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Page 7
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The Jan Frederick House on River Street was originally built by Burton
French after leaving his log cabin. |
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Philo Sherman, Leveritt Hill and James Wilson also came in
1822, joined later by Leveritt's father, Isaac. 1824 Brought Russell Barnes and William Beers. Sheldon Barnes came in 1826, and in 1827 Rufus Bunce settled east of the center. Isaac and Kneeland Todd (twins), Cyrus Strong, Martin Bell and his father, Elias Bell and his family and the Simeon Brown family all settled in the eastern section. Lucius Tomlinson settled north of the Todd's section. 1832 brought Amos Clark, and Merritt Hyde who was the Indian agent and the second postmaster of Wakeman. North of James Wilson who lived on the west bank of the river was Nathan Downs. Going South toward Clarksfield were Lewis Beers, Marcellus Booth, and Gershom Shelton. Other early settlers were Bela Coe, Peter Sherman, John Brooks, Jabez Hanford, Hiram Rumsey, Henry T. Peck, Isaac Haskins, Dr. Curtis and Edward Denman. |
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From the earliest days Wakemanites had a reputation for
being on their toes. Reverend Zenophon Betts in the Firelands Pioneer, November 1868 says when a man was seen riding rapidly he was said to be "riding on a Wakeman trot." |
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The first child born in Wakeman was Burton Canfield,
April 18, 1818. The first wedding took place in 1822 at Abram Bronson's house. Marshall Johnson married Marinda Bradley with Dr. Clark performing the ceremony. |
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Wakeman was attached to Florence (then called Jesup)
until 1824 when it became an independent township. The first town officers were: Woodward Todd, clerk; Samuel Bristol, Justin Sherman and Silas French, trustees; Amiel Pierce, treasurer; Justin Sherman and Silas French, overseers of the poor; Augustin Canfield and Isaac Hill, fence viewers; Augustin Canfield, appraiser; Cyrus Minor, lister; Amos Clark and Marcus French, supervisors; Erastus French, constable; Dr. H. Clark, justice of the peace. |
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Burton Canfield built the first saw mill on the Vermilion
River in 1823 and the first grist mill in 1824. Before that settlers journeyed to Milan, Clarksfield or Florence for their grist. Saw Mills were built on Chappelle Creek by Pierce in 1833; C. C. Canfield in 1840 and B. M. Canfield in 1848. |
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The Vanfleet Brothers and Henry Peck each operated
cheese factories about the time of the Civil War and after. |
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The first improvement in swine stock was made by Isaac
and Kneeland Todd. |
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Early schools in Wakeman were open for classes just a
few weeks a year. When the frame school house was built in 1829 it became the meeting place for the Congregational and Methodist Churches. Christmas Eve 1829 it became the meeting place for the Congregational and Methodist Churches. Christmas Eve 1829 a union dedication service was held amid candlelight and evergreens. The first teacher was J. M. Root who later became a member of Congress. The second school district was set up in 1827 and a log cabin built at the center of town which was replaced by a frame school house a few years later. |
