This article was one
of a series of articles
published during the year
The Lake
County Star called “Progress In
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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. A Notice, Page Notes and Contact
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Appeared in: The
Date Published:
Volume: VI Number: XLIX 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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Judson North—Settled, in the Fall
of 1870, on the north half of the southwest quarter section 14, Pleasant Plains
township. The soil is sand (stump
land), with plenty of water for stock from a lake; and a well, 22 feet deep for
house. Has a frame house, 18x24 and
16x24, with woodshed, 12x22 feet.
Has about 30 apple trees, some of them commencing to bear, with pear,
peach and small fruits. Planted
evergreens and maples, and left some original oaks for shade. Keeps 2 oxen, 3 cows, 1 yearling, 2 hogs
and poultry. In 1878, had 3 acres
wheat, 3 acres corn (130 bushels ears), 2 acres oats, 4 acres buckwheat,
½ acre potatoes (about 70 bushels), ¼ acre beans (5 bushels), 2
acres timothy. Sowed 5 acres wheat
and 1 acre rye, last Fall. Seeded 2
acres to timothy in Spring, and 3 acres, in Fall of 1878. When Mr. North first came in, he built a
bush shanty, living in it till he had built a house; carrying provisions,
nails, &c., on his back from Big Rapids. His family came on, the following
Summer.
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Nathan Lucas—Settled, in Spring of
1875, on the southeat quarter section 14, Town 18-14 (Elk). The soil is sand (plains and pine), and
he has about 18 acres improved. Has
a frame house and barn. Small
fruits. For shade, has left
original oaks. Keeps a yoke of oxen
and poultry. In 1878, he had 4
acres wheat, (56 bushels), 8 acres corn, 3 ½ acres oats, 6 acres
buckwheat, 1 ¾ acres potatoes, 1/3 acre beans, 2 acres millet, 1
½ acre rutabagas. Sowed 14
acres wheat and 8 acres rye, last Fall.
Intends to build frame barn, 40x60 feet, this season.
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In 1869, Elder Cyrus
Smith homesteaded the north half of the northeast quarter section 8, and built
a log house, the first one in the village, and which still stands. In 1870, Wm. Eaton came and bought
Smith’s right. C. W. and
Alvin Joiner came in 1871, and built a log house; lived in it a few months, and
then built a frame house, now occupied by G. Jamison. The log house was afterwards used as a
stable, then a blacksmith shop, and made a “centennial bonfire,”
July 4th, 1876. The building
afterwards used as county building, was built in 1871, for a dwelling. C. W. Joiner & Son built mill, in
1871; destroyed by fire, in Spring of 1873, and rebuilt.
In 1872, Wm. Eaton
built the present hotel, occupied it about 3 months, and sold to Rob’t
Brown, who afterwards sold to N. Clark, and Clark to John Brown. Jefferson Tanner built a store building,
now occupied by J. G. Adams as a stable.
B. K. Haliday built store building, now owned and occupied by
Rob’t Edgecomb, as a wagon shop.
Haliday also, commenced the erection of the dwelling now occupied by
him. The school house, 20x30 feet,
frame, was built during this year, and Jefferson Tanner built the dwelling he
now occupies.
In 1873, C. W. Joiner
& Son built the dwelling now occupied by them. Mrs. Rebecca Caulkins built boarding
house, now owned by Geo. Jamison and occupied by Willson. Wm. Munford built store and dwelling
combined; now owned and occupied by S. F. Mullins. John Tower built restaurant; now owned
by Mrs. Nancy Burley, and occupied as a shoe shop. Wm. Moore built and occupied store; now
used by Joiner & Son, as a store room.
Pratt & Baker, railroad contractors, built store building, now used
as stable. Wm. Eaton built the
frame dwelling he now occupies, in 1873.
Also, Graham built the dwelling now owned and occupied by S.
Messenger. Mr. Carey, railroad
surveyor, built the dwelling now occupied by P. Fleming.
In the year 1874, John
Pence built dwelling, now owned and occupied by Wm. Hagar. P. F. McClelland built dwelling now
occupied by T. K. Hurley. Geo. L.
Clark built store, now occupied by S. L. Bachant. The iron on F. & P. M. Railway was
laid through the town, in Fall of 1874, and Nathaniel Clark was first ticket
agent. In January, 1874, the Chase Herald was started by T. D. Talbot;
continuing till Fall of 1875, when the office was removed to Reed City and
merged into the Clarion.
In 1875, the county
seat, which had been held here since the organization of the county, was
removed to Baldwin. The buildings
during the same year, were as follows:
T. D. Talbot, a dwelling, now owned and occupied by Chas. Benedict. P. Dodge built dwelling now owned and
occupied by Rob’t Joiner.
John Farrier built dwelling, he now occupies. James Jamison built dwelling, now owned
by Ebenezer Samis, and occupied by G. W. Benham.
The Congregational
church was erected in 1876. Jno. Pence
built dwelling now owned and occupied by E. Smith.
In 1877, Harmon,
Brown, & Samis built the saw and shingle mill, now owned by Mullin &
McGinley. Anthony Wise built
dwelling, same year; and now occupies it.
In 1878, Rob’t
Joiner built his handle factory; and Geo. Atwood, John Tower, Linus Tanner and
Chas. Hickey built dwellings. T. K.
Hurley built blacksmith shop, and is now engaged erecting a dwelling. Lee McGinley has material on the ground
for boarding house.
The present business of
the place consists of 3 variety stores, postoffice, telegraph office, express
office, hotel, wagon shop, two saw mills, two shingle mills, handle factory,
pump tubing factory and shoe shop.
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Walter Tuttle—Settled, in Spring of
1866, by homesteading the east half of the northwest quarter section 2, Chase
township. The soil is sandy loam,
and water from well, 27 feet deep, with spring for stock. There are about 22 acres improved; log
house. Has some bearing apple trees
and small fruits. Keeps 2 oxen, 1
cow, 1 yearling and poultry. In
1878, he raised 8 acres wheat (124 bushels), ¼ acre buckwheat, ½
acre potatoes, (75 bushels), 2 acres timothy (1 ½ tons to acre). Sowed 3 acres wheat, last Fall. Mr. T. sold 40 acres of his land, in
1877.
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I. W. Stanley—Also, settled, in
Spring of 1866, on the east half of northwest quarter section 10, Chase
township. The soil is sand and clay
loam, with water from well 82 feet deep (house on a hill), and springs and creek
affording water for stock. Mr. S.
has about 37 acres under improvement, and has frame house, log stable. Has some material on ground for a frame
barn 32 feet square. Has about 30
apple trees, with some cherry and small fruits. Has 2 horses, 2 cows and poultry. In 1878, had 6 acres wheat (66 bushels),
1 acre oats, 1/3 acres potatoes, 5 acres rye, and and 4 acres timothy. Sowed 8 acres of wheat, last Fall.
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J. S. Pierce—Settled, in Spring of
1867, and owns the northeast quarter and northeast quarter of southeast quarter
section 14, and west half of southeast quarter section 11, Chase township. The soil is clay loam, with abundance of
water from springs and running streams, and drive well, 32 feet deep. The house is part frame, part log, with
log barn and frame granary. There
are about 100 acres improved. Has a
fine lot of fruit; over 200 apple trees, bearing; with cherry, pear and small
fruits. Keeps bees, and has 35
colonies which have wintered over nicely.
Keeps them in cellar during Winter.
For shade and ornament, has set out a row of maples about 80 rods in
length, and has some weeping willows.
Keeps 3 horses, 2 oxen, 2 cows, 8 yearlings, 8 hogs, 29 sheep and
poultry. In 1878, he had 4 acres
wheat (56 bushels), 5 acres oats (157 bushels), 2 acres potatoes (300 bushels),
10 acres timothy (20 tons). Sowed
12 acres wheat, last Fall. Mr. P.
is evidently working up the leading farm in the county.
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Jas. C. Reed—Settled, by homestead
entry, in Spring of 1868, on south half of southeast quarter section 2, Chase
township. The soil is clay loam,
beech and maple timber, chiefly, and has springs and running streams. The house and stable are of log, with
frame shed. Has about 26 acres
improved. There are some apple
trees, commencing to bear, with plum, cherry and small fruits. Has 2 horses, 3 young cattle, 4 cows, 3
hogs and poultry, and in 1878, had 12 acres wheat, 1 ½ acres corn, 1
½ acres potatoes (150 bushels), 9 acres timothy (12 tons). Sowed 7 acres wheat, last Fall. Intends to build frame barn, 30x48 feet
this season.
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J. G. Rogers—Settled on his
homestead, the south half of southwest quarter section 8 Chase township, in
Spring of 1867. The soil is sand,
and clay loam, and plenty of water from spring and running stream. Has about 36 acres improved. There are about 95 apple trees (some
bearing), with cherry and small fruits.
For shade, has set out some poplar, and left some original ash trees. Keeps 2 oxen, 2 cows, 3 hogs and
poultry; and in 1878, had 4 acres corn (280 bushels ears), 3 acres buckwheat, 1
½ acres potatoes, 7 acres rye (100 bushels) and ¼ acre rutabagas
(100 bushels).
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Norman Samis— Settled on
“railroad land,” in Spring of 1869 (northwest quarter section 23,
Chase township). The soil is clay,
and water from well, 20 feet deep, and creek for stock. Has a small board house, with frame
barn, 34x50 feet, and shed, 24x50.
Has some 70 acres improved.
Has apple trees commencing to bear, with cherry and small fruits. Keeps 2 horses, 4 young cattle, 7 cows,
1 hog, and poultry. In 1878, had 18
acres wheat, (17 bushels to acre), 1 acre corn, 20 acres oats, 1 acre potatoes,
and 18 acres timothy (about 1 ton to acre). Had about 100 bushels of turnips,
carrots and rutabagas. Sowed 10
acres wheat, last Fall.
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E. Killmer—Settled in Fall of 1877,
and owns some 200 acres on section 11, Chase township, where he sowed 30 acres
wheat, last Fall. At present is
stopping on the northeast quarter of northeast quarter section 15, same
township, which land is owned by a Mr. Rosenberry, of Canada. There are about 5 acres improved on the
latter tract, with frame house. The
soil is sand and clay.
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Clarence Foster—Settled, in Spring
of 1876, on the south half of southeast quarter section 11, Chase township. The soil is sand and clay loam; and water
from well, 30 feet deep, with springs and running stream. The buildings are of log. There is some fine fruit—apple,
plum, peach, cherry and small fruits.
For shade and ornament, has maples and spruce. Keeps 2 horses, 1 yearling, 2 cows, 3
hogs, 6 sheep and poultry. In 1878,
had 3 ½ acres wheat (82 bushels), 3 acres corn, 6 acres buckwheat,
¾ acre potatoes, 5 acres timothy and some 40 bushels of rutabagas. This was formerly the Stephen Kirk farm.
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Isaac Warren—Settled, in Spring of
1867, on the southwest quarter of southwest quarter section 11, Chase
township. The soil is sand and clay
loam, and water from well, 36 feet deep.
There are about 30 acres improved, nearly all of which was under
cultivation, in 1878; producing wheat, corn, potatoes, barley and timothy. The house and barn are frame. Keeps 2 horses, 2 young cattle, 2 cows,
2 hogs and poultry; and sowed about 12 acres wheat, last Fall.
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Geo. Kadwell—Settled, in Spring of
1868, on the east half of northwest quarter section 14, Chase township. The soil is sand and clay loam; with
water from spring and running stream.
Has a small frame house, and about 20 acres improved. There are some apple and cherry. Keeps 2 oxen, 1 cow, 2 hogs, 6 sheep and
poultry; and in 1878, had 3 ½ acres wheat, ½ acre corn, ½
acre oats, 2 acres potatoes, 3 acres barley, ½ acre peas, ½ acre
turnips. Sowed 5 acres wheat, last
Fall.
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John Samis—Homesteaded and
settled, in spring of 1869, on west half of northwest quarter section 14, Chase
township. The soil is sand and clay
loam; with spring water and spring streams. Has about 30 acres improved, and frame
house. There are some bearing apple
trees, some cherry and small fruits.
Keeps 2 horses, 1 steer, 1 cow and poultry. In 1878, had 10 acres wheat, ½
acre corn, ¾ acre potatoes and 15 acres timothy (about ton to acre).
Mr. Samis also, owns
40 acres on section 23, same township, bought of G. R. & I. R’y
Co. The soil is similar to other,
and water is had from a well, 30 feet deep. There is a frame house and log barn; and
about 35 acres improved. In 1878,
had on this place, 3 acres wheat, 3 ½ acres oats and 23 acres timothy
(ton to acre). Sowed 8 acres wheat,
last Fall.
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Geo. Acker—Settled by homestead
entry, in Spring of 1868, on the north half of northwest quarter section 22,
Chase township. The soil is sand
and clay loam, with water from well, 20 feet deep. The house is of log, with frame
stable. There are 20 acres
improved; and some 50 apple trees, with cherry, pear and small fruits. Has set out maples for shade. Keeps 2 oxen, 2 young cattle, 1 cow, 3
hogs, 2 sheep and poultry. In 1878,
had 5 acres wheat, 1 acre corn, 1 acre oats, 1 acre potatoes (200 bushels),
¼ acre barley, 1 acre rye and 2 acres timothy. Sowed 9 acres wheat, last Fall.
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Henry Mitchell—Settled, in Spring
of 1870; on east half of southeast quarter section 12, Chase township, and now
has about 25 acres improved. The
soil is sand and clay. The water is
from a spring, and stream for stock.
The house and barn are of log.
Has 35 apple trees (some bearing), plum, cherry, pear and small fruits. Keeps 2 oxen, 2 cows, 6 young cattle, 2
hogs, 9 sheep and poultry. In 1878,
had 5 acres wheat, 1 acre corn, 3 acres oats; 1 acre potatoes (125 bushels), 1
acre rye and 8 acres timothy and clover.
Sowed 8 acres wheat, 4 acres rye, last Fall. Mr. M. has material for a frame house,
18x24 feet; kitchen 16x24.
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D. J. Randall—Settled, in Fall of
1867, on the south half of southwest quarter section 12, Chase township. The soil is sand and clay; water from
well, 24 feet deep; springs and streams.
Has about 40 acres improved.
Buildings; log house and frame barn. There are 50 apple trees, (some
bearing), plum, cherry, pear and small fruits. Has maples for shade and ornament. Keeps 2 horses, 2 cows, 3 young cattle,
5 hogs and poultry. In 1878, he had
8 acres wheat, 1 acre corn, 5 acres oats, 1 acre buckwheat, 1 acre potatoes
(150 bushels) and 15 acres timothy.
Sowed 12 acres wheat, last Fall.
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Geo. H. Burley—Settled, in Fall of
1871, on the south half of southwest quarter section 10, Chase township. The soil is sand and clay loam; with
spring water and stream for stock. Has
about 20 acres improved; with frame house and stable. There are 75 apple trees (some bearing),
plum, pear and small fruits. Maples
for shade. Keeps 2 oxen, 1
yearling, 1 cow, 1 hog and poultry.
In 1878, had 2 acres corn, 3 acres oats (100) bushels, ½ acre
potatoes (100 bushels), ¼ acre rutabagas (100 bushels) and 5 acres
timothy and clover (10 tons). Has
material for frame barn.
[Nearly or quite all the
settlers of Chase township, mentioned this week, have maple orchards, and are
now in the busy time of sugar making]
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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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Page Notes: |
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All of these sketches are typed as they appeared in the newspaper (spelling and so on). Errata means that the item is a correction to a previous article or
an addition. - - - = 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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