The township of Brandon occupies the centre of the northern tier of towns. It is known in official records as town 5 north, range 9 east. Its surface presents a varied aspect. It is generally hilly, with an occasional plain of some considerable extent. Most of the land surface was originally timbered, some of it with dense forests of oaks. There are yet vast bodies of this timber in the township, especially in the southwestern part. Small belts of pine and cedar abound, but little of the timber is large enough for building purposes. Brandon has its quota of lakes, but they are, with few exceptions, small and unimportant, being bordered by marsh surface. Cranberry lake, situated principally in the southwestern corner of section 11 E is noted for the presence of this fruit. Bald Eagle is the largest lake in the township. It is located on sections 19 and 30, and is a fine sheet of water. It derived its name from the presence of a family of eagles, which used to build their nest on an island in this lake. Formerly, fish were very abundant here, and this lake was a great resort for the Indians, who used to encamp there for months at a time. Seymour Lake, on section 34, named after John B. Seymour, an early settler in its vicinity, ranks second in size. Its area is about one hundred acres. The shores of the lake are low, but form a sandy beach. Its waters afford fine fishing. The only stream of any size is the Kearsley creek. This rises in section 15, flows south and west to the east line of section 16, thence north to Truax lake; from this it has a westerly direction to section 18, when it changes to the northwest, flowing through sections 7 and 6 into Groveland. It affords a water-power on section 7, which has been improved. There is also a small branch of the Paint creek in the southeastern part of the township, rising in section 25, and flowing southeast through section 36. Aside from the channels of these streams there are a number of hollows and depressions which afford drainage. Some fine springs are found in the township. Several of the most noted flow from the side of Cedar hill, over a hundred feet above the village of Ortonville, situated at its base. The soil of Brandon is generally fertile, although rather light in some localities, producing in abundance the products common to this part of the State. The hills are especially adapted to grazing, and considerable attention has been paid to stock-raising and wool-growing. Wool is one of the principal articles of shipment.

Compared with the purchases in some of the surrounding towns, those made in Brandon do not rank as early ones, none dating back prior to 1831. In June of that year, Elijah B. Clark, Asa Owen, and Jesse Decker, citizens of Orion township, made purchases on section 25. It is probable that these lands were bought for speculative purposes, as none of these men ever became residents of the township. The next purchases of which there is any record were made in 1833, by John G. Perry, Alexander G. Huff, and Mary Quick. At least two of these became residents a few years later. In 1835, among those who secured real estate were G. M. Giddings, Henry Forster, Daniel Hunt, and George P. Thurston. About this time

Were made by John G. Perry, a native of New Jersey, but who had lived for some years in Oakland township, moved on to the land he purchased in 1833 (in section 35), sometime in the spring of 1835. He erected a log house and made a clearing on the plains. The summer of 1835 proved a sickly season, and as no settlements followed soon, the family was in a disgusted frame of mind. In the fall of 1835, George P. Thurston, of Rochester, New York, located land on sections 28 and 29. Leaving his family at Pontiac, he took a load of his household effects and went to this land for the purpose of building a log house. After he had completed it he returned to Pontiac. Late in October he took the remainder of his goods, and with his wife and child, in company with Vine Kingsley and family, and a man named Munson Elliott, who had engaged to work for him, proceeded to their new home. They arrived at what they supposed was the locality, but could see no sign of their house. A prolonged search revealed the unpleasant fact that it had been destroyed by fire in Mr. Thurston's absence, presumably by the Indians, as many little articles, such as razors and hatchets, were missing.

Not at all discouraged, they took their families to Mr. Perry's, four miles distant, and, leaving their wives and children there, proceeded to Orion for boards to build a shanty. This they hastily constructed, twelve feet square, and lived in it all winter, there being eight inmates in all. That winter they built a log house for Mr. Kingsley on his place on section 33, and early in the spring of 1836 began work on a frame house for Mr. Thurston. This was so far completed that he was enabled to move into it in May. It was a fair-sized building, and was used for a dwelling about ten years. It was then changed into a corn-house. Early in February, 1836, David Lawrence and James T. Rhodes, New Yorkers, moved their families to the lands purchased by them some time before. Lawrence settled on section 33, and Rhodes on section 28. Lawrence contented himself to live in a shanty, with fourteen-foot boards for a roof, but cleared considerable ground that season. In the fall he sowed seventeen acres of wheat, and was rewarded with a bountiful crop. Rhodes made more substantial improvements, among them a log house, which is still used as a dwelling by Robert Bailey, Jr. Later in 1836, a large number of settlers came to Brandon, among the first being John B. Seymour, a New Yorker, who located on section 34, on the south shore of a fine lake. This received his name, which it still bears. He lived in a shanty for a short time, but that summer built a fine two-story block-house, which was regarded in those days as a place of aristocratic pretensions. Mr. Seymour was a man of great energy, and could not content himself to live in the country. Some years after he removed to Pontiac, where he engaged in journalism, and thence to California. Subsequently he returned to New York, and afterwards moved to a southwestern State, where he died. Joseph W. Shurter, from Saratoga county. New York, came to this neighborhood in the fall of 1836. He purchased a piece of land of Lawrence, located on section 34, where he built a log house, eighteen by twenty-six feet, which was used until 1861.

Isaac B. Shurter, Joseph's brother, settled on section 33 about the same time; and, a few years later, John Shurter followed them, settling in the same locality. Alexander G. Huff, from Chili, Monroe county, New York, settled on his land on section 12 in the summer of 1836. He built a log house, with two windows, but the house was not chinked, and had no chimney. The smoke was allowed to find its way out of the building the best way it could through an opening in the roof They did all their cooking in an old-fashioned fire-place. Mr. Huff died some years ago, but Mrs. Huff survives him, and lives at present at Oakwood. Thomas N. Lomis, Madison county, New York, cast his lot in this settlement in May of this year. He received a patent from the government for four hundred and twenty acres of land, principally in section 12. His log house was somewhat better than those of his neighbors, because it had a Dutch chimney, and was chinked. The same season brought George Giddings, Orson Griffin, Lyman Parker, and William Weed, all from the State of New York, as settlers on section 1.

Both Alexander Huff and George Giddings had sown some wheat the year before they moved, in the fall of 1835, and reaped a fair crop the first summer they lived there. Addison Cowden, a native of Livingston county. New York, settled a little west of these, making purchases on sections 3, 12, 13, and 14, in May, 1836. Some months later in that year, Jacob Lomis and Caleb Stanley, also from New York, settled on section 12. Another settlement was made in 1836, on sections 4 and 9, by the Drapers and Truaxes. Oliver Draper located on section 4, Seymour Torrance on section 9, and Isaac Truax on section 16. These settlers made the usual improvements, and endured many hardships on account of the scarcity of roads rendering communication very difficult. In this part of the township game was very plenty, especially deer, and venison was the principal meat of the settlers. It was customary to carry along the rifle, even to religious meetings. One Sunday, as Mr. Truax was passing through the woods, he started a large deer, which he pursued directly by the door of the place where he wanted to attend meeting. The baying of the hounds brought the woman of the house, who was very pious, to the door to ascertain the cause of the commotion. Seeing her neighbor with his gun in his hands, running in the direction of the dogs, she was inclined to reprove him for breaking the Sabbath. But when he assured her that he had wounded the deer, and needed but pursue in order to capture him, she urged him to use all diligence, as they had the meeting at their house, and needed the meat for dinner. The Perry settlement also received a share of the immigrants. Henry Houser,of Tompkins county, New York, located on section 35. Among the first work he did was the digging of a well, as he was determined not to use surface water. This was probably the first well in the township. Then followed a log house, furnished in a novel manner. The furniture was made of tamarack poles, and yet they enjoyed it right royally. He now resides in a two-story brick house, the only one in the township. William King settled on section 27 about the same time. He was appointed the first postmaster some years after. William H. Osmun located on section 35, near Houser's, about the same time, in 1836. In the meantime the southwest part of the township was attracting a portion of the settlers. Among the first to make a beginning in that locality was Isaiah Rathbun, a New Yorker. His first house, erected in the summer of 1836, on section 29, was indeed a primitive affair. Two forked sticks, supporting a cross piece, were leaned against a tree. Upon these he placed boards, making a shed roof This served as a dwelling until he could erect a log house. His brother, Harry Rathbun, was a Methodist preacher, but opened a place in this locality about this time. James Arnold, a Mohawk Dutchman, and a soldier of 1812, located this year on section 31. His son-in-law, Jonathan Ball, also from New York, came at the same time and located on the same section. Other settlers in that region were N. D. Bingham, of Onondaga county, New York, on section 31 ; James Cassaday, on section 32 ; and Asahel Kent, who settled on section 30, in 1837. Peter A. Smith, a native of New Jersey, came to Brandon in 1837, locating on section 27. He received a patent from the government for one hundred and sixty acres, which he improved, and still lives upon. Robert Bailey settled on the same section a short time after, and built a house, which is still standing. Thomas Streater, of Monroe county, New York, joined this settlement the next year. A. B. Travis, from Dutchess county, New York, located on section 25, in 1837. He built a good log house, eighteen by twenty feet, and sowed twenty-six acres of grain that fall. South of him, on section 36, Ethel F. Benedict, Stephen Scott, Frederick Schurtz, and John Hammond located in 1838. About this time, or soon after, the Hummers and Summers families settled in the central part of the township. George Middaugh soon came to the same locality, and Schuyler D. Johnson, Jacob Price, Heman D. Calkins, and Thomas J. Kellicutt, with many others, became citizens of Brandon prior to 1840.

When the first settlers came to Brandon there were a great many Indians within its bounds. With few exceptions these were orderly and peaceable, although naturally inclined to pilfer. Bald Eagle lake was a favorite camping-ground for the " dusky sons of the forest" when they passed through the country, and hither came a tribe yearly, for some time after the country was settled, to hunt and fish. Their chief was able to speak English with some fluency, and was the soul of honor. While hunting on the lake it chanced that his gun fell overboard, sinking to the bottom. He came to Mr. Shurter and asked him for the loan of his rifle, offering, as a pledge for its return, his tomahawk and other articles precious to an Indian. He further covenanted that he would bring Mr. Shurter a quarter of every deer he should kill. This promise Mr. Shurter thinks he faithfully kept, judging from the venison he brought him every few days. When he left the country he returned the rifle in good order. Not so honorable were the whites in their dealings with the " simple children of the wilds ;" they imposed upon them in various ways, and often cheated them outright, which a little incident well illustrates. While roaming through the woods, an Indian found a bee-tree. Not having an axe with him, he borrowed one from a settler living some distance from the tree, agreeing to divide the honey for the use of the implement. Proceeding to the tree, the white permitted the Indian to chop down the tree alone, but when the honey was laid bare, in the shape of a tube, better filled, of course, at the lower part, the white came to his assistance, dividing it so as to take his share from the lower end, and giving the Indian's portion from the upper.

In 1838 roads were located on the town-lines east and south of Brandon, and other roads in the interior of the township, on section lines, where the nature of the country would permit. Previous to this the Indian trail was followed in its course from one lake to another, and often proved a valuable guide to the settlers when lost in the woods. On one occasion the father of Alfred Van Wagoner, who was then living in Oxford, but who became a resident of Brandon in 1842, while hunting his cattle lost his bearings and wandered around a day, completely bewildered. He passed the night in a hollow tree, and the next day came to John B. Seymour's cabin. In the meantime search had been instituted, and after a long hunt he was found at Seymour's by following one of these trails. But Mr. Van Wagoner was so completely bewildered that he failed to recognize his own sons, and when he was brought home insisted that he did not live there. It was only after some time and much persuasion that he was induced to believe that he was found, and had really reached his home.

The success attending the cultivation of fruit in the other townships induced the early settlers to plant orchards at once. Among those first set out was one by Orson Griffin, in 1837; Stephen Perry, the same year; Jonathan Ball, in 1837 and 1838 ; and by A. B. Travis, who carried the trees on his back all the way from Troy, in 1838. Nearly all of these trees are yet in a flourishing condition; and there are now orchards in Brandon containing thousands of trees.

The first structure of this nature in the township was erected by George P. Thurston, in the summer of 1837. It was a good frame, twenty-six by thirty- six feet, and was raised without liquor. This fact having been announced, and the men appearing so heartily in response to the invitation, speaks well for the temperance sentiment which then existed, while this raising was unquestionably the first temperance meeting held in the township.

At a very early day sheep proved remunerative, the hills of Brandon being especially adapted for grazing, and much attention was paid by the farmers to the improvement of their flocks. In 1845, Thomas Lomis introduced the Spanish merino. This had the effect of stimulating still greater attention to this branch of industry, and further importations followed, with good results. In 1865, Henry Houser brought a full-blood Durham cow to Brandon. It was the first of this breed, and from her have descended nearly all the grades of this blood in the southern part of the town.

The use of improved farm machinery became quite general at an early day, although it cannot be determined to whom the honor of its introduction belongs. Nor have the citizens of Brandon been satisfied with the use of machinery made abroad. Some of her own people have exercised their inventive talents. Notably among these is Mr. A. B. Travis. Believing that wheat might be made more productive if cultivated like other crops, he turned his attention to the construction of a tool for this purpose, and in 1875 invented a wheat-hoer, which is remarkable for its simplicity and the ease with which it can be operated. He exhibited it at the International Exhibition at Philadelphia, where it received the warmest commendations, attracting the especial attention of British agriculturists, who have been using machines of this nature with much benefit. Mr. Travis has given his machine a practical test, and finds that its use adds largely to the yield of his wheat crop. It will, no doubt, soon be generally used where fall wheat is grown.

Jonathan Seldon, a good workman, opened a shop in 1840, on section 16. He carried on his trade there far several years. In 1842, Ezra Auten built a shop on section 22, where he has conducted his business ever since. Years ago he was an excellent horse-shoer. About 1852 he, shod a horse for Jacob Hummer, who went to California overland. The shoes wore all the way to Salt Lake City, without re-setting, being then but slightly worn. Other workmen opened shops at Oakwood and Ortonville, which will be noticed in that connection.

A small store was kept, on section 13 by John Thomas, an Englishman, in 1842. He continued in business only about two years. In 1847, A. B. Travis, living on section 25, put a stock of goods in an old log house, where he kept store three years. He then built a frame store-room, where he continued to carry on the business until 1864. These two were the only trading-points outside of the villages.

The first post-ofiice in Brandon was located on section 27. It was established about 1845, and William King was appointed postmaster. The mail-route was from Lakeville, and the carrier was D. M. Arnold, noted now as one of the principal booksellers of Detroit. In 1848 it was removed to Mr. Travis' store, where it remained until he went out of business in 1864. It was then moved to section 30, with a mail-route from Pontiac.

The first wedding of which there is any account extant was that of Calvin Fosdick and Salinda Draper, daughter of Oliver Draper, November 8, 1838. All the neighbors were bidden to the feast, and a grand time was anticipated. As the appointed minister did not come, Addison Cowden, then a newly elected justice of the peace, performed the ceremony, with much trepidation and many misgivings of his ability to carry it out. However, he succeeded, and the guests expressed their approbation by calling upon Seymour Torrance, a drummer, who was present, to serenade them. This he did, making the occasion one long to be remembered by the pioneers, who still delight to recur to Salinda Draper's wedding. In 1840, Joseph W. Pelton married Mary F. Cowden ; and many others were soon driven by the "little god" into the folds of matrimony. Among those first born was a daughter in the family of Thomas Lomis, in 1837. Little Emily grew to womanhood in the township, and married one of her schoolmates, Marshal Frost, who is now a merchant at Oakwood. Catherine Mary Houser was born in June, 1837. She grew to womanhood, and then died, September 22, 1855. But before this the stern death-angel had claimed his own in the township of Brandon. He came to one first who was just about to realize the promise of life brought by manhood. Among the first deaths was that of James Schurtz, in 1839. He was interred in the town of Independence. The name of Mrs. Vine Kingsley was added to the long roll the same year. She found her last resting place on section 34, where half an acre of ground had been set apart sacred to the dead.

This was one of provided by the town. It is still in use, and is generally spoken of as the Shurter grave-yard. Another burying-ground is on section 5. But the principal cemeteries of the township are the following : The Seymour Lake cemetery, located on section 35. Five acres of ground, finely situated and with good natural drainage, were secured for this purpose in 1875. It is now neatly fenced and well kept, being controlled by an association formed for this purpose. The present ofiicials are : President, Henry Houser; Secretary, E. E. Sherwood ; Sexton, W. J. Sherwood. Rural cemetery, comprising several acres in the town of Groveland, just opposite Ortonville,' was established in 1869. It is used mostly by the people of Brandon, and is controlled by an association composed of her citizens, of which Charles Seaman is now president and John D. Mclntire secretary

In 1837 a little log school-house was erected on section 33, and, as no lumber could be had for a floor, Aaron Thurston and Joseph Shurter hewed one out of trees and logs. In this the first school was taught, in the summer of 1838. A Miss Halstead, of Oakland township, was the first teacher of the thirteen pupils, who went many miles to enjoy this privilege. Another school was taught in the Cowden neighborhood about the same time, or shortly after. Here Julia Pelton held sway over Jacob, Frank, and Mary Lomis, William, Fred, and Nancy Stanley, Eliza Cowden, Oliver A., Mary, and Rebecca Perry, and William and Sarah Beardsley. The school-house was destroyed by fire the year following, when Fred. Kellicutt taught. It was rebuilt the next year, and Miss Pelton again became the teacher.

The Seymour lake school-house was built about 1839. The teacher's office was held by Sarah Ann Baldwin, Aurilla Streator, and Norville Norton. Among the early pupils were William and Betsey King, Gideon and Ann Hummer, Eliza Streator, Eliza Seymour, and Sophronia Thompson. In the Rathbun neighborhood the principles of education were first imparted about 1842. A log house was dedicated to this purpose, and here, in 1844, Hiram Ball taught the first winter school. Among his pupils were nine children from one family Rathbun's. Subsequently, a portion of this district was annexed to Ortonville. The township made early provision for the education of its children. It is now well supplied with good school-houses, some of them being very fine. The Oak Hill school-house challenges the admiration of every one who sees it. It was erected in 1876, and is an appropriate memento of not only the centennial year, but of the citizens of the district who take so warm an interest in the education of their children.

In 1827, Brandon became a part of Pontiac township. This relation was sustained until 1837, when it became a separate township. The first town-meeting was held at the house of John B. Seymour on the 3d day of April, 1837, and was organized by choosing Oliver Draper moderator, and Enos Gage clerk. The election resulted in the choice of the following list of officers: Supervisor, George P. Thurston; Clerk, Schuyler D. Johnson ; Assessors, Isaiah Rathbun, Orson Griffin, Barret Draper ; Commissioners of Highways, Vine Kingsley, Seymour Torrance, Caleb Stanley ; Justices of the Peace, George P. Thurston, Oliver Draper, Addison Cowden, John B. Seymour ; Overseers of the Poor, Thomas N. Lomis, Isaiah Rathbun; Collector, Caleb Stanley; Constables, Isaac Shurter, Caleb Stanley ; Fence-Viewers, Jas. P. Rhodes, Geo. Giddings. The total expenses of the town for 1837 were fifty dollars and seventy-five cents, leaving a balance of sixty cents in the treasury. A wolf-bounty of three dollars was voted. This was increased shortly after to five dollars, and in a few years after that to ten dollars. Among those receiving bounties for wolves killed were Thomas Streator and Isaac Truax. The principal officers elected for constitutional terms since 1837 were, supervisor George P. Thurston, 1838, 1840; A. Kent, 1839; Heman D. Calkins, 1841 ; George D. Price, 1842; T. N. Lomis, 1843, 1846, 1849, 1851, 1856, 1860, 1863-65; N. D. Bingham, 1844; Caleb Stanley, 1845; Addison Cowden, 1847, 1850, 1855; Isaac P. Benjamin, 1848, 1868-72; Justin H. Butler, 1852-54, 1857-59 ; Fred. H. Kellicutt, 1861-62 ; Paine Chappel, 1866-67 ; George D. Cowden, 1873 ; Leman Allen, 1874-75 ; John D. Mclntire, 1876 ; Milton T. Young, 1877.

Town Clerks; Schuyler D. Johnson, 1838; George Middaugh, 1839-40; Thomas J. Kellicutt, 1841-42, 1844, 1847, 1850; Isaac B. Shurter, 1843; John Shurter, 1845-46, 1848, 1852-53; Elisha H. Scott, 1849; Charles Derbyshire, 1851; Orimel G. Stuart, 1854; Sylvester Wells, 1855, 1857; David Young, 1856 ; Frederick H. Kellicutt, 1858, 1860 ; Thomas B. Johnson, 1859 ; Lewis IL Tucker, 1861 ; Barret Draper, 1862; Paine Chappel, 1863-65; John C. Jenkins, 1866 ; S. M. Wiggins, 1867, 1869-70 ; James Gordon, 1868; William F. Bingham, 1871 ; Jonathan Omans, 1872 ; Horace H. Markham, 1873- 74 ; John D. Mclntire, 1875-76 ; George M. Woolman, 1877. Justices of the Peace.—Addison Cowden, 1838; John B. Seymour, 1839; George Middaugh, 1840 ; Asahel Kent, 1841 ; Heman A. Calkins, 1842 ; John Shurter, 1843; John W. Paine, 1844; Isaac P. Benjamin, 1845, 1849; David McKnight, 1846 ; George P. Thurston, 1847, 1851, 1855, 1859, 1863 ; James Bushnell, 1848; Samuel F. Gregory, 1850; Barret Draper, 1852; Alfred Van Wagoner, 1853, 1857, 1861; Alfred J. Burleson, 1854; Amos Orton, 1856; Sanford Maynard, 1858; Sylvester Wells, 1860; Joseph McKay, 1862; Jacob Arnold, 1864; Orrin E. Doming, 1865, 1873, 1877; Andrew Govan, 1866; Daniel H. Polhemus, 1867; Charles B. Kent, 1868, 1872; Oliver P. Gool, 1869; Albert King, 1870; John Allen, 1871 ; Moses Taylor, 1874; William F. Bingham, 1875 ; James Arnold, 1876.

The Baptist missionary "went up and possessed the country" as early as 1837. A Bev. Grow was one of the first to come. He preached at the houses of Oliver Draper and Addison Cowden to large and attentive congregations. At the first meeting sixty-two persons were in attendance, and, as no provision had been made for seating so many, the chamber floor, which was put down loose, was taken up and the boards used for seats. In 1838 a class of the Baptist faith was organized at Mr. Cowden's, consisting of ten persons. Regular preaching was now maintained by Elders Potter, Fuller, and others. For a time the work was very prosperous ; but dissensions arose among the members and caused the disruption of the society. Subsequently, an effort to unite those professing the Baptist creed was crowned with success. And from this has resulted at Ortonville, whose history was prepared for this work by Thomas Wilders.

In the fall of the year 1848, Elder Wm. Wilders, an aged Baptist minister from England, with his family moved into the township of Brandon, and immediately commenced preaching in the school-houses. Finding a number of Baptist brethren and sisters residing in that neighborhood, who formerly belonged to a Baptist church in that township which had become extinct, an invitation was given to all such persons to meet at the Hoover school-house to consider the propriety of forming a new Baptist church. On the day appointed a number of brethren and sisters met, and after prayer and considerable discussion it was finally agreed to form a new church, to be called the Brandon Baptist church. The following names were enrolled : Elder Wm. Wilders, Sr., Thos. Wilders, Elizabeth Wilders, Wm. Wilders, Jr., Melicent Wilders, Henry Wilders, Elizabeth Wilders, Israel Wilders, Ann Wilders, Samuel E. Wilders, Sophia Wilders, Daniel A. Ammerman, and Leah Ammerman. This was on the 31st day of December, 1849. Elder Wilders was unanimously chosen as their pastor. About this time a Sabbath-school was formed in the Draper school-house, which was well attended. Wm. Wilders, Jr., was superintendent.

On the 12th of March, 1851, the little church was recognized by a council in which the churches at Hadley, Davisonville, and Groveland were represented. Elders W. D. Potter and T. H. Facer took part in the services of the day. During the first four or five years of this church's history there was regular preaching alternately at the Draper school-house and at the stone church near the northwest corner of the town of Brandon. The congregations at both places were uniformly good, and though but few were added to the church, yet by the faithful preaching of the gospel and other public means the way was preparing for future prosperity. The hard feelings which individuals had towards each other, who had formerly seen members together in the old church, were gradually softening, so that some of them could meet and unite in prayer and covenant meetings. During the whole of this time the church was very united and happy, and it was frequently said that few churches enjoyed more union and brotherly love than this little church. In the midst of this peace and harmony, and while the prospects around seemed encouraging, the aged and much-esteemed pastor was taken away by death. He died September 15, 1854, aged seventy-three years and nine months. He was pastor in England over the general Baptist church at Sutton, Bonington, twenty-six years, and over the general Baptist church at Kegworth fourteen years, after which he removed with his family to America, and settled in this place. As a minister he was plain and faithful, delighting to exhibit the love of God to poor lost sinners. After his death the church invited Elder S. Gardiner, of Oxford, to become its pastor. He commenced his labors among them at the close of the year 1854, and continued its pastor two years. About this time several of those who were formerly members of the old church came and united with this ; also several young converts from the Sabbath-school were added by baptism.

In March, 1857, after a sermon by Elder S. T. Grow, a most wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit was manifest ; many in the room were crying for mercy, and asking God's people to pray for them. As the church was without a pastor. Elder Potter, of Hadley, was requested to come and hold a series of meetings. He came, and with a little assistance from Elders Grow and Gardiner continued the meetings for two or three weeks. The result was that twenty-seven were baptized, and several backsliders were reclaimed. Elder S. T. Grow was invited to become pastor of the church about this time. He accepted the invitation, and continued to preach five years. Elder W. H. Fuller became pastor June 13, 1862, and closed his labors with the church April 8, 1864. Elder S. Gardiner became pastor a second time in October, 1865, and closed his labors among them in October, 1866. In the summer of 1866 the Draper school-house, where most of the meetings of the church had been held, became so dilapidated that the church was compelled to find some other place to meet in. After mature deliberation the church resolved to hold its meetings in future in the school-house in Ortonville, until a meeting house could be erected in that place. The following year a house was built, at an expense of about three thousand dollars, including the cost of the organ. Elder W. H. Fuller, of Oxford, became pastor a second time February 16, 1867, and preached half the time, till compelled by sickness to resign in May, 1869 ; Elder S. T. Grow gratuitously preaching the other half. In the summer of 1868 the meeting house was dedicated by Elder S. W. Titus, of Flint. The collection, with pledges, was sufficient to pay off the entire indebtedness. Elder I. C. Atherton became pastor of the church July 1, 1869, and preached half the time (Elder Grow preaching the other half), till compelled by sickness to resign, in March, 1870. E. N. Selleck commenced his labors with this church on the first Sunday in April, 1870, and was ordained to the gospel ministry in August of the same year. He closed his labors with them in October . 1873. A parsonage was built in the summer of 1870, costing about eight hundred dollars. May 4, 1872, the name of the church was changed from the Baptist church of Brandon to the First Baptist church of Ortonville. Elder W. H. Fuller be- came pastor the third time in October, 1873, and closed his labors, through declining health, in October, 1874. S. Needham, a licentiate, preached for the church one year, commencing November, 1874. Elder Samuel Smith, from Parshalville, became pastor November 14, 1875. In January, 1877, he labored hard in a union protracted meeting with Elder Howard, of the Free-will Baptist church, which resulted in the conversion of a considerable number of young persons, and, though he continued to preach for about eight weeks, it was evident to his friends that his health was gradually declining. Consumption seized upon him, and on the 26th day of April, 1877, he closed his labors on earth to enjoy his reward in heaven, aged fifty-nine years. Elder W. H. Prentiss, the present pastor, commenced his labors in May, 1877. Since the formation of the church its statistical changes have been as follows : Baptized, ninety-seven ; received by letter, sixty-eight ; received by experience, twenty-five ; restored, sixteen ; dismissed, sixty-nine ; excluded, twenty-nine ; dropped, ten ; died, twenty-one ; present number, eighty-two. The pastoral changes have been as follows : 1849-54, Elder Wm. Wilders ; 1854-56, Elder S. Gardiner ; 1857-62, Elder S. T. Grow ; 1862-64, Elder W. H. Fuller ; 1865-66, Elder S. Gardiner ; 1867-69, Elder W. H. Fuller; 1869-70, Elder I. C. Atherton ; 1870-73, Elder E. N. Selleck ; 1874-75, S. Needham ; 1875-77, Elder S. Smith ; 1877, Elder W. H. Prentiss. Number of scholars in Sabbath-school, one hundred and forty-five; number of volumes in library, one hundred and forty-three; W. H. Parker, superintendent.

Was organized in February, 1859, at the house of M. H. Fillmore, about two miles north of Ortonville. The original members were Rev. C. P. Goodrich, Elam White, Harriet White, Cornelius B. Allen, Harriet M. Allen, Myron H. Fillmore, Sarah Fillmore, and Malvina Goodrich (eight). The first pastor was Rev. C. P. Goodrich, and the place of holding meetings was a public hall over the store of Amos Orton. The present church building was erected in 1861, and the number of members at that time had increased to fifteen. During the winter of 1867 a protracted meeting of thirteen weeks' duration was held by Rev. A. A. Myers, which resulted in the addition of one hundred and twenty-six to the membership of the church, and greatly strengthened the adjoining churches. The present number of members is one hundred and twenty-nine. In the fall of 1867, Rev. A. W. Westgate succeeded Rev. C. P. Goodrich ; and in the spring of 1870, Rev. Geo. H. Howard, the present pastor, entered upon his labors. A Sabbath-school was sustained just prior to the organization of the church, and has been kept up to the present time, numbering now one hundred and twenty-five. The first superintendent was Thomas Wilders, and the present one is Hiram Ball. This church has from the first been thoroughly earnest in its advocacy of temperance, and for a number of years has used only unfermented wine at its communion service. The Methodists entered Brandon about the same time as the Baptists, but confined their labors to the southern part of the town, preaching in the neighborhood of Seymour lake. Here they organized the first religious society in the township, at the house of Joseph Shurter, in 1837. Some of the persons then joining were John Shurter, Elizabeth Shurter, Elvira Rathbun, Elizabeth King, and Louisa Kingdey. This class was the germ of the society which now worships at the Seymour Lake Church.

The first meetings were held in houses, and at the school-house when that was erected. The first quarterly meeting was held at Joseph Shurter's barn. The circuit preacher at that time was Rev, Flavel Britton. His successors were : In 1842, Revs. Salmon Steele and Richard Pengilly ; in 1845 and 1846, Revs. John Gray and John Bumham. At that time it was known as the Brandon class, and formed a part of Oakland circuit. In 1845 it became a part of Clarkston circuit, and was supplied in that connection, and in 1850 it became a part of Oxford circuit. This relation was maintained until 1869. It was then united with the class at Oakwood, and made a separate charge, called the Brandywine circuit. Rev. John Wesley was the first preacher in charge. He remained two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Seeley. In the fall of 1872, N. G. Lyons, then a young local preacher, was appointed by the presiding elder Rev. Seth Reed to this charge. The preacher was then supported partially by the missionary society ; but during his connection the charge became self-supporting, and raised one hundred dollars missionary money per year beside. At the close of the first year the members requested the return of Rev. Lyons. The elder consented, on condition that they would build a church. This they agreed to do, and the corner-stone was laid May 29, 1874, by the Rev. William Fox and others. It is an imposing frame edifice, thirty-four by sixty-two feet, and is very handsomely finished, at a cost of four thousand dollars. It was dedicated October 27, 1874, by Dr. B. I. Ives, of New York, assisted by Revs. Fox, Bancroft, Cordon, Wood, and Lyons. The membership of the church is at present eighty-five, seventeen of whom were added the past year. Rev. Lyons was succeeded by the Rev. B. H. Hedger, the present pastor, who has served the church since 1875. Rev. Lyons is now a member of the Detroit conference.

The Methodist class at this place has had preaching in connection with the Seymour Lake class. Until the summer of 1877, their meetings were held in the Congregational church. The increase of membership the class had the last few years induced it to build a church of its own. The building is now (1877)in process of erection, and will be essentially like the Seymour Lake church.

Dates its origin to the labors of Rev. Ruggles, and others of that belief, in 1840-48. In May, 1848, the present society was organized, with the following members: David McKnight and his wife Elizabeth, Mrs. Sophia Barnes, John L. Farrar and his wife Phoebe, Isaac Parker, Elvira Huff, and Huldah Hunt. The first board of trustees was composed of William Campbell, Alexander Huff, Welcome Campbell, Edwin Baldwin, and David McKnight. The society had a prosperous career, and commenced to build a church at Oakwood in 1854. It was a frame building, thirty-four by fifty-four feet, containing three hundred sittings. The cost of the edifice was fifteen hundred dollars ; three hundred dollars of this amount was donated by the Congregational union. On the 16th of January, 1855, it was formally dedicated by Rev. D. L. Eaton, The pastoral connection since then has been Revs. Branch, Winters, Whitney, Phillips, Hovender, and Bullock, who is now the pastor, having been called in September, 1876. Until that time this church was connected with the one at Orion, and was served conjointly with that, some of the pastors residing at Oakwood, the others at Orion. There are now services every Sunday, which have been the means of increasing the spiritual life of the church and adding largely to its membership, which is at present sixty-four. A Sunday school was established in this church some years ago. Deacon McKnight was the superintendent. It is still continued, and has at present a membership of eighty-five. Paine Chappel is the superintendent, and Miss Frances Hill is secretary.

The village of Oakwood is situated in both the towns of Brandon and Oxford, principally in Brandon. The place was formerly known as Campbell's Corners, and dates its settlement from 1836. That year Alexander Huff, from Chili, Monroe county, New York, settled on section 12, on the forty-acre lot which now forms the principal site of the village. The Campbell brothers settled on the Oxford side about the same time. The improvements these men made, in the shape of log houses, were the only ones in the place for a number of years, but they were the nucleus of the present village ; and when, in 1843, a blacksmith shop was built here by Thomas Streator, the other adjuncts of a village followed, as a matter of course, in the succeeding half-dozen years. A wagon shop, built by Samuel Gregory about 1848, was the next mechanical industry. A hotel, by Welcome Campbell, was opened about the same time. The post-office came next, with mails from Pontiac to Lapeer. Dr. Lathrop was the first physician to settle here, about 1850. Some years after. Dr. Armstrong also located, and both practiced for some time at this place. The settlement began to grow, and it was thought a saw-mill was the next essential to the welfare of the place. Alexander Huff undertook the project of erecting a steam saw-mill, although with but a faint prospect of success, for the machinery was crude and skilled labor rare. The work had so far progressed by May 2, 1854, that the mill was set running on that day. The first lumber sawed was purchased by Addison Cowden. Now followed a series of vexations. The mill got out of order so frequently that there was no dependence on it ; besides, it was found that the enterprise did not pay : there was not enough demand for lumber. About this time the property passed into the hands of William Giddings, and, in 1856, he and his son changed from sawing to grinding. They procured mill machinery, with two run of stones, and operated the mill three years, only to find that it was an unprofitable enterprise. The mill was then dismantled, and the machinery removed to other points. In this period several stores were kept at Oakwood. The first in 1854, by A. Huff; shortly after by Huff & Lathrop. Welcome Campbell also embarked in a mercantile enterprise about this time. Other interests were developed in time, and the village has had its successive stages of prosperity and adversity to the present, leaving the business in Brandon township as follows: Dry goods, M. M. Frost; groceries, D. Swain; boots and shoes, Erastus Bachelor ; harness, C. S. Swain ; hotel, Fred. Madison ; physician, W. J. Bachelor; postmaster, M. M. Frost; Congregational church, Bev. M. A. Bullock. T. H. Rice is the proprietor of a foundry, which is a pretty extensive establishment, manufacturing plows, castings, and general farm machinery. The main shop is thirty by fifty feet, th^ moulding-room is twenty-four by thirty feet, and the wood-shop is eighteen by twenty-six feet. Being located in a rich agricultural country its work finds a ready sale at home, although some shipments are made

Aside from an occasional farm-house there were no buildings at what is now Ortonville prior to 1848. That year Amos Orton built a dam across Kearsley creek, near the south line of section 7, and erected a small saw-mill to work up the pine growing on sections 7 and 8. This mill was operated with more or less intermission until 1865, when Messrs. Algor and Elliott, who then owned it, replaced it with a new mill, which is still in working order. In 1852, Amos Orton also built a small feed-mill, with one set of burrs, near his saw-mill. This remained until 1856, when he erected the present structure, a frame three stories high, thirty-six by forty-eight feet long. The mill has three run of stones, giving it a capacity of three hundred bushels per ten hours. Both mills are now the property of M. H. Fillmore. The first house erected where Ortonville now stands was a small frame, by Orsamus Doty, in 1850. It was destroyed by fire in April, 1877, and was the only building ever consumed by that element in Ortonville. Thomas Tripp was the next to build, in 1851. Amos Orton and Hiram Ball both built houses in 1852. All these buildings yet remain in good condition. A small blacksmith-shop was built by Amos Orton in 1850. Here Nelson Chase carried on his trade for several years. In 1852, Israel Jay built a shop near the present mill, where he did something for nearly a year. The building is now used by Mr. Waterfield as a barn. George Wiggins built a wagon shop about 1853. He was the first worker in wood at Ortonville. Dr. Thomas B. Johnson was the first settled physician in the place, coming about 1855. Dr. Drummond followed him in 1860, and he was succeeded by Dr. H. E. Campbell. In 1867, Dr. C. P. Felshaw located at Ortonville, and remained until 1876. About 1856, Dr. Johnson opened a small store in a building which stood on the site of the present hotel. Amos Orton purchased this some years after, enlarged it, and kept a good country store. A post-ofiice was established in or about 1855. Amos Orton was the postmaster, who appointed Hiram Ball deputy. He kept the ofiice in his dwelling. The mail was brought via Clarkston to Goodrich, by Samuel Laraby. He also had a stage-line, which was purchased several years after by N. E. Duel. Ortonville now has daily mails from Thomas, its shipping-point, via Oakwood. An express runs over the same route. A frame school-house was erected at Ortonville in 1864, which was used until the district purchased the seminary building. This house was erected by a stock company, called the Seminary Association, in 1867. It is an imposing structure, thirty-iour by fifty feet, twenty-four feet posts, surmounted by a dome twelve feet square. It has a square roof, relieved by fine brackets. The building can accommodate two hundred pupils, and is well furnished. The seminary was opened in the winter of 1867, under the principalship of Professor Parker. It was conducted as a private school a few years, when the building became the property of district No. 10, and a graded school was formed. This is at present taught by Professor J. B. Allen, assisted by competent teachers. Ortonville having assumed fair proportions, and giving promise of future growth, was platted in 1866 by Hiram Ball, L. P. Miller, W. H. Parker, Charles Herrington, George Wiggins, James Quill, William Algor, and N. K. Elliott, The principal site is on section 7, with a few blocks on section 18. In 1868, Jonathan Ball and L, P. Miller platted an addition of several acres on section 7. Since that time the village has had a slow but steady growth. Its present manufactories are Ortonville Foundry, established in 1875, by William Brokenshaw, the present proprietor. The products are plows, harrows, and general farm machinery. Marble-works, W. H. Parker proprietor, and established by him in 1856. Principal shop is eighteen by forty feet, and gives employment to four hands. This establishment has an excellent reputation, and produces some artistic work. Carriage factory, by W. L. Guiles ; main shop is thirty by sixty feet, and was built in 1874. This factory employs four hands. The general business of Ortonville is transacted by the following firms: Blacksmiths, J. H. Wells, Cole, Guiles & Woolman, James Waterfield ; boots and shoes, 0. Cummings, Sevener & Keller, K. Leece ; cabinet-maker, George Eaton ; cooperage, J. J. Walter ; dentistry, G. L. Webster ; drugs, A. J. Wilders ; dry goods, William F. Bingham, John Omans; groceries, William Cobb, N. E. Irish ; harness, L. C. Truax, H. R. Jones, J. J. Everett ; hotel, S. Bellenger; joiner, T. H. Stuart; jewelry and notions, Hiram Ball; livery, Flavel J. Smith; millinery, Mrs. H. Ball, Mrs. T. H. Stuart, Mrs. William Cobb ; meat-market, Adelbert Carr ; physicians, William Acheson, W. T. Sheadel ; postmaster, A. J. Wilders ; tinware, N. E. Irish ; undertaker, L. M. Torrance ; wagon-makers, Jonathan Ball, S. M. Wiggins.

Oakwood Lodge No. 100, F. A, 31., was granted a dispensation on the 3d of June, 1857. On the 16th of January, 1858, it was chartered with the following members: Sloan Cooley, Allen McKey, Abram Hunt, Joseph McKey, D. M. Fitch, Alexander Huff, Benjamin Beed, William Giddings. The present membership is sixty-five, with the following officers: Geo. D. Cowden, W. M. ; M. Armstrong, S. W. ; Henry McKey, J. W. ; Abram Hunt, Treasurer; E. R. Skinner, Secretary ; Homer A. Thomas, S. D. ; Austin Deming, J. D. ; Ralph Hunt, Tyler.

Ortonville Lodge, No. 339, received a dispensation from the grand lodge, dated October 27, 1875, and was officered under the dispensation by Flavel J. Smith, W. M. ; William Acheson, S. W. ; Squire M. Wiggins, J. W. The lodge received its charter on the 24th of January, 1877, bearing the names of Flavel J. Smith, William Acheson, S. M. Wiggins, Volney Cole, H. H. Markham, James Ball, T. H. Stuart, Oliver P. Gould, Jonathan Omans, and George M. Woolman. The present membership is twenty-four, with the same officers as named above. John D. Mclntire is the present secretary.

Ortonville Grange, No. 385, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized April 22, 1874, with twenty-three charter members. B. F. Scott was chosen the first Master, and William Algor, Secretary. The grange has had a very flattering in- crease of membership, and now numbers sixty-eight. It meets in a handsomely furnished hall, twenty-four by seventy feet, part of which is a store-room for the sale of supplies, purchased at wholesale, and sold at a slight advance. The present officers are Flavel J. Smith, Master, and B. F. Miller, Secretary. For information furnished concerning this town we are under obligations to Geo. P. Thurston, Henry Houser, A. B. Travis, Thomas Lomis, Addison Cowden, Isaac Truax, Joseph Shurter, Hiram Ball, Flavel J. Smith, John D. Mclntire, George M. Woolman, Alfred Van Wagoner, Mrs. Alexander Huff, A. J. Wilders, and others.