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

WILLIAMSTON TOWNSHIP AND ITS HISTORY

833

Kentucky, breeders of trotters, track touts, and the general riff-raff
of the breeding and training stables predominated. All this
cost money, and in order to save himself from total ruin Mr.
Branch and his son-in-law dissolved partnership, and the younger
man moved away. The old track is left as a reminder that the
dust from behind a fast trotter is not golden, but hides a bad
dream and financial ruin. His love for a good horse and his delight in driving one finally led to his death. His favorite horse
ran away with him and he was killed by a passing train on a
crossing near the county farm. I will always remember Mrs.
Branch as a mother to the whole district. Her domestic sorrows
and trails never seemed to mar her cheerful disposition or shatter
her Christian fortitude. She was always ready to nurse the sick,
cheer the sorrowing, help in every social and church meeting, or
write an article for the newspapers to explain the good qualities of
every new social or moral uplift. Her influence for good was widespread and left a lasting impression.
Mr. Mead had a large family. Five stalwart boys. Nathan,
Charles, Edward, Newton and Myron. Three fine girls, Emma,
Alma and Lois. His farm was large, 320 acres, and in working
this his sons were a great help. Three of his sons were farmers
and followed his occupation for a livelihood. Edward entered
the service of the government and was for years an inspector in
the Detroit Custom House. Newton, who had literary tastes,
graduated from the Normal College at Ypsilanti, and is now a
teacher and professor in the Detroit schools.
North and west of the school house were two men who were
quite prominent in pioneer times, the Hall and Stone families.
They were enemies and were always fighting each other. The
milk of human kindness was soured by the thunder and lightning
of legal battles over a line fence. They never met but each gave,
or tried to give, the other a lick with the rough side of the tongue.
Mr. Stone, "Little Jake Stone," as he was best known, was a
short, sawed-off Dutchman. He was a good faimer. He had to
work hard and save to pay for his forty acre farm and raise his
large family, and is one of those who should be commended,
though some of his habits overshadowed energy and thrift. He
was quick-tempered, liked his beer too well, and was a tyrant in
his family. He always used oxen on his farm, and his symbol of