Note:
"The present township of Berlin was organized March 6, 1838 as the township of Cass. February 16, 1842 the name of the township was changed from Cass to Berlin. The first land entry in the present township of Berlin was probably made in July of 1833, by John E. Morrison, who like-wise was the first person to make a settlement in the township. For nearly two years Mr. Morrison was the only settler in Berlin township, and lived upon the fringe of an unbroken wilderness, he was not entirely out of the world of civilization, for there was his neighbor just over the river at Samuel Dexter's village of Ionia."
History of Ionia County, Chapter 111, Berlin Township
Biography:John E. Morrison. Among the best citizens of our country are those descended from Scott ancestry. With them they have brought to their new home the characteristics of prudence and frugality, of uncompromising integrity and persevering industry. Of this stock was the father of our subject, John E. Morrison, Sr., a native of New York State and a farmer. The original emigrants from Scotland were three brothers who came to America at an early day, settling in different parts of the United States. The branch to which these Morrisons belonged settled in New York State. The mother of our subject was Eliza (McKelvey) Morrison, a native of Rochester, N.Y. Her family came to Ionia County about 1834. John E. Morrison, Sr., was born in 1815, and came to Michigan when twenty-one years of age. In 1833 he settled in Berlin Township on section 25, a fraction of Easton Township, now attached to Berlin. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of Government land, all raw, and had to cut his way through the timber in order to drive to his farm. His brave wife rode an Indian pony, carrying two children in her arms. They removed from Oakland County, Mich., where he had settled in 1830 and married, to this new home, being ten days on the road. He was at this time in delicate health and very much reduced in circumstances, but proceeded to build a log house and clear off his farm, one hundred acres of which he improved. His wife died in 1881, and he followed her in 1884. Of their eleven children four are now living: Joseph, who lived in Arkansas, died April 22, 1891; Almira, Mrs. S. Shaw, also in the same State; our subject; Susan, Mrs. M. G. Allen, who lives in Ronald Township; Anna, Mrs. B. F. Beardsley, who lives in Stanton. The father took a prominent part in public affairs, being in the early days a Whig, and joining the Republican party soon after its formation. He also took an active interest in schools and was for many years School Inspector. He was also Township Clerk, Supervisor, and in 1838 Justice of the Peace. In this last capacity he united many couples in marriage. For a long while the Indians were close neighbors, and the squaws used to be the only domestic help which this good mother could secure to help her through the hard work of washing and other extra jobs. When the organization of Berlin Township in 1838 was effected he was made Moderator of the first township meeting, and was also the first Township Clerk and Inspector. In 1842 he was made Supervisor.
[Excerpt from the biography of his son -- John E. Morrison (1841-1923), Portrait and Biographical Album of Ionia and Montcalm Counties, Mich, by Chapman Brothers, Edna Harris, 1891, pg. 552-554.]
"The present township of Berlin was organized March 6, 1838 as the township of Cass. February 16, 1842 the name of the township was changed from Cass to Berlin. The first land entry in the present township of Berlin was probably made in July of 1833, by John E. Morrison, who like-wise was the first person to make a settlement in the township. For nearly two years Mr. Morrison was the only settler in Berlin township, and lived upon the fringe of an unbroken wilderness, he was not entirely out of the world of civilization, for there was his neighbor just over the river at Samuel Dexter's village of Ionia."
History of Ionia County, Chapter 111, Berlin Township
Biography:John E. Morrison. Among the best citizens of our country are those descended from Scott ancestry. With them they have brought to their new home the characteristics of prudence and frugality, of uncompromising integrity and persevering industry. Of this stock was the father of our subject, John E. Morrison, Sr., a native of New York State and a farmer. The original emigrants from Scotland were three brothers who came to America at an early day, settling in different parts of the United States. The branch to which these Morrisons belonged settled in New York State. The mother of our subject was Eliza (McKelvey) Morrison, a native of Rochester, N.Y. Her family came to Ionia County about 1834. John E. Morrison, Sr., was born in 1815, and came to Michigan when twenty-one years of age. In 1833 he settled in Berlin Township on section 25, a fraction of Easton Township, now attached to Berlin. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of Government land, all raw, and had to cut his way through the timber in order to drive to his farm. His brave wife rode an Indian pony, carrying two children in her arms. They removed from Oakland County, Mich., where he had settled in 1830 and married, to this new home, being ten days on the road. He was at this time in delicate health and very much reduced in circumstances, but proceeded to build a log house and clear off his farm, one hundred acres of which he improved. His wife died in 1881, and he followed her in 1884. Of their eleven children four are now living: Joseph, who lived in Arkansas, died April 22, 1891; Almira, Mrs. S. Shaw, also in the same State; our subject; Susan, Mrs. M. G. Allen, who lives in Ronald Township; Anna, Mrs. B. F. Beardsley, who lives in Stanton. The father took a prominent part in public affairs, being in the early days a Whig, and joining the Republican party soon after its formation. He also took an active interest in schools and was for many years School Inspector. He was also Township Clerk, Supervisor, and in 1838 Justice of the Peace. In this last capacity he united many couples in marriage. For a long while the Indians were close neighbors, and the squaws used to be the only domestic help which this good mother could secure to help her through the hard work of washing and other extra jobs. When the organization of Berlin Township in 1838 was effected he was made Moderator of the first township meeting, and was also the first Township Clerk and Inspector. In 1842 he was made Supervisor.
[Excerpt from the biography of his son -- John E. Morrison (1841-1923), Portrait and Biographical Album of Ionia and Montcalm Counties, Mich, by Chapman Brothers, Edna Harris, 1891, pg. 552-554.]
Note:
"The present township of Berlin was organized March 6, 1838 as the township of Cass. February 16, 1842 the name of the township was changed from Cass to Berlin. The first land entry in the present township of Berlin was probably made in July of 1833, by John E. Morrison, who like-wise was the first person to make a settlement in the township. For nearly two years Mr. Morrison was the only settler in Berlin township, and lived upon the fringe of an unbroken wilderness, he was not entirely out of the world of civilization, for there was his neighbor just over the river at Samuel Dexter's village of Ionia."
History of Ionia County, Chapter 111, Berlin Township
Biography:John E. Morrison. Among the best citizens of our country are those descended from Scott ancestry. With them they have brought to their new home the characteristics of prudence and frugality, of uncompromising integrity and persevering industry. Of this stock was the father of our subject, John E. Morrison, Sr., a native of New York State and a farmer. The original emigrants from Scotland were three brothers who came to America at an early day, settling in different parts of the United States. The branch to which these Morrisons belonged settled in New York State. The mother of our subject was Eliza (McKelvey) Morrison, a native of Rochester, N.Y. Her family came to Ionia County about 1834. John E. Morrison, Sr., was born in 1815, and came to Michigan when twenty-one years of age. In 1833 he settled in Berlin Township on section 25, a fraction of Easton Township, now attached to Berlin. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of Government land, all raw, and had to cut his way through the timber in order to drive to his farm. His brave wife rode an Indian pony, carrying two children in her arms. They removed from Oakland County, Mich., where he had settled in 1830 and married, to this new home, being ten days on the road. He was at this time in delicate health and very much reduced in circumstances, but proceeded to build a log house and clear off his farm, one hundred acres of which he improved. His wife died in 1881, and he followed her in 1884. Of their eleven children four are now living: Joseph, who lived in Arkansas, died April 22, 1891; Almira, Mrs. S. Shaw, also in the same State; our subject; Susan, Mrs. M. G. Allen, who lives in Ronald Township; Anna, Mrs. B. F. Beardsley, who lives in Stanton. The father took a prominent part in public affairs, being in the early days a Whig, and joining the Republican party soon after its formation. He also took an active interest in schools and was for many years School Inspector. He was also Township Clerk, Supervisor, and in 1838 Justice of the Peace. In this last capacity he united many couples in marriage. For a long while the Indians were close neighbors, and the squaws used to be the only domestic help which this good mother could secure to help her through the hard work of washing and other extra jobs. When the organization of Berlin Township in 1838 was effected he was made Moderator of the first township meeting, and was also the first Township Clerk and Inspector. In 1842 he was made Supervisor.
[Excerpt from the biography of his son -- John E. Morrison (1841-1923), Portrait and Biographical Album of Ionia and Montcalm Counties, Mich, by Chapman Brothers, Edna Harris, 1891, pg. 552-554.]
"The present township of Berlin was organized March 6, 1838 as the township of Cass. February 16, 1842 the name of the township was changed from Cass to Berlin. The first land entry in the present township of Berlin was probably made in July of 1833, by John E. Morrison, who like-wise was the first person to make a settlement in the township. For nearly two years Mr. Morrison was the only settler in Berlin township, and lived upon the fringe of an unbroken wilderness, he was not entirely out of the world of civilization, for there was his neighbor just over the river at Samuel Dexter's village of Ionia."
History of Ionia County, Chapter 111, Berlin Township
Biography:John E. Morrison. Among the best citizens of our country are those descended from Scott ancestry. With them they have brought to their new home the characteristics of prudence and frugality, of uncompromising integrity and persevering industry. Of this stock was the father of our subject, John E. Morrison, Sr., a native of New York State and a farmer. The original emigrants from Scotland were three brothers who came to America at an early day, settling in different parts of the United States. The branch to which these Morrisons belonged settled in New York State. The mother of our subject was Eliza (McKelvey) Morrison, a native of Rochester, N.Y. Her family came to Ionia County about 1834. John E. Morrison, Sr., was born in 1815, and came to Michigan when twenty-one years of age. In 1833 he settled in Berlin Township on section 25, a fraction of Easton Township, now attached to Berlin. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of Government land, all raw, and had to cut his way through the timber in order to drive to his farm. His brave wife rode an Indian pony, carrying two children in her arms. They removed from Oakland County, Mich., where he had settled in 1830 and married, to this new home, being ten days on the road. He was at this time in delicate health and very much reduced in circumstances, but proceeded to build a log house and clear off his farm, one hundred acres of which he improved. His wife died in 1881, and he followed her in 1884. Of their eleven children four are now living: Joseph, who lived in Arkansas, died April 22, 1891; Almira, Mrs. S. Shaw, also in the same State; our subject; Susan, Mrs. M. G. Allen, who lives in Ronald Township; Anna, Mrs. B. F. Beardsley, who lives in Stanton. The father took a prominent part in public affairs, being in the early days a Whig, and joining the Republican party soon after its formation. He also took an active interest in schools and was for many years School Inspector. He was also Township Clerk, Supervisor, and in 1838 Justice of the Peace. In this last capacity he united many couples in marriage. For a long while the Indians were close neighbors, and the squaws used to be the only domestic help which this good mother could secure to help her through the hard work of washing and other extra jobs. When the organization of Berlin Township in 1838 was effected he was made Moderator of the first township meeting, and was also the first Township Clerk and Inspector. In 1842 he was made Supervisor.
[Excerpt from the biography of his son -- John E. Morrison (1841-1923), Portrait and Biographical Album of Ionia and Montcalm Counties, Mich, by Chapman Brothers, Edna Harris, 1891, pg. 552-554.]
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