The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-08-14

the few that has attained 10 a ripe old
age. Gifted with good constitution,
he has been able TO Withstand the hard
ships, privations aud tolls incident 70
the settlement of a new country for
forty-five years, and is now, ss in the
long past, surrounded with compel
ency aud the comforts of life. He was
an early partisan in politics, belong
ing to the Wing school. He was prom
inent in every town matter, looking TO
its prosperity. As early as 1912 the
electors of the county selected him Ms
one of their Representatives in the
State Legislature. In 184l he was
elected an Associate Judge Of the cir
cult court for the county. He was again
elected I'd Judge OF the county in 1851.
AS early as 1910 he took an active
part ia the organization Of the Baptist
church in the town, of which he has
been an active member and material
supporter 10 the present. wfun
or Eleazor Gleason II may be said
that for fory-two years he has been a
substantial citizen of the town, below
ed and esteemed by his neighbors for
his unobtrusiye ways aud stirling in
tegrity.
OF Charles Powell il may be said
that no was elected supervisor OF the
town in 1888 and county treasurer in
1871, which Office he held for two years
aud soon after left the county.
OF William Berry il may be said
that he was one of the substantial men.
Elected as one Of the first justices OF
the peace for the town, M Office which
he held for many years. dischRrging it's
duties with fidelity; and from his in
vestments in lands and farming left
competency 10 his numerous family.
/ OF Ephraim Wiltsie we may say that
he, too, was honored by his towns
/ men. but living in remote part of the
/ town he did not command the promi-
nent position in public enterprises OF
many Others. He yet lives in an ad-
joining town.
OF the emigration Of 1886 there is
none now remaining in town; they have
either emigrnted or died.
or the emigration Of 1897 we hnd
! George Fitzsimmons, Esq, occupying
a prominent position in township and
| county, after short period. First as
/ Justice Of the Peace in 1910, an Office
which he held continuously for many
/ years; in 1872, Representative in the
/ State Legislature. At later date his
/ energies and money. 10 large amount,
were contributed to securing the rail
! road 10 the town. With Judge Mickle,
/ Mr.. Fiizsimmons was one Of the found
ers and prominent members OF the
/ Baptist church, and done much for its
1 permsneney in the town. He died IN
4 1870, beloved aud respected by all who
knew him.
/ OF john Rising it may be said that
f be was q peculiar man IN all his ways.
+ Coming to the town with a large FAM
+ ly Of sons and daughters, and with
means, be purchased of lands sufficient
10 settle them all. HE improvements
we're made readily, and at An early day
was considered an independent farmer
be was one OF those who brought his
religion safely across the lake, and be
IS no doubt properly credited with be-
ing the Father Of the Methodist de-
nomination IN the town. His house
was always the home OF the itineraut ss
well as church II no other place vas
moro convenient Nor did he fslter or
waver until all the means and privileges
Of the Methodist church were establish
ed in the town.
OF the residue of the 1887 emigr-
ton, they have mostly died or emigra-
ted John Fitzsimmons aud 4. NJ.
Rising are yet prominent farmers IN
town; Gamer Archer IN an adjoining
town.
OF the emigration of 1898, they were
a class Of enterprisiug and energetic
TOD
but of great moral worth, peculiarly
fitted 10 carry forward and improve mp
on the foundations that had been laid
by the pioneers. One, particularly,
should be noticed. We refer b. Daniel
Kline, who was selected tho following
year as one of the Justices Of the
town. He held this position for "A pc
Rod OF wears 20 the satisfaction OF all
In 1s45 he vas elected Associate Judge
Of the county; 1917. a Representative
IN the State Legislature, and IN 1851 "A
member Of the Constitutional COnven-
tion 10 revise the constitution. In
each OF these positions lie displayed
marked ability aud good judgment in
sll his acts. In a later periodthe same
ability wss conspicuous in undertak-
ings Of private aud public improve
ments tending 10 develop the interests
and growth OF the town. Among these
vHs the plank road from Reading tU
HillsdEle, the cheese factory in Read
ing village, aud the Reading Manufac-
turing Company, designed for the gen
eral manufacture OF household articles
BY over-exertion in this last enterprise
I he contracted cold which terminated
in death, ~ distant State. from fami-
ly ana hu.ae. There arc others of this
class aud the wear following who have
filled honorable and responsible trusts
in township affairs at different periods.
and are still active participants ia the
daily affairs Of life.
We have thus Ear confined our re-
marks 10 the carly pioneers Of the
town, giving 10 thought TO others who
have mingled with them az later da.e,
giving a new impetus 90 business, and
virtually ushering in the second period
in history, and who at the present wri-
ting must be considered a. Of the sec
ond generation. aud yet tue fathers OF
I the town. Commencing with the year
I 1850, and casting back for a iev years.
We fnd many who had quietly settled
7 ia town now prominent and influential
\ citizens, surrounded 10y good farms
and disposed 70 develop the resources
T Of the town, Of which there was every
reason ~ hope would ba attended with
success. Tho fret move vas 20 agree
I on a common center. This was unmis-
/ takably pointed ont ss being at Bass
/ wood Corners, known by that name
/ from the first settIement Of the town,
/ deriving its cognomen from overgrown
/ bassvoods that stood st the junction
OF sections p, 23, 26 and ~, being two
miles from the east and four from the
north lines or the fCwn, aud AZ the in-
tersection.of the State aud old Jones'
/ vile roads. Already a move had been
made, aud charter obtained, for a
plank road from this point 90 Hills
/ dale. The stock was largely taken 10y
citizens OF the town ana others living
on the line and ia Hiilsdalc. The
building OF IL devoked mostly on the
I energy aud perseverance, Of Reading
men. Conspicuons ia the work was
| Col T. Fowler, Daniel Kinne, George
and Johu Fitzsimmous. n. ~ 4 W. s.
I Turner and others. This enteu1fise
was completed IN 1852: anl IN antici.
patton Of the benefits 10 be derived
/ from this work town had been sur
I veyed into l0ls 10 streets and placed
on record By DAVID Prouty aud Thoe.
+ Ili-r, who owned the land on sections
: e .ni 2T coming 20 the corner. n.
+ NJ. W. 5. Turner had built a saw
mil here the year previous. and tins