History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers.

HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

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May 24, 1847.-J. S. B. Weatherwax's mark-a hole
in the left ear by a punch and a " happany," done by the
same punch, under the right ear.
These marks were all recorded in the township book of
records, and each was illustrated in an artistic manner by
drawing the outline of a sheep's head and showing the
marks on the ears.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The first school in Somerset was taught at Gambleville,
in 1834, by Mrs. Clark, a daughter of Judge Heman
Pratt. This was a summer school, and the term lasted
three months, the number of scholars being but 5 or 6.
Judge Pratt taught in the same building,-a rude log
school-house, the succeeding winter and at later periods.
His father was a school-teacher forty-six years. The judge
had charge of the school in 1835, and among the scholars
were several of Samuel Mercer's children.
The school district in which Hon. William Mercer now
resides was organized in 1845, and a log school-house built
half a mile north of the present frame school building at
the corners, the latter having been erected in the neighborhood of the year 1850.
A log school-house was built in 1836 a mile south of the
present residence of Elias Alley. It was difficult to maintain a school here, as the number of pupils for several years
was quite small,-the attendance sometimes being no more
than three,-but by persistent effort it was kept up until
it became one of the important schools of the township.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
In the spring of 1836, Rev. Mr. Wolcott organized a
Presbyterian society at Somerset Centre, and remained as
their minister for a short time. Rev. Mr. Morton was one
of the early pastors also. The present frame church at the
Centre was built about 1840-42. This society has no existence at this date (January, 1879), and the old church is
now the property of a Methodist Episcopal organization,
whose pastor is Rev. Mr. Berry, of Fuller's Mills, Jackson
Co.
Subsequent to the year 1850, numerous membership of
the Presbyterian Church at the Centre seceded and formed
the present Congregational Church at Gambleville, where
they built a frame church. This society is at present in
very good condition, and has for its pastor Rev. Mr. Branch,
of Grand Ledge.
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SOMERSET
was organized at Jerome in the fall of 1873, and the present frame church dedicated in the fall of 1875. This
society had also been previously connected with the original
church at the Centre, and when the division occurred and
a new church was built at Gambleville, this part moved
to the southwest part of town, and held meetings in the
Payne school-house, moving to Jerome, and reorganizing,
after that village was laid out. The membership in December, 1878, was about 35, and the pastor is the same

who has charge of the congregation at Gambleville,-Rev.
E. T. Branch. A Sabbath-school is sustained during the
summer months.

BRICK-YARD AND TILE WORKS.
It is the experience of farmers in this vicinity that
underdraining pays at least twenty-five per cent., and the
cheapest and most durable material to use in forming drains
is the uniform drain-tile.
Seth Aldrich, one of the early settlers in Somerset, began
the manufacture of tile and earthenware in this town in
1842, turning the first tile on a wheel. The demand for
the article increased, and to keep up the supply he purchased a hand-tile machine, and in the spring of 1858 made
his first " horseshoe" tile (it was so named from the shape
of the orifice), which gave entire satisfaction. His son,
Hosea C. Aldrich, the present proprietor of the works,
assisted his father in his labors until 1862, when he enlisted
in the 18th Michigan Infantry, and served three years,
during six months of which time he was immured in one
of those terrible places,-a rebel prison. He was finally
released, and started for home on the ill-fated steamer
"Sultana," which exploded her boiler on the passage up
the Mississippi River, and hurried into eternity so many of
the brave sons of Michigan. Mr. Aldrich was picked up
for dead, but finally returned to consciousness, and ultimately to his home, where he engaged in the old work
once more.
In 1866 he purchased the works from his father, and
admitted his brother, B. F. Aldrich, as partner in the
business. Each hired a helper, and the sales averaged
$1020 annually. The demand, however, increased to such
an extent that a larger machine-operated by horse-power
-was purchased in 1870, and a factory built, which is 30
by 137 feet in dimensions, standing near the clay bed. In
1873, Hosea C. Aldrich purchased his brother's interest,
built a larger kiln, and employed from four to six hands.
In 1876 he purchased a brick-machine, and added a brickyard to his establishment, which necessitated the employment of more help. In 1877 he built a pottery, in which
he placed two wheels and two turners, and erected another
kiln in which to burn ware.
Mr. Aldrich has probably the best clay in the State for
making drain-tile, and the truth of this assertion is demonstrated by the fact that some of the tile manufactured here
have been in the ground thirty-five years, and are as sound
to-day as when first laid. Mr. Aldrich now burns five
kilns of tile, two of flower-pots (of which he makes a specialty), and one of brick annually. Increased facilities will
be added as the demand warrants. Two kinds of clay exist
here, and white and red brick are both manufactured and
kept on hand, as well as flower-pots, pipe-tile from two to
six inch, "D" tile from two to seven inch, and horse-shoe
tile from two to eight inch. Mr. Aldrich is to be congratulated on the extent of his work and the favor with which
his manufactures are everywhere received.
Among those who have furnished information in this

town are Hon. William Mercer, Elias Alley, Esq., William
H. Brezee (of Morenci), Oscar D. Brown, Lewis Fuller,
Charles Sutfin, Hosea C. Aldrich, and numerous others
whose names are not now recollected. Our obligations to
all are hereby acknowledged.