The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-06-16
Correspondence Of the True Northerner.
LOCAL HISTORY.
Bong R6cOiiSCtiOns and "Reminiscences
of the EarIU settlers.

names stand out prominent, and we nat.
urally identify them with the days labor.
There was much TO do to develore the
strength and capacity of this, now ia.
vored locality, and little with which to
accomplish the great work that Provi
dence had allotted these brave pioneers.
Energy and determination were the lev
ers that..they placed at the foundation of
every obstacle to success, and the steady
and patient bearing overturned them
all.
Our present sketch which pertains to
the town of Columbia, situated near the
new Michigan Lake Shore Railway,
is one of interest TO those who would
know what deprivation and toll mean.
For the main facts we are indebted to
Smith Brown Esq, an old resident of
Breedsville. The first families who
broke into the wilderness here, were Mr..
Browns family, Elder Hinckley's, Mr..
Breed, Mr.. Howard, Mr.. Watson and
Mr.. Haships. There were also of the
company two or three single men, Mr.
Babbitt and VIM. Taylor, making in all
ten or twelve grown persons, and about
the same number of children. They all
belonged in one neighborhood in Monroe
county, " Y, in town called Adams
Basin. Elder Hinckley, however did
not commence his pioneer life with the
company above named, but came along,
and started the settlement by furnishing
means for Silas Breed to build the saw
mill now in running order in Breeds.
vile, though it is probably in the con-
dition of the Vermont mans sled, which
he insisted for fifty successive years that
lie brought it from down country, =
though he had made repairs from year
to year until there was not piece Of
the original sled in it, nor had there
been for 4 quarter of a century. This
old mill has, no doubt, undergone repairs
until it would be difficult to find piece
Of the original timber in it.
This humble start for Breedsville was
made in the year 1885, portion of it
with Elder Hinckley's means, though
lis family did not commence life in the
wilderness until nearly two years after.
The original company found their way
lere from y. York State in much the
same way of all the old settlers. The
main part Of their goods for house.keep.
ing were sent By water to St. Joseph
ut beds and bedding needed for camp.
- purposes, were kept to CONE with
cross the country from Detroit. There
ID single team was purchased, which con-
sisted of yoke Of oxen and new double
wagon. at cost of one hundred and ten
dollars for the two. If the reader does
Lot believe the statement that these ten
-rovn persons and twelve children, with
eds and bedding and provisions for the
company, found their way through to
Paw Paw with thi: one team, it is simp.
) because he has no bravery of hi,
Own, and it was well for that courageous
band that he was not a "barnacle" BY
:hcir side. The men all walked the
most Of the way and the women and
children took turns walking and riiing
Mrs Brown, who was wholly unaecuS.
toned 10 pedestrian feats, tired out in
walking only short distances, but before
tie journey was completed at the end
q 4 fortnight, she could travel with
ease seven or light miles in day. At
hat time there were but few little
settlements on the whole route but our
emigrants generally found places to stay
nights called hotels. Sometimes, how.
ever, they were obliged to camp in the
woods, and always, whether at a hotel
or not, they cooked their own provisions
It is no wonder that they made slow
Progress on their way, when so much
time had to be taken to pack and un,
pack bedding and eatables, but the ole
saying is, that cit is a long road which
has no turn in it." After many weary
days and nights, the tired band reached
Paw Paw in safety. Do not imagine
reader, that that was the end Of hard
ship, for that was only the beginning
Up to that poin: their road, thougl
winding around marshes and betweel