History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests / compiled from the official records of the county, the newspapers and data of personal interviews, under the editorial supervision of Thaddeus D. Seeley.

HIST ORY OF OAKLAN() COUNTY

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William Gage, a New Yorker, came with his family in 1831 anl built
a log house on section 6. He was the first actual settler and his the first
house in Holly township. It is further probable that his son, John, born
in i832, was the first native white child.
OTHER P)IONEERS OF TIIE TOWNSHIIP
In the spring of that year, Nathan Herrick erected a log dwelling
on his claim and moved into the house; so that he was the second to
settle in the township. He became quite lrominent in public affairs,
and in April, 1835, was elected first supervisor of Groveland township
when it included Holly.
Terrence Fagan, who came from Otsego county, New York, brought
his family with him, and in the spring of 1833 entered land in sections
2, 3, and i I, in the northeastern portion of the township. I-s log house
was the third erected. M'r. Fagan lived in that locality until his death in
1852. IBoth he and his wife, who survived him but a few years, were
buried in the old H-adley cemetery, on sections I8 and I9, Groveland
township, which contains the remains of many of the' pioneers of Holly.
The first marriage in Htolly township was between Peter Fagan, one
of his sons, and Eliza L. Dains, on the i8th of November, i838. Mr.
Fagan was long one of the leading citizens of the township.
SETTL-:'rlRS IN 1832-1837
The following is believed to be a nearly complete list of those who
settled in the township from 1832 to 1837, inclusive: 1832, Nathan
tIerrick, Calvin Herrick, Peter Fagan, John Fagan and Hannibal Vickery; 1833, Terrence IFagan, Thomas Fagan, Alonzo R. Rood and Vincent Runyon; 1834, Burnett Scott and Asa Beech (who kept a tavern
on section 12); 1835, Darius Austin, John Runyon, Matthew Moorehouse,
Jonathan T. Allen, Edwin Edwards, Alexander Galloway, George Mitchell,
John Forsyth and M\asten W. Richards; I836, William Young, Moses
Smith, William Haas, Robert Kennedy, Stephen Dains, John Dains, Ira C.
Alger, Edward B:ray, 11. B. lartlett, Isaac Springer, Nicholas Yorton,
Isaac Taylor, Meshek G. Norris, Sr., Edward -lull, John Stringer, John
Stone, Sylvanus Bartlett and Filer Frost; 1837, David Ackerson, \Villiam B. l)ecker, W\illiam Bevens and \Villet C. I)ay.
F tIRS E'VEN TS.
The first town meeting held in the township of H:olly proper was
at the house of John Runyon, in April, 1838, and the following officers
were elected: Jonathan T. Allen, supervisor; Ira C. Alger, clerk; Willet
C. Day, treasurer; Peter Fagan, Daniel Donaldson, Edwin Edwards,
highway commissioners; Ira C. Alger, William Gage, John Stone, justices of the peace; Daniel Donaldson, Willianm Bevins, Calvin Herrick,
constables; P-eter Iagan, Edwin Edwards and the supervisor ex officio,
assessors.
The first hotel in the township was built at Stony Run, in 1834, bv
Smith Jenks and Thomas Irish.