Go to Part 2 of the History of Lawrence Township.
Dr. Haskin was married, April 9, 1854, to Miss Olive, daughter of Selah and Charity Pickett. Her death occurred Nov. 10, 1855; and on the 17th of December, 1860, the doctor was married to Miss Martha J. McKnight.
Dr. Haskin has filled, with satisfaction to all, several offices in the township and village, to which he has been elected. He is at present one of the coroners of the county of Van Buren. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, uniting with it at the age of seventeen. In politics he has always been and remains a staunch Republican.
David Ferris, the oldest of the above large family of children, was born in the State of Pennsylvania. When
but a child he removed with his parents to Washington Co., N.Y. ; thence, in 1820, to Jefferson County; in 1833,
to St. Lawrence County; and in 1850 he came to Lawrence township, Van Buren Co., Mich. Mr. Ferris was
reared on a farm, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, with his father, until he was twenty-five years of
age, when he entered the employ of an iron company, at ten dollars per month, and remained with them
five years. Jan. 9, 1843, he married Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Joseph and Jerusha Goodell. Their children
have been six in number, as follows: Jerusha, born April 6, 1844; Louisa A., born July 14, 1845; Charles D, born
May 29, 1847; Ellen J., born Aug. 29, 1849, died Aug. 7, 1873; Harriet J., born Nov. 1, 1854; Sheldon E., born
Jan. 6, 1862, died Oct. 8, 1865. In 1862, Mr. Ferris purchased eighty acres of wild land, cleared and improved
it, and has transformed it into a fruitful farm, which he now occupies. He is known to his neighbors as an
upright, honorable man, and to no one is he indebted a single dollar. His perservering labors through the
years that have passed have brought him prosperity and a competence, which he can now enjoy. Mrs. David
Ferris died April 7, 1878.
Uriel T., the fourth son of Abel and Mindwell Barnes,
was born in Schoharie Co., N.Y., Oct. 14, 1794, and
while yet scarcely more than a child removed with his
parents to Floyd, Oneida Co., where on the 30th of August,
1821, he married Huldah A., daughter of Zenas and Mary
(Merrill) Gibbs, of Broome Co., N.Y., and with her settled
in Floyd, where their daughter Adelia was born, June 19,
1824. Their eldest son, Trumas S., was born in
Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N.Y., Dec. 27, 1826, and soon
afterwards Mr. Barnes moved to a small farm which he had
purchased in Oswego County, where three children were born
to him, viz., William M., born April 26, 1828; Mary S.,
born Oct. 5, 1829; and Harlow G., born March 3, 1831.
About that time he sold his farm with the ultimate design
of leaving the sterile lands and severe climate of Northern
New York to find a better home in the West. He,
however, engaged to work in a saw-mill in Durhamville, Oneida
Co., during the winter of 1831-32, but in the spring of the
latter year was so severely injured by the machinery of the
mill that he remained a helpless invalid for many months.
In the following December, being unable to perform heavy
labor, he commenced a grocery business in Whitesboro,
N.Y.; but soon found that he could not live by this, unless
he engaged in the sale of ardent spirits. That he would not
do; his principles would not permit him to support his own
family by carrying desolation into the families of others, so
he sold his little stock and left Whitesboro. During his
stay at that place his daughter Sarah Ann was born, Jan.
2, 1833.
Mr. Barnes having now regained his health sufficiently to
labor, spent the following winter in the vicinity of Geneva,
chopping wood at twenty-six dollars per month and house-rent,
and on the 10th of April, 1834, he set out with his
family for Michigan, by way of the Erie Canal, Buffalo, and
Lake Erie. About a week was spent on the canal and three
days on the steamer "Michigan," but at the end of that time
they safely reached Detroit, from which place they engaged
Lorenzo Graham to transport them to Jackson County,
where they arrived about the 1st of May. Mr. Barnes'
first Michigan settlement was made in Albion, Calhoun Co.
His total property at that time consisted of two cows, his
few household goods, and fifty dollars in money. He
engaged to work for Mr. Tenney Peabody, of Albion, but about
that time the entire family were taken sick and his fifty
dollars was soon exhausted. But he was still resolute in
his determination to secure a home, and he resolved to
"squat" on government land, hoping to be able to pay for
it in time. With the help of a few neighbors he reared a
cabin which was warm and comfortable enough, though
there was not a pane of glass in it, nor was there a nail nor
a sawed plank or board used in its construction. Into this
dwelling the family moved in January, 1835. They had
some corn, raised in the previous season on land owned by
Mr. Peabody, and on this corn and the milk of their cows
the family subsisted. During the entire summer of 1835,
Mr. Barnes was sick with the ague, and to add to his
troubles a speculator purchased the land on which he had
"squatted" and demanded possession. Being unwilling,
however, to proceed to extreme measures, he finally paid
Mr. Barnes fifty dollars to vacate. This money he invested
in forty acres of land, and with the help of neighbors
erected a pole cabin upon it. In this cabin the family were
comparatively comfortable, and here Anson U. Barnes was
born. Settlers were coming in rapidly, a mill was being
erected near by, work became plenty at reasonable wages,
the family had regained their health, and the worst of their
privations had passed.
In the fall of 1837 Mr. Barnes sold his land near Albion
for eight hundred dollars in "wild-cat" money, and in
January, 1838, removed to Lawrence, Van Buren Co., where
he domiciled his family in a log house on what is now the
Baker and Richards farm. Not long after, he purchased
from Eaton Branch, for two hundred dollars, the eighty
acres on which his son, A.U. Barnes, now lives. On this
land he put up a frame house in the following spring, and
went energetically to work to convert the wild land into a
productive farm. He cleared nearly the whole eighty acres
with his own hands, besides doing a large amount of work
for others. In the year next following his settlement he
was chosen commissioner of highways, and was elected
justice of the peace in 1840, being a member of the board
at the election held (at his house) in the fall of that year,
when Gen. Harrison was elected President of the United
States. In 1844, Mr. Barnes' daughter Adelia was married
to Allen Rice, this being the first marriage in the family.
About this time Mr. Barnes' health began to fail, and he
never again fully recovered. In June, 1853, he had a
sudden and violent attack of hernia, which baffled the skill
of the physicians who were called to attend him. He sank
rapidly and died on Sunday, July 3d, in that year. At his
funeral (July 4th) the Rev. E.S. Dunham preached from
the text, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death
of his saints."
Mr. Barnes was converted in 1820, and became a member
of the Baptist Church in Floyd, N.Y. He was the first
of the family to pass over the mysterious river, and he died
in the firm hope and belief of immortality. Mrs. Barnes
survived her husband thirteen years, and died Sept. 30,
1866, of consumption. She was an excellent wife, and in
every way a most worthy woman. She bore with patience
and fortitude all the trials and privations of pioneer life.
She was respected and beloved by all who knew her, and
her children rise up and call her blessed.
Anson U. Barnes, the youngest son of Uriel T. Barnes,
was born near Albion, Mich., as before mentioned, the date
of his birth being Jan. 6, 1837. He was a boy of but
sixteen years of age at the death of his father, and after that
event remained on the old homestead, which is still his
residence. He was married, Feb. 21, 1860, to Sarah E.
Shaver, whose family were from Lowville, Lewis Co., N.Y.
Of their union there have been born six children, - three
sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. Mr.
Barnes cast his first vote in 1860, for Abraham Lincoln for
President. He has been elected by his fellow-townsmen to
the office of commissioner of highways, and has been a
member of the school board for a number of years. He is
a substantial land-owner, and a man who commands the
respect of all who know him.
T. W. Howard has owned the old homestead since 1861.
On the 3d of June, 1864, he married a daughter of Horace
Place, and to them have been born the following children,
all of whom are living: George E., Aug. 19, 1865; Effie
C., Oct. 22, 1868; Fannie E., Nov. 13, 1870; Isa C.,
March 26, 1873; Frank E., Aug. 31, 1876. Mrs. T.W.
Howard was born in Albion township, Crawford Co.,
Pa., June 3, 1842, and came with her parents to Michigan
in 1848. Her father, Horace Place, died in 1850; her
mother is still living in the township of Hamilton, Van
Buren Co. In politics, Mr. Howard is a Democrat.
DAVID FERRIS
Thomas Ferris, father of David, was born in Washington Co., N.Y. , April 19, 1779. Mrs. Thomas Ferris
was born Nov. 9, 1790. Their family consisted of the following children, viz.: David, born Dec. 12, 1812;
Rachel, born April 30, 1814; Daniel, born Jan. 20, 1817; Adeline, born July 9, 1818; Julie E. , born June 23,
1820; Warren, born Sept. 20, 1822, died Oct. 28, following; Elizabeth A., born April 23, 1824; Lucy Ann,
born Feb. 25, 1826; Sheldon, born Jan. 18, 1830; Ira W., born Oct. 3, 1832; Hattie, born Dec. 1, 1834.
Mrs. Ferris died Sept. 14, 1840; Thomas Ferris died May 27, 1875.ANSON U. BARNES.
Soon after the close of the Revolutionary war two
brothers named Barnes emigrated from Boston, England,
to America, and settled in the State of Connecticut. One
of these brothers was Abel Barnes, the father of Uriel T.,
and grandfather of A.U. Barnes, of Lawrence, the
subject of this biographical sketch. Not long after his
settlement in Connecticut Abel Barnes removed from that State
to Schoharie Co., N.Y., and a few years later to the town
of Floyd, Oneida Co., in the same State. He had married
Miss Mindwell Roberts, and they became the parents of
eleven sons and three daughters, most if not all of whom
were born after their removal to New York.EATON BRANCH,
son of Vine and Abigail Branch, was born in Benson,
Rutland Co., Vt., April 8, 1808. His father was of
English descent; mother, Scotch. In 1810 the father moved
with his family to Onondaga Co., N.Y., locating about
nine miles from what was then called Salt Point. They
remained there twelve years, clearing up land, and in 1822
pushed west to the Holland Purchase, in Wyoming Co.,
N.Y. As the family possessed little means the educational
advantages of the children were limited. Eaton says, with
reference to his education, "I was schooled in the use of
the axe, hoe, and ox-gad." In 1833 he started to see the
western country, and pushed as far as Ann Arhor, Mich.
Returning to the old home the same year, he married
Amanda M. Allen. In 1834, in company with his wife,
father, and mother, he came back to Michigan. In 1835
the country was threatened with war, and Eaton, with
many others, was drafted in the "Toledo war," by order of
Governor Mason. As the trouble was of short duration
he was soon able to return to his work. Not having means
to purchase land he was obliged to hire out, and engaged
with a Mr. Allen to go to Van Buren County and
superintend his business, as he (Allen) had bought land at the
mouth of Brush Creek and laid out a town. On the 7th
of November, 1835, Mr. Branch and his wife started in a
wagon for this place. They were eight days going one
hundred and twenty miles; stayed in Kalamazoo over the
Sabbath, and attended service in a school-house, the sermon
being preached by Rev. Silas Woodbury. They finally
reached Mason, as it was then called, - now known as
Lawrence, - November 15th, where they found a log house,
owned by Mr. Allen, and at once occupied it; it was twelve
feet square. Thirteen persons lived in it until they could
build a double log house, which latter was used for some time
as a hotel. Mr. Branch has been a very active man in the
advancement of the interests of his township. In April,
1837, he assisted in organizing the first town-meeting, and
was elected one of the highway commissioners, which office
he held for many years. He was a charter member of the
First Presbyterian Church, organized Aug. 19, 1837,
afterwards changed to a Congregational Church. In 1858 a new
church was built, Mr. Branch furnishing about two thousand
five hundred dollars towards its construction. In 1852 the
first agricultural society was formed, which he helped
organize, and a fair was held in the court-yard at Paw Paw.
In 1872, Mr. Branch was an assistant in organizing the
first pioneer society, and has been present at every meeting
since, and is one of its officers. Mr. Branch has raised a
family of six boys, all of whom lived to manhood. His
oldest son was the first male child born in the town.
Three sons served in the Rebellion, all returning after the
war. Four of his sons are settled on lands which their
father assisted them in buying. Mr. Branch first located
a quarter-section in Lawrence township, President Van
Buren signing the deed, and a part of this is now in his
home. He united with the Presbyterian Church in 1831,
and has always been an active member. Mrs. Branch died
March 30, 1866, in her fifty-third year.T. W. HOWARD
was born in Lawrence township, Van Buren Co., Mich.,
Nov. 13, 1841. His father, Hosea Howard, had settled
here in 1838, on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
which he improved and occupied until his death, in 1847.
His family consisted of four sons, of whom the above is
the only survivor. Mrs. Hosea Howard has reached the
age of eighty years, and is living with her son.HOWARD S. ALLEN.
Prominent among the thrifty farmers of Lawrence
township is found H.S. Allen, who was born in Washington
Co., N.Y., July 2, 1810. During the early part of his
life he assisted his father, who was a blacksmith, and
learned the trade, at which he worked until he was twenty-
two years of age. In 1838 his mind became impressed
with the advantages offered by the West, and he accordingly
came as far as Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained six
weeks. He purchased a farm thirteen miles from that city,
and occupied it until 1851, when he removed to Van Buren
Co., Mich., and settled near Breedsville. Five years later
he purchased two hundred and two and a half acres of land,
unimproved, in the township of Lawrence, moved upon it,
and began the work of clearing and improving it. His
present surroundings are evidence of his perseverance,
industry, and energy. Mr. Allen was married, Oct. 9, 1831,
to Miss Esther, daughter of John and Elizabeth Moore,
and four children have been born to them, viz.: George
W., born Nov. 24, 1834; John Augustus, born June 7, 1837,
died Sept. 26, 1838; William M., born Oct. 6, 1839;
James E., born April 3, 1845. Mr. Allen's parents both
died in New York. Mrs. Allen lost her father when she
was but five years old, and her mother came to Michigan as
one of its pioneers. She is now living with her daughter,
Mrs. Allen, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.
While residing at Breedsville Mr. Allen was elected and
served as justice of the peace and supervisor, and upon
settling in Lawrence was again elected justice of the peace,
but refused to serve, preferring the quiet of his home to
political honors. Two of Mr. Allen's brothers are at present
residing in the State of New York, one on the old homestead.
Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, and a view of
their home, appear in this work.
(Transcriber's Note: At this time, these portraits are unavailable).
