The Brighton Argus, c. 1900, listed a number of farms, with a name and the name of the owner.  Research into location, type of farming and a bit of family background is undertaken.  This study is an attempt to provide an understanding of the early days of the area and its residents. 

1t is 1840 and Godfrey and Mary Hyne arrive in New York from Germany.  Four of their children, Charles T. 16, Frederick C. 15, Annie and Godfrey, Jr. made the three-month long ocean voyage with them.  Tragically, Annie and Godfrey, Jr. died soon after.  Within a short time the family moved to 160 acres of virgin land in Brighton Township.  By 1845, the family was listed among the charter members of St. George Ev. Lutheran Church, Genoa.

Upon reaching the age of maturity, Charles T. married Henne L. Westphal, in 1846.  By then he had purchased land in Sec. 8, Brighton Township.  The 1875 Atlas shows over 700 acres in his name including land in Brighton.  One finds the Charles T. residence on Hyne Road, known as MAPLE CREEK STOCK FARM.  Five daughters and three sons were born.

Frederick C. married Harriett Shefield c. 1847.  They settled on property in Cohoctah Township.  1865 found them in Fowlerville in a business enterprise.

At the time the railroad came through Brighton, 1871, most of the land on the east side of town was in Charles T.’s name.  He sold it to Smith/McPherson who subdivided it. He built a grain elevator on the south side of Main Street, east of the tracks and soon added a coal and a lumberyard.  He built a fine house on the NE corner of Second and Walnut where he lived out his life.

Chas’ first son, William F., joined his brother Frederick T. in an 18-year partnership.  Breeding stock, fast horses and top quality sheep were their major resources.  ORE CREEK STOCK FARM was, by 1900, in Fred’s name.  William F. married May Durfee in 1870.  After May’s death in 1881, he married Lois Hicks, from New York, in 1882.

Frederick T. was associated with his father, Charles, in the elevator, lumber and coal business for many years.  Fred married Sarah Hicks, c 1870.  Of their six children, four died in early childhood.  They are buried in the Village Cemetery.

Third son, Franklin L. married Elizabeth Sullivan.  The farm was names CLOVERDALE.  He operated a grocery on W. Main for several years and engaged in land and livestock speculation before retiring to his father’s farm on Hyne Road.

A partnership of Charles T.’s sons, William F., Frederick T, and Franklin L, operated the Brighton Flour and Grist Mill for several years. 

Compiled by Marieanna Bair from: First Landowners of Liv. Co., Early Landowners of Liv. Co., Fairview Cemetery Transcriptions and Brighton Argus obituaries all by Milt Charboneau; 1880 History of Livingston County; and 1891 Portrait and Biographical Album.