History of Muskegon- Whitehall Township

History of Muskegon-
Whitehall Township
Part 1

History of Muskegon County, Michigan with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers
Chicago- H. R. Page & Co.
1882

WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP

In order to understand properly the municipal history of Whitehall and Montague it is necessary to recapitulate the history of

OCEANA TOWNSHIP,

which included, until 1874, both Montague and Whitehall Townships, and the northern portion of Blue Lake. Oceana was itself an offshoot of White River Township, and was organized by the Board of Supervisors of Ottawa County, at a special meeting held at Eastmanville April 1, 1859, and the inhabitants interested were summoned to their first special meeting at 9 A. M., on the 18th day of the same month at the school house in section 20, Township 12, north, in Range 17 west, and the notice was signed by Jas. P. Scott, Clerk. The meeting having been convened as directed, the following officers were selected: Israel E. Carleton, Chairman; Evan Knudsen and Zersh Mizner, Inspectors of Election, and Moody Forman, Clerk; and to the credit of the people be it mentioned that their first motion was to appropriate one-half of the two mill tax for a township library. $75 was ordered for general expenses. A proposal to give $200 to the poor was voted down, and $25 was carried. Job Sargent was elected pound keeper over R. L. Harmon. It was then resolved that all studs and mules be prohibited from running at large, but on consideration, mules were allowed to retain their liberty, and the move to restrict swine was promptly voted down.
    There seems to have been thirty-five voters present, and the following is the list of officers elected:
Supervisor, L E. Carleton; Clerk, Moody Farman; Treasurer, Andress Knudsen; Justices of the Peace, Lewis Grow, Thos. Seddon, Jas. B. Jewell; Highway Commissioners Jas. Jewell, Peter Hobler; School Inspector, I. E. Carleton; Overseers of the Poor, John Killson, Evan Knudsen; Constable, Thos. Sadden, Jr., Dan 'l Basom.
    The next important meeting was at the house of E. Knudsen, en Oct. '81, 1859, at which it was ascertained that from the Township of White River there was due the munificent sum of $88 for primary school fund. It appears that Daniel Basom had removed from the town, and his place as constable was filled by Volney B. Gee, and as Highway Commissioner by the appointment of Moody Farman. There were but three accounts to settle, and but three members present, each of whom had an account for services, in all $14, which was allowed. Those present were Evan Knudsen, Chairman; M. Farman, Clerk; and Lewis Grow.
    On Jan 11, 1860, the Supervisors again met, and all they seem to have done was to pass about 8 dozen accounts, amounting to the sum of $83.
    The next annual meeting of the township was held at the same school house as before, April 2, 1880. $150 was voted to be raised for the expenses of the past year. The mules were attended to this time, and it was voted to restrain them from running at large. The following were appointed Overseers of Highways:
Bond District No. 1, Job Sargent; Road District No. 2, J. B. Gee; Road District No. 8, A. A. Parker; Road District No. 4, John Killson; Road District No. 6, 1. E. Carleton.
    They thereupon proceeded to elect officers for the ensuing year, thirty-three voters being present, as follows:
    Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, E. Knudsen; Treasurer, N. Sargent, Justices, Horace Jones, Jacob B. Gee, A. A. Parker; Commissioner of Highways, J. Killson; School Inspector, J. D. Pullman; Overseers of the Poor, John Webb, Randolph Ward;
Constables, Jas. L. W. Farnsworth, N. Sargent, M. Hines, V. B. Gee.
    No meeting is recorded again until Jan. 12, 1861, when Messrs. Carleton, Parker end Knudsen being present, E. Grow and E. Knudsen were appointed road commissioners, and accounts amounting to $72 were passed, the Supervisor getting $37 and E. Knudsen $12.40, which shows how economically affairs were conducted in those early times.
    At the next annual meeting on April 1, 1861, Carleton, Knudsen and J. B. Gee, J. P., were present, and $100 was ordered to be raised for township expenses, and again to their credit be it mentioned, that one-half of the two mill tax was appropriated for district library. The Overseers of Highways elected were:
    Road Dist. No. 1, Hiram Staples; Road Dist. No. 2, J. B. Gee, Road Dist. No. 3, A. A. Parker; Road Dist. No. 4, D. Basom; Road Dist. No. 6, A. G. Vanholton; and Job Sargent for the "third term" pathmaster. The voters present, 30 in number, then proceeded to elect officers for ensuing year as follows:
    Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, Hiram E. Staples; Treasurer, N. Sargent; School Inspector, I. E. Carleton-, Justices of the Peace, Jesse D. Pullman, Jas. Sewell; Highway Commissioners, R. L. Harmon, John Webb; Constables, Owen Soules, V. B. Gee, N. Sargent, W. J. Kennedy.
    No more meetings are recorded until Sept. 30, 1861, when vacancies perhaps caused by the war, were filled as follows: M. Farman, Clerk, and J. B. Gee, G. Franklin and Joseph Heald, as Justices.
    On the 7th of April, 1862, the next annual meeting was held, at which Job. Sargent was re-appointed pound keeper, and Overseers of Highways as follows:
    District No. 1, N. Sargent; Dist. No. 2, A. W. Clark; Dist. No. 3. T. J. Whitbeck; Dist. No. 4, E. Sargent; Dist. 5. John Gustavson
    The annual election, thirty voters being present, resulted as follows:
    Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, M. Farman; Treasurer, N. Sargent; Justices. J. D. Pullman, I. E. Carleton, A. A. Parker; School Inspector, J. D. Pullman; Highway Commissioner, N. Sargent; Constables, N. Sargent, R. L. Harmon, Owen Soules. H. W. Landford; Assessors, J. D. Pullman, N. Sargent.
    On April 6, 1868, the next annual meeting was held. This time the animals running at large were still further circumscribed from that privilege by including jacks and swine, an invasion of the poor mans rights which no doubt caused a ripple of excitement at he time.
    Job Sargent was again appointed pound keeper. The meeting then proceeded to elect officers, only 26 voters being present, with the following result:
    Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk, Jos. Heald; Treasurer, N. Sargent; Justices. H. L. Brown. Dugald Leitch; School Inspector, L E. Carleton; Highway Commissioner, John Webb; Assessors, Jos. Heald, N. Sargent.
    On Dec 30th, of same year, accounts amounting to $94 were passed.
    At the next annual meeting, held April 4, 1864, $130 was ordered to be raised for contingencies, and swine were again allowed to root up the highways and enjoy the liberty of nature.
    The meeting then proceeded to elect officers, 21 voters present, with the following result:
    Supervisor, I. E. Carleton; Clerk. M. Farman; Treasurer, N. Sargent; Justices, E. Knudsen, A. D. Rice, E. Grow; Highway Commissioner, T. J. Stanage; School Inspector, D. Leitch; Consables, 0. Soules, R. Ward, W. G. Allen, F. Sargent; Assessors, N. Sargent, T. J. Stanage.
    On the 15th of August, 1861, a special meeting was held to determine whether bounties should be given to certain volunteers, and eighteen votes were given for $100 each to three volunteers, and five for no bounty.
    On Dec. 24th the annual account, amounting to $112.49, was passed, $62 to Supervisor Carleton, who resigned at this session, Joseph Heald being appointed to fill the vacancy.
    At the annual meeting held April 3, 1865, $150 was ordered for repair of bridge across White Lake; the same amount for slab bridge between Dalton's Mill and White River; $100 for contingencies; $100 for fencing burying ground; $50 for the poor. The office of pound keeper for the whole district appears to have been too onerous for one man, so Job Sargent was appointed for the north side of White Lake, and Peter Hobler, for the south side.
    This time there were 62 voters present, and the following were elected for the next term;
Supervisor, Jas. D. Sturtevant; Clerk, M. Farman; Treasurer, C. C. Thompson; School Inspectors, M. Farman, A. J. Covell; Justices, D. Leitch, P. Dalton, E. Knudsen, M. Hall; Highway Commissioners, Joseph Hinchman, P. Dalton, Jos. Heals;
    As Joseph Hinchman refused to serve N. Sargent was appointed in his stead.
    On the 29th of May a meeting of the township boards of Oceana, Blue Lake and Dalton was held to adjust the finances, Oceana being represented by Sturtevant and Farman, Dalton by Hiram Stearns, David E. Califf and Simeon Freeman, and Blue Lake by A. P. Ware and B. F. Aldrich. The result, as far as Oceana was concerned, was to allow for contingent fund due $83, for library $30, and for war loan $210.
    At the next annual meeting on April 2, 1866, at first $80.16 was allowed for contingencies, but the $100 appropriated the year before for fencing the burying-ground being unexpended, it was voted to transfer it to the contingent fund, and to rescind the first motion for $80.10. Perhaps as a compensation for leaving the cemetery unfenced hogs and mules were solemnly restricted from running at large. Six hundred dollars were appropriated for roads and bridges.
    Job Sargent was again appointed path-master for the whole township.
   The meeting then proceeded to elect officers for the next term, 118 voters being present, with the following result:
   Supervisor, C. C. Thompson; Clerk, M. Farman; Treasurer, E. Knudson; School Inspectors, J. D. Sturtevant and D. Leitch; Highway Commissioners, N. Sargent and P. Hobler.
    On Sept. 11th it was resolved to levy $200 for the poor and $200 for the contingent fund.
    The expenses of the township seem now to have risen, probably in consequence of the necessity of developing its resources, as, on Dec. 22d, $120 was voted for the payment of accounts, and a week afterward $75 more.
    At the next annual meeting $600 was ordered for contingencies, $800 for roads and bridges, and $500 for the poor fund.
    There were 136 voters present and the following were elected:
    Supervisor, C. C. Thompson; Clerk, Chas. Cook; Treasurer, A. J. Foster; Justices, C. Cook, A. G. Hopkins and William M. Simon; School Inspector, E. C. Dicey; Commissioners of Highways, D. C. Brown and Wm. M. Simon.
    On April 6th, 1868, it was moved that the poor of the town be sold to the lowest bidder, and that such bidder treat then well.
    There were 289 voters present, and the following was the result:
    Supervisor, John A. Wheeler; Clerk, P. I. Hedges; Treasurer, Z. Mizner; Justices, P. I. Hedges, P. Dalton, G. S. Rosevelt, Jas. D. Sturtevant; School Inspector, H. E. Staples; Commissioners of Highways, G. W. Rice, John Miller; Pound Keeper, Robert Hawks.
    A financial statement showed that the 2 mill tax raised $515.51, township tax $2,113.51, and dog tax $51.
    At a meeting on June 26th, 1868, the Supervisor was paid $250.
    On July 15th C. L. Parks resigned as Constable, and Peter Hobler was appointed.
    On December 21st Robert Hawks was allowed $24, or $2 per month, for the use of the pest house, which would indicate the presence of some epidemic, which we find in the next resolution to be small pox, as A. G. Hopkins and Wm.. Simons are allowed eight days' services each, at $1.50, and $6 to Wm. Peck for services in case of small pox, under direction of the Board of Health.
    On January 9th, 1869, fences were ordered around the burying grounds. At the same meeting $200 was transferred from the contingent to the poor fund, which would indicate considerable distress
    On the 16th $50 more was transferred to the poor fund, a reminder of the effects of a hard winter; in all $850 were appropriated to the poor.
    At this time there was found to be in the treasury $780.38.
    At the annnal meeting on April 5th, 1869, $500 were appropriated for contingencies, $200 for roads, $1,000 for the poor, $50 for Whitehall cemetery, and $25 for the Harman cemetery.
    Two hundred and twenty-seven voters were present, and Israel E. Carleton had three votes more than Dewitt C. Bowen for the Supervisorship; Clerk, P. I. Hedges; Treasurer, Z. Mizner; Justices, G. S. Rosevelt and E. R. Burrows; School Inspectors, G. W. Rice and D. G. Scroggs; Highway Commissioner, A. W. Clark; Pound Keeper, C. C. Thompson.
    On May 24th $200 was transferred from the road to the poor fund.
    Clark Whitney was appointed Constable on `June 7th, but as he declined to serve Hiram Steams was appointed on July 21st.
    On the 21st of October it was resolved to raise $600 more for the contingent fund, and the Supervisor was allowed $500, and the Clerk $75.
    On February 2d, 1870, the only business done was to extend the time for the payment of taxes to March 1st, the first time such a resolution appears on the books.
    On the 19th of March, according to the petition of thirty rate payers to grant aid to the Michigan & Lake Shore R. R., the Board met. The petition was for $80,000 for said road, under certain conditions set forth, and was signed by C. C. Thompson, D. C. Bowen, J. Heald, and others. The scheme was to issue bonds to the amount of $30,000, at 7 per cent., the bonds to be not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, and to fall due, $5,000 on March 1st, 1875, and so on, $5,000 each year until paid. The vote was 856 yeas and 26 nays. The balance in the treasury at this time was $1,542.24.

    In 1870 there were 289 present and I. E. Carleton was again elected by 165 to 124, over D. C. Bowers, as Supervisor; Clerk, Henry Slater; Treasurer, Z. Mizner; Justices, E. R. Burrows and Moses Hall; Commissioner of Highway, H. E. Staples; School Inspector, D. Leitch; Pound Keeper, Wm. E. Parker.
    On May 2d a vote to grant $4,000 to build a bridge across the head of White Lake was carried by 94 to 4.
    On the 31st of October $550 was voted to the Supervisor, $100 to the Clerk, $1,800 to roads, $700 for the contingent and $1,500 for the poor fund, and on Dec. 16th the Clerk was requested to charge the Treasurer $14,539.84 for taxes, as per assessment roll. The State tax was $421.90, county tax, $5,245.05, and the 2 mill tax $759.88.
    W. C. Sargent was elected pound master. 272 voters were present with the following result: Supervisor, John A. Wheeler; Clerk, H. Slater; Treasurer, Z. Mizner; Justices, D. G. Scroggs, Jas. Dalton; Commissioner of Highways, M. S. Perkins; School Inspector, D. P. Glazier.
    In January 1872 we find that the State tax was $790. county tax, $5,683; township tax, $2,800; school tax, $5,666. In all $13,479.
    At the annual meeting held April 1, 1872, there were 377 votes and H. E. Staples received 20 more votes for Supervisor than John A. Wheeler. Clerk, H. Slater; Treasurer, Z. Mizner; Justices, A. G. Hopkins, D. G. Scroggs; Commissioner of Highways, C. H. Cook; School Inspector, C. C. Thompson.
    On the 31st of March about $127 was raised for the care and burial of a small pox patient. On the 1st of November $500 was voted to build a pest house.
    The old book of Oceana Township has some rather quaint notices; for instance, it is recorded on May 25th that J. B. Gee about the previous New Years, took up a two year old "female swine" spotted black and white with a long bushy tail. We preserve the "tale" for posterity by recording it in our history.