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BATTLE CREEK BY A. D. P. VAN BUREN
In 1829 he entered the service of Hon. Nathaniel Garrow, then Bepre-sentative in Congress from the Auburn District, and for six years had charge of his farm. Having accumulated a good sum of money, he in, 1835 located the land upon which he lived for forty years, and commenced the improvement of the same. In March, 1847, he married Mrs. Maria Fulton, who, with four sons, two of whom are married, and two daughters, survive him.
Mr. Mapes was a quiet, unassuming man, respected by all and very often consulted by his neighbors in business affairs. He had held many positions of trust in his township, and always to the satisfaction of the people. He was a good citizen and neighbor, a kind husband and parent, and the fine estate he has accumulated, and the excellent family he has left show that his life was a success, and well worthy of imitation.
BATTLE CHEEK IN 1836-INDIAN LEGEND.
In the spring of 1836 Erastus Hussey and Moses Allen, both of Plymouth, having been attacked with an epidemic, widely spread at that time, and commonly known as the "land fever, " started westward to find relief in travel. And after traversing the Grand River country and finding their disease diverted, if not somewhat abated, by change of scenery and beauty of country, they turned their steps to the southeast, and traveling some forty-five miles through a dense wilderness, they came to the rude little hamlet of Bellevue. Pausing here awhile, they took up their line of march towards the southwest, not "as the crow flies, " but as the red man's trail wound its way along the tortuous course of the Battle Creek; single file, staff in hand, they threaded their way along the deep worn path until they reached the embryo village of Verona, founded by General Ezra Convis, in 1835. Hastening on one mile still southwest, they came to the beautiful valley where in the language of the poet:
Michigan
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