This week's prompt is "Witness to History." History can be on an international or national level. It can also be on a local level. I've chosen to focus on a more local level.
The boundaries of Allegan County, Michigan were laid out in 1831. It officially became organized in 1835. Sometime between 1837 and 1840 John William Brownell traveled to Allegan from Monroe County, New York. John was followed to Allegan by his parents, Ephram and Sarah Brownell, and three of his siblings. John had married Lavinia Sadler in New York before moving to Michigan. John was 27 and Lavinia was 16. They were definitely living in Allegan in February 1840 as their eldest son Charles Richard was born on February 25, 1840 in Allegan.
When John came to Allegan he settled on one hundred forty acres of land. The land was covered in woods and John worked hard to clear it. Not only did he clear the land on his own farm, but he also worked to clear a road from his farm to the tiny village of Allegan. It took 17 days to clear the road. At that time there was only one other farm between his and the village. Allegan consisted of 10-12 shanties at that time. John was also willing to help build other roads, buildings, schools, etc. The 1850 Federal census lists John's real estate value at $1200. Occupation was farmer.
In 1860 his real estate was valued at $2500 and his personal estate was $500. In 1870 his real estate value had increased to $8000 and personal estate increased to $1200. The family also had 3 non-family members living with them, a laborer, a domestic servant, and a carpenter. That was the last year the census listed the value of real estate. John did have 3 servants listed under his name on the 1880 census. One was a farm laborer, and 2 were domestic servants.
John was involved in Allegan affairs. He served as Path Master for 30 years. A path master is someone who is in charge of the roads. He also served as a school director and Moderator. He was also one of the stockholders of the Allegan Co-operative store. He was described as a Christian gentleman, but he wasn't affiliated with any particular church or religion. His parents belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. John was also said to be a strong supporter of the Republican party.
John passed away on April 29, 1904 at the age of 92. Cause of death was listed as old age, with heart disease which had been present for several years being contributory. Carl Strand would have been 3 years old at the time.
John Brownell was able to witness Allegan town, and County, go from being a heavily wooded area with few settlers to the thriving town of 3,000 inhabitants it was in 1904. Multiple schools, churches, businesses, newspapers and recreational activities.
How John William Brownell fits into the family:
Ephram Brownell 1783-1864
his son, John William Brownell 1812-1904
his daughter, Eva Brownell Pulsipher 1856-1939
her daughter, Mary "Matie" Pulsipher Strandt 1877-1961
her son, Carl Strand 1901-1996
sources used include Federal census records obtained on Ancestry.com and
Portrait and biographical record of Kalamazoo, Allegan, and Van Buren Counties, Michigan : containing biographical sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States. Published in Chicago by Chapman Bros. 1892.
Interesting information. Nice to know that a member of our family helped to develop the city of Allegan
ReplyDeleteRight. We've had ancestors in Michigan, and Allegan, since it was a state. Right from the very beginning, I had no idea our history went that far back.
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