Oshea Wilder
Encyclopedia
Oshea Wilder was an early pioneer to southwest Michigan
. Born 16 July 1784 in Gardner, Massachusetts
to Elijah and Azubah (Wells) Wilder, he initially made his living as a blacksmith before entering the military to fight in the War of 1812
. On 4 February 1813, Wilder married Cornelia Anthony (1791–1866), daughter of John and Sarah (Shaw) Anthony. In the 1820s, they toured Europe, settling in New York upon their return to the United States
.
in Calhoun County
where Oshea worked as a land surveyor. The same year, the Ketchum Brothers arrived from New York, and Wilder assisted them in the founding of the village of Marshall. By 1835, the Village of Marshall had a population of 300.
In 1834, Michigan territorial governor Stevens T. Mason
appointed him to a three-person committee to determine Allegan County's county seat. In 1836, he purchased a 100 acre (0.404686 km²) plot of land in Allegan County, along the shore of Lake Michigan. On that land, he established the village of Singapore
.
One early feature of the town was that it had its own bank. Michigan law required that banks have funds enough on hand to cover at least 1/3 of bank notes that it printed. By 1838, over $50,000 in Singapore Bank notes had been placed in circulation.
Wilder deserted the town in 1846, moving back to Calhoun County. James Carter of New York bought out Wilder's interest in the town and moved there to oversee his investment. Wilder died in Eckford, Michigan
6 November 1847.
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Born 16 July 1784 in Gardner, Massachusetts
Gardner, Massachusetts
Gardner, Massachusetts is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,228 as of the 2010 census. Gardner is home to Dunn State Park, Gardner Heritage State Park, Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mount Wachusett Community College.-History:Named in honor of...
to Elijah and Azubah (Wells) Wilder, he initially made his living as a blacksmith before entering the military to fight in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. On 4 February 1813, Wilder married Cornelia Anthony (1791–1866), daughter of John and Sarah (Shaw) Anthony. In the 1820s, they toured Europe, settling in New York upon their return to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Michigan Pioneer
In 1831, the Wilders pioneered the area around present-day Marshall, MichiganMarshall, Michigan
Marshall is a city located in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,459. It is the county seat of Calhoun County...
in Calhoun County
Calhoun County, Michigan
-Interstates:* I-69* I-94* I-194* I-94 Business Loop serves the city of Albion.* I-94 Business Loop serves the city of Battle Creek.* I-94 Business Loop serves the city of Marshall.-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-37* M-60* M-66* M-78* M-89* M-96* M-99...
where Oshea worked as a land surveyor. The same year, the Ketchum Brothers arrived from New York, and Wilder assisted them in the founding of the village of Marshall. By 1835, the Village of Marshall had a population of 300.
In 1834, Michigan territorial governor Stevens T. Mason
Stevens T. Mason
Stevens Thomson Mason , also known as Stevens T. Mason, Tom Mason, The Boy Governor, and lesser known nicknames Young Hotspur and The Stripling, was the territorial governor of the Michigan Territory, and later the first Governor of the state of Michigan. Mason guided the Michigan Territory into...
appointed him to a three-person committee to determine Allegan County's county seat. In 1836, he purchased a 100 acre (0.404686 km²) plot of land in Allegan County, along the shore of Lake Michigan. On that land, he established the village of Singapore
Singapore, Michigan
Singapore, perhaps Michigan's most famous ghost town, is one of the casualties of the four great fires that ravaged the northern midwest on October 8, 1871...
.
One early feature of the town was that it had its own bank. Michigan law required that banks have funds enough on hand to cover at least 1/3 of bank notes that it printed. By 1838, over $50,000 in Singapore Bank notes had been placed in circulation.
Wilder deserted the town in 1846, moving back to Calhoun County. James Carter of New York bought out Wilder's interest in the town and moved there to oversee his investment. Wilder died in Eckford, Michigan
Eckford Township, Michigan
Eckford Township is a civil township of Calhoun County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Battle Creek Metropolitan Statistical Area...
6 November 1847.