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Michigan Select Michigan Counties
Emigration came into this town slowly, no doubt, from the simple fact that notwithstanding the fertility of her soil and her abundant water power, there were no accessible saw-mills to furnish building materials, and no grist-mills to furnish flour for family consumption. Even the necessary evil of a doctor was twelve miles away, and his services could only be obtained by fording streams, struggling through marshes, and following a circuitous Indian trail. However, in spite of all these adverse circumstances, lands were purchased and cultivated, roads were laid out and made passable, schools were taught, and all the appliances of an organized society inaugurated. Valuable additions were made to her list of inhabitants in 1833-4-5, especially such men as the Messrs. Hall, Gen. Convis, Dr. Beach, A. Noble, W. H. Coleman, Judge McCamly, Shepherd, Gilbert, Gurnsey, Meritt, Hart, Whitcomb, etc. Being young, enterprising, and having some means, they laid broad and deep the stable foundation upon which this flourishing town now rests. Late in the fall of 1835 Judge McCamly's saw-mill was put in operation, and it was not till 1837 that the first grist-mill, viz: Noble & Whitcomb's, commenced work, to the great joy and convenience of the western part of the county. Wm. H. Coleman was the first merchant, and his place of business was built of logs, which he occupied a few years. Messrs. Noble & Whitcomb embarked in merchandising in Battle Creek in 1836. Mr. Noble alone survives this band of pioneer merchants. The first white male child born m this town was Henry C. Hall, born January 7th, 1834; the first female white child was Caroline M. Convis, born November 19th, 1834.
Michigan Counties
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