He

children, he revisited the old estate, which was held many years by the Wilsons, but is now in the hands of the Clevelands. is a Republican, and himself and wife belong to the Congregational Church.

C. H. Wood was born in New York in 1836. IIis parents, Squire and Jerusha (Taylor) Wood, were also natives of New York. Mr. Wood was married in 1856 to Eliza C. Peck, a native of Erie Co., Pa., born in 1839. They have had four children-Edwin, Ida, George W. and an infant (deceased). Mr. Wood came to this county in 1878; is a farmer by occupation.

Solomon Wright is a native of New York, born in 1821. His parents, Solomon and Mary Wright, came to this county in 1837. He was married to Jane E. Cooper, a native of New York. They have four children-Helen, Florence, William and Nellie C. Mr. Wright is located on sec. 32; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. P. O., Grand Rapids.

Jacob Yost, farmer, is a native of Prussia, born in 1819. He left the old country in 1846 and settled at Baltimore, Md., and twenty years after came to this county. In 1845 he was married in Prussia to Helen Kinser, born in 1819. They have eight childrenJohn, Margaret, Henry, Nicholas, William, Mary, Peter and Frank. The family are all members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Yost owns 80 acres of land, sec. 27.

This is the southeastern township of Kent county, the center of the town being nearly 25 miles from the city of Grand Rapids. This township is immediately south of Lowell, and east of Caledonia, while Ionia county is on the east of it, and Barry bounds it on the south. Up to April, 1849, this township formed a part of the adjoining town of Caledonia. At the period of organization the population of that division of the county did not exceed 27. In 1850 it grew to 214; in 1854, to 357; in 1860, 743; in 1870, 1,275; and in 1880, to 1,387. A reference to the statistical section of the county history will suffice to show the increase in value of personal and real estate property in this township. In 1855, 26 years ago, the aggregate valuation was set down at $112,678; 20 years afterward it reached the sum of $362,210, and to-day the true value of the township may be set down at half of one million of dollars.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

Coldwater river, or little Thornapple, may be said to have its origin in this township, though Pratt creek, one of its main tributaries, rises in the lake of that name one and one-half miles north of the township line. From north, south and east a dozen streams and rivulets, among which are Duck and Harris creeks, flow on to add to the waters of this river, rendering the complete drainage of the township marshes practicable at little expense. Larkin's lake is the only important body of water in the district. Twelve ponds scattered throughout the northern half of the township, with numerous marshes, justify the opinion that if water in this form be a recommendation, the township is singularly blessed.

Foster lake is one-fourth of a mile in length, on section 24. Campbell lake, on section 19, is about one-half a mile long, while on sections 10 and 23 are two small lakes or ponds, known as "Number Ten lake" and Putnam lake. The swamps may be said to be confined to sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8. These may be drained, and when such an improvement is effected, the reclaimed lands will be among the richest in the county.

The eastern and northern sections possess a large area of table land, still bearing many large groves of hard-wood timber. The western and southern sections contain a large acreage of rolling land, with oak openings and some tracts of valuable hard-wood. The soil varies but little from that of Caledonia, is rich in all its constituents, and forms one of the best agricultural districts of the county.

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FIRST SETTLERS.

The pioneers of Bowne were Jonathan Thomas, Frederick Thompson, William Wooley and Israel Graves, with their families. In the pages of the county history reference is made to these early settlers under the heading, "Reminiscences of the Ovidians." They left Ovid, N. Y., in 1836, traveled by boat to Toledo, and made the journey thence to Bowne in two weeks.

Among Jonathan Thomas' first neighbors were Peter McNaughton, who purchased a tract of land on section 5, Sept. 28, 1836; Abel Page, on section 7, July 27, 1836; Mary Hanna, section 18, Sept. 26, 1836; Daniel F. Webster, section 23, July 25, 1836; Charles Butler, section 25, May 12, 1836; Thomas Dunlap, section 27, July 6, 1836; George W. Scott, section 30, March 29, 1836; John Berdan, section 34, May 21, 1836, and Joseph R. Williams, May 14, 1836. David McVean purchased his lands on section 4, April 29, 1837; Alexander Cameron, section 10, April 29, 1837, and Roswell Tyler, on section 15, Oct. 2. Justus G. Beach and Norman Foster in 1838.

Thus, as an old resident states, it will be seen, that though Bowne was remote from of any of the river points of settlement, it was at an early day taken possession of. Although there was a scattering of settlers along the river before 1836, that was the year when possession was taken in earnest; and that witnessed the occupation of Bowne by Thomas and his band. It was a venture further from the river than any other of that period.

"At first the settlers leaned on Thomas and the Indians. Thomas had money; they worked for him, clearing his land, and would sell turnips and potatoes to the Indians, getting money and venison. Among the Indians then resident was Pegu--a good-hearted, noble fellow, of whom all speak with respect and gratitude. Another of the early Indian favorites of the settlers was Pokanomino, who is now a thriving farmer at Fremont Center. The Indians of Cascade, Caledonia and Bowne were a mixture of Ottawas and Chippewas. They did not belong to any mission, and were known as 'Robinson's Indians.' The old leader was Casua, who resided three-quarters of a mile from Whitney's tavern. He attempted farming. His wife was a most lady-like woman, held in the highest esteem by the whites. A number of their kindred settled around them, among whom she was a good mother.' The writer well recollects the first and only time he saw her. She was riding her pony, on her homeward journey from Grand Rapids. We remarked to the man in company that she was a respectablelooking squaw,' and received the answer, 'She is a venerable woman.' In fact, human dignity does not depend on complexion or race; and we are hapyy to notice that people with souls are beginning to appreciate that fact. What makes the difference? What color is a human soul? In former times, the British military uniform was scarlet. An officer met a little negro boy in the