sided in the city until his death. He was always a large holder and dealer in real estate. He took great interest in the development of the iron mines of Lake Superior, and was a large stockholder in the Jackson Iron Company from the date of its organizaMr. Westren was a man of sterling integrity and great force of character. He was universally respected and esteemed. His son, Thomas Westren, is a native of Jackson, and has always made it his home. He joined Mr. Douglass Gibson in the establishment of the "Jackson Interest and Deposit Bank," of which he is now, and always has been, the cashier.

Joseph Hanaw became a resident of Jackson in 1857. He was for many years engaged in trade, and has always been, as he is now, one of the most active business men of Jackson. Mr. Hanaw has accumulated a handsome property, and has a family of 11 children to share with him his days of prosperity. His time is now occupied in looking after the rental of his stores and houses, in the care of his numerous family, and as agent of a line of ocean

steamers.

E. J. Connable joined A. H. Pinney in 1858 in a contract at the prison for the manufacture of farming tools Mr. Connable removed from Ohio to Jackson and took charge of the business, which under his management was very successful. He withdrew from the business at the expiration of his contract in 1854, and has for several years been largely engaged in the manufacture of drain tile, sewer pipe, fire and paving brick, and other articles of stoneware. Mr. Connable is one of the most active and enterprising business men of the city. He opened and worked one of the coal mines. To him belongs the credit of establishing and building up the extensive works of the Jackson Fire Clay Company, of which he is president.

Silas Heyser came to Jackson in 1855, and engaged in business as a carpenter and joiner. He has for several years been largely engaged in the manufacture of sash, blinds and doors, and has now, in connection with his sons, Winfield C. and Walter J. Heyser, one of the largest manufacturing establishments in the city, in connection with an extensive lumber yard.

Abram V. Berry came to Jackson in 1841, and as a member of the firm of Berry & Medbury, was one of the leading merchants of Jackson. He was at one time one of the proprietors of the "Ford Mills," and largely engaged in the purchase of wheat and manufacture of flour. Col. Berry has filled many offices of public trust, and always with credit to himself. He was president of the village in 1843-'5, and city marshal in 1858-'60. He has also been supervisor, alderman, and held other offices of appointment. Col. Berry is of an ingenious turn of mind, and is the author of several inventions of merit.

James L. Holmes came to Michigan with the family of his father in 1837. In 1838 he removed to Jackson, and has since resided in this city. Mr. Holmes has always been an active business man, and is one of the best known in the town. He is now engaged in

the wholesale and retail wine and liquor trade.

He is a most en

thusiastic disciple of Izaak Walton, and has made his rod familiar with most of the waters in and around the State. To the lakes of Jackson county it is no unusual practice for him to go day after day, without regard to the weather, especially if it is such as is favorable to piscatory sport. Mr. Holmes is a most efficient member of the Board of Public Works of the city of Jackson, which position he has held for three years.

A LITTLE STORY.

A good story is told at the expense of one of the early pioneers of Jackson county, Judge Wooley who in early times was a shoemaker of Sandstone. One cold winter's day as the judge was warming up his wax, preparatory to the day's work of cobbling, a never-do-well sort of farmer walked in. He wanted a pair of boots, but had no money to pay for them. The judge not liking to trust him proposed that if he would draw a load of wood the next day as he was entirely out of that commodity (wood was a legal tender in those days), he would let him have the boots. In this the honest granger acquiesced. Well, the judge opened up his shop the next day by borrowing some wood of his neighbors; he waited all that day, but no wood came; also the next day. The third morning he went to the livery and hired a horse and cutter to drive out to the farmer's, some three or four miles to find out why he did not deliver as per agreement. He drove up to the house, and upon enquiring found that the farmer was at the extreme end of the farm chopping wood. The judge started out to find him. He wallowed through the snow knee deep, about half a mile or more, and found him on top of a beech log, whistling and making the chips fly. The judge accosted him, and said: "Why in the old cat don't you draw me that wood as you agreed to. Farmer John says: Wood! what wood?" "Why the wood you promised to draw for those boots that you have got on your feet; I told you I was entirely out."

Farmer says: "Well, the shoemakers in Sandstone lie so that a man can't tell whether they are out of wood or not." The judge dropped his head for a moment, and upon looking up, says, “By Kate! the boots are yours. He turned about and wades back to his horse and cutter, leaving the farmer whistling some pastoral air known to the pioneer.

CHAPTER V.

JACKSON PIONEER SOCIETY.

It has ever been considered a day of rejoicing when pioneers. should meet, when old comrades should come together to renew their memories and cheer up their souls. In the dim past, when, after Babel, the migrations of the people took an extensive form, the idea of periodical reunion was made practicable. On the land where Athens now stands such another meeting is said to have taken place as that which did honor to the pioneers of Jackson in 1874. Over two thousand years ago the spot on which is now built the city of Paris, the beautiful Leutetia of Inliam, the early settlers united in their strength and sacrificed to their gods in honor of their meeting and in thanksgiving for the beautiful land they possessed. Three thousand years ago the Partholanians met at Howth and lighted the pagan fires of joy for giving them a home in Ireland, so far away from the assaults of their brother Greeks; and still later the warlike Milesians assembled on the same shore to celebrate the anniversary of their conquest of the island, and to meet this merry circle before separating for their homes. Revert to the olden times, to the history of every country, and the accounts of those happy reunions remind us of their utility. If then our barbarous ancestors of dim antiquity observed the customs, how much more becoming is it for the people of to-day, who may be said to have reached the highest pinnacle of civilization to be attained by the race at present inhabiting this globe? The fact is accepted and acknowledged. Throughout the length and breadth of this great land, the large-souled pioneers who have made this country great, have assembled periodically to celebrate their advent and their stay, and to give thanks to their God for His mercy in leading them to peaceful and happy homes. The pleasure of such meetings is only known to pioneers. Their children can scarce conceive the feeling which such an assembly creates, or the happy memories which it awakens. For them alone it has an undying interest; and though the young may possibly share a little in the joy of the old, they never can summon up the same endearing memories as pertain to the latter, or entertain for the soil they tread that beautiful veneration which pertains to the heart of the old settler. He alone saw the virgin soil and married her. His industry tamed the beautiful wild land until it yielded returns a hundred fold; his hands decorated the farm with a modest and comfortable cottage, and now in his declining years he has that homestead to take pride in, and these happy meetings to yield him pleasure. Happy settlers! Good old set

tlers! Well deserved are the honors you have won, well merited the peace and joy that waits upon your age.

At an early period in the history of the county efforts were made to organize an association in which all the pioneers would be embraced. For many reasons the progress made was very slow, so that so late as seven years ago no regularly constituted organization had existence. Then the people, having emerged from the period of labor and careful guard, turned their attention to the good work, and without delay banded themselves together and the union of venerable citizens was completed.

ORGANIZATION OF PIONEER ASSOCIATION.

For a number of years prior to 1874 many of the pioneers looked forward to the time when the organization of their numbers would encircle them with the magnetic chain of close fellowship, and enable all to commune with one another at stated seasons, relate the reminiscences of the past, and thus aid in making subject for the history of the greatest Union the world ever saw-a history which will only be entered upon when other peoples may read, to wonder of the rise and fall of their monarchies and empires.

FIRST MEETING,

The organization of the Pioneer Society of Jackson County took place March 14, 1874, within Bronson Hall, in the city of Jackson. The meeting was large and influential, and on being called to order by Hon. Fidus Livermore, proceeded to the choice of chairman and secretary. The duties of these offices were accorded to ex-Judge David Johnson and H. H. Bingham, respectively. Judge Johnson introduced the subjects which would have to be considered by the meeting, and then called on those who intended to bring forward resolutions to do so. The first proposal was that constituting Messrs. Higby, Livermore and De Lamater a committee on constitution and by-laws. A brief adjournment followed, during which time these gentlemen compiled a series of 10 articles for the government of the society, the preamble setting forth that the object of the Jackson Pioneer Society is and shall be to collect and preserve a historical record of the county of Jackson.

It is unnecessary to review at any length the 10 articles of association. They are broad and liberal. In June, 1877, an amendment was accepted, granting to persons who have resided in the State 30 years, or in the county 20 years, the privilege of becoming members, together with making the admission of members' wives free. Prior to the debate on these articles of constitution no less than 144 pioneers enrolled themselves. Subsequently each article met with unanimous approval.

The election of officers resulted as follows: Hon. David Johnson, President; P. B. Loomis, Treasurer; and H. H. Bingham,

Secretary. These were the first county officers of the Pioneer Society.

The vice-presidency comprised 22 members, elected to represent their respective townships and the city of Jackson. Their names and respective districts follow: W. R. De Land, J. T. Durand, Samuel Higby and W. N. Buck, for the city of Jackson; Lewis Brown, township of Parma; James Gennison, Springport; L. Boynton, Grass Lake; Chauncey Hawley, Napoleon; Chester Wall, Sandstone; R. H. Anderson, Rives; J. C. Southern, Tompkins; H. Daniels, Blackman; Moses Suttle, Liberty; Ira Willis, Pulaski; James Videto, Spring Arbor; Wm. Clapp, Hanover; J. H. Tanner, Henrietta; Jacob Biglow, Concord; A. H. De Lamater, Columbia; L. M. Barber, Leoni; A. A. Qurley, Waterloo; Freeman J. Watkins, Norville; William Root, Summit.

These appointments completed the organization of the good old pioneers, and accomplished much for which the people of the future must be thankful. Before the adjournment Hon. H. A. Hayden, Hon. David Johnson and A. H. De Lamater were appointed delegates to the State Convention of April, 1874, and a most important resolution carried, requesting the township representatives to compile a history of their districts for the purposes of the record.

THE SECOND MEETING.

During the second meeting of the society in October, 1874, James O'Donnell, editor of the Daily Citizen, B. L. Carlton and W. W. Van Antwerp, of the Daily Patriot, with Tobias Miller, of Ingham county, and Eugene Pringle were admitted honorary members. At the same meeting a history of Pulaski township was submitted by Vice-President Ira A. Willis, of Norvell, by F. C. Watkins, and of Grass Lake, by L. Boynton.

THE THIRD MEETING

took place Feb. 22, 1875. The annual election, provided for in the articles of organization, resulted in the return of Col. Michael Shoemaker, President; P. B. Loomis, Treasurer, and H. H. Bingham, Secretary; with the following vice-presidents: J. A. Higgins, W. N. Buck, William R. DeLand, J. T. Durand, Jackson City; George Landon, Springport; Lewis Brown, Parma; H. S. Smith, Grass Lake; Chauncey Hawley, Napoleon; Chester Wall, Sandstone; Richard Townley, Tompkins; Henry Daniels, Blackman; Moses Tuthill, Liberty; Ira C. Wyllis, Pulaski; George Hatch, Spring Arbor; Wm. Clapp, Hanover; Samuel Preston, Henrietta; Joel Bigelow, Concord; A. H. DeLamater. Columbia; G. M. Barber, Leoni; A. A. Quigley, Waterloo; Alvinzie Hunt, Norville; William Root, Summit.