Mumford Eldred, the first settler within the limits of this township, was a native of Pownal, Bennington Co., Vt., and passed his boyhood days in sight of the Green Mountains. After arriving at manhood's estate, he engaged for some time in buying and selling live-stock. Subsequently, the brothers Caleb (afterwards the well known Judge Caleb Eldred, of Kalamazoo County) and Mumford Eldred established a meat-market in the village of Catskill, Greene Co., N. Y. By his first marriage, Mumford became the father of four children, viz.: Norman, Mumford, Jr., Cornelia, and Margaret. While a resident of Catskill he married, for his second wife, Miss Jane Whitaker. About 1832 he removed to Delaware Co., N. Y., where he remained two years. In the fall of 1834, accompanied by his wife and five children, viz.: Andrew, Stephen, Belinda, Elizabeth, and Catherine, he journeyed to Kalamazoo Co., Mich., where his brother Caleb, his son Mumford, Jr., and many other relatives, had already became conspicuous as among the first settlers and the most active business men of that region. Mumford Eldred first located his family in the Gull Prairie settlement, where they remained about eighteen months.
On the 8th day of January, 1836, he made the first purchase of land in township 2 north, of range 11 west, it being a tract of 40 acres known as the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 29. Four weeks later, however, he bought 40 acres more, a tract described as the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of the same section.
Early in the spring of 1836 (March) a substantial log house was erected upon the land first purchased, and soon after, assisted by Hugh Kirkland, of Gull Prairie, and James Flockhart, of Plainfield, Mr. Eldred and family were duly installed within its walls as the first white family in the township. The live-stock brought in consisted of a horse,-" old Black 'Hawk,"-one yoke of cattle, and a cow. The land first chosen by Mr. Eldred was prairie-like in appearance, or in other words contained an " opening," some 30 acres in extent, which invitingly awaited the approach of the pioneer's plow.
To observers the improvement of these lands seemed an easy matter, and Mr. Eldred's real estate was then considered the most desirable one in the township. But with the completion of his cabin-which stood upon or near the site of William Nesbit's present residence-and the removal of his family to it, his difficulties had but just commenced. A small band of Indians, remnants of the once powerful Ottawa and Pottawattamie tribes, occupied the opening and claimed it as their own. Here, on the northern border, was their little village of bark wigwams, and farther out their scattered patches of broken soil, where the women had cultivated for many years corn, pumpkins, potatoes, etc. Here had been celebrated victories gained over their enemies, and the surrounding forests had doubtless reechoed many times with lamentations when defeat had attended their warlike expeditions. Their children had been born here, and here their dead had been prepared for the happy hunting-ground. The little prairie was their home; they were loth to depart from it. Who can blame them?
Yet had Mumford Eldred been less austere and more gracious in his bearing towards them, this would not have been one of the exceptional cases in, the history of the settlement of Southern Michigan in which the white settler and his Indian neighbors were at enmity. But Mr. Eldred chose a different course; he considered the land his own, the Indians as interlopers, and ordered them away. They demurred, and moved not. He plowed their little patches of loose soil and planted his crops. Upon their appearance above the surface the corn and potatoes were pulled up and the stalks scattered. His hogs, and for a truth "old Black Hawk," at last disappeared. After vain searches they were given up as gone forever, and he declared the Indians had stolen them.
Terribly enraged, he again ordered his dusky neighbors from his vicinity, threatening that unless they did so within a time specified, he would fell an immense tree upon their wigwams, or such of them as its trunk and branches would reach. At the expiration of the time allowed them the Indians were still there, stoical and unconcerned in danger as only Indians can be. Eldred seized his axe, and with lusty blows began the fulfillment of his threat. They watched him intently for a few moments. The chips flew rapidly from the incisions made with his keen axe, and at last they seemed to understand that he was in earnest, that it was only a question of moments when the tree would come crashing upon them, demolishing in its fall wigwams and household idols. They called to him to desist, promising that if permitted to remain until their chief, who was sick, was able to be removed, they would depart in peace. With this understanding they remained a few days longer, and then removed to the present township of Wayland.
As soon as vacated, their wigwams were burned by Eldred, and thus did he with his family become the sole occupant of the "opening." He was not fairly rid of the Indians, however, for they made frequent visits to the locality, and his crops and stock were always in danger. He had aroused a life-long enmity, and had not the Michigan Indians been so completely cowed, abject, and in fear of the white man's power, dating from the time of Tecumseh's defeat, Mr. Eldred 's career would have terminated ere he had a neighbor in sight of his opening.
Upon the death of the sick Indian before mentioned, his body was brought to the near vicinity of Mr. Eldred 's house. A square pen of logs was constructed, roofed with bark, and inside the enclosure, in a sitting posture, was placed the remains of the dead chief, covered with his blanket. Mrs. Eldred, who is still living in the township, wherein at that time she was the only white woman, relates that the sight of this dead warrior keeping his lonely vigil was a most distressing one to her. She could not step outside her house without looking in that direction. About one year after the death of the chief, Mr. Eldred had helping him one or two young men from Gull Prairie. Arising early one morning, they filled the pen with dry wood and brush, and then, setting the whole on fire, finally succeeded in cremating the remains.
In 1837, Mr. Eldred was elected a justice of the peace of Plainfield, and while Martin formed part of the old township he held other responsible positions. As justice of the peace of the latter township he presided at the first election in Martin, in 1839, and was also elected assessor. He died Jan. 24, 1870, aged eighty-four years. Mrs. Eldred still survives, at the age of seventy-six years. A son, Samuel, who was born Dec. 10, 1836, bears the distinction of having been the first white child born in Martin. Rev. Andrew Eldred, the first child of Mumford by his second marriage, is now a distinguished divine of the Methodist Episcopal Church. History of Allegan and Barry counties, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of their prominent men and pioneers. Philadelphia,: D.W. Ensign & co., 1880 page 270.
On the 8th day of January, 1836, he made the first purchase of land in township 2 north, of range 11 west, it being a tract of 40 acres known as the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 29. Four weeks later, however, he bought 40 acres more, a tract described as the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of the same section.
Early in the spring of 1836 (March) a substantial log house was erected upon the land first purchased, and soon after, assisted by Hugh Kirkland, of Gull Prairie, and James Flockhart, of Plainfield, Mr. Eldred and family were duly installed within its walls as the first white family in the township. The live-stock brought in consisted of a horse,-" old Black 'Hawk,"-one yoke of cattle, and a cow. The land first chosen by Mr. Eldred was prairie-like in appearance, or in other words contained an " opening," some 30 acres in extent, which invitingly awaited the approach of the pioneer's plow.
To observers the improvement of these lands seemed an easy matter, and Mr. Eldred's real estate was then considered the most desirable one in the township. But with the completion of his cabin-which stood upon or near the site of William Nesbit's present residence-and the removal of his family to it, his difficulties had but just commenced. A small band of Indians, remnants of the once powerful Ottawa and Pottawattamie tribes, occupied the opening and claimed it as their own. Here, on the northern border, was their little village of bark wigwams, and farther out their scattered patches of broken soil, where the women had cultivated for many years corn, pumpkins, potatoes, etc. Here had been celebrated victories gained over their enemies, and the surrounding forests had doubtless reechoed many times with lamentations when defeat had attended their warlike expeditions. Their children had been born here, and here their dead had been prepared for the happy hunting-ground. The little prairie was their home; they were loth to depart from it. Who can blame them?
Yet had Mumford Eldred been less austere and more gracious in his bearing towards them, this would not have been one of the exceptional cases in, the history of the settlement of Southern Michigan in which the white settler and his Indian neighbors were at enmity. But Mr. Eldred chose a different course; he considered the land his own, the Indians as interlopers, and ordered them away. They demurred, and moved not. He plowed their little patches of loose soil and planted his crops. Upon their appearance above the surface the corn and potatoes were pulled up and the stalks scattered. His hogs, and for a truth "old Black Hawk," at last disappeared. After vain searches they were given up as gone forever, and he declared the Indians had stolen them.
Terribly enraged, he again ordered his dusky neighbors from his vicinity, threatening that unless they did so within a time specified, he would fell an immense tree upon their wigwams, or such of them as its trunk and branches would reach. At the expiration of the time allowed them the Indians were still there, stoical and unconcerned in danger as only Indians can be. Eldred seized his axe, and with lusty blows began the fulfillment of his threat. They watched him intently for a few moments. The chips flew rapidly from the incisions made with his keen axe, and at last they seemed to understand that he was in earnest, that it was only a question of moments when the tree would come crashing upon them, demolishing in its fall wigwams and household idols. They called to him to desist, promising that if permitted to remain until their chief, who was sick, was able to be removed, they would depart in peace. With this understanding they remained a few days longer, and then removed to the present township of Wayland.
As soon as vacated, their wigwams were burned by Eldred, and thus did he with his family become the sole occupant of the "opening." He was not fairly rid of the Indians, however, for they made frequent visits to the locality, and his crops and stock were always in danger. He had aroused a life-long enmity, and had not the Michigan Indians been so completely cowed, abject, and in fear of the white man's power, dating from the time of Tecumseh's defeat, Mr. Eldred 's career would have terminated ere he had a neighbor in sight of his opening.
Upon the death of the sick Indian before mentioned, his body was brought to the near vicinity of Mr. Eldred 's house. A square pen of logs was constructed, roofed with bark, and inside the enclosure, in a sitting posture, was placed the remains of the dead chief, covered with his blanket. Mrs. Eldred, who is still living in the township, wherein at that time she was the only white woman, relates that the sight of this dead warrior keeping his lonely vigil was a most distressing one to her. She could not step outside her house without looking in that direction. About one year after the death of the chief, Mr. Eldred had helping him one or two young men from Gull Prairie. Arising early one morning, they filled the pen with dry wood and brush, and then, setting the whole on fire, finally succeeded in cremating the remains.
In 1837, Mr. Eldred was elected a justice of the peace of Plainfield, and while Martin formed part of the old township he held other responsible positions. As justice of the peace of the latter township he presided at the first election in Martin, in 1839, and was also elected assessor. He died Jan. 24, 1870, aged eighty-four years. Mrs. Eldred still survives, at the age of seventy-six years. A son, Samuel, who was born Dec. 10, 1836, bears the distinction of having been the first white child born in Martin. Rev. Andrew Eldred, the first child of Mumford by his second marriage, is now a distinguished divine of the Methodist Episcopal Church. History of Allegan and Barry counties, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of their prominent men and pioneers. Philadelphia,: D.W. Ensign & co., 1880 page 270.
Mumford Eldred, the first settler within the limits of this township, was a native of Pownal, Bennington Co., Vt., and passed his boyhood days in sight of the Green Mountains. After arriving at manhood's estate, he engaged for some time in buying and selling live-stock. Subsequently, the brothers Caleb (afterwards the well known Judge Caleb Eldred, of Kalamazoo County) and Mumford Eldred established a meat-market in the village of Catskill, Greene Co., N. Y. By his first marriage, Mumford became the father of four children, viz.: Norman, Mumford, Jr., Cornelia, and Margaret. While a resident of Catskill he married, for his second wife, Miss Jane Whitaker. About 1832 he removed to Delaware Co., N. Y., where he remained two years. In the fall of 1834, accompanied by his wife and five children, viz.: Andrew, Stephen, Belinda, Elizabeth, and Catherine, he journeyed to Kalamazoo Co., Mich., where his brother Caleb, his son Mumford, Jr., and many other relatives, had already became conspicuous as among the first settlers and the most active business men of that region. Mumford Eldred first located his family in the Gull Prairie settlement, where they remained about eighteen months.
On the 8th day of January, 1836, he made the first purchase of land in township 2 north, of range 11 west, it being a tract of 40 acres known as the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 29. Four weeks later, however, he bought 40 acres more, a tract described as the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of the same section.
Early in the spring of 1836 (March) a substantial log house was erected upon the land first purchased, and soon after, assisted by Hugh Kirkland, of Gull Prairie, and James Flockhart, of Plainfield, Mr. Eldred and family were duly installed within its walls as the first white family in the township. The live-stock brought in consisted of a horse,-" old Black 'Hawk,"-one yoke of cattle, and a cow. The land first chosen by Mr. Eldred was prairie-like in appearance, or in other words contained an " opening," some 30 acres in extent, which invitingly awaited the approach of the pioneer's plow.
To observers the improvement of these lands seemed an easy matter, and Mr. Eldred's real estate was then considered the most desirable one in the township. But with the completion of his cabin-which stood upon or near the site of William Nesbit's present residence-and the removal of his family to it, his difficulties had but just commenced. A small band of Indians, remnants of the once powerful Ottawa and Pottawattamie tribes, occupied the opening and claimed it as their own. Here, on the northern border, was their little village of bark wigwams, and farther out their scattered patches of broken soil, where the women had cultivated for many years corn, pumpkins, potatoes, etc. Here had been celebrated victories gained over their enemies, and the surrounding forests had doubtless reechoed many times with lamentations when defeat had attended their warlike expeditions. Their children had been born here, and here their dead had been prepared for the happy hunting-ground. The little prairie was their home; they were loth to depart from it. Who can blame them?
Yet had Mumford Eldred been less austere and more gracious in his bearing towards them, this would not have been one of the exceptional cases in, the history of the settlement of Southern Michigan in which the white settler and his Indian neighbors were at enmity. But Mr. Eldred chose a different course; he considered the land his own, the Indians as interlopers, and ordered them away. They demurred, and moved not. He plowed their little patches of loose soil and planted his crops. Upon their appearance above the surface the corn and potatoes were pulled up and the stalks scattered. His hogs, and for a truth "old Black Hawk," at last disappeared. After vain searches they were given up as gone forever, and he declared the Indians had stolen them.
Terribly enraged, he again ordered his dusky neighbors from his vicinity, threatening that unless they did so within a time specified, he would fell an immense tree upon their wigwams, or such of them as its trunk and branches would reach. At the expiration of the time allowed them the Indians were still there, stoical and unconcerned in danger as only Indians can be. Eldred seized his axe, and with lusty blows began the fulfillment of his threat. They watched him intently for a few moments. The chips flew rapidly from the incisions made with his keen axe, and at last they seemed to understand that he was in earnest, that it was only a question of moments when the tree would come crashing upon them, demolishing in its fall wigwams and household idols. They called to him to desist, promising that if permitted to remain until their chief, who was sick, was able to be removed, they would depart in peace. With this understanding they remained a few days longer, and then removed to the present township of Wayland.
As soon as vacated, their wigwams were burned by Eldred, and thus did he with his family become the sole occupant of the "opening." He was not fairly rid of the Indians, however, for they made frequent visits to the locality, and his crops and stock were always in danger. He had aroused a life-long enmity, and had not the Michigan Indians been so completely cowed, abject, and in fear of the white man's power, dating from the time of Tecumseh's defeat, Mr. Eldred 's career would have terminated ere he had a neighbor in sight of his opening.
Upon the death of the sick Indian before mentioned, his body was brought to the near vicinity of Mr. Eldred 's house. A square pen of logs was constructed, roofed with bark, and inside the enclosure, in a sitting posture, was placed the remains of the dead chief, covered with his blanket. Mrs. Eldred, who is still living in the township, wherein at that time she was the only white woman, relates that the sight of this dead warrior keeping his lonely vigil was a most distressing one to her. She could not step outside her house without looking in that direction. About one year after the death of the chief, Mr. Eldred had helping him one or two young men from Gull Prairie. Arising early one morning, they filled the pen with dry wood and brush, and then, setting the whole on fire, finally succeeded in cremating the remains.
In 1837, Mr. Eldred was elected a justice of the peace of Plainfield, and while Martin formed part of the old township he held other responsible positions. As justice of the peace of the latter township he presided at the first election in Martin, in 1839, and was also elected assessor. He died Jan. 24, 1870, aged eighty-four years. Mrs. Eldred still survives, at the age of seventy-six years. A son, Samuel, who was born Dec. 10, 1836, bears the distinction of having been the first white child born in Martin. Rev. Andrew Eldred, the first child of Mumford by his second marriage, is now a distinguished divine of the Methodist Episcopal Church. History of Allegan and Barry counties, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of their prominent men and pioneers. Philadelphia,: D.W. Ensign & co., 1880 page 270.
On the 8th day of January, 1836, he made the first purchase of land in township 2 north, of range 11 west, it being a tract of 40 acres known as the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 29. Four weeks later, however, he bought 40 acres more, a tract described as the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of the same section.
Early in the spring of 1836 (March) a substantial log house was erected upon the land first purchased, and soon after, assisted by Hugh Kirkland, of Gull Prairie, and James Flockhart, of Plainfield, Mr. Eldred and family were duly installed within its walls as the first white family in the township. The live-stock brought in consisted of a horse,-" old Black 'Hawk,"-one yoke of cattle, and a cow. The land first chosen by Mr. Eldred was prairie-like in appearance, or in other words contained an " opening," some 30 acres in extent, which invitingly awaited the approach of the pioneer's plow.
To observers the improvement of these lands seemed an easy matter, and Mr. Eldred's real estate was then considered the most desirable one in the township. But with the completion of his cabin-which stood upon or near the site of William Nesbit's present residence-and the removal of his family to it, his difficulties had but just commenced. A small band of Indians, remnants of the once powerful Ottawa and Pottawattamie tribes, occupied the opening and claimed it as their own. Here, on the northern border, was their little village of bark wigwams, and farther out their scattered patches of broken soil, where the women had cultivated for many years corn, pumpkins, potatoes, etc. Here had been celebrated victories gained over their enemies, and the surrounding forests had doubtless reechoed many times with lamentations when defeat had attended their warlike expeditions. Their children had been born here, and here their dead had been prepared for the happy hunting-ground. The little prairie was their home; they were loth to depart from it. Who can blame them?
Yet had Mumford Eldred been less austere and more gracious in his bearing towards them, this would not have been one of the exceptional cases in, the history of the settlement of Southern Michigan in which the white settler and his Indian neighbors were at enmity. But Mr. Eldred chose a different course; he considered the land his own, the Indians as interlopers, and ordered them away. They demurred, and moved not. He plowed their little patches of loose soil and planted his crops. Upon their appearance above the surface the corn and potatoes were pulled up and the stalks scattered. His hogs, and for a truth "old Black Hawk," at last disappeared. After vain searches they were given up as gone forever, and he declared the Indians had stolen them.
Terribly enraged, he again ordered his dusky neighbors from his vicinity, threatening that unless they did so within a time specified, he would fell an immense tree upon their wigwams, or such of them as its trunk and branches would reach. At the expiration of the time allowed them the Indians were still there, stoical and unconcerned in danger as only Indians can be. Eldred seized his axe, and with lusty blows began the fulfillment of his threat. They watched him intently for a few moments. The chips flew rapidly from the incisions made with his keen axe, and at last they seemed to understand that he was in earnest, that it was only a question of moments when the tree would come crashing upon them, demolishing in its fall wigwams and household idols. They called to him to desist, promising that if permitted to remain until their chief, who was sick, was able to be removed, they would depart in peace. With this understanding they remained a few days longer, and then removed to the present township of Wayland.
As soon as vacated, their wigwams were burned by Eldred, and thus did he with his family become the sole occupant of the "opening." He was not fairly rid of the Indians, however, for they made frequent visits to the locality, and his crops and stock were always in danger. He had aroused a life-long enmity, and had not the Michigan Indians been so completely cowed, abject, and in fear of the white man's power, dating from the time of Tecumseh's defeat, Mr. Eldred 's career would have terminated ere he had a neighbor in sight of his opening.
Upon the death of the sick Indian before mentioned, his body was brought to the near vicinity of Mr. Eldred 's house. A square pen of logs was constructed, roofed with bark, and inside the enclosure, in a sitting posture, was placed the remains of the dead chief, covered with his blanket. Mrs. Eldred, who is still living in the township, wherein at that time she was the only white woman, relates that the sight of this dead warrior keeping his lonely vigil was a most distressing one to her. She could not step outside her house without looking in that direction. About one year after the death of the chief, Mr. Eldred had helping him one or two young men from Gull Prairie. Arising early one morning, they filled the pen with dry wood and brush, and then, setting the whole on fire, finally succeeded in cremating the remains.
In 1837, Mr. Eldred was elected a justice of the peace of Plainfield, and while Martin formed part of the old township he held other responsible positions. As justice of the peace of the latter township he presided at the first election in Martin, in 1839, and was also elected assessor. He died Jan. 24, 1870, aged eighty-four years. Mrs. Eldred still survives, at the age of seventy-six years. A son, Samuel, who was born Dec. 10, 1836, bears the distinction of having been the first white child born in Martin. Rev. Andrew Eldred, the first child of Mumford by his second marriage, is now a distinguished divine of the Methodist Episcopal Church. History of Allegan and Barry counties, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of their prominent men and pioneers. Philadelphia,: D.W. Ensign & co., 1880 page 270.
Family Members
Siblings
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