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EARLY SETTLEMENT OF SOUTHWESTERN
MICHIGAN BY A. B. COPLEY.
June 7, 1882.
After various changes during the following three years, we find the subject of our sketch in 1832 a dry goods clerk in the employ of E. Waterbury on Jefferson avenue, Detroit, near the site of the present "Mich. Exchange" Hotel. The breaking out of the Black Hawk war found him enrolled in the State militia for service, and joining a party of volunteers composed principally of the old city guard of Detroit, he marched with them to Saline, Mich., at which place they were ordered back, owing to the sudden termination of the war. On the appearance of the cholera during this summer (1832) there was a perfect stampede from Detroit, everybody leaving who could get away. Mr. Waterbury closed his store and in company with his clerk Daniel, started for Stony Creek by way of Mount Clemens. When nearing the latter place they were met by a quarantine guard who drove them back, and they were obliged to take the Pontiac road. While on this trip they dined at the wayside farm house, and so fearful were the people of the contagion that they were, . left in full possession of the house after their dinner had been prepared. After the cholera had been banished by cold weather and frosts, Daniel, in company with Joseph B. Comstock, bought out Mr. Waterbury's store at Stony Creek and removed it to Hersy's Mills (a better point for trade), and continued there a year.
MICHIGAN
Page 29
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