CARMAN TOWNSHIP.
Carman precinct is a fractional township bordering on the Mississippi. The greater portion of it is .sloughs and almost barren sand, yet a portion of it is arable land. Considerable of its population is of the drifting, semi-nomadic, thriftless character, which is so much found along the great natural highways of all countries, who gain a meager subsistence by fishing, hunting and pilfering from those who gain a living by honest and manly means. Though this section has teemed with these rough, rude, wild characters,. there are some as fine people here as may be found anywhere.
The Babcooks, the Carmans, the Cisnas, the Curts, the Andersons, the Marsdens, the Vaughns and many others are highly respectable and well to do people. Henry Babcook, who died some years since, came in 1836 and settled near where Lomax now is, and soon after moved into T. 9, R. 6. William Marsden, an Englishman by birth, came here in 1842 and helped to make the county what it is. A year later his son Henry came.
The village of Carman was surveyed and platted at the instance of Joseph Carman, a man of much worth socially, morally and in a business way, in 1870. During the same year the Cisna brothers, Zelile and Enoch, moved their business from Shokokon, where they had located in 1866, here and opened in block 4, lot 1. This was the first business house in the place. Zelile sold to Enoch in 1872. Enoch since closed out the business. Zelile Cisna and Abraham Babcook opened a store of general merchandise in 1873. Mr. Cisna retired in 1875, succeeded by Elisha Babcook. The firm is now Babcook. Bros. In connection with his brother Zelile Cisna opened a stock of general merchandise in a room on block 7, lot 6, April 21, 1878, and closed out the following year. Mr. Cisna now occupies the building as a billiard hall. Lahling and Cisna, who had been in business at Shokokon, moved their business to Carman in 18 .70. Soon after this Cisna retired and was succeeded by M. L. Crane. Crane retired in 1873. The Cisnas, Zelile, William, Lewis and Enoch, with their father, John, came here in 1843, and have done much to develop the neighborhood.
Conducted by Mr. Lahling, April 16, 1877, Richard Hassel opened a harness shop here. He is now doing a thriving business.
On July 2, 1875, W. C. Walker opened a general stock of merchandise on lot 1, block 7. He is yet in business.
There is a substantial church building here owned by the Methodists, .which was built in 1876.
The first school-house was built in 1878. It is commodious and well furnished. There are two departments and two teachers are employed.
History of Mercer and Henderson Counties.
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