The first purchase of land in what now constitutes Highland township was made by Naham Curtis, September 6, 1832. It was the east half of the southeast quarter of section 36. He and his brother Jeremiah sold out soon afterwards and left with the Mormons, a small settlement of whom existed in this neighborhood where the Curtises settled prior to 1836. James Aldrich, Richard Wiilett, and Samuel Myers, Jr., purchased land in the township the same year. Naham Curtis came to Michigan from Pennsylvania, and settled at Pontiac as early as 1824. He had a large family, some of whom were grown up when he settled in Highland. We believe that none of his family now reside in the township or county.

In the fall of 1833, Alvah and Rufus Tenny arrived from Wheatland, Monroe county, New York, and purchased the south half of section 30, and the north half of section 31, and returned home. Alvah's wife's friends were opposed to his coming to Michigan, so he sold his interest to his brother Jesse, who started from his home in the east in the month of February, 1833. Rufus Tenny continued to reside on the farm he located in section 31 until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1858, aged sixty-five. His wife, Eunice, died in the spring of 1875, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. Some of their descendants still occupy the old homestead. Jesse Tenny was accompanied by John C. Morse, and came with a two-horse team through Canada, arriving at their destination on the 7th of March of the same year.

In May, 1833, Noah P. Morse came in with his wife and father-in-law, Aimer Hyde, and his family, and commenced clearing up the farm on which he now resides. Aimer Hyde and family, with Mr. Morse, were from the town of Norwich, New London county, Connecticut.

Among the most prominent of the early settlers of Highland was Jonathan F. Stratton, the first justice of the peace of the township, who came from Erie county, Pennsylvania, to Ann Arbor in 1825, and to Highland in 1833. He settled on section 27, on the farm now owned by Chester M. Chatfield and others, constituting the south half of the northwest quarter of the above section, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 28.

Michael Beach came from Troy, Oakland County, Michigan, in 1833 or 1834, and settled on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 28. He made but a brief stay on his first purchase, for we find that he sold it to Madison Adams in 1836-37, and subsequently purchased of the government the east half of the southeast quarter of section 21, and of a Mr. McCormick the west half of the northeast quarter of section 28. He settled on the lot contained in section 21, on the farm now owned and occupied by his son, Davis Beach. The lot on 28 is now owned by William E. Clark, who bought it of Benjamin Beach, another son of the original purchaser, in 1875.

Robert Findley emigrated from Scotland with his son Alexander, then a boy, but now a prominent citizen of Milford, and his son-in-law, Duncan McCall, in 1834, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 34. After Robert Findley's death the land was divided, Alexander taking the south half of the quarter section, which he subsequently sold to a Mr. Pierce, of the State of New York. The latter traded with Samuel Burtch, and it is now owned by Cornelius, a son of the Samuel Burtch above mentioned. Mrs. McCall took the north half of the quarter section, which, after her death, was sold to T. A. Smith, and by him to J. C. Lanning, and by him to William N. Burnett, the present owner, in the winter of 1875.

Lockwood Clark and his father, E. A. Clark, came in 1834 or 1835, and settled on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 15, and sold to William A. Waterbury about 1845, and he to John Van Wormer, the present owner, in 1855 or 1856.

Peter McPherson and wife emigrated from Scotland (came in with Messrs. Findley and McCall) in 1834, and settled on the south half of the southwest quarter of section 27, now owned by his widow and their son William.

P. W. Wheaton came from New York State in 1835. He took up the east half of the southeast quarter of section 5 and the northeast quarter of the northeast fractional quarter of the same section, in all one hundred and thirty-six and one-quarter acres. In 1840, after having built a house and made some other improvements on his place, he returned to New York, and brought his family to his new home the year following. He still resides on the old homestead.

Elijah Dunham arrived from Monroe county. New York, in 1835, and took up two eighties on section 18 and six eighties on section 17.

Purdy A. Tuttle came from Steuben county. New York, and settled on section 1, where he now resides, in 1836.

Elias Cowley, from Erie county, New York, May 10, 1836, and settled on section 18, where he still lives.

Daniel M., Major F., and Martin Lockwood, three brothers, came in from Monroe county. New York, in 1836, and settled in the neighborhood where William M. Lockwood, a son of the first named of the three brothers, now resides.

Henry Hurbert, who was afterwards elected a justice of the peace for the township, came in from New York in 1836, and took up two hundred acres on sections 1 and 2. He subsequently returned to Detroit.

Enos Leek, Esq., came into Highland from Ann Arbor, where he settled in 1828, this year (1836), and located on the old Stratton farm.

Simon Hough came from Warrensburg, New York, in 1836, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 26 and the east half of the southeast quarter of action 27.

Phineas Davis arrived from New York in 1837, and took up eight hundred acres on sections 2 and 3 and 10 and 11. He came in as a speculator, and was drowned while returning from the Sandwich Islands.

Alfred Barrett came in February, 1838, from Ashtabula county, Ohio, and settled on section 6. about eighty rods north of where his son David now resides.

The next important item in the history of a locality to the early settlement is its subsequent improvement and development. We find that the first farm opened in Highland was that of Naham Curtis, who commenced clearing, fencing, and tilling his land immediately after settling on the same, in the early summer of 1832. He sowed the first wheat the ensuing fall, which turned out advantageously, and tolerably free from smut.

The first orchard was planted by J. F. Stratton, Esq., who brought in a variety j of trees from Ann Arbor, and put them in during the spring of 1834. It is the orchard now owned by Lyman B. Congdon.

The first log house was erected by Naham Curtis, in 1832. It was built of round logs, he evidently not deeming it expedient to hew them, as he only occupied the house for about two years. He built the first frame barn erected in the township, in 1833. Its dimensions were thirty by forty feet.

The first frame house was built by Eber Adams, about 1835. It m the same now occupied by Elisha and Melvin A. Grow, on section 29.

The first brick house was erected by Luther Freeman, in 1845. It is located at Clyde, and is now occupied by Lyman Johnson.

Was that known as "Tenny's road," and is described in the survey as follows: "Commencing at the county line, at the northwest comer of section 31, in township 3 north, range 7 east, and running north 89 1/4 , east 101.50 chains, on section line (68.50 to the northeast corner of section 31); thence south 47 1/2, east 59.90 chains ; thence south 29 1/2, east 44.00 chains to the Territorial road leading from Livingston to Pontiac ; thence 50 links west to the southwest corner of section 33, in township 3 north, range 7 east. Variation, 3 degrees east.

Surveyed May 25, 1835. by J. F. Stratton, Surveyor, J. F. Stratton, "H. H. Graves, Commissioners of Highways. Recorded March 31, 1836. Attest: J. F. Stratton, Clerk

In the year 1834 or 1835, Eber Adams located the east half of the southeast quarter of section 22 and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 23, and thereby secured a good water power. A few years afterwards he sold to O. P. Davison, who sold to Major F. Lockwood and Jonas G. Potter, then doing business in Milford as the firm of Lockwood & Potter, who bought of Major Alderman the privilege of raising the water on the northwest quarter of action 23, thereby making a double water power; and in the spring of 1846 built a saw mill near the south end of east half of the southeast quarter of section 22. In May, 1863, the mill was destroyed by fire. Lester St. John, had a turning lathe and some joiner and cabinet tools burnt in the mill. Lockwood & Potter dissolve partnership about 1835, and the former, moved to Spring Mills (then Highland), and in 1856 built the present flowing mill. In the fall of 1859, Lockwood sold the property to J. B. Baker, of Detroit, who took possession of it January 1, 1860. September 24,1864, Baker sold to Daniel B. Chatfield and Robert Boyce. In April, 1865, Chatfield purchased the interest of Boyce. September 22, 1868, Chatfield sold the flour mill to J. B. Crouse, who operated it until October 1, 1871, when he sold it to W. C. Lockwood, the present owner. The amount of work done during the past year (1876) was eighteen hundred barrels of flour and eight thousand bushels of custom work.

The manufacturing interest of the township have been few, as Highland is almost exclusively an agricultural region. The first who worked at any sort of manufacturing were the blacksmiths, and we find that among the earliest of these was Lyman Shattuck, who established himself at Highland Corners as early as 1835. Isaac Waterbury had a shop on the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 15 in 1847 or 1848; Elihu Wait had one on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 22 in 1855.

In the spring of 1867, Daniel B. Chatfield sold to Chester M. Chatfield the lower water power (the old saw mill power). The latter gentleman, the same year, put up a building for a water power cider mill, and in 1869 sold the same to John B. Crouse, the present owner. He put on additions to the building, and converted it into the Highland cider and vinegar works, as at present. The product of the works for the past year was twenty-five hundred barrels of cider and vinegar

In the year 1836, Simon Hough brought on a small stock of goods and sold them at his house, but did not replenish. In the fall of 1842, Hough sold to Daniel St. John, and he to D. B. Ghatfield, and he to J. B. Grouse, the present owner.

The first marriage in Highland township was celebrated in the fall of 1834. The contracting parties were John Cranson and Mary, daughter of Abner Hyde. Mr. Cranson came in from Pleasant valley in 1833. As showing the nature of an old-time divorce, we quote from Squire Stratton's official record the subjoined marriage license: Mr. William Gardner and Mrs. Betsey Sessions, Apr 4, 1836.
" On application of the said William Gardner, I examined him, the said William, on solemn oath respecting the legality of such contemplated marriage with Mrs. Betsy Sessions, who made the following statement on oath: I have had a wife, who I do not know to be dead. I received an acquittal from her by giving a covenant bond for her maintenance, and securing her acknowledgment to an acquittal from all matrimonial contracts. This acknowledgment was taken by David Sweet, Esq., justice of the peace and commissioner for the acknowledgment of deeds, etc., for the county of Herkimer, State of New York. This acknowledgment bears date March 5, 1834. This was considered a lawful acquittal from the marriage covenant by James Hyde, Esq., master in chancery for Herkimer county. New York. I know of no lawful objection why the marriage covenant may not be solemnized between me and Mrs. Betsy Sessions. Therefore license is hereby granted by me, J. F. Stratton, Tp, Clerk, Married by me April 10, 1836. J. F. Stratton, Justice of the Peace

was that of Mary, daughter of Lavins Tenny, in May, 1833. She afterwards married James Ramsy, and resided till her death near the village of Howell, Michigan.

The first death was that of Samuel Stratton, who died April 24, 1834, and was interred on the farm of J. F. Stratton, Esq., his son.

The first cemetery in the township was located in the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 29, and was laid out about 1835 or 1836. The first interment therein was that of an infant child of Isaac Cornell. The first adult burial in the cemetery was that of a Mrs. Davis, the wife of a transient settler who worked for Eber Adams.

In the year 1849 the township bought of William H. Leonard one acre in the southeast corner of the north eighth of the west half southwest quarter of section 22, and one acre of Germain St. John in the northeast corner of the south five-eighth of the same lot, for a burying ground. It was surveyed and platted into burial lots by L. L. Armstrong, surveyor, on the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of August, 1849.

The first interment in the new burying ground was that of Harden Eddy. There Were a number of bodies removed that had been buried on farms before the ground was laid out, who were reinterred in it, but none, we believe, before Mr. Eddy.

We quote from the early records of the township the subjoined matter relative to the first township-meeting : "A record of the doings of the electors of the township of Highland, county of Oakland and Territory of Michigan, at their first regular township meeting, held on Monday, the 6th day of April, a.d. 1835. "Assembled at the school house on the farm of Jesse Tenny, agreeable to an act of the legislative council authorizing the holding of said meeting. "After calling the electors to order, the motion being made and seconded, Rufus Tenny was chosen moderator and Noah P. Morse clerk of the meeting. "The necessary oaths of the moderator and clerk were administered by Jonathan F. Stratton, Esq., justice of the peace. "On motion, the meeting adjourned to the house of Noah P. Morse by the unanimous vote of the electors present. "On motion, it was agreed that the vote be balloted by general ticket. " A motion being made and seconded, it was voted that all actual settlers should have the privilege of voting for township officers.

The polls being opened, the following persons were elected to the offices opposite their names, respectively : Supervisor, Rufus Tenny ; Township Clerk, Jonathan F. Stratton ; Constable and Collector, Noah P. Morse ; Assessors, Jesse Seeley, Daniel Dunham, John Williams, Jr., Maxfield Ludlow ; Commissioners of Highways, Jonathan F. Stratton, Cornelius G. Wikoff, Harley H. Graves; Commissioners of Common Schools, Jesse Tenny, John R. Howlin, Noah P. Morse ; Overseers of the Poor, Naham Curtis, Eli Lee. Twenty-two votes were polled for each of the above written officers.

The following persons were chosen overseers of highways: Jesse Seeley, district No. 1 ; Erastus Hopkins, district No. 2 ; Ira Stowell, district No. 3; Naham Curtis, district No. 4 ; Jonathan F. Stratton, district No. 5 ; Jesse Tenny, district No. 6 ; Eli Lee, district No. 7 ; Harley H. Graves, district No. 8.

On motion, the several overseers of highways were chosen fence viewers in their respective districts. On motion, twenty-five dollars was voted to be raised the current year for the support of the poor of the township of Highland. On motion, it was voted that the next annual township meeting should be held at the house of Jonathan F. Stratton, Esq. ; and the meeting was adjourned accordingly.

Annexed we give a list of the supervisors, township clerks, and justices of the peace of Highland from 1835 to 1877, inclusive: Supervisors, Rufus Tenny (two years), Stephen Armstrong, Simon Hough, Lyman Shattuck, Major F. Lockwood (two years), Rufus Tenny, Hiram A. Hills (two years), Squire W. Rowe, Enos Leek, Nelson Tenny, Rufus Tenny, Edwin A. Tenny, Nelson Tenny (two years), Enos Leek, Nelson Tenny, Enos Leek (two years), Major Alderman (two years), Squire W. Rowe, Benjamin F. Davison, Squire W. Rowe (two years), Alonzo Tenny (two years), Squire W. Rowe, Henry E. De Garmo, Squire W. Rowe, Henry E. De Garmo, Franklin Cate, Henry E. De Garmo, Elijah W. Kent (four years), Henry A. Kipp, Jesse G. Lindsley, M.D., Benjamin F. Davison, Jesse G. Lindsley, M.D., present incumbent.

Township Clerks. Jonathan F. Stratton (two years), Enos Leek (eight years), James B. Lord, William Waterbury, Enos Leek (three years), William H, Leonard (two years), Isaac Waterbury, William Alderman, Isaac Waterbury (two years), Lorenzo D. Ruggles, Elijah W. Kent (two years), John Dunham (by lot), Elijah W. Kent, Enos Leek (eight years), Archibald D. De Garmo (four years), Enos Leek (three years), Frederick Harris, present incumbent.

Justices of the Peace. Jonathan F. Stratton, Daniel Dunham, Abner Hyde, Jason W. Crandall, Hiram A. Hills (full term), Simon Hough (three years), Daniel M. Lockwood (two years), Daniel M. Lockwood (full term), Jason W. Crandall, Henry Hurlbert, Hiram A. Hills, Simon Hough, Daniel M. Lockwood, Archibald Waterbury, Oliver P. Davison, Pardy A. Tuttle, Daniel M. Lockwood, Archibald Waterbury, Gershon G. Everts, Pardy A. Tuttle, Stephen A. Lockwood, Archibald Waterbury, Squire W. Rowe, Daniel Phipps, Stephen A. Lockwood, Archibald Waterbury, Squire W. Rowe, Pardy A. Tuttle, Orin Cole, John Dunham, Mark T. Boice, Jackson Gifford, Orin Cole, John Dunham, Anson W. Baker (vacancy), Thomas Curdy, Jackson Gifford, Daniel B. Chatfield (vacancy), Anson W, Baker, Lorenzo D. Ruggles (vacancy), William F. Auton, Daniel B. Chatfield, James D. Rowe (vacancy), Pardy A. Tuttle, Joseph S. Stockwell (vacancy), Orin Cole, James D. Rowe, Anson W. Baker (vacancy), Daniel B. Chatfield, Calvary Richman, Anson W, Baker, James D. Rowe, Newton B. Babcock.

The first audit of township accounts, made for the year 1835, was as follows: G. G. Wikoff, highway commissioner $1.00 A. H. Graves, $3.OO, John Williams, Jr., assessor $3.50, Daniel Dunham $3. 00, Jesse Seeley $4.50, Maxfield Ludlow $3.00, J. F. Stratton, township clerk and highway surveyor $10.00, Total $28.00 (Signed) Rufus Tenny, Supervisor, J. F. Stratton, Clerk.

This village was platted under the name of Highland in 1846, by Jonas G. Potter and Major F. Lockwood, and an addition made thereto by the latter and John Dunham, May 27, 1859. It is located on the southeast quarter of section 22. In the summer of 1846 they erected a saw mill, and in the fall erected the house now standing on lot 2, block 2, of the village plat.

Among the old and prominent citizens of Spring Mills is Enos Leek, who came from New Haven, Connecticut, to Michigan in 1828. He came via New York city, and up the North river to Albany, thence by Erie canal to Buffalo, thence across the lake in the steamer “William Penn," Captain Wight, and after a tempestuous voyage landed in Detroit, October 8, 1828. The next day he went to Ann Arbor, and he and his brother, who accompanied him, located together on sections 9 and 10, Scio township, Washtenaw county. In April, 1836, he removed to Oakland County, and lived in the south half of the northwest quarter of section 27 (the Stratton farm) until the winter of 1839. In the fall of 1836 he located the north half of the southwest quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of section 35. He sold the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of 35 to James Everts, which is now owned by Jacob Buffle, and the northwest quarter of southeast quarter and ten acres of the east of north half of the southwest quarter to John Taylor. The remainder his family lived on until the fall of 1862. In the fall of 1856 he settled in the village, and sold goods in the mill office, and in 1858 erected the building for a store and dwelling he now occupies, which was the first store in the place. The building is on lot 25, block 3. Mr. Leek has held the office of either township clerk, supervisor, or justice of the peace nearly all the time since 1836, and has always transacted the business of these various offices with fidelity and ability. Spring Mills now contains two stores, a grist mill, blacksmith and wagon shop, and several other industries.

A post office was established here in 1857, and was at first supplied by special from Milford, and afterwards attached to Pontiac and Howell route. Enos Leek, Esq., was appointed the first postmaster, and held the office until the 1st of January, 1874, when the name was changed, and the office removed to Highland Station, and Newton B. Babcock appointed postmaster, as mentioned under the head of "Highland Village."

Highland Village was first started as such on the completion of the Flint and Pere Marquette railway, in 1871. It was laid out and platted by German St. John and Almon Ruggles, in 1872. It includes parts of sections 22 and 27.

The first store was erected by H. H. Willover, of Fentonville, in the fall of 1872. About one year from that time he sold out to N. B. Babcock, Esq., who conducted the business until 1874, when he built another store building, and in 1875 purchased his present store of J. B. Cross.

Contemporary with the establishment of the first store Mr. Willover built a grain warehouse, which is now conducted by Mr, Babcock. Highland is a good grain market, being surrounded by a fine agricultural region. The amount of grain annually shipped here is about thirty thousand bushels. The Highland Centre House was erected by H. H. Bush in the fall of 1870. He continued its proprietor until 1875, when he disposed of it to Patrick Kelley, the present owner.

The post office (Highland Station) was removed from Spring Mills and established at Highland in 1874. N. B. Babcock was appointed postmaster, and holds that position at present. The gross proceeds of the office from June 1, 1876, to June 1, 1877, for stamps, stamped envelopes, and postal cards, was one hundred and fifty dollars.

The wagon shop was established by Charles St. John in 1874, and is still operated by him.
The black smithy was erected by Samuel Bache in 1874. It is now owned by H. H. Calvin, and conducted by Frederick Harris.

Which is composed of various religious denominations. The association was organized March 25, 1875. The chaplain is Rev. E. C. Harrington. The officers are : President, George St. John ; First Vice-President, S. S. Lawrence ; Second Vice-President, R. H. Waterbury ; Secretary, N. B. Babcock ; Treasurer, R. H. Waterbury. The membership is eighty-four. The association holds its meetings in the school house of district No. 4. It is in a generally flourishing condition.

Methodist Episcopal church, Detroit conference, Owosso district, and Hartland circuit, was organized January 8, 1866, with seven members, namely: Benjamin Predmore, Mrs. Mary A. Predmore, Mrs. Salim Otis, Joseph Stratton, Mrs. Rosanna Stratton, Mrs. Julia Eddy, and Mrs. E. Woodworth. A change in the designation of the class recently occurred, whereby it was attached to Flint district and Highland circuit, the conference remaining as above. The first pastors were Revs. J. M. Holt and A. B. Clough. The class leader from its organization to the present has been Joseph Stratton. The present pastor is Rev. F. E. Pearce. The membership is fifteen. Place of holding meeting, the school- house of district No. 4. Society in a generally prosperous condition.

It was organized May 8, 1877, with a membership of about sixty, which has since increased to seventy. The first and present officers are : President, D. B. Chatfield ; Vice-President, S". S. Lawrence ; Secretary, Miss M. St. John ; Financial Secretary, Mrs. M. Ruggles ; Treasurer, N. B. Babcock ; Marshal, Fred. Lawrence ; Sergeant-at-Arms, Martin Yarbell. The place of holding meeting is the Highland Centre school house (district No. 4).

Is a hamlet and post office located on sections 19 and 20, and 29 and 30. It was settled at an early day, probably about 1835. Zenas Phelps and George Lee were among the first settles of the place. The first store was kept by David Allison, about 1815. He had a small general country store, in the house now occupied by Mrs. Myra Stockwell as a grocery store and post office. The first tavern was kept by Zenas Phelps, as early as 1840. He was followed in the business by C. L. Northrup, now a merchant of Milford ; and he by Hiram Giddings. The postmasters have been as follows : George Showerman, the first appointee, in 1845, O. P. Davison, Mrs. Rachel E. Perry, O. P. Davison (re-appointed), William Fulford, Jonas Hewitt, Alva Stockwell, who died in office, and his widow, Mrs. Myra Stockwell, the present incumbent, was appointed. The place now contains a general store, black smithy, Baptist church, post office, and an assemblage of a few families. The village at Highland Station has superseded the old village of Highland Corners.

A small village and depot on the Flint and Pere Marquette railway. The first settler in the place was Morris Wheeler, who came into the township as the hired man of Phineas Davis, a person who speculated extensively in real estate at an early day. He purchased some eight hundred acres of land in Highland, locate on sections 1, 2, 10, and 11, which included the present site of Clyde. Mr. Wheeler settled where he now resides in 1849.

The first house in the place was erected by John Wendell, in 1836 or 1837, on the southeast comer of the village lot, and is the one now occupied by William Wheeler. It was first purchased by Phineas Davis, by whom it was moved to its present location, and afterwards bought by the present owner.

The first store was built and run by the Roscoe brothers, in March, 1873. The first black smithy was built by Lawrence McGrain, and was conducted by James Swits. In the spring of 1875, Levi Wooster purchased the shop, and now conducts the same.

The first school was taught in the house now owned by Mr. Wheeler, about 1840. June 3, 1875, Clyde was surveyed by Julian Bishop, county surveyor, for Lyman Johnson. The plot occupies almost thirteen acres of the east half of the northwest quarter of section 10. Mr. Johnson moved into the place in the spring of 1872, and purchased one hundred and five acres of Charles Merrill, a portion of which he laid out into building lots, as above referred to.

Clyde now contains, in addition to the institutions above enumerated, the following business enterprises: a post office, Western Union Telegraph office, an office of the American Express Company, a general store kept by Andrew S. Taggett, an agricultural establishment kept by Lyman Johnson, a lumber yard, and a resident physician, Dr. George F. Hunter. The estimated population of the village is sixty.

Was organized January 16, 1834, with the following original members, namely: Jesse Tenny and wife, Daniel Dunham and wife, Eli Lee and wife, Isaiah J. Hudson and wife, Noah P. Morse and wife, J. C. Morse, and Mrs. Harriet Smith. Of these, but two Messrs. Noah P. and J. C. Morse are now connected with the society, and but two others, the widows of Isaiah J. Hudson and Daniel Dunham, are in the land of the living. At first meetings were held in the old school house on section 30, which was used as a place of worship for many years. The first pastor of the church was an Elder Morrell, from Massachusetts. The first deacons of the church were Jesse Tenny and Daniel Dunham, and J. C. Morse the first clerk. The present place of worship is a church edifice about midway north and south on the east line of section 30. A Sunday school was organized at an early day, with Nelson Tenny as its first superintendent. Present incumbent, C. L. Mills. Members, eighty.

This religious body was organized July 10, 1855, by Rev. Samuel Wire, a venerable and much respected minister of that denomination, who has figured quite conspicuously in matters pertaining to the church in Highland and neighboring townships. At the time of the organization the number of members was seven, namely: Mr. and Mrs. A. Lockwood, Mr. and Mrs. E. Lockwood, Mr. and Mrs. William Banker, and Lydia Wheeler. A few years subsequent considerable accessions were made, until the membership has increased to fifty-one. There have been ten pastors over the church, as follows : Revs. Samuel Wire, Starr, D. C. Parshall, S. A. Williams, S. A. Currier, B. F. Herrick, J. B. Drew, William Murdin, Lewis Clark, and E. M. Corey, the present incumbent.

In 1869 the congregation erected their present substantial church edifice, at a cost of two thousand dollars. It is a frame structure, and has a seating capacity for one hundred and fifty persons. The parsonage and barn, which have been since added, are valued at seven hundred dollars, including the lot.

The members of the society who have passed to the church triumphant are five in number, and in name as follows : Mrs. Sabrina Lockwood, Mr. Alfred Lockwood, Mrs. Maria Baker, Mr. Charles H. Lockwood, and Mr. Amos C. Kent. The Sunday school was organized in 1870. The first superintendent was Charles Lockwood. The present membership is sixty ; volumes in library, about one hundred. The church and Sunday school are both prospering.

It organized in 1835, with Elder Goodell as preacher and D. M. Lockwood as class leader. The original members were H. Scollard and wife, A. C. Taggett and wife, D. M. Lockwood and wife, and L. Flint and wife. It at first formed a part of Milford circuit, but in 1848 was transferred to that of Hartland.

In 1866 it was formed into what is now Highland circuit. O. Sanborn was the presiding elder and H. Wood minister in charge, and the following officers were elected: Stewards, H. Morgan, G. W. Glins; Recording Steward, J. Highfield ; G. Stratton, E. Chase, and A. C. Taggett, district stewards. The latter was first elected to the stewardship in 1850, and has retained the position ever since. The trustees elected in 1866 were E. A. Law, G. W. Glins, M. B. Lyon, G. Halls, J. Mills, D. McCrossan, and A. C. Taggett, the last named being chosen chairman of the board.

The church edifice was erected in 1869, and dedicated December 16 of the same year. Its dimensions are thirty-two by forty-six feet, and its cost was two thousand five hundred dollars. The society is now erecting at Clyde a parsonage, sixteen by twenty-two feet, with an upright wing of the same size, which will cost about twelve hundred dollars.

The pastors of the church have been as follows: J. Balls, D. B. Miller, Elder Tidman, Elder Weslake, W. Cook, J. Balls, and Elder Pearce.

The church was organized October 11, 1842, with Elder T. Baker as pastor. The original members were Elder Baker and wife, Deacon T. Doty, S. Doty, E. Corwin, J. Corwin, C. Ware, A. Ware, R. Arthur, M. Arthur, J. D. Standish. The society first met at the old red school house in Highland township, in what was known as the Lyman district. The preachers from May 24, 1845, to November 15, 1876, are as follows: Amasa Heath, 1845; H. Stowits, 1852; Elder Atwood, 1860; Elder Brooks, 1863 ; Elder J. E. Morse, 1863 ; J. Eisenbury, 1867 ; T. H. Cary, 1868 ; Wm. Saunders, 1869 (ordained April 3, 1870) ; Rev. J. D. Perry, 1870, called to ordination January 21, 1871 ; Elder W, King, November 15, 1876, present incumbent.

The first church edifice was erected in the summer of 1856, and is located on the town line between Highland and White Lake townships, one-half mile west of White Lake village. Its dimensions are thirty by seventy feet, with twenty feet posts. It will comfortably seat three hundred persons, and is valued at nine hundred and fifty dollars. The present church officers are L. S. Johnson, church clerk ; L. Doty, William Lockwood, L. J. Johnson, deacons. The church is in a generally flourishing condition.

One of the first things that received the attention of the pioneers was the best method for educating their youth, and immediately after the regular organization of the township schools were regularly established in accordance with the admirable common school system which has for the past half century formed the principal corner stone of our freedom and independence. Oftentimes schools were held in the log cabins of the early settlers prior to the organization of the district schools. Here we adduce an instance of this kind.

In the fall and winter of 1835 and 1836 a school was taught in the house of Jonathan F. Stratton, Esq., on the south half of the southwest quarter of section 27, by Miss Eliza A. Sessions. Among the first pupils now known to be living are Joseph Stratton, Mrs. Rebecca Everts (then Rebecca Beach), and George Beach. The subjoined is the order in which the six district schools were originally organized.

District No. 1, The school board organized by appointing Wm. B. Wright moderator, and then proceeded to establish a school district, denominated district No. 1, which was bounded as follows: "Commencing at the southwest corner of township 3 north, range 7 east, and running east on the section-line on the Northside of sections 31 and 32 to the southwest corner of section 33 ; thence north to the east line of sections 32, 29, and 20, to the southeast corner of section 17; thence west on the north line of sections 20 and 19 to the northwest corner of section 19 ; from thence south on the west line of sections 19, 30, and 31, to the place of beginning." Daniel M. Lockwood and Wm B. Wright, School Inspectors, May 16, 1837.

District No. 2. Commencing on the west township line at the quarter post on the west side of section 19, and running north three and one-half miles to the northwest corner of the township ; thence east two miles on the north township line to the northeast corner of section 5 ; thence south three and a half miles on the east section line of sections 5, 8, 17, and 20, to the quarter post on the east side of section 20 ; thence west two miles to the centerline of sections 20 and 19, to the place of beginning. Established May 24, 1837.

District No. 3. Containing sections 1, 2, 3, and 4, and 9, 10, 11, and 12, in the township of Highland. Established October 7, 1837.

District No. 4. Containing sections 16, 21, and 28, except Hiram A. Hill's land on the last named section, and so much of sections 34, 27, 22, and 15 as lies on the west side of Pettibone creek. Established December 9, 1837.

District No. 5. Containing the west half of sections 24 and 25, and all of sections 23, 26, and 35, and so much of sections 22, 27, and 34 as lies on the east side of Pettibone creek and lakes. Established December 11, 1837.

District No. 6. Containing section 1, 2, 11, and 12, in the township of Highland. Established March 25, 1838.
These districts have been altered as circumstances required, and fractional districts have been formed, all of which have neat and substantial school houses, and thorough and competent teachers.

This grange was organized March 17, 1874, by C. M. Wood, of Pinckney, Livingston county, Michigan, with the following named persons as charter members : B. F. Davison and wife, Lyman Cate and wife, J. W. Whitney and wife, H. S. Holdridge and wife, Walter Nichols and wife, R. H. Tenny, Julia E. Tenny, Melvin Grow and wife, Samuel McCartney, Harrison Gaunt and wife, J. S. Bamber and wife, Thomas Pierson, R. S. Potts and wife, William St. John and wife, Anna Davison, Hattie Lee, Sadie Ross, Mary and Sarah Lyon, A. Gilson and wife, Oliver Tenny, Giles Ross, James Watkins, in all thirty-four, from whom the following were elected officers : B. F. Davison, Master ; Walter Nichols, Overseer ;, Lyman Cate, Lecturer; Melvin Grow, Steward ; R. S. Potts, Assistant Steward ; J. W. Whitney, Chaplain; H. S. Holdridge, Treasurer ; R. H. Tenny, Secretary ; Harrison Gaunt, Gatekeeper; Mrs. Lyman Cate, Ceres; Mrs. B. F. Davison, Pomona; Mrs. H. S. Holdridge, Flora ; Miss Hattie Lee, Stewardess.

The officers elected at the last annual meeting were : B. F. Davison, Master; A. W. Baker, Overseer ; R. S. Potts, Lecturer ; J. W. Whitney, Steward ; Harrison Gaunt, Assistant Steward ; Mrs. B. F. Davison, Chaplain ; H. S. Holdridge, Treasurer ; R. H. Tenny, Secretary ; Ira Bradley, Gate-keeper ; Mrs. J. W. Whitney, Ceres ; Miss Sarah Whitney, Pomona ; Hattie Lee, Flora ; Mrs. H. S. Holdridge, Stewardess. Present membership thirty-seven. The grange is now building a suitable hall in which to hold its meetings.

We are indebted to the following gentlemen for valuable information touching the history of Highland township, namely : Enos Leek, Noah P. and John C. Morse, Joseph Stratton, A. C. Taggett, D. S. Barrett, B. F. Davison, Elias Cowles, Pardy A. Tuttle, R. H. Tenny, Frederick Harris, township clerk, and others.