Struggling through the wet area in the southeast corner of Genoa Township (at that time the north half of Hamburg Township) around the lake (Lime Lake), it was with relief Henry Earl arrived on higher ground. But what a steep hill to climb! Henry Earl examined the 160 acres he had purchased from the U.S. Government for $400.00 in July 1836.
Henry and his wife, Nancy, lived in Saline, as did Nathaniel and Abigail Carr, who purchased an adjoining 120 acres. Within three years, Carr had acquired Earl’s interest and by 1844, the tax records indicate John and Nellie Weichers paid taxes on 233 acres purchased from the Carrs.
The Weichers built a small house (log?) on the very top of the hill on the section line along which most roads were eventually build. To add to the difficulties of life, the well was located at the bottom of the hill for many years. Most settlers did not build on the low ground because of the “Michigan fever” or ague which was prevalent among the settlers. It was though to be caused and spread by the miasma and vapors of the lakes and low lands.
The Weichers were one on the many German families which early settled in Genoa Township. These diligent pioneers soon felt a need to resume the corporate worship they had known in their homeland. John Weichers is listed as a charter member of the “Evangelical Congregation of St. George in Genoa” organized in 1845.
By 1859, John Weichers was also a merchant, owning a building and business on the southwest corner of Grand River and Main in town. This building was torn down after WW II.
In 1905 Emil Bauer owned the Weichers property which, by then, had a typical farmhouse of two floors with slanting ceilings in the upstairs bedrooms. That same year Henry Webber appeared on the records to be followed within a few months by Henry Herbst and in turn in 1907 John Herbst. The property was in the Herbst family for almost 80 years. Can one imagine the changes which, until 1986, when Weichers’ Hill was made less steep, the huge oak trees along Brighton Road must have had pass beneath them? The settlers’ oxen gave way to horses. The Model T could be put into neutral and one could coast all the way around Lime Lake. The advent of electricity created an entirely different world. Presently there is not a cow, sheep, chicken or barn (or the old house) on Weichers’ Hill.
Within the past 2-3 years, Rolling Meadows subdivision has made good use of those hills on Brighton Road, west of Bauer Road. When standing on top of Weichers’ Hill one sees many fine homes being built for the industrious 1980 settlers of the Brighton area.
Early morning July 4, 1876 finds the neighbors of Lewis Dorr driving past the substantial acreage he owned on the east side of Crooked Lake in Section 22, Genoa Township.
“Papa, I remember Grandpa telling me he knew Herr Dorr already when they lived in Germany.” “Ya, many of our friends who have settled in Genoa came, as we did, from Hessen-Darmstadt locale in the old country.” (Many of these early German immigrants who came to the U.S. between 1828-45 were middle class tradesmen, shopkeepers and artisans.)
“Herr Dorr’s grandson keeps telling me the first frame house in the township was built by his Opa. Is that right?” “Ya, Lewis was an expert carpenter and joiner. He also was selected to build our church on the land old Richard Behrens donated the German Society (Evangelical Lutheran St. George’s Congregation, Genoa, Michigan) back in ’49. Before then the church services and confirmations were held in homes and Dorr’s barn at the tavern and store he had on the Grand River Road near your school.”
“Papa, let’s hurry to get to Brighton in time for the celebration and picnic. The sun is hot here in the surry even with the top on.” “Be patient, the horses need a holiday too. We’ll be on time for the games and fireworks.”
In 1930 a developer by the name of Herndon purchased the old Dorr property intending to develop a golf course. This didn’t pan out. Within two years about 100 acres of the land Dorr owned on Crooked Lake was purchased by L. Harold Crandall. The Crandalls built a log cabin on the lake patterned after one promoted by Michigan State University. Thousands of pine trees were planted on the rolling, sandy hills, following the untimely death of Mrs. Crandall, he decided to develop lots for summer cottages – Crandall’s Crooked Lake Heights.
Since then 1945-1946, many beautiful homes with families enjoying the benefits of rural living and access to a large lake also are testaments to Crandall’s love of the area and access to the hard working initiative of Lewis Dorr and his neighbors.
“It looks like rain today”; the young man said to his father as he and his brother are driving the team pulling two wagons. They are on their way, returning the help given by their neighbor earlier in the week, to get the new mown hay into the barn before it gets wet and loses its nutritional value for the live stock. Extra wagons are brought so as to get the hay off the ground and into shelter should it rain.
“Don’t rush the horses. This is a long pull up Van Amberg Road. They shouldn’t be worn out before we get to the hay field.
Reaching the top of the hill they pass the small Lyons burial ground on the east side. This 8×10 rod plot had been set aside by Richard and Martha Lyons from the 160 acres in the SW ¼ of Section 22 in Brighton Township purchased in 1835 from the U S government. A glance at the small cemetery reminds them the site of the Lyons School on Buno Road was given by the Lyons in 1842. The log school has since been replaced with a Greek Revival style building. (Still standing.) Daniel O. Van Amberg bought the property from the Lyons and then sold to Art Carpenter. This was later purchased by Helen Parker in 1919.
At the top of the next rise the long driveway east to the Parker’s house and barns comes into view. Before long all the menfolk are gathered in the hay field where the loose hay, cut two days before with a mower and then turned with a hay rake, is now cured sufficiently to be harvested. On the wagon bed is placed a rope and wood sling. The men vie with each other to pitch the largest fork full up on the wagon where one of them is hurrying to place the bunches so the wagon is evenly and fully stacked. It takes a strong arm to pitch a fork full of hay high over one’s head when the wagon is nearly loaded.
At the barn the horses are driven through the large doors onto the wide plank floor of the haymow. High overhead, on a metal track running the complete length of the barn, is a car on rollers with pulleys attached. Ropes fastened to a large two pronged fork go through the pulleys. Another allows the men to move the car along the track. The hay fork is lowered to the hay on the wagon, pushed into the hay as deeply as possible and a lever is tripped which forces two hooks into the hay at the points of the fork. A horse, hitched to another rope, raises the heavy fork of hay, it is pulled into position over the haymow, another rope retracts the hooks and the hay drops to be evenly distributed by the sweating men in the hot mow. When the major of the hay has been removed the ends of the sling are brought together, attached to the hay car and similarly deposited in the mow.
In 1926, John Henry and Bertha Young purchased 120 acres from Parker. Ellen Jean Cooper and Lois Bird, children of the Youngs, began development of Pleasant View Hills Subdivision on 1964. The many comfortable homes built on the Lyon’s original purchase are proof that Richard Lyons know a good piece of land when he saw it. His contributions to the community are being equaled by today’s residents. The people living here are still as industrious as the farmers of earlier days in the Brighton Township.
Fishbeck, Suhr, Conrad, Dorr, Buek- the names of early settlers in Genoa Township surrounding Big and Little Crooked Lakes read as tho’ one were in German. (Most of Geona’s settlers were German speaking immigrants.)
Altho’ one might enjoy the beauty of a lake and appreciate the change of diet fresh fish could bring these hardy settlers know that one didn’t build a home on it’s shore. Everyone knew that fevers and ague, rife in this state of marshes and swamps were caused by the rising mists and vapors.
However by 1878, when “Uncle Henry Schoenhals bought the old Carpenter farm on the west side of Little Crooked in Section 28, a swimming hole on that shore had been used for some time by local youngsters.
Uncle Henry would let you drive your wagon with camping supplies down his lane. “Ach, be sure to lock the gate gut, so Uncle Henry’s cows don’t get in the corn.” ” I want to do the next one too, Papa.” “Yah, und let diener kneine brother help.” It wasn’t necessary to haul firewood because the old tamarack swamp nearby furnished fallen trees and roots. ” The big bon fires Papa builds at night are so exciting!” Drinking water was pumped from the well old Henry put in and milk and eggs could be bought from him also. Bread, meat and other staples were purchased from Bogan and Brogans store in Chilson.
Around the turn of the century sparse frame structures called ‘camps’ began to be built by various owners of land around the lake. The trail with a station at Chilson, brought parties of young people for a week or so of camping, decorously chaperoned by their elders.
World War I, changing economic condition; the auto industry; roads being graveled to meet the demands of the thousands of new auto owners who wanted to get out of the cities and go places at the breakneck speed of 25-30 mph; all created a tremendous interest in the lakes as sites for summer homes. As shore property was sold this meant the end of camping at the old swimming hole.
In 1927 the Burroughs Adding Machine Company purchased the property on Brighton Road as a place of recreation for their employees, building dozens of small cottages scattered over the hills.
In 1981, “Burroughs” was purchased by a group with plans to continue the recreational appeal of the “Farms”. The development of Oak Pointe into a place of desirable living quarters was put into action. The small cottages are no more and in their place one finds attractive condominiums and homes well suited to the 1980’s lifestyle of having one’s privacy while enjoying pleasant surrounding.
The horse is trotting through the early evening chill of autumn. Now we know why there is a dashboard on the front of the buggy – most of the mud thrown up from the hooves is deflected before it lands in our laps. We’re still glad a covering was brought to place over us.
“I’d slow down but we might get stuck in this swampy area.” (Much lowland in the area makes most trails even more difficult after a rain.) We’re on our way to Section 8 in Brighton Township for an evening of work and fun. Ears of field corn have been pulled from the stalks and piled in the barn. Now begins the husking bee, where the men will try to outdo each other in the number of ears they can strip of their leafy cover. And the ladies will each have brought their best-covered dish to the potluck. After the corn is stored out of the way, the cleared area will become a dance floor.
The NW ¼ of Section 8 was ‘taken up’ in 1835- 1836. Seth Bidwell of Orleans, N. Y. acquired the N ½ in September, 1835. Charles Spencer, Wayne, MI, the SE ¼ six months later and William Clark of NYC the SW ¼ in September 1836. By 1859 Charles T. Hyne had bought Clark’s piece. Clark had died in 1842, but large tracts still remained in the family including Clark Lake on Hacker Road. In 1870, Nathaniel Tompkins Osborn’s name was on Spencer’s SE ¼. By 1875, Bidwell, Hyne and Osborn were recorded as owners of Section 8 – Osburn Lake Estates and Lake Village Shores, which came into being about 100 years later.
By 1895 A. J. McClements had bought out Bidwell. At that time the lake was called Bidwell Lake. That area remained in The McClements, Osborn and Hyne hands until the 1920s.
Much of that land was swampy and difficult to cultivate. However sheep and cattle pastured there had a bountiful water supply. If the residents of Section 8 close their eyes and meditate they can probably still see the hay, corn, wheat and oats, all staples for a farmer’s needs, still growing with the animals grazing. Can still envision the farmer walking behind the plow. A different crop is being raised there today; young families developing into productive, responsible citizens.
It’s late November and the ground already has several inches of frost. Enough to support the horses pulling the large, low-slung wagon. That morning right after chores, the two early-teenage boys and the hired man had gathered their equipment, some food and coffee and started out to the big woods. Heading west out of town, past Lime Lake, then turning north on the section line road between section 25 and 26 (Bauer Road) in Genoa Township, then passed the fine farm of Emil Bauer.
During 1836-39 this SW ¼ of Section 25 had originally been ‘taken up’ by Grace Thompson (SW ¼ ); Hiram Olds (NW ¼ ); Truman B. Worden (NE ¼) and Almon Maltby (SE ¼). It was Maltby’s piece, which was acquired by Smith/McPherson when they bought up most of the area on the east side of the railroad in Brighton in 1871. By 1859, Emil Bauer had purchased Hiram Olds’ and Grace Thompson’s property. (Mrs. Amelia Bauer owned 75 acres just east, next to several 9-10 acre strips which fronted on Brighton Road, part of the Smith/McPherson Addition.)
Since the hired man and his employer both depended on wood for heating and cooking, many cords had to be cut each year. Not all trees felled were used for firewood. Many were taken to the local sawmill for cutting into various shapes and sizes for construction (barns, corncribs, tool sheds, etc.) and general repairs around the farm; such as wagon tongues. When a new tongue was needed two pieces of wood were taken to the blacksmith. One fitted with the necessary hardware, the other serving as payment for the work.
When they got to the shanty in the woods, the horses were stabled and fed, a fire started in the stove and the food placed on the rough table which was surrounded by several old chairs. By the window was a 6′ long wooden vice to hold the saw while it was sharpened with a hand file.
Proper use of the axe, crosscut saw, wedges and maul were taught. The hired man would take on end of the saw and the boys the other. “I don’t care how much you ride the saw, just don’t drag your feet!” Before too long the boys realized the saw would not be ‘spoiled’ if they rested before the cut was completed.
After determining which way the tree would likely fall a neat wedge was cut out of that side with an axe. Cutting with the saw on the opposite side, iron wedges were driven in to keep the tree from tipping back and binding the saw. At the first sound of cracking wood, the boys sprang back and the hired man pulled out the saw as the gap opened. He liked to set a stick where the tree was to fall and have the tree drive it into the ground – to demonstrate his aim.
Driving home in the early dusk, seated on a pile of firewood, they waved to the Bauers starting evening chores. They would be totally unable to comprehend today’s Mt. Brighton skiing facility and the dozens of homes clustered at it’s west base; the Mt. Brighton Subdivision. In the early 1960s, Percy Gardhouse and Associates purchased the ¼ section from Gerald Bauer, nephew of Albert Bauer. The ski lodge was a large hill which had surrounding soil graded upon its slopes to increase its height. The woods are gone and Bauer’s barns- now one finds fine homes of more recent immigrants to the Brighton area.
The 1839 map of Michigan is crisscrossed by Indian trails; mainly for foot travel, often not wide enough for a horse and rider. Within 11 years the Detroit to Howell Plank Road on the Grand River Trail was completed and by 1852 it was planked from Howell to Lansing, the newly located State Capital.
The plank roadbed was 18′ wide the planks 3″ thick. A fine smooth surface was provided for wagons, stagecoaches and carts when the road was new. Tollgates were erected – tool charges.
And so we find ourselves in the last ¼ of the 19th Century in a horsedrawn sleigh on our way to the Frank Hyne farm (on present day Hyne Road) in section 18 of Brighton Township for a day of quilting. With a heated stone at our feet and a buffalo robe covering us, it’s quite cozy for the five-mile ride ahead of us. We’re on the trail going north out of town, over Ore Creek, past the brick yard on the east side of the road, stopping at the toll gate (at present day Cross Street).
“They sure have a nerve charging toll on this road to the local people,” mutters our driver. “Now that the railroad goes through town we sure don’t need a toll road to haul produce into Detroit. Yeah, gavel ha replaced the planks but in wet weather it’s still not worth of a toll. They ought to be ashamed.
: Well, it won’t be long and the tolls will end when the gravel franchise runs out”, we answer.
” Then each farmer in the township will have to help when the “Pathmaster” sends the call to work out the road taxes by grading and filling: is the reply.
At the corner of present day Hacker Road, the sleigh turns north on the town line between Genoa and Brighton Township. In less than a mile we turn east on today
S Hyne Road for about ¾ mile to the house.
“It’ll be fun to visit with the others as we quilt. It seems so long since I’ve seen the ladies. I’m anxious to see Louisa’s baby.”
Ownership of the NE ¼ of Section 18 in Brighton Township has changed several times since being taken up by Wm. S. Conely from New York City in 1837, with Frank Hyne taking possession in 1881. The first owner of the W ½ SE ¼ was Abram Pietch, also from NYC in 1836. The E ½ SE ¼ was sold by the U S Government to George Post of Washtenaw that same year. By 1845, Charles Prosser owned the entire SE ¼. By 1895 John Hunter owned the E ½ SE ¼. Their names, along with Hyne, were still on the records by 1915. The difficult times of recession and the Great Depression are reflected in the records at the County Register of Deeds office.
From Indian trails to super highways; from swampy, muddy routes, fording streams and circumnavigating steep hills in rough wagons and stage coaches to traveling at high speed on limited access roads in comfortable air conditioned vehicles with power steering, etc., the people still come to build their homes in the area. In the late 1960s, Clarence Johnson is instrumental in developing the Woodland Hills #1,2 and 3 subdivisions. Duane Hyne, in 1973, sees to the beginning of the Air Way Hills area.
None of us contend with wild animals or fear the Indian but most of us have to contend with overcrowding and the fear of the unknown is still with us. The 1980s folks living in # ¼ Section 18 work just as hard, suffer just as much heartbreak and discouragement as the first settler. The early pioneers made it; they supported each other in times of trouble and sorrow. Today’s folks will also.
M. Bair, Editor. Compiled from “Michigan Memorabilia: by Wm. Pless, Liv. Co. Reg. Deed office and conversations with Duane Hyne, L. Herbst. From “Pioneer Ancestor of Michigan”, Wm. Pless, 1st Landowners by Milt Charboneau.