General History of Osceola Co. History 1884 Portrait & Bio Album

One of the peculiar phases of this country is the advancement of its settlement. Unlike any other country, at least in modern times, its founders, and those who followed them, had a broad, almost unlimited expanse of territory uninhabited except by the aborigines. Step by step, from the Colonial occupation on the Atlantic shore to the present period, immigration has moved on its western march; one by one Territories have been laid out and States formed with their accompanying county and township orgainizations; one by one has that bright galaxy; the Union of States, been increased in numbers; and one by one have the stars been added to that flag which resplendently waves over all.

As the polar star has been, and is, to the mariner, so the Great West is to the adventurer, - the pioneer, - his hope. As the Mussulman turns to Mecca, so does the pioneer turn towards the setting sun. He, with his bold heart, advances westward, removing the primeval forests, subduing the virgin soil, and bringing it under ripe cultivation. Close upon his footsteps come manufactories and commerce; and then civilization, on its luminous wings, with its arts, its sciences, and its culture, follow, rounding up and completing the work he so ably began. The advent of the pioneer into this territory is not unlike that of others; in the history of this county, the experience of the early settlers are similar to those who have preceded them in the past. They have had their struggles, privations and sufferings, their defeats and their triumphs.

The location of Osceola County is in latitude 44 degrees north and longitute 8 degrees and 20 minutes west, in the middle of the Lower Peninsula. Its elevation is about 400 feet above Lake Michigan, and some 40 miles east of its shores. Wexford and Missaukee Counties lie on the north, Clare on the east, Mecosta on the south, with Lake County on the west. It was first laid off by an act of the Legislature approved April 1, 1840, and received the Indian name of Un-wat-tin. It retained this name until March 1843, when it was changed by the Legislature to Osceola. Between these years Nathan Hersey came into the territory. He was a trapper, and according to tradition was the first white man to enter. During the years of 1857-9 it was attached to Newaygo County, for judicial purposes. In 1858 it was organized into a township with a part of Mecosta, and was called Green. In 1861 the Township of Richmond was organized, which embraced the entire county, leaving off that part of Mecosta to which the county had been attached. The meeting was held at the residence of D.A. Blodgett, which was the first election held in this territory. Nine votes were cast at this important meeting, the result of which was the electio of D.A. Blodgett for Supervisor; James G. Robbins, Clerk, and Benjamin F. Gooch, Treasurer.

Having so far traced the organization of the county, we return to some of the first things. Delos A. Blodgett was the first man to make a settlement in the county, which was on the west side of the Muskegon River, on what is now known as section 19 in the township of Hersey. This settlement was made in the spring of 1851. Mr. Blodgett cleared off a patch of ground and planted it in potatoes (the long pink-eye), which he brought up in a canoe from Croton, and this was the first crop of any kind planted in the county.

Benj. F. Gooch was the next settler to come in, which was in 1855. He located 160 acres of land on what is now section 25, Richmond Township, and has remained there to the present time.

The first women to settle in the county were Mrs. Dillornie and daughter, who were brought in from Palinfield by Mr. Gooch in the fall of 1855. They were hired to cook for a lumber camp.

In the spring of 1856 James G. Robbins, William and Anson Berger came in.

Mr. Gooch and Mr. Blodgett, with their men, opened the first road in the county, in the fall of 1855. It was built from north of Big Rapids. The first State Road was constructed from Big Rapids, entering the township of Richmond in section 34, and running diagonally through the county along the west side of the Muskegon River. Mr. Blodgett carried the chain all the way through the county.

Mr. Gooch paid the first tax in the county, which was collected from Newaygo County. He also brought in the first cow, and the first hens. The hens were secured in this way: He went tio Grand Rapids to purchase some flour. Arriving there he found that article very high. He was told if he would wait a few days he could get it cheaper. Accordingly he went back to his brother's, some eight miles, and helped him in planting. When he went away he said he would take his pay in hens, which he carried off with him.

D.A. Blodgett and L. O. Schofield put up the first grist-mill in the county. It was a log building and was located where the bridge now crosses the Hersey River. Alice Jones taught the first school in the county, on section 25 in the township of Richmond. This school-house was put up by Benj. F. Gooch, a little way west of his residence, on his farm. The old building is still standing, a relic of the past.

The first child born in the county was Mary, daughter of J.A. Robbins, in 1860.

In 1856 the pigeons nested in this county; the air seemed to be ful of them; so thick were they that the people could kill them with clubs.

In mentioning first things, it might not be just to leave out the first theft. there were people in those days, as well as the present, who liked to possess themselves of others' property. Farmer Gooch had secured a stock of meal which ws the envy of a neighbor. a bag of the meal was missed, and the thief was suspected. Upon searching he found it in possession of his neighbor. There were no officers in those days, nor were there any courts in the county. Mr. Gooch constituted himself both, and ordered the man to take the bag on his back and return it to his store-room, a distance of three miles, which he did, Mr. Gooch following him! He was then requested to get out of the county before the court sat (this was to be held soon), which he did, selling his farm.

A very good story is told by D.A. Blodgett of early pioneer days. Jack Daniel came into his camp to log one winter, and brought with him a negro by the name of Ike. Jack was a boasting sort of fellow, and claimed to be a great trapper and hunter, and one of the best judges of fur about the country. He had with him a big bear trap. One day he went into the woods and set the trap, chaining it to a tree. He then went off to Croton, telling the negro to watch it. The next day Ike went into the woods where the trap was and sprung it, cut off some of his hair (or wool) and put it between the jaws. He then scratched the bark of the tree, tore up the ground around it in a fearful way, and went back to await events, telling the boys what he had done. The first day Jack came home and his first inquiry of the negro was if he had seen the trap. Ike replied that he had not. Jack then shouldered his gun and went into the woods to look after it. Pretty soon he returned in great excitement bearing in his fingers the negro's wool, which he showed around to the camp, bewailing his misfortune in losing such a splendid piece of bear's fur! The joke of the negro was to good to keep, and Jack, in order to have any peace, left the camp.

A bill for establishing a mail route in the county was, through the effort of D.A. Blodgett, passed by Congress in 1865. It provided for weekly service from "Hersey Branch," as it was then called, to Big Rapids. This route was ioened in the fall of 1865, and ws the first in the county. Mr. Blodgett was appointed Postmaster for Hersey, who was also the first man in the county to have charge of the Government mails.

In March 1869, the county was finally organized by the Legislature, which included the east half of the county fo Lake. The townships at this time organized were, Richmond, Hersey, Lincoln, Middle Branch, Osceola and Sherman.

The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Osceola County was July 1, 1869, at Rooney's Hall, in Hersey. In 1871, the territory of Lake County was withdrawn, leaving Osceola with 16 townships and an acreage of 368,640.

Hersey was the first village laid out in the county, namely, in 1869, by D.A. Blodgett, which ws made the county seat upon the organization of the county.

Judge Giddings held the first Circuit Court in the county, in June, 1870.

The first murder in the county was in November 1869, by a man named James Daggett, who killed a negro by the name of Daniel White. White had homesteaded a piece of ground on section 30 in Highland Township. He was killed on section 36, in Sherman Township, a short distance from his home. The body was not found until the following spring, in May, when the snow had melted away. It was discovered in the northeast corner of section 36 near the line. It was supposed up to the time fo finding the body that the negro had left the country or gone into some lumbering camp. Some time subsequent to the murder, Daggett, probably in a fit of remorse, told his father about the killing. At one time he drew his shot-gun on his father, fearing he would expose him. His father bared his breast and told his son to shoot, who thought better of it and dropped his gun. The negro had been shot and then his throat was cut. After the body had been discovered, the father, fearing his son, swore out a warrant against him, and he was arrested. After his arrest, he swore out a warrant against Isaac Reems, accusing him of the homicide. Reems was arrested, and , with Daggett, was taken to Big Rapids, where they were to be tried. The people of Sherman and Highland Townships had no doubt of Reem's innocence, but firmly believed in Daggett's guilt. Daggett had often shown his prejudice against the African race, and often boasted how he used, when in the army, to shoot them down. The impression got abroad that the court functionaries desired the conviction of Reems. He was acquitted, however, by a ready and unanimous verdict of the jury. After the acquittal of Reems, Daggett made a confession, acknowledging the killing of White. He was sentenced by the court, without trail, to 99 years' imprisonment in the penitentiary.

The first death in the county was that of Pete Cameron, called "Scotchy," on the farm of Mr. Blodgett, in 1867. Mr. Blodgett sent to Big Rapids for a coffin. They sent back to know whether a preacher was wanted also. Blodgett replied that they did not. Funeral services were organized, and they went down to Big Rapids, Mr. Blodgett taking along with him Mr. Gamage to officiate, who was employed by him on his farm, and who was a sort of preacher, a man of considerable ability and a fine orator, though of eccentric habits. Arriving at Big Rapids, they held their funeral serice, at which there were many people and several clergymen present. Mr. Gamage took his text and delivered a most powerful funeral oration, distinguishing himself pre-eminently by his brilliant eloquence, his biblical lore and his oratorial powers.

After the services were over some of the clergy came to Mr. Blodgett (who is something of a wag and had planned for and anticipated this surprise), and inquired who this man was and where he came from. "Oh," said Mr. B., "I keep him on my farm for just such occasions!"

The first store opened in the county was at Hersey in 1869, by James Kennedy.

D.A. Blodgett, as Justice of the Peace, married the first couple in the fall of 1860, the contracting parties being Theodore Lott and Mary McCarty.

Osceola County owes its rapid development to its grand forests of timber and her water facilities for transportation, and to the advent of the railroads. The Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, which runs east and west through the lower tier of townships, was the first to enter the county, which was in 1870; it was followed in 1871 by the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, which enters the county on section 34 in Richmond Township, passes through the western tier of townships northward and goes on to section 6 in Sherman Township. These roads connect the county with the great commercial world, and have been potential factors in its growth. By these lines all important towns can be reached in the county in a few hours, and those in the State within a day. When the Toledo & Ann Arbor Raod comes in, which will be during the present year (1885), another impetus will be given to the development of the county. During its early days, and before the railroads came in, it was aided very much in its growth by the construction of State roads. The territory of which Michigan is composed once belonged to the State of Virginia and extended to the western boundaries of that State, and was known as the "Northwestern Territory." In 1787, it was ceded to the general government. Osceola County is of an alluvial formation, and, geologically speaking, of a recent date. Nearly all of the soil of the county was originally covered with dense forests. It varies some what in composition, from strong clay to light sand, with slight graduation from tile-clay loam to sand. But the great body, however, is clay loam. This loose material, or drift soil, according to the best geological reports, covers the surface of this territory from 200 to 300 feet in depth.

The forests of Osceola County were principally pine, with a liberal admixture in some sections of elm, maple, oak, ash, cherry, beech, hemlock and basswood.

It was thought, before the lands were brought under cultivation, that they would be poor farming lands; but experience has demonstrated to the contrary. These lands have been known to produce from tow to three tons of excellent hay to the acre. The surface of the land throughout the county is generaly rolling; but occasionally there are tracts of from 100 to 500 acres of level land.

Another favorable feature of this soil is its strength. Crop after crop seems to have no effect in diminishing its fertility. The wheat produced is plump, large and excellent in quality, weighing above the average per bushel. Forty bushels to the acre have been raised on new lands. The statistics of 1880 give 5,413 acres of land in wheat, yielding 79,465 bushels, averaging 14.68 bushels to the acre. It has been demonstrated that upon the newest lands a good crop can be raised every year. The practice of farmers in the newer portions of the county, or on the new lands, is to alternate the wheat with corn, oats, and other spring crops. In the older fields the practice of "seeding down" os adopted.

Lands are comparitively low. Unimproved lands can be had for from $3 to $15 per acre, and improved for from $15 to $50. A comfortable log cabin can be built for $50. where the wood is burned, lands can be cleared for $10 to $15 an acre. Where the timber is put into a martketable shape, the land will more than pay the expense of clearing. Another favorable feature of this county is its freedom from destroying insects. Since the first settlements there is not an instance known where crops have been injured by these pests. Some of the farmers say that the best crop to raise is "almost everything." While this might be well enough to meet the eccentricities of some of the seasons, yet we believe the best crops for the farmers of Osceola County to raise are wheat and hay, and the most profitable branches of farming for them would be dairying and stock-raising. The latter industry could be started very cheaply, as stump lands could be got at very low figures.

D.A. Blodgett, in Hersey Township and at Cadillac, has taken the lead in high breeding in the French, Norman and the Percheron, which he imported direct from France; and in the short-horns and Jerseys.

The wheat is generally put into the ground from the middle to the latter part of September, and before snow falls it usually gets a growth of three or four inches. The Michigan winter furnishes usually a heavy covering of snow to protect it, and in the spring it comes out fresh and green. The White Winter seed is generally used. As has been stated, the wheat of this county - and it holds the same throughout the state - maintains a high rank in the markets, and has a separate standard. Michigan White Winter wheat flour is known in all the important grain exchanges of Europe. The climate here is preferable to that of most of the Northern States. While Michigan is in about the same latitude as that of Southern France and Northern Italy, it is colder, on account of its higher elevation, being about 800 feet above the sea. This difference in altitude would not make the difference that exists between those countries and Michigan, in temperature, were it not for other causes. Scientists give us another reason, that the climate of Michigan, like the American climate in general, has the peculiarities of inland regions, in its not being modified or controlled by the warm breath of the oceans. The influence of the large bodies of water that surround Michigan on three sides, is a source of protection from the ravages of the fierce storms and cyclones which afflict other portions of this continent, and serves also to mitigate the excessive heat and cold, and gives it that soft and balmy atmosphere peculiar to salt-water climates. While the Lower Peninsula is visited occasionally by late frosts in the spring, it is remarkable for its fine autumns, and its freedom from early frosts. These advantages make this country well adapted to fruit culture. Those who have tried fruit culture have met with success. Apples, plums, cherries, and all the small fruits are grown to perfection, and are remarkably free from insects. The wild berries are exceedingly rich and plentiful, and the harvesting and shipping of these products constitute during the summer months an important industry.

The rainfall about this locality is very evenly distributed. According to the report of the Agricultural College, the mean annual rainfall is a little more than 31 inches, and is ample for all crops. It is, according to this report, very evenly distributed through the year, though a little more than half falls during the five months of the most active growth, that is, from May to October. This equitable distribution of the rainfall is a very important consideration for agriculturalists. The average fall of snow in this county during the winter months is four feet, but there is seldom more than 12 inches on the ground at any one time. About three months of good sleighing is generally had during the winter, which is very advantageous to farmers as well as the lumbermen. It enable the farmer to do his heavy teaming with less tax on the strength of his teams; and the latter to get his logs to the different water courses and the mills. Osceola County is very liberally supplied with water courses. The great Muskegon Rover runs diagonally through the entire county, coming in at the middle of the eastern line, and going out in Hersey Township near the southwest corner. Besides this magnificent river, it has the Hersey, Chippewa, Middle Branch and Pine Rivers, and numerous other small streams and lakes. While the large forests have been somewhat depleted by the heavy draughts made upon them, yet the lumber business is virtually unceasing. Instead of this lumber passing down the Muskegon River and going out of the county, a large portion of it is now held by manufactories, and before going out is made up into different articles of commerce, thus retaining the profits of the manufacturer within the county, and establishing also a home trade. The estimated cut of lumber in the county for the year 1883 was 37,000,000 feet. Most of the townships have lumber mills of one kind or other, which enable the farmer to exchange his products for cash or for some article of lumber. The laborers at these mills receive from $1.50 to #3.50 per day, according to their skill or experience, or the kind of work in which they are employed. Not one- tenth of the facilities for manufacture has been yet utilized. Factories for making up the forests of hard-woods, as well as the soft, might be scattered all along the Muskegon Rover, which has an unexcelled water power. No county in the State can offer finer sites for manufacturing, and no county can furnish a better article of timber to be worked up. With such splendid water power, no wheat should be shipped out of the county until it is made into flour. The county has the raw material, the water power, the best transportation facilities, and all that tends to make up a manufacturing community.

It is the great manufactories, and the samller ones, that build up communities, towns and counties; and the people who husband their manufacturing resources, who make up their raw material before they let it go to the outside world, are the ones that will be prosperous. The manufacturer builds up the agriculturist and the agriculturist supports the manufacturer. Without one of these two elements no country can thrive; without either, a country would hardly advance beyond the condition of a wilderness. Osceola County has both; therefore her future may be well assured.

Since the first highway or State road, was constructed by Commissioner D.A. Blodgett, running along nearly parallel with the Muskegon, new roads have been built in every township, and in many of the townships on almost every section line. It takes some time to build up good country roads, and many counties are old in settlement before this has been done. But Osceola people have felt the necessity of good roads and have advanced very rapodly in this direction. The old log causeways are fast disappearing for the bridges and stone culverts; and the delectable corduroy road, that horror of all travelers, is passing away and giving place to the gravel bed. For a person of limited means, wishing to secure a home, there is no county in Michigan more desirable to locate in than Osceola. It is not so thickly settled but that he can find a place to meet his fancy, and that, too, at reasonable figures. If he comes in with courage, energy, and staying qualities, he will win. If he has not these, he had better stay out, for the people of Osceola county will not want him. Persons settling here have more advantages which do not accompany the possession of low-priced lands further west, or in the Territories. They have really the benefit of a settled society. They have all the advantages of good schools, churches and societies, and are in communication with the great railways of the country. It is not an unorganized community, nor is the society that of a crude and wild country. It is in connection with, and has all the advantages of, an old and cultured community, and a prosperous and thoroughtly established state. The laws are enforced, life and property are protected, a standard of morality is fixed, and the habits of the people have become settled. No State in the Union has better educational advantages, or devoted more care to the education of the young; and this system is extended and its influence felt in the remotest settlements. It permeates all parts of the State, and one of the first considerations of a new settlement after they have constructed habitations for themselves, is to provide a school building and a teacher for their children.

The county is also well provided with religious societies and places for worship. They are liberally distributed throughout the county. Some of the edifices are very elegant in construction, and display a cultivated taste by the designers.

Osceola County has no special Indian history. A few of these uncivilized people roamed about the forest for awhile after the white settlers came in, and then went out. Only one difficulty occurred with the Indian, which will be given in the hostory of Le Roy.

Having only about a score of people at the breaking of the rebellion, the county could not be expected to have much of a war record. There was one enlistment, that of Benj. F. Gooch, from Richmond Township, the account of which will be found in his biography.

The population of the county is now estimated at about 15,000, and is incresing very rapidly. All the towns with but few exceptions are also on the increase.

Dotted all over its territory can be seen fine cultivated farms, with good dwellings and farm buildings. There is not a township now in the county but has some well established farms in it, and in the older townships they are quite numerous; most of the farmers, too, are out of debt, and are either increasing their acreage, their stock, adding to their buildings, or putting by a little money.

The people of the county have been very fortunate in conducting their municipal affairs, and in the selection of their officials. Its public buildings, though not expensive, are good, and meet the wants of the people, and are all paid for.

Osceola County is in the 28th Judicial District, in the 9th Congressional, and 27th Senatorial District and comprises a Representative District of itself.

It is but a little while since the first settler came into the county; but a little while since the blow of the first ax first resounded through its forests, and the wild animals roamed fearlessly and undisturbed beneath their tall trees.

Only a few years have rolled around since the first log cabin was put up, and the family altar erected; and only a few years since the cry of the first babe was heard with the low, sweet notes of the mother's lullaby. All is changed now. The wilderness has disappeared and in its place broad cultivated fields are seen. The rudely constructed cabins, with their home-made furniture, have given place to fine dwellings, to stately homes, with elegant and cultured surroundings. The buzz of the saw, the sound of the artisan's hammer, the shrill voice of the locomotive are now heard where once the only sound to break the stillness of night was the howl of a wolf. Some of the old cabins, with their rough articles of furniture, yet remain as a link between the past and the present, as a reminder of pioneer life with its struggles and privations. To their former occupants, hallowed memories cluster around them. Here were their first beginnings; beneath these humble roof they communed with each other, devising and maturing their plans for life's journey; and here the first born played around the light of the fire-place, with its bright, innocent face and chirping, musical attempts at speech. As modes of conveyance the old ox-sled and cart, and the heavy lumber wagon, with most of the people, are among the things of the past, and fine carriages, easy road wagons, or sleighs, drawn by good horses, have taken their places.

With many the elegant railway coach has been substituted. Good markets are now acessible to almost every farmer as well as to those who dwell in villages. The inhabitants no longer have to depend on the wild game of the forest or the fish in their streams for subsistence; neither do they have to haul their supplies from Big Rapids or other distant markets. On the contrary, now, all that can be had in city markets can be had almost at their doors. The settlement has been established, the experiment is over, the reality has come, and success is guaranteed. A complete social and political government, under American institutions, has been founded. With the pioneers of this county there is no longer any doubt or misgivings as to their venture. The clouds of uncertainty have passed away and before them and their children the future is bright.