This article was one
of a series of articles
published during the year 1879, in
The Lake
County Star called “Progress In
Lake County.”
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Transcriptions were done by Chi (Rouse) Benedict, unless otherwise
credited. If you would like to
contact the transcriber,
Please contact her by E-mail.
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Appeared in: The Lake County Star
Date Published: March 6, 1879
Volume: VI Number: XLV
Page: 1
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Progress in Lake County.
[Under this title we give a
series of short sketches, descriptive of the time of immigration of each
settler in the county, with amount of improvement, present and future
prospects; crops raised in 1878;
grain sown last Fall, &c. Also,
sketches of manufacturing and business interests. Correspondence is solicited from all
interested in the growth and prosperity of our county. We would suggest to our readers that
they cut out and preserve,in scrap books these
sketches; as they will doubtless find them of more interest in the future than
at this time].
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Chas. Shaw—Settled on his homestead
in Spring of 1873; on the northwest quarter of section
24, Webber township; the soil being sand plains. Now has 20 acres improved; 40 acres under fence; with frame house, small frame barn and
log stable. Has
20 apple trees, and peach, plum, cherry and small fruits. When clearing he left grove of oaks, and
set out 20 maples last year. A
small lake affords water for stock, while a good well of soft water, 19 feet deep supplies the house. Mr. S. had the misfortune to lose one of
his oxen, in the lumber woods, last Spring, which
broke his team. Keeps
a cow and poultry. Last year
he had 3 acres
wheat, 1 ½ acres corn, 2 acres oats, 1 ½ acres potatoes (estimated yield, 100
bushels), ½ acre beans, 9 acres rye, 1 acre millet, ¼ acre rutabagas (55 bushels), and 1 acre globe turnips (140 bushels). Sowed 3 acres wheat, last Fall.
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Geo. S. Pool—Commenced on his
homestead, on northwest quarter of section 14, Lake township, in Summer of 1874;
but first came to Lake county in Spring of 1873, purchasing lots and building a
dwelling in Baldwin, which property he still owns. Now has 50 acres improved on his homestead, with good frame house,
barn and commodious stables. The
soil is sand plains; with spring water for stock, and a good well, 62 feet deep at house.
Has 110 apple trees, and cherry, peach, pear, plum and small
fruits. The stock consists of 2
horses, 2 oxen, 2 young cattle, 2 cows, 7 hogs, and keeps poultry. In 1878, he raised 5 acres wheat, 4 acres corn, 1 acre oats, 2 acres buckwheat, 1 acre potatoes (estimated yield, 140 bushels), 5 acres rye, and 12 acres seeded to timothy. Sowed 6 acres wheat and 5 acres rye, last Fall. Expresses himself as
satisfied with prospects on plains.
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O. A. Lincoln—Settled by homestead
entry on the south half of southeast quarter of section 24, Town 18-14 (Elk) in
the Fall of 1874.
The soil is sand plains; 9 acres improved; frame house. The fruit is peach, cherry, and small
fruits; and for shade has left original oaks. Mr. L. also, has 55 acres on section 28, in same township; and also, has 40 acres on section 6, Pleasant Plains township; 80 acres on section 24, Lake township.
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Austin S. Randall—Came
to Lake county and settled by homestead entry on the south
half of northeast quarter section 8, Chase township,
in Spring of 1867. The soil is sand
and clay loam; beech and maple timber.
There are 14 acres improved, with log house and barn. In the Spring
of 1873, Mr. R. erected a dwelling at Summitville, as also, a sawmill, and has
since been engaged in manufacture of lumber, &c.
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SUMMITVILLE.
The first settler in
this hamlet was S. G. Randall, in 1871.
In the following year a postoffice was
established, and Mr. R. was appointed postmaster, which position he retained
till the day of his death. In the Spring of 1873, A. S. Randall settled there and erected a dwelling; and
in June, of same year, together with his brother, W. M. Randall, erected a
sawmill, which still remains there.
In the Fall of 1874, iron was laid on the F.
& P. M. Railway west of Reed City, and a side track for the mill was put in. There are at present nine buildings
besides the mill, and the names of residents are as follows—A. S.
Randall, Mrs. S. G. Randall, John Randall, Geo. Wheaton, James Peters, C. W.
Holly, L. B. Moses, and — Knapp.
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Linus B. Taylor—Settled in the Spring
of 1871, on the west half of southwest and northeast quarter of the northeast
quarter section 26, Pleasant Plains township, and now has about 25 acres under improvement. The soil is sand; stump land and
plains. He has a frame house, log
barn; and for fruit trees has apple, pear and
currant. Left a
number of oak and wild cherry trees in fields for shade. His stock consists of 1 horse, 2 oxen, 5
cows, 1 yearling, 4 hogs; and poultry.
In 1878 he raised 4 acres wheat, 10 acres corn, 8 acres buckwheat (the latter on Reed’s and
Wyman’s places), ¼ acre beans. Last Fall he
sowed 8 acres
wheat (2 acres of
which were seeded to timothy), and 5 ½ acres rye. Has good water from a spring, and a
branch of the Pere Marquette running through the
farm, affords great abundance of the very best water for stock. Mr. T. wants to build a large log barn,
the coming season, and says he is satisfied to remain for awhile longer on the
plains.
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Morrison Sandborn—Also, settled in the Spring of 1871, by homesteading the
east half of the southwest quarter section 2, Pleasant Plains township; the
land being part plains and part stump or pine land. In 1872 he bought 40 acres of the west half of southwest quarter section 2, and
last Fall purchased the remaining 40. He now has 80 acres fenced in, and about 50 acres improved.
The buildings are comfortable log house and frame barn. Has 45 apple
trees, 5 pear trees, and small fruits.
For shade has left some original oaks. His stock consists of a span of horses,
4 cows, 2 yearlings, 3 hogs, 15 sheep; with poultry. In 1878 he had 4 acres wheat, 4 acres corn, 5 acres oats, 2 acres buckwheat, ½ acre potatoes (yield about 70
bushels), 15 acres rye, 3 acres timothy, 2 acres rutabagas (yield 400 bushels), and 2 acres turnips (yield, 450 bushels). Sowed 8 acres rye, last Fall. The water on this place is abundant;
well 13 feet
deep; and a stream of pure, “living” water runs through the
farm. Mr. S. is a hard worker, and we believe is bound to succeed.
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Irvin Sandborn—Bought the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter
section 2, in Fall
of 1878, erected a comfortable log house, and intends to clear and
improve. There is abundance of
water from a creek.
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RUSSELL & CO’S MILL.
This mill is located
on the F. & P. M. Railway, about half way betwixt Chase and Summitville,
and was put in during the Fall and Winter of
1878—J. A. Rudes being the mill-wright who superintended the work. The structure is 30 feet in width by 104 feet in length; with an engine of about 90 horse power;
18x24 cylinder. Plenty of water is
obtained from a well 60 feet deep.
The lumber mill has a
capacity of about 25,000 feet per day, and the shingle machine, about 35,000. They also, have a planer and resaw.
A “spur”
has been put down, extending from the railroad directly past the mill and into
an extensive yard, rendering it very convenient for shipping purposes.
The company
now employ about 19 men; but intend to have 30 when fairly underway.
They own some 1,100 acres of pine in the immediate vicinity of the mill, and
intend to manufacture it into lumber and shingles.
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ADDITIONAL VILLAGE OF NIRVANA.
The Indra House was put up in the Spring
and Summer of 1874; and in the Fall following the Hicks & Benjamin mill and
their store. The work, together
with setting up the machinery in the mill was done under the superintendency of Lee S. Cobb. Also, in 1874, Lee McGinley erected a
frame house, and during the Winter, B. Hobbs and L. Doonan built dwellings.
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Mark T. Chase—Settled on 40 acres of section 34 (originally entered by Wm. Pattison), in Summer of 1878. The soil is sand plains; about 14 acres improved; board house and barn. Oaks were left for shade. About 100 rods of board fence have been
built, and there’s a good well, 22 feet deep. Mr.
C. is at present stopping in Reed City; but says he intends to raise crops on his place next
season.
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Stephen W. Thompson—Settled by homestead entry in the Fall of 1873, on the south
half of northwest and north half of southwest quarter section 8, Yates
township. The soil is sand plains; 14 acres improved.
He has a frame house and barn; and good water from a well. For fruit, has
50 apple trees, with some cherry.
He has a yoke of cattle, 1 cow, 1 yearling; and
keeps poultry. In 1878, he had 2
½ acres wheat, 2 acres corn, 2 acres buckwheat, 1 acre potatoes, 2 acres millet, 1 acre rutabagas, 1 acre turnips; and last Fall sowed
2
acres wheat. Estimated from 50-75
thousand feet of pine. Mr.
T. made his entry in November, 1872.
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G. H. Switzer—(Recently
deceased) Settled by homestead
entry, in Fall of 1873, on the south half of the southwest quarter section 8,
Yates township; the soil being
plains. There are now about 20 acres under improvement, with comfortable frame house and
log barn. The fruit consists of 50
apple trees, 12 cherry, and a variety of small fruit. A span of horses, 1 cow, and 2 hogs,
comprises the stock; with poultry.
In 1878, there were 2 ½ acres wheat, 2 ½ acres corn (100
bushels) 3 acres buckwheat (50 bushels), 1 acre potatoes, 3 acres millet, and ½ acre rutabagas, yielding 100
bushels. Sowed 4 acres wheat, last Fall. Mr. S. entered his land in June,
1872. There is excellent water from
well; and the estimate of standing pine—75,000.
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Harry Eldredge—Settled
in Fall of 1876, on the north half of southwest
quarter of section 32, Yates township.
The soil is plains; good water from well. There are 18 acres improved.
Has a frame house. In 1878
he had 10 acres
wheat, 2 acres
corn, 1 ½ acres buckwheat, ½ acre potatoes, ½ acre beans,
and last Fall, sowed 6 acres wheat.
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John Baker—Settled
by homesteading, in Spring of 1874, on the south half of northwest quarter
section 32, Yates township. The
soil is plains; with good water from well; and 20 acres improved.
Has a log house, and a good showing of small
fruits and ornamental shrubbery. He
has 2 young cattle, a cow, hog, turkies and
chickens. In 1878 he had 6 acres wheat, ¾ acre corn, 4 acres buckwheat, ½ acre potatoes, 2 acres rye, 4 acres millet, 1 acre turnips and rutabagas, and seeded 4 acres to timothy.
Mr. B. and his estimable wife make quite a specialty of a good vegetable
garden, and had a fine one last season.
Mrs. B. is also, quite an enthusiastic florist.
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John W. Swift—Settled in Spring of 1872, on north half of southwest quarter section
4, Yates township, and now has about 50 acres of his (plains) land improved, with frame house,
20x28 feet, and frame barn, 32x50 feet.
Obtains plenty of water from drive well. The fruit is 50 apple trees, with
cherry, plum, pear and small fruits.
Has poplar for shade and ornament.
He has four young cattle, 2 horses, 1 cow, and keeps poultry. In 1878, he raised 10 acres wheat, 4 acres corn, 2 acres oats, 2 ¼ acres buckwheat, ¾ acre
potatoes, ½ acre beans, 8 acres rye, 7 acres millet, ¾ acre rutabagas, yielding 150
bushels. Has seeded 3 ½
acres to timothy. Last Fall he sowed 17 ½ acres wheat and 8 acres rye. Had 30 bushels beets and carrots, last season, with a fine
vegetable garden. Mrs. S.
has one of the nicest of flower gardens.
Mr. S. also, owns the south half of southwest quarter section 20, same
township.
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Harry Sawyer—Settled in the Spring of 1871, and has a beautiful location on the bank of Crooked Lake, the southeast quarter of section 6, Yates
township. The soil is plains; 10 acres improved.
Water from well, and inexhaustible supply for
stock, from lake. The house is
frame, with log barn. There are 50
apple trees, with cherry and currant; and for shade and ornament he has left
some of the original oaks. Mr. S.
has a yoke of oxen, 1 cow, 2 calves, 2 hogs, and a nice lot of hens. In 1878, raised 1 acre corn, 2 acres buckwheat, ½ acre potatoes, 1 acre millet, ½ acre rutabagas
(125 bushels). Sowed ½ acre rye, last Fall. Intends to
build an addition to his house, the coming Summer. Mr. S. some time since sold 60 acres to E. Buckley; the latter having improved 4 acres.
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C. A. Swain—Bought the northeast
quarter of section 2, Yates township, and settled, in
1875. The soil is sand; 12 acres improved.
There is a stream of water for stock. Mr. Swain now lives in Nirvana, where he
owns house and lot. Is not discontented with soil and climate.
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Benj. Barret—Settled
by homestead entry, in Fall of 1875, on the southwest quarter of section 14, Cherry Valley Township. The soil
is sand and gravel; 10 acres improved.
The buildings are log house and barn. Has 50 apple trees, and has left oaks
for shade. Mr. B. had the misfortune
to lose one of his oxen; but has 2 cows, 3 young cattle, 4 hogs, and
poultry. In 1878, he raised 1
½ acres wheat, 3 ½ acres corn, ½ acre buckwheat, ½
acre potatoes, ½ acre beans, 1 acre millet; and sowed 4 acres wheat last Fall.
Like it well where he is located.
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Albert C. Allen—Settled,
by homestead entry, in 1871, on the southwest quarter of section 26, Cherry Valley township.
The soil is plains; good water from well 40 feet deep.
There are 35 acres improved.
The buildings are house and barn, part frame, part log. Has 75 fruit
trees, and oaks and maples for shade.
The stock consists of a span of horses, yoke of steers, 3 cows, 1 hog,
and he has chickens, Guinea hens and Muscovey
ducks. Raised, in 1878, 4 acres wheat, 2 acres corn, 1 ½ acres oats, 1 acre potatoes (yield 100 bushels); and sowed 7 acres wheat, last Fall. Mr. Allen expresses himself as satisfied
with prospects.
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John Ballinger—Settled
in 1871, by homesteading the northwest quarter of section 26, Cherry Valley township.
The soil is sand and gravel, and good water from well. Mr. B. has about 30 acres improved, with log house and barn, and frame
granary. Wants to
build a frame barn the coming season. He has a yoke of oxen and 2 cows; keeps
chickens. In 1878, he raised 7 acres wheat, 2 acres corn, 3 acres oats, 1 acre buckwheat, ½ acre potatoes, 4 acres hay, and a quantity of root crops. Is well satisfied.
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David Loree—Settled on a quarter
section of 34 Cherry Valley township, in 1871. The soil is sandy, and a creek running
through the north side, affords abundance of excellent water. Mr. L. has about 45 acres improved; a frame house and log barn; with 20 fruit
trees and 80 ornamental and shade trees.
He has a span of horses, 2 cows, 1 yearling steer, and nice lot of
chickens; also, about one-fifth acre strawberries and some 150 currant and
gooseberries. In 1878 he had 5 acres wheat, 2 ½ acres corn, 2 acres oats, 2 acres buckwheat, 1 acre potatoes, 1 acre hay, 4 acres millet, 1 acre rutabagas; and last Fall,
sowed 28 acres
wheat, and 3 acres rye. Expresses himself as satisfied.
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Dillman Baker—Is located on the
southeast quarter section 32, Cherry Valley township. The soil is sand; 10 acres improved.
The water is easily obtained from a well, 16 feet deep. The
buildings are log. He has a span of
horses, 2 cows, and 2 yearlings. In
1878, he had 2 acres wheat, 4 acres rye, 2 acres corn, ½ acre potatoes, 1 acre rutabagas, 1 ½ acre millet.
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Jay A. Sprague—Settled
on his homestead, on the southeast quarter section 14, Cherry Valley township, in 1876. The soil is sand and gravel; about 7
½ acres of which are improved.
Has a log house and barn; and water from a well 36 feet deep. Has
a yoke of oxen, a cow, 2 hogs, chickens. Raised, last year, 2 acres wheat, 2 acres corn, 1 ½ acres buckwheat, 1 acre potatoes, ¼ acre beans; and sowed 3 acres wheat, and 1 acre rye, last Fall. Is contented.
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[Note—Should any of our readers find an error in any of the above
sketches, they would confer a favor by sending us the proper correction].
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Notice:
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These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed transcriber with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the transcriber to store the file
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Page Notes:
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All of these sketches are typed as they appeared in the newspaper
(spelling and so on).
- - - = Is missing some lines.
I will be making another trip to be able to get the missing items of
this article, image for this name became blurry in
sections.
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Contact Information:
The contact information below is provided for people related to those
pioneers named on this page to provide to each other so contact with one
another is established. If you
have an ancestor listed on this page, please contact the transcriber/web
mistress and she will add your name to the list with the appropriate
ancestors!
Don’t forget to let the transcriber/web mistress know if your
e-mail address changes at any time!
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Name:
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Contact E-mail:
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Switzer, G. H.
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Don Switzer
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