued working as a farm hand until October 1861. Then with the Civil war building up in the East, he enlisted at the age of 18, as a Private in Company K, Ninth Michigan Infantry Regiment. The Ninth Infantry was organizes at Fort Wayne, near Detroit, and proceeded to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and then to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The Ninth became part of the 23rd Brigade, Army of Cumberland, and was commanded by Lt. Col. John Parkhurst. It was the first Michigan Regiment in the Western Department.
In January 1862, the Ninth was assembled at West Point, Kentucky, and embarked on the Ohio River to Nashville, Tennessee. It participated in the march through Kentucky after the Confederate General John Morgan, driving the notorious raider from the state. In April 1862, Eli was stricken with Typhoid Fever, and recovered slowly from that disease. In June, the Ninth formed a portion of a force of 5,000 troops under the command of General Negley and commenced a movement to capture Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Confederates were driven from the city, but not having sufficient troops to occupy the works, General Negley divided his forces and placed them at strategic points in the vicinity.
During July, 1862, the Ninth was garrisoned at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and on the 31st were furiously attacked by the Confederate General Forest and his force of 2,500 Calvary. The attack fell heavily upon the detachment of the Ninth. The Confederates rode recklessly into the encampment and a hand to hand encounter took place. After a prolonged struggle the enemy was driven back. Eli's company was evidently encamped elsewhere because the detachment at Murfreesboro was subsequently captured, along with Lt. Col. Parkhurst, and held as prisoner for some time. During November, 1862, the Ninth entered upon the campaign which culminated in the Battle of Stone River, and succeeded in capturing Murfreesboro. The Battle of Stone River was a desperate encounter and when the Union right was crushed during the Battle, the Ninth was employed in checking the stampede to the rear, and by holding the Nashville Pike the disorganized forces were stopped and returned to their commands. The Ninth was subsequently engaged in provost duty at Chickamauga, Georgia, and at other locations extending into Kentucky, during the long campaign preceding the fall of Atlanta.
During the long winter months of 1863, Eli was engaged in guard duty at Elizabethtown and West Point, Kentucky. The encampments were crude and the soldiers had little cover, oftentimes having only straw to sleep on which became soaked with water resulting in severe exposure in cold storms, and added to the misery and hardship of camp life. In March 1863, Eli contracted Typhoid Pneumonia, immediately followed by Typho-malarial fever, and was sent to a hospital at Nashville, and after prolonged treatment was furloughed home. Somewhat later he rejoined his regiment at Camp Chase, Ohio, which was there as paroled soldiers. In December 1863, Eli re-enlisted as a veteran. At that time he was 21 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, of light completion, brown hair and gray eyes.
The regiment rejoined the Army of the Cumberland in February 1864, and entered into the Georgia campaign. The regiment was on provost duty in all the battles between Chattanooga and Atlanta, and when Atlanta fell, did provost duty in that city. The Ninth returned to Chattanooga and then proceeded to Nashville with General Thomas, Commander of the Army of the Cumberland, performing provost duty until September 1865, when it returned to Michigan where it arrived on the 27th and was paid off and disbanded at Jackson. At discharge Eli received a pension of $2.00 per month, and about a year after discharge from service he married Annie Bristol.
Annie Bristol (called Anna) was born on November 26, 1845, at Handy, Livingston county, Michigan, the daughter of Levi and Phebe Bristol. The family had emigrated from New York State into Canada and then, probably about 1838, emigrated to Michigan and settled in Livingston County. Anna Bristol had two sisters older than herself - Sarah, and Jane and one older brother - Levi. In 1860, at the age of 15, Anna was living at the home of Peter and Sarah Cameron, in Marion township.
Eli and Anna were married on April 27, 1867, in the parlor of the home of his brother and sister-in-law - Oren and Catherine E. Bowen, in Cohoctah Township. The marriage was performed by George Cameron, Justice of the Peace, and a friend of the family.
Eli and Anna settled on a farm near the village of Cohoctah, and sometime later, to another farm near Oak Grove. On February 1, 1868, their first child, Estella Bowen was born. In 1869, the family moved to another farm in Handy Township. There during 1870, their daughter Lucinda , was born, and on March 6, 1872, a son, Adelbert Bowen was born. In the fall of 1879, the family moved to Spencer Township, Kent County, Michigan, and settled near the village of Gowen, and during that year, a daughter Susie Jane Bowen was born. About a year later, on June 26, 1880, their fifth child, Rettie Bowen, was born. On July 14, 1883, a son Clyde Bowen was born. Their last child, Montie Bowen was born on June 10, 1886. at this time their address was Gowen, Montcalm County, Michigan.
Eli had not been well since his service days, being afflicted with chronic dysentery and a variety of other service connected ills, and in 1888 he applied for an increase in his pension. According to the pension regulations in force in 1888, a doctor familiar with the origin of the pensioner's illnesses was required to verify original treatment. Dr. William Palmer stated of Eli that " although I have seen him but once since he left the service, I cannot recall with certainty of treating him in the Army, but I know that while the regiment was at Elizabethtown, many of the men were sick and I have no doubt that he was at that time sick as he states as I consider him a truthful man". Eli in comparing his previous state of health with his then poor condition stated, "I was as tough as a knot before I enlisted and never had any acute or chronic diseases. I have lived at Gowen, Michigan, 9 years this fall and working a piece of land for Mr. Cole. If my case is not plane enough I do not want a pension."
Eli's pension had been raised to $4.00 per month in 1887, and was not increased again until 1897, when it was raised to $12.00 per month, based on rheumatism and resulting partial disability. In 1901, he applied for another increase because of increased disability, and required the affidavits of several persons. The following letter was sent to the Commissioner of Pensions by Eli: Sir the reason George Hatfield will not make out a statement of affidavit he made out for me is because he rote me concerning his wife he left and I did not want anything to do with their trouble so did not answer his letter and he is offended and will not make out the paper. and Oren Bowen is offended at me because I made him pay a debt that he owed me, Eli Bowen." The affidavits were eventually obtained but the pension remained at $12.00 per month.
Eli was confined to his bed for quite long periods, but was able to be around also. Mostly, he was confined to his home near Gowen. In the months of May and June 1907, his health deteriorated rapidly, and on June 26, he was stricken with ascites. Eli Bowen died at his home near Gowen, surrounded by his family and friends, at 10:00 pm, June 27, 1907 of Cirrhosis of the liver and ascites. He was 64 years old. His funeral was held at Spencer Mills, and he was buried there on July 2, 1907.
Anna Bowen remained at her home near Gowen. She received a pension of $12.00 per month beginning June 28, 1907. This was raised to $30.00 per month beginning September 1916. Tragedy struck her family when about 1919, her Lucinda, was scalded and died from the effects,
Anna Bowen continued to live near Gowen, and on November 1922, at 8:30 a.m., died at her home. She was 77 years old. She was buried beside her husband at Spencer Mills Cemetery
Submitted by Linda B. Eppinger with permission from Gerald A. Cory
For Questions or info contact:
Gerald A. Cory
504 Walden
Falls Church, VA. 22046-2628
Edward Bradshaw
Edward and Hannah (Peasley) Bradshaw
Written by Gerald A. Cory
Edward Bradshaw was born in Orangeville Township, Genesee County, New York State, on August 8, 1832, the son of Edward and Betsey Bradshaw. Young Edward had two brothers older than himself - James and Jerrod and one sister - Clarisa Bradshaw who was born in 1836. The family lived in Genesee County, (later to become Wyoming County) for at least twenty years, being a farm family in that area. Sometime prior to 1850 the elder Bradshaw died, and shortly thereafter Edward removed to Potter County Pennsylvania, where he met and married Hannah Manora Peasley.
Hannah Manora Peasley was born in Ulysses township, Potter County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John and Peasley. Hannah had two brothers older than herself - Ebenezer and Jonathan, and a younger sister Rhoda. The mother of the family died before Hannah was 12 years old, leaving her the oldest daughter of the family in the sparsely populated, wild and mountainous area of Pennsylvania, where life was probably not easy.
Edward and Hannah were married on October 17, 1855, by Nelson Jinks, Justice of the Peace, in the parlor of the home of her parents. The couple moved to Genesee Township, Potter County, and their first child, Anna was born there on May 5, 1857. On October 8, 1861, their second child, Edgar was born. During that same year the Civil War broke out, and on august 26 Edward enlisted as a Private, in Company G. of the 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. G Company was raised up from enrollees from the Potter County area, and was commanded by Captain James Graves.
The 46th Regiment was hurried into action in Northern Virginia, and on May 25, 1862, Edward was wounded during General Banks retreat from Winchester. He was wounded by a gunshot - the ball passing through his thigh and near the hip joint. In his own words, the manner in which he received his wound, "was while defending the supply train, the Confederates charged upon us and then and there received my wound." He was taken prisoner and carried on a stretcher to the Union Hotel Hospital, at Winchester, there being treated the latter part of May and the first part of June, 1862. Edward was reported wounded and missing between Strausberg and Winchester, that record being made by the 1st Brigade, 1st division, Department of the Shenandoah, at Williamsport, Maryland, on May 30. In the latter part of June, 1862, Edward Bradshaw returned to Potter County, Pennsylvania, having been discharged at Washington D.C., a paroled prisoner of war.
In the spring of 1864, Edward moved with his family to Spencer Township, Kent County, Michigan, and settled near the village of Gowen. Probably a number of related families emigrated to Michigan during this period. Michigan, as a part of the Northwest Territory, had been thrown open to settlement somewhat prior to this time, but land was still available at almost no cost. Edward's brother Jerrod Bradshaw, as well as some members of the Peasley family also emigrated to the Gowen area. Edward and Hannah's last child, Lena E. Bradshaw, was born at Gowen on May 26, 1874.
The family remained in the Gowen area, farming for a living, until Edward's health began to fail. Then during the fall of 1898, Edward applied for admission for he and his wife to the Soldier's Home at Grand Rapids, Michigan. Both were admitted to the home, his disability in being unable to continue farm work was given as chronic rheumatism and disease of the heart. Both were given pensions of $12.00 per month.
In late October 1905, both Edward and Hannah returned to live at Gowen Michigan, and after a short while moved to Belding, Michigan where they probably lived with their son and his family, Edgar and Estella (Bowen) Bradshaw. Their address at Belding was 115 West Liberty Street. There Edward died on November 14, 1910, at 78 years of age.
On March 11, 1911, Charles M. Peasley , was appointed Guardian for Hannah Bradshaw, and on December 30, 1912 she returned to the Soldier's Home at Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her pension was raised to $30.00 per month. Hannah Bradshaw remained at the Home the rest of her life. She died there of Broncho Pneumonia, on January 22, 1927, at 89 years of age. Her nearest relative at that time was her daughter, Mrs. Lena Baird, 1013 S. Division Avenue, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Submitted by Linda B. Eppinger with permission from Gerald A. Cory
For Questions or info contact:
Gerald A. Cory
504 Walden
Falls Church, VA. 22046-2628
Bessie Bigler and Archie McKillop
submitted by Bea Jolly
When I started on this journey to trace my roots, I never thought it would be so interesting. First I must say a special thank you to my "Santa Claus" Jan Wheelock of Montcalm Co. (without her the journey would have been very difficult.). Also a thank you to Judy Schuster, Vonnie Thomas, and Ruth Bigler.
It started out because my cousin told me that not much was known about our family. She lives in Michigan, I live in Missouri now. When I was back home on a visit to her house last year, she and her husband took me up to visit my Grandmother Bessie's grave at Riverside Cemetery in Montcalm Co.. There was a large McKillop head stone next to her grave. I asked if that was our Grandfather Archie. She said no. All we knew of him was he died young of a burst Appendix when he was about 35. When I returned to Missouri, I decided I had to know "my family".
On the computer, I found this web site, thank goodness. I knew our family had come from Montcalm Co. I lived in Stanton with my Grandmother Bessie, her second Husband Grandpa Scotty, and Uncle Leland. We lived in the house across from the hotel in Stanton. It was such a happy time for me. I loved Stanton & still do, but for some reason never went back.
To get back to my journey, I posted a query on this web site asking for any information RE: Bessie Bigler and Archie McKillop who had lived near Langston on a farm in the early 1900's. I also sent a letter to all the Bigler's I could find with an address in Montcalm Co. Imagine my thrill and surprise when I received an e-mail a few weeks later from my "Santa Claus" Jan Wheelock. She checks the query board and tries to help people. She works in the library there once a week and does lookups out of the greatness of her heart. She sent me data RE: a census record that listed Grandma Bessie & Grandpa Archie. She also sent me data RE: my Great-Grandpa & Great-Grandma Duncan & Mary McKillop (which I didn't even know about). She also sent me data RE: Marriage, death, & cemetery records. From that data I found out the following:
My G-Grandpa Duncan was an immigrant from Canada whose parents had been born in Scotland. He was born in 1849 and immigrated to the USA in 1869, by 1870 he was in Montcalm Co., Michigan. He met my G-Grandma Mary originally from NY. They married and had 4 children, one of whom was my Grandpa Archie. Archie met & married my Grandma Bessie Bigler. (This for me is where the story gets interesting.) It turns out Bessie was a direct descendant of Elder William Brewster who came over on the Mayflower. My cousin had mentioned that she heard we had connections with a Mayflower family, but not how.
At the same time I received a letter from Ruth Bigler of Gowan, MI. She sent me a clipping from the Greenville Newspaper about an article on Hattie Bigler (my G-Grandma) getting killed by a train while crossing in a horse & cutter at Hale's Crossing. I wrote to the person whose byline appeared on the article. She in turn sent me more history on the Biglers showing that John Bigler married Deborah Brewster of the Mayflower line. All I could think of was "WOW" all this because I posted a query on the Montcalm Co. web site.
This is how Deborah Brewster Bigler came to be buried in the cemetery which is on the Montcalm Co. web site.
Elder William & Mary Brewster came to America on the Mayflower in 1620. They had Jonathan who married Lucretia Oldham who had Benjamin.
Benjamin married Anne Darte, they had William.
William married Patience, they had Ebenezer.
Ebenezer married Elizabeth DeWolf, they had Charles.
Charles married Keziah Owen, they had Eliphaz.
Eliphaz married ? Owens (first name never confirmed). They had Ezra.
Ezra married Hannah Shetler, they had Deborah Brewster, my GGGrandma.All of the above has been verified by the Mayflower Society General #56,794.
Ezra Brewster was living and farming in Canada at the beginning of the War of 1812. The government of Canada gave him a choice, renounce his allegiance to the New US or leave Canada and his property. He chose to leave. He moved his family to N.Y. where Deborah was born. He then moved his family to Oakland Co., Michigan where Deborah met John Bigler (my GGGrandpa) and married. (John Bigler had been born in N.J. and had moved to MI.)
Deborah Brewster & John Bigler had 11 children of whom one was Barney Bigler (my GGrandfather), who married Sarah Mann in Montcalm Co. They had Valmer (my GGrandfather) who married Hattie Johnson (the one run over by the train). They had Bessie my Grandmother. Bessie married Archie McKillop and had my mother Thelma (who was deaf from a childhood illness). My mother married B. Shoup and had me.
After John Bigler died in Oakland Co., Michigan in 1861, Deborah moved to Montcalm Co. with her 4 youngest children. Some of her other children followed. 2 of her children are buried where she is, East Montcalm Cemetery on the Barney Bigler lot. 2 more are buried in Spencer Twp. in Kent Co, Michigan. 2 more are buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Montcalm Co. 1 is buried in Edmore Cemetery. Deborah & John Bigler had bought a farm North of Greenville while they were living in Oakland Co. The deed is at the Montcalm Co. seat. It appears from the record that their daughter Elizabeth Stern and her husband bought the farm from Deborah.
There are still a lot of Johnsons, Manns, Biglers, and Ellsworths living in and around Montcalm Co. The above names are all part of the Deborah Brewster Bigler line.
Bea Jolly
submitted by Sonya Otteson - Steven_Vitarelli@msn.com or SonyaSteve@aol.com
Montcalm County Michigan by Dasef c.1916
Barber Dickinson was among the early settlers in the northeast part [of Crystal township]. He was born in New York, whence he came to Eaton county, Michigan, in 1853, and afterwards lived successively in Bushnell and Bloomer, coming to Crystal in 1856. He entered forty acres of government land and continued to reside in the township until his death which occurred in 1869.
submitted by Merton L. Alexander
My grandfather, Walter Merton Alexander was married 23 Dec. 1892 at Howard City, Reynolds Twp., to Elizabeth Ann Yeakey. His father, James Alexander died 5 March 1894 and is buried in the Reynolds Cemetery. James was b. in Orleans Co., NY on 19 Sept. 1836, and then the family came to Genesee Co., MI. James married Alice Lucinda Booth, and her mother Olive (Loveland) Booth Stuart died 30 Mar. 1884 and is buried in the Reynolds Cemetery. Elizabeth Ann Yeakey's mother, Hannah M. Roberts died 30 May 1883 in Howard City.
On my mother's side, I have Ruby [Roby] Archer who died 23 May 1877 in Day Twp., Montcalm Co. She was married to David Hodges and later married a Grant. I also have Scofield ancestors from Day Twp., Stanton area. I have extensive lineages for Alexander, Booth, Loveland, Stuart, Archer and Scofield.
submitted by Cindy Bryant
PERCIVAL, Jabez C. & Polly (Brooks)
Found in an old photo album, paper unknown, May 1901. Palo, Ionia Co, MI people:"Uncle Percival" was born in Greenbush, Renssalaer county, N. Y., Jan. 21, 1816. He was the eldest of nine children, six of whom are now living. At the age of seventeen he was converted and joined Division Street M.E. Church of Albany, N.Y. His trade was that of a carpenter. In the spring of 1837 he went to Olean, Chattaraugus county, N. Y., where he met Polly Canfield Brooks, and married her in 1840. Six children were born to them, four of whom are still living. From Olean the family moved to Forest county, Pa., in 1857; from thence to Palo, Mich., in 1868, where their home has since been. "Uncle Percival" is a staunch Methodist. He has taken the New York Advocate for sixty years, with the exception of about twelve months. When able, he is found in his place at all the means of grace. Although old ___rs, he is a member of our Ep_orth league, and enjoys the company of the young. He is one of our class-leaders, and also teacher in the Sunday school. The name "uncle" shows in what high esteem he is held by the people of Palo, who know him best. (Picture with article).
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The sketch and portrait of this "mother in Israel' have been on file some two months, awaiting their place in our series. We now insert them some three weeks ahead of their order because of the death of Mrs. Percival, whose obituary appears in another column. It is painful to us that the use of these cuts has in any case been delayed too late for the mortal eyes of the blessed saints to see them for themselves. It has occurred now unavoidably in two cases. The leading events in the life of "Auntie Percival," as she was called by all her acquaintances, are given in the obituary, and so omitted here. She was born of the Spirit when fourteen years of age, and united with the church, and was a member of it over seventy years. Her father was a Methodist, and his home used to be headquarters for the itinerates. At her own home the "latchstring was always on the outside of the door" for ministers. She lived in Palo thirty-two years, and for twenty eight out of the thirty-two she was a teacher of the primary class in the Sunday school. A few years ago she had to give up her work because of declining health. This was a great cross for her. A large number of people in Palo and vicinity, yes, in many states, still remember Auntie Percival as their kind, loving and devoted Sunday school teacher. (Picture of her included in article).
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Obituary - PERCIVAL.- Polly Canfield Brooks, daughter of Judge James Brooks, was born in Olean, N. Y., March 22, 1817, and died at Palo, Mich., May 18, 1901, aged 84 years, 1 month, and 26 days.
On Dec. 1, 1840, she was married to Jabez Chapman Percival, at Olean. The union was a happy one. Six children, all sons, were born to them, four of whom are living. They moved to Newton, Pa., in 1857. In 1868 they came to Palo. Thus a wedded life of over sixty years is ended, and a residence of over thirty-two years at Palo is closed. The heart of "Uncle" Percival is very sad indeed. In her home "Auntie" Percival was a true, loyal and loving mother. She was a great lover of flowers, rocks, and trees, many specimens being found near the house. In the community she was a friend and helper to all. She made no distinctions. All that need received her kindly ministrations. She was converted in youth and became a member of the M. E. church. She taught the primary class in the Palo Sunday school for twenty-eight years. She was always loyal to her pastors, and her home was to be considered by them as their home. She never spoke evil of any one. Any of her words, so far we know, would have been appropriate for last words. Hers truly was a saintly life. She died as she had lived, namely, peacefully and full of faith. The funeral services were held at the M.E. church, May 20, her pastor, assisted by Revs. F. C. Fistler and D. B. Munger, of the Baptist church, officiating.
submitted by Sue Bates
WILLIAM HUSKER was born in England, 9/18/1815 and came to this country at the age of 18 (1833). He was on the ocean 3 months as their boat was taken out of its route by wind and weather. While enroute an epidemic of small pox broke out. Many died and were buried at sea. William also was stricken, but came safely through and as a consequence had to leave his family and care for neighborhood cases. He married Mabel Welling, I do not know the dates or place but I know both he and she lived in New York state. He had a sister there as my folks visited them when I was a child. William and Mabel lived in Rome Twp., Lenawee Co., MI and moved from there to the Twp. of Bushnell, Montcalm Co. in the spring of 1849. He and James Bacon came to Bushnell and took up land. They stopped at the home of Joseph Stearns. There was not even a trail beyond there, it is the farm on which (Sunny Hill) Cemetery is a part and the old log house was just east of the barn. The farm was later owned by Sylvester Mabin. his wife was Laxina Stearn. They selected their land and cut out a road through. James Bacon took a quarter Section from the Town Hall to Fancetta corners, 320 acres. He moved his family that spring. There was himself, his wife Mary Hanchett Bacon, their children Corydon, Harriet, Melvina, Eunice and Joseph, and commenced life in the wilderness. The Huskers stayed in Lenawee Co. during the summer and made preparation for moving in the fall. My Mother can remember the drying of fruit - of which there was an abundance that fall. She said there was a new grain box and a pillowcase full of pared apples, also pumpkins. In those days canning was unheard of. They made preserves but had no sugar much, but maple. There was loaf sugar which was kept for sickness. In September, William took his family and started for Montcalm Co. with an ox team. [Ann?] the eldest remaining to help care for her mother's sister who had consumption; she staying until she passed away. So, with George 13, Angelina 10, Mary 7, Hervey 3, they came to Bushnell. Mr. Charles Allehim having a team of horses brought one load of goods. He was the father of Stephen and Edward. Mr. Allehim left his family well, but on his return, his wife had passed away. In those days there was no means of communication. On their arrival here they thought to build a shanty, but at Mrs. Bacon's insistence they put a floor in what the Bacons had used for a stable and moved in until they could build a log house. The first thing was to get in a piece of wheat. They cut down the timber and cleaned several acres and between the stumps sowed wheat for their next years' bread. They carried water from a spring near Bacon Creek. Their farm consisted of 160 acres which now is the John Dickinson and the farm that was W. Sherd's. The road from the Stearns farm came across the back of the Forster and Cooper farm and was just a trail. The next concern of the two families was school. At that time not even the twp. was organized. Each family had to see that their children studied lessons and in the evening they got together and either Mrs. Bacon or Mrs. Husker heard the lessons. When they spelled all but the one stood in line (Mrs. B had been a teacher). Later the Township was organized and a school house was built east of Ervon North's as the road was to have gone through north of the Cemetery. On account of the swamp it was farther west. The school district took in a large scope as the Comstocks and Athertons attended. Town meetings were held in the Castle school house for years, my mother supplying dinner for the Board. Both the Bacon and Husker farms were mostly oak timber and so they went out and chose a sugar bush and considered it theirs until the land was occupied. There they made their sugar fro the year. The sap was boiled in a caldron kettle (iron). The spikes were of pine with a hole burned through [and] as there were no pails the sap was caught in troughs honed out of logs. It was considered great fun for the young folks to gather for the sugaring off. Both the Bacons and Husker families were God fearing people, and each Sunday morning took their children and attended church services on North Plains where the Palo people went. It was an all day trip so, of course, must take their dinner. After the VanVlicks owned horses they would leave their oxen there and go on with them. In a few years the Baptist church in Palo was built. Each family contributed money or labor. My father [William Husker] carried the mortar to plaster the church. Our people were mostly buried from there. George Husker was the first soldier buried in the Palo Cemetery. He died in KY and was brought home. The first Cemetery in Palo was started upon the corner by the place Mahlo and Olive [Sherd] lived in Palo. I think a Fisher child was the first to be buried. Later it was moved to it's present site. The old log house the Huskers built stood across and a little south from the Bacon home. When Stephen and Edward Allehim moved with their wives to Bushnell they stayed at the Husker home until they could build their own house and moved in before windows or doors were in. The Huskers brought with them a dinner horn which was often used to guide the children after nightfall when they were hunting the cows, as all stock ran at large. The new house was built farther south and now occupied by Mrs. John Dickinson. After living there a few years, they sold to James Wescott as Mr. Husker could no longer work. They had given the east 80 to their son George, who joined the army in 1861. He died of pneumonia before he had seen service. Later the farm was sold to George Smith, a son-in-law. He kept it until his wife Mary died and the farm was sold to Alex Hanchett, who lived there a number of years, then sold to William] Sherd. After selling, the Huskers moved to Palo settling in the first house north of the Baptist church. He died there. She lived there alone summers & staying winters with her daughter. The house finally became the Baptist Parsonage, later it was struck by lightning and burned. I heard my Grandmother Husker [said] that one summer when the price of butter was low and not much sale, she took their milk and some of the neighbors and made 1,000 pounds of cheese. When they first moved to Bushnell they went nearly to Ionia for mail. Before the war [1861] a post office was established at the Griffin home that stood on the corner where Fancetts barn now stands and was there until the war. Then went to the Lane home, which was on the other corner from the Fancett barn. Then it was transferred to the Frank Barnnett home. They lived on the hill where Egbert Comstock lived. It was soon discontinued and we got our mail from Palo. When it first came here it was brought in on horseback from Greenville. There was no doctor short of Ionia and no way to get there, only on foot or with ox team. Mrs. Husker acted as midwife and nurse and was called the best cook in the township. Their meat supply mostly depended on hunting. North of them, beyond Deana Mill, it was solid pine and was inhabited only by Indians who made baskets all winter, then in the spring took them on horseback to Muir. There would be 50 or 60 going Indian file, one behind the other, never two abreast. later, when picking huckleberries we would see Indians picking with their papooses hanging on the trees. [written by ANGELINA HUSKER 1839-1935]
submitted by Sue Bates
JOSEPH HANCHETT was born 5/16/1834 in the twp. of Pompey, Onondaga Co. NY. He came to MI in March 1855, the spring he was 21. He was the eldest of a large family and desiring to make a home for himself and having heard of the changes in MI, came to visit his mother's sister, Mrs. Hannah Thomas, near Wassell. From there he came on horseback to his father's sister, Mrs. James Bacon. After looking around [he] bought the farm now owned by Robert Fleisher. After completing the bargain he returned to NY. In a few weeks he returned, this time walking in from Lansing. He made his home with the Bacons, walking every day to his farm and back. He had to cross the creek on a log, as there was nothing but a trail through the woods. He arose at 4 in the morning, as he had to browse his oxen before work. After his marriage to Angelina Husker they began housekeeping in a little board house that I think was on the place. They had for their nearest neighbors Lyman Stearns and wife Eunice Bacon, my father's cousin. When she and my mother wanted to visit their parents of an afternoon, they went on foot carrying their babies and crossing the creek on a log. After a few years they found debts pressing and had a chance to trade for some property. Being inexperienced, he did not look at titles and the property was heavily mortgaged and he lost all. They then moved to a log house that stood at the end of the road west of the Dean school house; he, working out by the day. There they lived until he enlisted in the Civil War, 1861, my mother going home to live with her folks where I was born. He left for the front with 10 others in October 1861. There was George Husker, Melvin Bacon, Joseph Bacon, Jason Mills, Miller Barnnett, Nilam Stearns, Channcy Olmstead; the others I cannot remember. George Husker never reached the front as he contracted measles which lead to pneumonia and he died in KY and later was brought home for burial. Melvin Bacon died in the south ad was buried there, as also was Jason Mills. My father and Uncle Alex came home in the fall of 1865 and worked in the pine woods cutting logs. In the spring they bought the Yonnge farm; it is now the Forsher farm. There was just an old log house and a log barn. in the winter and spring the worked in the pine woods cutting logs, in the spring running the logs down Fish Creek to Grand River. My father helped build the Hanchett dam on Fish Creek. When Uncle Alex married Eliza Peters they built an addition to the house. Sometime later they bought 88 acres of the farm Grandpa Husker took up from the government. Later it was sold to William] Sherd. Soon after buying their place they dissolved [the] partnership and later Uncle Alex moved to Isabella Co. near Mt. Pleasant. The summer after he'd sold in the spring, my father and Uncle Alex drove to Houghton Lake [for] fishing. My mother and I went with them as far as Farwell to visit my Aunt Kate. We ate our dinner just beyond Stanton, which was all solid pine. We gathered wintergreen berries as large as peas. Everywhere we looked was red with berries. We lived on this place until the fall of 1881 when they moved to the place where they died. It was known at the Prescott Varnum farm at that time. There was no road beyond the farm. It turned in at the Chas. Bailey farm, going around the east side of the swamp, coming out of the Knapp driveway, which was then a log house and owned by the farms on the west side of the road. It was woods up to the brush line and the road ended at where the farm was at the north side of my father's barn, where there was a small board barn, and east of that was a log barn. The house stood north of the barn, back in the field. In this field was a wonderful orchard and there were many cherry trees, also currant bushes [which were] both red and white. There was an overabundance of horseradish. In order to get rid of it my mother and I used to pick up the roots after my father plowed and dragged. There is still some scattered roots now. When we wanted to go to Vickeryville we went to Bailey's corners. Our mail came to Sheridan and whoever of the neighbors went to town brought the mail and delivered it; Harvey Woods, Julia Bennett, Athertons and Jasons. Later a post office was established at Will Mills store. The road was put through to Vickeryville. Before the road was through east, Dr. Hargram used to put his horse in my father's barn and walk across to George Hopkins Sr.'s to attend Mrs. Hopkins. They [Joseph & Angelina Hanchett] built the new house in 1886, finishing only part of it as Grandma Husker was ill and came to live with them. I cannot recall when they built the barn, but the east end was built on in 1901. The grainery was built up by the log house and later moved to its present position. There was only 80 acres of the Varnum farm, but they bought 2 more 40 later they cleared a good share of all of it and lived there until their death. Both were 96.
Written by CORINNA HANCHETT SHERD, 1852-1956
submitted by Pat R. Stiles Taritas
There are many Montcalm soldiers in the MI 2nd and 10th Cavalry. Ozro Jackson Smith of Lakeview/Cato Twp. served in both companies. He is said to have been the first enlistee from Cato in Mr. Lincoln's War, enlisting at Camp Lee in Grand Rapids. I have a WIP tentatively named "Smith-Webster & Allied Families 1630-1936, Founding Families of the CT River Valley." This work consists of the American Ancestry of O.J. Smith of Cato/Knotmaul Corner and a good deal of his ancestry in England. Of his 50 identified emigrant ancestors all but one was from England and that was Stoffel [of Christopher] Vansant of Holland. This work contains several pages on the settlers of Cato Twp., the family of O.J. Smith. The Bentley Library, U. of M. has extensive material on Montcalm Co. Civil War activity as does the Burton Collection of the Detroit Public Library. I have O.J.'s civil war diary.
submitted by Sue Bates
JOSEPH HANCHETT enlisted in Company D, 9th MI Infantry on 9/5/1861 at Lyons for 3 years' service at the age of 27. He took the muster oath on 10/15/1861 and served in all of the movements and actions of the regiment, re-enlisting for the balance of the war at Chattanooga TN on 12/7/1863. He came home on leave until 12/25/1863 then returned and served until he was mustered out at Nashville TN on 9/15/1865.
JOSEPH H. BACON enlisted in Company D, 9th Mi Infantry at Lyons MI on 9/5/1861 for 3 years service at the age of 21. He was discharged for disability at Nashville TN on 10/21/1862.
JOSEPH BACON enlisted in Company D, 9th MI Infantry at Detroit, MI on 10/10/1864 for 1 year at the age of 24. He served out the war with the regiment and was mustered out at Nashville, TN on 9/15/1865.
MELVIN C BACON, Bushnell MI enlisted in Company D, 9th MI Infantry at Detroit, MI on 9/5/1861 for 3 years at the age of 26. He died of disease at Nashville TN on 9/27/1862.
ALEXANDER C. HANCHETT enlisted in Company D, 9th MI Infantry at Detroit MI on 10/10/1864 for 1 year at the age of 24. he served out the war with the regiment and was mustered out at Nashville TN on 9/15/1865 (enlisted same date and place as brother Joseph).
GEORGE HUSKER, Bushnell, MI, enlisted in Company D, 9th MI Infantry at Lyons MI on 9/5/1861 for 1 year at the age of 23. He died of disease at West Point KY on 11/16/1861.
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