History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

940

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

census shows 373 pupils and seven teachers. The total expendi
tures for the year 1880, aggregated $2,650.09, inclusive of the non -
eys received from the primary-school fund, $167.79.
The Cemetery, known as Owen's Cemetery, is a neat burial place,
situated on a hillock, west of the river road; it serves the dual purpose of interment and reminder.
The township lands are gently undulating, rich in all the constituents of a productive soil and well settled. The district is watered
by the Tittabawassee, which forms its northeastern boundary..Swan creek flows through the township from the northwest through
sections 5, 9,16, 22, 27, and 34; McClellan creek, Williams creek,
and a few others are minor streams.
The Saginaw Valley & St. Louis railroad runs through the southern sections, while the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad runs
southwest from Tittabawassee station through the southeast quarer of section 36.
The saw-mill at Swan Creek station, two brick yards, a wagon
shop, store and hotel are among the business places of the town.
PERSONAL SKETCHES
are here given of a number of the most prominent citizens of this
township:
John Benson, an old and respected pioneer of this tp., residing
on sec. 3, was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., June 9, 1841;
parents were Stephen and Lucia Benson; father was a soldier in
war of 1812, and grandfather in Revolutionary war, participating
in the battle of Trenton, Dec. 26, 1776, and the trials and sufferings
at Valley Forge; subject of sketch came to this county iu October,
1836, locating on sec. 14, and in 1842, on sec. 3, where he has since
resided, and owns 80 acres of land; first house erected was 12x12
feet in size, and in the center of a great forest; was first Justice of
the Peace of this tp., serving 21 years in succession, and 12 years
since; was Tp. Clerk two years, and Treasurer 12 years; is Republican in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. F.; was married
Oct 14, 1834, to Sarah B., daughter of Timothy and Susannah
(Thorp) Wood, natives of Springfield, Mass.; wife was born at
Westfield, Mass., Nov. 2, 1814; 4 of their 10 children surviveHarriet N., wife of Norman Swarthout, born April 20, 1836; Reuben S., born May 9, 1842; Martha E., wife of Horace Jerome, born
Oct. 19, 1852, and Catherine A., wife of Lucius Munger, born April
17, 1856. William E., John E., Evangeline, Orlanda, Mary and
Eli are deceased.
George Bryant, (deceased) was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, May
1, 1825. When 13 years of age, he shipped on board a sailing vessel, and continued in that business until 1847, when he came to
Canada. He located his family near London, Province of Ontario,
and obtained a position as sailor on the lakes. In 1864 he removed
his family to this county and settled on sec. 28, of this tp. He was