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Sebewa Recollector
THE SEBEWA RECOLLECTOR,
The annual meeting of The Sebewa Center Association will be held at Sebewa Center Saturday, June 14, 1975. The potluck dinner at noon, the annual meeting to elect a president and one trustee will be followed by a program of entertainment. All members are urged to attend and friends and visitors are invited. Thus ends the first decade of The Sebewa Center Association as the successor to the Sebewa Center School Reunion whose origin is described on following pages. The 3-year terms of John York as president and of Ilene Carr as trustee are completed as of the June 14 meeting. The offices will be filled by election at the meeting. Ruth Seybold and Lucille Meyers were named to the nominating committee to supply nominees for those offices. Other nominations may be made from the floor at the meeting. Prospective nominees should indicate willingness to serve if elected. Dues of $1 per person for the 1975-76 year are now due and may be paid to our treasurer, Henry Smith, R2, Lake Odessa, MI 48849. LEON LOCKWOOD Following the death of his wife by about a year, Leon Lockwood passed away in April in Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood owned and lived in the John Blanchard house in Ionia for many years. The house is slated to become a museum for Ionia County under the auspices of the Ionia County Historical Society. SEBEWA TOWNSHIP ELECTION JULY 10. Sufficient names were secured on a petition to the Sebewa Township Board to call for an election on a proposal to levy a two mill tax for three years to provide funds for graveling Sebewa Township roads. Regular election hours will be held on July 10. Bring your knitting, gals! TURN BACK THE PAGES Getting the story a little bit wrong is regrettable and the fact that it is often done in print outside these pages is no excuse for my improper assumption that the village of Cornell, the Danby part of Sebewa Corners, was named after F. N. Cornell, the Sebewa Corners merchant. The Rev. E. E. Branch HISTORY OF IONIA COUNTY states that the village of Cornell was platted in 1867 by Pierce G. Cook as agent of Elizabeth Cornell, the Danby part of Sebewa Corners, was named after F. N. Cornell, the Sebewa Corners merchant. The Rev. E. E. Branch HISTORY OF IONIA COUNTY states that the village of Cornell was platted in 1867 by Pierce G. Cook as agent of Elizabeth Cornell of New Jersey. The ledgers and record books of Pierce G. Cook show his accounts with Elizabeth Cornell, the sale of lots and collection of mortgages before the arrival of F. N. Cornell at the village. The relationship of Elizabeth Cornell of New Jersey and Elizabeth Cornell, daughter of F. N. Cornell, if any, is not clear. F. N.’s daughter, Elizabeth was born in 1886. Pierce G. Cook was a merchant at Sebewa Corners prior to 1860. He was born in Saltstown, New York August 6, 1816. He came to Sebewa in 1848 and engaged in farming until 1874 when he removed to Portland. Edward Cook, who died as a Union prisoner of war at Andersonville, was his son as well as Charles Cook, Sebewa farmer and father of Karl, Charlie, Grover, Reuben, Mabel and Mrs. Tillison Daniels and Clifton Cook. He served as Justice of the Peace in both Sebewa and Portland. His accounts indicate that as justice he was the collector for many small accounts for Portland merchants. Also he was the officiating officer for many marriages. Claude Williams, great grandson of Pierce G. Cook, has provided us a look at the two Pierce G. Cook account books. The earliest entry seems to be 1856. If you have trouble reading our tracings of the 1859 accounts on another page, these clues may help. H. Hallady Dr. (debtor) SEASONAL NOTE—WORSE THAN DOGGEREL 2 lbs sal 8 cents 16 Hey! Say! Eight days in May H. Trim Dr By hat and ribbon 30 R. Fleetham lbs 513 butter 58 David Lumbert Dr For writing bond 50 Jonathan Brown 1 bush potatoes 38 Moses Hogle Cr (Creditor) 1 bush & ¾ potatoes 35 By cash 25 70 June 10/11 John Friend ? 150 13 one days work 75 225
TEN VOLUMES OF THE SEBEWA
RECOLLECTOR are available for $10.00 That includes all the issues of the RECOLLECTOR. A few copies are l And then back to the stencils to fill in For some issues in short supply. WELCOME LUMBERT HAS A GRAVESTONE MARKER On schedule on May 10 several people were present at the East Sebewa Cemetery to make a foundation and erect a marker to the memory of Weck. Two jug capsules were included in the foundation. All present made an estimate as to when the contents of the jugs might be seen by human eyes again Should some of the later dates be nearly correct, some of the oddaments included in the jugs may prove to be a mystery to the viewers. SHOULD WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? Buried in the northeast part of the East Sebewa Cemetery without a marker is Phoebe Shay and some of her family. Phoebe was the mother of Ephraim Shay, Township Clerk in 1867, sawmill operator, lumberman and patentee of the Shay locomotive. That patent made him a millionaire. Yet he forgot to put a marker on his mother’s grave. About two years ago two of his granddaughters were still living. Perhaps we should start there. A Tracing of part of page 99 of Pierce G. Cook’s Account Book Dated 1859 When He Was a Merchant at Sebewa Corners: (mostly unreadable)……..Johnathan Brown Cr….1 bush potatoes ……….Moses Hagle C……potatoes……John Friend………150………….13 by one days work 4………..Showerman……2 boxes full 2/ 50 OFFICE OF OVERSEER OF HIGHWAYS or PATHMASTER—Sebewa Township, Ionia County Continue. Edward Sandborn 1846, Walter Harmon 46, Moses Hogle 46, Eleazer Brown 46, Benjamin Weld 46, Paul Steele 46, Jacob Showerman 47, Oren Merchant 48, John Maxim 48, William Packard 49, Thomas Waddell 49, William Reeder 49, Joseph Munn 50, John Waddell 50, Jacob Green 50, John Evans 50, Jacob Vinton 50, Peter Mapes 51, Samuel White 51, Charles Derby 51, William Estep 53, Cyril Carpenter 53, Pierce G. Cook 53, Jacob High 53, Apollos Halladay 54, Stephen Rider 54, Francis Brown 54, Hiram Trim 54, Perry Trim 54, John Gallagher 55, Daniel W. Goddard 55, Edwin G. Steele 55, Erastus D. Alderman 55, Daniel W. Rose 55, John W. Carpenter 55, Charles W. Harper 55, David Griffin 56, Jacob Plants 56, William Benschooter 56, Washburn Wight 56, Solomon Hess 56, John C. Rider 56, Clark Rice 56, John Able 59, Daniel Halladay 59, Lucius Showerman 59, Rufus Goddard 59, Oren Stebbins 59, H. W. Rogers 59, G. W. Crane 1859, Isaac Bretz 59, Stephen Sprague 59, John Stone 60, John A. Nichol 60, Ferdinand Sweitzer 60, John Johnson 60, Ferdinand Sweitzer 60, John Johnson 60, Stephen Lindley 60, Noah Tryon 60, M. D. L. Crapo 60, Lucian Heaton 60, Christian Sindlinger 60, Theron Stimson 61, John Estep 61, Nathan Steward 61, Addison Rice 61, E. F. Smith Jr. 61, Robert Gibbs 61, Stephen Rider 61, Ephriam Probasco 62, Lafayette Stimson 62, George Snyder 62, George Benschooter 62, W. R. Mills 62, Horace Lyford 62, William H. Coe 62, E. Chase 62, James Gray 62, John Friend 63, Thomas Steele 63, John Waring 63, Warner Young 63, A. M. Ralston 63, Peter Greiner 63, Robert Allen 63, Watson Merchant 64, Abel C. Halladay 64, Washburn Wight 64, Thomas Dickson 64, Major Brown 64, Jacob Lapo 64, Andrew B. ?ravis 64, Harley H. Butler 65, Ira W. Warden 65, John Jackson 65, Michael Powell 65, Samuel Green 65, Jonas C. Clark 65, David Gillow 65, John C. Olry 1865 John Rebedew 65, Eli B. Buckman 65, William Newton 66, Correl Taylor 66, Michael Lunger 66, William VanDoosen 66, John Carpenter 66, David Leak 66, William Goodrich 66, Samuel Downing 66, S. M. Severance 66, G. W. Pierce 66, Andrus Daniels 66, John Petrie 66, Charles A. Stone 67, Theodore Gunn 67, Willis J. Torpy 67, James Ward 67, Jonah H. Carpenter 67, William Jeffries 67, John Frayer 67, John F. Van Wyck 67, Christian Yager 67, Josiah Williams 68, Thomas Allen 68, John Briggs 68, Isaac Baldwin 68, Henry Sexton 68, Stephen Rice 68, Peter H. Adamy 68, Alexander Hickerson 68, Hiram Lorch 69, Joshua Gunn 68, C. O. Stone 69, Sam Bigham 69, A. H. Howland 69, Thomas Leak 69, G. C. Ayers 69, George C. Gillette 69, T. C. Daniels 69, Sam Oerhaltzer 69, E. B. Stone 70, Henry Mapes 70, John Snyder 70, L. E. Brown 70, B. M. Griffin 70, B. M. Griffin 70, Lewis A. Olry 71, George Youngs 71, Lyman C. Brown 1871, John W. Collier 71, John C. Reynolds 71, George Friend 71, Francis Coy 71, Gardner Wight 71, Henry Rice 71, William Gott 71, James H. Creighton 72, Henry Soule 72, A. J. Olmstead 73, Benjamin Probasco 73, E. Y. Lowe 73, A. A. Garlock 73, Charles Howser 73, George H. Baldwin 73, Robert Allen 73, Oren W. Daniels 73, D. C. Parmenter 73, Simeon Oatley 73, Orlando V. Showerman 73, Nathan Hastings 73, John Arnold 73, Samuel D. Gunn 73, M. W. Knoll 73, William Ingall 74, Joseph Williams 74, James McCollister 74, Dennis Ferril 74, James Ward 74, D. B. Soules 74, E. Y. Allynn 74, Conrad Miller 74, Josiah Smith 74, Nathan C. Carter 74, Peter Troub 76, J. F. Chambers 76, Norman Gibbs 76, Albart Meyers 76, Henry Culver 76, Henry Rodegeb 76, L. A. Glazier 76, Henry Rodegeb 76, L. A. Glazier 76, Henry Dilley 76, Adam Fender 76, William Goff 76, Emanuel Tran 76, L. C. Smith 76, Eli Brandle 76, William Shipman 76, James Brown 77, Adam Truxton 77, Milton Perce 1877, Robert Kelley 77, Joseph Braden 77, Joshua S. Henry 77, Wilber Merchant 77, Elam Harvey 77, J. K. Knoll 77, A. L. Ferguson 78, Henry Cramer 78, E. A. Truxton 78, Hall J. Ingalls 78, Otis Heath 78, D. D. Davis 78, Reuben Lapo 78, Benjamin C. Peacock 78, Samuel Braden 78, Ranslaer Peling 78, Peter Polmanter 78, John Cross 78, Adam Stout 78, John Brandall 78, S. A. Sargeant 78, Jeremiah Troub 79, Oren Stebbins 79, Henry Aungst 79, William H. Reed 79. William M. Knott 79, Elijah Leak 79, C. S. Lawrence 79, J. H. McClelland 79, Christopher Kenyon 79, Henry Fishell 79, George O. Carbaugh 81, Frank Rixler 81, George Shipman 81, Charles Y. Raymond 81, William Luscher 81, Clark Preston 81, Oliver Benschooter 81, Salem Ostrander 81, Jacob W. Evans 81, Orlando Waller 81, John Goodemoot 81, Ira Fuller 81, Joseph Gregg 81, Jacob King 81, Stephen Otto 81, George High 81, Giles Thorp 81, Chester Oatley 82, Harlem Williams 82, William Fell 82, Charles Aves 82, Andrew Kestler 1882, Jay D. Permeter 82, Daniel Samain 82, Marion Sherck 82, William Heintzleman 82 Gravender Oatley 83, Miles Parks 83, Marshall Peabody 83, Charles Williams 83, Alonzo N. Evans 83, James W. Young 84, S. W. King 84, Allen B. Lippincott 84, Frank Hosey 84, W. J. Ramsey 84, Maryland R. Brown 84, John Freehouse 84, Hosea Bates 84, C. S. Matthews 84, Byron Gibbs 84, Jacob Luscher 84, Philander McClure 84, George G. Fletcher 84, E. D. Bishop 84, David Troyer 84, Nathaniel Buell 84. Although the office of Overseer of Highways was not abolished until a much later date, township records are incomplete as to the appointees after 1884. JUST A LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD FUN IN DANBY IN 1870 Tuesday, March 22, 1870. HOW MUCH IS HE MARRIED? In the Township of Danby of this county resides a family which we shall call Jones consisting of a father about age 70, his wife and two sons, the younger of which is about 18 years old. In the neighborhood there is also a family named Smith. Between the families for some cause or other there has not for several years existed very friendly feelings, especially among the older members. The younger Jones, however seems to have been on friendly terms with Smith, which fact has been a constant source of annoyment to the Jones. One evening some two weeks ago Smith came to the house of Jones and requested the young man to go with him to spend the evening with a neighbor. To an inquiry of the elder Jones as to where they were going, Smith replied that they were going to a prayer meeting which was, of course, satisfactory to the father. On arriving at the place designated, Young Jones found quite a large party assembled almost entirely of the male persuasion. As the seats appeared to be all occupied with one exception, he was conducted to that one, which was next to one occupied by a blooming maiden of perhaps twenty years. Scarcely had Jones taken his seat when the young lady, taking him by the hand, stood up and a neighbor, present, stepping in front of them gave expression to something of a formula and ended in pronouncing Jones and the maiden, husband and wife. Confused by the occurrence, and astounded by the congratulations of the company who were evidently determined to consider the transaction in a serious light, young Jones waited not on the order of his going but watched his opportunity, took to his heels and incontinently fled nor paused until safe beneath the parental roof. The bride claims protection in a home. Escorted by some of her friends, she assayed to enter the home of the Jones’, in which effort she was not successful as that mansion had assumed the conditions of a besieged fortress. At her approach, the lights were extinguished, doors locked and except for the cricket at the hearth, silence reigned supreme. The young man, Jones, we are informed, keeps a young man with him night and day as a perpetual witness that he does not accept the situation matrimonial. The ceremony, if it can be called, was neither blest with Book Bell or Candle or any of those religious rites peculiar to the clergy nor was it attended by the legal formality of a constable sale as solemnized by a Justice of the Peace where the officiating party was but a neighbor in private life, only this and nothing more. The case, however, has its difficulties. The law declares that though the officiating party was but a neighbor in private life, only this and nothing more. The young man, Jones, we are informed, keeps a young man with him night and day as a perpetual witness that he does not accept the situation matrimonial. The ceremony, if it can be called, was neither blest with Book Bell or Candle or any of those religious rites peculiar to the clergy nor was it attended by the legal formality of a constable sale as solemnized by a Justice of the Peace where the officiating party was but a neighbor in private life, only this and nothing more. The case, however, has its difficulties. The law declares that though the officiation officer be not qualified and yet if the parties act in good faith, the marriage is valid and besides this the happy groom cannot for his life, say, whether he gave his consent or not. The bride insists that she acted in good faith and supposed her happy man did also and she is not now willing to give up the present for any future good, however promising. Whether she is in favor of female sufferage is not yet known. Taken all together, it is a curious case and we again make the inquiry, “How much are they married?” From THE PORTLAND ADVERTISER that soon became the PORTLAND OBSERVER. HERE LIES THE BODY OF JONATHAN INGALLS---REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER (from the scrapbook of Ella H. Gunn is found this clipping giving more information about Sebewa’s Revolutionary War soldier.) The body of Jonathan Ingalls lies in a field a short distance south of Sebewa Corners. The stone marking the burial is placed close to the roadside where it may easily be read by those who pass. The stone was prepared from native Ionia county rock by John Shell of Ionia and was designed with taste as well as with a thought to permanency. Mrs. Levi Marshall, regent of the chapter (Stevens Thompson Mason Daughters of the American Revolution) led the ceremonies. Following the reading of the ritual the purpose of the placing of the stone and some of the projects of the Chapter were told by Miss Kate L. Benedict, former regent. She stated that the work done by the Chapter is conducted largely to preserve for posterity the interesting and historical facts and legends concerning Michigan and to make it as interesting a place through which to travel as many historic places in the east are today. Mrs. Marshall formally presented the red granite monument to the public as Geer Smith and Marian Morse drew the cords which raised the American flag from the cut surface of the rock. At the grave of Jonathan Ingalls the ceremony was brief, but impressive. Mrs. D. L. Spaulding, a granddaughter of the Revolutionary War veteran, read a brief account of his life before the assembled crowd. According to the facts given by her, Ingalls was born in Exeter, N. H. May 4, 1762. Entering the Revolutionary War at the same time that his father did, when the youth was but 13 years of age, he served throughout the entire war, which won for the colonies their freedom from the British government. He was with the forces commanded by Gen. Benedict Arnold when, angered by what he thought insufficient recognition for his valuable services at Saratoga and by a rebuke from George Washington later, he planned to surrender his forces to the British. Mr. Ingalls served through the entire war. He came to live in Sebewa Township about 1837. He was previously married in 1785 to Abigail Cleveland, an aunt of former President Grover Cleveland, of the United States. Mr. Ingalls died October 2, 1843. Rev. W. K. Spencer gave the principal address at the unveiling ceremony. He pleaded for the type of loyalty to the nation which actuated Jonathan Ingalls to withstand the privations of the Revolutionary War. He urged that people of today be more mindful of what our forefathers did to make the nation great and to strive to set an equally fine example to our descendants. SEBEWA CENTER’S FIRST HOMECOMING: The homecoming at Sebewa Center, held the last day of school, June 2, (1923), was attended by upward of 150 persons, which included teachers, pupils and residents. More would have been present had it been possible to find all the old school records, so as to send invitations to all. A potluck dinner was served, cafeteria style and was one of the big features of the day. After dinner, picked teams played baseball, which was especially enjoyed by the young. The program was in charge of Elmer Gierman, and consisted of songs, speeches and reminiscences. Charles Ralston gave a very interesting talk on the history of the school district and included in same the minutes of a school meeting held in September, 1864---the earliest record to be found. At this meeting it was voted to have four months school in winter and three in summer. It was also voted to hire a lady teacher. Lovina Meyers was hired for the winter at $16.50 per month. Margaret Young was hired for the summer at $10.00. It was voted to assess $1.00 for each pupil and $15.00 for incindentals, which is certainly some contrast when compared with school expenses of today. Names and ages of pupils attending the school that year were read, but one of whom, Jacob Luscher, of Ionia, being present. At that time the schoolhouse was a mile east of where the present one stands. In 1883 ground was bought of Ed Kenyon and the present schoolhouse erected. Orrin Goodrich was the first teacher. Mrs. Robert Gierman expressed appreciation of what the school has meant to the community; also of its value to her and her family. Mrs. Lydia Meyers, Mrs. Gierman’s mother, was teacher of the Center school at one time---while the present Mrs. Gierman and her future husband were scholars there. (This, no doubt is an error in reporting as Mrs. Meyers taught the school before she was married.) In time Mrs. Gierman herself became the teacher, occupying this position for three years. Now the Gierman children are pupils and perhaps some of them may also teach the school in future years. Men who had been punished by whipping while attending school, were asked to rise. Evidently all were very good, for only one man, Peter Britten, who must have been a real boy, arose. Asked to relate his experience, he gave a thrilling account of one whipping, which brought forth storms of applause. Remarks were made by Mrs. Lydia Meyers and Hugh Wellfare, former teachers. It was voted to have the homecoming an annual affair. Robert Gierman was chosen president and Elmer Gierman secretary-treasurer. Among those from away who attended the homecoming were: Dr. Martha Hixson of Grand Ledge. Peter Britten of Riverdale. Mr. and Mrs. Perry Heaven and little son, Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Townsend, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Townsend, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Gibbs and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Barclay, Mrs. Matilda Wood, Marvin Kenyon, Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Pettingill and children Norma and Dale, Perry. Mr. and Mrs. Mel Blossom and granddaughters, Alice and Thelma Oatley; Mrs. And Mrs. Harry Tussing, Lake Odessa. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Luscher and Glenn Smith, Ionia. Joe Arnold, Edmore. (From Ella Gunn’s scrapbook) From: THE SEBEWA RECOLLECTOR Robert W. Gierman, Editor R 1 Portland, Michigan 48875
Last update October 20, 2021 |
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