Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

LIESIEI ToW\NsHIP AND ITS HISTORY

641

strong and she was thrown upon her own resources early in life.
Her school privileges were few. When about fifteen years old
she had earned and saved money enough to pay for eight yards of
calico at twenty-five cents a yard, of which she made her a dress.
Later she added two light calico aprons and a cape to her wardrobe. These capes were made to cross in front, and were considered quite dressy, but she had no shoes. Fortunately an aunt
bought herself a new pair, and gave her old ones to Betsey. These
she had nicely mended, and though they were two sizes too large
she wore them to school all winter, and then when she began
teaching in the spring, and from that time she was self-supporting
Elisha Godfrey married Polly Barden, and to tllem were born
thirteen children.
CLARK GRAVES
Came to Leslie about 1836. He married Fornia Rice, daughter
of Josiah Rice. They had no children but adopted a daughter,
who is now Mrs. Palmyra Hahn.
MAHLON COVERT
Settled in Leslie Township in 1837 on a government claim of 200
acres. He came from New York, and before leaving was married
to Sallie Chandlers. He began at once to clear his land and built
his log cabin, which in 1855 was replaced by a modern home.
Four children came to this household.
REV. ELIJAH K. GROUT
Of Fairfax, Vermont,in 1838 came to Leslie in a covered wagon
bringing with him his wife and three young children. He purchased forty acres where the village now stands, but afterward
sold this. He built a plank house on the hill on Bellevue street,
and with blankets or pieces of carpet in the place of doors and
windows they lived in it for many years before it was completed.
In the spring of 1839 Mr. Grout organized a Baptist church in
Leslie, amd was ordained as a minister in 1841. He rode his
pony through the woods, following the trails by the blazed trees,
fording streams, often to the sound of howling wolves, as he spread
the gospel through that vicinity. For nearly thirty-seven years